The Day the Angels Fell Review

It was the summer of storms and strays and strangers. The summer that lightning struck the big oak tree in the front yard. The summer his mother died in a tragic accident. As he recalls the tumultuous events that launched a surprising journey, Samuel can still hardly believe it all happened. 

After his mother's death, twelve-year-old Samuel Chambers would do anything to turn back time. Prompted by three strange carnival fortune-tellers and the surfacing of his mysterious and reclusive neighbor, Samuel begins his search for the Tree of Life--the only thing that could possibly bring his mother back. His quest to defeat death entangles him and his best friend Abra in an ancient conflict and forces Samuel to grapple with an unwelcome question: could it be possible that death is a gift? 

The Day the Angels Fell by Shawn Smucker was a different kind of book then I usually like to read. And I really loved it! I enjoyed the style Smucker wrote in and I really enjoyed how he used the dual perspectives of both older and younger Sam. This supernatural tale is full of suspense and mystery as well as hope. The Day the Angels Fell is a classic good vs. evil story and I can't wait for a sequel.

5 out of 5.

I received a copy of this book from Revell for a honest review.

The Two of Us Review

After two broken engagements, nurse practitioner Mia Robinson is done with dating. From now on, she only trusts herself and God, and she's focused on her eighteen-year-old sister, Lucy, and caring for patients. Just as she applies to work for an international aid organization, a phone call from Lucy, who's pregnant and running off to marry her twenty-one-year-old boyfriend, throws a wrench into all of Mia's plans.

Jake Tanner may have recovered from the physical injuries he sustained on the job as a police officer, but his heart has yet to heal from losing his former partner in the tragedy. He's poured himself into starting a camp for the sons of fallen officers and mentoring Sam, the adult son of his deceased partner, who's asked him to be his best man at his wedding. 

Mia is expecting a mess when she arrives to sort out the situation with Lucy, but she wasn't expecting Jake. And Jake, who can't help envying Sam and Lucy, doubts he'll ever experience their happiness for himself. But maybe Jake's courage and Mia's caring spirit are just what they need to bring them a lifetime of healing and a forever kind of love. . . 

The Two of Us is another amazing read by by Victoria Bylin. I loved reading about Jake and Mia as well as Lucy and Sam. Mia struggles to let herself trust others after past situations and I enjoyed watching her growth throughout the book. The author also did an amazing job portraying the reality of Alzheimer's with her writing of Jake's parents journey.  Another thing I absolutely loved was the epilogue. I'm the kind of girl who always wants a happy ending and I adore it when the author gives me an "a few years later" kind of epilogue. It always makes it a little easier to close the book.

5 out of 5. 

 I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.