A Bounty of Books

Forever Friday by Timothy Lewis is an enchanting story of the lifelong love of Gabe and Huck Alexander. Adam Colby, an estate broker, stumbles across albums filled with weekly postcards from the Alexander's sixty year marriage, each with an original poem written by Gabe on the back. Recently divorced and intrigued by a love that seems to eclipse anything he has ever experienced, Colby seeks out the only person who can help him fill in the gaps of the Alexander's story, their long time housekeeper's daughter Yevette Galloway.

The story of Gabe and Huck's love is told by Yevette to Adam in flashbacks told from both Alexanders' perspectives, though mainly through Huck's. Through this retelling, both Yevette and Adam discover some truth they've been seeking. Each chapter that tells the Alexander's story begins with one of the poems found on a postcard, as well as a place and date. Most of the story involves their early years, though the last four or five chapters cover stories that occur several years apart until Gabe's death.

I'm not generally a fan of romantic fiction of any sort, in any medium. However, the constancy of a man writing his wife a postcard every week for six decades intrigued me, which prompted me to request to review this book. I'm so glad I did. Forever Friday is a powerful story of the kind of love a man and woman can experience when they are completely devoted to one another and their relationship is founded in faith. This was a retelling of a simple, rich, and powerful romance without any of the sap and frivolity that ruins many other stories. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance stories, simple stories of how people relate to one another, or anyone interested in the history of the Houston area in the early 1900s as this is where the majority of the story takes place.

I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers as part of their Blogging for Books book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Though Heart Failure is not edge of your seat suspenseful, it is fairly entertaining and keeps the reader guessing. There are enough red herrings thrown in that do a good job of obscuring the truth of who is behind the attacks and why until the end. Adam and Carrie share equally in the narration, with the perspective sometimes shifting mid-scene. The balance provides good character development and gives the reader insight into both main characters and their thoughts and motivations. The other characters are entertaining and add to the uncertainty both the main characters and the reader feel as the story progresses. The faith of both main characters is developed as more of a background theme than a dominant one. The romance between Adam and Carrie is a key part of the story, though I think calling Heart Failure a romantic novel would be a stretch.

I'd recommend Heart Failure by Richard Mabry to anyone who enjoys a solid story with some twists and turns. Those who enjoy reading novels told from one than more perspective will especially enjoy this. There is a little something for those who enjoy suspense, a touch of romance, or modern day stories.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255