logo
Wrong email address or username
Wrong email address or username
Incorrect verification code
back to top
Search tags: kellie-coates-gilbert
Load new posts () and activity
Like Reblog Comment
show activity (+)
review 2015-01-06 03:10
Where Rivers Part
Where Rivers Part: A Texas Gold Novel (Texas Gold Collection) - Kellie Coates Gilbert

By Kellie Coates Gilbert

Series: A Texas Gold Novel #2
ISBN: 9780800722739
Publisher: Revell
Publication Date: 2/17/2014
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 4 Stars

 

A special thank you to the author and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A powerful novel and richly layered, Kellie Coates Gilbertreturns with her second installment in the Texas Gold series with WHERE RIVERS PART, a complex and riveting story of redemption and forgiveness.

Another winner by Kellie, crossing many genres – Love her twist of Christian fiction, family, women's fiction, chick-lit, crime, mystery, suspense, relationships, and corporate scandal – all rolled into one gripping tale.

If you have not read the first in the series A WOMAN OF FORTUNE (Texas Gold #1), highly recommend. They can be read as a standalone; however, you will want to read them both, with highly charged and well researched topics ----and Gilbert knows Texas!

Dr. Juliet Ryan has devoted her scientific acumen to corporate America, at Larimar Springs, providing safe drinking water for millions, with plenty of perks. She followed in her well-known father’s footsteps; however, she and her father do not see eye to eye on many subjects and are always arguing. She has never forgiven him for things he has done in the past and cannot get past how her mom seems to overlook, by forgiving and forgetting so easily.

Juliet thinks she has it all, when a scandal breaks out, placing her in the middle of the fallout, putting many lives in danger and risk, while she tries to protect the public and her own reputation. However, with nowhere to turn, she solicits the help from her father to support her and help expose the wrongdoing.

Two people will go down for multiple counts of distribution of adulterated food product, as well as conspiracy and fraud related to the audits. She feels betrayed by those she trusted and struggles to find peace, going back to her mother’s words, “to forgive and let go.”

I really enjoyed Kellie’s inspiration for the novel, as noted in the author’s notes. Sparked by a legal matter in the mid-nineties with the Jack in the Box restaurant with deadly outbreaks, while she was immersed in reviewing the massive amounts of evidence in the litigation. She developed a new appreciate for those charged with maintaining food safety, as well as her husband’s senior management role with the food business.

Hence, Where Rivers Part was born with the question, what if, and how San Antonio fit into the water theme with the Edwards Aquifer, a unique groundwater system, and one of the most prolific artesian aquifers in the world, serving millions. She also relates the water and river to the Living Water in the Bible for hope and forgiveness for an engaging read and much needed emotional healing.

I also enjoy interacting with Kellie via social media, as she is a genuine person, mother, and talented author. If you have not read any of her books, you are missing out - an author to follow!

 

Fans of Kristin Hannah, Eileen Goudge, and Emilie Richards will enjoy Kellie's highly charged subjects surrounding women with a powerful takeaway message.

 

Texas Gold #1
A Woman of Fortune
 

Read My Review  

 

 

Source: www.goodreads.com/review/show/1147075072
Like Reblog Comment
review 2014-06-13 22:55
A Woman of Fortune
A Woman of Fortune - Kellie Coates Gilbert

By Kellie Coates Gilbert

ISBN-13: 9780800722722
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Publication date: 6/3/2014
Series: A Texas Gold Novel #1
Format: Other
My Rating: 4 Stars

 

Kellie Coates Gilbert’s latest, A Woman of Fortune is an emotionally charged and complex  novel, diving into one family’s life of messiness—scandal, deceit, lies, wealth, and greed.

 

Claire, a Texas socialite enjoys the fabulous life and all it has to offer as well as members of her family –until her cattle broker and financier husband, Tuck is arrested and incarcerated on multiple counts of cattle fraud and federal racketeering charges— her world comes crumbling down.

 

Betrayed and humiliated, Claire must face incredible obstacles, and gain strength and courage in order to save her family--and discover a life worth living. They both started from a humble beginning; however, the path to success placed more and more pressure on one man. His greed led him astray. Claire also relied on her husband, versus making her own way. When her worldly possessions, and her family is disrupted, she discovers her true self. Hindsight, you can see how both Claire and Tuck brought baggage into the marriage. Can they make their way back?

 

Some great character development and lots of humor mixed in, as Jana Rae (Clarie’s best friend) had some hilarious come backs and one liners!

 

With firsthand experience, probably not one of the most sympathetic, when it comes to these type of stories; however, humans are not perfect. Gilbert did an outstanding job of looking inside one family at the devastation it causes, the emotional fallout—not only to the immediate families, but the investors, friends, church, and others which invested their money, and put their trust in this company and its leader. In desperation, people make poor choices out of fear; however, sometimes the outcome is worse than the original fear---as proved in this heartfelt and emotional story.

 

Having lived in West Palm Beach, FL for years, and less than two miles from Bernie Madoff’s Palm Beach former home (also on my bike trail), with many friends, and neighbors being victims of this Ponzi scheme, and all the publicity surrounding this tragedy here during this time— could relate to this story.

 

Was also involved in a high profile case, a Whistleblower for one of the first Sarbanes-Oxley cases to be filed in federal court—at the time of its enactment, in the wake of corporate accounting scandals — the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was the most sweeping financial regulation since the Securities Act of 1934. The law was designed to regulate accounting practices of publicly traded companies after the Enron fall, and protect those who uncover misdeeds before millions of shareholders are affected. In hindsight, has the law achieved what was intended over the last twelve years?

 

The case involved a national publicly traded home builder convicted of leading a conspiracy, falsifying reporting profits and deceiving the public about earnings; thereby affecting stock shares through a cookie jar accounting scheme and manipulating company’s publicly reported financial statement, from 2000 to 2007. Even though convictions and sentences are being served and restitution of up to $50 million demanded to be repaid; however, this in no way can it make up for the lives of those affected by the greed of certain individuals or companies.

 

Kellie’s experience in the legal professional proved helpful in the research and writing of cattle fraud, as well as her insights. Marriage, family, relationships, friends, and faith are tested in this poignant story of love and forgiveness.

 

Looking forward to the next book in the series of A Texas Gold!  A special thank you to Revell and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

 

Texas Gold #2

WHERE RIVERS PART

Read My Review 

Feb 17, 2015 

Source: www.goodreads.com/review/show/926081917
Like Reblog Comment
review 2013-02-19 00:00
Mother of Pearl
Mother of Pearl - Kellie Coates Gilbert Barrie’s life is about to be completely turns upside down and nothing can prepare her for the devastation and pain her family is about to go through. The mother of two, wife, and friend – she feels like an outcast when she stands up for her daughter amid the chaos.

It is so hard to put into words how this book made me feel. It was an emotional rollercoaster that had me bawling me eyes out and wishing I could give Barrie a big hug. The synopsis says the story is emotionally riveting and profoundly moving – that is an understatement.

Nothing prepared me for the depths this story delves into. The pain, emotions and the things a parent will do to protect their child. How things can change so quickly in life, and how it can take our breaths away. This story shows just how precious every moment can be.

Would I recommend this book? Most definitely. BUT keep tissues close by… this is such an emotional story you need them! Kellie’s writing style is fabulous, she kept me glued through out the story. Would I read more by this author? Yes.
Like Reblog Comment
show activity (+)
review 2012-10-26 00:00
Mother of Pearl - Kellie Coates Gilbert I honestly do not know how to review this book. I was blow away while reading. I could have finished this book in one sitting. However, I got to one part of this book crying so much I had to stop reading. I laid this book aside for about two weeks and picked it back up. I finished the book but my heart ached. I do not know how the author was able to do it but I became Barrie while reading. I could actually picture myself doing the same thing to protect my child.

This book should be necessary read for all parents. While reading it parents will realize not take their child for granted. To cherish each day, to spend more time, to try and understand what the child is going through and above all love the child unconditionally. To remember what it was like at the age your child is when something major is happening, to learn from your child. Yes, parents often forget that not only are children learning from us by our action but also we learn from them.

Some readers might say this parent takes protecting to a different level. However, I see it as making sure I did everything in my power to protect my child. To trust my gut instinct and to know that it does not hurt to be overprotective. Yes, the child may rebel but to as a parent you will know that the child has been taught the difference between right and wrong. As a parent, you will learn that the rebellion is just their way of proving they have control over their life.

Carrying a child for 9 months in the womb forms a bond that a father will never have with a child. A bond goes beyond being a parent. A bond that is not just instinct to protect. It is a bond that a mother will do anything to protect, save, and even right a wrong that was made against our child. Is it animal instinct, well some might say it is, while others will say it is just part of being a mother.

In this book the author proved that a mother’s bond is strong than anything life throws out. A mother would conquer anything in the world single-handedly, to protect her daughter. Even when everyone around her was telling her to let it go to know that, she had to right a wrong against her daughter. Yes several times in the book people keep telling the mother to let it go, to give it to God. However, the mother does not listen or just refuses to believe that any being could understand her loss, her pain, or even her suffering.

I hope this book will reach all parents with children. To learn from the mistakes the author wrote in the character Barrie. Yes, it proves that no matter the upbringing every child will rebel in some way. However, we as parents need to learn why they are rebelling and not just focus on the rebelling, to learn to give the problems over to a higher power and just Let Go, and Let God.

Read this book and take a look at your parenting skills. You will walk away with a new look on how you are raising your child and I hope that you will change, learn to treasure the child.

The gist of my review:
Would I recommend this book? Yes!
Should you read this book? Yes!
Thanks for a wonderful heartbreaking read Kellie

The bunnies and I give this book 4 carrots.

More posts
Your Dashboard view:
Need help?