Into the Free by Julie Cantrell

Millie Reynolds, a young girl in a small town in Mississippi, dreams of a better life for herself and her mother. Trapped in a difficult situation with an abusive father and a struggling mother, she longs for the strength to change her life. Then, her father is killed and her mother dies and Millie is left alone to pick up the pieces of her life. She hopes to understand her mother’s depression and her father’s abuse. She seeks answers in a long-buried box of her mother’s, but it raises more questions than answers. She is offered a job at the rodeo where her father died and discovers that she has a natural ability with horses. Now she must choose between two men who love her and decide the course of her life. Will she let life shatter her or will she find healing?

Julie Cantrell writes a riveting book which deals with many difficult issues that much of Christian fiction ignores. Abuse, rape, bitterness, and forgiveness are woven together in a redemptive way in this beautifully written novel. She shows religiosity for what it is and true grace-laced faith for what it is. I eagerly anticipate reading the sequel to this novel. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and this is my honest review.

Gone to Ground by Brandilyn Collins

Amaryllis, Mississippi, is a small town, where in the past 3 years 5 unsolved murders have terrified its population. All the victims were women who lived alone and each was killed in similar fashion while asleep in bed. But when the sixth murder occurs, 3 of the women of the town suspect 3 different men to be the murderer. Cherrie Mae, Tully and Deena join forces to solve the crimes. After examining the evidence and piecing the events together, they are certain they know who the killer is. But they find out that they were wrong and come face to face with the killer as he targets one of them.

The plot in this book moves along quickly, and I enjoyed it, but I found the character development a bit lacking. I didn’t feel that I really got to know the three women, which left me a bit detached as a reader. I did enjoy the surprise ending, though. If you enjoy a plot that moves swiftly and want some easy and entertaining reading with a surprise ending, you would enjoy this book. I received a free copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.