Great beach read!

 

What Not to Do on Vacation by Rachel Magee

Cora, Bianca and Savannah are spending a month at the beach at their family’s traditional vacation spot to honor their mother’s last wish.  Oldest sister Savannah has planned lots of summer bucket list activities, but the one activity not listed is to prevent youngest sister Bianca out of her plan to marry her fiancé whom she met online but has never met in person.  Of course, the plot becomes knottier, but I don’t want to spoil the story.

This story has lots of witty banter, some family and relationship drama, and lots of laughs plus a great setting.  Never mind that it isn’t unpredictable.  It is a great beach read and has a happy ending with an important lesson that all the sisters learn.

I enjoyed it and would recommend it to a friend who enjoys a clean and witty romcom.  I am grateful to the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Robert Whitlow's newest legal thriller

 

Guilty Until Innocent by Robert Whitlow

Joe Moore is serving a prison sentence for killing 2 innocent people while under the influence of meth.  He has come to terms with his guilt, accepted God’s forgiveness and begun to minister to his fellow inmates.  God is using him greatly to influence the other prisoners.  When his aunt decides she wants to re-open his case to see if he can be released early from prison, he isn’t sure what to think.  As the story proceeds, events begin to accelerate, and forces begin to conspire to keep Joe’s case closed. 

 This book held some unexpected surprises and plot twists, but it ended in a very satisfying manner.  The characters were worthy of admiration:   Joe, Ray and Deshaun for their faithful Christian witness in prison and Paige and Ryan for their spiritual journeys.  Even though Robert Whitlow’s writing style (and legal thrillers in particular) is not my favorite, I found much to like in this book. Readers who want to read a clean, suspenseful story will enjoy this book.  I am grateful to the publisher for the complimentary arc in return for this, my honest review.

 

 

 

Latest of Charles Martin's Keeper series

 

The Keeper by Charles Martin

This book, number 4 in the Keeper series, was full of surprises.  It does contain the same cast of characters as the previous book, with the addition of a few new ones.  It rehearses much of the last book to refresh the reader’s memory about the end of Bones’ life.  I found that helpful because it had been awhile since I had read the third book.  But the surprises take your breath away!  And the author keeps the door open for more stories in the series.

Readers who enjoy some action-packed adventure with a true hero—one worthy of admiration—will be glued to this book.  I am grateful to the publisher for the arc in return for this, my honest review.

Ellen Skrmetti's laugh out loud book

 

Hey Jesus, It’s Me by Ellen Skrmetti

Ellen talks to the reader about important parts of life in the south.  She covers topics like hot flashes, growing up southern, southern funerals, and unspoken prayer requests.  This is a quick, entertaining read and clues in us northerners about some of the things we’ve always wondered about our southern counterparts.  If you want a funny, laugh out loud read, containing a kernel of southern truths, this book is for you!

Connlilyn Cossette's latest book in The King's Men series

 

Shield of the Mighty by Connilyn Cossette

The King’s Men book #2

This book tells Zevi’s story.  He was a boy that was kidnapped by the Philistines and later adopted by the Champion of Ashdod.  He is a soldier fighting for Israel, rising through the ranks to distinguish himself in King Saul’s men.  On his quest to conscript more soldiers for the army and to gather artisans for Saul’s court, he must return to his hometown.  He is drawn into a perfumer’s shop and is captivated by the scents and the artisan, Yochana.  This chance meeting changes the course of both of their lives.

I really enjoy the writing style of Connilyn Cossette.  This is the second book with these characters and I appreciated learning more about their histories. The characters are so well-drawn that I missed them when the book ended.  I also enjoyed learning more about life during the early history of the nation of Israel.

Even though this is the second of the books in this series, the author gives enough background information that this book can be read and appreciated on its own, but for the most enjoyment, the first book, Voice of the Ancient should be read first. Readers who enjoy biblical fiction will find much to enjoy in this series, as Connilyn Cossette does much research to give the reader an authentic experience in the history of the nation of Israel.  I received this book from the publisher in exchange for this, my honest opinion.

Cute picture book on the president's day

If Otis was POTUS by Slater Harry

 As a retired second grade teacher, this is a very child-friendly way to explain what life is like for the president.  The little dogs are cute, the rhyming text is fun although maybe a bit contrived in some spots, and the illustrations are warm and fun.  The real-life pictures of the dog characters at the end add a very special feature that kids will love.  I can easily imagine reading this to a classroom to illustrate how our president works to get things done for our nation.  And of course, the flea infestation easily corresponds to another national emergency in the recent past. I am grateful to have received this arc in exchange for this, my honest review.

Charming Novel about an Octogenarian

 

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston

This book was easy to love.  Frederick was an endearing character who finds himself near homelessness when he stumbles into Bernard’s life, literally. 

The writing was humorous, even laugh-at-loud funny.  The characters were lovable.  Frederick’s attitude toward his new life and good fortune are refreshing.  He changes the lives of people around him by loving them well.  In short, there was much to enjoy about this book.

The reason I gave it four stars instead of five was due to the language.  It was a bit cruder than I would have liked, but I understand that is a personal preference.  I do think the author could have achieved the same effect without the four-letter words.

If you are a fan of lovable characters, clever plots, happy endings, and funny situations, you will enjoy this book.  I am grateful to HarperCollins Publishers for the arc in exchange for my honest review.