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!
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.
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.
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.
Waiting for
Christmas by Lynn Austin
This novella takes up where Ms. Austin’s last book, All
My Secrets, published in 2024, left off.
I really enjoyed learning how Addy and Howard were adjusting to married
life. Their little family expands to
welcome some orphans in need of temporary home.
Addy and Howard do their best to help them find their missing father,
who may be working as a sailor. As they
prepare for the holiday and work to find Jack and Polly’s missing parent, both
Addy and Howard learn important lessons about love and trusting God.
The characters are lovable and determined. I admired Addy’s tenacity and determination
to be a good wife. Howard is creative
and loves Addy well. Each character
grows and develops in a realistic way.
The plot is neatly tied up at the end of the book with some
interesting possibilities for the characters’ futures and a couple of surprises
the reader will enjoy. I am grateful to
the publisher for this book in exchange for this, my honest review.
It’s All Relative by
Rachel Magee
Helena is a high school teacher who considers it a good day
if she arrives at school early enough to review her lesson plans for the
day. Her best friend Landon is a history
teacher and soccer coach at the same school.
She wrangles him into tagging along as her plus-one on a wedding week
celebration for her mom and her new step father. The ground work is laid for lots of comedy
and some surprises.
The narrator makes this story zing! I really enjoyed listening to it. The plot twists, although not unexpected were
fun. I loved how the characters
developed over the course of the story.
The epilogue answered many of my questions and gave the story closure.
Even though this was published by Thomas Nelson, the content
was not explicitly Christian, but was very clean and enjoyable, even for teen
readers. It was the kind of story that I
was comfortable reading without having to filter any content.
I am grateful to Thomas Nelson for this very enjoyable audio
book in return for this, my honest review.
Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox
Josephina runs her own event planning business in a small
town that has snubbed her because of an issue with her father’s construction
company which has sullied her family’s reputation. She has been dumped by her boyfriend and
needs a change, so she takes a job as a project manager for an elderly
gentleman who has bought an island to refurbish the lighthouse.
The setting immerses the reader in the outer banks of North
Carolina. Small towns and marshes and
the sea provide the backdrop for the mystery that sweeps up Joey, Finn, the
grandson, and Walt, the grandfather.
The characters are interesting and revealed slowly by the
author. I especially enjoyed Joey. Although all of them have their flaws, they grow
and learn and give each other second chances.
There is a bit of romance laced throughout the story, both in
the past and the present, but not too much for a reader like me who prefers
just a little of it.
This was a captivating story and I am grateful to the publisher for the opportunity to read it in exchange for this, my honest review.
I Think I Was
Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker
A grieving widow learns through an AI chatbot that her dead
husband thinks he was murdered. This
sets her on a quest to find out how and why.
The novel has some mystery, romance, and suspense as well as
some unique features. The AI chatbot and
bitcoin mention captured my attention.
The Norwegian village and restaurant added a charming element. And of course, not everything is as it seems,
which adds some unexpected plot twists.
Even though Colleen
Coble has partnered with Rick Acker, I found the storyline and characters to be
true to her former books. If you are a
fan of hers, you will love this new series where she partners with Rick Acker. I am grateful to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley
for this arc in exchange for this, my honest opinion.
The Summer of Yes by
Courtney Walsh
This audio book was delightful. The narrator really added to the story. The plot was cute, but still thought-provoking. The characters were very personable and
quirky, especially Kelsey and Georgina. My go-to genre is Christian
fiction. This book was not overtly Christian
but was clean and I didn’t have to filter out any non-Christian elements. The ending was perfect as all the threads came
together in a very satisfying way. This
was the first time I had read anything by the author, but I will make it a
point to read her books from now on. I am
grateful to the publisher for the privilege of listening to this audio book in
exchange for this, my honest review.
After Annie by
Anna Quindlen
Annie was a wife, mother, best friend and nursing assistant
at a retirement home. She was dearly
loved by all her family and friends and they are lost without her. This story details their loss and their
healing.
I believe that this book would be very cathartic for someone
who had lost a mother, wife or best friend.
The struggle Annie’s children, husband and best friend faced was very
real. The emotions they felt were so well
captured by the author. It made me think
that the author had lost a person dear to her.
Despite the debilitating grief the characters experienced,
there was definitely hope for healing. None
of them forgot Annie, but continued to treasure her even though life carried
them on.
I enjoyed this book
and am grateful to the publisher for this copy in exchange for this, my honest
review.
The Crown
Conspiracy by Connie Mann
A secret world-wide team of women
who are flawed, talented and dedicated to helping women and children in need, work
to find the missing portraits of the Princess Johanna and her children. Meanwhile, other women are going
missing. Sophie and her newly discovered
Speranza group must find her friend Lise and the missing women and solve the
mystery of the 3 portraits.
This book contains a swiftly
moving plot, uniquely talented characters, a European setting and royalty,
which combine to keep the reader engaged.
I enjoyed this book and am
grateful to the publisher for the complimentary arc, in exchange for this, my
honest review.
Fatal Domain by Steven James
Travis Brock, redactor for the Department of Defense,
discovers that parts of his past have now returned to haunt his present. He and his newly formed team must determine why
a terrorist group wants to steal some very valuable military technology. As they dig deeper, the conspiracy grows
larger sweeping from a refugee camp in Uganda to the doors of the Pentagon and
involving a pharmaceutical giant, as well as a villain from a previous book.
As Travis struggles to
know who to trust, he must also come to grips with his past while grappling
with forgiveness. His budding
relationship with Adira is put to the test.
At the same time, the author puts a new villain in place and sets up a
new challenge for Brock, Adira and Gunnar.
This book had a good mix of action and pondering. The characters were further developed by this
story and I could easily see another book in the series. I would likely read another book because the
characters were intriguing, and the conclusion left me wondering.
This is the second book of the series and would be better
understood by reading the first, Broker of Lies. I am grateful to the
publisher for this book in return for this, my honest review.
Miss Morgan’s Book
Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles
This book is based on the true story of Jessie “Kit” Carson,
who travels to France in 1918 to join the CARDS, an organization of women
dedicated to helping the devastated French people. Jessie’s job was to set up
libraries to encourage the women and children of the French countryside.
The dual storyline also follows a NYPL librarian and
aspiring writer in 1987 who has discovered Jessie’s story and wants to bring it
to life. She meets one of Jessie’s
assistants and learns the rest of the story.
Both sets of characters are realistic, strong and grew
through difficult circumstances. They made different choices than I would have
and the author included a few scenes that I would have preferred not to read.
But overall, I enjoyed the book. I am grateful to the publisher for the arc in
exchange for this, my honest opinion.
These Tangled Threads
by Sarah Loudin Thomas
The Biltmore estate is the site of industries supporting the
tradespeople of the Appalachian mountains.
Lorna is a grieving, accomplished weaver who is teaching orphaned Gentry
the trade. Arthur is a talented wood carver.
The three of them become woven together as the story progresses.
Lorna is desperate to keep her job by designing an unusual
fabric. She comes across some beautiful
patterns belonging to Gentry’s dead mother.
Can she use them to rescue her position?
Arthur has loved Lorna but she seems not to notice him. Can he forget her and move on with his life?
Gentry is desperate to find the woman whom she has thought
dead for years, but hardly knows where to start.
The questions keep the reader involved in the plot as these
threads become even more tangled as the story progresses. The characters are lovable but flawed. The setting is interesting, letting the
reader experience what the life and times on the Biltmore was like.
The most difficult part of the book was keeping up with the
timeline. It kept shifting from past to
present in the different characters’ lives.
The setting often changed too.
Even though it was clearly marked, it still was confusing.
Readers who have enjoyed Sarah Loudin Thomas’ other books
will likely enjoy this one, too. I am
grateful to the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
The Lady with the
Dark Hair by Erin Bartels
Esther Markstrom is the curator of an art museum featuring
the work of her famous ancestor, Francisco Vella. She runs the museum and cares for her
mentally ill mother. She wonders if she
is destined to live an uneventful, boring even, life, when she encounters her
former college art professor, who turns her world upside down by a recent
discovery.
Bartels skillfully weaves the two storylines of Esther and
Vivienne, a 19th century artist together to reveal the mystery of
the lady with the dark hair. Not only does
she tell the story skillfully, but she illuminates the process by which artists
paint and how the pigments themselves were created and distributed.
The main point of the story is the struggle that women
painters encountered as they tried to break into an art dominated by men in the
late 1800s. The spiritual content of
this book seemed a little lighter than Bartels’ other works, but Vivienne
especially references Him in her trials.
However, this was a very enjoyable and clean novel and should be
palatable to readers who may be offended by spiritual references. It doesn’t contain pithy life lessons like a
Lynn Austin novel or showcase spiritual growth like a Jamie Langston Turner novel, but
it does contain two women who come to terms with what they want from life and
take action to get it.
I enjoyed this novel and appreciate the arc I received from
the publisher in exchange for this, my honest review.
The Berlin Letters
by Katherine Reay
This book reads like a spy novel because, well, it is! Luisa Voekler remembers very little of her
childhood in East Berlin. And she knows
only that her parents died in an automobile accident and her grandparents cared
for her as she was growing up. Then she
finds something that turns everything that she knows about her family upside
down. Secrets-- or are they lies-- cover
her past and now she must return to East Berlin to uncover the truth.
This novel is set in East Berlin during the tumultuous years
prior to the wall being torn down. No
one is what they seem and danger looms around every corner. The suspense keeps readers turning pages and
wondering who Luisa can trust.
The characters are well-drawn and three-dimensional. Luisa is strong and determined but not overly
confident. The supporting characters are
much easier to understand as Luisa uncovers her past more completely. There are also some unique characters who
play a pivotal role in the plot.
This is my favorite type of book, with lots of action,
interesting characterization and a satisfying conclusion. I have enjoyed the author’s other novels, but
this is my favorite. I am grateful to
the publisher for a complimentary arc in exchange for this, my honest review.
The Ark and the
Dove by Jill Eileen Smith
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if God gave
your husband an unusual command to keep your family safe? The author has given this much thought and
study as she wrote this novel. It gave
me a new respect for Noah and his family and the unusual task God gave them.
Jill Eileen Smith uses her sanctified imagination and
research at the Ark Encounter to flesh out a story of obedience to God against
the background of the culture’s unbelief.
Scripture does not name the wives who made this journey with their husbands. Nor is it specific with the types of
technology that would have been necessary to house, feed and dispose of waste
from an ark full of animals. With her
research she enables readers to see what life aboard the ark would have looked
like. Those of us who lived through 2019
and 2020 can appreciate what life in a confined space with just your family was
like, let alone needing to care for the many animals that daily depended on
them.
I could really empathize with Noah’s wife. Her desire was to have a healthy relationship
with each of her daughters-in-law. (I do
not have a Keziah among mine!) As a
woman, I am sure she valued the relationships with her family and made it a
priority to maintain them, even with a difficult family member in close proximity. I also appreciated how she trusted her
husband and didn’t try manipulate him even when she didn’t understand him.
This book seemed very realistic in the way the characters
related to each other. Even though the
outcome was already known, it was still very interesting to read about their
daily life. Readers who enjoy Biblical
fiction will enjoy this book and the way it brings Noah and Zara’s story to
life. I received an arc from the
publisher, in exchange for this, my honest review.
Between You and Us
by Kendra Broekhuis
Leona must choose between 2 versions of her life. Either her relationship with her husband is broken
or together they have suffered unimaginable loss.
How does a woman choose?
This book will have the reader wondering.
Although the quantum physics part lost me and I wondered at
the credulity of such a story, I got caught up in the book and realized that it
raised some fascinating questions.
Leona and David’s banter was entertaining and added light to
what could have been a dark situation. The
characters were well-developed and grew as the story progressed. The plot kept me reading and guessing what
Leona would decide.
Readers who have
experienced the death of a child may want to know that this book covers that
horrific loss.
I am grateful to the publisher for this complimentary arc in
exchange for this, my honest review.
Up From Dust
by Heather Kaufman
Mary, Martha and Lazarus are some of the most famous
siblings mentioned in the Bible. Heather
Kaufman writes this story from Martha’s point of view, as pieced together from
scriptural accounts. She makes some
assumptions to fill in the details of Martha’s life, but the resulting story
rings true. The reader comes away with a
renewed appreciation for the relationship the siblings had with each other and
with Jesus. As with good Biblical fiction,
this story made me want to pay greater attention to the details mentioned in scripture
and it made the familiar story come to life.
Heather writes beautifully.
The story’s rich details transport the reader to life in Bethany. And best of all, the story ended with Martha’s
heart being healed and her relationship restored with Mary. I look forward to reading more of Heather’s
work to transport me into the first century AD again. I am grateful to the publisher for this complimentary arc in return for this, my honest review.
A Feather, a
Pebble, a Shell by Miri Leshem-Pelly
The author invites reader to “explore the landscape of
Israel through the small, treasured objects a child finds in nature.” The tenderly illustrated book takes the
reader throughout the landscape of Israel, showcasing beautiful natural
features that a child can appreciate.
Laced with facts regarding the topography and natural items, this book
is a treasure itself. As a teacher, I
would enjoy sharing it with my students and as a grandmother I look forward to
sharing it with my grandchildren, introducing them to a land that I have come
to love.
I highly recommend this beautifully written and illustrated
book and I am grateful to the publisher for a complimentary copy in exchange
for this, my honest review.
All My Secrets
by Lynn Austin
Set in the Gilded Age, this book traces the lives of 3 women
in a well-to-do family. These women,
Junietta, Sylvia and Addy must decide how to proceed now that their son,
husband and father is gone and their lives are disrupted. Will it be a chance to start anew or a scramble
to hold onto what they cannot stand to lose?
The author weaves the story of the lives of these three
women and their pasts into lessons astute readers will take to heart. She portrays the heartbreak of lost love, the
beauty of second chances and the importance of living a worthwhile life. The plot steadily carries the story forward
while alternating between the three women and their choices. The reader is kept interested while the
background and the secrets of the women are revealed. The story raises many good questions, causing
the reader to think through their own life choices.
As Lynn Austin is one of my go-to authors, I heartily
recommend this book. Readers will enjoy
the story and the setting and the life lessons that permeate it. I am grateful to the publisher for the
complimentary copy of this ebook, in exchange for this, my honest review.
A Lady’s Guide to
Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell
Miss Clara Marie Stanton is known to her loving grandfather
as Little Atlas because she often carries the weight of the world on her
shoulders. Living in the mid 1800’s, she
is terrified that something horrible will happen to her family, especially if
the word gets out about her uncle and his disgraceful demise. The rest of the family is quite unique with
her mother an animal rights activist who can’t pass up a stray and her
grandfather who is an inventor of automatons including butterflies and a huge
flying owl. As she seeks to protect her
family, her grandfather leads her on a merry scavenger hunt across Europe. She attempts to follow his clues while
staying ahead of her former fiancé who wants nothing more than to use her
family for his own nefarious purposes.
There were many things that made this book unique and entertaining.
The automatons were a fun surprise. The many interesting locations in the book
were fascinating. The characters were quirky,
a definite plus for this reader. And the
vocabulary was delightful, often requiring me to use the look up feature in my
kindle.
Readers who enjoy a witty read with unexpected elements, a
bit of romance, and lovable characters who grow spiritually are sure to enjoy
this book. I received a complimentary
copy from the publisher in return for this my honest review.
The Divine Proverb of Streusel by Sara Brunsvold
Nikki Werner is at her wits end to know what to do with her
life. Her father has divorced her mother
and according to a social media post, has recently remarried. She is confused and afraid to move forward
with her own relationship with her boyfriend, Isaac. After school is out for the summer, she takes
off for her grandmother’s farmhouse and her Uncle Wes, a virtual stranger. The summer away, time with her relatives and
her grandmother’s handwritten recipes help her to rediscover her roots and mend
the broken places in her life.
This book contains some endearing characters. Uncle Wes and Joyce were some of my favorites. I loved how Nikki matured and came to
understand her father better through the stories of her relatives.
The plot and characters kept me engaged with the book and provided a satisfying ending. I think other readers will enjoy this book also, especially those who have experienced broken family relationships and need the hope of reconciliation. I am grateful to the publisher for the complimentary copy of this digital book in exchange for my honest review.
An American Immigrant
by Johanna Rojas Vann
Melanie is a second-generation immigrant from Columbia. She just doesn’t understand her mother until
she receives an assignment to visit Columbia and write a story about the drug
problem there. Her mother insists that
she visit her grandmother in Cali and Melanie’s life takes a drastic turn.
This was an enjoyable story, but one to which I really couldn’t
relate. But not everyone will be able to
say that. With so much of our political life focused on the many immigrants who
have recently entered our nation, this book has an important viewpoint for
people like me who don’t have an immigrant experience in their recent past. It was a valuable story in that it showed me
the human element of illegal immigration.
The characters showed growth, especially Melanie, and the
plot moved along nicely even though the ending was not a total surprise. All in all, it was a satisfying read which
conveys an important message of empathy towards others who walk a different
path in life from ours.
I received this book in exchange for this, my honest review
and I thank the publisher for their generosity.
Every Ocean Has a
Shore by Jamie Langston Turner
This book is one of the few on my blog that I haven’t
received in return for an honest review.
Jamie Langston Turner is one of my favorite authors and I just had to
purchase this book and include it on my blog.
True to form, this book moves at a leisurely pace so that
the reader becomes very invested in the lives of each of the characters. Gary, Fawna, and Alice are bound together by
a near tragedy and despite going their separate ways, they maintain a
friendship in which they each grow and develop as people.
Jamie has developed a wonderful cast of characters in her
many novels and I was pleased to meet Eldeen, Jewel and Willard again. It was like visiting old friends after years
of absence. And now I consider Gary,
Fawna and Alice friends, too, and hope to meet them again in another book.
Jamie’s books stimulate the interest of the reader in the
personalities and quirks of fellow humans.
She can make a character reading a National Geographic magazine
seem fascinating. I could also identify
with the inner thoughts of the characters because they were so well expressed. And at the risk of giving away a spoiler, I
was truly sad with Eldeen’s death. I was
looking forward to seeing her in another book.
Although her books don’t beat the reader over the head with
a Bible, the message of salvation and faith is quietly present as the
characters make their way to God. The
love that they show to each other, and their families is a testament to their
faith. These elements make reading her
books an uplifting experience that many readers would enjoy. I enthusiastically recommend this book and her
former ones as well.
