Action Adventure with Murphy Shephard

 The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin 

 Murphy Shephard’s story continues with this book. He pursues the bad guys who are trying to traffic young people.  Only this time, it becomes very personal.  His wife and daughter are taken. 

 Along the way, the author fills us in on much of the history of the relationship between Murphy and Bones, a priest, as well as some of Murphy’s past.  After having read The Water Keeper, I appreciated having some of my questions answered.

 

For those who have not read the previous book, which I recommend, Murphy is a real hero, even better than James Bond.  He has the same kinds of resources, skills and abilities, but completes his missions with a pure heart to unselfishly help others.  In his spare time, he is a very popular author and loving father.  Ok, so maybe he is too good to be true, but this is fiction, after all! 

Charles Martin is at the top of his game with character development and plot pacing.     I must say that I could hardly believe how quickly I read this book!  The ending surprised me and left me with hope of a sequel.  If you are a Charles Martin fan, this one will not disappoint.   I am grateful to the publisher for a free copy in return for  my honest opinion.

 

Southern Fiction Featuring a Family of Color

 

‘Til I Want No More by Robin Pearson

 

Robin’s latest book focuses on a family facing a time of reckoning. The daughter, Maxine is engaged and writes about the wedding planning.  As she navigates the challenges of planning for a new life with her fiancé Teddy, she must confront her past.  Of course, like in real life, the confrontation gets messy.

 

What I liked about this book is that it features a family of color, which seems to be under-represented in Christian fiction that I have read.  I also enjoyed the appearance of characters from her previous book. I also found that the  author’s message of second chances and forgiveness was healing.  I think that there are readers who will identify with Maxine and gain courage from her experience.

 

Robin creates a world that a reader can readily step into and feel like the characters are family.  She creates characters that are likeable, ordinary and yes, flawed.  If you enjoy a visit to family, this book will take you there.  I am grateful to the publisher for a free copy for this, my honest review.

The Right Kind of Fool

The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Loyal, a thirteen year old deaf boy is swimming in a river when he notices some unusual activity which turns out to be related to a murder.  Scared, he goes up the mountain to retrieve his estranged father from his cabin.  His father works with the sheriff to piece together the clues of the murder.  This is the beginning of a most unusual summer of growth for Loyal and his family.

Sarah Loudin Thomas creates a world containing the most interesting and realistic characters.  They lingered in my thoughts after the story was over.  I especially enjoyed reading about the changes in Loyal’s father, Creed.

Her weaving of different threads of the plot kept my interest sustained in the story.  The events did not seem contrived, but very possible, as the mystery unfolded.

Because I grew up in West Virginia, this story felt a little like going home for a visit.  I really enjoyed reading it and think readers who enjoy historical fiction will want to read this, too.  I am grateful to the publisher for a free copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

 

Charming, Clean, Beach Read

The Summer House by Lauren K. Denton

This book could quite handily adapt to a very nice Hallmark Channel movie.  It includes a charming community, a gruff manager, a newly divorced new-girl-in-town, a hurt single dad and an irritatingly cheerful coach, plus an assorted cast of unique residents.  In addition, all the right characters end up happily together and experience a certain amount of healing and personal growth.

This book would make a great beach read.  It was positive and light for the most part.  Even though it was published by Thomas Nelson, there was only a mention of the Bible once and no church or minister was mentioned as part of the community.  It was definitely a clean read.

I am thankful to the publisher for a free copy and this is my honest review.

New Biblical Fiction by Angela Hunt

Daughter of Cana by Angela Hunt

  Daughter of Cana takes a unique approach to some lesser known Bible characters and fills in the blanks through well-researched speculation.

Tasmin is the daughter of Cana and a Jewish woman who was present at the wedding at Cana where Jesus turned water into wine.  Her brother becomes fascinated by Yeshua bar Joseph and follows him from the wedding to the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry.  Tasmin goes in search of her brother and finds love and the long-awaited Messiah on her journey.

Angela Hunt is one of my favorite authors.  Her work is varied and doesn’t have a consistent, predictable “voice,” which means that her books are unique and fresh.  I enjoyed this one, which is the first one of a series. 

I have read much in the genre of biblical fiction and this book compares favorably with the best authors.  It gives readers an accurate glimpse of life in biblical times.  It also poses answers to the questions of what it would have been like to grow up in same family as Jesus.

Readers who are fans of biblical fiction or Angela Hunt will enjoy this book.  I am grateful to the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in return for this, my honest review.

                                                                                                                           

Sequel by Katherine Reay

Of Literature & Lattes by Katherine Reay

This book is the sequel to The Printed Letter Bookshop.   I enjoyed that book and enjoyed this one, too.  The author concentrates on the lives of Alyssa Harrison and Jeremy Mitchell as they intersect with the little town of Winsome, Illinois.

Characters from the previous book populate this one, too, including Alyssa’s mother and father, Janet and Seth Harrison, the Bookshop’s owner and employees, as well as some townspeople.

Reading this book gave me a sense of a Mitford novel, where many characters’ lives are open to the reader’s scrutiny.  I loved how the characters, especially Janet, grew and changed.

Another aspect of this book that I really appreciated was the references to other works of literature and the impact that those works had on the characters.  How can an author go wrong in quoting from Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men or mentioning Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time?

This book was a clean read, but had no mention of Jesus, God, the Bible or salvation, but led the reader to assume their inclusion in the changes that some of the characters had undergone.

 The author has created a little town that I would be interested in reading more of in the future.  If you are a lover of literature and small towns, women’s fiction and second chances, you will enjoy this book.  I am grateful to my daughter-in-love, Mallory for providing me with a copy to enjoy.

Some light humor with eternal significance

Laugh Like a Kid Again by Phil Callaway

Phil Callaway is a very funny, relatable guy.  He can see the humorous side of about any situation.    The book is a quick, encouraging read that I recommend for anyone!  I would be interested to learn more about Phil and his other books after reading this one.  I read this during early June, 2020, and really appreciated his humorous outlook on life during such a tumultuous time for our nation.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a little light humor with some eternal significance.  I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, for this, my honest opinion.