Wisdom 52 by Mark E. Moore - A Book Review

  

Wisdom 52 is a wonderful year-long study of God's Word's key Scriptures on wisdom from the book of Proverbs. The book explains how to practically apply the Scriptures to daily living. It is equally appropriate to individual, family, small group, or church-wide study. Each week begins with a key verse which is fleshed out with additional Scriptures and personal applications. There are five assignments each week: reading the essay, memorizing the key verse, reading a biography within the Bible, meditating on support Scriptures, and discussion. The discussion prompts are organized into three areas: group, home, and watercooler. I especially appreciate the watercooler prompts which can be used at work, the gym, the coffee shop, etc... They are not worded with a Christian slant, but have the potential of generating an opportunity for witnessing. For example, one might open a discussion about areas of life that feel most balanced and those that feel most unbalanced, or possibly about who the people are in our life that we are most afraid to disappoint which can lead into telling how faith impacts our answer to those questions. Like in the book's predecessors, Core 52 and Quest 52, the author provides free, on-line videos for each week.

I find my study using Wisdom52 to be time-well-spent. I highly recommend this book, Core 52, and Quest 52. They do not need to be read in any particular order. I am grateful to have received a complementary copy of Wisdom 52 from Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Fighting for You by Robin Patchen - A Book Review

  

Having been raised in a wealthy home in a small town where the Wright name carried a lot a weight, Delaney was anxious to strike out and prove to her family, and to herself, that she could make it on her own. Ending up in a homeless shelter hadn't been part of the plan, and Delaney was thrilled, and a bit nervous, about finally landing a job as nanny to a four-year-old little girl who had experienced more than her share of trauma. Noah Aylett had not anticipated becoming the legal guardian of his niece, but here he was trying to meet her needs as she adjusted to living in a new place with someone she did not know well and had yet to learn to trust, while also trying to keep his business, his father's legacy, afloat. You can foresee how these two protagonists' lives are about to become connected. What you cannot foresee are the many challenges, dangers, and fears Robin Patchen has written into their lives. The themes of trust, compassion, and priorities are well-developed as the intrigue and suspense play out and the beginnings of romance struggle to emerge. I highly recommend this five star read.

Fighting for You works well as a stand alone read, but readers will appreciate the story more if they read the Wright Heroes of Maine series in order. I really enjoy that Patchen writes lengthy series that allow her readers to become invested in her characters. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Book Funnel without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

A Crimson Heart by Grace Green - A Book Review

 

It felt as if it had been a while since I last had the pleasure of reading a Grace Greene novel, or in this case novella. I was thrilled to receive a complimentary e-copy of A Crimson Heart from the author. It was just as moving and lovely as each of her other books. I my mind, Grace Greene is among a small group of authors who consistently excel in character development. She truly presents polished, appealing, and believable interactions between her characters, most often tugging at the readers' heart strings, as she does in A Crimson Heart. Many readers will identify with the novella's themes of caregiving for loved ones, choosing to be family even with those who are not blood relatives, and true compassion. Many, like me, will be hoping that this book will serve as a prequel to a new series. I recommend this novella for reading anytime, but it is especially poignant for this busy holiday season when one must fit reading in between preparations and celebrations. 

Dangerous Passage by Lisa Harris - A Book Review

  

Detective Avory North has known her share of loss and the grief that follows and lingers, having lost both her brother and husband in the line of duty. As she strives to solve her current case, the murder of two young Asian women, she continues to investigate her brother's murder that occured while he was working undercover. Now someone is after Avory, she assumes it is connected to her current case, but might it be connected with her brothers? Dangerous Passage not only deals with murder, trafficking in many of its different forms is involved as well, further complicating the case that Avory is trying to build.

Harris not only provides riveting suspense, but also swift plot shifts that keeps readers turning pages, surprised by the turn of events. She also provides models of how God works in lives even during the toughest of times. She emphasizes the holiness and faithfulness of our big, big God.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Dangerous Passage from the author via Goodreads without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Fault Between Us by Stephanie Landsem - A Book Review

 

To be honest, there were several times during the first third of this book that I considered abandoning it because it was filled with characters I didn't particularly like that spent most of their time whining and bickering. Fortunately, I trudged along and by the time I was midway through the book, I was hooked. The last half of the book was compelling, and I ended up liking all of the major characters, and enjoyed seeing how they matured through the many hardships they faced.

The Fault Between Us is set in 1959 in and around Yellowstone National Park. Landsem's fictional characters had endured hardships in life, and largely coped with them in unhealthy ways. Experiencing the non-fictional earthquake that occurred in the Hebgen Lake area greatly impacted their priorities and relationships in a very positive manner. I am grateful that I was moved to continue reading and that I was able to experience this wonderful story. I am also grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this novel from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

 

Prowl by Colleen Coble - A Book Review

  

Coble's Sanctuary series continues with Prowl. This is the continued story of veterinarian Paradise Alden and animal sanctuary owner Blake Lawson. While there are many animals prowling around their enclosures at the sanctuary, the big question is what two-legged mammal is prowling around wreaking havoc on their lives, not only their lives, but also the lives of Blake's mother and younger brothers. How is it possible that such a well-meaning, loving family has such a wide range of possible enemies? The answer to that, as it often is in real life, is secrets that need to remain hidden and greed.

In both her current series, Sanctuary and the Tupelo Grove series which Coble is co-authoring with Rick Acker, Coble's skills in plotting mysteries and writing them with just the right pace, developing characters readers care about, and leaving readers with a satisfying ending yet longing for more are in full display. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Prowl from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

On the Edge of Trust by Patricia Bradley - A Book Review

 

Intense, heart-pounding action from start to finish! Crime reporter turned podcaster Tori Mitchell and FBI undercover agent Scott Sinclair are thrown together as they seek to discover who has it out for Tori, and who committed a murder and allowed someone else to take the fall years ago. Bradley intertwines a themes of addiction recovery, the impact addiction has on friends and family, and the difficulty of restoring relationships and trust within a story of romance and suspense. This inclusion of deep, sensitive themes significantly enhances a novel that has all the elements of a great romantic suspense story. I am happy to be able to recommend On the Edge of Trust and this fantastic author of whom I have been a big fan for years. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this novel from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.