Christmas in the Crosshairs Presented by Lynette Eason - A Brief Comment

  

Christmas in the Crosshairs is a collection of three novellas by three different authors that did Lynette Eason's Elite Guardian characters proud. It would be difficult to select a favorite from the three as they all were highly engaging, God-honoring, well-written stories with natural, easy-flowing dialogue. The final story did a great job of tying the stories together in its final pages.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Christmas in the Crosshairs through an Advent book giveaway. While the stories are set in the Christmas season,they would be a great read any time of year. 

Fatal Exchange by Lisa Harris - A Book Review

  

After being gifted and reading the first book in Lisa Harris' Southern Crimes series, I was able to access book two via the Libby app. Emily's story was as intriguing as was her sister Avery's. Unlike Avery, their father, and their brother, Emily is not in law enforcement; rather, she is a high school history teacher. Until the day one of her students pulled a handgun out and held her class hostage, Emily had been able to avoid the dangers her family members so often faced.

Harris skillfully intertwines a slow-burn romance into Emily's situation. Mason, her late brother's former partner, and her sister's lead suspect in that case, becomes the hostage negotiator throwing he and Emily together in an intensely emotional situation as they both care very much for the young man they had both mentored who is very uncharacteristically holding his class at gunpoint.

While this is an older series, I highly recommend it and am looking forward to reading book number three. 

The Belle of Chatham by Laura Frantz - A Book Review

  

While not a military family, we have lived, worked, worshiped, and volunteered among military families our entire marriage. We have seen the sacrifices the duty members and their family members have made. The Belle of Chatham, more than any other novel set during the American Revolution that I have read, has given me a glimpse of how these same sacrifices manifested themselves as our country fought for its independence. It also brings to the forefront that even though we were at war with another country, families that had resided here their entire lives were divided in their loyalties, much as were Civil War families, experiencing heart-wrenching sacrifices.

The Belle of Chatham is a lovely story in its ability to portray this era in the history of our nation and to remind us of what motivated not only our forefathers, but also average Americans, to commit their lives to securing freedom. As often is the case lovely endings are preceded by ugly circumstances and hard truths. Laura Frantz has excelled in using fiction to bring forth truth. She has developed characters whose shoes we can step into, characters we can walk alongside and empathize with, characters who model lives of faith and perseverance.

I most highly recommend The Belle of Chatham which I have rated five stars, not something I often do. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Lies We Trade by Kristine Delano - A Book Review

  

I tried, I really tried, but I just could not get into this story. It wasn't because the structure and dialogue weren't well-written, they were. I think it was because I was unable to relate to the main character's life on any level. I enjoy a wide variety of genres, and can usually empathize even when the characters live much different lives than I do. For whatever reason, this time, I could not. It is likely that others will be able to do so. This was just not a good match for me.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy and the opportunity to read The Lies We Trade from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Sisterchicks on the Loose! by Robin Jones Gunn - A Book Review

   

I had read and really enjoyed Robin Jones Gunn's Sisterchicks series in the early 2000s as the books were released. Recently after reading two books from Gunn's newest series, Suitcase Sisters, I was inspired to reread the Sisterchicks series that has much the same feel to it. I realized that I was missing my copy of the first book in the series, which was no longer printed in the original cover to match the other books in my collection. I mentioned it to a friend, and she surprised me with a copy found at a used book store while on vacation in Florida. What a special gift!

Today I finished reading Sisterchicks on the Loose!. We all read through the filter of our knowledge and experiences, and I found that I enjoyed the book even more 23 years later. I also found myself underlining special pearls of wisdom like, “I guess we don't really choose the things we're good at doing,...But we choose whether or not to do something lasting with it...One thing I know is true about what you are gifted to do: Satan divides. God multiplies.” As you might imagine of a book about two best friends on an overseas trip, Sisterchicks on the Loose! is filled with both laughter and tears. Throughout the trip both friends discover new things about each other and about themselves. Readers who are along for the ride are likely to learn a thing or two about themselves as well. So, even though the book was published a couple of decades back as a contemporary read, and no one has a cell phone to call home or to use Google Maps, I highly recommend women ages 40 plus take a little step back in time and enjoy this delightful story. 

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.