Exercise is Murder by Bruce Hammack - A Book Review

  

After listening to the thirteenth book in Bruce Hammack's Smiley and McBlythe mystery series, my husband and I found the novella prequel in our Kindle library. It was nice learning how the blind former police detective and the wealthy attorney became close friends, housemates, and private investigators. In spite of the novella length of this mystery, Hammack was able to flesh out the mystery of the murder of an old friend of retired homicide detective Steve Smiley. The Columbo style ending with all of the suspects gathered in one place came naturally and did not feel rushed. The humorous banter between Smiley and McBlythe adds to the pleasure of reading, or listening, to the story. I would recommend this book to anyone seeking a quick, quirky read. I am grateful to have received this book when it was offered for free on Amazon. The publisher is Jubilee Publishing. 

In Our Hands by Bonnie Smith Whitehouse - A Book Review

  

I truly enjoy a variety of creative endeavors. I make time for creating new recipes and gardening. I rarely make time for quilting, sewing, embroidery, rug hooking, etc. Key words in this book's description on NetGalley made me think this book would help me become motivated and inspired to make more time for creating. Key words and phrases that led me to this idea were: empowering guide, creative renewal, hope made doable, and practical guidance. While the description did talk about how social, political, and technological tension can cause stress and how creating can be a tool for resilience and empowerment, what it did not lead me to expect was the author's agenda being as much about imposing her values and beliefs as about promoting the benefits of participating in creative pursuits. Key words that would have helped readers make a better choice in knowing if this book was for them would have been: liberal, new age, progressive, omnism, etc. My best advice about this book is buyer beware.

I am grateful for Running Press' consideration in providing me with an advanced reader's copy of this book via NetGalley. However, if I had paid for it, I would be requesting my money back as it stressed me out and the end result was the opposite of what I had hoped for. I was under no obligation to provide a review, and all opinions expressed here are my own. 

Making Peace with What I Can't Control by Lysa Terkeurst

  

This Bible study is accompanied by online streaming video access. I will be reviewing the study guide, not the videos. This study covers six sessions. It is very specific about what to say, so I would suggest, if you will be leading a group, familiarizing yourself with each session's teaching and questions so that it does not appear that you are just reading to the group. The intro matter of the guide will assure that, if you structure and lead each session following the recommendations, you will lead each session with maximum efficiency. The guide is designed to support leaders for the greatest opportunity for success. This includes the quality of the group discussions. The focus on Scripture is an essential element to the integrity of Making Peace with What I Can't Control. Content in each session is pertinent to the topic, easy to understand, and promotes quality discussions. It does a good job of directing the group to meet the goal of the title.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this study from Harper Christian Resources via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

 

A Lighthouse Legacy by Jo James - A Book Review

  

A Lighthouse Legacy is the fifth book in Guideposts Gift Shop Mystery series. Each installment is written by a different author, but readers would never know that if the authors' names were not provided because they have each done such a wonderful job of maintaining a constant voice and keeping the characters' natures consistent from one story to the next. It is enjoyable to get to know and revisit characters over a series longer than the typical trilogy. This series would qualify as a cozy mystery. I felt like the mystery was easy to solve, and the ending confirmed I had predicted correctly about one fourth of the way into the story. This did not dampen my enjoyment of the story as I enjoyed following the protagonist as she worked toward a solution and confirming my own thoughts. I recommend A Lighthouse Legacy to mystery fans who need a quick, light read.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from Guideposts via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi - A Book Review

  

Theo of Golden is the type of book that one has to slowly emerge from before fully re-entering the real world as Theo's world quickly becomes reality. One begins to feel like they are members of Theo's close circle of friends, after all, it is a very diverse group of individuals. His poetic speech paints poignant word pictures as beautiful as an artist's completed canvas and as hopeful as a child's sketchpad. Theo teaches by example by modeling good listening, generosity, and thoughtfulness. He is a man who has learned the value of putting others before self. Theo believes in heaven, and understands that a gentle, winsome nature is often the key when wanting others to one day reside there with you. Others come to deeply love him because he loves so well.

Author Allen Levi has been published before, but this, his first novel, is truly a work of art, hopefully the first of many. His writing style brings along with it a sense of peace, at times because of the serenity he depicts, and at times when replaced with hope during difficult times. Theo of Golden will be shelved in my heart where few other books have found their home, a place where only books who have touched me so deeply live. All secondary though to the One Book whose Author surpasses all others. A book to which this one points. 

Shadowing You by Robin Patchen - A Book Review

  

The first adjective that comes to mind when describing Shadowing You is unexpected. The main characters, especially the Wright cousin, was not one I had anticipated. The love interest was also a pleasant surprise. I have really enjoyed the foreign settings in the Wright Heroes of Maine; this one was of personal interest to me as it is my granddaughter's country of origin.

The suspense as the main characters are on the run from someone with lots of contacts and influence in the government is very well written. The author's knowledge of both city life and village life made the characters' escapades even more realistic. The core of this story though centers on relationships and commitment, not only between married couples, but also between parents and adult children. Relationships that are worth preserving, even when it would be easier to walk away. Of course, this theme must include a focus on forgiveness and the willingness to try again.

Robin Patchen is a master of keeping readers spellbound while also conveying deep truths. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Shadowing You from JDO Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Every Given Day by Cathy Gohlke - A Book Review

  

While Every Given Day is a work of fiction, it is built on a very real historical era, the time leading up to and following the discovery of insulin for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. The story also includes characters impacted by the Spanish flu and tuberculosis. The health challenges make for tension in the story, and in come cases grief. Other sources of tension that move readers are strained familial relationships and illegal behavior that puts everyone in the household at risk. Tension may not be great in real life, but it certainly makes for great reading. This story will give readers all the feels as some would say. The theme of perseverance and the gradual way in which key characters come to faith, and of course the journey to true love, will encourage readers and balance out the more disheartening elements.

I highly recommend Every Given Day and am very grateful to Tyndale House Publishers for providing me with a complimentary copy via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.