The Sedalia Code by Patricia Raybon - A Book Review

  

Not long after starting The Sedalia Code I recognized something in the writing style and recalled a book by Patricia Raybon that I had previously read and thoroughly enjoyed. So, I settled in for a great read and was not disappointed. The Sedalia Code is largely set in North Carolina during World War II during the time Jim Crow laws were in place and enforced throughout the south. Laurette Lowe strived to lift herself out of the poverty she had been raised in. Her goal was in sight when she was provisionally hired to teach mathematics at a prestigious Black finishing school in Sedalia, North Carolina. Lieutenant Neville Pierce was stationed nearby at Camp Butner which housed prisoners of war. Together Laurette, Neville, and some of the school faculty are drawn into a plan to protect the country after coded messages were discovered on base.

Raybon does a wonderful job of building empathy for her characters as they face extreme forms of prejudice and persecution. Empathy is something our country needs more of. So, this type of book is invaluable. I am very grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Sedalia Code from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Pride and Practicality by Pepper Basham - A Book Review

  

It was a joy to revisit the family of Ravenscross from Sense and Suitability. In Pride and Practicality, we get to meet the prodigal sister of Lord Ravenscross who maybe wasn’t as prodigal as some assumed. Plans to reintroduce her to society do not quite proceed as planned, but is the goal a lost cause? We also learn more about Lady Ravenscross’ cousin, rector Thomas Bridges. Thomas has been assigned the responsibility of restoring confidence in the respectability of the rector’s position in St. Groves. How might a connection to his cousin’s sister-in-law impact his ability to meet this expectation?

Pepper Basham creates such fun, easy-to-love characters, and her villains are people one loves to see brought to justice. She creates lively, quick-witted, natural-sounding dialogue that often reflects the reader’s feelings. The mental images she creates and the emotions she evokes come easily and quickly. Since I am especially a fan of her historical fiction, I highly recommend Pride and Practicality, as well as Sense and Suitability.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Pride and Practicality from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Tenderly Betrayed by Hannah Linder - A Book Review

  

Tenderly Betrayed is a psychologically intense story of grief, betrayal, loneliness, and healing. The story is a bit dark, but the ending is filled with light. It does not follow any stereotypical historical romance tropes with which I am familiar, which contributed to its being a more challenging read as far as successfully predicting what comes next. Readers who suffer from depression will have to decide whether they want to wade through a great number of depressing events before there is a resolution, as the writer is skillful in placing her readers into the middle of her stories.

I do highly recommend Tenderly Betrayed and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Taken By Storm by Jan Fields - A Book Review

   

Sarah Morgan is preparing so solve a new mystery in Port Huron, but another comes along that she may not be as prepared for. Beth Brewster, a local historian and storyteller, approaches Sarah about looking into a family mystery that two previous generations have been unable to solve, a mystery involving a promise made by Beth’s great grandmother that has remained unfulfilled. Beth’s family would truly love to be able to keep the promise for the recipient’s family, but her identity remains a mystery. Sarah notices a community blessing box outside the library where she first met Beth, and quickly pursues getting one placed outside her store in order to help those in her community experiencing hunger. When the box is vandalized, she is at a loss as to who would do such a thing and how to determine their identity.

The main theme of Taken By Storm revolves around displaying the character of God through acts of service. This is something many think of during the holiday season, but opportunities abound year round. This book is an entertaining, cozy mystery, and is one of my top two favorites of this series thus far. It also has the potential of being very inspiring for those who allow themselves to thoughtfully reflect on the theme.

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

Sisterchicks in Sombreros by Robin Jones Gunn - A Brief Comment

  

This is just a quick note about my second reading of this book so that it will be counted in my total of books read this year. I enjoyed this book more than I had anticipated. While the trip the sisters took and the way it progressed isn’t one I would want to be a part of, the impact it had on the characters’ lives was inspiring. It made me think about how difficult and unexpected events can transform us in ways that grow our relationship with Christ. I am glad that I chose to revisit this series, and look forward to moving on to book four. 

Not My Circus: Living with Courage, Conviction, and Compassion in a World of Chaos by Mark Batterson - A Book Review

  

Mark Batterson has obviously given much thought and research into the manner in which Christians can remain spiritually healthy, avoid being transformed by the world, and respond to others in a Christ-like way while interacting on social media and in person within our current social environment. Does he make it sound easy? No, but he does make it sound,with a great deal of intentionality, possible.

Batterson packs a great deal of information into 314 pages, but he does add phrases, mnemonic devices of sorts, to help readers retain the essence of the principles he is teaching. Still, this is a book that readers will likely want to revisit as they encounter situations that leave them pondering the best way to respond. Batterson covers a lot of topics which fall under a large umbrella, and seamlessly moves between those topics. He includes enough humor to sweeten the lessons, making them more palatable, and reduces defensive responses to some of those which may hit very close to home.

I highly recommend this book as a resource for Christians living in today's society. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Not My Circus from Penguin Random House Christian Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Mercy's Child by Richard Paul Evans - A Book Review

Mercy's Child is a fictional account heavily based on the real life events of Etta Angell Wheeler's work to save one little girl from a life of extreme abuse and neglect, sparking the birth of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Mrs. Wheeler along with the co-founders of the society were largely responsible for changes in society's and the law's views toward protecting children from abuse. Mrs. Wheeler is a model of putting God first and stepping out of both comfort and safety to help the most vulnerable among us.

Author Richard Paul Evans has obviously done his research for this writing project. He did an amazing job of not only presenting key events, but also the heart behind them. He provides both reading pleasure and inspiration. I highly recommend Mercy's Child and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Gallery Books via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.