Liz Johnson book giveaway

Here is a link to a great giveaway.  It ends Saturday, July 26th.  Good luck and happy reading!
http://www.lizjohnsonbooks.com/summer-reads-giveaway/

Death Takes a Ride by Lorena McCourtney - A Book Review

Death Takes a Ride by Lorena McCourtney – A Book Review

     The first book I read on my Kindle was Invisible by Lerena McCourtney.  I enjoyed it so much, I purchased the other three books in the series about the insuppressible little old lady, Ivy Malone, and read them in quick succession.  So, when I had the opportunity to read and review Death Takes a Ride by Ms McCourtney, I jumped at the chance. 

     The leading lady and sleuth in this story, Cate Kinkaid, who is moving in on middle age, does not find herself in quite the same types of dangerous yet hilarious predicaments as her predecessor, little old lady Ivy Malone. Yet this mystery provided enough twists and turns to keep me interested in the story line. I have always been a big mystery fan, and I enjoyed this cozy mystery that kept me awake nights wanting to know what was coming up next, not checking the doors and jumping at bumps in the night. 

     Death Takes a Ride is the third in the Cate Kinkaid series.  However it worked fine as a stand alone read.  Through implications within the text, I was able to infer that throughout the series Cate typically finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, or as an assistant PI, was that the right place at the right time?  While her uncle’s private investigation agency did not typically handle murder cases, it seems Cate often has a way of finding herself alongside a dead body.  The reader of this book does not have to get far into the story before just such a situation manifests itself.  The story also includes enough romance between Cate and her “Computer Dude” boyfriend, Mitch, to keep romance novel lovers interested, while there doesn’t seem to be any love lost between Cate’s cat and the dog Mitch is fostering for the victim of an attempted robbery.  Or was it attempted murder?  No spoilers here, you will have to read the story to find out, and also to enjoy the wonderful ending with the sweet, and ketchupy, surprise.

     If you are looking for a cozy mystery that is enjoyable without overtaxing your own inner sleuth, this book is for you.  I would give it four out of five smoking guns for reading pleasure.  I thank Revell Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for providing Death Takes a Ride for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.   

Love Comes Home by Ann H. Gabhart - A Book Review

Love Comes Home by Ann H. Gabhart – A Book Review

     For this reader Rosey Corner was a special place to spend a weekend.  In rural Kentucky, this idyllic community is home to the lovely Merritt sisters, each very different from the other, but all grounded in their faith.  Each impacted by World War II in ways that did not always show, and in ways that that were at times glaringly evident.  The Merritt family includes an adopted child, an adopted favorite uncle/grandfather figure, and a very wise, respected adopted aunt; and the family is still expanding!  Sometimes they even adopted people into the family by making them in-laws.

     The residents of Rosey Corner share their joys and their heartaches.  They lend physical, moral and spiritual support when it’s needed.  They also give one another nudges in the right direction when that is what is needed.  Tough times were not new to Rosey Corner, but as Kate’s husband, Jay, learned from his sergeant, nothing in the Bible says life here is meant to be easy.  It’s the next life where easy is the assignment.  Kate learned from experience that, “The Lord didn’t promise easy coasting.  He promised to stay with those who loved him, whatever the ride. Or walk.”  Aunt Hattie would tell them that, “everybody had dark valleys to walk through.  That wasn’t the Lord’s doing.  It was just the way of the world,” and that, “prayer gets you through when you’s thinkin’ there is no way through.”  There are lots of valuable life lessons to be learned by spending time in Rosey Corner. 

     As always Ann Gabhart draws you into her story with unique and interesting characters, characters that are believable and with whom the reader can easily identify.  As is often the case her story takes place in a simpler time and place.  However, simpler does not equate with easier.

     Gabhart’s expert wordsmithing evokes deep emotions and empathy in her readers.  It is easy to be in the place, in the moment, and in her character’s shoes.  Reading her books is a pleasure, and feels like a privilege.  I thank Revell Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for providing Love Comes Home for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.