Quest 52 by Mark E Moore - A Book Review

  

In Core 52 Mark Moore gave us a year's study of fifty-two core verses from the Bible. Now, in Quest 52, he has given us a year's study of Jesus the Christ. The weekly studies are divided into four sections focusing on the person, power, preaching, and passion of Jesus. Each week includes reading the focus verses and Mark's related essay, studying related verses from the Old Testament and the letters of the New Testament, discussion questions, and next steps for practical application. Additional resources are available online as they were for Core 52.

I highly recommend both Core 52 and Quest 52 for both personal and group study. My husband and I enjoy doing them as a couple. We find Mark's essays often help us see verses in a new way, through a new lens. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Quest 52 from WaterBrook via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Miss Eliza's English Kitchen: A Novel of Victorian Cookery and Friendship by Annabel Abbs - A Book Review

   

I enjoyed the first eleven chapters of this book very much. Those chapters were in keeping with the book's being a novel of Victorian cooking and friendship as the latter part of the title indicates. Chapter twelve included a rather perverted sexual scene. A quick flip through the book let me know that it was not an isolated event, so I chose to not read further. I would have given the book two stars for content, but gave it three factoring in the quality of the wordsmithing. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from William Morrow without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.  

The Cartographer's Secret by Tea Cooper - A Book Review

  

The Cartographer's Secret is a piece of clean, historical fiction, set in 1880 and 1911 Australia. In the latter setting, Letitia Rawlings learns of her aunt's disappearance thirty years prior. She sets about solving what we could call today a cold case. In doing so she discovers many things that she never knew about her family, as well as things about herself.

Tea Cooper has written over a dozen books, but she is a new-to-me author. I really enjoyed the original plot of The Cartographer's Secret and the diversity of characters in this story. I will definitely be looking for more of Ms Cooper's books. I highly recommend this book, and am grateful to have received a complementary copy from Harper Muse via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Every Word Unsaid by Kimberly Duffy - A Book Review

   

It took me longer than is usual for me to read this book because it is meant to be savored. Mostly set in India, as are Duffy's two previous books, readers are immersed not only in the country's exotic beauty, delicious smells, and savory cuisine, but also in the poverty and disease. During the late 19^th century, Gussie Travers travels to India to escape her family's expectations and censure. Driven by the echos of their voices, she sets out to prove her worth, only to discover that she is more valued and has a deeper purpose in life than even she could have imagined.

Duffy is a master of character development. It is unlikely that readers will be unable to find a character in this book within whom they could closely relate. They may even relate to more than one on different levels.

I do usually enjoy epilogues, discovering what happened down the road so to speak. In this case, I wish I had stopped reading with the final chapter and skipped over the epilogue as the writing of it felt out of sync with the body of the story. This however did not keep me from giving this book five stars.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Every Word Unsaid from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Punch Needle Friends: 20 Adorable Projects to Embroider by Faustine Duwicquet with Cathy Duwicquet - A Book Review

   

The punch needle that I purchased years ago has remained in its package. Now I am anxious to take it out, and give it a try. In this book Faustine teaches the basics of the craft with clearly worded instructions and helpful photographs, moving gradually from the necessary tools and materials all the way to ways to display completed projects. The twenty animal projects are indeed adorable, and are presented in order of difficulty, with skills being built as the embroiderer moves from one to the next. This book virtually assures a beginners' success.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Punch Needle Friends from Quatro via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Deadly Target by Elizabeth Goddard - A Book Review

   

Deadly Target is an edge-of-your-seat read. I finished it in two days, anxious to discover answers to this multi-faceted mystery. Abductions, explosions, shootings, vehicle incidents, and more drive this story forward at the same time as they generate more questions for the main characters and the readers as well. While the danger is palpable, fear is much less so because of the faith the characters demonstrate. I recommend this book to romantic suspense fans, both those who prefer secular books and those who prefer Christian fiction.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Deadly Target from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Crosshairs by Patricia Bradley - A Book Review

   

I had been anxiously awaiting a new Patricia Bradley mystery/romantic suspense novel. She did not disappoint with Crosshairs. The story begins with the assault of Ainsley Beaumont's great aunt and Ainsley's investigation, as an Investigative Services Branch ranger, into the murder of a teen aged girl. Along the way Ainsley comes under attack multiple times, and new lines of investigation come into play. Crosshairs is a highly engaging book that brings hours of reading enjoyment. Now begins the wait for Bradley's next release.

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

Introduction to the Spiritual Life: Walking the Path of Prayer With Jesus by Brant Pitre - A Book Review

   

Brant Pitre takes his readers through a logical explanation and sequence on the development of a spiritual life. The text is meaty, and should not be read hurriedly. Pitre uses a great deal of Scripture to back up his thoughts, as well as quotes from spiritual classics. I found the book to be educational and inspirational, and recommend it to Christians who are looking for more in their spiritual life. This is a book that will assist believers in moving toward maturity.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Introduction to the Spiritual Life from Image via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Lost in Darkness by Michelle Griep - A Book Review

  

The theme related to where one places trust is artfully wound into this tale set in 1815, London, Linked with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Lost in Darkness guides readers to the Light. Fans of Jaime Jo Wright will be enthralled with this book by Michelle Griep, as well as those readers who may be new to either or both of these authors, but enjoy tales that tip the scale on the eerie side. Releasing in the fall season, it is the perfect read for a cool, rainy evening with a favorite hot beverage in hand.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Lost in Darkness from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Behind Love's Wall by Carrie Fancett Pagels - A Book Review

  

The best thing about Behind Love's Wall is its original storyline. Carrie Fancett Pagels has crafted a dual timeline story with many twists, turns, and surprises. Set in and around Mackinac Island in 1895 and 2020, the story showcases the island's beauty and its premier hotel, the Grand. While the book includes characters from Pagels' previous book, My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude's Mooring, readers who have not read the previous book will understand and enjoy this one equally as well as those who have; although they likely will enjoy it enough to want to read Maude's Mooring to learn the back story of Lily's family. The story's theme of mental health in both timelines shows the positive changes in society's views on the topic.

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