Inheritance of Secrets by Robin Patchen - A Book Review

   

Robin Patchen is a master at pacing stories to keep readers highly engaged. I walked around for three days with my Kindle as the text-to-speech feature read Inheritance of Secrets to me as I moved from task to task, putting it aside only when people or tasks required my complete attention. The characters felt so authentic and relatable, the mystery and drama so compelling, and the dialogue so natural.

Aspen Kincaid had always believed her mother to be dead, that is until her father's last words following a terrible accident. Now she is on a mission to follow through with her dad's direction to find her mother and do right by her. Garrett McCarthy had never met anyone quite like Aspen. He was anxious to not only do the renovation job on the house her father had left her, but also to get to know her better and protect her from the townspeople who seemed to blame Aspen for her mother's past. However, doing so would require making some very difficult choices.

I am once again able to share my enjoyment of Robin Patchen's writing talent with other readers, and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from the author without obligation. All opinions expressed here are sincere, and are my own. 

The Happiness In Between by Grace Greene - A Book Review

  

This is an updated version of the original book first published in 2017 along with a new cover. If you are wondering whether to reread The Happiness In Between, I cannot speak to the extent of the updates, having not read the first version. However, if it is a first read for you, as it was for me, I can assure you that you will be happy to have invested time and money on this book, that is unless an abusive relationship is a bit too fresh in your own experience, although walking the path of healing with Cassandra Shoemaker Hurst might be very encouraging. Grace Greene has included many words of wisdom in this story that apply generally to life's challenges and one's personal outlook on life. I found myself highlighting them for future reference. That is not unusual as each of the ten of her books that I have read included valuable insights brought out in the lives of her memorable characters. Greene writes poignant stories that delve into themes that matter, that change lives. It is a privilege to share her work with other readers. May each of us find out hope and our happiness daily, in between what we think we want and what we actually get.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Happiness In Between from the author without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Mozart Code by Rachel McMillan - A Book Review

   

I really enjoyed McMillan's last book, The London Restoration, and was eager to read The Mozart Code. I read about a fourth of this newest release, but just could not get into the story. I think the problem was much more me than it was the novel. I was focused on the word code in the title, and there was a bit too much Mozart for me. I was in the mood for a fast pace, and this novel has, at least in the first quarter, a slow pace with many details. I truly think it is a case of right book, wrong time, but right now I am not inclined to wade through. My confidence in the author does allow me to recommend the book. For many it will be the right book at the right time.

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

Gardening For Everyone by Julia Watkins - A Book Review

   

Julia Watkins has a wide variety of gardening experience, beginning with her grandparents' garden, gardening in a variety of jobs and in various sized backyards, even gardening as a Peace Corp worker in West Africa. Gardening for Everyone is a resource book organized by stages: planning, tending, building, planting, harvesting, and playing. She supplies plant profiles for many common kitchen garden plants. Watkins is definitely not a one size fits all gardener. She inspires gardeners with lots of options for creative use of space, even indoors. Her fun and practical ideas for playing will bring out the creative child in all of her readers. The photographs in this book are particularly beautiful and inspiring.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Gardening for Everyone from Mariner Books via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

What If It's Wonderful? An Invitation to Release Your Fears, Choose Joy and Find the Courage to Celebrate by Nicole Zasowski – A Book Review

   

This book is for those, like me, who approach life cautiously, who weigh all the options, who are more prone to plan for the worst than to expect the best. Nicole Zasowski challenges herself and her readers to consider the question, “But what if it's wonderful?” She provides insight into our cautious nature, and lays out the logic for the importance of joy and celebration in our lives. She shares intimate details from her own life that are both heart-warming and heart-wrenching. She does all of this while using the truth of God's Word to support her message.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of What If It's Wonderful from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Lady's Mine by Francine Rivers - A Book Review

   

Exiled by her stepfather to Calvada, California, Kathryn Walsh, Boston born and bred, has to decide if she is going to flee the odorous, lawless, male-dominated mining town or embrace whatever God has for her there. An outspoken advocate for justice and women's rights, that being what brought about her exile, seeing a man punched, dumped into a horse trough, and then shoved up and down in the water moments after she arrived may have spoken to her sense of justice and contributed to Kathryn's decision to stay. Matthias Beck, saloon and hotel owner as well as the man meting out the punches and dunking, is inspired by Kathryn's spunk as she takes over her deceased uncle's newspaper, but worries about her as she also takes on the town's richest resident, some local merchants, and a group of disgruntled minors.

In The Lady's Mine Francine Rivers explores the themes of making a difference in one's community, something as relevant today as it was in an 1870s silver mining community. Related themes of putting others first, and following one's conscience are also still quite relevant to today's society, and something we should embrace. I really enjoyed Kathryn and Matthias' story and the way that the author explored these deep themes. I highly recommend The Lady's Mine to fans of historical fiction as well as this author who never disappoints.

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

The Spark of Love by Amanda Cabot - A Book Review

   

Set in the mid-1850s in a small town in Texas, The Spark of Love is not only a story of romantic love, but also the deep love of close friendships and the love of parents and their children, even if the children are now adults. The story also deals with the vital importance of trust and forgiveness in any type of loving relationship. The suspense element of this book deals with greed and how far some people are willing to go to fulfill their own selfish desires. I was in chapter twenty before I fully sorted out all the bad actors, but that only added to the drive to keep reading. While this is the third book in Cabot's Mesquite Springs series, it does work well as a stand-along read. I highly recommend this book and series.

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

The Letter from Briarton Park by Sarah E. Ladd - A Book Review

   

Set in early 1800s England, during a period of unrest among the nation's wool mill workers, The Letter From Briarton Park tells the story of Miss Cassandra Hale, a young teacher who taught in the same boarding school as she had grown up in never knowing her own family. After the passing of her mentor and surrogate mother, Cassandra sets out to learn about her roots following some surprising deathbed confessions. Ladd has crafted an interesting story filled with deception, suspicion, and intrigue while including a healthy portion of compassion, forgiveness, and love which made for several hours of reading pleasure.

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

Malicious Intent by Lynn H. Blackburn - A Book Review

   

It was nice to revisit the characters from Blackburn's Unknown Threat, the first book in this series, along with characters from her Dive Team Investigations series. This book focuses on US Secret Service Agent Gil Dixon and his childhood best friend, Dr. Ivy Collins. Gil and Ivy are reunited in a very unexpected way when her life is threatened. Gil's team, friends from nearby Carrington's police department, and cybersecurity genius Sabrina Campbell join him in neutralizing this threat. The action is fast paced in Blackburn's latest novel, and the romance is sweet and a nice addition to the story. There are frequent unanticipated events that keep the reader totally engaged.

I highly recommend Malicious Intent along with Lynn H. Blackburn's previous novels to fans of romantic suspense. 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.

Love's Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik - A Book Review

    

I am enjoying Barbour Publishing's Doors to the Past series, and Love's Fortress has been my favorite book thus far. I don't recall reading anything by Jennifer Uhlarik prior to this book, but I will be looking for more titles by her in the future.

Love's Fortress is a dual time line set in St. Augustine, Florida in the mid-1870s and current time. In the 1870s a group of Native American men from several tribes were incarcerated in the fort located at St. Augustine, renamed Fort Marion by the Americans. Lieutenant Pratt, known to the natives as White Chief, a real historical character, along with real and fictional characters worked to educate the Native Americans to aid what they hoped would be their eventual integration into white society. In the current time frame Dani Sango confronts long-harbored emotions regarding her absent father following his death, and Brad Osgood deals with becoming his niece's guardian after her parents descend back into the darkness of addiction. Both Dani and Brad are befriended by Matty Joie, leader of a rather unconventional group of Christians. The themes of dealing with the past, turning it over to God, and making and growing disciples are well developed through the highly engaging storylines.

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