The Finding of Miss Fairfield by Grace Hitchcock - A Book Review

  

Sophia Fairfield's story, set in 1899, is easily applied to today's society. Even though fear of making a misstep according to society's protocols for young women is not so much a thing anymore; for many though, fear of what others say bout them on social media is a big deal. Fear can be controlling, even paralyzing. Seeing Sophia take control of her own future and build confidence is encouraging, but it is her becoming aware of the role fear had played in her life and her growing reliance on the wisdom of Second Timothy, chapter one, verse seven that makes the deepest impression. It is this theme of not living in the spirit of fear that can be generalized to so many situations we encounter in today's culture.

I recommend The Finding of Miss Fairfield, book one in the Aprons and Veils series, and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Valmont House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Dead Sea Conspiracy by Jerry B. Jenkins - A Book Review

  

It took me a while to get into this book, probably because I had not read the first book in the series. Although I was aware that I had missed out on some events, I was still able to follow the storyline with ease; it just took a while to connect to the characters. I will say that if you are not willing to purchase the next book in the series, there isn't much use in purchasing this one. While some bits of the story are brought to a conclusion, the main thread is left unresolved. I personally prefer series in which each book works as a stand-alone read.

Dead Sea Conspiracy is a dual timeline novel. The current day story follows archaeologist Dr. Nicole Berman as she begins a dig in Saudi Arabia hoping to find evidence supporting the Hebrew and Christian story of Abraham. This puts her into direct conflict with the Saudi government who does not want the Quran contradicted. Nicole and Detective Chakrabarti, her personal security guard, must try to ferret out spies among her own team. This storyline was interesting, but did not consistently include authentic sounding dialogue. The second storyline revolved mostly around Abraham and his father, much of which was fictionalized. Personally, I do not favor biblical fiction that includes conjecture about the lives of real people of the Bible. I prefer biblical fiction that weaves in true people and events from the Bible, but focuses on purely fictional characters. I am as of yet undecided as to whether I will read the next book in this series.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Dead Sea Conspiracy from Hatchette Book Group via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Beach Winds by Grace Greene - A Book Review

  

Why is it that so often when I finish a Grace Greene novel that I think, “This is my new favorite of Grace's books!” I guess it is fair to say that Beach Winds is my current of many favorites of Grace Greene's novels. In this novel Frannie Denman struggles with feeling comfortable in her own skin. She struggles with reconciling her true self with her public persona. She bemoans her frequent missteps in social situations. Then, at age thirty-one, her life change and many things become clear, things that will require much and will possibly give much, but maybe this time around she won't have to handle things alone.

Grace Greene writes such beautiful stories that delve deep into her characters' lives, exposing their, and often our, insecurities and weaknesses, but never without hope. That is what the world needs now, hope. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Beach Winds from the author without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Crossfire by Lynette Eason - A Book Review

  

This second book in Lynette Eason's Extreme Measures series is as good as the first. This story focuses on FBI Special Agent Julianna Jameson, a hostage negotiator, and her sister Dottie. They both carry a lot of baggage from their childhood and youth, but are trying to do their best as Dottie reaches her eighteenth birthday and comes to live with Julianna for her senior year of high school. Unfortunately Julianna's past isn't satisfied with staying in the past, and has come to place them both in danger.

The major theme of the book revolves around forgiving oneself as well as others, both of which are important to one's spiritual and mental health. Once forgiveness is embraced, life can be lived abundantly. Eason does a wonderful job of developing this theme in the context of a romantic suspense story that is heavy on the suspense. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Crossfire from Revell without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Fossil Hunter by Tea Cooper - A Book Review

  

Tea Cooper is one of the few current day foreign authors whose work I follow. She is an established Australian author of clean, historical fiction. I have truly enjoyed each of her books that I have read, and I was happy to receive a complimentary copy of The Fossil Hunter from Harper Muse via NetGalley without obligation. It is a pleasure to share my opinions with other fans of historical fiction.

While I am not a fan of Darwin, The Fossil Hunter did not delve deeply enough into his work to tarnish my enjoyment of the book. The unanswered questions about the fossils found as well as those possibly still hidden in Bow Wow Gorge were compelling, but even more so were the questions regarding the fate of the fictional Anthea Winstanley and her adopted daughter Mellie Vale. The role of Providence in the story was also something to mull over. Tea Cooper's writing style is relaxed, yet builds the tension required for full engagement with a story. As an American, I love the glimpses into Australian culture and vocabulary. Cooper has done a wonderful job balancing and connecting the two timelines separated by about seventy years. I highly recommend The Fossil Hunter. 

Life Flight by Lynette Eason - A Book Review

  

There is plenty of romantic tension between EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton and FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield, but it is kept at bay due to greater tension caused by an escaped serial killer with a vendetta for both of them. As usual, Lynette Eason has created a compelling romantic suspense story with strong-willed protagonists and antagonists, along with plenty of unexpected turns of events. It was a great read, and am grateful to have been gifted a copy by Eason's writing buddy Cara Putman without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. (Note – I finished this book on May 13, 2022, but just realized that I'd never posted my review.)

Deception by Patricia Bradley - A Book Review

  

This is a five star romantic suspense novel. National Park Service Ranger Madison Thorn works white collar crimes after a devastating end to a violent crimes case four years prior. Now she is personally facing violence at every turn from an unknown source, and there is no shortage of suspects.

Bradley skillfully embeds clues, red herrings, and deep thematic elements in her well-paced plot. She deals with additions and forgiveness in a true-to-life manner in this, her latest release. I have read most every book Bradley has written, and have thoroughly enjoyed each of them, including Deception. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Laura's Shadow by Allison Pittman - A Book Review

  

I have enjoyed Barbour Publishing's Doors to the Past series, but this particular addition to the series fell a little flat. I didn't dislike it, but neither did I ever feel fully engaged with the story or the characters. I had been excited by the author's note at the beginning of the book explaining how the book was inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie books, thinking it would make the perfect gift for our daughter-in-law. After reading Laura's Shadow I no longer anticipate that she, a great fan of Ingall's books, would be delighted with this book. I also want to mention that I would classify the book more as clean fiction rather than Christian fiction. It is a dual-timeline tale.

I do remain grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Laura's Shadow from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.