Taken at Christmas by Jodie Bailey - A Book Review

  

This quick read is perfect for this time of year with a Christmas setting and a length that is manageable amid the holiday rush. Readers will be easily sucked into the story because who can't empathize with a mom whose child is threatened and in danger. Fortunately, Mia Galloway has a great support system in place, including her late husband's best friend and his coworkers at Trinity Investigations. Even with that, Mia continues to wrestle with PTSD following her husband's murder. The situation unfolding this holiday season is almost more than she can bear. The author does a wonderful job of demonstrating how Mia's relationship with Christ, while fraught with anger over her husband's death, is essential in aiding her to cope and to hang on to her sanity. The story is realistic and addresses mental health issues from trauma and unrealized expectations. Unfortunately, for the most part, it is actually something that one would not be surprised to see play out on the evening news.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Taken at Christmas from Love Inspired via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

A Million Little Miracles Study Guide by Mark Batterson - A Book Review

  

For those of you who read my review of A Million Little Miracles, you are aware of my giving it five stars. I found the accompanying Study Guide underwhelming, with the exception of the Study God's Word sections. I did appreciate how they tied important concepts back to Scripture. The questions generally didn't cause me to wrestle with anything, only to briefly give the subject more thought time. Possibly, if used in a small group rather than independently, discussion with others would create the need to go deeper.

While some may find this additional content quite valuable, it certainly isn't essential in order to get great benefit from reading the main text. I purchased four copies of the main text to give as gifts. I did not purchase additional study guides. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of A Million Little Miracles Study Guide from Multnomah via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

A Million Little Miracles by Mark Batterson - A Book Review

    

Before I had even finished the first chapter, I pre-ordered four copies of A Million Little Miracles. I had already been telling my husband we needed to pre-order before I finished the preface. In A Million Little Miracles, Batterson helps readers become more aware of little miracles that we typically take for granted each and every day. He helps us to be more sensitive to how big, close, and good God truly is, and thus how important our attention to our relationship with Him truly is. He helps us to gain, or regain, our since of awe in the God we worship.

A Million Little Miracles is an uplifting book for those who have been a Christian for a long time and may have become desensitized to God's presence in our daily lives due to long-time familiarity . It is also uplifting to those who are new to the faith and are just building that most important relationship. This book will be a great personal purchase, and a great gift purchase for friends and family at all stages of their Christian walk.

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

Cornered by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, and Natalie Walters

 

Cornered includes three novellas by three top romantic suspense authors. Each of the novellas includes familiar characters from the authors' recent series along with some new faces. Readers familiar with Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, and Natalie Walters will enjoy these new offerings. Those unfamiliar with any or all of these authors will have the opportunity to read a short sample of their work to decide if they want to look for previous and future works, especially those with ties to these novellas. While I really enjoyed all three stories, Down Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn was my favorite. I found Chef Cassie Quinn very easy to empathize with as she worked to cope with her vulnerability. Even through I found Down Fall the best, it doesn't mean the others aren't compelling; they are, as each leading lady finds herself cornered in a dangerous situation. Each of these novellas felt complete and unrushed even though they were brief, this is likely due to my being familiar with some of the characters and settings.

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

An Honorable Deception by Roseanna M. White - A Book Review

 

In An Honorable Deception Roseanna M. White tackles a difficult theme, the purpose of pain and suffering, with tenderness and great insight. Through the sorrows of Lady Lavinia and Lady Alethia, and how they each handle them, White demonstrates in which manner one is drawn closer to Christ, and in which one is left feeling isolated and alone. This theme sets a tone for the book that is a bit more serious than the first two books in the series as the case the Imposters have taken on is very dark and the victims are victimized to a greater degree. Readers are encouraged by how shining light into the dark corners can bring both justice and restoration. In classic Roseanna M. White style, the weight of this story is occasionally relieved by the lighthearted acts and banter among the Imposters.

I highly encourage readers to read The Imposters series in order to achieve the greatest enjoyment of this marvelous series. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of An Honorable Deception from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

I Think I Was Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker - A Book Review

    

Colleen Coble and Rick Acker make an outstanding writing team. While I had to google the name Satoshi Nakamota and know very little about bitcoin or bots, I thoroughly enjoyed this multi-faceted romantic suspense story. The authors provided enough information to help people like me understand the technology without slowing down the story, allowing us to focus on the intrigue. Katrina Foster's husband was killed in an automobile accident,or so she thought. A year later it looked as if it might not have been an accident. As Katrina investigates, she and her best friend are also dealing with the loss of their jobs and possible criminal charges as their boss flees the country after embezzling company money. Multiple family issues compound Katrina's stress which is surprisingly helped by the presence of a high school friend that she failed to even recognize at first, a friend who was dealing with family problems of his own. This story has a lot of hygge and made me want to experience some for myself, especially as we look forward to cooler weather and a slower-paced schedule.

I Think I Was Murdered is the complete package. I highly recommend it, and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey

   

I am glad to have finally made the time to read Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey. I have not read the first book they co-wrote, The Swiss Courier, but believe it leads up to this one. That said, Chasing Mona Lisa worked well as a stand-alone read. It is a story of the French Resistance, the liberation of Paris, the subsequent vying for political control of France, and the artwork purloined from the Louvre. It includes a touch of romance, plenty of action, and a wealth of intrigue. While there are mentions of God, the Christian element is not in-your-face, and the book could easily be categorized as clean fiction.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in a giveaway contest. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Deadly Revenge by Patricia Bradley - A Book Review

  

I always look forward to a new release from Patricia Bradley. Deadly Revenge did not disappoint. This book has us back in Pearl River, Tennessee under the jurisdiction of Chief Deputy Alex Stone. Former Chattanooga detective Jenna Hart is now serving on the Pearl River force, returning to her hometown, leaving a difficult work environment behind. Now it appears someone may be entering her home when she is away, leaving no tangible evidence behind. TBI Agent Max Anderson is in Pearl River investigating threats against a political candidate scheduled to speak in the small town. Jenna and Max have a past; readers will have to read to see if they have a future as they work together to determine who may be a threat to Jenna and who is a threat to the candidate.

Patricia Bradley has a well-paced writing style, not only revealing information at just the right time, but also never rushing an ending, something that is very important to me. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Deadly Revenge from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

A Truth Revealed by Tracie Peterson - A Book Review

  
Laura Evans had been separated from her father since the death of her mother in 1858. Ten years later they are reunited when her father, Granite Evans, invites her to him in Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory. During those ten years Laura built up her father in her mind to hero status. Only time will tell if Granite lives up to Laura's expectations as he works to fulfill his political aspirations. Will Porter had planned his whole life to follow in his father's and grandfather's footsteps and minister on an Indian reservation. Now he is frustrated and grieved by government delays and personal tragedy. Is God trying to show him a different path?

Tracie Peterson adds a lot of intrigue to Laura and Will's stories. She supplies an ending that I sure didn't see coming. Throughout the storyline Peterson uses the primary and secondary characters' circumstances to demonstrate God's love and care, especially during life's toughest moments, creating an encouraging story. I recommend A Truth Revealed and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Never Forgotten by Hannah Linder - A Book Review

  

Romantic suspense set in the Regency Era is Hannah Linder's specialty, and Never Forgotten is a wonderful example of her expertise in this genre. Not only does the story build sympathy for Simon Faircourt and his children for the loss of his wife and their mother, and for Georgina Whitmore and her many losses, but also for Alexander Oswald even when it isn't clear if he is a good guy or a bad guy, something that is not soon revealed. There are several key questions that arise in this story, and the pursuit of an answer will become the reader's passion as Linder tosses one surprise after another at them.

I highly recommend Never Forgotten and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.