Defending You by Robin Patchen - A Book Review

  

The action begins early in chapter one and never stops until the final chapters. Cici Wright witnesses a murder just after recognizing stolen jewelry involved in another murder years ago. She flees the backroom of the jewelry store where she was conducting an appraisal, taking the bag containing the stolen items with her. The murderer and his associate, having come in search of those very items, take up the chase. A chase that has them showing up at every turn and bringing more help along. Cici's connections hire and send a bodyguard to assure she arrives safely home. Both were quite surprised and not a little unsettled to recognize one another from their hometown high school. Asher Rhodes, once a skinny nerd, in now a filled-out, former Navy Seal who had plenty of reason to be wary of his high school crush. Keeping her alive turns out to be more than he bargained for in many ways.

As always Robin Patchen has provided readers with a compelling, action-filled, clean romantic suspense story. While I am partial to the stories about CiCi's cousins, I am enjoying the stories about her and her sisters very much. I just purchased the first three books of this series, The Wright Heroes of Maine, for my husband, and look forward to building his Kindle library with more of Robin's books.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Defending You from the author without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

 

The Speed of Soul: Four Rhythms for a Quiet Life in a World of Noise by Tommy Brown - A Book Review

 

This short book gave me much to ponder. I appreciate that it provided both sage advice which I readily contemplated embracing in my own life as well as statements with which I wrestled, deciding whether to synthesize or reject based on my current knowledge. The Sound of Soul caused me to think deeply, to pause and discuss those thoughts, and to consider life changing paradigm shifts. The text centers around 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 in which Paul urges believers to love deeply, live quietly, mind their own affairs, and to work with their hands. Tommy Brown fleshes out each of these, explaining how they assist one in finding their center and steadying their soul. While readers are not likely to accept everything he says at face value, there is much here to learn, and wrestling with the other things brings its own kind of awareness.

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

In the Light of the Sun by Angela Shupe - A Book Review

  

I have read lots of WWII novels, but very few have focused on what life was like in Italy and none have focused on the Philippines. In the Light of the Sun does this by placing Rosa Grassi in Italy with her grandmother and her sister, Caramina, with their family in the Philippines. Both sisters aspire to careers as sopranos in the opera like their nonna. While they both deal with cruelty, dwindling resources, and separation caused by the war, these things take different forms for each of the sisters.

The author's mother, aunts, and godmother grew up in the Philippines. This story is inspired by the stories they shared about the beauty of their country, the closeness of their family, their faith, and the role music played in their lives, things that helped them survive and thrive in wartime. Shupe also did considerable research, and this is evident in the details of this story.

While it took me a bit to get into the story, once I did, I was all in. I enjoyed the strong sensation of being there, especially in the jungle scenes, and feeling a strong sense of empathy for both main and secondary characters. Much of the story revolves around music, Rosa's training, Caramina's dream of one day training, and the importance of music in their daily lives. Even those, like me, who don't have a great interest in music, won't be weighed down or distracted by this focus. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of In the Light of the Sun from Random House Christian Publishing Group via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Giving Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini - A Brief Comment

  

Quiltsgiving occurs the week following Thanksgiving at Elm Creek Manor. The Elm Creek Quilters offer a week long free stay to quilters who agree to donate the quilts they create that week to Project Linus. In The Giving Quilt we get a peek into the lives of a small group of these quilters, learning about their life struggles and the impact the week long retreat has on their lives.

This story is sweet and well-told. Readers get to vicariously experience the value of community and will hopefully be inspired to find and actively engage in a community of friends if they do not already do so. I highly recommend this author and this series. 

The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof - A Book Review

  

The Heart of Bennet Hollow is an Appalachian retelling of Pride and Prejudice. The daughter of a semi-retired geologist for the mining industry, Lizbeth Bennet, longs to help her father save the family farm and especially her beloved livestock. Socially awkward William Drake was one of several coal barons looking into purchasing the New River mine. He was, unfortunately, the only coal baron considering the well-being of the townspeople, the miners, and the farmers whose land was entangled with the mine. Meeting Lizbeth had only served to deepen that concern.

Having read The Heart of Bennet Hollow, I have now checked out Pride and Prejudice and look forward to reading the original story. I had always thought about reading it; The Heart of Bennet Hollow inspired me to carry through. Joanne Bischof DeWitt does a wonderful job of showing understanding and respect to a culture that is often stereotyped and belittled. This story of family, romance, stewardship, and care was a charming read. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Stories We Carry by Robin W. Pearson - A Book Review

  

The bookstore setting drew me to The Stories We Carry, but then the story was a bit tedious because so much of it never left the bookstore. The theme of our stories shaping us was well-developed along with themes of acceptance and pushing past our past. The main character, Glory Pryor, is difficult to like, and she is not the only one. Glory's husband, Eli, whom she married late in life is, however, is a bit easier to develop a fondness for. Four-year-old Bennett will capture readers hearts; his mother will likely not, at least not initially. The pace of the story is what led to my giving this book three stars. It is very slow to develop, and I was glad when the book drew to a close.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Stories We Carry from Tyndale Book Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Out of Time by Irene Hannon - A Book Review

  

I was in the mood for a good romantic suspense story and Irene Hannon did not disappoint. Out of Time's lead character and her benefactor are fresh as is the story's setting. Giving the main character, historical anthropologist Cara Tucker, severe hearing loss and cochlear implants added an interesting element to the story. Having multiple people with motives for creating mischief, or worse, on Natalie Boyer's secluded estate enhanced the suspense portion of the storyline. The Christian element was present, but not in-your-face. Christian characters lived out their faith but, as in real life, not perfectly. Opportunities were there for grace to be extended and received. Grace refused was also seen with devastating consequences.

I highly recommend Out of Time and this author's other suspense novels. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.