An Unexpected Grace by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse - A Book Review

  

How fun to be back in Kalispell, Montana and especially to reunite with Marvella Ashbury match-maker extraordinaire! This time she has a young widow, Johanna St. John, and her childhood sweetheart, Parker Bennett, in her crosshairs. This does not sit well with her late husband's brother, as he has his own plans involving Johanna.

I really enjoy books that are the fruit of Peterson's and Woodhouse's collaboration. The settings, main characters, and dialogue are always heartwarming. There is enough conflict to build and hold fast to the reader's interest and attention. The romance is sweet. There is always a sense of hope for the future by story's end. An Unexpected Grace is no exception. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Surrendering Certainty by Abby McDonald - A Book Review

  

Abby McDonald mentions things being unveiled in God's timing. Recently, for me that meant receiving a complimentary copy of Surrendering Certainty from Leafwood Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. God knew that this message of relinquishing my concerns for tomorrow in favor of trusting God for today was just what I needed. I am grateful Abby McDonald listened to God's prompting to write this book. I appreciate her sharing personal experiences to make her points relevant and applicable. This book was a big part in helping me to realize my longing for and dependence on certainty, and the impact that was having on my relationship with Christ. I highly recommend this insightful book, and plan on rereading it myself.  

Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer - A Book Review

  

This book had been highly recommended to us by a member of our Bible study group. Not long after, our pastors decided to offer the Practicing the Way study as a Lenten study. My husband and I were fortunate to be asked to serve as discussion hosts for the study. While only the companion book was required, we decided to go ahead and purchase a Kindle copy of Practicing the Way, and were so glad that we did. It is easy to see why this book was named the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association's (ECPA) Christian Book of the Year for 2025. We've all heard the phrase about knowing your why. For those who know their why is based on Jesus Christ, this book helps us to know our how. John Mark Comer outlines practices that Jesus regularly practiced, and explains how, as apprentices of Jesus, our regularly doing these same practices will bring us into a closer relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The book is written as if Comer is speaking directly to the reader. Throughout the book he quotes numerous scholars from a wide variety of disciplines. The reading of Practicing the Way is life changing, and can become even more impactful by utilizing the resources on the .org website of the same title. It is a wonderful book to read alone, but one that it is even better read within a small group. I most highly recommend Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer.

Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher - A Book Review

  

I love the flora of nature, but fauna, well lots of times I don't want to be up close or even in the same zip code. This book, the first in Suzanne Woods Fisher's National Park Summers series, has characters whose bravery amazes me. I do appreciate both the rangers who educate the public and protect the flora and fauna of our national parks and Fisher's representation of these brave men and women. Unfortunately, sometimes, as depicted in Capture the Moment, the most dangerous creature in the parks walks on two feet. The title of this book comes from the female protagonist, a photographer who wants to move from photographing animals in the zoo to those in the wild. The change in settings poses more dangers and difficulties that she ever anticipated, but the experience grows her bravery, self-confidence, and faith.

This book is well-written, and the settings are beautifully painted with words that evoke awe of the beauty and shivers from snowy mountain trails and icy streams. The suspense element is a bit transparent, but enjoyable. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Capture the Moment from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

The Angel of Second Street by Barbara Tifft Blakey - A Book Review

  

This story is set in 1884 California, largely in the city of Eureka. The female protagonist is a young woman who is determined to share Jesus with two of the city's marginalized populations. The male protagonist is a slightly older man who is determined to follow the path God wants for his life, but must learn to accept that may not be what he had always thought it was. While these two seem perfect for one another, life seems set on keeping them apart. That causes the reader much angst as they can see what's coming next when the characters can't. Isn't that the way it is sometimes in our own lives, those around us can often see where our path is leading even when we can't? That is when we, too, must truly surrender our plans to God.

Blakey has written a story that includes a sweet romance as well as lots of family drama that revolves around opposing priorities and allegiances. We understand how her characters think and feel, but we don't know a lot about what life events brought most of them to being the person they have become. The dialogue flows smoothly. The mental images the author creates are visually and emotionally vivid. The story comes to a satisfactory ending even though not everything is tied up neatly with a bow. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Angel of Second Street from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

To Light the Way Forward by Nancy Naigle - A Book Review

  

This sequel to The Shell Collector is just as delightful as its predecessor. What a pleasure to be on Whelk's Island visiting with Amanda, her children, Paul, Tug; and their new friend, Rosemary. Their story is beautiful, poignant, and romantic, but not without disappointment, grief, and uncertainty. The theme of having a grateful heart open to love and light that will, eventually, overcome our disappointment and worries if properly placed in God and supported by those He sends us, is an important one. Finding pleasure in the moment not out of self-indulgence, but out of accepting God's blessings is the key. Readers may be reminded of Isaiah 43:18-19.

While To Light the Way Forward can be read as a stand-alone read, it will be best enjoyed after reading The Shell Collector. If these are your first Nancy Naigle books, they will have you searching for more. Fans of Grace Greene will delight in discovering Nancy Naigle and vice versa. Both authors are skilled in crafting stories of difficult realities made easier through love and grace, stories that warm the hearts of readers. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Naigle's latest release from WaterBrook and Multnomah via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Smoky Mountain Escape by Rhonda Starnes - A Book Review

  

While I have enjoyed other books by this author, this one had enough instances in which one of the characters acted in an illogical manner that it spoiled the story for me a bit. The premise was good: a young woman previously targeted by a serial killer, now running from two killers after she encountered a sheriff who had stumbled upon them while hiking in the Smoky Mountains. The main characters are people that are easy to like. The setting is perfect for the events. This book has a lot going for it. It is true that I read an advanced reader copy provided by Love Inspired Suspense via NetGalley without obligation. Some of the concerns I had were likely reconciled prior to the final draft being published. All opinions expressed here are my own.