What Matters Most by Kellie Coates Gilbert

   

     I eagerly awaited this book’s arrival in the mail as I had so enjoyed Where Rivers Part, a previous book in Gilbert’s Texas Gold series. While I did enjoy this book, had I not known it was by the same author I would never have suspected it. Where Rivers Part  would appear to have been written by a more seasoned, mature author. Both books dealt with strong themes, What Matters Most’s being the need for integrity in all walks of life, but especially in positions of leadership, very apropos for our current election cycle.

     What Matters Most has two protagonists that are poster children for integrity, even when they are thrown into situations which pose significant challenges to that integrity. The antagonists are everything the American public has grown to despise in our political arena. The greater message here is hope, hope that when things are tough that doing the right thing will lead to a positive outcome, hope that a new generation is rising that will embody moral character, hope for our states and our country. Hope that is found in God.

     One of the most basic comprehension strategies we teach students is to bring their background knowledge to the task of comprehending, one type of knowledge is the knowledge of how particular genres of stories work. Readers who are familiar with this type of story are waiting for the other shoe to drop well into this story, because we all know that it will. Once it does, the author wastes no time in moving to clean up the subsequent fall out. The final piece to that solution comes from a very unlikely source.

     I recommend What Matters Most to romantic fiction readers, and to those who, during this presidential election season, need a message of hope. Thank you to Revell Publishing and the Christian Blog Alliance for making What Matters Most available to me in exchange for my honest opinion. I have received no monetary compensation for my review.   

Honor Redeemed by Christine Johnson - A Book Review

     

     Reading this book during a major heat wave with heat indices in the triple digits, I was really able to imagine the heat and humidity of Key West, the swarms of pesky insects, and the tropical fevers that plagued residents during the mid-1800s. The discomfort was complicated by the fashions of the day; imagine soldiers in the tropics being required to wear wool! The reader can’t help but be grateful for modern day air conditioning, advances in medicine, and cooler fabrics and fashions. Even if one were reading Honor Redeemed mid-winter, the author’s integration of the setting into the storyline and the clarity with which she describes its significance would create a powerful mental image.

     Honor Redeemed is book two in the Keys of Promise series. It was a delight to visit with Elizabeth O’Malley again as she befriends Prosperity Jones who has arrived in Key West with no money and one change of clothes, in search of her fiancé after the death of her mother left her alone and destitute. Circumstances, however, are not what she anticipated. Lieutenant David Latham is now married, and his wife is expecting a child. Only the Christian goodwill of people like the O’Malley’s and a kindly, older doctor will keep Prosperity off of the streets. Things are not as they seem within the Latham household, and David is in need of some Christian goodwill himself. Themes of honor, forgiveness, unconditional love, faith, and the value of all humans regardless of race and social standing are intricately woven together in this emotionally charged novel.

     I recommend Honor Redeemed to Christian historical fiction and Christian romance fans. I recommend it to those who enjoy reading books where good prevails over adversity, and hearts are changed through Christian love.  Thank you to Revell Publishing and the Christian Blog Alliance for making Honor Redeemed available to me in exchange for my honest opinion. I have received no monetary compensation for my review.  

Missing by Lisa Harris - A Book Review

          

Join Special Agent Nikki Boyd of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Missing Persons Special Task Force as her investigation of Lucy Hudson’s disappearance follows a trail of dead bodies and finds some of those dearest to Nikki in mortal danger. You will encounter danger at every turn, as Nikki, her TBI colleagues, and her friend Tyler search for the truth that will lead to Lucy. Surprises abound on this journey; the unexpected becomes the norm.

     While working tirelessly to find Lucy, a kindergarten teacher running from those who would harm her, before it is too late, Nikki wrestles with the emotions that drive her into the past as she recalls the events surrounding her sister’s having gone missing. While this book works well as a stand-alone read, the story of Nikki’s search for her sister’s abductor is threaded throughout the series, of which Missing is book two. Nikki also deals with her changing emotions towards her deceased best friend’s husband. Helping him through his grief has turned into so much more, but can she let him know? Can he ever see her as something more than a friend?

     Lisa Harris’ writing style is fast paced, contains smoothly flowing dialogue, and has tight, clear descriptions of the scenes in which the characters find themselves. She lets the readers in on her characters’ inner turmoil without getting lost there. I am looking forward to reuniting with Nikki in the spring of 2017 in book three, Pursued. I thank Revell Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for providing Missing for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.    

The Calling by Rachelle Dekker - A Book Review

         

     Fear. Fear from without: fear of persecution, fear of punishment, fear of retaliation. Fear from within: fear of failure, fear of not being good enough, fear of letting others down, fear of letting yourself down. Fear. Debilitating, enslaving, imprisoning, defeating.

     Grace. Grace from the Father. Grace sometimes offered by others. Grace, something we rarely offer ourselves. Grace, once accepted: freeing, releasing, joy evoking, undeserved, a gift, the foundation of freedom.

     The Calling is a story of both fear and grace. It is a story of surrendering the things that fears are built upon in order to grasp the grace that is offered. It is a tale of forgetting and remembering, only to forget again. In the midst of life’s joys and turmoils, it is sometimes difficult to remember who and whose you are.

     The continuing story of Carrington and Remko that began with The Choosing, is extremely well written, and completely enthralling. Readers will need to have read the first book in this series in order to truly understand and appreciate this second book. An investment of time and money that will pay great dividends. You will emerge changed. Not many books or authors have such a significant impact

    One important bit of information for readers new to The Seer series, this series is of the dystopian genre. For those who are fans of this genre, you are in for a treat. For those who have never read a dystopian novel, this is a great place to start. For those who have previously tried this genre and found it less than appealing, this is the perfect opportunity to give it another chance. 

Love Finds You in Holiday Florida by Sandra D. Bricker - A Book Review

          

     My mother-in-law read this book and recommended it to me because she really enjoyed it. It was a sweet, light read. I had recently visited the area in which the book is set, and enjoyed that connection. However I felt like I was two people reading this book. On one side I was enjoying the romantic story with a touch of mystery. On the other I was feeling angry with the main character for living out the life that she deprived her late husband of during their marriage, and seemed to be doing so without regret. The realization that my feelings about how a member of my own extended family was living after the death of his wife was clouding my enjoyment of the book made it easier for me to separate those feelings and enjoy the sense of freedom and personal growth experienced by the main character. I would recommend this book as a nice beach read.

Warren W. Wiersbe's Be Series - A Comment

         

     I have read the Be Series studies of Isaiah and Ephesians, and have been truly blessed. I began the Be Series study of Galatians today, and am already hooked. Wiersbe takes his students deeper into the Word of God with clear, logical writing backed by Scriptural references. My time in the Bible has been more productice with these studies to guide me due to the additional insight they provide. I have allowed the Holy Spirit to guide me as to which study to do rather than my typical start at the beginning and work my way through. They have been very timely, thanks to this guidance.  

Silence in the Dark by Patricia Bradley - A Book Review

        

     Missionary Bailey Adams is anxious to return home to Logan Point, even if only for a visit. Bailey has made some very dangerous enemies in Mexico and needs to gain perspective on her role there. On her last day in Mexico those enemies, a disgruntled shaman, someone from the Calatrava drug cartel, or a kidnapper after Bailey’s charge, young Maria Montoya, have Bailey and Maria on the run. How long is the arm of those who would do these two harm? To what extent will they go to carry out their plans? Will Logan Point, Mississippi put enough distance between them?

     Bailey has known all along that going home to Logan Point means inevitably running into her former fiance, Danny Maxwell. She had not however considered the possibility of their paths crossing in Chihuahua, Mexico, and is totally taken aback when that is just what happens. Now it seems Danny is the only one she can trust to get her and Maria to safety.

     Each mystery in Bradley’s Logan Point series has included well laid out clues and plausible red herrings. The fast paced action, crisp dialogue, and engaging characters will have readers carrying the books wherever they go, snatching moments whenever possible to catch the next turn of events. While reading the books in sequence will allow the reader to understand some references regarding characters and events from previous books, the books do work well as a stand alone read. Patricia Bradley has become one of my favorite mystery authors. Mystery fans of Irene Hannon, Lynette Eason, and Colleen Coble will be proud to display Bradley’s books on their shelves as well. I thank Revell Publishing and the Christian Blog Alliance for providing Silence in the Dark for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation for providing this review.