Month: June 2024

Review of HIDDEN IN THE NIGHT by Elizabeth Goddard

On By vickleaIn Book Review1 Comment

ABOUT THE BOOK

ISBN-13:9780800742065

Publisher:Baker Publishing Group

Publication date:06/04/2024

Series:Missing in Alaska , #3

Pages:336

At the behest of her ailing mother, former FBI special agent turned rare-book collector Ivy Elliott arrives in Alaska to secure an unpublished Jack London manuscript kept secreted away for decades. But when she arrives, she learns the manuscript is gone—taken by the granddaughter of the woman who possessed it. Ivy sets off in pursuit, not just to save the manuscript but to save the vulnerable girl, who was previously trafficked and has no idea what she’s getting herself into.

Joining forces with Alaska State Trooper Nolan Long, Ivy must battle a blizzard, sabotage, and the worst of an Alaskan winter as the search goes on. But every answer they find only raises more questions—and the danger to their lives and to the missing girl may only be the tip of the iceberg.

My Thoughts

This book gets an absolute must-read five plus stars from me because it has everything I enjoy in romantic suspense and then some! The plot includes a missing young woman, a missing Jack London manuscript and a murder, plus romance that is just starting to simmer. The plot is deeply immersive and I was quickly engaged in cheering for Nolan and Ivy, hoping that they could find the missing Danna unharmed. The research made the story authentically fascinating, especially the information about the glaciers and the mystery surrounding the manuscript. The entire story gave me a sense of being there, experiencing the building tension and the necessity to hurry before disaster struck. The multi-layered plot teasingly revealed the details methodically and with so much dramatic action that the book was unputdownable. Infused with spiritual truth and a sparkle of a beginning romance, the last book in the Missing in Alaska series blew me away with its realism and the sharp writing that made it a compelling and edgy read for me. I enjoyed the characters and was stunned by the surprising revelation of the identity of the villain. I really enjoyed finding out facts about this scenic and mysterious state of Alaska; the author paints a vivid picture that makes it easy to imagine the setting and place myself into the story. There are plenty of clues and red herrings and so much happening to favorite characters that I was intrigued by the fact that I had no idea what to expect next. This book has intense suspense that is brilliantly written and cleverly paced. I am sorry to see the series end here, but I have no doubt that the author will create a new series that is equally well-crafted and totally mesmerizing.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Christian Fiction, Rated PG

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elizabeth Goddard is the USA Todaybestselling and award-winning author of 60 novels and novellas, including Cold Light of Day and the Rocky Mountain Courage and Uncommon Justice series. Her books have sold nearly 1.5 million copies. She is a Christy Award, Carol Award and Reader’s Choice Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier and HOLT Medallion Award finalist. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry. For more information about her books, visit her website at www.elizabethgoddard.com.

Purchase Links:

Baker Book House

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Christian Book

BAM!

Bookshop

Audible

Target

Google Play

Kobo

Apple Books

All books may be read as a standalone. Bonus: There is a prequel novella, too:

Don’t miss any of these exciting Alaskan adventure books, filled with romance, suspense and danger!

I am delighted to be a part of this wonderful program that gives me the opportunity to read and review new releases! Thank you, Revell!

Identity in Christ Isn’t Earned

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/39304/day/3

A favorite saying of my father used to be that he worked hard for every penny he had and he had earned it. To be united with Christ, though, we have to leave that mindset behind and realize that we cannot earn salvation or our identity in Him. It is a free gift, an outpouring of God’s sacrificial love for us. All we can do is accept it and live for Him instead of ourselves.

Root Your Identity in Christ

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/39304/day/2

Since Christ and His Word never changes, when our identity is rooted deeply in Him, then it does not change. We know who we are in Him because He doesn’t move or change. Circumstances change, the people around us shift, attitudes change, but Jesus doesn’t. His love for us never changes, the gift of salvation never goes away and God never moves away from us. Our identity is built on the firm foundation of the rock who created us to be just who He needs us to be in order to fulfill His purpose for our lives.

Spotlight: Just Read Rendezvous Tour 2014

On By vickleaIn JustRead Publicity Tour4 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for JustRead Rendezvous 2024, hosted, sponsored, and organized by Just Read Publicity Tours

YOU ARE INVITED

JustRead Rendezvous
November 15, 2024
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel & Conference Center Chicago-Downers Grove

Join fellow readers and authors at the JustRead Rendezvous to celebrate Christian fiction and sweet reads. This event, modeled after the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat, aims to sweeten reading and storytelling experiences with fellowship and encouragement. Activities will include corporate worship, speaker sessions, author panels, small group discussions, games, giveaways, a pop-up book shop, and author signings.
Baker Publishing Group fiction imprints (Bethany House and Revell), Enclave Publishing, and Kregel Publications have joined JustRead Publicity Tours as event sponsors.

Learn more about the 2024 JustRead Rendezvous

Participating Authors

first row: Amanda Barratt, Amanda Cox, Amanda Dykes, Angela Ruth Strong, Becky Wade, Elizabeth Goddard, Elizabeth Musser, Emily Conrad, Gabrielle Meyer. second row: Janilise Lloyd, Kate Breslin, Katie Powner, Kimberley Woodhouse, Kristi Ann Hunter, Laura Frantz, Linda MacKillop, Lisa Phillips, Lynn Austin. third row: Mesu Andrews, Nancy Mehl, Nicole Deese, Robin W. Pearson, Ronie Kendig, Sara Brunsvold, Sara Davison, Sara Ella, Sara Watterson

Keynote speakers include Amanda Dykes, Becky Wade, and Ronie Kendig. Kimberley Woodhouse and Lisa Phillips will lead worship. More authors will be added to the event as reader registration increases!


Check out recent releases by participating authors in the JustRead Amazon Storefront.

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Register

The registration fee (including a book tote, lunch, afternoon snack, and more) is $124 for readers. We’re nearing the reader registration mark to add more best-selling, debut, and indie authors to the 2024 event. Tell your friends and register today to pave the way by August 1!


Subscribe to email updates and learn more about each author on the JustRead Rendezvous website. Connect with other attendees and hopefuls in the Rendezvous Roomies & Logistics ’24 private Facebook group to arrange shared experiences or cost-sharing opportunities.

Register Now

P.S. Join us on Thursday at the same location for the Art of Writing conference and The Christy Award Winners Gala. The Christy Award honors and promotes excellence in Christian fiction and is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Visit christyawards.com for more information and registration.

Giveaway

(1) winner will receive one paid registration to JustRead Rendezvous 2024 courtesy of ’23 Rendezvous author Tamara Leigh
(1) winner will receive a canvas tote bag, an A6 journal notebook with a ballpoint pen, a 12 oz enamel mug, a scented candle, and a reading blanket
(5) winners will receive a $10 egift card (Baker Book House, Christianbook, or Amazon)

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 4, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 11, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for physical prizes. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.


Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Only God Truly Knows Us

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/39304/day/1

Sometimes I feel as though I have multiple personalities living inside me…no, not some mental disease, but different faces for different people. To my grandchildren, I am the fun and upbeat Nanna who brings gifts and plays and reads stories, never telling them how tired or anxious I may be. To the shopkeeper, I am distantly polite, seeing and appreciating their labor but not really knowing their needs. To my husband, I am more myself…moody, irritable at times, angry about being sick a lot and introverted. All of these different personas make up who I really am…and God knows all of me and loves me anyway. My real identity is in Christ. I am a Child of the King, usually in spite of myself and my own actions and choices. I would like to say that I will one day succeed in being the same person to all of my friends and family, regardless of who they are to me. But I know that is an unrealistic expectation and not at all helpful to others. I need to be the best me that represents God to each person, even to my careworn and patient husband who listens to my rants and prays with me for healing and peace. Who are you? I have heard it said that you are really the person that you become when no one is looking or hearing. So, who are you really? God is always looking, always hearing and always knows exactly who you are and who He created you to be.

Opposition Makes You Run to God

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/11261/day/7

It is a sad but true fact that most people do not make God a priority until their lives are so messed up that they see God as the last resort. I want to make God such a priority in my life that He is the first One I turn to when things are going badly in my life. Call the doctor when I am sick? Yes. But pray first. Call and talk things out when I am having a relationship issue? Yes. But pray first. In this era of instant gratification, it is easy to try to rush headlong into a situation without pausing to pray. I have found, through experience unfortunately, that when I don’t stop to pray, then I am more likely to regret whatever I have done in haste. Whenever we are feeling some kind of testing or opposition, our first resource should be to go to God. He has all of the answers. He may give the doctors wisdom or prepare the road for a smoother relationship with another person. Whatever, we don’t know what God can and will do until we ask Him…regularly and first.

You Are Forgiven

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

Stop and think a minute about God’s plan of salvation. God, who can do anything in any way, chose to send His Son to die for us and that sacrifice is at the center of our faith. This was not a spur of the moment idea that God came up with. He set it in motion from the time in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve opened the world to sin. In Genesis 3:15, we already see God making His plan. God’s plans will not be thwarted. What He means for good for us, He brings about and our ultimate good is our salvation, restoration to a right relationship with our Father and eternity with Him. Pray, repent, accept, believe.

The Center of Salvation

Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus lays a foundation for the power of salvation that is achieved through Jesus’ death and resurrection. The core of the Christian faith is found in this event.

The forgiveness of sins that we experience as Christians came through the blood of Christ that was shed on the cross. Jesus lived a perfect life, and became a perfect sacrifice for the brokenness of all mankind. Without the shedding of blood, there would be no forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22). And without the forgiveness of sins, we would not be able to approach our holy and perfect God. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection made a way for us to have a relationship with Him.

Jesus gave His life once and for all, which means that He doesn’t have to die again. All of your sins—past, present, and future—are forgiven through Jesus. In fact, nothing can separate you from the love God has for you.

Paul says that all of this is in line with God’s grace and His promises. All throughout Scripture God promises to redeem His people. He promises to rescue them and free them from their bondage to sin and brokenness. God accomplishes this through Jesus.

Think about God’s great love and grace for you. Do you feel forgiven and set free? Or are you weighed down by your mistakes? Spend some time talking to God, thanking Him for what He has done for you. Remind yourself of God’s promises. Ask Him to fill you with the knowledge of His love and grace.