I am a Christian, a retired teacher, a mother and a grandmother. I love to read and I love the Lord Jesus Christ! Unless otherwise specified ,all visual illustrations are from the YOU VERSION APP of the Bible.
Author: vicklea
I love to read! I’m a retired teacher with a spouse of 45 years, three amazing children and nine wonderful grandchildren. I am blessed!
My husband works at the polls every election as a poll watcher, so he always takes me to the courthouse to vote early. I could have skipped voting this year because after all, there is no Presidential election, so some consider this a “small potatoes” election. I have watched what has been happening in our nation and I know that I needed to vote and let my voice be heard.
In the state of VA, which is in complete control of the democrats, we have three constitutional amendments to vote for. Worded deceptively and presented as you need to vote “yes” for family and for healthcare and for fairness. Well, I will be honest and tell you that I voted “no” on all three. One amendment is for reproductive freedom, otherwise known as abortion by anyone who wants to have one at any time along the journey of having a baby. Some call it “freedom” but I call it murder after a poor choice. The second amendment allows same-sex marriage freely in the state as well as allowing people to change their genders. And the third one restores voting rights to all felons. Interesting thing about that one since the Governor just pardoned a boatload of felons.
The ads have been constant and negative almost all the time. Instead of addressing issues, the ads in our state are anti-Trump and filled with lies about the conservative opponents. I cannot help but think that politics has descended into the gutter and will have a hard time climbing out without getting some yucky stuff stuck to the candidates who use such tactics. I know the Bible has a lot to say about those who lie.
I went online to find out what the Bible has to say about our responsibility to vote. No, there is not a chapter and verse that says to Vote Democrat or Vote Republican or even to vote. But there are all kinds of verses about what God abhors and what He expects of us. So, when I vote, I vote for my principles and the person who best represents what I believe. Anyway, here is the best resource I found for reference, either today or in a future election.
As the article points out and as I firmly believe, not voting is also voting because you are stepping away from the responsibility of casting a vote that could have consequences for you, your children and your grandchildren. All that to say, if you have not yet voted today, please vote. I am not telling you for whom to vote, but I am saying to stand for God, your nation and your family.
Have you ever sat with your child in a doctor’s waiting room? It has been many years since I have done so, but I remember (not so fondly) the times in the waiting rooms that seemed endless. I just wanted an answer for why my child was not feeling well and I had to wait, even as the child in question looked for ways to entertain himself. My children never seemed too concerned about being in the waiting room. It was only when they were called back to the exam room and saw people in white uniforms that the crying and despair began.
Now, fast forward to the present. I am in a waiting room, but not in a doctor’s office. I am waiting for God’s answers about my health issues. Like the waiting room, it is a time of anxiety while I keep silently telling myself that it will all be okay. God has the answer and He will share it with me in His time, not mine.
The context of this verse is just after the Israelites have followed Moses out of Egypt. Now they have the Red Sea in front of them and Pharoah’s army behind them. And this is God’s word to His people.
It is also God’s word for me. The doctors can only do so much since they didn’t create me. God did, and He can do all. What is my part? I am in the waiting room and I am being told to be still. God is fighting for me even though I can’t see the battle.
Do you have a prayer for which you are desperate to receive an answer? Most of us do and many of us also have the way we want the prayer to be answered already in our minds. That isn’t the way God works. He does what He is going to do and we just have to wait. I don’t like the waiting room for answers, but I do love God with all of my heart and trust Him to faithfully fulfill His promise to take care of me. You can trust Him, too, no matter how long you are in the waiting room. Just trust that God is working things out for you and be still. Quiet your heart, mind and spirit so when God does speak the answer to you, you are ready to hear it. Let God do the fighting while you sit this one out.
My devotional for today is based on a story from Max Lucado in a book called Traveling Light. A snippet of his boook was in my devotional on Friday from my Grace for the Moment Daily Bible.
God gives us grace and the direction we need one step at a time.
If you want to know if you are on the right path, the best thing you can do is choose to follow His Word.
Bad Choice
Let’s not get impatient and turn to the dark side to consult those God warns us against about our future. God’s Word beats crystal balls all day, every day.
If God wants us to know the future, He will tell us. But for me, I am just thankful that He leads me one step at a time, one day at a time, one choice at a time.
Trapped in a burning barn, fire ranger Clay Reiger barely escapes with his ex-girlfriend, fire marshal Autumn Jennings, as the inferno rages out of control. Soon a chilling pattern emerges—fires eerily similar to those set by a serial arsonist who disappeared years ago. As the past resurfaces, the danger becomes impossible to ignore. With their lives under attack and a long-buried secret threatening to reignite old wounds, Clay and Autumn must confront their shared history. Can they unravel a deadly mystery and stop a vengeful criminal before more lives are lost?
This cleverly written page turner includes intense suspense, a blooming second chance at romance. Fire ranger Clay Reiger is tasked to partner with fire marshal Autumn Jennings, a young woman with whom he has a history he wants to forget. Clay and Autumn are investigating a series of fires that seem to be exactly like the fires set by a serial arsonist two decades previously. The two of them have to follow the clues to determine if the serial arsonist has returned or if the new fires are being set by a copycat. They also need to protect innocent victims and themselves from the perpetrator who is determined to thwart them from learning the truth. The plot has intricate and intriguing threads of mystery and an edginess to the suspense as one never knows when or where the arsonist will strike next. The plot is remarkably fast-moving and well researched with captivating and insightful details about the investigation and the crime of arson. Masterfully written with dynamic characters who have worked hard to overcome a challenging past, this book is dramatic, exciting and includes some intense scenes of rescue from imminent death. I enjoyed the well-crafted story and the multi-layered characters as well as the realistically portrayed effect that arson has on the victims. This is a book not to be missed for fans of quick-paced and intriguing stories with romance skillfully blended into the main plot. I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Rated PG, Love Inspired Suspense
Kerry spent a magical childhood in New England roaming the woods, climbing mossy boulders, and reading everything she could get her hands on. She moved to Florida as a teen, reluctantly exchanging dirt for sand and snow for sunshine. Kerry lives on the sunny, stormy west coast of Florida with her patient engineering husband, two college-aged sons, and her teen niece. Their busy home also includes a lazy boxer, one very temperamental sun conure, and a spotted leopard gecko, plus any stray cats who need food and TLC. (She still dreams of owning a horse one day.)
She’s a longtime member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and FHLCW (Faith Hope Love Christian Writers). Her stories have won two ACFW Genesis Awards (2017 & 2020), RWA-Georgia’s Maggie Contest (Unpublished, 2019), and a First-Place Selah Award for Romantic Suspense (2025).
These are a few of her favorite things…Jesus, her family, summer thunderstorms, sampling new kinds of tea, laughing and praying with friends, and all creatures great and small. If she’s not outside taking a long walk, she’s inside watching a Marvel movie, reading and writing, or rearranging her bookshelves so her husband doesn’t notice how many there are. She writes for Harlequin/Love Inspired Suspense, and you can find a list of her books on her Amazon page. She loves hearing from readers and can be reached at candidkerry@gmail.com.
Sculptor Fiona Halverson is shocked to stumble upon her ex-fiancé’s murder—just before a masked attacker attempts to abduct her. She’s rescued by FBI Special Agent Bryce Springs, who is investigating a counterfeit ring that points directly to Fiona’s art gallery. Forced to flee from a dangerous crime boss during a brutal blizzard, Fiona and Bryce must uncover how her gallery became part of a criminal operation—and prove her innocence. Facing armed adversaries and the treacherous storm, they’ll risk everything to expose the truth. But with every step, the fight for justice becomes a battle for their very survival.
My Thoughts
This book is a completely engrossing read from the first paragraph to the exciting and happy conclusion. The female main character is a sculptor whose life is in danger because of her artistic ability. A crime syndicate wants to use her abilities to break multiple laws, so Fiona ends up having to run from the villains even as she worries about the family she left behind. FBI Special Agent Bryce Springs is a perfect hero, reluctant to believe Fiona’s wild tale at first but then deciding she must be telling the truth when the kingpin of the syndicate proves to be after her skills. Set in a remote place on a ranch and then moving into the wilderness hideaway of the criminals, the setting was a powerful part of the story. The plot was fast-paced, with a twisted mystery and a storyline that did a good job of weaving the suspense with a budding romance. The story was gripping and Fiona’s wit and determination were very entertaining as well as creative. This is a delightful addition to the Love Inspired Suspense series with characters that are believable and relatable and an action-packed plot. I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Rated PG, Love Inspired Suspense
Terri Reed is a New York Times and USA Today Featured bestselling author specializing in action-packed Christian romantic suspense. She has published over 60 novels with major houses like Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense, Simon & Schuster, and Tule Publishing. Her work consistently appears on the Publishers Weekly, Amazon, and Nielsen BookScan bestseller lists.
What type of books does Terri Reed write?
Terri Reed writes faith-rooted stories that blend high-stakes adventure, danger, and emotional depth with heartwarming character connections. Her novels are characterized as inspirational romantic suspense, often featuring professional protectors like K-9 units, US Marshals, and military personnel. Like authors Lynette Eason and Colleen Coble, her stories emphasize characters who rely on their Christian faith to overcome life-threatening adversity.
Terri Reed is an award-winning author whose accolades include NEW YORK TIMES as well as being a multi-time finalist for the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA Award, and the National Readers’ Choice Award. She is a recognized member of the Romance Writers of America Honor Roll. Her novels have achieved #1 Bestseller status on Amazon in multiple categories, including Religion Fiction and Romance.
Where does Terri Reed live and how can readers connect?
Terri Reed resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and enjoys agility training with her Australian Shepherd. She maintains an active community of readers through her official website and Linktree, offering inspiration and “moments of escape” through her storytelling.
Eve Lantz’s life takes a deadly shift when her return home after her brother’s sudden death is met with gunfire from an unknown assailant. Still haunted by her father’s unsolved murder, Eve is determined to uncover the truth behind the tragedies surrounding her family. Joining forces with her childhood friend, Assistant Police Chief Casey Masterson, she plunges into a dangerous investigation. Casey vows to protect Eve and expose the secrets linking these crimes, but the deeper they go, the more perilous their search becomes. The shadowy perpetrator will stop at nothing to keep his dark secrets hidden—and Eve may be the next victim.
My Thoughts
Eve Lantz returns home to Rachel’s Crossing for the sad occasion of her brother Akin’s funeral. His death was mysteriously linked to their father’s death about a decade before and Eve teams up with her childhood friend Casey to try to find out the truth about what happened to both of her beloved family members. The plot is intricately woven with a lot of fake trails as well as clues for me to follow, so I thoroughly enjoyed trying to solve the mystery along with Casey and Eve. Crackling with tension and some head-spinning twists, this quick-paced novel kept me engaged and entertained as I read the story of their quest for the truth. The closer they got to discovering who was responsible for the deaths, the more danger Eve was in and since Casey had vowed to protect her, he was also in imminent danger. The plot was intriguing, the characters were believable and relatable and the eerie setting was perfect for the story. With a dramatic climax that I didn’t see coming, the expertly plotted book presented a challenge for me to solve the crimes, but every minute that I spent trying was enjoyable. I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Love Inspired Suspense, Rated PG
Mary Alford grew up in a small Texas town famous for, well not much of anything really. Being the baby of the family and quite a bit younger than her two brothers and her sister, Mary had plenty of time to entertain herself. Making up stories seemed to come naturally to her.
As a teen, Mary discovered Phyllis Whitney and Victoria Holt and knew instinctively that was what she wanted to do with her over-active imagination.
She wrote her first novel as a teen, (it’s tucked away somewhere never to see the light of day), but never really pursued her writing career seriously until a few years later, when she wrote her first inspirational romantic suspense and was hooked.
Today, Mary lives in Texas with her husband and loves to create characters who face dangerous situations with faith on their side.
I was raised in a family of worriers. And I don’t mean a little bit of worry. I mean that every day started with worry about how that day would go and every day ended with worry about how the next day would be. Thus, I come by my inclination naturally. But God…
Does worrying help matters? No, but prayer does. Worship does. Reading His Word does.
The power, love and self-control all come from God. We control what we think about, what our focus is. We can focus on the things that are seeming to overwhelm us or we can focus on God who is greater than all of our problems.
I am believing that no matter what I go through, God is holding onto me. He is helping me even as I walk forward into uncertainty. The only certain thing about my future right now is God is there already and knows all. He isn’t wringing His hands and saying, “Oh, my, what will I do?” And neither am I. I am too busy holding tightly to God who knows all things and works for my good always in all ways.
I handle my anxiety by telling God what I am anxious about and why I think I feel worried about it. Then, I sit in silent contemplation and wait. Sometimes, I am humming or thinking of a song that comforts me and suddenly, I feel peace. I wish I could explain it, but that is how it happens. Where anxiety was threatening to drown me, suddenly there is calm and peace, like Jesus speaking to the storm, “Peace, be still.” The storm may still be raging all around me but the calm is in my heart.
I started today anxious about my medical test and then I started my devotional. God spoke to me in multiple scriptures not to fear, to trust and ultimately to remember all He has already done for me which brought me to praise. I don’t know how the test will go or what will happen during or after. But I do know that God who has always been faithful will continue to be with me and see me through it. I just want to be a good witness for Him.
No matter what I encounter today, I want to speak life and praise to others. I don’t know what kind of day they may be having, but I know the kind of God I serve and He is able!
Special Agent Kira Miller’s new career at the FBI has started—in translations. It’s not the opportunity she was hoping for to show off her skills, until she detects a lead in some paperwork. Now assigned an undercover role, she’s in her element as she gathers intel on an art smuggling ring. She’s daunted not by the mission but by her cover—posing as a married woman to the fake husband she met less than twenty-four hours earlier.
Special Agent Bryce Lambert’s assignment to go undercover as a newlywed couple with Kira has the two of them moving next door to the prime suspects, and a relationship is the last thing he wants, fake or real. With secret auctions and hidden treasures, there’s plenty to keep them busy—if only they can play the part their lives and careers depend upon while keeping their own hearts in check.
My Thoughts
Deadly Charade is a book that is hard to put down because the interactions between the characters and the intriguing plot captivated me from the beginning. Kira is a new FBI agent, eager to get out into the field, but she wasn’t prepared for her assignment with Agent Bryce. Together, the two of them are supposed to find an art smuggling ring and rescue some priceless treasures from pre-WWII Russia. In their undercover disguises as a married couple, Kira and Bryce complement the different talents they two have and they also feel that attraction that opposites feel when in forced proximity. The danger is real but the threats are from an unknown source, so Kira and Bryce have to always be aware of their surroundings, including all of the people around them. The characters are realistically portrayed with a few flaws, especially when they are thrown into high-tension situations. The pace is propulsive, so the book kept me reading long past my bedtime as “one more chapter” became many more. I really wanted to know what would happen next, where the treasure was (if there really was one), and how Kira and Bryce would be able to work out a relationship since they are both FBI agents. The tight plot crackles with tension and head-spinning twists that kept me guessing. This is an expertly plotted page turner with a dramatic climax and some brutally terrifying scenes. I loved the excitement of the danger but was thrilled by the budding romance. Five plus stars for a book that held me enthralled and cleverly kept me turning pages! I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Christian Fiction, Rated PG-13 for intense suspense
About the Authors
Lynette Eason has won a plethora of awards including the Carol Award, the Selah, the Golden Scroll and been nominated for others like the prestigious Christy Award. Her novel, Her Stolen Past was made into a movie for the Lifetime Movie Network. Lynette teaches and speaks at writing conferences all over the country. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Mystery Writers of America (MWA), International Thriller Writers (ITW), Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) and Faith, Hope, and Love. She lives in upstate SC with her husband, Jack. They have two grown children and a terribly spoiled American Eskimo pup. Lynette can be found online at www.lynetteeason.com and www.facebook.com/lynette.eason and @lynetteeason on Twitter.
Kelly Underwood’s favorite things are reading, writing, and drinking coffee. She was born in New Hampshire, but don’t ask her about snow, because she’s been a Florida girl since she was twelve. Her debut novel with Sunrise Publishing gave Kelly the incredible opportunity to work with Lynette Eason as her mentor and lead author. Defending Honor, part of the Elite Guardians series, was published in October 2022 and earned third place in the Selah Awards and was a finalist in the Carol Awards. Since then, Kelly has continued to captivate readers with multiple romantic suspense novels.
Beyond writing, Kelly shares her love of reading through her blog, Best in Suspense. She also served as the 2024 and 2025 president for the Central Florida chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not plotting twists and turns for her next novel, you’ll find her out and about with her therapy dog—a feisty golden retriever named Maizie—bringing joy to everyone from children to senior citizens. She also loves traveling and has recently fallen in love with Ireland and Scotland—maybe you’ll see these settings as the backdrop to one of her future novels.
Kelly is a sucker for a good suspense novel, the kind you must read cover-to-cover until the mystery is solved and the bad guys are in handcuffs. If you’re looking for her, she’s probably on her back patio with Maizie, a Kindle in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. Website: Kelly Underwood Author
Some days it can feel like you’re walking alone through life. It can seem like God is not present or with you. Or maybe it feels like He has deserted you in a difficult time.
The nation of Israel experienced many moments like this. They cried out to God in the midst of pain and exile. They were honest in their prayers to God—they told Him exactly how they felt in the midst of hardship.
In turn, God spoke to them through the prophets. He spoke words of comfort and hope. He reminded them of His promises, and that His character never changes.
While it can sometimes seem like God deserts us, we know from His promises that He is always with us. Through life’s loneliest times or most difficult seasons, God is right next to us. He walks through every season of life by our side.
Not only is He with us, but He also promises to strengthen us and help us in times of difficulty. When we feel like we’ve run out of strength to continue, God will provide His strength for us.
God will provide the help we need to keep living in His will. He doesn’t promise to give us strength to do whatever we want, but rather—He gives us courage and empowerment to continue walking according to His plans for our life.
So, in seasons of hardship when we feel like we’ve run empty, we should lean into God’s promises and trust Him. We should trust that He will empower us and strengthen us for whatever we’re facing.
Take some time today to pray to God. If He feels distant, ask Him to be close to you. If you feel weak, ask Him to strengthen you. He promises to uphold you, so trust in His promises. Continue to build a relationship with God and seek His presence. As you do, you’ll find a renewed strength as you walk through life with Him.
My Thoughts
I’m not going to lie. I have been feeling discouraged and afraid lately. It just seems as though one thing after another has been going wrong. Congestive heart failure…okay, dealing with it, the restrictions and the fatigue I feel at times. Kidney disease…also dealing with it. I need enough water every day for my kidney but not so much that fluid builds more around my heart. Then, I started having difficulty swallowing. Mostly my pills, but sometimes I just choke on regular food. I saw a GI and they prescribed a barium swallow test that I am doing this Wednesday. My mind says “okay” but my spirit says, “Another test? What will it prove or end up doing for me?” I think seventy five is a good age, but I am tired of medical issues, tests that aren’t definitive or that have no real answer. There is no cure for CHF. There is no cure for a kidney that is failing. And I have been feeling a little hopeless about the whole dsyphagia thing too. Then God reminded me today in my devotional that I am not to fear. He hasn’t left me and He isn’t going to. Whatever tests the doctors recommend, I will submit to and then expect God to take care of me. Medical science is great but they didn’t make me the way I am and they cannot fix me. But God can. And He might. Or He might walk me through the valley, speaking words of encouragement to me all along the way.
Daisy, our cat, is improving slowly. She is still very ill and mostly stays on the spare bed, sleeping and waking up to eat and sometimes to go to the litter box. She only ventured out of the room once but went right back there again, I think it must feel like a safe space to her. When she first started feeling bad last week, she was hiding from us. Since she had never done that before, I knew something was wrong. She didn’t eat or drink for over two days, so we took her to the urgent care for pet place. After medication for her UTI with potassium for her weak heart, she has begun to stay awake longer and is more alert. She isn’t herself playful, annoying self yet, but I am hoping she will get there. It just seemed as though Daisy getting sick was the last straw, I was somewhat handling all of my medical issues but then Daisy got ill and I lost it. I told God that I just couldn’t take one more thing and His reply to me was that He was with me for all of the one more things I would need to go through. So, I released Daisy to His care and she started to improve.
Little sleep, lots of problems, but a God who is there in the middle of the night and during the long days, too. I want everything to work out and get better. I know my husband is exhausted from taking me to specialists every week. Today I see my pulmonologist, for example, since my heart problem started with my lungs. I don’t know if it’s possible for things to get better, but I know that even if they don’t God will be there, holding on to me as I hold on to Him. He has a plan and He is working it. I just pray that I don’t hinder His plan for me.
Before I write this post, I must say that I don’t feel much like worshiping, but I am determined not to go by my feelings that are led by circumstances. Daisy has not used the bathroom since Friday when she left the vet. I don’t think that is a good sign at all. She looked at me with such sad eyes when I went to give her the meds she is taking. I petted and talked gently to her and she just lay back down. I talked to the Father and asked Him to gently take her home if it is her time. So, worship. I am going to do it anyway, not because of how I feel but because of who He is.
