Review of JUSTICE DELAYED by Sarah Hamaker

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ABOUT THE BOOK

Publisher:Sarah Hamaker

Publication date:05/15/2024

Series:The Seeking Justice Series

My Thoughts

Melender Harman has had a rough life, with her grandmother who was taking care of her dying and then having to move to live with her Aunt Ruby and Uncle Quentin. She knew from the beginning that she wasn’t welcome in their home, but she had no other options so tried to make the best of a bad situation. When her baby cousin Jesse disappears, Melender is accused of kidnapping and killing him and her nightmarish life gets worse. Melender spends seventeen years in prison for the crime and now she has returned to town and is determined to discover what actually happened to baby Jesse because she knows that she did not harm him. Enlisting the support of reporter Brogan Gilmore, a man who is more than a little leery about her claims of innocence, Melender sets out to methodically discover the truth. This book is a fast-paced quest for truth and justice, with a lot of suspects along the way who threaten both Brogan and Melender. In addition to being a great suspense novel, it is also one with a heartfelt foundation of faith as Melender depends on the faith she learned from her grandmother Sudie to get her through her stint in prison and now through all the suspicion that she is facing in the town that she has returned to. The characters are dynamic and if they are not all lovable, they are all totally believable. My favorite character was Brogan, a man not afraid to champion the underdog. I did not like Melender’s cousins Jared at all, a smarmy druggie who not only doesn’t tell the truth, he doesn’t see any reason to do so. This book made it easy to pick favorite characters and those who were immediate suspects although I had to wait for the intricate threads to reveal what really happened and why. Masterfully crafted and totally mesmerizing, this is a story that would lend itself to a good book for a group discussion and it is definitely a thought-provoking novel with a theme of forgiveness and a forward look to the future.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I 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. 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.”

This is Christian fiction and includes intense suspense. Rated PG.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah Hamaker has been spinning stories since she was a child. While she’s had two traditionally published nonfiction books (Hired@Home and Ending Sibling Rivalry), her heart is writing romantic suspense. You can find a list of her books, listen to her podcast, “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” and connect with Sarah at sarahhamakerfiction.com.

Purchase Links:

• Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Justice-Delayed-Seeking-Book-ebook/dp/B0D2VPS8YF/

• Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/justice-delayed-sarah-hamaker/1145518920?ean=2940179840572

• Apple books: https://books.apple.com/gb/book/justice-delayed/id6499559247

• Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/justice-delayed-8

Unity in the Body of Christ

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/44512/day/2

I am so thankful for our church and all of the kind and loving people I have met there. It is a big church, with three services and over 1000 people attending each Sunday. Even so, I have met some awesome Christians there, through Sunday school, through just introducing myself to those around me and through our small group Bible study on Monday nights. In fact, when I was out sick for three weeks, someone from the group contacted me every other day just to see if Harry and I needed anything and how I was doing. I rejoiced when I got to return this past Sunday and I even went to Bible study last night. I was greeted with hugs and genuine joy that I was back and better. It’s good to have a support group, and when you know that each member of your group knows you and misses you when you aren’t there, that means everything.

Unity in the body is important because I think it’s the way we show others that we are different. We don’t just ask “How are you” and then not listen to the answer. We genuinely care because when one is missing, we feel the pain of their absence. God’s desire for each of us is to live in unity so that the world can see that people can get along and love each other without taking advantage of each other or expecting anything in return for kindness. In a world where everyone seems to be using the shoulders of others to boost themselves up, we are united in holding each other up, bearing each other’s burdens and fulfilling God’s law of loving each other first. Real unity can become a reality, even in a big church, if you just make sure you are an active participant and get to know others within a smaller group. God is good and He knows the best thing for us is to get together with other believers and discuss what is happening in our lives as we study His Word.

Response to Hardship

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Many of us respond to hard times by crying out to God, but for me, and probably for a lot of you who are reading this, asking God for help was a “last resort” kind of response. What do I mean by that? Let’s say you have a serious illness. First, you call the doctor, go to the doctor, get tests, see specialists, get more tests, even undergo some kind of treatment. Then, when you have done all that you can via human means, you remember that you should be praying and you cry out to God for help. I confess that I am guilty of playing out that very scenario for years. I am learning (progressive tense because God is still working with me on this) that if I pray first, the other things that I have to do suddenly lose their threat of overwhelming me. It’s all about in whom you place your trust. I have a mantra that I have even told to the doctors…you are treating me for this sickness, but God is healing me. Doctors practice medicine, but the Lord who created me truly knows exactly what I need to be well. I am not saying don’t go to see doctors, but I am saying to depend on and trust God first and foremost. When I go to see physicians, I pray for God to give them the wisdom they need to properly treat me. Our circumstances in life and how we approach hard times depends on our reliance on God.

Really Believe

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If we really believe, then there is only one place to run when life seems to be assaulting us from all sides. We run to the Lord, the One who has always been there over and over again and who will always be there for us. We have to remember to call on Him first. The red phone that connects us to the Lord is always right there, always available and He is ready and waiting for our call. Psalm 27 and Psalm 91 are two of my favorite Psalms, one I have frequently read and quoted during challenging circumstances. What Scripture comforts you in your troubles? I encourage you to write it down, put it where you can see it daily and memorize the lines that speak to your heart and comfort you. There is no greater comfort than to have God’s Word right there in your heart and soul when you need it.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms and the stand-in moms! It may be a tough day for you because your mom is no longer there to call or visit. Or maybe your mom was not a good and nurturing mother. Call on the Lord to comfort and be close to you today…He will.

Belief, Not Feelings

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We live in an era in which the mantra seems to be, “Do whatever feels good to you.” Feels good? Really? It might feel good for me to slap the person who is annoying me by being rude to the clerk in the store, but that doesn’t mean I have the license to do it. It might feel good for me to rob a bank and have lots of money to spend on a lavish vacation, but I don’t follow through on that thought…consequences, right? Unfortunately, in society today, people have decided to do things based on feelings and there are no consequences, at least none that are readily apparent. The Hamas-supporting protesters keep the Jewish students from attending class. What is their consequence? But they “feel” that they are justified in their wanton destruction and hatred, so it must be okay. After all, no one is stopping them. But I digress…this post is not about the poor choices of students. It’s about choosing faith over feelings.

I may be afraid to step out and witness to someone that the Spirit clearly tells me to speak to. If I go by my feelings, I will walk away (and honestly, I confess that sometimes I have done that). But if I go by faith that God will give me the words to say and the courage to say them, then I speak.

In this devotional, David is used as an example of faith. I have just read in another devotional about Absalom and his betrayal, David’s journey away from from Jerusalem and his cries to God. He was not blaming God for his troubles; rather, he was calling out to Him in faith to restore him to his throne and to keep him safe from the traitor. Would that we would have that kind of faith that continues to call out to God in the midst of betrayal and a real wilderness experience! Instead, we have a tendency to say “I’m just not feelin’ it today.” What if you were praying to God and His reply was, “Yes, I hear you, but I’m just not feeling it today.” God doesn’t go by feelings because He knows they change constantly, with outside influences and inner thoughts at war inside us. He expects us to choose to live by faith, no matter what the outside circumstances are and no matter how we feel about them. The Bible teaches us that it is impossible to please God without faith. Time to get off the feel good train and hop on the faith train that takes us to the throne of God. One is a bullet train that speeds us on an out-of-control path to wrong choices. The other is slow and steady, taking us in the right way to the right place, in God’s time.

The Shadow of His Wings

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Do you remember as a child noticing your shadow? Did you have fun trying to make your shadow merge with someone else’s? I vaguely remember that game I played, but since I have young grandchildren and I have watched them playing the same game, it reminded me of the joy I had in such a simple game.

Life isn’t a game in which we chase shadows. The challenges are real and as we grow older, reality sets in and we stop playing the shadow game. I think it’s past time for us to recall our youth and apply it to hiding ourselves in the shadow of God’s protective wings. Do you remember how when your shadow merged with another larger one, yours was no longer visible? God hides us completely if we will allow Him to do so and take shelter there. The world and all of its troubles continue, but we are safely surrounded by the peace of surrendering to His protection.

We can sing for joy in spite of the problems, trials, or news stories that dismay us. God is right there, hovering over us, and protecting us from the things that threaten to overwhelm us and destroy our peace. If you remember, you had to pursue that other shadow and make an effort to stay within it in order to have your shadow hidden. Pursuit of God is the key to peace; meditating on His truths brings the help and joy that are so needed in order to rest in Him.

Let this song remind you that God holds on to you and is right there when you need Him.

Hold On To Me-Lauren Daigle

Red Hot Resistance

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I heard a pastor say once (or probably more than once) that Satan doesn’t bother attacking the non-believers because they are already on his side. On the other hand, those of us who are Christians can sometimes feel as though we are under constant attack. We get through one crisis and the next one is just waiting on the horizon. But there is good news! Have you read the end of the Book? We win! That is why Satan’s desperate ploys to divert our attention from God and get us too discouraged to worship won’t work. God wants us to be prepared for the attacks, so He gave us His Word, but He doesn’t want us to be defeated by them. The trials test our faith but they can’t destroy our firm hold on God unless we let go. Sometimes, I feel as though God is holding me tightly through the circumstances because I get too tired to hold on. Lauren Daigle sings a song called “Hold On To Me” that speaks to my heart when I face that dilemma. I recommend you listen to it with an open heart; at times, all we can do is know that God who began this faith trip with us will see us through to the end. The resistance is real, but so is the victory!

Review of LOVE ON A WHIM by Suzanne Woods Fisher

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ABOUT THE BOOK

ISBN-13:9781493445530

Publisher:Baker Publishing Group

Publication date:05/07/2024

Series:Cape Cod Creamery

Pages: 304

Brynn Haywood’s impulsive marriage to a man she’d known less than 24 hours leaves her with deep regret. She flees to Cape Cod, finding refuge with her loyal friend, Dawn Dixon. As Brynn grapples with her emotions, Dawn acts swiftly, eager to help secure a lawyer for her through her mother Marnie’s good friend, Lincoln Hayes. However, Lincoln’s preoccupation with his daughter’s lavish wedding brings unexpected challenges.
 
The arrival of Lincoln’s estranged son, Bear Hayes, stirs the waters further. Alarmed by his father’s extravagant generosity toward the Dixon family, Bear ignites friction between Marnie and Lincoln. As the wedding day arrives, Lincoln vanishes–and an unwelcome guest makes a surprise appearance.
 

My Thoughts

This book had me captivated by the story and the characters. Brynn Haywood’s unconventional marriage to a man she just met in Vegas and her escape to the cape to ponder what she had done absolutely mesmerized me. I wanted to know who this mystery man was and how it came about that level-headed engineer Brynn would even consider such a thing. Once she gets to the cape with her friend Dawn and Dawn’s mom Marnie Dixon, Brynn can reflect on what she did and Dawn assures her that she will help her dissolve the marriage. But Brynn gets too busy helping Linc Hayes prepare for the wedding for his daughter to think too much about her hasty choice. In fact, Brynn loves baking so much that she begins to consider leaving behind her degree in engineering. There are twists and turns in this complicated tale of choices, consequences, honesty and forgiveness. I really loved all of the characters, but I was especially drawn to Bear Hayes, Linc’s son who is in town for the wedding. Bear doesn’t approve of anyone in town except his mom and his sister and seems determined to make his dad’s life hard. I didn’t love him for his actions which were at times reprehensible. I loved him for his heart that seemed to be wounded and unready to accept anything new. In contrast, Brynn is embracing new things in her life, perhaps a bit too quickly. The story is compelling, filled with wit and wisdom. With each chapter starting with a saying about ice cream that gave me a clue about what would happen in the chapter and also a thought to ponder, this book is memorable and one to share and discuss with others. The subplots about Dawn and Marnie dovetail perfectly with the story about Brynn and all are concluded in a very satisfactory way, with a few surprises, too. This is contemporary Christian fiction at its best and deserves to be savored just like ice cream!
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, Partr 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Christian Fiction, rated G, according to the reading level of the reader

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher wrote her first novel in sixth grade, about Pompeii, a dog, and the erupting volcano (terrible ending!) and, from that point on, she was hooked on the writing life. Curiously, she doesn’t remember anyone, ever, telling her she was a talented writer. She just loved to write. (And she worked hard at the craft. She still does.)
College happened, work, then marriage, children, a sprinkling of corporate transfers, and Suzanne kept plugging away at freelancing for several magazines. (Four kids = lots of great material.)
As her children headed off to college, Suzanne had the time to get serious about writing. She wrote a little World War II love story, Copper Star, which was published by Vinspire, a small royalty press. The novel won some awards, and it also caught the eye of a wonderful agent. And that’s when things started to happen.
Joyce Hart of the Hartline Literary Agency knew of an editor at Revell Books who was looking for an author who had a genuine connection to the Plain People. Knowing that Suzanne’s grandfather was raised Plain, Joyce connected her to that editor. The result was Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World, a finalist for the ECPA Book of the Year.
Thirty-some books later (in a variety of genres—historical fiction, contemporary women’s, and Amish fiction), Suzanne is still writing for that same editor at Revell Books. And she still loves to write. For more information and a list of the author’s books visit her website at suzannewoodsfisher.com

Purchase Links for LOVE ON A WHIM:

bit.ly/3QydyCV (Baker Book House)

bit.ly/4b0teXV (Christian Book)

amzn.to/4dtxSiE (Amazon)

bit.ly/3wqvmJq (Barnes and Noble)

bit.ly/3JPbLWj (Audiobooks)

bit.ly/4dtduhK (Target)

bit.ly/4a9dHUf (Google Play)

bit.ly/3JRxjSk (Kobo)

bit.ly/44yhcCt (Books-a-Million)

Other Books in the Series

I am blessed to be a part of the Revell Reads Blogger Program where I have the opportunity to read many excellent and entertaining books.

Training in the Storm

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www.bible.com/reading-plans/12309/day/2

When the storms of life inevitably come, we have to already have established a pattern of focusing on Jesus. He is our calm in the storm and has given us a peace that the world cannot understand. It is up to us to claim that peace and know that Jesus is right there with us in the middle of our circumstances. If you are like me, you may have the tendency to first look at the raging storm and then look at Jesus. I am trying to train myself to look at Jesus first and then the storm doesn’t look so bad after all. There are plenty of reasons in the world to be anxious, but there is one big reason to be calm…Jesus! Not one time in all of the Biblical accounts of Jesus’s life on earth did we see Him wringing His hands and saying, “Oh, no! The people are still sinning! The Pharisees are plotting against me! What shall I do?” He was in touch constantly with His Heavenly Father, knew what was coming and was ready for it, in His heart and mind. He maintained calm in the storm because He knew that in the end it would all work out for God’s glory. That is what our focus should be. Fixing our eyes on the Master of the storm and not the storm itself tells our heart that we can trust that it will all be okay and God will get the glory in the end.