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.
What a lovely story with all of the good feelings that come with happily ever afters! Mallory Farrell decides to upend her comfortable life when she inherits her grandmother’s tourist shop in a small town in Oregon. She decides to renovate the shop and the apartment above it, open the shop to feature her home design and move to the quaint little town. Once there, she meets mega-rich and super handsome Grayson Matthews, a widower who is not convinced that her business will succeed but he is willing to watch her try. The relationship between these two is puzzling at first as neither of them seemed to have the time to build a relationship together. I loved the interactions between the main characters and the plot that was woven so well around the themes of building and designs. The inspirational themes of redemption and hope were well interwoven into the plot and seemed a natural part of the storyline. With a quick pace, lots of humor, plenty of drama and characters that popped off the page, this is a book that is light-hearted with a deep underlying message that resonated with me. I especially loved the design tips from Mallory and her repartee with Grayson’s assistant Corinna. We could all learn from Mallory’s patience and resilience and her positive attitude in spite of one obstacle after another! Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley as part of the Revell Reads Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
A clean read for all! Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her novels range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including Romantic Time’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/ (Bio from author’s page at Amazon)
The story of Zane Fletcher and Tessa Reed is one that had to be told. Their attraction to each other in previous books in the series was apparent but they had decided just to remain friends. Their decision is brought into question in this final book in the series in which Tessa is the lead agent in charge of protecting the President when he plans a trip to Raleigh. The President’s plans bring Zane back to Raleigh in order to liaison with Tessa. The chemistry between these two alternated between humorous and deadly serious as Tessa’s life is endangered because of events from her past. The characters are realistic, presenting a fascinating character study that pulled me into the story quickly. The plot is well-crafted with multiple layers involving the keeping the President safe, the President’s old friendships and reason for his visit and Tessa’s past that she thought was buried but has come to haunt her. The twists are clever and satisfyingly complex, creating a plot that is tightly woven and constantly crackling with tension between Zane and Tessa. With a fast pace and witty dialogue, this book kept me engaged with its intricate plot threads that were brilliantly woven together into one action-packed book. This is an addictive suspense that includes a developing romance that sparkles with laugh-out-loud banter between the two protagonists. Filled with warmth, humor and the creative complications that add to the pleasure of reading, this book is one not to be missed by fans of action-packed romantic suspense. Although it is part of the Defend and Protect series, this book can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author as part of her launch team. I also received an e-copy of the book from Revell via Netgalley as part of the Revell Reads Blogger Program. I was not required by either entity to publish a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
An intense-filled suspense rated G for all audiencesLynn H. Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. Her Dive Team Investigations series includes Beneath the Surface and In Too Deep (a Fall 2018 Okra Pick and 2019 Selah finalist). The conclusion to the series, One Final Breath, releases in September 2019. She is also the author of Hidden Legacy and Covert Justice which won the 2016 Selah Award for Mystery and Suspense and the 2016 Carol Award for Short Novel. (From author’s website at www.lynnhblackburn.com
I have the privilege of being part of the Revell Reads Blogger Program. I was also chosen to be part of the advanced review team for the author. Reading and reviewing this fantastic conclusion to an awesome series has been a double pleasure!
Police Chief Autumn Long is fighting to keep her job in the quiet Alaska town of Shadow Gap when an unexpected string of criminal activity leaves her with a wounded officer, unexplained murders, and even an attack on her own father. Despite her mistrust of outsiders, she turns to Grier Brenner, a newcomer who seems to have the skills and training Autumn needs to face this threat to her community.
Grier is in Alaska for the same reason so many others are–to disappear–when Chief Long enlists his help. He emerges from the shadows and proves his mettle, but his presence in her life could be a deadly trap for them both. If his secret is exposed, all will be lost. And he’s not sure even Autumn could save him.
As the stakes rise and the dangers increase, Autumn and Grier must rely on each other to extinguish the deadly threats.
About the Author:
Elizabeth Goddard is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 50 novels, 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 Carol Award and Reader’s Choice Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier 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 http://www.elizabethgoddard.com. Photo and Bio from author’s page at Baker-Elizabeth Goddard
My Review:
This is a race for survival for Sheriff Autumn Long. Not only does she have to survive those who want to take her job away, but she also has to find the killer who is stalking and killing multiple people in her little Alaskan town. She enlists the assistance of newcomer Grier Brenner who has his own secrets that he is hiding and who may have brought danger with him. The plot is propulsive and unique, with authentic details about the setting and intricate plot threads woven seamlessly into an action-packed story. There is a lot of spiritual truth built into the story with Grier and Autumn both exploring what they believe and how to keep believing in the hard times. The secondary characters were a dynamic addition to the story and I enjoyed getting to know the people in the town, especially the mayor who just couldn’t bring herself to fire Autumn without putting up her own struggle against it. This is an edgy page-turner that taught me a lot about Alaska during the intriguing and fast-moving plot. Crackling with tension between Autumn and her deputy Craig as well as with Grier, this book presented multiple layers that captured me from the prologue and just kept reeling me in. With characters that are relatable and realistic and a plot that is cleaver and totally satisfying, there was nothing I did not enjoy about this book and I am already looking forward to the next book in the Missing in Alaska series. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary hard copy from the author as part of her launch team as well as an e-copy from Revell as part of the Revell Reads Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Rated G for all audiences who enjoy good clean Christian romantic suspense
Releases on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, so you still have time to preorder and get freebies from Revell. Follow this link for all of the details: http://www.missinginalaskaseries.com
With much appreciation to Revell Books for the e-copy of the book to read and review and to the author for sending me a hard copy as part of her launch team!
I’m glad that you are still with me because I want to share a copy of this book with one blessed person from the U.S. I purchased an extra copy just for this giveaway. All you have to do to be entered to win is to tell me why you want to read this book in the comments. That’s it! I will randomly choose a winner next week.
Thank you to all who commented for the contest of a copy of this amazing book. The winner is ALISHA COLLINS. I have contacted her by DM and sent her book. Congratulations to Alisha!
On the night of December 31, 1989–as the Berlin Wall is coming down, the Soviet Union is inching toward democracy, and anything seems possible–a down-on-his luck musician crashes a party and crosses paths with the accomplished and enigmatic young heir to a fading musical dynasty, forever altering both of their futures.
My Review and Rating:
This book is amazing! The prose is like lyrical poetry and the song lyrics come alive and make the story so touchingly realistic. The entire plot just flowed from the page into my heart. The story of Michael Sullivan, a lyricist who has been kicked out of his band, and Natalie Wheeler, a blind musician who is extraordinarily gifted, is one that should be read and appreciated by all who need a story to make them think and feel good about life. It is the story of daring to reach out for a better future and of forgiving those who have held you back in your past so that you can achieve your dreams. I loved getting to know each of the characters, even the seemingly unredeemable Uncle Mike who drinks and gambles to forget his tragic past. I found myself wanting Michael to forgive his father Steve completely and find a new relationship with him. I was totally invested in the stories of the characters because they became like real people to me. The plot was moderately paced, not too fast which I think would ruin it and not too slow which would make it drag. It was perfectly paced for the story that was being told, the story of young love, exploration into new beginnings and support from those who had forged a path in the past. I think my very favorite character was Deb Wheeler, a talented musician who gave up her promising career for personal reasons. She elicited sympathy from me but also a great deal of respect because of her compassion and wisdom that she showed to all whose lives she touched. This is one of the most beautifully written tales I have ever read and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It’s refreshingly original and totally engaging. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Five plus stars for this clean Christian read.
About the Author:
ERIN BARTELS is the award-winning author of We Hope for Better Things, The Words between Us, All That We Carried, The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water, and Everything Is Just Beginning. She lives in the capital city of a state that is 40% water, nestled somewhere between angry protesters on the Capitol lawn and couch-burning frat boys at Michigan State University. And yet, she claims it is really quite peaceful. Find her on Facebook @ErinBartelsAuthor and on Instagram @erinbartelswrites. Information and photo are from the author’s website at http://erinbartels.com
Working with the son of a serial killer? That’s a first.
FBI Special Agent Grace Billingsley tracks serial killers, using her skills as a psychiatrist and behavioral analyst to get dangerous people off the street and safely behind bars. But prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe knows that just because a killer is incarcerated doesn’t mean they’re not a threat. His own father, Peter, is a serial killer—in prison but certainly not out of Sam’s life, as much as he wishes he was.
When bodies start showing up with Peter’s MO, Sam and Grace are both called in to consult. They’ve met before, and though Grace thought they’d made a real connection, Sam ghosted her. They’ll have to get past the awkwardness and mistrust to solve this case—especially because it’s about to get personal.
My thoughts about CRITICAL THREAT:
The story of Grace Billingsley and Sam Monroe is one that is a fascinating character study as well as a fast-paced suspense thriller. The clever way the author builds the story, with layers and unexpected twists, is absolutely brilliant and addictive. I enjoyed getting to know the characters who were the FBI agents and was intrigued by the personality of the villains. Sam’s father, an inmate in prison and a serial killer, was a complicated character who added to the terror that unraveled in the plot. The plot was tight, with misdirection in just the right places and a satisfying mixture of romance building just as the suspense ramped up. I also enjoyed the signature humor of the author, like the dinner date that seemed to always get interrupted. This is a compelling book to read with edge-of-your-seat action and uniquely complicated relationships that are explained well and thoroughly. The suspense gets intense at times, but that must made the story more enjoyable for me. With well-developed ideas and clues throughout the novel, this book kept me guessing and absorbed. I did not like all of the characters but all of them were fleshed out and made me see them for who they were created to be. I enjoyed the resilience of Grace and her reliance on her faith and her colleagues. And I enjoyed seeing Sam develop into a man who deserved her trust. Unpredictable and heart-pounding suspense make this book the perfect addition to the series! It can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend the entire series and getting to know all of the characters who are friends and who support each other in their quest for justice. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley and from the author as part of her launch team. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
A clean read but I would rate it PG-13 because of content concerning a serial killer.
Lynette Eason is the best selling, award winning author of almost forty books including the Women of Justice series, the Deadly Reunions series, the Hidden Identity Series and the Elite Guardians series. She writes for Revell and Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line. Her books have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists. She has won several awards including the 2013, 2016 and 2017 Carol Award in the Romantic Suspense category. She’s also the recipient of the Christian Retailing’s Best 2017 Award. She placed in the top ten (out of thousands of entries) in the James Patterson 2016 co-writer contest. Her Stolen Past was recently made into a Lifetime Movie Network movie and will air February 2nd, 2018. Lynette teaches at writing conferences all over the country. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Romance Writers of America (RWA), Mystery Writers of America (MWA), International Thriller Writers (ITW), and Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of RWA as well as the Kiss of Death (KOD) chapter. Lynette can be found online at http://www.lynetteeason.com and http://www.facebook.com/lynette.eason and @lynetteeason on TwitterMany thanks to Lynette Eason for allowing me to be on her launch team and to the Revell Reads Blogger Program for providing an e-copy of the book for me to read and review. Once again, Lynette has outdone herself with plot, characters and suspense and Revell has published a sure bestseller!
Synopsis: A wallflower in her Amish community, Mary Margaret hopes a trip will offer her a chance to come out of her shell. When a chance meeting brings new friends and a gentle young man into her life, she imagines a whole new life in Florida. But will it all disappear once vacation ends?
My thoughts about the book:
This is a quick and sweet romance with the Amish characters visiting a beach in Pinecraft, Florida. I was surprised by the setting and the boldness of the main character to leave her protected Amish community and travel by bus to Florida, but the surprise added to the story as Mary Margaret was joined by other like-minded Amish young women seeking respite from their lives and the troubles that they faced there. Mary finds her true desires in Florida and even has to face forgiving a former enemy who unexpectedly shows up there. I loved the themes of relationships, honesty and forgiveness. I especially enjoyed seeing how all of the conflict worked itself out in just the right way for the lovable characters. I was invested in the story and wanted everyone to get a happy ending, but the ending was not without some real twists along the way. My favorite characters were Jayson who is a responsible young man who feels the weight of taking care of his diabetic sister Joy and Michael, a young orphan who works hard to escape from his cruel aunt and uncle who make him feel worthless. My sympathy lay with these two young men who were courageous and determined as well as dedicated to doing the right thing regardless of the cost to themselves. This is a quick read that can easily be read in a few hours and thoroughly enjoyed! Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Reads Blogger Program via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Rated G for all audiences. This is a clean Christian fiction book. Check out the author’s website for more information about her and her books. http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com
With many thanks to the Revell Reads Blogger Program for introducing me to this author last year and for giving me the opportunity to read and review this first book in her new series.
Former Delta Operative Colt Kingston knows when someone is lying. He may not know the truth, but he sure doesn’t trust Tae, the woman who is caring for his ailing father at Sky King Ranch. Behind those beautiful blue eyes, he can tell there is a troubled–and smart–woman.
A few of her stories prove true–he’s found the crashed plane and the dead body inside. Still, her story of survival seems too incredible to believe . . . until the thugs she claims to be hunting her show up and threaten Sky King Ranch. Now Tae must disappear, along with her secrets.
But Colt’s not about to let her go it alone. And when they discover that her secrets include the antidote to a plague that threatens the world, it’ll take all three Kingston brothers to save the country they’ve vowed to protect.
Susan May Warren brings her Sky King Ranch series to a climactic close with this high-stakes race against the clock.
Oh, my! This book and this series had me captivated from beginning to end. I must admit that I missed the first book in the series, but I have since purchased it and plan to definitely go back and read Dodge’s story. This third book in the series wraps everything up well as it tells the story of Colt Kingston, a man who has yet to feel worthy or accepted in his life. He is still carrying the guilt of being with his mom when she died and blames himself for her death. Enter on the scene a young woman named Tae, a brilliant scientist working on a vaccine against a bio-weapon that is as deadly as it is useful to enemies. The danger that Tae is in is presented so realistically that I thought I was watching a movie in my mind. The action was fast paced and non-stop, changing settings from ice in Alaska to the sunshine state of Florida, with the bad guys always right there. Colt has tasked himself with keeping Tae safe and that is no small chore since he has to almost sacrifice himself to secure her and her vaccine. I enjoyed the way the story unraveled, with lots of layers and plenty of brilliantly written dialogue. The relationship between the brothers is a central theme since they need to find out each other’s strengths and weaknesses in order to work well together. I enjoyed reading about the themes of forgiveness, acceptance, self-discovery and coming to a feeling of self-worth. This is a story that made me tear up a few times, gasp others and even chuckle sometimes. This book had everything that clean romantic suspense should have and the addition of high intensity action that made it a compelling read. This book can be read as a standalone, but my recommendation is to read the series of the Sky King Ranch and the heroes who call it home. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley as part of the Revell Reads Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
This book has some really intense scenes in it. It is a clean read but it is also scary at times, so I would rate it a PG-13.Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award-winning novelist of over sixty-five novels. An eight-time Christy award finalist, a three-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award. A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: The Story Equation. She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, and Novel.Academy, a school for aspiring novelists. You can find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com.
The Revell Reads Blogger Program introduced me to this author when she wrote the second book of this series. I have been a fan since then and look for all of their books now. Much appreciation to this Blogger Program that has kept me reading good Christian fiction and allowed me the opportunity to introduce authors to the readers of my blog.
I have honestly never read a book that kept me as engaged as this one did. Melissa Braxton, the heroine of the story, has turned her life around after her abusive father killed her mother. Now, she works with a friend to house those who are fleeing from abuse. Phil Osbourne, an intrepid and skilled member of the Alpha team is trying to discover where he fits in since his leg was amputated during a field operation. Melissa falls in love with Phil, but he keeps rebuffing her feelings because he doesn’t feel that he can take care of her since he is not a whole man. The plot is so fast-paced that it kept me reading and mesmerized by the sub-plots of Melissa looking for her sister who went to a different foster home and Phil’s relationship with his brother Winston, a D.A. in Miami. The closeness and support of family is an important theme in this clean read, as is the sense of finding your own identity and self-worth. I enjoyed how Melissa and Phil supported each other and the way their relationship developed in spite of Phil’s best efforts to distance himself. There were several real gut-wrenching tragedies in the plot that had me crying, but they just made the entire story more realistic and compelling. The drug lords who are the enemies are like Satan himself on steroids, destroying everything in their path and not caring about the lives of women or children. I especially enjoyed the almost cameo-like visit from “Pot Pie,” a member of Phil’s former army team and the humor he lent to a very serious storyline. I could have kept reading this book for hundred of more pages and never gotten bored because I was totally invested in the stories of the credible characters and the challenges that they faced. In fact, I was sad to see the story end but happy that there is another book in the series coming. This book is part of a series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone although I would recommend savoring each book and the characters that are presented. There are possible triggers in the novel, most importantly the abuse and violent drug kingpins. But the topics are treated sensitively and there are no graphic details. This is my favorite of the series because Phil is one of the characters from the series who planted himself firmly in my heart and his being the focus of this book was a bonus for me. This is a must read book for those who enjoy romantic suspense with a military flair and realistic details! Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books via Netgalley. I also received a complimentary copy recently from the author and cherish having a hard copy to treasure. Nevertheless, all opinions expressed are my own and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
This is a clean Christian read with some intense moments, so a definite PG. Also includes triggers: abuse, violence, murder. No graphic descriptions but these are part of the story. With nearly a million book sales, USA TODAY bestselling and award-winning author Hallee Bridgeman writes action-packed romantic suspense focusing on realistic characters who face real-world problems. Her work has been described as everything from refreshing to heart-stopping exciting and edgy. An Army brat turned Floridian, Hallee and her husband finally settled with their three children in central Kentucky so they could enjoy the beautiful changing of the seasons. When she’s not penning novels, you will find her in the kitchen, which she considers the ‘heart of the home’. Her passion for cooking spurred her to launch a whole food, real food “Parody” cookbook series. In addition to nutritious, Biblically grounded recipes, readers will find that each cookbook also confronts some controversial aspect of secular pop culture. Hallee has served as the Director of the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, President of the Faith-Hope-Love chapter of the Romance Writers of America, Secretary and Assistant Programming Chair of Novelists, Inc. (NINC), is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and the American Christian Writers (ACW). An accomplished speaker, Hallee has taught and inspired writers around the globe, from Sydney, Australia, to Dallas, Texas, to Portland, Oregon, to Washington, D.C., and all places in between. Hallee loves coffee, campy action movies, and regular date nights with her husband. Above all else, she loves God with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength; has been redeemed by the blood of Christ; and relies on the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide her. She prays her work here on earth is a blessing to you and would love to hear from you. You can reach Hallee at hallee@halleebridgeman.com
I am delighted to be a part of the Revell Reads Blogger Program which introduced me to this fantastic author who writes fascinating and totally engaging books to entertain her readers.
The final book in the Triple Threat Series by Irene Hannon was well worth the wait! This is a stunning conclusion to the series that kept me glued to my seat as I devoured the book and all of its twists. Dr. Grace Reilly is a forensic pathologist while Nate Cox is the sheriff of the little town in Missouri where they live. Grace is convinced that the deaths of several elderly patients is not natural and decides to investigate, even convincing Nate to join in her quest for the truth. She is a stalwart defender of justice and knows something is killing off the elderly, if she can just figure out how. The characters are credible and the action is fast paced and riveting. Even the secondary characters play a major role in solving the mystery, especially investment agent Dave Mullins who is a very likable if gullible character. All of the roles of the characters flow together seamlessly and it was impossible for me to guess the culprit until the very end. That made this novel a very satisfying suspense since I was not able to predict the ending too soon. The romance is inevitable but so lovely, with Nate and Grace gradually giving in to their attraction for each other. I enjoyed the repartee between Grace and her sisters, Eve and Cait and the teasing they all do together. In fact, there was nothing that I did not enjoy about this spine-tingling romantic suspense and look forward to the next suspense series from Hannon. She is an absolute master at creating at atmosphere of building suspense and making the story believable and dramatic at the same time. Fans of clean romantic suspense will want to grab this book right away and will enjoy the multiple layers of deception hidden within its pages that lead to so many red herrings. A perfect book for fans of this genre! 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. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
With intense action and a dangerous stalker, I would rate this book PG-13. It is clean Christian fiction. Image and the Bio below are from the author’s website at http://www.irenehannon.com
Irene Hannon is a bestselling, award-winning author who took the publishing world by storm at the tender age of 10 with a sparkling piece of fiction that received national attention.
Okay…maybe that’s a slight exaggeration. But she was one of the honorees in a complete-the-story contest conducted by a national children’s magazine. And she likes to think of that as her “official” fiction-writing debut!
Since then, she has written more than 60 romantic suspense and contemporary romance novels. She is a seven-time finalist for and three-time winner of the RITA award—the “Oscar” of romance fiction—and a member of the Romance Writers of America elite Hall of Fame. She has also received a Career Achievement award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Her many other awards include Daphne du Maurier, Carol, HOLT Medallion, National Readers’ Choice, Retailers Choice, Booksellers’ Best, and Reviewers’ Choice from RT Book Reviews. She is also a two-time Christy award finalist.
Irene, who holds a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in journalism, juggled two careers for many years until she gave up her executive corporate communications position with a Fortune 500 company to write full time. She is happy to say she has no regrets!
In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, gardening and singing. A trained vocalist, she has sung the leading role in numerous musicals, including “South Pacific,” “Brigadoon,” “Oklahoma” “The King and I” and “Anything Goes.” She is also a soloist at her church.When not otherwise occupied, Irene and her husband enjoy traveling, Saturday mornings at their favorite coffee shop and spending time with family. They make their home in Missouri.
With deep appreciation to Revell Books for including me in this blogger program and giving me the opportunity to read and review this book! I have a been a big fan of Irene Hannon for years and I can highly recommend anything that she has written.
Lydie Stoltzfus is an Amish girl with a big heart and a problem concentrating and finishing her tasks. She has been fired from one job after another and has a talent for rushing and still arriving late. When her aunt, the town’s physician, needs a temporary receptionist, she hires Lydie and notices that she has ADHD. Dok and Lydie’s grandmother work together to help Lydie accept her shortcomings and to overcome her attention deficit. The story is centered around Lydie, but it is also the story of Nathan and Mick Yoder, two brothers who are competing for control of the family farm. Nathan wants everything to be organically grown while Mick wants to use chemicals to beat the pests and have a higher yield. I learned a lot about good farming methods and especially enjoyed Nathan’s love for his crops and the tender care he took of his plants. The story was one of redemption and self-acceptance, of family, friendship and of using the talents God has given us. There are so many lessons to learn in this book and so much truth within its pages. I had never heard of to “walk the beans” but that phrase has become a new mantra for me to insert into my busy life. The fast pace tale is fascinating and well-researched, including training oneself to overcome ADHD and to grow things in a healthy way. I appreciate all of the tips given throughout the story. The characters wiggled their way into my heart as I felt empathy for Lydie and even for her meddlesome grandmother. All of the characters are just like us, looking for a place to belong and love once we get there. I totally enjoyed the story of Lydie and her father, a bishop who has a lot of wisdom and plenty of experience. I was enamored with Lydie’s “doodles” which were cartoons she drew depicting Amish life. They lent humor and even more realism to the story. This is a book not to be missed by those who enjoy Amish tales and particularly those who want truth in the story and lessons to be applied to life while being engaged in reading. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 