The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple

Clever is the one word I would use to describe this book. I appreciated both the literal story and the figurative one. The author showed a high level of skill and successfully wove all story elements together into a satisfying read. The religious theme was ever present, but never heavy handed.

The antagonist Josiah Fairchild is a believable and active accuser. In this story, he is the “father of lies”. Should the novel ever become a screenplay, he would be the personification of the Bible’s devil.

Naturally the main character’s friend and companion would be named “Peter”. No other name would fit his steadfast presence in Lily Temple’s life. He was her rock and literally an ambassador for Christ.

The cases Lily Temple and Peter Driscoll teamed up to solve added to the overall story. One allowed us to meet characters who showed unconditional love towards one another. The case of the lost girl who eventually was reunited with her father was a picture of restoration that warmed the heart.

I loved the setting of the story. The character’s dialogue and their movements about the English seaside towns of Brighton and Hove and St. Anne’s Well Gardens was captivating.

I would recommend this book to my book buddies. My copy of the print book fell on hard times when it suffered a fatal accident with my cat. I was only one third of the way through so naturally I purchased an electronic copy. Now as I look back on my highlights I’m reminded again of the wonderful word choice employed by the author. I’m impressed by the plot’s sophistication and the layers of storytelling.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review. When my print book disintegrated, I purchased the ebook immediately. I had to know how the story ended. The conclusion was consistent with my expectations. The characters found a sense of peace, an emotion many of us are currently seeking. They walked a long steady journey back to the garden and restored a personal relationship with the Father who is full of love, grace, and mercy and always ready to draw us near.

The Divine Proverb of Streusel

The Divine Proverb of Streusel, Softcover
By Sara Brunsvold / Revell

Wonderful book from cover to cover! I already have a chain of three book buddies lined up who will love this book as much as I have. I’ll share it with a “Must read!” exclamation. The title captures the imagination and it delivers a story with so much heart. It’s quite a feat when an author can make a relative who died years ago standout as a main character. Grandma Anna fits into the plot as seamlessly as her granddaughter, Nikki and Anna’s two sons, Wes and Chris.

I started using sticky tags to bookmark stellar sentences. The prose is lyrical and nuggets of wisdom crafted by the author are scattered throughout. The recipes, recipe notes, and companion Bible verses from Proverbs make the plot sing.

I haven’t read Sarah Brunsvold’s debut novel, but I’m interested. This newest release is a superb example of Contemporary Christian fiction. So many readers will relate to her storyline and they will be encouraged and lifted by the characters’ growth and changes. I appreciate how directly the author dealt with the shunning of all things German during WWII. Her portrayal of farm life and small towns is accurate and adds to the story.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher, Revell in exchange for my honest review.

#TheDivineProverbOfStreusel!

The Warsaw Sisters

The Warsaw Sisters of WWII Poland
By Amanda Barratt / Revell

I’ve been steeped in World War II topics in recent months. For print books, I read The Watchmaker’s Daughter (The True Story of Corrie Ten Boom) and The First Ladies. On many evenings this fall, my husband and I settled in and watched all two seasons of World on Fire on PBS. I requested The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt to review, because I wanted to keep this reading and viewing theme going along the same course. Amanda Barratt’s book is accurate and reflects a great deal of research. Her writing shines a light on the horrific experience Polish citizens experienced at the hands of German invaders. It is interesting how this author was able to craft a plot that weaves in many different points of view. Her prose is rich and detailed. It was an education to read about the Home Army Uprising and their valiant effort to defend Warsaw. The Polish citizens were heroic in their efforts. This is one reason I love to read fiction and non-fiction based on history.

The story is built around the experience of two sisters who chose different paths during the war. One chose to get involved with rescuing Jewish children out of the Warsaw ghetto. The other eventually becomes a soldier in the resistance movement. They fall out of regular contact and events make it seem they will stay separated. But Barratt writes a satisfying conclusion giving readers reason to hope.

My recommendation for readers thinking about picking up this book is to be patient and allow yourself a good amount of time to read this book. Read the historical note for context maybe just as you begin your reading journey. Also stop and look up some of the cultural references to help with your understanding. While I have some knowledge of Polish customs, many terms were new to me such as oplatki. Also I did not know some of the Polish musicians and poets that Barratt referenced in her novel.

I did read the book from cover to cover and I appreciate the amount of work this author put into sharing The Warsaw Sisters with her readers. The publisher, Revell supplied me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. On a final note: I seem to be unable to stop myself from picking up more WW II books. Now I’m reading Freedom Flyers: the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II by J. Todd Moye. #TheWarsawSisters!

On Moonberry Lake

On Moonberry Lake
By Holly Varni / Revell

We’ve all seen those signs, “Life is Better at the Lake!”. Holly Varni’s novel proves the truth in this statement. Her novel On Moonberry Lake is chock-full of characters to love and plots you fall for hook, line, and sinker. From beginning to end, readers are treated to equal parts of heartwarming sentiment and comedy.

The book opens with a spotlight on broken relationships experienced by the main character Cora Matthews. She attends her mom’s funeral and can only think about how the words, distant and estranged, perfectly describe their relationship. Two weeks before the funeral, she cancels her wedding plans and breaks her engagement. When she makes the trip back to her childhood hometown she feels the weight of being alone and untethered to anyone and any place. She never dreamed she would be back at Moonberry Lake where she spent carefree days living in her grandparents’ lakeside lodge. A lodge she and her mother left decades ago due to a family dispute that remained unanswered all the years they lived away. Cora learns at the funeral that she has inherited the lodge. It’s a structure that suffers from neglect, but can be a temporary home for Cora while she starts to find a new path forward.

Cora indeed finds a full life lakeside made up of quirky but loyal new friends. She and two other characters work hard to repair the lodge and bring it back to life. The characters, Cora meets while carrying out her daily tasks can only be described as one-of-a-kind. Trust me when I say, you’ll be hard pressed to pick a favorite. From the bossy checkout clerk at the local store to the math genius who suffers from agoraphobia, each one is revealed to be a beautiful soul. There’s romance in the story too and what a love story it is. Finally Cora is able to invest in someone and build connections with her new community. She is naturally apprehensive but she listens to the wise counsel of her new neighbor Kitty when she says, “Happiness is yours for the taking. Sometimes you just have to do things scared and see how they work out.”

On Moonberry Lake is pure book joy. Pick up a copy and enjoy this delightful story. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review. #OnMoonberryLake!

He should have told the bees

He Should Have Told the Bees: A Novel
By Amanda Cox / Revell

Amanda Cox is a gifted writer who shines a light on characters struggling with mental health issues. She handles these difficult subjects with empathy. I had read her first book, The Edge of Belonging and loved it so much I gave it away immediately and recommended it to others. When I read about this new release I knew I had to read it. It’s a heart-warming story that mirrors the social problems prevalent in our communities. The issues of substance abuse, insecure housing, and people suffering from crippling anxiety are driving factors in the story.

While these issues are real and heavy, the two main characters emerge through their family struggles victorious. I haven’t given the book away yet, because I’m interested in keeping it in my personal library. In addition to an engaging plot, it is written beautifully with smart, concise prose. The secondary characters offer so much to the story. I loved all the dialogue shared between one main character and her counselor. The two male characters who develop into romantic interests for our two main female characters are sincere and prove themselves to be trustworthy. The thoughts the men shared always moved the story ahead in a positive direction.

I am a beekeeper with six years of experience. I appreciated the accuracy in this novel. The apiary and farm setting added great appeal to the story.

I highly recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review.

The All American

The All-American: A Novel
By Susie Finkbeiner / Revell

The All American by Susie Finkbeiner

What a wonderful book! You’ll meet unforgettable characters with spot on dialogue. Expect to feel a full range of emotions as you proceed through their story. You experience joy over the characters’ victories and then despair when trials sabotage their harmony.

The author chose to tell the story from two different viewpoints rotating between the two main characters, Bertha and Flossie Harding. They are sisters and passionate about dissimilar interests. It’s baseball for Bertha and books for Flossie. Their dad is an author, and mom, formerly of the United Kingdom, is his biggest fan.

The book spans the time period from 1952 through the end of the decade. A time in our country when The Red Scare was an event that upended many innocent lives. Bertha and Flossie’s Dad was caught up in the snare and this accusation set in motion many unforeseen events.

As the Harding family deals with the consequences of these allegations, the family shows great strength. Amid the turmoil, Bertha gains the chance to pursue her dream of playing for the All-American Girls Baseball League. This sub-plot adds a fun dimension to the plot.

All the Harding family members have great stories to tell; including Uncle Matthew, and the newlyweds, Chip and Peggy.

I read this book at the height of baseball season. The book brought back pleasant memories of little league games and family trips to Cooperstown. But you don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy the novel. It’s a great read any time of the year. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review.

This is Where It Ends

This Is Where It Ends: A Novel
By Cindy K. Sproles / Revell

A unique setting is what I prefer in both books and movies . When I consider the series I love in print and those I stream over the internet, I’ve noticed they all share this one thing in common. So this is one reason, I chose to read and review This is Where it Ends by Cindy K. Sproles.

The main character is Minerva Jane Jenkins, a Kentucky mountain woman. Sproles captures her dialogue and spirit beautifully. Minerva is 94 throughout most of the story. At her age, she has limited vision and mobility but nothing is going to keep her down. She is formidable in words and action.

A young reporter hikes out to her remote mountain home and asks a series of questions she’s not ready to answer in full. The answers they discover together upend Minerva’s solitary existence. Minerva and Del Rankin form a unique bond. From the story’s mid-point to the end, the pace is quickened by the mystery this pair unravels. At the conclusion, all mysteries are solved. The ending is bittersweet and the main characters experience the push and pull between love, jealousy, and forgiveness. Minerva’s life experience has steeped her in wisdom. She doesn’t hold back and shares her wit, observations, and nuggets of wisdom throughout the story.

Readers with an interest in stories from Appalachia will love this book. The map of Minerva’s homestead I can imagine in my mind. Tranquil and serene are the words that describe it best, with tremendous porch views down sweeping valleys. The success of this story is sealed when you consider Minerva’s steadfast companion through it all is her hound, Satchel.

I received an advanced copy of this book to review from the publisher, Revell. I will be sharing this book with my reading buddies and I’m confident they will enjoy it.

Counter Attack

Counter Attack, #1
By Patricia Bradley / Revell

By Patricia Bradley

If you’re looking for a fast paced crime novel with lots of twists and turns then choose Counter Attack by Patricia Bradley. It’s a great read. A serial killer is the mastermind behind the rising body count. The crimes occur first in Chattanooga but then follow our protagonist, Alex Stone, to her new job in Russell County Tennessee.

The steps Alex Stone and Nathan Landry take to put a stop to the murders draw us into the action just as if we were doing a ride-along with their law enforcement units. Alex has just been sworn in as the interim chief deputy for Russell County, Tennessee, and Nathan Landry is Pearl Spring’s chief of police. The two have a history together that goes way back to high school. While she resists re-starting a romantic relationship with Nathan, ultimately they are drawn together.

Alex’s ambition is to be Chattanooga’s first female police commissioner. The interim chief deputy assignment is just a short detour. Her grandfather held the position until he was sidelined by a heart attack. Her grandfather knows Alex is the best choice to fill his position and thumbs his nose at anyone daring to cry out, “Nepotism!” He pulls her back to her hometown in Pearl Springs and away from the action in Chattanooga. Alex figures she has no other choice but to take on the role for as long as she is needed. It’s her grandmother that stands out as someone who offers wise counsel when the going gets tough. She is a Christian woman with a strong faith. She encourages Alex to weigh her choices carefully and recites Isaiah 58:11 to remind her to seek the Lord’s guidance in her work and life choices.

Immediately, they discover a woman killed in a rental home. The victim’s appearance, manner of death, and crime scene evidence reveal an exact match with the serial killer’s Chattanooga crimes.

Reader’s will develop a list of suspects with strong motives throughout the story. Each suspect is entangled in a strong web of deceit. The drama intensifies at the end, until all is revealed.

I’ve read one other Patricia Bradley book. Each one is accurate, engaging, with strong believable characters. I received a complimentary copy of Counter Attack in exchange for my honest review.

Blind Trust

Blind Trust, #3
By Natalie Walters / Revell

Blind Trust is the last book in The SNAP Agency trilogy written by Natalie Walters. Previously, I read and reviewed book one: Lights Out . This series is satisfying to read due to the fast action, contemporary plots, and wonderful characters. Blind Trust, book three, is part romance and part mystery. The lead characters with the Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency (SNAP) waste no time diving deep into the investigation of a suspicious death. The action is triggered by a threat to the protagonist, Lyla Fox. The man suspected of making the threat turns up dead in the correctional facility where he had been serving his sentence. The timeline of this event was odd. The inmate took his own life two days before the threat on Lyla was carried out. This is the thread the investigators follow to get to the bottom of the mystery. This path leads them onto a deeper plot where the stakes are higher and the threats more intense.

Readers will enjoy the book’s fast pace and the fun dialogue. The cyber-sleuth Kekoa remains a key player who adds humor to the conversations and lightens some of the hours spent at the agency.

Lyla Fox and Nicolas Garcia are independent individuals with specialized training. The romantic relationship that blossoms between them is one to follow with great interest. They are mature professionals learning how to trust one another. Over the course of the story, their perspectives move from rugged independence to accepting how important it is to treat those we love with care and understanding. They realize that solo acts with little regard for the impact of their actions can have unintended bad outcomes.

Readers can appreciate the great action told with smart prose. I enjoyed book three, but realize I haven’t read book two. The success of this book prompts me to find book two so I can complete this fast action series. I received a copy of the book from the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review.

After the Shadows by Amanda Cabot

After the Shadows, #1
By Amanda Cabot / Revell

Tragedies turn lives upside down with long reaching consequences. The dark shadows they cast are joy robbers. Sad individuals either succumb to the heavy weight of the event’s sadness or they find paths out to a new-found and unexpected sense of joy.

The main characters in After the Shadows, Emily Leland and Craig Ferguson are true overcomers. Both lost spouses. Emily was bound to a controlling and abusive husband. Upon his sudden death, she returned to her family home only to discover her father had just died. Now she experiences a double tragedy. Craig Ferguson’s wife, and mother to his son, was the apple of his eye. Her death due to a fatal accident, caused his world to unravel. Her memory was everywhere. He struggled to raise his son amidst the heartache and constant reminders. Trained as a school teacher, he accepted a job in Sweetwater Crossing Texas. The new job required him to relocate. He was thrilled to accept this change.The move offered a brighter future for Craig and his son, Noah.

Emily and Craig both forge a new path. Craig insists on respecting the students’ self esteem and turns heads in town when he refuses to make students stand in corners and wear dunce caps. He welcomes children of all abilities to join in and take part in his lessons. As a former public school librarian, I appreciated this up-to-date view of educators and this character’s commitment to working with students with a variety of learning styles.

Out of necessity, Emily uses her hospitality and baking skills to open a boarding house. Within days of returning to her family home, she has multiple boarders and guests willing to enjoy her meals.
Soon a mystery is afoot. Older residents are dying sudden deaths. Even her father’s death seems suspicious. Emily and Craig join forces to uncover the truth.

There are clues that raise suspicion on a few characters. But the red herrings built into the plot keep you guessing until the very end. The mystery is eventually solved. The criminal’s motive is unique.

The author does a wonderful job weaving the dynamics of family relationships into the story. We can expect to see these characters in future books in the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing series.

The setting of this book is the late 19th century. It opens in 1882. One interesting twist to the plot involves morphine. We learn from historical accounts that injectable morphine was widely used during the U.S. Civil War to the point that many veterans at the war’s end returned home with drug addictions. For many, this habit of substance abuse became a tough obstacle preventing them from rebuilding a healthy post-war life. There are many subplots to this novel, and these facts play a role.

I look forward to the sequels in this series. I have read four Amanda Cabot novels. I’ve enjoyed each one. The setting of each novel draws me in. The books always have a great pace and a full roster of memorable characters.