Random Acts of Fraud by Christy Barritt

Series: A Holly Anna Paladin Mystery # 5
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Publisher: River Heights
Released: May 18, 2017

About the Book:

 

Vintage-loving Holly Anna Paladin finds online dating uncouth and unbecoming.  But, in an attempt to overcome her romantic slump, her BFF convinces Holly to give it a shot. When Holly is stood up on her first date, she’s halfway relieved . . . until she discovers the reason isn’t because her cyber matchup has cold feet. Instead she stumbles upon him in a classic Mustang, deader than good old-fashioned manners. 

 

Holly's had enough with investigating crime and leaves her ex-boyfriend, Detective Chase Dexter, to solve this mystery. But Holly is somehow connected to this murder, and someone is determined to keep her in the thick of things. She hopes it’s not Drew Williams, the handsome funeral director who’s trying to sweep her off her feet.

 

Before more people are hurt, Holly is determined to unmask the pretender in her life. But can she keep her feelings for Chase locked away? Or will Holly end up losing her heart to him all over again? She must solve the case before someone pulls the plug on her profile . . . and deletes her permanently.

 

 My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟  (4 stars)

 

“Everyone might say follow your heart, but God says follow Me.”

 

I could not put this one down. It seems no matter how much she tries to stay out of this new murder case someone is determined to drag her into it. And of course who ends up being the detective on the case, her ex-boyfriend Chase. This proves awkward as Holly still has feelings for him but she is also trying to move on and begins dating Drew, a funeral home owner. With the help of her best friend, Jamie, can she find enough clues to solve the case before the killer gets her? All I can say is that Holly is one brave woman. Time after time she is in a scary situation but thankfully she seems to come out on the other side. There is definitely a lot of suspense throughout, trying to figure out who the guilty party is or if there is more than one person involved. Is Holly being played and Drew is involved? There were so many possible suspects that I was kept guessing until the very end. The only disappointing thing for me was the way the story ended for one of the characters (not Holly) as I was hoping for a different ending. I did feel that there was no wrap up explanation for another character; however it could have been left like this on purpose to carry storyline over into the next book, hopefully that will be soon.

 

(I received this book free from the Ms. Barritt; opinions expressed in this

review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Sandpiper Cove by Irene Hannon

Series: Hope Harbour # 3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Revell
Released: April 4, 2017
352 pages

About the Book:

 

Hope Harbor police chief Lexie Graham has plenty on her plate raising her son alone and dealing with a sudden rash of petty theft and vandalism in her coastal Oregon hometown. As a result, she has zero time for extracurricular activities--including romance. Ex-con Adam Stone isn't looking for love either--but how ironic is it that the first woman to catch his eye is a police chief? Yet wishing for things that can never be is foolish.

 

Nevertheless, when Lexie enlists Adam's help to keep a young man from falling into a life of crime, sparks begin to fly. And as they work together, it soon becomes apparent that God may have a different--and better--future planned for them than either could imagine.

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟   (5 stars)

“We’re human; he’s God. To assume we can grasp his mind

is actually a form of arrogance.”

Best of the series so far. I found myself cheering for Adam and Lexie very quickly. I enjoyed getting to know them individually and then once they interacted I knew I wanted them together. But can that work when one is the police chief and one is an ex-con?

Adam has made mistakes in his past, but since coming to Hope Harbor he has been a model citizen, working hard and helping others. However because of his past he is dealing with self-esteem issues and wonders who would want to even be friends with him never mind who would date him. But thanks to the influence of Reverend Baker he has learned to turn to God. His confidence is just starting to build up when a rumor starts spreading about him while he debates how to handle it he gets a true surprise. Lexie on the other hand has turned away from God due to a tragic experience in her past and has not shared the full story with anyone. However she feels compelled to share her whole story with Adam. Can he help her see that God is always with her and there for her?

In addition to previous characters we have come to know over the series was the addition of Lexie’s mom and son, Annette & Matt. I loved the mom, she was just the right amount of pushy with Lexie. Unlike previous books where Charley seemed to know more than was possible, this time things seemed much more realistic. The secondary storyline with Brian was enjoyable as well, I liked that it didn’t seem like I was reading a separate story wondering how they would connect.

 

Themes of second-chances, change being possible, forgiveness being offered and good being brought out in people are evident. The budding romance was written delightful and enjoyable, with a wonderful and heart-warming ending.

 

“We have to accept that God understands why things happen,

even if we don’t – and try to learn and grow from our misfortunes.

We also have to remember that he never promised us a perfect life

on earth, on a perfect eternity – if we follow his teachings.”

 

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley; opinions expressed

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

 

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟   (5 stars)

 

This series quickly became one of my favorites.  Through the series, Hope Harbor has become quite the community.  I have such a vivid picture in my mind of the community and people – I enjoy visiting Hope Harbor through each new additional book in this series.  Sandpiper Cove did not disappoint.  It’s a heartwarming story, that shows how God works through the character’s lives.  The storyline played out so nicely between the main characters, Lexi, the police chief and Adam, the ex-con.  The initial tension between them based on their previous lives and seeing how this storyline progressed was great.  Initially I had a difficult time wrapping my head around the character of Charlie.  It seemed a little too unrealistic to me at first.  However, by the end of the first book in this series, I started seeing Charlie’s character in not quite so much of a literal way, but rather more of a symbolic, metaphorical way.  And then I started to really enjoy Charlie’s character and enjoyed their interactions at the taco stand.    I had an expectation that  by the end of the book, everything would be dealt with and nicely tied up.  I was surprised by the ending of the storyline with Brian  - at first I felt like it wrapped up a little too quick, with loose ends.  But then I realized I was happy with the ending of this storyline as it felt very realistic and true to life.

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed in this

review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

First Line Friday - Week 3

 

Happy Friday! This week I am in the middle of a book that releases in just a little over a week's time (June 6th).  I've never read this author before and really enjoying it so far. I'll share all my thoughts once I've finished it.

Today's book is: More Than A Soldier by Irene Onorato

"Hank Fleming peeled off his cold, wet t-shirt and tossed it aside in the dark."

Hmm… where is he? Why is his shirt cold and wet? You'll have to pick it up to find out.  

Now it's your turn! Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Then join in more First Line fun by visiting these blogs:

A Baker's Perspective // All the Book Blog Names Are Taken // Bibliophile Reviews // Bookworm Mama // Cafinated Reads // Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen // Faithfully Bookish // Fiction Aficionado // Joy of Reading // Kathleen Denly // Lauraine's Notes // Moments Dipped in Ink // Radiant Light // Reading is my SuperPower // Robin's Nest // Singing Librarian // With a Joyful Noise

Between Heaven & The Real World: My Story by Steven Curtis Chapman

Genre: Autobiography
Publisher: Revell
Released: March 7, 2017
448 pages

About the Book:

 

For decades, Steven Curtis Chapman's music and message have brought hope and inspiration to millions around the world. Now, for the first time, Steven openly shares the experiences that have shaped him, his faith, and his music in a life that has included incredible highs and faith-shaking lows.

 

Readers will be captivated by this exclusive look into Steven's childhood and challenging family dynamic growing up, how that led to music and early days on the road, his wild ride to the top of the charts, his relationship with wife Mary Beth, and the growth of their family through births and adoptions. In addition to inside stories from his days of youth to his notable career, including the background to some of his best-loved songs, readers will walk with Steven down the devastating road of loss after the tragic death of five-year-old daughter Maria. And they'll experience his return to the stage after doubting he could ever sing again.

 

Poignant, gut-wrenchingly honest, yet always hopeful, Steven offers no sugary solutions to life's toughest questions. Yet out of the brokenness, he continues to trust God to one day fix what is unfixable in this life. This backstage look at the down-to-earth superstar they've come to love will touch fans' lives and fill their hearts with hope. Includes black-and-white photos throughout.

 

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟  (4 stars)

“God is for us and with us every step of the journey,

even when we can’t see Him or feel Him.”

I was really looking forward to reading this book. I have been a SCC fan for years, grew up listening to his music in high school, but it is only in the last 10 or so years that I have had to opportunity to attend a few of his concerts and listen to him share stories from the stage. I read his wife’s book, Choosing to See, when it first came out and knew her side of their story and the heart-wrenching experience they have gone through losing their daughter. I found it interesting to hear Steven’s perspective, his experiences growing up, how his music career began and the starting of his own family. I felt like Steven was completely open and honest about how he feels unworthy of what he has accomplished. It did surprise me to hear how much he and his wife struggle in their marriage, however I do understand that him being on the road so much would be difficult. There were times he had me laughing and times he had me crying. Two things did bother me while reading. One being there were so many names mentioned of people I couldn’t place that I struggled to follow what role they played in his life. My guess was that they were record execs, producers, etc. The second being there were times where he would be telling one story then move on to another before finishing the first and then finally go back to first. This felt choppy and the jumping annoyed me as I was invested in the first story and felt like I wasn’t getting all of it before he moved on the next. Overall, I really enjoyed getting to know his story and especially liked hearing the inspiration behind various songs. I feel like readers get to know the real Steven rather than just the one we see on stage.

“Because of the grace of God and the fact that Jesus has already taken all the failure on Himself, it’s actually impossible for you to be a failure in His eyes.”

 

 

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed in this review

are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Sea Rose Lane by Irene Hannon

Series: Hope Harbor # 2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Revell
Released: June 7, 2016
370 pages

About the Book:

 

After a devastating layoff, attorney Eric Nash heads back to the town where he grew up--only to discover that his childhood home is being transformed into a bed & breakfast. Instead of plotting his next career move in peace, he's constantly distracted by noise, chaos--and BJ Stevens, the attractive but prickly blonde architect and construction chief who's invaded the house with her motley crew.

 

As for BJ, her client's son might be handsome, but after a disastrous romance, dating isn't high on her agenda. Yet when they join forces to create a program for Hope Harbor seniors, might they also find healing, hope, and a new beginning themselves?

 

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟  (4 stars)

“Appearance and speech and customs may differ,

but underneath all hearts feel the same emotions.”

BJ is hard-working, has a heart for others, and is trying to make up for the guilt she carries. Eric is a high achiever who had to leave his passion behind to pursue his career goals. The events happening now in Eric’s life make him consider what God’s plan for his life is verses what he has strived his whole life for. Can he follow his heart to God’s leading, or does he take what seems to be the safe route? The chemistry between these two is obvious right from their first meeting. I loved how they were honest with each other and were determined not to act on their feelings so that they wouldn’t be hurt when Eric left town. But does God have different plans for them?

The Luis storyline was difficult, the things he has experienced was heartbreaking. But just when he is losing hope God brings people into his life to show him hope is not all lost. I was pleased with the way his story progressed and ended thanks to the intervention of Eric, BJ and Eleanor. Charley, the local artist and taco stand owner, always seem to be in the right place at the right time for each character. I was a bit surprised that Tracey wasn’t more involved in this story, it was said she was BJ’s best friend, but the two of them hardly interacted. I would have expected the two to talk more.

 

The theme I took away from the book is that by being willing to let go of one dream you can realize a more fulfilling dream you didn’t even know had, and that God can (and will) use all circumstances for His will. BJ expresses this exact thing when she says, “The circumstances that led me to this decision might not have been pleasant, but I do see God’s hand in the outcome.” Overall I enjoyed these characters and the way the story progressed, I was very pleased with the ending.

“Worry doesn’t change tomorrow, it only robs today of its joy.”

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed in this review

are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

 

First Line Friday - Week 2

 

Happy Friday and the start of a long weekend here!

I definitely have some (okay maybe lots of) reading on my agenda. What about you?

 

Today's book is: Finders Keepers by Sarah Monzon

Seville, Spain, 1689

"Isabella stumbled along the rough boards of the dock,
feeling exposed without her corset and many layers of petticoats."

This is book one of Ms. Monzon's Carrington Family series and switches between two time periods, the late 1600's and the present day. I have enjoyed stories told in this style before so I am looking forward to reading this one. I will share my review once I've finished it. If you have already read this one be sure to check out book number two "All of You" which just released this past Monday (May 15th).
 

Now it's your turn! Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Then join in more First Line fun by visiting these blogs:
 

A Baker's Perspective // All the Book Blog Names Are Taken // Bibliophile Reviews // Bookworm Mama // Cafinated Reads // Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen // Faithfully Bookish // Fiction Aficionado // Joy of Reading // Kathleen Denly // Lauraine's Notes // Moments Dipped in Ink // Radiant Light // Reading is my SuperPower // Robin's Nest // Singing Librarian // With a Joyful Noise

Between the Reins by Liz Isaacson

Series: Gold Valley Romance # 4
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: AEJ Creative Works
Released: May 16, 2017
225 pages

About the Book:

 

Twelve years ago, Owen Carr left Gold Valley—and his long-time girlfriend—in favor of a country music career in Nashville. With one platinum album and a number one hit single under his belt, he returned after things went wrong with his manager and his record label. When he suddenly becomes a father to his eight-year-old niece, he’s in way over his head.

 

He needs a nanny to care for Marie so he can keep up with the demands of his busy job at Silver Creek—and Natalie Ringold is a godsend. She can cook, she cleans, Marie loves her—and she just so happens to be the long-time girlfriend that Owen hasn’t made amends with. Yet.

 

Married and divorced, Natalie teaches ballet at the dance studio in Gold Valley, but she never auditioned for the professional company the way she dreamed of doing. With Owen back, she realizes all the opportunities she missed out on when he left all those years ago—including a future with him. Can they mend broken bridges in order to have a second chance at love?

 

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 (4 stars) 

 

“God loved him. God had no abandoned him. God would support him through this next week, this next year, and all the years to come.”

This is the fourth book in the Gold Valley series, but can easily be read as a standalone. Owen is looking for a nanny to take care of his 8 year old niece, Marie, who he has recently become the guardian of. Natalie, his high school girlfriend applies for the job and connects with Marie right away. Owen is unsure if he can handle being around Natalie after how he treated her 12 years ago. Natalie still has feelings for Owen and wonders if they can rekindle the romance they once had with a happier ending. I really liked the banter between the two though, and Marie added cuteness to the story. However I did feel like Natalie forgave Owen a little too easily. I also felt that Owen didn’t share everything that happened in Nashville to Natalie. Pastor Palmer’s comments not only challenged the characters but also readers to think about their faith, I especially liked this aspect of the book. All the characters felt like separate individuals and there were definitely some sweet moments in the story making it very enjoyable.

“He didn’t have to have all the answers, didn’t have to have perfect belief, didn’t have to be everything to everyone.”

 

(I received an ARC of this book from the author; opinions expressed in this review are
my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon

Series: Hope Harbor # 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Revell
Released: June 30, 2015
354 pages

About the Book:

 

Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life--and love--altered her plans. When tragedy strikes and changes her plans yet again, she finds herself back in her hometown with a floundering farm to run and a heartbreaking secret. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter's. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help save a struggling charitable organization, the winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives--including their own.

 

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟  (3 stars)

“Sticking your head in the sand to escape problems

only worked if you were a sand crab.”

 

Michael has come to Hope Harbor looking for a place to escape to deal with his troubled heart. His trip doesn’t start out as planned but with God’s intervention he finds much more than he was expecting. Tracey is completely focused on saving her family’s Cranberry Farm and has closed herself off to any potential relationships after dealing with the loss of her husband. Then there is Anna the self-imposed hermit whose life completely changes after one little act. All three characters have found hope by the end of the story, but I found that at times the story progressed slowly without much happening. There were so many widow and widower characters, even a widowed seagull. I struggled to connect with either Tracey or Michael, and this made it hard for me to cheer for them. There were times I really liked Tracey but there were also times when she annoyed me, such as when she was rude to Michael for no good reason. My favourite characters were two secondary characters, Anna and Uncle Bud. I loved how Uncle Bud teased Tracey but also voiced his true opinions to her which got her to evaluate her true feelings. I became invested in Anna’s story wanting to know what caused her to shut the world out and how her life would be changed, I was pleased with the ending she was given. There were some good lines and lessons learned throughout the story. The descriptions of Hope Harbor were so wonderfully done that I could easily picture the setting and will be reading the next in the series as Irene Hannon is one of my favourite authors and just because one book doesn’t have me falling for the main characters it won’t stop me from reading the series further.

 

“It was always much easier to clean up messes when they were fresh.”

 

“We’ve both made mistakes we’re not proud of. That doesn’t mean we’re bad people; it means we’re human. And humans are flawed.”

 

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed in this

review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

 

First Line Friday - Week 1

I am excited to be joining some blogging friends in their weekly First Line Friday feature. The first line of a book can set the tone, get you into the setting or put you inside a characters head.

 

Today's book is: Sea Rose Lane by Irene Hannon

"He was going to hit that pickup truck. As the vehicle in front of him screeched to a halt, Eric Nash flung his cell toward the passenger seat, clenched the wheel, and jammed the BMW's brake to the floor."

(okay so that's two lines ... my first week and I've already stretched the rules, but you'll forgive me right?)

This line gets you inside Eric's head and sets the tone that things are not going well for him. I am currently halfway through this book and enjoying it so far look for my review to come shortly.
 

Now it's your turn! Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Then join in more First Line fun by visiting these blogs:
 

A Baker's Perspective // All the Book Blog Names Are Taken // Bibliophile Reviews // Bookworm Mama // Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen // Faithfully Bookish // Fiction Aficionado // Joy of Reading // Kathleen Denly // Lauraine's Notes //
Radiant Light // Reading is my SuperPower // Robin's Nest
// Singing Librarian // With a Joyful Noise

Trusting Grace by Maggie Brendan

Series: Virtues & Vices of the Old West # 3
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Revell
Released: May 2, 2017
337 Pages

About the Book:

 

All of her life, Grace Bidwell has longed for a loving husband and children, but now the chances of her dreams coming true are looking slim. Widowed and caring for her elderly father, she struggles to maintain her late husband's ranch, until she places an ad for a hired hand.

 

Robert Frasier arrives in town with three pitiful, bedraggled children who have nothing but the tattered clothes on their backs and a load of hurt, pride, and anger. Believing this is divine intervention in her life, Grace welcomes them with open arms. As feelings grow between her and Robert, Grace will have to convince him that she is a woman who can be trusted with his heart.

 

Readers will be swept away into 1860s Montana's lush Gallatin Valley, nestled among towering mountains and proud pines, in this emotional conclusion to the Virtues and Vices of the Old West series.

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟  (4 stars)

“You let the Lord lead and you’ll see that things always work out for the best.”

The relationships between the characters is what really makes this story. Grace is a strong hard-working woman, dedicated to running the farm and taking care of her ailing father. Robert has just lost his wife and farm, and now is the guardian of 3 kids he didn’t know she had. He has come to town looking for a job and finds an opening at Grace’s farm. Can Robert learn to trust another woman? You have a sense of how this book will end very early on, but wondering how they get there is what kept me invested and I was invested the rest of the way through. There are twists and turns throughout that make you wonder if Grace will endure heartbreak again and what will happen to the kids.

I loved the father-daughter interactions, Grace shared everything with her dad, (I couldn’t imagine ever telling my dad about a kiss), and Owen challenged Grace about her feelings. The love between the two shone throughout the story. Ginny, Grace’s best friend was entertaining, she gently pushed Grace out of her comfort zone (rut) trying to help enrich her life, not all goes smoothly with this though. I really enjoyed the interactions between Grace and the kids, she treated them sweetly right from the first meeting when she didn’t know who they were. As she spent more time with them she treated them as if they were her own. Each child had their own personality shine through. Grace’s life might not turn out the exact way that she planned, but is God’s plan better? Yes! There are definitely some swoon-worthy moments included.

A couple minor things bothered me about the story, one being I couldn’t figure out the ages of the girls, Becky & Sarah. The second being how Robert was able to find Grace so quickly after she disappeared, that seemed unrealistic.

This is book 3 in the series but I have not read the previous two and did not feel lost. The characters set a wonderful example of friendship, love and family.

 

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley; opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Threads of Suspicion by Dee Henderson

Series: An Evie Blackwell Cold Case # 2
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: May 2, 2017
432 pages

About the Book:

 

Evie Blackwell's reputation as a top investigator for the Illinois State Police has landed her an appointment to the governor's new Missing Persons Task Force. This elite investigative team is launched with plenty of public fanfare. The governor has made this initiative a high priority, so they will have to produce results--and quickly.

 

Evie and her new partner, David Marshal, are assigned to a pair of unrelated cases in suburban Chicago, and while both involve persons now missing for several years, the cases couldn't be more different. While Evie opens old wounds in a close-knit neighborhood to find a missing college student, David searches for a private investigator working for a high-powered client.

 

With a deep conviction that "justice for all" truly matters, Evie and David are unrelenting in their search for the truth. But Evie must also find answers to the questions that lie just beneath the surface in her personal life.

 

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟  (3 stars)

“Sometimes love comes easily, and sometimes it’s the most challenging decision a person ever makes.”

I have mixed feelings on this story. I found it moved slowly and was bogged down with lots of details and theories for the cases but I also couldn’t put it down. Expect it wasn’t the cases that kept me in the story it was the characters personal lives that I cared the most about. We finally get to meet Evie’s Rob and experience the two together, it’s clear that Rob loves her for who she is but Evie is still unsure about marriage. The other major player in the story is David, a detective working with Evie on the task force. He is also in a relationship that’s not moving forward due to a difference in beliefs between himself and his fiancée, Maggie. I really liked David and his willingness to give Maggie the time she needs to figure out her feelings about God. However at the end there is no change in either couple’s relationships. I was hoping for some sort of resolution.

“If they were right, if it was true, she was standing on the sidelines of one of the greatest unfolding miracles in human history, and she was missing out.”

In respect to the mystery itself, David and Evie are working on two separate missing person cases that seem to not only intersect with each other but then take a personal turn for David. There were so many details and people that trying to keep everything straight was a bit overwhelming at times. David’s case gets solved which enables them to really focus on Evie’s case and the personal thread. After following many threads they eventually have a strong lead to follow, but can they catch him before someone else gets hurt? The ending seemed unsatisfying to me as once again there is really no justice served, just answers to what happened. Also the changing of scenes irritated me; it would just all of sudden change with no indication making it hard to follow.

I would have given this book a higher rating if I had felt more satisfaction with the ending, but the personal relationships ended in pretty much the same state as when the book opened and there was no justice served for the cases. Also there was no clear answer given of what motivated the villain. However I am now invested in Evie’s life enough that I will be waiting for the next book in hopes to get some closure to these personal relationships.

 

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley; opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

 

True to You by Becky Wade

Series: A Bradford Sisters Romance # 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: May 2, 2017
384 pages

About the Book:

 

After a devastating heartbreak three years ago, genealogist and historical village owner Nora Bradford has decided that burying her nose in her work and her books is far safer than romance in the here and now.

 

Unlike Nora, former Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient John Lawson is a modern-day man, usually 100 percent focused on the present. But when he's diagnosed with an inherited condition, he's forced to dig into the secrets of his past and his adoption as an infant, enlisting Nora to help him uncover the identity of his birth mother.

 

The more time they spend together, the more this pair of opposites suspects they just might be a perfect match. However, John's already dating someone and Nora's not sure she's ready to trade her crushes on fictional heroes for the risks of a real relationship. Finding the answers they're seeking will test the limits of their identity, their faith, and their devotion to one another.

 

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟  (5 stars)

“It couldn’t be Christ’s will plus her will. It had to be Christ alone. Either He was at the helm, steering the ship’s wheel of her life, or she was.”

So enjoyable! Some hard subjects were addressed, but there were also fun entertaining moments. Nora meets John while volunteering at a hostage training exercise. Once he finds out she is a genealogist, he hires her to help him find his birth mother so he can find out his medical history. Over the course of the search to the two become friends, but the journey has some surprises in store for them. How will they deal with what’s to come? They learn about trusting God, the importance of communication, how to forgive and finding their identity.

“The past might be challenging and the future might be unsure. And that’s okay. The present is all we’re given, anyway. When we get to the future, God will be there.”

I found it easy to relate to Nora. First off what avid reader can’t relate to a character who says “Who had time to watch football when there were so many fantastic books in the work yet unread?” (I loved this line and couldn’t resist including it in the review.) Nora is the middle sister and feels she doesn’t compare to her sisters. She was heart-broken when her engagement was called off and feels like she has now become content with her life, however when John comes along she begins to realize that she may have be protecting herself rather than letting God take control of her life.

Some of my favourite moments were when the sisters were together. You could tell they were close, really cared about one another and tried to help Nora see things inside of her that she was unable to see in herself. The grandmother was entertaining. She can find negativity in everything, which could be very annoying for those dealing with it directly, but as a reader I was entertained at the comments she came up with.

Sneak peeks of Willow and Britt’s relationships are given and I look forward to seeing what happens for them. I can’t wait for book 2 to come and spend more time with this family.

 

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley; opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)