Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Review: The Great Christmas Bowl by Susan May Warren

Genre: Women's Fiction
Publisher: Tyndale House
Released: Aug. 31, 2009
156 pages
About the Book:

Christmas is a magical season. Except for this year.

Marianne Wallace loves the holidays. From dressing the tree to her traditional Christmas dinner, it’s all about creating memories for her family. But when her children begin to leave home—and their traditions—behind, she has one last chance to create a holiday they’ll never forget.

Unfortunately, she’s soon in over her head, and one impulsive decision leads to a string of events that will change the way her family—even her small Minnesota town—sees the Christmas season.
 






My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐

This is a Christmas novella, which isn't really my thing. Marianne is a mom of five, with only her youngest still at home, and he's a senior in high school. When he makes the football team she is ecstatic. This, along with prepping for their family Christmas traditions, becomes her focus. But then she is pulled into roles she never planned on fulfilling, and the kids may not be coming home. There were moments that had me giggling, but all the football references went over my head. I did not relate to Marianne. The soup kitchen scene felt too perfect and unrealistic. This read like it could be a plot for a Christmas movie. 

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

Take A Chance on Me - Christiansen Family #1

Nothing but Trouble - PJ Sugar #1

Double Trouble - PJ Sugar #2

Point of No Return - Missions of Mercy #1

You Don't Have to be a Star - Montana Fire Prequel

If Ever I Would Leave You - Montana Rescue Prequel

Wild Montana Skies - Montana Rescue # 1

Rescue Me - Montana Rescue #2 

A Matter of Trust - Montana Rescue #3

Troubled Waters - Montana Rescue #4

Storm Front - Montana Rescue #5

Wait for Me - Montana Rescue #6

Flee the Night - Team Hope #1

Escape to Morning - Team Hope #2

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Sunday, October 22, 2023

Review: Follow Me by Debbie Viguie

Series: Psalm 23 Mysteries #19
Genre: Myserty/Suspense
Publisher: Big Pink Bow
Released: June 27, 2023
258 pages
About the Book:

As April Fool's Day nears, church staff are plagued by cruel and dangerous pranks. When things take a darker turn it's up to Cindy and Jeremiah to figure out who wants the entire church staff insane and potentially dead. Everyone must work together to figure out who is behind the attacks and what dark secrets will be exposed next.













  

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐


Kept me hooked the whole way through. I have come to love this group of characters, and the thought that one of them might die had me on the edge of my seat screaming "no, they can't die". So much happens but it all felt very possible. I enjoyed how the faith was weaved throughout the story. In the midst of some very scary moments there were some really funny lines that had me cracking up. There were a couple of grammatical errors that made me reread a few sentences to confirm. My one complaint is that there were so many characters involved that at times I really had to think of who they were, but that's probably because I was reading late at night and may have been a little tired. I still have so many questions about what is going on with Tracy, how dare we be left with another cliffhanger!

Favourite Quote: 
“We're all just broken people, trying to serve God and each other and doing our best despite it all. Or maybe because of it all.”
(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

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Thursday, October 19, 2023

Review: The Lines Between Us by Amy Lynn Green

Genre: Historical Fiction 
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: Aug. 31, 2021
374 pages
About the Book:

WWII novel of courage and conviction, based on the true experience of the men who fought fires as conscientious objectors and the women who fought prejudice to serve in the Women's Army Corps.

Since the attack on Pearl Harbor, Gordon Hooper and his buddy Jack Armitage have stuck to their values as conscientious objectors. Much to their families' and country's chagrin, they volunteer as smokejumpers rather than enlisting, parachuting into and extinguishing raging wildfires in Oregon. But the number of winter blazes they're called to seems suspiciously high, and when an accident leaves Jack badly injured, Gordon realizes the facts don't add up.

A member of the Women's Army Corps, Dorie Armitage has long been ashamed of her brother's pacifism, but she's shocked by news of his accident. Determined to find out why he was harmed, she arrives at the national forest under the guise of conducting an army report ... and finds herself forced to work with Gordon. He believes it's wrong to lie; she's willing to do whatever it takes for justice to be done. As they search for clues, Gordon and Dorie must wrestle with their convictions about war and peace and decide what to do with the troubling secrets they discover.


My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐

I loved the letters at the beginning but then the attack on Pearl Harbor happens and war is declared. This changes things for the characters and I struggled to get invested in the story. I knew nothing about the conscientious objectors before reading this. I liked Gordon and could understand his view on war and I understood what motivated Dorie to do what she did, but I just did not connect with either character. At times I was bored, it wasn't until the 50 pages or so that things picked up a bit and I wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen.

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

 

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Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Review: Trial and Error by Robert Whitlow

Genre: Legal Fiction 
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: Feb. 2, 2021
432 pages
About the Book:

A small-town lawyer has been searching for his daughter for eighteen years. Now another young woman is missing, and he’s determined to find them both—no matter the cost.

Buddy Smith built his law practice around tracking down missing children. After all, he knows the agony of being separated from a child. Not long after his daughter’s birth, her mother ran away and Buddy never saw either one again.

Gracie Blaylock has known Buddy her entire life, and now that she is clerk of court for the county, their paths cross frequently. When Gracie hears that a teenager in town, Reagan, has gone missing, she knows Buddy is the one for the case.

Reagan’s parents are desperate for answers. Together with Gracie and Mayleah—the new detective in town—Buddy chases all leads, hoping to reach Reagan before it’s too late. And as he pursues one teen girl, he uncovers clues that could bring him closer to the girl he thought he lost forever: his own daughter.


My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


I loved these characters and quickly became invested in wanting to spend time with them. We first meet Buddy as a high-school student in the hospital awaiting the birth of his child, and then it then jumps forward 17 years and Buddy is now a lawyer who specializes in tracking down missing children. We follow him trying to find 3 different kids (his own being one of them), each situation is different so it was easy to distinguish between them. Along with Buddy, we meet Gracie - who grew up with Buddy and works at the courthouse, and Mayleah - a new detective in town, and Buddy's widowed mom. While we follow Buddy trying to find the kids we also get aspects of everyday life of these characters, such as Gracie's baseball practices. Gracie's prayer life is prominently displayed, and faith is a large topic. There are difficult and sad situations addressed. There was a scene near the end where I literally gasped while reading what was happening. It was a good scene but took me by surprise. There is romance in this book, but it is not the focus of the story and there are no kissing scenes. A relationship with God is really the focus. I didn't want to say goodbye to these characters but am pleased with the way it ended. Highly recommended.

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

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