A House Divided by Robert Whitlow

Released: Aug. 4, 2015
463 pages

About the Book:

 

Corbin Gage can stand up to anyone . . . But his own divided house will bring him to his knees.

Corbin, a longtime legal champion for the downtrodden, is slowly drinking himself into the grave. His love for “mountain water” has cost him his marriage to the godliest woman he knows, ruined his relationship with his daughter, Roxy, and reduced the business at his small Georgia law firm to a level where he can barely keep the bill collectors at bay. But it isn’t until his son, Ray, threatens to limit Corbin’s time with his grandson that Corbin begins to acknowledge he might have a problem.

Despite the mess that surrounds his personal life and against the advice of everyone he knows, Corbin takes on a high-stakes tort case on behalf of two boys who have contracted non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma due to an alleged chemical exposure. The defendant, a fertilizer company, is the largest employer in the area. The lawsuit becomes a tornado that sucks Corbin, Ray, and Roxy into an increasingly deadly vortex. Equally intense pressure within the family threatens to destroy, once and for all, the thin threads that connect them.

Corbin must find the strength to stand up to his personal demons. Justice for two dying boys depends on it . . . his family depends on it.

 

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

 

“Who but God has the power to change us?” This is one of the questions asked in this story and I think it conveys the theme of story well. The book did not take the path I was expecting when I first started it. I went in expecting a courtroom drama but got a family drama instead. Other than the main characters being lawyers and a bit of talk about their legal cases the story was much more about the relationship between the family members, admitting that there is a problem, taking steps to fix it and the healing of past hurts.

 

I found it moved pretty slowly but after about 5 chapters I began to be interested in where it was headed and became invested in Corbin realizing he needed help and wondering if his relationship with his children could be repaired. The story really digs into the lives of the characters, how they are trying to overcome their mistakes and hurts, leaning on and trusting God for his strength. Even after Corbin admits his problem and begins to takes steps to at fixing it he is not magically changed overnight, he still struggles has setbacks and has to learn how to try again.

 

I felt like we really got to know the hurts and struggles of each character and I began to feel for each member involved. Each character was portrayed as real people with flaws. I especially enjoyed Peter’s impact on Roxy, he challenged her but was there for her at the same time, and his love for her was obvious. Kitty may not have been physically present in the story, but her presence was felt and had an impact on each family member. She continuously prayed for Corbin and did not get the see the eventual impact they had on his life, but her prayers did have a huge impact on his life. Can Corbin beat his addiction? Can Ray & Roxy forgive their dad for the hurts he has caused?

 

I found the legal side of the story to be a bit lacking, the case definitely pulled at the heartstrings but for a case that could have been huge and had such a major impact on each Gage family member’s life, the wrap-up was short and the resolution felt wrong. I did really enjoy the last scene with the family.  

 

 

Safety in Blunders by Christy Barritt

Released: March 28, 2017
223 pages
Series: The Worst Detective Ever # 3

About the Book:

 

Hollywood sweetheart Joey Darling's adventures and mishaps continue in the third book of the charming mystery series set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

My name is Joey Darling, and I’m a disgrace to imaginary detectives everywhere.

When actress Joey Darling discovers a mermaid tail with drops of fresh blood on it while hiking in a remote nature preserve, she knows something suspicious is going on.

As details surface, Joey realizes she’s dealing with a problem she has encountered one too many times: someone desperate for fame who falls victim to a predator. With the help of her neighbor Zane Oakley and the opposition of local detective Jackson Sullivan, Joey hunts for answers, unaware of the deadly net in which she’s about to entangle herself.

Joey knows she’s a fish out of water when it comes to cracking cases, but can she use her talent—acting—to help find the missing woman? Or will Joey end up swimming with sharks?

 

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

 

Story is filled with laugh-out-loud moments along with some nail-biting moments. Joey and Zane stumble across evidence that begins a search for a missing girl. Just when Joey is ready to leave the search to the police, she is contacted by the girl’s boyfriend asking her to find some answers. Her curiosity takes over and she begins a search that puts her in precarious positions at times; however she is beginning to learn that she needs to turn things over to the police force or at least have someone with her. This is a slow process though; she still takes risks on trying to do things on her own but thankfully she does not seriously get hurt. Can Joey and Jackson figure out what happened to the girl? Who is behind her disappearance?

I enjoyed this story. It kept my interest the whole way through, and I wasn't able to solve the case before it was revealed. I really liked getting to know Joey and Jackson more and especially enjoyed their interactions with each other, I am holding out hope that a relationship between them is in store for the future.

(I received this book free from the Ms. Barritt; opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Dying for Love by Cara Putman

Released: Jan. 24, 2017
90 Pages
Series: Hidden Justice # 0.5

About the Book:

 

Things were business as usual for family law attorney Ciara Turner, until she walked into her mentor’s office to find the judge had been murdered. To make things worse, the emotional moments were witnessed by Ciara’s nemesis, opposing counsel Daniel Evans—the man she once thought she’d spend the rest of her life with.

Daniel can’t walk away from the murder investigation. Judge Palmer was the only one who believed in him enough to give the boy from the wrong side of the tracks a fighting chance. But his amateur sleuthing keeps him crossing paths with Ciara and he can’t help but admire her passion for her clients, even if they are often at odds across the judgment table.

As Daniel and Ciara get closer to discovering who killed Judge Palmer, their old feelings reignite. But the investigation takes an unexpected turn, can they trust each other enough to push for the truth? And will their rekindled relationship survive the aftermath?

 

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

 

Prequel to Cara Putman’s new series “Hidden Justice” with book one being released April 4th.

I was expecting the story to focus on solving the murder of the body found at the beginning, but rather the focus seemed to be more on the romance between David and Ciara, with a little bit of sleuthing to find out what happened to the judge. The murder does get solved, but I found it was wrapped up quick and briefly. David & Ciara have a history, but grew apart when they ended up on opposite sides of the courtroom. Can they redeem what they once had? When David tells Ciara “What I want is to learn how to encourage a woman like you fall in love with a man like me” I couldn’t help but want them together. David knew what he wanted and was determined to make sure Ciara knew. I am curious to see where this series will take us.

If I'm Found by Terri Blackstock

Series: If I Run # 2
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Publisher: Zondervan
Released: March 21, 2017
352 pages

About the Book:

Is Dylan hunting Casey to prosecute her or protect her?

 

Casey Cox is still on the run, fleeing prosecution for a murder she didn’t commit. Dylan Roberts—her most relentless pursuer—is still on her trail, but his secret emails insist that he knows the truth and wants to help her. He’s let her escape before when he had her in his grasp, but trust doesn’t come easily.

 

As Casey works to collect evidence about the real murderers, she stumbles on another unbearable injustice: an abused child and a suicidal man who’s also been falsely accused. Casey risks her own safety to right this wrong and protect the little girl from her tormenters. But doing so is risky and just may result in her capture—and if she’s captured, she has no doubt she’ll be murdered before she ever steps foot in a jail.

 

Goodreads / Amazon / Christianbook

Terri Blackstock's Website

 

 

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

 

This is book two of the If I Run series and picks up right where book one finished. Casey is still on the run from the cops trying to find enough evidence to bring them down before they catch up to her. Dylan now believes she is innocent of the crime they say she committed. He has been hired to help catch her but instead is trying to collect the evidence needed to bring these cops down and keep Casey away from them until then. Story is fast paced and action filled. While on the run Casey stumbles across a separate crime where a man has been accused of something he didn’t commit and his world is falling apart because of it. Casey does her best to help prove him innocent, protect a little girl and put the guilty away all while trying to stay under the radar. She has a big heart and she can’t stop herself from helping others.

 

Due to influences from others in this book and the previous one Casey starts to look to God for help and begins to understand that He is there for her. I like both Dylan and Casey and do like the thought of them eventually getting together, but I struggled with their romantic connection to happen when it did, it felt weird for those feelings to come out when they did and felt rushed.

 

I really enjoy how Ms. Blackstock indicates the switch between POV’s clearly, this makes it easy for my brain to switch with them. It did feel weird reading from Keegan’s POV as we didn’t have this in the previous book.

 

I loved how the pastor described prayer: “When you pray it’s like you’re whispering into the ear of God himself. None of those prayers go unheard. They might not be answered like you hope or think they should be. You might ask for a car, and God gives you a bicycle. ... Prayers work. They come out of your mouth the way you want them to happen. Jesus translates them to the Father, telling him what it is we really need. And whatever happens, he makes sure that all things that happen are for our good.”

 

Book ends with one story wrapped up and the other still ongoing. Now to patiently wait for book 3 where the dirty cops will finally pay for all their crimes and Casey can safety return home (at least I hope that’s what happens).

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

Other Books in the Series:

    

If I Run Review

Goodreads  / Amazon / Christianbook 

Starting Over at Steeple Ridge by Liz Isaacson

Released: March 20, 2017
100 pages

About the Book:

 

Tucker Jenkins has had enough of tall buildings, traffic, and business meetings to determine the next app that will change the world. He's sold his technology firm for billions and traded it for Steeple Ridge Horse Farm in rural Vermont.

Missy Marino has worked at the boarding stable and farm since she was a teen, and she's always dreamed of owning it. But her ex-husband left her with a truckload of debt, making her fantasies of owning the farm unfulfilled.

When she meets Tucker, she starts having a new kind of fantasy—one where they work with the horses together. Tucker didn't come to the country to find a new wife, but he supposes a woman could help him start over in Steeple Ridge. Will Tucker and Missy be able to navigate the shaky ground between them to find a new beginning?

 

 

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

 

This is a sweet happy romance. I liked that even though it was a short story it spanned a fair amount of time that made the relationship believable. Even thought Missy’s dreams were crushed when she wasn’t able to buy the ranch she wanted due to lack of funds, she agrees to stay on as the ranch manager and teach the new owner the ropes. Tucker may be in over his head a little bit when he buys a horse ranch even though he knows nothing about horses, but with Missy helping him can he find his footing? Missy’s attitude was admirable; she was welcoming to Tucker and continued to be dedicated to her job. I was impressed with the way Tucker embraced life on the ranch after coming from New York City. As they get to know each other feelings begin to develop but will money and the farm end up coming between them? I liked both characters and enjoyed the interactions between them. This was a light fun read and enjoyed spending time on the horse ranch.

(I received an ARC from the author; opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion)