Review: Hazardous Duty

Hazardous Duty by Christy Barritt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hazardous Duty

Book Summary
On her way to completing a degree in forensic science, Gabby St. Claire dropped out of school and started her own crime scene cleaning business. Now, when a routine cleaning job leads her to a murder weapon the police overlooked, she realizes that the wrong man is in jail. With the help of her new and attractively single neighbor, Riley Thomas, Gabby plays the detective to make sure the right man is put behind bars.

Hazardous Duty
This book was surprisingly very good. I admit my strategy is to read a cheesy book in between really good ones and I kind of thought this was one. However, it ended up having a lot of depth and really was a good read. Gabby's character has been through a lot in life. While it didn't go into details of all that had happened, it was interesting how the author tied everything together. The supporting characters, Sierra, Riley, Parker, and even Veronica were great!! The story line was continuously moving up to and through the climax. I didn't really know until the end who did it but my interest was definitely peaked when a surprise murder happened. I thought the author did a wonderful job of tying everything together.

From a Christian Perspective
I think the Christian aspect is what surprised me the most. Gabby doesn't believe in God. It was interesting to see her journey to faith. One line that stood out the most was "Life hadn't pointed me toward a loving God." And even more so Riley's response later on "I mean sometimes we assume that life is a reflection of God. But it's not. Life is this way because God gave us a choice, and, as humans, we screw up." These two line stood out for me because it's SO TRUE. So many times we shake our head at the horrors in this world, and wonder how it could happen. But we have to remember that Jesus never told us that being a Christian would protect or shield us from the horrors of this world! However he does remind us in John 16:33 that He has overcome the world. That is the faith that we need to hold on. As the series proceeds I look forward to Gabby grabbing hold of this and having the peace she desires!

This was a book from my personal collection, all opinions expressed are my own!

Love and Blessings!
Margaret

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Review: Finders Keepers

Finders Keepers by Catherine Palmer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Finders Keepers

Book Summary
Antiques dealer Elizabeth Hayes hopes to expand her shop by purchasing and refurbishing the Chalmers House next door. Zachary Chalmers, an architect who recently inherited the house, wants to tear it down and build an office. The resulting feud drags the town into a battle of historic value vs. personal property. The only one who doesn't care is Nikolai Hayes, Elizabeth's adopted Romanian son. He's interested in persuading Zachary to be his father and in listening to Boompah's stories of the "nachos" who tyrannized Europe during World War II. Nikolai's endearing attempts to master English provide levity in a romance that tackles deeper issues than land rights.

My Review
I enjoyed the story of Elizabeth, Nikolai, Zachary and of course Boompah! This was a sweet romance with other elements to make the story interesting. Apparently Elizabeth's beloved neighbor held onto a lot of secrets before her death. As her nephew Zachary comes to claim the property she left to him, he finds out he has more on his hands than he bargained for. Young Nikolai is still adjusting to English and his mistakes with the language are endearing at first, but become a little tedious as the story goes on. I have to say this story is so typical of a small town where everyone knows everyone's business. And there is always that one person that wants to make the town modern! In the end, the characters are able to pull together and get the happy ending! Delightful story great for any age.

From a Christian Perspective
You could tell that faith was important to Elizabeth and Nikolai. It was woven throughout the story in so many creative ways! I loved how Nikolai took the bible to the park with them to help with the search. His faith as a child was so complete it really made me think. Jesus did tell us to come to Him as a child (Matthew 18:3-5) and the innocence of that faith is so pure. I think Nick could have paid a little more attention to honor their parents but I'm sure as he matured he did

Overall this was a pleasant and enjoyable story.

This was a book from my personal collection, opinions expressed are purely my own.

Blessings!
Margaret

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Review: Song Yet Sung

Song Yet Sung by James McBride
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Song Yet Sung

Book Summary:

In the days before the Civil War, a runaway slave named Liz Spocott breaks free from her captors and escapes into the labyrinthine swamps of Maryland’s eastern shore, setting loose a drama of violence and hope among slave catchers, plantation owners, watermen, runaway slaves, and free blacks. Liz is near death, wracked by disturbing visions of the future, and armed with “the Code,” a fiercely guarded cryptic means of communication for slaves on the run. Liz’s flight and her dreams of tomorrow will thrust all those near her toward a mysterious, redemptive fate.

My Review

I had a little difficulty with this book due to the writing style and commentary. I'm used to light flowing writing and this was more poetic and a little heavy. Reading about slavery and the evil associated with it is always difficult for me. With that said, I did end up finishing the book and I liked it.

The character of Liz was very interesting, she was called the Dreamer because of her strange dreams. Her dreams told of an indescribable future, one where young black men are loud and angry. Others where young black men helped others to look towards hope and promise. I thought it was brilliant to tie the past and the present together in this way. It was apparent that those who heard the dream didn't always understand what she was seeing but they knew she was seeing something. For me, the dreams were a sign of hope for the future.

I also found the concept of the code intriguing. When under pressure, people become resourceful or they die. It's long been said that slaves could communicate and send messages faster than the white man could move from plantation to plantation. I love how that was woven into this story. True or not it was a very creative element.

Overall the book struck a chord in me. A desire to know more about the times that are so painful in my history. There is a need to know where we came from in order to teach our children, to guide them, to keep them from falling in to an entirely different form of slavery.

From a Christian Perspective>

There was one passage that really jumped out at me:

"It's God's world. He washes you clean. He makes you whole. He puts rain in your garden and sunshine in your heart. Just pray when you get free, child. Pray for what you done, and what you gonna do." Song Yet Sung, James McBride

That passage really says so much in so few words. We have been washed in the blood, cleansed from our sins, our hearts filled with joy. Prayer is what keeps up connected to Him. We need Him for guidance! We can't move forward without him!

Love & Blessings,
Margaret



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Christian Book Review: Wildflowers from Winter #christianbookreview

Wildflowers from Winter: A Novel by Katie Ganshert
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Bethany Quinn thinks she has it all with her fancy job in Chicago, her high profile boyfriend and staying as far away from Peaks as she can. That is until tragedy strikes and she's forced to face her fears that stem back to her childhood. Not only that, she's got Evan to deal with and she's not sure where he fits into her life. Follow Bethany's journey as she hooks up with old friends and faces old fears.

You can see the complete book description on Amazon: Wildflowers from Winter: A Novel
  
My Review:  
For me this book was just OK. I don't think I ever developed an emotional connection to it, it just felt like a story being told to me.  I like to feel like I am part of the story.

The major character were developed well.  I did gain an understanding of Bethany and Evan as well as the secondary characters of Robin, Dan and the other minor characters.  Robyn's mother was also developed very well.  

As for the storytelling, I think the story could have been developed better.  While the characters were described well, I didn't relate to them or get any sort of emotional response from their stories. This is important for me when reading a book, I have to be able to relate or at least have an emotional response.  I think the storyline is an overused one where the "heroine" really hates this guy then ends up dating him.  

This book received a three for several reasons.  One, the characters were not made out to be super-Christians.  They got mad at God when they faced tragedy, they called out to Him in moments of weakness.   Also, while there weren't scripture references, you got the sense that the characters spend a lot of time in the Word which is essential for a strong Faith.  Again, this made their faith more realistic.  Finally, everything wasn't tied up so neat and tidy.  People died, people got their feelings hurt, people had their eyes opened.  I really enjoyed those aspects of the story. 

Overall, this book would make a pleasant weekend read, but don't expect much depth as it is very predictable.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book as part of the Blogging for Books program.  I was not required to write a positive review, as such, opinions expressed are completely my own.

Love and Blessings Always!

Margaret

Book Review: Hope Springs by Kim Cash Tate #christianbookreview

Hope Springs by Kim Cash Tate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From Thomas Nelson:

In a small Southern community where everyone is holding tight to something, the biggest challenge may be learning to let go.

Hope Springs, North Carolina, is the epitome of small town life—a place filled with quiet streets where families have been friends for generations, a place where there’s not a lot of change. Until three women suddenly find themselves planted there for a season.

Janelle Evans hasn’t gone back to Hope Springs for family reunions since losing her husband. But when she arrives for Christmas and learns that her grandmother is gravely ill, she decides to extend the stay.

Becca Anderson is finally on the trajectory she’s longed for. Having been in the ministry trenches for years, she’s been recruited as the newest speaker of a large Christian women’s conference. But her husband feels called to become the pastor of his late father’s church in Hope Springs. Will small town living affect her big ministry dreams?

And Stephanie London has the ideal life—married to a doctor in St. Louis with absolutely nothing she has to do. When her cousin Janelle volunteers to stay in Hope Springs and care for their grandmother, she feels strangely compelled to do the same. It’s a decision that will forever change her.

As these women come together, facing disappointments both public and private, they soon recognize that healing is needed in their hearts, their families, and their churches that have long been divided along racial lines. God's plan for them in Hope Springs—and for Hope Springs itself—is bigger than they ever imagined.

My Review:


Can I just say WOW! This book has it all! Faith, family, friendship, romance, even race relations!


The book starts off with a family reunion and ends with a funeral. Kim Cash Tate weaves a story like none I have read in recent times. It will make you laugh, weep and want to go all out for Jesus!


The author of this book captures her characters perfectly. To be able to weave so many people together seamlessly is truly a gift. There are about 6 or 7 different stories going on but they work and I like that. Her characters touched me emotionally with the similarities to people in my life and family. Each is carefully developed without drawing away from anyone else in the story.
I feel like Janelle, Stephanie, Becca, and Libby were like my long lost cousins!


Emotionally the book took me on a rollercoaster. One minute I was laughing, the next I was weeping, the next I was ready to worship. LOL! It really was like that! I loved the flow of the book and didn't really find any disconnects where I lost what was going on. The incorporation of race relations wasn't subtle but it because such an integral part of the story that it would not have been complete without it. It's a true picture of a small town whether it's in the north, south, east or west.


Oh and Kim Cash Tate, if you read this, thanks for the shout out to Monmouth County, NJ!


From a Christian perspective, this is a wonderful book. The characters are frequently stepping out on faith. The pastors of the two town churches are integral to the story and work to unite the town. While there are references to infidelity and extramarital sex, it's not in a derogatory way. It's used to describe characters who have been redeemed or a on their way to accepting the redemption of Jesus. There is no foul language and nothing out of place in a Christian novel.


I HIGHLY recommend this novel. It's not often that I give 5 stars but this was that good!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of review as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze program. I was not required to post a positive review, all opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Love and Blessings Always!
Margaret

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Book Review: The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club #bookreview #christianbookreview

The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club by Wanda E. Brunstetter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


What a fantastic read!

Emma Yoder decided that after the death of her beloved Ivan, she was NOT going to depend on her children for support, even though that is the Amish way. Since she had the room in her home and the skill, she decided she would start teaching quilting lessons. What Emma didn't expect was, the response that she received and that she was going to be teaching a lot more than quilting!

My Review:

Emma's first quilting class attracted a unique group who didn't only bring their desire to quilt, but also their emotional baggage. A pastor's wife, a biker, a rocker, a widower and a married couple all join together to make this a wonderful rollercoaster of a book. 

I love books that encourage an emotional connection with the characters. Each character in this book appeals to a different reader, yet appeals to all if that makes any sense! They are knit together into a seamless story.  My favorite character was the biker, he was just full of contradictions but each made him more wonderful and more human. Emma is not without her own struggles with makes her all the more endearing. The interactions between her and her potential suitor are amusing but realistic.  In fact, the interplay between all of the characters is very well done.  

There was one scene in the book towards the end that seemed too obvious, it was something I had suspected from about the midpoint in the book.  That it turned out to be true kind of annoyed me (HA HA), I wanted to be surprised!  But other than that, I thought the conclusion was wonderful. Overall I can say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This is my first time reading something from this author, however I can just about guarantee it won't be the last!

From a Christian perspective:

The love and grace of God is apparent throughout this Christian fiction book. It's presented in such a way that really touched my heart but I didn't feel like I was being preached at. Very safe, clean and wonderful read.

Disclaimer: I received and ARC of this book for the purpose of review. Opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Love and Blessings Always!
Margaret

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Book Review: Need You Now by Beth Wiseman #christianbook #bookreview

Need You Now by Beth Wiseman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What would you do if you felt your child was in danger?

After their son Chad made some poor choices, Brad and Darlene Henderson made the the tough decision to move their family from Houston to the small town of Round Top, Texas. Chad and his sisters, Ansley and Grace, each had their own difficulties with the move, especially Grace. While the pace is much slower, the challenges are still there, just in a different form.

Need You Now takes you through the struggles of a family who faces challenges and finds the only way through is by trusting in God.

Beth Wiseman does an fantastic job of telling this story. The main characters of the Henderson family each have their own personality that you can relate to as a reader. The tone of the book and the language makes it easy to imagine the characters interacting. The supporting characters like Tristan, Myrna, David, Cara and especially Layla, are there for a reason, not just to fluff up the book. I love the realistic situations and the fact that the author was not afraid to address a current problem facing our young women. She did it tastefully and with great sensitivity. While the ending was incredibly sad, it only served to add more depth to the story.

Overall, I thought this Christian fiction was well written, with a well developed story line. The story makes you stop and think about what you would do if you were in those challenging situations. Would you trust in God or would you fall apart? There were a variety of responses in this book and I learned something from each. The overriding theme is that even when we don't trust ourselves, when we don't trust the people around us, we need to trust God.

This was my first Beth Wiseman book but I'm looking forward to reading more of her books.

Disclaimer: This book was provided to me through the Booksneeze program, for the purpose of review. I was not asked to nor required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Love and Blessings Always!
Margaret Rogers

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Book Review: Not This Time by Vicki Hinze #christianbook

Not This Time: A Novel by Vicki Hinze
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not This Time: A Novel (Crossroads Crisis Center) is the third book in the Crisis Crossroads Center series. I read the first one Forget Me Not: A Novel (Crossroads Crisis Center) , but I did not read the second one, Deadly Ties: A Novel (Crossroads Crisis Center) .

In Not This Time, Sara and Beth are the two main characters. They have built a multimillion dollar company and are successful in their own right. When an act of terrorism occurs at a local wedding, the questions start. Who is behind this act and why? Who can they trust and who is the traitor? Beth is sure it has something to do with Sara's husband Robert but then he is kidnapped and presumably murdered, so she has no idea who to trust.  Even Sara, her best friend, is lying to her!  Beth puts everything she has into finding the truth about the attack and about Sara.  The more she finds out, the more danger surrounds Beth, Sara and the other residents of Seagrove Village.

My Review:
The author, Vicki Hinze, does a wonderful job of weaving the story. As you progress through the book, the author lures you into a false sense of "I have this all figured out" when BOOM! another twist comes. Your are kept guessing until the end chapters. 

I also thought the author did a great job of developing the characters, particularly Sara and Beth. The NINA team fit their roles so well as did the "good guys." How she managed to seamlessly weave in romances, I do not know but she did and did it well!  I found myself with emotional connections to the characters even though the were fictional.


It's been a while since I read the first book and I did feel like I was missing some of the nuances. There were some refreshers in there but not enough to make me remember the characters and players in this series. Even though this works as a standalone book, having read the first one, I knew I was missing some important tie-ins from the second book. For that reason, I would recommend reading this series from start to finish. I'm tempted to go back and read the first and second books.


While this is a Christian thriller, it's not slap you in the face religion. The characters faith, or lack, is subtly woven in throughout the story. Reliance on God is evident and comforting. I really love how this author was able to make the story exciting and fluid without having to remove the presence of God in the character's lives.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author. Thank you to Waterbrook Multnomah for allowing me to review this book as part of the blogging for books program.

If you want a sneak peek, go here to read the first chapter!

Love and Blessings Always!

Margaret

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

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Book Review: Stand By Me by Neta Jackson

Stand By Me by Neta Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From the book:
Kathryn Davies is a bright young woman form a prominent Phoenix family. But after making a leap of faith at a Christian music fest, dropping out of med school, and moving to inner city Chicago, her family all but disowns her.

When Kat discovers SouledOut Community Church, she longs to become a part of the multicultural church family. But her tendency to immediately say whatever she's thinking steps on the toes of nearly everyone she meets-especially Avis Douglass.

Avis has a strong faith, is the principal of one of Chicago's highest performing elementary schools, and is a founding member of SouledOut. But the country's economic downturn has thrown both her and her husband's jobs in question. And Avis hasn't heard from her youngest daughter in months-an estrangement that gnaws at her every day. Where is God in this?

Kat's flamboyant zeal for living a "radical" Christian life is a stark contrast to Avis's more reserved faith. But in God's timing, the two women discover they need each other in ways neither of them expected.

My review:
I wasn't sure what to think about this book at first. It takes place in Chicago at a diverse church called Souled Out Community Church. Avis is leading worship and four white college students are coming in. What is book is not is a sappy romance where everything is smooth sailing. What this book is, is a realistic picture of relationships including the one we as Christians have with Jesus. This is a truly Christian fiction book where the author was not afraid to proclaim the gospel or share bits of scripture throughout. I loved that she had the characters worshipping, praying, and ministering. A lot of times the author is so concerned about appealing to the crossover audiences, they forget to include Jesus.

As far as the characters, it was interesting to see the relationship between Avis and Kat develop. I feel like most of the story was about them even though the author did an excellent job of developing the other characters, especially Peter, Nick and Rochelle. Judging people is something that I think we all do. That type of attitude almost cost Avis her daughter and Kat a valuable friendship. It wasn't until they took a deeper look that they realized they needed each other.

What I took away the most is that having a relationship with Jesus is not just one thing. It's not just praying or worshiping or meeting for Bible Study. It's about living the life the Jesus lived. I think by the end of this book, each of the characters learned a lot more about their relationship with Jesus and some important ways to build on it. So did I.

I will look forward to future books in this series.

This book was provided to me by Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze program. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Love and Blessings!

Margaret

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