Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Review of Murder Comes by Mail by A.H. Gabhart

Nutshell: Sheriff Michael Keane is back in the news again. This time for saving a man from jumping off a remote bridge that the Sheriff just happened to be driving by with a bus full of ladies. Flung in to the headlines as the local hero, Michael lets it roll off his back. He's not a fan of being the center of attention, especially saving a man who didn't want to be saved. When all the hype dies down, pictures show up in the mail of a dead girl and Michael has a very good idea of who the killer is. Now he just needs to find him to put all of the uneasiness to rest.

Pro's: Gabhart does a great job again of writing a light mystery/suspense novel filled with quirky characters and the small town life. She does a great job pulling you in to the ordinary life of a little town off the beaten path. Even with this being book two in The Hidden Springs Mysteries, it's pretty easy to jump in and follow along.

Con's: There seemed to be a few lull spots throughout the story where it felt like something should be happening instead of the story just coasting along.

Recommendation: If you enjoy light reading with a flare of mystery, you will enjoy this story. And read the first book too!

Revell sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Review of The 30-Day Faith Detox by Laura Harris Smith

Nutshell: Finding a way to revitalize your body, mind and spirit all at once? The 30-Day Faith Detox can be your guide. With a daily devotional about different warfares that may be waging against your spirit and mind, and suggestions on how to fill your temple to feel the greatest possible, this devotional/guide can be what you are looking for. Recipes, ways to fill your mind with His word, how to declutter your life and put your focus with your food with all different colors, your mind and your body back on Him.

Pro's: This is a great spring board in to getting back in to the routine of spending time with God daily, eating better and how to detox your body of unhealthy chemicals and thoughts. Every day there is a different reading to focus your mind for that day. I liked the suggestions of eating different colors each week. That opened my fridge up to many more options! I've been eating many less carbs/processed foods and my counter and fridge drawers are filled with more fruits and vegetables than ever before!

Con's: It would've been great to see more recipes in the back instead of eating the same recipe for 30 days. In the beginning the author did say not to eat potatoes or corn, but in the food lists of things to buy, potatoes and corn were on there. That was a bit confusing. Also, giving other options instead of juicing every day for lunch or snack would have been helpful as many people work and do not have access to juicing devices during the day.

Recommendation: If you're looking for a jump-start in feeling better inside and out, this is a great tool to use to help you with refocusing your mind, spirit and what you put in your body.

Chosen Books sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of The Inheritance by Michael Phillips

Nutshell: On a small island of the Whales Reef is a little community whose link to the past still carries on through the bloodline of one family. The Tulloch's. David is expected to be the heir, the next in line to "be in charge" and look over the small community, but an unexpected twist is brought to light and the unruly cousin may actually be next in line for the coveted title as chief. Thousands of miles away is an orphan young lady who was raised in the Quaker community by her parents that is wrestling with who she actually is and where she's from. Slowly, these two stories, separated by thousands of miles intersect in the most unique way.

Pro's: The intricate detail of how this book is written. There are so many bloodlines to follow, and having the family tree in the front really helps! It was almost like reading a fiction history lesson. Very well written, very well thought out.

Con's: That this story was not wrapped up in this book! It seemed long in some parts, but picked back up in most others.

Recommendation: If you enjoy a splash of history, intertwined stories and wondering how in the world two plots will come together, you will enjoy this book.

Bethany House sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Silence in the Dark by Patricia Bradley

Nutshell: In book 4 of the Logan Point Series, Bailey Adams is in Mexico working hard at making a difference in peoples lives as a missionary. With her broken engagement from Danny Maxwell a thing of the past, Bailey immerses herself as a school teacher and enjoys teaching the women in a local village about Jesus. Bailey is asked to escort one of her student's, who is also her friend Joel's niece, home to the U.S. to visit her grandparents for the first time. With plans set in place and one last meal before heading to the airport, life changes in a flash. Not only is her ex-fiance at the same Mexican restaurant, but the local drug cartel shows up and attempts to kidnap her and her little friend. A series of events puts Danny and Bailey back together, running from the Mexican drug cartel, even in the safe haven of Logan's Pointe. Who is calling the drug cartel shots and why are they after Bailey and the little girl she's escorting?

Pro's: Captivating for sure! A very fast-paced story with events changing every chapter. An easy read to jump in to even as the 4th book in the series. Previous characters were alluded to from previous books, but it was still easy to understand.

Con's: Some seemingly very important medical scenarios at the beginning were not so important at the end, and I think that could've been woven through the book better.

Recommendation: A good read that takes you to the last pages hoping for more. If you enjoy suspenseful books, this keeps you turning the pages!

Revell sent me this complimentary book to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.