Review of Freedom's Child by Jax Miller

Nutshell: Freedom Oliver is full of secrets. She's living her secret life under the watchful eye of the witness protection program, but no one is aware of that. She has two grown that she put up for adoption decades before. No one knows that either. She gets wind that her daughter comes up missing and she chooses to slip out from under the watchful eye of the WPP and travels across the country to find her missing daughter. Thus begins her journey of running for her life from her murdered husband's family and from the government to find herself in another pot of boiling water with her daughter's adopted family who are harboring a very dangerous secret themselves.

Pro's: A very gripping story! It took a bit to get off the ground, but the backstory was helpful in figuring out the present story. The characters were well described and the storyline hooked you once the pace picked up. The author did a great job storytelling and keeping the reader engaged throughout the book to the very end.

Con's: The language. It was a bit rough and crude throughout as well as the sexual connotations and language.

Recommendation: If you are not bothered by the "con's" above and can read past these, this a very good story and very riveting.

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

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.

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.

Review of Annabel Lee by Mike Nappa

Nutshell: Annabel Lee finds herself underground locked in a bunker with a dog she is deathly scared of and supplies to last at least a month. She was put there by her uncle and was told to not open the door for anyone. Not even him. Unless he said the secret code. She doesn't know why she's down there and she also doesn't know there are people looking for her. A PI and her ex-husband end up enshrouded in a cat and mouse hunt along with a man who can't speak and a German with his cronies.  What do they all have in common? Once the pieces of the puzzle come together, a chilling realization is discovered and time is of the essence.

Pro's: A fantastic book!! Mike Nappa hit it out of the park with this story! A thriller, mystery, suspenseful plot that takes the reader on quite the journey. The plot is thick with unknowns until the end when it all makes sense.

Con's: A bit gory and violent in places, but it completely fit with the story line.

Recommendation: If you like suspense, you will like this book. It's not a like a suspense book I've read in the past and it was worth the read! Well done Mr. Nappa! As a reader, I'm so glad you listened to your wife and pastor's wife and kept submitting this book to be published!

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

Review of A Powerful Secret by Dr. Kevin Leman and Jeff Nesbit

Nutshell: Sean Worthington finds himself in quite the predicament. His brother, whom he works for, quits the senate race. Sean makes a pretty bold move in the political world, hoping to win his fathers attention and affection. Traipsing across the world, Sean learns not only about the secrets in the political worlds that could harm him, but also learns a lot about himself.

Pro's: A quick read that takes you to all different climates and countries. A fast paced story line all the way to the end.

Con's: A lot of politics, a lot of affluence that was hard to relate to.

Recommendation: If you enjoy political books, you will enjoy this one!

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

A Fool and His Monet by Sandra Orchard

Nutshell: Serena Jones is new to the FBI Art Crime Team. She finds herself undercover receiving the lost art she has come to love. She is also in search of the person who killed her grandfather, the man who introduced her to art in the first place. She finds herself on the path of looking for two stolen pieces from the local art museum and also finds herself being hunted by some people that really don't like her. Will she recover the art and live to see it?

Pro's: Creative book and creative storyline! A mystery with a slant of art and I liked that!

Con's: A bit slow. It was difficult to get in to this book and I didn't feel captured by events taking place.

Recommendation: Anyone who likes a light mystery would like this book!

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

Review of The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson

Nusthell: Marie Carrington is on the run. She ends up thousands of miles from home with a back pack, a pocketful of change and at a dead end. She has no where else to go. Sitting in a ferry waiting room wondering how she could buy a ferry ticket, a stranger strikes up a conversation with her and the next thing she knows, she agrees to help the stranger out by landing a short term job as an interior designer.  On the mysterious Prince Edward Island, Marie finds God, her voice, healing, confidence and possibly love. All because of a stranger saw more to her than even what she saw in herself.

Pro's: This is Book 1 in the Prince Edward Island Dreams Series. A sweet story about a young lady on the run looking for herself. Johnson did a great job creating sparks between the main characters and how each of the characters grows past their previous circumstances. A good story about healing, finding trust and what our heavenly Father really is like.

Con's: None really.

Recommendation: If you're in the mood for a light read, this is the book for you.

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

Review of The Calling by Rachelle Dekker

Nutshell: This is the 2nd book in the Seer Novel Series. Remko Brandt has escaped the Authority City with his wife Carrington Hale. He is now a husband and new father. He is also leading a group of Seers who are committed to rescuing those trapped inside the Authority City. His battle with belief grips his heart as he journeys through heartache, anger, bitterness and failure. This is his journey. His journey to find his Father. Follow him as he staggers through darkness to find light. Death to find life. Despair to find victory. Will he find these in the end or will they engulf him?

Pro's: This book captures you from the very beginning. Heart stopping at points, heart ripping at others. This book takes you through the rollercoaster of emotions. Rachelle does an amazing job of storytelling and leading the reader through an amazing story. The details, the plot, the characters, the book. All of it was riveting and brilliant!

Con's: If you pick up this book without reading the first book in the series, you may have a hard time understanding what is going on.

Recommendation: Read this book! Read the first book! Anticipate the third book! Rachelle is a masterful author who has a unique gift of storytelling!

About the Author . . . The oldest daughter of New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker, Rachelle Dekker was inspired early on to discover truth through storytelling. The Choosing is her critically acclaimed debut novel. She graduated with a degree in communications and spent several years in marketing and corporate recruiting before making the transition to write full-time. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Daniel, and their diva cat, Blair. Visit her online at rachelledekker.com.

Q&A with Rachelle Dekker

1. The Calling is the second book in The Seer Series. Does it pick up right after The Choosing leaves off?
No, a year and a half has passed when we rejoin the characters in The Calling

2. This book is written from Remko’s perspective. Did you face any challenges writing from a male point-of-view?

There was definitely a looming pressure as I started to write the book. As a woman writer, I wanted to make sure Remko felt masculine and authentic, so I was constantly aware of how he sounded, and how he reacted. Once I got into a flow with his character though, it started to feel more familiar I didn’t have to think about it as much. 

3. Remko struggles with his anger often throughout the book. Is this expression of anger connected to his fears? If so, how?

Anger is just a natural reaction to the circumstances Remko faces. Sometimes being afraid

can stir up anger because it makes us feel weak or out of control. This is definitely true for Remko in The Calling.

Review of Change of Heart by Courtney Walsh

Nutshell: Evelyn Brandt is the picture perfect wife of the young Colorado state senator, Christopher Brandt. She hosts the perfect parties, dresses perfectly, is the perfect wife with the perfectly decorated house and the perfect life. And she has no idea who she is and is dying inside. She dislikes hosting parties, her house doesn't feel like her home, she'd rather wear sweats and her husband is rarely home. Life looks fantastic looking in with the "perfect" image. All that swiftly comes to a halt while hosting a party of other government wives, the FBI shows up, ransacking her house and saying her husband has been arrested for embezzlement.

Her perfect like shatters around her and she is left the outcast. She has one friend, Trevor Whitney, her husband's former best friend. And he gives her refuge on his farm.

Evelyn now has to rebuild her life. After a swift divorce from a delusional husband who believed his lies to be truth, she seeks to find her former self. But there are secrets still lurking out there of which come to light and may just shatter hearts all over again.

Pro's: Such a sweet, sweet book. Some would call it fluff, but I would say it is beyond fluff. This book is more about rediscovery. Think of a soft warm summer breeze through the heart of a story line that is filled with tender words which weave a story of love. That is this book.

Con's: The minor characters seemed to have just been plopped in to the storyline and seemed a bit out of place.


Recommendation: If you enjoyed Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh, you will definitely enjoy this book!

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

Review of Always Watching by Lynette Eason

Nutshell: Olivia Edwards is the owner of a body guard service. It is her job to protect high profile people from being attacked, stalked or killed. She works with the police and government officials on highly tense cases. Her newest case was not one she signed up for, but one she stepped in to after a co-worker was attached by the client's stalker. Now she finds herself keeping alive a very prominent radio-talk show host/psychiatrist. The stalker is not working alone and it is her job to figure out who is after her client and his family. Tension mounts after the first strike against her host didn't work. The stakes climb high with every attack. Olivia and her team work around the clock trying to stay alive while hunting down the bold stalker. Jump in to book 1 of the Elite Guardians series and you will go for quite the ride!

Pro's: I liked the angle of this book. A female body guard instead of the male in the lead role as protector. I did like the way this book read. I liked how fast paced it was, how the romance did not take over the book, nor was it so in-your-face, how level-headed the characters were and the journey the author takes you on.

Con's: How fast it went!!

Recommendation: If you enjoy fast paced, intense drama-filled stories, you will enjoy this one.

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

Review of Thin Ice by Irene Hannon

Nutshell: Book 2 in the Men of Valor Series: Christy Reed has no family left. Losing her parents in a freak car accident nine months ago, and now her sister in a deadly house fire months ago. She's on the path of healing, until one day her world flips upside down. A letter and picture from her dead sister. Someone is playing with her in a very sinister way. Enter FBI Special Agent Lance McGregor. He has demons of his own that he is wrestling with while he takes on his very first case as an FBI agent. And his first case of Christy Reed pushes him to his limits with frustration, with unknown answers and with his heart. Will they hunt down the so called "kidnapper" before his sinister hunting catches Christy first?

Pro's: Great book! This can be read as a stand-alone in the series even though it is the 2nd book. Good plot, gets you sucked in from the beginning.

Con's: One scene did not quite add up based on the immobilization of the character. It didn't make sense how the grandma was able to do what she did after she wrote the letter (may seem cryptic, but I don't want to spoil the plot!) with hardly being able to walk. Other than that, a bit heart-gooey, but not over the top.

Recommendation: If you like mystery suspense, this is the book for you!

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

Holding on to the sliver

Reviews galore, but nothing more.

I've been rattling around thoughts in my brain and thinking I need to get things recorded.

You know how a new year brings new hope? New goals? Dreams that may come true this year?

Here we are, 23 days in to the new year and it is not going how I thought.

Hopes feel dashed, dreams feel squashed, goals are out the window. All need to be rewritten. They need to include issues like

breast cancer.

possible colon cancer.

joblessness.

cirrhosis.

blood clots.

anxiety.

depression.

unexplained seizures.

alcoholism.

All of the above are happening in my family. My immediate family. Not cousins. Not aunts. Not extended family. Those I hold close.

Many of the above diagnoses we found out in the past 23 days.

How does one hold these? How does one hold on to hope through all of these? How do I encourage my brothers? My sister-in-laws? My mother-in-law? My parents? My husband? My kids?

This is where I find myself. Needing to re-examine everything.

It can be extremely overwhelming if I let all thoughts run loosey-goosey. If I let emotions overtake all common sense.

I find the sliver of hope in Jesus and I have to cling to Him. He keeps me breathing through every diagnosis. Every doctor appointment. Every time I think, "how can things possibly get worse?" and they end up getting worse.

I continue to cling. It's the only choice.

Review of A Cup of Dust by Susie Finkbeiner

Nutshell: Little Pearl Spence makes the best of the life she has. She watches over her older sister, enjoys stories from her grandma and loves her family and the town she lives in. Despite living in a time where dust storms come and go, where food is rationed and seeing her best friend struggle, she lives life as best she can with what is thrown at her. Strangers come and go through the town, but she knows she is safe with her daddy being the sheriff. But one such stranger doesn't make her feel right. Follow Pearl as life as she knows it will change because of the dust, because of grief, because of this strange man.

Pro's: Another great book by Susie! You could feel the grit of dust in your mouth, on your hands, rubbing on your feet. Susie does a spectacular job reliving the Dust Bowl years that hit our country hard. She used fiction to give raw imagery to what life may have been like for those living through this horrific time. Her artwork of words sculpts this book in to one you will not want to put down.

Con's: None!

Recommendation: If you enjoy historical fiction, pick up this book to read today! Even if you just like a good book to read, this is it!!

Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of You're the One That I Want by Susan May Warren

Nutshell: A former NHL hockey player, Owen Christiansen, finds himself in Alaska, working on a crabbing boat as far from home as possible. His boss and second in command, Scotty McFlynn, keeps to herself with a locked up heart that no one can penetrate. Circumstances thrust the two in to a life threatening situation where raw emotions are exposed and revelations come to light. But the past crashes in when Owen's brother comes looking for him. Owen and Scotty find themselves back in Minnesota as the prodigal son returns after being "missing" for months. Walk with Owen and Scotty as they learn what it means to be a children of God and what faith looks like when life is throwing rocks at you.

Pro's: This is the last book in the Christiansen Series and the first one that I have read. It was actually easy to jump in to and understand despite not reading any of the previous books. I enjoyed the plot and the ease of how the book read.

Con's: Lots of romance for my taste. Could have toned it down some.

Recommendation: If you like romantic faith fiction, you will enjoy this book.

Tyndale House Publishers sent me a complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of Step by Step by Candace Calvert

Nutshell: Taylor Cabot is an ER nurse who is ready to move on from her past. With her survival list in hand, she's out to cross every single item off the list to feel like she is ready to walk forward with her life. With a new job, in a new city, she jumps in to the career she loves. She is starting to slowly pull away from the volunteer crisis team she volunteers on as she wants to put herself at a distance from Seth Donovan, the chaplain of the team and a good friend of her late husband. Journey with her as she learns of God's love and what it means and looks like to move on. This is the 2nd book in the Crisis Team Series.

Pro's: Action from the beginning that helps you jump right in. Good story line. Stand-alone book even though it is the 2nd in the series.

Con's: One thing I noticed right away is that there are a lot of thoughts/conversations by the characters where the sentences don't finish. At first it didn't bother me, but as the book continued, it was something that happened throughout the book and personally, it was hard to stay captivated and interested in the story when sentences/thought processes are not complete.

Recommendation: If you enjoy medical stories with some action thrown in, you will enjoy this book.

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

Review of Whatever Is Lovely by Waterbrook Press

Nutshell: Kids love to color, and I think adults (deep down) love it too! Adult coloring books are all the rage right now. Intricate detailed pictures that take fine motor skills to a new level. You will find all different types of adult coloring books out there, and this one takes coloring beyond just the colored pencils. In this book you will find not only beautiful art to color, but verses to meditate on. The idea behind it is that while you are creating beauty, you are thinking on the One who created beauty. You are meditating on the One who breathed life, who breathed scripture. You are listening to God. What better way to find quiet than to color and listen to Jesus?

Pro's: I love this idea. I love that God's word is woven in to picture format to create beauty from beauty. The introduction was very helpful and including a spotify playlist to listen to while coloring? Genius! I took it one step further and found other scripture surrounding the verse and wrote it on the page to think on as well.

 Con's: I found I can only do one thing at a time! I couldn't listen to music and focus on the verse at the same time. My brain could only manage one or the other. Not a negative to the book at all, just my own personal findings. :)

Recommendation: You don't have to be an artist to do this. No one is ever to old to color! My 11 year old daughter saw this and ended up with one for Christmas! What a great gift to give, or to give yourself!

Would you like to buy this book? Click here to be directed to the site.

WaterBrook Multnomah sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions (and coloring) are my own.

Review of Until the Dawn by Elizabeth Camden

Nutshell: Sophie van Riijn has had her share of heartbreaks throughout her life. But she has pressed forward and her faith in God keeps her living each day. Her life revolves around documenting the weather for the United States Weather Bureau and living a simple life. Her sacred weather station sits on the roof of the haunted mansion that no one has inhabited in over 60 years....until one day the owners show up to retake the mansion and the mysteriously magical land it sits on. Sophie comes to butt heads with the infamous Vandermark owner, Quentin, but quickly falls in love with his young 9 year old son who she is allowed to teach. How can she teach the owners son, try to save the house she loves from being blown up and still show love to a very hard-hearted man?

Pro's: A very sweet, tender story that shows killing with kindness to the most cold-hearted people can eventually soften anyone. A very descriptive story! You could almost smell the water lily's fragrance, feel the oysters sliding down your throat and see the carvings on the original cabin. I'm glad it didn't end where I thought it was going to end!!

Con's: A bit slow in places but overall it did keep you engaged.

Recommendation: If you enjoy historical fiction, you will enjoy this book!

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

Review of Michael Symon's 5 in 5 for Every Season Cookbook

Nutshell: One of the co-hosts of ABC's The Chew has a new cookbook out! Michael Symon's has paired beautiful pictures with quick recipes in his new cookbook 5 in 5: 5 fresh ingredients and 5 minutes of heat. Each season of the year is featured in this book that include ingredients privy to that season. Each recipe in turn is quick to fix and on your table in a matter of minutes. You will find over 100 recipes in this packed cookbook with something to please everyone's pallet.

Pro's: The pictures! I'm a very visual person and the pictures definitely caught my eye right away. I love to cook and was excited to try this book. I poured over each recipe and read through the book a couple times, ear-marking recipes I wanted to try. I also enjoyed the little intersects of personal tidbits through the book about his life growing up and memories/places related to recipes.

Con's: As with any cookbook, not every single recipe will be a keeper. There were some recipes I knew I needed to skip over either due to cost, the items not being available in our area, or knowing my kids would eat one bite and be done.

Recommendation: If you are a fan of Michael Symon's, you will like this book. Great pictures, easy recipes for the beginner chef to intermediate/brave chef who is up for a challenge.

The recipe I tried was in the Spring section and was titled Pork with Broccoli and Cashews.

1 pound pork tenderloin, sliced 1/8 inch think
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups broccoli florets (from 1/2 large head)
1/2 cup roughly chopped cashews
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon cornstarch

1. Put a large skillet over high heat. Season both sides of the pork with salt and pepper. Add the olive oil to the pan. Add the pork in an even layer and cook, without moving, for 1 minute. Flip the pork and add the broccoli to the pan. Continue cooking until the pork and broccoli begin to brown, about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the cashews, garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for another minute.

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, mustard, 2 tablespoons water, and the cornstarch.

3. Add the cornstarch mixture to the pan, over, and cook for 1 minute until the sauce thickens. Serve hot.

Adjustments I made: I did not add red pepper flakes due to sensitive taste buds in the house. I added the cashews as a side as not all members under our roof enjoy nuts.

*Outcome: I would make it again (my kids loved it) and would use a higher quality soy sauce as it was pretty salty even with the low sodium brand I used. I will add more broccoli next time as our youngest went back for seconds and I heard "ahhh...never mind...I wanted more broccoli" (words to a mother's ears!). I almost missed the w2 tablespoons of water in step 2 as water wasn't one of the ingredients up top and it caught me off guard a bit.

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