Who I Am With You, by Robin Lee Hatcher

Jessica Mason is grieving over her husband and daughter, lost to a car accident; coming to terms with fissures in her marriage that existed before her husband passed away;  and pregnant.  She works from home, so is able to successfully seclude herself while she mourns.

Ridley Chesterfield is hiding out for reasons of his own.  Mired in a rumored political scandal, he flees to Hope Springs to live in solitude in the house beside Jessica's.  He cuts off all communication with the outside world, and plans to keep it that way, at least until the truth of the scandal comes out and his name is cleared.

Neither Ridley nor Jessica had any plans to fall in love, but as they slowly begin to trust one another, they both begin to find much-needed healing.

This story was about as sweet and lovely as they come.  Jessica and Ridley were both extremely real and likeable, and I rooted for them from the very beginning.  I'm pretty sure I had a smile on my face throughout the entire book.  A definite feel-good story, I read it in just a couple of days.  It struck the perfect balance of slice-of-life story-telling and romance, without being at all saccharine.  It was simply real, interesting, and so very heartwarming.  Two enthusiastic thumbs up. 

Gabby Care, by B.A. Coots

Poor Gabby.

When the book opens, Gabby is working for the non-profit that she founded. She is having financial problems, and soon she is accused of embezzlement as well. She is forced to resign. But that's not all! She has her identity stolen, she is framed for a crime she didn't commit, and she is accused of murder. Through all of this, Gabby remains somewhat clueless, and just keeps plucking away, looking for love and happiness.

I really wanted to like this book. The writing is sharp, the characters are quirky, and there is a fun nugget of a story. Unfortunately it was all a little convoluted. I had trouble keeping up with the story, and who was who in the line-up of characters. To be fair, this simply could have been a matter of my not wanting to read this type of story at this particular time. Whatever the reason, it just couldn't hold my interest.

Delayed Justice, by Cara Putman

I was excited to read another book by Cara Putnam. This was my third or fourth book of hers, and I've always loved her warm, conversational style, and her likeable characters. I was not disappointed!

Delayed Justice tells the story of Jaime Nichols, a lawyer who is finally able to face the abuse she suffered as a child at the hands of her uncle. As she presses the long-awaited charges, she is faced with both the emotional toil, and the threats of an unknown stalker. Even as she works to make sure her own uncle is brought to justice, she fights to help another little girl in a similar situation.

Chandler Bolton is a retired veteran who through a series of circumstances, finds himself, along with his trained emotional support dog, Aslan, working alongside Jaime to aid the little girl who was going through something so similar to Jaime's past. Together they support young Tiffany, as well as work to see to it that Jaime is safe, and that her uncle finally faces up to what he's done.

One of the things that I love about Putnam's books is that there is always an element of romance woven throughout the book, without making it the sole focus. The real focus of the book is the story, and the growing sparks between Jaime and Chandler are natural and organic.

As always, a nice suspenseful story, a lovely budding friendship, and gently told testimony of faith.

Formula of Deception, by Carrie Stuart Parks

Formula of Deception was the first book I read by Carrie Stuart Parks, and I was not disappointed. It tells the story of Murphy Anderson, who after the murder of her twin sister, goes undercover and tries to disappear in Kodiak, Alaska.

When she begins working as a forensic artist, local authorities take interest and hire her to draw the memories of a dying man. The assignment takes her to a hut where five bodies were found, and the questions start piling up. Murphy's soon back in the spotlight. As the investigators who were with her at the hut slowly start turning up dead, Murphy finds herself once again tangled up in a murderous plot, and needs to work to get questions answered and solve the mystery before it's too late.

Parks is a wonderful and skillful writer. This was very much a page-turning, can't-put-it-down mystery. Her characters are fleshed out and likeable, the dialogue was believable, and the story itself was fresh and snappy. A fun zippy who-done-it that will keep you up late at night to finish it.

A Light So Lovely: The Spiritual Legacy of Madeleine L'Engle by, Sarah Arthur

A Light So Lovely gives a beautiful and detailed account of the life and journey
of Madeleine L'Engle, beloved, imaginative, and bestselling author of such books as A Wrinkle in Time.

I admittedly did not know a lot about L'Engle before I read this book, beyond that she was loved and respected in the literary world.  But her life and her faith were very inspiring, and I found myself grateful for the opportunity to learn more.  I could very much relate to much of her story.

What I enjoyed most about the book was L'Engle's steadfast refusal to fit her writing, or her life, into any one box.  Too Christian for some, and too secular for others, the world didn't quite know what to do with her.  But she remained true to herself throughout, and showed us that life is not black and white.  In fact, this entire book is built around the word, "AND" rather than, "either, or."

Faith AND science

Religion AND art

Fact AND fiction

Sacred AND secular

None of these things are mutually exclusive, and they can and do not only exist at the same time, but can be beautifully blended together.  Madeleine L'Engle understood this so very well, as did Sarah Arthur, who wrote the book. 

Her life, faith, and writing were something new and refreshing.  She single-handedly created a genre that bucked tradition and forged its own path.  It was a true pleasure to learn more about her and her work.

Murder At The Flamingo, by Rachel McMillan

Murder at the Flamingo is a fun little story set in 1930's Boston.

Hamish DeLuca is a young eager lawyer who suffers from crippling anxiety.  When one bad episode leaves him particularly embarrassed, he escapes to Boston to stay with his cousin, Luca Valari.  Luca is in the middle of opening what promises to be Boston's hottest new nightclub, The Flamingo.  He takes Hamish under his wing, and immerses him in a whole new world.

Regina "Reggie" Van Buren has run away to Boston for her own reasons.  A beautiful heir from a privileged family, she longs to live independently, away from the watchful and critical eyes of her family.  Determined to live life on her own terms, she arrives in Boston and takes a job as Luca Valari's secretary. 

When a body is found at The Flamingo, Reggie and Hamish must work together to make sense of Luca's dark world, suss out the truth, and solve the mystery of the murder at The Flamingo.

I don't ordinarily read period novels but I'm glad I made an exception in this case.  The setting of 1937 was fun and flashy, and I enjoyed getting to know Hamish, Luca, and Reggie, as well as the world they inhabited.  The story was well-written and well-paced.  So often books of this genre feel rushed, but that was not the case here.  McMillan was content to slowly tease the story out, and the book is all the better for it.

Overall, a good lighthearted read.



*I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.*

Hurricane Season, by Lauren K Denton

Hurricane Season, by Lauren K Denton, is a story about family, self-reflection, and redemption.

Jenna is a young single mother who's made a string of bad decisions.  She decides to follow a life-long dream and heads off to a photography retreat, hoping to rediscover her passion.   She leaves her two girls with her sister and her husband, Betsy and Ty Franklin.  Betsy and Ty, who own a dairy farm, and are dealing with their own demons, are suddenly thrust into the roles of caregivers for their two young nieces.  What is originally supposed to be two weeks becomes open-ended, and Jenna and Betsy both struggle with finding their individual purpose in life, as well as re-defining their relationship with one another.

This was a really warm and lovely book, and one that I read quickly.  I honestly didn't know which direction Jenna was going to choose, which made the build-up and the ending all the more satisfying.  I appreciated the detail and attention that Denton paid to the relationships of all involved... parent and child, sister and sister, husband and wife.  I felt invested in every single character, which is always the hallmark of a good book. It was heartbreaking and heartwarming, in equal measure. 

An overall beautiful story, and one that very much mirrored real life.

Imperfect Justice, by Kara Putnam

Imperfect Justice is a classic legal thriller with just the right amount of tension.  Kaylene Adams allegedly shot her daughter and then was killed by police.  The police and the media present it as an open and shut case, but attorney Emilie Wesley believes a different story.  She knows that Kaylene was being abused by her husband, would never dream of hurting her girls, and was looking for a way out of the unhealthy and violent relationship. Joined by Kaylene's brother, Reid Billings, she works to uncover the truth and secure a safe future for Kaylene's surviving daughter.  

This the second book I've read by Cara Putman.  I previously read and enjoyed Beyond Justice, so I was looking forward to reading another one.  I was especially excited to see Emilie Wesley, a roommate who held a smaller role in Beyond Justice.  Once again, Putnam did not disappoint.  Her characters are well developed and likable (except the ones that are not supposed to be likable!)  Emilie and Reid made a lovely and interesting pair, and their story felt believable rather than forced.  Their scenes always brought a smile.  The romance was skillfully woven with the mystery, and neither one overpowered the other.  

Imperfect Justice, along with Beyond Justice, were just very enjoyable books.  Well-paced, interesting, and easy to read.  They are not in same league as John Grisham thrillers.... but they don't try to be.  They do something a little bit different, and they do it very well.   

*I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.*

The Rescue, by Jim Cymbala

The Rescue, by Jim Cymbala, is a collection of true stories:  True stories about people who were lost, broken, and spiraling into a life of drugs, depression, and despair.  They are the stories of people who were lost... and then found.  People who healed, recovered, and found new hope.

This was a quick read (I read it in one afternoon), and a decent book.  I walked away with mixed feelings though.  It was well-written, and the stories were touching, but after reading a few, they all felt like the exact same story with different details.  Person has a tough life;  person turns to drugs or alcohol or other unhealthy self-medicating to escape the pain;  person gives up on life; person eventually turns to God and starts life anew.

The stories were inspiring to be sure, and feel-good endings are always nice.  They just felt a little... redundant.  Still, it was a well-written book, and a good little reminder about the redeeming power of faith.

The Book Of Joe, by Jeff Wilser

I'm not ordinarily a fan of books about political figures.  In fact, up until The Book of Joe, I don't think I'd ever read one.  But what little I did know about Joe Biden interested me, and I liked the tagline: "The life, wit, and (sometimes accidental) wisdom of Joe Biden.

As it turns out, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.  It did, of course, discuss his political trajectory, but it spent just as much time - if not more - talking about Joe the person, which is what I found fascinating. From a young boy with a painful stuttering problem, to a confident (but never OVER-confident) young man, to a husband and father who endured the greatest of tragedies.  He was, and is, a man of great integrity and principles, and the boy next door who just wants to enjoy his ice cream cone, and this author described it all so very well.

Joe Biden carried, and continues to carry, wisdom from his mother, most notably the admonishment she gave him when he was just a boy:  "No one is better than you.  And you're not better than anyone else." These are words that Biden absolutely took to heart, as he remains by all accounts, a real, humble, relatable man.

Excellent, touching, and at times very funny account of a great man.  A good read even if you're not particularly interested in his politics.


"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

How To Fix A Broken Record, by Amena Brown

How To Fix a Broken Record is one woman's journey of learning to let go of past wounds, to love, to be herself, to say yes to a life that served her, and no to the things that did not. Woven through the deeper themes in the book was a delightful recounting of bad dates, hair snafus, nerdy clothes, social media, music, and stories from The Waffle House.

I enjoyed this book so very much.  While the author and I led different lives, there were so many parallel similarities that I often found myself tearing up at her ability to so deeply "get it."  This is a book that I think anyone could relate to, particularly those who struggled to fit in, to find ourselves, and to get rid of the old negative voices from our past.

Her writing style is warm, casual, and conversational.  I didn't feel like I was reading a book; I felt like I was having coffee and danish with a girlfriend... talking about big things, small things, and everything in between.  And laughing.  There would definitely be laughing.

Finally, while her faith so clearly guides her, the book never once felt preachy or heavy-handed. Instead, it was honest and sincere.  She writes about Jesus in a similar way to the way she writes about her husband... in a way that lets the reader know that she takes the relationship seriously, but not without injecting her natural lightheartedness and humor.  One of my favorite lines: "I'm also pretty sure that Jesus would never invite anyone to play Candy Crush Saga."

Lovely, funny, and touching book.  Two very enthusiastic thumbs up.

*I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.*

Faithful Finance, by Emily G Stroud

Faithful Finance, by Emily G Stroud, is a guide book, from a biblical perspective, on how best to handle and control your money instead of letting it control you.

Stroud, an MBA and CFA, is clearly knowledgeable, and she organizes her thoughts well.  She writes in a warm, conversational style that makes a topic that could be rather dry into something that is easy to read.  The book is broken up into ten chapters, and covers everything from saving to budgeting to managing debt and more.

This is a great book for those looking to learn more about managing their finances in a responsible way.  My only caution would be that if you've already read a lot of related books, this covers very similar information.  I have read several things by Suze Orman and Dave Ramsey, so this book did not contain a whole lot that I had not already heard.  Still, it was presented well, and was easy to understand.  If you're new to the idea, and/or have had difficulty connecting with other authors' interpretations, this book is an excellent place to start.



*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

In The Middle Of The Mess, by Sheila Walsh

In The Middle Of The Mess is about struggle, darkness, and ultimately hope. It is a lovely book full of practical suggestions, by someone who has spent her own time deep in the trenches.

As someone who is intimately familiar with hopelessness and even suicidality due to bipolar, I so much more appreciate the perspective of someone who has actually been there herself, rather than an expert who is only talking about book knowledge and hypotheticals. Walsh has lived it, and she shares her experiences, her struggles, and her strategies with such honesty and grace. With her strong faith, her daily practices of mindfullness and awareness, and her carefully cultivated social connections, she overcomes and even thrives. It is both an inspiration and a strong testimony.

One of my favorite parts of the book is when she talks about the importance of her "sister-friends", those friends who are so close that they can go to each other with anything, without reservation and without judgement. My illness has required that I find and recognize those sister-friends in my own life, and I've come to realize that their presence has been every bit as vital as medication and therapy. Walsh understands this so very well.

Overall, this is a wonderful and inspirational book full of practical advice for any Christian who might find themselves "in the middle of the mess."

Beneath Copper Falls, by Colleen Coble

Beneath Copper Falls is a fast-paced mystery, suspense, and romance all crafted into one story.  It centers around Dana Newell, a 911 operator who escapes an abuse partner and returns to Copper Falls; and Boone Carter, a local man still trying to come to terms with the brutal murder of his sister. Together, they try to make sense of a string of murders, and whether or not they are connected to his sister's death, or to Dana's violent ex-fiance.

I really enjoy Colleen Coble's writing, and I really enjoy reading suspenseful books. The characters were well-developed and likable (at least the ones who were meant to be likable) and it was easy to root for Dana and Boone.  The story moved quickly, and built in intensity right up until the climactic finale.

My one real gripe is that I figured out who the killer was halfway through the book.  It didn't completely stop me from enjoying the rest of the book, because I still got to see how it all played out.  However, it was very frustrating to know more than the characters, and at certain points I wanted to yell at them, "How can you not see who it is??"

Overall though, it was a well-written, fast-paced read.  I just wish I hadn't solved the mystery SO much sooner than the characters.



I received this book from Booklook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Carve, by Melanie Abrantes

I was really excited to get this book.  With the tagline of "A Simple Guide to Whittling", it was pretty clear what the book was about.  It was a simple, and beginner's, guide to whittling.  I'd never tried whittling before, but I'm a big fan of trying new things, especially when I get to use my hands and create artwork of some sort.

The book itself is lovely.  Nice feel to the cover, thick pages, beautiful photos.  It would actually make a great coffee table book, and conversation starter.

It was very clear that the author is both knowledgeable and passionate about the art of whittling.  The instructions are clear, easy to follow, and everything makes sense.  The book is well organized, and takes you through the basics, including supplies, techniques, and safety.  Finally, it includes several projects to try, with detailed instructions and specific tips, starting with the most basic and increasing in difficulty.  At the time of this writing, I am close to completing my very first whittling project:  a pair of chopsticks.  The process has been both fun and challenging.

Wonderful book, and hopefully the start of a rewarding new hobby.



"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Convicted, by Jameel McGee and Andrew Collins

Convicted is a really incredible (and true!) story.  Let me just start there.  I finished it yesterday, in my car after an appointment, because I couldn't bear waiting until I got home.  I have not been able to stop thinking or talking about it since.

Jameel McGee was an innocent young man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Andrew Collins was a corrupt cop who was determined to make another drug arrest.  A falsified police report ensured McGee's "guilt," and he was ultimately sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

The story is told, in alternating chapters, from both McGee's and Collins's points of view.  While McGee describes the horrors of being wrongfully convicted and incarcerated, as well as the violent anger that it caused, Collins honestly recounts his descent from eager young cop making some bad decisions, to the full-blown corruption that prompted an investigation, cost him his job, and eventually landed him in prison as well.

While the book reads like a gripping crime novel, it is really the ultimate story of forgiveness.  When Collins' crimes are brought to light, leading to McGee's full exoneration and release from prison - after four years! - the very last thing you'd expect would be for the two to become friends.  But that is exactly what happened.  Both men found their own paths to God, to redemption, and to forgiveness (both of self and others) and forged the most unlikely of relationships.

The story was superbly told, and while I immediately had compassion for Jameel McGee, I found myself having compassion for Andrew Collins as well.  Yes, he did utterly inexcusable things.  Yes, he put an innocent man in jail.  But never did I feel he was a bad person... just a person who let his ego take charge, and made some really terrible, snowballing decisions.  His remorse and shame at what he had done felt genuine and sincere.  He was a man who truly wanted to right his wrongs,while McGee was a man who truly wanted to learn to forgive.

Beautiful, inspiring, and touching true story.



I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Launch Your Dream, by Dale Partridge

Launch Your Dream, by Dale Partridge, bills itself as a 30-day, step-by-step plan for preparing, launching, and growing your own business.  And that's what it is... kind of.

I had mixed feelings about this book. On the positive side, it was written and organized well.  It was easy to read, with nice short chapters, and his writing style was warm and conversational.  There were some good actionable steps to take, and some generally helpful business advice.  It also went into such areas as creating your mission statement, conducting market analysis, and navigating your social media presence. 

The problem I had was that if you've read any sort of book in this genre before, it really didn't contain anything new.  I was actually excited to read it, but felt a little bit let down.  It was fine, and it was motivating in the way that a polished motivational speaker is motivating, but it didn't feel like it had a lot of substance.  At times, it also felt like an advertisement for his website (and its accompanying paid consulting course). 

Dale Partridge has built a very successful and lucrative business for himself, so he is clearly doing something right.  But this book - largely for reasons I can't really put my finger on - just felt a little "off" for me. 




*I received this book for free from Booklook Bloggers, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Here and Gone, by Haylen Beck

Here and Gone, by Haylen Beck, is the consummate page-turner.  Audra is a caring mother, fleeing an abusive husband with her two young children.  As she drives though a long stretch of desert road in Arizona, she is pulled over by a local sheriff, and a routine traffic stop quickly devolves into a series of events that finds Audra taken into custody. 

Without giving away some major plot points, Audra's troubles quickly become any parent's worst nightmare.  She soon finds herself an unwitting participant in a race to save her kids - and herself - from a dangerous and highly organized group of sophisticated criminals, whose reach far exceeds anything Audra could have imagined.  Aided by an unlikely source of help, a man with his own vendetta to settle, she sets out to uncover the truth before it's too late.

A fast-paced and shocking thriller, this is a book best read when you have a weekend to spare.  You won't to put it down after Chapter 3.  Well-written, suspenseful, and a satisfying and wild ride from start to finish.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Beyond Justice, by Cara Putman

Hayden McCarthy is a no-holds-barred attorney who lives for her work. When she is given a wrongful death case against the government, she knows that it is going to be a career-making case.  She is determined to follow through and win at all costs, despite blatant signs that someone or someones will go to great lengths to get her to drop the case, as well as romantic distractions in the form of her roommate's handsome and charming cousin, Andrew Wesley. 

This was a good and suspenseful book, and a relatively quick read.  Ms Putnam weaves together several tough elements and issues such as immigration, corruption, romance, and faith.  The characters were well-developed and likable, including the secondary players.  Hayden's roommate Emilie was a hoot, and I would love to see more of her in future books.  The pacing was excellent, and kept me turning right until the unexpected end.

This was the first book I've read by this author, but I would love to read more.  Great book for a fun and suspenseful summer read.



*I received this book for free from Booklook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Mistfit Faith, by Jason J. Stellman

Misfit Faith, by Jason J Stellman, is the refreshingly honest, raw, and thought-provoking journey of a man who became disillusioned with the church, and what it actually means to follow Christ.  Frustrated by rules, dogma, and hypocrisy, Stellman seeks to find his own faith, his own way, despite feeling like a spiritual misfit.

As someone who has definitely lived a great deal of my life in frustration with organized Christianity, and ultimately found my faith outside of the church, I was really looking forward to reading this book.  It did not disappoint.  It made me want to have a beer with the author to discuss it further... and I don't even drink beer.

Stellman is an excellent and engaging writer.  He combines personal stories, biblical insights, and humor with great skill.  He's also well-versed in pop culture (one of my favorite things) and doesn't take himself too seriously.  He doesn't shy away from tackling big issues like heaven, whether God is angry or loving, the significance of the trinity, and how we should be approaching "earthly" things.  His writing style is casual and conversational, and I couldn't put the book down once I'd started. 

I'd recommend this book to anyone who doesn't fit into a two-dimensional Christian box, who's ever questioned their faith, who doesn't want to be spoon-fed, and who wants to dig deep and really discover a God who is patient and loving and maybe not quite the jerk that Sunday school made him out to be.

If you're super sensitive about your faith, or offended easily (he uses fun, in-your-face chapter headings like, "Embracing Our Inner Dickhead"), maybe tread with a little caution.  But if you're willing to let go a little bit, especially if you've ever wondered where you, and God, fit in in this whole kaleidoscope of Christianity.... grab your favorite adult beverage and start reading.

Two enthusiastic thumbs up. 



I received this book from Blogging for Books for my review. All opinions are my own.