Reading, Writing & Pondering

Adri Rivera is on the run from an abusive marriage with her young daughter, Eva, from Miami, Florida. She goes back to her home town in Pennsylvania to live with her Uncle. But being back in your hometown means facing a lot of people that you left behind. Including an old boyfriend named Max and the fighting circuit she once was involved in. After She Falls by Carmen Schober is her debut novel. I thought After She Falls was well-written for a first novel. The characters are real and gritty in many ways. I would caution that there are triggers if you have been in an abusive situation and/or don't like violence. I knew there would be some violence with the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighting. I like to learn new things and I like to try new authors so I thought I would give it a try. However, I can honestly say, even though this book was well-written, it really wasn't for me. I struggled to get through the abusive situation in the beginning. . .and I think if he were...

  I will admit up front that I have a weakness for Scottish romance novels and have been anxious to read this one. Heart of the Highlands by Heidi Kimball lived up to my expectations and I truly enjoyed it. I read it in less than 24 hours! Collum Darrington, future Duke of Edinbane, was not happy to have an arranged marriage to Lady Katherine. He reluctantly agrees to the wedding but still seethes at the control his father has over him. However, once he meets her, he truly likes Lady Katherine (Katie). Then his father deceives him and Collum lashes out at him and heartbreak abounds in his wake. Then four years later, Collum tries to put the pieces of his life and his marriage back together. Can it be done? I truly liked both Collum and Katie in spite of both of their flaws and weaknesses. They did feel like real people. I loved the humorous banter that Collum could dish out. While this book made me chuckle at some of his antics, I also felt their heart break and teared up in a few...

  Ainsley Baumont  is back home in Natchez, Mississippi. Unfortunately, this isn't a pleasure visit. Instead she is investing the murder of a pregnant teenager in the park. Former FBI Sniper Lincoln Steele is working nearby as an interpretive ranger at the Melrose Estate when he is asked to help Ainsley with the investigation. Linc and Ainsley had a romantic relationship years ago so things are tense at first. Can they work together and find the killer? Crosshairs is the third installment in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series and another suspenseful book that will keep readers quickly turning pages to find out the answers to solve the crime--or is it crimes? There is a lot going on in Crosshairs. The plot kept me guessing until the end. I had part of it figured out but there were still a few surprises for me. There are quite a few characters in the book but I did manage to keep them all straight. I liked Lincoln and Ainsley, as well as the other characters--except the crimi...

  All Things Lovely by Jenn Johnson really is a lovely book. This book has gorgeous pictures, encouraging words and tips to live a better life in several ways. All Things Lovely is divided in four parts: Home, Heart, Health and Hospitality. Each section has three or four chapters just full of advice on making your life better in each of these areas. I liked how honest and real Johnson was throughout the book reminding us all that we aren't perfect but we are striving to do better each day. I could relate to much of what she shared personally. I also was inspired by her advice to do a bit better in each of these areas of my life. She does share with her Christian faith as part of her life and there are Bible verses throughout the book. There is some good advice about organizing. There is some helpful tips on guarding your heart and doing the right things.  Throughout the book, it all feels real and inspiring. There are even recipes like taco dip and pumpkin cookies. I love the ...

    Criminal Psychologist Erin Larson is nearly killed in a boating accident. The same day here mom tried to commit suicide. With all that has happened, she takes a leave of absence and stays with her mom in Montana. Nathan Campbell's father is re-opening a cold case when he gets shot. Nathan now needs Erin's help to solve the case and find out who is out to kill his father. As they investigate, they also become targets. But who is out to get them? And why? Deadly Target is the second book in the Rocky Mountain Courage series. There is a lot going on in this book. The plot kept moving me through the book at a fast pace. I enjoyed seeing Erin and Nathan rekindle their relationship. I also liked how real the characters were. They had flaws but I liked them all the more for it. I also liked how Erin and Nathan kept turning to God in the midst of their struggles. The faith element was well woven in to the story and truly seemed to be a part of the characters. I also would not hav...

    The Radiant Virtues Bible is a journaling Bible but it is also a yearly devotional style Bible--all rolled in to one Bible. I really like the idea of using this Bible next year for my devotional time.  The Radiant Virtues Bible has all sorts of features related to the theme. I like that it has highlighted verses throughout the Bible for faith, hope and love that are color-coded for each theme which makes them easy to find. In the front of the book, there are 12 blank calendar page to use however you wish for planning out your year of activities. There are themes for each week to use for devotionals, prayer and encouraging others.    Like other Bibles in the Beautiful Word collection, this Bible has a lot of illustrated verses and illustrations throughout the book. In the back of the Bible, there are some shareable artistic bookmarks and verse cards that are perforated for ease in sharing. Then throughout the book, there is space to journal through your read...

  If you are looking for a book with an activity that just may change the dynamics in your family, you need to look at The Giving Manger Boxed Set by Allison Hottinger. I love how this book changes the focus from getting to giving at Christmas. The Giving Manger is a nice large book, measuring about 10 inches square, with a 32-page story to inspire a family to focus on the joy of giving and the true meaning of Christmas based on Matthew 25:40b. I could see where this could be great fun in any sized family--and as I shared this story with my family, we are ready to make it a new Christmas tradition for us. The story encourages family members to be kind to family members, neighbors, strangers, anyone that you can think of. I was just thinking if everyone made a practice of doing this, just think of the effect this could have on others!  I received a copy of this boxed book set from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.

    Are you looking to start a Christmas devotional? Joel Osteen has a new one out called Peace for the Season with 40 Christmas devotionals in it. It is a small size at 6 1/4 inches sqaure--easy to fit into your purse for a quick read or to pack into your book bag with your Bible for devotion time. Peace for the Season is divided into 8 sections following the introduction. In the introduction, Osteen encourages you to make time during the busy season to read and to let Jesus be your peace. Then, he says, you will feel at peace in spite of  being in a time when a lot of things happen that aren't very peaceful around us. Each devotional has a Bible verse, short reading and a prayer.  I really liked these short readings with the prayers and the verses. They were encouraging and they helped me think about how I am living during the season. Peace for the Season would be a nice gift for another Christian friend or family member too. I received a copy of this book from ...

    Where's My Christmas Tree? by Bob Holt is a fun board book for toddlers. The illustrations are bright, fun and eye-catching. The story is a little silly and lots of fun--which is why I could see this being a great book to read out loud with little children. I think the story will help kids talk about how excited they are that Christmas is coming, while highlighting the waiting element. Where's My Christmas Tree is about 20 pages and measures about 7 inches square. It is a nice size for young ones to hold and turn on their own.The words are large and easy for them to see and they are learning them. It would be cute for toddlers to enjoy through the Christmas season. I received a copy of this book for review from Worthy publishing. All opinions within this review are my own.

  The Gift Shop Bear written and illustrated by Phyllis Harris is a warm and beautiful story of belonging. The book is large with a dust jacket and measures over nine inches each way. It is just lovely to read with your whole family. We thought the illustrations were just gorgeous. The story about Annie and the bear did indeed have a classic, timeless feel. It will be a keeper and one we read every year in our family. On the first read through, I did rather tear up at the ending. I just thought it was a beautiful story of love, friendship and belonging. While it is written for ages four to seven, it is really a book that can be enjoyed by the whole family. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.

  The Inventions of God (and Eva) by Dave Connis is a colorful children's book written for kids ages three to eight. It depends on the child, but I think this book would be best for the younger range of three to five years old. The Inventions of God teaches young children that they were created in God's image and that He made them all good and special. This book tells children that they like to create and make things because that is what God also likes to do and, as a being in His image, that makes them creative. Eva especially has fun making robots--even if they don't always turn out right the first time. Unlike God, people aren't perfect, but they are creative and can have fun making things. I especially like the page where she has tea with her robot friends. This is a cute and colorful book with a good Christian message. The Inventions of God would be a fun read with family and with a group of children at church. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All...

  Caroline Payne is at work when her old college friend, Mat Hammond, calls her and reveals that he knows a scandalous secret within her family tree that has been buried--and he is warning her that it is going to come to light through an article he wrote for the Atlantic. Caroline wants to protect her family from scandal and she also wants to find out the truth so she sets out to do just that. As her adventure begins, Caroline decides to go to London for a few days to visit her mom, who is living in the ancestral home of her father, and look at old letters in the attic to see if she can find out the real story about her aunt, whom she is named after, and her grandmother, Margaret, who were twin sisters. This is just the beginning of a healing journey for Caroline's family in The London House by Katherine Reay. I really enjoyed The London House. The characters had flaws, but they were so realistic and relatable that I truly liked them all. I felt for them all. I actually could relat...

    Cate Reilly is going undercover--posing as a young woman in Ivy Hill's elite boarding school where the daughter of a high-profile businessman has disappeared. When she arrives at the school, she is surprised to find her former boyfriend, Zeke Sloan, is also working at the school undercover as a Spanish teacher. However, he is investigating to find out how drugs are being smuggled in the area from Mexico. Labyrinth of Lies by Irene Hannon is aptly named as this book has loads of twists and turns--and more than one person is putting on an act. Labyrinth of Lies kept me turning pages quickly to find out who the bad guys really were. There were a few surprises in this book, with a plot kept me guessing right up until the end for both detective's cases--who was involved in both the drugs and the disappearance of the student and her boyfriend. I enjoyed all of the characters, including the secondary characters. They all felt like real people. There were a few who had struggles...