Reading, Writing & Pondering

  Avery Tate was blacklisted in the photography business over a controversial shot a few months ago. While that was not what she was hoping for, she is happy to be working as a crime-scene photographer for Crime Scene Analyst Parker Mitchell. Avery has a past that she put behind her as she stepped out in her new faith and her new job. Unfortunately, in Still Life by Dani Pettrey, Avery's past catches up with her. When Still Life starts out, Avery is at a photography gallery opening to meet a long time friend from her past. However, her friend doesn't show up. Instead, there is a photo of her friend on the wall in the gallery in which all of the models appear deceased. Except the photographer holding the gallery opening didn't take that shot. Creepy, huh? Unfortunately, Avery's friend is no where to be found so there is a big mystery for Avery and Parker to solve including who took the picture of her friend? I enjoyed the romance developing between Avery and Parker. I ...

  I live in a Midwestern State with a lot of farms so I enjoy a good novel with a farm setting. Fun fact about me: I milked cows with my husband on a date before we got married. So when I read Meet Hate by Abi Sabina, I had a feel for all that was going on in this rom-com set on a struggling dairy farm. Hayes is sent from a big corporation to make a deal with Ellie's family to buy their dairy farm that is currently financially operating in the red. While Ellie's folks are reluctant to sell, they have made peace with it. On the other hand, Ellie is stubbornly refusing to sell. When Hayes comes on to the farm, Ellie sees him as the enemy in this enemies to lovers romance. Meet Hate is a cute story. I enjoyed the banter between Hayes and Ellie. I also could see how they could become more than enemies as the book and the plot went on. While it isn't real fast moving, the pacing is pretty good. The story flows along and is interesting. It took a little while to warm up to Haye...

  If you are like me, I imagine you are a fan of second chances. Second Time Around by Melody Carlson features that theme in a variety of ways. I enjoyed this contemporary romance featuring middle-aged women and men as the main characters. Mallory Farrell felt a bit old and passed by after her daughter's wedding and her boyfriend walking away from her right before that occasion. However, after the wedding, she learned she had inherited her grandmother's run-down tourist shop in Portside, Oregon. When she heads to Portside to learn more about her inheritance, she renews her acquaintance with Grayson Matthews, the lifeguard she had a crush on many years ago. Things start out rocky as Grayson is a contractor who wants to buy the shop. Mallory doesn't want to sell, so there is a bit of conflict. Instead, she sees a whole new way of life for herself in Portside. Can she turn the shop into a new business and start over, featuring her interior design degree in a dif...

  Griffin McCray and his three best friends all planned to go into some sort of law enforcement. Times have changed including Griffin who left the police force behind and now works as a park ranger in Gettysburg.  Finley Scott is a forensic anthropologist who discovers some disturbing evidence surrounding a body dug up in the park.  Finley and Griffin have to work fairly close together to solve the mystery. Griffin's friends, Declan Grey and Park Mitchell also are part of the crime team.  I enjoyed this book. The plot kept the story moving along and I turned the pages quickly to try to solve the mystery. I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters. I liked how some of the characters rely on their Christian faith to get through the tough times. That faith feels like it is a part of the characters. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series which feature more of Griffin's friends. I purchased this book from Books-A-Million awhile book and read it off of...

  What happens when you are an editor but you've lost your ability to comprehend what you read? Ingrid Erikson is a senior acquisitions editor for a publishing company who has been limping along in her job, struggling to read, after her best friend passes away.  The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese is the story of a grief that is all encompassing until Ingrid returns to the source and is forced to reflect and grow. The Words We Lost kept me turning pages quickly. I have loved everything I have ever read by Nicole Deese. At the same time, this was not a light read. Oh, there were a few light-hearted moments that were well woven in, but for the most part, this started out as a fairly dark melancholy read. Initially that was a bit of a challenge for me but yet the story kept calling to me. The light kept pouring in though the longer I turned the pages. I liked the characters and found myself pulling for both Ingrid and Joel. The back and forth in time to Cece's writing was easy fo...

      Something: One Small Thing Can Make A Difference by Natalee Creech is one of my favorite new children's books. Something is both beautifully written and beautifully illustrated. Something is 32 pages long and measures about 9 1/2 inches by 9 inches with a dust jacket. The first page does have a verse from the Bible--Mathew 25:35-36 on it, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and  you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me." This is the verse the book is based on. Something has bright, gorgeous illustrations that are inclusive of people of all colors and abilities. I love that. I also love the ideas in this book that will surely spark more ideas with children's imaginations to give young children ideas on how they can show God's love by helping people. I especially like how the book gets...

  Do you struggle with worry and anxiety? At one time, I had a big struggle with it. .. but now not as often, thankfully. The Answer to Anxiety by Joyce Meyer is a fairly short book that could be helpful for those who struggle with anxiety. The Answer to Anxiety is based on Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV), " Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Throughout the book, Meyer reflects on various aspects of this passage, along with other Bible passages, as well as stories from her own Christian walk with God to encourage readers who struggle with anxiety. This isn't a very long book and can be read fairly quickly or it could be read more slowly to better focus on the precepts and learn what Meyer is teaching. I always appreciate how practical Meyer's books are. I also like how she does...

  The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin is another great read for those who enjoy World War 2 Historical Fiction. The Sound of Light is set in Denmark. Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt decides to live a secret life and help the Danish Resistance. At the same time, American physicist Dr. Else Jensen works in Denmark. They both live at the same boarding house for a time. Henrik disguises who he is. Else learns lessons in courage. As the war goes on, the two start to come together. Can they get past the war? Can they be real with each other? I enjoyed The Sound of Light and getting to know Henrik, and all that he is through his disguise, as well as Else. The book moved quickly and I thought the pacing was well done. I could understand the secrecy during the war. I liked the romance. I enjoyed how Sundin wove the mermaid fable into The Sound of Light . There is also a wonderful undercurrent of redemption and forgiveness which was inspiring. I liked the ending SO much and getting to see some of th...