Category Archives: NetGalley

The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour with Jude Dobson – Fascinating, Gripping, and Inspiring Memoir

Posted in Book Review, NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, World War II by

After reading the description of The Last Secret Agent by authors Pippa Latour and Jude Dobson, I wanted to read this story about the last female British secret agent in WWII.  

This memoir is a fascinating and gripping account of Pippa Latour’s early life and her experiences as a British female operative who was dropped behind enemy lines in France during WWII.  Pippa’s early life and experiences uniquely equipped and developed her character to be well-suited for the work she would sign-up for in her early 20’s.

I never knew that women were used as secret agents and deployed in war zones.  It was interesting to read about her training and the dangerous work she engaged in to transmit information on Germany’s troop movements back to Britian.  The dangers that these operatives encountered in the battle against Nazi Germany is almost unimaginable.  The life span of the operatives behind enemy lines was short.  They had a greater chance of being taken captive, tortured, and murdered than coming out alive.  The courage that Pippa displayed, along with the men and women like her, who served their county and the Allied Nations is awe-inspiring. 

We owe a great debt to the men and women fought in the critical battle against the great evil that Hitler’s Germany unleashed on the free-world. 

Pippa Latour’s recollections were beautifully recorded, researched and written by writer Jude Dobson.  This is an excellent memoir about an extraordinary woman who lived in a unique and critical time in history.  I highly recommend The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour with author Jude Dobson. 

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour with Jude Dobson.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves – Unlikable Characters and Convoluted Story

Posted in Detective Matthew Venn series, Intrigue, Mystery, NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, The Raging Storm by

Ann Cleeves is an excellent storyteller and I was excited for the opportunity to read her new book The Raging Storm, the third book in the Detective Matthew Venn series.  I have not read the first two books. 

Matthew Venn and his team were called to handle a case in Greystone, Devon after a famous sailor and adventurer, Jem Rosco, has been found dead in a dinghy.  Though Jem hails from the Greystone area, he is not necessarily considered a local hero by those who knew him way back when.  Will the investigators be able to draw out the truth from the people in this community?

I wanted to like this book, but I really struggled with the characters.  The main character Matthew was not likable.  He came off as a miserable man, who chose to carry the baggage from his past, and have a chip on his shoulder.  At times he treated his team poorly and seemed to have a low opinion of them, as well as the townspeople. 

Of all the characters I liked Sergeant Jen Rafferty the best.  Her character was better developed and came across likeable.  Though things are not easy in her life, she doesn’t wallow in self-pity.  Ross May’s character was rather flat and the object of Matthew’s criticism. 

From Matthew’s experience of religion, to the people in the community that seemed rather cultish, Christianity was portrayal as unhealthy.  It was an unrealistic portrayal of Christian believers. 

The story was very convoluted.  The people in the community seems rather insular and secretive, not the kind of folks you want to spend time with.  There were only a few characters that were somewhat likeable.  The story seemed to drag on and I just wanted it to end.  From the town, to most the characters everything about this booked seemed rather grey and unappealing. 

I have enjoyed Ann Cleeve’s other books and movies taken from her novels.  But The Raging Storm was not appealing.  When the main character is so off-putting it doesn’t make a good foundation for a story.  I would like have to have had the other characters on Matthew’s team better developed. 

Because of the unlikable main character Matthew and the convoluted story that dragged on, I didn’t care for The Raging Storm. 

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Ann Cleeve’s book The Raging Storm.  I received a complimentary copy of this book and was under no obligation to give a favorable review.  The Raging Storm is schedule to be released September 5, 2023. 

No More Secrets by Betty Webb – Interesting, Relatable and Personable History

Posted in Ad Lib Publishers, Betty Webb, Bletchley Park, Book Review, Decoding, Great Britain, NetGalley, No More Secrets, Uncategorized, WWII by

After reading biographies and World War II history books, I was interested in reading Betty Webb’s book No More Secrets.  WWII is such a pivotal and interesting time in history.  A time that could have had a much different outcome if not for God’s providence and the men and women who worked tirelessly to win the war against evil.

Unlike government leaders or high-ranking military commanders, Betty was an ordinary young woman in Great Britain who answered the call when her Country was facing the battle against the evil forces of Nazi Germany.  Like many other men and women in the allied forces, they stepped up when their Country and the world needed them most. 

I enjoyed learning about her family life in a small town in England and found it interesting how Betty learned to speak a foreign language, and went to Germany in 1937, before WWII.  That experience proved beneficial for the work she would one day do at Bletchley Park and later the Pentagon.

Thanks to Betty Webb writing and sharing about her service in the ATS, we can have an idea of what their lives were like during those tumultuous years.  Betty was 18 years old when she enlisted in the ATS.  While technically, she was qualified to remain at home and care for her mother, Betty signed up to serve her Country.  Can you imagine what it was like to go from living with your family at home to sharing living space with hundreds of other women from all over.

While Betty wanted to be a driver in the ATS, because of her foreign language skills she was assigned to serve at Bletchley Park.  She would serve in different roles as part of the process to decode the German messages that were intercepted.  Something as simple as filing was a very important role and handled circumspectly. 

The work done at Bletchley was very compartmentalized and workers only knew that part of the work that they did.  Each person that served had taken an oath of secrecy which they took very seriously.  It wasn’t until many years later that the work done in WWII was declassified and could be talked about.  In No More Secrets, Betty shares writings from other authors about their experiences and work. 

After the Allied victory in Europe, Betty was called to serve at the Pentagon in the USA to help in the work to decode the Japanese war messages.  Before long there was victory over Japan.  It was fascinating to see the differences in how the United States was impacted by the war, verses Great Britain. 

I was glad that the book did not end with the victory in WWII.  Betty went on to write and speak about her life during WWII.  Even now, Betty at the age of 100 continues to share about her experiences serving Great Britain and with their alley the United States of America.

I found No More Secrets by Betty Webb an interesting history from the perspective of an ordinary citizen who was called to serve during an extraordinary time in history.  It was quite a different pace and more personable than a book written by a government or miliary leader and was very relatable.

I highly recommend No More Secrets by Betty Webb! 

I would like to thank Ad Lib Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of No More Secrets by Betty Webb.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

Double Indemnity by Robert Whitlow – Missed the Mark

Posted in Double Indemnity, Legal, Mystery, NetGalley, Robert Whitlow, Suspense, Thomas Nelson Publishers by

I had the opportunity Robert Whitlow’s newest book Double Indemnity, which will be released June 6, 2023.  Since I enjoy mysteries, suspense, and legal thrillers, I’ve read and enjoyed Robert Whitlow’s other books. 

Double Indemnity takes place in Bryson, a small town in Georgia.  The story begins with pastor Connor Grantham hiking through the woods, part of it on private property.  When he spotted a massive buck with antlers passing by, he took a video.  Suddenly he encountered a hunter who stumbled and fell.  Assuming the man was pursuing the deer Connor thought nothing of the chance encounter. 

The story then goes back three weeks prior and leads up to the present time.  Readers are introduced to Liz Acosta who works for Pollard and Associates law firm.  She is relatively new to the community.  Sometimes Liz feels like she was hired because of her ability to speak and translate Spanish.  But now she has an opportunity to represent a new client, Elena Thompson, who is seeking legal counsel regarding her troubled marriage and a possible divorce.  Elena and her husband Matt are in marriage counseling with their pastor Connor.  It’s an understatement to say that both Liz and Connor will be challenged in their jobs to handle Elena Thompson and the ever-widening chaos and drama that swirls around her. 

I was looking forward to reading Double Indemnity, but I really struggled to get through this book.  It was very slow in story development.  But the biggest stumbling block for me were the main characters.  I didn’t like Connor, Elena, Matt and felt neutral about Liz.  When I don’t like or connect with the characters, I’m probably not going to like the book.

Connor Grantham was a pastor who developed his sermons based on his experiences in nature and found Scripture to make the point of his illustration.  He seemed drawn to mysticism and experiences, rather than sound Bible teaching.  He lacked wisdom and discernment, especially in his dealings with Elena.  He seemed surprised that by trespassing he was violating the law and was a suspect in the murder of Matt Thompson.  Not to mention he returned to the scene of the crime multiple times.  He seemed to jump whenever Elena said jump and would ask how high.  Something that made no sense to me was when he touched and removed evidence from a potential crime scene.

Elena was probably one of the most dislikable characters I’ve read about in a long time.  Innocent or guilty, she was terrible.  She treated everyone like they were at her beckon call and most everyone went along with her.

Liz showed some common sense and reason, especially compared to the other characters.  Some of the secondary background characters were likeable. 

The story dragged through a good part of the story.  I couldn’t understand why there was so little support for Connor from his friends and congregation.  Then it seemed like the story came to an abrupt conclusion.  It was only at the end that friends came alongside Connor and tried to help him. 

If you are a Robert Whitlow fan or like legal suspense stories, you may like this book.

I wanted to like this book.  But I found Double Indemnity hard to read because the story dragged, moved ever so slowly, and most of the main characters were not likable.  Sound Christian faith was lacking in this book.  Because of that I don’t recommend this book.

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Double Indemnity by Robert Whitlow.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

The Libyan Diversion by Joel Rosenberg – Un-Putdownable and Will Keep You Awake at Night

Posted in Action, Book Review, Geo-Political Thriller, Intrigue, Joel C Rosenberg, Marcus Ryker Series, NetGalley, Terrorism, The Libyan Diversion, Tyndale House Publishers by

Joel Rosenberg is one of my favorite authors.  When he writes a new book, I want to read it.  On May 16, 2023, The Libyan Diversion, the fifth book in the Marcus Ryker series will be released.  

Joel Rosenberg is a compelling writer.  From the get-go I was all in and didn’t want to put this book down.  The Libyan Diversion’s storyline could have been ripped from today’s headline news.  As horrifying as some of the scenarios are, unfortunately they are believable in today’s world.

Marcus Ryker is back in the United States and has no time to mend before he is called to present information to President Clark and his cabinet members.  Marcus and his team have done a thorough investigation and it appears that Abu Nakba, man behind the recent Kairos terrorist strikes around the world, is within reach and can be taken down.  Abu Nakba and his network.

When news breaks that the authorized strike may have hit the wrong target, the job for Marcus and his team just got a whole lot more complicated.  In addition to the fallout from the strike, there is a concern about another planned Kairos strike in the United States with four possible targets. 

I enjoyed reading this book.  I like the characters, the fast pace and action.  I appreciate the clarity between good and evil.  Marcus and several of the other characters are Christians and faith was a small part of the story.  I would like to have seen that element further developed.  I liked Marcus and his team and their dedication to do whatever it takes to stop the terrorists.  The Libyan Diversion keeps the action going until the very end. 

Joel Rosenberg’s The Libyan Diversion will keep you up late at night.  It’s un-putdownable.  

If you like geo-political thrillers, intrigue, and action, you will want to get The Libyan Diversion by Joel Rosenberg.  I highly recommend it.  If you haven’t read the earlier books in this series, I recommend you get those too. 

I would like to thank Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complementary copy of The Libyan Diversion by Joel Rosenberg.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

Windswept Way by Irene Hannon- A Place of Hope, Beauty with People You’d Like to Know

Posted in Book Review, Christian Fiction, Forgiveness, Friendship, Hope Harbor Series, Irene Hannon, Love, NetGalley, Revell Publishing, Windswept Way by

Irene Hannon is one of my favorite writers and I was excited to read her newest book Windswept Way, the ninth book in the Hope Harbor series. 

Ashley Scott is taking a leap of faith when she reaches out and sends a letter to Rose Fitzgerald, a reclusive 80-year-old woman who owns a mansion in Hope Harbor.  Ashley has an unusual proposal for Rose to preserve the history of her home and bring back the love and joy which inspired Edgecliff to be built.  The huge undertaking to make renovations and restore the Edgecliff gardens, will take time, hard work, money, and compromise. 

Relationships will be forged, not only between Ashley and Rose, but also with the grounds-keeper Jonathan Gray.  A man who prefers to stay in the background.  The wounds he bears from his military service are more than skin deep.  Will Ashley look beyond his outward appearance and see the proven character of this man? 

Reading a novel in the Hope Harbor series is like coming home to a friendly place where you want to stay for a while.  I really enjoyed the main characters in this book.  Ashley, Rose, and Jonathan were all dealing with their own feelings, trials, and history.  The characters were likable and I enjoyed watching them grow, change, and challenge themselves. 

I enjoyed seeing the return of some of the town’s people in Hope Harbor, especially Charlie, a wise and caring man who reaches out and, befriends all sorts of people.  He makes time for everyone he meets.  The town’s clergymen were back too.  I would like to have seen a little more depth to their relationship and get to know the men behind the jesting. 

Faith was a part of the story, but I would have liked to have seen more of it in the character’s lives.  I appreciated that the novel was clean and without sexual immorality and profanity.  I would have like to have seen Ashley’s mother further developed.

I enjoy reading Irene Hannon’s books and recommend Windswept Way, which is part of the Hope Harbor series.  Hope Harbor is a beautiful place I’d want to visit and stay for a while.  The people are kind and caring, and make amends when they fall short.

I would like to thank Revell Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Windswept Way by Irene Hannon.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

George VI and Elizabeth – The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy by Sally Bedell Smith – Fascinating Biography and Look at History

Posted in Biography, Book Review, England, George VI and Elizabeth, Great Brittan, History, NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, Royalty, Sally Bedell Smith, The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy, WWII by

When I had the opportunity to read the biography of George VI and Elizabeth by Sally Bedell Smith, I was excited to learn about Great Brittan’s history during a pivotal time in the world.  I believe there is no better way to learn history than through biographies.  I absolutely loved this book!  It was great!

So many factors made this book great.  First and foremost, Prince Albert, who was later crowned King George VI and his wife Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, who became Queen Elizabeth.  Later, and for many years, she was known as the Queen Mum.  One can’t help but see God’s divine hand of providence in raising up these two and preparing them for leadership during a critical time when evil threatened to overtake the world.  Though they were royalty, they also seemed to be well-grounded, genuine, decent, honest, and caring people. 

It was interesting to learn of Elizabeth’s reluctance to marry Prince Albert, thought she cared deeply for him.  They seemed like the perfect match and I cannot quite imagine Albert growing into the man who would be king apart from his relationship with Elizabeth.  Perhaps the weight of the monarchy weighed heavy on her and she knew the high cost she would pay. 

Having previously read a biography on Prince David, King Edward the VIII, the abdicating king, I found myself grateful that King George VI was his successor.  You cannot help but see God’s merciful hand in removing the morally depraved, hedonistic, self-absorbed man who sided with the Nazis.  Can you imagine how WWII might have ended with Edward VIII as king?  King George VI was the right man at a pivotal time in history. 

King George VI was a reserved, wise, and learned man.  He became a great leader with his strong, wise, committed wife, Queen Elizabeth, by his side. 

I also found interesting the early life of Princess Elizabeth, future Queen Elizabeth II.  From a very young age, she raised, educated and well equipped to step into the role as Queen of England at a very young age. 

Another fascinating aspect of this biography were the relationships forged between King George and Queen Elizabeth with various leaders, like Churchill, Roosevelt, and others.  Also interesting were the various family ties with European royal families.

The life of royalty and aristocracy was so very different than the average citizen.  I appreciated the humility and willingness of the King and Queen to be with their people especially during the brutal suffering the English endured during WWII.

Author Sally Bedell Smith did a tremendous amount of research and had access to a large volume of records to write the biography of George VI and Elizabeth.  She did a great job combining all the information she had, but kept it personable and relatable.  The people, King George, Queen Elizabeth and their family and friends did not get lost in the facts and information about their lives and times in which they lived.  It truly was The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy. 

As a side note, it is interesting to see what’s happening in the modern-day monarchy and how some of the family patterns, both good and bad, are being repeated. 

I loved reading George VI and Elizabeth by author Sally Bedell Smith.  It was fascinating and a tremendous book that I did not want to put down.  It was one of the best biographies I have ever read.  I highly recommend this book. If you like history, WWII, learning about the royal family, or biographies be sure to read this book.  It is a long book, but well worth your time and effort. 

I would like to thank Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of George VI and Elizabeth – The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy by Sally Bedell Smith.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

Letters of Trust by Wanda E Brunstetter – Difficult Topic Handled with Care

Posted in Alcoholism, Barbour Publishing, Letters of Trust, NetGalley, Wanda E Brunstetter by

Author Wanda E. Brunstetter has become one of my favorite writers.  I appreciate that her books are clean, without profanity and sexual immorality, and that the characters are more fully developed.  That’s why I wanted to read her newest book Letters of Trust.

This book is quite different from any other story I’ve read by this author.  The subject is more difficult and a bit darker.  When I think of the Amish community, I don’t think of alcoholism.  Wanda explained that she had Amish readers request that she write a story that deals with alcoholism.  Sadly, alcohol abuse has impacted their communities as well.  The story also had a personal touch because alcoholism has touched Wanda’s life though a family member. 

Letters of Trust tells the story about newlyweds Vic and Eleanor Lapp who are moving to Vic’s home state of Pennsylvania where his family lives.  Other than Vic and his family, Eleanor had no family or friends there.  Eleanor loves Vic and wants to support his decision to move back home.  Like any newlywed couple the first year of marriage can be a challenge.  Eleanor keeps in touch with family and friends through letters. 

Vic is employed by an English man and is surrounded by English workers as well.  Vic finds himself under regular pressure by a coworker to drink alcohol.  He’s able to resist until a crisis breaks down his resolve to not drink alcohol.  Alcohol had been an issue in his youth, before he had committed himself to the Amish community and church.  Now Vic chooses not to resist the draw of alcohol. 

Like every other sin, alcoholism and drinking to excess, doesn’t just impact the one who is drinking.  Vic’s drowning his sorrow impacted his marriage, his family, his job, and most importantly his faith.

Will Eleanor find support and wise counsel from her dear friend and family?  Will she have the wherewithal to remain in her marriage and help her husband?  Will she be strong enough to acknowledge the truth, get wise counsel, and the help and support she needs?  What will it take to wake Vic up to the truth that alcohol is destroying his life and his marriage?  Will he realize it before it’s too late?  

Something I would like to have seen, especially since faith is an integral part of the story and character’s lives, is to see alcoholism in light of the truth of Scripture.  Secular society calls alcoholism a disease, but a Christian believer knows it is a sin.  There may be some beneficial secular programs to help the alcoholic and their family.  But for a Christian believer, first and foremost, we need to recognize our sin and repent.  Like all sin, God has provide a way for us to be forgiven through Christ Jesus.  If this had been a secular story, I would not have had that expectation.

Something that flowed from the aspect of faith and seeing a character caught up in sin, was Vic a true Christian?  I don’t have good understanding of the Amish faith.  But I wondered if there is some measure of legalism?  Is a person considered a true believer as long as he complies with the rules of the Amish community?  What is a warning sign that a person’s outward confession is not genuine?  Would an Amish Christian be concerned about their witness and testimony to an unbelieving coworker?

I would like to have seen the faith aspect of alcoholism dealt with, in addition to the practical steps recommended by the secular world.  I liked that Vic’s parents had a realistic understanding of their son and didn’t try to make excuses for his choices and behavior.

If you like Wanda E. Brunstetter’s writing, or have an interest in the topic of alcoholism, you may want to read Letters of Trust.  This was a hard book to read because of the subject matter and the fact that too many lives are impacted by alcoholism.  I appreciate that the author tackled this painful topic. 

I would like to thank Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complementary copy of Letters of Trust by Wanda E. Brunstetter.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

Letters of Trust will be published March 1, 2023.

Critical Threat by Lynette Eason – Suspense and Intrigue, But Falls Short

Posted in Extreme Measures Series, Intrigue, Lynette Eason, NetGalley, Revell Publishing, Revell Publishing Group, Suspense by

Critical Threat is Lynette Eason’s third book in the Extreme Measures series.  I enjoy suspense and intrigue novels and looked forward to reading this new release. 

It appears that there may be a serial killer loose in Virginia.  FBI Special Agent and behavioral analyst Grace Billingsley and prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe team up to help the Critical Incidence Response Group to find this murderer before he takes the life of another innocent person.  Details of the case have been withheld from the public.  But when a prisoner has information about the crimes, Sam and the team want to find out what he knows and if he is involved.  Sam brings a unique perspective to the case because his father is a convicted serial killer and was recently transferred to the same facility where Sam works. 

The serial killer aspect of this story makes the novel rather dark.  It was interesting trying to understand how the team puts together a profile of the murderer.  I liked the interaction between Grace and Sam.  Grace was not put off by Sam’s family background.  She was compassionate and caring towards him.

What I found off-putting about the story was Grace.  She was a brave woman, but didn’t use a lot of wisdom or common sense.  After the killer sees her at a crime scene, he repeatedly tries to get to Grace.  Though she has been targeted and has some protection, she makes several poor decisions, making her vulnerable to attack.  The folks that were providing protection did a poor job, because multiple times the killer was successful in getting to Grace. 

When a character repeatedly puts themselves at risk and fails to use common sense, I stop caring about them because the story feels manipulating.  I would rather someone be smart over being brave. 

Both Grace and Sam had family issues going during the height of the case.  To some degree it gave the reader a better understanding about the characters.  It may have taken away from the main storyline. 

There wasn’t a lot of the Christian faith included in the novel.  Grace’s attempt to help Sam’s daughter understand about good and evil fell short.  Her explanation about the devil and sin seemed more filled with human psychology, rather than sound theology about a sovereign and holy God and sin and repentance. 

The storyline was interesting, had a lot of suspense and intrigue.  It was also dark and disturbing.  At times, the story seemed drawn out and repetitive.  Grace putting herself at risk, over-and-over again, didn’t seem realistic.  Nor did the FBI failing to protect a target.

I enjoy Lynette Eason’s suspense novels, yet Critical Threat wasn’t my favorite.  Would I recommend it?  If you like Lynette Eason’s writing, you may want to give it a try. 

I would like to thank Revell Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Critical Threat by Lynette Eason.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

Honor Bound by Hallee Bridgeman – Good Storyteller and Likable Characters

Posted in Action, Christian Fiction, Hallee Bridgeman, Honor Bound, Love and Honor Series, Military, NetGalley, Revell Publishing, Romance, Uncategorized by

Honor Bound was the first book I’ve read by author Hallee Bridgeman.  I enjoyed this book and looking forward to reading more novels from the author.

Dr. Cynthia Myers left the Washington D.C political scene following a humiliating episode with her former fiancé.  She went far away to the jungles in Africa to work as a medical missionary providing obstetric services to women in a small village.  She loves doing her job and has found fulfillment helping local families.  The life she’s settled into is about to be disrupted when a warlord’s battle come to town.  The warlord’s son is gravely injured, and Cynthia has been charged with trying to save his life.  Captain Rick Norton and his Army Special Forces team are in pursuit of the warlord, and his army who have wrecked-havoc in the villages. 

I really enjoyed this book, Hallee is good storyteller.  She is skilled at making the reader feel like they are right there with the characters in the midst of the jungle.  I liked the characters, especially Rick Norton and his team.  I came to respect Cynthia over time, but initially bristled at this character’s attitudes and views.  Hallee did a good job bringing the military battles and escape plans to life.  As a Christian, I appreciated that faith was an important part of the character’s lives.  The book has clean language, and sexual immorality was not part of the story. 

My favorite character was Rick Norton.  He was a man of strength, was confident in his skills, training and leadership.  He wanted to be true to and pursue that which God had called him to.  I also came to like Cynthia’s father.  He unapologetically made the best decisions he could and gave wise advice to his daughter.

I struggled with Cynthia and her “holier than thou” passivist naïve views.  Like when she was angry when Rick and his team had to dispatch the warlord’s army.  She believed that it would be better if she had died instead of men who were doing evil things and harming many people in their path.  The character’s moral compass was skewed.  She didn’t distinguish between good and evil.  Overtime she grew and had better balanced views…mostly. 

Something I took issue with some of the Scripture references being misused or misstated.  The biggest one was in a conversation between Cynthia and Rick when she referenced Matthew 5, where Jesus Christ submitted and went with the soldiers who were arresting Him.  “Christ defied them without violence.  He went with the soldiers peaceably from the garden of prayer and ultimately laid down his life.  Should we Christians not be Christlike in all things?”  My issue with this misuse of Scripture was that Jesus Christ’s purpose in not resisting the soldiers was not to show a passivist response to evil.  This was done in fulfillment of God’s plan for the Son of God to willingly die a substitutionary death on the cross, to pay the sin debt of everyone who will repent of their sins and believe in Him. 

A second misstatement of Scripture, “God’s Word promises us that He will take all things and make them good.  Even the horrible things.”  Wrongly stated.  Better to stick with Scripture rather than misstate it.  “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28

I liked Honor Bound, the first book in the Love and Honor series.  It was easy to get into the story, and there were many likable characters.  Hallee Bridgeman is a good story teller.  I would add a caution to not get your theology from Christian fiction and be aware when Scripture is misstated or misused. 

I look forward to reading more books from Hallee Bridgeman including the next two novels in the Love and Honor series. 

I would like to thank Revell Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Honor Bound by Hallee Bridgeman.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

The Apple Creek Announcement by Wanda E Brunstetter – Mixed Emotions

Posted in Barbour Publishing, Christian Fiction, Clean Romance, Creektown Discovery Series, NetGalley, The Apple Creek Announcement, Wanda E Brunstetter by

Wanda E Brunstetter has become one of my favorite writers and I looked forward to reading her newest book The Apple Creek Announcement, Creektown Discoveries, volume 3.

Reading one of Wanda’s books is like catching up with old friends, especially Orley and Lois Troyer.  They own an antique store and want to engage with and to help the customers who visit their store.  In The Apple Creek Announcement, readers are introduced to Andrea and her boyfriend, soon to be fiancé, Brandon Prentice.  Andrea is a piano teacher and a painter who sells her artwork capturing local Amish scenes.  Brandon is the town’s veterinarian.  Their relationship seems to be going well until Andrea learns about a lifelong secret her parents have kept.  It throws her for a loop, and her focus has changed. 

Two of my favorite characters are Orley and Lois.  I’m glad these characters are included in this novel.  I enjoyed their storyline in this book.  They seem very kind and caring. 

I had a hard time with Andrea and Brandon.  At first, I found them very boring.  Their romance kind of fell flat, wasn’t believable.  Once there were developments in the story, these two characters became more interesting. 

Unfortunately, I didn’t much care for the main character Andrea.  She seemed spiritually immature.  She reacted emotionally and didn’t turn to God in prayer or to the Bible.  Even towards the end of the book, her character didn’t acknowledge wrong behavior and attitudes on her part.  Andrea held on to anger, resentment and blamed her parents.  She seemed to play the victim and blame everyone.  If her character had developed and grown over time, repented and turned to God, it would have come across as different.  Brandon was more likable, and he seemed more mature, willing to examine if he had made the right decision.  He sought wisdom and good counsel from an older believer. 

I found it odd that when Andrea and Brandon were engaged, that one of the obstacles they encountered were their pets not getting along.  You would think that a vet would have clue on how to help the situation. 

A couple of things that should have been left out was Andrea trying to calm her nerves with lavender essential oil.  If the character was a Christian, she should have turned to God’s word and prayer.  Some advice that Orley gave Brandon wasn’t the best.  He told him to pray…good!  Then he said God may give you a “sign”.  No!  Examples of those in the Bible who asked for a sign were descriptive, not prescriptive.  It was before they had the Bible, God’s Word. 

I rather liked Andrea’s friend, Colleen.  She seemed to genuinely care about Andrea and was straightforward with her and Brandon. 

Something I appreciated about The Apple Creek Announcement is that it’s clean, and the Gospel of Christ and word of God are shared.  I look forward to reading more of Wanda’s books in the future. 

If you’ve read the earlier books in this series, you may want to read The Apple Creek Announcement by Wanda E Brunstetter.

I would like to thank Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy The Apple Creek Announcement by Wanda E Brunstetter.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

The Rising Tide by Ann Cleeves – Great Storyteller Brings Beloved and Determined Vera Stanhope to Life

Posted in Ann Cleeves, Intrigue, Mystery, NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, The Rising Tide, Vera Stanhope by

The Rising Tide by Ann Cleeves is the tenth book about DI Vera Stanhope.  I’ve watched the PBS series on Vera over the years but never read a novel by Ann Cleeves.  She makes the characters come alive as she reveals details about their personalities and lives while unveiling the mystery. 

The Rising Tide is about a group of friends who have known each other since high school.  Fifty years ago, their teacher had organized a weekend, Only Connect, where the group members bonded.  They’ve been gathering every five years since.  During the first reunion, one of their friends, Isobel, was killed in a terrible tragedy.  On their 50th reunion, friend Rick Kelsall was found hanged.  Was it suicide or murder?  You can be sure that Vera and her team will not rest until they find out the truth about what happened, why, and who is responsible.

Vera Stanhope is one of my favorite characters.  I love her dogged determination to solve a case and bring justice for the deceased.  She is not intimidated by powerful and influential people and treats all potential suspects the same way.  I especially appreciated getting a better understanding and insight into Vera’s team members Joe, Holly, Billy, and Paul. 

I enjoyed reading The Rising Tide and getting to know the characters better.  Ann Cleeves does a great job bringing characters to life and describing the scenes so the reader can visualize what’s happening.  She’s a great storyteller and I highly recommend The Rising Tide by Ann Cleeves.

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of The Rising Tide by Ann Cleeves.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

The Deadly Shallows by Dani Pettrey – Suspense, Mystery, Relationships and Faith

Posted in Bethany House Publishers, Coastal Guardians Series, Dani Pettrey, Faith, Mystery, NetGalley, Romance, Suspense, The Deadly Shallows by

As someone who enjoys suspense novels, I was excited read Dani Pettrey’s newest book, The Deadly Shallows, the third book in the Coastal Guardians series. 

Brooke Kessler, is attending a Flight Medic A-School graduation to support her friend Molly.  Like a story ripped out of today’s headline news, in the middle of the ceremony there’s unimaginable horror when someone begins shooting into the crowd.  Brooke, Noah Rowley, and their fellow Coast Guard team members will begin the long process of investigating who is responsible for this tragedy and bring them to justice. 

One of my favorite parts of The Deadly Shallows was the relationships between co-workers who had become trusted friends.  Many of the characters returned from the first two novels in this series.  The author captures the sense of friendships and commitment to one another.  I appreciated that faith was part of the character’s lives, most notably through prayer.  I liked that novel was clean, no profanity or immorality by the main characters.

There were a lot of twists and turns in this story, a couple of romances between characters and two mysteries going on.  I like how Noah worked through the painful memories he had as a child that continued to impact his life.  The story did drag a little bit.  There was one romantic scene that could have been dialed down some.  

Overall, I really liked The Deadly Shallows.  I like mystery and suspense.  But what I appreciated most was the relationships, with likable characters and their faith being part of the story.

If you like mystery and suspense, or stories based around the military, relationships and faith, you may want to read The Deadly Shallows by Dani Pettrey.

I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for an opportunity the read a complimentary copy of The Deadly Shallows by Dani Pettrey.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

Critical Alliance by Elizabeth Goddard – Focus is on Action and Intrigue Over Character Development

Posted in Baker Publishing Group, Critical Alliance, Cybersecurity, Elizabeth Goddard, Intrigue, Mystery, NetGalley, Rocky Mountain Courage Series by

Critical Alliance is Elizabeth Goddard’s third book in the, Rocky Mountain Courage series.  I’ve read the first two books, Present Danger and Deadly Target, enjoyed them and was excited to read her newest novel.

The story centers on two main characters, Mackenzie Hanson and Alex Knight.  Mackenzie has been doing well in her cybersecurity career at a university in Michigan.  Yet it seems like she can’t get away from her youthful criminal past when she receives a warning about cybersecurity issues with her family’s business.  Though she’s been estranged for many years, Mackenzie feels compelled to go home and try to help with the hope of redeeming her past mistakes.  Mackenzie’s path will once again cross with Alex Knight a Special Agent with the Diplomatic Security Services.  Alex has come home to Montana to get some rest following an assignment that went wrong.  But cases seem to find him even when he’s on vacation. 

There were some elements that I liked about this book.  Cybersecurity is an interesting theme for a mystery novel.  I liked Alex and his friends in Montana that were carried over from the earlier novels.  The backdrop in Montana was a beautiful setting, the descriptions were well written so the reader could imagine what the settings were like.

Where I struggled with this book was the main character, Mackenzie.  I found her to be arrogant with delusions of grandeur to the point of irritating.  I couldn’t see why Alex was attracted to Mackenzie, much less why he would risk her career for her or go along with her schemes.  The characters were shallow and the focus was on action and intrigue.  The characters were not well developed.  I enjoy reading Christian fiction, especially when faith is included in the characters’ lives.  But this book didn’t include much regarding faith.

Not sure if I recommend Critical Alliance because the characters were not well developed.  It’s shallow and relies on action and intrigue over a richer and deeper story.  The book focused on lots of details about cyber security instead of characters.  I will read more books by Elizabeth Goddard because I’ve enjoyed her earlier novels. 

I would like to thank Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Critical Alliance by Elizabeth Goddard.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

The Sugarcreek Surprise by Wanda E Brunstetter – A Lovely Book with Likable Characters

Posted in Amish Fiction, Barbour Publishing, Christian Fiction, Creektown Discovery Series, NetGalley, The Sugarcreek Surprise, Wanda E Brunstetter by

Wanda E Brunstetter has become one of my favorite writers and I was excited to read her newest book The Sugarcreek Surprise, the second book in the Creektown Discovery series. 

The Sugarcreek Surprise tells the story of Lisa Miller the only survivor of a tragic car accident.  She lost her parents and paternal grandparents at seven years old and has very few memories before the accident.  Lisa went to live in Ohio with her maternal grandparents.  She works as a school teacher with the young children at their Amish community’s schoolhouse.  Lisa lives a very insulated life, has very few friends, and has no desire to get married or have children.  Truth be told, Lisa is trying to protect her heart from the pain of losing someone else she loves.  Her life is about to be changed by a persistent dog Maggie and a newcomer Paul Herschberger from Pennsylvania. 

This book is about relationships.  Lisa’s relationship with her grandparents, her dog Maggie and her developing friendship with Paul.  Orley and Lois Troyer, from the Walnut Creek Wish, are back and befriend Paul and in turn his friend Lisa.  Orley and Lois are my favorite characters.  They are continually looking for people whom God would have them befriend.  They are mentors, prayer warriors and give wise biblical counsel. 

I liked Paul and appreciated his kind, caring, gentle, and hardworking character.  At times I struggled with Lisa and her negativity or not being open to others.  But I appreciated seeing how her grandparents and Paul responded to her.  They prayed for Lisa, gave her time and trusted the Lord to be at work in her life.

I appreciate the Christian faith being included as part of the characters’ lives, in the form of Scripture verses, sermons, and prayers.  The Sugarcreek Surprise is not action-packed, instead, it goes deeper into people’s lives, relationships, and what motivates them.  I love that this book is clean and shows good and healthy relationships.  The characters deal with honesty, forgiveness, growth, and how to trust God and obey Him. 

I loved reading The Sugarcreek Surprise by Wanda E Brunstetter and highly recommend it.  It was a lovely book, filled with likable characters, the kind of people you would want to know.  Wanda E Brunstetter is the kind of writer that makes me want to read all her books.

I would like to thank Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of The Sugarcreek Surprise by Wanda E Brunstetter.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

Containers in the Garden by Claus Dalby – Beautiful, Inspiring and Gorgeous Photos

Posted in Claus Dalby, Containers, Cool Springs Press, Flowers, Gardening, NetGalley, Plants, Uncategorized by

I was very excited to see that Claus Dalby has released a book on Container in the Garden.  I’ve been following his posts on social media for a couple of years now and enjoy the pictures and videos he shares.

Finally, we have a collection of pictures assembled from Claus Dalby’s beautiful and inspiring garden.  This book is filled with stunning photos of plants, flowers, and foliage in a variety of colors and combinations.  Claus begins with some of the basics of containers, soil, seeds, bulbs, planting and care. 

My favorite part of the book is when Claus goes through the color combinations, and assortment of plants that can be combined to reflect the seasons and holidays.  Also, how we can create or define different sections in our garden or outdoor rooms.  This book is very inspiring and gets a gardener’s creative juices flowing.  I appreciate the explanations on why certain plants were selected and combined with other plants.

I love this book and highly recommend it.  This book is a helpful resource for those new to gardening, and those who have gardened for many years.  It would be a lovely gift for those who enjoy beautiful pictures from the garden.  Reading through this book, I came across a number of plants that I would like try to grow.  I enjoyed Containers in the Garden so much that I plan to buy a copy of this book. 

I would like to thank Cool Springs Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Containers in the Garden by Claus Dalby.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

Drawn by the Current by Jocelyn Green – Mixed Reaction

Posted in Bethany House Publishers, Drawn by the Current, Historical Fiction,, Jocelyn Green, Mystery, NetGalley, SS Eastland by

Drawn by the Current is the first book I’ve read by Jocelyn Green.  It’s the third book in The Windy City Saga series, but it works well as a standalone novel.  I wanted to read this story because it tells the story about the capsizing of the SS Eastland while still docked onshore.

Olive Pierce wants to celebrate her friend Claire’s birthday by going to the Western Electric’s picnic.  Boarding the ship, they are anticipating a fun summer day, but soon disaster will strike and leave them and over 2,500 passengers fighting for their lives.  At the end of the day, Claire is one of over 800 people who are missing and feared dead.  As an employee of MetLife Insurance, Olive, will be handling insurance claims from this unimaginable disaster.  There are many mysteries to uncover as Olive searches for the truth.  As she is handling cases, she finds out that someone at the office is sabotaging her work.  Who is responsible and why?  While Olive is investigating several mysteries, she meets a freelance photographer and private investigator, Erik Magnussen.  He will help her uncover the facts, expose the truth, and close cases. 

What works with Drawn by the Current?  My favorite character was Erik because he had an interesting background and seemed like an honest, strong, and brave man.  I liked Olive’s family.  Her mother Meg, aunt Sylvia, and uncle Kristof were a very caring, loving, and supportive.  I loved their store, Corner Books & More.  The author did a good job telling the story of SS Eastland disaster.

What didn’t work?  I struggled with Olive.  I didn’t care for her dishonesty and how she justified it.  There were too many mysteries going on that took away from the main story.  Olive took some risks and made decisions that weren’t logical.  The biggest thing I struggled with in this story was the feminist-like agenda.  Like the struggle Olive encountered trying to show that she was capable of doing more in her job, to her work being sabotaged, to her solving multiple cases, to the abuse her friend Claire endured, and the woman police detective helping to save the day.  Women were portrayed as victims or heroes, and many men were seen in an unfavorable light.  It seemed like the story was told through a feminist lens.   

I would like to have seen the Christian faith better portrayed in the characters’ lives.  Olive was full of remorse over her wrong actions, but it didn’t say she was repentant.  She believed that God had forgiven her for what she had done, but doesn’t explain the basis of her forgiveness.  She seemed prideful about her remorse over her wrongdoing.  That her remorse was better than Blanche’s, who justified what she had done. 

There were some things I really appreciated in Drawn by the Current.  The story about the SS Eastland and what it would have been like handle such a great loss of life, as an individual, family, community, and business.  I liked Olive’s family and Erik.  They were likable and relatable characters.  While I struggled with some aspects of this story, I would like to read other books by author Jocelyn Green.  She had some interesting insight into the characters. 

If you like historical fiction, you may want to read Drawn by the Current by Jocelyn Green.  

I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Drawn by the Current by Jocelyn Green.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

Malicious Intent by Lynn H Blackburn – Mystery, Suspense and Likable Characters

Posted in Book Review, Defend and Protect Series, Law Enforcement, Lynn H Blackburn, Malicious Intent, Mystery, NetGalley, Revell Publishing, Suspense by

I like reading mysteries and suspense stories and have enjoyed Lynn H. Blackburn’s novels.  That’s why I was excited to read her newest book, Malicious Intent, the second book in the Defend and Protect series.

Malicious Intent focuses on Gil Dixon and Dr. Ivy Collins, characters introduced in the first book of the series, Unknown Threat.  Gil and Ivy go way back, but they had a falling out and haven’t seen each other since then.  Secret Service Agents Gil and Zane are following up on counterfeit bills deposited by Hedera, Inc., Ivy’s business.  When they arrive at her home and knock on the door, they find something is amiss as the door opens by itself.  It had been 15 years since Gil had last seen Ivy, and now she was standing before him.  But something is terribly wrong with Ivy.  She looks beat up and is holding a gun.

Other characters from the first book, Luke, Zac, Tessa, Faith, and Sabrina, are also included in this story.  One of the things I liked about this book was the friendships and commitment these people had for one another.  The storyline and investigation were interesting as they tried to determine who was trying to harm Ivy and why.

The romance part of the story was a little rushed, especially considering how Gil and Ivy’s relationship had ended 15 years earlier.  But Gil was ready to put the past behind him.  I did like Ivy and her drive and passion to help people.  I found annoying Gil’s repeated use of a nickname he had for Ivy, who is now a grown woman, not a young girl.  There’s a little bit of faith worked into the story.  I would have liked to have seen more of that.  The characters were likable, but I wish they had been developed more fully.  I appreciate that the novel was clean, without profanity or sexual immorality. 

Overall, I liked Malicious Intent because of the mystery and suspense.  My favorite part was the friendships and commitment between all the characters.  I recommend this book, especially if you like suspense and law enforcement. 

Thank you to Revell Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read complimentary copy Malicious Intent by Lynn H. Blackburn.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

Trust Me by Kelly Irvin – Lots of twists and turns, but not my favorite.

Posted in Book Review, Kelly Irvin, Mystery, NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Trust Me by

Trust Me is Kelly Irvin’s newest book, a mystery set in San Antonio in the Arts District. 

Actually, there are two mysteries, one dating back to 2010 in which Delaney Broward’s brother Corey was killed.  Ten years later, Hunter Nash, the man convicted of Corey’s murder, has been released from prison.  He’s maintained his innocence all this time, and now Hunter’s on a mission to find the person who killed Corey.  To investigate and find the real killer, he needs to reconnect with his former girlfriend Delaney.  She wants nothing to do with Hunter.  To make matters worse, on the day Hunter was released from prison, Corey’s former fiancée Ellie was found murdered.  Coincidence?  Did Hunter kill Ellie?  Or is someone out to implicate Hunter?

This novel has a lot going on with two murders, past and present.  While there is action in the story, emotions and memories are a big part of the story.  At times that kind of drags the story. 

I liked Hunter, and he was the one character whose Christian faith was focused on.  He was a changed man from his eight years in prison.  While he wanted to find Corey’s murderer, he wasn’t bitter.  Instead, Hunter was humbled as he reflected back on his life.  I appreciated the support Hunter had from his family and a local pastor who helped him to get a job.  I didn’t care for Hunter pushing his way back into Delaney’s life, and I don’t think her reaction was portrayed realistically. 

Delaney had abandoned her faith and the other characters seemed spiritually empty.  That surprises me in a book from a Christian author.  As the story goes along, it’s revealed that there were a lot of secrets and people weren’t necessarily who they represented themselves to be. 

The ending was a bit of a stretch.  When characters do something that isn’t logical, only to put themselves at risk, it doesn’t make a lot of sense.  I guessed who the villain was but didn’t believe the scenario of the hitman being manipulated because of his low intelligence. 

What was done well?  Kelly Irvin is a good writer and captured the atmosphere and vibe of San Antonio and the Arts District.  I wish the characters had been more likable and relatable.  Other than Hunter, faith was not a big part of the story and I wish it had been. 

If you like Kelly Irvin’s writing or like reading mysteries, you may enjoy this book.  For me there was something a bit off about it and at times rather dark. 

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Trust Me by Kelly Irvin.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

The Secret Life of an American Codebreaker by Jan Slimming – Compelling, Fascinating and Interesting

Posted in Book Review, Jan Slimming, NetGalley, The Secret Life of an American Codebreaker, World War II, World War II, WWII by

Do you find World War II history fascinating?  I do, and that is why I was excited to read Jan Slimming’s new book The Secret Life of an American Codebreaker. 

The book starts out telling the story of Janice Martin, a young college student who was recruited to learn about and employ the much-needed skill of codebreaking during the pivotal time in our Country, World War II. 

Janice is the focus of the book, but the book is about more than one person.  Periodically, the story comes back around to what was happening in Janice’s life at that time.  The story includes the history of cryptography and codebreaking.  You will learn about brilliant individuals who worked together to break the coded messages of our enemies during WWII.  That information was passed along to our military leaders to use and effectively win the battles. 

The Secret Life of an American Codebreaker was a fascinating book and goes into a lot of detail about how Americans, Great Britain, and the Allied forces worked together.  An early version of computers was developed to help analyze the large volume and ever-changing data that was coming in from the enemies’ encrypted messages. 

I found The Secret Life of an American Codebreaker by Jan Slimming to be a very interesting and compelling book.  I highly recommend it, especially if you like history, stories about WWII, and intrigue. 

After reading this book, it makes me wish that I had sat down with my parents and other family members and learned about the work they did in WWII.  I cannot imagine how different the world would have been if not for the courageous work and sacrifice of so many during World War II.

I would like to thank Pen & Sword Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of The Secret Life of an American Codebreaker by Jan Slimming.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.