“The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple” by Joanna Davidson Politano

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Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator to the wealthy, has never met anyone like Lily Temple. The beautiful silent-film actress spins fairy tales and plays frivolous roles in front of the cine-camera, but beneath the costumes and stage makeup is a woman with a quick wit–and a murky past. 

Peter has been tasked with locating the legendary Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire, which Lily wears beneath her gown. In order to stay close to her and hopefully unravel the mystery of her story–and the sapphire–Peter employs Lily’s help on a case, which leads to a useful partnership. But as they are investigating together, Peter is also investigating Lily. The closer he gets to the truth, the more danger they face. And the closer he gets to Lily, the clearer it is that he needs her even more than she needs him.

I have been anticipating this book for a few months now. Mrs. Politano is in my top favorite authors list. I know I can always count on her for a multilayered, thought provoking story, with at least one good twist that makes me catch my breath in surprise. This one is no different.

The characters are complex (Lily) and compelling (Peter). You aren’t quite sure what to think about Lily, and it takes quite a while to put together all the pieces of her, hence the title. I loved the fact that Peter was a gentleman PI.

The theme of the book is imparting truth through story telling, and the fact that Lily recognizes the value of this, and is the main actress in a story of which she doesn’t even recognize the deeper truth is such a great example of how we are so often blind to the things playing out right in front of us.

The garden/storytelling theme, the gospel message, the characters, the mystery, and ultimately the resolution of it all, once again left me in amazement at how the author can weave such wonderful, and yet different stories every single time.

Definitely 5 out of 5 stars!

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

“Never Fall Again” by Lynn H. Blackburn

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If you’ve been a follower of my blog for a while (I mean before my extended hiatus), then you should be quite familiar with Lynn H. Blackburn. This is the fifth book of hers that I have reviewed on here, though the sixth or seventh that I’ve read. She is one of my top favorite romantic suspense authors!

“Landry Hutton has spent three years rebuilding her life behind the secure gates of The Haven, an exclusive resort on the outskirts of Gossamer Falls, North Carolina. After serving as the artist-in-residence, Landry is finally ready to settle in permanently to give her daughter, Eliza, a safe home in which to grow up. 

Former Marine Callum Shaw always knew he would someday join his family’s construction business in Gossamer Falls. He longs for a family of his own but has almost given up on that ever happening. The beautiful artist who has hired him to build her new house is funny, gifted, and everything Cal could ever want in a partner, but he vows to keep his distance. He’s loved–and lost–someone like her before.

When Landry’s pottery is destroyed in a suspicious fire, it becomes clear that Landry and Eliza are in grave danger–but from whom? Cal will have to risk his heart again if he has any hope of protecting them.“

As I mentioned above, Ms. Blackburn is a favorite, but it has been at least a couple years since I’ve gotten a chance to read one of her books and “a lot of water has gone under the bridge” in various aspects of my life since then, and my taste in books has changed just a bit in that time, some authors having dropped lower down on my favorites list and other’s dropping off completely, so I must admit, I was curious to see if I still enjoyed her stories as much as formerly. I am happy to say, she did not disappoint! I was hooked in the first few pages.

First of all, the setting: a fairly small town in the mountains of North Carolina. (I have been through the Carolina’s a few times, but they’re definitely some of the states that I would love to spend time in and do some sightseeing). Her scenic descriptions are just enough to get a clear picture in my mind’s eye, without getting bogged down and losing the thread of the story.

Next up, the characters: Landry Hutton, a potter, and Callum Shaw, a construction contractor, and of course all the others that help fill in and flesh out the story (and one of my goals is always to figure out as quickly as possible the main characters in the sequel books of her trilogies).

Okay, now for a little more detail. I loved the fact that Landry made her living in pottery, because that is one of my favorite forms of art. Her character overall was really good, and her little girl, Eliza, is adorable, of course! Callum, better known as Cal, is exactly what you would expect in a classic, Southern gentleman with a former military career.

The storyline was very good! I liked the fact that their backstories came out a little along, not clear right from the beginning, but also not strung out to the very end. It kept the story moving at a good pace, with the mystery interwoven throughout.

And now for my favorite part: Cal’s big, extended family raised with Southern manners and stereotypical hospitality. Not stereotypical in the forced, obligatory sense, but from a heart of genuine generosity, and Christian love. It was so reminiscent of my own family roots!

In short, I loved the book, and I’m ready for the next ones to be out already, but I guess I’ll console myself by going back and reading some of her others that I missed along the way. 5 out of 5 stars!

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

“Embers in the London Sky” by Sarah Sundin

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Hello my Dear Readers,

It has been two and a half years since I posted a book review, and a lot of water has gone under the bridge. The purpose of this post is not to fill you in on all those details, but by way of a short explanation, I’ve had two changes of address since my last review, and figuring out how to update my address to continue to receive books somehow fell by the wayside, but I must admit, I’m quite happy to be back at it, and look forward to sharing more regularly in the future.

“As the German army invades the Netherlands in 1940, Aleida van der Zee Martens escapes to London to wait out the Occupation. Separated from her three-year-old son, Theo, in the process, the young widow desperately searches for her little boy even as she works for an agency responsible for evacuating children to the countryside.

When German bombs set London ablaze, BBC radio correspondent Hugh Collingwood reports on the Blitz, eager to boost morale while walking the fine line between truth and censorship. But the Germans are not the only ones Londoners have to fear as a series of murders flame up amid the ashes. 

The deaths hit close to home for Hugh, and Aleida needs his help to locate her missing son. As they work together, they grow closer and closer, both to each other and the answers they seek. But with bombs falling and continued killings, they may be running out of time.“

There’s a few different angles to unpack in this review, and it’s hard for me to know where to start. First off, I quite enjoyed it overall, but I was 1/3 to 1/2 the way through, before I was “hooked”. Two elements that I enjoyed right from the start were the character of Hugh Collingwood as a BBC news reporter and the fact that his first scene is at the Evacuation of Dunkirk. These elements were uniquely enjoyable to me because we listened to the BBC radio station for many of my growing up years, and it was lovely to get a little ‘behind-the-scenes’ of how they worked in WWII. I could easily picture the Dunkirk scene, as well as the setting of the book in general because it correlated perfectly with one of our family favorite movies “Mrs. Miniver”.

I will say the overarching elements of the love story weren’t my favorite, because it was a bit cliche and Hallmark-y. I can’t say anymore than that because of spoilers.

The mystery was probably my favorite part of the story, because Ms. Sundin did an excellent job weaving the different clues and keeping me guessing till almost the climax. Though the person who ended up being the perpetrator, crossed my mind a couple times, I didn’t actually “figure it out” until more evidence came to light.

The spiritual elements and growth of the characters was very good! They each have a struggle to work through and learn to overcome, and in different ways they were both relatable to me. The themes of working through health struggles, surrendering control, and doing the right thing even when it was difficult were excellent.

Overall, I would rate this book 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell in exchanger for my honest review.

“Under the Bayou Moon” by Valerie Fraser Luesse

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“Restless with the familiarity of her Alabama home, Ellie Fields accepts a teaching job in a tiny Louisiana town deep in bayou country. Though rightfully suspicious of outsiders, who have threatened both their language and their culture, most of the people in tiny Bernadette, Louisiana, come to appreciate the young and idealistic schoolteacher as a boon to the town. She’s soon teaching just about everyone–and coming up against opposition from both the school board and a politician with ulterior motives.

Acclimating to a whole new world, Ellie meets a lonely but intriguing Cajun fisherman named Raphe who introduces her to the legendary white alligator that haunts these waters. Raphe and Ellie have barely found their way to each other when a huge bounty is offered for the elusive gator, bringing about a shocking turn of events that will test their love and their will to right a terrible wrong.“

When I first saw this book come available, I knew it was a book I’d enjoy. The cover, then the title, and last but not least the blurb. Ya gotta understand somethin’, this takes place right around my neck of the woods (no, I’m not specifically from the bayou or Louisiana, but close), and I have family and friends that do call that place home.

Also, I was just in the mood for a nice, cozy, calm read (after all, it is that time of year). So when I started in and recognized several locations right from the start, I felt right at home. But seriously, her description of New Orleans and particularly, the French Quarter was absolutely beautiful, and you could practically taste, smell and see it all!

I’ll admit I was a little cautious of how she would develop Ellie’s personality and the reason she left home in the first place, but it was great!

I could highlight so many wonderful things, but I don’t wanna give away spoilers. Each character was so lovable! Except for the ones that weren’t, of course. ;-P I felt like she dealt with some good issues in a quiet, and practical way, and it was truly just so good!

Now you may think with the way I’m describing everything as cozy, homey and comforting, that there’s not much excitement, but that’s certainly not true! There’s definitely an element of intrigue. The resolution of that was quite good, and then the finishing touch of the (almost) last chapter was unexpected, yet just right, and gave me “all the feels”. 

I highly recommend this book, especially if you’re from the South!

*Disclaimer: I received this book from Revell Publishers and happily provided an honest review.

“Unknown Threat” by Lynn H. Blackburn

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“US Secret Service Special Agent Luke Powell is lucky to be alive. Three of his fellow agents have died in unusual circumstances in the past ten weeks. Luke is devastated by the loss of his friends and colleagues, and his inability to locate the killer feels like a personal failure. He’s an expert at shielding others, but now the protectors are in need of protection.

FBI Special Agent Faith Malone is driven to succeed and confident in her ability to solve every case she’s assigned. She’s been put in charge of the investigation into the unprecedented attacks, and with Luke’s life in danger, the stakes have never been higher. But it’s hard to know how to fight back when you don’t know who the enemy is.

As more agents are targeted, Luke and Faith will have to work together to bring a killer to justice and prevent any more names from joining their fallen brothers and sisters on the Secret Service Wall of Honor.”

It was lovely to have another Lynn Blackburn novel back in my hand after almost 2 years! I started it with anticipation and it did not disappoint. One of my favorite things about Ms. Blackburn is that her supporting characters are every bit is good as the hero and heroine. I very much liked the element of interagency cooperation, and the way she portrayed them working together to figure out the mystery. Granted, the characters had to overcome their own personal prejudices with the “other guys”, but that was part of what helped drive the plot.

Faith’s spiritual journey was also well presented and believable. Ironic that she was struggling with her faith in God, considering her name. 😉

The resolution of the mystery itself was interesting. There wasn’t one big “reveal” moment, per se, but they were just continuing to gather information and follow leads which ultimately brought them to the conclusion, and then the big takedown moment. As much as it wasn’t how I expected it to be, I still really liked it, and there are obviously still some dropped hints, and loose threads to follow which makes me anticipate the next book!

Overall, I’m giving this 4 out of 5 stars!

*Disclaimer: I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“Stories That Bind Us” by Susie Finkbiner

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“Betty Sweet never expected to be a widow at 40. With so much life still in front of her, she tries to figure out what’s next. She couldn’t have imagined what God had in mind. When her estranged sister is committed to a sanitarium, Betty finds herself taking on the care of a 5-year-old nephew she never knew she had.

In 1960s LaFontaine, Michigan, they make an odd pair. Betty with her pink button nose and bouffant hair. Hugo with his light brown skin and large brown eyes. But more powerful than what makes them different is what they share: the heartache of an empty space in their lives. Slowly, they will learn to trust one another as they discover common ground and healing through the magic of storytelling.”

This is the second book by Ms. Finkbeiner that I’ve read, and I’ve really come to enjoy her unique voice in the fiction genre. She has a very relaxed style that weaves a sweet, simple story without a lot of drama, but she definitely deals with relevant issues .

In this particular story she tackles two such issues: mental health and racism. I realize there could be a lot of raised eyebrows when you mention these, but she handles them in an amazingly balanced way, without getting preachy or hard nosed about it.

Also I really appreciated the way the fact that Betty had an authentic and realistic relationship with Jesus Christ. It portrayed her struggles, and also her growth through life experiences. Very well done!

Just as a last comment, Albert is the unsung hero of this story in my opinion. Definitely my favorite character, though honestly I loved them all.

Overall, a well written story which I greatly enjoyed! I’m giving it 5 stars.

*Disclaimer: I received a free paperback of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

“One Final Breath” by Lynn H. Blackburn

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“When investigator Gabriel Chavez had his cover blown by an aggressive reporter, the silver lining was being able to rejoin the dive team. The downside? Dive team captain Anissa Bell–a woman who both fascinates and frustrates him.

Anissa grew up as a missionary kid on the Micronesian island of Yap and always planned to return after college. But she remained stateside, determined to solve the case that haunts her–the murder of her best friend and the disappearance of a three-year-old child.

When Anissa’s fractured past collides with Gabe’s investigation into the tragic shooting death of a teenage boy in Lake Porter, they’ll have to put their complicated history with each other aside in order to uncover the identity of a killer. What they’ll discover is that revenge has no statute of limitations.”

In this third and final installment of Dive Team Investigations we finally have the story that has been brewing since book one. I have looked forward to it since I first met Gabe and Anissa and ‘watched’ their rivalry, knowing that their day would come. This book did not disappoint; it was everything I hoped it would be!  Their backstory, character development, and spiritual growth was so great.  This probably had the strongest spiritual storyline of the three.

I also really enjoyed the mystery. As I have come to expect with her books, the perpetrator is not someone you’ll be able to figure out. What I mean by this is that the person is never a someone you’ve met more than maybe once in the story, and sometimes not even that. It’s just a random person that is almost incidental to story. Honestly, the first time this happened I was kinda disappointed, but once I’ve come to expect it, it doesn’t really bother me. The fact that the mystery tied together her past and her present was really neat, and all around very well done.

This was a very satisfying conclusion to the series and I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Blackburn in the future.

I’m giving this book 4 out of 5 stars!

*Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

“The Words Between Us” by Erin Bartels

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“Robin Windsor has spent most of her life under an assumed name, running from her family’s ignominious past. She thought she’d finally found sanctuary in her rather unremarkable used bookstore just up the street from the marina in River City, Michigan. But the store is struggling and the past is hot on her heels.

When she receives an eerily familiar book in the mail on the morning of her father’s scheduled execution, Robin is thrown back to the long-lost summer she met Peter Flynt, the perfect boy who ruined everything. That book–a first edition Catcher in the Rye–is soon followed by the other books she shared with Peter nearly twenty years ago, with one arriving in the mail each day. But why would Peter be making contact after all these years? And why does she have a sinking feeling that she’s about to be exposed all over again?

With evocative prose that recalls the classic novels we love, Erin Bartels pens a story that shows that words–the ones we say, the ones we read, and the ones we write–have more power than we imagine.”

Whew, this is going to be a difficult review. The first thing that drew me to this book was definitely the cover, and then when I read the blurb, it seemed like it would be exactly the kinda book I’d enjoy. Some intriguing backstory and a mystery to boot. To start out on a positive note, Ms. Bartels has incredible talent with words and she can certainly make you feel the story. The storyline itself is also quite intriguing and fascinating.

Unfortunately, I have really struggled to enjoy this book first of all because it seems much more secular than Christian. I’m not saying that I only read Christian books, but if I get a book from a Christian publisher and go into it expecting at least some sort of spiritual story line (even if it’s shallow), it’s very disappointing an aggravating to discover that none of the characters really have any sort of relationship with Jesus Christ nor really so much as the hint of a desire for one. A couple mentions of someone praying, and the main character NOT wanting to talk to God is about as far as it goes. Also, in general, there are frequent references to worldy activities (drinking, partying, etc.), and I may upset some people by mentioning this one, but the main guy is divorced. I realize people justify this in stories by saying ‘that’s reality’ which is true, but that doesn’t make it justifiable because the Bible makes it pretty clear that God hates divorce. So this is been a very difficult book for me.

In the interest of full disclosure, I have only managed to get half-way through the book and I am still undecided as to whether I’ll actually finish it or not. The writing style pulls me in, but the content lacks much to be desired. I truly dislike writing reviews like this, but I have to be honest.

I’m rating this 2 1/2 stars (giving it 1 1/2 above the lowest rating because of the story telling talent) out of 5.

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary paperback of this book in exchange for my honest review.

“Take Back Your Time” by Morgan Tyree

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“We all get 24 hours in a day–but it never seems like quite enough time, does it? Morgan Tyree wants to help you take back your time with her proven time management system. With energy and enthusiasm, Morgan shows you how to organize and manage your time using her simple three-color time zone system of green, yellow, and red–moxie time, multitasking time, and me time. She shows you how to

– identify your most productive times each day
– regulate between essentials and nonessentials
– schedule your three time zones
– match your time zones with your capacities
– welcome the season of life you’re in
– set achievable goals that align with your values

If you’ve struggled to find balance and direction in your overloaded life, let Morgan’s system help you discover the freedom of less hustle and more harmony.”

I have always lived a pretty ‘full’ life, in which there were tasks to be accomplished and I rarely had time to think about being bored (thanks to my wonderful parents, who always  had an answer to boredom if it was ever hinted at ;-), with time, of course, to read and work on hobbies. However, in the past few months, it has seemed like my life has gotten exponentially ‘fuller’ ( I use this word with reason, which I will explain in a minute). Consequently, when I got my monthly email with books to review, and I saw this one, I immediately snagged it, and I am so glad I did!

This book has been just what I need to help me step back a minute and review all that has come onto my plate, and think about the best way to A) plan my time according to my responsibilities and B) consider where I can cut back on some nonessentials (granted there hasn’t been a ton of cutting back, if anything I’ve ‘gone’ and ‘done’ more since I started reading the book than I did even before), but the point is, I’ve consciously made the choice and my noted that my activities are falling under one of my current purposes. (Read the book, to find out what I’m referring to). So why the word ‘fullness’? Because ‘busy’ is where your time and activities are controlling you, but ‘full’ is where you are controlling what you spend your time on and you’re fulfilling the purpose to which God has called you in this season.

I will say, I have not actually finished the book yet just because I’ve been working through it slowly and processing. Secondly, I’ll make the disclaimer, I still haven’t gotten my schedule worked just like I want, nor achieved the discipline I’m ultimately hoping to, but I’m definitely improving. I also want to say setting up this schedule doesn’t mean not having time for relaxation and time to recharge. You just decide according to your time zones when that will be each day.

I know this has probably been a little more like a personal testimony and not really a review, but I think those may be the best kind of reviews, where the book has impacted your life in a positive where and you tell others about it.

*Disclaimer: I received a paperback copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

“The Bride of Ivy Green” by Julie Klassen

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“Much has happened in idyllic Ivy Hill in recent months, and while several villagers have found new love and purpose, questions remain–and a few dearly held dreams have yet to be fulfilled.

Jane Bell is torn. Gabriel Locke is back and has made his intentions clear. But Jane is reluctant to give up her inn and destine another man to a childless marriage. Then someone she never expected to see again returns to Ivy Hill. . . .

Mercy Grove has lost her school and is resigned to life as a spinster, especially as the man she admires seems out of reach. Should she uproot herself from Ivy Cottage to become a governess for a former pupil? Her decision will change more lives than her own.

A secretive new dressmaker arrives in the village, but the ladies soon suspect she isn’t who she claims to be. Will they oust the imposter, or help rescue her from a dangerous predicament?

In the meantime, everyone expects Miss Brockwell to marry a titled gentleman, even though her heart is drawn to another. While the people of Ivy Hill anticipate one wedding, an unexpected bride may surprise them all.”

This final installment in the “Tales from Ivy Hill” series was a perfect wrap-up! I have enjoyed this whole series immensely: the country village setting, all the quirky, annoying,  complicated, and sweet characters, and the storylines that started in the first book and threaded their way through to the last. It was basically like a BBC miniseries in book form; what could be better?

I almost wish I could pick a favorite character of the 3 main ones, Mercy, Rachel, or Jane, but I honestly can’t. I loved each of them in their own unique way, and I’ve just gotta say that shows great talent on the part of the author to create 3 (well, okay, a whole town full) of such well-rounded characters both in their strengths and their weaknesses.

The spiritual content wasn’t super strong, but it was consistent and steady throughout the 3 books, so I can appreciate that.

The final conclusion of all the stories, and the happily-ever- afters were eminently satisfying and were cause for a big happy sigh from me. 🙂 I’m giving this 4 out of 5 stars!

*Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.