A most peculiar Providence by Angela Hunt

 

Angela Hunt has been one of my favorite authors for decades and I was thrilled to have the chance to be an early reader for her newest novel, A Most Peculiar Providence. This book welcomes us back to the town of Peculiar with a new story and new characters. I fell in love with Josh, Heather and baby Maggie. As with other novels by Angela Hunt, this book gave me reason to pause and think about what I was reading. This author is known for clean leads with Biblical themes and this book goes along well with the rest of her library. 

A few things that stuck out to me: 

"When the choir finished, Pastor Gary stepped to the pulpit. His Bible opened with a soft flutter.

....

The pastor finally snagged him with a single phrase: "My prayer is not that You take them out of the world, but that You protect them..."

The word struck like a rap on Josh's head."

Angela Hunt always manages to throw something in that makes me stop and reflect. 

Another phrase that struck me was: 

"Some losses come without warning. Some arrive before you're ready to face them. And some happen without anyone else knowing."

The three main characters in this book seemingly will never interact with one another, yet Hunt manages to weave them together into something beautiful. The story took me by surprise and left me wanting more. Another wonderful gift from Angela Hunt.

Run While You Can by Christy Barritt

 Run While You Can, by Christy Barritt, is the latest in the True Crime Junkies series and, WOW, what a read! I love this author's works simply because I know I can read them without worrying about subjecting myself to things I don't want to see. They are always clean reads, no sex, no cursing. Pure romantic suspense, though usually more suspense than romance. This book opens the gang on a west coast publicity tour - I thought the energy drinks and names were a fun addition - with stops all up and down the coast. Mystery finds them at one of their stops when they are approached by a woman who needs help finding her missing sister. The gang can't help but get involved, even with at time crunch. The rest of the book is a whirlwind of them trying to stop the accusations that are pointing at them while new cases with the same trademarks are piling up. Barritt always throws in a few twists and this book is the same. I really have enjoyed this series and the Alaska crew coming into the lower-48 was fun. Andi aching for the Alaskan home was insightful too. The best of the series so far!

2026 Book List

 Books I’ve read in 2026 (K) is Kindle (L) is library 

January

1. One More Time by Carol Burnett

2. Flag Day in the Square by Erynn Mangum (K)

3. Secrets Beneath the Waves by Lisa Phillips, Sara Davison, Terry Toler, Lisa Harris (K)

4. Prowl by Colleen Coble (L)

5. A Stranger’s Game by Colleen Coble (L)

6. Second Chance at Sunshine Inn by Amy Clipston (L)

7. Run While You Can by Christy Barritt (K)

8. A Criminal Game by D.L. Wood (K)

9. Wherever You Go by Tracie Peterson 

10. Detecting Danger by Christy Barritt (K)

February 

11. Like Always by Robert Elmer 

12. A Most Peculiar Providence by Angela Hunt (K)

13. Out of the Picture by Tracy Gardner

14. Behind the Frame by Tracy Gardner 

15. Home Work by Julie Andrews 

16. The Other Sister by Jessica R. Patch (K)

17. Love Finds You in Folly Beach South Carolina by Loree Lough

18. Escaping Peril by Christy Barritt (K)

 March 

19. Welcome to the Honey B&B by Melody Carlson (L)

20. The Sands of Sea Blue Beach by Rachel Hauck (L)

21. Courting Emma by Sharlene MacLaren

22. The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater by Jaime Jo Wright (L)

23. When Justice Comes by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker (K)

24. Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer (L) 

25. Trailing Justice by Christy Barritt (K)

26. The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh (L)

April

27. He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox (L)

28. Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin (L)

29. Night Bird Calling by Cathy Gohlke (L)

30. All Booked Up by Melody Carlson 

31. Not by Sight by Kathy Herman 

32. The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright (K)

33. Little Girl Lost by Carole Bolton 

34. Broken Branch by Erynn Mangum (K)

35. Secrets She Knew by D.L. Wood (K)

36. Liar Like Her by D.L.Wood (K)

37. Protecting Honor by Christy Barritt (K)

38. Flights of Fancy by Jen Turano (K)

May

39. A Hundred Crickets Singing by Cathy Gohlke (K)

40. Rutka’s Notebook - A Voice from the Holocaust 

41. Diamond in the Rough by Jen Turano (K)

42. Deadly Exposure by Cara C. Putman (K)

43. The Burning of Rosemont Abbey by Naomi Stephens (L)

44. Training Grounds by Christy Barritt (K)

45. Trial by Fire by Cara C. Putman (K)

46. The Truth About False Teaching by Adessa Holden

47. Gelato at the Villa by Robin Jones Gunn (L)

June

48. Toxic Empathy by Allie Beth Stuckey 

49. The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay (L)

50. The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter (L)

51. Almost Home by Valerie Fraser Luesse

52. Tracking Safety by Christy Barritt (K)

53. The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano

July

54. A Single Spark by Judith Miller 

55. Crime Scene Conspiracy by Jessica Patch 

56. The Scent of Lilacs by Ann H. Gabhart

57. Love to Die For by Terry Toler (K)

58. Silent Retribution by Cynthia Hickey (K)

59. Misdirection by Christy Barritt (K)

60. Smokescreen by Christy Barritt (K)

61. Flaw and Order by Christy Barritt (K)

62. Deception by Christy Barritt (K)

63. Artifice by Christy Barritt (K)

64. Obscurity by Christy Barritt (K)

August

65. Enigma by Christy Barritt (K)

66. Frostbite by Christy Barritt (K)

67. Queen Bee by Heather Day Gilbert (K)

68. Are You Hungry, Dear? By Doris Roberts 

69. Holy Disruptor by Amy Duggar King 

70. The Lady’s Mine by Francine Rivers 

71. Harvest Day in the Square by Erynn Mangum (K)

72. Concealed Identity by Jessica Patch (K)

73. The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene (audio book)

74. The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene (audio book) 

75. Weight of Guilt by Christy Barritt (K)

76. Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes (k) read more than half, skipped a bunch, skimmed the epilogue 🤷🏻‍♀️

September 

77. Behind Love’s Wall by Carrie Fancett Pagels (L)

78. Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik (L)

79. A New Chapter by Kristin Eckhardt (L)

80. Rewriting History by Vera Dodge (L)

81. Reading the Clues by Charlotte Carter (L)

82. The Writing on the Wall by Elizabeth Mattox (L)

83. By Word of Mouth by Diane Noble (L)

84. A Book by Its Cover by Elizabeth Adams (L)

The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch

 

The Girl Upstairs, by Jessica R. Patch, is an upcoming book by the author of many other suspenseful fiction. I am new-ish to this author (just in the last year or so) and have been devouring her books. This one is scheduled to release in April 2026 but I got a chance to review an advanced copy! 

There are many layers to this book and the more you read the more unfolds - kind of like peeling an onion. Gwen, Steven, and baby Tara move from Baltimore to Maine in an attempt to save their marriage and reputations. The old house they purchased seems to have a life of its own as it creaks and moans and, from Gwen's point of view, cries and talks. She sees things and hears things no one else seems to. As an ex-cop, she tries to not investigate, but it's in her blood. 

The house has a reputation for being haunted and the local teens spend each Halloween scaring each other on the grounds - Gwen is not thrilled knowing this and tries to ward them off. As time goes on she learns more about the history of the house which unravels her own history as well. 

I found this book to be enjoyable and not as creepy as some of her other books (The Garden Girls really creeped me out). This is her first foray into the mainstream marketplace and outside of the realm of Christian fiction. It is still a clean read though and appropriate for older teens and up. No profanity, no sexual scenes. 

Be sure to look for this one next April! 

The Perimenopause Reset by Dr Jennifer Pfleghaar

The Perimenopause Reset, by Dr Jennifer Pfleghaar, is an invaluable tool for women of any age who want better health. I am post-menopausal and I learned a lot. It is like sitting down with a very knowledgeable friend and having a conversation, it is that easy to understand. The book is interlaced with scripture passages that apply perfectly to each topic. Dr Jen has done her research and has written from the heart. 

The advice shared is worth way more than the small price of the book. I have been to integrative doctors and have paid out the wazoo for some of this information. Do yourself a favor and grab this book. It also has a 28-day devotional in the back of the book, full of ways to make small changes that will add up. 

If you read only one health book this year make it this one!

You can buy it here

One Sharp Stitch by Allie Pleiter

 One Sharp Stitch, by Allie Pleiter, is the first in the Nimble Needle series. I love a good cozy mystery - for several reasons: they are generally clean reads, they are not gruesome, they are light reading and I can usually get through them in one day. This one hit all the marks. Kept me guessing until the very end. I have been a fan of Allie's books since Bad Heiress Day (2005). While this does not have the humor that her chick lit had, it was a very enjoyable book. I learned a lot about needlecraft (something I knew nothing of before) and found myself wondering if this might be a hobby I would be interested in. 

The characters were true to life, and the relationship between the sisters was relatable. I loved the growth that those two shared throughout the book. 

I liked that this focused on the mystery and not on romance, too often I read romantic suspense and I'd rather it just be suspense. This book was just what I wanted on this day - sat down between loads of laundry and cleaning bathrooms. A very good escape. 

About the book:

After her graphic arts career - and her blooming office romance - got tossed like rejected design mockups, Shelby Phillips reluctantly returns to her painfully harmless town of Gwen Lake. Her stint is a simple and fool-proof as a tent stitch: manage the family needlepoint shop for a month during her parents' RV vacation. It's not as if they're retiring, right?

She's determined to pull off hosting her first trunk show with local vendors, even if that means dealing with her former classmate Kat Katsaros, a rising entrepreneur specializing in needlework scissors. Kat is angling to take over the Nimble Needle herself, and the tension unspools when she makes a terrible discovery on the morning of the event: Kat's dead body.

Shelby believes it was no accident and wants to expose whoever committed the murder with Kat's own equipment. She finds help in a new friend, a potential crush, and the surprising support of her sister and the Nimble Needle stitchers. Still, Shelby must move quickly to stitch together the clues before her maybe not-so-temporary new life comes apart at the seams!

2025 book list

 January

1. Lucky Man by Michael J. Fox (L)

2. Chasing Slow by Erin Loechner (L)

3. Deadly Secrets on Mackinac Island by Cara Putnam (Kindle)

4. What HIT Me? By Genny Masterman 

5. Losing It by Valerie Bertinelli (L)

6. One More Lie by Christy Barritt (Kindle) 

7. The Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright (Kindle)

February 

8. The Best Summer of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck (L)

9. The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate (L)

10. All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese (L)

11. A Cry in the Dark by Jessica Patch (Kindle) 

12. Shadows of the White City by Jocelyn Green (L)

13. Drawn by the Current by Jocelyn Green (L) 

14. What a Wave Must Be by Angela Hunt 

15. Laura’s Shadow by Allison Pittman 

16. That Certain Summer by Irene Hannon 

17. Break the Mold by Dr Jill Christa 

March

18. Memory Lane by Becky Wade (L) 

19. Jean and Johnny by Beverly Cleary (L)

20. Happy Lies by Melissa Dougherty 

21. The Long Way Back by Nicole Baart (L)

22. One Sharp Stitch by Allie Pleiter

23. Saving Grayson by Chris Fabry

24. The Vow by D.L. Wood (Kindle) 

25. The Offer by D.L. Wood (Kindle)

26. The Choice by D.L. Wood (Kindle)

27. Cole and Laila are Just Friends by Bethany Turner (Kindle) 

28. Count the Nights by Stars by Michelle Shocklee (L)

29. The Killer’s Therapist by Christy Barritt (Kindle) 

30. Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee (L)

April

31. The Crime of Our Lives by Christy Barritt (K)

32. Dying for Cupcakes by Donna Doyle (k)

33.The Words we Lost by Nicole Deese (L)

34. All My Knotted-Up Life by Beth Moore (L)

35. To Disguise the Truth by Jen Turano (K)

36. Little Broken Things by Nicole Baart (L) 

37. The Starlet Spy by Rachel Scott McDaniel (L)

38. The Glory in Your Story by Monique Rodriguez

May

39. The Garden Girls by Jessica R. Patch (L)

40. What We Hide by Colleen Coble & Rick Acker (L)

41. The View From Above by Kristin Billerbeck (K)

42. I Think I was Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker (L)

43. A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner (L)

44. Room at the Top by Kristin Billerbeck (K) 

June

45. Under a Neon Moon by Kristin Billerbeck (K)

46. Leap Day in the Square by Erynn Mangum (K)

47. Lies we Tell Ourselves by Amy Matayo (K)

July

48. If You’re Reading This by Christy Barritt (K)

49. Before the Night Falls by Christy  Barritt (K)

August

50. The Faux Must Go On by Christy Barritt (K)

51. Unintended Target by D.L. Wood (K)

52. Half Empty by Christy Barritt (K)

53. The Perimenopause Reset by Jennifer Pfleghaar (Kindle) 

54. Where Madness Lies by Lyndsey Spence (L)

55. Enough Already by Valerie Bertinelli (L)

September 

56. Secrets Along the Shore by Jaime Jo Wright, Taylor S Newport, DL Wood, and Julia Blythe (K) 

57. A Million Little Choices by Tamera Alexander 

58. Being Henry by Henry Winkler (L)

59. Unintended Witness by D.L.Wood (K)

60. Specters in the Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright (L)

61. Indigo Isle by T.I. Lowe 

62. Glitter Saints by Robin Brown

63. Where Secrets Lie by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker (L)

64. Home by Ginny L. Yttrup

65. Firefly Cove by Davis Bunn (L)

October 

66. The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R Patch (K)

67. Falling for Your Fake Fiancé by Emma St. Clair (K)

68. The Moment Between by Nicole Baart (L)

69. Meet Me at the Starlight by Rachel Hauck (L)

70. Out to Pasture by Effie Leland Wilder

November 

71. With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander (K) 

72. Over What Hill by Effie Leland Wilder 

73. Dangerous Obsession by Jessica R Patch (K)

74. Home for the Hollandaise by Erin Lucy (K)

75. Unintended Detour by D.L. Wood (K)

76. Murder in the Stacks by David DeKok

77. The Awakening by Rita Manderson 

78. Nobody Has to Know by Jessica R. Patch (K)

79. The Twelve Holidates by Emma St. Clair (K)

December 

80. A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard (very dark)

81. God, Greed and the (Prosperity) Gospel by Costi Hinn (K)

 82. Christmas at the Mysterious Bookshop edited by Otto Penzler (L)

83. The Facts of Life and Other Lessons my Father Taught Me by Lisa Whelchel 

 84. Death of the Couch Potato’s Wife by Christy  Barritt (K) re-read

85. The Church Ladies by Lisa Samson (L)

86. Once Upon a Christmas Carol by Melody Carlson (L)

87. The Collector of Burned Books by Rosanna M. White (L)

88. The Christmas Door by Christy Barritt (K)

Rescue on the Farm by Allie Pleiter

 

Rescue on the Farm, the upcoming release (February 25, 2025) by Allie Pleiter, is her latest in the Love Inspired Romance books. This book introduces us to Meg and Grant. Meg, recently widowed, has two young daughters and runs the small-town diner. Grant, a police officer, is on forced leave due to internal investigations (that he discovered) and returns to his hometown to hang out until it's safe to return to work. Meg lives next door to his mother's farm and has a big part in helping her dream of owning a rescue farm come to life. Meg and Grant butt heads at first, but as the book progresses, so do they. A sweet romance that is clean and has characters who not only love the Lord, but talk about Him as they get to know each other. 

What I love about Allie's books is that her sense of humor shines in them, this one has little peeks of it. Adorable book. What I love about Love Inspired is that they are always a clean read.

This book is coming soon! You don't want to miss it. A perfect way to spend a cold winter day. 

Deadly Revenge by Patricia Bradley

 

Deadly Revenge, by Patricia Bradley, is the third installment in her Pearl River series. I did not read the previous two books but was able to get into this story easily and it read fine as a stand-alone. Jenna and Max seemed real to me as their story unfolded. This was a hard book to put down as I just wanted to see what happened next. The insight each brand to the investigation complimented each other's abilities and it was fun to watch them grow together and towards each other. This was a clean read and is suitable for YA and adult readers. I thought it was interesting to read about coon hunting and how the dogs work together to find a raccoon. I am looking forward to more from this author.

This book provided for review by Revell. 

Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn

 Tea with Elephants, by Robin Jones Gunn, reminds me of the Sisterchicks series and I haven't enjoyed books by this author this much since then. This was such a fun and surprising adventure to read. I whipped through it in about a day. It captivated me and I related to both Fern and Lily. I loved the way they met and how their friendship grew, reminded me of some summer camp friendships that I still have. It was the perfect book for me as it made me laugh and cry. I felt the emotions of the characters as they encountered new things (and animals!) throughout the book. I loved how Fern journaled and worked her way through her feelings in words. I cannot wait to read the forthcoming books in the Suitcase Sisters series! I hope it's more with Fern and Lily. 

From the back of the book:

Ever since Fern Espinoza and Lily Graden met as teenagers volunteering at a conference center in Costa Rica twenty years ago, they have shared a close friendship, even though they live in different states. They can hardly believe it when their teen dream of traveling to Africa together becomes a reality. It's the trip of a lifetime -- but life sure isn't what they thought it would be back when they were young.

Along with their suitcases, both women bring emotional baggage that weighs heavily on them. The two best friends slowly open up to each other about the challenges waiting for them back home. Soon they discover that the people the meet and the places they experience have the power to change their heart -- but only if they listen to the gentle lessons God is teaching them in the land of emerald tea fields, graceful giraffes, and rambunctious elephants.

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure on a safari of the heart in this vulnerable exploration of how to move forward in faith even when the future is uncertain.

This book provided for review by Revell. 

2024 Reading List

 

January

1. One Hit Blunder by Christy Barritt (Kindle)

2. Edgewater Road by Shelley Shepard Gray (Kindle)

3. Sycamore Circle by Shelley Shepard Gray (Kindle)

4. Permanently Booked by Lisa Q. Mathews

5. Force of Nature by Dana Mentink 

6. Moonlight, Murder & Small Town Secrets by K.C. Hart (Kindle) 

7. All My Secrets by Lynn Austin

8. A Novel Murder by Elizabeth Penney 

9. Bitter Words by Jan Fields 

10. The Grim Reader by Margaret Welch 

February 

11. Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

12. A Deadly Chapter by Jan Fields  

13. An Autographed Mystery by DeAnna Julie Dodson 

14. Second Edition Death by Elizabeth Penney

15. A Crime Well Versed by Marlene Chase

16. A Murder Unscripted by Elizabeth Penney

17. Pride and Publishing by DeAnna Julie Dodson  

18. A Literary Offense by Elizabeth Penney

19. Up to Noir Good by Jan Fields

20. On Pens and Needles by Sandra Orchard

21. Ink or Swim by Catherine Dilts 

22. Tell No Tales by Marlene Chase

23. Page Fright by Elizabeth Penney 

24. A Fatal Yarn by Allie Pleiter

25. Read Between the Crimes by Lucy Averill

March 

26. From Fable to Grave by Marlene Chase 

27. A Fateful Sentence by Lucy Averill 

28. Cloak and Grammar by Allie Pleiter

29. A Lost Clause by KD McCrite

30. A Thorny Plot by Catherine Dilts

31. A Scary Tale Wedding by KD McCrite

32. Never Fall Again by Lynn H Blackburn 

33. Leave the Lights on by Christy Barritt (Kindle) 

34. The End of the Road by Christy Barritt (Kindle) 

35. Reckless Christianity by Holly Pivec and R Douglas Gievett 

36. A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell

37. Stars Over Sunset Boulevard by Susan Meissner

April

38. Betsey. A Memoir by Betsey Johnson

39. The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano

40. Stranger in the Looking Glass by Jan Fields

41.The Secret Letter by Mary Blount Christian 

42. The Christmas Riddle by Susan Sleeman

43. Pieces from the Past by Elizabeth Penney 

44.  A Ring of Deception by DeAnna Julie Dodson

45. Loom and Doom by Susan Sleeeman

May

46. Six Feet Undertow by Elizabeth Penney

47. Death Takes a Holiday by Susan Sleeman

48. Framed for Life by Kristi Holl  

49. Season of Misdeeds by Kay Marshall Strom

50. A Chime to Kill by Elizabeth Goddard 

51. Deadly Prospect by Elizabeth Penney

52. Humbug Hijinks by Kristi Holl

53. The Secrets She Kept by Christy Barritt (Kindle) 

54. A Fedora Offense by Donna Kelly

55. Danger in Spades by Elizabeth Penney

56. Bride and Seek by Janet Holm McHenry 

June

57. Rigged for Murder by Elizabeth Penney

58. Three Ring Threat by Donna Kelly 

59. Treble and Strife by Elizabeth Goddard 

60. Tools of the Traitor by Lucy Averill

61. O Stolen Night by Nancy Mehl 

62. A Slippery Slope by Elizabeth Penney 

63. Dead and Married by Donna Kelly 

64. Ladies of the Lake by Cathy Gohlke

65. Most Likely to Die by Christy Barritt (Kindle) 

July

66. The Secret Staircase by Sheila Connolly

67. The Year of Jubilee by Cindy Morgan  

68. The Do-Over by Bethany Turner 

69. The Society of Second Chances by Deborah Raney 

70. Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem

71. The Deconstruction of Christianity by Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett

72. Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble 

73. Everything We Didn’t Say by Nicole Baart

74. The Lady in the Attic by Tara Randel 

75. Raised to Stay by Natalie Runion

76. Look What You’ve Done by Tasha Layton

77. Vacation Friends by Christy Barritt (Kindle) 

August

78. Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner 

79. You Were Always Mine by Nicole Baart

80. Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green (Kindle) 

81. The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright 

82. Tender Grace by Jackina Stark 

83. Beauty to Die For by Kim Alexis & Mindy Starns Clark  

84. A Mountain of Mystery by Carole Jefferson

September 

85. Nobody’s Safe by Carole Jefferson  

86. Silver Surprise by Carole Jefferson 

87. Wildfire by Carole Jefferson 

88. Night Falls on Predicament Avenue by Jaime Jo Wright  

89. Meddling with Mistletoe by Liz Johnson  

90. A Lode of Secrets by Carole Jefferson 

91. Time will Tell by Carole Jefferson 

October

92. A Code of Honor by Carole Jefferson 

93. Empty Saddle by Carole Jefferson 

94. What I Left For You by Liz Tolsma 

95. Reunion Dance by Carole Jefferson

96. The Counterfeit Caper by Carole Jefferson 

97. A Blessing and a Curse by Carole Jefferson 

98. The Restoration Project by Carole jefferson

99. Waiting for Christmas by Lynn Austin 

100. Lights and Shadows by Carole Jefferson 

November 

101. Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn

102. When Lightning Strikes by Carole Jefferson 

103. Hashimoto’s Protocol by Isabella Wentz

104. God Bless us Every One by Carole Jefferson 

105. Instrument of Peace by Carole Jefferson 

106. Deadly Revenge by Patricia Bradley

107. Flurries of Suspicion by Carole Jefferson

108. Heated Accusations by  Carole Jefferson

December

109. Piece by Piece by Carole Jefferson 

110. Things Unseen by Carole Jefferson 

111. Dangerous Beauty by Carole Jefferson

112. Sleight of Hand by Carole Jefferson 

113. The Watcher by Carole Jefferson 

114. Chapter and Verse by Carole Jefferson

115. Grandfathered In by Carole Jefferson 

116. Prairie Tale by Melissa Gilbert 

117. Rescue on the Farm by Allie Pleiter 

Waiting for Christmas by Lynn Austin

 Waiting for Christmas, by Lynn Austin, is a delightful Victorian-era look at one newlywed couple's first Christmas. I am always excited when Lynn releases a new book, as I know it'll be one to savor. This one did not disappoint. The characters became real to me as I read about Adelaide (Addy) and Howard. The book is four parts, all corresponding with candles lit at their church during the month of December. The changes they go through during this time reflect the themes of the Advent Candles. Addy arrives home one day to find a little boy hiding in the bushes outside her door, she takes him in and, with help from her cook and housekeeper, cleans him up and gets him some new clothes. Addy is determined to help him find his missing sister while they wait to see if his father arrives home by Christmas. 

I adored watching Addy learn how to cook and keep house, wanting to do things on her own for her new husband, as she'd grown up an heiress and never learned to do these things. Her determination was sweet. 

As with any Lynn Austin book, this was a clean read and suitable for all ages. A very good look at historical Christmas. 

I was gifted this book as part of the Waiting for Christmas launch team. It's been a pleasure to read and I recommend it. 

What I Left for You by Liz Tolsma

 

What I Left for You, by Liz Tolsma, is the third and final installment in the Echoes of the Past series. Liz has become a favorite author of mine as I adore her books set in the WWII era. This book follows a dual timeline and switches back and forth effortlessly as Helena navigates Poland/Germany during WWII and McKenna, dealing with a broken heart, tries to untangle some things from her family history, leading her on a trip to Poland.

Both women portrayed in this book are strong characters, more so Helena though. Just reading a fictional account of what happened during the war was hard to read because you know this is just the story of one person and there were thousands of others that could have gone through the same things. 

The heart wrenching decisions that Helena made are unraveled and pieced back together with some sleuthing by McKenna in current time. Another thing I loved about this book was the reference to Pennsylvania and the Polish population in my home state. Really enjoyed that tidbit, especially when it mentioned that the hills and mountains reminded Helena of Poland. Loved that. 

About the book:

A Family’s Ties Were Broken in Poland of 1939

1939
Helena Kostyszak is an oddity—an educated female ethnic minority lecturing at a university in Krakow at the outbreak of WWII. When the Germans close the university and force Jews into the ghetto, she spirits out a friend’s infant daughter and flees to her small village in the southern hills. Helena does everything in her power to protect her family, but it may not be enough. It will take all of her strength and God’s intervention for both of them to survive the war and the ethnic cleansing to come.

2023
Recently unengaged social worker McKenna Muir is dealt an awful blow when a two-year-old she’s been working with is murdered. It’s all too much to take, so her friend suggests she dive into her family’s past like she’s always wanted. Putting distance between herself and her problems might help her heal, so she and her friend head on Sabbatical to Poland. But what McKenna discovers about her family shocks everyone, including one long-lost family member.

Also in the Echoes of the Past Series:
What I Would Tell You
What I Promise You

I was honored to be part of the launch team for this book and am always looking for more from this author. 

Meddling with Mistletoe by Liz Johnson

 If ever a book was meant to be made into a Christmas movie, it is this one. Meddling with Mistletoe, by Liz Johnson, was a delight to read - from cover to cover. I was engaged with this book on the first page. A rom-com with a subtle Christian message, this book is a clean read and is appropriate for all readers. It was sweet and funny. I loved getting to know Whitney and Daniel. The characters became real to me and I whipped through this book as fast a Whitney could whip up a pie. Such a fun read. And that first kiss.....I swear I felt it too! 

From the back cover:

The recipe for romance is simple: Sweets, Treats, and Mistletoe Meets.

Whitney Garrett is preparing to enter culinary school in the spring, but first she has to sell enough homemade pies at the local Christmas markets to pay her tuition. When her oven breaks, Whitney asks Marie Sloan, proprietor of the Red Door Inn, is she can use the inn's kitchen to keep up with her orders. Marie agrees with a catch: Whitney has to watch the three Sloan children and cook breakfasts for the Red Door in return.

The inn is busy with holiday guests -- including Aretha Franklin Sloan's nephew, Daniel and Ruby, a businesswoman in town to purchase Aretha's antiques store. Intent on making a Christmas match for the two, Aretha enlists Whitney's help in her schemes. But the deeper Whitney gets, the more she realizes that Ruby is not the right woman for Daniel -- and the more she thinks that she just might be his perfect match.

Honestly, an adorable book that is filled with quirky characters and a lot of fun. Made me laugh and made me feel all cozy. You'll love it!

This book provided for review by Revell. 

Flyover Church by Brad Roth

 

Flyover Church, by Brad Roth, is an easy-to-read book that encourages pastors in rural communities to reach their communities without comparing their ministry to bigger ones. I like that the author shares his hesitation to talk to people in public because, as a fellow-introvert, I have done the same thing. Being an introvert in ministry is hard! I like how he encourages the reader to focus on who you have in front of you at your church and in your small town. Minister to the people right there. You don't have to be bigger or better or have the crowd-attracting methods. The people right there need ministered to. Not to look past the small town that appears to be dying, as most of our country is "fly-over". 

Just 150 pages, this is a good book for any pastor. Roth weaves scripture throughout the book and I didn't find anything that would be a warning or red-flag with his theology. He is a man who loves the Lord and wants to help small-town pastors realize what they have right in front of them. 

This book provided for review by MennoMedia 

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano

 The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple, by Joanna Davidson Politano, is a story with many layers that unwraps slowly while drawing the reader into the intrigue. This author consistently delivers beautiful fiction that is clean and appropriate for all ages. Lily Temple is a silent film star, one wrapped in mystery. Peter Driscoll is an independently hired investigator, his job: to find the truth about Lily's identity. Lily evades questions and, while other outside sources try the same thing, manages to invite Peter into her world and into her heart. Another local mystery teams them to find a missing child. All the while, the gardener friend from Lily's memories lingers somewhere out there...with clues along the way. 

This book was a delight to read. Not one to read quickly, took me about a week to finish it. 

Highly recommended. 

This book provided for review by Revell.  

Never Fall Again by Lynn H Blackburn

 Never Fall Again, by Lynn H. Blackburn, is the first in the Gossamer Falls series by this romantic suspense author. I have really enjoyed Lynn's books in the past and was so looking forward to a new one. This book didn't hook me as quickly as some of her previous ones. There is a gospel theme in it and that was really nice to have in it. The main character, Landry (I kept reading it as Laundry lol) was not as likable as I wanted her to be. She kind of got on my nerves and seemed weak. I did like Cal though. I was rooting for them to get together and was happy when they did. The Haven seemed like an interesting place and I would have liked more of the action to take place there. There seemed to be a lot of filler stuff in this story, stuff that didn't really lead the story forward but was more like dinner at someone's house or shopping. I was hoping for more suspense than this delivered.

This was a clean read and is good for all ages. Nothing in this that I would caution against. Easy to read and a good way to spend a few hours.

This book provided for review by Revell. 

All My Secrets by Lynn Austin

 All My Secrets, by Lynn Austin, is the story of the women in the Stanhope family - heiresses, the grandmother, mother, and daughter. The story takes place over many years in three timelines, going back in time as the character telling her story instead of a separate timeline. I enjoyed the way Austin wrote this, it was very easy to follow. 

As with Austin’s other books, I was drawn in from the first page. I don’t even bother reading the back cover copy of her books anymore, because I know I will love it no matter the topic. 

All My Secrets stays true to the author’s commitment to writing a clean book with strong Christian themes. This went so far as to have the gospel presented fully by the characters. 

This book was a treasure to read and I know the characters will stay with me for a long time. 

Look for it soon from Tyndale  

The divine proverb of streusel by Sara Brunsvold

 The Divine Proverb of Streusel, by Sara Brunsvold, is the second book I’ve had by this author. I really liked her first book a lot more. I could not get into this book at all. I think I got to page 20 and then it just hadn’t grabbed me and I didn’t care about any of the characters at all so I put it aside and forgot about it. I was getting confused as to who was who, so the included family tree Diagram is really needed for this book. The premise sounded interesting to me, but when push came to shove, I found myself disinterested in this altogether.

This book provided for review by Revell. 

The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt

 The Warsaw Sisters, by Amanda Barratt, is a stand-alone novel that whisks the reader back to 1940's Poland at the beginning of WWII. Antonina and Helena watch their world unravel as loss affects them both in different ways. This is the first I've read of this author. It took me a while to get into the book and I almost gave up because I was having a hard time with the switching back and forth between the sisters. I just kept reading and then had to go back and find out which sister's story was being told at the moment. I loved how they both did what they could to help during the war time. The book didn't grip me as I had hoped it would (and as others from this era have). It was a clean read, and enjoyable. Just took me a little longer to get into it than I prefer. 

This book provided for review by Revell.