Beyond the Far Horizon by Carolyn Leiloglou, illustrated by Vivienne To // Review

My Review: 

The thrilling third installment in The Restorationists. 

Ravi has joined forces with Georgia, Vincent, and their family to fight the Distortionists, but a small part of him is still doubting that he can turn his back  on his former life and truly be accepted as he is by his new friends. Fighting Dorian and his Distortionists will take everything they have, as they work together to protect the painting and reunite families. 

A satisfying conclusion to a wonderful series, great for middle-grade readers, with themes of celebrating unique gifts, forgiveness, truth, and turning a new leaf. I loved getting to know all the new characters, like Selma and Horace. As well as the friendship between Ravi and Lily. 

Fast paced and fun, with educational tidbits about famous art. I liked getting to know Ms. Art better, as well as Uncle Leo ad seeing the whole team work together. Great for confident young readers, or as a family read aloud. Highly enjoyable and engaging. Definitely recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Holly and Nick Hate Christmas by Betsy St. Amant // Review

My Review: 

Chaotic and heartwarming Christmas rom-com, with likable characters and plenty of heart. 

Holly is headed home for the holidays feeling lower than she has in a while, newly jobless, and turning 30 on the 25th, she and Christmas have never been friends. Holly is a likable heroine, but she's in a funk. I could definitely relate to all the little things adding up and taking a toll on her happiness. She has a full of siblings all home for Christmas, so there are a lot of personalities under one roof.

Nick is Holly's brother Ryan's co-worker, and he is a little surprised when Ryan offers to set him up with his sister Holly for Christmas, especially since Nick has a secret that nobody knows that has potential to shake up the holiday. 

A fun and relatable rom-com, with a cozy country setting, and a loving but chaotic family. I liked the interaction between Nick and Holly, and how he wants to get to know her better. It's and crazy at times, but brought a smile to my face. Highly enjoyable, with a heartwarming faith-filled core. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Blind Trust by Laura Scott // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Guide dog trainer Eva Kendall finds herself caught in the middle of a deadly ring of drug traffickers who believe that she knows something she doesn't. K-9 officer Finn Gallagher wants to help her find out what is going on, and keep her young nephew safe, but can she trust him with her deepest secret?

An engaging fast-paced read, with a lot going and a plot that kept me guessing. I like that Finn is a man of faith and is open about what he believes. Eva has a lot on her plate, training dogs, caring for her nephew and trying to figure out why the bad guys won't leave her alone. 

A riveting read, with strong likable characters, good growth and development, as well as interaction. Highly enjoyable. Definitely recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Act of Valor by Dana Mentink // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Airline employee Violet Griffin witnesses' suspicious activity and finds herself in the crosshairs of a dangerous drug trafficking ring. She asks her former childhood friend Zach Jameson for help, and together they must work together to thwart the drug ring. 

A fun fast paced read. I liked that Zach and Violet were childhood friends, and already have an established ease with each other, but are working to navigate their changing relationship. There are plenty of twists and turns, with plenty of suspense and clever beagle. 

There was good interaction, faith, and I loved how warm and supportive Violet's family is. A highly enjoyable read, with a lot going on. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Vanished in Montana by Jenna Night // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Julia Crane is a true crime podcaster, she travels to Montana to dig into a cold case close to her heart. But someone doesn't want her poking around looking for answers, but Deputy Max Lone steps up to help her investigate. 

A fast paced read, with likable characters of faith, and a plot that keeps you guessing. There are a lot of twists and turns, with good relationship building. I like how Max challenged Julia's ideas of love and the future. They work together as a team, and I liked how they got to know each other. 

Overall, an engaging cold case mystery full of suspense, faith, with a romance you can cheer for all the way through. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Murders in the Marquee by Dana Mentink // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Reformed jewel thief Saul Niffler is doing his best to stay on the straight and narrow and get his life back on track. He takes a job working at the Grand Mallard Marquee as the duck commandant, but when he witnesses someone fall from an upper window, he wonders if he just witnessed a murder. He teams up with guest and amateur sleuth Kitty Rossi and aspiring magician Henry to find answers. Can they untangle the mysterious behind the hotel walls? 

A little slow to start, it picks up quickly as we get to know the characters and the setting. Saul is a likable protagonist, a new Christian working to prove himself and get his life back. Kitty is curious and adventurous, pulling Saul and Henry into her sleuthing. 

A fun-filled cozy mystery, full of faith friendship and a cast of intriguing characters. Engaging storytelling setting up what is sure to be a fantastic series! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright // Review

My Review: 

A dual timeline novel set in a rural Michigan farmhouse that holds secrets that reach into the present day. 

A brutal murder happens in a small rural community, and it has everyone asking questions. Perliett Van Hilton is local healer caught between the world of her mother who claims to speak with the dead, and her late father, a preacher who frowned on such practices. Perliett finds herself caught up in the case, as she finds herself torn between the local doctor and a mysterious and charming newcomer. 

In the present-day Molly and her husband feel like they are adrift, floating farther and farther away from each other. They move out to the country hoping for a fresh start, but a murder that brings up the dark history of the farmhouse has them looking for answers. 

An intriguing split time mystery, with a compelling storyline and a powerful story of healing and faith. A haunting read, I liked the tension between Perliett and George, as they butt heads throughout the story. Perliett doesn't like how George looks down on her self-taught methods, but is continually baffled by his seemingly contradictory actions. I liked their interaction, and how Perliett questions what she sees and the world around her, searching for something true. Molly has been through a lot, and moving to the country isn't her idea. She has been struggling for a long time, and my heart went out to her as she fights for each day. 

Overall, this is a compelling read, full of mystery and intrigue that kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat. Excellent storytelling, with a strong message of faith. Great character development and dealing with complex issues. Another winner from Ms. Wright! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Parable Port: The Captain's Clue by Brock Eastman and Shaun Stevenson // Review

My Review: 

Return to Parable Port in this second adventure that finds Anthony, Duck, Grace, J.R. And Brooklyn once again fighting to save the town from mysterious goings on that can only be fought with truth, and solid foundations.

Another thrilling adventure, as the kids learn about the Wise Builder and the Foolish Builder, while their town finds itself flooding . The kids must seek the answers and cling to the truth to bring the water under control, while the evil one is at work trying to deceive them. I liked how we get to see another side of J.R. on her own quest for truth.

 There is a lot going on, and I had a hard time putting it down.

A fantastic story for middle grade readers, that teaches about the parables of Jesus through fast-paced truth-filled adventures! Strong values, exciting adventures, great for confident readers or as a family read-aloud. Definitely recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Danger in the Rockies by Terri Reed // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Maren Anderson is swept into a deadly chase, when she is mistaken for her long-thought-dead twin sister, Opal. DEA agent Colt Dawson comes to her aid, as they go looking for answers and try to stay ahead of the drug kingpin after them. 

A fast paced adventure that kept me guessing, with great relationship building, wonderful interaction, and fantastic dogs! I liked that Maren and Colt bonded over their shared Christian faith, and love of  specially trained dogs. There is a lot going on, with a background over-arching mystery that has to do with human trafficking that will be addressed later in future books in the series. 

There is a lot going on, and I liked the character arcs as well, with Colt learning to trust again, and Maren coming to terms about her missing sister and fighting for answers. I liked the strong faith, great relationship building, and plenty of action. 

The narrator did an excellent of bringing the story to life, with all the suspense and tender emotions, making for a riveting experience!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Sacred Thread Series // Review // Now Streaming on Angel

Most people know the Lord’s Prayer. 

Very few understand the world, language, and meaning behind it. The Sacred Thread takes viewers deep into the historical and cultural context of Scripture, helping audiences experience the Lord’s Prayer the way Jesus’ original audience would have heard it. 

This is not just another Bible study. It’s a cinematic journey through the land, history, language, and deeper meaning of one of the most important prayers ever spoken. 

Angel continues to create thoughtful, high-quality series that make Scripture feel alive, relevant, and deeply personal. 

About The Sacred Thread:

The Sacred Thread is a cinematic documentary series exploring the Lord’s Prayer through the

historical, cultural, geographical, and literary world in which Jesus first spoke it. Hosted by Brad

Gray and featuring insights from scholars including N.T. Wright, the series takes viewers across

biblical landscapes to uncover the deeper meaning and context behind one of the most

well-known prayers in Scripture. (angel.com)

Through cinematic storytelling and accessible scholarship, the series invites audiences to see

Scripture with fresh eyes and rediscover the richness, depth, and relevance of the Biblical text.

(angel.com)

Now streaming on Angel : https://www.angel.com/shows/sacred-thread

Join the Angel Guild and support stories that bring meaning, hope, and purpose back to entertainment.

My Review: 

Dive deep into Scripture with host Brad Gray, who takes us through the Lord's Prayer phrase by phrase with cultural, historical, and contextual context. 

In depth, with cinematic visuals, the series is divided into 7 episodes that run roughly half an hour, which makes it great for sparking conversations and giving time for you to think and absorb. Great for small groups, Bible studies, or watching with your family at home. The delivery is engaging, with deep insights, while we are taken down the streets that Jesus walked. 

I really enjoyed how they took their time thoughtfully and compellingly to explore the context, consulting New Testament experts, and explaining the landscape that Jesus had entered and what he was telling his disciples. I rewatched a few episodes because they were just so good, and there was so much in there to absorb. 

Overall, an excellently done series that made me appreciate the Lord's Prayer even more, now that I know more of the background and significance. Compelling, easy to follow, strong delivery and depth. Highly recommend!

 #TheSacredThreadMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork 

 Many thanks to Angel for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

 Giveaway: $10 Amazon giftcard (Note: This is limited to US winners only).

Sacred Thread - $10 Amazon Giftcard