Falling Into Us by Denise Hunter // Review

My Review: 

Gabby Donaldson is on a mission to deliver a letter to her estranged grandmother, but first she has to find her. She hesitantly accepts the help of single dad and journalist Mason Morrison as they follow the clues and track down contacts. Their new friendship has them wondering if they could let down their walls and give love a chance. 

A heartwarming smalltown romance. Gabby has a hard time trusting, as she has been let down so many times in life. And in a way this story is about holding on a letting go. Gabby is used to running away, and Mason is facing the reality that his little girl is growing up and that means giving her wings. It's a cute story, with good interactions, I liked how supportive and welcoming Mason's family is towards Gabby. 

Overall, a sweet feel-good romance, great for fans of Hallmark style movies, with little twists along the way. I liked how Peyton takes to Gabby right away and how they enjoy baking and crafting together. An enjoyable quick read, with a sweet romance. 

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

Create in Me a Clean Heart by Matthew Boswell // Review

My Review: 

A thoughtful, concise and engaging exposition of Psalm 51 by Matthew Boswell, encouraging us to meditate on the deep truths of who God is. 

Written in an engaging conversational style that is also concise and to the point. I liked the background knowledge that Mr. Boswell brought to the book. It was easy to read, and does an excellent job of diving deep into the Scripture, and how David though he knew he had sinned grievously, still knew that God was unfailingly good, and was the only One who could bring him comfort and peace. We look at David's heart, and how this Psalm can inform our own Christian walk as believers. 

Highly recommend this engaging verse by verse exposition of one of the most stirring Psalms. 

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

The Paris Housekeeper by Renee Ryan // Review

My Review: 

Three women are bound together by the horrors of the Nazi occupation of France, in this gritty and inspiring novel. 

The story follows Rachel, Camille and Vivian. They meet while Camille and Rachel work at the Ritz Hotel, where Vivian is a wealthy guest. But when the Germans comes, everything changes and they are pushed to their limits while fighting for pieces of humanity against their heartless foes. 

Camille is the connecting thread. She is willing to do anything and works hard to help her family be able to take care of her sister who goes through bouts of depression and mental instability. She is clever and knows the danger that the Nazi regime poses to her sister. I admired her straight moral compass and how she continues to choose humanity even when it would be easy to walk away or take and easier path. She is a source of encouragement to the other women. 

Rachel's father refuses to leave Paris, and soon they are stuck. She is understandably frustrated and questioning. I liked how she supports her family in small ways that mean a lot. 

Vivian is a wealthy American widow, who lost the love of her life, and wants to use her wealth to help others during this tumultuous time. Quickly she gets swept into a dangerous situation and branded a horizontal collaborator, while trying a stay afloat and continue to help others. 

A gritty and gripping read, with remarkable women who have to make very hard choices and make sacrifices for others. The content in this book is mostly clean, but things happen off page that we are very aware of. It is a very sad story and hard to read at times. I thought it was sad that Vivian hoped that her good works were enough to counteract the wrongs she had done, yet she didn't have a peace from assurance. There is some faith alluded to, through prayers and fleeting thoughts, or non-religiousness as well.

Well researched, realistic, and inspiring story of three women living through the Nazi occupation of Paris. 

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

The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay // Review

My Review: 

CIA codebreaker Lusia Voekler stumbles upon a letter that opens a vault of secrets and sends her digging in her own history for answers about her father. 

A riveting read that follows Lusia in the U.S. working for the CIA, and her father back in East Germany. It goes back and forth, often covering the same patch of time through two different perspectives. Gripping, gritty and realistic. The author does an excellent job of showing the impact that it had in splitting up families, and the not knowing the truth beyond the walls. 

Well researched, realistic, and well done. Engaging and compelling plot that pulls you in. I liked learning more about the time period, and how people rebelled through music. A high stakes plot, that kept me locked in. Definitely recommend!

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

All the Suspects on Campus by Heather Day Gilbert // Review

Lucie's Review: 

English professor Jo Blue Oliver finds a hidden library in her historic home, filled with leather bound editions of the complete works of Agatha Christie. Her daughter, Millie suggests that they start a book club. But before their first meeting, a colleague of Jo Blue's turns up dead, and a student goes missing.

Jo Blue uses her sleuthing skills to help the police detective with the case, as she uncovers secrets that have her wondering if she will need the genius of Agatha Christie to solve this mystery. 

An engaging cozy mystery, with likable characters, and a riveting plot. As Jo Blue uncovers more secrets, she also uncovers more suspects. Jo Blue is great at digging up clues, as a fellow faculty member, she knows the people and the students. 

It is a clean read, with nods to faith along the way. I really liked the premise and the characters and am hopeful that there will be many more books in the series!

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

Uncovering Explosive Secrets by Maggie K. Black // Review

Lucie's Review: 

An action-packed suspense, full of high stakes, strong faith, and the start of something new. 

Detective Melody Rust is partnered with FBI agent Austin Drake to pose as a couple willing to broker a deal for a baby on the dark web, into order to catch human traffickers. But when a bomb goes off at a Fall Fest, with a targeted victim, they know they are in a race against time to find out who is behind the attack and save a missing girl and her baby. 

A fast-paced read, with a lot going on, and great characters that you can cheer for throughout. Melody and Austin make a great team, complimenting each other's strengths, and playing their parts well. The plot is gripping and engaging, I liked that we got some major progress towards the overarching story that connects the series. 

Overall, a highly entertaining read, with high action, suspense, but breathing room for humor to cut the tension. Great chemistry, likable characters and faith. Highly recommend! 

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

Over Yonder by Sean Dietrich // Review

My Review: 

Full of wry humor, larger than life characters that also feel like someone you might know, smart aleck wisecracks, and plenty of heart, Over Yonder is a wild, rollicking tale of everyday people, faith, and the family you meet along the way. 

Fresh out of prison former episcopalian priest Woody Barker is surviving, forced to eat a vegetarian diet by his ex-wife, while she tries to get him on the organ donor list for a new heart.  But when his 17-year-old daughter from his first marriage, Caroline, shows up pregnant, with a no-good boyfriend, and members of a terrorist organization in hot pursuit, he and his elderly father, Amos, find themselves on a wild adventure full of high-speed chases, bullets, and more. 

An enjoyable and entertaining read, full of heart, and that kept me guessing. The characters are larger than life, yet in other ways feel familiar like someone you know in their imperfect humanity. Amos, Woody's dad, was probably my favorite. 

Overall, an experience that pulls you in, and I could definitely see as a full-blown major motion picture in my head. I would probably say that the content level is PG-13, as there are minor swears peppered throughout, as well as some of the subjects. Rough around the edges, but so full of heart in unexpected places, and honest straightforward faith. The short chapters pull you into different POVs, for a fast-paced read. A highly entertaining read. Definitely worth a read!

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

Texas Cold Case Murder by Laura Scott // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Texas Ranger tech specialist Nina Dobson has always wondered about her birth mother, and when she goes searching for answers someone makes it clear that her poking around is not welcome. She calls fellow ranger Jackson, to help her out. He is willing and protective of her as they fight to find the truth. 

A gripping suspense, full of action and mystery, with strong likable characters, and inspiring faith. I liked how Jackson lives his faith, and how it inspires Nina. Great interaction, Jackson and Nina make a strong team. Good relationship building and faith.

Overall, a fantastic adventure with everything I could want out of a suspense, with faith, romance, a mystery that kept me guessing and plenty of action. Highly recommend!

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

The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz // Review

My Review: 

Juliet Catesby is a capable woman, she has poured herself into her father's indigo business, as well as freeing slaves. In order to cancel a debt, her father arranges for one of his daughters to marry a Scots lord, Juliet is surprise when he chooses her instead of her younger and more marriage minded sister. I admired how she made the best of her new life, and made an effort to welcome Leith's children and get to know them. She is a clever and capable woman, strong in her convictions and kindness. I also liked her close relationship with her sister Loveday, who is different in many ways but they have a mutual love and respect for each other. 

A slow burn romance, with a marriage of convenience. I liked that Leith notices Juliet for her management skills, as well as her intelligence. He is touched by her care for his children, but wary of making the mistakes he made with his first wife. 

An engaging read, with likable characters, and an interesting premise with and American heiress travelling to Scotland instead of the other way around. An enjoyable story full of love and sacrifice, that had me hanging on to the very end. Highly recommend!

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

Montana Christmas Target by Terri Reed // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Sculptor Fiona Halvorson finds herself caught up in a dangerous crime operation, when she finds her ex-fiancé dead and her art gallery implicated in illegal dealings. She's saved from an attempted abduction by FBI agent Bryce Springs, and together they must stay one step ahead of the killers while figuring out how to disentangle her from the criminal scheme. 

A fast paced, and action packed read, with likable characters and a thrilling plot. Fiona is quick thinking with good survival instinct, she is the kind of woman who can take care of herself but also knows when to stand back and be supportive. Together she and Bryce make a great team. 

Overall, a fantastic Christmas suspense with strong faith, great characters and a lot going on! Highly entertaining and enjoyable read!

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