Renegade by Susan May Warren // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Sierra is doesn't know what to do when the man she thought she buried comes back, after she's raised their son alone for ten years. Now someone wants her ranch, and will do anything to get her out of the way. 

A fast paced read, full of revelations, with a second chance romance on a Colorado ranch. Sierra won't back down easily, and I admired her grit. An engaging read, with a lot going on, I liked the character interaction as Rowan and Sierra come to trust each other again. Rowan is respectful of Sierra's boundaries, and is ready to step up and help when needed. 

A modern western romance, filled with action, suspense, faith and second chances. Great character growth, faith, and I was cheering for Rowan and Sierra all the way. Highly stakes, satisfying read!

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

Texas Cowboy Protector by Connie Queen // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Texas Ranger Mallory Foster comes home to Cedar Hollow hoping to clear her late brother's name in a reopened cold case, coming face to face with her ex-fiance Sawyer Cantrell. 

Sawyer sweeps back into Mallory's life, saving her young son from kidnapping. He suddenly finds out that the stakes are higher than he thought, and he steps up to help her find answers to her brother's death. Sawyer and Mallory make a good team, and I liked how supportive his family was and how he bonded with her son. 

Mallory is determined to clear her brother's name, but also wants to keep her son safe at all costs. I liked how she has grown in faith, and that she and Sawyer  reconnect over their past and shared values. 

Overall, a fast paced read, with great characters and a plot that drew me in. Great suspense, and relationship building. I listened to the audio book, and the narrator did a great job of converying the emotion and differentiating between all the many characters. Highly recommend!

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

All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee // Review

My Review: 
Mattie Taylor returns to the family farm after 2 years away, still struggling with her brother's death in Vietnam. Her mother is fighting cancer and encourages her to learn the truth about who she is, and where she came from.

 A compelling split time novel that follows two grieving women one in 1969 and another in 1942. Ava Delaney takes a job at Camp Forest to make some extra money and get her away from her overbearing mother-in-law, there she works and learns of the plight of many German internees found living in the US before the start of the war. 

Ava is strong and knows when to hold her tongue, I liked that she was honest with herself and tried to get along with her mother-in-law. Gunther is a German medical student, who wants nothing more than to finish his training, but that is no longer an option with the world at war. I admired his steadiness and perseverance, not letting bitterness gain a foothold throughout all he suffered. I liked how he lived his beliefs and reached out in understanding others. A gripping story of faith, family, love, and resilience in the face of loss. Mattie is hurting, and she spent 2 years searching for something that she couldn't find after her brother's death. I liked Nash, and his steady patience with Mattie, and understanding for others. 

A masterfully compelling split time novel, with complex characters and powerful story arcs, with a quiet mystery that kept me wondering right up to the end. A powerful story of faith, family and resilience. Highly recommend! 

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

Silent Menace by Angela Carlisle // Review

Lucie's Review: 

CPA Hailey Nieland is doing her best to build a life for herself and her daughter after the death of her huband, who embezzled money from the town. She is struggling to make ends meet in a small town, living in the shadow of her late husband's crimes.When a new account comes to her she finds strange discrepencies, but looking into them brings threats. She finds a friend in Peter Lewis, who is a former bodyguard who now works security. Together they work to keep her and her daughter safe, while finding answers. 

A suspenseful read, with a thrilling plot, great tension, excellent interaction and character development. I admired Hailey's integrity and strong faith, as well as her courage to stand up to the judgement form those around her. Peter is a man of action, and I liked how he steps up to help Hailey, and bonds with her daughter through ASL. 

Overall, a highly engaging read,with a riveting plot that kept me guessing, and characters that I could cheer for all the way through. Strong themes of faith, courage, and a budding new relationship. Highly recommend. 

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

Gospel Education by Nate Walker // Review

My Review: 

Mr. Walker shares his vision of a well-rounded classical Christian education in the form of a church private school. It is isn't a comprehensive how-to guide, but more of a vision of what it could look like and what it could mean for your child's education. 

He walks through the purpose and joys of a classical education, as well as how each of the disciplines revolves around a life of faith. I think this could be a good read for someone pondering their children's education, and could be encouraging for someone thinking about enrolling their child, starting a school, or homeschooling their child. A good introducation to a classical Christian education, without being overwhelming or overbearing, it does a good job of showing what it could look like. 

Overall, a conise and enlightening read. Good food for thought for parents, grandparents and teacher alike. I think that someone could definitely take parts of it and apply it to homeschooling as well. A thoughtful and knowledgeable read.  

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

More Than Friends by Denise Hunter // Review

My Review: 

Friends-to-lovers romance on the shores of Chincoteague. 

 Jenna returns home to Chincoteague Island after losing her job in a brutal break up. Coming back to the island brings up old feelings for a close friend, as she works to find a new grasp on life and adjust to seeing her mother in a new relationship. Tyson is healing from a shattering divorce, but happy to see Jenna return. 

As they spend time together, they wonder if there could be more than friendship. A heartwarming small-town romance, on the stunning islands famous for their beautiful wild ponies. I admired Jenna for her determination to keep going, despite having everything swept away from her. She and her mother are close, and I liked how the story followed their relationship as well as Jenna's mom's new relationship with Gordon. I liked the warm chemistry between Jenna and Tyson, as they grew closer, and I liked how he dropped things to come and help her investigate. 

 Overall, a clean, heartwarming romance, with a satisfying plot in a gorgeous setting, and likable characters. Engaging and uplifting, this is a great feel-good read, with two characters that you can cheer for throughout. 

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

Retribution in the Mountains by Jodie Bailey // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Melanie knows that her witness protection cover is blown when a bomb goes off in her car, with nowhere to turn she goes to the only person who can help her, Elliot Weiss. 

A fast paced suspense with a vast backstory, and likable protagonists. There is a lot going on, with a big backstory to unpack as well. Melanie and Elliot both need help moving on from the past, but the present reality is making it difficult. 

I liked that Elliot has a talented and supportive team around him. It isn't easy for Melanie and Elliot to open up at first, but as they learn more of the deadly plot they must face the past, and trust God to see them through. 

Overall, a well done read witn great tension and a riveting plot. Definitely recommend!

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

Joy of Heaven: Prayer of the Revivals edited by Robert Elmer // Review

My Review: 

Pray along with the heroes of the faith in this beautifully bound collection of powerful prayers oragnized by topic. 

A wonderful addition to daily devotions, it was so encouraging and inspiring to read through the prayers of great Christian leaders from the early 1700s through the 1900s, from times of revival. Among some of the authors are Jonathan Edwards, Andrew Murray, Charles and Susannah Spurgeon, George Whitefield, Amy Carmichael, and so many more. I felt like I have a lot to learn from those who have gone before about prayer, and I was most inspired by how boldly they prayed. 

Gorgeously bound in a goldenrod linen bound hardcover, with a ribbon placemarker it makes a great addition to your library or is a beautiful and lasting gift to give someone you love. Highly enjoyable and inspiring.

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

An Unconvential Lady by Sarah E. Ladd // Review

Lucie's Review: 

The story is a little slow to start as the plot is established. Ella Wilde wants to clear her mother's name from the shadow of disgrace she died under, with whispers of mental instability. 

Ella was brought up in a world of science and exploration, and phrenology is all the rage, which is reading of head lumps, but Ella has her suspicions. A scientific symposium brings an old childhood friend back into Ella's life, and she and Gabriel join forces to prove the phrenologist a crock. 

The story builds well, and I liked the relationship between Ella and Gabriel as they work together, building trust and coming to rely on each other. Gabriel is a good man, and I liked his determination to find the truth. 

Overal, an engaging read with a good plot and likable characters. There is good interaction, and makes for a satisfying clean romance. 

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

A Scattering of Light by Lori Benton // Review

My Review: 

William Wallace Crockett is a Scottish drover wrongfully stolen away from his home and left for dead, his freedom sold for a pittance. Verity Wilde is a young Quaker woman, who has mercy on his situation taking him into her household. 

A compelling story of betrayal, loss, and God's providence. Verity carries the weight of her brother's death, while helping her father in his business. Verity has dreams, as well as a big heart for others. Judah is a wise and loyal family member, who walks the line between his two heritages, I like dhis protectiveness of Verity and his friendship with Will. 

A rugged and realistic view of early America, full of promise and hope in a wild and untamed land. Will is determined and hardworking, a clever young man full of dreams and the grit to make them come true. I liked how Jenny gently encourages him, while gracefully enduring the hardships as they came. 

Overall, a compelling novel that takes us from the hills of Scotland to colonial Virginia. Filled with heartache, and loss, but also inspiring courage and sacrifice, with a solid core of faith. A well told story, that brings to life early America in a story of betrayal, faith, and hope. Definitely recommend. 

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