Justice Betrayed by Patricia Bradley

Justice Betrayed is the third book in the Memphis Cold Case series. Even though the story references the previous book, this one reads like a stand-alone novel. It takes place during Elvis Week in Memphis, which is something I didn’t know existed! It was really interesting to get a glimpse of that world. All the Elvis “tribute artists” certainly made for some colorful characters, too! On top of that, the case included multiple murders to solve, including a cold case, without much evidence to go on.

In my opinion, this book was better than the previous one in the series, Justice Buried. I really enjoyed the growth in the relationship of the main characters, Rachel and Brad, and the intriguing storyline. When I was about halfway through the book, I thought I had figured out who the villain was, but I was wrong. I was definitely surprised at the end! If you like the mystery and suspense genres, this will be a great addition to your summer reading list!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review.

The Girls’ Guide to Conquering Life by Erica and Jonathan Catherman

When I first heard about this book, the subtitle really caught my eye: “How to Ace an Interview, Change a Tire, Talk to a Guy, and 97 Other Skills You Need to Thrive.” It sounded kind of like a reference book for “adulting,” and I was excited to read it! It ended up being a little different than I was expecting. Some of the chapters would be useful for college-age girls, especially the chapters on work, car maintenance, cooking, and “fix-it” jobs around the house. Other chapters seemed to be geared more towards younger teens, addressing topics like personal hygiene and basic social skills.

I did really like the format of the book! The different topics are broken up into chapters (like Work & Ethics, Clothes & Fashion, Food & Cooking, etc). Each chapter starts with a story about a woman who excels in that particular area of life. The chapters are then broken down into skills written in a list format, only a page or two long and easy to read. There are plenty of illustrations, quotes, and fun facts sprinkled throughout!

I think any teenage girl could benefit from reading this book. Older girls might not get as much out of it, but there’s still a lot of good information for college students or girls getting their first job or apartment. It would make a great gift for nieces, daughters, or even high school graduates as they head off to college.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review.

A lot of my favorite authors have new books coming out in 2018, and I’m exited to read them all! If you’re like me, you don’t want to miss a good new book release, so I thought I would share the ones on my pre-order list. So far, I only know of new releases into July, so stay tuned for a part 2 to this post later in the year!

Troubled Waters (Montana Rescue series #4) by Susan May Warren (January 2): This one came out already, and I read it early so I could write a review, but I still had to include it on my list! I have said many times before how much I love Susan May Warren, and this book was no exception. If you enjoy suspense, drama, and romance, you won’t be disappointed by her Montana Rescue series (or any of her books!).

Stone and Sunset (Raleigh Harmon Prequel Mysteries #4) by Sibella Giorello (February 2): Whenever I hear that Sibella Giorello is releasing a new Raleigh book, I preorder it as soon as I can! This newest one is part of the prequel series that takes place while Raleigh is in high school. It’s so fun to be able to see how her earlier years shaped her into the forensic geologist she is in the regular series!

The Sea Before Us (Sunrise at Normandy series #1) by Sarah Sundin (February 6): Sarah Sundin is another one of those authors whose books I always preorder. She is the best WWII author I’ve read, weaving in so many period details you feel like you’re there, but without being stuffy like some historical fiction can be. I’m so excited for this new series!

If I Live (If I Run series #3) by Terri Blackstock (March 6): The If I Run series is one of the most intriguing suspense series I think I’ve ever read. The main character, Casey, is on the run because she’s accused of a crime she didn’t commit, and she finds an unlikely ally in the investigator tasked with finding her. I can’t wait to see how her story ends in this third book!

No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert (April 3): No one could ever accuse Katie Ganshert’s books of being shallow or surface-y. She dives into some tough topics but handles them with grace. Her characters capture your heart as you see some of yourself in them as they struggle and grow. This book sounds like it will be very timely, and I can’t wait to read it!

Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines (April 24): This one is a cookbook, but I think it still counts! Anything by Joanna Gaines has to be good, right? I loved The Magnolia Story by Chip and Jo, and of course I love their show (who doesn’t?), so I can only imagine this will be an awesome cookbook! If I can’t visit their bakery and restaurant, this will be the next best thing 🙂

Storm Front (Montana Rescue series #5) by Susan May Warren (May 1): Two new Susan May Warren books in one year… doesn’t get much better than that! This will be the second to last book in the Montana Rescue series. I love how all the books in the series tie in together, and while this book is mainly about Ty, we will still feel involved with the whole team.

Falling for You (A Bradford Sisters Romance #2) by Becky Wade (May 1): I read the first book in this series, True to You, when it came out last spring, and I loved it! The characters were very well-written and well-developed, and the story also had a little mystery that drew you in even more. The second book will follow the story of another one of the Bradford sisters (of course) and I can’t wait to read it!

The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck (June 12): If you’re looking for a faith-filled romance that really tugs on your heartstrings, you’ll find one in any of Rachel Hauck’s books! Her last several novels have been focused on main characters who live in different time periods but who have some kind of connection. This book will also have a split-time plot, which I love! It adds a layer of mystery, since you may not know right away how the characters are connected.

Dead Drift (Chesapeake Valor series #4) by Dani Pettrey (July 3): This book will be the conclusion to the Chesapeake Valor series, that follows a group of friends whose careers are all related to law enforcement. One of their friends, Luke, has been missing since college, but in this book they will finally find out what happened to him as they work to stop a terrorist threat. I’m sure this book will be full of action and suspense, just like the rest of the series!

Called to Protect (Blue Justice series #2) by Lynette Eason (July 31): The first book in the Blue Justice also just came out in January. I think it was the first book I’ve read by Lynette Eason, and I loved it! The whole family is involved in law enforcement in some form, and this second book tells the story of Chloe, one of the daughters in the family. If you like the TV show Blue Bloods, I bet you’ll love these books!

I’m glad that there’s at least one book on this list for each month from January to July! I love having a new book to look forward to every few weeks 🙂 Do you have any books you would add to this list?

Susan May Warren is one of my all-time favorite authors. I think I’ve read all but two or three of her books (and she’s written a lot!), and I always preorder her new releases so I’ll have them as soon as they come out. As you can imagine, I was so excited when I had the chance to read her newest book, Troubled Waters, before it came out on January 2nd!

Troubled Waters is the fourth book in the Montana Rescue series, and it follows the members of the PEAK Rescue team in Montana, near Glacier National Park. The main characters in this book are Ian Shaw, the billionaire who founded PEAK to search for his niece when she went missing, and Sierra Rose, Ian’s former assistant and current assistant to the team. We’ve been getting parts of their story all through the series, and we finally get some resolution in this book!

Susan May Warren’s books keep getting better the more she writes, and this one is no exception! She is a master at creating characters who seem authentic from the first page, and who really come to life, with real challenges, struggles, uncertainties, joys, and successes. Every detail serves to add to the story rather than distract, and there’s enough action to keep things interesting, but none of it seems unrealistic. Most of all, I just love the stories she weaves… they make me want to move to Montana and meet the team! The best part is, we will have two more chances to catch up with the team with the last two books in the series. The next one, Storm Front, releases on May 1, 2018. I can’t wait! 🙂

The publisher provided me a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. I was not required to give a positive review; I just truly love Susan May Warren 🙂

Title: Vanishing Point

Series: Nikki Boyd Files

Author: Lisa Harris

Genre: Christian romantic suspense

My rating: 5/5

This was one of the best suspense books I’ve read in a long time! It’s technically part of the Nikki Boyd series, which I’ve never read, but this book can definitely be read as a stand-alone novel. It’s written as part of Nikki’s backstory, but she isn’t a main character, which I thought was a really cool way to tell the story from a different perspective.

The story starts out in 2003 with the murder of a teenage girl whose death is believed to be linked to a serial killer, and it follows the main characters through the years as more girls go missing. The way it jumped from case to case kept things interesting, but still easy to follow. It’s a really unique plot, and definitely keeps you guessing all the way through! The mystery was believable and suspenseful, the characters were relatable, and the writing really drew me in. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next!

This was the first book I’ve read by Lisa Harris, but it won’t be the last! The other three books in the Nikki Boyd series are now on my Amazon wishlist 🙂 If you are a fan of the mystery/suspense genre, I definitely recommend this book!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own; I was not required to give a positive review.

The genre of Christian suspense/thriller has been one of my favorites to read for a long time, so I was excited to read Justice Buried by Patricia Bradley. It’s the second book in her Memphis Cold Case series, but it can definitely be read as a stand-alone novel. In fact, I didn’t even know it was the second until after I read it!

This is a good, clean mystery with plenty of suspense and action. The plot isn’t farfetched like suspense can be sometimes; it’s something I could imagine actually happening, but at the same time it’s very unique, which makes it keep your attention! It isn’t an overly intense or complex plot, so it’s easy to follow the characters and keep track of what’s happening. The main characters, Kelsey and Brad, are real and relatable, with a good solid friendship. Although the book is technically romantic suspense, it’s definitely more suspense than romance. The faith aspect is also pretty subtle, although it fit well with the story and doesn’t feel preachy when it shows up. Overall, this is a really good book! I would recommend this book to fans of Irene Hannon or Terri Blackstock.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own; I was not required to give a positive review.

Now that it’s already the end of May, I’m finally getting around to writing about the books I read in April 😉 I was really excited about one of the new books I got in April! One of my favorite authors since I was in high school has been Robin Jones Gunn, and I’m so glad she’s still writing books about Todd and Christy. I read several other books that I really enjoyed, too!

1. If I’m Found by Terri Blackstock \\ Casey Cox is still on the run, but getting closer to proving who killed her father and is now framing her for her friend’s murder. She is encouraged by her unlikely friendship with the man tasked to find her, and the faith he’s helping her find. But while she’s hiding and runnnig for her life, she can’t help but intervene when she sees injustice, even when it puts her in more danger. I love the unique plot of this book and the whole series; it’s hard to put down! The only part I don’t love is that I have to wait a year for the third book in the series to come out 🙂
2. Eve by William Paul Young \\ I know William Paul Young is a controversial author, starting with his book The Shack. I haven’t read that one, but I found Eve on clearance at the bookstore and thought I’d give it a try. I was a little surprised by how much it drew me in. It tells the story of Creation through the eyes of Lilly, a girl who suffered great tragedy and now finds herself in another dimension between worlds, destined to be a Witness. The book may be a little too science fiction-y to some, and there’s probably some questionable theology, but it’s definitely a unique way to bring the Creation story to life. If you’re comfortable with it, I’d encourage you to read it for yourself and try to think critically about what you’re reading and how it jives with what you know to be true from the Bible.
3. Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey \\ I loved Dani Pettrey’s Alaskan Courage series, so I was excited to find that she has a new series out! So far there are two books out in this Chesapeake Valor series (Cold Shot is the first) and the third is coming out this fall. The series follows a group of friends, all involved in law enforcement in different ways. This first book starts off with Griffin, a park ranger, finding a body in his national park. It takes the whole group and their unique skills to solve the crime, and along the way, they learn to work together as a team. There’s plenty of action, compelling characters, and a unique plot that keeps you guessing.
4. Our Lost Constitution: The Willful Subversion of America’s Founding Document by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) \\  Mike Lee has been one of my favorite senators since he was first elected in 2010. (Who even has favorite senators, especially ones from states across the country? I do, I have to admit! 😉 ) I had been wanting to read this book, so when I saw it on clearance at the bookstore, I had to buy it! Each chapter describes a certain provision of the Constitution and the story of how it came to be part of the document. Then, Sen. Lee describes a problem we face today that can be traced back to ignoring or misinterpreting the corresponding part of the Constitution. It’s really interesting to learn more about how the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution, and seeing the consequences of “forgetting” those important parts shows how vital they are! This would be a great book for homeschoolers, high school or college students, or pretty much anyone who votes in the United States.
5. Right Where We Belong by Deborah Raney, Melissa Tagg, and Courtney Walsh \\ I’ve read books by two of the contributors to this novella collection, so I was excited to see this on Kindle Unlimited! This is a collection of three short stories that all take place in small towns. The main character in Melissa Tagg’s part of the book was a secondary character in the other book I’ve read by her, so it was fun to get to read about her story! These stories didn’t feel rushed, like novellas can sometimes, and I really enjoyed the whole book.
6. A Sweethaven Summer and
7. A Sweethaven Homecoming by Courtney Walsh \\ I’ve read a couple other books by Courtney Walsh and liked them, so I was excited to see that her Sweethaven series is on Kindle Unlimited! These are the first two out of three books in the series.They follow the stories of four friends who spent their teenage summers together in Sweethaven, but grew apart later in life. Now, one of the friends has passed away, and her daughter decides to go to Sweethaven to find out more about her mother’s past, and to try to find out the identity of her father. Along the way, she meets her mother’s old friends, who are all facing their own problems and learning important lessons about God and themselves. Following each of the five main characters keeps the plot interesting, but not hard to follow, since they’re all so intertwined. The main characters span three generations (three of the original friends, now in their 40s; one of their mothers; and one of their daughters), so there’s someone everyone can relate to. I really enjoyed these books, and I will definitely be reading more books by Courtney Walsh!
8. Salty Kisses by Robin Jones Gunn \\ The Christy Miller series is one of my favorites of all time, and has been since I was in high school. I’m so glad Robin Jones Gunn is still writing about Christy and Todd! This book picks up after Christy had her baby (spoiler alert!), and her friend Katie is finally able to come visit from her new home in Africa…not for a happy reason at first, but some happy news she gets while there extends her stay for a while. Another fun part of the book is Christy and Todd’s visit to Glennbrooke, Oregon, the setting for another one of Mrs. Gunn’s series. I really loved this book, and I wish I could be friends with Christy and babysit her daughter! 😉

What have you been reading lately?

Here are my book reviews for March! As of the end of March, I’ve read 35 books this year, so I’m well ahead of schedule to read 100 books in 2017. I actually read 10 books last month, but I’m just going to highlight my five favorites. If I wrote about every book I read, I’d have to write a book myself 😉

1. When Tides Turn by Sarah Sundin | I’ve talked before (here, here and here) about how much I love all of Sarah Sundin’s books, and I was so excited to read her newest book that released in March! When Tides Turn is the conclusion to the Waves of Freedom series. It’s the story of Quintessa, a bubbly, fun-loving girl who wants to be known for more than her pretty face, and Dan, who puts his career above all else, especially romantic relationships and having fun. They end up working together, both officially at the Boston Navy Yard, and unofficially on the case of a French spy in their midst, when Tess joins WAVES (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service) during World War II. I loved how the story highlighted an aspect of the Navy I hadn’t heard much about, and how Dan and Tess were able to help each other grow in their careers and in their faith and personal lives. Sarah Sundin does a great job of writing historically accurate stories with relatable characters. I can’t wait for her new series to start next year!
2. The One True Love of Alice-Ann by Eva Marie Everson | This is another WWII story, with a twist, because it takes place entirely in the United States. It tells the story of Alice-Ann, who is in love with her brother’s friend Mack, although he’s several years older than her. She admits her feelings to him right before he heads overseas, and he agrees to write to her. Several years pass, but before he makes it home, his letters stop and she fears the worst. Meanwhile, her brother’s other friend, Carlton, does make it home, but with wounds on both the inside and the outside. I don’t want to give too much away, but close to the end of the book, Alice-Ann is faced with a choice and has to consider what true love really is. I was kind of surprised by how much I loved this book! Not that I was expecting to dislike it, but even as I was reading it I thought, this is a book I’m definitely going to read again. It was a really sweet, wholesome story that dealt with some tough issues and included characters I wish I could be friends with.
3. The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert | This was a book I got on sale on Kindle, and I ended up really enjoying it. It covers some tough issues: infertility, relating to aging relatives, growing up with an alcoholic parent, and marriage struggles. It goes back and forth between the points of view of two half-sisters, Carmen and Gracie, who are both facing major struggles in their lives and are learning to trust God instead of trying so hard to maintain control. I think that’s something we can all relate to, no matter what we’re facing! This is a really well-written story that everyone can learn something from.
4. Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly | I wanted to read this book after I went to see the movie based on it, and it’s a true story so that made me feel a little better about my goal of reading more nonfiction 🙂 The movie follows the story of three African-American women who worked at NASA in the 1960s. The book talks about the same women, but with a lot more detail and a lot more background. It turns out that a lot of African-American women started working at what was then called NACA, or National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, as mathematicians or “computers” during WWII. Back then, they were developing new technology for airplanes, but after the war their focus eventually switched to space travel. It’s a fascinating story about how much these women accomplished that we never hear about. They enabled the United States to put a man into orbit and then on the moon, not to mention their contributions to our WWII victory. If you like history, you would love this book!
5. If I Run by Terri Blackstock | I actually read this for the second time, because the second one in the series came out this month and I wanted to refresh my memory. It’s not your typical suspense plot, that’s for sure! It starts out with the main character, Casey Cox, on the run after she found her best friend murdered. It turns out she has good reason to, when we find out that her friend was killed after looking into her father’s supposed suicide many years earlier. Another interesting twist comes in when the victim’s childhood friend, a veteran suffering from PTSD, is hired to help find Casey. Luckily, he realizes that there’s more to the story and that there’s a bigger conspiracy involved. I don’t want to give too much away, but you will definitely want to read the next book! After reading the second book, I found out there’s a third one coming out next year…I can’t wait to finally find out what happens!

What have you been reading lately?