Book Review: All That is Secret by Patricia Raybon

 

All That is Secret (Annalee Spain #1).  Patricia Raybon. Tyndale House (2021). 400 pages. Genre:  Mystery, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction.

First Lines of the Prologue: "November 1922.  The little baby was four hours old.  Still unwashed.  Barely crying."

Summary (Goodreads): In the winter of 1923, Professor Annalee Spain--a daring but overworked theologian at a small Chicago Bible college--receives a cryptic telegram calling her home to Denver to solve the mystery of the murder of her beloved but estranged father.

For a young Black woman, searching for answers in a city ruled by the KKK could mean real danger. Still, with her literary hero Sherlock Holmes as inspiration, Annalee launches her hunt for clues, attracting two surprising allies: Eddie, a relentless young white boy searching for his missing father, and Jack, a handsome Black pastor who loves nightclub dancing and rides in his sporty car, awakening Annalee's heart to the surprising highs and lows of romantic love.

With their help, Annalee follows clues that land her among Denver's powerful elite. But when their sleuthing unravels sinister motives and deep secrets, Annalee confronts the dangerous truths and beliefs that could make her a victim too.

My thoughts:  This is a great start to a mystery series.  Annalee Spain grew up in Colorado, mostly raised by her alcoholic father.  She never knew her mother.  When her father wasn't around or incapacitated, the ladies in the neighborhood looked out for her.  Annalee was determined to rise above a life of poverty.  When she went to college and became a professor, her father was so proud of her.  In fact, they were mending their relationship.  Joe Spain was planning a trip to Chicago to visit Annalee.  But he never showed up.  They say he fell from a train.  Annalee suspects he was pushed and is determined to find out the truth.

There is lots of action and suspense intermixed with quieter times.  Unraveling the mystery isn't easy, but there are threads to pull.  Everybody knows something, but most aren't talking.  Unfortunately, the city of Denver is run by the KKK.  Everybody is under their thumb including the police.  Annalee does put herself in some dangerous situations in order to learn things, but they are not unrealistic.  Mostly she learns things by listening.  She is a fan of Sherlock Holmes and each chapter starts with a quote from one of his stories.  

The collection of secondary characters is great.  Mrs. Stallworth, her landlady, is the closest thing to a mother she has.  Eddie, an orphan with no home, is completely loyal to Annalee after she gives him some dinner when he would have gone without.  Reverend Jack Robert Blake, current pastor at Mount Moriah AME does all he can to help and protect Annalee.  And then there is Sidney Castle who seems to be helping Annalee, but she is not sure why.  

I really got a feel for Denver of the 1920's.  The atmosphere was tense.  The neighborhoods segregated and favor given to whoever had the most money.  The KKK members had their hands in everything, even the churches.  The author includes a note at the back of the book indicating that she grew up in Colorado along with some of the history she incorporated in the book. 

She says, "The Ku Klux Klan's 1920s revival, meantime, was legendary in Colorado, where membership was the second largest per capita in the United States (after Indiana) - claiming between 55,000 and 75,000 members, including women.  The Grand Dragon of Colorado's Klan was not Eddie Brown Sr. (my fictional name), but a homeopathic physician named Dr. John Galen Locke, who engineered a hate campaign against Jews, Blacks, Catholics, and immigrants, declaring that only native-born, English-speaking, white Protestants were 100 percent American."

There is a strong faith-thread in the story about trusting God and not trying to do things on your own.  

Overall this was an absorbing read that kept me turning pages.  I am so glad this is a series and look forward to reading the newly released second book, Double the Lies.

Quotes: 

"Of the arrogance it took to believe she could study God or comprehend who God is in a world that rarely makes a lick of sense, because it's so God-forsaken and desperate and crazy."

"She'd been walking in circles.  Moving and going. Aimless.  Distracted. Letting life happen to her.  Never planning it.  Or deciding clearly where she was going.  That's how she ended up at the Bible college.  It was only one of seven, after learning she was colored, that would take her.  But what did she learn there that mattered now?  Finally this: God is visionary.  Tactical.  A planner.  A builder.  Laboring with detailed plans."

Book Review: Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer

 

Dear Henry, Love Edith. Becca Kinzer. Tyndale House (2023). 373 pages. Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christian Fiction.

First Line: "Henry grimaced, not sure which irritated him more - the persistent ache in his knee or the relentless voice in his ear."

Summary (Goodreads): After a short and difficult marriage, recently widowed Edith Sherman has learned her lesson. Forget love. Forget marriage. She plans to fill her thirties with adventure. As she awaits the final paperwork for a humanitarian trip to South Africa, she accepts a short-term nursing position in a small Midwestern town. The last thing she needs is a handsome local catching her eye. How inconvenient is that?

Henry Hobbes isn't exactly thrilled to have Edith, who he assumes is an elderly widow, dumped on him as a houseguest for the summer. But he'd do almost anything for his niece, who is practically like a sister to him given how close they are in age. Especially since Edith will be working nights and Henry works most days. When he and Edith keep missing each other in person, they begin exchanging notes--short messages at first, then longer letters, sharing increasingly personal parts of their lives.

By the time Henry realizes his mistake--that Edith is actually the brown-eyed beauty he keeps bumping into around town--their hearts are so intertwined he hopes they never unravel. But with her departure date rapidly approaching, and Henry's roots firmly planted at home, Edith must ultimately decide if the adventure of her dreams is the one right in front of her.

My thoughts: This is a fun romantic comedy that could easily be a movie. The author writes in such a way as to allow the reader to "play the movie" in their head.  She could take a simple sentence uttered by one of the characters and turn it into a hilarious mess.  I will admit it did feel a tad over-the-top at times.  

But, the story is not all fluff and light-heartedness.  There is some depth.  Edith and Henry have both had some difficult times in the past that are informing how they are living now.  They both have to do some soul searching.  Fortunately, each of them has a friend to give them a nudge in the right direction.  But, these things take time which is realistic, but also really frustrating for the reader!  Just when you think things are going the right direction, suddenly they are going the opposite way.  Yes, there was quite a bit of tension which kept me turning pages. 

The scenario is a funny one - two people live in the same house, but have not met.  As the story progressed and Henry discovered who Edith was, but chose to keep deceiving her, I was disappointed.  However, that didn't last long as Henry finally set out to right the wrongs and tell the truth.  And of course that didn't go smoothly either. 

Some of the themes are home, serving God, love, being good enough and self-doubt.  If you are looking for a light-hearted read with some depth, give this book a try.

Quotes:

"The light of the full moon guided her.  The muted brassy sound of big band music, competing with the tune of cicadas, followed her.  She folded her arms over her stomach, a sense of peace battling with a restless desire to run."

"'Let me get this straight,' Lance said, raising his voice to be heard above Frank Sinatra's croons.  'You're baring your soul to an old lady who's living in your house but you've never actually met.  You've got the hots for a lady you've met but don't know anything about.  And you're still going out with a lady who drives you crazy every time she talks, which is all the time.'"

Book Review: The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas

 

The Right Kind of Fool.  Sarah Loudin Thomas.  Bethany House (2020). 384 pages. Genre: Historical Fiction. 

First Line: "Beverly, West Virginia.  July 1934. The day's heat lay close to Loyal like a quilt he couldn't push back."

Summary (Goodreads): Thirteen-year-old Loyal Raines is supposed to stay close to home on a hot summer day in 1934. When he slips away for a quick swim in the river and finds a dead body, he wishes he'd obeyed his mother. The ripples caused by his discovery will impact the town of Beverly, West Virginia, in ways no one could have imagined.

The first person those ripples disturb is Loyal's absentee father. When Creed Raines realized his infant son was deaf, he headed for the hills, returning only to help meet his family's basic needs. But when Loyal, now a young teen, stumbles upon a murder it's his father he runs to tell--shaping the words with his hands. As Creed is pulled into the investigation he discovers that what sets his son apart isn't his inability to hear but rather his courage. Longing to reclaim the life he abandoned, Creed will have to do more than help solve a murder if he wants to win his family's hearts again.

My thoughts:  It has been too long since I read a book by Sarah Loudin Thomas.  When I sit down to read one of her books I know I will be immersed in the West Virginia hills and hollers.  And I definitely was in this story.  

Loyal Raines, who is almost fourteen, has been deaf since an illness took his hearing when he was four.  His father, Creed Raines, has been spending most of his time in the mountains for nearly as long.  He hasn't abandoned his family, but provides for their needs while mostly living apart from them.  If you were to ask him why he spends most of his time in the mountains, he would tell you it is better for his family that way.  Creed blames himself for his son's loss of hearing.  And if his wife, Delphy, was honest, she blames him too.  At the same time, Delphy longs for Creed to return to their home and so does Loyal.  The Raines family has a lot to work through and they do so realistically.  

After Loyal discovers a man's body near the river, it is his dad he goes to.  It means a lot to Creed that his son trusts him enough to come to him.  This is the first step in healing some of the wounds between father and son, husband and wife. 

While this book isn't listed as a mystery, it contains one of the best mysteries I have read in a while.  The dead man worked for the government and was trespassing where he didn't belong.  But, the property owner has an alibi.  Complicating matters, Loyal saw some things before he discovered the body that he is not sure he wants to tell.  Things that could cause trouble for his friends.  Also, because he is deaf, it is often hard for him to make others understand what he is saying. Creed works with the sheriff to uncover what happened.

This is also a coming-of-age story with Loyal feeling like he is almost a man and should be allowed to do certain things.  There is tension between Loyal and his parents as they try to protect him.  I loved how the author portrayed the struggle his parents were going through wanting to protect him, but also realizing that he was growing up and could handle things better than they thought.  

This story has it all - history, atmosphere, family drama, great characters and a mystery.  I only wish it were part of a series so I could spend more time with these characters.  

Quotes:

"It was early afternoon.  As he stepped into the front room, he could smell beans simmering on the stove, as well as the furniture polish Delphy used to keep the end tables gleaming.  The windows were open, and gauzy white curtains tugged at their rods as a breeze followed them inside."

"He'd been so afraid of doing more damage to the boy for so long.  Finally seeing how he could hold his own was liberating.  Maybe it wasn't about pushing like his own father had done, but simply encouraging the boy's natural abilities.  He thought maybe that was what a father ought to do and he was eager to try it out."

Book Review: The Deadly Shallows by Dani Pettrey

 

The Deadly Shallows (Coastal Guardians #3). Dani Pettrey. Bethany House (2022). 416 pages. Genre: Romantic Suspense, Christian Fiction.

First Lines: "Early December.  Holly Ridge, North Carolina.  Crisp night air slapped his cheeks, but he'd long since learned to endure the elements."

Summary (from Goodreads): CGIS Agent Noah Rowley is rocked to the core when several of his valued team members come under fire on his Coast Guard base. He and his remaining team race to the scene and end the attack, but not before innocent lives are lost. Furious and grief-stricken, he vows to do whatever is needed to bring the mastermind behind the attack to justice.

Stunned by the ambush, Coast Guard flight medic Brooke Kesler evacuates in a helicopter carrying the only surviving gunman. The gravely wounded man whispers mysterious information to Brooke that immediately paints a target on her back.

As Brooke and Noah race to uncover answers, emotions between them ignite. Noah struggles to protect Brooke at all costs and to conceal the secret that prevents him from becoming what he longs to be--the right man for her.

Everything is at stake as a horrifying truth emerges. . . .

The attack wasn't the end game. It was only the beginning.

My thoughts:  The Deadly Shallows has an intricately detailed plot along with two well developed romances.  I really like the way Dani Pettrey tells a story.

The books starts with a mass shooting at a graduation ceremony located on the Coast Guard base and attended by flight medic, Brooke Kesler.  Things quickly erupt into chaos.  Not only is Brooke traumatized by witnessing the shootings and being injured, she is needed to help treat other injured people.  The pace is intense and doesn't slow down.  There are some quieter moments between some of the characters, but they are short lived. 

The mystery that needs to be solved is who is behind the shootings and why.  Unfortunately, these are professional criminals and are difficult to find or trace.  Also, since Brooke was assigned to treat the one shooter who survived and he choose to whisper something to her just before going into surgery, she has become a target.  Noah Rowley was also injured in the shooting while trying to take down the shooters, but he doesn't let that slow him down.  Noah and Brooke are forced to spend lots of time together as they are working on staying safe and trying to figure out what happened.  As they spend more time together, they have to examine their feelings toward one another.  As is often the case, it's complicated.

There is a secondary storyline involving another member of Noah's CGIS team, Caleb, and female private investigator, Austin.  When Austin's dog becomes ill and is taken to the vet, the vet discovers the dog has been poisoned with a hard to identify substance.  Caleb takes a sample to the Coast Guard lab and they discover is has come from the sound near Austin's house.  This is also a complicated plot that was interesting to look into.  It involved the process of foam production and the waste chemicals involved in the process.  

The author was able to weave all of this together seamlessly.  The romances were always secondary, but provided a nice break from the action.  The characters from the first two books also make appearances as the team works together.  I'm becoming rather fond of them.  Thankfully there is one more book to go in this series.  I look forward to reading it!

Quotes:  

"With the majority of the surrounding houses dark for the night, the sky shone with sparks of illumination.  It reminded him just how small he was in the majesty of God's creation."

"Eye contact was crucial in Brooke's job.  If the patient couldn't see her intent and her reassuring gaze, they often slipped through her fingers rather than hanging on."

"'Vanilla is a perfectly good flavor.'  Once he found one he liked, why switch?"

Other books in the Coastal Guardians series:

The Killing Tide

The Crushing Depths

Book Review: Deceptive Hearts by Marlene Chase

 

Deceptive Hearts (Amish Inn Mysteries #9). Marlene Chase. Annie's (2017). 201 pages. Genre: Cozy Mystery.

First Line of the Prologue: "He paused at the entrance of the dimly lit cafe and watched the girl seated near the back."

Summary:  Liz Eckardt and The Material Girls sewing group are planning a Valentine's Day party to take place at Olde Mansion Inn.  In the midst of the planning Liz has several guests staying at the Inn.  One frosty morning as Liz heads out for a walk, she discovers the body of one of her guests.  She and the other guests hadn't seen him since he checked in and assumed he was enjoying the privacy of his room.  Very little is known about him as he was traveling alone.  The police discover an old photograph of one of  Pleasant Creek's citizens in the victim's pocket.  Who was this man and why was he in Pleasant Creek.  The authorities have their work cut out for them, but can always count on a little help from Liz and The Material Girls.

My thoughts:  I picked this book up thinking it was the third in the series.  It wasn't until I finished it that I discovered it was actually the ninth.  I have read the first two books in the series so I was familiar with the characters, but I had no problem jumping in here.  I will go back and read the books I missed, however.

This is a series that includes several authors.  I had not read Marlene Chase before, but I really like her writing style.  The book starts with a prologue from the point of view of a man with a woman who seems to be Amish.  We know from his thoughts that he is using her to find someone in a photo.  It was a little creepy, but set a good tone for the book.

Liz has an interesting mix of guests at the inn this time.  There are two sisters and their cousin.  The cousin is an avid birdwatcher who they have not seen for years.  They decided to meet up at the inn and get reacquainted.  The cousin's character was entertaining.  He is always spouting off bird facts and I learned some interesting things.  

One thing I always enjoy about this series is the interaction of the Amish and the English.  Liz's mother was Amish, but left the order before Liz was born.  After her mother's death, Liz returned to Indiana to find out more about her mother's family.  There are always Amish characters in the stories and it is interesting to have their lifestyle included without it being the focus of the story.  

The pacing was just right.  The secondary story lines didn't slow down the flow, but added to the story.  The mystery was complicated especially as the victim was a mystery himself.  Liz is the perfect cozy sleuth - she only gets involved when she can truly help the police.  And if she happens to discover something on her own, she is quick to let the police know.  There were a couple of times when something happened that should have been a red flag, but Liz just explained it away.  Maybe it was a red flag to me because I read so many mysteries.  I did appreciate that the author always gave a good reason for the characters not to be alarmed by something I was pretty sure was a clue.  

I really enjoyed this one and am looking forward to going back and reading books two through eight.  If you enjoy cozy mysteries, I think you might like this one.  

Quotes:

"The sky seemed like a designer quilt in a hundred shades of white - lavender-white, blue-white, gray-white.  Like busy crafters, snowflakes sewed a border on a hemlock-covered hill, embroidered a valley and stitched a ruffle on a porch rail."

"Sweet Sarah, for whom faith was a living, everyday reality."

"She was a woman who had learned the secret of aging gracefully.  She enjoyed life and looked for the best in everyone."

Other books in the series:

1. Secrets of the Amish Diary by Rachael Phillips

2.  Plain Deception by Tara Randel

Book Review: Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

 

Murder at the Vicarage.  Agatha Christie.  1930. 288 pages.  Genre: Classic, Mystery.

First Line:  "It is difficult to know quite where to begin this story, but I have fixed my choice on a certain Wednesday at luncheon at the Vicarage."

Summary:  Colonel Protheroe has managed to rub most of the people in the village the wrong way.  He has a knack for making a fuss.  And his fuss has now come to the vicarage.  He wants to meet with the vicar to go over the church accounts.  A couple of hours before the meeting, the vicar receives a call telling him he is urgently needed elsewhere.  The vicar leaves word with his housekeeper that he will return soon and requests that Colonel Protheroe wait for him in the study.  

Before the vicar returns, Colonel Protheroe is shot while sitting at the desk in the study.  Before long a suspect confesses.  He was the most likely suspect so the police relax.  When a second suspect confesses things get complicated.  With so many villagers having grudges against the colonel, the police have their work cut out for them.  Its a good thing nothing gets past Miss Marple.

My thoughts:  Murder at the Vicarage is told from the perspective of the vicar.  He and his much younger wife, Griselda, live at the vicarage along with Denis, their fifteen-year-old nephew.  They have a housekeeper, Mary, who is a terrible cook and a passable housekeeper.  However, since Griselda's talents in both areas are non-existent, Mary will have to do.  At first I thought Griselda was going to be a woman who thought housework was beneath her and thought much of her position as vicar's wife.  But my assumption was wrong.  Griselda adores her husband and appreciates Mary.  She respects her position as vicar's wife.  The vicar's perspective was often surprising and funny.

This is the first novel in the Miss Marple series, but Miss Marple felt like a secondary character. However, she did have a hand in solving the mystery. I really enjoyed getting to know her.  She doesn't fool the vicar with her seeming lack of interest in village affairs.  She may not be a gossip, but she doesn't miss anything that goes on in the village. 

The mystery was a great puzzle that kept me guessing.  There were lots of twists and turns and secrets to uncover.  Right up to the end it was difficult to prove whodunnit.

This was an enjoyable read.  I look forward to following Miss Marple in her next crime-solving attempt.

Quotes:

"I looked round the small living-room.  Every shelf and table was littered with miscellaneous articles.  Lawrence lived in the midst of artistic disarray that would have driven me quite mad."

"During all this, Mary had been extracting eyes from potatoes with such energy that they had been flying round the kitchen like hailstones."

"No one can fail to be interested in a murder.  Simple people like Griselda and myself can admit the fact, but anyone like Raymond West has to pretend to be bored - at any rate for the first five minutes."

Book Review: The Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey

The Crushing Depths (Coastal Guardians #2). Dani Pettrey. Bethany House (2020). 320 pages. Genre: Romantic Suspense, Christian Fiction.

First Line: "Late September.  Thirty-eight miles off North Carolina's Coast. Greg Barnes clinked along the grated metal steps, his boot heels rasping with each shuffle as he headed topside for a much-needed breath of smoke."

Summary:  Coast Guard Investigative Services agent Rissi Dawson has been assigned a new partner.  When he walks in however, she is stunned.  Her new partner is Mason Rogers, the boy who was in the same foster home with her when she was a teenager.  The boy who always comforted and protected her when things went bad.  She hasn't had contact with him since the day he aged out of care.  

Rissi and Mason are assigned to investigate a death that happened on oil rig off the coast.  There are too many coincidences in the case for there not to have been foul play.  To complicate matters, many of the sailors believe in a curse and are convinced that is what is causing bad things to happen.  Will Rissi and Mason be able to uncover the truth before more deaths occur?

My thoughts:  I rarely read books in a series one after another.  But, after reading the first book in the Coastal Guardians series, I couldn't wait to see what happened next.  The Crushing Depths picks up just a few weeks after The Killing Tide ends.

Rissi Dawson is a character we were introduced to in the first book.  We were given glimpses of her past.  I was eager to learn more about where she had come from and what she had endured.  My curiosity was satisfied in this book.  Not only that, but Mason, the boy who always watched out for her and who she had a crush on, has reappeared in her life.  Now they have been paired together in a work environment.  Fortunately, both are professional enough to realize they need to focus on their work.  However, both wonder if the other feels the same.  The romance is realistic and sweet.  

The mystery of what happened on the oil rig is complicated.  The death is deemed an accident.  But, the circumstances are too specific to be a coincidence.  As Rissi and Mason investigate, their lives are put in peril.  There is plenty of action and suspense.  As part of the investigation they need to find out more about the curse that many of the sailors believe in.  It was interesting to learn about this.  There were many layers that needed to be uncovered.

A secondary storyline involves Noah and Brooke, a Coast Guard Medic.  Someone is stalking and threatening her.  She thinks it is an ex-boyfriend.  However, as Noah investigates, the threats keep coming.  Some of them were chilling.

Once again I enjoyed the team working together.  The dynamics between them are a lot of fun.  I also enjoy the unique setting and job that they do.  I don't live near an ocean and know very little about what is involved in the Coast Guard.  This is an interesting way to learn a little about it.  

This was an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading the next book in the series. 

Quotes:

"Instead of an apartment, he'd gone with a cool seventies-style beach cottage on the sound side of Wrightsville Beach.  Tall marshes dotted the waterways on her left.  The sound of seagulls squawking contrasted with the beautiful silence of the white-and-gray egret standing regally at the marsh's edge."

"'That was the first and only time I saw Senior Chief smile.  He went on to explain that there's military bearing and gentlemanly bearing and that the two aren't mutually exclusive.  That talk anchored in my brain.'"

Book Review: The Killing Tide by Dani Pettrey

The Killing Tide (Coastal Guardians #1). Dani Pettrey. Bethany House (2019). 347 pages. Genre: Romantic Suspense, Christian Fiction.

First Line: "Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Fire ripped through Finn's right shoulder, ricocheting down his arm."

Summary (Goodreads): A Corpse That Only Leads to Secrets. 

An Old Flame with Danger Written all over Her.

Things Are about to Get Very Complicated.

When one Coast Guard officer is found dead and another goes missing, Coast Guard Investigative Service special agent Finn Walker faces his most dangerous crime yet. His only clues are what little evidence remains aboard the dead officer's boat, and the direction the clues point to will test Finn and the Guard to their limits.

The already volatile situation is complicated even further by the arrival of Gabby Rowley--Finn's boss's sister and an investigative reporter with unrelenting questions about the crime. Now that she's returned, the tug on Finn's heart is strong, but with the risks she's taking for her next big story, he fears she might not live through it.

Thrown together by the heinous crime, Finn and Gabby can't ignore the sparks or judgments flying between them. But will they be able to see past their preconceptions long enough to track down an elusive killer, or will they become his next mark?

My thoughts:  Dani Pettrey is an author I have not read before, so it took me several chapters to get into the flow of the story.  But once I did, I couldn't read it fast enough.  

The investigative team involved in the series is the Coast Guard Investigative Service, so much of the action takes place on the water.  The book opens with a heart-wrenching rescue scene that goes bad followed by a chase scene through the streets of downtown.  The difficulty for me came in keeping the characters straight and feeling like I was missing something.  This didn't last long and I wasn't missing anything, the author was just revealing some of the characters' past and it caused to wonder if these characters had been in another book.  They weren't and more of the past story emerged as this story proceeded.  

Each of the members of the team plays a unique role.  I really enjoyed getting to know each of them and cared about them.  This story is primarily Finn and Gabby's, but we get to know the other characters as well.  I especially enjoyed scenes where the team would meet to go over the evidence gathered.  It gave me an NCIS (the tv show) vibe and helped to pull things together.  

Finn is likeable hero who is flawed, but takes his job seriously.  He cares about his team members and doesn't like to leave anyone behind.  Gabby is head-strong and driven and often took unnecessary risks just to get a story.  She seemed selfish at times, but just when I was thinking I didn't like her too much, she would check herself and realize she had been acting selfishly and correct it.  Being a reporter, her involvement in the investigation seemed a little unrealistic, but the author did a good job of providing an explanation.  

Figuring out if and how the two storylines intersected kept me guessing.  There were plenty of suspects, many of whom the team hoped weren't involved.  There were so many twists and surprises, it was hard to put the book down.  

I enjoyed this one so much that I immediately started on the second book in the series.  It picks up just a few weeks after this one.  If you are looking for edge-of-your-seat suspense with some great characters and some romance, give this series a try.

Quotes:

"Did she always put the story above all else? And did that include everyone? Did she put the story before God and His will for her life? She always assumed the pursuit of truth was what He wanted for her life, but she'd never actually prayed and asked Him to reveal His will.  She preferred to assume the insatiable drive in her - the urge to discover the truth - was created in her from the start."

"The moonlight shone through the upper windowpane, a cool breeze sweeping through the lower screen.  The air was growing heavy - the sign of another storm rolling in."

"The scent of corn bread and fresh chili swirled in the air, mixing with the burnt coffee smell that Gabby insisted was the worst way to describe the wonderful smell of roasting coffee beans emanating from the gold roasting machine."

Book Review: Death in Kashmir by M. M. Kaye

Death in Kashmir. M. M. Kaye. St. Martin's Press (1985) (First Published 1953). 320 pages. Genre: Mystery.

First Line: "Afterwards Sarah could never be quite sure whether it was the moonlight or that soft, furtive sound that had awakened her."

Summary (Goodreads): When young Sarah Parrish takes a skiing vacation to Gulmarg, a resort nestled in the mountains above the fabled Vale of Kashmir, she anticipates an entertaining but uneventful stay. But when she discovers that the deaths of two in her party are the result of foul play, she finds herself entrusted with a mission of unforeseen importance. And when she leaves the ski slopes for the Waterwitch, a private houseboat on the placid shores of the Dal Lake near Srinagar, she discovers to her horror that the killer will stop at nothing to prevent Sarah from piecing the puzzle together.

My thoughts:  The author begins the book with an Author's Note, which is something I really appreciate.  Next is a pronunciation guide and a map.  The combination of these three pieces put me right into the story.  In her note, the author tells the reader that she was living in Srinagar, the capital city of Kashmir, when she began writing this mystery.  Her intimacy with the area comes through in her writing. 

As you can tell from the first line, the story starts with some suspense.  A death has already occurred and now something has awakened Sarah.  She is on edge, but tries to tell herself she is being silly, after all the death was an accident, wasn't it?  She is not sure. A persistent sound gets her out of bed to investigate.  It is through this investigating that she meets Janet and quickly discovers Janet is not who she says she is.  From this beginning, the story never slows down.  It is not edge of your seat suspense the entire time.  There are dinners and dances and shopping in the market, but underneath it all is a buzzing uncertainty.  

The author was leaving clues throughout the story, and I remember having a slight suspicion of the culprit, but quickly dismissed it.  Due to circumstances, Sarah had to get involved in investigating.  Well, it wasn't entirely due to circumstances.  There was an instance where she went snooping around by herself in the middle of the night and discovered some things that she probably shouldn't have which put her in danger.  But mostly the mystery came to her.  

There were several scenes that took place at night with a moonlit sky.  The moon was definitely a theme throughout the story.  I'm not sure I would have picked up on this if the author hadn't mentioned in her note that she had originally titled the book There's a Moon Tonight.  After the first mention of the moonlight, I kept my senses on alert for another mention.  That added a fun extra layer to the story. Another fun layer was the humor and the little bit of romance. The story is peopled with interesting characters. 

The author's description of the countryside and the homes made me feel like I was there.  I can still picture the interior of the houseboat Sarah spent some time on.  

M. M. Kaye is a new author to me and I am glad to have discovered her.  I am also glad that I picked up several of her mysteries at a used book store this summer.  I am looking forward to reading another mystery by this author soon.

Quotes:

"'But then of course so many people are silly about a man who doesn't do any fighting in the war.  So stupid of them, because it's so much more sensible not to, don't you think? If we all just didn't, I mean, well where would people like Hitler have been?'  'In Buckingham Palace and the White House I imagine,' grunted her husband. 'Don't be silly, dear.  How could he have been in two places at once?'"

"The sky behind the feathery boughs of the pepper trees at the far end of the garden was turning from lemon yellow to a soft shade of green, and the air was sweet with the scent of roses and jasmine and fragrant with the smell of water on dry, sun-baked ground."

"She disappeared with the speed of a diving duck as the little gilt clock in the drawing-room struck the quarter."

Book Review: The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson

The Christmas Swap. Melody Carlson. Fleming H. Revell Co. (2020). 176 pages. Genre: Christmas.

First Line: "Emma Daley had always loved Christmas as a child, but...not so much as an adult."

Summary:  Emma's parents are serving as missionaries overseas and she has no other family.  She has spent the past several Christmases with her friend Gillian Landers' family.  While it has been nice to not be alone on Christmas, Emma tires of their extravagance and bickering.  She thinks she will spend the holiday by herself this year.  However, Gillian can't imagine anyone wanting to spend Christmas alone and insists that Emma join her family as usual.  Besides, her dad has made arrangements for the family to swap houses with a family in Colorado so they can have snow for Christmas.  Emma gives in and joins the Landers family.  But things quickly become complicated and Emma wonders what she was thinking.

My thoughts:  I often read a Melody Carlson book at Christmastime.  They are usually fun, quick reads that put me in the Christmas spirit and this one was no exception.

The idea of a house swap was interesting.  There are members of both families who are not sure this is a good idea.  When a complication arises that caused the owner of the Colorado home to have to return after the other family has arrived, things get tricky.  It was entertaining to watch this work itself out.

Melody Carlson is an expert at creating deep characters within a small number of pages.  The reader learns to appreciate Emma's kindness and humility.  She is sensible and tends to put other people's desires above her own.  Which is the complete opposite of Gillian.  She tries to attract as much attention as possible and will use others to get what she wants.  She was very unlikeable.  

This is a quick, fun read that will put you in the Christmas spirit.

Quote:

"Emma hadn't said much about her sleeping quarters, but she still felt certain she'd scored the best room in the house.  It wasn't fancy in the way that Gillian or her mom would appreciate, and Gil wouldn't like the lack of closet space.  But to Emma, it was perfect.  The fabulous view had only gotten better as the sky turned dusky earlier.  While alone in the house, Emma had just stared in wonder as the sunset transformed the snowy slope into shades of indigo blue and purple.  Meanwhile the lights from the nearby ski lodge had glowed like golden torches.  It had been absolutely magical."

Book Review: The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano

The Lost Melody (A Midnight Dance #2). Joanna Davidson Politano. Fleming H. Revell (2022). 378 pages. Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction.

First Lines: "Hurstwell Asylum. One day in late May of the year 1886, I found myself imprisoned in the Hurstwell Pauper Lunatic Asylum.  This was unconscionable - I had never been a pauper."

Summary:  When Vivienne Mourdant's father dies, he leaves her with many debts to pay as well as the guardianship of a ward at the Hurstwell Pauper Lunatic Asylum.  The ward's name is Rosamond Swansea and Mr. Mourdant had been paying for her care for years. This was a surprise to Vivienne.  However, there is something familiar about that name.  

When Vivienne inquires about Rosamond at the Asylum, she is told there is not a patient there by that name and never was.  In order to find out what is going on, Vivienne gets a job as an aid under a false name.  Soon she is struggling to tell what is true and what is false.  She hears music that no one else hears, she finds notes that seem to be written to her.  Something is not right in this place, but will she be able to discover what it is before she succumbs to madness?  

My thoughts: This was a beautifully written, atmospheric book that will stick with me for a while.  I didn't realize until after I had read it that it is the second book in a series.  I had no problem picking this up without reading the first one.  

Vivienne is a concert pianist whose father was very demanding.  So much so that he would punish her by locking her in the larder if she didn't play well.  She does grieve his death, but more than anything, she is relieved he is gone.  Even as a grown woman, she still fears the dark.  As she begins working at the Asylum, she has many secrets to keep.  This becomes harder as her work days become longer and her nights become shorter.  She is trying to discover if anyone has heard of Rosamond and where she might be now.  I was kept on the edge of my seat, turning pages to find out what was going to happen.  

The story is set in Victorian England with the Asylum being located at the edge of the Moors.  The author's description of the interior of the building had me feeling like I was walking the hallways.  There is even a tower on the property that employees are forbidden from entering.  

There are two doctors at the Asylum, along with several nurses who are in charge.  Each of them has a distinct personality and the reader is never quite sure what to think of them.  We also get acquainted with some of the inmates.  

Music is a major theme in the book.  Most chapters open with a quote from a famous composer.  The concept of music therapy was quite interesting and is woven throughout the story.   Some of the other themes are mental health, sanity, light and darkness, appreciating where you are at right now, asking God why?, the value of every human, and serving others.  

This book deals with some very hard topics, but it does so in a beautiful and hope-filled way.  This was my first book by Joanna Davidson Politano, but I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Quotes:

"How odd that here, of all places, I should find like-minded souls, yet it was the only place in all of England protected from the influence of society's disapproval."

"How delicate the line was between sanity and madness."

"Layers peeled away before my eyes, and I glimpsed the inner workings of God's creation - a heartbeat and pattern that tied everything together.  An expression of his sense of order and creativity placed within humans - even the ones who were deemed lost in all other ways."

"We're all of us told to walk in the light, but we don't.  We simply wish to drag the light over to where we're already standing, so we may better see the path we've set out for ourselves."

Book Review: Hostile Intent by Lynette Eason

Hostile Intent (Danger Never Sleeps #4). Lynette Eason. Fleming H. Revell Company (2021). 320 pages. Genre: Suspense, Christian Fiction.

First Lines: "Beginning of April. New Mexico. Today, the watching ended and the killing started."

Summary:  FBI Special Agent Caden Denning has seen many crime scenes during his career, but this is one of the most difficult.  An entire family has been murdered. As he and his partner are searching the house for clues, he comes across a photo of Ava Jackson as a child.  Ava and his sister, Sarah, have been best friends since they were children.  But why is there a picture of Ava in this home?

Ava Jackson left the military when her mother got ill.  She had lost her father a few months earlier and is not willing to let her mother suffer alone.  She spends several hours each day at the nursing facility where her mother lives.  Caden Denning often visits her there.  When he shows her the picture he found at the crime scene, she is stunned.  She remembers the picture, but didn't know the family that was murdered.  As Caden and Ava begin looking for a connection between the murdered family and Ava's, they discover there were a lot of things Ava didn't know about her dad.  Will they be able to discover the killer before another family is murdered?

My thoughts:  This was a thrilling finale to the Danger Never Sleeps series.  Each of the books in the series has been a page turner filled with interesting characters.  However, I think this one was my favorite.

I really liked Ava as a character.  She is smart and talented, but not overly sure of herself.  Her dad was a travel writer and was often gone for weeks at a time.  So when he was home, Ava liked to spend as much time as possible with him.  They often worked on jigsaw puzzles together, not because Ava wanted to, but because this was a favorite pass time of her father.  Because of this, Ava became very good at solving puzzles of all kinds.  She eventually became very skilled at computers. Her father also taught her how to defend herself.  That, combined with her military training, makes her quite capable of defending herself.

Ava and Caden become closer as they work together to catch the killer.  As is always the case in Eason's books, the romance never takes over the story, but is just a background thread.  There were lots of secrets to uncover, but their combined skills and areas of expertise made all the difference.  There were lot of surprises, complications and injuries along the way.  I enjoyed being immersed in the world of puzzles, hacking and figuring out how a criminal thinks. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this hard-to-put-down book.  There are some heavier topics covered - serial killer, suicide, torture - however the descriptions are never graphic, but are dealt with realistically while keeping the overall tone light.  This could be read as a stand alone without missing too much, but I would highly recommend the entire series.

Book Review: Castle Deadly, Castle Deep by Veronica Bond

Castle Deadly, Castle Deep (A Dinner and a Murder Mystery #2). Veronica Bond. Berkley Books (2022). 288 pages. Genre: Cozy Mystery.

First Line: "The candle in my hand shook slightly, the flame flickering in the drafty cavern."

Summary:  Nora Blake has settled into her new life living in a castle and acting in the murder mystery troupe that performs there.  Her boss, Derek, has added an extra level of spookiness to this fall's play.  He has decked out the catacombs of the castle in spooky attire, complete with skeletons and spider webs. The audience will be taken there as part of the murder mystery they are attempting to solve.

Derek and the cast from the castle have also taken on another play at the local community theater.  When a group of actors from the theater wants to see the castle play, Derek arranges a special performance.  Unfortunately, as the actors and audience enter the catacombs, the lights go out.  When they come back on, someone has been murdered.  The entire cast is under suspicion since they were in the room.  

My thoughts:  I enjoyed Death in Castle Dark, the first book in this series, so I was really looking forward to reading this book.  Unfortunately, this second book was disappointing.  It felt more like a romance that included a murder.

Nora has been dating Detective John Dashiell, but things between them have been strained.  Nora felt like Dash wasn't giving her enough time of his time.   They had some wonderful months together over the summer, but now, even though she is feeling neglected by Dash, Nora joins a second play so that her time is even more limited.  Many pages are taken up with Nora trying to figure out where their relationship stands.  There is another romance story line involving Derek and Nora's good friend, Connie.  This also takes up many pages.  There is a lot of suggestive talk, as well as closed-door intimacy.  It was just way more romance than necessary in a murder mystery, in my opinion.  

As far as the mystery goes, there really wasn't much sleuthing involved.  There weren't many clues to even consider.  Nora did visit some of the cast members she knew from the community theater and tried to find out how well they knew the victim.  Once the killer was revealed and then caught, the book continued for several more chapters.  I kept wondering when it would end. 

I really like the idea of a dinner and a mystery show that takes place at a castle, but this time, after the murder took place, that story line was non-existent.  I would have liked to see more of that.  The other play that the troupe was performing at the community theater was a version of Ibsen's A Doll's House.  At times, that play was performed line-by-line in the story which was confusing and not very interesting if you were not familiar with the play.  Sometimes the lines would start and I wasn't sure if it was the play or the characters in our story talking.  

Nora's twin brothers make another appearance in this book.  They add some humor to the story.  I also like how Nora's parents are a big part of her life and really interested in her work.  The premise of this series is great and the characters have a lot of potential.  I am hoping the author can get back to focusing on a mystery story line for the next book.

Quotes:

"I opened the door now, enjoying the waxy scent from the polished floor and the lavender scent that emanated from the carpet after cleaning day. Below these aromas was the slightly musty smell of old books."

"The October air had remained calendar-appropriate cold, but the sun had shone for days, and Wood Glen was alive with the scents of autumn - leaves and grasses, pumpkin bread in Zana's kitchen, sweet-smelling hay bales brought to our front porch by the landscaper, woodsmoke from fireplaces up and down Apprehension Road."

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks 2023

I will be joining Robin at 52 Books in 52 Weeks for this reading challenge again.  The goal is simple - read 52 books.  Click on the link to see the official rules and to sign up.   Robin also hosts other fun challenges at her blog including an Agatha Christie challenge, A Well Educated Mind challenge, and a Bingo challenge to name a few.  I will be listing the books I read for this challenge here.

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Book Review: A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril

A Christmas Candy Killing (Killer Chocolate #1). Christina Romeril. Crooked Lane Books (2022). 304 pages. Genre: Cozy Mystery.

First Line: "What was an alliterative word that worked with cyanide?"

Summary:  Murder and Mayhem, a bookshop owned by twins Alex and Hanna, has been featuring poison-themed killer chocolates.  They have given the chocolates names like Strychnine Strawberry or Candy Cane Coniine.  Of course, there is no poison in the chocolates.  Just before Christmas, the twins' neighbor Jane confides in Alex that she thinks she spotted a town resident on a true-crime show.  Before Jane can show Alex the show, she is murdered.  Unfortunately, a box of killer chocolates is by her bedside.  

Alex is one of two suspects in the murder.  In order to prove her innocence, Alex begins drafting a list of other potential suspects. Things start to become clear when Alex gets ahold of Jane's journal.  But, will Alex be able to expose the killer before the killer gets her?

My thoughts:  This was a great debut by author Christina Romeril.  It contains several things I like in a cozy mystery: a savvy sleuth, great supporting characters, a solid mystery and lots of daily life details.

Alex and Hanna are well into middle age and have seen their share of difficulties.  They both have failed marriages in their past and are glad to be living and working in the small town of Harriston, Montana.  Hanna learned chocolate making from their mother and has really excelled at it.  Alex worked in banking for twenty years before deciding she needed a change.  The sisters have a great relationship, but we mostly get to know Alex. Hanna's character felt a little shallow and I am hoping that we get to know her a little better in future books.  

The mystery was well-plotted.  Alex approaches solving the murder in a very methodical way.  She and Hanna create a murder board, which is basically a spreadsheet to collect information about suspects This was fun and allowed Alex and Hanna to approach gathering information in an orderly way. There were plenty of solid suspects and it took some time to eliminate them. 

One thing I really liked about this book was that the characters ate sensible meals on a regular basis.  It is a pet peeve of mine when characters constantly skip meals or eat nothing but sweet treats all the time.  This book was delightfully different.  Alex and Hanna often fixed dinner when they got home or pulled something out of the freezer such as individual portions of lasagna they had frozen.  There was even one time when Alex was running short on time but knew she should eat something before heading out so she made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  They definitely did eat sweet treats, but it wasn't constantly.  

Overall this was a delightful mystery that put me in the Christmas spirit.  I am looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Quotes:

"Louise wore an expression suggesting she had just bitten into a lemon, her lips pursed together disapprovingly and her skin, the texture of old paper, stretched taut over her face as if there wasn't quite enough of it to cover her skull."

"With a great deal of hard work, she and her identical-twin sister, Hanna, had turned the antiquated home, built in 1926, from an outdated quilt and fabric store into an homage to the Victorian era of the early twentieth century.  The store allowed their customers to escape the modern world for a short time."

Book Review: This Side of Murder by Anna Lee Huber

This Side of Murder (Verity Kent #1). Anna Lee Huber. Kensington (2017). 289 pages. Genre: Mystery.

First Lines: "You might question whether this is all a ruse, whether I truly have anything to reveal.  But I know what kind of work you really did during the war.  I know the secrets you hide.  Why shouldn't I also know your husband's?"

Summary:  Verity Kent is invited to a house party to celebrate the engagement of one of her deceased husband's fellow officers.  Initially she intends to send her regrets.  But when she receives a letter claiming the writer had information about her late husband and his treasonous activities, Verity decides she must attend the party and perhaps learn more about this accusation of treasonous activity.  

Soon after the party gets started, one of the guests disappears.  Verity and three other guests discover his body when they are exploring the island.  Before long another body is discovered.  To make matters worse, there is a storm raging outside and the phone lines are down.  Will Verity be able to discover who the murderer is before someone else loses their life?

My thoughts:  I love the covers of the books in this series.  I was also drawn to the time period - the time between the wars.  

I was glad I had read a few reviews before beginning this book because several of them indicated that the beginning of the book was slow.  I found this to be true and probably would not have continued had I not been prepared for this. There is a lot of set up for the first half or so of the book.  But once things start to happen it really picks up.  

It has been fifteen months since Verity's husband was shot in a battle.  She thought she would be done grieving by now, but finds herself still missing him terribly.  That makes it especially hard to attend this party where everyone knew her husband.  The letter she received suggesting that her husband was involved in treasonous activities is what compels her to go.  She can't believe Sidney would have been involved in anything treasonous, but then again, they hadn't had a lot of time to spend together before he was sent off to war. Verity was keeping secrets from her husband, so it is possible he was keeping secrets from her.  

The setting and atmosphere of this book are similar to And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie.  It is set on an island in a large house, actually a castle in this case, and when a storm hits, no one can leave.  However, that is where the similarities end.  Verity and one of the other guests, Max, trust one another, but they are not sure who else they can trust.  The mystery is not straight forward and after a major plot twist, things get more complicated. 

Another thing that took away from my enjoyment of the novel was a section involving a seance and tarot cards.  In most cases, this would have been a deal breaker for me.  However, all of the characters except the one who wants to hold the seance were uncomfortable and Verity lets the reader know that she believes the other character is just pretending to converse with the dead person.  Also, it occurred more than half way through the novel and by that point I wanted to finish.  

Unfortunately, I was left with mixed feelings about the novel.  I have heard great things about Anna Lee Huber and her writing is terrific, but I am not sure if I will continue with this series. 

Quotes:

"Our fighting men simply didn't discuss such things with those at home.  They couldn't. Not without exposing us to the horrors they were trying so hard to keep us from finding out about."

"The music grew softer and the hushed sounds of night reached my ears again - the hum of crickets and the rustle of the wind trailing its fingers through the leaves.  On this side of the castle, away from the sea, the trees grew thicker, for I could smell them and the faint perfume of London Pride in the bushes bordering this end of the terrace."

Book Review: Autumn by the Sea by Melissa Tagg

Autumn by the Sea (Muir Harbor #1). Melissa Tagg. Larkspur Press (2021). 356 pages. Genre: Christian Fiction.

First Line of Prologue: "My Dearest Robert, Sometimes I think about how no one understands."

Summary:  Maggie Muir has been searching for her granddaughter for years.  The child was never located after an accident that killed her mother.  Maggie is convinced that the child is still alive and has used a private investigator to try and locate her.  

Sydney Rose was abandoned as a toddler and spent years in foster homes.  She has made a life for herself and her foster brother, but she often wonders what life would have been like if she had not been abandoned.  When Maggie's private investigator enters her life and suggests that she might be Maggie's granddaughter, Sydney Rose begins to hope.  

Neil MacKean was taken in by Maggie as a teenager.  He loves Muir Farm and feels like farming is his calling.  But he is suspicious of the latest "granddaughter" who shows up. She seems to be different from the others and Neil finds himself drawn to her.  However, he doesn't want Maggie to be hurt again.  

My thoughts:  This book drew me in immediately.  I fell in love with Muir Harbor and the farm that has seen better days.  I wanted to know if Maggie was finally going to find her granddaughter and if Sydney Rose would fit in.  I wanted to know how Neil, Lillian and Indi came to be taken in by Maggie and how does Wilder Monroe fit in the picture?

There are a lot of mysteries to be solved and the author did a great job of revealing them layer by layer.  In the process, we get to meet some really great characters.  Maggie has suffered much loss in her life, but she has also offered much hope to others.  However, she is not an open book and there is still much to learn about her. One thing we do know is that she is not willing to give up the search for her granddaughter until she is found, no matter the cost. 

In addition to the mysteries to be solved, there is a little romance, a little humor and realistic interactions of a family trying to get along. I enjoyed every minute of it.  The story has a satisfying ending, but not everything is solved.  There are a few loose ends that make me eager to get my hands on the next book in the series. 

Quotes:

"Trees burning with color, fiery red and orange and gold, lined the lane on one side, and up ahead, she could just make out the shape of the house."

"'I think Maggie would say that's what love does.  It keeps hoping even when the answers don't come easily.  It invites strangers in.  It doesn't give up.  Love keeps searching.'"

"Maybe she was here because God had led her here.  Laid a path for her feet and whispered for her to walk.  Maybe He hadn't forgotten her, after all."

Book Review: Tending Roses by Lisa Wingate

Tending Roses (Tending Roses #1). Lisa Wingate. Signet (2001). 336 pages. Genre:  Christian Fiction.

First Lines: "Indian wisdom says our lives are rivers.  We are born somewhere small and quiet and we move toward a place we cannot see, but only imagine.  Along our journey, people and events flow into us, and we are created of everywhere and everyone we have passed."

Summary:  Kate Bowman, her husband Ben and their baby son move temporarily to her grandmother's home in Missouri.  Except Grandma Rose thinks they are just visiting for the holidays.  The other members of Kate's family think the time has come to move Grandma Rose to a nursing home. Kate is reluctant.  Her grandmother is more forgetful and just as stubborn as ever.  But as Kate spends time with her, she learns so many things about what is important in life.  Moving from her home will break her heart.  But what is best for the family and most of all for Grandma Rose?

My thoughts:  This is Lisa Wingate's first published novel and it is a great one.  Her inspiration for the story was taken from her own relationship with her grandmother.  

Kate is on maternity leave from her job in Chicago.  She loves her job and hates being away from the office.  Her husband, Ben, is able to work remotely so they are the best candidates to stay with Grandma Rose.  She recently started a fire in her laundry room when she forgot to turn off the iron.  The memories Kate has of her grandmother are of someone who would inspect people's shoes for mud when they entered the house or put a coaster under their drink and especially listening to the plumbing to make sure no one was flushing too much toilet paper.  In other words, she didn't miss a thing.  So, it is hard to imagine how she could forget to turn off the iron.  Dealing with Grandma's stubbornness and forgetfulness is trying.

However, Kate is getting to know her grandmother for the first time in her life.  In between her tirades, she surprises Kate with words of wisdom that she can't ignore.  One afternoon when Grandma Rose has fallen asleep in her rocking chair, Kate notices a notebook lying next to her.  She knows she shouldn't open it, but can't seem to help herself.  There she finds a reflection about life that touches her deeply.  She begins to reevaluate her priorities and imagine her life in a different way.  After that first reading, she seems to find the notebook waiting for her just when she needs a boost of encouragement. 

The characters and the struggles they go through are so realistic.  The story just flows along so smoothly.  That is not to say that their lives go smoothly, quite the contrary.  There are lots of difficult things to work through such as deciding what is best for Grandma Rose, getting by on one income, dealing with estranged relatives, finding fulfillment outside of the workplace and dealing with a baby and an elderly relative at the same time. 

Tending Roses is a beautiful story, beautifully told. I didn't realize going in that the story takes place in the weeks leading up to Christmas and would make a great Christmas read.  I marked so many quotes to copy into my commonplace book, but I will try to keep it brief here.

Quotes:

"In a perfect world, babies are born healthy, and medical bills don't snowball into the tens of thousands of dollars, and grandmothers don't almost burn down their houses, and family members don't go years without speaking to one another, and Christmas is a time to look forward to...."

"Sinking into the quilted cushions of Grandma's swing, I took in a deep breath of warm air.  It smelled of green winter wheat and freshly tilled earth, drying puddles of water and decaying leaves.  Just a hint of winter."

"'We children knew not to complain or we would leave the table hungry.  My father would say the Lord served up the meals and it wasn't our business to complain about the menu.'"

"Your children are the greatest gift God will give you, and their souls the heaviest responsibility He will place in your hands.  Take time with them, teach them to have faith in God.  Be a person in whom they can have faith.  When you are old, nothing else you've done will have mattered as much."

Book Review: From This Day Forward by Lauraine Snelling

 

From This Day Forward (Song of Blessing #4). Lauraine Snelling. Bethany House Publishers (2016). 368 pages. Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance. 

First Line: "'When will it be my turn?' Deborah MacCallister paused to sniff a spray of lilac."

Summary:  The town of Blessing, North Dakota is growing quickly.  The hospital is now well established, but short handed.  The men of the town have their hands full trying to build a school and some homes before winter comes.  Since the school teacher moved away, they are in need of a new teacher before summer's end.  Head nurse Deborah MacCallister needs to go to Chicago for training on hospital administration.  Tensions are running high as the people are overworked.  Led by Ingeborg  Bjorklund and John Solberg, the residents pull together through prayer and hard work.  

My thoughts: It is always refreshing to return to this series.  The town of Blessing was settled by the Bjorklund family in the late 1800's.  From This Day Forward takes place in the early 1900's.  Each of the stories in this series has a strong sense of family, community and faith.

One of my favorite aspects of this series is the hospital and how much I learn about medicine and doctoring during this time period.  This story has less of that than the others in the series, but there is still enough to satisfy my curiosity.  

Ingeborg is our main character and all of the other characters are touched by her in some way.  Some are related, others are just loved by her.  She is a woman with a strong faith in God.  She helps out in whatever way she can, whether by preparing food, driving the tractor or just being available to talk. She is always taking care of someone.  She is now a widow and her children are grown, but she has "adopted" a girl and a woman in need of a home.  

Another main storyline involves Head Nurse Deborah MacCallister.  She has loved Toby Valders since they were children, but he doesn't seem to be able to make a commitment.  Toby does care about Deborah, but realizes he is afraid of making a commitment.  After doing some soul searching and talking with trusted friends, he begins to realize his fear has to do with his past.  It is only after acknowledging his fear that he can begin to change. 

This is the final book in the series and I am sad to see it end.  The entire Blessing series is twenty books long, however it is made up of smaller series.  I have only read the four books in The Song of Blessing series.  I imagine the entire series is great, but I had no problem starting here.  If you are interested in this series I recommend you start with the first book in the Song of Blessing series, To Everything a Season.  If you are really ambitious and want to start at the very beginning, the first book is An Untamed Land. 

Quotes: 

"Back in bed, she listened to the night sounds, the singing crickets, an owl hooting, the breeze lifting the lace curtains."

"'How come your house always feels so peaceful?'

'I imagine because the Lord of peace lives here.  And He fills our house and hearts with His love.'"

"She could feel the smile lifting her face and see the morning breeze setting the lace curtain to dancing."