Book Review ~ Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn ~ 5 STAR!!! ~ 9/4/2025

Title:  "Tea with Elephants" by Robin Jones Gunn

Series:  Suitcase Sisters Novel Book #1

Format:  Paperback

Pages:  304

Date Published:  October 15, 2024

Publisher:   Revell

Stars: *****

Book Description:

Ever since they met as teenagers volunteering at a conference center in Costa Rica 20 years ago, Fern Espinoza and Lily Graden have shared a close friendship, even though they live in different states. They can hardly believe it when their teen dream of traveling to Africa together becomes a reality. It's the trip of a lifetime--but life sure isn't what they thought it would be back when they were young.

Along with their suitcases, each woman brings along emotional baggage that weighs heavily on them. Yet the people they meet and the places they experience have the power to change their hearts--but only if they surrender to the lessons God wants to teach them in this unexpected land of emerald tea fields, graceful giraffes, and rambunctious elephants.

Pack your bags and get ready for adventure as Robin Jones Gunn invites you on a safari of the heart in this vulnerable exploration of how to move forward in faith even when the future is uncertain.

The Logistics:

I read and LOVED the "Sisterchick" series by Robin Jones Gunn so I knew I would absolutely HAVE to read the first "Suitcase Sisters Novel".

I recently got a library card and was so excited to see "Tea with Elephants" was available through the library network.  I instantly got myself on the wait-list and and it was only a short time before I got the email/text that the book was able to be picked up!

My Overall Feeling of the Book:

Robin Jones Gunn NEVER disappoints!  The descriptions and atmosphere that were created were amazing.  I love that point in reading a book where the pages disappear and the story becomes a movie in my head.  From the tea fields to the treetops, this book was so well done!

Main Characters:

Fern Espinoza:  The book is written in the first-person from Fern's point-of-view.  She is a thirty-something woman at a crossroads in her life.  Fern is in the book publishing industry and loves to write love letters to Jesus in her journal.

Lily Graden:  Lily is Fern's bestie, an event planner, a wife and a mother of two teenage boys.  She's also facing a time of possible upheaval.

One of My Favorite Scene(s):

The entire book was full of favorite scenes for me.  I took longer to read it than I thought it would because I wanted to savor each and every chapter.

If I had to pick, I'd pick the scenes with Wanja, Fern and Lily's tour guide.  She was the one who dubbed them the "Suitcase Sisters" and was just such a character.  The book wouldn't have been the same without her.

I also loved Fern and Lily's deep conversations where they hashed out their trials and troubles.  They really were the best of friends and the way they respected each other and talked to and about one another was so heartwarming and made me wish I had a best friend like that in my life.

A Brief Excerpt:

"Looking up from my chair on the balcony, I put down my pen and surveyed the immense view once again.  I could see for miles across the vast plain and spotted several giraffes and lots of zebras.  Page 179

The Cover:

I wasn't totally in love with the cover until I read the scene that it portrays.  At that point, the cover all came together for me right down to the scarves that Fern and Lily are wearing.

Other Notes:

~As noted above, this is the first book in the "Suitcase Sisters".  The second book, "Gelato at the Villa" has already been released and I can't wait to get my hands on it!

~I loved how each chapter started with a quote!

~I also want to give a heads up that there are a few scenes that could be a bit disturbing to some due to the graphic nature of wild animals.  I've seen some reviewers take issue with this, but being a country girl, it didn't bother me to that extent.  The circle of life and all that, you know :)


Rating

5/5

Onto the next book :)

Book Review ~ You're Not Enough (and that's okay) by Allie Beth Stuckey ~ 3/1/2025

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Title:   "You're Not Enough (and that's okay)" by Allie Beth Stuckey

Series:  N/A

Format:  Hardcover

Date Published:  May 5, 2020

Publisher:   Sentinel

Stars: ****

 Blurb:

Is your quest to love yourself more actually making you miserable?

We're told that the key to happiness is self-love. Instagram influencers, mommy bloggers, self-help gurus, and even Christian teachers promise that if we learn to love ourselves, we'll be successful, secure, and complete. But the promise doesn't deliver. Instead of feeling fulfilled, our pursuit of self-love traps us in an exhausting as we strive for self-acceptance, we become addicted to self-improvement.

The truth is we can't find satisfaction inside ourselves because we are the problem. We struggle with feelings of inadequacy because we are inadequate. Alone, we are not good enough, smart enough, or beautiful enough. We're not enough--period. And that's okay, because God is.

The answer to our insufficiency and insecurity isn't self-love, but God's love. In Jesus, we're offered a way out of our toxic culture of self-love and into a joyful life of relying on him for wisdom, satisfaction, and purpose. We don't have to wonder what it's all about anymore. This is it.

This book isn't about battling your not-enoughness; it's about embracing it. Allie Beth Stuckey, a Christian, conservative new mom, found herself at the dead end of self-love, and she wants to help you combat the false teachings and self-destructive mindsets that got her there. In this book, she uncovers the myths popularized by our culture of trendy narcissism, reveals where they manifest in politics and the church, and dismantles them with biblical truth and practical wisdom.

My Thoughts:

  This book was the February 2025 selection for the Good for the Soul Women's Book Club.  It was our first non-fiction book for the Club.  This was also a Read-A-Long where we discussed our weekly selections via chat.  So much fun!

I had never even heard of Allie Beth Stuckey before reading this, her debut book.  I have to say that I agreed with almost everything she wrote and stands for which was a pleasant surprise.

The book is broken into seven sections:

Introduction

Myth #1:  You Are Enough

Myth 2:  You Determine Your Truth

Myth 3: You're Perfect the Way You Are

Myth #4:  You're Entitled to Your Dreams

Myth #5:  You Can't Love Others Until You Love Yourself

Conclusion

There were so many "nuggets" that I tabbed and tabbed and tabbed.  I had so many favorite quotes that I'm not even going to try to pick and choose but I did particularly enjoy Myth #4 as it really resonated with me.

Allie Beth Stuckey backed her concepts up with Scripture which I loved!  The Conclusion was particularly well-written.  We don't have to be enough, because God is enough.  "He is LORD.  The Great I Am.  Our Creator, Sustainer, Reconciler, and Hope.  He is a King to be worshiped and  Leader to be followed.  He does not exist for us, but we exist for Him." pg 191

If your interest is the least bit piqued, I suggest that you read this book.  You won't be disappointed.  I'll definitely be checking out her second book "Toxic Empathy".

Onto the next book :)

Book Review ~ Alaska Twilight by Colleen Coble ~ 2/24/2025

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Title:   "Alaska Twilight" by Colleen Coble

Series:  N/A

Format:  AudioBook

Narrator:  Rachel Dulude

Length:  8 hours 16 minutes

Date Published:  April 23, 2019

Publisher:   Tantor Audio

Stars: ***1/2

 Blurb:

For some people, Alaska is a breathtaking wilderness adventure, full of light and beauty. For Haley, it is a dangerous world of dark dreams and tortured memories. On the surface, she's here to document wildlife activist Kipp Nowak's bear encounters. But her real reason is to unearth the truth about a past murder. The suspense mounts when another body turns up, and Haley beginst to wonder if the tragedies she experienced in the past are connected to the dangers and mysterious incidents of the present.

From behind the viewfinder of her camera, Haley observes it all, including Tank Lassiter, the bear biologist who has been forced to lead Kipp and his team into the Alaskan backcountry. As she watches him with his work, she feels a growing attraction. It will take great courage and faith to confront the truth she once ran away from. Before it's over, Haley may be viewing herself from an entirely new angle.

My Thoughts:

  I really enjoyed most aspects of this book.

The narrator was good.  The setting was amazing.  The characters were well developed.  The faith content was on point.  The suspense was great.   The romance was...a bit cliche.

Haley was a city-girl photographer going back to Alaska to face her past and document wild bear through film.  Tank was a widowed bear biologist leading the expedition.  The set-up was enjoyable.  In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed the book until the last few chapters.

Then one of my pet peeves surfaced.

Tank and Haley were frantically searching for Brooke, Tank's daughter, and didn't know if she was alive or dead out in the Alaskan wilderness.  Tank took that moment to "crush" Haley to himself, kiss her as if his life depended on it and declared his love for her.  Out of the blue.  In a very inappropriate situation, if you ask me.  Haley, at least, does later question whether Tank was just emotional at that moment and if he really meant his undying love declaration.

Ughh...  What could have been at least a 4.5 star read instantly took a nose dive for me to a be a 3.5 star read.  Not that that a 3.5 star rating is terrible but it could have been better.

I will say that this book was originally written in 2006, so almost 20 years ago.  Christian Fiction has come a long way in that time in the romantic suspense genre.

I usually LOVE Colleen Coble's work but the last quarter of this book just didn't mesh well for me.

Onto the next book :)

Book Review ~ A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell ~ 2/17/2025

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Title:   "A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure" by Angela Bell

Series:  The Librarian of Boone's Hollow Book 1

Format:  AudioBook

Narrator:  Beverley A. Crick

Length:  12 hours 28 minutes

Date Published:  February 27, 2024

Publisher:   Recorded Book Inc.

Stars: *** 1/2

 Blurb:

Miss Clara Marie Stanton's family may be eccentric, but they certainly aren't insane.

London, England, 1860
When Clara's ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it's all she can do to protect them from his desperate schemes, society's prejudice, and a lifetime in an asylum. Then Clara's Grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all pretense of normalcy takes wing.

Theodore Kingsley, a shame-chased vagabond haunted by the war, wants a fresh start far from Kingsley Court and the disappointed father who declared him dead. Upon returning to England, Theodore meets clockmaker Drosselmeyer, who hires him as an apprentice, much to Clara's dismay. When Drosselmeyer spontaneously disappears in his secret flying owl machine, he leaves behind a note for Clara, beseeching her to make her dreams of adventure a reality by joining him on a merry scavenger hunt across Europe. Together, Clara and Theodore set off to follow Drosselmeyer's trail of clues, but they will have to stay one step ahead of a villain who wants the flying machine for himself--at any cost.

My Thoughts:

  I'm a bit torn with my thoughts on this book.  I wanted to LOVE it but I have to admit to just LIKING the book.

The story-line was fun but I found it overly flowery and wordy.

I didn't really like the main female character, Clara, very much.  She was spoiled and thought she had to control everything and everyone.  I did, though, appreciate how she learned to rely on God for His strength and not only in herself by the end of the book. 

Arthur/Theodore, the main male character, was a bit of a pushover and Clara was downright MEAN to him for most of the book.  I did enjoy the fact that he learned to accept God's forgiveness and began to see his worth as a man.

I wish that there was more of Grand, Clara's Grandfather, in the story.  He was a very interesting character as was Clara's mother and her menagerie of mix-matched animals.

This was only my second time listening to an audiobook.  I wonder if the fact that the narrator had a flowery British accent affected my enjoyment of the story or if it was the fantastical elements of the story.

At any rate, LIKED but not LOVED...

Onto the next book :)

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P.S.

I decided to make a fun game for myself out of the 2025 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge.  Instead of seeing how many books I can read for each prompt, I'm going to see how many prompts I can fill with each book I read/listen to.

This book fills the following prompts:

1.  My Favorite Color - Turquoise

2.  Headwear - Bonnet

3.  Illustrated Scene

4.  Someone Wearing Period Clothing ~ Clara and Theodore

5.  A Bird ~ Owl

6.  Jewelry ~ Pocket Watch

7.  Cityscape

That brings the tally to:

7  

prompts filled in just one book!

Book Review ~ The Librarian of Boone's Hollow by Kim Vogel Sawyer ~ 1/30/2025

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Title:   "The Librarian of Boone's Hollow by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Series:  The Librarian of Boone's Hollow Book 1

Format:  AudioBook

Narrator:  Kate Forbes

Length:  12 hours 32 minutes

Date Published:  October 13, 2020

Publisher:   Recorded Book Inc.

Stars: *****

 Blurb:

During the Great Depression, Addie Cowherd dreams of being a novelist and offering readers the escape that books gave her during her tragic childhood. When her adoptive father loses his job, she is forced to leave college and take the only employment she can find--delivering books on horseback to poor coal mining families in the hills of Kentucky.

The small community of Boone's Hollow is suspicious of outsiders and steeped in superstitions that leave Addie feeling rejected and indignant. Although she finds an unexpected friend in an elderly outcast, the other horseback librarians scorn her determination to befriend Nanny Fay.

Emmett Tharp grew up in the tiny mountain hamlet where most men either work in the coal mine or run moonshine. He's the first in the community to earn a college degree, and he has big dreams, but witnesses the Depression robbing many young men of their future.

Then someone sets out to sabotage the library program, going so far as to destroy Addie's novel in progress. Will the saboteur chase Addie and the other librarians away, or will knowledge emerge victorious over prejudice? Is Emmett the local ally that Addie needs--and might their friendship lead to something more?

Inspired by the real WPA program that sent librarians on horseback to deliver books to hill families in Kentucky, Kim Vogel Sawyer immersed herself in Appalachian history to tell this captivating story.

My Thoughts:

Where to begin?

I guess I'll start by saying that this was my first ever audiobook!  I never ever thought I'd be an audiobook-er but I think I'm hooked!  I can only hope that all narrators are as good as Kate Forbes.  I enjoyed her voice(s) immensely.

I don't know that I would have picked this book up by myself, but it was the January selection for the "Good for the Soul Women's Book Club".  (We actually JUST got done with our Zoom book discussion about 30 minutes ago.)  I'll even admit that I didn't vote for this book in the selection process.  However, I'm so glad it won out!

I honestly don't know where to start reviewing this story so I'll just jump in.

AMAZING!

At first, though, I was a bit hesitant because the story seemed to be unfolding rather slowly.  As I continued on, I can now see that it was necessary so that the main picture could evolve.

I would say that there were actually 4 main characters in this book.  Emmett, Addie, Bettina, and Nanny Fay.  Nanny Fay was actually my favorite character in the whole book!  She was so wise and full of faith and trust in the LORD even after her rather hard life story.

The main theme of this book was not romance, at least in my opinion.  (In fact, there was very little romance until the Epilogue.  Definitely a slow burn kind of book.)  Instead it was about relationships.  And I loved it!

It was so interesting to read bout the library initiative during the Great Depression.  Books open a person up to a whole world that otherwise would have never been experienced and I feel like "The Librarian of Boone's Hollow' did just that for me.

Kim Vogel Sawyer masterfully wove a community of characters that will stay with me for quite some time.  

Onto the next book :)

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P.S.

I decided to make a fun game for myself out of the 2025 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge.  Instead of seeing how many books I can read for each prompt, I'm going to see how many prompts I can fill with each book I read/listen to.

"The Librarian of Boone's Hollow" by Kim Vogel Sawyer fills the following prompts:

1.  Mode of Transportation  - Mule

2.  Bookish Elements - Books

3.  Silhouette or Shadow - Silhouette of horse and rider

4.  Proper Noun in the title or design - Boone's Hollow

That brings the tally to:

4  

prompts filled in just one book!

Book Review ~ Where I Belong by Rose Fresquez ~ 10/30/2024

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Blurb:

There are several reasons I shouldn’t be nannying for the grumpy single dad.

Jason Sterling’s dazzling looks could turn heads, but his grumpy attitude just as easily freezes you in your tracks. Our first encounter? A disaster. He blamed me and my TV show for wrecking his family, and my interview turned into a shouting match. Needless to say, I didn't get the job on his TV network and vowed we’d never cross paths again.

When I take a temporary position through my mom’s nanny agency, guess who's my new boss? None other than Jason Sterling himself. I decide to quit, but I made a promise to his mother when she hired me. So when Jason shows up with a proposal—to work together for the sake of his kids—I reluctantly agree.
Then I move into his house—living under the same roof doesn't make things easier. We clash on nearly everything, yet despite my best efforts, the undeniable chemistry between us becomes impossible to ignore.

As our daily lives intertwine, I start to see a different side of Jason—a playful, loving, and protective father whose genuine affection for his children pulls at my heartstrings. Before I know it, Jason and I are inseparable, I fight his battles and he fights mine. We are not that much different after all. I'm falling helplessly in love with him, his children, and the charming small town that’s embraced me.
But my time with him is running out, and leaving suddenly feels all wrong. Falling for my enemy might be reckless, but loving him? It feels like coming home— where I belong.

My Thoughts:

****

"Where I Belong" was a great nanny/enemies-to-more read.

The beginning of the book was filled with misunderstandings and turmoil that made the main characters really dislike each other.  Imagine Jason's surprise when Valentina ended up being the nanny that his mother hired especially in a city as big as New York!

It was so much fun getting to know Jason's children as well as Valentina's large extended family.  Each character was well written and lovable in their own way.

I really enjoyed the community that the author created in Meadowbrook and look forward to returning there again for more books in the series. 

This was a sweet, clean Christian romance with a few steamy kisses in just the right moderation.

I am very excited and thankful to review this book today!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Book Review ~ The Gentleman's Confession by Anneka R. Walker ~ 10/25/2024

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Title:   The Gentleman's Confession by Anneka R. Walker

Series:  Matchmaking Mamas Book #3

Pages:  288

Date Published:  October 22, 2024

Publisher:  Shadow Mountain

Stars:  *****

Blurb:

Brookeside, England, 1822

Jemma Fielding has always considered herself an independent woman, but to honor her beloved grandmother’s dying wish, she makes a promise that she will marry and fall in love. To fulfill her promise, she turns to the Matchmaking Mamas Society for assistance and is paired with the charming Mr. Bentley. Though he is everything Jemma could hope for in a match, she is clueless about how to win his heart. Desperate to make a good impression, she seeks guidance from her dearest friend, Miles Jackson, a humble rector with a talent for understanding matters of the heart.

However, Miles’s secret affection for Jemma has spanned years, and teaching her to love someone else threatens to betray his own heart. Trapped by his own selfless nature, Miles fears he will never be more than a humble rector in her eyes.

Even as he gives Jemma lessons in love, Miles grapples with the challenge of convincing her that Mr. Bentley may be a perfect gentleman but he is not the perfect match for her. Will Miles’s advice in romance jeopardize their years of friendship, or will it reveal the attraction that has quietly blossomed between them, proving that this time, the Matchmaking Mamas may have made a mistake? Miles must decide if

My Thoughts:

This novel was so much fun to read!  Well worth the ***** rating!

I haven't read a Regency Romance in quite some time but "The Gentleman's Confession" by Anneka R. Walker reminded me why they are a favorite genre of mine.

I absolutely adored Miles and Jemma together.  They started with what both believed was a mutual best friend situation.  The journey the author took them on was full of ups and down and emotional roller coasters.  The angst that both main characters were feeling was so heartrendingly sweet.  I couldn't stop reading as I wanted so very badly to find out how Miles and Jemma would come together in the end.  I knew it would be very satisfying!  Sigh!

The book was so well-written that I was completely caught up in the story and forgot that I was reading words.  Instead I saw the story in my head.  It was a total escape to another time and place.  To me this is the highest compliment I could give :)

"The Gentleman's Confession" is the third book in the Matchmaking Mamas series but can very easily be ready as a stand-alone.  I would love to go back and read the first two books of the series and get to know more about the "Rebels" friend group.

This was a sweet, clean read.

I am very excited and thankful to review this book today!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Book Review and Giveaway ~ Frittered Moments by Allison Pearl ~ 10/25/24

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Frittered Moments by Allison Pearl, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Frittered Moments
Series: Love and Danger in St. Claire #5
Author: Allison Pearl
Publisher: Anaiah Press, LLC
Release Date: October 23, 2023
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Deputy US Marshal, Perry Cole is back in the small town of St. Claire, and he didn’t come alone. Joined by the FBI and a witness who could crack his case wide open, Perry hopes to finally track down one of the most elusive criminals he’s ever targeted. But just as the hunt begins, a murder derails his plans. Now he must partner with the cute-but-snarky Deputy Sheriff Erin Kaminski to find the killer. Perry quickly finds himself getting distracted by the feelings Erin stirs up in him, and if he doesn’t get his head back in the game, one of them may end up at the top of the murderer’s hit list. 

The locals wanted someone else for the Deputy Sheriff position, but Erin Kaminski knows in her heart that St. Claire is where she’s meant to be. And finally, just as she becomes a familiar face to the locals, the FBI and US Marshals show up, making trouble. She wants them to do their job and leave, and so she becomes their local liaison. But when someone turns up dead, she wants to be the one calling the investigative shots. Instead, she’s partnered with the admittedly charming, but overly skeptical, marshal who thinks her faith is nothing but fantasy. With Perry’s constant questions and distracting lure, she needs to keep her head clear enough to see the danger creeping her way—or she’ll end up losing everything.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Anaiah Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

My Thoughts:

"Frittered Moments" by Allison Pearl really took me by great surprise!

From the cover, I was expecting a nice cozy mystery...  Instead I got a fast paced, high-energy, suspense-filled mystery!  A very pleasant surprise!

The dynamic between the male main character, Perry, and the female main character, Erin, was amazing.  I really enjoyed the collaboration of the U.S. Marshall and the small-town Sheriff Deputy.  Their banter was on point!

The faith theme was pleasantly prevalent and even though Perry was skeptical it was fun to read about his journey.

I thought the ending was well executed and wrapped all the details and questions up nicely.  I'm a reader who loves epilogues so I was very pleased to also get a glimpse into what happened after the roller coaster ride.

Allison Pearl is another new-to-me author but I'd LOVE to read more.  This book is part of the Love and Danger in St. Claire but can most definitely be read as a stand-alone novel as well.

"Frittered Moments" is a Christian suspense a bit of really fun romance.

I am very excited and thankful to review this book today!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

More Books in This Series

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About the Author

Allison Pearl is a small-town girl who’s lived just about everywhere. She loves books, tea, coffee, snacks, and watching old movies with her husband and crazy cats.

Connect with Allison by visiting allison-pearl.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates. You can also check out her Facebook page ‘Books by Pearl’ at @allisonnicolepearl or follow her on Twitter at @AllisonPearl5 and Instagram at @allisonnicolepearl.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and kindle copy of Frittered Moments!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 21, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 28, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Book Review ~ A Rancher's Return by Jen Gilroy ~ 10/23/2024

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Blurb:

Home is…where their hearts never left.


Molly Carter’s come back to her family’s ranch in High Valley, Montana just long enough to take a breather before returning to her city life in Atlanta. But being home for the holidays is bittersweet, especially when she learns that Troy Clayton has returned to buy the Bitterroot ranch. Once they were sweethearts. Now being face-to-face with the handsome rancher is making her reassess everything — including the feelings she still has for him. But following your dreams doesn’t always mean following your heart…especially when love comes a second time around.

My Thoughts:

****

Sigh...  What a sweet read "A Rancher's Return" was...  

I think I fell in love with High Valley, Montana and all her inhabitants.

The extended High Valley family was amazing.  The town's people, the Carter family and all the children, and the town itself was perfectly written.

I also loved Molly's and Troy's history together and the back story the author, Jen Gilroy, created.  It was so fun reading about a young love that took years and separation to come back around as if time and distance were nothing.

The book takes place from October through December so now was the perfect time to read it.  From dressing up for Halloween, to Thanksgiving, to snowstorms, to a tree lighting and Christmas parade, this book was so much fun!

This is the first book I've read by Jen Gilroy, but I've found yet another great new-to-me author.  I look forward to reading more stories written by her.

This was a sweet, clean read.

I am very excited and thankful to review this book today!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Book Review and Giveaway ~ 70 NORTH by Kimberley Woodhouse ~ 10/18/2024

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for 70 North by Kimberley Woodhouse hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: 70 North 

Series: Alaskan Cyber Hunters #3 

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: October 15, 2024 

Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense

The Cyber Solutions team has managed to stay one step ahead of the madman who has killed so many. From the original 26 Below cyberattack in Fairbanks to the 8 DOWN serial murders in Anchorage and beyond, they matched wits with the killer and stopped him from reaching his ultimate goals.

But final judgment is coming. And this time, there may be no defeating him. 

David "Mac" McPherson has a personal stake in making sure this predator stays down for good. His family died in the cyberattack. Mac knows that God says "vengeance is mine"—but surely an exception can be made. 

Surgeon Tracie Hunter is determined to stay sober and keep saving lives in Fairbanks, Alaska—even if it means being a little obsessive. After all, that same kind of determination is how she kept Mac alive after the murderer targeted him. And she won't let Mac run himself into the grave looking for payback; he's come to mean too much to her. 

Then someone hacks into the system at Tracie's previous job as a medical examiner and frames her in a murder cover-up. There's no one else skilled enough to create a digital trail this incriminating—the killer is back in action, exploiting cybersecurity weaknesses to destroy lives. Can Mac stay focused and stop the next attack when his own vulnerability is exposed? Or will his need to make someone pay for his pain allow the maniac to pull ahead and win at last?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub

My Thoughts:

I was very excited to receive an advanced reader's copy of 70 NORTH by Kimberley Woodhouse.  I thought I was receiving an ebook but was delighted to receive a physical book in the mail.  Who doesn't love book mail?

I savored this book from beginning to end.  I was excited to start reading and sad when it was finished.

The characters were so relatable and imperfect which made for a perfect reading experience.  Mac, the male main character, had a ton of physical and emotional trauma that he was dealing with but he still relied on his faith to get him through.  Tracie, the female main character, had been through a lot as well but, like Mac, hadn't let it stop her from relying on God and prayer.

Speaking of prayer, there were some of the most beautiful prayers in this book and I loved it.  Even the quick but heartfelt "help me LORD" prayers were so effective in helping me to connect with the characters because there have been many times in my life where that was all I could say as well.

I was very curious to see if 70 NORTH could be read as a stand-alone book.  I'm happy to say that it was thoroughly enjoyable but I believe it would have been even better (if possible) if I had read 8 DOWN and 26 BELOW.  There were characters that I could have met even earlier and I'm sure I would have loved reading their stories as well!

This book is a Christian suspense with some romance that isn't overwhelming.  It was just right :)

I am very excited and thankful to review this book today!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

More Books from this Series: 

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About the Author

Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling author of more than thirty books and novellas, including A Deep Divide, Bridge of Gold, and The Mayflower Bride, as well as the coauthor of the Heart of Alaska series with Tracie Peterson. Kimberley’s writing has earned a Carol Award, the Christian Market Novel of the Year, the Holt Medallion, and many others. A proud former resident of Alaska, she now lives and writes in Colorado where she's traded in her hat of "Craziest Mom" for "Nana the Great."

Connect with Kimberley by visiting kimberleywoodhouse.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of 70 North and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 16, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 23, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!