Threads of Suspicion by Dee Henderson

• Series: An Evie Blackwell Cold Case
• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (May 2, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764219979
• ISBN-13: 978-0764219979

About the Book:

Dee Henderson Pens Another Compelling Cold Case Mystery
Evie Blackwell's reputation as a top investigator for the Illinois State Police has landed her an appointment to the governor's new Missing Persons Task Force. This elite investigative team is launched with plenty of public fanfare. The governor has made this initiative a high priority, so they will have to produce results--and quickly.

Evie and her new partner, David Marshal, are assigned to a pair of unrelated cases in suburban Chicago, and while both involve persons now missing for several years, the cases couldn't be more different. While Evie opens old wounds in a close-knit neighborhood to find a missing college student, David searches for a private investigator working for a high-powered client.

With a deep conviction that "justice for all" truly matters, Evie and David are unrelenting in their search for the truth. But Evie must also find answers to the questions that lie just beneath the surface in her personal life.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely love a good criminal procedural, and a little bit of romance never hurts at all!  I enjoyed the first book in Henderson's new series (Evie Blackwell Cold Case), but I didn't enjoy "Threads of Suspicion quite as much.

First of all, the threads of the story (no pun intended) felt a little loosely woven.  I had moments when I thought I was reading a completely different story, then was dropped back rather abruptly into the actual cold case narrative.

Second, there was too much filler.  "Threads of Suspicion" read like it had to keep up with its predecessor and come in with over 400 pages.  Now, I love a really thick book, but only if the number of pages is required to convey the story properly.  In this case, I would have cut anywhere from 15-20 pages and still felt comfortable.

As for the romance, it felt flat.  Forced.  Filler.  Yeah, let's move on...

Finally, I've been a fan of Dee Henderson's work since the first printing of "The O'Malley's", and while I try my best to never compare literary children to one another, that fan favorite series tells me Henderson has written better, and she can do much better than "Threads of Suspicion".  Wow, that's difficult to say, because I didn't HATE the book.

I was just a tad disappointed.  Will I read the third if there is one?  Absolutely!  Do I have high hopes for a real winner?  Mildly.  "Traces of Guilt", the first novel, set the standard for this series...but "Threads" just didn't rise to the occasion.

I received an early copy of "Threads of Suspicion" from NetGalley with no obligation or services promised in return.  I'm going to give the "Evie Blackwell Cold Case" series my "One To Watch" award, because I do see great potential in these books.

Hopefully, the next novel will fulfill that potential better than "Threads of Suspicion".  Until then...

Mark Your Place,

Deena

Raising Grateful Kids In An Entitled World by Kristen Welch

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale Momentum (January 26, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1496405293
• ISBN-13: 978-1496405296

About the Book:

“But everyone else has it.” “If you loved me, you’d get it for me!” When you hear these comments from your kids, it can be tough not to cave. You love your children--don’t you want them to be happy and to fit in?

Kristen Welch knows firsthand it’s not that easy. In fact, she’s found out that when you say yes too often, it’s not only hard on your peace of mind and your wallet--it actually puts your kids at long-term risk. In Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World, Kristen shares the ups and downs in her own family’s journey of discovering why it’s healthiest not to give their kids everything. Teaching them the difference between “want” and “need” is the first step in the right direction. With many practical tips and anecdotes, she shares how to say the ultimate yes as a family by bringing up faith-filled kids who will love God, serve others, and grow into hardworking, fulfilled, and successful adults.

It’s never too late to raise grateful kids. Get ready to cultivate a spirit of genuine appreciation and create a Jesus-centered home in which your kids don’t just say--but mean!--“thank you” for everything they have.

My Thoughts:

Excellent writing from an experienced point of view.  I greatly respect Kristen.  She walks what she talks, and she shares with humble honesty.  Her style is very appealing and easy to read, and her thoughts and ideas are in line with God's Word.  Kristen is a woman with a heart for the Kingdom and a mom who really loves her children.  Her book holds timely teaching that will make the case for instilling genuine grateful living in an over indulging society.  Wish this book could be given to every new parent before they leave the delivery room!

It's difficult for today's parent to say no and mean it.  Everyone has the latest gadget, and 1st grade students have cell phones.  We want our children to fit in, but at what cost?  Kristen takes the guess work out of having versus not having, and she makes a solid case that something has to change.

Saying no isn't easy, but it feels better than a cell phone bill of over $1,000 or having your child grow into someone you love...but don't like very much.  Regardless of how old your children are, it isn't too late to change the tide from entitled to grateful.  My thanks to my friends at Tyndale Publishing for my complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Highly recommended.


Happy Reading!





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Mark Your Place, Deena

Local Poet by Paul Trembling

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Lion Fiction (March 27, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1782642307
• ISBN-13: 978-1782642305

About the Book:

Rob Seaton killed a woman.

Rob doesn't know Laney Grey. But when she deliberately steps out in front of his van and dies on impact, his life will never be the same.

Now Rob is driven to know who she was, why she chose to die, and why he had to be part of her death.

To understand her, he must read her poetry.

To know her, he must unravel the mysteries of her past. 

As Laney's dark secret starts to come to light, and Rob's innocence is questioned, he must learn the full truth.

But truth comes at a cost. Will Rob be the one who has to pay the price?

My Thoughts:

These days, there's nothing better than a quick read, and "Local Poet" fits the bill at just under 200 pages.  Life is busy, and reading, while enjoyable, takes time.  So, how does "Local Poet" do?

It's a pretty good read!  Obviously a UK novel and author, but I like the unique turn of phrase and the flavor of Great Britain.  Trembling has a knack for crafting a character you can connect with quickly, and a mystery that will keep you guessing.

I was pleasantly surprised, and I would have completely missed out on this little gem of a mystery without my friends at Lion Hudson and Kregel Publishing sending me a complimentary copy, with no services or commitments offered in return.

If you love a good mystery and you're looking for a story that is brief but packed with intrigue and mystery, pick up a copy of "Local Poet".  Even better, this is the start of a SERIES, and I'm eager for "Local Artist" to make its way to my bookshelf.

"Local Poet" is getting my "One to Watch", and I'll be keeping a lookout for the next book.  Until then...

Mark Your Place,

Deena

The Heart-Shaped Life Daily Devotional by Karen Moore

• Series: Heart-Shaped Life
• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Shiloh Run Press (May 1, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1683220099
• ISBN-13: 978-1683220091

About the Book:

Inspiration for a Heart-Shaped Life
  
What if you could see the world through the lens of the heart moment by moment?
What if God inspired you to walk heart first into every life event and circumstance, no matter what it was?
What if love was your number one priority? Love of God, love of others, and love of yourself? 

Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:2: "If I had the gift of prophecy and knew all about what is going to happen in the future, knew everything about everything, but didn t love others, what good would it do?" . . .the Heart-Shaped Life series will encourage you to live life heart first.  

The Heart-Shaped Life Daily Devotional provides refreshing thoughts, prayers, and scripture selections to help you discover the best path to the good life. . .which is all about LOVE!

My Thoughts:

Well, first of all, this is a gorgeous book!  From the quality, padded cover with the beautiful photographic images to the layout inside the devotional book, everything is eye appealing.  And the book is nice and sturdy, which might seem like a weird thing to point out, but for a woman on the go, having a quality binding can make or break a devotional book (no pun intended!)

Now, to the heart of "The Heart-Shaped Life Daily Devotional" (this time, pun intended!), the actual devotionals.  This is a year long devotional book, with 365 daily readings.  Each one is a page in length, on good sturdy paper!.

Each daily reading begins with a Scripture passage, an inspirational reading, and a brief prayer to wrap up the daily reading.  The readings in "The Heart-Shaped Life Daily Devotional" truly leads with the heart, and gives you spiritual food to chew on throughout the day.

I'm thoroughly impressed, and giving this devotional "For Such A Time" because we need much more heart in this world!  My thanks to my friends at Barbour Press and Shiloh Run Imprint for my complimentary copy with no obligation or service promised in exchange! 

Until the next book...

Mark Your Place, 

Deena

True to You by Becky Wade

• Series: A Bradford Sisters Romance
• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (May 2, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764219367
• ISBN-13: 978-0764219368

About the Book:

Exciting Start of a Brand-New Series by a Contemporary Romance Fan Favorite 
After a devastating heartbreak three years ago, genealogist and historical village owner Nora Bradford has decided that burying her nose in her work and her books is far safer than romance in the here and now.

Unlike Nora, former Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient John Lawson is a modern-day man, usually 100 percent focused on the present. But when he's diagnosed with an inherited condition, he's forced to dig into the secrets of his past and his adoption as an infant, enlisting Nora to help him uncover the identity of his birth mother. 

The more time they spend together, the more this pair of opposites suspects they just might be a perfect match. However, John's already dating someone and Nora's not sure she's ready to trade her crushes on fictional heroes for the risks of a real relationship. Finding the answers they're seeking will test the limits of their identity, their faith, and their devotion to one another.

My Thoughts:

Wow!  This is completely different from Becky Wade's previous series, but in a very, very good way.  Wade digs deeper and mines powerful emotion with "True To You", so pack up the tissues!  You're going to need'em!

Nora is adorable in her social awkwardness.  I adore her, and I'm eager to get to know her sisters, but I doubt any of them can top her in personality and cuteness.

John is a truly tortured soul, but your heart goes out to him.  It touched a huge nerve with me as I am adopted as well, but never had a desire or need to do a search for my birth father.  Traveling along on his journey was intense, and I was cheering him along.

This series moves up another level and I didn't think Becky Wade could craft a story any better than her previous series...she was at the top of her game and a 'must read' author.  But "True To You" shows even more incredible talent, and I'm excited to see what is next for the Bradford sisters.

"True To You" gets my "Oh, The Feels!" mark, and suggesting you get your copy now.  I'm grateful for my complimentary advance copy from Bethany Publishing with no obligation or service promised.  Until the next book...
Mark Your Place, 

Deena

Looking Glass Lies by Varina Denman

• Paperback: 318 pages
• Publisher: Waterfall Press (May 2, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1503942708
• ISBN-13: 978-1503942707

About the Book:

A poignant and relatable novel, Looking Glass Lies captures the war women wage against themselves, and the struggle to see beauty reflected in a mirror not distorted by society’s unrelenting expectations.

For most of her adult life, Cecily Ross has compared herself to other women—and come up short. After a painful divorce from her emotionally abusive husband, Cecily returns to her hometown of Canyon, Texas, looking to heal.

But coming home isn’t what she expects. In a town as small as Canyon, her pain is difficult to escape—especially with her model-perfect ex–sister-in-law working at the town’s popular coffee-shop hangout. With help from her father, a support group, and an old friend who guides her to see her own strengths, Cecily may have a shot at overcoming her insecurities and learning to love again.

The true test comes when tragedy strikes, opening Cecily’s eyes to the harmfulness of her distorted views on beauty—and giving her the perfect opportunity to find peace at last.

My Thoughts:

I adore any novel by Varina Denman.  She writes with a deep passion for broken women to be restored, and her newest novel, while very different from her previous works, tackles a topic that cannot be ignored.

"Looking Glass Lies" will take you deep inside your soul.  Yes, this is a novel, but stories have power, and this one has great power to heal you if you will allow.  Every woman, at some point in her life journey, will struggle with body image.  And we all come to the distorted mirror down different paths.

I adored my father, but he used his words to hurt more than to heal, and it has taken me years and the love of a great man to finally bring me to the place where I can look in a mirror and love what I see. Lumps, bumps, and saggy...well, you know.

We've likely seen the articles women are writing about how they've grown to love their stretch marks and saggy tummies because those are signs they brought new life into the world.  How they've learned to be their own best life coach instead of critic and now they appear in family photos willingly (many times I can still see the gritted teeth!).

The joke around our house and our church was that, once I was gone, no one would believe I'd existed because there was no photographic proof!  That was funny for a moment, but it cut deep into the heart of why I refused photos.

I wasn't worthy to be capture on film.  And I hated the way my body looked.  This topic came up just this week with my husband, and I truly bared my soul to him, and he lavished me with his love and grace and tender mercy...the perfect picture of Jesus to me that day.

So meet up with Shanty.  She's a character, and she takes a bit of getting used to.  But hear her words as she meets with Cecily.  Allow yourself to be Cecily for a moment, and drink deep from the truth of how you are loved, you are beautiful, and you are worth it.

Let's shatter those "Looking Glass Lies" along with stellar author Varina Denman.  I'm giving "Looking Glass Lies" my "For Such a Time" award and encouraging you to purchase copies, have book clubs, and share the message in this lovely work of fiction.

Because...isn't it time?

I received a complimentary copy of "Looking Glass Lies" with no services promised in return.  My opinions are my own, and they are good ones, too!  Until the next book...

Mark Your Place,

Deena

Then Came You by Becky Wade

• Paperback: 158 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (March 4, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1544072279
• ISBN-13: 978-1544072272

About the Book:

A leather-bound journal. A single father. A woman in pursuit of freedom.

Garner Bradford, heir to the troubled Bradford Shipping empire, doesn't know much about babies. But he's going to have to learn fast because he's just become a single father to his newborn daughter. As he confesses through his journal entries, he's not entirely sure how to keep a newborn alive, whether or not he'll ever patch together his shattered heart, or how to forgive himself for his mistakes.

Career girl Kathleen Burke is wholly uninterested in settling down. She has big dreams, and none of them include Garner and his small hometown in Washington State. Yet she can't seem to get her handsome boss out of her head or her heart. There's something extraordinarily tempting about his beautifully sad green eyes. . . .

Told through journal entries, phone conversations, and letters, Then Came You is a unique, heart-stirring romance novella by acclaimed author Becky Wade.

My Thoughts:

This is a delicious treat before the main release of Becky Wade's new series!  A brief glimpse into the world of the Bradford sisters.  I loved every page, and only wanted more because I'm greedy like that!

We don't have much time with Garner Bradford and Kathleen Burke, but I can assure you that this novella contains some vital back story to the upcoming novel "True To You".

In fact, I bought the novella and read the two in reverse, and I wished I hadn't once I'd finished "Then Came You".  I think I would have had a much pure reading experience if I'd started with the novella.  Either way, both complement the other, and "Then Came You" is available NOW.

But don't worry..."True To You" is on its way to bookstores very soon.  Until then, I'm giving "Then Came You" my "Oh, The Feels" mark, and urging you to remember to... 

Mark Your Place,

Deena

Mark Your Place,

Deena