The Secret To Hummingbird Cake by Celeste Fletcher McHale

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 9, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718039564
• ISBN-13: 978-0718039561
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About the Book:

In the South you always say “yes, ma’am” and “no, ma’am.” You know everybody’s business. Football is a lifestyle not a pastime. Food—especially dessert— is almost a religious experience. And you protect your friends as fiercely as you protect your family— even if the threat is something you cannot see.

In this spot-on Southern novel brimming with wit and authenticity, you’ll laugh alongside lifelong friends, navigate the sometimes rocky path of marriage, and roll through the outrageous curveballs that life sometimes throws . . . from devastating pain to absolute joy.

And if you’re lucky, you just may discover the secret to hummingbird cake along the way.

My Thoughts:

One of my favorite movies is "Steel Magnolias".  I love the camaraderie and the richness of the relationships between the female characters.  And, yes, I always cry whenever I watch the movie.

That's what "The Secret to Hummingbird Cake" feels like.  The intense sisterhood of Maine, Ella Rae, and Carrigan is so powerful.  Each member of the trio of BFF's has her flaws.  Sometimes these Southern ladies let loose with some colorful language.  Please don't let that stop you from reading the book!

I thoroughly enjoyed every page, and you can count on buckets of tears and quite a few laugh out loud moments.  Be prepared to be changed by the time you turn the final page.  I'm giving "The Secret To Hummingbird Cake" my "One to Watch" with a caution--some mild language is used in the book.  Until next time...

Mark Your Place,

Deena

Devoted by Marjorie Jackson

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Shiloh Run Press; Gld edition (May 1, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1683221664
• ISBN-13: 978-1683221661

About the Book:

Life is good with a God who is great!

What’s a girl to do in a changing world full of darkness, distractions, pressure, lies, and uncertainty? Is it really possible for a twenty-first-century young woman to live a life in direct contrast to culture’s ever-changing standards? The answer is yes!

With a Lord like Jesus, guidance like the Holy Spirit’s, and that powerful weapon we call the Holy Bible, God’s truth is ours to live out. Come learn along with talented young author, Marjorie Jackson, in this devotional about letting our love and dedication to Jesus penetrate every area of life—our relationships, our decisions, our standards, our convictions, our priorities, our everything.

Whether you’re a long-time Christian or you’ve still got your spiritual training wheels on, get ready to dive into God’s Word and discover what it truly means to be a young woman of God who is completely, joyfully, beautifully different.

My Thoughts:

"Devoted" by Marjorie Jackson is cool, from the cover design to the page layout.  It's a very unique devotional book, designed for young girls, probably early to late teens.  It's the kind of devotional I would have loved to have during my high school years.  But does "Devoted" pass my devotional test?

1) Opens each reading with Scripture?  check

2) Relevant topics for the target audience? check

3) Daily readings filling but brief for busy lives? mmm...not really.  Each reading is an average of four pages, so depends upon your definition for brief.  Just doesn't fit mine.

4) Unique features?  check, check CHECK!  "Devoted" combines inspiration with creation, as each reading ends with a coloring page design.  You can tell Jackson took great care in creating the pages, and she uses the Scripture of the day in each design.

PLUS, each reading in "Devoted" ends with some journal questions that are easily used in a study session with a group, as well as a daily challenge to put the Word into action.

Overall, "Devoted" really impressed me.  I love the cover and the overall layout, just wished for shorter readings over a longer period of time.  However, in defense of the book, it is designed to be a month long devotion, and you can divide the readings up to fit your life.

So I'm giving "Devoted" my "Something Good Here" award.  I love the layout, but would love some changes as well.  Until the next book comes my way...

Mark Your Place,

Deena

It Started With Goodbye by Christina June

• Print Length: 272 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Up to 5 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
• Publisher: Blink (May 9, 2017)
• Publication Date: May 9, 2017
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B01HAKH5LY

About the Book:

Sixteen-year-old Tatum Elsea is bracing for the worst summer of her life. After being falsely accused of a crime, she's stuck under stepmother-imposed house arrest and her BFF's gone ghost. Tatum fills her newfound free time with community service by day and working at her covert graphic design business at night (which includes trading emails with a cute cello-playing client).

When Tatum discovers she's not the only one in the house keeping secrets, she finds she has the chance to make amends with her family and friends. Equipped with a new perspective, and assisted by her feisty step-abuela/fairy-godmother, Tatum is ready to start fresh and maybe even get her happy ending along the way.

A modern play on the Cinderella story arc, IT STARTED WITH GOODBYE shows us that sometimes going after what you want means breaking the rules. 

IT STARTED WITH GOODBYE will appeal to fans of Sarah Dessen, Stephanie Perkins, and Jennifer E. Smith.

My Thoughts:

I was so excited about this book!  It was on my wishlist for the longest time, and when I was given an advance copy I couldn't wait to dive in and read my way to the end.  While I enjoyed "It Started With Goodbye", it wasn't what I was anticipating.

Sometimes I think we can set ourselves up and miss out on a really great read.  Had I known this was a twist on the classic Cinderella tale, I probably would have passed.  But I didn't, so here is what I thought...

Christina June has a definite ability to tell a story.  Her characters are well formed, and she keeps a steady pace with no drag in the story.  And I enjoyed every word of this book...I just didn't love the story. My hope is, for her next novel, Christina June writes a completely original tale so we can truly see her talent shine.

I wonder if the step-mother would have felt less like a caricature and more like a woman struggling with her own issues of acceptance and control.  I wonder if the dad would have had more to do with the story, rather than just a throwaway character.

I'll be watching for Christina June's next novel, because I'm curious.  And she can tell a story very well.  I just want to see her tell her own story.  That's why I'm giving "It Started With Goodbye" my "One To Watch" award.  Until then...

...Mark Your Place

Deena

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