Final Descent by Audrey J Cole Novella Review

About the Novella:

At 30,000 feet, the danger isn't turbulence-it's him.

After suffering a breakdown from her brutal divorce, airline pilot Claire Winslow is rebuilding her life with her five-year-old daughter. Just as she's finding her footing, an online romance spirals into a chilling nightmare. Her first date with Evan goes terribly wrong, and he soon begins stalking her, showing up outside her home and even her daughter's school.

After nearly a week of no sightings of him, Claire dares to believe maybe he's moved on. Relieved, she puts her focus on her upcoming flight-the first chance she's had to prove herself since she was put on leave. Then, on a layover in Boston, Claire spots Evan at her hotel. She goes to the police, but with no real name and nothing traceable online, they say there's nothing they can do.

When Evan boards her flight wearing a pilot uniform and takes the jump seat just before takeoff, Claire is convinced he's there to kill her-or take the plane down. But after her recent breakdown, the question becomes: is she right...or unraveling all over again?

My Review:

This is an entertaining novella that really held my interest. There are two issues that make this a good psychological thriller. One is Claire sure she is being stalked. Cole does a good job of building up the tension with the escalating thoughts Claire has. The second issues is Cole's characteristic suspense involving a commercial airplane. The novella is really suspenseful near the end. There is a twist right in the middle of that suspense that sends readers, and the plane, reeling.

I like Cole's writing. I think I have read every one of her books. She does not disappoint and this is another great read.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Audrey J. Cole is a USA TODAY bestselling thriller author. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her two children. Before writing full time, she worked as a neonatal intensive care nurse for eleven years. She’s also a pilot's daughter.

Rainier Publishing, 90 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this novella from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Better Ways to Read the Bible by Zach Lambert Book Review

About the Book:

As a pastor for more than ten years, Zach Lambert has seen the Bible used countless times as something far from the "Good Book"--both in his own life and in the experiences of others. He has seen the Bible weaponized to subjugate women, justify racism, bash LGBTQ+ people, cover up abuse, and exclude people who speak out against these injustices.

If you've been hurt by harmful interpretations or feel disconnected from Scripture, this book offers a path forward to reclaim the Bible's life-giving message. This accessible resource will help you

● break free from harmful interpretations that distort Scripture's true message,
● develop Christ-centered reading practices,
● renew your relationship with Scripture,
● apply new frameworks to challenging Bible passages that have historically been misused to cause harm, and
● connect with Christians who embrace Scripture's call to abundant life for everyone.

In this compassionate guide, Lambert dismantles four common lenses for reading the Bible that lead to harm, then offers four new lenses that promote healing and wholeness. This book welcomes all Christians--regardless of background, doubts, or wounds--to reengage Scripture in life-giving ways.

My Review:

Lambert asks us to honestly wrestle with the Bible. He has seen the Bible used to harm others. He has seen places where it is not safe to question the literal interpretation of a passage. He suggests there are better ways to read the Bible, to see the Good News as not just getting to heaven but also good news for people now, the poor, the disadvantaged, etc.

He identifies lenses through which we read the Bible such as literalism, morality (Bible as a rule book), apocalyptic (all about end times). He would rather we read it through the lens of Jesus, exhibiting a Jesus centered faith rather than a Bible centered faith.. He encourages us to ask if our belief is Christ-like rather than “biblical.” After all, genocide and slavery are “biblical.” (122)

His emphasis is on unconditional love and radical acceptance. His example of thee woman caught in adultery was insightful. He suggests Jesus told her to go and sin no more, “...not so that he could love her but because he already loved her.” (91) He wanted her to leave behind the things that were hurting her.

Lambert advocates for universal reconciliation through Christ. (78) I cannot agree with him on that issue. I do, however, recommend this book as one that jolted me out of my usual way of reading the Bible. It has given me a new lens through which to see the words and work of Jesus, one that encourages me to better love God and others.

Here is a quote I really liked: “As the saying goes, I can do all things through a verse taken out of context.” (135)

About the Author:

Zach W. Lambert is the lead pastor and founder of Restore, a church in Austin, Texas. Under his leadership, Restore has grown from a launch team of five people in 2015 to more than one thousand members today. He holds a master of theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and is pursuing his doctorate at Duke Divinity School.

Zach is the cofounder of the Post-Evangelical Collective and serves on the boards of the Austin Church Planting Network and the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network. Zach and his wife, Amy, met each other in the sixth grade, fell in love at seventeen, and got married at twenty-one. They love watching live music, discovering local Mexican food places, and playing with their two boys.

Brazos Press, 216 pages.

Defending You by Robin Patchen Blog Tour Book Review

 

About the Book

Book: Defending You

Author: Robin Patchen

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release Date: October 14, 2025

She stumbled onto a deadly secret. The man she once wronged is the only one who can keep her alive.

Cecilia “Cici” Wright has built a life she loves as a jewelry appraiser. But when her latest find—a priceless ruby necklace—links to decades-old murders in her hometown of Shadow Cove, Cici becomes the target of ruthless killers. Forced to flee for her life, she must rely on the man she humiliated in the most shameful moment of her life.

Asher Rhodes puts his Navy SEAL training to good use as a bodyguard for high-paying clients. Keeping his emotions locked away is the secret to his strength. But Cici Wright isn’t just a client—she’s the girl who scorned him, the last woman in the world he ever wanted to see again. Having her close churns up all the reasons he once loved her. Protecting her means facing not just the killers chasing them but the wounds she left behind.

Cici and Asher find themselves in a deadly game of cat and mouse, where trust is their only weapon and attraction their greatest vulnerability. With time running out, they must overcome their painful history and work together to defeat their enemies—before it’s too late.

Don’t miss Defending You, book 7 in Robin Patchen’s Wright Heroes of Maine series. Packed with heart-pounding suspense, sizzling romance, and unforgettable characters, you won’t be able to put this one down.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

This is another action packed inspirational romantic suspense from Patchen. The main characters, Cici and Asher, have a history which includes deep hurt. His being assigned to guard her is initially awkward but we hope they can get over it to a potential romance. Asher definitely has some work to do on his character.

I found Asher hard to like at first. He was harsh and abrupt. It takes a while for his protective shell built from previous hurt to crack a bit, opening himself to character growth. Cici is a good heroine. Strong and capable. Much of the novel is character driven in that we are privy to the thoughts of Asher and Cici as they ruminate previous experiences and think of a possible future.

The suspense filled plot is a bit repetitive. Asher chooses to go solo in protecting Cici. He manages to evade the bad guys only to have the villains find them again, time after time after time. A car chase, hiking, camping, on a motorcycle. Finally, Asher calls in help, something he could have done earlier, avoiding the repetitive events of danger. He knows he messed up but that is part of his character transformation. The final suspense is quite good, however.

This novel is down the line in a series. Even though each novel centers on a different character, many of those characters play a part in this novel. It would be best to read the previous novels to obtain the best reading experience with this one.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

You can read my reviews of some of the previous books in this series: Sheltering You, Protecting You, and Capturing You.

About the Author

Robin Patchen is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of Christian romantic suspense. She grew up in a small town in New Hampshire, the setting of her Coventry Saga books, and then headed to Boston to earn a journalism degree. Working in marketing, she discovered how much she loathed the nine-to-five ball and chain. After relocating to the Southwest, she started writing her first novel while homeschooling her three children. The novel was dreadful, but her passion for storytelling didn’t wane. Thankfully, as her children grew, so did her writing ability. Now that her kids are adults, she has more time to play with the lives of fictional heroes and heroines, wreaking havoc and working magic to give her characters happy endings. When she’s not writing, she’s editing or reading, proving that most of her life revolves around the twenty-six letters of the alphabet.

More from Robin

Meet Cici Wright: The Relatable Heroine of Defending You

There’s nothing I love more than crafting a heroine who feels like a friend—someone to root for, cry with, and cheer on as she faces impossible odds. In Defending You, the seventh book in my Wright Heroes of Maine series, that heroine is Cici Wright. She’s a jewelry appraiser with a sharp eye for gems, a heart full of courage, and a quiet struggle that I think many of us can relate to: the need to prove she matters.

A Woman on a Mission

Cici Wright is the middle daughter of five girls, and if you’ve read the earlier books in the series, you know her older sisters, Alyssa and Brooklynn, have come through some difficult times—and proved themselves not just capable but heroic.

When we meet Cici in Defending You, she’s doing what she loves: traveling from city to city and gazing into some of the world’s most precious gems. But beneath her confident exterior lies a woman who feels the weight of her sisters’ accomplishments and wonders if she’ll ever measure up.

Who hasn’t felt the pressure to prove themselves—whether to family, friends, or even their own inner critic? Cici’s journey begins when she discovers a long-lost necklace tied to a decades-old crime. Her decision to protect it sets off a chain of events that thrusts her into danger, forcing her to confront not just external threats but her own insecurities.

Strength in Vulnerability

What I love most about Cici is how her strength shines through her vulnerability. She’s a woman who loves beauty, who finds joy in the sparkle of a well-cut diamond, and who’s suddenly caught in a deadly game with rules she’s never learned. Despite her lack of training, Cici manages to keep herself alive long enough to get help.

Cici’s resourcefulness proves that heroism doesn’t always come from training or experience; sometimes, it’s born from sheer determination and a refusal to give up.

Enter Asher Rhodes, the bodyguard tasked with keeping her safe. Their history—his high school crush was crushed by the most humiliating moment of his life—adds layers to their dynamic. I loved writing their reunion, which is filled with tension, a little humor, and a slow-burn romance that I hope will leave you swooning.

Cici’s not afraid to call Asher out when he’s being overbearing—which she thinks is pretty much all the time. But she learns to trust him…for the most part.

A Journey We All Understand

For Cici, the story is about more than surviving danger; it’s about discovering her own worth. She starts desperate to distinguish herself, to be seen as more than the other Wright sister. By the end, she’s learned that her value doesn’t come from outshining others but from embracing who she is—flaws, fears, and all. It’s a journey I think many of us can relate to, whether we’re chasing a career goal, navigating family expectations, or simply trying to find our place in the world.

As I wrote Cici’s story, I thought about the readers who’ve told me they see themselves in my heroines. Cici’s not perfect—she’s stubborn, a little impulsive, and sometimes lets her pride get in the way. But she’s also fiercely loyal, quick-thinking, and willing to risk everything for what’s right. She’s the kind of heroine who reminds us that courage doesn’t mean being fearless but acting despite the fear.

Join Cici’s Adventure

Defending You is a story of heart-pounding suspense, a romance that sparks amidst danger, and a heroine who discovers her own strength when it matters most. If you’ve ever felt the need to prove yourself or wondered if you’re enough, Cici Wright’s journey will resonate with you. And if you love a good mix of action, mystery, and a love story that grows through trust and second chances, I think you’ll fall for Cici and Asher as much as I did.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 30

Pens Pages & Pulses, October 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 31

Texas Book-aholic, November 1

The Mommies Reviews, November 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 2

For Him and My Family, November 3

Mary Hake, November 3

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 5

Stories By Gina, November 5

lakesidelivingsite, November 6

Blogging With Carol, November 7

Holly’s Book Corner, November 8

Book Looks by Lisa, November 9

Cover Lover Book Review, November 9

Blossoms and Blessings, November 10

Pause for Tales, November 11

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, November 12

Bizwings Blog, November 12

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

All Things Together by Heath Hardesty Book Review

About the Book:

In a world of burnout, shattered attention, digital overwhelm, and spiritual disconnection, many have lost sight of the greater story they were meant to inhabit.

All Things Together is a winsome invitation to rediscover that story through a re-imagined vision of apprenticeship to Jesus—one that brings coherence to the scattered pieces of our lives and cultivates peace in a divided world.

Rooted in a deeply biblical three-part paradigm, Pastor Heath Hardesty shows how in apprenticeship, union with Jesus is the origin, abiding and obeying Him are the essence, and imaging Him is the aim. Weaving scriptural wisdom, pastoral insight, and blue-collar experience, he gently guides readers into vital practices for a reintegrated life and a renewed sense of what it means to be truly human.

Whether you’re a seeker, a seasoned follower of Jesus, or simply longing for something more whole and alive, All Things Together will ignite your imagination and equip you to draw closer to God as He transforms you into a person of greater love, lasting joy, and radiant wholeness.

My Review:

Hardesty is a wordsmith. Consider the following sentences.

“We live in a dis-integrated age, a world cleft and fractured in countless ways. A world of splintered light in which the colors of the spectrum are weaponized against one another.” (Loc 850/3871) That is very creative writing but I have no idea what it means. “Far too often we go about our days gathering a smattering of our preferred pixels rather than delighting in the totality of the wider image.” (Loc 850/3871)

Beautifully written but I have no idea what all those words mean. That was pretty much my thoughts on the first half of the book. He explores what it means to live dis-integrated, at length. We need apprenticeship to Jesus. He tells us that repeatedly. That involves renewed imagination and renovated habits. But before he tells us what that entails, more of dis-integrations, six, in fact. We are shattered and scattered. We need the paradigm of apprenticeship. Abiding with Jesus and obeying Jesus are the renovating practices. He finally gets to what that means in the second half of the book.

One renovating practice is Scripture meditation, listening to God's Word above all other voices. He gives some practical suggestions as how to do that. Another is communion with God, prayer, and again he gives suggestions. More practices include community, being present with God (such as on the liturgical holy days), generosity, compassionate gentleness, and finally being a faithful witness.

I finally began to understand what he was trying to communicate in the second half of the book. Hardesty's degree in literature overshadows his writing. As gifted as he is in creating wonderful sentences, to that degree it seems he cannot clearly communicate practical truth my mind can easily comprehend. Others may love his flowery and colorful sentences. They were an impediment to me. 

My rating: 3/5 stars.

About the Author:

Heath Hardesty serves as the lead pastor of Valley Community Church and is a founder of Inklings Coffee & Tea in the heart of downtown Pleasanton, California. Heath grew up in a blue-­collar home and was a plumber’s apprentice in Colorado before becoming a pastor on the edge of Silicon Valley where he and his family now reside. He holds degrees in literature, leadership, biblical studies, and theology from the University of Colorado Boulder and Western Seminary in Portland.

Multnomah, 288 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

How Church Could (Literally) Save Your Life by Rebecca McLaughlin Book Review

About the Book:

Bestselling Author Rebecca McLaughlin Presents Evidence That Church Could Be the Greatest Life Hack for Your Mental and Physical Well-Being.

People are hungry for the latest wellness secret to improve their physical and mental health and extend their life expectancy. But one of the most evidence-based practices to boost your health and happiness is hidden in plain sight. It’s not a new-age trend, a superfood, or an expensive, recently released pill. It’s the age-old practice of attending church each week.

Harvard School of Public Health and other institutions have discovered that weekly religious service attendance helps guard against depression, increase happiness, improve physical health, and extend life expectancy. In How Church Could (Literally) Save Your Life, Rebecca McLaughlin explores this compelling data from a Christian perspective. Avoiding prosperity-gospel guarantees of health in this life, she shares the significant and science-backed benefits of worshiping God in community and the good news of Jesus, the Great Physician. Written both for skeptics and believers who may have stopped going to church, this brief, accessible guide invites readers to discover the true source of abundant life.

• Brief and Informative: Explains key data about the positive effects of church attendance on a person’s physical and mental well-being
• Accessible Invitation to Church: Written for anyone who is not currently attending, including atheists, skeptics, and believers who don’t have a church community
• Timely: Addresses the negative effects that secularism and declining church attendance have had on modern culture and offers hope
• Practical Next Steps: A QR code leads readers to a webpage where they can find a local, Bible-teaching church
• A Great Outreach Opportunity: This short book is a convenient resource that pastors and ministries can distribute widely (accompanying tract available separately)

My Review:

Who would have thought studies would show that going to church is good for your health, both physical and mental? That is exactly what research from Harvard School of Public Health found. The practice of regular church attendance can elongate your life expectancy by seven years and reduce the likelihood of experiencing depression.

McLaughlin explores the statistics on depression, showing a rise. She also explores the rates of suicide, comparing churched and non-churched people. As some may argue about the harm religion has done, she defends Christianity by noting all the benefits it has produced.

If there was one thing you could do to improve your physical and mental health, McLaughlin writes, attending church on a regular basis would be it.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Rebecca McLaughlin holds a Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature from Cambridge University and a degree in theological and pastoral studies from Oak Hill Theological College in London. She is the author of "Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion" (Crossway, 2019)—named Book of the Year 2020 by Christianity Today—"10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) About Christianity" (Crossway, 2021), "The Secular Creed: Engaging 5 Contemporary Claims (TGC, 2021), and "Is Christmas Unbelievable? 4 Questions Everyone Should Ask About the World's Most Famous Story" (TGBC, 2021).

Rebecca grew up in London and she met her husband, Bryan, when they were both in grad school at Cambridge. Bryan comes from Oklahoma and they now live in Cambridge Massachusetts, with their three children. You can find out more at www.rebeccamclaughlin.org.

Crossway, 88 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Becoming God's Family by Carmen Joy Imes Book Review

About the Book:

Does the church still matter in our modern world?

After waves of disillusionment, #churchtoo movements, and political divides, it’s easy to question the value of investing in the church. Yet Carmen Joy Imes offers a profound answer that resonates through the pages of Becoming God’s Family. Exploring the familial and communal identity of the church, Imes traces the thread of God's presence in the gathered community of faith across the entire Bible. She invites readers into a vision of the church that is rooted deeply in Scripture and speaks directly to the challenges we face today. Imes reminds us of a powerful truth―God delights in the global, intergenerational family He has created.

Through this book, you'll discover that God keeps His promises. When God’s people gather together, God shows up. Whether you’re struggling to reconnect with the church, seeking a constructive vision for its role in our world, or longing to better understand its biblical foundations, this book offers clarity, hope, and encouragement.

What you'll find in Becoming God’s Family:

• A biblical foundation: Trace the theme of God’s presence through the entire biblical text, gaining new understanding of His communal and familial design for the church.
• Modern relevance: Imes addresses the disheartening realities of scandals, political polarization, and deconstruction with a constructive and hopeful perspective.
• Engaging and accessible content: Written by Imes, a respected Old Testament scholar, the book offers rich insights while staying accessible to a wide audience.
• Encouragement for community: Discover the global and intergenerational nature of God’s family and the joy of his presence among his people.

Becoming God’s Family is perfect for students and scholars of the Bible, church members looking for renewed purpose, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the church's biblical foundation. Step into God’s enduring promise―when we gather as his people, he is always present. Order your copy today and rediscover why the church still matters!

My Review:

This is definitely a book worth reading for Christians to better understand what it means to be the church. Imes' teaching from the Old Testament is full of insights. That area is definitely her strong point. She has good teaching from the New Testament too but perhaps not as insightful or new, at least to me. There were a couple of pleasant surprises in the book. One was her critique of Christian nationalism. The other was her understanding of Israel. Just because they have the same name does not mean we equate covenant Israel of the Old Testament with the modern day secular state and treat them the same.

Imes adds a review of major points at the end of each chapter as well as discussion questions. This makes the book a good choice for a church study group. I listened to the audio which was a very good experience.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Carmen Joy Imes (PhD, Wheaton) is associate professor of Old Testament at Biola University. She is the author of Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters, Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters, and the editor of Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends.

IVP Academic, 256 pages.

I received a complimentary audio edition of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.) 

Happy Sun Farm by Deven Greene Blog Tour Book Review

 

HAPPY SUN FARM

Behind the Facade

by Deven Greene

October 13 - November 7, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

 

She comes home to mourn her father. She stays to uncover the shocking truth.

When college student Berry returns to her family’s small Southern California farm after her father’s sudden death, she believes she’s coming home to grieve and reassure her mother that she’ll soon be back for good to run the farm. With farming in her blood, she is eager to bring new life to the failing farm through modernization and sound financial management after receiving her degree in agricultural economics.

It doesn’t take long for Berry’s plans to collapse, as she discovers all is not well in the surrounding farming community. A foreign-owned agribusiness, Happy Sun Farm, is taking over all the small farms, something her father had resisted.

As she delves deeper into the company’s campaign of coercing farm sales, Berry suspects they may have been responsible for her father’s death. She learns that Happy Sun Farm is far from a happy place. Their strange farming practices don’t make sense to her, and the unexplained deaths and secrecy surrounding the farm leave many questions unanswered.

With help from law enforcement not forthcoming, Berry sets out to explore what she can, but soon finds her own life in danger. Not knowing whom she can trust, she uncovers a diabolical plan of mass proportions no one could have imagined.

Praise for Happy Sun Farm: Behind the Facade

"I haven't read a thriller so brilliant, creepy, and compelling in years."
~ Readers' Favorite

"Happy Sun Farm is an unputdownable read packed with realism and high-stakes intrigue."
~ Indies Today

"Happy Sunny Farm: Behind the Façade by Deven Greene is a genre-bending tale that wears many disguises. At times, it feels like a Stephen King narrative rooted in small-town unease; at others, it channels John Grisham’s legal-tinged suspense."
~ Literary Titan

"The blend of farming insights, thriller, and murder mystery builds intrigue and political confrontation to create a satisfyingly absorbing story that's hard to put down."
~ D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

My Review:

This is an interesting and scary novel. After the world experienced Covid-19, the threat of bio terrorism may be more of a reality than fiction. What a clever idea to have produce be essential to the plan. That Asian entities are buying up property in California is not so surprising as big agricultural corporations have been doing it. If Berry hadn't suspected something and begun to investigate, the future of the nation would have been devastating. Berry, as an amateur sleuth investigator, tries to make sense of all the strange things she is seeing. It is baffling and we hope the deadly plan can be understood and foiled before it is too late.

Greene's plot structure is good and the action is easy to follow. The characters are developed well, some likable while others are nefarious. I liked learning some about DNA modification and possible ways it can be used for evil. I recommend this novel as it portrays a very real but frightening possibility for the future.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Book Details:

Genre: Thriller
Published by: Panthera Publishing
Publication Date: October 22, 2025
Number of Pages: 356
ISBN: 978-196462008
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

Prologue

Fog rolled in as the sun set on the verdant hills, silent but for the small animals carrying out their daily tasks of finding food and safety while caring for their young. Below in the valley, the mist-shrouded a smattering of primitive structures—the permanent home of twenty-thousand guests of Hwasong, the largest political prisoner camp in North Korea.

All the inmates—men, women, and children—were serving a life sentence for anti-revolutionary activities or being within three generations of a person convicted of that same high crime, so-called guilt by association. Those imprisoned solely because they were related to a convicted enemy of the state lived separately on the grounds, never allowed to see their denounced relative again. Their living conditions were horrible, but not as horrible as those who had committed a serious offense.

A group of a hundred men, women, and teens wearing orange jumpsuits, tired after a long day of hard labor, shuffled into the large auditorium, hurried along by shoves and baton whacks from the guards. Already seated was an equal number of prisoners wearing blue jumpsuits, men, women, and teens who had arrived by bus a half-hour earlier from a nearby housing block. The inmates dressed in blue were emaciated, their skin loosely covering the bones underneath, while those in orange were thin but without signs of starvation. The people in orange were silent as they glanced around and sat in the vacant seats between those in blue.

If the two groups of prisoners had questions about why those in orange and blue were intermingled in this way, none dared to speak up. Ten guards armed with guns and batons stood around the room's perimeter. After all the inmates were seated, one of the officers stepped to the front of the room and commenced the evening ritual of indoctrination. The session of self-criticism would be next.

Prisoners who occasionally slumped forward from exhaustion were struck with a baton. He or she would either straighten up or fall to the floor before being pulled by their arms out of the room, never to be seen again.

As the officer droned on about the greatness of the country and their Supreme Leader, Kim Jong Un, the guards around the perimeter continued to look straight ahead. None of the convicts seemed to notice the fine aerosol being emitted from nozzles that had poked through small holes in the ceiling high above. The mist silently spread to all corners of the room for several minutes before the apertures closed, and the spouts crawled back into the ceiling.

A short session followed in which several prisoners were required to admit to recent shortcomings, such as not working as hard as they could have or eating more than needed to survive. The other prisoners responded by agreeing that the behavior described was shameful.

When the meeting appeared to be over, the inmates in orange looked around, ready for the usual order to file into the cafeteria for a small meal. However, the doors remained shut, and all were told to stay seated. The lights dimmed, and a movie began, showing scenes of happy North Koreans at parades and concerts, playing sports, and attending school. For eleven hours, during which time the guards were replaced by a fresh batch, one film after the other played as the prisoners were forced to watch.

One of the prisoners in an orange jumpsuit began to moan. In the dim light, the officers exchanged knowing looks. The sounds of distress became louder and deeper as several more inmates, all wearing orange, began to groan. The guards started to place buckets at the feet of the prisoners in orange. Within three hours, almost all those wearing orange were groaning, doubled over in pain, as they vomited into buckets. The vomit became increasingly tinged with blood as the night turned to day. Blood and stomach contents spewed onto the floor as the prisoners became unable to control their forceful retching. Soon, the sounds of explosive diarrhea filled the air. Unable to exert any control over their bodies, the sick fell to the floor as bloody bodily fluids from both ends of their gastrointestinal systems streamed out of them, into their clothes, down their pant legs, and onto the floor. Blood oozed from their mouths, noses, and eyes.

At first, the convicts wearing blue sat still in their seats, fear drawn on their faces, but without suffering physically. At some point, one, then another, abandoned their seats and stood near the back of the room. Seeing that there were no repercussions, others followed.

Within eight hours of the start of vomiting, two prisoners in orange had died. The deaths began to mount as those in blue looked on in horror, wondering if they would be next. Two buckets were placed near them for their own hygiene needs while they waited.

Seventy-two hours later, the doors opened. The prisoners in blue, still emaciated but as healthy as they were when they had entered the building, were escorted outside into waiting buses to return them to their housing block. All of the prisoners in orange lay on the floor—dead.

Chapter 1

I handed my driver's license to the airport security agent at the Indianapolis airport and scanned the boarding pass on my phone. As I had come to expect, the gray-haired man looked up at me and smiled. “I ain’t never seen that name before. Kinda takes me back.”

“I know,” I said. “I get that a lot.” My dad was only two when John Lennon was killed, but his parents indoctrinated their son on everything Beatles. He, in turn, spent countless hours listening to Beatles music with my mom. I think they got stoned a lot when they were doing it, but they never admitted it to me.

Given that their favorite Beatles song was “Strawberry Fields Forever,” I strongly favored that hypothesis. When I was born, they couldn’t resist naming me Strawberry. Oh, and my last name is Fields. Now you know why people often have something to say about my name. I’m a run-of-the-mill blond, not a strawberry blond. I think that would have made my life unbearable.

I pulled on the cuff of my long-sleeved shirt, grabbed my driver's license, and was about to walk off when the man said, “You must be a student at Purdue. Going home to visit the folks?”

“Something like that.” I was in no mood to talk. I know the man was trying to be pleasant and make his day pass more quickly with small talk. The large P on the front of my baseball cap was known by all in the area to signify Purdue University, where I was, in fact, a student. I forced a weak smile and adjusted the shoulder straps on my backpack before walking off.

After passing through the luggage check without incident, I headed toward my gate. First class was already embarking, but I still had to wait a while before my boarding group was called. I had bought my ticket the previous night and was in the last group, my seat near the back of the plane. Fortunately, the flight to Bakersfield, with one stop in Phoenix, wasn’t in high demand, and almost a quarter of the seats in the rear were empty. With ample space in the overhead bin, I lobbed my backpack in and took my aisle seat. The man sitting next to the window glanced my way and nodded. I nodded back, glad he didn’t want to chat.

I remember taking off, but not much after that until I heard a male voice asking me if I was okay. I must have dosed off and wasn’t sure how much time had passed. I opened my eyes to see the concerned look on the flight attendant’s face, a pudgy middle-aged man who was bent over, his face close to mine. We were cruising at altitude, and tears were running down my face. Embarrassed, I tried to wipe them away. “Sorry,” I said. “I was dreaming about my dad. I’m on my way to his funeral.”

“So sorry, dear. If you need anything, just let me know. I’ll comp you a drink if that will help.”

I declined but thanked him for his offer and reflected on my mother’s hysterical call the day before. She had come home after spending all afternoon with a friend shopping and going to lunch when she found my dad dead on the kitchen floor. She had often confided in me that she felt terrible going places without him, but since he refused to leave the farm, she’d been doing things independent of him for quite some time. He’d been in good health—physically, that is—so his death was a big shock.

I reflected on the situation, different from what I had planned for before my dad died as the plane sat on the tarmac in Phoenix. I was all too aware that it was too late. I was heading home, ready or not. Hardly the family reunion I had anticipated.

I started to study a book on the economics of short-run decisions. After reading the first paragraph three times and still having no clue what it was about, I shut my eyes as the plane took off for the last leg of my trip. I’d be landing in Bakersfield in a little over an hour.

My rest was short-lived. The flight attendant came by with a cart and asked me if I would like vanilla, raspberry, or peach yogurt. I looked at the available items—individual servings of Happy Sun Farm yogurt. I’d had their yogurt before, and it was delicious.

“You’re lucky,” the attendant said. “Happy Sun Farm has donated a ton of yogurt to be served on our flights all week.”

I decided it was probably no use trying to sleep and chose the peach flavor even though I wasn’t hungry. As I started to eat, my mind wandered to Happy Sun Farm. I had never heard of them until about a year earlier when their dairy and agricultural products began popping up all over. The company heavily advertised on TV. They boasted about all their products being non-genetically modified, or non-GMO. I didn’t have a problem with genetically modified food myself but knew that a lot of Americans did. All the produce my dad grew was non-GMO because he suspected all genetically modified food to be part of a government conspiracy. A conspiracy to do what, I didn’t know.

Although I didn’t have time to watch much television, when I did, it was hard to avoid the Happy Sun Farm commercials featuring wholesome families frolicking and picnicking in a green meadow. The smiling sun logo served to reinforce that warm and fuzzy feeling emanating from their commercials. I wondered if they had a model I could follow to pursue success for my family’s farm. I’d noticed their rock-bottom prices, which was surprising since they must have spent a ton on ads. What I wouldn’t give to find out the secret to their success.

***

Excerpt from Happy Sun Farm: Behind the Facade by Deven Greene. Copyright 2025 by Deven Greene. Reproduced with permission from Deven Greene. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

Deven Greene enjoys writing fiction, most of which involves science or medicine. She has degrees in biochemistry and medicine, and practiced pathology for over twenty years. Her other works include The Erica Rosen MD Trilogy, Ties That Kill, and The Organ Broker.

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Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @Deven_G1
Instagram - @devengreeneauthor
Facebook - @DevenGreeneFiction

 

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Murder at the Wedding by Anita Davison Book Review

About the Book:

The couple are determined their low-key celebration will go without a hitch, but there can't be an "I do" while the vicar is missing. And when he's found dead a victim of a poisoning in the crypt behind the church, Hannah knows only she and Aunt Violet can find out who did it.

Hannah's beloved thinks she shouldn't interfere. But if he fails to remember that an independent woman in 1916 doesn't do what she s told to by a man, the dead vicar may be the least of his worries

Then the vicar's own fiancé appears on the scene, even though nobody knew he was engaged. And suddenly it becomes clear someone has a secret, one shocking enough to kill for.

Will the intrepid pair of amateur sleuths catch the murderer before they kill again? Or will it be 'til death parts them all?

My Review:

Hannah and Aunt Violet are on the case when the inexperienced investigating detective under Aidan's supervision seems to be less than competent. Who could possibly want to murder a vicar, one who seemed to be a nice man with no obvious enemies? The situation is muddied a bit when it surfaces that the vicar had recently and secretly married. The bride's father is extremely angry. Is he the villain?

I like the setting of this series. It is 1916, during the war. Davison adds atmosphere with historical descriptions, such as a staff shortage at a hotel restaurant as the women are practicing with their guns. Women are driving cars, as Hannah does, much to her mother's dismay. And some women are getting to vote, but only if they fulfill requirements, like owning land. But there is also the beginning tragedy of the influenza epidemic as soldiers return from over sea deployments.

I like how Davison has her characters grow as the series advances. Hannah is now married and she must navigate asking her husband rather than just going off on an adventure. She also has to now manage the manor house with an extensive staff.

I like this series and will be watching for the next adventure with Hannah and Aunt Violet.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

You can read my review of the earlier books in this series, Murder in the Bookshop, Murder in the Library, Murder at Midwinter Manor, and  Murder in Covent Garden.

About the Author:

Anita is the author of the Flora Maguire Mysteries and the Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet Mysteries set in WWI from Boldwood Books. The first four books in the serios, Murder in the Bookshop, Murder in the Library, Murder at Midwinter Manor and Murder in Covent Garden are available. Book 5, Murder at the Wedding releasing in October, 2025.

Boldwood Books, 273 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall by Jaime Jo Wright Blog Tour Book Review

 

THE BELL TOLLS AT TRAEGER HALL

by Jaime Jo Wright

October 20 - November 14, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

An abandoned estate encased in stagnant darkness . . .
A haunting legacy intent on silencing all within reach . . .

In 1890, the ominous tolling of the bell announces that death has come to Traeger Hall, leaving orphaned Waverly Pembrooke to piece together the puzzle behind her uncle's and aunt's murders. Bound by the terms of her uncle's eccentric will, Waverly finds herself alone in a manor shrouded by death and questioning the reasons for her uncle's paranoia. A madness hovers over Traeger Hall, and Waverly--as well as the people of nearby Newton Creek--are ill-prepared for the woe that has descended.

In present day Newton Creek, whispers of a family curse still cling to the century-old, abandoned property of Traeger Hall. When Jennie Phillips takes possession of the estate after her mother's passing, she is intent on solving the mystery of the Traeger murders. Yet a modern cold case suggests that untimely deaths and mysterious occurrences still plague the property. And as thorny truths surface, Jennie realizes the dark legacy threatens not only the town and the Traeger descendants . . . but also, chillingly, Jennie herself.

My Review:

Wright is a master at creating the scary atmosphere of a spooky novel, structured on a dual timeline. She builds up our anticipation of family secrets revealed as current events relate to ones over a century ago. The possibility of secrets revealed means danger and there is plenty of it, both in the current time and in the time long ago. Wright's characteristic plot structure is deftly relating the progression of historical events with revelations in the current day. While not as tightly coordinated as I have seen in previous novels (and I have read them all), the parallels in suspense make for an exciting read. There were twists near the end that, upon reflection, were foreshadowed well. The character development was well done too. A subtle faith element is included.

Several aspects of this novel were so fun. One was the cameo appearance of Foo, Wright's own cat, described as a pampered little prince. Another was the novel being inspired by actual events, explained in the Author's Notes. Another aspect was the interesting death watch traditions.

I highly recommend this delightfully spooky novel. A Reading Group Discussion Guide is included so it would be a good choice for group readers.

My rating:4/5 stars. 

Book Details:

Genre: Dual Timeline Gothic Suspense
Published by: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: October 21, 2025
Number of Pages: 336
ISBN: 9780764243806, paperback
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Baker Book House

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Author Bio:

Jaime Jo Wright is the author of thirteen novels, including Christy Award-winner and ECPA bestseller The Vanishing at Castle Moreau, Christy Award and Daphne du Maurier Award-winner The House on Foster Hill, and Carol Award-winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. Jaime has also written two Publishers Weekly bestselling novellas. She lives in Wisconsin with her family and fabulous felines.

Catch Up With Jaime Jo Wright:

JaimeWrightBooks.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads - @JaimeJoWright
BookBub - @JaimeJoWright
Instagram - @JaimeJoWright
Threads - @JaimeJoWright
YouTube - MadLit Musings
Spotify - MadLit Musings

 

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THE BELL TOLLS AT TRAEGER HALL by Jaime Jo Wright (book + gift card)

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I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review,.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)