Never Let Go by Elizabeth Goddard

Goddard introduces us to a new sleuthing profession, the forensic genealogist. The professionals take genealogical research to a whole new level. In this case, the task is to locate a baby abducted from a hospital twenty years ago. It was interesting to read about some innovative ways of trying to locate someone when there are practically no clues.

I liked how Goddard portrayed the main characters. Willow, the forensic genealogist, and Austin, the ex-FBI agent Willow's grandfather had hired to help in the search, have a past. A previous romance between them had ended in hurt on both sides. We see before long that they never stopped having feelings for each other. We wonder if they will get past the hurt to a new relationship. Willow and Austin are Christians and I thought Goddard did an excellent representation of their faith, especially in suspenseful times.

I liked the setting of Grayback. Goddard had Willow contemplate the scenery at times and I appreciated being brought into her wonder at the mountains and valleys.

The plot is quite complex. The reason the baby was initially stolen is not revealed until near the end and I am not sure the reason actually worked. How Willow and Austin hunted for the abducted baby, now woman, seemed a mix of skill and luck. And the end, how it all worked out, did seem a little far fetched.

There is plenty of suspense in this novel as someone is determined to prevent Willow from pursuing the search. The characters are pretty well crafted and the setting is well done. The theme of relationship restoration is an added feature.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Elizabeth Goddard is the bestselling author of more than 30 books. Her books have won a Carol Award and have been finalists in the Daphne du Maurier Awards and the Carol Award. She is a seventh generation Texan. You can find out more at www.elizabethgoddard.com. Photo Credit: Emilie Hendryx

Revell, 368 pages.

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

Fatal Homecoming by Stacey Weeks Blog Tour

About the Book

Title: Fatal Homecoming  
Author: Stacey Weeks  
Genre: Romantic Suspense  
Release date: February 5, 2019  
Publisher: Write Integrity Press

It was murder. She was sure. And that assurance could cost her life. 

 Undercover RCMP officer Rick Chandler poses as a detective in the small town of Chenaniah River. He is investigating the possibility of a corrupt police force when Jessie returns to bury her brother, and she refuses to believe evidence that point to her deceased brother’s involvement in drug trafficking. Soon, the same person that murdered her brother targets her. Can Rick help Jessie dodge bullets, escape fires, and exonerate her brother before the attacks escalate?   

 Jessie Berns has returned to her hometown to find answers about her brother’s suspicious death. With the help of an old friend, Detective Rick Chandler, they pursue a truth that someone is willing to do anything to keep hidden—even kill again. They uncover decades-old secrets that expose hidden sins and threaten the lifestyles of high-powered people in their small town. As they close in on the devious mastermind manipulating the community, it becomes frighteningly clear to Rick that Jessie is not the one calling the shots in her amateur investigation. She is the killer’s new target.

Click here to purchase your copy!

My Review:

I enjoyed this romantic suspense. And there was plenty of suspense. Jessie's life was in danger time after time. But that did not stop the amateur sleuth from pursuing the murderer of her brother. I liked how her character was portrayed – daring yet feminine. And Rick was a good counterpart. Romance blossomed but he kept his head as he did his best to keep her out of harm's way.

Weeks included an interesting issue in the plot. Family relationships played an important part. There had been an estrangement since Jessie's father had been accused of stealing a pension fund decades ago. Rick had issues too due to his previous undercover work and struggled with guilt feelings.

There is a good representation of Christian faith in the characters. The small Canadian town setting with its winter celebration is interesting. The mystery is a good one as I had fingered the wrong person altogether. The romance was subtle, something I appreciate when one of the characters is with the police. Overall, this is an entertaining romantic suspense.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author  

Stacey Weeks: My primary ministry in life crowds around my dining room table like a ravenous herd every night. My husband and children are both my greatest blessing and greatest ministry opportunity. Caring for them is a privilege bestowed upon me as wife and mother. I believe God simultaneously called Kevin and me into ministry. Kevin’s calling was clear – he is a pastor. I, on the other hand, took years to recognize the specific areas in which I was equipped and called serve. I believe that God has called me to meet Kevin’s needs, to meet the needs of our children, and to serve Him personally. 
  

Guest Post from Stacey Weeks

A Pile of Stones:  Often, the things I am studying in the bible make their way into my novels. At the time of writing Fatal Homecoming, I was reading the book of Joshua. In Joshua chapter four, Joshua describes the pile of stones the Israelites built as a memorial to God. Those stones were evidence of the Lord’s provision for them. The monument was a reminder to future generations that God had delivered his people. In Fatal Homecoming, Jessie needs to remember God’s provision. She wears a unique pendant passed down through the women of her family. Her necklace is comprised of river stones that represent the rocks from Joshua. They are to remind that God always meets His children in their moment of need. 

 Shortly after writing this necklace into Fatal Homecoming crisis struck a good friend of mine. As our church gathered around a suffering family to love and support them in their time of need, I decided to make a real pendant of stones to give to my friend to remind her and to remind me that God meets every need in His time and in His way. The pendant of stones can be strung on a necklace or keychain. It is more than words on paper and more than a pile of rocks strung on a string. It was a reference point. They mark where God gave me a story to share so that others may know and believe. If you are the lucky winner of this pendant of stones, I pray that every time you look at it, touch it, and feel the weight of it around your neck that you will remember to believe that your God is good. Always.   Stacey has also gifted all the blog readers with a short story to download. Enjoy! 

Click here to download.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 14

Carpe Diem, February 14

Real World Bible Study, February 15

Blogging With Carol, February 15

Multifarious, February 16

Mary Hake, February 16

Bibliophile Reviews, February 17

Bukwurmzzz, February 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 18

Maureen’s Musings, February 18

Bibliophile Reviews, February 18

All-of-a-kind Mom, February 19

Texas Book-aholic, February 19

Through the Fire Blogs, February 20

Ashley’s Bookshelf, February 20

Quiet Quilter, February 21

Inklings and Notions, February 21

Daysong Reflections, February 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 22

As He Leads is Joy, February 23

Simple Harvest Reads, February 23 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

Spoken from the Heart, February 24

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, February 24

EmpowerMoms, February 25

Janices book reviews , February 25

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, February 26

Bigreadersite , February 26

A Baker’s Perspective, February 27

 I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.

Whispers and Wildflowers by Sarah Beth Marr

If you feel like you are going through a spiritual dry spell or you feel like there is just something missing in your faith walk, this is a good book to work through. It is not a feel good, three minute a day devotional. It is an intensive thirty day journey of developing a deeper connection with God. Not that a mere thirty days will do it. This is a book to be read over and over as the journey is an ongoing one.

There are many essays that particularly moved me. One was about the heart, creating space for God and guarding that space against those things that deplete it. Another was about choosing life-giving pursuits rather than our digital devices. Yet another was about connecting with the Spirit, that it takes awareness and intention.

Each essay is a combination of encouragement, teaching, and correction. Marr helps us understand how we connect with God and what we can do to hear His quiet voice. She provides questions that are thought provoking and good for journaling. She also provides a written prayer asking God to help us in the areas we've just read about.

I am impressed with the depth of teaching in this book. It is one I'll read over and over as I pursue a deeper connection with God, making room for Him in the big and small moments of life.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Sarah Beth Marr danced as a professional ballerina for Ballet Austin and Mejia Ballet International. She writes at www.sarahbethmarr.com and speaks to MOPS groups and at women's events in North Texas. She lives in Dallas with her husband and their three sons. Photo Credit: Meshali Mitchell

Baker Books, 240 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley from the publisher my comments are an independent and honest review.

American Omens by Travis Thrasher

Thrasher imagines the U.S. twenty years in the future. Successive legislative acts have basically outlawed Christianity. Technology has advanced so that people have brain implants capable of receiving messages, showing photos, etc. Unknown to most, they can also be used for monitoring and manipulation. One corporate man is in control of nearly everything in the nation. FBI agents are manipulated to find and kill outspoken Christians. Yet there are a few faithful Christians who are determined to make public the nefarious technological control being perpetrated on the nation's citizens.

The narrative follows three people, a programmer innocently working for the evil technology company, an FBI agent enlisted to find and remove the man leading underground Christians, and a bookseller whose is forced to end his business because he made Christian material available. The main characters in these narratives do not intersect. While all three stories take place at the same time, I felt a little disconnect. I wish the paths of the main characters would have crossed. The character development was a little hap hazard, I thought. We do not learn the background of the FBI killer and the reason he does what he does until the second half of the book, for example.

Readers will have much to think about as Thrasher imagines the future. People have generally drifted away from Christianity. There is little biblical literacy. Thrasher has included good information on recent legislation regarding hate crimes, for example, and how that might be used to outlaw Christian speech. There is a little conversation about spiritual warfare but it is not an active element of the plot.

Technology futurists will like the ideas of digital drugs, floating serving trays, robot baristas, self driving cars, and more. There is a strong sense of the dangers of technology being used for evil intent, however. The brain implants can be programmed to influence an individual, a projection of the use of algorithms in social media today.

This novel concentrates on imagining a possible future for the U.S. but contains little suspense. It has nothing to say about Christianity worldwide. I found that odd since there are some areas south of the equator where Christianity is flourishing. The novel does remind readers to be faithful in living Christlike and be aware of the impact we have on others.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Travis Thrasher is a best-selling author who has written more than fifty books. He lives with his wife and their daughters in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area.

Multnomah, 352 pages.

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

The 5 Minute Prayer Plan for Women by Vickie Phelps

Prayer is hard for many Christians. It is for me. I have a list and I go through it but after few days it seems like I am just repeating myself. Phelps has written this book to help people like me to think about my faith life and have a few topics to pray about. Her idea is to spend a minute on a Scripture she gives, two to three minutes thinking about the prayer prompts and then a couple of minutes prayerfully reading through a written prayer she has provided.

I like the thought provoking questions Phelps gives after the Scripture. Those questions are not prayer prompts but good questions. For example, on the day, Love Not The World, Phelps asks us how we keep from loving the world and the things of the world and where we draw the line. She then asks how we keep God first in our lives. After a few more questions, she gets to the prayer prompt, to ask God to direct us in making decisions about life. Then another thought provoking question about how we abide in Christ and then the written prayer. (Loc 324/1372)

I like the format. I think it would be best for Christians who journal as most of the questions are great prompts for journaling. I think the title may be a misnomer. I expected more specific prayer prompts rather than so many open ended kinds of questions. I also think one should spend more than five minutes on each topic. Some of the Scriptures given are in the KJV which may be a hindrance to younger readers.

I recommend this book to Christians who are looking for thought provoking questions through which to journal. There are some to pray about but it seems the emphasis of the questions in the book are more reflective, perfect for journaling.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Barbour Books, 192 pages.

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

A Case of Bier by Mary Daheim

I have read most of the Alpine series by Daheim but this is my first in the bed and breakfast series. What a difference. The main characters in this series are less serious and much more random in their attempt to solve a murder mystery. The plot itself is a bit zany and quite complicated.

The action takes place in Banff where the Flynns and Joneses are vacationing. There is an odd family from Nebraska camping near the motel. They claim they are waiting for an elderly relative to die and then fulfill his wish, sending him down the river on a bier. There seems to be murder afoot and cousins Judith Flynn and Renie Jones tackle the issue while their husbands are off fishing.

I wish there had been more description of the location. Banff is beautiful, I think, but Judith and Renie rarely seemed to even notice their awesome surroundings. The personality of Renie seemed over dramatized to me, always wanting something to eat. The family camping near the motel was really strange but the individual characters seemed rather flat to me. They were odd characters but not with distinct and entertaining personalities.

I think this series might be appreciated most by elderly readers. The slow pace of the plot and the rambling plot development left me wanting tighter writing. I think I'll stick with the Alpine series.

My rating: 3/5 stars.

Mary Dahein is a Seattle native with degrees in communication from the University of Washington. She lives in her hometown in a century-old house. She is the mother of three daughters and has three grandchildren. You can find out more at www.marydaheimauthor.com. 

William Morrow, 288 pages.

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

Grown Up Faith by Kevin Myers with Charlie Wetzel

This is a good book for someone with questions about Christianity or a new Christian with little Bible knowledge. The title refers more to responsible rather than mature Christianity. Myers is a story teller and this would be a good book for people who like to learn new concepts in the framework of story. He also uses movies as examples so this book might appeal to readers familiar with contemporary culture.

Myers answers questions by taking readers through an overview of the Bible. He includes how the mind requires biblical knowledge, the heart requires spiritual intimacy, and the will requires holy obedience for each topic covered. He has questions at the end of each chapter and encourages journaling.

There is an opportunity for the reader to accept Jesus as Savior in the latter part of the book so this would be a good book to give to those asking questions about Christian faith. Myers' writing is very conversational in style and nonthreatening.

You can find out a little more about the book at www.GrownUpFaith.com .

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Kevin Myers is the senior pastor of 12Stone Church, which he founded in 1987. It has grown to be one of the largest churches in the United States with eight campuses. He mentors pastors and church planters, speaks to churches and businesses nationally, and serves on the boards of Indiana Wesleyan University, Wesley Seminary, and the Wesleyan Investment Foundation. He is an avid motorcycle rider. He and his wife have four children and two grandchildren.

Charlie Wetzel became a full time writer in his mid-thirties after working various occupations. A graduate of the University of New Orleans with degrees in English, he has written ninety-five nonfiction books, as well as fiction and screenplays. He and his wife have three children and live in north Georgia.

Thomas Nelson, 240 pages.

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

Growing in Prayer Devotional by Mike Bickle

I liked this book for the most part. There were a few of Bickle's teachings I found disturbing and there was also a glaring omission, but I will get to those later. I liked that Bickle helps readers understand why prayer seems so hard. He gives many practical suggestions for believers to have a more rewarding prayer life. He also identifies types of prayers to help us not just ramble as we pray. Potential readers should understand that Bickle writes from a charismatic perspective with several devotions on praying in tongues.

My favorite devotions were on abiding in Christ and what that means. (45) Bickles identifies it as “one of the most neglected activities in the kingdom.” (45) I liked that he distinguished Christ abiding in our hearts instantaneously at rebirth and progressively in our minds and emotions as we grow in our spiritual life. (51)

One aspect of the book that made me uncomfortable was the concept of first receiving an answer to prayer in the spirit realm and then later in the natural realm. Bickle says if we pray according to God's will, we know God hears and approves our request and we can believe with confidence that we have received it in the spirit realm. We must persevere in prayer to see it in the natural realm. He gives a caveat in that many circumstantial prayers are not promised in the Bible so we cannot be sure God has approved our request until He answers it. (71-72) Later Bickle writes that we are not sure about what God has promised for this age and what He will wait to release in the age to come. (77) So how do I know? How long do I persevere? I can't find any Scriptural basis for this teaching of dual receiving and Bickle does not offer any.

I was also uncomfortable with Bickle's teaching, “The Father has ordained that His ideas must be spoken, and when they are spoken, the Spirit releases power.” (79) He extracts this teaching from the fact that God spoke when He created. Ah, but we are not God. Bickle also writes that the prophets speaking brought about the changes in nations. (79) I rather understand the prophets were announcing what God was going to do, not somehow releasing God to act because they spoke the prophecy. It is very ego building to think that we can control what God can do through our words but I just don't think it is true. I know of no clear Scriptural basis for this teaching.

Bickle writes that when we pray for a nation, our prayers release blessing on that nation. The prayers also release blessing on us and out families. He says we receive an inheritance in what happens in that country. (91) He gives no Scripture to back up that idea.

My greatest disappointment in the book is that Bickle does not mention the prayer Jesus prayed at least three times: Not my will but Yours be done. (Matt. 26:39,42,44) Bickle does write about God's will in the context of the Lord's Prayer but with an emphasis of accomplishing God's will on earth, not submitting to God's will personally. If Jesus found it necessary to verbally submit to God's will, I think we should be prayerfully doing it regularly as well.

This would be a good devotional for charismatic Christians who believe our words have control over God's actions. Christians with a more historical view of God and His sovereign power may find some devotions in this book disturbing.

My rating: 3/5 stars.

Mike Bickle is the director of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOP-KC). He is the founder of the International House of Prayer University. He also leads an annual Onething young adult conference. He is the author of several books. You can find out more at https://mikebickle.org/.

Charisma House, 240 pages.

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