The power of a story

 

I love to read, and have since I learned to read. Growing up, I read and re-read the Hardy Boys books, Nancy Drew, and Trixie Belden...and of course Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, Black Beauty, etc.

    Now as an adult, I mostly read Christian fiction. And man, there is such a wide variety of books and authors within that genre'. Suspense, cozy mysteries, Biblical fiction,  science fiction/speculative, military, legal thrillers, the ever popular Amish, romance, historical, dystopian, rom-com (romantic comedy, if you don't know what that is), and more that I haven't thought of, and some I am possibly unaware of. And no, I don't read every genre'. For instance, I don't care for the Amish books - not knocking them, just not my cup of tea - or speculative fiction.

  Some are basically fluff, and not a lot of substance. Others have Biblical truths woven throughout the story. Some may not have any Christian content at all, but are clean, curse-free, and have a Biblical worldview. Authors tackle subjects like abuse, drugs, sex trafficking, marriage problems, and more.

  I grew up in a very conservative church. It was not a prevailing thought or teaching, but there were those in my church and church background who spoke derisively of "the novel", and acted like it was just a step above reading a porn magazine. Slight exaggeration. And I am sure there are still a lot of Christians who consider it a waste of time to read novels of any kind, Christian or not.

  My reading tastes have evolved and changed over the years. When I was younger, there wasn't a lot of choices in Christian fiction, so I read a lot of secular fiction that was clean, including romances. Then I got turned off on romances for a while, especially when I hit a point in life where I realized marriage was an impossibility for me.

But then I swung back around and started enjoying romance in books, and am at the point that I actually enjoy books that are just romance. As long as it has a good plot. A man reading romance? Well, unless it is a lesbian relationship, any romantic relationship requires a man, so why not? 😊

I guess at this point, my favorite genre' is romantic suspense. And to be honest, If I read a suspense/mystery novel that has no romance, I miss it. After all, what better time to fall in love with someone than when you are trying to avoid being kidnapped or killed by a murderer? 😊

  I am fine with reading a clean, curse-free novel that may or may not be Christian that doesn't really have Christian content...but I do like it to have redemptive themes of some sort, if that makes sense. Good vs evil, with good winning. A new author I discovered a few months ago, Rebecca Deel is a great example. She has three series out that are suspense/special ops/law enforcement. There are 16 books in the one series, 15 in another, and 5 in the newest one. Most of the books have no Christian content at all, but are clean, curse word-free, and have the good vs evil. I do believe the author is a Christian, but for some reason doesn't focus on Christian content. And that is OK. I absolutely love her books.

Then there are authors who stand out with their Christian content. One of my favorite authors is Kimberley Woodhouse, who is one of three authors I have met in person. She always has a lot of Christian content, and some Biblical truths woven throughout the story. In fact, she often puts some things in her books that has come up in her Bible studies. In her most recent book, Secrets Beneath, she uses a 10 year old boy to drive home the truth that no matter what we do, no matter what we have done, God will always welcome us back and is willing to forgive us. Excerpt below:

"Since you are on such a noble quest," the ticket agent leaned over the counter, "I believe some grace is in order. I will gladly accept your money for the two tickets today, but your debt is forgiven."

Caleb turned to Joshua and craned his neck to look up at him. "Is that okay, Uncle Josh?" His whisper wasn't all that quiet. "I don't know what debt means."

Josh worked to keep a stoic face and tousled Caleb's hair. "Just like Jesus paid for our debt of sin on the cross, this man is saying your debt to the railroad is forgiven."

"Oh, thank you, sir." Caleb's breath left him in a dramatic sigh as he turned back to the ticket window. "I promise I'll never do it again."

Jesus used stories to bring out truths and teach lessons. We call them parables. And His stories are not the only ones that can encourage, convict, and prompt changes in people's lives.

  My Christian walk has not been a steady even one. Over the years, personal struggles, discouragement, and depression have caused me to stumble, fall, and wander from God. Yet I kept reading Christian fiction, no matter how far or long I wandered. And I cannot count the times I ran across something in a Christian novel that encouraged, convicted me, and helped me to take steps back to where I needed to be.

  And all spiritual aspects aside, I definitely cannot count the times a book cheered me up and made my day brighter. The Bible says laughter is  the best medicine, and even the books that have a lot of humor and fluff are worth reading if it lifts the reader up.

I'll end this post with a story. Karen Kingsbury wrote a book way back in 1999 titled Waiting For Morning. A friend of hers had stopped one night to help a stranded motorist. As he changed the tire on the car, a drunk driver struck him and killed him. As a result of that happening, and the wife eventually forgiving the driver, Karen wrote the book.

In the book, a woman loses her husband and one of her daughters when a drunk driver strikes their vehicle. She is eaten up with anger and bitterness, and focuses on making the guilty guy's life miserable, and seeing he gets the maximum punishment. Everything else falls to the side, including her other daughter. Spoiler: She eventually visits the driver in prison, forgives him, and asks his forgiveness.

I had loaned the book to the wife of my pastor we had at that time. Some time after reading the book, she was talking to a lady from my church I will call Mary. "Mary" told my pastor's wife about a lady at work. This lady's daughter had a little boy, I think between 2 and 3 years old. The daughter's boyfriend had put the little boy in the clothes dryer, and turned it on. Among other injuries, it seriously damaged his motor skills. The daughter and her boyfriend both went to jail, leaving the grandma to care for the little boy. This lady told "Mary" that she knew she needed to forgive them, but just couldn't, and hated them for what had happened. My pastor's wife told "Mary" she knew of a book that might help. The grandma did read the Karen Kingsbury book, and told "Mary" that it did indeed help her. I don't know how much, or what the end of all that was.....but a Christian novel definitely helped a lady struggling to forgive a young couple for a senseless horrible act that damaged a little boy forever.

The power of a story. From a Kimberley Woodhouse novel that is packed with Biblical truth, to the rom-com that leaves the reader laughing and happy, to the suspense novel that shows the triumph of good over evil, there is no end in sight as to the good they can do the reader. There have been times in my life when I didn't pick up a Bible to read, but was still reading Christian fiction, and God spoke to me through some of the books I read. And no...I am not saying we should read books instead of the Bible.😉

So, read a book. You never know where it will take you, or the good it might do.

New and notable author: Heather Day Gilbert

 Next up on my new and notable author feature is Heather Day Gilbert. I kept seeing her books recommended in Christian fiction Facebook groups.

At some point I realized that I had the first book of one of her series on my Kindle - I had got it free at some point. So I decided to give her a try. And loved it. Now there is something weird about me liking this series so much. It is called The Barks and Beans Cafe Mystery Series, and is about two things I do not like: dogs and coffee. 

The series is about siblings Tess and Bo Hatfield, both single. If I remember right, he is close to or around 40, and she is in her early 30's. He is former CIA or special forces, and his cover had revolved around coffee. Due to circumstances in their lives, they move back to their home town and open a Coffee Shop/Cafe where half of it is a coffee shop/cafe, and the other half is for people to pet and adopt shelter dogs. And there is always a mystery. I seriously love this series, and do not like dogs or coffee. At all 😎

The siblings are very cool and likable characters, and there is little romance til later in the series. 

There are 7 books out so far, with an 8th coming in December. And right now thru September 30 (2023), you can get a free ebook of a standalone mystery that is part of the series. If that makes sense. Go to this link and download Houseblend by Heather Day Gilbert.

Description of the first book in the Bark and Beans Cafe Mystery Series, No Filter:

Welcome to the Barks & Beans Cafe, a quaint place where folks pet shelter dogs while enjoying a cup of java...and where murder sometimes pays a visit.

Fed up with her go-nowhere job, newly single Macy Hatfield moves back to her small hometown in West Virginia. She joins forces with her brother Bo in his crazy new venture—the Barks & Beans Cafe, which caters to dog lovers and coffee drinkers alike.

When a golf instructor is murdered at the nearby spiritual center, Macy winds up adopting his Great Dane. Just after Macy finds a mysterious message sewn under the dog's collar, her Dane is dognapped. She launches into a relentless search for her newfound canine friend, but along the way, she digs up a cruel and confident killer.

Join siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield as they sniff out crimes in their hometown...with plenty of dogs along for the ride! The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, and no swearing or graphic scenes.

I also read A Murder In the Mountains Series by her, which consists of 4 books. What is unusual about this series is the main character is already married with kids. It is also an excellent series I highly recommend.

Blurb about the first book, Miranda Warning:

Child of the Appalachian mountains, Tess Spencer has experienced more than her share of heartache. The Glock-wielding, knife-carrying housewife knows how to survive whatever life throws at her.

But when an anonymous warning note shows up in her best friend Miranda’s mailbox—a note written in a dead woman’s handwriting—Tess quickly discovers that ghosts are alive and well in Buckneck, West Virginia. Hot on a cold trail, she must use limited clues and her keen insight into human nature to unmask the killer...or the next victim might be Tess herself.

Tinged with the supernatural and overshadowed by the mountains' lush, protective presence, this twisting psychological mystery is the first in A Murder in the Mountains series.

Those are the two series I have read by her. I started the first book in her Exotic Pet Sitter Mysteries, but it was about a snake and it creeped me out, so I never finished it.

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She also has a few other series I have not read yet: The Hemlock Suspense Series, Tavland Vikings, and a couple other series. 

She is an excellent author, and is one I definitely recommend.

About the author:

Heather Day Gilbert, an RWA Daphne du Maurier Award winner and 2-time ECPA Christy Award finalist, enjoys writing contemporary mysteries with unpredictable twists, much like the Agatha Christie books she read growing up. She also writes Viking historicals. Her novels feature small towns, family relationships, and women who aren't afraid to protect those they love. Find out more at heatherdaygilbert.com. 

Expired Vows, Last Chance Fire and Rescue Series #4 by Lisa Phillips and Laura Conaway. Just Read Blog Tours, with giveway

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Blitz for Expired Vows by Laura Conaway and Lisa Phillips, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Book description:

She sees the promise of freedom. He vowed to always be the hero.

EMT Trace Bently came back to Last Chance County to escape his past. After the loss of his wife, he gave up a promising career as a police officer for the chance to save lives every day as part of the Fire Department. When a hostage situation demands the help of a local counselor, Trace realizes the past he left behind has found him. He’s being given a second chance to save the life of someone he cares about.

If he can face the grief he buried.

Family Counselor Kelsey Scott has to secure this grant or admit failure. She can’t afford to lose any more pieces of the life she wants because of her own choices. When Kelsey becomes the target of a series of dangerous attacks, Trace steps in determined to protect his wife’s best friend. This hero breaks down all her resistance, but Kelsey can’t risk her own heart.

Even if it’s what will set them both free.

My review:
  Lisa Phillips is an author I regularly read. She wrote the first book in this series, and if I understand correctly, the other three books have been written by different authors with her input, since the books are set in a setting a lot of her books are set in, and using characters she created.

 I enjoyed this book, and am sad the series is over. To be honest, if I didn't know that all 4 books were written by different authors, I would not have guessed that. This book and the writing style flowed in the same manner as the other three.

I am pretty sure that Kelsey was a new character in this book, but Trace was in at least some of the other books. I loved both main characters. Since I am diabetic, I found Kelsey more interesting than your average female character. I like it when an author incorporates a health issue or physical handicap into a story.

There was a lot of suspense and drama in the story, and I didn't figure out very early who the guilty party was. I started having suspicions at one point, but it wasn't much before it became obvious.

I am guessing the title of the book came about because of Trace losing his wife five years previous, and having a hard time moving on. He struggled a lot with his attraction to his dead wife's best friend, and that made the romance part of the story all the more interesting.

There have been a lot of books set in Last Chance County, and hopefully this is not the last. But if it is, this is a great book to end on.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

Buy the book here. 

About the authors: 

Laura Conaway grew up in the suburbs of Pennsylvania as an avid reader and writer while making every adventure a mystery to solve like Nancy Drew. As a former school librarian, she’s always on the hunt for the next best read but now spends her time creating stories that leave readers on the edge of their seat with a healthy dose of suspense and happily ever afters. When she’s not typing away or inhaling sweet potato fries to motivate writing, Laura spends her time playing violin and guitar and sharing about the Greatest Story ever written. Check out her website here.

Lisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over 60 books that span Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.

Lisa is a British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College, where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). Lisa is a worship leader, tea aficionado, and dog lover of two crazy Airedales.

Find out more at www.authorlisaphillips.com

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Running to You, Wright Heroes of Maine Series #1 by Robin Patchen

 

Book description:

Sam never understood why Eliza left him five years ago, ghosting him without explanation. He’s avoided romance ever since, focusing on building his business. Money might not keep him warm at night, but it can sure buy a lot of blankets.

Then Eliza shows up on his doorstep and throws herself into his arms. She can’t explain her bruises or the head injury that’s left her with no memories of the past five years, including their breakup. No matter how good it feels to hold her, though, there’s no way he’s getting sucked into romance again.

He’ll deliver Eliza to her mother, and that will be that. But instead of finding her mom, they’re met by two attackers and barely escape alive. Despite the danger to his life and his heart, he can’t leave Eliza to fend for herself.

Together, they embark on a journey to reconstruct her past while evading the men chasing her. As Sam and Eliza close in on the truth, their romance reignites, but her secret threatens to destroy them both.

Prepare to be enthralled by this gripping story of amnesia, a second chance at love, and a secret baby. Running to You is an edge-of-your-seat Christian romantic suspense set in Maine that will keep you reading all night long.

My review:
  I just discovered this author last year, and have enjoyed every one of her books I have read. This is the first of a new series, and she set it up in the last book in her Coventry Saga, A Mountain Too Steep.

Two of the Wright brothers had their stories in the Coventry Saga - Grant in Courage In the Shadows, and Daniel in A Mountain Too Steep. (I recommend reading that book before this one).

This book centers on Sam. And this book is the best one the author has written so far, in my not so humble opinion.

I really loved the main characters. Sam and Eliza had had a very physical relationship five years previously. Now they were both Christians, and though the author was not graphic, there were times it was obvious Sam struggled to not give in and go back to that physical relationship.

His part in the story was the most interesting to me. For a lot of the book, Eliza could not remember leaving him, or why. But he remembered, and still risked his life all through the book to protect her. Though he was also responsible for their breakup. Eliza was also a likable character, not knowing who she was running from or why, but knowing she could trust Sam.

Levi. The mysterious Levi whose name appears with no explanation for a time of who he is. But the answer is oh so awesome. And I will leave it at that.

The suspense and drama was non-stop, as Sam and others tried to protect Eliza from being abducted, or worse.

The climax of the story is just....awesome. All five of Sam's brothers converge to help in a very dangerous operation. And the reader finally meets the mysterious Levi. :) Eliza is amazing throughout that part, and Sam is beyond amazing during and after the extreme danger. 

Seriously. That part of the book is just amazing. It was getting late in the evening - past 1:00 a.m.....and there was no way I was putting the book down. Well, actually Kindle since the paperback was not available to review. :)

The author hit a homerun on this one, and actually hit it out of the ballpark. Everything was over the top good: the suspense, the characters, the romance, and the Biblical truths and proof of changed lives.

A warning is necessary though: The first chapter of Sam's brother Michael's story is at the end of this book. I read it, and now cannot wait for Rescuing You, not out until January.

Watch for Running to You, releasing October 17.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

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. After college, working in marketing and public relations, 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 she homeschooled 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. Visit robinpatchen.com/subscribe to receive a free book and stay informed about Robin’s latest projects. 

Coming January 2024: 

                     Rescuing You, #2 in the Wright Heroes of Main Series

The Secrets Beneath, Treasures of the Earth Series #1 by Kimberley Woodhouse

Book description: 

Some secrets can only stay buried for so long. . . .

Anna Lakeman has spent her life working alongside her paleontologist father, drawing intricate sketches at every dig. When they find dinosaur bones near their home in Wyoming Territory, they're given the opportunity of a lifetime and are swiftly caught up in the competitive era of the Bone Wars. But after her father becomes sick and Joshua Ziegler, an old beau, returns for the summer, Anna's world is upended, and the practical, orderly life she has made for herself shatters.

Medical student Joshua Ziegler left his hometown to forget Anna, the one woman he truly loved and deeply hurt. But when he returns, time hasn't erased the feelings they've always had for each other. After Joshua's nephew goes missing--just like his sister did years ago--and Anna's job is threatened, tensions mount and dangerous secrets are unearthed.

My review:
  Christian fiction and dinosaur bones? What was this author thinking? Not sure, but man, what a story. She thought right.

 I had never heard of the Bone Wars, so I Googled to find out more. Fascinating stuff, for sure.

Now the story: Great plot. Archaeology stuff has always interested me, and the dinosaur dig in this book was very interesting, especially after reading the information at the beginning and ending of the book. (Yes, I do read those parts of the book).

Characters....Woodhouse nailed it on those. Anna made for a fascinating character in her desire to be a paleontologist, especially since it was frowned on for women to be one at that time period. Joshua was an excellent heroine, and of course love interest for her. Although this was a case of love reunited, instead of love at first sight. :)

Julian: I won't give any spoilers away, but I will say I figured out very early on the truth about him and Damian. And in spite of it all, the reader can't help but like him. At least I did.

Caleb: Yeah, difficult not to give spoilers away here. Caleb is the ten-year-old nephew of Joshua, and an extremely likable character. I will admit to briefly mentally moving the author down from being one of my favorite authors....(read the book!)....But I will say this: This author always, always, always has some great Biblical truths woven throughout her stories, and is something I appreciate about her. She wove some great truths I needed to hear (as is usually the case) around Caleb's part in the story.

This book seemed to have more suspense, intrigue, and mystery than most of her historical novels, and I loved it. I had a good idea of what was going on some of the time because of  the brothers' conversations, but it was still a suspenseful read for parts of the book.

The Secrets Beneath was an excellent and educating read. I learned "stuff", and learned more by Googling. Woodhouse ventured out a bit in this novel, especially in one way I cannot say without giving spoilers away.....but the end result was a masterpiece of a story. I am already anticipating the next book, Set In Stone, coming out in March.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

Releases September 26 from Bethany House Publishers

About the author:

Kimberley Woodhouse (kimberleywoodhouse.com) is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 30 fiction and nonfiction books. Kim and her incredible husband of 30-plus years live in Colorado, where they play golf together, spend time with their kids and grandbaby, and research all the history around them.

Check out her Secrets of the Canyon Series, a series set at the Grand Canyon in the early 1900's.

Coming March 24, Set In Stone, Treasures of the Earth #2

Notable author: Stephenia H McGee

Time for another new and/or notable author blog post. Up this time is Stephenia H McGee.

I first ran across her books last year when her book "In His Eyes" kept popping up on Facebook. I was intrigued, but didn't want to spend much on a book by an author I had never read, and the e-book was not cheap nor on Kindle Unlimited to borrow. After some months, I decided to give a try. I enjoyed it, and went on to read some of her other books, which I also enjoyed.

In His Eyes blurb:

She pretends to be a Yankee officer's widow in order to survive. But what will she do when he returns home to a wife he didn't marry?

Her heart sought shelter. Her soul found home.

Ella Whitaker rescues a newborn from the dying arms of a woman of ill repute and at long last she has someone to love. In need of a wet nurse, she arrives at Belmont Plantation just as Federal soldiers demand to speak to the owner. Thinking quickly, Ella masquerades as a Yankee officer's widow in order to have a roof over her head and a home for the child.

Major Westley Remington has dedicated his life to serving his country. The Civil War has divided his family, torn his thoughts of glory, and left him with a wound that may never heal. Westley returns home on medical furlough to settle his father’s estate at Belmont Plantation, only to find his home is being run by a fiery and independent woman—one many believe to be his wife. Now he is faced with a conflict he’s never been trained to fight, and one she has yet to conquer.

I have been privileged to review three of her books at this point: The Secrets of Emberwild, The Swindler's Daughter, and The River Queen. I just finished that last one about an hour before doing this post, and man....what a fun read. I am on a blog tour schedule for that one, and will not be posting the review until October 12. Blurb for that book below:

River pirates, a stolen steamboat, and a deadly chase down the Mississippi—but falling in love might be the real adventure.

When river pirates attack and steal his steamboat, Emmett Carter barely escapes. Rescued and transported to a magnificent world of glitz and showbiz aboard a flashy showboat, Emmett is immediately captivated by something more than recovering his lost inheritance—The River Queen’s beautiful, but quirky, songbird.

Anola Flynn, the star singer on The River Queen, is struggling to keep the business running as attendance dwindles during the 1923 season. With her dreams of saving the family legacy—and the only life she’s ever known—slipping away, she forges an alliance with Emmett to keep her family afloat.

Now, to outsmart the gangsters chasing them, Anola and Emmett must wade through a dark current of deception and betrayal to save not only their dreams, but everyone they care about, from sinking deeper into the Mississippi River.

Stephenia has done some time travel books, which are a lot of fun to read. I have not read all of them, but enjoyed the ones that I have read.

Another series that sounds really good, but I have not read as of yet, is her Accidental Spy Series. It is definitely on my to-read wish list.

And The Ironwood Novels is another series I want to read.

I have found every novel of hers that I have read to be well written, inspirational, and enjoyable. She is another author that I find myself wondering how I missed out on her books for so long, but am glad I discovered her novels.

Lastly, one other of her novels that I read and enjoyed, along with the blurb about the book:

Eternity Between Us

Two sides. Two hearts. And a gulf between them as deep and wide as eternity.

Virginia, 1861

After being forced to use a pistol against invaders, Evelyn Mapleton is no longer the timid girl her extended family expects. The more her aunt and cousin resent her new independence, the more Evelyn is determined she’ll make her missing father proud by taking up his cause and aiding Confederate soldiers–even if she has to outmaneuver the Yankees guarding her home to do it.

Samuel Flynn’s life is consumed with two priorities: learning to become a proper guardian for the young orphans he’s adopted and obtaining his physicians license. When his final testing sends him to a Federal Army field hospital, the last thing he expects is to be entranced by a mysterious woman. But when Evelyn’s misguided exploits put her life in danger, will he risk everything he’s worked for to save a woman he thinks is his enemy?

Based on first-hand accounts from the Civil War and with a strong romantic thread, this is a tale of faith, espionage, hope, and courage historical fiction fans won’t want to miss.

Author bio:

Stephenia H. McGee is a multi-published author of stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South. She lives in Mississippi, where she is a mom of two rambunctious boys, writer, dreamer, and husband spoiler. Her novel The Cedar Key was a 2021 Faith, Hope, and Love Readers’ Choice award winner. A member of the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), she loves all things books and history. Stephenia also loves connecting with readers and can often be found having fun with her Faithful Readers Team on Facebook.

Find out more about her and her books at StepheniaMcGee.com