Jen Turano: Flights of Fancy

By Kelly Bridgewater

Miss Isadora Delafield may be an heiress, but her life is far from carefree. When her mother begins pressuring her to marry an elderly and uncouth duke, she escapes from the high society world she's always known and finds herself to be an unlikely candidate for a housekeeper position in rural Pennsylvania.

Mr. Ian MacKenzie is known for his savvy business sense and has built his reputation and fortune completely on his own merits. But when his adopted parents are in need of a new housekeeper and Isadora is thrown into his path, he's unexpectedly charmed by her unconventional manner.

Neither Isadora nor Ian expected to find the other so intriguing, but when mysterious incidents on the farm and the truth of Isadora's secret threaten those they love, they'll have to set aside everything they thought they wanted for a chance at happy-ever-after.

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

Jen Turano is one of my favorite go-to writers. With her introduction to her latest series with Flights of Fancy, Turano did not disappoint. From the first chapter, I was drawn into the world of Izzy in New York and wanted to know more about this Duke fellow. Within a couple of chapters, Turano had me laughing out loud as I pictured some of the images she created with her words. She does a wonderful job at coming up with really hilarious scenes, but she allows me to have a moment of breather too. The story moved at a nice pace, and I completely got wrapped up in Izzie and Taylor's life. True to Turano fashion, the romance had me laughing, and I loved how she has the couple connect with a piece of literature, which she has done in a couple of her other books. I love watching the characters interact during this time period. Turano included a quick moment of suspense near the end of the novel, and it didn't feel out of place for me. It seemed to fit right in with what Turano set up in the beginning chapters. Overall, Jen Turano created another hit out of the park with Flights of Fancy. I anxiously await what comes next in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of Jen Turano's Flights of Fancy from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

About the Author:

From Amazon

Jen Turano is a USA Today Bestselling author, known for her quirky characters and amusing story lines. Her novel, After a Fashion, was a Reviewer's Choice finalist with RT, as well as being named a top ten romance of 2015 from Booklist. Her book, A Most Peculiar Circumstance, was chosen as a top ten romance by Booklist in 2013, and Booklist has called her "One of the funniest voices in the inspirational genre." When she's not writing, Jen spends her time outside of Denver, CO. She can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/ or visit her on the web at www.jenturano.com. She is represented by the Natasha Kern Literary Agency. (Taken from Amazon.)

Happy New Year 2019

By Kelly Bridgewater

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! 2019!!!

Well another year is behind us. To be honest, where did it go? One minute, I was welcoming in 2018, then I flipped the page, and ended up wrapping presents for Christmas again.

This year flew by. Some wonderful moments happened. Some not so wonderful things happened.

This year, my oldest son will finish his junior year and start his senior year. How is that even possible? Where did my little boy go? I don't know how I will handle this.

Anyway, blessings on the start to your 2019!

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Marjorie Jackson: The Devoted Life

By Kelly Bridgewater

Come Experience It for Yourself. . . Life Is Good with a God Who Is Great!

This topically guided creative journal for teen girls offers inspiration and encouragement for those who desire to live their lives fully devoted to Christ. Amidst the loud, confusing voices of the world, trying to tell them which way is the right way to go, girls need to stop, rest, refuel, and reflect in the presence of their truest Friend and most loyal heavenly Father. Whether it’s through creativity, meditating on scripture, prayer, or writing, readers will join young author and artist, Marjorie Jackson, for a time of life-giving fun, faith-strengthening encouragement, and God-glorifying growth. As girls connect with their first love, Jesus, they will begin to understand that life is truly good with a God who is absolutely great!

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

The Devoted Life by Marjorie Jackson is a creative journal. It combines pictures to color, if you're into that type of thing, which I'm not, and a journal pages with questions to consider after reading a little entry to better develop your Christian walk. Some of the questions are deep with Biblical quotations to back them up. I enjoy some of the concept, but it feels a little too rushed in some sections. I wish there was more meat to some of the sections. It would be nice to develop some of the ideas more instead of jumping right into the next colored page. The cover is nice and beautifully bond. I looked forward to a creative way to journal and spend time with God, but I don't think this is the one for me. Overall, readers that like to have a few minutes with God every morning might think this is the perfect journal for them. I just like more depth to my study. 

I received a complimentary copy of The Devoted Life by Marjorie Jackson from Barbour Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own. 

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Christmas!

By Kelly Bridgewater

Today, is Christmas Eve.

At our house, it is my mother-in-law's birthday.

While the lunch is being prepared, I also make homemade cinnamon rolls that rise all day in the heat of the house, so I can put them in the oven for Christmas morning. My sixteen-year-old son has even asked already if I would still make these cinnamon rolls for him after he moves out.

So cute. I enjoy making traditions for my boys to look forward too.

We start the day with a lunch, prepared by me, and then presents and cake and ice cream for her. We might play a game before everyone runs away to their own homes.

https://www.sharefaith.com/powerpoint/christmas-eve-candlelight-service-powerpoint.html

At church has a Candlelight Christmas Eve service that we attend at 7 to 8 p. m. I look forward to this every year. We sing Christmas hymns, listen to a little sermon by our pastor, and then we stand in the fellowship hall and sing another song or two with our candles.

Then we go home and watch a Christmas movie with popcorn before bed.

It is all about family on this special day. I know that tomorrow will be busy with the opening of presents. But I enjoy focusing on my mother-in-law and remembering the reason for Christmas with my boys.

What do you do on Christmas Eve to prepare yourself for Christmas Day?

Merry Christmas

By Kelly Bridgewater

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I pray you have a wonderful holiday.

Remember Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

It really doesn't matter how many gifts you have. We need to remember and focus on Jesus's sacrifice to become a human on Earth.

I hope you spend time with family and celebrate one another and Jesus.

Merry Christmas!

sharefaith.com

Lynette Eason: Code of Valor

By Kelly Bridgewater

What Detective Brady St. John really needs is a relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, just as the sun is setting on his second day at a friend's cabin on Lake Henley, he hears a scream and races to rescue a woman from her would-be killer. When the killer escapes only to return to finish the job, Brady vows to utilize all of his many resources to keep her safe--and catch those who would see her dead.
Financial crimes investigator Emily Chastain doesn't trust many people. And even though she let the detective who saved her life in on a few pertinent facts about why she was being attacked, there are some things you just don't share with a stranger. Little does she suspect that the secret she is keeping just might get them both killed.
Bestselling and award-winning author Lynette Eason sends readers on a race for the truth in this heart-stopping story of risk, regret, and redemption.

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

Lynette Eason does it again. She reaches into the world of suspense and wraps me into a story filled with non-stop tension and loveable characters. Some new and some returning from the previous two books in the series. My favorite part of the novel was the last twenty percent when Eason hiked up the tension and captured my attention even more. Fans of high action suspense should pick Code of Valor up. Eason created another keeper for fans of suspense novels. I anxiously await for the fourth book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of Code of Valor by Lynette Eason from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

About the Author:

From Amazon

Award-winning, best-selling author, Lynette Eason writes for Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense line and for Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Her books have hit the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and have won numerous awards such as the prestigious Carol Award, the Selah, the Daphne, the IRCC award and more. Lynette is married, has two children, and lives in Greenville, SC. (Taken from Amazon.)

Why Did You Have To Leave Me?

By Kelly Bridgewater

Nothing is better than reading a series that you love and watching it end. I love picking up a book and noticing that is the first book in a series, but it has to be well-written and capturing my attention from the first book.

There are plenty of books that capture my attention and don't keep my interest the whole time. There are some hit and miss books in a series when you are reading it.

BUT . . .

there are a couple of series that capture my attention the whole time. I get lost in the characters and the setting. I anxiously await the next book in the series. I feel sad when I close the book and know the author is done.

Here are the series I hated to see end:

Christy Miller series by Robin Jones Gunn (I'm glad she keeps writing books in this series with familiar characters.)

From Amazon

Christiansen family by Susan May Warren

From Amazon

The Tox Files by Ronie Kendig

From Amazon

The Patrick Bowers series by Steven James

From Amazon

Courage to Dreams series by Susan Anne Mason

From Amazon

All of Sarah Sundin's writings

From Amazon

What about you? Why not list any books or series that you have enjoyed so much that you hated to see it end?

Nancy Mehl: Mind Games

By Kelly Bridgewater

Kaely Quinn's talents as an FBI behavior analyst are impossible to ignore, no matter how unorthodox her methods. But when a reporter outs her as the daughter of an infamous serial killer, she's demoted to field agent and transferred to St. Louis.

When the same reporter who ruined her career claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely's, the reporter's ulterior motives bring his claim into question. But when a body is found that fits the poem's predictions, the threat is undeniable, and the FBI sends Special Agent Noah Hunter to St. Louis.

Initially resentful of the assignment, Noah is surprised at how quickly his respect for Kaely grows, despite her oddities. But with a brazen serial killer who breaks all the normal patterns on the loose, Noah and Kaely are tested to their limits to catch the murderer before anyone else--including Kaely herself--is killed.

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

Nancy Mehl's Mind Games welcomed me to a world of intrigue and suspense. With the introduction of her latest heroine, Kaely Quinn, readers come head to head with a daughter of a serial killer. In Mind Games, Mehl places the readers in a police procedural novel where they follow Quinn and her new accomplice Noah for a hunt for a serial killer who is out to seek revenge on Quinn. The plot definitely showed the inner workings of a police case with evidence and some moments for down time to understand and round out the characters. But majority of the plot showed their process to solve the case. I did like Kaely Quinn as a character. She is like nothing I have ever seen. She is strong, brave, and has a unique way of solving crimes. I really liked her. Overall, Mind Games had a unique heroine with a strong plot even though I did figure out who the bad guy was early on. I believe fans of Dee Henderson's latest works and Janice Cantore might enjoy this novel.

I received a complimentary copy of Mind Games by Nancy Mehl from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

About the Author:

From Amazon

Nancy Mehl lives in Missouri, with her husband Norman, and her very active puggle, Watson. She's authored thirty books and is currently at work on a new FBI suspense series for Bethany House Publishing.

All of Nancy's novels have an added touch - something for your spirit as well as your soul. "I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing," Nancy says. "It's a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn't be writing at all if I didn't believe that this is what He's called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can't overcome with His help."

You can find out more about Nancy by visiting her Web site at: www.nancymehl.com. She also is active on the Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com and on FaceBook! (Taken from Amazon.)