The Mother Keeper by Paula Scott

Book Description:

They say the truth will set you free… but what if the truth ruins your life?

Jenny McBride has lost her faith and her reason to live in a terrible accident in Colorado Springs, but meeting a girl in trouble in Tennessee just might turn things around.

Ellie Ryan is seventeen and determined to move to Nashville to pursue her dreams of making it as a songwriter, but an unexpected pregnancy shatters her plans and sets her on a course she never imagined. 

Shawn Klein has it all. The beautiful girlfriend. The scholarship to play football at Vanderbilt after he graduates high school. At eighteen, he leads worship at his father’s prosperous megachurch. His life is perfect. So why isn’t he happy?

Everything changes when Shawn’s parents bring Ellie into their home to care for her until she gives birth. It’s the life with a real family that Ellie has always dreamed about, and the kind of future Shawn never knew he wanted, until Ellie’s past threatens to destroy everything.

When Jenny arrives in Tennessee to adopt Ellie's baby, only one thing is certain. A baby will be born, along with a crime of passion, and a desperate struggle to bury the truth. 

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This novel was and was not what I was expecting. Written with honesty and heartache, but also with hope; this novel takes you on a journey that begs us to stop and examine our own hearts. There are within the Church those who are hypocrites, fakes or cultural Christians as we like to say, and there are those who are the real deal. Still, we all mess up; we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. But we do need to examine ourselves, our hearts, and remove the plank from our own eye before judging and condemning another. Often times, circumstances and people can not be what they seem. We need to remember God's grace, His love, His mercy and His sacrifice. Who are we to determine who is good enough for God's love and salvation?! Did Christ not die to set the sinner free? Yes, He did! That by no means, mean we continue on in repetitive sin. You will know by their fruit, right?!

Scott had me rapidly reading these pages, unsure how everything would work out and still trying to piece parts of the puzzle together. While several hints she tucked in along the way, did pan out the way I expected; others surprised me. This is not a giddy, feel good kind of story, but it is a story worth the read and the reflection. Heavy but good.

* I would encourage you to read the Author's Note at the end.

Then There Was You by Kara Isaac

Book Description:

Paige McAllister needs to do something drastic. Her boyfriend can’t even commit to living in the same country, her promised promotion is dead on arrival and the simultaneous loss of her brother and her dream of being a concert violinist has kept her playing life safe and predictable for six years. Things need to change. A moment of temporary insanity finds her leaving her life in Chicago to move to Sydney, Australia. There she finds herself, against many of her convictions, as a logistics planner for one of Australia’s biggest churches, and on a collision course with her boss’s son.

Josh Tyler fronts a top-selling worship band and is in demand all over the world. But, in the past, his failed romantic relationships almost destroyed both his reputation and his family. He's determined to never risk it happening again. The last thing he needs is some American girl tipping his ordered life upside down. Especially one who despises everything he’s ever worked for and manages to push every button he has.

When Josh and Paige are thrown together to organize his band’s next tour, the sparks fly. But can they find a way to bridge the differences that pull them apart? Or will they choose the safety and security of what they know over taking a chance on something that will require them to risk everything?

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Absolutely delightful! Loved the unfolding story, characters and humorous moments! Tucked in all of this were some well placed insights; faith moments and lessons that truly felt organic to the story. This one had me glued to the page and up late, because I just had to finish it!

So Pure a Heart (Daughters of His Kingdom Book 4) by Amber Lynn Perry

Book Description:

Since the night her dear uncle gave his life for hers, Hannah Young is determined to risk everything by spying for the Patriots in order to seek retribution against the British soldier who killed him. But when her former love, Joseph Wythe, insists on ensuring her safety, she must decide if the vengeance she seeks is worth the danger of his nearness. For the love she once felt is liable to grow deeper and more threatening to her heart than it ever was before.

Leaving his young ward to join the fight for liberty is the hardest thing Joseph Wythe has ever done. Nearly. The most difficult happened ten years past, which he tries his best to forget. Seeing Hannah Young again after all this time does something frightening and wonderful to his soul. Though her determination to spy for the Patriots is honorable and brave, he will never allow her to take such a risk without him to protect her, no matter how she protests—and no matter how he knows he will ache all the more for the thing he always wanted and still could never have.

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Vivid and gripping storytelling! Perry brings this period of history to life with all of its dangers and drama, especially for those who risked all for freedom! Bravo! Excited to see what is in store for us in the next installment of this series!

*** Available with Kindle Unlimited.

Greybrow Serpent (Silver and Orchids Book 2) by Shari L. Tapscott

Book Description:

The captain of the Greybrow Serpent is the last man Lucia’s willing to trust. But he’s the only one who can save her.

Lucia’s dreamed of finding Avery for a solid two months. In every one of her fantasies, the dashing captain has been on the deadly end of her dagger. Unfortunately, their reunion is not all she hoped it would be. The captain is back, but he comes bearing news: the Duke of Mesilca holds a grudge, and he’s set a bounty on their heads.

Now Lucia’s running from bounty hunters, partnering with a man with the morals of a snake, and forcing Sebastian to court Adeline in a desperate attempt to keep the innocent seamstress safe.

Captain Greybrow is the only one with a solid plan, one that will take Lucia into the heart of forbidden, siren-inhabited waters. But after Avery’s betrayal, can Lucia find a way to trust him again? It won’t be easy, especially when it appears the captain has yet another hidden agenda.

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I absolutely loved this novel! If I could give it more than 5 stars I would; seriously! I have been eagerly awaiting this book's release since the conclusion of Book 1. I moved from giddy to beyond as I made my way through the story. This novel was witty, humorous, fun, engaging, romantic and has me hungering for more! Book 3 releases at the end of August, but I wish it was tomorrow.

Tapscott does an amazing job with her characters; they seem to live and breathe, are utterly charming and I can't get enough of their banter. I just cannot stop smiling! If you like adventure, wonderful characters that draw you in and make you laugh, as well as love them, then open up this series and dive right in.

I have to mention the love triangle that began in Book 1 and takes a turn in Book 2. Some love triangles can be cliche and drive you crazy, but this one was done just right. And I loved where Tapscott took things in this 2nd book. Sorry, my head is abuzz with "MORE, MORE, I WANT MORE!", so I cannot think of what else to say, except to read this novel!



*** Note, this book is available with Kindle Unlimited.

Ilyon Chronicles (series) by Jaye L. Knight

Ilyon Chronicles:

Book 1 - Resistance

Book 1.5 - Half-Blood (Planning to read soon)

Book 2 - The King's Scrolls

Book 3 - Samara's Peril

Book 4 - Exiles (Coming July 14, 2017) 

From Book 1: “Don’t you know? Animals like you have no soul.” 

Could God ever love a half-blood all of society looks upon with such fear and disdain? Jace once believed so, but when a tragic loss shatters the only peace he’s ever known, his faith crumbles as the nagging doubts he’s tried to put behind him descend on his grieving heart. With them come the haunting memories of the bloodstained past he longs to forget, but can never escape. 

Taken from home at a young age and raised to serve the emperor, Kyrin Altair lives every day under a dangerous pretense of loyalty. After her unique observation skills and perfect memory place her into direct service to the emperor, Kyrin finds herself in further jeopardy as it becomes increasingly difficult to hide her belief in Elôm, the one true God. 

Following the emperor’s declaration to enforce the worship of false gods under the penalty of death, many lives are endangered. But there are those willing to risk everything to take a stand and offer aid to the persecuted. With their lives traveling paths they never could have imagined, Jace and Kyrin must fight to overcome their own fears and conflicts with society as they become part of the resistance. 

(Christian Fantasy/Clean New Adult/No Magic)

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Book 1 -
Wonderful and engaging!

Book 2 -
While this one might have started out a little slower in a few places, soon it picked up the pace and had me completely engrossed and quickly flying through the pages to see what laid ahead for our group! LOVING THIS SERIES! Seriously, I cannot wait to begin Book 3! Knight has done a wonderful job of blending action, adventure, faith, friendship, suspense and drama. Highly recommend this for fans of Christian Fantasy!

Book 3 -
Another excellent installment in the Ilyon Chronicles! Knight had me glued to the pages for over 70% of the Book. Then I tried to draw out the last portion, because I know I have about a month till Book 4, Exiles releases. I eagerly await this release and seeing what is in store for this group!

In the meantime, I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the unfolding faith journey of these characters, alongside the action, suspense and hints of romance. Knight does a wonderful job of balancing these different elements, engaging the reader, and keeping us hungering for more. Bravo!

The Art of Losing Yourself: A Novel by Katie Ganshert

Book Description:

Just like in my dream, I was drowning and nobody even noticed.

Every morning, Carmen Hart pastes on her made-for-TV smile and broadcasts the weather. She’s the Florida panhandle’s favorite meteorologist, married to everyone’s favorite high school football coach. They’re the perfect-looking couple, live in a nice house, and attend church on Sundays. From the outside, she’s a woman who has it all together.  But on the inside, Carmen Hart struggles with doubt. She wonders if she made a mistake when she married her husband. She wonders if God is as powerful as she once believed. Sometimes she wonders if He exists at all. After years of secret losses and empty arms, she’s not so sure anymore.

Until Carmen’s sister—seventeen year old runaway, Gracie Fisher—steps in and changes everything. Gracie is caught squatting at a boarded-up motel that belongs to Carmen’s aunt, and their mother is off on another one of her benders, which means Carmen has no other option but to take Gracie in. Is it possible for God to use a broken teenager and an abandoned motel to bring a woman’s faith and marriage back to life? Can two half-sisters make each other whole?    

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This is one of those stories that grabs hold and lingers with you. Ganshert engaged my heart and my mind right from the start and held them fast the whole way through. I loved how she wove the tapestry, that is this story together. Showing the hard, painful times; times filled with questions, doubts and fears. Peppered in was grace being woven through, the faithfulness of God orchestrating circumstances and bringing others into these characters lives to plant seeds, water them and point to Him along the way. Like I said, this is a tapestry so you really don't see the big picture till the end.

I loved this one. This is most definitely not a giddy story. The story is real and honest, and I am so glad I read it. I wish there would have been an epilogue at the end, but otherwise no complaints from me here. Highly recommend this one!

Far Side of the Sea: California Rising Book Two by Paula Scott

Book Description:

A woman running from God. And the man she desperately loves. Because of the lies she believes. 

Taken from her conquered Californio family during the 1846 Mexican-American War to be forced into marriage with a Yankee she despises, proud Spanish beauty, Maria Vasquez, draws a knife, and begins her journey to the far side of the sea. She will flee to Valparaiso, Boston, and finally San Francisco trying to forget the blood on her hands, only to find it is blood that will save her.
Dashing American ship captain, Dominic Mason, will win Maria's heart, but shatter it when he rejects her for another, setting her on a journey back to San Francisco. There she discovers her heart can never be conquered, it must only be surrendered, not just to the man she loves, but to the God who will never let her go. 
Captain Dominic Mason knows how to fulfill his duties. He's living for God and country, determined to obey the Almighty and help bring California into the Union. Yet death and the devil's deception will rob him of all he holds dear in San Francisco.

As California rises to statehood amid the madness of the gold rush, men will die for gold and for Maria. Will she ever escape the darkness that enslaves her in San Francisco and discover the everlasting light and love she so longs for? Far Side of the Sea is the second book in the California Rising trilogy.

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Paula Scott will capture your imagination and take your heart on a journey with this novel. The beauty and the ugliness in life and within ourselves is played out clearly in this story. Scott's novels are not those portraying all goodness and love, but like the Bible, her novel shows the sin and the struggles, as well as the redemption and salvation. So, for those looking to read a novel about perfect people, this is most certainly not it. However, if you like me, enjoy a redemption story, a prodigal story, then this one is for you. I would recommend it to those who enjoyed Rivers' Redeeming Love.

Maria is headstrong, proud and oh so rash! From the beginning you just sense it, that she will bring about her own self-destruction. Of course, there are factors at play; there are lies that the enemy whispers and circumstances past and present that weigh in. But no matter, ultimately we, just like her must decide what voices we will listen to; truth or lies. Just as we must chose life or death; Jesus or our sin.

That is not to say that it is only Maria who struggles and battles in this novel, but she is definitely our main character. This novel is moving, real and held my attention with no problem throughout. I am looking forward to seeing what will transpire in Book 3 and the faith/truth lessons she has to impart.

I would encourage you to read the Historical Notes found at the end of the novel. Scott included this at the end of that section and I think it clearly sums up her heart for this novel: "I especially wanted to impart the truth to you that no matter what's been done to you, or what you have done that makes you feel ashamed or ruined or unredeemable, you are precious to God because of Jesus. Sin can leave us feeling so ruined, the sins we commit or the sins committed against us, but the blood of Christ makes us brand new every single time. The blood of Christ cleanses sinners and sets us free to be loved by God and by others. I'm praying God touches your heart with his love and grace and endless mercy...".

(Sorry, I did not post on Book 1. I rated it 4 1/2 Stars. Again, a novel about imperfect people finding their way to grace. Another page turner.)

Read no further if you would like NO spoilers!


For those sensitive readers, I will warn you that there is instances of violence, rape and abuse. While none of it is very graphic, these occur in the story.