Fiction Review: Just Let Go by Courtney Walsh

Book Description:

For Quinn Collins, buying the flower shop in downtown Harbor Pointe fulfills a childhood dream, but also gives her the chance to stick it to her mom, who owned the store before skipping town twenty years ago and never looking back. Completing much-needed renovations, however, while also competing for a prestigious flower competition with her mother as the head judge, soon has Quinn in over her head. Not that she’d ever ask for help.

Luckily, she may not need to. Quinn’s father and his meddling friends find the perfect solution in notorious Olympic skier Grady Benson, who had only planned on passing through the old-fashioned lakeside town. But when a heated confrontation leads to property damage, helping Quinn as a community-service sentence seems like the quickest way out—and the best way to avoid more negative press.

Quinn finds Grady reckless and entitled; he thinks she’s uptight and too regimented. Yet as the two begin to hammer and saw, Quinn sees glimpses of the vulnerability behind the bravado, and Grady learns from her passion and determination, qualities he seems to have lost along the way. But when a well-intentioned omission has devastating consequences, Grady finds himself cast out of town—and Quinn’s life—possibly forever. Forced to face the hurt holding her back, Quinn must finally let go or risk missing out on the adventure of a lifetime.

My Review:
I like Just Let Go because the characters are flawed, just like me. Courtney Walsh has written a story about people who have lived life. They've failed, they've triumphed, but they've carried baggage. Heavy suitcases filled with burden. While one holds on to their faith, the other has let go and gone off the edge. This is a beautiful story of realization and redemption. A story of forgiveness in the most personal sense. I love Courtney's books, and this one is no exception. It is refreshing to read the story of people who demonstrate how the love of God brings hope. I purchased a Kindle copy from Amazon. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Peace-

I Believe

1 Corinthians 13:11-12
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Under the tall maple trees in the grass as soft as silk, I gathered sticks, fallen tree bark, and leaves. I huddled under the trees and built tiny structures from my found treasures. I was sure, at seven years old, that the fairies who fluttered among the snapdragons and poppies, needed a home. Sometimes in the early morning, I'd run out to see if these beautiful winged creatures slept under the tree bark. I never saw them, but I did discover a fairy ring (mushrooms dancing in a circle) on occasion. You see when I was a child, I believed that fairies and trolls and all manner of make believe  existed. As an adult, I know now that those were great stories of my imagination.

Now when I sit under a maple tree or touch the silky soft grass, I thank the great Creator of all things. I praise God who is the way, the truth, and the life. With every part of my being, I believe that Jesus came to this earth and suffered and died for me. I believe he rose from the dead and offers new life for anyone who will follow him. When I was 14, I accepted Jesus as my Savior. I was baptized and started living my life for him. I'm 61 now, and I've had my share of difficulty and grief. I've sinned and been forgiven. I've experienced great joy and many blessings. Through it all, Jesus held my hand. He poured his love and grace over me.

I believe in God as my Father, Jesus as my Savior, and the Holy Spirit as my guide. As an adult, I put away my childhood imaginings and embraced the truth of the Bible. Jesus offers forgiveness, grace, and eternal life to all who choose to believe. He is the hope for this weary world.

Fiction Review: The Whisper of the Palms by Harriet E. Michael

Book Description:

Growing up in the foothills of North Carolina, Ali Blackwell dreamed of going places she had only seen in books and magazines. She lived in a small farmhouse that her farmer father had built with his own hands, and the prospects of ever leaving her little town of Union Mills appeared unlikely. Her family barely scraped by on the sale of produce grown by her dad and brothers and the supplemental income they earned working at the nearby textile mill. 

Kyle Edmonds, a few years her elder, lived in a larger house in South Carolina. He possessed things Ali only dreamed of—extra clothes and shoes, a house with indoor plumbing and electricity, a family car, a bicycle and other toys, just to name some.
They could not have been more different. 

However, both heard God's still small voice calling them to foreign missions. How will their paths cross? What obstacles will they face? What will their future hold?

My Review:
Through the mode of fiction, Harriet tells the inspiring story of her parents' young lives as they figure out where God is leading them. As I thought about how I wanted to review The Whisper of the Palms, the word that kept coming to mind was listen. Ali and Kyle both spent time listening for God's call. Regardless of the many obstacles and life events, they set their hearts on God. And that was refreshing. I enjoyed following their growing faith and reading about their vastly different backgrounds. I especially loved Ali's story, from where she was raised to where God called her. For an uplifting read, get your copy of The Whisper of the Palms. I purchased a Kindle copy on Amazon. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fiction Suspense Review: A Secret to Die For by Lisa Harris

Book Description:

Psychologist Grace Callahan has no idea that she has a secret--one worth killing for. But when she finds out one of her clients has been murdered, she quickly realizes that the computer security specialist wasn't simply suffering from paranoia.

Detective Nate Quinn has just been cleared for active duty after a bombing killed eighteen people, including his partner, and left him dealing with PTSD. His first case back on the job involves the murder of Stephen Shaw, and his only lead turns out to be an old friend, Grace Callahan--and her life is in grave danger. Someone believes Shaw gave his psychologist information before he died. Information they are willing to kill for.

With her signature pulse-pounding suspense, Lisa Harris takes readers deep into the heart of fear in this race against the clock.

My Review:
Lisa Harris did an amazing job interlocking the pieces of this fast-paced, page turner, A Secret to Die For. I loved the thread of faith that Grace continued to hold on to, no matter what happened to her. And a lot happened! I enjoyed how Lisa created Nate's character to deal with loss and grief, which made him more realistic and believable. One of my favorite characters in the story was Grace's friend, Becca. She was that friend who, no matter what happened, was there to help Grace. She was God's servant in the flesh as well as Grace's BFF. Sometimes I enjoy supporting characters as much as the main ones. The story is full of action and danger and maybe a touch of romance. I'm a huge Hallmark fan, so as I read sometimes the actors from Hallmark pop into my head. I'd love to see Cameron Mathison and Nikki DeLoach in a movie version of, A Secret to Die For. If you love heart-pounding suspense, you'll want to read A Secret to Die For. I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Gotta Love Autumn!

A Brave Turtle

Joshua 1:5-7
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go."

The little box turtle crept across the four-lane highway, attempting to reach the other

side. We saw him crawl across the second lane and believe he reached the grassy median. But I have no idea whether he completed his journey. That turtle faced the oncoming traffic to fight his way across the vast expanse (I'm sure that's what it looked like to him.)

Too many times in my life I've faced four-lane highways. I've either had to summon courage or chicken out. So did God's servant Joshua.

As the predecessor of Moses, God called Joshua to fill some big shoes. Moses had groomed him and encouraged him. Yet, Joshua didn't always get it right. Despite his failed attempts at going for the win on his own, God continued to call him to be strong and courageous. When Joshua obeyed, miracles happened. As Joshua chose to listen to God and put on his courage and strength, Joshua found true victory. He led the Israelites into the Promised Land and the walls of Jericho fell. With courage and strength given by God, Joshua moved his people forward.

Here's what I love about Joshua's story. God had given him three directives: be strong and courageous, be obedient to God, and continually read and study the Bible. God's formula for success. Maybe not the world's way, but God's way. Our Father wants us to be brave, pray and listen, and study his word. Then we can tap into the courage and strength he offers.

God is with us as we journey the vast expanse called life. He will not leave us—if we embrace him. Seek his courage and strength every day.