Cozy Mystery Review: The Unwelcome Wagon (Book & Mug Mysteries 1) by Michelle L. Levigne

Book Description:
Saundra Bailey has a rough few first days after moving to Camden Township to be the new children's librarian. First a strange man who smells of cheap cigars tries to get into her apartment, then she’s caught between two Welcome Wagon teams, which results in her feeling rather unwelcome. When Cigar Man later tries to steal her purse, she meets Kai, owner of Book & Mug, a coffee shop and bookstore. Cigar Man tried to break into the building Kai owns with his cousins, Eden and Troy, after trying to hire Eden, an investigator, to find lost family documents.

As Saundra settles into her new job and home, she learns about the political and social feuds and alliances in town. Then Cigar Man breaks into the Book & Mug building in the middle of the night, falls from a fire escape, and dies. The hunt is on to figure out what he was looking for, who was the other man with him when he fell, and whose side the mysterious accomplice is on.

Head Trustee Roger Camden, descendant of a founding father, has a growing list of grudges against the cousins and gets in the way of their investigation. Their building used to belong to his family. He accuses them of being in league with Cigar Man, who apparently was seeking Camden family documents. The foursome scramble to put together clues and identify Cigar Man’s accomplice before he hurts more people and makes more evidence and clues vanish.

My Thoughts:
The Unwelcome Wagon is filled with quirky characters, including new to Camden Township, Saundra. She moved to town as the children's librarian and ends up in the middle of a mystery. I liked the cousins, Kai, Eden, and Troy and hope to learn more of their story throughout the series. The township is laced with turmoil when a man breaking into places dies. Saundra, with the help of her new friends, and an old friend, sleuth about town until they find the truth. I enjoyed Michele Levigne's storytelling as she wove together clues, red herrings, and humor. If you're a cozy mystery reader, you'll want to check out this new series. I'm looking forward to the next one. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Available April 1, 2022, and now up for preorder from major book sellers.

Three Things That Help Me Through Life

Three things I cling to in times of trouble—joy, patience, and faithfulness.

Without joy—life is bleak.
With joy—I have hope.

Without patience—life can drive me crazy.
With patience—affliction is tolerable.

Without faithfulness—I fall apart.
With faithfulness—I can go to God in prayer.

 Romans 12:12

Plant Roots in His Truth

 Jeremiah 17:7-8

"But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

"Jesus found the muddiest parts of my heart and planted flowers." -the soul doctor

Crocus, daffodil, hyacinth and tulip leaves have pushed through the soil in my tiny garden. A few of the daffodils are already showing their pretty yellow heads and the crocus are waving goodbye to winter. When I planted the bulbs for each flower, I made sure the root of the bulb turned toward the earth. The roots needed to be where they could shoot down into the soil and draw up nourishment for the leaves and blossoms. If I had turned them the wrong way, the bulb would eventually rot.

A few years ago, I had a bush removed from the flower garden, most of the roots came out, but occasionally a little sprout from the bush pushes through the soil. Even though the plant went through trauma, the deep roots survived and still produce foliage.

Plants depend on their roots to provide what they need. With my feet planted in Jesus' mercy and grace, I continue to grow in Him. When I bloom, it doesn't matter what I look like on the outside, my roots in Jesus give me strength inside. No matter what I have gone through, I know Jesus is with me because I've planted my feet in His Word. Even when I've been cut down, my roots in Jesus give me strength. I often pray that my children and grandchildren have their roots firmly planted in Jesus. I pray that for my readers, too.

Each year my flowers fade as winter comes to visit, but the roots continue to grow and gather. By spring they're ready to sprout their green leaves and bloom with joy, like believers who love Jesus.

Plant roots in the truth of Jesus. Soak in His love and strength.

Praise Him With Every Breath

The tulip leaves are pushing their way through the dirt 

and preparing to burst into bloom.

After a difficult winter, I'm ready for vibrant blooms to adorn the earth. 

One of the things my mom and I talked about was gardening.

I have wonderful memories of her tending the flowers 

she grew behind our home.

I know I can honor her now by continuing to grow flowers 

and praise God while I work.

 

Fiction Suspense Review: Malicious Intent by Lynn H. Blackburn (Defend and Protect Book 2)

Description:
Dr. Ivy Collins, founder and CEO of Hedera, Inc., is ready to begin clinical trials of her company's cutting-edge prosthetic. Her work has been heralded by government, medical, and advocacy groups and everyone hopes the device will be a success. Well, almost everyone. Someone is trying to sabotage Hedera and the launch, but to what purpose--and how far will they go to get what they want? 

Meanwhile, U.S. Secret Service Agent Gil Dixon can't believe he's finally been reunited with Ivy, his childhood best friend. Now that he's found her again, Gil intends to spend the rest of his life with her. But it will take all his skill to uncover the truth in time to save Ivy's life's work, her own life, and the innocent lives caught in the crossfire.

Perfectly balancing chilling suspense and uplifting romance, award-winning author Lynn H. Blackburn delivers a story of revenge, greed, and overcoming that you won't want to put down no matter how late it gets.

My Thoughts:
Blackburn always brings the action and intensity. Gil and Ivy knew each other as children and vowed to never part, but circumstances tore them away from each other. Now they meet again under extenuating circumstances. The threats toward Ivy force Gil to protect her, whether she wants him to or not. I love that the story brings out how greed and revenge can destroy a person's heart and how good wins over evil. Gil and Ivy's story is sweet and intense and the friendship of all the agents is uplifting and encouraging. If you enjoy suspense, Blackburn is for you. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It's How You Live

Proverbs 31: 25-28

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her.

"It's not how you die; it's how you live." -JP

Most of you know my mom passed away on February 25. At ninety-five, we knew the days grew short, even still, losing a parent is hard. I doubt Mom ever dreamed she would live as long as she did, but once she passed ninety, she embraced her age.

Per Mom's request, in her last days we were able to keep her at home. She wanted to live as independently as possible, and being in the apartment attached to my brother's home gave her the independence she desired. There were times in her last days we wondered if she could stay there, but with the help of hospice, she remained comfortable in her own bed.

As a family, we did this to honor our mom's wishes. I'm thankful we had so many years with her and the opportunity to learn from her wisdom. Mom loved Jesus and her family. I remember as a child, and even an adult, Mom reminding me to wear my coat and to always be careful. She was concerned about our well-being and questioned us when she thought we needed it. She did that because she loved us like only a mother can. She loved with a fierceness and protectiveness.

Her love reminds me of how God loves. He has a deep adoration for His people and He wants nothing more than for us to love Him back. When I think about how much Mom loved me and how much I love my children, I begin to understand God's intense care for me. God loves us so much He sent his son to live on earth, to teach and to die for our sins. But He didn't stop there, He brought Jesus back to life.

Why did God do that? So people would have a chance to repent, be saved and baptized, receive the Holy Spirit, live a faith-filled life, and join Him in heaven. My mom would want you to know the love of Jesus, His forgiveness, and His amazing love.

Seek Jesus.

Mom Lived Ninety-five Years

Mom taught me a lot of things...

to finish my work

to work with my hands

to read and respect the written word

to love fiercely

to laugh

to cry

to hug

to cherish my family

to grow flowers

to love Jesus and share His hope.

Thank you, Mom

In remembrance of my mother, Maxine Frost

1927-2022