Cozy Mystery Review: Murder Goes Solo by Malissa Chapin Book Description:

What's the Story?
Piper Haydn is on the case when murder comes to peaceful Cranberry Harbor, Wisconsin. With her piano recital hours away, Piper's last need is a piano problem—or a murder problem! When her new piano arrives with the body of her ex-fiancé inside, suspicion rests on Piper. To avoid a murder charge, she must shift her attention from music to murder. With a killer at large, Piper calls off the recital and closes the academy. Believing that she and her friends can solve the murder, Piper tries to clear her name and tries to discover what happened to her secretary Lisa. As the investigation crescendos, Piper leans on the support and creativity of her best friend Roosevelt and fellow music teacher Trefor to help solve the crime. Can Piper and friends solve the mystery before the killer solos in on another victim?

My Thoughts:
Murder Goes Solo is a well-written and fun mystery. Poor Piper is faced with a terrible situation. The new and very expensive piano she ordered arrives with a dead body. Not just any body—her lifeless ex-boyfriend. Piper and her best friend Rosie work to figure out who killed him. In the meantime, they have to avoid the press and work with the “Hunky” police officer. Piper’s family tries to protect her, but she’s determined to bring the killer to justice. Chapin does a beautiful job weaving in Piper’s love of music and sets up a great cozy story. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, you’ll love Murder Goes Solo. I hope there are more books about Piper, her bestie, and maybe even the “Hunky officer.” I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Work With All My Heart

Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 

My grandson floated back to his seat on a cloud of joy.

I’m a loyal fan of the Cincinnati Reds. Twenty-twenty-two hasn’t been their best year, yet they still show up and work hard. Due to decisions from management, we lost some good players, but the ones left on the team, like Votto, Farmer, and India put in the effort and play their hearts out.

They work out, practice, and show up, even through injury, and use their God-given talent to play the game. Recently my daughter, Maggie, and my grands, Dylan and Zeke, and I attended a game. Zeke loves baseball and plays on a summer team. As he and I entered the stadium, he hoped to catch a practice ball from the opposing team. He not only caught one, the player for the Marlins signed it. Then when he saw the Reds players in the dugout, he hustled over and thought he might have a shot at an autograph on the ball he brought with him. He held the ball out and none other than Joey Votto autographed it. Votto and the Marlins player didn’t have to autograph anything, but they took their job beyond what was expected.

In Colossians 3:23-24, Paul gives a directive that whatever we work at, whether at home, at a job, or in the church, work as if it is for the Lord. God has given each one of us different talents. We can use those talents to glorify Him by doing our best and going beyond what’s expected. It’s easy to get discouraged in a job, but sometimes we have to choose to do our best despite the circumstances. I worked for many years in libraries, where I was challenged and frustrated at times. When that happened, I had to pray or the discouragement would overwhelm me. The same with my writing. I doubt myself, but have to remember God is the One who called me to write.

In whatever I do, I strive to work with all my heart and do my best.

Work with all your heart to glorify God.

God Hears My Heart

Sometimes a burden lays on my heart and words won't come.

I want to pray, but I can't.

I'm too sad, too worried, too excited, or too distracted.

The beautiful thing is, God doesn't have to hear my words 

because he knows what's on my heart.

Where Is My Faith

Luke 8:22-24
One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

Rain pounded the canvas top of the Jeep.

I traveled down Interstate 75 to visit my daughter in Kentucky. When I left home a gray sky hovered overhead. The lack of sunshine made the drive easier for me because bright sun hurts my eyes, and I knew I’d be on the road for a while. About halfway through the trip, the skies opened and the rain poured. Torrential rain on the interstate with semis scares me, but instead of panicking, I put the Jeep in four-wheel drive and slowed my speed.

The rain poured for about twenty minutes. As I maneuvered the Jeep through the rain, Star 93.3 played three songs that calmed me. I Am Not Alone by Kari Jobe, Praise You in This Storm, and Brighter Days by Blessing Offor made me want to raise my hands in praise, but I didn’t dare take my hands off the wheel.

Isn’t it just like Jesus to provide comfort and hope in the midst of the storm? He’d invited his disciples to the boat and then fell asleep. He may have known the storm was coming, but He also knew God had His back. When the disciples panicked, what did He say? “Where is your faith?”

I had to ask myself that question as I drove through the storm. I have to ask myself that question when I walk through the valley, the sunshine, or the fog. My faith is in Jesus who loves me, but at times I forget and try to take control, or panic, or run from Him. Yet every time He draws me back to Him, and I thank Him.

I thank God for his peace, His understanding of me and my fears, and I praise Him for his plan of salvation that secures my faith. I am not alone, I can praise Him in the storms, and I know there will be brighter days because I have faith in the One who loves me more than I understand.

Have faith in the One who loves you.

Sorrows to Dancing

You turned my wailing into dancing;
    you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
    Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

-Psalm 30:11-12

Sometimes when I hear a tune, I can't stop my feet from moving; 

Not because I'm a dancer, but because God has placed a song on my heart.

Praise God He can turn my sorrows into dancing with his love and joy!

 

Split-time Novel Review: When Stone Wings Fly by Karen Barnett

What it’s About:

Uncovering a long-lost family story is the only way to bring her grandmother peace.

Kieran Lucas's grandmother is slipping into dementia, and, when her memory is gone, Kieran's last tie to the family she barely knows will be lost forever. Worse, Granny Mac is being tormented by flashbacks of her mother’s death and the loss of their home.

In 1931, Rosie McCauley's Smoky Mountains home is threatened by the Tennessee Great Smokies Park Commission as they create a new national park. But Rosie vows the only way they'll get her land is if they haul her out in a pine box. When a compromise offers her and her disabled sister the opportunity to stay for her lifetime, it seems too good to be true.

Ornithologist Benton Fuller arrives to conduct a bird survey for the park and the two form a tenuous bond. But their friendship broadens a rift between her and the other mountain folk who are suspicious of any government connections. Then the discovery of an illegal still in the woods near her cabin leads to a violent clash between sides that could destroy them all.

Eighty-five years later, Kieran heads back to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to find answers to her great-grandmother's mysterious death and bring peace to Granny Mac before it's too late. Park Historian Zach Jensen may be the key to locating both the answers and a precious family heirloom. But just as in the past, Kieran's needs clash with government regulations. Will Zach block her from recovering what she needs and solving this family mystery?

My Thoughts:

I anticipated reading When Stone Wings Fly, and it did not disappoint. Karen Barnett brings us another wonderful book featuring the National Parks. This time we find Rosie McCauley in the midst of the creation of the Great Smoky Mountain’s National Park, with a threat to lose her land. Benton Fuller, researching for the park system, discovers the place his heart has longed for. Two generations later, Kieran Lucas wants more than anything to bring the grandmother she’s longed for a peace in the midst of dementia. As she searches for that peace, she finds Zach, a kind-hearted man troubled by his past. Barnett set up a heart-wrenching, yet hopeful story in the midst of the beautiful Smokies. Grandma Mac’s story weaves together this beautiful tale of determination and love. Realistic, yet romantic, this story touches the heart in so many ways. If you enjoy split-time, historical, or romance, I think you’ll enjoy When Stone Wings Fly. I purchased a copy, and my opinions are my own.

Children’s Picture Book Review: The Stories of God (and Kiki) by Dave Connis, illustrated by Amy Domingo

What it’s About:

Little Kiki is an aspiring author and illustrator who weaves daring tales about swashbuckling otters, all-knowing sea cucumbers, and nail-biting rescues from the clutches of gerblins (part gerbil, part goblin). But where do her imagination, creativity, and ideas come from?

Meet God, the author of all stories. He writes adventurous tales such as Esther Saves Her Family and Friends, Jesus and the Tomb that Couldn’t Hold Him, and the Story of Kiki.

Kiki loves to write but sometimes she forgets to include important pieces (like the time she forgot to give the ship’s cook a kitchen). God also loves to write, and He knows exactly what every story needs. They are both writing their biggest story of all, and the endings are bound to be incredible.

My Thoughts:

The Stories of God (and Kiki) is a delightful book that focuses on how God created us in His image. Kiki is a writer and illustrator who understands she may make mistakes in her stories, but God never will. Amy Domingo’s illustrations are refreshing, colorful, and fun. This is a great book to share with a child and help them understand God created them to be themselves, even as He, in his wisdom, created the world. This would be a great book to use in Sunday School or with a group of children, then have them write a story and illustrate it.  I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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