Case of the Bayfront Murder ~ a book review

Not a murder mystery fan? Me, neither, but I just had to try this one out – the catering company Macaroni on Wheels really made me curious. And I was not disappointed. Which is quite nice since I am quite opposed to mysteries and murder stories. Read on to find out more about the story and why I enjoyed it.

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Case of the Bayfront Murder by S.K. Derban, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Case of the Bayfront Murder
Series: A Macaroni on Wheels Mystery #1
Author: SK Derban
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: March 27, 2024
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Little Italy in San Diego, once a thriving fishing community, has blossomed into a prominent tourist destination. Nestled in the heart of this vibrant neighborhood, both travelers and residents find the Tiepolo Mercato a favorite spot to stop and shop. Ezio and Benedette Tiepolo are the proprietors of the Mercato, while their daughter owns Macaroni on Wheels, the catering company located directly next door.

There’s more than pasta cooking in the Macaroni on Wheels kitchen. Meet Terza Tiepolo, a feisty Italian caterer who fills her free time solving crime. She belongs to a local murder mystery book club, and leads the other participants in their monthly whodunnit contest.

Terza also works diligently to grow her catering business. But when a prominent doctor hires Terza’s company to cater a dinner party, she never expects murder to be on the menu. The prestigious bayfront event should enhance the Macaroni on Wheels portfolio, and Terza anticipates meeting many potential new clients. On the day of the party, Terza arrives early to prepare, only to discover her grand expectations are as dead as the body on the kitchen floor.

Fans of cozy mysteries will revel in solving the murder along with Terza, and will appreciate her zest for life. Readers will also treasure the introduction to her vibrant Italian relatives. They will enjoy getting to know the Tiepolo family, and will smile at the special relationship Terza has with her mother and father. The fun never stops when the animated relatives join together each Sunday for dinner. Consider this your personal invitation!

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

My Thoughts:

Case of the Bayfront Murder was such a fun read. It started with the name of the catering company – Macaroni on Wheels. How fun is that? Terza and her friend Moheenie were a perfect pair. One impulsive and bold, the other the reality check yet still a bit curious and brave. They balanced each other just right. Add in Moheenie’s husband Ranger and the trio is just tons of fun.

Terza’s family is close – both in proximity and between members. I love that her mother and father know her well, expect her to live well, and ask her daily if she has read her Bible. While the religious aspect is not high in the book, that small bit really adds a lot to the background that is felt throughout the read. Terza’s family can walk to each other’s homes and businesses. It just sits well for it to be situated in Little Italy of San Diego.

I enjoyed the process of Terza and Moheenie trying to figure out things with the murder that occurred and how to do them without tampering with evidence and without getting themselves in trouble. I often found myself thinking “Oh, don’t do THAT.” But, they did it anyway (why don’t book people listen to me?). It turns out fine in the end and the murder was solved. I enjoyed walking along with them as they explored ideas and people and motives.

While it is a murder mystery, there are no gory details or twisted, overly grotesque descriptions. It is clean and light and just the right words to keep the reader in the story without the unnecessary exploitation of imagery.

Definitely a fun read and I look forward to the next Macaroni on Wheels Mystery. Who knew I’d ever say that?

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

About the Author

S.K. Derban resides with her husband in Southern California. Although born in the United States she moved to London within the first three months, and remained in England until the age of five. Her father, an American citizen, was a decorated veteran of the Second World War. Her British mother was involved with the London Royal Ballet Company, and a great fan of the arts. After returning to the United States, Derban’s life remained filled with a love of the theatre, and a passion for British murder mysteries.

S.K. Derban’s personal travel and missionary escapades are readily apparent as they shine through into her characters. Readers are often transported virtually across the globe. She has traveled to Hong Kong on five separate occasions to smuggle Bibles into China, and has been to Israel on seven missionary trips. Derban’s other adventures include visits to Bangkok, Greece, Egypt, Italy, and the Caribbean.

Beginning with her faith in the Lord, S.K. Derban relies on all aspects of her life when writing.

She hopes her books will allow readers to go on holiday without having to pack!

Connect with S.K. at childofthecarpenter.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win an Italian Style Kitchen Goodies prize pack which includes Red and White Dish Towels, Oneida Spatula Set of 3, Oven Mitt, Pot Holder, Silicone Whisk, and Imported Italian Pasta!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 7, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 14, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Blessings,
Lori, At Home.

She Who Dwells: Overcoming Fear and Finding Peace ~ a book review

Psalm 91:1-2

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.

Reading through this calming thought is where we begin She Who Dwells: Overcoming Fear and Finding Peace by Jessica Landmon. Ms. Landmon begins She Who Dwells with a short introduction and then straight into Psalm 91. And we spend the rest of the book in Psalm 91. Because it is peace. Because it is hope. Because it is instruction. Because it is what we need.

Ms. Landmon has a sense of hope in her writing that is not found very often. It is because she has struggled with fear and finding peace in her life. She shares openly about that and we are taken along with her study of Psalm 91 – She dwells, she rests, she trusts, she is safe, she is shielded, she is fearless, she watches from afar, she declares, she is surrounded, she loves me, she has learned the secret.

The opening lines draw you in and you have to continue on, finding hope and peace while letting go of fear and what if.

She Who Dwells is a woman who is steadfastly sure of God’s undeniable love, unfailing promises, and divine plans for her life. There is no place for doubt or fear as she is cohabitating with the Lord Most High. The enemy knocks at her door, trying to entice her to fear and worry, but she doesn’t answer. She has another appointment and has no time for unexpected drop-in guests. (p 13)

I do not consider myself one who holds onto fear or who sees it around every corner. I don’t feel like I struggle with peace. Yet, I found so much that I could relate to in this study of Psalm 91. I found myself wrapping up with this passage and her writings about it and considering all Ms. Landmon had written. It helps me see other’s struggles and it helps remind me how to approach my own.

While the official summary of the books says that it includes learning practical techniques in how to get into the presence of God (and it does), this is not what I would consider a self-help book. It is Bible study. A deep dive in Psalm 91 and all the promises God has for us. A look at how God will always keep us close when we desire to know more about Him.

I would suggest approaching this study as a look at a passage of scripture that teaches us about the nature and being of God, about His heart, and about His promises. It shows us that when we trust in the true being of God, we are held tightly and nothing of the world can get us. That is not a promise of physical safety and mental or emotional stability. It is the promise that God is great than all else and we see that come through beautifully strong and resounding in She Who Dwells.

This could easily be a group study but it is also perfectly suited to a personal study. There are questions to help you dig deeper into each verse of Psalm 91, found at the end of each chapter. If you are one who writes in the study book, there is space just for that. I do feel that there is a bit of a miss with what she teaches of how salvation becomes ours. That is easy to move past if you already are a student of the scripture and know that salvation comes not from a prayer but from belief in Christ and baptism for the remission of sins, as Christ taught and as his apostles taught.

There is so much good in this book. I am glad I had the opportunity to review it. I was sent a copy of the book so that I could write this review. All opinions are my own.

BOOK DETAILS

Pub Date: April 16, 2024
Genre: Christian
Publisher: Women Get Real Ministries
Page Count: 164
Format: Paperback, Hardcover, Ebook
ISBN: Paperback, 979-8-9901750-0-6; Hardcover, 979-8-9901750-1-3; Ebook, 979-89901750-2-0 
Price: Paperback, $14.99; Hardcover, $21.99; Ebook, $7.99

ABOUT THE BOOK

CAN I REALLY LIVE A LIFE OF PEACE RATHER THAN ONE CONSUMED BY FEAR?

Fear and anxiety are issues that women continually struggle with. This is not God’s intention for His daughters. He wants them to be set free from the lies of the enemy so that they can become all they are destined to be. She Who Dwells is a verse-by-verse study of Psalm 91, digging deep into the promises of God. This book will equip women to live lives of faith and trust in their Creator.

This 11-chapter book is designed for group or personal study and is appropriate for women of all ages. Women will:

• Learn practical techniques in how to get into the presence of God
• Discover what dwelling with their Heavenly Father actually looks like
• Understand how to trust the Lord at His Word
• Dive deeper into a study of the character, nature, and the very heart of our loving Creator

Instead of being consumed by the “what-ifs” of this world, a woman will learn to dwell in the arms of her Heavenly Father when the storms of life come rolling in.

Thank you for reading.
Blessings,
Lori, At Home.

Encountering God Study Bible ~ a book review

Study Bibles have become something that is quite common. I got my first study Bible when I graduated high school and it was an uncommon item. Now, everywhere you turn there is a different style or purpose-driven study Bible.

Encountering God Study Bible is a NKJV text with study notes created by Henry Blackaby and sons. In the foreword, Henry Blackaby notes that “every major turning point in my life was predicated by an encounter with God through His Word.” This was the inspiration for this particular study Bible – to help others encounter God.

The text is a standard New King James Version. The added parts are created by the Blackaby men. These include

• notes and references for the NKJV text
• Book Introductions
• Explanatory Notes
• Encounter Notes
• Historical Encounters
• Character Studies
• Word Studies
• Encountering a Creative God
• Explaining The Faith
• How to Study the Bible
• In-text Bible Maps Plus Full-Color Maps in the Back
• Timeline
• Harmony of the Gospels
• Read Through the Bible in a Year Plan
• Prophecies of the Messiah Fulfilled
• Index to Special Features
• Concordance

Now, I have not heard of the Blackaby family prior to opening this Bible. Maybe others have. Based on the notes, they are quite knowledgeable and some of the additions are quite interesting and helpful. There were, in my opinion, too many notes. It broke the text up so much that it became difficult to read the Word of God in a cohesive manner. Every single chapter of the Bible has at least one note placed in the middle of the text, interrupting the flow of the read. Some chapters have five or six, back to back. While these notes can be helpful, it felt disruptive to how God speaks through His Word.

I did not see any specific theological problems with the notes. Do remember that these are man’s words in the notes, not the Word of God, so read them with that thought in mind.

As you utilize the notes in the Encountering God Study Bible, the hope of the Blackabys is that you will encounter God, that you will have an open heart, and that you will be changed through that encounter. That is truly the purpose of opening God’s Word at any time and hopefully these added thoughts will give you further insight and understanding of the great and mighty God.

I received a Black Leathersoft cover and was impressed with the cover. It has a nice feel and classic look to it. The simple tree motif on the front is nice. The pages are quite thin, but we found out that they are also quite study, as none of them tore when it went through a tornado, sitting at the kitchen table where the majority of the damage occurred. A number pages were bent or folded and we took some glass out, and the cardboard protective cover that was by it was ruined by the glass and rain, but the Bible itself is completely fine. A true testament to the quality of craftsmanship.

You can purchase this study Bible in multiple colors, cover styles, and other options. You can purchase from the website or from Amazon. (Neither of these are an affiliate link for me.) This can make a nice gift for Mom or Grandma with Mother’s Day just around the corner. The graduate you know could enjoy a new study Bible. Father’s Day is coming soon also so keep this Bible in mind for Dad or Grandpa. You might also enjoy having one for yourself. Order a copy today.

GIVEAWAY:
1 Encountering God Study Bible
(Note: This is limited to US winners only.)
Enter by commenting on this post with who you would give this Bible to if you are chosen as the winner. One winner will be randomly selected on the morning of 5/8, so enter by the end of day 5/7/2024. You will be emailed if you are chosen and you must reply within 24 hours with your complete name and mailing address.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Harper Collins Christian Publishing for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

Blessings,
Lori, At Home.

A Movie You Want To See ~ Unsung Hero

Movies are not typically my thing to share because I am so picky about them. So you know that when I do share about one, I think it is a good one. Celebrate the priceless role of Mom in your family by going to see the powerful film, Unsung Hero, in theaters starting April 26th!

I had the privilege to preview Unsung Hero and I enjoyed it a lot. The summary is as follows:

When David Smallbone’s successful music company collapses, he moves his family from Australia to the United States in search of a brighter future. With nothing more than their six children, their suitcases, and their love of music, David (for KING + COUNTRY’s Joel Smallbone) and his pregnant wife Helen (Daisy Betts) set out to rebuild their lives from the ground up. Based on a remarkable true story, a mum’s faith stands against all odds; and inspires her husband and children to hold onto theirs.

Watching this movie made me so appreciative of all I have. The Smallbone family struggled. Not just had some hard times; they had some times that define the word struggle. They left Australia to make a go of it in America, where a job was supposed to be waiting for them. When it wasn’t, they had no income and no prospects. Their passports didn’t allow for much at the beginning. But they had their faith, especially Helen.

Mom Helen had faith and a fierce fighting spirit and that brought the family through it all. My favorite scene was when they set the small jar of their final few dollars on the floor in front of the whole family and said this is all we have. We rely on God for everything that comes our way. Let’s get to praying. They made a prayer wall and wrote their prayer requests on a piece of paper, taping it up for them all to see. These included everything from food to a washing machine. It even included the word “cheaper” at one point because one of the youngest of the family wanted things to be cheaper for them to buy. There was also a place to move their answered prayers. As the days went by, they moved requests to answered one by one as God answered their prayers in His own way. The word cheaper even got moved!

I cannot stress enough how much I loved this story and enjoyed the movie. Running about an hour and a half, it was definitely a family movie worth seeing. Look for it. Buy tickets and take your family. You won’t regret the evening spent together seeing the story of God’s providence, guidance, and ability to work in all situations.

Giveaway: $10 Amazon giftcard, available to US winners only. Comment below on the movie, For King + Country, or Rebecca St. James. (Did you know she was the older sister of the Smallbone family?) I will randomly choose one winner on April 30. Winner must reply to the email within 24 hours to ensure I have the correct email address to have the giftcard sent to.

Disclosure:
Many thanks to Kingdom Faith Marketing Services, LLC for providing a sample of the
product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

At Home,
Lori

hope and heartache, love and longing

This is a book review that I am sharing because I adored the story and the characters. The story is full of hope and heartache, love and longing each living alongside the other in the daily lives of these vibrant characters. I received a Netgalley review for this but was not required to share the review on this site. I just wanted to. For disclaimer’s sake: I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham is the book I am sharing with you today. I believe it is being released in August and I suggest you put it on your to-be-read list. Now to my review:

When hope lives alongside heartache, life is tangled, just like the ivy that grows on the walls around the property. Rachel Fordham has written an enchanting book that delves deep into the lives of Sadie and Otis, two characters that have each known heartache of a deep and abiding kind. This heartache can become all encompassing unless someone steps into that grief and exposes it to hope. This is what makes this story such and enchanting and exciting read.

Sadie is striving to hold onto her positive outlook while living in complete squalor and dejection but working hard at providing for her mother, her sisters, and her severely injured father. Hope is hard to find sometimes but Sadie looks to her family for purpose. Pushing ever onward, she is discovered by Otis living in the abandoned factory on his property. His aching for something worthwhile causes him to push past what his father or brother might have done and to offer his own version of hope to Sadie. Little does he realize that by doing so, he also reached for the hope she offers him.

As Sadie and Otis’ friendship grows, we see the depth of the characters Fordham writes. They are courageous in the face of fear, stepping just to the edge of it each time, pushing slightly further toward it each time. This touching the edge of fear and pushing just into it each time was something I loved the imagery of. This image really brings to life the highlight of the story. Each push forward brought more hope and less heartache.

It was a joy to read Beyond Ivy Walls. It contains a depth of character not often seen in historical fiction and I found myself drawn into the story more and more with each passing paragraph. “I couldn’t put it down” is a somewhat cliche statement but it was true of this story for me. I read late into the night, drawn more and more into finding out how Sadie and Otis would handle the hope and heartache, love and longing that were living next to each other in their daily lives.

Blessings,
Lori, At Home.

Praying With Jesus ~ a book review

Looking to grow your spiritual understanding of prayer and strengthen your personal prayer life? Praying with Jesus: Getting to the Heart of the Lord’s Prayer by Adriel Sanchez has tools to help.

Praying with Jesus: Getting to the Heart of the Lord’s Prayer by Adriel Sanchez takes a look at one of the most commonly known prayers from the Bible. The Lord’s Prayer, as it is often called, is found in Matthew 6:9-13. It is also found in Luke 11:1-4, though with some variation. Matthew 6 is where the heart of this book by Sanchez is focused.

Sanchez writes 10 chapters focusing in on various parts and purposes of prayer. Part one includes chapters 1-3. These look at general teachings on prayer, including the heart, the postures (physical positions), and times of praying. Part two includes the remainder of the chapters 6-10 and breaks the Lord’s Prayer down into bite-sized pieces to examine.

Digging in deep with the Lord’s Prayer can be good. As Sanchez writes in chapter 1 (I’m reading on a Kindle so no page numbers are included), “Prayer is the song of your heart to God. Sometimes it’s an explosion of praise, and other times it’s a trickling lamentation. In either case, the source of true prayer is the heart.” As he takes the reader through each of the chapters in the book, the heart is the focus of his thoughts.

The guiding source in Praying With Jesus is the Bible and I am so thankful for that. The Bible should be our guidebook for everything in life and so by keeping that at the center of this book, Sanchez has honored God while helping his reader find more purpose in prayer.

I found that I enjoyed most the opening three chapters on prayer in general. There was much touched on here that gave me pause to think and consider. I highlighted a number of areas to go back to and read more on, to dig deeper into the Bible’s teaching in that area. One of these was early on and addressed “heart disease in prayer.” This was meant to direct our thought to what our heart is doing in prayer. Are we praying as hypocrites or with superstition? There are Bible verses included to make this idea clear and help the reader discern his own heart. Actionable change may be needed and these verses can guide that change.

The next section focused on the petitions of the Lord’s prayer, relying on the teaching of Jesus and God’s word. Jesus used these words when his disciples asked him to teach them to pray. This is an excellent guide for us today. Sanchez broke it down into 7 sections. These included some look at the original language and additional verses to emphasize the purpose of each phrase. It was a deep dive into the purpose and language of how Jesus teaches us to pray.

Every chapter in the book concluded with a prayer from the past, suggested prayer practices to work on in order to strengthen personal prayer life, questions for discussion if you are studying with a group, and endnotes. As with all study books, read with discernment, paying attention to teachings to ensure they align with God’s word. There are a couple of passages that I am studying more in depth because they did not align with how I understand God’s word.

Praying with Jesus: Getting to the Heart of the Lord’s Prayer by Adriel Sanchez is a good study on prayer, especially with the focus on Jesus’ own teachings.

About The Book:

Praying with Jesus: Getting to the Heart of the Lord’s Prayer
by Adriel Sanchez
April 8, 2024
ISBN: 978-1-64507-339-0
Retail Price: $16.99
Religion / Christian Living / Prayer

Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

Blessings,
At Home, Lori

An Unlikely Arrangement ~ a book review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for An Unlikely Arrangement by Cindy Patterson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: An Unlikely Arrangement
Series: Brides of Biltmore #1
Author: Cindy Patterson
Publisher: Springbrook Press, LLC
Release Date: March 11, 2024
Genre: Historical Romance, Christian, Clean & Wholesome

In 1902, Abigail Dupree is but a breath away from her grand societal failure. To save her family from humiliation and financial ruin, Abigail becomes a bargaining trade in her mother’s eyes. A bargain that will extinguish Abigail’s last hope of a happily-ever-after. If only she could return to the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, she might have a chance to reunite with the only man who has the power to save her reputation.

Garrett Barringer arrives in Charlotte, North Carolina to escape a past that no longer wants him. He takes an undisclosed position with Mr. Dupree. When it is revealed that part of Mr. Dupree’s purpose for bringing him on board is to chaperone his beloved daughter, Garrett abruptly discovers that he has taken on more than he bargained for. Abigail Dupree is more beguiling than any other woman he’s encountered, but he must resist his heart for the sake of propriety and to keep a promise made to her father.

When her father hires Garrett Barringer, a man that seems far too young to be a lawyer, and possesses far too many favorable characteristics, Abigail resists his charm but cannot deny her heart is compelling her toward him. But she will not allow the man to ruin an opportunity she has waited for nearly five years.

Garrett is suddenly aware what his life was and what it could become in the presence of Abigail Dupree. Will he be able to give up the woman who has stolen his heart, for her happiness?

Abigail stands to lose all if Garrett Barringer sees past her physical beauty and uncovers the ugliness of her imperfect past. Will Abigail continue on the condemned path she’s fashioned for herself, or trust that God wants a future for her she never believed possible?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop| BookBub

My Review

Headstrong, yet excited to see the world. Interested, yet wanting to please and obey her parents. Loving, yet striving to find the balance between love and obedience. Abigail is everything so many young women find themselves to be. How to navigate the life before her and still be who she feels she really is inside is the struggle that is taking over her life.

Her family has arranged her marriage, as is acceptable for young women like her. But, she cannot stand the man. He is unkind and arrogant. Why would her father choose this? She could clearly see her mother choosing this arrangement because it is just what anyone of high society would desire.

When Garrett Barringer comes to work for Abigail’s father, everything goes off-kilter. Her heart seems to not listen to her head, which reminds her constantly of what her family requires but also of what she wants for herself. Garrett is everything her beau is not – kind, respectful, considerate of her and her family, aware of what is around them, and so much more. When Mr. Barringer is to accompany Abigail to her aunt’s house, Abigail finds herself stuck between her heart and her responsibility.

I was intrigued by idea that this story would include the Biltmore. It is a place I desire to visit and so that was definitely a pull for me. I was a bit disappointed that the story only included the Biltmore once in a while but when it did, the descriptions were lovely. The inclusion of Alice Roosevelt was also a fun little point of the story. It made for some additional historical elements.

The story was a historical romance with a tad bit of Christianity woven in. I could have certainly done with more of the faith element. It would have definitely made this a more applicable story. The idea of waiting on God’s timing for those things that you desire is really nice and I found that was implied in the story. I often find myself struggling with waiting and following God’s plan so I could certainly relate to Abigail’s character in that regard.

This was an enjoyable story and it was quite an easy read. It flew along and the characters were fun. I found that Garrett Barringer was definitely my favorite because he seems to embody the godly characteristics that a man after God’s own heart should be striving for. He wasn’t perfect but he kept trying. That was a nice element to the story. Overall, it was a worthwhile read.

About the Author

Award-winning author Cindy Patterson believes in captivating romance and happy endings. In her stories, she loves to give glimpses of how God can use brokenness and make them whole. She reads a lot, drinks too much coffee, and wishes she had more time to write. Author of Chasing Paradise, Broken Butterfly, and Shattered Treasure, she loves to connect with her readers.

Connect with Cindy by visiting cindypattersonbks.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will win a $25 Amazon Gift Card, a signed print copy of An Unlikely Arrangement and other book related gifts!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 16, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 23, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

At Home,
Lori

Lovin’ On Red ~ a book review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Lovin’ On Red by Mary Pat Johns, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Lovin’ On Red
Series: Romance in Valiant #2
Author: Mary Pat Johns
Publisher: Scrivenings Press
Release Date: April 9, 2024
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

He has everything … except what he wants most.

Rory is a wildly successful contractor with all the right connections. He has everything, except the woman who sees past his missing foot. If only the tiny redhead he’s insanely attracted to would go on a date with him, it could work, but Vi refuses.

Licensed massage therapist Vi Summers needs her childhood home remodeled, and Rory Spence is the perfect man for the job. Only he’s the last person she wants to work with. Despite Rory’s reputation as a flirt, his tender attention to getting her house right helps Vi see into his heart. Too bad her past mistakes prevent a future relationship.

Drawn together like magnets, they navigate trouble with illegal squatters, family expectations, and fire. Will they finally be honest with each other, or will their secrets tear them apart?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

More Books In This Series

My Thoughts:

A safe place to just be who you are is something everyone craves. Lovin’ On Red by Mary Pat Johns is about this need and this desire and how, when it is fulfilled, it makes you a stronger, happier person. Many times we don’t even know we need that safe place because we are so consumed by the fear of something. Mary Pat Johns has done a great job of presenting this idea of a safe place to just be you in this book featuring two red-heads – Rory and Vi.

Rory and Vi are endearing characters that I could relate to. Not because I have experienced anything like what shaped their characters but because everyone has a fear of opening up to others at one time or another. Loneliness, injury, heartache, not really knowing yourself, meeting other’s expectations – these all roll into who Rory and Vi are. Their friends are great at helping them see their path when they stumble off it or are blinded by fear. These are the things that made this an enjoyable story to read.

While this is marketed as a Contemporary Christian Romance novel, I struggle to put that Christian label on it. It is clean but there is a warning for this book for anyone who may have experience physical or sexual abuse or dealt with teenage pregnancy. There are not any explicit details and very little actually talked about for these topics but they could be difficult for someone to deal with. There are almost no references to God or Christianity or the types of things I would expect to deeply form the characters in a Christian novel. It does include a couple of things that are somewhat “Christian” – accountability partners, a few references to praying, a mention of church or two. I do wish that Christianity had played a stronger role in creating these characters, as I really like them and I think it would have deepened the characters a lot.

Overall, this is a clean, enjoyable story about Rory and Vi and the ups and downs of their friendship. I can easily say this is acceptable for adults to read; I would not recommend it for anyone in high school or younger.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are my personal and honest opinions.

About the Author

Mary Pat Johns lives in South Texas with the love of her life and two spoiled dachshunds. You can find her at the gym, on her computer, or  reading a book.

Connect with Mary Pat by visiting marypatjohns.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win print copies of Countin’ On Jesse and Lovin’ On Red, plus sea turtle earrings and necklace!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 8, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 15, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Sandcastle Inn ~ a book review

Sandcastle Inn: A Hope Harbor Novel

by Irene Hannon

Description

Vienna Price never intended to return for more than a passing visit to Oregon and all the bad memories she’d left behind. But when your career tanks, home is where you go to nurse your wounds and chart a new course. Only temporarily, of course–because as much as she loves her quirky mom, anything more than a short stay would drive them both crazy.

A trip to Oregon isn’t in Matt Quinn’s plans, either, until a perfectly timed appeal for help arrives from his sister. What better place to decompress after a shattering loss than a quiet, seaside town named Hope Harbor? But R&R isn’t on the agenda when he arrives to find his sister’s new enterprise on life support.

Vienna, however, may have just the skills needed to resuscitate the foundering B&B–if Matt can convince her to hang around long enough to mend an inn . . . and his heart.

My Thoughts:

Life’s twists and turns sometimes throw us for a loop. Sometimes, it completely submerges us and we don’t know how to get out of the swirling water. Matt and Vienna both find themselves in this swirling water and need somewhere safe to land as they find their way out of life’s turbulence. Hope Harbor is just the place. And it provides both of those things – hope for those weary and searching; a harbor of safety to those who need it most. Matt is seeking a rest while Vienna is looking for a restart. Add in the fish taco selling “philosopher”, the bookstore owner “psychologist”, and those who need the listening ear these two provide. It all combines to create a small town that anyone would find what they need in.

This was such a fun story. The rehabbing of the inn to a B&B was a unique angle for the story and one that made it such a joy to read. It had the nicest setting – an inn with a lovely view and plenty of seclusion – and just enough intrigue about character backgrounds to keep the interest without it being annoying. I found the characters personalities were just right, engaging yet interesting. I liked the emotional interest that was placed there with all the characters – referring to lost loves, friendships, and future relationships. So much was poured into these characters that I truly found them intriguing.

I would feel confident encouraging others to read this story, including some of the teens that I know that are looking for clean romance stories. This one was a joy to read.

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this title on Kindle for the purpose of publisher feedback. All opinions are 100% my own and this public review was not required.

At Home,
Lori

When The Flames Ravages ~ a book review

When The Flames Ravaged by Rhonda Dragomir was an interesting read, though it wasn’t quite what I thought I was getting into. I was expecting an historical novel that was more in depth about the actual fire and the causes behind it. What I got was a bit of a suspense novel crossed with an historical novel crossed with a romance story. It was a clean and enjoyable read that takes places in the shadows of the Ringling Bros circus fire in Hartford, CT, in 1944.

We meet Evelyn, a war widow struggling to make ends meet and struggling to keep from the depression that wants to cover her heart. As a waitress, she is doing all she can to contribute to her sister’s family with whom she is living and helping. Her niece and nephew are the lights in her life and she looks forward to their joy each morning and evening. While on the job, she meets several of the men/clowns from the circus, feeling an unusual connection with one of them.

Hank is just a man struggling to get his life right and working hard in the circus, while trying to figure out how to set his life back on the straight and narrow. As a clown with the circus, he often hides behind the character he plays. Until the fateful day of the circus fire. Then, he knows what to do and acts quickly, assisting an unknown man who is helping women and children get to safety. He stays with it, even though the little girl next to him won’t leave. Then, he grabs her at the last minute while she screams for daddy and runs to safety with her.

In the aftermath of the fire, we find Evelyn and Hank working together to find Evelyn’s niece and nephew, whom it turns out Hank helped their daddy get to safety. But where are they? As the two search through the ashes and shadows of the fire, they also grow closer together. Hank forces himself to face his past and Evelyn forces herself to face her future. What will it all become?

This was a tremendous novel, though it was a little bit of a slow start as the author built the characters. I truly enjoyed the writing and building of the story, keeping the reader engaged, desiring to know what becomes of each of the characters in the story. The suspense and mystery surrounding the actual stories of some of the people from the real fire is built into this fictional account very well. I feel like I know quite a bit of this history of this event through the telling of Evelyn and Hank’s stories. This is one that I recommend to people who enjoy historical novels, a bit of mystery and suspense, and don’t mind just a tad bit of romance thrown in at the end. An enjoyable read.

Disclaimer – I received a complimentary copy of the Kindle edition to review and share feedback with the publisher. I freely chose to share it here. All opinions are 100% my own.

At Home,
Lori