Currently Reading: Uncomplicate It by Hosanna Wong

 

Happy Tuesday, My Lovelies!  What's going on in your neighborhood?  It's a beautiful sunny day here in Central Alabama, but it's a bit chilly.   What are you currently reading, watching, streaming, or listening to this week?  I started Uncomplicate It: Permission to Enjoy God in Your Unique Way by Hosanna Wong last week, and I can hardly put it down.  Plus I'm finding myself going back and re-reading certain parts of the book.

About Uncomplicate It:  Permission to Enjoy God in Your Unique Way

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 3, 2026) Happy Pub Day!

• Paperback: 224 pages

What if enjoying life with God is simpler than you’ve heard? What if your personality, the way you learn, the things you enjoy, your season of life, and your many roles aren’t roadblocks to overcome but instead shortcuts to real connection with your Creator? International speaker Hosanna Wong offers you a permission slip to uncomplicate your relationship with God and enjoy Him in your own unique way.

She will help you:

• break free from unrealistic expectations that do not come from God;
• overcome 6 roadblocks that keep you from enjoying your life and relationship with God;
• unlock 6 shortcuts to enjoying God in your current season;
• learn from interviews with over one thousand believers about their unique ways of encountering God; and
• drop the guilt, shame, and comparison that comes from the lie that your relationship with Jesus must look one certain way, or else. 

A real relationship with God is not one-size-fits all. Your relationship with God does not have to look like anyone else’s. And it doesn’t have to look the same way it did years ago. You can uncomplicate it. This is your permission slip to embrace the unique way God has made you, in this specific stage of life you’re in, so that you can fully receive all the good that God has for you right now.

My Thoughts So Far

As y'all know, we recently converted our classroom upstairs into a library.  Not only did it afford me the opportunity to make better use of a pretty much unused room, but it also gave me the opportunity to curate my many books and make donations to our local library and a couple of other charities and Christian ministries.  I donated several Christian nonfiction books that I kept for years that I know I will never read again.  They deserve to be shared with others.  Uncomplicate It is definitely a keeper.  Yes, I will loan it out to friends, but I think it deserves a spot on my Christian Nonfiction keeper shelf.  Here's why....

Hosanna Wong interviewed over 1,000 people asking them about their faith and specifically on "how they enjoy God."  She truly put in the work, research, and organization into this book!  The first two parts of the book are fairly standard because we see it all the time (especially while scrolling Instagram).  Part 1 is entitled "Your Permission Slip," and it encompasses all the lies the enemy uses to discourage us in our walk with God and how Christians should stop with all the comparisons.  Part 2 is entitled "Roadblocks."  I see these excuses constantly on my Instagram feed, particularly "Busyness," "Distractions," "Shame," and "Expectations" (these happen to be four of the six subheadings in this chapter).  So you might be asking: What makes this book unique?  As I said at the beginning of this paragraph, it's the fact that she talked to so many people about not only their walk with God, but what they enjoy most about it.

Part 3 is entitled "Shortcuts."  This is where her research really shines and highlights ways to enjoy God based on your likes and personality.  This is the brilliant part because we shouldn't be expected to enjoy God in ways that conflict with how God created us.  Hosanna coined the phrase "Praise-o-nality" to express how we feel close to God based on temperament.  So far, this has been the best and most instructive chapter in the book.  My favorite archetype (or temperament) is "The Artist of People."  This is the person who connects best with God through other people via their conversations and relationships with them. "[ Although] we are all created for community, some of us have a natural bent toward it (page 151)."  This has made me realize why I get so much out of our small group Bible studies and book clubs at church, and why the COVID madness was particularly difficult for me.  I also am learning a lot about how to get in a rhythm of closeness to God in practical ways, and how to not only refresh my faith, but to flourish.

I think this lovely book can shed some light on how you can better enjoy God through practical applications and self-reflection.  But the stories in it about others truly make this book stand out.  I'm enjoying it so much, and I will definitely suggest it for our book club at church.  

Have you read any wonderfully inspiring Christian nonfiction lately?  Please share in the comments if you have!

Disclosure:  I'd like to thank TLC Book Tours for asking me to be a part of this blog and Instagram tour for Uncomplicate it: Permission to Enjoy God In Your Unique Way.  I received a book from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.

TLC Review Tour Schedule:

Tuesday, February 3rd: The Bookish Dilettante

Friday, February 6th: @bookloveramanda

Tuesday, February 10th: @gigithebibliophile

Wednesday, February 11th: @dana.loves.books

Friday, February 13th: @readingpastdark.marcia

Monday, February 16th: @teaandbookstoo and Reading, Writing, and Pondering 

Wednesday, February 18th: @lovemybooks2020

Friday, February 20th: @danamarielovestoread

Friday, February 20th:  View from the Birdhouse

Friday, February 27th: @deannaturnsthepage

Monday, March 2nd: @beautyinthebinding

Wednesday, March 4th: @oilycaffeinatedmama 

Until next time...

Happy reading!

Ricki Jill

Currently Reading: Uncomplicate It by Hosanna Wong

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Book Review: Why Not You? by Ed Newton

 

Happy Monday, My Lovelies!  How are you?  It's been a minute since I last blogged, but when TLC Book Tours asked if I'd be interested in reading and reviewing Ed Newton's Why Not You?: Believing What God Believes About You, I was happy to oblige.  This is one of the best Christian nonfiction works I've read in recent years because I felt so encouraged after reading it.

About Why Not You?: Believing What God Believes About You

• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 11, 2025)

• Paperback: 202 pages

God is going to use someone to walk in purpose, meaning, destiny and anointing. So why not you? You can operate in your God-given abilities when you operate out of your God-given identity.

There is a very human tendency to believe the best for others and the worst for ourselves. To believe that someone else can operate in their full potential, while we settle to exist in our scraps of talent and personal limitations. But what if we could identify these lies for what they are and learn to take hold of the life God has actually called us to?

When Ed Newton was ten years old, a woman at McDonald’s prophesied over him that God was going to use him in a great way. Ed, who was eating lunch with his deaf parents, didn’t even have a relationship with the Lord at the time. He had no idea that the story that God was writing would one day be something he’d feel compelled to share with others.

Ed has walked the road of biblical identity and is now inviting others to do the same. Why Not You? is filled with his stories of growing up as a child of deaf parents (CODA) as well as other life experiences. Ed shows how the truth of God’s Word can cut through the web of self-doubt so many followers of Christ struggle with and show them who God created them to be. This book will help readers:

• battle through negative self-talk, doubts, and insecurities;
• retrain their minds to view themselves from God’s perspective;
• see their setbacks as setups for success;
• stop questioning their gifts and talents and start living in them.

Backed with Scripture and a raw look at his journey from childhood until a miraculous, spiritual encounter with the Lord in early 2024, Ed shows readers that it’s not only possible for God to use them, but that God wants to use them. Each chapter challenges readers to confidently walk in the calling and identity God has placed on their lives.

About the author

Born in North Carolina, but raised primarily in Florida, Dr. Ed Newton graduated from Clearwater Christian College and holds multiple graduate degrees in religious education, as well as a Doctorate in pulpit education and expository preaching from Memphis Mid- America Baptist Theological Seminary. Ed has been the lead pastor of Community Bible Church since 2016. He has authored several books, the most recent being an evangelism resource titled My 8: Embrace and Engage in the Wonder of Evangelism that dives into practical methods of sharing the Good News of Jesus with others.

Ed lives in San Antonio with his wife, Stephanie, and their four children: London, Lola, Liv, and Lawson. He enjoys skateboarding, basketball and running, as well as exploring the culture of his beloved San Antonio in his spare time.

My Review

The book synopsis does an excellent job describing the purpose of the book, so I don't want to rehash it.  Instead, I will share what I like most about this book.  

This is not a self-help book.  It is about finding your identity in Christ Jesus, and it also gives the reader practical advice on how to fulfill God's plan for his or her life.  Newton shares how both Moses and King David were called by God, and how he equipped each to serve God's purpose.  Moses had plenty of reason why he didn't think he was qualified to lead his people out of bondage in Egypt, but God would not accept any of his objections.  God used Moses's upbringing to prepare him for his mission, and God did not allow Moses's mistakes to disqualify him.  Moses tried very hard not to answer God's call, but God would not have it!

One of my favorite characters from the Bible is King David.  He was a man after God's own heart, and he did not fit any of the expected criteria for a king.  When Samuel was searching for King Saul's replacement, it was other people who overlooked David because of his age, lack of experience, and lack of stature.  The youngest of eight brothers, he wasn't even present when God sent Samuel to choose the new king from Jesse's sons.  David was overlooked because of the labels placed on him by his father, but God looks to the heart of a person, not outward appearances.  

After a couple of other biblical examples, Newton then applies God's Word to our own lives.  Perhaps the most important chapter is "Break Your Patterns."  In it we are taught how to reject the lies from the enemy, develop healthy habits rather than relying on default coping mechanisms, and maintaining an attitude that all things are possible with God.  There is even a short prayer in this chapter that Christians should pray everyday in my opinion!  

Lovelies, God wants us to live a full life now.  We know how our stories end because Christ Jesus fulfilled his ministry for us.  So if we know that Christ won, and we know that our future is secure, then why on earth can we not live in victory TODAY and stop living in defeat?  That's the crux of this book.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

~John 10:10

Another thing I like about this book that it is not a book about the "prosperity gospel."  It is about accepting what God thinks about us and having the courage to live with faith and purpose.  If you are inspired by Christian nonfiction, then I highly recommend Why Not You?.  I almost used an entire packet of flags while reading it!

Disclosure:  I was given a paperback copy of Why Not You? from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.

TLC review tour schedule:

Monday, November 10th: @teaandbookstoo and Reading, Writing, and Pondering

Saturday, November 15th: @spaceonthebookcase

Monday, November 17th:  @suzylew_bookreview

Wednesday, November 19th: @thecalicobooks 

Thursday, November 20th: @deannaturnsthepage

Monday, November 24th: The Bookish Dilettante

Tuesday, November 25th: @carlasbookcrush and Carla’s Book Crush

Monday, December 1st: @niks.bookshelf 

Tuesday, December 2nd: @gigithebibliophile

Thursday, December 4th: @pickagoodbook 

Monday, December 8th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Wednesday, December 10th: @nissa_the.bookworm

Until next time...

Happy reading!
Ricki Jill

Book Review: Why Not You? by Ed Newton

Monday, November 24, 2025

Book Review: The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth

 

Happy Tuesday, My Lovelies!  

So how is your week going so far?  Mine has been busy and productive.  :D

Today I'm sharing a women's fiction selection:  The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth by Barbara O'Neal.  It is out today, so Happy Pub Day!  I have reviewed her books here on the blog before, and I really like her books.  Use the search engine at the top of the page if you're interested in reading more reviews of her work.

Not only was I gifted the book, but I was also given the cute bookmark and the sticker.

About the Book:

• Publisher: Lake Union Publishing (July 29, 2025)
• Paperback: 397 pages

About the Author:

Barbara O’Neal is the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon Charts bestselling author of nearly twenty novels of women’s fiction, including the #1 Amazon Charts bestseller When We Believed in Mermaids, as well as Memories of the Lost, This Place of Wonder, and The Starfish Sisters. Her award-winning books have been published in over two dozen countries. She lives on the wild Oregon Coast with her husband, a British endurance athlete who vows he’ll never lose his accent.

According to Goodreads:

Two women overcoming past traumas embark on a healing journey across continents in a novel about friendship, family, and rediscovery by the USA Today bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids.

Recently and abruptly divorced Veronica Barrington is anxious for a new direction when she answers a listing for a travel companion. It’s from Mariah Ellsworth, a young woman adjusting to an injury that ended her Olympic career. She’s also grieving her mother, Rachel, a lauded food writer, and Mariah aims to trace the steps of her mother’s final, unfinished project so she can heal and also honor the woman she misses.

Veronica seizes on the opportunity to experience with Mariah the culture, traditions, and intoxicating aromas of Parsi cafés throughout London, Paris, Morocco, and India. Accompanied by a former war photographer who has a wounded history of his own, and with just Rachel’s letters to guide them, the quest is a chance to not only close a chapter in life but also begin a new one.

Following the letters one by one—each a clue to an illuminating mystery—Veronica and Mariah must face the painful and beautiful challenges of freeing themselves from the dark shadows of the past. Together, far from home, they can find the light.

My Review:

The first thing I want to share with you about this book is that the characters are very well-drawn and complex.  Both women are flawed and make very poor choices, yet I still found myself rooting for them.  Veronica's divorce left her destitute, which I find unlikely given her social class and education.  This was one plot point I couldn't quite understand.  Mariah is suffering from trauma, yet she is determined to travel the world to investigate her late mother's past and unfinished foodie travel book project about Parsi cafés, all linked to a specific Indian family.

There is a third traveler in their little group:  Henry, a photographer and one of Rachel's former boyfriends (Rachel is Mariah's mother).  Mariah hired him to document the trip and foodie adventures in the hopes of selling the project to her mother's publisher.  That's where Veronica comes into the picture:  She can speak French, she's a good researcher, and Mariah wants her to finish writing the book.  Henry is a sort of foil to Mariah and Veronica's angst: He is confident, calm, and as a former war correspondent, very helpful as a traveling companion.

I got great satisfaction that Veronica was traveling to London, Paris. Marrakesh, and India during Christmas while her not so delightful family are miserable in Breckenridge.  Her grown children are a disappointment, and there is a found family element to this story as Mariah and Veronica become true friends by the end of the book.  As the mystery of Rachel's past is slowly revealed through her letters she wrote to her sister, Jill, it becomes less important to the overall story arc.  Jill sends them to Veronica via email in small batches throughout their trip, and she wants to withhold the last one because it's disturbing.  There is also a magical realism element to the story that I wish had been more fully developed.  There seems to be much more to this story than meets the eye, and I can only hope that there might be a sequel in the works.

This book is about how two women are struggling to recover from heartbreak and disappointment.  It isn't an easy read, but if you like family drama, travel, foodie writing, magical realism, and found family, then you should enjoy reading The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth.  

Disclosure:  I'd like to thank TLC Book Tours for inviting me to be a part of this blog tour.  They sent me a paperback copy of the book and other swag via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

What have you read this summer?  Are there any books you'd like to recommend to us?

Until next time...

Happy reading!

Ricki Jill

Book Review: The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

What I'm Reading Wednesday: Measure of Devotion

Happy Wednesday, My Lovelies!  On this edition of What I'm Reading Wednesday I'm sharing a Civil War historical novel entitled Measure of Devotion by Nell Joslin.  When TLC Book Tours emailed me to see if I would be interested in joining the blog tour for this book, I jumped at the chance because I rarely run across historical fiction set during the War Between the States.  It seems that there are so many historicals set during World War II, doesn't it!

About Measure of Devotion

• Publisher: Regal House Publishing (May 20, 2025)

• Paperback: 290 pages

According to Goodreads:

In this debut novel set during the American Civil War, a pro-Union South Carolina woman leaves home to retrieve her wounded Confederate son, staking everything in a mission of danger, privation, and emotional turmoil.

Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the American Civil War, this intricately woven novel delves into the life of Susannah Shelburne, a thirty-six-year-old woman residing in South Carolina with her older husband, Jacob. Their son, Francis, defies his parents' wishes by enlisting in the Confederate army, sparking bitter familial discord. In October 1863, devastating news Francis has been critically wounded near Chattanooga, Tennessee.Susannah embarks on a perilous journey to bring her son home, finding Francis delirious with fever and haunted by the horrors of battle. Their reunion is overshadowed by the conflicts at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, culminating in Francis being captured as a prisoner of war. As the war exacts its toll and tensions escalate between mother and son, Susannah confronts impossible choices amidst harrowing revelations from home. This gripping narrative explores themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the profound impacts of war on family bonds, painting a vivid portrait of one woman's relentless fight for survival and reconciliation in a time of unprecedented turmoil.

My Review:

The novel is structured with a plot alternating between the past and present, and this is very effective because we witness how Susannah and her husband Jacob are at crossed-purposes with each other.  Their son Francis rejects his mother's devotion (from the time he was about five years old) and instead scrabbles for his father's perfunctory attention.  This plot structure exacerbates the tragedy of the story during the war because the Shelburnes squandered so much time and opportunity to be a close-knit family during peaceful years.  

I also enjoyed the historical details Joslin inserts into each scene.  I appreciate it when authors heavily research historical minutiae, and each scene immerses the reader in the sights, smells, tastes, textures, and sounds of the era.  Also her vivid depiction of the natural world both at the Shelburnes' home Ardwyn and the battlefield near Lookout Mountain and Chattanooga is a horrifying juxtaposition with the violence both on and off the battlefield.  

Susannah is a relatable, likable, and flawed main character.  She put aside her beliefs in order to aid her son, and she goes to great lengths to save his life and freedom.  Her resilience, care, and love for those in her circle are all admirable qualities.  Rooting for her until the very end makes this book bearable because it's a tough read, y'all.  But the ugliness of war is always tough for me to read, especially a war that tore our country and families apart.

I recommend this book if you enjoy reading historical fiction, family dramas, descriptive historical details (think Diana Gabaldon), and beautiful, lyrical prose.

About Nell Joslin, Author of Measure of Devotion

Nell Joslin is a fiction writer with deep roots in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she was born and currently lives. She holds an MFA from North Carolina State University and brings a wealth of experience to her writing, having worked as a public school teacher, journalist, and attorney.

Tour Stops

Monday, June 2nd: Laura’s Reviews

Wednesday, June 4th: The Bookish Dilettante

Wednesday, June 4th: Instagram: @mlbooklove

Thursday, June 5th: Instagram: @judgingby_thecover

Friday, June 6th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Friday, June 6th: Instagram: @seasonedreader

Monday, June 9th: Cerebral Girl in a Redneck World

Tuesday, June 10th: Eliot’s Eats

Tuesday, June 10th: Girl Who Reads

Friday, June 13th: Instagram: @mary.mary_library

Disclosure:

I received an ARC of Measure of Devotion from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Until next time...

Happy reading!

Ricki Jill

What I'm Reading Wednesday: Measure of Devotion

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Late Spring Update and a Romance Duology

 

Pink Magnolia in Amsterdam

Hello, My  Lovelies!

It's been a minute since I last posted here.  It has been a very eventful spring, y'all.  We left for a European trip on our 37th wedding anniversary (March 19th) and while we were there, my mother called in distress.  I'm an only child, so there isn't another sibling to help.  By the time we got to her, her blood sugar was dangerously low.  After an almost three week stay in the hospital, followed by an equally long stint in a SNF, we had to make the tough decision to find a smaller place for her to live, and we also decided to place her in a small apartment on an assisted living floor.  We were lucky because the beautiful, historic building was in the process of being renovated, so her studio apartment is like brand new on one of the prettiest streets on Birmingham.  That's the important part, y'all.  She is no longer in my hometown but in Birmingham!  I am sleeping so much better at night knowing she is no longer two counties away.  She is so happy, and giggles every time I'm with her because she loves her new home so much.  

We moved Mom in last week, and her apartment is so cute.  The only thing she wanted from her old home was a pair of paintings she purchased in Paris.  I decorated the entire apartment around the paintings!  I feel so fortunate to have her near, and I'm able to see her often.  We decorated her new home during the month she was in the SNF, so once she was discharged, we were able to take her straight to her new digs.

I read a lot this spring while traveling and while sitting at the hospital while my mom was resting.  I also was able to take small drawing pads and watercolor bookmarks with me while caring for Mom and traveling.

I am making tag journals each month chronicling the books I read.

This is April's journal. 

I will post about these later this summer.

This is an example of the bookmarks I'm painting and placing in my tag journals.

The stars represent the book's rating.

This is a tulip I drew on our trip to The Netherlands.

Are you going anywhere for Memorial Day Weekend?  If so I have the perfect beach, lake, or staycation duology (The Cade Siblings Duology) by Baleigh Jayne for your reading pleasure.

The first book in the series is entitled Tied Together.

According to Goodreads:

In the bustling heart of Paris, where cobblestone streets whisper tales of romance, two friends find themselves tied together in an unexpected journey.

Alana Cade never thought her three year love story would end over a bowl of pasta, but after coming to the realization that her ex was kind of the worst, she’s sworn off men and thrown herself into her work at Impress Magazine. It’s been a full year of no dates, no swooning, and no complications. Now she can’t help but notice the strong and steady friendship she has in her coworker, Alex Ashford, and how it would be so easy to fall into something more.

Alex, one of Impress Magazine’s top editors, has never been able to take his eyes off of his witty and charming colleague, Alana. Her determination, focus and drive make her all the more attractive, but Alex has never made it out of the friend zone.

Bound by their shared passion for success, Alex and Alana embark on a business trip to the enchanting city of Paris. As they explore the city's hidden treasures, from cozy cafés to moonlit strolls along the Seine, Alex and Alana begin to see each other in a different light. With every stolen glance and lingering touch, their friendship blossoms into something more. But as they navigate the delicate balance between professional obligations and newfound desires, Alex and Alana must confront their fears and insecurities, risking it all for a chance at happily ever after in the City of Love.

Will they be able to overcome and fall into the timeless magic of Paris, or will the obstacles in their way keep them apart?

Tied Together is a low stakes, sweet romance that will tug on your heartstrings and remind you what it feels like to love again after heartbreak.

My Review:

I absolutely love Alana and Alex's love story.  Of course I love the setting: Paris during Christmas can't be beat for a romance novel.  It also has a few of my favorite romance novel tropes such as forced proximity (they are sharing an apartment with a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower); he falls first; workplace romance; friends to lovers; and a Christmas activities list.  One if my favorite scenes is something Alex does for Alana to help her get into the Christmas spirit.  I don't want to tell you what it is because it would spoil it for you!

Another trope that is also fun is that they are vying for the same promotion, and both are hard workers and deserving of recognition.  Could this professional (yet friendly) competition be the cause of a third act break-up?  Hopefully not because Alex is such a total "cinnamon roll" hero!

Baleigh Jayne is my new favorite romance author.  Her characters are so relatable and likable.  I also appreciate that her romances are "closed door" and very sweet.  Spoiler alert:  Pay attention while reading this one because there are clues about shenanigans that might be playing out at home in New York in the second book in the duology, The Best for Last.

The second book in the series is Best for Last.  At first I didn't think I'd like this one as well as the first, but I was mistaken.  I loved it!

According to Goodreads:

Charlie Cade has spent his life on the ice, but with his contract up for renewal with the New York Rangers, the one thing he’s not prepared for is the spotlight. After years in the shadows, his agent insists he needs a picture-perfect relationship to keep his place on the team. Enter Cami Slate, his sister's best friend and the last person he ever imagined as his solution.

Cami’s life is in constant always changing, always in flux. Whether it's shoes, men, or her latest obsession, commitment isn't her strong suit. When her mom corners her about her love life and constantly asks if she's bringing a date to her sister’s wedding, Cami needs a quick fix. So, when Charlie asks her to fake-date him, it seems like the perfect (if not completely ridiculous) solution to their problems.

But as the two of them navigate the world of fake romance, they start discovering a few things they didn’t like how much they’ve always meant to each other, how much they want to mean to each other, and how hard it is to pretend when the chemistry is all too real.

Will Charlie and Cami’s love survive the pressure of pretending, or will they find that the real thing was right in front of them all along?

My Review:

This book is considered a hockey romance, and it is an immensely popular sub-genre.  Charlie plays for the New York Rangers, and he really wants a contract renewal so he can remain in the city because his sister and close friend Cami live there.  His agent's solution is to appear more likable by being more social with his teammates, dating, and community involvement.  Cami agrees to "date" Charlie, and this storyline begins during December while Charlie's sister Alana and Alex are falling in love in Paris.  Readers got a little bit of a hint that something was up with Charlie and Cami in Alana and Alex's book, Tied Together.

I do like the tropes in this one: friends to lovers; fake dating; opposites attract; best friend's brother; his grumpy to her sunshine; and a dual POV.   Charlie's character is one of my favorite romance heroes I've read in a very long time.  He has an interesting backstory, and there's a very good reason why his circle is so small.  Cami is equally as likable because she is so kind, adventurous, and loyal to her friends.  One of the very cutest hobby day and community service montages ever is featured in this book.  Just picturing Charlie trying one of Cami's many tried-yet-abandoned hobbies was too much fun for me.

I was also pleasantly surprised because this is the first hockey romance I've ever read, and I really liked it.  I know nothing about hockey: I'm Southern, y'all!  But it was a lot of fun, and I think this book along with its sister book would be great additions to your beach or lake bag this summer.  You are welcome! 

I recently celebrated a big birthday, and I was gifted a Flower Arranging Workshop at Stone Hollow Farmstead.  I will share what I learned next week.

Meet City the Cat.  He was my friend during the workshop.

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

Late Spring Update and a Romance Duology

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Book Review: Water Grave by Mitchell S. Karnes

 

Happy Mardi Gras, My Lovelies!  I hope you're having a lovely week so far.  I can't believe that Ash Wednesday is tomorrow: Easter will be here before we know it!

Do you give-up anything for Lent?  I usually try to give up on all negative thoughts and focus on a really well-written Lenten Bible Study.  This year I will be participating in a class at church.

Today I'm sharing with you a mystery thriller that is the first in a series:  Water Grave by Mitchell S. Karnes.  It is a Christian mystery published by WordCrafts Press, and I'm reviewing this book through TLC Book Tours.  Thanks for including me as part of the blog tour, TLC!

About Water Grave

Publisher: Wordcrafts Press (January 29, 2025)

Paperback: 280 pages

According to Goodreads

Six years ago, Hannah Leah Abelard needed a fresh start. She changed her name to Abbey Rhodes and enlisted in the United States Army as a part of the "Ever Vigilant," 18th Military Police Brigade. They taught her how to be a great cop. Abbey moved to Tennessee three years later and joined Metro Nashville's Police Department.

Now, in her third month with Homicide, Abbey is thrust into a case that may bring the walls she built crashing down around her, exposing a dark past she thought she'd left behind. A young pastor is found dead in the bottom of his baptistery and Abbey is forced to investigate the one place she swore never to return—the church. The case takes Abbey deeper into a tangled web of lies and secrets where the most dangerous ones may be her own.

My Review

When I first started reading this murder mystery, I wasn't sure I was going to like it because of the brutal murder of a young minister near the most sacred place in a church: the baptistry.  It was difficult for me to read.  But once Abbey and her supervisor were on the case, I couldn't put it down.  There are several possible suspects, and the pacing of this mystery is perfect.  Like every other well-written mystery, this one has several plot twists, and a few of them were shocking: I gasped out loud!  The resolution of the mystery itself was completely unexpected, yet there are plenty of clues in the narrative.  Pay attention if you read this book to the behavior of all the characters.

There is also a little bit of a romance between Abbey and another character that reveals so much about her trauma and healing process.  Abbey's story is heartbreaking, and the fact that she lost her faith in God because of how she was disregarded and blamed as a victim made me so angry for her.  However, she is befriended by mature Christians who support and love her right where she is, and with their support, she is able to share her story and continue healing.

One of the features of this book that I like are the Points to Ponder in the back of the book.  They are helpful for the individual reader as well as a book club.  I recommend this book if you enjoy Christian fiction, fast-paced mysteries (plus this one is shorter at only 280 pages: it's a quick read), and a story with a little romance.  It would  make a great beach or lake read with Spring Break in a couple of weeks.

One of the Bible verses that is mentioned throughout the book is Romans 8:28, which is a favorite of mine.  It is also a recurring theme as well.

Disclosure:  I received a copy of Water Grave from TLC Book Tours via the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.  

Do you enjoy reading murder mysteries?  Have you read any good ones lately?

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

Book Review: Water Grave by Mitchell S. Karnes

Tuesday, March 4, 2025