Category: Book Review

26 April 2021

Book Review | A Tapestry of Light by Kimberly Duffy

Siblings Ottilie and Thaddeus Russell live between worlds in 1885 Calcutta—Ottilie looks like her half-Indian mother, but six-year-old Thaddeus favours their father and can easily pass as English. Their father was a respected English scientist, but his death left the family penniless. Ottilie now supports their small family by decorating dresses with beetle-wing embroidery, a skill that has been handed down the women on the Indian side of her family.

I found the first few chapters slow and difficult to get through.

There seemed to be too many characters )and each character had multiple names and nicknames), and the relationships between the character were equally difficult to sort out. I also didn’t find Ottilie particularly interesting. Call me shallow, but I read for entertainment. I don’t find it entertaining to watch a woman struggle with the twin problems of poverty and prejudice.

The story came alive at around the 20% mark, Everett Scott finally arrived on the scene. I say “finally” because the book description promised this would the the event that propelled the story forward, and it was. Mr Scott wants to take Thaddeus back to England to be educated and to take his place as Baron Sutherland. Ottilie finally agrees, and the story finally starts.

The story improved dramatically once Everett Scott arrived in Calcutta.

The story expanded into a deep examination of the difficulties of being born into two cultures and the struggle to fit in, set against the backdrop of Anglo-Indians and the memory of the horrific 1857 mutiny. It’s also a deep examination of faith, of the challenge of believing in and trusting God, not merely believing in and adhering to Christian values.

A Tapestry of Light was well researched and brilliantly written.

I’m always impressed when an author can take a little-known aspect of history (such as the beetle-wing embroidery), and turn that into a novel. It’s even better when those historical aspects can be interwoven with deep faith messages and even a little romance.

I recommend A Tapestry of Light by @Kimberley_Duffy for fans of Christian historical fiction with deep faith themes in an international setting. #BookReview #ChristianFiction Share on X

Recommended for fans of Christian historical fiction with deep faith themes in an international setting.

Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About Kimberly Duffy

Kimberly Duffy enjoys writing historical fiction that takes readers back in time and across oceans. Her books often feature ahead-of-their-time heroines, evocative settings, and real-life faith. When not writing or homeschooling her four children, she enjoys taking trips that require a passport and practicing kissing scenes with her husband of twenty years. A Long Island native, she currently resides in southwest Ohio.

Find Kimberly Duffy online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram

About A Tapestry of Light

Calcutta, 1886.

Ottilie Russell is adrift between two cultures, British and Indian, belonging to both and neither. In order to support her little brother, Thaddeus, and her grandmother, she relies upon her skills in beetle-wing embroidery that have been passed down to her through generations of Indian women.

When a stranger appears with the news that Thaddeus is now Baron Sunderson and must travel to England to take his place as a nobleman, Ottilie is shattered by the secrets that come to light. Despite her growing friendship with Everett Scott, friend to Ottilie’s English grandmother and aunt, she refuses to give up her brother. Then tragedy strikes, and she is forced to make a decision that will take Thaddeus far from death and herself far from home.

But betrayal and loss lurk in England, too, and soon Ottilie must fight to ensure Thaddeus doesn’t forget who he is, as well as find a way to stitch a place for herself in this foreign land.

Find A Tapestry of Light online at:

Amazon | BookBub | ChristianBook | Goodreads | Koorong

19 April 2021

Book Review | Sing in the Sunlight (Chaparral Hearts #2) by Kathleen Denly

The first few chapters of Sing in the Sunlight were awkward reading, because it was pretty obvious Clarinda was being strung along even before we met him. Once we met, it was even more obvious.

And yes, he turned out to be exactly the slimy creep I expected him to be. Worse, in fact.

The story gets properly started when Clarinda leaves her boarding school in northern California and travels to her family home in San Diego, escorted by her cousin. On the way, they meet mine owner Richard Stevens, who has just inherited a shipping company.

When she arrives home, rather than telling her parents the truth—that’s she’s unmarried and pregnant—she tells them she is now the widowed Mrs Stevens, and that dear Richard died in a mining accident. It’s a convincing lie, until Richard Stevens appears on the scene … having dreamed they were married.

So starts an entertaining yet thought-provoking marriage of convenience story.

It’s easy to see why Clarinda got scammed by the slimy creep: she has facial scars that have left her believing no one will ever love her. She’s even convinced her own family can’t deal with the sight of her, so it makes perfect sense that she’d fall victim, then run away to the family ranch where no one will see her.

It’s great to watch her come out of her shell and open herself up and befriend her new husband, even if she doesn’t want to stay married to him. As such, it’s a unique marriage of convenience story, and one I will probably re-read.

Recommended for fans of Christian historical fiction.

Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.

About Kathleen Denly

Kathleen Denly lives in sunny Southern California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

Find Kathleen Denly online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

About Sing in the Sunlight

Richard Stevens isn’t who he thinks he is. Neither is the woman who now claims his last name.

Disfiguring scars stole Clarinda Humphrey’s singing career, her home, and her family, but she refuses to let her appearance steal her future. While attending The Young Ladies Seminary in 1858 Benicia, California, she finds a man who promises to love and cherish her. Instead he betrays her, leaving her with child, and Clarinda must take drastic measures to ensure her child doesn’t suffer for her foolishness.

Richard Stevens’s life hasn’t turned out as he expected, and when a shocking letter turns even his past into a mystery, he travels to San Francisco in search of guidance. On the way, he encounters a mysterious young woman hiding beneath a veil. That night he experiences a dream that sends him on a quest to find the bride God has chosen for him. He never imagines she’s already told everyone they’re married.

Unwilling to lie, nor accept a marriage of mere convenience, Richard wants the real thing. Yet Clarinda’s not interested in love, only a chance to save her child. Can he help her rise above the pain that runs deeper than her scars to accept a love worth every risk?

Find Sing in the Sunlight online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

5 April 2021

Book Review | Is It Any Wonder by Courtney Walsh

Is It Any Wonder starts with a bang.

What should have been a short paddleboard ride turns nasty when Louisa loses her paddle and is swept out to sea in a sudden storm. Louisa thinks about the mistakes she’s made … not wearing a lifejacket today, and never sending that apology letter to Mrs. Boggs after her husband died twelve years ago.

Rescue comes in the form of ex-boyfriend Cody Boggs, her “twin”, now an Executive Petty Officer with the US Coastguard. (He’s no relation, but they grew up together and share a birthday). Cody has been posted to Nantucket, against his protests. He has no desire to return to the place where his father drowned, nor to the ex-girlfriend he blames for his father’s death.

Is It Any Wonder is a very human novel.

It uses the tragic death of Daniel Boggs to address issues of guilt and forgiveness. Cody has the all-too-human tendency to count his failures rather than his successes. Louisa and Cody both remind us how easy it is to blame the wrong person when trouble strikes, and how easy it can be to accept that blame and the associated guilt. It reminds us how hard it can be to accept forgiveness, and even harder to forgive ourselves, or accept God’s forgiveness.

Is It Any Wonder is another great contemporary #ChristianRomance from @Courtney_Walsh—great writing, great plot, great characters. Recommended. Share on X

As with all Courtney Walsh’s stories, everything is excellent—the writing, the characters, the plot. Sure, Cody’s attitude bugged me a few times, as did Louisa’s overwhelming sense of guilt. But they were necessary parts of the story, because they were needed to show the depth of love and forgiveness.

All in all, Is It Any Wonder is another great contemporary Christian romance from Courtney Walsh. Recommended.

Thanks to Tyndale House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About the Author

Courtney Walsh is a novelist, artist, theater director, and playwright. Change of Heart is her fifth novel and is set in the same town as Paper Hearts. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, hit the New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller lists and was a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. She has written two additional books in the Sweethaven series, as well as two craft books and several full-length musicals. Courtney lives in Illinois where she and her husband own a performing and visual arts studio. They have three children.

Find Courtney Walsh online at …

About Is It Any Wonder

Twelve years ago, Cody Boggs and Louisa Chambers made a pact that no matter where their lives took them, they’d return to Nantucket Island’s Brant Point Lighthouse on July 30, their shared golden birthday, and continue their tradition of exchanging birthday wishes. But that was before a tragic accident upended both of their lives, irrevocably pulling them apart.

Their worlds collide just months before that particular day when Louisa’s fledgling event planning company is hired by the local Coast Guard station, where she discovers Cody has recently returned to the island as the second in command. As they plan a regatta fundraiser, hoping to promote positive PR in the community, neither can deny the fireworks each encounter ignites. But working together also brings up memories of the day Cody’s father died, revealing secrets that have Cody and Louisa questioning everything they thought they knew and felt about their families and each other.

Find Is It Any Wonder online at:

Amazon | BookBub | ChristianBook | Goodreads | Koorong

2 April 2021

First Line Friday | Week 179 | Aftermath by Terri Blackstock

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. Today I’m sharing from Aftermath by Terri Blackstock, an excellent Christian suspense author. Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About Aftermath

A devastating explosion.

Three best friends are at the venue just to hear their favorite band . . . but only one of them makes it out alive.

A trunk full of planted evidence.

When police stop Dustin with a warrant to search his trunk, he knows it’s just a mistake. He’s former military and owns a security firm. But he’s horrified when they find explosives, and he can’t fathom how they got there.

An attorney who will risk it all for a friend.

Criminal attorney Jamie Powell was Dustin’s best friend growing up. They haven’t spoken since he left for basic training, but she’s the first one he thinks of when he’s arrested. Jamie knows she’s putting her career on the line by defending an accused terrorist, but she’d never abandon him. Someone is framing Dustin to take the fall for shocking acts of violence . . . but why?

Find Aftermath online at:

Amazon | BookBub | ChristianBook | Goodreads

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Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

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22 March 2021

Book Review | The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher

I listened to a podcast where Ginny Yttrup interviewed Suzanne Woods Fisher about her latest release, The Moonlight School. There were two things discussed in the interview that convinced me I had to read this book.

First, the book was about a new-to-me aspect of history.

One of my favourite aspects of historical fiction is the opportunity to learn about new people or events. This one that sounded fascinating: the moonlight schools created by Cora Wilson Stewart in Appalachia, to teach the adult residents of the “hollars” to read.

Second, Ginny Yttrup admired the use of Appalachian dialect in the book.

As a reader, I’m not always a fan of dialect in fiction, as I find it can distract from the story. As a writer and editor, I’m always intrigued to read a well-executed writing technique and to dissect how it works.

The book started with a list of characters, something I generally don’t like except in historical fiction where it’s important to know which characters are fiction and which are based on real people (something Suzanne Woods Fisher discussed in her ending Author’s Note). Done badly, a cast of characters (or family tree) can give away half the book’s plot. (I once read one where the family tree showed the main character was going to die halfway through the book. Talk about a spoiler!

Even done well, I find that a list of characters subconsciously signals bad writing—as though the author (or publisher) are worried the reader will get confused without the list. Personally, I find the opposite is true. I find a long list is more likely to confuse me because the list doesn’t say which characters are important and which are not. Good writing should introduce the characters in such a way that the reader knows who all the characters are—and how important they are—without getting lost. I don’t think the character list was necessary in The Moonlight School, as I ignored it and never felt lost.

Next, there was a Glossary, because the book used a lot of Appalachian dialect. I have a similar view on glossaries as I do character lists. If the book is well-written, then the meanings of the nonstandard words should be obvious from the context and the Glossary becomes unnecessary. Adding the glossary feels like the book is going to be hard, and it wasn’t.

Also, let’s be honest: while it’s easy to flick back to the list of characters or the glossary in a paperback, it’s almost impossible in an ebook. So it’s better to write the book in such a way that neither are needed.

In both cases, I think Suzanne Woods Fisher’s writing was strong enough that the characters, character relationships, and dialect were all easy enough to understand without the introductory lists.

Now, let’s get onto the story.

While the writing was excellent, I found the story very slow going. Why? Because the title, the book description, and the podcast interview had all intrigued me with the promise of the moonlight schools—something that wasn’t mentioned at all in the first half of the book.

So if the story isn’t about the moonlight schools, what is it about? It’s about Lucy Wilson, who leaves her home in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1911, to work as assistant to her father’s cousin, Cora Wilson Stewart, the first female Superintendent of Education in Rowan County.

Lucy initially finds the move from city to country life difficult, and I found her difficult to like. She seemed like a bit of a wet blanket, and I didn’t exactly find it believable that her upper-middle class upbringing hadn’t included riding lessons. However, I warmed to Lucy as she gradually got to know and appreciate the countryside and the people, and as she comes to appreciate the benefits of the less sophisticated way of life.

Lucy is also upset by the way the lumber companies—including her father’s company—are ruining the land. She realises one of the reasons is because the local people don’t understand the logging contracts they are signing, because they can’t read. This leads into conversations about literacy and the beliefs of the time: that adults can’t learn to read.

An unexpected meeting leads Cora to question that belief, and to develop the idea of the moonlight schools.

After that, I got into the story better and enjoyed it a lot more. Parts of the story were reminiscent of Christy by Catherine Marshall, including the innocent young girl barely out of school, the crusty older woman as the mentor, and the subtle and not-so-subtle attention of two very different men.

Overall, I think I would have enjoyed the book much more if it had been described as a coming-of-age story in the style of Christy, set against the backdrop of the changes logging brought to the Appalachians—good and bad—and the subsequent motivation to improve adult literacy. I think if I’d have known that before I read the story, I would have enjoyed it more.

The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher is a coming-of-age story with a touch of mystery and romance, set in 1911 Appalachia. #BookReview #ChristianFiction Share on X

As such, my reactions to this book show the importance of setting expectations as an author, then delivering on them. The book was excellent. But it wasn’t the book the title or book description promised.

Thanks to Revell and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About Suzanne Woods Fisher

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 30 books, including On a Summer Tide and On a Coastal Breeze, as well as the Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, The Deacon’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, among other novels. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs.

Find Suzanne Woods Fisher online at:

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About The Moonlight School

Haunted by her sister’s mysterious disappearance, Lucy Wilson arrives in Rowan County, Kentucky, in the spring of 1911 to work for Cora Wilson Stewart, superintendent of education. When Cora sends Lucy into the hills to act as scribe for the mountain people, she is repelled by the primitive conditions and intellectual poverty she encounters. Few adults can read and write.

Born in those hills, Cora knows the plague of illiteracy. So does Brother Wyatt, a singing schoolmaster who travels through the hills. Involving Lucy and Wyatt, Cora hatches a plan to open the schoolhouses to adults on moonlit nights. The best way to combat poverty, she believes, is to eliminate illiteracy. But will the people come?

As Lucy emerges from a life in the shadows, she finds purpose; or maybe purpose finds her. With purpose comes answers to her questions, and something else she hadn’t expected: love.

Inspired by the true events of the Moonlight Schools, this standalone novel from bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings to life the story that shocked the nation into taking adult literacy seriously. You’ll finish the last page of this enthralling story with deep gratitude for the gift of reading.

Find The Moonlight School online at:

Amazon | Bookbub | ChristianBook | Goodreads | Koorong

15 March 2021

Book Review | The Doctor’s Honor (Back to the West #2) by Nerys Leigh

Mei Ling Chen is a woman disguised as a man working in a mining camp in 1859 California. Her brother is ill, so she escapes to try and find him some medicine. She arrives at the doctor’s house in Green Hill Creek, but is discovered by the doctor and his sister.

Noah is suspicious, but his sister, Lucy, persuades him to help the girl Noah assumes is a boy, and persuades Mei Ling to trust them. As Noah gets to know Mei Ling, he realises he is developing romantic feelings towards her … but how will a relationship between them ever work?

There were some insightful comments about racism.

Mei Ling isn’t immediately accepted in Green Hill Creek, and some of the residents think all Chinese women are prostitutes and attempt to treat her accordingly. Others merely want her out of town because she doesn’t fit in.

She is accepted once the people discover she is a trained midwife and that’s great, but wouldn’t it be better if we accepted people who are different to us based on who they are rather than based on what they can do? After all, God accepts us based on who we are … grace, not works.

Mei Ling also challenges the assumption that all Chinese are godless heathens. The reason she and her brother are in California at all is because her family is Christian and her parents were martyred for their faith.

As such, The Doctor’s Honor has all the strengths of Nerys Leigh’s previous books—excellent characters, solid plot, and plenty of humour to dispel the tension. But this goes a little deeper and challenges the reader’s beliefs about race and stereotypes.

Recommended for fans of Christian historical fiction.

About Nerys Leigh

Nerys Leigh writes thoroughly romantic Christian historical love stories. She loves heroes who are strong but sweet and heroines who are willing to fight for the life they want.

She’s from the UK, which you would think puts her in a unique position to not write about mail order brides in the American west, but the old adage of writing what you know has never appealed to her. She has an actual American read each book before publishing to make sure she hasn’t gone all English on it.

You can find Nerys Leigh online relaxing and generally enjoying the view at:

Website | Facebook

About The Doctor’s Honor

Funny how quickly life can get complicated.

As the only doctor in the tiny frontier town of Green Hill Creek, Noah Wilson lives a quiet life with his sister, and he’s fine with that. Until a Chinese woman breaks into his home and changes everything.

Before he knows it, his sister is promising Mei Ling their help and he’s mounting daring rescues and fighting to save her brother’s life and…

…and falling for a woman who can’t ever be his.

Overnight, life goes from simple to very complicated indeed.

But perhaps complicated is just what Noah needs.

Find The Doctor’s Honor online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

8 March 2021

Book Review | Abducted in Alaska by Darlene L Turner

Hannah Morgan is a border patrol officer with the Canadian Services Border Agency in Yukon. She’s on patrol when a small boy appears in the snow … followed rapidly by a man with a gun. She soon discovers the boy has escaped from a gang kidnapping children as child labor.

Layke Jackson is a police officer on loan from Alberta. He volunteered to investigate child labor smuggling, but the investigation becomes personal when he discovers his half-brother’s son is one of the kidnapped children.

Abducted in Alaska starts with a literal bang, and the pace doesn’t let up.

Hannah, Layke, and small Gabe try to evade the kidnappers, but the gunmen keep finding them. It became obvious early on that there was a leak in law enforcement. Unfortunately, I picked this up a long time before Hannah or Layke worked it out. While I like working out who-dun-it before the big reveal, I also like the law enforcement professionals to pick up clues faster than I do.

Abducted in Alaska is from Love Inspired Suspense, which means that as well as the snow-filled Alaskan setting, it has a developing romance (nicely done) and a strong faith element.

Hannah is a Christian who thanks God whenever something good happens, and prays when she needs help (two excellent habits for all of us to seek to emulate!). Layke is not a Christian, but is challenged by Hannah and Gabe’s faith. Overall, Abducted in Alaska is a solid romantic suspense with plenty of emphasis on the suspense and action.

An enjoyable read for romantic suspense fans.

Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.

About Darlene L Turner

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message.

Find Darlene L Turner online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

About Abducted in Alaska

Protecting a child…

could cost them their lives.

Saving a boy who has escaped his captors puts Canadian border patrol officer Hannah Morgan right into the path of a ruthless child-smuggling ring. Now with help from police constable Layke Jackson, she must keep the child safe. But can they rescue the other abducted children and bring down the gang…all while protecting a little boy and keeping themselves alive?

Find Abducted in Alaska online at:

Amazon | BookBub | ChristianBook | Goodreads | Koorong

1 March 2021

Book Review | Pay the Price (Harmony Grove #3) by Carol J Post

I opened Pay the Price to check the file had downloaded correctly, then created my First Line Friday post because the first line did catch my eye. I wasn’t planning to read the novel …

… yet three hours later, I’d finished.

Jessica Parker arrives back in Harmony Grove following her younger sister’s death. She hasn’t got a key and the spare key isn’t in the usual hiding place. So she’s forced to break in through the rear sliding door.

Inside, she finds the house has been ransacked … then she is attacked by a man with a gun. The intruder turns out to be Shane Dalton, an FBI agent working undercover in Harmony Grove, hunting for drug smugglers. And they’ve had a tip that Priscilla Parker might be involved.

It’s a fast-paced start, and it certainly kept me reading.

I liked Jessica, which is always a good start. She’s bright and brave, and has overcome a lot of hardship. I enjoyed reading about her faith journey (one of Carol J Post’s strengths as a writer), and I have to agree with Jessica’s view of snakes:

Shane is also a strong character, and another who has a troubled past–the death of his wife, and his subsequent avoidance of relationships of all kinds. Despite his loss, he’s retained his faith in God, something Jessica never had. Shane realises the best way to find information will be partnering with Jessica and finding out what happened to Priscilla and why … and was it really a suicide?

The suspense was well-written, with great pace and enough humour to offset the ever-present tension.

I was pleased to get to the end and find a preview for the next book in the series, which means this isn’t the last book. That’s great news, as I’m enjoying the Harmony Grove books and wouldn’t want to see them end yet. After all, there are still some single characters …

Pay the Price by @CarolJPost is excellent Christian romantic suspense, with great pace and enough humour to offset the ever-present tension. #BookReview #ChristianRomance Share on X

All in all, I recommend Pay the Price for fans of Christian romantic suspense.

Thanks to Carol J Post for providing a free ebook for review.

About Carol J Post

From medical secretary to court reporter to property manager to owner of a special events decorating company, Carol’s resume reads as if she doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up. But one thing that has remained constant through the years is her love for writing. She currently pens fun and fast-paced inspirational romance and romantic suspense stories. Her books have been nominated for a RITA® award and an RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award.

Carol lives in sunshiny Central Florida with her husband, who is her own real-life hero, and writes her stories under the shade of the huge oaks in her yard. Besides writing, she works alongside her music minister husband singing and playing the piano. She enjoys sailing, hiking, camping—almost anything outdoors. Her two grown daughters and grandkids live too far away for her liking, so she now pours all that nurturing into taking care of a fat and sassy black cat and a highly spoiled dachshund.

You can find Carol J Post online at:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

About Pay the Price

Sometimes homecomings can be deadly…

Jessica Parker left Harmony Grove with bad memories and a vow to never return – until she is called back eight years later to deal with her sister’s suicide. When all the evidence points instead to murder, she is determined to find the killer and bring him to justice. Her handsome new neighbor is eager to help, but she is sure he’s hiding something.

Undercover FBI agent Shane Dalton is in Harmony Grove investigating the crash of a plane full of cocaine and gets more than he bargained for when he runs into Jessica. He’s not sure whether she’s involved or is just going to get in his way. Soon it becomes obvious that someone wants Jessica gone from Harmony Grove. As the threats intensify, Shane finds himself in a race against time to solve both cases. The closer they get to the truth, the closer the killer gets to making them his next victims.

You can find Pay the Price online at:

Amazon | Goodreads

22 February 2021

Book Review | Memphis Grace by Catriona McKeown

Grace is having a tough year.

First, her best friend leaves moves away from school with no warning and goes no contact. Then she’s put in a group with the class losers for the group science project, and her final grade depends on doing well in the project. Failure is not an option–if she doesn’t pass Year 10 science, she won’t be able to follow her dream and become a nurse.

Home isn’t any easier. She’s the second daughter of a solo mother with no qualifications, so who works all hours as a waitress to make enough money to keep her family fed. There is no money left over for luxuries, like new clothes. And her mother is too tired to pay much attention. She prefers to watch and rewatch her favourite Elvis movies.

So when Cooper Daly shows he’s interested in Grace, she is more than interested. No matter that he’s her best friend’s boyfriend. Mikayla is gone, and has ghosted them both, and Grace has always had a crush on Cooper. And he’s rich. And generous, buying her clothes and other gifts.

Yes, that was a red flag for me.

As a result, I found the first half of the novel frustrating. The characters couldn’t see the obvious (well, what I thought was obvious). Adult-me could see endless red flags that Grace, her friends, her sister, and even her mother ignored. The only person who saw anything wrong was Jack, the autistic boy in Grace’s science class. The second half was much better, as Grace starts thinking for herself more, and realises that she needs to take responsibility for her life rather than letting other people tell her what to do.

But I can’t blame Grace for her decisions early in the novel.

She’s sixteen, and her decisions and actions aren’t out of line with normal teenage behaviour. And while her life hasn’t been necessarily easy, she’s been raised by a mother who is still grieving the loss of her son, and who still believes in the happy-ever-after of Elvis movies. As such, Grace is all too believable as the damaged child of damaged parents, all of whom are doing their best but not always doing enough.

Memphis Grace is a young adult novel that deals with some tough themes—bullying, teenage sex, date rape, peer pressure, and disability—in a sensitive and realistic manner. Recommended for mature teen readers.

Thanks to Rhiza Press for providing a free ebook for review.

About Catriona McKeown

Catriona McKeown lives on the Fraser Coast in Queensland, Australia, with her husband of 25+ years and three daughters.

She is passionate about issues of social justice and often writes with such ideals in mind. Her current studies are in Inclusive Education; she is passionate about education that allows every child to reach their full potential and has a particular heart for gifted teens as well as those with autism.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Graduate Diploma of Teaching and a Graduate Certificate in Inclusive Education. Catriona hails from country Victoria, lived a short stint in Western Australia, and has now settled on Queensland as her home state.

Find Catriona McKeown online at:

Website | Facebook

About Memphis Grace

Graceland was named after the King of Pop’s mansion by her Elvis- obsessed mum. But she’s not rich, not famous and definitely not noticeable.

She’s always just been Mikaela’s best friend.

That is, until Mikaela leaves school without explanation and Graceland finds herself noticed by Cooper Dally. Popular boy and Mikaela’s EX-BOYFRIEND. Now she’s the centre of attention: big parties, new dresses and girlfriend to Cooper. Graceland is finally changing her stars.

But Cooper has expectations Graceland can’t meet. And when the truth behind Mikaela’s leaving comes out, Graceland realises Cooper might not be the guy she thought he was. Worse, it could cost Graceland more than she’s willing to give to be noticed.

You can find Memphis Grace online at:

Amazon | Goodreads

15 February 2021

Book Review| Trailing a Killer by Carol J Post

Erin Jeffries is a police detective and volunteer canine search and rescue worker. When she’s called to a house that’s collapsed in a hurricane, the last person she expects to rescue is her teenage sweetheart, Cody Elbourne. And neither of them expect a collapsed house to turn into a murder investigation … or for Cody to be worried for his life.

Yes, Trailing a Killer starts off with a bang.

The pace only lets up long enough for Erin and Cody to rediscover their previous relationship (well, this is Love Inspired Suspense. We want the Love as much as the Suspense).

I enjoyed reading about Alcee, Erin’s search and rescue dog. As a cat owner, I’m always impressed by dogs and their willingness to work. In fact, they delight in being helpful. Cats … not so much. I was especially impressed by Alcee’s uncanny canine abilities to identify those she likes and trusts vs. those she doesn’t. I will definitely be interested in reading more books in this series.

There were also some more serious issues. Erin in particular has some scars in her background that affect her ability to trust others, especially men. She’s a new Christian and is working through those issues—and it was great to see a new Christian working through what it means to be a person of faith.

I am a fan of Carol J Post’s novels, and this is no exception.

The plot was perfect romantic suspense, the characters were strong (I’m always a fan of female characters who are competent in an unusual profession), and the ending was spot on.

Trailing a Killer by @CarolJPost is perfect #Christian #RomanticSuspense. The characters are strong, and the ending is just right. Share on X

Thanks to Carol J Post for providing a free ebook for review.

About Carol J Post

You can find Carol J Post online at:

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About Trailing a Killer

A killer with an explosive agenda…

And a K-9 and determined detective on the case.

In a hurricane’s aftermath, Detective Erin Jeffries is stunned when she and her search-and-rescue K-9, Alcee, uncover a collapsed building’s only survivor—her long-ago ex, Cody Elbourne. And it’s quickly clear that the disaster was no accident. Now only Cody can identify the man who set the explosives that killed his grandfather…and Erin must stop the killer dead set on silencing him.

Find Trailing a Killer online at:

Amazon | BookBub | ChristianBook | Goodreads | Koorong