Christian Novels: May 2019

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Now and Then and Always by Melissa Tagg

About the Book
“It was just a house. Just a weathered old house in a hidden grove, shuttered and still . . . ”

Last year, after traumatic circumstances forced her from her job as a nanny, Mara Bristol finally found a place to belong—the winsome Everwood Bed & Breakfast at the edge of Maple Valley, Iowa. For months, she’s helped its owner, Lenora, maintain the ramshackle property despite their shortage of guests. But when Lenora fails to return from a month-long trip and the bank threatens foreclosure, Mara worries she’s once again alone . . . abandoned . . . about to lose the only true home she’s ever known.
Detective Marshall Hawkins is no closer to whole today than he was two years ago . . . the day his daughter died. Between his divorce, debilitating migraines, and a dependence on medication, his life is falling apart. And when a reckless decision on the job propels him into administrative leave, he has no other plan but to get in his truck and drive. A one-night stay at the Everwood was supposed to be just that. But there’s something about the old house—or maybe its intriguing caretaker—that pulls him in.

Together, Mara and Marshall set out to save the Everwood. But its secrets run deeper than they could’ve imagined. As they renovate the house and search for its missing owner, they’ll each confront the pain that brought them to the Everwood in the first place . . . and just maybe discover a faith and love to help them carry on.

My Thoughts
I feel like I’ve been waiting for this book for pretty much forever. I’ve built it up so high in my mind that you’d think the real thing wouldn’t even have a prayer of meeting my expectations. But guys, it not only met them, it exceeded them! Such an absolutely and wonderfully amazing book that I couldn’t love more if I tried!
Marshall is so broken as the story starts and my heart broke for him and I fell in love with him all at the same time. The loss he’d faced was unimaginable and I can’t even fathom thar kind of pain. Two years later and he was a shell of the man he once was. But even through his hurt he was still kind and he cared about people. I loved watching as his time in Maple Valley started to slowly heal him and lead him back to the ultimate Healer.
Mara hadn’t had an easy life either. Her father left when she was young, her mom basically checked out from then till her death, she had to deal with a stalker, and through it all was alone with no one to lean on and no place that felt like home. Until she stumbled onto the Everwood, Lenora, and a place to belong.
Marshall and Mara were wonderful together, a perfect team from the start. Their meet-cute was hilarious and I loved watching their relationship grow as the book went on. They both had a lot of healing to do and God used a quiet little bed & breakfast, each other, and the right words at the right times to draw them closer to him and to help them heal.

I honestly loved every second of this book from the lighthearted moments to the deep ones everything was beautifully crafted to create an amazing story! Maple Valley is my fictional home and I loved getting to come back again. I cannot wait for the next time!

Meet the Author
Melissa Tagg is the award-winning author of the popular Walker Family series, the Where Love Begins series and the Enchanted Christmas Collection. She’s a former reporter, current nonprofit grant writer and total Iowa girl.
Melissa's recent releases include a 2018 ACFW Carol Award Winner (One Enchanted Noel), an RT Book Reviews TOP PICK (All This Time) and a Publishers Weekly Spring Top Ten Pick (Like Never Before).

Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as workshops and women’s retreats. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever—not that she’s biased—watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. Melissa loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com and on Facebook and Instagram.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Monday, May 27, 2019

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #342

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:

Had a little bit of a slower week after the craziness of the readathon but I really enjoyed these two!

What I am currently reading:

Rayne is my current kindle read and Cadie is our newly formed Instagram book club's first pick. Loving both!

What I hope to read this week:

Last two books from this month's TBR and my next review book that I am extremely excited for!

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!

Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Living Lies by Natalie Walters

About the Book
In the little town of Walton, Georgia, everybody knows your name--but no one knows your secret. At least that's what Lane Kent is counting on when she returns to her hometown with her five-year-old son. Dangerously depressed after the death of her husband, Lane is looking for hope. What she finds instead is a dead body.
Lane must work with Walton's newest deputy, Charlie Lynch, to uncover the truth behind the murder. But when that truth hits too close to home, she'll have to decide if saving the life of another is worth the cost of revealing her darkest secret.

Debut novelist Natalie Walters pulls you to the edge of your seat on the first page and keeps you there until the last in this riveting story that will have you believing no one is defined by their past.

My Thoughts
I always love when a suspense book starts off with a bang and this book definitely grabs you at the start! Things slowed down a bit as the investigation continued on, and realistically that’s how things go, you don’t always catch the killer in a day. Things definitely picked up again in the last third as they got closer to the truth!
This book wasn’t all about the suspense though, the author also tackled some big mental health issues and the stigmas surrounding them. They’re not things that have really touched close to my life so I don’t want to say much about it but I admired her for bringing attention to issues that aren’t often talked about.
Lane wasn’t easy for me to connect to personally. She had a lot of things to work through in her life and didn’t have any easy go of it.
Charlie was a little easier for me to understand and I appreciated his desire to see justice found and the way he cared unconditionally. I especially appreciated the way he handled certain things that were revealed.
There was a host of unique characters in the small town of Walton and they definitely were a close knit community!

If this sounds like your kind of story I definitely encourage you to check it out!

Meet the Author
Natalie Walters is a military wife of 22 years and currently resides in Hawaii with her soldier husband and their three kids. She writes full-time and has been published in Proverbs 31 magazine and has blogged for Guideposts online. In addition to balancing life as a military spouse, mom, and writer, she loves connecting on social media, sharing her love of books, cooking, and traveling. Natalie comes from a long line of military and law enforcement veterans and is passionate about supporting them through volunteer work, races, and writing stories that affirm no one is defined by their past.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Monday, May 20, 2019

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #341 & Bout of Books 25: Wrap-Up

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 13th and runs through Sunday, May 19th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, Twitter chats, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 25 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog.
- From the Bout of Books team

So excited to do this read-a-thon again!

Thursday, May 09, 2019

The Story People by Heather Kaufman

About the Book
When Ben Palermo inherited his uncle's bookstore in small-town New Holden, Indiana, it was like stepping back in time. The nostalgia, however, is tainted by a painful past, one that Ben would rather leave behind. Can he stay in this town and run the business that holds so many conflicting memories for him? Or will he finally sell?
When a group of well-meaning women make it their mission to keep him in town by finding him a wife, his life is about to get more interesting ... and complicated.

My Thoughts
I knew very little about this book going in but I had high hopes. And this book definitely did not disappoint! I mean the hero owns a bookstore so I was already half in love before I even read a word. Then Ben's adorable and slightly awkward personality showed up and I think I fell the rest of the way. Rosemary was wonderful too and I loved the two of them together.
The bookstore itself was almost like another character and I could visualize it so very clearly in my mind. I wish it was a real place and I could go spend hours browsing.
I thought the little secondary story that was given in glimpses at the beginning of each chapter was really sweet and I loved seeing how it connected with the main story.
The town of New Holden provided a entertaining cast of characters and I found them all to be charming. At times the charm bordered on over the top (especially near the end) but overall they were a fun addition to the story.
This book was unique and charming and I will definitely be checking out whatever else this author has up her sleeve!

Meet the Author
Heather Kaufman lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and two sons. She holds a BA from McKendree University and an MA from the University of Missouri--St. Louis. When not reading or writing, she can be found drinking copious amounts of coffee and exploring new parks with her family.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.