Playing for Keeps: a hockey, brother's best friend, forbidden romance

Playing for Keeps is the first book in the Hot Jocks series by Kendall Ryan. Justin Brady is a pro hockey athlete who can have any woman he wants and the one he wants is off limits. Elise Parrish is the younger sibling to Justin’s best friend and teammate, Owen. For the most part, their relationship has been flirtatious at a distance. However, when the team wins the championship, their flirting turns physical. As they try to move on as if nothing happened, they soon realize that it is easier said than done. Justin realizes that he wants more from Elise than a one night stand. He is playing for keeps. All he needs to do is convince Elise to take a chance on him. 

Playing for Keeps is a cute, sweet and spicy read. It was fast and engaging. However, while I was reading, I had a nagging feeling that I’ve read this story before but I had no record of reading this particular title. Maybe it was the combination of a hockey player and his teammate’s younger sister? Anyway, despite this feeling, I loved this story. Justin was a super sweet boyfriend as he was sensitive, comforting and protective. There were moments filled with laughs, smiles and sighs. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy hockey romances and need a sweet and fun story for a weekend read, I highly recommend Playing for Keeps. 

Playing for Keeps is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook. 

One Good Thing: a World War II story of friendship, hope, courage and the fight to survive

One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter is a World War II story of hardship, hope, courage and resilience. Lili has been friends with Esti since meeting at university. When Esti’s son, Theo, is born, they become as close as sisters. As the war rages in Germany and France, Lili and Esti must deal with Mussolini’s Racial Laws, and while difficult, life seemingly goes on as usual. Until Germany invades northern Italy and life becomes much more dangerous. At first, they flee to a countryside villa to help hide Jewish orphans. Then fleeing to Florence, finding in a convent as nuns and becoming a part of the Underground network of forgers and couriers. When Esti can no longer protect Theo, she asks Lili to take her son and protect him. Now Lili finds herself on a journey through Allied territory, Nazi-occupied villages and finding ways to survive, not only for herself, but for a promise she made to her best friend. 

World War II still fuels amazing stories eighty years after it ended. While most stories take place in France or Germany, I find it very refreshing that authors are finding stories to tell from other areas of the world. One Good Thing is an engaging story from start to finish. I loved the character of Lili. Lili is the worrier at the beginning and while she is filled with doubt at every turn, but her determination to fulfil her promise to Esti, she finds the courage and strength to keep moving forward. I also loved the character development of Esti from a skeptic to a fully committed to the underground resistance. I loved the sister-friendship between Lili and Esti. One Good Thing is a great story of how the love for another person is a reason to keep going despite the darkness and hopelessness. If you love stories of friendship, motherhood and survival, I highly recommend One Good Thing. 

One Good Thing will be available March 4, 2025 in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

The Housemaid: one never knows what goes on behind closed doors

The Housemaid is the first book in The Housemaid series by Freida McFadden. Millie Calloway has a past and she is looking to move on with her life; however, she needs a job. She couldn’t believe her luck when she was hired by Nina Winchester as a maid which included a living space. As she cleans their beautiful house from top to bottom, does their laundry, runs their errands and even cooks their meals, Millie realizes that the Winchesters have dark secrets of their own. When Nina begins to act erratically, Millie tries to ignore it; but she notices that Andrew, Nina’s husband, seems to be more and more saddened and broken by his wife’s behavior. One day, she realizes that the lock on her attic bedroom only locks from the outside, she realizes she has walked into a sinister trap. However, the Winchesters don’t know who she really is and what she is capable of. Can she escape before it is too late? 

Freida McFadden has been all over BookTok and social media for years with some readers avidly raving about her books and others not so much. I read one of her newest titles, Never Lie last year and I wasn’t really impressed. However, I decided to give The Housemaid a chance as it is her most talked about book. The story starts off slow as Millie enters the Winchester home and finds her footing. However, once Nina starts to act peculiar, the story gets on the fast track. There were a lot of twists and turns that I never guessed the true motives and even the end events were shocking! It is definitely a story where readers don’t really know who they can trust and will leave jaws on the floor as the twists are revealed. The Housemaid was definitely a better read than Never Lie and I may give her books a try in the future. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, you may enjoy The Housemaid. 

The Housemaid is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Andrew: a disciple eager to bring people to Jesus

Andrew is the brother of Simon Peter and very little is known about him. He was a fisherman with his brother. He was called by Jesus to follow him. Despite being an early follower of Jesus, Andrew is only mentioned by name twelve times and four of those are in the list of the disciples. In Catholicism, Andrew is the patron saint of fishermen, singers and the patron saint for the countries of Scotland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, and Patras. Tradition holds that Andrew died by crucifixion around 60 AD and he didn’t seem himself worthy to die as Jesus did. He was bound, not nailed, to a X and not a T. This is what the Saint Andrew’s Cross flag is an X. Who was Andrew? What is special about him? And what is the key lesson we can take from Andrew? 

Andrew was a special man. He seems to be the opposite of his brother. As Simon was rash and impulsive, Andrew might have been quiet and reflective. The gospels do not record much of Andrew’s words, mostly likely because he didn’t have much to say. He may have been more focused on listening and learning. He could be seen as the silent partner but still essential; in building the church and bringing people to Jesus. Andrew accepted John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus and told his brother and friends about it (John 1:35-42). He was one of the men that Jesus would say he would be a fisher of men. When the large crowd needed to be fed, Andrew brought forward the boy with the five small barley loaves and two small fish (John 6:8-9). Even when he questioned how such a small amount would feed the large crowd, he still brought it to Jesus’s attention. 

Andrew was eager to bring people to Jesus. When he heard John the Baptist call Jesus the Lamb of God, he immediately ran to tell his brother (John 1:35-42). Andrew was first a disciple of John the Baptist. He knew without question that Jesus was the Messiah. I can imagine a very excited Andrew rushing to tell Simon and even may have been a bit incoherent in his excitement. Think about it. Remember a time when you were so excited to tell someone good or exciting news that the words just flowed out and you had to be told to take a deep breath and slow down? That is how I imagine Andrew as he rushed to inform Simon about Jesus. He, along with Philip, informed Jesus that a few Greeks wanted to speak with him (John 12:20-22). In verse 22, Andrew and Philip told Jesus about the Greeks request to see Jesus. They didn’t question if they deserved to even ask, as some of the other disciples may have, because they were Greeks. I think at this point, Andrew had seen Jesus preach to, heal and forgive so many people, Jews and Gentiles alike, that he knew Jesus was here for all who seek him.

 That is the key lesson from Andrew’s life is Christians are to be willing to tell other people about Jesus. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus calls us to make disciples of all nations. Talking to others about Jesus can come easily to some and for others, it is a daunting task. Some people can easily talk with just about anyone and others speak more easily with people they know/ Simon Peter was most likely an extroverted person who could easily preach and outreach among large crowds as recorded in Acts. This thought of speaking like this to an introverted person, like myself, makes them feel anxiety. It is important to draw on your strengths. If you are great at speaking to large crowds, that’s great. You can do that to talk about Jesus to others. If you are better at one-on-one personal, intimate conversations, you can still talk to others about Jesus. The size of the crowd is not the requirement. 

In conclusion, while information about Andrew is limited, what we do know is amazing. Considering he was not in the forefront as his brother, Andrew may have more reserved, humble, and patience with the willingness to listen and learn. He is an example of enthusiasm and passion for Jesus and His message. He did not delay in his belief in Jesus and he demonstrated great faith and confidence. When he heard the good news of Jesus, he could not contain himself and told his brother. He also left his entire life to follow Jesus and continued to follow him even when he saw what it meant to truly follow him. He served Jesus in any way he could, including bringing people who wanted to know Jesus more. This attitude speaks volumes as much as a fiery speech or sermon. 

The Lost Passenger: a fateful trip turns into one woman's chance for freedom

The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn is one woman’s journey to start a new life with her son after they survive the Titanic disaster. Elinor Hayward couldn’t believe her luck when Frederick Coombes, the future heir of the Storton title, wanted her to be his wife. Swept away by the fairy tale, she quickly realizes that the family only wanted her father’s hard earned wealth. Trapped and feeling suffocated by the rigid social rules, she finds herself looking at a long and lonely future. However, when her father presents her with tickets for the maiden voyage of the Titanic, Elinor sees it as a welcome reprieve. When the ship goes down, Elinor takes the opportunity to change their names and start a new life. Penniless and using another woman’s name, she must learn to survive in the harsh new world of New York City and hope that her secret stays safely hidden. 

The story of Titanic and its disastrous maiden voyage has been a fascination of mine since high school. When the opportunity to read The Lost Passenger came up, I jumped at the chance. By coincidence, I had finished watching the 1997 movie, Titanic, before starting this book, so the disaster was fresh in my mind. Elinor is a young woman who was raised by a widowed father to be independent and resourceful. Filled with the romantic notions from her favorite novels, she is unprepared for the cold and oppressive nature of the English aristocracy. When her trip on the Titanic presents an opportunity for freedom, she truly breathes for the first time. The Lost Passenger is filled with drama as Elinor fights to live a new life, a life on her own terms. It is a story of fighting against adversity and finding hope after a great loss. I highly recommend The Lost Passenger. 

The Lost Passenger is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Secret History of Audrey James: finding the strength for today through the hardships of the past

The Secret History of Audrey James by Heather Marshall is a dual timeline story from World War II Germany and Northern England decades later. After a tragic accident has left her floundering, Kate Mercer leaves London to work at an old guest house near the Scottish border. After she arrives, she begins to unravel her past and she discovers her new boss also has secrets from the past of her own. In 1938 Berlin, Audrey James has been living with her best friend, Ilse Kaplan and her family, while she studies at a local prestigious music school. When Ilse’s family disappears and Nazis take over the house, Audrey is forced to become their housekeeper as Ilse hides in the attic. She soon finds herself in an anti-Hitler movement. Can she protect those she loves or must she sacrifice everything to do her part to end the war? 

The Secret History Audrey James was inspired by the true stories of courageous women who did their part in the German resistance during World War II. Audrey’s story could have been a standalone story and been captivating and the tie-in with Kate was a bit unnecessary. Unfortunately, World War II resistance stories, while interesting, are starting to blur together that I feel like I’ve read this before. However, I read this story for “the unbreakable bonds of friendship, the sacrifices we make for those we love, and the healing that comes from human connection.” The Secret History of Audrey James delivers on that; however, there was so much going on that the story started to get bogged down and I was getting bored. Overall, the story started off well; but did not end there. If you enjoy World War II resistance stories, I recommend The Secret History of Audrey James. 

The Secret History of Audrey James will be available on February 25, 2025

In paperback, eBook and audiobook. 

Shatter Me: a young adult dystopian novel with suspense and a bit of romance

Shatter Me is the first book in the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi. Juliette is cursed. She cannot touch anyone. Her touch is lethal. When she accidentally touches someone, she is locked up in prison for murder by the Reestablishment, a government in power. No one knows why she has such a lethal touch. For 264 days, she is alone in her prison cell because she is a monster and the world is falling apart. However, when the whispers of war and resistance become too loud to ignore, the Reestablishment decides that Juliette will become their weapon to keep the people in line. They placed Adam in her cell and they learned something interesting that sets a chain of events in motion that changes the course of her life. Juliette must decide if she will become their weapon or fight back and become a warrior against those who imprisoned her.

Shatter Me is a young adult dystopian novel with great suspense and world building. I usually don’t read dystopian novels and I have heard good and bad reviews on Shatter Me. There is a small bit of romance and plenty of action. I enjoyed Juliette as she tries to deal with the isolation and struggles to find her place in the new world around her. The printing style is interesting and unique. It is not an earth shattering, mind blowing type of story. It was an engaging read and the story flowed fairly easily. I look forward to the rest of the series. However, this story is not for everyone. If you are looking for a story with a lot of depth, Shatter Me may not be the story for you. However, if you enjoy engaging dystopian stories, you may enjoy this story. I recommend Shatter Me. 

Shatter Me is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook.