Smitten with the Best Man: a divorced single mom and a man from her past are reunited in Chicago

Smitten with the Best Man is the first book in the Chicago Law series by Piper Rayne. Victoria has moved back home to Chicago to help her ailing mother. With her seven year old daughter in tow, she has no time for dating as she has sworn off all men. That all changes when she runs into Reed Warner, who was her ex-husband’s friend and best man at their wedding. Still as charming and handsome as ever, Reed is now an assistant district attorney. No matter how hard Victoria tries, Reed finds a way to be a part of her life, unwilling to take no for an answer. Despite her best efforts, she feels her willpower failing as Reed seems to be not who she thought he was and the idea of a little fun has her willpower waning. Will she take a chance with Reed?

Smitten with the Best Man was originally published as Manic Monday, the first book in the Charity Case series. I was excited for this book as I have enjoyed Piper Rayne books in the past. However, I was bored. I didn’t care for Victoria at all. While I understand that she is jaded from her divorce and her cheating ex-husband, I didn’t care for the anti-man sentiments among Victoria and her co-workers. Again, I get that they are divorced and hurting but it was way too much. I liked Reed. He was sweet and very patient. I loved his interactions with Victoria’s daughter and other kids. Overall, I did not enjoy Smitten with the Best Man. I feel that Victoria was just not smitten with Reed. I will not be continuing the series. I do not recommend Smitten with the Best Man. 

Smitten with the Best Man is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Movie Star Becomes a Cowboy: a fast paced, clean romance

The Movie Star Becomes a Cowboy is the first book in the Silverstone Ranch series by April Murdock. Marguerite is done with love. She devotes herself to caring for her five year old son as well as running Silverstone Ranch with her family. Her father invites Cade Cooper, a drop dead gorgeous movie star for an “all-inclusive” learning experience as Cade prepares for his upcoming movie role. Marguerite doesn’t have time to babysit Cade as she is preparing for the upcoming rodeo the ranch is hosting. Cade plans to get the full experience of life on the ranch. However, it is the standoffish Marguerite that catches his attention. He is determined to show her that he is not the typical celebrity. Marguerite doesn’t trust easily but will she let her guard down enough to allow Cade the opportunity to show his sincerity? 

The Movie Star Becomes a Cowboy is a fast paced, clean romance with humor, drama and a happily ever after. Marguerite is a woman who is used to taking care of everyone else which leaves little time for herself. Cade is a man with a painful past and, despite his celebrity, doesn’t want all the glitz and glamour that Hollywood can offer. My heart broke for Marguerite as she carried a burden that she felt she needed to in order to keep the family running. And her little boy was adorable. I enjoyed Cade’s tenacity to try to get Marguerite to relax a bit and realize that it is okay to take time for oneself. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. I highly recommend The Movie Star Becomes a Cowboy. 

The Movie Star Becomes a Cowboy is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Are Christians required to tithe?

A question I have heard a lot recently is about tithing. So many televangelists are often seen on television urging believers to give and give and give. Are Christians required to tithe? Many Christians believe that they are required to give ten percent of their monthly income to their church. It is a sentiment I have heard on multiple occasions that someone isn’t a true Christian if they are not tithing. So are Christians required to tithe? The simple answer is no. Why not? What is the Old Testament standard? What are Christians commanded to give? What are my thoughts on this subject after my studying? 

The ten percent standard has been carried over from the Old Testament standard. Tithe means a tenth. Under the Mosaic Law, Israelites gave ten percent of their crops and livestock to support the temple, the Levite priests, feasts and the poor. The tithe functioned as a tax as it supported the national and religious structures of Israel under the old covenant. Even before the Mosaic Law, giving of a tenth was used. Abraham gave a one time gift to Melchizedek (Genesis 4:20) but there is no evidence in Scripture that he gave regularly to God (Schreiner, 2017). Jacob gave a tenth signifying his gratefulness to God (Genesis 28:20-22); however, it was not required of Jacob to do so (Schreiner, 2017). Tithing in the Old Testament was tied to the land of Israel and related to the Jews as a nation as well as a religious people. 

Christians are not under the Mosaic covenant (Romans 6:14-15; 7:5-6, Galatians 3:15-4:7; and 2 Corinthians 3:4-18). Some of the moral laws still apply as Jesus taught them but tithing is not among these commands (Schreiner, 2017). However, the New Testament teaches a new standard: the cheerful giver. There is no specific percentage or other fixed amount commanded. Instead, Jesus commanded a voluntary generous heart. Believers are to give freely, regularly and cheerfully out of what they have. It should be done quietly with a humble heart. In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus commanded that we are not to give to show off, to give privately so only God can see and that God rewards sincere giving rather than giving from obligation. This idea is further presented in the story of the widow with the two coins. Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4 feature this lesson from Jesus as he points out the widow who gives the two coins in the temple treasury. In the Lord’s eyes, the widow gave more than the others combined. Why? Because she gave out of her poverty and not her wealth. A gift given grudgingly isn’t a gift at all. Gifts of any size are pleasing to God when they are given out of gratitude and generosity. 

The principle of giving is a matter of personal choice and giving should be done without compulsion or legalistic pressure guided by personal prayer and gratitude. Christians should give out of their prosperity. If they are struggling, then they don’t give as much (Winger, 2026). It is not the amount that is important, it is our heart, our attitude and our spirit. 2 Corinthians 9:7 tells “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Again, our attitude is more important than the amount we give. However, I do believe if someone is a regular attendee to a church, they should be supporting that church. Again, the amount is up to the individual, according to what they can give. The matter of your giving is between you and God as he talks into account our circumstances (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association). As Bible Thinker Mike Winger said, we should be “giving to the poor instead of taking from them” (2026).

In conclusion, while tradition would state the tenth rule for our tithing, our rule and authority comes from Scripture. And Scripture does not command Christians give a tenth. We are to give according to our means and our heart. Christians are commanded to preach the gospel (Matthew 10:10, Luke 10:7, 1 Corinthians 9:6-14, and 1 Timothy 5:17-18). And we are commanded to give generously (1 Timothy 5:17-19 and 2 Corinthians 8-9). However, the generous giving is not stated that it has to go to a church. It can be to the family who is struggling. It can be to the food bank that serves the community. Seek God’s guidance where your giving should go and give generously according to your means. 

References

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Does a Christian have to tithe? Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. https://billygraham.org/answers/does-a-christian-have-to-tithe. Retrieved September 6, 2026. 

Schreiner, Thomas (March 28, 2017). 7 Reasons Christians Are Not Required to Tithe. The Gospel Coalition. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/7-reasons-christians-not-required-to-tithe/. Retrieved September 6, 2026. 

Winger, Mike (May 8, 2026). Question 3: Tithing: A Universal Obligation?} Does Abram’s tithe to Melchizedek support that tithing is a universal moral obligation since that passage is pre-law and Melchizedek is a type of Christ? The dangerous trend of fake prophets on YouTune: 10 Qs with Mike Winger (Ep. 76). https://www.youtube.com/live/U_Dw0lcpwAI?si=hAQASD59fqp6hbUe. Retrieved September 11, 2026. 

The People's Library: a science fiction fantasy where secrets and dangers lurk in a futuristic library

The People’s Library by Veronica G Henry is a science fiction fantasy set in the future Cleveland as twisted secrets and dangers lurk in a futuristic library. Echo London never wanted to be a curator in the People’s Library, a digital collection of human consciousness. When her beloved library gets shut down, she is assigned at the People’s Library as the head librarian. She is entrusted with the greatest minds and historical figures of humanity which have been recreated through a controversial conscientiousness capturing technology. Essentially, visitors can interact with the dead. However, there is an anti-technology rebellion brewing and when an attack results in tragedy. Echo wonders if there is more to her job than meets the eye. She must discover if there is danger lurking in the shadows. What happens to the fate of humanity if she uncovers the truth? 

The People’s Library was an Amazon First Reads in January and it promised to be a “thought-provoking science fiction fantasy.” So I took a chance. While I am not usually a science fiction fantasy reader, the premise sounded promising. The story started off great; however, it quickly fell off. There was no real depth to the characters. Echo is described as having synesthesia with no clear description of what it is. I had to look it up to get a clearer picture of this condition. The story felt like another futuristic dystopian story with the evil corporations and utopian ideals. Also, the idea that the number zero scared early populations like the church was irritating. Again, someone assuming ancient people were idiots because they didn’t have the technology that we have today. The author had a great idea but had no idea how to execute it. Overall, I was bored. I do not recommend The People’s Library. 

The People’s Library is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Play Me: an enemies to lovers rugby sport romance

Play Me is the first book in the Play Me series by Adrianna Locke. Astrid is tasked as an assistant to the new hotshot player for the Tennessee Royals rugby team. It should have been easy: keep him on schedule and out of trouble. However, she never thought she would utterly despise another human so much. Gray Adler is certainly not making it easy as he finds new ways to get under her skin. It doesn’t help that he is built like a golden Greek god. When Astrid finally settles in her hate for Gray, something takes a turn. Suddenly, everything about him causes her skin to sizzle. His grins make her inside turn to jelly and their sharp barbs turn to flirty banter that makes her flush. Gray Adler is hiding a secret and when she discovers the secret, she must ask herself. Is he telling the truth or is she getting played? 

I love good enemies to lovers sports romance. Although I would call Play Me more a hate to love romance than an enemies to lovers. However, from the opening chapter I didn’t care for Astrid. Granted, her first meeting with Gray was less than ideal; however, she certainly exacerbated the situation. And when she and Gray do get together and she discovers his secrets, she claims he lied to her. I’m sorry? What?!? They were not even officially together yet and why would he reveal his biggest secret? Also they get matching tattoos before even saying “I love you.” Yikes! I think what irritated me the most is that the game of rugby has little bearing in this story. Take it out and put in any other sport and it would still be the same story. Overall, I did not enjoy Play Me and I will not be continuing the series. I do not recommend Play Me. 

Play Me is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Dare to Love the Guy Next Door: a second chance romance with humor and sweet moments

Dare to Love the Guy Next Door is the second book of the Forever Marriage Match series by Ellie Hall. Paisley Jones was envisioning a life of glitz and glamour with her movie star fiancé. However, after a humiliating public scandal, she escapes to the family cottage on the Atlantic shore. She planned to hide, lick her wounds and work on her next steps. What she didn’t plan on was a crazy seagull plotting against her and her gorgeous next door neighbor. Griffin Sanders was a late blooming goofball turned competitive surfer and finds himself at the family beach cottage. He is shocked to discover that his neighbor is his teen crush. Even though Paisley does not recognize him at first, they quickly reconnect over childhood memories. Is Griffin just another guy seeking fame and fortune or is the one who will ride the waves of life with her? 

Dare to Love the Guy Next Door is a sweet, clean and cute second chance romance. There are moments of dealing with lingering grief and overcoming fears. There were great funny moments and there was one particular moment in which Paisley had a great comeback for a woman who was attempting to put her down and I laughed out loud. It was a great moment. There were also sweet flirty moments that made me smile. The situation with the trouble making seagull was hilarious. I loved Paisley and Griffin as individuals and as a couple. I also loved Paisley’s friends through their text messages with Paisley. There were moments of tension and deep heart to heart talks that deepened their relationship. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. I highly recommend Dare to Love the Guy Next Door. 

Dare to Love the Guy Next Door is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Olivia Strauss is Running Out of Time: a woman faces the possibility of her death and learns to truly live

Olivia Strauss is Running Out of Time by Angela Brown is the story of a woman who faces the possibility of her death and learns to truly live. Olivia Strauss is turning thirty-nine. As she considers herself still young, young enough to think that she still has decades to accomplish the items on her life’s to-do list. Olivia has time to bring back the spark to her marriage. She has plenty of time to play with her young son and even have another child if she so desires. She has plenty of time until her best friend, Marian, gives her a birthday present. A visit to a trendy wellness clinic which boasts of a state of the art genetic test that can predict the exact date of one’s death. When the results arrive, Olivia realizes she has a lot of living to do. No more excuses to do the items that she keeps putting off. 

Olivia Strauss is Running Out of Time is described as a “funny and emotionally moving comedy of errors about the gifts of growing older.” Unfortunately, I did not find it funny or emotionally moving. The story is filled with the stereotypes of a woman approaching forty and thinking everything is falling apart. I never related to the fear of turning forty, even now as I am closer to fifty, I do not fear getting older. So it was difficult to relate to Olivia or any of the women in this story. Olivia focused on what she hadn’t accomplished yet, instead of what she had. And while it was not from Olivia, but her annoying neighbor friends, the “Oh, life is over at forty” was so outdated. And their joke presents were eyerollingly annoying. Her only true friend was Marian and Olivia, at times, treated her so harshly. Overall, I did not enjoy this story. I do not recommend Olivia Strauss is Running Out of Time. 

Olivia Strauss is Running Out of Time is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook