The Girl at the Party: a thriller mystery of a young girl's death and someone wants to keep it unsolved

The Girl at the Party by Danielle Stewart is a thriller mystery of one girl’s death. Stephanie left the end of the year party and walked home alone. Some say she was crying while others heard an argument between Stephanie and someone else. However, no one would see her alive again. Four years later, Stephanie’s friends are still haunted by the events of that night. She was the perfect one, who stayed out of trouble and looked out for her friends. Where were her friends looking out for her? Laura is truly stuck as she cannot move past Stephanie’s death especially since her case went cold. All she wanted was to forget that horrible night. Until one day when another friend, Chris Mills comes to her with a proposal: help him investigate Stephanie’s death and discover the truth. Together, they start their investigation and it becomes clear that someone does not want them to discover the truth. Warnings and break ins meant to scare them off. Is Stephanie’s killer closer than they think? 

The Girl at the Party starts off interesting as readers see the final moments of Stephanie’s life However, as Laura and Chris start their investigation, the story slows and gets bogged down. The book is described as a slow burn mystery; unfortunately, it is so slow that almost nothing happens until the mad run to the ending. I didn’t care for the long winded paragraphs about the patriarchy, women being forced to be caretakers and ableism. While those topics are interesting and important to discuss, there is a better way to blend them into the story without being a lecture. The mystery of Stephanie’s death certainly became secondary and the personal lives of the other characters were the main focus. Even with Chris and Laura’s statements that Stephanie had been forgotten and they seem to forget why they are investigating in the first place. And the reveal about the details of Stephanie’s death was so disappointing. I did not enjoy this story. I do not recommend The Girl at the Party. 

The Girl at the Party is available in available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Ashes of You: a slow burn romance with mystery and suspense

Ashes of You is the fifth and final book in the Lost and Found series by Catherine Cowles. Five years ago, Halston “Hallie” Astor was kidnapped, held captive and tortured. When she managed to escape, one man, a stranger with striking blue eyes, found her and brought her to safety. As she recovered and rebuilt her life, this man’s blue eyes remained in her memory and brought her peace whenever she recalled them. Now, she is determined to get a fresh start and comes to Cedar Ridge to interview for a nanny job for a single father with three sons. What she doesn’t expect is that the father would be the man with the striking blue eyes. Lawson Hartley is the eldest of the Hartley children who is trying his best to raise his three sons. There is an attraction that they both try to fight and stay professional. When a threat from their past comes back, will he be able to save her this time? 

It was hard to say goodbye to the Hartley siblings and their lives in Cedar Creek; however, Ashes of You is a wonderful end to this amazing series. I immediately loved Hallie and Lawson together. Despite their age gap, and I usually don’t like age gap romances, they were seemingly meant for each other. Their romance was a slow burn and exciting. The reveal of who was behind Halle’s original abduction and the current threat was a complete shock. He was not even on my radar at all! Also, over the course of the previous four books, readers see the growing tensions between Lawson and his eldest son, Luke, and I knew we would see their conflict come to a head. That moment was filled with shocking revelations and so many tears. Oh the tears! It was a great healing moment for father and son. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I highly, highly recommend Ashes of You and the rest of the Lost and Found series. 

Ashes of You is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Women in White: thriller mystery with parapsychology experiments that go wrong and one woman's search for the truth.

The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen is a thriller mystery as a woman searches for old friends and finds herself investigating a decades old mystery. In 1964, four young women at a respected university became subjects of parapsychology experiments by a visionary scientist. These women truly have a special gift whether it would be called extrasensory perception or a sixth sense. When something goes terribly wrong, the four women mysteriously disappear. Decades later, Riley Bell begins to work for an elderly widow, Betty, as her live-in caretaker. Betty’s home is trapped in another era with no television, no cell phones and no internet. Why would Betty live in such isolation and why does she need Riley now? When Riley innocently offers to find Betty’s friends that she hasn’t seen in decades, she finds herself chasing the truth of secrets long buried. What starts as a simple plan to reunite old friends becomes a life or death situation. 

The Women in White is a dual timeline between Riley in the present day and Betty in 1964 as the mystery unfolds with paranormal elements. From the opening chapters, I was intrigued as the story unfolded with questions. Why did Betty need Riley? Were the women truly gifted? The story also gave a clear picture of the unethical practices which were common at the time when dealing with human subjects. The beginning of the story was a bit slow as the mystery unfolded; however, once Riley was deep into her investigation, the story sped up and I was on the edge of my seat. Overall, I enjoyed this story. There were shocking moments and moments when I was angry at the treatment these women were receiving. I closed the story with a “wow” and I was satisfied with the ending. If you enjoy a dual timeline story with a thrilling mystery, I highly recommend The Women in White. 

The Women in White is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Reign: a modern royalty romance

Reign by Roxie Noir is a modern royalty romance. Prince Kostya of Sveloria has his life mapped out: obey his father, marry an appropriate woman and take the throne. It’s the least he can do to serve his people well after decades of political turmoil. Then he meets Hazel Sung, the daughter of the US Ambassador and a hot mess. After dropping out of medical school, she has been backpacking through Europe before joining her parents in Sveloria. When their first meeting was a disaster and her welcome banquet doesn’t go well either, Hazel just wants to keep a low profile. After an accidental late night meeting on the castle ramparts, Kostya finds himself wanting to spend more time with her and willing to break every rule he knows. With the crown on the line, will Kostya choose his country or his heart? 

I usually don’t read modern royalty romance but I was intrigued by the premise. However, from the start, I was disappointed. The insta-lust was annoying. When he first meets Hazel, he is immediately turned on because she is wearing leggings! And then later relieves himself with mental images of her! Seriously?!?! I did like Kostya’s character as a crown prince who seems to have everything but hides troubling memories of the past. I did not care for Hazel’s character. I didn’t find her messy, quirky personality endearing. Given her mother’s high position, she doesn’t even attempt to be presentable? Overall, I did not enjoy this story. I did not like the stereotypical man who just can’t help his urges and a woman, an American woman at that, who lacks decorum. Maybe modern royalty romances just are for me. I do not recommend Reign. 

Reign is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Shadows of You: a small town refugee becomes threatened, the town gump steps in for protection

Shadows of You is the fourth book in the Lost and Found series by Catherine Cowles. Aspen Barlow wanted a fresh start and the small town of Cedar Ridge was the perfect place to hide and stay safe. She just wanted to raise her daughter, Cady, and live their quiet life in the mountain town. The last she wanted or expected was Roan Hartley. Roan is the quiet, surly mountain man who arrives to help her save an injured deer during a sudden snowstorm. He seems to have a permanent scowl on his face and rarely smiles. Until Cady’s childlike wonder easily brings a smile and suddenly the gentle way he speaks to her softens Aspen’s heart. When her past seems to have found them in Cedar Ridge, Roan is determined to keep them safe and there is someone out there who doesn’t want her to be happy. He doesn’t even want her to be alive. 

When I started the first book of this series, I knew Roan’s story would be my favorite. Behind the scowl and gruff exterior, Roan hides a caring heart and a man deeply wounded by a secret he has kept for years. And little Cady was the perfect sunshine to break through his grumpy exterior. Aspen is a woman who has survived horrors and still found the strength to give Cady that life of laughter and joy. I loved to see Roan and Aspen come together in love and heal from the past and give each other the encouragement to share the burden with those who love and support him. And the villain in this story completely surprised me until the reveal when I gasped, “No, it can’t be?!?!?” I loved this story and I can’t wait to start the fifth and final book in this series. I highly, highly recommend Shadows of You and the Lost and Found series. 

Shadows of You is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Full Armor of God: the defenses and weapons that believers need to fight the spiritual battles

Spiritual warfare is a very real reality for Christians. Though Satan’s power has been defeated and his future is doomed (Revelation 20:7-15), he lives in the present. He still schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11). He still stalks (1 Peter 5:8). He still deceives (Revelation 12:9). He still ensnares (2 Timothy 2:26). He still hinders (1 Thessalonians 2:18). He still tempts (Ephesians 6:16). The thought of spiritual warfare scares many believers; however, the focus of spiritual warfare isn’t Satan, it’s Jesus and each piece of the armor comes from our Savior. As Jesus gave his apostles the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), He didn’t send them out alone. We aren’t alone either as God equips us (Ephesians 4:7-16), He empowers (1 Corinthians 12:11) and He accompanies (Matthew 28:20) as we engage in the spiritual warfare battles. Ephesians 6:10-12 instructs believers to be strong in the Lord and to put on the full armor of God in order to stand firm against the devil’s schemes. What is the full armor of God?

The first two pieces of the armor are the belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness. The belt of belt is a defensive piece as Satan fights with lies. Lies so go that it sounds like the truth. By focusing on God’s truth in his Word, we can defeat Satan’s lies. When we have genuine faith in the truth of God’s word we can recognize Satan’s lies that would otherwise defeat us. As believers, we need to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We need not to cover sins but confess them. We need not to slander but speak with honest words. The breastplate of righteousness is to protect our hearts. Satan will attack our hearts as the seat of our emotions, our self-worth and trust. However, in Christ, we have a new identity as a new creation with the old gone and the new has come in its place (2 Corinthians 5:17). We can stand confidently in Christ’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21) rather than adopt worldly identities (Kell, 2021). The world would point out my every flaw and tell me how I am unworthy. However, I know that by Christ’s sacrifice, by his resurrection and by my faith, God reminds me that I am His child (1 John 3:1). 

                                          

The next two pieces of the armor are the footgear of readiness and the shield of faith. The footgear of readiness is for us to be prepared to spread the Good News. Being ready in the word and protecting our feet as we go out in the world, we can protect ourselves against compromise as Satan wants us to believe that telling others the Good News is worthless and hopeless; however, the footgear of God gives us the motivation to continue to proclaim the true peace that is available in God. This is where I struggle in my personal life. I fear saying the wrong thing or being unable to proficiently tell others about the Good News and counter the skepticism. The shield of faith protects from Satan’s attacks in the form of insults, setbacks and temptations. The shield protects and reminds us that with God’s perspective, we can see beyond our circumstances and the ultimate victory is ours. 1 Peter 4:12-14 says “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though suffering strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed for the Spirit of Glory and of God rests on you.” 

The final two pieces of the armor are the helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit. The helmet of salvation is protection of our minds. Satan wants us to doubt God, to doubt Jesus and doubt our salvation. We are to protect our minds with the peace of God (Philippians 4:7). The peace of God is not the power of positive thinking. It is not that everything in a believer’s life will be peaceful. The peace of God is that despite the struggles, despite the pain, despite the conflict, we can know that God is in control (Proverbs 19:21, Colossians 1:17) and he will not leave us behind (Hebrews 13:5). The sword of the Spirit is the only piece of the armor that is an offensive weapon. The sword is the Word of God for when we need to be on the offensive. Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword” The pieces of the armor may sound an odd metaphor for us in this modern age. However, the armor metaphor would have been very familiar to the original audience among the early Christians (Winger, 2023). The illustration of the full armor reminds believers of Isaiah’s warrior King: the belt of truth (Isaiah 11:1-5), shoes to pronounce the gospel (Isaiah 52:1-10), breastplate and helmet (Isaiah 59:17), and sword (Isaiah 49:1-6). 

This armor is still important to us today as believers. Every part of the armor is easy to remember to put on except the footgear and sometimes I forget to pick up my sword. As I mentioned before, I struggled with sharing the gospel for fear of saying the wrong and pushing someone further away from God. Sometimes it is more than fear, we get busy and forget our armor, letting our guard down. However, when we falter, we can cry out to God and he will not allow us to be taken from Him (John 10:28), he will restore our souls (Psalm 23:1-3) and in Jesus, we are strengthened to go back into battle (Romans 16:20) (Kell, 2021). Calling out to God when we are weak reminds me of the Twila Paris song The Warrior is a Child (1984). It is a favorite song of mine to remind myself that despite my showing outward strength, I still need the comforting calm of my Lord and Savior. It is a song that never fails to bring me to tears as I am comforted in the knowledge that I do not go through this life alone. I know the Lord of all Creation is beside me, encouraging me, guiding me and even smiling down on me. Every day, my heart prays that I am doing a good job in His name as a wife, a mother, a believer in a world that continues to push him aside. 

In conclusion, the full armor of God are the tools every believer uses to fight in the spiritual battles that we can face every day. The majority of the pieces are for defense to protect our minds and our hearts. To shield us from the enemy’s attacks. Our offensive weapon is the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Even when the world rejects the authority of the Word of God, God reminds us in Jeremiah 8:9, “The wise will put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the Lord, what kind of wisdom do they have?” And when people reject us as believers, and this is something I need to remind myself quite often, we need to remember that they are not rejecting us but God. 1 Thessalonians 4:8 says “Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.” So believers, arm yourself with the Word of God and put on the full armor and prepare for battle.

References

Kell, Garrett (January 18, 2021). Tempted and Unarmed Why We Need the Armor of God. Desiring God. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/tempted-and-unarmed. Retrieved July 2, 2026. 

Winger, Mike (February 7, 2023). Explaining EACH Piece of the Armor of God. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Wvcwe-wqN6M?si=qK3uV9gGqPNUt3Lu. Retrieved July 2, 2026. 

When Mikan Road Was Ours: one man's journey into his family's past and reshaping his future

When Mikan Road Was Ours by D.K. Furutani is a story of four generations of a Japanese American family as they experienced the California agricultural fields, the bittersweet of inheritance and what it means to belong. Mr. Murano is a reclusive high school English teacher who is just exiting through life. Still reeling from his father’s sudden death and his own cancer diagnosis, he goes to work, comes home, grades papers and tries to appease disgruntled parents. However, his routine is broken when he inherits his great-uncle’s unpublished memoir. He is transported to 1930s California as the Murano family works their farm. Mr. Murano discovers family members he never knew and the complexities of the past in the words of someone who lived it. From the California farms to the concentration camps of World War II and beyond, Mr. Murano discovers the truth of his ancestors and even himself. 

When Mikan Road Was Ours is the debut novel of D.K. Furutani and it was engaging. It is rare to find a new historical fiction which featured the Japanese-American experience in America. It is beautifully written; however, I struggled with this story as it is an uncomfortable and extremely sad time period in American history. However, it is a story of resilience. It is a story of strength. It is a story of a man who finally finds the connection to his Japanese heritage that he has been desperate for and lacked in his life. The story is separated by Mr Murano’s present life as he reads the memoir and the memoir himself. And readers do not learn Mr Murano’s first name. He is only acknowledged as Murano or Mr Murano the entire story. Overall, it is a hard story to read but very important. I recommend When Mikan Road Was Ours. 

When Mikan Road Was Ours is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook