The Queen of Sheba: seeking and testing wisdom

 Imagine the wildest stories you have heard about someone. Did you listen in disbelief and proclaim “no way!”? Or would you be intrigued at the fanciful details? The Queen of Sheba is a pagan queen from a wealthy southern country. She has been described as intelligent and wise as well. When she heard the stories of King Solomon of Israel, she wondered if the stories were real. Could a man so wise really exist? So the queen packs up, loaded with gifts, and heads north to Israel. What does she encounter there? How does she determine if the stories were true? What is the significance to gift giving? How do we gain wisdom as we seek God? 

The land of Sheba is said to have been a fragrant land, famous for its perfumes and spices. Modern day historians believe that Sheba was the South Arabian kingdom of Saba (present day Yemen). As part of the trade route, passing caravans would bring items from lands afar as while as stories. The Queen of Sheba heard the stories of King Solomon, the Israelite king who was the wisest man alive. She also heard about the magnificent temple and place the king had built in Jerusalem. The queen was determined to see for herself if the stories were true. She assembled a caravan of camels loaded with spices, gems and gold and made the trip fifteen hundred miles north. There, day after day, the Queen of Sheba was relentless with her questions, each one harder than the next. But nothing was too difficult for King Solomon. She concluded that the stories about his wisdom were true and presented him with the gifts she brought with her. The Queen of Sheba has risen to folkloric Jewish, Islamic and Christian traditions which suggest a sexually relationship between the queen and Solomon that produced a son: Menelik (Ethiopian Christian), Rehoboam (Islam) or Nebuchadnezzar (Jewish) (Fontaine, 1999). 

Many people think that gift giving is a modern phenomenon fueled by our society’s consumerism with societal pressures to give expensive and extravagant gifts. In reality it is not. Gift giving is as old as civilization. For the Purim feast, Jews are told to give a food gift, to ensure that everyone has a meal for the Purim feast (Esther 9:19). The mishloach manot is meant to unite and bring peace and harmony to an often divisive and fractured community (Herzfeld, no date). Even the Magi brought gifts to the child Jesus in Matthew 2:11. Psychologists have shown that the giver, not the recipient, reaps the psychological gains adding truth to the adage that “it is better to give than receive.” There are many psychological benefits such as a decrease in stress, anxiety and depression as well as physiological ones i.e. decrease in pain and blood pressure (Adams, 2021). And gift giving doesn’t have to be a grand gesture or expensive. It could be as simple as slipping your spouse’s favorite snack in their lunch as a surprise or bringing a co-worker their favorite coffee. It is the thought behind the gift, not the cost, that is important. A small gesture to say, “I was thinking of you,” can have a lasting impact. 

Despite her own wealth, prestige and intelligence, the Queen of Sheba sought the man rumored to have more. She came to test him and he did not disappoint. While scriptures do not give us the questions asked or the answers given, we are told that the queen was overwhelmed by Solomon’s wisdom. Even though she was a pagan queen, she knew that Solomon’s wisdom came from God and praises God for the wisdom he had bestowed on Solomon and made him king (1 Kings 10:9). Life often gives us questions that don’t have easy answers or even satisfying answers. When we seek God and his wisdom, he may provide answers to our questions or he may not. Some questions may be answered when we are with him in heaven and not for us to know now while on earth. However, what he will provide is peace and comfort that he is in control and all we need to do is lean on him. Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

In conclusion, the Queen of Sheba set out to visit the wisest man in the world in order to test him. What she discovered was overwhelming and she proclaimed that God had blessed Solomon with wisdom and it was no wonder he was on the throne of Israel. She gave King Solomon extravagant gifts. Gift giving is an old custom which allows us to honor another as well as provide needs for those who are without. Even the smallest gesture can do so much to boost morale and spirits of the recipient as well as the gift giver themselves. Wisdom isn’t always the grand lessons but the smallest pearl of knowledge that directs us through our days. God is a source of knowledge and wisdom. 

References

Adams, Renee (Mary 28, 2021). 5 Reasons Why Gift Giving is Important. Hoppy Poppie. 

https://hoppypoppie.com/5-reasons-why-gift-giving-is-important/. Retrieved February 15, 2022. 

Fontaine, Carol R (December 31, 1999). Queen of Sheba: Bible. Jewish Women’s Archives. 

https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/queen-of-sheba-bible. Retrieved February 14, 2022. 

Herzfeld, Rabbi Samuel (no date). Why Do Jews Send Mishloach Manot on Purim? My Jewish Learning. https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/purim-gifts/. Retrieved February 15, 2022. 

Killer Music: a cozy mystery of whodunit

Killer Music is the first book in the Cooper Harrington Detective series by Tammy L. Grace. A story of a murdered music mogul, a high-and-mighty widow and one detective determined to track down a killer. Cooper “Coop” Harrington meets Grayson Taylor, a record label mogul, at a glitzing party of country music stars and politicians. He never thought he would be investigating his murder the next day. With plenty of suspects, with many people who wanted him dead. Coop is hired by Emily, Taylor’s widow, he has a tag team including Ben Mason, his best friend of Chief of Detectives, Annabelle, his assistant, even his Aunt Camille becomes a useful fountain of local gossip. As the investigation reveals scandalous indiscretions, secrets, and corruption that it becomes a race against time to catch the killer…before another victim is taken. Can Coop and his team find the evidence they need? 

Coop Harrington is a Nashville lawyer turned private detective. Of course, a great detective has a great team behind him. For Coop, it’s his right hand assistant, Annabelle. Coop and Annabelle have a Perry Mason/Della vibe. Killer Music is a fun cozy mystery with the usual suspects including the ice queen, less than a grieving widow. Coop’s Aunt Camille was a lot of fun too! If you are looking for a psychological thriller or a traditional mystery, this is that book. Killer Music has a Perry Mason/Murder, She Wrote/Colombo vibe. If you enjoyed these shows, you will probably enjoy Killer Music, which is filled with humor, southern charm, and comfort food. Warning: do not read this book while hungry. You’ll want to eat everything the characters are having. I am looking forward to the rest of the series. I recommend Killer Music. 

 

Killer Music is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Encanto: a story about family bonds and being true to yourself.

Encanto had a quiet release in movie theaters on November 24, 2021 but it exploded since the film landed on Disney+ in December 2021. It seems at every turn, someone somewhere is talking about this film. It is a film that my daughters and I lov. We have watched the movie many times and listened to the soundtrack almost daily. My oldest daughter and I have had deep discussions about the themes and motivations of each character. Whether it is the story or the music, Encanto has been on the minds and hearts of its audience. However, it is not without its critics. I will briefly discuss the synopsis of the story for those who have not yet seen Encanto, what I liked about the film and my response to the critics of this beautiful film. 

Encanto is about the magical family Madrigal. Abuela Alma loses her husband Pedro while escaping the violence that erupted in their village. At the Cano Cristales River, nicknamed the Liquid Rainbow (Zapata, 2022), her candle becomes magical, keeping her and her infant children safe. Fifty years later, safely hidden in the mountains of Colombia, they live in a charmed village called the Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift. Every child except Mirabel. No one knows why she hadn’t received a gift and Mirabel grows up essentially on the outside looking in with her magical family. However, the night of her cousin Antonio’s gift ceremony, she sees cracks in their casita and the magical candles flame flickers out. She may be the only hope the family has as she sets out to discover why the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger. 

From my first viewing, I fell in love with Encanto just as I fell in love with Coco (2017). First, Encanto is a beautiful story about family pressures and being true to yourself. Luisa, the sister with super strength, feels she must be stronger and stronger to handle all the family burdens. If she fails, the family fails. Isabela has to be perfect despite feeling she wants moments of imperfection. Mirabel helps her sisters see that they can be more than their gifts. Second, the music is outstanding. From lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton and In the Heights) and composer Germaine Franco (Coco), the music carries the emotional impact of the family and their struggles. My favorite song is Dos Oruguitas. Sung by Colombian star Sebastian Yatra, the song has a folk song vibe as it tells the story of two caterpillars who are holding on tightly to each other, afraid of the change that is coming. But as they turn into butterflies (mariposas), they learn to fly apart, reunite and look to the future. It’s a beautiful image and reminder that we all change and grew into the people we are meant to be but still be a family. Third, the symbolism seen throughout the film. The butterfly theme is seen throughout the film in obvious and subtle ways. Butterflies are symbolic with change. The yellow butterflies are specifically important to Colombia. It is a nod to magical realism and a nod to A Hundred Years of Solitude (1967) by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Colombian Nobel laureate (Zapata. 2022). 

Most reviews have been very positive. Mark Kennedy of the Associated Press said, "It's only appropriate that Encanto—fueled by eight original songs by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda—turns into that most special thing of all: A triumph in every category: art, songs and heart." However, some have not been so positive. One complaint I have read in different reviews has been that the valley represented, Valle del Cocora, and the Cano Cristales River are more than 850 km away from each other. One reviewer states that the fictional village “that combines locations and elements so distant cheapens what the places are and what they represent” (Garzon, 2022). I understand this criticism because as someone who has lived in Southern California all her life, I have encountered many people who think I live near Los Angeles. While my homes have not been as far away as these two Colombian locations, they are far enough to say I am not from Los Angeles and have only visited a few times in my life. However, I understand that the studio probably wanted to highlight these two popular land features as representing the beauty of Colombia. Despite reviews that point out the simplified Disney version of Colombia, many have embraced the chance to see their culture and their families represented. Especially Afro-Latino, “a group that is even more underrepresented in media than non-Black Latinos” (Medina, 2022). 

Overall, Encanto introduces the wider world to the beautiful country of Colombia and it’s diversity. Despite the criticisms of simplifying the dark history of the country, if one person is motivated to learn more about Colombia, it’s people and the troubles they face and are moved to help, then I say the movie has done a great deal for Colombia. The movie has motivated me to read Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s works. I have heard his name many times but have not read his books. However, now I will and I look forward to it. If you have not seen Encanto, I highly recommend it. It is a moving experience that highlights the beauty and tragedy of Colombia while speaking to the universal language of family bonds and being true to yourself. 

References

Garzon, Camilo (January 6, 2022). Encanto Still Has Charm, Despite Generic Representation of Colombia. The Latinx Project. https://www.latinxproject.nyu.edu/intervenxions/encanto-still-has-charm-despite-generic-representation-of-colombia. Retrieved February 9, 2022. 

Kennedy, Mark (November 22, 2021). Review: Disney’s animated ‘Encanto’ effortlessly enchants. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/film-reviews-entertainment-reviews-arts-and-entertainment-movies-d04ad9807894c297d5860020ca463abc. Retrieved February 9, 2022. 

Medina, Amalia (January 20, 2022). Latinx embrace representation shown in Disney’s 'Encanto'. State News. https://statenews.com/article/2022/01/representation-in-encanto?ct=content_open&cv=cbox_latest. Retrieved February 9, 2022. 

Zapata, Mariana (January 25, 2022). 'Encanto' References You Probably Missed. Far & Wide. 

https://www.farandwide.com/s/encanto-disney-colombian-references-e63be2842a4f464f?utm_campaign=encantoreferences-c86cae07c2364b12&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=fac&utm_content=1579568&fbclid=IwAR2j79X_W6e. Retrieved February 8, 2022. 

Newport Harbor House: restoring a family home

Newport Harbor House by Cindy Nichols is the first book in the Newport Beach series. Jen Watson is looking forward to a blissful summer at the family beach house for the first time in years. Widowed when her children were young, Jen focused on raising them but now that they are grown and on their own, she needs this time. She learns that her dad and brother want to sell it especially when there is more profit in selling than doing the necessary repairs. It has become her mission to show them that keeping and repairing the house is worthwhile. Along with her longtime friends, Faith and Carrie, Jen is determined to show the family that selling would be a mistake and worth keeping. 

Newport Harbor House sounded intriguing and I like stories in which old houses are brought back to life; however, much doesn’t happen in this story. While the focus is on saving the house, not much is done in terms of repairs and the most of the events center around caring for dogs, food and cooking. While I enjoyed the friendship with Jen, Carrie and Faith, the rest of the story was just okay. The drama between Jen and her father and brother was lacking. I expected more of a fight and just drama especially when dealing with family. It was a lot of avoidance and phone tag by all three. Newport Harbor House was a quick read with not much going on. 

Newport Harbor House is available in paperback and eBook

Impossible to Forget: a story about friendship, family, and grief

Impossible to Forget by Imogen Clark is a story about friendship, family, grief and the strength to find your place in the world. Just as Romany Osborne turns eighteen, she loses her mother, Angie, to a sudden illness. As the only parent Romany has ever known, Angie wants to make sure her daughter has guidance as she finishes her last year of school before university. In a final letter, Angie has charged her four closest friends to help Romany, each charged with a different task including legal help, cultural education, travel and relationship advice. Three of them have known Angie since university and have remained friends for more than 30 years. Tiger is the perpetual nomad who hides his true identity. Leon is the shy and practical one with an untapped musical talent. Lastly, Maggie, the brilliant lawyer who has always had a set plan to follow. But the fourth guardian is a bit of a mystery. Hope has only known Angie for a few years. She and the others have no idea why she was included. What was the motivation behind this odd request? What could being Romany’s guardian possibly accomplish? 

I chose Impossible to Forget as my January pick from Amazon’s First Reads selection and I am so glad I did. Imogen Clark is a new author to me and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But from the opening chapter to the final page, this story had me hooked. I could not put it down as I read about the unusual friendship between these four people and Angie. There were many moments of laughter and deep heartfelt moments which left me in tears. At first, there were characters I wasn’t sure I would like but by the end of the book, it was hard to have one favorite character. One of my favorite moments is when Romany was horrified that her mother dared to fold the corner of her book. I laughed and cheered because that’s me! I loved that each character, filled with flaws, had moments of growth and personal revelations that it wasn’t too late for true happiness and to follow your heart instead of the sensible and logical path. I highly, highly recommend Impossible to Forget. It is a book that will fill you with hope and appreciation for those unusual friendships. 

Impossible to Forget is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

Going Home: finding home when you least expect it

Going Home by Judith Keim is the first book in the Chandler Hill Inn series. In 1970 as 18 year old Violet “Lettie” Hawkins finally escapes her life in Dayton, Ohio. She makes her way to the west coast and finds herself in San Francisco, with little money, no place to live and very few options. One day, when a kind, young man, Kenton Chandler, offers her a sandwich and a job at his father’s inn and vineyard in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. With nothing to lose, she takes the offer. When she gets there, she immediately feels a connection with the land. In a whirlwind romance, she marries Kenton. Their happiness is short-lived when his father dies from a stroke. And on the day she learns she is expecting their first child, Kenton is killed in a car accident. Heartbroken, she is left in charge of the Chandler Inn and Vineyard. Her job is to make them the success that Kenton and his father had envisioned. As she struggles to raise a child alone and grow the business, she wonders if she can make it on her own. 

Going Home is my second book by Judith Keim and sadly, I was bored. It began great but once Lettie arrives at Chandler Hill, it began a series of unbelievable events. The timeline for the book goes from event to event with only the indication of the time passed with “Several years have passed…” from one paragraph to the next. It would have been better if the years passing could have been between chapters. There was so much potential for this book but I found myself skimming and not really caring about the characters, especially Lettie. I also feel the book’s synopsis gives too much away that the reader doesn’t get the same emotional impact as Lettie when she learns of each tragedy. Although Ms Keim does capture the struggles of a former child of the foster care system in terms of relationships, especially Lettie’s relationship with her own child. The care of the grapes and process of wine making was interesting. Overall, the story was boring. I’m not sure if I will continue this series. If you are a fan of Judith Keim, you may enjoy Going Home. 

Going Home is available in paperback, eBook, and Audiobook. 

The Last Stand of Fox Company: a grueling picture of the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir

The Last Stand of Fox Company: A True Story of US Marines in Combat by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin is a detailed account of one of the coldest battles on record. In November 1950, General MacArthur ignored Mao’s warnings and pushed his UN forces deeper into North Korea. The 10,000 First Division Marines find themselves surrounded and hopelessly outnumbered by the 100,000 Chinese soldiers near the Chosin Reservoir. Fighting their way south through the Toktong Pass, a narrow gorge, is their only chance for survival. Led by Captain William Barber and the 234 Marines of Fox Company, the courageous but undermanned unit of the First Marines. They climb seven miles of frozen terrain to a rocky point overlooking the pass where they will endure four days and five nights of unrelenting Chinese attempts to take Fox Hill. Three-quarters of Fox Company are killed, wounded, or captured. Only a daring and impossible mission to cut through the Chinese lines may be their only chance for survival. 

I have been fascinated with learning more about the Korean War since learning that my late father-in-law fought in the war. The Last Stand of Fox Company is an in depth, no-holds-bar account of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir (November 26 - December 13, 1950) which is often referred as Frozen Chosin as it was the coldest winter on record in 30 years. I know that Marines have a reputation for being tough as nails with a lot of bravado. However, reading about the courageous and determined men of Fox Company, they have certainly earned that bravado. Drury and Clavin do a nice job spotlighting the many men who played an important part in the battle from the leadership to the enlisted men in the foxholes. They also do not shy away from the horrors of battle and the aftermath that these men went through. I highly recommend The Last Stand of Fox Company. It has opened my eyes to the Korean War than just dates and important battles. 

The Last Stand of Fox Company is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe: what if you could ask God anything? What would you ask?

Miracle at the Higher Grounds Café by Max Lucado asks the question: what if you could ask God anything? What would you ask and how would He answer? Chelsea Chambers is on her own. After a very public split from her NFL superstar husband, Sawyer Chambers, she takes a step out of the spotlight and reopens her late mother’s coffee shop. The Higher Grounds Café is an old-fashioned shop in a world of high tech, impersonal coffee shops. But it is in dire need of reinvention. When her courage, expert planning and determination fails to bring in the money she needs, she finds herself in desperate need of help, a miracle. One day, a strange man named Manny lands on her doorsteps and with him a string of curious and unexplainable events occur. Soon, customers are lining up at the café for cupcakes, coffee and a divine connection. The Higher Ground Café has become a place for people in search of answers for their life’s biggest problems. Chelsea resists the belief that God cares and is watching over her. When she makes a shocking discovery, it opens her eyes to the possibility that heaven will answer her own question. 

I have been a fan of Max Lucado’s work for many years. His non-fiction books have been inspirational and brought God and His Word a more relatable and tangible meaning in my life. I haven’t read any of his fiction works. When I came across Miracle at the Higher Grounds Café, I was curious. The story is a sweet story of faith, forgiveness and finding that God is never too far away. Just like in his non-fiction works, Mr. Lucado is a master at portraying deep messages in a simple story. Chelsea is a woman who carries many wounds from her past including her parents’ divorce and her own marriage. Her happiest memories are at the café. I related her to her pain and her reluctance to forgive those who have wounded her. A few of my favorite characters were Manny and Bo, the elderly neighbor who helps Chelsea see the healing power of God. I loved that throughout the story, the message of second chances and that through the power of God and his healing love anyone can change is present. If you love Max Lucado’s work, you will enjoy Miracle at the Higher Grounds Café. 

Miracle at the Higher Grounds Café is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Emotional Intelligence: what is it and how it is important

Emotional Intelligence has been in my news feed a lot lately. Enough that it piqued my interest. What is emotional intelligence? Simply defined, emotional intelligence is the ability to understand, use, and manage one’s own emotions in positive ways in order to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, to overcome challenges and defuse conflict. In essence, emotional intelligence is finding an emotional balance with better control of one’s self and better relationships with others. As I researched emotional intelligence, I looked at what it is, how one engages in emotional intelligence and what are the criticisms of emotional intelligence. 

According to Justin Bariso of Inc magazine, there are 10 simple rules that emotionally intelligent people follow (2022). I will highlight a few of these rules. First, the do-over rule. The do over rule is in which an emotionally intelligent person will look at his or her mistakes and figure out what failed and how to change it in order to have a second chance or “do over.” Second, the rule of resilience. This rule is about learning to deal with emotions that rise when one has failed repeatedly or faced with pressure or challenges. Emotionally intelligent people will deal with failure or pressure by taking breaks, acknowledging their feelings and focusing on what they can control. Lastly, the rule of decision making. Usually emotionally intelligent people will never make a major decision based on a temporary emotion. This is one I feel is what emotional intelligence truly is. Essentially, never make a decision at night, after a bad day or when tired or hungry and especially without time to think it over. Others have described emotional intelligence as when success is more about thinking through problems and challenges and less about routine and skills (Haden, 2022). 

The concept of emotional intelligence has been around since the 1950s as Abraham Maslow used the term emotional strength. The term itself was first used in 1964. However, it did not gain popularity until the 1990s when science journalist Daniel Goleman wrote about five key elements of self-awareness, self regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. The main criticism of emotional intelligence is that it is hard to measure and it has become a pop psychology term without scientific evidence behind it. Many critics have claimed that studies of emotional intelligence have failed scientifically because the developed tests for emotional intelligence rely on self-reporting rather than hard evidence. That is true of most psychological tests. It is not like a blood test when numbers are indicative of a disease or disorder. As a review of the studies on emotional intelligence, researchers Mayer, Roberts, and Barsade found that higher emotions intelligence scores seems to positively correlate with better social relations for children and adults as well as better academic achievement; however, they have stated that it is a relatively new field and more research is needed (2008). As with most psychological fields, more study is needed to better understand and develop better tools to test for and measure emotional intelligence. 

As people recognize and acknowledge their emotions and the why behind their emotions is key to emotional intelligence. In many different articles I have read in my research, it is thought that people with high emotional intelligence have greater mental health. Many of Goleman’s five key elements make sense: self-awareness, self-regulation and motivations seem self-explanatory. However, I was surprised that empathy was included. Empathy is the ability to see the world through another man’s eyes, to walk in his shoes and to feel his pain. Emotionally intelligent people have an easier time with empathy because they have been there. Essentially “empathy begets empathy” (Bariso, 2022). Many people have a hard time with empathy, not just feeling empathy but showing empathy. There are three types of empathy. First, cognitive empathy is when someone has the ability to understand how another person thinks and feels. Cognitive empathy is the simplest form of empathy. Second, emotional empathy is the ability to share the feelings of another person. Third, compassionate empathy is taking action to help in any way one can. This is the only empathy that is action based. It is the most challenging but the most rewarding (Bariso, 2022). 

In conclusion, researching emotional intelligence has been eye opening. I have seen my own growth as I have learned to acknowledge my emotions, not make major decisions or discuss deeper topics when overly emotional and remain fairly calm in times of crisis or stress. The concept of emotional intelligence makes sense as many successful people are successful in part because of their talents and skills but their ability to work through challenges and develop deeper relationships with people around them. Emotional intelligence shows us that we can feel our emotions and use them for deeper understanding of ourselves and those around us. 

References

Bariso, Justin (January 19, 2022). Emotionally Intelligent People Follow These 10 Simple Rules. Inc.https://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/emotional-intelligence-rules-boundaries-resilience-mental-health.html. Retrieved January 19, 2022. 

Bariso, Justin (January 25, 2022). After a Historic Game, Patrick Mahomes Desperately Wanted to Speak With One Person. It's a Lesson in Emotional Intelligence. Inc. https://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/patrick-mahomes-josh-allen-emotional-intelligence-how-to-show-empathy.html. Retrieved January 25, 2022. 

Haden, Jess (January 26, 2022). Emotionally Intelligent People Ask Themselves 6 Questions to Increase Their Odds of Success. Inc. https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/emotionally-intelligence-success-achievement-life-goals-how-to-accomplish-goals-research.html. Retrieved January 26, 2022. 

Mayer, John & Roberts, Richard & Barsade, Sigal. (2008). Human Abilities: Emotional Intelligence. Annual review of psychology. 59. 507-36.

Last Summer: should some memories remain lost?

Last Summer by Kerry Lonsdale is a story of love, lies and deceit. Ella Skye is a lifestyle journalist who remembers every celebrity she interviewed, every politician she has charmed and every envious socialite. The chance meeting with Damien Russell, their intense whirlwind romance and an intimate wedding are locked in her memory. However, she cannot remember the fact that she was pregnant or the accident which took her child from her. Hoping to unlock her memories, she begins to search her past for clues, hoping to trigger a hint of a memory. She is assigned to an exclusive story about Nathan Donovan, a retired celebrity adventurer who seems to know more about her than she does about him. Maybe he is the key to unlocking her memory loss, Ella follows Nathan from the snowcapped Sierra Nevada to the frozen slopes of Alaska, she is drawn to the deeply wounded man. Soon she will discover that the ones who she trusts the most are the only ones keeping secrets, she is keeping secrets from herself as well. Will she uncover her memories? Does she really want to? 

Wow! What a story! Kerry Lonsdale has a talent for giving the reader a story that is more than what it seems. On the surface, Last Summer seems to be a story about memory loss and the journey to recover from trauma. However, this story twists and turns leaving the reader wondering what is real and who to trust. At first I was sympathetic toward Ella as she struggles with her memory loss; but as the story progressed that sympathy dwindled. She is torn between two men and I noticed a difference in the language used by Ella. She describes sex with Damien as f**king or mind blowing while sex with Nathan was described as wild or intense “lovemaking.” Very interesting choice of words. What man will she choose? Neither man is particularly likable so it was hard to cheer for either man. Last Summer is a story that keeps the reader guessing even if you don’t fully understand or agree with the characters’ motivations or choices. The book certainly didn’t end the way I thought it would. I highly recommend Last Summer. 

Last Summer is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

Firekeeper's Daughter: a haunting story about being true to yourself when you are caught between two worlds

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angelina Boulley is a story of personal identity, communal identity and finding your place in a world that doesn’t quite fit you. As someone caught between two worlds, eighteen year old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in. Not in her hometown or on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. She dreams of a fresh start in college but when family tragedy strikes, she must alter her plans in order to look after her fragile mother. The only bright spot is meeting the new charming recruit, Jamie, on her brother Levi’s hockey team. Soon she realizes that there is more to Jamie than he’s telling. When Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, she realizes that Jamie has been lying to her and she is thrusted into an FBI drug investigation. She reluctantly goes undercover, using her knowledge of chemistry and the Ojibwe traditional medicine to track down the source of the drugs. As Daunis searches for the truth, secrets and old scars are exposed leaving her to fight her own demons. She is fully tested and learns what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and protect her community even if it tears apart the only world she has ever known. 

Firekeeper’s Daughter first caught my attention with it’s beautiful cover. The story synopsis piqued my interest. After I received a copy of Firekeeper’s Daughter for Christmas, I started reading and I discovered that it was a book to be read slowly. It was not a book to breeze through. It is a powerful and beautiful story that is complex and deeply moving. It is a book that is honest about history and current struggles without really pointing fingers. Simply stating facts and issues. Ms. Boulley presents the issues facing the modern Ojibwe communities including alcohol and drugs but also identity. What does it mean to be a member of the community as well who do you allow to be members of the community? I loved the character Daunis. She is feisty and ready to fight for herself and those she loves. But she is also a deeply wounded girl on the verge of womanhood in a very adult and complicated world. I also enjoyed the glimpse into the Ojibwe culture and people. There were many great quotes that I wrote down and will remember long after I have finished. It is a book I would definitely read again. I highly recommend Firekeeper’s Daughter. 

Firekeeper’s Daughter is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook.

The Apology Project: when a sudden change opens the door for a second chance

The Apology Project by Jeanette Escudero is a story of personal growth and discovering what really matters. Life was going to get complicated. Amelia Montgomery, a prominent lawyer in Chicago, has been fired for not compromising her principles in a high-profile case. And for accidentally punching her partner in the nose for a misogynistic comment he made. What to do next? Amelia has no idea. After the epic failure of her 40th birthday party, an open bar and the soul guest, John Ellis, a total stranger and new associate at her former firm, she decides she needs to do some apologizing. Amelia considers all the people she had wronged. From old besties to coworkers, she decides she is going to make amends to those who really deserve it. As she checks off each apology, Amelia realizes she has been given a second chance for a life she thought she couldn’t have. 

The Apology Project is a sweet mix of romance, self-discovery and personal growth as Amelia learns that she doesn’t have to be an ice queen to have a great career and a thriving personal life. At first, Amelia is a person that I would avoid in real life. She is determined to win her cases but she has a sense of moral right as well and won’t compromise. But as the story progresses, the reader gets to see the real Amelia. The sensitive Amelia. The competitive but fun-loving Amelia. I loved seeing her personal growth and the honest and in-depth conversations she has with her sister, Nina, the psychologist. I also loved that she was willing to step out of her comfort zone and relax a bit. I enjoyed the cast of characters, especially Nina and John as they support her as she completes her apology project. I highly recommend The Apology Project. 

The Apology Project is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

The Christie Affair: an disappointing retelling of Agatha Christie's mysterious disappearance

The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont is a story centered around the famous disappearance of Agatha Christie in 1926. Agatha Christie is one of the most famous mystery writers of the 20th century. When she was last seen on December 3, 1926, her disappearance was the type of mystery you would expect Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple to be able to solve. She would be located on December 14, 1926 at the Swan Hydropathic Hotel with no memory of how she got there or why she was there. Those eleven days would be debated for years as Christie refused to answer any questions about that time. Perhaps the greatest mystery wasn’t her disappearance at all, but what she discovered. Nan O’Dea was Archie Christie’s mistress. A woman who lured him away from his devoted and very famous wife. But why? Why destroy another woman’s marriage? Why hatch a plot years in the making? Why resort to murder? How was Nan tied to Agatha Christie’s disappearance? A story of star-crossed loves, heartbreak, revenge and murder. 

Agatha Christie was the first mystery writer I had read and her disappearance has always been a point of fascination. And I looked forward to reading The Christie Affair as a possible explanation of what happened. Ms. de Gramont’s story is marketed as a “brilliant re-imagination of one of the most talked about unsolved mysteries of the twentieth century.” However, it fails to deliver. I was bored and confused from the start. The story is told from the perspective of Nan O’Dea, the fictionalized version of Nancy Neele, the real life mistress and second wife of Archie Christie. An omnipotent narrator, Nan is able to tell the reader about scenes where she is not present and the thoughts and feelings of other characters, which was very off-putting. In my opinion, the 2008 Doctor Who episode, “The Unicorn and the Wasp,” did a much better job at an fantastical and imaginative explanation about the famous author’s disappearance. The Christie Affair is less about Agatha Christie and more about Nan. I do not recommend The Christie Affair . 

The Christie Affair is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook

The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club: a story of friendship and discovery

The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club by Faith Hogan is a story about three women in three different stages of life all wanting one thing: the chance to start again. When Elizabeth O’Shea’s husband dies, he leaves her with a crumbling house and crippling debt. She turns to the only person she can, her friend, Jo, who calls her daughter, Lucy. As the three women settle into a normal routine, a friendship is formed. In search of solace and rejuvenation, Jo and Elizabeth enjoy midnight dips in the freezing Irish sea. Soon Lucy joins them and it becomes a time to laugh, cry and let the waves wash away their fears. The women are discovered by Dan, who is there to relax and write a book. Lucy’s teenage son, Niall, is torn between living with his father in Australia or staying with his mother and his newfound friends. 

The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club is a sweet story about friendship and discovery. I enjoyed all three women as they come from different backgrounds and hurts, but find friendship and support in each other. I particularly liked the free spirited Jo who said it like it was and held nothing back. I loved watching Elizabeth shake off the doctor’s wife's mantle and be the feisty woman she always held back. Lucy is trying to find her footing again after her divorce and her ex-husband’s move to Australia. There were many touching moments throughout the story particularly between Elizabeth and Dan and Lucy and Niall. I thoroughly enjoyed The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club and highly recommend it. 

The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club is available in eBook and audiobook.