The Widow of Zarephath: a story of God's miracles and providence

The widow of Zarephath was a woman who knew great sorrow. She would suffer the loss of her husband, live through extreme poverty and famine. She was a foreigner facing starvation when she showed extraordinary hospitality to a stranger. As a Phoenician woman, she didn’t know that she would be entrusted to care for one of Israel’s great prophets. She didn't know that the God of Israel would send his prophet to her. Why would she? Why would she think that God would see her and know her plight or even care? It is a story of God’s miracles and providence. The widow of Zarephath would experience the repeated miracles of God’s provisions. What is her story? Why was being a widow important to her story? What are God’s promises to provide for us? 

We are introduced to the widow in 1 Kings 17:8-24. She lived in Zarephath, a village close to the Mediterranean. She used to love the ocean but the massive ocean seemed to be mocking her down. Its watery abundance reminds her of all that she lacked. She lives a lonely life. There was no one to warm her at night. There was no one to work the fields and provide food for their table. Her husband had died as a result of the drought. She was left along with her young son. They were close to starvation. As she prepared their final meal with the last of the flour and oil she had, a strange man appeared at her door and asked for some food. She explains that they have no food, he tells her that the flour and oil will not end. She will have enough food. Skeptical, she makes the man food from the last of the flour and oil. Something amazing happens! Every time she used the flour and oil, it never ended just like the man said. It lasted day after day, month after month. Never failing until the rains came. 

In the ancient world, widows were often treated as second class citizens who were ignored and allowed to go hungry. A woman alone is dependent on her husband, sons or community for support. But God has a special love and care for widows. In Psalm 68:5, God is, “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows” in his holy dwelling. He commands widows to be treated with compassion and to be provided for. When the Israelites were declared disobedient, the evidence was in their lack of concern for and even mistreatment of widows (Isaiah 1:23, Ezekiel 22:6-7, Malachi 3:5). However, anyone who provided for widows were noted as worthy. Job 29:13 says, “the man who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing.” Even in the New Testament, widows were treated with special care. In 1 Timothy 5:3-16, Paul urged the church to care for older widows. Today, there are numerous programs and plans that help provide for a widow’s financial needs. However, we need to take care to be aware of a widow’s emotional and spiritual needs. While their financial needs may have been met, they will still need friendship and companionship and perhaps with household chores and errands. 

Sometimes it may seem that God doesn’t know our needs or that he even cares. But he does. God doesn’t ignore the needs of those who do not have the resources for those needs. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Ever gotten a perfectly timed check in the mail? Is it just the right amount to pay off a past due bill or provide food for the week. Have you ever wondered how you’re going to clothe your growing children, only to be given boxes and boxes of hand-me-downs? God provides for all our needs and he will continue to provide. Sometimes it is easy to forget all the ways he has provided for us. Sometimes, when times are extremely, it is our faith that waivers. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Sometimes all we need is a little faith and God does the rest. 

The story of the widow of Zarephath is a story of God’s providence through miracles and faith. I feel the widow was unable to deny a hungry man, despite her and her son’s own hunger, that she decided to act on faith. Her act of faith opened the door for God’s miracles. In Matthew 17:20 Jesus says, “if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move.” There are numerous stories in the Bible of people with the smallest faith that results in the biggest miracles. The widow’s story is also a reminder that we cannot forget those who have lost their husbands. Even in today’s financial safeguards, widows are often forgotten. If you know a widow in your family, neighborhood, or church, check in, chat for a bit. It may be just what they need to brighten their day. 

I Wish...: small town, a special wish and one magical tree

I Wish…is the second book in The Wishing Tree series by Amanda Prowse. When her world is disrupted by shock and heartache, Verity Joseph’s life in the affluent Chelsea area of London is blown apart. To hide from the press and to lick her wounds, she and her teenage daughter, Sophie, packed their bags and headed to Linden Falls. The small town in Vermont is just what Verity needs for peace, quiet and time to consider her next move. Little does she know that her journey of self-discovery will come with a surprising twist. As Verity and Sophie find a new rhythm in Linden Falls, she begins to feel at home and realizes that her ending is actually a new beginning in disguise. Will she find the courage to follow her heart and allow her wish to come true? 

The Wishing Tree series is an interesting series as each book is written by a different author. With thirteen books in total, readers will visit the magical town of Linden Falls and be inspired by the hopes and dreams of the heartbroken and see the magic of the unexplained and unimaginable. I Wish… was a quick and enjoyable read as the reader follows heartbroken Verity to Linden Falls. Once there, she is determined to enjoy her time and reconnect with Sophie. What she doesn’t expect is the openness and friendliness of the residents. She finds herself opening up to her newfound friends in ways she didn’t want to but once she does, it is liberating. She even opens herself up to life and love again. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I highly recommend I Wish… 

I Wish… is available in paperback and eBook. 

Jesus Christ, His Life and Mine: reconnecting with Jesus and his teachings

Jesus Christ, His Life and Mine: The Story of Jesus and How It Applies to Us in the Twitter Era by R. Christian Bohlen is a book that walks the reader through the life of Jesus and hopes to connect them with Christ as never before, especially in this age of social media and online lives. Mr. Bohlen asks the reader to imagine being a witness to Jesus’s life, from his birth to resurrection and ascension, what would you think about him? Would you believe in him? Would you be skeptical or immediately follow him like the disciples did? Through the use of powerful visualization and practical life applications, readers can build a more personal connection with Jesus, grow their faith as well as be energized in their spiritual lives. 

Jesus Christ, His Life and Mine is a fresh and easy to read, step by step guide through the life of Jesus Christ and why he is the Savior to all. Through the book, readers will be reenergized why Jesus is still the greatest story ever told. I particularly liked the final chapters as Mr. Bohlen walks through common questions from believers and nonbelievers. The book could easily be used as a Bible study as each section and chapter opens with questions that the readers can answer. Although, I would have put these questions at the end of the chapters instead of in the beginning. I recommend Jesus Christ, His Life and Mine to all Christians, old and new, as they will experience Jesus Christ as never before. 

Jesus Christ, His Life and Mine: The Story of Jesus and How It Applies to Us in the Twitter Era

is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Noble Traitor: a historical novel featuring the Scottish War of Independence

Noble Traitor is the first book in the Son of Scotland series by JR Tomlin. In 1306 Scotland, Thomas Randolph is a young squire on the verge of knighthood when he joins Robert the Bruce, his uncle, in the fight for Scotland’s freedom. After a disastrous loss in the Battle of Methven, he is taken prisoner and Robert the Bruce goes into hiding. While other prisoners were executed under the dragon banner, Thomas’s life was saved by a friend. Now he must tread carefully as he is asked to swear his loyalty to King Edward I and England. With no choice, he serves England but his heart is still with Scotland. Caught between duty and his heart, he is now a noble traitor. 

I thoroughly enjoy books on Scottish history, especially featuring Scottish heroes that don’t get much attention when compared to figures like Robert the Bruce and William Wallace. I read JR Tomlin’s A Kingdom’s Cost (2016) about the Black Douglas and enjoyed it so much that when Noble Traitor was brought to my attention, I got it. It was interesting to see the different sides of the War of Scottish Independence. Noble Traitor shows the English and their Scottish allies as they hunt down Robert the Bruce and the Black Douglas. It covers the time period of February 1306 to December 1307.  Noble Traitor is a fast read. I was able to finish it in a few hours. I recommend Noble Traitor for anyone who is interested in Scottish history and military history. 

Noble Traitor is available in paperback and eBook

Seabreeze Inn: an unexpected chance to start over

Seabreeze Inn is the first book in the Summer Beach series by Jan Moran. After discovering her late husband drained their life savings on a beach house in California, Ivy Marin’s life seems to implode. Desperately needing cash, she decides to sell the house. Only after arriving, she realizes that the historical home would be a hard sell. Along with her sister, Shelly, Ivy decides to renovate the house and open an inn. The only problem is her late husband left a sour taste in the mouths of the residents of Summer Beach. Bennett Dylan is the mayor of the tiny town and he, along with the resident, led a campaign to block Jeremy Marin’s original plans for a high-rise resort. He’s determined to fight Ivy as well. Butting heads is the least of their troubles when a cache of stolen artwork is found hidden deep in the house. Ivy must now deal with the FBI, the media and the residents that haven’t yet accepted her. She’s determined to make the house a successful business and build a new life in the community she has come to love. 

Seabreeze Inn is a fun, dramatic story with a dash of romance. The book is set up for a series. I could tell as I read that certain plotlines would be carried over into future books. As well as the introduction of a large cast of characters, some that are only introduced and then never seen again. Most likely to be brought back for future books. Ivy is a woman scorned, betrayed and left reeling after her husband’s sudden death. While I understand Ivy’s harshness, I found her to be rude and often jumped to conclusions even after learning the ugly truth about her husband’s activities in the town. I would think she would have treaded lightly with the town as she learned her husband’s original plans. My favorite character was Bennett, an honorable man who tries to do right by the community he loves. He seems gruff with Ivy; however, my defenses would be up too if the widow of the man who wanted to ruin their small town showed up. Overall, I enjoyed Seabreeze Inn and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I recommend Seabreeze Inn. 

Seabreeze Inn is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

The Wishing Tree: a great introduction to a new series

The Wishing Tree is book one in The Wishing Tree series by various authors. In Linden Falls, Vermont is that picturesque, idyllic small town. Within the charming street of a community of people who care about each other and in the center of town is the famous Wishing Tree. It is an old beautiful tree with wishes tied to the branches. From simple wishes and dreams to heartbreaking and devastating hopes. As tourists flock to town and join the locals to hang ribbons to the branches of the tree. Some believe in the magic of the Wishing Tree while others believe it is the hooky gimmick to bring in tourists. If it’s magic or not, there have been beautiful stories of love, forgiveness and happily ever after that brings people to the tree and taking a chance to hang a wish. 

Book one of The Wishing Tree series is an introduction to the rest of the series. With a wonderful prologue which introduces Neva Cabot, one of the oldest residents and leads into a brief introduction to the first six books of the series. I read a lot of reviews that were upset that this book is not a full novel itself. However, I enjoyed the brief introduction into the premise of the series and the first six books. As an added bonus, this book is a free eBook that if you are interested in the series, this is a great way to give a highlight of what to expect and the feel for the series. I have the next six books in the series and will be reviewing them soon. If you are curious about Linden Falls and their Wishing Tree, I recommend checking out The Wishing Tree. 

The Wishing Tree is available in paperback and eBook

Damn Lucky: one man's account as a bomber pilot during World War II

Damn Lucky: One Man's Courage During the Bloodiest Military Campaign in Aviation History by Kevin Maurer. It is the true story of John :Lucky” Luckadoo, a World War II bomber pilot who survived twenty-five missions over France and Germany. Pearl Harbor was worlds away from Lucky’s , hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee but when the Japanese attacked on December 7, 1941, he didn’t hesitate, joining many men and women to service their country. Trained as a pilot with the United States Air Force, Lucky was assigned to the 100th Bomb Group stationed in Thorpe Abbotts, England. From June to October 1943, he flew B-17 Flying Fortresses. With a shrapnel torn Bible in his flight jacket pocket and his girlfriend’s silk stocking, worn like a scarf, as talismans as well as a prayer as Luckadoo flew through unbelievable conditions: Luftwaffe machine-gun fire and, anti aircraft flak, and subzero temperatures. Knowing many pilots who didn’t make it home, Lucky realizes that his success was more luck than skill. 

Drawn from Lucky’s firsthand accounts, Damn Lucky chronicles the extraordinary tale from war to peacetime, detailing feats of bravery during the bloodiest military campaign in aviation history. It is also the story of a young man who quickly grew from a naïve idealist to realize that war is not all glory. There was fear, pain and guts. It became less about fighting the war for their country but for their buddies and to survive and go home. According to a quote in the book’s synopsis, Mr. Luckadoo says, “My hope is that this book honors the men with whom I served by telling the truth about what it took to climb into the cold blue and fight for our lives over and over again.” Damn Lucky certainly accomplished that goal and more. I appreciated Mr. Luckadoo’s honesty about his experience and didn’t gloss over the ugly parts of war and battle. If you enjoy reading military history and personal accounts, I highly recommend Damn Lucky! 

Damn Lucky: One Man's Courage During the Bloodiest Military Campaign in Aviation History 

Is available April 19, 2022 in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook. 

The Surprise Wedding: a fun romance for a lazy afternoon

The Surprise Wedding is the first book in the Veils and Vows series by Jean Oram. Devon Mattson is desperate to get his ex-girlfriend's attention. He’d rather not have to talk with her but he needs her help to save Blueberry Springs, his hometown. Olivia Carrington isn’t happy that Devon shows up at her private event. But he offers a solution that she is desperately looking for that could save her company’s organic cosmetic line. As the current mayor is running an election on a proposed dam, Devon decides to run against him to stop the dam. Olivia offers to help him with his image as the dam would ruin her chance to find what she needs for her cosmetics. Now they must play nice in order to achieve their goals including faking an engagement. When they get caught up in the charade, they are forced to confront their past. Will they ruin their chances of success? Or will their fake engagement lead to a real wedding? 

I recently read a book that dealt with a pretty heavy topic and I felt the need for a light hearted, fun story and The Surprise Wedding was it. The Surprise Wedding is a sweet romance with a bit of drama. A fast read, it is perfect for a laid back, lazy afternoon, I was able to read it in a few hours. I enjoyed the characters, especially Devon and Olivia. Their drama, history and attraction to each other made for a great story of re-falling. love. I enjoyed their banter. At first, their angry snaps at each other to their flirty, carefree banter was great. I also enjoyed their heart to heart talk as they confront their past, their hurts and their wrongs. It was heartfelt and real. I look forward to continuing the series and visiting Blueberry Springs again. If you like sweet romance set in a fun small town, I recommend The Surprise Wedding. 

The Surprise Wedding is available in paperback and eBook. 

The Dressmaker's Gift: a story of resilience and survival

The Dressmaker’s Gift by Fiona Valpy is the story of three women faced with impossible choices during a desperate time. Paris, 1940, the city is occupied by the Nazis, three young seamstresses, Claire, Mireille, and Vivienne, go about their normal lives as best they can. Each hiding secrets. After seeing the horrors of the Nazis first hand, Mireille joins the French Resistance. Claire becomes involved with a German officer and Vivienne keeps her secrets very close to the vest. 2017, Paris, Claire’s granddaughter, Harriet, arrives in the city to begin an internship at a local public relations agency. Still grieving from her mother’s sudden death, Harriet discovers she is living and working in the same building her grandmother lived and worked in many years ago. As she begins to learn the story of her grandmother, she unravels a story darker and more painful than she ever managed. How do they survive history’s darkest times and how will they be judged for those choices? 

Fiona Valpy is a phenomenal storyteller! She has a way to open up the stories of the past through the eyes of those who lived it with all its complicities. The Beekeeper’s Promise (2018) introduced Mireille and in The Dressmaker’s Gift, readers can experience her story. Ms. Valpy doesn’t shy away from the horrors that were experienced during the war. Filled with emotional and heartbreaking moments, The Dressmaker’s Gift is a story of hope, courage and resilience. From the beginning, the story of Claire, Mireille and Vivienne gripped me until I couldn’t let go. Reading the choices they were forced to make and actions that they took to survive, I kept asking myself would we be able to do the same today? What would we do in times of impossible choices? I also enjoyed Harriet’s story as she finds a new sense of purpose and personal strength as she learns her grandmother’s story. I highly recommend The Dressmaker’s Gift as well as The Beekeeper’s Promise. 

The Dressmaker’s Gift is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

Last Dance on the Starlight Pier: dance marathons, the Great Depression, and hopes for a better future

Last Dance on the Starlight Pier by Sarah Bird is a story set in the Great Depression as one woman struggles to rise above her past for a better future. The story opens on July 3, 1932 as Evie Grace Devlin watches in horror as the Starlite Palace burns. She had come to Galveston to escape a dark past in the fading days of vaudeville and become a nurse. When the dream of becoming a nurse doesn’t become a reality, she finds herself in the strange world of dance marathons. There she meets individuals who have been outcasted by their families and communities to make a living in the dance marathons. Evie soon finds herself in the one place she swore to leave behind: the spotlight. In the dreaded spotlight, she finds what she has wanted the most: a family, a purpose and love. Will Evie be able to truly put her past behind her and achieve her dreams? 

I was intrigued by the premise of Last Dance on the Starlight Pier. What’s not to be intrigued by the Great Depression, dance marathons and the resilience of the human spirit? I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning as Evie watched the fire burn and looked forward to discovering the events that led her there. Unfortunately, the story fell terribly flat. It was way too long and incredibly boring. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters, particularly Evie. I found her to be unbelievably naïve despite her dark past. There was too much going on to be enjoyable. Was it a story of Evie and her resilience? Was it a story of the Great Depression, the mob and Prohibition? I felt the political commentary was more indicative of today’s political climate instead of being a reflection of the 1930s. There were just too many agendas trying to be in the forefront that it took away from the story. Unfortunately, I do not recommend Last Dance on Starlight Pier. 

Last Dance on Starlight Pier is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook

Turning Red: more than just a girl going through puberty

Turning Red is the newest Disney and Pixar film which had limited theater screens while being fully available on Disney+. There was a bit of shock and outrage from Pixar when Disney decided to not put the film into movie theaters and place it on the streaming service. Inspired by her childhood, writer, director and producer, Domee Shi, brings the story to life in Turning Red. Shi was born in Chongqing, Sichuan, and immigrated to Canada at the age of 2 with her parents. They eventually settled in Toronto. She has worked on many Pixar films including Inside Out (2015) before writing and directing Pixar’s short, Bao (2017) which won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. As usual, I will write a brief synopsis of the film, then discuss what I liked and my response to criticism of the film. 

Set in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 2002, Turning Red is the story of Mei Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang), a confident, dorky thirteen-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl. She is the dutiful daughter who does well in school, excels at her extracurriculars and helps out at the family temple. But she is also a typical teenager who loves the popular boy band and crushes on a local older boy. She becomes torn between staying her mother's dutiful daughter and being her own individual self. Add in the chaos of adolescence, conflicts over friendships and a family secret. Her protective, and slightly, overbearing mother, Ming, (voiced by Sandra Oh), is never far from her daughter. When a popular boy band is coming to Toronto, Mei, along with her friends Miriam (voiced by Ava Morse), Priya (voiced by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) and Abby (voiced by Hyein Park), set up a plan to attend the concert, with or without their parents’ permission. Unfortunately, the timing couldn’t be worse when the family secret rears its ugly head and Mei turns into a giant red panda every time she experiences strong emotions. She can get rid of the transformation at the next red moon but will she want to? 

There were a few aspects of Turning Red that I liked. First, its openness. It doesn’t shy away from the rebellion that is often a feature of growing up. Mei is torn between honoring her parents and honoring herself. It is a stage and decision that every child will come to as they grow into adulthood. It also doesn’t shy away from periods. In one scene, after Mei first turns into a panda, her mother thinks she has gotten her period, or as she called it, “the red peony,” and is prepared. Unfortunately, many parents do not prepare for this moment for their daughters and are often caught unaware when it occurs. If this film opens the conversations between mothers and daughters about puberty and periods, that is a great thing. Second, the full acceptance of friends. When Mei reveals the panda to her friends, they are immediately accepting. Mei cries that she’s a freak and Miriam replies “You’re our girl.” They stood by her as she struggled to contain and come to terms with this transformation. It is important that we have a support system through our good times and our struggles. I liked that the film shows that type of friendship. 

While overwhelmingly praised, Turning Red had created a firestorm online. First, many parents were upset that it dared discuss puberty and periods. I have read parental reviews online and many parents were shocked at the topics and angry at Disney. To those parents, I must say, do your research! Any movie, book or tv program geared at kids should not be taken on blind faith as appropriate for your child, Read into it, watch it yourself and decide if you want your child to be exposed to the programs. That is your responsibility as a parent. Second, Clarissa Cruz (2022), writes that “normalizing the emotional and physical messiness of puberty” is refreshing. However, that hasn't be the overall sentiment. In a now deleted review, Sean O’Connell of CinemaBlend called the movie limiting and exhausting (Shivaram, 2022) I’m not sure how the film can be limiting and exhausting, unfortunately, I think Mr O’Connell is being a typical male who is uncomfortable with the topic of female puberty and periods. Gasp! Third, I don't think the fact that the movie features an Asian family and culture takes away from the overall message. While there are some cultural differences when it comes to puberty and coming of age, I believe there is an universality to the story. My oldest daughter who is 10 absolutely loved the movie and related to Mei and her friends.

Turning Red is not a absolute favorite for me. I didn’t have the same emotional response to it as I did with Coco (2017) or Encanto (2021). After watching the film, I was conflicted about how I felt and how the story would deal with puberty and periods. However, after discussing the film with my oldest daughter, I appreciated and enjoyed that it was brave enough to discuss the often taboo topics. It is a stage of life that we all go through, by being open and having honest conversations with our children can lead to a deeper relationship with trust. With that trust, a child would hopefully feel comfortable enough to come to their parents with any questions and for any topic. If Turning Red can be a catalyst to opening that door for parents and children to have that conversation or any meaningful conversation, then I recommend Turning Red. 

References

Cruz, Clarissa (March 13, 2022). What Turning Red means to me as an AAPI parent. Entertainment Weekly. https://ew.com/movies/what-turning-red-means-aapi-parents/?fbclid=IwAR2QiU6_80CkMVCCVjiz2ZsYU915p5vA1Ls7-zeGTUjo81vmYRWXc5VQlPk. Retrieved April 4, 2022.  

Shivaram, Deepa (March 12, 2022). 'Turning Red' is a turning point for Asians in film. Why is it seen as unrelatable?. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2022/03/12/1086040083/turning-red-controversy. Retrieved April 4, 2022. 

Guiding Emily: a story of finding the strength and courage to face new challenges

Guiding Emily is the first book in the Guiding Emily series by Barbara Hinske. It is a story of love, loss and courage. Emily Main had it all. She has a successful career with a technology giant, a handsome fiance, Connor, who is climbing up the corporate ladder and a destination wedding coming up. While on their island wedding and honeymoon, tragedy strikes and they rush home in the hopes to save her vision. Suddenly her idyllic life is thrown into chaos as all treatments are unsuccessful and she must learn to face life without her sight. Meanwhile, a black lab puppy named Garth starts his journey to become a guide dog and the challenges and dedication it takes to become one of the most important tools to those with certain disabilities. How will Emily respond to her new normal? Will she have the support of those around her? 

Guiding Emily is a heartbreaking, yet sweet story of one woman’s journey to a new reality and the dog that would become her sight and her companion. My heart broke for Emily; however, on the flip side I was annoyed with Emily. If she suffered from a disease that she could lose her eyesight with something as simple as violent sneezing, why would she agree to a destination wedding and an activity that she feared could lead to an accident? Why would her fiance even suggest such an activity? Sometimes it takes a tragedy to truly see how a person will respond to emergencies. Overall, I enjoyed Guiding Emily. It was an easy to read story of overcoming a tragedy and becoming stronger in the end. Some aspects of the story were predictable, but still enjoyable. If you love a story of strength, courage and dogs, I recommend Guiding Emily. 

Guiding Emily is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

214 Palmer Street: a psychological suspense thriller with one house, one secret, and a woman with nothing to lose

214 Palmer Street by Karen McQuestion is psychological suspense thriller about one house with a secret and a woman with nothing to lose. Sarah Aden tells Maggie Scott, the elderly neighbor of the Caldwells’ at 214 Palmer Street, that she’s the housesitter. At the last minute, Cady asks Sarah to stay for the month that she’s gone. Since she’s warm and pleasant, Maggie is happy that the house won’t be empty for so long but inside Sarah’s panicking. No one was supposed to see her there. Sarah is on a mission. There’s a secret buried with the house and she is determined to discover the truth. What Sarah doesn’t know is that someone else knows that she’s in the house. Someone else suspects that the house holds the key to a mystery that she has spent decades trying to unravel. Will the truth be revealed? 

Psychological suspense thrillers have grown in popularity and Karen McQuestion has found a new genre to explore. From the opening chapter, I am intrigued with the idea of a mysterious person inside a house that’s supposed to be empty. With alternating points of view, the story takes the reader on the twists and turns of a wild roller coaster. I enjoyed that the story wasn’t so complicated that my head was buzzing with so many details and red herrings that I failed to pick up on the clues but it wasn’t too simple that I figured out the secret before it was revealed. It had characters to like, characters to hate and characters that you aren’t sure you can or should trust. Even right to the end, you weren’t sure if all was truly well with how the events played out. Overall, I really enjoyed and recommend 214 Palmer Street. 

214 Palmer Street is available in eBook and audiobook

In a Garden Burning Gold: a fantasy adventure about family, power and magic

In a Garden Burning Gold by Rory Power is a magical fantasy story about twins, Rhea and Lexos, who must find a way to keep their family in power against growing opposition. Rhea and Lexos have incredible magical abilities, along with their family, they can control the seasons, the tides, and the stars. Their magic also helps keep their father on the throne of their kingdom. However, over the past century, their father has become an unpredictable tyrant, with an ever growing temper, which has fueled a rebellion within their borders as well as attacks from rival nations. Rhea and Lexos now must fight to keep the kingdom, and the family, together while fighting treachery, deceit and drama that threatens the bonds they hold dear. Could their determination to bring peace find themselves on the opposing sides of the battlefield? 

Fantasy is not a genre I generally read but In a Garden Burning Gold, with its gorgeous cover and intriguing premise, had me taking a chance. At the core of the story is a family who must test the bonds of their family, to see how far they can bend before they break. The story itself is beautifully written with flowing language. However, the story was like a roller coaster of slow building anticipation to the sudden free fall of action. The slow parts were almost painfully slow which I found myself spacing out. The villain reveal was a bit surprising but as I looked back on the clues leading up to the reveal, it did make sense and was very predictable if I had paid closer attention. If you are a fantasy reader, I would recommend In a Garden Burning Gold. 

In a Garden Burning Gold is available April 5 in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook

 

The Orchid Inn: a story of sisters, heartbreaks, tragedies and finding new life

The Orchid Inn by Aisling Delaney is the first book in the Orchid Island series. It is the story of three sisters, each with their own heartbreaks and tragedies, gather together at their grandmother’s bed and breakfast, the Orchid Inn, for the summer. Ave Flynn has hit rock bottom. Her husband has left her, wiped out their savings, all on the same day that she loses her job at a high powered law firm for “insulting” a billionaire client. Her only thought is to gather Moira, her 13 year old daughter, and head to Orchid Island. Little does she know that her sisters are also on their way, Sarah is left penniless when her millionaire boyfriend suddenly dies, leaving her with nothing. Charlotte comes to the island to figure out how her decisions had led her life down the path she seems to be on. One thing is haunting all three sisters: the disappearance of their father 17 years prior. Will they ever get the answers they need? Will the explanations be enough? Will they finally have the chance to chase the dreams they never dared to before? 

The Orchid Inn was a hard book to stay engaged in. While it started off well with the majority of the book covering the women’s journeys to the island and their stories. But that last half of the story sped by and the end seemed abrupt with any resolution or fallout left for the next book. Ava was a hard character to care for especially her attitude about Sarah’s life choices. Ava and Sarah hadn’t spoken for ten years. Once they are both at the island, they seem to forgive and forget fairly quickly. It seemed to be a theme of the story: tell your story and you will be forgiven. I’m all for forgiving those who have hurt us; but realistically, it doesn’t always happen in one conversation, especially with deep hurts. The sisters’ mother was a real piece of work who loved to say “I told you so” when her daughters’ lives were falling apart. I was looking forward to an endearing, even a hard-hitting story of sisters, their pasts and their drive to move on. Unfortunately, The Orchid Inn did not live up to my expectations.

The Orchid Inn is available in paperback