Athaliah and Jehosheba: two very different women with two very different plans

This month’s study features two women: Athaliah and Jehosheba. Two very different women with two very different plans with very different outcomes. Athaliah was the granddaughter of Omri, one of Israel’s most idolatrous and evil kings. She was the daughter of Ahab and possibly Jezebel. Athaliah was the only woman to rule over Judah and spent her time promoting Baal worship. In order to stay in power, she murdered her own family. She attempted to destroy the royal line of Judah but failed. She failed due to Jehoseheba’s actions. Jehosheba was a princess and the wife of the high priest, Jehoiada. A courageous woman who helped preserve the Judean royal line. The same line that would produce Jesus. She preserved the life of her brother’s youngest son, Joash, so he could become Judah’s rightful king. One woman’s evil plan was subverted by another woman’s courage and kept God’s promise alive. What is their story? What other examples do we have of people doing right in the face of evil? What promises do we have from God when we face these situations? 

Athaliah’s name sent chills through the hearts of God’s people. After her husband and son were killed in battle with Jehu, she took the throne. In her paranoia and lust for power, she proceeded to murder her own grandsons in order to keep her place on the throne of Judah. She may have sat back with satisfaction as she believed she had successfully snuffed out the royal line. There was no one else to challenge her place on the throne. Little did she know there was one grandson she missed. Jehosheba was the sister of Ahaziah, Athaliah’s son, which makes Jehosheba, her stepdaughter (2 Kings 11:1-2). Taking the infant, Joash, Jehosheba hid him within the safety of the temple for six years (2 Kings 11:3). When Joash was seven years old, Jehoiada, the high priest, arranged a coup with the Carites, a mercenary army, and crowned Joash as king (2 Kings 11:4-8). Everything goes according to plan as the people rejoice in the temple at the crowning of Joash. When Athaliah heard the noise, she came to investigate and saw the newly crowned king and tore her robes (2 Kings 11:13-14). Jehoiada ordered the troops to take Athaliah and her followers and put them to the sword (2 Kings 11:15-16). 

Jehosheba and her husband, Jehoiada took a great risk hiding Joash within the temple walls. They are another example on a long list of people who took a great risk, doing right in the face of evil. Jochebed hid her infant son, Moses, before putting him in a papyrus basket and placing him in the Nile River (Exodus 2:1-10). Many individuals like Jehosheba helped others with great risk to themselves especially in World War II. First, Irena Sandler (1910-2008) rescued an estimated 2,500 children from the Warsaw Ghetto. Between 1935-1943, Irena used her position within the Department of Social Welfare and Public Health of the City of Warsaw to rename and relocate Jewish children. When she was arrested by the Gestapo in 1943, she refused to reveal the names and locations of the children. She was sent to be executed but a bribe was able to secure her release. Second, and probably most famous, Oskar Schindler (1908-1974), a German industrialist was able to save the lives of 1,200 Jews that worked in his factories. He used his connections to bribe Nazi officials to prevent the deportation of Jewish workers. Lastly, Raoul Wellenberg (1912-1945) has been credited with saving as many as 100,000 Hungarian Jews by issuing them passports and hiding them in buildings designated as Swedish territory. 

While we may be put into situations to make choices like Jehoiada or face evil like Athaliah, we still see negative and evil forces working in the world around us. How do we find the strength to carry on? Simply remembering God always wins. Evil forces will always try to disrupt or stop God’s plans but God always wins. When dishonesty, the lack of integrity or low morality is the norm and kindness and godliness is the exception, we are told not to despair. God will not lose the war. He will prevail in the end. Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a man’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” God’s power is far greater than the power of evil. God always does what he says He will no matter the human plots. When situations have a tendency to shake your faith, seek God’s words for strength. Seek the courage to act on behalf of the innocent regardless of human reactions and possible consequences. In today’s society of cancel culture and vilification for standing up for what’s right, it is easy to be scared of reprisals. Jehosheba, a seemingly minor individual in the Bible, played a major role in the life of God’s people.  Her story is an example of doing what is right regardless of the risks involved. 

In conclusion, while it is easy to say “do what is right in the face of the risks,” we have Biblical and historical examples of people doing exactly that. People rising up and essentially thumbing their noses at the evils in power and saying no more. I want the strength and courage to do the same. It is a constant prayer that the Lord guides me as I face trials and evils in my life. Whether it is in government, in the church, in my neighborhood or even in my own family. To help me to do whatever is in my power to resist either by my vote, by speaking up or taking a stand. To give me wisdom to know what to do, when to do it and the courage to act as I trust him. Jehosheba knew the extent of Athaliah’s evil and knew she would be killed if she were caught. But she still took the stand to save the life of one child and saved the Judah family line. Imagine what could be the result if we did the same? 

Red Sky Morning: a historical look into Texas Ranger Company F

Red Sky Morning: The Epic Story of Texas Ranger Company F by Joe Pappalardo is described as the explosive and bloody true history of Texas Rangers Company F. The hard men who rode hard and risked their lives to bring justice to the lawless frontier in the waning years of the Old West. Focusing on the years between 1886-1888 as Sergeant James Brooks commanded Company F as they engaged in three fatal gunfights and countless manhunts. Company F hunted down criminals, killing them if necessary and bringing them to trial when possible. They were confident in their “Ranger justice.” However, one outfit would give Company F a challenge. The Conner family were an East Texas family of master hunters and jailbreakers who were wanted for their part in a  bloody feud. An in depth account of the Company F’s showdown with the Conner family that find themselves over their heads and in the fight for their lives. Did Company F find the Conner family? And at what cost? 

I love history, especially history that I know little about. Everyone has heard of the Texas Rangers but most do not know the twists and turns of its history. I was very excited to read Red Sky Morning. I eagerly dove into the chapters as the men and women of the Old West were introduced. However, as Mr. Pappalardo jumps back and forth in time without an apparent reason. He states in the introduction that he set out to answer the question about who the Texas Rangers really were, I feel he failed. Red Sky Morning became a tedious read that became more a history of the Texas frontier, all its colorful characters and events rather than just Company F. I found myself losing focus as I turned pages. The book lacked cohesiveness as the presentation was very disjointed. Individuals would be introduced, while famous or infamous in the Old West, seemed to have nothing to do with Company F and their manhunt for the Conner family. I do not recommend Red Sky Morning. 

Red Sky Morning: The Epic Story of Texas Ranger Company F

is available June 28, 2022 in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook

To Move the World: family, loyalty and the strive for the American Dream

To Move the World by Kay Bratt is the second book in The Sworn Sisters duology. It is a story of family loyalty, love and the strive for the American Dream. California in 1876 is a tumultuous time for Chinese Americans as they face fierce persecution. It’s been several years since Sun Ling, Min Kao, Jingwei and Luli arrived in San Francisco. The city’s Chinatown has grown so large that the white citizens in the surrounding areas disapprove. Jingwei and Sin Ling have found a purpose as rescuers of young girls and women in distress. At night, Sun Ling disguises herself and quietly finds and releases girls and women in captive situations. Jingwei helps them find a path to a better life. During the day, Sun Ling also works alongside John Lane, a lawyer who has made it his life’s work to help the oppressed and persecuted. Violent uprisings, a smallpox epidemic and stories of witchcraft, there is no shortage of fuel to fan the flames of anti-Chinese sentiment. Will they find the strength and courage to forge ahead to find happiness and love in their new country? 

While I have known about many anti-Chinese sentiments in California, especially after the Gold Rush, Ms. Bratt features very real events in To Move the World that I did not know. Events like the mob violence in Truckee County, known as the Trout Creek Outrage (June 17-18, 1876), in attempts to rid the area of the Chinese residents. As well as the smallpox epidemic which was blamed on the residents of Chinatown as one example of the medical scapegoatism of the day. It truly hurts to read how immigrants have been vilified and harshly treated in this country and its history. From the Irish and Italian immigrants that flooded the east coast to the Chinese and Mexicans on the west coast. What is even sadder is that I still see many of these sentiments still, especially in the larger cities. While we have come a long way as a country, there is still a way to go. I enjoyed learning about the Truckee events and even read more into the events after I finished the book. I enjoyed revisiting the characters from A Welcome Misfortune. I highly recommend To Move the World. 

To Move the World is available in paperback and eBook

Wishing Beach: second chances, love and a little bit of magic

Wishing Beach by Heather Burch is the first book in the Wishing Beach series. Angela Reed-Baker’s life has been shattered. After a painful divorce from a narcissist, she has moved to the famous Wishing Beach Island, a destination known for granted wishes beneath the mysterious Banyan tree. As she begins to settle in, she discovers an old photograph of a young woman that Jesse Malone, the groundskeeper, carries around in his wallet. Angela discovers that the young woman was “The One” who left. As she digs into the past, she discovers a poignant love story. But what happened to the young woman? Why did she leave Jesse behind? With her handsome neighbor and new friend, mystery novelist Ryan North helps Angela discover what happened to the young woman and hopefully bring closure to Jesse. 

Wishing Beach is a cute love story of love, loss and second chances. Switching between present day and the summer of 1981, readers discover a story of young love, economic class differences and a political cover up. During her search, she discovers her own inner strength to move on from her ex-husband and forge her own path. Angela, at times, was hard to like. She seems to be strong and assertive and others seem to just follow along. I enjoyed the banter between Angela and Ryan. I see a possible romance between the two? I guess I may have to read book 2 to find out. Overall, I enjoyed Wishing Beach. It was a light, weekend read. It had a Notebook kinda vibe. If you enjoy stories about second chances, love and a little magic, I recommend Wishing Beach. 

Wishing Beach is available in paperback and eBook

A Welcome Misfortune: a story of survival and courage

A Welcome Misfortune is the first book in The Sworn Sisters duology by Kay Bratt. An infant girl was born into the House of Lai, a middle-class Chinese family. She is torn from her mother and casted aside by her father. Declared a misfortune, she is to be left by the famous Chaozhou wall where many unwanted girls are abandoned to be picked up by someone else or, worse, to die. But when 18-year old Min Kao is urged by his desperate mother to see the baby girl to safety, he can’t help but be drawn to his little sister he names Luli. At the same time on the island of Hong Kong, in the affluent house of a scholar, Sun Ling and Jingwei, are indentured servants and sworn sisters, bound by their shared struggles. They find their window to escape from the hardship and abuse and board a ship board for San Francisco, California. When the paths of these three forgotten girls meet on the ship, together they will weather a treacherous journey with the hopes that they will find a better future in America. 

A Welcome Misfortune weaves an incredible story of survival and courage. Ms. Bratt is a master storyteller who brings hard hitting truth and heart to her stories. I thoroughly enjoyed her Scavenger's Daughters series and eagerly looked forward to the Sworn Sisters duology. The story opens with a bang and does not let go as Luli, Min Kao, Sun Ling and Jingwei begin their journeys to a better life. Even as they make their way to freedom, they must make life and death decisions with not so savory options. The discrimination and mistreatment they face simply because they are women and in America, because they are Chinese is horrifying. Despite this treatment, they hold to their dream of a better life than the one they left behind. They strive to show their worth and value in a world that would overlook them. There was one revelation that I had an inkling that would happen. It doesn’t mean that I didn’t cry tears of joy when it happened. If you enjoy an historical immigrant story of strength, courage and endurance, I highly recommend A Welcome Misfortune. 

A Welcome Misfortune is available in paperback and eBook

Yellow Crocus: antebellum south and the unlikely bond between two women

Yellow Crocus is the first book in the Freedman/Johnson series by Laila Ibrahim. It is a story of two women in two worlds. At 19, Mattie is awakened one night and called to the main house. The mistress is in labor and she is needed as a wet nurse. She is forced to leave behind her infant son to change for the new baby. Moments from Lisbeth’s birth, she is taken from her mother and handed over to Mattie. What was supposed to be a temporary arrangement turns into an intense relationship between Mattie and Lisbeth. From the outside, Lisbeth seems to be living the life as a privileged daughter of a local plantation owner. But inside, she is lonely and unsure around her overwhelmed mother, her distant slave-owner father and very traditional grandmother. As she grows older, Mattie is more her family and she begins to question the status quo even if it is quietly. Will Lisbeth be able to stay quiet for long? 

Yellow Crocus is a beautifully written story of an unlikely love and bond between two women that society would deem separate and unequal. But through their connection, they will realize that they are more the same than they are different. Both women are searching for freedom and dignity and both women find their way to both with dire consequences. Yellow Crocus doesn’t shy away from the realities of slavery. Ms. Ibrahim realistically depicts the treatment of the slaves, the attitudes of the slave owners and the secrets they often hide in vivid details without being grotesque. Before reading this story, I wasn’t aware of what a yellow crocus was and the flower features prominently in the story. I love the imagery of the yellow crocus which is a hardy flower that blooms in the harshest conditions, just like Mattie and Lisbeth. As the story ended, I was eager to learn more about Lisbeth and Mattie’s lives. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I highly recommend Yellow Crocus. 

Yellow Crocus is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Stamped Out: a Cozy Mystery in a small town

Stamped Out by Tonya Kappes is the first book in the Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series. Bernadette Butler is the local mail carrier for the small town of Sugar Creek Gap. Along her route, she hears the rumors and whispers of hidden secrets and obsessions. One day, she learns that the beloved Sugar Creek Gap Country Club is being sold and turned into condos. The developer is her good friend, Mac Tabor, and he’s public enemy number 1! The entire town is against the development and is doing all they can to stop it. Chuck Shilling, the majority owner of the country club, and Mac have a very public fight. When Chuck is found dead, Mac becomes the only suspect. However, Bernadette knows that Mac didn’t do it and she is determined to prove his innocence and find the real killer. 

Cozy mysteries are a new genre for me. For those who don’t know, cozy mysteries or “cozies” are a crime fiction in which the main character is an amateur detective and most of the sex and violence occurs off stage. For example, Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and TV’s Jessica Fletcher from Murder, She Wrote (1984-1996). Stamped Out is my first book by Tonya Kappes and it was an enjoyable read with fun characters. I enjoyed Bernadette from the very beginning and I loved how she sprung into action to prove Mac’s innocence. Of course, the first suspect isn’t always the real killer but the reveal of the killer was surprising!  Stamped Out is a perfect choice for a laid back weekend or beach read. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Kappes’ cozy mysteries. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, you will enjoy Stamped Out. 

Stamped Out is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook. 

What We Carry: a hard look at life following a miscarriage

What We Carry by Kalyn Fogarty is a story of heartbreak, grief and finding a way back. Cassidy Morgan has always followed a carefully thought out plan for her life. Top education, check. Fulfilling career, check. Marriage to the love of her life, check! The next item would be to start a family, But when a late-term miscarriage throws her off her tracks, she finds herself questioning everything she knows about herself, her life and the world around her. Cassidy finds it difficult to move past her sense of guilt and shame, she shuts herself off from her husband, Owen, as well as the rest of the world. At the depth of her grief, she begins to see the areas of her life that aren’t so perfect. When she unexpectedly becomes pregnant again, joy and fear overwhelm her. Cassidy must decide if she will let her grief and fear hold her back from a future that is worth living for. 

As a woman who dealt with many miscarriages at various stages of pregnancy, there aren’t many books that truly get into the darkness that happens after a miscarriage. What We Carry is thought-provoking and eye opening for any one who has not experienced a pregnancy loss. Ms. Fogarty is deeply honest in her unflinching, no-holds-bar depiction of the fear, the pain and the grief that follows a miscarriage. The what ifs, the undeserving blame and questions of what went wrong are very real. I also appreciated Ms. Fogarty’s depiction of the well-meaning and yet not so helpful comments is so accurate. What We Carry is a heartfelt, tear-filled story. A journey of how grief and fear can turn into strength and courage. While every woman’s experience and journey is different, I feel that women who have gone through this journey can feel a connection with Cassidy and Owen as they find their way through the fog. I highly recommend What We Carry. 

What We Carry is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

A Simple Wedding: when a wedding is anything but simple

A Simple Wedding is the first book in the Heart’s Landing series by Leigh Duncan. Jenny Longley always dreamed of getting married at Heart’s Landing. When her cousin, movie star Karolyn Karter gets engaged and wants a wedding at Heart’s Landing, she wants Jenny to go ahead to Heart’s Landing to make the wedding arrangements for her. There’s one catch, in order to keep the event a secret and avoid a media circus, Jenny needs to pretend she’s the one getting married. Nick Bell, baker and owner of I Do Cakes, is intrigued by Jenny. As Jenny deals with her cousin’s ever-changing demands, the wedding becomes more and more complicated and Nick and the other residents of Heart’s Landing start to become irritated at the changing details. What will happen once the truth finally comes to light? 

A Simple Wedding is from Hallmark publishing and it is a sweet love story you would expect from Hallmark. The town really embraces their wedding reputation with street names and business names that are all wedding themed. The townspeople take great pride in creating a once in a lifetime wedding for every bride. That pride will be tested when Jenny comes to town. I enjoyed Nick and Jenny from the beginning. Their accidental meeting was hilarious which fuels their banter later. As Nick and Jenny get closer and the cracks begin to show in her cover story, it was like waiting and asking “when will the shoe drop?” If you enjoy Hallmark movies and sweet romances, A Simple Wedding is the book for you and I highly recommend it. 

A Simple Wedding is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: courage and ingenuity during the German occupation

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows is  the story of one woman’s discovery of the extraordinary tale of an island occupation and the residents’ fight back. January 1945, as the world is emerging from the shadow of World War II, writer Juliet Ashton is struggling with her next book idea. One day, a letter from a man who lived a world away on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel would open the door to stories of survival, courage and ingenuity, Juliet begins to correspondent with the members of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which was born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi after being discovered after curfew by the Germans. The residents send their stories, boastful tales of humor, love and outsmarting their occupiers as well as their love of various forms of literature.  When Juliet sets sail for the island, she finds her new book as well as herself. 

This book has been highly praised and made into a Netflix film that I was intrigued and it was added to my wish list. At first, I wasn’t sure if I liked the correspondence format as the story is told through the characters’ letters. However, once Juliet begins to correspond with the residents of the island, the story’s warmth and humor really opened up for me and I eagerly read the rest of it. The story turned out better than I thought it would. I thoroughly enjoyed all the members of the society and their individual stories. Even the characters that we love to hate added spice to the story. Every character felt real and could easily be people we would encounter today. From the simple people doing their part to survive to the high and mighty busybody, the residents of Guernsey Island will tell a story of love, community and survival. I highly recommend The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. 

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.

The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn: when an unexpected inheritance offers a second chance of life

The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn by Leigh Duncan is the first book in the Sugar Sand Beach series. Michelle Robinson has a great life. A husband who loves her and two children on their way to a successful life. It all came crashing down when her husband of 25 years suddenly died and even after one year later, she is still barely staying afloat. She now realizes that she cannot stay in their beautiful home in the rolling hills of Virginia and is forced to sell before the bank forecloses. Her decision puts her at odds with her children but her three best friends, Erin, Nina and Reggie, she is ready to face her bleak future. Until an unexpected inheritance opens new opportunities for her future. Will the beautiful Florida beach offer her a second chance at life, love and happiness? 

The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn is a great beginning as it introduces four women at the crossroads in life and finds themselves wondering what to do next. My heart broke for Michelle as she is still trying to function a year after her husband’s death. She realizes that she has put off the inevitable for far too long and now she is in a race against time to get her life in order. I also enjoyed her friends as they deal with their own problems and issues. The story was fast paced, easy read as I was engrossed in the events and the characters as they find themselves in Sugar Sand Beach. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy stories about four friends and new adventures, I highly recommend The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn. 

The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn is available in paperback and eBook

Woman of Light: family, discrimination and the fight for survival

Woman of Light by Kali Fajardo Anstine is a multigenerational story of betrayal, love and fate of an Indigenous Chicano family in the American West. Luz “Little Light” Lopez is a tea leaf reader and laundress who lives with her Tia Maria Josie and her older brother Diego in 1930s Denver, Colorado. When Diego is run out of town by a violent white mob, she is left to fend for herself and finds herself fighting against bigotry and racism. She begins to have visions that transport her to her Indigenous homeland of the Lost Territory. She thinks back to her ancestors’ origins, how her family has been threatened and how they have survived. Luz begins to realize that it is up to her to save the family stories and ensure that they will be passed on and remembered. What will she discover about her family’s secrets and their will to survive? 

Woman of Light is beautifully written, weaving past and present together like a tapestry of one family’s heartaches and joys. It is slow paced as the story weaves in and out of time. Unfortunately, I felt no connection to Luz or her family. The story ended abruptly leaving me with a lot of questions. I did enjoy the mystical aspects of the story which added an air of mystery. However, the story still felt wanting, like something was missing. There were historical aspects of the 1930s that didn’t seem to fit into the story and out of place. For example, the constant newsreels of Bonnie and Clyde. I understand that the nation was following their exploits but how does it connect with Luz? Why would she care? If the premise of Woman of Light, I recommend giving it a read. Maybe it will speak to other readers more than it did for me. 

Woman of Light is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook. 

Iris in the Dark: when it's time to stop running

Iris in the Dark by Elissa Grossell Dickey is a suspenseful story of one woman’s life in the shadows. Iris Jenkins is a single mother who spends most of her day looking over her shoulder. She knows bad things happen. She has seen bad things happen. For eight years, she has shut the door on her past and made a new life for herself and her son, Finn. But she can’t help but fear that the past isn’t truly done with her yet. When her close friend and boss entrusts her to house sit at a lodge on the South Dakota prairie, she’s ready for anything. Little does Iris know but she’s in for a few surprises. First, Sawyer Jones, the lodge’s neighbor and caretaker. He is a caring and reassuring person who helps her feel safe and even truly alive once again. Late one night, Iris hears a chilling cry for help coming from an old walkie-talkie buried in a box of toys. She tries to dismiss it as her overactive imagination but soon the voice becomes more desperate, personal and menacing. Has her past truly found her? Will she find the strength to fight back or will she run again? 

Iris in the Dark is a suspenseful and gripping story. It takes the idea of those strange night noises that would cause any of us to imagine the worst and asks what if? It is a story of domestic violence and the fight to end the cycle and survive. It is a story of finding one’s worth when the world tells you that you are worthless. I enjoyed Iris’s character and understood her need to be overprotective and overly anxious. She has spent her life afraid of her own shadow, hiding out of the spotlight, hoping not to draw attention to herself. There is a little bit of romance between Iris and Sawyer but not enough to take away from the main story. It was nice to see Iris in a safe place with a safe relationship. Once I started, I could not put it down. It was a slow build, adding elements until the final dam breaks and the action takes off. This story has all the elements of a good suspense with red herrings and misdirections. It was a surprise when the tormentor was revealed. I wasn’t expecting that! I thoroughly enjoyed Iris in the Dark and I highly recommend it! 

Iris in the Dark is available June 7, 2022 in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

Carolina Moonset: coming home

Carolina Moonset by Matt Goldman is a suspenseful and moving story about family, memories and dangerous secrets. Joey Green returns to Beaufort, South Carolina to help his mother look after his ailing father. The loving husband, father and dedicated doctor has developed Lewy Body Dementia. Marshall Green has difficulty with his short term memory but his oldest memories are as vivid as if they happened yesterday. Joey notices that his father’s mind slips backwards in time more and more. At first, Joey sees it as a blessing in order to get his father’s stories on tape before he passes. But more and more his slips into the past become hallucinations, arguments with people from his past, people who have long passed. These “arguments” hint at deadly secrets, scandals and suspicions. When a murder occurs and brings the police to his parents’ home, Joey fears his father is somehow connected. Can he find the truth and protect his frail father? 

At the core of Carolina Moonset is the relationship between Joey and his father, Marshall. It is what I enjoyed the most about the story. Having experience with dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s, it was heartbreaking to see Marshall slip between past and present and the pain on his face when he realized that he just doesn’t remember. Joey also goes through the confusion of the sudden time slips to going with the flow and allowing the memory to flow. Mr. Goldman deals with dementia and memory loss with truth and heart. The murder mystery was interesting and the final reveal was an “oh!” moment that I didn’t see coming. There is a little side romance that played beautifully into the plot and had some fun banter between two people jaded by divorce and not looking for more than a fling. Overall, I enjoyed Carolina Moonset for the family dynamics, secrets, scandals and a murder mystery. I highly recommend Carolina Moonset. 

Carolina Moonset is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

God's Clear Voice: visions and angelic vistiations

God’s Clear Voice by Anthony Mark Ortiz is a journey through the author’s life, his trials and tribulations from a childhood accident to being falsely imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. It was there when he first experienced visions and claims God spoke to him through dreams, visions, angelic visitations. A  vision he claims is similar to the revelation of John the Apostle on the island of Patmos which became the Book of Revelation. This book sets out to demonstrate how God still speaks to his called and chosen people as well as how to recognize God’s voice. Covering topics like spiritual warfare, faith, the rapture, and the end times, the book sets out to give readers a new perspective and learn to listen for God’s voice. The author discusses how to prepare for spiritual battles, using the full armor of God as discussed in Ephesians 6:10-18. 

God’s Clear Voice was not the book I was expecting. It was more a book on his personal experience and his claims how God gave him a vision and revelation to share with the world. I do not doubt that God still speaks through visions and dreams. Believers are to seek out his voice by reading his word and in prayer. However, I am skeptical when someone claims to have a new revelation from God, especially when it's a claim about the end times. To his credit, Mr. Ortiz does encourage readers to study the Bible on their own and not just take his word on the subject. He makes a bunch of claims and uses numerous scripture verses with no real conclusion or cohesive connection. The book also abruptly ends with no wrap up or conclusion. I do not doubt his sincerity but I do not see how his revelation brings any new information that hasn’t already been revealed to us in the Bible. Unfortunately, I do not recommend God’s Clear Voice. 

God’s Clear Voice is available in paperback and eBook.