The Woman of Samaria: an encounter with Jesus and the Living Water

In John 4:1-42, the Woman of Samaria is a nameless woman whose encounter with Jesus as well as changed her life and the lives of her village. She would not have been the most people’s first choice to advance the gospel in a region it had yet reached. As a Samaritan, she is looked down upon by the Jews. She is an outcast in her village because of her lifestyle. She lived a life that relegated her to the fringes of her society. Yet her encounter with Jesus broke through the barriers of culture, race and religion in order to bring her to his offer of salvation. What is her story? Why is water an important factor in their exchange? And why discuss this nameless woman? 

A woman comes to Jacob’s well, the well of the village of Sychar, to draw water in the heat of the afternoon. She does so to avoid the wagging tongues and scathing comments of the other women who look down upon her. Little did she know that her life would never be the same. When she arrives at the well, she notices a Jewish man seated at the well. She thinks he will ignore her as most Jews avoid any contact with Samaritans. However, to her surprise, he asked for a drink of water. In her shock, she asks why? Her simple questions sparks a conversation that will change her life. This man talks about living water and she scoffs. When he asks her to bring her husband, she looks to the ground and admits she has no husband. He responds with more information about her life that he couldn’t possibly know. Their conversation is the first time Jesus admits to being the Messiah as the woman wonders if he truly could be the one they are waiting for. She goes back to the village and tells her story which leads many in the village to believe too. 

It may seem ridiculous to discuss the importance of water. We know that water is important to our bodies and our health. Water is an important building block for many bodily functions that we don’t even realize need water. Water is as important as food. Many of us are so used to the modern convenience of running water that we never wonder where the water is coming from. However, even today, water takes an amazing journey to come to our homes and businesses. In the village of Sychar and other areas of Palestine, water would be a rarity that measures were taken to make sure water was as plentiful as possible. The people become adept at gathering water during the rainy seasons in cisterns and covered pools. Gathering water from the local well would be a daily chore. Water is symbolically used throughout Scriptures. In Psalms 69:1-2, 14 and 124:5, David describes his troubles as deep waters. Proverbs 18:4 uses water as an illustration for people’s words and wisdom. Good news is described as fresh water (Proverbs 25:25) and washes away sins (Psalm 51:7, Ephesians 5:26, and Hebrews 10:22). And at the well, Jesus speaks of a living water that will quench the spiritual thirst (John 4:13). 

So, water is important both physically and used symbolically to describe the gift of salvation that Jesus offers. So a conversation at a well makes sense. But why this nameless woman? It is really simple. She represents the lowest of the low. A female in a society in which they were traditionally demeaned and disregarded. She was a member of a race that was traditionally despised by the Jews and she was living in shame as a social outcast. Despite all this, her holy encounter with Jesus not only brings her to salvation but many in her village as well. Her story is significant for three reasons. First, it shows Jesus' love for the world. His heart for all people is revealed as he speaks so directly, as equals, with her, the lowest of the low. Second, it reminds us that only Jesus can provide salvation. He is the Living Water that comes from God and lasts forever. Third, it is an example of the importance of our own testimony. Our stories may seem insignificant and unremarkable. And yet someone, somewhere may believe and receive salvation because of our story. 

In conclusion, the story of the Samaritan woman is the offer of the Living Water of Jesus and salvation. Are you thirsty? Is there a longing that you can’t seem to understand or meet? Is there a void that you hunger to fill. An emptiness you can’t explain? Have you tried to fill it with relationships? Material things? Alcohol? Drugs? There’s nothing in this world that can fill a spiritual thirst and hunger. Only Jesus can provide the living water that your soul thirsts for. To satisfy every longing. To soothe your soul. God knows everything about us, even the things we wish he didn’t. Despite this all, He loves us. All we need to do is confess our sins and He will provide the strength to overcome the ugliness of ourselves. 

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, 

so great his love for those who fear him; 

as far as the east is from the west, 

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

-Psalm 103:11-12

A Waterfront Wedding: a sweet small town romance

A Waterfront Wedding is the third book in the Heart’s Landing series by Leigh Duncan. Filling in for her cousin, Evelyn wants to make sure that the Captain’s Cottage stays the favorite place for weddings. Meanwhile, her childhood friend, Ryan Court has invested his life savings into remodeling the old boatworks into a brand-new wedding venue. As the Wedding in a Week contest is an all-expenses-paid event with just seven days to do it comes to Heart’s Landing. As the winners come to Heart’s Landing, it pits the Captain’s Cottage and the boatworks against each other. The two friends become rival business owners as they help the young bride and groom, Evelyn and Ryan learn how little they truly know each other. Will  their newfound relationship survive when only one can win? 

As published by Hallmark, A Waterfront Wedding reads like a Hallmark movie, no surprise. However, it is an enjoyable sweet romance. It’s more than a second chance romance, it is more a story of two people who crushed on each other and didn’t know about the mutual interest. While the winning venue was not a surprise, however, the end of the story was surprising and very sweet and romantic. I enjoyed Evelyn and Ryan and the slow realization that they are attracted to each other. Their relationship hits all the romance formula parts: the glances, the misunderstandings, to the great reconciliations and the grand romance gestures. If you enjoy Hallmark-style romances, I highly recommend A Waterfront Wedding. 

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

The Charade: a fake relationship romance

The Charade is the first book in the Eden Falls Academy series by Judy Corry. Ava Cohen arrives at the Eden Falls Academy for her senior year. As a condition of her attendance, she agrees to math tutoring. Her new tutor is the handsome, standoffish Carter Hastings. Carter insists on a contract with one rule being she can’t fall in love with him. Carter doesn’t date the girls at the school especially after his last relationship ended. Then Ava suggests a fake relationship. He can get revenge on his cheating ex-girlfriend and she can hide the reason why they have to spend so much time together. As they begin to pretend, they soon realize that their first impressions of each other are far from the truth and neither of them can hold their end of the contract. But when a family secret threatens to come to light, they are shocked to consider that their relationship could be forbidden. 

The Charade is a wonderful fake relationship/forbidden romance story. From the very beginning, I was drawn in by Ava and Carter’s alternating points of view as their relationship unfolds. Behind Carter’s standoffish demeanor hides a wounded soul from very humble beginnings and a haunted history. Ava’s warm acceptance brings out a different side of Carter. Their relationship turns passionate quickly and will warm any romantic heart. While I knew the family secret threatening their relationship would be revealed and their relationship would be safe, I enjoyed how it played out in the story and their individual reactions. It is a clean romance with kissing and a couple make out sessions but no sex. I also enjoyed the supporting characters. I look forward to reading their individual romances. Overall, I enjoyed The Charade. There were moments that made me smile. Moments that broke my heart and tender moments that made me sigh. I recommend The Charade. 

The Charade is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

The Fake: a person with a story too tragic to be real?

The Fake by Zoe Whittall is a story of a con artist who explodes into someone’s life with an amazing story and leaves once the jig is up. After the death of her wife, Shelby feels so alone. Then she meets Cammie, a charismatic woman who lives uncaringly about the opinions of others and has her own tragic story. As their friendship grows, something about Cammie’s story doesn’t add up. Gibson is fresh from a divorce and deeply depressed as he faces his 40th birthday. One night, he meets Cammie and instantly falls in love. She brings a brightness to his life that has been lacking. Unfortunately, his friends are very wary of Cammie and even Gibson starts to realize that Cammie’s story could be too tragic to be real. When Shelby and Gibson discover that Cammie is a pathological liar, they struggle to understand why they believed her story in the first place and struggle with how to proceed. Do they help her heal from whatever causes Cammie to be such a liar? Or do they truly want revenge? 

The Fake is set up in an interesting format where we get 3 points of view: Shelby, Gibson and Cammie. We see the story upfold from Shelby and Gibson’s eyes and Cammie interjects to “defend” herself. It is an interesting look on how quickly we often take someone’s word for the story they tell us. It is also an interesting look into how people react, even after learning they have been lied to, they still want to help and befriend. Generally, people believe in the goodness of others despite evidence to the contrary. It is a situation we all have been in. Maybe not to the extreme that Shelby and Gibson experience, but how many times have we heard news stories of people defrauding the public for money with a sob story of extreme illness? As someone who has been taken in by someone’s sob story, only to discover some details aren’t exactly true, it was frustrating to see Shelby and Gibson so easily taken in. Understandable but I wanted to scream “be careful!” Overall, I enjoyed and recommend The Fake. 

The Fake is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook

Solomon's Crown: what if a historical rumor was true?

Solomon’s Crown by Natasha Siegel is set in twelfth-century Europe as newly crowned King Philip of France is determined to restore his nation to its former empire and bring glory to his name. His greatest enemy, King Henry of England, threatens to end his reign before it begins, Philip is forced to make a perilous alliance with Richard, Duke of Aquitaine, the man history would know as Richard the Lionheart. Philip risks his throne as well as his heart. Richard was never supposed to be king but when family tragedy makes him heir to the English throne, he finally has the opportunity to overthrow his father. His alliance with Philip is simply a tool for his vengeful quest, he begins to question if the crown is truly worth it. As Philip and Richard face an imminent war, they must choose between their desires or their place in history.

There has been speculation among historians about Richard’s sexuality and the possibility of a sexual relationship with Phillip. Taking a historical rumor and imagining a scenario that might give truth to the rumor, with royal intrigue and betrayal, Solomon’s Crown imagines a romance between the two real-life kings faced with an impossible choice. The author does take a lot of liberties with the history. Ms. Siegel acknowledges this fact in her preface as she states her intentions was not to create an historically accurate story. Overall, the story was interesting; however, it was not the book for me. It wasn’t a bad book, the premise was intriguing but the story was slow moving and not enough to keep my attention. It just wasn't what I thought it would be. If you are interested in an alternative historical story, I recommend checking out Solomon’s Crown. 

Solomon’s Crown is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

Lone Women: an intriguing and engaging historical horror

Lone Women by Victor LaValle is a historical horror. Adelaide Henry carries an enormous steamer trunk with her. Kept under lock and key, she guards it with a nervous eye because when the trunk opens, people start to disappear. It’s 1914 and she is in trouble. Her secret killed her parents and she’s forced to flee her hometown. She makes her way to Montana where she plans to homestead. She hopes that the big blue skies and the empty land will be room enough to hide her horrifying secret. Adelaide is one of many “lone women” taking advantage of the government’s offer of free land for those who can cultivate it. As she makes friends with other women homesteaders, she rebuilds her life. Will her homestead be the place to finally find peace? Or will her secret be revealed? 

Lone Women is my first book by Victor LaValle who is known for blending historical fiction with inventive horror and poetic prose. From the opening scene, I was intrigued by Adelaide’s actions. What could her secret possibly be that would lead her to flee from the only home she has ever known?  When she arrives in Montana, she meets an eclectic group of people with secrets of their own. Some for evil, some for riches and some for self-preservation. There were twists and turns with every turn of the page. As secrets are revealed and Adelaide fights for her new life, the story takes readers on a strange trip. As I closed the final pages, I found it hard to describe this book. Overall, I enjoyed it. If you enjoy historical horror, I recommend Lone Women. 

Lone Women will be available March 28, 2023 in hardcover, eBook and audiobook. 

Matilda Next Door: a friends to lovers romance

Matilda Next Door is the first book in the Outback Brides Return to Wirralong series by Kelly Hunter. Matilda “Tilly” Moore is an Aussie farm girl who kicks off her dream trip to London. She is flat-sitting for Henry Church, her childhood friend. She has long anticipated the trip but her enthusiasm is dashed as London is daunting, crowded, noisy and she finds a baby girl on the doorstep. A note attached: “Henry, if you’re reading this, please know the worst has happened.” Henry returns to Wirralong to visit his grandparents, a visit that has been strained, and when he gets a call from Tilly, his whole world becomes topsy turvy. Tilly brings the baby to Henry in Wirralong, she finds herself falling for her childhood friend and his infant daughter. But it’s out of the question. Isn’t it? 

Matilda Next Door is a friends to lovers romance as childhood friends find themselves seeing each other in a new light. However, it wasn’t quite the romance I was expecting. First, Tilly was a hard woman to like. I was not a fan at all. She’s a 26 year old woman and yet doesn’t quite act like one. Henry was an interesting character as his relationship with his grandparents was estranged. Tilly and Henry together seemed a no-brainer except to Tilly and Henry. It was a bit odd that Tilly thought that she wasn’t good enough for Henry and Henry never truly contradicted her. Their romance was expected but still odd. Overall, it was a sweet story but I wasn’t thrilled. If you enjoy sweet romances in the Australian Outback, I recommend Matilda Next Door. 

Matilda Next Door is available in paperback and eBook

Not That Kind of Ever After: a disappointing modern take on classic fairytales

 Not That Kind of Ever After by Luci Adams is one woman’s journey to claim her own happily ever after in the age of dating apps and the quest to find your soulmate. Life for Bella Marble is not what she imagined. Instead of being a published author, she is a receptionist. Instead of being happily married, she is single and her best friend, Ellie Mathews, is moving out and getting married! Feeling adrift, she spends some time with Marty, Ellie’s aggravating but oh-so-hot brother. When Marty challenges Bella to stop looking for “the one” and just have fun, she finds a new side of herself. After posting about a disastrous one night stand in a fairy tale style, she has gone viral. Now the pressure is mounting to write more of these fairy tales, but can she write one without living one? Can her soulmate already be before her eyes?

Even though this story is described as “Fairytale meets feminism,” I was intrigued by the premises of modern day fairy tales. However, this story was a disappointment from the opening line. The story is broken up into seven parts with a total of 100 chapters! Groan! Granted the chapters are quick but they're almost too quick. Once you get into the chapter, it’s over. Then there’s Bella. How can we cheer and root for a character who introduces herself with this opening “It came, unlike me, while I was riding backward cowgirl on what must have been the hairiest man in London.” Ummm, what?!? The story doesn’t get better from there. Bella is completely unlikeable. She is judgmental and has an inflated ego. She wants to be the next Bridget Jones. Another groan from me.  Overall, I did not enjoy this book. I would not recommend Not That Kind of Ever After. 

Not That Kind of Ever After is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

In My Life: heart pounding suspense and family drama

In My Life is the third book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. Life has a new normal for Taylor Gray as her mother, Cate, adjusts to life on the outside, and her sister, Lucy, and infant nephew, Johnny, fill the house with activity. When a triple homicide is discovered, the once quaint and peaceful town of Hart’s Ridge is shocked and frightened. Taylor is determined to find the cold-hearted killer. Is the killer a passerby or someone closer to home? As it becomes all hands on deck, Taylor must juggle her investigation with the repairs of her family and two men who want to win her heart. Will it prove to be too much for Taylor? Or will she finally have the life she always thought wasn’t possible? 

Kay Bratt has another great series filled with heart pounding suspense and family drama. In My Life is a thrilling story that kept me on the edge of my seat! Once I started, I could not put it down. I was able to read it in a few hours as the story kept getting better and better. There’s so much to talk about but can’t because of SPOILERS! The investigation was engaging and the storylines for Cate and Lucy were heartbreaking and I cheered for them to find their footing in their new lives. I also enjoyed Taylor and her possible romances. I am rooting for one particular man and I’m looking forward to seeing which one Taylor will ultimately choose. I highly recommend the Hart’s Ridge series and In My Life

In My Life is available in eBook

Books 1 and 2, Hart’s Ridge and Lucy in the Sky

are available in paperback and eBook

No More Secrets: a story of redemption

No More Secrets is the third and final book of the No More Words trilogy by Kerry Lonsdale. Lucas Carson has led a troubled life filled with emotional trauma and secrets. When his sister, Lily, resurfaces after years of silence, Lucas can’t deal with the overwhelming guilt that he goes radio silent. Hiding in California City, Lucas crosses paths with Shiloh Bloom, a fifteen year old runaway. As Shiloh reminds Lucas of his little sister, he feels compelled to help her get off the streets. He gives her food, shelter and even a job. Soon, their arrangement is threatened when their pasts find them. Lucas wants it all to end. Is a normal life possible? Does he have the strength to stop running and face his demons?

What an ending to this trilogy! No More Secrets is a story of redemption and healing. Ms. Lonsdale writes with honesty and hope. My heart broke for Lucas as he desperately fights his demons with an almost death wish and yet a powerful will to keep going. I enjoyed Lucas and Shiloh’s relationship as they both want to be hard and unfeeling but can’t hide a need to protect and be protected. There is a confrontation scene near the end that is just superb! I can’t reveal what happens because SPOILERS! However, it was awesome and I cheered as Olivia, Lily and Lucas confronted their pasts and forged a better future for themselves as individuals and as a family. I highly recommend No More Secrets. 

No More Secrets will be available 

in paperback, eBook, and audiobook on March 14, 2023

No More Words and No More Lies, books 1 and 2,

are currently available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Goodbye Storm: the topsy turvy road of grief

The Goodbye Storm by Danielle Stewart is the first book in the Rough Waters series. A story of grief, guilt and finding the strength to move forward. On an icy road and a dark night, two cars collided and lives were changed forever. Grief is a beast that is not easily chased off as Autumn Chase knows all too well. Since losing her beloved husband, Charlie, in a car accident, she has been hiding from the world. Noah Key lost his wife in that same accident. As an emergency room doctor, he has been on the opposite side of devastating news, however, nothing prepares him to hear that news himself. Noah devotes himself to working just enough hours to forget that his wife is gone, hoping that work and exhaustion will keep him from remembering. As life goes on around them, can Autumn and Noah learn to survive the storm? Or will they be destroyed by it? 

Danielle Stewart knows how to write emotionally charged stories and The Goodbye Storm is no exception. The Goodbye Storm gives a peek into the raging storm that is grief for those who haven’t yet experienced it and gives comfort to those who have. Grief is a highly personal experience as demonstrated by Autumn’s and Noah’s reactions to the deaths of their spouses and both struggles with this new normal. While Noah shuts everyone out, Autumn risks hurt again by opening up to new people and discovers a necessary support system she didn’t know she needed. I enjoyed all the characters, especially Jamie and Travis. My heart broke for Autumn as she experiences the topsy turvy road that is grief as well as for Noah, as he spirals out of control. It is an emotional story with an emotional ending. Definitely a tear jerker and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I highly recommend The Goodbye Storm. 

The Goodbye Storm is available in paperback and eBook

The Perfect Storm: a sudden storm and a second chance for love

The Perfect Storm by Elana Johnson is the first book in the Stranded in Getaway Bay series. Eden McLaughlin is fed up with rich men who push her aside as she tries to find investors for her outdoor product line. After the final rejection, she decides to take a hike to clear her head. A sudden storm causes a downpour and a landslide takes her sliding down with rock and mud. Also caught in the landslide is her ex, Holden Holstein, who is able to drag her to safety in the nick of time. Both are injured with very little supplies, and the rain has washed away the only path back. But Eden has a few surprises up her sleeves as they wait for rescue. Being in close quarters, will their old flame be rekindled? Or will their second chance be washed away with the rain? 

The Perfect Storm is a sweet, clean second chance romance. Perfect for a lazy afternoon of reading, this quick read will embrace you in the warmth of second chances. I could totally see this story as a Hallmark Channel movie. I loved Eden’s ingenuity and tenacity. I loved that Holden still held a torch for Eden after all this time, even when he was the one to originally break off their relationship. While I’m not one for personal outdoorsy, may need survival skills adventures, I enjoyed Eden’s quick thinking and clear headedness. Overall, I enjoyed The Perfect Storm and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy Hallmark style romances, I recommend The Perfect Storm. 

The Perfect Storm is available in paperback and eBook

The Last of the Moon Girls: family, secrets and forgiveness

The Last of the Moon Girls by Barbara Davis is a moving story of family, secrets and forgiveness. Lizzy Moon wanted nothing to do with Moon Girl Farm. She left eight years ago and never looked back. Lizzy desperately wanted to distance herself from the strange family legacy and the whispered rumors. When her beloved grandmother, Althea dies, Lizzy must return and face that legacy and the rumors. Lizzy arrives at the farm, determined to sell the farm and return to her life in New York City. But when she discovers Althea’s journal, she finds it harder and harder to leave. She also reconnects with Andrew Greyson, a childhood friend, and the only one left who doesn’t believe the ugly rumors about the family. Will she accept her legacy and the path she was meant to be on? Or will she leave it all behind for good? 

Part family forgiveness, part mystery, and part self-discovery, The Last of the Moon Girls is a story that hits all the needs for a great drama. I enjoyed Lizzy’s growth from desperate to escape and forget to understanding and acknowledgment. She learns details that she couldn’t have understood as a child but as a grown woman, she begins to understand. Lizzy discovers a strength and courage she didn’t know she had. I loved that she discovers that family history doesn’t necessarily have to dictate one’s path. I also enjoyed hearing from Althea through her journal. Lizzy and Andrew’s romance was sweet. Their connection began as children but their relationship had to have the perfect moment to move forward. The resolution to the mystery was interesting and not expected. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I highly recommend The Last of the Moon Girls. 

The Last of the Moon Girls is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Golden Poppies: the Gilded Age and the continued fight for freedom

Golden Poppies by Laila Ibrahim is the final book of the Freedman/Johnson trilogy. It is 1894, Jordan Wallace lives in segregated Chicago and Sadie lives in the more tolerant Oakland, California. Their families have been intertwined since Jordan’s mother, Mattie, was nursemaid to Sadie’s mother, Lisbeth. Soon, the two women will be intertwined themselves as they face racial divides and social injustices of the Gilded Age. Jordan soon realizes that even tolerant Oakland has much work to do for all of their citizens. Jordan and Sadie discover that they must work together to overcome their personal and political challenges. At a time when courage, loyalty and the ties of family will be severely tested, will they find the strength to forge ahead as they fight for the rights that have been held back? 

Golden Poppies details the racial injustices of the time and serves as a harsh reality of how far we have come as a nation and how much more we need to go. One of my favorite quotes from the book is: “We must plant the seeds of a liberty tree so that they may eat the fruit of justice we will never taste.” Golden Poppies is a reminder that the work we do to better our lives and our country may not be a reality for us but it could be for future generations. Many reviews have complained that the relationship between Jordan and Sadie was unrealistic. While it may not have been the norm of the day, it was certainly possible. If you enjoyed Yellow Crocus and Mustard Seed, I recommend Golden Poppies. 

Golden Poppies is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Family Mistakes: long lost love, secrets and the search for the truth

Family Mistakes is the second book of the Ellie McLellan Genealogy Mystery series by Beth Farrar. After finding hidden love-letters inside an old wall during a home renovation, Ellie McLellan faces another family mystery. As she tries to deal with the magnitude of the discovery, her friend, Ruth, shows up on her doorstep. With the letters in hand, Ruth discovers her sister’s dusty journals that reveal a terrible secret: Shirley, the person she trusted the most in the world, has lied to her. Ellie is driven to help Ruth discover the truth and bring her some resolution to her questions. Using her tools and knowledge of genealogy and the paper trails left behind, Ellie sets out to find why Shirley lied? Can Ellie find the truth? Can the truth completely destroy the relationship between Ruth and Shirley?

 Picking up immediately after the end of Family Secrets, readers are taken on an adventure of long-lost love, sibling jealousy and healing. As a fan of genealogy, I love that family mysteries are being solved and long asked questions find answers. My heart broke for Ruth as she discovered a betrayal that shook her to her very soul. Shirley was a hard character to care for as I didn’t understand her reasonings. However, the conflict between Ruth and Shirley was very real and its resolution was very real as well. I enjoyed that at the end of Family Mistakes, readers are given a tidbit into the mystery to be solved in book 3. I’m looking forward to reading more in this series! I highly recommend Family Mistakes. I also recommend reading Family Secrets first. 

Family Mistakes is available in paperback and eBook

Family Secrets is available in paperback and eBook