The Syrophoenician Woman: a desperate mother and a humble faith

The Syrophoenician Woman was a woman in desperate need. Her daughter was possessed by a demon or evil spirit and nothing was working. She must have heard the stories of this man that travels from village to village, healing and teaching. She may have hesitated as Gentiles and the Jews usually avoid dealing with each other if they could. But desperate times call for desperate measures. She turned to the one man who knew could help. He may not listen to her but she had to try. When she called out to Jesus, she called him, “Lord, Son of David.” Did she call him Lord because she heard others say it or did she truly believe she was Lord? Her faith in Jesus resulted in her daughter’s healing. Why is her story important? How does Jesus use an insult to test her faith? What are our protections against spiritual attacks? 

A little girl thrashes, jerks and twists on the bed. She images her mother could not see. The little girl also went through a cycle of fear, surprise and bouts of crazy laughter. To say her mother was completely helpless would be an understatement. She was at her wit’s end and desperate to help her daughter. One day, she hears about a healer named Jesus. Would a Jew even talk to her? Despite being a Gentile, she sets out to meet him. To beg, to plead, to throw herself at his feet in order to help her child. When she approaches him, she calls out “Lord, Son of David” (Matthew 21:22). At first, he doesn’t reply and the disciples urge Jesus to send her away. Jesus then says, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel” (Matthew 21:24) and she begs again. This begins an exchange about dogs and crumbs. Her response, her willingness to take whatever is left after the Jews get their rightful share, shows her faith and her sincerity. Jesus stated, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted” (Matthew 21:28). When she returned home, her daughter had been healed. 

The exchange about dogs and crumbs has caused many people to believe that Jesus was insulting the woman and being incredibly rude. While sounding harsh, it is not being used as harshly as we may think. While Jews at the time would call Gentiles “dogs” as an insult, here the word “dogs” is referring to a pet. Jesus was making it clear that his main mission was for Israel; however, his mission would include Gentiles. He was just waiting for God the Father’s timing. The woman would not know why Jesus hesitated and perhaps she didn’t care. Her goal was to get her daughter healed and if being called a dog would be required, then she would take it. She used wit and used Jesus’s words to reveal a deep humility and a tenacious faith. In her response, she tells Jesus that even a dog would be blessed by God. She knew Jesus could heal her daughter. It was a combination Jesus couldn’t resist. This woman was fertile soil to grow a miracle and faith for others. I can imagine her joy at Jesus’s words as she walked home. Did she still have a seed of doubt as Jesus didn’t physically see or touch her daughter? Imagine her immense joy when she returned home to find her daughter safe, sane and completely healed. I would imagine she would spend the rest of her life grateful for the crumb of bread from the Master’s table.

Demons and demonic possessions were abundant during Jesus’s ministry. Demons are fallen angels and emissaries of Satan. They were sent to earth to oppress humans and lead them astray. They are supernatural powers on earth with supernatural knowledge. They know and try to hide the truth (1 John 4:1-3). There were two demonic possessions mentioned in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 32:17 and Psalm 106:37). It is possible that with Jesus’s coming to earth, Satan knew the power Jesus would have, he expanded his strength and power on earth in order to keep his hold. Because demons recognize Jesus as God’s Son (Mark 5:7). They even had a supernatural strength. In Luke 8:29, a possessed man was able to break the chains that bound him. However, despite this strength, they are not stronger than God and Jesus. When they came face to face with Christ or his disciples, they trembled with fear and did his bidding (Luke 10:17). The question many people have is “do demonic possessions happen today?” It’s possible. While on one hand, the New Testament describes events as demonic possessions, we would recognize today as mental illness (Mark 5:15) or a physical ailment (Matthew 9:32, 12:22 and Mark 9:20). 

Spiritual warfare is a deeper topic than I want to get into for this post. While spiritual attacks can happen, I am hesitant to say that all bad things that happen to an individual are due to a demonic attack. It could be consequences from a poor decision or fall out from sin. In terms of demonic possession, as believers, we received the Holy Spirit as our defense against the forces of evil. We may suffer from physical, emotional and psychological issues that it may seem that it is a demonic possession. However, the power of God within us gives a hedge of protection around and within us. Therefore, I do not believe believers can be demonically possessed. As we maintain a close relationship with God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit is our strength, comfort and protection. 2 Thessalonians 3 teaches us that when we reach out in prayer (verse 2), the Lord is faithful to strengthen and protect us (verse 3). If you feel attacked whether it's demonic or not, pray. There is a meme that floats around social media that states Satan knows your name but he calls you by your sin. But on the flip side, God knows your sin but he calls us by your name. He knows how bad and horrible we’ve been but calls out to us in love anyway. 

In conclusion, the Syrophoenician Woman had heard enough about Jesus that she had faith he could heal her daughter. He tested her faith. He used an insult and attitude of the day to test her. Spiritual attacks are very real. However, we cannot and should assume every bad thing is the result of a spiritual attack. When bad things are happening to us, we need to pray and seek God to reveal the source of the attack and help us in its defeat. God has the power to deliver us from every form of evil (Psalm 46, Psalm 91). Satan and demons are very real and they will use every device to turn believers away from Jesus and back to sin as well as keep non-believers from turning to Jesus in the first place. We aren’t alone to battle these powers. God has provided his Holy Spirit to help us. 

 

Come Back for Me: a second chance romance

Come Back for Me by Corinne Michaels is the first book in the Arrowood Brothers series. One night, eight years ago, Connor Arrowood was at a crossroads. He was leaving one life behind and heading toward another. Deeply hurting, he finds a woman who is also deeply hurting. They have one night together. No names. No promises. When the morning came, she was gone, he left for boot camp, vowing never to return to his Pennsylvania hometown. Connor is now at a crossroads once again. His military career is ending, his father has died and he is forced to go home and settle the estate with his brothers. Once he’s there, he meets his neighbor, he immediately recognizes the woman he has been dreaming about for eight years. Ellie is stuck in an abusive marriage, desperate to escape but she is unsure how. A series of events brings them together again, Connor vows never to let her go again. But they both hold secrets that could tear their lives apart for good. 

Come Back for Me is a sweet and powerful romance with hard hitting topics. There were harrowing scenes of abuse which broke my heart and cried for Ellie. I cheered as Connor lovingly rescued her and gave her the space to heal. After her abusive husband is arrested, that story is put into the background and the story focuses on Connor and Ellie’s love story. There were a few steamy scenes and deeply emotional scenes. The characters are real and relatable. The emotional scars Connor and Ellie carry are impactful even years after the events which caused them. It is a story of second chances at love, at life, family unity and finding strength in yourself and with others. I enjoyed Connor and Ellie’s story. I enjoyed that the story leads to the next couple’s story. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. After finishing this story, I immediately added the rest of the series to my book wish list. I highly recommend Come Back for Me. 

Come Back for Me is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Gear, Grills and Guns: another normal adventure in Normal, Kentucky

Gear, Grills and Guns is the thirteen book in the Campers and Criminals Cozy Mystery series by Tonya Kappes. Mae West is the newest appointed member on the National Park Committee and she is taking the job seriously. She feels the need to prove she deserves to be there. She walks the new trails and she brings a big car show to Normal to fill in the slower fall month. But when Wendell Holliday, a car show participant, is found dead and a fire at a campground has Mae and the ladies of the Laundry Club back at work. The suspect list seems to be short. Is someone trying to cover up one crime with another? 

Gear, Grills and Guns was a fast read. While the suspect list was short and there was an obvious suspect number 1. However, after having read many mysteries before, I had a nagging feeling there was something more and, of course, there was! While I have been enjoying this series, this book seemed to be out of character for the series. The car show, the murder and the fire seemed to be more of a background story as Mae is dealing more with her past trauma. But I loved how tender Hank was with Mae as she dealt with the overwhelming emotions. Overall, I enjoyed Gear, Grills and Guns and I look forward to the rest of this series. 

Gear, Grills and Guns is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Last Single Girl: can she find a date for New Year's Eve?

The Last Single Girl by Bria Quinlan is the first book in the Brew Ha Ha series. It was supposed to be a girl only night for New Year’s Eve. Before Sarah knows it, it becomes a couples night. The only problem is Sarah is the only single girl in her friend group. She now has one month to find a date for the big gala. Not just any date. He must be willing to dress up for the themed party. And doesn’t already have plans for the biggest party night of the year. She decides to try her hand out on online dating. It isn’t long before she discovers that this challenge will be harder than she thought. After a series of bad coffee dates, Sarah is about to give up and go solo. However, she can’t stop thinking about a certain geeky, somewhat hot cafe owner. Could he be who she is looking for? 

Not one for the “Ugh I don’t have a date for the big night” kinda girl, I was still intrigued by this premise. Especially when the guy she needs is right in front of her and she doesn’t see it at first. However, the story fell flat right away. I didn’t care for a couple of her friends. I found them to be very shallow and had me asking, how and why they were friends. Sarah goes on the stereotypical bad and horrible dates. I didn’t care for the constant reminder that Sarah was “the last single girl.” Yes, we got it. It’s the title for crying out loud. Overall, I did not care for Sarah and her predicament. I will not be continuing this series. It was a bit predictable, but so are most romances, so I didn’t have an issue with that. However, if you enjoy a quick read romance, you may enjoy The Last Single Girl. 

The Last Single Girl is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

The Sleeping Arrangement: it's just sleeping...right?

The Sleeping Arrangement by Neva Bell is a story of a simple arrangement but it leads to so much more. Julie Michaels is in her last year of law school. She is struggling to pay her bills for herself and her brother after the loss of their beloved grandmother. She has dealt with rough patches before and she’ll get through this one too. One fateful day, she gets stuck in an elevator with Drew Waters, the star basketball player. Julie helps Drew keep calm and they eventually fall asleep, waiting to be rescued. Drew wants a championship and he has the talent to get one. There is one problem: he has trouble sleeping, that is until he was able to sleep in the elevator. He is convinced it was Julie’s soothing presence. He offers her a deal: sleep beside him until the end of the playoffs and he will pay her. They convince themselves it is just sleeping…right? 

I borrowed this title through Prime Reading as the premise intrigued me and the author is new to me. Instead of a marriage of convenience, it is a sleeping arrangement. The story started off a bit slow and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue. However, I stuck with it and I am so glad I did! There are a lot of deeper issues in this story in both Julie’s and Drew’s pasts. There is a bit of a mystery that seems like a filler but it explodes into so much more! I was able to figure out the mystery before the reveal; however, the reveal was still exciting! I enjoyed Julie and Drew as well as their supporting casts of characters. I laughed. I cried. I grinned as I closed the final page on their happily ever after. It is a sweet romance with a little steam and a great story. I highly recommend The Sleeping Arrangement. 

The Sleeping Arrangement is available in paperback and eBook

Nobody Told Me: a crime hits closer to home

Nobody Told Me is the sixth book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. Another crime in Hart’s Ridge hits home for Deputy Taylor Gray. She investigates the sudden disappearance of Jarret Clark, a young man who holds a special place in her life. She hopes for the best but fears the worst. Her sister, Lucy, is working on starting her life over with her son, Johnny. As she sets out on her path of self-discovery, Lucy realizes that it’s not as straightforward as she thought. Not only does she have to deal with her personal issues, she discovers someone is trying to destroy her life. While she thinks she knows who it is, she must decide when enough’s enough and confront her tormentor. Will Lucy find the strength to truly change for the better? Will she stand up and fight back? Will Taylor solve the mystery of Jarret’s disappearance before it’s too late?

The Hart’s Ridge series has it all: crimes inspired by true stories, family drama and a small town setting. It is important to read this series in order and I have enjoyed it since Hart’s Ridge (book 1). I’m not sure what it was; but the story in Nobody Told Me felt a little off. I can’t quite put my finger on it. It was fast paced. It held my attention but I wasn’t exactly wowed by it. I love that many characters who were featured in previous books made appearances. I loved the ending and the cliffhanger that I am, of course, eagerly awaiting book 7 to read the fallout. While Lucy’s stalker was a bit of a surprise, I kept expecting someone else from her past to pop up again. Maybe they will? Despite it all, I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend Nobody Told Me. I look forward to the next book in the series. 

Nobody Told Me is available in paperback and eBook

Kickbacks, Kayaks and Kidnapping: competition and jealousy ends in murder and kidnapping

 Kickbacks, Kayaks and Kidnapping is the twelfth book in the Campers and Criminals Cozy Mystery series by Tonya Kappes. Mae West has found a home in the small southern town of Normal, Kentucky. Despite her rocky start, she has become a beloved member of the town and her efforts to help the rundown Happy Trails Campground thrive have paid off. And her efforts are being noticed. The campground is in the running for the Campground Hospitality Award of the Daniel Boone National Park, but she has been offered a vacant seat on the park’s committee. To add to her efforts, she has organized Paddle Fests and a kayak competition which brings champion and Olympian kayaker Bryce Anderson to Normal. Everything comes crashing down when Bryce is discovered dead. When his death is ruled a homicide, Mae and the Laundry Club ladies once again put their sleuthing skills to use to find a killer. 

How many times can the reputation of the Happy Trails Campground and Normal be in jeopardy? A few times in fact. Once again, a murder linked to the campground throws a monkey wrench into the thriving plans. Mae immediately jumps into action and discovers a twisted trail of clues and a long list of suspects. This mystery kept me on my toes and I wasn’t sure who the killer was until the reveal. I enjoyed how Mae, despite her sleuthing reputation, stays humble and her motivation is simply to help Normal to continue to thrive. It’s not her fault that murders seem to happen in and around her campground. Overall, I enjoyed Kickbacks, Kayaks and Kidnapping. It was a nice addition to the series and I look forward to next adventure in Normal. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, I recommend Kickbacks, Kayaks and Kidnapping as well as the rest of the Campers and Criminals series. 

Kickbacks, Kayaks, and Kidnapping is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

West Side Love Story: an old family feud and a forbidden romance

West Side Love Story is the first book in the Queens of Mariachi series by Priscilla Oliveras. A feud has placed two families at odds for each other until two of their children meet and share an unbelievable kiss. Mariana grew up in the nurturing household of Casa Capuleta with her loving adoptive parents, Arturo and Berta, and her eight adoptive sisters. The sisters formed an all-girls mariachi band, Las Nubes. To help the family’s financial issues in the fast changing San Antonio, the sisters have entered the Battle of the Mariachi Bands with the prize money would more than help the family and their community center. It would also mean competing against Hugo Montero, their father’s archnemesis, and his band. Angelo Montero knows that Casa Capuleta is off-limits but he is drawn to the beautiful Mariana. Mariana is equally drawn to the gorgeous Angelo. As their secret affair intensifies and the competition heats up, a storm of betrayals and rivalries. Angelo and Mariana vow to bring peace to their families.  Can a forbidden love heal a decades-long rift?

Inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and the West Side Story, West Side Love Story brings the story of star-crossed lovers into the world of mariachi and Latin culture. It is a lighthearted approach to the concept of the star-crossed lovers. There are no deaths and a happy ending. I enjoyed the author’s use of Spanish in the story as well as the translations in the surrounding context. The romance was sweet and I definitely rooted for them. The conflict between the families seemed to be a reach and like most feuds, the origins seem to get lost to time and anger. I loved the familial bonds between the Capuletas. I’m not a big fan of mariachi music but the author’s descriptions of the bands’ outfits, instruments and music were so beautifully done that I could instantly picture the band playing. And while I’m not a big fan of the Romeo and Juliet type stories, overall, I enjoyed West Side Love Story. If you enjoy insta-live, forbidden romance with a happy ending, you will enjoy West Side Love Story. 

West Side Love Story is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Engagement Embargo: could she finally help him see she is the one?

The Engagement Embargo by Samantha Chase is the first book in the Meet Me at the Altar series. Elliot Sullivan loves being in love but after four failed engagements, his friends and family put their foot down. They demand he has no dates, no relationships or proposals for at least a year. He reluctantly agrees and asks his sister’s best friend to keep him distracted. Skylar Jennings has had a crush on him for a long time. When Elliot asks for her help, she can’t help but agree. They spent time together and nothing will come from it as he definitely doesn’t see her as she sees him. As they spend time together, Elliot realizes that sticking to the embargo is harder than he thought because he is wondering if the perfect woman had been in front of him this entire time. 

The Engagement Embargo is a sweet best friend's older brother/secret romance story. The story moves at a nice pace but I had a hard time connecting with the characters. It took a while but eventually I came to care for Skylar and Elliot. I wish there was a bit more romance, more banter, more heat. However, it was still a nice romance. It is a dual point of view between Skylar and Elliot which is unique, I think, for a romance novel. Usually readers do not get the male’s point of view. I enjoyed that Elliot had to learn the lesson that being alone doesn’t mean you are lonely . He also sees how one sided his previous relationships were, once he starts to truly hang out with Skylar. If you enjoy sweet romance stories, you will enjoy The Engagement Embargo. 

The Engagement Embargo is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

There's No Coming Back From This: one woman's journey to reinvent herself

There’s No Coming Back From This by Ann Garvin is one woman’s journey to recover from a disaster and find a new greater life. As she drops her daughter off at the airport for a summer in New York City, Poppy Lively is internally crumbling. After her accountant fled with her money, leaving Poppy with a massive debt to the IRS and virtually bankrupted, Poppy is on the verge of losing everything she worked so hard for. With perhaps a work of kismet, Poppy runs into an old flame, now a big time producer, who offers her a job. A job in the costumes department on a Hollywood film set. She doesn’t know anything about costumes but willing to learn anything and with nothing to lose, she accepts. Added bonus, she is unaware of the ins and outs of Hollywood intrigue and the star status of the actors. As an outsider, Poppy stumbles across corruption with a surprising person at the center of it all. Now she is faced with a choice. Does she keep her head down and not say anything as she usually does? Or does she find the inner strength to show others not to underestimate her? 

There’s No Coming Back From This was an Amazon First Read pick and I have not read anything by Ms. Garvin before. I was intrigued by a “witty and emotional” book. I was quickly annoyed at how whiny Poppy was. Right off the bat, I did not like her. At one point, she recalls a call to the bank and she explodes at the teller because she assumed Poppy was married: “There’s no husband! What year is this?” I understand she was under immense stress, owing money to the IRS will do that, but geez louise! The main thing that really irritated me about this story is the violation of the Writing Golden Rule: “show, don’t tell.” Poppy, throughout the story, tells the reader how much of an outsider she is, how much her boss doesn’t like her and how she has grown as a person. Readers should be shown how much she is an outsider, show how much her boss doesn’t like her, etc, etc. Is she ignored? Pranked? Overall, I did not enjoy There’s No Coming Back From This. I may not be Ms. Garvin’s target audience but if you are a fan of Ms Garvin, you may enjoy this book. 

There’s No Coming Back From This is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Tents, Trails and Turmoil: murder, tourism and a secret in the forest

Tents, Trails and Turmoil is the eleventh book in the Campers and Criminals series by Tonya Kappes. Tourism is important to Normal and the Daniel Boone National Park and it is important to Mae West. Nothing stops tourists like a dead body. When Yaley Woodard, a local tour guide, is found dead at the Happy Trails Campground, Mae is determined to find the killer before it ruins the upcoming tourist season. With a few suspects on the list, there is  much to keep them busy. As Mae and the Laundry Club ladies investigate, they learn that Yaley’s death caused much more turmoil than they could have imagined. Such turmoil that maybe her death is linked to someone trying to close down the tourism for good? 

Tents, Trails, and Turmoil was a fast and enjoyable read. With each book, this series keeps getting better and better. I love the continued growth and development of Hank and Mae’s relationship. Added to the stress of saving the tourism and her campground business, Mae is worried about Dottie, her office manager and close friend. Even though Dottie was grating at the beginning of the series, she has grown on me and I worried along with Mae, hoping nothing seriously wrong with Normal’s favorite chain-smoker. Overall, I am loving this series. It has become my go-to cozy mystery series and I am now eagerly awaiting the next book on my To Be Read List! I recommend Tents, Trails and Turmoil and the previous books in this series!

Tents, Trails and Turmoil is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Dark Corners: a monster hiding in plain sight?

Dark Corners by Megan Goldin is the second Rachel Krall book. This story picks up after the events of Night Swim (2020). Terence Bailey is about to be released from prison for breaking and entering. He has been a suspect in the abduction and murders of at least six women. In the six years he’s been in prison, he has only gotten one visitor. Maddison Logan is a young social media influencer who goes missing hours after visiting Bailey. Is her disappearance connected to Bailey? The FBI investigation hits a wall, Special Agent Joe Martinez seeks out Rachel’s help. Hoping for a break, Rachel reluctantly agrees. Going undercover as an influencer, Rachel attends BuzzCon where she discovers rivalries that might have turned deadly. When a link between a victim and Bailey raises a chilling possibility: did he have an accomplice? An accomplice who is hiding in plain sight? 

I thoroughly enjoyed Ms Goldin’s Night Swim and Stay Awake, I looked forward to reading Dark Corners. I like Rachel as she doesn’t scare easily and has a strong sense for justice, she is able to get information that some cops couldn’t get. Overall, I enjoyed Dark Corners and I look forward to more of Rachel’s adventures. However, it was a bit overwhelming with the sheer number of chapters and the switching between Rachel, Joe, the past and the killer. I was able to figure out some of the twists and the final “battle” with the killer was very fast. Despite all this, Dark Corners was fast paced and I was able to finish it in a few days. Readers do not need to read Night Swim to follow the story of Dark Corners, however, it is a story I highly recommend. If you enjoy crime suspense, I recommend Dark Corners. 

Dark Corners is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook

North of Nowhere: two teens running for their lives in a snowstorm, who do they trust?

North of Nowhere by Allison Brennan is a cat-and-mouse suspense. Kristin and Ryan McIntyre have been in hiding for the last five years and the day they were dreading has arrived. Their murderous father, Boyd McIntyre, the head of a Los Angeles crime family, has found them! Along with a man who has kept them safe, they attempt to escape in a small plane, when gunfire hits the fuel line and they crash in the middle of the Montana wilderness with a storm moving in. Kristin and Ryan have been taught survival skills and they make their way to their safe house. Ruby McIntyre, Boyd’s sister and the children’s aunt, walked away from the family business to join the army. She vowed never to return; however when the call comes that her niece and nephew need her help, she doesn't hesitate to help them. Ruby soon discovers she and Boyd aren’t the only ones looking for Kristin and Ryan and whoever finds them first will determine if they live or die. 

I hadn’t heard of Allison Brennan or her books before; however, the synopsis intrigued me. From the opening paragraph, readers are promised an edge-of-your-seat suspense. And it delivered for the first two thirds of the story. The story started to falter a bit during the last third and there seemed a rush to finish as the action piled on for a spectacular finish. The ending was satisfying and overall, I enjoyed North of Nowhere. I cheered for Kristin as she fought to protect herself and her brother and was unsure who to trust. I enjoyed Ruby’s character as a hardened veteran who fears her family. Boyd was an interesting villain but the true villain is revealed near the end and he was terrifying. I may have gasped as he was revealed. As this book was my first by Ms Brennan, I am curious about her other books and will be checking out her backlist. If you enjoy suspense with a survival aspect, you will enjoy North of Nowhere. 

North of Nowhere will be available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook on August 8, 2023

The Easy Life in Kamusari: where modern meets traditional life

The Easy Life in Kamusari by Shion Miura and translated by Juliet Winters Carpenter is the first book in the Forest Series. It is a story where modern and traditional life meets in the gorgeous splendor of Japanese mountain life. Yuki Hirano has graduated high school and his parents enroll him in a forestry training program in the remote mountain village of Kamusari. Against his will and with no phone, no interest, he is thrusted into the small, inviting community where the motto is “take it easy.” At first, Yuki fumbles with the tools, asks silly questions and feels every bit the outsider. However, the pull of the scent of the cedars and breathtaking beauty begins to have a lasting effect on him. As he learns the trade, he embraces the traditions of the village and learns a new respect for the forests with its secrets and harmony. 

The Easy Life of Kamuari is a warm coming of age story told in Miura’s lyrical style which sets a mood and will entrance readers as they take this journey into a Japanese mountain community. It is a beautiful and yet simple story of one young man’s life in a mountain village where he learns to work hard when he can and rest when it’s needed. One of my favorite quotes is “Running around won’t make the trees grow faster. Get plenty of rest, eat hearty, and tomorrow take what comes.” It is a beautiful way to say let tomorrow worry about tomorrow. While readers will see the story through Yuki’s eyes, the mountain itself is a character filled with vibrant life and mysterious secrets. It is an easy read as the story flows like a river, calm and relaxing. I highly recommend The Easy Life in Kamusari. 

The Easy Life in Kamusari is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Sunsets, Sabbatical, and Scandal: a dating app, a hacker stealing money and murder

Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal by Tonya Kappes is the tenth book in the Campers and Criminals Cozy Mystery series. Some of the local single gals are on a dating app and someone has hacked into several bank accounts and drained the funds. But the smalltown of Normal, Kentucky is shocked and shaken when one of their own is found dead on the floor of the diner. Mae and the Laundry Club ladies aren’t about to sit idly by as a murderer is on the loose. When a connection to Mae’s hometown pops up in the investigation, she must face a past she has tried to keep away. Who has murdered their beloved friend and citizen? And who is their hacker? Are they one and the same? 

Tonya Kappes has really found a rhythm with this cozy mystery series. When I first started the series, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy continuing. But I kept going and now I’m hooked. Learning more about Mae’s past was heartbreaking. The discovery of the victim was shocking; however the capture of the killer was oh so satisfying. I enjoyed seeing more of Hank and Mae’s relationship become closer and closer. I am thoroughly enjoying this series and I look forward to the many books in the future. These books are a great way to spend a lazy afternoon reading and so engaging that you will have a hard time putting them down. I recommend Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal.  

Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Fake Out: a hilarious rom-com that will have you smiling for days!

The Fake Out is the newest Sharon M Peterson rom-com. Mae Sampson is the librarian in the small town Two Harts, Texas. One night, after closing, she discovers a man asleep at a desk. She doesn’t recognize him which is unusual for a small town but the two have a bit of a fun banter after he wakes up and she shoos him out the door. When they run into each other again, she learns he is Chris Sterns, the handsome “world’s sexiest man” all-star NFL player. He has chosen Two Harts for some R&R and, somehow, ropes Mae into a two person book club. Despite begrudgingly agreeing, she can’t help but enjoy their banter. When a compromising video starts circulating and everything Chris has worked hard for is in jeopardy. He proposes a fake engagement to both their benefit: he needs damage control and she needs money for mounting medical bills. What could possibly go wrong? 

I absolutely loved Ms. Peterson’s debut novel, The Do-Over and I had to get The Fake Out. It delivers on the laugh out moments, the uplifting and inspirational moments and oh-so-sweet friends to lovers romance. I completely related with Mae, the bookish librarian who takes charge when her mom falls ill and her father left long ago. And Chris is a man with a big heart. I loved the banter between Mae and Chris and I think I grinned nonstop! One of my favorite moments is when Mae and Chris are in a bookshop and Mae thinks “Forget about firefighters. Hot guy plus books… where was that calendar?” Yeah, I’d buy that calendar! I could not put it down. I read while I made dinner. I read while I ate dinner. I read until I closed the final page with a grin and a sigh. The Fake Out is so good. I highly, highly recommend The Fake Out! 

The Fake Out is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook