Philip: an early disciple who become one of the first evangelist and missionary

Philip was an early disciple of Jesus, a simple fisherman from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter, who recognized Jesus as the Messiah and told others (John 1:43-46). Not as well known or discussed as the brothers I have featured already; however, Philip shines in the early church as one of the seven organizers of food distribution, becoming one of the first traveling missionaries and evangelists and one of the first to obey Jesus’ command to take the gospel to all people. What makes Philip so special to study? How is Philip’s evangelism and missionary work important to remember? What lessons can we derive from his life? 

One of Philip’s main characteristics is his questioning attitude. He asked Jesus to show his followers God the Father (John 14:8). Jesus says to see him is to see the Father (John 14:9-14). Jesus is the visible, tangible image of the invisible God. He is the complete revelation of what God is like and the search for God, for truth and reality, ends in Christ. Colossians 1:15 says “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Jesus’s response to him is very telling. The key lesson here is that God welcomes our questions and uses them to teach us. He may not always answer them, especially to our satisfaction; but God welcomes any sincere question from an earnest heart and a humble spirit. “Call to me, and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). However, insincere questions, or questions from a hypocritical heart, are not welcome. For example, the Pharisees questioning Jesus, trying to trap him, and Jesus refusing to answer them (John 7:53–8:11; Matthew 21:23–27; 22:15–22). 

Philip is considered one of the first missionaries and evangelists. The Book of Acts features two main events to his efforts. In Acts 8:5-8, 14-17, Philip goes to a city in Samaria and proclaims the gospel there. The crowds saw his miraculous signs and they paid close attention to what he said. With evil spirits expelled and many healings, there was a great joy spread through the city as they believed. Later, Peter and John would arrive and pray over them for the Holy Spirit to come upon the new believers. In Acts 8:26-38, an angel of the Lord comes to Philip, telling him to head south on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. While on the road, Philip comes across an Ethiopian eunuch, who was an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candance, queen of the Ethopians. This man had come to Jerusalem to work, reading from the book of Isaiah on the way home. Philip explains the passage to him and gives him the good news of Jesus. The man believed and was baptized. Philip would later travel throughout the region until he reached Caesarea where he would stay and later welcome Paul into his home (Acts 21:8-10). 

Philip’s life presents two lessons. First, the gospel is for all. to non-believers, he is a reminder that the gospel is for you as well. Jesus Christ is available to all and meant for everyone without exception. Romans 1:16 tells us that “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” To believers, he is a reminder that we are not free to disqualify anyone from hearing about Jesus. Jesus gives the disciples the Great Commission in Mark 16:15-16 to “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” and “that whoever believes will be saved.” We need to remember that while we, as humans, are swayed by physical appearance, God sees the heart of the person and we need to actively remember that God sees what we do not. Second, mass responses, as with the Samaritans, and the individual, as with the Ethiopian man, to the gospel, are valuable. Whenever someone accepts Jesus Christ, whether it is en masse or a lonely person, heaven celebrates. In Luke 15:7, Jesus says there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents.” 

In conclusion, Philip was a small feature in the gospels; however, he takes a greater role in the early church. He was a part of a group that made sure that all widows got the resources they needed, regardless if they were Jews or non-Jews. He is considered one of the early evangelists and missionaries as he took the Great Commission and did his part. He spoke to crowds as well as an individual. The good news is available to all and we, as believers, need to talk about the good news to all. And it is good to remember that even when a single person comes to belief, heaven rejoices. 

Redeeming 6: the continuing story of Joey and Aoife with drama, heart break and a chance for a happily ever after

Redeeming 6 is the fourth book of the Boys of Tommen series by Chloe Walsh and the story continues with Joey Lynch and Aoife Molloy. Joey’s life is on a downward spiral and Aoife is there to help him out. Desperate to prove himself worthy of Aoife’s love and trust, he fights hard to end his addiction. As the odds continue to rise against him, and despite others telling her to move on, Aoife is determined to fight for the boy who has her heart, her best friend. However, as she gets devastating news herself, news that changes everything, she finds herself drowning with nowhere to turn. As their circumstances change, Joey’s demons grow and obstacles in their path seem unmovable, can Aoife and Joey must find a way to mend their hearts and save their love? Or will their path prove to be too dark to find a way out? 

This book was a roller coaster of emotions, drama and heart stopping moments. This book is long, so long that it may seem daunting to some readers; however, it was so fast paced that I really didn’t notice. I needed to know how Aoife deals with her news. At times, I didn’t like Aoife. At times, I felt she was acting too much like a bitch with everyone, especially with Joey, who had no clue what was going on. However, I wanted to see her make the right decisions, to confide in people she trusted and not carry the load on her own. I also needed to know how Joey overcomes his demons. The scenes of Joey in rehab are so heartbreaking. Overall, I loved this book. I loved that it carried on from Saving 6. I highly, highly recommend Redeeming 6. Again, a word of warning, there is a lot of language and intense scenes, it is not the book for everyone. 

Redeeming 6 is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Saving 6: an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance with dark, gritty and heartbreak themes

Saving 6 is the third book in the Boys of Tommen series by Chloe Walsh. Joey Lynch is the second son in a broken family. He has spent his entire life trying to keep his unraveling family together after his older brother leaves them behind. He is the protector and pseudo parent to his younger siblings while teetering precariously on the cliff of addiction. The only light in his dark life is Aoife Molloy. The firecracker classmate and his boss’s daughter, she is always looking forward with a bubbly, strong and self-assured attitude. Ever since the first day of secondary school, she has been curious about the fiery, hothead boy that grows each day. They begin a complicated, tangled and very complex friendship as Aoife wants to get closer to Joey while he is desperate to keep her at arm’s length. What they don’t know is that their relationship is combust into a deeper relationship that will change their lives forever. 

Readers meet Joey and Aoife in Binding 13 and Keeping 13 and in Saving 6, we see the beginning of their relationship. I would describe their relationship as an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story. Aoife goes toe-to-toe with Joey as Aoife wants to get closer to this bad boy; however, is she ready for his reality? This story is heartbreaking, gritty and very real. I loved Aoife’s character as a strong woman who doesn’t run from Joey, even after she learns the dark secrets he tries to hide. Joey is desperate for a normal life, for a mother’s love. Overall, I loved this story. It took a while to read it as it is filled with very heavy topics that my mind needed time to process. I also loved seeing the other side of the story from books 1 and 2 without completely rehashing it. I highly, highly recommend Saving 6. Word of warning though, there is harsh language and violent moments and it may not be the story for some readers. 

Saving 6 is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Love Haters: the thin line between love and love hating with humor, drama and action

The Love Haters by Katherine Center explores the thin line between love and love-hating. Katie Vaughn has been burned by love, painfully and in public. Now her career is on the line. When she is approached by her co-worker, Cole, she has two choices: say no and wait to be laid off or say yes and produce a video profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West. It seems like an easy choice. Oh yeah, Hutch is Cole’s older brother and they haven’t spoken to each other for a long time. What could go wrong in paradise? It turns out a lot can go wrong. Hutch is the most good looking man Katie has ever seen and a love-hater. Throw in his crazy rescue Great Dane and his very colorful Aunt Rue and Katie gets too involved. Will this be her chance to face old fears and truly find the strength to be brave? 

Katherine Center is another of my go-to authors! She writes it and I’ll read it. She has the ability to combine humor with deeply emotional situations and characters who come out stronger than ever before. At first, I wasn’t sure if I liked Katie but as she reveals her emotional pain and fears, I found myself softening toward her. I especially enjoyed Katie as she found her voice and refused to be silent anymore. I also loved Hutch as the good looking but grumpy and reluctant subject for a new recruitment video. As Katie and Hutch interact, you can see the sparks fly and the emotional walls come down. There is plenty of action and drama as the weather and family drama comes to a full force. I loved this story and I did not want it to end! If you haven’t discovered Katherine Center’s books, you need to start reading! I highly, highly recommend The Love-Haters! 

The Love-Haters is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

A True Gentleman: a clean Regency romance with banter, heart stopping moments and drama

True Gentleman is the first book in The Ashbrooks series by M.A. Nichols. Ten years ago, Tabby Russell married the man of her dreams, convinced he had left his wayward ways behind. Now he has returned to his old ways, leaving them penniless and desperate. Tabby is left with no other choice but to find employment. She finds a job as a housekeeper and nurse to an injured and overbearing sea captain. Captain Graham Ashbrook’s whole life has been the navy; but a French cannonball ends it all. Now he feels trapped in a body that is slowly healing and at the mercy of his new housekeeper. As Tabby and Graham interact, he starts to envision a life on land; however, what can he do when the lady keeps him at arm’s length?  As their lives change, can they have their hearts’ desires? Or will they be trapped by their circumstances? 

I usually do not read Regency romances; however, I was intrigued by A True Gentleman. As the story started off a bit slow; I wasn’t sure if it was the book I thought it was; however, once Captain Ashbrook and Tabby interacted, the story sped up and I couldn’t put it down!  I loved Tabby as a woman who recognizes the reality of her life and is determined to do what she can to survive. I loved the grumpy captain who is used to barking orders, instead of taking them. The two are like oil and water until that magic moment. The banter between Ashbrook and Tabby was entertaining and there were great heartfelt moments between them as well. Overall, I enjoyed A True Gentleman. It is a clean romance with plenty of drama and heart stopping moments. I will be continuing the series. If you enjoy clean Regency romances, I recommend A True Gentleman. 

A True Gentleman is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Every Little Thing: missing persons in paradise and one member of the Gray family decides to confront the past she has been running from

Every Little Thing is the twelfth book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. Taylor Gray and her family travel to Cabo San Lucas for the fairytale wedding of Ellis’s daughter, Madison. Everything is perfect in the picturesque beach resort. However, the next morning, the bride and her maid of honor have gone missing, virtually without a trace. With the local police being no help, Taylor and her family investigate on their own. Will they find Madison and her best friend alive? Back in the States, Lucy is on the run. Wandering from state to state, trying to outrun the past, her memories and the voices in her head. However, the further she travels, the more she realizes that she will never know healing and peace if she keeps running and she heads to the one place she never wanted to see again. Will Lucy finally find the peace she has been longing for? 

I opened this book with anticipation. The Hart’s Ridge series digs deep in the stories that we only hear about on true crime shows. Each story has a heart-gripping event that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. In Every Little Thing, Taylor and her family find themselves  diving deep into the seedy side of paradise and the determination to bring home the missing women. Lucy’s storyline was about confrontation. I knew we hadn’t heard the last of this situation, I don’t want to give it away, but I loved that Lucy is a lot smarter than her family thinks she is and finds a way to put her mind at ease and bring an end to the shadow that has stalked her. If you haven’t read the Hart’s Ridge series, I highly recommend starting with book 1, Hart’s Ridge. If you are a fan of the Hart’s Ridge series, I highly, highly recommend Every Little Thing. 

Every Little Thing is available in paperback and eBook

The Secret of Eveline House: one family's disappearance and one woman's search for answers

The Secret of Eveline House by Sheila Forsey is a story of secrets in a deeply religious village. In 1949, Violet Ward, a playwright, moved to the Eveline House in County Wicklow with her husband, Henry, and their daughter, Sylvia. Violet’s plays have been banned in Ireland and the people in their small country town are hostile to her. Violet ignores it but when Sylvia starts to receive threatening letters, she demands that they return to London. However, Henry is vehemently opposed to leaving Ireland. Seventy years later, Emily O’Connor buys her dream house. Eveline House sits like a time capsule, locked up since 1950 and still filled with the personal possessions of the previous owners. When Emily realizes that the town is filled with hidden cruel secrets which eventually impacts her life in ways she never thought possible. She starts to question the fate of the lost family and sets her on a quest for the answers. 

I love a dual timeline story and I was intrigued by the premise of The Secret of Eveline House. However, this story was not exciting or intriguing. It was dull, repetitive with lots of telling instead of showing. There was too much internal monologue. The story features the oppressiveness and political influence of the Catholic Church in 1950s Ireland, which is interesting. However, the constant reminding of this fact was overbearing and annoying. The pace was also slowed with unnecessary information and flashbacks. The story has entire chapters with background stories of secondary characters that didn’t seem to add anything to the plot. At first, I liked Violet who was a free spirit and ahead of her time with her thinking and views; however, she threatens to leave Ireland and then doesn’t! By the time the story gets to the modern storyline, I didn’t care about what happens to the Ward family and why they left Eveline House. Overall, I did not enjoy this story. I do not recommend The Secret of Eveline House. 

The Secret of Eveline House is available in paperback and eBook

Deceived: a small town romance with intrigue and family saga series

Deceived is the first book in the Delta Family series by Cami Checketts. The Delta family, led by the patriarch Papa, has a secret deep into the mountains. Colton Delta takes the protection of the family secret very seriously. A secret that is a matter of national security. Bailey Ashworth is an investigative journalist who got a drunken tip about a military secret hidden in the Colorado mountains. She comes to the small town of Summit Valley and runs into the handsome Dr Colton Delta. As Colton and Bailey spend time together, they are both suspicious of each other and yet find themselves attracted to each other. When he falls in love with Bailey, can he protect her and the secret? Will the secret tear them apart? 

Deceived is a cute, sweet, intriguing and great start to a family saga story. The family secret is not revealed in this story and I have a feeling it will drag throughout the series. However, I am interested in the other Delta love stories that I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I enjoyed the banter and flirting between Colton and Bailey. There were a few sweet moments between them that produced a few sighs and smiles. The Delta family is large and I enjoyed the introduction of each character. I love the faith of the characters. It was real and relatable. If you enjoy small town romance, I recommend Deceived. 

Deceived is available in paperback and eBook. 

Finally Yours: a billionaire second chance romance

Finally Yours is the first book in the Finally series by Elena Aitken. Abby’s life has been turned upside down. She lost the life she had known when her now ex-husband was caught embezzling millions from clients’ investments accounts. Now she is forced to work at the very country club where she was once a member. One day, Phillip Conrad, a man from her past, walks into the club’s shop and proposes a way for her to pay off her debt to him. She knows she should tell him to shove it and walk away. However, his proposal is too good to say no to and the spark between them still burns even fifteen years later. Will their weekend together give them a second chance at love? Or will it leave her in the ashes? 

Finally Yours is a second chance romance with a billionaire trope. I love a second chance romance as it is never too late for a happily ever after. I am usually iffy with the billionaire trope. However, I took a chance on Finally Yours. I was disappointed from the start. I did not like Abby. I did not like Phillip. I couldn’t believe these people were supposed to be in their 40s. I did not like any of the secondary characters. I did not like the story overall and I will not be continuing the series. I do not recommend Finally Yours. 

Finally Yours is available in paperback and eBook

Written Off: a famous author has gone missing. Why is only one woman determine to find her?

 Written Off by Karen McQuestion is a story of one author’s disappearance and another woman’s determination to find her despite the apathy of others. Dana Broderick is a bestselling, celebrity author. Publicly, she is bold, glamorous and ready for the spotlight. However, behind the scenes it is her assistant, Courtney Hart, who helps keep everything on track. Quiet, dependable, Courtney has been Dana’s friend since college and is content to stay in the background until Dana vanishes without a trace. To her shock and surprise, Courtney finds that no one but her is frantic to find her. When a ransom demand eventually comes through, it is ignored as a publicity stunt. Courtney is not convinced and as she investigates the mystery, she realizes that the question is not where Dana is but why no one wants her found? Where is Dana? Who is behind her kidnapping? And why is Courtney the only one to care? 

Karen McQuestion is one of my go-to authors. She writes it, I’ll read it. After two years of no new releases, Ms. McQuestion announced she had a new book release and to say I was excited is an understatement. Wow! Written Off is filled with many twists and turns that left me guessing. Just when I thought I had the story figured out, a new turn that would throw that thought out the window. I loved Courtney’s character as she grows from the quiet assistant  to the bold and brave friend. In fact, every character, even the not so favorable ones, were wonderful and added to the plot. I was eager to figure out who was behind Dana’s disappearance and yet I enjoyed the characters so much that I didn’t want the book to end. If you haven’t discovered Karen McQuestion’s books, you need to read them now! I highly, highly recommend Written Off. 

Written Off is available in paperback and eBook

Scarlet Princess: a medieval enemies-to-lovers romance with drama and witty banter

Scarlet Princess is the first book in the Lochlann Feuds series by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison. Rowan, princess of the Lochlann Kingdom only wanted adventures, she never meant to start a war. When she and her cousin attempt to smuggle vodka from Socair, an enemy kingdom, she finds herself at the mercy of the very people she has been taught to hate. Her only ally seems to be Lord Theodore, the brother of the Duke of Clan Elk, who is not the barbarian she expected. Now she must face The Summit, the gathering of the other clans, to decide what to do about her crime. Rowan knows she must find a way to smooth things over without causing another war, especially now that she and Theo have gotten close. Can her mistake cost her everything and bring war to their two kingdoms? 

Scarlet Princess sat on my To-Be-Read list for three years and I am so sorry that I waited so long. From the open chapter to the closing pages, with a medieval setting with a bit of supernatural magical abilities, I was hooked!! The world building was great. I loved Rowan and Theo. Their banter was great and their romance was sweet and steamy. While there are no spicy scenes, it is a great enemies-to-lovers romance with forced proximity. Even the side characters were intriguing. The story does end with a bit of a cliffhanger, and usually a cliffhanger would upset me; however, I was so invested in Rowan and Theo’s story that I immediately got the second book and will be reading it soon. There is drama and laughs. If you enjoy an enemies-to-lovers romance with a medieval supernatural twist, I highly recommend Scarlet Princess. 

Scarlett Princess is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

May 5th: Official Day of Remembrance for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

I first became aware of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement after reading KA Cobell’s debut novel Looking for Smoke. Then the news broke of the discovery of the remains of missing 14 year old Emily Pike, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, from her group home and the questions started. Also more and more reels and videos about the movement filled my social media. As I listened to the stories, my heart dropped, broken and feeling powerless. Sisters, mothers, wives, daughters have gone missing without clear answers and many families are still waiting. To say “I can’t imagine the anguish” feels too weak. I would be going out of my mind if one of my daughters went missing without a trace and to feel that no one cared would be beyond devastating. I felt angry and powerless, unsure of what I could do to bring awareness. I did what I know best, did some research and decided to write on this topic. 

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement has its roots in Canada, forming in 2015 (Native Hope). With the hashtag NOMORESTOLENSISTERS, a movement was born and growing as more and more individuals said enough is enough. And enough is enough! There are two important dates for this movement. February 14th is the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women National Day of Action and Awareness. It is a day for a call to action to raise awareness about the disproportionate violence faced by Indigenous women and two-spirit people, and to demand justice for those who have been lost. May 5 is the official day for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. This day serves as a time for remembrance, advocacy, and raising awareness. This day is also known as Red Dress Day. Many participants will hang a red dress in public view in support and for public awareness. The red hand symbol in the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women logo is highly important. The red hand symbolizes the connection between the physical world and the spiritual world (Native Hope). Indigenous People believe the dead can see red. By wearing red, they believe they can invoke the help of their ancestors and spiritual guides.  

The statistics alone make my blood run cold. According to the National Crime Information Center, there are 5,712 reports of missing Indigenous women and girls (Native Hope). The murder rate is ten times higher than the national average for women living on reservations and murder is the third leading cause of death for Native women. 56.1% of Indigenous woman will experience sexual violence in their lifetime with 55.5% will be physically abused by their inimate partners (Native Women Wilderness). While women and girls are the primary victims, sadly, they are not alone. 82% of Indigenous men, boys, infants and elderly will be victims of violence in their lifetime. Native children are more likely to experience trauma and abuse than their Non-Native peers (Native Hope). Despite these statistics, there still is widespread silence and lack of media exposure. 

Why is there widespread silence on this issue? First, and most infuriating, is the ongoing stereotypes of Native American that perpetuate injustice. Stereotypes that Natives, especially on the reservations, are lazy, drunkards and addicts. These stereotypes hinder the search process as it is seen as the victims’ fault or a non-issue. Vanessa Brousseau, a digital creator and artist with Resilient Inuk Creations, reported her sister, Pam, missing in 2003, was told by the local police that her sister most likely ran off to become a prostitute (Tungasuvingat Inuit, 2021). What was their reasoning? They found intimate photos on Pam’s computer. So intimate photos equals becoming a prostitute! Ms. Brousseau was understandably upset and angered by this statement. I was, too, as I listened to her tell this story. Second, coordination problems between agencies. This is further complicated by reporting policies and jurisdictional communication complications. Despite the increasing interjurisdictional communication, coordination about missing person cases of Indigenous individuals is lacking. Third, the lack of media coverage perpetuates the silence on Indigenous issues. If it wasn’t for the growing social media digital creator, I wouldn’t know about this issue either and wouldn’t be writing this post today. 

Since its inception, the movement has gained political attention. In 2019, the White House officially designated May 5th as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls. Also in 2019, Executive Order 13898, Operation Lady Justice, created a task force for murdered and missing Native peoples. The task force was set to address the concerns of the Indigenous communities in the US as well as establish cold case teams, improve investigative responses and data collection (Native Women Wilderness). Savanna’s Act became law in 2019 which requires the Department of Justice to review, revise and develop policies and protocols to address murdered and missing Indigenous persons cases (Department of Justice). The Not Invisible Act was signed into law in 2020, a federal bill, which forms a committee of law enforcement, tribal authorities, federal partners and more to study and discuss solutions to the murdered and missing Indigenous people cases and to establish better systems of coordination between agencies (Department of Justice). In May 2022, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico) announced “the full membership of the Commission, composed of federal and non-federal members with a diverse range of experiences, expertise, and perspectives” (Department of Justice). 

In conclusion, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women is not just a Native American issue. It is an issue that we all should be heartbroken for and help bring awareness. There are countless families who are waiting and wondering where their loved ones are. There are mothers wondering, worryingly, where their daughters are and sadly, some pass away, never learning of their loved ones fate. We can help by learning the stories, supporting the artists and activists who are working tirelessly to bring these women’s stories to light. And if even one woman is found and brought back home to their families, that is a victory worth celebrating. I pray that every missing Indigenous woman is brought home. I pray that every murdered Indigenous woman finds peace and justice. And I pray that every Indigenous person lives a life without violence and abuse. It seems like such a small thing but I hope that this post helps bring more people to this movement and shines a light on these horrible events. 

Sources

Native Hope. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). https://www.nativehope.org/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-mmiw/. Retrieved April 28, 2025.

Native Women Wilderness. MURDERED & MISSING  INDIGENOUS WOMEN. https://www.nativewomenswilderness.org/mmiw. Retrieved April 28. 2025

Resilient Inuk Creations. https://resilientinukcreations.ca/. Retrieved April 29, 2025.

Tungasuvingat Inuit (2021). Vanessa’s Story.  https://youtu.be/E8zeNp-sO70?si=AY2PmSS-eZNB4K37. Retrieved April 29, 2025. 

U.S. Department of Justice. Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons. https://www.justice.gov/tribal/mmip. April 28, 2025. 

Roughing the Kicker: a friends to lovers sports romance with a happily ever after

Roughing the Kicker is the first book in the Denver Mountain Lions series by Emily Silver. Tenley Rhodes has been in love with Jackson Fields since the ninth grade. However, he was her best friend and she was the girl next door. Ten years later, he is the star kicker for the Denver Mountain Lions. When an injury places him on the sideline, he calls her for help. She moves in with him in order to help him. With Jackson depending on her for everything, she is determined to keep her feelings a secret. However, with every touch sends butterflies to her stomach and fires through her veins. Little does she know, Jackson is beginning to see her differently, will he reveal it has been her all along? Will they be willing to risk their friendship to find a love they are both looking for? 

I’m a sucker for a good sports romance. Roughing the Kicker is a sweet, steamy friends to lovers sports romance. There are lots of heart, sweet moments, laughter, banter and steamy moments. The interactions between Jackson and Tenley are great. The build up to them confessing their feelings was wonderful and sigh-worthy. I loved both characters and read eagerly to see them get their happily ever after. There is a third act break up; but the grand gesture is cute and heartwarming. I closed the book with lots of smiles. The secondary characters were great and I hope they get their own stories in the series. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. If you enjoy a friends to lovers sports romance, I recommend Roughing the Kicker. 

Roughing the Kicker is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Breakup Project: a friends to lovers romance with heart, humor and faith

The Breakup Project is the first book in the Original Six Hockey series by Carolyn Miller. Bree Karlsson is used to being ignored. As the twin sister of Brent Karlsson, hockey’s hottest forward, she vows not to date an athlete as her New Year’s Resolution. She wants her Mr Darcy; however, he just cannot be a hockey player. Mike Vaughan is Brent’s best friend and holds a wish that Bree would see him as more than a friend. When Bree suggests a plot to break up her brother and his attention seeking girlfriend, Mike agrees in order to get closer to Bree, in the hopes that she sees him as something more. When a misunderstanding ends up in a disaster, Bree realizes that her breakup project may have actually broken her friendship with Mike. Can she repair their friendship? Will she take a chance and see Mike as her Mr Darcy? 

The Breakup Project is a friends-to-lovers romance with lots of heart, humor wrapped up in a sweet sports romance. There is a faith based element to the story which I saw a lot of reviews had a problem with Bree’s unchristian like behavior. However, I saw Bree as real as if she were standing in front of me. Yes, she was a Christian and yes, she behaved in ways that were unchristian. Sadly, many Christians have gained a reputation that they don’t sin or cannot sin. However, we do. And Bree recognizes that she screwed up and sought forgiveness and redemption. Mike was, by far, my favorite character. Even as he struggled with his friendship with Bree, his feelings for her and his faith, he never gave up hope. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I look forward to the rest of the series. If you enjoy faith based sport romance, I recommend The Breakup Project. 

The Breakup Project is available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook.