A Scarlet Cord: a contemporary Christian fiction with a bit of romance and mystery

A Scarlet Cord by Deborah Raney is a contemporary Christian fiction with a bit of romance and mystery. Four years ago, Melanie LaSalle lost her husband and was left with a newborn daughter and a bleak future. With the help of her loving in-laws, she is now managing the family design firm and caring for her daughter, Jerica. Romance and falling in love again were the last things on her mind until he walked into her life. Joel Ellington is a new staff member at her church and draws Melanie with his warm and friendly demeanor. However, there is something troubling about Joel. Despite her doubts, the two become closer. Then Joel suddenly disappears, along with the church’s funds and she cannot ignore her doubts any longer. Torn between her feelings and the mounting evidence against Joel, Melanie must decide to forget Joel or find a reason to trust him with her heart. 

Deborah Raney is known for heartfelt stories with romance, inspiration and a bit of suspense. A Scarlet Cord starts off strong, then quickly loses its way and rushes to the end. The story is very slow moving with unbelievable plot points and overall, I was bored. I found myself not caring for Melanie and her dilemma. I did feel for her grief and her reluctance to love again. I loved that her in-laws were supportive and caring for Melanie and Jerica. Joel was likable with a hidden past that he was reluctant to share. The end reveals why and I rolled my eyes. Sadly, it was a let down. There was a plot line that involved Jerica that only added to the unbelievable turn of events. Overall, I did not enjoy A Scarlet Cord. However, if you are a fan of Deborah Raney or contemporary Christian fiction, you may enjoy A Scarlet Cord. 

A Scarlet Cord is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Over the Waters: a search for answers after losses

Over the Waters by Deborah Raney is the story of discovering there’s more to life than money. Dr. Max Jordan, aka “Dr Botox,” is a successful plastic surgeon in Chicago. Every decision he has made has focused on his career and his monetary success. He is shocked and angered that his only child, Joshua, after becoming a doctor, has decided to treat Haitian orphans. After Joshua’s death, a very bitter Max searches for answers in the orphanage that his son called home. Valerie Austin escapes to Haiti after the bitter break up of her engagement, seeks to find new meaning in her life. Will Max find his eyes opened to the truth in his son’s sacrifice and the sacrifice of those who work tirelessly for the orphans? Will he be able to find a freedom that he never knew he needed?

Over the Waters is a touching story of the conditions in Haiti, the people who live there and the humanitarian workers and missionaries who work to help those in need. The overall story of Max and Valerie left much to be desired. The book is billed as a romance and there was very little romance. Max was a hard character to like even when he softened a bit about his son’s choice. I had a bit more sympathy for Valerie. Overall, it was enjoyable but not memorable. If you are a fan of Ms Raney, you may enjoy Over the Waters.

Over the Waters

is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Almost Forever: not quite the story I was hoping for

Almost Forever by Deborah Raney is the first book in the Hanover series. It is the story of a community trying to move on in the aftermath of a tragedy. Bryn Hennesey is volunteering late one night at a local homeless shelter when a massive fire breaks out. Her husband, Adam, is a firefighter who responds to the call. The fire quickly gets out of control and five firefighters lose their life including Adam. In the days following the fire, Bryn must deal with her grief as well as her guilt as her last words spoken to Adam were in anger and a lie. Garrett Edmonds lost his wife, Molly, in the fire and, along with Bryn and the other spouses who lost his loved ones, they must learn to start over in life. As the investigators search for the cause of the fire, Bryn may hold the answer to all they need to know. Will she able to tell the truth she knows? Will Garrett be able to face life without his wife? Will they ever find the truth behind the fire?

I love stories about firefighters. They are the ultimate heroes in my book. So, when Almost Forever was suggested to me, I grabbed it. The previous book I read by Deborah Raney had me on the edge of my seat and I was eager to read another. However, this story stalled after the opening chapter. I found myself not caring for Bryn. Her constant internal whining was annoying. Even Garrett was hard to like. He talks about not liking his wife’s job, then why would you marry a woman who wanted to be a firefighter?!?!? I understand being stressed and worried that your spouse could get hurt on the job, but it is something you know before. I found myself questioning certain character behaviors and decisions. Like why would the wife of a firefighter, a lieutenant no less, would operate a business that wasn’t up to code? There are so many more example that by the time I finished reading I was cheering “it’s about time!” and that’s not how I usually end books, even when it was a book I end up not caring for. When a book is this tedious to read, despite the high reviews from other readers, it’s hard to recommend it.

Almost Forever

is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

A Nest of Sparrows: a story of love, faith and family

A Nest of Sparrows by Deborah Raney is the story of Wade Sullivan who finds himself in a fight for those he loves after the tragic and sudden death of his fiancée. In less than two years, Wade found himself going from bachelor to family man as he fell in love with Starr Parnell and her three children: Beau, Lacey, and Danica. Starr came to Coyote, Kansas after leaving an abusive marriage in Minneapolis.  When Starr dies suddenly, Wade takes over the care of her children. As he and the children find a rhythm of work, school and life, Darrin Parnell, the children’s estranged father shows up. As the battle for custody begins, the children are placed in foster care and their case is assigned to social worker, Dee Thackery. Will Wade be able to gain custody of the children? Will he be able to give them the life he promised to them and their mother? Or will he have to watch as the children leave with their father?

A Nest of Sparrows is a great emotional story with intense drama. Wade is a man who thought his future was bright with Starr and their ready-made family. It is a story about what truly makes a family. Is it blood and biology? Or is it love and a common bond? The characters, their situations and their reactions are very realistic and relatable. I feel for Wade who seems to lose everything he loves and must fight to keep what is left. I feel for Dee who has the difficult decision to recommend either the children stay with Wade or return to the father. I highly recommend A Nest of Sparrows.

A Nest of Sparrows

Is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook