Review of The Sowing Season by Katie Powner

 

About the Book ~

Can an unlikely friendship give them the courage to start again?

Forced to sell the dairy farm he's worked his entire life to make successful, Gerrit Laninga, now sixty-three, doesn't know what to do with himself. He sacrificed everything for his cows--his time, his health, his family--with nothing to show for it but bitterness, regret, and two grown children who want nothing to do with him.

Fifteen-year-old Rae Walters is stricken with panic every time she climbs behind the wheel. But any failure, including not passing her driver's test, jeopardizes The Plan--the detailed blueprint for high school and beyond that has her following in her lawyer father's footsteps. Though she's always been committed to The Plan, now that the pressure to succeed is building, doubts about whether she has what it takes begin to haunt her. What was supposed to unite her family in purpose could end up tearing it apart.

As their paths cross and a friendship begins to form, Gerrit's and Rae's lives change in unexpected ways. Will they discover what really matters in life and together learn it's never too late for a second chance?

For more information about Katie Powner and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

The Sowing Season by Katie Powner is a fresh and unique generational saga that will move the hearts of the young and slightly less young!

While The Sowing Season is outside of my normal genre preferences, this beautiful story is exactly the reason I take chances as a reader! The result: now I have a new author and a story I will recommend to EVERYONE! Genuine humor -- which often seems less prevalent in this genre -- bounced off the pages, especially in the scenes involving Bernard the Terrible! Additionally, the touch of romance with the teenage heroine was a delight to my romance-loving heart.

I loved the author's twist on the traditional family drama! The unlikely friendship between Gerrit and Rae flows with life. This life flows into the character's respective lives, bringing healing, restoration, and freedom! Gerrit's quest to win back his wife and finally be a father to his grown children had me crying in agony and cheering his victory from start to finish. Furthermore, his story so aptly illustrated how we may physically lose something, but we're only free when we choose to let go of it. Furthermore, my perfectionist personality could more than relate to Rae's struggles to maintain perfection. The message of freedom found in breaking the yoke of perfection and seeking God's heart for you and your life is a message I always welcome!

Five Stars ~ The Sowing Season by Katie Powner is a stunning story! The Sowing Season is a standalone and the author's debut. I'm looking forward to reading whatever the author writes next!

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of The Kissing Tree Novella Collection

About the Book ~

In this Texas-sized romance novella collection, courting couples, decades apart, leave a permanent mark of their love by carving their initials into the same oak's bark.  

Regina Jennings - "Broken Limbs, Mended Hearts"

When a young man from her past returns and upends their small town with a new invention, schoolteacher Bella Eden is reminded of the heartbreak she suffered years ago under the old oak tree. When her job is put on the line, can she trust the man who disrupted her life to help her fight for a brighter future?

Karen Witemeyer - "Inn for a Surprise"

Determined to keep love alive for others, Phoebe Woodward builds an inn that caters to couples. When her father sends a property manager to help make it a success, she finds her whimsical vision thwarted by his stodgy practicality. Finding the right blend of romance and reality is a challenge, and her spinster heart may be in for a surprise. 

Amanda Dykes - "From Roots to Sky"

WWII airman Luke Hampstead found comfort in letters from the sister of a lost compatriot. When he visits Texas to thank her, he discovers her constructing a project with surprising ties to his letters . . . and that she herself is even more surprising. While a promising opportunity awaits him elsewhere, will what they've shared be enough to give their future flight?

Nicole Deese - "Heartwood"

Abby Brookshire's world is turned upside down when the historic tree she's strived to preserve as the head groundskeeper at the Kissing Tree Inn is put in danger of removal. Making matters worse, the only way to protect its legacy is to partner with the man she's been ignoring since he left town years ago. Will she have the courage to move on from the past and start a new beginning?

For more information about the authors -- Regina Jennings, Karen Witemeyer, Amanda Dykes,  Nicole Deese -- and their books, check out their websites by clicking their name!

My Thoughts ~ 

The Kissing Tree is everything I love in a novella collection! Each story is pure loveliness!

I adore when each novella continues to build on the previous stories in the collection! As we follow these four sweet stories, readers get to stay connected to the continuous generations of Oak Springs and the characters who are destined to capture many hearts! However, the detail that truly sets this novella collection apart is the Kissing Tree itself! From origin story to the bittersweet end, readers get to be part of the Kissing Tree's life in each of these beautifully crafted moments through the decades! 

Regina Jennings - "Broken Limbs, Mended Hearts"

"Broken Limns, Mended Hearts" was a wonderful story to brand the romantic oak tree of Oak Springs as THE Kissing Tree! I also really enjoyed the way new technology with respect for the past was melded into the fabric of the couple's conflict! 

Karen Witemeyer - "Inn for a Surprise"

"Inn for a Surprise" was so much fun! We join the story as the newly-built Kissing Tree Inn is being prepared for its first guests. I adored the witty banter between the couple and learning of the different couples who found their way to the Kissing Tree, thus inspiring the creation of the Kissing Tree Inn!

Amanda Dykes - "From Roots to Sky"

"From Roots to Sky" is tale with as much perseverance as there is romance! We rejoin Oak Springs and the Kissing Tree after hard financial times, war, and grief have reached their unapologetic hands into the community. I loved the way the community worked together and the poetic way the couple found both their roots and their wings in life!

Nicole Deese - "Heartwood"

"Heartwood" is the perfect balance of bittersweet, second chances, and new beginnings to close out this novella collection! The apt portrayal of how grief can affect even the sturdiest of relationships hit me in the feels! I adored the chemistry between the couple as they found their second chance at a new beginning! However, the beautiful message of how letting go -- symbolically and literally -- can never remove the legacy carved into our heartwood is what makes this conclusion so perfect!

Five Stars ~ The Kissing Tree is one of my favorite novella collections to date! Additionally, each of the authors has a plethora of novels in their respective backlists!

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of End Game by Rachel Dylan

About the Book ~

Each New Clue...
Every Crime Scene...
Brings Them Closer to Discovering the End Game

When elite members of the military are murdered on the streets of Washington, DC, FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini must work together to bring the perpetrator to justice. Unfortunately, all evidence points to a Navy SEAL sniper who Baily refuses to believe is guilty.

When Bailey and Marco start to connect the dots between the victims, they wonder if there's a deeper cover-up at play. After Bailey is targeted, it becomes clear that someone is willing to kill to keep their dark secrets.

With the stakes getting higher by the moment, Bailey and Marco rush against the clock to determine whom they can really trust in this twisted conspiracy. As allies turn to enemies, the biggest secret yet to be uncovered could be the end of them all.

For more information about Rachel Dylan and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Romantic Suspense Fans, if you've been craving the bookish mashup of NCIS, JAG, and your personal favorite FBI drama, then End Game by Rachel Dylan will be the love of your bookish life!

I found End Game to be a plot-driven, whodunit story. The author did a really good job portraying the investigative nature of the various agencies featured in End Game. I was impressed by how realistic this aspect was, and the inclusion of multiple perspectives really helped with that! This aspect of the story means that readers learn some of the information and twists as it's being reported to the main characters.

While the characters weren't soulmate characters for me, the multiple perspectives provide a plethora of relatable, real-life issues! For instance, as the attraction between Bailey and Marco develops into the potential for something more, Bailey has to confront her fear of loss before she can open her heart to something new with Marco. Izzy, the rookie NCIS agent, finds God as she struggles with moving past a trauma (this trauma could be triggering, but it was delicately handled). Additionally, NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini is the bookish equivalent of NCIS ' Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo -- swoon, LOL!

Three Stars ~ End Game by Rachel Dylan is an intriguing start to what is sure to be an intriguing series! End Game is the first book in the author's new Capital Intrigue Series from Bethany House.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman

About the Book ~

The seconds are ticking down before someone dies.

When cybercriminals hack into the U. S. Marshals' Witness Protection database and auction off witnesses' personal details to the highest bidders, the RED Team, led by FBI Agent Sean Nichols, begins a high-stakes chase to find the hacker. But before he can even get started, the first witness is targeted and barely escapes with her life. Sean believes Phantom, an obsessed hacker who previously outwitted the top minds in the field, is behind the attack, and Sean needs this witness's help, as she's the person who has come closest to discovering Phantom's identity.

Trouble is, she's under the care of U. S. Marshal Taylor Mills, and Sean is reluctant to work with the captivating Marshal who knows his deepest secrets. But Phantom seems to be one step ahead at every turn and will stop at nothing to kill the witness. To stop the hacker, Sean and Taylor must learn to trust each other as danger draws ever closer.

For more information about Susan Sleeman and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

If you are a fan of shows like NCIS, then Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman is the book equivalent that you need on your bookshelf!

Readers will be thoroughly pulled into the world of law enforcement in Seconds to Live! I liked how the author showed so many different agencies, their various roles, and even some of the science behind evidence recovery. While this did mean a slower pace at times, the in-depth investigative nature is what makes the story so intriguing. I have always enjoyed learning through a well-crafted story, and it was fun to experience the frustrating red tape, the crushing dead ends, and the triumphant breaks in the case right along with the characters!

Speaking of the characters, I really liked the "internet buddies" angle that the author used to give Sean and Taylor a firm foundation for their romance! It didn't feel rushed or forced at all because they had spent so many months getting to know each other online. I also really liked this angle because it felt so realistic! So many friendships and even romantic relationships are begun and strengthened via the internet now, and it was refreshing to see this angle play out in a safe, healthy way.

The emotional, spiritual, and relationship journey in Seconds to Live comes down to one word: trust. Sean and Taylor really, definitely, absolutely had some painfully-earned trust issues due to their respective pasts. While they weren't bookish soulmates for me, I could relate to their struggles to trust each other and God. The author realistically handled how deeply trust issues can affect an individual, and that made each step forward a victory I could share with them!

Three Stars ~ Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman was a romantic, interesting, and suspenseful read! Seconds to Live is the first book in the author's new Homeland Heroes Series from Bethany House. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and discovering more information for a particular case with the RED Team!

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of King's Shadow by Angela Hunt

About the Book ~

Their lives couldn't be more different,
but their goal is the same:
survive King Herod's rule.

Two women occupy a place in Herod's court. The first, Salome, is the king's only sister, a resentful woman who has been told she's from an inferior race, a people whom God will never accept or approve of.

The second woman, Zara, is a lowly handmaid who serves Salome, but where Salome spies conspiracies and treachery, Zara sees hurting people in need of understanding and compassion.

Powerful and powerless, Idumean and Jew, selfish and selfless -- both women struggle to reach their goals and survive each day within Herod the Great's tumultuous court, where no one is trustworthy and no one is safe.

My Thoughts ~

Angela Hunt's Biblical Fiction stories never cease to fascinate me, and King's Shadow is no different! What a spellbinding fictionalization of King Herod's court! Political drama and historical fact are coupled with fictional characters and realistic perceptions of historical figures in King's Shadow. The result is a story that feels fresh while also staying true to history! 

In an author interview that is included in the book, the author explains that she has learned no one is completely good or evil and that perspective changes everything! This shaped the characters -- both fictional and historical -- into some of the most realistic characters that I have ever encountered! Salome felt bound by family duty to protect her brother and his kingdom, so her scheming was born out of love for Herod. But as she encountered God's heart in Zara and other people in her life, Salome had to confront her misconceptions. We meet Zara when she's a little girl and follow her well into adulthood. I really liked seeing how she transformed from someone who followed the rules of the law because that's what was taught to her to someone who loved God with a personal faith! And the end of Zara's story made my soul leap for joy! Even Herod was fascinating and layered! His progression from ambitious man to bloodthirsty killer was intense! There were times my heart broke for Herod because the author aptly showed how his fear and desire to be loved drove his actions. Unfortunately, instead of looking for security and love in God, Herod looked for man's approval. Truly, all the spiritual lesson packed into King's Shadow are too great for one review!

Four Stars ~ King's Shadow by Angela Hunt is full of intrigue, suspense, betrayal, and triumph! King's Shadow is the fourth and final book in The Silent Years Series from Angela Hunt. It can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading Egypt's Sister before reading King's Shadow for greater enjoyment and understanding.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette

About the Book ~

Recently widowed, Rivkah refuses to submit to the Torah law compelling her to marry her husband's brother and instead flees Kedesh, hoping to use her talents as a scribe to support herself. Without the protections of her father, Kedesh's head priest, and the safety of the city of refuge, Rivkah soon discovers that the cost of recklessness is her own freedom.

Malakhi has secretly loved Rivkah for years, but he never imagined his older brother's death would mean wedding her himself. After her disappearance, he throws himself into the ongoing fight against the Canaanites instead of dwelling on all he has lost. But with impending war looming over Israel, Rivkah's father comes to Malakhi with an impossible request.

As the enemies that Rivkah and Malakhi face from without and within Israel grow more threatening each day, is it too late for the restoration their wounded souls seek?

For more information about Connilyn Cossette and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Connilyn Cossette truly outdid herself with Until the Mountains Fall! This riveting story is one of the author's most intricate and layered stories to date!

Connilyn Cossette has become known for her unique Old Testament stories that open up aspects of the Bible that are often overlooked. But in Until the Mountains Fall, the author also manages to layer New Testament truth into the story with some gender-swap, Prodigal Son inspiration in Rivkah's story! Additionally, some of the events that transpire left me stunned and desperately awaiting the next book! The result is a story you won't soon forget!

Malakhi and Rivkah were amazing characters! They were multi-faceted, unique, and genuine! I loved getting to see Malakhi and Rivkah before and then after Rivkah's desertion. The changes and spiritual prisons that they had each built around themselves were so realistic. Their anger, betrayal, feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and shame were masterfully portrayed on the pages, and I think I can safely say that I am not the only reader that will be able to relate to these heart-wrenching themes on a personal level! And the ways that Malakhi and Rivkah continued to grow and confront their misconceptions will make you want to break out in cheers of joy!

Spiritually speaking, there are just so many amazing gems of truth in Until the Mountains Fall, but my personal favorite was the Prodigal Son aspect. It left me with red and puffy eyes from ugly crying at the beautiful parallels between Rivkah's father and our Heavenly Father Who never stops waiting for us to run to Him so that He can crush us in His arms of love!

Five Stars ~ Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette should be another addition to your "Keep Forever and Ever and Ever" shelf! Until the Mountains Fall is the third book in the Cities of Refuge Series. While it could be read as a standalone, there would probably be some confusion with the subplot, and since the previous stories are also AMAZING, I strongly encourage readers to read the series in order.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!