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Mini-Book Review — The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes

11 Jun

I am a big fan of Chanel Cleeton. I love learning about the Cuban-American experience, as well as the history of Cuba itself. My book club chose The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes for this month’s discussion. It follows 3 women separated by time, place, and experiences, but bound by the power of story. On the surface it is about a specific book written by a young Cuban woman in the early 1900s that has been lost to time. But it is so much more than a treasure hunt for a valuable item. The story itself, hence the title, is what gives the lost book its importance. I loved all the women portrayed: Eva, a teacher in the 1900s, Pilar, a librarian in the 1960s of revolutionary Cuba, and present-day seeker of lost items, Margo. But Pilar really stole my heart. It is her determination to do even the smallest thing to thwart the totalitarianism of the Castro regime that made a big impression. She risked everything for what some would consider a trivial cause. If you love books, you will love this novel! It has romance, adventure, mystery, suspense, heartbreak, and redemption — a 5-star in my book!

(Please note this is a general market novel, but generally a clean read.)

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(I purchased the ebook from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

A mysterious book with a legacy spanning from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present day unites three women—and their secrets—in this unforgettable novel from New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton.

London, 2024: American expat Margo Reynolds is renowned for her talent at sourcing rare antiques for her clients, but she’s never had a request quite like this one. She’s been hired to find a mysterious book published over a century ago. With a single copy left in existence, it has a storied past shrouded in secrecy—and her client isn’t the only person determined to procure it at any cost.

Havana, 1966: Librarian Pilar Castillo has devoted her life to books, and in the chaotic days following her husband’s unjust imprisonment by Fidel Castro, reading is her only source of solace. So when a neighbor fleeing Cuba asks her to return a valuable book to its rightful owner, Pilar will risk everything to protect the literary work entrusted to her care. It’s a dangerous mission that reveals to her the power of one book to change a life.

Boston, 1900: For Cuban school teacher and aspiring author Eva Fuentes, traveling from Havana to Harvard to study for the summer is the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s a whirlwind adventure that leaves her little time to write, but a moonlit encounter with an enigmatic stranger changes everything. The story that pours out of her is one of forbidden love, secrets, and lies… and though Eva cannot yet see it, the book will be a danger and salvation for the lives it touches.

Chanel Cleeton is the Cuban American New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of many novels, including Reese’s Book Club pick Next Year in Havana. Originally from Florida, Chanel studied in London where she earned degrees in international relations and global politics. In law school, Chanel discovered her passion writing novels and embarked on a new adventure following her lifelong love of books.

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Book Review: Della’s Song

19 May

Are you looking for a sweet romance to kick off your summer reading? Then Della’s Song by Donna Jo Stone is a perfect choice. This fairytale-inspired story set in the 1930s is full of nostalgia and spiritual truths. Check it out below.

A tragic loss, a silenced song, and a scattered family … one North Louisiana tea room offers an unlikely reunion.

In the wake of a devastating train accident, Della Swan’s world is shattered. Her father and brother are forever changed, and the Swan Family Gospel Singers have no choice but to depend on the charity of formidable Aunt Leticia, proprietor of the Hotel Fairwood.

Of Della’s six brothers, only two remain with her at the hotel: Quiet Max, the youngest, and Frank, the pianist who lost his arm—and his heart for music. The rest are sent away to school or work. Aunt Leticia believes the children must learn to make their way in the world, effectively banishing them.

During Father’s recovery, the repercussions of his head injury make one thing clear. Life as the Swans knew it, traveling the south and sharing music, may never return. Yet Della clings to the belief that God isn’t finished with her family or their calling and sets a plan in motion to bring them together again.

When she develops an unexpected bond with Clayton Miller, the hotel’s reserved, long-time employee, his steady presence reminds her there is often more to people—and situations—than meets the eye.

The Swan Family Gospel Singers are separated by tragedy, Della’s brothers scattered to the wind. With needle and thread, faith, and a song, she finds a way to stitch them together again.

A touch of fairy tale, a spoonful of history, and a teacup of hope.

Della’s Song is a stand-alone novel in the Apron Strings Tea Tales multi-author series, and a 1930s historical with romance retelling of “The Six Swans.”

Donna Jo Stone is an award-winning author of historical, contemporary, and young adult fiction. 

Life is messy and beautiful. In everyone’s story, there is truth and hope. Donna Jo’s novels are about common struggles and finding the faith to carry on through those battles.

When she’s not writing, she loves to read and talk about books, poke around in old bookshops and museums, and spend time with her family.

My Impressions:

I love a fairytale retelling! Della’s Song by Donna Jo Stone is inspired by The Seven Swans. With creative nods to the original story, Della is determined to reunite her family after tragedy has turned it upside down. Della is the lone sister in a large group of brothers. They were known as the Swan Family Gospel Singers before her father and older brother’s accident left her father with neurological difficulties and her piano-playing brother with only one arm. Della’s mission is to get the family back on the stage. She sees it as her one and only calling. I liked how her preconceived notions and tunnel vision are challenged. In a Google search of the original story, themes such as love, sacrifice, and perseverance are listed, and that’s what you get in Stone’s novel. The setting is charming, the characters are real and relatable, and the romance is sweet! Della’s dreams morph into a reality that is much more than she expected. It’s a quick read perfect for a lazy weekend sipping lemonade or sweet tea out on the porch! Be sure to grab a tea cake too. 😉

Recommended.

Audience: older teens and adults.

(Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Book Review: Secrets Chase Her

11 May

Wow! I thought the first book in Rachel Dylan‘s Deadly Justice series was full of twists, but book two, Secrets Chase Her surpassed it for did-not-see-that-coming moments! If you like fast-paced suspense, this is the book (and series) for you.

A brutal murder. A deadly secret. A lawyer who won’t back down.

When high-powered attorney Quinn Kelly finds her protégé brutally murdered, she’s plunged into a nightmare—one that points directly to a ruthless serial killer. FBI Agent Samira Haddad takes over the case, but her complicated past with Quinn threatens to cloud the investigation.

Blackmailed by a powerful tech mogul who holds incriminating evidence against her, Quinn is forced to take on his defense to keep him silent. But she refuses to sit on the sidelines while Samira hunts the killer who took her friend’s life. Quinn’s search for answers uncovers a chilling truth: someone close to her is in the crosshairs—and she may be the reason why.

The killer is watching and lying in wait. With trust in short supply, both women must decide how far they’re willing to go for justice—and survival.

Rachel Dylan is an award-winning and bestselling author of legal thrillers and romantic suspense. Rachel has practiced law for almost two decades, including as a litigator at one of the nation’s top law firms. Rachel lives in Michigan with her husband and three furkids — one loveable Labrador and two senior cats. Rachel loves to connect with readers.

My Impressions:

(Note: there are a few spoilers ahead for those who did not read the book that precedes Secrets Chase Her. Stop here and go read it first.)

I liked Rachel Dylan’s suspense novel Death Follows Her, the first book in the Deadly Justice series. I REALLY liked book 2, Secrets Chase Her. The two main characters — FBI agent Samira and attorney Quinn — have a very unique relationship. After Samira spends most of book 1 trying to find evidence that Quinn is a serial killer, the two women develop a unique friendship. Of sorts. If it sounds complicated, it is. These characters are complex and well-developed. Samira has been ordered to let go of investigating Quinn, but when Quinn’s associate is brutally murdered, Samira is in on that case as well. There is a stalker, an arrogant, maybe homicidal IT executive, and assorted FBI agents that impact the storyline. There are also so many I-did-not-see-that-coming moments that it was hard to catch my breath! This is suspense at its best. Plus, there’s a cliffhanger at the end. I cannot wait until book 3, Truth Betrays Her, comes out in April of 2027.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I received a complimentary copy from the author. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Book Review — Miss Beth Bettencourt

4 May

I have long been a fan of Eva Marie Everson. Her novels include women’s fiction and romance, both contemporary and historical. I think her strength as an author is writing authentic female characters her readers can easily identify with — those facing real life struggles. Her latest book is Miss Beth Bettencourt. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Find out all about it and my thoughts below.

Will an unlikely romance tear down Beth’s walls of indifference?

It’s 1962 in Bynum, Georgia, and Beth Bettencourt’s world is turned upside down when she wakes to a man snoring in the guest bedroom.

She’s home alone; her parents are traveling abroad, grieving her twin sister’s unexpected death. Instead of accompanying them, Beth stayed in Bynum to tend to her kindergarten and closely guard her own heart.

A beautiful and beloved member of the community, Beth is an unusual specimen for her time as she nears thirty and remains unmarried. She holds deep-seated unforgiveness toward her twin, Elise, who ran off with Beth’s beau. To make matters worse, Elise took their grandmother’s ring, which had been promised to Beth.

But now a stranger enters her home and her world. David Patrick Martin seems ready to break down her walls of indifference and find the core of Miss Beth Bettencourt. But can he be trusted with Beth’s past, her present, and more importantly, her future?

Eva Marie Everson is an ECPA bestselling and multiple award-winning author and speaker, including an ECPA Gold Medallion. She is a Christy finalist, and a Silver Medallion winner. She has won a Carol, several Maggie and Golden Scroll awards, and an Inspirational Retailers Choice Award. Born and reared in Georgia, Eva Marie and her husband make their home in Central Florida where they are owned by one very spoiled cat and two hearts full of grandchildren.

My Impressions:

Everyone knows everyone in the small town of Bynum, Georgia. And they certainly know your business, all in the matter of a few hours! Beth Bettencourt knows this full well as she seeks to live a quiet, purposeful life in the face of past heartache. Little does she know that on one fateful night (in a life derailed by another fateful night), just how much her world will change. Miss Beth Bettencourt by Eva Marie Everson is a quiet novel set in an ordinary Southern town in 1962. It seems not a lot happens there, yet below the calm surface lie regrets and grief. Beth has a lot of those until Marty enters to break down the walls she has built around her heart. Marty, a newly discharged soldier, makes a mistake when he sleepily stumbles into Beth’s home, but it is soon apparent that God has His hands all over the breaking and entering. The book is told through the first person perspectives of Beth, Marty, and Molly, the Bettencourt’s longtime housekeeper, giving the narrative a completeness. Beth and Marty discover forgiveness, redemption, and a chance at a future neither expected. I loved how trust and respect slowly develops between the two. This is just such a sweet story! There’s a bit of a mystery, and of course no fictional (or real-life) relationship exists without a few obstacles. But by the end of the book the two have grown in profound ways. I also loved secondary character, Molly, as she guided Beth with her wisdom and wit. Molly cooks throughout the book, and I was delighted to find her recipes shared at the conclusion. Yum! Can’t wait to try those and make a return to Bynum.

If you like well-developed characters facing real-life challenges wrapped up in a charming setting, then Miss Beth Bettencourt is a book for you!

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(Thanks to the author for an ARC of the novel. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Mini-Book Review — A Weekend on Allyson Island

27 Apr

My book club is reading A Weekend on Allyson Island by Susannah B. Lewis this month. I’m usually a good judge of how my group will respond to a book, but I am not sure what they will think of this one. It’s women’s fiction featuring a lot of different types of women, but all struggling with identity issues, as well as compulsive and addictive behaviors. This is Christian fiction, so you know you will get a Christ-centered worldview, which means no judgment, but plenty of grace and mercy. Judgment, guilt, and shame are reserved for what the characters feel about themselves and the others in the group that gathers to celebrate the 50th birthday of their mutual friend/employer. I liked that the characters confront the elephants in the room, as they seek to support each other. The novel ends with an epilogue a year in the future, which gave a very satisfying recap of the growth that they achieve. I did think that the author spent more time telling than showing. That took me out of the story a bit, as I felt it was more commentary than narrative. But overall, I did like the book. As I said, I don’t know if the members of my book club are going to like it, but I am pretty sure that the topics explored will create a good discussion. And that is what we are always looking for.

Recommended.

Audience: adult women.

(I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

They’ve come for a birthday celebration . . . but they’ll leave celebrating themselves.

Moira Allyson is going all out for her 50th birthday. The planning part is easy–in her big, beautiful mansion set on Savannah’s waterfront, perfect parties practically plan themselves. She’ll serve the region’s finest cuisine, offer delicious drinks, book the best entertainment, and set up luxurious spa treatments for a small group of the most important women in her life–from childhood best friends to the woman who cleans her house.

She may be focused on her friends, but Moira’s focus has a purpose–distracting herself from the lonely reality of her life as a widow and empty nester. Her twentysomething sons don’t really come back to visit anymore, and her husband, the love of her life, is gone forever. Moira may appear to have it all on the outside, but there’s way too much room in her home . . . and way too many memories. She’s spared no expense for this weekend, and everything’s perfect–until it’s not.

Each woman who arrives at the party comes with her own birthday well wishes–and her own secret sorrow, which she’s determined not to unwrap. But weekends spent with friends have a way of bringing things that have been kept hidden to the surface. Late into the evening, when the stars come out and everyone gets comfortable, one friend opens her heart . . . and then others join in. Allyson Island is like summer camp for 50-year-olds–and, just like at summer camp, it’s a place where friendships are strengthened, deep emotions are shared, and hope and healing happen.

Susannah B. Lewis is an author, humorist, and podcaster. She has written nine books, includingCan’t Make This Stuff Up and How May I Offend You Today, both USA Today Bestsellers published by Thomas Nelson. Her work has been featured on Erma Bombeck’s Humor Writers, TODAY, and US Weekly, and her articles have appeared in Parents Magazine, Reader’s Digest, and more. She is the winner of the Southern Writers’ Magazine Short Story Contest and a recipient of the BlogHer Voices of the Year Award. Susannah also hosts the Moral of the Story Podcast, produced by AccessMore.

She lives on 90 beautiful acres in Tennessee with her husband, their three children, and a “whole bunch” of dogs and cats.

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Mini-Book Review — Trail of Danger

23 Apr

If you are looking for a quick weekend read full of adventure, suspense, and romance, then consider Trail of Danger by Hope Welborn. Set in the north Georgia mountains along the Appalachian Trail, the two main characters — Huck, a hydrologist with the Army and Jenna, a national parks ranger — fight the elements as they elude very dangerous bad guys! The two were childhood best friends until they weren’t. Past baggage, guilt, and fear of rejection keep the two fighting attraction, but this a romantic suspense novel, so an HEA is in their future. I really liked the two characters and was rooting for them all the way. Their struggles and faith journeys were real and relatable. The north Georgia setting was special to me — most of the action takes place relatively close to my cottage in the woods. But if you are unfamiliar with the area, the author’s descriptions will have you vicariously viewing stunning waterfalls, or tripping over roots and enduring torrential rain 😉 . Actual or armchair hikers are going to love this book! The bad guys are very, very bad and not who you might think they are. Dumping toxic chemicals into pristine waterways is so not cool! The mystery is twisting, but the two characters, are tenacious at discovering just who and what is going on.

I read Trail of Danger on a visit to my cottage in the woods of north Georgia, and felt like I was along for the ride. You will too!

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I borrowed the ebook from Kindle Unlimited. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

A mysterious toxin leads to a deadly pursuit along the Appalachian Trail

Scott “Huck” Huxton, Jr. has returned to his hometown, a place full of painful reminders of his troubled childhood. An urgent plea from his sister spurs him to find the cause of the puzzling illness plaguing her and her infant son. Utilizing his skills from the Army’s Environmental Command, Huck discovers toxic waste in the Chattahoochee River.

Forest Ranger Jenna Davenport thought she would never see Huck again, after her mistake destroyed his family. But when he asks for help, she can’t turn him down. This could be the second chance she’s hoped for, as long as he doesn’t discover the terrible secret she has carried for over a decade.

Targeted by the criminals behind the contamination, they escape along the Appalachian Trail. But danger follows them, leading them on a perilous journey through the national forest. As Huck and Jenna fight for survival, they must also face their past and the secret that could destroy their future.

Hope Welborn writes spine-tingling suspense, sprinkled with romance, and saturated with faith. Her manuscripts have won the ACFW Genesis Contest and the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Foundations Awards in romantic suspense.

As a #writerwithadayjob, she spends her lunch hours creating small town characters who face big suspense with faith in a big God. By day, she masquerades as a digital content marketing technology specialist, and by night, she stays up too late putting words on the page.

Hope also serves as editor and web manager for Spark Flash Fiction and is a member of the Suspense Squad.

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Mini-Book Review — Harbor Pointe

16 Apr

I love my yearly visits to Hope Harbor, Oregon, the fictional town created by Irene Hannon where hope is always delivered! Harbor Pointe, book 12!! in the series features reconciliation stories, along with a second chance at love. I absolutely love that Hannon includes a story arc with married couples in each book in the series. The main plot thread usually involves two singles who search for their HEA, but secondary plots often include husbands and wives who need to reconnect and/or restore their relationships. The threads intertwine and make for a believable community of real and relatable characters. In Harbor Pointe, world-reknowned ballet dancer, Devyn comes home to the small town to help her estranged sister following an accident. She meets Aaron Steele and his family as she becomes involved in a community project. Sparks immediately fly. The romance is sweet and while there are obstacles, there are no scenes of overheard and misunderstood words or actions. You know, like seeing their love interest hug someone else. I liked that a lot! Other plot lines of estranged siblings, parent and child, and husband and wife were woven naturally into the narrative making this book very, very satisfying. You’ll always run into familiar friends in Hope Harbor — including Charlie, the taco making philosopher and sage, and the amusing seagull pair, all part of what makes the town and the book series special. If you are new to the series, please begin with book 1. You will not be disappointed.

Recommended

Audience: Adults

(I received this book compliments of NetGalley. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

When life throws you off pointe, love helps you find your balance. 

As a principal dancer with a prestigious New York ballet company, Devyn Lee is far from her hometown of Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast. But when a family emergency compels her to return, her visit turns into an extended stay after complications arise. 

Widowed mill worker Aaron Steele pays no attention to the buzz in Hope Harbor about the famous dancer in town. Until his grieving nine-year-old daughter takes a fancy to Devyn after she agrees to help with a fundraising show for a local charity in which the young girl is performing. As the show–and Devyn–begin to lift his daughter’s spirits, his own life is brightened by the beautiful ballerina as she slowly but surely captures his heart. 

But what are the odds that such an accomplished, polished woman from the city could ever fall for a small-town lumberman with two left feet? 

Come home to Hope Harbor–where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than 70 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In addition to her many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of RWA’s elite Hall of Fame and has received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Millions of her books have been sold worldwide, and her novels have been translated into multiple languages.

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Mini-Book Review — The Girl Upstairs

6 Apr

I love a twisty thriller, especially if it has an unreliable narrator! That kind of story keeps me on my toes. I found that and more in The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch. This book set in a picturesque secret-filled Maine coastal town was full of unexpected revelations, aha moments, and seriously creepy subject matter. (Content warnings: pregnancy loss and child abuse.) Gwen is the perfect character for the first person narration — fiercely devoted to finding justice, but broken in so many ways — she tells a compelling story as she seeks a new life with her doctor husband. Unfortunately, the house they move to will not let them achieve the peace they so dearly need. I could not put this haunted house novel down! While this story is told through a Christian worldview, the references are subtle. I especially liked the juxtaposition of crows and black-capped chickadees — you’ll know it when you see it. 😉 This book is for those who don’t mind a bit (or a lot) of creep-factor, like surprises around every corner, and love a very satisfying ending. I think this book is a good choice for a book club. Lots of things to discuss — Can justice be achieved in a broken world? Does growth come from pain? Can past trauma be redeemed?

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

She bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life.

Gwen McDaniel’s life is broken. But she knows the perfect place to fix it. Cold Harbor, Maine, an idyllic small town with views of Acadia National Park, is where she used to vacation with her parents as a child. Here, she and Steven can start over, renovating their cliff-side fixer-upper while patching up their marriage. Soon, everything will be better.

Except from the moment they arrive, Gwen sees and hears things, and it’s more than just the drafts and shadows that are part of any old house. Steven downplays her fears, warning her not to fixate on problems as she has in the past. But Gwen spent years as a homicide detective, and her instincts don’t lie. Something happened here. Proof comes when she rips up the attic’s carpet to discover a chilling message carved into the wood underneath.

As Gwen delves into the history of the house and the Cold Harbor community, she begins to piece the fragments together. And gradually, a terrifying picture emerges: A missing girl. A house of horrors. And a dark, decades-old nightmare that is more haunting than Gwen ever imagined…

Jessica R. Patch is a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than thirty novels. Known for her pulse-pounding plots, emotionally charged characters, and signature twists, Jessica’s stories explore themes of justice, resilience, and the unshakable power of hope.

Whether weaving inspirational stories of danger edged with romance or crafting chilling thrillers that probe the shadows of the human heart, Jessica delivers fiction that thrills while shining light in the darkest places.

She makes her home in Northwest Mississippi, where she enjoys life with her family, a good cup of tea, and dreaming up her next edge-of-your-seat story usually over tacos and queso.

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Mini-Book Review — Ambush

26 Mar

Ambush by Colleen Coble was my book club’s selection this month. We love romantic suspense, so this one was a good choice. The setting was so much fun — a wild animal preserve located in coastal Alabama. Placing the action there set up a lot of dangerous situations for the main characters — animal attacks, severe weather — and kept them on their toes. There were also hostile sheriff’s deputies, revenge seekers, and a past undiscovered murderer that made me trust no one! While wildlife sanctuary owner Blake Lawson and veterinarian Paradise Alden are mostly on their own to discover just where the many threats are coming from, they also have a lot of past baggage to unpack. The chemistry is definitely there, but there are big ifs when it comes to a second chance romance for them. I had my suspicions of just whodunit, but the ending was mostly a surprise to me — that’s a plus. There was one thing that bugged me about this book that most readers won’t pick up on. My husband is a veterinarian and I worked as his bookkeeper for a long time, so I am very familiar with medical procedures and office protocol specific to veterinary practices. Coble missed the mark on a few things. While it took me out of the story for a bit, I was able to overlook it and get back to all the good suspense. While most of the characters have strong relationships with God in spite of the hardships they have faced, Paradise struggles with trusting God and extending forgiveness. Her growing faith is a good subplot to the book.

Ambush — great for readers of romantic suspense with a faith element. There are some loose threads left dangling at the end, setting up the next books in the series.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Paradise Alden’s childhood in Nova Cambridge, Alabama, was idyllic until the night her parents were murdered. Since then, life has left her scarred. The abuse she suffered in the foster care system, her first love’s betrayal, and the jaguar attack that nearly destroyed her career have led to an unshakable distrust–in men, in God, and maybe in even in herself.

After fifteen years, returning to her hometown is a last resort to finding her life again. She’s hoping the wildlife refuge where she’s accepted a veterinarian job will be the perfect place to heal from her recent traumas and unlock her memories about the night her parents died. But the day she arrives at The Sanctuary, a body is discovered on the grounds. And soon, a series of deadly events threatens not only her future, but the man who, despite all odds, still makes her pulse stutter. Arson, a shooting, a break-in, and multiple instances of animals being freed from their enclosures all point back to him, but Paradise knows Blake Lawson isn’t responsible. Not the man who has been helping his mother manage The Sanctuary these past six months and care for his stepbrothers in the wake of their father’s death . . . even if his betrayal years ago cost her everything.

Someone dangerous is lurking beneath the town’s moss-draped trees, and Paradise refuses to let another murderer disappear into the shadows.

USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestselling author Colleen Coble has captivated readers with over 6 million books in print, earning #1 spots on Amazon. Her novels blend suspenseful plots, emotional depth, and faith-filled redemption that keep fans turning pages late into the night.

Colleen also teamed up with attorney Rick Acker. Together they launched the high-octane Tupelo Grove series which infused her signature coastal intrigue with Rick’s courtroom-sharp twists. Multiple high concept novels continue to flow from their fun and exciting collaboration including I Think I Was Murdered, a ripped-from-the-headlines AI suspense novel.

A passionate mentor to aspiring writers, Colleen has served on the American Christian Fiction Writers board for 20 years, helping foster a warm and supportive community. A life-long Hoosier, she and her husband recently moved to Arizona where she continues to spoil her grandchildren and craft stories in the sunshine.

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Book Review — On Living Stone

25 Mar

If you can only read one book during the Easter season, then let it be On Living Stone by Heather Kaufman. I found this Biblical fiction focusing on Salome, the mother of Jesus’s disciples James and John moving and extremely relatable. It spoke to me in profound ways. Find out more below.

Every stone sings as it finds its purpose. This is the lesson restless Salome learns from her father as she grows up by the Sea of Galilee. Known as the wild girl with the quick tongue, Salome is determined to silence the critics who claim she has no future. An unexpected romance and the gift of two sons, James and John, leave her hopeful and resolved to prove herself as a mother.

Salome’s dreams are challenged, however, when her sons answer the call to follow Jesus of Nazareth. As James and John are drawn deeper into Jesus’ ministry, opposition to his message intensifies, leaving Salome with a choice. Can her family continue down the path of discipleship when it might cost them everything? With threats abounding, Salome must confront her fears, even as she discovers her own worth in this most unexpected rabbi.

Heather Kaufman lives in the Midwest with her husband and three children. She holds a BA from McKendree University and an MA from the University of Missouri—St. Louis. When not reading or writing, she can be found drinking copious amounts of coffee and exploring new parks with her family.

My Impressions:

On Living Stone, the third book in Heather Kaufman‘s Women of The Way, was my choice to read in the weeks leading up to Easter. The first two books, also read during the previous two Lenten seasons, touched my heart and made me think about my own relationship with Jesus. I have recommended them to so many people. But this book . . . wow! This book is exceptional. I identified with Salome, the focus of the book, in so many ways — feeling like I don’t fit in, having doubts about my life’s purpose, and the role I play in my children’s lives. There is a short number of verses in Scripture that feature Salome, the most notable when she asks Jesus if her two sons can sit on Jesus’s right and left in His kingdom. We know she was present during the crucifixion and was one of the first at the empty tomb. Kaufman fills in around these events in convincing ways. Yes, this is fiction, but all of it rings true — what it must have been like to be a woman in the first century AD, what it looked like to actually know Jesus, what it meant to give your adult sons to God. I could not put this book down as I traveled in Salome’s shoes. She probably witnessed so many of Jesus’ miracles, His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and His excruciating death. Salome experiences profound emotions — joy, despair, and deep love. I laughed and cried during the reading of this book, but mostly I felt a deep awe for what Jesus has done and is doing for me. Of the themes explored in On Living Stone, two stood out to me. One is the cost of following Jesus. Over and over, the characters decided that the cost was great, but Jesus was greater. The second, is that Jesus really sees me. Salome felt unseen for most of her life, but when Jesus looked at her he saw who she really was. It’s a bit terrifying to be viewed in that way. No hiding allowed. But as Salome discovered there is great freedom in being known. I am grateful that Jesus sees us all — who we are and who we can be in Him.

All the books in this series are powerful depictions of not just those around Jesus, but of Jesus Himself. I love that even if fiction is not real, it certainly can be true. You will find truth in On Living Stone. This book is great at any time of the year, but I found it especially good as I focus about Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection.

Very Highly Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

Audience: Adults.

(I purchased the ebook from Amazon. All opinion expressed are mine alone.)

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