I’m a sucker for cookbooks. I love browsing new recipes dreaming of those perfect dishes to serve my family and friends when they come to stay. For the past year I have been in a cooking rut — trying to maintain a healthy diet often leads me to the same old same old. When I saw Amish Friends Healthy Options Cookbook, I knew I had to have it! Who can turn down tested recipes that are actually good for you?! While this cookbook has the standard categories — main dishes, salads, breakfast foods, etc. — it was the snack options that grabbed my attention. It’s not that hard preparing healthy meals; my issue is not consuming yummy snacks that go straight to my hips 😉 . I chose No-Bake Energy Bites as a test. No-bake means easy in my book, and they were. They were also very tasty. I’m taking these along on a weekend road trip. Sorry convenience store candy bars!
I look forward to trying more great recipes. There are plenty that are gluten free if you need that. Some I plan to try are Nutricious Baked Oatmeal, Cabbage Rolls, and Peanut Butter-Chocolate Granola Bars. Here’s to healthy and delicious eating!
Recommended.
Audience: families.
Genre: cookbook
(Thanks to Barbour Publishing for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Loaded with dozens of Amish recipes for the health conscious.
New, from New York Times bestselling author of Amish fiction, Wanda E. Brunstetter, is valuable cookbook that offers healthy recipe options.
Everyone wants to feel healthy, right? Food can be one of our best medicines, and many Amish are known for seeking ways for health to begin in the kitchen. Brand new, from New York Times bestselling author of Amish fiction, Wanda E. Brunstetter, is a helpful cookbook from Amish and Mennonite cooks who offer healthy recipe options. Over 200 recipes are divided into traditional categories from main dishes and sides to desserts and snacks with labels for gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, etc. Also included are health tips and remedies. Encased in a lay-flat binding and presented in full color, home cooks of all ages will be eager to add this cookbook to their collections.
My husband and I haven’t listened to an audiobook together in some time — our road trips have been seriously curtailed during Covid. But on a recent trip that included multiple stops to see family we chose one of our favorite series — Hercule Poirot by Agatha Christie. After listening to many narrated by Hugh Fraser, our choices were limited. Instead of doing a little research into which titles we have left, I chose the easy route and picked Curtain, the last of the Poirot mysteries. It was great, but sad in many ways. I heartily recommend it, but please wait to read or listen to it until you have exhausted the others.
The crime-fighting careers of Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings have come full circle—they are back once again in the rambling country house in which they solved their first murder together.
Both Hercule Poirot and Great Styles have seen better days — but, despite being crippled with arthritis, there is nothing wrong with the great detective and his “little gray cells.” However, when Poirot brands one of the seemingly harmless guests a five-time murderer, some people have their doubts. But Poirot alone knows he must prevent a sixth murder before the curtain falls.
Born in Torquay in 1890, Agatha Christie began writing during the First World War and wrote over 100 novels, plays and short story collections. She was still writing to great acclaim until her death, and her books have now sold over a billion copies in English and another billion in over 100 foreign languages. Yet Agatha Christie was always a very private person, and though Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple became household names, the Queen of Crime was a complete enigma to all but her closest friends.
My Impressions:
Curtain, the last case for Hercule Poirot takes place at Styles, the manor where Agatha Christie first introduced the funny little Belgian detective who makes use of his little gray cells. With him is a widowed Captain Hastings who has returned to England from Argentina. I loved how Christie brought the series full circle giving Poirot a worthy send-off. This mystery also references other cases that Poirot solved during his career weaving the past and present into the twisting storyline. As always, the interactions between Hastings and Poirot are entertaining and induce a chuckle here and there. The narrative kept my husband and I engaged as we tried to figure out just whodunit. I agree with my husband that with Curtain, no more Poirot is sad. But I found the way Christie tied up the long-running series to be a fitting end for Poirot. As always, Hugh Fraser’s narration is delightful — there can never be another Poirot for us.
For diehard Poirot fans, Curtain is a must read. But if you are new to him or haven’t read many of the books in the series, please save this one for later. Give yourself many Poirot moments before the final curtain.
Highly Recommended.
Audience: adults.
Genre: classic mystery.
(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Wow! What a great ending to the Capital Intrigue series. With Power Play, Rachel Dylan hits it out of the park with non-stop action, sparks aplenty, and a twisting, keep-you-guessing plot. The only downside? The series is finished. Haven’t read this romantic suspense series yet? Now you can get all three books for some wonderful book bingeing!
When State Department attorney Vivian Steele witnesses two ambassadors collapse as if poisoned at a diplomatic dinner in Washington, DC, she is recruited to be a member of a joint FBI task force assigned to investigate. But she soon finds her by-the-book ways clashing with a special agent in the Diplomatic Security Service, Jacob Cruz. A former Navy SEAL and in charge of the event’s security, Jacob takes the attack personally and is driven to act quickly, even ahead of the rules and regulations.
As Viv starts to work her diplomatic sources, her past as a State Department lawyer comes back to haunt her, and secrets held tightly by the government thrust her into a web of danger. Afraid, Viv turns to the one man bent on protecting others. But can she accept Jacob’s reckless ways as exactly what she needs to stay alive and to discover the truth behind the attacks?
Rachel Dylan is an award-winning and bestselling author of legal thrillers and romantic suspense. Rachel has practiced law for over a decade including being a litigator at one of the nation’s top law firms. Rachel lives in Michigan with her husband and five furkids — two dogs and three cats. Rachel loves to connect with readers. You can find Rachel athttp://www.racheldylan.com.
My Impressions:
When I want romantic suspense, I go to Rachel Dylan. Her Capital Intrigue series has been one of the best in the genre. With the release of Power Play, the series comes to an end. I loved the book — engaging characters that are real and relatable, a twisting plot with lots of suspects, wonderful supporting characters, and non-stop action that kept the characters (and the reader 😉 ) on their toes. The book features not one, but two murders, and the task force made up of members from a variety of agencies are tasked with finding out the connections and whodunit. I have really enjoyed that aspect in this series. In this case we have State Department, FBI, and CIA personnel working the case. It was interesting to see how each went about their investigations. Main characters Vivian and Jacob don’t like each other at first, but the sparks begin to fly as they are assigned to work the case together. The romance in this book is a good counterpoint to all the nefarious goings on. The action increases with the danger, and I could not stop turning the pages. I devoured this book in record time. As always, Dylan interjects a faith element that is natural, not preachy. The ending to the book left me wanting more — more from secondary characters and more great books from Dylan. Not sure I will get my wish on the first, but from experience, I know that my second wish will be granted.
If you haven’t read the first two books in the Capital Intrigue series, let me encourage you to get all three. I guarantee once you have read the first, you won’t want to wait to on the second and third. Look at it this way, you are in for a great book-binge time! 😉
Recommended.
Audience: adults
(Thanks to Bethany House for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
I love reading debut novels. Discovering a new favorite author is always a treat. And in Never Miss by Melissa Koslin, I did just that! A debut? Wow, I never would have guessed. The plot is intriguing, the suspense non-stop, and the characters are wonderfully complex. I will definitely be on the lookout for more books by Koslin.
Former CIA sniper Kadance Tolle possesses a special set of skills and a rare pedigree. She comes from a family of assassins, and by saving Lyndon Vaile’s life she risks being found by them. Despite the danger, Kadance feels compelled to help Lyndon discover who is after him–and his research that seems to prove that the Ebola virus was manmade and is about to be weaponized.
With shadowy figures pursuing them and a Mastermind watching their every move, Kadance and Lyndon must scramble to stop an impending bioattack at the State of the Union address. But their warnings fall on deaf ears, and it becomes increasingly clear that there’s no one they can trust — except perhaps each other.
Strap in for a breakneck story that will have you up all night, hurtling toward the last page as the clock ticks and time runs out.
Melissa Koslin is a fourth-degree black belt in and certified instructor of Songahm Taekwondo. In her day job as a commercial property manager, she secretly notes personal quirks and funny situations, ready to tweak them into colorful additions for her books. She and Corey, her husband of twenty years, live in Florida, where they do their best not to melt in the sun.
My Impressions:
Never Miss by Melissa Koslin is an exceptional debut novel. This romantic suspense has all the requisite elements of the genre — engaging characters, a twisting plot, and an interesting premise. But there is nothing formulaic about this novel. What makes the book better is how the author handles the characters. I found them unique and wonderfully complex. While I enjoyed the race against time story line, I was more intrigued by the development of the characters — individually and in their relationship. Kadance is a woman with a past, a now retired sniper on the run from those who would exploit her skills. Lyndon is a deceptively geeky scientist who is determined to find answers to a deadly virus. Together they are an unstoppable team. The two are wonderfully quirky and dangerous making them my favorite couple this year. There is a pandemic aspect to the novel which some may not enjoy in light of the past year. But I didn’t have any trouble reading about the weaponization of a virus. In fact, the Covid info from the past year made the book very credible and chilling. NeverMiss is Christian fiction and the faith message is strong. It is also fresh given the employment of the two characters — a dedicated scientist and a former assassin.
If you are a fan of the romantic suspense genre, Never Miss is a must-read. A fresh voice is always welcome, and I look forward to more great books by Koslin.
Highly Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to Revell for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Love You, Little Peanut is a heartwarming padded board book about the deep bond between a parent, grandparent, or any loved one and their little one. The sweet rhymes and adorable illustrations help show all the wonderful moments shared with a child, reminding even the youngest readers how special they are and how much they are loved.
Little hands can comfortably hold this durable board book, and little fingers can point out pictures and follow along with the easy-to-read text.
The adventures we’ll have
each day as you grow
just wait, Little Peanut —
there’s so much to know.
Whether you’re reading out loud, reading together, or being read to, Love You, Little Peanut will help you snuggle and hug your way through one cherished story time after another.
Annette Brashler Bourland has been writing books, poems, cards, cartoons, and jingles ever since she can remember. With more than 25 years in the publishing world, Annette has a love for creating entertaining, great content for children. She earned degrees in English and Business Administration from Hope College, and an MBA from the University of Colorado. Annette lives in Michigan with her husband and son, and runs her own publishing consultant business.
My little granddaughter loves to be read to. I am so pleased that I will be able to share Love You, Little Peanut with her. The rhyming text talks about the love for a small child and the adventures that life together (whether with a grandparent or parent) will bring. I loved that each page features different animal pairs, adult and child — skunks, alligators, elephants, etc. — exploring the world. The pictures are detailed and boldly colored capturing a child’s attention as they listen to the narrative. And while Vivian loves to be read to, she also likes to look at her books independently. This sturdy board book will stand up to her perusal. 😉
A fun book to share with your little one, Love You, Little Peanut is recommended for your family library.
Recommended.
Audience: toddlers – preschoolers.
(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
A modern-day fairytale of rescue and hope from NYT bestselling author Rachel Hauck
Growing up in small town Hearts Bend, Tennessee, Gemma Stone had big dreams. So she headed to Hollywood to make her mark in the world.
But dreams have a way of becoming nightmares. When she returns home twelve years later, she’s limping through life and harboring a dark secret.
Running a rescue ranch and raising her friends’ orphaned daughter is her sole mission now. All the while she’s well aware these defenseless ones are also rescuing her.
HRH Crown Prince John has learned a royal title cannot shield him from heartbreak. He had the perfect life as heir to the revered House of Blue, the royal dynasty of Lauchtenland, and married the love of his life. Then tragedy changed everything. Is there any way to be saved from a life of grief?
When he finds himself in Hearts Bend on a mission for his mother, Queen Catherine, he catches up with a good friend–country music great Buck Mathews. He has no intention of joining the 4th of July fun until he’s cajoled into a three-legged race with the beautiful Gemma Stone.
The disastrous race leads to a quick friendship. They are easy and comfortable around one another because love is absolutely not an option.
John desperately wants to hold onto the memories of his wife while Gemma refuses to trust her heart to any man. Even a prince.
When trouble in Lauchtenland calls the prince home, he realizes how much Gemma has rescued him. Saved him and restored his hope for his role as future king.
For Gemma, falling in love with the prince must be quenched. If it weren’t for her past, she’d give him her heart in a second. How could she risk bringing her shame to the House of Blue and the world stage?
However, she’s not the only one who can rescue and heal the wound. If she saved Prince John, why can’t he save her? And when he tries, will she have the courage to say yes to the best role of her life?
“Another compelling royal story by the master of princely tales!” Susan May Warren, USA Todaybestselling, RITA award-winning novelist
Part fairy tale, part parable, all wonderful — that’s my impression of Rachel Hauck’s newest novel, To Save A King. For those like me who are big fans of Hauck, you will recognize many favorite characters as she brings together the Wedding Shop and True Blue Royal series. Prince John is reeling from the loss of his wife of only 4 months. Sent off to America by the Queen, he meets a woman destined to heal his wounded heart. Gemma has wounds of her own that she covers with false smiles and hard work. I really liked these two characters. Flawed as they were, they were relatable. Grief, betrayal, shame, and guilt all are obstacles they face. I especially connected with Gemma. She refuses to deal with past mistakes, instead hiding them away so that they gnaw on her soul. I think many Christians resist God making them clean again. As always Hauck infuses a supernatural spiritual element that gives the books a fairy tale quality, yet are spot on in the realities of a faith journey. I loved the tough love of Emmanuel and the princess-prep of Adelaide. In fact Adelaide was a great reminder that all believers are daughters (or sons) of a King. And for fans of romance — this book is filled with swoony moments!
I loved my return visit to Hearts Bend and Lauchtenland, and look forward to many more. You don’t have to read any of the previous novels to enjoy To Save A King, but why miss out? Several books await your reading pleasure!
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to Celebrate Lit and the publisher for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
About The Author
Rachel Hauck is an award winning, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.
She is a double RITA finalist, and a Christy and Carol Award Winner. Her book, Once Upon A Prince, first in the Royal Wedding Series, was filmed for an Original Hallmark movie. Three more of her titles are under film contract.
Rachel was awarded the prestigious Career Achievement Award for her body of original work by Romantic Times Book Reviews.
A retired member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Executive Board, she teaches workshops and leads worship at the annual conference. She is a past Mentor of The Year.
In the real world, she’s a wife, writer, worship leader and works out at the gym semi-enthusiastically.
A graduate of Ohio State University (Go Bucks!) with a degree in Journalism, she’s a former sorority girl and a devoted Ohio State football fan. Her bucket list is to stand on the sidelines with Ryan Day.
She lives in sunny central Florida with her husband and ornery cat.
More from Rachel
One of the biggest challenges in a series is keeping the reader interested. Even more of a challenge is writing in a trope like royals.
I never set out to write a second royal series. With five stories in the Royal Wedding Series, I thought I’d explored the topic to my satisfactions.
Yet when readers asked for more, and when I found myself in a season to produce my own stories, another royal series seemed like the perfect fit.
But can I be honest? Really honest? Come close. I’ll tell you a secret. Closer…
Royals can be a bit boring. At least to write. You laugh but I’m serious.
What do we really know of their day to day lives? They attend national functions, patron charities, represent the nation on walkabouts around the world. They are ambassadors with no real political agenda. They champion causes.
But what exactly do they do with their days? What are the inner workings of palace life? What are the real expectations? Do they call the queen “her majesty” when talking among themselves? When talking to her? Are they as formal as it seems on television?
Yet royals are the most documented people in history. So there is a lot to glean from when I make up my worlds.
But at the end of it all, they key for me in writing royal characters is to make them real, everyday people. The prince is the kind of chap you want to chat with over tea. The heroine is the sort of girl you’d love to see become a princess. Maybe even see a bit of yourself in her.
In To Save A King, Crown Prince John is trying to emerge for a year of grief. Gemma Stone is desperate to escape her past.
Gemma’s story has some what of an edge to it. In her attempt to achieve her goals, she walked a path she never thought she’d walk when she was a girl growing up in Hearts Bend, Tennessee. And it proved her undoing.
While we may have never faced a past like Gemma’s, we can all relate to personal betrayal of our values from gossip to immorality. I hope Gemma’s story reminds us the nearness of love and forgiveness.
On a lighter side, I recently learned British society has moved away from chap and bloke, replacing it with the American term “guy.” Isn’t that funny. Louise Lee, my narrator, said it was funny to read those words in To Love A Prince since there were more her parents’ generation. Ah, the signs of a more global society.
Well, I didn’t care if they have gone out of style for young people. I used them anyway. I like them. Maybe we should adopt “chap” and “bloke” over here. What do you say, guys?
I hope you enjoy To Save A King, book two in the True Blue Royal series and find your heart cheering on broken, wounded characters to a happily ever after worthy of a prince and princess.
Blaine Grayson returns to Three Sisters Island with a grand plan–to take Camp Kicking Moose to the next level. Her dream starts to unravel when she discovers Moose Manor’s kitchen has been badly remodeled by her sister, Cam, who doesn’t know how to cook. Added to that blow is the cold shoulder given by her best friend, Artie Lotosky, now a doctor to the unbridged Maine islands.
As old wounds are opened, Blaine starts to wonder if she made a mistake by coming home. Little by little, she must let go of one dream to discover a new one, opening her heart to a purpose and a future she had never imagined.
I have always enjoyed my visits to Three Sisters Island, the setting of Suzanne Woods Fisher‘s contemporary series. I have never been to Maine, but if it is anything like the charming island setting depicted in the three books, sign me up to go! The setting is a big draw to the books, but it is the characters and Fisher’s easy writing style that keep me reading. The latest book, At Lighthouse Point, features Blaine, the youngest of the Grayson sisters. Gone for two years, a lot has changed including Blaine’s outlook and dreams. I loved how Blaine has grown. She really becomes her own person. While things change, many want things to remain the same — a lesson some of the Graysons have to learn. There are funny moments, poignant moments, reconciliations, new starts, and wisdom imparted from Jean-Paul, an outsider with great insight. I fear this is the concluding book of the series (I want to return 😉 ), but it is a great one. Make sure you read this series in order, you do not want to miss out on one thing. The Three Sisters Island series is perfect for binge-reading. I highly recommend it!
Highly recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to Celebrate Lit and the publisher for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
About The Author
Award winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected. With more than one million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the bestselling author of more than 30 works, ranging from novels to non-fiction books to children’s books. Currently, she lives with her very big family in the East Bay.
*****
More from Suzanne
10 Curious Facts about Lighthouses
People love lighthouses. There’s just something special about those sturdy sentinels with their beacons of light, patiently sweeping the water, their mournful and haunting wail of a foghorn. Longfollow’s poem, The Lighthouse, written in 1850, captured the allure so well:
And as the evening darkens, lo! how bright, Through the deep purple of the twilight air, Beams forth the sudden radiance of its light, With strange, unearthly splendor in the glare!
“Unearthly splendor.” Wow, doesn’t that hit the nail on the head? A lighthouse, to me, represents a spiritual truth: Someone’s watching out for us, looking out for the dangers ahead, and always glad to welcome us home.
Here are 10 facts about lighthouses that you might not know:
THE FIRST KNOWN LIGHTHOUSE was Egypt’s Pharos of Alexandria, Egypt, built in the third century B.C. The lighthouse was made from a fire on a platform to warn sailors of the port’s entrance. This lighthouse was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
THE OLDEST EXISTING LIGHTHOUSE IN THE WORLD is considered to be La Coruna in Spain that dates from ca. 20 B.C. A Roman lighthouse is located on the Cliffs of Dover in the UK that was constructed in 40 A.D.
THE UNITED STATES IS HOME to more lighthouses than any other country.
THE FIRST LIGHTHOUSE IN AMERICA was at Boston on Little Brewster Island (1716). The first keeper was George Worthylake who, sadly, was drowned, along with his wife and daughter, when returning to the island in 1718.
THE TALLEST LIGHTHOUSE is on Cape Hatteras, NC. Built in 1872, it reached 196 feet tall.
THE FIRST WEST COAST LIGHTHOUSE was built on Alcatraz Island in 1854.
DAYMARKS are the painted colors and patterns (diamonds, spirals and stripes) on lighthouse towers to distinguish them from each other.
LIGHTHOUSE KEEPING was one of the first U.S. government jobs available to women, as far back as the 19th century. Most obtained their position when their husband died or became incapacitated.
THE RANGE OF THE LIGHTHOUSE LIGHT produces a light seen 25 miles at sea.
ABOUT 700 LIGHTHOUSES are still in active use in the United States.
As I wrote the third book in the ‘Three Sisters island’ series, I just had to give that little charred lighthouse its day in the sun. It had patiently played a role in the first two books, waiting for its turn on center stage. Not only did its setting provide a very unexpected “WHAT? How did that happen?” conclusion to the series, it even stole the headline! The undisputed title: At Lighthouse Point.
Do you have a favorite lighthouse? If so, please add your picture in the comments below. Don’t forget to include its location.
Thanks for reading! Stay well, stay home, and read.
Title: Aftermath Author:Terri Blackstock Publisher: Thomas Nelson Release Date: May 11, 2021 Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense/Thriller
This gripping new thriller from New York Times bestselling author Terri Blackstock will leave you on the edge of your seat.
A devastating explosion.
Three best friends are at the venue just to hear their favorite band . . . but only one of them makes it out alive.
A trunk full of planted evidence.
When police stop Dustin with a warrant to search his trunk, he knows it’s just a mistake. He’s former military and owns a security firm. But he’s horrified when they find explosives, and he can’t fathom how they got there.
An attorney who will risk it all for a friend.
Criminal attorney Jamie Powell was Dustin’s best friend growing up. They haven’t spoken since he left for basic training, but she’s the first one he thinks of when he’s arrested. Jamie knows she’s putting her career on the line by defending an accused terrorist, but she’d never abandon him. Someone is framing Dustin to take the fall for shocking acts of violence . . . but why?
Taylor Reid’s phone flashed as she snapped the selfie with her two friends, their heads touching and their backs to the stage. The shot from the third row, with the lead singer in the background and the three of them in the foreground, was perfect. No one would believe their seats were so close.
They turned around to face the band, dancing to the beat of the song they’d been listening to in the car on the way to Trudeau Hall.
Taylor quickly posted the pic, typing, “Ed Loran targets nonpoliticals for his rally with band Blue Fire. Worked on us!”
She put her phone on videotape and zoomed onto the stage.
“I don’t want it to end!” Desiree said in her ear.
“Me either!” Taylor yelled over the music.
“Maybe they’ll play again after his speech,” Mara shouted.
The song came to an end, and the crowd went crazy, begging for one more song before the band left the stage.
But an amplified voice filled the auditorium, cutting off the adulation. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the next president of the United States, Ed Loran!”
The crowd sounded less enthusiastic as the band left the stage and Ed Loran, the Libertarian celebrity magnet, made his entrance. Taylor kept cheering and clapping, letting her enthusiasm for the band segue to him.
It happened just as the candidate took the stage. The deafening sound, like some confusing combination of gunshot and lightning bolt, a blast that blacked out the lights and knocked her to the ground. Smoke mushroomed. Screams crescendoed—shrieks of terror, wailing pain, shocking anguish . . . then sudden, gentle silence, as if she were underwater. A loud ringing in her ears filled the void.
She peered under the seats, choking for breath as dimmer lights flickered through the smoke. Even from here, she could see the fallout of whatever had happened. Blood pooling on the ground, people hunkering down as she was, feet running . . . What was happening? An explosion? A crash? She looked around and couldn’t see her friends.
She clawed her way up and looked over the seat. Smoke and fire billowed from the stage into the crowd, and heat wafted over her like some living force invading the room. Muffled, muted sounds competed with the ringing.
Get out! Now! She dropped back down and crawled under two rows of seats until she came to someone limp on the floor. She felt herself scream but couldn’t hear her own voice. Scrambling to her feet, she went to her left to get to the aisle, but her foot slipped on something wet. She grabbed the seat next to her to steady herself, then launched into the frantic crowd in the aisle. The room seemed to spin, people whizzing by, people under her, people above her, people broken and ripped and still . . . She stepped and fell, crawled and ran, tripped and kicked her way to the bottlenecked doorway, then fought her way through it.
The ringing in her ears faded as she tumbled downstairs, almost falling into the lobby below. The sound of crying, coughing, wretching, and the roaring sound of pounding feet turned up as if some divine finger had fiddled with the volume.
She set her sights on the glass doors to the outside and pushed forward, moving through people and past the security stations they’d stopped at on the way in. She made it to the door and burst out into the sunlight.
Fresh, cool air hit her like freedom, but at first her lungs rejected it like some poison meant to stop her. At the bottom of the steps, on the sidewalk, she bent over and coughed until she could breathe.
After a moment, the crowd pushed her along toward the parking garage until she remembered that her car wasn’t there. She had parked on the street, blocks away. She forced her way out of the flow of people and ran a block south. Where was it?
She turned the corner. Her car was here, on this block. Near the Atlanta Trust Bank. Wasn’t it? Or was it the next block?
Sweat slicked her skin until she found her silver Accord. There!
She ran to it and pulled her keys out of her pocket, wishing she hadn’t lost the key fob. Her hands trembled as she stuck the key into the passenger side lock and got the door open. She slipped inside on the driver’s side, locked it behind her. Instinctively, she slid down, her head hidden as if someone were coming after her.
What just happened?
One minute they’d been taking selfies and videotaping the band, and the next they were on the floor . . .
Where were Mara and Desiree? She hadn’t even looked for them! Should she go back for them?
No, that would be insane. She could smell the smoke and fire from here. They would know to come to the car when they got out.
Call the police!
She tried to steady her hands as she swiped her phone on.
“911, what is your—”
“An explosion!” she cut in, her voice hoarse. “At the Ed Loran rally at Trudeau Hall!”
“Where are you now?” the woman asked in a voice that was robotically calm.
“I got out. There’s fire . . . People are still in there. Please send ambulances!”
“Ma’am, did you see what exploded?”
“No . . . the stage area, I think. I don’t know where my friends are. Please . . . hurry!”
“We’ve already dispatched the fire department and police, ma’am.”
She heard sirens from a few blocks away and cut off the call. She raised up, looking over the dashboard for the flashing lights. She couldn’t see any, but the sirens grew louder.
She knelt on the floorboard, her knees on her floormat and her elbows on her seat, and texted Desiree.
I’m at the car. Where are you?
No answer. She switched to a recent thread with Mara and texted again.
Got out. At car waiting. Where are you?
Nothing.
She dictated a group text to both of them.
Are you all right?
They were probably running or deaf, fighting their way out like she had. She tried calling them, but Mara’s phone rang to voicemail. When Desiree’s phone did the same, she yelled, “Call me! I’m waiting at the car and I’m scared. Where are you?” She was sobbing when she ended the call.
My Impressions:
Many times a reviewer says that a book starts out with a bang. In the case of Aftermath, Terri Blackstock’s latest suspense novel, that is literally the case! I was hooked from the beginning, furiously turning the pages to find out whodunit. The book focuses on the results of a bombing at a political rally — the suspect and his attorney and one of the victims. It is filled with twists and turns and never-saw-it-coming moments. I loved the main characters, Jamie and Dustin who were childhood friends now thrown together again by the circumstances of Dustin’s arrest. Their quest to uncover the truth was great. But I have to say that the perspective of Taylor, a survivor of the bombing, was fascinating. Taylor has some issues that are exacerbated in the aftermath. She has a small but pivotal role in the investigation and outcome of the book that I thought was a wonderful addition to what could have been just another romantic suspense novel. All three characters, plus some supporting characters were believable. The faith element is strong and natural with Dustin, especially struggling with maintaining his trust in God. I really, really liked this book. I think it is one of my favorites from Blackstock, and that is saying a lot!
For past-paced suspense, a twisting plot, and characters to cheer for, Aftermath cannot be beat.
Highly recommended.
Audience: adults
(Thanks to JustRead and the publisher for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She has had over twenty-five years of success as a novelist. She’s the author of If I Run, If I’m Found, and If I Live, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, Moonlighters, and the Restoration series. Visit her website at www.terriblackstock.com.
(3) winners will receive a print copy of Aftermath by Terri Blackstock!
Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 11, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 18, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
I am going though a biographical reading/listening phase — who knows how long it will last 😉 — but I am loving learning about very interesting women! A few of my friends and I are meeting to discuss them too. Yay!! The first book up was Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon. It is a must read for anyone who loves WWII fiction. There are a few caveats though. Check out my review below.
In 1936 Nancy Wake is an intrepid Australian expat living in Paris who has bluffed her way into a reporting job for Hearst newspaper when she meets the wealthy French industrialist Henri Fiocca. No sooner does Henri sweep Nancy off her feet and convince her to become Mrs. Fiocca than the Germans invade France and she takes yet another name: a code name.
Told in interweaving timelines organized around the four code names Nancy used during the war, Code Name Hélène follows Nancy’s transformation from journalist into one of the most powerful leaders in the French Resistance, known for her ferocious wit, her signature red lipstick, and her ability to summon weapons straight from the Allied Forces. But with power comes notoriety, and no matter how careful Nancy is to protect her identity, the risk of exposure is great — for herself and for those she loves.
Ariel Lawhon is a critically acclaimed author of historical fiction. She is the author of The Wife, The Maid, And The Headmistress (2014), Flight of Dreams (2016), and I Was Anastasia (2018). Her books have been translated into numerous languages and have been Library Reads, Indie Next, One Book One County, Costco, and Book of the Month Club selections. She is the co-founder of SheReads.org and lives in the rolling hills outside Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, four sons, black Lab, and a deranged Siamese cat. She splits her time between the grocery store and the baseball field.
My Impressions:
I downloaded the audio version of Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon after finding out it was included in my Audible subscription. What did I have to lose — it was free after all. What I won was an excellent reading experience featuring a courageous woman who really existed. This book sucked me in from the get go as it detailed the exploits of Nancy Wake, a tough and determined woman who was invaluable to the French Resistance during WWII. This was a story that needed to be told! Nancy’s story — from international journalist prior to WWII through her work as a super-spy — is told in two storylines. I loved how Lawhon revealed key parts of the story in this way. It also helped to soften the hard experiences that are laid out. The historical details are well-researched and had me googling for more. Nancy’s character, as well as others, are well-drawn and made me feel like I really knew them. This book is a must-read for WWII fiction fans, but please be aware that it is filled with adult elements — language and situations. If it was a movie it would get an R rating, especially for violent images and language. If this doesn’t bother you, then I highly recommend it. A few of my friends gathered to discuss this book, and they all loved it too. The narration for the audiobook is excellent as well. The handling of the many accents was an achievement in its own right.
Highly Recommended. (caveats — adult language and situations, violence)
Audience: adults.
(I downloaded the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Josie Norris became an instant mommy when her twin sister Nadine handed over her newborn son and vanished. What Josie saw as a temporary arrangement grew into a mother-son bond too deep to uproot. But with her irrational sister threatening to steal him back, Josie has been living the last few years with Kennedy in hiding, afraid to go home.
When Aunt Libby—the only person who knows the truth about Kennedy—suffers a traumatic head injury, Josie rushes to her McKenzie River home to help Gram care for the woman who raised her. But not only is Libby’s injury causing family secrets to spill, it’s forcing Josie to see the women in her life in a new light.
Will—a ranger who Kennedy adores and who Josie is determined not to—is desperate to help the woman who has stolen his affections. But can Josie ever truly be authentic with the man she loves? With her son’s fate hanging in the balance, she is faced with the choice to risk everything she loves in order to bridge the most impossible gulfs.
In this story of mothers, daughters, and sisters, Josie must find the grace to forgive people for not being who she needed them to be…and the courage to surrender her fears to the God who has never once left her side.
Complicated and messy are two good words to describe the relationships depicted in Camille Eide’s newest contemporary novel, The Secret Place. And the main relationships in question are that of sisters making this novel a good choice for fans of women’s fiction. The main plot features Josie, a single mom-by-proxy who does whatever it takes to protect her son, Kennedy. That she does so while wrestling with feelings of regret and guilt just underscores the tumult her life has become. With a theme of abandonment and elements of mental illness and drug abuse, this is not really an easy book to read. And while I often found it hard to like the characters (their continued mistakes and attitudes), their struggles are certainly true-to-life. The message of hope in a Father who does not abandon and the peace He can bring in the midst of turmoil is strong, yet not every preachy. The resolution at the end will surprise you too — I kept the pages turning faster and faster as I raced to find out what would finally happen.
A novel to contemplate and discuss, I think The Secret Place would make a good book club choice. Recommended.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to Celebrate Lit for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
About The Author
Camille Eide (EYE-dee) is the award-winning author of poignant, inspirational love stories including The Memoir of Johnny Devine. Camille lives in Oregon with her husband and has three adult kids and five grandkids. She loves baking, muscle cars, and the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She also loves the liberating truth and wisdom of God’s word, and hopes that her stories will stir your heart, strengthen your faith, and encourage you on your journey.
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More from Camille
Secrets That Won’t Stay Hidden
Josie, the heroine in The Secret Place, faces more than one dilemma as a result of imperfect confidantes and their unkept secrets. So what inspired this story?
Many years ago, my late father-in-law suffered a traumatic brain injury and was life-flighted to a hospital 150 miles away. Family members gathered and were told to prepare for the possibility that he wouldn’t last the night. In an answer to many prayers, he made it through the night, but was in a coma, and no one knew what his future held or what long term effects his injuries would have.
His recovery was long, strange, and uncertain. In the first two weeks, he went from unconscious to incoherent to muttering. Then he progressed to forming real words, but what he said made no sense.
As his communication began to improve, his speech turned into an ongoing narrative. He talked about events and people and things long ago—including things we hadn’t heard before, things that confused and surprised family members young and old. We realized that these revelations were not simply a product of his addled brain, but in fact true. To our dismay, his social filters and verbal etiquette were gone, which made his kids and grandkids more than a little nervous. What kinds of memories and expressions would we hear from this beloved man of faith whom we all suspected had been a bit of a rascal as a youth?
To everyone’s relief, though my father-in-law said peculiar things and told us stories no one knew about, he didn’t have any shocking skeletons in his closet, and after eight weeks, he was pretty much back to his sensible, knowing self. But the fact that his private thoughts and potential secrets had at one point been so completely exposed sparked some intriguing “what if” questions in this writer’s mind:
What if you lost the ability to keep your private thoughts and secrets safe?
How might your life change if your secrets or some hidden past were exposed?
What if the person to whom you’ve entrusted a most crucial secret suddenly couldn’t?
The book’s title refers to several kinds of secret place. I look forward to hearing how many secret places readers can find in this story.
Many of the books I review are provided to me free of charge from publishers, authors, or other groups in return for a review. The opinions expressed in the reviews are mine and mine alone. No monetary consideration is given. This disclaimer is in accordance with FTC rules.
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Title: Aftermath
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