Musings by Erin

  As a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), I'm required to complete some continuing education throughout the year each year. This can be in the form of seminars, movies, books, documentaries or any number of items as long as they touch on the subjects of foster care, abuse, neglect or adoption. This book was a great addition to my continuing education for the year as it touched on all of the above. Though a relatively short read, this book was packed with a lot of great information for anyone who works with children - through school, church, foster care or parenting. With each chapter providing key takeaways and discussion questions, this one is a great one to use for trainings and the like as well. Here's a bit about the book: Why doesn’t he act his age? Why does she behave so impulsively? Why does he have meltdowns so often? There is always meaning behind behavior in all of us. It might be a behavioral reaction from something as simple as hunger or exhaustion. Or somethi...

  Jessica Patch has recently become one of my favorite authors to follow on social media. With a twisted sense of humor and deep love of God, she has some very unique posts. Those personality items find their way into her writing as well. Though many of her books are love inspired suspense, it's her grittier harlequin books that draw me in. The Garden Girls is the last(??) in the SCU series, but it's my favorite of hers so far. I've thoroughly enjoyed this entire series and Ty has been my favorite character, so it would stand to reason that I would like his book the best.  Here's a bit about the book: On a remote Outer Banks island, a serial killer collects his prized specimens. And to stop him, an FBI agent must confront his own twisted past. FBI agent Tiberius Granger has seen his share of darkness. But a new case sets him on edge. It’s not just the macabre way both victims—found posed in front of lighthouses—are tattooed with flowers that match their names. There’s a...

  Jaime Jo Wright is in a class all her own. Writing in dual timeline form, Wright crafts brilliant mysteries that span and connect both timelines. Her books often have a serious creep-factor with a touch of macabre, great character development, a touch of romance, a faith thread, and even a happy ending. Night Falls on Predicament Avenue is one of my favorites of hers and was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Here's a bit about the book: As the walls of the house at Predicament Avenue reveal their hidden truths, two women--generations apart--discover that fear and foreboding are no respecters of time. In 1910, Effie James is committed to doing anything to save her younger sister, who witnessed a shocking murder, leaving her mute and in danger of the killer's retribution. Effie must prove what her sister saw, but when a British gentleman arrives, he disrupts Effie's quest with his attempts to locate his wife, Isabelle Addington, who was last seen at the supposed crime scene in t...