Book Recommendation - Fostered

 

As a CASA who is always looking for good continuing education books to read, this book popped out to me as one that I would really be interested in. It is written by a woman who grew up in foster care, and is now married and a foster mom. She overcame her obstacles and healed from her trauma by the grace of God and I knew that I wanted to hear her story. Honest about where she came from and owning up to her own bad decisions that took her further down that road, Ms. Petersen readily points to her relationship with God as being what saved her - physically, emotionally and spiritually. This book is one I'd recommend to anyone who works with or around foster youth or simply wants to know more. 

Here's a little bit about the book:

If you’re wondering if God can truly move in the life of someone with all the odds stacked against her, look no further than Tori Hope Petersen.

Tori grew up in the foster care system, a bi-racial child in a confusing and volatile world. Growing up with a mentally ill mother and living in twelve different foster homes, nothing was in her favor. And yet, even with a miniscule chance of graduating college and a great risk of being homeless, jobless, and on drugs, Tori overcame every negative stereotype and assumption that attacked her identity. 

However, Tori will tell you she did not overcome. Christ did. In the face of the storm, Jesus made a way for Tori to find profound hope, deep faith, renewed purpose, and a loving family, too.  After so many years of being on one side of foster care as a child, Tori is now on the other side as a foster mom, adoptive mom, and biological mom. On top of that, she was crowned as a Track and Field All-American and named Mrs. Universe 2021, a platform she now uses to pursue her passion for foster care reform, adoption advocacy, and help for vulnerable populations.

If you want to hear the true tale of an unlikely overcomer, this book is for you. If you want to learn more about the foster care system from a former foster youth’s perspective, this book is for you. If you want to better dwell in the reality of your own spiritual adoption by our Heavenly Father and better understand the orphan and the widow that He loves dearly, this book is for you. Ultimately, if you want to remember who God is, and what He can do through the most unlikely of people, Fostered is for you.

This book releases August 30, 2022, wherever books are sold. For more information, check out the following links:

Tori Hope Petersen's website: https://www.torihopepetersen.com/

Tori Hope Petersen's Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/torihopepetersen/

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4923575150

Book Review - Dead Sea Conspiracy

 

Jerry B Jenkins has long been a prominent name within the Christian fiction genre and has made quite a name for himself in the industry. He has written quite a few wonderful books and I've read and enjoyed many of them. This book is the first dual timeline book of his that I've read and as that is a favorite genre of mine, I was thrilled with the premise of this one. The characters and dialogue in this one fell a bit short for me, though the plot and story-line were still very good. I believe I would have enjoyed this one more if I'd read book 1 in the series first. Here's a bit about the book:

In this thrilling adventure, archaeologist Nicole Berman is about to discover the key to unifying three major religions—if a dangerous enemy doesn't stop her first.

Archaeologist Nicole Berman is the first woman to be awarded a permit to lead a dig in Saudi Arabia. Nicole believes what she hopes to discover has the power to to rewrite world history. She assembles a team that will ultimately surprise - and in some cases - betray her. 

In a parallel storyline, readers are launched back to ancient Ur where young Abram is sent to learn from his forebears, who tell him firsthand stories of being on the ark during the Great Flood. 

This book releases August 23, 2022 wherever books are sold. Check out the following links for additional information:

Jerry B. Jenkins's website: https://jerryjenkins.com/ 

Jerry B. Jenkins's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jerry.b.jenkins

My full 3.5 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4888569898?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Book Recommendation - Love and the Dream Come True

 

When looking at contemporary romance as a genre, with gritty down-to-earth characters with real flaws and real growth and development, I look no further than Tammy Gray's works. In this State of Grace series, she also included some humor, which made these books some of my favorites of hers. Fans of the series will be glad to see Cameron finally get his story told. He's been a significant minor character in the first 2 books of the series, so this is a series I would recommend reading in order. If you've read the first 2 books, you know Cameron is a musician. That can make him a bit moody and made him a bit unlikeable to me in the first 2 books (which is surprising since I'm a singer), but he redeemed himself in this book.

 

Here's a bit about the book:

Four years after getting the biggest break of his life, Cameron Lee's music career has taken a nosedive, leaving him two options: become a sellout or give up on his lifelong dream. He reluctantly returns home for his sister's wedding, hoping to avoid his past and find his love for music again.

Single mom Lexie Walters has suffered her fair share of tragedies and setbacks, but she has finally scraped together the money to achieve her dream of going into business with her cousin as an interior designer. When Lexie's life is at an all-time high, she runs into her teenage crush, Cameron Lee.

Lost in the emotional turmoil of failure, Cameron is immediately drawn to Lexie and her infectious smile and optimistic spirit. Moreover, he adores her mouthy, no-holds-barred daughter. But fantasies only last so long, and soon Lexie and Cameron must face the real world, the one fraught with heartbreak, disappointment, and questions that sometimes can only be answered by a leap of faith.

This book releases August 2, 2022 wherever books are sold. For additional information, please check out the links below:

Tammy L Gray's website: http://www.tammylgray.com/

Tammy L. Grays' Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tlgraybooks

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4833988803

Book Recommendation - When Stone Wings Fly

 

One of my favorite storytelling methods is a dual timeline story. I really enjoy seeing how history impacts the present and this type of story is good at helping us to see that, and showcases how decisions made by our ancestors impact us in modern times. This story follows Rosie McCauley in the past timeline and Kieran Lucas, Rosie's great-granddaughter, in the present. Kieran seeks out Rosie's story as it is part of her own personal history, of which she has very little understanding. This book was a very enjoyable story set in a familiar-to-me backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains. The mountains were a favorite vacation spot for my family as I was growing up, and so it was fun to "see familiar sights" in both the past and the present in this way. 

Having been a park ranger in the past, author Karen Barnett has several books that take place in our nation's national parks and this one was a lovely addition to that listing. One thing I'd not been aware of is that unlike some of the older parks, The Smokies was not public land prior to the park's acquisition, but rather, much of the land was owned by individuals who lived with fantastic views each day. This story tells of one such family whose land was purchased by the park and how that impacted them and their future generations. This story-line was riveting, with both  mystery and romance, character growth and development, and a solid message of faith. Here's a little bit about the book:

Uncovering a long-lost family story is the only way to bring her grandmother peace

Kieran Lucas’s grandmother is slipping into dementia, and, when her memory is gone, Kieran’s last tie to the family she barely knows will be lost forever. Worse, Granny Mac is being tormented by flashbacks of her mother’s death and the loss of their home.

In 1931, Rosie McCauley’s Smoky Mountains home is threatened by the Tennessee Great Smokies Park Commission as they create a new national park. But Rosie vows the only way they’ll get her land is if they haul her out in a pine box. When a compromise offers her and her disabled sister the opportunity to stay for her lifetime, it seems too good to be true.

Ornithologist Benton Fuller arrives to conduct a bird survey for the park and the two form a tenuous bond. But their friendship broadens a rift between her and the other mountain folk who are suspicious of any government connections. Then the discovery of an illegal still in the woods near her cabin leads to a violent clash between sides that could destroy them all.

Eighty-five years later, Kieran heads back to Great Smoky Mountains National Park to find answers to her great-grandmother’s mysterious death and bring peace to Granny Mac before it’s too late. Park Historian Zach Jensen may be the key to locating both the answers and a precious family heirloom. But just as in the past, Kieran’s needs clash with government regulations. Will Zach block her from recovering what she needs and solving this family mystery?

This one released on June 14, 2022 and it's one I can give a solid recommendation for. Be sure to check it out!

For more information, check out the following links:

Karen Barnett's website: https://karenbarnettbooks.com/

Karen Barnett's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KarenBarnettAuthor

My full 5 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4786362526?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Book Recommendation - Critical Alliance

Elizabeth Goddard is a new-to-me author of romantic suspense. When this series first came out and I learned that the heroine of the first book was named Terra and the heroine of  the second book was named Erin (my older sister is Tara and I'm Erin), I knew I had to read these. Add in the backdrop of the mountains of Montana (the most beautiful place in the US in my opinion) and that made it even more exciting to me. And I was not disappointed. All 3 novels in the series can stand on their own, but there is shared history of the characters in all 3 books and so reading them all helps to flesh out some of that. I've enjoyed all 3 books, but I think this one may be my favorite. Dealing with a heroine and a villain who are hackers, this one delved into the frightening world of cyber-attacks and cyber-security. 

Here's a bit about the book:

Mackenzie Hanson's special set of skills opened the door to a successful career as a professor of cybersecurity at a Michigan university, allowing her to put her criminal past behind her. But when a long-ago partner in crime delivers a cryptic message about her father's tech company being under cyberattack, she heads for Montana to secure exposed assets, close security breaches, and hopefully save lives.

Diplomatic Security Services special agent Alex Knight is back home in Montana to decompress from a mission gone wrong. But even as he's trying to relax, he's drawn into another mystery, complete with suspicious deaths, lethal threats, and whispers of espionage that all have one thing in common--a beautiful cybersecurity expert with a dark past.

When the situation turns deadly, Alex and Mackenzie will have to work together to find the answers they need--before someone silences Mackenzie for good.

USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard weaves a tangled web of nail-biting suspense and heart-stopping romance in this fast-paced conclusion to her Rocky Mountain Courage series.

As part of the author's launch team for this one, I was able to get in a Q&A. Here's how that went:

    1.     This book deals with cyber-security as the villain and heroine are hackers. What led you             in that direction? 

 

I have a computer science degree and worked in the software industry for almost a decade before retiring to become a writer. Cybercrime is a huge issue since we are all connected to technology so I decided to dive into the topic, especially since I love to bring intrigue into my adventure stories, this one in Montana. 

 

    2.     What was the most interesting (or most frightening) thing you learned in the research                 you did for this book? 

 

While conferring with a cyber security expert, I learned that almost anything I could imagine a hacker could do—they actually CAN do. 

 

     3.     What was your favorite part of writing this book/series? 

 

I loved writing about both my characters, Mackenzie and Alex. I especially enjoyed writing about Alex's character and his background as a Diplomatic Security Services special agent.  

4.  Did anything in the story end up surprising you or changing trajectory? 

What a great question. This often happens in stories and that’s okay because if it surprises me, then it surprises my readers. If the trajectory changes, then that’s a great twist as well. On Critical Alliance, I’m not sure the trajectory was changed, but since I mostly write by the “seat-of-my-pants” everything was a surprise. 

 

    5.      Do you base your characters (even loosely) on anyone you know? 

 

I do not intentionally base a character on someone I know, but I think it’s impossible not to include bits of every person you’ve ever met when creating a brand-new character. 

 

    6.      Do you have any bits of "trivia" or "behind the scenes" tidbits you'd like to share with         my readers?

 

Yes! I introduce Detective Trevor West in Critical Alliance and he shows up as the main character in book 2 in my Missing in Alaska series—coming next year. 

 

    7.      What's coming next and when can we expect it? 

 

Cold Light of Day is book 1 in my brand-spanking-new series, Missing in Alaska, 

and will release in February 2023. I’m so excited for you to get your hands on this first book. 

Thank you for having me! Readers can stay in the know by signing up for my newsletter at my website: elizabethgoddard.com

 

I'm glad we'll see more of Detective West and looking forward to this next series! This book releases on July 5, 2022 wherever books are sold. For additional information, check out the following links:

Elizabeth Goddard's website: https://elizabethgoddard.com/

Elizabeth Goddard's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethGoddardAuthor

My full 4.5 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4804641006

Book Recommendation - The Deadly Shallows

 

Deadly Shallows is book 3 in the Coastal Guardians series, which follows a Coast Guard Investigative Services (CGIS) team and those they work with closely. This book follows Noah Rowley who heads up the CGIS unit, and Brooke Kesler, who is a flight medic. Fans of the series will be glad to see how their favorite characters from the previous books are doing as well, though those starting with this book won't be lost. This book has a lot of things going on, so hold on to your seat!

Here's a bit about the book:

A DEADLY ATTACK.
A STOLEN WEAPON CAPABLE OF IMMENSE DESTRUCTION.
A PAINFUL SECRET THAT THREATENS TO TEAR TWO HEARTS APART.


CGIS Agent Noah Rowley is rocked to the core when several of his valued team members come under fire on his Coast Guard base. He and his remaining team race to the scene and end the attack, but not before innocent lives are lost. Furious and grief-stricken, he vows to do whatever is needed to bring the mastermind behind the attack to justice.

Stunned by the ambush, Coast Guard flight medic Brooke Kesler evacuates in a helicopter carrying the only surviving gunman. The gravely wounded man whispers mysterious information to Brooke that immediately paints a target on her back.


As Brooke and Noah race to uncover answers, emotions between them ignite. Noah struggles to protect Brooke at all costs and to conceal the secret that prevents him from becoming what he longs to be--the right man for her.

Everything is at stake as a horrifying truth emerges. . . .

The attack wasn't the end game. It was only the beginning.


Bestselling author Dani Pettrey again delivers a fast-paced story in an acclaimed style readers have come to love: full of snappy dialogue, thrilling adventure romance, and unexpected plot twists. 

Because I enjoy visual aids, I appreciate that the author shared her inspirations for the 2 main characters. Here are dossiers on Noah and Brooke!

This book releases July 5, 2022, wherever books are sold. Please see links below for some additional information.

Dani Pettrey's website: https://www.danipettrey.com/

Dani Pettrey's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DaniPettrey

My full 4-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4683254103

Book Recommendation - Long Way Home

 

Lynn Austin has been one of my go-to authors for women's fiction as well as historical for many years. Her writing style is fluid, her characters relatable and her story lines intriguing. Her upcoming release is no different. Taking place during and after WWII, this book follows the "long way home" that soldiers took after the war to recover who they were previously. The story surrounds a young soldier named Jimmy. Before the war, he was a veterinarian student, well loved and compassionate. After the war, he finds himself in the VA hospital after trying to kill himself. His friend and neighbor, Peggy, works to piece Jimmy's timeline together in order to find out what happened and discovers his long way home. 

As a recipient of the author's newsletter, I learned a few behind the scenes bits about the book:

This book was written in honor of the author's dad, who joined the navy at age 18 and fought in WWII in the Pacific. While he didn't talk much about his experiences, Ms. Austin noted that he struggled with certain facets of every day life, such as crossing a long bridge which would bring anxiety for him. Psychiatry was in its infancy those days, and some of the treatments prescribed to young Jimmy were actual treatments used on soldiers returning with what we now call PTSD. Here's a picture of the author's dad in his Navy uniform.

One of my favorite characters in the book is a dog named Buster. He plays an important role in Peggy's life and also helps some of the soldiers that Jimmy encounters in an interesting way. Buster was inspired by the author's sister's dog, Franny. Here's a photo of Lynn Austin and Franny along the Hudson River, which is near where Jimmy and Peggy grew up.

Another part of this book that was interesting to me was the journey of a young Jewish German girl named Gisela. She and her family were passengers on a ship fleeing from Germany after Kristallnacht. This element of the story had enough details that I wondered if it was actually true and indeed it was. I found this information on the journey of the St. Louis. How heartbreaking it must have been for those folks to have their journeys follow such a path!

https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/voyage-of-the-st-louis

Due to the heavily emotional content of this story and the realism portrayed in how the soldiers and Jews were affected by the war, this book felt a little "heavier" than Ms. Austin's prior novels, but still contained her beautiful writing style and wonderful characters. I would recommend to fans of historical fiction! This book releases on June 21, 2022 wherever books are sold!

For additional information, check out the links below:

Lynn Austin's website: https://lynnaustin.org/

Lynn Austin's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LynnAustinBooks

My full 4.5 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4724319445