Critical Pursuit Review

Officer Brinna Caruso has built a reputation at the precinct as the cop to call when a child goes missing. For Brinna, it’s personal because she was once one of them. Brinna and her K-9 search and rescue dog, Hero, will stop at nothing to find a missing child, no matter the stakes.

Detective Jack O’Reilly isn’t ready to return to his homicide duties, after losing his wife to a drunk driver. He’s on the downside of his career, and bent on revenge, when he’s assigned as Brinna’s partner. While on patrol, Jack struggles between his quest for personal justice and his responsibility to those around him, especially his partner.

Skeptical of Jack’s motives, Brinna isn’t sure she can rely on her new partner, whose reckless abandon endangers the safety of those around him. But when a man surfaces with an MO similar to the criminal who abducted Brinna twenty years earlier, Brinna and Jack must cast aside previous judgments and combine efforts to catch the kidnapper, and finally allow Brinna the peace stolen from her as a child.


Get ready everyone this is one action packed read you'll love!

Critical Pursuit by Janice Cantore was breathtaking! I loved every minute of every chapter. The characters as always were brought to life with Janice's writing. Just as I fell in love with her first heroine, Carly Edwards, I am now falling in love with Brinna Caruso. I can't wait for more! 

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that once your done you'll be asking for more. 

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for an honest review.

The Governess of Highland Hall Review

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Worlds lie between the marketplaces of India and the halls of a magnificent country estate like Highland Hall. Will Julia be able to find her place when a governess is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help? 
 
Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey. 
 
Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin Randolph’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from the financial ruin. The last thing he needs is any distraction coming from the kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith. 
 
While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families—common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?



The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky was a wonderful wonderful book. (Yes, I did mean to repeat myself. It was that good!) I enjoyed every minute I spent reading The Governess of Highland Hall. It was an intriguing, well written historical novel that I know many will love and want more of. I know I did! 

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack fit for a king. 

I was provided a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in return for my honest review.

Rules of Murder Review

Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. When a weekend party at Farthering Place is ruined by murder and the police seem flummoxed, Drew decides to look into the crime himself. With the help of his best friend, Nick Dennison, an avid mystery reader, and Madeline Parker, a beautiful and whip-smart American debutante staying as a guest, the three try to solve the mystery as a lark, using the methods from their favorite novels. Soon, financial irregularities at Drew’s stepfather’s company come to light and it’s clear that all who remain at Farthering Place could be in danger. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer–and trying harder to impress Madeline–Drew must decide how far to take this game.

Rules of Murder is a wonderful debut book by Julianna Deering. I enjoyed the perfect, Agatha Christie style mystery a lot, but what really made me fall in love with Julianna’s book was the cast of characters she created. She took a young rich English playboy, a spunky American girl, and a best friend who is also the butler’s son, and made it blend together perfectly. Bring on the next Drew Farthering Mystery please!

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that was to die for.

I got a free review copy of Rules of Murder  from Bethany House Publishers in return for my honest review.

Aquifer Review

Only He Can Bring What They Needed to Survive.

In 2250, water is scarce, and those who control it control everything. And they’ll do anything to maintain their power – deceiving, dividing families, banning love ... even killing those who oppose them. But above all, they seek to control knowledge and communication – ensuring the truth that will bring their downfall will never be known. But one person verges on discovering it all. Sixteen-year-old Luca becomes the Deliverer, the only one allowed to contact the people called ‘Water Rats,’ who mine the essential water deep underground and bring it to the ‘Toppers’ who desperately need it above. But when he meets a Water Rat who captures his heart and leads him to secrets – secrets about a vast conspiracy, and about himself – the net around him tightens. Luca and those around him must uncover and share the truth needed to overthrow tyranny – even as they fight for their lives.

I absolutely loved this book! Aquifer by Jonathan Friesen was just what my summer needed. An engaging read that had me turning the pages faster and faster, wondering what was going to happen next.  The characters felt real and the futuristic setting was something I could believe. Aquifer is the second book I’ve read by Jonathan Friesen and has only endeared me to his writing more. I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.

                5 out of 5. This Afternoon Snack will keep me satisfied for a while. 

Faking Grace Review

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All she wants is a job. All she needs is religion. How hard can it be? 

Maizy Grace Stewart dreams of a career as an investigative journalist, but her last job ended in disaster when her compassion cost her employer a juicy headline. A part-time gig at a Nashville newspaper might be her big break. 

A second job at Steeple Side Christian Resources could help pay the bills, but Steeple Side only hires committed Christians. Maizy is sure she can fake it with her Five-Step Program to Authentic Christian Faith–a plan of action that includes changing her first name to Grace, buying Jesus-themed accessories, and learning “Christian Speak.” If only Jack Prentiss, Steeple Side’s managing editor and two-day-stubbled, blue-jean-wearing British hottie wasn’t determined to prove her a fraud. 

When Maizy’s boss at the newspaper decides that she should investigate–and expose–any skeletons in Steeple Side’s closet, she must decide whether to deliver the dirt and secure her career or lean on her newfound faith, change the direction of her life, and pray that her Steeple Side colleagues–and Jack–will show her grace.

Faking Grace by Tamara Leigh was a delightful story of love and grace. Its quirky characters and outside look at Christianity was fun and had me turning the pages until the very end. Following Maizy Grace Stewart’s 5-Step Program to Authentic Christian Faith was entertaining to say the least.  Maizy Grace’s initial look on what it takes to be a Christian and how she tried to fulfill what she thought were the expectations had me chuckling at times. Oh, the things she said and did! I highly recommend Faking Grace.

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that was quiet filling. 

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Though My Heart Is Torn Review

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Gideon O’Riley has two wives—but he doesn’t know it. 
   
Settling into a simple life in the majestic Blue Ridge mountains, Lonnie and Gideon O’Riley have finally found happiness after the rocky start to their marriage. The roguish bluegrass musician has fallen in love with his gentle wife and the God she serves, and Lonnie rests secure in his tenderness for her and their young son. A heartless ruse interupts their peace, bringing them back to Rocky Knob—and forces them to face the claims of Cassie Allan, a woman who says she is Gideon’s rightful wife.
 
As Gideon wades into the depths of his past choices, Lonnie is stunned by the revelations. She has no choice but to navigate this new path, knowing that surviving the devastating blow will take every ounce of strength  she has.
 
While Gideon’s guilt  and his bitterness towards Cassie threatens to burn up his fledgling faith, Lonnie wrestles to find the courage to trust the God who brought them together in the first place. Will their hard-earned love be able to conquer all? 
 
Lonnie only wanted her husband’s love. Now that he belongs to another, can she surrender Gideon to a God with a bigger plan?

 Though My Heart Is Torn by Joanne Bischof is the second book in The Cadence of Grace series. It was just simply... Amazing. Though I shouldn't be surprised because after reading the first book, Be Still My Soul, I was amazed by it too. I just didn't think it could get better. But once again an author has proved me wrong. I found myself crying throughout the book. And not just soft little sniffles, sometimes it was a full on sob, snot and all…Okay that was a little TMI. But seriously, Though My Heart Is Torn brought me to tears in a good ‘I’m living in the book’ way. I can’t wait to see what’s in store next for Lonnie and Gideon in the next book. But if it’s anything like the first two I know I’m in for a treat…And I’ll be prepared with Kleenex next time! 

5 out of 5. An Amazing Afternoon Snack! 

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Misery Loves Company Review

Don’t tell me it’s terrifying. Terrify me.

Filled with grief, Jules Belleno rarely leaves the house since her husband’s death while on duty as a police officer. Other than the reviews Jules writes on her blog, she has little contact with the outside world.

But one day when she ventures out to the local grocery store, Jules bumps into a fellow customer . . . and recognizes him as her favorite author, Patrick Reagan. Jules gushes and thoroughly embarrasses herself before Regan graciously talks with her.

And that’s the last thing she remembers—until she wakes up in a strange room with a splitting headache. She’s been kidnapped. And what she discovers will change everything she believed about her husband’s death . . . her career . . . and her faith.

Misery Loves Company by Rene Gutteridge was mind blowing. I don't think I've ever read a book as quickly as I did this one. It arrived in the mail one second and was in my hands being read the next. I'm glad it was a summer day and I had nothing planned otherwise I would have been in trouble ignoring life around me. ;)  I was captivated instantly by Rene's story telling ability and I now wonder why I've never read any of her other books. Because if they're anything like Misery Loves Company they must be amazing.  That being said I can't wait to get my hands on more of her writing. 

5 out of 5. I devoured this Afternoon Snack. 

I got a free review copy of Misery Loves Company from Tyndale House Publishers in return for my honest review