What Matters Most Book Review

Texas Gold Collection

SUMMARY:  Just when she can't take it anymore, Leta finally catches a break.  But when things seem too good to be true, they often are.

     Finding her dream job went right out the window when Leta Breckenridge had to quit school to help care for her mothering suffering from dementia.  When a delinquent account may force her mother into a less desirable facility, Leta is thrilled to land a high-paying job at an Austin public relations firm.  But her seemingly ideal job turns into a nightmare when she learns the firm is a front for a political opposition organization - and that the research she's been collecting will be used against Nathan Emerson, the handsome senator she's swiftly falling in love with.

     Nathan is a rising political star being pressured to run a bid to unseat the current governor of Texas.  He's already in a relationship with a woman much better suited to be a politician's wife, but he's never met anyone like Leta.  Could this feisty woman hold the key to his heart - and his future?

     With emotional depth and keen insight into what drives us, Kellie Coates Gilbert offers a salient story that calls us to consider what we value most in this life.

REVIEW:  Kellie Coates Gilbert's novel shows you that no matter your circumstances, you can still come out ahead by sticking to your principles and trusting God.  Leta is a great role model.  She supports her very ill mother by working two part-time jobs, budgeting her money down to the penny and doing what she can to stay afloat while trusting God to provide.  After landing a job making mega bucks, Leta pays off her accumulated debts while praising God for His provision.  When her bosses ask her to look for incriminating evidence against her friend State Senator Nathan Emerson, she does what she is told while trying to stick to her principles.  Her faith and struggle to honor her work contract while maintaining her convictions is very admirable. 
     Nathan Emerson's character is almost too good to be true.  I like how even though he has had a life of privilege, he does not look down on anyone.  He is perfect for Leta and does what he can to help her with her mother.
     The story line is interesting.  I like how the author shows her reader the length political opposition organizations will go into to smear a candidate without boring them.  The intrigue and underhanded tactics kept me reading to see if Nathan and Leta would come through it and how they would respond.  The only problem I had was towards the end.  It looks like a character would try to cause more problems but instead defuses the situation and comes clean.  The scene was anticlimactic.  But, overall, I really enjoyed this novel.  Even though this is the fourth novel written in this collection, each one is independent from the others. 

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Kellie Coates Gilbert is a former legal investigator and trial paralegal and the author of A Woman of Fortune.  Gilbert crafts her emotionally charged stories about women in life-changing circumstances in Dallas, Texas, where she lives with her husband. 

Where Rivers Part Book Review

Texas Gold Collection

SUMMARY:  Success too often comes with a price.  Juliet never imagined that cost could be so high.

     Dr. Juliet Ryan has devoted her considerable scientific acumen to corporate America, providing safe drinking water for millions - and affording her plenty of perks along the way.  Her career choice is not the path her estranged father would have her take, but then Juliet finds it difficult to maintain respect for a man she cannot trust.  She's on her way up in the world, and she's not going to let anything drag her down.

     But when a fast-moving disaster sweeps Juliet into a whirlpool of corporate scandal, lives are at risk - including those of some of the people closest to her.  As she scrambles to find answers, Juliet must face her deepest wounds and join forces with the one who has hurt her most in order to expose a far-reaching conspiracy.

     Life a mighty river with twists and turns and hidden rocks, this engrossing story will sweep you relentlessly along as it explores the seduction of success, the fear of giving up control, and the redemptive power of learning to forgive.

REVIEW:  This story was interesting and different that most others I've read.  The details the author goes into regarding this disaster, an E-coli outbreak, is fascinating but not overwhelming.  The main character is not a Christian, hates her father with a passion, is smart as a whip, and tries to keep her personal life private.  The twist to the romantic part of this story doesn't come until the end of the book.  Juliet goes through Job-like situations over and over, finally bringing her to her knees.  Another item that was different than most other stories of this type was the timeline.  Most have the characters go through everything in a few days, a week or even two weeks.  This storyline is occurs over almost a year.  It was refreshing and so much more like real life and make the book enjoyable.

     The author does not got into detail, though, about Juliet's change of faith.  Her mother Carol's faith and hidden strength is featured quite a bit.  Stories about the changes Carol went through after her conversion are often referred to, but nothing is mentioned about Juliet doing the same.  There is a point where she realizes she can't handle everything coming down on her alone and does reach out to her dad for help but that's all.  There was so much potential here regarding Juliet's faith change that was not taken advantage of.  

     That said, this was a good book that I enjoyed reading.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Kellie Coates Gilbert is a former legal investigator and trial paralegal and the author of A Woman of Fortune.  Gilbert crafts her emotionally charged stories about women in life-changing circumstances in Dallas, Texas, where she lives with her husband.