Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

www.biblegateway.com


Thursday, December 21, 2017

Imperfect Justice Book Review

Hidden Justice series
Book Two

SUMMARY:  The police say the woman was a murderer.  Emilie Wesley knows they can't be talking about her client . . . can they?

To the world it seems obvious:  Kaylene Adams killed her daughter and then was shot by police.  Attorney Emilie Wesley knows a different story:  Kaylene would never hurt anyone and was looking for a way out of a controlling, abusive relationship.  Her death shakes Emilie's belief that she can make a difference for women in violent marriages.  Self-doubt plagues her as she struggles to continue her work in the wake of the tragedy.

Reid Billings thought he knew his sister - right up until he learned how she died.  He discovers a letter from Kaylene begging him to fight for  custody of her daughters if anything should happen to her.  No attorney in her right mind would support an uncle instead of the father in a custody case, but Kaylene's letter claims Emilie Wesley will help him.

Thrown together in the race to save Kaylene's surviving daughter, Emilie and Reid pursue the constantly evasive truth.  If they can hang on to hope together, can they save a young girl - and find a future for themselves in the process?

REVIEW:  Cara Putman's latest legal drama is wonderful.  I really felt a part of the story.  As I read, I kept trying to figure out ways Emilie and Reid could prove Kaylene's innocence and save her young daughter.  Just as the main characters would get frustrated by the lack of evidence, I did too.  I like how Emilie tried to keep evidence finding above board so it wouldn't get kicked out of court and how she was determined to look under every rock and in every nook and cranny to help her former client.  Her diligence paid off.  

The secondary story of Emilie's stalker was interesting.  Having only read the last book, I was a little confused at times because some incidences that occurred in the other one that were referred to.  But the author did a good job going back over some details to help the reader.  Because of her past dating relationships, Emilie was empathetic to her clients trying to leave difficult and abusive relationships.  She could offer something other attorneys couldn't.  

Cara Putman does another amazing job.  If you like legal dramas, this might be a series for you to check out. 

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Bethany House 
for review without any compensation.

Cara Putnam is the author of more than 25 legal thrillers, historical romances, and romantic suspense novels.  She has won or been a finalist for honor including the ACFW Book of the Year and the Christian Retailing's BEST Award.  Cara graduated high school at 16, college at 20, completed her law degree at 27, and recently received her MBA.  She is a practicing attorney, teaches undergraduate and graduate law courses at a Big Ten business school, and is a homeschooling mom of four.  She lives with her husband and children in Indiana.  She can be found on Facebook at cara.putmanwww.facebook.com/cara.putman and Twitter at @cara_putman.

Deadly Proof Book Review

Atlanta Justice
Book One

SUMMARY:  Standing for what's right could cost her everything.

Tapped as Lead Counsel in a corporate cover-up lawsuit against Mason Pharmaceutical, Kate Sullivan knows this case cold make her career.  What really drives her, though, is getting justice for the victims whose lives were ruined by the company's dangerous new drug.  But when a whistle blower turns up dead, it paints a target on the back of everyone involved. 

Former Army Ranger turned private investigator Landon James steps in to handle security for Kate.  He's still haunted by mistakes in his past and is determined never to let something like that happen again.  But it soon appears someone is willing to do anything - even commit murder - to keep the case from going to trial.  

As danger closes in, Landon can't help but admire Kate's courage and resolve - but will her determination not to back down become too great of a risk?

REVIEW:  This book captured my attention and kept it until the end.  There were many twists and turns that I had to read slowly, and sometimes go back a few pages, to make sure I didn't miss anything.  The details that the author included made me feel like I was part of the action.  

I love how Kate kept her faith in Jesus at the forefront of everything she did.  She wanted justice for those affected and family members whose lives had been changed by this drug but she wanted to do it the correct way.  Instead of going rogue and trying to get information through questionable means, she stuck to her guns, did everything by the book, and in the end, it paid off.  Her integrity is one to be admired.

Even though Landon didn't agree with Kate on faith matters, I like how he honored Kate's boundaries and listened to her when she spoke of how God brought her through difficult times.  

If you like to read page turners and good legal suspense, check this book out.  It was very enjoyable and I look forward to reading the other books in this series as they are released.  

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Bethany House 
for review without any compensation.

Rachel Dylan writes Christian fiction including legal romantic suspense. She has practiced law for over a decade and enjoys weaving together legal and suspenseful stories. She also writes the Windy Ridge series including Trial & Tribulations and Fatal Accusation. Trial & Tribulations was a Selah finalist in 2016. She lives in Michigan with her husband and five furkids--two dogs and three cats. Rachel loves to connect with readers. You can find Rachel at www.racheldylan.com.

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Christy Book Review



SUMMARY:  The train taking nineteen-year-old teacher Christy Huddleston from her home in Asheville, North Carolina, might as well be transporting her to another world.  The Smokey Mountain community of Cutter Gap feels suspended in time, trapped by poverty, superstitions, and century-old traditions.
     But as Christy struggles to find acceptance in her new home, some see her - and her one-room school - as a threat to their way of life.  Her faith is challenged and her heart is torn between two strong men with conflicting news about how to care for the families of the Cove. 
     Yearning to make a difference, will Christy's determination and devotion be enough?

REVIEW:  This book was first published fifty years ago and has been loved by millions of readers since.  Having watched and enjoyed the television series based on the book, I was excited to finally get a chance to read this beloved story for the very first time. 
      Catherine Marshall retells the stories told by her mother, the women the book is based on, with some added twists.  She doesn't hold back any punches and shows life in its full, raw, and rough form.  But, she also shows the love Christy developed for the people of Cutter Gap, how they opened her eyes to God and His love for us in ways she never could have living in Asheville.  Sometimes it was not pretty; many times I thought about putting the book down because it was very difficult to read.  But, I stuck with it and I am so glad I did.  This book gave me a new outlook on life and a new appreciation for the area of Tennessee I have grown to love.  If you have never read the book, or if you read it as a young person, pick it up and read it.  It is well worth the time.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for review without compensation.

Catherine Marshall, New York Times best selling author of 30 books, is best known for her novel, Christy.  Based on the life of her mother, Christy captured the hearts of millions and became a popular CBS television series.  Around the kitchen table at Evergreen Farm, as her mother reminisced, Catherine probed for details and insights into the rugged lives of these Appalachian highlanders.  Catherine shared the story of her husband, Dr. Peter Marshall, Chaplain of the United States Senate, in A Man Called Peter.  A decade after Dr. Marshall's untimely death, Catherine married Leonard LeSourd, Executive Editor of Guideposts, forging a dynamic writer-editor partnership.  A beloved inspirational writer and speaker, Catherine's enduring career spanned four decades and reached over 30 millions readers.