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DNF Review: A Deeper Well by Jill Eileen Smith

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  DNF Review: A Deeper Well by Jill Eileen Smith (No Star Rating – Content-Based DNF) I received a review copy of A Deeper Well from the publisher. As always, my thoughts are entirely my own. This is one of those reviews that’s hard to write. I do like a good biblical fiction with redemptive themes and Jesus shown bringing hope in their depravity.  However, I chose to DNF this book because the content became heavier than I was personally prepared for. I want to be transparent about that so readers can make their own informed decision if this is right for them or not. Maybe at another time of my life I could read this, but as a Mom, it was just too much for me. First, what I can say - I think Jill Eileen Smith is a skilled author. The writing is immersive and very richly detailed and you can tell she did a lot of research in writing it.  However, this story is just sooo sad and intense. It follows Nessa, who is married off at thirteen to a much older man and then pa...
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Book Review: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

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  The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate 4 Stars Book 1 in this series  This is a powerful story that uses a gentle voice of animals to explore captivity, friendship and small acts of kindness. This book is narrated by Ivan, who is a silverback gorilla who has spent most of his life in a shopping mall enclosure. He considers himself an artist and a survivor.....because his past is tragic with how the humans have treated him and the family he loved.  Ivan becomes friends with a young elephant named Ruby and older one named Stella. Ruby starts to change what he thinks about where he is and their purpose. He is also friends with a stray dog named Bob that adds warmth and humor to the story.  Ivan is thoughtful and he really carries the books. Ruby is young and the emotional presence of the book. Ivan is protective of her. Stella is also wise. This book asks the reader to see the world through Ivan's eyes and to realize the importance of treating animals humanely a...
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Book Review: When Justice Comes by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker

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  When Justice Comes by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker Book 3 in the Tupelo Grove Series  4 Stars What an ending! This is a Christian Romantic Suspense series I have followed since the beginning with What We Hide. We left book 2 in that "I NEED TO KNOW" status and this delivered everything I needed to know! Very satisfying ending. If you don't know what this series focuses on, it's essentially Hez and Savannah's second chance romance after their divorce and tragic loss of their daughter years ago. Their young daughter passed away in a drowning incident at their home and it left their marriage in shambles. Lots of legal drama ensues with family secrets, college lawsuits and fraud, murders, legal mysteries....its kind of like a legal Christian thriller in a way.  I enjoyed my time with it. I think the faith could have been explored a bit more, especially through their grief and loss, but overall I am glad to finally know all the things from what happened since book 1....
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Book Review: The Lighthouse on the Cove - Amy Clipston

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                          B ook Review: The Lighthouse at the Cove by Amy Clipston 4.5 Stars I picked this book up during a tough season and it arrived at the right time. I started the audio and liked it so much I went out and bought the physical copy for my shelves! This is a warm, small-town romance like a good, hallmark movie. We follow Kaiah who is a journalist on an east coast road trip following a bad break up. She has car trouble and she meets Reid who is a single Dad and firefighter and they join forces to save Coral Cove's lighthouse through the town festival.  Reid lost his wife several years ago in a car accident, and while this does depict grief, it gives grief room without letting it dominate the story. It feels realistic without being heavy and made the story feel honest and gentle all together.  I loved Reid so much as a single Dad with his sweet little girl, Piper. The small town and fes...
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Book Review: Charmed by the Cowboy by Mandi Blake

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  Charmed by the Cowboy - Mandi Blake (Book 2 in the Blackwater Ranch Series) Read if you love: - Christian Romance - Cowboys - Slow-burn  - Character-driven books - Lots of redemptive faith moments - Horses  - Second Chance Romance - Childhood Crush Maddie returns to Blackwater Ranch with a past she would rather keep hidden. She doesn't want to get too attached to anyone because she usually leaves before she gets left....Lucas is steady and patient...the kind of guy who cares about the small, everyday things on the ranch, like mending fences, tending the horses etc. This was a slow, tender story about finding home when you least expect it. Maddie really found trust in Lucas and I loved seeing their romance together. Mandi Blake gives us so many good details on the ranch, with the horses and chores and family small town life. If you want a clean, faith-filled romance with a sweet happy ending and some redemptive arcs, I recommend. Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/revi...
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Book Review: Uncomplicate It By Hosanna Wong

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  Uncomplicate It By Hosanna Wong Christian Non-Fiction 4.5 Stars Hosanna reminds us that a "good" relationship with the Lord doesn't have to look the same for everyone. Your quiet time doesn't have to look like my quiet time. As a special needs Mama....and someone who used to feel like she had to have the perfect quiet time set up before I could even come to Jesus....before I had a kid, mind you, this was a breath of fresh air reminder. It was great because now-a-days...I am lucky to get 5 minutes of uninterrupted tim e with the Lord...and certainly not a "ideal" study time every day. What stood out even more....as someone with ADHD, I have spent a lot of time feeling like I was failing in my bible study because sometimes my brain doesn't always engage with the traditional study methods some use. I struggle with focusing and consistency. Sometimes I feel guilty for that. This book helped me realize my learning style and personality are not roadblocks or...
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Book Review: Love Undercover by Mandi Blake

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5 STARS!  Love Undercover by Mandi Blake Book 6 in the Love in Blackwater Series Christian Romance Series  WHAT AN ENDING TO AN AWESOME CHRISTIAN FICTION SERIES! FRIENDS! READ. THIS. SERIES! 👏👏👏👏 Mandi brings SOOO much to the table in this series and she ended it so beautifully.  Read if you love: - Redemption in Christ in Books - Clean, Christian Romance - Suspense, Going Undercover Thread - Found Family - Great Friend Group - Grumpy x Sunshine  - Opposites Attract  We follow Zach and Lauren. Zach saved her life years ago, his brother abducted her and he never wanted to be involved in it as far as it went. He saved Lauren and ended up still going to prison for 4 years for his crimes. She visits him in prison over the years, showing him there is hope for him again. When he gets out, she helps him back on his feet and he helps her work through some repairs at her rental place and she gives him a second chance at life to start over. He's a bit grumpy but ...
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