The Audacity of Sara Grayson

The Audacity of Sara Grayson
by Joani Elliott
Meryl Moss Media / Post Hill Press 
Pub Date 25 May 2021 

I expected this book to be mostly fluff and relationship drama. I was pleasantly surprised.

Instead, the majority of the book tells of Sara grappling with actually authoring the book her mother charged her with (an interesting novel about novel writing). And through that process, Sara finds herself, her place in life and the world, and the stories of her family and her parents and their lives. Along the way, she finds a significant other who delightfully fits the niches of Sara's life and fulfills her in ways she didn't expect.

This book is well-written, appropriately humorous, and  the main characters are substantial and well-developed. Again, I expected more superficial characters (was it the bunny slippers on the cover that caused me to underestimate this wonderful surprise of a book?). Author Elliott successfully proved me wrong. There was significant depth of emotion and relationships in this read.

I found the first quarter of the book slow to start (perhaps my mistaken expectations). But I quickly engaged with Sara and her family and her challenges, enjoying the humor along the way and the evocative settings and developments further in the book.

Meryl Moss Media / Post Hill Press have this slated for release on May 25, 2021. This will be a reliable pleasure to read. 

Three Missing Days (Pelican Harbor series #3)

 

Three Missing Days
Colleen Coble
Thomas Nelson Publishers

The Pelican Harbor trilogy offers excellent action adventure, usually starting about the last third of each book. This final book in the series stays true to form, showing evidence of masterful plotting and a steady, enjoyable romance.

The protagonists are sympathetic and generally engaging. At times, in my opinion, one character or another reacts exaggeratedly in an attempt to convey a particular characteristic, so perhaps consistent characterization may be a weak point in an otherwise strongly compelling series. This is balanced, however, by an authentic and realistic portrayal of a Christian faith playing out in times of the characters' happiness as well as suffering. I appreciate the author's deft ability to show an important reality often missing from many novels I read.

Each book in the series is an excellent read in itself, and together, the full story arc is a pleasure. I highly recommend beginning with the first and reading them through.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the chance to read this third book early. After finishing the second book, I was fixated on reading the third! Publication date is April 6, 2021. Be ready for it!

Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter

 

Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter

by Timothy J. Keller

Viking Press

The brilliance of Keller's writing lies in this: heart-changing content made accessible.

This profound book is just that: life-changing, and open and accessible.

Easter is coming. But Hope in Times of Fear reaches beyond a particular season and shows how the angst of our current situation is swallowed up in the overwhelming hope and reassurance that the Christian possesses.

I especially appreciate Keller's explanation of the "Already-But-Not-Yet Kingdom." It helps encourage and strengthen my Christian life as I more clearly understand my place in and out of history.

To be published March 9, 2021, this is a read that feels warm and encouraging. With its basic thesis that "the resurrection [and] the Great Reversal bring us both the power and the pattern for living," it will communicate the eternal promise to believers and to consider-ers.

A must read that will surprise you - and leave you in a different place emotionally and spiritually.

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep

 

A wobbly beginning that did not engage me - but the writing became stronger and the book turned into a great read. For me, the amateurish cover on the book put me off, although it does accurately portray the essence of the main characters.

This is a worthwhile read, and I hope it might be the start of a series. 

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway - thanks to the author and publisher, Barbour Books (pub January 2021)

The Lady Has a Past (Burning Cove series) by Amanda Quick

 

The entire Burning Cove series is a fun, fresh setting for Amanda Quick (yes, we know her by other names as well), and I've enjoyed each of the five novels.

This latest novel (fifth in the series, publication date 04 May 2021) has a different feel. It is largely set outside of the town of Burning Cove, but each of the characters and the action revolve around the place, the resort, and the club. In fact, the book ends with even more of the characters moving to make Burning Cove "home."

The feel of the relationship between the two main characters is different: a little more acerbic, a little more friction, and it's fun. Best of the book, I thought, was the further development of the relationship between Luther Pell (nightclub owner, and so much more) and Raina Kirk of the Burning Cove detective agency. There's more to Raina than we've been told!

The series is fresh, this latest title has enough variety to satisfy those who have read them all, and there's time to line up your own copy the first of May.

Thanks to NetGalley and one of my favorite publishers, Berkley, for the chance to read an early copy