End of the Roadie by Elizabeth Flynn (Book Review!)

End of the Roadie: A Mystery for D.I. Costello

By Elizabeth Flynn

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Fiction / Christian / Mystery

Published by- Lion Hudson

Copyrighted- 2016

Number of pages- 204

Age Group- Adult 

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-1-78264-205-3

Oliver Joplin is found murdered after Brendan Phelan’s  rock concert.  The show was full of bass, guitars, cracking whips, and the sounds of gunshots.  Detective Inspector Angela Costello and her team are called to investigate.  They soon discover that very few people liked or trusted Joplin.  He had a lot of shady deals.  Who could have killed him?

About the Author-

Elizabeth Flynn has written Game, Set, and Murder and Dead Gorgeous.  She currently lives in London and has experience in theater in stage management and as an actress.

My thoughts-

This book was intriguing.  I had a hard time putting it down.  It was one of those books that I couldn’t read before going to bed, because I wouldn’t be sleeping until late in the night.  I didn’t expect those who were guilty to be guilty.  I was kept guessing until the end.  The relationships between the main characters grew in this book.  Detective Constable Gary Houseman and Angela grew closer, because they worked together, and he dated her stepdaughter.  They worked well and were able to solve the murder with the help of their team.  

I enjoyed reading a mystery where the D.I. was a woman and one of the main characters.  I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries.  I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received End of the Roadie, by Elizabeth Flynn, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Refresh by Kimberly M. Drew and Jocelyn Green (Book Review!)

Refresh

Spiritual Nurishment for Parents of Children with Special Needs

by Kimberly M. Drew and Jocelyn Green

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Religion / Christian Life / Devotional

Published by- Kregel Publications

Copyrighted- 2016

Number of pages- 282

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $15.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4403-6

It can be difficult to raise children.  For those who have special needs, it can be even more difficult.  The parent needs to be a parent, nurse, caregiver, and more on a daily basis.  It can get overwhelming.

Kimberly M. Drew and Jocelyn Green understand the difficulties that come when raising children with special needs, and they have written this book for those parents who have children with special needs.  They also share the lives of others with special needs children.

About the Authors-

Kimberly M. Drew and her husband have three children.  One of them has severe disabilities.  She is an elementary school teacher and blogs at www.promisesandperspective.blogspot.com.

Jocelyn Green and her husband have a son who has congenital hypothyroidism.  She has written other books, Faith Deployed,  Wedded to War, and others.  You can learn more about her and www.JocelynGreen.com.

My thoughts-

The title of this book, Refresh, describes this book perfectly.  The parents of special needs children will be refreshed when they read the different short devotionals.  The different sections that they can chose devotions from are:

• “Uprooted: When Life’s Landscape Changes”
• “Sowing Seeds: Cultivating Truth and Faith
• “Pulling Weeds: Digging Out That Which Entangles”
• “Parched: When Hope Withers”
• “Drenched: Nurishing the Soul”
• “Sunlit: Turning Toward the Son”
• “Pruned: When Pain Produces Fruit”
• “Branching Out: Touching Other’s Lives Through the Journey

Each of these devotional style chapters contain supporting Bible verses, digging deeper questions, prayers, and the stories of the authors and other parents.

I’m not a parent of a special needs child, but I know that this book will bless those parents out there who need support on a daily basis.  It has blessed me.  This is a perfect way to learn the different Bible verses that may help sooth rough days.  Each chapter is short, which will help on those extra busy days.  There is a section at the end of the book to help those who don’t know Jesus personally.  There is also a section of resources.

I highly recommend this book for parents of special needs children. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Refresh, by Kimberly M. Drew and Jocelyn Green, for free from Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Name I Call Myself by Beth Moran (Book Review!)

The Name I Call Myself

By Beth Moran

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- Fiction / Christian

Published by- Lion Fiction

Copyrighted- 2015

Number of pages- 351

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN: 978-1-78264-207-7

Faith has a wonderfully rich and handsome boyfriend, who she is engaged to marry, soon.  Her future mother-in-law in trying to do all the wedding plans, totally unlike the way Faith wants it to be, especially the dress.

Faith knows exactly the way she would like her wedding and goes to her mother’s church to talk to the minister about holding a small ceremony there.  She doesn’t expect to find  someone who will make her feel safe.  She has secrets that many people don’t know.

Will she stay engaged?  Will her secrets stay hidden?

About the Author-

Beth Moran currently lives in Nottingham with her three children and husband.  She helps lead a national women’s network, Free Range Chicks.

My Thoughts-

This was a delightful book.  I couldn’t put it down.  I just had to read it until the end.  The characters, Faith, Marilyn, and the others became like sisters to me as I read their story.  I could feel Faith’s pain over her engagement and the trouble with her brother.  I could feel the support from Marilyn and the rest of the women from her mother’s church.  Moran made me feel hope for the future.   That no matter the struggles in our lives, there is always hope.  We can look forward to the next day.  Support of friends is also very important.  We can more easily have hope if we have the support of wonderful friends.

I also liked the reading guide questions at the back of the book.  They made me think.

If you liked Making Marion and I Hope You Dance, you’ll like this one too.  You don’t need the other books to read this one!

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Name I Call Myself, by Beth Moran, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.