Better Off Thread by Amanda Lee

Better Off Thread by Amanda Lee ISBN-13: 9780451473851 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: Dec. 6, 2016

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Marcy is busy helping her customers make hand-crafted ornaments at her embroidery shop, the Seven-Year Stitch. But when her friend Captain Moe asks her to play the elf to his Santa for sick children at a local hospital, she can’t refuse. Despite the ridiculous outfit, Marcy finds herself enjoying spreading cheer—until the hospital’s administrator is found murdered.

Although the deceased had plenty of people willing to fill her stocking with coal, evidence pins the crime on Moe. Now it’s up to Marcy, with the help of her police officer boyfriend Ted and her Irish Wolfhound Angus, to stitch together the clues to clear Moe’s name.


My Review:
Better Off Thread is a cozy mystery. It's the tenth in a series. You don't need to read the previous books to understand this one, and this story didn't spoil previous whodunits.

I liked the heroine and her friends. The mystery was clue-based. I was pretty certain of whodunit by about halfway through. Marcy was focused more on finding people with motive (and there were plenty) than in thinking through who could have actually done it. But she did figure out whodunit before the suspenseful ending and even saved some people's lives.

There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Firewall by DiAnn Mills

Firewall by DiAnn Mills ISBN-13: 9781414389936 Trade Paperback: 391 pages Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers Released: June 20, 2014

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
After a whirlwind romance, Taryn Young is preparing to board a plane at Houston International Airport, bound for a dream honeymoon, when a bomb decimates the terminal. Injured but still alive, she awakens to discover her husband is missing and they're both considered prime suspects in the attack. Further, the FBI is convinced her husband isn't who he appears to be.

Agent Grayson Hall's number-one priority is to catch those responsible for the day's act of terror. All evidence is pointing to Taryn and her new husband. But his instinct tells him her pleas of innocence are genuine. Is her naivete just for show, or could she truly be another victim of a master scheme, possibly linked to the software she recently developed for her company? With both their lives and reputations on the line, and the media outcry for justice increasing with each passing minute, Taryn and Grayson pray they can uncover the truth before they become two more casualties.


My Review:
Firewall is a Christian romantic suspense novel. The characters were interesting and some were developed into complex-motive characters. I found it believable that Taryn was initially fooled even though she's a smart woman, but it did take her longer than I expected to believe the truth. The suspense was from physical danger to several characters; this was a very deadly story to be a character in. There was very little down-time as events raced along. The romance was based on two people coming to trust and care for each other (rather than many repetitions of "(s)he's sooo hot!")

The Christian element was mainly some short prayers asking God to help them with the situation and the realization that God is there with them through the confusion. There were no sex scenes. There was no bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting, suspenseful novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Where Does Love Hide? by Mary Manz Simon

Where Does Love Hide? by Mary Manz Simon Illustrated by Hannah Wood ISBN-13: 9781496411686 Board Book: 18 pages Publisher: Tyndale House Released: Jan. 1, 2017

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In Where Does Love Hide? children are reminded that they not only receive love but have the opportunity to share love. Looking under the fun, lift-a-flap feature, children will see examples of everyday love opportunities. Each page includes a memory verse and an example of a way to share God's love. Because love is an abstract concept and young children are concrete thinkers, they must gradually learn to understand love by what they experience.


My Review:
Where Does Love Hide? has 6 double-spread pages that each demonstrate a way for children to show love. Each page has "Where does love hide?" on one side and a flap for children to open on the other. Behind the flap is a picture that completes the scene. On the flap is text describing how to show love and a Bible verse relating to that action. (For example, "A friend is always a friend." Proverbs 17:17) The problem is that you'll lose much of the text if the flap (which is thin cardboard) gets ripped off.

So what are the ways to show love? Inviting a friend over to your house to play, helping Mom to put the groceries away, taking turns when playing with a toy at the park, sharing your cookies with others, helping a wheelchair-bound grandpa in the yard, and saying (or hearing) "I love you" at bedtime. The illustrations are stylized and simple (like the cover picture). They illustrate the text but don't go much beyond that.

Compared to the inviting and charming Lots of Love, this felt like a "because it's good for you" teaching tale. Probably because it's intended to be a teaching book. The flaps are a fun idea, but I really doubt they'll last and it's unfortunate that much of the text is on the flap.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

For the Record by Regina Jennings

For the Record by Regina Jennings ISBN-13: 9780764211423 Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Released: Dec. 6, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
Betsy Huckabee knows that writing for her uncle's small-town newspaper will never lead to independence, and the bigger newspapers don't seem interested in the Hart County news. Trying a new approach, Betsy pens a romanticized serial for the ladies' pages, and the new deputy provides the perfect inspiration for her submissions. She'd be horrified if he read her breathless descriptions of him, but these articles are for a newspaper far away.

Deputy Joel Puckett didn't want to leave Texas, but this job in tiny Pine Gap is his only shot at keeping his badge. A young woman who tried to trap him into marriage ruined his reputation in the process. Now his skills and patience is test by dealing with vigilantes feeling that they are the real law. Not to mention Betsy's popping up to trail him, day and night.


My Review:
For the Record is a Christian historical romance set in 1885 in the Ozark Mountains. It's the third book in the series, but you don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one. I was in the mood for humor, and another reviewer said this story was funny. While some scenes were silly (like the hero mounted on a small, feisty pony), I didn't find the overall storyline funny.

The sheriff in Pine Gap is ineffectual, so some local men have taken to running dangerous men out of the area to make it safe. Several people explained the situation to Joel, and he's told that the vigilante activities will stop if he'll find and arrest the dangerous men. Yet Joel focused on arresting these vigilantes, and people got hurt because he went after the wrong people. It took half the book before he considered that maybe he's going about it wrong. I was frustrated with him, especially as figuring out what's really going on isn't too hard for the reader. By the time he started looking beyond the vigilantes, people weren't giving Joel the information he needed because they had no trust in him.

Incidentally, the story's not meant to be strongly historical. Betsy acted like a modern gal. She wasn't the least bit bothered by things like the hero's comment about hoping to sleep in her bed (which he didn't know was hers) or by being frequently alone at night in Joel's company. And Joel passionately kisses her several times before even officially courting her.

The Christian element was a brief mention or two that maybe Joel should rely on God instead of his own efforts. I don't recall him actually following this advise, though. There were no sex scenes or bad language.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Lots of Love by Kim Washburn

Lots of Love by Kim Washburn ISBN-13: 9780310758617 Board Book: 18 pages Publisher: Zonderkidz Released: Dec. 27, 2016

Source: Review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

Book Description from Booklook:
Lots of Love celebrates all the ways we show love—from hugs and kisses to sharing and helping others. The sweet rhymes and whimsical artwork in this board book illustrate the special bonds of love between families and friends. Perfect for young children, this book will make you want to snuggle with your little one as you two explore the greatest blessing of all—love!


My Review:
Lots of Love is a charming board book. It shows sweet, appropriate ways to show love to friends and family throughout an ordinary day. For example, her mother hugs her and she, in turn, hugs her sister and brothers. She helps clean up the craft supplies at school and gives the card she made to her teacher. And "Sitting with my best friends, / We laugh and talk and play. / I want to share some kindness / With all the words I say."

The Christian element explains why we should show love to others: "God fills my life with blessings. / He loves me through and through. / My heart is overflowing / And I want to show love too." The illustrations are nice and invite talk about the scenes since they illustrate the text but show even more. I liked that the people shown had a variety of skin tones. Overall, I'd highly recommend this board book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Lake District Murder by John Bude

The Lake District Murder by John Bude ISBN-13: 9781464206535 Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press Released: Dec. 6, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
When a body is found at an isolated garage, Inspector Meredith is drawn into a complex investigation where every clue leads to another puzzle: was this a suicide, or something more sinister? Why was the dead man planning to flee the country? And how is this connected to the shady business dealings of the garage? This classic mystery novel is set amidst the stunning scenery of a small village in the Lake District. It is now republished for the first time since the 1930s.


My Review:
The Lake District Murder is a mystery novel that was originally published in 1935 and is set in England. The mystery was a clue-based puzzle. We mainly follow the Inspector, who carefully followed up on every clue and strange circumstance until the puzzle is solved. I did guess what was going on before the detectives, but it was still enjoyable to see them solve exactly how it was being done. It wasn't so much about whodunit as how it was done and why. I also liked the main characters, so it was a fun read.

There was no sex. There was occasional use of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Egg Drop Dead by Laura Childs

Egg Drop Dead by Laura Childs ISBN-13: 9780425281703 Hardback: 288 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: Dec. 6, 2016

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Maintaining good personal relationships with their suppliers is one of the secrets of the Cackleberry Club Café’s success, so Suzanne doesn’t mind going out to Mike Mullen’s dairy farm to pick up some wheels of cheese. She’s looking forward to a nice visit with the mild-mannered farmer before heading back to their hectic kitchen.

But when she arrives, Mike’s nowhere to be found. The moaning of his cows leads her to look in the barn, where she discovers a bloodcurdling sight—the farmer’s dead body. Apparently not everyone was as fond of Mike Mullen as the Cackleberry Club.

Suzanne, Petra, and Toni vow to find the farmer’s murderer—but as they get closer to the truth, the desperate killer gets whipped into a frenzy and plans to put the squeeze on them.


My Review:
Egg Drop Dead is a cozy mystery. It's the seventh book in the series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this story didn't spoil the previous whodunits.

Suzanne and her friends were an enjoyable characters. The story took place around Halloween, so they participated in several Halloween activities. There was even a haunted house (well, forest) chase scene.

While there were clues, this wasn't really a "puzzle it out" mystery. Suzanne poked around, asked some questions, worked to save some horses, befriended one suspect, and didn't find any serious clues against the others. When the critical clue was finely uncovered, the story ended with a scene worthy of an action movie. The heroine saves the day!

There was occasional use of of bad language. There was no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this fun mystery/suspense novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Daughter of Joy by Kathleen Morgan

Daughter of Joy by Kathleen Morgan ISBN-13: 9781441217257 ebook: 261 pages Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company Released: September 1, 2007

Source: "Bought" (during a for-free offer) through Christianbook.com.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Abigail Stanton's whole life was rooted in her faith. In the wake of losing her husband and young son, Abby sets out, bereft and heartsick, to discover what God wants her to do. When she starts working for Conor MacKay, though, the very foundation of her beliefs starts to shift.

As the volatile rancher's new housekeeper, Abby is supposed to keep his house --- and his equally capricious little girl --- in order. Why, then, does she feel confusion, desire, and anything but order every time they are together? Conor tries to hide his own seething emotions beneath a cold facade, but the more ruthlessly he attacks Abby's faith, the more his defenses crack.

As Abby and Conor draw closer to the flame of their attraction, they must grapple with their deepest beliefs and fears. In opening their hearts again, both risk even greater loss for a chance at the greatest love of all.


My Review:
Daughter of Joy is a historical romance set in 1895 in Colorado. It has a common storyline: a lady becomes the housekeeper for a handsome but unkind man with an untamed child and she wins them over. We get some details about everyday life in 1895, but the historical aspect is mostly just a backdrop for the action.

The hero and heroine have some depth to their character and underlying motives which plays a nice role at the beginning and end to make the story unique. However, the middle felt a bit rushed. She decides to marry someone not a Christian in hopes her influence will make the difference. Suddenly everything from the man's past comes back--and seems easily overcome. Too easily. I would have liked it better if his struggle had been a little more developed here. Then she realizes he hasn't changed, really, but is simply doing what she asks because he wants her. At this point, the story slows down and explores their struggles and conflicting emotions again.

I do not find unkind men to be attractive even if they are handsome, so I couldn't quite relate to that. But I could accept that she was attracted to him based on her past and because he wasn't always unkind.

The Christian element was woven into the story. Their religious beliefs were a part of their lives, their past, and motivated their actions. The characters' theology wasn't always correct. It bothered me that a Christian friend was strongly encouraging the heroine to marry someone not a Christian, among other things. However, I didn't get the feeling that we were being asked to accept these conclusions as true but as what flawed, confused humans come up with.

There were no sex scenes or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.