Review of “Someone Found” by Teresa Tysinger

This is the third book in the Laurel Cove series. They do not have to be read together nor in order though I would just because I prefer to read books in a series in order especially when some of the characters from the previous books show up in future books. Someone Found starts out with an action packed scene which really grabbed my attention. It is also how the two main characters, Quinn McAlister and Eli Moreland, meet for the first time. Each of these characters bring an intriguing dynamic to the book with their very different personalities. And the best thing is that the main characters’ personalities are not the only good ones. You know it is going to be an excellent book when you love the secondary characters just as much as the main ones. I love the North Carolina mountains and find myself wishing that I could visit this town and these people.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in order to give an honest review.

Review of “The Weight of Memory” by Shawn Smucker

This is the third book I have read by Shawn Smucker. Unlike the other ones, I do not feel as if I am coming into the middle of a story. However, I would have been a little lost had I not read what the book was about first. For reasons unknown to me, I feel like this book is reading slower for me than other books. I am thinking that one reason may be that it is written in first person. Also, every once and awhile the story goes back to the past without much warning. I know there is a lot of symbolism in this book but for some reason it’s going over my head. All that being said, it is still an intriguing book and quite puzzling enough to where I’m wondering what will happen. If you like thought provoking novels, then you will like this story.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in order to give an honest review.

Review of “Bookshop by the Sea” by Denise Hunter

I am a huge fan of Denise Hunter. I love that a lot of her books are set in North Carolina and this book is no exception. Also if you have read her Bluebell Inn series then you will recognize a character in this book. Not only was I drawn into this book by the setting but also the storyline as well as the gorgeous cover. This book takes place by the beach in a town called Piper’s Cove. The main character, Sophie Lawson, has moved there in order to open up her very own bookshop which she has named Bookshop by the Sea. Due to her sister’s wedding to her ex-boyfriend’s best friend and also a hurricane canceling his flight, she gets stuck with her ex-boyfriend, Aiden Maddox. Unfortunately, Sophie also has a lot of family drama. Her entire family seems to think that she is their personal assistant. I really enjoyed this book but I will say that every time one of her family called her only to ask a favor I found myself wanting to jump in and say can’t you handle some things for yourself. I would definitely like a sequel to this novel and I would definitely recommend anyone who likes good beach reads to read this book.

Review of “Hope Between the Pages” by Pepper Basham

This is the first book I have read by Pepper Basham and it will not be the last. One of the obvious reasons I picked up this book is because it is set in North Carolina and more specifically at Biltmore Estates. But I also decided to read it because it has such an intriguing storyline. It is a split time novel. When reading this book, I also discovered to my delight that it is set at Christmas which is the best time to visit Biltmore Estates if you ever get a chance to go. I love how the author wove the two timelines together in this book. I noticed that one character’s name was mentioned in the wrong timeline once. That surprised me in a way because if I tried to write a split time book I feel like I would have done that more by accident. As I read this, I could picture myself in the places that were being described which is partially because I have been able to go to Biltmore Estates at Christmas as well as Biltmore Village. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in order to give an honest review.

Review of “Courageous Joy: Delight in God through Every Season” by (in)courage

This Bible study is the second of four within incourage’s courageous Bible study series. Like the first study it is also six weeks worth of study with five days of homework within each week. One of the things that makes this study different than other Bible studies out there is that each day starts with a story from a different person within the incourage community authors. Unlike other studies I have done in the past, this one does not have a section for the videos within the book. Also, the videos seem to be available for free through incourage.me/leaderguides for those to whom would like to lead a small group or those to whom would like to do this own their own but want to be able to watch the videos. Like the first Bible study in this series, Courageous Simplicity, this study asks some very thought provoking application/personal questions as well as the questions about what scripture is saying.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in order to give an honest review.