Crushing Depths (Coastal Guardians)

Crushing Depths 

(Coastal Guardians #2) 

Paperback – ebook, audio, hardback

June 30, 2020

by Dani Pettrey  (Author)

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; 6/1 edition 
• ISBN-13: 978-0764230851

They know the power and peril of the ocean.
But as they get closer to the deadly truth . . .
An even greater danger lurks just beneath the surface.

When an accident claims the life of an oil-rig worker, Coast Guard Investigators Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers are flown to the scene thirty-eight miles from shore. Tensions aboard the rig are high, and the death has everyone on edge. Environmental activists are threatening to do whatever it takes to stop the "plague on the environment" from continuing its work. Meanwhile, rumors are circulating on board about an ancient curse lurking in the depths below.

Mounting evidence shows the death might not have been an accident. Was the man killed by one of the activists or, more frighteningly, a member of his own crew? Rissi and Mason have to sort through not only numerous suspects, but also their own haunted pasts and their attraction to each other.

Just as the case seems about to break open, worse news arrives: a tropical storm has turned their way. Now they're cut off from any rescue--right where the killer wants them.

My thoughts (lvh):  THE CRUSHING DEPTHS is the second book in this series (The first is The Killing Tide)  but it easily stands alone. This series follows a CGIS team as they work together to investigate a death at sea.... and discover way more than they expected.

A second chance love, a strong faith message, and plenty of action keep the pages turning. I couldn't wait to see what happens next and now I'm anxious for the next book.

There were some expected cases of who-dun-it and why and some out-right surprises.  

Grab your copy today!  Ms. Pettrey is one of my favorite romantic suspense writers,

I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.    

Heart of a Hero (Global Search and Rescue #2)

Heart of a Hero 

(Global Search and Rescue #2) 

Paperback – ebook, hard cover

June 2, 2020

by Susan May Warren (Author)

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Revell; 5/1 edition 
• ISBN-13: 978-0800735852

Jake Silver may not be able to put the memories of his time as a sniper and Navy SEAL behind him, but at least he can put his skills to use as a part of the Jones Inc. rescue team. Saving the life of pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Aria Sinclair on Denali helped too. Now he can't get her out of his head, and when he hears she is in the path of a hurricane down in Key West he can't help but jump on a plane to rescue her.

Aria has dedicated her life to helping children born with defective hearts. After all, she was one of those children. Now driven to succeed, she lives a lonely, stressful life. One she would have lost on Denali if it hadn't been for Jake. Jake is exciting and handsome, but he's also dangerous, and she's already lost one person she loves. She can't bear it again.

It's not until she finds herself trapped in the middle of a category 4 hurricane that she can admit she needs Jake desperately. With their very survival in the balance, can they hope for a second chance at life . . . and love?

My thoughts (lvh):  THE HEART OF A  HERO is book 2 in Susan May Warren's newest series. Fans will want to read book 1  (The Way of the Brave) first as Aria and Jake's story begins there.

Jake is a former Navy Seal, and he carries a lot of baggage.  Aria also struggles with her sister's death. 

HEART OF A HERO contains nonstop action, adventure, romance, suspense and best of all, the Coast Guard, all set  during a category 5  hurricane. There is also a very strong faith message.

I couldn't put this book down. There were a few twists (one surprised me) and one thing I saw coming but didn't...at least not in this book.

I highly recommend this book and series.

I  was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

The Heart of Mercy (Georgia Peaches)

The Heart of Mercy 

(Georgia Peaches #4) 

Paperback – ebook

July 3, 2020

by Tanya Eavenson  (Author), V. McKevitt (Illustrator)

• Paperback: 138 pages
• Publisher: All Roads Publishing
• ISBN-13: 978-1945981081

To one, hope is a gift. To the other, a lie. To both, it's what binds them. Mercy Cunningham runs a homeless shelter and soup kitchen in Atlanta. Dismissive of her noble work among the destitute, her father continually pesters her to work for his Fortune-500 corporation. A bedraggled stranger visits the soup kitchen and catches Mercy’s attention. Not because of the piercing gaze almost hidden behind his facial hair, but because something seems off about him. Noah Allen is not the pastor, or even the man, he once was. The single-blow death of his wife and child made sure of that, as did a raging opioid addiction. Blaming himself for their deaths, he wanders the country without a destination and without a desire to find one. Then, Mercy finds him.

Marilyn's Thoughts:  The Heart of Mercy is an inspirational story of how Mercy followed God’s leading for her life instead of following the ways of her dad, who had a Fortune 500 business. Noah is a broken man when he appeared at The Lighthouse, the homeless shelter Mercy gave all she had to. Mercy was drawn to Noah as she saw something in him that she hadn’t seen in other homeless residents. Time and finding new purpose Noah felt the need to leave. Will he be able to forget Mercy or her calling to serve the less fortunate when he returns to his leveled home?

Eavenson created another touching story set in Atlanta for Georgia Peaches series. This book brought healing, forgiveness, acceptance and new beginnings to the characters. I highly recommend reading The Heart of Mercy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via BookFunnel and was not required to write a positive review. I have shared my own thoughts. 

  

Book Spotlight: The Carousel Painter by Judith Miller

The Carousel Painter 

by Judith Miller

Paperback – ebook, hardcover, audio

• Print Length: 339 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
• Publication Date: September 1, 2009
• ASIN: B00B853P9O

Without the means to support herself after her father dies, Carrington Brouwer receives the opportunity to use her artistic talent at her friend's father's carousel factory. But the men at the factory are not happy that a woman has been given the very desirable job of painting the elaborately carved horses. When mishaps occur at the factory and jewelry disappears from the home of the factory owner, accusations swirl. Is the handsome young factory manager truly Carrie's ally or will he side with those who believe she should be fired?

About Judith Miller

Judith is an award winning and best-selling author of historical fiction for Bethany House Publishers. With a love of history, a dash of romance and a touch of mystery, Judith transports her readers to another time and place. Her passion for history and love of God keep her inspired. Judith and her husband are empty-nesters who live in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Judy blogs with four other historical novelists at www.writespassage.blogspot.com

The Berenstain Bears Honesty Counts (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights: A Faith Story)

The Berenstain Bears Honesty Counts (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights: A Faith Story) 

Paperback – EBook, Audio

March 3, 2020

by Mike Berenstain  (Author)

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
• Grade Level: Preschool - 3
• Series: Berenstain Bears/Living Lights: A Faith Story
• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: Zonderkidz (March 3, 2020)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031076372X
• ISBN-13: 978-0310763727

In The Berenstain Bears Honesty Counts the Bear family is headed out for the annual cub campout and are especially excited about the canoe race down Rapid River. Who will win the big race and ribbons? The competition between Brother and Sister’s team and Too-Tall’s gang is fierce. But when Too-Tall and his gang decide that winning is the most important thing—even more important than telling the truth—Preacher Brown makes sure the cubs remember just how important honesty is!

This fun, new book in the popular Zonderkidz Living Lights series—beloved by parents, grandparents, children, and grandchildren alike—will earn a quick spot on your child’s bookshelf. But not for long! Your child will want to read along with you again and again as the kid-friendly text and easy-to-read, easy-to-remember Scripture verses teach valuable life lessons, encourage discussion, and take you down memory lane with each subsequent reading.

Parents and grandparents looking for a Bible-based, read aloud story that encourages faith in Jesus and instills a love of reading in their children and grandchildren need look no further than the newest book in the Living Lights series—The Berenstain Bears Honesty Counts.

My thoughts (lvh): THE BERENSTAIN BEARS HONESTY COUNTS contains a wonderful lesson about honesty when the cubs go to summer camp. A canoe race is fun and challenging until another teams wins by cheating! Will they get away with it? Valuable lessons included. For preschoolers - eight year olds.

Recommended for bear fans and children.

I was given a copy free.  All opinions are my own.

Our Homes, or Our Minds and Hearts? by Heidi Dru Kortman

Text: John 10:38-42

“She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. . . Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

On the most obvious levels, this is a story of two able-bodied women who decided to open their home to Jesus and his apostles. What significance should it hold for us?

Although we do not bustle about as quickly as average people, we do take on activities and make promises intending to honor God. What happened to Martha can also happen to us. If we allow it, our commitments will overwhelm our attention. We may also worry too much about daily duties and necessities, since these take us more effort to arrange. Do you see how easy it is to overlook the miraculous fact: God is with us, waiting to talk to us?

Because our physical mobility takes so much of our effort, we frequently spend more time “just sitting.” Do we take sufficient advantage of this time to cherish our connection with God, or do we allow our minds to run on useless “hamster wheels” of preoccupation? Our jobs, homes, and finances can change at a moment’s notice. If our minds are always stuck on temporary events or actions, we hinder our souls in attempting to learn the indestructible eternal things that make our efforts useful in God’s plans. How much does our distraction from Jesus and his words detract from our witness by making us irritable? Let’s make a daily effort to mimic Mary, who chose to listen and receive the gifts of God that no one, and no situation can ever take away.

Heidi Dru Kortman DTM

God's gifts and call are irrevocable.

heididrukortman.com.

Heidi Dru Kortman, a CWG Apprentice graduate, ACFW member since 2004, and Word Weaver member has published devotionals in various newsletters, and a collected volume of devotionals. Her poetry, flash fiction, and short stories have appeared in small magazines, and a website. She is applying herself to the task of writing smoothly polished fiction.

Book Spotlight: Devil in the Dust

Devil in the Dust 

Paperback – ebook, audio

April 6, 2017

by Cara Luecht  (Author)

Paperback: 308 pages

Publisher: Heritage Beacon Fiction 

ISBN-13: 978-1946016072

June 1933 . . . Their  small Oklahoma town is dying. Lillian remembers how acres and acres of wheat once waved under jewel-blue skies. Now the dirt stretches across the flat land as far as she can see.

Emma's husband is missing. She keeps house, keeps her five children fed as best as she can, and keeps smiling as her hope fades. But when the days stretch to weeks, she faces the possibility that he will never come home. Left with the likelihood of losing their farm, and the ever-present pangs of hunger, she is forced to consider opportunities that, under normal circumstances, she would never contemplate.

Jessie, Emma's oldest daughter, completes her tasks as if numb. Forced to wear her mother's shoes to avoid the humiliation of bare feet, she watches the dead, dirt road for signs of life.

And then he comes.

His new car and shiny shoes and generous way with gifts and money catch Jessie's eye, much to the dismay of her mother … and much to the concern of the minister's wife, Lillian. He's too smooth, too willing to help, and much too eager to spend time with a girl less than half his age. But who is to say he is not the miracle they all prayed for?

Lillian and her husband stand by, helpless, as they realize that the winds carry more than one kind of evil, and as they are all forced to decide where the evil lies: in hunger, or in hope.

---

About Cara Luecht

Cara

Cara Luecht lives in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin with her husband, David, and their children. Cara has earned a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, an MFA in Creative Writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary.