Lethal Target

Janice Cantore is a retired Long Beach police officer who now writes suspense novels to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired.  Her twenty-two years of experience on the force lend authenticity to her stories.  She has penned ten romantic suspense novels:
the Cold Case Justice series, the Pacific Coast Justice series, Critical Pursuit, and Visible Threat.  Crisis Shot and Lethal Target are the first two books in the Line of Duty series.

Police Chief Tess O'Rourke thought she'd taken care of her small town's drug problem last year.  But now Rogue's Hollow residents are up in arms over a contentious vote on legalizing the sale of marijuana within city limits.  And when an eighteen-year-old is found dead of a possible opioid overdose, Tess wonders if the local pot farms might be involved and begins to fear that a new, deadlier drug supply chain has cropped up.  As tempers flare and emotions boil over, Tess faces the possibility of losing the town's support.
With her relationship to Sergeant Steve Logan on shaky ground, Tess could really use a friend, and she feels drawn to Pastor Oliver Macpherson's quiet presence.  But the anger she holds over her father's death prevents her from embracing his faith and finding peace.
Battling storms within and without, Tess is shocked when a familiar face from her past shows up in town to stir up more trouble.  And his threats against Tess may prove lethal.

My Thoughts:
Cantore has knocked the Romantic Suspense ball out of the ballpark with her Line of Duty series.  Readers first encounter Tess O'Rourke in the first book, Crisis Shot and the second book, Lethal Target, continues Tess's faith journey and time in Rogue's Hollow. 
Cantore's protagonist, Tess O'Rourke, is well-developed and I was drawn to her immediately in the first book.  In Lethal Target, Cantore incorporates the faith element fluidly and in a non-preachy way.  Tess's growth is so uplifting to follow.  And the romance element is suspenseful in itself!  Who will Tess end up with?  The third book releases Summer 2019.  I guess we'll have to wait until then!
*I was given a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Happy Reading Ya'll,
Jennifer

The Biggest Win: Pro Football Players Tackle Faith

Joshua Cooley is a sports writing veteran of 20-plus years for various print and online publications, including Sports Illustrated, FCA Magazine, Sports Spectrum, Orioles Magazine, Clubhouse, and Highlights.  He is also the author of The One Year Devotions With Jesus and the Heroes of the Bible Devotional, among other books.  Josua is the full-time children's minister at Chapel Hill Bible Church in North Carolina.

The Biggest Win gives athletes and sports fans of all ages a unique, insider's look into the lives and faith of six Christian NFL players from the 2017 Philadelphia Eagle's Super Bowl team - Carson Wentz, Nick Foles, Zach Ertz, Trey Burton, Jordan Hicks, and Chris Maragos - in particular, how these high-profile athletes remain committed to God's word, genuine Christian discipleship, and sharing their faith.  Using their voices and stories, The Biggest Win gives sports-minded readers hope and direction for living our their faith while competing, as well as providing a helpful resource for pastors, youth and college leaders, and coaches to use as a small group resource with students interested in sports.



My Thoughts:
My thirteen-year-old son is an avid sports fan...he eats, lives, and breathes sports.  He is currently on the A-team as the starting power forward on his junior high basketball team.  My husband and I are very proud of him and enjoy watching him play and grow, but more than being on the "A-team", as his parents, we want our son to know the Lord and grow in Him.  We want him to excel in his sports' abilities but more so we want him to grow in his desire and faithfulness to God.
I'm thankful for Cooley and his book, The Biggest Win. Cooley highlights the faith stories of six NFL players who are living out their faith in God both on and off the field.  My son has been reading this book and I've noticed the bookmark move slowly as he has been using the book devotionally.  I particularly appreciate the questions for reflection at the end of each section.  My son and I have had great conversations as he has moved his way through the book.  
Well-written and full of practical examples for application of deep biblical truth, Cooley has made this mama of a sports-loving teenage boy glad.  I feel like I have someone that has come alongside me in helping me point my son's eyes and heart truly toward the biggest win.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher - New Growth Press.  All opinions stated here are my own.

Happy Reading Ya'll,
Jennifer

Defiant Joy

Stasi Eldredge is a New York Times bestselling author.  Her books have sold more than 3 million copies and changed women's lives all over the world.  A teacher and conference speaker, Stasi is the director of the women's ministry at Ransomed Heart and leads Captivating retreats internationally.  Her passion is to see lives transformed by the beauty of the gospel.  She and her family make their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

We are called to live.  And, miraculously, to live with joy.

We all spend a lot of energy reaching for happiness, but we are never quite able to hang on to it.  Real life happens, and our circumstances take us on an emotional rollercoaster ride.  So the Bible's call to "be joyful always" sounds almost crazy - and out of reach.  But it doesn't have to be.
Joy is meant to be ours, a joy that is defiant in the face of this broken world.  This joy is not simply happiness on steroids; it's the unyielding belief that sorrow and loss do not have the final say.  It's the stubborn determination to be present to whatever may come and to interpret both goodness and grief by the light of heaven.
Stasi Eldredge invites us with courage, candor, and tender vulnerability to a place beyond sadness or happiness.  She shows us how to maintain a posture of holy defiance that neither denies nor diminishes our pain but dares to live with expectant, unwavering hope.

My Thoughts:
The past couple of years have been hard for our family.  Life has just been heavy and at times I've been so overcome with anxiety, I haven't been able to breathe.  Eldredge's book, Defiant Joy, could not have come my way at a better time.

"Defiant means to stand against the tide.  It means to go against the flow, even when the flow is composed of a strong current of despair and difficulty."

Eldredge's genuine sharing of her own story and transparency regarding her fight to hang onto joy has been a balm to my soul.  She holds high where the source of our joy comes from - Jesus.

"And then we turned our hearts to the One Who is our hope in the face of loss and untold grief.  Because of Jesus - His death, His resurrection, and His ascension - we chose to honor Him and celebrate that He has won and is winning still."

I appreciated the candor in which Eldredge shared truths from God's Word and how they transformed her mind and heart and have emboldened her to be defiantly joyful.

" By the life of Christ in us, we oppose death and destruction.  We dissent by casting our vote against the belief that sorrow and endless suffering win.  Instead we welcome life, love, and the full work of Christ to bring all of His goodness into every aspect of our and His domains.  We comply with truth.  We obey our God.  We respect His authority and His final say.  We overcome evil with good.  We defy hatred by embracing love.  We choose joy."

If you find it hard at times to be "joyful always"...Eldredge's book will and the truth she shares will be a welcoming salve and encouragement.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book.  All opinions here are my own.

Blessings,
Jennifer

(in)Courage Devotional Bible and Giveaway

The CSB (in)courage Devotional Bible is an invitation for all women to find their stories within the tapestry of the greatest story ever told - God's story of redemption.

Featuring devotions by over one hundred writers of the (in)courage community, the CSB (in)courage Devotional Bible provides resources for women to explore the Bible, dive deep into Scripture, record their own stories, and find themselves among friends.

• 312 devotions by 122 (in)courage community writers
• 10 Distinct thematic reading plans
• 66 book introductions connecting each book of the Bible to the whole biblical narrative
• stories of courage from 50 women of the Bible
• journaling space
• topical index
• two-column text
• theme verses

My Thoughts:
The (in)courage Devotional Bible is an aesthetically beautiful  Bible.  This Bible carries the CSB text which is widely becoming a chosen and trusted version by many.  
Devotional themes covered are:

• Beautiful Brokenness
• Better Together
• Daily Grace
• Everyday Leadership
• Friendship on Purpose
• Hope in the Hard
• Imperfect Hospitality
• Intentional Gratitude
• Second Chances The Scared Brave

Beautiful colors are used throughout the Bible making it easy to follow the devotional themes and reading plans.
I especially appreciated the journaling space provided on each page of the biblical text.  My only criticism is that the pages are really thin so I would provide a word of caution as to the choice of pen/marker used.  I have found the Pigma Micron 05 pens to be the best in not bleeding through the thinnest Bible pages.
The (in)courage Devotional Bible would be a great Christmas gift for someone special in your life and a great way to encourage consistent time in God's Word.  This Bible is not only beautiful in its aesthetics but more so in the clear way it exalts God's plan of redemption from Genesis to Revelation.

Learn more about this resource by visiting HERE.

*I was provided a complimentary copy from the publisher.  All opinions stated here are my own.

You can enter to win your own copy of this devotional Bible by going HERE.

Many Blessings,
Jennifer

Hidden Peril

Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than fifty contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels, including Dangerous Illusions.  In addition to her many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America.  She is also a member of TWA'a elite Hall of Fame and has received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews.  All of her suspense novels have been ECPA/CBA bestsellers.
Connect with Irene on her website:  www.irenehannon.com.

The most dangerous enemy is the one who has nothing to lose.

As teenagers, Kristin Dane and her two best friends took a vow to make the world a better place.  Twenty years later, she's fulfilling that pledge through her fair trade shop that features products from around the world.  All is well until, one by one, people connected to the shop begin dying.

Detective Luke Carter, new to the St. Louis PD, wants to know why.  Before he can answer that question, however, the FBI weighs in and Kristin suddenly finds herself in the middle of international intrigue -  and in the sights of the ruthless mastermind behind an ingenious and deadly scheme.  Can this cold-blooded killer be stopped before more people die...including Kristin?

My Thoughts:
Irene Hannon has long been a favorite suspense author to me.  She writes great suspense that keeps me engaged until the last page is turned and weaves a romantic piece into her stories that never comes across as forced or syrupy sweet but genuine.
Hidden Peril was a ball knocked out of the ballpark for Hannon.  I loved how she peppered the backstory for Luke and Kristin in a way that as the story progressed I felt like I was gaining two new friends.  Hannon is a master of in-depth characterization and edge of your seat suspense.  I thought I had an idea about this one due to the way Hannon expertly wrote the "bad guy's" character, but still in the end I just sat back and said, "Wow!"  Grab Hidden Peril...you won't be disappointed!
*I received a complimentary copy of the book.  All opinions are my own.

Happy Reading Ya'll,
Jennifer

Playing for More: Trust Beyond What You Can See

Case Keenum has traveled one of the most unique paths of any NFL quarterback.  Case received only one scholarship offer, from the University of Houston, and went undrafted despite breaking multiple NCAA football passing records.  He has overcome every obstacle to become a successful starting quarterback.  In 2017, Keenum captured America's imagination by leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 13-3 record and an NFC North title.  His game-winning touchdown in the final seconds of their divisional playoff game against the Saints, the "Minneapolis Miracle," made Case part of NFL history.
Keenum holds the all-time college football mark for passing yards, touchdown passes, total touchdowns, and completions.  He was Conference USA Freshman of the year in 2007, Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year in 2008, and Conference USA Most Valuable Player in 2009 and 2011.  He is one of only two quarterbacks to win the Sammy Baugh Award for the nation's outstanding passer twice.
Keenum signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2012.  He has a record of 20-18 as an NFL starter with the Texans, Rams, and Vikings.  He posted career-highs in passing yards and touchdowns with Minnesota in 2017 and signed with the Denver Broncos in March 2018.

* Andrew Perloff (co-author) is an on-air personality on the television and radio sports talk program "The Dan Patrick Show" and contributing writer for SportsIllustrated.com.  Perloff interviewed Keenum for a Sports Illustrated feature in 2013 and has covered him throughout his NFL career.

My Thoughts:
My 13-year-old son, who absolutely devours sports figure biographies, read and loved this book.  The book is a shorter, just under 200 pages, volume but held my son's attention.  Case's story is told in a conversational tone.  My son kept coming to me as he read telling me some about the different pieces of Case's life.
Case clearly presents his faith in the book...

"Faith is the foundation for everything.  I play for an audience of One.  I don't just play for the name on the front or the back of my jersey.  I play to glorify God.  Life is too hard to go about it alone."

I'm thankful that Case Keenum shared his faith story with us through this well-written book.  Our sons and daughters need more role-models like Case.

*I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher.  All opinions here are my own.

Happy Reading Ya'll,
Jennifer

Miles From Where We Started

Drawing from 33 years as writer/producer and on-air voice actor for the daily 15-minute radio broadcast The Heartbeat of the Home, Cynthia Ruchti now tells stories hemmed-in-hope through novels, nonfiction, devotionals, and at speaking events for women.  Her books have received numerous awards, including the Carol Award, Christian Retailing's BEST Award, and Inspirational Readers/ Choice Award, as well as being a finalist for the Christy Awards and TR Reviews Inspirational Novel of the Year.
Cynthia serves on the worship team at her church and as the professional relations liaison for ACFW.  She's a member of AWSA, WFWA, is represented by Wendy Lawton of Books & Such Literary Management and recently joined the Books & Such team as a literary agent.
Cynthia and her husband live in WI not far from their three children and five grandchildren.

You would be blessed to connect with Cynthia through...

• Website:  www.cynthiaruchti.com
• Facebook:  CynthiaRuchtiReaderPage
• Instagram:  @cynthiaruchti1994
• Twitter:  @cynthiaruchti
• Pinterest:  @cynthiaruchti
• YouTube:  @hopeglows

These no-longer newlyweds want out of this road trip and their marriage.  Too bad they can't find the off-ramp.

Weeks away from their one-year wedding anniversary, Mallory and Connor Duncan can't even agree on how to end their marriage.  But when a last-minute crisis lands them on a three-thousand-mile road trip together, Mallory wonders if their story may not be over after all.

The trip begins to unravel before the key is even in the ignition.  When an at-risk, trouble-seeking eleven-year-old is unexpectedly thrown into their travel plans, close quarters get even tighter.  Soon, the couple believes this whole experience will spell disaster.

Their first year of marriage hasn't been the arm-in-arm togetherness Mallory and Connor expected.  But is it possible they will find a new beginning at the end of the road?

My Thoughts:
Typically I don't highlight or underline in Fiction books.  But, when I am reading a Cynthia Ruchti book a highlighter/pen is close at hand.  Her latest, Miles From Where We Started, proved to drain the highlighter dry.  This book is not one to be read quickly but savored.  Ruchti's writing in Miles From Where We Started is poetic.  There were times in Connor and Mallory's story that I had to just stop and ponder things before moving on.  I appreciated fully experiencing the journey from both Mallory and Connor's perspectives.  Ruchti kindled my emotions and as I turned the last page I was undone in the best possible way.  With admonishments like...

"This is not how our story ends."

"Forgive more than you think you should have to."

"Start living with what I'd been dealt and with the blessing that came out of the risk."

"Freedom," she said, "has a lot more to do with contentment than the absence of boundaries." 

"It turns out a family can drown in more and thrive with less."

 you will come away from this story not quickly forgetting the characters or the snippets of inspiration for quite some time.  One last thought...hope, there is always hope.

*I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher.  All opinions stated here are my own.

Happy Reading Ya'll,
Jennifer