Monday, November 16, 2015

RESCUING FINLEY, by Dan Walsh


Finley is a golden retriever mix, a dog with a heart made for love, and with a dog's view of life. Of course, what else could he have? He is a dog. One of the delights of reading Rescuing Finley is being allowed to see how a dog reacts on the inside when his world is shaken on the outside.
    Amy is a young woman who has made some drastic mistakes in her life. Rescuing Finley takes the reader into Amy's life, sharing the pain and confusion she faces each day.
    We first meet Chris when he is serving in Afghanistan, then again after his discharge. Through Chris, readers have a clear look at the mental torments of PTSD.
    Dan Walsh's skills at drawing readers into his heart-warming stories shine in Rescuing Finley. Told from three points of view, this is a story of redemption, changed lives, and new beginnings. I'll just say that Finley is not the only one being rescued.
    I loved this book, and have to confess to a few tears now and then as I read. One of the things I liked most was learning how certified dog trainers approach the task of turning a rambunctious puppy into a well-behaved companion dog. It gave me insights into how to respond to my own dog's actions.
    Whether you're a dog lover or not, Rescuing Finley is a book you won't be able to put down once you start reading. I highly recommend this story!

    My thanks to the author for providing my review copy.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

KEEPING CHRISTMAS, by Dan Walsh

This is the first Christmas that Judith and Stan Winters have spent without their children and grandchildren at home. Jobs have taken the young families to distant states, and somehow Judith can't summon the energy to celebrate the season. Her depression has her husband and friends worried. Nothing they do to try to cheer her makes any difference. Reading about Judith's struggles is sure to resonate with empty-nesters everywhere.
    I loved the "Ugly Ornaments" in the story--a box filled with handmade ornaments from the children's growing-up years. The contents of the box made me smile, thinking of the "ugly ornaments" that go on my tree every year. It wouldn't be a Christmas tree without them.
    In true Dan Walsh fashion, he leads the reader to a surprise conclusion that kept me turning the pages to see what would happen.
    I recommend Keeping Christmas as a great gift for the person on your list who loves warm-hearted holiday fiction. This book will leave them smiling. (Be sure to buy a copy for yourself, too.)
    My thanks to the author and Revell for providing my review copy.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

MURDER AT THE COURTHOUSE, by A. H. Gabhart


    Hidden Springs, Kentucky, was supposed to be a peaceful little town where nothing serious ever happened. That’s the reason Michael Keane left a big-city police department to become a deputy in his hometown.
    Then one morning a dead body is discovered on the courthouse steps, and as a result the community is in an uproar. Everyone has a theory as to why a stranger would end up murdered in Hidden Springs, of all places. When the mystery spreads from a truant young man to long-ago deaths, Michael is forced to question everything he ever believed about his hometown.   
    Gabhart has done a masterful job with Murder at the Courthouse, her first venture into writing a mystery. Fans of Ann H. Gabhart's previous books will recognize her warm touch with small town characters, along with her skill at providing readers with a page-turner of a story. I loved Murder at the Courthouse, and look forward to reading the next book in the Hidden Springs Mysteries series.
Two thumbs up!

    My thanks to the author and Revell for providing a copy of this book for review purposes.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Through Waters Deep, by Sarah Sundin



       Self-effacing Mary Stirling's job in the Boston Navy Yard keeps her out of the spotlight, which is just what she wants. At the launching of a new ship, she encounters naval officer Jim Avery--a childhood friend. The two of them begin to spend time together, although Mary knows Jim's heart belongs to her best friend.
    When signs of sabotage appear on the ship to which Jim is assigned, Mary becomes interested in solving the crimes. She and Jim grow closer as they share suspicions, with Mary ever mindful that Jim is only interested in learning the saboteur's identity.
    Through Waters Deep drew me in on two levels. The novel is set during the months leading up to World War II, and the historical background fascinated me. I hadn't been aware of the deep divisions between Interventionists and Isolationists prior to Pearl Harbor. On a story-telling level, Through Waters Deep explores the lives of two people who are each overcoming childhood guilt as they strive become the person they were meant to be.
    As with her previous books, Sarah Sundin's wartime scenes are breathtaking. I love the authenticity she brings to the story. Oh, and Jim and Mary? You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens. You won't be disappointed.

    My thanks to the author and Revell for my review copy.
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