Monday, April 25, 2022

Review ~ WILLOW (The Metcalfes #2) by Ronie Kendig



About the Book

To save her, he must become the evil he fights.

Aftercare specialist Willow Metcalfe joined Mission: Liberate Everyone to help trafficking survivors navigate the healing process. When MiLE’s Obioma Compound is attacked by the Nigerian mafia, she’s taken hostage. Against nightmarish odds, she and the victims attempt an escape—and are thwarted.

A decade after leaving his beloved homeland, Chijioke “Chiji” Okorie returns to find his sister and fight for his own country. Believing a global trafficking ring behind her abduction and a string of kidnappings across Nigeria, he goes undercover to find the head of the serpent and his sister. Chiji is stunned to discover among the hostages a familiar face—a friend’s sister, Willow. The woman he vowed years ago to marry.

The man who has interfered with her escape attempts seems … familiar, kind—but Willow knows better. He reeks of the warrior ethos that has devoured many a good man. Engaged in an impossible battle and losing at every turn, Chiji is determined to complete his missions—all of them. Even if it kills him.

Purchase: Amazon

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My Review 4.5 STARS

I’ve been anxiously awaiting WILLOW’s story since STONE came out in January. Kendig does a commendable job expressing the horrific circumstances that these victims are under. It is not for the faint of heart. I'm sure it must take an emotional toll when submerging oneself into the research required to execute a story like this. I know my own emotions were ripped during certain scenes.

Willow was not what I was expecting but she surprised me with a strength and dignity that comes out in remarkable ways. While she seems irrational at times, her heart is kind, compassionate, and truly loving toward others.

Chiji has a remarkably strong and resolute faith in God. He is a warrior in more ways than one and is always challenging Willow, reminding her that she can trust in God. His show of strength and abiding faith during some of the most degrading and horrific times is what spurs her on to explore reclaiming a relationship with Christ. And he’s beautiful. Yep. Beautiful. J

Of course, in fiction there will always be some astonishing things taking place that might not be quite believable but this is a potent novel that needs to be read. And more cameos from other Metcalfes take place, best of all Canyon (of course)! I actually teared up when he appeared suddenly in one scene. Kendig managed, once again, to draw out multiple emotions. I highly recommend WILLOW to anyone who is looking for something with a little more grit than roses.

I was provided an early digital copy of the book from the author. I also purchased my own copy. No compensation has been received.


Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Rebecca Reviews ~ The Catch (US Marshals #3) by Lisa Harris


About the Book

After a harrowing attempt on a judge's life at the courthouse, Deputy US Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn are tasked with finding a missing woman and an endangered child in connection to the murder of the judge's wife. What seems like a fairly straightforward case becomes hopelessly tangled when the marshals discover that the woman they are searching for is in witness protection and the Amber Alert put out for the missing child has put two lives in danger.

Madison and Jonas are forced into a race to find the woman and the child before the men who want her dead discover her location. And in a final showdown that could cost her everything, Madison will come face-to-face with the person who murdered her husband.

USA Today bestselling author Lisa Harris concludes her thrilling US Marshals series with this breathless tale of secrets kept, lies exposed, and ultimately, justice prevailing.

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Rebecca's Review - 3.5 stars

"Four months ago Madison had been shot in her own home. He'd found her lying on the kitchen floor in a pool of blood . . . . . But the most puzzling part of her injuries had the been the partial amnesia. . . she still didn't know who had pulled that trigger."

Now U. S. Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn are tasked with finding the killer of another woman shot in her own home; a local judge's wife . . . . except when confronted with video evidence of who had been in his home, Judge Saylor insists that his young mistress could never have pulled the trigger. But case gets even more curious; not only has Becca Lambert gone on the run, but the woman tasked with baby-sitting her newborn son is missing . . . along with the infant.

Being thrown into a new case wasn't exactly how Madison and Jonas had expected to be re-united after Jonas' lengthy absence. They had missed each other during the weeks Jonas underwent rigorous training for a Special Operations Group, and yet Madison was still struggling with the same underlying circumstances; until she solved her husband's murder, she wasn't willing to put someone else that she loved (yes, loved) in the cross-hairs of a killer . . . . and Madison knew without a shadow of doubt that she was being watched.

"I'm learning there is a point where I have to simply let go and let God take over . . . . I'm tired of living as if I died that day as well."

Nearly entirely plot driven, this series conclusion oozes with multiple layers and endless amounts of surprising connections . . . . giving the reader, as well as the characters . . . plenty of reasons to "catch up" to the truth.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.



Wednesday, April 6, 2022

'Where in the World is'...Stuff & Nonsense??

Good afternoon, Friends!!! 

It's a lovely spring day here today. Windows are open, a gentle breeze ruffles the newly budding leaves, birds are flitting around singing pretty songs while building their nests, and in the distance a lone donkey can be heard braying. Such a glorious time of year. 

Remember that TV show back in 1991? Where in the World is Carmen San Diego? Our daughter loved watching it. Then they had a video game and a music sound track. Goodness, we knew the whole thing by heart. When I came on here to mention a book that just released today, I saw that it has been almost 6 weeks since I posted anything!!! I didn't fall off the face of the earth. LOL I have a MOST excellent reason for not posting. Our fifth grand child (a boy) was born on Feb 24th!! Since his parents live with us right now, I've been completely and utterly enjoying my time as Nonna! Arms filled with a little bundle of joy and sweetness every day instead of books has been one of the greatest blessings in my life!!

I'd love to share pictures but they're not doing the whole "put our baby on public social media so some creepo can steal the images and use them for evil" thing. A lot of folks don't realize that's how sleezy people get some of those images. But it is! So this is my warning...Please don't make photos of your children and grandchildren public!!!

As y'all know, I've paired back my own schedule of reviewing, not just because of the baby but because I've started a different creative activity, slow stitch sewing. My hope is to share more of what I'm working on in that arena as I get some projects figured out and start sewing on them. My brain is FULL of ideas although I'm not sure my hands can keep up. Arthritis, you know.  

Book posts are coming soon. I have two fiction and a non-fiction that I'm reading for review purposes, and I know for a fact that Rebecca has read some amazing books while I've been "off-grid". I'll share photos of the books I'm currently reading so you can see what peaked my interest. Let me know in the comments what you've been reading.

NEW RELEASE!!!

Purchase:

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COMING JULY 2022!!!!

Purchase:

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Publication Date: 12/01/2021

Purchase:

https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/280463

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Sewing wise, I'm working on a stitch journal but not ready to show any pictures yet. LOL So here's another little slow stitch project I'm currently working on as well. (Sorry about the poor lighting)


This will be a small wall hanging for a special girl. I'm in the process of completing all the butterfly beading, and designing the back piece of fabric. I'm really enjoying this hobby I started back in spring 2020! 
Do you slow stitch? Or sew at all? 

Any good books on your to-be-read list for this spring? Or maybe you're a gardener and you're excited about some new plants!! Leave a comment and let's encourage one another!