Lost December by Richard Paul Evans

 

Lost December  by Richard Paul Evans  346 pages

As heir to the Crisp Copy Center fortune, Luke has it made--until he burns through his entire inheritance in just one year of partying. Ashamed to ask his famous father for help, he finds employment--and romance--as an entry-level clerk. Can his new love get him back on track?

This book was patterned after the Prodigal Son Story in the Bible.  It was cool to make the connections with modern day analogies.  Very easy read, yes I know it is not winter or December!! I was not thrilled with the ending. I loved the part where he reunites with his father, but the actually ending seemed to be rushed and the story didn't seem to have any closer. But I would recommend it to anyone who wants to read about a Bible story in modern day times.  

Just Once by Karen Kingsbury

Just Once by Karen Kingsbury 327 pages I enjoy most books by Karen Kingsbury and I have read most of her series, but this stand alone book was above and beyond her other writing. I love to read historical fiction and this story is set in the 1940s, but an older couple is retelling the story before the wonan, recently diagnosed with alzheimers, forgets the stories of the war. I coulbn't put it down until I finished it! In 1941, beautiful Irvel Ellis is too focused on her secret to take much notice in the war raging overseas. She's dating Sam but in love with his brother, Hank, and Irvel has no idea how to break the news when the unthinkable happens - Pearl Harbor is attacked. With their lives turned upside down overnight, Sam is drafted, and Hank wants to enlist. But Sam insists Hank stay home, where he and Irvel take up the battle on the home front. While Sam fights in Europe, an undeniable chemistry builds between Irvel and Hank but neither would dare cross that line. Then a telegram comes, and the news is devastating. Hank enlists the next day and has just two weeks until he ships out. Will either brother make it home alive? Or will Irvel lose everything? And can love find a way, even from the ashes of the greatest heartbreak?"

Dreamers by Angela Elwell Hunt

 (Legacies of the Ancient River #1)

395 pages

"In the exotic land of Pharaoh, Tuya, a slave girl, is sold into servitude as a playmate to a wealthy child. Betrayed and cast out as she ascends into womanhood, Tuya finds herself belonging to Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh's guard. Yet she soon gives her heart to handsome Joseph, a man sold into slavery by his own brothers. As Joseph and Tuya share their dreams of freedom, they must endure sorrows and separations that test their faith and courage. Can Joseph and Tuya’s dreams of a shared destiny become a reality? Find out in this gripping tale of love and faith set in ancient Egypt."  --from the publisher

An interesting take on a biblical story. I thought it was pretty good. Three out of five stars for me.

Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin

374 pages / 11 hrs, 17 mins

"An internationally famous photographer, Tucker Mason has traveled the world, capturing things other people don’t see. But what Tucker himself can’t see is how to let go of the past and forgive his father.

"On a sprawling Southern estate, Tucker and his younger brother, Mutt, were raised by their housekeeper, Miss Ella Rain, who loved the motherless boys like her own. Hiring her to take care of Waverly Hall and the boys was the only good thing their father ever did.

"When his brother escapes from a mental hospital and an old girlfriend appears with her son and a black eye, Tucker is forced to return home and face the agony of his own tragic past.

"Though Miss Ella has been gone for many years, Tuck can still hear her voice—and her prayers. But finding peace and starting anew will take a measure of grace that Tucker scarcely believes in."  --from the publisher

Love his books! A solid four out of five stars for me.

Honor Bound by Hallee Bridgeman

 384 pages / 10 hrs, 32 mins

"It may seem odd to seek peace by moving to a war-torn African country, but for medical missionary Dr. Cynthia Myers, it provided a way to escape a shallow life of unearned wealth, a philandering fiancé, and a father now square in the public eye as vice president of the United States. At least here she knows her work and life have meaning. But all that is thrown into chaos when she fails to save the life of a local warlord's mortally wounded son.

"As part of the Army Special Forces "A-Team" on a mission to capture and subdue the warlord, Captain Rick Norton is compelled to use deadly force to save Cynthia's life. Enraged at the violence she witnessed and riddled with guilt that men died because of her, Cynthia tries to hold on to her anger--but an unwanted attraction is taking hold.

"With two members of his team badly injured and rebels in hot pursuit, Rick will have to draw upon all his strength and cunning to get her out alive . . . because he's beginning to think they just might overcome their differences and be able to make a life together."  --from the publisher

This was a pretty good inspirational fiction book. I give it three out of five stars.

The Yada Yada Prayer Group by Neta Jackson

 385 pages

"What do an ex-con, a former drug addict, a real estate broker, a college student, and a married mother of two have in common?

"Nothing, or so I thought. Who would have imagined that God would make a prayer group as mismatched as ours the closest of friends? I almost didn't even go to the Chicago Women's Conference--after all, being thrown together with five hundred strangers wasn't exactly my "comfort zone." But something happened that weekend to make us realize we had to hang together, and the "Yada Yada Prayer Group" was born! When I faced the biggest crisis of my life, God used my newfound Sisters to show me what it means to be just a sinner saved by grace."  --from the publisher

I revisited this one for a book club I'm in, and enjoyed it just as much this time around. The technology reveals its pub date of 2003, but the relationships are just as meaningful today. I gave it five out of five stars in 2003, and I would change that to four since it is a bit dated.

The Captain's Bride by Lisa Tawn Bergren

(Northern Lights #1)

400 pages / 12 hrs, 2 mins

Elsa Anders's dream of marrying Peder Ramstad is about to come true. But as this independent, strong-willed woman discovers her own creative gifts--a love for travel, painting, and the sea--can she find happiness with a captain who insists upon leaving her safely on shore?

Leaving their home in Norway behind, Elsa and Peder embark on a new life in  with their closest friends, including: Kaatje Jansen, a woman seeking a new beginning for the sake of her marriage and for the child growing within her; Elsa's sister Tora, a sly young vixen who knows exactly what she wants--and exactly how to get it; and Karl Martensen, a man torn between his friendship for Peder and a forbidden, secret love for Elsa, a man tormented by emotions that threaten to ruin them all.

From the gentle hills of Bergen, Norway, to the rocky coast of Camden, Maine, and across the crashing, danger-filled waves of the open sea--experience an epic saga of perseverance and passion, faith and fidelity, in the Northern Lights series: the new historical series by Lisa Tawn Bergren.

This story has more romance than the books I usually read, but I like some of the author's other books so I decided to give this series a try. It is well written and kept me entertained. I give it four out of five stars.
 

Relative Silence by Carrie Stuart Parks

 366 pages / 8 hrs, 27 mins

"Fifteen years ago Piper Boone’s only child died in a boating accident, and Piper’s almost perfect life came to an end too. After living through a divorce and losing her job, she retreats to Curlew Island and her childhood home—a secluded mansion for the politically powerful Boone family, who are practically American royalty.

"But Piper’s desire to become a recluse is shattered when a mass shooter opens fire and kills three women at a café where Piper is having lunch. The crisis puts her family in the spotlight by dredging up rumors of the so-called Curlew Island Curse, which whispers say has taken the lives of several members of the Boone family, including Piper’s father and sister.

"Forensic artist Tucker Landry also survives the shooting and is tasked with the job of sketching a portrait of the shooter with Piper. They forge a bond over their shared love of movies and tragic pasts. But when police discover a connection between the shooting and two more murders on Curlew Island, they face a more terrible lineup of suspects than they could have imagined: Piper’s family."  --from the publisher

I liked this one! I hope Parks keeps writing and strengthening her character development. If you've been disappointed by inspirational fiction mysteries in the past, you might give this one a try. I give it four out of five stars.

Life Flight by Lynette Eason

 (Extreme Measures #1)

336 pages / 9 hrs, 40 mins

"EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton is used to high stress situations, but being forced to land on a mountain in a raging storm with a critical patient--and a serial killer on the loose--tests her skills and her nerve to the limit. She survives with FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield's help. But she's not out of the woods yet.

"In the ensuing days, Penny finds herself under attack. And when news reaches Holt that he may not have gotten his man after all, it will take all he and Penny have to catch a killer--before he catches one of them."  --from the publisher

This was a pretty well written story, it held my interest, and I was entertained by it. I have a question, though. If someone is withholding information about the location of a person who was kidnapped until he receives something in return, isn't that an obstruction of justice? I give it three stars out of five.

The Record Keeper by Charles Martin

(Murphy Shepherd #3)
336 pages / 10 hrs, 7 mins

"Murphy Shepherd’s last rescue mission very nearly cost him his life. He’d like nothing more than to stay close to his wife and daughters for a while. But Bones’s brother must be stopped, and there are so many who need to know that they are worth rescuing.

"As the cat-and-mouse game moves into the open, Murphy is tested at every turn—both physically and mentally. And then the unthinkable happens: his beloved mentor and friend is taken. Without a trace.

"Murphy lives by the mantra that love shows up. But how can he do that when he has no leads?  With heart-stopping clarity, The Record Keeper explores the true cost of leaving the ninety-nine to find the one." --from the publisher

Good writing, important story to tell (human trafficking), but hard to read. I'm glad the trilogy is complete. I give it three out of five stars.

The Way it Should Be by Christina Suzann Nelson

 348 pages / 9 hrs, 39 mins

"After years of estrangement, the lives of Zara Mahoney and her twin sister, Eve, are suddenly and completely intertwined again. Eve's troubled lifestyle causes the state to take custody of her two children and contact Zara and her husband, asking them to consider foster care. Newlywed Zara thought she'd finally been given a fresh start and feels wholly unprepared to care for a niece and nephew whose existence she wasn't even aware of.

"Meanwhile, Eve may have a real chance to start over this time with the help of Tiff Bradley, who's dedicated to helping women everyone else has given up on after facing a heartbreaking tragedy in her own family."  --from the publisher

This book won the 2021 Christy Award for General Fiction. It's well written and the characters are believable. I give it four out of five stars.

The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin

 (Murphy Shepherd #2)

320 pages / 9 hrs, 50 mins

"He shows up when all hope is lost.
"Murphy Shepherd has made a career of finding those no one else could—survivors of human trafficking. His life’s mission is helping others find freedom.

"But then the nightmare strikes too close to home .
"When his new wife, her daughter, and two other teenage girls are stolen, Murphy is left questioning all he has thought to be true. With more dead ends than leads, he has no idea how to find those he loves.

"After everything is stripped away, love is what remains.
"Hope feels lost, but Murphy is willing to expend his last breath trying to bring them home."  --from the publisher

This one was disappointing for me. Of course, I have high expectations when I pick up a Charles Martin book. The story was disjointed and repetitive. I give it three out of five stars, and hope the next in the series will return to Martin's usual greatness.

Three Missing Days by Colleen Coble

 (Pelican Harbor #3)

352 pages / 8 hrs, 39 mins

"A shocking murder.
"Chief of Police Jane Hardy plunges into the investigation of a tragic local murder, but everything in her personal life is unraveling.

"Her son’s arrest.
"Jane’s son is accused of manslaughter, and she has to decide whether or not she can trust her ex, Reid, in the attempt to prove Will’s innocence—and whether she’s going to trust Reid with her heart.   

"Three missing days.
"With the recent discovery of her mother’s whereabouts, Jane learns not only that her mother stole something vital all those years ago but that she drugged Jane so she wouldn’t be able to remember. What happened in those three days could change everything.

"It all started with one little lie. But the truth is finally coming out."  --from the publisher

I've read several Coble novels, so I know what to expect, but this one was especially disappointing for me. There are some problems with the story that the editor should have caught. a major problem with the plot (Clear evidence of the perpetrator of "an old murder" isn't reported...by the chief of police?), and the characters act in many ways that are inconsistent with their roles. I give it 2.5 stars out of 5. 

Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter

 336 pages / 7 hrs, 27 mins

"After her mother became bedridden and her father bailed on the family, Sophie found herself serving as a second mother to her twin brother, Seth, and younger sister, Jenna. Sophie supported her siblings through their college years, putting aside her own dream of opening a bookshop in Piper’s Cove—the quaint North Carolina beach town they frequented as children.

"Now it’s finally time for Sophie to follow her own pursuits. Seth has a new job, and Jenna is set to marry her college beau in Piper’s Cove. But the destination wedding reunites Sophie with best man Aiden Maddox, her high school sweetheart who left her without a backward glance.

"When an advancing hurricane strands Aiden in Piper’s Cove after the wedding, he finds the hotels booked to capacity and has to ask Sophie to put him up until the storm passes. As the two ride out the weather, old feelings rise to the surface. The delay also leaves Sophie with mere days to get her bookshop up and running. Can she trust Aiden to stick around? And will he find the courage to risk his heart?" --from the publisher

The book is pretty well written and does a nice job weaving the messiness of interpersonal relationships with the romance. And I would love to open a bookshop by the sea! I give it three out of five stars.

Wildwood Creek by Lisa Wingate

 (Moses Lake #4)

378 pages / 12 hrs, 23 mins

"Allie Kirkland has never been one to take wild risks. But when she’s offered a costuming assistant’s job on a docudrama in the hills near Moses Lake, she jumps at the chance. She’s always dreamed of following in her director-father’s footsteps, and the reenactment of the legendary frontier settlement of Wildwood is a first step. The family expectations will have to wait."

"But in 1861, the real Wildwood held dangerous realities. Town founder Harland Delevan held helpless residents, including young Irish schoolteacher Bonnie Rose, in an iron grip. Mysterious disappearances led to myths and legends still retold in the folk songs of Chinquapin Peaks. Eventually, the entire site was found abandoned.

"When strange connections surface between Allie and the teacher who disappeared over a century ago, everyone in Wildwood, including Allie’s handsome neighbor on the film set, Blake Fulton, seems to be hiding secrets, and Allie doesn’t know who she can trust. If she can’t find the answers in time, history may repeat itself . . . with the most unthinkable results."  --from the publisher

I was in a hurry when I snapped this one up off of Hoopla and didn't realize it was part of a series. Turns out they are all standalones, so I had no trouble following the story. In my opinion, it's a bit disjointed in places, but all in all it is well done. Wingate is becoming a favorite of mine. I give it four out of five stars.

The Sea Keeper's Daughters by Lisa Wingate

 (Carolina Heirlooms #3)

400 pages / 13 hrs, 34 mins

"From modern-day Roanoke Island to the sweeping backdrop of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and Roosevelt’s WPA folklore writers, past and present intertwine to create an unexpected destiny. . .

"Restaurant owner Whitney Monroe is desperate to save her business from a hostile takeover. The inheritance of a decaying Gilded Age hotel on North Carolina’s Outer Banks may provide just the ray of hope she needs. But things at The Excelsior are more complicated than they seem. Whitney’s estranged stepfather is entrenched on the third floor, and the downstairs tenants are determined to save the historic building. Searching through years of stored family heirlooms may be Whitney’s only hope of quick cash, but will the discovery of an old necklace and a depression-era love story change everything."  --from the publisher

I really enjoyed this interesting story. The narrator of the audiobook isn't a favorite of mine, but the content was good enough to keep me entertained. I give it three out of five stars.

All Things New by Lynn Austin

 416 pages / 15 hrs, 7 mins

"In the aftermath of the Civil War, Josephine Weatherly and her mother, Eugenia, struggle to pick up the pieces of their lives when they return to their Virginia plantation. But the bitter realities of life after the war cannot be denied: their home and land are but shells of their previous grandeur; death has claimed her father and brother; and her remaining brother, Daniel, has returned home bitter and broken. The privileged childhood Josephine enjoyed now seems like a long-ago dream. And the God who failed to answer any of her prayers during the war is lost to her as well.

"Josephine soon realizes that life is now a matter of daily survival--and recognizes that Lizzie, as one of the few remaining servants, is the one she must rely on to teach her all she needs to know. Josephine's mother, too, vows to rebuild White Oak... but a bitter hatred fuels her.

"With skill and emotion, Lynn Austin brings to life the difficult years of the Reconstruction era by interweaving the stories of three women--daughter, mother, and freed slave--in a riveting tale."  --from the publisher

This is one I'll be recommending to friends and family who enjoy inspirational historical fiction. It is well written and thought-provoking. I give it four out of five stars.

Night Fall by Nancy Mehl

(The Quantico Files #1)
 336 pages / 9 hrs, 25 mins

"For any little boy or girl who hears the Train Man speak,
Who feels his rancid breath caress their pretty cheek,
Must close their eyes, pretend to sleep, and very softly pray,
Or else the evil Train Man may carry them away.

"Finally free of her troubled upbringing, Alex Donovan is able to live out her childhood dream of working for the FBI. But soon after she becomes a member of the FBI's elite Behavioral Analysis Unit, authorities in Missouri contact them about bodies found on freight trains--all killed in the same way.

"Alex never expected to be forced to confront her past in this new job, but she immediately recognizes the graffiti messages the killer is leaving on the train cars. When the BAU sends her to gather information about the messages from her aunt in Wichita, Kansas, Alex is haunted by the struggles she thought she'd left behind forever.

"In a race against time to solve the case and recover a deadly virus sample the killer intends to spread, Alex must face how far she'll go--and what she's willing to risk--to put a stop to the Train Man." --from the publisher

I'm unsure how to review this one. The general theme and story were very good, but the reader for the audio version was pretty dry. I wonder how much that influenced my enjoyment of the book? I give it three out of five stars, and I'll probably not listen to this reader again.

A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette

 (Cites of Refuge #1)

323 pages / 11 hrs, 11 mins

"Though Israel has found relative peace, Moriyah has yet to find her own. Atttempting to avoid the scorn of her community, she's spent the last seven years hiding behind the veil she wears. Underneath her covering, her face is branded with the mark of the Canaanite gods, a shameful reminder of her past captivity in Jericho and an assurance that no man will ever want to marry her.

"When her father finds a widower who needs a mother for his two sons, her hopes rise. But when their introduction goes horribly wrong, Moriyah is forced to flee for her life. Seeking safety at one of the newly established Levitical cities of refuge, she is wildly unprepared for the dangers she will face and the enemies—and unexpected allies—she will encounter on her way."  --from the publisher

Generally a good story, but the voice is inconsistent. Most of the time Cossette uses phrasing, spelling, and pronunciation of the time period, but sometimes modern words and sentences are thrown in. This must be a pet peeve of mine because it ruins a book for me. I give it two out of five stars.

Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson

Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson
336 pages / 9 hrs, 34 mins

"When the widowed Lord Torrington agreed to spy for the crown, he never planned to impersonate a highwayman, let alone rob the wrong carriage. Stranded on the road with an unconscious young woman, he is forced to propose marriage to protect his identity, as well as his dangerous mission.

"Trapped by not only the duty to her country but her limited options, Miss Elizabeth Cantrell and her illegitimate son are whisked away to Middlecrest Abbey by none other than the elder brother of her son's absent father. She is met by Torrington's beautiful grown daughters, a vicious murderer, and an urgent hunt for the missing intelligence that could turn the war with France. Afraid of what Lord Torrington might do if he learns of her son's true identity, Elizabeth must remain one step ahead of her fragile heart, her uncertain future, and the relentless mystery person bent on her new family's ruin."  --from the publisher

I found this to be a nice mix of family relationships, romance, and mystery. The writing is pretty good, but there are some holes in the story and there are times it doesn't flow smoothly. I give it three out of five stars.