Book Review - Hidden in the Night

It is with great success that Elizabeth Goddard presents the final installment of her Missing in Alaska series, Hidden in the Night. This new release gives us the story of Alaska State Trooper Nolan Long and Ivy Elliott, the Sunshine Girl who stole his heart and took it home to Florida with her. Ivy returns to Shadow Gap to track down a lost manuscript of an unknown Jack London novel, only to find herself up to her ears in snow and intrigue. Together, Jack and Ivy are racing to find the missing girl who is the last person known to have the manuscript and someone is hot on their trail to keep them from finding it. Goddard writes suspense like nobody’s business and Hidden in the Night is no exception. Danger lurks around every corner, seemingly two steps ahead of our heroes, with more red herrings than a pack of Swedish Fish. Her characters are relatable and there are those we have come to know throughout the series who resurface to welcome us back to the once peaceful Alaskan town and its local hangout, The Lively Moose. With her careful crafting, Hidden in the Night reads like a standalone, but I personally recommend reading the entire Missing in Alaska series to get to really know the wonderful people of Shadow Gap.

Hidden in the Night, book three of the Missing in Alaska series by Elizabeth Goddard is available now from your favorite local bookseller or online:

Baker Book House       Christian Book        Amazon        Barnes & Noble        Walmart

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine. 

Book Review - Unforgiven

Set on the periphery of Amish country of Crittendon County, Kentucky, Unforgiven by Shelley Shepard Gray focuses on ex-con Seth Zimmerman and divorcee Tabitha Yoder. Unforgiven by their congregation and community for very different reasons, but facing similar separation from their families and former friends, both of them struggle with the consequences of their actions. Seth has longed to make Tabitha his wife since he was a student in her classroom, only a couple years younger, but unable to reach the woman who married Leon Yoder. Since Leon beat her near to death and she found the nerve to divorce him, Seth has taken up the habit of silently and consistently showing care for Tabitha. With time, Tabitha begins to warm up to and finally gets the nerve to speak to Seth, but the confidence Tabitha has begun to find is squelched when Leon is released from jail.

The interactions and building trust between Seth and Tabitha would have carried this story, as they struggle to forgive themselves in the face of what their former Amish community members will not. The addition of the family dynamic for each of them adds depth to the characters and their interactions, made more rich with the addition of the girl Seth protected on the fateful night that landed him in prison. Gray gives us characters we can relate to with interpersonal struggles that captivate. Some of the abruptness of interactions seem appropriate for the social style, but I did feel that there were times when it interfered with the flow of the story. Hence, four stars instead of five. Still, Gray leaves me looking forward to her next book, which hints at more of the story for dear Bethanne.

Unforgiven by Shelley Shepard Gray is available now from your favorite local bookseller or online:

Baker Book House       Christian Book        Amazon       Barnes & Noble        Walmart

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions here are my own and are completely genuine.

Book Review - The Road Before Us

Grab your tissues and settle in for a roller coaster ride along America’s Mother Road with Benny, Bridger, and Jade in the latest release from Janine Rosche. At its core, this is a story about people: where they come from and where they go. Traveling along historic Route 66, Benny seeks to honor her deceased beloved husband, Bridger seeks to honor his foster mother, and Jade finds herself dragged along for the drive. Running from her past, seeking closure for her future, and finding so much more than expected drive Jade toward the promised land and the future God holds for her. I have to confess that I probably would not have picked up this book if I had known the sensitive subjects Rosche addresses in The Road Before Us. There are a handful automatic “nopes” and at least a handful of other subjects that are sometimes particularly triggering and often not very well addressed. They are handled with great respect here. Grave subjects are relayed with delicate effectiveness, to shed light on these issues and drive the story forward carefully. This book confirms that Janine Rosche has a perennial place in my TBR collection.

The Road Before Us by Janine Rosche is available now from your favorite local bookseller or online:

Baker Book House        Christian Book       Amazon        Barnes & Noble        Walmart

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions are my own and are completely genuine.