Delightful Murder-Mystery Novel

Posted on by December 23, 2017
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Deb’s Dozen: Serena Jones Investigates A Murder-Mystery and Finds Love from Unexpected Quarters

Sandra Orchard’s Over Maya Dead Body is a cute, cozy murder-mystery set on Martha’s Vineyard. While on a trip to attend her uncle’s wedding, Serena sees a suspicious man at the airport–her mother chastises her for always being “on the job.” They are greeted by police cars and ambulances when they arrive at her uncle Jack’s. Jack has fallen down a cliff stairway and is dead. That announcement starts Serena, a FBI agent, off to solve a case that has more twists and snags than a cat-tangled ball of yarn.

Before she can turn around, her landlord from St. Louis, Nate, and her partner, Tanner, have both turned up to support her. Add in the local police, the state police, missing antiquities, a drug ring, a mother bent on marrying off her daughter, an aunt who seems way too connected, and you have the makings of great, entertaining read.

As Over Maya Dead Body is the third book in the Serena Jones series, Orchard wraps up a lot of loose ends. She manages to accomplish this without a lot of backstory, which I appreciated. You’ll immediately be drawn to Serena and Nate and Tanner and Aunt Martha and to care for them. The personalities are quirky and different, but totally delightful. I so enjoyed reading the story that I couldn’t put the book down and finished the novel in one sitting. Four stars!

murder-mysterySandra Orchard is an award-winning author of several series, including the Port Aster Secrets and Serena Jones series. She lives in Ontario, Canada.

Revell gave me a copy of Over Maya Dead Body, but I was in no way obligated to write a review.

Alzheimer’s Disease Can’t Rob Us of God’s Love

Posted on by December 13, 2017
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Deb’s Dozen: Alzheimer’s Disease steals memory, but never God’s love–we are always His.

Christmas usually brings a plethora of entertaining stories about the wonders of the season. Kathi Macias’s Christmas stories bring us subjects to ponder deeply. To the Moon & Back is no different. Alzheimer’s Disease is terrible–robbing people of their memories and abilities to interact with loved ones and other people in their lives. Most stories about Alzheimer’s are told from the perspective of caregivers observing the process. Macias tells the story from inside the person developing the disease-tells us how they feel–how confused, how lost, how alone. But she also gives us hope and reminds us that those of us who are Christians are never alone: God is always with us and will carry us home.

Rachel is not sure what is happening in her life. She only knows life has changed since the accident. She doesn’t seem to be able to remember things, where she is, how to cook, she never seems to be able to take care of her husband right any longer. Peter is angry since the accident–blaming Rachel for everything wrong with his life–wondering why she can’t get it together anymore and do even the simplest things. Their daughter, Lilly, is caught in the middle. She sees what is happening to them both and knows the responsibility will be hers to care for them. Alzheimer’s, you see, doesn’t just affect the person with the disease, but everyone around the person too.

You’ll be challenged by this story, saddened, and made joyful. To the Moon & Back is a story well worth reading. I must admit reading was tough-my dad died from Alzheimer’s Disease and I know what Mom went through as the disease progressed. To lose a parent or a mate before they die is so sad. Kathy makes us realize what they feel too. Four stars.

Alzheimer'sKathi Macias is an award-winning author with more than fifty books to her credit. She is a popular speaker at women’s retreats and writers’ conferences. She and her husband, Al, live in Southern California. She’s also a mentor to many and a friend to more.

Kathi gave me a copy of To the Moon & Back, but I was in no way obligated to write a review.

Superb Biblical Fiction—Bread of Angels

Posted on by December 12, 2017
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Deb’s Dozen: Lydia, maker of purple, friend, benefactor-first convert to Christianity in Philippi.

Tessa Afshar writes such beautiful, believable biblical fiction. Bread of Angels, the story of Lydia, the first convert in Asia, is such a story. But Tessa begins far before that event takes place. She weaves Lydia’s story from when she was a girl in Thyatira, telling of the circumstances of her upbringing and the reason she set sail for Philippi. Tessa gives Lydia a friend, Rebekah, who stays with her after Lydia takes care of her when she is homeless and hungry.

Lydia struggles as a woman alone, attempting to run a business in a culture where women are nothing unless married or under the protection of a man. But she perseveres with Rebekah’s help along with that of Rebekah’s God. Rebekah has taught her that in her time of greatest need, God will provide bread of angels to sustain her-not physical food, but situational or spiritual aid to surmount the difficulties.

You will so enjoy getting to know Lydia as told through the eyes and pen of a talented storyteller. Biblical characters like Epaphroditus and Syntyche and Paul and Silas and Dr. Luke come alive on the pages of Bread of Angels. Five stars!

biblical fictionTessa Afshar is a newly married, award-winning author of several volumes of historical biblical fiction. She was voted “New Author of the Year” by the Readers’ Choice Awards for Pearl in the Sand. She has an MDiv from Yale and has spent the last seventeen years in full time Christian work in New England. And she’s a truly wonderful person and a delight to know.

Tyndale Publishing gave me an Advance Reader Copy of Bread of Angels, but I was in no way obligated to write a review.