"A Latte Difficulty" by Angela Ruth Strong -- Book Review

About the Book 

Can two baristas track down a gunman after the espresso shot heard ‘round the world?

When Marissa witnesses an attempted murder during the 4th of July parade, it starts a battle for her independence. She is forced to hide out in a safehouse, leaving her co-owner, Tandy, to run their coffee shop, track down the criminal, and, worse, plan Marissa’s wedding. Thankfully Tandy has help, but can she really trust the P.I. in a bow tie, her new deaf barista who acts more like a bartender, or a wedding planner who’s keeping secrets?

The threat on Marissa’s future goes from bad to worse when her bridal gown is covered in blood. Though her fiancé, Connor, agrees to give up his identity to join her in the Witness Protection Program, Marissa refuses to wave the white flag. Instead, she enlists Tandy to help her fight for truth, justice, and the Americano way.

My Thoughts

"A Latte Difficulty" is the third book in the CafFUNated Mysteries series. The stories do build on each other, so I would recommend reading them in order, but they could be read as standalones if you wanted. I found the book to be well written with Biblical truths woven through the story. It was fun to be able to spend time with Marissa and Tandy and Conner and Greg. I had wondered if someone could have been the one behind the threats, but this time I was wrong and who was actually behind them was a surprise which was nice. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

About the Author

Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009 then quit writing romance when her husband left her. Ten years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there's nothing else she'd rather write about. Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been optioned for film, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon best-sellers. She also writes non-fiction for SpiritLed Woman. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho, and she teaches as an expert online at WRITE THAT BOOK. Get to know her even better at www.angelaruthstrong.com.


"A Latte Difficulty" is available in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 7890 KB
• Print Length: 214 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (April 1, 2020)
• Publication Date: April 1, 2020
• Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B084L8XHBZ

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.

"Barefoot Memories" by Taylor Bennett -- Book Review

About the Book

What if the biggest decision of your life wasn’t yours to make?

With the New Year upon her, Olive Galloway is determined to put the past behind her and uncover the new future waiting for her in her island home. However, her best friend Jazz seems dangerously close to giving up on her alcoholic mom—as well as her own dreams. Together with an unlikely ally, Olive helps Jazz regain her confidence and enter a high-stakes race, but there’s still trouble on the horizon. Their friend Brander is due to come home from a whirlwind music tour on the mainland, but he’s holding tight to a secret that could change their friendship forever.

Offered the chance to fulfill all of her wildest dreams with a single word, Olive realizes that she could be headed back to the mainland sooner than she’d imagined. Caught up in a whirl of possibility, Olive struggles to decide between returning home to fulfill her childhood wish or building a new life in Hawaii. The choice could change her life forever.

My Thoughts

"Barefoot Memories" is the third full length book in the Tradewind series. It would be best to read the first two books and novella before reading this book as you will get a better understanding of what is going on. There are good biblical truths woven through the story and we see the characters working to do what God wants them to do. I enjoyed being able to spend time with Olive, Jazz, Brander, and the rest of the characters again. I found the book to be well written with realistic characters and emotions. I am a little sad that we won't get to hang out with Olive any more, but I did like the ending of the book/series. Maybe Taylor Bennett will do another novella so we can get a peek into their lives again. I look forward to seeing what else Taylor Bennett comes out with in the future.

About the Author

Taylor Bennett is the seventeen-year-old author of contemporary YA fiction. Homeschooled since kindergarten, she is a proud homebody who suffers from the rare–yet always severe–case of wanderlust.

Although she dreams of traveling to many different places, her favorite destination thus far (aside from her charming hometown in Oregon) is Lahaina, Hawaii. Taylor was so enamored with this tropical town that she became determined to write about it, hence her debut novel, Porch Swing Girl, the first in a series of books set in Hawaii.

A lover of literature since birth, Taylor found her love of writing fueled under the instruction of Andrew Pudewa and the other teachers at the Institute for Excellence in Writing, where she now works as an editor for their magazine.

When she isn’t writing, Taylor enjoys cooking, drawing, and taking long walks in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.


"Barefoot Memories" is available in paperback:

• Series: Tradewind (Book 4)
• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (February 13, 2020)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 194395979X
• ISBN-13: 978-1943959792
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 2639 KB
• Print Length: 393 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (March 1, 2020)
• Publication Date: March 1, 2020
• Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B083Z115Q3

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.

"Mele Kalikimaka" by Taylor Bennett - Book Review

About the Book

Mele Kalikimaka might be the thing to say on a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day, but Olive Galloway is feeling less than festive. After all, this is the first year she's celebrated the holiday without her mom. Even the ringing of silver bells sounds a little blue. When an attempt to make the season bright ends in hurt feelings and a shattered heirloom, Olive's hopes for a happy holiday are dashed. A surprise visit from a less-than-jolly fellow in red only adds to the turmoil. Olive is convinced that nothing can possibly bring peace to her corner of the earth. As presents pile up beneath the tree and Christmas Day draws near, Olive realizes it will take a Christmas miracle to help her family rediscover the true magic of the holiday season. 




My Thoughts


"Mele Kalikimaka" takes places right after "Sand Castle Dreams". I think that it is best to read the books in order to get the whole picture. This was a quick read being a novella, but it still felt like a longer story. I enjoyed being back visiting with Olive and Macie, Jazz, Brander, and Gramma. The story has a nice biblical spiritual thread of what the true reason for Christmas was all about. I found the story to be well written and with a nice flow. I look forward to reading more books by Taylor Bennett.


About the Author

Taylor Bennett is the seventeen-year-old author of contemporary YA fiction. Homeschooled since kindergarten, she is a proud homebody who suffers from the rare–yet always severe–case of wanderlust.

Although she dreams of traveling to many different places, her favorite destination thus far (aside from her charming hometown in Oregon) is Lahaina, Hawaii. Taylor was so enamored with this tropical town that she became determined to write about it, hence her debut novel, Porch Swing Girl, the first in a series of books set in Hawaii.

A lover of literature since birth, Taylor found her love of writing fueled under the instruction of Andrew Pudewa and the other teachers at the Institute for Excellence in Writing, where she now works as an editor for their magazine.

When she isn’t writing, Taylor enjoys cooking, drawing, and taking long walks in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.


"Mele Kalikimaka" is available in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 3502 KB
• Print Length: 63 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (November 1, 2019)
• Publication Date: November 1, 2019
• Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B07Z4GMGWC

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.

"The Sleuth's Conundrum" by Kimberly Rose Johnson -- Book Review

About the Book  

Adam and Tara are sucked into a police investigation that might get Tara killed. Can Adam keep her safe or will he lose her forever?

Tara James, the local librarian assistant, is afraid her past will catch up to her when an infant is abandoned outside the Tipton County Library. Will news of the abandoned baby stir up publicity and force her to go on the run again?

Librarian Nancy Daley’s world has become complicated. Carter is pushing to set a wedding date, a woman was left for dead on the side of the road, and Tara, her assistant, is acting strange. Nancy is working every angle she can think of, but the case goes from bad to bizarre. Can she find the baby’s mother, help Tara, and plan her wedding without upsetting her life’s delicate balance?

Slow news days become a thing of the past for local reporter Adam Stacy when a dead body is discovered on the side of the road. Was the woman murdered or was it an accident? Adam’s feelings are growing for Tara, but she appears to have secrets she’s hiding. Is she somehow connected to the abandoned infant?

When things go from bad to worse Adam does everything in his power to protect Tara, but will it be enough?

My Thoughts

This is the third installment in the Librarian Sleuth series. In it, we get to know Nancy's assistant, Tara, better. The mysteries of the book were unique and kept me guessing who was behind them and I was kept in the dark until the very end (which doesn't happen very often for me). It was nice to see familiar faces that we met in the first two books, but it isn't absolutely necessary to have read them first (I still would recommend reading the books in order, though). This book has the continuation of Nancy and Carter's love story with them planning their wedding.


About the Author  

Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. 

You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at: https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/


"The Sleuth's Conundrum" is available in paperback:

• Series: The Librarian Sleuth (Book 3)
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (October 25, 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1943959730
• ISBN-13: 978-1943959730
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.5 x 8 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 3615 KB
• Print Length: 169 pages
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (November 1, 2019)
• Publication Date: November 1, 2019
• Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B07Y4XQZ5M

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.

"A Cuppa Trouble" by Angela Ruth Strong -- Cover Reveal and Book Review

About the Book


Can a couple of baristas chase down a car thief without spilling a drop of their favorite drink?

Plans for a Valentine's Day grand opening of a small town coffee shop go awry when the first customer is killed. Evidence points toward the victim being mixed up in a car theft ring, but shop owners Tandy and Marissa have reason to believe he was framed. An assortment of suspects--from a pink-haired heir to Tandy's charming ex--all seem to know a little too much about grand theft auto.

Without approval from either their boyfriends or the gum-chewing FBI agent in charge, the shop owners go on stakeouts, plan stings, and pursue justice in a high-speed car chase. If they don't find the killer soon, it might be more than their love lives in trouble.



My Thoughts

"A Cuppa Trouble" is the second CafFUNated Mysteries book. It pretty much starts up where the first book leaves off. It does a good job of filling you in on what happened in the first book, but I would still suggest reading them in order. I enjoyed getting to know Tandy and Marissa better, along with the secondary characters. Billie's advice about relationships and communication are great and very needed. The mystery kept me guessing with the twists. Early on, I did wonder, "Could it maybe be Person X?", but then I would abandon that thought only to circle back around to it. In the end, it turned out to *be* Person X behind everything. I found the book to be well written and that it had a nice pace. I look forward to reading more about Tandy and Marissa. 


About the Author

Angela Ruth Strong writes light-hearted and life-changing love stories. The "light-hearted" part comes from her ability to get into interesting situations--such as a hamster ball race or riding on the shoulders of a unicyclist. The "life-changing" part comes from the power of God's love and the beauty of her very own romance. The "story" part comes from her passion for books that she got from her writer mama. And there's nothing else she'd rather do than share these stories with you. Find out more (than you ever wanted to know) at www.angelaruthstrong.com



"A Cuppa Trouble" is available in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 3360 KB
• Print Length: 235 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (July 1, 2019)
• Publication Date: July 1, 2019
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B07RDJ471F

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.

'Sand Castle Dreams" by Taylor Bennett -- Book Review

About the Book



Sometimes we have to face our greatest fears in order to become whole again. 

Returning to Maui after one of the most challenging summers of her life, sixteen-year-old Olive Galloway is ready for things to return to normal—or, at least, a new normal. But even though she and her sister are back on the island they love, nothing is the same since they left for Boston a few months ago. Olive’s friend Jazz is hiding a secret—possibly something even worse than the cancer diagnosis she received earlier in the year. Can Olive ever stop running from memories of all they’ve lost?

When their friend Brander suggests Jazz attends the church’s teen support group, Olive thinks it’s a great idea—until Jazz insists that Olive join her. While the group is the perfect place for Olive to share her struggles, she wants nothing to do with it. Instead, grief threatens to roll over her like the ocean waves, and tiny fibs turn into looming secrets. When a scruffy puppy and one viral video send another storm rolling into Olive’s life, she ends up face-to-face with her biggest fear. And the only way to make it out of the tempest is to go straight through.


My Thoughts


"Sand Castle Dreams" is the second Tradewinds Series book and starts shortly after the first book "Porch Swing Girl". I think it would be best to read the books in order, but "Sand Castle Dreams" does fill you in on the major points of the first book. I found the book to be well written and I liked the pace and the characters. I could feel Olive's frustrations and hurts and how she tries to shield herself from more heartache but wants to help her friends. This book is good for showing that the Christian life is not all a bed of roses, nor an easy road, but that God is with you through it all. The characters all have things that they need to deal with and grow through. There were things that made me cry and things that made me laugh. I look forward to reading more books by Taylor Bennett.


About the Author

Taylor Bennett is the seventeen-year-old author of contemporary YA fiction. Homeschooled since kindergarten, she is a proud homebody who suffers from the rare–yet always severe–case of wanderlust. 

Although she dreams of traveling to many different places, her favorite destination thus far (aside from her charming hometown in Oregon) is Lahaina, Hawaii. Taylor was so enamored with this tropical town that she became determined to write about it, hence her debut novel, Porch Swing Girl, the first in a series of books set in Hawaii.

A lover of literature since birth, Taylor found her love of writing fueled under the instruction of Andrew Pudewa and the other teachers at the Institute for Excellence in Writing, where she now works as an editor for their magazine.

When she isn’t writing, Taylor enjoys cooking, drawing, and taking long walks in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest



"Sand Castle Dreams" is available in paperback:

• Series: Tradewind (Book 2)
• Paperback: 273 pages
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (March 13, 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1943959587
• ISBN-13: 978-1943959587
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 2905 KB
• Print Length: 237 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (April 1, 2019)
• Publication Date: April 1, 2019
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B07NXMQQ54

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.

"A Caffeine Conundrum" by Angela Ruth Strong--Book Review

About the Book
Solving a murder mystery is harder when you don't trust your partner...or their taste in beverages.

Sassy city girl Tandy Brandt moves to the small town of Grace Springs to start a coffee shop, never imagining she'll be competing with local beauty queen Marissa Alexander and her dream of running a tea house. Unfortunately, the current store owner dies before selling the location to either of them, and they both become murder suspects.

The unlikely pair team up in an attempt to discover the real killer, though with the secrets in Tandy's past and Marissa's infamous clumsiness, they could be their own worst enemies. Despite their differences, they follow clues to question a sweet, apple pie baking antique store owner, a GQ Santa in the retirement center, and a hipster millionaire with no social skills. Will they be able to figure out whodunit and prove their innocence before one of them goes to jail...or worse? 

My Thoughts
"A Caffeine Conundrum" is the first in a new series called "CaFUNated Mystery". Tandy Brandt and Marissa Alexander are completely different than each other, but I found them both to be likable and believable. I could see the book play out in my mind as a movie and I often laughed at Marissa's clumsiness. As Tandy and Marissa team up to solve who committed murder, they get themselves into some scraps and go on adventures. The list of suspects is long and varied and they investigate them all. I think that the mystery was well done, although I did actually figure out "who done it" almost right away, but not because it was easy to figure out, but rather that I made a random guess and it turned out to be correct. I still didn't know the motivation behind the murder, though, so that was a surprise. I was pleased to see both of the main characters experience growth in their lives. There was a touch of romance included to make me like the book even more. I enjoyed all the pop culture references, but I'm not sure if someone younger than me (like my daughters) would get them all. I look forward to reading the next book book in the series and learning more about Tandy, Marissa, Connor, and Greg.



"A Caffeine Conundrum" is available in paperback:

• Series: The CafFunated Myteries (Book 1)
• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (August 27, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1943959471
• ISBN-13: 978-1943959471
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches

and in Kindle edition: 

• File Size: 3087 KB
• Print Length: 227 pages
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (September 1, 2018)
• Publication Date: September 1, 2018
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B07FRXWSVM

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.

"Make Haste Slowly" by Amy K. Rognlie

About the Book
Life in Short Creek, Texas is just what Callie Erickson expected it to be: calm and predictable…until the morning a gift bag—along with a dead body—appear on the doorstep of her shop. A terrible tragedy? Or something more sinister?

After moving halfway across the country for a new crack at life, Callie isn’t eager to become entangled in any more trouble than necessary. But a cryptic message, a needy neighbor, and her own heart won’t allow her give up so quickly. With the help of her indomitable Aunt Dot, and friends both old and new, Callie sets out to discover the truth. What she finds might change her life forever.

My Thoughts
"Make Haste Slowly" is the first book in the Short Creek Mysteries series. The book starts out right away with the mystery so you hit the ground running, so to speak. I liked the way the book was written and found it to flow well. I like Callie and her struggles make her very relatable. The secondary characters were fun and Mona made me laugh on more than one occasion. There were a lot of parts to the mystery and I never did figure out exactly how all of them fit together. The book touches on hard issues like sex trafficking. Callie hears God talking to her in her spirit and is visited by someone that smelled like Heaven. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. 


About the Author
Amy Rognlie is a Christian author, speaker and teacher. She loves to write fiction that will point her readers toward a deeper understanding of God and how He works in our lives. Amy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and writes from her home in Central Texas. She is also a middle-school language arts and Latin teacher. She and her husband have three grown sons and one granddaughter. Amy enjoys reading (of course), gardening, and knitting. After taking a long hiatus from writing fiction, Amy has recently authored Miss Opal Makes a Match and Miss Opal Learns a Lesson, the first two stories in a series of historical novellas set in Central Texas. Her recently-released cozy mystery, Make Haste Slowly, is the first in the Short Creek Mysteries series. You can visit her at www.amyrognlie.com

"Make Haste Slowly" is available in paperback:

• Series: Short Creek Mysteries
• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (November 1, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1943959331
• ISBN-13: 978-1943959334
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 3084 KB
• Print Length: 252 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (December 1, 2017)
• Publication Date: December 1, 2017
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B076GH4LK7

"Widow's Plight" by Mary Davis - Book Review

About the Book 
Washington State, 1893 

When Lily Lexington Bremmer arrives in Kamola with her young son, she’s reluctant to join the social center of her new community, the quilting circle, but the friendly ladies pull her in. She begins piecing a sunshine and shadows quilt because it mirrors her life. She has a secret that lurks in the shadows and hopes it doesn’t come out into the light. Dark places in her past are best forgotten, but her new life is full of sunshine. Will her secrets cast shadows on her bright future? Widower Edric Hammond and his father are doing their best to raise his two young daughters. He meets Lily and her son when they arrive in town and helps her find a job and a place to live. Lily resists Edric’s charms at first, but finds herself falling in love with this kind, gentle man and his two darling daughters. Lily has stolen his heart with her first warm smile, but he’s cautious about bringing another woman into his girls’ lives due to the harshness of their own mother. Can Edric forgive Lily her past to take hold of a promising chance at love?


My Thoughts
Widow's Plight is Mary Davis's debut book. It kind of had the feel of a mail order bride book with her arriving on the train and not knowing anyone, but wasn't exactly like it since she wasn't expecting to marry anyone once she arrived. I liked the characters. The kids, especially, added sweet moments and things to giggle about. Aunt Henny standing up for Lily and not jumping to conclusions about her was encouraging. There was growth in the characters' lives. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.

About the Author  

Born and raised in Washington State, Mary now resides in Colorado with her husband of over twenty-seven years, three twenty-something kids, and four pets. She earned her college degree in elementary education and has taken an advanced course from the Institute of Children's Literature. Mary leads two critique groups, one in the local Colorado area as well as an on-line critique group. She regularly attends the ACFW conference as well as her local writing chapter in the Springs, and she has spearheaded a writing contest for youth for several years. Cascades is her fourteenth book, which contains three previously released novels.
Mary enjoys writing contemporary and historical inspirational romance. She loves reading romance, fiction, mystery, and fantasy books, as well as playing with her cat, Buffy.

"Widow's Plight" is available in paperback:

• Series: The Quilting Circle (Book 1)
• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (June 13, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1943959382
• ISBN-13: 978-1943959389
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 3679 KB
• Print Length: 312 pages
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (July 1, 2018)
• Publication Date: July 1, 2018
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B07CV4XDLH

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.

Book Review: "The Sleuth's Miscalculation" by Kimberly Rose Johnson

About the Book  
Two strong-willed sleuths team up to solve a mystery. Can they work together, or will their differences pull them apart?

Librarian Nancy Daley loves a good mystery and enjoys moonlighting as a consultant for the sheriff’s department. When license plates go missing in Tipton County, she’s on the case. This time things are different—she’s been partnered with the new deputy, and he’s not interested in her help. To make matters worse, she’s angered the wrong person and is now being threatened.

Sheriff Deputy Carter Malone expects Tipton, Oregon to be a sleepy small-town, but he miscalculated. He’d come to town for a fresh start with his nephew—one without the issues big cities deal with. Had he made a mistake? To complicate matters, he’s told he must consult with the sheriff’s daughter, who is not in law enforcement. When the minor case they are working morphs into something more, things quickly go from harmless to scary.

Can they solve the mystery before it’s too late, and more importantly, what will they do about their growing attraction?


My Thoughts
"The Sleuth's Miscalculation" is the first book in the Librarian Sleuth series. I liked Carter and Nancy and their interactions. I liked how there were several people who seemed like they might be the one behind the mysteries happening in Tipton. I had my suspicions early on that proved to be true, although I didn't totally understand the motivations behind their actions. I look forward to reading more books in the series and getting to know the characters better.

About the Author   Two time Faith Hope and Love Reader's Choice Finalist, Kimberly Rose Johnson, married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. 

"The Sleuth's Miscalculation" is available in paperback:

• Series: The Librarian Sleuth (Book 1)
• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (May 16, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1943959390
• ISBN-13: 978-1943959396
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.5 x 8 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 3908 KB
• Print Length: 176 pages
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (June 1, 2018)
• Publication Date: June 1, 2018
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B07C5S8ZL6

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review. 

Book Review: "Porch Swing Girl" by Taylor Bennett

About the Book 

What if friendship cost you everything? Stranded in Hawaii after the death of her mother, sixteen-year-old Olive Galloway is desperate to escape. She has to get back to Boston before her dad loses all common sense and sells the family house. But plane tickets cost money—something Olive gravely lacks. With the help of Brander, the fussy youth group worship leader, and Jazz, a mysterious girl with a passion for all things Hawaiian, Olive lands a summer job at the Shave Ice Shack and launches a scheme to buy a plane ticket home before the end of the summer. But when Jazz reveals a painful secret, Olive’s plans are challenged. Jazz needs money. A lot of it. Olive and Brander are determined to help their friend but, when their fundraising efforts are thwarted, Olive is caught in the middle. To help Jazz means giving up her ticket home. And time is running out.

My Thoughts 

It took me awhile to get into "Porch Swing Girl". I'm not sure if it was because it is written in first person which isn't what I normally read, or if it was because I was unfamiliar with Taylor Bennett's writing style, or the fact that I really didn't like Olive very much at first, or a combination of them all. Once I got into the rhythm of the book, it flowed better for me. The spiritual content was well done and it was good to see the progression Olive made from being a selfish whiny person to one who thought of others before herself. I liked Brander and how there was more to him than meets the eye. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

About the Author       

Taylor Bennett is the seventeen-year-old author of contemporary YA fiction. Homeschooled since kindergarten, she is a proud homebody who suffers from the rare–yet always severe–case of wanderlust. 

Although she dreams of traveling to many different places, her favorite destination thus far (aside from her charming hometown in Oregon) is Lahaina, Hawaii. Taylor was so enamored with this tropical town that she became determined to write about it, hence her debut novel, Porch Swing Girl, the first in a series of books set in Hawaii.

A lover of literature since birth, Taylor found her love of writing fueled under the instruction of Andrew Pudewa and the other teachers at the Institute for Excellence in Writing, where she now works as an editor for their magazine.

When she isn’t writing, Taylor enjoys cooking, drawing, and taking long walks in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest

"Porch Swing Girl" is available in paperback:

• Series: Tradewinds (Book 1)
• Paperback: 290 pages
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (April 15, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1943959455
• ISBN-13: 978-1943959457
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 3235 KB
• Print Length: 292 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1943959455
• Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (May 1, 2018)
• Publication Date: May 1, 2018
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B079QM574Y

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.