Archives

Susan Speaks: Learning to Breathe (Book Review)

Apr24
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Susan Speaks: Learning to Breathe (Book Review)

I’m supplanting Oliver and Minnie but they are busy playing, and the topic of this book is of a more serious nature. One of the subjects that underlies most of my fiction is sanctification. Characters must grow in faith (or come to faith). My Orchard Hill Series has a church as a focal point for all the characters in some way, shape, or form, because I deeply love the church and believe it is essential to the Christian walk. Learning to Breathe: How To Cultivate A Life-Changing Relationship with the Holy Spirit comes from behind the shadows of fiction that I use as my platform, and lays it out clearly and without apology.

I have taught about the subject of the Holy Spirit from a more doctrinal standpoint, but Matt Morton has raised the bar for books on this subject. With authenticity he challenges the reader to go deeper. For instance, his chapter (3) on the Fruit of the Spirit is eye-opening, as a gauge that all beliveers in Jesus can use to determine where we need to grow, something we can only do by the power of the Holy Spirit.

There is personal application in every chapter and Matt Morton builds beautifully from personal sanctification (which only happens through the power of the Holy Spirit) to the beauty of the church and mission it has throughout the world in spreading the wonderful and powerful message of salvation in Jesus.

If you want to live a more vibrant walk with the Lord, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. While Lewis Sperry Chafer’s work on the topic is great, and Francis Chan’s is approachable, Matt Morton’s work is easy- to- read yet challenging. If you do not want to grow in your faith, do not purchase this book. I went through this as part of a group and found that to be a blessing as we shared how the truths in this book was working to transform our lives. I’ve walked with Jesus for 45 years and love that He has so much more to teach me, and this book has been helpful in challenging me to grow further.

If this were Oliver or Minnie, they would give this book five bones, because they are dogs after all. I, however, give it five stars.

Oliver’s Opinion: Love in a Lifeboat (Book Review)

Sep26
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Oliver’s Opinion: Love in a Lifeboat (Book Review)

It is fun when you read a series of books where people from previous stories get their own happily-ever-after. This is the case with Love in a Lifeboat, a sweet inspirational romance by Karen Malley.

Jan Richardson was a secondary character in a few previous stories by Karen Malley and now she get’s her shot at happiness. She’s an independent woman, smart, has no need for the God her friends embrace as real. She isn’t at all jealous of the love those friends have found. She doesn’t need any of that as her company is sending her on a two week cruise. Anything could happen!

The down side is another employee will also be on the cruise and they will be competing to come up with the best ad campaign foir the cruise company. Kyle has Jan’s last name but they are not related. He’s a good looking man but a serial dater, not the kind of guy she’d be interested in. He’d definitely not have anything to do with her anyway.

Kyle loves God. He’s excited about the cruise but has some misapprehensions about his coworker Jan. He figures he can avoid her and work on his campaign and have some fun at the same time.

Event’s make this difficult when the cruise company accidently decided they were husband and wife and assigned them a cabin together. Jan figures it’s no big deal but Kyle can’t sleep in the same room with her due to his faith.

Kyle begins to fall for Jan but she’s not a Christian. An older couple on the cruise take Kyle and Jan under their wings and adventure abounds. Not only with a lifeboat but something about rubber duckies? You’ll need to read it to find out.

A storm, misunderstandings, and past choices rise up to created all kinds of obstacles to any future happiness between these two but God has a plan all along.

My mom loved reading Love in a Lifeboat and I get snuggles when she reads a good book so I suggest you go out and get it. I’ve never been on a cruise but it sounds like fun if it is anything like what these two encountered. I’ll give this five bones, because I’m a dog and that’s what I do.

Oliver’s Opinion: Love’s Gift (Book Review)

Mar7
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Oliver’s Opinion: Love’s Gift (Book Review)

My mom told me that there is a rogue dog in this Penelope Marzec’s latest novel, Love’s Gift. This dog loves to eat flowers. I’m not sure why because flowers don’t seem that appealing to me. Having said that, a book with a dog in it is always aces in my opinion!

I learned something new reading this historical novel set in 1903 in the United States. There was a Chinese Exclusion Act that President Chester A. Arthur signed in 1882 that forbid the immigration of Chinese laborers. It was the only law that ever excluded one ethnic or national group from coming here.

The main character of this book, Amaranth, is of Chinese origin but born in the United States. Because of this law, however, she lives in fear of being deported to a country with a culture and language foriegn to her. She was raised by nuns as she had been abandoned at birth. Now as a young adult she’s stepping out into the real world to face the discrimination and trying to have a job to support herself in the midst of strong bigotry against anyone Asian.

Amaranth is hired by Mrs. Tildon of Sea Haven, New Jersey, as a secretary. She soon discovers there are deep secrets in this family including a rude maid who is never fired for her words or behavior, a degenerate father, a brother who appears out of nowhere, and the oldest son, William who is obsessed with helping his mother’s asthma and concerned about status.

A lot of things go wrong as Mrs. Tildon, a leader of a suffragete movement, is vilified and other tragedies occur. Amaranth holds to the faith she was raised with in spite of it all and prays for this family she is now a part of, even if only as an employee. Can God heal the divisions in this family? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

The sweet dog, named Tulip, isn’t a horrible dog, but a sweet one. I won’t tell you what happens with her but I loved her character in the book.

I highly recommend this historical novella. It is timely given the current discussions and debates over immigration and the fears that some might have about being deported even if they were born and have lived her all their lives. While that fear may not be rooted in truth now (and yes, some might debate me on that, but remember, I’m a dog), it gives the reader a sense of what that might be like but also how faith can preserve even in the midst of real and imagined fears. I recommend Love’s Gift and give it five bones, because I’m a dog and I don’t have thumbs.

This is me, Oliver, keeping watch so my mom can read these great books (and write awesome ones as well!) It’s what dogs do.

Author SUPRISE! The Baron’s Blunder in PRINT this month only!

Feb7
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Author SUPRISE! The Baron’s Blunder in PRINT this month only!

My publisher, Pelican Book Group has graciously offered YOU an unexpected deal! My novella, The Baron’s Blunder is available in ebook for free but has never been offered in print before!

This book is a prequel to my Black Diamond Gothic Regency series and if you love your books in print and adore the Regency (early 1800’s Jane Austen) era, you’ll likely love this book. I had a blast writing it! Book one of the five full-length novels is The Virtuous Viscount. Those five books are available in ebook, print, and audiobook versions.

The Baron’s Blunder back page:

Fighting evil is a hobby, fending off marriage-minded women—a chore.When Lord Charles Percy seizes a highwayman robbing a carriage in broad daylight, he conceals his identity to the debutante he rescues. It wouldn’t do for her to know a member of the peerage is secretly in pursuit of the infamous Black Diamond. Instead, he claims to be a mere mister who happened along perchance at an opportune moment.
Despite the fact she’s a woman, the Honorable Henrietta Allendale doesn’t need a man to fight her battles, especially one whom she suspects is hiding things of import. So why can she not stop thinking about the gallant Mister Percy and his selfless act of heroism on her behalf?
Meeting again in London, Charles begins to enjoy verbally sparring with the intrepid young woman, and his heart is soon captivated as well. But he’s playing a deep game, and Henrietta’s presence in his life puts hers at risk.When a successful rescue results in possible scandal, the baron’s biggest challenge will be to convince the marriage-adverse young woman that his love is true.

Happy Valentine’s MONTH! I couldn’t think of a better gift for readers of romance!

Make sure you take advantage of this offer. It ends February 28th!

Click the photo of The Baron’s Blunder cover above or use this QR Code to take you to the place where you can get this novella for $7.99!

Oliver’s Opinion: Making Christmas Again (Book Review)

Nov15
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Oliver here! I’m so excited for Christmas because last year I was too small and in an Amish puppy mill so I didn’t understand all the colorful lights and the tree and gifts! That’s why reading Penelope Marzec’s book Making Christmas Again is compelling, because sometimes Christmas just doesn’t feel like Christmas. Have you ever experienced that? Obviously I did last year as no one even told me there was such a thing.

Celeste has a lot going on. Her mother died so she’s gotta leave a challenging job situation to go home to settle affairs. She’s the only remaining person in her family which is terribly sad. She also had broken up with a menacing boyfriend/boss and had uncovered his embezzlement and was a whistleblower, only her employer doesn’t realize this yet. She also left her mother’s faith behind her, focusing more on numbers than the intangible.

She arrives home to find someone living in her mother’s basement. Make that two someones! I’d be barking my head off! Especially since one is a little boy whom I would love to play with. This little boy has Down Syndrome which her deceased sister also had, so now she’s missing her mom and her sister and there’s a snowstorm.

Sawyer is the father to this precious little soul and is also grieving Mrs. Greenfield’s death as she had been so helpful to him with his son after his wife died and had encouraged him in his business, even renting her basement space for his work. Celeste hadn’t been told. Now he has a new landlord who can’t see past her own grief and challenges to trust, much less celebrate the faith her mother held dear.

Death, upheaval, an extra chromosome, snow, and other challenges face these two characters as they find their way through each day to understanding each other and maybe even falling in love. But will Celeste stay in town or will she return to her employer leaving Sawyer’s heart broken?

Through all the twists and turns, challenges, and snowstorms, these two people might find a miracle yet and Christmas might once again be cherished and celebrated.

Mom loves Penelope’s writing so you should give her a try if you haven’t before. Buy Making Christmas Again. I give it five bones because I’m a dog. Oh, and leave her a nice review after you’ve read it, it really does help an author out.

Minnie’s Remarks: Lillian’s Last Christmas (Book Review)

Nov8
Reading Time: 2 minutes

It’s Minnie again. I’m glad Mom is giving me an opportunity here. Karen Malley’s latest Christmas novella, Lillian’s Last Christmas, could sound like a downer, but if you knew this Christmas would be your last, how would you celebrate it? The way that Lillian does has an impact that goes far beyond the grave.

Lillian hasn’t seen her college friends for some time but they had such wonderful memories together and had stayed connected through the years of life and hardships. Unfortunately, Lillian is facing the biggest of those but it is one that brings her peace and joy and she wants her friends to experience that as well. So she invites them to her home to celebrate Christmas with her.

When her four friends arrive she shares her sad news along with the joy that comes from Jesus and Christmas and her desire to experience that with them all. Her friends react in shock and dismay but decided to make this the best Christmas ever by celebrating major holidays she’ll miss next year, including her birthday. Each bring gifts and distinct personalities to the fun and their friendship grows stronger as they celebrate life, and a looming death.

Will Lillian get the dearest wish of her heart to see her four closest friends come to know the peace that can only be found in Jesus? You’ll have to read it to find out. If Lillian gets her wish, the party will someday continue in heaven which sounds like a wonderful Christmas gift to all.

I give this story five bones. Please pick up Karen Malley’s unique Christmas story, Lillian’s Last Christmas. It might challenge you to more purposeful as you  go through the upcoming holiday season. Oh, and leave a nice review after you’ve read it. It helps out an author a lot!

 

 

 

Oliver’s Opinion: The Lady with the Alligator Case (Book Review)

Nov1
Reading Time: 2 minutes

It’s me, Oliver Sparky Toffee Cashew, to tell you about Anita Klumper’s latest masterpiece, The Lady with the Alligator Case which is a Christmas novella which will be a great escape from the craziness of the holiday season.

Like I even know the difference between an alligator or a crocodile? Especially without their head? It doesn’t matter to the story. Anita weaves a tale with her characteristic playfulness writing in the first person as she tells the story of Jemima, a young woman who loves Christmas sweaters but is a little desperate when it comes to love which leads her into a pickle of a situation.

She was headed to Wisconsin before Christmas to deliver this ugly suitcase for her grandmother which only meant a slight deviation before her hopeful reunion with the guy who’d dumped her. See? Desperate.

Black ice derailed her plans and she wakes up to find herself handcuffed to a hospital bed and apparantly guilty of delivering illegal goods in that silly case. But that isn’t the end of Jemima’s Christmas detour.

All types of mayhem ensue with a handsome police officer investigating this perplexing crime which gets even more befuddled when the police station  almost burns down, her grandmother shows up along with an elderly friend, and of course there is a snowstorm of blizzard proportions!

With only Christmas sweaters in her own suitcase, she’s finding it hard to find any holiday cheer, even with the handsome arresting officer, Elihu Orwell by her side as they try to figure it all out. Why is this suitcase, or it’s contents so important that someone would go to all this trouble?

This is a book that’s hard to put down so please go get a copy of The Lady with the Alligator Case by Anita Klumpers for an unusual treat during this holiday season. And after you’ve read it, please give her a nice review!

I’ll give it five bones becaues it’s good and I think that case is only good for a dog to chew on.

 

Minnie’s Remarks: I’ll be Gnome for Christmas (Book Review)

Oct25
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Hi, I’m Oliver’s smaller but older sister, Minnie, as in Minnie Pearl, because the foster family had named me Dolly Parton and no offense to Dolly, they thought my petiteness needed to be mentioned every time they talk to me. Humans are odd, but I love my life with them, much better than the Amish puppy mill where I lived for three years. Now I get sunshine, snuggles, toys I’m learning to play with, and a buddy in Ollie, who like any brother, can be a pain, but I let him know in no uncertain terms when he crosses the line.

Mom asked me to review her latest Christmas novella, I’ll be Gnome for Christmas, a whimsical inspirational romance. She wrote it before I came to the house but she let me look at the story when she was making corrections during editing and I gotta say, there’s some funny names in this story which lighten the emotional weight of struggles the two main characters carry.

Gigget Wicket is a widow with two young children and she carries shame from her husband’s infidelities. Not only was he a cad, he left her high and dry when he died which was rude. She’s barely making it and isn’t looking for a new man to love because she fears part of the problem was that she was unworthy. She clings to faith in God and good friends and works hard to make ends meet, even selling produce at the local Farmer’s Market in town.

Bingle Twinkle was left high and dry when his wife decided she preferred his then-best friend. Losing a wife meant losing his dream for a happy family. Between factory work and serving in the Army National Guard, he keeps himself so busy that usually he doesn’ t have time to experience the loneliness. But when he runs into Gigget and her two little gnomes at the Farmer’s Market, sparks fly between them.

Gigget’ s children, Djoni and Amoretta really like Bingle and his way of diffusing a hostile man without raising a fist. They are praying for a dad who’ ll make them and their mother happy. With the holidays approaching, could a Christmas miracle be in the works?

This book entails real life mixed with wit and whimsy and a touch of dreams really do come true. Buy it for me mom and leave her a nice review so I can get more bully sticks since Oliver keeps stealing mine. I’ll give this book five bones so go buy I’ll be Gnome for Christmas, you’ll be glad you did.

You can listen to my mom talk about this book here:

Oliver’s Opinion: The Keeper’s Secret (Book Review)

Oct11
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Hi, Oliver here again with another book. Guess I keep getting up to too many shenanigans so she wants to keep my paws busy here instead of bothering my sister, Minnie (maybe mom will put Minnie to work sometime instead of saddling me with all of these reviews). A dog can only hope.

This time the book is by Penelope Marzec called The Keeper’s Secret and it is a delightful and suspenseful romance filled with faith, trauma, and victory in the end for our two protagonists (aren’t you amazed I even know that word? I’m only one you know!).

Our town has a lighthouse but not with this kind of history or action going on around it as this story takes place in Shucker’s Point, New Jersey. Anyway, lighthouses are cool and a nice backdrop for this tale.

Evie is the keeper of the lighthouse and things are not going well for this woman. Her husband was missing and he was a famous research scientist, so any suspicion of foul play natural falls to the wife, Evie. She has secrets she’s keeping close.

Unfortunately for her and her daughter, the investigator, Bryce, is her old love from high school who harbors some ill will toward Evie while simutaneously struggling with those long lost loving feelings. She protests her innocence while he’s trying to arrest her.

Once upon a time Bryce wanted to marry Evie but after she did something impulsive and technically illegal he shunned her. Since those days past, he’d walked away from God and she has embraced faith in Jesus. So not only do they clash regarding a crime she didn’t commit, but their faith is at odds as well.

I don’t want to give spoilers but this book keeps you guessing the who done it part which makes it a thrilling read. Penelope Marzec digs deep into the trauma, loneliness, dark nights of the soul of her characters and their respective hurts and struggle to believe God can work it all out.

I highly recommend you read this romantic suspense, The Keeper’s Secret. It gets five bones from me.

Oliver’s Opinion: Master Plan for Love (Book Review)

Oct4
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Hi, Oliver here, Mom had to put me to work as she hopes that will tire me out some. She was told a tired puppy is a good puppy. Not so sure about that, but I love exploring everything! So she had me explore this new novel, Master Plan for Love by Emily Grey.

Nikki has got some scars from her past. Not physical as much as emotional. Her ex-boyfriend was a bad dude, who I’d likely bite if I could even though I’m generally a friendly dog. This guy even threatened her physically as well as devestated her finanically.

She returned to her hometown to start over with a bridal salon.

Cody Manning has been away from town for ten years. He was injured trying to save a woman’s life and he’s hoping to heal from the gunshot wound (a real scar for this man!). Nikki is back so he’s wondering if that love he had for her years ago, can be brought back to life again.

With some sparring and struggle, both Nikki and Cody realize there are sparks, but can these wounded people foster a fresh love in spite of distrust, fears from the past and money challenges?

You’ll have to read it to find out! I’m a dog and I’m going to give bones like Spatzle used to, because apparently I look a little like him and I do love my bully rings which are kind of like a bone. This book gets five bones! Even though none of this helped me relax and stay out of mischief, but someone has to keep mom on her toes!