Scraps of Evidence: Quilts of Love Series (Quilts of Love #14) by Barbara Cameron

Release Date: January 21, 2014
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Series: Quilts of Love series, #14

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
A new promotion. New responsibilities. A new partner. All these things added up to a whirlwind of change for Tess. She was a professional at handling the duties that came with being a detective in St. Augustine, Florida. It was the mixture of emotions she felt when looking at her new partner and the return of a long-dreaded killer that turned her world upside down.

While juggling the stress from all sides, Tess found a small bit of peace within her quilting and her faith. As she and her new partner poured over the old case files, new clues came to light and lead in a direction no one thought possible. Can she keep those she loves safe from the killer in her past?

Review:
This book was a fun, quick read to fill a pleasant afternoon while sitting on my porch and enjoying the sunshine. I purchased it from Amazon during a promotional period but that doesn't take away from the story in any way, shape or form. This story had a bit of everything in it - faith, romance, mystery and even a bit of action. Added all up, the book was a treat to read.

Much of the story was centered around the leading woman, Tess, and her experiences while being a police detective in St. Augustine, Florida. The core group of supporting characters in the story were known to her intimately as she was born and raised in the small city. Many were family or friends who as close to her as family. The only outsider to have any sort of impact on her world was her new partner, Logan, who arrived from Chicago. I enjoyed seeing how uncomfortable Logan was when put in situations where Tess felt at home.

With the pacing steady from the first word, there wasn't a sense of increased anxiety in the beginning as the story builds up. The reader is already in the middle of an overwhelming situation by the end of the first chapter and will be there until the matter was resolved. I liked the amount of twists and turns as well as the emotional situations that were heaped upon the characters. I did wonder a time or two how things were going to come to a close when my predictions were proved wrong. That made the book a good one for me, the not always knowing despite reading dozens in similar genres.

Overall, I did enjoy the book more than I anticipated. Not only was the element of creating woven into the story, but the basic story was well-written and layered with details to keep me interested. Though this book was in the Christian genre, I was pleased to see that it didn't overwhelm the story. In fact, the moments where their faith was mentioned helped to shape the story and the characters themselves. The only drawback was the quickness in a certain situation. I can't reveal anything else without spoiling the story completely. I know it can happen that way. I just see it happening that often. If you're looking for a great, interesting way to spend an afternoon (or any other time), this book needs to be on your list!

Scraps of Evidence: Quilts of Love Series (Quilts of Love #14) by Barbara Cameron is currently available online at many retailers in either paperback or Kindle form. Click the link provided below to get your copy from Amazon today.
Scraps of Evidence: Quilts of Love Series (Quilts of Love #14) by Barbara Cameron

A Promise to Remember (Tomorrow's Promise Collection Book #1) by Kathryn Cushman

Release Date: October 1, 2007
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Series: Tomorrow's Promise Collection

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
When an accident claims the lives of two boys, the town of Santa Barbara is split down the middle as each side rallies one of the mothers. Andi has it all when her son is taken too soon - money, prestige and all the luxuries afforded to the wealthy class. Melanie has always been hardworking and doing what she could to make ends meet while raising her children.

In the aftermath of the fatal accident, both women saw their lives transformed and yet they couldn't see the pain in each other. When their decisions begin impacting the world around them, both women have a choice to make. Can each of the women find solace only in the anger and frustration bubbling beneath the surface? Will the town survive the rippling effect that the actions of one has on the other?

Review:
While I have mixed feelings about this book, I have to say that the story touches the heart of the reader in many ways. I purchased the book from Amazon because I could relate to the feeling of losing someone special in my life. The characters in the story seemed real to me and their reactions were those I have either experienced or seen someone close go through in their own grieving process.

Though the cast of characters is large, the author does a great job of keeping the focus on the main characters and allowing their struggles, thoughts and feelings come across with honesty. The supporting characters do add to the story in helpful ways that keep the story moving. I admit that there were more than a few times that I felt a connection with both mothers, the sister and even the kids in the youth group.

Even though the issue of faith and Christianity is present throughout the book, it doesn't seem to be forced in any way. The role it plays in the characters' lives is realistic and shows how deeply it affects the person and in the various ways. The message of forgiveness runs throughout the story in a positive manner which I think makes the story better and more real. Having been to similar churches, I could identify with the various members.

The only drawback that kept me from truly enjoying the story was the pacing in various chapters. There were parts that seemed long to me. I felt that I had already heard the same thing at a different part of the chapter and repeating the issue was merely keeping the story from moving without adding anything else to the plot.

Overall, I did enjoy the story because of the realness of the characters. Their anger, hurt and finally being able to see through those issues made it a very worthwhile read. If you are looking for a good story about faith, love and family, then I would give this book a definite chance.

A Promise to Remember (Tomorrow's Promise Collection Book #1) by Kathryn Cushman is available in various forms including Kindle, hardback or paperback. You can find more information at Amazon.com by clicking the link below.
A Promise to Remember (Tomorrow's Promise Collection Book #1) by Kathryn Cushman

A Season of Mysteries by Rusty Whitener

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Can the events of one year impact our lives twenty or thirty years down the road? For Professor Richard Powell and his group of childhood friends, the answer is undoubtedly yes. In 1971, he and his friends named their group the Fellowship of the Rock in order to honor the bond between them forged by their friendship with a fallen friend as well as their conversions to Christ.

In 1976, the faith of those within the Fellowship will be tested as a new battle looms on the horizon. Richard and his comrades come face to face with what could very well be a demon on a mission to find something, an item it has been hunting for twenty-five years. Will the Fellowship stay strong as it is tested? Will their faith falter in the face of adversity? What will it all mean for those involved years later?
 
Review:
I won this book from a giveaway at Goodreads.com and was drawn in by the blurb used to describe the book. At the time, I didn't know that the subject matter was so heavy but when I dove into the book, it truly didn't matter. The story moved at a pretty good pace that the weight of the words didn't have time to bear down on the reader's shoulders for too long before moving onto the next subject.

This book is the second in a series that began with A Season of Miracles, where we're introduced to Richard and his band of brothers as they face some pretty grownup situations and come together in the way that tragedy and triumph can connect others. I was very pleased to learn that it also is a great stand-alone read. While some of the plot is impacted by events in the first book, the author does a good job of letting the reader know the necessary information without completely rehashing the first book.

For me, the book did start off a little slow but began to pick up the pace quickly as the main plot presented itself. I was drawn into the book by the characters. Each of them were distinctly written and enjoyable to read. It was easy to envision myself among the Fellowship of the Rock as they went about their adventures. At times I found myself cheering, anxious and angry - signs that the author did his job well, in my opinion. Though the thread of finding salvation is woven into the the story, it's not beating the reader upside the head on a constant basis. Yes, there are moments where characters are compelled to convert but it's not the central theme of the story though it plays a vital part. If you are looking for a captivating, eccentric and enjoyable read, I recommend both this book and its predecessor, A Season of Miracles.

A Season of Mysteries by Rusty Whitener is available in various forms including paperback and Kindle. The book was originally released in April 2013 and published by Kregel Publications. It can be purchased at Amazon.com by clicking the link below.
A Season of Mysteries by Rusty Whitener