Parkland Mom

An awesome balance of suspense and real moments!

Évalué le: 2025-01-24

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5
Completed: Jan. 24/25
Series: Lake City Heroes, #3
Format: Audible audiobook

I have been enjoying this series so much. The characters are flushed out well with strengths and weaknesses. This story was very touching with the personal back stories but it was also very riveting in its suspense. A great balance is what makes a great suspense novel. I think this just may be my favourite season series. Thankfully, there is one more to come later this year.

A major point in this book is that everything we do has consequences. We need to think ahead and not act selfishly. When things do happen, we must ask for help when needed and find good support systems. Another major point, that struck me the most, is that many struggle to forgive themselves when that is impossible. Forgiveness comes only through and from God. We can't do it ourselves. It's His free and full grace alone.

*** NOTE: I simply HAVE to ask -- What sort of universe has a hospital cafeteria with food so great that people go there as though it were a restaurant??? A hospital SHOULD have great food to take care of ill and recovering people, but I've never been to one that can even get halfway on a scale of one to ten..... lol!!!😜

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I went on a journey in this novel.

Évalué le: 2025-01-02

Read: January 2025
Format: Audible audiobook
Narrator: Caroline Hewitt (freaking fabulous!)

I don't think someone could read this novel without giving it five stars! Seriously! This was my first Michelle Shocklee novel and I will *not* hesitate to read more in the future. It is a split-time novel predominantly set in the Appalachian Mountains.

As I listened to this novel being so masterfully narrated by Caroline Hewitt, I went on a journey to a place I'd never been, but felt as though I were there. I loved Bertie and her sisters. Bertie reminded me so much of my paternal Grandmother. The situation with the pregnant teen, Songbird, and her baby, Josh, was sad but became oh-so-beautiful. It so wonderfully illustrated how God can create so much good out of that which seems so bleak. It's all in His timing.

It's hard to put anything into words but this story moved me deeply. It kept me immersed from start to finish despite not feeling well at the time. This novel reminds us how family is about so much more than blood. Helping others and being there for those we love is our mandate for this world. The Lord tells us in scripture that loving others is the second greatest commandment.

I can't recommend this book enough and I strongly encourage listening to the audiobook for the amazing vocal narration. It's like swirling caramel through the smoothest chocolate. Divine!

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Pulls you in

Évalué le: 2024-12-11

4.25 stars
Read: December 2024

Series: Return to the Canadian West, #1
Format: Audiobook borrow audible Plus catalogue

I hadn't read a Janette Oke book in many years and it took me back. This series is written with her daughter, Laurel.

I enjoyed this story of a newly graduated teacher leaving a life of privilege and wealth to take on a position two provinces away in Alberta. The town has little to offer in things but has riches in many other ways. Beth quickly realized that the people have more needs than an education for the children. She pours herself into her community and begins to discover what is true wealth. She earnestly seeks to help with Bible teaching and reaching out to the ostracized miners.

Beth becomes aware of some nefarious activity in the seemingly quiet, little town. A near tragedy amps up the investigation.

This story remained interesting throughout and I'm looking forward to the second book.

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Very reader-y book for readers.

Évalué le: 2024-10-27

4 stars
Read: October 2024
Type: Non-fiction
Format: Audible audiobook
Narrator: Anne Gobel (author)

This is a fun book to read that an avid reader can enjoy. It contained many relatable moments that fellow readers understand. I personally enjoyed the first 2/3 better than the end.

I will note that the narration by the author is a little fast. I don’t know if I’ve ever had to slow down a narration before but it was needed. I felt rushed and I wanted to listen without that distraction. I put it at .90 and I found that just right. Her reading voice is pleasant and expressive.

Something that stuck out to me is the worthiness of reading the dedication/acknowledgments area of a book. Sometimes I read it but not always. I realized that I typically do with physical books but not e-Books. The author gave some good insight on how a reader can possibly glean more about the author and/or the book by paying attention to it. It causes you to think about why they wrote what they did. Sometimes it’s just a simple dedication but other times it is more.

What I appreciated the most was the emphasis on the different kinds of readers. You don’t have to love all the classics or whatever you’ve been told that you have to read. You especially don’t have to like what others tell you that you SHOULD read. What is a winner for one may be a 2 stars out of 5 for you. Or vice versa. People are different. Read what you enjoy and develop your own taste. Keep in mind that your preferences and reading habits will have their own ebb and flow over the years.

Only the reading community *understands* the reading community and that’s what makes this book relatable. I didn’t know 2/3 of the titles or authors she referred to and that’s okay. She may not know a good chunk of mine either. I typically only read Christian and clean fiction. This is my first non-fiction for 2024. It may be my only NF for the year other than the Bible, which is in a class of its own. What matters is how she uses particular books to illustrate various points she is making. You can substitute your own title in your mind quite easily. Or you can think of your own realizations and conclusions that you reached as a reader and what books fit with each.

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Totally immersive 5-star read!

Évalué le: 2024-09-22

Stars: 5 stars
Read: September 2024

Wow! I was immersed into this novel from the very start. Both timelines were good on their own but even better together! The narration is spot on as well.

The characters were all so clear to me and everything played out in my mind like a movie. The reality of child trafficking is so important to me and it is something that must be brought out of the dark so that people know. It is not a ‘conspiracy theory.’ Our children are our greatest treasure.

There was a line about how a 2023 timeline character had always viewed trafficking as a modern issue but yet it had happened even in the Victorian era. While that is true, it has been a sickening part of history from way before that. Even worse, it has become an even bigger and broader 8 billion per year ‘business’ in current day. Clearly we did not learn or watch carefully enough. It is something that needs to completely end. For that to happen, it means stopping the rich and powerful that continue to do it even now.

From the first time I read Carrie Turansky in the McAlister Family series, I knew she was an author for me to continue with. I cannot recommend this novel enough. I give that recommendation with a caveat or forewarning: Be sure to carve out the time you will need because you will want to read or listen to all of it with necessary breaks only.

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A niche story but just not for me.

Évalué le: 2024-09-15

Stars: ⭐️⭐️ & 1/4 (2.25 stars)
Read: September 2024

Format: Audible audiobook
Narrator: Beverley A. Crick (excellent!)

[The narrator was extremely suited to this book and did a fabulous job!]

COMMENTS: I never would have chosen this on my own. It’s *way* out of my wheelhouse. It’s very eclectic with fantasy and whimsy.

I got this on an Audible deal because of all the people who loved it. I really didn’t know that it would be a fit for me but sometimes a push is a good thing.

My perspective? This wasn’t for me unfortunately. I was fine with the early part of the book but the very long trip was so repetitious for me that my mind wandered often. I struggled to finish, since it’s just not my style, but I forced myself to see it through and push my boundaries. I did feel that this story was twice as long as it truly needed to be. I loved the character of Arthur/Theo. There was some good humour and a couple of quotes that I really enjoyed.

- Ch. 4 of audiobook: “His candied promises still concealed arsenic-filled centers.”
- Ch. 14 of audiobook: “Don’t get so busy tending the garden that you never sit back and enjoy the view.”

For folks that like fantastical whimsy, this book is definitely for them. She’s a good writer for this style. It’s got a Mary Poppins vibe and it reminded me of the many Saturday matinées I saw as a kid. I think it would make a great kids’ movie in many ways. It’s a niche style but just not *my* niche. And that’s okay! :-)

It’s very difficult for me to rate a story that isn’t my “cup of tea,” but I will put it in the middle-ish. I enjoyed the beginning (prior to the trip), the character of Arthur/Theo, the creativity of the author, and the happily ever after ending. I fully acknowledge my interest bias so take that for what you will. I can only rate by my own personal experience.

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Very educational and inspiring.

Évalué le: 2024-07-25

Read: July 2024
Format: Audible audiobook

I won this audiobook by Amy Clipston. I had read a couple Amish books some time ago written by her, but I admittedly like this contemporary romance genre more.

I listened to half on a road trip to visit family and I finished it on the way back home. I really enjoyed the story a lot and I feel connected to the characters. I definitely recommend it!

The narrator, Melissa Moran, was new to me. She was mostly good in the general stuff, main characters, and even the male characters. Her voices for a couple of the moms (minor characters) were very sing-song and overdone/exaggerated. Sometimes she over-dramatized in other areas as well—at least for my taste.

For the most part I was satisfied with the narration but I’m not sure if I’d listen to something again with the same narrator.

The organ donor storyline was really interesting and I learned some things. There was also an estranged parent and bio-parent storyline that included a lot of raw emotion. I do wish there was more of a faith direction. There was no real talk of God or praying. It was more of a traditional worldview but no relationships with Christ.

I rated this novel with 4+ stars and I definitely think many will really enjoy it just as I did.

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4++ stars — For the nerd and hidden jewels

Évalué le: 2024-01-22

4++ stars. I listened to the Audible audiobook. The narrator was new to me—and somewhat iffy going in—but she actually suited the character very well.

Secret letters inside a tree at the zoo…. How can a book lover not enjoy that premise? This was my first book by this author but it won’t be my last. This was a novel to just sit and relish with bookish wonder.

Two hurting people feeling like outcasts in their respective families become friends through pen and paper as children. It continues into adulthood, both never knowing the real name of the other. It isn’t until push comes to shove that they eventually discover each other’s identity—but do not realize the other knows as well. Secrets and difficulties from the past thrust them together to try put an end to a longstanding family feud.

The female main character blossoms into the woman she was meant to be. The male main character finds his backbone and becomes a man of honour and purpose. Throw in some intrigue and mystery, as well as some human spectacles for sport, and you have a pleasant and rewarding visit to Buffalo, New York.

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4.5 stars - one of Coble’s best yet!

Évalué le: 2024-01-14

4.5 stars. I listened to the audiobook in January 2024. This new narrator is a very welcome addition to my personal list of narrators that I really enjoy. This is the best narrator out of all the audiobooks I’ve listened to by this author. This book fulfilled a reading challenge prompt where law enforcement was featured. The male main character is a seasoned homicide detective and the local police department.

This just may be my favourite book by this author—or at least in the top 3.

This was an exciting and suspenseful ride with betrayal and drama but it was balanced with familial relationships, babies, and more. Though they were maybe a somewhat ragtag group of people thrown together, but they grew as individuals and healed together. There were several tender moments that I appreciated. The ending was quite HEA (happily ever after) and made me both smile and tear up at the same time.

I knew very little about Fabergé eggs so it was fascinating to learn.

The truth uncovered a lot of lies, danger, and frustration. However, it also brought them something priceless—far more priceless than the Fabergé egg.

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A fabulous start to a new series!

Évalué le: 2024-01-11

4.5 stars - Listened via audiobook. The narrator,, Lauren Pedersen, is really good!

This new series is off to an incredible start! I think this is one of her best and I’ve read a lot of this author’s novels. I began it the day that it came out (yesterday) and finished today. I won this audiobook from Kav’s Best Reads. Thank-you, Kav!

I liked the female and male main characters, flaws and strengths. I appreciated their growth throughout the book and how they were stronger together. Though I did guess correctly about what happened, I still enjoyed the story very much. I liked that the high tension and suspense was balanced with regular, normal life moments and a little romance.

I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.

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