Category: Book Talk Tuesday

Book Talk on a Thursday: JESUS FOLLOWERS

Published on by Live Vi-Carrie-ous

When your last name is Graham (or Lotz) and you’re related to the Reverend Billy Graham, people probably expect you to act and talk a certain way. You’re held to a different (and higher) standard than the rest of us mortals sinners.

In their new book, Anne Graham Lotz (Billy’s daughter) and Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright (Anne’s daughter and Billy’s granddaughter), share insights and stories about being Jesus followers, and raising children to also be Jesus followers. The subtitle is Real-Life Lessons for Igniting Faith in the Next Generation.

The book is arranged in various sections that include Our Witness, Our Worship, Our Walk, and Our Work. Each section opens with teaching from Anne, then there are several short stories from Rachel-Ruth illustrating the points.

Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright is honest and transparent about the difficulties she experienced, particularly in high school, growing up in a family well-known for their faith.

It’s apparent Anne and her late husband, Danny, were intentional in raising their children to be Jesus followers. They (according to the pages of this book) walked the walk they talked about.

The teaching in this book is solid, the stories are well written and overall this is an excellent addition to the library of any believer wanting to be intentional about investing in the next generation. The bottom line: Live a life of faith and don’t be shy about it.

I enjoyed this book and recommend it!

As I prepared to write this review, I did a little research on the Graham family, since the only members I knew anything about were Anne and her brother Franklin, President of Samaritan’s Purse. I’ll just say the Graham children did not grow up unscathed.

I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher, but this did not induce me to review it, favorably or not.

Book Talk Tuesday: THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING GUEST

Published on by Live Vi-Carrie-ous

It’s fall! That means Pumpkin Spice Lattes, a chill in the air, and Christmas books and movies! Yes, it’s time for Christmas. Decorations are appearing in stores, ads are showing telling us what to shop for, and I just read my first Christmas book.

THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING GUEST is the first in a new small town series by Susan Mallery. Mallery has given us series based in Fool’s Gold, Mischief Bay, Blackberry Island, and Happily, Inc. Now, we have Wishing Tree, Washington, a town focused on Christmas. All year long. Mallery recently released a novella, SAY YOU’LL STAY, that introduces the town and some of their traditions.

In THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING GUEST, we meet the Sommerville sisters. Dena lives in Wishing Tree. She’s a teacher and owns a local B&B. She’s given up on finding “the one,” and is having a baby via a donor and IVF. Reggie lives in Seattle, but has come back to Wishing Tree to help her parents plan their vow renewal ceremony. Last year, she was engaged and dumped in the same Thanksgiving weekend.

Micah is a grieving rock star who lost his song writing mojo when his pregnant wife was killed in a car accident last year. His friend invites him to Wishing Tree to heal and help out at his Christmas tree farm. Micah never expects the sweet and attractive owner of the bed and breakfast where he’s staying to be the inspiration to get him writing again.

Toby left Wishing Tree at eighteen, intent on leaving behind his pain, including ex-girlfriend Reggie. But circumstances brought him–and his young son–back to town. It’s too bad he and Reggie still have a spark, because his son comes first, and he won’t allow anything–or anyone–to disrupt that order.

I love Mallery’s new setting of Wishing Tree. It’s fun and quirky, just like Fool’s Gold and Happily, Inc. Her characters feel real and have real problems and real reasons why they can’t get together immediately.

There are a couple of adorable dogs, Belle and Burt, that add to the holiday fun.

I highly recommend this book!

I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher, but that did not induce me to review it, favorably or not. I just happen to love well-written, quirky, small town, holiday romances.

Book Talk Tuesday: HANGING BY A MOMENT

Published on by Live Vi-Carrie-ous

I’m so excited! It’s time to go back to Deep Haven, Minnesota with Andrea Christianson and Susan May Warren.

Hangin’ By a Moment is a story of second chances and of choosing to move past fears and trusting again.

Jack made some mistakes but he’s ready to embrace a new life in Deep Haven and put the past behind him. Unfortunately, the past seems determined to follow him.

Colleen Decker grew up in Deep Haven and left it behind. But when fear chases her home again, she finds the time-out she needs.

Jack is a former pararescue jumper and Colleen is a trauma nurse. They work together to help the newly formed Deep Haven Crisis Response Team. As they grow closer, they realize they each have secrets they need to share and issues they need to deal with.

I enjoyed this entry in the Deep Haven collection a lot. We met Colleen Decker in Susie’s previous book, YOU DON’T KNOW ME, so we know a bit of Colleen’s back story and why she ran from Deep Haven. Jack’s secret involves prison time for a mistake he deeply regrets. He knows it could have been much worse, but he still has a hard time forgiving himself and letting it go. It doesn’t help that it seems no one else will let it go, either.

I like how the authors showed Jack’s and Colleen’s journeys from broken people to healed and whole. The plot and characters grew organically. At times, Colleen’s assumptions about Jack seemed a bit misguided or naïve, but that’s a small quibble.

I highly recommend this book!

I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher. This did not induce me to write a review, favorable or otherwise.

Book Talk Tuesday: NEVER A VISCOUNT

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It’s been a few years since Humphreys’ last novel so I was eager to dive in when this one released. And wow, she did not disappoint!

Peter Jennett is shot while on his way to visit his cousin in his country parish. It’s not the first attempt on his life, so he gives a false name when he awakens in the local surgery.

Anne Albright nurses the man she knows as Peter Matthews, allowing herself to develop feelings for him. As they grow closer they learn some secrets about each other, and keep a few more. When the full truth is revealed, Anne can’t forgive Peter for the deception, even though he’s still being stalked by a killer.

I loved this story so much! It’s a wonder to me how Humphreys kept the pace and action of the book moving, when the hero spent so much time in bed and convalescing. But she did! The attraction between Peter and Anne grew and flared naturally. It’s obvious Humphreys does her research, both medically and historically.

I highly recommend NEVER A VISCOUNT!

And, in news that’s sure to shock regular readers of my reviews, I purchased this copy of Never a Viscount. It was not a free advance copy. That’s how sure I was that I would enjoy it, and I was right!

Book Talk on a Friday: THE GOLDEN COUPLE

Published on by Live Vi-Carrie-ous

Talk about a thriller of a ride! I could hardly put this book down and read it in just a couple of sittings.


Controversial (and unlicensed therapist) Avery Chambers takes on Marissa and Matthew Bishop as clients. Marissa is desperate to reconcile her marriage after a one-night stand, but as the Bishops delve deeper into their marriage, more secrets come out. Avery is dealing with her own issues and is being actively persecuted by a corporation upset by her methods and whistleblowing.


Each chapter takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of twists and turns that leads inexorably to the explosive climax when everything becomes clear.


I loved this book and highly recommend it!

Unfortunately for you (but oh, so fortunately for me), I was given an Advanced Reader Copy to read. The book doesn’t release until March, 2022. But it will be worth the wait!

I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley, but that did not induce me to review it, favorably or not.