Scraps of Evidence by Barbara Cameron

BOOK SUMMARY:

Tess has taken some ribbing from her fellow officer, Logan,for her quilting hobby. He finds it hard to align the brisk professional officer he patrols with during the day with the one who quilts in her off-time. Besides, he’s been trying to get to know her better and he’d like to be seeing her during those couple nights a week she spends with her quilting guild.

Then one afternoon Tess and Logan visit her aunt in the nursing home and she acts agitated when Tess covers her with the story quilt. Aunt Susan seems to be communicating a message to them about Tess’s uncle. There’s a story behind this quilt, they realize, one that may lead them to a serial killer. Will they have a chance to have a future together or will the killer choose Tess for his next victim before they find him?

MY THOUGHTS:

Scraps of Evidence is part of the Quilts of Love series. This was a great story from beginning to end. I loved watching the characters grow and develop. Watching Tess and Logan learn to relate and trust each other as partners was written in such a way that I felt I was on the journey with them.  The book was really not what I expected, it was so much more. As they are searching for a serial killer, I found myself intrigued and working at solving the mystery myself.  I had a hard time putting it down, and at the same time finding myself not sure I could read it late in the night when it was so quiet. :)

The story behind the story regarding Tess and her friend who was murdered by the serial killer was a refreshing look at friendship. Although most of what we see was in direct relation to the murder, we can see a side of it which shows what true friendship is. 

Showing the different sides to all the characters and the different relationships mixed in created a  beautifully written story I'm sure you will love to read! 

You can find the book for yourself at Amazon.com

Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own and may differ from others.

Psalm 91 for Mothers by Peggy Joyce Ruth

Psalm 91 has always been a well known chapter of the Bible. For most Christians we have read the chapter, but have we really delved into the truth of the scripture? In Psalm 91 for Mother's, we gain that opportunity. This book walks through Psalm 91 in a new and unique way which captures the hearts of mother's everywhere.

This book teaches us how to rely on God's promises. We find practical ways to allow God to have control over our children. I know from experience how hard it can be when we realize we are not in control of our children. We have to acknowledge God's promises and trust that he knows what he is doing and learn to call on him for protection of our loved ones.

I loved how each chapter starts with the verse it will cover, and then is chalk full of vital information. The true stories to me were my favorite parts because it was a way to grasp the verse in real life situations. We saw how God pulled people through struggles that only he could provide an out for. We saw mom's trusting completely in him to make it through each day.

At the end of the book, there is a section for those mom's reading who might need help knowing how to be saved, and how to go about doing that. There also is a great section where there is a Psalm 91 covenant. You write in your name and it makes the chapter personal. I feel like this is so important especially during a time when you can't seem to find your way and have trouble feeling the truth. It is a purposeful look at Psalm 91 where you find yourself with complete attention on God.

I think every mom should read this book. No matter how much we love our kids, it's amazing to find someone who loves them even more than we do!
You can find the book on amazon.com.
Connect with the author at www.peggyjoyceruth.org


Disclosure: I received a free print copy of the book in order to do my review. My reviews are always my honest opinion and may differ from yours.

Restoration Series by Terri Blackstock

      One of my favorite thing about reading is finding new series, authors and subjects in which to engross myself in. When I read a book, I tend to find myself a part of the story. I see the story in pictures and find myself imagining what it would be like to live in the story. I actually retain the scene so if I re-read a book, I see it the same way! Maybe I'm just a little strange or too involved in a story but I my son has inherited the same love of reading and becoming involved with the book:)

       I have read a few of Terri Blackstock's books in the past, but recently have started reading them non-stop. The Restoration Series is wonderful! There are 4 books in the series. 

       The whole series revolves around the idea of what might happen if we lost all electricity. How would our lives change? How would we react? Our culture has become so hooked on technology that the idea of not having it is sometimes terrifying. We don't know how we would continue life as we know it. The series begins with all the electronics losing their power. There's no air or electricity in homes, but even more confusing is the fact that cars fail to run, watches won't keep time. Nothing that needs electric power works. We see how differently people react to the situation. 

        The first book, Last Light, focuses mainly on the Branning family and the  beginning of the loss. People are reacting to the initial struggle...getting home, not being able to call people or find people, and realizing how easy life had been compared to after the catastrophe. We realize by living the story, how much we rely on electronics, and how hard it can be to adapt when things are taken away, not by choice.

        In the second book, Night Light, we learn how the longer the people deal with change, and the permanence of it, how people begin to react in survival mode. We learn through circumstances that occur, how little people are trusting in God, and are focusing more on the negatives...what was lost, instead of trusting in God and in family.

       In book three, True Light, in the light of recent murders people are on edge. As the neighborhood begins to try and start it's own government and start to provide some sort of normalcy in spite of circumstances. People are really starting to get frustrated which leads to some poor choices and consequences for choices. 

       In book four, Dawn's Light, the families have really learned to trust God, have accepted life as it is, and have adapted to the idea the lights may never come on. When they find out the power will soon be fixed, how will they deal with everything. As the Branning family comes to grips with a tragedy that comes on the family, will they be able to trust the God they've learned to rely on? Can God really bring good out of something bad? 

      While these books all follow the lost of electronics, I think a bigger story lies behind it. What are we focusing our lives on? What are our priorities? I think Terri Blackstock gives us a great and very exciting look into a "what if" situation. There is no way to read these books and come out the same. They are filled with excitement, drama, tragedy and love. Most important are the life lessons and helps teach us to trust in God no matter what the circumstances are.

       You do not want to miss out on these great books. I stayed up too late many nights because I just couldn't put down the book I was on.  

Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this review. I used library books to do the review. My opinions are honest and are completely mine.

The link to the first book on amazon.com is Last Light