A few weeks ago, I read a book that had great potential.  The cover totally says "I'm watching you, Mike Wazowski."  Without the Monsters, Inc. reference.  A new writer's career is destroyed when her favorite author (and ex) steals her idea for his own bestselling novel. And...then she finds herself snowed in at the same "writer's retreat" cabin." (I want one of those.)  The Cabin had the potential to be hilarious or suspenseful, and it did keep me waiting to see what would happen. This page ... Read More about My Review of Erin Unger’s The Cabin

A few years ago, I watched a series on Amazon called The Newsroom.  I can't recommend it, because the language is frustratingly awful, but the story was great.  In a world of fake news, I found myself reminded that many journalists chose that profession to provide the public with a valuable service, with the same conviction of a police officer or firefighter.  Harbor Secrets was one of those stories, too - no bad language, set in a different time and place, but with that same conviction that the ... Read More about My Review of Harbor Secrets

Cowboy + Suspense.  This should be fun! I didn't quite realize what I was getting into when I started reading Danger on the Ranch by Dana Mentink.  I don't think I had even read the back cover copy.  I had some fun with Act of Valor, so I thought this one would be worth checking out.  It was.  I was sucked into the story from the first chapter when I realized exactly who I was dealing with. This review has been moved to The Cafe Scholar Blog. Click here to read the full post ... Read More about Why I Enjoyed Reading Danger on the Ranch

The Montana frontier, shortly after the end of the Civil War.  An injured Indian girl found in the barn of a single rancher.  A neighbor's visiting relative who insists on personally caring for the girl.  Language barriers, cultural barriers, danger and captivity.  What on EARTH could Misty Beller's This Healing Journey have in common with a ministry called Mpact Girls Clubs? When Nathaniel finds a young Indian girl injured and hiding in his barn, he knows he needs help.  He doesn’t realize how ... Read More about What Does This Healing Journey Have in Common with Mpact Girls?

I think I love spy novels even more than frontier stories.  I don't know if it's the secret codes or the chance to become someone you're not.  The way people who aren't quite normal in regular life find meaning and purpose.  At least a little bit of it is the way the work that is done in secret can save lives, stop wars before they start, or reduce the casualty count.  Maybe it's because there are spies in the Bible.  But if spy novels are just plain awesome, historical spy novels are the next ... Read More about 3 Reasons You Should Read The Number of Love