Dressed to Kill

Dressed to Kill

By: Lynn Cahoon

196 Pages

Summary:

When most of the store owners agree to act in a local play to raise funds for charity, no one thought the murder mystery would become real. However, things change when one of the actors turns up dead when he wasn't supposed to. The list of suspects grows, as does the secrets that come to light. Will Jill clear her boyfriend's ex-wife of murder? 

I love Cahoon's Tourist Trap Mystery series!! Color me ecstatic when I learned Dressed To Kill will open my summer, and Killer Run is going to close it! Lynn Cahoon is going to bookend my summer! Bring on the fun! Bring on the characters! Bring on the mysteries!

Kent was the manager of the local bank. He was also the local playboy who had a string of women left in his wake. Not to mention a few other secrets that come to life when he turns up dead during a play rehearsal. South cove is boiling over with gossip about what's going on. But the spotlight shines on Sherry, Greg's ex-wife, since she was dating him at the time of his death. It's no secret that Sherry has been a thorn in Jill's side for awhile, but could Sherry actually kill someone? 

Determined not to get involved with the case this time, Jill spends most of the book doing her best to do just that. Yet, she can't help herself, and she finds out things. Clues find her, she finds them; it's all the same. 

Dressed to Kill may not be as action packed as other books in the series, but it was still as enjoyable as the rest. I loved reading it. You won't be lacking in the charm the series is known for. Nor will you be lacking in a good plot. Jill, our ever sly detective doesn't disappoint.

The Good, The Grace of God

The Good, The Bad, and the Grace of God
By: Jep & Jessica Robertson
220 Pages

Summary:
Within these pages, you will get a closer look into their life- both before, and since their marriage. You will discover the journey both led prior to meeting, and see the journey they've been on ever since. Along the way, they share the lessons they learned and how God changed their lives. 

I have to admit that I have never seen an episode of the immensely popular Duck Dynasty TV show. I've heard of them and seen the clips that made the news, but I probably couldn't name everyone on the show. However, knowing the very little that I do, I was drawn to this book. I love to read about peoples' testimonies, and learn what they learned.

Jep and Jessica had normal childhoods. In fact, they grew up in the same town, but never met while growing up. She was a tomboy; he was the youngest of his brothers. For all intents and purposes, life was somewhat boringly normal for them- until high school. Much like the world around them, life changes awaited in their teen years.

Jep became the star basketball player, only to have his sports dreams crushed when he seriously broke his ankle. Jess was also an athlete, but her athletic life came to a halt when her first love not only devastated her heart, but completely demolished her self- esteem. Both Jep and Jess struggled to make sense of their lives, and to find new identities. Jess tried to bury her pain in an eating disorder. Jep partied his away with booze and drugs.

Through the pages you will learn how a misunderstanding set Jess on a course she felt obligated to follow- all the way to the wedding chapel and a marriage she wasn't ready for. You'll read the dangerous turn Jep's partying took when he awoke in the middle of a road, all alone. They give you a front row seat into how God intervened and changed their direction. After a family intervention stopped Jep from losing any more control than he already had, you'll see how he spent the following 3 months really developing his relationship with Christ.

Their relationship was a friendship built around God to begin with. That eventually led to more. You will learn how a few men in Jep's Bible Study group tried to break them up, but the couple fought for their love. The road wasn't without many bumps along the way. Revelations of the past, and hidden secrets threatened their future. Baggage from the past took many forms, and often came close to being their undoing. My heart broke for every struggle they faced. I was happy to see them through the darkness.

I loved reading this book. I loved meeting, and getting to know this couple! Their stories were engrossing. What they each had been through on their own, and the struggles they endured as a team was a testament to their love of each other, and their love for God. They truly sought to do God's will above their own. They turned to Him, and had Him at the center of their entire relationship. It was inspiring to read.

I invite you to read this fascinating read. Whether already a fan of the show, or not, their story is one to be read and learned from. You will be inspired and walk away feeling like you've made new friends.

Wish You Were Here

Summer is a great time to dive into a romance! Here's a romance we think you may enjoy!

Wish You Were Here

By: Phillipa Ashley

287 Pages

Summary:

Eight years ago, Jack Thornfield and Beth Allen met. Three weeks was enough time for both to fall in love with the other. However, once their vacation was over, life caused the romance to be over as well. But, they never forgot each other- or truly got over each other. What would happen if they were to meet up again? Could past hurts be healed? Or is the past really in the past?

Phillipa Ashley is a wonderful romance storyteller. You connect with her characters, and find yourself routing for them. She weaves a story you are pulled into, and they are magical. In Wish You Were Here, she does so well what she always has. She makes you fall in love with her characters as they fall in love with each other.

Jack Thornfield runs a company called Big Outdoors. They don't offer your average vacation get away. However, if you want to white water raft on your vacation, they have you covered. Once the domination company in their field, Big Outdoors has taken a hit from their competitors. Jack is looking to recapture the number one spot, but he needs fresh ideas to do it. 

Beth Allen is interviewing for a job. Prepared to suggest new vacation ideas, and marketing methods to bring in more revenue, Beth is ready to give the interview of her lifetime. What she wasn't ready for was to see Jack.  How could she work for a company with her ex in charge? The man who broke her heart by never hearing from him again? But, she has no choice. In order to help her family, she needs to take the job.

Both Jack and Beth never really got over each other. True, they moved on. True, they have had other relationships since their amazing 3 weeks together. But, nothing came close to the love they shared. Working hard to push old feelings aside, they out their focus on the company. But everything changes when both go back to the place they fell in love at. While testing out a possible vacation set up to offer clients, they also test old feelings. 

This book was a great, light, fun read. It would be great company to have on the beach, or at the pool.