A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham

This book is special. This is the book that dethroned my current 2020 favorite book! I have had the same book at the top of my list for most of the year until this little gem from Rachel Fordham came along. It's an instant favorite! I haven't read any of Rachel's work before so I didn't know what to expect. But now I immediately added her other books to my TBR list!

This book takes place in the 1800s in the small town of Penance. Aggie has been the beloved schoolteacher in Penance for 6 years...ever since she literally ran for the hills and away from the love of her life in Buffalo. Aggie learned a shocking secret that changed her life forever and she felt she had no other choice but to completely start her life afresh in a new place. While trying to protect her fiance, James, she inadvertently caused him tremendous pain as well as herself.

When a handsome new doctor comes to Penance, Aggie is completely surprised to find out that he is none other than her beloved James. As their paths cross again, Aggie and James try to decipher the mysteries of their past and move forward with a future together.

This book made me smile...it made me cry...it made me feel. It's an unforgettable book and one that will inspire everyone who reads it. The characters feel like old, wise friends and the author's talent inspires me to write the stories that are on my heart. Rachel Fordham has a gift and it's an honor to read her work. Thank you so much to Revell and Rachel Fordham for the chance to read and review this book!

Don't Keep Silent by Elizabeth Goddard

Don't Keep Silent is the action packed conclusion to the Uncommon Justice series by Elizabeth Goddard. In this installment of the thrilling series, a young woman who is living a double life is missing. Zoey has left behind her husband and daughter, but did she willingly leave or was she kidnapped? Zoey's sister-in-law, Rae, is determined to find out. Rae can't solve the mystery without the help of Liam, who has a history in law enforcement and a history of stealing Rae's heart. Rae and Liam have to race against time to save Zoey and save themselves from getting swept away by their feelings for each other.

This book was very exciting and thrilling to read. I loved reading the action packed scenes and trying to solve the mystery myself before the characters did. However, I felt the conclusion was a bit rushed and confusing with too many details and "bad guys" involved. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed reading this exciting book. I would definitely recommend that readers start with the first book in the series because this is not a standalone book. Thanks so much to the author and publisher for the chance to read and review this book!

Finding the Love of Jesus by Elyse Fitzpatrick

This is a really interesting read about finding examples of the love of Jesus from the beginning pages of Genesis all the way to the end of Revelation. Throughout the Bible, we can find Jesus' love represented in many different ways. Elyse Fitzpatrick has written this book to reveal these findings within different sections of the Bible. This book is short, sweet, and informative. There are reflection questions at the end of each chapter which provide an interactive reading experience. The highlight of this book for me is the fact that we may think the Law of the Bible is boring and outdated, but without the Law, there is no Gospel. The message is clear. Jesus' love is real, unending, and evident from cover to cover in the pages of God's Word. Thanks so much to the author and publisher for the chance to read and review this book!