By Bette Lee Crosby

Series:  Wyattsville #2 

ISBN: 9780989128926

Publisher: Bent Pine Publishing 

Publication Date: 10/12/2013 

Format:  e-book

My Rating: 5 Stars

It was exciting catching up with beloved and memorable Southern characters from Spare Change (Wyattsville #1) in Bette Lee Crosby's second book in this compelling and riveting series,JUBILEE'S JOURNEY (Wyattsville #2)!

I have finished an advanced reading copy of PASSING THROUGH PERFECT (Wyattsville #3), coming Jan 14, 2015 - If you enjoyed this one, you will love reconnecting with Paul and Jubilee, once again and the two new adoptive parents. Their lives intersect with another family in need, for a powerful and riveting story of racial injustice. Once again, the kindness of strangers, helps save lives, and offers hope for the future.

Set in the rural poverty area of West Virginia, a poor coal mining father is forced work in the coal mines in order to support his family. His father and the one before him, wanted to break the cycle as it never had a good ending.

Without the proper education they keep following in their father’s footsteps when times are hard. Paul promised his dad before he died he would not ever work in the coal mine. He decides to keep his promise no matter what.

When his mom and dad both die, he is left as a child to support his younger sister Jubilee. A child himself, he uses what money they have a leave the town behind in search of an aunt and a new life. As they step off the bus in Wyattesville, Virginia, and after eating at the diner, Paul sees a sign in a grocery store window advertising help. He tells his sister to wait on the bench as he goes to apply for the job.

However, little does he know he is stepping into the middle of a robbery and gets caught in the crossfire. Left in the hospital with amnesia, the poor little sister does not know when he is coming back or what happened to her older brother. A stranger(Ethan Allen and Olivia from Spare Change #1) rescue her, taking her in, and try and figure out the mystery and pieces of the puzzle of the robbery and the identity of her aunt.

Fellow readers, you are always guaranteed a treat, and to fall in love with Bette’s well-developed characters; ones you will not soon forget, even after the books ends. Bette Lee Crosby, a master storyteller once again, delivers a heartfelt story of triumph over tragedy for a "Must Read Series.”

Fans of Catherine Hyde will enjoy the heartwarming story, coming with a special takeaway message.

A heartwarming, emotional, and poignant story of the exploration of a southern family, not always biological, and the kindness and compassion of strangers. An inspiring story of triumph over tragedy. Be sure and read PASSING THROUGH PERFECT, as each time you do not think Betters books can get better and surprises you with another winner—the best yet!

A special thank you to the author for a complimentary reading copy in exchange for an honest review

By: Bette Lee Crosby 

Series: The Wyattsville Series #3
ASIN: B00OPBFV68
Publisher: Bent Pine Publishing
Publication Date: 1/14/2015
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars +

Miss Bette, you have outdone yourself with PASSING THROUGH PERFECT! Southern fiction at its finest.

Wyattsville Series, Book 3, an inspiring story and gripping series (the best yet), assured to win your heart, and one you will not soon forget. When a twist of fate intersects, and hearts of compassion unite among races, delivering a powerful and emotional story of love and loss.

For fans of To Kill a Mockingbird, The Help, Julie Kibler’s, Calling Me Home, David Johnson's, The Tucker Series, or the many early southern books of Charles Martin (my all-time favorite author), this book is for you! A heartfelt novel of bigotry, racial injustice, and poverty, set in the late 40’s and 50s in the Deep South, in rural Alabama.

Following World War II, African-American Benjamin returns to his hometown of Grinder’s Corner to find everything is still the same – a hole in the road. His father is a proud farmer, a good man who has lost his wife and now his only son has returned to offer his help and support. He wanted to leave this poor hometown good-bye and be an engineer or mechanic of aircraft; however, he knows this will never happen.

Benjamin is no longer concerned about the future and career he once dreamed of. The responsibility of taking care of his father and the farm is his top priority and he is not afraid to get his hands dirty. However, he attends a local dance with his father and some friends, and meets the girl of his dreams. He falls in love quickly and knows this is his wife and future.

However, her dad is the pastor and his heart is not so giving, to a poor farmer. Forcing her out and now Benjamin shoulders the responsibility for his dad, his new wife, and a baby (s) on the way. However, when rough times come, and the farming dries up, there is nothing to do but pick up and move from all he knows and loves.

Before this occurs there are many tests of patience, sadness and grief as Benjamin wonders why God is allowing this to happen, after the night when he loses part of what is most precious to him in a corrupt world of injustice. On the road from Alabama to Pennsylvania he passes through what later seems like "Perfect" and his life is about to change in ways he never dreamed possible. (priceless)

Bette is a master storyteller of tales of the south, stories of triumph over tragedy, and faith. PASSING THROUGH PERFECT tops the charts! Having had the opportunity to read the other books in the series: Spare Change (#1) and Jubilees Journey (#2), highly recommend all; filled with characters you come to love and cherish as if neighbors, friends, and family.

I would recommend reading the series in order, as you will meet up with Jubilee and Paul the orphan brother and sister team, and their adopted parents, (wonderful people you meet in Book #2,who will make you laugh and cry), for a powerful twist of fate and love bringing these two families together (about sixty percent through the book).

One of the best books I have read this year, PASSING THROUGH PERFECT will warm your heart with this love story crossing many genres from Alabama to Pennsylvania as Benjamin Church and his son, Isaac find their path to happiness and acceptance.

Fans of historical fiction,women's fiction, romance, drama, Christian, and suspense, you will enjoy Crosby's writing. We never know who, what and where. God puts people in our path at just the right time, as He has a bigger plan in mind than we as humans can conceive.

A special thank you to the author for an early reading copy in exchange for an honest review. A treasured gem. Not only are her books engaging and insightful, she is a genuine and lovely person and enjoy connecting with her through social media. If you have not read her books, you are missing out on a rare treat!

By David Johnson
Series: Tucker Series #1
ISBN: 781477827021
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Publication Date: 12/9/2014
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 5 Stars +

A special thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, TUCKERS WAY (The Tucker Series Book #1) may be one of the best historical fiction books of 2014! You know you have discovered a winning book, when you begin sending out recommendations to all of your reading friends, before you are even fifty percent through the book. I love discovering new found authors!

David Johnson’s TUCKER'S WAY is a powerful, heartfelt and emotional story of one woman’s journey from incest, abuse, poverty, to the raising of her three grandchildren – a book of love, loss, faith; tragedy and triumph, making you laugh and cry at the same time.

Tucker is dirt poor with a lack of education, and social graces.  She has experienced a hard life, with years of abuse, since childhood, and practically raised herself. Now she finds herself stuck raising her three grandchildren, since her no-good daughter took off. Now her youngest grandchild April will not speak and social services is threatening to take her way, so she turns to her new neighbor for help. (and Tucker does not do help well).

Tucker has made plenty many enemies in the small Tennessee country southern town, as loves to carry an ax, and use it when needed, and can fight like a man. She has hardened herself and does not trust others, has a temper; however, she is fearless when it comes to protecting those she loves.

When she finds out her main enemy (The Judge)’s ex-wife has moved in next door, she is furious. Ella, has a difficult time breaking down the walls to try and befriend her neighbor Tucker (too funny). However, Ella has experienced cancer, has no hair, a cheating and abusive husband and a son following in his dad’s footsteps, so she knows heartache as well. When these two meet, both from different walks of life, they learn from one another in so many ways. When troubles surface, learn their lives connect in many different ways and develop a friendship and bond, which is unbreakable, leaving you smiling.

For fans of historical fiction Dollbaby, by Laura Lane McNeal, and Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain, TUCKER'S WAYand The Tucker Series is for you! These were two of my most beloved books and this one sits next to them. A bittersweet "must read series" filled with wit and humor.  

I am so delighted I saw the popup ad on the Goodreads (they work); when I read the summary, knew this was going to be a special book to treasure; and immediately requested it through NetGalley.

David Johnson knows southern fiction, from the country southern dialect, the setting, and the characters. You care about the characters, as if you were there in the log cabin next to the fire, or sitting on the swing or rocker on the porch, or listening to the words of the southern songs.

Johnson's extensive background with over over thirty-five years as a licensed marriage and family therapist with a master’s degree in social work and over a decade of experience as a minister, speaks throughout the pages with in depth insights into social issues, poverty, human behavior, family dynamics, abuse, incest, dysfunction, and emotions of the heart.

Tucker has seen and experienced abuse like no child, teen or adult should ever see, which has hardened her heart; however, she reminds me of Tyler Perry's Madea, with her manly rough and tough exterior, keeping you in stitches with her wit and humor, and a true fearless best friend to those she protects and loves. A huge fan of Madea, as have seen all the movies, and had to laugh when I read other reviewers with the same thought.

Love the relationship between Ella and Tucker, from two different backgrounds. This book would make a great movie!  As you will note, the names of the grandchildren: April, March, August (so assuming possibly August something will be book 5). Now, I am dying to read the other books in the series, and have been busy requesting as have to find out more about Tucker, Ella, April, March, and August. I also enjoyed learning the author's inspiration behind the series. 

Next on my list!
All available, 12/9/2014

An Unexpected Frost
(The Tucker Series Book 2)

April's Rain
(The Tucker Series Book 3)

March On
(The Tucker Series Book 4)

Will keep my fingers crossed to get an ARC, as do not think I can wait until Dec 9 to learn the fate of my new friends. 

By Sonja Yoerg 

ISBN: 0451472136
Publisher: NAL Trade
Publication Date: 01/06/2015
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars

A special thank you to the author and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Don’t be fooled by the adorable dog cover (loved the cover -hats off to the designer), as between the pages of Sonja Yoerg’s brilliantly written and remarkable character-driven debut novel, HOUSE BROKEN is an intense and compelling “grown-up adult novel.” Tackling highly-charged topics, and multi-generational dark family secrets and complexities, mixed with humor and wisdom, for a bittersweet “Must Read” of love and forgiveness!

Dr. Geneva Novak is a local veterinarian married to Tom for eighteen years, owner of a wood working shop (he comes from a large lovable supportive family), and they have two teenagers, Ella and Charlie. As the books moves on, we learn Ella and Charlie have secrets from their parents, as does their Nana.Trying to protect one does not always work in the big scheme of things.

Geneva, the youngest of a family of four Riley children, comes from a dysfunctional and mysterious family. Father, deceased; mother Helen is a raging alcoholic, and siblings – brother Dublin, (LA) they are close, Florence (NY), a little distant and removed, and Paris (Africa), totally estranged.

Yes, Helen named her four children after European cities to give them the sophistication lacking in their one-horse South Carolina town. However, to Geneva their names had come to represent their distance from their mother and one another, as she had not seen Paris in ten years and Florence rarely leaves Manhattan. Only she and Dublin phone and visit each other regularly as they were very close growing up.

As the book opens, Helen, now age sixty-five currently residing in California (having left the small SC town as too many bad memories); has just found herself in the middle of another fiasco driving drunk and involved in a car accident and needs care (she is trouble, and this is not the first time). Her mother is too old and too stubborn a dog to learn new tricks.

Her brother cannot take care of their mother as they have their hands full with an autistic child, and forget the older two sisters, so the burden falls upon Geneva. Needless to say, they are not close and never have been; however, possibly this may be the turning point to repair their mother-daughter relationship.

However, when she moves in with Geneva, new problems surface as Helen is like having a third problematic teenager. Underneath her nose, her two teens are involved in all sorts of illegal behavior which she seems blind to and her mother is front and center in the middle of all the trouble. (Definitely will keep you laughing in the midst of tragedy).

Told from the POV of three generations of women, Helen (Nana), Geneva (Mother), Ella (Daughter), switching back and forth from past to present; each with their own unique and gripping voice with insights and perspectives for life lessons and many takeaways well after the book ends.

I have so looked forward to reading HOUSE BROKEN, as enjoy connecting with Sonja Yoerg via Twitter, and Goodreads; however, had no idea the depth of this powerful well-written and thought-provoking debut novel. Trust me when I say, "it exceeded all expectations"; brilliantly written, a page-turner and one hard to put down (you will not be able to go to sleep until you finish). If is a debut, wow, cannot wait to see what comes next!

There is so much to say about this novel, as ideal for book clubs and discussions (included). Helen was my favorite intriguing character, as guess I can relate as a baby boomer, closer to her age; and grew up in the small town south. I loved the way the author developed this character, at first you do not sympathize with her; however, as she peels back a little more throughout the book, unveiling the heartfelt struggles, of Helen and her mysterious background. As an innocent and poor teen of sixteen being caught up in a big world for a better life; when she became a real woman, and in her own way, trying to protect her daughters and the guilt she lives with presently—you realize she and Louise had limited choices in a different time and era; however, interesting to explore the what ifs.

I loved the relation to dogs as not front and center, but always in the background with comparisons and analogies to the human characters, and their role in the plot, with faithful adorable companion Diesel (Geneva/Dublin), Argus/Paris connection, and Aldo/Eustace/Paris’ dark disturbed side.

Without saying too much, brilliant strategy with Yoerg’s twist using a willing participant (denial and brainwashed), versus the helpless victim, which added another dimension. And Louise, she made for a true down home southern connection and ally for Helen (two women; victims of a time in a man’s world, left powerless).

In summary, cannot wait to recommend riveting HOUSE BROKEN and this dynamic and talented writer, Sonja Yoergone you will want to follow for years to come! Thank you, for a remarkable and beautiful novel of loss, love, and forgiveness.

Fans of Eileen Goudge, Diane Chamberlain, and Jodi Picoultwill devour, and appreciate the author’s style—keeping the book real with flawed characters, without wrapping up neatly with a big bow. One you will not want to miss-Well done! Cannot wait for the next book, Middle of Somewhere, coming September 2015. 

By Lin Stepp

Series: #7 A Smoky Mountain Novel Series
ISBN: 1617732788
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Publication Date: 12/30/2014 
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 3.5 Stars

A special thank you to the author, Kensington, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lin Stepp, is back with her Smoky Mountain contemporary series Makin’ Miracles, a charming tale set in East Tennessee for an inspiring tale of faith, love and forgiveness.

Zola, from a multi-cultural background, half Tahitian and American, owns a charming gift shop in town called Nature’s Corner in Gatlinburg. She also possess a special and unusual gift as a seer, often receiving messages or words from God, for others. However, sometimes her warnings or messages, are not so well received.

Spencer, a photographer and owner of the Jackson Gallery, first meets Zola in her shop, when he is shopping with a woman designer and business colleague, Leena. Zola lets him know to be careful of this woman as she is a thief. He did not appreciate her interference; however, indeed the warning proved true the same night. Due to Zola, he was able to escape with his possessions intact. Spencer also has a strained relationship with his brother Bowden and things have happened in the past to foster problems between the two brothers.

Spencer and Zola meet again at Raven’s Den which is now on Spencer’s land where he lives in a remote cabin; however, it holds a special place and meaning to Zola and her childhood. She believes a person needs a place where they can go to find peace and get collected in their soul. “The world is not always kind to non-conformists, to those who are different.”

As these two troubled souls are connected, they each learn from one another; as they share their secrets and past and renewed spirit for the future. Makin’ Miracles is a charming and inspiring story with small town southern characters, friends, and family; filled with romance, mystery, diversity, intrigue, and words of faith. (Nice book club and group discussion questions at the end).

Dr. Lin Stepp is a native Tennessean, a businesswoman, and an educator and on the faculty at Tusculum College where she teaches psychology and writing—her passion for the area shines throughout the pages of this charming series. Fans of Sherryl Woods, Mariah Stewart, and Jan Karon will enjoy the small town charm and light hearted read.

On a personal note, one of my favorite spots is a day of solace overlooking God’s nature in the mountains, hiking and enjoying the beauty of a waterfall; also bringing cleansing and new lightness to Spencer in the novel at Bucknear Branch.

If you have not read Stepp’s DOWN BY THE RIVER, would highly recommend this heartwarming and inspirational read, of one woman’s courage to open a B&B- One you will want to treasure and tell all your friends, with a reiterating theme, “it is never too late to start over.”  

If you are looking for a mountain Christmas story, check out: A Smoky Mountain Christmas!