TITLE:  Fake or Follower: Refusing to Settle for a Shallow Faith
AUTHOR:  Andi Andrews
DATE:  2018
PUBLISHER: Baker Books
STARS: *****

We live in a culture where many identify as "Christian" without fully embracing what it looks like to follow Jesus day-in and day-out. After gathering on a Sunday, do we simply go about our business, void of true transformation? Is the gospel simply a self-help tool, the church just a place where our needs can be met? It's time to ask ourselves, "Am I really following Jesus? Or am I just faking it?"

With eye-opening personal stories, Scripture, and thought-provoking questions, Andi Andrew lovingly invites readers to examine their hearts to discover whether their faith is a genuine, life-giving marriage of belief and practice in response to Christ's life and sacrifice, or if it is just a lifestyle choice on par with any other. She encourages readers to surrender their whole lives to Jesus daily, grapple with hard questions they may have been avoiding, and discover a life fully alive, following in the way, the truth, and the life of Jesus Christ.

I usually read a book in a day or two, but Fake or Follower kept me busy for several weeks. Why? It’s not that long, only ten chapters. But each chapter is a banquet of challenges, and I needed time to contemplate my response, my responsibilities and faith. I needed time to digest, to internalize the truth spoken and decide whether or not to heed it.

This book created a longing within me for more—more faith, more sacrificial love, and some close friends to walk with on this journey toward eternity. It’s all available, but I have to reach out and make it mine.

Andi Andrews shares her heart in Fake or Follower, and I appreciate her transparency. This is a book I want to read again and again. I would love to share it with a small group, to discuss the questions raised and commit to one another in a spirit of love…to lean together toward eternity.
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Fake or Follower resonated in my heart, and I give it five stars. I was given a copy of this book courtesy of Graf Martin Communications and Baker Publishing Group.

TITLE:  A Christmas to Remember
AUTHOR:  Kimberly Rose Johnson, Valerie Comer, Elizabeth Maddrey, Ginger Soloman, Elizabeth Peterson, Julie Arduini, Deb Kastner, Janet W. Ferguson
DATE:  2018
STARS: *****

Eight novellas by premier authors for less than a dollar? What a great way to get into the Christmas spirit! Each of these stories was a sweet, fun read. I love tight-knit families, adorable children, and flawed main characters. This collection more than fulfilled my wish list. I did wrestle with the premise of an arranged marriage in the fourth story, but the overall quality of this collection earns five stars. Recommended!
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Until I Met You by award-winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson
After a difficult breakup, Brandi Prescott is taking a hiatus from men and focusing on her career, the Lord, and getting to know herself. Everything is going according to plan until one fateful, rainy morning in Seattle when a passing car drenches her and everything changes.

The Cowboy’s Christmas Reunion by USA Today bestselling author Valerie Comer
The Cowboy Santa program is supposed to be a chance to help his neighbors. When Kade Delgado’s ex-fiancée, now a single mom, shows up on his list, neither of them are thrilled. Is there any hope for a second chance at love?

Hope for Christmas by Elizabeth Maddrey
When he arrived at the ranch, he wasn’t sure what he was looking for. She wasn’t looking for anything beyond stability for her son. Christmas might be a season of hope, but do they dare risk everything for love?

Can’t Live without You by Ginger Solomon
Clarissa Harding’s fiancé’s betrayal doesn’t hurt as much as learning her best friend, Sawyer Chasin, knew his brother’s secret and didn’t tell her. The marriage would have been fake, but her feelings for Sawyer aren’t.

Beautiful Heart of His by Lindi Peterson
Two wrongs don’t make a right has never been more true. Will Mason’s past wrongs push Scarlett away or help her fall in love with him?

Restoring Christmas by Julie Arduini
Filled with grief and regret, Holly Christmas returns to Geneseo Valley and the family business, The Christmas Mansion. Can Kevin Holt restore her love for the season and the memories she left behind?

The Cowgirl’s Christmas Gift by Publishers Weekly bestselling author Deb Kastner
Cowgirl Maisey Gray knows horses, not six-year-olds. But when her socially-awkward, VR glasses-wearing neighbor needs help creating the perfect Christmas for his nephews, it’s up to Maisey to make sure Cam and the boys have a Christmas they’ll never forget.

Falling for Grace by Janet W. Ferguson
Grace Logan needs a place to pick herself up now that her ex is marrying her former best friend. Grief drives Seth Gibbs to his family’s vacation home, and three years later, he has no plans to leave. Until Grace falls into his life.
 

TITLE:  A Secret to Die For
AUTHOR:  Lisa Harris
DATE:  2018
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: *****

Psychologist Grace Callahan has no idea that she has a secret--one worth killing for. But when she finds out one of her clients has been murdered, she quickly realizes that the computer security specialist wasn't simply suffering from paranoia.

Detective Nate Quinn has just been cleared for active duty after a bombing killed eighteen people, including his partner, and left him dealing with PTSD. His first case back on the job involves the murder of Stephen Shaw, and his only lead turns out to be an old friend, Grace Callahan--and her life is in grave danger. Someone believes Shaw gave his psychologist information before he died. Information they are willing to kill for.

If you enjoy heart-pounding suspense with some tingling romance, you’ll love A Secret to Die For. The only problem I had with this book is that I couldn’t sleep after reading it! Non-stop tension kept me flipping the pages until the end.

Both Gace and Nate make compelling and endearing heroes. Friends long ago, too many years and too much sorrow came between them, until they’re forced to lean on one another to survive and unknown enemy.

Faith plays an important part in this story without becoming preachy, as they cling to the only One who can save. I found the far-reaching evil disturbing in its realism, but it made the need for God abundantly evident.
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I was given a copy of A Secret to Die For by the publisher, and it earns FIVE stars. Recommended!