Book Reviews

Book Review: Plot Twist by Bethany Turner

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Plot Twist
By Bethany Turner
Rating: 4/5
Release date: June 15, 2021

Since I was such a huge fan of Bethany Turner’s books, I was so excited to receive an advanced reader copy of Plot Twist. The title and cover and description just got me. I was excited to dive into another romantic comedy.

When aspiring screenwriter Olivia Ross meets an interesting and struggling actor at a coffee shop, she forgets to get his name despite agreeing to meet back in ten years. Each year, Liv finds some coincidence or another that makes February 4th stand out. When Liv figures out who that actor from the coffee shop was, she begins to keep track of his career as she struggles to finish her screenplay. What’s more real – her writing or her actual personal life? Can the glamour of Hollywood even compare to romance in real life?

I laughed. I cringed in embarrassment. I was giddy with excitement at the ending. I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining book. I can understand why there were some negative reviews because the style is so different than her other books but I don’t think it deserves the harsh comments. I will say that I was a bit disappointed that the book was more a clean romcom than a Christian romcom. However, I always love all the pop culture that Bethany includes in her stories. The resurgence of “MFEO” is now inevitable. If you know, you know.

Moving the story from year to year – snapshot to snapshot- started off entertaining but ten years seemed a little too long. I wanted more growth from Liv. But then a part would pull me back in until I thought I had guessed the plot twist.

Highly recommend if you enjoy hilarious, clean romantic comedies with some modern day glitz and mystery.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Bethany Turner has been writing since the second grade, when she won her first writing award for explaining why, if she could have lunch with any person throughout history, she would choose John Stamos. She stands by this decision. Bethany now writes pop culture-infused rom-coms for a new generation of readers who crave fiction that tackles the thorny issues of life with humor and insight. She lives in Southwest Colorado with her husband, whom she met in the nineties in a chat room called Disco Inferno. As sketchy as it sounds, it worked out pretty well in this case, and they are now the proud parents of two teenagers. Connect with Bethany at seebethanywrite.com or across social media @seebethanywrite, where she clings to the eternal dream that John Stamos will someday send her a friend request. Text her any time at (970) 387-7811.

Connect with Bethany: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

More from the Author

Read my review of Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish here.

June 15, 2021 by Kim Book Reviews

JustRead Tour & Giveaway: Sticks and Stone by David James Warren

Sticks and Stone JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Sticks and Stone by David James Warren, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

The continuing adventures of Rembrandt Stone from the creative minds of James L. Rubart, Susan May Warren and newcomer David Curtis Warren, writing as DAVID JAMES WARREN.

Title: Sticks and Stone
Series: The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone #3
Author: David James Warren
Publisher: TriStone Media
Genre: Time-Travel Detective Series
Release Date: June 1, 2021

Third Time’s The Charm … Or Not

Rembrandt Stone has only made things worse. This time, upon his return, he discovers his closest friendship is up in flames. Andrew Burke’s new scars reflect the havoc Rembrandt has left on his own timeline and he must go back—one last trip into the past. This time he’ll save Burke, fix his life and track down a serial killer who possess an uncanny ability to evade him through time.

When Rembrandt lands in the past and two children disappear into an epic Minneapolis blizzard, he’s in a race with time to save the children, his partner, and create a future he can live with.

Sticks and Stone—the third book in the gripping True Lies of Rembrandt Stone series—starts sprinting on page one and doesn’t slow down till the final words.

Hold onto your head…and your heart.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | BookBub

BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

Purchase the series here: https://amzn.to/3vO2m95

CONNECT WITH REMBRANDT STONE: Website | Instagram

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

James L. Rubart, Susan May Warren, David Curtis Warren

James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man’s body. He’s the best-selling, Christy Hall of Fame author of ten novels and loves to send readers on mind-bending journeys they’ll remember months after they finish one of his stories. He’s dad to the two most outstanding sons on the planet and lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington. More at http://jameslrubart.com/

CONNECT WITH JAMES: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award–winning author of more than eighty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. The mother of four grown children, and married to her real-life hero for over 30 years, she loves traveling and telling stories about life, adventure, and faith.

For exciting updates on her new releases, previous books, and more, visit her website at www.susanmaywarren.com.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

David Curtis Warren is making his literary debut in these novels, and he’s never been more excited. He looks forward to creating more riveting stories with Susie and Jim, as well as on his own. He’s grateful for his co-writers, family, and faith, buoying him during the pandemic of 2020, and this writing and publishing process.

CONNECT WITH DAVID: Instagram

MY REVIEW

Sticks and Stone
by David James Warren
Book 3 in the True Lies of Rembrandt Stone series
Rating: 5/5
Release Date: June 1, 2021

Wow. This “episode” might be my favorite so far. It’s ridiculously packed with some great quotes and self-reflections. If you are new to this amazing series, you must read the other two books first. This series must be read in order. I think I prefer this book to the others because I get more romance between my main characters. At this point, I know my characters a lot more and am rooting for them.

“My life is broken into fragments that refuse to align. All I know is that some mistakes you can never escape, no matter how you try. And believe me, I’ve tried.”

Rembrandt Stone is back in the present but his life is incredibly different. Though his professional life seems to be doing well, his personal life is drastically different and he mourns the loss of his former life. He regrets the scars on his best friend, Andrew Burke, that somehow occurred after he made changes to the timeline. Can he fix what went wrong? Can he win back the love of his life and save his best friend without doing more damage to the timeline while still trying to solve a case involving a serial killer?

“Be stalwart. It means loyal and reliable and hard-working, and I’m brought back to the words my father said about becoming the man I want to be. Choices.”

This theme is throughout the series and definitely takes on a new meaning when time-travel gets thrown in. I adore this series and all the crime-thriller aspects. This author team is incredibly talented and keep the reader guessing what will happen next. I read the whole book in a few hours because I needed to know what happened next. The chemistry between Rem and Eve is great and I love seeing them fall in love. It’s an interesting concept to discuss how you would pursue someone if you had the chance to do it again. I love Rem’s discussion with his father about regretting the past.

“Wishes and what-ifs don’t change things. The only thing that matters is right now. What you choose is who you are, and the future you’re writing. Get that right and you don’t have to worry about the what-ifs.”

Highly recommend if you enjoy fast-paced time-traveling crime thrillers with some romance. I cannot wait to read the next book soon.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of the first three books of The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 8, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 15, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

June 9, 2021 by Kim Book Reviews Giveaway

Book Review: Chasing Shadows by Lynn Austin

About the Book

Title: Chasing Shadows
Author: Lynn Austin
Publisher: Tyndale House
Genre: Historical Fiction | World War II
Release Date: June 8, 2021

Three women’s lives are instantly changed when the Nazis invade the neutral Netherlands, forcing each into a complicated dance of choice and consequence.

Lena is a wife and mother who farms alongside her husband in the tranquil countryside. Her faith has always been her compass, but can she remain steadfast when the questions grow increasingly complex and the answers could mean the difference between life and death?

Lena’s daughter Ans has recently moved to the bustling city of Leiden, filled with romantic notions of a new job and a young Dutch police officer. But when she is drawn into Resistance work, her idealism collides with the dangerous reality that comes with fighting the enemy.

Miriam is a young Jewish violinist who immigrated for the safety she thought Holland would offer. She finds love in her new country, but as her family settles in Leiden, the events that follow will test them in ways she could never have imagined.

The Nazi invasion propels these women onto paths that cross in unexpected, sometimes-heartbreaking ways. Yet the story that unfolds illuminates the surprising endurance of the human spirit and the power of faith and love to carry us through.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | BookBub

About the Author

Lynn Austin has sold more than one and a half million copies of her books worldwide. A former teacher who now writes and speaks full-time, she has won eight Christy Awards for her historical fiction and was one of the first inductees into the Christy Award Hall of Fame. One of her novels, Hidden Places, was made into a Hallmark Channel Original Movie. Lynn and her husband have three grown children and make their home in western Michigan. Visit her online at lynnaustin.org.

Connect with Lynn Austin: Facebook | Instagram | Bookbub | Goodreads | Twitter

My Review

Chasing Shadows
by Lynn Austin
Rating: 5/5+
Genre: World War II Fiction

Pardon me while I wipe the snot from my nose and the tears from my eyes. The last 25% of this book had me in tears every other page. The author graciously gave me an ARC and asked her readers to take their time reading the story she’d spent a year writing. I can usually read a book in a day or two but I did try to take my time. I got to reflect on what was happening in the story. This story needs to be read and is so timely as Memorial Day is this weekend. (edit: this review was written right before Memorial Day)

“God created Ans the way He did for a reason. He can use her strong will and independent spirit. Maybe this isn’t rebellion as much as it is the need to become herself.”

I love when stories intertwine – when an author masterfully weaves together different stories to produce a masterpiece. This story is a masterpiece about God’s faithfulness in the hardest circumstances.

Ans is a young lady who dreams of life outside her small town family farm and her strict religious parents. She goes to the city of Leidan to find her destiny. When war breaks out, she must decide if she wants to be involved with the Resistance. She must find a way to face her fears and encourage those who have lost all hope.

Ans’ mother, Lena, can’t help questioning God about her eldest daughter’s need to leave. Her desire for control grates against her desire to trust her family to God. When Germany invades her neutral Netherlands, Lena can’t help but wonder how their lives could be so different from before the war? Building hiding places to store food and hide it from the Germans leads to hiding people. As their small farm becomes a refuge for those who need it, Lena must learn to trust God with her family and even the ability to put food on the table.

I loved how vulnerable Lena was. She’s such an authentic character with doubts and the desire to control but learns to trust in a way she’s never had to before.

“Music had the power to heal. Miriam had felt dead inside for so long, but music provided the bridge back to living.”

As a musician, I fully understand the power of music. I loved Miriam’s character. She had to live in fear for so long, but she still carved out a life for herself leaving room to fall in love and have a family. I cannot imagine the heartache she felt having to separate herself from her baby and her husband. She had to give up so much, but she did it because she wanted a future for her daughter. I cried when she wrote that note to her daughter and the woman who would be caring for her daughter.

“Don’t hate them,” Mama said as if reading Ans’s mind. “They’ll win if we hate them.”

One of my absolute favorite scenes is between Lena and a soldier. That one will stay with me for awhile. You’ll know it when you get to it.

I don’t think I’ve described how much I thoroughly enjoyed this book. God’s presence and anointing is all over this story, so be prepared to be wrecked. I’m so grateful for this story (especially since I was unfamiliar with what happened in the Netherlands during WWII) and look forward to more heartfelt, well-researched stories from Lynn Austin.

Highly recommend if you enjoy Christian historical fiction during World War II that hits you in the feels.

My thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Author Extras

June 8, 2021 by Kim Book Reviews

Inside the Wong Mind: Reading is my therapy

Hello. This blog is all mine and I will do my best to post what interests me and what books I read with honest reviews. I am a lover of good Christian fiction with a touch of romance, mystery, intrigue, humor, fun, etc. I invite you to join me as I read my way through books and life. I am currently pursuing my residency training as a family medicine physician!!! I have to carefully choose what I want to read for fun. My name is Kim and you are entering the Wong Mind.