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Book Review: Three Missing Days by Colleen Coble

Three Missing Days
by Colleen Coble
Book 3 in the Pelican Harbor series
Rating: 4/5
Release date: April 6, 2021

Yes! The thrilling conclusion to this riveting series from Colleen Coble. I was excited to read what happened next and get some closure. There’s been mystery after mystery involving Chief Jane, Reid and their son, Will, but I was really hoping for some resolutions and the author did not disappoint. I highly recommend reading the first two books before reading this one or else you may be a bit lost. (Warning: since this is a continuing story, there are some spoilers if you have not read the previous books.)

When Chief of Police Jane Hardy begins to investigate the deaths of two people in a house fire, something smells of foul play. But as she digs deeper to find the truth, Jane’s personal life becomes even more complicated with the reappearance of Lauren, Reid’s wife who abandoned the family. Jane’s heart can’t take too much more with her uncertain relationship with Reid until Will is accused of a horrific murder. Jane and Reid must race to gather evidence to clear their fifteen-year-old’s name and get him released.

When confronted with her past, Jane realizes she is missing three days in her memory that are just blank. Can Jane figure out what happened during those missing days? Are those missing days somehow connected to something even worse? In the midst of it all, can Jane and Reid’s relationship survive all this stress?

Ahhh! Can you handle it? For me, this book was very good and helped tie up loose ends, but I also had a harder time getting into the story (since I had to remember what had happened before). However, once I was a few chapters in, I could not stop reading because the story started moving faster. I could feel Jane’s pain at feeling helpless to defend her son who she only recently reconnected with. I could feel Reid’s agony at not being able to be there for his son who was being set up for a crime he didn’t commit. I always love how real the author’s characters are – their real doubts and fears about God’s faithfulness in the darkest of times. The rollercoaster of emotions is something we all go through when our lives don’t turn out the way we think they should.

This book was good, but I do not think it was the best of the three; hence, the 4 stars. However, I loved the closure I got at the end and I loved to see the character growth. You will still definitely want to read this book after reading the first two to find out what happens.

Highly recommend this Christian suspense with romance, action, 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.

Book Review: Dreams Rekindled by Amanda Cabot

Dreams Rekindled
by Amanda Cabot
Book 2 in the Mesquite Springs series
Rating: 4.5/5

Wow. I forgot how much I loved Amanda Cabot’s stories. She knows how to weave a heartfelt romance with a dash of mystery and suspense and is not afraid to address psychological trauma from her characters’ past. This is book two in the Mesquite Springs series, and I now must go back to book one to find out what happened (this book can be read as a standalone).

After Dorothy Clark read Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, she knew she wanted to write something like that. She wanted to make an impact and change the world with her written words. How would she ever get that opportunity in small town Mesquite Springs? When Brandon Holloway arrives in town to start a newspaper, she secretly hopes that the dashing young gentleman is willing to give her a chance to write. While both parties excel at the written word, the couple both struggle with their own past tragedies but are determined to discover who is stirring up trouble and spreading rumors. Can they expose the truth and find a way to save the town they both love before it’s too late? Will the past repeat itself if they aren’t too careful?

“With this second novel in the Mesquite Springs series, bestselling author Amanda Cabot invites you to discover the healing power of truth.” – Book description

I really enjoyed that this story was more than just a light rom-com read. It’s so much more. Dealing with trauma from the past is not something every author can write about. Cabot addresses real issues that can haunt people but she also leaves room for healing and forgiveness that can only come from God. She weaves redemption into her stories, which is something I really appreciate as a Christian.

My favorite character is Nutmeg, Dorothy’s dog, and I even loved her part in the story. Dogs can definitely be therapeutic for those with past trauma.

Highly recommend this Christian historical romance with a dash of mystery and suspense from Amanda Cabot. As a fan of her previous books, you will not be disappointed.

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.

Book Review: A Dance in Donegal by Jennifer Deibel

A Dance in Donegal
By Jennifer Deibel
Historical Romance
Rating: 4/5

What a lovely story! It’s been awhile since I’ve been taken back to Ireland and I was not disappointed. Not only does this historic romance hit all the spots but there’s some mystery thrown in that had me guessing till the reveal.

Moira Doherty grew up listening to stories about dancing at the halla in Ireland from her mother, and after the death of her mother, Moira is hired to start teaching in the town her mother grew up in. An American to her core, Moira must navigate the differences in rural living with her city upbringing and their superstitious beliefs with her spiritual ones. However, the more she grows to enjoy her time in the quirky village, the more she begins to feel out of place except when she’s with one man, Sean McFadden. The townspeople treat her poorly and gossip about her because of her mother. Can Moira discover the truth about what happened and find a way to save her reputation?

There’s so much more to this story than on the surface. The characters are ones I’d loved to visit again. They made me laugh, cry and want to throw things. As someone who always tries to give someone the benefit of the doubt, I struggled with some of the characters. Other characters were amazing examples of how God loves us and chooses us. Lots of tears were shed near the end (but I’m a crier lol).

Note: there’s a glossary at the end to help with all the Gaelic.

Highly recommend if you enjoy Christian historical romance with a hint of 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.