Cherish by Gary L. Thomas

 My Rating: 4.8

“Most marriages survive by gritting teeth and holding on. But marriages can and will not only survive but thrive when husbands and wives learn to cherish one another.” Thomas shows that although there are a countless number of marriages consisting of two people just going through the motions, there are real ways this pattern can be reversed: when husbands and wives learn to cherish one another in proven, loving, and everyday actions and words.

This had a lot of good 'nuggets' in the authors sharing of various stories that were worth the read and have changed my outlook and hopefully I how I handle situations.

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

 My Rating: 5.0

Romania, 1989. Communist regimes are crumbling across Europe. Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu dreams of becoming a writer, but Romanians aren’t free to dream; they are bound by rules and force. Amidst the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu in a country governed by isolation and fear, Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He’s left with only two choices: betray everyone and everything he loves—or use his position to creatively undermine the most notoriously evil dictator in Eastern Europe.

Wow! This should be mandatory reading for every high school. The sense of suspense, despair and mistrust is palpable. Beautiful writing that captures so much of the human desperation. Highly recommend!

I have read two other books by this author, Between Shades of Grey and Salt To The Sea. I look forward to reading more by her as she only gets better and better!

Five Decembers by James Kestrel

My Rating: 5.0

In this novel of World War II, an American police detective is trapped while trailing a killer overseas and struggles to survive with only the help of a total stranger and his daughter, who risk their lives to protect him. December 1941. America teeters on the brink of war, and in Honolulu, Hawaii, police detective Joe McGrady is assigned to investigate a homicide that will change his life forever. Because the trail of murder he uncovers will lead him across the Pacific, far from home and the woman he loves; and though the U.S. doesn't know it yet, a Japanese fleet is already steaming toward Pearl Harbor.

This opens with a grizzly double murder that Joe has been assigned to investigate. Throughout the book, there is a strange mixture of suspense and peace. Joe is very seasoned and handles things so well. This book feels so real and immerses you with Joe in the unfolding of the murders, tracking the killer as well as WWII. I don't generally care for 'detective' genre but this was absolutely stunning. 

Bridge of Scarlet Leaves by Kristina McMorris

 My Rating: 4.8

1940's in Los Angeles and Maddie is set to become a professional violinist. She falls in love with her brother's best friend since childhood, Lane Moritomo. The day after they elope, Pearl Harbor breaks out. War, relocation camps, MIA and trying to bridge the gap between her family and Lane's are all captured.

This didn't have a lot of history that I wasn't already familiar with but, it reinforces how we must learn from our mistakes and not continue to repeat them. This did capture so many different points of view towards the Japanese and the war. 

These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant

 My Rating: 4.8

For eight years, Cooper and his young daughter, Finch, have lived in isolation in a remote cabin in the northern Appalachian woods. The only people who know they exist are a mysterious local hermit named Scotland, and Cooper's old friend, Jake, who visits each winter to bring them food and supplies. 

Cooper wrestles with his past and his conscience. Finch wrestles against the confines of being hidden out in isolation while wanting to be part of the world. This had such a feeling of suspense and foreboding that I couldn't wait to continue reading. Definitely recommend the audio book.

Mouth To Mouth by Antoine Wilson

 My Rating: 3.5

In a first-class lounge at JFK airport, our narrator listens as Jeff Cook, a former classmate he only vaguely remembers, shares the uncanny story of his adult life—a life that changed course years before, the moment he resuscitated a drowning man.

This is a confessional thriller that, although well told, it wasn't near as captivating as The Kind Worth Killing. It felt overly drawn out without any real suspense. 

The Well Watered Woman by Gretchen Saffles

 My Rating: 4.7

If you feel overwhelmed and unable to flourish, this book is for you. Using Scripture and her own personal story of surrender, Gretchen offers spiritually hungry women tangible tools to not only know Jesus more but to live a life that thoroughly enjoys Him, seeks Him, and follows Him into freedom.

I enjoyed all of the analogies to plants and gardening. This had such a variety of things from feeling so tired and exhausted to why when times are good, we need to memorize scripture. This has something for everyone.