God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew

My Rating: 4.6

The story of a young man who risked his life to smuggle Bibles through the borders of closed nations. Now, sixty years after Brother Andrew first prayed for God's miracle protection, this expanded edition of a classic work encourages new readers to meet this remarkable man and his mission for the first time.Working undercover for God, a mission that continues to this day, has made Brother Andrew one of the all-time heroes of the faith. His narrow escapes from danger to share the love of Jesus will encourage and embolden believers in their own walks of faith. 

Working undercover for God, a mission that continues to this day, has made Brother Andrew one of the all-time heroes of the faith. His narrow escapes from danger to share the love of Jesus will encourage and embolden believers in their own walks of faith.

This story of faith was so inspirational - how God always provided exactly what they needed whether that was money or getting through a border to deliver Bibles. 

Killing The Witches by Bill O'Reilly

My Rating: 4.4

Killing the Witches revisits one of the most frightening and inexplicable episodes in American history: the events of 1692 and 1693 in Salem Village, Massachusetts. What began as a mysterious affliction of two young girls who suffered violent fits and exhibited strange behavior soon spread to other young women. Rumors of demonic possession and witchcraft consumed Salem. Soon three women were arrested under suspicion of being witches--but as the hysteria spread, more than 200 people were accused. Thirty were found guilty, twenty were executed, and others died in jail or their lives were ruined. Killing the Witches tells the dramatic history of how the Puritan tradition and the power of early American ministers shaped the origins of the United States, influencing the founding fathers, the American Revolution, and even the Constitutional Convention. The repercussions of Salem continue to the present day, notably in the real-life story behind The Exorcist and in contemporary “witch hunts” driven by social media. The result is a compulsively readable book about good, evil, community panic, and how fear can overwhelm fact and reason.

While this was very informative, I hate the way that O'Reilly's books meander....it started off with Kiling the Witches and next thing was covering the American Revolution and then modern day cancel culture - what? Silly me but when a title of the book says "Kiling The Witches" that is what I expect it to be about. It was all very informative but I just wish he would stay on topic.

Royal Assassin (The Farseer Trilogy Book 2) by Robin Hobb

 My Rating: 4.8

Renewing their vicious attacks on the coast, the Red-Ship Raiders leave burned-out villages and demented victims in their wake. The kingdom is also under assault from within, as treachery threatens the throne of the ailing king. In this time of great danger, the fate of the kingdom may rest in Fitz’s hands—and his role in its salvation may require the ultimate sacrifice. This book focuses on the marriage of Prince Verity to Kettricken.

The more I read of this series, the more I want to read....it is popcorn! I am falling in love with several characters but especially Fitz, Verity and Burich. This is a light easy read that immerses you in the world of Buckeep and makes you want to stay there.

The Wife, The Maid and The Mistress by Ariel Lawhon

My Rating: 3.6

It's 1930 and Judge Joseph Crater steps into a New York City cab and is never heard from again. Behind this great man are three women, each with her own tale to tell: Stella, his fashionable wife, the picture of propriety; Maria, their steadfast maid, indebted to the judge; and Ritzi, his showgirl mistress, willing to seize any chance to break out of the chorus line. This mystery takes us into the smoky jazz clubs, the seedy backstage dressing rooms, and the shadowy streets beneath the Art Deco skyline.

I didn't care abuot any of the characters (some were less likable than others) but I did like the ending. I have loved many or Ariel Lawhon's books and will continue to read others by her. I appreciated that this was based on the true story and she created an interesting explanation for what could have happened.