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I have been listening to audiobooks for many years. I remember purchasing them and checking them out from the library when they were on cassette tapes and came in those awful plastic clamshell cases. They were often abridged versions back then, and while I don't know this to be fact, I assume that it was due, in part, to the cost of producing physical media for long books. It would be more cost-effective to condense the text to keep production costs down, which in turn, kept the retail price down as well.

Whatever the case, I enjoyed hearing literature read aloud while on long car trips or while mowing the lawn. And when digital audiobooks, through services like Audible and Scribd, came on the scene and made them much more accessible and portable, it was even better. I have now listened to many hundreds of audiobooks from classics to thrillers to non-fiction to westerns.


As the technology and distribution methods of audiobooks have evolved, so has the way the books are narrated. Many early narrators did a fairly straight reading of the texts, but today's voiceover talent have turned audiobook narration into an art. A well-narrated audiobook these days is a performance that often includes unique and engaging character voices. The narrator is acting and not just reading.

I've heard of many audiobook fans who find a narrator they like and will then start to base future listens on what their favorite talent has narrated. While I don't do that personally, I still do appreciate a really good narrator and will sometimes decide whether or not to continue a series in print or via audio based on how good the first audiobook is.

So with all that said, here are a few narrators that I really love to listen to. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and I have listed them in alphabetical order and not in any sort of ranked order, but these six narrators are ones that have stood out to me as talent who always put a lot of heart and emotion into the books they read to make the story that much more immersive. 


Jayne Entwistle

I first encountered Jayne when Bookworm Banquet co-host Nicole, introduced me to the Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley. I started the first book on audio and am so glad I did! Jayne Entwistle does an exceptional job of bringing our precocious little protagonist to life. I have kept up with the series after that first book and have specifically chosen the audiobooks because I love hearing this narrator so much.


Tavia Gilbert 

I talked about this in episode 29 of the podcast, but I was reading Susie Finkbeiner's All Manner of Things and was so engrossed in the story that I decided to jump into the audiobook so I could continue the book on my hour-plus commute home from work one day. That was when I first heard Tavia Gilbert and was enthralled with her performance of that book and have since listened to other titles she's narrated including more from Susie Finkbeiner and a legal thriller from Randy Singer.


Kirby Heyborne

A few years ago, a Goodreads connection recommended the YA series, The Solitary Tales by Travis Thrasher, to me so I started with the audiobook and really, really enjoyed Kirby Heyborne's narration style. I finished the rest of the series via audiobook because of him and have since come across him narrating works by Orson Scott Card and, just recently, Dan Walsh's Jack Turner series.


Aimee Lilly

I first heard Aimee, not as an audiobook narrator, but as a voice actor in an audio drama over 20 years ago. It wasn't until the last few years that I heard her narration when I found out she had narrated The Sugar Creek Gang books which I thoroughly enjoyed as a kid. So I, a full-grown man, decided to listen to these children's books and Aimee was fantastic! She's also the narrator of the popular Boxcar Children series and in the past few years has narrated the Out of Time series by Nadine Brandes, which I haven't read or heard personally, but I have seen many glowing reviews. Recently she's teamed up with Oasis Audio to produce a series of mystery classics from women authors and I'm currently listening to The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart.


David Shaw-Parker

This is another narrator that I first heard as an actor in an audio drama. I mentioned this in episode 168 of another podcast that I host, Audio Theatre Central, but David is a fabulous voice actor and I came across his audiobooks totally by accident. (If you're interested in family-friendly audio drama, I'd encourage you to check out ATC.) I started the Palliser series by Anthony Trollope in audiobook format and immediately recognized the narrator's name and what a pleasant surprise it was! Over the course of the first book, David quickly became one of my favorite narrators with his wonderfully delightful performance of this classic text.


Adam Verner

I don't recall where I first heard Adam Verner, but he has narrated many titles from some of my favorite authors so I've heard his voice a lot! Some of the ones I've heard him read are titles from Charles Martin, Shawn Smucker, Robert Whitlow, and Ted Dekker. He's got a deep, soothing tone that is just wonderful to listen to and he always does a great job in bringing stories to life.


What do you think of this list? Any familiar names here? Who are some of the narrators or what are some audiobooks that you've really loved?


J.D. Sutter is the producer and host of the Bookworm Banquet podcast and editor of the blog. He is the founder of Porchlight Family Media, a network of quality audio programming and review websites based in Phoenix, AZ.





Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

You Might Be A Bookworm...

if you say how much you love the smell of a new book, and your friends can all relate.


Thanks to Christopher Green for the idea for this one.
At Love's Command by Karen Witemeyer
Stephanie's Rating: 5 out of 5 bookmarks

First of all, it would only be fair to start off by saying that I really enjoy books by Karen Witemeyer. I opened this book with the expectation of a fun, fast-paced read with larger than life characters, and I wasn't disappointed.

At Love's Command by Karen Witemeyer is the first book in her new series called Hanger's Horsemen. However, even though the series is named after the hero of our novel, we spend a lot of time in the mind and actions of the heroine as well. This multidimensional approach keeps the reader in the know with what both major parties are thinking and feeling. Speaking of feelings, that is the only part of the story that I felt might be too overdone. But more on that in the wrap up.

Josephine Burkett, Dr. Joe, is a female doctor in the days when females were not commonly doctors. Thankfully, though, it's not another story of a female doctor fighting her way to recognition through heroic deeds and skilled surgeries whose outcomes impress even the most hardened sceptic. Rather, her profession is a part of the story in an important but minor role. Josephine is a plucky heroine with a deep devotion to her delinquent little brother that ends up getting everyone in a bad situation, but hers is also the love that puts him back on the straight and narrow. I enjoyed getting to meet Dr. Joe and felt like her character was nicely developed.

The book opens up with a scene from the past that gives you just enough information to help future actions make sense, but not so much that the reader gets bogged down in a side story. Nicely done on the part of the author. Here we meet the hero so that when the story begins in earnest, we already know one of the players and can step into the action seamlessly. And...action is exactly where we find ourselves! Matthew Hanger and his men, all former Cavalry soldiers, are cornered by rustlers—down, but not out—and come out on top through a combination of skill and bravery that is believable, and doesn't leave you rolling your eyes with a "yeah, right". From there, the action never stops! Each of the side characters have their own personality and keep interactions with our hero fun and interesting.

The story between the two main characters is sweet and straightforward. They have an almost instant attraction to one another and treat each other with respect and admiration. Their inner expressions of "desire" for one another seem a little steamy for a light read and cause me to recommend this book to those 18 and up who can hopefully understand that a storybook relationship must, of necessity due to page count, move fairly quickly!

From first meeting, you can tell Dr. Joe and the infamous Matthew Hanger are meant for each other. They both have shortcomings and failures, but they find in that a common ground for understanding and relating to one another. When Dr. Joe needs help for her brother, Matthew Hanger steps up to help, and where he goes, the men choose to go. Together they face a very one-sided situation and still rescue the brother! But wait, did he WANT to be rescued? Maybe his "troublemaker" moniker has been justly earned. Then, Dr. Joe is the one in trouble! Again, Matthew and his men come through!

I would recommend this book to anyone (18 and older) who enjoys a light-hearted, fast-paced story. Karen Witemeyer did it again!
 

Check out At Love's Command on Amazon




Stephanie Garrett is a busy homeschooling mom of three who somehow always finds time to read. She has been a voracious reader since childhood and even won a bicycle in elementary school for having read the most books! She enjoys learning and growing and never turns down an opportunity to try something new. Her first love is the Lord and service to Him, second is family, and third...is reading. She believes that anyone who learns to read with comprehension can go anywhere and do anything! She also enjoys music, theatre, sewing, and mathematics.



Disclosure: The publisher provided us with a free copy of this book for promotional purposes. A favorable review was not required. This post contains affiliate links.

We are thrilled to be participating in the cover real for author Bill Myers forthcoming novel, Rendezvous With God.  Scheduled for a February 2021 release, Myers feels that there is something special about this book. "Of my 120-130 published books this one feels the most important," he said.


Book Blurb

A reclusive professor’s life is turned upside down when his impulsive, fourteen-year-old niece decides to live with him. To make matters worse, he begins slipping back into Gospel times for off-the-record discussions with Jesus Christ. Soon he realizes the conversations tie directly into the drama and bitter-sweet comedy of his own life.

Myers has created angst-filled and lovable characters who reach real-world solutions in the midst of their struggles . . . but not always the way they hope.

The book has turned into a series and Myers is now writing the third installment. "I'd write myself into a corner then turn to a chair that I imagined Jesus sitting in and say, 'How would You respond?' Many of the answers that bubbled up in my brain surprised me. In fact, the experience was so exciting I'm currently working on Volume Three."

Ahh, books. An escape, enlightenment, encouragement, or just plain entertainment, you can find it all in the pages of a good book! I know we live in a digital era and you can easily read a book on a device, but I still hold an affinity for a physical book!
Photo by Wind Tan on Unsplash

From beautiful leather-bound tomes to dog-eared paperbacks, from drooled on baby board books to valuable antiques locked behind sparkling glass, books can be found in most homes. However, to receive the full benefit of a book, you've got to open it up! Whether the words inside are carefully crafted or if you don't agree with any of the "claptrap" you find, those words have stirred up your mind, engaged your heart, and caused personal growth! Wow! Not many things in life can do that!

Reading a good book the first time is like finding a new friend. Rereading an old favorite can be like hugging a security blanket close. Make books a part of your life, and you will be an interesting conversationalist. Read good literature and your views will be expanded. Need to know how to do something? Grab a "How to" book, and the world is yours. Books!

I am thankful for one Book, the Bible, that has stood through winds of change and still provides valuable and applicable insight for my life today. Grab a book and buckle up for the ride!





Stephanie Garrett is a busy homeschooling mom of three who somehow always finds time to read. She has been a voracious reader since childhood and even won a bicycle in elementary school for having read the most books! She enjoys learning and growing and never turns down an opportunity to try something new. Her first love is the Lord and service to Him, second is family, and third...is reading. She believes that anyone who learns to read with comprehension can go anywhere and do anything! She also enjoys music, theatre, sewing, and mathematics.

More Than We Remember by Christina Suzann Nelson
Victoria's Rating: 4 out of 5 bookmarks

This book was a really enjoyable read! With threads that intersect again and again and a focus on grace and the power of redemption, I found this book not only enjoyable, but also heartwarming. The many characters whose lives have been turned upside down by difficult circumstances somehow all intersect and their stories were moving, heart rending, individual but connected, and overall, an amazing reminder of the power of compassion.

I found myself most relating to Brianne, with her compassion, heart for children and the guilt and shame that can too easily come from a perceived mistake. The characters had depth, their backstories unraveling as the story, somewhat slowly, unfolded. Unraveling is the best word that I can think of to describe this book. The author did an amazing job of taking her time in discovering the different stories, motivations, pain, drives and complex combinations that made up these characters and their connected stories.

With one of the main characters involved in an accident he can't remember, his wife tries to be supportive, but has doubt beating at her door. A police officer who wants nothing more than to see justice done, for personal reasons of her own. A neighbor struggling with her career choices and a budding romance. Children caught between the prejudices and circumstances of their parent's lives. This book packs a punch in the character department and I applaud the author with her ability to focus on individual drives, backstories and motivations, all while keeping it relatively clear and understandable.

My only critique of this book would be that with the wide cast of characters, it took about a quarter to a third of the book to really get the feel for what was going on and who everyone was. It really took off at that point and while not necessarily an edge-of-your-seat type of story, it definitely kept me turning pages till I felt the satisfying victory of the ending.

If you enjoy books with suspense, stories that tug at every heartstring that you possess and a subtle thread of inspiration and scripture, then you will love this book!


Check out More Than We Remember on Amazon



Victoria Lynn is a “Jane of all trades” who seeks to master them. She runs several small businesses and is an indie author with a passion for literature and the written word. She lives in the glorious state of many lakes, Michigan, with her parents and eight siblings. She devours books and likes to say that if she could get paid for every book she has read, she would be a millionaire. Some of her favorite things to do include writing fiction, learning new things, acting, creating something with her hands and playing the piano or singing. She also is one of the founders of Ichthus Family Productions and seeks to honor the Lord in all that she does.



Disclosure: The publisher provided us with a free copy of this book for promotional purposes. A favorable review was not required. This post contains affiliate links.

Unscripted by Davis Bunn
Stephanie's Rating: 3 out of 5 bookmarks

Unscripted by Davis Bunn is a difficult book to review. I wanted to like this book: I enjoyed the writing, and the parts of the story that I could understand. However, I am not a behind-the-scenes movie buff, so for the vast majority of the plot of this novel - I was lost! On the other hand, if you are a movie buff, or would like to get an understanding of how movies are produced, you would probably really, really enjoy this book.

I was definitely drawn into this book from the first chapter and felt like I had been caught up in some fast action. Danny Byrd is in jail, but he's not guilty. Then all the sudden, he's out. But why and how? I was hooked! I wanted to know the story behind the story. Mr. Bunn has woven an intricate plot and involved some very strong personalities. He dives into issues of grief, betrayal, forgiveness, and man's inability to ever really live life "alone" in a personal bubble; we need one another.

In between all the interpersonal relationships, there is this story of playing for deep stakes in the corporate and movie world top echelon, and that is where I got lost. The second main character, Megan, is a lawyer, and she is digging to find the truth of what is really going on behind the scenes. But while she is obviously having flashes of inspiration and understanding, I was still sitting in the dark wondering what just happened.

The outcome of the story is a good "happily-ever-after" kind of ending, but I wasn't able to fully enjoy it, because I wasn't quite certain how we had arrived at that moment. Again, it's fully possible the fault is mine, and not that of the book.

So, I would not recommend this book to the casual reader. Conversely, if you are a movie lover, or understand corporate sharks, this book is for you! For the limited audience, I give this book 3 out of 5 bookmarks.


Check out Unscripted on Amazon




Stephanie Garrett is a busy homeschooling mom of three who somehow always finds time to read. She has been a voracious reader since childhood and even won a bicycle in elementary school for having read the most books! She enjoys learning and growing and never turns down an opportunity to try something new. Her first love is the Lord and service to Him, second is family, and third...is reading. She believes that anyone who learns to read with comprehension can go anywhere and do anything! She also enjoys music, theatre, sewing, and mathematics.



Disclosure: The publisher provided us with a free copy of this book for promotional purposes. A favorable review was not required. This post contains affiliate links.

Star of Persia by Jill Eileen Smith
Stephanie's rating: 4 out of 5 bookmarks

Jill Eileen Smith does a wonderful job fictionalizing the life of Esther of the Bible. As she said herself, Esther's story has been told and retold many times. Still, she did a great job in her chosen realm of Biblical fiction when she chose to tackle the much-loved story of Queen Esther.

The Bible really doesn't give us more than the bare bones about Esther's remarkable rise from a young orphan girl living with her much older cousin, to the position of Queen of much of the then-known world. God was obviously at work behind the scenes, setting the stage for the rescue of His Chosen People even in the land of their previous captivity.

Ms. Smith carefully brings us into the life and times of the Israelites of those days. The food, the clothing, the customs - all work together to set the mood for the life of the young Esther. Then, when she is whisked away to a new and unknown world, we are introduced with her to the new life of opulence and the grandeur of the palace.

By carefully crafting personalities and peoples, Ms. Smith is able to fill in the gaps of the Biblical account, while still staying true to the parts that we do know. It is obvious that much thought and research went into each piece of this masterfully woven novel.

I really enjoyed reading this account of Esther's life. However, my one disappointment was that the book ended much weaker than it started, or even than the main body of the story continued. I felt a little let down at the end, like the story petered out, and didn't really reach a climax.

Also, because of the intimate nature of the story of Esther, I couldn't recommend this book to anyone unmarried, and certainly not to a male reader. Though Ms. Smith did her best to be discreet and not add explicit or inappropriate exchanges, there is no way to tell the story of Esther without at least some telling of relationship between a man and a woman. Kudos to her for doing a great job at keeping it as clean as possible; her scenes are not at all smutty.

In all, I enjoyed reading this book, but because of the weak ending, I can't give it a full 5 bookmarks. This book earns a solid 4 out of 5 bookmarks.


Check out Star of Persia on Amazon




Stephanie Garrett is a busy homeschooling mom of three who somehow always finds time to read. She has been a voracious reader since childhood and even won a bicycle in elementary school for having read the most books! She enjoys learning and growing and never turns down an opportunity to try something new. Her first love is the Lord and service to Him, second is family, and third...is reading. She believes that anyone who learns to read with comprehension can go anywhere and do anything! She also enjoys music, theatre, sewing, and mathematics.



Disclosure: The publisher provided us with a free copy of this book for promotional purposes. A favorable review was not required. This post contains affiliate links.

The Happy Camper by Melody Carlson
Stephanie's Rating: 5 out of 5 bookmarks

Do you like to go camping? Are you into the micro-house movement? Do you enjoy an off-the-beaten-path romance? This will be a fun book for you!

Melody Carlson must have really enjoyed writing The Happy Camper. Not only did we get a fun story, we also got a mini interior design session on someone else's money. What could be more fun!

Dillon Michaels (a female) has decided to go home. "Home" for her is her grandparents' house where she spent most of her growing up years. After working hard straight out of college, and a dead-end boyfriend, she just needs to go to a place where planting a garden is the need of the day, and where just sitting on a porch is an acceptable activity. One problem—her mother, with whom she has a tense relationship, has already beat her to the grandparents' house, and has moved in to Dillon's old room. All that is left is the lumpy couch. Enter... the old trailer.

This novel walks with Dillon as she learns how to let go and live again, as she builds a relationship with her mom like never before, finds comfort in her faith in God, remodels an old trailer, and even steps out to explore a new relationship with a man from town. I personally had a good laugh when the old boyfriend comes around again. He was a great counterfoil for the new guy. This book has a good flow and will keeping you reading even as you are confident there will be a happily-ever-after. Definitely a light and relaxing read.

I would recommend this book to a more mature audience, mainly because of the age of the characters involved. I'm not sure young readers would appreciate the caution that comes from experience, nor understand the way time can change a person. I think anyone age 25 and above would connect to this story.

For ease of reading, and a continually moving plot, I give this book 5 out of 5 bookmarks.


Check out The Happy Camper on Amazon




Stephanie Garrett is a busy homeschooling mom of three who somehow always finds time to read. She has been a voracious reader since childhood and even won a bicycle in elementary school for having read the most books! She enjoys learning and growing and never turns down an opportunity to try something new. Her first love is the Lord and service to Him, second is family, and third...is reading. She believes that anyone who learns to read with comprehension can go anywhere and do anything! She also enjoys music, theatre, sewing, and mathematics.



Disclosure: The publisher provided us with a free copy of this book for promotional purposes. A favorable review was not required. This post contains affiliate links.

Justice Delivered (Memphis Cold Case, Book #4) by Patricia Bradley
Lilian's Rating: 5 out of 5 bookmarks

Having never read any of Patricia Bradley's works, I was a little uncertain as to how I'd like them; however, she's very well known in the suspense world of fiction so I was definitely anticipating a well-rounded and fast-paced book and I wasn't disappointed!

Book Synopsis:
Carly Smith came by her trust issues honestly. She's been at the mercy of merciless men, ignored by law enforcement officers who should have helped her, and seemingly rejected by her family. She can't even trust herself to do the right thing. Though she is working hard on building a new life, the past continues to haunt her when she discovers that the man she couldn't bring herself to report to the police is still out there, luring vulnerable girls under the guise of being a modeling agent.
When her own niece is kidnapped, Carly must overcome her fears and come forward with the information she has. But if that proves to be too little, too late--she'll have to go after the perpetrators herself.

Starting off with the characters... I have to give Bradley kudos for creating extremely endearing and lovable characters that really stick with you. I personally find it a little difficult to relate to characters sometimes and I didn't have a problem with Justice Delivered's characters whatsoever. I related to Carly Smith, the protagonist, a lot in the way she reacted to things emotionally and physically. I love how she wasn't afraid to fight back physically and that she had a quick head.

This story does deal heavily with the issue of sex trafficking and drugs, and although Bradley does a superb job of portraying it as something that readers shouldn't beat around the bush with and be aware of, it can trigger some people. Therefore, I'd definitely caution readers to be careful with such thematic elements, especially if they're younger or have had previous experiences dealing with said themes.

Patricia Bradley
That being said, the broaching of these subjects made it easier to relate to Carly and understand how she processes things and why she has trouble trusting anyone. Her views on law enforcement, although odd and seemingly paranoid, were well deserved, and because Logan (the male main character) was so empathetic to her it endeared him even more to me. He seemed really capable and protective as a police officer but still soft and understanding, and I thought it was interesting that at first she butted heads with him but with time grew to love him.

I also really appreciated the side storyline with the Raines family and Maggie. I also really like how this series is focused on cases that have gone cold, and how one piece of information can completely relight people's views on cases and turn the investigation around. Bradley certainly kept the stakes high with her experienced writing hand and page-turning plot, too!

Overall, Justice Delivered is definitely one of my favorite suspense stories I've read with its incredibly complex characters, rich themes, and racing plot. Recommended to mature readers for its more violent and difficult subjects.


Check out Justice Delivered on Amazon


NOTE: See our review of Book #3 of the Memphis Cold Case series.


Lilian S. has been a hardcore bookworm since the tender age of 7 and a book reviewer for a couple of years. She is currently a student and in her spare time enjoys singing, graphic designing, and interacting with other Christ-minded readers. A couple of her favorite genres in both books and movies are: Christian contemporary, fantasy, and dystopian. She occasionally enjoys science and historical fiction and likes a good suspense novel as well. Lilian is also an athlete (Ultimate Frisbee, anyone?), a blogger at Green Tea With Books, and founder at reviewer site Stellae Books.
Disclosure: The publisher provided us with a free copy of this book for promotional purposes. A favorable review was not required. This post contains affiliate links.

Standoff (Natchez Trace Park Rangers, Book #1) by Patricia Bradley
Sarah Grace's Rating: 4 out of 5 bookmarks

Patricia Bradley is one of those authors that is a bit hit-or-miss for me, but I greatly enjoyed her Memphis Cold Case series, so I decided to give her newest release a shot. And I'm glad I did! Standoff is one wild ride from chapter one.

Summary:
The Natchez Trace National Parkway stretches 444 miles from Nashville to Natchez, the oldest town on the Mississippi River. It's the perfect road for a relaxed pleasure drive. Unfortunately for Luke Fereday, it's also perfect for moving drugs.
Sent to Natchez to infiltrate the organization at the center of the drug ring, Luke arrives too late to a stakeout and discovers the body of his friend, park ranger John Danvers. John's daughter Brooke is determined to investigate her father's murder but soon finds herself the target of a killer who will do anything to silence her.
Luke will have his hands full keeping her safe. But who's going to keep him safe when he realizes he's falling--hard--for the daughter of the man he failed to save?

Brooke Danvers is a very convincing lead character, and I enjoyed following her story. I did find it hard to relate to her at times--whether this was because her character wasn't fleshed out well enough or because we're so dissimilar, I'm not sure. I did find myself empathizing with her, especially as she dealt with the grief over losing her dad. Luke Fereday, Brooke's counterpart, was a great character, and for some reason I found myself liking him as a main character more than I did Brooke. The details of his job were fascinating and I could feel his struggle as he tried to balance his job and his personal life and relationships.

As I said, from chapter one, the story doesn't stop! With dramatic suspense and a plethora of action scenes, I couldn't put this one down until I finished it. Bradley is a veteran writer, and that shows in Standoff. I love her laid-back, yet still engaging writing style. I enjoyed Brooke and Luke's romance, although at times I wanted to slap both characters upside their heads. Honestly, the ex-boyfriend-who-never-stopped-loving-her trope can bug me most times, but I didn't mind it too much in this book. It just worked.

Overall, Standoff is in engaging and suspenseful read that you won't be able to put down! If you love romantic suspense, this one definitely needs to be on your to-read list!


Check out Standoff on Amazon



Sarah Grace is a voracious reader, and if it weren’t for this crazy thing called “Life”, she’d be tempted to spend all her days in front of a woodstove, book in one hand, coffee mug in the other. A lover of learning, she finds enjoyment in many things, and has more hobbies than she knows what to do with. When not reading, spending time with her ever-growing family, or buried in a textbook, she can be found painting, playing the piano, producing music and audio dramas, web designing, fangirling with her sisters and friends, or discussing technology with her brothers. Sarah Grace inhabits the State of Great Lakes and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.


Disclosure: The publisher provided us with a free copy of this book for promotional purposes. A favorable review was not required. This post contains affiliate links.

Starfish Pier by Irene Hannon
Lilian's Rating: 4 out of 5 bookmarks

What a well-rounded, riveting story! Starfish Pier definitely snagged my heart with its endearing characters and setting.

Set in the cozy and welcoming town of Hope Harbor, Starfish Pier starts off with the two main characters, ex-Delta Force operator Steven Roark and first-grade teacher Holly Miller. I loved how caring Steven Roark was and how family-oriented he was; the first chapter right off the bat offered some struggles in way of his family life to Steven and I appreciate how Hannon handled it.

I also really adored Holly and how similar she was to me. Holly's obvious love for children and the fact that she took initiative in a lot of situations out of her comfort zone really endeared her to me and helped me relate to her.

Hannon's writing was about as fluid and lovely to read as it can get. I definitely found myself wanting to get back to the lovely town of Hope Harbor throughout the day; it's so richly depicted that I can easily see it as a real town and a place I'd want to visit!

There were a couple of characters in Hope Harbor that I found slightly odd as well as repetitive; Charley, the town sage and taco man, and Father Murphy and Reverend Baker, the town's clerics. Having read a book from the series in the past, I was already well acquainted with these men and I found it odd that the way the characters are talked about as well and introduced is pretty much the exact same as in this book. Given that this series currently has 6 books, I would personally find it extremely repetitive to go through the same spiel each time. However, these characters did add quite a bit of interest and entertainment to the story.

Overall, I think Starfish Pier would certainly be a lovely addition to anyone's bookshelf. It teaches real biblical values and hard topics such as alcohol addiction that are handled well by Hannon, and I love how frequently verses from the Bible are sprinkled throughout the book.



Check out Starfish Pier on Amazon

Lilian S. has been a hardcore bookworm since the tender age of 7 and a book reviewer for a couple of years. She is currently a student and in her spare time enjoys singing, graphic designing, and interacting with other Christ-minded readers. A couple of her favorite genres in both books and movies are: Christian contemporary, fantasy, and dystopian. She occasionally enjoys science and historical fiction and likes a good suspense novel as well. Lilian is also an athlete (Ultimate Frisbee, anyone?), a blogger at Green Tea With Books, and founder at reviewer site Stellae Books.
Disclosure: The publisher provided us with a free copy of this book for promotional purposes. A favorable review was not required. This post contains affiliate links.

The Traitor's Pawn by Lisa Harris
Sarah Grace's Rating: 4 out of 5 bookmarks

The Traitor's Pawn is Lisa Harris's newest release from Revell. Harris has long ago established herself as one of my favorite suspense authors, so I was excited to get my hands on this one and dive deep!

Book Synopsis:
When FBI agent Jack Shannon arrives in Corpus Christi, Texas, he is focused on one thing: find the man who has been selling encrypted government secrets to the Chinese. But when a senator is shot during a hunting trip and the woman he was with is abducted, Jack agrees to join the search--especially when he discovers that the kidnapping victim is Aubrey Grayson, a woman he was once in love with.
As the search continues, it becomes clear the senator may not have been the intended victim--and Aubrey may be connected to the other case Jack is supposed to be working on. Can Jack untangle the knots before it's too late? And when he learns the truth, will it be too painful to get past?

The story starts out very action-packed and from there, you can't put it down. Aubrey Grayson is a very compelling character and easy to relate to. Her motivation is clear and the reader can't help but root for her. I enjoyed the romance between her and Jack, and appreciated that it took more of a backseat to the other events of the story. It made it so much more realistic. The ending wrapped up her character arc perfectly, but in a very authentic way.

Lisa Harris
Speaking of Jack, I really liked his character as well, although I just wish there was more of him. In most books like this one, the role of main character is equally shared between the male and female lead characters. However, Jack's point-of-view scenes were few and far between compared to Aubrey's. And as much as I appreciated the message the author was trying to get across with Aubrey's story, I would have loved to delve into Jack and his story more. As it was, he seemed more of a device to get Aubrey and the story where they needed to go. It left me wanting a sequel just to be able to learn more about Jack and get into his head more.

The story goes deep into the investigative side of things, which I enjoyed, although a little more action may have moved the story along faster. This was almost in the style of a Dee Henderson novel; heavy on the actual investigation and solving of the crime and light on the more action-packed scenes. I also appreciated the themes of forgiveness and redemption Harris included in the story; they were woven in very realistically.

All in all, I greatly enjoyed this release from Lisa Harris! If you are a fan of Dee Henderson and Lynette Eason, you'll definitely want to check out The Traitor's Pawn!


Check out The Traitor's Pawn on Amazon



Sarah Grace is a voracious reader, and if it weren’t for this crazy thing called “Life”, she’d be tempted to spend all her days in front of a woodstove, book in one hand, coffee mug in the other. A lover of learning, she finds enjoyment in many things, and has more hobbies than she knows what to do with. When not reading, spending time with her ever-growing family, or buried in a textbook, she can be found painting, playing the piano, producing music and audio dramas, web designing, fangirling with her sisters and friends, or discussing technology with her brothers. Sarah Grace inhabits the State of Great Lakes and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.


Disclosure: The publisher provided us with a free copy of this book for promotional purposes. A favorable review was not required. This post contains affiliate links.

What’s So Wonderful About Webster by Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick, Illustrated by Daniel Fernandez
Stephanie's Rating: 5 out of 5 bookmarks

What's So Wonderful About Webster is a kids' book that takes a Scriptural look at the fact that the Lord made us, and we are His handiwork! Through the experiences of Webster and his classmates during Field Day at school, we are reminded that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14)

I enjoyed the way that Webster's parents are portrayed. They are supportive of their son without being fussy or allowing him to wallow in self-pity. They encourage him to seek God for help and provide Webster with Scripture that he can remember when he is alone. They are not preachy or gushy, they are simply doing the job of a parent.

The artwork of this book (see some sample pages) does a great job conveying emotion, which is very important for a kids' book. My children were able to correctly identify and relate to the emotional struggle Webster faces, and rejoice with him in the end. The colors are vivid, the scenes are fun, and together with the story, and memorable book was born.

As I parent, I don't mind reading this book over and over with my kids. It was a great conversation starter and causes you and your kids to be uplifted and reminded of God's great love for us!

I think kids aged 8 to 13 would most benefit from the message of this book, but kids as young as 5 will enjoy it and at least catch a glimpse of the message it is seeking to portray.

Great kid's book!


Check out What’s So Wonderful About Webster on Amazon




Stephanie Garrett is a busy homeschooling mom of three who somehow always finds time to read. She has been a voracious reader since childhood and even won a bicycle in elementary school for having read the most books! She enjoys learning and growing and never turns down an opportunity to try something new. Her first love is the Lord and service to Him, second is family, and third...is reading. She believes that anyone who learns to read with comprehension can go anywhere and do anything! She also enjoys music, theatre, sewing, and mathematics.



Disclosure: The publisher provided us with a free copy of this book for promotional purposes. A favorable review was not required. This post contains affiliate links.

The End of the Magi by Patrick W. Carr
Stephanie's Rating: 5 out of 5 bookmarks

Book Synopsis:
Centuries before the magi arrived in Bethlehem,
a prophecy sets a young magus on his path . . .
Following his vision of the coming Messiah, the prophet Daniel calls forth a select group of men who will count down the calendar until the arrival of Israel's promised king. Centuries later, as the day draws near, Myrad, a young magi acolyte, flees for his life when his adoptive father and others are slain by a ruthless Parthian queen.
Equipped with very little, in haste Myrad escapes the city and, searching for a way to hide from the soldiers scouring the trade routes, tries to join the caravan of the merchant Walagash. The merchant senses that Myrad is keeping secrets, but when the young man proves himself a valuable asset, an epic journey filled with peril, near captures, and dangerous battles begins.
With every day that passes, the calendar creeps closer to the coming Messiah. And over everything shines the dream of a star that Myrad can't forget, and the promise that the world will never be the same.

Wow. What a journey! Mr. Carr blew this one out of the water. I am a very fast reader and usually find myself lightly skimming over uninteresting parts in otherwise good stories. Not so for this book! I carefully read every single word! There was no superfluous scenery or unnecessary conversation; every phrase was carefully crafted to work together to build an amazing tale of action, suspense, and international intrigue. Into such a scene steps our protagonist, Myrad. The reader is not given omniscient knowledge or insight beyond that experienced by Myrad. The reader must walk the same confusing and frustrating path that he walks. We come to the understanding of times and events and people at precisely the moment that he does. We experience the same despair, rejoice in the same victories, and ask the same questions.

Myrad, and every character around him, has been fully developed to be exactly the character that is needed for each scene. Some characters you will like, some you will not, but each person demands from you, the reader, an emotional connection.

Patrick W. Carr
Myrad is on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, following a star only he and a few other magi can see. Near-death experiences, closed trade routes, and nations at war cannot deter him from his chosen course. He knows there is a significance in the star, but doesn't fully understand its effect in his life until long after the star has faded.

Mr. Carr takes a well-known portion of Scriptural happenings, the birth and death of Jesus the Christ, and weaves before it and after it a story so compelling and well-researched that it causes the reader to experience this setting of Scripture as if for the first time, and in a deeper way. Read this story! Join Myrad in the quest for understanding of the Scriptures! Your mind and heart will be engaged from beginning to ending, and you will be stirred.

I would recommend this book to anyone from age 12 and up. There aren't any objectionable scenes that I can remember, no untoward innuendoes to mar the work, and much will be learned along the journey. This book will challenge you to face your weaknesses and confront your inadequacies. I give this book a full 5 out of 5 bookmarks with no hesitation!


Check out The End of the Magi on Amazon





Stephanie Garrett is a busy homeschooling mom of three who somehow always finds time to read. She has been a voracious reader since childhood and even won a bicycle in elementary school for having read the most books! She enjoys learning and growing and never turns down an opportunity to try something new. Her first love is the Lord and service to Him, second is family, and third...is reading. She believes that anyone who learns to read with comprehension can go anywhere and do anything! She also enjoys music, theatre, sewing, and mathematics.



Disclosure: The publisher provided us with a free copy of this book for promotional purposes. A favorable review was not required. This post contains affiliate links.
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