Lynn H. Blackburn {Writer Wednesday} | JustReads Tour Stop

A little bit about Lynn...

Lynn H. Blackburnis the author of Hidden Legacy(Love Inspired, June 2017) and Covert Justice, winner of the 2016 Selah Award for Mystery and Suspense and the 2016 Carol Award for Short Novel. Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She’s passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don’t make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in South Carolina with her true love, Brian, and their three children.

The Raven by Mike Nappa | Re:View

Nothing beats a sarcastic character. Really. Maybe I'm partial or maybe it's just Mike Nappa's writing style in regards to The Raven (the character, not the book in this case), but I love what he did in this second Coffee & Hill mystery/suspense series. 

I had a vague memory of reading the first part of this book at the end of Annabell Lee (book 1 in this series) and was excited to start this book. If life hadn't gotten in the way I think I would have finished it more quickly, but as it was, I finally turned to the end last night and found myself excited book 3 already!

I found The Raven's character by far my absolute favorite. Yes, the snark (as mentioned above) was a big factor but I think there was something honest and real about him that jumped off the page to me. He was almost supernaturally calm as a character (to me at least) but it didn't feel fake. It was more "this is how he really feels". As the book progresses we begin to see a lot more of his backstory but I'll just leave it at the fact that I really enjoyed his character.

Ah, *sigh*, things I want to say about Trudi and Sam. But they are things I won't say for fear of spoiling anything. What I will say is I'm liking the progression of the books and hoping that what I'm hoping happens isn't just hoping, but reality. (Yes, much hope). I enjoy their character's though and I will give a shout out to Mike (and/or his editor too) for his portrayal of Trudi's female mind. There were times when I found myself nodding and thinking - yes! as a woman, I have felt/thought this exact way. I'm impressed by his intuition with regards to the immensely complex feminine mind.

From Instagram: @createexploreread

Lastly, let's talk (and not talk) about the plot. It was well done, mostly fast-paced, and intriguing. Mike uses a very interesting technique where some chapters (all divided into POV's based on character) are backtracking after other chapters. I have mixed feelings on this. It created an interesting reality where you left off at one spot and then read from before that spot to "catch up" to present time. It also meant a lot of "this happened then this did etc." because a lot of it was in retrospect. It was well written and has a certain element of style to it as much as it aided in creating suspense in the story BUT it also took some suspense out because you already knew what was happening and then just got to see it from a different POV. Are you confused yet? Yeah...

All in all, I really enjoyed this book--more than Annabell Lee actually--and am confident in recommending it. I would call it more mystery than suspense/thriller though there are elements of action to it. I think the covers of this series make them seem darker than they are (not that I don't like the covers because I definitely do). So you don't have to feel the kind of "creepy tension" you do with other, more suspenseful books. There are moments of it, but it's milder (in my opinion).

My Rating: 4*
Purchase: The Raven 

Book Description
(from Amazon)

"A thrill ride into the stark territory between grace and the letter of the law."--Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author

As part of his regular street performance, a deception specialist who goes by the name The Raven picks his audience's pockets while they watch. It's harmless fun--until he decides to keep the spare wallet a city councilman doesn't seem to miss, hoping for a few extra bucks. When he finds not money but compromising photos of the councilman and his "personal assistants," The Raven hatches a plan to blackmail the man. However, he quickly finds himself in over his head with the Ukrainian Mafia and mired in a life-threatening plot code-named, "Nevermore."

Private investigators Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill must scramble to sort out the clues--and their complicated feelings for each other--to rescue The Raven and save hundreds of lives from a wildcard bent on revenge.

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I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

Girl Meets Change by Kristen Strong | RE:VIEW

Sweet, personal, and honest.

I saw the cover of this book first (yes, I've always got my eye toward design) and I just loved what it represented. The seasons, change, new life. All of it! Then I got around to reading the title and thought this was something I should read.

Right off the bat I connected with what Kristen was saying--how she pinpointed what I'm sure a lot of women feel. Change is hard. You may be one of those women who loves change (as I'd say I do in some cases) but Kirsten pointed out that change for change's sake isn't really good change. It's all in how we view and meet the change that matters.

From a devotional standpoint I did enjoy the book, though it took me much too long to finish it. I think this was somewhat due to busyness, other reading/work I had, and some what do to lack of extreme connection. For me, a devotional book really needs to speak to a need that I have. While I feel like there is a lot of change in my life now and coming in the future, I didn't feel as gripped (if I can use that word) to Girl Meets Change. Not for lack of wanting though.

I found Kirsten's writing to be strong and to the point--both things I love! And I think she did a good job of seeking out stories to add here and there along with her own personal anecdotes. I did enjoy that she used examples of Biblical characters, but I found that they were "typical" characters. Esther, Jacob, Abraham...Now there is nothing wrong with these examples, and for those who haven't grown up in the church or don't know the Bible well, these may have pointed out "light bulb" ideas, but I found that I wasn't challenged to see their stories in a new light.

To me, there wasn't a moment of awakening where I realized something new about myself - which is often why I read devotional books (aside from my own Bible reading, of course). Don't get me wrong, I did my fair share of highlighting and Kristen had some amazing gems that I took to heart. But I just didn't connect in a "wow, this book changed me" type of way (ironically). And that's okay. Not all books will.

I would still be confident in recommending this to women who know they have a difficult time with change or those who are facing an upcoming change that could be difficult, scary, exciting, or crazy-new. Kirsten's attention to scripture and her constant encouragement will mean a lot.

Rating: 4*
Purchase: Girl Meets Change

Book Description
(from Kristen's website)

Whether chosen or unexpected, all change brings stress. Kristen Strong knows about change--especially the kind you didn't choose. Over the years, she's fought hard to learn an important truth: change is not something to be feared but something to be received as a blessing from God who works through it, not in spite of it.

In this hope-filled book, Kristen invites you to see all the ways you are loved and cared for in the midst of change. She walks alongside you as a friend, gently ushering you toward a new view of change, one that meets you at the crossroads of your own sense of anxiety and God's sense of purpose. With practical advice for coping in every part of life, she draws from her own experiences, the stories of others, and stories from Scripture to help you find contentment, purpose, and renewed strength.

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I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.