Rachelle J. Christensen

Romance, Suspense, Mystery Author

Book Review: Fortune Cookie by Josi S. Kilpack

by

Book Thoughts by Rachelle:

This series is so much fun and each mystery is full of twists, turns, and surprises. Josi Kilpack continues to delight and indulge mystery readers with her latest culinary mystery, Fortune Cookie. In this book, Sadie travels to San Francisco and embarks on a dark and sinister hunt for the truth about her older sister Wendy. Suspicions are high, the mystery is spine-tingling, and the depth of emotions that Sadie must go through makes this novel a fast-paced read.

Here’s more about the book:

Sadie Hoffmiller has always liked things to be just so. A place for everything and everything in its place. Order over chaos. And of all things Sadie should be able to control, her own wedding is at the top of the list.

With the big day just three weeks away, Sadie is busily adding the perfect final touches to her wedding plans. But the arrival of a mysterious letter that bears a San Francisco postmark and no return address could change everything. The only person Sadie knows in San Francisco is her older sister, Wendy, whom she hasn’t seen or heard from since their mother’s funeral nearly fifteen years ago. Sadie has faced off with murderers and crooks in recent years, yet the potential of her sister reentering her life is both overwhelming and frightening. But, as Sadie soon discovers, the letter is just the beginning. Wendy’s world turns out to be a place of unanswered questions, twisted truths, and more than one motive for murder.

Other books you may enjoy:

   

Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews HERE.

Follow Rachelle:

 

*Affiliate links used in all posts. All reviews shared are Rachelle’s honest opinion.

Book Review: The Winds and the Waves by Dean Hughes

by

Book Thoughts by Rachelle:

I love learning about history, but I don’t love reading straight non-fiction books on the subject. Enter Dean Hughes and his incredible talent for weaving fact and fiction into a story that brings the past to the present, engaging the reader in historical events that will leave a lasting impression. This is how I like to learn history!

I read The Winds and The Waves, Volume 1 of a 3 Volume series and I can’t wait to finish Through Cloud and Sunshine (Vol 2). This details events from the beginnings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and follows a fictional family from Great Britain across the sea to join the saints in Nauvoo, Illinois. As a member of the LDS Church, I’ve heard many stories and details of the difficulties the early members faced. This story brings everything up front and present with a clarity that gave me an even deeper respect for these early pioneers.

And if it wasn’t enough to share with you how incredible these books are, I have something quite amazing to share. Through Cloud and Sunshine is the 100th published book of author Dean Hughes. WOW! Can you imagine writing 100 books? I can dream . . .

Here’s more about the book:

Past meets present in this wonderful new historical novel from bestselling author Dean Hughes. Wilford Woodruff’s preaching to congregations of the United Brethren in England has a profound effect on Will Lewis, but does this “new religion” really hold the key to the better life he longs for? Does he dare risk his precarious, hard-won success in order to embrace it? Can it give him the love of his life, or will it snatch her away? Will’s struggles to believe, to win his true love, and to face the rigors of immigrating to an unknown land are paralleled by the modern-day story of Jeff and Abby, a young married couple facing challenges of their own. The skillful interweaving of these two stories brings Church history to life while demonstrating how much we can learn from those who went before us. Anyone who has ever battled the winds and the waves, in some form, will love this novel.

Other books you may enjoy:

   

Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews HERE.

Grab these free tips from a bestselling and award-winning author HERE

Follow Rachelle:

*Affiliate links used in post. All reviews shared are Rachelle’s honest opinion.*

Book Review: How Do I Know If I Know? by John Bytheway

by

Book Thoughts by Rachelle:

In John Bytheway’s latest book, How Do I Know If I Know? he explores the confidence that we can gain in our own beliefs and testimony.
Now, more than ever, young people are asking insightful and important questions about testimony, worthiness, mission preparation, and more. John Bytheway discusses ways we can come to know that the restored gospel is true, and—more importantly— how to know that we know.

As usual, Bytheway’s examples and ideas have sparked a deeper understanding of the gospel. I love how he encourages us to be bold in our testimony, to learn what we truly believe and keep working on it. I think it’s kind of a new concept for most people to understand that a testimony is something that can keep growing stronger–it’s not just a one time thing you gain and never have to think about again. You can gain a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and then keep learning and growing until your testimony reaches a new level.

In  the book, John Bytheway uses an acronym, F.E.E.L. as a way to understand all of the ways that we can have a testimony, on so many different levels of knowledge and understanding.

I’m grateful for my testimony of Jesus Christ, my savior and redeemer.

I’m keeping this book handy on my shelf because I think it will be a great resource for my children as they grown and learn in the gospel.

Here’s more about the book:

Now more than ever, young people are asking themselves important questions:

  • Is my testimony strong enough?
  • How do I know if I really have a testimony?
  • Am I ready to serve a mission?
  • Have I received a witness?
  • What does the Spirit feel like?

In How Do I Know If I Know? John Bytheway discusses different ways we may come to know that the restored gospel is true. He suggests that we “F.E.E.L.” the truthfulness of the gospel through our feelings, our experiences, the many evidences we encounter, and our logical conclusions of how a loving God interacts with His children on the earth. Like turning up a dimmer switch, understanding all the ways we F.E.E.L. a testimony will help to make it brighter. As you read, you may discover that your testimony is stronger than you thought, and you’ll also form a plan for helping it grown.Other books you may enjoy:

Moroni's Guide to Surviving Turbulent Times    

Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews HERE.

Follow Rachelle:

 

*Affiliate links used in all posts. All reviews shared are Rachelle’s honest opinion.

Book Review: Focused by Noelle Pikus Pace

by

Book Thoughts by Rachelle:

This book was an incredible read! I loved the format that Pikus-Pace wrote in. She includes personal stories, experiences, motivational poems, scriptures, and anecdotes about life and how we can stay the course and achieve our goals.

Focused: Keeping your life on track, one choice at a time is a book that I will pass on to other family members and my children. Pikus-Pace is a courageous example of a person who exemplifies faith, courage, and perseverance–those are all qualities I strive for and that I want my children to reach for as well.

Here’s more about the book:

In her first book, Olympic silver medalist Noelle Pikus-Pace shares ten vital lessons that have been instrumental to her success—in sports and in life. From overcoming devastating injuries to pursuing her dreams despite feelings of inadequacy and loneliness to maintaining her values in the face of extreme pressure, Noelle tells of heartbreak and triumph in a warm, conversational style as she shares insights to help others focus on the right priorities and find the faith to stay strong. With dozens of full-color photographs, motivating observations, and soul-searching reflections, chapters such as “You Always Have a Choice,” “Dare to Stand Alone,” and “The World Is Watching” offer a unique perspective for readers of all ages as they strive to stay on track the challenges and opportunities of everyday life.

Other books you may enjoy:

   

Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews HERE.

Follow Rachelle:

 

*Affiliate links used in post. All reviews shared are Rachelle’s honest opinion.*

Book Review: The Santa Letters by Stacy Gooch-Anderson

by

Book Thoughts by Rachelle

This is a beautiful story about life, love, and enjoying our blessings. I enjoyed the emotion of the story and the window it provided into those who struggle with grief.

Once you read the book, I’m pretty sure you’ll agree that The Santa Letters are a great idea and I think it’s neat that Stacy Gooch-Anderson put several ideas of how to give Santa Letters to others in need.

Here’s more about the book:

One year ago on Christmas Eve, William died.
For Emma, the hit-and-run driver killed more than her husband – he killed her joy in life itself.

Now, as Christmas again approaches, Emma Jensen finds herself sinking into a depression that nothing can breach; not her job, not her love for her children, and certainly not the season!

Money is tight, emotions taut, and those realities are magnified tenfold by knowing that this year Christmas will be a meager, empty, and painful experience. Only six-year-old McKenna believes in miracles and the magic of Christmas. The rest of the family knows that Christmas can never be the same.

But when a mysterious package and an ornate letter arrive on the doorstep, things begin to change.

Each day, a package and a letter signed “Santa” arrive for the family, and together they come to understand that the joy of Christmas does not have to be lost forever and that God’s love can heal any wound,…no matter how deep.
The Santa Letters will take the Jensens on a journey through a Christmas experience that will have the power to heal them all.

Other books you may enjoy:

   

Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews HERE.

Follow Rachelle:

 

*Affiliate links used in post. All reviews shared are Rachelle’s honest opinion.*

Book Review: The No-Stress Holiday Organizer

by

Book Thoughts by Rachelle:

Tis the season! I really can’t believe it’s already that time of year. It feels like this year has gone by so fast and it’s time to get my Christmas shopping finished up. I like to get all my gifts early so that I can spend the rest of the holiday season enjoying the festivities and outings that we plan as a family. The No-Stress Holiday Organizer is a handy book to have.

There are tons of clever tips for planning in here and I love checklists so I’m a fan of all the lists they included. Even if I don’t do everything mentioned for my particular party, I can check off what I am planning on doing.
There are great instructions included for things like carving a turkey and recipes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. I like that there are blank recipe cards printed inside where I can put my favorites. Each of the three holidays also has a section where you can record information about the decorations you have and those you need. This is an excellent feature because we store all of our holiday stuff in a garage loft and often forget what is inside all of those totes!
Another helpful inclusion is a list for the gifts I’ve purchased and check marks for if they are wrapped and ready. I’ve already started writing down my Christmas To-Do list in this book that fits easily in my purse. If you’re looking for a holiday helper, you’ll find it in this organizer.
Here’s more about the book:

Get organized this holiday season! Make your plans for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s as enjoyable for you as it is for your guests. From calendars and checklists to budget sheets and journal pages, this book saves you the time and money to enjoy family traditions old and new-year after year!

Other books you may enjoy:

   

Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews HERE.

Grab these free tips from a bestselling and award-winning author HERE

Follow Rachelle:

 

*Affiliate links used in post. All reviews shared are Rachelle’s honest opinion.*

FTC Disclosure

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Find my books and other books you’ll enjoy on

CleanRomanceBooks.com

©Rachelle Christensen 2016. All rights reserved.