Rachelle J. Christensen

Romance, Suspense, Mystery Author

Book Review: The Ball’s in Her Court by Heather Justesen

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I love reading and it’s especially fun when I know the author. The Ball’s in Her Court is a sweet religious romance story focusing on the story of a woman, adopted as a child and her search for her birth parents as well as her search for love.

Justesen is an excellent writer! She pulled me right into this story and all the heartache and angst Denise faced as she tried to discover the strength of her heart. This is a powerful story I recommend you read. You’ll get a look into how someone who has been in the foster care system and been adopted might feel. There’s so many different angles that Justesen was able to touch on–an intriguing read!

Here’s more about the book:

She’s got a great job, a loving group of family and friends and basketball skills like you wouldn’t believe, but Denise DeWalt’s life is far from perfect, and she’s about to come face-to-face with a past she hoped to leave behind forever.

Twenty-six-year-old Denise thinks she’s come to terms with her childhood in the foster care system, but when her old nightmares return, Denise realizes that she must deal with her past once and for all if she ever wants to move on to a brighter future with Rich, the only man who can see past her former life. As Denise’s search leads her closer and closer to the one person she hoped she’d never have to face again, she begins to realize that her future depends on just one person–herself.

This emotional and inspirational love story proves that life is full of unexpected twists and turns–especially when it comes to facing your demons, fighting for love, and finding happiness for the future.

Other books you may enjoy:

Muffins & Murder (Sweet Bites Book 3) (Sweet Bites Mysteries, Book 1) by [Heather Justesen]   

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

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Book Review: The Forbidden Sea by Sheila A. Nielsen

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Sheila Nielson did a fabulous job with her descriptive details in The Forbidden Sea and I loved the spin she put on the myth of the mermaids. This story has a classic Cinderella feel to it and at the beginning, I’ll admit I was slightly depressed at how hard Adrianne’s life was–that’s a good thing though–it means the author did her job well of making the main character so realistic that I felt genuine sorrow for her.

I highly recommend this book because the message that Nielson weaves throughout the story of personal self-worth and value is so important for our youth today. She writes in such a way that you become so entrenched in the story and characters you won’t want the story to end.

Here’s more about the book:

A mermaid haunts Adrianne’s dreams . . . is she coming to warn her, save her, or drag her down into the depths of the briny sea forever?

When Adrianne comes face-to-face with the mermaid of Windwaithe Island, of whom she has heard terrible stories all her life, she is convinced the mermaid means to take her younger sister. Adrianne, fierce-willed and courageous, is determined to protect her sister from the mermaid, and her family from starvation. However, the mermaid continues to haunt Adrianne in her dreams and with her song.

Other books you may enjoy:

Shadow in the Sea Kindle Edition  

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

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Book Review: Dearly Departed by Tristi Pinkston

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I was so excited to read the latest Secret Sisters mystery. Pinkston is a stellar author and this book was so much fun! I devoured it quickly, laughed at the delightful wit used by these Sister detectives, and enjoyed the page-turning twists in the plotline. I have found it difficult to find mysteries that are clean and enjoyable to read, so this is why I’m thrilled to recommend Dearly Departed to you. You’ll enjoy the fun characters and the brain-itching mystery they set out to solve.

Here’s more about the book:

Ida Mae Babbit has done her community service and is a reformed woman – no more law-breaking for her. But when Arlette’s granddaughter Eden discovers a mystery in a fancy nursing home, Ida Mae – with the perfect excuse of a broken wrist and a broken ankle – checks herself into the place. After all, it is for the greater good. Soon she’s buzzing around in her motorized wheelchair, questioning the residents and swiping files from the office. She’s bound and determined to get to the bottom of this case. But can she solve the mystery before she becomes the next victim?

Other books you may enjoy:

   

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Book Review: Cayman Summer by Angela Morrison

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Angela Morrison delivered another breathtaking story. Her books are unique because they are written from the perspective of Leesie and Michael through Leesie’s incredible free-verse poetry and Michael, the scuba diver’s, dive log/journal. I love the way she lets the reader inside these character’s heads in a way that, for me made me feel like they were living, breathing people that I might run into on the street.

Cayman Summer is a romance, but it is so much more than a romance. It is about life-defining choices and what happens when you stick to your personal code of honor. Leesie is a strait-laced Mormon girl who never thought she could fall in love with a guy who didn’t believe in God, let alone want to make-out with him. Through this saga, we see Leesie struggling with her feelings for Michael and learning how life doesn’t fit in a cookie cutter mold.

I love the twist Angela Morrison creates in Cayman Summer–Leesie was always the strong, perfect one and she shows us what happens when things go wrong. I’m not going to spoil it, so you’ll just have to read the books yourself. I recommend starting with Taken by Storm because I’m pretty sure you’ll be hooked just like I was.

You can see my review of the first two books in the series, Taken By Storm and Unbroken Connection by clicking on the titles.

Here’s more about the book:

In Morrison’s debut young adult novel, TAKEN BY STORM, Michael faces incredible loss, but he finds Leesie. UNBROKEN CONNECTION is Leesie’s story. By the final page, she is broken and battered–physically and spiritually. Morrison vowed to her readers not to leave her that way. CAYMAN SUMMER recounts Michael and Leesie’s final journey. Michael takes Leesie to the Cayman Islands to heal. Time, sunshine, and Michael’s devotion free her of physical pain, but grief and guilt haunt her. Michael will do anything to find the old Leesie who prayed, spoke of visions, and kept the rules. For Leesie, that girl is lost forever. Rules? What’s the point now? She’s ready to break every one.

Other books you may enjoy:

   

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Book Review: Double Deceit by Stephanie Humphreys

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I have to start off by saying the cover of Double Deceit is great and it made me curious to know what would happen. Humphreys did a good job of planting seeds of doubt and questions that kept me guessing about each of the characters and their motivations. The emotional turmoil Elaina is going through is described in great detail so that I felt real sympathy for her and anger at her creepy husband, Spencer.

At some points, the story dragged a bit as I read about Elaina going through mundane tasks. I realize this is a tricky area of writing, you want life to appear normal for the character and still keep it exciting and realistic. For writers, I would suggest summarizing some of the day to day activities and don’t feel like you have to narrate every single moment of the day.

The twist was well-executed and Humphreys did a great job of foreshadowing. I guessed part of the reveal so it was fun for me to be in the know and see when the rest of the characters would figure it out and what would happen.

Here’s more about the book:

Elaina soon accepts a job working at a small bookstore owned by the handsome Ryan Hill and his mother. Despite her reluctance to become romantically involved with anyone, she is drawn to Ryan and finds herself falling in love.

But someone isn’t happy with Elaina’s new life and is watching her every move. Her tormentor seems determined to destroy her sanity and her future, but Elaina can’t convince anyone the threat is real. Natalie is preoccupied with her own blossoming romance, and Ryan and Elaina’s friend Peter seem to believe the threat has been manufactured in her own mind—a result of her guilt and grief.

Now Elaina’s plans for a new start are crashing down around her. She knows she will have to find the answers on her own before she can ever overcome the past and enjoy love and happiness again. But how can she protect those she loves when she doesn’t know whom to trust?

Other books you may enjoy:

Finding Rose by [Stephanie Humphreys]

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

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

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Book Review: Wolves, Boys, and Other Things that Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Wolves, Boys, and Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler was excellent!

I will admit that the cover did little to impress me and the title even less. I was confused, wondering if it was some kind of werewolf book–it was not.

The voice of KJ, the main character in this book, was intriguing, realistic, awe-inspiring, and even a little sarcastic. Chandler did an incredible job of weaving in the real life story of the re-introduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park and the dangers they pose to local ranchers. But it was also a realistic look at life as a teenage girl trying to discover herself and a new boyfriend in the process.

There were so many great moments in the book from funny to a shiver-cringe. If you’re looking for a great general fiction book for young adults, I suggest you check out Wolves, Boys, and Other Things That Might Kill Me. Chandler definitely surprised me with her tight storyline and excellent narrative skills.

Here’s more about the book:

KJ Carson lives an outdoor lover’s dream. The only daughter of a fishing and wildlife guide, KJ can hold her own on the water or in the mountains near her hometown outside Yellowstone National Park.

But when she meets the shaggy-haired, intensely appealing Virgil, KJ loses all self-possession. And she’s not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing that they’re assigned to work together on a school newspaper article about the famous wolves of Yellowstone.

As KJ spends time with Virgil, she also spends more time getting to know a part of her world that she always took for granted… and she begins to see herself and her town in a whole new light.

Other books you may enjoy:

Thief of Happy Endings by [Kristen Chandler]   

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

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