One Final Breath (Dive Team Investigations Book #3) by Lynn H. Blackburn

Absolutely loved this story full of suspense, drama and romance. Although this is book 3 of the Dive Team Investigation series, it can be read as a stand alone book. I have read the other books and enjoyed them, so I definitely recommend reading them in order for character development.

This story mostly focuses on Anissa and Gabe, along with the other Dive Team characters as they work together to figure out the murder of a teenage boy in their area. Lots of twists and turns and mini stories weaved into this intense Christian fiction story. I loved the main characters and their determination to solve the crimes and work together as a team, also using prayer and God to help direct them. I loved reading more about the other dive team members from the other books.

Excellent story line and characters-kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. LOVED IT! HIGHLY RECOMMEND but beware-you won’t want to stop reading once you start!

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
When investigator Gabriel Chavez had his cover blown by an aggressive reporter, the silver lining was being able to rejoin the dive team. The downside? Dive team captain Anissa Bell–a woman who both fascinates and frustrates him.

Anissa grew up as a missionary kid on the Micronesian island of Yap and always planned to return after college. But she remained stateside, determined to solve the case that haunts her–the murder of her best friend and the disappearance of a three-year-old child.

When Anissa’s fractured past collides with Gabe’s investigation into the tragic shooting death of a teenage boy in Lake Porter, they’ll have to put their complicated history with each other aside in order to uncover the identity of a killer. What they’ll discover is that revenge has no statute of limitations.

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About the Author
Lynn H. Blackburn is the author of Beneath the Surface, In Too Deep, Hidden Legacy, 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 Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children.

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MY REVIEW:

I have read other Amish fiction books by this author so I was familiar with some of the characters mentioned in previous books and series. The author also included a listing of characters in the beginning of the book which was helpful if you’re read her other books.

The Deacon’s Family Book #2 focuses mostly on Luke and Izzy, Molly, and Sam’s stories. Lots of great mini stories throughout including fostering, becoming an Amish Deacon, raising sheep, medical issues, marriage… lots of laughs, tears, frustrating moments, and various emotions. God’s love, faith, forgiveness and trust were all important elements in this book.

I really enjoy this story and characters and can’t wait to read more from this series!

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book

Book: Stitches in Time

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Contemporary Amish fiction

Release Date: October 1, 2019

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Carol-award winner Suzanne Woods Fisher writes untold stories about inspiring people. With over one million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the bestselling author of fiction and non-fiction, ranging from Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World to the historical novel Anna’s Crossing.

 

More from Suzanne

Have you ever felt the tug to become a foster parent?

On any given day, there are nearly 438,000 children in foster care in the United States. Most states have a critical need for more foster parents, and the number of children placed in foster care increases yearly.

There are plenty of assumptions about having foster children, but most are incorrect. The media has a tendency to focus on the negative, but from all the research I conducted to write this book, for every bad news story, there were two good ones. Good stories just don’t make the news.

Below are some of the most common assumptions about foster care, with corrected information that is applicable across the United States (but keep in mind that each state has their own requirements).

 

Myth: Kids in foster care are bad or troubled.

Truth: Children in foster care are good kids taken out of a troubled situation. They need a caring foster parent who is patient and understanding. When given the opportunity, most of these children begin to thrive.

 

Myth: To be a foster parent, you need to be married and own a home and be a college graduate.

Truth: You don’t need to be married or to own a home or even be a college graduate. That means if you’re single or renting, you can be a foster parent.

 

Myth: I can’t afford to be a foster parent.

Truth: There are monthly reimbursement rates for children in foster care based on the level of care you provide. Medical and dental care is paid through state Medicaid programs.

 

Myth: Most kids in foster care are teenagers.

Truth: The average age of a child entering foster care is seven years old.

 

Myth: Most kids are in foster care because their parents have abused drugs.

Truth: Now, this one is not a myth. It’s true. There are fifteen categories that can be responsible for a child’s removal from a home. Drug abuse from a parent has had the largest percentage increase.

 

Myth: Fostering could require a commitment until the child turns eighteen.

Truth: Generally, children remain in state care for less than two years. Only six percent spend five or more years in foster care.

 

Myth: It’s too hard to give a child up to his biological family.

Truth: Most children are in foster care for a short time, returning to their biological families. Reuniting a child to his family is the ideal situation. Foster families provide a safe haven for a child. Healthy grieving is to be expected, but it’s for the right reasons. It’s healthy.

 

Myth: You can’t adopt foster children.

Truth: In 2016, more than 65,000 children—whose mothers and fathers parental rights were legally terminated—waiting to be adopted. Also in 2016, more than 20,000 children “aged out” of foster care without permanent families. Research has shown that those who leave care without being linked to a “forever family” have a higher likelihood than the general youth population to experience homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration as adults.

 

Is there room in your heart and family for a child in need? There are many ways to get involved, some that do not even require foster care. One recommendation: volunteer with The National CASA Association (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Children. You can find out more information here: www.casaforchildren.org.

Or consider small ways to connect to children in need—after school tutoring at your public library. Volunteering at a community center. Buy Christmas gifts for a family in need through an Adopt-a-Family program with a local church. Support a family who does provide foster care with respites—babysitting or meals. There’s many ways to get involved to care for children in need. And every little bit makes a difference.

Blog Stops

The Power of Words, September 26

The Becca Files, September 26

SusanLovesBooks, September 26

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 26

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 27

Through the Fire Blogs, September 27

Adventures of a Traveler’s Wife, September 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 28

Inspiration Clothesline, September 28

Texas Book-aholic, September 28

Book bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, September 29

Jeanette’s Thoughts, September 29

Blogging With Carol , September 29

Hookmeinabook , September 29

The Avid Reader, September 30

Mia Reads, September 30

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, September 30

janicesbookreviews, October 1

My Devotional Thoughts, October 1

Maureen’s Musings, October 1

CarpeDiem, October 1

For Him and My Family, October 2

Stories By Gina, October 2

Activating Faith, October 2

A Reader’s Brain, October 3

EmpowerMoms, October 3

Wishful Endings, October 3

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 3

Carla Loves To Read, October 4

Pause for Tales, October 4

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 4

Inklings and notions , October 5

Quiet Quilter, October 5

Vicky Sluiter, October 5

Hallie Reads, October 5

Blossoms and Blessings, October 6

For The Love of Books , October 6

For the Love of Literature, October 6

Bigreadersite, October 7

By The Book, October 7

She Lives to Read, October 7

Moments, October 8

Southern Gal Loves to Read, October 8

Girls in White Dresses, October 8

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, October 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of her book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/ec6a/stitches-in-time-celebration-tour-giveaway

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“Diamond in the Rough” (American Heiresses Book #2) by Jen Turano

From chapter one until the end I was laughing at Poppy’s antics and unfortunate mishaps. This story was set in the late 1880s and the author did a fantastic job of describing that era with their dress, mannerisms, and the importance of money and society to some people.

Loved the characters, setting and story line. Lots of laughs, witty, clean romance, and drama.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
To save her family from financial ruin, Miss Poppy Garrison accepts an unusual proposition to participate in the New York social season in exchange for her grandmother settling a family loan that has unexpectedly come due. Ill-equipped to handle the intricacies of mingling within the New York Four Hundred, Poppy becomes embroiled in one hilarious fiasco after another, doomed to suffer a grand societal failure instead of being deemed the diamond of the first water her grandmother longs for her to become.

Reginald Blackburn, second son of a duke, has been forced to travel to America to help his cousin, Charles Wynn, Earl of Lonsdale, find an American heiress to wed in order to shore up his family estate that is in desperate need of funds. Reginald himself has no interest in finding an heiress to marry, but when Poppy’s grandmother asks him to give etiquette lessons to Poppy, he swiftly discovers he may be in for much more than he bargained for.

Purchase your copy here:

About the Author
Jen Turano is a USA Today bestselling author and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Visit her website at www.jenturano.com.

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“Love Sidelined” by Tiffany Odekirk
I absolutely LOVED this book! I loved the realness of the characters and their struggles… I even loved the story line even though I’m not into football and sports. Although the characters are early to mid 20’s, I felt like they were mature for their age and had real life experiences and decisions to make about their future-not petty, young adult drama. The chapters alternated between Jason and Allie’s experiences and points of view which I really enjoyed.

This story mentions “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” christian beliefs and church experiences throughout, but readers not belonging to that church will have no problems following and enjoying the story line.

This story is a clean, christian, romance drama. Lots of laughs, even some tears… I absolutly loved it!

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
Jason Jennings made a tough call two years ago when he left behind his status as a hard-partying star quarterback in order to serve the Lord. Recently returned from a mission now, he’s ready to get back on the football field at UCAL. But despite turning his life around, his bad-boy reputation is proving hard to shake.
Allie Hollis is everything a cheerleader should be—beautiful, outgoing, and smart—but her brilliant smile hides a devastating secret. So when Jason begins to show interest in her, there’s no question: her answer is no.

Yet, in the face of Allie’s chilly response, Jason’s gentle persistence pays off, and a tentative friendship grows. Their chemistry is obvious, but Allie’s determination to steer clear of a relationship with Jason goes deeper than he realizes. When the truth of her painful history comes to light, the couple must decide whether they will remain on the sidelines or jump back into the game of love.

Purchase your copy here:

Biography
Tiffany Odekirk believes cooking should take less than thirty minutes, frosting is better than ice cream, and all books should end with happily ever after. After graduating from Brigham Young University with a degree in Marriage, Family, and Human Development, Tiffany completed an internship with LDS Family Services in adoption and then went on to work with homeless women and children in the non-profit sector. Married to a Broadway star, Tiffany’s days are filled with music, and her nights are spent writing the types of characters she hopes her children will one day marry.

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