Hi Reader Friends,
With all the rain in Kentucky, I’ve had time to finish two Christian fiction books, and both are winners.
I listened to the audiobook version of Between the Sound and the Sea by Amanda Cox, which was a beautiful escape and made me long for the beach. The story is a little bit historical, a little bit mystery, and two romances for the price of one. Anyone who has ever had their career go backward will sympathize with Joey, an event planner whose business takes a nosedive through no fault of hers. I like that Joey’s skills range from planning a wedding for a thousand people to wielding a hammer to renovate a lighthouse. If you’re a fan of Hallmark, you’ll enjoy the romance that blossoms between Josephina (Joey) and Finn. Joey is hired to be the project manager to renovate a lighthouse for Finn’s grandfather, Walt. Walt’s motive for buying and restoring the abandoned lighthouse is to honor Cay, a lost love of his youth. Walt’s and Cay’s stories added complexity and intrigue, and I wanted to know more about them. My only criticism is that I wish the author had included more of Walt and Cay’s points of view. This is a story of restoration and new beginnings, and it had the perfect ending.
The second book I’m recommending, The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kips by Sara Brunsvold, is unique. I’ve searched my mind for another book like it and failed. Mrs. Kip is a character you won’t soon forget even though according to her, there’s nothing remarkable about her life. The book opens with her moving into a hospice facility, but her story is more about living than dying. She loves, laughs, cares, prays, teaches, reveres creation, and offers her heart and compassion to anyone she crosses paths with. She made me realize that you can still do important things even on your deathbed. Mrs. Kip has a tremendous impact on Clara, a cub reporter sent to write Mrs. Kip’s obituary. As you learn about all the lives Mrs. Kip has touched and the ripple effect, you’ll feel uplifted and hope. I’ve been blessed to meet a couple of women like Mrs. Kip in my life, and for that I’ll be forever grateful.
I highly recommend these books.
Happy reading!
Shelia
