Thursday, August 28, 2025

The French Kitchen by Kristy Cambron Reviewed








 
About the book:

Title: The French Kitchen

Author: Kristy Cambron

Genre: Christian Historical WWII

Pages: 384

Format: ebook & audio

Source: Publisher & Purchased

Add to Goodreads

As Paris rebuilds in the aftermath of World War II, one ex-pat uses the skills she learned in French kitchens during the war to bring long-held secrets to light.

Paris, 1952 -- An ex-pat wife living in Paris signs up for a cookery class taught by an American chef with an indomitable wit and decidedly French airs--an instructor by name of Julia Child. Amongst classes of the L'Ecole des Trois Gourmandes, with pots and pans and prim Paris wives learning to sauté in the French way, Kat Fontaine learns much more than she bargained for.

Still haunted by the years she spent serving in the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII, Kat soon finds a simple cookery class unearths the tangle of gut-wrenching memories of war and questions about the high-ranking society husband whose past is as murky as her own. But when the puzzle pieces start to come together--and her carefully crafted Paris world begins to fall apart--Kat must confront her own secrets against the mounting suspicions of the husband she thought she knew . . .

Rue, 1943 -- Deep in the heart of Nazi-controlled northern France, Manon Altier shifts between working for the enemy by day--as a French chef at the famous Château du Broutel, where names like Himmler, Rommel, and Goebbels frequent the guest list--and running with underground networks against the Vichy regime at night. Working undercover to filter information to agents within the burgeoning OSS, Manon digs deep into the glitz and glamour of a Nazi stronghold that has her teetering on the edge of being discovered at any turn. But when an intriguing stranger appears at the chateau claiming to work with the French Resistance, Manon must lean on her instincts to judge whether to run and hide or stand firm--even as a terrifying discovery tests her resolve to continue the fight.

From the heights of culinary cuisine in 1950s Paris society to the underbelly of a WWII spy network embedded deep within Nazi-controlled Vichy France--and the spy backstory of the world's most famous would-be French chef, Julia Child--The French Kitchen turns up the heat on the pasts of women whose worlds collide, and forces each to question what she thought she'd planned for a perfect future.



My Thoughts:

When I open a Kristy Cambron novel, I know that I am in for an adventure. Set after WWII, Kat comes to France to look for her brother, and she finds much more than she bargained for, like Julia Child. The story was rich and engaging. While I had an ecopy, I listened to the majority of it, and it was super entertaining.
My favorite quote: "But your brother is still with you every time you say his name. And every time you're brave enough to look back despite everything you've been through."
Since I didn't grow up in this time period, and my dad was too young for WWII, books like Kristy Cambron's are the best way I can learn about WWII and have an enjoyable story at the same time.

About Kristy Cambron





KRISTY CAMBRON is a vintage-inspired storyteller writing from the space where art, history, and faith intersect. She’s a Christy Award-winning author of historical fiction, including her bestselling debut, The Butterfly and the Violin, and nonfiction, including the Verse Mapping series of Bibles and Bible studies. A self-proclaimed history nerd, she loves to chase all things research, going behind the scenes at a Ringling Bros. Sarasota mansion, touring a former TB sanitarium, making bee friends at a working honey farm, or embarking on a back-roads jaunt across Ireland being a few.

She holds a degree in Art History/Research Writing and spent 15 yrs in education and leadership development for a Fortune-100 corporation, partnering with such companies as the Disney Institute, IBM/Kenexa, and Gallup before stepping away to pursue her passion for storytelling. Her work has been named to Publishers Weekly Religion & Spirituality TOP 10, Library Journal Reviews’ Best Books, RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards, received 2015 & 2017 INSPY Award nominations, and received a 2020 Christy Award for her novel, The Painted Castle. She’s been featured at Once Upon a Book Club Box, CBN, Lifeway Women, Jesus Calling, Country Woman Magazine, MICI Magazine, Faithwire, (in)Courage, and Bible Gateway.

Kristy lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, where she can be found penning her next stories in a beloved coffee shop corner with kayaks on the wall. (She’s only bumped her head twice…)

You can connect with Kristy on these media platforms . . . Website || Facebook || Instagram || Twitter

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

The C's Have It: Ten Titles Starting With the Letter C

 


Happy Tuesday, and welcome to the Top Ten Tuesday blog link-up sponsored by That Artsy Reader Girl. Today's theme is a freebie, bookish or non-bookish, so I decided to continue with the alphabet challenge. 

If the title starts with The or an A, I will use the second letter. I'll post them in alphabetical order. This is perfect for those alphabetical reading challenges.




















































































































I am having a ball of a time looking for books to fit each letter of the alphabet, and I hope you have found something new to read.
Happy Tuesday, and I hope you have a wonderful week! 

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Death Follows Her (Deadly Justice Book 1) by Rachel Dylan Reviewed

 


About the book:

Title: Death Follows Her

Author: Rachel Dylan

Series: Deadly Justice Book 1

Genre: Legal Thriller

Pages: 349

Format: ebook

Source: Publisher

Add to Goodreads

Three powerful CEOs. Three sudden deaths. One woman determined to uncover the truth.

When three high-profile CEOs die in quick succession, FBI Special Agent Samira Haddad is called in to investigate. What at first seems like tragic coincidence soon unravels into something far more deliberate—and deadly. All three victims were represented in major lawsuits by the same Quinn Kelly, a sharp, unrelenting trial lawyer with a flawless record and no shortage of enemies.

As Samira digs deeper, she’s drawn into a world of elite corporate power, courtroom battles, and closely guarded secrets. Quinn becomes both a key to the mystery—and a target herself. Cool under pressure and relentless in court, Quinn is used to winning—but this time, the stakes are life and death.

With pressure mounting from all sides, Samira must navigate competing agendas, shadowy threats, and the growing suspicion that the killer is far closer than anyone imagined.

Warning: This book contains non-graphic scenes and descriptions of sexual assault.

Purchase link: Amazon



My Thoughts

Rachel Dylan has returned to the writing world, and this reader is very happy she's back! She's been sorely missed!

This is a great first book for her new series, Deadly Justice. As with all of her books, I'm trying to figure out who did it. She definitely knows how to keep a reader guessing and on the edge of their seat. 

I love that Ms. Dylan uses strong female lead characters. It's refreshing. The book has an amazing, suspenseful storyline that keeps the reader wanting more.

Overall, this book is a slam dunk for me and those who are fans of legal thrillers.

There were references to sexual assault. I have been sexually assaulted, and I wasn't uncomfortable.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher, and I was not required to write a review; all thoughts and opinions are my own.


About Rachel Dylan




Rachel Dylan is an award-winning and bestselling author of legal thrillers and romantic suspense. Rachel has practiced law for over a decade including being a litigator at one of the nation’s top law firms. The Atlanta Justice Series features strong, female attorneys in Atlanta. Deadly Proof, the first book in the Atlanta Justice series, is a CBA bestseller, an FHL Reader’s Choice Award winner, a Daphne du Maurier Finalist, and a Holt Medallion Finalist. Lone Witness is the winner of a Holt Medallion, the Maggie Award, and is a Selah Finalist. Rachel lives in Michigan with her husband and five furkids–two dogs and three cats. Rachel loves to connect with readers. You can find Rachel at her WebsiteFacebookInstagram, and Twitter.


The Alphabet Challenge The B's Have It

 

Happy Tuesday, and welcome to another Top Ten Tuesday - sort of, post. Today's Top Ten Tuesday theme, sponsored by That Artsy Reader Girl, is books with a high page count, the ones that could be door stoppers. I'd have to list all the Harry Potter books to come close, so I decided to do an Alphabet Challenge post. It's truly been a manic Monday here, so this was easier.

If the title starts with The or an A, I will use the second letter. I'll post them in alphabetical order. This is perfect for those alphabetical reading challenges.



                                                            
                                                            



                                                           



                                                           

                                                           





 



I know it's not a Top Ten Tuesday, but I hope you find something new to read.


























Noble the story of Makkah; King David's Brides 2

 



Title: Noble, The story of Makkah

Author: Mesu Andrews

Series: King David's Brides

Genre: Historical, biblical fiction

Format: ARC

Source: Publisher (mail)

Add to: Goodreads





Princess Maakah of Geshur is duty-bound to create a political alliance for her father through marriage. The cancellation by King Saul of her betrothal to his fourth-born son compels Maakah's father to arrange an unexpected marriage to the rebel David ben Jesse, a shepherd-warrior anointed years earlier as Israel's future king. Taken aback by stories of David's fierceness and lowly birth, Maakah considers the match a degrading fate but obeys her father's wishes out of duty as her nation's only heir.

While alliances shift and enemies loom, Maakah navigates the delicate balance between her noble heritage and her growing respect for David's faith and leadership. When David and his army move to Hebron, and he becomes king over Judah, Maakah faces prejudice and suspicion from David's home tribe. In a land torn by war and divided loyalties, she must choose where her allegiance lies: with her people and heritage, or with an extraordinary destiny alongside David that beckons her from within.

Baker Book House || Barnes & Noble || Amazon



My Thoughts

I've been a fan of Mesu Andrews since I read her first book what seems like eons ago. David, given his mistakes, is my favorite biblical hero. With that said, I wasn't a huge fan of Makkah to start with. She's definitely a princess, because at the beginning she's a real brat, but with Mesu Andrew's pen we watch her transform, and that's the real point of the book. Makkah was a worshipper of Baal, and determined to stay away from Yahweh, mainly because her heritage is of the people God is telling David to destroy.
It's hard to understand God's direction when you aren't walking in His ways, but when you see and understand that God is for you and not against you, you are able to give Him control. 
This is an absolutely beautiful book, and I wouldn't expect anything less from Mesu Andrews. She's a fantastic researcher, and makes sure her writing aligns with the Bible. 
There is so many nuggets within this book, and I can't tell you all of them because it would give the story away. The book releases today so go pick up your copy at your favorite retailer! Just don't miss this book!

About Mesu Andrews



MESU ANDREWS is the Christy Award-winning author of Isaiah’s Daughter and has received numerous accolades for her other novels including Of Fire and Lions, Love Amid the AshesThe Pharaoh’s Daughter, and Miriam. Her deep understanding of and love for God’s Word brings the biblical world alive for readers. 
Many of her faithful readers are members of her launch team—Mesu’s Biblical Fiction Fans (BFFs)—and offer their time and service to promote God’s word through story. Andrews lives in North Carolina with her husband Roy and enjoys spending time with her tribe of grandchildren.


Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Top Ten Tuesday Books To Get You Out Of A Reading Slump

 


Happy Tuesday!!! Welcome to another edition of Top Ten Tuesday blog link up sponsored by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is books to get you out of a reading slump. I feel like I've been in a reading slump since September of last year, and I wonder when I'll finally get out of it and read like I used to.

For today's post, I tried to choose a variety of genres and authors.













I'll add that Courtney Walsh and Becky Wade are great to get ya out of a reading slump.

So, what do you think? Would these get you out of a reading slump? Please let me know in the comments.

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Top Ten Tuesday, Featuring My Favorite Reads....Beachy Reads





Happy Tuesday, and welcome to another edition of Top Ten Tuesday sponsored by That Artsy Reader Girl. Today's theme is Beachy Reads. If you are new to my blog, my favorite place and type of reads are ones that involve sand and ocean water.


 













Not all of my selections are beachy theme, but I think these are perfect books to read while lying out on the beach.

Are you a beach lover like me, or do you prefer lakes, streams, or even winter-time?

Let me know in the comments.

The French Kitchen by Kristy Cambron Reviewed

  About the book: Title: The French Kitchen Author: Kristy Cambron Genre: Christian Historical WWII Pages: 384 Format: ebook & audio Sou...