I was so thrilled to have the chance to read this book.  Being a part of the Branson community, I have had the opportunity to learn about Riley's efforts and have some friends who have traveled with her to Africa.  I wanted to learn more about how this amazing woman started her non-profit organization Generation Next.

Riley Unlikely tells the inspiring story of Riley Banks-Snyder and how at such a young age, she developed a passion for helping the impoverished children in Kenya.  Through the book, we are able to see that it wasn't always smooth sailing for Riley as she began her own non-profit and gathered supplies for the children, but through her determination and strong faith in God, she overcame those obstacles and helped so many families and children.   

Riley is such an inspiration for many people, young and old alike.  I also believe the role her parents played is an important one for other parents to remember.  They encouraged Riley to follow her dreams and worked alongside her to make those dreams a reality.  

Riley truly exemplifies that one person can make a difference and change so many lives in the process.  I highly recommend this book to all readers and would encourage everyone that reads it to take its message to heart.

I received this book courtesy of Zondervan through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

When I read Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter last year, I was blown away and couldn't believe that I had never read her books before so when I had the opportunity to read her latest book The Kept Woman, I jumped at the chance.  

​The Kept Woman features Detective Will Trent as the discovery of a former cop's body at a construction site becomes much more complicated than it first seems.  Will's estranged wife is involved and that turns Will's world upside down as the investigation heats up.  

Since this was the first book I had read featuring Will Trent and that cast of characters, I feel I might not have enjoyed it as much as someone who would be more familiar with the series.  It is readable without having read the other books, but I did feel that I was missing some of the background on the various characters in the book.  I did feel that some of the violence and gore was a bit over the top, which seems odd to say when discussing an murder/mystery/crime novel, but I did feel some sections were a little too gruesome or graphic.  That said, it didn't deter me from wanting to reach the conclusion of the book and see how the plot would turn out.  

I received this book courtesy of William Morrow through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  

Letters from Paris is a beautiful engaging story traveling from Chicago to Louisiana to France.  Claire Broussard has worked hard to have a career and successful life in Chicago but when she hears news of her grandmother's illness, Claire realizes all she has worked for means nothing to her.  She immediately leaves her life in Chicago and heads to Plaquemires Parish to care for her ailing grandmother.  Claire isn't in Louisiana long before she explores her grandmother's attic and finds the sculpture she remembers so vividly from her youth.  Her great grandfather sent it home from Paris after World War II.  Her grandmother urges Claire to travel to Paris to solve the mystery behind the sculpture.  Claire begins a journey to Paris which may lead her to solve the mystery of the sculpture and change Claire's life in the process.  

I enjoyed this novel very much.  The descriptions of both the French countryside and the streets of Paris are so well written that you really place yourself there.  I found the details of sculpture and mask making very interesting.  Claire was such a  relatable character.  I definitely hoped she would not only solve the mystery behind the mask but find happiness as well.  

I received this book courtesy of Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.    

When I was growing up, one of my fondest memories was watching old musicals and movies with my Mom.  One of her favorites was Brigadoon and Valley of the Moon reminded me so much of that wonderful film.  

Lux is doing her best to raise her son Benno and find her place in the world.  She has just put her young son Benno on a plane to fly across the country to spend some time with her mother in Newport.  Trying to take her mind off of Benno being gone, Lux plans a camping trip to the Valley of the Moon.  During the night she becomes cold and awakens to find a dense fog enveloping her.  She makes her way through the fog to come upon Greengage, a community stuck in the early 1900s.  She meets Joseph and his wife Martha, along with Joseph's sister Fancy.  Something draws Lux to the simplicity of Greengage.  She feels acceptance and purpose there, but of course Benno is still in the present day so Lux returns to California.  She quickly realizes that time doesn't pass the same in present day California as it does in Greengage.  Lux finds herself at a crossroads, trying to balance two worlds in two different times.  

I enjoyed Valley of the Moon and felt connected with the characters.  The author really makes you feel the conflict Lux has between balancing her role as a mother and the pull she feels to live life in Greengage.  The ending was surprising to me I thought it was an interesting twist.  

I received this book courtesy of Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.