10 Minutes in the Word: John ~ a Review

Lately I've been reading a new devotional from the 10 Minutes in the Word series: 10 Minutes in the Word: John.  Each of the 46 chapters highlights a verse from the day's reading, then gives the instruction to read the day's scripture from John, followed by a 2 page reflection on the reading, a prayer, and a couple of questions for further reflection.  The book is perfectly sized to fit in a purse or briefcase, and each day really does take 10 minutes or less to read.  I really appreciate the built-in ribbon bookmark to help me keep my place.

I like this book.  I appreciate the fact that this devotional series in rooted in scripture, inviting the reader to study more than just a few verses of scripture each day, like many other devotionals I've read.  I was a little disappointed, however, to discover that the readings skip some parts of the book of John, as I was expecting to have read all of John by the time I finished the devotional, but when there are gaps, I just read the extra so I'm not missing anything.  I also appreciate the questions for further contemplation.  I find myself revisiting them throughout the day. The book breaks up John into easy to read sections, focuses my attention on the ancient writings, and helps me to apply the words of John to my life today.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Put on Your PJs Piggies: a Review

Put on Your PJs, Piggies is a sweet board book illustrated by Sydney Hanson, following 4 piggy siblings through their bedtime routine.  The illustrations are lovely, and the piglets are so cute.  Little ones will definitely identify with the different parts of the piggies' nighttime routine, and it might make bedtime for human readers a little easier because of that.  I love that Daddy pig suggests counting sheep, and there are actual sheep to count in the barn :) 

Put on Your PJs, Piggies is a rhyming book, of course, meant to be read aloud.  A couple of the rhymes are a little forced, and every time I've read the book, there's one page that always makes me pause because it seems like there's a mistake on that page*.  Still, it's a cute book, and a must-have for preschool pig-lovers.  I personally probably wouldn't purchase the book, but I would definitely borrow it from the library.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

*One page reads, "our day on Bedtime Barn was fun, But now our piggy day is done."  I think it should be, "our day on Sunshine Farm was fun."

Glory Road by Lauren Denton: a Review

"Written in Lauren Denton's signature Southern style, Glory Road tells the story of three generations of women navigating the uncertain pathways of their hearts during a summer that promises to bring change--whether they're ready for it or not." -- from the book jacket

This novel is told from the perspective of three generations of women in turns: Jessie, a divorced mom running a garden shop; her daughter Evan, who is poised to begin her first year of High School; and Jessie's mom, Gus, who is suffering increasingly frequent memory lapses.  The reader follows these three women, living and working together on Glory Road, through a summer that brings new people and new opportunities, as well as the chance to face fears and move beyond past hurts.

This sweet story drew me in and captivated me until the last page.  In fact, it captivated me beyond the last page--I would love to catch up with these characters again sometime.  In turns, I found myself feeling wistful and yearning, hopeful and inspired.  The settings and characters are beautifully described and relatable.  I want to live on Glory Road and be friends with these people.

"In one summer, everything will change.  But for these three strong Southern women, the roots they've planed on Glory Road will give life to the adventures waiting just around the curve." -- from the book jacket

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible: A Review

You may have noticed I've been reviewing a lot of children's books lately.  That's mostly because there aren't any adult-level books available for review that interest me, but also because I love children's books.  My kiddos are "too old" to enjoy them, but I figure there might be grandchildren eventually, and I can enjoy children's books by myself in the meantime.  I've also been reviewing a lot of children's books because they're easy to read, and I can knock out reviews quickly.

When I requested The Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible: The Incredible Story of Who God is, Who You Are, and Who You Were Made to Be, by Joanna Rivard & Tim Penner to review, I wasn't expecting much.  I've read many children's Bibles through the years, and they generally fall into one of two categories: board books, that are perfect for babies and young toddlers, that generally contain about 5-10 stories, and therefore, skip a lot, or Bibles meant for children who can read well, that may be a little paraphrased, but are generally the whole Bible.  There's not much available in that in-between space.  Until now.

The Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible bridges that gap beautifully.  The stories are a bit longer, and go more in-depth than the board book types, but don't contain so much detail as to be boring or confusing to little readers.  The Bible is pretty comprehensive, containing all of the most prominent stories from the Bible, from creation to the kingdom of heaven (Revelation).  The chapters vary in length, from 3 pages, up to 10 pages, and the illustrations are gorgeous.  I especially appreciate that the people are portrayed accurately from an ethnicity standpoint. 

Some details are glossed over, like when describing the Passover, the author says, "But God doesn't give up.  Finally he sent so much trouble to Egypt that Pharoah had no choice but to change his mind."  But really, do 4 to 8 year-olds need to know what actually happened at that point?  Or can that wait a little while until their minds and hearts mature?  The authors do a great job portraying a loving, caring God for little ones to love and trust.

Bottom line: I love this book, and definitely wish it had been around when my kiddos were younger. The Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible fills the gap in the children's Bible category.  Perfect for parents to read aloud to their kiddos, or readers to read to themselves.

Visit The Tiny Truths website to look inside the book, and to print coloring sheets and other activities.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Don't Close Your Eyes: A Silly Bedtime Story

Don't Close Your Eyes: A Silly Bedtime Story, by Bob Hostetler, Illustrated by Mark Chambers, is a sweet board book.  From the publisher's description:

Children have a lot of fun packed into a day, and they don't always want it to end. Award-winning author Bob Hostetler capitalizes on this by challenging little ones to keep their eyes open, no matter how heavy their eyelids may get. The soft rhymes about animals preparing for sleep will help them settle down until they finally close their eyes and sleep! 

With silly and adorable characters whose sleepy faces will make you laugh out loud, Don’t Close Your Eyes is a unique bedtime book that your child will reach for again and again. Get ready for bed and say your prayers, but whatever you do, don't close your eyes!

I love the premise of this book, challenging sleepy little ones to keep their eyes open so they won't fall asleep.  Most of the rhymes are a little stiff, which makes the read-aloud rhythm a bit clunky. For me, the best part of rhyming books is the fun cadence.  The illustrations, of sleepy animals attempting to stay awake, are adorable, though, and the sentiment is lovely.

Bottom line: This is a cute book, but I would suggest reading it aloud before you buy (the Amazon Look Inside feature doesn't show much, so look for it at a local bookstore or your library), to make sure you're ok with the sometimes clunky rhythm.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The Easter Code: A 40-Day Journey to the Cross ~ A Review

Each two page spread in this booklet begins with a reflection on a theme followed by a "Code Word" and brief explanation for the reader to ponder, a "Passion Proclamation", which is a few verses from the Bible, and a short prayer.  The book contains 40 sections, for each of the days of Lent, plus readings for Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, an introduction, and a epilogue.

I like this book.  The devotionals are short, but powerful, and I appreciate the suggestion of a "Code Word" to keep the lesson in mind all day.  The size of the book, at around 4 by 6 inches, is perfect to tuck into a purse.

I was planning on using this book with our family for our after supper devotions during Lent, and I probably will do that, but the addition of the code word makes this book more appropriate for morning reading, so just keep that in mind if you are an evening devo person.

All proceeds from the book go to support Mission:Dignity, a fund that supports retired ministers who are living near the poverty level.

If you're looking for an easy to read devotional to add a little more meaning to your Lenten season, The Easter Code is a good choice.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I Love You Funny Bunny: A Review

From the book jacket:

I love you, Funny Bunny, from your whiskers to your toes.
I love the way you hop around and wiggle your cute nose.
I love the way you make me laugh, then melt me with your smile.
And no one in this great big world can match your sense of style. 

With read-aloud rhymes and adorable illustrations, I Love You, Funny Bunny tugs at the heart and celebrates the special bond between a parent and child.  Cuddle up and share this book with the Funny Bunny in your life.

The book jacket kinda says it all.  This is such a sweet book, and the illustrations are lovely.  I love the rhyming cadence of the text and the loving bond between parent and child.  I definitely wish we'd had I Love You, Funny Bunny when my kiddos were in the picture book stage.  And even though my kids are 18. 15, and 11, I think I might just read this one tonight at bedtime, to a chorus of rolling eyes, I'm sure. 

The truth is, I do love my kiddos.  I tell them every day, but I think they absorb it more easily when it rhymes and has illustrations, when it has a rhythm.  Nobody's ever too old for that.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

God, I Know You're There by Bonnie Rickner Jensen: A Review

God, I Know You're There, by Bonnie Rickner Jensen, illustrated by Lucy Flemming, is a sweet board book about things that we can't necessarily touch or see, but that we know are there anyway: things like wind, stars, thunder, and God.  Each two page spread is beautifully illustrated, with a rhyme, like this:

Wind, I can't see you.

Still I know you're there.

I feel you dance across my face

And rustle through my hair.

The illustrations are sweet and whimsical, and relevant to each rhyme.  I loved that the characters were drawn to have different genders and ethnicities.  This book is a gentle way to explain the unexplainable to children.  It shows that some things are real and true, even if we can't explore them with our senses, even if we can only hold them in our hearts.  I really liked this book.

You may be wondering why I chose to review this particular book.  I mean, we are well beyond board-book days in our household.  Truthfully, I chose it because I knew it would be a quick and easy read, and I'd be able to get my review out without investing a lot of time.  I figured I'd give it to one of my girlfriends who has preschool aged children after I was done.  But now?  I think I'm going to keep it, for cuties who may visit someday.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins: a Review

Stories behind the Great Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins contains 26 chapters, each explaining how a Christmas tradition came to be.  The traditions are listed in alphabetical order, and include Christmas cards, gifts, lights, poinsettias, and Santa Claus.

I enjoyed this book.  I like learning about little-known history, and discovering origin stories.  The chapters were short and easy to read.  The author's style was straightforward, and the book was interesting.  The order of the chapters felt a little stiff to me--I would have organized the book by categories or chronologically rather than alphabetically--but overall, this was an interesting, fast read.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Less Than Perfect: A Review

I recently read Less Than Perfect: Broken Men and Women of the Bible and What We Can Learn from Them by Ann Spangler.

From the back of the book:

What can the Bible's most flawed men and women reveal about who God is and how he reaches out to less-than-perfect people?  Bestselling author Ann Spangler takes us beyond cardboard cutouts of 38 biblical characters to reveal real people with many of the same dreams, temptations, and weaknesses we have. 

Whether considering the murderous Herodias, the scheming Jacob, or the doubting Sarah, Spangler approaches both familiar and lesser-known characters with fresh eyes, bringing them to life for modern readers by including key cultural and historical insights.  As you learn more about the people who are part of your spiritual family tree, you'll discover why God loves to use imperfect people to tell his perfect story of redemption.  Designed for individual reading or small group study.  

Each of the thirty chapters in the book begins with a Bible verse or two, followed by a retelling of the story in the author's words.  Next, there is a section called "The Times," in which the author conveys a bit of historical context to the story, followed by "The Takeaway," in which the author poses a few questions suitable for reflection or discussion.

I appreciated the historical context provided by each "The Times" section.  I think modern Christ followers miss so much as we read scripture because we don't understand the cultural norms of the times.  I found the reflection questions in "The Takeaway" to be thought-provoking, and useful in finding a way to apply lessons from the story to modern life.

At the same time, I found it very difficult to get into this book.  I was expecting something along the lines of Liz Curtis Higgs' Bad Girls of the Bible, and this is not that.  When the introduction said that the relevant stories would be told in the author's own words, I expected modern retellings, but that wasn't what I got.  I was also annoyed by the fact that the first two chapters were about Adam...and Eve... using the same story.  It felt redundant and, frankly, I was bored.  I think that first story, repeated, along with my erroneous expectations, ruined the book for me.  There is goodness to be found in the pages of this book, but I wasn't able to appreciate it.  And that's my fault, not the author's.

I received this book for free from the publisher through Book Look Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

Boundaries for Your Soul: A Review

Hi friends.  I wanted to read Boundaries for Your Soul by Alison Cook and Kimberly Miller because boundaries are kind of big right now, and I'm not really sure what boundaries are, how boundaries work.  I mean, I kind of know what I think boundaries means.  But I have no idea how to implement. 

I also wanted to read because of the subtitle: "How to Turn Your Overwhelming Thoughts and Feelings into Your Greatest Allies."  Because, friends, I have overwhelming feelings and thoughts sometimes, and it seems like a great idea to use them to my benefit.

I enjoyed reading the book, but I have mixed feelings about it.  As I was reading, what the authors were saying made a lot of sense.  They introduced four parts of the soul, including managers, firefighters, exiles, and the Spirit-led self.  They outlined five steps to take to make a You-Turn when overwhelmed by emotion.  They gave examples of folks who got in touch with different parts of their souls and harnessed those parts' powers for good.  I loved it.  All of it.  It made so much sense, and gave so much hope.

On the other hand, I came to realize that I don't have the imagination, or focus, or something, to go through the process by myself.  I need someone else to guide me.  And that someone else needs to read the book first.  So...I'm not going to be making any You-Turns myself for a while.  I also realized that this book isn't really about boundaries.  At least, not what I think boundaries are.  

All is not lost, however.  My main take-away from the book was self-compassion.  Instead of berating myself for feelings that I can't control, I can attempt to get to know, and understand where that feeling is coming from.  And by getting to know my feelings, they begin to have less power over me.

I received this book for free from the publisher through Book Look Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

10 Minutes in the Word: Proverbs ~ A Review

10 Minutes in the Word: Proverbs is a perfectly sized devotional book that takes the reader through the entire book of Proverbs in 45 short chapters.  Each four page devotional begins with a highlighted verse or two, followed by instructions to read part of Proverbs.  The book covers the entire text of Proverbs, but each day includes a chapter or less of reading.  The reading is followed by a 2 page reflection on the passage, a short prayer, and questions for reflection.  Each day really does take 10 minutes or less to complete.

I liked this book.  I've attempted to read Proverbs in the past, but usually just ended up confused, or even worse, not really retaining anything from what I had read.  This devotional breaks Proverbs into easy sections, and the reflections focused my attention so that I could relate these thousands of years old words to my modern life.

I received this book for free through Book Look Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

God's Words of Life for Mothers: A Review

God's Words of Life for Mothers is a sweet book offering encouragement to mothers.  In the book, there are 42 topics, such as Asking for Help, Fear, Joy, Loneliness, Trust, and Worship.  Each topic includes several scripture passages and a 1-2 page devotion on the topic.  The table of contents, which is arranged alphabetically, makes it easy for Mamas to find a specific topic on which they would like guidance from God's word.  The book includes a ribbon bookmark, and several lined pages at the end for the reader to add her thoughts.

It's a nice book--well bound, and a good size to tuck in a purse.  The one thing I didn't particularly like was the scalloped pages.  They look nice, but make it a little hard to turn the pages.

I got this book specifically to hand on to one of my Mama friends who needs encouragement, and this book did not disappoint.  It's a handy reference for any mama--'cause let's face it: we all can use encouragement.

I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Stay Hidden by Leigh Fleming: A Review

My friend Leigh Fleming has released her new book, Stay Hidden, which is the first book in the Hidden series.  I've read all of Leigh's books, and loved them all.  This newest is no exception.

From the first page, I was riveted.  I couldn't put this book down--in fact, I read it in less than a day.  Stay Hidden is the first book in The Hidden series, but the characters and setting are familiar.  Stay Hidden is Riley's story--Riley is one of the residents of Highland Springs, WV, which Leigh created in her Whatever series.  Riley is on the run from a secret in her past, living in constant fear that her abusive ex-boyfriend will find her.  She's living a lie, and doesn't want to let anyone get too close.  Enter FBI agent Derek Bronson, who is working on solving a series of bank robberies, the first of which resulted in his own father's murder.  Add in instant attraction, misunderstandings, betrayal, and a hostage situation, all wrapped up in a happily ever after, and you've got an amazing romantic suspense novel. I loved the story, I loved the characters, I loved the setting.  Leigh's vivid character development and perfect pacing kept me on the edge of my seat--I couldn't wait to see what happened.

This easy to read, engaging book would be a perfect read for the beach or vacation.

Sign up for Leigh's newsletter for information about upcoming releases and monthly giveaways.

Check out Leigh's Whatever series:

I AM Devotional: a Review

Our family finished this devotional, I AM Devotional: 100 Devotions About the Name of God, by Diane Stortz, about a week ago.  Each two page devotional features a name of God, a Bible verse or two, along with a reflection about the particular name of God, a prayer, questions for reflection, and a Bible passage to read to go deeper.

We liked it.  It was especially fun trying to pronounce the names, when they were in a language other than English (phonetic spelling was provided, but we still struggled).  I would have liked to have more scripture incorporated into each devotion, but the length of the devotions was just right for our after supper devotional time, and the messages were more or less relevant to our lives.  I loved how the names describe God's character.  By learning His names, we learned more about Him.

Bottom line: this is a good devotional for the elementary age group, exposing them (and their parents), to names of God that they might not be familiar with.

I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher through Book Look Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

Whatever We Are by Leigh Fleming: A Review

I was thrilled to receive a pre-release copy of Leigh Fleming's new book: Whatever We Are: A Highland Springs Romance.

Liza Fisk is cursed. The holidays often mean disaster for her, including a car accident ten years ago that put her in a coma. She’s learned to forsake the holiday spirit due to continued calamity…but her luck is about to change. The Highland Springs city council is accepting secret bids on the abandoned “castle” her great-grandfather built and Liza is finally going to realize her dream of opening an art gallery. Until her arch nemesis rolls back into town with plans to ruin her Christmas. Again.


This time, Liza is taking preemptive measures and, in a moment of insanity, announces that she and her brother’s best friend, Tucker, are playing the town’s Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Brewery-owner Tucker Callum knows he’s going to win the castle with his proposal for a proper English pub. He’s so sure, in fact, that he’s already sold his house and moved into a camper behind the brewery. But his buddy Liza is afraid he’ll freeze to death in the West Virginia winter and insists he move into her spare bedroom. She’s made it crystal clear in the past that they could never be more than friends, but now that Tucker’s living in her house and playing the role of her holiday husband, he’s secretly hoping their ruse will turn to reality.

Liza slowly opens her heart to Tucker and the holiday spirit…until she learns that he is bidding against her for the castle and deliberately keeping it a secret. Will Liza be able to trust Tucker in the end or will the Christmas curse strike again?

*******

It's Christmas time in Highland Springs, West Virginia, and love is in the air...maybe.  

Once again, Mrs. Fleming has taken peripheral characters from a previous book, and told their story.  This is the third installment in Leigh's Whatever series, but the story definitely stands on its own. You've read the description, so I won't repeat it, but I loved this book.  


The story is well told and engrossing.  The setting is vividly described. The characters are real and relatable--I love that Mrs. Fleming's protagonists are likable, but flawed.  It's a quick, easy, hard-to-put-down, uplifting read, perfect to read on vacation, or when you *need* a quick vacation from reality.  

For a limited time, the Kindle version is on sale for $1.99.

Also check out the first and second books in this series, Whatever You Call Me, and Whatever You Say (read my review).

My Bible Adventure: A Review

My youngest child doesn't go to Sunday School (we call it Creation Station).  And I'm ok with that, since Creation Station meets during worship, and I want him to be in worship.  However, because he hasn't been going to Creation Station, he's not really learning the stories of the Bible.  I mean, he knows the biggies, but a lot of other stories are lost to him.  Enter My Bible Adventure Through God's Word: 52 Bible Stories for Kids.

We do have family devotions each evening, and most recently, we've been reading the actual Bible--but there is a lot of--dare I say--boring--stuff in there, at least it's boring to 9 year old boys.  Before that we were reading a devotional book, but while the book contains scripture passages, they're just a few verses lifted out of context.  I want my kids, at least at this age, to learn the stories of the Bible, so that when they start digging deeper as teens and adults, they will have an overall context in which to place their readings.

My Bible Adventure Through God's Word contains 52 stories.  Each six-page chapter includes the scripture, taken from the International Children's Bible, a brief explanation, a prayer, and "Take It With You," which is a one-sentence summary of what the story can mean for Christ-followers.  For instance, the "Take It With You," for the creation story is "In creation, God gave me all I need."  Each chapter is written by a different pastor, children's minister, or leader who has a heart for helping children become lifelong believers.  The publisher's suggested ages are 8 and up or grades 2-5, and I would say those are accurate if you're expecting the child to read the devotions, but it's definitely great for all ages to listen to and read.

I like this book--it is just what I was looking for, and while it's not possible to include every single Bible story in this one book, it does hit on the big ones, and some not so big ones, too.  The stories are chronological, following the flow of the Bible.  The length of each chapter is just right to stretch into two nights of reading: we read the scripture passage the first night, and the explanation, prayer, and take it with you the next.  Doing it this way, we are able to remind the kiddos what the story was about and reinforce it the second day.

There are two things I'm a little disappointed in.  First, in order to fit the scripture into 2-3 pages, it is often necessary to abridge the content, so sometimes there are gaps in the story as the text jumps a few verses or to the next chapter.  This bothers me because some details are necessarily left out, and because sometimes the transitions are less than graceful.  Second, sometimes the explanation really just summarizes or repeats the scripture passage with little to no commentary.  This seems to vary depending on the individual author, and was more bothersome when we were reading each chapter straight through in one sitting--basically reading the same thing twice.

Bottom line: This is an excellent resource to teach children the stories of the Bible.

I received this book for free from the publisher through Book Look Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

Tell Me How This Ends Well: A Review

Tell Me How This Ends Well by David Samuel Levinson is the story of the Jacobson family: father, Julian; mother, Roz; and adult children, Mo, Edith, and Jacob.  In 2022, American Jews face an increasingly unsafe environment, as the family gathers together for Passover in Los Angeles.  Mo is an out of work actor, Edith, a professor of ethics accused of sexual harassment, and Jacob a gay playwright living with his boyfriend in Germany.  Roz is ill, and patriarch Julian is controlling and narcissistic.

This is not a happy or healthy family, and the kids decide that their father must die so that their mother can live her final days out from under his tyranny.

The book is told, in turns, through the eyes of each of the children, and then their mother.  It is well written, and while the situations are hyperbolic and extreme, they were really not all that unbelievable, and really made me think. 

To be truthful, about halfway through I was wondering how the book could end well.  It started slowly and didn't really hold my interest, but I stuck with it.  As the book progressed, the author artfully peeled back more and more layers of complex relationships, personalities, and motivations, which drew me in.  On a side note: I am supremely satisfied with the ending.

Bottom line: Well written.  Started slow, but made me think.

I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher through Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Tale of the Penitent Thief: A Review

Almost nothing is known about the two men who were crucified beside Jesus.  Why did one ask for forgiveness?  What would cause him to do that?  What if there was a history there?  What if he had crossed paths with Jesus before the fateful day of both of their deaths?  That's the premise behind Tale of the Penitent Thief by Don Willis, and I was intrigued.  So I read it.

And I was so disappointed.  I could have overlooked the multitude of misspellings, grammatical errors, and extra words that made no sense in context, if it had not been for the glaring historical mistakes.  I cannot believe that a person who claims to be a Christian, writing a work of Christian historical fiction, would know so little about Jesus' story.  Jesus is one of the most written about historical figures ever.  From ignoring the shepherds completely, to skipping Jesus' family's flight to Egypt, this book is full of mistakes.  I lost it when, in chapter 11, Joseph told the main character that God said something that Jesus wouldn't say for another 30 or so years.

The story itself was not horrible, but the writing was.  And the twist at the end?  I didn't see it coming--a good author would have foreshadowed enough that even if I hadn't seen it coming, I would have seen it in retrospect.

Bottom line: this book could have benefited greatly from a good proofreader, and research.  Don't bother.

I receive this book for free (thank God I didn't spend money on this) from the publisher through Book Look Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

Gabby Care by B.A. Coots: A Review

In Gabby Care by B.A. Coots, Gabby Rendon is leading a safe, dull life, working for the non-profit organization that she founded, when she is accused of embezzling and forced to resign.  Thus begins a series of unfortunate events in the life of poor Gabby.  Her coworkers don't believe her, the board doesn't believe her, even her friends don't believe she's innocent.  With the help of an eccentric church lady, Gabby sets out to prove her innocence, and along the way her identity is stolen, her house is taken away, she breaks an ankle, wrecks a car, and is arrested for the murder of the woman who accused her in the first place.

Poor, poor Gabby.

The book was OK.  The characters were interesting and human (which is to say flawed), and the story was compelling--I just had to keep reading to see what would happen to poor Gabby next.  The story did jump around quite a bit, with little to no transition--I'd turn the page and suddenly it would be three days later, in a different place, with different people, and no explanation of how the story got there.  In addition, there were a lot of characters, and it was very difficult to keep up with who was who, and how they were all related.  Once I got over the fact that I wasn't going to be able to keep them all straight, and that there were going to be abrupt changes of scene, I was able to enjoy the book...sort of.  There was also a suspension of belief required, considering all of the horrid things that kept happening to poor, poor Gabby...but no one else.  Still, the book was adequately entertaining.

I received this book for free from the publisher through Book Look Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.