Buckle up—we’re taking a whirlwind tour through stories set in places as wild and varied as Hollywood, ancient Israel, the muddy banks of the Mississippi, and the candlelit alleys of Venice. This issue has something for everyone: a dash of historical drama in WWII London, a taste of revolution in New York and Philly, heartland tales from the Upper Midwest, and Southern soul from North Carolina. Some of these reads were extraordinary—books I’ll be recommending for years. Others? Let’s just say they didn’t live up to the hype. But that’s part of the fun, right? Come see which ones soared and which ones sputtered. The Last Exchange By Charles Martin […]
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Picks and Pans, Issue 35
Welcome to this month’s book review newsletter, where I dive into the latest page-turners from heavyweights like John Grisham, William Kent Krueger, and David Baldacci—because who doesn’t love a master storyteller at the top of their game? But that’s not all! I’m also shining a spotlight on some phenomenal debut authors who are making waves with fresh voices and unforgettable stories. From pulse-pounding thrillers to heartwarming fiction (and even a few gems for the little bookworms in your life), there’s something here for every reader. Grab your favorite reading spot and let’s get to it—your next great read is waiting! A Pair of Wings By Carole Hopson Carole Hopson’s […]
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An Emotional Conclusion to the Murphy Shepherd Series
Charles Martin delivers another gripping, emotional, and thought-provoking novel in The Keeper, the fourth installment in the Murphy Shepherd series. With faith, family, and honor woven throughout, this book is as much a spiritual journey as it is a high-stakes thriller. Murphy is reeling from the loss of his mentor, Bones, when he’s thrust into another mission: rescuing the kidnapped daughters of a presidential candidate. The race against time is intense, but the deeper battle—Murphy’s struggle to find his footing without Bones—is just as interesting. As always, Martin masterfully balances action with heartfelt reflection, though the novel leans a bit too introspective. While the themes of faith and redemption shine, […]
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The Last Exchange by Charles Martin – A Heart-Wrenching Story of Redemption and Love
“Scars are just the body’s response to things that shouldn’t be there. A reminder of the pain.” This line from The Last Exchange perfectly captures the heart of Charles Martin’s latest novel, where suspense and deep emotion blend into a story that lingers long after the last page. In The Last Exchange, Martin introduces us to MacThomas “Pockets” Pockets, a former Scottish Special Forces soldier. Pockets lands a role as a bodyguard to Hollywood star Maybe Joe Sue, a woman with a picture-perfect public life but a private world marred by trauma and a desperate longing for a child. Martin’s portrayal of Maybe’s two lives—the glitz and glamour versus her […]
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A Novel About Sacrificial Love and the Fight Against Evil
4.5 rounded up to 5 stars. In our world, many people don’t believe evil exists. Our job as Christians is to rescue those in bondage by demonstrating the light of Christ. Yet those of us who stand in the light grow weary when darkness constantly threatens to take us down. In The Record Keeper, Charles Martin delivers a deep exploration of good versus evil. Murphy Shepherd, a man haunted by his past, dedicates his life to rescuing victims of human trafficking. Working with his mentor Bones, Murphy has spent years taking down pedophiles and freeing victims of sex-trafficking in a relentless pursuit of justice. But when Bones goes missing, Murphy […]
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Charles Martin Takes on Human Trafficking in The Letter Keeper
The Letter Keeper, a Christy Award Nominee for General Fiction, follows Murphy Shepherd, an Anglican priest and secret operative devoted to rescuing victims of sex trafficking. In this installment of the trilogy, Murphy Shepherd is facing his greatest challenge yet. While taking a much-needed break in Florida, someone blows up Murphy’s boat, and he awakens in Freetown, the Colorado recovery center for sex trafficking victims he runs with his mentor. The traffickers target Freetown and kidnap Murphy’s wife, her daughter, and two other teenage girls. Murphy’s journey to rescue them takes him across the country and into the heart of danger. A diverse group of allies aids him, each bringing […]
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September 2022 Picks and Pans
No five-star reads this month, but The Happiest Man on Earth was definitely life-changing. I gave one novel a 2-star rating, which is rare for me. I read two books set in the Philippines, which is totally random. I’ll be curious to hear what you have to say. Circle back to Facebook and let me know! The Happiest Man on Earth By Eddie Jaku “Life can be beautiful if you make it beautiful. It is up to you.” Eddie Jaku, The Happiest Man on Earth. In this uplifting memoir in the vein of The Last Lecture and Man’s Search for Meaning, a Holocaust survivor pays tribute to those who […]
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The Water Keeper Review
“I don’t really understand it, but somehow, in some impossible way, love reached down inside me, took out all the old and dirty—the scars and the stains that no soap anywhere would ever wash out. And love didn’t just clean me but made me new.”—Charles Martin, The Water Keeper Author Charles Martin has a powerful way of sharing his faith that touches my soul. The Water Keeper is a story of God’s love encased in an action novel, and if you haven’t read it yet, you’ll want to. Retired priest Murphy Shepherd lives alone on an island off the eastern coast of Florida, tending the grounds of a church […]
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