Sisterchicks in Gondolas

In honor of the new Sisterchicks book coming out on May 20, I am reviewing one of the Sisterchicks sagas. I will review Sisterchicks Go Brit! (Sisterchicks Series #7 as soon as I read it. I love this series! All the books in this series are a fun, fast read. Each book has different characters, so they can be read in any order.

Here’s the author’s definition of a Sisterchick: “a friend who shares the deepest wonders of your heart, loves you like a sister, and gives you a reality check when you’re being a brat.”

Sisterchicks in Gondolas (Sisterchicks Series #6) by Robin Jones Gunn focuses on Jenna and Sue. Jenna is invited to cook for a Christian group on a retreat in Italy, so she quickly invites her sister-in-law Sue, who is a talented cook. The place where they stay is a 15th century restored palace. The women have time to relax and become closer. Jenna was left by her husband to raise her daughter alone. Sue’s husband has been in a terrible accident and relies on Sue to help him recover. Jenna moved closer to help her brother and Sue. Both women discuss how God has helped them with the struggles of life.

Robin has a talent for making you feel like you are traveling. I enjoyed learning more about Venice and its way of life. I could get used to trying a new gelato flavor every day. I’m not sure I would feel comfortable sleeping on the roof, but it would be a nice way to view the city.

The characters are genuine and lovable in this exciting adventure story. Don’t wait another minute, start reading and travel to Venice with Jenna and Sue!

Sisterchicks series:

1. Sisterchicks on the Loose! (Sisterchicks Series #1)(Finland)
2. Sisterchicks Do the Hula (Sisterchicks Series #2)(Hawaii)
3. Sisterchicks in Sombreros (Sisterchicks Series #3)(Mexico)
4. Sisterchicks Down Under (Sisterchicks Series #4)(Australia)
5. Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La! (Sisterchicks Series #5)(France)
6. Sisterchicks in Gondolas (Sisterchicks Series #6) (Italy)
7. Sisterchicks Go Brit! (Sisterchicks Series #7)(England)
8. Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes (Sisterchicks Series #8) (Netherlands) 

Take Flight!: A Sisterchicks Devotional

Audiobooks:

Sisterchicks on the Loose!

Sisterchicks Do the Hula

Sisterchicks in Sombreros

Sisterchicks Down Under

Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La!

Sisterchicks in Gondolas

Sisterchicks Go Brit!

Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes

Whispers of the Bayou

Whispers of the Bayou is Mindy Starns Clark’s first standalone mystery. Her other series are worth reading, too. They are the Million Dollar Mysteries and The Smart Chick Mysteries.

Miranda Miller is raised by her aunt. She thinks that her family in Louisiana is not interested in her. Miranda doesn’t have that many memories of her childhood before living with her aunt. The past comes alive for her when she returns to Louisiana at the request of the caretaker of her grandparent’s estate, Willy Pedreaux. Miranda’s career in art restoration works its way nicely into the story. She is able to preserve most of the artwork her grandmother painted on walls in the family home. Miranda does find out about her family and the reason behind decisions that were made for her when she was a child.

I enjoyed this book. It had many twists and surprises. I didn’t want to write too much about the story and give away the ending. The characters are vivid and the conversations between characters are interesting. The author does list the parts of the story that are based on fact on her website, www.mindystarnsclark.com. If you haven’t read any books by this author, you should give this one a read. In my opinion, she writes as well as other Christian fiction authors like Melody Carlson, Robin Jones Gunn, Dee Henderson, Susan May Warren, and Terri Blackstock.

Audiobook:

Whispers of the Bayou

Million Dollar Mystery Series

All five books in Mindy Starns Clark’s Million Dollar Mysteries are well written. This series main character, Callie, investigates nonprofit organizations to verify that the grant application reflects the truth. The grant money comes from her rich boss, Tom, whom Callie has never met. In each book Callie stumbles across a mystery while fulfilling her assignment.

The characters are easy to love. Learning about Tom only by his phone conversations with Callie keeps the story interesting (though they do meet in person before the series ends). Callie struggles with grief over her husband’s death are realistic and her courage in handling her emotions connects readers to her immediately. Tom helps Callie solve the mysteries and supports her in her activities.

The fast-paced plots of each book entertain. It’s refreshing to read a suspenseful book that tells the events from a Christian point of view. Callie approaches all of her assignments with integrity and honestly reports her findings. These books can be read numerous times, so don’t hesitate to purchase them.

Audiobooks:

A Penny for Your Thoughts

Don’t Take Any Wooden Nickels

A Dime a Dozen

A Quarter for a Kiss

The Buck Stops Here

Josie’s Bookshelf Reviews Expanding to Include Podcasts, Movies, Music, and Games

Do you feel like a pig searching for truffles but coming up with an dusty snout? As a librarian a question frequently asked was please tell me authors who write clean stories. I have been reviewing those type of books on this blog. I have decided in the interest of providing enjoyment for the whole family, I will add reviews of podcasts, movies, music, and games. Sometimes I’ll review and other times I’ll invite guests that have a lot of experience in one of these areas to share. Please invite your friends to visit and leave your suggestions. I’d love to hear from you!

Off the Beaten Path Reads

Since we’re in the middle of summer I thought it would be great to highlight some fun stories. I’m glad you took a few moments to visit. Hello to listeners of the Grit and Grace Girl podcast! I’m so glad you’re here.

Want to be whisked away to other places? Want to laugh? There’s something in this list for everyone. Please let me know which ones you read and what you think. Were you transported out of your ordinary routine?

The World’s Strongest Librarian

Food: A Love Story

How to Be a Perfect Christian 

Fiction:

The Harvard Skull Fiasco

The Lord is My Shepard: The Psalm 23 Mysteries #1

Reading Between the Lines

 

Curious About How to Live Your One Life Well?

Update: You can join the authors in a live book study in the month of March 2020. https://www.facebook.com/groups/exhalebookstudy

I met Cheri Gregory listening to the Grit ‘n’ Grace Girls Podcast. Later, I joined the Grit ‘n’ Grace intern team and witnessed Cheri’s enthusiasm for women recognizing how much God cherishes them. She encourages women to discover their strengths and use those strengths to bless others. All of this is evident in her books. She has co-authored many books and coaches women to live their one life well.

Cheri has many books on the topic of living your one life well including ” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>You Don’t Have to Try So Hard, and her newest one, Grit ‘n’ Grace Girls Podcast episodes. The first section of the book covers the ways in which most women take on extra responsibility and hang on to negative events in the past and encourages them to let go of who they are not. The second section shares ways that it is okay to love yourself and express who you are to the world without it being considered bragging or boasting. The last section celebrates living a full life and being sensitive to direction from God. A study guide will be released soon for use in group study. So many of the ideas in the book are simple and effective in freeing women to be themselves.

Her latest books are timely reminders of the power of relying on Christ’s words, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30) and “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (II Timothy 1:7) You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. (Galatians 5:13)

I was given a copy of You Don’t Have to Try So Hard and Exhale to review. Exhale releases on June 4, 2019. The authors have bonuses available for all pre-orders at exhalebook.com.

Online Work:

cherigregory.com

https://sensitiveandstrong.com

https://writebesideyou.com

gritngracegirls.com

Audiobook (read by authors):

Exhale

Books:

Written with Kathi Lipp:

” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>You Don’t Have to Try So Hard

” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>The Husband Project: 21 Days of Loving Your Man on Purpose and With a Plan

Author JosieCPosted on Categories Amy Carroll, Cheri Gregory, Christian Living, Faith, NonfictionTags , Leave a comment on Curious About How to Live Your One Life Well?

Books for the Twelve Days of Christmas

  • A Partridge in a Pear Tree – Jesus Christ
  • Two Turtle Doves – The Old and New Testaments
  • Three French Hens – The three virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity
  • Four Calling/Collie Birds – Four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
  • Five Golden Rings – First five books of the Old Testament
  • Six Geese-a-Laying – Six days of creation before God’s rest on the seventh day
  • Seven Swans-a-Swimming – Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
  • Eight Maids-a-Milking – Eight Beatitudes
  • Nine Ladies Dancing – Nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
  • Ten Lords-a-Leaping – Ten Commandments
  • Eleven Pipers Piping – Eleven faithful disciples
  • Twelve Drummers Drumming –Twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed