A Will and a Way (Mysteries of Cobble Hill Farms Book 11) by Johnnie Alexander is this week’s Reader Friday. here’s the first line: “One last tiny stitch, a snip of the thread, and the gentle application of a bandage brought an end to the lifesaving operation.”
But first this week’s photo and verse. I took the photo at a Christmas Eve service and loved how the candle lit up the darkness. I immediately thought of the verse in 2 Corinthians 4. It was the first time my grand got to go to “Big” church.
Now for A Will and a Way by Johnnie Alexander. Here’s the cover and back copy:
Spring has arrived, and Harriet Bailey teams up with wildlife rehabilitator Garth Hamblin on an intriguing quest—tracking down an injured European pine marten. No one has seen more than a glimpse of the elusive endangered species for many years. Garth hopes that together they can find and protect it. But can they do it quickly and quietly before someone else finds the creature?
Meanwhile, Harriet is happy to meet White Church Bay’s newest arrivals, Elena Hunter and her son, Jack. When the two move into a neglected seaside cottage, the local gossips invent outlandish stories about them. But then the newcomers’ lives are threatened, and Harriet rallies to their defense…although she cannot deny that she is curious about them. Why are they in town in the first place? Why is Elena so cagey about her past and Jack’s? And will their secrets put Harriet and her loved ones in danger?
My take on A Will and a Way by Johnnie Alexander.
This is a delightful book from Guidepost and while it’s book 11, I had no trouble with figuring out who was who. Johnnie did an excellent job of catching up on the characters’ lives without bogging down the story.
I loved the British countryside and the charming people of White Church Bay where Veterinarian Harriet Bailey landed after her fiancé broke up with her back in Connecticut. She’s in White Church Bay because her beloved grandfather left her Cobble Hill Farm and his practice. I’ve read 3 of the Cobble Hill books and plan to read all of them.
Johnnie Alexander’s lyrical writing reminds me of All Creatures Great and Small with its gentle hero and heroine. But, some aren’t so nice and gentle and combined with an interesting mystery of who Elana and Jack are and what are they hiding. Kept me flipping pages until the wee hours of the morning. There are two light romances and injured animals who became dear to my heart. If you like a cozy mystery set in a small town in England with quirky and sweet characters, you’ll love A Will and a Way!
You can read A Will and a Way in KU or purchase here, or order from Guideposts. I think you’ll love them enough to pick up the others in the series1
Okay, Readers, A Will and a Way ~ Reader Friday Share on Xwhat are you reading this week? Leave the first line in the comments or just say “hi” and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library.
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Alyssa Wright’s client had insisted they meet here. She’d never been to this restaurant. Protecting You by Robin Patchen.
Heart pounding suspense that involves a terrorist group!
Author
I’m starting one of Robin’s books this weekend, Gail and I can’t wait.
I just finished reading “Sugar Cookies and Scandal” by Sue Hollowell and am currently reading “The Secrets of Whispering Woods” by M.A. Moon.
Author
Both sound really good, Jean!
You always have the neatest photos Patricia, and great ideas! And I agree on candlelight services, they are so special.
I got some really good ideas from all these reviews on which book I’ll start next, now how to choose one!
Author
I know what you mean about which book to read next, Dottie! So many books, so little time…
Hi, I’m startingThe Paris Apartment.. Have a great weekend.
Author
Blessed, I’ll have to check it out!
HI working on reading the act of valor series by Rebecca Hartt
Author
I haven’t read those yet, Sharon. I’ll have to check the series out.
Nice photo and the verse reminds me of the praise song “Shine Jesus Shine” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaTwx0ehbvM).
I’m currently catching up on Lynette Eason’s Lake City Heroes and reading “Target Acquired”. First line from chapter 1: “SWAT medic Kenzie King grabbed her firearm and medical kit, then aimed her steps toward Dolly, the TK-4 tactical vehicle.” Somehow I missed this book’s release and only noticed when I saw the one after it drop out of the cloud.
I also want to give a shout out to Valerie Hansen for her great LIS story “Undercover Escape”. It begins with, “Rain pelted the van’s windshield. Professional dog trainer Hannah Lassiter shivered. Her stomach knotted. Her hands perspired on the steering wheel and she flexed her fingers. This is the first time she’d actually feared volunteering at the maximum security prison in St. Louis and for good reason.” This book has everything. A K-9 in training, a competent trainer, an undercover cop, and the trainer’s grandma who is just full of surprises. I got some belly laughs from it, too. There were times in the book when the lyrics from the Beach Boys came to mind: “Go Granny. Go Granny. Go Granny Go.”
Author
I’m glad you read Undercover Escape, Tim. I loved that story and will be using it to study the LIS format–it’s that good. I plan on submitting a proposal to them in the next month. 🙂 And I came across my copy of Target Acquired just this morning. lol
I just finished DiAnn Mills Lethal Pursuit (loved it) and am about to finish Sarah Hamaker’s Justice Delayed (love that, too). Thanks and have a great weekend!
Author
Both very good books, Delores!
A Will and a Way sounds good! I’m reading A Potter’s Witness by S. Neil Rucker. The first line: A miraculous event unfolded in the quiet village of Bethlehem.
Obviously, it’s a Biblical fiction novel!
Author
That sounds like a great book, Priscilla! I’ll have to check it out.
Happy Friday
Author
Thanks, BN! You, too!
He was tired of the river winning.
One Last Chance by Susan May Warren
Author
You can never go wrong with a Susan May Warre, book!
That was a clever shot of the candle, Pat. I never would have thought to do that. Good job. Love the way the flame tilts showing the flicker of the fire. Perfect Scripture.
Loved the review of Johnnie’s book. This is not the one I thought it would be! So I’m thrilled to see another book of hers. Your review pulled me right in. I’m hooked. Love her books!
“Some mornings I wake up thinking I’ve just heard the chittering call of the cheeky monkey that watched Lily and me from his loquat tree.” This is the first line in Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn. Actually this book was so good I read it twice in the same week. And I’ll probably read it again soon. It takes place in Africa and was absolutely delightful!
Author
I know why you enjoyed the African setting, Barbara! Guess what book I’ll be featuring next week??? I think the title is Suppose I hadn’t Listened! I’m really enjoying it!
You made my day, Barbara. Thank you!!!!
I am reading an ARC by Meghann Whistler called The Pastor’s Hope.
Have a great weekend!
Author
I’ll have to check it out when it releases, Carolyn!
That is a lovely book cover and sounds like a good read.
Yellowstone National Park, late August 1895
Isaiah Coltrane squatted nest to his buckskin gelding and studied the tracks on the ground.
To Capture a Mountain Man by Robin Lee Hatcher
Author
Robin’s book sounds really good, Gloria!
I love candlelight services!
I’m reading “The End Begins” by Sara Davison. “He was definitely going to run over the kid.” That sentence tells you nothing about this book. lol This is not my usual genre and although intense I’m finding it to be a good read. I have read and enjoyed many of Sara’s books.
Have a blessed weekend everyone!
Author
I love candlelight services, too, Mary. I was so glad my grand was able to be in ‘big’ church with us.
“Flames licked his face and hands.” Beside the Dead by Mary Alford
Reading all these reviews, I want to read all of them. Thanks for Scripture and photo!
Author
I love sharing the books I read and enjoy, Judy. And the photos and Scripture verses.
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Author
I really enjoyed it, Diana. I love cozys, expecially those set in England!
currently reading fear the shadows by Melaine Snitker
Author
That’s twice I’ve hard that book mentioned, Shelia…I’ll have to look it up.
Thank you for recommending A Will and A Way! I am reading a cozy mystery Shadow of Serenity by Sabina O. It is delightful, and I love that the story is set a Koh Samui, Thailand.
Have a wonderful weekend!
– Emily Cheang
Author
Emily, Shadow of Serenity sounds really interesting!
I like that picture. And interesting thought occurred. The candle may not light the space sufficiently in a large room to make it possible to see clearly in the furthest corners. However, anyone standing in the furthest corners would be able to see the candle. We need to let our lights shine. We only need to see our next step, but others need to see our light so they can follow.
I started reading Jody Hedlund’s His Perfect Bride which does not release for a few more weeks. It’s the third book in her Bride Ships: New Voyages series about young women sailing from England to Vancouver, British Columbia on bride ships around the time of the Civil War. The book begins:
She had to find a way to help her family. Sage Rhodes stepped carefully through the muddy street in front of the Manchester City Mission and glanced at the square of tattered paper in her hand.
Author
Edward, what you said about the candle is so true! And Perfect Bride sounds really good. I love the concept.
I am reading “Where Secrets Lie by Colleen Coble.
Author
I love Colleen Coble’s books, Elizabeth!
“The crackle on the two-way radio gave EMT Anne Lundstrom a two-second warning that someone’s life teetering on death’s fine edge”
I’m reading Tying the Knot by Susan May Warren. I’m reading one of her earlier books.
Author
You can’t go wrong with a Susan May Warrenn book!
Thanks for sharing the news about A Will and a Way, Pat! So glad you enjoyed the story.
I’m reading Savage Sam written by Fred Gipson, the author of Old Yeller. Remember that movie?? Savage Sam is Old Yeller’s son. Here’s the opening paragraph from this children’s classic published in 1962:
This is a tale about a dog we called Savage Sam. It’s partly about me, too, and about Papa and Little Arliss and a girl named Lisbeth Searcy and some others. But it’s mainly about Sam, on account of without him, there wouldn’t have been much of a tale or anybody left to tell it.
Author
Hi Johnnie! Thanks for joining us. I didn’t know there was a second book after Old Yeller! It sounds very intriguing…and I’m looking forward to reading your next book in the Cobble Hill series!
There’s even a third one called Little Arliss. Who knew?! I read Old Yeller at the end of 2024. My next Cobble Hill novel comes out in September or October (I think!) It’s Pride, Prejudice, and Pitfalls!
Author
I’m looking foward to it! Are they as sad as Old Yeller?
I am reading Maeve Binchy’s Tara Road. first line; Ria’s mother had always been very fond of film stars.
Author
Goodness, Tara Road starts out with a great first line, Sally Jo!