GONE TO GROUND by BRANDILYN COLLINS

I was thrilled to get a chance to read a book from this author. The stories are always powerful and have outstanding character development. This book has that and so much more. I hope you are ready to visit a small town in Mississippi. It seems to be the quaint little town that everyone wants to visit. Neighbors are there to help each other and Amaryllis ,Mississippi is full of good old people . But beneath the perfect picture of a small town, is a deep dark secret. Why would a town hide the fact that five women have died and no one seems to know anything? What happened to looking out for your neighbor? I guess the town isn't so sweet and quaint after all.

When the news spreads that the sixth women has been killed in the town, suspicion starts to mount along with the tension among the community. Three women have found evidence that supports three different men as being the killer.  Each woman is different and each give their own reasons to suspect someone. When the author brings these three women together, a mystery starts to come to light. Can they find who the killer or killers are? Is their own lives in danger?

Ms. Collins has brought together three women from different backgrounds and given them determination, and an uncanny ability to work with each other. The author writes the book giving us a glimpse of each woman's perspective on the murders. The story flows well and builds to a great ending. It is a great book with a mystery that will have you wanting to read more from this amazing storyteller. Get ready for a thrill ride as you dive into the secrets in a small town .

I received this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.

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CHANGE YOUR TRAJECTORY by DALE C. BRONNER

Have  you ever heard the saying,"Change, it is a comin?" There has been so much change over the years that have affected our lives. We use cell phones instead of good old fashioned get togethers  to keep in touch. We live in a fast world where everything has to be done quickly. We are always in a hurry and never have time to really enjoy ourselves. But what happens when something changes in our live? Are we prepared for a job change? If we have an argument with someone, do we let it affect out future relationships? God is ready to change us but are we ready for the change?

When you go through a broken heart, a sickness or even a job change, God is right there with you. "He will never leave us nor forsake us." That is good news to know He is always right there, to encourage us and bring us comfort and strength. The author tells us that   "adapt, improve, observe and connect are fundamental approaches that will allow you to respond appropriately to change and to plan appropriately for transition."
God wants us to get excited about change even when you feel like the trial you are going through is hard.  He wants us to expand our vision, in Jeremiah 29:11 it says, "for I know the plans I have for you , plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."  I can remember pastors saying," God will never give you more than you can handle ." Sometimes we wonder if we can handle the trials, but be encouraged that He will never leave you, nor forsake you."

The author explains in detail the nine signs that your trajectory is changing. We will have new people come into out path. There will be new problems as you transition into trajectory. God will take you to new places and give you new responsibilities. As we begin to experience new perspectives , He will prepare us and give us new priorities. I'm excited about the new passion we will have and that He will give us provision as we move in the right direction that God has for us.

I became so engrossed in the book, I forgot about everything around me. I felt a new stirring in me and  a new excitement that I haven't had in a long time. The author writes with passion as he tells us to take action. It is time to prepare ourselves to hear from God. Don't let others discourage you as you hear from God. You are the only one who knows what He says to you. "You must give up your past in order to possess your future."

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.

THE CAGED IN HEART by TRILLION SMALL, MS

I was very excited to get the chance to read and review this book. I knew it would be difficult at times as I read, but it was written with such compassion that I felt at peace. Many of us have experienced childhood trauma. It is not an easy thing to forget or overcome. This book has helped me understand how trauma can affect us even as we mature into adults. The author says, "Although the wound is deep and painful, the only way it will heal is if we expose it, give it the proper care, and allow it to go through the proper healing process." It is important to open up about the past, so it can be exposed and you can begin to heal from it. For some of us, it is very painful and scary to even talk about our past.  With this book the author guides you through a process of healing and be set free from the painful past.

It is easy to build up walls around us for protection, but as we do that we keep the hurt inside and we withdraw from everyone and everything around us. I loved this from the book which says, "The world around us will change when the world within us changes first." We need to make that first step to not allow our childhood trauma to  affect us and keep us in bondage. As the book says, "The fears that you experienced in the past may still feel alive and real today. If you do not face those fears they will continue to rule your relationships today and tomorrow."

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has experienced childhood trauma. The author has done a great job of giving stories in the bible which shows us God is always there as we go through trials. The scriptures are helpful and encourage us as we walk through the freedom that is  waiting  for everyone. I was blessed to read a book that was written to help, encourage and be a voice for those who are still "Caged In."

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.

CINNAMON TOASTED by GAIL OUST

I have never laughed so hard reading a book like I did with this one. Piper owns a spice shop  called "Spice it Up."She had a daughter and is divorced . Her ex-husband seemed to have wandering eyes, so he took up with someone else. Meely , his mother is a nice older lady who has designed something that could make her rich.

She is expecting two gentlemen to meet with her at the house to discuss business. Things don't go well and she turns down their offer. But little does she know that her life she about to change and not for the better. When she awakens the next morning, she goes to the basement to retrieve some preserves she wants to use for breakfast. What she finds waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs  is Chip, one of the gentleman she met with last night. Her first thought is to call Piper. Needless to say chaos breaks out when police arrive. It seems Meely has a dead body in her basement.

I loved the characters so much and am impressed with the development of each one. There are nosey busy bodies, women who think they are beauty queens, a sheriff who sometimes doesn't show much emotion and Piper's best friend Reba Mae.

There is a scene in the book that reminded me of Lucy and Ethel. Reba Mae is trying to go through a bathroom window at a hotel and gets stuck. Piper is trying to pull her out and it leads to a great reminder of how funny the author' s writing is. It is a fun book, light and full of characters that will have you laughing for hours. Will the murder get solved? Does Meely get arrested and charged with a crime?
This is a must read for all cozy mystery readers who love a great mystery with laughter mixed in.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.