About Me I am a retired librarian and I now support books and authors through my reviews.

I have always loved to read and I was able to share that love through my work as a public librarian for 22 1/2 years. I now promote literacy by reading, and then writing reviews. I love to support authors by sharing my reviews with others!

Friday, June 12, 2026

The Targeted (Secrets to Keep #3) by Cara C. Putman

The Targeted (Secrets to Keep #3)
ABOUT THE BOOK

Can she protect her gym students before her past catches up?


When Chloe Ainsworth's older sister reappears after fourteen years, she brings with her the news that Chloe's abuser is back in town. Chloe is a coach at her childhood gym and fiercely protective of her young gymnasts. She won't allow them to suffer the way she did, but she's desperate for an ally—one who can help her make her case.


Law student Dare Shepherd works at the local legal clinic, where he meets Chloe and hears her out. He believes her case but can't get the clinic director on board. As he learns more about her story, he finds himself bound by a deepening personal care for Chloe.


They band together in search of answers, and suddenly the stakes skyrocket. It’s clear they're onto something, but will they be able to find the answers before it's too late?


AMAZON     


MY THOUGHTS.....

The 'Secrets to Keep' series has been exceptional, but this third book was especially riveting! Multi-faceted characters, a relevant subject, and a compelling plot kept me glued to the pages of The Targeted. Secrets, fear, and finally, Chloe's determination to protect others had me experiencing all of the feels, including disgust, dismay, and frustration. There was, however, hope, faith, and satisfaction as truth and justice were fiercely pursued!

I can always count on being entertained AND challenged by author Cara Putman. The Targeted illustrates the worst and best of mankind as it explores the loss of trust and innocence, but the author's personal knowledge of the legal system powerfully intensifies the drama! I recommend this top-notch thriller to all who enjoy Christian suspense,

I received a complimentary ARC from the author, Kregel Publications, and NetGalley, There was no obligation for a positive review.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The award-winning, best-selling author of more than 35 books, Cara Putman graduated college at 20 and completed her law degree at 27. FIRST for Women magazine called Shadowed by Grace “captivating” and a “novel with ‘the works.'” Cara is active at her church and a full-time Clinical Associate Professor on business and ethics to undergraduate and graduate students at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. Putman also practices law and was a second-generation homeschooling mom for twelve years. Putman obtained her Master’s in Business Administration from Krannert and her J.D. from George Mason University Antonin Scalia School of Law. She serves on the executive board of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), an organization she has served in various roles since 2007. She lives with her husband and four children in Indiana. 

You can connect with her online her  on her Website     



Secrets to Keep

The Targeted


Tuesday, June 9, 2026

The Girl from Tomorrow's Town (Enduring Hope #5) by Naomi Dawn Musch

The Girl from Tomorrow's Town (Enduring Hope #5)
ABOUT THE BOOK

Past and Present Collide on the Railway
 
When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be discovered.

Lily Mae Dodge flees Wyoming by night to find her mother, who sent her west on an orphan train ten years ago. After she's arrested in Chicago, help comes from a man with a rare vision impairment whom she only just met on a train. Francis Basnett is a roustabout for the famous Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, where he helps Lily gain employment. Their friendship grows into more, and it seems Lily is closer than ever to finding her mother. . .until the night a rogue troop train slams into the stalled circus train, killing dozens and splintering hope.




MY THOUGHTS.....

Author Naomi Musch truly understands the formula for great historical fiction. Find a little-known subject or event, research it extensively, and then weave a fascinating fictional story around those facts. This is a perfect description of The Girl from Tomorrow's Town, the newest book in the Enduring Hope series. I wasn't familiar with the famous Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus or the train crash that occurred one fateful night in 1918, near Hammond, Indiana. Many circus performers died, many more were seriously injured, and most of their true identities are unknown to this day.


Endearing characters, vivid descriptions, and a captivating look at circus life make this a compelling story! Lily Mae Dodge was sent west on the Orphan Train, but she's now heading back east to search for her mother. This search introduces her to Francis Bassett and the performers of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus and eventually leads to her involvement in the tragic train crash. I felt the terror, heard the sounds, and experienced the shock during the crash, along with Lily Mae's desperation when she couldn't find Francis. What follows is a story of faith, hope, and the search for 'happily-ever-after'. I highly recommend The Girl from Tomorrow's Town to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. These are my own thoughts.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Naomi Musch is an award-winning author who writes from a deer farm in the pristine north woods of Wisconsin, where she and  her husband Jeff live as epically as God allows near the families of their five adult children. When not in the physical act of writing or spending time loving on her passel of grandchildren, she can be found plotting stories as she roams around the farm, snacks out of the garden, and relaxes in her vintage camper. Naomi is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Wisconsin Writers’ Association, and the Lake Superior Writers.

She loves engaging with others. You can connect with her on her  Website     Facebook     Twitter     Instagram     Pinterest


 
ENDURING HOPE SERIES

The Angel of Second Street by Barbara Tifft Blakey
The Daughter of Shiloh by Terri J. Haynes
The Caregiver at Wounded Knee by Debbie Lee
The Girl from Tomorrow's Town by Naomi Dawn Musch