Gone To Green

This review is the novel "gone to green" by Judy Christie
This is the first novel I have read that was written by her and I look forward to reading the sequel to it called "Goodness Gracious Green".

One of the things that I love so much about reviewing is discovering new authors that you might not otherwise have known about!

Lois Barker is our main character; she has a corporate lifestyle working at the city desk of a large newspaper in the Midwest. She is in her 30's, single and has a group of good friends. Mostly, however, it seems her life revolves around her work at the newspaper.

The thing that stood out to me about Lois is that she seemed a bit overly cautious, jaded about God and hesitant about most things. She is always second guessing herself. That is what I got from her character throughout the whole book. Toward the end...she seems to come into her own more but it is obvious she still has growing to do.

I have to say that I really like the cast of characters that Ms. Christie introduces throughout the book. You can almost hear the southern lilt in their voices and see them as they make faces at Lois, whether it is an eye roll, a not so nice look, or a big southern grin accompanied by a hug.

For the most part it seems the book is centered on Lois and all the decisions that she has to make whether difficult or easy, but it is nicely fleshed out with all these other characters. I would like to find out more about Katy's character. I think she has her own story to tell.

Lois has a good friend on the newspaper she works at, Ed. He buys "The Green News-Item, which is a twice-weekly newspaper down in rural Green Louisiana.

Right before Ed is supposed to leave for Green to finally take over his newspaper, he passes away from an unexpected illness. Come to find out, he left the paper to Lois in his will.

That means that our dear Lois now has a whopping line of credit at the bank in Green and a year to turn the paper around and start profiting so she can sale it off and get back to her normal life.

Between moving to the "sticks", gaining a newspaper that comes with a loan attached, corrupt people filling the town, a city girl living in a country house (gasp! there was a rat!) and an odd assortment of people now filling her life...Lois is definitely a fish out of water.

Watch as she makes the best of her odd situation and maybe, just maybe, make some of the best friends a girl could ask for.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes a fun read with interesting characters.

What are you reading this week?



Have a joyful Monday!
Jenny





*Note* I received this book for free from Abingdon Press in exchange for a review about it. I am not required to post a positive review. Any opinions expressed are my own and they are sincere.

Lights, Curtains, Action!

This review is for "In Between" by Jenny B. Jones. It is the first book in A Katie Parker Production series.
In a side note I want to commend Ms. Jones on her character development and all the interesting characters she brings to this book.
I would love to read a book that is based on Maxines character! Just a thought ;)


I knew from reading the back of the book that I was going to like this novel. But, I couldn't believe how much I actually did end up really really enjoying this book! I am definitely looking forward to reading the other books in this series and will for sure look for other titles by Ms. Jones.

This book is not your usually Christian fiction as Katie questions things. She doesn’t just automatically believe because her foster parents do. She questions and tries to figure out if and what she believes of what she hears in church. She wants to believe but she’s had a hard life and questions. It does have a happy ending though. But I liked that she didn’t just automatically be like I believe whatever you believe. I connected with this character because she goes to a place that I think we have all been.
I just can’t say enough about this book.

You've got Katie whose life is just a mess. Plain and simple you would not want to be in this girls shoes.
Her mother is in jail, she's living is a crappy home for girls and her dad is a deadbeat.

Being sixteen can be hard enough without adding in a drug peddling mom and a no show dad.

She seems to have no faith in God and definitely has an overdramatic streak running through her.

We open with her riding along heading toward In Between Texas to be dropped off with her new foster parents. Or as Katie likes to refer to them as, her pretend-o-parents.

What makes it even "better" for her is as they roll through town, she sees the local water tower with the words "Home of the In Between Chihuahua". And realizes with semi-horror that her new high school mascot will be the Chihuahua. So not only does she get to be the new kid in school once again...she has to be a Chihuahua. Life just isn't looking up for one Ms. Katie Parker.

Her foster parents turn out to be a couple in their fifties. What she doesn't realize until the director, of the girls home, leaves her there is that her new foster dad happens to be a preacher. She is less than thrilled about this as she doesn't "do" church.

She is the typical get myself kicked out so I can go back to the home girl for just a little bit and then is able to turn it around.

She definitely has abandonment issues and thinks any little problem is going to get her sent back and eventually she doesn't want that.

Needless to say her foster parents are long suffering and try to give her a little leeway toward being able to make good decisions on her own.

She blows it first chance she gets and her butt lands in church and helping out others, in various ways, pretty quick. Which is what she needed even if she didn't know it yet.

Throw in Mad Maxine, her foster grandmother (who I could totally write a whole other review on just her), a huge drooling dog who likes to play dress up, a mystery daughter that no one speaks of and one jaded foster daughter and you have a whopper of a story.

There are so many interesting characters I can't write about them all or this review would turn into a novel of its own.

I think anyone will relate to this book. Especially if you have ever felt awkward in a group, like you maybe don't belong, been the new kid or even ever questioned faith. This novel is a gem and I would love for all of you to read it too as I think you would love it right along with me.


Venture along with Katie as she learns it's all right to count on God and faith and it's all right to let your guard down and really want something.

Hope you all are having the best Monday possible!


How is your week going?
Jenny




***Note*** You can check out Jenny B Jones website here http://www.jennybjones.com/ to read about the author and see the books that are currently out and ones coming out soon.





Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."