STILL LIFE by Dani Pettrey

Avery Tate worked with Parker Mitchell as a crime scene photographer. Though she loved the work, her feelings for Parker were beginning to shift from friendship to something deeper. Knowing they could never be a couple, she quit working for him to try to forget about him. Parker Mitchell is a crime scene analyst who has a real gift for forensic detail. He worked really well with Avery and liked her a lot but struggled to pursue anything deeper. His heart still belonged to Jenna, whose murder remains unsolved. Avery returns home to support a childhood friend who modeled for a photography exhibit. Her friend never shows up to the exhibit but the picture Avery sees is one of her friend looking the picture of death. She fears something has happened to her friend. In desperation, Avery calls Parker and they, together with Parkers friends, try to figure out what happen to her friend. What they discover, both professionally as well as personally, is whole lot more than they bargained for.

Wow! I loved this story! In 'Cold Shot' you get to know the group of friends and their background but it concentrates on Griffin and Finley. In 'Still Life' you'll find all the same friends but it focuses on Avery and Parker. Parker is a guy you can't help but love. Who doesn't love charming and protective with a beautiful Irish brogue! I was really looking forward to getting to know him better and I was not disappointed. He and Avery work really well together and I loved their interaction together. Especially when he called her love or lass. (sigh) Avery is such a nice person but she struggles with letting go of past mistakes. It made her easy to relate to. Though this has romance in it, it is also very much a suspense/thriller type story that has several unexpected twist and turns with comic relief in just the right places. The spiritual aspect of the story was really well done, though not pushy, and focused on being a new creature in Christ despite your past. Always a good reminder. The underlying mystery concerning Luke (which started in the first book) remains unsolved but some interesting things come to light. The titles for both the first and second books match their storylines really well. Dani Pettrey is a favorite author and in my opinion just gets better and better. I would recommend reading the Chesapeake Valor series in order to help understand the friendships better as well as the background about Luke. 'Still Life' comes highly recommend from this reader. I can't wait for Blind Spot!!!

*This complimentary copy was provided by Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Some favorite moments:

He hadn't realized how strongly, how deeply, he cared for her until she was no longer at his side daily - working together in close quarters, in adrenaline-fueled situations, into the long, late hours of the night. He loved Avery, but he still loved Jenna. Jenna was his first and, until now, only love.

"You're strong and tender, intelligent, and far too witty for me to keep up with. Not to mention beautiful inside and out. Don't be ashamed of your past. You're a new creation in Christ. Focus on that."

Parker and Avery approached, both wearing a nice shade of pink lip gloss on their lips. Griffin chuckled. "What?" they both said. ..."Seriously, what was with the chuckle?" Griffin glanced at the pink sparkly shine on Parker's lips and took pity on the man. "You got a little something..." He pointed to his own lips. "Right there. Nice shade on you, though."

For more information about this book or other books by this author, I encourage you to visit her website at http://danipettrey.com.

AWAKENED LOVE by Regina Tittel

Tara Holden's life is not how she envisioned it to be.  Although she loves being a beautician, she struggles with a husband whose gone a lot and the fact she's not been able to get pregnant.   Her life feels empty and her attitude reflects her dissatisfaction.  Her husband just doesn't seem to care.  But one man seems to be around just when she needs someone and especially when Justin is out of town.  Justin Holden hates being away from home and his wife but his boss has him working way too much.  He knows Tara isn't happy but he's working hard to save money so he can quit.  Creating beautiful furniture to sell is what he'd like to do which would allow him to stay home and still provide income.  He loves Tara but doesn't know how to express what's in his heart.  They just can't seem to talk anymore without fighting.

This story was so good and so inspirational and definitely encouraging!  I have a real heart for hurting marriages so this was a must read for me and I loved it from beginning to end.  I think the author did a wonderful job of showing 'real' people with 'real' struggles.  You could understand and sympathize with both Tara and Justin.  I particularly liked Tara's father and how he used his garden to explain a principle to Justin.  I also appreciated that though Tara and Justin had faith, they still had struggles.  After all, we all have things we deal with.  What really stood out to me was the importance of communication and what can happen when you don't communicate.  It's also really important to do what the Lord wants you to do regardless of what the world is telling you.  Awakened Love is a story I would highly recommend.  It will encourage and inspire you whether you're in a troubled marriage, healthy marriage or even thinking about getting married.

*This complimentary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

Some of my favorite quotes:

"Tara, don't let Satan win.  You're in the midst of a battle, and what you decide to do from here will affect you for the rest of your life."

"Tara, I know your pain is very real..." Tara blinked to cool her eyes.  "And so does God.  But you need to understand that trials are given to us for growth and the more we fight against them, the longer it takes to move on."

"Christ's sacrificial death on the cross was a gift to us.  Your forgiveness to others is a gift to them.  And like Christ's gift, it's even greater if the one who's done wrong hasn't asked for it."