MatchUp by Lee Child and Sandra Brown, etc.

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
The book of short stories challenges two bestselling authors to work together on each story. I found it interesting - having read so many of the authors' other books - to see how combined imaginations brought twists and turns into each tale.

I found some more compelling and successful than others - but they were all interesting and had unexpected pot twists. If you like mystery and thrillers, you'll like these short reads.

A Fine Gentleman by Sarah M. Eden

★★★☐☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
I'm usually not interested in historical fiction. But this was an amusing and engaging read. When a young woman demands the attention of an aspiring barrister, she presents a dilemma he cannot ignore. Will he pursue her claims to inheritance? Will he be a fine gentleman to someone in need?

Mariposa has an agenda. Her bravery elsewhere is matched by her creativity in solving her problems. Jason has enough to do - but finds himself sucked into her life despite his best intentions. I recommend this when you take a trip and want to be transported into historical Europe by a complicated and fun tale.

Always by Sarah Jio

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Your true love and best friend disappears. He just vanishes - and your dreams, hopes, and expectations vanish. Eventually you recover. But you always wonder what happened to that special person. Why did he leave without a trace?

Kailey and Cade had life's adventures before them - but he's gone. She's found a great guy and looks forward to marriage ... until she spots Cade again. Can she go back? Will she start over or continue with her safe and perfect future?

Despite some not-so-believable premises, I found myself enjoying the story. (Does "rescue" and "fixing" ever really work?) The glimpses of life on the street, enduring friendship, and hope make this a compelling read.

Left Hanging by Cindy Dorminy

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Her life as a single mom is hard. She still loves her daughter's dad, though he abandoned her at the most crucial time in her life. Or did he? Sometimes life is more complicated that we imagine.

Working side by side, Darla and Theo get to know each other all over again. A tale of exploration and discovery, of friendship, romance, and family relationships - a good read with believable (and complicated) characters and a possible happy ending. Great for summer at the beach.

The One True Love of Alice-Ann by Eva Marie Everson

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
What if your idea of the perfect spouse was keeping you from finding "the one"? This sweet and complicated story of expectations and first love takes place during WWII. It explores family life for those left to cheer on and mourn their young men at war. It captures an era when everyone knew everyone in town - and people pitched in as a community to overcome challenges.

This made me a bit nostalgic, even while it made me think about how our impulses and attractions determine how open we are to the world.

A thoughtful and appealing look at friendship, love, and family.

The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Pete Scazzero

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
This isn't the first book by Scazzero. But it follows similar themes - that a healthy ministry and life will be the result of competence and attention to the inner world of the soul: emotions, spiritual life, relationships, etc.

The first few chapters caught my attention. Designed as a workbook, the author provides insights and stories, then asks the reader to take practical steps to examine and improved areas of competency. I found myself checking in with peers and mentors to make sure I was understanding the requests - and that I was on track to improve my serve.

Well worth a read.

The Sketchnote Workbook by Mike Rohde

★★★☐☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
What a great introduction to keeping notes. Full of ideas, icons, and diagrams, Rohde takes sketching to a new level.

I felt it would take a while to remember and master the skills - most of the designs aren't intuitive to me so I'd constantly be referring back to Rohde's ways of recording meetings, appointments, and thoughts.

That was the only drawback. This is the book to buy after reading the initial Sketchnote book - otherwise, you'll constantly be re-reading and rethinking how you want to keep track of things.

A good reference book.

A Falling Friend by Sue Featherstone and Susan Pape

★★★☐☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
A slightly crazy around and around of friendship and cautions - do you live the life you want - and ignore the consequences? Or do you live cautiously and watch others dash here and there?

This was fun because I know the world of academia: there are certain expectations - and those are enforced or waived depending on who you know and who's got your back. This story of two friends with entirely different worldviews is the tale of watching a slow freefall. You warn a friend but she doesn't hear. You caution but she don't notice. Bridges burn. Fireworks explode while she sleeps. And yet you sympathize and hope it all turns out well in the end.

This made me laugh, shake my head, and worry about some of the disturbing lives that swirl around us. Worth a read.

Hello, Sunshine by Laura Davis

★★★★★  The publisher provided a copy for review
Oh my. I loved this story. Sunshine, a TV celebrity chef, is not who she pretends to be. And someone is out to tell the world. But who can it be? 

Can she get her life back? And does she want to? What actually matters?

I got one surprise after another in this exploration of authenticity, honesty, and knowing one's self. In an era of fake news, the desire to manipulate one's image in social media, and wanna-bes, what you see is not necessarily true.

The book deals with family issues, friendships, coworkers, and close relationships of love. The characters were believable - I will be thinking about this book for a while. You'll enjoy it, too. Highly recommended.