Movie Review: The Short Game

About the Movie:

Jeremy Avery is vying for a college golf scholarship awarded to the winner of the State Championship, but his preparation and game are affected by family pressures and having to take care of his younger autistic brother, Ethan. These challenges, along with the pressure of carrying his team to State against an opponent who will do anything to win, leads Jeremy on a journey of discovery both internal and of his brother’s savant-like gifts, that if embraced can create an unstoppable pair. On the brink of his greatest victory, Jeremy is forced to make a life-altering decision, finally realizing his own personal dreams or standing by his brother.

Learn more about The Short Game and buy tickets to see the movie in theaters August 29, 2025!  https://www.shortgamemovie.com/

---

Movie Trailer:

---

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed watching THE SHORT GAME. This family-friendly film had quiet faith themes about God’s provision and hope for the future. I was surprised by the occasional, mild profanity, but it was not severe enough to make me want to turn off the movie.

Overall, THE SHORT GAME’s story was inspiring and satisfying. The protagonist, Jeremy Avery, faced multiple challenges in his final year of high school: the need to obtain a college scholarship, competitive high school golf, and an autistic younger brother who needed his attention. Financial difficulties beset his family as the pressure mounted. I rooted for Jeremy and Owen (the younger brother). I loved seeing them bond and appreciated the way Jeremy handled the difficult moment that threatened to separate the two brothers.

Four stars for THE SHORT GAME.

Thanks to Momentum Influencers for providing a screener of THE SHORT GAME. All opinions are my own.  

---

Giveaway:

Enter to win a $10 Amazon giftcard by leaving your full name and email address. (Required for entry by Momentum Influencer Network)

Book Spotlight: Kissing the Texas Ranger by Cari Lynn Webb

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Kissing the Texas Ranger by Cari Lynn Webb, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Kissing the Texas Ranger 
Series: A Three Springs Texas Romance #1 
Author: Cari Lynn Webb 
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming 
Release Date: August 26, 2025 
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance

To solve the case… 

He'll steal her heart. 

Special Ranger Bodie Hopson arrives in Three Springs, Texas, to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a bison herd belonging to the strong-willed farmer Sarah Rickelle. Posing as a new ranch hand, Bodie suspects she's an insurance fraudster, but then quickly realizes she's more of an ally than a criminal. As they join forces to track down the thief, their growing attraction makes it difficult to stay professional. But when the case takes a dangerous turn, Bodie faces a life-changing decision: follow his law enforcement career or fight for the woman who’s stolen his heart.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

---

Excerpt

How had he gotten here?

Stuck inside a sterile veterinarian exam room with two undeniably cute piglets and the most enchanting cowgirl Bodie had ever come across.

He should hightail it away from there and leg it straight out of town.

He was precariously close to being in over his head. Something he had never been during his long career in law enforcement. Bodie would have laughed at this nonsense, but he was too busy getting his focus straight and his head back in the game.

“It’s not working,” Sarah whispered.

The anguish in her quiet words and alarm on her face had Bodie shoving away from the wall where he’d taken up his post and squeezing in beside her on the exam room floor.

“I’m following the instructions. He won’t eat.” A hitch snagged her words, releasing another wave of worry. She stammered, “If he doesn’t eat, he’ll…”

“That’s not happening,” Bodie cut in. Not on his watch and not to his sweet-natured farmer, who he kept conveniently forgetting was also his potential suspect. Bodie carefully scooped up the piglet and arranged the black-and-white tuxedo pig on his lap. “Let’s take it from the top.”

---

Also Available

---

About the Author

Cari Lynn Webb lives in Florida with her husband. She's been blessed to see the power of true love in her grandparent's 70 year marriage and her parent's marriage of over 50 years. She knows love isn't always sweet and perfect, it can be challenging, complicated and risky. But she believes happily-ever-afters are worth fighting for. She loves to connect with readers.

Connect with Cari Lynn Webb by visiting carilynnwebb.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

---

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card and print copies of 2 Backlist Books of winner's choice between the following titles: The Rancher's Secret Crush, A Proposal for Her Cowboy and A Cowgirl's Christmas Reunion (or may substitute with ebook(s) of any other Cari Lynn Webb title).

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 26, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 2, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

---

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Book Review: The Rules of Falling for You by Mollie Rushmeyer

About the Book:

She thought she knew the rules of love. Turns out, love makes its own.

The perfect match can't be far--certainly not at a Regency-themed singles' retreat--or so podcaster Zoe Dufour believes. After years of creating content for her relationship podcast inspired by Regency etiquette and era-appropriate rules for romance, she knows her listeners have anticipated this retreat. But she also attends with expectations of her own: finding the ideal modern-day gentleman who can meet every one of the nonnegotiables on her checklist.

Harrison Lundquist, Zoe's podcast producer and best friend's brother, reluctantly agrees to tag along on the retreat to capture footage while seeking a career-advancing promotion. He views the retreat as ridiculous. And Zoe's methods for finding her real-life Mr. Darcy? Downright absurd! But as he films her whirlwind dates, his growing feelings for her are sidelined by suitors vying for her attention. When Zoe realizes her checklist for the man of her dreams might be holding her back, she must decide if she's willing to rewrite her rules and take a chance on the person who has been there all along.

---

My Thoughts:

The Rules of Falling for You by Mollie Rushmeyer delivered entertaining, romcom fun while holding space for serious issues, namely perfectionism and control. Both Harrison and Zoe learned good lessons and challenged each other to embrace growth and change. This budding couple held good chemistry from the start, though it simmered lower during certain times. It was fun to see them grow closer, though the “third-act breakup” was predictable and my least favorite part of the story. Overall, I enjoyed the novel, and I would read other books by the author. Four stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

July 2025 Reading Recap & August 2025 TBR

   My July 2025 Reads: 

1. The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A sobering, timely, well-written novel. Read my review.


2. Religious Rebels: Finding Jesus in the Awkward Middle Way by Christy Lynne Wood  - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I read this book last month, but it was so good that I read it again.


3. The Voice We Find by Nicole Deese - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - An excellent story of romance, struggle, and speaking hard truth. 


4. Splendor of the Land by Connilyn Cossette - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Thoroughly entertaining and edifying. I read it in one long sitting. Read my review.


5. To Belong Together by Emily Conrad - ⭐⭐⭐½ - I liked the main characters on an individual level, but I didn’t love their romance. The novel had a great faith element that I enjoyed. Definitely want to finish this series!


6. Awake by Jen Hatmaker - ⭐⭐⭐½ - Intriguing and entertaining... but also a bit disappointing.


7. A Fierce Devotion by Laura Frantz - ⭐⭐⭐½ - Historical fiction with a slow-burn romance and family ties. Read my review.


8. Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis - ⭐⭐⭐ - Hard to rate because I thoroughly enjoyed some portions of the book while I found other sections nauseating, tedious, and slow.

---

Expected August 2025 Reads:

1. With God in Every Breath: A Guide to Drawing Closer to Jesus Through Your Senses by Whitney R. Simpson. - Currently reading. It has already made me rethink the way I view my body and exposed lies I grew up believing.
 
2. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. - Currently reading. This is a LONG book!


3. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. - A classic that I wanted to read after seeing the movie.


4. Coal Black Lies by Cindy K. Sproles - My local book club's August selection. 

 

What will you read this month? 

Book Review: A Fierce Devotion by Laura Frantz

 About the Book:

Exiled from his native Acadie in Canada, Bleu Galant has little on his mind but survival as the tumultuous French and Indian War comes to a close. When his journey to Virginia’s Rivanna River settlement takes an unexpected turn, he crosses paths with Brielle Farrow—a woman whose presence stirs something in him he cannot explain nor express. Unable to forget her, his decision to help her takes them across an ocean and into a lavish world he’s never known. Will their intricate tie decide not only her fate but his future?

---

My Thoughts:

Bleu Galant, originally of The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz, returned for his own story of danger, romance, and family ties in A Fierce Devotion. Though this novella hosted characters from The Seamstress of Acadie, it read fine as a standalone. Frantz’s writing was beautiful, but the pace of the story varied with some sections feeling a tad slow. I especially liked the addition of French words and phrases.

Bleu and Brielle were well-suited for each other and the title, A Fierce Devotion, aptly described their relationship. I loved that Bleu was kind and generous from the start. No wonder Brielle found him attractive! From there, the relationship took a slow burn romance path. The would-be couple had chemistry and flirtation, but it took them a long time to move forward on their deeper feelings. Their development was less about fundamental changes than overcoming adversity, questions of self-worth, and the journey of their lives.

Fans of Laura Frantz and The Seamstress of Acadie will likely enjoy this historical romance novella. 3.5 Stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Book Review: Splendor of the Land by Connilyn Cossette

About the Book: 

Gavriel, a soldier in the elite company of Yonatan--son of King Saul--dreams of forging his destiny through crafting weapons with his own hands. Despite earning his place among Israel's finest, he is haunted by a dark past that no distraction can dispel. When his reckless behavior crosses a line, Yonatan gives him one last mission to prove his worth: help persuade a distant Kenite tribe to sever their ties with the Amalekites.

Zahava, a gifted goldsmith hidden behind her father's legacy, lives in the shadows due to her physical affliction. Her unmatched and unrecognized talent is a closely guarded secret within her family. Disheartened by a future that seems unattainable, she resigns herself to a life of obscurity. However, when Gavriel arrives in her village, they're tangled together in ways neither could have imagined. As they navigate unforeseen dangers and enemy threats, Gavriel must confront his past and either bend his knee to the One True King or lose the woman he loves forever.

"A triumphant story in which flawed characters face real choices and must rely on a real God to save them."--MESU ANDREWS, bestselling and award-winning author.

Read an excerpt from Splendor of the Land by Connilyn Cossette on the publisher's website.

---

My Thoughts:

I read Splendor of the Land by Connilyn Cossette in one long sitting that spanned Sunday afternoon, evening, and into the night. The story captured my attention with the characters, but held my interest with the character growth, danger, and romance. I especially enjoyed the way certain plot events played out through fresh, not formulaic, happenings. I also appreciated the disability representation. The author skillfully mixed all the story elements together to create an entertaining and edifying novel.

While reading Splendor of the Land, I was fully engaged with Zahava and Gavriel’s personal journeys and character growth. Zahava, gifted in metalworking and able to create red-gold, has a physical disability that causes her to limp. To some, Zahava’s worth derived from her goldsmithing while her family continually affirmed the worth given to her by her Creator. The juxtaposition of ability and disability hovered over Zahava’s journey, but I cheered as she grew to walk in confidence. Gavriel, Zahava’s new husband, had a steep climb out of self-destructive behaviors. Most of the time I don’t like badly-behaved main characters, but I did like Gavriel, especially once he started to change. Their love story was beautiful.

Splendor of the Land stands as book three in The King’s Men series by Connilyn Cossette. I read book one (Voice of the Ancient), but missed book two (Shield of the Mighty). In reading Splendor of the Land, I could recognize that some of the characters came from other books, but it still read well as a standalone novel. I’m excited for book four. Five stars for Splendor of the Land!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.