April 2023 Reading Recap and May 2023 TBR

My April 2023 Reads: 

1. The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


2. In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come.


3. Jonas by Susan May Warren - ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ - Read my review.


4. The Whisperer's Wish by Janilise Lloyd - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


5. Regency Therapy by Lisa H. Catmull - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


6. Write Better by Andrew T. Le Peau - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


7. Endless Grace by Dan Wilt and Ryan Smith. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


8. When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come.


9. The Shifting Current by Dani Pettrey - ⭐⭐⭐½ - Read my review (on Goodreads).

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Expected May 2023 Reads:

After reading seven fiction books in April, I admit I'm ready for some nonfiction and my list for May reflects that. I also hope to resume journaling more often. Although I love reading and really dove into it last month, I need journaling to keep me sane. 🙃

1. The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers. - A favorite that I'll be rereading this month with my local book club! Read my review from 2018.


2. June Bug by Chris Fabry. - I missed my local book club's selection for March, but I'm hoping I can squeeze it in this month.


3. Wonder Dogs by Maureen Maurer. -  My older daughter read this book months ago and now it's my turn.


4. Testimony: Inside the Evangelical Movement that Failed a Generation by Jon Ward. 

What will you read this month?

Book Review: Jonas by Susan May Warren

About the Book:

Jonas Marshall is done storm-chasing, plagued with the memory of a terrible accident that paralyzed a fellow chaser, so the last thing he’s going to do is run into more danger. Now, he’s just a simple weatherman deploying dirigibles in an experiment to track weather patterns in Slovenia.

As far from danger as he can get.

But danger comes knocking in the form of hiker in need of rescue, and he can’t deny that her companion—beautiful Sibba Kovac—is a great distraction from the guilt that haunts him…until she paraglides right out of his life.

Probably for the best.

But danger still won’t leave him alone when a storm knocks his dirigibles out of the sky, and he happens upon one that looks tampered with…

It is. And worse, it’s carrying what could be radioactive waste. At least according to EOD expert Sibba…who finds herself face-to-face with the rescuer she can’t forget. But she’s not looking for him—her grandfather is missing, and she’ll stop at nothing to find him.

When her missing grandfather leads to the threat of a dirty bomb, she’s the only one who can stop it. And Jonas is the only man brave enough to run into danger with her. But she doesn’t have room in her heart to love him—not when she lives with death in her periphery. Can the right man, at the right time help her see beyond her fears to a future?

And if they have a chance to save the world, can Jonas let go of the woman he loves?

The thrilling second book in the epic romantic suspense of the Minnesota Marshalls!

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My Thoughts:

Jonas brought all the danger, suspense, and romance that I expect in Susan May Warren’s novels. The story clipped along at a fast pace, and it was hard to put the book down. I liked Jonas and Sibba together as a couple, partially because they worked so well as a team. Their relationship was fertile ground for the spiritual themes of the story. Warren drove home the idea of finding God in the storm, but also integrated other ideas about forgiveness, choosing to live despite war/danger, and God reaching into the darkness.

Jonas lands as book two in The Minnesota Marshall’s series by Susan May Warren. The Marshall family is a bit larger-than-life, but I like them, especially when they are all together and the family dynamics start playing out. I recommend reading this series sequentially to get to know all the Marshall children. Of the two books available in the series, Jonas is my favorite, but I can’t wait to read Ned’s story in book three! 4.5 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.