Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah - A Review

Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah

Magic Hour is a moving and emotional story about a young girl overcoming years of isolation and trauma, and the woman who helps guide her toward love, trust, and family. Kristin Hannah delivers strong character development and an interesting, well-constructed plot that keeps readers engaged.

The story follows a girl who had been living in a cave, known as “The Wolf Girl.” She initially howls like a wolf and has a pet wolf, showing both her physical neglect and emotional struggles. A well-known psychiatrist, who is also the sister of the local sheriff, is called in to help her. Through patience, care, and love, the girl begins learning to speak, trust others, and navigate the world beyond her isolation.

The book explores themes of family, friendship, trust, and the healing power of love. While I found the girl’s narration challenging at times and felt the story might have been smoother without it or with a more standard speech pattern, the emotional depth and character arcs made the read worthwhile.

Overall, Magic Hour is a heartfelt story about overcoming adversity, the bonds that shape us, and finding love and trust in unexpected places.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

Paid in full

After living what I thought was a “decent” life, my time on earth ended, and I found myself in a courtroom. The prosecutor—Satan—stood, his voice sharp and accusing, listing every lie, every theft, every wrong I had ever done. With each word, shame weighed heavier, and I sank in my seat. I couldn’t even look at my Attorney sitting silently beside me.

Then He stood. My Attorney—gentle, kind, familiar. It was Jesus.

He approached the Judge and said, “Yes, she has sinned. She deserves punishment. But I died on the cross so she could have life. She belongs to Me. Her name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can take her from Me.”

The gavel struck. “Case dismissed. Paid in full.”

Satan ranted, but it didn’t matter. Mercy had won. Justice had already been paid.

No matter our past, if we’ve accepted Christ, our debt is erased. The verdict is always the same: freedom, forgiveness, and eternal life.

Blue Dahlia (In the Garden, Book 1) by Nora Roberts - A Review

Blue Dahlia (In the Garden, Book 1) by Nora Roberts

Blue Dahlia was an enjoyable read overall, though it didn’t fully resonate with me. While many readers rate it highly, I felt it landed closer to a three-star experience for my tastes. The plot had a solid premise but could have benefited from deeper development, and some of the quieter, everyday conversations slowed the pacing for me.

One of the book’s strongest points was the character development, especially the friendships between the women, which felt warm and authentic. Those relationships were what kept me engaged. There were moments that felt a bit drawn out, and I would have loved to see more tension and momentum rather than extended internal reflections.

The ghost storyline was an interesting idea, though it remained more of a background element in this first book and left several questions unanswered. With a bit tighter editing, this story might have felt more complete on its own.

While this isn’t one of my favorite Nora Roberts novels, it did keep me interested, and I found her later books in the series more engaging. Overall, it’s a pleasant start with a strong sense of friendship and the promise of more to come.

★★★☆☆

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From my archives – June 29, 2018

Distant Shores by Kristin Hannah - A Review

Distant Shores by Kristin Hannah

Distant Shores is a relatively short, emotional read about a wife and mother who has lost herself over the years and must now make difficult decisions about the direction of her future. Kristin Hannah delivers solid character development, though throughout the book I kept feeling as though something was missing.

One of my favorite aspects of the story was the relationship between the main character, Elizabeth, and her stepmother—it felt genuine and heartfelt. As a whole, the novel explores themes many mothers can identify with: sacrificing personal dreams while raising a family and later questioning who you are once that role changes. The story stirred up many emotions for me.

That said, I didn’t love every aspect of the book. I struggled with the direction the story took and didn’t care for the path Jack’s character followed. I also found Elizabeth’s nickname distracting. There were several elements I didn’t enjoy, yet the underlying message still resonated. Ultimately, both Elizabeth and Jack needed to rediscover themselves before they could truly find each other again.

While this may not be one of Kristin Hannah’s strongest novels, it stayed true to her style. I enjoyed the ending and appreciated the reminder that it’s never too late to pursue something for yourself. Women of a certain age will likely see parts of themselves reflected in Elizabeth’s journey.

★★★☆☆

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From the Archives - June 29, 2018

The Fallen (Memory Man Series, Book 4) by David Baldacci - A Review

The Fallen (Memory Man Series, Book 4) by David Baldacci

The Fallen was an enjoyable read, though not what I would consider David Baldacci’s best work. While the central mystery was intriguing, the story was weighed down by numerous unnecessary details and side plots that didn’t always add much to the overall narrative.

That said, one aspect I genuinely appreciated was the continued development of Amos Decker. In this installment, he becomes more human and more likeable, forming deeper relationships that add emotional depth to his character. This growth made the story more engaging and helped balance some of the pacing issues.

Overall, while the novel had its flaws, I still enjoyed it and found it worth reading—just not a standout entry in the series.

★★★☆☆