A State of Grace by Traci DePree

Book 2 of the Mystery and the Minister's Wife series.

I became a huge fan of DePree's years ago when I discovered her Lake Emily Series.. A Can of Peas, Dandelions in a Jelly Jar and Aprons on a Clothesline. I cannot tell you how much I love this series of books! So I felt certain I would enjoy A State of Grace... and I did.

The Mystery here is an old one linked with a present situation.  Kate Hanlon, wife to local pastor Paul. learns of a single mom bearing the burden of a child battling leukemia alone and she decides to reach out.  In doing so, she discovers a bright vibrant young woman fighting bravely for her life and a tired overwhelmed mother striving for a medical miracle.  And then the words are spoken.. quietly.. quickly.. certainly not planned and not to be repeated "I could stop Marissa's dying, but I am too selfish."  What did Marissa's mother mean by that? And if it is true.. that she could stop her dying.. why wouldn't she?

And so the search begins.  Kate is determined to learn more about Patricia's past... to determine how Marissa could be save.  And in doing so old wounds are opened and it is painful and scary, but only when we deal with the past can we live in the present.

Another lovely cozy mystery from this series written by various authors.  DePree wrote 2 in the series (I think.. maybe 3) and I feel certain they will be my favorites!

Through the Fire by Diane Noble

Yes, I started yet another cozy mystery series.. I am addicted!

This is book one of the Mystery and the Minister's Wife series.  This series is written by different authors and the books are considered stand-alones (not building on one another), but they all revolve around the same community and the same main characters.  I did read online that the publisher suggests reading the first 2 or 3 in order to get the lay of the land.  I am not over OCD about much in life, but I am with books. I like to read series in order ... no matter how "stand alone" the books are. So I started with book one and am now reading book two.

Kate and Paul Hanlon has left everything... their thriving church, their home, friends, children to follow God's lead which takes them from San Antonio, TX to Copper Mill, TN.  Paul is the new pastor of Faith Briar Church and Kate, the minister's wife.  They roll into town to discover their new church home a blaze and so the questioning begins. Who would want to burn down their church and why?

As Kate adjusts to life in a small town and a small house, she gets caught up in the mystery and drawn to investigate a bit herself.  Along the way she makes friends (and a few enemies)... discovers secrets...receives death threats... inherits a "grand-dog"... and learns a great deal about herself and trusting the Lord as He leads.

Fun, light, entertaining read.  I am looking forward to following this series and hope the rest are as delightful as this one.