Showing posts with label Chicago. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago. Show all posts

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Life After...



Life After
By Katie Ganshert


Survivor Guilt. We might have felt it a little bit. Our main character in this story feels it a lot. The story starts with an explosion on the El Train in Chicago. There is one survivor and the story follows her through the months and years after the tragedy.

First of all, I love the setting – Chicago. Ganshert does a great job bringing the city alive for us. Secondly, I love how she shows this character interacting at work, in her family, and even at church. She gives us a very well-rounded character and shows us different sides. Finally, there’s a romance. Sigh.

One of the victims of the tragedy left behind a husband and two kids. In an effort to make sense of what happened, one of the children writes a letter to our lone survivor. In this process, secrets from “before” come out, and the people left behind must figure out how to live their lives “after.”

Beautifully told, deeply felt, thought provoking, and just plain worth the read. It will challenge your faith, and shows just how God can work in and through a tragedy.

Have you experienced survivor guilt? Leave us a comment for a chance to win this week’s giveaway!





Jennifer Fromke writes from North Carolina, where she pines for colder temperatures all year long. Northerners by upbringing, she and her husband of 26 years have raised three Southern-ish children with one still in the nest and two currently in college. When she began writing contemporary women’s fiction in 2010, she was forced to reduce her reading time (which might have been exorbitant), but writing produces a similar joy. Her first novel was award-winning, and she’s been honing her craft ever since. Jennifer reviews books at Shetalksbooks.com and she offers a free story download on her website: https://www.jenniferfromke.com/contact/.

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Homestands by Sally Bradley

Homestands by Sally Bradley is full of romantic whimsy! She writes big city fiction with real issues and real hope.

The story starts with Meg, a single mom who bumps into her ex-husband, Mike, who just happens to be a professional baseball player. When he meets her 6-year-old, who happens to share his last name, Meg is not prepared for this revelation of a secret she’s been keeping since he hurt her all those years ago.

Mike is surprised, but thrilled to have a son. Terrell is thrilled to have a dad. Meg is not thrilled to be hanging out with Mike on a regular basis again. Mike and Meg battle guilt and deep hurts as memories of their relationship pop up on a daily basis, spreading confusion and longing all over the place.

Chicago is the author’s hometown, and it’s obvious in this, her second novel. She paints the town with a personal touch, deftly weaving details that this former Chicago resident recognizes with glee. I like that the professional baseball team she chooses is a fictional team: The Chicago Wind. This team replaces the Cubs in Bradley’s fictional Chicago, but don’t worry, The White Sox remain.

The pacing is spot on, never flagging. I love the adorable 6-year-old boy, and I love how Meg’s thoughts and feelings ring very true to life. There’s lot to love here, check it out for yourself!


Since this story takes place in Chicago, I have to ask this: Have you tried Chicago Style pizza? Which is your favorite? Leave us a comment to win our prize this week!