Catherine Leggitt

Title: Terminus
Author: Catherine Leggitt
Pages: 356
Year: 2015
Publisher: Mountainview Books
My rating is 4 stars.
Sometimes I can tell whether a novel is one I want to read or perhaps not at the moment. Yes, sometimes it is the cover that either draws or repels, especially if the author is new to me. Other times it’s a feeling I get that the story may be happy or sad, delve into hard topics or any other sense. With this particular novel, I knew it was going to be hard to read because of the suffering written regarding the child character. Let’s face it none us of wants to see or hear about a child suffering because it makes us aware of what we cannot do. However, it can also allow us to experience God and know God as He reveals Himself amidst suffering or tragedy.
If you recently lost someone, I would wait to read the book. The story both drew me in and repelled me as I knew the ending was going to be something other than what I desired. What the author does however is show a side to suffering few ever know about because it occurs in the heart of a person. In the story, a man who has a less than stellar character meets up with Mabel an elderly lady who lovingly takes on the care of the sick child.
I think bringing forth the spiritual aspect of humans in the story along with Scripture is something rarely written into books. However, the author does an exceptional job of showing how all mankind no matter age, social status, or anything else is in desperate need of a Savior, and there is only One, Jesus! Should you desire to be touched in your heart, mind and soul you’ll read the book along with the note from the author as to why and how the story came into being.
Here is a book I won’t soon forget as it caused me to remember the seasons in my life where there was suffering, but more importantly there was a deeper revelation of God to me. So because of those revelations I was and am and will be changing till I go to be with Him! Want to be filled with peace, joy and new life? Pick up a copy, read and see what occurs in your heart.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”… (mere)

Poor Christine Sterling has been moved by her husband away from her children and her friends. Now she seems to be spending her time snooping, and trying to guess why someone is doing what they are doing. Every time she goes anywhere she suspects someone. So when she sees something at her neighbors, she is off on her adventure. In my mind and her husbands, she does cross the line.
When you think things can't get any more dangerous with Christine, her beloved dog Molly disappears, along with her mysterious neighbor Lila. In the beginning, no one, including Jesse, her husband, believes her suspicions. Once Molly is gone, Jesse, and her friends rally for her. She still makes some bad decisions, and it will keep you on pins and needles. You feel like you are right there. You want to yell "get out of there" to Christine, its a wonder she doesn't get arrested.
Will Christine and Jesse be able to weather these storms, or will they be driven apart. Will Christine finally get her curiosity under control?
You will also find some great chuckles in this story. you will be very surprised at the lengths she goes to.
All in all a real enjoyable read!!

I received this book through Pump Your Book Publicity Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.… (mere)

Retirement can be a challenging and lonely time in a woman's life, especially when her husband discovers a new hobby of mounted shooting that includes weekend ventures away from home. For fifty-five year old Christine Sterling, moving away from their Southern California home and retiring to Green Valley, a Northern California historic mining town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains two years ago has brought loneliness and a bit of unhappiness in her life. With too much time on her hands, Christine has developed a penchant for being nosy coupled with a wild imagination that she calls her "gift of observation" which leads her to spy on a neighbor's mysterious activity. Her madcap zany snooping adventure investigating what is going on in her neighborhood leads to the disappearance of neighbor Lila Payne and Christine's beloved Border Collie, Molly. Christine is determined to solve the mystery of Lila and Molly's disappearance. Following her instincts and finding clues along the way, Christine embarks on a journey that holds both danger and faith-based self-discovery.

Payne & Misery is an entertaining cozy mystery that mixes humor, suspense, and Christian faith. Author Catherine Leggitt weaves an enjoyable tale written in the first person narrative with Christine Sterling taking the reader along for the ride on her zany mystery adventure.

Christine's witty humor, vivid imagination, keen observation skills, and penchant for snooping gets her involved in a mystery that is full of drama, suspense, and twist and turns that keeps the reader guessing what will happen next. Christine is an interesting person, her quirkiness finds a way to draw her husband Jesse and neighbors Zora Jane and Ed Callahan into investigating the disappearance of their frail neighbor Lila Payne and the Sterling's beloved dog Molly. As the mystery unfolds, Christine's journey with the support of Zora Jane's compassionate Christian faith and beliefs will lead her down the path of self-discovery, that will have Christine rediscovering her faith and examining her relationship with her husband Jesse.

With a quirky cast of characters that includes a lovable Border Collie, two cats, and a black Morgan stallion; humorous dialogue and interactions; a richly detailed description of the Northern California Sierra Nevada Mountains setting; and an interesting multi-layered storyline; Payne & Misery is an enjoyable cozy mystery with a Christian faith-based theme.

Payne & Misery is the first book in the Christine Sterling Mystery Trilogy.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2013/04/payne-misery-by-catherine-legg...… (mere)

(Please note: I won this book through Early Reviewers but I have not received it yet. I did see it on Kindle for free so I grabbed a copy and read it before the paper copy has arrived.)

This is the first Catherine Leggitt book I have read. I'm not a huge fan of the cozy mysteries because I get frustrated with the main characters (standard citizens) becoming sleuths. I find myself wanting the character to use common logic and not go into weird and dangerous situations. That being said, I really enjoyed this book.

The book opens with the death of Christine Sterling's friend (and neighbor's son-in-law), Officer Dunn. Christine knows something more has gone on and that Office Dunn did not jump off the cliff. She starts nosing into the investigation and soon finds herself around some unsavory characters. Her life and her dog's life may soon be in jeopardy.

Although Christine is an older lady who kind of butts into a murder investigation, I found her endearing. I love that she is not perfect. She questions God and she gets annoyed when her best friend Zora Jane wants to pray at every moment. Christine seems so real. She tries to keep her faith strong but comes across very human.

I love that the author brings many aspects to life. She is able to write about Jesse's hearing loss in such an accurate way. The author did well bringing in Christian faith throughout the book. There are people in life who constantly want to pray or talk about salvation and other around them get uncomfortable but they know they should be open about faith as well. The author did a great job writing with this conflict included.

As I mention above, I am not a big fan of cozy mysteries but this one was one that I thoroughly enjoyed. I will definitely look into finding more of her books.… (mere)