Janice S. Garey

What God Can Do

Revisado: 02-12-24

What a great listen! A true story ot two people devoted in marriage and to God who work hard together and recognize the outer limits of their abilities and reap vast rewards for faithfulness.

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Amazing Woman Fully Devoted to God

Revisado: 11-01-23

This wonderful account of the life of one woman fully devoted to God will awe and inspire. The title of the book is so appropriate as Cowman's faith keeps pouring out daily to meet challenges beyond what seem imaginable to Christians who simply rest on their faith. Lettie steps out into the unknown in so many ways and places using her faith as a solid invisible sure stepping stone.

I listened to the author read the book on Audible which is always a treat. The amount of research to bring the book to life seems like it would have taken years to compile. I now want to read Streams in the Desert, the devotional, which I have given as a gift to a friend in the past but never read myself.

This is a book for those who enjoy missions history, stories about accomplished women, stories about miracles of God's provision, and stories of faithful marriages lasting for eternity knowing God reunites them in heaven as Lettie glimpsed as a gift from God before her passing.

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Ambiguities of Life

Revisado: 10-24-18

Review Title: Ambiguities of Life (Review of Mourning Dove by Claire Fullerton)

Reviewer:  Janice Garey

***** 5 Stars

This novel is stunning. When you think it couldn't possibly be more brilliant and shed more light, you find another facet being presented for the reader's delight and mouth-dropping awe.

First, the in-depth study of a place and time, Memphis in the 70s, rings with truth like lead crystal tested for its superior sound. The class structure and strict rules of etiquette distinguish those who know how "to do" from the rest. The pairings of people who are in the know with those on the fringe of knowing make for fascinating contrasts within the larger society.

The novel shows the devastation that addiction perpetrates on families. In particular, it portrays the way children suffer when a parent succumbs to alcoholism. The love for the parent remains along with the dreams of what could have been. Some in the family deal with the disappointment with denial while others allow the loss to penetrate and change their basic view of life. The book delivers an accurate portrayal that a percentage of people will become alcoholics when drinks flow freely every day. This is not shown in a judgmental way toward those who chose to indulge in social drinking.

Readers with a solid music background will appreciate that the novel goes into the rock band/concert/recording business arena. The motivation and drive of a musician who gives his whole heart to the creativity and management of a group of musicians is examined. Then the book explores the grandeur of loss when a band dissolves. What does a creative do when their dreams die? In this novel, the pursuit of a new direction leads on a journey of self destruction through charismatic leadership of followers into a cult-like religion.

The story narrator, Millie, starts out as a mere shadow of her older brother Findley. She seeks his opinion to know her own. Eventually they part ways because of his increasing fascination with a pieced together religion. He who has been her strength in troubled times relies on rigidness to counter any weakness. Millie is more flexible in her thinking as to how she must navigate life after loss. She finds new strength in returning to her roots established before their father became an alcoholic and lost his ability to be an encouraging influence on his children. Her brother tries to move forward on the false platform of a god of his own making. In the end it seems that the strong has become weak and the weak has become strong. The ambiguities of life require navigation with flexibility, tenacity,  and a keen eye to observe what has lead to stability for other people.

The book appears similar to a waltz between utopia (the setting) and dystopia (the interior mind world of the characters). It's awkward yet beautiful to see how everyone elegantly or not so elegantly fumbles through the beautiful world of Memphis high society. The reader will not want the dance to end, although like all good things, it must.

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this on Audible during our commutes to work and back home. The author perfectly narrates the book. We have already selected another Audible book by Claire Fullerton to listen to based on how much we liked this one.

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Pendant Found---Girl Still Missing

Revisado: 09-23-18

Review Title: Pendant Found---Girl Still Missing (review of Pendant by M. L. Hamilton

Reviewer: Janice S. Garey

***** 5 Stars

This fast paced mystery will keep you guessing and pulling for the protagonist, Elaine Sutterfeld, throughout the pages. All the characters draw you in to spend time getting to know them. Just enough backstory emerges so the reader can glimpse the driving motives of the bad guy, a perfect antagonist. Elaine has a formidable problem in not knowing who she can trust. That factor really raises the tension and suspense.



The characterizations in the novel are outstanding. I did not want the book to end, and I think roots are established to continue onward with these character's stories. The plot has a good resolution which shows that despite tragic events life goes on. Those who suffer are able to help those who suffer similarly. As in real life, some of the characters have rejected faith in God and others  are believers. A small portion of the book is involved with things of a religious nature. Those uninterested in that aspect can easily skip over it to the rest of the story. The whodunit should appeal to anyone no matter which side of the fence you are on.



The fun part of the mystery is being a sideline detective trying to solve a case. This story does not disappoint with its doling out of clues. You will find yourself thoroughly engaged trying to solve the crimes. I highly recommend this book for those who appreciate mystery and suspense. Since the subject matter dips slightly into sex trafficking, I suggest this book for mature Young Adult and older readers. It is not graphic in any form, but the subject could be difficult for younger readers to grasp.



The reading aloud of this novel on Audible enhanced the story as the professional reader had all the voice parts down as believable. The characters came alive in our car as we listened on our commute. I liked it so much that I purchased a Kindle copy, too.



I received the Audible copy as a thank you for doing a reader survey from the author. I had no obligation to listen or review the book. I could have given it to someone else. I chose to listen and now have written my honest review based on my enjoyment of this author's story.

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Review Title: God's Broken Crayon Masterpiece

Revisado: 11-20-16

This is a wonderful book to help people see how God can use brokenness as a starting place to create a masterpiece❤ See my full review at Amazon .com

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Suspense Woven with Romance and Humor

Revisado: 11-14-15

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to a friend because it is a well-written and believable story. It leaves out unnecessary sex and violence, and still delivers an action packed tale. It portrays a true hero and heroine and clearly portrays the difference between good and evil.

What did you like best about this story?

Seeing the growth of the characters as they proved their worth to society, to each other, and to God (who already knew their value as individuals He made via the author's imagination).

Have you listened to any of Troy Klein’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was the first. He has a number of different voices he mastered for this story. Each was easily distinguishable from the others.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Unexpected Find: Love Mixed with Chemical Weapons

Any additional comments?

Review Title: Suspense Woven with Romance and Humor (review of Deadly Additive by Donn Taylor)Reviewer: Janice S. Garey***** 5 StarsThe author, Donn Taylor, expertly weaves together a complex tale of suspense involving characters under false identity, a hero type who wants to start a new life without all the excitement and life-threatening adventures, and international bad and good guys. The story worked for me on several levels, although I do not typically read this type novel.The book is high on action for those who like plots to be action driven. The characters are well developed with their motives explored, but the reader does not get so much into their heads as to be distracted from the thickening plot. Romance seems probable between two main characters, but not without hesitations based on past experiences. They start out with low level respect for each other, but as the story puts them in difficult situations, respect and care develop naturally.The characters start with only a little understanding of the Christian faith, but in time and under pressure, they learn how faith in God sustains through the worst of times. I liked the focus on both the individuals and the well-being of the masses who could be terribly damaged by chemical weapons. The self-sacrificial attitude which led to acts to save lives shows the spirit of Christianity in action.My husband and I listened to the Audible audio book version and found it to be well read. I received the paperback book from bookfun.org and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I believe most mature Christian audiences will appreciate this story if they enjoy suspense. I also think those who are not Christian will enjoy the book because it is low key in its treatment of conversations about faith.

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Audible Compassion Ignited

Revisado: 09-26-15

What made the experience of listening to Slave Again the most enjoyable?

This is another wonderful tragedy (redeemed by God) tale from the talented story weaver, Alana Terry. If you read the first book in the series, Beloved Daughter, you will not be disappointed in this book. You do not need to read the first to get the full impact of this book. It is a stand alone as well as an enhancement to the first book.The book has heroes and victims, those who rise above and those who fall to the curses of the environment in which they exist.The innocence of children is clearly depicted as stolen away by slavery within the sex-traffiking industry or through the captivity for use by a dictatorship's military service. It was interesting to see the various forms of slavery contrasted and showing the results were similar in the ways they damaged the individuals caught up in such misuse of human potential.The danger involved in the rescue of the ones caught up in slavery requires special types of individuals. The burden of wanting a better life for the many involved against their will is tenderly portrayed. Another contrast is made between Christians from a western culture perspective and those who have grown up in great poverty void of religious training. The priorities of the two groups could not seem farther apart. Yet faith in Jesus and the forgiveness He makes possible is shown to overcome obstacles in cultural and economic realms. Transformation takes place over a long time frame like one grain of sand at a time moving through an hourglass. Change is hardly perceptive yet it eventually occurs. This made the book very realistic to me.This book is very beneficial for those who wish to in some way help the plights of those caught up in modern day slavery whether through financial or personal time commitment. You will view how the tragedy is turned for good by our loving God who knows that those who suffer will ultimately desire to help others who suffer similarily to themselves.I bought this Audible version of this book after I received the Kindle book from the author with a promise that I would read and review it. I was under no obligation to do a positive review. I have given my honest review of this book.

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