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Merissa (13765 KP) rated A Liar's Moon (Strength of the Pack #2) in Books

Feb 6, 2026

A LIAR'S MOON is the second book in the newly rewritten and expanded Strength of the Pack series. Although reading book one isn't necessarily needed, I would recommend it. This time, it's Jason's turn.

Jason, if you don't already know, is the soft-spoken one, the one with a heart of gold, who isn't sure he belongs due to how his old pack treated him. So it makes complete sense to me that this book reflects him. It's not full of action, chaos, and mayhem, but more hurt/comfort, and seeing the joy on people's faces. And most of the time, it's Riley who makes Jason happy. Most of the time, but not all of it. Riley was rejected by his family when he came out, and he has wandered since then, doing different jobs. He's on his last chance, and needs to write about the Elk Ridge Pack and a possible Argent. But he doesn't count on Jason.

I was completely engrossed with this story, from beginning to end. I loved how their relationship grew, and boy, was I invested in it! When what was inevitable finally happened, my heart broke, not just for Jason, but for Riley too. Jason at least had his pack there for him, whereas Riley had no one. It was really emotional, seeing it play out, and I couldn't read fast enough, while simultaneously not wanting to finish.

The ending was perfect for Jason and Riley, and I look forward to seeing them in future books, just as I saw Matt and Jesse in this one. It's Tristan's book next, and I can't wait! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me.

** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 5, 2026

Kudos

Who Said Witness Protection Was Boring? (Mobster Mayhem #2)

J.F. Miev and Aria Clark

8.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

MATTHEW It was supposed to be a quiet night of gaming. But then the power went out. No biggie—it...

Wicked Games (Silvercrest U, #1)

Willow Dixon

10.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Killian I hate obscure school rules. Especially the one that says siblings have to room together...

Contemporary Stepbrothers MM Dark Romance

MaryAnn (14 KP) rated Renewed: A 40-Day Devotional for Healing from Church Hurt and for Loving Well in Ministry in Books

Mar 5, 2019

Synopsis: RENEWED is a devotional providing healing for those in ministry who have been hurt in the church.

Ministry is a privilege, but it can also be a painful experience. Unrealistic expectations, church conflict, forced resignations, and our own struggles with burnout, loneliness, and insecurity can make church feel more like a place of wounding than a place of healing. How can wounded leaders find the courage to reject bitterness and keep loving the church?

RENEWED is a forty-day devotional for women in ministry, ministry wives, and lay leaders who have been wounded by their congregations. You are not alone. God sees your pain. He knows your hurts. And he is waiting to bind up your broken heart. This forty-day journey into the healing love of Jesus will help you find the courage to stop hiding and start loving the church again.

My Review: Working in ministry can be hard, complex and difficult at times. Leigh has done an impressive job of putting in perspective what happens in ministry. Churches are built up of people and personalities; so there will be times of conflicts, difficult people and those who wish to oppose ideas in your ministry.

This book of devotions will help those in ministry learn to turn to God and His word for comfort and understanding. There are topics of lamenting, forgiveness, learning to lean on Him in rough times and just giving it all to Him.
This is a must-have book for anyone in ministry, especially for pastor's wives so they will know what they are going to be facing when they take on the role of Pastor's Wife and knowing that they aren't the only one experiencing those certain situations; it's comforting knowing that you aren't the only one.

This would make a lovely gift for any women in ministry, I have truly enjoyed this book and found it very useful in my life.

received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.

Kudos

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Firekeeper's Daughter in Books

Aug 19, 2021

Firekeeper's Daughter

Angeline Boulley | 2021 | LGBTQ+, Mystery, Young Adult (YA)

9.3

(3 Ratings)

Book Rating

An expansive and lovely #OwnVoices tale

Daunis Fontaine feels torn between two worlds--growing up worrying about her Mom and dreaming of becoming a doctor and then being an unenrolled member of the Ojibwe tribe. Her late father was a member and so is her half-brother, Levi. When Daunis' uncle dies and she decides to stay home and attend local community college to take care of her mom, she feels trapped. But the arrival of Jamie, a new member of Levi's hockey team, is a bright spot. The two become fast friends. However, everything changes when Daunis witnesses a horrible murder, and she becomes an informant for the FBI. Suddenly, everything she knows about her hometown and the tribe changes.

"I learned there were times when I was expected to be a Fontaine and other times when it was safe to be a Firekeeper."

This is an excellent book--more mystery than I thought it would be. It covers a lot of topics--sometimes more than seems necessary. Racism, tribal issues, sexual assault, depression, drug abuse, FBI informants, romance, murder... there's a lot packed into this book. However, it does a great job looking into how meth and drug abuse affect the Native American community (as well as sexual assault). It's heartbreaking at times, but also compelling and educational.

"My mother's superpower is turning my ordinary worries into monsters so huge and pervasive that her distress and heartache become almost debilitating. I can protect her from that hurt."

Daunis is a very sympathetic and likeable character. She's dedicated to her family, to her tribe, and her community. She takes on a lot for a kid her age. Sometimes it felt like the informant plot was a little much, a little contrived, but overall, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. It was wonderful to read an #OwnVoices book of such quality and scope, and I look forward to what Boulley does next.

I read this book as part of my new reading project--choosing books off my shelves based on their Goodreads rankings. This is my fourth book of the project, forcing me out of my comfort zone and to try books in genres I don't usually read!