Sabotaged: 10 Questions I Would Ask Reef McKenna

In Dani Pettrey’s newest book Sabotaged, the final installment of the Alaskan Courage series, Reef McKenna and Kirra Jacobs are in a race against time to find a kidnapper. This book has such well-developed characters, and a fantastically thrilling storyline. This book was absolutely incredible, and the only thing I disliked about this book is that it is the last book of the Alaskan Courage Series!

      At one point in the book, Kirra and Reef have to make an eight hour drive to Seward. Now, if you have ever been in a car with someone for an extended amount of time, you know that awkward silences are inevitable. Now, if I were Kirra, I would have spent some of that time getting to know Reef a little better. Here are 10 questions I would have asked Reef on an eight-hour drive, and what I imagine his answers would’ve been.

1.       What is your favorite breakfast cereal?

Reef: Well, I am more of a sausage and pancakes kind of guy, but I do remember this one cereal I used to eat when I was little, Captain  Munch? No, Captain Crunch. The one with the little berries in it. That was definitely my favorite.

2.       If you could talk to one person, living or dead, for one hour, who would it be?
Reef: I have always thought it would be cool to talk to Gunnar Kassen. I always thought it would be so incredibly stressful to have to deliver a life-saving serum through Alaska!

3.       What is your favorite board game?
Reef: Definitely Risk. My siblings don’t even like to play with me anymore, since I can get so competitive

4.       Is there any worship song you can’t get enough of?

Reef: There are so many great ones, but honestly, one of my favorites is “In Christ Alone.” It is a constant reminder of Christ’s faithfulness to me.

5.       If you could only read one book, eat one food, and watch one movie for a year, what would you choose?
Reef: As far as a book, I would choose the Bible. What other book can you read again and again and still find new revelation? Obviously, I would choose Lasagna for my food. There is nothing better in the middle of a cold winter snowstorm than to come home to a hot plate of lasagna. As far as a movie, I would have to say Vertical Limit. No movie keeps me quite as close to the edge of my seat!

6.       Favorite restauraunt?
Reef: Near Denali, there is a small town called Talkeetna. There is this fantastic restauraunt called the Denali Brewery. Everything is delicious, but the absolute best thing on the menu is their sweet potato wedges. Crunchy on the outside, and soft, but not mushy on the inside, and it is served with this spicy mayonnaise sauce. One of the most delicious things I have ever put into my mouth

7.       Who do you look up to the most?
Reef: My brother Cole. He has remained so strong in the Lord, even after our parents died, and he is such a good husband and father.

8.       Do you have any irrational fears?
Reef: I can’t stand frozen chimichangas. I know it’s weird, but I got sick off of one once. Threw up all night. Frozen is fine. Chimichangas are fine. Frozen chimichangas are terrible.

9.     Favorite animal?
Reef: I have always loved eagles. To be able to soar above storms, above what other people think, that would be incredible.

10.   What is your favorite scripture?
Reef: Hmmm, there have been so many that have impacted my heart this past year, but I would have to say that my favorite one is Psalms 25:6-7,
“Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to your mercy remember me, For Your goodness sake, O Lord.”
     This scripture has been such an encouragement to me, that the Lord sees me through the lens of His mercy, all my past transgressions, all my future, everything is seen through His lovingkindness!

Who else woudn't mind getting stuck with Reef on an eight hour drive? I am sure he would be an incredibly interesting person to talk to!

Dani Pettrey is an amazing author, I was so blessed to be able to work with her through all five books in this series. Although I was heartbroken to finish this series, I know that Dani's next books will surely be just as good as this series. If you have never read any of these books, I urge you to pick up a copy next time you are at a bookstore, or you can even order one online!

Book Review: Take This Cup by Bodie and Brock Thoene

A young boy, named Nehemiah, has been prepared for a glorious purpose. Trained by his Rabbi from a young age, he know that someday he has been called to be cupbearer to the one true King. Will the day come sooner than anyone can imagine?

I loved this book. I read the entire thing in two days. Again and again, Bodie and Brock Thoene have constructed a gorgeous story, based on threads of tales in the Bible. I do not know how they manage to weave together these beautiful tapestries they call books. Using bits of several stories in the Bible, they create an intriguing tale based on fact. I will never stop reading their books!

This book specifically was so touching to see how Jesus reacted to a little boy, and all of the children to be precise. One of the hardest things that Bodie and Brock successfully do is to so beautifully describe Jesus.

I can’t think of a single thing I would have changed about this book. It was so beautifully described, and at the end, everything was so wonderfully resolved, I am pretty sure I cried at least twice! Bodie and Brock are SO good at not leaving loose ends in their books. I can’t wait until the next book comes out, the first two were fantastic.

Overall, I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who wants a fresh look at the Bible stories they have grown up hearing, it changes the way you read the Bible when you know the backstory. Obviously, their books should not be read the same way we read the Bible, but their books are a great tool to better understand the time and context of the Bible. If you have not read their books yet, be sure to pick this one up!

I received this book for free in exchange for this review.

Cole and Bailey's Wedding: Wildflowers and Simplicity

I don't know about you, but I look forward to every book Dani Pettrey has written since Submerged. In her most recent book (Silenced) the two main characters from the first book get married! In honor of this grand event, I decided to post both a review of the book, and what I think Bailey and Cole's wedding would have been like.

Bailey Craig by libbiheart 

1. Bailey wants to wear a very simple, stunning gown. She didn't want to have a gown that was so big that she'd have trouble wearing it on the beach, but she also wanted a traditional wedding gown, rather than a shorter one.
2. When picking out her necklace, Bailey wanted one that meant a lot to her. This single pearl necklace reminds her of Jesus, her pearl of great price. (Matthew 13:46)
3. Bailey desired a gorgeous, braided bun for her wedding day,
4. Keeping with the simple + stunning theme, Bailey decided to wear a lovely, but understated bracelet.
5. Not wanting to go completely barefoot like the groomsmen and groom, and not wanting to wear sandals like the bridesmaids, Bailey decided to wear barefoot flip-flops; they allowed her to walk barefoot with class!
6. Bailey decided to wear her favorite earrings to her wedding. They always reminded her that no matter what other people thought about her, God thought she was a precious gem.

Bridesmaid's C+B by libbiheart 

1. Bailey wanted a dress that would be simultaneously flattering on all her bridesmaids, and one that reminded her of the Alaskan ocean in the summer.
2. Beach waves for all the bridesmaids, duh!
3. Bailey gave each of her bridesmaids a single pearl necklace to remind them to chase after the pearl of great price.
4. Bailey asked the bridesmaids to pick a simple, classy shoe. Obviously the perfect choice was a pair of white flip flops!

Cole + Groomsmen by libbiheart 

1. Cole and Bailey decided to have a laid back approach to their wedding, and so their groomsmen wore rolled up khakis, and white dress shirts, untucked.
2 . Bailey decided at the last minute to nix the boutonnieres, but if she had asked them to wear boutonnieres, they would have been these lovely wildflower ones!
3.  After deciding that cuff links would seem too fancy for the overall theme,Cole decided to give them to his groomsmen as a gift.

Reception by libbiheart 

1. Cole and Bailey, while looking for chairs at thrift shops, stumbled upon a jumble of old lights. see the opportunity as too good to pass up.
2. Because of her past, Bailey loves seeing old things being given new life, That's why she wanted all of the dinnerware to be thrifted china.
3. Filling mason jars with wildflowers is on of the pre-wedding events that Kayden missed because of her investigation.

The Ceremony by libbiheart

1. Bailey knows that sometimes sitting through an entire wedding without anything to drink can be difficult for the children at the wedding, so she decided to have a lemonade stand before the ceremony started.
2. Bailey can't get enough of theses wildflowers near the aisle.
3. Cole and Bailey found dozens of old chairs at thrift shops, and then Cole fixed them up so that they could have a shabby chic wedding.
4. Obviously Bailey wanted all the bridesmaids to carry wildflower arrangements!


It is not often I find a book that I read in one sitting. Or one week. It is even more unusual for me to find a series of books that I like enough to keep reading, and reading quickly at that! I love how all of Dani's books are so well written. It is rare to find a series where the second, third, and fourth books are as good as the first. Sometimes I wish she would have made the McKenna family have 18 kids so that I could keep reading them! There is the perfect mix of suspense and resolution, and the books are perfectly timed. I always finish reading them the day (or sometimes 2 AM the day after) I start reading them. I literally have no criticism, none. I love everything about the McKenna family. They are imperfect humans trying to do what God wants, so the characters are relatable. Overall, I hope Dani keeps writing books for a VERY VERY VERY long time.

I hope you enjoyed this post, and feel free to pin any images!