Divine Intervention: A Divine Cozy Mystery (Divine Christian Cozy Mysteries Series Book 1)

I really enjoyed this story about Jo Pepperdine and the place she set up to give women leaving the prison a helping hand in making out in the world again. Not just words but practical experience in skills needed to cope. Hope Callaghan weaves a good story and her writing style is easy to read and well written. Small towns have their benefits but they can also be places where people don’t trust newcomers and Divine is an example of this. I liked the characters Hope created and the parts they play in bringing their skills to the farm.

This is a story about a small town with a half way house for women convicts. The tension that ensues is apparent. The story is well rounded and somewhat of a surprise ending. It is a stand alone book that introduces you to the characters of Divine, Kansas. The future books will be just as enjoyable as this one is.

This was a nice clean mystery. A book to read when you need to decompress from a seriously intense book. Good characters and a good story. It had a, “I didn’t see that coming “, ending.

Divine Intervention is the first book in Hope Callaghan’s Divine Cozy Mystery Series. This well-plotted mystery is a clean read, with affable characters. If this first in series is any indication, this series will contain heartwarming stories that are full of inspiration, hope, and second chances. I’m looking forward to learning more about the delightful cast of characters as the series progresses and their backstories are revealed in more detail.

Welcome to Divine, Kansas, which is located near the center point of the lower forty-eight United States. Some people claim supernatural powers are associated with the center of anything and many residents of Divine believe angelic supernatural powers are present in their small town. Joanna “Jo” Pepperdine recently purchased a Victorian home sitting on ten acres of land. Jo and Pastor Sawyer Murphy became friends shortly after her arrival in Divine, and when he learned about her plans for the property, he introduced her to Nash Greyson, a skilled handyman, and she hired him on the spot. Jo’s created a haven for women released from Central State Women’s Penitentiary who are down on their luck, with nowhere to go, and provides them with a second chance in life. Her stores, Divine Baked Goods Shop and Second Chance Mercantile, helped subsidize the halfway house. Jo relies heavily on Delta Childress, the cook, Jo’s sounding board, and “housemother” when Jo isn’t available. The women often confide in Delta, who is an exceptional judge of character. With rumors around town saying Jo was opening a B&B, Delta showed up looking for employment shortly after Jo purchased the property, and the two women quickly became best friends. Jo had many rules, and the number one rule was that she would never allow a woman convicted of murder become a resident. When Pastor Sawyer Murphy brought Rayleen Baxter who had served time as a convicted accomplice to murder and recently tried to commit suicide to Jo, they struck a deal … she would provide temporary shelter even though Delta disagreed with her decision and he would seek permanent placement for the young woman.

Things were running smoothly, other than a complaint about her running an unlicensed B&B and a minor incident between two of the residents, but the destruction of her mailbox, an attempted break-in at the mercantile, and Gary Stein, Jo’s gardener, being attacked on the property were very disconcerting to Jo and Delta. Sheriff Franklin was concerned about the incidents and suggested that in addition to adding surveillance cameras, Jo, who hadn’t been social in Divine, might want to drop by Marlee Davison’s deli for a cup of coffee and get to know some of the town’s residents to help eliminate their uncertainty about the newest business owner. Sadly, her visit to the deli results in her first run-in with Debbie Holcomb.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

A very enjoyable, clean cozy. At times, don’t we wish anyone of us could have a “second chance”? “Divine Intervention” provides just that with main character, Jo who has made a place for women who have recently been released from prison. This is a stopping off place for them before they return to society. However there is not all sweetness and light here, which makes the book even more interesting. The first in the series and I look forward to learning more about Jo and the rest of the characters in the next book.

This is a great book, I couldn’t put it down. Loved the story and the characters. You feel for the characters in the story,I definitely recommend this book I read it in a day because I couldn’t put it down.

A great beginning to a new series. A good clean mystery with lots of twists and turns. As in the title, there is divine intervention by angels. A wonderful read that I would highly recommend.