Austin Boyd's The Return ~ Reviewed

The Return
Austin Boyd
Paperback: 491 pages
Publisher: Navpress Publishing Group (July 13, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 157683946X
ISBN-13: 978-1576839461


Back Cover Copy:

Is seeing believing?

With nothing left for him on Earth, Rear Admiral John Wells didn't hesitate to lead a third NASA team to Mars, but he never dreamed that one day they'd look out their laboratory module into the lights of a slow-moving vehicle no their own. In the third installment fo the Mars Hill Classified series, life on Mars becomes increasingly more unpredictable as the past collides with the future, and nothing, not even the dead, is as it seems.

Meanwhile, back on Earth, the fate of hundreds, including John Wells' family -- presumed dead these last six years -- rests precariously in the hands of Malcolm Raines, self-proclaimed Guardian of the Mother Seed and Principal Cleric of Saint Michael's Remnant, and his insidious plans for the Father Race.

Wells will find himself in a race against time an all odds to expose the truth: about Mars, about Malcolm Rains, and, if he's very brave, about himself.

My Review:

I need to go on record here...I'm not a sci-fi lover. So when I picked up The Return, the next book on my stack not knowing what to expect and turned to the first scene set on Mars, date 2020, I nearly choked.

This novel is 460 pages long, give or take a few.

But, I had committed to reading the book and writing a review. And since I try to find good things to say in my reviews, I was a little concerned that I could find something good at all to praise.

Then I started reading.

Well done, Mr. Boyd. Boyd nails character, story and believability. I'll admit that there were a few techie spots that I skimmed. Seriously, details on titanium from Russia and DNA strands and windows for rocket launch do nothing for me. But I was seriously impressed with Boyd's skill with characterization, plotting and his solid and sometimes beautiful writing style. He takes the reader to Mars through the mind of a grieving astronaut and into the thoughts and heart of a confused fifteen year old girl, as well as another dozen or so characters throughout this novel.

After a few paragraphs I turned the book over and read all about Austin. Talk about a techie genius...Yikes. But a techie genius who writes poetry.

Not only has he mastered the basics, he has a great touch with realistic spirituality. Though Christian conversions happen within this novel, they are thoughtful and believable and lack the platitudes that have bothered those who complain about unrealistic pie-in-the-sky Christian fiction.

I'm not going to suggest that those who detest sci-fi run out and grab a copy. But I will suggest that anyone who likes a great story check further into Austin Boyd. Very, very impressed, Austin Boyd.

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer
http://kellyklepfer.blogspot.com/

Elizabeth Musser's Searching for Eternity ~ Reviewed

Searching for Eternity
By Elizabeth Musser
Published by Bethany House
ISBN 10: 0-7642-0372-X

Description:

A youth yanked out of the only life he's known to live on the other sire of the Atlantic with a grandmother he's never seen before...

A mother who shrugs off her son's anguish with breezy assurances like, "You'll love America, Emile."...

A father's sudden disappearance from his son's life with no explanation or even a good-bye...

French-born Emile de Bonnery lands in the strange environment of 1960s Atlanta with decidedly mixed emotions. Some memories make Emile want to believe the best of his father.

Others cause him to fear the worst. Does his mother know more than she's willing to tell?

Determined to learn the truth, Emile finds an ally and friend—who seems to be hiding secrets of her own. Together they search for answers...and what they find changes everything.

Review:

Musser does a credible job of this male POV, bringing him from childhood to adulthood emotions without crossing the line of believability. History and mystery are woven throughout this tale of love, of loss, and hard-won forgiveness.

The 60s were a turbulent time in the south, in our nation and the world. Only fifteen to twenty years had passed since the Great War. Musser's pen evokes an ambiance that wraps itself around the reader, drawing them deep into the story and the era. Searching for Eternity receives this reviewer's highest recommendation.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com

Robert Elmer's Like Always ~ Reviewed

Like Always: A Novel
Robert Elmer
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (June 19, 2007)
ISBN-10: 1400071658
ISBN-13: 978-1400071654

Merit and Will Sullivan have been married over 20 years when they decide to make a huge change. Will has never been satisfied in his job, and they decide to purchase a derelict resort in Idaho and renovate it. Merit wants Will to be happy, but she’s also afraid. Her constant desire is for things to be “like always.” Besides, their son, Michael, is just returning from service in Iraq and doesn’t want to move to Idaho. He seems to be having some problems adjusting, and he won’t talk about events that may still be haunting him from the war. How can they leave him now?

Still, off they go, and Merit soon finds herself growing to love their new life. Will and their two young daughters also thrive, and even Michael seems more interested in staying at the resort when he meets a nature-loving local girl.

Just as Merit is settling down once more, life takes another unexpected turn. At the age of forty-four, Merit finds herself pregnant. As if that weren’t enough, a routine doctor’s appointment reveals a problem that will require a heart-wrenching decision on the part of Merit and Will. It’s clear that nothing will ever again be like always.

When I started reading this book, I knew the central story was going to be about a middle-aged woman whose unplanned pregnancy throws her life into upheaval. So I thought I knew what to expect as I read. I didn’t. First, the story wasn’t simply about the pregnancy, but about an entire year of change in the lives of this family. The pregnancy wasn’t even an issue until a third of the way through the book. Their struggle with decisions, with trusting God and each other, came into play long before news of the baby. Also, since Merit was forty-four, I thought I knew what the complication would be in her pregnancy. But the doctor’s news turned out to be a surprise, as well.

This book does not supply easy answers or tie everything up into a neat package. As so often happens in real life, the characters end up with more questions for God than they started with, and yet, their faith in Him grows. You may shed some tears if you read Like Always, but you will probably also come to love the Sullivans as I did.

Reviewed by Robin Johns Grant
http://queenofperseverance.blogspot.com

Lori Copeland's Unwrapping Christmas ~ Reviewed

UNWRAPPING CHRISTMAS
By Lori Copeland
Published by Zondervan
ISBN 10-0310272262

Description

It’s that time of year again, and with excitement and high expectations, Rose has planned the perfect Christmas for her family and friends. But when she feels them drifting away during a time that should celebrate togetherness, Rose is forced to slow down in the most unexpected way. In this winsome, uplifting story, she discovers the true meaning of giving.

Review

It’s short, sweet and packs a powerful punch. Lori reveals through her main character, Rose, what loving one another looks like. Rose is challenged by another verse “Be still and know I am God.” She is rarely still long enough to know God is God – too busy. Sound familiar? Another verse “Rest in His assurance.” Rest? Who has time for that? Things women struggle with daily. Lori reveals God’s love in action through Rose. This book will gently remind you in practical ways, how to love one another & rest in God’s assurance at Christmas and always.

Before some chapters begin, Lori weaves the meaning of Advent, explains the symbols and what they represent. The treat at the end of the story is the Bergman’s holiday traditional recipes talked about in the story.

Lastly, a powerful letter written by Karen Hancock titled Jesus Didn’t Hurry. This letter sums up the message of Unwrapping Christmas. A must read.

Reviewed by Nora St. Laurent
LifeWay Book Club Leader

Rene Gutteridge's Boo Humbug ~ Reviewed

Boo Humbug
By Rene Gutteridge
Published by WaterBrook Press
ISBN # 978-1-4000-7353-5

Back Cover

It's Christmastime in Skary, Indiana, but the holiday season has been hijacked by director Lois Stepaphanopolis as she attempts to bring her horror-ific vision of A Christmas Carol to life.

Alfred's grassroots marketing plan proves more than successful as the buzz builds that Skary should anticipate an overflowing audience for their opening night - but a crucial miscommunication leave the visiting theatergoers expecting a very different Christmas production. As chaos ensues, can the actors pull off an improve miracle – and can the Skary community convince their own Scrooge to embrace the true meaning of Christmas?

Review:

Wolfe and Oliver are in the throws of fatherhood as Christmas approaches. Ainsley and Melb’s their wives are doing the best they can to create a loving atmosphere in their homes and celebrate Christmas on very little sleep. The holidays can be so stressful and full of misunderstandings. This story looks at family life during the holidays and how those families interact in their community.

The story is fun, and filled with the drama that happens off the stage as the actors try to catch the crazy vision that Lois (their director) has for this traditional play. No matter how hard they try to practice and think the cast has the play down pat God steps in and has His way with the show. I was surprised at Lois and what she allows God to do in her life and the lives of those around her. This story shows that God uses the SIMPLE things of life to touch people’s hearts and change lives. This story really touches on the real meaning of Christmas. I really liked this story and the loveable characters. This is the first Boo book that I have read. It's made me want to read the others.

Nora St.Laurent
Life Way Book Club Leader
Book Club Leader

Nelson-Dooley, Harris, Mayne and Sawyer's Montana Mistletoe ~ Reviewed

Montana Mistletoe
By Lena Nelson Dooley, Lisa Harris, Debby Mayne and Kim Vogel Sawyer
Published by Barbour
ISBN 978-1-59789-820-1

Click here for a guest blog posted at Novel Journey 10-18-07.

Description:

Four childhood friends from Mistletoe, Montana, made a pact to find true love by their twenty-eighth Christmas. As the deadline looms, each woman keeps busy with expanding careers and experiences that threaten to douse their Christmas spirit—as well as their chances fro romance.

The mayor of Mistletoe, LORI COMPTON, is struggling to bolster the small town's economy. Will a heart—and faith—once burned keep her from welcoming the affections of the new pastor in town?

DEANNA MOSS is the town's director of tourism on a campaign to put her town on the map. But when a land developer with a poor reputation moves in, can Deanna trust where her heart is leading?

MADISON GRAHAM runs a Christmas store in Mistletoe and often travels to New York to build up her stock. Will a big-city romance blind her to the true meaning of Christmas?

KATHY MORGAN is a writer living in California who has lost her small-town faith. Will a trip home to Montana help give her the courage to walk the aisle to marriage—or will it end up delivering a whole new set of problems?

Review:
A delightful package of four novellas, Montana Mistletoe is perfect for Christmas giving or getting you in the spirit of the season. This collection was more fun than most, since the characters were friends and appeared in each novella. With romance in the air, who notices the cold? All you'll have to figure out is who on your Christmas list should get this heart-warming collection?

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
http://www.anemulligan.com/

Kathy Herman's Never Look Back ~ Reviewed

Never Look Back

Kathy Herman

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Multnomah (October 16, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1590529227
ISBN-13: 978-1590529225

After serving time for covering up the strangulation death of a high-school classmate ten years earlier, Ivy Griffith has paid her debt to society, kicked her drug habit, and she's making a fresh start. Problem is, everyone in her hometown of Jacob's Ear, Colorado, knows what she did. And her seven-year-old son, Montana, won't stop probing about the father he has never met -- the man Ivy was too stoned to even remember.

Plagued by her shame and her little boy's cries for male affirmation, Ivy is thrilled when Rue Kessler takes an interest in Montana and her. Maybe Rue's the answer to prayer she's been waiting for. But he has a shadow hanging over his past and is suspected in a rash of bizarre, brutal beatings. He denies any involvement, and Ivy believes him -- until she discovers he and Montanta have kept a secret from her.

Ivy's on the verge of despair and wonders if even God has given up on her. Or is something bigger at play here -- something being orchestrated outside her control that's about to bring down the curtain on everything, including her past?

My review:

Never Look Back ably and tensely handles some very delicate subjects, a "rehabilitated" drug user who valued getting high over her child, an alcoholic barely on the road to recovery, a town full of people who watch and wait for the town bad girl to mess up and a violent psychopath looking for kicks.

This is a great cold winter read unless you are very squeamish or sensitive to addictions. Several twists and secrets are revealed along the storyline, most of which I guessed early on, which I don't always do, but figuring things out didn't ruin the story for me at all.

If you are a Kathy Herman fan or want to continue reading about Ivy Griffith's road to recovery and healing, you are going to want to get a copy of Never Look Back. If you know someone who dabbled in a past that now haunts them as they see shameful junk in the new light of day, this could be a series that helps them begin to stop looking behind and start moving forward.

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer

http://kellyklepfer.blogspot.com

Nicholas Sparks ~ The Choice

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

ISBN-10: 0446579920
ISBN-13: 978-0446579926

Book Description:

"#1 New York Times bestseller Nicholas Sparks turns his unrivaled talents to a new tale about love found and lost, and the choices we hope we'll never have to make.Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in small-town North Carolina. In full pursuit of the good life - boating, swimming , and regular barbecues with his good-natured buddies -- he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. That is, until Gabby Holland moves in next door. Spanning the eventful years of young love, marriage and family, THE CHOICE ultimately confronts us with the most heartwrenching question of all: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?"

Reviewed by Gina Holmes

The Choice, like Mr. Sparks' other novels, is a bitter-sweet love story. It is told in third-person, (limited) omniscient point of view, where the reader is taken from one character's thoughts directly into another. We spend equal time bouncing between the female protagonist's, Gabby's, mind and the male protagonist's: Travis.

Gabby faces the decision of whether to choose a man whom she has known and loved for years, or a new love who sweeps her off her feet.

Travis is faced with many choices, and each small decision he makes adds up, forcing him into making the ultimate choice--a choice none of us want to ever face, but all should consider.

The writing itself in this novel is not fancy or poetic, but unobtrusively stays out of the way of a compelling story line. Sparks is an excellent story-teller who did a fabulous job of making me truly care about his characters.

The Choice is an entertaining novel told with social responsibility. It does what a good book should: gets readers to consider their own lives. Hopefully this story will have couples discussing what choice they would want their family to make should they find themselves in a similar circumstance. A definite recommend.

Stephenie Meyer's Twilight ~ Reviewed

TWILIGHT
(The Twilight Saga, Book 1)

By Stephenie Meyer
Paperback: 544 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (September 6, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316015849
ISBN-13: 978-0316015844


Back Cover

When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret.

What Bella doesn’t realize is the closer she gets to him, the more she is putting herself and those around her at risk. And, it might be too late to turn back…


REVIEW

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this book. When my child came home and said that she was reading a book called “Twilight” What’s it about I asked. She said “Werewolves and vampires” I was not thrilled. That same child wanted me to come to a book signing with her to meet Stephenie Meyer the author of “Twilight”

I went because I was curious. Who was the woman behind these books? Who is Stephenie Meyer. The author talked on a microphone before the book signing. She said that she was not a person that read about this subject nor did she watch many movies about this either. She made up her own rules. She was not going to tell the hundreds of teen girls there her favorite character. It would be like picking out a favorite child. She loved them all. She just wasn’t going to pick one. OK; as a mom of a teen I liked this young fellow mom and I wanted to READ THIS BOOK.

To my relief this book was NOT WHAT I EXPECTED. It reminds me of the old Alfred Hitchcock movies. The story is very suspenseful but you don’t see anything gory etc. It all happens off camera and they talk about it (not in detail either). The story line is about the subject matter of vampires and werewolves but it is about a girl named Bella who moves to Fork to be with her father Charlie. She is the NEW girl in high school. She is drawn to the most handsome boy in the whole school; Edward. Edward tries to avoid Bella at first (for reasons you find out later). Then gives into his feelings for her tells Bella it is dangerous to hang around him.

During the process of getting to know each other Bella says that she has questions for Edward; there are things she has noticed about him that make her wonder. There are things that she just has to know. So, Edward spends an afternoon answering Bella’s questions. This reminded me of a scene in the Superman movie (with Christopher Reeve) where Lois Lane the reporter is asking Superman all the questions about his super abilities. She has pen in hand and is talking notes. Bella does the same thing but she did some research on the internet before their talk she will not be fooled. Edward confirms her suspicions that he is a vampire; but he explains he is not your average vampire. Just because he is made for evil it doesn’t mean he has to give into the dark side. It has taken time but he has chosen to go against being your average vampire.

Just like in Superman the movie Edward Cullen is always saving Bella’s life. She sees his abilities in action as he saves her from the danger.

I laughed at one point when Edward says to Bella “You HAVE saved me,” he said quietly.

“I can’t always be Lois Lane,” Bella insisted. “I want to be Superman, too.”

I had picked up on what the author was doing all thru the book and then she says it out loud. It cracked me up.

The author has lines in the book that are tongue and cheek. In the beginning of the book there is a line that cracks me up and gives you the flavor you’ll find in “Twilight.”

“Breakfast time,” Edward said eventually, casually – to prove, I’m sure, that he remembered all my human frailties.

So I clutched my throat with both hands and stared at him with wide eyes. Shock crossed his face.

“Kidding!” I snickered. “And you said I couldn’t act!”

He frowned in disgust. “That wasn’t funny.”

“It was very funny, and you know it.” But I examined his gold eyes carefully, to make sure that I was forgiven.

Apparently, I was.

“Shall I rephrase?” he asked. “Breakfast time for the human.” Definitely a funny scene.

This is a suspenseful book and one that took me by surprise. The girls at the book signing (all 1,500 of them) could not stop screaming whenever Stepenie talked. This mother of 3 young boys; paints the funny and serious side of being a vampire. It is also very beautiful love story.

Reviewed by Nora St. Laurent
LifeWay Book Club Leader

Melody Carlson's Ready to Wed ~ Reviewed

Ready to Wed
By Melody Carlson
Published by GuidepostsBooks
ISBN 978-0-8249-4724-8

Visit Novel Journey to read an 10-11-07 interview with Melody.

Description:

A cold, dreary spring day is brightened for the Howard sisters—Louise, Alice and Jane—when Belle Bannister checks into Grace Chapel Inn, the bed-and-breakfast they run out of their childhood home in Acorn Hill, Pennsylvania. Belle is on a mission to fulfill the dream she believes is from God: to find a husband among the eligible bachelors of Acorn Hill and marry within three weeks. Meanwhile, Jane Howard gets a letter from Justin, her ex-husband, asking if he can visit, and she's filled with anxiety. What can he want after all this time? Belle's quest and Jane's own soul-searching lead them both to unexpected answers, proving that God truly works in mysterious ways.

Review:

Prolific author Melody Carlson proves that authors can keep delivering captivating stories, even as they near their 100th book. In Ready to Wed, she has created a town that is a character in itself. It seems to come alive and welcome you in. All the characters are memorable, from the Howard sisters to their strong-willed Auntie to their pastor, Kenneth, who has perfected Popping In 101—a prerequisite class in Seminary.

Belle Bannister drives in town in a pink convertible to find the husband God showed her in a dream. Her stay at the Inn gets the sisters reluctantly involved in Belle's quest when their Auntie Ethel becomes infatuated with the idea of a wedding. The manhunt is on and while the sisters like sweet Belle, they pity the town's bachelors.

From the moment Auntie berates Jane on page one for wearing old gardening clothes and Crocs in public—even if that public is her own garden—you'll be enchanted by Acorn Hill and its inhabitants. Caring, warm and a bit whacky all define the characters that flow from Carlson's pen.

If you were raised in a small town, you'll be nostalgic recognizing old neighbors. If you're a city dweller, you may find yourself longing for life in Acorn Hill. Whichever you are, you'll not come away untouched by this warm story of friendship and faith. I'm looking forward to the next books in this series. Ready to Wed receives a high recommendation.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemilligan.com

Nicole Baart's After the Leaves Fall ~ Reviewed

After the Leaves Fall
By Nicole Baart
Published by Tyndale

October, 2007
ISBN: 978-1-4143-1622-2

Description:
For anyone who's ever wanted to start over ...

Julia Bakker's life had been marked by loss. After her mother leaves and her father dies when she's just sixteen, Julia is determined to escape the confines of her gossipy, conservative Christian town.

When her best friend and first love, Thomas, breaks her heart, Julia leaves for college—the perfect place to reinvent herself. But one wrong decision changes her forever, and she returns to her grandmother's farm, weary and defeated.

Yet hope takes root in unexpected places, and Julia discovers that starting over looks nothing like she imagined.

Review:
I loved this book. From page one, Baart's distinctive style engrossed me. After the Leaves Fall is a beautiful portrait of a young girl struggling with life, love and decisions. Julia wants to be someone else, or at least not who she is. Life hasn't been kind to her. She grew up with a mother who didn't want to be a mother. She preferred Julia call her by her first name instead of mom. The only bright spot in her life was her father, who loved her unconditionally.

Julia wasn't bothered much when her mother left one day and never returned, but when her father dies, she's devastated. Baart skillfully and beautifully exposes Julia's grief, raw and multi-layered. She's left with wounds so deep, she doesn't like to talk about her parents to anyone.

I don't often read such complex emotions written with such credibility. I believed every word. After the Leaves Fall is the kind of book that leaves you wanting more. I'm glad there's a sequel, and Baart is an author to watch. Her debut novel is highly recommended by this reviewer.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com

Miralee Ferrell's The Other Daughter ~ Reviewed

The Other Daughter
By Miralee Ferrell
Published by Kregel Publications
ISBN: 978-0-8254-2659-9

Visit Novel Journey (10-04-07) for an interview with Miralee.

Description:

The girl standing at the door took a deep breath, pulling her suitcase a little closer to her trembling legs. "My mama's dead. He's my daddy."

Susanne Carson knew that she could trust the love of her life—her husband, David—until she discovered a strange, unkempt young girl on their doorstep, claiming to be David's daughter.Not that their marriage had ever been perfect—David's decision to embrace the Christian faith had strained their relationship. Susanne may not have agreed with his beliefs, but at least she trusted him. Had David been hiding this not-so-little secret from his past? He wanted Susanne to believe in his God, but believing hadn't done much to keep David out of another woman's arms.As David confronts the truth of his past, Susanne must face her own moment of truth as her marriage is taken to the breaking point and the life of one young girl is left in her hands.

Review:

How does a wife deal with the sudden appearance of her husband's daughter that she never knew about? Miralee Ferrell's debut novel lays bare the emotions of broken trust and a marriage unequally yoked—and Ferrell does it with the perceptivity of a seasoned author.

I found Susanne's emotions to be gut-wrenchingly honest and the spiritual thread believable. Too often in Christian fiction, the change in a character is forced. When Susanne seeks affirmation for her hurt from a friend, the advice she gets leaves her unsure. The gradual transition in Susanne is sparked by the faith of her young daughter, Megan, and the understanding of a family friend.

Being a step-mother, I totally related to Susanne's emotions throughout the book. Ferrell hasn't pulled any punches in this hard hitting novel, and it receives this reviewer's highest recommendation.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com

Sharon Hinck's The Restorer's Son ~ Reviewed

The Restorer’s Son
The Sword of Lyric Book 2
By Sharon Hinck
Nav Press October 1, 2007
ISBN-10: 1-60006-132X


The Restorer’s Son tells an adventurous story through two interwoven narrations: Susan, a housewife who courageously defended a world far from home, and Kieran, a native of that world who is fighting his destiny.

After her strange and adventurous trip, Susan is readjusting to life in suburbia. But she and her husband, Mark, must now journey back to an alternate universe to save their trapped son.

While Kieran is the next Restorer, he is openly rebellious to his chosen role. Yet after a close encounter with the One, Kieran yields his strong will and makes a sacrificial choice to save his people.

Sharon Hinck presents the second release in the Sword of Lyric series, a unique blend of Christian, fantasy, and science fiction written with a woman’s sensibility. Female readers will uncover a story of empowerment that encourages a personal pursuit of destiny.

While The Restorer, Hinck’s first in the series, told a great tale, it really set the stage for The Restorer’s Son. I enjoyed this adventure even more than the first, perhaps because it was delightful to be back in Hinck’s fantasy world, but more likely because of the strength of the main character, Kieran.

Kieran is a rebel to the bone, but aren’t we all? His heart struggles in a mythical land are no different than my own in Suburbia, U.S.A. Hinck doesn’t gloss over real, raw emotions that are sometimes ugly.

My favorite scene is when a misty cloud in a shadowy clearing forms into a mighty warrior to fight Kieran. Hinck’s descriptions brought this confrontation to Technicolor life in my mind.

A fun read with a serious message—God expects us to yield to Him, and that will be accomplished whether we like it or not.

Reviewed by: Michelle Griep

October Book Releases from ACFW

1. A Promise to Remember by Kathryn Cushman from Bethany House Publishers. The story of two grieving mothers on opposite sides of a wrongful death lawsuit.

2. A Season Of Forgiveness by Brenda Coulter, from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Can a home-loving worrywart find happiness with a world-traveling "extreme" sportsman?

3. A Vow to Cherish, (mass market size)
Prequel to Within This Circle by Deborah Raney from Steeple Hill Books. When his precious wife receives a devastating diagnosis, John Brighton must decide how he will keep his wedding vows to the woman he loves.

4. And Baby Makes Five, Monterey Peninsula Series Book 1 of a 3 book series by Gail Gaymer Martin from Barbour Heartsong Presents. A pregnant, widowed migrant worker in labor, a wealthy ranch owner who lost his wife and son in childbirth, and God's miraculous blessings.

5. Bayou Justice by Robin Miller writing as Robin Caroll from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. When an alligator conservationist finds a dead body in the bayou, which just happens to be the grandfather of her ex-fiancee, she and her family, along with her ex, are prime suspects and must work together to solve the murder before the Cajun killer strikes again.

6. Beginnings Book 2 in the Sommerfeld Trilogy by Kim Vogel Sawyer from Barbour Publishing. Beth Quinn is starting over in her career, home, and relationships...but where does her heart truly belong?

7. Buried Secrets sequel to Heart of the Amazon by Margaret Daley from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. With people after them, Zach and Maggie race to find a treasure worth killing for.

8. Canteen Dreams Nebraska Brides series Book one by Cara Putman from Heartsong Presents. Can two people find love and a way to serve in the shadow of World War Two?

9. Race to the Altar by Gail Sattler, Ron Benrey, Gloria Clover, and Becky Melby and Cathy Wienke from Barbour Publishing. Romance is in the air for NASCAR fans.

10. Sanctuary Faith of Our Fathers series Book One of Three by Molly Noble Bull from Tsaba House. When Rachel Levin's loved ones are murdered, she flees her village with a handsome Huguenot, but a French captain wants her as his mistress. Or he wants her dead.

11. Sarah, My Beloved The Little Hickman Creek Series by Sharlene MacLaren from Whitaker House. Sparks fly, igniting the embers of love, when two warring misfits marry for convenience. Just enough plot twists to make for an unpredictable read.

12. The Blue Moon, Mysteries of Sparrow Island, Book 3, by Lorena McCourtney from Guideposts. A bird expert on the San Juan Islands finds a blue-diamond necklace, and way too many dangerous people are eager to claim it.

13. Walk Me to Midnight by Jane St Clair from Capstone Fiction. A writer and a psychologist team up to prove their friend was murdered by the famous doctor of death.

14. Who Am I? Massachusetts Wedding series, Book 1, by Lena Nelson Dooley from Heartsong Presents. When Leiann Hambrick's mother dies, Leiann discovers that the man who raised her isn't her father and she has a grandfather she never knew. Not everyone wants her to know who she really is.

15. Your Chariot Awaits, The Andi McConnell Mysteries, Book 1, by Lorena McCourtney from Thomas Nelson. An older woman unexpectedly acquires a limousine, but now there's the problem of that dead body in the trunk.

Happy reading~