David Gregory's A Day With A Perfect Stranger~Reviewed

A Day With A Perfect Stranger
By David Gregory
Published by WaterBrook Press – July 2006
Paperback 109 pages
ISBN 1-4000-7242-5

The last thing she wanted to talk about was God; talking to him had never entered her mind.

A devoted mother who feels abandoned by her workaholic husband, Mattie Cominsky gives her life new meaning by investing herself in her two-year-old daughter and her graphic-arts business. Exasperated by her husband's sudden new obsession with Jesus, she views an out-of-town business trip as a welcome opportunity to reflect on their marriage—and to decide if it's time to put an end to this painfully unrewarding relationship.

Aboard the plane, Mattie is relieved to find herself seated next to a passenger who shares her scorn for religion. After confiding her husband's unexpected turn, their conversation soon leads to a fascinating exploration of spirituality, God, and the quest for meaningful connection.

As Mattie's skepticism warms to the perspective insights of this stranger, she finds herself confronting the unspoken longings of her soul for true intimacy and lasting fulfillment. And when his comments touch on personal issues he couldn't possibly know about, she begins to wonder if she's mis-judged not only Nick but also the God he now claims to believe in.

The logic and non-churchy rhetoric of David Gregory's relaxed style takes evangelism to a new level in fiction. The main character is like so many women I've met, who think they have no need for God. This book will uncover the needs they won't acknowledge, even to themselves, with insightful answers to the life's tough questions. More important, is how it overcomes skepticism with logic and insight using everyday language.

Well written and entertaining as well, A Day With A Perfect Stranger is a must for every Christian's library. When I started the first page, I didn't put the book down until I turned the last one. In this reviewer's opinion, A Day With A Perfect Stranger, along with the first book Dinner With A Perfect Stranger, once discovered by the church will become as impactful as Prayer of Jabez.

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

Denise Hunter's Finding Faith~Reviewed

Finding Faith
By Denise Hunter
Published by Howard Fiction
ISBN 1-58229-491-7

It was only one day. But the resulting ripples are headed her way …

ONE WOMAN SACRIFICING EVERYTHING FOR HER CAREER
Paula Landin-Cohen, an investigative reporter, feels like a fish out of water in the small town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Then she's offered her dream job, as a TV reporter in Chicago. There is so much to gain and so much to lose … including the only man she's ever loved.

A YOUNG GIRL'S LONGING FOR ACCEPTANCE
Linn Caldwell has made a lot of mistakes—bad mistakes. She can never forgive herself for all the pain she's caused others. How can she dare to get close to anyone again?

AND THE ROAD TO FORGIVENESS …
What will happen if Paula and Linn's secrets are revealed? Will the men they love ever be able to forgive them?

While Finding Faith is the second of a series, I had no trouble following the characters' lives or understanding their pasts, though I hadn't read the first book. A story of pain and sorrow, Hunter colors the pages with dark hues of sin's consequences. But it's also a story of love and the promise of a future, blended with brilliant jewel tones of redemption and restoration.

Peopled with believable characters, Finding Faith is a haunting story. I was drawn into their lives and then, just when I thought I had things figured out, Hunter threw a curve ball I didn't see coming. A brilliant plot and well written, Finding Faith delivers more than I expected.

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

Mary DeMuth's Watching the Tree Limbs~Reviewed

Watching the Tree Limbs
By Mary E. DeMuth
Publisher: Navpress Publishing Group
ISBN: 1576839265

There are secrets in the peculiar town of Burl, Texas and one of its biggest is Mara. In Mary E. DeMuth’s poignant novel, Watching the Tree Limbs, nine-year-old Mara longs to belong to someone, but not to the bully down the street who calls her beautiful and says she is his. Down the sweltering Burl sidewalks, across racially segregated lines, and even beside her underneath the tree limbs, Mara takes readers on a heart-rending journey that will both haunt and inspire for days after closing the book and laying it on the night-stand.

DeMuth’s story is about breaking the silence of abuse and points toward grace and healing. Readers will be saddened by the amount of torment a broken and deprived soul can actually endure, but DeMuth promises hope; and that is the glory of Mara’s story. While the book is not autobiographical, the author’s true life experience with childhood abuse surely allowed her to delve deeply into Mara’s mind, letting readers know how it feels to be used and abandoned in a way that is unspeakable. But DeMuth lifts the reader back up with the promise of freedom Mara is destined for, if she will break her silence and let the true One love her.

The freedom Mara seeks from her silence is skillfully paralleled throughout the novel by various threads of the same theme. Through vivid images of the segregated southern town to characters who still feel the sting of racial division, enslavement to social injustice mirrors Mara’s yoke of abuse.

If there is one hang up about the book, and it is very minor to the overall beauty of the story, some readers could grow weary of repeated phrases seemingly meant to portray the commonality and down-to-earth personalities of characters. On the other hand, the predictive nature of the phrasing might instead be endearing to some who will see it as true to the setting.

This book will not only entertain, but will quietly compel readers to reach out to others who could be in pain, or more profoundly – reach more deeply into themselves.

Reviewed by Tina Gray

When Crickets Cry, Charles Martin

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: WestBow Press
April, 2006
ISBN: 1595540547














Book Description:

In a small town square of a sleepy Georgia town, seven-year-old Annie sits at her lemonade stand, raising money for her own heart transplant. At a nearby store, Reese flips through the newspaper, thinking about the latest boat he's restoring. As a beat-up bread truck careens around the corner, a strong wind blows Annie's money into the road. Reese looks up in time to see Annie's yellow dress fluttering in the wind as she runs into the road. What happens next will change both of their lives forever.
Richly atmospheric and evocative, with the kind of characters that move into your heart and take up residence, Charles Martin's new novel will resonate with fans of southern fiction, and with anyone who enjoys a solidly crafted, heart-touching story.

Reviewed by Gina Holmes

Annie is dying, but the little girl isn't the only one in need of a heart transplant. Her new friend Reese has a secret that could save them both if only he'll let go of the past and be the man God created him to be. When Crickets Cry is lyrical and lovely. I found myself dog-earing every other page because of some quote worthy line. This writer is amazing. With stunning prose, the story is fleshed out on every level. This is a book you'll want to curl up with, turn the phone ringer off and savor. When Crickets Cry is one of the finest modern novels out there. This book will be a classic and this gifted author will be listed among the literary greats of our time.

Deborah Raney's A Vow to Cherish~Reviewed

A Vow to Cherish
By Deborah Raney
Published by Steeple Hill, June 06 release
ISBN 0-373-78562-3

When his precious wife of thirty years received a devastating diagnosis, John Brighton's world fell apart. As his wife slipped from him day by day, his love was tested as never before, and he found himself confronted by a weakness he never knew he had. A confidante desperately needed in this dark time, a young widow named Julia Sinclair, seemed to understand his pain as no one else could. Torn between doing what he knew was right and what his heart told him could not be wrong, John soon discovered that the heart can't be trusted where true love is concerned.

Not often does an author have the chance to go back and rewrite her first book, but Deborah Raney had that opportunity. I read the original edition, saw the movie inspired by her book, and now I've read the new one. She has updated numerous things and added more depth, making an already good novel hauntingly beautiful.

John Brighton's wife has Alzheimer's, a cruel disease that afflicts entire families. I know. My mother died of Alzheimer's. I found Raney's book to be healing for me. With deep understanding and compassion, she exposes layer after layer of emotion a husband feels when his wife leaves him a bit at a time.

More cruel than sudden death or divorce, Alzheimer's robs the patient of their dignity as it robs the family of their loved one. After my mother died, daddy said he felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. That hurt and I couldn't understand how he could say it. Until I read A Vow to Cherish. As Raney reveals John's deep love for his wife, she also discloses how the disease wore him down. No one suffers Alzheimer's alone.

Beautifully written and filled with credible characters, Raney once again demonstrates why she's an award winning author. A Vow to Cherish stands on my all-time-favorites book shelf.

Debra White Smith's Picture Perfect~Reviewed

Picture Perfect
by Debra White Smith
Paperback: 332 pages
Published by Harvest House
ISBN: 0736916679

Supermodel Kim Lan Lowery has it All; exquisite beauty wealth, an engagement to famous heartthrob Ted Curry, and a close circle of friends.
When a secret admirer sends flowers and love notes, Kim is flattered. As the letters become strangely possessive, she desperately searches for someone she can trust. While she grapples with the impact of her faith on her career, Kim senses the Lord tugging her to take part in a mission trip to Vietnam. But when trip coordinator Mick O'Donnel refuses her application because of her celebrity status, sparks fly. Their lifestyles clash and their values collide, but they also battle a deep undercurrent of passion.
Finally embarking on the trip, Kim feels secure until her admirer reveals his true identity.

The beautiful cover of this book captured my attention. I read the back and thought a story about a model going on a mission trip to Vietnam sounded interesting. The fact that she also had a psycho stalker made me want to read it. The story was fast paced from the beginning and held my attention to the end. The spiritual theme was strong, but not preachy. The hero was the ideal Christian man, and though he didn't have the drop-dead good looks that the heroine's fiance possessed, his love for the Lord is what attracted the heroine.

She and the hero couldn't have been more different, yet at heart they both wanted to serve the Lord. The heroine was very wealthy, and when Jesus impressed on her heart the need to give up everything to follow Him, she resisted at first. How many of us want to serve God, but with the conditions we impose firmly in place? We want to give Him most of our heart, but not all.

I enjoyed going on this journey with Mick and Kim Lan. I found the tension and romantic aspect of the story very gratifying. The fact that she had a stalker waiting in the wings made it an edge-of-your-seat kind of read. Overall, I'd say this book was a real winner, and it was so well-written it makes me want to read the rest of the novels in the Sisters Suspense series.

Michelle T. Sutton
Writing truth into fiction...digging deeper, soaring higher Great Beginnings finalist 2005 http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com/
Writer/fiction reviewer

Tamera Alexander ~ Rekindled

Rekindled
By Tamera Alexander
Paperback 334 pages
Bethany House Publishers
ISBN 0764201085
March 2006










In her debut novel, Rekindled, author Tamera Alexander takes readers to early Colorado Territory where she weaves a tale in which human matters of the 1850’s compellingly mirror issues faced by today’s society. Rekindled, as the name suggests, is a skillfully written story of second chances filled with warmth, grace, and intrigue.

Larson Jennings longs to be a better man, but when he is involved in a horrific accident that rips him away from home, his hope to give his wife the life he believes she deserves seems to vanish.

After waiting months for her husband to return, Kathryn Jennings grapples with how to live her life without Larson. Even as she grieves her husband’s absence, she can’t shake the feeling he is still alive; at least within her heart.

In Fountain Creek, where brothels, churches, and banks are within walking distance of one another, Kathryn struggles to keep her husband’s ranch from going under; all while warily fending off advances of unwanted suitors and risking her reputation as God leads her to befriend others in less fortunate situations than her own.

Every day that Kathryn and Larson are apart is a fight for their survival - and as they wrangle with life and especially with God, readers will be enticed by the plot’s twists and turns up until the very last page.

Lovers of historical fiction, as well as contemporary fiction fans, will be inspired by Rekindled as they are tenderly led to the promise of hope and redemption through God’s mercy in the lives of sympathetic characters that are well-drawn and similar to our own.


Reviewed by Tina Gray

DiAnn Mills' Leather and Lace~Reviewed

Leather and Lace
By DiAnn Mills
Paperback 316 pages
Published by Barbour
ISBN 1-59789-127-4

Casey O'Hare forsakes the years she spent in an outlaw gang for a chance to start her life anew. But no one leaves Dave Jenkins and lives. Pursued by the gang, Casey is trapped by a mysterious stranger who takes her as a pawn to get to Jenkins. A strikingly handsome lawyer, could this Morgan Andrews be an angel sent to deliver her—or the devil setting her up for the kill?

DiAnn Mills delivers up another gripping tale of faith and forgiveness wrapped in romance. Casey and Morgan both have seemingly insurmountable pasts to overcome. Casey has a price on her head in more than one state, and Morgan has his own ghosts to put to rest. Not an unusual romantic plot, except perhaps for Casey's former occupation.

What makes this story stand out is the way Mills creates characters who are memorable. While the title refers to the hero and heroine, I found Casey herself to be both leather and lace. Worn weary from running, she longs for a new life—to be ladylike. She delights in the new dress she buys, but is completely at home on the back of her stallion, Stampede, galloping at breakneck speed. When needed, she can handle a pistol like a gunslinger.

While hiding out from the law and outlaws, Casey encounters other characters that are terrific. From the wise Sarah, whom Casey nurses, to the irrepressible Bonnie, Mills has given us another novel that induces a sigh when you turn the last page—a very pleasurable read.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan

Debra Clopton's And Baby Makes Five~Reviewed

And Baby Makes Five
By Debra Clopton
Paperback 250 pages
Published by Steeple Hill
ISBN 0-373-87364-6

Two stubborn humans, his dog, her donkey … and a brand new baby.

A donkey with a penchant for breaking and entering … in search of alfalfa? Cort Wells had never heard of such a thing, until he and his dog moved to Mule Hollow. And the donkey's eight-months-pregnant owner was Lilly Tipps, raised by her man-hating grandmas. So when Lilly wound up in his barn—and his arms—Cort began to think the donkey was going to be the least of his worries …

Heart-warming and hilarious, Samantha the donkey nearly upstages the other characters in this delightful romantic comedy. She seems to have it in her mind to help her owner, Lilly, learn to trust men, and Lilly has much to overcome—three grannies who had been betrayed by the men they loved. Combine this with the other match-making characters in Mule Hollow and you have the ingredients of a comedic casserole.

Clopton's second novel is like the first—lighthearted and fun with as much humor as romance. We'll be looking for more of the same from her in the future.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan

Sharon Hinck's The Secret Life of Becky Miller~Reviewed

The Secret Life of Becky Miller
By Sharon Hinck
Out in June, 2006
Paperback, 242 pages
Published by Bethany House
ISBN 0-7642-0129-8

Faster than a speeding minivan, able to leap piles of laundry in a single bound … it's a bird, it's a plane, it's Supermom!

Becky Miller's vivid daydreams help her cope with the pressure to be a Wonderful Wife and Marvelous Mom. But she keeps hearing the inner tape play: "Your mission, should you choose to accept it: support your husband when he loses his job, nurture an eccentric group of friends, raise perfect Christian children, and live a life full of Grand Purpose, all while standing in your head and whistling the national anthem. Your fantasy will self-destruct in five seconds." When real life intrudes into her perfect fantasy world, can she turn off the tape and learn to trust God instead?

Christian authors are giving the literary world a run for their money, and Sharon Hinck is at the front of the pack. The Secret Life of Becky Miller, written in James Thurber's Walter Mitty-style, packs an Emeril-size BAM!

From page one, Becky Miller sneaks into your heart—she's every wife and mom who wants to do it all but discovers she's only human. Add to the mix a love for God and a strong desire to do BIG things for Him.

"I calmly and efficiently assessed the most severe trauma and tackled each crisis in order.
In my dreams."

Becky daydreams in the opening of each chapter, and those fantasies are a qui vive to her state of mind. Her journey to discovery and trust, filled with twists and detours and the help of some delicious characters, is a look inside the heart of a woman who loves God and her family.

Methinks Hinck has skirted this road herself; the insight she brings to Becky's spiritual journey brought tears to my eyes and left me gasping for air. Warning: Do not read this book late at night next to a sleeping husband. You won't be able to put it down and your laughter will awaken him.

The Secret Life of Becky Miller is a must read—a manual if you will—for every young mom, and a hilarious look back for those of us who endured those years and lived to tell about it.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan

Meeks' The Middle Aged Man and the Sea~Reviewed

The Middle-aged Man and the Sea
by Christopher Meeks
Paperback, 145 pages
Published by White Whisker Books
ISBN 1-4116-4761-0

I just finished reading The Middle-aged Man and the Sea and other stories by Christopher Meeks. Mr. Meeks has a wonderfully fun writing style—witty, cynical and often poignant. His stories are about the stuff of life: love and heartbreak, sickness and death, desires and struggles, spirituality and the search for meaning.

A word of warning: this book is not written from a Christian perspective and the language and subject matter reflect that. It was good however, for me, to be reminded of how the world and the issues of life appear when viewed through the eyes of one who does not hold to a Christian world view.

Christian or not, there is much to relate to in Meeks’ stories. In “Green River,” a couple and their son are on a road trip. The father muses, “One day, you’re young, laughing, eating Cheetos, the next, you’re locked in a car with your wife and 11-year-old son, no one talking to each other, the acidity of anger drip drip dripping at your insides if not your wives.”

The family arrives at a hotel and the father takes the boy to a nearby truck stop where they get candy bars. The father says, “The peanuts, caramel, chocolate and Harry’s look of concentration reminded me of when candy bars were all that mattered.” Who can’t relate to that feeling one gets remembering the simplicity of childhood?

As I writer, I ate this literature up like nourishing tidbits, underlining many terrific, descriptive sentences like these:

“It looked like an ad: silver body, chrome wheels, moon roof, sparkling on the red brick driveway under a sun that also shines across town on movie stars and next to a lawn so perfect and green you want to open up his trunk, pull out a golf club, and hit a ball so hard and imperfectly it leaves a divot the size of Texas on what otherwise is an emerald carpet. I know for a fact he keeps the grass so lush thanks to an automated sprinkler system that senses when the turf is thirsty, and valves open and probably spray Perrier onto each perfect pixel before anything is able to choke or strangle or die.”

Most of the stories in this book have been published in award-winning literary journals and the book has received good reviews.

Reviewed by Janet Rubin

Carrie Turansky's Along Came Love~Reviewed

Along Came Love
By Carrie Turansky
Paperback, 250 pages
Published by SteepleHill

After years of hiding from her past, single mom Lauren Woodman had finally returned to her Vermont hometown with her young son in tow. Reconnecting with her family and friends was Lauren's goal, until a snowstorm brought a mysterious stranger to town—and into her life.

Wes Evans was struggling to find the path to God's love and forgiveness, after his work as a missionary in the Middle East made him question his calling. But his search for redemption threatened to hurt the one person who could heal his heart and soul.

Along Came Love is a tender romance, and I was curled up with a mug of chocolate velvet coffee, enjoying an afternoon of reading. I loved Wes Evans, the former missionary, and understood his heartbreak. While I've never been a single mom, I appreciated the way Lauren put her son first. The adorable six-year-old Toby stole my hear, and I could relate to wise Aunt Tilly. I was having a lovely afternoon.

Then Ryan came on the scene, and I got mad. Sick and tired of his strong-arm approach, I nearly tossed the book aside. I dislike people like him. Then I realized Turansky had done exactly what she set out to. She engaged my emotions so strongly in the lives of her characters that I reacted to the situation instead of merely reading about it.

With a well written plot, a story that engages your heart, and true-to-life characters, Along Came Love is a satisfying read.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan

Rachel Hauck's Lambert's Peace~Reviewed

Lambert's Peace
By Rachel Hauck
Paperback; 174 pages
Published by Heartsong Presents
ISBN: 1-59310-847-8

Taylor Hanson longs for peace. Exhausted and anxious, she hopes White Birch will be the perfect place to regroup and refocus her faltering career. But her heart has unfinished business. Torn between the love she left behind and a lucrative opportunity, Taylor needs Jesus' peace more than she needs her next breath.

Will Lambert was a fool to let Taylor go ten years ago. Now she's back, and Will won't make that mistake again. He loves her, but the walls she's constructed around her heart seem impenetrable.

Can Taylor allow God's peace to protect her heart? Can she allow her heart to give Will a second?

Rachel Hauck has written one of the best romances I've ever read. From the very first sentence, she drew me into her story. She didn't give away too much in the first few pages, leaving questions to which I needed answers. I kept turning pages.

Hauck offers a modern-day heroine with a contemporary dilemma. Which does she want the most: A high-powered career that leaves no time for family—or love? This is the predicament millions of twenty-first century women face. Lambert's Peace offers one woman's story, and her path to peace.

I really enjoyed Hauck's ability to pull me inside her character's heads. I felt their emotions and their struggles. I could identify with them, and I appreciated the manner in which this author handled the conflict—with honesty and open confrontation that I found refreshing and real. She didn't use the typical formulaic misunderstandings. She didn't need to.

I read this book in one sitting—there was no way I could put it down. I loved the ending—it was absolutely perfect. I can't wait for her next book!

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com

Lisa Harris's Rebecca's Heart~Reviewed

Rebecca's Heart
By Lisa Harris
Paperback, 170 pages
Published by Heartsong Presents
ISBN: 1-59310-945-8

Rebecca's heart is open to love, but she discovers she's about to make the biggest mistake of her life. To avoid such a mistake, she cancels her wedding plans and moves to Boston. There she takes a position as a seamstress in a furniture sop where she hopes to mend her broken heart.

Luke Hutton longs to build ships for a living but is set to sail one last time before he can make his dream come true. He stops by the furniture shop on an errand for his mother and falls at once for the dark-haired beauty who works there.

Can Rebecca and Luke find a way to share the secrets that keep them from true happiness? Will Rebecca trust her heart to God, as well as Luke?

Harris brings innovative creativity to this historical romance. With the whaling industry as a backdrop, her research is evident in many places. She brings nineteenth-century Boston alive before our eyes with her hero telling the heroine, who sews slipcovers for furniture, about a yacht owner who "… had an electrically ventilated dairy built on his yacht where he keeps a cow…" Both caught my attention, and I had to look them up. I applaud Harris for incorporating little known facts that made her story all the more delightful.

Harris uses creatively apt descriptions that make you feel you're part of the scene and the lives of her true-to-life characters. They stepped off the pages and into my heart. This book is perfect for a cozy read before the fire, with a cup of tea. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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

Penny Culliford's Theodora's Baby~Reviewed

Theodora’s Baby
By Penny Culliford
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310265584

“In the third book in the Theodora’s Diary series, Theodora is happily married and life is on track—then an unexpected pregnancy changes everything.”

Theodora has recently married and is also unemployed. Now, she finds out she’s in for another major life change—a baby! In fact, the pregnancy follows so closely after the wedding that tongues are wagging, even at her church. Folks are busily counting the months until her due date to see if they come up with a respectable figure of “nine.”

Theodora’s Baby is the third in Culliford’s series about this character, following Theodora’s Diary and Theodora’s Wedding. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to appreciate this story, not having read the first two installments. I was, however, delighted to be wrong. Culliford quickly catches us up on Theodora’s life in a small town in England and the quirky characters surrounding her. Theodora’s snappy British phrasing and witty outlook lend humor to everyday life, including the indignities of job hunting and the horrors to be found in pregnancy guides. (Her husband Kevin eventually takes them from her and forbids her to read anymore, much as a mother might forbid Stephen King books to an easily frightened twelve-year-old.)

Of course, with the characters in Theodora’s life, it’s not hard to find humor. When Kevin catches an eel during a fishing trip, he’s determined to show Theodora what a prize he’s landed. His attempts to turn the eel into a culinary delight, however, end with the fractious eel tightly wrapped around his arm. The couple spends a cozy evening in front of the telly—with the eel still attached to Kevin’s arm.

One minor criticism would be Culliford’s tendency to make conservative Christians appear to be either judgmental or slightly ridiculous—for example, the group of home-schooling mothers that try to lure Theodora into their clutches, and the foul-tempered “fundamentalist” who spreads (false) rumors about her pregnancy not being legitimate. However, Culliford’s theme in Theodora’s Baby appears to be that of genuine grace versus legalism. Theodora herself becomes judgmental over the issue of abortion to a friend, not knowing the friend has been emotionally scarred by her own abortion. Theodora not only comes to a deeper understanding of her friend’s pain, but she also learns to be a true Christian servant when the curmudgeon who spread the rumors is injured and has no one to visit or help him—except her.

Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and gave me just enough hints of the mayhem in the earlier novels to make me want to go out and buy them, as well.

Reviewed by Robin Johns Grant

Tamara Leigh's Stealing Adda~Reviewed

Stealing Adda
By Tamara Leigh
Published by NavPress
ISBN 1-57683-925-7

New York Times Best-Selling Author and Historical Romance Writer Extraordinaire, ironically reads more like a country song than a bodice-bursting, breathes affair. For starters, she has no actual romance in her life. That might have something to do with the fact her husband—correction: EX-husband—ran off with Stick Woman, who everyone knew would never be more than a midlist author anyway. To add insult to injury (another verse to the country song), he not only took their dog but gave it to the new woman. If that weren't bad enough, Adda's come down with a horrible case of writer's block and finds herself the unwitting target of a romantic cover model's misdirected (and completely unreciprocated) amorous advances. Just when she catches the eye of a certain fabulously good-looking man—her arch-nemesis gives the pot one final stir.

'Hilarious' doesn't come close to defining the sarcastic wit of Tamara Leigh. She's created one of the most unique heroines I've read in a long time. I laughed out loud into the wee hours of the morning unable to put it down. From the battles of her conscience—which Adda nicknamed Prim and Improper—to her search for faith, nothing is safe from Leigh's tongue-in-cheek humor. Poor Adda is the walking example of Murphy's Law, especially when Improper eggs her on.

Using the publishing world as her backdrop, the stakes rise when Adda is accused of plagiarism by her arch-nemesis, Birgitta Roth—a.k.a. Stick Woman. But mirth reigns throughout the book, whether it's a love scene gone awry or snatching a handful of Stick Woman's hair, Tamara Leigh brings her readers along on a merry ride. She even handled the problem of cursing with humor. She merely bleeped them out. I got so tickled at the bleeps, I began to "hear" them (the bleeps, not the curses), as I'm sure Leigh intended.

Weaving a search for faith into this side-splitter was well done and never out of character. Adda remained faithfully Adda, even as she tried to be otherwise. One of my favorite reads of this year. I'm still giggling as I write this. Stealing Adda is a book I'll read again.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com

Karen Ball's Kaleidoscope Eyes~Reviewed

Kaleidoscope Eyes
Family Honor Series
By Karen Ball
Release date: April 3rd, 2006
Published by Multnomah
ISBN 1-59052-414-4

Wilderness and Weather Are Easily Overcome. But Betrayal? Annie Justice sees things differently. Her unconventional condition, synesthesia, helped make her one of the most sought-after stained-glass artists in the country. And teamed with her German shepherd, she's just as successful in her work with the K-9 Search and Rescue Team, finding people seemingly hidden from others' eyes. But no one knows her expertise for hiding the childhood insecurities that plague her - until Jed Curry comes along. Then the search for a missing child goes awry, and Jed must reveal his true identity. He's prepared for Annie's anger, but not the hurt. And neither of them is prepared for the real trial ahead - something far more sinister and dangerous than their search. Can Jed and Annie overcome their unknown enemy - and the insecurities and secrets keeping them apart - before it's too late?

Annie Justice, artist and SAR participant with her canine partner, Kodi, has a colorful view on life. Literally. Yet Annie's synesthesia doesn't overshadow the story, merely colors it, if you'll excuse the pun.

The hero, Jed Curry, struggles with his own demons. Complicating matters is his reality series, Everyday Heroes. He wants to feature Annie and Kodi. When she denies his request, he lies his way into her life. Then against his own will, he's drawn to her and must decide which is more important—his career or Annie. Karen Ball's plots are without predictability.

With the expertise of a symphony conductor, Ball orchestrates the tension and suspense in a story. She uses pacing like the conductor uses his baton, creating an arpeggio of action then an adagio of rest for a moment before the next onslaught. As the stakes rose, I found myself flying through the pages to reach the answer. I thought I had Annie's enemy figured out. All clues pointed that direction—then Ball surprised me. And when it was done, I felt completely satisfied.

I've said it before—I'm not a fan of suspense, even romantic suspense. But I'll read anything Karen Ball writes, even if it's a grocery list. I know I'll find humor and insight—even in the vegetable aisle.

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

Maureen Lang's Pieces of Silver~Reviewed

Pieces of Silver
By Maureen Lang
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications
ISBN: 0825436680

Liesel Bonner never questioned her devotion to her country. But because of her heritage, her country questions her. As her trust for others crumbles, Liesel finds that only God's loving protection, and the enigmatic agent who is tearing her world apart, can save her.

My grandfather was a veteran of the Great War, the 'war to end all wars.' Sadly, in the shadow of the horrors of WWII, this important era in our nation's history is often forgotten. The author does a wonderful job illuminating the intrigue of espionage on American soil at that time, and she weaves a powerful story of betrayal and sacrifice with a depth not often seen in fiction.

Sometimes doing the right thing doesn't feel right, but it still must be done. The heroine, Leisel, had some tough choices to make. As the story continues, you see her loyalty to America and to her faith supercede all others.

A very patriotic and uplifting story, Pieces of Silver was very hard to put down. I enjoyed every page and found the story fascinating and very well-written. I admired the hero, David, for his steadfast devotion to God and country as well. The way their plight brought them together was rich, and the love developing between them was truly powerful.

This story was worth reading, and unlike your typical war story, there was no actual war content in the story itself. It was more about espionage and the subversive tactics used at war time, and it had me on the edge of my seat. The coolest part of all was the ending. Methinks a sequel is in the works. I can't wait to read it!

Reviewed by Michelle Therese
Writing truth into fiction...digging deeper, soaring higher
2005 Great Beginnings finalist
http://michelletheresewrites.blogspot.com/
writer/fiction reviewer

Bright & Cavanaugh's Storm~Reviewed

*Bright & Cavanaugh
*Paperback: 368 pages
*Howard Publishing Company
*March 14, 2006
*ISBN: 1582294933













From the Publisher:

As the spiritual fervor of the Great Awakening begins to decline in America, a young student at Yale College becomes the target of both academic and personal attacks as he takes a stand for his faith. In time, he discovers that this is no coincidence but rather the work of a secret society bent on squelching a spiritual revival that breaks out on campus. Written with the intensity of a political thriller, this compelling novel-set against the historical backdrop of America in the late 1800s-reminds readers how the Holy Spirit can shape not only individual lives, but an entire nation.

Reviewed by: Gina Holmes

In 1798, Yale freshman Asa Rush is not your typical hero. He's not handsome, well-spoken or popular, but he does find favor with Yale's President, Timothy Dwight. Dwight makes no secret that he would like to see God put back into the curriculum and the student's hearts.

Asa soon learns that sharing that vision with Dwight would not only involve a personal sacrifice that threatens everything he cares about, but could even cost him his life.

Dwight requests a favor from Asa. Asa eagerly agrees until he learns the enormity of the request. He has asked Asa to befriend his arch rival, Eli Cooper.

Not only is Eli pursuing the same woman Asa is in love with, but he tries to humiliate him every chance he gets. The hatred between the two men provides excellent conflict throughout this novel.

Asa's amazing journey takes him from learning to obey God, to trying to prevent an insurrection to a final call to sacrifice.

Through it all, Asa learns that revival must begin in his own heart.

Gina's comments:

Wow, this historical novel is fantastic ! The characterization is the best I've seen. The story itself is engrossing. After reading this stellar work, I was left feeling entertained, convicted and inspired. If you enjoyed Randy Alcorn's Safely Home, I think this book will appeal to you.

Storm has made my top ten list.

Louise M. Gouge's Son of Perdition~Reviewed

Son of Perdition
by Louise M. Gouge
Paperback: 319 pages
Publisher: River Oak
ISBN: 1589190416


Timothy Jacobs, son of the infamous captain Ahab, has rejected his father's name and spends his young life trying to prove that he is not his father.

Certain of his own goodness compared to the misguided mariners he observes at the Seaman's Mission where he volunteers, he feels no need for the salvation of Christ, which his mother and stepfather encourage him to accept.
When he is tragically wounded in battle he is nearly consumed by rage at God, whom he now regards as unjust and uncaring. And only then in his darkest hour will Timothy discover if he truly is his father's son, or if he can find out the true nature of God.

I read Son of Perdition in two days. I would've finished it in one, but I've been feeling tired lately and going to bed early. What a great story! I liked this one even more than Hannah Rose. Louise has a knack for describing horrific war injuries. Sheesh, I could picture those shredded limbs and blood splattering everywhere. I'm truly impressed.

Also, this story has real depth to it. No pussyfooting around the issues in those days. Reality was men had temptations everywhere, and Louise includes that in her novel. I appreciate how that added to her story.

The most impressive thing about Son of Perdition was the topics of blame and forgiveness, and how Louise works through that within the context of this story is truly amazing. Oh and how often we have said to ourselves, "I'll never be like that person." We try hard to be just the opposite and sometimes despite all this, we look in the mirror and see the very person we never wanted to emulate staring back at us. What a sobering truth. Only God can fix that.

So if you want an emotionally deep and touching story about an era not often written about, which includes Navy battle scenes from the civil war, you'll want to read this book. The author has unique insight rarely observed in historical fiction. Oh, and her passion for the abolitionist movement and issues regarding slavery are truly inspirational. Great debates between Northern and Southern Navy brothers at the Naval Academy. I loved it!!!

Reviewed by
Michelle Therese
Writing truth into fiction...digging deeper, soaring higher
Great Beginnings finalist 2005
http://michelletheresewrites.blogspot.com/
Writer/fiction reviewer