Susan Meissner's In All Deep Places ~ Reviewed

In All Deep Places
By Susan Meissner
Published by Harvest House
ISBN 0-7369-1665-2

"Luke could understand that God would purposely place humans on a planet with limitations … but that he would also instill on every person a tiny longing for heaven; a longing designed to blossom. He even began to feel that tiny longing stir within his own heart and soul. In all made sense except for one thing …"

For bestselling mystery author Luke Foxbourne, an uncharacteristic bout of writer's block is the least of his worries when his father's stroke pulls him back to his hometown to run the family newspaper. Soon, Luke's disturbing childhood memories of the house next door—and Norah, the young girl who lived there—begin to resurface.

Norah was a blonde wisp of a girl who grew up beneath a perpetual cloud of misfortune. Luke's childhood promise to protect her was an unrealistic one, as tragedy continued to strike in ways that caused him to question God's goodness.

When Luke decides to tell their story, a soul-searching memoir ensues. But how will it end? Norah moved away years ago, taking with her any hope of closure for Luke. Determined to know the truth, Luke seeks her out to find the answers to this real-life mystery—a mystery solved in all deep places.

In All Deep Places is a poignant, heart-wrenching story of a gallant boy and a hapless girl, both driven by the unrealistic expectations of their youthful friendship. The title is apt, and Meissner has drawn deep from a well of emotion. Though much of the book deals with tragic events, it's not dark, but it is haunting—a story that will remain in your heart. A book you can't read and remain the same.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com

Marta Perry's Tangled Memories ~ Reviewed

Tangled Memories
By Marta Perry
Published by Steeple Hill
ISBN 0373873840

All Corrie Grant wanted was to know who she was – where she came from. Raised from infancy by her great Aunt Ella, Corrie longed to understand what had happened to her parents and why their love hadn’t held their tiny family together.

After the death of Aunt Ella, Corrie found herself sorting through family papers turning up her birth certificate with her father’s name blank. She eventually learned her father was from the blueblood of Savannah, Ga.

Baxter Manning was an elderly tycoon who held a self-righteous control over his family. He manipulated their every move and when they stepped out of line, the price was a heavy one. After all, who wants to be disowned by one of the wealthiest men in Savannah? Corrie finds her way into Baxter’s presence, demanding to know about her father, Trey Manning, Baxter’s son. She didn’t want his money, and she didn’t want his name. She only wanted to understand.

Upon her entry into the Savannah home, she meets Lucas Santee, the right-hand man to Baxter, and the one who keeps the family in line and at peace. But the Manning family immediately takes the offensive, accusing Corrie of being there to take their place as heirs to the family money. Pettiness, greed, and selfishness all play a part in trying to rid Savannah of Corrie and her questions.

Numerous attempts are made on Corrie’s life as she tries to piece the family puzzle together. Which member is desperate enough to kill for the family money? Is it Eulalie, the family matriarch; Deidre, the spoiled southern daughter, or Ainsley, her brother? Perhaps it’s Lynda, the long-time family friend. Just how far will this Georgia blueblood family go to keep their secrets buried and their money safe? The distance…they’ll go the distance.

This love-inspired suspense is a fast read, loaded with twists, turns and sudden jolts which hold you tight into the story. Marta Perry does a wonderful job of intertwining Corrie’s determination with her faith and allows her goodness, witness and her honesty to change the heart of one man. Her ability to gently place a spiritual message neatly within the pages of her books makes this read an especially pleasurable one.

Four stars to Marta Perry.

Reviewed by Cindy Sproles
www.mountainbreezewriter.blogspot.com

Like Dandelion Dust ~ Karen Kingsbury

Like Dandelion Dust
Karen Kingsbury
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Center Street













Book Description

"Jack and Molly Campbell enjoyed an idyllic life in their small hometown outside Atlanta with their adopted 4-year-old, Joey. Then they receive the phone call that shatters their world: a social worker delivers the news that Joeys biological father has been released from prison and is ready to start life overbut with his son. When a judge rules that Joey must be returned to his father, the Campbells, in a silent haze of grief and utter disbelief, watch their son pick a dandelion and blow the feathery seeds into the wind. Struggling with the dilemma of following the law, their hearts, and what they know to be morally right, the Campbells find that desperation leads to dangerous thoughts. What if they can devise a plan? Take Joey and simply disappear...LIKE DANDELION DUST. "



Reviewed by Gina Holmes:

Let me start by saying this is my first Karen Kingsbury novel. It won't be my last. I found that Karen has an amazing ability to bring the reader on an emotional roller-coaster ride. It was equisite the way she made me cry and even the feelings of love, joy and grief that crept up as I read this book.

The writing itself was unobtrusive so that the characters took center stage. It was a dark story with a heavy feel but that did not put me off at all. Life is sometimes dark and I like that Ms. Kingsbury didn't sugar-coat it.

I took mental notes as I read this work and hopefully some of her ability to evoke an emotional response in readers will rub off on me. I recommend Like Dandelion Dust.

From what I've heard, this is one of her heavier novels but very well written and absolutely worth a read in my opinion.

Susan Meissner's A Seahorse in the Thames ~ Reviewed

A Seahorse in the Thames
By Susan Meissner
Published by Harvest House
ISBN 0-7369-1760-8

Alexa Poole was to spend her week off from work quietly recuperating from minor surgery. But when carpenter Stephen Moran falls into her life—or rather off her roof—the unexpected happens. His sweet, gentle disposition proves more than she can resist and now she's falling in love with him.

And then the news comes that Alexa's older sister, Rebecca, has vanished from the Falkman Residential Center where she has lived for the past 17 years, since an auto accident left her mentally compromised. Alexa, fearing the worst, calls her twin sister in England and Priscilla agrees to come home despite a strained separation from her family—not to find Rebecca but to deliver some startling news.

As Alexa begins the search for Rebecca, disturbing questions surface. Why did the car that Rebecca was riding in swerve off the road, killing her college friend, Leanne McNeil? And what about the mysterious check for $50,000 found in Rebecca's room and signed by her friend's father, Gavin McNeil?

And can Alexa, in love for the first time, embrace the news about Stephen's future with courage?

This is a fast moving story, thoroughly entertaining and mesmerizing. I read it in one sitting, stopping only long enough to make dinner. Not your typical love story, Susan Meissner sweeps her readers away on a journey, beginning with the first paragraph: "Stephen's wounded body lies just inches from me ... I look at him lying there, an injured man I barely know, and all I can think is, 'So this is what it is like to fall in love'."

It's a saga of coping and broken relationships, and not once did I think, "No way." The coping mechanisms for the members of this family were all different and not contrived at all. Alexa, who wants to be needed, coped by doing, Priscilla by running away and their mother by breeding pugs and ignoring the problem.

Meissner's unconstrained writing style turned off my "inner editor" from page one until I closed the book. I found the ending just right. Satisfying but fitting, she avoids tying it all up in a neat little bow of predictability. I enjoyed A Seahorse in the Thames so much I ordered another of Meissner's books which I will begin tonight.

A Seahorse in the Thames receives this reviewer's high recommendation for a great read.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com

Siri Mitchell's The Cubicle Next Door ~ Reviewed

The Cubicle Next Door
By Siri Mitchell
Harvest House Publishers
ISBN 978-0-7369-1758-2

Jackie Harrison, a computer administrator at the Air Force Academy, is a self-proclaimed geek who must share her cubicle space with the new guy, instructor and former pilot Joe Gallagher. She turns to her online journal to vent and eventually to express her growing feelings toward this office neighbor who is everything she is not--fun, happy, and social.

But when her blog is featured as a top pick on primetime news, everyone reads it--including Joe. Will he figure out the words of adoration and confusion are written about him? And will Jackie ever risk expressing her heart offline?

In this wonderfully witty story of love, forgiveness, and finding the strength to move on despite ones past, Siri Mitchell has created two unforgettable characters. Joe is lovable in his enthusiasm and determination, contradicting the surly, cynical attitude of his new and geeky cubicle mate.

Despite Jackie's reluctance to leave her comfort zone, Joe opens up a world of fun and excitement that draws her in. But in direct proportion to Jackie's ability to have fun, is her fear of letting go.

Though I tripped over some of the military humor, not being military, I highly recommend this contemporary chick-lit style romance. You'll find the story fresh and the verbal sparring between Joe and Jackie laugh-out-loud fun.

Reviewed by S. Dionne Moore
www.sdionnemoore.com
Murder on the Ol' Bunions/ Summer of 2007

Tricia Goyer's Arms of Deliverance ~ Reviewed

Arms of Deliverance: A Story of Promise
By Tricia Goyer
Published by Moody Press
ISBN: 0802415563

The fourth and final novel in this exhilarating series capturing the tales of men and women swept into World War II. Two friends, Mary and Lee, land similar reporting jobs at the New York Tribune on the eve of the war's outbreak and soon they become competitors. Mary's coverage of a bombing raid over Germany leads to a plane wreck and an adventurous escape attempt from across enemy lines. And when Lee hears of Mary's plight, she bravely heads to war-torn Europe in an effort to help rescue her friend. Will there be enough time for diplomacy or will war get the best of everyone?

Arms of Deliverance is a powerful and fascinating tale portraying the evil of the Nazi regime and the heroic people who resisted by refusing to conform. And, as usual, Tricia's storyline and writing is as gripping as the Thoene's, and I've read all of their books.

One character's plight I found particularly gripping. Rebecca Lodz, a Czech Jewess, had to change her name to Katrine and pass herself off as Aryan to survive, only to end up in the Lebensborn project, where German babies were bred for the Reich. Two female reporters were sent on dangerous missions (at their request) to report tales of heroism to inspire Americans and boost morale. Unfortunately, they both encountered terrors of war that made them question their judgment, but they "hung in there" despite their fear. They experienced things that imbedded in their minds and changed their hearts forever. (I love how Tricia always has strong female heroines in her books. Yes, even Rebecca had incredible strength.)

The Destiny's Child navigator, Eddie, is incredible and handsome--the ultimate hero, and of course, a Christian. He bonds to one of the female reporters during their plight and he proposes a plan that has Mary afraid--the title's name sake, yet she agrees to trust God. (I don't know how she does it, but Tricia always has me sighing over the guys in her stories.) The author also does what most excellent authors do...she takes the characters' worst fears and makes it happen, then adds even more trials to their load.

Great writing. Excellent twists and turns. Incredible plot. Strong faith element. Enthralling story. I don't want this series to ever end. What a great way to teach young people today about true heroism in the midst of a cynical society obsessed with self-preservation.

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

R.K. Mortenson's Landon Snow and the Island of Arcanum ~ Reviewed

Landon Snow and the Island of Arcanum
by R. K. Mortenson
Publisher: Barbour Publishing (October 2006)
ISBN: 1597893587


Landon Snow is in the middle of a football game with archrival Tangleriver when his vision goes askew. As he grasps the football, players from the opposing team fade away and a cadre of animals-bears, a wolf, a panther-materialize in their place. The football he's holding morphs into an unknown furry creature he throws aside. A bizarre chant peppers the entire unnerving experience. The vision fades as quickly as it comes, except for the referee who now looks like a zebra. And the gorilla standing where his coach should be. For the first time, Landon's adventure begins miles from his grandparents' home, and the library, in Button Up, Minnesota.

But the weirdness that is his latest adventure continues after Landon and his sisters arrive at the BUL. (Button Up Library). Bridget, his youngest sister, is along this time. They're at the library during the daylight hours instead of the middle of the night, and everything is wet.

Really, REALLY wet. There's enough water involved to float a boat. Or an ark. Or a pirate ship. Maybe even all three.

But Landon and his sisters have a completely different mission on this trip. They must travel deep into dangerous territory in order to right an earlier wrong. But the inhabitants of the Island of Arcanum will do what they must to stop Landon by whatever means necessary. But with the help of his friends, both old and new, Landon decides this is a task he must undertake. Especially for red-haired Ditty.

This is, by far, the best book yet in the Landon Snow series. Randy's experience in the Navy shines in these pages. His imagination continues to thrive, bringing alive the delightful characters and settings that is Landon Snow. Some teasers are dropped in here and there, hints to what may come later in the series. His opening scenes where the football players are replaced by animals drew me into this book and I didn't put it down until it was finished. Great book for kids of all ages. Highly recommended.

Review by Cheryl Russell
www.unseenworlds.blogspot.com

Cathy Elliott's A Vase of Mistaken Identity ~ Reviewed

A Vase of Mistaken Identity
by Cathy Elliott
Published by Kregel Publications
ISBN: 0825425379

When Thea James discovers a puzzling list inside a vintage vase, she finds four names on the list . . . including her own! Follow this small-town antiques dealer as she becomes a relentless detective on the trail of a killer in this page-turner mystery.

The heroine, Thea, in A Vase of Mistaken Identity is probably the quirkiest character I've ever come across in a novel. It goes with her equally antiquated name.

She did some really bizarre things in the story, and her family was pretty strange, too. Especially her grandmother. What a hoot! Some of the things grandma said in front of Thea made the heroine want to slide under the proverbial table more than once. LOL!

Anyway, at first the story sucked me in. I even snorted a few times, like when Thea was at the car wash. I felt bad for the poor dear, especially when the person she least wanted to see her looking a mess was at her relatives' home for dinner. The author did a bang-up job with that scene. I was there!

However, I'm not much of a cozy mystery reader, so I don't know how things should pan out exactly in regards to the plot. Some of the metaphors seemed over-the-top, and others were perfect! A few bunny trails took me off the path and made me set the book down a few times. When I picked it up a few days later and the action rekindled, I found myself riveted until things slowed down again.

I think this is the first truly cozy mystery I've enjoyed. My favorite lines were..."Or perhaps Thea had better build up the walls around her heart that had begun to crumble in the last few days. She could sense her inner child gathering rocks." Is that a creative line or what? Anyway, this story was fun and a few times had me desperately wanting to find out what the deal was regarding the vase. Then it dragged a bit, then picked up again, etc., etc... Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

Initially I thought the book should have ended earlier, but then the last few pages made me change my mind. I smell another book percolating in the series, and the ending whetted my appetite for another zany mystery courtesy of Thea James, amateur sleuth extraordinnaire. :)

The diner scene at the end was a bit too corny for my tastes, but overall I enjoyed this story enough to recommend it. So if you want to read about some very zany people and snicker at their antics, you will want to read this book.

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

Cindy Woodsmall's When the Heart Cries ~ Reviewed

When the Heart Cries
Sisters of the Quilt Series, Book I
By Cindy Woodsmall
Published by WaterBrook Press, Sept. 19, 2006
ISBN 1-4000-7292-1

When Hannah dares to love across the boundaries of tradition, will she lose everything? Despite being raised in a traditional Old Order Amish family, seventeen-year-old Hannah Lapp desires to break with custom and marry outside the cloistered community. She's been in love with Mennonite Paul Waddell fir three years, and before returning to college for his senior year, Paul asks Hannah to be his wife. Hannah accepts, aware that her choice will change her relationship with her family forever.

On the evening of their engagement, tragedy strikes, and in one unwelcome encounter, all Hannah has known and believed is destroyed. As she finds herself entangled in questions that the Old Ways of her people cannot answer, Hannah faces the possibility of losing her place in her family, in her community—and in the heart of the man she loves.

Cindy Woodsmall delivers up one of the best debut novels I've read to date. Her extensive research is evident in her characters and their daily lives. Her portrayal of the Amish is so well done I felt transported back in time, but then a moment of modernity would enter Hannah's world and stand out in stark contrast. The first time it happened I was startled. Then I realized that was exactly how the Amish would feel, and I found myself completely immersed in Hannah's world.

Neither one dimensional nor clichéd, these characters literally walked off the pages of this novel and into your heart. With the finesse of a symphony conductor, Woodsmall orchestrates every nuance of emotion from the heights of joy to the depths of despair. This is one of the most well written books I've ever read from a new author. A definite recommendation, I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com

Chris Well's Deliver Us From Evelyn ~ Reviewed

Deliver Us From Evelyn
By Chris Well
Published by Harvest House
ISBN: 0736914064

Everyone from the Feds to the mob is scrambling to find the husband of heartless media mogul Evelyn Blake. But no one can decide which is worse — that he is missing, or that she is not ...

Detectives Tom Griggs and Charlie Pasch are feeling the heat from on high to get this thing solved. Revenge–focused mobster Viktor Zhukov has figured out Blake was tied in with a rival gang’s ambush. Rev. Damascus Rhodes (his current alias) figures a man of the cloth can properly console the grieving Mrs. Blake. By the end of this high–speed thriller, some characters find unexpected redemption...and more than a few are begging, Deliver us from Evelyn ...

Deliver Us From Evelyn is one engrossing novel. I carried it with me everywhere until I finished it. The author is a genius when it comes to slick street thug characterizations and multiple points of view. Normally stories with many points of view are hard to follow, but this was so well done that I got lost in the story. I felt like I knew the criminals pretty well. He had me in their heads and thinking their thoughts.

Sometimes there was no dialogue for an entire scene, but it was barely noticeable. In fact, the action was so intense that in some ways dialogue wasn't even needed. How often can you say that about a book? The story is insane-just like the title, but in an "organized" manner. It's totally action packed, and I absolutely loved it. Considering I'm not usually a suspense reader, that is unusual for me to say. I did sort of figure out who the true bad "person" was before he/she was revealed (don't want to spoil it for you), but that didn't bug me like it sometimes does. I dunno. Maybe I'm just smart. *wink*

The author certainly took me through the mazes with unheard of perfection. The plot is well thought out and the loose ends all tie together in a very satisfying conclusion. Oh, and there are like 6 epilogues. Ha! Like I said, the author is nuts, but a genius. There were some real cliff-hanger moments, and people died along the way, but that's inevitable when you have that much crime going on. Anything less would not seem realistic.

Oh, and one of the scam artists had a profound spiritual journey. THAT was different, but very believable, too. Deliver Us from Evelyn, my friends, is one masterfully written story. As far as suspense goes, this one held my attention like no other. Go ahead and check it out. Snappy title, ingenious story...you decide.

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

Susan Wales & Robin Shope's The Replacement ~ Reviewed

The Replacement
By Susan Wales & Robin Shope
Published by Revell
ISBN: 0800731115

Breaking news from beyond the Beltway! Investigative reporter Jill Lewis and her F.B.I. fiancé, John, have no secrets---except when it comes to their jobs. When a prominent senator is assassinated, Jill is on the story, digging up evidence of scandal. Suddenly John disappears. Was he working on the case, too? Is he still alive?

The Replacement contains one of the more creative murders I've encountered in fiction. It's also the first thriller I've read that serves up a recipe. Great idea on the recipe. The murder, well, not so appetizing.

An interesting mix of a chick-lit type heroine without the posse of girlfriends and a twisting plot line with moderate to heavy romance made for a unique read. Several plot twists and unexpected happenings are sprinkled liberally throughout.

Jill Lewis was a little difficult to bond with. A little too perfect for my taste, but I'm drawn to those deeply mortal characters that make some people crazy.

If you don't mind things that go creep in the night, this is a mid intensity thriller. More plot, less fluff than chick-lit and spiced with some serious flirtation, The Replacement would make a nice vacation read. Political thriller fans might want to check it out.

Reviewed by Kelly Klepfer

Mary Lu Tyndall's The Redemption ~ Reviewed

The Redemption
By MaryLu Tyndall
Barbour Publishing 2006
ISBN1-59789-359-5

Lady Charlisse Bristol sets off on a voyage in search of a father she never knew, only to find herself shipwrecked on a deserted island. After weeks of combating the elements, her salvation comes in the form of a band of pirates and their fiercely handsome leader, Edmund Merrick. Will Charlisse free herself from the seductive lure of this pirate captain and find the father’s love she so ardently craves?

While battling his attraction to this winsome lady and learning to walk a more godly path, Edmund offers to help Charlisse on her quest—until he discovers her father is none other than Edward the Terror, the cruelest pirate on the Caribbean. Can Edmund win this lady’s love while shielding her from his lecherous crew and working to bring her father to justice?

Can the supernatural power of God rescue Charlisse and Edmund from the danger and treachery that await them as they ride upon the tumultuous waves of the Caribbean?

There’s usually only one, possibly two, books that I’ll get excited about per year. This is the first one for 2006. It is a rare story indeed that compels me to plant my royal behind on the couch and let the peasants around my house fend for themselves. Once Tyndall draws you into the story, you will not be released until the last page. Plan on scheduling it for a day or two when you have no pressing engagements.

Other than Jesus, and I suppose my husband, the only other man I’d want to be stranded on a deserted island with is Captain Edmund Merrick. Whew. Palpitations don’t begin to describe what this character delivers. Besides his drop-dead good looks, this man is no pansy Christian. I love how real his struggle for doing the right thing connected with my own faith journey. Kudos to Tyndall for not sugar-coating the daily battles we all go through.

I got a little annoyed with Charlisse’s lack of trust in Merrick. Stupid girl. However, I suppose after surviving an abusive childhood, I should cut her some slack.

A mysterious character is added into the story briefly at the end. I have a suspicion that perhaps the next book will feature this man.

The Redemption is definitely not a beach bag flinger but an absolute must read. And when the second installment of the Legacy of the Kings Pirates comes out in spring 2007, it’ll be my nose smudged against the bookstore glass door waiting for them to open.

Reviewed by Michelle Griep

Kristin Billerbeck's Cool, Calm & Adjusted ~ Reviewed

Cool, Calm & Adjusted
Spa Girls series #3
By Kristin Billerbeck
Published by Integrity, October 10, 2006
ISBN 1591453305

Poor Poppy!

She just wants to save the world -- one liver at a time. Poppy didn't take her vow to bring health and well-being to the masses lightly. But the obstacles she faces are bringing her down. Unbelievers, scoffers and meddlers thwart her every move. Her father flakes out and does something totally unexpected.
Dr. Frankenhunk, the handsome plastic surgeon next door, tries all of Poppy's patience and good will. He actually parks his spiffy sports car in front of her organic and peaceful side of their shared office space. The man has nerve; fortunately, she's there to point it out.

Even Lily and Morgan, her spa buddies, won't leave Poppy alone. They actually suggest conversation limits for certain social occasions. A completely maladjusted patient manages to confuse the situation even further. What's a poor-green-goo-for-dinner loving, just-trying-to-make-everyone-healthy-chiropractor to do?
Everything you want Chick-Lit to be, served with a healthy dose of cleverness. Adorable, fluffy fun. I'd love to hang with Poppy. Well, maybe not for dinner.

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

Neta Jackson's The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Caught ~ Reviewed

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Caught
By Neta Jackson
Published by Integrity, August 22, 2006
ISBN: 1591453615

Yada Yada Prayer Group is a mix of cultures, spiritual maturity and problems. Seen through the eyes of Jodi Baxter, the group prays through a blend of issues that look a whole lot like real life.
The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Caught is character driven number five, and the first I've read, of the series.

In the beginning chapters, I struggled with keeping the characters straight and getting to know them, but that is not because it wasn't written clearly, but because the story started four novels prior. I recommend you begin with book one, should this book sound like your cup of tea.

The book spans approximately six months of the groups' lives and covers inter-racial tension, high-risk pregnancy, young love, and the daily struggles of living out our faith and listening to the Lord. Many other problems are addressed, and several past traumas and events are mentioned. So I imagine that trials and tribulations have never been foreign to the group of characters.

Anyone who's read the prior books should appreciate The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Caught. Young believers who don't know how to pray would benefit from the fictional group's teachings. Women struggling with the drudgery of ministry would benefit from reading Jodi's mind and the resulting attitude changes. I appreciated the honest discussions and struggles regarding churches and worship styles.

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

Roxanne Henke's With Love, Libby ~ Reviewed

With Love, Libby
By Roxanne Henke
Published by Harvest House Publishers
ISBN 0-7369-1197-9

All her life, Libby Marsden had wanted to be a writer. But when her novel is finally completed—and rejected by publisher after publisher—Libby must reexamine her life and ask why God has given her the desire to write and not blessed her efforts.

Vicky Johnson has big dreams for her daughter, Angie, as she graduates from high school. But Angie has dreams of her own—and they do not match those of her mother.

Beautiful … powerful … painful … With Love, Libby is all of these and more. It's a story of dreams, of friendship, of loss, and ultimately of restoration and fulfillment. In With Love, Libby, Henke explores the depth of friendship between women. She lays bare the power of dreams between mothers and daughters. A masterful word weaver, she threads the potent force of faith and God's grace throughout the story in a most natural way.

In an unpredictable and unique plot approach, Libby is writing a book titled After Anne, which Henke authored as the first novel in this 5-book series. At first, I was slightly confused whether the letters from readers about After Anne and the other books were real or fictional. But that twist added realism to the story. Henke's memorable characters live in the small town of Brewster, North Dakota, where everyone knows everybody—and their business.

With Love, Libby is the last of the Coming Home to Brewster series. It's the first one I've read of the series but not the last. I just ordered the other 4 books, and if they are anything like this one, all five will remain on my bookshelf to be read again and again.

The five books in the Coming Home to Brewster series are: After Anne; Finding Ruth; Becoming Olivia; Always Jan; and With Love, Libby.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com

Linda Windsor's Blue Moon ~ Reviewed

Blue Moon
By Linda Windsor
WestBow Press
ISBN 0-7852-6064-1

Once in a Blue Moon, fame and fortune actually take a backseat to friendship and love.

Jeanne Madison has earned her PhD at 26 and secured funding to find and excavate a treasure-laden 18th century caravel off the Yucatan coast. Between her mentor and a handful of graduate students, years of study, and all the government cooperation a marine archeologist could want, she’ll find the Luna Azul—or Blue Moon—by hook or by crook. When a tight budget forces her to hire Captain Gabriel Avery and his rust-bucket, Fallen Angel, the comely PhD’s not sure it won’t be the latter.

The incorrigible skipper has the swarthy good looks of a Hollywood pirate and pushes every last one of Jeanne’s buttons—even some she didn’t know she had. His history of brawls, bullion, and well, romantic escapades may well sink the whole expedition.

As the race for the Luna Azul treasure with an unscrupulous competitor gets heated, more than the fajitas start to sizzle. Soon Jeanne, the captain, and her crew must take a gigantic leap of faith, one that may salvage more than gold—perhaps even a hardened heart.

Linda Windsor is known for her “Hystericals”—contemporary romantic comedies with a dash of suspense—and this book delivers her style as promised. After meeting Captain Gabe Avery in chapter one, I knew romance could not be avoided. I’ll admit I’m a sucker for a man with long, dark hair, but combine that with a tanned Adonis figure and add a British accent, and no wonder Jeanne Madison fell for him.

Once Windsor brought her characters together aboard the Fallen Angel, comedy was destined to follow. I especially enjoyed the humorous friction between a slobbery, overgrown Labrador mix and the pompous academian Dr. Remy Primston.

My only complaint is the ‘dash’ of suspense. For my tastes, it wasn’t nearly dashing enough. Moments meant to be tense didn’t increase my heart rate. Even the climax didn’t worry me. In general, I thought the plot to be rather predictable.

Not overtly theological nor intense, I would recommend Blue Moon as a great read to pack into your beach bag. A sweet romance plus an easy to follow story equals a fine summer getaway. Go for it.

Reviewed by Michelle Griep

Rachel Hauck's Georgia on Her Mind ~ Reviewed

Georgia on Her Mind
By Rachel Hauck
Published by Steeple Hill
ISBN 0-373-78574-2

Until 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 6, Macy Moore was Miss Most Likely To Succeed, a corporate executive on the fast track, with a marriage-material boyfriend and a cool city condo. Bu noon, she was as good as fired … and dumped. How in the world could she go home to Beauty, Georgia now?

Thank goodness for the Single Saved Sisters. With loyal friends Lucy, Adriane and Tamara by her side, Macy retreated to the House of Joe for coffee, consolation and consultation. Could they help her put her life back on the right path?

In a word … HILARIOUS. Georgia on Her Mind is a rollicking good book, filled with memorable characters on a rollercoaster ride with life. Macy has a lot to learn and a lot to get over, and her faith walk reminded me a lot of my own—three steps forward; two slippery-slide steps back.

Hauck portrays Macy's dilemmas, and the way she handles them—or doesn't—with a fresh voice, having fun with the characters and the story. There were times I wanted to slap Macy upside the head and tell her to get a grip and get over it, but then so did her girlfriends. Rachel Hauck had me completely invested in the lives of her characters. I needed to know how they got through all the "stuff".

Macy's search for God's will is like ours. I don't get lightning strikes or verbal directions from God. Neither did Macy. She had to keep looking, make mistakes and guess, hoping to discover the right way for her. Just like you and me. But Hauck doesn't hit you over the head with the spiritual thread; it's just part of who Macy is. Not in-your-face or shouting get what I'm trying to teach you, Georgia on Her Mind is a good book, worthy of standing up against any chick lit out there.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com

Wanda Brunstetter's The Bishop's Daughter ~ Reviewed

The Bishop's Daughter
By Wanda Brunstetter
Published by Barbour Publishing, August 2006
ISBN: 1597890006

Leona is Bishop Jacob Weaver's daughter and a dedicated teacher in a one-room Amish schoolhouse. After her father's tragic accident, Leona's faith wavers. How could God allow something like this to happen to one of His servants?

Outlander Jimmy Scott comes to Pennsylvania in search of his real family. When he is hired to paint an Amish schoolhouse, Jimmy and Leona find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other.

Can anything good come from the love between an Amish woman and an English man? What secrets will be revealed and what miracles await God's people in Lancaster County?

I know I'm behind the times as I've never read a Beverly Lewis novel, so this was my first experience reading a novel about the Amish. It was a pleasurable journey for me. I loved the plot and the twists and turns. The characters were also well-developed. I think the author sprinkling in Amish words helped me to get a feel for their culture. It reminded me of a soap opera in that every time the secret was about to come out someone interrupted them. Can you say As the Amish World Turns? :)

Seriously, I really enjoyed this story. It was unique in many aspects and the conflict was good and seemed very realistic to me. I don't want to spoil it for the reader so I won't go into details by identifying the secret, but I'll just say that this story will put a smile on your face and bless you as you experience God's hand moving in the lives of the characters.

The Englisher's father's struggle with alcoholism was well developed and true-to-life as well, making this novel a page turner for me. Again, I loved how the secret almost came out about twenty times. I wanted to shout at the characters to stop interrupting them--the hero and heroine (like on the soaps when someone walks past them in a crowd who has been missing for years. You want to reach into the screen and turn the person's head.)

The Bishop's Daughter is listed as general fiction, but had just enough romance to satisfy me. (Did I mention it was a "sweet" romance? Those don't normally appeal to me, but this was so well done I enjoyed it anyway.) I highly recommend this novel, and now I wish I had read the first two books in the series as well.

Reviewed by Michelle Sutton (pen name)
Writing truth into fiction...digging deeper, soaring higher Great Beginnings finalist 2005 http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com
Writer/fiction reviewer

Claudia Mair Burney's, Murder, Mayhem and a Fine Man

Murder, Mayhem and a Fine Man
Claudia Maire Burney
Navpress (July 5, 2006)
ISBN: 1576839788











Description:

"For Amanda Bell Brown, turning 40 isn't hard---it's murder! All she wants is to enjoy her favorite TV crime show. But instead, she ends up with her own mystery to investigate, including two corpses, a hunk of a detective, and a gorgeous red dress. A madman's on the loose . . . can Amanda save the day and snag a good man?"


Reviewed by: Gina Holmes

Claudia Burney's debut novel is outstanding. Though officially in the murder category, it's a unique blend of romance, chick-lit, mystery and women's fiction.The characters are three dimensional, all with their own intriguing backstory that comes to light naturally within the story.To say this is sassy would be an understatement. It is honest. It is fresh. It is funny and satisfying. I LOVED this book. The plot was great. The romance was hot. And the writing stellar.I HIGHLY recommend Murder, Mayhem & a Fine Man to those who like a little mystery with their romance. An amazing first novel.Claudia Mair Burney has got it going on!

Melanie Dobson's Together for Good ~ Reviewed

Together for Good
By Melanie Dobson
Published by Kregel Publications
ISBN 0-8254-2444-5

Twenty years ago, Abby Wagner lost her baby. Now, at the pinnacle of her career, the repressed pain from that loss surfaces when she is assigned to design a publicity campaign for Heartsong Adoptions … the very organization that separated her from her son. The panic she feels opens her deepest wounds as the past rises up to haunt her. To find some peace of mind, Abby returns to her family's cottage on Orcas Island. As she slowly releases her grip on the past, Abby discovers a miracle in the most unexpected place.

Melanie Dobson delivers a gripping story of adoption, of loss and of restoration with a fresh twist—one I hadn't read before. Free of clichéd writing, this unique story echoed in my heart long after I turned the last page.

Set on Washington State's Puget Sound, Dobson's description of the area invoked nostalgic memories. My mother was born and raised on Puget Sound, and I spent many summers there as a child. I could smell the Sound as I turned the pages.

Excellent writing, coupled with unforeseen plot twists, this is a story you'll not forget. I found the way Dobson weaves in the characters' faith journeys refreshing and natural. A haunting story, Together for Good is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com