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

Lena Nelson Dooley's Never Say Never ~ Reviewed

Never Say Never
By Lena Nelson Dooley
Published by Heartsong Presents
ISBN 1-59789-056-1

Charlotte Halloran will never love again. When her husband was killed by a drunk driver, Charlotte's heart died, too. Now, one year later, Charlotte and her teenaged daughter are boarding a cruise ship to take their minds off their loss. But when the Pearl of the Ocean's captain catches her eye, Charlotte wonders if "never" was God's idea or—hers.

Captain Gareth Van den Hout knows the pain of losing love. Three years ago, he lost his precious wife to cancer. His time aboard the cruise ship created a chasm of secrets between them, and he's vowed it will never happen again. But when he sees Charlotte, Gareth is compelled to risk his heart and get to know the petite, black-haired beauty, even if only for a short time.

Could the Lord have plans to heal and unite two broken hearts convinced "never" is forever?

I really liked this book. Lena Nelson Dooley is one of the best romance writers in the industry. Her characters are authentic, their problems real, and the stories are interesting. I like the way her characters are flawed and the way they react to things. Just like you and me. I never roll my eyes or have the urge to gag as with many romance books. Dooley's plots are not predictable; she throws a number of unexpected twists in that propel her romances to the top of my list. I can get lost in any book by Lena Nelson Dooley, while a lot of other romance books get tossed aside after a chapter or two.

Never Say Never is warm, it's believable and superbly well-written. If you're a romance fan, this is a must read.

I recently read another of Lena Nelson Dooley's romances, Move a Mountain. Packaged with three other romances in Windswept Weddings, it's also in the same category as Never Say Never. Superb. Each plot Dooley pens is different and never formulaic. A favorite romance writer, her books receive a high recommendation.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com

Andrea Boeshaar's Always a Bridesmaid ~ Reviewed

Always a Bridesmaid
By Andrea Boeshaar
Published by Heartsong Presents
ISBN 1-59310-946-6

Melody Cartwright can't believe what she's hearing: Her little sister is getting married—first. When Bonnie's mysterious fiancé turns out to be Melody's ex-boyfriend from college and he claims he doesn't remember her, Mel has nowhere to turn.

Luke Berringer has loved Melody since fourth grade. Now if he just had the courage to let her know he is alive … Having lived next door his entire life, he's learned a thing or two about her close-knit family. But suddenly Melody needs help, and Luke wants to be the one she turns to.

Can Luke be Melody's knight in shining armor? Or will Melody always be an bridesmaid?

I thoroughly enjoyed Andrea Boeshaar's Broken Things and Precious Things, but I wasn't sure about a romance book. But Boeshaar avoided the formula romance and created a warm, home town story that happened to be romantic. Not once did I roll my eyes and think, "No way." I was drawn into Melody's life by Boeshaar's stellar writing. The wonderful descriptions throughout the book gave me a feeling of being there, not just reading about it. I became invested in the characters and the outcome. I got indignant when Melody's family suspected she might not be telling the truth. I strongly disliked Bonnie's fiancé. I fell in love with Luke, and I cheered the denouement.

I highly recommend you grab a tall glass of iced tea and take this book out on the porch—it's a perfect summer read.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com

Dark Hour
By Ginger Garrett
Published by NavPress (July, 2006)
ISBN: 1576838692

From the author of Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther comes a stunning tale of betrayal and revenge---as the heir to the underworld vies for the holiest of thrones! To defend the line of David, Jehoshebeth, the woman warrior, rides forth to fight evil. (Warning: includes some graphic violence.)

Highlighting one of the bloodier stories in Biblical history, Dark Hour brings II Chronicles chapters 21-23 to life on the pages of this intense novel. A page-turner, Dark Hour is not typical Biblical fiction. Like much of the Old Testament, it doesn’t gloss over a thing. Before Christ, and following the downfall of David’s kingdom, the world was not a good place.

Murder, intrigue, false religion, struggle for power, and unimaginable abuse are woven between the pages of Dark Hour, though not in such gory detail that I wouldn’t let my child read it. I literally felt sucked into that era with all of its’ struggles, passions, and culture. I felt the heroine Jehoshebeth’s confusion and fear as she dealt with Athaliah, the daughter of Jezebel, who was her alleged mother.

When Athaliah slaughtered the royal children in Judah and Israel to make herself queen, she proved that like her mother, her evil had no limits. As a reader I entered the temple courts where sacrifices were offered, prophets were killed for their messages from the Lord, and being a follower of the God of Israel was not looked upon with favor unless you lived with the priests. Miraculously, an heir to the throne of David was preserved despite the enemy’s attempt to snuff out the lineage of Christ.

This wonderfully-written novel made me want to read through Chronicles again. This is the perfect novel for readers seeking an escape to a world without hope, yet where the triumph of God is clearly seen in the midst of the dark trials suffered by the characters.

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

Nancy Jo Jenkins' Coldwater Revival ~ Reviewed

Coldwater Revival
By Nancy Jo Jenkins
Published by River Oak
ISBN: 1589190610

One of Emma Grace Falin's six-year-old twin brothers falls into a well and dies while in her care. She begins a journey that takes her through the dark valley of guilt, sorrow, depression, and anger at God. But through her ordeal you see the hand of God at work. Although she rejects Him, God brings restoration and healing into her troubled life. Gain a better understanding of God's mercy, as he compassionately guides the lives of Emma Grace and her family during their desperate period of grief and despair.

This story was so gripping it's hard to for me to express my feelings adequately, but I'll give it a shot. The flow of words and beautiful similes and metaphors reminded me of Secret Life of Bees, only this story really blessed me whereas I found Sue Monk Kidd's book depressing.

I have to admit that when the heroine in Coldwater Revival, Emma Grace, reflected on her childhood tragedy when she fell asleep during the storm, the feelings I experienced were so intense I had to set the book down for a few days for an emotional breather. But I couldn't hold out long and had to go back to it because the story was well worth finishing even if it did nearly rip my heartstrings to shreds at certain points.

The closest I've felt (to compare the strong emotion I experienced) was when I'd read the Scottish series by Liz Curtiss Higgs. Though at the outset I never would've thought this story had a romantic element, not only did the growing love between the heroine and hero in Coldwater Revival impress me, but I dare say that in many ways this story had one of the strongest romantic elements of any I've ever read.

This daring debut novel had me holding my breath and sighing with relief as I read along, enjoying every page. My heart pounded along with the heroines right through to the end. Wonderful story, and extremely well-written, with the best use of similes I've ever experienced in fiction. I highly recommend this book! It has so much meat and emotion in it, and the best part was that not one time did I feel that a scene was forced or contrived.

Nor did any of the spiritual elements feel preachy or like the author struggled to write that piece into the novel. Everything flowed from characters who seemed like real people to me. In fact, reading this story was like slipping into another time and place. I could picture everything in my mind.

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

Tracey Bateman's Claire Knows Best ~ Reviewed

Claire Knows Best
By Tracey Bateman
Published by Warner Faith
ISBN: 0-466-69606-4



Claire Everett's life is finally on the tight track. She is connecting with her four ki9ds and getting along with her ex-husband and his pregnant wife. She's even attending church regularly. Now that she's dating Greg, the cute widower two doors down, her world should be in order. So how come life has suddenly become such a juggling act?

A tornado rips through her roof, forcing Claire and the kids to move. Greg suddenly decides on a new career, and Claire's not one bit happy with his choice. And adding confusion to the chaos: Van, the local contractor, begins paying Claire too much attention; her teenage daughter's rebellion is creating big challenges; and her writing career is cooling off instead of heating up. When panic attacks threaten to make her a prisoner in her own home, Claire finally breaks down and hires a life coach to help her sort it all out. But is a life coach truly the answer?

Can Claire finally let go and admit that it is God directing her steps, or will she try to create her own destiny and insist that CLAIRE KNOWS BEST?

I don't like present tense writing, and Claire Knows Best is written in present tense. Funny I didn't discover that until page 226 of this 288 page story. Bateman managed to suck me into Claire's world from the first line: "I have a bad habit of laughing at the wrong time." Yeah, don't we all? I had to read on … and on … and on. The plot is hilarious, and the characters are some of best I've read—flawed but striving for a foothold. Claire is at odds with everyone, except perhaps her youngest son. Little boys are a mother's blessing. I loved the way Claire held firm with her rebellious daughter, but her thoughts had me laughing out loud as a mother—I've had some of those same thoughts about my own kids.

Bateman reveals a very real woman dealing with life's problems. The plot is not predictable and has enough twists to satisfy any reader. Funny and tender, Claire Knows Best receives a high recommendation from this reviewer. Any writer who can make me forget I'm reading present tense is truly a master! Bravo, Tracey!

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

The Best of Evil ~ Eric Wilson

The Best of Evil
Eric Wilson
352 pages
WaterBrook Press
September, 2006
ISBN: 1578569117










Book Description:

“'Spare your soul,” he ranted, “and turn your eyes from greed.…”The tattoos on his arms still reading “Live by the Sword” and “Die by the Sword,” Aramis Black is ready for a fresh start. Determined to set aside his violent tendencies, he opens an espresso shop in Nashville and begins to put his childhood memories behind him. The past isn’t finished with him, though. One ordinary day at the shop, a man is shot before his eyes, speaking dying words to Aramis that are all too familiar.Aramis realizes that his path to freedom will demand forgiveness–forgiveness from God and forgiveness of others. Along the way, he must uncover the conspiracy behind a centuries-old mystery and the shocking truth of his mother’s death. The question remains: Will Aramis be able to conquer his past, or will evil get the best of him?"

Reviewed by Gina Holmes:

Aramis Black is a twenty-something coffee bar owner, trying to turn his life around until his world is turned upside down by a centuries old mystery.

This enigma that may hold clues to his mother's murder ... if only Aramis Black can get the best of evil, before evil gets the best of him.

Eric Wilson masterfully weaves together mysteries from past and present in this gutsy thriller. Wilson is an extraordinary wordsmith with one of the freshest voices in fiction today.

The Best of Evil is first-rate suspense!

Robin Lee Hatcher's Diamond Place ~ Reviewed

Diamond Place
By Robin Lee Hatcher
Published by Revell
ISBN 10: 0-8007-1856-9

Nobody loves baseball more than ten-year-old Lyssa Sampson. Nobody. For as long as she can remember, she's had only one dream: to be a pitcher at the Little League World Series. But Coach Mel Jenkins has other plans, and Lyssa sets her mind to a little innocent scheming to make her dream come true.

When Coach Jenkins appears to be interested in Lyssa's single mother, Terri, Lyssa sees an opportunity for a little matchmaking. Maybe her efforts will help her mother find happiness again—and give Lyssa a chance at her dream at the same time. But will Terri and Mel hit it off? Or will misunderstandings spoil Lyssa's plans?

The third book in the Hart's Crossing series, Diamond Place is warm and engaging. Part of the book is in ten-year-old Lyssa's point of view, and Hatcher finesses you right inside that kid's head, not to mention her heart. Her skill at transitioning from child to adult is smooth and totally believable. A story without a villain, yet enough conflict to make it a page-turner, I really enjoyed this little book and wished it were longer. I'm looking forward to the next in the series—that is after I go buy the first two, and read them.

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

Lori Copeland's Monday Morning Faith ~ Reviewed

Monday Morning Faith
By Lori Copeland
Published by Zondervan, September 2006
ISBN-10: 0-310-26349-2

The New Guinea jungle holds many allures, but not for librarian Johanna Holland. Johanna is simple aghast at the lack of hot showers and … well … clothing! She is positive the mission field is most certainly not God's plan for her life, but will that mean letting go of the man she loves?

I wasn't sure I'd like this book, but I was delightfully surprised. Johanna Holland is a forty-year-old spinster librarian, caring for her aging parents. When she meets widowed doctor Sam Littleton the unexpected happens. She falls in love. But Sam is called to foreign missions and Johanna is definitely not.

This story plays out with unexpected twists, but stays true to character. Johanna changes and grows in her faith, but I loved the ending Copeland wrote. It was absolutely perfect. Totally unexpected, but oh, so satisfying. I won't say more, but this is a must read.

Due out in September, get the kids back in school, curl up with a cup of fragrant tea and get lost in a wonderful read. Poignant, heart-warming and funny, Monday Morning Faith receives a high recommendation.

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

Elizabeth White's On Wings of Deliverance ~ Reviewed

On Wings of Deliverance
By Elizabeth White
Published by Steeple Hill
ISBN: 0373873603

"To make up for her sordid teen years, Bernadette Malone has spent her adult life in service to God. But her past has finally caught up with her: three young women—friends from her former life—had taken the truth about that past to their premature graves, and Bernadette was next on the hit list. Border patrol agent Owen Carmichael knew all about the dark side of life. And he couldn't turn down his friend when she came to him for help. Owen would protect Bernadette with his life. But her powerful enemy was prepared to kill again to prevent the revelation of his scandalous actions."

A delightful find, White’s romantic suspense novel hits the ground running and never slows up. Border patrol pilot Owen Carmichael is on the beach in Mexico, preparing his plane for return to the United States, when his missionary friend Benny (Bernadette) Malone suddenly appears, running for the plane and screaming that they have to take off immediately. Bewildered, Owen protests until he sees who is behind her; a man who is firing at them with a semi-automatic weapon. Now convinced, Owen jumps in and they take off, but not without the plane’s being damaged. They end up crashing not long afterward on a farm.

Owen and Benny are uninjured but now face the prospect of getting back to the United States without the gunman finding them and finishing the job. Even worse for Owen, he has no idea who he’s running from or why. Benny knows but doesn’t seem willing to share much information. She will only tell Owen that her present predicament is related to something that happened in her past. She is intent not just on escaping from the hit man, but on getting to Memphis to put things right.

Owen is a confident young man, sometimes bordering on cocky, and he’s sure he can get them back to the States safely. At times he even seems happy of the opportunity to prove himself to Benny by protecting her, since he has secretly been in love with her for some time. My one qualm with the book comes when Owen makes a call back to the States to his brother, who offers to fly down and pick them up. Owen turns down the offer and says he can handle the situation. I found it hard to believe anyone would drag himself and his beloved through a foreign country with a hit man hot on their heels when they could have been safely home in a few hours. But perhaps the author intended us to shake our heads at this point and realize that Owen, though loveable and strong, is in many ways young and innocent. Benny, on the other hand, lost her innocence at an early age and has been through things that Owen cannot imagine.

This tension between Owen’s love of Benny as the beautiful, pure missionary woman that he idolizes and Benny’s desire to suppress the truth about her shameful past is the heart of the story. The two characters are both believable and sympathetic in their struggles to come to terms with Benny’s past, defeat the evil man who once ruled her life, and find love. Even with such a serious theme, the book is full of humor and witty dialogue, sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. I highly recommend On Wings of Deliverance. Moreover, the book (though perfectly enjoyable on its own) is part of a Love Inspired Suspense series called The Texas Gatekeepers. This is the first of that line I have read, but I intend to read more of White's novels in this series.

Reviewed by Robin Johns Grant

Stephen Bly's Wish I'd Known You Tears Ago ~ Reviewed

Wish I’d Known You Tears Ago
By Stephen Bly
Published by Broadman and Holman
ISBN: 978-1-4000-7166-1

In this closing book of the Horse Dreams trilogy, restless Indiana schoolteacher Develyn Worrell has finally found her groove. Ready to savor summer’s end in a cozy Wyoming town from her childhood, she exhales for a time of peace and contentment. Then a sudden series of random troublesome events resets the pace.

Such chaos would be overwhelming to Devy, except for the steady friendship of Cooper Tallon. He may lack the charm and flash of other cowboys, but always seems to have just what her heart needs. And with her trust in the Lord still growing, she’s actually looking forward to whatever happens next.

Stephen Bly is author of a hundred books, mainly westerns, historical and contemporary, written from a Christian worldview. He writes with the philosophy, “Make the reader laugh and make them cry, and if the plot drags, shoot someone.”

He achieved his goal with me, though more on the side of laughter than tears. Time and again I laughed out loud, usually at some cowboy’s witticism. This book is very relational. It has mother/daughter issues, wonderful friendships and romance. Add in a bit of mystery, some personal struggles, cute western guys, and an ornery burro, and you’ve got one fun read.

I would recommend starting this series at the beginning with book one, Memories of a Dirt Road. Although I read and enjoyed Wish I’d Known You Tears Ago, without first reading its predecessors, I was confused about some of the story lines and how the characters connected.

Learn more about Stephen Bly and his books at http://www.blybooks.com/
Reviewed by: Janet Rubinhttp://janetswritingplanet.blogspot.com/

Randy Singer's The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney~Reviewed

The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney
By Randy Singer
Published by WaterBrook Press
ISBN 1400071666

Randy Singer has taken novels to a new level. In his clever way of weaving a courtroom suspense, he’s also intertwined this fiction novel with a sister non-fiction work. This ingenious way of sharing Christ through fiction yet enticing the reader to study the corresponding non-fiction novel makes reading the Cross Examination of Oliver Finney a true suspense.

In this novel, Judge Oliver Finney is selected for the newest craze of reality shows – one which pits religions against each other in an effort to prove one is correct. There’s only one real catch. Each participant must have a life threatening illness; twisted, yet habit forming for the reading.

Finney, dieing with lung cancer, has been chosen to defend Christianity against a Hindu, a Buddhist, a Muslim and a female scientist. The reality show, developed and financed by a billionaire who is dieing with a brain tumor, opens the book in the first chapter to set the pace, then the reader only assumes his presence lurking in the shadows for the remainder of the book.

Nikki Moreno, an aspiring law clerk studying to take her LSAT, serves with the Judge before he is chosen for the show. During their work together Judge Finney begins to teach her about a special code used by the writers in Biblical times. He introduces her to an apologetics book he’d written entitled The Cross Examination of Jesus Christ.

While on Paradise Island the Judge learns of a possible plot to possibility injure or kill one of the contestants. Knowing his internet activity is monitored every moment, he devises a code in conjunction with his out of print apologetics book. He hopes his young female co-worker will remember his friend, Wellington Farmington – computer geek math whiz, to help decipher his code in time to end the plot.

What happens next? The first letter is actually the last letter and groups of two or three represent simple words…guess you’ll have to decipher the code.

An excellent read which markets not only a fiction work, but also a unique non-fiction piece which actually does approach the true cross examination of Jesus. Interesting and clever, this is a book (or books) you’ll want to experience.

Reviewed by Cindy Sproles
Kingsport, Tennessee

James Byron Huggins' Sorcerer~Reviewed

Sorcerer
by James Byron Huggins
Publisher: Whitaker House
ISBN: 0883688182

All Michael Thorn, retired LA detective and former Special Forces operative, wants to do is live a quiet, normal life. He and his wife Rebecca have bought Montabular Hill, an old Victorian mansion situated on an isolated hillside that overlooks the village of Cedar Ridge, not far from Salem, Massachusetts. He looks forward to raising his two children, eleven year old Anthony and his eight year old sister, Malorie.

But as his SUV tops the last ridge after the nine day drive from Los Angeles, his warrior instincts begin to awaken, triggered by a storm that seems to appear out of nowhere and center over his new home. His sense of unease increases as he enters the silent house. The last family that lived here, died here, their murders still unsolved. Thorn isn't a superstitious man, but now he feels a fear he'd never had in combat. One that drives him to explore the deeper than usual basement of the old mansion.

A puff of air exhaled by an old wall compels him to stop. As his fingers trace the brittle rock, he detects indentations left by bullets that mar the upper stones. After his family is asleep, Thorn tears down the wall.

He discovers a corpse so old most of the skin is gone. Bones are shattered by bullets fired long ago. Unusual pictographs scratched on the wall rattle this seasoned war veteran when he realizes only the corpse could have made them, which means the man chained to the wall in his basement had been buried alive.

Thorn leaves the body to call the sheriff. When he returns with the local law enforcement, the body is gone. The only clue is a line of skeletal footprints that lead out of the basement.

An ancient power is free again with a need to feed upon the living to regain its former strength. As death and chaos descend upon the quiet New England hamlet, Thorn, a Catholic priest, an old professor and a mysterious group known as the Assassini battle to destroy the evil that once fought Moses. Defeated once, the ancient sorcerer known as Jannes will do whatever is required to ensure his victory.

Slowed down a bit at times by explanations of Special Forces procedures/training, Sorcerer is still a fast-paced, supernatural thriller that leaves the reader in suspense until the very end. Highly recommended.

Diann Hunt's RV There Yet? ~ Reviewed

RV There Yet?
By Diann Hunt
Published by WestBow
ISBN 1-5955-4142-X

Life's a journey. Midlife's an adventure. But two weeks in a RV with the hot-flash sisters could drive anyone over the hill.

DeDe signed on for this cross-country RV trip selflessly, for Millie and Lydia's sakes. Besides, she needed to get her mind off a love gone wrong and a demanding gourmet chocolates business. And it's for a good cause—sprucing up the old summer camp in Colorado to save it from closing. It will be a fun, memorable last hurrah before she turns fifty. Right?

But DeDe's more of a luxury hotel kind of girl. She likes mints on plumped pillows and room service. Bunking with friends in a motor home the size of a phone booth is not her style. And with the mysterious biker gang and a stalking boyfriend, the RV seems to be shrinking.

Still, with friends, a bountiful supply of truffles, and a boy from her past who has aged very well, this trip might be the best vacation ever!

A hilarious story that celebrates the life in midlife—even the occasional moose and mosquitoes—and the surprising grace of God.

Thelma and Louise move over! Hilarious doesn't begin to describe this Baby-Boomer's rollicking road adventure. I laughed out loud so much my husband made me read it in the other room. Every one of the zany situations they got into gave me a sense of déjà vu. I have to say, I really connected with DeDe—especially when it comes to Millie's trumpet. But the highlight for me was when DeDe decided to drive the RV—and landed … well, you'll just have to read it for yourself.

With a great storyline, terrific characters—each one different in personality, and a writing style that left me breathless, Diann Hunt has a hit on her hands. This will sit at the top of my 2006 list of most recommended books.

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

The Soul Hunter ~ Melanie Wells

The Soul Hunter
Melanie Wells
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Multnomah
May, 2006
ISBN: 1590524276











Book Description

"Peter Terry Returns A knock at her door. A bloody axe. A murder weapon in her own living room. The elusive white man with the slash on his back is out hunting again, chasing souls. Peter Terry is haunting minds, invading dreams, and wrecking lives. As Dylan Foster searches for answers, she stumbles upon a dark cult of angel worship. Harking back to the days of Noah, it's now blinding and intoxicating young people, leading them to their deaths. In this battle for souls, everything's up for grabs, leaving Dylan grasping for strength as the battle rages around her. When at last she discovers the truth, it is far from the truth she expected."


Reviewed by Gina Holmes


Although there is a super-creepy villain on the cover of The Soul Hunter, demonic Peter Terry doesn't make much of a show, making this novel have more of a super snarky chick-lit mystery feel rather than horror. In my opinion, what really makes this book stand out is the true to life heroine: A sassy thirty something, single, academic who always finds herself in the middle of one mess or another.

For mystery lovers, you'll be pleased by the twists Melanie throws at you. The writing is superb and the plot satisfying and unpredictable.

Melanie Wells is an excellent storyteller. Her writing is hip, sassy, relevant and highly entertaining.

The Last Ten Percent
by Michelle McKinney Hammond
Published by Harvest House
ISBN: 0736914803

Relationship expert McKinney Hammond's debut novel takes a witty look at imbalances within the dating world! Tracy hears a news report that confirms her worst suspicions---society is woefully short of eligible single men. But together with her intelligent, successful girlfriends, she decides this "man shortage" won't ruin her life---and discovers that faith is the key to lasting fulfillment.

Now this is some soul-stirring fiction. Spiritual truth brought out by the perils experience by five gorgeous women who all struggle with the same thing...the meaning of true love. As each women suffers through their individual trials, they learn to trust each other, and more importantly, they find God in the midst of their pain. Though I think the author had one too many characters' points of view, overall the story was fabulous.

I felt their pain, longed for healing in their futures, and grew with them in my heart. Ms. Hammond has a gift for conveying the true struggles most women have in regards to matters of the heart. She does it in such a smooth way that you feel like you learned something, yet it was so seamlessly woven into the story itself, that it's not obvious. I loved the 'sistah' teasing and the cultural snap she brought out in their relationships.

Of all the chick lit I've read this past year, this one really pulls you in. I want to read a sequel because I feel like these ladies are my friends. I want to see them get married and grow with them some more. I didn't want the story to end, yet the conclusion was truly satisfying and didn't leave me hanging.

Though far from perfect, each woman in this story developed true inward beauty, and for that, I feel blessed to have been a part of their spiritual journey. This is not a sappy, preachy attempt to convey Christian themes to the reader. The Last Ten Percent deals with the humiliating, ugly things in life and brings the reader to the point where they want to see these ladies find love in Christ alone. I can't say enough great things about this story.
It's a must read in my book! Check it out!


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

Allison Pittman's Ten Thousand Charms~Reviewed

Ten Thousand Charms
By Allison Pittman
Published by Multnomah
ISBN 1-59052-575-2

Wyoming Territories, 1860.

Gloria is in trouble. A mining camp is a merciless place when you're young, pregnant … and a prostitute. No matter. Life will not defeat her.

John William MacGregan is in despair. His beloved wide died in childbirth. And while John is a resourceful man, raising an infant daughter on his own seems impossible.

Thrown together by a seemingly cruel fate, Gloria and John Williams make a pact: She will nurse his daughter; he will raise her son. Neither asks for marriage. They are joined by necessity, noting more. But after a move to the new Oregon Territory, facing John William's faith day after day, and receiving an older woman's motherly mentoring, Gloria longs for something more. For the love she's been denied all her life. If only that life hadn't made her unfit, not only for John William … but for God.

Then tragedy strikes—making even the resolute John William question his faith. Terrified, Gloria turns to the One she has never been able to trust. But can even God save what now means more to Gloria than life itself: her newfound family?

Although compared to Francine Rivers' Redeeming Love, Allison Pittman's Ten Thousand Charms stands on its own merit. It is a different story. Instead of Hosea and Gomer, it's loosely the story of David and Bathsheba.

Pittman's characters are well written and multi-faceted. While I felt one of the conflicts introduced wasn't fully developed, there was enough thrown at Gloria to make the read satisfying. I liked the way Pittman ended the book, leaving the reader to imagine the rest. Pittman has delivered a beautiful picture of how God takes the worst of humanity and washes us clean. A murderer and a prostitute—neither one able to outrun God's amazing grace and love.

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

Stacy Hawkins Adams' Nothing but the Right Thing~Reviewed

Nothing but the Right Thing
By: Stacy Hawkins Adams
Published by: Revell
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3097-0

Life seems sweet for Serena McDaniels. She has a handsome husband, a beautiful home, and a job she loves.

But there are two things she can’t get out of her mind—the children she craves and a best friend trapped in an abusive marriage. With two miscarriages already, Serena’s not sure her dream of motherhood will ever come true. She can’t help her friend, Erika, leave Elliot behind without jeopardizing her own safety. And she watches helplessly as her husband, Micah, struggles for answers to a personal dilemma.

Can Serena trust God to lead her life and the lives of her loved ones—no matter what?

Stacy Hawkins Adams addresses the hard-core non-fiction of real life in her fictional novel, Nothing but the Right Thing. Her real character’s struggle with real problems demonstrates the need we all have for God’s guidance through the junk life so often presents.

As a pastor’s wife, I easily related to Serena and Micah. I praise God we’ve never been voted out of a church, but we know pastors who have. Standing in obedience to God can get tough, but those who do are blessed by Him. Micah shows us that humility and integrity are honorable if not always popular. His wife, Serena, refuses to put on airs and recognizes her own spiritual shortcomings. Like Micah, her heart is for God, and she obeys even when her greatest desire becomes her greatest sacrifice.

Serena’s best friend, Erika, discovers that God loves her enough to pick up the pieces of her broken life and put them back together in such a way that the end result is a life filled with creativity and joy.

Nothing but the Right Thing inspires faith, hope and a renewed passion for God’s calling.

Reviewed by Terri Thompson

Dean Koontz ~ The Husband

The Husband
Dean Koontz
Hardcover: 416 pages
Bantam (May 30, 2006)
ISBN: 0553804790








Reviewed by: Eric Wilson

Koontz is a master craftsman, mixing rapid-fire pacing with social commentary. In "The Husband," he builds another solid foundation, using: a wife in the hands of deranged men, a man pushed to his limits for love, and a family's twisted history.

The story is satisfying on a number of levels. It delivers suspense, humor, insight, and moral challenges to readers. I raced through 300-plus pages in a day and a half, thoroughly engrossed in this struggle for love and survival. To what lengths would I go for my wife's safety?

Along the way, Koontz raises questions about sociopaths, child-rearing, and the presence of evil in a materialistic world. In the somewhat predictable climax, however, I experienced little emotional reaction to a story so rooted in the depths of the heart. Is love all about emotion? Is it merely a feeling? Or is it, as "The Husband" discovers, a commitment to a relationship which requires every resource of our physical, emotional, and spiritual strength?

Perhaps this is Koontz's point, in the lack of emotion. Perhaps he wants us to think about the costs of love, instead of about its rewards. If so, his point is well made; the story is well worth reading--and yet, I still wish there'd been just a portion of deep feeling.

Allison Bottke's A Stitch in Time~Reviewed

A Stitch in Time
By Allison Bottke
Published by Bethany House
ISBN 0-7642-0057-7











Dee is out to prove that a middle-aged Christian woman can be Faithful, fashionable and fabulous. In the course of one year, Dee Decker has ad gastric bypass surgery and loses 150 pounds, separates from her husband, buys a whole new wardrobe, flourishes in her glamorous fundraiser job, and becomes a Christian. She's a new person inside and out, and her future looks bright. But then a job offer sends her life in a direction she hadn't expected. Her past and present are about to collide in a major way … and Dee didn't bring the right shoes!

I loved this book from page 1 to page 364. Bottke's characters are fun, dynamic and quirky, and you see them through Dee's eyes—warts and all. I didn't like Lyle Decker one bit. That's where Bottke displays her talent as a writer. This is an inspirational novel, right? We're supposed to want what God wants and that's for marriages to be healed. Well I didn't want that. The guy was a louse and I wanted Dee to ditch him. Bottke kept me so inside Dee's head, I felt like Dee, oblivious to her/my own faults. Everything she/I did was right.

And when the past collides with the present, Dee and I were both in for some eye-opening experiences. I won't give away the ending, but I can tell you A Stitch in Time receives a definite high recommendation from me. Bravo, Allison—give us more!

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

Donita K. Paul's DragonKnight~Reviewed

DragonKnight
By Donita K. Paul
Published by Water Brook
ISBN 1-4000-7250-6

Before vowing his allegiance to Wulder as a knight, Bardon heads to the mountains for solitude. His life is suddenly complicated by a woman and her granddaughter, N'Rae, on a mission to rescue the woman's son trapped in a chamber of sleep. Bardon learns that more of Paladin's knights are imprisoned--and suspects one of them is Dragon Keeper Kale's missing father.

Charming characters in a colorful make-believe world full of beauty and danger. This is a story of classic good against evil with wonderful spiritual truths layered throughout and enough twists to keep the reader engaged from first page to last. Join Bardon on his journey to self-discovery. Donita pens a novel with the prose of a master wordsmith. If your children and teens love Narnia, they will find this series equally delightful,

Reviewed by S. Dionne Moore
http://www.sdionnemoore.com/

Kathleen Morgan's Wings of Morning~Reviewed

Wings of Morning
By Kathleen Morgan
Published by Revell
ISBN 0-8007-5964-8
Book two of These Highland Hills



Can a forbidden love survive betrayal and suspicion in the Scottish highlands?

Orphan heiress and Scotswoman Regan MacLaren is a bride of only one day when her husband is murdered. Left alone to thwart the revenge her family seeks on her husband’s assassin, Regan suffers a terrible fall and loses her memory—and with it her place in the world.

Meanwhile, laird and warrior Iain Campbell is waiting for the love he knows God will bring him. But a woman near death and without a memory isn’t quite what he expected.

And so begin enormous challenges for Regan and Iain to overcome the unholy ambitions of others while love takes them by surprise.

Author Kathleen Morgan leads the reader on a kilt wrinkling adventure while all the while weaving in Biblical principles of trust and forgiveness. Be prepared to not only enjoy the fast-paced action, but also to do a fair amount of introspection on the state of your own willingness to forgive.

The character of Iain Campbell captured my allegiance from the start. His integrity and compassion, not to mention good looks, are what attracted me most. I must admit to some frustration with Regan and her ongoing mistrust and suspicions of Iain’s motives and behavior.
A fair amount of Scottish culture and history is painlessly inflicted in this enjoyable read—everything from marriage customs of the sixteenth century to weaponry. It also shows how easily the tension between clans combined with man’s inherent greed for power can flare into family feuds.

Overall, Wings of Morning is an enjoyable escape to another place and time and would be a great addition to anyone’s summer reading list.

Reviewed by Michelle Griep

Ginny Aiken's Decorating Schemes~Reviewed

Decorating Schemes
By Ginny Aiken
Published by Revell
ISBN 0-8007-3045-3

Haley Farrell is getting her life under control. She's got a great design business, a successful auction house, and loving friends and family. But finding a dead girl on the patio is not a good way to start a decorating job--especially when your general contractor is the main suspect. And the body is only the beginning . . .

Ginny has spun a fun tale around a core of solid truth and does a wonderful job bringing the story to a satisfactory and surprising conclusion. For fans of the character Haley Farrell, this will be a delightful addition to the series. For someone introducing themselves to Ginny Aiken's stories with this book, you may be a little confused and find Haley's personality a bit over the top. Haley's struggle felt real enough, though for someone so concerned about finding the baby, it seemed to take forever for us to get to the actual search. Other than that small problem, the story is an enjoyable read and well written.

Reviewed by Sandra Moore

Susan May Warren's Everything's Coming Up Josey~Reviewed

Everything’s Coming Up Josey
by Susan May Warren
Published by Steeple Hill
ISBN 0-373-78561-5



If you like chick lit, you will love Susan’s latest book. I was laughing out loud at Josey’s misadventures as a first-year missionary. In fact, I think the chick lit format is appropriate for the subject matter, since, by it’s very nature, a missionary’s first year in a foreign country is such that if you don’t laugh at it, you just might spend the year crying. Believe me, I know. I spent a year in Ukraine.

Josey is a 24-year-old ready to jump at the chance to escape her life. Her sister/best friend just married Josey’s ex-boyfriend, Josey has a dead-end, non-glamorous job at the local newspaper, and her best bud from grade school, middle and high school has a fiancé that looks like she spends five days a week in the gym. Yes, Josey needs a change—a big one.

But everyone is shocked when she announces she’s going to Moscow to teach English. Even Josey can hardly believe it, but she discovers a lot about herself—and God—before she even leaves the States. Once in Russia, her complicated, three-ring circus of a love life, and her animal-print, tight mini-skirted roommate, all lead her to her knees praying for God’s direction.

This is a must read for chick lit lovers. Don’t miss it! I highly recommend it, especially if you ever wondered what it’s like to be a missionary.

Reviewed by Melanie Dickerson
http://www.melaniewrites.blogspot.com/

Kim Vogel Sawyer's Waiting For Summer's Return~Reviewed

Waiting For Summer's Return
By Kim Vogel Sawyer
Published by Bethany House
ISBN 0-7642-0182-4

All alone on the Kansas prairie, Summer Steadman has few options. With her husband and children lost to illness, she has no desire to continue on farther west to where she and her husband planned to build their future. Instead, she seeks employment in a small Mennonite community in order to be near the graves of her family.

Widower Peter Ollenburger, the local gristmill owner, needs someone to teach his young son. When he hears of a "learned woman" in town, he believes she is the answer to his prayers. He soon discovers, however, that helping this outsider may have troublesome consequences.

From the first page to the last, Sawyer's ability as a word weaver captured me and immersed me in the world she creates. With an obvious gift for story-telling, none of her characters are stereotype or predictable. The grossmutter's slow acceptance of Summer rang true with none of the expected shenanigans. The boy, Thomas, watched his new teacher with a child's curiosity and the wary prejudice of the sect's teachings about outsiders. Sawyer portrays him with insight, making him come alive.

The Mennonites within the community who don't want Summer in their midst are not over-written, but presented with an honesty that displays their tribulations and traditions. I found the evolution of Summer's faith to be guileless, without preaching or manipulation. I applaud Sawyer for not detailing the conversion of Summer's mother-in-law which in this reviewer's humble opinion, kept it from being too tidy a package.

We've all heard the words before, but in this case they're true. The character's literally lodge themselves in the reader's heart. Tender and poignant, this book receives a high recommendation.

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

Kristin Billerbeck's A Girl's Best Friend~Reviewed

A Girl’s Best Friend
By Kristin Billerbeck
ISBN 1591453291
Integrity Publishers

Morgan Malliard is a beautiful socialite, the daughter of a rich jeweler. Credit cards, shopping sprees and designer shoes are her world. She has everything a girl could want, or so it seems on the outside. Her love life is falling apart, and the entire city of San Francisco can read all about it in the newspaper. Not even new shoes will help this humiliated and heart broken girl.

Lilly and Poppy, her best friends, are there to help pick up the pieces. They challenge Morgan to look closely at her life and try to live without her father’s money or credit line for awhile. Lilly and Poppy see something that Morgan doesn’t – an unhealthy father/daughter relationship.

Morgan, desiring to understand her poor choices in men, accepts the challenge. She leaves her father’s mansion, the credit cards, the clothes and shoes (most of them, anyway). It’s only a few hours before she realizes how much she has relied on her looks and her father’s money for acceptance. Her identity has been wrapped up in material and superficial things and suddenly she has no idea who she really is and what she has to offer the world. If she isn’t wearing high-end fashion, does she have any value?

With the help of her friends and God’s tenderness, Morgan begins to see her life differently. She begins to see the truth. Broken and vulnerable, this socialite learns lessons about honesty, forgiveness, and God’s faithfulness.

As I read the last page, my heart filled with gratitude to God for the goodness He has bestowed upon my own life. I loved this book.

Reviewed by Dawn Burns

Sarah Anne Sumpolec's The Encore~Reviewed

Becoming Beka~The Encore
by Sarah Anne Sumpolec
Published by Moody Publishers
ISBN 0-8024-6458-0

Life is never easy, or simple.

Beka's senior year is in full swing when she finds herself at the center of a controversy that threatens to get a popular teacher fired. Of course, Mai is probably behind it all. She's still determined to make Beka's life miserable.

But Beka has bigger problems then Mai. Her sister is acting aloof. Her dad seems really worried about something at work. Gabby is going to be her stepmom. And Beka is still thinking about Josh. He's away at college, but says he wants to get to know her better. What does that really mean?

Thank goodness for Mark. He always seems to be around with a shoulder to cry on. Then again, he's also always leaning in for a kiss. Could se really have a future with him? And what does the future hold anyway? College seems likely until a whirlwind trip to L.A. opens the door to a whole new world of opportunity in the music industry.

Nothing is easy or simple in Beka's world. But one thing's for sure. As she tries to pick out melodies on her guitar & in her life--she also wants to keep her ears open to what God has to say.

This book had a great Godly message, and really kept you on your toes. It's perfect for the teen age group and I would recommend it to my friends. It had a slow start but it picked up with the action soon after. The characters were all well-written and thought out; the plot was very well planned. I really liked it & it's intense, but enjoyable. Everything flowed perfectly and tied to a good end, making you ready for another book.

Reviewed by Hilary St. Laurent

Hope Lyda's Altar Call~Reviewed

Altar Call
by Hope Lyda
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
ISBN: 0736915907

Life's fantastic for Mari Hamilton, including a job she loves and the "perfect beau." She's even thrilled to be an attentive bridesmaid for her friend Sadie, who's planning the wedding of the year! But as Sadie nears the altar, her once-logical single friends struggle with irrational emotions, and Mari ponders her own path. Is it finding Mr. Right---or faith to do the right thing?

This is my first title by the author Hope Lyda. She also wrote Hip to Be Square. (I haven't read it, but I've heard it's a great story. It certainly has a snappy sounding title.) Altar Call is the sequel, but can be read as a stand-alone.

Mari is an honest heroine with a quirky love for food, especially if it's fattening. She's basically a nice girl with an assortment of odd, but classy friends. She thinks she's found love in her current man but over the course of the story, discovers that sometimes what you think you want doesn't fly with what you have. Sometimes what you need is what you want; you just don't always see it at first. Even her parents and friends misread her relationship.

I'm still a tad skeptical of her fiance. He seemed awfully chummy with his female cohort who worked with him on this "important" project that all but consumed him. Once she opened her heart to God's choice for her, she saw what He wanted for her life, and as in any true romance, she then goes running to catch the train before it whisks her true love away forever.

My only issue with the story was the dialogue. It didn't always flow naturally in that people rarely used contractions in speech. Most people speak using contractions often. Otherwise it was a truly delightful read. I enjoyed getting to know Mari and her friends and I hope Ms. Lyda continues on with a third book. By the way the story ended, I can definitely see possibilities for a sequel. If you love engaging chick lit with quirky characters, you'll want to read this one. :)

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