Diana Wallis Taylor's Journey to the Well ~ Reviewed

Journey to the Well
By Diana Wallis Taylor
Published by Revell
ISBN# 978-0-8007-3309-4
329 Pages

Back Cover:

Marah is a young girl in love with her childhood friend, Jesse. When she is forced to marry an older man, she must abandon her dreams of happiness. At the mercy of men who are often only interested in using her, Marah must fight for survival. Will she ever meet a man who can save her?

The story of the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well is one of hope, redemption and a life changed in an instant through a remarkable encounter. Jesus told her “everything she’d ever done,” but we are left to wonder at the circumstances that led her life on such a tragic path to begin with. Now from the creative mind of Diana Wallis Taylor, comes the full story of the woman at the well.

REVIEW:

This book was 25 years in the making. The author paints an amazing story which will take you back in time - a time when Jesus lived. I have to admit I had always thought of the 'woman at the well' to be a woman of poor moral character. Diana describes a tale of a faithful woman, a woman after God’s own heart, who is thrust into circumstances beyond her control. How quickly people judge someone without knowing all the facts...but once all the facts are known, and they can’t pin it to one bad choice that brought about all the bad luck. People start to speculate things or imagine stuff. You can’t win - especially back then. There is no redemption except through Jesus. Forgiveness, love, compassion...those are just a few things Marah finds at Jacob’s well that day.

The author not only tells the tale of Marah and how women were treated back then, but she also tells of other characters that could have or did intersect with her life. Some of the people discussed at length were Reba, Zibeon, Shimei, Jessie, Hamon, Ahmal and Jesus. To me, a good book brings the bible to life in a very creative way. I love that it caused me to turn to scripture and see what else I can glean from its pages. Diana Wallis Taylor walks you through Jesus' time customs and the many people he met and healed along the way. After reading "Journey to the Well", scripture will come alive for you and you’ll find yourself (like I did) digging though its pages and coming to your own conclusions of what could have happened back then.

Reviewed by: Nora St.Laurent – Book Club Servant Leader

Jill Eileen's Smith's Michal ~ Reviewed

Michal: A Novel (The Wives of King David)
by Jill Eileen Smith
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Revell (March 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800733207

From the Back Cover:

Can their epic search for true love survive a father's fury?

The daughter of King Saul, Michal lives a life of privilege--but one that is haunted by her father's unpredictable moods and competition from her beautiful older sister.

As a girl, Michal quickly falls for the handsome young harpist David. But soon after their romance begins, David must flee for his life, leaving Michal at her father's mercy in the prison that is King Saul's palace.

Will Michal ever be reunited with David? Or is she doomed to remain separated from him forever?

Against the backdrop of opulent palace life, raging war, and daring desert escapes, Jill Eileen Smith takes you on an emotional journey as Michal deals with love, loss, and personal transformation as the first wife of King David.

Read the first chapter, here.

Review:

Epic story lovers and those intrigued by the tumultuous life of King David of Jerusalem are very likely chomping at the bit to get their hands on a copy of Michal. Almost as fascinating as the epic story told ably within 374 concise pages is the story behind the book. Jill Eileen Smith birthed the story idea in 1989 and has patiently waited for God's timing for publication.

This novel isn't exclusively in Michal's point of view but much of it is. Readers get a glimpse into Jonathan's, David's and even Paltiel's (Michal's second husband) thoughts, actions and drives. Smith obviously did her Biblical homework and follows the account, adding personality and color to the events as they may have unfolded.

Her language choice is fully modern so if you love historicals or Biblical fiction but struggle with difficult language and vocabulary you won't have any issues here. On the flip side, that does take away a bit from the feeling of authenticity so take note if you want your ancients to speak like ancients. So many characters and so many spans of time over the two and a half decade period makes deeply fleshed out characters limited in number.

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer

Chuck Black's Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court ~ Reviewed

Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court
By Chuck Black
Multnomah Books
ISBN 978-1-60142-125-8

Sir Bentley, an honorable young knight, abandons his calling in order to seek the truth of the Prince. Choosing to live as the Prince did, he forsakes his former lifestyle and wealth to live as a pauper.

His travels take him to Holbrook, where the townsfolk live in poverty, paying high taxes to support the lavish lifestyle of Lord Kingsley and his court. But something even darker is lurking in the shadows of the beautiful castle.

Bentley Soon befriends Eirwyn, a mysterious but compassionate young woman who often distributes food among the poor. When Eirwyn is kidnapped by a ruthless tribe to serve as a sacrifice, Bentley battles a vicious mountain creature to save her life. But when he discovers who is really behind Holbrook’s downfall, he is faced with an even bigger challenge—battling the Dark Knight’s most evil commander and his shadow warriors as they attack the castle.

Will greed destroy the kingdom the way it destroyed Lord Kingsley? Or can Sir Bentley and Eirwyn work together to restore order and Prosperity to the kingdom through the compassion and grace of the Prince.

Journey to Arrethtrae, where knights of noble heart live and die in loyal service to the King and the Prince.

These knights are mighty, for they serve a mighty King. They are…..the Knights of Arrethtrae.

Review: Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court is a fantastic journey into the world of a knight of the Prince. Sir Bentley and his friends represent the many people in the world who fight and die for Christ. This story captures the reader, and he can't put it down! I've read books that have captured me, but rarely to this extent. This book is amazing! I highly recommend it. Review by Reid, Age 12

DiAnn Mills' Breach of Trust ~ Reviewed

Breach of Trust
By DiAnn Mills
Published by Tyndale
ISBN#978-1-4143-2047-2
Pages 381

Back Cover: Paige Rogers is a former CIA agent who lost all she treasured seven years ago when her entire team was killed in a covert mission. She blames their leader – Daniel Keary – whom Paige believes betrayed them. Disillusioned and afraid for her life, she disappears and starts a new life as a small-town librarian.

But when Keary announces his candidacy for governor of her state, he comes after Paige to ensure that she won’t ruin his bid for office. He threatens everything she holds dear, and Paige must choose between the life of hiding that has become her refuge…or risking everything in one last, desperate attempt to right old wrongs.

Read the first chapter -- HERE.

REVIEW:

Paige Rogers reminds me of Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter, trying to keep his real identity secret. He has super powers that can’t be revealed to the public. He only uses his powers to help people he cares about and/or to save them from danger.

I like DiAnn’s spin on Paige, mild-mannered librarian, “Is she faster than a speeding bullet? Prettier than any belle of the South? It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s Super Librarian!” The author does have some really funny lines mixed in with all the action, suspense and drama.

Paige Rogers has seen more action than someone would see in a couple of life times. All is well until Keary starts turning up the heat near the end of his run for governor. She’s done her part and she wants Keary to hold to his end of the agreement they made in Africa. The price was high and she lost everything; there was nothing more to give him.

Paige struggles with her double life and holds off using her super-training until peoples lives are at stake - especially her own. I love Paige’s sense of humor as she turns down a motorcycle ride from Miles because he thinks she is a shy, quiet librarian. She's playing the part when she says to Miles, ”…I have a theory that people have only so much luck in life, and I’ve already stretched mine to the limit. Keep your Harley. I’ll stick with my sensible economic car. And seat belts.”

DiAnn writes a very exciting, surprising story about politics, the CIA and corruption. Readers beware!!! Once you pick up this book you won’t stop until the end...

Review by: Nora St.Laurent – Book Club Servant Leader

Jon Nappa's Storm Warriors ~ Reviewed

Storm Warriors
By Jon Nappa
Published by NavPress
ISBN# 978-1-60006-172-1
Pages 280

Back Cover:

Somewhere off the coast of England, Lionel Lunkin and his family fight for their lives. Caught in the cross hairs of a violent storm, their small ship is quickly slipping beneath the crashing waves. Lionel is miraculously washed to shore, only to discover that his wife and son are lost at sea.

Broken and alone, Lionel determines to help others avoid the same tragic fate. Now he will overcome tremendous odds to save countless lives and change the world forever.

Discover the incredible story of Lionel Lunkin, the inventor of the English lifeboat. Inspired by real-life rescues that took place in the nineteenth century, "Storm Warriors" shares a compelling story of personal tragedy to heroic triumph, and the inspirational legacy of one man who dared to make a difference.

Review:

I was submerged into raging storms and thrust onto ships battling Mother Nature herself from the very first page. I was swept up into this astonishing story that went from personal tragedy to God's victory in Lionel Lunkin’s life.

This riveting story shows how the enemy wanted to destroy Lionel life but God helped him overcome many horrendous circumstances. His passion to save others from shipwrecks brought a community together in the most unlikely way. I love how Lionel talks to himself and says, “Now he wondered if it was an idea that had existed long before he had ever thought of it. Had he found it, or had it found him?”

Lionel is definitely a 'Rocky Balboa' type of guy - fighting for something he believes in with his whole heart. The scripture about laying your life down for another becomes real to Lionel as he embarks on this new lot in life.

While reading this book, I experienced the ocean and storms like I have never done before. Jon Nappa has a way of putting you in the middle of the action. He has one of his characters say this about the ocean, “…We didn’t kill your family. The sea rules the coast. The sea decides who lives and who dies. It’s the way of things…” Because Jon’s story was based on real life events I couldn’t stop thinking about the characters and circumstances long after reading the very last page. Jon’s story will change the way you look at lifeboats and life situations forever.

Reviewed by: Nora St.Laurent – Book Club Servant Leader

Robert Elmer's The Owling ~ Reviewed

The Owling
By Robert Elmer
Zondervan books
ISBN: 987-0-310-71422-4

Those who live in lush comfort on the bright side of the small planet Corista have plundered the water resources of Shadowside for centuries, ignoring the existence of Shadowside’s inhabitants, who are nothing more than animals. Or so the Brightsiders have been taught.

It will take a special young woman to expose the truth—and to help avert the war that is sure to follow.

In book two, the world becomes even more confusing for fifteen-year-old Oriannon when her former music mentor, Jesmet, miraculously returns from the dead and promises his followers a special power called the Numa. But his is not the only offer of hope. Sola, Corista’s charismatic head of Security, proposes the Ultimate Solution for peace, and she recruits Oriannon to help her carry out her plan. But Oriannon’s closest friends are skeptical and try to convince her that the plan involves evil acts against the Owlings.

Will Oriannon embrace Sola’s solution as the answer to the world’s dilemma? Or will she believe the promise of a mysterious holy man?

Review:

The Owling is an eye-opening extension to the Shadowside trilogy. It is a book about what might have happened if Jesus had come to a different planet. It includes similar occurrences to the ones in the Bible. This book draws you so far in you don't even realize that you finished the chapter. You just go right on reading in desperation to find out what happens next.

Review by Reid, Age 12

Lisa Samson's The Passion of Mary-Margaret ~ Reviewed

The Passion of Mary-Margaret (Paperback)
by Lisa Samson
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 10, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595542116

Product Description:


Mary-Margaret yearned to dedicate her life to the Lord. Jesus had another idea.

When Mary-Margaret Fischer met Jude Keller, the lighthouse keeper's son, she was studying at a convent school on a small island off Chesapeake Bay. Destined for a life as a religious sister, she nevertheless felt a pull toward Jude--gorgeous, rebellious, promiscuous Jude. But Jude, driven by demons no one really understood, disappeared into Baltimore's seamy red-light district. Mary-Margaret moved on with her life, preparing to serve God with her sisters as a teacher and artist.

Then Jude comes home--but now he's bitter, dissolute, and diseased. And Mary-Margaret receives a divine call that shakes her to the core, a call to give up her dreams for the troubled man who befriended her so long ago. For Jesus' sake, can she forsake the only life she ever wanted for a love that could literally cost her life?


Read the first chapter here.

Review:


Lisa Samson can write. Not only was I transported by the skill and beauty with which Samson told this story, I was sucked into this memoir of a religious sister as she shared her life journey and the threads of faith and God's sovereignty within that life.

Mary-Margaret was born into a calling. She always knew what and who she needed to be. Her family depended upon her following in the footsteps and completion of the call her mother was unable to fulfill.

Jude, the son of the lightkeeper, became a friend. One who both horrified and amused Mary-Margaret. A young man she didn't need but enjoyed having around.

Circumstances and life surged forward. And a difficult thing is asked of Mary-Margaret, a difficult thing asked by Jesus, Himself, of Mary-Margaret. A seven decade narration wending through past, present and future by a woman who chose to follow Christ whatever the cost compels and horrifies and bleeds with love and compassion. Samson weaves a tapestry that is full of ugly details into something worthy of heaven.

This is a challenging book of fiction that contains massive amounts of truth. Some shouldn't read it. The truth is sometimes painful, raw, ugly and often not polite Sunday School conversation material. Samson delves into Catholicism and the Holy Spirit. Not a traditional Christian novel in any way. Some of the topics are rough: racism, violence, AIDS, sexuality and the acceptance of those who believe yet behave differently than what you may believe to be right. If you are concerned about content, read more reviews and tread with caution. However, if you hunger for great storytelling, literary writing, edgy or raw fiction that points at the lavish grace of the gospel message, then please look further into The Passion of Mary-Margaret. It's that good.

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer

Amy Deardon's A Lever Long Enough ~ Reviewed

A Lever Long Enough
by Amy Deardon
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Taegais Publishing, LLC (January 12, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0981899722


Product Description:

In the near future, the Israeli military has developed a prototypic time machine. When believers in Yeshua (Jesus) create a politically explosive situation that threatens the balance of peace between Israel and nearby countries, the Israelis must send a team of four elite soldiers back to film the theft of Jesusʼ body from the tomb and thus disprove Christianity. The team, consisting of a Special Forces soldier as leader, an ex-American astronaut as engineering specialist, an archaeologist, and a linguist, has exactly seventy-two hours to collect the video evidence. Drawn into a web of first century deception and death, the only way to escape is for the team to change the past. In the present, a traitor attempts to sabotage the mission and seize control of the military complex. The Special Forces leader operating in the past is the only one who can reveal him, but he is trapped two thousand years away. Even with a time machine, time is running out...

Review:

Amy Deardon has bitten off a whole lot of story substance in A Lever Long Enough... biblical and historical fiction, speculative fiction, time travel, suspense and a bit of a love story. I'm impressed with the homework she invested in this involved novel to meld all of the above into a flowing story that spans centuries, political realms and spiritual attitudes.

Intense action takes place on a closed military base in pre-apocalyptic treaty, modern Israel while simultaneously a team of agnostics slip through the fabric of time to film the theft of Jesus Christ's body. The time travelers land late and end up fighting for their lives, and to keep from changing the future, unaware of the damage unfolding back home.

Though I'm not a big sci-fi fan and tend to skip over details involving machines, I enjoyed the story. Those who toy with the truth or untruth of the death, resurrection and life of Jesus Christ may find this novel intriguing. Those who don't want to feel preached at in their fiction choices could be offended at the minimal pages that go there. The writing is solid and nuts and bolts rather than beautiful and poetic and the main characters are fleshed out well enough. I did have to suspend disbelief a time or two especially regarding a member of the team who ended up being unstable enough that she shouldn't have been on the mission in the first place. Those who want a happy and clear ending may feel a bit frustrated. Overall, I'm giving Lever a solid four stars because of the impressive way Deardon pulled all of the details together and produced a satisfying read.

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer

Jennifer Cody Epstein's The Painter of Shanghai ~ Reviewed

The Painter from Shanghai (Historical Fiction)
by Jennifer Cody Epstein
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company
Language:
English ISBN-10: 0393065286

Synopsis:

Reminiscent of Memoirs of a Geisha, a re-imagining of the life of Pan Yuliang and her transformation from prostitute to post-Impressionist. Down the muddy waters of the Yangtze River and into the seedy backrooms of "The Hall of Eternal Splendor," through the raucous glamour of prewar Shanghai and the bohemian splendor of 1920s Paris, and back to a China ripped apart by civil war and teetering on the brink of revolution: this novel tells the story of Pan Yuliang, one of the most talented—and provocative—Chinese artists of the twentieth century.

Jennifer Cody Epstein's epic brings to life the woman behind the lush, Cezannesque nude self-portraits, capturing with lavish detail her life in the brothel and then as a concubine to a Republican official who would ultimately help her find her way as an artist. Moving with the tide of historical events, The Painter from Shanghai celebrates a singularly daring painting style—one that led to fame, notoriety, and, ultimately, a devastating choice: between Pan's art and the one great love of her life.

Review:

The Painter of Shanghai is a must read for fans of Amy Tan's writing and Memoirs of a Geisha lovers. Jennifer Cody Epstein writes about the life of a famous Chinese "Western-style Woman Painter" Pan Yuliang spanning 1913 through 1957. Did I say writes? Understatement. Make that paints, sculpts, embroiders a sweeping portrait of a child sold into prostitution for an opium fix.

Epstein pens Yuliang as authentically as I've ever seen a character written and once I picked up the book I was in China or France or the Hall of Eternal Splendor. Yuliang's point of view bleeds colors, shadows, light and contrast, painting with lush words the horror of her situation. Melancholy and longing wash each chapter and each scene, not with gray, but with monochromatic blues and purples. This is not an easy read. The horror of Yuliang's life is raw and ugly. Her spirit and the beauty that she was able to find within that life make the book one I will pick up again.

Don't expect a clean, happy ever after read, instead it is a rich story that will haunt you.

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer

Terri Blackstock's Double Minds~Reviewed

Double Minds: A Novel (Paperback)
by Terri Blackstock
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (February 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310250633

If you'd like to read chapter one, click here.

Back Cover:

The young girl with the Bohemian style was on the floor where she’d fallen, between Parker's computer case and her file cabinet. She wore a long, flowing skirt—lavender, the color of calm—and camel-colored Uggs. She lay on her back, her long, wavy blonde hair matted with blood.

For struggling singer/songwriter Parker James, the music business has just turned deadly. Her desk in the reception area of a busy recording studio has become a crime scene, and Parker finds herself drawn into a mystery where nothing is as it seems.

Unraveling the truth puts her own life at risk when she uncovers high-level industry corruption and is terrorized by a menacing stalker. As the danger escalates, Parker begins to question her dreams, her future, and even her faith.

Double Minds is a double treat—combining a compelling suspense novel with an inside look at the world of the Christian music industry in Nashville. Terri Blackstock grabs readers at page one and keeps them riveted until the final plot twist is untangled.

Review:

Blackstock introduces readers to the darker side of Christian music in Double Minds. Not all is dark, of course, but the scenario she weaves includes murder, investigation, stalking and a cast of unusual characters. The underlying theme of grown-up children who've experienced horrible or painful lives ends up being an interesting thread.

Parker James, the main character, is a songwriter/performer who is at the very brink of making a name for herself. Her best friend, the girl who has made some of Parker's songs hit the charts, struggles with an eating disorder and a past that haunts her. Parker's own past is still a lingering presence in the loving divorce status of her praying mother and her alcoholic father.

A murder of a girl who was sitting at Parker's desk rattles the tight-knit community of musicians. Fortunately, Parker's brother Gibson is one of the detectives assigned to the case. But as things unravel and are revealed, the tension increases. Parker begins to fear for her life. It seems the murderer isn't finished yet.

A solid story full of humanity in its beauty and ugliness that will take readers on a roller coaster ride to the very end. A strong faith thread that may challenge readers to consider motivation and to see people in a different light.

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer

Bonus Review:


Terri Blackstock begins this murder mystery with a bang!! Not only is this stand-alone book filled with suspense, mystery and intrigue, it’s very thought provoking. I love how this author weaves the tough questions of life throughout this gripping tale.

Songwriter Parker James, has written some Top 10 Christian songs for her friend Serena. Serena is about to sign a deal with a Billboard record company to expand her audience. Parker is struggling with her friend’s decision to sign with a secular label. Parker’s brother says to her “…God doesn’t only call us to do things in Christian arenas. I’m not a Christian cop. I’m a cop who’s a Christian. I don’t just solve Christian murders.” I LOVED this line. How true is this? Ever struggle with that in your life? Parker struggles with that and more.

Parker learns of others agony and struggles through the course of this murder mystery. Her mother says “...a person had to want freedom more than bondage before God would grant it.(freedom) Prayers of the double-minded often went unanswered.” Wow!! Terri Blackstock has so many profound moments right from the beginning of this thrilling story up to the end. I know you’ll enjoy the message and excitement of this book so much you'll be compelled to share this with a friend or two.

Reviewed by: Nora St.Laurent Book Club Servant Leader

Laura Hayden's Red, White, And Blue ~ Reviewed

Red, White, And Blue
By Laura Hayden-
Published by Tyndale
ISBN#978-4143-1940-7

Back Cover:

Emily Benton is ready to take her place in the oval office, but her closest advisor, Kate Rosen, is plagued with doubts. As a person of faith, Kate owes her allegiance to a power higher than a mere political machine. And though Emily’s platform includes many faith-political initiatives, Kate fears that Emily has been corrupted by her quest for power. She is soon torn between helping Emily stay at the top – or bringing her down before she can remake America in her own image.

When scandal brings the presidency to the brink of disaster, Kate must weigh the bonds of loyalty and duty, ambition and submission, and choose to stand and fight...or walk away.

REVIEW: Red, White and Blue is quite a page-turning, riveting sequel to "America the Beautiful". Emily Benton wins the election, and Kate Rosen decides if she can be the Chief of Staff to her friend Emily, the President of the United States of America. Kate struggles with being faithful to God by doing the right thing, as she is thrust into the middle of this political machine that wants to suck her into a world of corruption. Because of the Clinton Administration’s real life drama, and scandals from shady land deals, murder and adultery, this story is believable.

I couldn’t help but reflect on how our president elect took his oath of office earlier this year as I read about Emily Benton - first female President. Like our current President, this is a life-changing presidency. The author captures behind the scene details that are fascinating to discover. This story begins with election night and with all its parties. Soon Emily Benton takes her oath to the country and sets up the Presidential cabinet. It's amazing how crucial it is to have people around the President who they can “trust” and work well with. I was surprised to realize how powerful the Chief of Staff’s job was. The political process was quite intriguing to read as this story unfolds.

Presidents lose their privacy and can’t do the things that they used to do soon after being elected. Kate say to President Benton, you can't go to the hospital in the ambulance, “You’d be in the way, no you but your position. Your security needs. They’d have to spend precious time and manpower making sure you were safe. You’d be an unintentional disruption.” Wow, welcome to the world of being the President!! I totally enjoyed how Laura Hayden showed the human side of the Presidency, along with the entire political process they live day in and day out. Hold on to your seat; you will be at the edge of your chair reading this one. I can’t wait for the third installment of this story.

Reviewed by: Nora St.Laurent

ACFW March Book Releases

To get a head start on spring, we've got 16 new releases to choose from! And they all sound great! Check them out - and don't forget to visit my new Spotlight interview with author, artist, and agent extraordinaire Wendy Lawton. Wendy had a new children's book release in February.

1. A Hundred Years of Happiness, 2nd in the Summer Meadows Mysteries by Nicole Seitz from Thomas Nelson. A generous story of family, war, loss and longing . . . of the ways we hide from those we love, and the ways that love finds us anyway.

2. A Silent Terror by Lynette Eason from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. Someone wants Marianna Santino dead. Ethan O'Hara is willing to risk everything, including his heart, to keep her alive.

3. A Test of Faith, Mystery and the Minister's Wife #3 by Carol Cox from Guideposts. When everything falls apart, can faith hold them together?

4. Breach of Trust Call of Duty #1 by DiAnn Mills from Tyndale. Paige Rogers, former CIA agent, must choose between protecting the lives of loved ones or bringing a ruthless killer to justice.

5. Candy-Coated Secrets, 2nd in the Summer Meadows Mysteries by Cynthia Hickey from Barbour. Who would have thought escorting an elephant down Highway 64 could lead to murder?

6. Daisy Chain, Defiance, TX series, book one by Mary DeMuth from Zondervan. The abrupt disappearance of young Daisy Chance haunts the small town of Defiance, Texas. Fourteen-year-old Jed Pepper searches for answers in this gritty and compelling story of love and sorrow, revealing God’s hand of redemption in impossible situations.

7. Daniel's Den by Brandt Dodson from Harvest House Publishers. Daniel and Laura become the objects in a game of cat and mouse where they learn just how big the cat can be - and that it's no game.

8. Fatal Illusions by Adam Blumer from Kregel Publications. An obsessive woman, a serial killer, and a sudden winter storm turn a sabbatical in the North Woods into a nightmare that the Thayer family may not escape alive.

9. If Tomorrow Never Comes by Marlo Schalesky from Waterbrook-Multnomah Publishers/Random House. Kinna and Jimmy Henley never planned on infertility stealing their dreams, crushing their love. But it did. Now, their last hope lies with a mysterious woman rescued from the sea.

10. Love Finds You in Humble Texas by Anita Higman from Summerside Press. Two sisters fall in love with the same man.

11. Michal: A Novel, The Wives of King David series Book 1 by Jill Eileen Smith from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A princess falls in love with her father's worst enemy - will it cost her everything?

12. Poisoned Secrets by Margaret Daley from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. Maggie spent years searching for her birth mother, but when the past is revealed, the shocking disclosures could tear her life apart.

13.The Hand-Me-Down Family by Winnie Griggs from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historicals. For the sake of three orphaned children, two scarred individuals - one physically, one emotionally - try to work together to forge a new family.

14. The List by Sherri Lewis from Urban Christian. Four women on a quest to find Godly men based on a list.

15. Wind of the Spirit, The American Patriot Series, Book 3 by J. M. Hochstetler from Sheaf House Publishers. As the patriot cause falters, can her love bridge the miles that separate them--and the savage bonds that threaten to tear him forever from her arms?

16. Yesterday's Embers, The Clayburn Novels by Deborah Raney from Howard Books/Simon & Schuster. Newlyweds Doug and Mickey must find a way to untangle their knot of hasty choices without breaking the hearts of five precious children or their own in the process.

Happy reading ~

Thanks, Jill. And stay tuned for upcoming reviews on several of these titles.

Mary DeMuth's Daisy Chain ~ Reviewed

Daisy Chain: A Novel (Defiance Texas Trilogy)
by Mary E. DeMuth
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (March 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310278368

Back Cover:

The abrupt disappearance of young Daisy Chance from a small Texas town in 1973 spins three lives out of control—Jed, whose guilt over not protecting his friend Daisy strangles him; Emory Chance, who blames her own choices for her daughter’s demise; and Ouisie Pepper, who is plagued by headaches while pierced by the shattered pieces of a family in crisis.

In this first book in the Defiance, Texas Trilogy, fourteen-year-old Jed Pepper has a sickening secret: He’s convinced it’s his fault his best friend Daisy went missing. Jed’s pain sends him on a quest for answers to mysteries woven through the fabric of his own life and the lives of the families of Defiance, Texas. When he finally confronts the terrible truths he’s been denying all his life, Jed must choose between rebellion and love, anger and freedom.

Daisy Chain is an achingly beautiful southern coming-of-age story crafted by a bright new literary talent. It offers a haunting yet hopeful backdrop for human depravity and beauty, for terrible secrets and God’s surprising redemption.

You can read the first chapter here. http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2009/02/daisy-chain-chapter-1.html

My Review:

Mary DeMuth's Daisy Chain transported me to Defiance,Texas, dropped me into the mid '70's and immersed me in the home of a wounded family. Jed is fourteen and has just lost his best friend and future wife. It's his fault, because he's weak and selfish and he wouldn't walk the little spitfire home because if he did, his daddy would be upset. And when daddy is upset bad things happen. Daddy is a preacher. Jed can't quite bring himself to stand up to daddy to protect his precious sister and his sickly, broken mom -- a mom who writes messages of love, encouragement, and sorrow on flower petals and leaves them by Jed's bed.

Jed's whole world is inside out and upside down. The town is holding its breath because Daisy is missing. And heaven is brass because God isn't listening to Jed, and apparently doesn't care to.

If this little sliver of drama turns you inside out and upside down you may not want to read this book. But if you are one who claims To Kill a Mockingbird or Peace Like a River as one of your favorite novels, you really owe it to yourself to look further into Daisy Chain. Tom Morrisey, Lisa Samson, Claudia Mair Burney, Charles Martin and W.Dale Cramer fans need to look in Mary DeMuth's direction as well.

This is a novel that will haunt me for weeks and months, probably landing on my 2009 favorite list. The characters are deep and rich, complex and challenging. The story is gut wrenching and awful, and beautiful and full of the power of love and faith and Jesus. I can't imagine anyone not being horrified and then blessed as this novel opens and blooms, bleeds, withers and fades. Technically, the only complaint I had was just a few moments of transition between the adult Jed and the younger versions of Jed, and a brief incident where a scene's timing didn't quite jive in my mind. And those issues are only because I read so many books for review and can't just get lost in pages and not look for flaws that might impede a reader's experience.

I so appreciated the depth of truth and faith in this novel. Daisy Chain could be a very tough book for some readers. Child endangerment, abuse, anger, bigotry, religious bullying, drinking and hints of sexual scandal are not buried under a layer of pristine Sunday-best white gloves. I do recommend Daisy Chain to anyone who hungers for honest fiction that doesn't leave one weeping over the hopelessness of a story without redemption and grace.

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer

Brandt Dodson's Daniel's Den ~ Reviewed

Daniel's Den
By Brandt Dodson
Published by Harvest House Publishers
ISBN# 978-0-7369-2477-1


Back Cover:

Daniel Borden and Laura Traynor live two different lives…Daniel is a successful stock analyst in New Orleans.

Laura operates a bed and breakfast in Shenandoah Valley.

He is wealthy, enjoys racquetball and lives with Elvis, a black lab.

She is a struggling single mother, works two jobs and lives with her young son, Andy.

But, when unseen forces send hit men after each of them, a twist of fate drives them together as they are forced to flee their common enemy.

In high stakes game of cat-and-mouse, they learn just how big the cat can be.

And that it's no game.

Review:

Daniel Borden is a stock broker with all the latest and greatest technical toys available to him. When he is asked to audit a file, he discovers one of the partners has been embezzling money. What does he do? We're not talking about a few nickels or dimes here; he found that millions were being skimmed off the top. Suddenly Daniel doesn't know who to trust and weighs his options carefully before deciding on a plan of action. His next decision will change his life forever.

Laura Traynor on the other hand, was dealing with life as a single mother. She was also living out her husband's dream of owning and running a bed and breakfast Inn with her son Andy. She is very disillusioned with life and God. How could he have let all these things happen to her? She was angry! "Is there nothing more to life than pain, and loss, and then death? Is this all there is?" She couldn't take life as she knew it one more day, she had to know if there was more.

An explosion happens when Laura and Daniel's lives collide. This most unlikely duo becomes a team fighting against a common enemy. The stakes are high -- it's a matter of life and death. It's unsure who will win in this struggle. Brandt Dodson's story is full of action, suspense and intrigue as these two characters struggle with life, God and how the bad guys seem to follow them, no matter where they hide. How or would they shake them? You'll have to read this story to find out.

Reviewed by: Nora StLaurent


Bonus Review:

Daniel's Den is a tense, terse read. Told in multiple almost narrative voice the story unfolds in New Orleans and the Shenandoah Valley. Daniel lives in a controlled environment, from the truth of the numbers he deals with as a stockbroker to the regimented life he's created for himself, everything is defined and in place. Until he is given the files of a dead co-worker and stumbles onto a big mess.

Laura is hanging on to a dying dream and has run out of hope and faith. When a bizarre and frightening man begins to hound her to sell her property fear and despair take hold.

Daniel and Laura unite in the worst of situations and end up running for their lives. Andy and Elvis, a young boy and a dog complicate matters.

I read the advanced copy and hope that several typos were taken care of in the final edit. One secondary plot thread threw me a bit but only briefly. The story is the driving force in this novel, so the characters, though rich enough, took a back seat to the action and plot.

If you like page turners, or Dodson, you need to look further into Daniel's Den.

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer

Robin Lee Hatcher's When Love Blooms ~ Reviewed

When Love Blooms
By Robin Lee Hatcher
Published by Zondervan
ISBN 978-0-310-25926-8


Back Cover:

She could say what she wanted. Emily Harris didn't belong in the hard life of the Blakes. She would wilt there like a rose without water. He'd be sending her back to Boise before the first snows. He'd be willing to bet on it.

From the moment Gavin Blake set eyes on Emily Harris, he knew she would never make it in the rugged high country where backbreaking work and constant hardship were commonplace. Beautiful and refined, she was accustomed to the best life had to offer. Heaven only knew why she wanted to leave Boise to teach two young girls on a ranch miles from nowhere. He'd wager it had to do with a man. It always did when a beautiful woman was involved.

Emily wanted to make some sort of mark on the world before marriage. She wanted to be more than just a society wife. Though she had plenty of opportunities back East, she had come to the Idaho high country looking to make a difference. Gavin’s resistance to her presence made her even more determined to prove herself. Perhaps changing the heart of just one man may make the greatest difference of all.


Review:

Penned with the descriptive nibs of all the five senses, Hatcher transports the reader to the magnificent high country of Idaho in a thoroughly engaging tale of love and wounded heroes. When Love Blooms is layered with appealing characters, and I was so at home with the story's cast, I felt like I was like viewing my own family history. I have yet to read a Robin Lee Hatcher novel that didn't entrance me from the first page, and with a unique plot for a romance, When Love Blooms is no exception. Novel Reviews and I give it a high recommendation.


Reviewed by Ane Mulligan

Irene Hannon's Against All Odds ~ Reviewed

AGAINST ALL ODDS
By Irene Hannon
Published by Revell
ISBN# 978-0-8007-3310-0

Back Cover:

For FBI hostage rescue team member Evan Cooper and his partner, dignitary protection duty should have been a piece of cake. Unfortunately, beautiful but determined Monica Callahan isn't making it easy. Estranged from her diplomat father – who is involved in a sensitive hostage situation in the Middle East – she refuses to be intimidated by a related terrorist threat back in the states. That is, until a chilling warning convinces her that the danger is very real – and escalating.

As Coop and his partner do their best to keep her safe, the threat against Monica is rising. And with every second that ticks by, Coop knows that the odds of saving the only woman who has ever breached the walls of his heart, are dropping. After all, terrorists aren't known for their patience – or their mercy.

REVIEW:

This is the first book I have read by Irene Hannon. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed how this author put Monica's struggle with God and her faith throughout the story. She made it so real, so natural.

David Callahan, a diplomat, struggles with the tough stance he has taken with terrorists, now that his only child's life is on the line. Will he cave in?

Monica Callahan doesn't want anything to do with her father. Diplomat David Callahan abandoned his family years ago for the sake of his job. He chose his career over family life when she was only six years old. She wasn't letting him back into her heart now. Monica remembers her mother and what she said "Forgiveness is hard, honey. But it's what God calls us to do...You don't have to wait for someone to apologize to forgive them.". Ouch! Deep inside she knew her mother was right. Now Evan Cooper a FBI hostage rescue team member is asking her questions she doesn't want to think about. He happened to find the book she wrote on her shelf and read parts of it. He asked her, Monica "…I'm having difficulty reconciling your obvious commitment to your faith with your bitterness toward your father….. Let me rephrase. How do you justify your feelings toward your father in light of what your faith teaches?" She doesn't have answer that. This has nothing to do with the terrorists.

She was an author that taught others how to communicate and here she was stuck not knowing what to say. She was human and couldn't help how she felt. It was a cop-out and she knew it. Who was this guy anyway? He had no right to start getting in her face about personal matters. He was there to protect her against terrorist attacks period the end.

I enjoyed the story of these real and believable characters stuck in the middle of high terrorist drama. It's amazing what goes on in a hostage situation and the procedures to deal with them. Irene brings you into all the action and suspense without being gross. I'm looking forward to her next adventure.

Reviewed by: Nora StLaurent

Roxanne Henke's On a Someday ~ Reviewed

On a Someday

By Roxanne Henke
Published by Harvest House
ISBN 978-0-7369-1703-2

Description:

Claire Weston has spent her adult life bring a wife, mother, and college professor. The last thing she expects as she nears retirement is to have a whole new career open before her. But when it happens...how can she possibly turn it down? Her husband, Jim, has spent his life growing his chain of grocery stores. He has a grand plan to restore an old Dodge Charger...someday when he retires. Someday soon, he hopes.

If his son, Drew, would only agree to take over the family business. Drew, however, has plans of his own. And Claire is busy climbing the ladder of her new career. She can't bear the thought she might have to say no to the exciting new opportunities she's pursuing and simply sit around and watch Jim tinker on an old car.

The decisions Jim, Claire, and Drew must make come far too quickly as an unexpected crisis forces them to choose their future...now.

Review:

On a Someday is about the dreams we all have and wonder if we'll they'll ever come true. As Claire finds herself facing some very tough decisions, I could relate to her dilemma and wondered about my own path. Told in three points of view, you see a family striving to make their individual dreams come true while contending with the relationships that enrich their lives.

Roxanne Henke is a master at writing stories about deep friendship and family, and each of her books has been filled with memorable characters that live on after you turn the last page.

Reviewed by: Ane Mulligan

Ad Hudler's Man of the House ~ Reviewed

Man of the House: A Novel
by Ad Hudler
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books (September 30, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345481089

Product Description

For more than a decade, Linc Menner has raised the status of househusband to an art form. . . .

While his wife, Jo, brings home the bacon, Linc Menner holds down the fort–his gourmet cooking is sublime, his cleaning unrivaled, and his devotion to his daughter, Violet, unparalleled.

But when the Menners relocate from upstate New York to the steamy beaches of Naples, Florida, life takes an unexpected turn. As the Menners renovate their new home Linc’s bliss turns into a war zone of contractors, dry wall dust, and chaos. And suddenly being surrounded by guys whose faces go blank as he expounds on the virtues of lump-free gravy makes Linc realize he has forgotten what it feels like to be a man.

So Linc trades his flip-flops for work boots, and his wild mop of hair for a barbershop buzz, and marches his flabby physique to the nearest gym–attracting the secret devotion of one of Violet’s teacher in the process. And his stunned family watches helplessly as they lose the man who keeps them all together. To make matters worse, it’s hurricane season and there’s a category 5 heading right for Naples. As life on the home front explodes into hilarity and catastrophe, Linc must chart his own delightfully crooked course to finally become the Man of the House.

My Review:


Linc Menner has tasted the Martha Stewart life, and it's beginning to curdle. Is he man enough to handle hurricanes, hormonal female overload, power tools, and a ripped-up kitchen?

Told in different first person points of view the reader watches a man's search for meaning and his place in steamy Florida. A very entertaining read, I enjoyed my visit to Linc's world. I was impressed with Hudler's writing skills and sarcastic sense of humor. His handling of family was sensitive, down to earth, and satisfying.

Linc's journey boils down to, a real man isn't defined by muscles, the vehicle he drives, or his knowledge of interior design, a real man should be defined by the whole package. I will warn the more sensitive readers that Linc's world veers into R-rated. A man who is redetermining exactly what a man is and how he's supposed to act sometimes visits some dark thoughts and places.

Overall, a charming and entertaining novel.

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer

Mary Connealy's Gingham Mountain

Gingham Mountain (Lassoed in Texas, Book 3) (Paperback)
by Mary Connealy
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Barbour Books (February 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1602601410


Product Description

All aboard for a delightful, suspense-filled romance, where a Texan is torn between his attraction to a meddlesome schoolmarm and the charms of a designing dressmaker. When Hannah Cartwright meets Grant, she's determined to keep him from committing her orphans to hard labor on his ranch. How far will she go to ensure their welfare? Grant is determined to provide a home for the two kids brought in by the orphan train. Can he keep his ragtag family together while steering clear of love and marriage? Read chapter one.

Review: Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! This is the best from Mary Connealy yet, and quite possibly the best book I have ever read (under 300 pages). You have to understand... This is one of those books that you read when you have some time by yourself. First off is the matter of time, because once you start I promise it is impossible if not painful to put it down. Then, secondly, by yourself because otherwise you are going to be quite embarrassed by the looks that you will earn. I read it with only my two cats nearby and they still looked at me as if I were crazed. *snicker*

Upon starting the story there are a couple little giggles, but shortly there after they turn in to little chuckles, and then every once in a while a snicker. Once, finally it is under hand, then comes the shaking silent laughs that turn to out right snorts. Once you are sure that nothing could make you laugh anymore and you are fully in control of your senses, well then she goes and causes laugh out loud gasping and crying from laughter tears. Covering your mouth and slapping the desk as a reader you are stuck with the amount of pure glee and humor that your body has endured.

With that said, I guess I should not be surprised. Not at all really.

Review by: Margaret Chind


Bonus Review:

Mary Connealy has a charming voice. She manages to give petticoats and prairie dust a hint of breezy chick-lit. Her western series has been an entertaining and a quick and satisfying read. Gingham Mountain follows previous characters and creates new situations in which she tortures her characters. Hannah and Grant and a whole passel of orphans burst out of the Gingham Mountain pages and into my affections.

If you are looking for authentic western historical details and language, you may want to look further into this series before plunking down your money. But if you are looking for entertainment, creative storytelling, charming characters and downright as much fun as a barn raising, get yerself to yer favorite book store.

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer

Noel Hynd's Conspiracy in Kiev ~ Reviewed

Conspiracy in Kiev (The Russian Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)
by Noel Hynd (Author)
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (October 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310278716


Back Cover:


A shrewd investigator and an expert marksman, Special Agent Alexandra LaDuca can handle any case the FBI gives her. Or can she?

While on loan from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Alex is tapped to accompany a Secret Service team during an American Presidential visit to Ukraine. Her assignment: to keep personal watch over Yuri Federov, the most charming and most notorious gangster in the region.

Against her better judgment—and fighting a feeling that she’s being manipulated—she leaves for Ukraine. But there are more parts to this dangerous mission than anyone suspects, and connecting the dots takes Alex across three continents and through some life-altering discoveries about herself, her work, her faith, and her future.

Conspiracy in Kiev—from the first double-cross to the stunning final pages—is the kind of solid, fast-paced espionage thriller only Noel Hynd can write. For those who have never read Noel Hynd, this first book in The Russian Trilogy is the perfect place to start.

Review:

Alexandra DeLuca has it all—brains, strength, and beauty. She’s content with her government desk job investigating financial scams, and her plans to marry Secret Service agent Robert Timmons. But her skills soon garner the attention of the FBI, and she finds herself on an active mission in Kiev, tracking an infamous criminal. The evil she encounters in the Ukraine tests her faith and her abilities, and she struggles through the complex world of international crime to uncover who is behind the tragedies that occur.


If gore, bad language, and generally edgy content offend you, or if you are looking for a novel with strong spiritual threads, I’d skip this one. Otherwise, you will find plenty of intrigue, startling twists and turns, and a fast-paced, well-woven plot.


Reviewed by: Sarah Sawyer

Colleen Coble's Cry in the Night ~ Reviewed

Cry in the Night (Rock Harbor Series #4) (Paperback)
by Colleen Coble (Author)
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 3, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595542485

The highly anticipated novel that delivers what romantic suspense fans have long awaited-the return to Rock Harbor.

Bree Nichols gets the shock of her life when her husband-presumed dead-reappears.

Bree Nichols and her search and rescue dog Samson discover a crying infant in the densely forested woods outside of Rock Harbor, Michigan. Against objections from her husband, Kade, who knows she'll become attached, Bree takes the baby in. Quickly she begins a search for the mother-presumably the woman reported missing just days earlier.

While teams scour the forests, Bree ferrets out clues about the missing woman. But she soon discovers something more shocking: Bree's former husband-long presumed dead in a plane crash-resurfaces. Is he really who he says he is? And should she trust him again after all these years?

An engaging, romantic suspense novel from critically-acclaimed author Colleen Coble.

If you would like to read the first chapter of , go HERE

Review:


Bree has moved on, or has she?

Now married to Kade, Bree has discovered that Davy doesn't quite need her like she needs him to. And her frustrating baby alarm is sounding loud and clear. Into that challenging stew Coble adds many edge of the seat moments with Windingos, strangers, murder and facts that don't quite add up.

Colleen Coble tells a great story, one that made an impression, since I remembered so much about Bree and Davy months, and countless books since reading about their struggles.

I did struggle with a few moments of disbelief that refused to be suspended. Fans of Coble and those who want closure to Bree Matthews first marriage will want to get their hands on a copy of Cry in the Night.

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer

Rebeca Seitz's Coming Unglued ~ Reviewed

Coming Unglued (A Sisters Ink Novel)
Rebeca Seitz
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
Pub. Date: July 2008
ISBN-13: 9780805446913



Synopsis:

Coming Unglued is the second book in the SISTERS, INK series of novels written by, for, and about, scrapbookers. This book focuses on Kendra. Her flamboyant lifestyle makes great pictures for scrapping – and a great cover for the loneliness she feels. But as Kendra’s dating antics spiral out of control, they have an affect on Sisters, Ink and her journalism career. Because no one can be objective when they’re falling in love with the subject of a scandalous story right? And in a town as small as Stars Hill, there’s no hiding something this big.


Review:

Rebeca Seitz has penned a charming series focusing, one at a time, on the lives of four sisters. Sassy, artistic Kendra helps plan Tandy's wedding while seeming to settle down with the town catch. However, Kendra has an ugly secret, buried deep, hidden away from even her sisters.

The secret is one that hasn't been addressed much within Christian Fiction and is handled well. I applaud Rebeca for tackling this unsettling issue, one that is probably a bigger problem than most of us realize.

I haven't read other books in the series but was impressed with Seitz's story telling and writing skills. Not quite chick-lit lite fare Coming Unglued is definitely heavy in spots though the story ends on a light note.

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer

Lisa Genova's Still Alice ~ Reviewed

Still Alice (Paperback)
by Lisa Genova
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Pocket (January 6, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1439102813


Synopsis:

Genova gives us a hauntingly accurate portrayal of a young woman's descent into Alzheimer's Disease from the prime of life and the loftiest of cerebral heights.


Review:

I'm not sure how long this novel sat on my shelf. Four or five months at least. I started it once and put it down...not because it wasn't good, but because I knew that I was going to experience a journey.

Finally, I picked it up and fell into the story of a medical tragedy and the complex and changing life of a woman with early onset Alzheimer's Disease.

I work in an internal medicine clinic. We see patients who succumb to the process of dementia in all of its forms. It's a lot like watching a flower slowly wither and close into itself. Still Alice is poignant and as true to life as I can imagine and in my limited experiences.

Our visit into Alice's life begins with her vibrant life and right before her 50th birthday. She is on top of her game and is a respected professor/speaker at Harvard, in the areas of linguistics and psychology. At first, little things concern her, a lost word, confusion while doing something common. As her disease progresses readers watch Alice's mind change while she continued to fight to remain as she was.

This is not a light read. But it's an important novel and the story of Alice is one that is tragic, beautiful, poignant and honest. The wordsmithing skills of Lisa Genova make the book a pleasure to read as well.

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer

Angela Hunt's She's in a Better Place ~ Reviewed

She's in a Better Place
By Angela Hunt
Published by Tyndale
ISBN-10: 1-4-4143-1171-0


Back Cover:


Jennifer Graham is struggling to make ends meet while running the Fairlawn Funeral Home, raising two children, and studying for her national board exam. Her work takes on a new dimension when Gerald Huffman her assistant and mentor, reveals that he has a serious illness. When she learns that he and his daughter haven't spoken in years, Jen decides to help them reconcile ... but things don't go exactly as she planned. Jennifer is longing for stability in her life ... but she soon discovers that life isn't stagnant, it's always changing. Once again, the mortuary is a setting for lessons of laughter, love, and life.

Review: Expect the unexpected is Angela Hunt's brand and boy, is it on target. I laughed and cried reading this book. The characters are rich, the story is great, and the setting is unexpected. Some wild things happen in this mortuary, and it made me wish I could have seen Hunt's research and the faces of the people she questioned. Hunt doesn't serve up a single cliché, whether in writing or storyline. I'm not going to tell you anything about the story, other than it's a great book, well worth your time reading. She's in a Better Place would make a fantastic movie and I highly recommend it.


Reviewed by: Ane Mulligan

M.L. Tyndall's The Red Siren ~ Reviewed

The Red Siren
M. L. Tyndall
Barbour Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-60260-156-7

Faith Westcott abandoned her shallow faith when a series of tragedies struck her family. To save herself and her sisters from forced marriages, Faith takes up a cutlass and turns to piracy to accrue the money needed to assure their future. But her dual identity is threatened when the God-fearing Dajon Waite begins to scour the Carolina coast, vowing to expunge it of pirates. When he is asked to take on the guardianship of Faith and her sisters, his vow to avoid women is put to the test.

Sir Wilhelm Carteret has always gotten everything he desired, but Faith Westcott, his bride-to-be, seems unaffected by his charms. When Carteret devises a plot to rid himself of his competition for Faith's heart, Captain Dajon Waite, alarming secrets of Waite's past are brought to light.

Faith's fiery personality makes a feisty counter to Dajon's level-headed logic. With a smattering of seaman's talk and the stereotypical parrot on her shoulder, Faith excels at plundering ship after ship, while trying to keep her strong-minded sisters on the straight and narrow she herself shuns. Dajon's character arc begins in the prologue, and builds to a satisfying, albeit expected, conclusion. His duty as guardian to the Westcott sisters puts his heart right in the line of fire--Faith's fire. But his coolness and gentlemanly ways chip away at Faith's determination not to fall in love. When Faith's father arranges for her to marry Sir William Carteret, a new subplot is added to the story that works to bring about the very satisfying conclusion, and facilitates Faith's ability to see the folly of her rebellion and opens her heart to the love of God and a good man.

M.L. Tyndall has crafted an engaging story of piracy and betrayal, love and sacrifice. Well written, with enough detail and subplot to satisfy those who enjoy a complex story, M.L. Tyndall has delivered a piratey tale that will leave you both satisfied and longing for more.

Reviewed by: S. Dionne Moore


Bonus Review:

Faith Westcott abandoned her shallow faith when a series of tragedies struck her family. To save herself and her sisters from forced marriages, this fiery, born-to-the manor redhead is a lady by day and a pirate by night. How long can she maintain this dual identity before she’s caught red-handed?

God-fearing Dajon Waite, who scours the Carolina coast, expunging it of pirates, is a more-than-capable captain in the British Royal Navy. But when he is asked to take on the guardianship of Faith and her sisters, he’s headed for deep water. Having vowed to avoid women, what will he do when he finds himself falling for Faith?

Sir Wilhelm Carteret has always gotten everything he desired, but Faith seems to be unaffected by his charms. When he devises a plot to rid himself of his competition, more than Captain Waite’s reputation is at stake as alarming secrets are revealed.

The Red Siren is the first in the Charles Towne Belle series—and an action packed beginning it is! MaryLu Tyndall shows off her nautical finesse in the surprising twist of a lady pirate. With the imagery Tyndall incorporates into her writing, you can almost taste the salty spray of sea water and feel as though your own feet are planted on a heaving deck right beside Faith Westcott.

Besides imagery, I also like how irony is woven into the story’s fabric. An example would be how Faith worries about her younger sisters’ safety and doesn’t think twice about exposing herself to heaps of piratey danger. It gave me pause to reflect on where in my life I might be doing something as ridiculous.

Another Tyndall trait is establishing the grounds for hope in dismal situations. Captain Waite is faced with complete ruin, yet he puts his hope in God—who never fails us. This lesson in fiction is a good reminder to carry over in real life.

And speaking of Captain Waite…ooh-la-la. He’s a larger than life hero with a physique to match. Brave, strong, compassionate, everything a girl could want. Let me warn you, however, by the end of the book you will definitely be wanting more. It’s quite a cliffhanger.

Five bottles of rum and a rousing yo-ho-ho to MaryLu on another successful pirate tale. If you’re stuck in the winter doldrums, this is the book for you.

Review by Michelle Griep

ACFW February Book Releases

February brings thoughts of chocolate and valentines and some of us worry about groundhogs and shadows. Whatever the case, winter can't last forever, and there is always an excuse to read a good book! We've got 11 new releases to choose from this month. Check them out - and don't forget to visit my new Spotlight interview with author Julie Klassen.

1. Evidence of Murder by Jill Elizabeth Nelson from Steeple Hill. When a business owner discovers on her property evidence of a decade-old multiple murder, she and the surviving son of the massacre become targets of a desperate and powerful killer.

2. Framed!, Book 2 of the Without A Trace continuity series by Robin Caroll from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. A modern day Romeo and Juliet story.

3. Gingham Mountain Lassoed in Texas Series by Mary Connealy from Barbour Publishing. A school marm fears cruel intentions when a rancher, with a special heart for unwanted children, adopts too many of them.

4. Illusions by Wanda B. Campbell from Urban Christian. Illusions depicts the struggles of a young pastor and wife.

5. Insight by Deborah Raney from Steeple Hill. Two people brought together by tragedy discover an amazing connection that threatens to tear them apart.

6. Love Finds You In Last Chance, CA by Miralee Ferrell from Summerside Press. A woman trying to make it alone in the old west, a man she isn't sure she can trust, and someone who threatens them both.

7. On a Killer's Trail by Susan Page Davis from Love Inspired Suspense. Can a reformed bad-boy detective and an ambitious reporter overcome their past to solve a string of crimes?

8. The Desires of Her Heart by Lyn Cote from Avon Inspire. The Desires of Her Heart is based on authentic Texas history and portrays the expansion of Angloamericanos into Spanish territory.

9. The Gold Standard by Lisa Lickel from Barbour Publishing - Heartsong Presents: Mysteries. Judy's last relative, Aunt Louise, was poisoned - but how?

10. The Renewal, Book 2 of the Project Restoration Series by Terri Kraus from David C. Cook. For single-mom Leslie Ruskin and master carpenter Jack Kenyon, both starting over in a new town, could working together on restoring the Midlands Building be a blueprint for disaster, or will their lives be transformed by the promise of a new Occupant?

11. Wind Dancer by Jamie Carie from B&H Publishing. Revolutionary period of escaping captivity and finding true salvation.

Happy reading ~