It Is Well with My Soul by Shelly Beach

Meditations for Those Living with Illness, Pain, and the Challenges of Aging

Living with chronic illness, growing older, or facing the end of life can be a frightening experience.

In this insightful devotional designed for care receivers, you’ll find a collection of short meditations to encourage you or someone you love.

Gain a deeper understanding of God’s purposes in situations of suffering through engaging narrative, personal experience stories, and the use of humor.

Discover how you can find hope and contentment in Jesus.

My Review:
This title grabbed my attention right away because this is my favorite hymn. Then the subtitle spoke to me as I live with illness, pain, and the challenges of aging. As I read, I happily discovered that the author had put some of my experiences down on paper. (She and I have many similar experiences, so I quickly connected!)

What a treasure this small book is. The author writes of her life experiences as well as some situations that others face. All are penned in an uplifting manner. Everyone faces these bumps--or steep mountains in life or knows someone who does. Shelly Beach helps the reader understand that God is ever present, even when it feels as if He is far away.

This collection of snippets and anecdotes are turned into meditations that point the reader toward the things of God. Each offering comes with a Bible verse and two thought-provoking questions along with a short prayer. It's perfect for use as a devotional, but could also be well used for a group study guide. It would make a nice gift for anyone "living with illness, pain, and the challenges of aging."

Thank you to Anne Bauman at Discovery House Publishers for my copy.

Icing on the Cake by Janice Thompson

Weddings by Design (Book 2)

Scarlet Lindsey's Aunt Wilhelmina may be Texas's most popular cake baker extraordinaire, but she's also getting on in years. When Scarlet decides to take on the role of cake decorator at her cranky aunt's bidding, it's just the beginning of a series of misunderstandings and mishaps that will lead her to compete in a cake challenge on national television--and might even lead her to finding true love.

Fan favorite Janice Thompson is back with more wit, more weddings, and more of what her readers love best--bridal business drama. Bella and the gang are all here and readers will fall in love with the newest quirky characters straight from the creative mind of a fantastic storyteller.

My Review:
I love the characters that Janice Thompson creates. Boy, do I connect with Scarlet, the main protagonist in this novel. She is the first overweight female I've "met" through reading. Poor thing, Scarlet feels self-conscious about her abundant backside--her "sticky buns," a thoughtless nickname her Aunt Wilhelmina gave her long ago. To further complicate things, Scarlet owns and operates a bakery named, "Let Them Eat Cake" which is financed by the same Auntie, who makes a habit of popping in often to offer her advice.

Scarlet's love interest, Armando Rossi, doesn't notice her (ahem) thickness. In fact, he seems to think she looks just fine. He's an Italian bad boy who has come home to temporarily work in the family business--Parma John's Pizzeria, located next door to the bakery.

I learned about the business of running a bakery, a bake-off competition for a national television show (as in Food Network), and the work involved with raising money for a mission trip. Included is a recipe for an Italian Wedding Cake that I plan to try, even though I know my "sticky buns" will surely expand!

I recommend reading the first book in the Weddings by Design series Picture Perfect. Nonetheless, Icing on the Cake is a delightful stand-alone novel and certainly can be enjoyed without reading any other.

Available August, 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Thank you to Lanette Haskins at Baker Publishing Group for my copy.

God's Prescription for Healing: Five Divine Gifts of Healing by James P. Gills, M.D.

GOD INVITES YOU TO SEEK HEALING...ACCORDING TO HIS PLAN!

The prescription for all your healing has already been designed within you by your Creator-contained within a single microscopic cell. By faith you'll come to know His purpose for your life, your suffering, and your healing. The integration processes for healing within the body are your practical proof of the Creator's existence. His love and continuing concern for you are revealed in his amazing design for your healing.

UNCOVER FIVE DISTINCTIVE AREAS OF HEALING THAT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER:

• Intracellular mysteries of God's healing design (DNA)
• Scientific use of God's healing design (medicine)
• Spiritual wholeness by alignment with the Creator (lifestyle)
• Improbable healing - by God (prayer)
• United with God: ultimate healing (eternal life)

GOD IS ALREADY AT WORK TO BRING ABOUT THE HEALING YOU NEED! Recognize God's thumbprint on your life, and seek Him to strengthen and refine any weak areas. Don't let spiritual blindness prevent you from walking in His perfect plan for your health.

My Review:
Dr. Gills breaks down healing into five different types:
1. Natural--illustrated by a cut finger that heals without any attention;
2. Assisted--when a physician steps in to assist;
3. Inner--Sound preventative advice is given;
4. Improbable--Bible miracles are covered; and
5. Ultimate--when a person enters Heaven.

Having recently experienced cataract surgery (preformed by Dr. Gills, himself) I was most interested in the section on assisted healing. In this section, Dr. Gills describes the operation in great detail. I thought it fascinating.

The book is easy to read and can be read as quickly or slowly as one might desire.

It's good to see this physician acknowledge Jesus, the Great Physician, as the ultimate healer.

Harriet Beamer Strikes Gold by Joyce Magnin

This story of a senior citizen daring to stand up for herself will resonate with Christian fiction readers everywhere.

In Harriet Beamer Strikes Gold by Joyce Magnin, Harriet settles into a new life in Grass Valley, California, and gets caught up in another adventure when she decides to lease a gold mine. After listening to the pleas of a desperate teen whose daddy needs money right away—and happens to have a gold mine to lease—Harriet falls hook, line, and sinker into the venture. Although she is nervous about her investment, Harriet chooses to keep it a secret from her son, Henry, and his wife who have just learned they are expecting a baby. And besides, this just may be the ticket to a golden windfall.

But when Harriet’s friend Martha comes for a visit, she convinces Harriet to come clean because she is suspicious and just doesn’t buy that the operation is legit.

Harriet may never see an ounce of gold, but it is the fate of the young teen that really begins to matter. And it takes an emergency with her daughter-in-law, Prudence, for Harriet to learn where her true treasure lies.

My Review:
Harriet, a delightful seventy-two year-old lady lives with her son, his wife, their cat, and Humphrey, a basset hound. I easily connected with her. I found myself chuckling at various passages. The novel is written in a light-hearted style that's easy to follow.

Food is one theme of this story. In one day, three people consume a dozen glazed doughnuts, a blueberry pie, and a peach cobbler! (I wonder at the size of these characters.) I love sweets, but this seems to be way too much. I wonder if the author is using meals and food as padding for the storyline.

Some mistakes in editing are hard to ignore. At the bottom of page174, Harriet is talking to Harriet. (She should have been talking to Martha.) On page 258, Pru and Henry park; however, on page 259, they get "ready to leave the house." (Sections are misplaced.) A reader is easily distracted with errors like these.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookSneeze®.

If you'd like to purchase a copy, click here.

Heaven by Randy Alcorn

According to Alcorn (The Treasure Principle; Deadline; Safely Home), the subject of heaven rates as one of the least accurately discussed subjects in the whole of Christendom. 

Even seminarians fail to give appropriate time and attention to heaven as described throughout the Bible because other themes take pre-eminence both chronologically and preferentially. Alcorn is likewise astounded that the majority of Christians who do take time to consider heaven often possess faulty, nonbiblical assumptions, one of the most common being the misconception of heaven as a place of unending church services. 

The author, who is also the founder of the nonprofit organization Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM), has spent years studying what the Bible says about heaven, and in this compelling and comprehensive resource, he offers every conceivable question about heaven, or the "New Earth," as a Christian believer's ultimate destination. 

Alcorn answers the expected queries on heavenly life as well as quirkier ones: will Christians drink coffee in heaven? Will there be homeownership, and what about sex? Will our pets be in heaven? Evangelical scholars and laypersons alike will appreciate Alcorn's expansive—though perhaps long-winded—musings on this neglected subject, a real boon in a time when many people are eager to understand what happens after death.

My Review:
As the author suggested, when planning a trip to an unknown place, it is wise to prepare ahead. Study that place. Think on it so that upon arrival, you'll feel comfortable. As a Christian, I plan on going to Heaven, and I appreciate the efforts the author employed to compile this tome. 

In addition to many verses from the Bible, Alcorn used his extensive collection of material for his opinions. Although it is an intimidating work with 535 pages, I must say, it's worth the read. (I read a chapter or two each day until finished. It might serve well for a group study.)

The one caveat I have is the repetition.  It should have been edited more carefully.

I Am a Church Member: Discovering the Attitude That Makes the Difference by Thom S. Rainer

Best-selling author and ministry leader Thom S. Rainer drew an exceptional response when he posted a 500-word declaration about church membership to his daily blog. "I Am a Church Member" started a conversation about the attitudes and responsibilities of church members -- rather than the functional and theological issues -- that previous new member primers all but ignored.

Thoughtfully expanded to book form, I Am a Church Member begins to remedy the outbreak of inactive or barely committed church members, addressing without apology what is expected of those who join a body of believers. When a person's attitude is consistently biblical and healthy, matters of giving, serving, and so forth will fall into place more naturally.

Six intentional chapters with study questions guide this rising discussion:

1. I Will Be a Unifying Church Member
2. I Will Not Let the Church Be About My Preferences and Desires
3. I Will Pray for My Church Leaders
4. I Will Lead My Family to Be Healthy Church Members
5. I Will Be a Functioning Member
6. I Will Treasure Church Membership as a Gift

My Review:
Each chapter in this little book of only 96 pages is followed by a pledge for the reader to consider and sign. Next come questions to study and discuss, lending the book perfectly to a group study.

I liked Rainer's illustrating church membership by comparing it to country club membership. His way of thinking helps make his points.

Thank you to B&H Publishing Group for my copy.

Dolled Up To Die by Lorena McCourtney

The Cate Kinkaid Files (Book 2)
 
When Cate Kinkaid receives a frantic call about a triple homicide, she drives to the scene against her better judgment--aren't triple homicides more up the police department's alley?--only to find that the victims are not quite who she expects. Now she has a new rule to add to those she's learned in her short stint as an assistant private investigator: always find out if the victims actually have human DNA. Because these three do not.

But who would shoot this nice lady's dolls? What possible reason could the shooter have? And then there's the startling discovery of another victim, who definitely does have human DNA . . .

With tension that is matched only by humor, Dolled Up to Die is the exciting second book in Lorena McCourtney's The Cate Kinkaid Files. Mystery fans won't find a place to stop and take a breath in this fast-paced and intriguing tale.

My Review:
Olivia, the cat isn't the only curious one in this light-hearted mystery. Cate Kinkaid's curiosity takes her into some scary, dark places. This "assistant private investigator" fumbles and stumbles over clues, and eventually manages to solve the case, but not until she has this reader holding her breath.

Unassuming,  Cate tries to help anyone who needs her; however, she gets in over her head right at the beginning of this novel. You see, Belmont Investigations handles "routine matters only"--no murders. Yet bodies are found all over the place! Cate plunges ahead and goes to whoever calls her: Jo-Jo first about the "massacre," then, Robyn, who needs Cate to serve as a last-minute fill-in bridesmaid. Well, you'll just have to read the book to see for yourself.

I really like the character of Cate. I also like Olivia, the cat, who owns Cate, and I like Mitch, Cate's romantic interest. And, need I say? I really like this series!

Thank you to Donna Hausler at Baker Publishing Group for my copy.

Available July 15, 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Paige Torn by Erynn Mangum

Paige Alder #1

The girl who does it all might miss what's most important.

Everyone knows they can count on Paige Alder. But between volunteering at church, putting in overtime at work, and helping her best friend plan an anniversary party, she's lucky to grab a cheese stick for dinner. She can't even remember the last time she had a few minutes to relax or dig into God's Word.

Then she meets laid-back Tyler, an attractive, Jesus-loving guy.

Will he be able to help Paige get her priorities on track?

My Review:
Paige is a likeable, busy, people-pleasing, twenty-two-year-old Christian. Unable to say no, she rushes from helping one person to another. She barely has time to eat on the run. She believes she worships by serving and even neglects her Bible study because of her many commitments.

Some good church people wrestle with the question, "Is service for God the same as spending time with Him?" The author clearly defines the problem and solves the dilemma. I really liked this part.

However, one part that had me groaning aloud with disbelief was when in the space of one and a half hours, Paige takes "a long, hot shower," and takes her "time blow-drying [her] hair and putting on makeup." She then curls her "hair into long, beachy curls" and digs out her sewing machine and sews a skirt, complete with a hem! (248-9) No one could possibly do all of this in such a short period of time.

The BIG disappointment is the abrupt ending. The reader is left hanging and the author taunts them to buy the next novel in the series in order to read the "next chapter in Paige Alder's life." Really! I feel gypped.

Thank you to Bonnie at Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Think for my copy.

If you would like to read the first chapter, click here.

If you would like to buy a copy, click here.

Pieces of the Heart by Bonnie S. Calhoun

Quilts of Love series (Book 9)

Cordelia Grace watched Bernard Howard, the love of her young life, go off to fight for our country in WWII. And she has spent the last three years creating the Pine Cone quilt that will grace their marriage bed when he comes home. Each row of triangles signifies a layer in her life, sets of memories, hopes, dreams, and prayers for her future, enough spoken words to cover them forever. Her image of their “happy-ever-after” grows proportionally as the quilt expands.

But is the man that returns from the war, the same man that she remembered? Are the dark shades of color that she had to use for the outside edges of the beloved quilt prophetic of her life to come? Can love and faith overcome all?

My Review:
Bernard and Cordelia are a young couple in love, and much like Romeo and Juliet, circumstances prevent them from marrying as early as they'd like. Frustrated, Bernard enlists. They both endure a time of testing. Much research on WWII African-American soldiers is evident. Separation from white soldiers must have been extremely humiliating for soldiers like Bernard, who had enjoyed mixed company all his life.

Cordelia's love for Bernard as he wrestles with battle fatigue makes this reader ache.

There's so much to the story that it seems choppy at times.

The theme and history of a Pine Cone quilt carries throughout the story. I like the way the quilt becomes an intricate part of Cordelia's life.

Discussion questions included.

Thank you to Bonnie at Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Abingdon for my copy.

If you would like to read the first chapter, click here.

If you would like to buy a copy, click here.

Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel by Melody Carlson

Dear Daphne series

With high hopes, Daphne Ballinger lands her dream job at The New York Times. But it's not long until writing about weddings becomes a painful reminder of her own failed romance, and her love of the city slowly sours as well. Is it time to give up the Big Apple for her small hometown of Appleton?

When her eccentric Aunt Dee passes away and leaves a sizeable estate to Daphne, going back home is an easy choice. What isn’t easy is coming to terms with the downright odd clauses written into the will.

Daphne only stands to inherit the estate if she agrees to her aunt's very specific posthumous terms--personal and professional. And if she fails to comply, the sprawling old Victorian house shall be bequeathed to . . . Aunt Dee’s cats.

And if Daphne thinks that’s odd, wait until she finds out an array of secrets about Aunt Dee's life, and how imperfect circumstances can sometimes lead to God's perfect timing.

My Review:
I enjoyed this first book in the series, and I'd like to read the next one. The author cleverly wets the reader's whistle without creating a frustrating hanging non-ending. Daphne inherits her aunt's estate with a few strings attached. She is to live in the old, Victorian house and care for two cats. Secondly, she is to write her aunt's advice column, Dear Daphne; and thirdly, she is to marry--within a year! This promises to be an interesting year for Daphne and for the reader.

Daphne is an easy person to like. She makes friends quickly when she relocates back to her childhood home. The people of Appleton are typical small town folk. I think it'd be a nice place to live.

I look forward to the next book in the series.

Discussion questions included.

Thank you to Bonnie at Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and B&H Publishing Group for my copy.

If you would like to read the first chapter, click here.

If you would like to buy a copy, click here.

Fear Has a Name: A Novel by Creston Mapes

The Crittendon Files
How Far Would He Go To Keep Them Safe?

It was more than a break-in. More than a stalking. It was personal. When a stalker targets his family, journalist Jack Crittendon must uncover who the person is and what his motives are--if he is to protect the ones he loves. It will lead Crittendon into a world of behind-closed-door secrets and faith gone awry, as does his investigation of a missing pastor, whose apparent suicide is more than it appears.

Each move Crittendon makes weaves him tighter and tighter into a web of lies, greed, hypocrisy, sin, and danger. He believed he'd never give in to fear. But that was before. And holding on to his faith won't be easy. Nor will keeping his family safe, and ending the terror. Because that might require him to step over lines he never dared to cross.

My Review:
What a terrific read! Creston Mapes knows how to create suspense; yet, at the same time, he knows just when to cut the tension. Two intricate story lines are interwoven: the stalking of a newspaper reporter's family and a megachurch's missing pastor.

When trouble comes his way, Jack Crittendon sometimes wonders if God is really in control. How can God allow bad things to happen to one of His people? And, for what reason might trouble come our way? Jack tends to feel as if he alone is responsible for the protection and safety of his wife, Pam, and their children. Jack's faith is sorely tested in this novel, and questions most people wonder are answered. The complex tale has a satisfying conclusion.

The novel tests the reader. I found myself wondering what I'd do if confronted by the same situations. How important is abiding faith? How deep is mine? Could God use someone who is at the end of his/her rope? Does forgiveness and love really make a difference?

Characters are fleshed out; I could relate to all but one. The character of Valerie Belinds McShane intriques me. She would make for an interesting discussion in a book club setting.

Thank you to Bonnie at Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and David C. Cook for my copy.

If you would like to read the first chapter, click here.

If you would like to buy a copy, click here.

Slow Moon Rising by Eva Marie Everson

A Cedar Key Novel

One family, one secret--and one chance to make it right.

The beautiful Claybourne home on Cedar Key has long been a place of rest, healing, and release. Each member of the family has turned there in times of confusion, loss, and hurt, only to feel their spirits renewed and their hearts restored.

But Cedar Key might also be the birthplace of a lie that is poisoning the family from within.

Join the five Claybourne women--Anise, Kimberly, Jayme-Leigh, Heather, and Ami--as they search the past and confront the truth. Their unique paths will lead them through heartbreak, misunderstandings, and pain. But their journeys will also bring reconciliation with each other and the precious renewal of love in their own lives.

In her lyrical, evocative fashion, Eva Marie Everson weaves a tapestry of complicated relationships that, when complete, reveals the most beautiful work of art there is--family.

My Review:
This is without a doubt one of my favorite novels! How I hated to have it end. Complex characters are written so well that their experiences could be true.

The story is told from the first-person viewpoint of five different Claybourne women. Rather than the usual way of repeating the same scene over and over from a different angle, the author advances the timeline down through the years as each person shares. Therefore, it flows along. The novel begins in the year 2000 and concludes with the current day. I loved piecing the story together. I did not want to to put this one down as long-kept family secrets are revealed.

Here is your summer read. Don't miss this compelling Christian novel.

Thank you to Donna Hausler for my copy. Available June 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

An Open Heart by Harry Kraus

Their Messages—From Beyond the Grave—Might Destroy Him

They hover between life and death, their hearts stopped on the surgery table. And the messages Dr. Jace Rawlings’ open-heart surgery patients bring back from beyond the grave cannot be ignored. For they predict the deaths of people around him, and point a finger of suspicion straight at him.

It thrusts Jace into a firestorm of controversy and danger. A maeltsrom blown by the darker winds of political intrigue and spiritual warfare. And the forces working against him will do anything to stop him from uncovering a truth they will kill to hide. He’d come to Kenya to establish a heart-surgery program for the poor. But what he will find in that place where he grew up will put everything at risk–his marriage, his career . . . his life.

My Review:
I enjoyed this medical suspense novel  that combines Christianity with witchcraft. It is intense, and I must admit, I now much prefer remaining at home. I'll be content to travel through novels like this one.

The author is a board-certified surgeon in East Africa, and he writes about what he knows best. When he includes  medical information, the story deepens. I found myself engrossed and easily able to follow along. 

Discussion Questions included. 

Thank you to Bonnie at Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and David C. Cook for my copy.

If you would like to read the first chapter, click here.

If you would like to buy a copy, click here.

That Certain Summer by Irene Hannon

Karen and Val are family--yet they're anything but close. Karen has carried the burden of responsibility for her aging mother ever since her gorgeous sister left town years ago to pursue a career in theater. But Val had darker reasons for leaving town--as well as a secret to keep--and coming home has never been an option . . . until their mother suffers a stroke.

Reunited in their hometown, Karen and Val must grapple with their past mistakes, their relationship with each other, and their issues with a mother who is far from ideal. When a physical therapist raising his daughter alone and a handsome but hurting musician enter the picture, the summer takes on a whole new dimension. As their lives intersect and entwine, can each learn how to forgive, how to let go, and how to move on? And strengthened by the healing power of faith, might they also find the courage to love?

With her trademark compelling characters and heartwarming hope, fan favorite Irene Hannon offers her readers an inspiring true-to-life tale of complex family relationships, transgressions revealed and forgiven, and the complicated process of finding love.

My Review:
This Christian fiction novel reveals an old secret combined with love and forgiveness.

Karen, a divorced mother of a teenager, feels frustrated as she bears all of the burdens of her life as well as those of her mother's illness. Her sister, Val, a high school drama teacher, chooses to live a good distance away and until now, has not found many opportunities to visit. However, when their mother suffers a stroke, Karen calls upon Val for help.

The two sisters struggle as they learn to work together to care for their unappreciative mother. Rehab therapy sessions, meal preparation, laundry, and other necessary errands fill their lives. Somehow, the sisters discover a comfortable respect for each other.

Thank you to Donna Hausler at Baker Publishing Group for my copy. Available June, 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Sleeping in Eden by Nicole Baart

She knew what he wrote . . .

One little word that made her feel both cheated and beloved.

One word that changed everything.

MINE.

On a chilly morning in the Northwest Iowa town of Blackhawk, Dr. Lucas Hudson is filling in for the vacationing coroner on a seemingly open-and-shut suicide case. His own life is crumbling around him, but when he unearths the body of a woman buried in the barn floor beneath the hanging corpse, he realizes this terrible discovery could change everything. . . .

Years before Lucas ever set foot in Blackhawk, Meg Painter met Dylan Reid. It was the summer before high school and the two quickly became inseparable. Although Meg’s older neighbor, Jess, was the safe choice, she couldn’t let go of Dylan no matter how hard she tried.

Caught in a web of jealousy and deceit that spiraled out of control, Meg’s choices in the past ultimately collide with Lucas’s discovery in the present, weaving together a taut story of unspoken secrets and the raw, complex passions of innocence lost.

My Review:

Alternating chapters tell two seemingly different stories about Dr. Lucas Hudson and his wife, Jenna whose marriage is falling apart; and Meg Painter, a young girl experiencing difficulty choosing between two fellows. Toward the end of the book, the stories converge and mysteries are solved. The chapters are short, and pages seem to quickly turn. There were times when I wanted to skip the next chapter so as to continue reading one story or the other, but I resisted and read as the author intended.

My favorite scene is between Lucas and Jenna, when they finally talk.

This novel contains some profanity and indicates sex scenes between an unmarried couple.

Reading Group Guide included.

Thank you to Anne Staszalek at Authors On The Web and Howard Books for my copy.

When a Secret Kills by Lynette Eason

Deadly Reunions, Book Three

Investigative reporter Jillian Carter knows it's time to put the past to rest. She's tired of looking over her shoulder, letting a killer go free. She's no longer the scared kid who changed her name and disappeared. Now, no matter what the cost, Jillian must do what she is trained to do--ferret out the truth and expose it. Senator Frank Hoffman committed murder ten years ago--and Jillian watched it happen.

Didn't she?

Not even the enigmatic and attractive Colton Brady, her ex-boyfriend and nephew of the killer, will be able to make her leave this alone. Get ready for the spine-tingling, nail-biting conclusion to an explosive series.

My Review:
With some chapters devoted to the bad guy, Eason allows the reader to get inside their thinking. I really like this style of story-telling; it's extra spooky.

Jillian spent the past ten years hiding from those who would wish her harm, but now that she's been discovered, she feels she must return home to find the proof she needs to bring the killer to justice. She's been trained in self-defense and even packs a gun. She's prepared for the worst, and boy, oh boy, does she find it. It begins with a would-be slayer at the airport and never stops until the surprise ending.

I like the way Eason ties up this series, but even if you haven't read the others in the series, this stand-alone novel will more than satisfy.

Thank you to Donna Hausler at Baker Publishing Group and Revell Publishing for my copy. Available May 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Love at Any Cost by Julie Lessman

 The Heart of San Francisco (Book 1)

Jilted by a fortune hunter, cowgirl Cassidy McClare is a spunky Texas oil heiress without a fortune who would just as soon hogtie a man as look at him. Hoping a summer visit with her wealthy cousins in San Francisco will help her forget her heartache, Cassidy travels west. But no sooner is she settled in beautiful California than Jamie McKenna, a handsome pauper looking to marry well, captures her heart.

When Jamie discovers the woman he loves is poorer than he is, Cassidy finds herself bucked by love a second time. Will Jamie discover that money can't buy love after all? And can Cassidy ever learn to fully trust her heart to a man?

With delectable descriptions and a romantic sensibility, bestselling author Julie Lessman brings the Gilded Age to life in this sumptuous new series. Readers will faithfully follow Lessman to the West Coast for more romance, passion, and surprising revelations found in Love at Any Cost.

My Review:
From the first page, I was hooked. What a beginning! I guarantee, it'll bowl you over.

There are two love stories intertwined in this Christian fiction. Both Cassidy and Aunt Cait demand that any man who could win their heart must also be a man of faith. This proves problematic as the would-be suitors don't much care for the things of God.

One caveat: I dislike the repetition. The author describes the physical attributes of the characters way too often, and explains situations over and over.

This book is one for lovers of romance novels. Flirting, kissing, and tears fill the pages. There are tension-filled love scenes that leave the characters--along with the reader--wanting more. Although the plot is somewhat predictable, there are some twists to surprise the reader at the end.

Available April 15, 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Thank you to Donna Hausler at Baker Publishing Group and Revell for my copy.

The Dance by Gary Smalley & Dan Walsh

The Restoration Series

Love's recovery starts with a single step . . .

After 27 years of marriage, Marilyn Anderson is tired of playing the role of perfect wife. Her husband Jim is a successful businessman who gives her everything she needs--a beautiful home in an upscale neighborhood, the financial freedom to be a stay-at-home mom, an enviable collection of stuff. Everything, that is, except what really matters: love.

After years of trying to connect with Jim, Marilyn has had enough. She longs to experience some measure of happiness before she's too old to enjoy it. Needing some time to herself to sort things out, Marilyn leaves to start a new job and take dancing lessons--something she has wanted to do for as long as she can remember.

Shocked to find his wife gone, Jim Anderson must sort through the past to save his marriage. With a little help from an unexpected ally, he begins a campaign to win Marilyn back. What he doesn't anticipate is how his actions will affect everyone around him--starting with himself.


My Review:
Usually, books written by two authors turn me off, but this one proved an unexpected treat! From the first page, I knew that this was going to be an memorable book. The storyline moves at just the right pace. The characters are so real that they seem like people I know.

Even though I knew where the plot was heading, I loved turning the pages to see just how we were going to get there. Read this one, folks! I'm looking forward to following this family in Book 2 in the series, The Promise.

Discussion Questions included.

Thank you to Donna Hausler at Baker Publishing Group and Revell for my copy.

Stress Test by Richard Mabry

They may not have enough evidence to convict him, but they have enough to ruin his life.

Dr. Matt Newman thought he was leaving his life in private practice for a better one in academic medicine. But the kidnappers who attacked him as he left his last shift in the ER have no such plans—they just want him dead. Bound and in the trunk of his car, Matt's only thought is escape. He does so, but at a price: a head injury that lands him in the ICU . . . where he awakens to discover he's being charged with murder.

Sandra Murray is a fiery, redheaded lawyer who swore she was done with doctors. But when Matt calls, she knows she can't walk away from defending someone who is truly innocent.

Matt's career is going down the drain. His freedom and perhaps his life may be next. But with the police convinced he's a murderer and the kidnappers still trying to finish what they started, finding the truth—and the faith to keep going—will be the toughest stress test Matt has ever endured.

My Review:
Poor Dr. Newman. He can't "catch a break." He's kidnapped, escapes, only to find himself in the hospital with a serious head injury. He loses his job, his girl friend, the police think he's a murderer, and someone wants him dead! Thankfully, he latches on to a good attorney--a pretty one too. That bit of romance plus the fact that he slowly rediscovers God makes for a good story.

I especially liked reading about how Matt tries and tries again to restart his life. The medical aspects as well as the aspects of the law were well told.

There are some times I held my breath as I read. I usually read quietly, but once, I exclaimed out loud, "Oh!" when I saw what just happened. I did manage to guess the ending; however, I enjoyed this book. The final pages felt a bit rushed, but overall, a really good read.

Thank you to Booksneeze and Thomas Nelson Publisher for my copy.

The Survivor (Crime Scene: Houston) by DiAnn Mills

Crime Scene: Houston

Kariss meets Dr. Amy Garrett, who survived a brutal childhood attack in which the assailant was never found. Now Dr. Garrett wants her story written in a novel.

Kariss wishes she could seek the advice of Special Agent Tigo Harris, but she broke off the relationship a few months prior and seeing him again would be too painful. She interviews Amy and conducts her own research, stepping unaware into a viper's pit of danger.

Tigo misses Kariss and wants her back, but he understands why she broke off their relationship. Instead, he concentrates on solving a car bombing and bringing the killer to justice.

As Kariss's new story attracts an onslaught of danger that she never expected, can Tigo save the woman he loves and find who wants her dead for writing about an unsolved cold-case?

My Review:

Protagonist, Kariss Walker, writes suspense novels based on cold cases. Amy Garrett, a childhood survivor of violence, wants her story told as if a work of fiction with the hope of drawing out the perpetrator and thereby solving the crime. As soon as the ladies agree on the project, horrible things begin to happen to Kariss.

I enjoyed renewing my acquaintance with Tigo, the handsome FBI Agent and Kariss' love interest. He holds Buzz Lightyear in high regard. (It's things like this that make a character come to life.) Tigo struggles with his faith in God, and because Kariss does not want to be unevenly yolked, she decides to stop the romance. The story opens as they've not seen one another for two months. The reader cannot help but root for Tigo to find God, accept Christ, and restore his relationship with Kariss.

Some cons: Amy is losing her hearing and doesn't like using the telephone; yet it seems, she's always on the phone! Amy's brother proves to be a distraction--at least for me. The undercover work should have been left out.

This work is a sequel to The Chase, and I suggest you read them in order.

Discussion questions are included.

Thank you to Bonnie at Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Zondervan for my copy.

If you would like to read the first chapter, click here.

If you would like to buy a copy, click here.

Memory of Murder by Ramona Richards

The secrets of her past could imperil her future

Lindsey Presley certainly can't imagine why anyone would want her dead—though she knows she wouldn't be alive today if not for the local cop who saved her from two murder attempts. 

Deputy Jeff Gage has worked difficult cases, but with only Lindsey's fractured memories of a broken past to guide him, this is by far his most challenging. For Lindsey, fleeing the town she has come to call home is unthinkable. 

Separately, they are vulnerable, but together, Jeff and Lindsey just may stand a chance of catching a ruthless killer.

My Review:
Memories from her abusive childhood stay deeply buried. Lindsey remembers only fragments. However, someone wants her dead and keeps trying to kill her. Fortunately for Lindsay, Deputy Gage remains determined to protect her.

Violence abounds right up to the conclusion. Although the book is small, the adventure is large.

Thank you to Bonnie at Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Love Inspired Suspense for my copy.

If you would like to read the first chapter, click here.

If you would like to buy a copy, click here.

The One Good Thing by Kevin Alan Milne

For as long as Halley Steen has known her husband Nathan, he has carried a handful of stones in his pocket. Each day he uses those stones to remind him to follow the Golden Rule, moving a stone from one pocket to the other with each act of kindness. So it's not unusual that Nathan stops to help a stranger on the side of the highway while on his way to his son's football game one Friday evening. But that one act will change all of their lives forever, when a car hydroplanes off the road, killing Nathan instantly.

As Halley and her children Ty and Alice struggle with their grief, Nathan's spiritual legacy lives on. A Facebook page appears, where countless stories about Nathan's selfless acts are shared. But among them is one that stands out, from a woman who says that Nathan saved her life. Neither Halley nor her children have ever heard of Madeline Zuckerman. But soon Halley discovers years of e-mails from this woman to her husband on his computer that refer to "our little girl." How could her husband have kept the secret of this other child for their entire marriage? Why had he lied to her? Was he not the man she thought he was?

Only thirteen-year-old Alice maintains unwavering faith in her father. She knows there's an explanation. When she sets out to find Madeline and learn the truth, she will start to unravel the complex story of The One Good Thing Nathan Steen did that had the greatest impact of all.

My Review:
What a good read! I heartily recommend this one.

Stellar writing helps the plot to flow. Realistic dialogue for each character.Twists and turns continue to surprise. Although the main character, Nathan Steen, dies early on, this is far from a depressing tale; instead, it is one filled with hope. A Facebook page is created that allows those touched by Nathan to comment about his many acts of kindness. Various characters tell their perspective of the story.

Two themes are woven throughout: bullying and family secrets.

Although this can be labeled Christian fiction, there is little religion in it. 

Reading group guide inside.

Thank you to Sarah Reck at Hachette Book Group and Center Street for my copy.

Strands of Deception by Robin Caroll

A Justice Seekers Novel

When Gina Ford, the daughter of a prominent Tennessee politician, goes missing from the University of Memphis a week after another girl was murdered on the same campus, police call in the FBI. Nick Hagar, married to his job as Special Agent in Charge, is assigned to the case, and when Gina’s body is found, her father demands justice.

Maddie Baxter is the forensic expert running DNA tests from the crime scene. When they come back without a match, Nick asks her to do a familial DNA run that yields a shocking result: the prime suspect is Adam Alexander, the very same guy who broke Maddie’s heart when she was in college.

But do scientific advancements tell the whole story? Strand of Deception offers romance, suspense, and a lively debate about the impact of DNA testing, for better or worse, on the United States justice system.

My Review:
This Christian fiction is the third in the Justice Seekers series, but it's a stand alone work. I received my copy Monday afternoon and had it finished by Wednesday evening. It's a real page-turner.

I like the two main characters: Nick Hagar and Maddie Baxter--who become romantically connected.  They both share tragedy in their past lives: Nick's brother died while serving overseas with the Marines, and Maddie's parents were killed by a drunken driver. This causes Nick to doubt God, while Maddie leans on Christ.

Nick's hard work at finding and following leads has the reader jumping from one conclusion to another. "Science doesn't lie" is the motto that Maddie lives by, as she manages the DNA testing. Their struggles of work on a murder case makes for some interesting and complex issues.

Maddie, a super fan of Elvis and his music, creates a lighter theme that runs throughout the novel. As a long-time lover of Elvis, I really enjoyed the references!

Discussion questions included.

Thank you to Bonnie at Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and B&H Books for my copy.

If you would like to read the first chapter, click here.

If you would like to buy a copy, click here.

The Return of Cassandra Todd by Darrel Nelson

When the popular girl whose friends bullied him in high school suddenly reenters his life, little son in tow, Turner Caldwell must put the past behind him if they are to survive.

Turner Caldwell works at a local motel as a handyman while attending college full-time. On his way to class one day, he is shocked to see Cassandra Todd and her young son in town. The sight of her brings back powerful memories of being bullied in high school—she was the popular head cheerleader and he the target of her friends’ mean-spirited pranks.

When Cassandra and her son check into the motel where he works and she asks for his help in eluding her abusive husband, he finds himself entangled in a dangerous drama that will require him to forgive and draw on every skill he has if they are to survive.

My Review:
This Christian Fiction story is much more than a romance; it's chock full of adventure. The character, Turner Caldwell, reminds me of a current-day Superman. As a handyman--rather than reporter, Clark Kent--Turner's super characteristics come to the forefront when needed. And they are urgently needed to protect Cassandra, a victim of spousal abuse, and her son, "little man" Jason as they flee for their lives.

I've never been overly fond of outside activities, but I was able to easily follow along with the scenes in the great outdoors. I enjoyed this thrilling adventure/romance novel, and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Bonnie at Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Realms Publishing for my copy.

If you would like to read the first chapter, click here.

If you would like to buy a copy, click here.

Picture Perfect by Janice Thompson

Weddings by Design (Book 1)

Feisty wedding photographer Hannah McDermott has dealt with her share of difficult brides. But none can compare to the ultimate Bridezilla she's dealing with now. Still, she's trying desperately to impress Bella Neeley, Galveston Island's most sought-after wedding planner, so she can take the top spot in Bella's list of recommended photographers--a spot currently occupied by her arch-rival, Drew Kincaid. What she doesn't count on, however, is falling head over heels for the competition.

With her contagious humor and cast of quirky characters, Janice Thompson gives readers more of the bridal business drama they want in a brand-new series all about those long-suffering people who make beautiful weddings happen. Readers are desperately waiting for more of Bella and this new series brings her back in a big way, while introducing new characters fans will love. Fans will laugh out loud as they experience this breezy and entertaining novel from a great storyteller.

My Review:
I'd love to live next door to Janice Thompson; she has such a positive outlook. I'm sure we'd be BFFs. I've read several of her novels, and each one has a lighthearted, bouncy plot. As I finished reading this her latest Christian fiction, I closed the book with a contented sigh and a smile on my face. Thompson's done it again!

The protagonist, Hannah McDermott, photographer, nicknamed Shutter Speed by her father still lives at home with her parents. The reader watches as this flawed character struggles with her fledgling business, relationship worries, and low self-esteem. She's easy to like because she thinks and acts like real people.

Clan McDermotts are a proud people, and each chapter offers an Irish blessing at its beginning. References to Grandpa Aengus are interspersed throughout the story, adding more Irish flavor. How I'd love to be invited to their annual Bing and Bob party. What a fun idea!

As a fan of Dancing with the Stars, I've introduced it to my husband, and therefore, I understand the resistance of Hannah's father, Michael McDermott to viewing it. I chucked as he, like my husband, is drawn bit by bit to sneek a peek until (at last!) he becomes a fan.

It's fun to watch Hannah blossom into her happy ending.

If you want a fun book to read, get a copy of this one. I sure enjoyed it.

Thank you to Donna Hausler at Baker Publishing Group for my copy.

Available February, 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Redeeming Grace by Ward Tanneberg

Seven years ago, Grace Grafton died in a boating accident while partying on the Georgia, South Carolina coast. Was her death the result of alcohol and drugs or something more sinister? Nobody knows: her body was never recovered. Now years later, a woman reads in disbelief the note addressed to her:

"Hello Grace, did you think we wouldn't find you?"

Those nine chilling words end Grafton's self-imposed sanctuary of witness protection. Now she and everyone she loves are in grave danger. Long believed dead, she has a secret that can change the world. She knows the man running for president is guilty of a double murder! But who will believe her?

My Review:
What a terrific storyline! A young lady witnesses two horrible murders and flees for her life. Grace changes her name to Taylor and successfully hides for seven years. Then her world collapses when the killers locate her, placing her and those around her in danger. All alone, we watch as she struggles to survive.

That's the good part. Here comes the bad. Editing is desperately needed. The writing is wordy making the book a whopping 600 pages. On page 331, an entire paragraph is repeated--word for word. Another example on that same page: a sentence is left hanging, and then repeated in the following paragraph. Any editor would/should have caught this! Furthermore, every character uses standard English except for blacks. They speak in nonstandard English. Another glaring error that editing should have caught is when Taylor gratefully kisses "a man of color" (335) on his cheek. The description of that kiss is racist, even though the author works hard to prove it's not. What a shame that this otherwise good book published with such careless editing.

Thank you to Bonnie at Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas for my copy.

If you would like to read the first chapter, click here.

If you would like to buy a copy, click here.