Kelly

Bamboo and Lace by Lori Wick

Rating: 4 Stars

A great book about a girl who grew up in a different culture and her struggle to adjust to American culture.

Comilla

The Whole Truth by James Scott Bell

Rating: 5 Stars

Mr. Bell is the master of suspense. I love clean suspense, and this one is great.

G. Hoffman

A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin

Rating: 5 Stars

World War II --- a time of change, an era of the past, and the setting for Sarah Sundin’s debut novel, A DISTANT MELODY. Normally historical romances equate with the Wild West. Not so here. Ms. Sundin’s book is set during WWII, a refreshing change that’s now got me hooked on this time period.

The story sets up around Allie Miller, daughter of a wealthy family in California, and Lt. Walter Novak, a pilot in the 306th Bomb Group. After the wedding of a mutual friend brings them together for a week, Allie returns home and Walter is shipped overseas. The letters they write over the next year bind their friendship closer and closer. But with Walt in constant danger fighting the Germans, Allie’s family’s expectations, and hidden secrets, will the two be able to overcome all the obstacles and find God’s plan for their lives --- together?

Like I mentioned before, this book was refreshing and unique. About halfway through the book, I thought the remainder would be fairly predictable. Although my guesses about the storyline were correct, the way Ms. Sundin made it happen were original and fun. The characters came alive, and they grew and changed over the course of the story. This has become a new favorite, and I can’t wait for book two!

Jane Squires (jrs362@hotmail.com)

Third Time's A Charm by Virgina Smith

Rating: 5 Stars

Sisters have a special bond. Even though all sisters are different and can be aggravating at times, they only want the best for each other. They know the best and worst about each other and are there to encourage, uplift and care when one needs someone to talk to.

Tori being the youngest is not easy for me to relate to as I am the oldest sister. So I would be the one like Allie.

I could well relate to the job struggle when Tori is put in competition with Mitch. When I worked I had a lady who thought I was going to try to take her job away and it was hard for her to like me. However she finally became my friend and like Phil she was there in the end.

Mitch is the office flirt which I think every job has. He isn't a guy one would necessarily take serious.

When Tori meets Ryan she feels their worlds are so different it cannot possibly work. I can relate to that because when I met my husband I always felt he deserved more. I was the poor one --- not like Tori --- more like Ryan.

I found it very interesting how families tease and taunt each other but still love one another. In my family there are three sisters too.

The book will encourage and uplift you. It is a book that you are drawn too and don't allow more than two or three days to read it because you will continually reach for it.

Sarah (booksandchocolate@gmail.com)

Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen

Rating: 4 Stars

I just started but I'm excited to get in it and I've got high expectations!

Amee

Escape to Sanctuary by M. J. Conner

Rating: 5 Stars

I love the Heartsong Presents series. The books are always short and sweet. The emotions heartfelt and the stories interesting. In ESCAPE TO SANCTUARY there was even a little suspense at the end when I thought a new conflict would be introduced. Even though it was just hinted at, the absence of following through with the possibility didn't hurt the ending. A cute and funny ending too! I could see it in my mind perfectly just like a movie. I really think Hallmark could make some good movies out of these little novels.

ADB

Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin

Rating: 5 Stars

This book was a great read --- I couldn't put it down once I got started. I love all of Lynn Austin's books. Three sisters that live in Sweden decide to leave their home and travel to America. There uncle has paid there passage to Chicago, but they come across some problems on their journey. A must read!!

Casey

A Passion Redeemed by Julie Lessman

Rating: 5 Stars

Charity O’Connor puts all of her worth and meaning of life into her outward beauty. Longing for a man who refuses her advances, Charity does everything within her power with tragic results. Will she finally turn to the love of God, or blame Him when she doesn’t get her way?
Often in a series of books, characters who played a minor role in the first and then get a major role in the second often come across as perfect in the first and suddenly flawed in the second. It is often what makes series difficult for me to really get into right away. But for all those who read A PASSION MOST PURE, we know Charity is flawed and I was looking forward to how Julie Lessman would redeem this poor, lost girl. She did it marvelously.

This book was a breath of fresh air. Often in books the character is put through great tragedy to learn their lesson, but in this case Charity went through great personal and internal struggles, that continued to build until she wasn’t sure where to turn. It made for great reading and a wonderful different perspective.

What Lessman book isn’t complete without passion? Julie keeps it Biblical, while showing the tragedies of stepping outside the boundaries of the Lord and the sweetness of true and pure love inside the Lord’s blessing. I could go on forever! Another wonderful novel and I can’t wait to read book three!!

Janan Hudek Foster

Dawning of the Day by Elisabeth Ogilvie

Rating: 5 Stars

I've read and re-read Ms. Ogilvie's Bennett's Island sagas (in 2 series), and never tire of them. This book is part of the 'lovers' trilogy, but it's certainly not stock romance. All the stories take place off the coast of Maine. Ogilvie began in the 1930s (with backstories to the island's first inhabitants), up to the 1970s. The characters are lobstermen and their families and those who think they might just try the island life. Rich in character and details, peril and moral dilemmas, the entire series is my idea of readers' heaven. Sadly, Ms. Ogilvie died a couple of years ago, but her books live on!

Janan Hudek Foster

The Wilde Women by Paula Wall

Rating: 4 Stars

Some of the lines in this witty tome are priceless! Two sisters, a small Tennessee town dominated by its women, and men who are charming, faithless and generally ineffectual, and you have a story that, while amusing, also tells some universal truths.

Adge

The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall

Rating: 5 Stars

I read this book and enjoyed it mainly because of its wisdom. It was a treasure of a book. A woman learns to overcome emotional and mental pain with the help from a man that had to overcome his own past pain, physical and emotional, from an accident. A nice easy read that leaves you with a good feeling.

Janan Hudek Foster

Electric Universe by David Bodanis

Rating: 4 Stars

This book includes intrigue, suspense, scares and fascinating info on an arcane subject that surrounds us all. Electricity makes the world go round, and, believe me, if terrorists chose to shut down the world's electricity, we'd all be in trouble! Readable, laughable and lovable.

Kristen

Talking to the Dead by Bonnie Grove

Rating: 5 Stars

I loved this book. It's Bonnie Grove's first novel, an impressive debut. A young widow continues to hear her dead husband speaking to her and struggles with things in her past that she can't --- or won't --- remember. She struggles with grief and mental illness, and finding help through an unlikely encounter with the young pastor of an unconventional church that meets in a school gym. I couldn't put it down.

It's a Canadian book, so you might have to go looking for it, but it's well worth it.

Comilla (Cleaf77@aol.com)

The Sacrifice by Robert Whitlow

Rating: 5 Stars

Somewhere between the styles of Frank Peretti and John Grisham lies the style of lawyer-turned-novelist -- CBA Frontline
I think that says it all. I will read more of Mr. Whitlow's books.

Merry

Breach of Trust by DiAnn Mills

Rating: 5 Stars

Terrific, suspenseful and romantic story about an ex-CIA operative undercover as a librarian in a small OK town. I loved the interactions of the town full of real people and Paige's love for them all, especially Miles the football coach. As Paige continues to pursue justice for a mission gone wrong and thwart her nemesis a conniving politician; there is heart ache, romance and plenty of twisting action. I loved it!

Casey

Paper Roses by Amanda Cabot

Rating: 4 Stars

A woman suffering from life’s circumstances answers the letters of a man searching for a bride. A man trying to find his brother’s killer will stop at nothing to learn the truth and bring him to justice. Sarah has suffered more than any woman her age should. Now, clutching the love letters of the man she plans to marry and her young sister in toe, she moves to a town where prejudice, hatred, love and forgiveness resides, she just has to learn which ones she is going to except.
"Paper Roses" is such a beautiful title, it had the impression of being a good story. And I was not disappointed. This story truly has some great storytelling in it. While it is love story between two people desperate for reconciliation with their Father in Heaven, it is also a tale of a town suffering with prejudice. Throw in an unpredictable murder mystery with a surprise ending and you have a recipe for a great book. This was a great story and one I thoroughly enjoyed spending time immersed in.

Amee

The Bride Bargain by Kelly Eileen Hake

Rating: 5 Stars

Wonderful novel. I had read nearly 50 pages before realizing that the meat of the story had yet to begin. I think that's the sign of a great book if the reader is interested in the set up just as much as the main story! Great characters, great story. Highly recommended!

Casey

The Captain's Lady by Louise M. Gouge

Rating: 3 Stars

Lady Marianne is in love --- with a man who returns her affections, but can’t. Captain James loves his English highborn lady, but a war across the continent in America just might come between them, especially as James ferrets documents out his love’s home and from under her English father’s nose.

The premise of this story had my attention and I was looking forward to reading a story set in an era that is not heavily covered by today’s Christian novel market. I really don’t like to write disparaging reviews, but this book was not an easy read for me. Now before you completely write this author off, let me explain why. Gouge wrote this book very much in the style of Jane Austen. Very little actual action, but instead much telling of how the tale unfolds. I felt detached from the characters and much of the language of that era is hard for me to plow through.
Now, I truly believe that lovers of Jane Austen will thoroughly enjoy The Captain’s Lady. Having read one of Austen’s books myself, I can see the great similarities in how the story flows, word choice and character actions. So while this book was not my “cup of tea”, I think Austen fans will find it a nice new take on that era.
I received this book from the author for purposes as an influencer --- I received no compensation for this review.

Amee

Janette Oke: A Heart for the Prairie by Laurel Oke Logan

Rating: 5 Stars

This is the biography of Janette Oke written by her daughter. I thought it was very well written. At times it felt more like one of Janette's own novels than the true account of her life! I highly recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed Janette's novels.

Barbara

Deception by Randy Alcorn

Rating: 4 Stars

It was not a fast read. You have to concentrate, because there are so many details. It was my first time to read this author, and I really enjoyed the book. I was down to the final pages before I knew who did it!!!

Nancy (flexworkna@yahoo.com)

Self Incrimination by Randy Singer

Rating: 4 Stars

This book was the Jan 2010 selection for our book club. All six ladies gave it a "thumbs up". If you like legal fiction (as I do) you will like this. What does a lawyer do when her client is lying to her? There's some romance and medicine, and a surprise twist at the end thrown in as well. I thought it was well plotted and moved along nicely.

Asha Smith

The cure by Geeta Anand

Rating: 5 Stars

I wish I had the Crowleys' strength and tenacity. I'm halfway through this amazing book and am completely hooked on it.

Betty

A Vote of Confidence by Robin Lee Hatcher

Rating: 5 Stars

I have only read two books by this author, and have enjoyed them both immensely. I love historical fiction, which this one is.

A female mayor in the West in the 1800's? Totally unheard of; but that's what the main character goes after.

Patty

A Measure of Mercy by Lauraine Snelling

Rating: 4 Stars

I've enjoyed all the author's many books about Blessing. This one is no exception.

M. Tlusty

Seaside Letters by Denise Hunter

Rating: 5 Stars

This inspirational story is about an Internet romance between Sabrina, a woman who is biding her time as a waitress, and a tour boat owner, Tucker. Sabrina knows who Tucker is because he emailed her a photo. He comes into her café every morning. Sabrina doesn’t know that Tucker also knows who she is. She did not send him her own photo; she sent a photo of her gorgeous cousin. When her cousin shows up unexpectedly, it begins a series of moving misadventures. This poignant romance has excellent characterization in a lovely Nantucket setting; it is in Denise Hunter’s Nantucket Love Story series.

Sherrie

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Rating: 4 Stars

This was a very interesting book!

abi

A Kiss for Cade by Lori Copeland

Rating: 5 Stars

Wittingly charming twisty and turny --- love the book. Both thumbs are up.

BAH

The Sacred Cipher by Terry Brennan

Rating: 5 Stars

A great read! Better and more accurate than THE DA VINCI CODE.

Sarah

Against All Odds by Irene Hannon

Rating: 4 Stars

AGAINST ALL ODDS is the first in the Heroes of Quantico series. A well-written, fast-paced book, well worth your time.

Pam

Washington's Lady by Nancy Moser

Rating: 4 Stars

It took me a while to get into the language of the 1700s --- the conversation seemed stilted at first, but once I got past that and more into the book, I found myself really relating to Martha. Nancy Moser really got to the heart of George and Martha Washington, showing the personal side we don't often hear about. The book was very good.

M. Tlusty

The Carousel Painter by Judith Miller

Rating: 5 Stars

Carrington (Carrie) Brouwer’s artist father dies and she has no family. Carrie is invited by her friend to move from France and join her in the U. S. To support herself, she finds a job painting beautifully carved carousel horses at her friend’s father’s carousel factory. She is thrilled with her job, but she is unwelcome as the only woman at the factory. She is also the prime suspect for a jewelry theft.
Can her relationship with her factory supervisor and her renewed faith pull her through? If you liked THAT CERTAIN SPARK by Cathy Marie Hake, then this historical romantic fiction is the book for you.

Amee

Clowning Around by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Rating: 3 Stars

I love Brunstetter's books, and this one was nice as well. I didn't realize but it's a sort of sequel to TALKING FOR TWO (another Heartsong Presents novel). The two can be read independently, though.

Amee

The Parting by Beverly Lewis

Rating: 4 Stars

Beverly Lewis is truly the queen of Amish fiction. This first book in the Courtship of Nellie Fisher series is a great start. I can't wait to read more about her relationship with Caleb as well as her family's conversion to the New Order sect of their Amish religion. I was glad that the mystery surrounding Nellie's sister's death was tied up at the end of this one. I almost expected it to be drawn out through the series but was pleasantly surprised to get to the truth in this first novel.

Dara

The Dead Don't Dance by Charles Martin

Rating: 5 Stars

I love the feel of his books. He has a way with creating flawed characters that you can really relate to.

Brenda Rupp

The Creation Of Eve by Lynn Cullen

Rating: 5 Stars

This is an awesome book based during the time of Michealangelo. It's about a women painter, and much of it based on known facts with lots of juicy fiction thrown in. You can't put this book down! Love the Tudors, this book is great fun!

Casey

Plain Pursuit by Beth Wiseman

Rating: 5 Stars

Carley Marek is forced to take a vacation by her boss, so she heads for Pennsylvania Dutch country and her Amish reformed friend. Entering the tranquil countryside and community of the Amish soon proves to be anything but relaxing. From a shunning no one wants to forgive to a dying child in need of a kidney transplant, Carley is about to discover what she never expected to find.
I hate clichéd Amish stories and there are so many out there. But, I am so thrilled to share with you a simply wonderful story. A tale fresh with new perspective on the Amish culture. I am a huge stickler when it comes to getting facts right on the Amish, but Beth Wiseman does a marvelous job on accuracy. It was like a breath of fresh air and a story I loved from page one to the end. There was one moment that must have been a typo when it came to changing character perspective, but aside from that it was a great read. The ending will even make you cry (in a very good way!) 5/5 stars!

M. Tlusty

That Certain Spark by Cathy Marie Hake

Rating: 5 Stars

The year is 1892. The town of Gooding, Texas is looking forward to two needed medical persons arriving in town, a veterinarian and a doctor --- twins. When the brother Enoch, the veterinarian, and the sister Taylor, the doctor, arrive in town, many are up in arms because they thought they were getting two brothers. Many think women aren’t qualified or that medicine is an inappropriate profession for a woman. Taylor and Enoch set out to prove the small-minded townspeople wrong in this inspirational novel.
If you liked THE CAROUSEL PAINTER by Judith Miller, then this historical romantic fiction is the book for you.