Anna

The Third Secret by Steve Berry

Rating: 5 Stars

Mystery, murder and intrigue all set in the Vatican ---what could be better? This book is a page turner right up there with THE DA VINCI CODE.

Erica Poggenpohl (knittingsnowflake@yahoo.com)

The Ultmate Gift by Jim Stovall and Dawn Billings

Rating: 3 Stars

I really liked this book. The lessons the character goes through are lessons that every person should know and go through consciously. Sometimes, we go through life at the speed of light. This book really slows you down and makes you think about what really matters in life and how we take it for granted.

JB

International Intrigue by Peter Hess

Rating: 5 Stars

This is the second book I've read by this author, and the second in the Gohan series. This is a globe-trotting tale with interesting characters and witty dialogue. The plot has some twists, but is easy to follow. A high recommendation for readers who like action.

J. Cathcart

Shoalwater Voices by Perry P. Perkins

Rating: 5 Stars

Even before I read JUST PAST OYSTERVILLE, I knew Perry P. Perkins was an amazing writer from reading his short stories. Now SHOALWATER VOICES (book two in the Shoalwater series) has placed him permanently within the group of authors whose books I will buy immediately upon release.

These books are so much more than the usual hyper-censored, unrealistic story to be found in Christian fiction.

The characters are real people with strengths and weaknesses, and they live real lives filled with anguish, love, mistakes, and triumphs. And the underlying message of God's love is relayed so effortlessly and so poignantly that it comes through loud and clear and leaves the reader with such a wonderful feeling of hope --- just the way I believe Jesus would have done it.

I encourage everyone who loves a good story to read these books, and I can't wait to read the next installment in the series!

Deena Peterson (thedeena63@hotmail.com)

The Secret Life of Becky Miller by Sharon Hinck

Rating: 5 Stars

Have you ever read a book, and then wish you hadn't read it, just so you could read it again, fresh and new? That's how I felt about THE SECRET LIFE OF BECKY MILLER. From page one, I felt like she was a dear friend, and that I could tell her anything. Watching her struggle with wanting a meaningful life, and then watching her discover just what meaning her life did have was a rich and eye-opening experience for me. The fantasy segments were hilarious... although after about 2/3rds of the book I just wanted to get to the "real Becky". Sharon Hinck is a riot...check out her website and you'll be as eager as I am for the next installment in the Becky Miller adventures!

Deena Peterson (thedeena63@hotmail.com)

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Series by Neta Jackson

Rating: 5 Stars

What a group this is! With such a rich tapestry of characters, there is a woman we can all identify with. Real life situations and the response each of the group members give will inspire you to be more than you are right now, and reassure you that you are not alone in how you feel. Neta Jackson has created a group that makes me long for the kind of fellowship that only Christian sisters can give. Read them all... you won't regret it!

Teresa Brewer

River Rising by Althol Dickson

Rating: 4 Stars

A wonderful story about a man trying to find his family and coming to the realization of who he is as a child of God. RIVER RISING is well written and draws you into the lives of people in a time and place that seems far away, but is probably closer then we'd all like to imagine.

T. Suzanne Eller (tseller@daretobelieve.org)

From Faking It to Finding Grace by Connie Cavanaugh

Rating: 5 Stars

It's relevant and easy to read. Yet, it challenges your thinking, and it is a great book for anyone who has gone through times when they felt their faith was a million miles away, and yet they hungered for God. This book is about how not to fake it, but to find grace in those times.

Amanda Lozenich (Alpooh0721@aol.com)

Deadline by Randy Alcorn

Rating: 5 Stars

This realistic book makes you rethink life after death. Randy realistically views the struggle of a non-believer's fight for faith through the help of a lost friend and his own personal experiences. This is long, but one everyone must read.

Amanda Lozenich (Alpooh0721@aol.com)

Leota's Garden by Francine Rivers

Rating: 4 Stars

A book that brings joy and laughter mixed with life's hardships. A girl longs to find herself through her long lost grandmother; in turn, she finds her faith and brings her family to faith also. Excellent read.

Nina Bennett, author of Forgotten Tears (ninabde@aol.com)

I Can't Remember Me by Judy Martin-Urban and Courtney Martin Larson

Rating: 5 Stars

With one brief phone call, Judy Martin-Urban's life changed forever. Her deeply personal portrayal of the complexity of mourning her grandson while remaining hopeful of her daughter's survival and recovery will touch everyone who reads it. Judy openly acknowledges all of her conflicting emotions surrounding the car accident. Her honest discussion of the accident itself and the devastation that resulted underscores the fact that one choice can change an entire family forever. It took a great deal of courage and faith to share her family so publicly. The book is enhanced by Courtney's description of recovering from traumatic brain injury. It is an effective juxtaposition to read the account from the mother/grandmother and then to read how it feels from Courtney's point of view. This book should be in every traumatic brain injury recovery center and support group.

Ruth

The Purse-Driven Life by Anita Renfroe

Rating: 4 Stars

This is my first exposure to this particular author. I will definitely seek out the rest of her books.

Tina

Everything's Coming Up Josey by Susan May Warren

Rating: 4 Stars

It's a great read about a girl who ends up spending a year in Russia as a missionary. I enjoyed this book very much.

Mary

My Father's World by Michael R. Phillips and Judith Pella

Rating: 4 Stars

This is a book I must have missed, since it was published in 1990. It's a good, light summer read. My favorite books as a child were The Little House On The Prairie books, and I find myself searching for old fashioned stories such as those. This novel reminds me of the Laura Ingalls Wilder's series, which makes me very happy. If you missed this during the 1990's, find a copy. You won't be disappointed.

T. Qualls

The Bride of Donnigan by Janette Oke

Rating: 5 Stars

Wonderful romance fiction.

T. Qualls

The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace

Rating: 5 Stars

Very easy to understand and apply to your marriage.

Lori

Something That Lasts by James David Jordan

Rating: 5 Stars

This takes you through a whole range of emotions, but it has a good ending.

Betsy Burge

A Rose by the Door by Deborah Bedford

Rating: 5 Stars

This is the first book that I have read by this author. I admire the authenticity of both her characters and her situations.

Pamela Finn (pam4933407@aol.com)

Whence Came a Prince by Liz Curtis Higgs

Rating: 5 Stars

Like her other books in this series, it follows the biblical story, but in a different time and place. I love her books!!

Billie Mc

Night Light by Terri Blackstock

Rating: 5 Stars

The saga continues. This is the second of a series. I can hardly wait for the next one, but it won't be out for quite sometime.

Suzy Finigan (suzyfinigan@sbcglobal.net)

A Day with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory

Rating: 5 Stars

This is the sequel to DINNER WITH A PERFECT STRANGER and it is equally wonderful. A quick read that you'll never forget!

Suzy Finigan (suzyfinigan@sbcglobal.net)

Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory

Rating: 5 Stars

This book took my breath away! I am planning on buying multiple copies for so many people whom I want to read it, too!

Betty

The Rising by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

Rating: 4 Stars

THE RISING is the first book in the Prequel to the Left Behind series, and it's not at all like any of the other books. My husband and I enjoy reading Christian thrillers aloud to each other and really enjoyed the Left Behind books. This one was quite a disappointment to us. There was no "action" in this book until about 3/4 of the way through. The author spent many pages going over and over and OVER the thoughts and feelings of the woman who gave birth to Nicholae Carpathia. It was totally unnecessary to the story and could have been reduced to one paragraph instead of being brought up over and over. This was not a book that a man would enjoy.

Wendy

By the Light of a Thousand Stars by Jamie Langston Turner

Rating: 5 Stars

What a unique and fascinating writing style Jamie Langston Turner has! She pulls you in so that you become so involved in the lives of her characters, in their thoughts and their motives, you can see into their hearts and sometimes see yourself reflected there! A wonderful, thought-provoking book!!