Kendrix Ladson

When We All Get to Heaven by JMS Bell

Rating: 5 Stars

It was on of the best books I have read since THE COLDEST WINTER EVER by Sista Souljah. The book has substance and, most definitely, and message. I can not wait for her next masterpiece.

Ericka Wheeler

Life...What's Up With Yours? by C. NaTasha Richburg

Rating: 5 Stars

It is an urban bible study that I use as a devotional. It has really helped me understand life better.

Joyce Bell (arise321@msn.com)

When We All Get To Heaven by JMS Bell

Rating: 5 Stars

It has been almost three years since Almay, the 'sensible' daughter of Allen and Mayora Ryan, stalked out of her home leaving, her Christian upbringing and God behind in search of her fiance, Steed Vance. Now, time has taught her a hard lesson and she must swallow her pride and return to God and her parents. But, it is soon evident that divine providence is leading her as her return to Sandville touches and changes many lives. Good reading! Jesus Christ is the Hero!

AP

Where the Willow Grows by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Rating: 4 Stars

This novel is a story of a young married couple in 1930s Kansas as they learn to trust God and each other to help them during the Great Depression.

This book alternates smoothly between his and her viewpoints.

Deena Peterson (thedeena63@hotmail.com)

Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin

Rating: 5 Stars

Charles Martin has a way with a story! Chase Walker is a news reporter searching for the truth --- about Sketch, about himself, and about Uncle Willie. What he reveals our own desire to belong and to be loved...by our Father. Beautifully written, and well worth reading!

Deena Peterson (thedeena63@hotmail.com)

The Restorer by Sharon Hinck

Rating: 5 Stars

I wish I could give THE RESTORER 6 stars...it is the best fantasy fiction I've read since The Lord of the Rings. Sharon has written a classic tale of our desire to do great things for God, and what it actually requires of us to accomplish His tasks. Susan is a heroine to the people of Lyric, but she is also just like us. I highly recommend this novel!

Dawnymae

Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Rolling by Neta Jackson

Rating: 5 Stars

This is a continuing series about a group of women who met in a prayer group and decide to keep it going. Wonderful diversity in the group and many race, color, and ethnic issues are raised and challenged. Very inspirational and entertaining read!

Judith Nelms

Summer of Light by W. Dale Cramer

Rating: 4 Stars

My book club members loved this book. It had just enough humor in it and lots of topics for discussion. It taught us how to be patient with our children and learn from them.

Judith Nelms

In Search of Eden by Linda Nichols

Rating: 4 Stars

My book club members loved this book. It had a lot of issues for discussion.

Julie Miner (jim225@interact.ccsd.net)

I Love Claire by Tracey Bateman

Rating: 5 Stars

Claire is a heroine I am pulling for. She faces the same Mom-type problems we all do, but she reminds us where to look for strength! I want to be just like Claire!

Liz B (bushfamily@hotmail.com)

A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist

Rating: 5 Stars

Did I laugh? Yes. Did I cry? No. Did I want to keep reading it after it ended? Yes.

This is an author that I will buy again and again.A great read.

John Flynn

90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper

Rating: 5 Stars

This was the hardest book to put down. it really makes you stop and reliaze that a future in heaven is worth doing all you can to share Christ.

Sarah

The Mommy Manual by Barbara Curtis

Rating: 4 Stars

It's only 4 stars because I haven't quite finished it!! However, Mrs. Curtis writes well and has really encouraged me as a mother though this book. (My three little girls, ages 3 years and under, seem like no big deal compared to her 12 kids!)

Debbie LaBolle

Divine by Karen Kingsbury

Rating: 5 Stars

I can't get enough of Karen Kingsbury. This was, by far, the hardest book of hers that I have read, but worth the walk to see the end results.

Billie McHam (bmmcham@cox.net)

Sunrise by Karen Kingsbury

Rating: 5 Stars

I'm halfway through this book. It's just as good as Kingsbury's preceding series.

Dorothy

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

Rating: 5 Stars

This is such a topical book about the results of bullying in schools, especially after the massacre in Virginia. The author is a fabulous writer who writes sympathetically from all points of view. You end up feeling compassion for the victims, parents, and the bully....no one is blameless. I recommend this book and this author if you have not read more by her. She always takes on relevant subjects and does a fabulous job of putting faces to the issues.

Jenn S.

Scandalous Grace by Julie Ann Barnhill

Rating: 4 Stars

This was my first book by this author, but you can be guaranteed that I'll be reading more!

Ms. Barnhill's humor is comparable to that of Christian comedian Chonda Pierce --- at times just side-splitting funny! But, her life stories and insights make you nod your head in agreement, or sigh with longing.

I especially liked --- and could relate to --- the chapter called "Stomach Girl." Her "horror stories" of visits to the "crypt" will make you cringe in rememberance. ;o)

Amidst all of her humorous tales, Ms. Barnhill makes it abundantly clear that God loves us just as we are, and desires for us to accept His lavish grace. All we have to do is "let go."

I highly recommend this book!

Jenn S.

Hidden In Plain Sight: The Secret of More by Mark Buchanan

Rating: 4 Stars

Built on the Bible verse, 2 Peter 1:1-9, Buchanan outlines the seven virtues listed by the apostle Peter, and then goes into depth explaining how they unlock the "secret of more" in our lives, if we learn to have these qualities "in increasing measure."

I really soaked this book up. I've read this verse in the past, and had a sense of it's importance, but I never really went on with it from there. It got forgotten. But now I don't think I'll look at it the same way ever again!

Highly recommended.

Carol Baxter

Could I Have This Dance? by Harry Kraus

Rating: 5 Stars

This book is about how the threat of Huntington's Disease affects a young woman who wants to be a surgeon. I'm anxiously waiting for the third book in this series, due in June.

Jeanette Harlow

At the Scent of Water by Linda Nichols

Rating: 4 Stars

I just finished listening to an audiotape of this book --- stayed up until 2:00 a.m. on a weeknight to finish it! I liked the way the author unfolded the story from multiple perspectives, a little at a time. There were good character development and attention to the details that make a book come alive. I also liked that there were no pat answers to the struggles the characters experienced, but a strong Biblical message.

Chris

Grown-Up Girlfriends by Erin Smalley & Carrie Oliver

Rating: 4 Stars

As women, we are so busy taking care of everyone else that nurturing healthy friendships is pretty far down the "to do" list.
This book helps us take the time and spend it wisely.

S. Campbell

We Will Be Healed by Susan J. Bliss

Rating: 5 Stars

I love this book. It feels like I'm doing something good for myself when I read it. I feel like I'm not the only one who has a demanding job, or a hard day sometimes --- and that spiritual renewal truly IS at hand!

Reading these 3-page excerpts, one at a time, encourages me to be aware of how Jesus taught and showed in such ways that real people can engage with, and can put into practice. I feel ministered to, and guided, in different ways when I read each one. And, in a neat low-key way, I am learning a few new things in the process!

The price is very reasonable. I bought some extras and gave them as gifts to a pharm-tech in my church, to my own pharmacist, and to a chaplain at our area hospital. I would think the book would be a good gift for almost any busy person who deals with "the public," whether or not they are in the health profession. But if they ARE in any health profession, I would think it would be extremely valuable!

As a p.s., I enjoyed the insights on the real behind-the-counter life of pharmacists! Also, I felt like I was sharing heart-to-heart with a very real professional person, who wasn't afraid to connect faith to life.