Shyeyes

Bridge of Hope by Kim Meeder

Rating: 5 Stars

Excellent stories about a real ranch that saves broken kids and broken horses. The horses have been abused, as well as the children. Kim and her husband bring them together, and with God's grace, the horses and children seem to heal each other. Heartbreaking and awe-inspiring.

Patti Shene (gunsmokefan@hotmail.com)

The Case of the Bouncing Grandma by A. K. Arenz

Rating: 5 Stars

Can a Wheelchair-Confined Fifty Something Grandma Really Solve a Murder?

Glory Harper is not your typical fifty-something grandmother. Rather, she is known as the “bouncing” grandma because – well- I don’t want to give away all the secrets!. Now, Glory is confined to a wheelchair with a broken leg and bored out of her mind after trying her hand at skateboarding.

No one really believes Glory’s theory that there’s a dead body next door, based on her observation of a foot dangling from a rolled up carpet belonging to the new neighbors as they move in. Despite skepticism from her sister, Jane, her daughter, Andi, and even the handsome blue-eyed detective who investigates her claim, Glory is determined to prove her case.

Suspense deepens as the new residents of small town Tarryton appear to be tied to a crime far more elaborate than harboring a dead body. Glory obtains her evidence simply by extending Christian friendship to the new neighbors along with a little internet surfing.

Glory and her sister Jane share a deep bond as sisters and best friends. The relationship between daughter Andi and grandson Seth is presented with humor intertwined skillfully with drama and real-life emotion. The promise of a potential budding romance for Glory adds depth to her character. Throw the town scoundrel and a past national scandal into the mix and you have a book that keeps you turning the pages until the end.

A. K. Arenz has done a fine job of delivering a great story in this debut novel. I look forward to more work from this talented author.

Kassy Paris

The Case of the Bouncing Grandma by A. K. Arenz

Rating: 5 Stars

THE CASE OF THE BOUNCING GRANDMA is a captivating, funny cozy mystery that will have you turning page after page to find out what will happen next. I can't wait for the next installment featuring Grandma Glory.

Karen Haney

Sister's Choice by Emilie Richards

Rating: 5 Stars

Just as Emilie Richards weaves her exquisite quilts, she has woven a story for everyone who loves family and especially for those who have shared a special bond with a sister.
Set in the gorgeous Shenandoah Valley with its beautiful scenery and panoramic views, Kendra and Isaac Taylor are planning their dream house on land they own in this stunning mountain-bordered property. In what would seem to be a perfect life, Richards tells how this couple have been sadly left childless even though they yearn for a family.

Kendra and her younger sister Jamie Dunkirk have never really been close. Just prior to Christmas, Jamie comes to visit unexpectedly and gives Kendra and Isaac a gift. Jamie offers to be a gestational surrogate so that Kendra’s perfect family dream can come true. Although apprehensive because of Jamie’s past, Kendra accepts the offer.

Their bond is tested as Jamie faces a medical emergency that could tear their lives apart. Jamie is faced with the most difficult decision of her life. The choice she must make is what brings this story to its dramatic conclusion!

Fans of Jennifer Chiaverini’s Elm Creek Quilt series, and of Debbie McComber will quickly have a new favorite author once you read SISTER'S CHOICE or any of Emilie Richards’s work.

Asha Smith

Riven by Jerry B. Jenkins

Rating: 5 Stars

This was a different Jerry Jenkins. A thought-provoking book with a surprise ending that made me weep.

L Shultz

The Stars for a Light by Lynn and Gilbert Morris

Rating: 5 Stars

Great characters, rich settings, and unusual plot all make this a super read. The Morris duo make you want more and they provide as this is the first in a series. It is about a woman doctor in the mid 1800s and her adventures.

Lori Shultz

The Stars for a Light by Lynn and Gilbert Morris

Rating: 5 Stars

Great book filled with believable characters, an unusual plot, and rich settings. The Morris pair leave you wanting more. This is the first book in the Cheney Duvall, MD series about a woman doctor in the mid 1800s.

Gabriella Schmidt (gabriellaschmidt@shaw.ca)

One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury

Rating: 5 Stars

I am finding it difficult to read because 9-11 was so hard to take. I am hoping the book may get me past that. Wonderful characters and lots of tears so far.

Angie Jackson

Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris

Rating: 5 Stars

This is a great book that all teens should read, as well as their parents and youth leaders. Teens are capable of rising to the challenge and actually doing hard things. We should not limit them by setting low expectations of them.

Robin

The Scent of God by Beryl Singleton Bissell

Rating: 4 Stars

This memoir is about Beryl's stages of life, and it is AWESOME!

Lynda Harrison

The Shack by William P. Young

Rating: 5 Stars

Very thought provoking, reassuring and convicting all at once.

Pam

Cheney Duvall, MD by Lynn Morris & Gilbert Morris

Rating: 4 Stars

I read the first book in this series for my Christian Fiction Book club, fully intending not to read the other seven books. About halfway through the book, I knew I would have to read the rest of the series. For those who like historical fiction and don't mind a long series, these are great.

Rhonda

Dawn's Light by Terri Blackstock

Rating: 5 Stars

A wonderful trilogy of things that could happen. This story will keep you wanting more from beginning to end.

Karen

Sister's Choice by Emilie Richards

Rating: 5 Stars

The sacrifices a sister makes for another make this a wonderful read!

Karen

Designated Daughter by D. G. Fulford

Rating: 5 Stars

A daughter's devotion and love for her mother in her widowed years and how they both share the time and learn from each other is tender, funny, heartwarming, and so well written! A must read, especially as you grow older and find yourself as a caregiver to your parents. I so enjoyed this!

Connie

Dying Declaration by Randy Singer

Rating: 5 Stars

This was a great book. It was about a family with three children whose church believes that people should not go to the doctor, and that if you prayed enough, God would take care of you. They do end up taking one of their boys to the emergency room after being sick for three days; they find out he has appendicitis, but he was already too sick and he dies. The parents are charged with murder for neglecting to take their son to the emergency room sooner. The family then goes to trial and it is so suspenseful. It was a great, suspenseful story with a surprise ending. I would recommend reading this book, especially if you like drama and suspense. I am going to read the others by this author as well.

Kathy Brown

Spirit Unbroken by Rick and Alice Garlock

Rating: 5 Stars

I could not put this book down. It was very well written and inspirational. What courage it took to write about abuses and somehow come to terms with it.

Sarah

A Touch of Grace by Laurain Snelling

Rating: 5 Stars

I loved this book! The characters were interesting --- especially the main character, Grace, who's deaf. The writing was good and left me wanting more.

Tim Chavel (tchavel@hotmail.com)

Jerry Falwell: His Life and Legacy by Macel Falwell

Rating: 5 Stars

One of the best books I've read this year. Written after Jerry's death, by his wife. She shares many things that only his wife would know. It made me appreciate Jerry Falwell in a way I had not before. The forward is written by Sean Hannity, who is a close friend of the Falwell's.

Tim Chavel (tchavel@hotmail.om)

No Retreat, No Surrender by Tom DeLay with Stephen Mansfield

Rating: 4 Stars

A very interesting book. I wished he would have spent more time on his salvation experience. If you love politics, then this book is a must read. It is disappointing to hear how so many of our conservative leaders in Washington fought each other. Tom DeLay's heart seemed to be in the right place, but sometimes you get the idea, that it is his way or the highway.

Connie Husby (chusby@brocade.com)

23 Minutes in Hell by Bill Wiese

Rating: 5 Stars

This book is an eye opener, especially in 2008. There are so many new age titles on the shelves and people buy into them. They believe heaven and hell are on earth; it frustrates me, because biblically, God describes both as actual places. There is so much scripture to back up what is said in this book; don't take my word for it --- buy the book, you will want to pass it on. It's an easy read and you will not be able to put it down.

Bill speaks all over the United States now telling of his experience in hope you too will believe there actually is a place called Hell. We must live for Christ with the urgency that he may return today! May your day be blessed in Jesus's name.

Penn Mckee

Get Up, Get Out, Get Blessed by Bryan Cutshall

Rating: 4 Stars

Very insightful in pulling current life situations together with the Exodus story.

Penn Mckee

Molech Prophecy by Thomas Phillips

Rating: 4 Stars

Excellent read.

SW

Fellowship of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien

Rating: 5 Stars

A wonderfully written fantasy book. Entertaining!

Renee Gatewood

A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist

Rating: 5 Stars

Drama that makes your toes curl, humor that brings tears to your eyes and a hope that is born through kindness. Like the "northern lights" (natures own fireworks), you wish it would continue...until her next book.