Denise

Tender Grace by Jackina Stark

Rating: 5 Stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A refreshing, yet powerful book about Audrey after the sudden loss of her dear husband, experiencing the months of grief, and the loss of everything she enjoyed in life. As someone who has lost someone dearly loved, I could relate to the loss of appetite for life, including those things that were once cherished, such as reading.
The author tells Audrey's story in journal form. It was so encouraging to watch Audrey's healing as she embarks on her journey to travel to the places they were going to visit, healing and opening her heart one step at a time. Highly recommend this book!

R Alexander

Enduring Love by Bonnie Leon

Rating: 4 Stars

Talk about a blast from the past. Not only is the book set in the past (1807 to be exact), but John and Hannah Bradshaw get a big surprise from someone in John's past. Although I knew what would happen at the end of the book (it's a romance, after all), there were times when I doubted a happy ending. Ms. Leon does a great job of keeping the reader wondering how things will work out, if they will at all. The book was great, even though the situation John and Hannah found themselves in seemed so painful. I couldn't imagine having to get through what they did. If anything, John seemed more realistic in the book than Hannah. Hannah was strong and put her trust in God, but at times it seemed like she wasn't emotional or questioning enough, given the circumstances. I did, however, love the trip she took with her friend Lydia. That seemed like something a woman in Hannah's situation would do. Overall, I found myself engrossed in the novel and the characters, and I'd recommend it. This is a good read for all fans of historical romance.

R Alexander

Tour de Force by Elizabeth White

Rating: 5 Stars

This book was just as fantastic as I expected it to be. (The cover alone made me want to read this! Especially since I love ballet.) The main characters were so fun, and the secondary characters were just as intriguing and well written as the main ones. I especially liked how real everyone was. Gillian and Jacob were not perfect by any means --- they struggled with how to express their Christianity in everyday life and where the line is between tolerance of others' lifestyles and still sticking up for morality and truth. Sometimes it seems like the characters in books have it all figured out, but Gilly and Jacob didn't, and the book didn't end with them suddenly being able to perfectly balance their ideals with non-Christians around them. Life doesn't always have simple answers, and this book showed that. Plus, Ms. White did an excellent job of showing God's miracles. Although miracles seem rare nowadays, God is always faithful, and miracles today are just as real as they ever were. An excellent read. I will be getting more of Elizabeth White's books for sure.

Vernona E Monteith

By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson

Rating: 5 Stars

Jill Williamson has created a world of amazing details, unpredictable twists and turns, and characters that jump off the page and threaten to drink all your coffee. A must read for fantasy lovers... and others.

KMJ

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

Rating: 5 Stars

Inspiring and moving!

KMJ

Love is an Orientation by Andrew Marin and Brian McLaren

Rating: 4 Stars

Still near the beginning of the book, but I very much appreciate the focus on God and love above all.

Deanna

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Real by Neta Jackson

Rating: 5 Stars

I listened to this audio book on a recent trip --- great balance of humor and serious issues, with a *fantastic* narrator. Women's struggles with honesty, envy, anxiety, guilt and more are dealt with in a way that will encourage readers' faith and keep up their interest. Dialogue is natural, and details well written. I will definitely read or listen to more of this series!

Barbara

THR3E by Ted Dekker

Rating: 5 Stars

This is my second book by the author, the first being KISS. I enjoyed it tremendously, and I'm finding this one to be very interesting, in yet a different way. I plan to read all books by Dekker.

K Clark

White Chocolate Moments by Lori Wick

Rating: 5 Stars

Love this book!

Jenn Burwell

Take One by Kingsbury

Rating: 5 Stars

Mrs. Kingsbury hasn't written anything bad yet and she didn't start with this one!

Sherrie Gil

The Mammoth Hunters by Jean M. Auel

Rating: 4 Stars

I have really enjoyed her series.

TP

Take One by Karen Kingsbury

Rating: 2 Stars

I'm having a hard time with this one. It's about two producers who go to Bloomington, IN to make a movie. One of the daughters is a college roommate of a character from the Bailey Flannigan series, and the Baxters are mentioned often as well.

This is extemely formulaic and predictable. I recommend borrowing this from a library. My love affair with the Baxter/Flannigan clans and Bloomington is over.

Tina Ann Forkner

The Passion of Mary-Margaret by Lisa Samson

Rating: 5 Stars

Lovely, lovely story that keeps getting better.

Tina Ann Forkner

Flickering Light by Jane Kirkpatrick

Rating: 5 Stars

Lovely so far and I expect it to only get better.

Tina Ann Forkner

What the Bayou Saw by Patti Lacy

Rating: 5 Stars

A courageous, lovely book filled with grace and redemption.