The Melody of the Soul Book Review

Music of Hope Series

Book One

SUMMARY:  Anna has one chance for survival - and it lies in the hands of her mortal enemy.

     It's 1943 and Anna Zadok, a Jewish Christian living in Prague, has lost nearly everything.  Most of her family has been deported, and the Nazi occupation ended her career as a concert violinist.  Now Anna is left to care for her grandmother, and she'll do anything to keep her safe - a job that gets much harder when Nazi officer Horst Engel is quartered in the flat below them.

     Though musical instruments have been declared illegal, Anna defiantly continues to play the violin.  But Horst, dissatisfied with German ideology, enjoys her soothing music.  When Anna and her grandmother face deportation, Horst risks everything to protect them.

     Anna finds herself falling in love with the handsome officer and his brave heart.  But what he reveals might stop the music forever . . . 

REVIEW:  Having heard great things about this author and her previous book, I was interested in reading her latest novel.  Liz Tolsma makes you feel like you are there in Prague during the Nazi occupation.  The fear of being discovered or even doing something that might accidentally draw attention, dreading every knock on the door and even reading the mail, constantly looking over your shoulder in fear is felt throughout this story.  Her desire to protect her grandmother at all costs is admirable.  Even though she is leery of trusting Horst, she soon sees his true colors.

     Horst is a character I grew to admire.  He also lived in fear that his true feelings would be uncovered - that the German ideology of a pure race being completely wrong.  He enjoyed the job his father, a high ranking German officer, secured for him (logging and preserving the architecture of the old city) but knew one day he would be forced to kill innocent people to prove himself as a man and a worthy German.  The struggles Horst faces is heart-wrenching, especially when you find out his secret.

     This novel is a tale of the healing power of music, the struggles faced by man, and the deep desire God puts in each one of us to pursue Him at all cost.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Gilead Publishing 

for review without compensation.

Liz Tolsma's specialty is historical fiction - from WWII to prairie romance.  She resides in semi-rural Wisconsin with her husband and two daughters; her son currently serves as a U.S. Marine.  Liz spends her free time working in her large perennial garden,kayaking, and camping with her family.  Visit her blog, The Story behind the Story, at www.liztolsma.com. 

Jane of Austin Book Review

A Novel of Sweet Tea and Sensibility

SUMMARY:  Just a few years after their father's business scandal shatters their lives, Jane Woodward and Celia Woodward find themselves forced out of their San Francisco tea shop.  The last thing Jane wants is to leave their beloved shop on Valencia Street, but when Celia insists on a move to Austin, Texas, the sisters pack up their kid sister, Margot, and Jane's tea plants, determined to start over yet again.

     But life in Austin isn't all sweet tea and breakfast tacos.  Their unusual living situation is challenging, and unspoken words begin to fester between Jane and Celia.  When Jane meets and falls for up-and-coming musician Sean Willis, the charm grows deeper.

     While Sean seems to charm everyone in his path, one person is immune - retired Marine Captain Callum Beckett.  Callum never meant to leave the military, but the twin losses of his father and his left leg have returned him to the place he least expected - Texas.

     In this modern spin on the Austen classic Sense and Sensibility, the Woodward sisters must contend with new ingredients in unfamiliar kitchens, a dash of heartbreak, and the fragile hope that maybe home isn't so far away.

REVIEW:  When I read Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen the first time, I found it difficult due to the 18th century writing and language.  Throw in some dry British humor and it took me MUCH LONGER to finish than usual.  After watching the movie staring Kate Winslett, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman about a thousand times :-D I understood it a lot better the second time.  So, when I got the opportunity to read this modern retelling of one of my favorite movies, I couldn't resist.  It also helped that it was written by one of my new favorite authors.

     Jane of Austin was a delight to read!!!  I didn't want to put it down but my boss and family insisted I do the jobs I'm supposed to do.  It was MUCH easier to read and comprehend than the original.  I fell in love with the characters, cried when they cried, laughed when they laughed, and smiled at all the happy parts.  Jane, or Marianne, is the main character.  I liked seeing everything from her point of view.  It helped me understand the original character's actions, reactions and responses a little better.  There were so many things that I enjoyed about this book.  I like how the author used local southern (and Texas) cuisine, tea shops and scones (as well as wonderful recipes) as a part of the story.  The flow of the action and dialog flowed easily.  I found myself excitingly turning pages and disappointed when it ended.

     Whether or not you are a fan of Jane Austen or the movies based on her books, this is one book that you need to read.  I promise, you will NOT be disappointed. It's amazing!!

This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah for review 

without any compensation.

Hillary Manton Lodge is the author of the critically acclaimed Two Blue Doors series and the Plain and Simple duet.  Jane of Austin is her sixth novel.  In her free time, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, graphic design, and finding new walking trails.  She resides outside of Memphis, Tennessee, with her husband and two pups.  She can be found online at www.hillarymantonlodge.com.

Home at Last Book Review

A Chicory Inn Novel

Book Five

SUMMARY:  When the world just sees mistakes, God sees beautiful opportunities for love and grace.

     Link Whitman has settled into the role of bachelor without ever intending to.  Now he's stuck in a dead-end job, and as the next Whitman wedding fast approaches, he is the last one standing.  The pressure from his sister's efforts to play matchmaker is heavy as he helps his parents at the Chicory Inn.
      All her life, Shayla Michaels has felt as if she straddled two worlds.  Her mother's white family rejected her African American father without even knowing him.  Her father's family also disapproved, but they eventually embraced Shayla as their own.  After her mother's death and her brother Jerry's incarceration, life has left Shayla's father bitter; her niece, Portia, an orphan; and Shayla responsible for them all.
     Everything changes one icy morning when a child runs into the street and Link nearly hits her with his pickup.  Soon he is falling hard for the little girl's aunt, Shayla, the beautiful woman who runs Coffee's On, the bakery in Langhorne.  Can Shayla and Link overcome society's view of their differences and find true love?  Is there hope of changing the ugly perspective of the world around them into something better for them all?

REVIEW:  This is the fifth and final book of the Chicory Inn series.  Since I had not read any of the others, I was worried I would get lost.  The author does a fantastic job keeping the focus on the two principal players, Shayla and Link, with the characters of the other books taking minor roles.
     With that said, this book was very enjoyable.  It makes you think about how you view others who may be different from you outwardly, whether socioeconomic, job status, housing, or marital status, but who are just like you on the inside, where it counts.  Once you get past their outer facade, you begin to see people made in God's image.  Shayla struggles with how people see her.  She has a difficult time understanding why Link would be interested in dating her.  Link only sees her beautiful soul, not the color of her skin.  He has a hard time understanding the extent of the problems Shayla experiences as a woman of mixed race.  I like how the author shows the reader both character's viewpoints and experiences and helps him or her understand it a little better.
     The story line moves at a good pace and keeps the reader engaged.  My favorite part isn't the ending but happens at almost the end.  Can't tell you what it is; you'll just have to read it for yourself. 

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Abingdon Press

for review without any compensation.

Deborah Raney's books have won numerous awards including the RITA, National Readers' Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, the Carol Award, and have twice been Christy Award finalists.  She and her husband, Ken recently traded small-town life in Kansas - the setting of many of Deb's novels - for life in the (relatively) big city of Wichita.  Visit Deb on the web at DeborahRaney.com.

The Elusive Miss Ellison Book Review

Regency Brides

A Legacy of Grace

Book One

SUMMARY:  The arrival of the new Earl of Hawkesbury has the entire village aflutter - everyone except Lavinia Ellison, that is.  In fact, in Livvie's eyes, he is just as arrogant and thoughtless as his brother - who stole the most important person in her world.

    Nicholas is weighed down by guilt, by ancestral obligations, and by the legacy of war.  He hadn't anticipated that a perfunctory visit home would engage either his mind or heart.  Then the hoydenish, intelligent, and very opinionated Miss Ellison challenges him to see past his pain and pride.  But between society's opposition, his brother's reckless past, and a shocking family secret, there may be too many obstacles for the two of them to ever truly get along.

     Fans of Georgette Heyer, Lori Wick, and Julie Klassen will enjoy the spirited exchanges between the bluestocking minister's daughter and the bruised war hero as they move past their painful histories and presumptions to a humbled appreciation of God's grace and the true strength of love.

REVIEW:  This book was rather enjoyable.  The dialogue between Nicolas and Lavinia was fun and engaging.  Grace is woven throughout this story.  Lavinia experiences it as she learns the truth about her mother's family and shows it time and time again to Nicholas and her mother's relatives, along with the villagers, especially those in need.  Nicholas learns how to accept grace shown to him and, in turn, learns how to show it to others in the community and in his circle of friends.  The latter half of the book is probably my favorite, and something every girl dreams of.  I only wished I could see a drawing of some of the "items" Lavinia inherited.

     If you like fairy tale endings and your wildest dreams coming true, this book is for you.  It was an easy read.  I can't wait to read the other books due in this series.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Kregel Publications

for review without any compensation.

Carolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children.  A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn's novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests.  She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers.

Newton & Polly Book Review

A Novel of Amazing Grace

SUMMARY:  "Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound

                          That saved a wretch like me!

                          I once was lost, but now am found . . ."

     Now remembered as the author of the world's most famous hymn, in the mid-eighteenth century as England and France stand on the brink of war, John Newton is a young sailor wandering aimlessly through life.  His only duty is to report to his ship and avoid disgracing his father - until the night he hears Polly Catlett's enchanting voice, caroling.  He's immediately smitten and determined to win her affection.

     An intense connection quickly forms between the two, but John's reckless spirit and disregard for the Christian life are concerns for the responsible, devout Polly.  When an ill-fated stop at a tavern leaves John imprisoned and bound, Polly must choose to either stand by his side or walk out of his life forever.  Will she forfeit her future for the man she loves?

     Step back through the pages of history, to uncover the true love story behind a song that continues to stir the hearts and ignite the faith of millions around the globe. 

REVIEW:  Jody Hedlund does an excellent telling the story of John and Polly's love for each other.  She made me feel like I was right there, watching them as they interacted.  There were times I wanted to reach out and grab John by the collar and shake some sense into him when he would make stupid decisions.  There were so many times he shirked his duty and risked his father's and his own good name to be with Polly that I wondered if he would ever change for the better.  I admired Polly for standing up for her commitment to Christ and not forsaking it to marry John.  She followed in her father's footsteps as he stood up for the principles he held and not giving them up when society made it difficult.  The way the author describes the depths of depravity John fell to and the heights he climbed to made it feel so real.  This is a book I want to keep on my shelf for a very long time.

This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books 

for review without any compensation.

Jody Hedlund is a CBA best-selling and award-winning author of more than a dozen books.  Among a variety of genres, she especially loves bringing long-forgotten women of history to life.  She is the author of Luther and Katharina, which was awarded the ECPA Book of the Year Award in fiction.  Her other novels have won the Carol Award, the INSPY Award, and the Christy Award.  She resides in Midland, Michigan, with her husband and their busy children.

Catching Heat Book Review

Cold Case Justice Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  Twenty-seven years after the deaths of Detective Abby Hart's parents, she's desperate to find the proof that will put the mastermind - the governor's wife - behind bars.  When she joins a newly formed task fore and teams u with PI Luke Murphy, Abby is sent to San Luis Obispo to work the cold case of a murdered college student.  Realizing their investigation will bring them near the town where California's first lady, Alyssa Rollins, grew up, Abby decided to do a little digging of her own into the Triple Seven fire.

     Luke is eager to help Abby close the books on a case they both have personal stakes in.  But as she uncovers long-held secrets, Abby stumbles into an explosive situation, and Luke fears that her obsession may prove deadly.

SUMMARY:  Catching Heat picks up where the second book, Burning Proof, leaves off.  There are two cold cases Abby's team is working on plus the side case of her parents' murder.  Between all the different suspects, locations, and details of each case, sometimes I got lost as to what belongs to which case.  Throw in all the details from the two previous books that are repeated referred to in regards to previous cases and the Triple Seven murders, sometimes it was hard to keep track of everything. That said, this book kept my attention along the whole roller coaster ride until the very end.  The ending was a surprise and fit the story line perfectly. 

     Abby's obsession with solving her parents' murder mirrored one of her cold cases.  I like how in solving the case, she finally realizes the problem she is having letting go and does what she can to stop.  The twists and turns of all three cases will keep you on your toes. You may even need a cheat sheet to keep track of everything. 

     All in all, this is a great book and the perfect ending to the series.  I really enjoyed this book and series and look forward to reading more by Janice Cantore.

This book was provided by Tyndale House for review without any compensation.

Janice Cantore is a retired Long Beach police officer who now writes suspense novels to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired.  Her twenty-two year of experience on the force lend authenticity to her stories.  She has penned eight novels: the Pacific Coast Justice series, Visible Threat, Critical Pursuit, Drawing Fire, and Burning Proof.  Catching Heat is the third book in the Cold Case Justice series.

Like a River from Its Course Book Review

SUMMARY:  Enter the often-overlooked history of World War II Ukraine as told through the eyes of four unforgettable people caught up in the chaos and heartache of a country torn asunder by Nazi armed forces.
     As the characters confront the pivotal event of Babi Yar, the "killing ditch" where 34,000 men, women, and children were lined up and shot, the horrors of war are laid bare.  How can faith withstand such atrocities?
     Based on true stories gathered from fifteen years of research and interviews with survivors, Like a River from Its Course is a moving and epic story of love, war, heartache, forgiveness, and redemption.

REVIEW:  This book was different from other World War II novels I've read before. There were four main characters, each telling their story about life in Ukraine under Nazi rule and how it affected them.  Luda, about 16 years old, becomes pregnant by German soldiers.  After being abandoned by her father, she is taken in by friends who love her as one of their own.  Frederick, about 20 years old, is a Nazi soldier who is determined to advance the German ideal and tries to live up to his father's impossible demands of perfection.  Maria is about 14-15 years old who is forced to leave Ukraine and work in Germany.  Ivan, Maria's father, lives with the guilt of not being able to save his Jewish neighbors and their daughter from the Nazis and his children being forced to work for the Nazis in Germany.  As each one explains the events around them from their point of view, you see their anguish and sometimes despair but also the resilience of the human spirit to perseverance.  They are determined to survive.  Sometimes the stories were difficult to read.  You see the depth of human depravity and the lengths people will go to advance their "ideals."  Then there are stories of those who try to help those around them, even if it puts their lives in danger.  You also see how God will use difficult and hard circumstances to show He is still there and is still in control.  I like how the author wraps up the stories of these people you come to know.
     This was an excellent book!  The fifteen years of research and interviews of people who lived during this time and experienced this hardship shows in the details and the depth of the emotions that is conveyed.   This is a book that should be required reading for high school students.  It will tug on your heart strings but it's well worth it.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Kregel Publications 

for review without compensation.

Kelli Stuart is the coauthor of Dare 2B Wise and Life Creative, and has written for several brands including Disney, American Girl, and Short Fiction Break.  She has served as editor-in-chief for the St. Louis Bloggers Guild and as a board member for the St. Louis Women in Media. Kelli lives in Florida and blogs at KelliStuart.com.

They Were Christian Book Review

The Inspiring Faith of Men and Women

who Changed the World

SUMMARY:  What do Abraham Lincoln, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Louis Pasteur, Frederick Douglass, Florence Nightingale, and John D. Rockefeller, Sr. have in common?  They all changed the world - and they were all Christians.  With passion and precision, Cristobal Krusen brings to light the little-known stories of faith behind twelve influential people of history.

     They Were Christians reveals the faith-filled motivations of these important world figures who made some of the most outstanding political, scientific, and humanitarian contributions in history.  Discover the true stories behind

• the founding of the Red Cross
• the family crisis that drove America's favorite president to his knees
• the supernatural call that led a beautiful English socialite to save thousands of soldiers
• and more

The fascinating profiles of these faithful history makers will encourage, entertain, and inspire you to deepen your faith, pursue excellence in your vocation, and serve others.

REVIEW:  This book was a very interesting read.  It consists of twelve brief biographies that, as the author described, tells "the rest of the story."  The stories are concise and go into just enough detail to keep the reader from getting boring and keep their attention.  Each person described is known for their inventions, contributions to medicine, or how they changed the thinking and beliefs of their time.  Most are not as well known about their walk with Christ.  Some started their walk with Jesus at an early age; some came to know Christ and His forgiveness of sin later.  But each one strived to emulate Jesus in their pursuit of peace, understanding and in helping their fellow man.
     While I am not a big biography fan, this is one book I really enjoyed reading and will keep on my shelf.  Check it out.  You might just learn something new.

This book was provided by Baker Books for review without compensation.

Cristobal Krusen is a screenwriter, film director, and author who has lived and worked in Latin America, Australia, and the United States.  In 1988, he founded Messenger Films, a nonprofit film production company.  He studied English literature at Harvard University and also studied film and television at NYU and the Art Center College in Design.  He currently lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Through the Shadows Book Review

The Golden Gate Chronicles

Book Three

SUMMARY:  Brokenness.  Rubble.  Healing.  Rebuilding.  God grows life out of ashes; how will He redeem Elizabeth's past mistakes?

     Two years ago, the building of San Francisco were shaken off their foundations and burned to the round in the devastating earthquake and fire.  As the city rebuilds brick by brick, new hope is rising.  But Elizabeth King is also trying to rectify the rubble in her own life - and she's not sure anything will be able to erase her past.  But she doesn't anticipate finding new love.

     Helping to right her wrongs, Elizabeth commits herself to helping young girls escape brothels in Chinatown, one of the darkest sections of San Francisco. 

     When she meets rising attorney Charles McKinley, who desires to save the city from corruption, and has dashing good looks to boot, she can't help feeling hopeful.  However, she soon realizes while many loved ones may not turn away after discovering her secret, the man she loves will have no choice:  Elizabeth's past bears great consequences for both their futures.

REVIEW:  Trying to make up for her past wrongs, Elizabeth moves to San Francisco to help Donaldina Cameron by teaching her rescued girls how to sew and to play the piano.  She also goes with Donaldina into the heart of Chinatown to rescue those girls who want to escape the brothels and opium dens where they are held.  I like how Elizabeth leaves her comfortable life to help those who are coming from horrible situations to minister to them.  As she does, she sees the grace of God working in her own life.  As she faces her painful past and when all is revealed, I like how Donaldina stands beside Elizabeth when her job is in jeopardy. I also like how Charles does not bow to corruption but fights against it, even though it puts him and his future in a precarious position with powerful people. 
     This is a wonderful novel and a great end to this series.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Abingdon Press 

for review without compensation.

Karen Barnett is the author of Beyond the Ashes, Out of the Ruins, and Mistaken.  Named the 2013 Writer of Promise by Oregon Christian Writers, Karen lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband and two kids.  Visit her website at KarenBarnettBooks.com. 

Together at the Table Book Review

Two Blue Doors Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  Great love, like great food, always involves risk.
     Three months ago, Juliette D'Alisa's world changed.
     In a bittersweet series of events, her mother's health took a turn for the worse.  Juliette and her brother opened their restaurant together to rave reviews, but her romance with Memphis immunologist Neil McLaren ended in anger and tears.
     Now as autumn sweeps into the Pacific Northwest, Juliette feels that she's finally on the cusp of equilibrium.  The restaurant continues to thrive, and her family is closer than ever.  She and sous-chef Adrian are seeing each other, both in and out of the kitchen.  Just when she thinks her world might stop spinning, a trip to the waterfront brings a familiar face across her path.
     Rather than dwell on her personal life, Juliette throws herself into work and research.  After reading her grandmother's letters from war-torn Paris, she still wants to know the full story - and she'll travel across countries and oceans to find it.
     But even Juliette can't outrun the man who stole her heart.  As she finally uncovers the truth about her family history, what will it mean for her own chances at lasting love.

Recipes and Readers Guide Included

REVIEW:  Oh. My. Goodness!!!!  I love this book, this series, everything!!  I got so caught up in Juliette's story and the letters of her grandmother, it was difficult returning to reality when I would have to set the book down.  The author kept my attention all the way through this novel and the series.  As Juliette worked her way through the letters, and eventually her grandmother's journal, I would get frustrated when the characters would have stop reading because I was anxious to see how everything worked out for Mireille and her little family. I also loved how Juliette came through her many trials stronger and better than before.  The way Juliette's life, and Mireille's, work out was satisfying, uplifting and inspiring.  

     This is one series you will want to check out.  You will need to read the other two books in order as each builds on the previous one.  It is one that will have a permanent place on my bookshelves.  This is one author that will be top on my list.

This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books 

for review without compensation.

Hillary Manton Lodge loves nothing more than an good story.  She is the author of several novels, including the Two Blue Doors and the Plain and Simple series.  In her free time, Hillary enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and exploring her most recent hometown of Portland, Oregon.  She shares her home with her husband, Danny, and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Shiloh and Sylvie.

Burning Proof Book Review

Cold Case Justice Series

Book Two

SUMMARY:  After months of investigating the brutal homicide of a young girl, Detective Abby Hart finally has the evidence she needs.  But when the arrest goes terribly wrong, Abby beings to doubt her future as a police officer.  As she wrestles with conflicting emotions, old questions about the fire that took her parents' lives come back to haunt her.

     "There is proof."  PI Luke Murphy can't stop thinking about what Abby's former partner, Asa Foster, mumbled just before he died.  When Luke uncovers a clue to the murder of Abby's parents and his own uncle, he's reluctant to tell Abby, despite his growing feelings for the beautiful detective.

     A decade-old abduction case brings Luke and Abby together, but will his secret tear them apart?

 

REVIEW:  Author Janice Cantore knows how to grab her reader's attention, keep it until the end, and leave them wanting more.  The whole time I was reading, I kept trying to guess what would happen ahead, who the culprits would be, how everything tied together and what the resolution would be.  

     The story of the ten-year-old abduction cold case is an excellent addition to Abby's parents' murder.  I like how even though they were completely separate crimes, the circumstances surrounding the closure of the abduction incident tied perfectly into the other case.  I also love how the author has her characters realize their dependence on God.  Abby has been through her share of troubles and has tried to keep God at the center of her life.  After an arrest goes horribly wrong, she realizes her foundation has slipped and she needs to refocus her life on God and not the world around her.

     You will need to read the first book in this series, Drawing Fire, before this one as Burning Proof does draw heavily from it. 

     If you like suspense novels, check out Jancie Cantore's novels and this book.  I'm looking forward to reading the next one in this series.

This book was provided by Tyndale House for review without compensation.

 

Janice Cantore is a retired Long Beach police officer who now writes suspense novels to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired.  Her twenty-two years of experience on the force lend authenticity to her stories.  She is the author of the Pacific Coast Justice series, Visible Threat, Critical Pursuit and the Cold Case Justice series.Visit her website at www.janicecantore.com and connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JaniceCantore.

The Gift of Friendship Book Review

Stories that Celebrate the Beauty of Shared Moments

SUMMARY:  Sharing secrets. Laughing until it hurts. Hugging through tears.  True friends are one of God's greatest gifts.

     Whether next door or in the next time zone, our friends are some of our most vital relationships. We cherish time spent together and look forward to the next time we can solve the world's problems over coffee.  There is something about a true friend that no other relationship can touch.  

     Collecting over fifty true stories from some of today's best writers, Dawn Camp offers you a chance to sit back and experience the gift of friendship.  With its beautiful photographs and poignant prose, this collection is the perfect pic-me-up anytime you need a boost.

     You'll cherish these stories of true friendship from Lisa-Jo Baker, Holley Gerth, Bonnie Gray, Liz Curtis Higgs, Jennifer Dukes Lee, Tsh Oxenreider, Crystal Paine, Myquillyn Smith, Renee Swope, Lysa TerKeurst, Jessica Turner, and many more.

 

 REVIEW:  This book shows the bond between old friends, the uneasiness of opening up to new friends, and can helps those who do not appear friendly but who desperately want/need a friend.  The stories are short.  Some will have you laughing; others, grabbing your box of Kleenex.  The authors of these short stories are open and honest about their relationships with their friends.  Some have even stepped out of their comfort zone of aloneness and reached out, wanting what others around them have.  This is an excellent book for those friends who are close to you or for one you would like to know better.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

 

Dawn Camp is the camera-toting, homeschooling mother of eight children and the editor of The Beauty of Grace.  She is also a featured blogger at (in)courage, and her beautiful photography previously graced their monthly calendar and currently decorates the desktops of women around the world.  Camp blogs at MyHomeSweetHomeOnline.net and is a featured photographer on Adobe's website for Adobe Photoshop Lightroom software.  She lives with her family in north metro Atlanta.

Amish Christmas at North Star Book Review

Four Stories of Love & Family

REVIEW:  One night four lives entered the world by the hands of an Amish midwife on the edge of North Star, Pennsylvania.  Rebekah's Babies, as they were called, are now adults, and in four heartwarming novellas each person experiences a journey of discovery, the possibility of love, and the wonder of Christmas.

 

Guiding Star by Katie Ganshert

     Curiosity gets the best of Englischer Chase Wellington when he investigates the twenty-five-year-old disappearance of an Amish baby.  When he finds adventurous Elle McAllister in Iowa, will his revelations upend her world?

Mourning Star by Amanda Flower

     Eden Hochstetler slips from her parents' shop to investigate the death of her friend Isaac.  Who is guilty?  Isaac's handsome great-nephew Jesse, an angry Englischer, or someone else?

In the Stars by Cindy Woodsmall

     Heartbroken Kore Detweiler avoids North Star after Savilla Beiler rejects his love.  But when he is unexpectedly called home, he and Savilla must join forces to keep a family together.

Star of Grace by Mindy Starns Clark and Emily Clark

     Andy Danner left North Star to join a new Amish settlement in Mississippi.  His little brother devises a scheme to bring Andy home for Christmas and unwittingly unleashes the power of forgiveness in a reclusive widower's life.

REVIEW:  These stories were so enjoyable to read.  I love how they all fit together very well and especially loved the Epilogue at the end.  My favorite is probably Guiding Star.  Elle knew she was adopted but was surprised to find out about her birth family.  Chase's investigation and gentle assurance helped her when she met them and learned more about herself and them.  I love the forgiveness she had for her birth father and how her Amish family accepted her and loved her right from the start.

     Eden from Mourning Star was a sweet friend.  As she mourned for Isaac, when she found out about the questionable circumstances surrounding his death, she wanted to honor him and his memory and find out the truth.  My favorite part is how the identity of the true culprit was finally revealed.

     My heart went out to Savilla and all she had to endure.  Her part of the story was totally unexpected and surprising but I wished she would have told Kore and not hid what had happened.  I loved how she and Kore worked together to keep the Adler children safe and protected while their parents were away, even though it was very difficult for them.  Kore's taking his brothers to task for their treatment of Savilla was very admirable and welcome.

     The story of Star of Grace seemed more about Andy's brother Sam and Vincent and the grace and forgiveness that was found.  Andy and Nellie's story seemed secondary but I enjoyed it.  The changes in both Sam and Vincent shows just how far a little kindness, determination, and forgiveness can go.

     This book was very pleasurable and entertaining.

This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books 

for review without compensation.

 

Katie Ganshert worked as a fifth-grade teacher for several years before staying home to write full-time.  She lives with her family in the Midwest.  Visit her website at http://katieganshert.com.

Amanda Flower, a three-time Agatha Award-nominated mystery author, also writes as national best-selling author Isabella Alan.  In addition to being an author, Amanda is an academic librarian for a small college near Cleveland.  Visit her website at www.amandaflower.com/.

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times and CBA best-selling author who has written seventeen works of fiction and one work of non-fiction.  Visit her website at www.cindywoodsmall.com/.

Mindy Starns Clark is the best-selling author of more than twenty-five books, both fiction and non-fiction.  She has received numerous honors, including two Christy Awards, an Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and RT Book Reviews Magazine's Career Achievement Award.  Visit her website at www.mindystarnsclark.com.

Emily Clark is currently an MFA Creative Writing candidate at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, where she was awarded a merit-bases writing fellowship. She was also the recipient of Eastern University's Thyra Ferre Bjorn Creative Writing Award, which is given to the graduating senior "with the greatest writing potential."  She is the daughter of Mindy Starns Clark. 

Whispers in the Reading Room Book Review

 

Chicago World's Fair Mystery Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  Lydia's job at the library is her world - until a mysterious patron catches her eye . . . and perhaps her heart.

     Just months after the closure of the Chicago World's Fair, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious dark-haired and dark-eyes patron.  He has never given her his name; he actually never speaks to a single person.  All she knows about him is that he loves books as much as she does.

     Only when he rescues her in the lobby of the Hartman Hotel does she discover that his name is Sebastian Marks.  She also discovers that he lives at the top of the prestigious hotel and that most everyone in Chicago is intrigued by him.

    Lydia and Sebastian form a fragile friendship, but when she discovers that Mr. Marks isn't merely a very wealthy gentleman, but also the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club, she is shocked.

     Lydia insists on visiting the club one fateful night and suddenly is a suspect to a murder.  She must determine who she can trust, who is innocent, and if Sebastian Marks - the man so many people fear - is actually everything her heart believes him to be.

REVIEW:  Everything is not always what it seems or looks like.  Appearances and actions can be deceiving.  Lydia is believed to be a wealthy debutante, but in reality her father's death left her and her mother penniless and destitute.  Sebastian looks to be the finest of gentlemen, well educated and refined but he was raised on the wrong side of the tracks and learned everything he knows from reading anything and everything he can.  

     I like how Lydia doesn't accept society's "norms" and kinda does what she wants. She wears her glasses all the time, when society thought such practice was very unacceptable and frowned upon.  When she realizes her fiance Jason has a very bad temper and he hurts her in public, Lydia does not sit back and take it but refuses to marry him.  She is willing to do what it takes to make sure her mother is taken care of and feels secure.  

     Sebastian struggles with getting close to anyone, even Vincent and Bridget, who work closest to him constantly.  I like how they stick by him and support him when it looks like Sebastian is being arrested.  Bridget risks her life to help Sebastian when he is followed into a bad part of town by a disreputable and dangerous man.  

     This was an engrossing book, capturing my attention at the beginning and keeping it until the very end.  Even though it is the third book in this series, I did not feel like I was missing anything since I had not read the first two.  The story flowed seamlessly.  It is one I would highly recommend.

This book was provided by The Fiction Guild for review without compensation.

Shelley Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers' prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner.  She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail. She also spends a lot of time online.  Please visit her website at www.shelleyshepardgray.com.  Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/ShelleyShepardGray.

When Love Returns Book Review

The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy

Book Three

SUMMARY:  Riddled with doubt and lingering regrets, will Suzanne and Paul find strength in God to explore a second chance at love?

     It wasn't easy to move back to the Old Order Mennonite community from which quiet, responsible Suzanne Zimmerman was shamefully sent away as a pregnant teen.  Since returning twenty years later to take care of her mother, Suzanne and Alexa - the daughter she raised as her own - have spent months rebuilding relationships with her family.

     Now with the upcoming wedding of their biological daughter, Suzanne and Paul find themselves drawn to one another once again - but with new challenges to face.  They have been single parents with painful pasts.  Can Paul and Suzanne find the strength to rebuild the loving relationship that was torn apart by their teen pregnancy so long ago?

     Suzanne must also let go of Alexa as she heads back to Indianapolis to visit friends, and with hopes of finding her birth parents.  Leaving the bed-and-breakfast in Suzanne's apprehensive hands, Alexa embarks on a journey that will certainly change her life completely.  Can mother and daughter trust God to restore all things in His timing?

REVIEW:  This book is about reconciliation and restoration.  Even though most of Suzanne's family has reconciled with her and her return, there are a few relationships that still need to be mended.  Through love, patience and prayer, those tears are mended completely.  Even though Alexa wants to meet her birth family, she struggles with anger over the circumstances surrounding her abandonment and directs it towards her birth mother.  I love how even though all parties in this book do what they can to facilitate and manipulate events, God's perfect timing prevails.  

     This was a wonderful book and a sweet ending to this trilogy.

This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books 

for review without compensation.

 

 Kim Vogel Sawyer is a best-selling, award-winning author highly acclaimed for her gentle stories of hope.  More than one million copies of her books are currently in print.  She lives in central Kansas where she and her retired military husband, Don, enjoy spoiling their granddarlings.

An Endless Christmas Book Review

SUMMARY:  Both in their eighties, Dodie and Wilson Binder celebrate every Christmas as if it were their last.  This year, their only grandson, Micah, asks his girlfriend, Katie to marry him - in front of the whole family.  But things go terribly wrong when she says no.  Now Katie is stuck.  Too many people, too much snow, and too little room should be a recipe for disaster.  But, sometimes too much is just enough.  Especially, when it's Christmas.
     Will Katie let herself love and be loved before it is too late?

REVIEW:  Thinking about this book while waiting for it to arrive, I started getting anxious.  How would the story work out?  If this were me, I would feel like the walls were closing in on me and like I was under a spotlight.  Would Katie feel the same way?  My fears were for naught.  This story was awesome and so sweet!!  The Binders have everything down to organized chaos.  Everyone has a comfortable place to sleep, even if it is in a window seat, plenty to eat and lots of wonderful memories to be made.  They open their doors to anyone in need of family and no one is a stranger.  When Wilson has some health issues, everyone pitches in to make sure Christmas Eve dinner is taken care of, the younger kids are taken care of and that Grandpa gets the help he needs.  I love the surprises towards the end of the story.  This is a family everyone longs to have.  They've learned the hard way that tomorrow is not guaranteed so live for now, with no regrets.
     This is an awesome book that should be read every year.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Worthy Inspired Books 

for review without compensation.

Cynthia Ruchti tells stories of "Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark" through her novels and novellas, speaking for women's events and retreats, writers' events and retreats, and nonfiction books and devotionals, drawing from 33 years of on-air radio ministry.  Her books have been recognized by the RT Reviewers' Choice Award, Selah Awards, Gayle Wilson Award of excellence, Christian Retailing's BEST Awards, Family Fiction Readers' Choice Award and Carol Award nominations, among other honors.  She and her plot-tweaking husband live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and five grandchildren.

Miracle Drug Book Review

SUMMARY:  Overcoming these odds would take more than a miracle drug - it would take a miracle.
     The infection wasn't supposed to happen, but it did.  The treatment was supposed to take care of it, but it didn't.  Dr. Josh Pearson believes an experimental drug not yet approved by the FDA may be the antidote.  But there's only one dose available for two patients:  the former president of the United States . . . and Josh's girlfriend.
     With the nation's eyes on him, Josh must pull off a miracle to save a man who holds a good deal of power and the woman who holds his heart.

REVIEW:  The summary of this book really intrigued me and the book lives up to most of the hype.  Trying to figure out who was behind the attack on David Madison, the former president, and Rachel Moore, the nurse who was accompanying him on a scouting trip in South America, was difficult.  About the time I thought I had narrowed down the suspects, new information would come out that threw a wrench in my thinking.  The attempts on Madison's life seemed to get lost in the other parts of the story at times, though. 
      It was interesting and eye-opening to read about experimental and new drugs and how the CDC operates in regards to these medicines.  It got me to wondering if there are any new medicines that have been developed that aren't being examined more thoroughly due to limited funds or limited usages.
     I liked the way the author weaved faith in throughout the novel and how prayer was very beneficial to all the characters.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Abingdon Press 

for review without compensation.

Richard L. Mabry, M.D., is a retired physician who writes "medical suspense with heart."  His novels have won multiple awards.  He and his wife life in northern Texas.  You can follow Richard online at RMabry.com, as well as on Twitter (@RichardMabry) and on Facebook at RMabryBooks.

The Methuselah Project Book Review

 

SUMMARY:  During World War II, German scientists started many experiments.  One never ended.

     Shot down over Nazi Germany in 1943, Roger Greene becomes both a prisoner and an unwilling guinea pig in a bizarre experiment.  Seventy years later, Roger still appears as youthful as the day he crash-landed - and he's still a prisoner.  Nearly insane from his long captivity, Roger finds his only hope in an old Bible.

     Not until our present time does Roger finally escape from the secret society running the Methuselah Project.  When he does, the modern world has become a fast-paced, perplexing place.  his only option is to accept the help of Katherine Mueller - crack shot, go-getter, and attractive to boot.  Can he convince her of the truth of his crazy story?  And can he continue to trust her when he finds out she works for the very organization he's trying to flee?

REVIEW:  If you like the Marvel's Captain America movies and character, you will like this book.  Like Steve Rogers, Roger Green is as youthful as he was in 1943.  But, instead of volunteering for the experiment and being "asleep" for 70 years, Roger was kept prisoner by a Nazi scientist and his co-workers while they studied him. 
     This was a very interesting book.  The way the author handled the passage of seventy years was thought out and thought provoking.  It was intriguing how Roger found comfort and solace in reading the Bible, something he did not do before his capture.  I was a little jealous of the library he had, all the knowledge he gained from reading and how he retained everything he read.  I was impressed at how quickly he adapted to modern culture, even though it seems a little far-fetched at times.  There were a few places that his lack of modern-day knowledge and his interaction with people made me laugh.
     Katherine Mueller is determined to follow in her uncle and parents' footsteps and join the Heritage Organization.  Little does she know, this organization is not what she thinks it is and risks everything to help Roger.  I like how she sticks by Roger, helps him uncover his past, and provides great insight on everything Roger needs.
     This was a wonderful book.  I really enjoyed reading it and love how it is open-ended to allow for future additions to this marvelous story.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Kregel Publications 

for review without compensation.

Rick Barry is the author of Gunner's Run, another World War II novel, Kiriath's Quest, and over 200 articles and fiction stories.  In addition to being a World War II buff, he is the director of church planting ministries at BIEM, a Christian ministry operating in Eastern Europe.  He holds a degree in foreign languages, speaks Russian, and has visited Europe more than fifty times.  Rick lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Visit him at facebook.com/AuthorRickBarry or on Twitter (@WriterRickBarry). 

Her Brother's Keeper Book Review

An Amish Secrets Novel

SUMMARY:  Charlotte came to Amish country to find answers.  What she never expected to find was peace.

     Charlotte Dolinsky is not above playing dress-up and telling a few lies to find out what happened to her only brother.  In face, that is exactly what she's come to Lancaster County to do.  Now, calling herself Mary and slipping on a kapp, Charlotte will lie hr way into the confidence of anyone who knows why Ethan had to die.  Unless she get found out first.

     But when Charlotte befriends a quiet Amish man named Isaac Miller, she begins to rethink her motives.  And with a little help from a friend back home, Charlotte might find out that love comes packaged in ways she couldn't have foreseen.

      Isaac's been caring for his cancer-stricken father and sympathizing with his frustrated mother for three difficult years.  And that means he hasn't been dating.  He believes Hannah King is the woman for him, but Hannah is stil grieving the loss of her fiance', and Isaac has all he can handle on the farm.  When Hannah's family plays host to a woman named Mary, their new cousin shakes things up for all of them.

     As Charlotte digs deeper into the mystery of Ethan's death, she finds more than she'd bargained for in the community he once called home.  But will she ever learn the truth?  And what will the community - and her new family - do if they learn the truth about her?

 REVIEW:  I have mixed feelings about this book.  Charlotte/Mary wants to know why her brother killed himself.  Because he was living with the Amish at the time and knowing how tight-lipped they are with outsiders, she felt she had lie to get this information.  I don't like the idea of her pretending to be Amish and lying to the family.  There are other ways of getting answers.  I kind of understood why Charlotte/Mary did what she did when I read how she reacted to the family after her brother's death.  She was not very nice, AT ALL, made demands on them through her lawyers, and didn't take into consideration their thoughts and feelings.  But, two wrongs still doesn't make it right.  

     Now, there were a few things I liked about this book.  The ending was different but nice.  I like how even though the family rejected her after the truth came out, Charlotte/Mary still opened her heart and her home to them when sickness brings Hannah's mother to Texas and how the Kings were slowly opening their hearts to her.  I also liked how Charlotte/Mary started understanding faith better as she lived with the Kings.  Her new-found faith was still growing even after she came home.

     

This book was provided by BookLook Bloggers and Thomas Nelson Publishers 

for review without compensation.

Beth Wiseman, an award-winning bestselling author, is best known for her Amish novels, but her most recent novels, Need You Now and The House that Love Built, are contemporaries set in small Texas towns.  Both have received glowing reviews.  Beth's The Promise is inspired by a true story.

Among the Fair Magnolias Book Review

 Four Southern Love Stories

SUMMARY:  During the most turbulent decade of our nation's history, four Southern women - their destinies forged by birth and heritage - face nearly impossible choices on their journeys in life . . . and in love.

To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander

Savannah Darby would do almost anything to revisit her family home.  so when the new owner Aidan Bedford seeks to redecorate the house for his fiancee, Savannah jumps at the opportunity.  But can she find the box her father supposedly hid there during the war before her assignment is completed?  And before she sees yet another battle lost on the home front - this time, a battle of the heart.

An Outlaw's Heart by Shelley Gray

Seven years ago Russell Champion was betrayed by the two most important women in his life.  Now Russell returns home, but is it too late to make amends with his mother and find closure with his true love?

A Heart So True by Dorothy Love

Abigail Clayton hopes to reconcile with Dr. Wade Bennett and become his wife.  But her father insists she marry her distant cousin Charles Kittridge so the plantations of the two families will be joined.  With her wedding looming, Abby must choose between duty to her family and the yearnings of her own heart.

Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser

Emily Derracott loves her childhood friend Thomas McGinnis, but she cannot marry a man who doesn't share her strong convictions about the freedmen.  Besides, she harbors a secret love for someone else.  But the prospect of becoming his wife is not only improbable - it is completely impossible.

REVIEW:  This book consists of four novellas, all set in the 19th century: one before the Civil War' two a few years after the Civil War; and the other towards the end of the century.  They are completely separate and are each interesting in their own way.  Check it out for yourself and see what you think.

     To Mend a Dream was probably my favorite of the four.  I liked how the story flowed.  It didn't feel rushed and the timing of everything worked.  My favorite part was how everything worked out in the end.  It is also set in Nashville, one of my favorite cities to visit.

     An Outlaw's Heart was probably my least favorite.  :-(  I had a hard time getting into the story.  I like the concept of this novella and how Russell was able to see his mom.  I also liked how events worked themselves out in the end.  But, the whole thing covered just two days, maybe a week at the most, and just felt rushed.

     A Heart So True was set in Coastal South Carolina just before the Civil War.  I liked this story and how the events worked out.  Part of me was frustrated with Abigail and Wade not coming out early on and telling each other how they felt but I wonder if it was just because of the societal constraints of the time period and the "freedom" we have now.  I like how Abigail stood up to her father in regards to who she wanted to marry and how she wasn't afraid to spend the day with Wade even though his mother protested. 

     Love Beyond Limits is set in Georgia not long after the end of the Civil War when the Klu Klux Klan was terrorizing the countryside and anyone who believed differently from them.  This story is different from any I've read before.  It takes into account the lives of the former slaves, how they fared in the south after the War and how they are trying to adjust to freedom, getting an education and life in general.  Emily's family lives and works alongside of their former slaves and she teaches at the Freedman's school located on the family plantation.  Her relationship with Thomas left me scratching my head.  I understand not wanting to marry someone because their beliefs are different from yours but that bit of information is not widely told in the book.  To me, it seemed like I needed to read between the lines.  I did like how everything worked out by the end of the story, especially the part about Thomas and some misunderstandings that came into play.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Thomas Nelson Publishers 

for review without compensation.

Tamera Alexander is a USA Today best-selling author whose richly drawn characters and thought-provoking plots have earned her devoted readers worldwide, as well as multiple industry awards.  After living in Colorado for seventeen years, Tamera has returned to her Southern roots.  She and her husband make their home in Nashville, where they enjoy life with their two adult children, who live nearby, and Jack, a precious - and precocious - silky terrier.  And all of this just a stone's throw away from the beloved Southern mansions about which she writes.  Visit her at www.tameraalexander.com; on Facebook: tamera.alexander; Twitter: @tameraalexander; and Pinterest: tameraauthor. 

Shelley Gray is the author of The Heart of a Hero series.  Her Amish novel (written as Shelley Shepard Gray) The Protector recently made the New York Times bestseller list.  A native of Texas, she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in Colorado and taught school for ten years.  She and her husband have two children and live in southern Ohio.  Visit her at www.shelleyshepardgray.com; on Facebook: ShelleyShepardGray; and on Twitter: @ShelleySGray.

Dorothy Love, a native of West Tennessee, makes her home in the Texas Hill Country with her husband and their golden retriever.  An award-winning author of numerous young adult novels, Dorothy made her adult debut with the Hickory Ridge novels.  Visit her at www.dorothylovebooks.com; on Facebook: dorothylovebooks; and Twitter: @WriterDorothy.

Elizabeth Musser writes "Entertainment with a soul" from her writing chalet - toolshed - outside Lyon, France.  Elizabeth's highly acclaimed, bestselling novel The Swan House was named one of Amazon's Top Christian Books of the Year and one of Georgia's Top Ten Novels of the Past 100 Years (Georgia BackRoads, 2009).  All of Elizabeth's novels have been translated into multiple languages.  Two Destinites, the final novel in the Secrets of the Cross trilogy, was a finalist for the 2013 Christy Award.  For over twenty-five years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in missions work with International Teams.  The Mussers have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren.  Visit her at www.elizabethmusser.com; on Facebook: Elizabeth-Musser; and on Twitter: @LizzieSwanHouse.