If I Run Book Review

SUMMARY:  Casey knows the truth.  But it won't set her free.

     Casey Cox's DNA is all over the crime scene.  There's no use talking to police; they've failed her abysmally before.  She has to flee before she's arrested . . . or worse.  The truth doesn't matter anymore. 

     But what is the truth?  That's the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey,  PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him.  Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren't adding up.  Casey Cox doesn't fit the profile of a killer,  But are Dylan's skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective?  If she isn't guilty, why did she run?

     Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan's damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices:  the girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero.  And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

REVIEW:  In the United States in regards to crimes, we are presumed innocent until proven guilty.  At least, that is the way it is SUPPOSED to work.  Unfortunately, more often than not, we are considered guilty UNLESS we are proven innocent. And, if someone powerful has it out for us, we may never find that release.  This is the case for Casey.  She is thought to have killed her best friend.  All the evidence is looking that way but it is not the truth.
     I really liked this story.  It is written in the first person from the perspective of  two different people - Casey, the accused murderer, and Dylan, the PI hired to find her.  Each has their own struggles and personal demons to overcome and you see the difficulties they face.  Casey's story reminds me of the movie The Fugitive, where the kind doctor is convicted of murdering his wife while he claims a one-armed man did.  As he goes along trying to prove his innocence and the other man's identity, he helps people in trouble along the way.  As Casey tries to hide from the authorities trying to arrest her (or even kill her), she helps a family who has a loved one disappear.  Plus, the longer Dylan searches for her and researches the evidence in the case, he is convinced more and more of Casey's innocence.
     If you like a good suspense story that will have you trying to figure out how the story will work out, you need to read this one.  Now, it is part of a series and Casey's story is not done.  I can't wait to see how everything works out and how Casey will finally find her freedom. 

This book was provided by Fiction Guild and Zondervan 

for review without compensation.

Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times bestselling author.  She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as the Moonlighters, Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, SunCoast Chronicles, and Restoration series.  Visit her online at www.terriblackstock.com, on Facebook: tblackstock, and on Twitter: @terriblackstock. 

The Forgotten Recipe Book Review

An Amish Heirloom Novel

Book One

SUMMARY:  After losing her fiance' in a tragic accident, Veronica Fisher finds solace in the old recipes stored in her mother's hope chest - and in a special visitor who comes to her bake stand to purchase her old-fashioned raspberry pies.

     Veronica Fisher knows how lucky she is to be marrying her best friend.  Seth Lapp is kind, hardworking, and handsome - but most importantly, he loves Veronica.

     When an accident on the job steals Seth away from her, a heartbroken Veronica is certain she will never love - or be loved - again.  Yet when she discovers a batch of forgotten recipes and opens a bake stand to sell her Mammi's raspberry pies, Veronica picks up a regular customer who gives her heart pause.

     Jason Huyard was with Seth when he lost his life - a memory that haunts him still.  So when he seeks out the grieving fiancee to convey his condolences, the last thing he expects - or wants - is to fall in love.  Nonetheless, Jason soon finds himself visiting Veronica's bake stand every week . . . and it's for more than the raspberry pies.

    Now, as Veronica's heart thaws, Jason can't bring himself to tell her he was there when Seth died.  Can he ever reveal where he was on the day her life derailed?  Or will his secret rob them of the second chance at love they both want?

REVIEW: The author does an excellent job conveying the depth of Veronica's grief and Jason's reluctance to tell Veronica who he is - Seth's best friend and co-worker.  He saw her crumble and weep uncontrollably at Seth's funeral and wanted to spare her the pain of remembering that dreadful event again.  This book shows their relationship as it grows very slowly from acquaintances to friends and their attraction to each other.
     When Veronica finally finds out Jason's connection with Seth, I didn't fully understand her anger.  Yes, he withheld the information that he was close to her fiancee and was there when he died, but why would she get so worked up?  I would think she would be grateful that Jason was there during Seth's last moments, knowing he was with friends and loved ones.  But, everyone grieves differently and understands differently.
     Making her grandmother's raspberry pie and opening her bake stand was a good way for Veronica to heal.  It helped her come out of her grieve-induced shell and started living again. On a side note, that raspberry pie sounded so delicious.   The way everyone raved about it in the novel and ordered dozens made me want to try one.  Umm!
     This story was interesting.  I look forward to reading the others coming in this series.

This book was provided by Fiction Guild and Zondervan

for review without compensation.

Amy Clipston is the award winning and bestselling author of more than a dozen novels, including the Kauffman Amish Bakery series and the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series.  Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA.  Amy holds a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, North Carolina.  Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons and four spoiled rotten cats.  Visit her website at amyclipston.com, on Facebook: Amy Clipston or on Twitter: @AmyClipston. 

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.

The Wedding Chapel Book Review

SUMMARY:  A lonely wedding chapel.  Build as a tribute to lost love just might hold the long-awaited secret to hope and reconciliation.
     For sixty years, the wedding chapel has stood silent and empty.  Retired football hall-of-famer Jimmy "Coach" Westbrook built the chapel by hand, stone by stone, for his beautiful and beloved Collette Greer, whom he lost so many years ago.  The chapel is a sanctuary for his memories, a monument to true love, and a testament to his survival of the deepest pain and loss.
     Photographer Taylor Branson left her hometown of Heart's Bend, Tennessee, to make a new life for herself in New York.  She had lots to run away from, not least of all a family history of broken promises and broken dreams.  Love catches Taylor off guard when she falls for Jack Forester, a successful advertising executive, and their whirlwind romance leads to an elopement - then to second guesses.  Jack, in spite of his very real love for Taylor, is battling his own demons and struggles to show her his true self and the depths of his love for her.
     Taking a photography assignment in Heart's Bend, Taylor is thrown back into a past of family secrets buried deep beneath the sands of time.  When Taylor and Coach's journeys collide, they each rediscover the heartbeat of their own dreams as they learn that the love they long to hold is well worth the wait.

REVIEW:  Rachel Hauck's latest novel is phenomenal!!  There are four main characters whose stories flow seamlessly together.  The novel moves from current day to the late 40s/early 50s without causing confusion or without any lag.  My heart grieved when the characters went through their trials and separation.  It cried when the characters faced the hurts and secrets of the past and rejoiced when they found acceptance and love.  It is a story of loss, hurt, and secrets but also of forgiveness, redemption and reconciliation.  Excellent and incredible story!!  This is will be one I recommend to everyone!! 

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group, Zondervan, and Fiction Guild 

for review without compensation.

Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author.  She is a RITA and Christy Award finalist.  Her book The Wedding Dress was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times.  Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and two pets and writes from her ivory tower.

Israel's Mission DVD and Discovery Guide Review

Becoming a Kingdom of Priests

in a Prodigal World

SUMMARY:  WHAT'S YOUR MISSION?  God gave an assignment to His people thousands of years ago:  Bring "lost sheep" back into the love and safety of His kingdom.  It's still our task today.  In this 13th volume of That the World May Know, you'll glimpse the urgency and rewards of welcoming the strangers and prodigals the Lord longs to embrace.  Discover the mission that can give your life - and the lives of those around you - greater meaning that you ever imagined.

Five Episodes filmed on location in the Middle East

1. Abraham and Sarah and Three Strangers (Negev, Israel)
2. Israel at Sinai: The First Great Commission (Timnah, Israel)
3. Jesus Renews His Mission:  Seeking the Lost (Qatzrin, Israel)
4. The Lost Son:  In a Far Country (Jerash, Jordan)
5. The Seeking Father:  The Lost Son Returns (Qatzrin, Israel)

      This Discovery Guide will take you on an interactive journey.  Each session . . . 

• Focuses on passages of Scripture explored in the film.
• Includes sidebars, maps, photos and other study tools.
• Features questions that facilitate discussion and inspire personal reflection.

That the World May Know
     Join renowned teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan as he guides you through the land of the Bible.  In each lesson, Vander Laan illuminates the historical, geographical and cultural context of the sacred Scriptures.  Filmed on location in the Middle East and elsewhere, the That the World May Know film series will transform your understanding of God and challenge you to be a true follower of Jesus.

REVIEW:  Having seen some of Ray Vander Laan's  That the World May Know videos in the past, I was excited to see this opportunity come across my desk.  The author and teacher of this video series gives you details based on cultural views, historical context and geography that has gotten lost in our modern day Western culture to help you understand what the biblical writers meant in a deeper, most eye-opening way.  In this series, Mr. Vander Laan focuses on our mission - bringing others back into the family fold - and how this assignment was given to the Israelites in the desert and again to the followers of Jesus.  The details given about how the patriarchal society the Hebrews were familiar with is a representation of the family of God.  The parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Prodigal Son are seen in a different light when you look at the context of the patriarchal family - the beth ab - and shows us just how God keeps pursuing us, even when we don't want to be found.  The Discovery Guide gives you more details and focuses on other stories in the bible in greater detail that also support this idea of redemption.  Maps, side bar notes and "Did You Know" sections help bring the reader to a deeper understanding of the passages covered.
     This is a wonderful series and lives up to the memory of the ones I've seen previously.  This series is great for a small group, Sunday school class, Bible Study group or even an individual who wants to dig deeper into the bible.  You will not be disappointed.

This DVD and Discovery Guide was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Zondervan 

for review without compensation.

Ray Vander Laan is the founder of That the World May Know Ministries and creator of the That the World May Know video series with Focus on the Family.  An ordained minister, he holds the chair of biblical cultural studies as a religion instructor at Holland Christian Schools in Holland, Michigan.  He and his wife, Esther, have four children and 16 grandchildren.  ThatTheWorldMayKnow.com

Steven and Amanda Sorenson are founders of Sorenson Communications and have cowritten many small group curriculum guidebooks, including the entire That the World May Know film series.

The Plain Choice Book Review

A True Story of Choosing 

to Live an Amish Life

SUMMARY:  Sometimes Faith Is the Greatest Surprise of All

     As a young adult, Sherry Gore dreamed of a radio career, but instead, a series of terrible mistakes left her wrecked and alone.  Then one morning she walked into a church and the truth of Jesus' forgiving love shattered her world - and put it back together again.  She began to rid her life of anything that might keep her from God, but still she wanted a deeper faith.  Something more.

     Soon the life Sherry remade for herself and her children featured head coverings, simple dress, and a focus on Jesus Christ.  Only then did she realize that there were others like her:  the Amish/

She Left Everything to Find All She Needed

     The Plain Choice is the fascinating story of one woman's journey toward God through the Amish community.  After making the rare transition into Amish life, Sherry learned how to live off the land and make it, grow it, or do without it.  She learned the adventure of the horse-and-buggy life and began to thrive on faith, family and pie.  And when her teenage daughter was diagnosed with a devastating illness, she learned again how bright God's light can shine when everything else seems dark.

     This unusual memoir offers a riveting look at the choices we make toward or away from God - and how God pursues us in the most unexpected ways.

REVIEW:  For the past few years, I've been following Sherry Gore on Facebook.  I'm not sure how I found her but love her insights, humor and pictures of the pies she makes.  Her autobiography is just an extension of her FB page, just more in depth and personal.  Sherry did not grow up Amish but, after her conversion to Christianity, found their lifestyle was more like the life she felt she needed to live.  Details of her growing up in the 70s, 80s and 90s were raw but real.  She does not hold back any punches but shows her readers where she came from and where God has her now.  Sherry's life has not been easy but God has walked with her every step of the way.  After she decided to become Amish, Sherry's relationship with God grew stronger and helped prepare her for the difficult road her family would face after her daughter's devastating diagnosis.  This book is a wonderful story of God's pursuit and how He prepares His children for life on this earth and, eventually, heaven.  This book is difficult but awe-inspiring.  Check it out, then follow her on Facebook.

This book was provided by BookLook Bloggers and Zondervan 

for review without compensation.

Sherry Gore is the author of two cookbooks, Simply Delicious Amish Cooking and Me, Myself, and Pie, and co-author of the novel Made with Love.  She is also a weekly scribe for the national edition of the Amish newspaper, The Budget, established in 1890.  The National Geographic Channel featured Sherry prominently in their documentary series, Amish: Out of Order.  Sherry's culinary adventures have been seen on NBC Daytime, The Today Show, Mr. Food Test Kitchen, and more.  Sherry is a year-round resident of beautiful, sun-kissed Sarasota, Florida, the vacation paradise of the Plain People.  She has three children and is a member of a Beachy Amish Mennonite church.  When not spending time with her family, writing, or eating, Sherry is a cooking-show host and an official pie-contest judge. 

A Simple Prayer Book Review

Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel

Book Four

SUMMARY:  Linda is no stranger to hardship.  Now she dares to hope for a chance at love and a new beginning.

     As the sole survivor of a buggy accident that left her orphaned at age four, Linda Zook was reluctantly raised by her Uncle Reuben.  She longs to be worthy of someone, but the lasting trauma of her injuries and embittered upbringing have destroyed her self-worth.  When Hannah Peterson asks her to work at the Heart of Paradise Bed & Breakfast, she's finally able to realize some confidence.

     Aaron Ebersol left the Amish community seventeen years ago when he could no longer bear the restrictions or the constant tension with his father.  Despite years of unanswered letters to his parents and the roots he's put down in Missouri, Aaron rushes back to the Amish community of Paradise, Pennsylvania, after receiving word of his mother's stroke.  Hesitant to get too close to the family he was once a part of, he decided to stay at the Heart of Paradise Bed & Breakfast.  Talking with Linda allows him to explore his feelings about his family and his position in the Amish community.

     As Linda and Aaron open up to each other, their feelings for one another turn into more than friendship, and Aaron must make a decision about his future as an Amish man.

     Can Linda and Aaron forgive the family members who have deceived and forsaken them?  And will Aaron be able to convince Linda that she is worthy of his love?

REVIEW:  This book is about forgiveness and loving those who have hurt you.  It is a wonderful picture of Christ welcoming us home after we've made mistakes and asked for forgiveness.  Aaron made LOTS to mistakes as a teenager and hurt his family and community.  But, when he returned to his family, most everyone had forgiven him, even those in the community he had wronged accepted him back.  Linda has been hurt by family whose dreams were shattered so they took their hurt out on her.  As she forgives them, the lives of both Linda and those she has forgiven change for the better.

     Even though this is the fourth book in this series, I was not lost at all, even though I've only read one other.  The books are self-contained and, when something from another book is mentioned, it is explained briefly.  This is a wonderful book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

This book was provided by BookLook Bloggers and Zondervan for review without compensation.

Amy Clipston is the author of A Gift of Grace and four additional novels in the bestselling Kauffman Amish Bakery series.  She lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled-rotten cats.

Wilderness Rising Book Review

A Church Builder Novel

SUMMARY: It began as a search for the truth about her best friend’s death. Now Bethany Barclay is caught in the ultimate struggle to keep faith alive.
     The Wilderness, an ancient cabal bent on destroying Christianity, has murdered Bethany’s best friend, framed her for acts of terrorism, and captured the brilliant teen hacker she vowed to protect. To ransom the girl, Bethany must traverse England and Europe to find the Pilate Stone—a mysterious first-century artifact that might not even exist.
     She’s not the only one who wants the stone. The Garden, a powerful group of intellectuals sworn to save the Church and help Bethany, is willing to betray her to achieve their higher goals. And a mysterious third faction lurks in the shadows, waiting for her to stumble.
     Alone and on the run in this international landscape of double and triple agents, Bethany’s quest becomes an ever more complex and dangerous contest against players who don’t play fair.
     In this riveting sequel to The Church Builder, many of A. L. Shield’s cunning characters are ruthlessly devoted to preserving a world where faith is possible. Others aim to brutally, and finally, undermine belief.
     Including Bethany’s.

REVIEW:  My daughter and I have been anxiously waiting for this book since we finished the first one.  Now, you DEFINITELY need to read the first book, The Church Builder, before reading this one or you will not be able to follow along.  Even though I had read it, it had been a while so I had trouble trying to remember what happened previously, how it was relevant to this story and who all was involved how.  After a few chapters, everything started falling back into place.
    The author does an excellent job keeping you guessing and sitting on the edge of your seat, quickly turning the pages to see what happens next.  This book is like a classic spy/whodunit-type novel, with all the twists, turns and not knowing who to trust. Quite a few questions from the previous publication were answered and things started falling into place.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Bethany is one character I won't easily forget.

This book was provided by Zondervan and Booklook Bloggers for review without compensation.

A.L. Shields  is a pseudonym for Stephen L. Carter, William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law at Yale, where he has taught for thirty years. He is also the author of seven acclaimed works of nonfiction and five best-selling novels. His first novel, The Emperor of Ocean Park (2002), spent eleven weeks on the New York Times best seller list.

How to Catch a Prince Book Review

The Royal Wedding Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  An American Heiress and a Crown Prince seem destined to be together.  Will the devastation of war keep them apart forever?

     American heiress Corina Del Rey caught her prince once.  But the tragedy of war kept her too long in a fog of grief.  Now she's shifting her life forward, reigniting her career as a journalist.  Still, nothing can relieve her of the secret and the love she carries in her soul.

     Prince Stephen of Brighton is one of the world's most eligible bachelors and a star rugby player, trying to make sense of his life.  But his days in Afghanistan with the Royal Air Command have marked him forever.  And he can't seem to shake their dark shadow.

     But when his brother, King Nathaniel, confronts him with a document the prince thought long buried and forgotten, Stephen is forced to face the pain of his past and the love he left behind.

     With a little heavenly help, Prince Stephen and Corina embark on a journey of truth.  But when the secrets are revealed, can they overcome and find love again?

REVIEW:  Rachel Hauck's story of lost love is shadowed with grief.  Corina's twin brother had been killed while serving in Afghanistan.  Her family is never given any details about what happened, and the tragic loss comes very close to tearing this very close-knit family apart at its seams. Prince Stephen's unit, including Carlos Del Ray, was attacked in Afghanistan.  He barely made it out alive but Carlos didn't.  Even though it has been about five years, Stephen still feels the weight of the tragedy. While the grief is ever present throughout the story, it does not overwhelm the reader but helps her understand why certain events happened.  

    I like how Corina doesn't try to rest on the laurels of her family's wealth and use the connections she and her family made to further her career as a journalist.  She is determined to do things on her own and not compromise her beliefs and acquaintances. Stephen has become a world-class rugby player who loves his fans and teammates.  He also doesn't let his princely status get in the way of competing and meeting his fans.  

      There are a few parts that are all fantasy but make the book that much more enjoyable.  I loved Adelaide and Brill and the Inn.  They help Corina in her search to love well and just add a special dimension to the story.

     This book is the last of the Royal Wedding Series.  Each book is a stand-alone.  But, if you read the first book, Once Upon A Prince, it will fill in a few gaps about King Nathaniel and Princess Susanna, Stephen's brother and sister-on-law, and Queen Campbell and Sir Henry, Stephen's mom and step-father.  

      This is a fun, enjoyable story that most girls/women wishes was theirs.  If you are looking for a fun read, check this series, and this book, out.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Zondervan for review without compensation.

 

Rachel Hauck is an award winning, bestselling author.  Her book, The Wedding Dress, was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times, and Once Upon A Prince was a Christy Award finalist.  Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and two pets and writes from her ivory tower.  Visit her website at www.rachelhauck.com, on Twitter: RachelHauck or on Facebook: RachelHauck.

The Dandelion Field Book Review

SUMMARY:  This handsome firefighter makes a living coming to the rescue, but Gin doesn't need a man to fight her battles.

     After Raine's dad walked out, Ginevieve Lightly never lived in one place too long - a rambling lifestyle that defined her daughter's youth.  When their car dies in Banister Falls, Wisconsin, Gin promises Raine they can stay until she finishes her senior year of high school.  Gin will do anything to make sure her daughter has a bright future . . . a future that's compromised when Raine reveals she's pregnant.

     Dan Moretti has only ever called Banister Falls home.  After losing his best friend in a tragic accident, Dan devoted himself to responding to fires, rescuing the helpless, and guiding Cody Bennett, his best friend's son, through life.  With Cody being the epitome of the good kid, it was an easy job.  Until he says four little words:  "The baby is mine."

     Knowing gossip of Raine's pregnancy will erupt sooner or later in the small town, Gin's reflex is to grab the suitcase and escape to a new city, a new life.  But with each passing day, Gin's feet stay rooted in Banister Falls, and she falls a little more for this local firefighter who shows her not all men abandon women at the first sign of smoke.

     As Gin and Dan do the best they can to guide the two teenagers through their early entry into adulthood, they discover that romance can bloom in the rockiest of situations.  And God can turn the pieces of a broken past into a beautiful new beginning.

REVIEW:  This by far was one of the best books I've read.  I love how Gin and Dan support the young couple, when a lot of people are talking about them.  One thing that stand out are how the characters are all flawed, that no one has it all together, but they use those flaws to encourage each other and build each other up instead of tearing them down.  Teenage pregnancy is not an easy topic to write about, especially when it involves Christians who are also leaders in their community.  Cody is a leader in his school and youth group at church.  But he stands before them, admits his mistake and tries to learn from it instead of shirking his responsibilities.  Gin works hard to give Raine a good life and stands by her daughter when life gets tough.  Even though Gin's normal routine is to pick up and run, she stays put in Banister Falls to give her daughter every opportunity to become the woman she is suppose to be.

     This is an awesome book, that though it deals with a tough subject matter, handles it with delicacy, grit and wonder.  Check it out.  

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Zondervan for review without compensation.

Kathryn Springer is a USA Today bestselling author. She grew up in northern Wisconsin, where her parents published a weekly newspaper. As a child she spent many hours sitting at her mother's typewriter, plunking out stories, and credits her parents for instilling in her a love of books - which eventually turned into a desire to tell stories of her own.  Kathryn has written nineteen books with close to two million copies sold.  She lives with her husband and three children in Marinette, Wisconsin.  Find her on Facebook at Kathrynspringerauthor.

A Mother's Secret Book Review

Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel

Book Two

SUMMARY:  An unwed Amish woman years for real love and a family.  The only thing in her way is the shame she's been carrying for half of her life.

     Thirty-one-year-old Carolyn Lapp has never been married - but she's been a mother for fifteen years.  In a community with strict standards and a long memory, Carolyn knows she might never find a man who will have her and her son, Benjamin.

     Carolyn's family tries to marry her off to a widower with a daughter who needs a mother.  A marriage of convenience doesn't sound so bad, yet despite her loneliness, Carolyn knows what she really wants: a traditional Amish family and a marriage for love.

     When Benjamin gets into trouble at an auction, he finds himself beholden to a handsome horse breeder named Joshua Glick.  Joshua and Carolyn feel an instant attraction, and soon a romance is budding between them.  The trouble is Joshua believes Benjamin is Carolyn's nephew, not her son.

     After years of shame and loneliness, Carolyn suddenly has two men vying for her attention.  Can either man give her the family - and the unconditional love - she longs for?  Or will her past once again sabotage the future she wants?

REVIEW:  This storyline - an Amish woman who had a child out of wedlock - was one that caught my eye.  I love how strong Carolyn was.  She stands up for herself and he son, even when it isn't easy.  Though most of the community has forgiven Carolyn for her indiscretion, her brother Amos hasn't.  He constantly reminds Carolyn of it, and never passes up an opportunity to hold it over her head and judge her.   I like how she honors his position as the leader of the family but doesn't let his constant barrage keep her down.  She keeps the welfare of her son foremost in her mind, hoping that the time spent with Joshua repaying the debt he incurred will put and keep Benjamin on the right path.

     While reading this novel, I was reminded that we should not judge others by their past sins.  Once they confess their sins to the Lord, as Carolyn did, it is not our place to judge them any more.  We are made new creatures in Christ.  Joshua's mother, Barbara, and Amos both tried to remind everyone of Carolyn's past but were shown that once it is forgiven, we should also forget.

This book was provided by Booklook Bloggers and Zondervan for review without compensation.

Amy Clipston is the author of A Gift of Grace and four additional novels in the best-selling Kauffman Amish Bakery series.  She lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled-rotten cats.

The Heart's Pursuit Book Review

SUMMARY:  A jilted bride, desperate to save her family from ruin.  A bounty hunter seeking vengeance for a ravaged past.  An arduous trek toward justice - or redemption.
     Silver Matlock and Jared Newman know traveling together is a bad idea.  Bad for Silver's already tarnished reputation in her small Colorado town.  Bad for bounty hunter Jared's secret, single-minded mission for revenge.  But Silver is determined to track down the rogue who left her at the altar and stole the last remnant of her father's fortune.  And Jared's in a hurry to hunt down the murderer who destroyed his family - even if Silver is too distractingly beautiful for comfort.
     The pair takes off over mountain and desert, past bleak homesteads and raw mining towns, hot on the trail of the two villains who took what wasn't theirs to take.  Soon supplies dwindle, secrets emerge, and suspicions arise, putting Silver and Jared at odds when they need each other most.  To confront an enemy deadlier than desert rattlesnakes and rocky cliffs, Silver and Jared must learn to forgive and trust and face the questions they haven't dared voice:  What happens next?

REVIEW:  This book was different than most historical romance books I've read.  Silver's determination to find her former fiance and return her father's money is one to be admired.  She doesn't think about herself or her reputation but only her father.  She sticks with Jared, never complaining even when things are looking bad.  I like how she encourages Jared to take an orphan, Dean, left behind when the two men they are chasing kill his parents, even though they are low on supplies.  Also wondering "what happens next?" towards the end of the novel, the ending was refreshing.  An enjoyable ending to a surprising book.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for review without compensation.

Robin Lee Hatcher is the bestselling author of seventy books.  Her numerous awards include the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award.  Robin and her husband currently reside in Idaho.  For more information, visit www.robinleehatcher.com.

Take This Cup Book Review

Jerusalem Chronicles

Book Two

SUMMARY:  Woven into the fabric of prophecy, a young boy named Nehemiah must choose to embrace his destiny as cupbearer to the King of Kings.

     When Nehemiah, the child of Jewish exiles, begins hearing whispers and experiencing portentous visions, it quickly becomes clear to his father and his rabbi that the young cupbearer is meant for a higher purpose . . . but what?  Certain that the Messiah is alive at that very moment, the family waits for the boy's destiny to be revealed.

     From the ancient site of the Garden of Eden, Nehemiah undertakes a perilous journey.  The caravan route is full of danger, hardship, and mystery - all linked to what Nehemiah has in his keeping.  

     In due time, his path becomes clear.  It leads to Jerusalem, to a wealthy pharisee named Joseph of Arimathea . . . and to Jesus of Nazareth.

     In Take This Cup, the second installment of the Jerusalem Chronicles, Bodie and Brock Thoene envision more of Scripture's most enigmatic moments and expand their award-winning canon of historical fiction with unprecedented power and depth.

REVIEW:  This book is different than most I've read.  It mixes bible history and stories with fantasy, stretching my ideas of what could be true and what is purely fiction.  The story starts out in the land where the Garden of Eden was said to exist, with the food and animals raised there direct descendents of the animals and plants that were there before the Fall of Adam and Eve.  The families that live there are descendents of Jewish families who were exiled there and chose to stay when Jews returned to Jerusalem.  Like the first book, liberties are taken with the characters of the bible and the stories of the New Testament: Nehemiah's rabbi being one of the Magi, Joseph of Arimathea having close ties to Jesus, and Lazarus being included with Jesus in the pharisee's "death threats," just to name a few.  While I don't necessarily agree with some of the connections, I do like how everything ties together.  I even saw the potential for characters in future stories in this series.  It would be interesting to see if some of my thinkings actually play out.

     This is an interesting book.

This book was provided by Zondervan and Booklook Bloggers for review without compensation.

Bodie and Brock Thoene are the bestselling authors of over sixty-five works of historical fiction. Their timeless classics have sold more than thirty-five million copies and won eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards.  The Thoenes have four grown children and eight grandchildren.  They divide their time between Hawaii, London, and Nevada.

Princess Ever After Book Review

The Royal Wedding Series

Book Two

SUMMARY:  Regina Beswick didn't know she was born a princess.

     She's content to be a small-town girl, running a classic auto restoration shop, unaware that a secret destiny awaits her.  One that will leap from the pages of her grandmother's hand-painted book of fairy tales.

     Tanner Burkhardt is the stoic Minister of Culture for the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg.  When he is tasked to retrieve the long-lost princess, he must overcome his fear of failure in order to secure his nation's future - and his own.

     Yet lurking in the political shadows is a fierce opponent with sinister plans to abolish the throne forever.

     Overwhelmed with opposition, Regina must decide whether she's destined to restore old cars or an ancient nation.  Together - with a little divine intervention - Regina and Tanner discover the truth of her heritage and the healing power of true love.

REVIEW:  I like this book!  Regina is so cool!!  Even though she has struggled with finding out she is a true princess, she has been preparing for this role all her life.  Regina relies on her faith in God more and more as she has to make tough decisions.  I like how, once she goes to Hessenberg, she starts to heal a split between factions - one side wanting to return as a duchy; the other, wanting the stay as a protectorate of the kingdom of Brighton - without even trying.

     The only thing that I found disappointing was that it left out the events of her coronation and the first year of her rule.  Even though it would have added more to the story, I would have loved to see how Regina continues to adjust to being a royal and how the people react and respond to her rule.

     I really enjoyed this book!!  Reading it makes me want to read the first one and any others this author writes.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for review without compensation.

Rachel Hauck, a RITA Finalist and Carol Award winner, was recently chosen by Family Fiction readers as one of the top five romance authors in CBA.  Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and writes from her ivory tower.

The Prodigal Book Review

A Ragamuffin Story

SUMMARY:  From the inspirational author of The Ragamuffin Gospel comes a powerful contemporary retelling of the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

     Jack Chisholm is "the people's pastor."  He leads a devoted and growing mega-church, has several best-selling books, and a memorable slogan, "We have got to do better."  Jack knows how to preach, and he understands how to chastise people into performing.  What he doesn't know is anything about grace.

     This year, when it comes time for the Christmas sermon, the congregation at Grace Cathedral will look to the pulpit, and Jack will not be there.  Of course, they will have seen plenty of him already - on the news.

     After an evening of debauchery that leads to an affair with his beautiful assistant, Jack Chisholm finds himself deserted with chilling swiftness.  The church elders remove him from his own pulpit.  His publisher withholds the royalties from his books.  Worst of all, his wife disappears with their eight-year-old daughter.

     But just as Jack is hitting bottom, hopeless and penniless, drinking his way to oblivion, who should appear but his long-estranged father, imploring his prodigal son:  "Come home."

     A true companion piece to The Ragamuffin Gospel, The Prodigal illustrates the power of grace through the story of a broken man who finally saw Jesus not because he preached his greatest sermon or wrote his most powerful book, but because he failed miserably.  Jack Chisholm lost everything - his church, his family, his respect, and his old way to believing - but he found grace.  It's the same grace that Brennan Manning devoted his life to sharing: profound in nature and coming from a God who loves us just as we are, and not as we should be.

REVIEW:  Having heard how wonderful Brennan Manning's writing was, I wanted to check out his newest book, The Prodigal.  It was a great take on the biblical story of the Prodigal son.  The main character, Jack, could be found in our modern day American culture. When he has a one-night stand with his assistant, Jack's world comes crashing around him.  I like how even though Jack alienated his father after the death of his mother ten years earlier, Dad still went after his son, helping him get through this difficult by providing shelter, a job and a friendly face when everyone else had left.  Father Frank is a refreshing character.  I love how he is very vulnerable and, even though everyone in town knows of his alcoholic background, they still love him and try to support and encourage him as much as Father Frank supports and encourages those around him.  Jack's hometown, while curious about everything that has happened, comes along side of him and tries to help him when they can.
     There were a few things I had difficulties with in this story.  One was how quickly Jack "recovered" and was offered a position preaching in a pulpit.  While I understand his character had made some major favorable changes in his view of grace, I still think it is a little soon (about two months since his night out on the town with his assistant).  One other problem I had (and it was a small one) was how Kathy, the small town newspaper reporter/owner, kept popping up, like she has a crush on Jack.  I guess it bothered me because he was still married (his divorce had not be finalized) and because of how Jack fell from grace (having an one-night stand).
     All in all, I really liked this book.  This one really made me think about a lot of things and hope I can make any changes I need to make and hope my world doesn't come crashing in around me.

This book was provided by Booksneeze and Zondervan for review without compensation.

Brennan Manning was a renowned speaker, preacher, and retreat leader.  He authored or coauthored twenty books, among them his memoir All Is Grace, The Furious Longing of God, Abba's Child, and the million-selling and life-changing book The Ragamuffin Gospel.  He went to rest in the loving arms of his Abba on April 12, 2013, but his voice still echoes in the hearts and minds of his readers.

Greg Garrett is the author or coauthor of over fifteen books of fiction, non-fiction, and memoir, including The Other Jesus, We Get to Carry Each Other:  The Gospel according to U2, and the acclaimed novels Free Bird, Cycling, and Shame.  He lives with his family in Austin, Texas.

The Church Builder Book Review

SUMMARY:  One group focused on destroying all religion.  One group struggling to preserve the church.  One woman searching for the truth.
     For two months, small-town lawyer Bethany Barclay has been mourning the hit-and-run death of her enigmatic best friend, Annabelle Seaver.  Then the son of her wealthiest client is found murdered in her kitchen.  When Bethany herself becomes the leading suspect, she must flee both the authorities and a mysteriously killer.
     But there is more at stake than she knows.
     Bethany is caught in the web of a shadowy organization determined to destroy Christianity.  The final outcome rests on her ability to piece together the last three months of her best friend's life.

REVIEW:  This is a book that will keep you turning pages and sitting on the edge of your seat all the way to the end.  At times, trying to keep straight all the different characters and their roles was difficult for me.  I do not read many suspense novels so when shadowy characters are introduced and not fully explained to keep the intensity going, I had some problem keeping everyone straight.  But I was able to follow the story pretty easily and keep up.  The story was intriguing and unique.  As I read, I could see the novel being played out in movie form.  While the drama was not brought to a close at the end of the book, I can't wait for the next book to be released to finish Bethany's search for answers.
     If you are a fan of suspense novels, this is a book you will want to check out.

This book was provided by Booksneeze, Harper-Collins and Zondervan for review without compensation.

A.L. Shields is a pseudonym for Stephen L. Carter, the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law at Yale, where he has taught for almost thirty years.  He is the author of seven acclaimed works on nonfiction, and five best-selling novels, including The Emperor of Ocean Park, which spent eleven weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.

Beloved Book Review

Where the Heart Lives Series

Book Three

 SUMMARY:  A most unwelcome guest surprises Diana at her engagement party - the husband she thought was dead!

     Diana Brennan came west on the orphan train and was given a home with a loving couple who cherished and spoiled her.  At 17, she fell hard for Tyson Applegate, the son of a wealthy mine owner.  After a whirlwind courtship and marriage, Tyson took off for adventures around the world, including fighting with the Rough Riders in Cuba.  Receiving no word of him in years, Diana is ready to move past the old pain and marry again, just as soon as Tyson is declared legally dead.

     But when Tyson returns, supposedly a changed man, he wants to reunite with his wife and run for the senate.  While Diana suspects the election is his real reason for wanting her by his side, she agrees to maintain his home and to campaign with him, but when it is over, win or lose, she wants her freedom.  

     He agrees with one condition - she must give him a chance to change her mind about him.

REVIEW:  Beloved is written with two time lines going on at the same time.  You read about Diana and her struggles with Tyson after he returns but, sprinkled throughout the story, you also read Tyson's story before he met Diana, their meeting and courtship, their brief time together as a married couple and what happens to Tyson when he leaves Diana and after he "disappears."  At first, I couldn't quite figure out what was going on, but the more I read, the back story (mainly Tyson's) came through and I was able to follow along quite nicely and see that Tyson's spiritual relationship and his feelings for Diana were genuine.
     There were a few times I felt Brook Calhoun's character was stilted and unnecessary, like the author was needing an adversary and he was an afterthought.  It also would have been nice for Diana to meet her siblings earlier in the novel instead of in the Epilogue.  I did like how Tyson's father, Jeremiah Applegate, had changed over the years and was more accepting of Tyson and Diana's relationship and how he found one he wasn't looking for.
     All in all, this was a good book, one I enjoyed.  The series was interesting and one I wouldn't mind reading again.

This book was provided by Lituse Publicity Group, Booksneeze, and Zondervan for review without compensation.

Robin Lee Hatcher is the bestselling author of seventy books.  Her numerous awards include the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award.  Robin and her husband reside in Idaho.  For more information, visit www.robinleehatcher.com.

Harriet Beamer Strikes Gold Book Review

SUMMARY:  Adventure is never far away.
     After a whirlwind cross-country move, Harriet and her donut-loving basset house, Humphrey, have settled in to a new life in Grass Valley, California. When Harriet learns that she's going to be a grandma for the first time and gets a new suite with room for her salt-and-pepper shaker collection,
she can't wait for her best friend, Martha, to come visit so she can share her good news.
     But adventure is never far away when Harriet is around.  After listening to the pleas of a desperate teen whose daddy needs money right away - and happens to have a gold mine to lease - Harriet falls hook, line and sinker into the venture.  Although she's nervous about her investment, Harriet chooses to keep it a secret from her son, Henry, and his wife.  She can only imagine what she'll do if this turns out to be her ticket to a golden windfall.
     When suspicions arise, though, it becomes clear that Harriet may never see an ounce of gold.  But will she continue to trust and risk losing everything?  The fate of the young teen and a family emergency show Harriet where her true treasure lies.

REVIEW:  Harriet loves her family.  When she finds out she is going to be a grandma, she decides to invest in a gold mine in hopes of striking it rich so she can help her son and daughter-in-law.  With her best friend Martha in tow, she finds out the mine and the people she invested in are under FBI investigation.  Throw in the chaos of a new addition to the house, and you have yourselves a mess! 
     I love how Harriet still wanted to help Lily have a better life, even though she was a big part of the mine fiasco. Harriet and Martha believed the best in this young teen and their faith was proved right.  When Henry and Prudence finds out about the mine and the problems surrounding it, they didn't condemn Harriet but helped her figure out what she could/should do.  This family supports each other and is there for each other, no matter what.
     This is a good book and is perfect for some light reading.

This book was provided by Booksneeze for review without compensation.

Joyce Magnin is the author of five novels, including the popular and quirky Bright's Pond Series and the middle-grade novel Carrying Mason.  She is a frequent conference speaker and writing instructor.  Joyce lives in Pennsylvania with her son, Adam, and their crazy cat, Mango, who likes to eat nachos.

The Bare Naked Truth Book Review

 

Dating, Waiting, and God's Purity Plan

 SUMMARY:  The truth about sex and waiting .... uncovered and revealed

     Purity. Sex. Boys. Waiting. Something about those words makes everything complex in a heartbeat. Is there something wrong with me if I don't kiss a boy after a date? Or am I doomed if I did?  Is waiting a one-way trip to life as a crazy cat woman? And what if I, um, think about a certain boy a certain way?  It seems the lady at church and your friends have two very different opinions on the subject.  And the purity talks aren't always cutting it.

     Bekah Hamrick Martin knows the waiting game isn't easy or straight-forward.  In The Bare Naked Truth, she lays everything on the table - including some embarrassing moments - as she explores the honest, naked truth behind what God means by purity.  With additional entries from popular authors, you'll see the bare naked approach to waiting isn't always easy, but it's worth the risk.

REVIEW:  This book is not for young girls but perfect for teens, and even pre-teens, if their moms read it first.  Singles of all ages, and even married people, would also benefit from reading this book.  The author holds NOTHING back which helps answer those embarrassing questions every girl has and is afraid to ask.  Moms can use it to help answer those embarrassing their daughters ask.  Bekah draws from her own experience and friends who have gone through the gambit of mistake-making and doing the right thing to help her readers make the right decisions.  The advice she gives is biblical based and full of common sense. She even includes quizzes at the end of each chapter and a few places to journal.  I loved this book and want my daughter to read it!

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for review without compensation.

Bekah Hamrick Martin was born in Savannah, Georgia, in an event which her brother keeps reminding her was completely unnecessary.  She spent the better part of her high school years vacationing on the north end of her mattress due to an illness, where she developed a deep taste for chocolate and sarcasm. Today Bekah shares with teens about tough times, healing, and surviving their high school years - no matter where they spend them.

The Promise Box Book Review

Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors Series

Book Two

 

SUMMARY:  With her heart - and her loyalty - on the line, can she let true love in her life?

     Ever year, young Amish men descend on the cozy little town of West Kootenai, Montana, arriving in the spring to live for six moths and receive "resident" status for the hunting season in the fall.  They arrive as bachelors, but go home with brides!

     In The Promise Box, the second book of bestselling author Tricia Goyer's Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series, Lydia Wyse, a book editor from Seattle who grew up Amish, returns to the small community of West Kootenai, Montana, to giver comfort to her father after her mother's death.  She is drawn back to the familiar Amish ways after finding her mother's most precious possession, a Promise Box of prayers and scripture.  What her publisher sees, though, is an opportunity for a sensational "tell-all" book about the Amish.

     Lydia soon finds herself falling in love with Amish bachelor Gideon Hooley.  She wants nothing more than to forget her past and look forward to a future as an Amish bride.  But will the pain of her childhood - and her potential betrayal of her community - keep her from committing her whole heart?

REVIEW:  This book was the first I've read about a woman who left the Amish lifestyle for the life of the Englisch who returns to her roots.  I was pleasantly surprised with the story.  The recurring themes seemed to be facing the hurts and mysterious events that happened and forgiveness.  Lydia knew from early on she was adopted but, when she was sixteen, she found out about the circumstances of her conception and birth, she rebelled and left the Amish community.  I love how even after her mother's death, she helps Lydia come to terms with the past through promises found in scripture and the notes her mom wrote throughout Lydia's life.  Visiting her birth mother also gives her answers she was seeking.  I love how the community forgives Lydia for writing about them when a mix-up in communication had Lydia's private musings about the community and her life is picked up by a publisher. 

This book was a pleasant surprise and I am interested in reading more of this series.  It is an easy read and would be great for summertime vacations.

This Advanced Reader's Copy was provided by Litfuse for review without compensation.

 

USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer is the author of 35 books, including the three-book Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series. She has written over 500 articles for national publications and blogs for high traffic sites like TheBetterMom.com and MomLifeToday.com. Tricia and her husband John live in Little Rock, Arkansas where John works for FamilyLife. They have six children. You can find out more about Tricia at www.TriciaGoyer.com.