CFBA Presents "Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story" by Dee Henderson

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Jennifer: An O’Malley Love Story Bethany House Publishers (May 1, 2013) by Dee Henderson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dee Henderson is the bestselling, award-winning author of 15 previous novels, including the acclaimed O'MALLEY series and UNCOMMON HEROES series. These days, most authors are out there energetically promoting their books in print and broadcast and via social media—wherever they can get attention. But Dee Henderson keeps a low profile. She avoids telephone interviews because of hearing problems, declined to provide a current photo, and will say only that she lives in Illinois.

ABOUT THE BOOK

It's a summer of change for Jennifer O'Malley. The busy physician has a pediatrics practice in Dallas, and meeting Tom Peterson, and falling in love, is adding a rich layer to her life. She's sorting out how to introduce him to her family--she's the youngest of seven--and thinking about marriage.

She's falling in love with Jesus too, and knows God is good. But that faith is about to be tested in a way she didn't expect, and the results will soon transform her entire family.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Jennifer: An O’Malley Love Story, go to HERE.

My Thoughts:

This is the book O'Malley fans have been waiting for.  Unfortunately, it's a novella instead of a full novel.  Considering Jennifer's story was told throughout the series, the length of the book was understandable.  Just can't get enough of the O'Malley family!

We get to meet Jennifer when she's just beginning her life as a pediatrician and meeting Tom.  It's before she comes to faith in Christ as well, so we get to see her faith journey.

If you've read the O'Malley series, you already know the ending.  For new fans, oh, are you in for a treat!  Welcome to one of the greatest fictional families in Christian fiction...EVER.

I had to wrestle with my daughter for rights to read the book first: I'm surprised you didn't hear her scream with excitement wherever you live in the world.  She came to love the O'Malley family as much as I have, and it's been fun watching her read her way through the series.

This makes the seventh book, not including the prequel.  Each book is quality, and is an extension of the other books.  I received a copy of "Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story" in exchange for an honest review.

Add this to your collection, or begin your journey with this family here, with Jennifer.  But make sure to read all of the books.  You'll be glad you did, and "Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story" is highly recommended.

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Road Trip to Redemption by Brad Mathias

About the Book:

Brad Mathias thought everything in his family was fine. A busy, contented dad, he had vaguely noticed that Bethany, his middle child, had become withdrawn and moody, but he assumed it was part of being a “teen” and didn’t look any deeper.

Until the night God spoke clearly to Brad and his wife: Ask her to reveal what she has hidden. They did—and learned the secret Bethany had been carrying, one that rocked their family to the core. In a desperate attempt to reach their daughter and to reconnect as a family, Brad and his wife piled everyone into the car and embarked on a wild, crazy, seven-thousand-mile, what-are-we-thinking trip across the country.

As they drove, they realized how far apart they’d drifted, found unexpected blessings along the way—and journeyed together from pain and loss to recovery and redemption. In this book, Brad shares stories from the road about God’s grace, gives practical tips on what he learned about reconnecting as a family, invites you to consider your own epic journey as a mother or father, and calls you to trust wholeheartedly in the amazing love God has for your kids.

My Thoughts:

This is what I love about reviewing!  Sometimes I get to take a peek at books I'd never normally pick up and read, simply for the sake of letting readers know what's available in the publishing world.

If you believe in accidents, then you must change your mind.  It was no accident I signed up to review this book.  Much of what Brad shares in the early pages, about his inability to reveal his true self in his marriage and about parenting out of fear...I totally could relate to it.

Our oldest daughter tossed everything we'd ever taught her about God, faith and the right way to walk with Christ and left home in a fit of anger at 18.  I tried everything to reach her: anger, tears, guilt, manipulation.  I prayed every prayer I could think of.  I begged others to pray.

Then one day God whispered to me, "Deena, when she comes back, she will never leave Me again."  It took a friend pointing out the obvious to give me hope and a new way to live.

God said 'when'... not 'if'.  And I was able to let go, and just enjoy my daughter for who she was and where she was.  Eight years later, a random conversation about our current president sparked a renewed interest in the things of God, and she was baptized to demonstrate her renewed faith in April 2013.

All that to say, I get the message of this book.

The first part of the book chronicles the journey of Brad's faith, his marriage to Paige and the early years raising their three children.  It pivots on the discovery of Bethany's, the middle daughter, life changing event, and how they struggled to find their way through the darkness.

Part two tells the story of their road trip, and you'll see some amazing sites along with the Mathais family.  Some of them may even change your life and the way you relate to God.  I know they've had an impact on me.

It isn't an easy book to read.  Some of the lessons are hard, like looking in a mirror and realizing "Oh, I didn't know THAT'S what I looked like."  But the beauty of the book is that it isn't a road map, a how-to, or a list of 'things to change as a parent'.

It's merely a testimony of one family's journey to genuine and life-changing faith in the God of the universe.  Not everyone who has a crisis of faith in their family will take a seven thousand mile road trip to gain restoration.

Maybe some should.

But everyone who reads Brad's book will learn something about themselves, about their relationship with God, with their spouse and with their children.  And you'll never read the Book of Ezekiel the same way again (that's my favorite part---well, that and the moose).

I received a copy of "Road Trip to Redemption" by participating in the Tyndale Blog Network.  Highly recommended.

Happy Reading!





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Pastors' Wives by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen

About the Book:

What’s it like when the man you married is already married to God? asks Pastors’ Wives, an often surprising yet always emotionally true first novel set in a world most of us know only from the outside.

Lisa Takeuchi Cullen’s debut novel Pastors’ Wives follows three women whose lives converge and intertwine at a Southern evangelical megachurch. Ruthie follows her Wall Street husband from New York to Magnolia, a fictional suburb of Atlanta, when he hears a calling to serve at a megachurch called Greenleaf.

Reeling from the death of her mother, Ruthie suffers a crisis of faith—in God, in her marriage, and in herself. Candace is Greenleaf’s “First Lady,” a force of nature who’ll stop at nothing to protect her church and her superstar husband. Ginger, married to Candace’s son, struggles to play dutiful wife and mother while burying her calamitous past.

All their roads collide in one chaotic event that exposes their true selves. Inspired by Cullen’s reporting as a staff writer for Time magazine, Pastors’ Wives is a dramatic portrayal of the private lives of pastors’ wives, caught between the demands of faith, marriage, duty, and love.

My Thoughts:

I have a love/hate relationship with this book.  It is very well written and the story is engaging.  Growing up in church, I have known women like each of the main characters in the story, and I know the pressures of being a pastor's wife, because I've been one for 28 years.

But I did have some issues with the book.  First, one of the pastor's wives isn't a believer.  I had to ask, how can you be in that role without faith?  I couldn't do it: if I didn't truly believe in God, Jesus and the Bible...I'd have walked away long ago.

Second, one of the women is extremely controlling, and basically calls the shots for the church.  Now, I know of a church right now where this is true, but it is one of the most unhealthy churches I've heard of, and it isn't how life is supposed to be lived.

And finally, you'll find some mild language in the book...maybe even some not-so-mild language (can't fully recall--it's been several books back in my recall).  I know there are some readers out there who don't mind a few words now and then, but I want you to know before you read.

All in all, I enjoyed the book.  It was hard to put down, and I found the story engaging.  But if this is how pastors' wives are represented to the world at large, then I'm very sad.  However, I think most will realize this is a work of fiction, and reality doesn't always match fantasy.

I received a copy from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for taking part in a virtual book tour.  "Pastors' Wives" is recommended, but with caution.

Happy Reading!





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The Artist's Daughter by Alexandra Kuykendall

About the Book:

It takes a lifetime to know what--and who--defines you.
When Alexandra Kuykendall became a mother, she knew she had to go back to the beginning. To that hot July afternoon in Barcelona when she met her father for the first time. The only daughter of a single, world-traveling mother and an absent artist father, Alexandra embarks on a soul-searching trip into the past to make sense of the layers of her life--both the memories she experienced and the ones she wished for.

The Artist's Daughter will take you on a journey of discovery through childhood, marriage, and motherhood. Through short vignettes full of both wonder and heartache, Alexandra seeks answers to three life-defining questions: Am I lovable? Am I loved? Am I loving?

If you long to better understand the path your life has taken, where it is heading, and who is guiding you, this revealing and refreshing story will push you toward those answers as it changes your heart.

My Thoughts:

Lately, I try to avoid memoirs.  If I end up not connecting with the book, I feel as though I'm rejecting the author.  But I was familiar with Alexandra through her work with MOPS International, so I requested a copy.

I'm so glad I did!

Alexandra's story resonated with me.  I was born to a single mother, never meeting my biological father.  That left a hole that only God could fill.  While she was able to meet and spend time with her father, distance in both travel and in heart also left a hole in Alexandra.

She shares in her book that a girl who is disconnected or raised by an distant father can go two ways in life.  She either seeks love through relationships, or seeks worth through perfection--earning her love.

Oh, the bells went off in my head!  I worked my tail off pleasing my dad, my mom, and anyone else I came in contact with--if I wanted their love and respect, I performed better than a trained seal.

But I never felt secure or whole.  Just like Alexandra.

Fortunately, life is a journey and God is the ultimate guide.  I watched Alexandra grow in her relationship to her Father, and saw my own growth.  I don't think either of us will be completely healed in the area of daddy nurturing until eternity, but I can see positive changes and recognize areas I still need healing in.

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Artist's Daughter", both in content and in writing style.  The chapters are brief and the style is conversational.  I could so be friends with this woman!

I received a copy of "The Artist's Daughter" from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review.  Highly recommended.

Happy Reading!





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CFBA Presents "Last Chance for Justice" by Kathi Macias

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Last Chance for Justice B&H Books (May 1, 2013) by Kathi Macias

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 40 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences. She won the 2008 Member of the Year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) and was the 2011 Author of the Year from BooksandAuthors.net. Her novel set in China, Red Ink, was named Golden Scrolls 2011 Novel of the Year and was also a Carol Award Finalist; her October 2012 release, Unexpected Christmas Hero, was named 2012 Book of the Year by BookandAuthors.net. Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband.

Kathi is passionate about The Voice of the Martyrs and Open Doors. To learn more about the persecuted church, please visit VOM’s website and Open Doors Website.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Welcome to Bloomfield, where life is simple, love is real, and stories are shared.

Lynn Myers is still reeling from losing her husband of thirty-five years when word comes that her only sibling, an older brother, has also died. With no one else to settle the estate, she must return to her small hometown of Bloomfield, however briefly, to settle his affairs.

Lynn’s daughter, Rachel, has just graduated from Bible college and with no other commitments comes along to sort through her uncle’s huge old home, right next to the local cemetery.

It isn't long before Rachel has two men -- a handsome CPA and the youth pastor -- seriously vying for her attention. At the same time, Lynn's attention is drawn to a set of journals her brother has left behind detailing a long-standing Bloomfield mystery.

As they pursue solving this mystery, Rachel must make some personal decisions about her future, while Lynn is forced to face unexpected issues from her own past.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Last Chance for Justice, go HERE.

My Thoughts:

Excellent addition to the Bloomfield novels from B&H.  My full review coming soon.


Happy Reading!





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Seeds of Evidence by Linda J. White

About the Book:

Shaken by an unwanted divorce, FBI Special Agent Kit McGovern retreats to her grandmother’s Virginia island home for a little R & R. But her vacation comes to an unexpected end when the body of a young Latino boy is found on the beach.

Kit teams up with D.C. cop David O’Connor to investigate the murder with the smallest of clues—tomato seeds and acorns found in the boy’s pockets. Using plant DNA evidence, Kit traces the young boy to a huge farm where more than a killer looms.

With grit, determination, and a growing interest in David, Kit pursues her case and discovers that, to truly move forward in life, justice has to be tempered with mercy.

My Thoughts:

Initially, I had a difficult time getting into the story.  I think it was because Kit was written as a closed off, cold individual.  But once she got lost in the mystery surrounding the body on the beach, she seemed to change into a more approachable person.

David also was a bit stand offish initially, but as he got to know Kit he seemed to soften.  I honestly don't know if that was how these two were written, but that's how they came across.

The mystery itself was brilliant.  Not only did Linda introduce some amazing science and forensics into the story, but writing about the human trafficking issue was genius.  Story is a powerful way to shine God's light on humanity's worst ills, and Linda uses her creativity the put a human face on a tragic situation.

And the setting...I could hear the waves and smell the salty air.  I've always wanted to visit the Atlantic coast and now I feel as if I've had a small taste.  Loved the setting and the description.  Plus, the names of the locations were cool--Chicoteague and Assateague, both islands off of Virginia. 

I received a copy of "Seeds of Evidence" (excellent title, by the way--but you'll have to read the book to know why) from Abingdon Press in exchange for an honest review.

For a summer read, "Seeds of Evidence" is perfect.  I'd recommend this one.

Happy Reading!





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The Heart Stone by Sherry Kyle

About the Book:

When the biological father of Jessica MacAllister’s son decides to break their custody agreement, Jessica and her son visit her Uncle George for advice and refuge…

Following a year of grief, Evelyn Sweeney is finally ready to move on. Pondering her new path in life, her mind drifts to her first love, George MacAllister…

When the lives of these two women cross, they discover that one heart-shaped ring binds their stories together. But will the results be a rekindled faith and new hope, or will it lead them both back into the darkness they’ve fought for so long?

My Thoughts:

This was a summertime novel I was eager to read. Unfortunately, while the story was well crafted, the characters just never connected with my imagination.

Jessica seemed so stiff, and Evelyn never came alive for me. Uncle George was a curmudgeon, which was understandable considering how his life changed, but even he seemed a bit two dimensional.

Even the scenery didn't capture me, and I'd spend every day of my life on the beach if I could. Fresno? Not so much, but we quickly abandon that city for the coast, where much of the story if set.

Still, while I longed to feel the ocean spray and hear the waves...I didn't. And that made me extremely sad.

Sherry throws in a plot twist, but I saw it coming almost from the beginning. And the ring mentioned on the back cover really doesn't seem to have the significance I thought it should have had in the story.

I received a copy of "The Heart Stone" from Abindgon Press in exchange for an honest review. While I enjoyed the story, I only 'read' about the third of the book. It was too easy to skim pages to get to the heart of the book, which just wasn't big for me.

This is Sherry's second novel, and I'll check out the next book she writes to see how it reads. For now, "The Heart Stone" is mildly recommended.

Happy Reading!





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When the Morning Glory Blooms by Cynthia Ruchti (repost)

About the Book:

Becky rocks a baby that rocked her world.

Sixty years earlier, with her fiancé Drew in the middle of the Korean Conflict, Ivy throws herself into her work at a nursing home to keep her sanity and provide for the child Drew doesn't know is coming.

Ivy cares for Anna, an elderly patient who taxes Ivy's listening ear until the day she suspects Anna's tall tales are not the ramblings of dementia. They're fragments of Anna's disjointed memories of a remarkable life.

Finding a faint thread of hope she can't resist tugging, Ivy records Anna's memoir, scribbling furiously after hours to keep up with the woman's emotion-packed, grace-hemmed stories.

Is Ivy's answer buried in Anna's past? Becky, Ivy, Anna--three women fight a tangled vine of deception in search of the blossoming simplicity of truth.

My Thoughts:

How quickly can you get to a bookstore? Seriously, you HAVE to read this book! "When The Morning Glory Blooms" just may be the most important work of fiction I've read all year.

The story speaks of three women separated by generations. Becky is helping raise her grandson, an unexpected blessing and sometimes more than she can handle. Ivy is an unmarried mother in an age when you hid as long as you were able, and no one spoke of it.

When Ivy takes a position at a care home she meets Anna and begins helping her write her story...a story of a home for pregnant girls who were tossed aside like yesterday's garbage, shunned and rejected by all...except Anna.

Oh, how gorgeous this book is! It reminds us to rain grace instead of shame, to open arms instead of raise angry fists, and that we're all prone to sin and need salvation. Sometimes being Jesus' hands and feet is costly and uncomfortable, but the rewards span generations.

My own mother was 16 when I was conceived, back in a day when it was a family shame. She hid me under baggy clothes and my grandfather wouldn't tolerate talk of the pregnancy.

Until I was born.

Then I became his secret...his daughter who wasn't his daughter, and I lived with that secret until the day he passed away. Talk about complicating someone's life!

Let's bring our sins out into the light so that we may be healed. Let's be okay with letting one another know we aren't perfect. And let's embrace the sinner while showing them the path to the Savior. Then, just like the morning glories, true beauty will abound.

I received a copy of "When The Morning Glory Blooms" from Abingdon Press in exchange for an honest review. I'm ever so grateful that they published this book and that I received a copy. Thank you, Cynthia, for creating Anna, Ivy and Becky, and for teaching us how to love them better.

Happy Reading!
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Always the Baker, Finally the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker

About the Book:

In Always the Baker, Never the Bride, readers fell in love with Emma Rae and Jackson, and they’ve gotten more acquainted with them in the two books that followed.

But now it’s time for the diamond to meet the road as Jackson fields an offer to sell The Tanglewood, a move that will uproot this high-flying family act once and for all.

Get reacquainted with all of the lovable and quirky characters from the first three books as your favorite diabetic baker figures out if she'll achieve her greatest goal of all: Will Emma, at last, become FINALLY the Bride?

My Thoughts:

I've been a fan of this series from the first book.  Emma Rae Travis is a delightful and unique character.  I've never met a baker who was unable to eat her own creations, but Emma didn't allow diabetes to stop her from becoming a world class pastry chef.

Jackson was endearing from the moment he stepped into Emma's shop and very grumpily ordered black coffee.  She had him at hazelnut, I'd wager (you'll have to read the series).

In each subsequent novel, we were introduced to more enjoyable characters and got to glimpse behind the scenes moments in the ultimate wedding planning.  But Sandra's final novel, "Always the Baker, Finally the Bride" captures Emma's moment in the spotlight.

One problem...the baker can't seem to create her own one of a kind wedding cake!  Will Emma's baker's block be relieved in time for the ceremony she's been waiting for her entire life?

I think I'll miss Aunt Sophie the most, with her forgetful ways and endearing love of attending all of Emma's weddings (to Jackson--again, you'll have to read the books).  But Fiona is a close second in my favorite character category.  Her gothic appearance hides a heart of gold, and she's almost as skilled as Emma by now.

As an added treat, you'll find helpful hints for planning a wedding, selecting a wedding gown, recipes, and in this book tips on keeping special needs brides healthy during the stressful wedding planning time.  I loved those little extras and always looked forward to seeing what Sandra would share...especially the recipes!

Although, I don't see myself trying out Emma's famous Creme Brulee Wedding Cake any time soon...I'll have to find a chef to make one for me, I think.

I received a copy of "Always the Baker, Finally the Bride" from Abindgon Press in exchange for an honest review.  I recommend the entire series to you, and think it would make an excellent summer time reading experience.

Begin with "Always the Baker, Never the Bride", then "Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride", followed by "Always the Designer, Never the Bride" and conclude with "Always the Baker, Finally the Bride".  Huge applause to the cover artist for clever book illustrations as well.

Happy Reading!





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The Cat God Sent by Jim Kraus

About the Book:

Jake Wilkerson, a disillusioned young pastor who is an expert at hiding his fears,
takes on a new assignment at a small rural church in Coudersport,
Pennsylvania--which is a far piece from anywhere and full of curiously odd and eccentric people. His first day on the job, he is adopted by Petey--a cat of unknown origins and breed--but a very sentient cat who believes that he is on a mission from God to redeem Jake and bring him back to the truth.

Jake must confront his doubts early on when he meets Emma Grainger, a single woman and a veterinarian who dismisses all Christians as "those people." Then, Tassy, a young runaway with a secret, arrives at the door of the church looking for a place of refuge. How does Jake deal with this runaway and his interest in Dr. Grainger?

More importantly, can Jake rekindle his faith? Petey does his best to lead all people to the truth, in a most subtle and feline way.

My Thoughts:

This book reminded me of a series I love called "The Cat Who" series.  Jim does an excellent job integrating the small town feel with the, um, weirdness of a cat with above average intelligence. 

Jake is endearing, and you feel for him.  We all have a crisis of faith at some point in our lives, but when you are a pastor, it can be devastating.  It's obvious from the start that God brought him to a small church to get his feet back on solid ground.

Not only that, it's obvious that Emma needs someone like Jake.  A person who is real and honest about belief, and a lack of belief.  She may come across as a bit crusty, but she's just wounded and needing acceptance.

Tassy is a hoot, and I loved how she fit into the story.  Kind of saw her crisis coming, but wasn't completely sure for the first half of the book.  It was enjoyable to see God's people coming together in such a restoring way.

My only quibble was Petey.  When it was obvious that he was 'speaking', that kind of distracted from the story.  I've read other books that featured animals, and it was easy to 'tell' what the pet was sensing or communicating without a paragraph of dialog attributed to the animal.

But I still enjoyed the book.  I received a copy of "The Cat God Sent" from Abingdon Press in exchange for an honest review.  I have no problem recommending this one as a great summer treat.

Happy Reading!





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The Offering by Angela Hunt

About the Book:

One innocent mistake . . . a lifetime of consequences.

After growing up an only child, Amanda Lisandra wants a big family. But since she and her soldier husband can’t afford to have more children right away, Mandy decides to earn money as a gestational carrier for a childless couple. She loves being pregnant, and while carrying the child, she dreams of having her own son and maybe another daughter. . . .

Just when the nearly perfect pregnancy is about to conclude, unexpected tragedy enters Mandy’s world and leaves her reeling. Devastated by grief, she surrenders the child she was carrying and struggles to regain her emotional equilibrium.

Two years later she studies a photograph of the baby she bore and wonders if the unthinkable has happened—could she have inadvertently given away her own biological child? Over the next few months Mandy struggles to decide between the desires of her grief-stricken heart and what’s best for the little boy she has never known.

My Thoughts:

From the first page I read with a knot of dread in my stomach.  You know how whenever a celebrity would be interviewed by Barbara Walters, you almost knew she'd make him or her cry by interview's end?  Yeah, that's pretty much how I felt about "The Offering."

I knew Angela was going to make me cry.

I've never been so attached to characters so quickly.  Amanda and Gideon just nestled in and made themselves at home.  In fact, I knew I loved them both so much that something tragic almost had to happen.

And, when it did, I felt devastated, just as Amanda did.  And from the middle of the book on, every page was painful.  If Amanda felt it, I felt it.  But she was able to draw upon a strength I don't feel that I could ever have.

The strength to let go.

Now, of course, if I was in a situation where I had to release someone or something, God would give me the strength to do so.  But just reading a fictional story about people who aren't real, and feeling the power of emotion that pours from the pages...

...that's quality writing.  And Angela Hunt is a quality storyteller.  It's hard for me to say I loved "The Offering", because the book was so painful to read.

But I did love it. 

I received a copy of "The Offering" from Howard Publishing in exchange for an honest review.  Honestly, if you're even the slightest bit hormonal, be warned! Regardless, stock up on tissues and chocolate.  This is an emotional read, and highly recommended.

Happy Reading!





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Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

About the Book:

When Meg Cole's father dies unexpectedly, she's forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of his empire. The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father's Thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.

Bo knows he ought to resent the woman who's determined to take from him the only job he ever wanted. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them and earn her love.

Just when Meg realizes she can no longer deny the depth of her feelings for Bo, their fragile bond is broken by a force from Meg's past. Can their relationship--and their belief that God can work through every circumstance--survive?

My Thoughts:

I certainly hope Becky Wade keeps writing novels, because I love her ability to tell a good story.  Her debut novel, "My Stubborn Heart", read like a well produced Hallmark motion picture.  Her second book is just as enjoyable, and could also be a movie for the mind.

Meg Cole is thrust into a life she finds foreign and extremely stressful.  I found my own heart pounding harder as Meg experienced one panic episode after another.  She's adorable and extremely well written as a genuine heroine.

Bo Porter runs the racehorse farm Meg's father loved, but his dream of turning a profit for the farm may be over sooner than he'd imagined.  When Meg fires him and states her intent to close down the farm, all Bo can think of is a way to persuade her otherwise.

Soon emotions enter the picture, and that's when Becky's talent truly shines.  She selects her words carefully, wringing every drop of feeling she can in order to draw the reader into the emotions of the characters.  When Meg's stomach drops in nervousness as Bo approaches, don't be surprised if your stomach drops, too.

As much as I loved Meg and Bo, the background characters truly shine in "Undeniably Yours".  Sadie Jo and Lynn are delightful and incredibly supportive in their respective roles, and Bo's siblings are fun to watch in action.  I would have liked more with Dru, Jack and Ty (sequel, anyone?), but what little I read was enjoyable.

Meg's cousin, Brimm, is a lovable nerd and would fit in nicely with the cast of "The Big Bang Theory".  Mr. Son, Meg's landscaper, is like excellent sourdough bread: crusty on the outside, but soft and sweet on the inside. 

Just about everyone you'll meet in "Undeniably Yours" is a keeper...with one exception.  But I don't think Stephen would be a keeper in any novel.  Unfortunately, I know a few people like him, and I'd advise keeping your distance.

I received an advance copy of "Undeniably Yours" via NetGalley" from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for an honest review.  Becky's second novel is as good as her first, and I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next.  She's a 'must read author' for me, and I think you'll enjoy her novels, too.

"Undeniably Yours" is recommended for a great summertime read.

Happy Reading!





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Couponing For The Rest Of Us by Kasey Knight Trenum

About the Book:

Not everyone is an extreme couponer. Most of us just want to save some money--not let clipping coupons and scouring the internet for deals take over our lives. For all the savvy shoppers out there, Kasey Knight Trenum has written Couponing for the Rest of Us.

She knows that money is tight, food prices are going up, gas prices are closing in on unbearable, and people have better things to do than spend every spare minute (if they have any) obsessing over costs and coupons. She also knows coupons just happen to be a tool that can save a family hundreds of dollars every month and ultimately improve a family's finances and its future.

Couponing for the Rest of Us shows readers

•where to find coupons for what your family eats
•how to make the internet do the work for you
•how to find sale cycles and store match-ups (and what those terms mean!)
•how to reinvent your shopping strategy and toss your lists
•how to make grocery shopping less stressful--even fun!
•how to turn money saved into money shared
•and much more

If readers want to save money and time, this book is a gold mine.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed Kasey's book, but as I read I had to wonder: if this book is for the rest of us, then how hard do the other coupon users work?  What she describes as less time consuming couponing still had my head spinning!

Kasey dives in, first explaining how her philosophy for saving came to be, and how she learned to coupon in moderation.  Her book is filled with definitions, tips and information on using coupons to cut budgets by a tenth, a fourth...even in half.

She includes information on stocking up: what to buy and what not to buy.  The one point Kasey makes that I found very appealing is the ability to help others in need by saving and stocking up.  She's made a huge dent in donations to organizations and people in need all over the country, and she's not done yet.

From peelies to store coupons to a bunch of other stuff I still can't keep straight, Kasey explains it all.  And her point is valid: whether you save $5.00 or $50.00, isn't the point of coupons to save?

I received a free copy of "Couponing For The Rest Of Us" from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review.  While the information packed in the book is intense, Kasey herself isn't.  She's very real and very honest, and very appealing to a novice coupon user like me.

I recommend the book to anyone who has even thought about saving money in this economy.

Happy Reading!





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When A Secret Kills by Lynette Eason

About the Book:

She's come home to put a killer behind bars.
But the killer plans to put her six feet under.Investigative reporter Jillian Carter knows it's time to put the past to rest. She's tired of looking over her shoulder, letting a killer go free. She's no longer the scared kid who changed her name and disappeared.

Now, no matter what the cost, Jillian must do what she is trained to do--find the truth and expose it. And the truth is that Senator Frank Hoffman committed murder ten years ago--and Jillian watched it happen.

Didn't she?

Get ready for the spine-tingling, nail-biting conclusion to this explosive series.

My Thoughts:

Of the three novels in this series, the final one is the most solid and enjoyable.  Jillian's character is well developed and has an awful lot to hide, which makes her fascinating.  Her best friends Alexia and Serena did well in their own novels, but this is by far my favorite.

Colton was once Jillian's love; now he is her protector.  But from whom?  His uncle couldn't have done what she's accusing him of doing.  Once the truth comes out, will Jillian finally be safe?  Can they rebuild on the foundation of young love?

Or is more lurking in Jillian's mysterious disappearance?  What happened during those ten years?  Does she have even more to hide?  Will the pressure of the past be too much and drive a permanent wedge between Jillian and Colton?

And just how many ways can a person escape death before no more escape remains?

"When a Secret Kills" is filled with suspense, unexpected twists and turns and an ending you won't see coming.  I thoroughly enjoyed the final book in the "Deadly Reunions" series.

I received a copy of "When a Secret Kills" from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review.  Of the entire series, this one is the best, but all three are good reads.  "When a Secret Kills" is highly recommended.

Happy Reading!





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Freefall to Fly by Rebekah Lyons

About the Book:

Women today are fading. In a female culture built on Photoshopped perfection and Pinterest fantasies, we’ve lost the ability to dream our own big dreams. So busy trying to do it all and have it all, we’ve missed the life we were really designed for. And we are paying the price.

The rise of loneliness, depression, and anxiety among the female population in Western cultures is at an all-time high. Overall, women are two and a half times more likely to take antidepressants than men. What is it about our culture, the expectations, and our way of life that is breaking women down in unprecedented ways?

In this vulnerable memoir of transformation, Rebekah Lyons shares her journey from Atlanta, Georgia, to the heart of Manhattan, where she found herself blindsided by crippling depression and anxiety.

Overwhelmed by the pressure to be domestically efficient, professionally astute, and physically attractive, Rebekah finally realized that freedom can come only by facing our greatest fears and fully surrendering to God’s call on our lives. This book is an invitation for all women to take that first step toward freedom. For it is only when we free-fall that we can truly fly.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely hate it when I don't like a book.  I've read enough and written enough to realize the value and importance of a person's words.  When it's a work of non-fiction, it's even more awful when I don't care for the book.  I never want it to feel like a rejection of a person...but it is a lack of connection for the written word.

I was drawn to Rebekah's book by the cover.  It invited me in, and at first I was intrigued.  Rebekah writes with a lyrical quality that is appealing to someone who loves words and word play (me).  She opens with a story of a big move for her family and her trepidation and pain at separating from all that was familiar.

Okay.  I can relate.  As the wife of a pastor, I've had those feelings more times than I'd like.

Then she begins to describe her new, foreign life in New York City.  Now, I'm starting to feel the disconnect.  While she laments leaving behind this wonderful swimming pool and having to take free art lessons at a museum to occupy her kids, I'm wishing my air conditioner in my car would work and dreading the end of the semester just because my two fight when they are out of school.

Huh...they fight when they are in school, too.  They just do it away from me.  I guess that is the difference.

But when Rebekah began talking about her panic attacks and her depression, and began quoting from authors I have no respect for as a believer, I totally disengaged.  It was then I realized...

...I'm not the target audience for this book.  No wonder I don't 'get it.'

And then...I thought about the women who make up the target audience for this book, and I realized I don't know any of them.  As much as I tried to hang in there, stay the course and finish the race...I mean, the book...I just couldn't.  I was getting depressed instead of encouraged.

And as for panic disorders and depression, yes.  Sometimes we can work our way out of those dark places in our lives.  I've done it.  Refocusing and devoting my energies to something else outside of my own head can help.

But I've had moments when nothing helped except professional and medical help, and it does not work for everyone to malign medication and/or counseling.  Just as I wouldn't encourage just anyone feeling down to go on 'meds' to escape, I wouldn't discourage or even shame someone who needed assistance to get past the darkness.

Not to say Rebekah does this, but it felt implied that we can think, experience, grow our way out of those depressions in life, when sometimes...we can't.  Whether it's our society, our lifestyle or our overall culture...help is okay.

So, while I loved the prose, the opening chapter, and the cover, I didn't love the book.  And, in all honesty, I'm not completely comfortable recommending the book.  But don't just take my word for it.  I'm one reviewer.  Check out other reviews.

Download a sample chapter.  See what you think.  But remember my cautious criticisms, please.

My thanks to Handlebar for my copy, gifted in exchange for an honest review.

Happy Reading!





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The Revised Life of Ellie Sweet by Stephanie Morrill

About the Book:

Ellie Sweet is a lot of things—good girl, novelist, silent adorer of the new boy at school, Palmer. But when “outcast” gets added to the list, she decides it’s time to take reality into her own hands … and tweak it as needed.

In the pages of her book, she’s Lady Gabrielle, favorite of the medieval Italian court. Her once-friends are reduced to catty ladies-in-waiting, and the too-charming Palmer—who in real life never spares her a second word—gets to be nothing more than a rake wracked by unrequited love for her. She even has a perfect real-life villain in the brooding Chase, who hails from the wrong side of town.

But just when she’s getting along great in her fictional world, the real one throws her a few curves. With Chase pursuing her, Palmer wanting to date her—but in secret—and the details of her manuscript going public, Ellie suddenly receives more attention than she ever really wanted. And when her former-friends discover what she’s been writing, they’re determined to teach Ellie a lesson about the severe consequences of using her pen as her sword.
My Thoughts:

I downloaded the book this one afternoon for a light read. It was nearly midnight and I just had to finish the book. Wow! I think this is the best Stephanie has written.

Ellie is the kind of girl I'd love as a friend in high school. If only I had the wisdom to take my teenaged angst and crafted fiction with my pain and rejection. And forget having my love life turn out so well...and so complicated.

Each and every character is well developed and entertaining. My one and only complaint was Ellie's faith. I would have liked a bit more on that.

And talk about mean girls...Don't we get so tired of them? I loved the way Stephanie wrote them and how Ellie handled them.

We have a strong heroine who sticks to her moral principles even when she seems to stand alone...well, wild applause for that!

Don't hesitate. Download the book. Just don't start reading it when you're trying to get to bed at a decent time!

Happy Reading!





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