With one solved case under her belt, PJ Sugar is ready to dive into her career as a private investigator. Or at least a PI’s assistant until she can prove herself to Jeremy Kane, her new boss. Suddenly PJ’s seeing crime everywhere. But is it just in her head, or can she trust her instincts? When she takes on her first official case—house-sitting for a witness in protective custody—Jeremy assures her there’s no danger involved. But it soon becomes clear that there is someone after the witness . . . and now they’re after PJ, too.
First let me say I love Susan May Warren. She has an amazing gift as a writer and is able to write in several different genres. If you haven't read this you should. It is witty and humous and I love P.J.Sugar. The story is fast paced and you will likely stay up late to finish reading it. I read Nothing but Trouble the first book in the series as have been hooked. P.J. is a messy character with plenty of flaws we can all identify with. The humor is laugh out loud funny and the message still comes through clearly. Absolutely loved it.
Thanks to Tyndale and Susan May Warren for giving me a copy of this novel to review!
THE POTLUCK CLUB COOKBOOK by Linda Evans Shepherd and Eva Marie Everson is full of some easy recipes. I am not what you would call an impressive cook. I often have to scrounge in my cabinets to come up with dinner that is edible. So for me a cookbook, needs to have simple recipe with few steps and ingredients that I would actually have in my pantry. This cook book does both of those things. The cook book includes appetizers, breads, deserts, meat dishes, breakfast, crock-pot meals and even cooking lite among several other categories. On each of the recipes Linda and Eva have added a comment about it. They also have added for each section a little glimpse into their writing of the Potluck Series. If you enjoy cooking or even if you don't but have to cook for substance this cookbook has some great recipes.
“Eating in is the new eating out,” says Eva Marie Everson, a potluck enthusiast and co-author of The Potluck Club Cookbook. For instance, Everson and her husband used to meet up with another couple each month over dinner at a different restaurant. “But with the recent economy, we started eating in and dining à la potluck. We get to sit on a screened-in patio and watch the sun set over the lake behind the house. We all agree we should have been doing this all along!”
Thank you Revell for providing me with a copy of THE POTLUCK CLUB COOKBOOK to order your own copy go here.
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
An award-winning interior designer, Terri Kraus comes to the Project Restoration series naturally, having survived the remodel, renovation, and restoration of three separate personal residences, along with those of her clients. The author/coauthor (with husband, Jim) of eleven other novels, including The Renovation and The Renewal, Terri lives in Wheaton, Illinois, with her husband and son, Elliot.
List Price: $14.99 Format: Paperback Number of Pages: 304 Vendor: David C. Cook (2009) ISBN: 0781448670 ISBN-13: 9780781448673
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
The Transformation
CHAPTER ONE
Shadyside
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Early Spring, Present Day
Oliver checked his watch. He squinted and positioned his wrist nearer to the glow of the truck’s speedometer.
5:45 a.m. Too early.
Oliver knew it was much too early to be wandering around in a strange neighborhood, but heavy Pittsburgh traffic—even the threat of heavy traffic—gave him the willies. Leaving his home later in the morning meant heavy traffic, probably normal for everyone, but not normal for Oliver. Navigating his pickup through dense packs of automobiles was far removed from Oliver’s comfort zone.
Too early.
He might risk the drive into Pittsburgh from Jeannette for a funeral or a wedding, or maybe a Steelers’ football game (if someone gave him free tickets), but not much else. Why risk life, limb, and sanity?
So today, Oliver had attempted to beat the traffic and the stress. He had gotten up at 4:30, not that much earlier than his normal get-up time, had picked up a cup of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee at the store a mile from his house, and had driven in the shimmery dark down Route 30. Traffic was light as he entered the flickering fluorescent-lit Squirrel Hill tunnel. Then, following his GPS, which he’d begun to rely on but did not always trust, he’d crept along a baffling series of residential streets until he arrived at his destination. The voice from the GPS unit seemed more chipper than he remembered in announcing his successful journey.
“Destination ahead. You have reached your destination.”
He pulled to the curb, scanning for street signs.
Cities have all sorts of laws about where you can and can’t park and when, he remembered. And I’m not about to get a ticket just giving someone a free estimate.
He looked about again, turning sideways in the seat.
I can’t just sit in the truck. That might look like I’m—what do they call it?—casing the place. I am, sort of—but not in that way.
He got out of the truck, jogged down the block, back to the front of his truck, then halfway up the block.
“No signs,” he said softly. “That’s odd. Should be some sort of parking sign.”
Oliver really disliked getting traffic tickets. He had received one speeding ticket in the last decade, but his parking violations occurred more frequently. Contractors sometimes had to double-park or park on sidewalks. He hated seeing a fluttering yellow slip, lying in wait with a bad day written all over it, snuggled under his windshield wiper.
“It must be okay to park here then,” he said out loud.
He walked slowly back towards his truck, tapped at the passenger side window, and nearly pressed his face to the glass.
“Come on, Robert. Let’s get started on the estimate.”
Robert lifted his head and shook himself awake, blinking. He had slept the entire trip. Not that the trip was that long, but he most often napped during any ride longer than ten minutes. He scrambled to his feet and stretched slowly and carefully.
Robert was Oliver’s dog. Most often Oliver and a fair number of his friends and coworkers would say “Robert the Dog” when speaking about Robert the Dog, as opposed to just “Robert,” because there were several other Roberts inhabiting Oliver’s circle of friends. No one wanted to confuse man and dog—least of all, Oliver. Oliver actually liked the sound of that three-word name and began to use “Robert the Dog” almost exclusively, except when they were alone, like this morning.
Robert the Dog clambered down from the seat to the floor of the truck and jumped out to the curb, sniffing the air, the grass, the truck, and finally, Oliver’s shoe. He might have been a pure-bred schnauzer but was the size of at least one and a half miniature schnauzers combined, though not as large as the giant variety, and his hair was mostly black. His head was almost the right schnauzer shape—not perfect to the breed, but close—so Oliver assumed a very small amount of some sort of nonschnauzer lineage had found its way into the good dog Robert.
Ever since Oliver had rescued Robert from the pound as a puppy, the two had gone everywhere and done everything together, including evaluating a new project . . . a possible new project. In construction, Oliver found, nothing was certain until the contract was signed—and even then, things could happen.
Oliver did not have to worry about Robert the Dog taking off, running into traffic, or barking at the wrong time. Robert had never done any of those things and, more than likely, would not start demonstrating inappropriate behaviors this early on a still sunless Monday in Shadyside, just on the outskirts of Pittsburgh.
Oliver looked at the address again. He had listened to the phone message carefully three times to get the return phone number, the exact name of the potential client, and the address of the potential job correct. Now he stood on South Aiken Street and looked east.
“But this is a church,” he said to Robert the Dog.
Robert simply stared at the building, sniffing the cool morning air, as if he were not really interested
“I mean . . . it’s a real church. I knew it was going to be a church, but not this kind of church.”
When Samantha Cohen had left her message five days ago, she had said her new acquisition, her latest renovation project, was a church building. She planned on transforming it, doing “wonderful things” with it. Oliver had imagined a small frame building, a church-like building that might be easily changed into a gallery or antique shop—but not a heavy, old historic church-to-the-very-rafters sort of building.
This is a real church—and will always look like a real church.
“Can you meet me Monday morning?” Miss Cohen had said, her voice deep and raspy, in a memorable, alluring, black-and-white Lauren-Bacall-movie sort of way. “I really need to talk this project through. Alice and Frank Adams, my friends in Butler, just raved about your work. Said you were brilliant with their displays and cabinets and all types of furnishings. I need brilliant. I’m willing to pay for brilliant. So Monday. Early. If you can make it. Leave me a return message. I’ll get it, even if I don’t call you back. I’m a little OC when it comes to checking messages.”
Oliver had left a return message: “Early Monday. Sevenish? I might be there before seven just to look around the outside, if that’s okay with you. I get up early.”
What he was now staring at in the early light, and what Robert was sniffing, was an historically significant church. No one could lay eyes on this building, even in the dark on a foggy night, and see anything other than a rock-solid church. This was a church with a capital C. It had massive stone arches; huge stained-glass windows that traversed the sides of the church; a rotunda that certainly must hold the altar. There was a covered entranceway (the port cochere, Oliver knew it was called) done in huge stone blocks and a high tower with a cross and carillon.
Just standing there, thinking about remodeling the old structure into something other than a place of worship, gave Oliver a case of spiritual heebie-jeebies. “This is a church,” he repeated again.
He stood, wrapped in that early morning silence that occurs even in big cities, like the soft, fragile, and short-in-duration crease in the day between the dark and its dark noises and the early morning let’s-get-the-commute-going sort of noises. Oliver wondered if he should just get back in his truck, pretend that he had never made the mistake of answering the phone message from Samantha Cohen, and move on to the next job.
I’ll be tearing apart a church. God’s house, where people have worshipped for what must be over a century.
He wanted to sigh, but did not.
My mother will die if she finds out.
Oliver wondered, for just one split of a split second, if he could keep this job secret. Not that he liked keeping secrets from his mother, but sometimes parents could not be trusted to handle sensitive news.
Or I could walk away and wait for the next job. That actually might be easier . . . safer . . . less stressful.
Except he did not have a next job. He could wait, wait for the next big nonchurch job, but there was no guarantee another one would come quickly, and in these sorts of wobbly economic times, Oliver knew he could not be picky.
And he was here; he’d already endured the traffic. He would stay. He’d do the estimate.
There’s something about this place. . . .
Now his words were softer, perhaps because of the silence. “A church . . . but, well, she did say it used to be a church.”
The holes in the stone façade were still visible where a sign had once hung.
“It’s just a building now.” He looked down at Robert the Dog. “Right, Robert? It’s not a church anymore. Right?”
Robert looked up, as if considering Oliver’s options, sniffed again, and then sneezed in a very uncanine-like manner.
Their future is as wide open as the Montana sky Juliana Brady is alone in an 1890s Montana mining town, with few prospects for making a living. But she is determined not to be dependent on the charity of others.
Josh McBride is trying to scrape up a living from his sheep herd while he builds his ranch. But when he discovers some rare stones on his property, he's tempted by the prospect of fast money. When their paths cross, Juliana and Josh must make a choice--the world's riches and promises, or the eternal value of love.
If you enjoy romance and a touch of western/prairie flare this would be a good pick. The Jewel of His Heart is a sweet romance with a strong independent female pitted against a protective strong man with a few fireworks in the mix. Although I could figure out pretty quickly where the story was going, I still stayed glued to my seat well after midnight last night to finish the novel. There is just something wonderful about reading a sweet romance with a little twist of mystery.
This is a wonderful chicklit book. It is a case of Italian-American meets Texans. I simply loved it. It is a typical girl meets boy and there aren't any big surprises but the writing is wonderful and it is great for a light fun read. If you like romantic comedy this is an excellent choice. I fell in love with Bella Rossi and her entire quirky family from the beginning of the novel. I think it is one of the funniest I have read in a while.
From the Back Cover: Ever wonder how Italian sounds with a Southern drawl? Bella Rossi's life is just starting to get interesting. When her Italian-turned-Texan parents hand over the family wedding-planning business, Bella quickly books a Boot-Scootin' wedding that would make any Texan proud. There's only one catch--she doesn't know a thing about country music. Where will she find a deejay on such short notice who knows his Alan Jackson from his George Strait? And will Bella ever get to plan her own wedding? Fun, fresh, and full of surprises, this flavorful combination of Italian and Tex-Mex highlights the hilarity that ensues when cultures clash.
Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and native Texan. An experienced wedding coordinator herself, Thompson brings alive in her books the everyday drama and humor of getting married. She lives in Texas.
Amelia North needs refuge, and finds it—in Refuge, Illinois. Stranded there after a car wreck, the single mother expects to be cold-shouldered. After all, she's already been rejected by her parents, her church and her daughter's father. Instead, she finds a town full of people with open hands and open hearts…including pararescue jumper Ben Dillinger. Ben wants to help Amelia and her daughter find safety and stability. Instead, he finds himself free-falling—right into love with the ready-made family.
IMO:
I enjoyed reading Ready-Made Family by Cheryl Wyatt. I love the Wings of Refuge series, but you don't have to read them in order. all are stand alone. Ready-Made Family is a sweet love stories that looks at the struggles of two people who come from different back grounds. I love that Cheryl create characters that others can identify with and you can't help but fall in love with the characters.
Desperate to stay home with her baby, Allie Harrod launches a new career. Sure, she dropped out of Girl Scouts because she was lousy at cookie sales, but makeup is different, right? She'll do anything to make enough money to cover her share of the household bills, but how can she focus on her business when her list of problems is growing? None of her pre-baby clothes fit, her checking account is dwindling, and her mother-in-law has decided to move in! To top it off, her husband's attractive coworker suddenly needs his help every weekend. Middle sister Joan insists that God has the answers to all her problems, but Allie isn't so sure. Can she really trust him?
My review:
This book brought back a lot of memories for me. The novel looks into the life of Allie after having her first child and with great clarity the difficulties mom's face of wanting to stay home with their children but still face the financial demands of life and of course the fact that our bodies change after birth. The novel does a wonderful job of demonstrating the different ways that men and women think. Eric Harrod, Allie's husband has a wonderful heart but so often he is misunderstood by Allie. There were times I wanted to knock him in the head and ask "What are you thinking?" This just went to illustrate the dynamics of marriage. Age before Beauty takes a look into the lives of one woman trying to have it all. What makes it such a great story is the characters seem so real...just like your own sister or friend.
In this fast–paced thriller by popular author Brandt Dodson, a young government accountant learns to trust God when his life begins to fall apart and unseen enemies pursue him with relentless zeal.Daniel Borden is a thirty–year–old stock broker who lives a quiet life and plays by the rules. But when events transpire that shatter his orderly world and a team of assassins mark him for death, Daniel must flee for his life.While on the run, Daniel encounters Laura Traynor. Carefree and easygoing, Laura is everything that Daniel isn’t. But when the killers assigned to eliminate Daniel find him at Laura’s bed–and–breakfast, gunfire erupts and the two set out on the run once again.As they try to unravel the mystery that confronts them, they discover how tenuous life can be and how their very existence depends on the God who will never abandon them.
My review:
I just finished reading this fast paced suspense and you can always tell how good a book is by how long it takes you to finish it. I started reading Daniels Den last night and finished this morning. What is a little lost sleep when it is sacrificed to a good book. Daniel Borden is a great character who follows what is right even if doing the right thing is counter productive to his own life. What makes him an even more dynamic character is that he is not a Christian. I love that Brandt Dobson created a character that with good motives but not a Christ follower until the end of the novel. Laura Traynor is a strong female character who does everything she can to protect her son. I recommend this novel to anyone who like suspense and drama. It is a really good read.
I found a giveaway for this book at Treeswing so if you want to win a copy of this book go stop at this site and leave a comment.
A Constant Heart by Siri Mitchell In Queen Elizabeth’s court where men and women willingly trade virtue for power, is it possible for Marget to obtain her heart’s desire or is the promise of love only an illusion? A riveting glimpse into Queen Elizabeth's Court ... Born with the face of an angel, Marget Barnardsen has always been fortunate. Now, with her marriage to an earl, her security - and destiny - are guaranteed. The Earl of Lytham makes one request of Margret: to help him win favor with the Queen. But when her introduction to court goes awry, the queen's wrath turns on Marget. Fearing she may lose her husband forever - and all that he has gained - she'll risk everything to gain favor with the queen, and her husband, again. Even her life.
A Constant Heart looks at the life of a young bride during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and her experience at court. Marget and Lytham, newly weds, struggle to obtain and hold the Queens favor. The problem is the two fall in love and love is not allowed unless it is toward the Queen. The novel is written in first person but the reader has to jump between Lytham's head and Marget's. In the beginning I had difficulty following who was telling the story but as the story progressed and I fell in love with the characters the transition became easier. Readers who love historical fiction will appreciate the detail that Siri Mitchell has poured into this novel. I was fascinated by the natural way she wove historical details into the novel. The theme that runs throughout this novel is beauty. I was amazed at what women did to themselves to create a beautiful image based on societies definition. The facial creams and lotions they used were filled with Mercury and lead. This novel made me think about how often we as women search for beauty in a bottle. A Constant Heart is a beautifully told story about love and the struggles placed on marriage. Siri also does an excellent job of providing more information on her website at http://www.sirimitchell.com/ about England during this time period. It would be worth your time to stop by and visit.
If you would like to win an autographed copy be sure to leave a comment answering one question.Don't forget to leave your addy so I can contact you if you win. What do you think beauty is?
This is the second novel in the Sydney Cove series by Bonnie Leon. Hannah and John have settled into married life and embraced Australia as their new home after coming over on convict ships. They begin a new life as sheep farmers and are forced to rely on God and each other to survive and fulfill their dreams. When a Deidre shows up in town life for the two gets difficult. Hannah is faced with the danger of having her past revealed.
I have never read a novel set in Australia so I was intrigued by the setting to begin with. I did have difficulty following the story since it was the second in the series. There were times I felt like I was missing parts of the story so I would recommend reading the first. With that disclaimer I did really love the story and read it in two sittings of course those sittings were long and nothing got done in my house but sometimes it's worth it. I loved Hannah and John because they showed true tension found in a marriage. If you enjoy historical then this is a great choice. It is different from the prairie stories we often get with Christian inspirational fiction.
Description: An arsonist has struck a top-secret research facility at a key US naval base. But it's not just a random terrorist attack. These people were after something specific. When Special Agent Patrick Bowers is called in to investigate, he is drawn into a deadly web of intrigue and deception. With his own criminology research being turned against him and one of the world's most deadly devices missing, Bowers is caught up in a race against time to stop an international assassin before it's too late. Full of fast-paced action and mind-bending plot twists, The Rook is an adrenaline-laced page-turner that will keep readers up all night. Book 2 in the Bowers Files, this riveting look into the criminal mind is the perfect follow-up to James's well-reviewed The Pawn.
I asked my father-n-law, Joe, to read the Rook and get his opinion because it looked like a book he would read. He loves mysteries and suspense so this book looked like it would be right up his alley. This is what he thought of The Rook. I will tell you this is high praise for this bookbecause Joe is an avid reader and very discerning in what he selects to spend time reading.
In my Joe's words: The Rook is a FANTASTIC mystery which shows the importance of thinking outside of the box. It is a very enjoyable book that holds the attention of the reader. Even though this is the second book in the series I did not feel like I missed anything by not reading the first book The Pawn. A great read. The book end in a cliffhanger so you have to buy the third book to find out what happens next. I guess we know what we can be getting Grandad for a gift.
Leave a comment for a chance to win The Bride Wore Coveralls.
Camara Cole fights the prejudice against a girl involved in the male dominated world of Mud Bogging and mechanics. Chase Lamar has been one of Camara's biggest rivals in the Mud Bogging race and in the past he has been one of the most cruel men she had to deal with but Chase has become a new person in Christ and the relationship begins to change. When someone begins to sabotage one of Camara's vehicles , she naturally blames Chase. Chase must prove to Camara that he isn't the man she has always known and find out who is sabotaging Camara's truck and their future.
Before reading The Bride Wore Overalls I didn't even know what Bog racing was. I enjoyed reading this short novel. I read it in one day so it is not too long and loved the sweet romance that took place between Chase and Camara. It is a wonderful combination of racing and love wrapped up in one package. If you go to Debra Ullricks website at http://www.debraullrick.com/ she is having a contest to win the second novel in this series. I am giving away my copy so be sure to leave a comment and a way to contact you.
Back cover: We have been seduced by half-truths and lies since time began. Remember the garden? In Seeing Through the Lies author and speaker Vonda Skelton humorously addresses the disappointments women experience as they search for the truth while believing the lies. Each chapter opens with amusing anecdotes from real life and ends with answers and guidance straight from God’s Word. Exploring topics such as pride, fear, motherhood and busyness of life, Vonda offers practical steps for peeling away the layers of deceit and finding the joy of living in real truth. Through honesty and humility, Vonda will take you on a hilarious journey through all things female stopping off for some soul searching along the way. You will identify with both the positive and negative examples of women in the Bible and will be encouraged by Scripture and quotes from notable men and women. Each chapter ends with five steps for exposing the lie and embracing the truth of God’s Word.
It’s me here: I have just started reading this study and so far have found it very encouraging. If nothing else, I know I am not alone. I love the real life examples of how we fall into believing the lies and half-truths we tell ourselves. With wit, and humor Vonda leads us to understand that with Scripture, prayer and truly changing ourselves from the inside out we can be who God sees us to be instead of what we have chosen to believe for ourselves. I love the daily scripture reading at the end of each chapter and at the end of the book there are group discussion question.
The Bride Bargain is takes place during 1855 when Clara Field and her Aunt Doreen find themselves stranded in the town of Buttonwood along the Oregon trail. Clara Fields is determined to take care of her aunt on her own. The two women run into Josiah Reed who offers them a job of taking care of his house and helping with his store. Josiah makes a bargian with Clara that if she can find a wife for his son Kevin then he would give her his house. Clara makes list and goes through all of the potential brides in the small town all the while bringing the community closer together. What she doesn't seem to realize is that she would be the perfect bride for Kevin.
The story is well written with chracters that soon become friends. There were some points in the novel that I did not understand the motivation of Clara but it did not detract from the story. If you enjoy historical novels then this is one that I am sure you would enjoy. I read the book almost in one sitting and I hope to read about more of the characters from Buttonwood.
RaeleneStraatford knows God has promised he will always be with her, but after she looses both of her parents she begins to struggle with that promise. She wonders what kind of God would leave a girl all alone in a country where women have no voice. Gustaf Hanssen, her neighbor, who has admired her promises her father on his deathbed that he will look after Raelene. Gustaf keeps his word to her father and begins to oversee Raelenes affairs including finding her a husband. These two fumble into a delightful love story.
The underlying theme that God is hope and He is with us to help us through the dark hours is very apparent in this novel. Amber Miller does an amazing job of showing that God uses bad experiences in our live to bring us closer to him. I am not one to read a lot of historical Christian fiction mainly because it often seems preachy but I have to say that Promises, Promises delivers a wonderful message and story. I love the fact that the setting is not the normal one you read about when reading historical fiction. I hope that Amber continues to write stories with unusual settings. The novel is well researched and Amber weaves the historical details beautifully throughout the book. If you would like to purchase a copy of this book check out http://www.heartsongpresent.com/.
I loved Ruby among us. Tina creates these wonderful realistic character that are woven wonderfully through a young womens journey to find her past. The setting of the story is beautiful and the description so vivid you feel transported. The story holds a since of mystery, a little romance and most importantly a story that will want you to take the time to spend with the ones you love. Ruby Among us is one of those books that you dwell on for days after you have read it. So often I read a book and just as quickly as I close the book at the end the impact is gone. This is one of those books that will give you a lot to think about. I loved the theme of forgiveness and the journey to adulthood.
If you would like to win this book for yourself please click on the link to the right of the blog. There is a wonderful interview with Tina and a chance to win your own copy listed at the bottom.
Virginia Smith left her job as a corporate director to become a full time writer and speaker with the release of her first novel Just As I Am.
Since then she has contracted eight novels and published numerous articles and short stories. She writes contemporary humorous novels for the Christian market, including Murder by Mushroom (Steeple Hill, August 2007) and her newest release, Stuck in the Middle(Revell, February 2008), book 1 in the Sister-to-Sister Series.
Her short fiction has been anthologized, and her articles have been published in a variety of Christian magazines. An energetic speaker, she loves to exemplify God’s truth by comparing real-life situations to well-known works of fiction, such as her popular talk, “Biblical Truths in Star Trek.”
Virginia is a speaker, and an avid Scuba diver. She and her husband Ted, divide their times between Kentucky and Utah, and escape as often as they can for diving trips to the Caribbean!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Joan Sanderson's life is stuck. Her older sister, Allie, is starting a family and her younger sister, Tori, has a budding career. Meanwhile, Joan is living at home with Mom and looking after her aging grandmother. Not exactly a recipe for excitement-or romance.
That is, until a hunky young doctor moves in next door. Suddenly Joan has a goal--to catch his eye and get a date. But it won't be easy. Pretty Tori flirts relentlessly with him and Joan is sure that she can't compete. But with a little help from God, Allie, and an enormous mutt with bad manners, maybe Joan can find her way out of this rut and into the life she's been hiding from.
Book 1 of the Sister-to-Sister series, Stuck in the Middle combines budding romance, spiritual searching, and a healthy dose of sibling rivalry that is sure to make you smile.
If you have a sister you can relate to this wonderful novel. The relationship among the three sisters is dynamic and loving. Ienjoyed the humor and found myself laughing out loud when Allie gives dating advice. I would reccomend this novel and I know it will make a great summer read!!
Bailey Walker loses her family, job and her home only to inherit a rather unusaul mansion, Volstead Manor, from her Granny Minna. The home is full of hidden passages and a rather shady past. Bailey also finds herself surround by strange neighbors and of course a rather handsome bachelor neighbor.
The novel reads much like a Nancy Drew novel. With hidden clues that become apparent to the reader very quickly. It was a fun read but not too challenging. Bailey continued to remember quotes from past books that help her to solve the mystery with the aid of her cute neighbor. If you are looking for a fast and light read this is a book that would qualify. If you would like to purchase this book click on the title Another Stab at Life.
You might wonder what bestselling author Karen Kingsbury, Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy, a farmer’s granddaughter, and Focus on the Family CEO Jim Daly have in common. They all have a respect for the power of words because all of their lives have been touched or changed because of something someone said to them.
Words are powerful tools that can wound and leave scars or they can encourage and inspire. That is the message of Simple Little Words. We have collected over 40 heart-tugging amazing stories of lives that were touched or changed by words. The book concludes with a question: What simple little words do you need to say to someone who needs to hear them?
Simple Little Words is a collection of short stories and essays describing how a few words made a huge impact on someones life. The stories range from self esteem, hope, honesty, determination, direction and parenting. This book made me stop and reflect on the words I have spoken to my children and husband. I am giving a copy of this book to my children's teachers and a nephew who is graduating this week. The stories are inspirational and make you reflect on the most powerful tool you have... words.
Back cover: Lainie has no dreams left. She dreamed of becoming a nurse. Of serving her country. Of doing something important in the war. But rheumatic fever changed all that, and instead of running home, Lainie is determined to find a job at Fort Robinson in Nebraska's sandhills. Tom Hamilton had dreams, too. Dreams of preparing the horses at fort Robinson for duty n the warfront. Instead he is assigned to train war dos and their handlers, meaning that each day he must face the fears he's had of dogs since he was bitten as a child. Lainie and Tom wonder why God seems to have denied them their dreams. but it is possible new dreams will bring them more joy then ever imagined.
Sandhill dreams is the sequel to Canteen dreams but can definitely stand alone, Cara Putman has create a series of romance novels set during WWII. I have not read many historical novels set during this era and was intrigued by the idea. I loved the theme that sometimes the dream we have for ourselves is not the same as the plan God has for our lives. Cara does an amazing job at combining the historical elements of the novel with a delightdul, well written love story. You can find this novel with Heartsong Presents which provides a bookclub that delivers four books a month for a small fee. Each month they send two historical novelsand two contempory novels. For more information on this program check them out at http://www.heartsongpresents.com/
by Anita Higman
