Crescent Stone - A Review

Published - August 2018, Tyndale
Author - Matt Mikalatos
Series - The Sunlit Lands Book 1
Title - The Crescent Stone
Format - ebook, paper
Find on Amazon

About the Book:
A girl with a deadly lung disease . . .
A boy with a tragic past . . .
A land where the sun never sets but darkness still creeps in . . .

Madeline Oliver has never wanted for anything, but now she would give anything just to breathe. Jason Wu skates through life on jokes, but when a tragedy leaves him guilt-stricken, he promises to tell only the truth, no matter the price. When a mysterious stranger named Hanali appears to Madeline and offers to heal her in exchange for one year of service to his people, Madeline and Jason are swept into a strange land where they don’t know the rules and where their decisions carry consequences that reach farther than they could ever guess.

My Thoughts:
Fantasy is always a hard genre to write in. I love reading it. Especially when the author does a great job in creating a world with a history. And Matt Mikalatos did just that. The Sunlit Lands are rich in history to the point there are legends and reasons behind why the people believe the way that they do. 

I'll admit. The book dragged on at times. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but there were times it was slow. 

I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series because I do want to know what happened to the characters Jason especially. I'd also like to know more about the Sunlit Lands in general. 

I received a copy from the publisher for free in order to give my honest opinion. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of fantasy, Tolkien

Rating - 4 stars

Hidden Among the Stars - A Review

Published - September 2018, Tyndale
Author - Melanie Dobson
Title - Hidden Among the Stars
Format - ebook, audio, paper
Find on Amazon

About the book:
The year is 1938, and as Hitler’s troops sweep into Vienna, Austrian Max Dornbach promises to help his Jewish friends hide their most valuable possessions from the Nazis, smuggling them to his family’s summer estate near the picturesque village of Hallstatt. He enlists the help of Annika Knopf, his childhood friend and the caretaker’s daughter, who is eager to help the man she’s loved her entire life. But when Max also brings Luzia Weiss, a young Jewish woman, to hide at the castle, it complicates Annika’s feelings and puts their entire plan―even their very lives―in jeopardy. Especially when the Nazis come to scour the estate and find both Luzia and the treasure gone.

Eighty years later, Callie Randall is mostly content with her quiet life, running a bookstore with her sister and reaching out into the world through her blog. Then she finds a cryptic list in an old edition of Bambithat connects her to Annika’s story . . . and maybe to the long-buried story of a dear friend. As she digs into the past, Callie must risk venturing outside the safe world she’s built for a chance at answers, adventure, and maybe even new love.

My Thoughts:
This book was amazing! I loved the dual timelines and I loved the search for answers. WWII is one of my favorite time periods, and this had one timeline in WWII and the other in the modern day. I loved how the stories connected. 

I received a copy from the publisher to share my thoughts and opinions. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Kristy Cambron, WWII

Rating - 5 stars

Masterpiece - A Review

Published - February 2018, Tyndale
Author - Francine Rivers
Title - The Masterpiece
Format - hardcover, ebook, audio
Find on Amazon

About the book:
A successful LA artist, Roman Velasco appears to have everything he could possibly want—money, women, fame. Only Grace Moore, his reluctant, newly hired personal assistant, knows how little he truly has. The demons of Roman’s past seem to echo through the halls of his empty mansion and out across his breathtaking Topanga Canyon view. But Grace doesn’t know how her boss secretly wrestles with those demons: by tagging buildings as the Bird, a notorious but unidentified graffiti artist—an alter ego that could destroy his career and land him in prison. Like Roman, Grace is wrestling with ghosts and secrets of her own. After a disastrous marriage threw her life completely off course, she vowed never to let love steal her dreams again. But as she gets to know the enigmatic man behind the reputation, it’s as if the jagged pieces of both of their pasts slowly begin to fit together . . . until something so unexpected happens that it changes the course of their relationship—and both their lives—forever.


My Thoughts:

I always love being able to dive into a new Francine Rivers books because her books are so deep. This book was no exception. I found myself putting it down on a regular basis because I needed time to process what I was reading. I loved her redemption message in this book. I loved how both main characters had issues in their pasts that had to be overcome.

I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher to review it. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of moving fiction, Karen Kingsbury, Lisa Wingate, Katie Ganshert.

Rating - 5 stars 

Until We Find Home - A Review

Published - January 2018, Tyndale
Title - Until We Find Home
Author - Cathy Gohlke
Format - ebook, paper
Find on Amazon

About the book:
For American Claire Stewart, joining the French Resistance sounded as romantic as the storylines she hopes will one day grace the novels she wants to write. But when she finds herself stranded on English shores, with five French Jewish children she smuggled across the channel before Nazis stormed Paris, reality feels more akin to fear.

With nowhere to go, Claire throws herself on the mercy of an estranged aunt, begging Lady Miranda Langford to take the children into her magnificent estate. Heavily weighted with grief of her own, Miranda reluctantly agrees . . . if Claire will stay to help. Though desperate to return to France and the man she loves, Claire has few options. But her tumultuous upbringing—spent in the refuge of novels with fictional friends—has ill-prepared her for the daily dramas of raising children, or for the way David Campbell, a fellow American boarder, challenges her notions of love. Nor could she foresee how the tentacles of war will invade their quiet haven, threatening all who have come to call Bluebell Wood home and risking the only family she’s ever known.

Set in England’s lush and storied Lake District in the early days of World War II, and featuring cameos from beloved literary icons Beatrix Potter and C. S. Lewis, Until We Find Home is an unforgettable portrait of life on the British home front, challenging us to remember that bravery and family come in many forms.

My Thoughts:
This started off rather slow, but it picked up. 

I loved the depth to the book. I also loved getting to know what it may have been like for refugee children in WWII. I enjoyed the cameos from C.S. Lewis and Beatrix Potter. Reading this made me wonder if Lewis wrote Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe because of the WWII refugee children. 

I received a copy from Tyndale to review.

Recommended to fans of WWII

Rating - 4 stars

Promise of Breeze Hill - A Review

Published - August 2017, Tyndale
Series - Natchez Trace Book 1
Author - Pam Hillman
Title - The Promise of Breeze Hill
Format - ebook, paper
Find on Amazon

About the book (Amazon):
Natchez, MS; 1791
Anxious for his brothers to join him on the rugged frontier along the Mississippi River, Connor O’Shea has no choice but to indenture himself as a carpenter in exchange for their passage from Ireland. But when he’s sold to Isabella Bartholomew of Breeze Hill Plantation, Connor fears he’ll repeat past mistakes and vows not to be tempted by the lovely lady.

The responsibilities of running Breeze Hill have fallen on Isabella’s shoulders after her brother was found dead in the swamps along the Natchez Trace and a suspicious fire devastated their crops, almost destroyed their home, and left her father seriously injured. Even with Connor’s help, Isabella fears she’ll lose her family’s plantation. Despite her growing feelings for the handsome Irish carpenter, she seriously considers accepting her wealthy and influential neighbor’s proposal of marriage.

Soon, though, Connor realizes someone is out to eliminate the Bartholomew family. Can he set aside his own feelings to keep Isabella safe?

My Thoughts:
I honestly don't know why it took me so long to start this book. But it did. I was captivated by the first few pages. And while it took me about 2 weeks to actually read the book, I'm so glad that I finally got around to it. 

I loved Connor. I loved how he was determined to keep Isabella safe at all costs. I loved how she was just as determined to not let him. I also enjoyed learning more about the history of Natchez as most of my knowledge of that town comes from the form of the musical Showboat.

I'm looking forward to seeing these characters again in the next one of the series, about Connor's brother Quinn.

I received a Kindle copy via NetGalley from the publisher. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of historical fiction, Julie Lessman, Pam Hillman, Jody Hedlund, Laura Frantz

Rating - 4 stars

Wow! The Good News in Four Words

Published - July 2017, Tyndale House
Author - Dandi Daley Mackall
Title - Wow! The Good News in Four Words
Format - hardcover
Find on Amazon

About the book (Goodreads):
For anyone looking for a fresh way to present the gospel to young children, Wow! The Good News in Four Words is a perfect resource. This whimsical and fun book outlines the gospel in a simple and memorable way (for both adults and kids!), using fun words to highlight the story. The book will present Creation/Genesis (Wow!), The Fall (Uh-oh . . .), Redemption/Jesus' Life and Sacrifice (Yes!), Restoration/The New Heaven (Aaahhhh), ending with one last Wow because we get to go out and tell the Good News!


My Thoughts:
I LOVE this book! It is beautifully illustrated. The text is a simple rhyme. I love how it is so simple to explain the Gospel to kids. The first time I read it to my best friend's daughters, her oldest (6 yrs old) kept asking why during the Uh-oh pages. It was a great opportunity for me and her parents to be able point out that sin causes everyone to be bad. 

Anyway, I highly recommend this book.

I received a copy for free from the publisher in order to review. I was not required to like the book, only share my honest opinion of it.

Recommended to parents, teachers, librarians

Rating - 5 stars

With Love Wherever You Are - A Review

Published - March 2017, Tyndale House
Author - Dandi Daley MacKall
Title - With Love, Wherever You Are
Format - ebook, paper, audio
Find on Amazon

About the book from Goodreads:
Everyone knows that war romances never last . . .
After a whirlwind romance and wedding, Helen Eberhart Daley, an army nurse, and Lieutenant Frank Daley, M.D. are sent to the front lines of Europe with only letters to connect them for months at a time.

Surrounded by danger and desperately wounded patients, they soon find that only the war seems real--and their marriage more and more like a distant dream. If they make it through the war, will their marriage survive?

My Thoughts:
I admit it. I'm a sucker for wartime romances. This one caught me immediately. Because it's based on the author's parent's love story. I loved everything about this book. Both Frank and Helen were well written. My heart rejoiced and broke for them as they navigated a war separated marriage. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters. Their letters made me feel like I really knew these characters.

At the end of the book, the author, in her note, explains how she came to write her parents' story. I think that was probably my favorite part. 

I loved this book. 

I received a copy of the book from the publisher for free in order to share my honest opinions about this book. I was not compensated in any way. My thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Recommended to fans of WWII, historical fiction, Sarah Sundin

Rating - 5 stars

Flash the Donkey Makes New Friends- A Review

Published - October 2016, Tyndale House
Author - Rachel Anne Ridge
Title - Flash the Donkey Makes New Friends
Format - hardcover
Find on Amazon

A stray donkey enjoys collecting random things. When he is injured, he is taken in by a chicken, a goat, and a pig. Once there, he fixes their pancake machine and soon finds not only a home but a name as well.

This book is super cute. I loved the way that the animals took Flash and adopted him. I also love the lessons that this book teaches about compassion and being kind to others. I read this book to my best friend's little girls and they loved it. Since I gave it to them, I've seen that it is a frequent one that they pull out to read.

I received this book from the publisher to share my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to parents of young children, teachers, anyone who enjoys picture books

Rating - 4 stars

Eden Hill - A Review

Published - July 2016, Tyndale House Publishers
Author - Bill Higgs
Title - Eden Hill
Format - ebook, paper
Find on Amazon

Summary from Amazon:
Nothing seems to change in Eden Hill, Kentucky, and that’s just fine with Virgil T. Osgood. He’s been content to raise his family and run the only service station in town. But when a new station is set to open right across the road from Virgil’s pumps, he suddenly faces obstacles in his career, his marriage, and his self-worth that he’s never even dreamed of. Cornelius Alexander wants his new Zipco station to succeed and help establish a strong foundation for his growing family. As long as he follows the Zipco guide, he’s sure to be a success―and prove his father wrong. Reverend Caudill wants to be a conduit for grace in his town, but that grace is challenged by the changes sweeping through in the early 1960s. For the sake of this small town, Virgil and Cornelius must learn to get along, but how do you love your neighbor when his very presence threatens to upend everything you hold dear?

My Thoughts:
I'd heard about this book for months before seeing it available to review. This book intrigued me. I mean it's a small town that doesn't every really change, but change is a part of the process. How will certain changes affect the lives of the residents?

This is Bill Higgs's debut novel. His wife, Liz Curtis Higgs, is one of my favorite authors, so I was excited to see what her husband has to offer. I was impressed. I found the characters to be very deep and layered. I also was impressed with the ways that characters related to each other. There were some that I didn't care for at the beginning, but by the end, I had come to like them. 

I received the kindle version of this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Chris Fabry, Karen Kingsbury, Davis Bunn, fiction

Rating - 4 stars

They Danced On - A Review

Published - July 2016, Tyndale Books
Series - The Darlings Book 3
Author - Carre Armstrong Gardner
Title - They Danced On
Format - ebook, paper
Find on Amazon

Summary from Amazon:
Nothing is more important to Jane Darling than her family. She’s dedicated her life to raising her children, and they all appear to be doing well. She can finally relax and enjoy life. But when her husband becomes seriously ill, Jane finds herself taking on the most difficult role of her life.

Laura Darling moved away to escape the expectations of her family. Ever since she went through rehab, they watch her like a hawk. Now she has a good job, new friends, and no one to criticize her or comment on everything she’s doing. But when everything begins to unravel, Laura’s heart turns toward home.

Follow the Darling family through triumph and tragedy as they struggle with an uncertain future.
My Thoughts:
It is very rare for me to not finish a book. Especially review titles. This one dragged. I was on like chapter 5 and felt that I should be further along that I was. I had no connection with the characters or the plot. This particular book probably wasn't for me. There are several positive reviews online.

I received this book for free from Tyndale for the purpose of reviewing. I was not required to like the book, only give my honest opinion. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating - 1 star (did not finish)

You're the One that I Want - A Review

Published - February 2016, Tyndale House
Series - Christiansen Family Book 6
Author - Susan May Warren
Title - You're the One That I Want
Format - ebook, paper, audio
Find on Amazon

Owen Christiansen left Deep Haven bitter and angry. An injury left him unable to continue to play hockey, and he's let his bitterness fester. He's now working on a fishing boat in the Bering Sea. When Scotty McFlynn is swept overboard during a strong storm, Owen doesn't think. He jumps in after her. In order to survive, the pair are forced to depend on each other. Scotty's an only child and doesn't know what to think of Owen. Yet she's drawn to him. When Owen's older brother Casper appears in town while Owen is recovering, Scotty realizes that some problems need to be dealt with. As a police officer, Scotty is tasked with escorting the brothers back to Deep Haven. There Owen is forced to come face to face with his past, including the daughter he didn't know about. Can this prodigal find forgiveness, love, and his place in the family circle? And the budding relationship between Scotty and Owen, is it strong enough to survive the turmoil of Owen's past?

I've loved each of these novels, and this one was no exception. I've waited a long time for Owen's story. I wanted this prodigal to return home. His journey has been told through each of the books, so to finally get the rest of his story was very satisfying.

I loved the banter between Owen and Scotty. I loved that she actually saw him for who he was and not as the hockey player, the youngest Christiansen brother, etc. I also loved how she didn't mince words with either Casper or Owen. I loved how Owen realized that just how much he needed her.

Sure their relationship was rocky, but it's part of the beauty of this series. None of the siblings had an easy way to their happy ever after. I love how the author takes the time to show that forgiveness and grace are needed for each person.

I received this book for free from Tyndale for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Karen Kingsbury, Susan May Warren, Jody Hedlund, Denise Hunter, Lisa Wingate, Rachel Hauck

Rating - 5 stars

Step by Step - A Review

Published - February 2016, Tyndale House
Series - Crisis Team Book 2
Author - Candace Calvert
Title - Step by Step
Format - ebook, paper
Find on Amazon

Widowed ER nurse, Taylor Cabot is determined to move on after three years. She is slowing checking things off of her survival list. She moved to San Diego in the hopes of starting back over without the painful memories that still haunt her. She's even considering the possibility of dating again, and is in a relationship, of a sort, with a plastic surgeon. When crisis chaplain, Seth Donovan, steps back into her life, Taylor is forced to confront the unanswered questions surrounding her husband's death. Seth's in San Diego to train the crisis volunteers. He wants to get to the truth behind the surface reasons Taylor has given for taking herself off of the crisis team. When a crisis hits the community and several lives are at stake, both Taylor and Seth must work together for the sake of the community. But is is possible that hope can be added to the survival list and have a chance at blossoming in the midst of adversity?

First of all, I just have to say that I love this cover. Of all of the books I've read by Candace Calvert, this cover is my favorite.

For some reason, most of Candace Calvert's books are hard for me to get into. I'm not sure why. I'm happy to say that this one wasn't hard to get into at all. I had met both Taylor and Seth in the first book, and so getting to know them better in this book was a plus.

Taylor made me laugh at the way that she's just crossing off items on her list. But as I got to know her, I realized that she was hurting, and only really going through the motions. I loved Seth from the moment that he set foot on the page. I also loved how he was with Taylor. He didn't let her get away with easy answers.

I received the Kindle copy of this book from Tyndale via NetGalley for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of women's fiction, medical romance, Candace Calvert, Denise Hunter, Colleen Coble

Rating - 4 stars

Drawing Fire - A Review

Published - June 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
Author - Janice Cantore
Series - Cold Case Justice Book 1
Title - Drawing Fire
Format - ebook, paper
Find on Amazon

Homicide detective Abby Hart became a detective for the sole purpose of possibly solving her parents murders. But she's good at her job. There's a serial killer stalking elderly women in Long Beach, California. Her best lead happens to be the only witness to see a suspect flee from the scene of the latest murder, PI Luke Murphy. Luke was in the area searching for a runaway he's tracking when he happened to see the suspect flee the scene of the crime. Abby soon learns that this latest victim has ties to the governor, a man Abby would like to question about her parents' murders. She also learns that Luke has been haunted by the same case for years. His uncle was also murdered at the same time as her parents. The two begin to compare notes and discover that they have more questions than answers. But someone doesn't want them reopening the case. This person will stop at nothing to ensure that the case remains closed.

I've read some of Janice Cantore's books before and I've enjoyed them. This book was a fast paced thrill ride to the finish. I honestly don't know why it took me so long to get to reading it other than lack of time.

Anyway, I really enjoyed getting to know Abby and Luke. Both of them were shaped by one incident. I thought I knew the direction that the story was heading, and I was quite wrong. So the twists and turns kept me interested until the end. I do want to know what will happen to them in the next book.

I received this book for free from Tyndale via NetGalley for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Irene Hannon, Dee Henderson, Lynette Eason

Rating - 4 stars

Secrets She Kept - A Review

Published - August 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
Author - Cathy Gohlke
Title - Secrets She Kept
Format - ebook, paper, audio
Find on Amazon

After her mother's death, Hannah Sterling wishes that they could have been closer. All of her life, Hannah felt that Lieselotte did not love her and was incapable of love. When she overhears a conversation between her aunt and a family friend, Hannah is determined to find the answers that will unlock Lieselotte's past and possible provide closure for Hannah. One startling discovery is that Hannah has a grandfather living in Germany. To discover all she can about her mother, Hannah travels to Germany. There she discovers that thirty years before, Lieselotte's father was quickly ascending the ranks of the Nazi Party and that he wanted an advantageous marriage for his daughter - not Lukas, the boy Lieselotte has loved for years. Lieselotte had no idea how far exactly her father would go to ensure her cooperation, and his actions lead to a rift that Hannah has no hope of bridging. Hannah's grandfather is also hiding wartime secrets. His secrets force Hannah to reevaluate all she knows about her mother and to figure out how she can atone for her family's tragic past as well as use the information to shape her future.

Every since I read Promise Me This, I've discovered that Cathy's books are very gripping. They have a tendency to hold me captive and not let me go. This one was no exception.

Set both in WWII and the 1970's, I was captivated. I had an idea as to where Lieselotte's story was going and I wasn't surprised to discover that I was right. Hannah's story on the other hand, I had no idea in what direction her story would go. I loved the WWII portion better than the other. But overall, it was a good book.

Both Hannah and Lieselotte are deep characters. Yet what I really loved is how Hannah's attitude changed toward her mother as she learned exactly what happened. For a while, it seemed that every character in the book had a secret. And some of those secrets were huge. But the way things resolve after they came to light, made wading through the secrets worth it.

I received this book for free from Tyndale for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Laura Frantz, WWII, Brock & Bodie Thoene, Kristy Cambron

Rating - 4 stars

The Wonder of You - A Review

Note - There is no Top Ten Tuesday post today. I didn't care for the topic. But it will return next Tuesday. So today, enjoy the book review.

Published - July 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
Series - Christiansen Family Book 5
Author - Susan May Warren
Title - The Wonder of You
Format - ebook, paper
Find on Amazon

Amelia Christiansen has returned from Europe with a broken heart. She isn't ready for the adventures that life wants to give her. She certainly doesn't expect to see the man who broke her heart appear on her family's doorstep with an apology. Roark St. John is the heir to an European hotel dynasty. He's spent the last several years roaming from location to location hiding from his past. When he met Amelia, he wanted to stop running. After breaking her heart, he knows that he has no choice but to follow her and seek her forgiveness and hopefully a second chance. Amelia's torn between Roark and her high school sweetheart who makes it known that he wants to get back together with her. Will Amelia figure out that her own place in the world may need her to find her wings and fly?

I've loved each book in this series. This one is no different. It's helpful to read the series in order, though it is not necessary.

I LOVED Roark! I loved how he pursued Amelia. I also loved how he was willing to change once his faults were brought to his attention. And Amelia, she's not my favorite of the siblings, but I did enjoy her.

I did not like Seth, Amelia's high school sweetheart. I found him to be overbearing and rude. As I was reading I kept asking myself what did she see in him.

The Christiansen family hasn't had an easy go of it. And this book shows Casper heading off to find Owen, the youngest brother, while the rest of the family deals with the bombshell of Grace's elopement. But I love how they come together as a family and support one another.

Fans of this series will love it.

I received this book for free from Tyndale House Books for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of contemporary romance

Rating - 4 stars

Five Brides - A Review

Published - May 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
Author - Eva Marie Everson
Title - Five Brides
Format - ebook, paper
Find on Amazon

With five single women sharing an apartment together in the early 1950's Chicago, they each live their own independent lives. They rarely see each other let alone all have a day off at the same time. One rare occasion all five roommates were home on the same Saturday, and they spy a bridal gown in the window of the famous Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co. Each of the girls fell in love with the dress. They immediately ask to try on the dress - all five of them - though none of them have a date let alone a boyfriend. The girls decide to pool their money and purchase the dress. Yet how can one dress be shared among five completely different women? And which woman will end up with the dress?

I'll admit that I was intrigued by one dress being shared among five different women and the stories they would tell. So I requested to review this book. I wondered how the concept would work. I was impressed. This is the first book I've read by this author. And I enjoyed it immensely.

I think that the story line that intrigued me the most was Betty's story. While it appeared that Joan really was the main character, I actually liked Betty the best. Though I'd have still liked to have discovered what happened to the other girls AFTER their weddings. Betty, though, we kinda of found out what happened. And then of course we discover which of the girls ended up with the dress.

I'd be interested in reading more books by this author. I found the book to be a rather quick read, once I started it that is.

I received the Kindle version of this book for free from Tyndale via NetGalley for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of historical fiction, women's fiction, Susan May Warren, Deborah Raney, Katie Ganshert,

Rating - 4 stars

By Your Side - A Review

Note from Dawn: Friends, if you are looking for a Top Ten Tuesday post today, you're out of luck. There are a couple of reasons for that - 1 I didn't care for the topic and 2 I've got SEVERAL book reviews that MUST get posted. Look for the TTT next week. :)

Published - February 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
Series - Crisis Team Book 1
Author - Candace Calvert
Title - By Your Side
Format - ebook, paper
Find on Amazon 

Summary (from Amazon):
ER nurse Macy Wynn learned essential, gritty lessons in the California foster care system: land on your feet and trust no one. She’s finally located the fellow foster child she loves like a sister, but the girl’s in deep trouble. Macy’s determined to help, no matter what it takes. Her motto is to “make it happen” in any situation life throws at her—even when she butts heads with an idealistic cop.

Deputy Fletcher Holt believes in a higher plan, the fair outcome—and his ability to handle that by himself if necessary. Now he’s been yanked from Houston, his mother is battling cancer, and he’s attracted to a strong-willed nurse who could be the target of a brutal sniper.

When everything goes wrong, where do they put their trust?

My Thoughts:
I've read several of Candace Calvert's books in the past and this one kept my attention the best. Maybe because I've come to know what to expect from one of her books, but I found this one to be better than some of the others of hers I have read. 

I found the book to be very fast-paced. In fact, it starts off with a bang, literally. And as the book progressed, I found that the action remained steady, which was good. 

I liked both Fletcher and Macy. I liked how they were real and struggled. Some of the other characters I actually liked a bit better, but their relationship with Fletcher and Macy served to develop the couple as dynamic characters.

I'll admit that I don't usually read medical related books. Maybe it's because I remember watching ER so much in high school that made me not want to be bogged down in medical details. But this one didn't go over the top with medical terminology. 

Fans of contemporary fiction will enjoy this book.

I received this book for free from Tyndale House Publishers for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of DiAnn Mills, contemporary fiction, Irene Hannon

Rating - 4 stars 

Always on My Mind - A Reivew

Published - January 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
Series - Christiansen Family Book 4
Author - Susan May Warren
Title - Always on My Mind
Format - ebook, paper
Find on Amazon

Casper Christiansen went 2,000 miles to get Raina Beaumont off of his mind. But when he can't stop thinking about her, he returns home to a big surprise - the woman he loves is pregnant with another man's baby. And when he discovers the identity of the baby's father, Casper wishes he'd stayed in Honduras. With the family's resort facing financial difficulties, Casper decides it's time to grow up and help his older brother around the resort. Raina Beaumont never expected that Casper would show back up in her life. Yet when the job she is working constantly brings her in contact with Casper, she hopes that she can become his friend. Yet as they work closer and closer together, both she and Casper have to come to grips with their feelings for each other. Will they figure out a way to navigate through the past and into a future?

I love the Christiansen family. When I got this one in the mail, I told myself that I'd wait til January to read it. That so didn't happen. I ended up picking it up one day and finishing it the next. Because it was that good.

What I love the most about this family is their faith and they way they do support one another. I loved how John approached both Casper and Darek to let them know that it was ok to follow their own dream. I also loved how Casper learned what it was to really love someone like Jesus.

I've read just about everything that this author has written, and I really think the Christiansen Series is my favorite. I am looking forward to the next book, Amelia's story, and not wanting to say goodbye to this family in the final book, Owen's story.

I received this book for free from Tyndale for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of contemporary fiction, Susan May Warren, Becky Wade, Katie Ganshert, romance

Rating - 5 stars

The Story Keeper - A Review

Published - August 2014, Tyndale House Publishers
Author - Lisa Wingate
Title - The Story Keeper
Format - ebook, paper
Find on Amazon

Jen Gibbs is looking forward to the new opportunities she has as an editor with the Vida Publishing House in NYC. This is a small publishing house that produces quality. On her first day on the job, she is introduced to Slush Mountain, a pile of old unpublished manuscripts, with instructions of not touching it. When a mysterious manuscript from Slush Mountain appears on her desk, Jen's first thought is to figure out how to put it back without anyone knowing. Yet then curiosity gets the best of her and she finds herself drawn into the story of Sarra, a young girl living in Appalachia around the late 1800's. Jen's search for both more of the manuscript and the author lead her to the one place she never thought she'd return to - her home deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Yet could the answers she seeks be found in the home she vowed she'd never return to?

Wow! Literally, that's about all I can say about this book. I wasn't sure what to expect when I request this one to review, as I'd never read any of Lisa Wingate's books before. I was told that this one started off slow and was hard to get into. I guess for some people that may be the case. But for me, I was drawn into it immediately. I really didn't want to put it down (even on Tuesday night while my favorite TV show of NCIS was airing a NEW episode). I was utterly and completely captivated by both Jen and her search for answers and manuscript she found - the story of Sarra and Rand.

This was well written, practically spell-binding and very deep. I loved how Jen found her answers and even managed to reconcile with her family. What really fascinated me though was Sarra. The parts of the book that told her story had me turning page after page because I was just soaking it up. I also liked how somethings were implied at the end but not specifically stated. That meant that I could let the characters live on in my imagination and follow the implications.

This book reminds of so much as to what I loved about classic Karen Kingsbury or Francine Rivers's books. And that is characters that seem to take on a life of their own off the page and just capture me fully. I will definitely be reading more by Lisa Wingate. My only question, is which one to start with next?

I received this book for free from Tyndale Publishers for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Karen Kingsbury, Francine Rivers, Contemporary fiction

Rating - 5 stars

Wild Thing - A Review

Published - May 2011, Tyndale House Publishers
Series - Winnie, the Horse Gentler Book 1
Author - Dandi Daley Mackall
Title - Wild Thing
Format - ebook, paper
Find on Amazon

Winnie Willis loves horses. Some might even say she has a gift. When she comes across an Arabian that is obviously being mistreated, Winnie befriends the horse. With all they have in savings, Winnie and her sister convince their father to purchase the horse at auction and allow Winnie to prepare her for sale. The only drawback, Winnie would love to keep the Arabian for her own. Will she get her wish?

It has been a  very long time since I read a book about horses. I remember loving the horse books by Marguerite Henry growing up.

This was a pretty quick read. I spent most of Sunday afternoon reading it. I loved the characters of Lizzy, Catman, and Barker. I loved too how each of those characters used their unique gifts to relate to various animals.

I loved how Winnie went through times of not sure if the work she was doing with the horse would be successful or if her father would even notice her. She also struggled with forgiving herself for her mother's death. And being under the impression that her father blamed her. That discovery was, for me, one of the most poignant pieces of the book.

I read this book as part of the Tyndale Summer Reading program. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of horses, the Babysitter Club, Sandra Byrd

Rating - 4 stars