The Handy Law Answer Book by David L. Hudson Jr. (Review)

Paperback: 450 pages
Publisher: Visible Ink Press; 1 edition (April 1, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-1578592173


Synopsis: (As taken from back of book)

Everyday we encounter the rules of law — from the time we decide to get married, or perhaps divorced, to making purchases with our credit cards or dealing with bankruptcy. Who couldn't’t use a legal primer that answers hundreds of questions related to the history and practice of law in the United States? Let the Handy Law Answer Book help you navigate the system.

You’ll learn how to find a lawyer; what happens when you file a lawsuit or are sued by someone; what your rights in the workplace are; and what you can expect when you have your day in court. Plus, you’ll get tips on how to read those legal citations, as well as discover some fascinating — and quirky — legal cases.

Combining practical legal tips with an exhaustive overview of the law in the United States, the Handy Law Answer Book provides a history of the U.S. legal system, including the personalities who shaped it. You’ll get an introduction to various laws, important cases, court opinions, and how they all might affect you.

You’ll find answers to more than 800 questions, including …

■Where did the word “tort” come from?
■How are the state court judges selected?
■Where did the first U.S. Supreme Court meet?
■How does the law define “marriage”?
■What should you do if facing too much debt?
■What is a “wobbler”?

Guest Review by Brittanie's sister Courtney:
FYI: She is considering going to Law School. :)

It is perfect for anyone considering going into the legal field or anyone who wants to learn more about our legal history. Many different topics are covered including marriage, civil, criminal, and employment law. It explains everything clearly. Anybody would be able to read and understand it. Real cases are used as examples. The book is organized and clearly defined. There are many facts that the average person might not know and would be interesting in learning.This would be a good resource for teachers to use in the classroom especially history and government classes. I would be interesting in reading future books by this author. Highly Recommended.

About the Author: (As taken from the press release)
David L. Hudson, Jr. is the author or co-author of 24 books including The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book, The Rehnquist Court: Understanding Its Impact and Legacy, and (as co-editor with John Vile and David Schultz) The Encyclopedia of the First Amendment. He works as First Amendment Scholar for the First Amendment Center and teaches classes at Vanderbilt Law School, Nashville School of Law, and Middle Tennessee State University. Hudson earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his law degree from Vanderbilt Law School. He resides in the Middle Tennessee area with his wife, Carla, and two dogs, Gloria and Gucci.

Review copy provided free of charge by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Forgotten by Melody Carlson (Review)

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: NavPress (August 1, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-1600069482

From the back cover:

With MIA parents, overdue rent, and no one to turn to, Adele is forced out of her home. She strives to maintain the pretense of a “normal” life while struggling to finish high school, all the while concealing that she is homeless. But is she strong enough to keep up the act?

Every teenage girl has a secret. And every teenage girl loves hearing someone else’s secret. But some secrets are big enough to detour, derail, or even destroy a young person’s life. Each of Melody Carlson’s Secrets novels will propel readers into a world where promises are broken, life is not fair, and challenges can make or break them, while ultimately helping readers discover that solid faith, loyal friends, and a persistent spirit will see them through.

My Review:

I read this book in one sitting. That said it is not without its problems. Overall the book is written okay. I did want to see what happened next to Adele. Some parts are a little hard to believe. The ending especially was hard to accept. It felt rushed and the beginning of the book was much more developed and time spent there. There were two main characters including her mother who just disappeared from the plot and we don't know what happened to them. It dealt with the hard topic of homelessness and especially among teenagers. I was touched after reading the story and my eyes opened a little more. The spiritual element was there but not overwhelming. So overall an okay Christian YA book. I am glad I read it. :)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

So Over It by Stephanie Morrill (Review)

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 262 pages
Publisher: Revell; 1 edition (July 1, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0800733919

About the book:

How can Skylar stay true to herself without losing the ones she loves most?

Senior year is over and Skylar Hoyt is ready to forgive and forget. Or at least forget. She wants a fresh start where people don't know about her past or her dysfunctional family. A place where she won't run into her ex-boyfriend every time she leaves the house. When she gets the opportunity to spend the summer in Hawaii with her grandparents, Skylar jumps at the chance to get out of town. But will she truly be able to leave her old life behind? And will she be strong enough to rise above the gossip and live the life God wants?

My Review:

I loved this book. It is the third and last in the Skylar Hoyt series and the best to me. The first two books were good and I think you need them for the background information too. It is the perfect title for the book and it is classified as Christian YA. I did not think the series was preachy at all. I am 27 and liked it. It wrapped up the series perfectly and there were two twists I did not see coming. I am sad to see this series end. Highly Recommended. :)

Thank you Donna at Revell for my review copy.




Available July 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Latte Daze by Erynn Mangum (Review)

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: NavPress (July 1, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-1600067129

About the book:

Maya Davis already has many titles—Christian, barista, maid of honor (new), possible girlfriend (newer), aunt (newest)—and her life is about to become even more complicated. Just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse, her ex-boyfriend proposes to her roommate and best friend, Jen. It’s not long until their apartment becomes Wedding Central. As if that weren’t enough, Jen’s obnoxious mom moves in to help plan the wedding, and Maya’s genius brother and sister-in-law announce that they're expecting. Then to top it off, there's the whole matter of Jack—is it love? Who wouldn't need a coffee break!

My Review:
I loved this book. It is the second in the Maya Davis series. I recommend reading them in order as comments will make more sense in the book plus the first book is good also. This is a great Christian chick lit book. This book will mostly appeal to young adults but other ages will like it too. It held my attention from the beginning and I did not want to put it down. It is definitely Christian. Maya reads her bible before she goes to bed and often she expresses her thoughts. Her roommate and fiance, and her boyfriend are all Christians. The book is not overdone or preachy. It is natural. The characters and plot are unique, interesting, and believable. This author is known for the humor in her books and there were plenty of lol moments in this book. I love how the characters and relationships evolve in this book and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Thankfully I only have to wait until October. This is going on my keeper shelf next to all of this author's other books and on my favorites list for the year. Highly Recommended. :)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Perfectly Dateless by Kristin Billerbeck (Review)

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 259 pages
Publisher: Revell (July 1, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0800734398

About the book:

Daisy Crispin has 196 days to find the right date for the prom. There’s only one problem – her parents won’t let her date or even talk to a guy on the phone. Oh, and she’s totally invisible at school, wears lame homemade clothes, and possesses no social skills. Okay, so maybe there’s more than one problem.

Can she talk her parents into letting her go to the prom? Or will they succeed at their obvious attempts to completely ruin her life?

Perfectly Dateless is hilarious, shocking, and totally real. You’ll fall in love with Daisy’s sharp wit and resourcefulness as she navigates the world of boys, fashion, family, and friendship.

My Review:

This book is about more than just finding a date for prom. Daisy Crispin is an interesting character. Her mother and father are very conservative Christians and she feels smothered not that she wants to be a bad kid just a more normal one. Her mother makes her wear homemade clothes. She is not allowed to date, have a cell phone, or go to prom. Her life is filled with work, school, and helping her crazy friend Claire. Her friend Claire is only similar to Daisy in the fact they are both outcasts at school. Daisy works for a company that makes checks answering the phones and helping with the accounting. Claire is almost Daisy's opposite. Her parents have a lot of money and she gets to do what she wants when she wants too. The book has journal entries by Daisy in it and they were the best part. There are some funny moments in the book. The book turned more serious toward the end. I thought the ending was rushed and a little choppy. So overall a good Christian YA book. Recommended.

Available July 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Review copy provided by Revell.

Touching the Clouds by Bonnie Leon (Review)

Paperback: 364 pages
Publisher: Revell (July 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0800733599


About the book:


Kate Evans is an adventurous and independent young woman with a pioneering spirit. She pilots a mail-delivery plane in the forbidding Alaskan wilderness, the lone woman in a male profession. But even that seems easy compared to finding true love. She likes a fellow pilot and would even consider marrying him--if it weren't for Paul, a mysterious man on her mail route with a gentle spirit and a past to hide. Can Kate break through the walls Paul has put up around his heart? And will her quest for adventure be her demise? Book 1 in the Alaskan Skies series, Touching the Clouds will draw readers in with raw emotion and suspense, all against the stunning backdrop of the Alaskan wilds.


My Review:
I really liked this book. I was sad when it ended. I wanted to spend more time with the characters so I am glad it is a series. The author did a good job making you feel like you were really in Alaska. This book is set in the 1930s and is a Christian fiction historical book. The plot and characters are great and held my attention from page one. Highly Recommended.





Available July 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Thank you Donna at Baker/Revell for my review copy.

Resurrection in May by Lisa Samson (Review)

Book Description

May Seymour graduated from college with the world at her feet and no idea what to do with it. A mission trip to Rwanda brought her a sense of purpose in loving others. So when the genocide began she chose to remain in the village, which was subsequently slaughtered. Only May survived.

So, May journeyed to heal on the farm of Claudius Borne, a sweet, innocent old man who understood plants and animals far better than people.

Years later, having not stepped a foot off Claudius' farm, May learns an old college flame, now a death-row inmate, is refusing to appeal his sentence. Can she convince him to grab hold of life once again? Their surprising friendship turns the tables, for the prisoner, Eli Campbell, has a deeper faith from which to draw than she. Eli slowly begins to pull May from her cloistered existence. With the help of Eli, their tiny town, and ultimately a renewal of faith, May comes to life once again.

My Review:

Wow. This was a wonderful contemporary Christian fiction novel. It is moving, touching, and unforgettable. It is not always easy to read because of the scenes describing the genocide in Rwanda and what happens to May. My heart hurt. She is destroyed and becomes a recluse for ten years on Claudius's farm. The title is very appropriate. The main themes are grace and forgiveness. This is definitely a Christian fiction novel. It is very well written and the plot and characters are unique and memorable. I am not sure I will ever reread it but it is still going on my keeper shelf. Highly Recommended.

About the author:
Lisa Samson, the Christy-award winning author of Christianity Today’s Novel of the Year Quaker Summer, has been hailed by Publishers Weekly as one of the “most powerful voices in Christian fiction.” She lives in Kentucky with her husband and three kids.

I received this book free from Book Sneeze for review.

Sarah's Garden by Kelly Long (Review)

Book Description

When Sarah realizes that she has fallen in love with an Englisch doctor, she must choose between her family and her forbidden love.

Deep in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains, shy Sarah King is happiest when working in her vibrant Amish kitchen garden, but new family responsibilities lead her into the confusing world of the Englisch.

Sarah finds her life turned around when she encounters the community’s new Englisch veterinarian, Grant Williams. His blue-gold eyes and his obvious concern for her people attract her immediately. Sarah seeks solace and direction from the Lord as she creates a quilt pattern which details her struggle between two worlds.

The Lord is guiding Sarah to follow His will, but will she listen?

My Review:

This was a good Amish debut novel by Kelly Long. It is the first in a series called A Patch of Heaven. Parts of it did seem done but it was still a good read. I like Sarah and how she seeks God in her garden. Grant is a typical English man. I was a little wary of how he dealt with her at first. The love between them really did feel real. Although Sarah is Amish she had struggles all the same as an English person might. I did not see the twist at the end coming. I think I would have been happy either way. The writing flowed well and the characters were interesting. Recommended.

This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of the Book Sneeze program.

The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews (Review)

Book Description

A unique blend of historical fact and engaging fiction showing the power of forgiveness.

In 1942, German subs are dispatched to the Gulf of Mexico to sink U.S. vessels carrying goods and fuel. While taking a late-night walk, Helen Mason—widowed by war—discovers the near-lifeless body of a German sailor. Enraged at the site of Josef Landermann's uniform, Helen is prepared to leave him to die when an unusual phrase, faintly uttered, changes her mind.

In The Heart Mender, a small town must prepare itself for the worst the world has to offer, and Josef and Helen must reconcile their pasts to create a future.

My Review:

I loved this book and read it in one sitting. The book alternates between past and present in three big sections. It flows well and is well written. It is a mixture of truth and fiction. This is typical for this author.The book begins with the author finding WWII artifacts buried under a tree in his yard. He is very curious about the pictures and buttons and starts researching them. It has some mystery, suspense, romance, and a good theme. I like how in the front and back of the book the author explains what is fact versus fiction and why in the book. It was a very touching story and the main theme is forgiveness. The plot is definitely unique and the characters interesting. Highly Recommended. :)

Be sure to check out The Heart Mender's website: http://www.andyandrews.com/theheartmender/



I received this book to review as part of the Book Sneeze program.

The Six-Liter Club by Harry Kraus M.D. (Review)

Paperback: 364 pages
Publisher: Howard Books; Original edition (April 6, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-1416577973



About the book:

ELUSIVE WHISPERS, A DARK CLOSET, STRONG ARMS... DOES SHE EVEN WANT TO REMEMBER?

Camille Weller has arrived as the first African-American attending in the trauma service of the Medical College of Virginia. Never mind that the locker rooms are labeled "doctors" and "nurses" rather than "men" and "women" or that her dark skin communicates "incapable" to many of her white male colleagues in the OR. Camille has battled prejudices her entire career, but those battles were small spats compared to what she faces now.

When a colleague discovers a lump in her breast, she believes Dr. Camille Weller is the best doctor for her. Together, they decide on a course of treatment that bucks the established medical system, keeping Camille firmly in the cross hairs of male surgeons already riddled with skepticism and suspicion.


Her success as a surgeon is jeopardized further when dark whispers from her childhood in Africa plague Camille’s thoughts. Bewildering panic attacks instill fear in a surgeon bent on maintaining the control, pace, and direction of her own life. Unable to shake the flashes of memory, Camille is forced to face a past she has not acknowledged since the death of her father on an African mission field. Who was he? Who was she? And why would either of those answers affect her present?

My Review:
I have mixed feelings about this book. Overall I thought it was a good book and held my attention from the first page. The plot line was unique and set in the Southeast US in 1984. Camille is a half white half African (Congo) surgeon and faces racism everyday. Her parents were missionaries in the Congo and were murdered when she was ten. She was sent to live in the US with her Aunt Jeanne who raised her white. She never talked to her about her time in the Congo. When Camille starts having flashbacks she freaks out because it affects her at work too. Another main plot line is her relationship with her boyfriend. This is where I became unhappy. It is very heavy on the sensual side and a big part of the plot is how to help her have premarital s*x with him. It is implied that it makes it easier for him to cheat on her. There is barely a spiritual side to this book.Otherwise this was a really good book. I would not recommend it to Christian fiction readers. I would consider it to be a mainstream book and as such it is very good.

About the author:

Harry Kraus has brought surgical skill to medical missions on four continents. Most recently, he returned to Somalia for a short stay. His family (wife, Kris, and three sons) is contemplating a return to Kenya for three years. He could stay in Virginia, building his surgical practice, storing wealth and acquiring house after house, car after car - but that isn't where Harry's heart lies.

Harry Kraus watched the Twin Towers fall on 9/11. He was at Ground Zero providing medical services to those who managed to escape the falling buildings. He saw firsthand the result of human relationships that lack love for fellow man. He determined to spend his life pouring love into human hearts. In Africa, he is often asked by Muslim patients why he would come halfway around the world to take care of them for no pay. Harry smiles. He tells them about the unconditional love He received from a Savior.

Thank you Glass Road PR for my review copy.

This Fine Life by Eva Marie Everson (Review)

It is the summer of 1959 and Mariette Puttnam has just graduated from boarding school. When she returns to her privileged life at home, she isn't sure where life will take her. More schooling? A job? Marriage? Nothing feels right. How could she know that she would find the answer waiting for her in the narrow stairwell of her father's apparel factory, exactly between the third and fourth floors?

In this unique and tender romance, popular author Eva Marie Everson takes you on a journey through the heart of a young woman bound for the unknown. Discover the joys of new love, the perseverance of deep friendship, and the gift of forgiveness that comes from a truly fine life.

Excerpt:
This is not the story of my(Mariatte) life. This is the story of my husband’s
life, or at the very least how the story of his life affected
mine and all those he touched just by his being near
them or with them. Thayne was like that, you see. Just by
being, he touched lives. He was infectious, upbeat, passionate,
determined. Next to the flame of his existence I was a
spark looking to ignite, a matchstick never quite making it
to the striker. But, in time, the same fever that burned within
him burned within me.

My Review:

Can I call this a historical Christian fiction novel even though it is set in the 1960s? Anyway it is a really good book sorta a coming of age story and a romance too. The plot and characters are well developed and interesting. I liked the progression of Mariette's character especially over the few years the book covers.

One of the main themes throughout the book is what is a fine life and how to get it. The descriptions are great and it is like actually being there in that time period. The front book cover is gorgeous too. Highly Recommended.

About the author:

Eva Marie Everson is a successful speaker, a popular radio personality, and the award-winning author of Things Left Unspoken. She is coauthor of the Potluck Club series and the Potluck Catering Club series. She lives in Florida.

Available May 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.



Thank you Donna at Revell for my review copy.

It Had to Be You by Janice Thompson (Review)

Paperback: 330 pages
Publisher: Revell; Original edition (May 1, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0800733445


About the book:

Bella couldn't be happier that her long-feuding Aunt Rosa and Uncle Lazarro have finally admitted their love for one another and are getting married. Their forties-style wedding is sure to be a night to remember. But when the Rossi house begins to fill up with family from Italy--and an old mobster from New Jersey--life starts to get complicated. Will Lazarro's friend from the past drive the happy couple apart once more? And will Bella ever have time to think of her own rapidly-approaching wedding amidst the chaos? Full of laugh-out-loud humor, plenty of Italian passion, and a bit of Texas gumption, It Had to Be You is the satisfying conclusion to an entertaining series.

My Review:
I greatly enjoyed the third and final book in the Weddings by Bella series. In fact the whole series is good. This book has more of the author's trademark humor and quirky characters. Even though a lot happens in this book it flows well and comes to a satifying conclusion. The characters are plot are unique and interesting. I think the books should be read in order to get the full effect of this last one. Highly Recommended.



About the author:


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 is the author of Fools Rush In and Swinging on a Star. She lives in Texas.



Available May 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.





Review copy provided by Donna at Revell. Thank you. :)

No Hope for Gomez! by Graham Parke (Review)

About The Book:

It’s the age-old tale:
Boy meets girl.
Boy stalks girl.
Girl already has a stalker.
Boy becomes her stalker-stalker.
We’ve seen it all before, many times, but this time it’s different. If only slightly.

When Gomez Porter becomes a test subject in an experimental drug trial, he is asked to keep track of any strange experiences through a blog. What Gomez isn’t ready for, is so many of his experiences suddenly seeming strange; the antiques dealer trying to buy his old tax papers, his neighbor boiling salamanders on his balcony at midnight, the super sexy lab assistant who falls for him but is unable to express herself in terms outside the realm of science.

But when one of the trial participants turns up dead and another goes missing, Gomez begins to fear for his life. No longer sure who he can trust and which of his experiences are real and which merely drug induced illusions, he decides it’s time to go underground and work out a devious plan.

Now, years later, his blogs have been recovered from a defunct server. For the first time we can find out firsthand what happened to Gomez as he takes us on a wild ride of discovery.

My Review:

Unfortunately I did not really like this book much. It may be the genre which is contemporary kind of off beat fiction. I chose to read it because the synopsis sounded interesting and like Michael Synder’s books which I love. It seemed the scenes and dialogue were repetitious. Also some of the characters could have been developed more. The plot is interesting. Somebody whose reads this genre a lot might like this book more than I did.

About The Author:
Graham Parke is responsible for a number of technical publications and has recently patented a self-folding map. He has been described as both a humanitarian and a pathological liar. Convincing evidence to support either allegation has yet to be produced.
No Hope for Gomez! is Graham’s fiction debut. You can visit his website at http://www.blogger.com/www.grahamparke.com.

Hiking Through by Paul V. Stutzman (Review)

About Hiking Through: Finding Peace and Freedom on the Appalachian Trail
After losing his wife to breast cancer, Paul Stutzman decided to make some big changes. He quit his job of seventeen years and embarked upon a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, a 2,176-mile stretch of varying terrain spanning fourteen states. During his nearly five-month-long hike, he battled brutal trail conditions and overwhelming loneliness, but also enjoyed spectacular scenery and trail camaraderie. With breathtaking descriptions and humorous anecdotes from his travels, Stutzman reveals how immersing himself in nature and befriending fellow hikers helped him recover from a devastating loss. Somewhere between Georgia and Maine, he realized that God had been with him every step of the way, and on a famous path through the wilderness, he found his own path to peace and freedom.

My Review:

I really enjoyed reading this non fiction book. It is a combination memoir/travel genre. It is not depressing in tone at all even though the catalyst for the book is his wife dying of breast cancer. I think he writes and deals with the subject matter in a good way. His goal is to hike the entire AT from beginning to end and seek God while doing it. He was raised a conservative Mennonite but got away from it as he grew older. I liked his descriptions of the nature around him and the people he meets along the way. There are several lol moments in the book of incidents that happen along the trail. Fans of Bill Bryson might like this book along with Christian readers. Recommended.

About the author:
After Paul Stutzman’s wife died, Paul quit his job to hike the Appalachian trail to give himself time to think and to heal. Hiking Through: Finding Peace and Freedom on the Appalachian Trail is his story. A former restaurant manager, he is now retired and planning his next big adventure: a cross-country bicycle trip. Stutzman currently lives in Berlin, Ohio. To see pictures of his hike or to find out more about Paul and his book, visit his website at http://www.hikingthrough.com/.

Wonders Never Cease by Tim Downs (Review)

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 11, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-1595543097

Book Description
"It's true what they say, you know: If you talk to God, you're religious; but if you hear from God, you're schizophrenic."

When a car accident leaves a famous movie star in a coma, nurse Kemp McAvoy thinks he has found his ticket to the life he's always wanted. As a med school dropout who was on his way to becoming an anesthesiologist, Kemp has the knowledge to carry off the crazy plan he concocts: adjust the star's medication each night and pretend to be a heavenly visitor giving her messages. He recruits her agent and a down-and-out publisher to make sure the messages will become the next spiritual bestseller and make them all rich.

But his girlfriend's daughter, Leah, keeps telling people that she is seeing angels, and her mother and her teachers are all afraid that something is wrong.

Before it's all over, they'll all learn a few things about angels, love, and hope.

My Review:

I love Tim Downs's Bug Man Books so I wanted to read this new type of book from him. It is definitely different but good. The plot and characters are interesting and unique. The supernatural element is not overpowering.The faith element/God is hardly there. Readers who do not normally read Christian fiction might like this book also. Do you believe in Angels is a question asked in the book but it is more than about that. It is about family, faith, greed, justice, and love. My only problem is the ending. I wanted more closure for some of the characters, justice maybe? Overall different but still enjoyable. Recommended. :)

Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson Publisher's Book Sneeze Program.

In Harm's Way by Irene Hannon (Review)

Paperback: 326 pages

Publisher: Revell

(April 1, 2010)

ISBN-13: 978-0800733124




About the book:


FBI special agent Nick Bradley has seen his share of kooks during his fifteen years with the Bureau, from the guy who insisted he’d been abducted by aliens to the woman who claimed God had told her to assist the FBI by acting as His intermediary on difficult cases.



But Rachel Sutton is an enigma. She seems normal when she shows up at the FBI office in St. Louis—until she produces a tattered Raggedy Ann doll she found and tells him it gives her bad vibes.



Nick dismisses her—only to stumble across a link between the doll and an abducted infant, setting in motion a chain of events that uncovers startling connections…and puts Rachel’s life on the line.

Click HERE to read an excerpt.




My Review:

I loved this book. Rachel is an elementary school teacher raised in foster care with no family, boyfriend, and little friends. She is very busy as she teaches music at two elementary schools, paints murals, teaches piano lessons, and plays piano at a nice hotel on Sundays.



One day at lunch as she picks up some sandwiches she notices a Raggedy Ann doll buried in a ice puddle beside her car. She digs it out and finds herself experiencing the strangest reaction. She does not believe in psychics or anything like that but she does not want to ignore it either so she tells her friend at work whose husband is a cop. He says she should tell the FBI so she goes and meets Nick.

He dismisses it for the most part but he likes her and she seems sane. They feel sparks between them and a connection. So they get to know each other better and then Nick discovers that the doll is a link to a missing child.

The plot and characters are interesting and unique and take a few twists. One of which I did not see coming. The romance is believable as is the faith element. Well written it is the third book in the series and I would read them in order because this book provides closure on the lives of all the main characters. Fans of Dee Henderson like me especially would like this series because it is romantic inspirational suspense. I highly recommend the entire series. :)






About the author:

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than 30 novels, including Against All Odds and An Eye for an Eye. Her books have been honored with the coveted RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, the HOLT Medallion, and the Reviewer's Choice Award from Romantic Times BOOKreviewsmagazine. For more information about Irene and her books, visit her website at http://www.irenehannon.com/

Available April 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Review copy provided by Revell.

Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze (Review and Giveaway)

*** Leave a comment on this post before midnight on May 3 to be entered to win a copy.***

About the Book:

Crossroads Crisis Center owner Benjamin Brandt was a content man -- in his faith, his work, and his family. Then in a flash, everything he loved was snatched away. His wife and son were murdered, and grief-stricken Ben lost faith. Determination to find their killers keeps him going, but after three years of dead ends and torment, his hope is dying too. Why had he survived? He'd failed to protect his family.

Now, a mysterious woman appears at Crossroads seeking answers and help -- a victim who eerily resembles Ben's deceased wife, Susan.

A woman robbed of her identity, her life, of everything except her faith -- and Susan's necklace.The connections between the two women mount, exceeding coincidence, and to keep the truth hidden, someone is willing to kill. Finding out who and why turns Ben and the mystery woman's situation from dangerous to deadly. Their only hope for survival is to work together, trust each other, and face whatever they discover head on, no matter how painful. But will that be enough to save their lives and heal their tattered hearts?

My Review:

Overall this was an okay inspirational romantic suspense novel. There are several confusing spots in the book including the beginning. I read it and tried to store it in my head as I read the rest of the book. The plot and characters were good and the writing was okay. I did enjoy reading it in the end and look forward to reading the next book in the series. Recommended especially fans of this genre.

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601422057

Author Bio:
Vicki Hinze is an award-winning author of twenty-three novels, three nonfiction books, and hundreds of articles. Selected for Who’s Who in America in 2004 as a writer and educator, Hinze is active in Romance Writers of America and serves as a Vice President on the International Thriller Writers Board of Directors. Vicki lives in Florida with her artist husband, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. Visit http://www.vickihinze.com/ to learn more about Vicki’s books, blogs, and writing programs.

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin (Review)

Will a chance meeting in a time of war change her life forever?

Never pretty enough to please her gorgeous mother, Allie will do anything to gain her approval--even marry a man she doesn't love. While Allie has nearly resigned herself to that fate, Lt. Walter Novak--fearless in the cockpit but hopeless with women--takes his last furlough at home in California before being shipped overseas.

Walt and Allie meet and begin a correspondence that will change their lives. As letters fly between Walt's muddy bomber base in England and Allie's mansion in an orange grove, their friendship binds them together. But can they untangle the secrets, commitments, and expectations that keep them apart?

Book 1 in the Wings of Glory series, A Distant Melody is an exciting and tender story of love, courage, and sacrifice during World War II.

My Review:
I had this post set to this date and I did not even realize it was today and my review was not with it. Yikes! I really did like this book. I thought the characters and plot were interesting. The time period was intriguing and it is hard to believe it was so long ago now.The only thing that bothered me was the way Allie's parents treated her. Can they really be that heart less? It really bothered me even though I know its fiction. I look forward to learning more about these characters in the next book in the series. Recommended. :)

You can learn more about Sarah Sundin and her books at her website. You can also check out Sarah's blog and where she's constantly sharing some fact about WWII history.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Never Let You Go by Erin Healy (Review)

Book Description
Losing everything has made Lexi hold those she loves tightly. Hell is determined to loosen her grip.

Lexi lives in the shadow of choices her husband made. Especially Grant’s choice to leave seven years ago, without a word. Her relationship with their daughter, Molly, is now the most important thing in her life. Lexi will do anything—work grueling hours, attend church on her only day off, sacrifice financially—just to see Molly smile.

When Grant shows up declaring his intent to re-enter their daughter’s life, Lexi is skeptical of his motives. She soon determines not to let him near Molly. Then a drug dealer named Warden arrives on Lexi’s doorstep, demanding payment of Grant’s old debts.

But that's just the earthly perspective. Staggering supernatural events are spilling into her world in real and shocking ways. Hell's fury is great, but Heaven's power is greater still. In a novel that defies easy categorization, this has all the early buzz of the breakthrough read of 2010.

My Review:

Wow. This is a wonderful book if you like supernatural suspense with a little spiritual warfare too. I read it in one night. It is not pleasant happy feel good but still a well written book and good for its genre. The characters and plot are well developed and held my attention from page one. It was a little scary in parts but I love the ending. The main themes are grace and forgiveness. You might not want to read it at night like I did. lol Recommended. :)

Thank you Thomas Nelson Publishers for my review copy.

Too Close to Home by Lynette Eason (Review)

From the Back Cover:

The FBI has a secret weapon. But now the secret's out.

When missing teens begin turning up dead in a small Southern town, the FBI sends in Special Agent Samantha Cash to help crack the case. Her methods are invisible, and she never quits until the case is closed.

Homicide detective Connor Wolfe has his hands full. His relationship with his headstrong daughter is in a tailspin, and the string of unsolved murders has the town demanding answers. Connor is running out of ideas--and time.

Samantha joins Connor in a race against the clock to save the next victim. And the killer starts to get personal.

Too Close to Home ratchets up the suspense with each page even as love blossoms in the face of danger. Read this one with the lights on!

My Review:

I am a huge Dee Henderson fan. She is one of my favorite authors. Lynette Eason writes books that are in the same category, romantic suspense. Although this book had more of a crime thriller part to it, it was well written and I enjoyed it. It is fast paced, suspenseful, and a page turner. The characters are well developed and the romance between Samantha and Conner developed naturally. I read the excerpt for the second book in the series and I look forward to reading it too. Recommended.

"My friend Lynette has a hit on her hands with this romantic suspense. I enjoyed every minute. The plot managed to surprise and captivate me, and the romance was priceless."--Dee Henderson, bestselling author, the O'Malley series

"A fast-moving tale filled with nonstop action. No chance to catch your breath with this one!"--Irene Hannon, bestselling author, the Heroes of Quantico series

"Eason gives the reader an exciting ride with characters you will care about."--Margaret Daley, award-winning Steeple Hill romantic suspense author

About the author:

Lynette Eason is the author of eight novels and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). Lynette and her husband and their two children make their home in South Carolina.

Available April 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Thank you Donna at Revell for my review copy.