The Passion of the Purple Plumeria by Lauren Willig (Review)

Paperback: 480 pages

Publisher: NAL Trade (August 6, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-0451414724

Colonel William Reid has returned home from India to retire near his children, who are safely stowed in an academy in Bath. Upon his return to the Isles, however, he finds that one of his daughters has vanished, along with one of her classmates.

Having served as second-in-command to the Pink Carnation, one of England’s most intrepid spies, it would be impossible for Gwendolyn Meadows to give up the intrigue of Paris for a quiet life in the English countryside—especially when she’s just overheard news of an alliance forming between Napoleon and an Ottoman Sultan. But, when the Pink Carnation’s little sister goes missing from her English boarding school, Gwen reluctantly returns home to investigate the girl’s disappearance.

Thrown together by circumstance, Gwen and William must cooperate to track down the young ladies before others with nefarious intent get their hands on them. But Gwen’s partnership with quick-tongued, roguish William may prove to be even more of an adventure for her than finding the lost girls…


My Review:

I really enjoyed reading the latest in the Pink Carnation series. We finally get to read Miss Gwen's story. I recommend reading them in order as she is a secondary character that is developed through them. Miss Gwen is known for her old maid vim and vinegar self. She is the chaperon for the pink carnation. She has a cane with a hidden blade that she pops people especially men with. Miss Gwen is part of the story set in the early 19th century. Most of the book is focused on her plot. There are also chapters focusing on the present day England part. Eloise is a historian living in England researching the pink carnation. She has a British boyfriend named Colin. They are looking for the same jewels that Miss Gwen is tracking down in the past. The switching back and forth is seamless. I loved how Miss Gwen and Colonel William Reid interact. Their relationship develops while they are looking for his daughter Lizzy and the pink carnation's sister Agnes. The ending surprised me but was satisfying. I look forward to the next book in the series. This is a light hearted romantic historical mystery book. Recommended. :)

Renegade by Mel Odom (Review)

Paperback: 416 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (June 21, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-1414349312

Having grown up in the foster system, Private Pike Morgan’s rough exterior and problem with authority earn him few friends among his fellow Marines. When he’s not on missions for the Marine Reserve, Pike’s rebellious attitude and eagerness for vigilante justice have the local police regularly at his doorstep. Struggling to set down roots, and nervous of his desire to, Pike’s eager to answer the military’s call for another deployment.

On a peacekeeping mission to Afghanistan, Pike and his squad soon find themselves entrenched in a heated war zone. After an American journalist is kidnapped by known terrorist Zalmai Yaqub, the whereabouts of this al Qaeda leader become a top priority for the American military. But when Yaqub flees to Pakistan, will anyone aid Pike in his hunt, or will this strong Marine find himself without an ally?

My Review:

I thought this was a good military suspense action book. It was too light on faith and too heavy on violence for my personal taste overall but I still liked the book. It fit the overall tone and setting of the book. This is the second in the Called to Serve series and I recommend reading them in order for background on the characters and plot. I was interested to read more about Pike Morgan's character. The author does not disappoint. I liked the progression of Pike's character that we get to see. The plot was interesting and I liked how he started connecting more with people. The secondary plot was the mission in Afghanistan. It felt underdeveloped and very background. The main story is Pike and his internal battle. I can't wait to read the next book in the series and see what happens to the characters. Recommended to fans of the genre especially.

You Don't Know Me by Susan May Warren (Review)

Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; Original edition (September 21, 2012)

ISBN-13: 978-1414334844

2013 Christy Award winner!

To everyone who knows her, Annalise Decker is a model wife and mother. She’s a permanent member of the PTA, never misses her kids’ sporting events, and is constantly campaigning for her husband’s mayoral race.

No one knows that Annalise was once Deidre O’Reilly, a troubled young woman whose testimony put a dangerous criminal behind bars. Relocated through the Witness Security Program to the sleepy town of Deep Haven, Deidre got a new identity and a fresh start, which began when she fell in love with local real estate agent Nathan Decker. Twenty years later, Annalise couldn’t be more unprepared for her past to catch up with her. When Agent Frank Harrison arrives with news that the man she testified against is out on bail and out for revenge, Annalise is forced to face the consequences of her secrets. Will she run again, or will she finally find the grace to trust those she loves most with both her past and her future?


My Review:

I really enjoyed reading this sixth book in the Deep Haven series. It can be read as a stand alone book also. I read the first book a long time ago but want to track down the others now. The characters and plot were interesting and well written. This is one of my favorite authors. She creates memorable characters and settings. I felt like I was really there. This was a great contemporary Christian suspense book. Highly Recommended.

Damascus Countdown by Joel Rosenberg (Review)

Hardcover: 480 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (March 5, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-1414319704

All eyes are on the Middle East. Israel has successfully launched a first strike on Iran, taking out all of their nuclear sites and six of their nuclear warheads—and causing The Twelfth Imam to order a full-scale retaliation. U.S. President William Jackson threatens to support a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning the Jewish State for unprovoked and unwarranted acts of aggression.

Meanwhile, CIA operative David Shirazi has infiltrated the Iranian regime and intercepted information indicating that two Iranian nuclear warheads survived the attack and have been moved to a secure and undisclosed location. In danger not only from the ongoing missile strikes on Iran but also from the increasingly hostile and suspicious governments of multiple countries, David and his team are in a race against time to find the remaining nuclear warheads before disaster strikes.


My Review:

I thought this was an interesting religious thriller. This is book three in the series and I was a little confused in spots. There was history with the characters especially David's family that I felt I missed. It is definitely religious which does not bother me because I am a Christian. I read it from the viewpoint of fiction not truth. I do not pretend to understand at all the issues of the Middle East. So some of the material did not resonate with me. Otherwise it was a good story that moved along at a fair pace and held my attention. I did want to see what happened next. Recommended for fans of this genre.

TJ and the Time Stumblers: Switched! by Bill Myers (Review)

Age Range: 8 and up

Paperback: 176 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; Reprint edition (February 14, 2012)

ISBN-13: 978-1414334578

Still on their quest to teach TJ Finkelstein the life lessons she'll need to be a great world leader, 23rd-century goofballs Tuna and Herby are brewing up even more trouble for the new kid in Malibu. As the boys try to repair their futuristic gadgets, a little glitch in their Thought Broadcaster Pen lands TJ in the body of her nemesis, TV star Hesper Breakahart . . . and vice versa. And the plot thickens when Tuna and Herby decide to put TJ's new look and superstar power to use. The time stumblers set up a concert for "Hesper" as a diversion while they sneak aboard a nuclear submarine and borrow a plutonium power pack--one of the items needed to fuel their time pod and get them out of TJ's life. Meanwhile, Tuna and Herby are hounded by their own nemesis, Bruce Bruiseabone, who's having a little trouble with forgiveness . . . a lesson that TJ realizes she might also need to learn as she walks a mile in Hesper's shoes--and body!


My Review:

This was another fun installment in the TJ and the Time Stumblers series. In this book TJ learns what it is like to walk a mile in someone else's shoes literally and the lesson of forgiving others. I was a little disturbed at Tuna and Herby sneaking aboard a military ship and stealing plutonium to fuel their time pod though. Otherwise I think it had the trademark fun and interesting characters.

TJ and the Time Stumblers: Ho Ho Noo! by Bill Myers (Review)

Age Range: 8 and up

Paperback: 176 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (August 25, 2011)

ISBN-13: 978-1414334561

Ho-Ho-NOOO! is all about TJ Finkelstein learning the real meaning of Christmas as she prepares for her future as a world leader with a little help from her 23rd-century goofball friends, Tuna and Herby. In a competition with her middle sister, TJ races to earn money so she can give it to her father as a Christmas present; he’s lost his job and the family is preparing to spend their first Christmas without their mom. Thanks to Tuna and Herby’s help at her job interview, where their futuristic gadgets expose the true motivation of each candidate, TJ lands a job at the mall—making kids smile for Santa and eventually playing (a much smaller) Santa herself. That job turns into a nanny gig for pop star Lady Goo-Goo’s spoiled and unattended kids. She also takes on a delivery job to help with dreamy Chad Steel’s plan to provide a hearty meal for the homeless on Christmas Eve . . . only to find herself delivering caviar cream puffs on the whim of TV star and classmate Hesper Breakahart. Despite all her work, her efforts to get money for Christmas backfire, but in the end TJ realizes Christmas is really about being with those she loves and sharing the love God has given through Christ.


My Review:

This was another cute installment in the TJ and the Time Stumblers series. In this one TJ has to learn the lesson of the real meaning of Christmas. She lives in a city that prizes possessions and looks. She learns that it does not matter how much money you have but your family and friends. There were several hilarious aspects. I loved Lady Goo Goo which is a spoof of Lady Ga Ga. Tuna and Herby had some more of their not so successful attempts to help TJ. I think chapter book readers of both genders will enjoy this series.

Grounded by Neta and Dave Jackson (Review)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Grounded Worthy Publishing (May 7, 2013) by Neta and Dave Jackson

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

As a husband/wife writing team, we are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together we are the authors or coauthors of over 120 books. (You can see our Publication Record by clicking HERE.) In addition to writing several books about Christian community, we have been privileged to coauthor numerous books with expert resource people on a variety of topics from racial reconciliation to medical ethics to ministry to kids in gangs.

But over the years the we have especially enjoyed writing for children and young people! This includes our award-winning TRAILBLAZER series, historical fiction about great Christian heroes and heroines for young people ages 8-12, and the four-volume HERO TALES: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Great Christians, and the companion book, Heroes in Black History.

Somewhere along the way, our own children grew up! Son Julian is Director of Experience Design for the Alder Planetarium in Chicago where he “provides the experience of exploring space” for visitors. He has two sons, Liam Isaac and Elijah David. Daughter Rachel graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and after working in the field of rape-crisis prevention went on to earn a Masters Degree in counseling from the University of Illinois. She is now a counselor at “Uni High School” in Champaign, Illinois. She is the loving mother of Havah Noelle (our first grandchild!) and Noah Zion, our youngest grandchild. The Jackson family also includes a Cambodian foster daughter, Samen Sang, who has four children.

We live in Evanston, Illinois, where for twenty-seven years we were part of Reba Place Church, a Christian church community. We are now members of a multi-racial congregation in the Chicago area.

ABOUT THE BOOK

...But Hope May Be Just Across the Street

Grace Meredith is a beloved contemporary Christian recording artist whose career--and personal life--hits unexpected turbulence. She feels grounded--in more ways than one. Grace s fiancé, bothered by her outspoken stance on purity and her near-constant travel, has broken off their relationship. Exhausted and unable to continue her current concert schedule, Grace returns home to Chicago, where she is soon stranded in a major snowstorm. Facing new questions about her future and her faith, Grace finds herself connecting for the first time with the residents of her neighborhood. What she discovers in these unexpected relationships could change everything.

Welcome to the Neighborhood The first in the Windy City Neighbors series, Grounded is an uplifting, contemporary story about ordinary people wrestling with the spiritual and practical issues of real life. The series employs the innovative storytelling technique of parallel novels, each with its own drama and story arc, but whose characters lives become intertwined and affect one another. Grounded welcomes you to Beecham Street--a typical, isolated American neighborhood that might just be a place of hope.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Grounded, go Here.

My Review:
I loved this book. It is a great start to a new series. The plot and characters were well developed and interesting. I love Grace Meredith and her character popped off the page. I look forward to reading more about her and the secondary characters. This is a great contemporary Christian book. Highly Recommended. :)