Books reviewed in 2013 and 2014

1. Come to the Table by Neta Jackson

2. Raider's Vendetta by Karen Arnpriester

3. Vanished by Irene Hannon

4. Interrupted by Rachel Coker

5. A Daughter's Redemption by Georgiana Daniels

6. Waiting for Spring by Amanda Cabot

7. The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen

8. A New Home For Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fischer

9. ACTS of the Spirit Filled by Johnnie R. Jones

10. Rebekah by Jill Eileen Smith

11. Unbreakable by Nancy Mehl

12. Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White

13. Return of Cassandra Todd by Darrel Nelson

14. Shattered by Dani Pettrey

15. You're Made for a God-Sized Dream by Holley Gerth

16. 52 Things Daughters Need from Their Dads by Jay Payleitner

17. Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshar

18. Firefly Island by Lisa Wingate

19. Moms Raising Sons to be Men by Rhonda Stoppe

20. Swept Away by Mary Connealy

21. So Shines the Night by Tracy L. Higley

22. Gospel Centered Woman by Wendy Horger Alsup

23. Love in a Broken Vessel by Mesu Andrews

24. Love in the Balance by Regina Jennings

25. Love at any Cost by Julie Lessman

26. Ephesians: Discovering your Identity and Purpose for Christ by Sue Edwards

27. Tales of the Defended Ones by Beth Guckenberger

28. Postcards from Misty Harbor Inn by Evangeline Kelley

29. Sweet Sanctuary by Kim Vogel Sawyer

30. When Jesus Wept by Bodie and Brock Thoene

31. Psalm 91 for Mothers by Peggy Joyce Ruth

32. A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund

33. Pastor's Wives by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen

34. Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck

35. Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

36. Catch a Falling Star by Beth K. Vogt

37. NIV Real Life Devotional Bible for Women, Insights for Everyday Life Notes with Lysa Terkeurst

38. The Cat that God Sent and The Dog that Talked to God by Jim Krauss

39. The Offering by Angela Hunt

40. Afloat by Erin Healy
41. The Promise Box by Tricia Goyer
42. That Certain Summer by Irene Hannon
43. Letters to Katie by Kathleen Fuller
44. A Bride for All Seasons: Assorted authors
45. Midnight Sea by Colleen Coble
46. Anomaly by Christa Mcgee
47. Whispers from the Shadows by Roseanna M. White
48. Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher
49. On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin
50. Trapped by Irene Hannon
51. The Promise by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley
52. Memory's Door by James L. Rubart
53. Dangerous Passage by Lisa Harris
54. The Invention of Sarah Cummings by Olivia Newport
55. Fired Up by Mary Conneally
56. Love's Awakening by Laura Franz
57. The Courier of Caswell Hall by Melanie Dobson
58. Under the Blackberry Moon by Serena B. Miller
59. Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser
60. I, Saul by Jerry B. Jenkins
61. Sun Shine Down by Gillian Marchenko
62. Just One more thing before you leave home by David Gudgel
63. The Rent Collector by Camron Wright
64. To Know you by Shannon Ethridge and Kathryn Mackel
65. The Dancing master by Julie Klassen
66. The Sinner's Garden by William Sirls
67. The Thief by Stephanie Landsem
68. The Queen's Handmaid by Tracy Higley

Amazing Grace

How Sweet the Sound by Amy K. Sorrells

This is a story of of redemption and hope.  Following both Comfort and her young niece Anniston's point of view, the book begins with a distressful Thanksgiving dinner showing that the well known and popular Harlan family is not the ideal family they have worked so hard to portray.  The family suffers almost unimaginable horrors, and Anniston and Comfort have to learn how to cope.  While Anniston questions her family and finds a new friend, Comfort closes in on herself.  Her search for meaning and hope draws her into a dialogue with the Lord, but she has a huge battle.   Against all odds, she finds that He is faithful and does provide beauty from ashes and joy in the mourning.

The journey of both women to find the "ladders" (from Jacob's dream, ladders in which  the angels take away hurt and bring back hope), is real and heartfelt.  The depth of character is tangible, and backstory is used effectively to understand secondary characters and the deep family pain.

I highly recommend this book, and I have to admit that I just purchased her latest release Then Sings my Soul! I can't wait to start reading it!

Smack Dab in the Middle of God's Love

By Brennan Manning and John Blasé

Illustrated by Nicole Tadgell

"Smack-dab.  Isn't that a great word? Say it a couple of times."

What a fun book!  This is just the type of book that I enjoy reading to my children.  It is short and sweet and delivers a powerful message.  It will hold the attention of any age.

The Scroll

Here is another review that I didn't post immediately after finishing the book.  I read this a couple of years ago, and unfortunately that means that my detail will be lacking a bit!

The Scroll by Grant Jeffrey and Alton Gansky is an adventure/mystery.  It follows archaelogist Dr. David Chambers as he works to uncover what could change his life! I always enjoy archaeological follow the clues kind of stories, and this was not an exception.  This was a pretty quick paced adventure with intrigue and interest.  I enjoyed the characters, the mysteries and twists in the plot.  Although, there were a couple of aspects that I may have done differently.  I have read other books by both Grand Jeffrey and Alton Gansky, so I was eager to see what the two would do together. I would recommend this book and any by either author!

Forsaking All Others by Allison Pittman

I really like Allison Pittman! I started with the Crossroads of Grace series, which captivated me! I actually read this book, Forsaking All Others, a couple of years ago.  I just realized that I never posted my review!!

This is the second book in the Sister Wife series, following For Time and Eternity. It follows the decisions of Camilla Fox after she leaves her husband and the Morman faith.  She returns, hoping to free her children.

What I remember about this book was its slow pace.  I had a little trouble getting into and staying with it.  And the book didn't really stay with me, which is why two years later, I do not have too much to say. I would still recommend any of Allison Pittman's books.  She often chooses deep or difficult subjects, and she makes you think. I believe one of Pittman's strengths is her character development, which is my favorite aspect of fiction novels!

Return to Blogging

I'm back.  It has been over 6 months since I blogged, and even then it was very sporadic.  I have determined that this year will be different; however, I do know that it will be difficult.  I am back in school now so I have much less time, but I miss this!  So here I am.  I haven't decided how or what I'm going to do, but I am going to write more!

The Queen's Handmaid by Tracy Higley

I really enjoy Tracy Higley's novels.  You can find a list of her books here.  I have read a number of them and have a couple more in my to read pile.  I love reading historical fiction set in Biblical times.  I find these books extremely interesting.

In The Queen's Handmaid, Lydia, an orphan, is a handmaiden for Cleopatra.  When secrets arise, her mentor, Daniel, gives her an important mission and she must leave the only home she has ever known to now serve King Herod's wife, Queen Mariamme.  In the midst of all the transitions in her life, she must deliver the secret scrolls before time runs out.

Like Higley's other novels, the history and setting is well-researched and vividly-detailed.  It is educational and entertaining.  The pacing of the story is a little up and down, and I wanted a little more from Lydia.  Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and if you haven't read Higley's works, I would recommend you try one!