TAKE FOUR by Karen Kingsbury

Another really good story in this series! Keith and Dayne are in the process of making their next movie, 'Unlocked" and have casted a well known actor Brandon Paul, and a first time actress Bailey Flanigan. Brandon sets his sights on Bailey at the very beginning, but Bailey's only interest in Brandon is to see him come to know the Lord. Bailey's heart belongs to Cody and Cody has loved Bailey from a distance for years. It looks like their love is finally here to stay; but Cody's mom gets in trouble again with drugs and Cody must make some tough decisions. Then there is Andi, Keith's pregnant, unwed daughter. The decisions she makes in this book are very difficult, but VERY well written! I had tears in my eyes by the time I finished and was so disappointed that the ending did not resolve an issue in the story. But. . . it will definately keep me waiting impatiently for the next series of books to come out. Karen Kingsbury does such a good job of making the people in her stories real folks that you would love to meet some day.

A MENDING at the EDGE by Jane Kirkpatrick

This is the third book in this series. I appreciated getting to know more about the German-American people who lived in the Aurora Colony in the 1800's. I was angry, sad, sorrowful, and sometimes happy as I read this book. I don't know how Emma Giesy did it back then (the story is based on actual records and diaries of this time). The way this colony was run sounds nice, (everyone works at jobs, no one owns anything, everyone shares and pools their monies together), but someone has to be in charge and that someone is a flawed person who will oftentimes think of himself more highly than he ought to think. Telling someone where they must live, when they can have a place of their own, who will raise your children, who and if you can marry, I just don't think I could have endured it, but at the same time, what choices did Emma have?? She was a women who was in a bad marriage, not on good terms with her family, not accepted well by the colony because of her outspoken ways, and left trying to befriend the downtrodden women she comes in contact with. I admire her and at the same time feel sorry for her. At times I would get so mad I just wanted to throw the book across the room. An interesting and enlightening story.

ANNA and the KING of SIAM by Margaret Landon

This is a book that if you read it, you will always watch the movies made about this book in a totally different way, because the movies don't give a true view of what life was really like between Ann the the King of Siam. I also did not realize that Anna was a real person who lived in Siam for many years. The lady who wrote this story stayed as true to this lady's journals as she could and did a good job of making it into a story. Although this is not a quick read and has alot of descriptions and details and at times very little "conversations", I am glad I read it. Be sure to read the author's notes at the end (I read them first) as it helps you understand the writing of the book better. Anna was a young woman who lost her husband and had to take this position for lack of anything else she could do for her and her 2 children. It was not an easy life for this woman, but she endured and tried to make a difference in the lifes of the people in the King's palace and harem and in all the children's lifes. Did she make a difference? Read the book and find out.

SNOW ANGELS by Wendy Davy

I like Wendy Davy's stories! They are fun, romantic and have a message in them that can help people who struggle with certain areas in their life.
In this story Izzy is trying to become a ski patroller for all the wrong reasons. She seems to have alot of mishaps happen to her, but she is hard not to like. Mitch Donovan in the new Ski Patrol Director and he and his little daughter take an instant like to Izzy. But Mitch isn't sure Izzy should be a ski patroller.
The very first pages of the book got me hooked when Izzy is caught alone in a snow storm on the mountain. It kept me reading right to the very end (which I wish had been longer). Well worth reading! The only thing I might change is the cover. That is not at all how I would picture Mitch after reading this story!

TWILIGHT by Kristen Heitzmann

Cal Morrison was one of the best firefighters they had in Montrose. But a tragedy he went through during a fire has left him with fears he can't get over, thus putting him on non-active duty. He is dealing with all this when in walks Laurie, a woman he fell in love with a long time ago, but who chose to leave town and marry for money and prestige and leave small-town life behind her. Laurie finds herself running from her husband after the discovery of his drug involvement, with her 2 adorable small children. She comes home to Montrose. Now it is a struggle for both Laurie and Cal. It is obvious they both still care for each other, but Cal has issues he must face and Laurie does too, and neither want to be honest with the other. They both try to handle life on their own without the help of a God they know exists, but He isn't someone they think cares. Only when they let go and let God have complete control, a loving and faithful God, can they find true peace in their life. I appreciated the way the author dealt with the realistic ways people often think of God and how she brought them around to truly understanding who He really is. A good story and well worth reading. For me it started out a little slow, but quickly got me hooked.

A TENDERING in the STORM by Jane Kirkpatrick

I almost decided not to finish this series, but I changed my mind and I am glad I did. This was a good sequel to the first book in this series, and I know I will be reading book 3 soon. These books are full of historical details of how life was for these people who left their community in Missouri and are now living in the Oregon and Washington territories. Emma Giesy is a very stron-willed young woman, who with her husband and children have decided to live in the remote coastal forest of the Washington territory. She suffers a great loss and many disappointments throughout this story. Her strong-will character was appreciated in book one by me, but in this book I see how damaging her will can be. We all need people and Emma refuses to be "beholden" to anyone. She suffers for her stubborness and my heart goes out to her and she learns the hard way that we need people in our life and that not everyone expects something in return. A good historical series.

GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN by Dr. Helen Roseveare

This book gives the life of Dr. Helen Roseveare, a missionary doctor in the Congo in the 1950-1960's. She tells her story with honesty and insights and I have learned to love this lady. She has went through alot in her life, and her love for her Lord continues to shine through her life. Yes, she had struggles with pride, bitterness, attitdues, etc., but she was pliable and always kept her great God and Savior before her and was willing to be molded and changed into the person He wanted her to be. I enjoyed reading of her life. The Epilogue at the end was excellent where she lays out some of the lessons she has learned throughout her life!

LOVE ON A DIME by Cara Lynn James

This story takes place in Newport, Rhode Island in the year 1899. It is a time when society had strict thoughts on what a lady did and did not do and how a lady acted in society. The class disctinctions between the rich and those not rich were quite obvious. So when Lily Westbrook, a lady of the social set of Newport, starts writing and getting published "dime novels" she must do it under a pen name so no one will know who the real "Fannie Cole" is.
Lily is in Newport for the summer with her family, has a wealthy beau, and discovers her brother George has brought his longtime friend Jackson Grail to be part of the summer group. The problem is Lily and Jackson were once very much in love and Jackson was to ask for Lily's hand in marriage. But things didn't work out back then and Jackson left to get wealth and a name for himself so he had a chance to be "suitable" for Lily. Jackson also has bought out the publishing house that Lily has been selling her dime novels too. So there are alot of secrets, social expectations and long lost love feelings to deal with in this story. I enjoyed the way the author wrote this story, although at times I just wanted to scream at Lily to let go and let Jackson help you!!! She can be a very stubborn woman. I look forward to book two in this series. A special thanks to BookSneeze for sending me this book for review.

LETHAL DREAMS by Anne Patrick

I like Anne Patrick's style of writing! This book had some suspense and mystery in it and some good romance too. It is the story of Erin Jacobs, who is making a name for herself in the world of sports injuries, as she is a trained physical therapists and good at her job. She has the gift of encouraging and inspiring her patients on to full recovery. Erin herself has had a life of disappointments and hardships, but still she has a heart for people. When her husband is shot in the line of duty she starts to get mad at God and turn her back on Him. She still continues to have a heart for people though and helps at the homeless shelter when she isn't working at the hospital or doing her private therapy sessions with people.
The book begins right off the beginning pages with a shooting that Erin happens upon and she stops on her bike to help the wounded officers. Decective Logan Sinclair is one of those shot and the chemistry between these two throughout the book is great! Logan Sinclair is such a devoted and caring man to Erin, but she definately is not interested in getting serious with another man in law enforcement. There was a great place in the book that Erin came to end of her rope and just cried out to God her sorrow, her anger and her resentment and I thought, if more people would let go of their anger and let God be God, their circumstances would be so much easier to handle. There were a great cast of characters in this book, all sent by God to help Erin even though she can't seem to realize all God is doing for her.
All in all an enjoyable story and I look forward to reading more by Anne Patrick!

SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY by Siri Mitchell

This was a great story about the way it was for a certain young debutante in the 1890's who was forced into making a match with a gentleman she had no desire for. The rules of that era and the way people played their games was a real eye-opener for me. Also what the women of that era went through with the clothes they had to wear (let me just say that I am glad corsets are a thing of the past!).
Clara Carter didn't have any desire to be a debutante, but her Aunt and her father had plans for her, and the goal was for her to have the wealthy DeVries heir, Franklin, ask for her hand in marriage by the end of the Summer. Clara and her friend Lizzie are both after the same man. There is also Franklin's brother, Harry who plays a major role in the whole situation. There is some mystery, scheming, love, and betrayal all wrapped up in a very well written story.
It was a very interesting and enlightening book for me and I enjoyed it alot. I also loved the cover of this book!!
Thanks to Bethany House for giving me a free copy to review.

TAKE THREE by Karen Kingsbury

Karen Kingsbury has the ability to make you feel these are real people and you could visit with them and want them as friends and neighbors. These people don't always have happy endings and life does not always go the way they planned, but Christ is central in their lives and that is what gets them through the tough times.
In this story Bailey and her roommate Andi are two of the central characters. Bailey needs to decide if her relationship with her boyfriend is what she wants, or if Cody will ever be able to see her as more than a friend. Andi has some tough decisions to make also and I appreciated the final outcome and decision she makes at the end. The movie making team of Chase and Keith also has some hard decisions to make - like what is more important, making movies or keeping your marriage and family together.
I enjoyed this story, as well as the whole series and will patiently wait for book 4 to come out!

THE SILENT GOVERNESS by Julie Klassen

This was an enjoyable story to read. I really liked the fact that I couldn't put all the pieces together until the very ending of the book. It kept me interested and wanting to know how everything was going to come together at the end. Olivia Keene finds herself leaving her home and family quite suddenly. She happens upon a secret conversation at a party and finds herself being forced to take a position at Brightwell Court, under the scrutiny of Lord Bradley. Lord Edward Bradley has a secret and if the truth gets out he could lose his inheritance, his home and everthing. Which is why he must keep Olivia under his watchful care, since she overheard this secret. But keeping an eye on a lady he is not sure he can trust, soons turns to more for both of them.
There are alot of other interesting characters in this book and alot of mystery surrounding these characters. It is well worth the time to read this book!