THIS ISN'T THE LIFE I SIGNED UP FOR . . but I'm Finding Hope and Healing by Donna Partow

I appreciated the authors humour and honesty as she wrote this book. At times we all face things in life we "didn't sign up for" in life and Donna Partow looks at many challenges of life and how we can approach them with hope and not despair. She is funny, yet deals with some harsh realities of life and how to overcome them with healing and hope. I liked the way she finished up her book in the final chapter the best where she hit the nail on the head, God just wants us to be faithful to Him through all situations we encounter. I will close my review with one of her many quotes she highlights throughout her book, "Our most powerful opportunities for ministry are often borne out of our mistakes, out of our brokenness, out of those things in our lives that we didn't sign up for." Donna Partow is an author I enjoy reading and she helps me think through situations in a very practical yet biblical way.

A VISION OF LUCY by Margaret Brownley

A rollicking, delightful adventure, but also a look at the cruelties in life and how it can have lasting affects on people. The beginning pages start right off with the amazing predicaments Lucy is forever finding herself in. She wants so much to be a photograher who is taken seriously, but everyone from her Dad to the town newspaper editor doesn't give her any hope. When she finds herself in just the right spot for taking pictures of a stage hold-up she thinks she has hit success. but things just don't seem to ever go right for Lucy. She meets up with David Wolfe, a man the town folks think is a "wild man" and she is determined to prove the people wrong, but she only ends up making matters worse for David. (You will love the way he gets her to stop talking!)

Then you find yourself trying to unravel the mystery of David's past and how it intertwines with 4 of the prominent men in town. There is laughter and delight all through the story, but also sadness and mystery and intrigue. It was a story that caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me guessing about how it would end. I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this story and look forward to reading the other two stories in this series. I want to thank BookSneeze and Thomas Nelson Publishers for sending me this story for review.

HIDDEN AFFECTIONS by Delia Parr

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It had a very unique beginning to the story and kept my attention all the way through. I like the writing style of Delia Parr.

Annabelle finds herself married to Harrison Graymoor (and how it happens was quite interesting). Neither one of them plan to stay married, but must, for appearances, look happily married until the annullment comes through. So you have two very determined individuals, who are forced into a situation, who are both trying very hard not to like each other and definately NOT to fall in love.

I appreciated Annabelle and her desire to "befriend" everyone; the servants, staff and even the down and out. Her motto for life pretty much summed up how she tried to live, "If you live a life centered on the love God has for you, He'll always give you the strenth to embrace love and the courage and grace to face all the disappointments that life can hurl at you." I also liked how Harrison tried to be uncaring, but secretly he was always doing something nice. And I loved the head housekeeper at Graymoor Gardens - she was a dear lady, who didn't mind speaking her mind! There was heartaches, secrets and sadness, but alot of caring and love throughout the book and I enjoyed every minute of it. I want to thank Bethany House Publishers for sending me this book for review. I could have chosen several other books, but I must say the cover drew me to this one. Great job!

KISSING COUSINS by Marcia Lynn McClure

WOW! Another great romantic read! If you liked the movie "Return to Me" you will love the setting of this story as the setting of this story and the music they played was constantly reminding of this movie. It is about the romance brewing between the waitress, Poppy Amore, and the chef-cook Swaggert Moretti, a six foot three inch handsome man who makes women look twice when they see him coming. It is a family run restaurant with good food and lots of fun and Poppy gets to work with the "family" who owns the business, Swaggert being a part of the family; someone Poppy has loved from afar for a long time and has never felt she stands a chance at winning his heart. And what woman wouldn't like to have two drop-dead gorgeous men vying for her attention, like Poppy does by the end of this story. But the whole after work scene in the story, where Swaggert gives Poppy her "number one thing she wants to do in life" was pretty toe tingling! It was one of those stories I couldn't put down until the end. It was fun all the way through! Left me with a smile on my face and love in my heart. "That's Amore!"

SPRING FOR SUSANNAH by Catherine Richmond

This was a story that after I finished reading, I closed the book with a feeling of joy and satisfaction. It was a feel good story, even though there were elements throughout the story with sorrow and heartache in them. I will look forward in the future to hopefully reading more of Catherine Richmond's books as this was her debut.

Susannah finds herself arriving in the Dakota territory married to a man she has yet to meet (which I thought was quite interesting in itself). She has grown up in a home where love was never openly displayed and rarely shown, and her self-confidence level is very low. Her new husband Jesse is a breath of fresh air. What was there not to like about this character. I thoroughly enjoyed his personality and how he eventually brought out the best in Susannah. There was sadness, heartaches and pain in the story; but there was also alot of love and understanding and folks who endured and came out stronger in their love for one another and in their faith in their God. I feel it was time well spent in reading this story and would like to thank Thomas Nelson Publishers/ BookSneeze for sending me this book for review.

POINT BLANK PROTECTOR by Stephanie Newton

This was another good story from the Emerald Coast 911 series. This story is about former DEA Agent Tyler Clark and police psychologist Gracie VanDoren. I think the minute Tyler discovered Gracie doesn't date the challenge was there to discover why and how he could get her to change her mind. When Gracie starts having threats to her life, Tyler steps in to help her discover who is trying to do her harm.

I liked the chemistry between these two characters. It was fun, but also challenging and they both tried to be honest with each other. There was danger and intrigue and mystery involved, but I enjoyed the romance brewing between these two characters the most.

FREEDOM'S STAND by J.M.Windle

I don't think my review of Jeanette Windle's two books set in Afghanistan can fully explain how good they really are and how much I learned and understand the inner struggles of the people and their lifestyle. Although you can read this book as a stand alone; I do not recommend doing it, because you will miss so much of what happened in book one, "Veiled Freedom". This story is also about Amy Mallory, a relief worker who is trying to make a difference in the lives of the women and children in Afghanistan. Then there is Steve Wilson, who is looking for something to believe in while he works for a security task force in Afghanistan. There is also Jamil, a man who has endured so much from his country and who has renounced his country's religion when he reads of the life-changing message of Jesus. All three of these characters are intertwined within this story. There is so much to learn while reading this story, and so many emotions that you will feel while reading; the culture, the lifestyles, the corruption, the tragedy, the hope and the love.

At the back of the book there is a conversation with the author and I think she summed up the overall theme of this book really good when she asked this question: "if trillions of dollars in aid, all the weapons the West can bring to bear, and a lot of genuine goodwill aren't enough to bring about lasting peace and democracy, then what is the true source of freedom? Can outsiders ever truly purchase freedom for another culture or people?" I think she answers these questions very well in these two books. I know I can't adequately express my appreciation after reading these stories, but I know I have come away with my eyes opened to a culture and a people that I feel I have gotten to know and can understand and pray for better. A special thanks goes to Tyndale House Publishers for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book to review.

VEILED FREEDOM by J. M. Windle

This was a well written story, a fiction story filled with what I am sure is alot of real life truth to it. I feel like I know so much more about life in Kabul, Afghanistan and the dangers, the challenges and the heartaches of the people who live there. Be prepared for danger, hostility, anger and alot of disillusion with the people in power. What you won't find in this story is alot of "happily ever after" and romance and the ability to figure out the whole story line quickly (which is what alot of the books I read are like and which I enjoy reading). This book opened my eyes to the power of the human spirit and the power of the word of God to change people.

Steve Wilson is returning to Kabul as a Special Forces veteran to Afghanistan 8 years earlier and is now there as security chief to the minister of interior. He has hardened his heart to just do his job and not let any feelings get in his way; even when he sees the corruption and violence all around him. Amy Mallory arrives in Afghanistan as a relief worker who sets out to "change the world", but soon finds out her goals may be a little harder than she anticipated. Her eyes are opened to how things really work in the lives of these people, especially the women. Then there is Jamil, her interpreter and Afghan helper. He is full of mystery, hatred and questions. This was a story I won't soon forget. I feel I got a real education about this country by reading this book. I have read Jeanette Windle books before and she really knows the countries she writes about. I am looking forward to reading book two, "Freedom Stands", next.

SURRENDER THE NIGHT by MaryLu Tyndall

I have never been disaapointed when reading one of MaryLu Tyndall's books. This is book two in this series and very easily can be read as a stand alone, but I always encourage folks to read them in order so you know all the characters in the story better. This is a story of a young American girl who rescues the enemy, a wounded British soldier during the War of 1812. Rose McGuire has lost her parents to the British and has had alot of bad things happen to her, so she is faced with alot of fears and hatred in her heart. But when a British soldier, Alex Reed defends her honor and saves her from his own superior officer, she must help him recover from his wound before she sends him back to his ship. They both discover the good in each other during this time. But the war is still on and both must make some hard decisions and trust in their God. I really enjoyed her Uncle Drummond and the part he had in the story.

This was a story that went in a direction I was not expecting near the end. Although the ending was hard to believe, after having read the author's notes at the end, it did really happen to some extent. There was a sentence in the book that summed up this story kind of for me, which I really appreciated: ". . . regardless of what happens, there's nothing to fear. Because God loves you, everthing has a purpose. Everything will work out for good in the end. That's a promise." I loved the way the author threaded this throughout her story. There was alot of action, suspense, and wonderful romance, and it kept my pulse racing near the end to see how it would all turn out. Another winner! Looking forward to book 3 in this series!

LOVE FINDS YOU in LIBERTY INDIANA by Melanie Dobson

This book was full of history, but was done in such a way that even if you aren't into history, you enjoyed reading about it because the story line was so well done. There was romance too, but it wasn't the central part of this story. Courage and the ability to stand for what you know to be right, despite the dangers and persecutions you might face was the theme of this story and done very well.

Liberty, Indiana was a stop on the Underground Railroad operated by Quaker abolitionists. In this story Anna Brent and her father are a part of this underground railroad for slaves wanting to escape to Canada and be free. Daniel Stanton is Liberty's newspaper editor and is very outspoken against the way slaves are treated. When a slave owner comes to town to find a runaway slave girl and her baby things heat up. I was saddened the way some people treated other people just because the skin color was darker. I was mad at times, ashamed and sad at other times. My heart went out to the slaves and what some of them had to endure. The courage and bravery of others though had me rejoicing and rooting for them. This was not a lighthearted easy to read romance book, but it is well worth reading. I am glad I did!

MINE IS THE NIGHT by Liz Curtis Higgs

This story picks right up where "Here Burns My Candle" leaves off, so I highly encourage readers to read them in order. I had a hard time getting interested in the story line of book one, but by the end of this book I was very captured and captivated by the story. Well done Lis Curtis Higgs. She does her background and research well and makes me very familiar with the times and customs and lifestyles of the folks living in Scotland during this time. You won't be disappointed if you stick with it and read both books in order to the very end!

It is written as an eighteenth century interpretation of the Book of Ruth. This book picks up on the next chapter in the life of Elizabeth Kerr and her mother-in-law Marjory Kerr. They have lost everything, their home, money, husbands and respect and find themselves going back to Marjory's town she grew up in in Selkirk, Scotland and finding a distant relative who takes them in. Elizabeth ends up using her sewing skills to secure a job and earn some money. You will find your heart warmed by the love these two woman demonstrate to each other and the way God works in the heart of Marjory and changes her into a woman you come to care for. There is alot of lovely romance in this story, but also a story of how deep friendships are made and hearts are changed. I appreciated the way the author showed the flaws of people, and the way some hearts can be changed. It was not a book full of joy and happiness, but how bad things can happen to good people and how you can endure tragedy and come out of it a better person.

HERE BURNS MY CANDLE by Liz Curtis Higgs

This is a hard review for me to write. Why? Because although I thought the author did a great job of creating a very accurate picture of the times and people and situations that took place in this story, it was a time and place I just didn't have alot of interest in. Although I must say when I finished I felt I gained a better of understanding of the situations that took place in in Scotland in 1745. This for me was a very "dark" (for lack of a better word) story, where everything does not turn out "happily ever after" and showed the hardships that people face in a time of bitter war. I had a hard time getting into the story, but by the end I was reading faster to see how it would all turn out. It is not a lighthearted story, but as true a story as fiction can be. I read someone who said it is a more modern story of the book of Ruth in the Bible, and I would agree with the analogy.

Elizabeth Kerr is a Highlander by birth and has married and is now Lady Elizabeth Kerr. She lives with her husband Donald, her mother-in-law, Marjory and Donald's brother and his wife in Edinburgh. Prince Charlie and his army come into town to capture the crown and enlist the help of the Kerr men. The whole family seems to have secrets from their past (and present) and it all comes out eventually. Tragedy happens, but so does love and forgiveness and hope. There is betrayal, lies, war, love, cruelty and a spark of hope that keeps on burning. I would like to thank WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for sending me this book for review. (The book has a great cover and so does its sequel.)