COMING HOME by Karen Kingsbury

This is a very hard story for me to critique. It is the final chapter on the Baxter family series. They were all great stories, but I am not sure I would have ended it the way Karen Kingsbury did. Was it well written - YES. Would I have put a tragedy in story like she did - NO. There is a heartwrenching tragedy in this story and although the family brings it all together in a way that glorifies their great God, I still wish it hadn't ended the way it did. I sometimes cry during emotional stories, but this one had me crying so hard I had to stop and get my act together before I continued to read. This is not the way I wanted the last book to end, but it is the way Karen Kingsbury chose to end it and she did a fantastic job of showing how ones faith and trust in the Lord will see them through even the most difficult times in their lifes. I hope and pray I never have to endure what this family went through, but I also hope and pray that my life would hope and trust in the Lord as theirs did when bad things happen.

As Ashley in this story reminded me, "Good and bad times were a part of life. As her dad always said: 'This too shall pass.' And through the years that had been true. Nothing stayed the same, except this: God's faithfulness, and the love they had for each other." And as God's Word also reminds me, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lam. 3:22-23). I will walk away from this series with a great appreciation for the Baxter family and an even greater appreciation for my Lord.

SOMEONE TO BELONG TO by Melody Carlson

This is the last book in the Whispering Pines series and it is kind of sad to leave this town behind and move on. The people in this series were warm and inviting, and although everyone has issues they need to deal with, people could look past most of them and become a type of town everyone would want to live in. In this last book Maggie and Jed have found true love and are planning their springtime wedding. But Jed's former flame has come back into town and Maggie must trust Jed and his love for her and come to accept Amber and get to know her for who she is today.

There were many difficulties to overcome in this book and the author handled each one of them very well. There is the trust and confrontation of a parent with a child, the difficult issue of cancer, and the need to forgive when someone threatens your life. I found myself shedding a few tears in this story, but in the end the author brought this book to a conclusion that was very satisfying and enjoyable. Not everyone or everything had closure to it, but you know these folks will continue to deal with problems as they arise and move forward, to make Pine Mountain, Oregon a town anyone would love to live in. It was a series I enjoyed and maybe someday I will revisit the town again. As the back of the book states, "Curl up with Someone to Belong To and discover the wonderful hand of the Father who guides each life into fullness and blessing."

LOOKING FOR YOU ALL MY LIFE by Melody Carlson

This is book 3 in the Whispering Pines series and so far it is my favorite! These are uplifting stories, quick to read and makes you wish you could visit Pine Mountain, Oregon. In this book Maggie Carpenter and Jed Whitewater's romantic feelings for each other finally come to a conclusion, and you have to read the story to find out what the conclusion is. The town is once again fighting to stay alive and hoping for snow so the ski resorts will open. There is tension in town over a condominium development that some believe is not all it claims to be.

I am impressed by the how the author makes you feel right at home in this town and with these people. In my mind I can walk the streets, see the mountains and feel the crisp air. It is a nice place to go and get away for awhile and I am looking forward to reading the last book in the series next and seeing how the author closes out these stories. This is a series you really need to read in the order they were written. Each book takes place in a different season in Pine Mountain. Book 1 was in the summer, book 2 in the fall, book 3 in the winter and the final book in the spring!

Paperback: 312 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (July 1, 2000)
ISBN-10: 0736900632
ISBN-13: 978-0736900638
Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 1 inches

EVERYTHING I LONG FOR by Melody Carlson

This is book 2 in the Whispering Pines series. I highly recommend you read these stories in the order they were written. The characters from book one pick right up in this story set around the town of Pine Mountain, Oregon. This story centers around Maggie Carpenter and her son, Spencer, and around the young lady Spencer finds in the woods out back of their home. She is a runaway teenage girl, Leah, who is searching for her biological father, who she believes is living in Pine Mountain. Maggie and Spencer take her in and she easily becomes a part of their family. The story isn't just about them though, there are so many other characters in the town that this book is about. It is about a boy growing up and a Mom learning how to handle him and his friends. About learning to know a person and not judging someone by their outward appearance. About friendship and possibly a spark of romance.

I am finding this series of books quick and enjoyable stories of a town with imperfect people who all have issues they need to deal with, but where love and forgiveness can go a long way in making relationships stay strong. I am looking forward to finishing this series by reading the last two books in this series. Pine Mountain is a nice place to visit and I recommend this series to anyone who wants to get away and enjoy this delightful town.

A PLACE TO COME HOME TO by Melody Carlson

This was a relaxing and enjoyable story. A story of a town, Pine Mountain, Oregon, and the people there who attempt to save their town. Maggie Carpenter is a news reporter from LA who decides to move to Pine Mountain with her son and take a "dream job in a dream location". She soon discovers a dying town with real potential and tries to help the townfolks bring business back to their town. It isn't easy and obstacles get in the way, but good does prevail.

This was a heartwarming story about a town I would love to visit, vacation or retire in. There was a hint of romance in the story, with the promise of more as you continue to read the books in this series. I just enjoyed myself as I read about this town and look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. It is a curl up on the couch and just relax and enjoy story.

LEVI'S WILL by W. Dale Cramer

For me, this was an in-depth look of a prodigal son returning to the Old Order Amish and the real difficulties that he must face. It was almost like a diary of Will Mullet, who ran away from his Amish way of life and become an Englisher. The way this was written seemed so real and so sad in many different levels. A boy leaves home, becomes a man and strives to make sense of his life. It was not a happily ever after story, but filled with sorrow and pain, but I loved the way forgiveness was shown by Will and how that freed him from the guilt of his past. I thought the book was summed up with Will's realization that, "No man could keep the Law; his only hope lay in the grace of God. The wrong Will had done and all the roots that had grown from it, all the lies had told and all the harm that had come to those he loved because of it, all of it was covered by the grace of God." This was my first book by this author and I thought he wrote a story that seemed so real that it shouldn't be in the fiction section.

WINDS OF WYOMING by Rebecca Carey Lyles

This was a story full of mystery, suspense, and of course romance. The ranch in Wyoming was one I would like to visit and I would love to sit and visit with dear sweet Dymple! She was quite the character and the way she mixed up her words had me laughing out loud at times.

The real story though centered around Kate Neilson who is trying to leave her rough and troublesome past behind her and start fresh working at a ranch in Wyoming. She decides not to share her prison time with anyone, or the fact that someone has followed her here and wants to do her harm. Mike Duncan is trying to help his Mom run this "dude" ranch since his father past away. He has a passion and love for the buffalo, for the ranch, and is beginning to have feelings for Kate. But too many things are happening since she came "on board" and that makes their future together very unstable.

I liked the story line and the characters in this story. They seemed very real and had real problems to deal with. Life can be hard for people, but what I liked is how God can change folks and turn things around for good. I thought the author ended it rather abruptly, but I liked the ending. I look forward to reading more by this author.

THE BATTLE FOR VAST DOMINION by George Bryan Polivka

This was a great ending to this series of books. The author brought it all together very well and several things happened that took me by surprise, which is always a plus for me. This story was as the title states, a "battle" fought between good and evil by pirates on the high seas. There was no lack for adventure as you were reading. You had the Evil Hezzan of Drummun, the Firefish and the Achawuk Territory to contend with. If you started with this book in the series then you are going to be a little lost I think. You really need to read these books in the order they were written ("The Legend of the Firefish", "The Hand That Bears the Sword", and "The Battle for Vast Dominion".)

In this story Packer Throme is now King of the Vast Dominion and must lead his people and show them that his power comes from above. He must lead his small fleet into enemy territory and then it all comes to an epic end when everyone converges in the Achawuk Territory to take on the Firefish. What a battle! What an ending! This really was an excellent mythical adventure with alot of lessons to be learned and alot of truth being taught as you read. This was not my typical genre of books that I read, but I must say it held my attention and kept me captivated as I was reading. I would easily recommend folks reading this series.

THE HAND THAT BEARS THE SWORD by George Bryan Polvka

This is book two in this series and I highly recommend you read these stories in the order in which they were written. Polivka writes this series with alot of action and adventure (and a little romance, which is something I always like in my reading). His characters are alive with struggles, failures, fears and hopes and what I thoroughly enjoy is how he weaves biblical truths into this fantasy world filled with pirates, dragons, and Kingdoms to conquer.

This book begins with Packer and Panna Throme, recent newlyweds who find the "honey-month" cut short when Packer must once again set sail on the high seas to protect his Kingdom of Nearing Vast against the evil Drammuns who have set sail to overtake Nearing Vast. The firefish once more play a big part in this story but with twists and turns I wasn't expecting. While Packer is gone Panna must await his return and try to free herself from the Prince who has her a captive in his palace.

I love pirates stories, but don't usually read alot of fantasy type story lines. This series though has captured my attention and kept me captivated and wanting to read book 3 to see how this story will end!

THE LEGEND OF THE FIREFISH by George Bryan Polivka

Two things intrigued me about this series even before I started reading them. One was the covers on the books which I thought were very well done, and two was the fact that my daughter-in-law knew the author. My two sons always give me a hard time about all the romance stories I read and said I should step outside by box every now and then, and I think this series was a step for me (although it did have a little romance in it). If you like a good pirate adventure as well as fantasy and a well-told tale, then this story will grab you from the beginning. There are sea monsters to slay, battles on the sea to be fought and pirates all over the place. But what really made an impact was the way ones faith and beliefs were woven into the story in such a realistic and though provoking way.

Packer Throme lives in a little fishing village and feels the need to stow away on a notorious pirate ship to hunt the legendary Firefish. He leaves behind his "true love", Panna, not knowing she will embark on a quest to find him on her own. She too will encounter a dangerous adventure on land.

This was a story that clearly had good guys and bad guys, adventure and alot of action. It wasn't my usual story line, but I must say it had me staying up late just to be able to finish the book and see what would happen next. I will continue to read the rest of the books in this series and see what happens next.

COVETED BRIDE by Regina Tittel

Another winner in the Ozark Durham Series! A warm hearted romance that keeps you reading till your done and them makes you wish for more. Not your typical boy meets girl in this story, but boy meets girl with 6 children! Lindsey Buchannan is a mother to 6 and a husband who has just died and has made his last request that she marry Keaton Durham. Keaton has seen Lindsey from afar and has always had a great affection for her. Keaton is a true godly gentleman (which is very hard to find, but very refreshing to know they do exsist - and not just in books). He gently and patiently must wait for Lindsey to come to trust him and learn to love him. Lindsey bears scars from emtional abuse by her deceased husband and must regain confidence in her ability to make a life of her own. Keaton must convince her he is someone she can trust. Then there is someone out to try and do damage to this family and he needs to be caught and stopped before one of the children are seriously injured.

I continue to enjoy Regina Tittel's writing. It is filled with wonderful romance, and always with a spiritual emphasis and a struggle to overcome. The 6 children in this story were a joy to read about and the way they took to Keaton so quickly showed how much love they needed from a man who would take time to love them. If you love a good clean romance that will leave you feeling good and wanting more, then you won't be disappointed by the books in this series. I can't wait to read the next book in this series, Cherished Stranger! Thanks Regina for a job very well done!
Paperback: 222 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (April 30, 2012)
ISBN-10: 1475269048
ISBN-13: 978-1475269048

THE BRIDE WORE BLUE by Mona Hodgson

This is book 3 in the Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek series and I have two observations right up front: 1) I loved the covers and the titles of each of these books and 2) the more books in the series I read the more I grew to enjoy the Cripple Creek town and the Sinclair sisters. They really grow on you. I was pleasantly surprised to see that book 4 is coming out in this series in October 2012. I will look forward to reading it!

This story was about the youngest Sinclair sister, Vivian. She arrives in Cripple Creek and finally all the sisters are in Cripple Creek, Colorado. Vivian is warmly welcomed by her sisters, but Vivian is keeping a secret from her sisters and she can't bring herself to confide in those she loves. She also can't find a job doing what she loves most, designing clothes. She can't seem to find a job doing anything. Her choices are limited and she makes some wrong decisions. She finds herself wrestling with pride, deceit, lies, hiding and sneaking and it all catches up with her in the end. There is one man in town though who never gives up on her and his ability to forgive and show grace to her is the beginning of Vivian's healing.

It is not often that when you read a series of books they get better as you go, but in this series I would say the more I read, the more I was pulled into the lives of the people in the town and in the family. There is also a dear Miss Hattie in the story who I have come to love. My one slight critique is that in the town of Cripple Creek news gets around faster than the wind blows, so I am not sure how Vivian was able to keep her one job a secret for as long as she did. Other than that I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

There is always a good message or lesson to ponder after reading these stories and I appreciated at the end how you can't judge someone always by their outward appearance or situation in life until you come to know all the facts about that person. I also enjoyed the fact that the author always incorporated into each of her stories historical people that actually existed in the late 1800s. Good job Mona Hodgson! And thanks goes to LibraryThing for sending me this book for my review.

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (May 8, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0307730301
ISBN-13: 978-0307730305