WHEN COURAGE CALLS

Beth Thatcher has spent her entire life in the safe, comfortable world of her family, her friends, and the social outings her father's wealth provides. But Beth is about to leave it all behind to accept a teaching position in the rugged foothills of western Canada. Inspired by her aunt Elizabeth, who went west to teach school several years ago, and gently encouraged by her father, Beth resolves to put her trust in God and bravely face any challenge that comes her way.

But the conditions in Coal Valley are even worse than she'd feared. A recent mining accident has left the town grieving and at the mercy of the mining company. The children have had very little prior education, and many of the locals don't even speak English. There isn't even a proper schoolhouse. In addition, Beth's heart is torn between two young men---both Mounties, one a lifelong friend and the other a kind, quiet man who comes to her aid more than once.

Despite the many challenges, Beth is determined to make a difference in the rustic frontier town. But when her sister visits from the East, reminding her of all the luxuries she's had to give up, will Beth decide to return to her privileged life as soon as the school year is over?



My thoughts...

Janette Oke is a good storyteller. It's easy to get caught up in the book right away because her characters are likeable and the storyline is interesting. A little romance mixed in makes this a delightful book. On the negative side the book has a very slow beginning but keep reading!

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

THE SINNER'S GARDEN

Andy Kemp’s young life has been as ravaged as his scarred face. Disfigured by an abusive father, the teenager hides behind his books and an impenetrable wall of cynicism and anger.

As Andy’s mother struggles to reconnect with him, his Uncle Rip returns transformed from a stint in prison and wants to be a mentor to the reclusive boy, doing everything he can to help end Andy’s pain. When Andy begins hearing strange music through his iPod and making near-prophetic announcements, Rip is convinced that what Andy is hearing is the voice of God.

Elsewhere, police officer Heather Gerisch responds to a late-night breaking and entering in one of the poorest homes in town. She soon realizes that the masked prowler has left thousands of dollars in gift cards from a local grocery store.

As the bizarre break-ins continue and Heather pursues the elusive “Summer Santa,” Andy and Rip discover an enormous and well-kept garden of wildflowers that seems to have grown overnight at an abandoned steel mill.

Soon, they realize who the gardener is, and a spree of miracles transfigures this small town from a place of hopelessness into a place of healing and beauty.



My thoughts...

First off I must say I loved the characters, the author knows how to portray people that are loveable and so real. The plot is unique, loved it as well. Sirls is an incredible writer and knows the heart of God. This is a wonderful story of forgiveness which ultimately is love.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

ASK ME ANYTHING LORD

When God calls people to make an impact, feelings of fear, doubt, and insufficiency can often get in the way. In Ask Me Anything, Lord, Heather C. King reminds readers that God can use questions in Scripture to uncover their fears, challenge their thinking, and help them overcome. Exploring some of the encounters God had with people throughout the Bible and sharing her own experiences, King encourages readers to draw closer to God, receive the fullness of His blessings, and boldly move forward.

My thoughts...

Thought provoking is how I would describe this book! I'm so glad I read it, the author brings to our attention the questions God asks in His Word, a wonderful way to go deeper in your relationship with Him. I was left with a peace in my heart and more awe for God Almighty.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

FRIEND ME

When a lonely wife and her frustrated husband each secretly pursue companionship online, neither dreams that a real woman is behind their virtual creations, threatening their marriage---and their lives.

Scott and Rachel's marriage is on the brink of disaster. Scott, a businessman with a high-pressure job, just wants Rachel to understand him and accept his flaws. Rachel is a lonely housewife, desperate for attention and friendship. So she decides to create a virtual friend online, unaware that Scott is doing the exact same thing. As Rachel desperately tries to re-create a friendship with a friend who has passed, Scott becomes unfaithful and is torn between the love for his wife and the perfection of his cyber-girlfriend. But neither realizes that there's a much larger problem looming . . .

Behind both of their online creations is Melissa, a woman who is brilliant---and totally insane. Masquerading as both friend and lover, Melissa programmed a search parameter into the virtual friend software to find her perfect man, but along the way she forgot to specify his marriage status. And Scott is her ideal match. Now Melissa is determined to have it all---Scott, his family, and Rachel's life.

As Melissa grows bolder and her online manipulations transition into the real world, Scott and Rachel figure out they are being played. Now it's a race against time as Scott and Rachel fight to save their marriage, and their lives, before it's too late.

In today's digital age, the Internet presents all kinds of opportunities to test our personal boundaries, and this exciting and suspenseful story raises important questions about the ethics of virtual relationships. Friend Me will open your eyes to a new---and terrifying---moral dimensions and how they play out in the real world.



My thoughts...

For a first novel this was pretty darn good. A situation that fits right in today's world and the dangers that can come from social media. Suspenseful and creepy is how I would describe the book. The character, Melissa, is a strange lady and her story is one worth reading.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

SMITTEN BOOK CLUB

In this remarkable collaborative novel, besties Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, and Diann Hunt tackle the tale of the Gentlewoman's Guide by writing for one book club member apiece. Smitten Book Club is a hopeful, hilarious story of friendship and healing, written by friends for friends.

The century-old Gentlewoman's Guide to Love and Courtship is no ordinary book club choice. But for the little book club in Smitten, Vermont, it might be their best pick yet!

The thick, leathery tome Heather pulled out of the dusty cardboard box was definitely coming home with her. Not only was The Gentlewoman's Guide to Love and Courtship an appealing curiosity by virtue of its title; it was also written by Smitten, Vermont native Pearl Chambers, a local gentlewoman from three generations back.

Little did Heather know the repercussions this little curiosity would have on her and her friends' romantic exploits. When Heather and her fellow book club members begin passing the book around, their respective interpretations are unleashed on their respective love lives . . . for better or for worse. Is it a mystery? An idealist fantasy? An intimation of Jane Austen? As romantic love finds its way to each woman, the Guide proves itself both surprisingly prescient and hilariously irrelevant.

What's more, a handwritten inscription indicates that the arcane book might hold the only extant clues leading to buried gold-exactly what one of the members needs to keep her house. How could they not go treasure hunting?



My thoughts...

Four novella's in one book by four wonderful authors. This was such a delightful read, four women in the Smitten book club searching for romance with a light mystery in the middle. Fun, fast paced, likeable characters that I hope to meet again.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

POISON TOWN

There’s More Than One Kind of Poison in This Town People are sick and dying. Rumors are swirling. Some claim chemicals leaking from a manufacturing plant are causing the cancer that’s crippling people on the poor side of Trenton City, Ohio. Yet nothing at the plant appears amiss. The problem remains a mystery until reporter Jack Crittendon’s long-time mechanic falls ill and he investigates.

Soon Jack becomes engulfed in a smokescreen of lies, setups, greed, and scandal. The deeper he digs, the more toxic the corruption he uncovers. As he faces off with the big-time players behind the scenes and tries to beat the clock before more people die, he realizes the chillingly unthinkable—he knows too much.

My thoughts...

Creston Mapes is good storyteller. In this suspenseful tale of knowing too much about an illegal activity Jack Crittendon's life is in danger and so are the lives of many others living in the town of Trenton City, OH. The town is being poisoned and Jack is determined to expose the guilty. A great read! I'm looking forward to more from this author.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

TIGER SHRIMP TANGO

When a scam artist’s certain new scheme goes horribly awry, only one person can set things right: obsessive Florida trivia buff and reluctant serial killer Serge Storms. But Serge’s mission is hampered by one pesky little detail. ... He’s being tracked by a hit man dispatched from Serge’s murky past. And when Serge learns the same assassin killed the love of his life a few years back, they begin tracking each other in a sun-splashed mobius loop, and all bets are off.

All just another day in Serge’s paradise.

My thoughts...

If you haven't read any of Tom Dorsey's books you don't know what you're missing so I'll tell you...it's fast moving...entertaining...full of hilarious antics and lunatics you wouldn't believe...give me more of Serge Storms!

I received a copy of this book free from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.