The Shack
By William P. Young
ISBN 978-00964729260
Windblown Media
Contemporary Fiction
Back cover copy:
Mackenzie Allen Philip's youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his GREAT SADNESS, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to the shack for a weekend.
Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever.
In a world where religion sees to grow increasingly irrelevant THE SHACK wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You'll want everyone you know to read this book!
My review:
This will be a longer review than usual for me. This book has caused a lot of controversy, and I understand why. Some of the concepts seem foreign to many followers of Jesus. I've even heard it said that the book shouldn't even be in a Christian bookstore. And I know people whose concept of true love and relationship with God has been drastically altered (for the better) because of reading this book.
I've been a follower of Jesus for about 58 years, and I've learned a lot of things that have turned my walk with Him into a deeper, more intimate relationship. I'm thankful for that.
At one point in my life, God took me to the scriptures about the creation of humans. It says that He "created man in his own image, male and female, created He them." I always thought that meant women were equal to men in creation. And we are, but not the way I thought. God showed me that when He created us, He put certain of His characteristics into the male, and other of his characteristics in the female. So God is our heavenly mother as much as He is our heavenly father.
Another thing God taught me several years ago went like this: If every person who ever lived spends all of his or her life studying a different aspect of God from everyone else, if all that they learned was combined into a whole, we would know only a tiny bit of God. He is so vast and unfathomable to our finite minds. But He chose to have a relationship with us. And He comes to us in a way that we will understand at that point in our lives. That's what this book shows graphically in the life of the main character. God appeared to him in a way that he could accept at that time.
Because of the personifications of God as depicted by the book, some people say it is New Age. It's not. New Age teachings lead us to glorify self, and not Jesus, who is glorified in this book. Christians have no problem accepting the personification of Jesus as the Lion in the Chronicles of Narnia. So they shouldn't have a problem with the various personifications of the trinity of God in this book.
One thing we all need to remember: this is a work of fiction. A novel. It's not a perfect book. There are a few things that I didn't accept in it. I will say that all of those things could fit on less than one of the 248 pages.
I can see real difficulty if a person is a skimmer. Many people read a book by skimming. If you do that, you will miss most of the nuggets of wisdom buried in the middle of paragraphs throughout the book. Read every single word in every chapter to get the whole effect.
This book is about: love, forgiveness, love, relationship, love, and how much God loves each of us. I highly recommend it to everyone who wants to take their faith walk to a deeper level and have a better understanding of just how much God loves them.
Sweet Caroline
By Rachel Hauck
ISBN 978-1-59554-337-0
Thomas Nelson
Contemporary Women's Fiction
Back Cover copy:
When a Southern waitress inherits the Lowcountry cafe where she works, she suddenly has to balance more than just her next food order.
Caroline Sweeney has always done the right thing--the responsible, dependable thing--unlike her mother who abandoned her family. Bur when her best friend challenges her to accept an exciting job adventure in Barcelona, Spain, Caroline says "yes" to a new destiny.
Then, without warning, ownership of the run-down cafe where she's been waitressing falls right into Caroline's lap. While she's trying to determine the cafe's future, handsome Deputy Sheriff J. D. Rand captures Caroline's heart.
But when her first love, Mitch O'Neal, comes back to town, fresh from the heat of his newly-found fame as a country music singer in Nashville, Caroline must make some hard choices about love and the pursuit of the sweet life.
My review:
I've loved every one of Rachel Hauck's books. They bring a fresh voice to Christian fiction, with characters a reader falls in love with immediately. After being sucked into the story like that, I could feel the humid heat, smell the delicious food, and I wanted to help Caroline make the right decision about her life.
That's what a book is supposed to do. Draw the reader so deep into the story that they can't put the book down. And you don't want to miss chapter 27. It has one of the best scenes I've ever read in Christian fiction. I highly recommend this book.
Another Stab at Life
by Anita Higman
ISBN 978-1-59789-516-3
Heartsong Presents Mysteries
Contemporary Cozy
Back Cover Copy:
Bailey Walker Has Just Lost Everything--Her Family, Her Job, and Her Home
She has nowhere to go except the dilapidated mansion she's just inherited from her granny Minna. Unfortunately, Bailey discovers that the house has a history as shadowy as its hidden passages and finds the neighborhood overflowing with some rather quirky folks--as well as one particularly appealing bachelor. Bailey feels like she's trapped inside the pages of a gothic novel but with a comedic twist. In order to honor her grnadmother's wishes and stay at Volstead Manor, Bailey must unravel a string of mysteries and secrets, which all seem determined to stay happily ever buried.
My Review:
I love mysteries. This one had some interesting surprises as well as quirky characters. I did find the heroine more random than I usually like. Her thoughts often had comparisons that didn't seem connected to anything in her life. But it didn't keep me from enjoying the book. I didn't see much comedy in the book, but it was an interesting mystery that held my attention until the end. I recommend this cozy.
If you haven't found the Heartsong Presents Mysteries lines, check them out on this web site:
Courting Trouble
By Deeanne Gist
ISBN 978-0-7642-0225-4
Bethany House Publishers
Historical Romance
Backcover Copy:
Tired of Waiting for a Match Made in Heaven, She'll Settle for One Made in Texas
Whether it's riding bikes, catching snakes, or sliding down banisters, Essie Spreckelmeyer just can't quite make herself into the ideal woman her hometown--and her mother--expect her to be. It's going to take an exraordinary man to appreciate her joy and sponteneity--or so says her doting oilman father.
Sadly such a man doesn't appear to reside in Corsicana, Texas.
It's 1894, the year of Essie's thirtieth birthday, and she decides the Lord has more important things to do than provide her a husband. If she wants one, she needs to catch him herself. so she writed down the names of all the eligible backelors in her small Texas town, makes a list of their attributes and drawbacks, closes her eyes, twirls her finger, and. . .picks one.
But convincing the lucky "husband-to-be" will be a bit more of a problem.
Join Deeanne Gist for another unforgetable tale and find our whether Essie's plan to catch a husband succeeds or is she's just COURTING TROUBLE.
My review:
This is a different kind of historical romance, but a very intriguing one. How could you not love Essie Spreckelmeyer, even if she is unconventional? This book is another creation that drew me in with the first page and wouldn't let go until I read the last word.
I loved most of the characters and found the others interesting. And since I live only a couple of hours drive from Corsicana--and love the Collin Street Bakery Fruit Cakes--I enjoyed the setting immensely. The 1890s are a favorite decade that I've written several books about, so this book was right down my alley.
The book delves into terribly wrong choices and their consequences, and the spiritual depth is a boon to contemporary readers as well as the historical characters. I highly recommend COURTING TROUBLE. You really don't want to miss it.
Along Came a Cowboy
By Christine Lynxwiler
ISBN 978-1-59789-896-6
Barbour Fiction
Contemporary Romance
Back Cover Copy:
Whoever warned mamas not to let their babies grow up to be cowboys never saw the man in Dr. Rachel Donovan's waiting room. But good-looking cowboys should come with their own warning--TROUBLE!
At seventeen, Rachel's illusions about romance were trampled by a rogue cowboy. In the fifteen years since, she's steered clear of spurs and Stetsons--until she finds herself roped into chairing the Shady Grove Centennial Rodeo Committee. How will she handle working so closely with the one man in town she most wants to avoid?
Ex rodeo star Jack Westwood never forgot his unrequited teenage fascination for Rachel Donovan, but now that he's back in town, he barely recognizes the woman she's become. Jack can't help but wonder. . .Is the fiesty cowgirl he remembers still there beneath the shuttered exterior?
When a secret from long ago comes knocking, Rachel fights to maintain her sterling reputation. But can the woman who has devoted her life to healing others allow God to mend her own hurts? Will she seize the opportunity to reconcile her past and open her heart to love again?
My Review:
Christine Lynxwiler's books have always been good, but when she made the switch to the longer, deeper books, they've improved tremendously. I love her characters with realistic flaws all of us face. With secrets like we all hide and want freedom from. In this book, Christine takes us along on her heroine's rocky journey to freedom and truth. And she handles the subject very well.
My favorite line in the book is when the hero's been hiding in a store. After he comes out, he tells the heroine, "I've been in the book section, and Christian women love cowboys."
Just one peek at the cover will whet your appetite. You won't want to miss reading this entertaining, and deeply moving, book.
Dream a Little Dream
By Debra Clopton
ISBN 978-0-373-87422-4
Love Inspired
Contemporary Romance
Back Cover Copy:
Extra, Extra: Wedding-Ready Rancher!
It was just a local newspaper column, right? But when reporter Molly Popp touted the marriage-worthiness of local rancher Bob Jacobs, would-be wives descended on his Mule Hollow ranch by the busload. Molly felt guilty for the ruckus she'd caused--especially when Bob was injured rescuing an overzealous admirer from a bull. There was nothing else city-slicker Molly could do but pitch in and help Bob out.
That is, until word of her column brought the job offer she'd been praying for and a choice she never thought she'd have to make: a Manhattan byline or Mule Hollow's most eligible bachelor.
My Review:
I've loved Debra Clopton's writing style ever since her first book was published. Somehow I missed this one in the Mule Hollow series, and I wish I hadn't. This story is funny, poignant, romantic, and contains a deep message--just as all her other books have. No wonder Debra has developed a large fan base.
Her characters leap from the printed pages right into the reader's heart. And the book won't let go of that heart until every word has been read and digested. Way to go, Debra!!
Operation: Married by Christmas
By Debra Clopton
ISBN 978-0-373-87454-5
Love Inspired
Contemporary Romance
Back Cover Copy:
Unmarried Men Of Mule Hollow: Run For Your Lives!
When Haley Bell Thornton arrived back in Mule Hollow wearing a wedding gown, no one bothered to ask where the groom was. Especially not Will Sutton, the first of her ditched fiances. The runaway bride had done it again! And now the woman he loved and lost ten years ago was tottering around the dusty ranch town in her high heels and fancy honeymoon clothes. Will vowed not to look. Definitely a problem, since Haley's grandad--and the matchmaking ladies--had a secret holiday plan to make decade-old wedding bells chime by Christmas.
My Review:
When Debra Clopton created the fictional town of Mule Hollow, Texas, who knew that she could come up with so many different scenarios with extremely interesting people. No wonder Debra has made such a name for herself as an author of romantic fiction.
Yes, we've seen a movie about a runaway bride, but it was nothing like this, and the heroine's motivations were nothing like Haley Bell's. Motivations are another one of Debra's strengths. Every one of her heroes and heroines has strong motivations to keep them apart.
I loved the way she brought it all together and destroyed the roadblocks for Haley and Will. You will, too.
The Cowboy Takes a Bride
By Debra Clopton
ISBN 978-0-373-87490-3
Love Inspired
Contemporary Romance
Back Cover Copy:
Small Town. . .Big Dreams
Sugar Rae Lenox is famous. . .in Mule Hollow. For wanting her name in lights on a Hollywood marquee. For wanting to leave. And for thinking the local matchmakers are mighty mistaken! Why applaud the attraction between her and a too-handsome cowboy with boots of lead?
Ross Denton lives on the outskirts of town on some dusty ranch. And the only place he wants to see his name is on a marriage certificate. So why isn't she singing and dancing away from that ranch? She can't possibly want a starring role in Ross's life as his bride. . .can she?
My Review:
Interesting, multi-dimensional, loveable--and sometimes quirky--characters. The wonderful world of Mule Hollow, Texas. Laughter on almost every page. Romance with a capital "R." Sizzle and major obstacles. All these are hallmarks of Debra Clopton's books in this Love Inspired series. Every one of them race across the pages of this book. I loved it. You will, too.
Deep In the Heart of Trouble
By Deeanne Gist
ISBN 978-0-7642-0226-1
Bethany House
Historical Romance
Back Cover Copy:
A Texas-Sized Tale of Unexpected Love
Essie Spreckelmeyer is the last woman anyone in Corsicana, Texas, expected to see with a man on her arm. Independent and outspoken, she's known more for riding bicycles in outrageous bloomers than for catching a man's eye.
And the last man who seems willing to give her a second glance is Tony Morgan, newly hired at Spreeckelmeyer's oil company. The disinherited son of an oil baron, Tony wants most to restore his name and regain his lost fortune--not lose his heart to this headstrong blonde. She confounds, contradicts, and confuses him. Sometimes he doesn't know if she's driving him toward the aisle or the end of his rope. That's how life is. . .DEEP IN THE HEART OF TROUBLE.
My Review:
I've enjoyed all of Deeanne's books. This book is a sequel to COURTING TROUBLE. You don't have to read the first one to enjoy this one, but I recommend that you do. I think DEEP IN THE HEART OF TROUBLE might be my favorite of her books. Romance sprinkled with secrets and very real emotions. Characters the reader can really get into. And a mystery that kept me guessing for a while. A very satisfying book.
I also love that it is set not far from where I live. Deeanne kept the setting true to the area and the times. And the historical touches fascinated me. And anyone who can type Spreckelmeyer that many times has to be good. You won't want to miss this wonderful read.
Promise Me Always
By Christine Lynxwiler
ISBN 1-59789-355-2
Barbour
Contemporary Romantic Fiction
The Pinky Promise Sisterhood Series
Back Cover Copy:
Allie thinks she's got everything under control. How wrong can one woman be?
Allie Richards has always dreamed of having her own landscaping company. After she loses her job, her lifelong "Pinky Promise" girlfriends convince her to enter the Beautiful Town Landscaping Competition, a prequel to the Shady Grove Centennial Celebration.
The Prize? A new landscaping truck, a chunk of cash, and a one-year contract for Shady Grove's landscaping and maintenance.
But there's a hitch. Every move Allie's ragtag crew makes will be filmed and featured in the reality segment of the local TV show Wake Up, Shady Grove. And Daniel Montgomery, the man behind the camera, is after more than just a story. Will he be satisfied with anything less than Allie's heart?
Armed with a green thumb, help from her Pinky friends, and lots of determination, can Allie survive the hype, keep her fatherless kids from running amuck, maintain her faith, guard her heart--and still win the prize?
My Review:
I read these Pinky books out of order, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of Christine's stories. I love her wit, her characters, and the romantic tension that sizzles through the whole book.
You won't want to miss a single release by Christine Lynxwiler!
Gunfight at Grace Gulch
By Darlene Franklin
ISBN 978-1-59789-677-1
Heartsong Presents Mystery
Contemporary Cozy Mystery
Back Cover Copy:
A Century-Old Feud Refuses to Die.
The feud between the Graces and the Gaynors is still going strong more than a century after its inception in the 1891 Oklahoma land run.
Newspaper editor Penn Hardy is murdered during the reenactment of the most famous gunfight in the history of Grace Gulch, Oklahoma. Cici Wilde, owner of a vintage clothing store, feels compelled to investigate when police suspect people close to her. She soon discovers that her talent for sleuthing equals her flare for wearing period clothing.
Theater director Audie Howe never expected the reenactment to end in a real murder. He cares too much for the future of Magda Grace Mallory Theater--and the charming Ceci Wilde--to let her face danger alone.
Cici and Audie take a dangerous gamble to nail the killer--and lay their lives on the line.
My review:
I started reading this book a couple of days before I had a speaking engagement in Oklahoma City. What a great prelude! There are a lot of things I like about this book. I love the two stories, over a century apart, that play out over the length of the book and add to the mystery. I also am interested in period clothing, and I have a degree in drama, so many elements of this book drew me into the lives of the characters.
One other thing I really liked is the romance. All of the Heartsong Presents Mysteries have a romantic element, but it often takes a minor role in the story. The romance is a large part of this one.
Don't miss this excellent story.
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