Book Review: One Perfect Spring by Irene Hannon

Back Cover: Independent single mom Claire Summers is doing her best to make lemonade out of the lemons life has handed her. Workaholic Keith Watson is interested only in the bottom line--until a letter from Claire's eleven-year-old daughter reaches his desk and changes everything.

As the executive assistant to a philanthropic businessman, Keith is used to fielding requests for donations. But the girl isn't asking for money. She wants help finding the long-lost son of a neighbor. As Keith reluctantly digs into this assignment in his usual results-oriented style, he has no idea how involved he and Claire will become--nor how unusual the results will actually be. Who could have guessed that a child's kindhearted request would bring love and hope to so many lives . . . including his own?

Through compelling characters and surprising plot twists, fan favorite Irene Hannon offers this tenderhearted story that demonstrates how life is like lilacs--the biggest blooms come only after the harshest winters.

My Review: Irene Hannon is one of my favorite authors. Since my first introduction to her in 2011, I have impatiently waited for each new novel's publication. I thoroughly love her romantic suspense novels (and can't wait for October when Deceived releases),  I also find her contemporary novels enjoyable. One Perfect Spring is no exception. In this novel, Hannon interweaves the lives of two independent women with two men with baggage from the past - all because of a letter sent by a young girl. It's a novel of forgiveness, second chances, and hope for the future. I rooted for the characters, especially the young executive who I didn't really like at the beginning of the book. This character's change over the course of the book kept me turning the pages. One thing I like about Irene Hannon's books is the subtle twists she gives in the story line. Many novels, it is easy to predict what will happen just by reading the first few chapters. Not so with Hannon's novels. If you haven't read her work, I highly recommend you give her novels a try.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to readers of contemporary Christian romance.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: What Follows After by Dan Walsh

Back Cover: In 1962, life was simple, the world made sense, and all families were happy.And when they weren't, everyone knew you were supposed to pretend.

For the past year, Scott and Gina Harrison have been living a lie. While they show up at family get-togethers in the same car, they've actually been separated for over a year. To keep up the charade, they've even instructed their sons, Colt and Timmy, to lie--to their grandparents, their teachers, and their friends.

Colt, for one, has had enough, so he hatches a plan. He and his little brother will run away from their Florida home, head for their aunt's house in Georgia, and refuse to come home until their parents get back together. But when things go terribly, terribly wrong, Scott and Gina must come to grips with years of neglect and mistrust in order to recover their beloved sons, their love for one another, and their marriage.

In this emotional story, bestselling author Dan Walsh takes you on a journey to rediscover the things that matter most in life--love, truth, and family. With profound insight into the heart of a hurting child, he reminds us that a time will come to look back on hard times and smile, because we'll know that what follows after . . . is not what we expected at all.

My Review: It's 1962 and the Cuban Missile Crisis is in the forefront of everyone's mind. Everyone except a little boy locked in a dark closet. As a parent, the events of What Follows After were chilling. I can't imagine the heartache of having my child run away and then get kidnapped. Walsh paints a vivid picture of the heartache these people experience through their ordeal. He takes the reader on an emotional ride that will keep you flipping pages. This book is not my favorite Dan Walsh book, but it does rank highly. It is hard not to notice the counseling influence of Gary Smalley, even though he is not a co-author on this novel. There are scenes reminiscent of The Dance, as the lead male realizes his failings as a father and husband.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to readers of christian fiction and fans of Dan Walsh.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Wildwood Creek by Lisa Wingate

Back Cover: With love and loss tangled together, how was she to know where her life would lead?

Allie Kirkland has always heard the call of her father's unfinished destiny. When she's offered a production assistant's job on a docudrama filming in the hills near Moses Lake, Texas, the dream of following in her director-father's footsteps suddenly seems within reach. The reenactment of the legendary frontier settlement of Wildwood is a first step into the film industry. A summer on set in the wilderness is a small price to pay for a dream.

But in 1861, the real Wildwood held dangerous realities. Town founder Harland Delavan held helpless residents, including young Irish schoolteacher Bonnie Rose, in an iron grip. Mysterious disappearances led to myths and legends still retold in the region's folk songs. Eventually, the entire site was found abandoned.

When filming begins, strange connections surface between Allie and the teacher who disappeared over a century ago, and everyone in Wildwood--including Blake Fulton, Allie's handsome neighbor on the film set--seems to be hiding secrets. Allie doesn't know whom she can trust. If she can't find the answers in time, history may repeat itself...with the most unthinkable results.

My Review: Wildwood Creek is the forth of Lisa Wingate's books to take us to Moses Lake. Unlike the others in the series, I really feel that this book stands alone. While characters from other stories in the series do appear, a reader won't have to be familiar with these characters to understand what is happening in this novel. Wildwood Creek has a distinct feel to it. The story weaves two women's lives together though a century separates them. I loved the back and forth between the present day story and the historical narrative. While both stories are told in the first person, I found it interesting that the present day story was told in past tense, while the historical part was told in present tense. I think that really helped my mind separate the two stories, and yet it gave the historical piece an intimate feel. I must admit, this is my favorite book of the Moses Lake series.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to readers of historical and contemporary fiction.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: The Promise by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley

Back Cover: One home, two hearts, and the power of a promise kept . . .

For the last five months, Tom Anderson has been without a job, a fact he's been hiding from his wife Jean--and everyone else. He leaves each morning, pretending nothing has changed, and spends his disheartening day rotating through coffee shops and the library, using their wifi to search job listings online. The stress of keeping this secret is beginning to put serious strain on his marriage.

But Tom's not the only one hiding something. Jean Anderson has a secret of her own--one that will seriously complicate their situation. Will the promises they made on their wedding day hold firm?

My Review: The Promise is the second book in the Restoration Series. I loved the first book in this series and was eagerly anticipating the second book, but I was disappointed. While there was nothing wrong with the story, it just didn't grab me and hook me the way that The Dance did. Dan Walsh is one of my favorite writers, so I was surprised to not enjoy this novel. The characters did not engage me like I wanted, and at times the story seemed contrived and forced along. While I understand the shame of the main character, I don't understand why he acted in the ways that he did - though the actions are justified by the authors. Still, that character motivation issue hurt the story in my opinion. I will be reading Walsh again, and I'm sure his next novel will recover whatever faith I may have lost reading The Promise.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to readers who enjoyed the first book in this series.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Welcome to Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong

Back Cover: She's learned you can't count on anyone--but she didn't count on landing in Last Chance.

The red warning light on her car dashboard may have driven Lainie Davis to seek help in the tiny town of Last Chance, New Mexico, but as she meets the people who make this one-horse town their home, it's her heart that is flashing bright red warning lights. These people are entirely too nice, too accommodating, and too interested in her personal life--especially since she's on the run and hoping to slip away unnoticed.

Yet in spite of herself, Lainie is increasingly drawn into the small-town dramas and to a handsome local guy with a secret of his own. Could Lainie actually make a life in this little town? Or will the past catch up to her even here in the middle of nowhere?

My Review: Welcome to Last Chance was an easy book to read and get lost in. The characters are believable and engaging. I found myself rooting for Lainie, hoping that she could get herself turned around and away from the evil influences that seemed to predominate her life before the story began. It was interesting to imagine myself in her place, looking at the world through her eyes. I had to laugh about her mental descriptions of attending her first church service, especially the part where she thought about the "twelve people wearing tan bathrobes." Thinking about it now has me smiling all over again. I look forward to seeing what Cathleen Armstrong is going to give to us in the future.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this books to readers of contemporary Christian fiction who enjoy a light read with romantic elements.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: That Certain Summer by Irene Hannon

Back Cover: Two very different sisters . . . 

an unexpected homecoming . . . 

one unforgettable summer

Karen and Val are family--yet they're anything but close. Karen has carried the burden of responsibility for her aging mother ever since her sister left town years ago to pursue a career in theater. But Val had other reasons for moving away--as well as a secret to keep--and coming home has never been an option . . . until their mother suffers a stroke.

Reunited in their hometown, Karen and Val must grapple with past mistakes as they care for their ailing mother. When two handsome men enter the picture, the summer takes on a surprising new dimension. As their lives intersect, can each of them learn how to forgive, let go, and move on? And strengthened by the healing power of faith, might they also find the courage to love?

With her trademark compelling characters and heartwarming hope, award-winning author Irene Hannon pens an inspiring true-to-life tale of complex relationships, the search for forgiveness, and the life-changing process of finding love.

My Review: I love Irene Hannon's suspense books, but I wasn't sure what her contemporary fiction would be like. I was delighted with what I found. While That Certain Summer was not as exciting as Hannon's suspense, it was a very good read. Hannon wasn't afraid to deal with hard issues. Her characters are multi-faceted, and I really enjoyed watching them grow throughout the story. I really liked the themes of redemption and second chances that Hannon wove throughout the novel. I would not hesitate to try another of Hannon's contemporary romances in the future.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to readers of contemporary Christian romance.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Jennifer by Dee Henderson

Back Cover: It's a summer of change for Jennifer O'Malley.
The busy physician has a pediatrics practice in Dallas, Texas, and meeting and falling in love with surgeon Tom Peterson is adding a rich layer to her life. She's sorting out how to introduce Tom to her family--she's the youngest of seven--and thinking about marriage.

She's falling in love with Jesus too, and knows God is good. But that faith is about to be tested, and in a way she didn't expect. The results will soon transform her entire family.

My Review: I'm almost ashamed to admit that I have never read the O'Malley series. However, after reading Jennifer, I plan on remedying that situation. Jennifer is a novella that gives the reader Jennifer O'Malley's love story. I thoroughly enjoyed Henderson's characters, and the situations in this novella. At the end, I am left wanting to read The Negotiator and find out what happens to these characters who I have enjoyed for so many pages. As soon as I have some mad money, I bet you can guess what I'm going to do with it.
My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to readers of contemporary romance and fans of Dee Henderson.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: The Dance by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley

Back Cover: Love’s recovery starts with a single step . . .

After 27 years of marriage, Marilyn Anderson is tired of playing the role of perfect wife. Her husband Jim is a successful businessman who gives her everything she needs-a beautiful home in an upscale neighborhood, the financial freedom to be a stay-at-home mom, an enviable collection of stuff. Everything, that is, except what really matters: love.

After years of trying to connect with Jim, Marilyn has had enough. She longs to experience some measure of happiness before she’s too old to enjoy it. Needing some time to herself to sort things out, Marilyn leaves to start a new job and take dancing lessons-something she has wanted to do for as long as she can remember.

Shocked to find his wife gone, Jim Anderson must sort through the past to save his marriage. With a little help from an unexpected ally, he begins a campaign to win Marilyn back. What he doesn’t anticipate is how his actions will affect everyone around him-starting with himself.

My Review: Marriage is hard work. The Dance is a great example of what happens when one partner doesn't put in the work needed to keep a marriage strong. Jim has no clue why Marilyn left him. He doesn't see it coming, and at first he views things as completely her fault. Through the help of new friends, and his children, Jim begins to see himself through his wife's eyes, but more importantly he learns the lessons that he needs to be the husband that God wants him to be. This book is full of good advice that can be applied to every marriage, no matter how good things are. Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley team up to give us a story that will leave a lasting impression. Just a note, I needed a box of tissues by the end. This book moved me to tears. Praise God for friends who would step up and show Jim what it meant to be a husband like Christ. I can't wait to read the next book that these men put out.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to readers of contemporary Christian fiction, and fans of Dan Walsh.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Firefly Island by Lisa Wingate

Back Cover: SOMETIMES LOVE TAKES YOU ON AN ADVENTURE COMPLETELY OFF THE MAP

Mallory Hale's life quickly veers off course when she falls hopelessly in love. After a whirlwind romance, Mallory finds herself leaving the bustle and action of Capitol Hill for the remote town of Moses Lake, Texas--with husband, stepson, and a U-Haul in tow.

A sweet, mishap-filled journey into marriage, motherhood, and ranch living ensues, and Mallory is filled with both the wonderment of love and the insecurities of change. But what she can't shake is the unease she feels around her husband's new boss, Jack West. Jack's presence--and his mysterious past--set her on edge, and when hints of a scandal emerge, Mallory finds herself seeking answers . . . and comes to realize that the middle-of-nowhere home she wasn't sure she wanted is the very place she'll risk everything to save.

My Review: I love the narrative voice of this novel. Mallory's story is very interesting to read and I found myself laughing and smiling with her, and being frustrated and afraid at times as well. Mallory's voice carries the book, showing us her heart and mind in every sentence. The first page of this book left me wanting to read to the end. Why did the producer of CNN want to know how she got there? What did that have to do with falling in love with Daniel Webster Everson? Where does the milk cow, Irish love legend, and political scandal fit in? The more I read, wanting to solve these questions, the further I was pulled into the story. Soon, I was completely lost in the world that Lisa Wingate created. Wingate's characters are an eclectic mix - so varied, so real. I fell in love with little Nick. I hope my son grows to be such an engaging preschooler. All of Wingate's characters are realistically flawed, and I love them more for it.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to readers of contemporary fiction.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: The Air We Breathe by Christa Parrish

Back Cover: Molly Fisk Needs the Courage to Face Her Fears. What She Finds Instead is a Most Unexpected Friendship.

Seventeen-year-old Molly Fisk does not go outside. For so long she has run away from a moment long in the past, but she's not running anymore, she's hiding. Ruled by anxiety, she can only stare out the window of the tiny tourist-town museum she and her mother call home, longing to go outside--to maybe take a walk with the cute boy who works in the pizza place across the street.

Then the chance arrival of a woman Molly knew years ago changes everything.

Back then, Claire Rodriguez was an empty shell. Only in the unique friendship she struck up with a little girl--a silent girl who'd only talk to Claire--did she see the possibility of healing. But one day the girl and her mother vanished, their house left abandoned.

What happened that drove them away? And how can Claire now offer Molly the same chance at finding life anew?

My Review: I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book when I first started, but the back cover sounded interesting. As I opened the book the fist sentence caught my attention ("She wanted to poke out Elvis's eyes.") As I read further the book pulled me into its spell. Each chapter led to more questions that I needed to find the answer to. The characters grew and deepened, and I could not put the book down. Even though I knew I would be regretting it the next day, I stayed up till three in the morning to finish this book. It was worth it. The Air We Breathe is a character driven book, and it is full of deep issues. The characters are interesting, and the details made me feel that I was right in the story with them. Something that I really liked about this book is the lack of emphasis on romance. It was there, but the story wasn't about romance, it was about a teenage girl trying to overcome the trauma of the past. Nicely done, Christa Perrish!
My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to readers of contemporary fiction.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: The Reunion by Dan Walsh

Back Cover: Everything lost can be found.

Aaron Miller knows a thing or two about loss. He's lost love. Dignity. Second, and even third, chances. Once honored for his heroism, he now lives in near obscurity, working as a handyman in a humble trailer park.

But God is a master at finding and redeeming the lost things of life. Unbeknownst to Aaron, someone is searching for him.

With deep insight into the human heart, consummate storyteller Dan Walsh gently weaves a tale of a life spent in the shadows but meant for the light. Through tense scenes of war and tender moments of romance, The Reunion will make you believe that everyone can get a second chance at life and love.

My Review: I always look forward to reading books by Dan Walsh. Walsh's stories are unique, intriguing  and easy to read, showing the care that Walsh has used crafting them. There just aren't enough men out there writing Christian fiction with a romantic element. The Reunion touches on some difficult issues like war, post traumatic stress syndrome, unsung heroes, child abandonment  suicide, spouse death, and divorce. Though all those issues are woven into the novel, the story is really about second chances. Though not my favorite of Walsh's novels to date, The Reunion is well worth the read.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to readers of contemporary fiction and fans of Dan Walsh.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Waiting for Sunrise by Eva Marie Everson

Excerpt: "But if you send me away . . . what will he do to you, Mama?"

Mama looked down. "Whatever it is, I can bear it. As long as I know you're all right."

"Nooooo . . ." Patsy clung to her mother again, buried her face into the gentle curve of her neck, inhaled the scent of Coty perfume. "Mama," she whispered. "Don't  . . . please don't. I'll do anything. I'll stay away from him."

"Patsy, don't make this more difficult than it already is."

Patsy opened her mouth, hoping for one more plea, one more argument. But before the words could tumble out, they were drowned out by the sound of the bus screeching to a stop. Waiting for Sunrise, pg 34.

Back Cover: Sometimes finding your future means making peace with your past

Patsy Milstrap wishes she could leave her past behind. Though she tries to put on a brave front for the sake of her family, the wounds still ache, and the scars on her soul are still deeply felt. At her concerned husband's gentle insistence, they take a vacation from South Carolina on Cedar Key, an idyllic island on Florida's Gulf Coast. A week in paradise will do them good, he says.

When a familiar--and most unexpected--face greets her at a seaside restaurant, Patsy knows she can no longer run from the past. But what will opening old wounds mean? And what will the future hold?

With a large helping of Southern charm, Waiting for Sunrise is a touching story of family, young love, and the need for forgiveness. Eva Marie Everson expertly draws out the bittersweet moments of life, weaving them into a tale that will envelop your soul.

My Review: There are moments in our pasts that are difficult to understand, especially things that happened when we were children. Eva Marie Everson takes us on a journey of one woman, from youth through adulthood, and how she came to understand the sacrificial love of a mother's heart. Everson does a great job with her characters in this book. They are deep, widely different, and very conflicted. This story is full of pain, hardship and despair, but it is also full of hope. And the hope shines through.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to readers of contemporary romance and fans of Eva Marie Everson.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

Excerpt: Kate Donovan entered the town of Redbud, Pennsylvania, for the first time driving a car packed with her seventy-six-year-old grandmother, a comprehensive set of encyclopedias on American antiques, three sacks of nonperishable groceries, and enough pink luggage to give Mary Kay fits of jealousy. It was the end of their three-day car trip from Dallas but only the beginning of their big adventure together. My Stubborn Heart, pg 11.

Back Cover: Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother asks her to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance.

Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man hired to renovate the house. Kate can't help being attracted to him, drawn by both his good looks and something else she can't quite put her finger on. He's clearly wounded--hiding from people, from God, and from his past. Yet Kate sets her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back into the light... whether he likes it or not.

When the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and Matt slowly shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her heart? Or will Kate be required to give up more than she ever dreamed?

My Review: I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure that I would, and almost didn't pick it up, but I am so glad that I did. I was pulled in right from the start, because I knew this character. She was me. Well, maybe not, but we did share a lot in common. We both had been praying for our future husbands for a long time - her since 4th grade, me since 3rd.  We both had despaired ever finding the right guy. We both wondered if God was actually calling us to singleness, or if we had somehow missed the boat at some point. You get the picture. We had a lot in common. Had pass tense, because I have already found my man... you know, the shy guy from the college physics class. Because of the similarities in our situations, I could understand the motivations and desires of the character, and Beck Wade did the character justice. I commend Wade on a great story, told well.
My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to readers who want a nice, clean Christian romance.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Travelers Rest by Ann Tatlock

Excerpt: "I'm going to close my eyes and rest now. When I open my eyes again, I want you to be gone. Go back to Troy, Jane. Go back and make a life with someone else. I don't want you coming back here."

She gazed at his face, the face she knew so well and had loved so long. She wanted to reach out her hand and touch his cheek, his brow, but she didn't dare. His eyes were closed; she had been dismissed.

"Seth," she said, "just do one more thing for me. Tell me you don't love me anymore. Tell me that, and then I'll go away."

His eyelids trembled and his jaw tightened, but he didn't speak.

"I'll be back tomorrow," she said.

She saw the tear slide down the side of his face. She turned to go without brushing it away. Travelers Rest, pg 20.

Back Cover:

A YOUNG WOMAN 

determined to honor her commitment...

AN INJURED SOLDIER

 convinced life is no longer worth living...

A RETIRED DOCTOR 

certain it's too late to be forgiven...

Jane Morrow has a dilemma, and love alone may not solve it. Her faith has never been strong, yet somehow she hopes God will answer her prayers and tell her what to do. The answer she finds may not be at all what she expected...

My Review: The whole plot of Travelers Rest was intriguing to me from the start. I loved the idea that Tatlock presented of the committed young woman and her wounded soldier. I followed the story line wondering if she would honor her commitment, if she would listen to those around her, if she would have her happily ever after. But I have to be honest, there were parts of the book that just didn't ring true to me, and the pacing felt off in many places. This book is highly emotional, but it just wasn't one of my favorites, though I'm sure others will enjoy it very much.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to fans of Ann Tatlock, and readers who enjoy emotion packed contemporary fiction.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: The Discovery by Dan Walsh

Excerpt: I scanned the dates, none older than twenty years. I spent the next thirty minutes lifting and thumbing through the photo albums. I could have spent hours there, reliving the memories. But I had seen them all before. I didn't see a single picture of find a single document that shed any light on my grandfather or grandmother's existence prior to a few years after they married.

This had never bothered me before.

After putting everything back as carefully as I could, I closed the lid and stood up.

It bothered me now. The Discovery, pg 52.

Back Cover: An Engrossing Story of Family Secrets and a Love for the Ages

When aspiring writer Michael Warner inherits his grandfather's venerable Charleston estate, he settles in to write his first novel. But within the confines of the stately home, he discovers an unpublished manuscript that his grandfather, a literary giant whose novels sold in the millions, had kept hidden from everyone--but which he clearly intended Michael to find. As he delves deep into the exciting tale about spies and sabotage, Michael discovers something that has the power to change not only his future but his past as well.

Laced with suspense and intrigue, The Discovery is a richly woven novel that explores the incredible sacrifices that must be made to forge the love of a lifetime. Author Dan Walsh delivers yet another unique and heartfelt story that will stick with you long after you've turned the last page.

My Review: I loved this novel! Dan Walsh does an amazing job bringing two stories to life in this wonderful book. I love the way that Walsh wove the novel together. The characters and plot were so vivid and exciting. I couldn't put the book down, and when I had to, it would call me from across the room. Walsh takes an amazing tale of spies and sabotage, and brings it home. The novel caused me to think about some deeper issues, like is it ever okay to tell lies to protect ones identity? If you want to read a great book, look no further than The Discovery by Dan Walsh!
My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this amazing book.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Blue Moon Bay by Lisa Wingate

Excerpt: "I'm coming down there," I said, but the show of bravado was intended only to make my mother snap to her senses. Surely she knew that Moses Lake, in terms of emotional stability, wasn't the best place for her to spend time. "Really, Mother. It isn't good for you to be there. What could you possibly be hoping to accomplish?"

"Maybe putting some ghosts to rest." Suddenly the lightness was gone from her tone. She sounded gravely serious. "They don't just go away on their own, you know."

A sick feeling leeched from the pit of my stomach, darkness spreading over me like a splash of ink. How was it that she could still do this to me? It was as if she knew where the painful spots were, and she could probe them whenever she wanted. "I'll be there tomorrow. I'll help you ship whatever boxes you want to ship, and then we're coming back here and doing the deal as planned." Blue Moon Bay, pg 22.

Back Cover: Every Once in a Blue Moon Your Heart Waits at a Crossroads

For Seattle architect Heather Hampton, a trip back to tiny Moses Lake, Texas, is hardly in the plan. Yet because a promotion hinges on the sale of the family farmland, Heather heads to the last place she ever wanted to go. She's determined to return home, signed contract in hand, the next day.

But the currents of Moses Lake take visitors on unexpected journeys. As Heather's stay lengthens, she discovers a family steeped in secrets and an unexpected connection to local banker Blaine Underhill, despite his opposition to Heather's project. With each new revelation and question, Heather can't help but wonder if the handsome banker--and the family she has come to know again--are crooks or crusaders. Somehow she must find out the truth before she loses everything she has worked for and everything she's found on the shores of Moses Lake.

My Review: Blue Moon Bay is a story full of the mixed up life of one woman who thought that she was happy. Heather Hampton is ready to get rid of the past once and for all, but her family seems bent on destroying that dream. Determined to put an end to whatever is going on, Heather finds herself facing the past, and the present and not liking what she sees. Blue Moon Bay caused me to stop and think about all the times I've let faulty assumptions guide my life. Too many times in the book I found myself in the main character as she tries to make sense out of the twisted situation that her family is in. I love watching Heather's growth as the story unfolds, and I enjoyed the tangled mystery that is there, as well as a chance to see some of the characters from the first book in this series Larkspur Cove. Even as part of a series, this book reads like a stand alone novel.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to fans of Lisa Wingate and readers of contemporary Christian fiction.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.