Kimberly's Notebook

October 2009 Books

~The Believer by Ann H Gabhart. 2nd Bk in her Shaker series. I enjoyed reading about the siblings' different experiences in the Shaker village, but as book progressed wondered more and more how people coule be duped into thinking the Shaker way was the correct religion. They had such odd beliefs. 10/10/2009

~The Ninth Daughter: An Abigail Adams Mystery by Barbara Hamilton. Abigail Adams has to find out who killed a Tory's wife and abducted her missing friend, before her friend is killed. John Adams is a murder suspect, so she has to clear her husband's name, as well. A very slow read, but interesting. 10/23/2009

September 2009 Books

~ 92 Pacific Boulevard by Debbie Macomber. Contemp. Fic. Bk 9 in Cedar Cove series. Fantastic as always, and I really enjoy the addition of the Wyse siblings from A Cedar Cove Christmas in this book. 9/1/2009

~A Gift of Grace by Amy Clipston. Contemp C/F. Bk 1 in Kauffman Amish Bakery series. An Amish woman gains custody of her English neices after her sister dies. This was a great start to the series, an interesting worlds-collide story. 9/4/2009

~The Cedar Cove Cookbook by Debbie Macomber. Nonfic. Ties in to Cedar Cove series, should be read after 92 Pacific Boulevard. This cookbook has oodles of delicious-sounding recipes, with some great photos. I wish that each recipe had a photo, though. The start of each chapter has an update on different Cedar Cove residents. 9/5/2009

~A Deadly Yarn by Maggie Sefton. Contemp Cozy Mystery. Bk 3 in Knitting Mysteries. This is one of my fave cozy series, and since I'd just found a pristine copy of this book at the UBS, it was time to jump back into the series. 9/8/2009

~A Killer Stitch by Maggie Sefton. Contemp Cozy Mystery. Bk 4 in Knitting Mysteries. I like Kelly and everyone at Lambspun more with each book in the series. This book had a cliff-hanger ending, so i know I'll be reading the next book soon. 9/12/2009

~Alive Day by Tom Sullivan. Contemp C/F. Bk 2 in Novel of Shared Vision series. Alive Day picks up 8 years after Together ended, so we miss most of guide dog Nelson's working life with Brenden. In Alive Day, Nelson is nearing retirement. I had no idea there were so many issues regarding funding for veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. 9/14/2009

~Dyer Consequences by Maggie Sefton. Contemp Cozy Mystery. Bk 5 in Knitting Mysteries series. The acts of vandelism and violence are directed toward Kelly and the House of Lambspun, personally, this time. 9/19/2009

~A Man of His Word by Kathleen Fuller. Contemp. C/F. Bk 1 in Hearts of Middlefield series. I really enjoyed reading about the differenecs between the PA Amish and the OH Amish. Good series start. 9/28/2009

August 2009 Books

1. Twice in a Lifetime by Marta Perry. LI Sept '09. Bk 1 in her Bodine Family series. Georgia Lee Bodine must work with a lawyer she can't stand, in order to find the answer to an old family secret, that is her grandmother's wish. Her grandmother doesn't want any regrets when she dies. Set in Charleston, SC. 8/6/2009

2. Anna Meets Her Match by Arlene James. LI Sept '09. Bk 1 in the Chatam House series. Anna Burdett has to teach Reeves Leland how to related to his little girl, and mayhem and hilarity ensue. I did want to smack them both for treating each other like they were still in high school, the childishness got old quickly. Set in TX. 8/13/2009

3. Her Perfect Gift by Lenora Worth. LI Oct '09. Christmas in Louisiana. Goldie is injured in a car accident and stumbles into Rory Branigan's house and passes out on his couch. One of his sons wans to keep her, and the other can't stand her. A cute quick story that I couldn't wait to find out what happened next, though it's a little early for Christmas books, IMO. 8/19/2009

4. The Law and Miss Mary by Dorothy Clark. LIH Aug '09. Mary Randolph wants to help the street orphans of St. Louis, and law officer Captain Benton tries to help her. A fun read that I couldn't put down. 8/28/2009

July 2009 Books

1. Fireproof by Eric Wilson. Contemp C/F. This was a novelization of the movie, but it was really the movie script word for word, with a few extra scenes thrown in. Just blah, I expected better. 7/2/2009

2. A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist. Hist C/F. I laughed my way through this story. The interplay and dialogue between Constance and Drew was great. I learned quite a bit about colonial Virginia too. 7/4/2009

3. Together by Tom Sullivan. Contemp Fiction. This book is about a young man who goes blind after a mountain climbing accident, at the same time as his future guide dog is being re-trained after being returned to the school twice for misbehavior. The best look at guide dog training, from both a trainer and student perspective, that I've read in a while. The fiction comes in, as some of the circumstances I know would never fly at a guide dog school worth it's salt. This will be a keeper for me, as it has brought me peace about my decision to retire my current guide dog. The next book in the series, Alive Day, comes out soon. 7/5/2009

4. The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen. Hist C/F. This story was set in England in the early 1800's. I think that the apothecary back then must be similar to an herbalist today. I enjoyed this book as much as her first, Lady of Milkweed Manor. 7/9/2009

5. Havah: The Story of Eve by Tosca Lee. Hist C/F. This story was written about Eve, first female of the Bible. Story follows her life from the moment she woke up, through her life in the Garden with Adam, their sin and being driven to leave the Garden, and the life and family they created afterward. I really wanted to like it, but the whole book was strange. Not sure if it was the writer's style, or just the way she wrote about Eve. 7/12/2009

6. The Outsider by Ann H Gabhart. Hist C/F. A woman is tempted to leave her Shaker community when an outsider doctor comes in to treat a young man injured in a fire. She has troubling visions of the future, but the Shakers try to convince her to see her visions as a gift. An enjoyable, fast read. Looking forward to the next in the series. 7/13/2009

7. Tour de Force by Elizabeth White. Contemp C/F. A professional ballerina must reevaluate her life when she has two major but different opportunities and is injured. I enjoyed the behind the scenes look at the ballet world. i discovered after finishing the story that it is actually the third in the series. 7/16/2009

8. A Claim of Her Own by Stephanie Grace Whitson. Hist C/F. Mattie travels to meet her brother at his gold claim to leave a bad life behind. Once she arrives, she finds out he's died, and she decides to take over his claim for herself. An okay story, but I found my attention wandering often. 7/18/2009

9. Love Finds You in Miracle, Kentucky by Andrea Boeshaar. Contemp C/F. A teacher moves in with her grandmother and takes a job teaching at a Christian school. A wheelchair bound student takes a special place in her heart, but the girl's widower father is resistant to love. This is the first Love Finds You... book I've read, and I really enjoyed this story. I hope others by the publisher are as good. 7/23/2009

10. No Place for a Lady by Maggie Brendan. Hist C/F. A southern belle travels from Geogia to live with her aunt on a cattle ranch in Colorado. Her adjustment to mountain life takes a while, but she learns to love it, and the ranch's foreman. A quick, fun, engaging read. Looking forward to more in the series. 7/28/2009

11. Dad in Training by Gail Gaymer Martin. LI Sept '09. A woman wants to use an empty warehouse as a dog shelter, and training the dogs through her Teacher's Pet program. Teacher's Pet pairs emotionally troubled students with dogs who need training to be adoptable. The building's owner is ressistant to her, her idea, and to love. Bk 1 in her dog series for LI. 7/30/2009

June 2009 Books

1. Michal by Jill Eileen Smith. Historical C/F. Bk 1 in her Wives of King David series. Reading this book made the dry Old testament stories about King david come alive. It was a slow read, but time well-spent. I had to go back to my Bible and reread 1 & 2 Samuel. 6/7/2009

2. Hometown Courtship by Diann Hunt. LI July '09. A cute, fun story about a scatter-brained but hard-working woman, and the man who must supervise her community service for lost parking tickets, while they work together to build a house for a needy family. 6/14/2009

3. Right Next Door by Debbie Macomber. Contemp. Fic. Reprint of two of Debbie's out-of-print stories from '90 & '91. The first story prominently featured a black Lab in one house, and the little boy next door, who worked to get his mom and the neighbor together. The second story featured two teenage boys who worked to get their single parents together. I enjoyed the first story more. 6/18/2009

4. Love Thine Enemy by Lousie Gouge. LI Hist. July '09. Fun story set in FL during the Revolutionary War, and I learned much about Florida's history that I didn't know. Public school history must have glossed over this time period, LOL. 6/24/2009

5. A Love to Last Forever by Tracie Peterson. Historical C/F Bk 2 in her Brides of Gallatin county series. This was Beth's story. Enjoyable book that I read very quicly. 6/29/2009

6. A Dream to Call My Own by Tracie Peterson. Historical C/F. Final book in Brides of Gallatin County trilogy. This was Lacey's story, and I read it even faster then #2. Sorry to see the trilogy end. 6/30/2009

May 2009 Books

1. The Centurion's Wife by Davis Bunn and Janette Oke. Historical C/F Intriguing read about Jesus' crucifixion and the founding of the early Christian church through the eyes of a Roman soldier. 5/3/2009

2. A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman. Bk 1 in her Daughers of Boston series. Historical C/F. Gave up after reading several chapters. 5/4/2009

3. Paper Roses by Amanda Cabot. Historical C/F. Bk 1 in her Texas Dreams series. Fun story about a mail order bride, with a bit of Cyrano de Bergerac thrown in. Looking forward to reading more in the series when they are released. 5/8/2009

4. Daughter of York by Anne Easter Smith. Historical Fic. It was an okay story, but it lumbered along and was too long. Also hard to keep all the nobility and their relationships to each other straight, even with the family tree provided. No more books by AES for me. 5/16/2009

5. Rebecca's Promise by Jerry Eicher. Bk 1 in his Adams County trilogy. Amish Fiction Fast, if slightly boring, story about a girl named Rebecca, and the dueling promises she made to two different boys. It sure had negative views of English and Mennonites, though. 5/19/2009

6. Plain Perfect by Beth Wiseman. Bk 1 in her Daughters of the Promise series. Amish Fiction. Loved this story, the characters, can't wait for the next one. 5/21/2009

7. Plain Pursuit by Bth Wiseman. Bk 2 in Daughters of the Promise series. Another winner by Beth Wiseman. Can't wait for Bk 3 in Sept. 5/23/2009

8. Rebecca's Return by Jerry Eicher. Bk 2 in his Adams County trilogy. I enjoyed this one better then the first book. This was the second book I read recently where an Amish person had a head injury called a subdural hematoma. Not sure if it's a common injury among the Amish, or just a coincidence. 5/26/2009

9. Summer on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber. Contemp. Fic. I always love going back to Debbie's Blossom Street in Seattle. It's like visiting old friends. Love all the foster care/adoption themes running through this series now. Shame we'll have a year before the next book comes out. 5/31/2009

April 2009 Books

~Chicken Soup for the Soul Children with Special Needs. I enjoyed this book, but there was a huge focus on Down's Syndrome and Autism spectrum, with just a few stories of other disabilities. 4/2/2009

~Gift From the Sea by Anna Schmidt. LIH May '09. Book 2 in her Nantucket series. I enjoyed the glimpses into life in the U.S during WW I, and especially at the view from the German side of WW I. I wouldn't have wanted to have frostbite back then either, the treatment sounded very painful. 4/5/2009

~Wanted by Shelley Shepard Gray. Book 2 in her Sisters of the Heart series. C/F. I enjoyed this book just as much as the first book, Hidden. It was interesting to me how Katie saw her sins during her rumspringa as so shameful, which to us would be minor blips on the radar. 4/7/2009

~Courting the Doctor's Daughter by Janet Dean. LIH May '09. Book 2 in her Courting series. I enjoyed the story but it seemed to drag on too long in the middle, before they finally worked out their issues. Good lessons about judging others, deceit, forgiveness, and worth. 4/13/2009

~An Irishwoman's Tale by Patti Lacy. Contemporary C/F. A good but heartrending story about Mary, an Irishwoman sent to live with relatives in the U.S. as a child, and her struggle to be accepted and loved by anyone. 4/20/2009

~Washington's Lady by Nancy Moser. Historical C/F. I really enjoy Nancy's biographical fiction about little-known famous women, and this story about the founding of the United States and Martha Washington's part in it was no exception. I don't think Goerge Washington would have been quite the leader he was without Martha giving up her own desires and encouraging him behind the scenes toward the country's greater good. 4/23/2009

~When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall. Contemporary Amish fiction. Bk 1 of Sisters of the Quilt trilogy. I'd heard this series was really good, but that many people disagree with this first book. I really dislike the first book, because it is never right to blame the victim of rape, no matter the circumstances. Then for the Amish to so easily isolate Hannah from among them for her "sins" made it even worse. This author paints the Amish as harsh legalists, without much forgiveness or tolerance for mistakes. I wanted to see things get better for Hannah, so I kept reading the series.  4/24/2009

~When the Morning Comes by Cindy Woodsmall. Contemp. Amish fiction. Bk 2 of Sisters of the Quilt. I liked this book better then the first and enjoyed following the various threads of Hannah's friends and family throughout the story. 4/25/2009

~When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall. Contemp. Amish fiction. Bk 3 of Sisters of the Quilt trilogy. This book moved slower then the first two in the series, but I am glad that everything turned out okay for Hannah in the end. I liked learning more about similarities and differences between the Plain Mennonite and Old Order Amish people. 4/30/2009

March 2009 Books

~ Jessie by Lori Wick. C/F Bk 3 in Big Sky Dreams series. I really enjoyed following Jessie and Seth from when they met, through the early part of their marriage, and then after Seth came back home and they began to repair their marriage. I am not sure if this is the last book in the series, but I hope not! I've loved the town and the people in it. 3/3/09

~ Montana Creeds: Logan by Linda Lael Miller. Bk 1 of the Creeds trilogy. Her books have more explicit sex and cussing then I like these days. Otherwise a good story. 3/6/2009

~Montana Creeds: Dylan by LLM. Bk 2 of the Creeds trilogy. See above. 3/7/2009

~Blue Heart Blessed by Susan Meissner. C/F Daisy began her secondhand wedding dress shop with her own wedding dress, after she was jilted days before her wedding. She sews little blue hearts, that Father Laurent blesses, into the gowns. It was an okay story, but I couldn't connect with Daisy. I really enjoyed Father Laurent and the stories about the dresses. 3/13/2009

~Insight by Deborah Raney. C/F Olivia finds herself in a new town, recently widowed and pregnant, when she begins working for artist Reed Vincent. In the beginning of the book, Reed is going blind while waiting for another cornea transplant. The pity he felt for himself and clumsy attempts to "pretend to be blind" got on my nerves and I quit reading the book. I really wish these authors would talk to real blind people before writing blind characters in their books. 3/15/2009

~Of Mice...And Murder by Mary Connealy. HSP Mystery. Carrie must clean out and fix up her great-grandmother's mice-infested house, with the help of friendly, geeky carpenter Nick. They work together to solve multiple murders in small-town Melnik, whose claim to fame is Maxie's the world's largest field mouse. A fun, kooky, mystery. 3/20/2009

~Knit Two by Kate Jacobs. I enjoyed this second book about the Friday Night Knitting Club members, 5 years after Georgia's death. It was intersting bouncing back and forth between NYC and Italy throughout the story. 3/27/2009

February 2009 Books

~ Light of the Moon by Luanne Rice. I read this story because of the Camargue horses. It was a weird story, with some implausible parts. (2/4/2009)

~Dewey by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter. Memoir about a small Iowa town's library cat. The stories about the cat were funny, but the book crawls along. I gave up on chaper 18. (2/13/2009)

~Home to Crossroads Ranch by Linda Goodnight (LI March '09). A fun story about a foster mom who's a city girl and a teacher, but convinces a local bachelor rancher to let her foster kids come to his ranch. (2/19/2009)

~Sabrina by Lori Wick. Bk 2 in her Big Sky Dreams series. Hist. C/F. I enjoyed this story about the town's preacher and Sabrina, a former prostitute. There were a lot of townspeople to keep straight. I'm glad I have book 3 Jessie, here to read soon. (2/21/2009)

January 2009 Books

~ A Beautiful Fall by Chris Coppernoll. C/F book about a rising star Boston lawyer who has to go back to the small town where she grew up when her father has a heart attack. She reconnects with her family and old friends and feels torn betwen Juneberry and Boston. There are actually three seperate love stories intertwined in this book. The only thing I didn't like was the excessive details given to simple everyday procedures, like cooking a pot of pasta, and fewer details to important story points or people. 1/10/2009

~ A Promise to Believe In by Tracie Peterson. C/F

The three Gallatin sisters found themselves following their father as his wanderlust carried them from place to place all throughout their childhoods. When he settled the family in Gallatin County, Montana Territory, the women hoped their wandering days were over. They unexpectedly begin running their roadhouse alone after their father is killed. Gwen, Beth, and Lacy Gallatin are different as can be, but they love each other fiercely. 

Hardworking, selfless Gwen is sure that she is cursed, and that she should never marry again or have a family because she would lose them to the curse. The long line of loved ones, including her mother, husband, and father, that she has buried is proof enough for her, despite her faith in God. She finds plenty of evidence of curses in the Bible, so her curse must be real.

When an angry stranger arrives on the stage, demanding to know which of the sisters is his brother Harvey’s rich widow, the women close ranks. Hank Bishop is a rich dandy who is sure one of the Gallatin sisters coerced his brother into marriage and then killed Harvey for his money. He is positive that they are hiding the items he came to recover. As Gwen discovers her dead husband’s lies, Hank is stunned by the changes Harvey made in his life after moving west. Gwen and Hank are bothered by the feelings they develop for each other, complicating matters further.

Realistic characters, such as a boorish saloon owner, the local deputy, and a funny pet cat, flesh out the rest of Gallatin County’s inhabitants. Tracie Peterson has created another historical series that sweeps the reader away into 1880’s Montana. 

I found myself reading funny portions out loud to my husband and staying up late at night to read “just one more chapter” to find out what happened next. I also enjoyed reading from different characters’ POV, which transitioned easily throughout each chapter. The story is well balanced with romance, interesting plot lines, and a dash of humor. This book is more light-hearted then Tracie’s Heirs of Montana historical series, but just as well written. It focuses more on the characters and plot then it does on details of the setting. I would highly recommend “A Promise to Believe In” to historical fiction fans.1/12/2009

 

~ Murder Most Maine by Karen MacInerney, Bk 3 in the Gray Whale Inn cozy mystery series. C/M Natalie's B&B is busrting at the seams with members of a weight-loss retreat, and their hunky trainer Dirk. When Dirk turns up dead and Natalie's boyfriend John is a suspect, she has to figure out the real killer. This was just as much fun to read as the other books in the series, and this series remains one of my fave cozy series. 1/15/2009

 

~Healing Waters by Nancy Rue and Stephen Arterburn, Sullivan Crisp Bk 2. C/F Sully has to help his friend Sofia recover from a plane crash, and also help Sofia's sister Lucia discover her self-worth. Lucia feeds her emotional troubles to shut them up, and hates her body. Sully has his own isues to deal with, as well. I love the Sullivan Crisp novels, and can't wait for the next one.1/19/2009

 

 ~Breaking Free by Lauraine Snelling. audio C/F Maggie begins to live again, instead of just "getting through" her remaining prison sentence time when she is assigned to a new program. The inmates rehabilitate retired Throroughbred racehorses and then get them adopted to new homes. Gil and his son Eddie, who has spina bifida and is wheelchair bound, adopt Maggies' horse Breaking Free. Maggie is granted early parole in order to train Breaking Free for Eddie.

 

~A Soldier for Keeps by Jillian Hart. (LI March '09). First book in the new installment of the McKaslin Clan. This book really doesn't have much to do with the McKaslins. Lexie was Kelly McKaslin's roommate. Amber McKaslin is in this book, too as a college freshman. Lexie meets Pierce on the ski slopes when she breaks an ankle.  They cautiously become friends, and then more. 1/27/2009

~The Hand-Me-Down Family by Winnie Griggs (LI Hist). I enjoyed this story, especially because both adults thought they knew what the best thing for the kids was. They were both pretty bull-headed to get their own way.  1/30/2009

~ A Dropped Stitches Wedding by Janet Tronstad. (LI March '09). 4th and final book in the series. I enjoyed the story of Lizabett planning Marilee's wedding while fighting her feelings for her childhood crush. I'm sorry to see the series end.

December 2008 Books

~ Yuletide Treasure by Lauraine Snelling & Jillian Hart. This is a historical anthology from Steeple Hill. Jillian's book is about a dressmaker from Angel Falls, Montana, so it ties into her McKaslin Clan historical books. A little girl asks a bounty hunter to find her mother for Christmas. Lauraine's book is about a rich but lonely young woman, and a woodcarver's apprentice. They work together to make a dollhouse for an orphanage. There's a secondary love story between the girl's grandmother and the woodcarver's grandfather, too. I enjoyed both stories.

~Snowbound Colorado Christmas by Susan Page Davis, Lena Nelson Dooley, Darlene Franklin, and Tamela Hancock Murray. A historical anthology set around the 1913 blizzard in Denver, Colorado. Four school friends find love while the blizzard rages. The four stories are seperate, but they weave together because the events are happening at the same time. I enjoyed each story.

~A Bride by Christmas by Linda Goodnight, Kelly Eileen Hake, Vickie McDonough, and Therese Stenzel. A historical anthology where four women must be married by Christmas. The brides are Russian, Irish, English, and Dutch. The stories can be read seperately. I enjoyed each story, especially the ones that included Christmas traditions from the countries the women were originally from.

~Mistletoe Reunion by Anna Schmidt (LI Dec '08). A teenager works to get her divorced parents back together when they are all stranded in an airport for Thanksgiving. Circumstances bring them together again at Christmastime, and "the grands" (both sets of grandparents) get in on the matchmaking. I enjoyed the story, and I wasn't sure they'd get their issues worked out.

~Hill Country Christmas by Laurie Kingery (LIH Oct '08). Delia Keller goes from penniless orphan to rich young heiress overnight, and she wants to provide all the material things for herself that she's always wanted. First on her list: a new house by Christmas. She hires drifter Jude Tucker to complete the renovations on her new home, but Jude must fight the feelings he's developing for Delia, and win her hand before the mayor's son does.

~A NASCAR Holiday 3 by Liz Allison & Wendy Etherington, Brenda Jackson, Marisa Carroll, Jean Brashear. Four fun NASCAR Christmas stories. I enjoyed the last two stories that revolved around kids matchmaking.

November Books

~ A Texas Thanksgiving by Margaret Daley (LI Nov 08). Book 5 in the Homecoming Heroes series. Two cute little girls decide that being best friends would be better if they were sisters. They work together to get their single parents, a cowboy and a social worker, spending time together. The story also follows young Iraqi orphan Ali and his grandfather, and the pastor and Olga.

~Homefront Holiday by Jillian Hart (LI Dec 08). Final book in the Homecoming Heroes series. Ali's teacher Sarah and Mike, the MASH surgeron who saved him in Iraq, have to put aside their failed relationship in order to help Ali heal. I enjoyed the way the series ended, but I was disappointed in Mike. All through the book he was ambilavent about God, then had an implied conversion at the end. This book doesn't fit the faith standard that other LI books have.

~Season of Glory by Ron & Janet Benrey (LIS Dec 08). Book 4 in the cozy mystery series set in Glory, NC. Nurse Sharon Pickard has to help visiting stained-glass consultant Andrew Ballantine figure out who tried to poison him. Glory Community Church has another conflict to unravel: how to replace a broken stained glass window in the sanctuary. I really enjoy this series and can't wait for the next book.

~A Cedar Cove Christmas by Debbie Macomber. I enjoyed geting to know MaryJo and her brothers, and am looking forward to how they fit in future Cedar Cove books.

~Hearts Evergreen by Robin Lee Hatcher & Kathryn Springer. I really enjoyed A Cloud Mountain Christmas by Robin Lee Hatcher. It looks like this story is part of a series, and I enjoyed reading about Cloud Mountain, Idaho, and watching Meddie and Tony reconnect with each other. The twist with the famous manuscript was good too. I didn't enjoy A Match Made for Christmas and gave up halfway through it. I found Connor to be far too cynical, although I enjoyed youth leader Sarah and her teenage charges.

~The Parson's Christmas Gift by Kerri Mountain (LIH Dec 08). I enjoyed this book set in 1870's Montana. for the first part of the book, it was hard to figure out what Journey had done wrong or why she was so ashamed, but I enjoyed the book from her perspective of a soiled dove's daughter. I liked Zane, too, and the people in Walten. This was a great first book, and I hope there are more books coming in the series.

~Good Dog. Stay. by Anna Quindlen. This book is Anna remembering her dog Beau, when he was young. It was a good book, though kind of sad.

October 2008 Books

~One Bad Apple by Sheila Connolly. First in the Orchard Mystery series. I enjoyed getting to know Meg and Seth and watching them try to figure each other out. My favorite person in the book is probably the apple guy Christopher. I enjoyed reading about life in small town Granford. This cozy had even less gore then other cozies I've read, probably because it wasn't Meg who found the body. I'm hoping there are more books in the series soon.

~Your Money Counts by Howard Dayton. We listened to/read this book together because it's required reading before the first Crown Financial Ministries Bible study at church. It wasn't as dry as I expected, and he gave lots of real-life stories as examples in each chapter. 

~8 Sandpiper Way by Debbie Macomber, Book 8 in the Cedar Cove series. I enjoyed this one more then book 7, and I can see some of the threads at the end of the book leading into Cedar Cove Christmas.

September 2008 Books

~His Little Cowgirl by Brenda Minton LI Oct '08. Just didn't like the characters or story so gave up on it.

~Her Perfect Man by Jillian Hart LI Aug '08. Book 16 in the McKaslin Clan series. This was sister Rebecca's story, who had to ditch the nasty boyfriend in ome of the earllier books. New neighbor Chad catches her eye, but she has a strict No Dating polciy. i enjoyed it. However, I'm overjoyed that brother Spense finally has his own book coming next. :-)

~somebody's Santa by Annie Jones LI Oct '08. High-powered executive Dora reluctantly agrees to help Burke Burdett pull off his mother's last wish: Secret Santa in his small town. I enjoyed the story but I think Burke was really overdone, past macho to chauvanistic and just plain rude.

~The Bride Bargain by Kelly Eileen Hake. Clara and her aunt travel on the Oregon trail by themselves in search of a new life. They end up stuck in Buttonwood, where a shopkeeper helps them. One of the best books I've read since Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen.

~Healing Stones by Nancy Rue and Stephen Arterburn. Demitria Constanas nearly loses everything when she is caught in adultery. She has to fight for her marriage, her relationships with her children and friends, her home, and her job. She must learn to forgive herself, and figure out what went so very wrong. Psychologist Sullivan Crisp is on sabbatical, but is called to help Demi. Sully uses unusual "game show" theology methods to guide Demi through her pain and her attempts to get her life back. He has his own struggles for healing.

This is a fast-paced story with two main characters with great depth, three intriguing storylines, and lots of interesting secondary characters who I'm hoping appear in future books. Demi was very real, could be any woman I happen to meet. Sully was fun but carried his own pain. Their interactions in therapy sessions together had me giggling one moment and tearing up the next. This is an amazing story, full of power, with lessons that I've found myself applying to my own life. One of the best books of the year, and one that I keep thinking about weeks later.

~6 Rainier Drive by Debbie Macomber. Book 6 in the Cedar Cove series. The Gundersons must figure out what to do with their lives now that their restaurant has been burned down by an arsonist. Maryellen Bowman is on bedrest during her pregnancy, and she must rely on Jon's parents for help, whether he likes it or not. Charlotte and Ben's adult sons drive their parents crazy with their poor decisions. Teri Miller and Rachel Pendergast from the nail salon both have big decisions to make. Hoping to read 74 Seaside Avenue soon.

~Needled to Death by Maggie Sefton. Book 2 in the Knitting Mystery series. Kelly is settling into life in Fort Connor, Colorado and mastering knitting. she volunters to take some tourists to visit Vickie Claymore's alpaca farm, but she finds Vickie dead when the group arrives. Now she has to figure out who the killer is before he or she hurts someone else.

~His Holiday Heart by Jillian Hart. LI Nov '08. Final book in the third McKaslin Clan series about the 7 McKaslin siblings. The final book of this series is about brother Spence. We got a sense that perhaps he'd noticed Lucy Chapin in earlier books, and this is their story. Lucy is the only woman Spence can't chase away with his mean outer facade. She sees right through his mask to the hurt that he carries from his biological mother's betrayal. Gradually Lucy and Spence grow closer, despite evry barrier Spence tried to keep around himself. I thought the epilogue was rushed, having to update every sibling, but it was a good end to the series. The next one begins with cousin Brianna.

~The Shack by William P Young. I read this book because an online group did a discussion on it. It was hard through the first 5 chapters, then it got easier. I enjoyed it, and this is one I'll keep and read again.

~74 Seaside Avenue by Debbie Macomber. Book 7 in the Cedar Cove series. We finally find out which guy Rachel chooses, Teri & Bobby have an issue to deal with, James & Christie are off to a rocky start, Grace & Cliff have a wedding reception and a trust issue, Olivia has a health scare. Enjoyed following everyone in town and meeting new characters.

August Books

1. Lone Star Secret by Lenora Worth (LI Aug 08). Second in the Homecoming Heroes miniseries. I loved this story about David and Anna, and how war affected them both in different ways. I'm also wondering about Anna's mother and the pastor. :-)
2. Hooked on Murder by Betty Hechtman. First in the Crochet Mystery series. I enjoyed reading about Molly and the ladies in the crochet group, even though they aren't anything like my local group. I didn't really like Barry and found him to be way too pushy. I liked Mason better, but who knows if she'll end up with either guy? Just something to watch for in later books. We made the pound cake recipe from the story and it was a little dry but good.
3. Family of the Heart by Dorothy Clark (LI Hist. Sep 08). Wealthy but secretive Sarah takes a job as a nanny for a widower in Cincinnati, who can't even call his daughter by her name. It was interesting to see the changes in Sarah and in Clayton as they both became closer to the little girl. I also enjoyed the insight into engineering in the 1830's.
4. Another Stab at Life by Anita Higman. Heartsong Presents Mysteries. I enjoyed this story a lot more then Everybody Loved Roger Harden, which was the first HSP Mystery I tried to read. Many of Bailey's antics made me laugh out loud, though I was appalled at her boyfriends' behavior (both of them LOL). I enjoyed hearing about the character of her new house, with the hidden passages, etc. I hope there are more books by this author in the future.
5. At His Command by Brenda Coulter (LI Sept 08). Third in the Homecoming Heroes minseries. We first met Maddie and Jake in Lone Star Secret by Lenora Worth, and I wondered why they avoided each other in that book. As their story unfolds in this book, it became clear that they were both hurting themselves with misplaced guilt. This book has a clear portrayal of PTSD in military members. I'm excited for the next book in the series.
6. The Island of Heavenly Daze by Lori Copeland and Angela Hunt. First in the Heavenly Daze series. I enjoyed this book about 7 angels who protect those who live in the 6 original houses and church on the island named Heavenly Daze in Maine. There are a lot of people to keep straight, but by the end of the book I think I had it down. Parts of this book are LOL funny. This one shows what can happen when asumptions are made and secrets kept, even with good intentions. I'm going to read more of the series.
7. A Matter of the Heart by Patricia Davids (LI Oct 08). Fourth in the Homecoming Heroes miniseries. Pediatric cardiac surgeon Dr Nora Blake takes her job very seriously, especially when she must repair the heart of a little boy who was rescued from Iraq. She doesn't like people who profit from children's suffering, and that's how she views reporter Robert Dale. But when he uncovers a story that could hurt Nora, she needs his help.  This book has a couple hilarious scenes. Still waiting to see what becomes of Olga Terenkov and the pastor.
8. Courting Miss Adelaide by Janet Dean (LI Hist. Sept 08). Adelaide Crum wants to have a family to love, so the orphan train that comes to town seems to be her chance. However the town committee turns her down because she is single, despite the fact that she runs her own millinery shop, is a church goer, has a trade to teach a little girl, and has a comfortable living.

   Charles Graves, who runs the local newspaper, is on the committee that rejects Adelaide’s application, and the decesion he was part of haunts him. Charles believes his past proves he cannot love anyone, but he is drawn to Addie. When one of the orphans needs a temporary home, Charles convinces the committee to let Addie help. Circumstances continue to bring Adelaide and Charles together, and they must come to grips with their feelings for each other. Their wounded hearts and pride keep them pushing each other away.

   Adelaide is independent and headstrong at a time when men ruled their women with an iron fist. Adelaide and Charles both suffered different forms of child abuse, and those wounds influence their thoughts, actions, and interactions with each other. Having the orphan to care for changes Addie and Charles and begins to soften them. The story took a very unexpected suspenseful twist but had a satisfying ending. This author’s first book kept me up late into the night to find out what happens next, and drew me into small-town life at the turn of the 20^th century.
9. Bluegrass Hero by Allie Pleiter (LI Aug 08). First in the Kentucky Corners trilogy. Emily likes rain and snow, charming little niceties, antiques, and old cars. She dislikes change. She runs a bath/gift shop in town. Gil likes mud and dirt, hard work, and the newest gadgets and technologies. He constantly pushes the town council to bring things up-to-date. He runs a farm for boys who need one more chance to get their lives on the right track.

   Emily and Gil clash when folks get the mistaken idea that some of the soap Emily carries in her shop helps men catch the attention they've been seeking from ladies. They'd butted heads before on town council matters and ignored each other, but the status quo changes when Gil makes it personal this time. Slowly they begin to thaw towards each other, but their differences may be enough to squash any tender feelings that develop between them.

   Watching the sparks fly between these two was lots of fun. The changes in Emily and Gil as they went from disliking each other to falling in love were believable. Gil was like any other typical macho male, and Emily was sweet and very feminine. Seeing criminals from each of their perspectives built the conflict between them.

July Books

1. On Thin Ice by Alina Adams. #2 in the Figure Skating Mystery series. Bex has to figure out where a missing figure skating prodigy has gone, and the twists and turns in the case take her through the seedier underbelly side of figure skating.
2. Back on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber. #3 in her Blossom Street series. This book focuses on new and old friends on Blossom street. There's Alix's stress over her wedding, and Susannah's new helper Colette seems to be hiding a big secret. I love this series!
3. Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber. #4 in her Blossom Street series. This book focuses mostly on new people on Blossom Street, including Anne Marie, the bookstore owner, and her group of widow friends Barbie and Lillie, daughter and mother widows who lost their spouses at the same time, and Elise from earlier Blossom Street books. this book had a bit more sexual talk to it then usual (still not explicit) and I hope that won't become routine to Debbie's books now.
4. Everybody Loved Roger Harden by Cecil Murphey. This is part of the first shipment of Heartsong Presents Mysteries. I thought the story was okay, but the way the author described things, jumping ahead and then going back, putting details in odd places, really annoyed me.
5. Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen. This book was awesome, and I didn't want to put it down. It focused on an unwed mother in the early 1800's in England. I had no idea there were lying-in hospitals, wet nurses, or goats nursing babies with syphillis. I didn't guess the right ending either, and I was surprised to read in the epilogue that I guessed the wrong man, LOL.
6. The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. I hoped this book might be similar to Debbie Macomber's knitting series, but this was completely different. I enjoyed the book and will see the movie when it comes out.
7. Swapping Paint by Joyce and Jim Lavene. First in their Stock Car racing Mystery series. I enjoyed all the NASCAR stuff in the book, and enjoyed the banter between Glad and his wife Ruby. To tell you the truth, I don't remember how the book ended (I was exhausted that day) but I did enjoy the story and will read the next one whenever it pops up on my WL.
8. Masked by Moonlight by Allie Pleiter. LIH June '08. A fun story about a stifled society accountant by day and a masked avanger of the poor by night, and the woman who writes stories about him.
9. Bluebonnet Belle by Lori Copeland. i have read about Lydia Pinkham's Vegetable Compound in many historical fiction books, so when I found this story about a woman herbalist squaring off over a doctor over the compound, I thought it would be great. I ended up not caring a bit about April's butting heads with her grandfather over the elixir, or Gray's battle to convince his ex that they were not right for each other. I gave up by chapter 7, about halfway through.

June Books

1. A Murderous Glaze by Melissa Glazer. First in the Clay and Crime series. The whole town has turned against Carolyn now that she's the prime suspect in a murder, and the sheriff doesn't seem inclined to look past her either. It's up to her and her friends from the Firing Squad to find the killer before Carolyn ends up dead herself. I really like Butch, and I hope he gets his own story sometime.
2. Finally A Family by Carolyn Aarsen (LI June '08). A fun story about a "daughter" who was left behind and a nephew having to co-exist on a farm to claim an inheritance. They really got on each others' nerves and slowly grew to tolerate each other.
3. Rescuing Sprite by Mark Levin. I'd heard good things about this book, that it was another "Marley & Me" and while it did have some funny moments like Marley, it was mostly very sad. I felt horrible for the dog, because the family made him suffer from his illneses too long instead of ending his pain sooner. It was also very choppy and bounced around constantly.
4. High Country Bride by Jillian Hart (LIH July '08). Set in rural Montana and showing the roots of the Mckaslin Clan, this is oldest brother Aidan's story. I enjoyed this one as much as the other McKaslin books, though some of the descriptive phrases like "pure goodness" "hair like spun gold" etc, are wearing thin after beng used in every book in the series. Thad and Noelle from the first story are in this one too. I'm not sure where the series will go from here, because things seem pretty hopeless for youngest brother Finn.
5. Seaside Cinderella by Anna Schmidt (LIH July '08). Set on Nantucket Island, Lucie happily serves as a maid and companion for Mr & Mrs Hunter. Things get complicated when their rich son returns home for a visit. His goal is to pack his parents away from their home to his house in Boston. He and Lucie are suspicious of each other from the start. What a fun story.
6. DragonSpell by Donita K Paul. First in the DragonKeeper Chronicles. The first book in this series I read was DragonKnight, which is actually the third book, and that was read a couple years ago. I'm reading the whole series now in preparation for the last book which comes out this month. I don't like fantasy unless you count the Narnia books by CS Lewis, but I love this series. I love reading these books because they are so descriptive, I start reading and I'm lost in the land of Amara, and before I know it, hours have passed. This first book follows Kale as she goes from being a village slave to being a servant of Paladin and discovers and learns to control some of her talents.
7. Dead and Berried by Karen MacInerny. 2nd in her Gray Whale inn Mysteries. This book follows things at the Gray Whale Inn B&B when her best friend Charlene is blamed for an island woman's murder. I didn't see the real murdered coming. The only problem with this seies is the yummy food mentioned;good thing recipes are given in the back of the book.
8. DragonQuest by Donita K Paul. Second in the DragonKeeper Chronicles. This book finds Kale and some of her friends from the first book going on another quest to rescue a meech dragon. Bardon also joins their group and the tension between he and Kale is hilarious. The wizards have a bigger place in this story too. Kale also meets her mother, but two women claim to be her mother, so which one is right and which one is the fake?
9. Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton. A Knitting Mystery. I enjoyed the story, especially the lovable Rottie. :-) I learned quite a bit about different kinds of yarn, and wish I had friends like those in the knitting group. I'd read other books in the series.

May Books

1. Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart (LI June '08). Part of her McKaslin Clan series, I enjoyed this detailed look into amnesia. I keep hoping that their brother Spence's story is next.
2. Murder on Ice by Alina Adams. First in her Figure Skating Mystery series. The story was a little slow and overly detailed at times, but I loved all the background info on figure skating. I have other books in the series and am looking forward to reading them.
3. Me, Myself, & Bob by Phil Vischer.This book has been on my WL for a long time. It's a memoir from the creator of VeggieTales. I love all his stories about the show and the people involved.
4. A Heart for the Dropped Stitches by Janet Tronstad. (LI July '08) Third in her Sisterhood of the Dropped Stitches series, about young cancer survivors. This is Becca's story: aspiring lawyer, homeless teen shelter volunteer, and adopted daughter elements of Becca's life all combine to make this a fun story to read.
5. Mission: Motherhood by Marta Perry. (LI July '08). First in the Homecoming Heroes series. Caitlyn becomes a mother to twin girls when their parents die in combat, and adjusting from her fast-paced NYC life isn't easy for her. She continually butts heads with a local Army chaplain who helps with her new job at home and at work.
6. Along Came a Cowboy by Christine Lynxwiler. Part of her Pinkie Promise Sisterhood series. This book looks at life from chiropractor Rachel's perspective, and really shows how keeping secrets can hurt so many people. When her niece/daughter comes to live with her, Rachel must reveal her biggest past mistake to help her child, and try to keep the man she loves. I also enjoyed the glimpses into the rodeo world.
7. Glory Be! by Ron & Janet Benrey. (LI Suspense June '07) First in their new cozy mystery series set in Glory, NC. a prank landed a VW Bug on Emma's B&B porch, but she didn't find it very funny. The Phantom Avenger's pranks were only supposed to be harmless fun, until someone turned up dead. The image of a VW Bug sitting on someone's porch just cracked me up.
8. Gone to Glory by Ron & Janet Benrey. (LI Suspense Sept '07) Second in the Glory cozy series. A crooked financial advisor bilked the church of a million dollars and then turned up dead, and the marina owner is tossed in jail for the murder. It's up to the church pastor and an undercover insurnace investigator to find the real killer and get the church's money back. I had to keep reading to find out if Lori & Daniel could work things out.
9. Grits and Glory by Ron & Janet Benrey. (LI Suspense July '08) Third in the Glory cozy series. A hurricane strikes Glory and a man is murdered and the storm used as a cover. Ann's gutsyiness despite her fears impressed me. I can't wait for the 4th book to come out later this year.
10. Homecoming at Hickory Ridge by Dana Corbit. (LI July '08) recent parolee Kyle returns to his hometown, and the only one who seems to be rooting for him is Julia. Thiinking she's too perfect for him, he learns she has had hard times too.
11. Tacked to Death by Michele Scott. Third in her Horse Lover's Mysteries. A star polo player is killed with Michaela's mallet after a charity polo match, and she'll be locked up for good unless she finds the real killer. I really don't like the Sorvino family after reading this book. The end of the story sort of wraps things up, but I'm hoping this series won't be just a trilogy.
12. His Small-Town Girl by Arlene James. (LI June '08) First in Eden, OK series. I didn't like the pace of this story, and eventually gave up on it halfway through.
13. John's Quest by Cecelia Dowdy. HSP #794, Contemporary. I wanted to enjoy this story since the little boy in it is blind, but the ways things were described really got on my nerves. I gues she was trying to talk like African-Americans talk, but it just got annoying. Skin color shouldn't make any difference to a good story. I quit reading halfway through.
14. Prayers, Paws & Providence by Diann Hunt. Part of the Tales from Grace Chapel Inn series. I really enjoyed this story about three sisters running a B&B, and the people from their town. A local woman has seizures that keep interrupting her life, and the sisters and their aunt help her get a seizure-response dog. Until I read this book, I had no idea that a seizure-response service dog is different from a seizure-alert service dog.

April Books

1. The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. I read about 50 pages of this book and couldn't really get into it. When I found myself just skimming the story, I put it down. Too many other books waiting to be read.
2. How Nancy Drew Saved My Life by Laurent Baratz-Logsted. This one is about a nanny who moves to Iceland. It was good enough to keep reading to the end, but I still can't decide if I'm happy I kept reading or not.
3. A Cowboy's Honor (LI April '08) by Lois Richer. Third and final book in her Pennies from Heaven series. I enjoyed this story because it had a young blind girl in it, and the ranch for disabled kids where she lived with her parents and they worked there sounded like an awesome place to be. I'm sure the ranch was based on some place in real life.
4. Leather and Lace by Diann Mills. First in her Texas Legacy series. I wasn't sure I'd enjoy a story from a female outlaw's POV, but I'm almost halfway through the book and can't put it down. The people are believable and memorable and the story flows nicely and quickly. There haven't been any moments of "that can't really happen" to pull me away from the story. I finished it this weekend and realy enjoyed it. I'm glad I have the next 3 books on my TBR already, will be interesting to see which characters from the first book pop up in the others.
5. Bygones by Kim Vogel Sawyer. First in her Sommerfeld trilogy. Can't wait to read the next two books. There have been so many books written about the Amish (a la Wanda Brunsetter) that I was glad to read one about the Mennonites. Beth and her mother Marie have to go back to Marie's childhood Mennonite town in order for Beth to claim an inheritance. When things start disappearing from area homes, the newcomers are blamed.
6. Death by Sudoku by Kaye Morgan. First in the Sudoku Mystery series. I enjoyed this story a lot, plus giggled constantly throughout it. I also learned lots of little tricks to help solve Sudoku puzzles.
7. Mozart's Sister by Nancy Moser. This book is a fictional autobiography about Nannerl Mozart, sister to the famous composer. She was just as talented as he, but couldn't gain recognition because she was female. I really enjoyed the look into her life and the times in Europe. I'd recommend this book highly. I still think Just Jane was better, though.
8. My Heart Remembers by Kim Vogel Sawyer. this book is about three Irish immigrant siblings who are sent west to Missouri on an orphan train and then separated when they are chosen by new families. Maelle, the oldest, becomes a photographer's apprentice. Mattie, the middle child and only boy, becomes a ranch hand. Molly, renamed Isabelle, becomes a rich society lady. Most of the book is about their atempt to reunite with each other. I enjoyed reading from each of their perspectives throughout the book.

March books

1. A Lady of High Regard by Tracie Peterson, Book 1 of the Ladies of Liberty series. This one is set in Philadelphia in 1852. Mia is a wealthy young woman who enjoys matchmaking and writing for Godey's Ladies Book. She is trying to help the seamen's wives, who are being threatened by thugs. I enjoyed the story and hope to read the other books in the series. It took me weeks to finish the book, but it was a good story. I thought I had the next book in the series, but I haven't found it yet.
2. Blessed is the Busybody by Emilie Richards, first in the Ministry is Murder series. This book has me smiling the whole time I'm reading it. Aggie and her family just make me laugh, and I think every church has a Gelsey in the congregation. I kept guessing who the killer might be, and I enjoyed the story. I'll have to look for more books in the series.
3. Murder on the Rocks by Karen MacInerney, first in the Gary Whale Inn Mysteries. I'm enjoying it so far. It is about a B&B owner who is trying to prevent a big developer from destroying the natural beauty of the island she lives on, when he turns up dead.
4. Death at Glamis Castle by Robin Paige. Part of the Victorian Mystery series. Set in England in the early 1900's. I enjoyed the story, but I won't rush to read all the other books in the series.

February Books

1. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. A hard book to read (so many beatings of the wives, the husband was a first class jerk), but I'm so glad I did. Now I understand more about Afghan culture.
2. Earth to Betsy by Beth Pattillo. A friend recommended this series to me. I read the first few chapters, but it is too chick-lit-y for me. Ugh.
3. The Other Daughter by Miralee Ferrell. This is the March book for the online Christian fiction club, so when I saw it in the Christian bookstore I snagged it. I'm enjoying the story. It flows quickly. The parents are so stubborn I want to smack them, and the chapters are really short. A teenage girl wreaks havoc in her new family when she unexpectedly shows up at their house, saying the man is her father. Her siblings accept her easily, but her stepmom and dad have some issues to work out. I liked how everything was resolved.
4. Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart, Love Inspired Historical #2. It also ties into one of my favorite Love Inspired series, The McKaslin Clan. The story is set in late 1800's Montana, and the woman in the story is blind. There are so many extra details given because of that, and even simple things like she gets distracted by her thoughts and stops counting her steps across a room and has to reorient herself, that ring very true to life.
5. Frontier Courtship by Valerie Hansen, LIH #4. I enjoyed this story about a headstrong woman trying to keep her impetuous sister safe as they travel to California on a wagon train to find their father, and the man who helps them. The books also had a lot of neat information about the Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes.
6. In the Company of Secrets by Judith Miller. Book 1 in the Postcards from Pullman series. I really hoped I'd like this series, so I didn't read this book until I had this one plus the next book. However, I found Olivia and Charlotte to be annoying, and I don't understand why they had to tell lie after lie after lie. I didn't like Samuel either. The story jumps right into a lot of action, without any reason to care about the characters first, and I think that's part of why I didn't like the book.
7. Motherhood is Murder by Mary Daheim, Carolyn Hart, Jane Isenberg, and Shirley Rousseau Murphy. This is a coy mystery anthology from 4 authors of popular cozy series. I didn't like Mary's story "Dial M for Mom" about Renie from the Bed-and-Breakfast series. I laughed out loud over "Mothers Must Do" from Carolyn Hart's Death on Demand series, and "The Proof is in the Patch" from Jane Isenberg's Bel Barrett series. "Tomcat" from Shirley Rousseau Murphy's Joe Grey series was okay.
8. Heart's Haven by Lois Richer, LI March 08. #2 in the Pennies from Heaven series. It seems good so far. The girl is a chef and the guy is a psychologist who worked for the military in Iraq and now suffers from PTSD.

January 2008 Books

1. Healing Tides by Lois Richer (LI Feb '08). First book in the Pennies From Heaven series. A nurse and doctor at a childern's burn hospital in Hawaii must work together to help an orphaned little boy. The doctor has a procedure that could save the boy, who reminds him of his own lost son. The nurse wants the doctor to help the boy have a chance at a normal life. As much as I wanted to like the doctor, I just couldn't. I really enjoyed reading about the nurse, but I couldn't finish the story. I just didn't care about the doctor.
2. Smoky Mountain Tracks by Donna Ball. First book in the Raine Stockton Dog Mysteries cozy series. I enjoyed this book as much as the second one, Rapid Fire. Now a lot of what happened in the second book makes better sense. Can't wait to read the third book!
3. Susannah's Garden by Debbie Macomber. Reread, but my library had it in large print, so I checked it out. I really enjoy her Blossom Street books, and this one ties into that series.
4. Murder Unleashed by Elaine Viets. 5th book in the Dead-End Job Mysteries. I enjoyed this book, but I really thought I would like it better since it is set in Fort Lauderdale, and it involves a pet shop. I think the story being told in third person really bugged me. I'm not sure that I'll read other books in the series.
5. The Briton by Catherine Palmer. It is the first book in the new Love Inspired Historical imprint. I really enjoyed it, with all the twists and turns. It covered three different lifestyles and belief systems in England at the time of Henry II: Briton, Viking, and Norman.

December Books

1. Montana Mistletoe by Debby Mayne, Lena Nelson Dooley, Kim Vogel Sawyer, and Lisa Harris. 4 childhood friends return to Mistletoe, Montana to reconnect with each other and find love. It was a cute book.
2. Once Upon A Christmas by Brenda Novak, Melinda Curtis, and Anna Adams. Three Christmas stories where kids get families for Christmas, and a modern day Scrooge finds a new meaning to Christmas spirit from his limo driver.
3. The Healing Place by Leigh Bale (LI Dec. '07). A cute story about a father trying to find medical treatment for his seriously ill daughter, and the best one to help him is his former high school sweetheart, now an oncologist.
4. Race to the Altar by Ron Benray, Gloria Clover, Becky Melbe & Cathy Weinke, and Gail Sattler. An anthology based on NASCAR personnel. The first three stories were okay, but the 4th one was pretty bad, and I quit reading it.
5. The Manning Sisters by Debbie Macomber. Reprint of the first two stories of the Manning family series from the '90's.
6. Just Jane by Nancy Moser. A bio-novel based on Jane Austen's life. I enjoyed the historical details about Jane's life, letters, and novels.
7. Joshua in a Troubled Land by Joseph Girzone. I have loved the Joshua series since i read the first book, and this one doesn't disappoint. From Washington, D.C. to the Middle East, Joshua visits many people and helps them come up with a workable plan to get peace in the Middle East. This book is written with the U.S. in a post-9/11 mindset, with the paranoia that results.
8. Lost in Rooville by Ray Blackston.  The third book about Jay Jarvis and his girlfriend Allie. This one wasn't as funny as Flabbergasted, but we still enjoyed listening to it.

November Books

1. Giving Thanks for Baby by Terri Reed (LI Nov 07). 5th book in A Tiny Blessings Tale series. Very cute, with more clues to who might be trying to disrupt Tiny Blesings Adoption Agency.
2. A Holiday to Remember by Jillian Hart (LI Dec 07). 6th and final book in A Tiny Blessings Tale series. I was pretty sure who the culprit might be by the time this book began, but the book confirmed my guess. I felt like this particular story was wrapped up well, but the end of the series just sort of stopped, with a lot of loose ends left over.
3. Where My Heart Belongs by Tracie Peterson. I usually enjoy Tracie's historical fiction better, but I enjoyed this modern story of the prodigal sister, and the sister left behind. They each had consequences of their choices to deal with, and this book made me think harder about owning the choices I make, not placing blame elsewhere.
4. Colonial Christmas Brides by Lauralee Bliss and Irene B. Brand. Four stories set in colonial Jamestown and Williamsburg, where unlikely men and women  make marriage matches around Christmas. My favorite story so far is Jamestown's Bride Ship by Irene Brand.
5. Forever Christmas by Christine Lynxwiler. Jingle Bells, Arkansas must decide whether to change the town's name and identity to Summer Valley in order to survive an economic slump. I really wanted to get into this book, since I love the idea of a town that celebrates Christmas year-round, but I just couldn't be bothered to care much about the characters, or even if they chose to rename the town or not. I read more then half the book before giving up on it.
6. A Dropped Stitches Christmas by Janet Tronstad (LI Dec 07). The second book based on the young women in the Sisterhood of the Dropped Stitches knitting club, who battled cancer and learned to knit together. This was Carly's story. I enjoyed it as much as the first book. I'm hoping there will be a story on the girls' counselor, Rose, too.

October Books

1. Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs. We are on chapter 2 of the book and section 2 of the workbook, and things are clicking for us. We see some patterns that we need to change in our marriage, ways we each need to bend.
2. Death Reins In by Michele Scott. Book 2 of the Horse Lovers Mysteries. This book was just as interesting as the first, and I learned a lot about the quarter horse racing industry. I'm excited to see Michaela in the beginning stages of teaching therapeutic riding, even though her center will focus only on autistic kids, since I ride at a therapeutic riding center myself. I can't wait for book 3!
3. Through Every Storm by Sharlene MacLaren. This story helped me realize that spouses can pull apart their marriage bit by bit, without really realizing it, and how a trauma can have a huge impact on the marriage. So many times, I wanted to shout at them both to talk to each other!
4. Vanishing Acts by Jodi Piccoult. I loved parts of this book, like the parts about the Native American traditions and Arizona, but parts were too violent for me, with all the prison fights, prison weapons, murders. Who needs to know how to make crystal meth, anyway? It was all spelled out. If you like books with detail, this one has them in abundance. There were many loose ends left hanging.

September Books

1. In Search of Eden by Linda Nichols. A great, thought provoking book about a woman's search for her daughter, who was put up for adoption by the baby's grandmother. Covers grace, living by rules, bitterness, forgiveness, and adoption issues. I enjoyed thinking over the discussion questions in the back of the book. We discussed it in an online book club.
2. Little Miss Matchmaker by Dana Corbit (LI oct '07). 4th in the  A Tiny Blessings Tale series. A very cute, quick read. A little girl sets up her teacher (who is a pastor's daughter and stuck on how people see her that way) and firefighter uncle by pulling the fire alarm at school, among other antics. I still don't know who is trying to get the adoption agency closed down. There are many possible supects. Can't wait for books 5 and 6 to come out. :-)
3. White Chocolate Moments by Lori Wick. You can't go wrong with one of Lori's books. I enjoyed reading about Arcineh as a girl, and her special relationship with her grandfather. This book brought to my attention the negative side of "love is blind" that I hadn't considered.

August Books

1. A Mommy In Mind by Arlene James (LI Sept 07). Book 3 in the A Tiny Blessings Tale miniseries was just as much fun to read as the others, although this one touched on deeper emotions involved in an adoption custody battle and illegal immigrant issues.
2. Tilly by Frank Peretti. I've wanted to read this book for years, but never got around to finding a copy. It's based on a little girl who was aborted, and her mother meets her in heaven in a dream, while the baby's father is digging for information on a headstone they saw in the cemetary, which turns out to be his aborted daughter's headstone.
3. The Bishop's Daughter by Wanda Brunsetter. This was the third book in the Daughters of Lancaster County series, and I really enjoyed it. I liked how this book was written several years later in time than the earlier books, and how much of it was from the kidnapped baby's (now 21 years old) perspective. There were some twists I wasn't expecting, like what happened to the bishop, but I am glad with the way the book ended, and it ended the series with no loose ends, either.

July Books

1. Someone to Watch Over Me by Teresa Hill. I really enjoyed this book. It's Christian fiction, but it was a pretty instense story at the start. I loved all the scenes through the book about the gorgeous, charming man and his gorgeous, charming dog. Some of them were hilarious. Through most of the book I kept trying to figure out what breed the dog was, but it finally said near the end of the book. I'd skip this book if stories about assault/attempted rape get to you.
2. Wild Rose by Ruth Axtell Morren. This book is a Christian historical set in the early 1870's in Maine. I'm really enjoying the relationship between the progresive (for her time) female and the sea captain. This book is really showing how destructive gossip can be and how cruel people can be to each other. So far the best giggle has been the dress fitting scene.
3. Country Brides by Debbie Macomber. I enjoyed both stories in the book, although the first one seemed to drag a little. Since these stories were originally published in the early 90's, I see a huge improvement in Debbie's writing.
4. Where Heaven Begins by Rosanne Bittner. This Christian historical is set in the late 1800's in Alaska and the Yukon during the Gold Rush. At first I wanted to shake the girl for being so naive and judgemental, but I grew to really like her and the guy as the book went on, as they both changed and grew as Christians. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of their journey from Skagway to Dawson on foot.
5. Mirror, Mirror by Judy Baer. LI August 07. This was a hilarious book about a model who gets roped into being the host of a makeover show to help her friend. Two charming greyhounds named Dash and Flash were a big part of the book.
6. Around the Next Corner by Elizabeth Wrenn. This is a great book about a woman in a midlife crisis, who feels invisible to her husband and children, and decides to raise a guide dog puppy. the book is so good that I've ordered a keeper copy for my guide/service dog book collection. The copy I have is a library book that has to go back tomorrow.
7. Love and Respect & Love and Respect Workbook by Emerson Eggerichs. I've had the book for months now, and was waiting for a workbook to come up on my PBS WL. When I saw the Christian bookstore had the book and workbook on sale, I bought 2 workbooks for Hubby and I. We have set aside a couple nights each week to work on the book, and our marraige. So far, we have read the Introduction and Chapter 1 of the book, and we are completing Session 1 of the workbook. While we don't agree with everything the author says, and we see a bias from him to place blame on the wife, the book and workbook questions have spawned some great discusions for us.

June Books

1. A Touch of Grace by Linda Goodnight. LI March '07. This is the second book in her The Brothers' Bond trilogy. I went to my TBR and found this one to read since I enjoyed the third one so much. I liked reading Ian's story, but not as much as the other brothers. I think it's because I read the books out of order. I enjoyed all the details about living in New Orleans after Katrina.
2. A McKaslin Homecoming by Jillian Hart. LI July '07. Part of the McKaslin Clan series, this book was about missing youngest sister Lauren. Her feelings of isolation and mistrust, then the change to acceptance of her newfound large family's love, really touched me. I keep hoping brother Spence's story will be next, but he's becoming such a jerk that I wonder if his love story would be believable.
3. Crowned: An Ordinary Girl by Natasha Oakley. Harlequin Romance Feb '07 #781. This book is part of a series called By Royal Appointment. I really enjoyed it. I love royalty stories, but this one was actually realistic, with believable problems for the prince and his chosen commoner to overcome. It was a short quick read.
4. Speed Bumps by Ken Casper. Harlequin NASCAR May '07. This NASCAR book about a female driver in her rookie season and her romance with her team owner was good. Throughout most of the book, the guy had a diagnosis of RSD, which I haven't seen in a book before. That gave me a new appreciation for what my stepdad goes through every day. The interference betwen the woman's mother and the guy's former mother in law was hilarious, too.
5. Missionary Daddy by Linda Goodnight. LI August '07.  This is the second book in the A Tiny Blessings Tale series. This was a great book about preconceived stereotypes and facing the fact that you were wrong after the guy meets a supermodel who blows his stereotypes about the rich out of the water. I identified with the story a little bit since people prejudge me and my abilities every time they meet me. I'm really guessing hard, trying to figure out who is threatening everyone at the adoption agency.
6. Rapid Fire by Donna Ball. Book 2 in the Raine Stockton Dog Mysteries. After reading the front page blurb for this book, I almost didn't read it, thinking it would be too gory. I *loved* this book! The only gory part was about half a page long, and I just skipped reading the details. I read enough to know the guy had been run over and had a broken neck. I loved reading about competing in agility and obedience trials, and some of the dogs' antics were hilarious.
7. Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson. Right now I'm about 70 pages in and having a hard time getting into this book. The main character has blessing upon blessing and still continues to complain. I'm going to give it another couple chapters to see if it gets any better. If not, I'll move on to another book. ETA: I read into Chapter 17 (pg 145) and this book just isn't working for me.
8. The Quilter's Daughter by Wanda Brunsetter. Daughters of Lancaster County #2. I enjoyed this book as much as the first one in the series, and I hope to read the third book soon. I like the characters and enjoy following their trails through the story.

May Books

1. Saddled With Trouble by Michele Scott. This is the first book in the Horse Lovers Mystery series. I really enjoyed reading this cozy mystery about a woman who runs a quarter horse farm and trains horses for ranch and rodeo work.
2. The Novice's Tale by Margaret Frazer. First book in the Sister Frevisse Medieval Mystery series. This series is set in the 1430's at a nunnery in England. Sister Frevisse appears in all of the books. I really enjoyed all the historical details written into the book.
3. Back on Track by Abby Gaines. Harlequin NASCAR May '07. I just love these NASCAR books. This story pitted sports psychologist Kelly against an on again off again NASCAR driver, and he has to help him become more consistent in his race finishes. The sparks flew between those two! It was a great book.
4. For Her Son's Love by Kathryn Springer (LI July '07). It's from a new series called A Tiny Blessings Tale. There will be a new book in this series each month from July-December. If you remember the LI series Tiny Blessings about the adoption agency from July '05-December '05, this is a continuation of that series. I enjoyed the book. It was like going back to visit old friends. I think this series will focus on peripheral people from the first series.
   

April Books

1. A Soldier's Heart by Marta Perry. LI May '07. This was the last book in the Flanagan family series and I really enjoyed it. I thought the last chapter was a great way to wrap up the series.
2. Beyond Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury. This was a good book, and not so hard emotionally as the first one was. I'll probably read more books by her at some point.
3. To Love Again by Bonnie Winn. LI May '07. Rosewood Texas series. This was a good book, except that I hated the hero. He was just so full of himself. He assumed from the beginning that all fault for a problem was with the heroine, and I just wanted to slap him repeatedly throughout the book. I'm still not quite sure how she fell in love with him. i'll go back later and look for the earlier books in the series. I want to know more about some of the women who showed up in this story.
4. Thunderstruck by Roxanne St. Claire Harlequin NASCAR Feb '07. I kept wanting to read this book and putting it off. I finally used it for a PBS game so I had to get it read. I enjoyed it, and I'm sure this will be a series in the new NASCAR Harlequin series as more books come out.
5. Everyday Blessings by Jillian Hart. LI June '07. This is another book in the McKaslin Clan series. This time it was Aubrey's turn. Her twin sister was the last book. I really liked the hero in this book. I wonder who he was based on in real life. Next in the series will be sister Lauren.
6. The Heart of Grace by Linda Goodnight. LI June '07. The third book in The Brothers' Bond trilogy. I enjoyed this story because the hero is injured in Iraq and has to come to grips with the fact that he might be blind. His frustration and fear are common to newly blind people. I wish the end of the story and series hadn't left that hanging. I'm not so sure I could have been as nice as his wife was during his recuperation, though. Somehow I missed the second book, so I need to find it and read it.
7. Crime and Clutter by Cyndy Salzmann. This is the first cozy mystery I've read, and this one is Christian. It was fun to read about the group of women's interactions and remember times I've been able to relax with my friends. I really enjoyed the parts of the book set in the '60's during the hippie revolution. One of my favorite things about the book is the recipes at the start of each chapter, and then seeing how those recipes will be used in the chapter. I'm going to try and get the first book in the series at some point too. I think I've possibly found a new genre to read.

March books

1. One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury. I wasn't sure if I was ready to read a book based on 9/11, but I'm so glad I did. The story is based on a man who escapes the towers but has amnesia. The parts set in the towers were a little hard to read, but it was a great story, and I came to really feel for the people in the story.
2. With Open Arms by Janet Lee Barton. HSP #730. This was in my March books. It's a good story set in a small Mississippi town before a hurricane comes.
3. The Redemption by M.L. Tyndall. This is a Christian historical set in the 1660's in the Caribbean. I don't usually read pirate stories, but this one was pretty good. I'll probably read the sequel once HSP sends it out through the Truly Yours club.
4. Petticoat Ranch by Mary Connealy. I really enjoyed reading the antics of Sophie and her daughters as they protect their Texas ranch and then have to adjust to a man being in the household again. Can't wait for the sequel!
5. The Faith Club by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner. It took me two weeks to get through it, but I'm so glad I did. It's non-fiction, about three women who get together to find the commonalities between their different religions. I learned the most about Islam, and many of my stereotypes were uncovered for what they were. Now I need to give my brain a break and find a fluff book to read...
6. Love's Haven by Catherine Palmer. This was a good story, but I never quite got into it. It took me a lot longer to read then I thought it would.
7. Morning Comes Softly by Debbie Macomber. I stayed up really late last night and finished it in one night. I loved it. Sort of a modern day mail order bride story. As in most of Debbie's books, parts were laugh-out-loud funny.
8. Wicked by Gregory Maguire. I read about 100 pages into this book and found it really freaky, so I quit. I'm still going to count it for the New Author Challenge though.

February Books

1. The Biggest Loser cookbook - I'm enjoying trying out all the neat recipes. Most of them are things we already like, such as burgers, just healthier versions.
2. Once Upon A Family by Margaret Daley. LI April '07. First in the Fostered By Love series. This was a great story that I read in two nights.
3. English Carols And Scottish Bagpipes by Pamela Griffin and Jill Stengl.
4. Speed Dating by Nancy Warren. Part of Harlequin's new NASCAR imprint. This was a fun book to read, and it wasn't smutty at all.
5. Savannah Comes Undone by Denise Hildreth. This is chick lit, so not really something I enjoy, but I did like reading about the city of Savannah. It was neat to read more details about the city, since we'd just visited there back in January.
6. Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado. Another great Lucado book! I enjoyed the humorous bits spread throughout the serious parts of the chapters, and there are plenty of little sound bites that I can easily apply to my life.
7. Scrap Everything by Leslie Gould. A cute book with some depth to it, but I was expecting scrapbooking to be more involved. It's more just based on the friendship of the two women, and scrapbooking is tossed in as a hobby for them both.
8. Flower Girl Bride by Dana Corbit. LI April '07. Fun story about the flower girl and ring bearer from a wedding 25 years ago meeting again at a 25 wedding anniversary party. Some parts of it were laugh-out-loud funny.
9. Apple Blossom Bride by Lois Richer. LI April '07. Second in the Serenity Bay series. I liked this one much better then the first one.
10. By His Hand by Jennifer Johnson. Heartsong Presents #725. This author is new to HSP, and this book was in my February shipment. It was pretty funny, sort of reminded me of chick lit in a way. I hope HSP prints more by Jennifer.

Catching Up on January Books

I finished the book by Marta Perry, and I loved it! We took a weekend trip to Savnnah, Georgia/Beaufort S.C. and we finished two audiobooks during the trip: Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events #12 (Penultimate Peril), which I didn't really like, and Gail Carson Levine's first Disney Fairies book, Fairy Dust and the Quest for The Egg, which we both enjoyed. I started another March LI on the trip, Every Kind of Heaven, by Jillian Hart. It's from another series that I love, but it took me a week to finish reading it, because there was no time to read. Yesterday, I started reading The Storekeeper's Daughter, by Wanda Brunsetter. I like it so far, and it's going quickly, even though it's trade paperback size.

Restless Hearts by Marta Perry

I started Restless Hearts earlier today, and I'll probably stay up late tonight to finish reading it. I enjoy all of Marta's books about the Flanagan family but this one in particular is really great, since it mixes in some elements of the Amish and Pennslyania Dutch people. I can't put it down, and I'm really enjoying the story. It keeps moving, and I can't seem to find a good stopping point.

Book Reviews

I liked the first few chapters of His Winter Rose by Lois Richer, but then in the middle of the book I just got so bored. I wasn't interested in finding out who was messing with Piper's house. I'm hoping the next book in the Serenity Bay series will be better. I have it on my TBR pile.

The past two nights I've been reading Christmas Rose by Lacey Springer. It's a LI reprint in the Christmas Collection promo. It was obvious that the story was written & published in the early 80's, but it was a cute story. I really liked Abbey in the story. 

January 2006 Books

1. His Winter Rose by Lois Richer. Serenity Bay series. It's an LI, from Feb. '07.
2. Christmas Rose by Lacey Springer. LI reprint.
3. Restless Hearts by Marta Perry. Flanagan family series. LI March '07.
4. Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events #12 (Penultimate Peril)
5. Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg by Gail Carson Levine
6. Every Kind of Heaven by Jillian Hart. McKaslin Clan series. LI March '07.
7. The Cool Girl's Guide to Crochet by Nicki Trench
8. The storekeeper's Daughter by Wanda Brunsetter

December/Christmas Break 2006 Books Read

I had a lot of time to read over the Christmas break last week. Here's what I thought about each book.

I read From Baghdad, With Love by Jay Kopelman. I found it at Borders when I was using a Christmas gift card. The descriptions of war in Iraq from his POV were a little difficult to read, but I loved reading how his relationship with the dog he named Lava grew. I was sad to finish the book, even though I read the whole thing in one sitting.

I started Dream A Little Dream by Debra Clopton (LI Feb 07), and I thought I'd enjoy it because it's another book in her Mule Hollow series, but this one just didn't flow like the other three books did. I quit reading it about halfway through.

The same thing happened with Home to Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani. As much as I wanted to like the story, the way the people talked got on my nerves enough that I couldn't follow the story. I read through about 100 pages before giving up on it.

I really enjoyed Jennifer Chiaverini's first three stories in the Elm Creek Quilts series. I couldn't put them down, and I'm not a quilter. These stories sure make me want to try learning, though.

Last but not least is Sisterhood of the Dropped Stitches by Janet Tronstad (also LI Feb 07). This is a story about a group of women in their 20's who form a knitting/cancer support group. Actually, the book is set six years after the group is formed, but since the book is mostly written like a journal, the time jumps back and forth between the last few years and the present. It was really fun to read. I hope there are stories about the others in the group forthcoming.

Before Christmas Break, I read Promise Me Always by Christine Lynxwiler. It's a chick lit book, I'm sure. It was okay, but i'm really not into chick lit. It's about a girl who enters a landscaping contest, and her company is followed by camera crews for a reality tv show. It's part of The Pinky Promise Sisterhood series.

I also read Ready For Love by Debbie Macomber, which has two of her older stories in it, Secondhand Heart by Joyce Livingston, about a football player who has a career ending injury and undergoes a kidney transplant on top of the injury, and A NASCAR Holiday, which is an anthology based on NASCAR.