Welcome to Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong

Just finished reading "Welcome to Last Chance" by Cathleen Armstrong. I loved the small town feel and the diverse characters, and the way that Christian values were presented in a gentle, non-confrontational way. The story of the two main characters, Lainie and Ray, kept me guessing as there had to more to the story than was presented in the beginning, but I have to say that the warm, sweet, rock-steady character, Elizabeth, was my favorite. At times, the book read like a mystery with a bit of suspense thrown in, and at other times, like a romantic novel. I can imagine followup books in the series featuring these same characters. The suspense aspect won't keep you up at night, but the romantic side will warm your heart.

The Country House Courtship by Linore Rose Burkard

I am a novice when reading 'inspirational romance.' As I began reading The Country House Courtship, I was instantly drawn into the setting, learned new words and phrases, and enjoyed getting to know the characters. As I continued to read, I felt as if I had traveled through time. Linore's attention to detail is wonderful, and the glossary in the back helped me understand some of the terms used in the realistic dialogue. Reading an omniscient point-of-view was a refreshing change of pace.

The Country House Courtship is book 3 in Burkard's Inspirational Regency Romance series. I think I will go back now and read what I've missed in the first two books. It looks like I won't be a 'novice' much longer.

Bad Idea - a novel (with coyotes) by Todd & Jedd Hafer

BAD IDEA by Todd and Jedd Hafer takes readers on a road trip with eighteen-year old Griffin Smith. About the time I thought I knew just who the main character was, another – and sometimes disturbing, facet of his personality would be revealed.

Difficult subjects are not shied away from or addressed in a predictable way. Each chapter brought a surprise, and kept the action and the road trip moving forward – with a few unexpected detours.

I especially enjoyed the hilarious, mental riffs Griffin would take off on. Reading BAD IDEA represents a departure from my usual fare, and I’m glad I stepped out of my comfort zone to read this book. Once I started, I had no intention of cutting my trip short.

Recommended for ages 13 and older.

Product Details:
Paperback: 311 pages
Publisher: Th1nk Books (August 22, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1576839699
ISBN-13: 978-1576839690

NOTE: This book was given to me by Glass Road PR for the purpose of receiving reviews.

The Legend of Zoey by Candie Moonshower

Candie Moonshower has seamlessly meshed the experiences of two girls in two different eras into a delightful tale in The Legend of Zoey. Against the background of real events, she has written a fun and at times, poignant story and manages to teach the reader, too. Writing about time travel and using two points of view can be tricky, but Moonshower makes the transition between points of time and view with ease. I look for more great books from Candie Moonshower.

Product Details:
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (July 11, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385732805
ISBN-13: 978-0385732802

Wishing on Dandelions by Mary DeMuth

When I finished reading Watching the Tree Limbs, I was sad, wanting to continue reading to see where Mara's path in life would lead. To my delight, Mary DeMuth has graced us with Wishing on Dandelions. Even if you haven't read Mary's first book (but I recommend that you do), this book stands on its own merits.

As we begin, we find that Maranatha is now seventeen years old, wishing with all that's within her for a sign from above that she is loved. Maranatha's family and the people in her small town are full, rich characters. They can be endearing and aggravating at the same time. Several act as conduits of God's love and in the process become her support system as she makes that journey from child to adult, from victim to victor, from darkness to light.

DeMuth writes with more than a touch of humor. The `wedding chapter' had me laughing out loud many times, yet other chapters had me in tears or on the edge of my seat.

I'm desperate for a third novel. I'm eager to find out so much more about this character I've come to love named Maranatha. Bravo, Mary! Keep writing.

Product Details:
Paperback: 357 pages
Publisher: Navpress Publishing Group
Language: English
ISBN: 1576839532

Mary E. DeMuth's Website: Relevant Prose

The Defilers by Deborah Gyapong

If you pick up The Defilers by Deborah Gyapong expecting a light read, you’ve chosen the wrong book. This novel is gritty, fast-paced, and dripping with suspense. The main character, Linda Donner, a policewoman, investigates a murder where the main suspect is a local pastor.

Several scenes might cause uneasiness as you read - the flashbacks when Linda recalls her childhood molestation by a priest, or scenes of intense spiritual warfare. But Deborah Gyapong writes of the physical world and the spiritual world with maturity and extensive attention to detail. It’s obvious Gyapong took great pains to portray spiritual warfare with realism and theological accuracy, and the police investigation rings authentic as well.

When Linda Donner thinks she must be having a breakdown of some kind, help seems to come from a highly unlikely source, the pastor. How can she trust a clergyman who’s at the center of her investigation, or any clergyman after all she’s overcome battling her own past and the horrible memories associated with ‘men of the cloth’?

As I read the final chapters of The Defilers, I realized I held my breath, turning each page with trepidation. Pick this book up and expect a gripping, mature story you won’t soon forget.

Product Details:
Paperback: 335 pages
Publisher: Castle Quay (March 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 1897186029

Note: This book was given to me by Castle Quay Books for review.