Book Review - "A Vision of Lucy"

"A Vision of Lucy" is Margaret Brownley's third book in her Rocky Creek Romance series. This is a great addition to the series! I really enjoyed the story!

Lucy loves photography and she wishes her father would accept her as a photographer and see her as an artist like he viewed Lucy's mother. However, things do not go smoothly for Lucy, she appears to be accident-prone as things continually happen wherever she is! Lucy meets David, a quiet rustic man and soon discovers that he has secrets. By taking his picture, Lucy believes this will be the key to her acceptance; however things are not always as they seem.

Brownley does a great job at pulling the reader into her story. The characters are very fun and lovable, and could be the people living in your town. The historical aspect and descriptions are vivid and transport back in time to Rocky Creek!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Book Review - "Indelible"

Kristen Heitzmann's latest novel, "Indelible" is a thrilling read that grips you on the very first page and does not let go until you reach the final page. It is filled with romance, suspense, hope and healing.

Natalie Reeves is a sculptor, however she is not a "normal sculptor" as she has a disability that she must cope with by releasing images through her hands into the clay. While moving into a new town with the help of her pro-athlete brother and his family, a horrific incident occurs and this results in Natalie meeting Trevor who rescues her nephew. Trevor, former Olympic skiing, owns an outfitter shop and is part of a search and rescue team as this helps him to work through things from his past. Natalie and Trevor's lives become intertwined and they find themselves dealing with someone who worships Trevor, but is also harming innocent lives around them.

I really enjoyed this book; however I did not realize that this book is part of a series until I was partway through. I felt like I was missing bits and pieces through the story as other characters and past incidents were referred to. I searched on the Internet and found that Heitzmann's novel, "Indivisible" comes ahead of this one and I am now going to read that. I do wish I had read it first, but the story is great either way. The characters are well-developed in this novel and there is a small town community feel while reading about their lives. I hope this town and these characters are a part of future novels from Heitzmann.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Book Review - "Money Secrets of the Amish"

"Money Secrets of the Amish" by Lorilee Craker is a fascinating read! The Amish live so simply and are often looked upon as living in the past or in a world so different than ours; however they are living in today's society and are still managing to survive, thrive and save money!
The stories that are shared in this book are about real people who are living in today's society and making choices that result in having plenty to live on and also managing to save for the future as well. There are many tips that can be applied to an "English" life and many things to think about. It will encourage each reader to think about where money is being spent and how to live more carefully. This is a great read for today!

* I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Book Review - "Amish Prayers"

Beverly Lewis has complied a collection of "Amish Prayers" in a beautiful hardcover book. The Amish are a fascinating group of people who live simply and have such a strong faith, although it does vary from other cultures and denominations. However, their love and awe of God is evident in their prayers that are very heartfelt and full of meaning.

Lewis' collection contains prayers of different types and are organized in different chapters. For example, there is a chapter of "prayers for a new day," "prayers of gratitude" and "prayers for strength" just to name a few. This book would make a great devotional or prayer guide as the reader can easily find a type of prayer that fits the need or mindset at a time. A beautiful collection to add to anyone's library!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Book Review - "A Great Catch"

Lorna Seilstad's latest novel, "A Great Catch," book 2 in her Lake Manawa Summers series will put you right in the mood for summer and have you longing for time to lounge at the beach or a summer home and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Emily Graham is the president of the local women suffrage club and although it is summer she is not slowing down her efforts to help women gain the right to vote. Emily is spending the summer with her grandmother and her two great-aunts whose goal seems to be to find a man for Emily. Emily is not seeking for one herself, but she crashes into Carter Stockton, a pitcher for the local baseball team. Emily soon finds herself spending a great deal of time with Carter and must learn to seek God and not push Him aside to focus on everything else in her life.

This is a great second book to the series. Set in the summer of 1901 in Iowa, you will be transported to a different era and this time period comes alive on the pages of this book! The main character from book 1, Marguerite, is back! She is married to Tripp and they have a little boy. It is great to read about some of the previous novel's characters and to learn more about Emily in this book. Seilstad creates great characters and they are very realistic and are dealing with family and relationship issues, dealing with their own pride and also political issues that were prominent during this time. The historical details add a lot to the story. I enjoyed reading about the Bloomer Girls' visit to the lake and this event. I highly recommend this book to anyone enjoying historical fiction - it is a perfect summery read!

“Available May 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Book Review - "A Killer Among Us"

A fan of Lynette Eason's first 2 books in her Women of Justice series, I was excited to read her newest book, book 3 "A Killer Among Us." Readers were introduced to Kit Kenyon, Jamie and Samantha's sister who has been raised by different parents, at the end of book 2 and now Kit returns as the main character in book 3. Kit is a hostage negotiator and finds herself in the midst of a new crime involving a serial killer targeting law students until she finds herself wanted by the killer and being held hostage herself. Kit finds herself attracted to her new partner Noah and is trying to adjust to her family she grew up not knowing she had.

Eason's beloved characters return from the first two books and the readers are introduced to new ones as well. This story held my attention and I wanted to read and read until I reached the end as I had to find out all the facts. The many twists and turns will keep you guessing and keeping you turning the pages. The characters and story are so real, they could be your next door neighbors. A must read for romantic suspense fiction readers!

“Available May 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Book Review - "A Reluctant Queen"

Joan Wolf has created a fictionalized account of Esther in her novel, "A Reluctant Queen." While Wolf adds to and shares her own take on the story of Esther, the Biblical principles and truth are evident throughout the story.

Esther is a young, simple girl; however her heart grabs the attention of King Xerxes and forever history is changed and loves grows between these two individuals.

Wolf has expanded upon this Biblical account and this is really a beautiful love story to read. The characters come alive on the pages and the reader will gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of a story that may not be as well known as some Biblical accounts. I highly recommend this book, especially to those who enjoy historical fiction.

*I received a free copy from Thomas Nelson Publishing in exchange for a honest review.