About the book:

Left standing at the altar, Daisy Murien, a wounded but hopeful romantic, opens a secondhand wedding dress boutique, hoping to soothe her broken heart while giving doomed wedding dresses a second chance at love. Her predictable days take a sharp turn, though, when the retired Episcopal priest who blesses the tiny, blue satin heart she sews into each dress falls ill. When the priest’s brooding and recently divorced son arrives with plans to take his ailing father away, a contest of wills begins between two stubborn—and hurting—souls. While fighting to keep Father Laurent close by, Daisy finally begins to understand why she has routinely convinced potential buyers not to buy the one gown that started her business—her own: She doesn’t want to give up on the dream of a fairytale romance.

My review:

Have you ever discovered that you were dating someone you had strong feelings for and they just didn't reciprocate those intense emotions, only to discover that you were more in love with the idea of being in love than with the person you thought you were in love with? If this rings true to you, then you'll want to read Blue Heart Blessed. Susan Meissner has done it again with this book and created a masterful tale of love and loss, healing and hope, and what to do with the hole in our hearts that we all long to fill. This is such a powerful and fabulous story that it is making my list of top books for 2008!

Not only was Blue Heart Blessed deep and thought-provoking, but it also really tugs at your heart strings. The raging emotions Daisy is hammered with, and the soul-searching she experiences, will make an impression on your heart. But once you get through the storm with her you will take away from her life a valuable lesson you can apply to your own.

Written in Susan's unique style, Blue Heart Blessed is more touching than fun, but still has a chick lit feel to it. And the main character is one loveable, wacky woman who writes to herself about her troubles, then answers her own questions. Sometimes it's downright funny and other times the insight is quite profound. This book is a keeper, trust me.

Blue Heart Blessed was published by Harvest House and will be released in Feb. 2008!

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About the book:

As Charlotte drew closer to the looming grey edifice that was to become her temporary home, she could not help but notice the secretive shuttered windows. Then she noticed the milkweeds . . .

Even a proper vicar's daughter can make a mistake--and now Charlotte Lamb must pay a high price for her fall. To avoid the prying eyes of all who know her, she hides herself away in London's forbidding "Milkweed Manor," a place of mystery and lore, of old secrets and new birth.

But once there, she comes face to face with a suitor from her past--a man who now hides secrets of his own. Both are determined, with God's help, to protect those they love. But neither can imagine the depth of sacrifice that will be required.

Sprinkled with fascinating details about the lives of women in Regency England, Lady of Milkweed Manor is a moving romantic drama about the redemption of past failings and the beauty of sacrificial love.

My review:

This is truly one of the most emotionally gripping novels I've ever read and it is sure to make my best of 2008 list. My heart pounded with anticipation so many times I lost count. Just when I thought I knew what would happen next, something different took place. The author did an amazing job pulling the reader into Charlotte's life. I longed for her happiness. And there were so many powerful subplots that my head is still swimming with amazement, and my heart is still gripped by this strangely sad, yet hopeful and deeply romantic tale of love and loss, of sacrifice and reward. Bottom line...This story is so full of passion that it will make your heart sing.

Best of all, Lady of Milkweed Manor shows in a tangible and emotionally gratifying way how all things do work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. The element of sacrificial love in this poignant novel is so incredibly powerful that it will stick with me for years to come. I am so impressed with this author's "voice" and her ability to draw my heart into a story that I plan to read every books she pens from this day forward. I highly recommend this story. If you take my advice, you'll see why.

Lady of Milkweed Manor was published by Bethany House and released in January 2008.

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About the book:

Toni Rodden has escaped a life of prostitution and vows she'll never let a man control her again. After months on the wagon train, she's finally earned her place, albeit grudgingly from some, and has found a surrogate family in Fannie Caldwell and her two siblings. For the first time she can taste freedom and the possibilities of a new life. But as Fannie prepares to marry wagon master Blake Tanner, Toni realizes how alone she is and questions whether she'll ever find acceptance, or true love.

Despite Toni's conviction that no man will be able to see beyond her marred past, Sam Two-Feathers, the half-Indian wagon scout and acting preacher for the train, seems to know of a love that forgives sins and values much more than outward appearances. Will Sam have the confidence to declare his love? Will Toni be able to trust in a love that can forgive even the darkest past?

My review:

I loved the previous book in this series, but enjoyed this one even more. It was compelling and interesting. I dare say it is one of Tracey's best historical novels...at least that I've read so far. And it was very well-written.

While Distant Heart has characteristics of a typical prairie "wagon train" western-type novel, it's far from the usual fare. The tension and conflict were awesome and real, and there was plenty of hardship and grit on the "journey" the heroine experienced. Real life issues such as shame, addictions, sin, jealousy, strife, deceit, murder, kidnapping, adultery, etc. They're all in there and comprise one incredible tale.

I SO loved this story and the message it contains. And the perception Toni and Sam had in regards to each other made me crazy. I wanted to shake them both so they'd see the truth. But they were also self-sacrificing, and that makes for an awesome love story. The secondary characters were incredibly well done, too, and I'm looking forward to reading the final story in this series.

Distant Heart was published by Avon Inspire and released in January 2008.

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From the publisher:

While camping in the Cuyamaca Mountains above San Diego, shy Melena meets surfer Dylan and is floored that an attractive man would actually fall for her. Especially since she hasn't had a date since, well, birth.

They share a romantic late night hike, trips to the beach and chemistry that can't be bottled?everything is going great. That is until Cassi, Melena's spoiled sister, falls for Dylan, too. And what Cassi wants, she usually gets. Manipulation, sordid tricks and revealing clothing?Cassi will do whatever it takes to get her man. Even if Melena is left heart broken.

Can Dylan and Melena's budding relationship survive Cassi's vindictive meddling?

My review:

I enjoyed this sweet romance. It was incredibly engaging for a young adult novel and I found it hard to put down. I loved that there was a lot of tension between the characters. It was also a powerful illustration of the sad reality of the damage divorce does to destroy trust in children and families.

Melena was a very like-able heroine and Dylan was the ultimate, hot hero. Cassie was the stereo-typical wicked sister and April was the true best friend. I enjoyed the dynamics between all the players and the emotion packed into this story. The spiritual element was also well done because the faith portion of the story flowed and didn't seem forced. And of course, the fact that Dylan prayed made him even more hot. His only flaw was that he was a nice guy and had trouble saying no when he really needed to.

Overall, this was a great, fun read. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a romance where the relationship between the characters makes you giggle and want to have a slumber party with your girlfriends.

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From the publisher:

Boston, Massachusetts--1770.Having left Scotland, the Mackenzie family now lives on in three brothers--Nathan, Edward, and Robby--as the turbulent story begun in Crown of Fire and Captives and Kings concludes.

When Nathan, a young lawyer, witnesses the Boston Massacre, he and his mentor John Adams--though both pro-independence--are pulled into defending British soldiers.

During the following conflict with his fellow patriots, Nathan also struggles with his minister brother, Edward, who remains firmly loyal to what he considers the God-ordained British government.

When youngest brother Robby, a radical patriot, is arrested, Edward and Nathan must each search heart and soul. In the end, they and their families pledge themselves to the colonial cause. To them, however, ultimate glory does not rest with a new nation and new political system. Rather, true glory resides in doing God's will in the midst of dangerous and uncertain times.

My review:

Sons of glory was packed with action and historical events. Want to learn more about the tension between the colonies and England before the American Revolution? You'd love this book. It goes into what happened at the Boston Massacre and the trial that followed. I found that part of the book particularly fascinating. It reminded me of the movie Amistad, which also had fabulous court scenes. The lawyers were brilliant in their defense and very brave to go against the popular opinion even though it was based on faulty facts and false testimony. I also enjoyed Robby's plight and holding my breath as I waited to find out his fate. All in all this was an engaging tale and one of the best books in the series. Assuming the authors got all of the particular facts correct, historians and historical fiction lovers will adore this book.

Sons of Glory was published by Harvest House and released in January 2008.

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About the book:

In this compelling novel that mirrors church scandals in the news today, Jim, middle-aged bank manager, is torn between a desire to believe the best and suspicion resulting from an apparent indiscretion by his popular young pastor Dave.

My review:

Fallen is a thought-provoking, page-turning novel that will cause you to see things differently by book's end. As with peeling an onion, layer after layer of deception is removed as the cover is stripped away and the truth is exposed. The insight this author has is impressive.

The process of uncovering the truth will make you question things. Sticking with your convictions may be unpopular, but what is more important, stating the truth or allowing sin to continue? It's hard to say much more about this story because I don't want my review to be a spoiler for the reader, but I can say that Fallen truly exposes the darkest places in a man's heart. It also helps you to see that sometimes Christians have ulterior motives based more on pride than Christ.

You'll never see accountability in the same light after reading this book. It's truly sad how warped things can get and how easily deceived people can be. But in the end, if you allow God to expose the sin in your heart, and you are willing to follow his lead, change is possible. But humility is a key ingredient, because if you don't think you've sinned then you have nothing to confess, right? This book will blow your mind and stretch your thinking, trust me. I especially appreciated how the author used the situation to make Jim see how he'd hurt his own family and how he used that knowledge for the benefit of the people he loved.

Fallen is published by Kregel and will be released in February 2008.

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I just finished Chill Out, Josey last night. This book was such a scream that it made my list, though a few days late, but only because the holidays slowed down my reading schedule. This book was very hard to put down and kept begging to be read. I was literally drawn to it...constantly.



About the book:

Josey Anderson will be the perfect wife. She and Chase did have the perfect wedding--if you don't count the matron of honor going into labor. Now all she has to do is find a cute Cape-style house, report for the Gull Lake, Minnesota, paper, bake cookies and learn to sew--is that so difficult?

But when Chase lands a new job--in Moscow--Josey's dreams disintegrate. After all, she's been there, done that as a missionary, and a city without year-round hot water, decent takeout or . . . maternity clothes--that's not perfection! But what's the perfect wife to do?

My Review:

Don't read this book in public. All of the snickering and snorting will draw attention to yourself, and you won't be able to hold it back. I read about four pages of this book to my son the other night (while we were waiting to start a game) and even he (Mr. Serious) starting rolling in laughter with me. Josey is such a great character. Her thoughts were hilarious and her antics were totally nuts. But she tries so hard you've gotta love her. She is a bit naive, though, when it comes to some things, but fortunately the trust she places in people is not destroyed. You have to love someone who cares as much she does, right? Isn't that what makes her so adorable? I think so.

Josey had funny names for people that will make you laugh, but she is descriptive without sounding mean, and I loved that. She referred to the Russian women (who worked with her husband) as the underfeds because they were so thin compared to her. And when she starts going through her internal pregnancy thoughts (like comparing herself to a manatee) make sure your mouth is empty or you'll spew food on your book. Trust me, this story is a keeper. You won't want to ruin it.

I especially enjoyed one of the key props in this book. Josey referred to them using a pet name, scary pants. There is a whole lot of subtle meaning that goes in to that clothing item. Brilliantly done! Personally, I think this author is most gifted in writing funny chick lit. I hope Josey's legacy continues or I'll be one sad reader. Of all of the books I've read in the past year, this is by far the most amusing, but it also had some profoundly insightful moments that were a natural part of the storyline.

Lest you think you will get only humor from this book, let me set you straight now. Josey gains insight into her inner life and motivations, and as a reader you will do some soul-examining along with her. The spiritual message is wonderful. Steeple Hill deserves major kudos for publishing this work of art. This is what Christian Chick lit should be about...humor and depth. Susan May Warren has that going on here, so enjoy!

Chill Out, Josey was published by Steeple Hill Cafe and released in December 2007! Get a copy while they are still hot!

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