Synopsis (from the publisher)

Roxy Burke left her family vowing to become a country-western star. Now shes homedreams shattered, her life a mess. What no one could have predicted is the effect the return of this prodigal has on her family. Its not just Roxy who needs the healing power of grace.

(My review as seen in ACFW's E-zine, the August edition.)

Return to Me by Robin Lee Hatcher is a powerful example of the ideal Christian fiction novel. It parallels the story of the prodigal son and was so engaging that I finished the story in one day. I just couldn’t put it down. I identified with Roxy despite her many flaws.

Roxy’s change of heart when she discovered Christ in an unlikely setting reminded me of my own personal experience. I remember the same still, small voice calling out to me until I finally gave my heart to the Lord. Of course, Roxy’s older sister Elena decided Roxy needed to experience additional consequences for her sin. Like what Roxy had naturally suffered as a result of squandering her inheritance hadn’t been painful enough, and not realizing, of course, all that her sister had already lost because of her poor choices. I’ve never seen a better example of how self-righteousness wounds new believers and destroys relationships and trust.

Return to Me is also a wonderful illustration of the emotional and spiritual fallout resulting from manipulative rejection, and the believer’s need for a close walk with the Lord in order to resist pride and jealousy when new Christians succeed where they may have struggled. Thus the spiritual arc of the characters comes across as very genuine, especially when it comes to the older sister’s attitude.

There are some gritty situations in this story, but nothing I wouldn’t let my teenager read. Overall, it’s a fabulous example of the regrets people experience as the result of poor choices, and the subsequent struggle to forgive one’s self. The author concludes by portraying the Scripture that refers to all things being possible through Christ Jesus. I highly recommend this story because of the life-changing lessons within.

Return to Me was published by Zondervan and released in June 2007.

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From the publisher:

Ruth Caldwell's mother raised her to be a lady, though with disappointing results. As Ruth searches for her father in the Wild West, she drops her forced refinement like a cumbersome parasol. But the mysterious mayhem that surrounds her journey is unusual even for the bumbling Ruth. Can her new friend Josh protect her?

My review:

This book took me a long time to finish, but not because it was boring. I didn't want to ruin the cover, and it was autographed, so I left it at home. Now that I've finished I wonder what took me so long. The story is charming and witty and the characters are engaging. I loved the suspenseful element of not knowing who was causing Ruth to have so many accidents. Then when the reader discovers who it is, the rest of the story keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering when the perpetrator is going to harm Ruth irrevocably.

The developing love between Ruth and Josh from their common faith and friendship was tender and precious. I really enjoyed that thread in the story; especially when Josh prayed for Ruth. There isn't a more romantic and intimate thing a man can do for the woman he loves than to pray for her concerns while tenderly holding her hands. Josh was the ultimate hero once he got past his concern that Ruth was going to steal his inheritance. The spiritual lessons that came out of this story were divine as well. Overall I'd recommend this story because it will put a smile on your face and keep you reading until the end...as long as it isn't autographed. :)

Letter Perfect was published by Bethany House and released in August of 2006.

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From the Publisher:

Wedding Bell Blues tells the delightful story of four best friends who have returned to their small hometown on the eastern shore of Maryland, Piper Cove.

Alex Butler is a successful home decorator who hopes she has finally gotten her life together. But when Josh Turner, the man who ran away and broke her heart sixteen years ago, returns to Piper Cove to be the best man in her sister's wedding, Alex can't escape the butterflies in her stomach. But Alex has no time for distractions, her family has enlisted her to make this the wedding of the century. To pull the event off, she pools the talents of her three best friends - Jan, who creates desserts to-die-for will help with the cake and catering, tomboy Ellen, who works at a landscaping business will handle the flowers and decorations, and Sue Anne, who can . . . well, Suzie Q can give Alex a much-needed reality check in the course of the wedding planning chaos.

But fate won't be stopped in this small town as Alex and Josh keep running into each other at every turn. When sparks fly, Alex soon finds herself caught in a paralyzing battle of the heart between her old-fashioned Southern father, who fiercely resents Josh for breaking his little girl's heart, and her feelings for the one man she ever truly loved.

As the wedding approaches, the Butler family faces a threat to their reputation that will shake this Chesapeake clan to their very core. In the midst of it all, can Alex and Josh resist the many forces that seem to be drawing them together?

My review:

This is the first novel I've read by Linda Windsor and now I'm wondering what took me so long to delve into her stories. I own several more, which I will soon be reading, especially if they are all as good as this book was. I really enjoyed the tension between characters. Especially the hero and heroine. The longing for each other, and yet trying-to-remain-aloof-but-not-succeeding portion of the story kept me smiling.

I love a book that has passionate kissing in it, especially when the two people who are drawn together also feel like they shouldn't succumb to what they long for. That makes for the best romantic tension. And this book has fabulous kissing and romance, yet they never fall into dangerous territory because Joshua is heroic enough to flee temptation. The author has a gift for description, making your heart float at times. She also has a great sense of humor and uses witty metaphors.

Incredibly romantic, this novel had just enough sizzle to hook me on her books for life. Not to reduce it to sizzle, because the spiritual element was deep and edifying as well, but I SO love an inspirational novel that has more than just one kiss at the end. Trust me, if you love romantic tension, great character arcs and an interesting plot, this story has a gourmet distribution of them all. Delicious and addicting. I loved it.

Wedding Bell Blues was published by Avon Inspire and released in July 2007.

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From the Publisher:

Her relationship with former fiance Paul Waddell in tatters, Hannah Lapp has fled her home in hopes of finding refuge with another Amish outcast, her shunned Aunt Zabeth in Ohio. Hampered by limited education and hiding her true identity, Hannah struggles to understand the confusing world of the Englischers and embrace unfamiliar freedoms, but a deepening friendship with the handsome Martin Palmer renews her courage to face the future.

My review:

If you loved When the Heart Cries, you are really going to love this sequel. The story begins with Hannah searching for her Aunt. She ends up all alone, cold and hungry. You can't help but feel for her since the ending of the last book brought out the many injustices she faced at the hands of people who were supposed to be there for her. Of course, she does finally find her aunt and her life starts to finally turn around.

Meanwhile, Paul hasn't forgotten Hannah, and her sister Sarah is completely losing her mind as a result of Hannah's disappearance. There is drama with other members of Owl's Perch, too, but I won't spoil it by sharing the details. In short, this story was just as hard to put down as the first book in the series. I personally think it was even more romantic. But you start to feel torn. Of course, the author resolves just enough of the issues that you aren't freaking out when the story ends, but she leaves some loose ends that make you crave the next installment. I can't wait to read the third book in this series to find out what Hannah decides to do with her life.

When the Morning Comes is published by Waterbrook Press and is scheduled to be released for sale on Sept. 4, 2007.

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Product Details
ISBN: 0307381463
ISBN-13: 9780307381460
Format: Hardcover, 480pp
Publisher: Crown Publishing Group

From the Publisher:
Nefertiti and her younger sister, Mutnodjmet, have been raised in a powerful family that has provided wives to the rulers of Egypt for centuries. Ambitious, charismatic, and beautiful, Nefertiti is destined to marry Amunhotep, an unstable young pharaoh. It is hoped by all that her strong personality will temper the young Amunhotep’s heretical desire to forsake Egypt’s ancient gods, overthrow the priests of Amun, and introduce a new sun god for all to worship.

From the moment of her arrival in Thebes, Nefertiti is beloved by the people. Her charisma is matched only by her husband’s perceived generosity: Amunhotep showers his subjects with lofty promises. The love of the commoners will not be enough, however, if the royal couple is not able to conceive an heir, and as Nefertiti turns her attention to producing a son, she fails to see that the powerful priests, along with the military, are plotting against her husband’s rule. The only person wise enough to recognize the shift in political winds—and brave enough to tell the queen—is her younger sister, Mutnodjmet.

Observant and contemplative, Mutnodjmet has never shared her sister’s desire for power. She yearns for a quiet existence away from family duty and the intrigues of court. Her greatest hope is to share her life with the general who has won her heart. But as Nefertiti learns of the precariousness of her reign, she declares that her sister must remain at court and marry for political gain, not love. To achieve her independence, Mutnodjmet must defy her sister, the most powerful woman in Egypt—while also remaining loyal to the needs of her family.

Love, betrayal,political unrest, plague, and religious conflict—Nefertiti brings ancient Egypt to life in vivid detail. Fast-paced and historically accurate, it is the dramatic story of two unforgettable women living through a remarkable period in history.

My review:

Nefertiti is an unforgettable novel. It's one that draws you into another world as long as you are reading it, and lingers in your thoughts after you are done. Brilliantly revealed through the eyes of Nefertiti's only sister, the rich history of ancient Egypt comes to life. The culture, art, food, clothing, and other details make for an authentic setting as well. I haven't read a novel that has gripped me as much as this one has in a very long while. The portrayal of Nefertiti's rise as co-regent and Pharaoh, her greed, lust for power, the jealousy between wives, and the agonizing pain of her many losses all seemed incredibly real to me.

At first I felt bad for Mutnodjmet because she had an obligation to serve her sister, but she was truly the most loyal and honorable person in her family. I could imagine what her life would have been like and I developed an emotional connection to the fictional character Mutnodjmet. Her only sister, queen Nefertiti, was a powerful but also self-absorbed and demanding ruler. And yet, over time I came to pity Nefertiti and understood Mutnodjmet's torn feelings toward her family. I could sense the fear of abandonment that dictated much of Nefertiti's rash decisions.

I grieved along with Mutnodjmet the loss of her first child, felt her longing for another, and experienced her pain at seeing her sister give birth to six children, all princesses, while seemingly barren herself. Just when I thought things couldn't get any more intense, the story picked up more suspense as the turn of events became more frenzied. The precariousness of the royal family's rule became evident and eventually crumbled as Pharaoh made one poor decision after another.

I also found the spiritual portion of this book fascinating. In fact, reading this story has made me want to break out my video of The Ten Commandments starring Charlton Heston! In so many ways Amunhotep/Akenhaten reminded me of Ramses in regards to his stubbornness. I sensed the hopelessness the Egyptians had because of their slavery to the gods. The politics in this novel were also incredibly well done and in some ways aren't much different than what we see in many governments around the world today. I highly recommended this book to any audience of readers as the language is not offensive and there is no graphic sex in this story, though many things are obviously implied. I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel!

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From the Publisher:

Task Force Valor

Explosive Ordnance Disposal–The Bomb Squad

As the global war on terror heats up, the U.S. deploys a team of highly trained special operators overseas to locate and neutralize threats, bringing EOD expertise to dangerous missions that have no room for error.

A DEADLY EXPLOSIVE

A new specialty explosive is on the black market: ITEB looks like water, but when it’s exposed to air, the effects are lethal! The United States government is frantic to keep it from our shores. Staff Sergeant Euripides “Rip” Rubio knows how destructive ITEB can be. He has already risked his life to thwart a horrific terrorist plot involving the chemical. Now Task Force Valor heads to Panama, on the trail of an arms dealer who plans to use ITEB to make a killing–literally.

AN ADVENTURE ABROAD

Fernanda Lerida is a University of Panama grad student who jumps at the chance to join a biological expedition to a mysterious former prison island. But the snakes, bugs, and crocodiles are soon the least of her worries as the group stumbles upon something they were not meant to see. To make matters worse, Fernanda soon finds herself alone and being pursued by an unseen foe.

A RISKY RESCUE

When Rip’s path collides with Fernanda’s, they find themselves caught in the midst of a brutal turf war. Can they use the chaos to their advantage, or will one false step set the entire island ablaze?

Island Inferno is a page-turning suspense novel that you don't want to miss. I had not read the first book in the series and didn't feel like I missed out, so I think this can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel (though now that I've finished the story I'm dying to read the sequel).

The author takes you to numerous settings and countries and puts you into the heads of the good guys and the bad. In some ways this book made me feel like I was in Jurassic Park, but minus the dinosaurs. Island Inferno even had college students exploring the island, totally unsuspecting what was going on behind the vegetation. And that bottled water was downright scary because you never knew when someone would take a swig and possible blow up. I couldn't stop reading this book! It contained enemies who were just as frightening and deadly as man-eating dinosaurs, and you never knew when they would appear and kill someone. Very exciting and nerve-wracking.

I also totally loved the special forces and commando feel of the book. You can see that the author has experience because the details show that he knows what he's writing about, which makes it feel even more real. My favorite characters were Rip and Fernanda. The end of the story was fabulous and even a tad romantic, and while it wrapped up some details, it left just enough loose ends for a sequel.

The spiritual thread in this story truly impressed me--how the circumstances opened up situations where people truly wanted to know God in a personal way. It came out very naturally through the plot, and in my opinion was one of the best things about the story. While packed with a variety of violent situations (I'm quite squeamish and the details were awesome), the story would be lifeless without the James Bond/Mission Impossible feel to it. I highly recommend this book! In fact, I think it would make an awesome movie, too.

Island Inferno was published by Multnomah and released in May 2007.

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Product Description:

The first time Leia pulled the lever on the slot machine she hadn’t felt much, other than maybe a twinge of guilt, knowing how much her husband despised any kind of gambling. After all, she’d just been killing time while nursing a busted leg at the slopes. Several months, thousands of clicks and tens of thousands of dollars later, she’d long since replaced the rush of adrenaline that came with a win with the roiling realization that she’d gone too far. The last time she pulled the lever, she hung on for dear life, knowing that without a win, a very big win, her life as she knew it was over.

My review:

Addiction is a difficult thing, and Going for Broke is a fabulous glimpse into the life of a decent person who develops a compulsion to gamble until she no longer recognizes herself. Much like cocaine or heroine, the compulsion will eventually take over and swallow the person whole. The author does a wonderful job of accurately portraying how someone can sink so low and go so far as to being willing to do just about anything for their "fix." The rationalizing thoughts, the desire to be secretive, the withdrawal from friendships and support systems...it's all there.

Like one of the endorsers wrote on the back of the book, this story is addicting. I stayed up late and woke up early until I finished. The tension just kept building and building, but not once did Leia become unlikable. Of course the reader will want her to snap out of it, but the author takes you to the place where you develop compassion for Leia, and that's not an easy thing to do. I didn't get the urge to slap Leia. Not once. I had thought about slapping her husband, though, and beating his friend senseless, but you have to read the story to find out why.

Overall, I'd say that Going For Broke is the best story I've read about the cravings that addicts have for gambling or any other vice. Gambling destroys lives and dignity and this story brings the reader right to the edge with Leia. What I liked best about the story was the honesty. There were no quick fixes, and while God holds people accountable for their mistakes, He will redeem anything and will meet us where we are if we would only trust in Him and not ourselves. I love edgy stories that illustrate how God even uses the muck in our lives to create something beautiful that will glorify Him. Going for Broke did that, and then some.

Going for Broke was published by River Oak and was released in May 2007.

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From the Publisher:

Clayton, a book editor, has just been hired to author a once-in-a-lifetime memoir. The subject is Lucian, a demon with an extraordinary story to share. The fallen angel chronicles a life of heavenly bliss and rebellion, human creation and salvation, and God's relentless pursuit of mankind.

As he begins to find eerie similarities between Lucian's otherworldly life and his own, Clay reaches a devastating conclusion: He is writing his own life story. After stumbling onto the revelation that his life is nearing its end, Clay will be forced to make a choice.

Demon: A Memoir is a fresh and provocative look at the spiritual struggle for the souls of mankind. With intelligent characters and suspenseful dialogue, thriller fans will discover that evil isn't always what it appears.

My review:

Caution! Use extreme care when you read this book. It will rip the spiritual blinders off of your eyes and reveal truths that you knew, but may not have truly understood before.

Demon: A Memoir reminds me of The Time Traveler's Wife in some ways because of how Clay never knew when Lucian was going to show up, or in what form he would appear, yet he waited expectantly for those encounters with the demon. And how Clay's life started to center around his encounters with Lucian at the expense of everything else in his life will grip you by the throat, while tugging at your heart.

In fact, meeting Lucian became an obsession until it robbed Clay of the little he had, yet before he'd met Lucian had seemed like so much. And his regrets multiplied along with his poor choices. Not many people are handed the stark truth about their spiritual condition--one of total self-centered thinking-- like Clay had been. And for him to receive such a gift from an obvious, yet slick liar, who ironically seemed to care about Clay and at the same time despised him, is extremely compelling.

This story will dredge up emotion in the reader for many reasons. While Demon is not considered a suspense, it's definitely suspenseful. And the layers and layers of insight peeled away as Lucian tells his story will blow the reader's mind. Guaranteed. The Scriptures make more sense with Lucian's perspective thrown in. Like... Why do bad things happen to good people? Does anyone deserve happiness? And...is there any person who good enough?

Demon: A Memoir now ranks as one of my all time favorites, especially when it comes to the impact it has had on my emotions, my relationship with Jesus, and the way I see the world. Kudos to the author, Tosca Lee, for writing such a powerful and truthful novel.

Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee was published by NavPress and released on June 8, 2007.

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

Chained To Yesterday When tragedy struck and Gracie Lang lost everything, her faith crumbled, and nothing but the drive for justice propelled her forward. But after two years of dead-end searching, the truth Gracie seeks is the very thing her stalker will stop at nothing to hide.

Forgiveness Unlocks the Future An FBI agent in the Crimes Against Children Unit, Steven Kessler spends his days rescuing other people’s children and nights caring for his son. He’s through with God, embittered by his ex-wife who abandoned them both, and definitely doesn’t expect what’s coming next.

The Past Is the Key A plot to kidnap a British ambassador’s daughter dangerously intersects Steven and Gracie’s worlds–a collision that demands a decision. But are they willing to pay the high ransom required to redeem dreams and reignite hope?

My review:

Ransomed Dreams has a gut-wrenching beginning. I cried when Gracie's family was wiped out in a tragic car accident. In fact, I needed a breather from the story because it made me so sad. Then I picked up the story again and the action pulled me right back in. Gracie's quest to determine who killed her family intersected with Steven's case--the plot to kidnap the British ambassador's daughter. Several points of view showed a variety of perspectives, all of which increased the tension in the story because you knew what certain people were thinking. The "bad guys" were twisted, yet believable in their perspectives. The author did a great job creating further intrigue that way. And the romantic element between Gracie and Steve was delectable.

Steven's ex and the subplot involving his son really grabbed my heart and my attention. I felt the hopelessness that both Steven and Gracie experienced at times, ultimately resulting in them having to do some soul-searching in regards to their relationship with God and His will for their lives. The theme of forgiveness was also very well done and believable. The reader will wrestle the characters' pain right along with them. There are no quick fixes and this story doesn't offer any, but it does give you a glimpse into the pain and struggles of the characters, and it shows the tender love and firm grip that God had on their lives, and has on the lives of all of His children.

Ransomed Dreams was published by Waterbrook/Multnomah and released in April 2007.

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