A HEART MADE NEW by KELLY IRVIN

Title: A Heart Made New
Author: Kelly Irvin
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (October 1, 2012)
Pages: 336

A HEART MADE NEW by KELLY IRVIN is for those wanting a story about the life of a devoted Amish family, with a mix of faith, romance, suspense, and a few twists and turns.

Annie Shirack wants more than anything to marry David Plank, despite what he's going through. But David isn't so eager. He's been fighting cancer, and isn't willing to let Annie get too close. He fears hurting her if he were to die an untimely death, leaving her a young widow.

The characters in A HEART MADE NEW struggle with their faith, as often we do. Though bad things happen to good people, it's important to trust God through our trials and tribulations. A message worth hearing.

*Please see my disclaimer for more information on this review.

HEAVEN by ALEXANDRA ADORNETTO

Title: Heaven
Author: Alexandra Adornetto
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends; 1 edition (August 21, 2012)
Pages: 432

Since they first met it hadn’t been easy for Bethany Church, an angel, and Xavier Woods, a mortal. Despite the warnings from others, Beth and Xavier’s love couldn’t be denied. Making a brave decision to marry, crossing the line and doing what no others have done, a group of angels, the Seven, were determined to make them pay for their actions.

It all started with my daughter wanting to purchase, HALO. I have to admit the cover was intriguing, along with the synopsis. She read and loved it. Next it was my turn. I fell in love with the characters and the storyline. We waited impatiently for the next to come out, HADES, and finally, HEAVEN.

If I had to pick my favorite between the three, I guess I’d have to say it’s HADES, though the last half of HEAVEN is a close second (You can read my review for HALO and HADES on Amazon.). Overall I loved the trilogy. ALEXANDRA ADORNETTO is an amazing writer with a creative mind that produced an amazing storyline with three dimensional characters.

The first half of HEAVEN was a tad slow, but once you reach the middle it takes off. The slow pace was tolerable due to the wonderful writing. Having read the first two books in the trilogy, there was no way I wasn’t finishing the third one.

I loved the surprises and twists HEAVEN took. I hadn’t a clue how Xavier and Bethany’s story would unfold, but I loved how MS. ADORNETTO played it out. I could never have imagined what the author would do with one of the other characters I love, Gabriel. I’m anticipating with excitement a story about Gabe and Molly.

SURPRISINGLY GOOD

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA

Want to be entertained with a good laugh and a heartwarming story?

THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER by MADISON RISING

WE ARE NEVER EVER GETTING BACK TOGETHER by TAYLOR SWIFT

I remember when we broke up, the first time

Saying this is it, I've had enough, 'cause like
We haven't seen each other in a month
When you, said you, needed space, what?Then you come around again and saBaby, I miss you and I swear I'm gonna change
Trust me, remember how that lasted for a day
I say, I hate you, we break up, you call me, I love you

Oooh we called it off again last night
But Oooh, this time I'm telling you, I'm telling you
We are never ever ever getting back together
We are never ever ever getting back together
You go talk to your friends talk
To my friends talk to me
But we are never ever ever ever getting back together

Like ever...

I'm really gonna miss you picking fights
And me, falling for it screaming that I'm right
And you, will hide away and find your piece of mind, with some indie record
That's much cooler than mine

Oooh you called me up again tonight
But oooh, this time I'm telling you, I'm telling you

We are never ever ever getting back together
We are never ever ever getting back together
You go talk to your friends talk
To my friends talk to me
But we are never ever ever ever getting back together

I used to think, that we, were forever ever
And I used to say never say never

(Talks)

Huh, he calls me up and he's like, I still love you
And I'm like, I'm just, I mean this is exhausting, you know likeWe are never getting back together, like ever

No!

(Sings)

We are never ever ever getting back together
We are never ever ever getting back together
You go talk to your friends talk
To my friends talk to me
But we are never ever ever ever getting back together

We, oooh, oooh, not back together, we
Oh, getting back together

You go talk to your friends talk
To my friends talk to me
But we are never ever ever ever getting back together

10,000 REASONS - BLESSED THE LORD BY MATT REDMAN

Bless the Lord, oh my soul

Oh my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I worship your holy name

The sun comes up
It's a new day dawning
It's time to sing your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the Lord, oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I worshhip your holy name

You're rich in love and you're slow to anger
Your name is great and your heart is kind
For all your goodness I will keep on singing
10,000 reasons for my heart to find

Bless you Lord!

Bless the Lord, oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I worship your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Soon my soul will sing your praise unending
10,000 years and then forever more

Bless the Lord, oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I worship your holy name

Bless the Lord, Oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I worship your holy name (repeat 3x)

Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I worship your holy name (repeat 3x)

THE DIRTY STREETS OF HEAVEN by TAD WILLIAMS

Title: The Dirty Streets of Heaven: Volume One of Bobby Dollar
Author: Tad Williams
Publisher: DAW Hardcover; First Edition edition (September 4, 2012)
Pages: 400

I hesitated in whether or not I should write a review for THE DIRTY STREETS OF HEAVEN by TAD WILLIAMS, after reading only a mere six pages. Typically I give a book, what I would consider a fair chance before stopping, by reading the first seventy or so pages. By page seventy there isn’t much hope for things to turn around. An author’s voice or writing style isn’t going to change at that point. Either you like it or you don’t. Like they say, writing is subjective.


I admit I’m a visual person, and thus I’m often either captivated or turned off by the cover of a book. The title is the next thing that will catch my eye. I don’t always read the synopsis, loving to be surprised, especially when it’s a book by one of my favorite authors. With a new author (new to me) I will often read the first page or two when provided to get a glimpse into their writing. I should probably also mention that I’m a Christian fiction writer and reader, though I do read some secular books.

With that said, here are my thoughts on THE DIRTY STREETS OF HEAVEN by TAD WILLIAMS:

Pros:
-Great writing
-Unique concept for a story
-Great cover
-Great title

Cons:
-Way too much foul language
-Not sure if I like where the storyline is going

The reason behind my stopping at page six was the foul language. I’m not so frail I can’t handle a little bad language, but when there are more then I can count on my hands in the first six pages, and what I consider the worst of words, I just can’t stomach it. With each foul word, I’m taken out of the story.

I could have not bothered to give a review at all, but that’s not me. What little I read, in my opinion, was good writing. For the author’s sake, I wanted to make that known. The other reason is to let those that would be offended by foul language, know that this would not be a book for them.

Review from Tad Williams website:

THE BOBBY DOLLAR BOOKS (2012)

Bobby Dollar would like to know what he was like when he was alive, but too much of his time is spent working as an extremely minor functionary in the Heavenly Host as an afterlife investigator and advocate for the recently departed. And now he’s stepped into the middle of something that has both sides very nervous — an unprecedented number of missing souls.

A new chapter in the war between Heaven and Hell is about to open, and Bobby is right in the middle of it. Someone has summoned a truly unpleasant Babylonian demon that’s doing its best to track him down and rip him to pieces. His opposite number on the case is arguably the world’s sexiest she-devil, and Bobby has feelings for her that Heaven definitely does not allow. And somehow he has to find out who he was before he becomes an unwitting pawn in a game of power that could end in the destruction of the entire human race.

Three books are planned for Tad’s new fantasy-fueled thriller series: The Dirty Streets of Heaven (September 2012), Happy Hour in Hell, and Sleeping Late on Judgment Day. Each book will be somewhat shorter than Tad’s usual epic length fare, and although part of a series, each may be read as a stand-alone novel.

DON'T TAKE THE GIRL by TIM MCGRAW

LET IT RAIN by DAVID NAIL

CHRISTMAS ROSES by AMANDA CABOT

Title: Christmas Roses

Author: Amanda Cabot
Publisher: Revell (September 1, 2012
Pages: 172

Celia Anderson is recently widowed and has no thought of remarrying, especially not to the two men that have shown her interest in the past months. If she were to consider marriage again, it would be for love this time, not as an arrangement by her parents.

In search for his father, Mark Williams finds himself in a small town in Wyoming. What he hadn’t expected to find was a woman and child that win his heart. With his carpentry skills, Mark crafts a gift for Celia, along with a question, in hopes of winning her heart.

At only 172 pages, CHRISTMAS ROSES by AMANDA CABOT, is a quick read. A sweet and heartwarming story, just in time for Christmas with a surprise ending.

DAWN COMES EARLY by MARGARET BROWNLEY

Title: Dawn Comes Early
Author: Margaret Brownley
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 13, 2012)
Pages: 352

Kate Tenney fled the city she was raised in for what she hoped would be a new life. One that would earn her the respect she sought her entire life. Kate would need to prove to the ranch owner that she was worthy of inheriting her ranch, and learning to ride a horse first would come in handy.

Luke Adams is not one for fancy words, but when he meets the educated Kate Tenney, he’s willing to learn. But learning new words is not his greatest challenge. Convincing Kate that she shouldn’t throw her life way by accepting the ranch owner’s agreement to never marry in exchange for inheriting her land, is.

So what do you say about a book that blows you away, and that’s exactly what DAWN COMES EARLY by MARGARET BROWNLEY did. This is not the first book I read by MS. BROWNLEY, but it is the first book in fiction I’ve read by her, and it won’t be the last.

What an unbelievable blessing it is when you run across a book that contains every aspect of writing that is needed to produce a brilliant story. I am convinced that the top priority in a great book is good writing. Without it, no matter if the rest of the qualities are there, it will fail. I cannot finish a book that isn’t written well, or at the very least, okay.

I have read countless of what I call, cowboy books. I have a few authors that are my favorites, that I believe get it all right, and thus I can’t get enough of their books. I have now added MARGET BROWNLEY to that list.

DAWN COMES EARLY is different than other romances I have read. Typically the hero and heroine meet right at the start, and continue to encounter one another on a regular basis throughout the book. Stories that don’t have the main characters meeting often can cause me to lose interest.

What makes DAWN COMES EARLY unique is the amount of encounters the two love interest have in the first half of the book. Oh, he was there, but the main focal point was the heroin’s story. It took me awhile to realize the hero wasn’t coming back around every corner, and once I did, I couldn’t help but become immersed in the heroine’s story.

MS. BROWNLEY does an amazing job of weaving an incredible story, one that will not soon be forgotten. Every character is three dimensional, one that you will come to love, with individual personalities. The author’s attention to detail brings the story to life in an educational, fun, and realistic way. You are lucky to have one of those moments in a story where you reread a line because it’s that good. With MS BROWNLEY’S story, there were many. As an aspiring author, I ate up every word she wrote.

I loved how the author was able to create a character that allowed her to weave faith in, in a powerful, yet non-preaching way. It wasn’t the author who gave reference to scripture and prayer, but the character. I have read several books where the main character is a writer, but never have I read one as well done as DAWN COMES EARLY. The way MS. BROWNLEY referenced the main character’s fictional story she was writing at the beginning of each chapter, as well as throughout the book, was refreshing and exiting.

Every aspect of the story was remarkable, from the very first page, throughout the middle, right up to the very last line. I can’t wait for the next book in the LAST CHANCE RANCH series, THE BRIDES OF LAST CHANCE RANCH, WAITING FOR MORNING.

Hurry up January and get here!

THE WIND by ZAC BROWN BAND

This song just makes me want to get up and dance, and call out a few, yee haws!

BEES IN THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN by MAUREEN LANG

Title: Bees in the Butterfly Garden

Author: Maureen Lang
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (June 22, 2012)
Pages: 433

Since the age of five, Meg Davenport grew up in an exclusive New York boarding school. For all she had in a proper bringing up, she lacked in a family. It wasn’t until her father passed away that she discovers his secret…one that would drastically change her life.

Ian Maguire was Meg’s father’s mentee, one Ian looked up to since the age of nine. He always had feeling for the man’s daughter, but knew he was never to act on them. After all, Ian was everything her father was sheltering her from.

I wasn’t sure what I expected when I purchased BEES IN THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN by MAUREEN LANG. The cover is beautiful, and if I had read the back of the book, I would have been prepared for what awaited me between the covers. MAUREEN LANG is one of my favorite authors, so I wasn’t concerned.

BEES IN THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN is written with the quality of writing I’ve come to expect and love in MS. LANG’S books. I was pleasantly surprised to discover the storyline to be nothing like I imagined.

BEES IN THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN includes tension, danger, light romance, humor, faith, friendship and suspense. The characters are well thought-out, each with a distinct personality, set in the late 1800’s. I loved how each chapter started out with a few line from MADAME MARISSE’S HANDBOOK FOR YOUNG LADIES, or THE CODE OF THIEVES. Not only did they pertain to the chapter, they were quite interesting.

MS LANG is an amazing story teller, who brings her characters to life. You won’t be disappointed in BEES IN THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN, appropriately named, or any of the other novels she written.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS

I have wanted to see this movie since it came out in the theaters. I missed that opportunity, and anxiously awaited its arrival at the store…and purchased it. But before I did so, I bought the book. Big mistake. I was determined to read the book before I watched the movie. Not an easy task when I have the movie sitting on my shelf and several books I’m committed to read and review. Last night I gave in and popped it into the DVD player.


Wow, it was everything I hoped for and move. LOVE it! I love both Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon, so I was sure I’d like it, if for no other reason than having the two of them as the main characters.

Admittedly, I was a bit nervous, hearing there was some abuse of animals. That always gets to me. Other than that, there wasn’t a bad scene in the movie. It was fast paced, kept my attention, never lagging, with a wonderful ending.

Product Description

ACADEMY AWARD® Winners Reese Witherspoon* and Christoph Waltz** join Robert Pattinson (The Twilight Saga) for this epic tale of forbidden love based on Sara Gruen’s acclaimed best seller. Against all odds, a veterinary student (Pattinson) and a beautiful circus performer from a bygone era (Witherspoon), meet and fall in love through their shared compassion for a special elephant. But their secret romance incurs the wrath of her dangerously volatile husband (Waltz).

KISSED YOU GOOD NIGHT by GLORIANA

As an inspirational romance writer, this video and song screams a scene begging to be written in a novel.

I dropped you off


Just a little after midnight

Sat in my car

Till you turned off your porch light

I should have kissed you

I should have pushed you up against the wall

I should have kissed you

Just like I wasn't scared at all


I turned off the car

Ran through the yard

Back to your front door

Before I could knock

You turned the lock

And met me on the front porch


And I kissed you

Goodnight

And now that I've kissed you

It's a good night, good night, baby goodnight


You couldn't see me

Watching through the window

Wondering what went wrong

Praying that you wouldn't go

You should have kissed me

You should have pushed me up against the wall

You should have kissed me

I was right on the edge and ready to fall


So I turned off the car

Ran through the yard

Back to your front door

Before I could knock

You turned the lock

And met me on the front porch


And I kissed you

Goodnight

And now that I've kissed you

It's a good night, good night, baby goodnight


I turned off the car

Ran through the yard

Back to your front door

Half scared to death can't catch my breath

Aren't these the moments we live for


And I kissed you

Goodnight

And now that I've kissed you

It's a good night, good night, baby goodnight

It's a good night, good night, baby goodnight

It's a good night, good night, baby goodnight

It's a good night, good night, baby goodnight

SOME NIGHTS by FUN

SOME NIGHTS by FUN inspires me as a writer. The lead singer has so much emotion in his voice and actions as he sings. He inspires me to create scene as emotionally charged as he sings SOME NIGHTS.

Some nights, I stay up cashing in my bad luck; some nights, I call it a draw


Some nights, I wish that my lips could build a castle

Some nights, I wish they'd just fall off


But I still wake up, I still see your ghost

Oh Lord, I'm still not sure what I stand for

What do I stand for? What do I stand for?

Most nights, I don't know anymore...


This is it, boys, this is war - what are we waiting for?

Why don't we break the rules already?

I was never one to believe the hype - save that for the black and white

I try twice as hard and I'm half as liked, but here they come again to jack my style


That's alright (that's alright).

I found a martyr in my bed tonight.

Stops my bones from wondering just who I, who I, who I

a-a-a-am, oh who am I, m-mm, m-mm.


Well, some nights I wish that this all would end

'Cause I could use some friends for a change

And some nights I'm scared you'll forget me again

Some nights I always win (I always win)


But I still wake up, I still see your ghost


Oh Lord, I'm still not sure what I stand for

What do I stand for? What do I stand for?

Most nights, I don't know...


So this is it? I sold my soul for this?

Washed my hands of that for this?

I miss my mom and dad for this?


No. When I see stars, when I see stars, that's all they are

When I hear songs, they sound like a swan, so come on

Oh, come on. Oh, come on.


That is it, guys, that is all - five minutes in and I'm bored again

Ten years of this, I'm not sure if anybody understands

This one is not for the folks back home; I'm sorry to leave, mom, I had to go

Who the fuck wants to die alone all dried up in the desert sun?


My heart is breaking for my sister and the con that she called "love"

But when I look into my nephew's eyes...

Man, you wouldn't believe the most amazing things that can come from...

Some terrible lie


The other night, you wouldn't believe the dream I just had about you and me

I called you up, but we'd both agree

It's for the best you didn't listen

It's for the best we get our distance...

RAISING BEEF CATTLE FOR DUMMIES by NIKKIE AND SCOTT ROYER

Title: Raising Beef Cattle for Dummies

Author: Nikkie and Scott Royer
Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (July 3, 2012)
Pages: 360

If you could have seen the look on my families face when they spotted RAISING BEEF CATTLE FOR DUMMIES, by NIKKIE AND SCOTT ROYER, sitting on my desk… We may live in a small suburban community, but cattle are not permitted. That left one blaring question…what on earth was I doing with a book on how to raise cattle.

I’m an aspiring Christian fiction writer, and one that loves a good story that often includes a ranch or farm, where the hero wears a cowboy hat and boots. My reason for ordering this book was to gain knowledge for my stories. And yes, a not so hidden dream to one day living on a ranch or farm.

RAISING BEEF CATTLE FOR DUMMIES has everything you expect to find in a DUMMIES book. It’s packed full with everything you’d need to know and more, about raising cattle, including diagrams and charts. As always with DUMMIES, it’s written in simple terms.

As an author doing research, RAISING BEEF CATTLE FOR DUMMIES can provide you with the correct verbiage for cattle names, such as the list on page 24. You can also come up with little tidbits to incorporate into your story, for example a steer curling their lips, as on page 326.

I spotted on the cover the name of the authors farm, and looked up their website. There you can find a video about the Royer Farm Fresh Beef, Lamb, and Pork, getting a glimpse into what they do. After watching the video, I was reassured that the book was written with not only knowledge, but heart.

So whether you are new to cattle raising, or would like to start from scratch, or just looking to gain knowledge of what’s involved with raising cattle, RAISING BEEF CATTLE FOR DUMMIES is the book for you.

Website: http://www.royerfarmfresh.com/  

HER HOMECOMING COWBOY by DEBRA CLOPTON

Title: Her Homecoming Cowboy

Author: Debra Clopton
Publisher: Love Inspired (July 24, 2012)
Pages: 224

Wow, what a great story. One would think a person could only read so many of what I like to call “Cowboy stories”. I don’t know if I’d ever tire of them…as long as they are well written, with a fresh plot and characters, and that is exactly what DEBRA CLOPTON has accomplished in HER HOMECOMING COYBOY.

Annie Ridgeway has wrestled with the idea long enough. Now she needs to act on it, even if it goes against her sisters dying wish. Even if it means picking up what little she has and moving near the cowboy in question.

When a woman with a kid shows up in Colt Holden’s life, the last thing he expects is to discover he’s the kid’s father. The kid may think of him as his bull riding hero, but Colt isn’t worthy to be call his daddy. Not when he’d committed such a horrible act. One he couldn’t forgive himself for.

I’ve read every single book by MS CLOPTON. Each is just as good as the next. Her characters are unique, with well thought-out situations. She always has that right amount of tension between the hero and heroine. I marvel at the great lines she delivers.

Page 144:

“When Annie stepped into view, her silken golden hair glistening, his stomach tightened, his heart suddenly plunged to his boots, and his hands dampened. He knew without calling the doctor that he had a major aliment.

Oh yeah, he was sick all right. Sick in the head. What had he been thinking? That she was beautiful, full of fire and coals, and spunk.”

Okay, I’m ready for the next one. Bring it on.

CRAZY GIRL by ELI YOUNG BAND

Baby why you wanna cry?


You really oughta know that I

Just have to walk away sometimes



We're gonna do what lovers do

We're gonna have a fight or two

But I ain't ever changing my mind



Crazy girl, don't you know that I love you?

I wouldn't dream of going nowhere

Silly woman come here let me hold you

Have I told you lately I love you like crazy, girl?



I wouldn't last a single day

I'd probably just fade away

Without you I'd lose my mind



Before you ever came along

I was living life all wrong

The smartest thing I ever did was make you all mine



Crazy girl, don't you know that I love you?

I wouldn't dream of going nowhere

Silly woman, come here let me hold you

Have I told you lately I love you like crazy, girl?

Like crazy, girl



Crazy girl, don't you know that I love you?

I wouldn't dream of going nowhere

Silly woman come here let me hold you

Have I told you lately I love you like



Crazy girl, don't you know that I love you?

I wouldn't dream of going nowhere

Silly woman come here let me hold you

Have I told you lately I love you like crazy, girl?



Like crazy

Crazy girl

Like crazy

Crazy girl

THE RANCHER’S SECRET WIFE by BRENDA MINTON

 

Title: The Rancher’s Secret Wife
Author: Brenda Minton
Publisher: Love Inspired (July 24, 2012)
Pages: 224

BRENDA MINTON is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read just about every book she’s written, and love them all. THE RANCHER’S SECRET WIFE was no exception. As soon as I saw the cover I was hooked. The title was an extra bonus. Those things are important tools to draw me in with books by other authors, but when it comes to MS MINTON’S books, I know what awaits me inside.

Cheyenne Jones is just stopping by Dawson, Oklahoma to check on the man she married six months ago. She has no plans of sticking around, even though she has no one to count on and nowhere to go. When the grandmother of the man she came to see, insist Cheyenne opens up the old Barber Shop in town, she finds the offer too hard to refuse.

Reese Cooper is known for taking in strays, but when he up and marries a woman he only knew for a few hours, his family doesn’t know what to make of the news.

When Cheyenne unexpectedly shows up at Reese’s parents, he isn’t about to let her walk out and face life alone. Not when he can take care of her…or can he? Even if they did have an agreement and even if that agreement didn’t include love.

I just love Reese Cooper. Then again I love all of BRENDA MINTON’S heroes. I really like her heroines as well, which isn’t always the case when I read a book by other authors. In THE RANCHER’S SECRET WIFE, MS MINTON delivered many amazing lines that had me sighing.

I loved the uniqueness of Reese’s situation. I now have a new found awareness of those with his “disability”. I can’t tell you how many times I said, “Wow, I never thought of that challenge.” Many of us have thought briefly about what it would mean to lose our eyesight, yet in reality we have no clue.

You know when you read that special line in a romance novel that sends tingles down your spine. In THE RANCER’S SECRET WIFE, I felt that sensation so many times I lost track. Reese was that tender.

I can’t wait for the next relationship to blossom in Dawson, Oklahoma. If you have yet to read about the other wonderful characters in this quaint town, do yourself a favor and pick up the other stories.

HOMEFRONT HERO by ALLIE PLEITER

Title: Homefront Hero

Author: Allie Pleiter
Publisher: Love Inspired (May 1, 2012)
Pages: 288

I must say that ALLIE PLEITER continues to amaze me with her historical novels. Her writing style for them is so different then her contemporary, yet there is still that touch of Allie, that makes her books so great with the wonderful lines she delivers.

Leanne Samples is a Red Cross nurse with a job ahead of her that doesn’t include a handsome Captain who doesn’t intend to stick around. When she gets a glimpse into the real Captain John Gallows, her heart softens towards the man.

John Gallows may be injured, but there’s no way he’s going to let that stop him from getting back on active duty. This nonsense of being the poster boy for the war effort won’t cut it. When faced with an opportunity to knit a pair of socks in trade for his early medical release to active duty, he takes it. The last thing he expects is to fall in love with the woman giving him knitting lessons.

HOMEFRONT HERO is a delightful read with a unique storyline. ALLIE PLEITER was able to incorporate her skills and knowledge of knitting to the story to add authenticity. The hero was not your typical hero, with an injury that made his character come to life.

HOMEFRONT HERO is not only an pleasurable read, but educational. I really enjoyed learning about the Red Cross, the knitting of socks during the war, and the devastation of the influenza epidemic. The way MS. PLEITER wove different aspects of the characters journey, was remarkable. The story seemed to evolve more than your typical Love Inspired book, with an ending that was phenomenal.

JOY TAKE FLIGHT by BONNIE LEON

Title: Joy Takes Flight

Author: Bonnie Leon
Publisher: Revell (July 1, 2012)
Pages: 324

Kate Evans, an Alaskan bush pilot, is living her dream, marrying the man she loves, Dr. Paul Anderson. They’ve been through a lot and survived, so it should be easy going from now on…or so she thinks.

Kate and Paul are thrilled to discover Kate is pregnant. Demons from Paul’s past surfer, disrupting their lives. Kate wants one thing and Paul another. It doesn’t take long for their lives to start to unravel, Kate fears she’ll lose the man she loves.

JOY TAKE FLIGHT by BONNIE LEON is filled with genuine details of Alaska in the 1930’s, packed with suspense. JOY TAKE FLIGHT is the conclusion to the Alaskan Skies series. If you haven’t read the first two, you’ll want to do so.

INESCAPABLE by NANCY MEHL

Title: Inescapable

Author: Nancy Mehl
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (July 1, 2012)
Pages: 336

When Lizzie believes she is being stalked, then fired unfairly from her job, she has no other choice but to run back to Kingdom, Kansas, the very place she ran from years ago. Kingdom holds many bad memories, but she is hopeful she can make a new life for her daughter and herself.

Lizzie’s father doesn’t welcome her home, but thankfully a kind friend steps in and gives her a place to live and a much needed job. Just when Lizzie starts to accept her roots, she discovers the threat she ran from followed her home to Kingdom.

With little faith, and danger threatening, Lizzie finds her way back to God, and the community she once walked away from filled with shame.

INESCAPABLE by NANCY MEHL is packed full of suspense and mystery, with well thought-out characters, and great attention to detail.

JENNA’S COWBOY HERO by BRENDA MINTON

Title: Jenna’s Cowboy Hero

Author: Brenda Minton
Publisher: Steeple Hill (2009)
Pages: 277

I started reading BRENDA MINTON’S books after she’d been writing for several years. I’ve enjoyed her writing and stories so much, I’ve gone back in time, purchasing her older ones.

When former football player, Adam Mackenzie arrives in Oklahoma, after having a camp for underprivileged kids placed in his hands after the death of his cousin, the last thing he expects is to meet an independent mother of two, whom happens to be a war vet.

Jenna Cameron is doing just fine on her own. The last thing she needs is a man in her life. But here he is. Big, and strong, and not at all what the media made him out to be. She has a five year, and beyond plan, which doesn’t include marriage. No. She’s been down that road. Well, almost. She isn’t about to let another man hurt her.

JENNA’S COWBOY HERO by BRENDA MINTON is well written (like all of her books) with wonderful characters. I just love both Jenna and Adam. In many of the books I’ve read with a ranch setting, the hero typically works on the ranch or a rodeo. In JENNA’S COWBOY HERO, Adam was born in the county, but soon moved on to “bigger and better things”, to peruse a football career.

I loved Jenna’s character, the uniqueness of her situation, but loved Adam’s, more. Their falling in love was subtle and sweet. That Adam was placed into a situation he never would have put himself in was a wonderful storyline. So many things that he didn’t think was him, turned out to be just what he needed.

I enjoyed having Clint and Willow, Jenna’s brother and sister-in-laws, in the story. I enjoyed their story in A COWBOY’S HEART, and it was fun to see Clint interact in his sister’s life.

Impatiently waiting for BRENDA MIINTON’S next release.