Missing Isaac by Valerie Fraser Luesse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a wonderful book to debut and showcase Valerie Fraser Luesse's style of writing. Missing Isaac is packed full of emotion and brings to life the realities of racial issues and segregation in the 1960's. You'll fall in love with each character, and find yourself both laughing and crying through their joys and heartaches. Ms. Luesse has woven the characters together in such a way as to make them all feel like family. There is something in each chapter that we all can identify with. You'll find yourself caught up in the story line and unable to put the book down as you anxiously await the conclusion of the mystery of Isaac's disappearance. A book I would highly recommend to anyone unafraid to cross racial barriers and befriend those shunned by the majority.

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A Matter of Trust - Mystery and the Minister's Wife - Diane Noble (Guideposts books)

A Matter of Trust by Diane Noble


I'm beginning to see why everyone loves Guideposts books. They're wonderful! This was yet another "can't put it down" story, but a little too far-fetched and cliche to be realistic. Still yet the storyline was compelling, and the plot well thought out. Definitely one for my recommendation list. If you're a fan of international mystery and intrigue, you'll thoroughly enjoy this book.

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Angels Walking - Angels Walking series, book #1 - Karen Kingsbury

Angels Walking by Karen Kingsbury


Really loved this book. Alzheimer's is a truly horrible illness, and this book dealt with it beautifully. I love how Karen Kingsbury weaves the message of God's grace throughout her storylines in a touching and realistic manner. This was my second time reading one of her works, and I'm just as impressed with this one as I was with the first. I'm very much looking forward to reading the 3rd book in the Angels Walking series.

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For the Least of These - Mystery and the Minister's Wife - Charlotte Carter

For the Least of These by Charlotte Carter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wonderful, WONDERFUL book. I thouroughly enjoyed the story, and found it difficult to put the book down. There's little that can be as heartwarming as a story of children in need of love and provision. Finding those needs met by people who truly care is uplifting and encouraging. It's difficult to review this book without a "spoiler", so just suffice it to say the ending literally brought tears to my eyes. A very good book which I highly recommend!

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Back Home Again - Tales from Grace Chapel Inn - Melody Carlson

Back Home Again by Melody Carlson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Without a doubt, the best book I've read all year. Melody Carlson has a winner! As an adopted child, who didn't discover her biological family until later in life, I often dreamed of having sisters like the Howard sisters. And a Bed and Breakfast is just icing on the cake. From heartache and loss, to hope, family strength and fresh starts, this book has it all. I laughed, I cried, and I fumed as the sisters faced nearly insurmountable odds to achieve their dream. I could read this book a hundred times and never tire of the story. If you've never read it, please do. You'll be forever grateful that you did.

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Mandie and the Forbidden Attic - Book 4 in the Mandie Series

Mandie and the Forbidden Attic by Lois Gladys Leppard
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Enjoyed this one. Found myself getting bogged down at times in the "follow the rules" aspect of the story, but considering the time period in which this book was set, I think Lois Gladys Leppard did an outstanding job of dealing with an issue that is too often swept under the rug. All in all, it's a good book that the target age group would likely enjoy reading.

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Mandie and the Cherokee Legend - Book 2 in the Mandie series

Mandie and the Cherokee Legend by Lois Gladys Leppard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was my first adventure into reading the Mandie series, and I wish it had been available when I was in my pre-teen years. I absolutely adore anything that references Native Americans, as I too have Cherokee blood running through my veins. Reading this at my current age, it didn't hold my attention quite so well as it would have had I been a younger reader, but the story line and the ultimate "moral to the story" was spot on and well written. It reminded me a bit of the Little House on the Prarie books, so it brought back a flood of fond memories. I'd definitely recommend it for anyone near the ages of 10-17.

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In everything, yes EVERYTHING, give thanks!

We often get so caught up in ourselves, that we neglect to be grateful. God taught me a wonderful lesson this morning while, of all things, picking up doggie do-do out of the yard. As I, baggie in hand, was walking out to the "gift" my Honey girl had left for me this morning, I began to weep. Yes, sometimes her "gifts" can bring tears to one's eyes, but mine were tears of joy and gratitude. How can one be grateful for a pile of doggie poo? Let me tell you. First of all, I'm grateful that I'm healthy enough, and able to walk through the yard. I'm grateful for the warm weather and soft breeze. I'm grateful to have a yard. I'm grateful that I have dogs, and I'm grateful that my dogs are healthy enough to be able to go "poo". There are many, many other reasons to be grateful for such a seemingly distasteful task, but I think you get the gist. So no matter what you're doing, or going through, there's always, ALWAYS something to be grateful for. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Cover reveal and giveaway from Melanie Dickerson. VERY exciting news. Check out the link below!!

Such exciting news! Copy and paste the link below for more info, and to enter the contest!! http://www.yabookscentral.com/blog/it-s-live-cover-reveal-the-orphan-s-wish-by-melanie-dickerson-giveaway-intl

Norah's Ark - Judy Baer

Norah's Ark by Judy Baer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was honestly sad that I finished this book. I would have loved for the story to have continued on forever. Once again, Judy Baer delivered an amazing, heart-warming/touching story of God's love, grace and mercy. If you're an animal lover (dogs especially) you'll absolutely adore this book. As cliche as relationships can be in most novels, this one throws unexpected twists and turns which had me anxious to read the next page. If you've ever felt like your world was falling apart around you, this book is for you. If your heart has ever been touched by the selfless and unconditional love of an animal, this book is a "must read". Once again, Judy Baer has delivered a contemporary story filled with scripture and a character unashamed of her faith in Jesus Christ.

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September Reads

Sketchy Behavior by Erynn Mangum
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh, gosh...I have seriously been dreading this review. In all honesty, I gave this book 4 stars because of how wonderfully it ended. Otherwise it would have only received 3 stars. I HATE that I wasn't a fan of this book until the last few (VERY few) pages, especially since my favorite blogger lists this as one of her very favorite books of all time. While the story-line/plot was good, it just didn't feel at all realistic, and I feel that the author made the main character (Kate) a bit TOO snarky, especially in the beginning. Perhaps at a later time, I'll re-read it without such high expectations. It's possible that I was expecting too much from the book, and thus was disappointed when it did not deliver.

View all my reviews Oh, gosh...I have seriously been dreading this review. In all honesty, I gave this book 4 stars because of how wonderfully it ended. Otherwise it would have only received 3 stars. I HATE that I wasn't a fan of this book until the last few (VERY few) pages, especially since my favorite blogger lists this as one of her very favorite books of all time. While the story-line/plot was good, it just didn't feel at all realistic, and I feel that the author made the main character (Kate) a bit TOO snarky, especially in the beginning. Perhaps at a later time, I'll re-read it without such high expectations. It's possible that I was expecting too much from the book, and thus was disappointed when it did not deliver.
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Roadside Assistance by Amy Clipston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book touched my heart and soul like no other book ever has. Like Emily, I lost my mom at a young age. In fact, I lost my dad when I was 10, and my mom when I was 13. There were so many areas of Emily's story that I could totally identify with. Like Emily, I was uprooted from the only home I'd ever known, but I had no family to turn to. I instead ended up with a family friend who went above and beyond to provide love and comfort, along with doing her best to provide a stable home life for me. This book was exactly what I needed. It brought up emotions and feelings that I had never yet dealt with, and brought SO much peace and healing to me. Although this book is Christian YA fiction, it's a PERFECT book for anyone to read who has lost a friend or loved one and is finding it difficult to cope. I can never thank Amy Clipston enough for penning such an amazing story, and sharing the pain and rawness of losing a parent. This will definitely be a book that I'll re-read MANY times through the remainder of my life, and I also want to thank Lindsey (Christian Books for Girls) for recommending this book on her YouTube channel. Thank you God for steering me to this book and using it to heal my shattered heart.

View all my reviews The Whitney Chronicles by Judy Baer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Whitney Chronicles was my second book by Judy Baer. What a delight!! I must confess she is quickly becoming my favorite author. In this book, we follow Whitney as she faces an all too familiar struggle with weight management, and relationships. It was refreshing to find a main character with not only emotional flaws, but physical ones as well. While the book was a tad cliche in it's plot, the references to scripture and faith more than made up for it. I think that's my favorite parts of the Judy Baer books that I've read...the inclusion of scripture and prioritizing faith. I have a new one of her books arriving today, and I'm very much looking forward to diving into it as well. I recommend this book for pretty much any age group...pre-teen up through adult. There's something in it for everyone, and there's not a dull moment in it anywhere!

View all my reviews Chasing Sunsets by Karen Kingsbury
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an incredible book. This was my first time reading anything by Karen Kingsbury, and I'm now a huge fan. This book has it all...love, heartbreak, sacrifice...everything that makes life TRULY what it is. Gang violence is a serious, SERIOUS issue these days, and not a day passes that a child doesn't lose their life due to gang wars. We truly need more people like the characters in this book, who are willing to make sacrifices and give of themselves so completely to make a difference. I was so moved by this book, and so anxious to see what happens next, I ordered the next book in the sequel. If you want a book that is real, gutsy and full of faith, then I highly suggest this book. It is book #2 of the Angels Walking series, and I have not read #1 yet, but this book is simply wonderful, and I'm not at all sad that I read it first. Yes, I'll eventually get around to reading the first one, but not until I see what happens with Mary Catherine and Marcus first! =)

View all my reviews The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Although "The Merchant's Daughter" is the second book in this particular series by Melanie Dickerson, I began with it. I had NEVER read a fairy-tale re-telling until I saw Melanie Kilsby's review of this book on her YouTube channel. I'm SO glad I chose this one. I am now officially hooked, no only on the re-tellings, but on Melanie Dickerson as an author. This books was AMAZING. I fell in love with each character, and felt as though they were life-long friends by the time I had finished the book. It was so refreshing to see Annabel's deep hunger for God's Word, and her tremendous joy at finally being able to read it for herself, compliments of Lord Ranulf le Wyse. Two themes made impacts on me as I read. First and the most obvious, was how love overlooks imperfections in others, and secondly, how truly loving and caring for others will bring about tremendous boldness in standing up for them and what you truly believe in. As with most fairy tales, this one had all the "feels" of a happily-ever-after, and made me long to know more about their future together. I hear that another book in this series gives a bit more information as to their lives together, so now I have the PERFECT excuse to read every one of Melanie's re-tellings. If you're a fairy tale fan, and a fan of happily-ever-afters, I highly recommend this book. You'll be hooked from page one!

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