Courting Misfortune by Regina Jennings

Courting Misfortune by Regina Jennings-330 pages

Miss York is undercover in Joplin, Missouri as a Pinkerton operative.  If she is successful in bringing back the mob bosses daughter who was kidnapped, she will secure her job as a Pinkerton.  

The problem is that she has a lot of family in the area and soon her cover is blown.  She gets herself into some very scary situations.  To top it off a handsome young preacher is trying to keep Miss York from turning to a life of sin.  Will she have to break her cover to convince him to leave her alone??

Kind of slow for me..I would give it a 3 out of 5.

Alaska Twilight by Colleen Coble

Alaska Twilight by Colleen Coble-309 pages

Haley has a disability so she hides behind her camera.  But throughout this book she faces her fears and begins to trust again.  She experiences frightening sights, but through it all her self confidence grows and in the end she may even find love.  Very suspenseful and a good read.  I enjoyed it very much.

Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble

 

Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble-335 pages

Carley's life is upended when her husband is killed during a home break in, leaving Carley and their infant son without support.  Her grandmother gives her an offer to her and her two sisters to restore the family home into a B & B.  While cleaning out the attic, Carly runs across an intriguing letter that was written by her husband just two days before he died.  His murder may not have been so random after all.  Family secrets abound in this very intriguing, easy read.  I enjoyed it very much.

The Blended Quilt by Wanda Brunstetter & Jean Brunstetter

The Blended Quilt by Wanda Brunstetter and Jean Brunstetter 279 pages Thanks to an inheritance from an aunt, Sadie Kuhns is creating a unique quilt by blending a traditional Amish pattern with a Hawaiian pattern as a tribute to her time spent in the islands, and she is working on a self-published book. But her sisters complain she is ignoring family responsibilities. Her boyfriend Wyman Kauffman is considering breaking up with her because she's too focused on promoting her book than preparing for their marriage. Will Sadie find a way to blend the conflicting fragments of her life, or will her aunt's last gift tear her world apart? I liked this book for most of it, but the ending seemed rushed. It was almost like they got tired of writing and hurried to finish the last chapter. The ending was not what I expected, but it also could have used a little more detail and explanation. I love reading about the Amish and found it interesting, but didn't like the ending.

Forgiving Paris by Karen Kingsbury

Forgiving Paris by Karen Kingsbury 273 pages More than two decades ago, Ashley Baxter Blake made her most grievous mistake in Paris. Now, a forgotten voice brings new information about that terrible time, causing Ashley to see that experience in a new light. Can she finally lay down yesterday's pain and move on? In Paris, Alice Michel is having dinner with her son Gabe and his new friend, Jessie Taylor, an Indiana girl who is studying abroad for the semester. Alice's life is so good now, totally different than it was twenty-four years ago. As the dinner conversation goes on, Alice tells the young couple that her long-ago drug addiction nearly killed her. But then her life was saved by a conversation with an American artist. Alice can only remember the girl's name: Ashley. Back in Indiana, Ashley and her husband are about to take a eighteenth anniversary trip to Paris, where she will have her first French art show. But Ashley is hesitant. She has never forgiven herself for what happened there. This is a continuation of the Baxter Family story which I have read most of them. It was so good to find out the secrets that were hidden from the previous books. I enjoyed reading this book and finding closure to a few of the character's stories. But I think even if you haven't read the other Baxter stories you would enjoy this book because she gives a lot of details to what transcribed in the previous books without giving away the story. But of course if you want to read more of the story I would recommend any books by Karen Kingsbury. They are romance stories and family stories that are based on Christian principles and Bible teachings.

The Timepiece by Beverly Lewis

The Timepiece by Beverly Lewis - 326 pages


As the only daughter, Sylvia Miller of The Tinderbox has always held a special place in her Old Order family, one Adeline Pelham jeopardizes when she shows up at the Millers' Hickory Hollow farm. It isn't that Adeline means to be a threat, but her very existence is a reminder of the painful secret that has so recently upended the Miller household. And with Sylvia and her mother still struggling to come to terms with that news, this is a challenging time to welcome an Englisher--especially this Englisher--into their midst.

Despite the Millers' unexpected hospitality, Adeline is well aware that she's treading on Sylvia's turf, and she feels guilty about doing so when Sylvia is grappling with issues of her own. Not only is Sylvia trying to rebuild her trust in her father, but she's uncertain what to make of her once-promising engagement to Titus Kauffman, who hasn't pursued her since she confronted him. Adeline wishes she could help Sylvia, but she's not sure that either she or Sylvia is ready for that level of closeness in their relationship.

Can God make something good come out of the mistakes of the past? Or does Adeline's 
arrival mark one too many surprises for the Millers and their Amish community?

The First Love by Beverly Lewis

The First Love by Beverly Lewis - 304 pages

It's the summer of 1951, and Maggie Esh is in need of some hope. Sweet-spirited and uncommonly pretty despite struggling with chronic illness, she is used to being treated kindly by the young men of her Old Order Amish church district. Yet Maggie wishes she were more like other courting-age girls so she could live a normal, healthy life.

To make matters more complicated, Dat has recently remarried, less than a year after her mother died. And while her stepmother is kind, Rachel is much younger than Mamm, and she simply doesn't understand Maggie or her illness the way Mamm did.

When tent revival meetings come to the area, Maggie is curious, and the words of the Mennonite preacher challenge her to reconsider what she knows about faith. Can she learn to trust God even when hope seems a distant dream?

The Proposal by Lori Wick

The Proposal by Lori Wick - 297 pages

The Proposal, book one in the series, is set in 1810 London, England. William Jennings has never been interested in marriage and family. So when a relative dies and leaves Jennings three young children, his world turns upside down.

Thrilled to have boys to carry on his name, William invests time in the two brothers, but the little girl is tended to by a negligent nanny. Finally, Jennings seeks help from his sister and soon becomes acquainted with her neighbor, Marianne Walker. Her strength and faith intrigues Jennings, but will he allow himself to fall for her and the God she loves?

The Hope Within by Tracie Peterson

The Hope Within by Tracie Peterson - 652 pages

A continuing store around a ranch family.  One son's loyalty is torn between his mom, and his wife and children.  Part of the family is Blackfoot Indian. The story also centers around the fact that Indians were not allowed to own land.

Deadline by Randy Alcorn

Deadline by Randy Alcorn
(Ollie Chandler #1)
448 pages / 6 hrs, 27 mins

"When tragedy strikes those closest to him, Jake Woods must draw upon all his resources to uncover the truth about the suspicious accident. Soon he finds himself swept up in a murder investigation that is both complex and dangerous. Unaware of the threat to his own life, Jake is drawn in deeper and deeper as he desperately searches for the answers to the immediate mystery at hand and--ultimately--the deeper meaning of his own existence."  --from the publisher

The plot was interesting, but it is written with a specific agenda that comes off as preachy.  Also, the reader for the audiobook is overly dramatic with.every.sentence.  (heavy sigh)

Accused by Janice Cantore

Accused by Janice Cantore
(Pacific Coast Justice #1)
416 pages

"Detective Carly Edwards hates working in juvenile--where the brass put her after an officer-involved shooting--and longs to be back on patrol. So when a troubled youth, Londy Atkins, is arrested for the murder of the mayor and Carly is summoned to the crime scene, she's eager for some action. Carly presses Londy for a confession but he swears his innocence, and despite her better judgment, Carly is inclined to believe him. Yet homicide is convinced of his guilt and is determined to convict him...As the investigation progresses, Carly suspects a cover-up and strikes out on her own, uncertain whom she can trust. But when danger mounts, she begins to wonder if she made the right choice."  --from the publisher

This Christian fiction author has a style similar to Terri Blackstock.  Cantore is a retired police officer so the setting and dialogue are realistic.  I thought it was pretty good, and will definitely read the next in the series.

If I Live by Terri Blackstock

If I Live by Terri Blackstock
(If I Run #3)
352 pages / 7 hrs, 20 mins

"Casey Cox is still on the run after being indicted for murder. The hunt that began with her bloody footprints escalates, and she's running out of places to hide. Her face is all over the news, and her disguises are no longer enough. It's only a matter of time before someone recognizes her.

"Dylan Roberts, the investigator who once hunted her, is now her only hope. Terrifying attempts on Dylan's life could force Casey out of hiding. The clock is ticking on both their lives, but exposing the real killers is more complicated than they knew. Amassing the evidence to convict their enemies draws Dylan and Casey together, but their relationship has consequences. Will one life have to be sacrificed to protect the other?"     --from the publisher

This was a pretty good ending to the trilogy.  The first two books were a little better, in my opinion.

Without a Trace by Colleen Coble

Without a Trace by Colleen Coble - 289 pages

This is the first Colleen Coble novel I have read.  I must say that I was pleasantly surprised.  This is  inspirational fiction and I must admit sometimes they are cheesy.  This book completely changed that opinion for me.  It is a mystery that features search-and-rescue dogs and a one year old cold case.  I love that it was set in a small town.  The only down fall I found was the amount of characters that were introduced in the beginning of the book.  There were so many different ones that it was hard to follow at times.  I do believe that I will be looking for more books in this series.

Counted with the Stars by Connilyn Cossette

Counted with the Stars by Connilyn Cossette
(Out of Egypt #1)
352 pages

"Sold into slavery by her father and forsaken by the man she was supposed to marry, young Egyptian Kiya must serve a mistress who takes pleasure in her humiliation.  When terrifying plagues strike Egypt, Kiya is in the middle of it all.

"To save her older brother and escape the bonds of slavery, Kiya flees with the Hebrews during the Great Exodus.  She finds herself utterly dependent on a fearsome God she's only just beginning to learn about, and in love with a man who despises her people.  With everything she's ever known swept away, will Kiya turn back toward Egypt or surrender her life and her future to Yahweh?"     --from the publisher

This is an interesting premise for historical fiction.  I think the way Cossette describes her characters with conflicting thoughts and emotions is refreshing and pretty realistic.  Overall the writing is average, but the story and characters drew me in and gave me much to ponder.

Love Lifted Me by Sara Evans

Love Lifted Me by Sara Evans
(Songbird #3)
304 pages

"Jade and Max share a deep love, though revelations from his past have recently shaken their marriage.  And Jade is completely smitten with Max's little son, Asa, whom she is now raising as her own.  Their blended family brings a joy she's never known...

"Max is doing his best to 'man-up' and prove himself worthy of Jade's devotion.  As well as that of his young son.  It seems like life in Whisper Hollow, Tennessee, will pick up where it left off until Max is faced with an unusual opportunity--leave his family's law firm to coach high-school football in Texas.

"The new beginning in quaint Colby, Texas, is soon sullied when Max discovers the high-school program isn't all it seemed.  While Max struggles to rebuild a once glorious football team, Jade wrestles with news that could break Max's heart...and change their lives forever."  --from the publisher

I thought this one was pretty good.  It reads like a movie on the Hallmark channel, although the story is a bit more complicated.  We lived in a few small towns like Colby, and the power struggles and politics kept us on our toes with mixed results.   It is refreshing when the "nice guys" come out on top, even if it's fiction.

Softly and Tenderly by Sara Evans

Softly and Tenderly by Sara Evans
(Songbird #2)
304 pages / 8 hrs, 42 mins

"Happily married and owner of two successful boutiques, Jade longs to begin a family with her husband, Max. But when she discovers that Max has an illegitimate son--who he wants her to help raise--Jade's life is turned upside down.

She flees to her childhood home, a rambling Iowa farmhouse, with enough room to breathe. There-- while her mother's health grows fragile, and the tug of her first love grows stronger--Jade begins to question everything she thought she knew about family, love, and motherhood. In the wide-open landscape, Jade begins to see a future that doesn't rest on the power of her past, but in the goodness of God's tender mercies."
--from the publisher

Full confession - I didn't read the first in the series before this one.  Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I was already invested in the characters?  Anyway, the book was pretty good.  I will probably check out the third in the series to see how it all ends.  

IF I RUN by Terri Blackstock

If I Run by Terri Blackstock - 355 pages

An innocent woman who found her friend's body is on the run.  This was a page turner for me as to which way this woman would go from day to day with police and a private eye trying to find her.

Beyond the Silence by Tracie Peterson

Beyond the Silence by Tracie Peters - 477 pages

A young woman defies her grandfather and goes west to become a nanny to a man the town believes to have murdered his wife.  Good story.

Bake Until Golden by Linda E. Shepherd

Bake Until Golden by Linda E. Shepherd - 479 pages

The ladies of the Potluck Catering Club win a lot of money on tv and come back to their hometown.  Strange things and certain disasters begin happening.  Each chapter featured one of the ladies so while reading a chapter was enjoyable....it was hard to keep them straight (for me) until toward the end of the book.

Kiss by Ted Dekker

Kiss by Ted Dekker -- 322 pages

An argument. A crash. A memory loss.

When Shauna wakes from her 6 week long coma, the past several months of her memory are gone, wiped clean without a trace. Supposedly she had drugs in her car and in her house. Supposedly she is in a relationship with someone she can't remember. Supposedly.....but Shauna has to know for sure, and the more she probes, the more she suspects that something much more sinister is going on--and more more dangerous.