"The Chalk Girl," by Carol O'Connell

"The Chalk Girl," by Carol O'Connell

The eight-year-old girl appeared in New York’s Central Park one day: red-haired, blue-eyed, dirty-faced, smiling widely. She looked perfect, like a porcelain fairy—except for the blood on her shoulders. It fell from the sky, she told the police. It happened while she was looking for her Uncle Red, who had turned into a tree. Right, they thought, poor child. And then they found the body in the tree.

For Mallory, newly returned to the Special Crimes Unit after three months’ lost time, spent she will not say where, there is something about the girl that she understands. Mallory is damaged, they say, dangerously unstable, but she can tell a kindred spirit when she sees one. And this one will ultimately lead her to a story of extraordinary crimes, to murders stretching back fifteen years, to blackmail and complicity and a particular cruelty that perhaps only someone with Mallory’s history could fully recognize. In the next few weeks, she will deal with them all…in her own way.

This is the July pick for the new book club I have joined and what book.  It is one of those books you don't want to put down as you HAVE to know what is going to happen next.  I would describe this book like an onion as there are so many layers to it, and you have to peel one layer away to discover what is going to happen next.

Now as this is the first time I have read a book by this author I am not sure if I should have read her other books which include the Mallory character first to get a better understanding of her?  I am thinking not, but do feel I will read her other books as I like the way she writes.

It isn't a hard to figure out "who done it," type of book, but it is hard to narrow down the exact "why?"  I do hope I never come across this delightful cast of characters in real life though!!  I did learn something new, as prior to this book I had never heard of "Williams Syndrome."

Stars out of 5 : 4.5  You really need to concentrate when reading this book, especially at the start when the author starts introducing new "players" into the story.  Also at the beginning of each chapter there is a paragraph in italics by Ernest Nadler, pay attention to that, as that plays into the story.  It took me a while to click what that was all about and had went back to re-read those.  I would really recommend you all reading this book.

"A Woman of Fortune," by Kellie Coates Gilbert

"A Woman of Fortune," by Kellie Coates Gilbert

You never know what you're really made of until you lose everything.
Texas socialite Claire Massey is living the dream--designer clothes, luxury cars, stunning homes. But everything comes crashing down when her charming cattle broker husband is arrested for fraud. Suddenly she finds herself facing attorneys, a media frenzy, and a trail of broken hearts. Betrayed and humiliated, Claire must face incredible odds to save her family--and discover a life worth living.

I really enjoyed this book, it was one of those books where you had to see what happens next.  It was also a book where one minute life is going along at a great pace then all of a sudden it all comes to a stop and everything is taken away from you and you have to re-group and start afresh.

I loved the author's take on this "crisis" that affects all the family and we see it from the family of the fraudster's point of view.  We also see how fickle and devious people who surround them are and who their true friends are.

One of the things I found really interesting was the emotions that Claire went through regarding her marriage.  It made you think I wonder what I would do if that happened to me.  I would like to think I would make the same choice as Claire did.  It also questions how strong they were as a family unit;  as they say blood is thicker than water.

Stars out of 5 : 5 and a solid 5 at that.  This book is not only entertaining to read it also brings up the questions as to what would you do in the same situation.  It also brings up the point, never believe everything you read in the media.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Lost and Found," by Sarah Jakes

"Lost and Found," by Sarah Jakes

Like every girl, Sarah Jakes dreamed of a life full of love, laughter, and happy endings. But her dreams changed dramatically when she became pregnant at age thirteen, a reality only compounded by the fact that her father, Bishop T.D. Jakes, was one of the most influential megachurch pastors in the nation. As a teen mom and a high-profile preacher's kid, her road was lonely. She was shunned at school, gossiped about at church. And a few years later, when a fairy-tale marriage ended in a spiral of hurt and rejection, she could have let her pain dictate her future.

Instead, she found herself surrounded by a God she'd given up on, crashing headlong with Him into a destiny she'd never dreamed of. Sarah's captivating story, unflinchingly honest and deeply vulnerable, is a vivid reminder that God can turn even the deepest pain into His perfection.

More than a memoir, Lost and Found offers hope and encouragement. Perhaps you, like Sarah, find yourself wandering the detours of life. Regardless of how lost you feel, you, too, can be found.

Unless you have been in the exact same situation you shouldn't judge people.  However in this book I honestly found it hard not to judge.  I admired her parents sticking by her through thick and thin, and as a parent I would have done exactly the same.  But to stay with a man who constantly cheated on you, I just can't wrap my head around that.  That situation features heavily in this book and I know Sarah tells of how all this made her stronger to put yourself through all this that, I just don't get it.

Stars out of 5 : 2 Sorry I just wanted to scream at Sarah and say for crying out loud leave him.  I know the message was that you do go through all sorts in life and it can make you stronger, but I really didn't enjoy this book.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Sincerely Yours," by Jane Kirkpatrick, Amanda Cabot, Laurie Alice Eakes, and Ann Shorey

"Sincerely Yours," by Jane Kirkpatrick, Amanda Cabot, Laurie Alice Eakes, and Ann Shorey

Four unexpected letters. Four intrepid women. Four lives changed forever.
Spanning a century and a continent, these romantic novellas will lead you on a journey through the landscape of love. Four young women find their lives altered after each receives a letter that sets her on a new path. From a Hudson River steamboat to a lush drawing room, from a carousel carver's workshop to a remote hospital, you'll be swept into the lives of women who are making their way in the world and finding love where they least expect it.

Moonlight Promise by Laurie Alice Eakes
Camilla Renfrew is a highborn English lady fleeing false accusations when she runs smack into love on a steamboat bound for the new Erie Canal. But can this unexpected attraction survive the treacherous journey?

Lessons in Love by Ann Shorey
Marigold Montgomery Bentley writes marriage advice for Kipler's Home Weekly even though she is single. Everyone assumes from the initials that "M. M." is a man. When the editor asks to meet Mr. Bentley, can Merrie come up with a ruse to keep her writing job?

One Little Word by Amanda Cabot
Lorraine Caldwell will lose her family fortune to a reckless cousin if she doesn't marry quickly. When she learns her long-lost brother is alive, she hopes she's found the answer to her problems. What she finds instead is a mysterious carousel carver who turns her life upside down.

A Saving Grace by Jane Kirkpatrick
Grace Hathaway must rescue a dear friend from a remote and notorious clinic that promises healing but delivers only heartache. In a place laced with deceit, where lives hang in the balance, whom can she trust to help her?

I enjoy short stories, and although all these stories have a common thread in that they all involve letters, they are all very different stories.

All the authors put their own twists into their tales and I loved how each story involved a different type of heroine.  All had an inner strength that they called on along with their spiritual beliefs that were strong.  

Each story was easy to read and easy to get engrossed into.  If I had to pick a favorite it would be Laurie Alice Eakes, Moonlight Promise.  The historical background written by each author after their story is very interesting and should be read as well.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5 Well worth the read as you get four stories in one book.  All are enchanting and are enjoyable reads.  A book I would recommend with stories by well known authors.  

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"One Perfect Spring," by Irene Hannon

"One Perfect Spring," by Irene Hannon

Independent single mom Claire Summers is doing her best to make lemonade out of the lemons life has handed her. Workaholic Keith Watson is interested only in the bottom line--until a letter from Claire's eleven-year-old daughter reaches his desk and changes everything.

As the executive assistant to a philanthropic businessman, Keith is used to fielding requests for donations. But the girl isn't asking for money. She wants help finding the long-lost son of a neighbor. As Keith reluctantly digs into this assignment in his usual results-oriented style, he has no idea how involved he and Claire will become--nor how unusual the results will actually be. Who could have guessed that a child's kindhearted request would bring love and hope to so many lives . . . including his own?

This was a lovely book and I love how the author compares life to lilacs, where the biggest blooms come only after the harshest winters.  There were multiple stories in this book that involved only a few people but all their lives were intertwined with one another.  All had, had very "harsh winters," or periods in their lives and as their stories are told they begin to bloom with the help of one another's love.

This book is a page turner as the more you get into the book the more you have to know what will happen next.

Stars out of 5 : 4 A bit of a slow start but once it gets going you don't want to put it down.  Well worth the read; another great book from Irene Hannon.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Meant to be Mine," by Becky Wade

"Meant to be Mine," by Becky Wade

Ty Porter has always been irresistible to Celia Park. All through high school--irresistible. When their paths cross again after college--still irresistible. This time, though, Ty seems to feel exactly the same way about Celia. Their whirlwind romance deposits them at a street-corner Las Vegas wedding chapel.

The next morning they wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia's ready to be Ty's wife, but Ty's not ready to be her husband. He's a professional bull rider, he lives on the road, and he's long planned to settle down with the hometown girl he's known since childhood.

Five and a half years pass. Celia's buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. Ty's achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the eyes of the woman he couldn't forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had.

How much will Ty sacrifice to win back Celia's trust and prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime?

Just loved this book, it was such a romantic book and you got hooked onto the story right away.  You couldn't help but fall in love with Addie, she was such a precious little thing.  You want Celia and Ty to get back together even if they don't want to.  It's one of those books that despite thinking it could never happen to you, this could actually happen in real life.  It was also a good story to show you how sometimes you have to fight and do whatever to win the love and trust of someone.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5 Great book to read, one you don't want to put down and one where at times you just want to bang Celia's and Ty's heads together to make them see sense.  Well worth the read in my opinion.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Until I Found You," by Victoria Bylin

"Until I Found You," by Victoria Bylin

Finding each other was only the beginning . . .

When Kate Darby swerves off a mountain road to avoid hitting a California condor, she ends up trapped in her car, teetering on the edge of a cliff. Terrified, she breathes a prayer that changes her life.

It's Nick Sheridan who comes to Kate's rescue. Nick is handsome and confident, and he seems to develop a habit of rescuing her, but Kate is in town only until her grandmother recuperates from a stroke. She's not planning to get involved with one of the locals.

Nick is a reformed veteran of life in the fast lane, a new Christian, and a travel writer. When he sees a car dangling on the edge of a cliff, the daredevil in him jumps into action. He doesn't expect to be swept off his feet by the car's occupant. He's made a vow--no dating for a year--but keeping that vow is going to be a lot more difficult now that he's met Kate Darby. . . .

What a wonderful book, two very strong characters in Kate and Nick, each one wanting what they wanted or thinking they knew what they wanted.  I love how the story of the condor's was intertwined into the book and found that aspect very interesting filling in what little I do know about condors.

The twists and turns throughout the story made it very interesting and well worth the read.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5 a page turner and an easy book to get immersed in. The authors description of the area made it feel very life like.  A good book to read to fill in an afternoon or two.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".