"Orchard of Hope," by Ann H. Gabhart

"Orchard of Hope," by Ann H. Gabhart

It is 1964, and 14-year-old Jocie Brooke is about to have an unforgettable summer. Her father has found a new love, her hippie sister is about to have a baby, and her aunt is finally pleasurable to live with. But, when a black family from Chicago moves into the quiet hamlet of Holly County, Kentucky, Jocie finds herself befriending a boy that some townspeople shun. Due to the unspoken racial lines in this southern town, the presence of these newcomers sparks a smoldering fire of unrest that will change Holly County--and Jocie--forever.

Orchard of Hope, the riveting sequel to The Scent of Lilacs, takes readers along to experience unexpected love, fear, forgiveness, new life, and a deeper understanding of the value of each individual's story.

It took me a while to get into this book, but once I did I couldn't put it down as it got more and more interesting.  One of the things that both fascinated and shocked me at the same time was the racial upset that occured.  As never experiencing something of that nature I can only imagine how frightening it must have been for people.  Both as victims and onlookers.  I thought the way Ann wrote that into the story was very well done.

It does help if you have read Ann's first book in this series Scent of Lilacs as the story carries on from where that one left off.  I see the next one in the series Summer of Joy is to be released in March of 2014.

Stars out of 5 : 3.5 I struggle getting "hooked," with Ann's books but when I do get "hooked" on the story I love the books, they just don't grasp me right from the very beginning for some reason?  I am enjoying this series of books and they are a well worth read.

"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".

"Chasing Hope," by Kathryn Cushman

"Chasing Hope," by Kathryn Cushman

A Touching Story of Two Unlikely Friends.
The Power of Trust.
The Struggle of Pain.
And How, Sometimes, Following God Can Lead You to the Most Unexpected Places.
A talented runner determined to make the Olympics, Sabrina Rice had her dreams shattered by a devastating diagnosis. One forfeited scholarship and several years later, she's forged a new vision for her future that has nothing to do with running, which she's buried deep, intent on forgetting...

Until the day she sees Brandy Philip running across the college campus, easily outpacing security. Sabrina immediately recognizes world class potential, and it's all the more painful that it belongs to a troublemaking teen. When a chance encounter brings the two young women together, Sabrina realizes she's Brandy's best hope to salvage a life about to spiral out of control forever.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I didn't think I would, but I was hooked right from the start.  The author kept information from the readers to keep you wondering about certain things.  Sabrina had to give up so much but you're not sure exactly for why, until later on in the book.

You're not sure if Brandy will succeed and I'll be honest the Epilogue resonated so deep within me it made the book even more special.

Stars out of 5 : 5 I could read this again as it was so good.  It is a must read in my opinion as it shows how much courage and determination and faith in God some people have.

"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".

"Fired Up," by Mary Connealy

"Fired Up," by Mary Connealy

When a doctor who attracts danger falls for a cook determined to make it on her own, there's going to be trouble in Texas!

Glynna Greer came west as a mail-order bride and ended up in a bad situation. Now her husband, Flint, is dead, and she's determined to make a go of it on her own. In a town full of men, Glynna decides she can support her two children by opening a diner--never mind that cooking is not her greatest talent.

Dare Riker is a doctor who saves lives, but someone seems determined to end his. It may have something to do with the traitors he dealt with during the Civil War, or it might be related to the recent incident with Flint Greer and the ranch. Whoever the culprit is, he or she seems really fired up, and Dare can't let his guard down for a moment--which is a challenge, since right now he's trying to win the heart of the recently widowed Glynna.

Though his doctoring business is booming due to Glynna's questionable cooking, Dare seems to encounter unexpected dangers wherever he goes. There's the avalanche. And the fire. And then the shadowy figure with a knife. Can Dare survive it all long enough to convince Glynna to take another chance on love?

This book had a bit of everything in it.  A bit of mystery, a bit of laughter, some romance and a fast pace story that kept you interested and fully involved in the story.  This is the second book in the "Trouble in Texas," series and it was every bit as good as the first book.  

Both Glynna and Dare are made for one another, it's just a case of them figuring it out and it makes for a good chunk of the story them figuring it out.

Stars out of 5 : 5 Great book well worth the read and well worth either buying or borrowing from the library.

"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".

"Singularity," by Steven James

"Singularity," by Steven James

Jevin Banks is searching for a killer--and answers to terrifying questions he never even thought to ask.
When his friend is murdered, illusionist Jevin Banks is determined to find out what really happened. Drawn deep into a web of conspiracy and top-secret research on human consciousness, Jevin won't stop digging until the truth is revealed. Soon he uncovers a dark secret that could change the very fabric--and future--of human life on the planet.

Based on frightening scientific realities and bristling with mystery, suspense, and intrigue, Singularity is the riveting sequel to Placebo.

This is the second book in the series that has Jevin Banks as the leading character.  I was totally hooked with this book right from the beginning and this is not my normal genre of book.  It is a MUST read if only to read about what may or may happening in the development of Artificial Intelligence.  The details in this book that the author includes is fascinating and something I would never have thought of.  I would love to know how he came about the premise of this story?  Even the details about magicians tricks and life in Las Vegas was really interesting.

Stars out of 5 : 5 I would give it more if I could I was totally hooked on this book and HAD to know what happened next as it was that good.  I like the way this author writes and it really is a page turner of a book with plenty of details, thrills, action and a great storyline.  You HAVE to read this book.

"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".

"A Simple Christmas Wish," by Melody Carlson

"A Simple Christmas Wish," by Melody Carlson

Rachel Milligan never imagined that she and her seven-year-old niece would spend the week before Christmas on a quaint Amish farm in Ohio. But with so many unexpected occurrences of late, perhaps she shouldn't have been surprised.

With her young niece Holly in tow, Rachel anxiously makes her way from Chicago to Ohio's Amish country. As love begins to blossom, family secrets emerge, and old wounds are healed, Rachel realizes that she will do whatever it takes to ensure that Holly has the loving family she needs.

This was a lovely book that I read in an afternoon.  It had enough "meat" in the story to keep you interested. It had me hooked from the start and the way the story was told you were not 100% sure what was going to happen next or what the outcome may have been.

The main characters were believable and the vulnerability of Holly and Rachel was well written.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5 An easy book to read and not overly "Christmassy"  You could read this any time of the year and you would enjoy it.

"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".

"Christmas at Harmony Hill," by Ann H. Gabhart

"Christmas at Harmony Hill," by Ann H. Gabhart

It is 1864 and the nation is torn apart by civil war when Heather Worth discovers she is with child. With her husband at the front and nowhere else to turn, she seeks refuge in the Shaker village of Harmony Hill. Amid the tumult of the times, Heather yearns for the peace she sees in this strange community. But can this longing really be fulfilled amid these people with their peculiar beliefs about family?

As Christmas approaches, the joy of new life and the love that is born of forgiveness may hold the answer.

Interesting book, you don't quite know how it is going to end until very close to the end, which is good as it keeps you guessing.  It's an easy book to read; one which I read in an afternoon and evening.  I am not a fan of Shaker stories though, I guess I need to read more about them to understand.

One of the things though was that you admired the strength and courage of Heather and her belief in her husband.  It also showed what a great heart she had in forgiving her father.

Stars out of 5 : 4 good book to read in a couple of afternoon, but it is a hardback book and costs $15.99 USD so a good one to borrow from your local library.  

"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".

"Welcome to Tyler; Whirlwind," by Nancy Martin

"Welcome to Tyler; Whirlwind," by Nancy Martin

The first in a new romance series introduces readers to Tyler, a traditional small town where people are still good neighbors and family and friends are still an important part of everyday life.

This book was actually published back in 1992, so over 20 years old.  What attracted me to this book was the cover.  It's not a bad book to read though the leading female character Liza can be just plain annoying and childlike.  However she is just what Cliff needs to bring him back to a regular life.

There is enough romance in there to keep you interested and the murder mystery part of the story also kept you interested.

Stars out of 5 : 4 If I see anymore of these books I will definitely be reading them, good way to pass a couple of afternoons.