A FAMILY FOR KATE by LeAnne Hill

Katie has been caring for her four nieces and nephews since her sister and bother-in-law (Jen & Steve) were killed in plane crash along with her parents. Then she learns a couple months later that Steve's brother Jared (whom she has always secretly loved) was killed in an car accident. Imagine her shock when he shows up at the door. She then tells him about the plane crash. Jared also learns that there is a court hearing coming up and his parents want the children. Deciding the best course of action was for Jared to marry and legally adopt the kids, the lawyer suggests Kate. She is NOT what Jared had in mind for a wife. She seems to be career minded and yet she quit her job. He thought she never wanted kids and yet she seems to pour herself into these children. For Katie, marrying Jared would be a dream come true if it weren't for the fact that it wouldn't be a marriage of love. Can God take these two very different souls and truly marry them together? To complicate matters someone is trying to kill Jared and wants to use Kate to flush him out? Is there faith and perhaps love strong enough to get them through?

This was an excellent story. I love the whole theme of "marriage of convenience". Some stories that carry this theme find the lead characters bitter and somewhat hateful to one another. Not so with this story. Although there is apprehension on both Jared and Katie's part you see them trying to make the situation work while trying to honor God and each other. Jared and Katie are both believers but you see the struggle in them both as they try to follow God's standard. Both are dealing past things. I loved the dialog between Jared and Katie. Jared made my heart go pitter-pat. You can see what it was that Katie saw in him. Katie was someone who was very smart but felt totally lacking in the things see deemed valuable. The author really allowed you to experience the deep emotions in each of their hearts. I feel like I lived the story with them. I wouldn't classify this as an edge-of-your-seat read but the mystery surrounding who was after Jared is not revealed until the end. I really like that in a story. I would highly recommend A Family for Kate to those who love a great story with a great message. Great job LeAnne!

OUT OF THE DARKNESS by Anne Patrick

Alex Michaels is an top notch profiler for the FBI. She is forced to go into hiding when the serial killer who killed her sister comes after her. In a truck stop she spots Royce McIntire. Using her keen instincts she feels like Royce would be a safe ride. As they travel together she learns that he is looking for a secretary for his fledgling moving business. She offers to be his secretary for room and board. But her nice secure world is turned upside down when she reads in the paper that the serial killer is on her tail leaving a trail of bodies behind him.

Anne Patrick has done it again! She has delivered a story that keeps you glued from a running start to a nail-biting finish! Alex is an interesting character. She is so strong and self sufficient but doesn't have the one thing she wants most. Royce is a wonderful tortured hero. One who has a lot of past issues but still possessed a tenderness in his heart. They really fit together well and you felt the struggle each had in trying to accept their feelings for one another. I really enjoyed all the supporting characters as well. Anne allows you a glimpse into the mind of a serial killer which is kinda scary but interesting to see the twisted way they think. She keeps you guessing through the story who the killer really is and you don't find out until the end. I like how she works faith in God into the story without being preachy. The story is chock full of action, suspense and romance. I highly recommend Out of the Darkness!

RANSOMED DREAMS by Sally John

Sheridan Montgomery was living her dream. Her marriage to Eliot, the U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela, allowed her to use that influence to help women less fortunate. But all that changed in a matter of seconds. The loss of a good friend and her husband crippled leaves her living a secluded life in a small village in Mexico. Life is not so good but she feels somewhat safe until Luke Traynor shows up and disrupts her carefully constructed safety zone. Her sister Calissa, sent him to bring her back to Chicago where her father lays on his death bed. The evidence that Calissa found indicates their father was involved in illegal business for years. When they begin peeling back the layers of evidence, Sheridan will have to face the truth of not only her father but her mother and her husband. She'll also have to face the strong feelings she has for Luke.

This story was one that was very endearing. The characters were very true to life and their responses were realistic. The book was written in such a way that there is a lot of reflection from the main characters. I really liked that aspect of the story and felt it made it a much richer read. You were really able to understand why the characters were behaving the way they were. The author handled with great wisdom the situation between three of the main characters. She kept me turning pages from the beginning all the way through to it's satisfying conclusion. There were some very interesting twists and turns along the way as well. She tackled some very tough issues but stayed true to God's Word. It's the type of story that while you're reading it you ask yourself "what would I have done?" I definitely recommend Ransomed Dreams. Thank you Tyndale House Publishers for providing this complimentary review copy.

THE EASTER EDITION by Robin Shope

The Easter Edition returns us once again to Turtle Creek. This time we focus on Carol Horn. She has just lost her mother and was dreading the funeral. While sitting and listening to the service the handsome man sitting next to her wonders why they keep calling his aunt by a different name. Turns out Luke was attending the wrong funeral. Carol and Luke are instantly attracted to one another. Then she finds out that he is the new assistant Pastor at her church. Carol's desire is to go on a one year missions trip. Because of his shady past Luke's desire is to Pastor an inner-city church. Does having different desires mean that God doesn't want them together? Find out in this latest edition.

I enjoyed this installment of the Turtle Creek series. You get a glimpse of Lucy, Jodi, Della and of course, Ulilla as they all help Carol through her troubles. There is lots of family dynamics happening in this story and it's interesting to see how the Lord works things out. Luke and Carol are really neat characters. Both are very strong and yet each has their issues. Robin once again gives you an unexpected gasp at the end. I love that about her writing. You could read this as a stand alone but it's a lot more fun when you have read The Christmas Edition and The Valentine Edition.

BEYOND AFRICA by Carie Lawson

Lilly is finally returning to the Congo to be a nurse in the very hospital her parents served in and where she lived as a young girl. While waiting for her last flight that will take her to her new home in the jungle she meets up with a force of man named Case McCord. Case is familiar with the Congo and doesn't think Lilly will last very long. There is an instant attraction there and Case sees right away in her eyes her determination to prove otherwise. When soldiers attack some nearby villages several children come to their camp. Case and Lilly set out to find the mother of four of the children. Through these trips they get to know each other and the attraction is growing. Case is everything Lilly has ever wanted. He's thoughtful, kind, protective and knows what she's thinking, but he's not a believer. Lilly will soon have to choose between her love and her faith. Which will it be?

LOVED IT! LOVED IT! LOVED IT! From start to finish I was fascinated with all the characters in this story as well as the story itself! This author had my heart churning and emotions running wild. Lilly was an interesting character. She had such a big heart and although she was a strong woman, she struggled with feelings of inferiority. Never wanting to hurt anyone's feelings she holds a lot inside. Case is a wonderful hero. Strong, tender, protective. Always knows what to do. His playful ways draw you in. I loved how the author handled the situation in this story of a believer falling for an unbeliever. There is no preaching here but a quiet faith that gets the message across. The romantic tension in this story had so much electricity that I could practically read it without the light on. I loved ALL the interaction between Lilly and Case. I also loved Case's family. You meet his brothers Zane and Jude and his sister Haven. They are all strong and funny and you warm to them instantly. You also meet Case's parents, Grace and Preston. Grace is a wonderful woman who keeps everyone in line. This is Book 1 in the Twisted Roots series. The next book out will be Zane's story and I am really looking forward to that! Great job Carie. I highly recommend this story. It's one I will definitely read again and again.

FIRES OF FURY by Donna Dawson

Katherine's husband committed suicide. Memories played in her mind, as she rides toward the funeral home, of all the times Darryl betrayed her. He promised he was trying to change so how could he do this to her? She vows that her heart will never love like that again. Officer Jason Wolfe delivered the news to Katherine about her husband and allowed her to grieve on his shoulder until she was spent. She didn't expect to see him again. Imagine her surprise when he showed up at the funeral and delivers the news that perhaps her husband did not commit suicide. Jason is working on the case but more importantly he's trying to win Katerine's heart. Will they find out the truth? And will Jason be able to change Katherine's mind about trusting a man?

This was a good quick read. Katherine and Jason were pretty typical lead characters. Katherine the hurting heroine who lost her faith and Jason was the strong hero who is stood fast in his faith. I enjoyed the pull between them. I also liked the secondary characters. Two of which were dogs, Digger and Biscuit. There were several places where the author did a nice job bringing out some good spiritual truths. You also really don't know who is villan is until the end.

An Excellent Debut Novel...

Shiloh Blake is an underwater archaeologist who is with her dive team in Mumbai India looking for artifacts. While in the water their team is hit with gunfire. She is able to rescue her best friend and get him help. While the police are interviewing her at the hospital she begins to realize that all is not what it seems. With instincts on high alert Shiloh becomes involved in a race to not only stay alive but to find the truth. Reese Jaxon is assigned to keep an eye on Shiloh. She surprises him with her quick thinking and creative maneuvers. As he watches over her he begins to feel drawn to the beautiful and feisty woman he's trailing. Will they survive this high stakes games of cat and mouse?

An excellent debut novel. This author had me glued to the pages from start to finish. I basically read it in two sittings because I couldn't put it down! She gives you such rich details that you feel like you're there with the characters. I loved Shiloh and Reese. Shiloh is feisty and independent but wants so much to be loved. She knows God exists but has no faith in Him. Reese had a the strong, tough guy shell but inside ticks a tender heart. His reliance on God is what get's him through his missions. I thoroughly enjoyed the interplay between them. They were so well matched. I felt the story line and the characters were developed to their fullest. If you are looking for a story with lots of action, suspense and romance then this is the book for you. I HIGHLY recommend Dead Reckoning. Be sure your chair has a seat belt, it's one wild ride!!!