The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron

Meet three intriguing heroines as the story hurtles you back in time to the French Revolution, World War II and back to present day time.  Aveline is from French Nobility.  Violet is hiding in France during Hitler's reign.  Ellie wants to make her grandmother's wish come true and travels to modern day France to find answers to a mystery romance hidden in her grandmother's memories as she suffers from Alzheimers.  As I read about Aveline I became so engrossed I forgot there were other seasons to this story.  But then Violet's encounters as she strives to remain hidden and alive in war torn France captured my attention.  Ellie's story was seeped in mystery upon mystery keeping me anxious to know the outcome of her discoveries.  It is impossible to be bored while reading this book because each young lady has so many facets to her tale and then as you get further into the pages of the book and see how all three are actually very entwined with each other it just becomes that much more engrossing and fascinating.  Kristy Cambron knows how to tell a story and tell it beautifully with deep emotion and purposeful meaning.

Daring to Hope by Katie Davis Majors

To say this is an inspirational book is an understatement.  Katie’s honest and open heart felt words really impressed me with their simplicity and depth.  Simple in that she isn’t putting on airs or using high- brow theological terms.  She shares her testimony through stories of pain, sorrow, doubt, fear, turmoil, anger, etc.  The one thing that really stood out for me is when she shared that sometimes God does not answer our “whys” but that His presence is still made evident to comfort and carry us through those experiences.  I was encouraged reading how she felt even closer to God after experiencing horrendous times of grief and upheaval.  Katie writes in vivid emotional detail so that you are drawn to her and her children and friends.  You feel your heart strings tugging and breaking over their stories as if you were there with them.  There is so much spiritual comfort and insight in this book.  Katie covers many different types of “trials” but through each one she demonstrates how a very real God gives love each and every time.  This book came to me just when I needed it!  A real blessing and answer to prayer!

No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert

Entralling and enticing!  You won't be able to put this book down.  It will rip off scabs of things you may have wanted to deny exist.  It takes the reader in a stronghold that doesn't let up till the last page is turned.  When you shut the pages of this book you may feel like:  What just happened?  It is at once shocking, revealing, condemning, forgiving and always pointing back to a God of mercy who intervenes in our personal, every day details in ways that are astounding.  You'll be introduced to three families.  Each with incredible stories of their own but as they entertwine throughout the book in unpredicable ways the Hand of God is unmistakable.  Katie Ganshert has incredible dialogue between characters and in their ponderings I found such profound wisdom it blew me away.  Ganshert is truly a master at literary art!  I've read all her books and this one is the best one yet!  Don't miss it!  Words in a review cannot possible do this book justice!  It is THAT good!

Missing Isaac by Valerie Fraser Luesse

Rich in beautiful relationships this book takes the reader by storm in the opening paragraphs.  Beginning with Isaac risking his own life in an attempt to save his employer’s life to relationships that cross racial lines, society lines and old family feud lines, the author creates a fascinating tale of mystery.  Amidst the racial tensions stirring in the south in the 1960s comes an authentically warm and deep friendship that spans generations.  The deep prejudices highlighted in Luesse’s book help the reader see the hypocrisy and courage of people during this radical time in our country’s history.  Breathtaking and clever – this is a work of literary art.

I received this book from Revell publishers and was not required to write a positive review.    

The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz

Elisabeth seems to have the dream life every young woman desires.  A handsome fiancé who will give her a lovely home to be mistress over when she weds and social status everyone envies.  All suddenly changes when her father sends her mother away to be nursed back to health for her frailties.  Elisabeth immediately recognizes her father’s falsehood.  He has sent her mother away not for physical or mental health reasons but for her strong beliefs in the Patriots’ politics.  Soon after this her father flees Virginia to escape the Patriots’ growing strength in Virginia.  At the same time Elisabeth finds herself abandoned by her fiancé Miles.  Not knowing when and if her mother will return Elisabeth finds herself alone.  Into this dire circumstance comes Noble a cousin of Miles with strong Patriot ties.  He  volunteers to take Elisabeth and her maid servant into his home to keep them safe.  Elisabeth accepts for her servant girl’s sake but soon makes her way to Williamsburg to fend for herself as a lacemaker.  While she can’t totally forget Noble nor he her there are weighty matters at hand.  When the rebellion between England and the Patriot colonists escalates Elisabeth finds herself wondering where her loyalties really lie and where her heart belongs.

I received this book from Revell publishers and was not required to write a positive review.

You're Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher

You're invited into the small town homey feel of Thunder Creek, Idaho.  City girl Samantha returns to be caregiver to her grandmother.  She gets an unexpected surprise when she finds out her lost love Nick is the very man who rescued her grandmother from her fall from her horse.  There is an undercurrent of longing mixed with bitterness inside of Nick as he begins to spend time with Samantha.  Samantha has unresolved fears from her childhood that mix with her resentment of Nick's zest for adventure.  Two seemingly polar opposites yet they can't deny the attraction and friendship that is building up to something more.  Through the help of a strong family, community and church connection they each begin to find healing.  What God has in store for their future begins to unfold before their eyes.

I received this book from Booklook Bloggers and was not required to write a positive review.

Blessed Are the Misfits by Brant Hanson

Incredible!  Comforting!  Awesome!  Inspiring!  Assuring! I want to put exclamation after exclamation in my review of this book.  Brant Hansen has a very different outlook and inner look at spiritual matters that really blessed  my heart.  Over and over his words said to me:  I am okay to God.  The worse thing that Christians do to themselves or to each other is to give a sense of judgment for things we have no right judging in ourselves or others.  The words in this book very pointedly, often with humor or startling bluntness, tell me that God is someone that can be depended on even when I can't feel Him, see Him or understand what is going on.  At first glance the opening words of this book might seem sacriligous or discouraging because of the lack of emotion.  But I found that actually understanding that we don't have to be on a spiritual "high" to receive God's grace and love is extremely calming to my soul and gives me such a sense of peace.  The stories shared and ideas discussed are really deep.  I found myself reading a line and then sitting there and thinking:  Wow... Just wow what a God we have. 

I received this book from book bloggers and was not required to write a positive review.