Courting Mr. Emerson by Melody Carlson

This book is an example of exactly why I LOVE Melody Carlson's writing!  Don't let the first few pages fool you.  It may start out reading like a romantic comedy but it is far from it.  It quickly delves into some serious issues such as abandonment, teen pregnancy, unresolved grief, denial, OCD, and even being an atheist.  All this in one book!  The characters have their tough spots and don't always make the best choices.  Their relationships are complicated to say the least and take hard work.  This book is not wrapped up in a neat bow but rather takes a winding path through some troublesome and sometimes painful patches.  The beautiful thing about this book is that though the characters are each "flawed" and flounder God is quietly but persistently speaking to them in very personal, detailed ways to get their attention.  If you're a fan of Melody Carlson you will want to get this book pronto.  If you've never read Melody Carlson I can guarantee after reading this book it won't be the last of her books you'll pick up.

I received this book from the publishers but was not required to write a positive review.

Never Let Go by Elizabeth Goddard

Packed with mystery, "what ifs" and spine tingling suspense this book will have you on the edge of your seats.  The great thing about this book is that it is written by a Christian author.  You have all the high paced thrills and intrigue but a clean romance.  Willow has been raised by her grandfather since her parents were killed in a car accident when she was a child.  Trained by one of the best (her own grandfather) she has worked in the agency with him in finding lost persons.  When her grandfather dies suddenly in the middle of a case Willow feels compelled to continue the case.  A cold case of a missing baby from over twenty years ago. Little does she know the the snowball effect this will have on her life.  When a series of unexplained life threatening events occur Willow realizes this is much bigger and deeper of a mystery than she originally imagined.  The FBI becomes involved and with that protection enters Willow's former love interest Austin.  Together they must solve the mysterious crime of the baby abduction before time runs out for the biological mother and for them.

I received this book from the publishers but was not required to write a positive review.

Mending Fences by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Mending Fences is a look at repentance and forgiveness.  Not always a straight forward action on either party.  Luke Schrock has not only disappointed but negatively affected his family and close knit Amish community by immature and self centered actions.  Upon returning from an extended time in a rehab center Luke is ready to make amends.  At the beginning he assumes wrongly that this will be an easy task.  The Bishop has not only required that Luke express his apologizes to each person he has wronged but that Luke listen to how the wrong has affected the person.  This proves much more heart breaking than Luke could have ever imagined.  He learns the true meaning of long lasting and far reaching effects of another person's action upon another.  As Luke struggles with these revelations he meets a lovely young woman Izzy.  When he discovers that she does not know who her biological mother is he decides to find the woman.  This has consequences that neither of them could have imagined. 

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