Lynette Eason

Dear Readers,
Lynette Eason was mentored by Dee Henderson. Too Close to Home is the result of that work. If Dee isn't going to be writing any more, this is a good alternative. It is the first of a three book series, at least I think it will be three books.

Conner Wolfe is losing his daughter. He just doesn't know it yet. He thinks they are at odds because of his new case. Girls are going missing and then a year or so later turning up dead. Who is the psycho killer and why does it take him so long to kill the girls? Now the killer has his eye on Jenna.

Samantha is the FBI's best computer forensic expert. She loves what she does, most days and most cases. This one on the other hand is driving her crazy. Why is there no trace of any activity between the killer and the missing teen on her computer or her phone? What is the common denominator between them all? Why is he always one step ahead of them?

As the team gets closer, the killer steps up the violence. Will they be able to catch him before any more girls disappear?

Like I said before, this is a great book for Dee fans. It has her fingerprints all over it and yet Lynette has her own flair to the story too. It made for an interesting read. It is fast paced and can keep you guessing all the way to the end. Even though I had guessed who the killer was early on the story itself had a few twists to it. Which of course made for a very good read.
I love that publishers are getting on the bandwagon of these romantic mystery books without them being too sticky with romance. Ok so it is very strong in this book, but I still liked it.
Happy Reading

Chris

Francine Rivers

Dear Readers,

Her Mother's Hope is Francine Rivers' first full length novel in 7 years. It was well worth the wait. I would rather she wrote one every couple of years, but then again they wouldn't be this good.

We first meet Marta in her native land of Switzerland and follow her journey throughout Europe and Canada and finally into depression-era California. It is not an easy journey, but it one that she is very determined to survive and make her children stronger for it. She has a father who is down right cruel to her. He spoils his son and Marta's younger sister, while expecting Marta to work and hold her own in the world. She leaves to go to a school to learn to be a maid for hotels, etc... She excels and grows her dream that someday she will own her own boarding house.

Marta is so confused by her mother telling her to fly and Marta feels pushed out of the nest. Why does she have to leave and the other two get to stay? This is something that she carries with her for her entire life. It is part of what makes her who she is. It makes her stronger, but it also makes her harsher with her children, especially Hildemara.

I really loved this book. I found myself cheering on Marta while in almost the same breath I wanted to yell at her. I did really struggle with her at certain points of the story because of her personality. It wasn't always the most pleasant. But this book itself was so good. I will warn you that is part one of a two book series. I know some of you prefer to wait for the entire series to be out, well you won't have long to wait. Book number two is due out in Oct.

If you are still wondering, this is the type of book that you take two or so days to completely immerse yourself in and then when you are finished, rejoin the rest of the world again. Yes it is that kind of book.

Happy Reading

Liz Curtis Higgs

Dear Readers,


When an author waits 4 years in between books, I wonder if it will be worth the wait. Then I remind myself it is Liz Curtis Higgs and of course it is worth the wait.

Here Burns my Candle is set in Scotland once again. Liz's family is from Scotland and she loves doing the search and such required for her novels. It just gives her a closeness that she hasn't always felt with them. This one is during the time when Bonnie Prince Charles was trying to over throw the Crown and claim the throne for himself and Scotland. Liz also used the story of Ruth as the background for this story. So all these interesting topics makes for a very good read.

Lady Elizabeth married up. She is a Highlander by birth, but when she meet and married Lord Donald she was a lowly seamstress.She doesn't tell many people about her heritage as the Scots are not looked upon favorably. Her mother-in-law does not like her for this reason. Lady Marjory likes her other daughter in law better because she helped her son meet and marry her.

Lady Majory has her own secrets that she keeps from her family. Like where she has hidden the family gold, which might be the worst kept secret of all. Her main goal in life is to keep her place in society. While she struggles to keep up appearances, Prince Charles rides into town to upset the whole balance of things she has always seen as right. How will she and her little family survive and which side will she choose to stand with.
Liz captures the excitement and stress of a time in England and Scotland's history that I actually didn't know that much about. I will admit that I have probably forgotten most of what my teachers tried to teach me about this topic. I remember that we did study it some, but some I did look up on Google to see what was going on and if you remember your history at all you will get an idea of how this book ends.
I loved Liz's "Thorn" series, but I think this one is even better. Her writing and characters are developed better and the story lines are good. I will tell you that book #2 is coming in 2011. I am not sure I can wait that long. I will have to see how soon I can get a copy to read it.

This book releases on March 16th, which you will notice has been bumped up from the date I had listed before, and is also the same day a Francine Rivers book. I personal think both of these books are well worth the price of buying. I can't tell you which one to buy first as they are both so good.

Happy Reading

Cathy Liggett

Dear Readers,

Beaded Hope by Cathy Liggett is a fiction story based loosely on a mission trip the author took to South Africa. The non-profit organization mentioned in the story is an actual company. You can go to http://www.beadedhope.com/ and check them out. You can learn more of their story and make purchases of the different products the ladies make. Even some of the proceeds from the sale of this book go to Beaded Hope.

Gabby decided to go on the mission trip at the last moment, Cassandra went to further her career, and Heidi and Katie had planned on all going along, but things have change since they signed up, making the trip more difficult. 4 very different women with 4 very different reasons for going on a mission trip, but God has plans to use them all.

Once in Africa they meet Jaleela through Mama Penny. Jaleela has a dream, one she believes that God placed on her heart. She wants to be able to support her family even while being infected with AIDS. It is a disease that is devastating the continent of Africa. No one wants to talk about it, but it is leaving millions of orphans every year. Jaleela just want to take care of her children as best as she can. Her hope is that the ladies will be able to sell their bead works in America. Will the ladies be able to help them? Do any of them really want to?

This is a good book to read. I know Cathy wrote this book to generate interest in Beaded Hope, but I think it will also generate interest in missions in general. I know it made me think of the mission trips I have been on. Whether on a foreign field or in the USA, it doesn't matter they have all been very special and it's so much fun to remember them.
Happy Reading

Ginger Garrett

Dear Readers,

Here is another recover of a book that was actually in print for only a short time. I really liked it and wanted to recommend to those of you that haven't had a chance to read it yet.

Chosen by Ginger Garrett is the story of Esther. One I have always liked in the Bible. It is written from the perspective of a teenager ripped from her home, but instead of letting it destroy her, she is able to stay true to her faith and herself. Esther is written as a strong young woman who may not always know the right answers, but is willing to listen and learn. There is a love story in this one between her and King Xerxes. I have to imagine that there was some love between them somewhere, even though the Bible doesn't say so, otherwise the rest of the story doesn't make much sense.
This is a well researched book and is easy to read. I loved the different perspective on a familiar Bible story.

Happy Reading