Captain Jeff Struecker and Alton Gansky

Dear Readers,

Certain Jeopardy by Captain Jeff Struecker and Alton Gansky. I am not sure how they did that, but because of Jeff's past in the Special forces, it is very believable. There are a couple of points where you will wonder if it is real, but over all the storyline is interesting and fun to read. It will make you feel very patriotic after you get done with it. It also gives you a whole new respect for what military families in general, but especially Special Ops families go through.

The six guys from the Special Ops team spending time with family and friends, they all receive the one phone call that they are their families dread. "You have 30 minutes to get to base." Off they go, leaving without even having a chance to say goodbye sometimes.

Eric Moyer is at the doctor's office getting test done for a problem he has told no one about, not even his wife, as it could cost him his career. Jose' is playing in the front yard with his wife and kids, Martin is talking to his ex-wife, J.J. is biking with his brother and Pete is talking to his fiancee'. All normal everyday things, until the phone rings. Upon arriving at base they all learn that they are off to Venezuela. Deep undercover, trying to figure out why there is a compound hiding in the middle of town.

Left at home, wives and mothers, sons and daughters, all worry and try to deal with their guys being in a situation they are not allowed to know anything about. What do you do if you are one of the guys on the mission and you find out that your wife's life is in danger? Do you stay with the mission, because that is important to the safety of your country or do you go home and leave the team down one member? What a dilemma. My heart tells me that I would go right home, but do we go home when we have a small cold? What if the country needed you? Hmmm

This was an interesting look at both sides of that story. These guys love their families and yet volunteer to help their country in any way possible, even if it is death. I did like the story even if I wasn't sure I would at the beginning. I thought maybe it was going to be too much of the oorah thing. But it isn't really, it is just a look at the life of a Special Ops team.

Happy Reading

Elizabeth Musser

Dear Readers,

Who would have thought a book about driver's training and book publishing could be so interesting? I am not kidding. Words Unspoken by Elizabeth Musser is a good tale of past mistakes and moving on.

Lissa Randall was a shining star. Top of her class, expert horsewoman, and courted by all the top colleges in the country. It all comes crashing down when her mother is killed in a car accident. She can no longer drive and without being able to drive she can't go to college. She is stuck.

Ev MacAllister teaches teens to drive who are having a hard time passing the regular classes. It is something he started doing in memory of his little sister, Tate, who lost her life in a car accident. When he takes Lissa on as a student, he sees a lot of his sister in her and he aches for her. He really wants to help her move on her life.

Ev and his wife Annie are strong Christians, trying to live the life that God has called them to, but they have a past that they have not shared with many people. Ev himself has the biggest secret of all. (No I am not going to tell you what it is;-) His daughter Katy Lynn has not visited with them for years because of past hurts that she is unable to forget or forgive. When her life falls apart she goes to visit her sister in France.

Are there enough story lines to confuse you yet? I could go on... Elizabeth is so good at taking what seems to be very separate stories and tie them all together. I wasn't ever confused by the story lines, but I was wondering how they all tied together. It was interesting to try to figure it all out before Elizabeth revealed the story to us all.

Happy Reading

Robin Lee Hatcher

Dear Readers,

Robin Hatcher is best known for her historical fiction. She writes great contemporary fiction also, but she still is asked the most about her historical. In Vote of Confidence she goes home again.

Gwen decides to run for Mayor of Bethlehem Spring. She has complained enough about the old mayor in town meeting and the newspaper long enough, so friends challenge her to run herself when he comes up for re-election. Gwen is at first reluctant and then decides that it isn't a bad idea. She has always been very independent, so with her families support she throws her hat into the ring.

Morgan has been trying to get a spa built that he is building in memory of his mother. The Mayor and other various board members have been hindering it and Morgan has decided that the only way to get anything done in this town is to be mayor. They both want the job and think they are both very qualified to do a good job, so may the best man...er... person win.

I am sure that you can see where this is going. It is a delightful little story about politics in early 20th century. Robin does her research and that comes through, but the story itself is light and funny. I really did enjoy it myself and feel like it would be a nice summer read. It does go to show you that there isn't anything new in politics today.

Happy Reading

Robert Whitlow

Dear Readers,

Higher Hope by Robert Whitlow is going to be one of my favorites of his. It is an interesting read and very thought provoking. It is the second of the Tides of Truth series, number one is Deeper Water and yes you need to read them in order.

Tami Taylor is back finishing up her summer internship. She is given a case late on a Friday afternoon simply for the reason that it involves a pastor and one of the partners thinks she would know a lot about religious fanatics. Tami knows she will struggle with the case.

Ramona Dabney knows things about people no one else knows. God reveals things to her and she is able to either confront them about it or pray for them and reassure them. It can be very disconcerting and even distressing when it isn't good news. Jason Paulding is suing her for defamation of character for the statements she made to him when he approached her about buying her church and house.

Tami questions whether the lawsuit is correct or if she should even be working for this law firm. She is struggling with the two guys in the law firm that are interested in "courting" her and when Mrs. Fairbanks falls ill she is under even more stress.

I really liked this book, more than I thought I would at the beginning. Robert takes you home with Tami for the weekend and I once again struggle with her family's beliefs. I loved that he threw Zach into the mix which really was an interesting mix of Christian beliefs. It is very interesting that Tami stays true to her beliefs in God while in Savannah, which is different that what a lot of authors will do with the college students they send off into the big world.

The story line with Rev. Dabney in and of itself was also interesting and made me think a bit about what is right to say and what is not. With political correctness running rampant now it does make you wonder what we will be able to say or not say. It is already illegal in Canada to preach on certain verses in the Bible because they condemn gay practices.

I am ready to read #3, Greater Love, which releases in 2010.

Happy Reading

Stephen Lawhead

Dear Readers,

I won't spend much time on this review. I just wanted to mention that I did finish Tuck by Stephen Lawhead. It is number 3 in the King Raven Trilogy or the Robin Hood story. I have really liked this whole series and quite a few of Stephen's books. I also understand they are not for everyone. He takes a long time (usually a whole book) to develop his story line and characters, but to me it is worth the wait.

Each of the books have focused on one specific person in the "Merry Men." Well this one is on Tuck, the monk that joins the battle against the crown and the church because of the misuse of power he witnesses. I really enjoyed this character. He is written a bit more light-heartedly than the other two books. He is more of the comedy relief than a serious warrior. Don't get me wrong, he does his share of fighting, but is more worried about his next bit of food or ale offered than whether he killed anyone.

The battle comes to a fevered pitch in this battle. Bran and his band of woodland dwellers have split because some are sick of the struggle and the living in the forest. Abbot Hugo and Guy of Gysburne are down to just a few Frenic knights. Each side rushes to fill their ranks, hoping to be the side that will strike the last deadly blow.

I have found that most of the people who like Stephen are ones who have read the "Lord of the Rings" series. But again he is an acquired taste. For those with a church library these books have appealed to loads of teenage guys.

Happy Reading
Chris

Ann Tatlock

Dear Readers,

Ann Tatlock's book The Returning is very different. Ann's story telling is a quiet way of facing major issues that families are facing. It doesn't mean that all families are facing them, but it does happen.

John has been apart from his family for 5 years. He is returning today. Andrea is excited and yet not sure if she is ready to have him come live with them. He was in jail because of an drunk driving accident. She is worried about fitting him back into their family and routine. Billy is excited, Rebekah is indifferent and Phoebe never met her father outside of the prison visiting room.

This is a story of adjustment and forgiveness. It is a look at someone who is trying to turn his life around. John had a drinking problem before he left and his family doesn't really believe him when he says he has been changed. Especially his teenage daughter doesn't believe in his prison conversion. This is a major adjustment to the entire family.

I personally don't know any families that deal with the issue of a parent returning to the family after a prison stay, but I do know several families that have dealt with a few of the other issues that are dealt with. I don't want to talk too much about it as I don't want to give too much away. What I really found very interesting is the only one in the family who goes to church at all is Billy. He goes to the little church just down the street. It makes for an interesting dynamic that not many christian books take on. What if the family isn't Christian? What if the one that is Christan is the one that caused the problems to begin with? What if he or she isn't perfect as the family seems to think he should be? All points that make for a story that is a bit different than the "normal" story.

I am going to admit, I had a hard time liking or trusting John. I am sure Ann writes him that way on purpose, but for me it made the story harder to read, but no less real. Just because someone says they have changed, doesn't mean they have. When all was said and done it made for a better story with a "hero" that is more believable.

I have a read a couple different books by Ann. I have liked everyone I have read of hers. My favorite is still Every Secret Thing. It is the only one besides The Returning that is still in print. She tells a good story and makes it easy to read

Happy Reading

Deborah Raney

Dear Readers,

First let me say, if you have never read a Deborah Raney book, do so. They are very good stories, touching on a great variety of topics. Yesterday's Embers is the third in the Clayburn series. Leaving November and Remember to Forget are the other two. I can easily say I have liked all three.

On Thanksgiving day Doug leaves his wife and daughter home so he can have dinner with his mother-in-law with his other 4 kids. That is the last time he sees them alive. How is he suppose to take care of 4 kids, a farm that is barely making it, and a second job to keep them all above water. Dishes never wash themselves, clothes do not ever put themselves in the wash machine and for some reason those kids think they need to eat everyday.

Mickey Valdez has ever only wanted a husband and beautiful children. It is what she still dreams of it while working at her job at her daycare. She figures God has given up on her and she will never have a family. Her heart goes out to the DeVore family as they all struggle with the loss of their family. When she seems to be drawn into family outings she finds herself falling in love with Doug, But he isn't ready for a new wife... or is he?

It is a story about loss and recovery. It is a story about how we need to wait sometimes on God's answer to our deepest desires. It is just a good story. It is just a gentle tale that is a quiet read for those days when you don't want to do anything, but enjoy time with a few friends.

The nice thing about this series is that you can read it in any order. They are stand-alones that happen in the same city at the same time. In fact the lost of Doug's wife is mentioned in another story. All good stuff which makes for interesting reading

Happy Reading