Waiting Out the Storm

HERNE, RUTH LOGAN

WAITING OUT THE STORM

When family tragedy strikes, Sarah Slocum steps in as guardian to her two nieces and nephew. But raising children isn't like raising sheep, and the beautiful shepherd soon finds herself in over her head. Who'd have guessed that new neighbour Craig Macklin would jump in to lend a hand? Craig's always held a grudge against Slocums -- Sarah included. Now the handsome local vet is helping with her livestock, giving her young nephew a job and smiling at her every chance he gets. Sarah must decide whether she can trust Craig -- and God's plan -- and allow him into her family.

WAITING OUT THE STORM LIVES UP TO IT'S LOVE INSPIRED PROMISE: HEARTWARMING INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE...THOUGH YOU'D HAVE TO THROW IN A GOOD DOSE OF ANGST IN ORDER TO BE COMPLETELY TRUTHFUL.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STRUCK ME THE MOST IS THE AUTHOR'S ABILITY TO BREATHE LIFE INTO NOT ONLY HER CHARACTERS BUT THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THEY LIVE. IN FACT SHE SO INTRIGUED ME WITH HER DESCRIPTIONS. THAT I HAD TO GOOGLE THE POTSDAM AREA IN NEW YORK JUST TO GET SOME REAL LIFE IMAGES IN MY MIND. SUDDENLY UPPER NEW YORK STATE FEELS LIKE HOME.

THIS BOOK COULD HAVE BEEN WRITTEN JUST FOR ME . I LOVE DOGS, HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO LIVE ON A SHEEP FARM (YES, I KNOW THAT SOUNDS STRANGE BUT WHEN YOU LIVE WITH A SHELTIE WHOSE HERDING SKILLS ARE LOST ON THE SQUIRREL POPULATION YOU FIND YOURSELF DREAMING BIG). MY IDEAL MAN WOULD BE A VET (HELLO CRAIG!!!!) AND A MAN WHO DEFINITELY LOVES ANIMALS AND CHILDREN...NOT TO MENTION INCREDIBLY SENSITIVE AND RATHER GOOD LOOKING.

I LOVE HOW WE ARE GRADUALLY INTRODUCED TO SARAH SLOCUM. THOUGH WE MEET HER ON THE VERY FIRST PAGE, SHE REMAINS A MYSTERY THAT RUTH LOGAN HERNE SLOWLY REVEALS AS WE CONTINUE TO READ. VERY FITTING SINCE SARAH STRIVES TO HIDE HER TRUE FEELINGS FROM THOSE AROUND HER AND IS, IN FACT, HARD TO GET TO KNOW.

BY CONTRAST, CRAIG MACKLIN LEAPS OFF THE PAGE -- A TANGLE OF EMOTIONS AND CONTRADICTIONS ALL OF WHICH WE SEE RIGHT FROM THE START. AND WE'RE RIGHT THERE WITH HIM AS HE WRESTLES WITH GOD OVER REGRETS THAT CAN NEVER BE UNDONE.

SARAH AND CRAIG'S JOURNEY THROUGH ALL THE OBSTACLES THROWN IN THEIR PATH -- MANY OF THEIR OWN MAKING -- CREATE MEMORABLE MOMENTS OF BOTH HEARTACHE AND LAUGHTER...EXACTLY THE KIND OF COMBINATION WE FIND IN REAL LIFE. THEIR STORY IS PEPPERED WITH GENTLE, TOE-CURLING ROMANTIC SCENES AND ENOUGH ANGST TO KEEP THE PAGES TURNING.

THE THOUGHT-PROVOKING INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE GIVES THEIR LOVE STORY DEPTH. JUDGEMENT, FORGIVENESS, AND HOW OUR ACTIONS AND WORDS CAN MOLD ANOTHER -- FOR BETTER OR WORSE -- LEFT ME PONDERING SIMILARITIES IN MY OWN LIFE. IT WOULD MAKE A GREAT STARTING POINT FOR DISCUSSION IN A BOOK CLUB.

WAITING OUT THE STORM IS A WORTHWHILE AND VERY SATISFYING READ -- A STORY THAT WILL STAY IN YOUR HEART LONG AFTER YOU CLOSE THE BOOK.

Touching the Clouds

LEON, BONNIE
TOUCHING THE CLOUDS

Kate Evans is an adventurous and independent woman with a pioneering spirit. When she leaves her home in Washington State to follow her dream of being an Alaskan bush pilot, she knows it will be an uphill battle. But she never expected it to be quite like this. As the lone woman in a man's world, she finds that contending with people's expectations is almost as treacherous as navigating the wild arctic storms.

When she crosses paths with a mysterious man living alone in the forbidding wilderness, she faces a new challenge. Can Kate break through the walls he has put up around his heart? And will fear keep her from realizing her dreams?

Book 1 in the Alaskan Skies series, Touching the Clouds will draw you in with raw emotion and suspense, all against the stunning backdrop of the Alaskan wilds.

FROM THE 1930'S TIME PERIOD AND THE ALASKA SETTING TO THE VERY SLOW-BURN ROMANCE, TOUCHING THE CLOUDS IS JUST A TAD DIFFERENT FROM OTHER BOOKS ON THE MARKET AND I LOVED IT! A REFRESHING READ.

KATE'S INDOMITABLE SPIRIT COMES THROUGH FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE BUT THOUGH SHE'S NAMED HER PLANE 'FEARLESS KATE', A LOT OF PRIVATE DEMONS HAVE HER RUNNING SCARED. INSECURE, GRAPPLING WITH HER DESIRE FOR A CAREER (SHE EVEN LEAVES BEHIND A FIANCE) AND STRUGGLING TO OVERCOME A TRAGEDY IN HER PAST MAKE FOR COMPELLING CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT.

THE COCKPIT SCENES WERE RIVETING. I'M NOT SOMEONE WHO WOULD EVER HAVE THE NERVE TO GO UP IN A SMALL PLANE AND HAVE RARELY FLOWN IN A BIG ONE BUT LEON HAD ME TOTALLY FASCINATED BY THE WHOLE AVIATION ANGLE. I ALSO ENJOYED THE PIONEER FEEL OF THE ALASKAN WILDERNESS. I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE.

THIS IS THE FIRST OF A SERIES AND THE ROMANCE DOESN'T SOLIDIFY UNTIL THE LAST FEW PAGES OF THE BOOK. NORMALLY THAT WOULD HAVE TURNED ME OFF SINCE I LIKE ROMANCE IN A READ BUT I WAS SO CAUGHT UP IN BOTH KATE'S AND PAUL'S PERSONAL JOURNEYS THAT I STILL FELT FULFILLED BY THE END. I'M HOPING THAT LEON CARRIES THEIR ROMANCE INTO THE NEXT BOOK.

Diamonds in the Shadow

COONEY, CAROLINE B.

DIAMONDS IN THE SHADOW

Through their love for people, yet ignorance of the unknown, the Finch Family has joined alongside their church and opened their home to an African refugee family who are moving to Connecticut. The Amabo family of four– Andre, Celestine, Mattu, and Alake: father, mother, and teenage son and daughter– arrive in great hope as they have escaped the tyranny of Africa. What the Finch Family doesn’t know is that there are not just four refugees in this Amabo family, but five.

As the Amabo family, who have suffered unimaginable horrors, begin to adjust to a life of plenty in the Finches' suburban Connecticut home, the Finches are learning new lessons of “The Golden Rule”. The life adjustment for all seems flawless.

But the fifth refugee does not believe in good will. This lawless rebel has managed to enter America undetected. And the Amabo family has something of his--something that they agreed to carry into the country for him.

When Jared, the oldest Finch son, realizes that the good guys are not always innocent, he must make a decision that could change the fates of both the Finches and the Amabos. In this uncommonly penetrating story, Caroline B. Cooney presents a fresh perspective on how doing what is right can be most difficult.

THIS POWERFULLY MOVING STORY READS LIKE A THRILLER WITH A CRESCENDO OF A CLIMAX. THIS WAS MY SECOND READ THROUGH AND I WAS AS RIVETED AS THE FIRST TIME.

THE COMPLICATED PLOT UNFOLDS THROUGH THE EYES OF THE AMABO AND FINCH CHILDREN, EACH WITH THEIR OWN UNIQUE VIEWPOINTS. THE SUSPENSE BUILDS AS THE AMABO’S CAREFULLY CONSTRUCTED CHARADE BEGINS TO UNRAVEL AND JARED UNDERGOES A LIFE-ALTERING JOURNEY INTO ADULTHOOD.

THOUGH A DIFFICULT READ AT TIMES (REFERENCE TO A PAST RAPE AND VIOLENCE), I THINK IT IS A NECESSARY ONE.

Wings of Morning

MORGAN, KATHLEEN
WINGS OF MORNING

Can a forbidden love survive betrayal and suspicion in the Scottish Highlands?

Orphan heiress and Scotswoman Regan MacLaren is a bride of only one day when her husband is murdered. Left alone to thwart the revenge her family seeks on her husband's assassin, Regan suffers a terrible fall and loses her memory -- and with it her place in the world. Meanwhile, laird and warrior Iain Campbell is waiting for the love he knows God will bring him. But a woman near death and without a memory isn't quite what he expected.

And so begin enormous challenges for Regan and Iain to overcome the unholy ambitions of others while love takes them by surprise. But will betrayal and suspicion force them apart forever? Or can their love help heal their clans and their land?

THIS IS THE SECOND IN THE THESE HIGHLAND HILLS SERIES AND JUST AS SATISFYING A READ AS THE FIRST, CHILD OF THE MIST. KATHLEEN MORGAN DOES AN INCREDIBLE JOB OF FLESHING OUT THE STRUGGLES OF LIFE IN 16TH CENTURY SCOTLAND -- ESPECIALLY FOR A WOMAN.

REGAN HAS BEEN A VICTIM OF MEN SINCE SHE WAS A YOUNG CHILD. AN HEIRESS DENIED HER BIRTHRIGHT BY THE GREED OF HER CLANSMEN, SHE HAS DEVELOPED DEEP ROOTED INSECURITIES. THIS MAKES HER VULNERABLE TO THE PLOTTING OF MEN AND SHE FINDS HERSELF SWEPT UP IN A DECEIT NOT OF HER MAKING.

IAIN CAMPBELL IS FORTHRIGHT AND KIND, EXPANSIVE IN HIS GENEROSITY AND LOVE OF GOD. HE IS BY NO MEANS NAIVE, BUT HE LOOKS FOR THE BEST IN PEOPLE -- PARTICULARLY THE INJURED WOMAN IN HIS CARE.

FORGIVENESS AND TRUST ARE CENTRAL THEMES IN THE STORY AND ISSUES THAT BOTH IAIN AND REGAN WRESTLE WITH THROUGHOUT. THIS INCREASES THE ROMANTIC TENSION, PULLING IT SO TIGHT THAT THE ANGST IN THE PLOT NEARLY SEVERS IT. AS IN THE FIRST BOOK, WINGS OF MORNING IS STEEPED IN POLITICAL INTRIGUE -- INCLUDING AN APPEARANCE BY MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS. A GREAT PICK FOR A SUMMER READ.

Troubled Waters

MCCALLA, RACHELLE

TROUBLED WATERS

He's working for the Coast Guard, but that's not Heath Gerlach's only mission. He's also an undercover FBI agent, and his target for investigation is his new partner, Tracie Crandall. With her blond hair and pretty blue eyes, Tracie looks sweet and innocent. But was she involved in her former partner's crimes? Tracie won't talk about it. Because she's guilty? Or because she's afraid to trust another partner? Just when Heath is sure he knows, a shocking revelation changes everything. Now all he wants is to keep Tracie safe…and give her a reason to believe in the power of love.

EXCELLENT BLENDING OF SUSPENSE AND ROMANCE. FROM TIME TO TIME I'VE FOUND THAT ONE OR THE OTHER SUFFERS IN THE SHORTER WORD COUNT OF LOVE INSPIRED NOVELS. MCCALLA HAS MANAGED TO NOT ONLY BALANCE BOTH BUT MYSTERY FEEDS ON ROMANCE, RESULTING IN A SATISFACTORY BUILD OF TAUT SUSPENSE. MCCALLA KEPT ME GUESSING ALL THE WAY TO THE END, THOUGH I DID FIND THE CASE TURNED A BIT JAMES BONDISH AT THE END.

Courting Morrow Little

FRANTZ, LAURA

COURTING MORROW LITTLE

Morrow Little is haunted by the memory of the day her family was torn apart by raiding Shawnee warriors. Now that she is nearly a grown woman and her father is ailing, she must make difficult choices about the future. Several men – ranging from the undesired to the unthinkable – vie for her attention, but she finds herself inexplicably drawn to a forbidden love that both terrifies and intrigues her. Can she betray the memory of her lost loved ones – and garner suspicion from her friends – by pursuing a life with him? Or should she seal her own misery by marrying a man she doesn’t love?

This sweeping tale of romance and forgiveness will envelop you as it takes you from a Kentucky fort through the vast wilderness of the West.

‘SWEEPING’ IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT! COURTING MORROW LITTLE IS THE KIND OF BOOK YOU WANT TO SAVOR AND GOBBLE UP ALL AT THE SAME TIME. LAURA’S RICH TEXT CONJURES UP IMAGES, SCENTS AND SOUNDS GUARANTEED TO TRANSPORT HER READERS OUT OF THIS WORLD AND INTO THE ONE SHE CREATED FOR MORROW LITTLE. HER ATTENTION TO HISTORICAL DETAIL ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE WITHOUT BURDENING IT AND HER LYRICAL DESCRIPTIONS SWEEP THE READER ALONG ON MORROW’S JOURNEY. LAURA GIVES US JUST ENOUGH DETAIL TO CONVINCE US THAT SHE TIME TRAVELS AND WRITES FROM FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE, BUT DOESN’T DRAG US DOWN WITH A LOT OF UNNECESSARY INFORMATION. ACTION CONVEYS THE DESPERATION IN SO MANY SCENES AND SPEAKS VOLUMES OF THE PRECARIOUS TIMES OF AN EMERGING NATION.

AT TIMES I HAD TO SET THE BOOK ASIDE BECAUSE I COULDN’T BEAR TO READ MORE AS I WRESTLED WITH MY EMOTIONS. TIMES WHEN I JUST NEEDED TO SIT QUIETLY AND SAVOR AN EXQUISITE SCENE. TIMES WHEN I WAS AFRAID TO READ ANY FURTHER! OF COURSE, I DIDN’T PUT THE BOOK ASIDE FOR LONG AND WHEN I REACHED THE END I FOUND I COULDN’T BEAR TO BE PARTED FROM IT AT ALL SO I STARTED READING IT AGAIN!

COURTING MORROW LITTLE IS A TALE FILLED WITH UNEXPECTED TWISTS AND TURNS, PACKED WITH ACTION AND BRIMMING WITH EMOTION. THERE’S NOTHING PREDICTABLE ABOUT THE PLOT AND, AS I READ, I FOUND MYSELF WHITE-KNUCKLING THE BINDING, HOPING AND PRAYING FOR A HAPPY ENDING! AND THOUGH I LIVED IN FEAR A TIME OR TWO, LAURA SURPRISED AND DELIGHTED ME TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT.

I FOUND MORROW A REFRESHING TWIST ON THE USUAL HEROINE WE ASSOCIATE WITH IN HISTORICAL FICTION. SHE’S SOFTER, LESS SURE OF HERSELF, AFRAID OF MANY THINGS AND NOT AS STRONG – PHYSICALLY OR EMOTIONALLY – AS A SUCCESSFUL FRONTIERSWOMAN SHOULD BE. AT LEAST SHE DOESN’T THINK SHE IS AND NEITHER DO THE PEOPLE AROUND HER. BUT AS HER STORY PROGRESSES LAURA SKILLFULLY DRAWS MORROW OUT OF HER SHELL AND HER READERS ARE PRIVILEGED TO WITNESS HER GROWTH INTO A WOMAN OF COURAGE AND CONVICTION.

IT’S HARD TO DISCUSS THE LOVE STORY WITHOUT GIVING ANYTHING AWAY. I WILL SAY THAT LAURA’S ABILITY TO DEVELOP ROMANTIC TENSION IS SOME OF THE BEST I’VE EVER READ. AND THE LOVE SCENES!!!!! BE STILL MY WILDLY BEATING HEART. SHEER POETRY. A CELEBRATION OF LOVE MADE ALL THE MORE POIGNANT BECAUSE OF THE UNSETTLED TIMES.

IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, COURTING MORROW LITTLE IS A DEFINITE 2010 MUST READ. THE ONLY CRITICISM I HAVE IS THE LET DOWN YOU’LL EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU’VE READ THE LAST WORD ON THE LAST PAGE.

Running for Cover

MCCOY, SHIRLEE

RUNNING FOR COVER

Morgan Alexandria moved to Virginia to escape her past...but her past isn't ready to let her go. Thanks to her ex-husband's shady dealings, someone's after her, and if it weren't for Jackson Sharo, she might already be dead. Can Morgan trust Jackson? Maybe not. The former big-city cop is practically a stranger. But trying to handle everything on her own just leads to new disasters. And without Jackson's help, she could find herself running right into a trap...

OPENS WITH HEART-STOPPING ACTION AND SUSPENSE. I LIKE SHIRLEE MCCOY'S STYLE BUT I'D LIKE TO SEE HER WRITE A LONGER BOOK SO SHE HAS THE CHANCE TO DEVELOP THE ROMANTIC SIDE OF THE STORY. SHE IS LIMITED BY WORD COUNT IN THE LOVE INSPIRED SUSPENSE LINE AND WHILE SHE SUCCEEDS IN CREATING A BELIEVABLE BOND BETWEEN JACKSON AND MORGAN, I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE MORE DEVELOPMENT IN THE ROMANTIC ANGLE. STILL, THE SUSPENSE IS SOLID AND THE WRITING SUPERB. A GOOD ESCAPE READ.