false 11 66 63 true 6452764 read 0 true 6452763 currently-reading 3 true 6452762 to-read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79147695 to: The Unfinished Gift: A Novel (Hardcover) by Dan Walsh
Dan Walsh
2009
Revell
Fiction/Christmas/Christian

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

Set in World War II, The Unfinished Gift is a wonderful story of family redemption. Little Patrick Collins is taken to stay with a grandfather he has never met. A grandfather, full of bitterness, anger and sorrow of all the things he feels had gone wrong in his life.

Patrick's mother was killed in a car accident, and his father is in England fighting in the War. Patrick has to stay with his grandfather until his daddy comes home. However a telegram comes that lists his father as missing in action. His grandfather yells at him, and it drive Patrick to run away.

A story that will have you crying, laughing and mad at the same time. A wonderful story. Dan Walsh's first novel is a hit for this reviewer. 249 pages 5 stars.

This book was provided for review purposes only, no payment or cash was received for this review. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79130641 to: The Pastor's Wife (Paperback) by Jennifer AlLee
The Pastor's Wife
Jennifer AlLee
Abingdon Press
Releases Feb 2010
Fiction/Christian

Reviewed by Cindy Loven


Maura and Nick Sullivan were in love, madly in love newlyweds, bound for their first pastorate. Maura had no idea, what this would do to her marriage. How disappointed she was to find herself as the second choice to Nick's affections over the church, and church duties. After six months she could take no more, and she left.

Six years pass, they are still married, but haven't seen each other in six years. Then sweet parishner dies, and her will brings a surprise. Miss Hattie included Maura in her will, and also a promise for a large donation to the church fund. There is a condition though, Maura and Nick must live together for six months, in order for Maura to collect her inheritance and the church to get their donation.

Both Maura and Nick are dismayed, but seem willing to give it a shot. Follow this wonderful story and see if Miss Hattie's will matchmaking scheme will reunite the pastor with his wife. See Maura come to love a community she never knew before. Watch as they both make their way. A wonderfully written story. 213 pages $13.99 US 4 stars

This book was provided for review purposes only. No cash or payment was received for this reveiw. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79014236 to: The Christmas Dog (Hardcover) by Melody Carlson
Melody Carlson
2009
Revell
Fiction/Contemporary

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

Betty Kowalski is getting older, times are changing, her children and grandchildren are all grown. And she has a crazy new neighbor, Jack Jones. He is living in the Spencer's house, but no one seems to know who he is. Only that he is not friendly and is up at all hours of the night.

In the middle of Betty's holidays her grand daughter Avery appears after being missing for a few months. Happy to see her safe and sound, Betty is enjoying Avery's company, until she finds herself drug into a family squall. Not her idea of how families should work.

Enter Ralph, a small dog of undetermined heritage, who seems to have a knack for bringing out the worst in both Betty and Jack. Avery, however falls head over heels in love with the little dog and he brings her great comfort as she deals with her problems with her mom.

Will it all work out? Will Betty and her neighbors find out that Jack is a maniacal madman bent on killing them all? Will Avery go home and settle her differences with her mom? Will Ralph find a family who will love him forever?

A charming holiday story about how life changes over the passage of time. Melody Carlson once again shows us why we love her books. 172 pages, $14.99 US 5 stars.

This book was provided for review purposes only, no payment was provided for this review. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78736897 to: Shadows of the Past (Paperback) by laura V. Hilton
Amber has been burned on men. In fact she is dealing with her last boyfriend still, he is stalking her, threatening her and she is running scared. Very closed mouth about her last name, she is a model easily recognized, but by only using her first name, it helps protect her identity.


Her family is concerned about her though, she is so scared from being stalked she is not willing to give any other guys a chance, so her brother Ric has an idea to get her friend to challenge her to find a date. It works much better than they thought when Amber is attracted to Dr Jay Wilder, a professor at the Christian college where Ric also teaches.


However Jay is a strong Christian and refuses to pursue a relationship with Amber because she is not a Christian, watch as this tale of intrigue, love and danger unfolds. Amber is in danger, serious danger and Jay wants to protect her. A story of love, and spiritual enlightenment. Most definitely a great book. Fast paced, easy to read. 254 pages $12.95 US 4 stars



This book was provided for review purposes, no cash or payment was received for this review. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78531822 to: Perfect Piece (A Sisters, Ink Novel #4) by Rebeca Seitz
A Sisters, Ink Novel

Rebecca Seitz

2009

B&H Publishing

Fiction/Christian/General



Reveiwed by Cindy Loven



The fourth book in the Sisters Ink series and the conclusion of the series Perfect Peice is a awesome book. Just like the other books, this book is centered around a sister, this time it is Meg, the calming sister, the glue that keeps them all together sister.



Four sisters, different as night and day, adopted seperately into a loving family, have stuck together through all sorts of issues during this series. This time Meg is sick, she has a brain tumor and has surgery and it has changed her personality. The sisters are at a loss, because generally it is Meg keeping them together, helping each other. How will they help Meg?



A story of how a family overcomes a frightening life moment. How they come through rough patches and hard times, and how the family stays intact. A story of good overcoming evil, you may chuckle if you have read the book, but the enemy of our soul is always trying to destroy families and it is a good overcoming evil book.



Rebecca Seitz has a writing style that I love and I am sad to see the series end, I have read and reviewed all of the books in this series, loving each of them. This one was no different, I loved it and was sad to reach the end, but totally look forward to reading more from Rebecca Seitz. 308 pages $14.99 5 stars



This book was provided for review purposes only, no cash or payment was received for this review.
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78428570 to: Closer: Devotions to Draw Couples Together (Hardcover) by Jim Burns
Closer
Devotions to Draw Couples Closer
Jim and Cathy Burns
2009
Bethany House Publishers

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

Today it is hard to connect, with your spouse, with your kids, with your extended family. Everyone is busy, on the go. Appointments, meetings and life rush us around like crazy. Jim and Cathy Burns have given us a Devotional book with fifty two devotions designed to draw couples closer together.

There is no huge list of how to do this devotional, you can work at your own pace, they do suggest committing or investing thirty minutes a week to each other and to do this devotional book. Each devotion has a scripture it is based on, then a commentary to go with it, then it is followed by a section called faith conversations, which is starting lines for a conversation to have to build your faith in each other and in God. The final section of the devotion is called A Step Closer, and usually includes a written assignment or a discussion assignment for you to do. A very appealing and easy to follow devotional lay out.

They cover topics vital to keeping a marriage strong topics such as romance, love, how to handle a high maintenace marriage, and many more. These devotions are interesting and you will enjoy sharing this book with your beloved. A great marriage tool. 222 pages $19.99 US 4 stars

This book was provided for review purposes only, no cash or payment was received for this review. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78082292 to: Cowboy Christmas (Paperback) by Mary Connealy
Annette Talbot is in trouble, sent to a girl's school after her mother died, working with a mission group after school is finished, the mission group is taken over by a ruthless man, and his plans for Annette are not good. He tries to make her sing bawdy songs and dress like a tart, and when she refuses he slaps her around and beats on her.



A dear friend rescues Annette by giving her all the money she has and telling her to run, and run Annette does, straight home. Arriving home, Annette discovers her father is gone, and no one knows where, but her troubles have not ended, in fact they are getting worse. Claude and Blanche Leveque show up, determined to make her sing in their unholy show, and determined to make her pay for running away. Claude is a cruel and evil man, intent only on stealing her away and making money off her God given voice and talent.



Follow this exciting story as Annette discovers who her friends are, who will take care of her, and how God will intervene in a desperate situation. This story is fast paced, easy reading and exciting. Mary Connealy has once again shown us that she writes awesome books. Most definitely a book to share with friends and family. 303 pages 4 star rating.



This book was provided for review purposes only, no cash or payment was received for this review. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77752068 to: A Cousin's Prayer (Indiana Cousins, #2) by Wanda E. Brunstetter
Indiana Cousins Book 2

Wanda E. Brunstetter

2009

Barbour Publishing

Fiction/Christian/Amish


Reviewed by Cindy Loven


It has been a year since Katie Miller's boyfriend was killed in a horrible accident. She returns to her home, for her cousin's wedding after staying in Florida with her grandparents. However she cannot go back to Florida with her grandmother because they are moving to Wisconsin. Katie really doesn't want to be at home.


Since she has gotten home, she has had panic attacks, and they seem to get more frequent, and leave her more in a fog than the last one. Friends and family want to help Katie, but she is afraid to mention the attacks, afraid people will think she is crazy. Instead a gossipy friend jumps to conclusions and spreads rumors out of jealousy.


An old friend from school who just moved back to the area, reaches out to Katie, because he recognizes her panic attacks, having had them himself as a young teen. Without realizing it, they each fall for each other, thinking that neither one is interested in the other. A tale that ends in love, it is very interesting how this author handled and presented this story.


This has perhaps been one of the best stories I have read in the Amish story genre, there is no Englisher falling in love with an Amish person, there is no Amish person deciding their faith, to stay or leave. But is a story from within, a story of an Amish girl with a serious problem, and how the Amish family and friends help her. I truly enjoyed this story. There were things in the story that made me wonder, but after speaking with a friend who has researched in this area a lot, I became aware that the possibility was there. 300 pages 4 star rating.


This book was provided for review purposes only, no cash or payment was received for this review. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77555403 to: The Frontiersman's Daughter (Paperback) by Laura Frantz
Set in the late 1700's Lael Click, lives in Kentucke. Her father is a gifted woodsman, guide and hunter who has moved his family into Indian territory. Kidnapped and held by the Indians for two years, he knows the signs and the ways of the Shawnee Indians.

His lovely fourteen year old daughter is quickly catching the eye of a Shawnee brave, her long beautiful blond hair causes her to catch the brave's attention. Lael, the daughter has an eye for a local boy, but her father had rather see her end up with a Indian than the local boy.

Sending her off to a finishing school in Virginia, solves the immediate problem, but it makes Lael miserable and she wants nothing more than to return to her roots. After five years in the school, word is sent that her father has died and left her his land in Kentucke. Lael is going home.

Once home, she finds many things have changed, including the local boy, who is now set to marry in just a few days. A new doctor is in the fort, and Lael comes face to face with her own hatred, disappointments, and anger.

This story will not disappoint the reader, it is full of excitement, and is a wonderfully written book. Will Lael find love? Will the Indian brave return to claim her? What will happen to the new doctor, will the locals accept him and his doctoring? So many questions, but the answers are there in the story. I read this book start to finish (even if it did take me into the wee hours of the morning.) 412 pages $13.99 US 4 star rating

This book was provided for review purposes only, no cash or payment of any type was received for this review. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77486296 to: Treasured: Knowing God by the Things He Keeps (Hardcover) by Leigh McLeroy
Working on the preface that God keeps things he treasures in a box, similar to the one the author received when her Grandfather passed away, Leigh McLeroy, brings us a small inspirational book, full of descriptions of the things that she has imagined that God has treasured over the years.


An enjoyable book, with thirteen chapters of inspirational writing, describing the reasons that God would perhaps treasure these things she has used, for example the fig leaves that Adam and Eve tried to cover their nakedness with, or perhaps the bloodstained wood, from the Israelites putting the blood on the doorposts to protect them from the death angel. Twelve chapters with treasures of God, the final chapter includes a list of things that the author has treasured, that have been milestones, and momentos of her walk with Christ. Then end note is a discussion guide and questions about what you would place in your box.


A lovely book that is easy to read and is delightful. 202 pages $14.99 US 4 stars

Available at Random House


This book was provided for review purposes only, no cash or payment was received for this review. ]]>