Irises by Francisco X. Stork

As Mary and Kate's mother lays in a vegetative state once again the girls are faced with tragedy. Their minister father has now passed away and they are left with decisions too difficult for them to face.

Mary is an artist, but once her mother's accident happened the light has gone out of her paintings. Mary has devoted her life to taking care of her mother. Now she must give up her extra art class after school in order to be more available to care for her mother.

Kate has always dreamed of going to college at Stanford and becoming a doctor. It was her mother's dream for her, and her constant secret for the past several years. Now that dream is about to be realized but with the death of her father Kate is confused about her responsibilities.

Irises was an engaging story. Mary and Kate's struggles with what to do once their father dies kept me turning the pages because I wanted to find out how things turned out. There were so many other issues in the book though that I couldn't give it a better rating. I didn't care for the new minister(Andy) and his goal of some day being the head of a more affluent church. His willingness to allow Kate in his apartment with the idea that things may lead to a sexual encounter was just wrong. His preaching of love and faith without actual guidance of how to gain those things showed that he had no business being a preacher. The girls' father even though he had been a minister for years had led his family with rules and antiquated ideas rather than teaching them about faith. So I guess that the author's portrayal of the religious figures left a dis-satisfied taste in my mouth. Even with that I found empathy for both Mary and Kate's characters. Both struggling with what has happened in their lives, having to face giving up dreams, relationships that have turned disappointing, and the ultimate decision of what to do about their mother all were written to be very believable. Definitely not a waste of time to read this book!

I received my ARC copy in January at ALA.

The Christmas Note by Donna VanLiere

Gretchen and her children move into a condo to be closer to her mother. While moving in Gretchen and her children meet their neighbor Melissa. Melissa doesn't seem very friendly, but Emma and Ethan still try to make friends.

Shortly after moving a man shows up at Gretchen's door. He is Melissa's mother's landlord. Melissa's mother Ramona has died and her landlord is trying to find Melissa. He leaves it to Gretchen to tell Melissa about her mother. Gretchen doesn't know why, but she is compelled to go over and offer Melissa her assistance in helping clear out her mother's apartment.

Melissa has never felt love from her mother. Ramona went from one boyfriend to another and from one apartment to another Melissa's entire childhood. She doesn't know why she accepts Gretchen's offer of help, but she is grateful for this neighbor who insists on becoming part of her life. While cleaning the apartment Melissa discovers a note that her mother started to write to her. It indicates that Melissa has siblings that she never knew about. This is both exciting and devastating news for Melissa. She is angry that her mother never told her this while she was alive.

Gretchen has her own problems. After her husband was involved in a bombing while serving in Afghanistan she has moved her children to be closer to her mother. While starting over and trying to keep their family together she doesn't understand why she feels the urge to help Melissa. With the help of Gretchen's mother and her quirky friend Gloria, Melissa finds the love of friends that she has never known before.

This was a heart-warming, feel-good story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It had the "Happily Ever After" ending that I crave so much in stories. This is the perfect book for a cold winter day curled up on the couch with a fire going and hot chocolate by your side!

Famous by Todd Strasser

Jamie Gordon is famous for being the youngest paparazzi. She has a knack for getting just the right pictures of the stars. Her fellow paparazzi think that she is just a one-hit wonder. Her mother refuses to call her photography skills a career. And her boyfriend seems to be distancing himself from her. 

When superstar Willow Twine requests Jamie come to LA and do an exclusive photo shoot for a week, Jamie is thrilled. Willow is trying to boost her career. After coming out of rehab she has one last chance to clean herself up or she becomes a has-been. Willow is bent on destruction though as she has her former boyfriend Rex come stay. When Jamie finds some unexpected pictures on her camera she must decide what to do, betray a friend to boost her own career or delete them and miss her opportunity for fame.

Also while in LA, Jamie tries to get in contact with her best friend. Avy moved to LA when he was 15 to seek his acting career. When Jamie finally meets up with him she is shocked by what he has done to himself. Plastic surgery has made him not even look like the Avy she used to know.

On the positive side I liked Famous very much. I was engaged with all of the characters. I wanted to know what was happening in their lives. On the negative side the book was written so choppily that it sometimes got hard to follow. One minute we were reading about something that happened in 9th grade and then the next chapter we were in the present, then the next chapter we would be early in Jamie's 10th grade year. Somehow though I managed to become involved in the story and then it was hard to put down.

There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones

Finley is on her way to Ireland as part on an exchange student program. She is following her brother’s footsteps after his death.  Since Will was killed Finley has found herself in a downward spiral. She feels that God is no longer listening to her. Since reading Will’s journal and seeing how much he saw God while in Ireland, Finley believes that if she just follows in his footsteps that maybe God will meet her there also. 

Beckett Rush is a hot young actor heading to his home in Ireland to film his latest vampire movie. When Finley, being bumped up to first class, sits next to him on their trip to Ireland he assumes that she too will be one of the many girls that swoon over him. He is in for a huge surprise. Finley is uninterested in his notoriety. 

Finley’s host family runs a Bed & Breakfast. Finley is less than enthused when she finds that Beckett is staying there for the duration of the filming of his movie. Since Finley is without a car it puts a crimp in her following Will’s journal. Beckett offers to drive her around in return for her being his assistant. She helps him run lines. He finds her honesty refreshing.

One of Finley’s first assignments when she starts school is to adopt a grandmother from the local nursing home. She is assigned Mrs. Sweeney, a cantankerous woman who is dying. Finley tries to get out of the assignment or to get reassigned to someone else, but her teacher is not going for it. What Finley doesn’t count on is learning to love the woman and helping her find forgiveness in her last days.

With the mounting pressure of school, an audition at a conservatory, her mounting feelings for Beckett, and being unable to come up with an ending for her musical piece, Finley starts to spiral downhill. Will she meet God in this place or will she lose Him and herself in the process?

From the moment I picked up the book I had a hard time putting it down. Jenny B. Jones has a way of writing that captures the reader from the very beginning of the book until the last page is turned. I connected with the characters and empathized with both of them. Without being overly preachy Jenny B. Jones was able to show her characters struggle with faith and ultimate victory. 

Weddings and Wasabi by Camy Tang-KINDLE

Jenn just graduated from Culinary School. The family expects her to now run her Aunty’s Japanese restaurant. Everyone knows that this is why Jenn has gone to cooking school. Jenn doesn’t want to run the restaurant for her aunty though. She wants to open her own catering business. But in Jenn’s family what she wants and what is expected of her are two very different things.

When Jenn finally realizes that her family does not care what Jenn’s desires are she decides that she is going to take control of her life and branch out on her own. She decides to open her own catering business instead of going into Aunty’s business. This brings the wrath of her Aunty onto to her. With the support of her cousins Jenn plans her first catering job for her cousin Trish’s wedding. 

While heading to a wine-tasting vineyard Jenn and her cousin Trish are passed by Edward on his Harley. They get a flat tire and Edward turns around to help them out. His family owns another vineyard nearby. He and Jenn are immediately attracted to each other.  He too comes from a large family that can get very loud!  After meeting Edwards’s family she realizes that she has neglected to pray for her business, she has neglected going to church and she has neglected reading her Bible. She soon remedies those things just as her dreams seem to start falling apart.

As always Camy Tangs books crack me up! Filled with a crazy family, a water gun attack, an Aunty bent on revenge, and a goat, Weddings and Wasabi is one wild ride! I do have one complaint though, Weddings and Wasabi was not as long as the other books in the series. I think that Jenn's story could have been more detailed. It was over too soon!

The Dashwood Sisters Tell All by Beth Pattillo

Ellen and Mimi are fulfilling their mother's last wish by embarking on a walking tour of Hampshire, England. Their mother was a Jane Austen fan and her dying wish was for her daughters to walk the countryside that Jane herself had lived in.

Ellen and Mimi have never been close. Ellen is the sensible sister and Mimi has always been the flighty sister. Neither woman has been lucky in love. Ellen feels that she has always had to clean up Mimi's romantic disasters and Ellen herself lost the love of her life while she was in college.

 After arriving at their first hotel Ellen receives a package containing what appears to be the diary of Jane Austen's sister Cassandra. Shortly after that Daniel arrives on the scene. He is the only man that Ellen has ever loved. He is now divorced and his presence causes Ellen much stress.

Mimi in her usual fashion starts flirting with their tour guide Tom. She doesn't mean anything by it as he is way too old for her taste. She really falls for Ethan though and mistakenly tells him about Cassandra's diary. While the girls are studying the diary they soon find a sort of code in the words that Cassandra has written. It becomes obvious to them that Cassandra has left clues to a second hidden diary. One that could be worth much more than Cassandra's. When the diary disappears both girls have suspicions of who took it and for what reason.

What I enjoyed most about The Dashwood Sisters Tell All is the development of Ellen and Mimi's relationship. How it compared with Elinore and Marianne Dashwood's relationship in Sense and Sensibility and then to how it compared to even Jane and her sister Cassandra. I have really enjoyed reading Beth Pattillo's trips into Austen-land!

Her Best Catch by Lindi Peterson-KINDLE #3

Allison Doll is a 29 year old auditor that lives with her mother and grandmother. She loves her job and she loves the Lord. She has been best friends with Trent and Velvet since they were children. Trent and Velvet have recently become a couple. Allison refers to them as Trelvet. She is having a hard time being the third wheel in their relationship.

Ashton Boyd is a baseball relief pitcher that recently injured his throwing arm. When he shows up in Allison’s Sunday School he makes quite a stir, not only with the guys, but also with the girls! When Ashton (known as a player) sets his sights on Allison, Trelvet has misgivings.

Allison is attracted to Ashton, after all his kisses make her weak at the knees! But Ashton is working on a comeback that will take him out of town the majority of the year. Allison’s father was away for much of her life with his job. Allison doesn’t know if she could handle a long-distance relationship. 

I really enjoyed this story. Allison was such a fun character and there were several laugh- out- loud moments. 

CHRISTIAN FICTION BOOK CLUB-Digitalis by Ronie Kendig

This month's Christian Fiction Book Club is hosted by Jules at My Own Little Corner of the World. If you read Digitalis by Ronie Kendig and would like to discuss it with us, choose a question from HERE and link up your post. No blog? You're welcome to hop around and join our discussions in the comments.  

(Thanks to Joy at Edgy Inspirational Romance for posting this blurb, I stole it from her! Below is my review and opinions)

Colton (Cowboy) is part of the Nightshade team. He is a sniper for the team. He battles the memories of being held captive and tortured, of his sister being killed, and of his wife leaving him. The only good thing to come of that relationship was his daughter Mickey.

Piper works at a department store. She is in hiding. Her true identity can never be revealed or her father will be in deadly danger. She cannot afford to be careless and she cannot afford to enter into any relationships that may endanger her life and the lives of those she loves.

From the moment Colton and Piper see each other in the department store there is an attraction. Goaded by his team, Colton finally works up the courage to ask Piper out. It seems that they are meant for each other. After all, Mickey has dreamed for a mother and brother and sister, she thinks Piper is perfect.

Evil catches up with Piper quickly. Unable to tell Colton her secrets soon puts a strain on their relationship. Especially once that evil visits Colton’s home and leaves tragedy behind.

The story was definitely action-packed. Unfortunately for me the relationship between Colton and Piper just didn’t work. Frankly I got irritated with both of them too often. Both of them kept secrets from each other. Colton was unable to tell Piper what his true job was. Piper was unable to tell him about the danger that she was in. Yet when Colton finds out about Piper he is unable to forgive her for holding the secret and drawing him and his family into her danger.  I thought their declarations for love to one another started way too fast before they ever had a chance to really KNOW each other.  Also, a pet-peeve that I have is the editing of the story. I read my copy on my Kindle and it was full of typos, to the point of distraction.  I think that Digitalis can be a standalone story, but the first in the series is Nightshade, and coming out soon is Wolfsbane.  Nightshade may have explained the reason the group was formed, but I caught up pretty quickly with the characters in Digitalis. 

MY RATING: 

Discussion Questions:

 6. Have you or a loved one ever endured something painful (an illness, injury, broken relationship) and you wondered why God didn’t supernaturally intervene? Why do you think He does not eradicate our problems or pains?
While this in not an illness, injury or broken relationship story it is one that at the time was a struggle for me to get through. In 1997 the base that my husband worked at was closed down. We had to make the decision of being relocated or find another job. My husband had almost 20 years of service in though so we didn’t think we wanted to lose his retirement. We opted to be relocated. While I was grateful for my husband being offered a job at another base it was hard for me because I had never been away from my family before. Now I was faced with being half the country away from my parents, sisters and friends. It is not easy for me to make friends, and my family was my support system. I have to say though that even though the first year was a struggle with many tears and rants to the Lord, after being here for 14 years the Lord has provided so much for us that looking back I am amazed at my immaturity in thinking that I knew what was best instead of resting in God’s promise that HE knows what is best for us always. As far as why He doesn’t eradicate our problems and pains I believe those trials and tribulations are to help us grow in maturity to our Lord and Savior.  Through that time even though I was asking Him WHY I was still calling to Him for help. He provided a wonderful church family for us. He has provided friends that have become our surrogate family. I still miss being physically close to family, but with internet, phone calls and visits we stay intimately close.

2. Colton is a Marine, he has seen combat, and as a sniper, he has killed enemy combatants.  Yet without his precise skill, innocent lives would have been lost. Our troops often face horrible accusations by those who have never weathered combat. What are your thoughts about Colton’s profession?

Unfortunately war is a result of sin in the world. I admire our military for the sacrifices that they give every day for our safety. Colton was a sniper, he took out bad guys. Bad guys need to be taken out, that’s just a fact. 

Disaster Status by Candace Calvert-KINDLE #2

Erin is an ER nurse who has a hard time trusting people-especially men. All while she was growing up she could never trust her father because he always let her down. She cannot forgive her father so she has hardened herself and separated herself from her family. She has convinced herself that she is strong and doesn't need to trust anyone else.

Scott is a firefighter with ambitions to be chief. He likes everything "by the book". Having failed to help his sister out of a miserable marriage with disastrous results, he blames himself. He too has slowly separated himself from his family.

When a chemical spill brings several people to the ER it throws Erin and Scott together. Sparks instantly fly between them. There is definitely an attraction between them but will they be able to get past their own hurts and be able to trust each other?

This was a fairly quick and easy read. I was a bit disappointed in that I thought the initial disaster would play more of a part in the story. While there were several emergencies during the story the author focused more on the relationships and the personal struggles of several characters.

Truffles By The Sea by Julie Carobini-KINDLE

This is the sequel/companion to Chocolate Beach. In Truffles by the Sea we read about Gabrielle's story. Everything seems to be falling apart in Gaby's life. Her employee robbed her business, her apartment burned down. She has miraculously been offered a loft apartment to live in. It is in a more upscale part of town, but the rent is amazingly low. From the day she moves in though her nosy neighbor Iris plants in her head that her landlord is a philandering Lotherio that she needs to steer clear of.

Problems continue to assail Gaby. With all of her overhead stolen from her she has very little money to keep her in her floral business. Top that off with being sued by a disgruntled bride, her best friend Bri being too busy to sit on the beach and eat brownies, and two men vying for her attention and Gaby's world seems to be falling apart.

At first Gaby feels attracted to Max. After all he owns property, he's established, and he's extremely attractive. Gaby's new landlord Jake on the other hand confuses her with his kindness. She is wary of him because of Iris's warning, yet there is an attraction between the two.

Gaby has never given up, but she doesn't know where to turn when her life seems to be falling apart. While out driving to find perspective and clear her head she happens upon a group of women having a Bible Study at the foot of a cross. Gaby is reminded of the Lord in her life and determines to live for Him from here on.

I thought this was a fun read. In Chocolate Beach I loved Bri's sarcasm and Gaby's feisty-ness. I missed Gaby's personality at the beginning of Truffles by the Sea, but was happy to see it back once she found her confidence in who she was in the Lord.

I read this on my Kindle. Which reminds me that I am going to make August my READ ON MY KINDLE month. I have so many books that I have downloaded but have been unable to get to. So I am devoting August to that task.

An Eye For An Eye by Irene Hannon

Mark and Emily haven't seen each other for 20 years. They fell in love the summer they both spent at Wren Lake. They lost touch with each other after that summer, but never seemed to forget their first love.

A chance meeting in the park brings them together again. While making arrangements to get together someone shoots at them. The shooter injures Emily.

The question is who was the shooter's actual target. Was it Mark who is on the Hostage Rescue Team? Could it be a criminal that he had put behind bars, or someone's family member out for revenge? Or could it be Emily who's job as a psychologist brings many troubled souls to her office?

Mark and Emily seem to fall right back into the chemistry they had as teens. Emily is afraid to open her heart though to another man in a high-risk job. Her fire-fighter husband died while saving a baby from a burning building. Mark too is tentative about a relationship with Emily. After all his job is miles away from her at Quantico.

While Mark and Emily explore their new relationship a killer is plotting revenge. Will the FBI be able to track him down before he makes his next move?

I enjoy a good suspense/romance novel and An Eye For An Eye did not disappoint!

In the Shadow of Evil by Robin Caroll

Layla is a contractor. An unusual profession for a woman. But she is very good at her work. In fact she has just been nominated for a prestigious award. When one of the homes that she has built burns down and a dead body is found in the remains Layla becomes a suspect.

Maddox is the detective working the case. He too is good at his job. His one regret is that he was never able to find the person who murdered his mother. With a broken relationship with his father, and resentment towards a God that would allow his mother to die Maddox is only too willing to believe the worst of Layla.

Layla decides that she is going to try to discover who burned the house and murdered the person inside. While seeking answers from the various people that she contracted to work the site the killer realizes that she needs to be warned off. Layla is side-tracked when people she knows are brought to the hospital with bleeding noses that won't stop and respiratory problems. The doctors can't figure out what is the common denominator in the symptoms and they can't identify what is causing the symptoms.

When Layla's sister Alana's fiance' is hurt in an explosion, Maddox and his partner decide that they need to protect Layla from whomever is trying to hurt her. With their growing attraction for each other sparks fly! But Layla's faith baffles Maddox. As the mystery unfolds and relationships are mended Maddox begins to see how faith is an important part of our existence.

As the killer becomes more desperate Maddox and Layla race the clock to find out the reason behind the killings. Will they be in time to prevent another tragedy?

Robin Caroll has written an excitement-filled story that will keep the reader wanting to turn the pages until the very end.

Let The Sun Shine In...by Jackie Gilmore

Idella is 19 years old. She lives with her mother and grandmother. Her brother is away at college studying to be a missionary. Their father was killed 6 months before by a drunk driver.

Idella and her grandmother have a very strained relationship. Idella is very self-centered. She has no time for older people. Idella gets a job at Treasure Care a mentoring program for troubled young girls. Idella just knows she has wisdom to impart to these girls and put them on the right path. The only problem is she doesn’t seem to connect with the girls that she is assigned. Meredith hardly talks. Valerie is brash and talks too much. Carla seems to be the only one that Idella can relate to. She has the looks, the friends, and she seems to be very spiritual.

The family is facing the trial of the young man that killed their father/husband/son. Will Grandma’s prayers for Idella ever be answered? Will the family be able to forgive the young man? Will Idella see her shallowness and mend her relationship with Grandma? Will she succeed in the mentoring program?

Jackie Gilmore knows how to weave a great story. She draws you into the lives of her characters. I was totally irritated with Idella. I felt the Grandma’s pain. I cried for their loss and for their triumphs. Great first novel and I hope there are more to come!