Life Support by Candace Calvert

The third book in the Grace Medical series jumps right in with action. Lauren Barclay has moved back to Houston to keep an eye on her younger sister Jessica. Lauren has always been the responsible sister and even has taken to covering for Jessica when she is late for work. The story opens with Elijah Landry's disabled brother Drew being brought into the ER at Grace Medical because he is having difficulty breathing. Eli is a PA(Physician Assistant) at Grace Medical. Lauren doesn't have kind thoughts towards Eli because he was involved with Jessica. Lauren and her parents have blamed him for Jessica's current decline in health.

Both Eli and Lauren are dealing with severe family issues along with the stress of working in the ER of Grace Medical. Lauren is in denial that Jessica has a problem and Eli is battling his father for more rights in caring for his brother. Add to that someone breaking into the staff lockers, someone stealing patients medications, a patient attempting suicide,  a head nurse who's personality has gone from congenial to unreasonable, and a possible hurricane heading directly for the area, LIFE SUPPORT manages to keep the reader's attention riveted to the very end of the book.

I really enjoyed this story and would recommend it to the reader that enjoys a good medical drama along with family angst, romantic entanglements, mystery and faith. Eli's love for his brother and daughter was heart-warming and I could feel his pain and frustration with his father. Lauren's constant defense of her sister was believable and understandable, yet frustrating as I think in real life being a person on the outside looking in would feel. There was a little bit of confusion for me of what Eli and Lauren's past relationship was, but eventually we did get the story and that helped clear things up.

Thank you to the publisher Tyndale House through NetGalley for my copy for review. All opinions are my own.

Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel by Melody Carlson

Moving to New York after college Daphne had dreams of becoming a great writer. Getting a dream job for The New York Times she thought she was all set. But a failed romance and years of being stuck in the same job disillusions Daphne.

When Daphne's Aunt Dee passes away Daphne travels to her hometown to attend the funeral. When the will is read leaving the bulk of her Aunt's estate to Daphne she is as surprised as the rest of her relatives. According to her Aunt's attorney though there are some stipulations in the will that may keep Daphne from inheriting.

While Daphne gets to know her hometown all over again she meets many people that help to welcome her to her new life in Appleton. She gets reacquainted with her old friend Olivia who helps her choose paint colors to give her Aunt's house a facelift. She meets the local diner owner whom her father thinks would be a great match for her. She meets her Aunt's gardener who happens upon her sunning in the backyard in her nightgown. And her Aunt's attorney seems to be taking an interest in Daphne's social life as well. When a man from her past shows up to try and win her heart again, Daphne is confused about what she wants and wonders what her Aunt was thinking when she made the stipulations in her will.

Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel was a cute read. It kept me entertained throughout. I enjoyed the small-town atmosphere of Daphne's hometown and all of the people that came into her life once she moved there. I did find myself getting a bit frustrated at Daphne's indecisiveness, but as the book progressed she seemed to grow as a character. Being Book One in the new Dear Daphne series I am hoping for more maturity on Daphne's part to develop in the next book. I'll be looking forward to reading the next book to see if Daphne is able to meet all of her Aunt's stipulations to claim her inheritance. And of course to see if any of the eligible bachelors capture Daphne's attention ;)

I received my copy of Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel for review from the publisher B&H Publishers. This review is my honest opinion.

Lonesome by Jackie Gilmore

From the back of the book:

Lonesome is a stray dog who has never known a family. He travels from place to place seeking food, shelter, and hoping one day to find a home. The story will lead him to a young boy seeking a friend. He is living with his mother and a great aunt. His father has died, and the boy, Willy, is lonely for a friend to play with. The story will take you on the adventures of Lonesome the dog and Willy the boy, who find each other just in time. This story teaches children the value of a friend, the happiness of a family, and the faithfulness of God. Lonesome is a story of how God can repair hearts, provide love, and teach all of us valuable lessons of life.

Background:

So here's the deal; Jackie Gilmore is my MOM!!! Lonesome is her second published book, but actually it is her first book that she wrote. Let The Sun Shine In is her first published book. I remember when my mom started telling the Lonesome story. She was teaching a group of 4 and 5 year olds at church. At the end of each class she would get the kids to be quiet until their parents came by telling them the story. Each week she would ask the kids where she had left off the week before. Those 4 and 5 year olds ALWAYS knew! Each week my mom would leave us all with a cliffhanger of what was going to happen next to Lonesome. My sisters and I always told my mom she should write Lonesome's story and get it published. Finally our dreams for this story have come true! Mom's books will always rate 5 hearts from me!

 About the author(mom):

Jackie Gilmore has been married to her husband, Mike, for forty-nine years. They have a common love for the Lord, family, and friends. Both have served in ministry since becoming Christians in 1979. Lonesome is the first book Jackie wrote. She wrote it specifically for her grandchildren. Her second book, Let the Sun Shine In was published in 2009. Is has always been a dream of Jackie's to share her stories with her grandchildren. She and Mike have three daughters, fourteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Where to purchase:

You can currently purchase Lonesome on Amazon for $11.99 in paperback or for $3.99 as an e-book. Also you can purchase through the publishing company Westbow Press for $3.99 as an e-book.

Chocolate-Covered Baloney: Confessions of April Grace by K.D. McCrite

April Grace and her sister Myra Sue do not get along. Especially now that April knows that Myra has a secret. Myra has been sneaking out to the mailbox, writing mysterious letters in her room(pretending to be doing homework), and being cranky with everyone around her. Her family all chalk it up to "just a stage she's going through," but April thinks there is something more to it.

When a long-lost relative shows up unannounced things go from bad to worse. Now April and Myra have to share a room again. The girls are fighting more than ever and things in their home are topsy-turvy. And what about the mysterious hang-up phone calls?

April is as feisty and curious as ever which makes for some entertaining episodes in the story. Honest to a fault she does manage to bite her tongue to keep from saying even more than she already does. When the pastor of their church delivers a sermon on "change is coming" April tunes out. She feels that their family has had enough change to last her a lifetime.

Chocolate-Covered Baloney was an entertaining read. Once again the antics of April Grace and the things that come out of her mouth crack me up. Even though she and her sister fight constantly you can tell that April still has a loyalty to family and love and concern for them. Returning characters included Isabel, Grandma(and her multiple boyfriends), April's parents and the Freebirds. And introduced a new unexpected, and unwanted family member. April's parents have never thrown anyone out of their house before, but this guest may exceed that generosity. A fun book and I look forward to the next installment of the April Grace confessions.

Here's my review of Cliques, Hicks and Ugly Sticks the second book in the series.

Thanks to BookSneeze for my copy of Chocolate-Covered Baloney for my honest review.

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.

Curveball The Year I Lost My Grip by Jordan Sonnenblick

Peter and his best friend AJ are the best baseball pitchers for their team. Their pitching skills are going to take them far. When Peter is pitching, AJ is catching then when AJ pitches then Peter is catching. They are quite a duo. That is until Peter messes up his arm and is told he can no longer pitch~EVER.

This does not seem to be Peter's year. Not only can he no longer pitch, but he is also starting his freshman year of high school. Also, there seems to be something disturbing going on with his Grampa. Peter's Grampa is a famous photographer. He has taught Pete everything he knows about cameras and taking the perfect picture. When his Grampa seems to miss the most perfect shot of all and then up and gives Pete all of his equipment Pete knows there is something terrible going on. His Grampa also seems to be frequently forgetting things.

Pete's mother insists that he enroll in an introductory photography class. Since he can no longer play baseball then she feels he needs to be in a "club" of some sort. Pete meets Angelika in class. They are soon put together as partners and things start to look up for Pete. Even though Pete has always told his best friend AJ everything he somehow can not bring himself to tell AJ about not being able to pitch again. The only one he really talks to about that is Angelika. She encourages him to not only be honest to AJ about his arm, but also to talk to his parents about what is going on with his Grampa.

Once again I love the emotions that Jordan Sonnenblick explores in his stories! Peter's relationship with his Grampa is so special and you feel for him as he watches his Grandfather fade into the world of Alzheimer disease. You feel for Pete in his awkward 9th grade self wondering what he is going to do with his life now that he can't play baseball. You admire AJ and Angelika for being Peter's best friends and helping him through his emotions. I have to say that once again Jordan Sonnenblick was able to bring a smile and tear to my eye in Curveball The Year I Lost My Grip.

I received my copy as an ARC from ALA in January.

After The Snow Falls by Carey Jane Clark

Celia and her husband Jeff are faced with a parent’s worst nightmare. Their son Caleb is diagnosed with a brain tumor. They must enter into a world of treatment with very little hope offered for healing.

Just as Celia’s life is crumbling around her she is also faced with her father coming back into her life. Alfie abandoned Celia and her mother when Celia was a young child. Alfie claims he is a “changed man”. Adele, Celia’s mother believes him; Celia though refuses to forgive him.

How far would a parent go to find a cure for their child? Celia explores the realm of alternative medicine while denying any spiritual intervention. Alfie wishes to share his spiritual change with Celia. He is sure that through prayer and forgiveness healing can begin.

Because of the subject matter it is hard to say, “I really enjoyed this book”. But when you take it apart and examine each character you find so much to like. Chapters are alternated between Alfie and Celia. What each one is going through during this process. The author has managed to capture heart-breaking emotions of parents faced with losing their child, consequences of choices that are made and the healing power of forgiveness. So despite the subject of the book, I really did enjoy After the Snow Falls because the characters and subject captured my heart as I read. 

Come back tomorrow(Friday December 16th) for a guest post by author Carey Jane Clark and a giveaway of her book After the Snow Falls for either a Kindle or ePub.

O Little Town : A Novel by Don Reid-Kindle

Mt. Jefferson in the 1950's was your typical small town where everyone seems to know each other and their lives are intertwined.

It is Christmas 1958 and the story opens with a local pastor's daughter being caught shoplifting in the local department store. Not wanting to raise too big of a scene the manager of the store attempts to keep the news from getting out. Unfortunately he has to call Buddy the Chief of Police in.

Buddy is having problems of his own. He has just found out that his 16 year old daughter is pregnant. The baby's father is the son of a well-known doctor in town. Louis Wayne wants to do the right thing and marry Buddy's daughter. 

Walter is in the hospital. His daughters Doris and Colleen are two very different women. Doris has always tried to win her father's love even though she already had his love. She is a strong personality. And she is married to a doctor. Colleen has always been the favored daughter, but something is bothering her that she cannot figure out. Things just don't seem right between her husband Milton(the manager of Macalbee's department store) and herself.

When Buddy brings Pastor Franklin's daughter home he and his wife Dove are both disappointed in their daughter's behavior. Millie seems to have no remorse for what she has been caught doing. Dove decides to march up to the store and defend her daughter. She has been wanting to move from Mt. Jefferson for a long time. There is one temptation that she wants to flee.

Another story is woven into the main story. That is Walter's story from his youth. It is about the tragic loss of his first love. 

Everyone gathers Christmas eve for service at Pastor Franklin's church. He delivers a message on forgiveness. Hearts and lives are touched and healing can begin for so many.

I enjoyed this story very much. Everyone's lives interwoven together and the ultimate gift of forgiveness shines through.

Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks Confessions of April Grace by K.D. McCrite

Eleven-year-old April Grace Reilly is starting Jr. High. She thinks that all will be the same. She is mistaken. One of her best friends is now the leader of a Clique of girls and won't even speak to April Grace.

At home April Grace notices that her mother is not looking the same. She instantly starts worrying about her. But all of the adults in her life tell her that there is nothing to worry about.

Circumstances prevent April Grace's mother from directing the church pageant this year. So April Grace recommends Isabel to be the director. Isabel is not a church member and she also has a demanding spirit about her that concerns the pastor. But April Grace and her sister volunteer to help Isabel direct so that she won't go too overboard.

The story is being told by April Grace who happens to be a hoot! I love the way April Grace just tells it like it is. She is outspoken as only an 11 year old can be. Yet her character has a love for family and friends and a diplomacy about her that seems mature beyond her years. I really enjoyed this story.

A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman

Katie O'Connor is determined to have her own way. She hates being "controlled" by anyone, especially her father. One evening when she returns home after curfew her father is determined to reign her in. Her punishment is that for the rest of the summer she cannot see her boyfriend Jack and also she must do volunteer work at the Boston Children's Aid Society. To make matters worse her childhood tormentor Cluny McGee also works at the Society.

Cluny, now Luke, was a street orphan. Katie's brother-in-law took him under his wing and showed him a better way to live. Now grown-up Luke is a lawyer working for the BCAS. When Katie comes to work for the BCAS sparks fly between she and Luke. Katie is determined to make him as miserable now as he made her when they were children. What neither count on is their attraction for each other to turn into a love that neither is free to act on.

While I fell in love with the characters and enjoyed the storyline very much I must say that I got a little frustrated while reading A Hope Undaunted. It seemed that there were too many other stories besides Katie's and Luke's going on. But the thing that frustrated me the most was the continual triangle that the characters seemed to be having. It almost seemed like the characters would never get off of the merry-go-round, that they would switch from one triangle to another and the story would never end. That being said, I still felt invested in the characters and I was hoping for the Happily Ever After that I crave...and yes, the ending delivered!

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!

Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Whitson-KINDLE

With the promise of land that can be settled, Sixteen women head to Nebraska to start new lives. Once they arrive though they overhear what has really been schemed for them. They have been promised as brides to the men of Cayote. Half of the women decide that they will go no further than Plum Grove.

Five of the women decide to team up and homestead together. They are overwhelmed with the generosity of their neighbors in the community. Each one has a personal reason for starting over. Some with secrets and some with hurts they band together as friends and look for hope in this new venture.

Matthew Ransom lost his wife several years before. His young daughter has been raised by friends. He carries resentment like a burden on his shoulders. He and his cousin Lucas Gray came to Nebraska together. They fell in love with the same woman. Matthews jealousy and Lucas' pride have kept them from forgiving each other. With the arrival of the women it seems it is time to lay aside old resentments. But once again are they going to be fighting over the same woman?

I really did enjoy this story although I had a hard time keeping up with all of the characters. With 5 different backgrounds on the women going on I got a bit confused about who was who. But that is probably because I can't remember my own name half the time! I loved the women's determination to be on their own. To own land themselves. There was humor and some feistiness that was enjoyable in the characters. And a couple of hunky male characters to keep an eye on!

Blood Wounds by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Willa lives with her mom, step-father and 2 step-sisters. They are an unusual blended family in the fact that they all get along, they love each other and they are one big happy family.

There are secrets being kept in Willa's family though. Willa's mom will never talk about Willa's real father. In fact she will not talk about her life before Jack, Willa's step-father. Willa has a few secrets of her own. She can never share how resentful she is of Jack's 2 daughters. But there is another darker secret that Willa knows she can never share with any of them. It is a secret that keeps her in control of her own life. Something she turns to for comfort when she really wants to scream.

When Willa's real father murders his present family and seems to be heading for Willa and her mother, Willa's life seems to spiral out of control. Bent on learning about her father's family Willa returns to the small town that her mother and her escaped from when Willa was only 4 years old.  Learning about her father, step-brother and step-sisters helps Willa discover who she is as a person.

At first I thought that this book was going to be more of a suspense/mystery. But that is only part of the story. The majority is Willa discovering who she is and where her place in her family is. I really enjoyed the story.

Race Against Time by Kimberley and Kayla R. Woodhouse

While out exercising her sprint dog team Zoya witnesses a murder. Not only does she see the man being shot, but then the murderer turns and shoots at her as well. From that moment on Zoya's life is changed. She is plunged into an abyss of shaken faith that she doesn't know if she can ever climb out of.

Anesia is Zoya's mother. She owns a thriving business of raising prize sprint dog teams. Anesia and Zoya have always been close. They have always been able to share everything with each other. After all it is just the two of them. Zoya's father died before she was ever born. Anesia has had to be strong to face the stigma of never having been married to Zoya's father. Anesia would do anything to protect her daughter, but is at a loss as to how to help her out of the abyss that Zoya has plunged into.

Sean has trekked across the country trying to escape from his father's tyrannical rule over his life. When he arrives in North Pole, Alaska he senses it is time to stop traveling and settle down. He applies for a job in Anesia's kennels. Anesia hires him to care for the kennels, but also to protect her and Zoya from the men that are still out to kill her. 

Zoya has allowed her anger at God to fester in her soul. A question that she asks Sean at one point is, "Why does God allow the bad junk to happen?" She no longer feels that God is there with her. She resents that He allowed her to see the murder. She resents that He has allowed the killers to still be out there threatening her. She pulls away from her family and her best friend Andie. She doesn't want them to know how much she is struggling with her anger towards God. She feels that they would never understand. The only voice she seems to hear is the one telling her never to trust Him again.

Race Against Time is the sequel to the book No Safe Haven by the mother/daughter authors Kimberley and Kayla Woodhouse. Race Against Time starts out heart pounding and ends just as strong! I was on the edge of my seat several times. I have to admit too that I had to put the book down a couple of times because the action was so intense I had to get up and walk around before I continued! The action wasn't the only thing that held my interest though. Zoya's struggle with her anger towards God was heart-breaking. The relationship growing between Sean and Anesia was special. I loved that the characters from No Safe Haven (Jenna, Andie and Cole) were also part of Race Against Time. And I'm hoping that Kimberley and Kayla are working on a 3rd book to the series because I think there is still lots more of the story to be told!

I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan

The day that Emily is mortified in front of her whole church by singing a horrible rendition of "I'll Be There", is the day that Sam walks into her life.

Sam and his brother Riddle were taken away from their mother 10 years earlier by their father. Sam's last year of school was when he was in second grade. They have never lived in the same place for long because their father is a thief and when things get too hot for him he takes off.

Sam likes to visit churches. Even though he is not religious he likes to go. The morning that Emily sings he knows that it isn't good, but it is like she is singing to him. Telling him that she will be there for him. 

Sam has always been the caretaker for Riddle. When introduced to Emily's family her mother instantly sees that something is not right with Riddle. Being a nurse she is able to have him checked out and finds that he has asthma. For the first time in years Riddle is able to breathe. Being cared for for the first time in their lives the boys become attached to Emily and her family.

The boys' father finds out that they have been making friends and it is once again time for them to leave a city. But this time the voices are telling him that he would be better off without the boys. Driving them to a remote mountain wilderness sets off a string of harrowing experiences for both boys. Will they be able to survive and make it back to Emily and her family?

I was engaged in the characters. I felt the story was very believable. The problem I had with it was the insertion of irrelevant material. Such as the thoughts of a bear in the mountain. Or the wrapping up the story with little back stories of everyone that the boys had come in contact with. The book was almost 400 pages long and I thought that it drug in spots. By the time I got about 3/4 of the way through I was skimming pages just to hurry it up. For the most part though the story was good and like I said, the characters were engaging.

A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell

  

  Three young seamstresses work for Madame Fortier. Each one has a different specialty and a different background.

Julietta is the embroiderer. She comes from a loving home but is determined to shake the fetters of family and tradition and embrace the freedoms of America. 

Annamaria is the smocker. Being the eldest daughter her responsibility is to take care of her parents until their death. If she is lucky she may be able to eventually marry. 

Luciana is hired to do elaborate bead work. Her father was killed by anarchists. She and her grandmother have escaped to America, but they are still pursued by the murderer who killed her father.

Each girl struggles with the prejudices of the day, and the heart-break of forbidden love. 

A Heart Most Worthy is written in what I have read is called "Omniscient voice." I'm not exactly sure what that means. My understanding is that the author breaks into the story now and then and addresses the reader. At first it was a bit annoying, but as I became more enmeshed in the story and the girls' lives those break-ins in the story were less relevant than what was actually happening in the story. I enjoyed the book very much. I've read one other book by Siri Mitchell, Beauty Becomes Her. If you like historical fiction these books are a must read!

The Meowmorphosis by Franz Kafka & Coleridge Cook

I have never read any of Franz Kafka's stories so was not familiar with The Metamorphosis. I went online to look it up and get kind of an idea of what it was about. I also read a bit of biography about Franz Kafka to get an idea of what he was like as a writer. So, after doing all of that I then read The Meowmorphosis, Quirk Classics mashup of  Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis.

In The Metamorphosis Gregor Samsa a salesman wakes up one morning turned into a bug of some sort. In The Meowmorphosis mashup Gregor Samsa wakes up as a cute little kitten.

I have to say I just didn't get it. I didn't know what the point of Gregor turning into a bug/or cat was all about. If Kafka was trying to impart some kind of message it was lost on me. My fault I am sure, as I am a pretty black and white kind of person. I want things spelled out for me.

All in all Gregor's life seems pretty depressing. He is evidently supporting his family. It seems that after he turns into a cat his resentment of that comes through. Once he no longer can support them his parents and sister have to find jobs in order to help them survive. They seem to be sunk in hopelessness as they do their jobs. It falls to Gregor's sister to take care of him which she does wholeheartedly at first but then comes to resent.

*SPOILER* Once Gregor passes, his family seem to come out of their funk and their burden is lightened and their hopelessness is lifted. So my question is, "What was the point?"

This is not to say that I didn't like the story. Coleridge Cook did a great job infusing funny little cat antics into the story to make it more amusing. I guess I am just not a fan of Kafka.