What I'm reading this week...

I'm plowing through Allison Bottke's A Stitch in Time. It's great! I plan to finish it soon. I'm also reading a pre-released book for endorsement. It's called Wishing on Dandelions by Mary DeMuth. Another excellent read! These guys are both so talented. I also just started Under Cover of Darkness by Elizabeth White. I find the subject matter particularly interesting as I live so close to Mexico and know a lot of Border Patrol agents. I'll probably crack open another book tonight as well since I'm used to reading four or five books at a time. :) I know, I'm twisted.

My review of The Potluck Club by Shepherd and Everson

It's my understanding that a sequel is coming out this summer. I can't wait! So I'm a bit behind schedule, but this story was so unique and so interesting that it kept me reading and smiling all the way. The characters were so real I hated to see the story end. I have a special place in my heart for Vonnie in particular because she was so hurt by what her mother had done to her. Her poor husband is stunned. I feel for him, too. Oh, and that Lisa Leann chick, boy is she something. LOL! I pray the Lord does a mighty work in her heart. I hope that the sequel shows some resolution in Goldie's life as well as Donna's. From the blurb on the back of this book it sounds like trouble is brewing again and this time Donna's secret will come out. Mercy, this stuff is good. I am a fan of the potluck club forevermore. What a great concept to get some church gossips together and have God reach down and touch them all...one heart at a time. :) Highly recommended!

Dark Hour by Ginger Garrett...

This amazing story will be released in July by NavPress. I loved it! I can't go into more detail because my review will be published in the Booktalk News July Newsletter that is published by Sara Mills and distributed to over 150 Christian bookstores nationwide. I hope you visit a Christian bookstore in July. Look for my review there!

Some photos of Nathan's 8th grade graduation...

Mom and Dad choking "know-it-all" son Nathaniel...Mr. Valedictorian


Proud mom with smarty-pants son Nathaniel


Proud pop with too-tall son, who is now very rich thanks to dad's promise of excessive funds. Now must get another job to pay for promise. Sigh...men!

My review of Sooner or Later by Vickie McDonough

Sooner or Later is a classic pioneer story with plenty of tension and just enough romance to keep the plot moving forward and keep me turning the pages. The author packed the story with action (in the form of disasters, both natural and man-made), tender scenes with little kids, and romantic tension between the hero and heroine. An intriguing story, Sooner or Later is the kind of classic novel I'd recommend for readers who enjoy historicals highlighting pioneers's lives and the staking of claims on land in the 1800s territories. Several surprises in the story tickled my fancy, and though somewhat predictable at times, I still enjoyed the ride with this one. In fact, I liked it enough that "sooner or later" I might pick it up and read it again. :)

My son is Valedictorian of his 8th grade class!

Yep, he's the blond with the glasses. Which one, you ask? The one in the center who is stuffing his face with pizza, of course. That boy can eat an entire pizza himself. :)

My review of Altar Call by Hope Lyda

This is my first title by the author Hope Lyda. She also wrote Hip to Be Square. (I haven't read it, but I've heard it's a great story. It certainly has a snappy sounding title.) Altar Call is the sequel, but can be read as a stand-alone. Mari is an honest heroine with a quirky love for food, especially if it's fattening. She's basically a nice girl with an assortment of odd, but classy friends. She think she's found love in her current man, but over the course of the story discovers that sometimes what you think you want doesn't fly with what you have. Sometimes what you need is what you want, you just don't always see it at first. Even her parents and friends missread her relationship. I'm still a tad skeptical of her fiance. He seemed awfully chummy with his female cohort who worked with him on this "important" project that all but consumed him. Once she opened her heart to God's choice for her, she saw what He wanted for her life, and as in any true romance, she then goes running to catch the train before it whisks her true love away forever. My only issue with the story was the dialogue. It didn't always flow naturally in that people rarely used contractions in speech. Most people speak using contractions often. Otherwise it was a truly delightful read. I enjoyed getting to know Mari and her friends and I hope Ms. Lyda continues on with a third book. By the way the story ended I can definitely see possibilites for a sequel. If you love engaging chick lit with quirky characters you'll want to read this one. :)

My review of I Can't Do It All by Peterson, Bottke, and O'Brian

This non-fiction book was so deep that I could only eat it in morsals. What an ideal resource for a women's group! I dare say I enjoyed it even more than Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, and I thought that Bible study was awesome. Whether read individually or with a group, I Can't Do It All is so rich, and has such fantastic questions, that it smoothly facilitates transitioning into the deeper issues. I am going to strongly suggest this book for my women's group at church after we finish the current book we're working through. I learned a lot and gathered insights into my own spiritual walk. Talk about convicting! These ladies made a great team! I loved the "My Turn" section at the end of most chapters. I feel like I know the authors' hearts. Their candidness and testimonies are refreshingly real. It's as if I joined hearts with them as sisters in Christ. I even read a few sections out loud to my husband. He was wondering why it's only a women's book. Seemed to him like much of it applied to men as well. :) Highly recommended.

My review of Hare and the Big Green Lawn by Katharine Crawford Robey

The storyline about the hare letting his lawn die until a meadow grew in its place was cute. I especially liked the illustrations. I'd say the pictures were the best aspect of the book. The story itself wasn't all that catchy or full of rhymes as children's stories often are. The moral, however, was worthwhile. What the hare's peers originally thought about his neglect turned around when they realized he was growing a "neighborhood meadow" like they remembered. They'd forgotten the beauty of the natural meadow because they were busy tending their own lawns. They ended up arm in arm with smiles on their faces as they enjoyed the meadow and watched the fireflies. Nice ending.

What I'm reading...

This week I'm reading numerous titles and have many more to go. I'm currently plowing through the Potluck Club by Eva Marie Everson. What a cool story so far! I'm also reading Altar Call by Hope Lyda. I love her voice. :) And she has chapter titles (inside joke ACFWrs.) Inside my purse I have Sooner or Later by Vickie McDonough. So far this one is holding my interest as well. I'm slugging through a few others that I won't mention because they are a chore to read and I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Most likely, those puppies won't get posted if I even finish them. I'd rather not be insulting if I can avoid it. :) Now about 20 titles to go until I'm out from under my stack. Yikes!

My review of A Heart of Devotion by Tia McCollors

A Heart of Devotion is a compelling story of the many spiritual battles women face today in a world full of temptation. At first I thought the women's spiritual walks were a bit too good to be true, that they were unbelievably faithful to God. Then the hard times came and their true hearts were revealed. Everyone is weak and anyone can be broken. That was the theme of A Heart of Devotion, and I loved it. I loved getting to know the women in the story. I found the characters to be ultimately very real, and in the end, very honest--especially the men. The author did a great job developing the different characters, especially Tyson and Xavier. In the end, God worked everything for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. That's the story of Anisha and Sherri. It's a must read for anyone needing encouragement. It spoke to me in so many ways. This is a spiritually powerful book and I highly recommend it.

My review of Flying with Scissors, A Different Perspective on Childhood Cancer by Bob Wallace

Flying with Scissors is a truly inspirational book. In fact, it's a work of art. The humor and illustrations will have you laughing and crying. Some of the true-to-life accounts of children fighting their own battles with cancer made my heart warm in a way that rarely happens when I read a book. Though non-fiction, the story read like a novel. It was honest, funny, daring at times, and extremely well-written. I am truly impressed and highly recommend Flying With Scissors to anyone who has a loved one with childhood cancer, or any other person who wants to read a truly inspirational book that will make you want to love more, enjoy family and friends more, and celebrate life to the fullest. I can't help but rave about this one. I hope to see more books from Bob Wallace. Well done!

My review of The Trouble with Lacy Brown by Debra Clopton

Debra Clopton's The Trouble with Lacy Brown was an enjoyable read. For the most part it kept me interested. Occasionally the humor seemed a bit over-the-top, but otherwise it was zany and fun. I enjoyed getting to know the impulsive gal and found her heart endearing as much as it was aggravating at times. She was the perfect female version of impulsive Peter, the apostle. I recommend this story to anyone who wants a light read with just enough conflict to keep you interested until you finish the book.