What I'm reading this weekend...

This past week I started several new books as well as finishing up some I've been currently enjoying. I started A Girl's Best Friend by Kristin Billerbeck and Never Say Never by Lena Nelson Dooley. I'm finishing up Coldwater Revival by Nancy Jo Jenkins and The 3rd Covenant by David Brollier. All good stories. :) Now to see which I finish first tune in for my next review...

I'm a huge fan of Tricia Goyer!

Her new book is coming out titled Arms of Deliverance and I'm totally excited about it. Yeah, I'm one of those people who compared her to the Thoenes. Her stuff really is that good! Anyway, here is a snapshot summary of her latest book. I hope to get it in the mail soon. As usual, I will devour every chapter. So far that's been the case with every book she's written. Oh, and when her GenX book comes out that's going to be so cool. Since I contributed I'm going to make sure my zillion friends and relatives know this so those GenXrs can get a copy.... :)




Summary of Arms of Deliverance
The fourth and final novel in this exhilarating series capturing the tales of men and women swept into World War II. Two friends, Mary and Lee, land similar reporting jobs at the New York Tribune on the eve of the war's outbreak and soon they become competitors. Mary's coverage of a bombing raid over Germany leads to a plane wreck and an adventurous escape attempt from across enemy lines. And when Lee hears of Mary's plight, she bravely heads to war-torn Europe in an effort to help rescue her friend. Will there be enough time for diplomacy or will war get the best of everyone?

My review of Lessons From the Heart by Dorothy Clark

Before I share my thoughts on the story I just have to say this...Sometimes it just kills me when titles and covers are selected for books that don't match the story, and this one is a great example of that scenario. There is nothing in the book about water, yet the picture is of two people touching hands on a dock. Secondly, the title is not that great. I'm sure Dorothy didn't pick it. (If I'm wrong, sorry.) But the title doesn't fit the story, IMHO and it's blah.

The story is more interesting than the cover and title let on. That's just my opinion. So, Dorothy wrote a good story with interesting and likable characters, but got stuck with a ho-hum cover and title that sounds like all the others. Sorry if it sounds like I'm on a soap box here. I just hate it when a good story doesn't get what it deserves. This one is about a hot reporter who attracts the babes (albeit the shallow ones), and a sweet Christian girl who had a bad experience, and totally fears being close to men (at first.) BTW, that never was disclosed to the hero in the story, so there was a bit of a loose end there. Anyway, maybe it wasn't all that important.

I liked how the hero couldn't live like a heathen anymore after getting to know the heroine. And I loved how his friend said that it was Jesus in the heroine that he was attracted to, but the hero just didn't see it at the time. There was some good spiritual stuff in this story. Sometimes I thought their enthusiasm for each other was over the top, but the message about being equally yolked was good. Overall, I'd say this was an enjoyable and interesting read. I liked the story and the characters and I think others will feel the same way. The author has a knack for creating lovable characters. She's done it again. I hope the next story will be about Alayne, the heroine's sister, because she has me totally intrigued. Lessons from the Heart is published by Steeple Hill, Love Inspired line.

I did it!!!

I finished revising my romantic suspense. What? You say? Romantic Suspense? Yep, I revised my romance and made it a suspense. I know, I can hardly believe it myself, but I must say my author friends were right. It works even better as a suspense. SO there you have it! I'm finished. Now once my suspense buddy helps me clean it up, it's off to the agent. Pray about this one, guys. I think I may be on to something here. :)

My review of Everything's Coming up Josey by Susan May Warren

Wow! This story was unbelievably cool! Move over Kristin Billerbeck! You need to share the spotlight with Susan May Warren. I had no idea until I read Everything's Coming Up Josey that there was an author out there who wrote chick lit as good as you do! I SO loved this story. It was SO unique and wonderful. A real joy to read!

I smiled and laughed so much I think people began to wonder about me. I kept wanting to read sections to my husband--who, being a man, of course--didn't get it. This is one novel I could easily read twice. The love story was rich, the spiritual aspects were truly insightful and inspiring, and the humor was fantastic! I found myself turning the pages and wanting to read it every chance I got.

I had a hard time putting this one down! Highly recommended. Now I have to go pull out the other books I have that Susan May Warren wrote. I had no idea she could wow me so much. I just loved the characters. I didn't want to let them go. I want to see them in another story. *Hint, hint.* To make a missionary story into chick lit with such pizzaz that you want a sequel? Who'd a thunk it? Everything's Coming Up Josey is published by Steeple Hill Cafe.

My activity yesterday!

Okay, I'm back on track now, people. I'm revising a manuscript and it feels great! I needed to get back to some creativity. When I finish tweaking the story I'm wrapping up now (to send to my agent), I'm going to play at writing a new one. Look out world! Hehehehe. I think Josey's story inspired me. I was cracking up last night reading that one. I dare say that's going to be one of my favorite chick lit's yet.

Early weekend update on my reading...

Okay, I couldn't resist Everything's Coming Up Josey by Susan May Warren. The book was calling out my name. Honest! :) Seriously, I needed a break from the deep emotion in the story Coldwater Revival. Usually I love the gut-wrenching stuff and keep zipping through it, but that story made me so sad I had to read something cheerful. So far I recommend Coldwater Revival by Nancy Jo Jenkins. I'm just saying it's a heartstring yanker big-time. The other book I'm reading is about a serial killer, so I didn't think that would be an adequate diversion from the ache. :) So Everything's Coming Up Josey was the most logical pick. I think I'm going to choose A Girl's Best Friend when I finish the Josey story, then slip in another murder mystery when I finish The 3rd Covenant. I can only deal with so much blood and pain at once, ya know?

I thought it would be fun to share this...

Every day feels like Christmas anymore. I get almost a book a day in the mail. My husband just rolls his eyes now when he sees a package in the box. Just this past week I received some awesome new titles. Now the trick is to decide where to squeeze them in. They are... A Girl's Best Friend by Kristin Billerbeck, Fury by Bill Bright and Jack Cavanaugh, A Vase of Mistaken Identity by Cathy Elliot, The Bishop's Daughter by Wanda Brunstetter, When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall, The Potluck Club, Trouble's Brewing by Eva Marie Everson, and Windswept Weddings by various authors. Folks, that's like six books in four days. I hope I can keep up. Every time I finish a bunch it seems like more arrive. I'm not complaining. I love it!

I can't get this song out of my head!

The band is Barlowgirl. They sing like angels and I adore their alternative rock sound. Not bad for a chick band. Check out these lyrics...They make me cry when I think about the words and the meaning behind them. This is SO where I've been the past few months. If you want to listen to the song just log into MySpace and find joyfulhutch. That's my profile. Or click on the link on the left side. It's the second to last on the other cool places links. Enjoy!

Why? Why are you still here with me? Didn't you see what I've done? In my shame I want to run and hide myself. But it's here I see the truth.

I don't deserve you, but I need you to love me, and I...I won't keep my heart from you this time. And I'll stop this pretending that I can somehow deserve what I already have. I need you to love me.

I...I have wasted so much time pushing you away from me. I just never saw how you could cherish me. 'Cause you're a God who has all things and still you want me.

And I need you to love me. And I...I won't keep my heart from you this time. And I'll stop this pretending that I can somehow deserve what I already have.

Your love makes make me forget what I have been. Your love makes me see who I really am. Your love makes me forget what I have been.

And I need you to love me. I need you to love me. And I'll stop this pretending that I can somehow deserve what I already have, somehow deerve what I already have. I need you to love me, yeah... I need you to...love me.

My review of Under Cover of Darkness by Elizabeth White

I've read several LI Suspense novels, but this is the first I've posted a review on because I think it's worth recommending. The others I never finished. I hate it when I get bored with a story, but it happens. Fortunately, this one doesn't put you to sleep. In fact, I enjoyed it very much. The La Migra and all of the Spanish sayings and Mexican culture are familiar to me as an Arizona resident.

I think the author did a bang-up job making me feel part of the setting enough where I could escape in my mind to the world she wrote about. The thugs were creepy and dangerous enough to keep me wondering how bad those bad guys really were. The coolest thing is I didn't figure it out right away. She had me surprised with the conclusion, and I like that. I also loved how she showed the conflict people have who live in border states in regards to helping illegals versus reporting them. The compassion in most Americans wants to help, yet their presence here is illegal and trafficking of illegals is a dangerous business. An entire truckload of illegals were literally strewn all over the highway after a chase a few years back. They were stacked on top of each other in the back of a pickup. Very sad.

I highly recommend this story as it's relevant to today's issues and well-written. The only thing I didn't care for was the lack of physical contact between the hero and heroine. It was more suspense than actual romance, IMHO. Under Cover of Darkness is published by Steeple Hill, Love Inspired Suspense line.

My review of The Last Ten Percent by Michelle McKinney Hammond

Now this is some soul-stirring fiction. Spiritual truth brought out by the perils experienced by five gorgeous women who all struggle with the same thing...the meaning of true love. As each woman suffers through their individual trials, they learn to trust each other, and more importantly, they find God in the midst of their pain. Though I think the author had one too many characters' points of view, overall the story was fabulous. I felt their pain, longed for healing in their futures, and grew with them in my heart.

Ms. Hammond has a gift for conveying the true struggles most women have in regards to matters of the heart. She does it in such a smooth way that you feel like you learned something, yet it was so seamlessly woven into the story itself, that it's not obvious. I loved the sistah' teasing and the cultural snap she brought out in their relationships. Of all the chick lit I've read this past year, this one really pulls you in. I want to read a sequel because I feel like these ladies are my friends. I want to see them get married and grow with them some more. I didn't want the story to end, yet the conclusion was truly satisfying and didn't leave me hanging.

Though far from perfect, each woman in this story developed true inward beauty, and for that, I feel blessed to have been a part of their spiritual journey. This is not a sappy, preachy attempt to convey Christian themes to the reader. The Last Ten Percent deals with the humiliating, ugly things in life and brings the reader to the point where they want to see these ladies find love in Christ alone. I can't say enough great things about this story. It's a must read in my book! Check it out! The Last Ten Percent is published by Harvest House.

What I'm reading when I should be writing, or at least tweaking out a finished story....

I'm a glutton for a good book. I'm over half finished with The 3rd Covenant by David Brollier. That's full of some good stuff. I don't necessarily like crime novels, but this one has me intrigued. When I want a kick of romance and African American culture, I pick up The Last Ten Percent by Michelle McKinney Hammond, which I'm exactly halfway through the book, and for the historical I've got Coldwater Revival by Nancy Jo Jenkins. Last but not least, I plan to finish Under Cover of Darkness by Elizabeth White. I'm halfway through that one, too. (It's romantic suspense from LI) but I'm ready for a little contact between the hero and heroine and it ain't happened yet. The story is rich and not at all boring, but I NEED ROMANCE! I hope to finish it tomorrow. They better kiss soon! LOL! Then the tricky part is what to finish first and what to open up next (as I have a liking for reading four different genres at the same time.) That's how I keep from mixing up the facts and stories. They are all different enough to keep separate in my head. I've got like five great candidates! But if I have to stick to my pattern and I finish my Last Ten Percent story first, then I'll need to replace it with either Everything is Coming up Josey or The Secret Life of Becky Miller. Hmmmm....what to do. LOL!

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My review of A Stitch in Time by Allison Bottke

This is my first taste of Lady Lit and I LOVED IT! You don't have to be middle aged to enjoy this one. The glamorous parties, the intriguing situations, and the slow spiritual awakening of several characters all lead to one satisfied sigh when God works things out in the end. I have to admit I didn't see the end coming in the beginning, but I REALLY love the way the author wove several themes together, which led the reader to ultimately rejoicing with Dee in the end.

Poor Dee was so into herself that she just didn't see how God was working around her. I'm impressed with how the author made me like Dee despite herself. I empathized with her from page one. I appreciated how the author showed that Dee's image of herself hadn't changed even though her outward body had transformed. We're all the same on the inside. True beauty is in the heart.

The strong moral theme in regard to the sacredness of marriage touched me profoundly, and though it's clear that Dee had valid Biblical grounds for divorce, I love how the author worked out the issues to convey a profound truth...that marriages are built and destroyed by both partners. It's never a totally one way street. Major kudos for Allison Bottke on her first novel. You can bet I'll be first in line for her book coming out in 2007. Love her unique author "voice" and loved this Lady Lit. It's one of a kind! A Stitch In Time is published by Bethany House.

What I'm reading this weekend...

I'm finishing up A Stitch in Time by Allison Bottke. I love this story! Last night I started Coldwater Revival by Nancy Jo Jenkins. So far it's extremely engaging.

I carry Under Cover of Darkness by Elizabeth White in my purse. I love this one. It's a Love Inspired Suspense and pretty good so far! Yesterday I also started The 3rd Covenant by David Brollier. Another winner!

SO many fabulous authors, not enough time. Once I finish Allison's book, then the problem is what to choose next. I know it's weird, but I prefer to read four to five books at a time. This time the fifth book is the bestselling non-fiction work, the Holy Bible. :)

My "to review" list...

I thought it would be fun to list all of the books I actually have on my bookshelf to be officially reviewed. That doesn't count all of the terrific books that haven't arrived yet (I think there are about 10 outstanding titles with future release dates or that are on their way.) Anyhoo...here they are: A Stitch in Time, Coldwater Revival, The Last Ten Percent, The Secret Thief, Ticket to Tomorrow, Death in the Desert, The Third Covenant, Everything's Coming Up Josey, Rekindled, When the Storm Breaks, It May Be Forever, Cowboy, Trial by Ordeal, A Distant Music, Dying to Decorate, Lessons from the Heart, Prodigal Daughter, Changed at San Quentin, Beauty for Ashes, Stealing Adda, DragonKnight, A Crown in the Stars, He Who Lifts the Skies, Minnesota Brothers, Masquerade, and Under Cover of Darkness, and The Secret Life of Becky Miller. Wow! That's 27 total. A few of them are "no rush, when you get to it someday" ones. A few the authors don't necessarily know about my intent to review the above books. I still long to read some other autographed copies I've received over the past two years but haven't gotten to yet. They are...Retribution, Circle of Honor, Ekaterina, Stillpoint, Maire, Deidre, Fiona, Child of the Mist, Paper Moon and Fiesta Moon. Others high on my want to read list but that are neither specifically for review (though they'll probably get one if they're good) nor autographed are...Wrapped in Rain, Mysterious Ways, The Assignment, Brink of Death, A Place Called Wiregrass, Bloody Point, Forgiving Solomon Long, Redemption, Forgiven, Distant Echoes, After Anne, Hadassah, Spring Rain, Precious Things, A Nest of Sparrows, The Awakening, The Immortal, King's Ransom, Bride of Stone, Monster, Club Sandwich, Black, Red, White and Obsessed. That's only about 5% of the books I own that are yet to be read. Yep, I have a lot of reading to do. I own about 50 Barbour Novella Collections alone. Some of the autographed ones are Scraps of Love, Forever Friends, CIty Dreams, Hidden Motives, Golden Gate Gazette, Sewing Circle, Keepers of the Light, Lessons of the Heart, and Simply Christmas. :) Whew! I didn't list my favorite authors. Not to worry. I read about 90 books last year and that was before the books started pouring in. :) I love this biz.

Wishing On Dandelions by Mary DeMuth (Available September 2006, published by NavPress)

I reviewed Mary's book for endorsement because of my experience as a social worker. Here are my thoughts on this excellent novel crafted by a master at writing, Mary DeMuth, who is one of my favorite authors. She knows how to write real!

Wishing on Dandelions is an insightful and inspirational probe into the wounded soul of a young woman who has never allowed friends and loved ones to support her and help her heal from the trauma of childhood sexual abuse. Typical of abuse victims, Maranatha pushes everyone away, suspects all men, and fears emotional and physical intimacy. As Maranatha slowly learns to trust, the reader experiences the grace of God working in her life and slowly healing her heart. There is no better book on the inspirational market portraying the recovery process from childhood trauma in fiction form. Sadly, the experiences Maranatha had are far from fictional, and all too common.