A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet by Sophie Hudson

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (June 4, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-1414375663

There’s nothing quite like family—for good or bad. But in a world where we sometimes know more about the Kardashians than we do the people sleeping right down the hall, it’s easy to forget that walking through life with our family offers all sorts of joy wrapped up in the seemingly mundane. There’s even a little bit of sacred sitting smack-dab in the middle of the ordinary. And since time’s-a-wastin’, we need to be careful that we don’t take our people—and their stories—for granted. Whether it’s a marathon bacon-frying session, a road trip gone hysterically wrong, or a mother-in-law who makes every trip to the grocery store an adventure, author Sophie Hudson reminds us how important it is to slow down and treasure the day-to-day encounters with the people we love the most.

Written in the same witty style as Sophie’s BooMama blog, A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet is a cheerful, funny, and tender account of Sophie’s very Southern family. It’s a look into the real lives of real people—and a real, loving God right in the middle of it all.



My Review:

This was a great southern memoir. I enjoyed reading it even with the sad parts. Life is not always happy. I am a Southern Girl too so I could relate to several of her stories. It had several hilarious parts. The chapters are easy to read and I read it in one night. I have never read her blog so her writing is new to me but I look forward to reading more stories by her. I liked how she worked her faith into the book. Her family sounds great. Highly Recommended!






Sophie Hudson loves to laugh more than just about anything. She began writing her blog, BooMama.net, in November 2005, and much to her surprise, she's stuck with it. Sophie hopes that through her stories, women find encouragement and hope in the everyday, joy-filled moments of life. In addition to her blog, Sophie writes on a regular basis for HomeLife magazine and is a contributor to the Pioneer Woman's blog. She also serves as co-emcee for LifeWay's dotMOM event. In her spare time she enjoys iced tea, college football, and entire seasons of TV shows on DVD. Sophie lives with her husband and son in Birmingham, Alabama.

Tangled Ashes by Michele Phoenix (Review)

Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers; Original edition (September 21, 2012)

ISBN-13: 978-1414368405

After invading Lamorlaye, France, Nazi officials don’t hesitate to take over the beautiful Meunier manor as their headquarters, hiring two young Frenchwomen, Marie and Elise, who clean and launder to help supplement their families’ meager incomes. But the girls begin to grow suspicious when medical equipment arrives, followed by an influx of pregnant women. As the Nazis’ plans for the manor become clear, the girls must decide where their loyalties truly lie.

More than fifty years later . . .
Architect Marshall Becker arrives in Lamorlaye to begin the massive renovation of a Renaissance-era castle. The project that was meant to provide an escape for Becker instead becomes a gripping glimpse into the human drama that unfolded during the Nazi occupation and seems to live on in midnight disturbances and bizarre acts of vandalism.

Becker explores the castle’s shadowy history as he seeks to cope with the demons from his own past. Only Jade, the feisty nanny of the owner’s children, is willing to stand up to him. But Becker soon discovers that every one of the château’s inhabitants seems to have something to hide and something to protect—and something worth fighting for.


My Review:

I thought this was an okay book. I like the general plot lines but the execution was not as good as it could have been. It was very awkward switching from modern day to the Nazi era. I liked Becker and Jade interacting but wished for more development in the relationship. I did not like the ending at all. It is a stand alone book and I felt disappointed in the closure provided. This could have been a really good book. The plot lines were interesting. The setting and the characters were good. I don't regret reading it. It actually did hold my attention. Fans of historical fiction might like it especially since the Christian aspect is not prominent.

 

Born in France to an American mother and a Canadian father, Michele Phoenix is an international writer with multi-cultural sensitivities. A graduate of Wheaton College, she taught writing, music, and theater at the boarding school for missionaries' children she attended in Germany as a teenager. She currently works for Global Outreach Mission as an advocate for Third Culture Kids, helping them transition back into North American culture and educating stateside churches and missions about the special needs of this people group. Michele lives in Wheaton, Illinois. Visit www.michelephoenix.com for more information.

Dead Lawyers Tell No Tales by Randy Singer (Review)

Paperback: 448 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (May 1, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-1414375588

Landon Reed is an ex-quarterback convicted of organizing a points-shaving scheme. During his time in prison, he found forgiveness and faith and earned his law degree. Now he longs for an opportunity to prove his loyalty and worth. Be careful what you ask for.

Harry McNaughton is one of the founding partners of McNaughton & Clay—and the only lawyer willing to take a chance employing an ex-con-turned-lawyer. Though Landon initially questions Harry’s ethics and methods, it’s clear the crusty old lawyer has one of the most brilliant legal minds Landon has ever encountered. The two dive into preparing a defense for one of the highest-profile murder trials Virginia Beach has seen in decades when Harry is gunned down in what appears to be a random mugging. Then two more lawyers are killed when the firm’s private jet crashes. Authorities suspect someone has a vendetta against McNaughton & Clay, leaving Landon and the remaining partner as the final targets.

As Landon struggles to keep the firm together, he can’t help but wonder, is the plot related to a shady case from McNaughton & Clay’s past, or to the murder trial he’s neck-deep in now? And will he survive long enough to find out?


My Review:

This was a great legal thriller book. I really enjoyed reading it. It did not get really suspenseful until the middle which was okay. The first part really set up the characters and plot. I loved Landon and Kerri. She waiting for him while he was in prison and married him when he got out. I liked how neither of them gave up on each other through the book. One of the main themes was honesty and not living a lie. I was surprised by the twists in the end. I found myself saying WHAT! The characters and the plot are well developed and interesting. It held my attention from beginning to end. I could not read fast enough to see what happened next. Highly Recommended. :)




Randy Singer is a critically acclaimed author and veteran trial attorney. He has penned nine legal thrillers, including his award-winning debut novel Directed Verdict. In addition to his law practice and writing, Randy serves as a teaching pastor for Trinity Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He calls it his "Jekyll and Hyde thing"—part lawyer, part pastor. He also teaches classes in advocacy and ethics at Regent Law School and serves on the school's Board of Visitors. He and his wife, Rhonda, live in Virginia Beach. They have two grown children.

An Open Heart by Harry Kraus

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing An Open Heart David C. Cook (June 1, 2013) by Harry Kraus

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from Harry:

I started writing my first novel during my last year of surgery training at UK. I was a chief resident, and started writing Stainless Steal Hearts in a call room at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Lexington. It was a crazy time to write! I had a very demanding schedule, often spending days and nights in the hospital. I had two sons at that time, and I recognized the wisdom in my wife's urging: "Now doesn't seem the right time for this dream."

My experience as a writer is far from typical. Having received my formal training in biology and chemistry and medicine, my only preparation for a writing career was a love for reading. The longest thing I'd written before my first novel was a term paper in undergraduate school. My first novel was accepted by Crossway Books and published in 1994, and it wasn't until after I had FOUR published novels that I even opened a book of instruction about the craft of writing fiction. This is not what I recommend to others! Yes, I was successful, but I was bending the "rules" without knowing it. I had a natural talent for plotting, but I realize my initial success may have stunted my growth as a writer. I'd have made faster progress if I'd have gone to the fiction teachers sooner.

I have three sons: Joel, Evan, and Samuel. Look closely in all of my books and you'll see them there. My lovely wife, Kris, provides the basic composition for all those beautiful, athletic, dedicated women in my novels.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Their Messages—From Beyond the Grave—Might Destroy Him ...

They hover between life and death, their hearts stopped on the surgery table. And the messages Dr. Jace Rawlings’ open-heart surgery patients bring back from beyond the grave cannot be ignored. For they predict the deaths of people around him, and point a finger of suspicion straight at him.

It thrusts Jace into a firestorm of controversy and danger. A maeltsrom blown by the darker winds of political intrigue and spiritual warfare. And the forces working against him will do anything to stop him from uncovering a truth they will kill to hide. He’d come to Kenya to establish a heart-surgery program for the poor. But what he will find in that place where he grew up will put everything at risk–his marriage, his career . . . his life.

If you would like to read the first chapter of An Open Heart, go HERE.

Paige Torn by Erynn Mangum (Review)

Paperback: 304 pages

Publisher: Think (May 1, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-1612912981

About the book:

Everyone knows they can count on Paige Alder. But between volunteering at church, putting in overtime at work, and helping her best friend plan an anniversary party, she's lucky to grab a cheese stick for dinner. Paige can't even remember the last time she had a few minutes to relax or dig into God's Word. Then she meets laid-back Tyler, an attractive, Jesus-loving guy. Will he be able to help Paige get her priorities on track?

My Review:

I have loved every book I read of this author's. I have read all of the paper copies and one of the Amazon ebook short stories. This book starts a new series featuring Paige Alder. She is in her twenties and single and a Christian. She is a secretary instead of a counselor at the adoption agency she works at. She is a yes person so she is always over busy between church, work, and her best friend Layla. Its pretty bad when you are frequently eating a cheese stick for dinner and live on coffee from Starbucks. The author's trademark humor comes through in this book with interesting new characters and plot. I really felt for Paige and longed for her to start saying no instead of yes so she could have a more balanced life. Then Mr. Tyler comes into the picture. I love the subtle way the relationship develops between Paige and Tyler. He is trying to be a good influence on her and get her to slow down. All of the characters were well developed. I did not like the cliff hanger at the end though. I would have liked more conclusion in certain areas. Thankfully it is the first book in a series. I can't wait until October so I can read more! Highly Recommended. Teens and young adults even maybe adults will enjoy this book.  :)




About the author:

Erynn Mangum is the author of the popular Lauren Holbrook (Miss Match, ReMatch, and Match Point) and Maya Davis (Cool Beans, Latte Daze, and Double Shot) series of books and the recent novel Sketchy Behavior. Her writing can also be found on her personal blog and on Scribble Chicks, a blog for young writers. To find out more about Erynn, go to www.erynnmangum.com.

Horse Dreams by Dandi Daley Mackall (Review)

Age Range: 6 - 10 years

Paperback: 160 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (August 12, 2011)

ISBN-13: 978-1414339160

Fourth-grader Ellie James has a great imagination. She spends a lot of time daydreaming of owning a black stallion show horse and winning trophies in the horse show. But when the answer to all her dreams and prayers gallops into her life, will Ellie be able to recognize it? Join Ellie and her quirky family in their exciting, horse-loving adventures.


My Review:

I enjoyed this light fun horse story. It is for the elementary age group. I think the first time readers might need a little help but second grade up can read on their own. Little girls who love horses will especially like this book. I am a daydreamer too so I completely got her. I remember getting in trouble at school too. lol The book is well written and the pages fly by. There is a faith element that is blended nicely. It is the first in the Backyard Horses series. Highly Recommended!


Dandi Daley Mackall is the author of over 400 books for children and grown-ups, with sales of over 3 million, she has published with HarperCollins, Dutton/Penguin-Putnam, Harcourt, Simon & Schuster, Disney, Hanna-Barbera, DreamWorks, and many others. Dandi; her husband, Joe; their three children (Jen, Katy, and Dan); and their horses, dogs, and cats live in rural Ohio.

Deployed by Mel Odom (Review)

Paperback: 416 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Books (September 21, 2012)

ISBN-13: 978-1414349305

Lance Corporal Bekah Shaw joined the United States Marine reserves to help support herself and her son when her ex-husband, Billy Roy, decided they were no longer his responsibility. But when her team is activated and sent to Somalia on a peacekeeping mission, Bekah struggles with being separated from her son and vows to return safely.

Once a successful Somalian businessman, Rageh Daud has lost everything. Determined to seek revenge on the terrorists who killed his wife and son, he teams up with a group of thieves, killers, and others displaced by war. Despite his better judgment, Daud becomes the protector of a young orphaned boy—who becomes a pawn between the warring factions.

To defeat the terrorists and bring peace to the region, Bekah and her team must convince Daud that they are on the same side.


My Review:

This was a very violent book. That said I did like it overall. I am a fan of Christian military/suspense/romance books. The characters and plot were interesting. It held my attention from the beginning. I really felt for Bekah and was mad on her behalf many times especially with the situation at home. A big guy who is a friend of her sorry ex husband picks a fight with her at a bar she did not even want to go to with friends and she uses her training. Of course it is a little town and she gets arrested not him. This she gets redeployed right after she makes bail. Thankfully her grandma is able to take her of her son. There is background information about Rageh interspersed with hers which makes it a little confusing in the beginning but after she goes overseas it starts to fit together. It really felt like a fast paced action movie once she got overseas. In the end it all tied together with a satisfying conclusion for all plot lines. The only thing that did not stand out enough was the faith element. There was not enough to classify this as a Christian fiction book to me. There is a book two focusing on one of her team members that I can't wait to read. Recommended.



About the author:

I write in a number of fields, but always with the hope of telling an interesting tale that will incite a reader to think for himself or herself, to examine his or her own place in the world, and offer a little nudge in the direction of dreams, faith, and personal growth in spite of whatever odds a person has to face. I also believe we were all put here for a purpose. Hopefully, several purposes. I'm a father, a little league coach, a teacher, a friend, and a writer. I struggle to keep that balance, as many of us do these days, but I hold tightly to the belief that I'm doing all I can be doing, and doing what I should be doing.