THE CHRISTMAS SINGING

Gideon Beiler and Mattie Eash have been in love with each other since they were children and many assumed they would eventually marry. However, when Gideon gets devastating news he finds an excuse to break up with Mattie. Mattie's heart is broken but she moves on, opening her own cake decorating business and dating Sol Bender. Gideon too has gone on with his life but has never really stopped loving Mattie. Unfortunate circumstances have brought Mattie back home and into Gideon's life - will her return rekindle their romance or is it too late?Set in the Amish community, "The Christmas Singing" is a nicely done, at times poignant, novel about someone who loves his girlfriend so much he is willing to do whatever it takes to save her from hurt, even if it means ending their relationship. This would make an excellent novel for book clubs as Gideon's actions, while noble, are ripe for discussion. Author Cindy Woodsmall does an excellent job of showing just how much not only the reason for Gideon's decision has cost him but how the decision itself has hurt him. Woodsmall also does an excellent job with Mattie's character. She is a bit scatterbrained (at times devastatingly so), a talented cake decorator, and worried about her mother's health. People, including Gideon, seem to want to protect her and don't realize how strong she is - Woodsmall does an excellent job of developing that aspect of her character. Also well done, if a bit sad, are the reasons Mattie is dating Sol. Again, all of this would make a good book for a book club discussion. Finally, having the novel set at Christmas adds a lot of magic to the story."The Christmas Singing" is a nice romance.

Mine Is The night By LIZ CURTIS HIGGS

I was hooked from the beginning of Here My Burns My Candle and have been waiting for the end of Elisabeth and Marjory Kerr's story. Liz Curtis Higgs finishes it up and does a wonderful job. I love how the customs and laws of 18th century Scotland lend themselves so well to retelling the Biblical story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz. When Elisabeth meets Admiral Lord Jack Buchanan, I saw how Boaz could have felt about Ruth. When Marjory began to love her daughter-in-law and esteem her, I felt how Naomi might have responded to Ruth's faithfulness. I'm only sorry the tale is over and I wonder which Bible stories and people will next picque Liz's imagination.

The pirate Queen by Patricia hickman

Well to do and unsatisfied. These words describe Saphora Warren, the main character in The Pirate Queen. Saphora is a southern woman who, after decades of marriage, has finally decided to leave her womanizing, plastic surgeon husband Bender. After Southern Living magazine visits their home to feature it in a future issue, Saphora packs her bags and leaves for their bungalow in Oriental on the Outer Banks, hoping to make sense of her self. Just as Saphora is about to leave for Oriental, Bender arrives home and says he's dying of cancer. With this monkey wrench thrown into her plans, Saphora agrees to care for him at their bungalow. Inwardly, she wants to kick herself for being such a pushover. Their bungalow gets more and more crowded when family members arrive and townsfolk stop by to check on them. Frustrated, Saphora asks God to show her the way back to herself. The Pirate Queen is a deep character study of Saphora who, after years of fulfilling her duties as a wife and mother, fights to discover Saphora. Hickman's poignant writing style allowed me to easily slip on Saphora's distinctive view of her marriage and family. In addition, the cast of characters in this story add dimension to the novel. This story courageously deals with the often unspoken expectations of womanhood, especially as women navigate their role in the home. The Pirate Queenhad me turning the pages, wanting to see how Saphora comes to terms with her life. A great story.

Indelible By Kristen Heitzmann

Trevor is former Olympian who now teaches skiing/hiking and suriving skills to kids along with whitewater rafting and rock climbing.On the side he is a local hero who is always helping local police find the missing or injured along the mountainside.He rescues his neighbor Natalie nephew from a lion,that is how they meet.Natalie owens the art gallery next to Trevor's store.Natalie has a gift or disabilty for sculpting but doesn't come without a coast.

This book reminded me a lot of the tv show Criminals Minds were you could and see things from many angles.
I loved the story line the most .I had never heard about this sort of disability with before and was every fascinted with her story.the ending is unprediectable and you never knew what was going to happen next.

both Trevor and Natalie were dealing with some pretty awful history and a lot of things about themselves but as this story unfolded they grew and mature in a accepting who god made them to be.

I recieved this book from WaterBrook press free in exchange for my honest review.

ASCENT FROM DARKNESS

By Michael Leehan
This book is a rather eye-opening look at man's descent to Satanism. What Ifound fascinating was that he almost rationally chose to turn his back on God, and to instead to Satan.Because he felt that God had dealt poorly with him,he made the decision to turn to what he saw as gods.'s"alter-ego.

This is a true story.and as the author says,it's not embellished or exaggerated to make for more exciting reading.Not that any embellished would be necessary in this story.

Saving Grace

By Anne Jones

Saving Grace is about a group of women who have become friends unexpectedly, they have formed the pray tree circle.
They soon begain to slip apart.Naomi has a plan.Each year on the night of the Splendor Belle Gala.The would start their own tradition.
The legend was that Grace GraysonWiley was stood up the night of the ball 50 years ago.Hard times had hit her family and it was up to her to go to the ball and try to meet a man that could save her family.
Naomi hope her plan would bring back the circle of friends and some lfe back to grace.

I recived this book free from WaterBrook/Multnamah plublishing for my review.

The Chocolate Diaries

By Karen Scalf Li namen
The chocolate diaries is a collections of fifteen tales of women's journeys on the rought roads of life.These are bits and pieces of wisdom and experiences tohelp the readers get answers to there questions.We all travel a rock road from time to time.But if we take time to enjoy the sweet things in life we will experience joy.
at the end of each chapter there is a list of questions that are perfect for jourding exercies.There are also recipes at the end of each chapter.

This bookwas provides women with everything they need to survive tough times with the help of family,friends,prayer,laughter, tears and of course plenty of chocolate.It has light humor as well as heart-breaking stories to keep it humors.

This book was sent to me free for my review from WaterBrook press.