There Will Be Stars by Billy Coffey

BOOK INFORMATION

Genre: Christian Fiction

Paperback: 416 pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 3, 2016)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0718026829

ISBN-13: 978-0718026820

Synopsis: “In a life full of lies, he settled finally for the truth.”

No one in Mattingly ever believed Bobby Barnes would live to see old age. Drink would either rot Bobby from the inside out or dull his senses just enough to send his truck off the mountain on one of his nightly rides. Although Bobby believes such an end possible—and even likely—it doesn’t stop him from taking his twin sons Matthew and Mark into the mountains one Saturday night. A sharp curve, blinding headlights, metal on metal, his sons’ screams. Bobby’s final thought as he sinks into blackness is a curious one—there will be stars.


Yet it is not death that greets him beyond the veil. Instead, he returns to the day he has just lived and finds he is not alone in this strange new world. Six others are trapped there with him.


Bobby soon discovers that rather than the place of peace he had been led to believe he was in, it’s actually a place of secrets and hidden dangers. Along with three others, he seeks to escape, even as the world around him begins to crumble. The escape will lead some to greater life, others to endless death . . . and Bobby Barnes to understand the deepest nature of love.

Review: This is my second book by this author, and I have enjoyed both of them immensely. This one was a bit "deeper" than the previous one I read, When Mockingbirds Sing. By that, I mean that not everything is exactly what it seems, and you sometimes need to stop and think things through to get their full meaning.

To me, this book seems a parable for the human condition--about what lies in each of our hearts, and how the same situation can be heaven, hell or purgatory for different people. Most of the characters in the story seem to be "outsiders" in Mattingly, the sort of people no one would really notice or really care about all that much. But by the time the story ends, I can practically guarantee you will find yourself caring about each and every one of them. 

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

Rating: Four stars

About the author

Billy and his wife, Joanne, live with their two children in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. A product of his small-town locale, Billy counts as assets his rural authenticity, unwavering sense of purpose, and insatiable curiosity--all of which tend to make his front porch a comfortably crowded place.

The Golden Braid (Fairy Tale Romance #6) by Melanie Dickerson

Book Information

Genre: Christian fantasy

Series: Fairy Tale Romance

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 17, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718026268
• ISBN-13: 978-0718026264

Synopsis: The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower.

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man around. And her skills as an artist rival those of any artist she’s met. But for a woman in medieval times, the one skill she most desires is the hardest one to obtain: the ability to read.

After yet another young man asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides they need to move once again, but this time to a larger city. Rapunzel’s heart soars—surely there she can fulfill her dream. But Mother won’t let her close to a man. She claims that no man can be trusted.

After being rescued by a knight on the road to the city, and in turn rescuing him farther down the road, Rapunzel’s opportunity arrives at last. This knight, Sir Gerek, agrees to educate Rapunzel in order to pay back his debt. She just has to put up with his arrogant nature and single-minded focus on riches and prestige.

But this Rapunzel story is unlike any other and the mystery that she uncovers will change everything—except her happily ever after. 

Review: I was intrigued by the synopsis of this story, and looked forward to a new look at the story of Rapunzel.  There wasn't much of a "fairy tale" to this story, however. It was more the story of a fiercely overprotective woman and a naive isolated young girl.

It took me much longer to read this story than most books of this length, as I just never felt invested in it. It didn't help that several points didn't seem to make much sense to me--Sir Gerek seemed to be annoyed at Rapunzel's mere existence one moment, and then the next that emotion was seemingly gone forever; her mother had zero interest in the man who had hurt her in the past--until she suddenly wanted him back again. 

There was no magic to this tale, and it just seemed to meander slowly and wordily from one scene to the next. I was sorely disappointed in it.

**I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

Rating: Three stars

About the author

Melanie Dickerson is a two-time Christy Award finalist, two-time Maggie Award winner, Carol Award winner, two-time winner of the Christian Retailing's Best award, and her book, The Healer's Apprentice, won the National Readers Choice Award for Best First Book. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). Melanie earned a bachelors degree in special education of the hearing impaired from The University of Alabama and has worked as a teacher in Georgia, Tennessee, and Ukraine. She lives with her husband and two children in Huntsville, Alabama.

The Forgotten Recipe (Amish Heirloom #1) by Amy Clipston

Book Information

Genre: Amish Fiction

Series: Amish Heirloom

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (December 8, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031034199X
• ISBN-13: 978-0310341994

Synopsis: After losing her fiancé in a tragic accident, Veronica Fisher finds solace in the old recipes stored in her mother’s hope chest—and in a special visitor who comes to her bake stand to purchase her old-fashioned raspberry pies.

Veronica Fisher knows how lucky she is to be marrying her best friend. Seth Lapp is kind, hardworking, and handsome—but most importantly, he loves Veronica.


When an accident on the job steals Seth away from her, a heartbroken Veronica is certain she will never love—or be loved—again. Yet when she discovers a batch of forgotten recipes and opens a bake stand to sell her Mammi’s raspberry pies, Veronica picks up a regular customer who gives her heart pause.


Jason Huyard was with Seth when he lost his life—a memory that haunts him still. So when he seeks out the grieving fiancée to convey his condolences, the last thing he expects—or wants—is to fall in love. Nonetheless, Jason soon finds himself visiting Veronica’s bake stand every week . . . and it’s for more than the raspberry pies.


Now, as Veronica’s heart thaws, Jason can’t bring himself to tell her he was there when Seth died. Can he ever reveal where he was on the day her life derailed? Or will his secret rob them of the second chance at love they both want?

Review: I'm a big fan of this author, so I was thrilled to read this first book in her newest series. As usual, I was drawn in from the beginning and could barely put the book down until I finished reading it. 

The characters are wonderful. They are all written with their flaws evident to the reader, which makes them even easier to love. The main characters, Jason and Veronica, are both grieving the loss of Seth, although Jason doesn't share his friendship with Seth when he meets Veronica and grows closer to her. The reader can practically feel his guilt over that omission, and over Seth's accident as the story continues--and can guess that the truth will come out eventually, and that it will cause a problem for the couple. The resolution of the conflict is handled very well, and is very satisfactory.

If you are a fan of Amish fiction, or of Amy Clipston, then this is a must read for you.

**I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

Rating: Five stars

About the author

Hi, I’m Amy Clipston. I am an author of Amish and Christian fiction with Zondervan Publishing. Most of my books focus on the Amish community, faith, and love. I also write romance novels and young adult inspirational stories. 

Please check out my bestselling Kauffman Amish Bakery book Series, including the following books:

A Gift of Grace, April 2009
A Promise of Hope, April 2010
A Plain & Simple Christmas, September 2010
A Place of Peace, December 2010
Naomi's Gift, September 2011
A Life of Joy, February 2012
A Season of Love, June 2012
Kauffman Amish Christmas, October 2012

A Hopeful Heart, Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel Series #1, June 2013
A Mother's Secret, Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel Series #2, June 2014
A Dream of Home, Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel #3, December 2014
A Simple Prayer, Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel Book #4, June 2015.


My young adult books include:
Roadside Assistance, April 2011
Destination Unknown, sequel to Roadside Assistance, February 2014
Miles to Nowhere, April 2015
A Reckless Heart, May 2012

A Gift of Love (A Memoir), March 2014

I enjoy spending time with my family, including my hubby, my two wonderful sons, my mom, and my four spoiled-rotten cats. I love reading. 

I'm an advocate for organ and blood donation. I donated a kidney on June 14, 2011, at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Through my donation, my husband received a second kidney transplant. My husband and I matched another couple and we swapped kidneys with them. I gave a kidney to my husband's donor's wife. Feel free to email me and ask me what it was like to be a kidney donor. It was one of the most amazing experiences in my life. If you're healthy, please donate blood! Also, become an organ donor.

Visit me at www.facebook.com/AmyClipstonBooks,Twi... at @AmyClipston orwww.AmyClipston.com

An Amish Christmas Gift: Three Amish Novellas by Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid, and Kelly Irvin

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 6, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718039653
• ISBN-13: 978-0718039653

Synopsis

Naomi s Gift by Amy Clipston

Naomi has started to think that she isn t meant to find love, but she might receive more than she ever hoped for this Christmas.

Twenty-four-year-old Naomi King, who has been burned twice by love, has all but given up on marriage and children. As Christmas approaches a time of family, faith, and hope for many others Naomi is more certain than ever her life will be spent as an old maid, helping with the family s quilting business and taking care of her eight siblings. Then she meets Caleb, a young widower with a 7-year-old daughter, and her world is once again turned upside-down.

An Unexpected Joy by Ruth Reid

Abigail has driven other suitors away, but can Micah find a way to show her he cares?

Abigail Kemp has managed to frighten off every bu who s ever driven her home from a singing. Sure she will live to be an old maid, Abigail starts saving her money to buy a horse so she can at least have some independence.

Micah Zook is looking for a caregiver for his grandmother, and Abigail needs a new job. He never expected that Abigail would talk so much . . . or that his grandmother would keep finding ways to set the two of them up.

Despite Abigail s constant chatter, she and Micah become friends until Micah makes a decision that leaves Abigail feeling betrayed. With Christmas in their midst, can Micah find a way to reconcile with Abigail and to reveal what s on his heart?

A Christmas Visitor by Kelly Irvin

Frannie Mast returns to Bee County for Christmas, but her heart stays back in Missouri with an Englisch farm boy.

Frannie knows her parents have the best of intentions when they send her back to Bee County, Texas, to live with her aunt Abigail and her husband Mordecai. After all, she knows nothing can come of a relationship with Rocky, the handsome but Englisch farmer boy back in Missouri. It s best to put those feelings aside, no matter how hard it is. But all bets are off when Rocky follows Frannie to Texas to plead his case. Could he be the Christmas gift to end all gifts?" 

Review

I love Amish fiction, and I love stories about Christmas, so this book was a perfect fit for me. All three stories are full of love, and of people finding the true meaning of Christmas. 

While all three stories are well written and enjoyable, my favorite was the one by Amy Clipston. I have a soft spot for stories which feature a young child, and seven-year-old Susie is so sweet and precious I fell in love with her in the first chapter. Watching her relationship with Naomi grow was so much fun, and as Caleb and Naomi also grew closer, it was good to know that Susie truly loves the woman who will, hopefully, be her new mother.

Ruth Reid's story was a touching one as well. Abby and Micah are a very likable couple, even though they are so different. Abby is extremely talkative, and she has a different way of looking at certain things, while Micah is quiet and very much "by the book." The impact they have on one another is well worth the read.

Kelly Irvin writes about the Amish in Texas, which is not an Amish locale I am familiar with at all. However, that didn't stop me from enjoying this story. The relationship between Frannie and Rocky is an interesting one.  And Frannie's aunt, who keeps trying to push her together with Joseph, definitely adds to the tension in the story.

**I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

Rating

Five stars

About the authors

Hi, I’m Amy Clipston. I am an author of Amish and Christian fiction with Zondervan Publishing. Most of my books focus on the Amish community, faith, and love. I also write romance novels and young adult inspirational stories. 

Please check out my bestselling Kauffman Amish Bakery book Series, including the following books:

A Gift of Grace, April 2009
A Promise of Hope, April 2010
A Plain & Simple Christmas, September 2010
A Place of Peace, December 2010
Naomi's Gift, September 2011
A Life of Joy, February 2012
A Season of Love, June 2012
Kauffman Amish Christmas, October 2012

A Hopeful Heart, Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel Series #1, June 2013
A Mother's Secret, Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel Series #2, June 2014
A Dream of Home, Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel #3, December 2014
A Simple Prayer, Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel Book #4, June 2015.


My young adult books include:
Roadside Assistance, April 2011
Destination Unknown, sequel to Roadside Assistance, February 2014
Miles to Nowhere, April 2015
A Reckless Heart, May 2012

A Gift of Love (A Memoir), March 2014

I enjoy spending time with my family, including my hubby, my two wonderful sons, my mom, and my four spoiled-rotten cats. I love reading. 

I'm an advocate for organ and blood donation. I donated a kidney on June 14, 2011, at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Through my donation, my husband received a second kidney transplant. My husband and I matched another couple and we swapped kidneys with them. I gave a kidney to my husband's donor's wife. Feel free to email me and ask me what it was like to be a kidney donor. It was one of the most amazing experiences in my life. If you're healthy, please donate blood! Also, become an organ donor.

Visit me atwww.facebook.com/AmyClipstonBooks,Twi... at @AmyClipston or www.AmyClipston.com

-----------------------------------------------------

Ruth Reid is a CBA and ECPA bestselling author of the Heaven on Earth series. She's a full-time pharmacist who lives in Florida with her husband and three children. When attending Ferris State University School of Pharmacy in Big Rapids, Michigan, she lived on the outskirts of an Amish community and had several occasions to visit the Amish farms. Her interest grew into love as she saw the beauty in living a simple life. Visit Ruth online at ruthreid.com, 

Facebook: Author-Ruth-Reid, 

Twitter: @authorruthreid.

-------------------------------------------------

Kelly Irvin's latest book in the New Hope Amish series, A Plain Love Song, releases in July 2014. She is the author of the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Amish Amish series. The first series includes To Love and To Cherish, A Heart Made New, and Love’s Journey Home, published by Harvest House. Love Still Stands, the first book in her spin-off series New Hope Amish, released in September 2013, followed by Love Redeemed in March 2014.

Kelly is now working on a three-book series for Zondervan set in Bee County, Texas. The first book in The Amish of Bee County series, The Beekeeper's Son, is set to release in January 2015.

Kelly has also penned two romantic suspense novels, A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine, published by Five Star Gale in 2010 and 2011.

The Kansas native is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters in Crime. She also serves as secretary of the ACFW San Antonio local chapter Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers. 

A graduate of the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism, Kelly has been writing nonfiction professionally for thirty years. She studied for three semesters at the University of Costa Rica, learning the Spanish language. As a journalist, she worked six years in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso.

She has worked in public relations for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department for 19 years.Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for twenty-six years, and they have two young adult children. They recently became grandparents for the first time. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories, read books by her favorite authors, and play with her new granddaughter.

The Girl From The Train by Irma Joubert

Genres: Historical, Inspirational

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 3, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0529102374
• ISBN-13: 978-0529102379

Synopsis: Six-year-old Gretl Schmidt is on a train bound for Auschwitz. Jakób Kowalski is planting a bomb on the tracks.

As World War II draws to a close, Jakób fights with the Polish resistance against the crushing forces of Germany and Russia. They mean to destroy a German troop transport, but Gretl’s unscheduled train reaches the bomb first.

Gretl is the only survivor. Though spared from the concentration camp, the orphaned German Jew finds herself lost in a country hostile to her people. When Jakób discovers her, guilt and fatherly compassion prompt him to take her home. For three years, the young man and little girl form a bond over the secrets they must hide from his Catholic family.

But she can’t stay with him forever. Jakób sends Gretl to South Africa, where German war orphans are promised bright futures with adoptive Protestant families—so long as Gretl’s Jewish roots, Catholic education, and connections to communist Poland are never discovered.

Separated by continents, politics, religion, language, and years, Jakób and Gretl will likely never see each other again. But the events they have both survived and their belief that the human spirit can triumph over the ravages of war have formed a bond of love that no circumstances can overcome.

Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I've been a long-time fan of WWII novels, especially when they involve Jewish characters. This one, however, is a truly unique look at the time period, in that the main character manages to avoid a concentration camp by pretending to be a German Protestant child and being sent to South Africa to start a new life.

The majority of the story is told from the perspective of young Gretl, from the ages of 6 to 21. That also makes this story unique and fascinating. I also enjoyed the story of the lasting bond which forms between Gretl and her Polish guardian, Jakob.

Both of the main characters are very well written, and I was drawn into their story from the start. The various settings are described vividly, as are the living conditions during such a difficult time. The ending of the story was wonderful as well.

I was given a copy of this book through the Fiction Guild in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Rating: Four stars

About the author 
Irma Joubert was a history teacher for 35 years. This experience has stood her in good stead when it comes to doing extensive research for her historical novels. She writes with empathy and a deep insight into personal relationships. She and her husband live in Bloemfontein.

A RELUCTANT BRIDE (Amish of Birch Creek #1) by Kathleen Fuller

Synopsis: She never wanted to marry. He hopes to make amends for past wrongs. Can love find a way to heal both of their hearts?

Sadie Schrock swore she would never marry. All of her other Amish friends could court and marry she was content to manage the family business and eventually take it over when her parents are ready to retire. But all of that changes when a reckless driver kills both of her parents and seriously injures her younger sister. With mounting hospital bills adding to the pile of debt her parents left behind, Sadie is left with no choice: she must marry. And not just any man the man who saw her at her weakest and walked away.

Aden knows what his brother did to Sadie years ago was inexcusable. And every day since that incident, Aden has lived with the guilt for not intervening sooner. When he is faced with the chance to protect Sadie once again, he can t let her down even if it means living with the scorn of the woman he loves for the rest of his life.

Working alongside Aden at the store, Sadie realizes he isn t the same boy who once betrayed her. Just when Sadie starts to let her guard down and perhaps develop feelings for her new husband, dangerous secrets are revealed. Now everything Sadie has worked so hard to protect is threatened, and she must find a way to save her family and herself.

Review: A very emotion-filled story of abuse, loss, arranged marriage, and secrets. There are some characters who are presented in a very unflattering light. Fortunately, at least one of them is able to see the error of his ways and to ask for forgiveness. 

Watching Sadie and Aden try to get along with one another after Aden's father forces their marriage, and seeing them get to know who each other really are (rather than the person they presumed they knew), is in turns heartbreaking and encouraging. 

There are several plot lines throughout this book, all of which tie together in an amazing climax scene. 

I look forward to getting to know this Amish community even better in future installments of this series.

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Rating: Five stars

About the author

Kathleen is the best-selling author of over thirty books, including the Hearts of Middlefield Series and the A Middlefield Family Series. She lives with her husband and three children in Northeast Ohio. Kathleen loves to hear from readers.

Hiding Places by Erin Healey

Synopsis: Family means safety. Family means protection. Until it doesn't.

Eleven-year-old Kate Whitby leads an invisible life, the youngest member of her odd family. They live in their historic small-town hotel, where she is an expert at keeping everyone’s secrets: her sister’s a thief, her great-grandmother isn’t as crazy as people think, her mother lives in the past, and her beloved grandfather might have killed his best friend.

Devoted to the people she loves—more than they have ever been to her—Kate vows to protect each one.

Charlie Fuse has lived on the streets since his alcoholic father threw him out. When Charlie’s powerful street family tests his loyalty by demanding that he kill the son of a rival gang leader, he refuses. They frame him for the murder, forcing Charlie to run.

When Kate finds Charlie injured and penniless, she hides him from his enemies and her uncharitable relatives, unaware that he has a connection to her family as old as the hotel itself.

The murderous gang tracks Charlie down. To flush him out, they take the clueless family hostage and threaten young Kate. Even then, Kate keeps Charlie hidden, putting all her childlike faith in one terrible hope: that the family who has never been able to protect her before might learn how to do it now.

Review: This is a wonderful story, told from the point of view of Kate, an 11 yr. old girl. Although it is primarily a suspense novel, it is also a story about family: not only Kate's extended family, but also the other families, of various types, involved in the story.

Aside from Kate, my favorite character was Great-Grandma Pearl. She pretends to be crazy, which is hilarious, but when the chips are down, and Kate really needs her, she turns out to be a lot smarter and craftier than anyone gave her credit for.

The author does a marvelous job of tying all the stories together and giving us quite the emotional climax. You will find yourself wondering if anyone is going to make it out alive. Once I got past the first few chapters, I didn't want to put it down, and couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

I was given a copy of this book by the Thomas Nelson Fiction Guild in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Rating: Four stars

About the author

Erin Healy is a supernatural-suspense novelist and an award-winning fiction editor. She began working with Ted Dekker in 2002 and edited twelve of his heart-pounding stories before their collaboration on KISS, the first novel to seat her on "the other side of the desk."

Erin is the owner of WordWright Editorial Services, a consulting firm specializing in fiction book development. She lives with her family in Colorado.