Reviews by al
When Jesus Wept
On 5/10 al wrote: When Jesus Wept by Bodie and Brock Thoene is the first in the Jerusalem Chronicles series. This is a fictionalized account of the story of Lazarus which includes his sisters Mary and Martha. There are many times in the Bible when you wish you had the rest of the story. The Thoene’s try to fill in ... When Jesus Wept
Waiting for Morning
On 2/24 al wrote: Waiting for Morning by Margaret Brownley is the story of Molly Hatfield. Since the death of her parents, Molly has been the sole caretaker of her brother, Donny, who is in a wheelchair due to a childhood accident. Molly feels responsible for the accident and takes extra special care of her brother. ... Waiting for Morning
Secretly Smitten
On 1/27 al wrote: Secretly Smitten is a group of four novellas by Kristin Billerbeck, Colleen Coble, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter. The stories focus around the Thomas women including sisters Tess, Zoe, and Clare along with their mom Anna. While hosting a bridal shower for their cousin, dog tags of their grandmother’s ... Secretly Smitten
Fire of the Raging Dragon
On 1/11 al wrote: Fire of the Raging Dragon is the second book in the Pacific Rim series by Don Brown. This story finds tensions rising between China and Taiwan as they fight for control over possession in the South China Sea. The United States maintains a small presence in the area including a submarine tender on which ... Fire of the Raging Dragon
Through Rushing Water
On 11/14 al wrote: Through Rushing Water by Catherine Richmond is the story of Sophia Makinoff and Will Dunn. Sophia is a teacher at a women's college and believes she is about to become the wife of a Congressman. When that Congressman proposes to her roommate instead, Sophia is crushed and attends a missionary's lecture. ... Through Rushing Water
Cruel Harvest
On 10/14 al wrote: Cruel Harvest is Fran Elizabeth Grubb’s memoir of growing up as a migrant worker with a physically, verbally, and sexually abusive father. Fran is one of many siblings who lives under the complete control of her father. Each member of the family is expected to work in the fields despite only being ... Cruel Harvest
The Trouble With Cowboys
On 9/19 al wrote: The Trouble with Cowboys by Denise Hunter is the last in the Big Sky Romance series. This story focuses on Dylan Taylor, best friend of Wade Ryan from A Cowboy’s Touch, and Annie Wilkerson. Annie is the best horse trainer around and Dylan needs her to help him train his beloved horse that is going ... The Trouble with Cowboys
Tidewater Inn
On 8/24 al wrote: but finds herself cast as the prime suspect. Overall, I liked this book. The characters did not leap off the page for me but it held my interest. I liked the mystery aspect that was weaved through the novel because it was not done in an obvious manner. The pain that one decision caused in Libby’s ... Tidewater Inn
The Scent of Rain
On 8/13 al wrote: The Scent of Rain by Kristin Billerbeck is the story of Daphne Sweeten who left her dream job in Paris to marry a man who left her at the altar in order to take her dream job in Paris for himself. With no job in Paris available, Daphne decides to move across the country to Dayton, OH where she and her ... The Scent of Rain
Arms of Love
On 7/3 al wrote: Arms of Love by Kelly Long follows the story of Lena Yoder and Adam Wyse. Lena and Adam have been in love most of their lives, but a darkness is inside Adam that he can’t seem to shake. Lena’s mother extracts a deathbed promise from Adam not to pursue Lena anymore until he is truly free. Adam ... Arms of Love
Eyes of Justice
On 4/30 al wrote: Eyes of Justice is a Triple Threat novel by Lis Wiehl. The Triple Threat novels focus on three friends who fight crime together. There’s Allison the federal prosecutor, Nicole the federal agent, and Cassidy the local crime reporter. These three friends have combined their resources to solve multiple ... Eyes of Justice
Blue Moon Promise
On 2/11 al wrote: Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble appears to be the first novel in a new series. It is the story of Lucy Marsh who finds herself orphaned after the death of her father. She works hard to keep herself and two siblings together. When she loses her job and place to live, she is left wondering what will ... Blue Moon Promise
Bittersweet Surrender
On 12/27 al wrote: Bittersweet Surrender by Diann Hunt is the story of Carly Westlake, owner of the Mocha Day Spa where clients receive their spa treatments in chocolate. Carly is coming out of a dark place in her life as her husband left her in the middle of breast cancer treatment. Her best friend and dad passed away ... Bittersweet Surrender
The Accidental Bride
On 12/19 al wrote: The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter is the second book in the Big Sky Romance series. The story focuses on Shay Brandenberger who is a single mom struggling to raise her daughter while maintaining the family ranch. Shay has not had the best luck in love and unfortunately the entire town knows it. ... the Accidental Bride
Smitten
On 12/3 al wrote: Smitten is a series of four short stories by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter that focus on a small town named Smitten. For years, Smitten has been kept alive by a mill that employed the majority of the men in town. When the mill closes, four best friends come up with ... Smitten
Lonestar Angel
On 10/26 al wrote: Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble is the fourth installment of the Lonestar series. This story focuses on Clay and Eden who after losing their daughter to kidnapping went their separate ways. Much to Eden surprise, Clay shows back up in her life to reveal he has a lead on their daughter’s whereabouts ... Lonestar Angel
His Steadfast Love
On 10/15 al wrote: His Steadfast Love by Golden Keyes Parsons is set during the Civil War. The story follows Amanda Belle as she meets a handsome federal officer, Kent Littlefield, who is stationed in Texas. As love is about to bloom, the Civil War breaks out and Kent leaves to fight with the Union Army. Her brother, ... His Steadfast Love
There You'll Find Me
On 10/2 al wrote: There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones continues the story of the Sinclair family. The story focuses on Finley Sinclair who is can't quite seem to move past the grief of losing her older brother, Will. On the day of his funeral, her mom gave her Will's travel journal from his senior year of high school ... there you'll find me
Wrapped in Rain
On 9/6 al wrote: Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin is the story of two brothers, Tuck and Mutt, who grow up in a home with an absent and abusive father. The abuse they suffer affects them to the core, but they ground themselves in the love of Miss Ella Rain. Ella Rain is the live-in help who loves those boys as her ... Wrapped in Rain
Cherished
On 8/17 al wrote: Cherished by Kim Cash Tate is an enjoyable read. It tells the story of Brian and Kelli who were former high school sweethearts that broke apart badly. The cause of the breakup and residual pain have haunted both Brian and Kelli as time has gone by. Several years down the road, they both find themselves ... cherished
Life Everlasting
On 8/6 al wrote: Life Everlasting by Robert Whitlow is the continuation of the story of Baxter and Rena Richardson. The story picks up and follows those involved with trying to heal Baxter through spiritual music therapy. It also works to resolve the killing of a local police officer who stopped Rena for speeding in ... Life Everlasting
Water's Edge
On 7/20 al wrote: Water's Edge is a new edition to Robert Whitlow's The Tides of Truth Series. This book focuses on Tom Crane who is returning to Bethel in order to close down his father's law practice after his father's untimely death. As Tom tries to close out cases, he comes across a secret account his father created ... Water's Edge
Jesus, My Father, The CIA, and Me
On 5/31 al wrote: Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me: A memoir...of sorts by Ian Morgan Crone is one of the best books I have read in a long time. This is the story of Ian's life growing up with an alcoholic father who, in fact, worked for the CIA. His father's alcoholism truly affected every aspect of his family life ... Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me
Beyond All Measure
On 5/22 al wrote: Beyond all Measure by Dorothy Love is part of the Hickory Ridge series. Ada Wentworth is moving to Hickory Ridge to be a lady's companion for an elderly woman because she has lost her family, fiance, and fortune. Although she takes this job because she is in desperate need of money, Ada's dreams include ... Beyond All Measure
Nick of Time
On 5/1 al wrote: Nick of Time by Tim Downs is one in a series of Bug Man Novels. The premise is that Nick Polchak, a forensic entomologist, leaves a few days before his wedding to help an old friend solve a murder case. Circumstances cause him to miss communicating with his fiancée, Alena, which leads to more conflict ... Nick of Time
Max On Life
On 4/18 al wrote: Max on Life is a collection of letters that Max Lucado had received throughout his years of ministry. In this book, he responds to each question with his honest opinion and Biblical perspective. Some of his responses are just okay and others cut straight to the heart. In his answers, he does reference ... Max on Life
A Cowboy's Touch
On 3/12 al wrote: A Cowboy’s Touch by Denise Hunter was a wonderful afternoon escape. The premise is that Abigail Jones needs a break for health reasons from her busy life as an investigative reporter. Her boss, also her mom, orders her to take a three-month leave of absence and suggests she goes to check on her great ... A Cowboy's Touch
The Jesus Inquest
On 2/28 al wrote: The Jesus Inquest by Charles Foster makes my head hurt, but in a good way. Mr. Foster is a barrister (lawyer) in Great Britain. The basis of this book is dealing with the hard questions that many Christians as well as non-Christians ask about the person of Jesus. Did Jesus really die on a cross? ... The Jesus Inquest
Voices of the Faithful - Book 2
On 12/19 al wrote: Love, love, love this book. For those of you have never heard of Voices of the Faithful, it is a collaboration between Beth Moore, Kim P. Davis, and International Mission Board missionaries. Missionaries from around the world send in their stories about what God is doing in their lives and ministry. ... Voices of the Faithful Book 2
An Amish Christmas, expanded edition
On 12/5 al wrote: An Amish Christmas contains four novellas written by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Barbara Cameron, and Kelly Long. All four novellas were well written. There is character overlap between the first three stories and the stories all take place within the same Christmas season. The stories are about ... An Amish Christmas
Seeds of Turmoil
On 10/17 al wrote: Seeds of Turmoil: The Biblical Roots of the Inevitable Crisis in the Middle East by Bryant Wright is a good overview to the current events playing out in the Middle East. One of my favorite things about this book is that it is very readable. The author did not try to impress the readers with ... Seeds of Turmoil
Love, Charleston
On 9/19 al wrote: Love, Charleston by Beth Webb Hart, interweaves the stories of four adults who are connected to each other from summers spent in Charleston, SC. The three women are made up of sisters, Anne and Lish along with their cousin Della. Roy is a boy who spent summers down the street and knew the girls mostly ... Love, Charleston
Same Kind of Different As Me
On 7/7 al wrote: A verse from Solomon, “There was found in the city a certain poor man who was wise and by his wisdom he saved the city,” along with a vision of the future of Union Gospel Mission in Fort Worth, Texas given to Deborah Hall changed lives. Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall ... same kind of different as me
Sarah's Garden
On 6/24 al wrote: The back of Sarah’s Garden by Kelly Long reads, “Quite by accident, Sarah King has fallen in love. But this love is forbidden, and could cost her everything she holds dear.” This novel focuses on the love story between an Amish woman and her new Englisch neighbor. Marrying someone outside the Amish community is not ... Sarah’s Garden
Love on a Dime
On 6/8 al wrote: Love on a Dime is Cara Lynn James debut novel. The story takes place in 1899 and focuses on a young lady, Lilly Westbrook, who is a dime novelist. The only problem is that she is part of the social elite so she must keep her career a secret from everyone. As her popularity grows among readers this ... Love on a Dime
Never Let You Go
On 5/8 al wrote: Never Let You Go is Erin Healy’s first solo fiction novel. The book revolves around Lexi Solomon whose family has been torn apart and she has spent the last seven years trying to keep her and her daughter in food and clothes. Within a 24 hour period, three men from her past reappear and Lexi ... Never Let You Go
Hand of Fate
On 4/6 al wrote: Hand of Fate, the second book in the Triple Threat series, by Lis Wiehl is a mystery that tackles many issues. It is an easy read, but the ending is not too predictable. Wiehl continues to develop her three main characters Allison Pierce, Cassidy Shaw, and Nicole Hedges. For those of you who are new ... Hand of Fate Review
Jane Austen
On 3/27 al wrote: The Christian Encounters biography of Jane Austen by Peter Leithart was not quite what I expected. The premise of the series is to give an inside look at how Christian faith influenced the lives of people throughout history in a way that is typically not known. The book on Jane Austen was more a biography ... Christian Encounters Jane Austen Book Review