A Man of His Word by Kathleen Fuller

Another of my awesome $2.99 special books!! This is the first of Hearts of Middlefield Novels. This was the first book by Kathleen Fuller I have read. I have looked at her books a few times but wasn't sure about spending 14.00 on a book I wasn't sure of so the $2.99 prices was definitely worth giving it a try....I am so glad I did.

Book Description:
Moriah's heart will only be safe with a man of his word.

In just a few short months, Moriah Miller's perfect life unravels. Newly wed and newly pregnant, Moriah is abandoned by her husband, Levi. He's left her, his family, and their faith without a backward glance. The community, stunned, rushes to the young woman's aid.

But there is someone who feels more than just sympathy for Moriah. Gabriel Miller--Levi's twin--longs for an intimate commitment that might someday bind them to one another. Convinced of the impossibility of his dream, Gabriel settles for a mere friendship with the woman he loves.

Moriah bravely goes on with her life, adjusting to her new role in their tight knit Amish community and preparing for the birth of her child. She is unaware that her brief marriage--once idealized as the happiest time in her life--may have been merely a shadow of the kind of love God has created her for. A love that can mend the soul, renew her heart, and give her a future filled with hope...if only she'll let it.

Moriah believes she has found the man of her dreams, the man she will say I do to, Levi Miller. Since their school days, Moriah and the Miller twins, Levi and Gabriel have been close friends. Doing everything together. Levi proposes and Gabriel falls to the back burner, wanting Moriah from a far. Levi and Moriah get married and Levi is working at a stable in the Yankee world. After 4 months he sends a letter to Moriah saying he isn't coming back. Moriah is devestated. She is pregnant and decides to move home. Gabriel tries to get Levi reconsider his choice. But couldn't get him to see it. The family is devestated. Late one night Gabriel shows up at Moriah's parents to get her, Levi has been in a horrible car accident. So Gabe, his father, and Moriah go to the hospital. There Moriah has to give consent for multiple surgeries to try to save his life. He comes out of surgery and finally wakes up. A few days later Levi asks Gabe to always take care of Moriah and the baby. A few moments later Levi passes. Now Moriah has lost her husband 2 times.

A Man of His Word is a very wonderful book that shows how forgiveness brings peace, how praying brings results, and how love always wins. Kathleen Fuller shows much knowledge of the language and customs of the Amish in Middlefield. This book was a wonderful story and I am so excited to find another author to read. Definitey recommend this book to anyone who likes a love story and or Amish fiction.

First the Dead by Tim Downs

Family Christian Bookstore along with some authors of Christian Fiction have been offering some books for $2.99 for the first book to make it affordable to find a new author. Like most people, I look for the lowest prices I can find for books. I am leary to pay $12-$15 for an author I have never read. But $2.99 I will spend that. Really not much to lose. So I am finding new authors and series to read through this offer.

The first book I read is First the Dead by Tim Downs.
Book description:
When Hurricane Katrina takes New Orleans by storm, forensic entomologist Nick Polchak is waiting for her. He’s part of DMORT, the FEMA team assigned to recover and identify human remains in large-scale disasters.

The trouble is, Nick isn’t much of a team player. And he doesn’t take well to following orders he doesn’t agree with... such as the decision to divert all DMORT personnel into rescuing the living and leaving the dead for later.

Nick begs to differ. He's there to collect bodies, and he's going to do just that—especially when he starts finding bodies that were clearly dead before the hurricane struck. Nick understands that all forensic evidence will soon disintegrate in the hot, contaminated water...and he knows that’s exactly what the killer wants to happen.

The more Nick tries to uncover answers, the stronger—and deadlier—the resistance becomes. And it doesn’t help that a beautiful psychiatrist thinks he’s on the verge of a mental breakdown.

In a world turned upside down, where people live on rooftops and streets are underwater, where everything and everyone is on the verge of collapse...can even the Bug Man uncover the truth?

This is the 3rd "Bug Man Book" but really they can be read stand alone because Tim Downs does a great job of introducing things so you don't feel like you came in half way through. This book was fantastic. The details of Hurricane Katrina and of New Orleans as a city were right on. This book kept a good pace and you really felt like you were there. I had a very very hard time putting the book down once I picked it up. You find yourself laughing at some of the dialogues and the suspense kept me guessing until the end. Awescome book for a suspense fan. I am excited to read more "Bug Man" Books.

http://timdowns.net/ to find other Bug Man books and you can read some chapters up there too.

Save the Date By Jenny B. Jones

I received this book from booksneeze.com in return for my honest review of this book!

Book Description
When Alex and Lucy pick out wedding invitations, they wonder if they can be printed in vanishing ink.

Former NFL star Alex Sinclair is a man who has it all--except the votes he needs to win his bid for Congress. Despite their mutual dislike, Alex makes Lucy a proposition: pose as his fiancée in return for the money she desperately needs. Bound to a man who isn't quite what he seems, Lucy will find her heart on the line--and maybe even her life. When God asks Alex and Lucy to scrap their playbook and follow his rules, will they finally say, "I do"?

Save the Date is a wonderful book about forgiveness, falling in love, and trusting that God will take care of us. Alex Sinclair and Lucy have a past, they went to an exclusive private academy together as teenagers. Lucy wasn't rich and famous but Alex Sinclair was. Alex and others made her life miserable during that time. Now their lives intersect again and they both need each other. Alex needs the image of a solid relationship with a real girl and Lucy needs her shelter building saved and the funds to keep it open. So Alex and his team concoct a plan that Lucy can't refuse. What they didn't count on was that they would actually like each other and see all the good qualities of each other.

Jenny B Jones weaves a wonderful story that goes deeper than Boy needs girl and they fall in love. This story dives deeper into their lives and secrets that have been kept for years. The book never looses its focus on God. The characters are very vivid and likeable. You find yourself feeling like you are right there with them. This book had me laughing out loud in parts and crying in some. I really enjoyed this book and will be looking for more Jenny B Jones books to read. I highly recommend this book.

The Topkapi Secret by Terry Kelhawk

I received this book free from the publishers for my honest review of the book.

Book Summary:
On display within the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul lies the Topkapi Codex – an ancient Koranic manuscript, and part of a murder that split Shiite from Sunni. What’s the truth about the Topkapi Codex? No one knows because the Topkapi Codex is off limits.

Mohammed Atareek is obsessed with getting to the codex. His research has convinced him the Koran has been changed many times, and this famous manuscript could help prove it. But the risks of getting a hold of it increase as other scholars start turning up dead.

After traumatic life circumstances Angela, a UC Berkeley English professor, makes a career move which puts her in the Middle East and across Mohammed’s path. His unique personality – overconfident, witty, and impulsive – is both puzzling and refreshing to Angela. But when Mohammed tries to engage her in his quest, he finds she has an agenda of her own. Between their cat and mouse games, heated discussions, and sparks of romance, the historical origin of the Koran unfolds

The Topkapi Secret is the first book by Terry Kelhawk, and what a debut book it is. Terry Kelhawk is on my list of new authors to read. This book contains all the pieces needed to be a great book: intrigue, love, murder, mystery, and rich, deep characters. If you are a fan of mystery and suspense you will not be disappointed with this book. The Topkapi Secret starts out with a murder, and the suspense and intrigue continues through to the end. It was an easy read with deep and interesting characters that keep you interested. The author shows a lot of knowledge of the many places and cultures in this book. I truly enjoyed this book and also learned a lot about the different cultures. The information about the Koran was very accurate also and very educational. The Topkapi Secret is an awesome book that is a must read for all. I look forward to other books by Terry Kelhawk.

Possession By Rene Gutteridge

I received this book from Tydnale Publishers free in exchange for my honest opinion and review of it.

Product Description: In the aftermath of investigating the D.C. sniper case, police detective Vance Graegan is burned out on life and love. Hoping to save his marriage, he quits the force and moves his wife and son to the other side of the country. But when the movers decide to hold his belongings for ransom, Vance is determined to ensure that his family’s new beginning is not ruined. Soon, though, losing his possessions becomes the least of his problems as everything they are fighting for begins to unravel in the hands of Vance’s past. In an unforgettable climax, a little boy’s innocent faith brings a group of desperate people to their knees. What is at stake counts for everything, but nothing can prepare Vance for who is behind it.

Vance Graegan, a retired police officer, his wife Lindy(Linda) and their son Connor set out from Washington DC to California to start a new life. Their son Conner is a Christian. He is eight and saw a televangelist and became a believer. Lindy and Vance have tried to discourage this from the start. They are very scared of his found faith, as they are not believers. Movers are hired, Lindy and Connor set out in her car to California. Vance receives a call from his ex partner Erin, asking him to come to Chicago where she is living and on the police force. She saved his life, he feels he owes her this visit. They had cut ties years ago. Once all are in California things spin out of control, the movers hold their possessions for ransom, Lindy's mother receives a strange call about Vance, and Erin shows up. Neither Vance or Lindy can prepare themselves for what they will face.

Possession by Rene Gutteridge is an edge of your seat story. This story intrigues from the beginning until the last page. Hard one to put down. The story moves at a good pace and takes many unexpected twists. The characters are very well thought out and they are strong. The topics discussed in the story are very well researched and very well explained. From the description I wasn't sure how this book fell under Christian Fiction but once into the story it is always part of the storyline. Possession shows us a child's faith despite his parents protests, parents find their own faith from the example of their son. Lindy and Vance also learn about the power of prayer and the power of putting it in God's hands and he will take care of it. I highly recommend this book and this author.

Love on Assignment By Cara Lynn James

I received Love on Assignment from booksneeze.com for my honest review of this book.

Book Description:
While Charlotte is focusing on uncovering sordid information on columnist Daniel Wilmot, her heart leads her into uncharted territory.
During the summer of 1900 Charlotte Hale, a native Newporter and secretary for the Rhode Island Reporter, accepts an undercover assignment as temporary governess to Daniel Wilmont's children in order to secretly gather evidence against him. As he helps her rediscover God, Charlotte learns that Daniel is an honorable man. They unexpectedly fall in love despite their different backgrounds and social positions. Charlotte soon realizes she must defend Daniel against the forces set against him—a willful student with a romantic crush and the newspaper editor determined to destroy his reputation.

I had the privledge to read Cara James's first book Love on a Dime and loved it. Love on Assignment did not disappoint. The book takes place in 1900 about a working class woman, Charlotte Hale, who dreams of being a journalist. Her boss gives her an assignment to become a governess for another coumnist at a rival paper to find dirt on him to discredit him and make him stop writing his articles. Charlotte took the assignment knowing she needed to support her Aunt and Sister and knew this was the only opportunity her boss would give her to be a journalist. Daniel Wilmot, columnist and bible teacher at a college in Newport gives Charlotte the job, but first asks her "Are you a Christian?" Charlotte answered "yes". She felt she was. As she stays with the Wilmots and looks into Daniel's life she realizes she had lots to learn about being a Christian. Cara Lynn James takes us through Charlottes journey of surrending to God and having faith. Charlotte grows so much in her faith and realizes her actions are not that of a Christian. We see her faith grow and Daniel Wilmot's faith also grow along with her. Its a beautiful story of following God's perfect plan, a story of true forgiveness, and a story of how love opens people up to so much.

Cara Lynn James is a wonderful author whose characters who jump off the pages of her books. The story is well researched and such a detailed, descriptive story. I look forward to reading more of Cara Lynn James's books. They are truly Christian Fiction.

Amy Inspired By Bethany Pierce

I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers for my honest opinion and review of this book.

Book Description:
After countless rejection slips, aspiring writer Amy Gallagher settles for teaching English to pay the bills. She gets through a romantic breakup and a bout of creative self-doubt with the help of friends and family. But when secrets, tragedy, and poor decisions cause rifts in relationships, can she dare to hope for love . . . and more?

Amy Inspired is an OK book. I wish I had liked it more than I did,but it just didn't keep me engaged. It is a slow moving book that doesn't just reach out and grab you. I had a tough time getting into it but then it would start moving and then would slow down. The characters were very well described and you could really relate to them, they seemed real. I was suprised it was a Christian Fiction book, wasn't much of Amy's journey with God. I know others who have read it and loved it so I believe it just wasn't my cup of tea. I look forward to reading other books by Bethany Pierce, though.