Fifteen Minutes

Chandra Olsen accepts the chance to be a judge on Fifteen Minutes, the very show that made her an overnight sensation, with the hope of helping contestants see fame for what it really is to her: a prison. When Zack Dylan auditions, she sees in herself in him, a young person with talent who would be better off living a simpler life than attempting to stay wholesome while in the limelight.
As Zack is launched onto the National stage, one of the other judges on the show is attempting to keep hold of her fame. Could Chandra help Kelly make the right choices?
Karen Kingsbury has created another masterpiece with Fifteen Minutes, showing that fame can be both a blessing and a curse with this cast of realistic characters. It sure makes you think about fame in a different light!

Take Flight

Robin Jones Gunn and longtime friend/Sisterchick Cindy Hannan come together with Take Flight to bring readers a devotional unlike any other! Filled with stories, observations, scripture verses, and quotes (both from the series and from Sisterchicks in the faith) this devotional is a joy to go through and study! I love the way it is laid out and how there is room for your own thoughts and notes. It is a wonderful way to add some pep to your personal devotions or to encourage you to do devotionals with friends. This book is a true delight!

Every Waking Moment

Treha is a special young woman who is able to connect with Alzheimer patients and draw them out, connecting in a way that helps people talk who haven't talked in months and helping clear memories. The only thing is, Treha doesn't remember her own past.
When her life takes a dramatic change, Treha strikes out on a journey to discover more about her past, so she can figure out how to move forward.
I loved this story! It has a lot going on with all the different characters and then there is a bit of a mystery surrounding Treha's gift. I like that the main theme of the story is that everyone has worth, if we just slow down and take the time to connect. I look forward to reading more by Chris Fabry!

Dear Mr. Knightley

This modern version of Daddy Long Legs tells the story of Samantha Moore, a young woman who survived the foster care system and all its disappointments by retreating behind her books, namely the classics.
When the opportunity arises for her to have her masters paid for from a prestigious school of Journalism, with the one catch being that she has to write the mysterious foundation president to keep him up to date on her progress. Even though trust doesn't come easy for her, she opens up to "Mr. Knightley", figuring that she can trust someone who picked such a honorable character as a pseudonym. As Sam goes through the program, she learns a lot about writing, making friends, and love.
While I admit that I originally picked up this book because of the title (I'm like Sam, Mr Knightley is one of my favorite hero's. lol), I wound up falling in love with the characters and story! Sam is very real as she struggles with letting people get to know her. This is now one of my new favorite romances! I look forward to reading more by this new author, since this was a stellar first novel!  

Unforeseeable

In the third book of the Road the Kingdom series, the small Mennonite town is again facing a mystery, that of a serial killer who has popped up again after being silent for twenty years. As the town tries to work through their struggles seeing eye to eye over the push to become less conservative, they must band together to see that one of their own won't become the next victim.
Through it all, Callie Hoffman must decide where her heart is, and what to do about her recent bursts of anger.
I wasn't sure when I first started this one, if I would like it as much as the previous books in the series, since I thought it might bother me that the mystery had to do with a serial killer who targeted woman. I'm glad that I stuck with this one though, since it wasn't graphic, nor all the story. In some ways, while I would classify this as a mystery, I would say it isn't just a mystery, as there is so much more to the story. I like that Callie has to figure out what she believes. This whole series is wonderful!

The third book of the Brides of Last Chance Ranch tells the story of Miranda Hunt, a woman operative for Pinkerton who is bent on proving herself, as a private eye and as a daughter worthy of the name Hunt. When she is sent to Last Chance Ranch, posing as an heiress applicant, to find the elusive Phantom, Miranda figures this is her opportunity to prove her worth. When she discovers the competition, Wells Fargo, has a detective there as well, she must choose between trust, which just might lead to love, or attempting to figure things out on her own.
I thought this story was a fun blend of humor and history, with a neat message about trusting God, even when He doesn't always make sense. There was also a powerful message of hope, in a world that seems to have gone crazy.

Rebellious Heart

As a child, Susanna Smith insulted the cobblers son by insinuating that he wasn't good enough to be her prince. Years have passed since then, and Benjamin Ross is back in the area after earning his law degree, seeking to help those less fortunate. When Susanna is thrown into the middle of a mystery surrounding the deaths of several young women and a local runaway, she turns to Ben to help her seek justice. Can she put aside her own expectations? How far will she, as a Colonist, go to serve the crown?
I thought this story was fun at first, then I got to the end and realized that it was inspired by John and Abigail Adams, which made me like it all the more! I like that Susanna had to grow in her thinking about what actions were right and what was wrong in the 1760's, struggling with how to be loyal to the king when the taxes were a burden to those who weren't as wealthy as her family. I also liked the relationship she had with Ben. There banter was fun! If you are looking for a good, historical romance,than this one is for you!