Bumpy Landings - Donald J. Carey

Summary: All his life, Jordan MacDonald has dreamed of taking flight and soaring above the majestic mountains of his native Hawaii, but he doesn’t dare disobey his mother, who has absolutely forbidden him to fly. Suddenly everything changes when, spurred by the pain of a failed relationship, Jordan begins working toward the coveted pilot’s license. Just as he finds love again, Jordan’s lies start to close in around him, and he soon learns that a life full of dishonesty attracts more turbulence than he’s ever faced in the air.


Set against the exotic backdrop of the Hawaiian islands, this thrilling tale of romance and self-discovery is a perfect vacation from the average love story. Join Jordan as he tests the limits of friendship and finds out just how far his dreams can carry him. Entertaining and engaging, Bumpy Landings will take you to new heights with each turn of the page.  (Summary from book - Image from goodreads.com - Book given free for review)

My Review: I haven't traveled a lot, but by reading you can go anywhere the book takes you—this book took me to Hawaii. I’d like to say I laid on the beach and soaked up the sun and enjoyed the lush green vegetation, but I didn’t.  Instead, I was involved in a young man’s life and his search for someone to love. The story line took several twists and turns but the basic plot centered on his love life, or lack of it, depending on which part of the book you were reading. I actually found parts of Bumpy Landings rather painful to read because they reminded me of what my social life was like when I was much younger—it was hard to relive that. That being said, I feel like this book would have made a good “young adult” fiction book. It was a very light, easy read with very few, if any surprises.

The plot was not deep so it was easy to follow, but I wanted more -- something to make me think, keep me wanting to read, and wondering what would happen next. It was a “happily ever after” story, and for some that would be enough. For me, I would have liked more than just lush green surroundings and fragrant exotic flowers.

My Rating: 3 stars

Sum it up: A light “happily ever after” read with a predictable ending.


(Reviewed by Chris)

I'll Know You by Heart - Kimberly Job

Reviewed by Chris

Summary: The day Stephanie Roberts met Jared Wakefield, she didn’t realize they had met before. Running from an abusive marriage and trying to safeguard her children, Stephanie turns to Jared for support—but he needs more from her than she might be capable of giving. With her abusive husband looming in her past, the difficulties they must overcome seem insurmountable.

Is it possible for love to conquer all? I’ll Know You By Heart is a timeless romance that explores the possibility that relationships span the entire realm of eternity—a story about abuse, hardship, and betrayal—ultimately a story about the healing power of everlasting true love. (Image and Summary from Valor Publishing)

My Review: I’ll Know You By Heart was given to me by Valor Publishing to review and found it very compelling. The topic, spousal abuse, is a sensitive subject that some might find difficult to read. I only say that because if I were living in an abusive relationship I wouldn’t want to read about someone else’s abuse. There were some places in the book where the descriptions of the abuse were very graphic—definitely not for young children or the sensitive reader. That being said, I will say, I found this book hard to put down. There was Saturday’s Warrior type feeling to it that made me want to keep reading. The two main characters had both been in different types of abusive relationships, both were suffering in their own private way, yet they were brought together in an unexpected way to help each other heal and learn to love again.

Children also suffer when one spouse is abusive to the other. Kimberly Job was very good at helping us, as readers, see and feel what they, the children, felt—loving both parents and not knowing what to do with the whole situation, feeling betrayed when someone you love beats up another person you also love, being without a father/mother when you need them the most and feeling betrayed by that same parent.

My heart felt like breaking for Stephanie many times throughout the book as she dealt with one blow after the other both physically and emotionally; yet she still kept going, working to keep her children safe and provided for. I would love to say I “enjoyed” this book, but to me enjoyment is equated with happy feelings. Instead I will say I’ll Know You By Heart was a very good book, one I would highly recommend. It gave me a glimpse at something I have never experienced before and made me very grateful for a very loving spouse.

My rating: 4 stars

Sum it up: A stirring book of heartbreak, devastation and renewal.

Summer in Paris - Michele Ashman Bell

*Review by Chris*

Summary: Kenzie Williams has it all: wealth, friends, popularity, talent. But when her father declares bankruptcy, her whole New York City would turns upside down. Her parents’ solution, while they sort through their problems, is to send Kenzie to live out the summer with her relatives in Paris. . .Idaho!

Feeling like she’s been sentenced to three months in Hickville Prison, Kenzie arrives in Idaho feeling like a square peg with name-brand clothes, crammed into a round, horribly podunk hole.

Leaving everything she loves behind, Kenzie is forced to get up at the crack of dawn, do chores, and hang out with her cousin’s loser friends. She feels like she’s about to die . . .until she meets Adam White, the town outcast, who has been accused of killing his best friend and is being blamed for some trouble that’s been happening around town. Not only is Adam the best-looking guy she’s ever met, he’s also the most fascinating, and Kenzie is determined to get to know him better and discover his secret.

But, the longer she stays in Idaho, the more she realized, Adam isn’t the only one keeping secrets in Paris. (Summary from book - Image from amazon.com)

My review: I received this book to review from Valor Publishing. My first impression was that I didn’t like the cover, it looked kind of boring. I guess that was the whole idea. When Kenzie first arrived in Paris, Idaho she couldn’t believe she was going to be spending the entire summer with a bunch of “hicks”---b-o-r-i-n-g. She learned, like I have learned many times, that “you can’t judge a book by its’ cover.” Summer in Paris was a good, clean, uncomplicated young adult book. It actually took me back (a long way back) to my high school days and some of the feelings I had then—trying to fit in and feel important without sacrificing what I knew was right. Topics such as split families (divorce, separation), financial problems, teen drinking and vandalism were all covered while still keeping the book fun and easy to read.

While Summer in Paris was not one of the most amazingly exciting books I have ever read, it was still a good book with a strong moral message where good triumphs over evil in the end.

My rating: 3.75 stars

Sum it up: You can make good come out of what looks like a bad situation.

Beguiled - Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand

Summary: Rylee Monroe, a dogwalker in Charleston’s wealthiest neighborhood, never feared the streets at night. But now a thief is terrorizing the area and worse, someone seems to be targeting her.

Reporter Logan Woods is following the break-ins with the hope of publishing his coverage as a true-crime book. The more he digs, the more he realized this beguiling dogwalker seems to be at the center of everything.

As danger draws ever closed, Logan must choose: Chase the girl, the story, or plunge into the shadows after the villain who threatens everything? (Image from christianretailing.com - Summary from book)

My Review: While browsing through the Christian fiction section of my local book store I found this new book by an author I have read before—Deeanne Gist. She has written 5 other historical fiction/romance books and I loved everyone of them so I was intrigued. Her partner in writing the book, J. Mark Bertrand, is someone whose writing I have not read before but he writes suspense—romance/suspense, a combination I couldn’t pass up.

Just reading the first 2 pages of Beguiled was enough to capture my attention. From then on it was hard to put the book down (which I had to, of course, because real life always moves on whether we want it to or not). The authors did a great job of creating 4 main characters that were very believable. You knew the kind of people they were early on in the book, with one exception—Karl. He was a puzzle to the very end. Each character was vital to the story line of the book and you either loved them or hated them, which is what is supposed to happen in a good book. The story was never boring, only slowing down a couple of times to allow you to breathe. I was not disappointed in this book at all, in fact, I will recommend it to anyone who wants to listen and even those who don’t want to listen. I would love to see these two authors write another book together. It was a great book and will absolutely go in my reread category.

My rating: 5 stars

Sum it up: Things aren’t always the way they appear to be.

Agent in Old Lace - Tristi Pinkston

Summary: Shannon Tanner has it all, a perfect family, perfect job, perfect boyfriend—or so she thinks. What Shannon doesn’t know is that her boyfriend, Mark, is stealing money from her father and making millions doing it. When Shannon learns Mark’s secret, he turns on her, and Shannon’s life abruptly goes from perfect to perilous.

In an effort to protect Shannon, the FBI assigns their only female agent to go undercover as her personal bodyguard. But when the agent gets injured the day before the assignment, they turn to the next best thing: their top agent, Rick Holden—in a dress.

Life seems safe again for Shannon with Rick by her side and Mark apparently gone for good. Then Shannon gets word that her best friend has been kidnapped, and it becomes clear that Mark isn’t going to stop any time soon. Shannon realizes the only way to save herself and her friend—and stop Mark once and for all—is by sending Rick, her only source of protection, away. Can Rick save Shannon before it’s too late?
(Summary from book - image from deseretbook.com)

My review: I am not a writer by any stretch of the imagination (which you can probably tell when you read any of my reviews) but I am a reader, and I know when a book I’ve read is a good read or not. This book, Agent in Old Lace, was a good read. It was a short book, only 182 pages, but those 182 pages were filled with action, suspense, mystery, romance (every book needs just a little romance) and even a fair amount of humor. Some authors try to make their books longer by adding what I would term as “filler”. Agent in Old Lace did not have any filler in it whatsoever. Every word in the book was important—it said what needed to be said to keep you wanting more. This book will definitely be in my “books to be read again” category. Thank you Tristi for a fun and entertaining read.

My rating: 4.5 stars

Sum it up: A great book to read when you need a break from everyday life (and everything that comes with it).

Shudder - Jennie Hansen

Summary: Darcy and Clare grew up as best friends, sharing trials and triumphs from preschool through college graduation. Now they’re sharing an apartment in Boise, Idaho, where Clare just landed a great job and Darcy is pursuing a teaching certificate. There’s only one problem: Blaine, Clare’s boyfriend. His chauvinistic, know-it-all ways set Darcy’s teeth on edge. Darcy vows not to let Blaine ruin her lifelong friendship with Clare, but when Blaine insists on moving in, Darcy suddenly finds herself alone.

The estranged friends forge ahead on seemingly separate paths. Engaged to Blaine, Clare becomes trapped in ugly family politics and vicious treatment from her fiance. Darcy finds a temporary home with Darlene, an accident victim seeking live-in help, but a twisted plot soon threatens their safety. Clare’s wedding briefly reunites her with Darcy, yet the friends have never been farther apart. And when Clare finds herself in mortal peril and finally calls upon Darcy to help, it might be too late.

My review: Jennie Hansen has been a favorite author of mine for many years. She writes a great suspense novel with just enough romance in it to satisfy the romantic is all of us (women). I was a little hesitant to read Shudder at first because the summary on the back of the book sounded a bit confusing—too many different story lines that could possibly get all tangled up. After many positive reports from different people I finally decided to give it a try. I was not disappointed.

The central theme to the book, domestic violence/spousal abuse, was handled in a very sensitive way while still allowing us, the reader, to feel a little of the horror involved, and Clare’s feelings as she lived through it. We were also able to feel the helplessness Darcy felt when she couldn’t provide the help Clare needed physically or emotionally. The additional story lines, though secondary, kept everything moving along at a very exciting pace. It also allowed us to experience a “happy ending” in spite of all the sadness.

My rating: 4.25 stars

Sum it up: The realities of life aren’t always happy. That’s why we have fiction. A very good read.

Crossfire - Traci Hunter Abramson

Summary: Special Agent Vanessa Lauton is living a lie. For the past year She’s been posing as a member of the Dominican Republic’s most powerful crime family in order to infiltrate a Caribbean terrorist organization. When her CIA contact has a heart attack, he’s replaced by U.S. Navy SEAL squad member Seth Johnson—the man Vanessa nearly married six years before. And suddenly the heat is on, in more ways than one.

Terrorist kingpin Akil Ramir sequesters Vanessa and Seth in his Nicaraguan fortress, where they learn of an impending attack on American soil. The Saint Squad is dispatched to calm the storm, but even their heroic efforts can’t stop multiple threats from escalating. Adrenaline rises as the squad confronts enemies who will stop at nothing to sabotage national security—and Vanessa finds herself caught in the crossfire. (Summary from book - Image from traciabramson.blogspot.com)

My review: Having read all of Traci Abramson’s books I can honestly say they just keep getting better. Crossfire, her 7th book and the third in her Saint Squad series, had me in its’ clutches after the first few pages and didn’t let go of me until the very last page. The suspense was enough to keep me turning pages as fast as I could but not enough to scare the wits out of me (some books, though very good, I can only take in small bites if they get too suspenseful). The plot was very believable and not so involved that I had a hard time keeping track of everyone and everything. Everything kept moving along at a smooth but fast pace. The romantic tension between Seth and Vanessa was not over done and definitely G or PG rated.

In the end, I didn’t want the book to end. I tried reading it slowly (which didn’t happen) just so I could savor it a little more. I loved this book. Can’t wait for her next book in the series to come out.

My rating: 5 stars

Sum it up: A fast paced suspense novel that keeps you wanting more.

Methods of Madness - Stephanie Black

Summary: It's been three years since the terrible night Emily Ramsey suffered a double tragedy-the death of her sister and the disappearance of her fiance. She deserves another chance at happiness, and gentle, adorable Zach Sullivan is the perfect man to mend her shattered heart. But from the moment Emily opens the hand-carved box holding a glittering diamond solitaire, she's seized by an unshakable fear; she's going to lose Zach. That's exactly what Monica, Zach's ex-girlfriend, is banking on. Bitter with envy, Monica will stop at nothing to sabotage Zach and Emily's romance. Troubling notes show up in Emily's mailbox, fanning the flames of suspicion. A bloody photograph sends her reeling. But when someone is brutally murdered, will Emily be able to escape suspicion and the possibility that she might be next? (image and summary from amazon.com)

My Review: This book drove me crazy, which is probably what it was supposed to do. I found myself getting very frustrated because everyone thought “poor Emily” was going crazy, that she was losing her mind and not remembering things that supposedly happened to her. I kept thinking “when is all this madness going to end?” As far as I was concerned there was a little too much “madness” and confusion. There were too many people involved in all this “madness”. At times it was hard to keep track of what everyone was doing and whose side they were on. By the end of the book the issue of too many people was resolved. There was a good climax and the final resolution was very plausible.

Rating: 2.5 stars I had to take this book in small bites.

Sum it up: A young lady tries to prove her sanity to herself and those around her.

Illuminations of the Heart - Joyce DiPastena

Summary: Trained in the art of illumination in the far-off city of Venice, Siri is directed by her late brother's will to the county of Poitou in France, where she enters into the guardianship of her brother's friend, Sir Triston de Brielle. Once in Poitou, Siri hopes to find employment in an illuminator's shop--until Triston unexpectedly snatches her heart away with a kiss.

Triston is a man of quiet honor and courage, but the guilt he carries for the death of his late wife, Clothilde, has left him numb and hesitant to love again. Worse yet, Siri bears and uncanny resemblance to his lost love. Or does she? Her merry laughter and twinkling eyes are very different from his late wife's shy smiles and quiet ways. Yet when he gazes into Siri's face, all he sees is Clothilde.

Then Triston's past returns to threaten them both. Will his tragic life with Clothilde be repeated with Siri? Trapped between the rivalry of the king's sons on the one hand and a neighbor out for vengeance on the other, Triston realizes it would be safer to send Siri away. But how can he bear to lose her again?

Siri is determined not to be cast off and not to live in another woman's shadow. She has illuminated many a priceless book with pen and pain. But can her own vibrant spirit illuminate the darkness in Triston's soul and make his heart beat for her alone?
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Chris’s Review: You are pulled into Illuminations of the Heart in the first few pages by an attempted kidnapping and, for the most part, are not let go until the end of the book. I found the story of Siri (Siriol di Calendri) and Triston to be a sweet, tender romance. They had their problems to work out, as we all do, but in the end they were together. Triston was a very strong person morally. He didn’t drink, he didn’t sleep around and when he gave someone his oath it was binding. He was also a typical knight—he fought for his honor and the honor of the woman he loved. Siri was young, vibrant and beautiful. She was also of the same moral character as Triston, so their relationship was not something I was embarrassed to read about.
The action in Illuminatons just kept coming and coming. There was plenty of sword and fist fighting, racing off on horses, and falling down stairs to keep anybody reading; unfortunately, the same action was repeated too many times, just by different characters. I also found myself getting lost wandering around in the genealogy, trying to figure out who came from whom and where this all fit in with the story.

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Sum It Up: It was a good story and a good read, it just wandered too much for my tastes.
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Mindy’s Review: I’m secretly (or perhaps, now, not-so-secretly) a huge fan of romance novels where the woman is saved by the tall hero. Perhaps it’s because I was 5’10” in the 7th grade, but I haven’t really had much opportunity in my life to be play the petite damsel in distress and so every so often I like to live vicariously. So. Sue. Me. Illuminations offered the perfect opportunity to live out that particular fantasy quite alot.

There were parts of this book that I really liked. Illuminations is blessed with a much better writing style than some LDS lit I’ve read and kept from going over the romance/sex line that I have drawn in my head. However, while I enjoyed the basic plot of the story I felt that it’s essence sometimes got lost amid an extensive tangle of schemes, villains, family histories, and historical tie-ins. Occasionally it was a little bit confusing trying to keep track of who had betrayed whom, who killed whom, and whether it was on accident or on purpose.

The medieval setting allowed for some valiant chivalry and sizzling romance, but the plot was so laden with assaults to Siri’s virtue and duels fought in her honor as to be almost laughable. Seriously, how many times can a woman go into a room with a man she doesn’t particularly trust before she learns to either a) not go into the room or b) carry a much bigger knife.

This book, while very enjoyable, would have benefited from being whittled down to a shorter, simpler love story. However, if you are in the mood for a scorchingly romantic (yet fairly clean) book with a lot of twists and turns rescues and then even more twists and turns rescues, then you will likely find happiness within the pages of this book.

My rating: 3 Stars

Sum it up: A fun, romantic story that (while occasionally confusing) was nice and sizzle-y without all the sex.
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Kim's Review: I picked this up during the weekend, I wanted to have plenty of time to get into it before I put it down. I will admit that I was a little skeptical at first, I was unsure about the content being something that could hold me. That being said, I did enjoy this book. It wasn't at all what I expected and I really felt engaged with the characters, but not nearly so with their surroundings. As a historical fiction I wanted more about the history, the lifestyle, etc.
Although the storyline was basic, it was well written. The author obviously had these characters in her head long before they were developed on paper.

Rating: 2.5 Stars

Sum it up: A good love story, with precious little else to hold you in your seat.
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AVERAGE RATING : 3 Stars

You can find this book on Amazon or Deseret Book.
You can also visit Joyce's Blog or Walnut Spring's Press for more information on this book.

Would you like to win a free autographed copy of this book?!?! Just comment on this review and you'll be entered to win.

The Route - Gale Sears

Summary: Zipping along life's highway . . . Fifty makes you think. Thirty makes you morose, and forty makes you panic, but fifty makes you think. Half a century, and what is my life? Does it resemble anything I dreamed at sixteen, or expected at twenty, or hoped at twenty-five? What am I doing here? . . . I thought of climbing to the top of a high mountain in Tibet to consult a wise man, but I like vacations where there is indoor plumbing and vegetation. Since I already attended church, I thought perhaps I could pay closer attention. Maybe I'd been missing a great fundamental truth. Well, come to find out, I had been missing something. . . . Carol, a middle-aged wife and mother, is pondering the meaning of life. On a trip to the grocery store to find some energizing dark chocolate, she sees a sign asking for volunteers to deliver meals to the elderly. When Carol decides to take a chance and help out, she¹s in for a life-changing and route-altering‹ experience. (summary from galesears.com - image from walnutsprings press)

Here at Reading For Sanity, we are of several minds (and ratings) on this book. Here’s three opinions from three reviewers who are at different places in their lives.
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Chris’s Review: I loved this book! It drew me in on the very first page and didn’t let go of me until the last. I found myself riding along with Carol as she delivered meals, getting to know and love the people she delivered the meals to, and feeling the emotions she felt as she got to know each person. The names on Carol’s delivery list became more than just names to her (and me), they became real people with amazing lives.

The author did what a good author is supposed to—she made me feel like I was part of the story that was unfolding. I laughed at what “old age” sometimes makes people say, I cried because of all the sadness and loneliness in their lives, I felt anger at the way some of their children treated them and I even felt guilt (mostly because I have and 86 year old mother and a sister who lives in an assisted living center). The characters ranged from kind, gracious and loving people living in nice, but humble homes, to ornery people living in trailers or run down apartments. Their stories were all different but in the end they all needed what Carol could and did give them---LOVE.

My Rating: 5+ Stars

Sum It Up: I was telling people about this book before I’d even finished it. I would recommend it to anyone. It was a wonderful read!
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Emily's Review: I was intrigued by the summary of this book. It looked to be a nice read with the possibility of introspection and occasional bits of wisdom. And gratefully, that is what I got.

I appreciated that this was a book about a fifty-year-old woman, written by someone…ahem, who I would guess is about that age as well. The introduction of the book explains that this is a novel based on the author’s similar experience. Because of its basis in reality it has a perfectly plausible “plot” (really more of a collection of moments and events), and the authors thoughts and reasons for starting this volunteer experience are those I could imagine myself having. Okay, so actually I have thought these things (minus the being fifty part) and even looked up the meals-on-wheels in our area.

The narrator of the story serves a group of people that I found as fascinating as she did. As I read of her interactions with them I felt like I got to know them just as she did. Introducing the reader to these people is the point of the story and the part I most enjoyed.

This book fits in the category of “what I’ve learned in my life” memoirs (I’m assuming its mostly true, even though billed as a novel) and functioned best under that role when simply telling the story. It was less successful when the author pointed out “what had been learned,” generally by using (over-using) the phrase “I made a mental note to…” I could have done without nearly every “aside” of this type; they watered down the message by taking away my own incentive to try and seen the meaning in the stories she told.

My Rating: 3.5 stars – Worth reading, not life changing.

Sum it Up: A nice read with the possibility of introspection and occasional bits of wisdom.
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Heather’s Review: Gale Sears begins her novel, The Route, in a uniquely captivating manner. It almost seems like the narrator of the story, Carol, is writing a letter to the reader about what it feels like to turn fifty after spending life as a SAHM when all the children have left home. Carol speaks in a witty manner about filling the void in her life, quickly drawing the reader in. Unfortunately the book quickly loses momentum in the next chapter as the story turns from an amusing narrative of one lively lady’s life to a chronicle of her volunteer experiences with brief glances into the lives of the seniors she delivers meal to. Carol loses her substance and charm, becoming a character that merely exists on Thursdays (her volunteer day).

I longed for more detail into Carol’s life and felt that this lack of information left Carol a one-dimensional character.I would not consider this novel especially thought provoking, however it did contain quite a few enjoyable antedates and quotes worth a minute or two of pondering. The story overall, while leaving much to be desired, did a good job of showing the benefits of volunteering from both the receiving side and the giving side. It left me longing to be of more service to others.

My Rating: 2.5 Stars, I wouldn’t say that I didn’t like it, I just didn’t find it as enjoyable as many of the books I have given 3 stars to.

Sum it up: A quick and mildly entertaining glance into the power of volunteering and the beauty of age.
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AVERAGE RATING : 3.67 Stars

Available at Amazon or Deseret Book.

Don't forget to check out Gale's blog or Walnut Springs Press blog for more great book suggestions.

Would you like to win a free autographed copy of this book?!?! Just comment on this review and you'll be entered to win.

All the Stars in Heaven - Michele Paige Holmes

Reviewed by Chris

Summary: Ever since the woman he once adored told Jay Kendrich he was a chivalrous hero, he has tried to live up to the praise. But when things don't work out with Jane, moving on and dating other girls proves to be a chore. That is until he meets fellow Harvard student Sarah Morgan. Although Sarah is a freshman studying music and Jay is in his third year of law school, he discovers they have much in common. He has also discovered that getting to know the shy pianist is painful. The last thing Jay expected from his friendly advances was to be assaulted by a brawny stranger. It is abundantly clear that someone wants him to stay away from Sarah. If only he could. As long as she can remember, Sarah has lived under a watchful eye. While her father insists it's for her own protection, Sarah feels imprisoned. As she begins to believe that those she has trusted most don't have her best interest at heart, she is driven further from her respected father and closer to Jay. But their love will come at a high price as the pair edges closer toward to a truth that is darker than either of them could have imagined. (Summary and image from seagullbook.com)

My review: All the Stars in Heaven was written as a companion, but not necessarily a sequel, to Counting the Stars. Jay Kendrich has had a very rough life—part of which included a drug addict mother who died of an overdose. He turns his life around and enters law school at Harvard. While at Harvard he meets Sarah Morgan, a 24/25 year old freshman music major whose life is totally controlled by her overbearing police chief father who, I might add, is controlled by J.D. Rossi, a mob boss. Sarah has never had her hair cut, never ridden a bike, never gone out on a date, never used a blower dryer for her hair or worn makeup. Jay opens us a whole new world to Sarah who in turn gives meaning to his life.

The mob connection in this book provided an element of suspense that kept me engaged and wanting more, until the end of the book. There were many twists and turns in the plot leaving me wondering who the “bad guys” were and who the “good guys” were—who I could trust. Once or twice I had to stop reading just to give myself time to de-stress from what I was reading about.

There was also just enough romance to keep the romance junkie in me happy. I particularly liked how Jay treated Sarah—like she was a beautiful flower just starting to bloom. He helped to nourish and promote the blooming.

The book was a typical LDS fiction, nothing objectionable in the content, but only 2 or 3 references to the LDS (Mormon) Church. I’ve read plenty of Christian fiction and some of it tends to get a little to preachy for my tastes. This was not the case with All the Stars in Heaven. Any religious references were subtle—Mormons and food storage. Anyone could read it and enjoy it.

My rating: 4 stars

Sum it up: Although I didn’t absolutely adore this book, I did find it a very enjoyable read. It left me with a good feeling.

Under a Lakota Moon - Deborah L. Weikel

Summary: As a divorcee in 1870 St. Louis, Rosalynn McAllister is a branded woman. When she is presented with the opportunity for a new life with her sister's family in Peaceful, Minnesota, Rosalynn believes it is what God wants for her. But Rosalynn arrives in Peaceful only to find that her sister Susan has run off, her brother-in-law Mike is dead, and her niece and nephew are in the custody of the town's minister. Furthermore, Mike's handsome half-brother, Lone Wolf Larson, who now owns the family farm, stirs feelings in Rosalynn that both excite and confuse her.

When Rosalynn and Lone Wolf must marry to obtain custody of the children, Rosalynn assumes it will be a loveless marriage. After all, she believes that no man could love a divorced woman, and experience has taught her her that men are not to be trusted. Lone Wolf, persecuted for his Lakota Sioux heritage, also has trust issues, yet he secretly feels that Rosalynn is his destiny. Will Rosalynn and Lone Wolf put aside their fears and learn to embrace love, hope and forgiveness? And will their faith see them through seemingly insurmountable trials? (Summary from back of book - Image from amazon.com)

Chris’s Review : Normally I don’t like to read the first books of new authors. We usually learn from experience, so 2 or 3 books makes a big difference in how well a book is written. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised with this book, Under a Lakota Moon. The author told a sweet story of patience, courage and love; and how they can help heal a person who has suffered from abuse or bigotry. The story line was pretty typical—boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love but doubt each others’ love, something or someone from the past resurfaces to cause problems and finally, love conquers all.

One thing I did have a problem with was all the times Rosalynn referred to Lone Wolf as “ my darling”. Come on, do people really talk like that? Did people talk like that in the 1800’s? I’m not sure, but it did sound a bit corny to me. Basically, though, it was a good story told in a very uncomplicated way.

Her Rating: 3.5 Stars

Sum It Up: A sweet, simple, clean love story with a happy ending.
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Mindy’s Review: First, I must echo the sentiments of Chris’s review. Ditto. Under a Lakota Moon definitely follows the standard romance format. There were few surprises. Regardless, I was entertained. I still found myself interested in the storyline, wanting to know exactly how events would unfold, despite the occasional syrupy endearment or preachy moment. I’ve always been intrigued with old-fashioned farming life and this was a great book to live vicariously through. There was lots of talk of putting up jams and harvesting crops to feed my insane desire to live back then. I will most reluctantly confess that my heart did indeed beat faster at some of the more, erm, descriptive parts. If I were a proper lady I would have fanned my face and perhaps swooned. But I’m not—so I just sat back and enjoyed the escape. This was a fun, clean, one-time, romantic read.

Her rating: 3.5 Stars.

Sum it up: If you’re in the mood for an clean, easy-to-read, fairly predictable, but all-out romantic novel then you’re in luck.
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Kari’s Review: I really liked this book. There were parts that seemed typical LDS lit. If you've read LDS lit, you know what I mean. A couple parts seemed a little inaccurate or missed editing, but truly it was rare. I really liked the characters and the message. Also, for LDS lit, it doesn't mention the church at all. It could be sold in any Christian literature store and no one would know the author is LDS. My only gripe with the characters and the story line was that it seemed, once in a while, that the author back tracked or contradicted herself with the emotions the characters portrayed from scene to scene. Otherwise, it was a great little (and fast!) read.

Her rating: 4 stars

Sum it up: A typical clean romance with a sweet message and endearing characters.
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AVERAGE RATING: 3.67 Stars

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Rose Daughter - Robin McKinley

Summary: When their father's business fails, three sisters move to a tiny neglected cottage far away from anything they have ever known. Beauty tends the awkward, unknown, thorny plants that surround it, and when they bloom the following summer an old woman tells her: "Roses are for love. Not silly sweethearts' love but the love that makes you and keeps you whole. . . there aren't many roses around any more because they need more love than people have to give them to make them flower." And when Beauty takes her father's place at the terrifying Beast's palace she discovers that the Beast's beloved rose garden is dying. . . . (summary from robinmckinley.com - image from powells.com)

My review: I love fairy tales, even as the mother of five grown children and one not so grown, so I was eager to read Rose Daughter and see what Robin McKinley came up with. Fairy tales are well know and well loved, so the retelling of one needs to be something that reaches out and grabs you in the first chapter or two. McKinley left me wandering around in the in the halls of a magical castle for almost 4 weeks (I’m serious, it took me that long to finish this book). While Beauty spent most of her time in Beast’s glass house taking care of his roses, he was out in his orchards or up on the roof of his massive castle brooding. If I were turned into a beast I’d probably brood too, but this is a fairytale not real life.

I’m a person who keeps plugging along at a book because usually, sooner or later, you get to the really good part and are glad you stuck with it. I was glad I stuck with it but only so I could say I had finished the book. The good thing about this book was that it contained no objectionable material. Anyone could read it.

My Rating: 2.5 Stars

Sum it up: If you love magical books that keep you wandering until the very end you might like this book.