Book Reviews O-Titles

Two time periods—Regency England and contemporary Chicago—are woven together when Talie Ingram finds an old journal belonging to her great-great-great grandmother, Cosima Escott. Through Cosima’s entries, Talie learns that her family was once considered cursed with feebleminded offspring, the result of a genetic disorder (Fragile-X) that may have been passed down to Talie and her sister. Unwilling to face the implications their discovery might have on her own life, Talie tucks the journal back into secrecy, until she begins to see signs of developmental delay in her son. (Inspirational/Women/Fiction)

Carrie Montoya's life contains a double challenge, a physical therapy career and jettisoning her Hispanic heritage. Her client, Randy Sinclair, is challenged both physically and emotionally. With Carrie trying to reinvent herself, and Randy pushing friendship away with both hands, they enter into an unlikely contract. Gradually this mismatched pair learns there is a lot more to rehab than getting back on one's feet. (Inspirational/Contemporary/Romance)

It's Los Angeles in the early seventies, and Stephen Friedman is living the groovy southern California life of a real estate wheeler-dealer. He's making money hand-over-fist and has long ago given up hope of finding the family he'd lost in warn-torn Poland. But when a strange, deceased woman's papers reveal that she possessed a priceless religious relic, and that she may have been his mother, Stephen becomes hungry for answers. His hunger just might kill him. As Stephen frantically pursues his family's lost legacy, someone pursues him? Someone equally obsessed with the prize. It looks like the man most obsessed will gain everything. And the loser will lose it all. (Inspirational/Suspense)

Judge Laurel Kincade, a rising political star, is announcing her candidacy for chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. Her aristocratic Old South family, led by her judge grandfather, beam as she takes the podium. Then her eyes light on a reporter in the crowd—and suddenly her past is on a collision course with the present. Journalist Cole McGaughan, religion reporter for the New York Daily Journal, has received an intriguing call from an old friend. Private investigator Matt Hogan has come across a tip—that Laurel’s impeccable reputation might be a façade. Matt suggests that Cole dig up the dirt on the lovely judge in order to snag his dream job as one of the Journal’s elite political reporters.There’s just one problem: Cole’s history is entangled with Laurel’s, and he must decide if the story that could make his career is worth the price he’d have to pay. A sensational scoop becomes a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Can Laurel and Cole find forgiveness and turn their hidden past into a hopeful future—while keeping their feelings off the record. (Inspirational/Contemporary /Romance)

When revolution threatens to destroy the Romanov dynasty, Anton Klassen is given a sacred trust and a royal command by none other than the Imperial Czar Nikolai himself. (Inspirational/Historical/Romance)

Super senior sleuth Ivy Malone is headed across the country with a stray cat and God as her only companions, but just when she thinks she's safe, two dead bodies turn up. (Inspirational/Suspense)

Five women united by a wedding share stories over one unforgettable day, emphasizing love and perseverance while encouraging one another to overcome relational obstacles. (Inspirational/Women/Fiction)

Can God really change a person and heal broken relationships? Janice has to decide what to believe when her estranged and now-famous husband seeks forgiveness and reconciliation. (Inspirational/Contemporary/Romance)

As the local high school principal, Peter Stone knew troubled student Sean Williams needed his expert assistance. And as a Christian, Peter knew God was leading him to help. Yet it was the boy's mother who captured Peter's notice. Laura, a widow caring for her four children and ailing aunt, had no time for romance or religion. Somehow, despite her protests, Laura found herself and her brood frequent visitors to Peter's ranch and the church he attended. Soon it seemed her family was meant to complete Peter's life. (Inspirational/Romance)

In 1967 the military build-up in Viet Nam is undergoing a dramatic surge. The resulting explosion of anti-war sentiment tears the country apart, slicing through generations and shattering families. In the quiet bedroom community of Shepherdsville, Minnesota, the war comes home to Frank and Maggie McRae, whose only son, Mike, is serving as a grunt in Viet Nam. What God has in mind this bleak Christmas is a miracle. As on that holy night so long ago … in a world torn by sin and strife … to a family that has suffered heart-wrenching loss …will be born a baby. (Inspirational/Women/Fiction)

A former rising star in the music world, Ursula loves being a happily married stay-at-home mom--but that's about to change. Her silvery voice entrances pop singer Nik Prevelakis. When he asks her to record an album with him, she hesitates. How can she have a successful career without disrupting her family life? (Inspirational/Women/Fiction)

Isabella's parents are traditional, conservative Cubans. They would never dream of letting their daughter speak privately with a man. But something draws her to Richard Southard? Something she can't resist. The more she knows him, the more she finds herself falling helplessly in love. But Richard is a man of honor. Although he is as attracted to Isabella as she is to him, he will respect her culture's traditions. Only God knows the way for Isabella and Richard to honorably scale the barrier that lies between them. (Inspirational/Historical/Romance)

Hap Bowman and his rodeo partner, Laramie Majors, set out to find Hap's lost childhood love and are soon chasing down every Juanita from Wyoming to the Mexican border. Every place they go leads to more trouble and excitement—whether it’s herding cattle across the Rio Grande, facing off against a crooked park ranger in the Chisos Mountains, or rounding up wild mustangs on a desert military testing ground. Though their search may or may not lead to Juanita, it will definitely be the adventure of a lifetime for these two modern-day cowboys. (Inspirational/Fiction)

Leslie had a good life: a happy family, a great career (even if it did pull her away from her home), and all the energy of urban living. But she finds herself miles away from the city she knows and loves when her husband moves her and the children back to his boyhood home in Montana to help his mother work the struggling family farm. Being a farmer's wife was definitely not in Leslie's plan, and now she finds herself dealing with dirty cows, giant machinery, eccentric neighbors, and an extended family she doesn't quite fit into. When her husband hints that the move might be permanent, Leslie must decide—can she really handle this much fresh air? (Inspirational/Women/Fiction)

Only the Wind Remembers is based on the true story of Ishi, the last surviving Yahi Indian, who emerged alone from the California wilderness in 1911 and was thrust into the bewildering world of San Francisco society. Allison Morgan, an assistant curator at the museum where Ishi is put on display, quickly forms a deep friendship with this "Stone Age" man. Abandoned in an alley as a child and unable to open herself up even to her husband, Allison can identify with Ishi's loneliness and fear. But the secret fable Ishi begins telling her gives Allison hope that things can be different. Will Ishi die before he can reveal to Allison the truth she was destined to hear? (Inspirational/Historical/Fiction)

When Benny Malone's past puts her in grave danger from a murderer, she turns to Border Patrol pilot Owen Carmichael to squire her away to safety. Owen soon finds himself falling for Benny--despite the reality of her checkered past. (Inspirational/Romantic/Suspense)

Dove House has burned to the ground, Ruby and Rand have married, and now Rand’s ranch is home for them all. Ruby’s younger sister, Opal, is taking to ranch life like a hummingbird to sugar water. She can outshoot, outride, and work as hard as any cowboy on the place. Ranching has clearly stolen her heart. When a young minister arrives from the East, he is amazed to find himself falling in love with Opal, even though she is not a woman anyone would think of as a pastor’s wife. But when God takes hold of a heart, He can work amazing miracles, and Jacob Chandler just might be the one to eventually woo her away from the ranch. (Inspirational/Historical/Fiction)

In this latest take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic detective, Holmes embarks on a quest to disprove a miracle that saved his life. He sets off with Watson for Jerusalem, encountering on their way a dangerous villain. (Inspirational/Mystery/Apologetics)

It is 1964 and 14-year-old Jocie Brooke is about to have an unforgettable summer. Her father has found a new love, her hippie sister is about to have a baby, and her aunt is finally pleasureable to live with. But, when a black family from Chicago moves into the quiet hamlet of Holly County, Kentucky, Jocie finds herself befriending a boy that some townspeople shun. Due to the unspoken racial lines in the southern town, the presence of these newcomers sparks a smoldering fire of unrest that will change Holly county – and Jocie – forever. (Inspirational/Contemporary/Women/Fiction)

When her aunt dies and leaves her nothing, Lydia Jackson heads to Oregon City in a wagon train to fulfill a teaching position. When a wagon train escort officer starts to show her attention, Lydia feels she must reject the man because of her obligations. Corporal Mike Brown has been assigned by the U.S. military to escort the wagon train safely through the frontier. Still grieving the loss of his wife and son, he welcomes time in the open wilderness as his heart tries to mend. What he doesn't expect is to be attracted to Lydia Jackson. After being faced with all the harrowing experiences of the great West, will they be able to resist their feelings for each other? Or will Lydia find a future with her Oregon escort? (Inspirational/Historical/Romance)

This first book in a new series introduces former FBI agent-turned-P.I. Colton Parker. His rebellious teenage daughter blames him for her mother's death, and his first paying client has only enough money for one day's worth of investigating. (Inspirational/Mystery)

Hold this little book of Christmas ornament ideas in your hand and you'll want to try making all 25 of them. Every idea is easy to make—so make one for each of the 25 days before Christmas. Trims made of all kinds of materials are included with full-size patterns. (Nonfiction/Crafts)

Olina Sandstrom is on her way to America to marry her fiancé, but in her heart, she carries a secret that stands like an insurmountable wall between her and God. Gustaf Nilsson is the eldest son, so he often is expected to clean up the messes his brother makes. This is not a role he enjoys, and the mission he is on now is the most odious he has ever had. When these two lives collide, will Olina and Gustaf be able to see God's hand in bringing them to this place? Will they let Him lead them both to the better life He planned for them all along?

Set in Charleston, Out of the Shadows introduces Nick Barret. He is drawn home by a mysterious note about the mother who abandoned him. Past secrets emerge to meet present danger. Along the way, Nick comes face-to-face with the God he has always denied. (Inspirational/Suspense)

When Valerie decides to go on a short-term mission trip to a Haitian orphanage, she meets another American, Max Jordan, a 47-year-old doctor with a tragic past. Valerie feels more and more called to remain in Haiti while Max plans to return to the States . . . but what is God's plan for them? (Inspirational/Fiction)

In the year 2012, Valkerie Jansen, a young microbial ecologist, is presented with an amazing opportunity to continue her research as a member of the NASA corps of astronauts. When a sudden resignation opens the door for her to be a part of a mission to Mars, her life dream becomes a reality. Dreams turn suddenly to nightmares for NASA and the crew as an explosion cripples the spacecraft on the outward voyage. The crew's survival depends on complete trust in one another--but is one of the four the saboteur? (Inspirational/Science Fiction)