The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere

When a struggling young single mother saves the life of an elderly woman, she sets into motion a series of events that will test her strength, loyalty, and determination, all the while setting her on the path to finding true love.

Christine Eisley is the mother of seven-year-old Zach and five-year-old Haley. Her ex-husband provides little, if any, child support and makes life difficult for Christine by using the children as pawns. She works long hours as a waitress to make ends meet, but her job is in jeopardy because she’s often late to work due to the unreliable teenaged sitters she’s forced to use. When Christine saves the life of a woman who works in Wilson’s department store, the owner of Wilson’s wants to find her, to thank her, but Christine has disappeared, losing another job once again. He sets his grandson, Jason, to the task of finding the mysterious “Christy.” Jason, an accountant by trade who has lost his job to downsizing, thinks he is “above” working at Wilson’s. Soon, he discovers that this new task gives him more than he bargains for.

The Christmas Secret is a novel for anyone who wants to see how love is a gift that keeps giving back; that hope is a treasure that never runs dry, and that faith is a miracle that is reborn with each new day.

Donna VanLiere is the New Your Times and USA Today bestselling author of Finding Grace, the Christmas Hope series, and Angels of Morgan Hill. She lives in Franklin, TN, with her husband and three children.  Visit her at her website.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle that seems to have become my life, I was pleased with the opportunity to cuddle up with this book and a blanket for the past several evenings and absorb myself into the lives of Christine and the amazing cast of supporting characters in this book!  I've read the first three  books in this series - The Christmas Shoes, The Christmas Blessing, and The Christmas Hope - but just realized today that I totally missed the fourth book - The Christmas Promise.  Though each book in this series will definitely work as a stand-alone, it's fun to read them all as the characters do all tie together in some way.  I enjoy seeing the names from book to book, and getting just a small glimpse into the lives of past characters I've grown to know and love.  (We also have the 2 movies - The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Blessing - based on these books, and I'd recommend them.)

The Christmas Secret, much like the other books in this series, just continued to amaze me with every twist and turn. Donna has an amazing ability of weaving everything together into a gorgeous tapestry of love, grace, forgiveness, family values, and so much more.  Her stories remind me of a quilt made up of the fabrics of a family's life - there is just so much going on, but it's all put together into one story. 

The ending might make you cry, it might make you smile - no matter what, you'll put this book down with a good feeling.  At least, I did.  With the Christmas season soon upon us, this is a great book to add to your reading list. 

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If you are a tv viewer, you might be interested to know that Lifetime Movie Network will be doing a Donna VanLiere Marathon on December 12th:
4PM ET: The Christmas Shoes
6PM ET: The Christmas Blessing (LMN Premiere - one telecast only)
8PM ET: The Christmas Hope (Premiere)
10PM ET: The Christmas Shoes (Encore)
12AM ET: The Christmas Hope (Encore)

Also in December, LifetimeMovieNetwork.com will post an excerpt from THE CHRISTMAS SECRET and an original essay by VanLiere. The site will also sponsor a contest to win signed copies of the "Christmas Hope" books. Details will be forthcoming on LifetimeMovieNetwork.com.


NOTE: St. Martin's Press provided this book to me for free, in exchange for my honest review, which you see above.

Painting Aalesund by Tod B. Steward

Ten-year-old Trond Halvorsen lives in Aalesund, a picturesque and friendly Norwegian sea-side town. The only problem is that there is no color! The buildings are covered with beautiful designs that no one knows are there.  With his grandfather’s help, Trond discovers them and dreams of fulfilling these designs with brightly colored paints. But Trond doesn’t have any money, paint is too expensive and there just isn’t any to be had. Join Trond as he sets out to bring color to his town in a splendid Norwegian adventure laced with exotic descriptions of deep blue fjords, dark green pines and vividly colored flowers. Painting Aalesund is a simple, heartwarming story that parents will want to read to their children and again to themselves.

Tod B. Steward has been writing in one form or another since he was a boy. Much of his writing for children has been inspired by travels with his wife, son and daughter, where he keeps finding stories just waiting to be told. Currently living in Virginia, he has finished Painting Aalesund and Juliet’s Opera, both published or soon-to-be-published by Tate Publishing.

He has recently finished a story about a cat named Enzo, who lives in Rome, Italy and has just sent to Norway for review the manuscript for another story from Norway.  He is in the midst of writing a second Evelyn Burke Adventure and also a story that takes place in the north of Italy.  And sitting on his desk are stories from France, Great Britain, the United States, and even from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

I really enjoyed this little book.  I read it to myself, over the course of several nights, not because I couldn't sit down and read it all in one sitting, but because I really wanted to absorb it.  What a sweet tale of a little boy with the heart and desire to help his town.  In a day and age where everyone seems to be "looking out for #1", I was pleased to read the story of young Trond.  Trond sees his  town for the beautiful place that it CAN be, not the boring, drab place that it IS.  He sets out to find a way to turn his vision into reality.  With hard work and determination, Aalesund is transformed into a lovely town that people come from far and wide to see.  I was blessed by this little book and will definitely be passing it along to my children to read.

You can learn more about the author and his books (both current and upcoming) on his website.  One thing homeschooling parents will appreciate is the extra help Tod is willing to offer kids who read his book - he'll even post book reports on his site!

Watch Over Me by Christa Parrish

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Watch Over Me
(Bethany House October 1, 2009)
by
Christa Parrish


Things like this don't happen in Beck County. Deputy Benjamin Patil is the one to find the infant girl, hours old, abandoned in a field. As police work to identify the mother, Ben and his wife, Abbi, seem like the obvious couple to serve as foster parents. But the newborn's arrival opens old wounds for Abbi and shines a harsh light on how much Ben has changed since a devastating military tour. Their marriage teeters on the brink and now they must choose to reclaim what they once had or lose each other forever.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Watch Over Me, go HERE.




Christa Parrish graduated high school at 16, with every intention of becoming a surgeon. After college, however, her love of all things creative led her in another direction, and she worked in both theatre and journalism.

A winner of Associated Press awards for her reporting, Christa gave up her career after the birth of her son, Jacob. She continued to write from home, doing pro bono work for the New York Family Policy Council, where her articles appeared in Focus on the Family’s Citizen magazine. She was also a finalist in World magazine’s WORLDview short story contest, sponsored by WestBow press. She now teaches literature and writing to high school students, is a homeschool mom, and lives with her husband, author Chris Coppernoll, and son in upstate New York, where she is at work on her third novel.

I have mixed feelings about this book.  There were things that I just loved about it - such as the whole "baby on the doorstep" type thing that I've always dreamed about, and the character of the deaf boy (I just fell in love with him).  Other things I wasn't so sure about - each character seemed to have so much baggage and it took until well into the book to figure out what most of the underlying issues were with each of them (I just found that confusing), and there were some "intimate" parts that I felt might have been better left to the imagination at times. 

The end was disappointing (in a sad way), but also rewarding at the same time.   I liked it enough to pick up more books by the author.

Leaving Yesterday by Kathryn Cushman

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Leaving Yesterday
Bethany House (October 1, 2009)
by
Kathryn Cushman

Alisa Stewart feels like she's lost two sons: her youngest to a terrible tragedy and her eldest, Kurt, to a life ruined by addiction. But now Kurt has checked himself into rehab and found a healing faith that seems real. It's like he's been raised from the dead.

But then a detective arrives at Alisa's door asking questions about a murder--the death of a drug dealer before Kurt entered rehab. Alisa fears losing her son again, and when she finds evidence linking him to the killing, she destroys it. Her boy is different now. He's changed and deserves a second chance.

But when another man is charged with the crime, Alisa finds herself facing an impossible choice: be silent and keep her son or give up everything for the truth.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Leaving Yesterday, go HERE.


I graduated from Samford University with a degree in pharmacy, but I’ve known all my life that I wanted to write a novel “some day”. For me, “some day” came about five years ago, when I started writing and never looked back.

My third attempt became my first published novel.

A Promise to Remember was a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers Book-of-the-Year in the Women’s Fiction category, and Waiting for Daybreak was a finalist in Women’s Fiction for the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award. Leaving Yesterday just arrived on scene and I’m very excited about it!

On the homefront, I’ve been married to the wonderful and handsome Lee for over twenty years now, and our two daughters are currently braving the worlds of elementary and high school. We’ve lived in Santa Barbara for the last seventeen years. When I’m not writing or reading or braving seventy degree holidays, you’ll find me watching the younger daughter play softball, or the older daughter building amazing high school theater sets.

This is the first of Kathryn's books that I have read, but it will not be the last.  Any mother can quickly find themselves absorbed in Alisa's world.  I can only imagine all that she has been through - losing her first son to a brutal murder, only to have her second son become addicted to drugs (to dull the pain of losing his brother).  My mother's heart went out to her. 

Yes, it's the second book about drug addiction that I've read in a few short weeks.  Though this book is very different from the other one that I reviewed, the pain and the heartache are much the same. 

I appreciate Ms. Cushman's writing style and will definitely be passing Leaving Yesterday along to others to read.  I will also be looking for other books by this author.

The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall

Beth Hertzler works alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store, and serving as contact of sorts between Amish craftsmen and Englischers who want to sell the Plain people’s wares. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart everyday as she still wears the dark garb, indicating mourning of her fiancé. When she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work–including Lizzy’s dry goods store. But she doesn’t know if her bishop will approve of the gorgeous carving or deem it idolatry.

Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth shows her the woodworking, and after Lizzy hunts down Jonah, the artist, she is all the more determined that Beth meets this man with the hands that create healing art. But it’s not that simple–will Lizzy’s elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love–or just more heartbreak?

Cindy Woodsmall is the author of When the Heart Cries, When the Morning Comes, and The New York Times Best-Seller When the Soul Mends. Her ability to authentically capture the heart of her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. A mother of three sons and two daughters-in-law, Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of thirty-one years.

I liked this book.  (surprises you, doesn't it?)  Seriously, though, I think Cindy's writing style is improving.  This book, though written about the Amish, isn't so caught up in Amish ways and traditions; so you can get lost in the story without getting hung up on the Amish "stuff".  I appreciated that.

The story is a bit predictable, in that you are rooting for the couple to get together all through the book and, of course, they do.  But, the story is well-written and has enough twists to keep you reading.  I'm planning to share this book with a friend for Christmas (shhh!  don't tell)

If you want to buy this book too, click here.

a childhood favorite

Books never go out of style, do they?  Recently, Ian has been wanting to be read to more, and he's actually got the patience to sit and listen.  Yesterday, I went to the basement in search of what was once my favorite book.  I can still remember curling up next to my mom, listening to her read it to me.  My copy is a very well-loved copy - complete with crayon markings, courtesy of a 3-year-old ME.  I don't know why I loved it so much, but there's just something special about Miss Suzy and her story.  If you've never read it, check it out at your library.  I bet your kids will enjoy it!

Please tell me about YOUR favorite childhood book.  (I have more, and may share in future blog posts.)

Things Worth Remembering by Jackina Stark

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Things Worth Remembering
Bethany House (October 1, 2009)
by
Jackina Stark


Kendy Laswell and her daughter, Maisey, used to do everything together--until one fateful summer when Maisey witnessed something she shouldn't have, and their relationship fractured. Now, Maisey is back home to get married and Kendy realizes this is her last chance to reconnect with her daughter. Will Kendy and Maisey be able to reclaim the bond they once shared?

Maisey asked for a bride doll the Christmas she was five, mesmerized by her aunt's wedding the fall before. Since then I've been dreaming of the day, or days, we would shop for her wedding dress. A mother helping her daughter find just the right creation for that momentous walk down the aisle strikes me as one of life's happiest endeavors. The night she called to tell us she'd bought her "dream of a gown," I sat beside Luke on the couch, a striking contrast to Maisey's exuberance.
My dejection seemed a tad inappropriate. "Being hurt because I wasn't included is silly, isn't it?" I asked.

"Not so silly," he said.

Will I ever quit longing for the Maisey who was once mine?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Things Worth Remembering , go HERE.


Jackina (pronounced with a long “i” to rhyme with China) Stark recently retired from teaching English at Ozark Christian College to spend more time writing and traveling.

Jackina says: "Although I loved my subjects and my students, I retired to do more writing and speaking, to spend more time with my family, and to travel with family and friends (including trips to encourage two missions in Cambodia). I have also spoken nationally and internationally at many retreats and seminars and enjoy running into many readers and former students. I have written frequently for both Christian Standard and Lookout, periodicals of Standard Publishing. Years ago I wrote two non-fiction books, published by College Press, but currently out of print. These days, I’m exploring fiction. My first novel, Tender Grace, was released by Bethany House January 30, 2009, and Things Worth Remembering, is the second. I’m working on new projects, including a third novel, as time permits. Whether speaking or writing, I love the opportunity to tell about Him whom Jesus called “Holy Father” and “the only true God.”

She has been married to her husband, Tony, for forty-two years. They live in Carl Junction, Missouri, and have two daughters and six grandchildren.

Jackina Stark's name is moving up the ranks of my "favorite authors" list!  Her first novel, Tender Grace, received my rave reviews; so I was thrilled at the opportunity to review Things Worth Remembering.  Like Tender Grace, Things Worth Remembering is written in a journal-like style; the difference is that, in this book, the story is told from the perspective of both Kendy (mother) and Maizey (daughter).  You immediately get the sense that you know these women; and, as you read throughout the book, you get to know them better - so much so that you can feel their heartache and you are cheering them on to a restored relationship in the end.  I won't give the ending away - but I will say that it brought tears to my eyes.  I almost hated to put this book down.  I will definitely be sharing this one with my mom (who also adored Tender Grace).  We'll both be anxious to see what wonderful treasure Jackina Stark comes up with next.  She's a very talented author with a unique writing style.  I would highly recommend picking up both of her books on your next trip to the Christian bookstore!

Note: This blog tour is courtesy of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance.

Your Songs by Harry Connick Jr.

I love music - I always have.  I was raised on music - my mom always listened to music and had been raised in a musical home.  I attended a Christian school where music was of utmost importance.  I've listened to a LOT of various kinds of music over the years - and have developed an appreciation for various genres of music.  So, I was thrilled when I got the news that I would get to review this new cd by Harry Connick Jr., thanks to One2One Network!

The music on this album transported me to a different time and place.  Sometimes we all need that - the past few weeks have definitely been one of those times for me.  Harry's mellow tones, mixed with the big band music, is the perfect combination.  It's a recipe for romance, if you ask me.  I was quickly seeing myself at a nice romantic dinner for two, complete with fancy place settings, candlelight and ... well, who cares about the food?!  Dinner, followed by dancing - and, this girl who hates dresses is even picturing a black dress and some heels (where did that come from?!)  Yes, that's what Harry's music does.  Amazing, isn't it? 

By now, you're probably wondering about the songs on this album.  I was too.  Most are ones that I either remember from my childhood (remember, I was raised on music) - others are ones that I recognize from various movie soundtracks through the years.  Here's the complete list of tracks (including the artist(s) who originally made them popular):

All The Way (Frank Sinatra)
Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)
And I Love Her (The Beatles)
(They Long To Be) Close To You (The Carpenters)
Besame Mucho
The Way You Look Tonight
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
Your Song (Elton John)
Some Enchanted Evening
And I Love You So (Don McLean)
Who Can I Turn To? (Tony Bennett)
Smile (Charlie Chaplin)
Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole)



To give you a taste of the music, here's a video of the making of Your Songs that you may enjoy.  To learn more about Harry, visit his website or become a fan on Facebook (I did!)  Then, go out and buy yourself this album - it would make a great Merry Christmas to ME gift (be sure to wrap it up for yourself with a nice shiny bow!)

Note: This album was sent to me, free of charge, by the One2One Network.  The thoughts shared herein are my own, based on my personal experience with the music.  Results may or may not be typical.

Intervention by Terri Blackstock

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Intervention
Zondervan (September 22, 2009)
by
Terri Blackstock

Barbara Covington has one more chance to save her daughter from a devastating addiction, by staging an intervention. But when eighteen-year-old Emily disappears on the way to drug treatment—and her interventionist is found dead at the airport—Barbara enters her darkest nightmare of all.

Barbara and her son set out to find Emily before Detective Kent Harlan arrests her for a crime he is sure she committed. Fearing for Emily’s life, Barbara maintains her daughter’s innocence. But does she really know her anymore? Meanwhile, Kent has questions of his own. His gut tells him that this is a case of an addict killing for drugs, but as he gets to know Barbara, he begins to hope he’s wrong about Emily.

The panic level rises as the mysteries intensify: Did Emily’s obsession with drugs lead her to commit murder—or is she another victim of a cold-blooded killer?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Intervention, go HERE.


Terri Blackstock’s books have sold six million copies worldwide. Her suspense novels often debut at number one on the Christian fiction best-seller lists, and True Light, published last year, was number one of all Christian books—fiction and non-fiction. Blackstock has had twenty-five years of success as a novelist.

In 1994 Blackstock was writing for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening drew her into the Christian market. Since that time, she’s written over thirty Christian titles, in addition to the thirty-two she had in the secular market. Her most recent books are the four in her acclaimed Restoration Series, which includes Last Light, Night Light, True Light and Dawn’s Light. She is also known for her popular Newpointe 911 and Cape Refuge Series.

In addition to her suspense novels, she has written a number of novels in the women’s fiction genre, including Covenant Child, which was chosen as one of the first Women of Faith novels, and her Seasons Series written with Beverly LaHaye, wife of Tim LaHaye.

Blackstock has won the Retailer’s Choice Award and has appeared on national television programs such as The 700 Club, Home Life, and At Home Live with Chuck and Jenny. She has been a guest on numerous radio programs across the country and the subject of countless articles. The story of her personal journey appears in books such as Touched By the Savior by Mike Yorkey, True Stories of Answered Prayer by Mike Nappa, Faces of Faith by John Hanna, and I Saw Him In Your Eyes by Ace Collins.

My mom and I have both read lots of Terri's books in the past; but Intervention is the first one I've actually received to review.  I was not disappointed.  I received the book only a few days ago, and was a bit concerned that I wouldn't be able to complete it in time to write the review today.  However, this book fit quite well with Terri's "up all night fiction" - I read through it in just a few days. 

I was immediately drawn into the world of Barbara Covington, widow and mother of 2.  When she decides to send her 18 year old daughter into an intervention program (for her drug problems), she never expected the turn of events that take place.  This book includes mystery, murder, intrigue, and all the things that make a good suspense novel.  I was sitting on the edge of my seat with Barbara, as she sought to find her daughter and clear her name.  I could very much relate to her - wanting to take matters into her own hands. 

If you've ever wondered about and/or judged the parents of drug-addicted teens and young people, you should definitely read this book!

*It appears as though I need some new graphics to match my new template, huh?
These kinda clash - oh well!