Shadow in Serenity - Terri Blackstock

4.5/5

Oh, this was a fun little read.  Shadow in Serenity by Terri Blackstock is fast paced romantic fiction with a little intrigue mixed in for good measure.  Terri Blackstock could be considered the pioneer of Christian suspense novels, and I have always enjoyed reading her thrilling tales, but was even more captivated by this foray into romantic fiction.  With Shadow in Serenity, Blackstock leaves the chilling suspense behind in favor of a well written romance that still packs a mysterious punch.

Description from Publisher: Carny Sullivan grew up in the zany world of a traveling carnival. Quaint and peaceful Serenity, Texas, has given her a home, a life, and a child. Logan Brisco is the smoothest, slickest, handsomest man Serenity, Texas has ever seen. But Carny Sullivan knows a con artist when she sees one—and she’s seen plenty, starting with her father. As far as Carny Sullivan can tell, she’s the only one in town who has his number. Because from his Italian shoes to his movie-actor smile, Logan has the rest of the town snowed.

 Logan Brisco and Carney Sullivan are an antagonistic match made in heaven.  Both characters benefit from a colorful and interesting back story rooted in the world of con-artists and carnival tricks.  Despite being wary and suspicious of the others motives, Carney and Logan fall head first into a tumultuous romance that threatens to unravel the lives they have carefully constructed.

I loved reading this book and was hooked from beginning to end.  In fact, I could hardly put it down and probably did irreparable damage to my husband and child while ignoring them so I could finish it (just kidding, I hope)!  The plot moved along at an engaging pace; perfectly well written and executed.  I especially enjoyed the tender scenes between Logan and Jason, Carney's son.  This book was romantic, heartbreaking and mysterious in all the right places.  I would highly recommend it.

Disclosure of Material: I received a complimentary copy from Zondervan. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Longing - Karen Kingsbury

3/5

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of Karen Kingsbury's highly anticipated new book, Longing.  This aptly titled novel is book number three in the Bailey Flanigan series, and one that I have been itching to get my hands on since I stayed up all night to finish the previous installment.  Let's just say that I stayed up way too late finishing this one as well.  Kingsbury has a way of writing characters that wrap you around their fingers, making you care deeply about their fictional lives.  After reading every single book in the Baxter series I have an investment in the love story between Bailey Flannigan and Cody Coleman, and Longing finally took a definitive step towards the future of their angst filled relationship.  To say that it is a step I am conflicted about would be a gross understatement.

Longing picks up where Learning (book number two in the series) left off.  Bailey Flanigan is living her dream as a dancer on Broadway, performing in Hairspray seven days a week.  She is also dating Brandon Paul, a famous movie star and new Christian who has pursued her relentlessly since they met.  Meanwhile, Cody Coleman is excelling in his football coaching career and dating Cheyenne, a beautiful girl whose needs make him feel important and useful.  As Bailey and Brandon's relationship grows, Cody and Cheyenne face devastating news, and both Bailey and Cody realize that closure is necessary in order to move beyond their broken past and towards the future God has planned for them.

I have a hard time criticizing Kingsbury's books because I love her messages and the scriptural truth she weaves into her novels.  At times I did feel as though I had read this book before.  The direction that Bailey and Brandon's relationship is taking reminds me heavily of Dayne and Katy's journey in the Baxter series.  Also, Kingsbury's writing style has gotten a little bit preachy, and not even about the spiritual elements of the book.  It was as if I was being force fed the plot, line by line, often discovering a character development or new storyline in a heavy handed way.  This was most evident with the author's Forever in Fiction character, whose biography spilled out in the same way an obituary might be read.  It was uncreative and uninspiring.  Still, Longing hooked me from the start and I'm so desperate to know how Bailey's story ends that I can forgive a few literary misgivings.

I'm still trying to process the journey that Karen Kingsbury took me on in this novel.  I have to be truthful in saying that I have been "Team Cody" since day number one.  I believe this was the intention of the author, as Kingsbury writes Cody and Bailey's complicated relationship in a special way.  It seems that she has always been rooting for them, choosing a difficult path for their relationship, but believing that their future ultimately lies with each other.  She has brought Bailey and Cody together and torn them apart in many different ways, but their love has always been honest and real, it was never in question.  Until now.

Because this is an advanced review and the book does not officially release until November 22nd, I don't feel like I can fully explore the direction in which Kingsbury takes Longing.  I do not want to ruin the story, or even reveal any of the little surprises that pepper the book from beginning to end.  I do feel the need to point out that I was ultimately a little disappointed in this novel.  I'm afraid Team Cody might not even be in the game anymore.  Maybe my heart broke a little, even though all the characters seemed to reach resolutions they were happy with.  I just wasn't happy with them, not yet anyway.  But Brandon's character has won over Bailey, he's won over Karen Kingsbury, and maybe by the end of this series he will win over me.

Of course, there is still one more book until Bailey, Cody and Brandon's story is ultimately complete.  The final installment, Loving, is due out early next year.  It goes without saying that I will be counting the days.  

Disclosure of Material: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Baker's Wife - Erin Healy

4/5

This is an excellent book.  Don't let the name fool you; The Baker's Wife is not the story of a happy cook in an idyllic hometown.  This story is about pain, forgiveness and fear.  It will take you to the edge of your seat in suspense and make you ask deep questions about your faith.  The entire read was dramatic and thought provoking, leading you down a twisted path of betrayal and lies.  The kicker is that this all takes place within the Christian community, within in the Church.  It's enough to make you rethink almost everything you thought you knew about forgiveness and loving others.

Audrey is the baker's wife, but she used to be the pastor's wife.  The church board decides to fire her husband when their son is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a deacon's daughter.  As the allegations and lies continue to unfold, Audrey mysteriously runs into a scooter on a foggy morning.  There is a lot of blood, but no body.  The scooter belongs to Julie, the head deacon's wife.  As you can imagine, the blame is heaped onto Audrey and her family.  This leads the deacon, the ex-pastor and the baker's wife into a tension filled race to discover what has happened to Julie.  The web of deceit threatens to entangle them and the spiritual journey they take as their world begins to unravel is a thrilling, wild ride.

This is Christian suspense writing at its best.  Despite not having a huge affinity for the murder mystery genre, I loved every minute of this story, from the way the weather foreshadowed the plot to the deep spiritual questions author Erin Healy asked of her characters.  I really had no idea what was coming next, flipping each page with anticipation of learning the truth, and not finding a moment's rest until I did. Not often does a piece of fiction grab hold and teach me lessons about my own personal walk with Christ.  The Baker's Wife encouraged me to address some long, unanswered questions.  I have discovered a wonderful new author and I hope you do too!

Disclosure of Material: I received this book free from the publisher via Book Sneeze. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Something New - Dianne Christner

3.5/5

Something New by Dianne Christner is a bit of a mixed bag.  In some parts it is so perfectly written that you practically forget you are reading a piece of fiction.  You begin to believe the characters are real, even thinking about them long after you've put the book down.  But, there are times when the plot moves along so tediously you also begin to wonder why you even picked the book up in the first place.  Luckily, these moments are few and far between, and Something New ultimately delivers an interesting take on a classic coming of age romance story.

Lillian Landis, a conservative Mennonite in Plain City, Ohio, has a dream that runs against the grain of her simple faith.  As a child she has always craved excitement and attention, pursuing a culinary degree despite the wishes of her parents.  Lillian is on her way to reaching her dreams and making head chef when she is forced to return home to care for her clinically depressed mother.  After a series of unlikely circumstances, Lil begins a romance with a veterinary student who does not adhere to the same conservative values as her family.  As she begins to explore the desires of her heart, Lil discovers that the path she has set herself on might not be the same one that God has planned for her life.

I greatly enjoyed the detailed look into the conservative Mennonite faith that author Dianne Christner provides.  Most of the characters were well written and believable, although a few of them could have used a bit more development in order for the reader to care about them.  Lillian is a very likeable protagonist, and I often found myself rooting for her and Fletch, hoping that somehow God would weave their hearts together despite the many circumstances that developed to keep them apart.  Also, I found it a fun coincidence that both main characters had careers that I at one point intended to pursue, so I did relate to them in a way that others might not.  Lil is constantly cooking and I enjoyed all the culinary talk, including the extra recipes tucked away in the back of the novel.  Moreover, the spiritual growth that both characters experienced was fulfilling to read, even though things seemed to clean up just a little bit too easily in the end.

Something New does offer "something new" to the world of Christian fiction, and I am happy to recommend it.  It is book number two in the Plain City series, and I look forward to reading the conclusion as soon as it is available.

Disclosure of Material: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing, Inc. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

There You'll Find Me - Jenny B. Jones

4/5

When I rate a novel I typically look at others books I have read in the same genre and apply a number based on how the current offering measures up.  So, when I give There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones a four out of five, I am basing that on other Christian fiction written for the teenage audience.  While this book is certainly not the best I have ever read, it is a wonderful story that stands heads above the rest of chick-lit.

There You'll Find Me centers around high school senior Finley Sinclair, who decides to study abroad in Ireland after the tragic death of her older brother Will.  Finley is trying to finish composing her audition piece for the New York Conservatory of Music and hopes that the change of scenery will inspire her.  Her brother had previously studied abroad in the sleepy town of Abbeyglen, so Finley decides to retrace his steps in order to find the inspiration, peace and closure she so desperately needs.  But not everything goes according to plan, and when Finley forms an unexpected friendship with a local movie star she begins to realize that the real reason she is in Ireland is to escape her hurtful past.  Through a series of difficult relationships, Finely discovers the strength of her faith in an unfailing God.

I very much enjoyed Jenny Jones' writing style, especially her quick-wit and sarcastic humor.  Although Jenny Jones tackles difficult topics such as death, eating disorders and bullying, the novel was a light and easy read.  The characters were funny, the setting beautiful, and I often wished I was right there with Finley, experiencing everything that Ireland has to offer.  In particular, Beckett the local movie star was written with such a fun and charming personality, I found myself wanting to go see one of his movies - and he is not even real!  The spiritual side of the story was not heavy handed, but I found myself encouraged by the scriptures used and the truths Finley discovered on her journey.

If you're in the mood for a witty teenage romance with great depth of character and fantastic story lines, There You'll Find Me definitely fits the bill.  I truly enjoyed every minute that I was immersed in this novel and hope there are more stories to come about Finley's adventures.

Disclosure of Material: I received this book free from the publisher via Book Sneeze. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.