Review: In Every Heartbeat

by Kim Vogel Sawyer

given that i am not usually a fan of historical fiction, it surprised me how much i liked In Every Heartbeat.

three orphans, friends since childhood, leave the school that has meant both home and family to them to go to college together, each with their own dreams. Libby's desire is to become a journalist and travel the world making a difference. Pete feels called into the ministry. Bennett wants nothing more than to join a fraternity, to find a place where he belongs. but the attempt to reconcile the plans of the future clashes with the unresolved issues of the past, and ends up pushing these friends to the boundaries of friendship, as well as the edge of what they believe they can cope with.

even though the book has 300+ pages, i fairly flew through it, reading it in about three nights. with believable characters, each carrying their own private scars and issues from their abandonment, both towards God and others, you find yourself wanting Pete, Libby and Bennett to succeed and resolve all that holds them back.

all in all, it was a good book, and i recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

review: Beguiled

by Deeanne Gist & J. Mark Bertrand

Rylee Monroe, a dogwalker for some of Charleston's wealthiest citizens, loves her job, and the simple life that she's created for herself now that both her parents are gone. unfortunately, there is someone out there, with keen insight into Rylee's past, who is intent on brutally robbing the same people that Rylee works for putting both her job, and her life at risk.

Logan Woods, a reporter covering the break-ins is intrigued by the dogwalker, but the farther down he digs into the story, the more it looks like Rylee is at the center of all the trouble.

romance author Deeanne Gist and suspense writer J. Mark Bertrand combine their skills to come up with this excellent romantic suspense novel. to say that i couldn't put the book down would be almost an understatement. they had me guessing until almost the very end, which is difficult to do!

Beguiled is definitely well worth reading.

This book is courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favorite bookseller.

review: Swinging on a Star

by Janice Thompson

in this second of the Weddings By Bella series, Bella Rossi has definitely taken on more than she can handle.

her second wedding as the family's wedding facility planner is a Renaissance-themed fairy tale, complete with costumes, horse-drawn carriages and a castle. at the same time, her Aunt Rosa's dream of cooking for the Food Network is coming true, also at their home. Add to this her large family's already busy life, and a relationship with a great guy, and you can understand the stress she's under.

the last thing she needs is to discover that the best man is Hollywood's hottest bachelor, and part of Bella's wedding coordinator job is to keep his presence a secret before the big day.

Swinging on a Star is a fun book that you'll probably need to catch your breath while reading! it took me a bit to get into the book, but for the most part, i loved the family dynamics, the relationships, and let me say that the descriptions of Aunt Rosa's cooking made me more than hungry.

if you're looking for some light, enjoyable fiction, this is an excellent choice.

Book is courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller.

review: Anything But Normal

by Melody Carlson

it is Sophie Ramsay's senior year, and outwardly, everything seems to be going her way. she's just become the school newspaper's new editor, she's got some great friends, and a bright future ahead of her.

but that's not all she's got.

even though the summer is behind her, and she wants nothing more than to forget it, Sophie is about to learn that the repercussions of some mistakes are easier to hide than others.

this young adult book by Melody Carlson tells a very real tale that so many young girls find themselves in, despite their best intentions. Ms. Carlson does s superb job of relating Sophie's struggles with her situation, and all the corresponding emotions, not to mention reactions, while never condoning the reason she found herself there in the first place.

Anything But Normal is definitely worth reading, i read the whole book in one sitting.

This book is courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller.

book number nine...

...is Murder in Montmartre by Cara Black.

truly, if i cannot be in paris myself, reading about the adventures of Parisian private investigator Aimee Leduc is as close to bliss as i'm going to get.

while i've only ever driven through montmartre, never actually explored it for myself, after having read this chapter in Aimee Leduc's story, the next time i am in paris, i will definitely make it a destination.

oh, and pure excitment! the movie for book one of this year, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief opens today! how fun is that?