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What the Bayou Saw by Patti Lacy Published by Kregel Genre: Women's Fiction ISBN #978-0825429378 Reviewed by: Tina Ann Forkner Order Now!

What the Bayou Saw, by Patti Lacy, is the most courageous book I have read in years. I highly recommend it to any reader who is looking for exceptional writing that has the power to change lives. Lacy’s sensitive, but truthful, exploration of race relations is stunning and her examination of the life-long friendship between a Caucasian woman and an African American woman from childhood is lovely and deeply revealing. Don’t be afraid to delve into this book because of its topic. It is a beautiful portrait of friendship, grace and redemption that will make readers cheer.

The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander Published by Thomas Nelson Genre: Historical Fiction ISBN #9781595546326 Reviewed by: Annette M. Irby Order Now!

Tamera’s cast of characters includes a strong heroine, a gentle but powerful hero, a rebellious brother, a dear niece, a kind doctor and a Chinese couple. Tamera has a knack for weaving an interesting ensemble cast into her believable historical fiction. One of McKenna’s weaknesses is loving without setting limits. She’s raised her brother from his infancy, but he has chosen rebellion. Now, as a young man, he’s a formidable opponent. Enter Marshal Wyatt Caradon. He has some wisdom to dole out and some boundaries to enforce. Readers may find themselves understanding both sides. Brokenness is Tamera’s theme in The Inheritance. She brings her characters directly to that place—McKenna almost loses everything. Again. Robert (her rebellious brother) has to face his failures. Wyatt lives in a state of brokenness as he overcomes a deep loss. I appreciated Tamera’s reference to dependence upon God and how brokenness brings sweetness to our relationship with Him. She has written a beautiful historical novel I believe readers will love.

The Owling by Robert Elmer Published by Zondervan Genre: Sci-fi/Fantasy/Futuristic ISBN #978-0-310-71422-4 Reviewed by: Chandra Lynn Smith Order Now!

Few authors have the ability to cross not only genres but also age levels the way Robert Elmer does. Whether he is writing a tender love story, a young person's high adventure, or another world drama his talent for story telling is unmatched. The Owling, book two in the Shadowside Trilogy is entertaining and thought- provoking. When fifteen-year old Oriannon Hightower witnessed the death of her mentor, Jesmet, she thought her world was falling apart. His return to life made her life completely baffling. And, when she thought things could get no more complicated, Jesmet returns and promises his followers some sort of special power called the Numa. As Oriannon waits for this unexplained power a new source of hope comes into her life. Sola, the new head of security on planet Corista, proposes the Ultimate Solution for peace. Oriannon is seduced by Sola's power and promises. Is the mysterious holy man or the new charismatic security leader the one to follow? Oriannon must work with her friend Markus to find the real answers, but will they be in time to save their loved ones and friends? The second book in the trilogy does not disappoint. It picks up almost immediately where the first book left off and the action doesn't stop. Readers will meet new characters and old friends. And, as with any book Robert Elmer writes, readers will find themselves drawn into the story and challenged by the message. I recommend this book for anyone, not only young adults. My twelve year old son loves this series also.

The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander Published by Thomas Nelson Genre: Historical Fiction ISBN #978-1-59554-632-6 Reviewed by: Chandra Lynn Smith Order Now!

Tamera Alexander has an unmatched skill at taking her readers on journeys into the west and history. From the first sentence to the last, she draws the reader into her story world, with characters that are real, scenery you can almost touch, love that moves your heart, and faith that makes you envious. The Inheritance is a journey back into the settling west, and a trip into your very own heart. McKenna Ashford moves to Copper Creek, Colorado seeking a fresh start for herself and her brother, Robert. U.S. Marshal Wyatt Caradon is content to live on the trail bringing fugitives to justice. A chance meeting between the two of them on McKenna's best friend's ranch changes the course of both of their lives forever. Can two independent souls learn to trust and rely upon each other and allow love to grow in unexpected ways? What if they have to lose everything to gain the world? As McKenna and Wyatt journey into a beautiful love story, the reader travels with them. Readers will hope to return to Copper Creek in future books. I highly recommend this book.

Daisy Chain by Mary DeMuth Published by Zondervan Genre: Women's Fiction ISBN #978-0-310-27836-8 Reviewed by: Chandra Lynn Smith Order Now!

Sometimes you find an author who is able to take difficult subjects, tough truths and weave a poignant story from them. It is rare, indeed, to find books of such depth that also draw you in and will not let you put them down. Every time I crack the binding of a book by Mary Demuth I know I am opening such a book. Her skill at telling stories is made more memorable by the subjects and the characters she creates. Daisy Chain is yet another example of turning trials to triumph. Jed Pepper lives in a typical small town. The time is 1977. His best friend, Daisy Chain, goes missing and Jed is convinced it is his fault. Daisy, in her sweet innocence left a trail of clues for Jed. As Jed follows the clues determined to find her, he finds other hidden things along the way. Hidden secrets within his own family that threaten to destroy his own world. At a time when he needs her the most, his best friend is gone. Jed must grow into manhood through difficult circumstances and only as he does will he find the truth of a God always present, even when no one else is. This is a beautiful, heart-wrenching story of growing up, rebuilding, and redemption. The reader will be drawn into the lives of the characters and work through each struggle with them. It takes one back to simpler days that held complicated problems and the knowledge that God is always there. Daisy Chain will challenge the reader, and touch hearts. I recommend this book for anyone, but especially those searching for God's Hand in the trials of life.

Bride of Honor by Ruth Axtell Morren Published by Steeple Hill Genre: Historical Fiction ISBN #978-0-373-78650-3 Reviewed by: Chandra Lynn Smith Order Now!

Each time I read one of Ruth Axtell Morren's novels I am transported to England and a time of riches, classes, the ton, and clash between high society and ordinary people. I also find myself drawn into stories of love and faith. Bride of Honor is a pleasure to read. The day Miss Lindsay Phillips meets Curate Damian Hathaway, the story of her life changes. A pure and holy love grows between them, but his parishioners and her family work to separate them. Lindsay's arranged betrothal to a gentleman of the ton causes her great distress. Obedience to her father and following the leading of her heavenly Father seem at odds. She seeks solace the only place she knows, the rectory where Damian and his sister, Florence live. Ruth Morren has written another tender love story between two endearing characters. The romance is sweet, the conflicts real and difficult to overcome, and the growth of faith in the characters will cause you to ponder. I highly recommend this book.

Sunset Beach by Trish Perry Published by Harvest House Publishers Genre: Women's Fiction ISBN #978-0-7369-2675-1 Reviewed by: Diana Leisre Brandmeyer Order Now!

Sunset Beach has a cabin that Sonny Miller can’t wait to rent. Her mom has promised her a week anywhere she chooses for her graduation gift. Sonny has plans for more than relaxing though. What Sonny’s mother doesn’t know is Sonny is determined to use her new psychology degree to get answers she’s wanted for years, like who is Sonny’s father? Sonny has few plans to throw her mom off balance. She’s invited her mom’s sister, Melanie to spend the week too. A sister Sonny didn’t know her mom had until she hired a private investigator. Melanie has a few secrets of her own about Sonny’s mom and the identity of her father. Sonny’s mom is on to her though, she knows Sonny is going to want something from her this week and she’s not going to give her the chance to uncover secrets. She’s brought along a surprised guest of her own, the charming Irina, her protégé. She’ll have to spend most of her time working with Irina which should protect her from Sonny’s prying into her past. And if that’s not enough there is a hunk of gorgeous, that shows up from Sonny’s past. Perry brings this delightfully light yet, serious book full circle by the end. I’d recommend it for a beach read or airplane ride. It has enough of a relaxing setting that you can feel the sand in your toes and yet has plenty of intrigue to make you turn the page.

What the Bayou Saw by Patti Lacy Published by Kregel Genre: Women's Fiction ISBN #978-0-8254-2937-8 Reviewed by: Naomi Musch Order Now!

Overview: A young black student has been raped and beaten on a Midwestern campus. When Sally Stevens, a teacher at the college, offers to continue tutoring the shattered young woman, Sally's own childhood secrets rise like swamp mist to smother and strangle her marriage and career. Who is innocent, who is guilty, and who is dead, play out across time and social status in Patti Lacy's novel What the Bayou Saw, published by Kregel. Looking Closer: Patti has a deft touch when it comes to tying the threads of past and present together in this story where long-time prejudices of the deep south cross the mason-Dixon line. I've read, watched, or studied the civil rights movement most of my life. Yet, having grown up about as far from a Louisiana bayou as one can live, I've never really felt the reality of it. But Patti's book struck an emotional core that is the very reason I read historical fiction. It made the time and place real to me. It gave me a more insightful view of what it might have been like to be part of that turbulent period than almost anything I've read before. Getting to know the characters in What the Bayou Saw is a lot like meeting real people. You get to know them gradually. That's because Patti Lacy's characters are skillfully layered, multi-dimensional people, not cut-outs like those in a “Lipton cup-a-story”. I found that I didn't always like the protagonist(s) in Patti's story, but that was okay. I still cared about them. Again, they were real. Writers who want to create a populace that seems real should study Patti's model, and let the characters grow and develop out of the situations that they find themselves in. In this way the reader comes to know them gently, making judgments, occasionally wrong ones, just as we do with actual people we meet every day. At any rate, a reader would have to be truly hard-hearted not to be touched by this genuinely moving story, and writers would have to be hard-headed not to be inspired by Patti Lacy's skill.

Love's Rescue by Tammy Barley Published by Whitaker House Genre: Romantic Fiction ISBN #1603741089 Reviewed by: G Hoffman Order Now!

If you’re a historical romance fan, pick up this book. Jessica Hale was a heroine with depth and spunk, and I loved her from the first moment. This story has a good message, fun, unique characters, and it never got dull. The events on and off the ranch were always adventurous. Some of the crazy events included mustangs, bad guys, and the occasional lassoing (and tying up). Just when I thought I could put it down for the night, something else unfolded. I ended up staying up until I finished the whole thing. While most books like this focus only on romance, this one’s plot is based on the Civil War and real events occurring in the US during that time. It brought in real historical accuracies and still had all the yummy romance. You can’t beat that! So if you’re into historical romance, this one deserves to be in your permanent book collection!

Exposure by Brandilyn Collins Published by Zondervan Genre: Suspense/Mystery/Thriller ISBN #978-0-310-27643-2 Reviewed by: Mary Bell-Foster Order Now!

I relate, in a way, to Kaycee. I’m afraid of the dark. Well, not the dark exactly, all the things darkness can hide. Brandilyn Collins has written a story that forces her characters to face their phobias. Apprehension grips the reader as Kaycee tries to find out who is behind the mysterious messages and how they were able to get in through locked doors. Exposure will have you reading as quickly as you can to find the truth. And what happened to Martin Giordano’s family? Mystery, gripping, compelling flows from chapter to chapter demanding answers. Suspense keeps you reading, with a determination to discover the facts as you watch Officer Mark Burnett put aside his preconceived assumptions to solve two cases. Are they related? Ms. Collins work is a must read. She encourages us to remember that God is always there, quietly waiting. He is the answer to all things. Thank you, Brandilyn Collins for challenging us to step out and trust God even in the midst of fear. Exposure By: Brandilyn Collins Zondervan ISBN 978-0-310-27643-2 $14.99

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