Deadly ties by Vicki Hinze

Multnomah Publishing Company sent me a another book to review, Deadly Ties by Vicki Hinze.  Deadly Ties is a contemporary fiction mystery, CSI type book.  I believe this is the fisrt book I have read by Vicki and I really enjoyed it, in fact I had a hard time putting it down! 
The book is about Lisa Harper.  She had an ideal childhood until she saw her father murdered when she was seven years old.  Her mother married an evil man named Dutch who had ties with some pretty bad people.  When Lisa was 16, her mother gave her to a friend who worked at the Crossroads Crisis Center.  There she learned how to defend herself and make a life for herself with the single goal of rescuing her mother from her stepfather.
Vicki does a great job of of illustrating how even when we think God is not blessing us, He is preparing us for things we are not aware of.  God is always in control and doesnot make any mistakes.  I would definitely recommend reading this book. Here is a link to the first chapter of the book:  http://authoriam.wordpress.com/2011/01/16/deadly-ties/

The book deals with Human Trafficking, for more information go here:  http://web.mac.com/vickihinze/Vicki_Hinze_Author/HumanTraffickingResources.html

For Vicki's website, go here: http://www.vickihinze.com/



You can go here, to buy the book:  http://www.christianbook.com/deadly-ties-crossroads-crisis-center/vicki-hinze/9781601422064/pd/422064?item_code=WW&netp_id=828146&event=ESRCN&view=details
Deadly Ties is the second book int the "Crossroads Crisis Center" series.  The first one is Forget Me Not, which is now on my list of books to read.

I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!
Missy

Summerhill Secrets Volume 1 by Beverly Lewis

When I worked at a book store, I was in charge of the children's section but whenever anyone had a question about the Christian Fiction section, they were sent to me.  Why?  Because I had read every single book in that section, that I thought was worth my time.  I don't like fantasy books, so I didn't read those.  It was great, because we could "borrow" books from the store, so as soon as we got a new book, I borrowed it.  I can read a book in two to three days (but then I don't get any housework done!)  I had a young Christian girl in her teens ask me for a recommendation for a book in the teen section.  That was pretty hard because most of the teen books were wicked.  Books about vampires, sex, ghosts, cliques, etc. 

"....but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine."

I Timothy 4:12, 13

None of those books would be honoring to God, why would any parent allow their child to fill their mind with such wicked stuff?  But, I had noticed some new books had come in by Beverly Lewis.  I love Beverly Lewis and had read almost all of her books written for adults.  So I recommended "Summerhill Secrets" by Beverly Lewis.  She came back to the store a couple of weeks later thrilled with the book.  She bought volume two and when she came back I was able to steer her to a few other books by Christian authors.  I still had not read Summerhill Secrets yet though!  My husband and I were at Mardel's last week and they had several books on sale for a dollar!  He pointed out these books to me, and I bought them.  Volume one is 5 books in one volume.
The stories are short and follow the life of Merry Hanson.  She is a modern "Englischer" who lives in Amish country.  Some of her best friends are her Amish neighbors, another girl she grew up with who claims to be an atheist, and a  new christian she led to the Lord.  The books follow her struggles and her walk with the Lord.  Even though it is geared for teenagers, I thoroughly enjoyed it!  I would recommend this as a good book for you and your daughter!
You can check out Beverly Lewis's website here:  http://www.beverlylewis.com/ME2/Sites/Default.asp
You can buy the book here: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntt=summerhill+secrets+1&N=0&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCN&nav_search=1&cms=1
or check out your local Mardels and see if you can score one for a dollar!
Happy Reading!
Missy

Charade by Gilbert Morris

I usually love Mr. Morris's books, but this one was a very dark novel in my opinion.  It is about a man who weighs over 400 pounds.  He writes a computer program and becomes an instant success but he is taken in by a scam artist.  The book is about the revenge that he wants to take and how the hatred is eating him alive.  The book does have a very clear plan of salvation, which I think every Christian novel should have.  This book is not a book I would read again, it is too dark.
If you are interested in this book, you can buy it here:
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=charade+gilbert+morris&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=3587560245&ref=pd_sl_vsoroeil7_b
Happy reading!
Missy

"The Preacher's Bride" by Jody Hedlund

Bethany House Publishers sent me this book.  I have never read anything by Jody Hedlund before(I think this might be her first book, I couldn't find any other titles by her).  She did a great job on this book, it is loosely based on John Bunyan's life story.  Jody changed the names, some of the time lines, and of course took liberties with the dialogue, etc.  I really liked how in the back of the book she tells you what is true and what is fiction.
The book is set in England with Elizabeth, a young Puritan maiden, as the main character.  Jody does a great job bringing Elizabeth to life with her fears, desire to serve God, and her insecurities.  John Costin is a young man who loses the love of his life during the birth of their fourth child.  John is a tinker by trade, and preacher by passion.  Can the Lord bring these two people together despite all the obstacles in the way?  Is it the Lord's will?  All of these questions are answered in the book.
I would recommend reading this book, it will give you an idea of what England was like in the 16th century, and why the Puritans made the dangerous voyage to America.  For some fun facts and a quiz go to Jody's website here:  http://jodyhedlund.com/reader-fun/
You can buy the book here: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntt=the+preacher%27s+bride&N=0&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCN&nav_search=1&cms=1
or you can go to your local bookstore.
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!
Missy