McKenzie by Penny Zeller

McKenzie by Penny Zeller is a great book.  I could not put it down!  McKenzie Worthington is part of Boston's High Society and expected to marry one of Boston's elite bachelors.  She loves the high life of Boston and plans to live in Bosotn forever as the wife of a rich Bostonian.  There is only one thing that stands in her way.  The love she has for her sister.  Her sister married a con artist and was dragged to the Montana Territory and is being abused by him.  The only way McKenzie can think of to save her is by becoming a mail order bride.

Zachary Sawyer is an orpahn who now owns a rach in the Montana Territory.  He adopted his best friend's son after he died.  Davey needs a mom and Zach needs a wife, but women are scarce in his town.  He decides the only way is to pray and ask God to send him a mail order bride. 

God has his own plans.  You'll have to read the story to see how God works a miracle in the lives of McKenzie, Zach, and her sister, Kaydie.  This is a great book and you can tell that Penny has a close, personal relationship with God.  The book is very uplifting with many biblical truths woven in.

For more information visit Penny's website here:  http://pennyzeller.com/books.html

You can buy the book here:  http://www.christianbook.com/mckenzie-montana-skies-penny-zeller/9781603742160/pd/742160?item_code=WW&netp_id=806674&event=ESRCN&view=details

I can't wait to read the next book Kaydie, it will be out April 5.

Be sure to buy this book, I loved it!

Happy Reading,

Missy

Code of Justice by Liz Johnson

Liz Johnson sent me Code of Justice to review.  It is a short novella, but I could hardly put it down.  The book is about an FBI agent who's sister was killed in a helicopter crash. "Follow the drugs" were her sisters last words, but Heather does not know what it means.   Heather Sloan almost died in the crash with her sister.  Sheriff's deputy, Jeremy Latham, is assigned to the case.  As Heather and Jeremy work together to find out why someone tried to kill her, they uncover many things - not only about the case, but also about themselves.  Deep secrets and insecurities about themselves rise to the surface as they not only get closer to solving the case but get closer to each other also. 

Liz Johnson is an excellent writer who is able to bring her readers into the lives of the characters of her book.  Code of Justice has many biblical truths woven into the story.  It's a great book that I would highly recommend.

To find out more about Liz Johnson visit her website at:  http://www.lizjohnsonbooks.com/

You can read the first chapter here:  http://www.lizjohnsonbooks.com/?page_id=1888

You can buy the book at your local bookstore or go here to buy it:  http://www.christianbook.com/code-of-justice-liz-johnson/9780373444342/pd/444342?item_code=WW&netp_id=856153&event=ESRCN&view=details

I'm sure you'll enjoy this book as much as I did!

Happy Reading,

Missy

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

The Pirate Queen by Patricia Hickman

Waterbrook Multnomah sent me another book to review.  The title would have discouraged me from reading it, but it is not about pirates at all, I think the only thing I did not like about the book was the title.  Patricia is an excellent authoress who does a great job bringing her readers into the story and making you a part of the family.

Saphora is the envy of all her friends and strangers.  She has the perfect life:  a handsome rich husband, the "perfect" family, a beautiful home that is being showcased in a magazine, and even a great vacation home.  Outward appearances don't always tell the whole story though.  Saphora is tired of it all.  She's tired of always having to maintain an image for people by having the perfect hair, clothes and smile.  She's tired of smiling and pretending like everything is fine while her husband is sleeping around with other women.  She's lonely and ready to start a new life on her own so she packs her suitcase and is ready to move to the vacation home by herself to try to find her real self, wear comfortable clothes, relax and be lazy for a while.  BUT, her husband comes home and announces he has brain cancer and wants to move to the vacation home while he is being treated. 

The first day they are at the new home they meet a special boy who needs love and compassion.  He was born with AIDS and people treat him like a leper.  He's always smiling and trying to make other people at ease around him, but he is lonely too.  These two lonely peole come together and find the love they have been looking for and bring a whole family back together.

This is a great book, very intense.  It will make you cry so be sure to have your tissues ready.  I believe this book is a must read for everyone!

You can visit Patricia Hickman's website here:

http://patriciahickman.com/2009/10/25/the-pirate-queen/

Waterbrook Mutlnomah's website here:

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400072002

And also buy the book here:

http://www.christianbook.com/the-pirate-queen-patricia-hickman/9781400072002/pd/072002?item_code=WW&netp_id=717605&event=ESRCN&view=details

It is also available in kindle, so you have many different places to choose from to buy this great book!

Happy Reading,

Missy