Alaska Twilight by Colleen Coble

Haley Walsh left Alaska never looking back. Her family was dead and it was all her fault. Now she must accept God's help to get through being back there. Tank Lassiter is forced to help Kipp Nowak, a man who likes adventure to the extreme. She wants to find the truth about her family's murder. She may just see things from a completely different angle.

Ms. Coble did a fantastic job! I was throughly impressed with how well written this book was. It was truly suspenseful. I was on the edge of my seat. She weaved the tale so that I didn't want to put the book down. The setting only made the book pop and the characters were on all across the spectrum.

Haley really didn't want to go back but couldn't turn down the experience. Her grandma at her side would help her keep her head on straight. Though her grandmother's faith didn't always make sense to her. She just plugged along. Tank Lassiter has had a rough life but loves his daughter. His past has come back to haunt him and he just hopes he can make it through one more time. Kipp Nowak is fearless. Most of the time, that is alright but this time it may end up being costly.

Most of the book I didn't see coming. The attacks on Haley were mysterious and I never saw it coming who was behind it all. The faith in this book was so refreshing to read about. It inspired me to do better. This is one author I definitely want to read more of her work.

Coleen Coble/New Author/ Christian Fiction/ Alaska/ Confrontation/ Faith/324 pages

I hope to pick up my next book soon but for now it's back to cleaning.

The Note by Angela Hunt

Peyton MacGruder works hard for writing her column for the Tampa Times and is single. Yet when she learns her column “The Heart Healer” is ranked last in a reader poll, she is only given two weeks to turn it around. Then the unthinkable happens. PanWorld Flight 848 crashes and bursts into flames. Peyton is given a note in a plastic bag that is washed up onto the shore. This just might be what she is looking for and since there is not a lot of indicators she must search to find the intended for the note. She's determined to give the note to the intended owner. But as the story gains national attention, there is a lot more that Peyton will have to battle besides her emotions.

Ms. Hunt has always been a favorite author of mine. I've had this book for quite some time and was so glad to read another one of her stories. The emotion, the passion, and how she backs everything up with biblical things just blows me away every time. Ms. Hunt gets to the heart of the matter and doesn't let go till your own emotions are pulled to the surface. The characters are not perfect and you just hope to see things get better and that there is some resolution.

Peyton keeps her heart close and rarely reaches out to other people. This note handed to her changes her view of things and she begins to question the decisions she has made for her own life. The voice of reason often comes from her former boss Kingston Bernard. He is there when she truly needs a friend and offers her help with interviewing the possibilities she has for the intended of the note.

This story full of emotions truly showed how reconciliation is important since you never know when something may happen to take away that chance. Ms. Hunt gives you great insight to each characters' view of Peyton that she comes in contact with or works with. I truly appreciated that and never felt that it pulled away from the story itself. It only added a greater depth and insight that I found very helpful. This book may have just become my favorite of the year. Definitely a book to have tissues near by.

Angela Hunt/ Tragedy/ Christian Fiction/ 320 pages/ 5 out of 5

The book was much better than the movie since it was easier to follow in some aspects. It's not a horrible movie but the changes they made to it, I really didn't care for. They pushed some things for dramatic effect or genders that I found unnecessary. All in all, both are well done but pick up the book first if you are able. Sometime this weekend, I plan on picking up a young adult book that I've had for quite some time!

Unspoken by Angela Hunt

Glee Granger had always loved animals especially gorillas. Her life revolved around Sema, who she had taken care of since Sema was just hours old. They are able to “talk” using sign language. Sema isn't Glee's since she technically belongs to the zoo. Now, they want Sema back and though reluctant Glee agrees. It's the only way to keep working with Sema. One event changes it all and Glee begins to question all that she knows.

Ms. Hunt captivates her readers with such great characters. This author has been one of my favorites for a long time. She expresses in words what may be difficult to understand any place else. The situations described in this book inspired by actual events just blew my mind. Ms. Hunt certainly did her research and expounded on it. It is fiction but starting sooner who knows what we can accomplish in the animal world. Ms. Hunt shows again why she is good not only thinking outside the box but putting feeling behind it as well.

Glee questioned, struggled, and truly wanted the best for Sema. I cheered as she worked through everything and was in awe of the turn around. Glee certainly had a long road ahead of her but Sema was optimistic through it all. The director of the zoo bugged me to no end. I understand that his job is not easy but when it comes to zoos, the animals matter the most. The other minor characters all played their part. I don't want to give anything away.

This is one book that will make you wonder and question. It is very emotional so keep tissues nearby. This is one author who has not let me down ever! I'm throughly impressed and hope there are many more books to come.

Angela Hunt/ Christian Fiction/ Animals/336 pages/ 5 out of 5

This is one book that I didn't mean to read in one day. Opps! lol I'll pick up something else tomorrow. Off to bed I go.

The Stamp of Glory by Tim Stafford

Set in the 1800's, this book is a glimpse into the Anti-Slavery movement and the impact one family has on it. Using some big names along the way, it shows every side of the issue. Yet change must be taken in order to move forward.

Mr. Stafford was a bit dry at times and the story lagged. I understand that it was a difficult issue then but it seemed like everything kept falling apart. It was a bit of a downer type book and I wasn't sure why I picked it up in the first place.

This is one author who disappointed me. I felt like so much was missing and there was a lot packed in which made the book lag. So all in all, if you like this type of subject, there is a lot of information. It's not graphic in the least, which only made the story get better. I just wish it would have lived up to my expectations. I might have to check out this author's other works.

Tim Stafford/Christian Fiction/ 1800's/Anti-Slavery Movement/ 3 out of 5

It took a long time to read but then I'm pretty tired. Onto the next one!

Christ the Lord: The Road To Cana

Yeshua has grown up and is dealing with helping his family. His brother James keeps asking him if he’ll ever get married. Yeshua just does not think that will be no matter what anyone wants. He is slowly beginning to realize that he may be the Christ after all. And it is not till he performs a miracle at his cousin Avigail’s wedding that he truly starts to understand. Having seen his cousin John the Baptist, he begins to fully know what is going on and wrestles with it.

Ms. Rice certainly knows her stuff and has done her research. A little might have been embellished but I didn’t feel that way through most of the book. I felt she handled this portion of Jesus’ life very well. I was thoroughly pleased and I cannot wait to see if there is a next installment in this series.

Being a Christian, I have to say how impressed I am with Ms. Rice to be taking on such a project. You truly feel like you begin to know Jesus not only as a prophet and teacher but his life with his family as well. I just cannot say fully how much I appreciated this book. It is so full of life and the things that are dealt with in this book are ones that leave you on the edge of your seat.

Anne Rice/Christian Fiction/ Life of Jesus/241 pages/ 4 out of 5

I have to get a few more review books done and then hope to read a few more of my own. lol