A New Resolution

A New Resolution

Item Description

Resolution Island is a safe haven for Anika Deumer.A chance to fulfill dreams, find her place in the world, and a new life for her and young son, Kye. But her dreams of a future are shattered when her son's security is challenged, and the rich and privileged Texan, Nate, sails into the bay. Now Ani must not only fight for her son, but also a growing attraction she has to the one type of man she loathes. Nate Hollingsworth is on a mission.He needs to fulfill his mother's last wish and change his life. Dropping anchor in the idyllic Resolution harbour, he didn't anticipate becoming involved in illegal fishing, a murder or an unexpected attraction to the most exasperating woman he has ever met. The Australian tropical Island, Resolution, sets the scene again for adventures, dreams and new beginnings. A New Resolution is the final book in the Resolution trilogy, following Back to Resolution and Beyond Resolution.

My Review

This book is the third in a series, but I had no problems reading it as a stand-alone novel.  It is set on a tropical island, and it is very much a romance(the author handles the sexual tension very appropriately in a Christian book). It also is full of intrigue and mystery, including illegal fishing, drugs and murder. It is full of action and held my interest until the very end.  I'm looking forward to reading the first 2 books in this series.

I was given this book by The Book Club Network, Inc. for review purposes

The Sinners Garden

The Sinners Garden

Publishers Description
In the small Lake Erie township of Benning, someone is at work cultivating a supernatural garden ...
Andy Kemp's young life has been as ravaged as his scarred face. Disfigured by an abusive father, the teenager hides behind his books and an impenetrable wall of cynicism and anger.
As Andy's mother struggles to reconnect with him, his Uncle Rip returns transformed from a stint in prison and wants to be a mentor to the reclusive boy, doing everything he can to help end Andy's pain. When Andy begins hearing strange music through his iPod and making near-prophetic announcements, Rip is convinced that what Andy is hearing is the voice of God.
Elsewhere, police officer Heather Gerisch responds to a late-night breaking and entering in one of the poorest homes in town. She soon realizes that the masked prowler has left thousands of dollars in gift cards from a local grocery store.
As the bizarre break-ins continue and Heather pursues the elusive "Summer Santa," Andy and Rip discover an enormous and well-kept garden of wildflowers that seems to have grown overnight at an abandoned steel mill.
Soon, they realize who the gardener is, and a spree of miracles transfigures this small town from a place of hopelessness into a place of healing and beauty.

My Review

This is the second book I have read by William Sirls and he has become one of my favorite authors.  I once again couldn't put this book down.  My heart broke for teenage Andy, and I loved the fact that God spoke to him through his iPod!  Somehow, in this book, that was absolutely believable.  I kept trying to figure out who the "Summer Santa" was, and I didn't get it until close to the end of the book.  This book is a story of hope, forgiveness and love.  It has mystery, romance and tragedy.  I highly recommend adding this book to your to-read list.

I was given this book by The Book Club Network, Inc. for my honest review.

The Reason

The Reason


Publishers Description
When facing the impossible, will you believe?
Storm clouds gather over a small Michigan town. As thunder shakes the sky, the lights inside St. Thomas Church flicker . . . and then go out.
All is black until a thick bolt of lightning slices the sky, striking the church's large wooden cross--leaving it ablaze and splintered in two.
When the storm ends--the search for answers begins.
James Lindy, the church's blind minister, wonders how his small congregation can repair the cross and keep their faith in the midst of adversity. And he hears the words "only believe."
Macey Lewis, the town's brilliant young oncologist, is drawn to Alex, a young boy who's recently been diagnosed with an aggressive leukemia. She puts her hope in modern medicine--yet is challenged to "only believe."
And Alex's single mom, who has given everything she can to her boy, is pleading with God to know the reason this is happening . . . to save her son. But she only hears silence and wonders how she can possibly "only believe."
"The Reason" is a milestone debut novel, opening with a thunderbolt and never letting up as it introduces us to everyday characters who are wrestling with the questions: Where is God when bad things happen? And does God ignore the prayers of the faithful? The answer each character receives will astound readers while offering an unforgettable call to hope, to change, to . . . only believe.

My Review
I don't believe I am up to the task of reviewing this book with any success.  I'm just not talented enough.  But here goes anyway.......
I loved, loved, loved this book.  The characters are very believable, the suspense is exhausting, the storyline is wonderful.  Did I say I loved this book?  The book brings unbelievers together with believers and shows them God's power and love.  Do you believe in miracles?  Is God there when tragedy strikes, or is He only there in the good times?  And what about those good times - do we really, really believe that a miracle could happen or do we just speak the words? Do we think think maybe WE are the author of our good times? I couldn't put this book down - and I cried - a lot!  I highly recommend this book.  It is definitely on my re-read pile and is a new favorite.

I was given this book by The Book Club Network for my honest review.

A Promise in Pieces (Quilts of Love)

A Promise in Pieces

Publishers Description
After the end of World War II, Clara Kirkpatrick returns from the Women's Army Corp to deliver a dying soldier's last wishes: convey his love to his young widow, Mattie, with apologies for the missed life they had planned to share.
Struggling with her own post-war trauma, Clara thinks she's not prepared to handle the grief of this broken family. Yet upon meeting Mattie, and receiving a baby quilt that will never cuddle the soldier's baby, Clara vows to honor the sacrifices that family made.
Now a labor and delivery nurse in her rural hometown, Clara wraps each new babe in the gifted quilt and later stitches the child s name into the cloth. As each new child is welcomed by the quilt, Clara begins to wonder whatever happened to Mattie and if her own life would ever experience the love of a newborn. Little does she know that she will have the opportunity to re-gift the special quilt years later and carrying even greater significance than when it was first bestowed.

My Review:
This was a very touching story.  Clara is now an elderly woman on a road trip with her family, and she is telling the story of the quilt to her grandson. Her story is full of love, heartbreak, forgiveness, faith.  The author made me really care for Clara and her life.  I would love to sit down and listen to her stories myself. I would definitely recommend this book as one to be read!

I was given this book by The Book Club Network, Inc. for my honest review.