The Justice~ by Angela Hunt

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. "

~ Philemon 4:7

Daryn Austen's dream was to be the first female president of the United States. She worked and sacrificed and made her way to the office of Vice President finding that she was left to a role that was more for show. On June 6, 2003 that all changed. After the President died unexpectedly Daryn found herself in the position she always dreamed of. After establishing herself in the White House she hires Paul Santana, a lawyer she had a relationship with in law school, to serve on her staff and later in the Supreme Court. Things seemed to be working out well until Paul accepts God into his life. Now feeling betrayed Daryn finds herself in overwhelming circumstances that leave both Daryn and Paul changed forever.

This is the second book that I have read by Angela Hunt and this book was griping. It was a excellent political thriller and its lessons of forgiveness were humbling. The characters in the book are so vivid that the entire story captures your attention until its conclusion. This is definitely another great read by this author.

After this intense novel I think I am in the mood for something lighter :)

Next on my reading agenda~ Recipes and Wooden Spoons~ by Judy Baer

Central Park~by Debra White Smith

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

~2 Corinthians 5:17

This book is for all of the Jane Austen fans out there. Central Park is a modern day telling of one of my personal favorite Jane Austen tales Mansfield Park. If you haven't read the book or seen the movie you do that first. I don't think you will be able to fully appreciate the book without a frame of reference. Before the book starts the author lists the Austen characters with the names of the modern day equivalents that she invented for the story. This makes it easy to draw a correlation between both tellings. As for the story line she pretty much sticks to the original keeping all of the essential elements of the story intact. I enjoyed the book a lot. I ordered another book from her Jane Austen series so I will let you know what I think of that one when I get it.

Next on my reading agenda~The Justice~ by Angela Elwell Hunt

Savannah From Savannah, Savannah Comes Undone, and Savannah By The Sea~ by Denise Hildreth


"Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God: for God is in heaven and you are on earth therefore let your words be few,"
~Ecclesiastes 5:2

I have been so sick this week. My brother and my father both had colds and even though I was trying my hardest to keep from getting sick (taking vitamin C and Olive Leaf) Saturday it hit me hard. Well, one good thing about being sick and having to do nothing but lay around for a few days is I had a lot of time to read. So I read all of the Savannah books. They were soo good. I loved the main character Savannah. After she graduates from graduate school a series of events lead to her moving home to Savannah, Georgia and getting a job as a human interest writer for the local newspaper. She has to deal with her family, new job, and events going on in the city that is her namesake.

Next on my reading agenda~ Central Park~by Debra White Smith

Heavens to Betsy~ by Beth Pattillo

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun."

~Ecclesiastes 3:1

Reverend Betsy Blessing is dealing with some issues. She is contending with board members that don't feel she is fit to be pastor, a well meaning friend who wants to give Betsy a makeover, and she just realized that she is developing feelings for her best friend, and fellow minister David Swenson. What;s a girl to do?

This book was a funny, light read. Betsy is a hilarious character dealing with all of the normal issues of a single girl added to the fact that some of her parishners want her gone.

Next on my reading agenda~ Savannah from Savannah~ by Denise Hildreth

The Prince~by Francine Rivers

"But the King spared Mephiboseth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the Lord's oath that was between them, between Jonathan the son of Saul."

~2 Samuel 21:7

This book was wonderful. It told the story of Jonathan the son of King Saul from the bible. It is part of her "Sons of Encouragement" series that focuses on the men "who stood behind the great heroes of faith". I love the way Francine Rivers writes historical fiction. She takes the events straight from the bible and stays true to the facts. The book really gave me some perspective on the life of Jonathan, how much he gave up, and how he truly strived to serve God and do his will no matter what.

Next on my reading agenda~ Heavens to Betsy~ by Beth Pattillo

The Note~by Angela Hunt

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

~1 Chronicles 10:13


A tragic plane crash sends PanWorld Flight 848 into the Tampa Bay. All of the passengers die and the families are left to try and cope after the tragedy. Peyton MacGruder is a writer whose column has been criticized by her editor. After recieving a short amount of time to improve the column and its readership Peyton is handed a gift. A woman finds a note wrapped in a plastic sandwich bag on the shore of Tampa Bay that she believes survived the plane crash. The note says;
T-- I love you. All is forgiven
-Dad

As Peyton sets on a search to deliver the message to its rightful owner she discovers that though the note was meant for one person its message had a profound effect on many people, including herself.

This was the first book I read by Angela Hunt. I really enjoyed the story. It was emotional and I, like the readers of her column, couldn't wait to find out who the note belonged to.

Next on my reading agenda~ The Prince~ by Francine Rivers

"A Rush of Wings"~ By Kristen Heitzmann

"The Lord repay your work, and a full reward will be give you by the Lord God of Isreal, under whose wings you have come for refuge."

~Ruth 2:12

Noelle St. Claire is running from danger. The trama of what happened caused her to push the memory into the far recesses of her mind only to surface in dreams and images that fill her with an almost paralyzing fear. Noelle's escape leads her to the Rocky Mountains and a horse ranch owned by Rick Spencer and his brother Morgan Spencer. Noelle's reclusive ways cause both brother's to wonder and try to find out what she is hiding.

This book was another good read by Kristen Heitzmann. I read the sequel to this book a while ago and it was nice to have some background on the characters.

Next on my reading agenda~The Note~ by Angela Hunt

Love From Greece~ by Melanie Karos Panagiotopoulos


"Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth"

~Psalm 115:1

Here is another short story recommendation. As I am sure I have said before, I always love books that are like a vacation to a foreign country and this book was. There were three stories about women all connected to a small town in Greece. The stories were romances and were very cute and fairytale like. The only thing about the stories is things just seemed to work out so very perfectly so these stories are not for the cynical reader. All in all if you would like to take a break from the everyday and step into a fairytale this book is for you.

Next on my reading agenda~A Rush of Wings~by Kristen Heitzmann

The Swan House~ by Elizabeth Musser



"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."
~Matthew 7:12



Happy New Year! I pray that you and you loved ones have a wonderful year that draws you into a closer relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ. Now onto The Swan House.

Mary Swan Middleton lives a privileged life granted by her families wealth and status. When her world is turned upside down, through a tragedy that hits all of Atlanta, she seeks to find truth and ways of coping with the tragedy. In an attempt to draw Mary out from her depressed state the family maid takes her to help out the less fortunate. This leads Mary down a path of mystery, and discovery that changes her life forever.



I enjoyed this book. It talks about prejudice, poverty, compassion, love, and faith. It was a very entertaining story that was inspired by some actual events from the 1960s. If you enjoy stories based on historical events, or just want to read a story about moving on after tragedy then I think you will enjoy reading this book.



Next on my reading agenda~ Love from Greece~ by Melanie Karis Panagiotopoulos