Tangerine~by Marilynn Griffith

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

~ John 14:3

Okay, I know I said that I was going to read Recipes and Wooden Spoons next, and I am reading it now, but the day after I posted my last entry Tangerine came in the mail. I was so excited to read this last book in the Shades of Style series that I dove right in.

This book is about Jean Guerra another designer at the Garments of Praise fashion house. She is the one that always seems together, so when she gets the opportunity to work on a line of men's suits with a designer from Reebok it is nothing she can't handle, or is it? When the designer walks through her door Jean is speechless. Her husband, which no one at Garments of Praise knows about, walks back into her life. Will they be able to come together and be a family once again, or will the past prove insurmountable?

This book was great. If you haven't read two other books in the Shades of Style series, Pink and Jade, you definitely should check them out too. After reading the stories of the other designers I was so curious to find out what Jean's story was and this did not disappoint. I love Marilynn story telling. I got so caught up in the book that I have been seriously putting of my midterm paper which I need to write, so I am off to do that.

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

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