Though I am a prolific reader especially in the historical and fantasy genres of fiction, from time to time I find a contemporary fiction or something else outside my normal reading patterns that I end up loving just as much. Jenna Callahan has been faced with lots of change and the consequences of choices made as a very young woman. When the man who has loved her from a distance since they were teenagers returns from a tour of duty in the Middle East, her father relents from his adamant insistence that Nate Langley was less than his only daughter deserved. However Nate has some skeletons in his personal closet after active duty in the military during the US War on Terror. His potential father-in-law told Nate he was unworthy of his "princess" and chased him off before the two were out of high school. Jenna’s father instead pushed her into marriage with a sports star.

Despite her faith and the baby that came along in this relationship, the marriage was really nothing more than a sham. Yes her former husband had a lucrative career in sports but family was a responsibility he would rather leave behind in favor of his short lived career. Nate is still tight with Jenna’s brothers and when he returns from roaming both Texas and the world the Callahan’s are some of the first residents of Callahan Crossing to welcome him home. He must help his folks keep the cotton farm running smoothly but at the same time needs part time work to contribute to the family expenses. Jenna’s father and brothers both realize that Nate still harbors strong feelings for her and she might well be in the same situation.

This may be a contemporary novel but it still proved to be a fulfilling escape to a world far removed from my own daily existence. Country life has always intrigued me from the days when I fell in love with Laura Ingalls Wilder through both her books and the TV show adapted from them. Despite being a city girl I have always dreamt of having my own space and horses one day. While that dream may never be fulfilled literally, I still revel in stories from both the past and present featuring farms and country abodes removed from the daily hustle and bustle of modern life. Sharon’s story and characters proved to be the perfect distraction I seek from my reading adventure. There are many other surprises for both the reader and characters in Sharon’s action packed story of survival, love, and the commitment to home and family many wish were more prevalent in our modern era. I look forward impatiently to my next visit with the denizens of Callahan Crossing in upcoming sequels to Gillenwater’s first Callahan installment. (ISBN# 9780800733537, 330pp, $14.99)

Thanks to Revell for providing this review copy to Christian Bookworm Reviews.

Reviewed by Melissa Meeks. See more of my reviews at Bibliophile’s Retreat.

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Thicker than Blood
by C.J. Darlington

Christy Williams finally has her life on track. She’s putting her past behind her and working hard to build a career as an antiquarian book buyer. But things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged younger sister, May, whom she abandoned after their parents’ untimely deaths. Soon, Christy’s fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. Could May’s Triple Cross Ranch be the safe haven she’s searching for? Will the sisters realize that each possesses what the other desperately needs before it’s too late? A stunning debut from the latest Christian Writers Guild winner.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Nitty gritty honest truth under your skin, but you have to turn to the page and find out what happens next.

I have been anticipating this book as C.J. Darlington is such a great influence in the online book blogging and publication world. I was not disappointed. Especially as I am not a contemporary Christian fiction fan and yet I enjoyed this one and will definitely pick up future titles from C.J. Full of suspense and easily a page turner, this one goes on the keeper shelf.

about this author
C.J. Darlington is the winner of the 2008 Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest. She has been in the antiquarian bookselling business for over a decade, scouting for stores similar to the one described in Thicker than Blood before cofounding her own online bookstore. She also cofounded the Christian entertainment Web site www.TitleTrakk.com. A homeschool graduate, she lives in Pennsylvania with her family.

*Thanks to TitleTrakk.com and C.J. Darlington for providing a copy for review.*

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Screen Play: A Novel
by Chris Coppernoll

After struggling for years to make it as an actress, Harper finally gets her big break—but will she have to sacrifice the love of her life to take it?

At thirty, Harper fears her chances for a thriving acting career and finding true love are both fading fast. When she’s handed an unexpected role on Broadway—understudy to New York’s biggest diva––everything changes. She longs for love in the City, but when it doesn’t happen, she reluctantly signs up to an online matchmaking site. Frustration mounts when the only men Harper is interested in are on the West coast, thousands of miles away. Harper feels like an actress who doesn’t act, and a woman in love with someone she’s never met, but God’s about to change all that.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have been meaning to read a book by Chris for more than a year. I just never have a craving for contemporary fiction. Whenever I have free time I am always reaching for the historicals. After reading "Screen Play" by Chris, I am sorry that I waited so long before introducing myself to his storytelling voice. The entire time I was looking forward to what was coming next. Already, partially read I would recommend it. After finishing it, I highly recommend it.

There is not just one story in there but several. The character voice of female Harper Gray is incredibly well developed by Chris. There were many little things that showed her personality and I am very impressed from a male point of view how well she came together on the page.

While enjoying the story I was expecting it to wrap up right after the New York play, but it continued and it was as enjoyable as reading a sequel of character’s lives that you are not quite ready to let go of as a reader. After a short trip to London with my SisterB where we saw a play a day, except one day two I recall our performance of "The Woman in White" that was saw. This show sticks out in my mind specifically because the staring roll was played by the understudy. I remember being curious about what goes on in the mind of someone that plays the roll of an understudy and thanks to the first half of this fabulous treasure of a novel now I have a better plausible picture.

However, just this fact was not the only part of the story that I could relate to. I met my Enginerd online. Long story short, neither was looking and it all happened upon a fluke some would say, or rather God’s design that we did not expect. Know how wonderful it was and at the same time how people are still uncertain if that is an okay way to meet people I could completely relate to the characters as they impatiently waited for the next email, IM or text message.

This was a story that was enjoyable to read and the characters were truly brought of the page to me. I can imagine them as palpable persons and that is to me an extremely valuable talent in an author. Once again, I repeat, I am sorry that I have not delved into the imagination on the page from Chris before, but I am so glad that I have found his writing now. I cannot wait for more.

*Thanks to Audra of TBBMedia for providing a copy for review.*

Chris Coppernoll’s Website http://www.providencebook.com/

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CHRISTMAS MIRACLES 
by Cecil Murphey & Marley Gibson

CHRISTMAS MIRACLES is a collection of many short stories, all of them true, that the authors consider miracles, and all of which happen around Christmas time. In this book, the authors show how miracles can happen to real people during the Christmas season, people who have overcome desperate situations through a miraculous twist of fate.

For instance …a young boy sits down to read a book and discovers that his learning disability has vanished. .. a woman stranded in a blizzard is rescued by a mysterious stranger she believes is an angel … a couple traveling during the holidays have their tire changed by strangers they believe are angels.

I could really relate to a few of the stories. We had “angels” appear and help us – when we had car trouble on a trip, people just appeared after we prayed who had everything we needed – this happened to us twice. I truly believe that God sent Angels to us these occasions, though I know many are skeptical.

CHRISTMAS MIRACLES is a book that anyone would enjoy getting for Christmas. This is a book full of hope, happiness, and holiday cheer. An excellent gift for anyone this season. $14.99. 256 pages.

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ENGAGING FATHER CHRISTMAS
by Robin Jones Gunn

Miranda Carson has just returned to England to spend Christmas with her Scottish boyfriend, Ian, and his family, who manages a tea shop in a small town in the English country-side. But Ian is running late meeting Miranda at the airport, and the first person Miranda sees is her former boyfriend, Josh. After a few minutes spent catching up, Josh goes his way, and Ian arrives, whisking Miranda off to…the hospital, where his dad had just been admitted with a heart attack.

While visiting with Ian’s mother in the tea shop, Miranda’s deceased father’s wife shows up, and Miranda spends a few minutes talking with her, hoping that the family matriarch will make her welcome. But Margaret is as cold and stand-offish as ever, making Miranda wonder if she will ever truly be welcomed as her father’s daughter, a member of the family. Still, her brother Edward does extend some effort, and Miranda loves Edward’s two children, Julia and Mark.

But, as Miranda searches for love and acceptance, a family to belong to, she finds some more in the arms of Father Christmas.

In this long awaited sequel to Finding Father Christmas we see Miranda returning to England. I enjoyed the way this novella played out, revising the charming people and country I encountered in the first book and getting to know the characters in a slightly deeper level. Miranda has changed a lot in the two books, becoming more open to love, and not as skittish. I enjoyed seeing her transformation.

Don’t miss this charming Christmas novella, and even though I read the book in July, that doesn’t mean you have to!  Christmas will be coming very soon, and this will be a book to look for when they start stocking Christmas novellas in November. If you pick up Finding Father Christmas and ENGAGING FATHER CHRISTMAS the dual will make a charming gift for someone, especially if you include a pack of their favorite English tea.

$13.99, hardcover. 159 pages.

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  ONE PERFECT DAY
by Lauraine Snelling

One Perfect Day. One Perfect Christmas. And that is what Nora Peterson is aiming toward. Next year, her two twin teenagers will be off at college and she wants this holiday to be one to remember. If only her husband would cooperate. But Gordon is delayed on a business trip overseas, and all the preparations are left to Nora. Of course.

Jenna Montgomery is used to handling the fast, frantic pace of the emergency room, but she still can’t come to grasps that her daughter needs a heart transplant, or she will die. Now this possibly might be Heather’s last Christmas, unless they get a miracle. A miracle she is desperately praying for.

Christmas eve…and Jenna gets her miracle. But for the miracle to occur, then someone has to die. And when Nora gets the news that shatters her life, then somehow she must struggle on. Is there any such thing as ONE PERFECT DAY?

ONE PERFECT DAY is definitely a book to read with a box of tissues by your side. No one truly understands what it is like to lose a child until they have gone through it. And  no one can truly know what it is like to be on the waiting end for a transplant unless they have been there. Somehow, Ms. Snelling has managed to pull all the emotions from both ends of the spectrum together so the reader can identify and relate to both Nora and Jenna.

ONE PERFECT DAY is a Christmas story which I think is actually better read in June than in December. It is not a story of peace and good-will, but instead a story about depression. Grief. And miracles. Miracles that sometimes are not exactly easy to receive.

Don’t miss ONE PERFECT DAY. If you know anyone who has lost a child, or been on a waiting list for a transplant, (and who hasn’t known one or the other?) then ONE PERFECT DAY is a must read. And this is a gentle reminder that everyone needs to mark the place on their driver’s license to be an organ donator. Discussion questions are included at the end. $13.99. 303 pages.

Reviewed by Laura Hilton

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THE RENEWAL
by Terri Kraus

Leslie Ruskin has just purchased an historic building. She plans to use one of the apartments for her and her daughter and rent out the other two, plus the storefront downstairs so pay the mortgage. Leslie and her daughter Ava are struggling to start over after Leslie’s husband divorced her.

Jack Kenyon is also starting over. He is a carpenter, and wants to make owning his own business a go. He is thrilled when Leslie hires him to do the remodeling on her apartments and the store. But, Jack is haunted by his lost relationships and his past failures and is finding it difficult to remain sober.

Leslie struggles to manage as a single mom and a find a job. But he’s thrilled when everything seems to be coming together. But with Jack’s problems, could the whole reconstruction project derail, or will they both find the renewal they so desperately need.

THE RENEWAL is the second book is Ms. Kraus’ A Project Restoration series, but it easily stands alone. I didn’t have the opportunity to read the first book in the series, but I was not lost at all. I enjoyed getting to know Leslie and Ava, and Jack. At times, Jack managed to get on my last nerve, getting drunk, etc. But Ms. Kraus managed to make his struggle realistic so even the most conservative of readers, while not approving, will sympathize with him.

I enjoyed reading THE RENEWAL and am definitely looking forward to reading the third book in this series, The Transformation which came out September 1, 2009. This is not a book to be missed. A truly poignant story that will stay with you. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book.  $14.99. 364 pages.

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Wounded: A Love Story
by Claudia Mair Burney

Gina Merritt struggles with being a single mother and her mental illness. She seeks relief by attending the Ash Wednesday service at her beloved church home. To her shock, the comfort she seeks comes in the form of a vivid vision, followed by blood flowing from her palms.

Anthony Priest is a journalist and a junkie. At rock bottom, he also seeks solace in church. He witnesses as Gina cries out in pain. Instinctly, Anthony reaches over to to touch Gina. As soon as he touches her, he instantly feels healed from his addiction. Gina takes off, clearly frightened and confused.  Wanting to find out what happened, Anthony pursues her.  Together,  they seek to understand how a Protestant African-American woman could experience the stigmata. An extraordinary love story develops between two very different people.

I’m a huge fan of Claudia Mair Burney’s novels. Wounded is probably her most literary work. While full of passion, it’s not a typical romance novel, which I really liked. It’s well researched and digs deep into Catholicism. The storyline also has several characters sharing their points of view. Claudia touches upon interracial love in this novel, which is something she does in many of her novels.

This is not a novel you would speed read through. The novel’s ending was shrouded in a bit of mystery, but I enjoyed having a reading experience that stretched my imagination.

Reviewed by Tyora Moody

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Stand-In Groom
by Kaye Dacus

Get ready to attend the quirkiest wedding ever in this delightful romance by Kaye Dacus, a new voice in women’s contemporary fiction. When wedding planner Anne Hawthorne first meets George Laurence, she thinks she’s found the man of her dreams. But when she discovers he’s a client, she knows planning his wedding will be no honeymoon. Can Anne remain professional while falling for the groom? Or will she risk her heart, her values, and her career in the midst of planning the wedding of the century?

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is quite the romance. Some could call it predictable, but I would not necessarily say that because one could not foresee all the twists and turns that are to occur before the outcome. I only think people will predict how they want it to end and just assume they will get it right. As I have said dozens of times before, I am not much a fan of contemporary romances, but I liked this one. That said, I did not necessarily love it. But I think that is because my heart is just stronger in the realm of historical fiction. (Definitely recommend Kaye Dacus’ historical series The Ransome Trilogy!!)

Some elements of a large family and good food were parts of this story that I am not used to reading in a book that I quite enjoyed. As well as imagining the scenes and hearing the British or Southern accents play through in the characters vernacular. This is my first contemporary experience with reading this author and it will not be my last. I do recommend this book, and look forward to reading the sequel soon in a few days.

Things happen in life to get you where you need to be, and the hardest part is dealing with a painful event and believing that you will get past it. God knows what he is doing, and the part to remember is that things are best in his time and not in our own. I feel very uplifted from this book and the characters experiences. It makes me think over things from my own past and see more of God in them than I ever would have realized at the time.

View all my reviews.

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