Deadly Ties by Vicki Hinze

A new Christian thriller with an exciting plot.  Thrillers really aren't my favorite but this book was good.  It's about a girl named Lisa Harper whose been separated from her mother, Annie, for 12 years.  This is because Lisa's stepfather, Dutch, threatened her and Annie gave up custody to a friend.  Since then he's done all in his power to keep Lisa and her mother apart.  The time has come, though, that Lisa can support her mother with her new job.  The agreement was that Annie would stay with Dutch till then.  Dutch is not happy and is planning the worst for both of them.  Can Lisa's friend Mark Taylor, a former spy, help her with what's to come? Will they both lean on God to help them?

I actually had a hard time getting into this book because the beginning is really sad.  Though once the action started, I had a hard time putting it down.  This being the first thriller I have gotten through, I didn't know if I would be able to finish it or what to expect.  What I found in this book was a whole new genre of amazing reads.  The suspense and excitement kept me hooked and Mark's old friends' conversations were hilarious.  The Christian message was powerful and encouraging in the Christian Walk.  This book should be for older teens and up since it's really scary and dark at parts.  If you like Thrillers and/or Christian reads, then I definitely recommend this to you.

(I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review and this opinion is my own.)

Buy Book here: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601422064
Download Chapter One here: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601422064&view=news-videos
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Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones

When I first read the description for this book, I thought it sounded a lot like a Hallmark Movie I'd seen, but it wasn't anyhting like that.  It was much better.  The book is set in South Carolina around present day.  Lucy runs a house for girls who age out of the foster care system but when the majority of her funding is cut, she battles to keep it open.  Alex is a retired football star, known as the playboy, and is now running for the South Carolina State Senate seat.  When his ratings are still low, because his competition plays dirty, his campaign manager suggests the unthinkable.  Have Lucy pose as his fiance, to show people he's a family guy, in exchange for saving her young women house.  Alex and Lucy are in for a whirlwind, though, because God has something in mind that will surprise them both.
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This Christian Romance was a pleasure to read and I'm glad to have gotten the chance to review about it.  It's nice to read Romance books without sexual content especially ones that are Christian.  The jokes and characters keep you laughing and entertained through the whole book.  The story personally affected me because I could identify with the theme so it was amazing and helpful in my Christian walk.  If you get the chance to buy and/or read this book, I would say take it.   
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(This was a book, of my choice, that booksneeze.com sent to me for free if I agreed to read it and review it honestly.)

Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione by Chuck Black

Have you ever read a book about knights on conquest and adversities that seem far greater than the hero?  Well not a story like this one. One that's teeming with christian allergories.   It starts off in the city of Trinalda where two knights of the Prince, Sir Kendrick and Sir Duncan, are training.  These two knights, who the Prince has a plan for, are in for an adventure.  Before they know it, they're on a journey against a unimaginable evil that is turning the hearts and minds of young people, everywhere, from the one true King.  They receive help from a few others but even then, they are outnumbered.  Not only that, but Sir Duncan is captured and there's a good chance his time is running short.  Can they rescue Sir Duncan and stop the rebellion before it's too late? 

This first installment of the Knights of Arrethtrae series is beyond imagination.  Your heart and mind will get lost in the epic story and courageous characters.  The christian allergories are instructive and exciting.  I especially like the discussion questions at the end of the book.  They give questions and talk about the main points of each chapter, honing in on the spiritual truths presented in the story. Scripture verses can also be found in the disscussion questions that help back up the teachings.  Next time you're at a Christian bookstore, either in person or online, I highly recommend you buy this book.  It's perfect for older kids and teens.

Buy Book Here: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601421241
Download Chapter One here: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601421241&view=news-videos
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Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor by Chuck Black

This exciting adventure was exciting and spiritually uplifting, the type of book that I love to read.  It is about the differing journey's of two knights who both live in the land of Arrethtrae.  Both are attacked by evil but each has their own defining moment, choice, and ending.  One of those knights is Twitch aka Quinlan.  He ends up joining a special group of knights but when he makes a detrimental mistake, all seems lost.  Can even the legendary Prince make good out of this?  Buy this book and find out!

This being the first book I've read by Chuck Black, I didn't know what to expect but was thrilled with this story.  The spiritual symbolism was amazing and accurately protrayed biblical truths as shown by the scripture verses in the discussion question answer key.  These discussion questions, located at the back of the book, talked about the main point of each chapter as well as identify the symbolism that sometimes you can't seem to figure out from the story.  I thought these questions were very thought provoking and helpful.  I could also identify personally with the story and can't wait to read all of Chuck Black's other books.  If you love to read about knights on conquest and the spiritual battle in all of us, then I definitely recommend this to you.  It's perfect for older kids and teens of all ages.

(I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review and this opinion is my own.)

Buy Book here: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601421289
Download Chapter one here: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601421289&view=news-videos
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An Amish Love by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Long

When you buy An Amish Love, you get three novellas for the price of one. This inspiring book includes three touching Amish love stories by three talented authors.  All three of these cute stories happen in the same community of Paradise, Pennsylvania. 

The first novella is called A Marriage of the Heart and is about a girl who schemes her dad into marrying her to this young man after only meeting him the day before.  All she wants is to get out from under the thumb of her sullen father but she gets more than she bargains for.  Can the two young adults find love in a forced marriage?

What the Heart Sees is about an Amish girl who loses her sight in an accident and believes that she will never be able to marry because of her impairment.  But God has special plans for her that can overcome any obstacle.

I thought the last story was one that all married couples should read.  Healing Hearts is about an Amish man who leaves his wife for almost a year and returns, hoping that his family can find it in their hearts to forgive him.  Can God bring good out of this despairing situation?

I was very impressed with all three of these thought provoking and spiritual love stories, even with this being the first Amish book that I've ever read.  There were many sexual references (used within marriage) though so I really wouldn't let young teens and children read it.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and am happy to recommend it to other older teens and adults who love to read Christian Romances as much as I do.

(This was a book, of my choice, that booksneeze.com sent to me for free if I agreed to read it and review it honestly.)

Dragons of the Valley by Donita K. Paul

This second book in the Chiril Chronicles is even better than the first.  I'd recommend that you start with the first one though (The Vanishing Sculptor).  Dragons of the Valley starts off very exciting and mysterious, so much that I can't even describe very much of the beginning without spoiling this mystery.  What happens though is Bealomondore is woken from his sleep by Maxon, a kimen, and is told that he needs to take and leave the palace with one of the three Trio of Elements statues if he wants to keep them safe.  Separating these three statues would unbalance the world once again so this confuses Bealomondore.  The rest of the story is about the invasion of Chiril by the neighboring country of Baardack and the heros' adventure to keep the statues safe as well as to defeat the evil penetrating their world.  Can a world despairing and unknowing of the creator, defeat this onslaught of evil?  You'll be satisfied with the ending is all I can say.

The new characters, plot, conflict, and magic entertain thoroughly leaving you yearning for more.  The dialect of the two Amaran characters, from Donita's last series, and Lady Peg is even more befuddling than their past appearances and funny beyond the norm.  The character growth in the story is very cool to watch and inspiring to see.  I was really happy to see Tipper stop all her whining, from the last book, and grow up a little.  All in all, this was an amazing book by Donita K. Paul and I can't wait for the next one that is to come out.  All you dragon lovers and Christian fantasy readers, this is a book you don't want to miss out on. 

Buy Book: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400073405
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Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul

A Godly love is waiting to form between two young and hurting believers.  A love destined by God and a love blessed by God.  This book takes you through the magical and romantic story of Cora and Simon.  Two people living in modern America get tickets to a Christmas Ball when they meet each other at a mysterious bookstore.  Can a painful past and job situation keep these two from the true love and happiness that God wants for them? Will these matchmaking bookstore owners succeed in their task?  Find out by Reading this cute Christmas Love Story.

I really enjoyed this Novella by Donita K. Paul.  The magic within the story and the Christian love were amazing and fun.  The characters were lovable and i'm sure many people can relate to the special main characters.  I would recommend this to all book lovers like myself.

(I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review and this opinion is my own.)
Buy Book here: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9780307458995
Video Trailer for the Book: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr3-m5YpQpU
Download Chapter one here: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/2010/10/02/sneak-peek-two-tickets-to-the-christmas-ball-by-donita-k-paul/?ref=BloggingForBooks_Chapter1Link
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