I'm So Sure by Jenny B Jones

I'm So Sure by Jenny B Jones is the second in the Charmed Life series, the third Jenny B Jones novel that I've read and THE reason I'm declaring Jenny B Jones to be my favorite author for 2009. I know I usually post my "best of" list at the end of December, but I didn't want you to have to wait that long for this news. Because I know you've been on the edge of your seats.

Picking up where So Not Happening left off, we follow Bella as she navigates her way through high school with her new friends. When her stepdad brings home the news about a reality show he's signed the family up for Bella is sure it won't interfere with her life, but it does. In ways you'll never expect! Throw in the cute editor for the school newspaper (who she does not want to like), her old boyfriend who is trying to start things up again and some suspicious activity involving the prom committee and it equals one great read.

Unfortunately I don't have a copy of this book to give away. Fortunately for you, Jenny B Jones does at her website. Click here and do it soon because this one is only for this week!

I promise you though, once you get started reading her work you'll want to read all of her books.

NEVER have I read an author who writes with such hilarity. Honestly, she cracks me up. She makes me want to dust off my needs-much-work 87,000 word novel and have at it again. Maybe I'll do that. Until then I hope she can continue cranking them out. It's too long to wait between books.

You can purchase this and all of Jenny's books at Amazon.

This book was given to me to review by the author. She didn't pay me. I wouldn't have accepted it anyway. Some books you'd have to pay me to read. Not this one.

White Picket Fences

I love a good Susan Meissner novel. White Picket Fences is a story about family secrets that go back generations and the ones that the Janvier family are still keeping hidden today. There are many levels to this story. Tally, who is dropped off at her grandmothers house while her dad races around the world looking for buried treasure. Chase, the Janviers teenage son who is seeing things in his dreams and remembering pieces of a puzzle of his past. His parents who are trying to keep this puzzle from him. His mom who is confiding in a co-worker of the opposite sex. The two men in the nursing home with links to a concentration camp. And yet all of this ties together in the end.

Susan has always written an engaging story and this one is no different. What is different however is the inclusion of several curse words that completely took this reader by surprise. Was NOT expecting that from a Christian fiction author.

This is actually the fourth "Christian" fiction book I've read over the past several years that's has curse words in it. One major publishing house, when I emailed them my concerns over this replied with something along the lines of, "this book isn't "Christian fiction," it's mainstream fiction written by a Christian." I was instructed to turn it over and look at the genre that's listed right above the barcode.

This book too, is now listed as "Fiction/contemporary" and not as religious/Christian/inspirational.

So now when we visit the Christian bookstore and look for a good CLEAN read, without any questionable words/scenes in it we have to flip the book over and make sure it's listed as religious/Christian/inspirational?

I know you're probably wondering what the questionable words were. Two times a character says, "What the h***" and two times this same character calls someone an a**.

Yes, I realize these are mild obscenities, but at what point then do we draw the line? Why should we conform to the world or lower our standards to appeal to a larger audience?

Author Angela Hunt has mentioned this subject several times on her blog and I agree with her. Why not just write, "He cursed" or "He swore"?

I was disappointed to say the least.

I do have a copy of this to give away if you're interested. Leave me a comment and let me know you want to win this book.

You can read more about this book or purchase it here.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Limelight

Limelight by Melody Carlson was a delight to read. Claudette was the spoiled self-centered actress that I loved to LOVE. She was simply adorable. Watching her navigate new experiences and even learning how to do her own laundry made me giggle in appreciation of her efforts. Melody did such a good job writing this character and even more so by tackling a gay character, which isn't something I normally appreciate. This book proves, once again why Melody is one of the best selling authors in the Christian fiction arena.

About the book:

Claudette Fioré used to turn heads and break hearts. She relished the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle because she had what it takes: money, youth, fame, and above all, beauty. But age has withered that beauty, and a crooked accountant has taken her wealth, leaving the proud widow penniless and alone.

Armed with stubbornness and sarcasm, Claudette returns to her shabby little hometown and her estranged sister. Slowly, she makes friends. She begins to see her old life in a new light. For the first time, Claudette Fioré questions her own values and finds herself wondering if it’s too late to change.

For more info or to purchase a copy for yourself click here.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

What Matters Most

What Matters Most is the latest and final installment in Melody Carlson's Diary of a Teenage Girl series. This youth/teen fiction story about Maya drew me in and made me want to go back and start at the beginning and read all nine books. Even though this is the last one I wasn't left wondering what was going on. Melody has an amazing way of getting into the head of teen girls and this book is no exception. I recommend it to teen girls and their moms too!

About the book:

Maya’s Green Tip for the Day: Recycled fashion is one of the most fun ways to go green. A pair of jeans could be transformed into a denim skirt. A sweater into a vest. A bunch of old ties into a dress. A blanket into a poncho. Accessorize it in new way–with beads, buttons, appliqués, buckles, stencils, or ribbons…your imagination is only the limit.

Sixteen-year-old Maya Stark has a lot to sort through. She could graduate from high school early if she wants to. She’s considering it, especially when popular cheerleader Vanessa Hartman decides to make her life miserable–and Maya’s ex-boyfriend Dominic gets the wrong idea about everything.

To complicate matters even more, Maya’s mother will be released from prison soon, and she’ll want Maya to live with her again. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. And when Maya plays her dad’s old acoustic guitar in front of an audience, she discovers talents and opportunities she never expected. Faced with new options, Maya must choose between a “normal” life and a glamorous one. Ultimately, she has to figure out what matters most.

For more about this book or to purchase it click here.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Leaving Carolina

When I read a book by Tamara Leigh it's like taking a vacation with some friends that I haven't seen for a long time. Leaving Carolina is no exception. I loved following Piper back to her hometown for a longer-than-planned visit with her family and people that she'd forgotten about. Watching Piper struggle with balancing her almost-fiance and the cute new guy while trying to keep her biggest secret a secret leads to some touching and laughable moments. Thanks Tamara, for another fun read!

About the book:

Piper Wick left her hometown of Pickwick, North Carolina, twelve years ago, shook the dust off her feet, ditched her drawl and her family name, and made a new life for herself as a high-powered public relations consultant in LA. She’s even “engaged to be engaged” to the picture-perfect U.S. Congressman Grant Spangler.

Now all of Piper’s hard-won happiness is threatened by a reclusive uncle’s bout of conscience. In the wake of a health scare, Uncle Obadiah Pickwick has decided to change his will, leaving money to make amends for four generations’ worth of family misdeeds. But that will reveal all the Pickwicks’ secrets, including Piper’s.

Though Piper arrives in Pickwick primed for battle, she is unprepared for Uncle Obe’s rugged, blue-eyed gardener. So just who is Axel Smith? Why does he think making amends is more than just making restitution? And why, oh why, can’t she stay on task? With the Lord’s help, Piper is about to discover that although good PR might smooth things over, only the truth will set her free.

For more info or to purchase Leaving Carolina, click here.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

The Swiss Courier

This book was provided for review by the Litfuse Publicity Group.

About the book!
It is August 1944 and the Gestapo is mercilessly rounding up suspected enemies of the Third Reich. When Joseph Engel, a German physicist working on the atomic bomb, finds that he is actually a Jew, adopted by Christian parents, he must flee for his life to neutral Switzerland. Gabi Mueller is a young Swiss-American woman working for the newly formed American Office of Strategic Services (the forerunner to the CIA) close to Nazi Germany. When she is asked to risk her life to safely "courier" Engel out of Germany, the fate of the world rests in her hands. If she can lead him to safety, she can keep the Germans from developing nuclear capabilities. But in a time of traitors and uncertainty, whom can she trust along the way? This fast-paced, suspenseful novel takes readers along treacherous twists and turns during a fascinating--and deadly--time in history.

About the authors:
Tricia Goyer is the author of several books, including Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights, both past winners of the ACFW's Book of the Year Award for Long Historical Romance. Goyer lives with her family in Montana. To find out more visit her website: www.triciagoyer.com
Mike Yorkey is the author or coauthor of dozens of books, including the bestselling Every Man's Battle series. Married to a Swiss native, Yorkey lived in Switzerland for 18 months. He and his family currently reside in California.To find out more visit his website: www.MikeYorkey.com

While I haven't had the time to read this yet I'm looking forward to getting into it because I love all things from the 40's.

You can buy the book here.

Read what others are saying about The Swiss Courier.

Cranberry Sweet Potato muffins

For Ruth.

enjoy!

Cranberry sweet potato muffins

1 1/2 cups flour 1/2 cup sugar 2 tsp baking powder 3/4 tsp salt 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1 egg 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup cold mashed sweet potato 1/4 cup melted butter 1 cup whole cranberries cinnamon sugar Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon & nutmeg. In separate bowl combine egg, milk, sweet potato & butter. Stir into dry ingredients until moist. Fill greased muffin cups half full. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake at 375 for 18-22 minutes. These freeze well.