When Mockingbirds Sing By: Billy Coffey

Faith, sacrifice, hope, and loss are major elements in this story. The Rainbow Man speaks to Leah Norcross, a child. He sings to her and tells her to draw pictures. Why can’t anyone else see him? Can you believe something you can’t see? What if someone draws a picture? Does that make it any more real? Leah tries hard to make the people of Mattingly understand something is happening, but they won’t listen. They try to run her and her family out of town because of Leah’s drawings that she says the Rainbow Man told her to draw. Leah’s first drawing foretells something happening, and it comes to pass. The town minister, Reggie Goggins, fears God is speaking to her instead of through him. Then, her second drawing is filled with so much darkness, people don’t know whether to believe her, fear her, or dismiss her view of the future. Once you start this book, you won’t be able to put it down. You won’t even remember you’re reading a book. I felt like I was watching a Hitchcock or Stephen King movie. The characters come to life on the page and wrap you up in their story. Barney Moore and his wife Mabel are the first to experience Leah’s foretelling. But since that came true, does that mean the darkness in the second drawing will come true as well? Leah’s father, Tom Norcross, doesn’t believe in God, but then he sees something happen right before his eyes that makes him know Leah is telling the truth. But, how do you convince others of something they are afraid of, can’t see, and don’t want to hear about? Sometimes it’s the littlest among us that have the most faith. See how Leah changes a town with her faith while they suffer loss as the destruction engulfs them. Will the sacrifices some of the town members have to make give room to the faith they will need to overcome? Is the Rainbow Man God-like or is he something else? You’ll have to read the book to find out! I look forward to reading more stories by Billy Coffey! This was a great read and a definite read for anyone who loves suspense-filled novels with real characters and vivid descriptions. I received this book free from Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.

Found in the Woods By: LoRee Peery

I just came across LoRee Peery’s books the other day. After reading Found in the Woods, I am now a fan for life! LoRee Peery does an awesome job of weaving a story of faith, trust, love, and overcoming fear into characters that you care about in a book that you will not be able to put down. I tuned everything out while reading this book, realizing that time had passed as I was lost in the pages. Beth Phillips is running from an abusive ex-husband, a past that she can’t change, and an unknowable future. She runs to a secluded cabin to hide and draw closer to God. Aiden Holt is following rumors of a wolf; as he tries to capture the wolf, he realizes he has lost his heart to Beth; however, he has a past and secrets of his own. Can they get past their fears and their past that has shaped them, to trust God fully and overcome their fear? All through this book, LoRee Peery gives us wisdom to use in our everyday struggle to live for God. “Knowing the Lord doesn’t promise a storm-free life. But it is the sweetest guarantee that I don’t have to face life alone. His grace carries me through anything I face. That’s in Isaiah forty-three.” She even gives you scriptures to back up what she is saying to help you in your walk. “Jesus is everything I need at any given moment. Strength, courage, shelter, inspiration.” No matter what you are going through, Jesus is all you need. People can make choices that mess up somebody else’s plans and their actions impact our lives, but whatever happens, God is bigger than anything we’ll face. There is nothing you can do about your past; trust God with your future. Having a personal relationship with Him is knowing that He is guiding your steps. Why is “Do not be afraid” the most repeated command in the Bible? Fear is paralyzing; it takes faith, trust, and love to overcome fear. The twists and turns in this story will take you on a journey of overcoming paralyzing fear by faith, trust, and love. This book is for anyone who has experienced fear and anyone who loves a great Christian romance. I cannot wait to read more by this author!

A Noble Groom By: Jody Hedlund

Another amazing story by Jody Hedlund! A Noble Groom will hook you from the first page. Annalisa Werner was married to a man who stole from her, gambled, and then found dead. What’s she to do? As a German immigrant, her father says a husband has to be found for her. While waiting for her husband-to-be to arrive, Carl Richards needs a safe place to stay. But, if they find out who he is, they will kill him. Can he find the peace and security he needs here with Annalisa and her child? Can Annalisa learn to trust and love again, to move past Carl’s secret? Annalisa needs to get her fields plowed and the seed planted in order to pay off her loan, or she will lose her farm. Ward Harris is determined to own her land instead so he can build a successful sawmill on the land. How can she protect herself against him? Can she open her heart to Carl, or will she settle for a marriage with a groom from the Old Country? Annalisa and Carl find out that when you trust God, all things are possible. As they fight drought, fire, and typhoid fever, they realize faith in God and love for each other is all they need.

Search and Rescue By Marianne Evans

I received this novel free from the author in exchange for a review. Search and Rescue is a wonderful book in so many ways! Jenny Foster and Ryan Douglas have similar challenges to face. They each faced them alone, not knowing God was drawing them together to be a help to each other. Blessings verses burdens. How do you perceive the trials you are going through? Do you vent in anger, whine, or get depressed, or do you thank God for what you are going through because it makes you the person that He wants you to be? Jenny and Ryan both have parents that are challenged. Jenny’s mom is bipolar and Ryan’s dad is paralyzed. All question if there is a purpose to the events in their lives. Jenny is afraid to let Ryan in her life for fear he will walk right back out. Is the risk worth the reward? Can God open her heart to the one He has for her? Sometimes you need someone with you and God knows who that person should be. Believe in God, trust in Him, and He will provide. Sometimes all it takes is a different perspective. Look at what you have, and not what you don’t have. Accept your worth, see how wonderful God has made you. Your life is a beautiful tapestry, each piece put lovingly put together by God for His child, you. Find faith, hold on to it, and draw from it to see the life you’ve been given through God’s eyes. These are lessons that Jenny must learn as she struggles daily with her faith and learns how to trust God again, Once you start this book you will not be able to put it down. The characters come to life with their real life issues and insecurities. As you read their story, you will find pieces of truth to hold onto to help you in your own life. Your faith will be kindled and your trust restored in a loving God who looks out for you. I look forward to reading much more by this author!

Claiming Mariah by Pam Hillman

Claiming Mariah by Pam Hillman is a wonderful story! I started it and couldn't put it down. The day Mariah Malone met Slade, he was there to tell her the ranch her father bought was bought with stolen money and didn't belong to her, but to him, since his father was dead. He died because her father had shot him. Mariah's father is also dead, so how can she get to the bottom and find the truth? This story is filled with acts of forgiveness and exercising faith. Can Mariah and Slade put aside their differences and find the love waiting for them? Mariah agrees to leave because she says as much as leaving hurt, confessing her father's sins hurt more. Her grandmother tells her that we've got to do right in God's sight, and the rest will fall into place. Mariah's grandmother is full of humor and wisdom. Mariah's friend Sally is the preacher's wife and a wonderful character. Once you pick up this book, you will have found friends you won't want to leave when the book ends. If you love western romances with God-experiencing lessons, you will love this book. Sometimes we have to learn to forgive ourselves and have faith in what God wants for us. Enjoy this lovely story of Slade and Mariah! I can't wait to read more by this author!

A Hero for Dry Creek By Janet Tronstad I loved this story by Janet Tronstad. Ever wonder if a fairy tale could come true? Just ask Nicki Redfern! She wakes up one morning and thinks she sees Prince Charming outside her window. Prince Charming, aka Garrett Hamilton, is acting as a chauffeur for someone close to Nicki. This person will bring back hurtful memories for Nicki. Can she come to peace with her past and give up her independence? Can Garrett give up Big Blue and his “on the road” lifestyle? Read this story and see how God can use a fairy tale, a truck driver, and the past to forge a loving, happy-ever-after, God-led future when you trust God. Nicki’s mother left when she was young. She never knew why. Now is her chance to find out what happened since her mother has come back. Can she understand why her mother did what she did? Can she find forgiveness in her heart? Will she find true love with Garrett? Everyone will enjoy reading this book. A touch of western, inspirational, lots of humor and romance, you won’t want to put this book down once you start it!

Accused By: Janice Cantore I loved this book! Janice Cantore does a great job of pulling you into the story and not letting you go. Detective Carly Edwards is a patrol cop. She is part of an officer-involved shooting and is reassigned to a desk job in juvenile. She doesn’t understand why God would do this to her. She loses her patrol job, goes through a divorce, and is left wondering where God is in her life. Nick, her ex-husband, is also a cop and has become a Christian since their divorce. He has been spending time with Carly’s mother and she has introduced him to a personal relationship with God. Carly has to figure out who she can trust and who is out to kill her. When the mayor is killed, Carly must find out who is part of the conspiracy. Carly wants to do everything herself; it’s safer that way. However, she must learn to trust God and learn to forgive. You will not want to put this book down once you start! By the time you finish this book your faith will be strengthened and renewed. Follow Carly as she questions God and see if she surrenders to God, or stays on the same path resisting God. If you love a good mystery, this book is for you. The suspense and intrigue will keep you on the edge of your seat to the very last page. Nick is there with her every step of the way, but is he part of the conspiracy? Pick up this book today and be ready to be swept away! Janice Cantore is a retired Long Beach police office and brings her background into her novel. The scenes are depicted realistically and the characters are believable and lifelike. I can’t wait to read another novel by Janice Cantore.