Child of mine by David and Beverly Lewis

The story centers around Nattie who is 8 years old and the adopted child of Jack Livingston.  Jack took over the raising of Nattie when his brother and sister-in-law died suddenly in an auto accident.  Although he has the full-time help of a young Amish nanny,  Laura Mast, he realizes that Nattie needs a mother.  So he starts dating again with the help of his sister.  Interwoven in this story is Kelly Maine and her eight year search for her daughter.  Her baby was taken from her by her ex-husband and she has been searching for her ever since. Both Jack and Kelly go through a spiritual revelation as their relationship develops.  On the way to answer the question, "Is Nattie the daughter of Kelly Maine?",  the authors provide enough twists and turns to hold the reader’s interest to the very last page with a surprising outcome.

50 things you need to know about heaven

by Dr. John Hart, Professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.

This book is made up of fifty 2-3 page chapters to answer such questions beginning with ”Who goes to heaven?” and “How good must a person be to get to heaven?” and dealing with basic questions of  “Where is heaven?” and “Will animals be in heaven?” and the more current “Are the stories true about people going to heaven and returning?”  ending with the final need-to-know “What can I do to prepare for eternity in heaven?” Each question is answered with scriptural support in addition to several scripture references in the “For further study” notation at the end of each chapter.  It is a well thought out and well documented writing answering 50 of the most frequently asked questions regarding heaven.  The writing is clear and the statements are well supported.  This is an excellent basis resource on the subject – clear and concise and comprehensive.

Mystery and Romance
Silenced is the fourth book in the Alaskan Courage series by Dani Pettrey.  The series centers around the McKenna family sibblings Cole, Book One, Piper, Book Two, Gage, Book Three, and Kayden, Book Four.  In Silenced, Kayden is pressed into investigating a mountain climbing accident-turned-murder with newly deputized Jake Cavanagh.  Their rocky history together is on the mend but both are vowing not to get "involved".  As their investigation progresses and the murderer turns on them, they realize their need for each other in order to overcome the enemy.  The fast moving action and surprise twists will hold the reader to the very end!

History and Romance
It is nearly impossible to survive as a woman in the wilderness in 1837 and yet, Amanda Pearson is not only a survivor but a Woman of Courage.  Wanda Brunstetter authors this novel revolving around the beautiful young Quaker and her father as they begin their 3000 mile quest to minister to the Nez Perce Indians.
They believe they are prepared for anything but what they do not count on is the death and near death experiences along the way.  Amanda almost gives up on reaching the Lap Valley Mission when handsome Buck McFadden agrees to escort her there and unknowingly begins a spiritual journey for them both.

Here are two excellent sites for Christian readers:

1. 1. http://Redeemedreader.com whose mission statement reads: “Our goal…is to shine a gospel light on children’s literature so that Christian parents, educators, and the children they nurture may read in a more redeemed and redeeming way.”
2. 2.  http://www.bookreporter.com/faithfulreader - This site features Christian book reviews, author talks, book giveaways, and much more.

Romance and much more!

Author Tracie Peterson begins her new  series, Lone Star Brides, with the novel entitled A Sensible Arrangement.  Marty Olson is so determined to leave Texas  behind ,  along with all the painful memories of the death of her husband,  that she accepts the offer of marriage to complete stranger Jake Wythe and moves  to Denver, Colorado.  Jake also has painful memories of his deceased spouse  but, unlike Marty, he has maintained his walk of faith.  His faith and that of the household force Marty to revisit her own walk and this, in turn, affects all of her relationships especially with Jake.  In the 1890s Jake and Marty live among the wealthy of Denver and when that life is shaken by a collapsing economy, both Marty and Jake must change their relationship to each other as they come to depend on their faith to get them through troubled  times.

History and Romance with a bit of Mystery

Tide and Tempest is Book 3 and the final book in the Edge of Freedom Series by Elizabeth Ludwig.  It can be read separately even though it continues the connection to the revolutionary Irish Fenians group in the 1800s.  Tillie’s betrothed, Braedon, died aboard Captain Morgan’s boat two years previously and the good Captain has returned to New York to check on her welfare.  He feels obligated to help her when he is made aware that his ship’s doctor actually poisoned her fiancé.  In the process, Morgan learns that Tillie’s life is now endanger and his protective instincts change into love as the danger on her life increases.  There is plenty of intrigue and mystery involved as Morgan and his brother, Cass, strive to find out who is behind the murder of Braedon and why the assassin was hired to murder the man Tillie was to marry.

The Edge of Freedom series begins with No Safe Harbor (1) and Dark Road Home (2).