"The Red Satin Slip" by Rizzy

"The Red Satin Slip," published by Dorrance Publishing is a very short but entertaining story. I enjoyed reading it, although I wish it was much longer, I did not want it to end. The story centers around the heroine, Helen, whose husband betrays her by taking a sexy photograph and selling it to Playboy. In the mean time, a rich American millionnaire sees the photograph in Playboy and falls in love with Helen. Dominique, the American millionnaire, becomes very protective, hires body guards and watches Helen from afar, finally meeting her. Loved how the story ends, but I will leave that a secret!

Here's a direct link to the book:

http://dorrance.stores.yahoo.net/redsatinslip.html

I received this book free, in exchange for my honest review as a member of the Dorrance Book Review Team.

Until We Chat Again,

QuiltingCheri

"A Conversation with God for Women"

What an wonderful book this is! The author, Marcia Ford, has a true understanding of a woman's heart and what she might most want to talk to God about. I love the way the book is broken down, into sections, that make it very easy for the reader to instantly find what she most wants to read about...or like me, find a section she loves to read over and over again. I particularly enjoyed the "life" section, as I feel that is a common area of question and concern for ladies. My favorite? "How can we do it all?" What woman doesn't want to understand how God might view this topic! Very inspirational with clear scripturally based commentary, although clearly the Biblical or scriptural interpretation of the author. Highly recommended.

Here's a link to the book:

http://www.amazon.com/Conversation-God-Women-Could-Anything/dp/078523179X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1305040149&sr=8-1

I was provided this book free through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program in exchange for my unbiased review.

Until we chat again,

QuiltingCheri

"On Our Way to Tomorrow"

“On Our Way to Tomorrow” published by Dorrance Publishing is an enjoyable book, but I admit I was disappointed with some aspects. I really loved the heroine, Anne Appleton, and her struggle westward. Anne is an extremely strong woman who faces tremendous obstacles achieving her goal, including a very untimely death of her parents. In the end, that makes her much stronger. Despite tragedy and what seems like impossible odds, Anne faces those odds with dignity and integrity. Anne is clearly an intelligent woman, who is thoughtful, witty and enjoyable; she shines with life's ever-changing events. She has admirable traits and seems to have her priorities well established: Her family is her life and she is a most loyal friend. I enjoy western romance novels, so I expected to love this book; on hindsight, maybe my expectations were too high. I found the chapters short and choppy, which I did not care for. I also did not care for some of the unnecessary graphic detail, and found it not only offensive, but totally unnecessary to the story line, especially in the beginning of the book. The heroine's character had not yet been developed, so I was confused. Had the information been introduced later in the book after the reader developed an affinity for the heroine, it might have worked better. In my opinion, a little bit less information leaves more to the imagination of the reader. I did not like the foreshadowing in the very beginning of the book; I would rather have been surprised later in the book. I received a complimentary copy of “On Our Way to Tomorrow as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team. Here’s a link to this and other books by Dorrance Publishing:

http://dorrance.stores.yahoo.net/onourwaytoto.html

Until We Chat Again,

Quiltingcheri

Choices

"Lady in Waiting," by Susan Meissner, published by WaterBrook Press is a very intriguing historical romance. This book unveiled the fascinating stories of two very different Janes: Jane Lindsey and Lady Jane, separated by a continent, lifestyle, and nearly 500 years....however, connected through a ring. The current day Jane, also know as Jane Lindsey, an east coast native, was at a crossroads in her life, something she had been avoiding addressing until her husband abruptly accepted a job in another state and left home and her. The aristrocratic Lady Jane, nearly 500 years earlier had her own set of problems and issues, she loved one, but was betrothed to another. Both Janes facing new challenges and choices in their lives, and neither Jane making decisions, but rather complying with the decisions of others. I immediately fell in love with both Janes, not to mention other notable characters in the book, such as Lady Jane's seamstress and commoner friend, Lucy.

The book is written in a very enticing format. For a very short time, I found the approach a bit distracting bouncing forward and back in time with the lives of our respective Janes, but I adjusted very quickly and was engrossed in their stories. I did feel the book ended a bit too abruptly; I very disappointed and want to know more. Too many questions were left unanswered. I hope there will be a sequel because I want to know how Jane Lindsey's life turns out and if her dreams are realized. While I do know the fate of Lady Jane, I would love to follow the life of her seamstress and dear friend, Lucy. Would these unanswered questions deter me from recommending this book? No, it is a high compliment that I want to know more of the story. I received this book free from WaterBrook Publishing for this review.

The Story of Katie and Adelle

Hilltop House, published by Dorrance Publishing, is an amazing book, I could not put it down. The main character, Kate Bonner, is a wonderfully developed character; a true woman of substance. The surprise for me was Kate's mom, Adelle, a madame by necessity. The amazing thing? By the end of the book I adored her, too, much to my surprise. The romance (yes, there's romance!) was believable and moving. I found that there were some nice twists and turns that I could not have predicted, which is a rarity for me, and I really enjoyed it. This is definitely not one of those read one, read them all books!

One of the neat things about this book is the history interspersed throughout, which was refreshing and made the whole story line seem realistic. Kate Bonner is the kind of woman anyone would admire, from personal aspirations to community pillar. She has an amazing degree of compassion, even for those who might not be worthy of that compassion at times. She is a wonderful businesswoman who was successful in a time when success and women were not necessarily compatible terms. She has an excellent support network in her mom and many friends, but her mom's loyalty and unyielding commitment for Kate's happiness and success is unconditional and limitless. I received a complimentary copy of Hilltop House as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team. Here’s a link to the book, trust me, you want to read this one!!

Link:
http://dorrance.stores.yahoo.net/hilltophouse.html

Cheri

"Divine Appointments" by Charlene Ann Baumbich

I just finished reading "Divine Appointments" by Charlene Ann Baumbich, and I really enjoyed it. The book is a lighthearted, entertaining novel with well developed characters. I had no difficulty keeping up with the plot or who is who among the characters. The story was fascinating and for the most part, I could not predict the outcomes...other than the obvious love story line, which was also very enjoyable. I found it to be one of those books I just did not want to put down. A Christian theme runs through the story with a very nice, gentle approach, so not to overwhelm the reader. One of the characters is a writer, and I found the snippets of her book added to the story. Initially that was a little bit distracting, but I became interested in the novel within the novel.

This book is apparently part of a series the author is writing around the theme of "Snowglobe Connections," however, the books are all stand-alone with unique characters and unique settings, so one does not depend on the other. I enjoyed this book so much, I will without a doubt be ordering the first book in this "series" immediately and anxiously wait for it. Very highly recommended! I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

"The Thorn" by Beverly Lewis

Oh, what an excellent book, I can hardly wait for the next one....due out in 2011! Oh, that's okay, 2011 starts in a few hours, right??!??

"The Thorn" is the first book in the Rose Trilogy, and what a way to start. As usual, Beverly Lewis, winds a story and characters like no one else, I was captivated almost immediately. This story surrounds Rose, the younger sister, who is being pursued by two suitors, one Amish and one not-so-Amish. Her sister, nicknamed Hen, left the Amish community several years earlier and married the Englischer, Brandon, a cardinal sin. After having her own daugher, Hen reconsiders the lifestyle she wishes for her daughter and begins coming back around, missing her Amish roots. Hen's husband, Brandon, is not pleased with that decision and throws multiple obstacles in the way.

Rose, of course, had to bear the gossip and frustration that surrounded her older sister leaving, along with all of the other problems of daily living just running an Amish household, after Rose's mamm is wheelchair bound following a very unfortunate accident. Warning: As usual, Ms. Lewis leaves us anxiously awaiting the next installment at the conclusion of this book.......