Tag Archives: Christian Fiction

Falling Like Snowflakes

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Author: Denise Hunter                   falling
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Holiday Fiction
Source: Purchased

 

Goodreads:  Eden Martelli is too busy fleeing the clutches of danger to realize she’s running straight into the arms of a new love.

Speeding north through rural Maine, Eden Martelli wonders how her life came to this—on the run with her mute five-year-old son dozing fitfully in the passenger seat. When a breakdown leaves them stranded in Summer Harbor, Eden has no choice but to stay put through Christmas . . . even though they have no place to lay their heads.

Beau Callahan is a habitual problem solver—for other people anyway. He left the sheriff’s department to take over his family’s Christmas tree farm, but he’s still haunted by the loss of his parents and struggling to handle his first Christmas alone.

When Eden shows up looking for work just as Beau’s feisty aunt gets out of the hospital, Beau thinks he’s finally caught a break. Eden is competent and dedicated—if a little guarded—and a knockout to boot. But, as he soon finds out, she also comes with a boatload of secrets.

Eden has been through too much to trust her heart to another man, but Beau is impossible to resist, and the feeling seems to be mutual. As Christmas Eve approaches, Eden’s past catches up to her.

Beau will go to the ends of the earth to keep her safe. But who’s going to protect his heart from a woman who can’t seem to trust again.

Ope’s Opinion: This was an exciting, intense read!  The characters were amazing!  I think this is the beginning of a series – I hope that is right because I want to read more of these people. 

Denise Hunter is one of my favorite authors!  I don’t even have to read the synopsis of the book to know I want to read it.  She always has a great story with characters I care about.

Rating: 5 – This book is so good it will be passed on and on and on…

Fifteen Minutes

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Author: Karen Kingsbury            15 minutes
Publisher: Howard Books
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source:  Purchased

 

 

Goodreads:  Overnight, Zack is the nation’s most popular contestant, a country singer with the looks and voice of a young Elvis. As his star rises, Zack is asked to compromise and quiet his beliefs, and also something more. Just as America is falling in love with Zack, just as he’s on the verge of winning it all, his choices lead him to the brink of personal disaster.

At the same time, Reese Weatherly, a therapeutic horse instructor, is no longer sure about her relationship with Zack, or the wedding they had dreamed about. While Zack advances from one round of the competition to the next, an offer comes to Reese–one that will take her to a home halfway around the world.

Then Chandra Olson–reigning diva pop star and one of the Fifteen Minutes judges–intervenes. Chandra has suffered so much public pain and private agony since her days as a Fifteen Minutes contestant. Now she wants just one thing: meaning.

Can Chandra’s private losses help Zack find his way, or will his fifteen minutes of fame cause him to lose the life he once loved? Fifteen Minutesis a story of character, compromise, and the cost of having it all. A story that raises the question: Who are the real winners?

Ope’s Opinion: If you enjoy Karen’s Kingsbury’s writing, you will enjoy this book.  

Her portrayal of fame did not feel realistic to me. I did like her characters and wanted them to succeed.   The story was very negative.  The ending was left open for a possible sequel.

If you enjoy Christian fiction, you may like Denise Hunter, Rachel Hauck, Melody Carlson and Susan May Warren.

Rating:  3 – I like this book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.

 

Married ’til Monday

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Author: Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson                married
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source: NetGalley

 

Goodreads:  With a big anniversary party in the works for her parents, Ryan will pretend to be Abby’s husband for just one last weekend.

Ryan McKinley has tried to move on from his ex-wife, Abby. He’s sulked, he’s gotten angry, and ultimately he bought her dream house. Big mistake. Living alone in the massive 2-story has only made him miss her more. When her parents call him out of the blue about their anniversary party in Summer Harbor, Maine, Ryan believes God has dropped a golden opportunity straight in his lap.

Abby McKinley never exactly told her parents about the divorce. A strained relationship with her dad has culminated in a distant relationship with her parents, but she’s finally succumbed to her mom’s pressure to make the drive for their 35th-anniversary party.

Then Ryan shows up on her doorstep, looking as devastatingly handsome as ever. When he insists he’s going to Seabrook, with or without her, Abby knows she can’t say no. Her parents still think they’re married and now Ryan knows it too. Besides, he only wants to check in with his best friend from college—her cousin Beau, who just lost his dad. It’s just a one-week road-trip with the man who broke her heart. What could possibly go wrong?

Ope’s Opinion:  Out of all the McKinlely stories, this was the hardest to read.  Abby had a lot of issues that I think a reader could relate to, but made it a little on the sad side.

Abby and Ryan had a road trip that was a reflection of their relationship – lots of ups and downs.  There were several road blocks along the way and some detours.  It was a long winding road ( could have been a little shorter ).  Abby had to work through some issues.

The ending was expected, but also what you wanted.  It was good to see where all the siblings were too.  The McKinley series was an enjoyable family to get to know.

Rating: 4 – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.

The Wishing Season

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Author:  Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson  wishing
Genre:  Christian Fiction
Source:  NetGalley

 

Goodreads:  She daydreams of whipping up sauces and souffles in her own restaurant. His heart is set on helping foster children. Both dreams are at stake. So are their hearts.

With grand plans to open her own bed & breakfast in Chapel Springs, PJ McKinley can’t afford the most crucial part: the brick and mortar. But when the owner of a local historic home announces a contest and promises her property to the worthiest candidate, PJ makes a fervent wish and tosses her name into the hat.

Cole Evans is cool, confident, and successful, but he’ll never forget his roots. He’s thankful for how far he’s come and knows his life could have turned out drastically different. If he can win the stately old mansion, he’ll turn it into a home for children aging out of the foster system.

When the eccentric house owner narrows the entries down to only two applicants, she extends the contest, giving PJ and Cole one year to prove which one of them can make the best use of her beloved home. As the pair competes in close proximity, something deeper than rivalry sparks between PJ and Cole. And in this battle, they’re likely to lose their hearts.

Ope’s Opinion:  Another good story from Denise Hunter.  She just seems to able to write a story that draws me in and keeps me wanting to read more.  I especially like the McKinley family.  This is the third book – there is one more – can’t wait!!

I think PJ’s story will hit home with the youngest in a family.  Everyone seems to have an opinion about how she should live her life and who she should live her life with.  It makes her second guess herself.

I like when a fiction story teaches me a little something along the way.  I didn’t really think about how hard it would be as a foster child to just be homeless at the age of 18.  I liked learning about transitional homes.  Just another way Denise Hunter writes awesome fiction that feels so real.

Rating: 4.5 – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.

Dancing with Fireflies

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Author: Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers                        dancing
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source: Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

 

 

Goodreads:  Jade returns home to Chapel Springs after years of protecting her fragile heart. Then along comes Daniel, making her long to dance again.

Creative and complicated, Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden growing up in Chapel Springs. When she left, she thought she’d never look back. But now, pregnant, alone, and broke, she has no other choice but to return.

The mayor of Chapel Springs, Daniel Dawson, has been an honorary member of the McKinley family for years. While his own home life was almost non-existent, Daniel fit right into the boisterous McKinley family. He’s loved Jade for years, but she always saw him as a big brother. Now that she’s back, his feelings are stronger than ever.

As Jade attempts to settle in, nothing feels right. God seems far away, she’s hiding secrets from her family, and she’s strangely attracted to the man who’s always called her “squirt.” Finding her way home may prove more difficult than she imagined.

Ope’s Opinion:  Oh, this story is so good!!!  I enjoyed reading Jade’s story.  I love Jade’s free spirit.  Seeing her grow up, become responsible, but still keep her free spirit was such an awesome story.

I liked that Jade and Daniel have known each other since childhood.  Those love stories grow slow and some times surprise you.  Jade’s story was a great balance of fun and flirty and serious and realistic.

I love the McKinley family.  I can’t wait to read more of  Denise Hunter’s books about this family.

Rating: 4.5 – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.

Barefoot Summer

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Author: Denise Hunter
Publisher:  Thomas Nelson           barefoot
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source: Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

 

 

Goodreads:  Madison’s heart closed the day her twin brother died.

Since losing her twin, Michael, in a drowning incident, Madison has rejected the faith he lived by. Instead, she’s devoted her life to fulfilling Michael’s dream—winning the River Sail Regatta in their small Indiana town, Chapel Springs.

As she trains for the regatta, Beckett O’Reilly is teaching Madison to swim. But he’s keeping a painful secret from her—and as they grow closer, that secret threatens to upend their lives . . . and the lives of both their families.

Ope’s Opinion:  This was such an awesome story.  I enjoyed it from page one right through to the last page.  There were enough twists to keep me reading.  Even though you could predict the ending, the  story was not predictable.  

The characters were interesting and engaging.  I wanted the best for each them. They  each had flaws and difficulties they were dealing with – that made them feel real and relatable.

When I started this book I was aware there was a second book as part of the series.  I was glad when I got to the end, to know I would be reading more about this family.

Rating: 4.5 – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.

Always on My Mind

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Author:  Susan May Warren
Publisher:  Tyndale House Publishers            always
Genre:  Christian Fiction
Source: Shelf of Kristin of
              Kritters Ramblings

 

 

Goodreads:  After a failed dig in Honduras, aspiring archaeologist Casper Christiansen heads home to Minnesota to face his unresolved feelings for Raina Beaumont, the woman of his dreams. But when he arrives unannounced on her doorstep, he receives the shock of a lifetime: Raina is pregnant with someone else’s baby.

Heartbroken, especially when he discovers the identity of the baby’s father, Casper tables his dreams and determines to be dependable for once, helping his older brother, Darek, prepare the family resort for its grand reopening. Casper longs to be the hero of at least one family story, but a never-ending Deep Haven winter and costly repairs threaten their efforts—and the future of the resort.

Worse, one of Casper’s new jobs constantly brings him into contact with Raina, whom he can’t seem to forget. A tentative friendship begins to heal fresh wounds, but can they possibly overcome past mistakes and current choices to discover a future together?

Ope’s Opinion:  This is my first book off my daughter Kristin of Kritters Ramlbings shelf.  My challenge this year is to read one book a month off her shelf.  Well, this is an awesome way to start the year.  This book was very, very good.

If you have not read Susan May Warren, you should check her books out.  The Christiansen family has been fun to follow.  This is the fourth book.  It is helpful to read the other three, but Susan May Warren does a really good job of catching you up, if this is your first book.

Raina and Casper are the center of this book, but the rest of the family has a lot going on.  It was fun to see all the stories advanced.

I would have given this book five chairs, but I felt like Raina’s and Caspers on and off relationship drug out just a little long for me.  It was obvious they were in love.

I am really looking forward to her next book on the Christiansen family.

Rating: Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.
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It Had To Be You

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Author: Susan May Warren                       it had to be you
Publisher:  Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Genre:  Contemporary Christian Fiction
Source:  Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

 

 

 

Goodreads:   Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen’s cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter, but is stuck writing obits–and starting to fear she doesn’t have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior–on and off the ice. Now at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he’s getting from Eden Christiansen isn’t making things any easier. But when Owen’s carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together . . . and begin to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.

Ope’s Opinion:  This is the second book of the Christiansen Family.  It is so captivating from the beginning to the very end.  I enjoyed not only the main characters, but all the secondary people as well.  

Eden and Jace feel like real people with flaws and misunderstandings.  It is a predictable story of their romance, but the bumps along the way made me not want to put the book down.

Susan May Warren brought God into the story without making it feel preachy or pushy.  You could see the characters question their faith and question God.  You could also see their faith grow in each other and in God.

I am ready for another Susan May Warren book!

Rating:  Five Chairs – This book is so good it will be passed on and on and on …..
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I Really Do Miss Your Smile

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Author: Susan May Warren                          smile
Publisher: Susan May Warren Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction
Source: Kristin of Kitters Ramblings

 

 

 

Goodreads:  Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen’s cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter, but is stuck writing obits—and starting to fear she doesn’t have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.

Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior—on and off the ice. Now at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he’s getting from Eden Christiansen isn’t making things any easier. But when Owen’s carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together . . . and begin to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.

Ope’s Opinion: This was a perfect prequel to the Christiansen family.  It was a sweet read.  It amazes me how even with a few words Susan May Warren can convey such a deep wonderful love story.  

If you aren’t sure you would like Christian Fiction – this the book to read.  It is a short and full story, but not pushy with faith.  Warren always does a great job of making it known that God is there in such a gentle way.

Now I am ready to see how the Christiansen family continues.

Rating:  Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.
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House of Secrets

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Author: Tracie Peterson                                                 house
Publisher:  Bethany House Publishers
Genre:  Christian Fiction
Source:  Purchased

 

 

 

Goodreads:   When her father orchestrates a surprise trip to the summer house of her childhood, Bailee Cooper is unprepared for what follows. What is intended to be a happy reunion for Bailee and her sisters, Geena and Piper, quickly becomes shrouded by memories from the past.

Together again, the three sisters sift through their recollections of fifteen years ago…of an ill mother, and of their father making a desperate choice. They vowed, as children, to be silent–but one sister believes the truth must now be revealed. Yet can they trust their memories?

Mark Delahunt arrives in the wake of this emotional turmoil. Determined to win Bailee’s affection, Mark becomes the strong fortress for her in this time of confusion, and what was once a tentative promise begins to take root and grow. Caught between the past and an uncertain future, can Bailee let God guide her to heal the past and ultimately to embrace love?

Ope’s Opinion:  This family had a lot of misunderstandings and secrets to deal with.  By not being honest with each other, they all assumed incorrect information.  The family met at a vacation home they owned and hashed it all out.  It felt unrealistic to me that for fifteen years they don’t go to this vacation home and don’t talk about their secrets, then it all comes out in a matter of a few days.  I also thought God was awkwardly infused in the story at random times.  It did not come across that God was a natural part of their lives.

I enjoyed the story being told from Bailee’s perspective.  The flash backs gave you insight to her childhood.

I really liked the fact that going to counseling was treated like going to any other doctor.  They encouraged each other to get the help they needed.

Overall, this story was okay.  I might try a different Tracie Peterson book.

 


Rating:  Three Chairs – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.
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