Like Sweet Potato Pie by Jennifer Rogers Spinola

Like Sweet Potato Pie by Jennifer Rogers Spinola
Reviewed by Melissa J. MacDonald
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc
Date: Coming soon March 2012

I was delighted to get an early release read of this book. After reading Southern Fried Sushi I was immediately hooked on Spinola. This second books does not disappoint.

Shiloh P. Jacobs has a new life in Virginia and a new life with Jesus as her Savior. Life should be going splendidly for her...right? Not quite. Her finances are a mess, the IRS has a hold of her checking account, her half-sister is fighting her for her mom's house, and the house is weeks away from being taken away. Not to mention she's working non-stop and her dear friend Becky has given her a puppy. Life continues on in hilarity in Virginia where mullets are king and deep friend food soothes all woes. Insert a surprise visit from her best friend from Tokyo and her handsome ex-fiance and this book will keep you hopping.

In the midst of all the craziness Shiloh finds her new relationship with Jesus to be both fulfilling and difficult and somehow exactly what she needs. She sorts through real life problems with the new filter of "what would Jesus do?". God continues to woo her away and her delight at knowing Jesus will give you fresh eyes at what it means to walk with Christ.

We certainly can not forget the not so handsome Adam who has done absolutely nothing to charm Shiloh and yet she finds herself drawn to him. They hit setback after setback as they try to "court" and you'll find yourself frustrated at the lack of communication these two have! I'd keep going but I'm not going to give it all away.

Spinola continues to write with the light and color that makes reading her novels seem like a vacation. Her descriptions are just the right amount of spice and make the book the gem it is. Her character development is thorough and these characters are ones you'll find yourself wanting to hop in your car to Virginia to hang out with. Another delightful read that I highly recommend! Kuddos once again to Spinola for writing with transparency and honesty.

Releasing in March you can pre-order Like Sweet Potato Pie here. 

Thank you to Barbour Publishing for providing me a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

The Shadow of Your Smile- Susan May Warren

Title: The Shadow of Your Smile
Author: Susan May Warren
Publisher: Tyndale House
Date: 1-1-12
Genre: Modern Fiction

watch on tyndale.com

After 25 years of marriage Eli and Noelle Hueston are contemplating divorce. Their only daughter was murdered three years before they can no longer seem to find a way to belong together. Their last son is about to graduate from high school and Eli is finding himself draw to the widow of one of his former deputies. On a cold dark night in northern Minnesota everything changes for them. While witnessing a hold-up Noelle hits her head and wakes up with no memory of the last 25 years of her life. Thinking she is 21 she's shocked to find she has a husband, two sons, and the life she thought she'd always have looked nothing like what she expected.

As Eli helps Noelle begin to heal physically he realizes it's time for himself to start healing emotionally. He's shocked to find secrets out about the wife he thought he knew so well. He's also ashamed to find he's draw to the pretty widow Lee. As Noelle and Eli begin to find a common ground and healing they start falling in love with each other all over again. However, when their problems and secrets come to life it seems as though they'll never truly be able to make their crippled marriage work...or will they?

Set in the familiar town of Deep Haven, MN Susan May Warren has once again written an engaging novel. Neither Eli or Noelle are likeable characters until they begin to give up control, surrender to God, and start trusting in his plans for them. The loss they experienced with their daughter is tragic indeed but joy and life are found in loving and appreciating the memory of all she was. Noelle will make you laugh as she looks in the mirror and finds herself 25 years older than she remembered with wrinkles and sags in all the wrong places. You'll quickly find yourself drawn into this book. With just enough mystery and just the right touch of romance Warren will delight you. And one of the reasons I like Warren so much is her ability to write healing through a fictional story. Her love of the Lord is evident and spills through each of her books. Find a fireplace, put on your mittens, and get ready for a heartwarming read.

Thank you to Tyndale House for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Mine is the Night

Liz Curtis Higgs is back! After this review after her last book I had my doubts about picking up this book. However, my love for Higgs and my desire for her to captivate me once more had me pushing through. She did not disappoint. This is the second of two and can absolutely stand alone, in fact I would recommend skipping the first and getting right to this one. It took me a whole first book and a few chapters into this one to realize this was an interpretation of the story of Ruth. Anyone else out there take as long as me to figure that out? Anyway, with that added twist I was hooked immediately. The language was still a bit challenging at times but I adjusted quickly and loved the story. The characters are full of depth and they'll feel like your closest friends before you're done. You always know a winner when you finish abook and keep thinking about the characters. Annoying, but a mark of a truly excellent story and storyteller.

Following the Jacobite rebellion Elizabeth and her mother-in-law, Marjory, flea penniless to Marjory's former hometown. Finding refuge with a distant cousin Elizabeth and Marjory begin to rebuild their lives in a way that looks nothing like their former existence. Beth takes up a needle and thread and Marjory begins cooking. Both begin to fall for two dashing men who capture their hearts and therein lies the tale.

This is one of those books that you just have to read to truly appreciate it. I promise you'll enjoy this one. Pick it up and be prepared to be transported to 1700's Scotland.

WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group provided this book to me for free in exchange for this honest review as part of their Blogging for Books program.

Lonestar Angel

I am admittedly a big fan of Colleen Coble. I have reviewed quite a few of her books and have enjoyed all of them. When I started Lonestar Angel I kept turning back to check the copyright date. It read very much like a rookie's novel. No matter how often I checked it was still published in 2011. Perhaps if it had been a different author or a new one I wouldn't have been quite so confused.

Just as Eden is about to get engaged her ex-husband Clay shocks her with the news that not only are they not divorced but their child that had been kidnapped as a baby and considered dead was alive.In a whirlwind moment Eden and Clay set off for a camp in Texas for foster children where their now five year old child is one of the little girls on site. The story unfolds with intrigue and suspense as Clay and Eden try to figure out which child belongs to them someone is even more determined to stop them from being reunited. Insert Eden's Columbian drug-lord father and countless near death experiences and you've got a gripping tale. In the midst of it all Clay and Eden begin to fall in love all over again as God works in both of them.

This book just confused me and I couldn't seem to get past that! I'm still confused even writing a review about it. It is so different from Coble's usually well thought out plots and so far-fetched it is most definitely fiction.It will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens but for me personally I just couldn't get past the randomness of this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Blogging for Books (Thomas Nelson) book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Unexpected Dismounts

Unexpected Dismounts by Nancy Rue

Review by: Melissa J. MacDonald

Genre: historical fiction

Publisher: David C Cook

Date: 2011

This is the second book in the Reluctant Prophet series. Allison Chamberlain is a prophet who receives
nudges from God. Her life has already made a 180 as she has followed the nudges and gone where God has sent her.

Taking place in St. Augustine, Florida Allison does battle on the streets to reform prostitutes and drug addicts and to show them the love of Jesus.  She is also in the process of adopting Desmond who is a precocious 12 year old boy who grew up on the streets. The adoption should be a for sure thing but trouble seems to follow Allison and she suddenly finds herself having to fight in court for her son. In the midst of all that she’s doing battle for her sisters at The Sacrament House and dealing with the rape of a recovering prostitute.

Motorcycle rides, hanging with the HOGS, prostitutes, court battles, endearing characters, and honest pain makes this book truly captivating. When you add in the handsome manly Chief with whom Allison has a magnetic attraction to I promise you’ll stay up late reading this one.

This book absolutely captured me. I was skeptical when I started reading about a prophet. I wasn’t sure I would enjoy it or even be able to relate to it. However, I was mistaken. I found myself relating to Allison’s love for people in a very real way. I don’t ride a Harley but I love people and feel their pain deeply. If you’ve ever hurt for someone else, been angry at the injustice in the world, or ask God “why?” than you will relate to this book. Hats off to Nancy Rue for writing a deep, thought-provoking, and entertaining story.

Rated: PG-13

Thank you to David C Cook for providing me a copy of this book.

Souther Fried Sushi

Southern Fried Sushi by Jennifer Rogers Spinola

Reviewed by Melissa J. MacDonald

Genre: Contemporary, Romance

Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc

Date: 2011

Shiloh Jacobs is loving her life! She’s an up and coming writer with the Associated Press. She’s living in Tokyo, Japan, a city that has become home to her. She has entertaining friends and it seems the world is her oyster. Her life takes a drastic turn when she learns of her distant mother’s death in Virginia. She suddenly finds herself immersed in a culture that is so foreign she can barely keep up. She’s overwhelmed by the people, the language, the food, and the lifestyle.

When Shiloh wings her way to Virginia she would never have dreamed, in her worst nightmare, that she wouldn’t be returning to Tokyo. She was going to attend her mother’s funeral and then head right back to her demanding job, her handsome fiancé, and the culture she knows best. One poor decision finds her jobless, a series of poor decision finds her penniless, a bad choice in men finds her single, and a dysfunctional childhood finds her basically without friends. In short, she hits even further than the bottom.

To her surprise at the bottom she finds new friends who love her unconditionally and who have a faith she’s never encountered before. She also learns that the somewhat abusive mother of her childhood had drastically changed her life for the better. As she continues to learn more about the mom she didn’t know and come face to face with people who live out their faith in word and deed she begins to ask questions and seek the God of her friends. What she finds will warm your heart, surprise you, and touch your emotions.

LOVE! I loved this book. For a girl who typically prefers historical novels I was engrossed in this contemporary read immediately. Spinola writes with beautiful color and detail. You will find yourself transported to Japan and you’ll feel the culture shock that Shiloh feels upon her entry to Virginia. Staunton, VA is the setting and I had to laugh because I lived in that town for 3 years in my early teens. Our whole family moved from Wisconsin to Virginia and believe me we experienced the culture shock of the south. I could taste the food, hear the accents, and see the sights. For me that made this already special book even that much more special and real.

Whether you’re from Japan, Virginia, or Oregon you will love this book. It has all the components of a great book and they all come together to make a very special novel. Props to Spinola, she’s earned a new fan!

Rated PG-13 for adult content

Thanks to Babour Publishing for providing this book in exchange for my review!

The Muir House

The Muir House by Mary DeMuth

Reviewed by Melissa J. MacDonald

Genre: Contemporary, Romance

Publisher: Zondervan

Date: 2011

The thing about secrets is they don’t provide any clarity. They keep things murky, give reason for mistaken assumptions, and can hold you hostage. Willa Muir understands the damage of secrets better than anyone. She desires to move past her past but it proves to be more challenging then she originally thought. She’s met the man of her dreams and with his proposal of marriage she knows she must first find answers to her past so she can move forward. Finding answers means she must leave the Pacific Northwest and head “home” to Texas.

The Muir House is the home Willa grew up in. During her growing up years it was a funeral home, now it is being remodeled to become a bed and breakfast. It is an iconic center point for the little town of Rockwall, Texas. Snatches of memories and fleeting dreams make up the sum total of a missing year of her childhood. Willa’s dying mother, the house’s caretaker, and town records provide confusing partial answers and even the Muir House hides its own share of secrets.

In Texas Willa faces considerable opposition as she searches for answers. An old flame may threaten her relationship with her distant boyfriend/almost fiancé. Turbulent emotions and ever developing secrets will keep you guessing in this book. DeMuth writes with rare transparency and she dives into troubling subjects head on. Willa is a wonderful mixture of strong, independent, lonely, and hurting. The depth of her character is stunning.

This was not one of my favorite books. It is written like a secret and with that comes a bit of a cold feeling. It’s not a warm and cozy book and the characters are not either. That makes it hard to relate and to really want to dig in and immerse yourself. DeMuth is an excellent storyteller and the conclusion of the book is really quite beautiful. If you wrap yourself in a warm blanket you may be able to ward off the chill of the initial start of the book and be able to persevere to the warmer ending.

Rated PG-13 for adult content

Thank you to Zondervan for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review.