Dawn's Light by Terri Blackstock

The final in the series, Restoration, the Brannings are tested as no others. Trusting God, they find how hard it is to let Him provide for them in all things. Thirteen-year-old Beth witnesses a murder and fears for her life and that of her family. Deni's ex-fiance, Craig, returns bound to convince Deni to marry him, causing her current love interest, Mark Green, to have issues with his faith and trusting each other to make the right decisions. A very good "tie-up" to all the loose ends in this series. I enjoyed it a lot. Sandy Penton

The Listener by Terri Blackstock

What if you could hear what God hears? Sam Bennett awakens from a strange dream and hears voices. Is he losing it? What does this mean? Talking to his pastor and friend, John, they decide to visit a hospital and see what happens. An interesting scenario, uplifting and encouraging. Sandy Penton

Kill and Tell by Linda Howard

Karen Whitlaw, still grieving for her mother, receives a package with no return address for her from her father whom she hasn't seen for many years. Formerly a sniper during the Viet Nam war, he now has a dangerous secret. In the meantime, Karen sells the house and moves into an apartment closer to her work. When her father is murdered in New Orleans, events occur that connect the dots to another murder and two attempts on Karen's life. Pretty exciting, moves right along. Love interest with hunk Detective Marc Chastain makes Karen appreciative of the south. Sandy Penton

The Longing by Beverly Lewis

The Courtship of Nellie Fisher - book 3. Nellie finds comfort in the New Order, yet still thinks of Caleb Yoder, former beau. Sister Rhoda is experiencing the fancy life, but still searching for answers. Rosanna and Elias continue to hope for a blessed event. There are many changes in Honey Brook yet life is full of surprises. This series conclusion is finely done. Enjoyed it a lot. Sandy Penton

The Forbidden by Beverly Lewis

The Courtship of Nellie Fisher - book 2. Nellie's beau, Caleb Yoder, is torn between his love for Nellie and his fathers forbidding him to see her because of the association with the "New Order" beliefs differing from the Old Amish ways. Nellie has sworn to remain true to the Old Amish ways and her family are embracing the New Order allowing them to believe in Jesus and study all the bible themselves. Caleb stands to lose his inheritance and being shunned by his father and family if he continues to see Nellie. A complicated and heart warming story of change in the life of a community where things usually stay constant. Sandy Penton

When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall

Sisters of the Quilt - Book 3. It has been two and a half years since Hannah Lapp left her Old Amish community rather than be shunned. She has nearly completed her practical nurses training and has found love again with an Englischer, after believing her Mennonite love Paul Yoder had forgotten about her. She has had very little communication with her family and feels she will never be welcome there again when she receives a call from her sister, Sarah, who begs her to come home to help her. Hannah returns, dreading the confrontation she is bound to receive yet longs to heal old wounds. Hannah and Paul have matured, become more comfortable with their faith and when they are thrown together again, sparks fly. Another great read. Makes me want to read a book 4. Sandy Penton

True Light by Terri Blackstock

Deni Branning and her family are eight months into the SN-1999 supernova star induced outage. There is no money, food is scarce and crime is rampant. Deni's love interest, Mark Green, is suspected of the attempted murder of Jeff Branning's friend and neighbor, Zach. Deni's father Doug and mother Kay, as well as their neighbors, are working hard to look out for each other. Some of them aren't so kind, though. When the sheriff is shot and security, what little of it there is, threatens to break down, Doug and neighbor Brad, and Mark volunteer with some others to help. Life is difficult. It is hard not to think of how easy they all had it just eight and a half months ago, wishing it had never happened. But God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. What a story! Sandy Penton

Night Light by Terri Blackstock

Deni Branning and her family are surviving, learning new skills during the "outage" that has gripped the world. Her father, Doug, is embracing his christian faith and reaching out to other members of the community, leading and teaching and helping others. The whole family gets involved when a duo of young thieves break into their house and steal what little food and water the Branning's have collected. Surprised by brother Jeff, he follows them to their apartment, only to find his own faith and compassion tested. This story is only too real, one of those "it could happen" tales. Blackstock is right on the money. Sandy Penton

Last LIght by Terri Blackstock

Deni Branning and her father's plane has just landed, returning home from Washington, DC. Suddenly, everything is quiet, no motors running, a plane falls from the sky. Chaos erupts. No phones, no electricity, no radios. This is a moving story relating life without technology. People learning to work together, to know each other, to look out for one another. Good people overcoming evil. Well worth the read, realistic. Sandy Penton

Picture Rock by Stephen Bly

The Skinners of Goldfield, Book 3. O. T. Skinner dreams of moving his family to California, but they are still in the sin-filled town of Goldfield. Business is booming at the cafe his wife, Dola Mae, runs and he is busy helping out at the assay office. The children seem happy and healthy. Then things start to fall apart, Dola is ill, O.T. is pulled many different ways by his family, the people he wants to help, and the community in general. A feel-good story. I liked it. Sandy Penton

The Kommandant's Girl by Pam Jenoff

Not a bad story, based in part on actual events. Polish Emma Bau is recently married to Jacob when Germany invades her country. Jacob is active in the resistance, leaving Emma to live with her parents. Finding her parents evicted from their home and placed in a Jewish ghetto, Emma has a hard time facing the truth of what is happening. When she is smuggled out and sent to live with Jocob's Catholic cousin, she pretends to be a gentile and is caught up in the intrigue of the fight of the resistance. Sandy Penton

The Parting by Beverly Lewis

The Courtship of Nellie Fisher. A story about the schism that occurred among the Old Order Amish in 1966. Nellie Mae Fisher is coming of age for courting and is interested in Caleb . She works hard baking sweets for a little shop she runs on her parent's property. Her sister Suzy had drowned a few months earlier while on an outing with Englischer friends, causing a great deal of distress for her immediate family. Caleb is concerned about appearances, knowing his father will forbid his interest in anyone who will cause trouble for his family. Quite an interesting tale, giving insight to Amish life and thought. I enjoyed it. Sandy Penton

The Professional by Robert B. Parker

Spenser is hired to find a man, known as Gary Eisenhower, who is blackmailing four young women who are married to rich older men. A typical Parker novel, lots of dialogue, interaction with unsavory characters and moments with his love, Susan. You can't help but like the story. Sandy Penton

The Rancher and the Runaway Bride by Joan Johnston

Tate Whitelaw, tired of the overprotection of her older brothers, leaves home and rides straight into the heart of Adam Phillips. Pretty typical tale of girl leaves home, meets guy, falls in love but Johnston creates a fine twist that makes this short story amusing and a quick read. I liked it. Sandy Penton

Death Rides a Chestnut Mare by Ralph Compton

Stranger by the name of Daniel Strange rides through Texas and Indian territory seeking the murdering outlaws who robbed and hanged his father who also happened to be named Daniel Strange, gunsmith and loving husband. Who is this avenging gunslinger? What is his story? A quick read, lots of action, good plot. Sandy Penton

Temoprary Sanity by Rose Connors

A fast moving tale of murder (or is it??) and courtroom drama with attorneys Marty Nickerson and Harry Madigan stressing out defending Buck Hammond who has been arrested for taking the law into his own hands. On the eve of the trial, a battered woman is brought to their office, bringing another seemingly impossible case for them to defend. I liked it, I even liked the attorneys. LOL Sandy Penton

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

This is a very depressing story about a mute boy, Edgar, helping his parents raise and train dogs . The father appears to have an unfortunate accident and boy and mother struggle with grief and the endless chores of maintaining the kennel in remote northern Wisconsin. Enter paternal uncle Claude and nothing is as it seems. Way more about dogs, training dogs, family angst, and hardships than this reader cared to read. Not a feel good story. Sandy Penton

When the Morning Comes by Cindy Woodsmall

Sisters of the Quilt, Book 2. Hannah Lapp is rebuilding her life, adjusting to living with the Englischers. Finding her father's sister, who is ill, Hannah steps in to care for her and help with domestic duties in the Palmer family Zabeth is responsible for. Back in Owl's Perch, Paul still hopes for Hannah's return and forgiveness. Will Hannah stay among the Englischers? Will Paul continue to wait for Hannah? This is a really good story. Looking forward to third and final book, When the Soul Mends. Sandy Penton

Double MInds by Terri Blackstock

Singer/songwriter Parker James finds life is not easy in the music scene in Nashville, Tenn. A young woman is murdered, corruption is exposed and a stalker strikes fear into Parker's heart, a heart that she is dedicated to glorifying her God and Savior. Blackstock weaves a tale of commitment, talent, mystery and sincere witness to the reader. A good read. Sandy Penton

A Spoonful of Poison by M. C. Beaton

Agatha Raisin, private investigator, is persuaded by the vicar to help publicize the church fete and she agrees. Several offerings in the jam-tasting booth turn out to be laced with LSD and a couple of little old ladies die because one couldn't fly and another drowned. What a lot of rubbish. Wouldn't waste my time on another of her books. Sandy Penton

When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall

Sisters of the Quilt, Book 1. Hannah Lapp, seventeen and Amish, is in love with Mennonite Paul Waddell. Aware that this relationship will change her relationship with her family and her church, she anxiously awaits her 18th birthday when she is to be considered an adult. On the evening of their engagement, she is attacked and assaulted by an "Englisher" throwing her into a deep depression. When her brother Luke and her friend Mary are in an automobile accident while courting in a buggy, Hannah is faced with yet more misery. This story is a page-turner. I couldn't put it down until I had finished it. Sandy Penton

Mama Makes Up Her Mind by Bailey White

and Other Dangers of Southern Living. This is a series of short stories about Ms. White's experiences living in Georgia with her mother and her relatives. Whimsical and humorous, White can lighten your day a little at a time by sharing her quirky mother's adventures with you. A good read. Can put down and pick up later and not miss a thing. Sandy Penton

The Next Time You Die by Harry Hunsicker

Private detective Lee Henry Oswald is hired by a drunken Baptist preacher to find a lost file. When a psycho hit man shows up looking for the same file, Oswald's life starts falling apart. Not only is he getting hassled by the police for a murder he didn't commit, but a dead man and "late" friend named Billy Barringer enters the picture. Quite a tale with twists and turns that keep the reader coming back for more. Enjoyed the story. Sandy Penton

Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg

Helen, a widow, discovers her husband has withdrawn nearly all their savings shortly before dying. Dismayed, she wonders if he was living a double life, and what is she to do now? She takes a job teaching writing to a diverse group of adults and worries about her daughter's love life. A phone call from a stranger gives her information about her husband who has left her an extraordinary gift. Helen and her daughter's journey document life changes and leaving the reader pleasantly surprised at the outcome. Very good read. Sandy Penton

Gunman's Rhapsody by Robert B Parker

Parker fans will find a little different twist on this fictional novel about the private life of Wyatt Earp and his brothers. 1879 finds Earp and his family in Tombstone, Arizona, where Wyatt is deputy sheriff. A tale of rough and tumble early West, where the gun is usually the answer to a problem. Very well written and includes a lot of historical context. I liked it. Sandy Penton

Storm by Boris Starling

Detective Kate Beauchamp is saved from a sinking ferry along with many other frightened passengers. Jumping into work, a horrific murder of a young woman, Kate tries to stuff her fears and disturbing memories by working long hours and entrusting her young son to the care of her aunt. The second murder finds her contacting a former agent, now imprisoned, for help in identifying possible suspects. One by one the suspects are detained and questioned. Who is this deranged sadistic murderer. Is it someone she knows? Is it a "friend"? Starling writes as twisted a tale as his first, Messiah. A good read. Sandy Penton

The Defector by Daniel Silva

In Moscow Rules, Gabriel Allon life was saved by Grigori Bulganov. Grigori is now living in London under the protection of the British. He is kidnapped by a Russian millionaire, and Gabriel must go back into Russia to save his life. It's a interesting tale with breathtaking plot turns. It may be too violence for some people, but I liked it. It might be helpful to Moscow Rules first. I have read all of his books. I sometimes wonder why I like Gabriel Allon, but I do like him. PatM

Black Friday by Alex Kava

The story begins with college students who thinks that they are just jamming computers of the Mall of America's store on the busiest day of the year, the day after Thanksgiving. But instead the project managers detonates a bomb in their backpacks. Maggie O'Dell must figure out who the project manager is before he strikes again. This is a very exciting book. I couldn't put it down. If you haven't read any of Alex Kava, do so. Most of them are books on Maggie O'Dell.
Pat M

The Power of Small: Why Little Things Make All the Difference by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Roben Koval

This book is about the little things that you can do in your everyday life that can make a big difference in. The authors run a advertising agency. They are the ones that came up with the Aflac Duck (I loved the Aflac duck). In the book the give you examples of the small that people have done that have made a big difference in other people lives and their own. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to become a better person. It doesn't take anything big, just little things. Pat M

Messiah by Boris Starling

If you liked Silence of the Lambs, you will probably like this psychological thriller. Investigator Red Metcalf is obsessed with finding serial killers as well as studying them, finding out what makes them tick. When bizarre murders begin to happen in his district, sleepless nights, frustration and personal problems join together to force him to examine the darkest corners of his own soul and face the guilty secrets of his past. A page turner. Sandy Penton

Murder, Suicide, Whatever by Gwen Freeman

A Fifi Cutter Mystery. Freelance insurance claims investigator reluctantly teams up with unemployed half-brother Boscoe to determine if his Uncle Ted, corporate partner, died a natural death or if he was murdered or perhaps it was suicide. Two hundred one pages of quirky situations gets you to the answer. Light reading. Sandy Penton.

Adrift by Steven Callahan

Seventy-six Days Lost at Sea. In 1981 Callahan prepared to attempt a single-handed transatlantic race called the Mini-Transit, from England to Antigua, as a personal test, a pilgrimage. The first step of the Atlantic to England crossing with friend Chris is a lark and Callahan has a lot of confidence in his small craft and even though the rest of his trip is to be solo, he feels he is well prepared.

When rough weather is forecast, Callahan disregards and sets sail. After about 4 days, the hull develops a crack, draws water and he puts ashore to make repairs. After repairs are made, he sets off again and has a few good days of sailing. Again rough weather sets in and his ship is capsized.

This story is about Callahan's survival, his faith questioning, and his will to live or die. I found it a great read, a miracle in the telling.