A Cousin's Prayer by Wanda E Brunstetter

It has been a year since that horrid accident, the one that injured Wayne Lambright and took Katie Miller's fiance, Timothy. Katie, struggling with depression and panic attacks, has agreed to come back to Indiana to be in Wayne and Loraine's wedding. Frightened and confused about what is happening to herself, Katie withdraws until Freeman Bontrager senses her need and reaches out to help her. A surprise "gift" left on Katie's doorstep tests Freeman's loyalty. Another great read with a happy ending. Sandy Penton

A Cousin's Promise by Wanda E Brunstetter

A group of eight cousins are involved in a horrific traffic accident, killing three and seriously injuring two others. Engaged to be married, Wayne Lambright feels his disability would eventually come between himself and betrothed, Loraine Miller. This story is Loraine's struggle with the promise she made to Wayne and learning to trust in God. A good read. Uplifting. Sandy Penton

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

Callie Clark and neighbor friend Petra Gregory go missing early on the same am. Is it a double abduction? Are the girls just playing in the woods as Antonia and the Gregory's hope? Where is Callie's father, Griff? Petra's father Martin is about to discover that there is another side to his mild-mannered demeanor. Antonia seems to be in denial about the problems in her marriage to Griff. Ben, Callie's brother, has his ideas about things, too. Another weird story about a dysfunctional family in a small town in Iowa. Sandy Penton

Stalking Susans by Julie Kramer (Audio)

In the desperate world of TV ratings, an investigative reporter discovers a serial killer is targeting women named Susan and killing one on the same day each year. TV reporter Riley Spatz sees a pattern, but she can't get the police to take the threat seriously. Can she find the killer before that date rolls around again. This is a real good book to listen to, and I'm sure it would be a good book to read. I have listened to another book narrated by Bernadette Dunne, and I really enjoy her reading. I will try to find more book read by Bernadette Dunne and also book written by Julie Kramer. Pat M

From Cradle to Grave by Patricia MacDonald

Morgan Adair is thrilled when her best friend, Claire, asks her to be godmother to her new baby son. When she gets to Long Island for the christening, she find her best friend is suffering from postnatal despression. Claire also finds out that her husband was married once before and has a daughter by that marriage. While Morgan is waiting to board a flight to London, Claire calls telling her that she is in jail for the murder of her husband and her baby son. Morgan goes to help Claire and try to figure out what really happened. I really liked this book. It kept my interest until the end. The ending will surprise you. Pat M

9 Dragons by Michael Connelly

Harry Bosch finds himself revisits a crime scene from twelve years ago, now the proprietor John Li has been murdered. Promising the family he will track down the killer, Harry finds himself tangled in a web of Asian gang intrigue, affecting his ex-wife and daughter. He travels to Hong Kong in response to a video sent to him by his daughter, Maddy. A pretty good mystery. Sandy Penton

The Silent Gift by Michael Landon Jr and Cindy Kelley

It is 1930, the weather is terrible and Mary is in the backseat of the car, in the midst of birthing her son, her husband driving and there is an accident. Eight years later.... Mary is in a shaky marriage, afraid for her handicapped son and she grabs an opportunity to escape. This is a bittersweet and heartwarming story, good to the end. Sandy Penton

In the President's Secret Service by Ronald Kessler

Former reporter for the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal, Kessler has been gathering information on the Secret Service for several years. This book appears to be factual and appropriate for the times. How discouraging for the agents themselves to work so hard and with below quality training and tools. Hopefully someone who has the power to change this will do so. This reader greatly admires and respects these men and women who lay their life on the line every day for this country. Every American should read this book. Sandy Penton

Other Men's Horses by Elmer Kelton

What a great western. Newly married Texas Ranger Andy Pickard is ordered to go after a murdering horse trader. The still wide open spaces of the west finds Andy in the saddle following the trail and meeting various and sundry individuals that weave a tale of love, hate and racism. Murderer Donley Bannister has left a wife behind who is tired of being left behind and in her horse and buggy she is determined to find him. Andy, following her, is always a few days or hours behind, depending on what has transpired to detain him. Even if you aren't a western fan, you will enjoy this book. The reader was disappointed to learn that author Kelton passed away in August of '09. His works will be missed. Sandy Penton

Rebecca's Return by Jerry S Eicher

Rebecca Keim returns home after helping her aunt Leona for 3 weeks with a new baby. Anxious to meet with John Miller, her beau, she is rebuffed when his jealousy causes him to be quite short with her. Questioning their future, Rebecca spends a restless night only to discover in the morning that John has been involved in a serious accident. Minister Ruben's life is disrupted when his wife Rachel begins obsessing over money that she feels she should have inherited. What a mess. Sandy Penton

Rebecca's Promise by Jerry S Eicher

Twenty-year-old Rebecca Keim has just said "Yes" to John's proposal, but a school-girl promise has come back to haunt her. This is yet another view of Amish life. The reader considers this a ho-hum tale. Sandy Penton

Bobby and Jackie, A Love Story by C David Heymann

Now that several years have passed, people in the know are telling their secrets. It appears that yes, Jackie and Bobby Kennedy did have an affair after her husband, President Jack Kennedy was assassinated. This reader wanted to feel compassion for the wife and mother, the husband and father, but found that difficult to do. It is hard to imagine the casual relationships these people had in the 1960's. Another hero falls off the pedestal. Sandy Penton.

Heat Wave by Richard Castle

Well, Richard Castle didn't actually write this book. If you watch ABC on Monday, you would know that Richard Castle is a character on the series, Castle. Even though we don't know actually the book, it a good read. I don't know if it's an advantage to have watched the show or the other way around. In the story a real estate tycoon plunges to his death. Nikki Heat is assigned to find out who killed him. The commissioner has assigned Jameson Rook, a journalist, to ride along, so he can write and article on the police. I can reccomend this book. Pat M

Blood Game by Iris Johansen

An Eve Duncan forensics thriller. Eve is still searching for the killer of her eight-year old daughter, Bonnie. When her friend and lover, Joe Quinn, starts acting strangely, Eve fears she is losing him. Drawn into the world of a serial killer, Eve is determined to help authorities hunt down this psychopathic murderer. Being open to the idea that individuals can have special powers, Eve searches for answers to the questions she has. Pretty good read if you like this kind of story. Sandy Penton

Absolute Fear by Lisa Jackson

Eve Renner is going home after recovering from someone's attempt to kill her. She thinks that someone was her lover Cole Dennis but she is suffering from a partial loss of memory. She remembers a friend of hers lying in a pool of blood. A new series of murders begins. Eve receives threatening phone calls. Can she trust Cole? What has happened in her past to drag her into these bizarre murders? A truly twisted story, a good read. Sandy Penton

Wish You Well by David Baldacci

Baldacci searches his roots to tell a tale of twelve-year-old Louisa Mae Cardinal. Her father is killed in an auto accident that leaves his wife in a trauma-induced coma. Lou and her brother, Oz, and her mother are sent to live in the Appalachian Mountains with her great grandmother. Times in the 1940s are hard and Lou and Oz have to work on a farm with no electricity or running water. Lou and Oz are willing to work and are learning some of the greater lessons of life, one of them being "life isn't fair". I found this to be enthralling. Couldn't put it down until finished. A must read. Sandy Penton

The Spire by Richard North Patterson

This is a story about Mark Darrow. He went to a small local college, Caldwell College. Mark played football and when he was a senior they won their big game. That night a female student is killed by The Spire and his best friend is convicted of her murder. Sixteen years later, Mark has return as president of the college. He is determined to find the real murderer. I enjoyed the book. I thought I knew who the killer was, but I didn't find out if I was right until the very end. Pat M

The Christmas Train by David Baldacci

Tom Langdon, journalist, is thrown together with long-ago girlfriend, Eleanor on a "Christmas" train heading to California. Eager to meet new "friends" and gain information for a short magazine story, Tom and Ellie keep running into each other. The story is more about their aborted love affair than the Christmas spirit and the reader found it rather hum-drum. An ok read. Sandy Penton

U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton

Kinsey Millhone is hired to help Michael Sutton find the place where he is afraid a body may be buried. She also has an invitation to a family get-together, which she really doesn't want to go to. Kinsey convinces the police to dig up a body all right, but it isn't what they expected to find. Lots of twists and turns for an interesting mystery. Sandy Penton

Rainwater by Sandra Brown

The year is 1934. Ella Barron runs a boarding house and is taking care of her autistic son, Solly. When David Rainwater requests lodging, Ella is faced with change in her life, and those around her. A riveting story of survival during the lean years, of prejudice, and hope. Brown detours from her usual story line to offer a great little novel. Well worth the read. Sandy Penton

Mad Jack by Catherine Coulter

Introduced as a historical (more like hysterical) romance, nineteen-year-old Winifred (christened Jack by a pair of dotty aunties) escapes evil step-father's clutches and falls into the arms of manly stud Lord Grayson who rescues her (gets married so he can legally have his way with her) and saves her baby sister. What a lot of tripe. If you like this sort of book, it is well written. Good luck. Sandy Penton

The Crossroad by Beverly Lewis

Sequel to The Postcard. Englisher Philip Bradley cannot forget the Amish people he met while on assignment in Lancaster County, especially Rachel Yoder and her daughter Annie. Returning to Pennsylvania, Philip expresses a desire to help Rachel overcome her blindness caused by trauma. Rachel is coming out of a two year period of mourning and is determined to heal herself with God's help. Romance follows. A good ending to this two-book series. Sandy Penton

The Postcard by Beverly Lewis

Rachel Yoder witnesses a terrible accident. A lost post card is found and a old love story is brought to light. This story of struggles within the Amish community is profoundly touching. Sandy Penton. Be sure to read the sequel, The Crossroad.

Fear Itself by Walter Mosley

A Fearless Jones novel. Paris Minton, meek, mild used book store owner and so called friend of Fearless Jones, finds himself in a stew of murders, robbery and mayhem. A so-so story of Los Angeles, California and black-white relationships. Sandy Penton.

The Redemption of Sarah Cain by Beverly Lewis

When the New Amish widowed mother of five dies leaving five children, her Englisher sister from Portland, Oregon is asked to be guardian. An interesting story on the concept of Englishers becoming Amish and what could happen if an Englisher becomes guardian of children wanting to remain Amish. I enjoyed it. Sandy Penton

True Blue by David Baldacci

Ex-cop Mason "Mace" Perry has just been released from a 2-year prison term for which she claims she was framed. She wants nothing more than to be a cop again. The cards are stacked against her as there are those who want her to go away. When lawyer Roy Kingman finds a female law partner dead in the employee lounge, Mace and Roy are thrown together in a quest to find those responsible. This is a great story. Mace is a determined and fearless individual and Roy stands up against those who would get in his way. I recommend highly. Sandy Penton.

Heartless by Diana Palmer

Gracie Marsh grows up with step-brother Jason and step-sister Glory in an affluent Texas home. Jason, older, had left home to ranch and raise specialty cattle successfully. When Gracie's mother died in an auto accident, Jason intends to make sure Gracie is cared for. When Glory's mother dies, he also assumes the responsibility of looking after her. Now adults, Glory has married, and Gracie finds herself attracted to her step-brother and feeling waves of guilt stemming from the horrific first marriage of her parents. This is an enjoyable, explicit, heart-warming story. A quick read. Sandy Penton

Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult

Mariah White is divorcing her wandering husband and is concerned that their daughter, Faith, not be harmed by this event. Insecure as she is, Mariah becomes alarmed when Faith begins talking to an "imaginary" friend, reciting passages and phrases from the Bible, a book that she doesn't even know about. When Faith develops stigmata and seems to perform healings, Mariah is overwhelmed with the media circus that intrudes on their lives. Picoult weaves a thought-provoking tale of "what if" a seven-year-old is indeed talking to God. I enjoyed this story very much. Sandy Penton

The Brethren by Beverly Lewis

Annie's People, book 3. Lewis does a great job of tying up the loose ends. We have Amish jumping the fence, Englischers joining the church and the young Amish making the best of their days before joining the Church. Mennonites are doing their job to preach salvation. Frazzled Englischers finding peace. Long lost people find their way home. Altogether a terrific way to end this story. Sandy Penton.

The Englisher by Beverly Lewis

Annie's People, book 2. Annie Zook is between a rock and a hard place. She wants to paint in the worst way, yet is forbidden to by the rules of her church. When her Daed lays down the law, Annie is attracted to another forbidden fruit, an Englischer. Meanwhile, neighbor Zeke and his wife, Esther, are having problems because of an old, old secret Zeke has kept even from himself. The ways of the Plain people are just as confused as us regular folks, it seems. A good read. Sandy Penton

The Preacher's Daughter by Beverly Lewis

Annie's People book 1. Annie Zook, the only daughter of Preacher Zook, is torn between the church and her artistic bent. When she receives a letter from her long-time Englisher pen pal in Denver, Colorado asking to visit her, she is thrilled. Worldly Louisa is seeking a place to think and experience a simple life. A long ago disappearance of a child haunts Annie. Things are not as calm and peaceful as they seem. A good start to a series of three books by Lewis. Looking forward to book 2. Sandy Penton

The Revelation by Beverly Lewis

Abram's Daughters, book 5. Three generations of Ebersols come to a conclusion in the last of this series. The choices Sadie, Leah, Mary Ruth, Hannah and Lizzie made, the secrets they have kept, are revealed. Lewis does a wonderful job of bringing things to a close. The reader really enjoyed getting to know this family and "watching" them grow in their faith and personal life. I recommend to anyone. Sandy Penton