Honey and the Hired Hand by Joan Johnston

Honey Farrell finds herself still grieving her dead Texas Ranger husband a year later, struggling to keep the two boys to raise and the ranch barely making ends meet. Having lost fifty head of cattle to rustlers, she hires drifter Jesse Whitelaw to help out while trying to get on her feet. Dr. Adam Philips has asked her to marry him. Not really loving him, she wonders what she should do? When Honey finds herself attracted to drifter Jesse, the scene heats up, and tempers flare. Is Jesse really a drifter, or a cattle rustler as some claim? A good read. Sandy Penton.

The Girl With No Shadow by Joanne Harris

The sequel to Chocolat, we find Vianne Rocher with her daughters Anouk and Rosette four years later in a chocolaterie in Paris suburb. Striving to achieve a normal life, Vianne has changed her name and tried to become "invisible." All is subtly brought to a head as scheming Zozie de l'Alba penetrates Vianne's life, insinuating herself into the household and stealing Anouk's affection. As Christmas approaches, Vianne's suitor presses her to marry, Anouk is becoming rebellious, and lover Roux shows up, better late than never. Is Rosette Roux's daughter? Does Anouk come to terms with her mother? Can Zozie steal Vianne's identity and her daughter? A great read, filling in the blanks created in Chocolat. Sandy Penton.

Liscensed for Trouble by Susan May Warren

P J Sugar, Private Investigator wanna be, sleeping in her boss's office, finds that she has inherited a falling down estate. In walks Max Smith, an amnesia victim who wants P J to help him find out who he is. Tracking down a bail jumper, balancing former boyfriend Boone and current boss Jeremy, and wanting to shed her reputation as trouble looking for a place to happen, P J finds herself in a quandary, as well as looking for peace for herself. Warren gives her characters believable life styles and situations, sparking the humorous note and entertaining the reader. A good series. Sandy Penton.

Sisters Found by Joan Johnston

Book 13 of the Hawk's Way series. Fiesty Hope Butler is bound and determined to marry Jake Whitelaw, who is engaged to be married. Twin sister Faith has been keeping company with Randy Wright for going on three years and they plan to be married after their schooling. When Kane Longstreet shows up with Charity Burnette for Jake's wedding, there is no mistaking Charity's relationship with Hope and Faith, revealing that they are triplets not twins. Johnston handles the ensuing dilemma with an amazing story line. A good read. Sandy Penton.

Double Trouble by Susan May Warren

P J Sugar is convinced she has found her life's calling as a private investigator. Her boss, Jeremy, encourages her and finds he is attracted to her as well, becoming quite concerned when she is kidnapped on the job. Boone, former boyfriend, is bound and determined that P J is the one for him and persists in pursuing her with offers of matrimony. What should P J do? Does she still want to marry Boone? Does her feelings for Jeremy really mean anything? Is she really cut out to be a private investigator? Is trouble still following her around? P J finds herself up to her neck in double trouble in this mystery. You are sure to love her resilient character as she befriends elderly neighbor ladies as well as the hobo who lives under the bridge. A great read. Sandy Penton.

Nothing But Trouble by Susan May Warren

P J Sugar, tired of feeling like she draws nothing but trouble wherever she goes, heads home after a distress call from her sister. Sister Connie wants P J to come back and house-sit their mother and her son, Davey, while she and new husband go on a two-week honeymoon. Ex-boyfriend Boone, and the reason she left home ten years ago, arrives on the scene, expecting to pick up where they left off. Her best friend's husband is accused of murder, drawing P J into an association with PI Jeremy, sure that she can prove Trudi's husbands innocence. P J's character is refreshing, funny and revealing in her desire to change her life to honor God. I would recommend for anyone. Sandy Penton.

Faithful Heart by Al Lacy

Sisters Dottie Harper and Breanna Baylor are brought together in a round about way. Dottie, a mail-order bride, is living in an abusive marriage with two small children while nurse Breanna has just been rejoined with John Stranger and is traveling towards California to visit Dottie. Lacy puts a lot of Christian message in this western set in the mid 1800's. OK if you like this sort of thing. A bit too much for me. Sandy Penton.

Grace by Shelley Sheard Gray

Katie Lundy is expecting a fun-filled family Christmas at the Brenneman Bed and Breakfast. When Levi Bender unexpectedly arrives with a suitcase full of grief and sadness expecting housing over the holidays along with Melody Gingerich, eight and a half months pregnant and running from her nightmare in Sonora, Kentucky. Has fate brought these two broken people into the Brenneman Inn? Will Levi find self-forgiveness? Can Melody ever stand the touch of another again? This Christmas novel is a great little read. I recommend. Sandy Penton.

The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund

Puritan Elizabeth Whitbread lives in Bedford, England in 1659. Striving to do God's will in every way by serving the poor, healing the sick and feeding the hungry, she oversteps her bounds when she attempts to care for a crying babe. John Costin, tinker and lay preacher, has just lost his wife and their son is starving for lack of milk. Feeling directed by God, Elizabeth insists on caring for this infant, raising the ire of more prestigious sisters in the community. Add to this the threat of death for preaching without a license, John is overcome with grief, and seems unable to care for his other three children, the oldest a small girl who is blind. Hedlund writes a compelling tale based on the real life story of John Bunyan, writer of the classic Pilgrim's Progress. This is a good read. Sandy Penton.