Bitten by Kelley Armstrong

Elena Michaels is one of a kind. A female werewolf who wants to leave the "wild" life and try to assimilate into the general population. But this goal is proving difficult as her "pack," as in wolves, needs her help in finding mutts, werewolves gone bad. More excitement with every page. A terrific read.

The Dawn of a Dream by Ann Shorey

Luellen O'Connell is devastated when her husband of 30 days says he is moving back to Chicago -to his other wife! Encouraged by her parents, she attempts to achieve her dream of being a school teacher only to have several obstacles in her way. Lieutenant Ward Calder, friend of Luellen's brother Franklin, is surveying the country for the railroads. When Ward is transferred to Kansas he sees the need for a teacher at the fort and acknowledges his need for Luellen in his life.

Ward and Luellen establish a friendship kept alive through letters and occasional meetings during the holidays. They encourage each other when the future seems dark. Will the two achieve their goals in life? Based on historical fact, the reader gets a good history lesson in these pages. A good read. Sandy Penton.

Tomorrow's Garden by Amanda Cabot

It is 1857 and Harriet Kirk has had the responsibility of raising her three siblings for the last 11 years when her parents were killed in a fire. Now they are moving to Ladreville, Texas where she will teach school and they will hopefully all get a fresh start.

Texas Ranger Lawrence Wood has agreed to a six-month trial as mayor and sheriff of Ladreville. Both Harriet and Lawrence have secrets and fears in their lives making them question their future in Ladreville and perhaps together.

This is a story of individuals facing their fears, overcoming bias and trusting in God for their future.

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Fans of Percy Jackson will like this one. Riordan brings together three disturbed young people: Jason, who doesn't seem to remember anything about himself; Piper, a confused trouble-maker, her father a famous Cherokee movie star and who is certain Jason is her boyfriend; and Leo, who seems mechanically gifted and sees images of "dead people." The three end up at Camp Half-Blood midst rumors of the fulfillment of the Great Prophecy. Teaming up, unsure of their destination, they only know that they follow their instincts. Great adventure and fantasy story. Another great beginning to a series. Sandy Penton.

Hailey Twitch is Not a Snitch by Lauren Bamholdt

Hailey Twitch has trouble with rules; likes to have fun and has a wonderful imagination. Then she frees a sprite who has been trapped in her doll house for two-hundred years because she needed to learn how to have fun. Hailey gets to teach Maybelle the sprite how to have fun and also gets into lots of troub- troub- trouble. Amusing little fantasy for the beginning chapter reader. Sandy Penton.

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse

Billie Jo is fourteen and loves to play the piano. It is dry out. It has been dry for three years. The ground is nothing but dust, blowing everywhere, covering everything, in their food, their mouths, no place is free. Yet her farmer father still hopes for rain for his wheat crop; her mother, pregnant, questions her husband's decision but stands by him. Then there is a terrible accident. Billie Jo's mother is dead. Her father is numb. Her wounded hands are unable to play the music that might comfort her.

The moving prose of Hesse strikes the heart of the reader, painting a vivid picture of a young girl's life during this period, a novel of forgiveness. A must read, based on factual information. Sandy Penton.

Japan: It's Not All Raw Fish by Do Maloney

Journalist Don Maloney shares his experiences living and working with the Japanese on their home turf. Informative, highly entertaining, best advice is to "go with the flow" and enjoy the adventure. Even though this was published over 20 years ago, Japan hasn't changed all that much and the reader will appreciate Maloney's dry wit and his observations. Sandy Penton.

Big Decisions by Linda Byler

Seventeen year-old Lizzie marries her beau, Stephen, and thus begins a cronicle of their married life. It is not an easy job as Lizzie is a worrier and likes having her own way. Stephen loves her but finds her controlling ways difficult to deal with and reacts in a "man way" by ignoring her outbursts. Lizzie does a lot of growing, maturing into the woman she needs to be, conquering her fears of married life, childbearing, and being one part of a couple. Interesting and enjoyable. Sandy Penton.

Paradise Valley by Dale Cramer

Cramer illustrates the problems of the Amish in Ohio in the 1920's. Caleb Bender takes matters into his own hands, moving his family to Paradise Valley, Mexico after being jailed in Ohio after refusing to send his school age children to public school. Homesteading in a remote mountain valley, dealing with bandits and an unfamiliar language, the Bender family "pioneers" the land, starting from scratch, digging a well, making adobe bricks for their buildings, and preparing the land for their crops.

His daughters, Emma, Rachel and Miriam find they are stronger than they had ever thought, as well as learning they have unexpected gifts and talents. The whole family learns what it means to really put their trust in God by living their faith day by day. A truly inspiring message in this book, fiction based on actual events that happened. Anxious for book two. Sandy Penton.

The Journey by Wanda E Brunstetter

Titus Fisher, heartbroken, moves to Kentucky to help in a wood-working shop and to think about his future. Suzanne Yoder loves the outdoors, wood-working (her brother doesn't approve) and dislikes anything to do with housework. She thinks she will never get married.

When the two meet, they seem an unlikely pair but watch out! Ex-girlfriend Phoebe Stoltzfus, who has drifted into the Englisher life, decides she needs the security Titus could provide and appears unexpectedly on his doorstep putting a "fly in the soup" for Titus. Will Titus be able to resolve his issues with Phoebe? Will Suzanne ever be able to work in the wood shop? Will Phoebe decide she has had enough of the Englisher life? Will Suzanne and Titus get together? I'm ready for book number two. Sandy Penton.

All Things Hidden by Tricia Goyer

The Bedford Community Church is cleaning house for their 130th anniversary celebration. The basement is giving up all sorts of treasures, one of which Charlotte Stevenson isn't too happy about. Her great-great grandaddy had the misfortune to misplace the US mail along with the building funds for the new (1879) church that the community was to build. There were many speculative stories about what might have happened to it, and Charlotte is determined to clear Elijah Coleman's name. Sam has a new friend and Charlotte isn't sure how she feels about that, too many secrets. Emily and her new friend, a foreign exchange student, are paired together for a school project. Christopher is as ambitious as ever, wanting to write a story for the local newspaper. Dana and Pete are making decisions about their upcoming wedding. Another good read. Sandy Penton.

Family Matters by Diann Hunt

Bob and Charlotte rise to meet the needs of the community when the owner of Mel's Place, Melody Givens and her family, has a medical test that scares them all. The kids, Sam, Emily and Christopher are still disturbed by the sudden appearance of their father, who then again leaves promising to keep in touch. Even so, their growing faith in God and His promises draws them closer than ever. Sam and friend Arielle seem to draw apart. Emily is still working on her wedding dress fashion designs, hoping to please Dana, Pete's fiance. Christopher doesn't think much of grandpa Bob's cooking expertise. All in all, seems like a family working together for the good of all. A good read. Sandy Penton.

Holiday Homecoming by Carolyne Aarsen

Everyone is getting in the Christmas mood, lots of snow on the ground and goodies baking in the oven. Then surprise, surprise. Long lost dad, Kevin Slater, arrives on the scene after nine years to take care of that "family business." Admitting that he wants to take the children, Bob and Charlotte gear up for a fight. Meanwhile Emily and Ashley are on the outs, Sam is still struggling with his college applications, and Christopher is hard at work on house plans for Pete and Dana.Looking forward to the next episode of the series; hard to put down. Sandy Penton.

Miss Julia Rocks the Cradle by Ann B Ross

Heavens to Betsy, a dead body in Lloyd's teacher Miss Petty's tool shed in her back yard. The neighborhood is in a tizzy with the news. Hazel Marie is having twins and Miss Julia, Lillian and Etta Mae are in the middle of it in the middle of a snowstorm with J. D. and Sam off to Raleigh for a couple of days. To top that, the bank has been bouncing Miss Julia's checks, checks that she doesn't even remember writing. Miss Julia has promised Sam that she would mind her own business and stay out of trouble, but trouble seems to find her. Ross writes another entertaining episode of life in a small southern town, a page turner. Sandy Penton.

Sixkill by Robert B Parker

Spenser has a run-in with Zebulon Sixkill, Cree, and body guard for Jumbo Nelson, comedian and movie star when groupie Dawn Lopata is found dead in Jumbo's bedroom. This is Spenser at his best and Zebulon, known as "Z," become partners of a sort, while digging out the details of the secrets surrounding the death of the young woman. A very good read. Sandy Penton.

Giving Thanks by Kristin Eckhardt

Pete is full of plans for his bride to be and his apartment over the tractor shed. Christopher is busy building lightning rods. Emily wants to help by making pillows and designer curtains. Sam is getting some good ideas about his future schooling. With Thanksgiving around the corner, Charlotte and Bob feel they have a lot to be thankful for. Then a few days before Thanksgiving, there is a fire. You will have to read this story to see how everything turns out. Another good read. Sandy Penton.

Prayers and Promises by Robert Elmer

Harvest is in full swing, with Pete grumbling about the age and state of repair the old farm equipment is in as well as thinking about proposing to Dana. Sam is dragging his feet about checking into colleges, bad attitude and doesn't understand why Arielle is put off about him. Emily is working diligently on her school project and Christopher has a secret on the hill. The Stevensons are busy with fall and all the work that goes with it. Will Pete ever get around to proposing? Will Emily find her grandmother's wedding pictures? Who has been driving in the field around Christopher's secret spot? Another good read. Sandy Penton.

Second Chances by Leslie Gould

Charlotte finds herself helping part-time at the Bedford nursing home when Stephanie's baby arrives a bit early. Finding that she enjoys the work as activities director, she ponders the possibility of maybe doing it full time. Meanwhile, school has started and Sam, as a senior, needs to check out some colleges but is having trouble getting motivated, Emily finds out about volunteering, and Christopher is engrossed in writing for the school newspaper. Bob is grumpy. His life is always changing and he's not sure he likes it so well. Another good read. Sandy Penton.

Caught by Harlan Coben

TV reporter Wendy Tynes is caught up in the disappearance of seventeen year old Haley McWaid. Operating a nationally televised sting operation to bring down predators, she is sure Dan Mercer, social worker, is guilty. Wanting to report the truth, she doggedly runs down each lead. Connecting the dots, the mystery and secrets she exposes is far more shaking than imagined. A real page-turner. Sandy Penton.