"Finding Our Way Home" by Charlene Ann Baumbich

Lives can change in a moment, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. Sasha Davis was a prima ballerina until a tragic fall ended her career. Her depression is deep, causing her to push away from the people she loves. But she needs help, and Evelyn Burt is hired to be her personal assistant. At 19, Evelyn has her whole life ahead of her, but is dealing with the pressures of her parents desire for her to attend college, and her desire to marry Jordyn. As the two women spend time together, they become friends helping each other overcome negative thoughts and feelings. Will Sasha be able to move past the loss of her dream and find something new to fill up her time? Will her marriage weather the storms? Will Evelyn listen to her parents or to her heart? Can life ever be wonderful again after severe change?

This is a wonderful story of change, hope, friendship, and love. The characters pull you into their stories and make you feel their sorrows and joys. The story moves along at a good pace and will hold your attention. It will make a wonderful gift for readers of all types, and book discussion groups will enjoy discussing the many topics held in the pages. I received my free review copy from the Blogging for Books program.

"A Calm Whisper" a publication by "The Youth World"

Short stories, artwork, and poetry combine to make this book come alive. Each piece is meant to convey something to the reader, whether it is a piece of artwork producing memories, or a poem making one think of things family, friendship, or even 9/11. Some of the poetry is hard to read (like "Broken and Bloody" with the theme of suicide), but will make you think. The artwork is created in different mediums, giving each one its own uniqueness. The artists who contributed to this book are young and fresh, willing to share their talents with the reader. This is a book that will leave you thinking.

I found myself thinking about each part of this book. Maybe that is what title is meant to convey, just a whisper to pay attention to something. My favorite artwork is by Arto Heino and is titled "Majestic Water Colors." My favorite poem is "One Dark September Morning" by Brittany Tenpenny. Why not pick up the book and pick your own favorites?

"Spirit Fighter" by Jerel Law

Good and evil collide in this first book of a new series by Jerel Law. Jonah and Eliza Stone are different. They are the part Nephilim, which makes them about a quarter angel. This creates problems for them, but when their mother is kidnapped, they find their skills are useful. Battling fallen angels is dangerous work, but Jonah steps up and fights save his mother while Eliza provides protection. Will his skills be enough help him keep his wits about him and fight successfully? Will Jonah live up to his potential? Who will win in this battle of good versus evil? Come along and begin the journey with the story of Jonah Stone, "Spirit Fighter!"

This exciting story with its likeable characters will get not only YA readers, but readers of all ages involved. This first book of the series is about Jonah, and I hope there will be more about Eliza to come. It is nice to have fantasy books available for parents to read with their children that come from a Biblical perspective. If you enjoy the Percy Jackson series, or even Harry Potter, you should enjoy this too! I received my free review copy from Net Galley and thank them!

"The Hunger Games" by

Society has degenerated into a capitol with twelve satellites to support it. With no rights, many of the people live in poverty, suffering from hunger and depression. Once there was an uprising, but the powerful army from the capitol put it down and now once a year each satellite must send one of its young people to the "Hunger Games." It is a brutal day for the young people as they are forced to dress up and see if their name is called, yet it continues. As Katniss and Peeta are whisked away, the people of their section believe they are lost. But, what if there is a chance of survival? Can either of them win this battle to the death? Who is your pick to win "The Hunger Games"?

Wow is all I can say! The book had me riveted from the beginning. There were characters I loved and those I intensely disliked, yet all were necessary to make it work. I recommend this book to readers of all ages because it crosses all lines. I went out and bought the other two books in the series and can't wait to start them.

"The Girl Who Chased the Moon" by Sarah Addison Allen

Emily has come to live with her grandfather, a man she had never met. Her mother has died and she misses her. She wants to know more about her mother's early life and hopes her grandfather will fill her in. There is so much she doesn't know. She isn't prepared for his height, his quietness, or the wallpaper in her room. But, at night, Emily sees a light in the woods that intrigues her. Her grandfather calls it the Mullaby lights and asks her to stay away from them. Emily, however, lets her curiosity get the better of her. What will she find, if anything? Emily also discovers that some people hate her mother. Why? What could she possibly have done that would last this long and transfer to her daughter? Julia lives next door and she knows the story, but also has a story of her own. Why does she diligently bake cakes? What is their power? Come on, take a trip to Mullaby and discover the truth behind these and other life stories.

I love books by Sarah Addison Allen and have read most of them. She has a wonderful way of pulling you into the story and making you believe in magic. I would love to have the wallpaper that was in Emily's room, at least most of the time. This is a delightful story of love, hope, forgiveness, and new beginnings. It will grab you from the start and I recommend it to all readers. The Reader's Guide also makes this a great choice for reading groups.

"Angels Are For Real" by Judith MacNutt

Angels. Heavenly messengers meant to bring protect, warn, and guide us. But, are they real or just part of our imagination? In her newest book, Judith MacNutt tackles this topic with Biblical information and real life stories. We pray about many things and don't always notice how the prayer is answered. Angels could be at work. Have you ever had an experience where you know someone stopped you before a horrible accident? or, lost something that miraculously was found? These are just two of the ways angels could be working in your life. One story in the book deals with a lost ring another about being saved from drowning and another about feeling safe, and there are so many more. Opening this book will bless you with information and comfort to know that you are not alone. The research that Ms. MacNutt has done will inspire you.

I loved reading this book. There have been many times we have said that God intervened on the highway or with something lost or with someone who has been ill. God sends his love to us no matter what the answer, and angels are a big part of His work here on earth. If you are a skeptic, why not pick up the book and read Ms. MacNutt's evidence? If you are a believer, you will love the Scripture and stories contained in these pages. I received my free review copy from Bethany House and am happy to write this review.

"Gossip" by Beth Gutcheon

Secrets. We all have them and long to share them with someone who will keep them locked away and not share them. What happens when one person holds so many of her friend's secrets that it is hard to keep them in? In her new novel, Beth Gutcheon deals with the relationships of a small group of women and the secrets one holds for them all. "Lovie" is the trusted confidant holding the secrets of her friends, Dinah and Avis. But the truth about the relationships is tested when two of their children fall in love - Dinah's son and Avis's daughter. Will Nick and Grace survive the turmoil and heartbreak headed their way? Will Lovie keep the secrets hidden away, or will something spill out? Come enter the world of friendship, trust, and betrayal. You will discover the truth about gossip and how it can affect people's lives.

I enjoyed this book more that I thought I might. The three main characters were friends who had their ups and downs the way normal people do. They could be friends of any of us, and it was easy to see why they gravitated to Lovie when letting out their secrets. The story drew me in and pulled me along. It was easy to empathize with all of those affected by gossip. I recommend this to readers who love to read a good story with some thoughtful points. I received my free review copy from FSB Associates, and thank them for the opportunity.