The God Box: Sharing My Mother’s Gift of Faith, Love and Letting Go, By Mary Lou Quinlan

Visible Act of Let Go, Let God.

Greenleaf Book Group LLC

For over twenty years, Mary, Mary Lou Quinlin's mother, made a habit of jotting down her prayers and placing them in a box that she called her God Box. This was her way of physically acting out the habit of giving control to God over all the concerns that filled her prayers. After her death, the family went through the boxes discovering how Mary used her God Boxes to help her minister to her family and others through her prayers, and the gift of listening. In the book, the reader meets Mary Finlayson and her family, and hears how one mother met daily problems with prayer and strength to raise her family.

This is a beautiful story of a mother that relies on God to help her raise her children and actively listen to others, as well as a daughter’s move through the grieving process. Toward the end of the story Mary Lou begins her own God Box, and sees the reasoning as she grows closer to God

Received Galley from NetGalley.com

Published by Greenleaf Book Group, GBG Press, April 17, 2012.

Eyes of Justice, by LisWiehl with April Henry

Great Murder Mystery

Thomas Nelson

Cassidy, Allison, and Nicole make up the Triple Threat of justice, each working in a different area fighting against crime. When Cassidy, a crime reporter, receives a phone call offering her a tip to catch some bad cops, including her ex-boyfriend, she does not hesitate to take the bait that pulls her to her death. Allison, a DOJ attorney, and Nicole, FBI, discover Cassidy’s body, and immediately begin the journey to discover her killer. Along the way, they meet Ophelia, an autistic woman that works to save women in trouble. 

This book hooked me from the beginning. I am not sure whether it was the friendship between the three women, their reliance upon God for strength, or the murder mystery.  It was highly enjoyable, and a great read. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys crime/murder mysteries. Though this is a part of a series, it works well as a read alone.

Received Galley from NetGalley.com

Published by Thomas Nelson, April 3, 2012.

Weeknights with Giada, Quick and Simple Recipes to Revamp Dinner, by Giada De Laurentiis

Great Flavor, Quickly

Random House, Inc.

Giada has created the perfect cookbook for today’s working home cooks. The recipes are quick, use every day ingredients, and are easy to follow. The added bonus is that the recipes are unusual, flavorful, and healthy.  My very picky family enjoyed the unusual flavor mixes. It is definitely an excellent book to add to your collection. The second part of the title says it all.

Received Galley from NetGalley.com

Published by Crown Publishing Group; Clarkson Potter on April 3, 2012.

The Irish Healer, by Nancy Herriman

Worthy Publishing

Set in the 1830s, Rachel Dunne flees her home country of Ireland after a child in her care, dies and Rachel stands trial for murder.  Even though acquitted, the majority of their town shuns her family, so Rachel moves to London seeking work through a cousin. The death of the child, the trial, and the move take their toll on Rachel’s faith in herself and the Lord. Her employer, also a physician, stumbled from his faith years ago when his wife died. When a cholera epidemic hits London, they each hit bottom, turning to the Lord for the ultimate support.

This gentle love story provides the reader a time of introspection as the characters seek to find God’s mercy in their lives. The characters have depth, and Herriman describes the scene so well that the reader easily transports to another time. Very enjoyable read, recommended for readers looking for a deep love story with the added depth of Biblical foundations.

Received Galley from NetGalley.com

Published by Worthy Publishing, April 3, 2012.

An Uncommon Grace, by Serena B. Miller

Touching Story of Changing Lives with Thrilling Mystery

Simon & Schuster

Grace Connor is a military nurse in Afghanistan when she receives an email from her sister asking her to return home due to her grandmother's heart attack. She has only been home a few days when an Amish neighbor, Levi, appears at her doorstep asking for help for his mother, a shooting victim. This is the beginning a compelling story that clashes an Amish man with the English lifestyle, making him question the strictness of the Ordnung that even forbids efforts to protect themselves with safety measures. Grace runs up against the strict laws when she attempts to care for Leiv's family, her grandmother and her teenage sister. Grace and Levi are attracted to each other, but they choose to ignore the response because of their religious differences, but a fate throws them together with storms, accidents, and a heartless criminal.

This book grabbed me from the first chapter as Grace seeks God's will for her life, then attempts to help her neighbors without stepping on their beliefs. The frustration felt by Grace in what she sees as pointless law, along with Levi's questioning of that same law is easy to understand and feel. An Uncommon Grace does not set the Amish lifestyle up as the perfect ‘Godly’ lifestyle that many see it, but pulls out questions that apply to all Christians in all faiths. Grace and her family use scripture to back up their beliefs, while Levi uses the ordnung.  This highly interesting book kept me up all night with the twists and turns. I would recommend this book for any Christian looking for a great read with many interesting plot twists that include thought provoking Christian ideals.

Received Galley from NetGalley.com

Simon & Schuster, Inc., Howard Books, published April 3, 2012.

Cuts Like a Knife, by M.K. Gilroy

Full of Tension!

Worthy Publishing

Kristen Conner, the newest detective on the force, does not know that a new serial killer in town focuses on her. Attempting to live up to her father’s reputation at the police department, Kristen pushes herself to go the distance, with her family, in the department, and during self-defense training, but not at personal relationships. The FBI lists AA meetings as a place where the killer met some of his victims, so Kristen begins attending, meeting some others there that help her grow, but all the while the killer watches. Where will he strike next?

This is a great read!  Kristen relies on her family, but also on the Lord for her strength. Maybe I am slow, but Gilroy kept me guessing almost until Kristen figures out the identity of the killer, and I was on pins and needles with the ending.  I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys a hunt for a serial killer, but the Christian adds to the depth. Though there is violence, there is no profanity or sex.

Received Galley from NetGalley.com

Published by Worthy Publishing, April 3, 2012.

The Half Stitched Amish Quilting Club, by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Fun, Tender Story of Changing Lives

Barbour Publishing

Emma Yudor, an Amish widow determined to keep her children from having to subsidize her life, decides to hold a quilting class that is open to the community. She is totally shocked when the small group of women she expected turns out to be three men, two women, and very young woman. Each participant seems to have some emotional problems that become more apparent as the class continues. Emma prays that God will give her the wisdom and the words to help each student. The story follows each person throu the six weeks of struggles, surprises, and growth to make up the Half Stitched Amish Quilting Club.

This lighthearted look at a group of unlikely quilters is fun to read with lots of surprises and an emphasis on their growth in the Lord. I enjoyed meeting the characters and following the surprises in the story. I would recommend this for anyone looking for a light hearted, fun story.

Received Galley from NetGalley.com

Released April 3, 2012 by Barbour Publishing.