A Chance at Forever by Melissa Jagears

Mercy McClain is confronted by her childhood nemesis Aaron Firebrook when he applies for a teaching position at the school where she is a member of the school board.  Arron (then called George) had been a bully and had offended multiple people in his younger days.  While waiting for the school board’s decision, Aaron takes a job as groundskeeper at the mansion of a local couple who has orphans from the city’s red light district in residence.  As it turns out, Mercy is also employed there to take care of the orphans. As the summer progresses, Mercy starts to see Aaron in a different light.

The name of the town intrigued me because the book tells us that the setting is Southeast Kansas.  Since I grew up in Southeast Kansas, I know the layout pretty well.  The picture of the mansion on the cover has a striking resemblance to a mansion that is a tourist attraction in SE Kansas.  The fictional town name is Teaville and there is no town by that name.  But there is a town name Coffeyville and the book mentions a nearby town (Caney) a couple of times so I think that pretty well nails it down.  I will have to do some research into Coffeyville’s history out of sheer curiosity now.

I really enjoyed this book, although as a person who was a foster parent for many years and now a grandparent to adopted children, I think the author’s view of outcomes for adoption of older children is a bit more cut and dried than the reality but that’s what romantic fiction is for – a feel good ending.  That is what I want in a story when I read this type of fiction.

Bountiful Blessings by Susie Larson

This is a book of short devotionals that would be a great start to your Bible reading time / Quiet Time.  Each devotion (or actually to be more accurate – encouragement) is not very long – one scripture and one accompanying paragraph.  The facing page is an intricate picture that you can color with colored pencils.  This is a lovely little paperback book and it fits into small spaces.  It’s not very thick.  I loved all the pictures.  My favorite is the fox on page 79.  I would love to color that and have it enlarged and put in a frame.  I love foxes and this one is really nice. 

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

God Made The World by Sarah Jean Collins

This is a fun board book that basically outlines the 7 days of Creation.  I used this in my Kindergarten homeschool class and the kids love it.  It tells the story very concisely just like the Bible does. The illustrations are bold and colorful.  It is a quick read if you just flip through,but if you take time to discuss each day of Creation with the children, it makes for a very satisfying session.


I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for a review.

If I Live, If I Run Series, Book 3, by Terri Blackstock

Wow!  This book was everything I anticipated and more.  What a great ending to the story.  There is suspense aplenty as Casey Cox and Dylan Roberts find themselves in one life-threatening situation after another and it seems like it's not going to end well.  Then, in the nick of time, something happens to pull them out of that particular danger, although another one is just around the corner.  I couldn't put this book down.  I love all of Terri Blackstock's books and series but this one really had me enthralled the entire time.  Highly recommend!

A Light on The Hill by Connilyn Cossette

This is such a good book! I love Christian historical fiction and this is a great example. This is set during the time the Hebrews have finally entered the Promised Land after leaving Egypt and wandering in the desert for 40 years. This is a few years into that time period and Joshua is still alive. Moriyah is forced by an accident to flee her father’s home and seek refuge in a Levitical City of Refuge. To get there she has to go through enemy (Canaanite) territory and evade her pursuers as well. This book gives a vivid picture of life at that time. The characters are very well developed and even though so far removed from our time and culture, I still felt part of the story.


I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for a review. Ms. Cossette is a new author for me and I will definitely be looking for some more of her other work.