Intervention

by: Terri Blackstock

Terri Blackstock is one of my favorite authors. Each time I read her books I remember why. I have already read 2 other series written by her; 911 NewPointe and Cape Refuge. This is book one of a 2 book series called the Intervention series.

Barbara Covington's daughter, Emily is in danger. Her life is spiraling out of control. Barbara decides as the last straw to stage an intervention with an interventionist. They talk Emily into going into rehab, yet on the way to the interventionist is found dead and Emily is missing. Now Barbara is a mother who will do anything to find her daughter. Detective Kent Harlan is investigating the case. As he follows the evidence, he has to decide whether Emily is a murderer or a victim as well.

This book is just enough of an emotional connection to the characters to feel it's real without getting you too emotionally attached. There is also enough mystery to keep you reading. I really enjoyed this book. I am so bummed that the library does not have book 2, Vicious Cycle.

I recommend Terri Blackstock's books, you will not be disappointed.

Ransomed Dreams

by: Sally John

I ran across this book while looking at the back of the covers for the "Inspirational' stickers at the library. Those are the books they have labeled as Christian books. I've never heard of Sally John or any of her books before. The story seemed interesting so I thought I'd give it a try.

Sheridan grew up with a father who was as the House Representative from Illinois. Then she married a husband who became the U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela. One day their lives are shattered with one bullet. Her husband is shot and and becomes disabled. Their lives change drastically and they hide away in a tiny town, Tolupa, in Mexico.

When Sheridan's father dies a 18 months later her sister calls on her to come home. She has to face her fears and her past. She has no idea what family secrets she will uncover, even in her own marriage. Once again she is questioning everything, she has choices to make. Will she follow her head, her heart or what God is speaking?

This book took longer for me to read. The story isn't action packed or suspenseful. It takes you from the beginning to the end through Sheridan's struggle, all too real but worth reading. I wouldn't say that Sally John is my new favorite author but I will try out her other books as well.

The Rescuer

by: Dee Henderson

This is book seven, the last book in the O'Malley series written by Dee Henderson. But I looked on Dee Henderson's webpage and saw that she wrote another story on Jennifer, the only O'Malley sibling that wasn't turned into a book. I'm not sure how long it is but from what I can tell it hasn't been a published book. I will be reading that next on my computer next, I wish I had an ipad to read it on!

The Rescuer is about the O'Malley brother, Stephen, who was a paramedic and the last of the O'Malley siblings to Believe. Because of an O'Malley tragedy, which you read about throughout the series, he runs away to find who he is and where he belongs. One of his friends, Meghan, comes back into his life and they struggle to find where their friendship lies. Meghan is a Believer and doesn't want to commit to someone who isn't. In the midst of everything they both end up in the middle of a jewelry theft.

This book is a great way to end the series. I thought it was well written. You follow Stephen on his journey to find Christ in his life as well as the friendship with Meghan. You want to keep reading to find out what happens as well as with the jewelry theft.

The first few books in this series, especially, Danger in the Shadows has more action and suspense. This book isn't as suspenseful but the jewelry theft fits with the story line to end the series, not leaving you wanting more with another book. With Rescuer being the last book, it ends appropriately with all the siblings and their lives coming together.

I think the O'Malley series is a series that is well worth reading.

frenzy

by: Robert Liparulo

This is the last book in a series of six in the Dream House series. This series is about a House that has secret third floor with doors, they call them portals, that take you to different times in history.The family is trying to find their mom, who was kidnapped in book one.

Through the first four books you read about the different worlds that the family go to; from civil war, jungles with tigers to gladiator times. Then they are also trying to fight a man, who they named Tskidian, who came from another time in history to the present. He is using the portals for his own gain. The family has to fight to keep their home, go to school, keep up appearances. All the while they are fighting for their lives when they go into these different times in history.

Just when you think you know how everything works, the way the author is going, book five adds a twist. I wasn't sure how the author was going to end the series in book six but you actually see how he ties in Jesus in their lives.

Being that this series in a youth series I actually enjoyed it. My daughter is reading it now and said that she has actually gotten others in her class to read it as well. I can only hope that they hang on until book six to see the true meaning behind the story.

Shanghai Girls

by Lisa See

I ran across this book because I had to wait over the weekend to get my new library books in. I had seen the cover before and pushed it aside since I usually stick with Christian fiction. This time when I saw it I decided to read it.

If you don't know this about me China is my country. My dream for 10+ years is to adopt a little girl from China. I have read a book in the past about a couples journey to adopt and thought it might be interesting to read a book that is based in China.

This book starts in 1937. Two sisters; May and Pearl, who are considered beautiful girls. One day their father tells them devastating news; that they are now poor and he has arranged marriages for them. When they are married their husbands go back to America and await them to arrive. Both girls decide not to go but when war breaks out with Japan in their home country they are forced to leave their home and to live with their husbands in America.

When I read her acknowledgements she told about how she had family that went through some of the things that these two sisters go through. As well as interviewed many others. This book is fiction and all the characters are fiction but to know that people did go through these trials in life is heart breaking. Their journey from their home town of Shanghai to Los Angeles is horrific and when they arrive in America they struggle to find their place in their new home.

I almost put the book down in the first few chapters, not sure that I liked it or where the story was going but when the war breaks out and you follow their stories I was hooked. I stayed up way passed my bedtime to finish the book, crying and then shocked when she ends the story so abruptly.

I really liked this book but with that said it may not be for everyone. While I was reading it I was thinking this book could be a movie and when I went to her website I saw that one of her books has been turned into a movie! Have you ever seen China Cry? This book reminds me of those kind of stories.

I really liked this book, it ended so fast I was bummed there was no sequel. Yet when I went to her website I found book 2! I will be reading this soon! This story has made me want to read her other books as well.

Whirlwind

by: Robert Liparulo

This is book five in a series of six books. I stumbled onto this series and thought it looked interesting and found out after I had finished the first book that it is a youth series. It was interesting enough that I continued reading it as well.

The Dream House King series is about the King family. The parents, two sons and a daughter move into this house in a new town and the son's who are older are not very happy about the move. They move into a house but this house isn't like any other. The family soon discover portals (doors) on a hidden third floor that when you go through them, take you to different times in history. They also find out history that was hidden from them from their dads past. Secrets that lead them back to this house, their dad's house as a child.

The first book starts out with the mother being kidnapped and taken through the portal to another time in history. The rest of the series of books are about the family left behind trying to find her. Each book has a different twist and turn on the different times in history they enter. The times in history are dangerous and they have to fight off people and all sorts of obstacles in history as well as in the present time to find their mom.

When I started this book I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep reading the series because it had been a few month since I read the last book. Now after reading this book it took a turn that I didn't expect, different from all the other books. I am wanting to read the last book to find out what happens.

Though I do like the series it's probably not something that I would first suggest to read because there are so many other books I would recommend first that I just truly love. This series is an easy read, since it is geared for youth. There are parts that can be a little scary but more when your are looking at that age group it was written for. My daughter is now enjoying the books as well and it's fun to have read the same books together.

Immanuel's Veins

by: Ted Dekker

Yes, another Ted Dekker book! I told you he is one of my favorite authors! Whenever he comes out with a new book, it moves up to the top of my list to read. This book came out last fall and he has another book coming out in a few months! It amazes me that he has so many stories that he is able to write books so fast. The other amazing thing is they are all so different and creative, which is why they keep me wanting to read more!

I think this book is one of his more untamed (for lack of a better word) books that he has. I am used to Ted Dekker's style of writing now but this one seems to push the edge for me of what I would normally read. I would have to say I am uncertain if I really like it or not. I guess I don't hate it though. If I had to describe it, I would say it's the Christian version of Vampire Diaries. I have not read any of those books, nor actually desire to, but if you have you will surely like this book.

Immanuel's Veins takes place at the Cantemir Castle. Two men are put in charge to watch over a mother and two daughters in that home. Evil then sneaks it's way in through the veil of "love". Once again Ted Dekker writes in a way that keeps you reading and always captivated with the story. In the end it's about the blood of Immanuel's Veins that saves.

Now, I would not recommend this book to anyone who is just starting to read Ted Dekker's books. It think it is so hard to describe his books until you have read enough to be in the circle of understanding! But I also won't write it off so fast. This one may not be my all time favorite but I may read this again one day, now that I know what to expect and see it from a different perspective the next time around.

As I've said before I will always read the next book Ted Dekker comes out with and I'm looking forward to his next book; The Priests Graveyard coming out in April!!!