Harmony Blue got pregnant as a teenager before she was able to properly care for a child.  She gave her child up for adoption.  Years later, she becomes a successful talk show host like Oprah.  She is constantly in the public eye.  Yet her longing for her son, leads her to hire a private investigator to look for him.

She goes  to shoot her show on location in Key West where she is reunited with some figures of her past. The unfolding of these relationships as each character comes to terms with their lives is the heart of Reunion.

The writing in Reunion is lovely and literary.  This story is driven by its characters and their many decisions, choices, and pasts.  It got off to a bit of a slow start for me due to that, but once I was into the story, it went much more quickly. I cared about what happened to each character and longed for peace for their souls.  The ending certainly does bring some of that, though maybe in unexpected ways.

This is a great read for the early lazy days of summer.

About the Book: What happens when the realization of a dream isn’t what you imagined… and the secret you’ve spent a lifetime guarding is finally laid bare?

Determined to become one of the country’s premier newspaper photographers, Elizabeth Westbrook travels to the Colorado Territory to capture the grandeur of the mountains surrounding the remote town of Timber Ridge. She hopes, too, that the cool, dry air of Colorado, and its renowned hot springs, will cure the mysterious illness that threatens her career, and her life. Daniel Ranslett is a man shackled by his Confederate past, and he’ll do anything to protect his land, and his solitude. When an outspoken Yankee photographer captures an image that appears key to solving a murder, putting herself in danger, Daniel is called upon to repay a debt. He’s a man of his word, but repaying that debt could reveal secrets from his past he would prefer remain buried.

Forced on a perilous journey together, Daniel and Elizabeth’s lives intertwine in ways neither could have imagined when first they met from a distance.

My Review: When I first looked at the cover for this book, I didn’t expect to like it. I thought it would be another sort of prairie romance and that it would be just okay. But within just a few pages, I was completely captivated the characters, delighted by the writing, and into the story.

Elizabeth was a heroine that I just loved. Feisty and determined to realize her goals even when all of the odds were against her, funny and warm, I couldn’t help but root for her. Daniel is a bit of a tortured hero, but a man of integrity and conscience which I always enjoy as well.

I also really enjoyed the secondary characters who added a lot of character and interest to the story. the characterization is just outstanding, the romantic tension is believable and clean, and the plot is full of excitement and drama.

Highly, highly recommend for fans of historical romance!

From a Distance was published by Bethany House in June of 2008.

Product Description
The first Christians “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6) shaking the gates of hell even in the face of severe persecution. The result: People all around “were filled with wonder and amazement” (Acts 3:10).What can give Christians today the same impact?

God’s Holy Spirit is ready to answer that for us in an awesome way, as Henry Blackaby and his son Mel Blackaby make clear in Experiencing the Spirit. You’ll see how the proof of the Spirit’s presence is our awareness of God’s personal assignments for us, plus our supernatural enablement to carry out those assignments.You’ll find essential clarification on the difference between natural talents and spiritual gifts. You’ll explore the dynamics of being filled with the Spirit through intimate relationship with Him, committed obedience, and radical departure from sin.

Instead of considering what you can do for God with your abilities and talents, you’ll be encouraged here to seek what God wants to do through you supernaturally by His Spirit, empowering you beyond your personal competence and capacities. Release the Holy Spirit’s work at the very core of your experience of the Christian life – as He releases you to serve God as never before.

About the Author
Dr. Henry Blackaby, president emeritus of Blackaby Ministries, is the author of more than a dozen books, including the bestselling classic,Experiencing God. He has spent his life in ministry, serving as a music director and as a senior pastor of churches in California and Canada. Today he provides consultative leadership on prayer for revival and spiritual awakening on a global level. He and his wife make their home in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Melvin Blackaby coauthored with his father, Henry, the Gold Medallion winner Experiencing God Together. He travels extensively as a conference speaker and serves as a senior pastor of Bow Valley Baptist Church in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada. He and his wife and their three children live in Canada.

My Review: I used this book as part of my morning devotions and was reminded again how when we do God’s work in our strength it falls flat, but when we do God’s work in the Holy Spirit’s strength His will is accomplished.  The book has a back and forth style between father and son.  I liked that.  Between the two of them are years of experience walking with God.  This book made me desire an even closer relationship with God and to experience His moving in my life.  I read one or two chapters a day and was reminded anew that Christianity is a relationship, and a relationship takes time and is ongoing.  Christianity is a supernatural faith and we should expect to see things happen.  The Blackaby men reminded me of this truth.

Product Description
They number in the millions and they are incredibly important to families and to our society, yet they are underappreciated, little respected, and even controversial.

Who are they?

They are the stay-at-home moms.

These are women who know in their hearts that staying home to raise their children is the right choice for the whole family. Some do it from the outset of their marriages, while others make the difficult transition from career-driven women to homemakers. Either way, it is a choice that is incredibly rich and rewarding, not to mention challenging.

Now Dr. Laura, building on principles developed during her long career as a licensed marriage and family therapist, provides a wealth of advice and support, as well as compassion and inspiration, to women as they navigate the wonders and struggles of being stay-at-home moms.

Learn how:

• to hold your head high and deal with naysayers;
• to see the benefits of being home not only for your children but also for your marriage;
• to understand the changes you see in yourself;
• to realize that the sacrifices you endure now will make for lasting bonds and a stronger family, in addition to a more cohesive community.

From Back Cover:

In Violet’s sleepy Southern Town, alligators lurk, lightning strikes, and change is just around the corner.  Eleven-year-old Violet Raines likes things just the way they are in her backwoods town of Mitchell Hammock, Florida.  She loves going to the fish fry with her best friend, Lottie, collecting Brain Freeze cups with her good friend Eddie, and watching lightning storms on a warm summer day.  But when Melissa moves to town from big city Detroit, she brings with her makeup and Truth or Dare and talk of boys.  It’ll take the help of Violet’s friends, her mama, a few run-ins with lightning, and maybe even melissa, for Violet to realize that growing up doesn’t have to mean changing who you are.

My Review:

On the back cover, this book is recommended for ages 8 to 12.  I am enjoying this book, but I can’t imagine the eight-year old girls I teach would even begin to comprehend it.  I would recommend this book for girls no younger than 10 through maybe 13 or 14 years old.

As a grandma, it reminds me a great deal of my childhood.  In my neighborhood I had a best friend, and we were all set  another girl moved in.  Three girls don’t work very well as Violet finds out when Melissa move in and threatens her best friendship with Lottie.  There will be jealousy in most cases and that’s what is happening in this story.  Some girls want to grow up quickly and become teenagers and others still want to play outside.  Children from cities differ from children in the country in their interests and behavior.

This story deals with growing up, emotions, and relationships.  I love the southern flavor and homey writing.  The characters remind me of my friends and I growing up.  They are real and honest, naive and experienced.  I recommend this book for middle schoolers especially, but even as an adult I am enjoying it!  I look forward to more Violet in the future!

Product Description
Out in space, on the other side of the sun, is the Planet Of The Dogs. Dogs have always lived there in peace and happiness. One day many years ago, the council of the elder dogs learned that there were problems on Earth, the Planet of the People. Many people had forgotten how to love and had become mean and greedy. The good people of Green Valley were threatened by the warrior tribes of Stone City. The council realized that they needed help. This is the story of the first time dogs came to planet earth to teach people about love and to bring peace to Green Valley.

My Review: This is a sweet book for children who are animal lovers (which includes most of them).  It is a story of how dogs came to our planet from the Planet of Dogs.  It is a book which very much praises dogs – their ability to love us unconditionally, protect us, and enjoy being around us.  It highlights dogs’ innate intelligence.  The book is intense at times, but the dogs are definitely the heroes.  Boys and girls alike would like this book because it is about a family.  The age of interest for this book I would put at 8-11 years.  It would make a great read aloud for family and/or classroom.

Product Description:  Sarah Graham is living life hard and fast – and she is flat broke.  When her estranged father dies, she travels to the tiny mountain hamlet of Jonah, New York, to claim her inheritance.  Once there, however, she learns that her plans for the future – and her memories of the past – are about to change forever.

My Review:  Sarah Graham probably thought her luck was finally changing when she gets news of her father’s death and the inheritance that was now hers.  And it was changing – but in ways she’d never have imagined.  Arriving in the small town of Jonah, she quickly learns that in order to obtain her inheritance, she will have to stay in the town of Jonah for several months.  She despises this condition, but desperately needs the money, so she stays.  The townspeople are incredible (though not perfect) and each one plays a significant role in Sarah’s life while she is there, though she tries to keep them out.   Sarah is shown what true faith is in this town, and it challenges her own stubborn ideas.

     Christa Parrish has written a compelling debut novel.   The people of Jonah won over Sarah’s hard heart with their love for Christ and for her and isn’t that just the way it should be?  That we would have patience with people, speaking the truth in love.  Sarah is not always a likeable character, but her struggles are so real and common.  Though they might not admit it, people are looking for someone who will love them they way they are and not let go at that first sign of trouble.

     I loved the themes of this book.  Hope you will check it out!