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Shoofly Pie by Tim Downs

Rating: 4 Stars

If you like John Grisham (with a little "CSI" thrown in), you'll love Tim Downs. He is a Christian, but doesn't beat the reader over the head with contrived plots and happily-ever-after "Christian" endings; however, he does make you think, and he does it all with clean language and content (though, because his subject matter is forensic entomology, people who don't like bugs might beware!

This is a book you wouldn't be embarrassed to share with a non-believer.

Jan G. Madden

Reluctant Runaway by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

Rating: 5 Stars

RELUCTANT RUNAWAY is full of action that keeps you turning the pages!

Museum security expert Desiree Jacobs continuously stumbles into danger, and her FBI-agent boyfriend, Tony Lucano, continuously struggles to keep her safe. However, Desi's dedication and willingness to lay down her life for her friends is one of the things that attracts him to her the most.

Jill Elizabeth Nelson has done an excellent job, as well, at showing the love and forgiveness of God throughout.

Can't wait for RELUCTANT SMUGGLER!

Lemaro Thompson

The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Williard

Rating: 5 Stars

This is one of the best books since the Bible. Its beauty is in its depth --- sorry, no simple cliches. It makes you consider things that you have never thought about before. Such as the fact that JESUS IS SMART. We all know that he is loving, kind, merciful, and forgiving, but did we ever thank God for his smartness? This is important because if Jesus is smar,t then we can trust him through the winds and the turns of life --- like how we can trust our math professor though the rigors of calculus. Buy the book, take a read, then take another read. A+ Three thumbs up !!!

Valerie Wiesner

The Woods by Harlan Coben

Rating: 4 Stars

This is another one of Harlan Coben's cliffhanger thrillers. It is exciting, fast-paced and has more twists and turns than a mountain road. It is a very enjoyable read.

Marjorie Clark (marjclark@comcast.net)

Step on a Crack by James Paterson & Michael Ledwidge

Rating: 4 Stars

In the true form of James Paterson and those with whom he collaborates, this is a great book and fast read. It's packed with excitement and all the entertaining personal character facts that keep you interested.

Dawnymae

Sandpebbles by Patricia Hickman

Rating: 4 Stars

A good book in which the main character has to learn to deal with past pain in order to move forward in her life.

Maggie Gamble (Gmagnolia52@yahoo.com)

The Legends of the Guardian King Series by Karen Hancock

Rating: 5 Stars

This is one of the best fantasy books with a Christian-based theme that I have read in a long time. I would recommend this series to anyone, no matter what their reading preferences might be.

AP

The Secret of Us by Roxanne Henke

Rating: 5 Stars

This book is about a contemporary troubled marriage story, told from three different viewpoints while the family is planning the wedding of their oldest daughter. This is a very realistic story and highly recommended.

Ruthann

The Barbarian Way by Erwin Raphael McManus

Rating: 5 Stars

This book is delightful, challenging, and full of applicable truth for the Church today. McManus writes from his own life, offering a refreshing perspective on living an uncivilized life.

April Pace

Six By Suess by Dr. Suess

Rating: 5 Stars

Great read!

Katherine Hawkes

Divine by Karen Kingsbury

Rating: 5 Stars

This was an awesome, can't-put-it-down read! It's a contemporary novel that parallels, in many ways, the life of Mary Magdalene. The story is based on the life of Mary Madison, who suffered years of unimaginable abuse at the hands of many and who is saved by meeting Jesus through the lives of several people along her path. This story confirms the miracles that only God can perform.

Whitley

The Unusual Suspect by Stephen Baldwin

Rating: 5 Stars

So real and scripture-based. Anyone could read, understand ,and cry or laugh right along. It's very exciting to see what God is doing in our own country through this person.

Margaret

First Light by Brock and Bodie Thoene

Rating: 4 Stars

Israel. What an amazing thing to read and learn about. This book, as well as several other titles by the Thoenes, is packed full of the history and culture, making you feel like you're really there walking to the Temple with Yeshua. I love their books, and FIRST LIGHT is amazing!!!

Cecee (rshepmin@aol.com)

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Rating: 5 Stars

A novel that takes a look at Afghanistan from 1980 until the present, told from the point of view of a young boy growing up there. It will make you angry, make you cry, and eventually, give you hope for the world, one person at a time.

Max McNabb (mcnabb_max@yahoo.com)

Germ by Robert Liparulo

Rating: 5 Stars

While Liparulo's follow-up to COMES A HORSEMAN is not quite as good as this previous book, GERM is great. If you like Ted Dekker, T. L. Hines, or James Byron Huggins, you'll love this.

Betty

Mount Vernon Love Story by Mary Higgins Clark

Rating: 5 Stars

Yes, I am aware that this is not a Christian book and that the author has never written a Christian book, but this is a very well-done biography of the wife of President Abraham Lincoln and the hassles she went through as his wife, because she was not born of a "good" family. She basically was not accepted in "polite" society.

I do read Christian fiction along with mysteries, classics, non-fiction, and a lot of the books that have been condensed by "Reader's Digest". Generally I have been disappointed in the Christian fiction that has been written over the past 10 years; the quality just isn't there as compared to the classics of yesteryear.

Deena Peterson (thedeena63@hotmail.com)

Midnight Sea by Colleen Coble

Rating: 4 Stars

This is a Woman of Faith selection novel, and I can understand why. New believer Lani is suddenly blinded by a gunshot. Who wanted her dead? Who is trying to sabotage her aunt's coffee bean business? And why do bad things happen to Christian people? I have loved every Colleen Coble title I've read, and this is quality writing.

Lindsey Elda Freitas

Beneath a Southern Sky by Deborah Raney

Rating: 5 Stars

What would you do if your husband died, you remarried, and then found out that your husband was really alive? I cried through so much of this book, and was drawn right in and loved the characters.

Deena Peterson (thedeena63@hotmail.com)

Coral Moon by Brandilyn Collins

Rating: 5 Stars

This is her most intense novel to date! Ace newswoman Leslie Williams finds a dead body in her car, and everything changes for the town of Kanner Lake. Who is behind the murder? Will there be more? And why target Leslie? The rollercoaster ride to the answers will keep you guessing until the very last page.

Lindsey Freitas

Never Ceese by Sue Dent

Rating: 5 Stars

NEVER CEASE gripped me from the very first page. I am so thrilled that someone has bravely stepped forward and written a Christian werewolf/vampire story. What would it be like as a Christian to be a cursed vampire or werewolf? Imagine the despair you would feel, knowing you are cursed to live on this earth forever as an animal and with no hope of eternal life with God. I highly recommend this!

Lindsey Freitas

Revealed (Fountain Creek Chronicles #2) by Tamera Alexander

Rating: 5 Stars

This is a must read! It's the sequel to REKINDLED, and I really think REVEALED even tops it!

Lindsey Freitas

The Hidden by Kathryn Mackel

Rating: 4 Stars

Imagine waking up to find yourself chained in a deep, dark cave. You have lost all sense of time and place and have no idea who you are or why you are here. You only know that you are terrified.

Have I caught your attention? Kathryn Mackel certainly will with her rich characterization and talent for writing fiction that is engrossing and completely unpredictable. (Full review at www.kindredreviews.blogspot.com)

Lindsey Elda Freitas

Julia's Hope by Leisha Kelly

Rating: 5 Stars

I love this book! A family finds themselves without a place to live during the Great Depression. An old woman is unable to live on the farm she loves because she is unable to keep it up, and it breaks her heart. Can these broken-hearted people make a family?

Lindsey Elda Freitas

Arena by Karen Hancock

Rating: 5 Stars

I've read this countless times! This is the best Christian fantasy I've read that is not a classic... get it soon!

Lindsey Elda Freitas

Crossfire by Jeanette Windle

Rating: 5 Stars

I don't know how anyone can put this book down without finishing it! This is #1 on my list of favorite contemporary Christian fiction, without a doubt. I can hardly wait to read the sequel! I'll definitely be recommending this book to everyone I meet.

Lindsey Elda Freitas

Daughter of China by C. Hope Flinchbaugh

Rating: 4 Stars

This is a very vivid account of a young Chinese woman's battle to share the gospel. It makes you wonder if, were you in her position, your faith would be as strong.

Lindsey Freitas

Ten Thousand Charms (Crossroads of Grace #1) by Allison Pittman

Rating: 5 Stars

I devoured this book in two days. It was very very good and written well. I cared so much for the characters and echo an author's review --- "It's a wonderful cross between LOVE COMES SOFTLY and REDEEMING LOVE."

Lindsey Elda Freitas

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Rating: 5 Stars

I was so in touch with Angel, not because my background was anything like hers, but because Francine Rivers put Angel's feelings and emotions right in front of you. She comes alive and you feel like her struggles are your struggles. You understand what it's like and can relate to her when it comes to never feeling adequate. This is a very moving book.

Sara Jane

The Copper Scroll by Joel C. Rosenberg

Rating: 5 Stars

I loved the first 3 books in this series. Fiction may just become reality someday!