A Distant Melody

By: Sarah Sundin


http://www.revellbooks.com/




This is book one in the Wings of Glory series and it is centered around WWII. In this story Allie is set to marry Baxter, her parents choice of husband, but when she is invited to her friend Betty's wedding her resolve changes. It is during this week of freedom away from her parents that she meets Walt Novak. Walt is a pilot in the Army Air force and this is his last furlough before he heads of to join the fight. During this time these two begin to grow close in friendship and realize just how much they have in common. When it is time for them to part they agree to write to each other.


I really enjoyed this story because it really brings home just how out of control lies can become. It shows how important it is to tell the truth no matter the circumstances. There was a lot of reference to scripture and staying true to God an what he leading you to do even if you don't understand it at the time. It can truly be scary to drop everything and trust in the Lord to handle it but that what it means to have faith. As it says in the scripture obedience is better than sacrifice to the Lord.



Available March 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Abigail

By: Jill Eileen Smith

http://www.revellbooks.com/

This Novel is book two in The Wives of King David series. In this book we follow the story of Abigail who was the second wife of David. In the beginning of this story we find Abigail waiting for her husband Nabal to appear and take her from her father's house. Once he arrives she realizes that he is not the man that she thought he was. Being the christian woman that she is she resigns herself to being the type of wife that he wants. Meanwhile, her brother has heard stories that David and his men are near by hiding out from King Saul. He heads out to seek David to see if he and his family can join him and his people. As the story progress Nabal falls ill and dies leaving Abigail a widow and it is at this time that David offers to marry her. The story really becomes interesting at this point as we see the difficulties that she faces having to share her husband with another women and then with many as David is made King. In the end everthing works out as it should.

I really enjoyed this book because it really helped to bring the Scriptures to life. I loved that the author placed the scriptures in the beginning of each chapter to help the readers to keep up. I have often tried to read this same story in the Bible and picture what it must have truly been like to live and face these trial along with David. This story shows the true meaning of sacrifice and how if we are faithful to God he will fight our battles for us and bring us the victory. The overall message in this story is a positive one and a true story of dedication to God's word no matter the circumstances. Keep the faith and it will all work as it says in scripture, all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.

Available Feburaury 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Swinging on A Star

By: Janice Thompson


http://www.revellbooks.com/




This is book two in the Weddings By Bella series. In this story Bella is bout to plan her most daring wedding yet, a Renaissance themed wedding. The only question is can she keep the surprise best man a secret. Trying to hide this Hollywood superstar from the paparazzi is a hard job especially considering that he is staying at her house and her aunt has been chosen to star on Food Network and the camera men are scheduled to arrive right before the wedding. Add to this uncooperative weather, a feuding aunt and uncle who can't get along when in the same room, and a small town and you have a great book just waiting to be read. Things get even crazier when Bella discovers that Brock, the best man, has taken interest in her. Now she must balance the sparks between DJ, her boyfriend, and Brock. Can she handle all this stress, pull off the perfect wedding, and keep peace in her house. Pick up this book and find out.

I really enjoyed reading this book the characters were great and there was enough excitement going on to keep the pages turning. I loved the references to God and how he always has something better in store for us. this book was full of neighbors helping neighbors and really captured to feel of small town life. It was a very well written story that flowed great from beginning to end. The end wrapped up nicely but left just enough to have me waiting to read the next insert in the Weddings By Bella series.

Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Dreams that Won't Let Go

By: Stacy Hawkins Adams.



http://www:revellbooks.com/

Dreams That Won't Let Go is the third book in the Jubilant Soul series. This novel is about three siblings; Indigo, Ruben, and Yasmin, who have been raised by their grandparents since their real parents were killed in an accident. Indigo Burns is excited about her upcoming wedding to Max Shepherd. Everything seems to be running smooth until her brother Ruben decides to move his family to Jubilant , Texas to be closer to his family. Things in this family began to unravel fast with the return of Ruben. When secrets are revealed there are a lot of hurt feelings and misunderstandings that have to be cleared up. Indigo must learn to forgive her brother for past hurts and misunderstandings and to forgive her parents/grandparents for what she sees as their neglect when he comes back to town. Her younger sister Yasmin has to learn how to chase her dreams but also how to find forgiveness for her parents/grandparents and what she sees as them ruining her career. Ruben has to make peace with a promise that he made to their parents before they died that he feels like he has been unable to keep and he must also learn to open up and tell his family the secret that he has been keeping locked inside all these years. This is a great story of love and forgiveness that everyone should read if they are holding on to old hurts that are straining their relationship with their family.

I loved how the characters in this family are so real and each has their own set of problems to overcome. I enjoyed following along with the story and watching as each character evolved and realized what they needed to do to make peace with themselves and not only that but what they needed to do to be able to move ahead out of the past and become a real family again. I think a lot of families have these kinds of issues or some similar to these and are clueless as to how to deal with them. Most people worry about hurting someones feelings so they keep things bottled up and let them continue to cause hurt. The best way to handle these kinds of problems is to pray for guidance and let the Lord lead you into how to best bring up these issues. Pick up Dreams that Won't Let Go and see how this family comes together through the pain and secrets of the past.


Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Songs of Deliverance

By: Marilynn Griffith



http://www.revellbooks.com/



The four main characters in this story are Zeely, Ron, Brian, and Grace. They have all been friends since school and were given up on by most people except for one teacher. When she falls ill these four friends are reunited and the secrets of the past are brought to light. Zeely and Ron were once involved but a miss understanding in the past caused them to go there separate ways. A tragic situation caused Grace to leave town for a while but she has returned stronger for it. This book is full of secrets and plot twists that will leave you on the edge of your seat and wondering what will happen next. Can Love, truth and forgiveness overcome the hurts and secrets of the past? Read this book and see how these four friends find love and unity during a time of sadness and uncertainty.

I thought that this was a great book. I really enjoyed the characters and how real they are. I loved the message of forgiveness and how you can never be sure just how things will turn out. The only draw back to this story is that it jumps from one character's point of view to another so it can be kind of confusing to follow.

Jenna's Cowboy

By: Sharon Gillenwater

http://www.revellbooks.com/

The two main characters in this book are Jenna Callahan Colby and Nate Langley. Jenna is home living with her parents and is learning to find peace in raising her son and working as a parner on her father's ranch. Nate langley left small town Callahan Crossing and joined the army after 9/11. Nate has returned to home to help his dad with his farm and runs into Jenna. what follows next is a wonderful story is healing for both characters and a renewing of love that started years earlier and has never died. To make things difficult Nate is dealing with issues following his tour in the army and Jenna is recovering from the a divorce. Can these two over come their difficulties and capture a love that never died? Pick up this book and see for yourself how Faith, Love, and Friendship help these two to find themselves.

I really loved this book for several reasons. First thing that I really loved was the use of Religion throughout this story. There are several mentions of prayer and the importance of it no matter the situation. I also liked that one of the characters whos was in the army is facing some of the same issues that real soldiers are dealing with after having served in the armed forces. I think that this book will be great for the family members of soldiers to read so thath they will have some idea of what they may have to face when they return home. I loved the devotion to family and friends in this story. There is sooo much love and support in this book it made for a Great Read. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a geat love story with great information throughout.

Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The Choice

By: Suzanne Woods Fisher




http://www.revellbooks.com/




This story takes place in the Amish community in Lancaster County. Carrie Weaver is an Amish girl who has fallen in love with Solomon Riehl. She is ready to leave the Amish community and follow him as he leaves to become a pitcher for the Lancaster Barnstormers. When tragedy strikes in Carrie's family these plans change and there are hard choices to be made. In each part of this book all the characters are faced with difficult choices that must be made and the results that follow. Some choices are made without due consideration and the results are not what Carrie and Solomon expect.This story helps readers to see how things that we think are meant for us are not and how God causes things to happen to help us to fully see the plans that he has for us. Each character must learn the important lesson of forgiveness and learn from the things that have happened in the past to have a happy future.


I really enjoyed this book because it helped me to face some of the choices that I have had to make in my own life. This book really shows that no matter the plans that we make God has bigger and better things in store for us. It helps to encourage forgiveness and the importance of learning from the past and moving on to face the future with a new positive outlook.

Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.