Don't Kiss Him Good-bye (London Confidential series)

Reviewing books targeted to the young adult market encourages me. Especially when they are filled with themes that revolve around making good decisions.



Savvy Smith has been transplanted from the U.S. to London. In addition to trying to find her place in a new peer group, she is also overcoming cultural differences. The May Day Ball is a tradition at this British school. Everyone who is anyone goes to the dance and it seems to Savvy that everyone else has a date. Her list of prospective dates begins to dwindle. When she finally believes she has met someone, she is warned about his propensity to be trouble. Will she bypass her uneasy feelings and compromise? Is this the end of the world? Where does personal identity and self-worth come from? Can we find joy in life when it seems like nothing is working for us?

The written word has such a great opportunity to convey messages and this book is no different. I love Sandra Byrd and her sweet and refreshing humor as well as the details regarding fashion and pop culture. I didn't enjoy this third installment quite as much as the first two because I felt it was lighter on revealing the character's thought process and Savvy's thinking is so encompassed by "boy-craziness", although it is probably more accurate to real-life for many of today's teens.

If you have been reading the blog for any length of time, I introducted you to the London Confidential Series a few months ago. If you want to read the reviews of Books 1 & 2 in the series, you can do that here.


Best-selling author Sandra Byrd has published nearly three dozen books in the Christian market, including her latest series, French Twist, which includes the Christy finalist Let Them Eat Cake (2007) and its sequel, Bon Appétit (2008). Many of her acclaimed fiction and nonfiction books target the tween and young adult market. She has also published a book for new moms entitled Heartbeats. Several of Sandra's shorter works appear in periodical markets such as Relevant, Clubhouse, Pockets, Decision, and Guideposts. For the past seven years, she has shared her secrets with the many students she mentors through the Christian Writers Guild. Before turning to full-time writing, Sandra was an acquisitions editor in the ABA market. She lives in the Seattle, Washington, area with her husband and two children.


This book was provided by Tyndale for review.

The Waiting

Sometimes the simple life isn't all that simple. All women are self-conscious and want to believe we are wanted and beautiful.

It isn't any different for main character Jorie King in Suzanne Woods Fisher's new novel, The Waiting. She is waiting for Ben Zook to "find" himself, settle down and finally join the Faith. News that Ben Zook has been killed reaches home and the community has to find a way to move on with life. Jorie finds comfort in friendship with Caleb, Ben's brother whose wife has recently died. Until an unlikely thing happens.....

OR not so unlikely. I could see this "twist" coming from early on in the book. Even though I wasn't surprised, I did enjoy the book. It was a sweet tale of a timid girl that doesn't think she is beautiful or that anyone else could ever choose her either. Doesn't that girl reside in all of us? AND, you know my affinity for Amish fiction, especially when it doesn't involve a buggy accident as the plot climax.

This book was provided for review by Litfuse Publicity with no compensation.


About Suzanne Woods Fisher : Suzanne Woods Fisher is the CBA bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, Amish Peace, and Amish Proverbs. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne is the host of a radio show called Amish Wisdom and her work has appeared in many magazines. She lives in California . Find out more about Suzanne at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com


Suzanne Woods Fisher is thrilled to announce the release of The Waiting, book two in The Lancaster Secrets Collection. In The Waiting Jorie finds herself caught be two loves and two lives in this compelling page turner about complex people living the simple life.

A must read!

Visit the blog tour and find out what the reviewers are saying!

Learn more about Suzanne and her books at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com!

The Waiting is the next stand alone story in The Lancaster Secrets Collection and follows in the footsteps of the best-selling, The Choice. The Waiting is in stores now and to celebrate Suzanne is hosting The Waiting KINDLE Giveaway.

One Grand Prize winner will receive a Kindle preloaded with Suzanne Woods Fisher titles and a Amazon.com gift certificate! The Prize Pack (valued at over $185.00) includes:

* A brand new KINDLE, Free 3G, 6", Latest Generation

* The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher

* The Waiting by Suzanne Woods Fisher

* A $15 dollar Amazon.com Gift Certificate

To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form, then tell 5 or more friends about the contest. Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on October 28th at Suzanne's Lancaster Secrets Book Club Party.

Join Suzanne for the Lancaster Secrets Book Club Party on October 28th! She’ll be announcing the winner of the The Waiting KINDLE Giveaway, hosting a book club discussion of The Waiting and The Choice, and giving away copies of both books and HEAPs of readerly prizes! Be sure to join us on Thursday, October 28th at 5:00 PM PST (6:00 MST, 7:00 CST & 8 EST) at Suzanne’s Author Page. 

The Healer's Apprentice - YA

Having a 12-year-old that is a voracious reader presents challenges. I want to know what she is reading, but I cannot read everything she reads, at least if I want to get anything else done. So I have to rely on authors that are reliable and recommendations of others. I was pleased to be "introduced" to to Melanie Dickerson and her first novel The Healer's Apprentice by a close friend.



I was told this book was a retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale and so I started reading it with some preconceived notions. I wasn't sure that a tweak here and there to a fairy tale I knew well would keep my interest. Good thing this book was SO much more than just a tweak. I could not put it down! I read it all in one sitting! In the author interview she mentions what started her idea for this book. I loved the idea that she considered the prince and his sense of duty and responsibility, an idea that the author incorporates masterfully into her retelling. Worth a look for YA market AND older (like mid-30ish, like me!)

I can't wait to read more from this author in the future!

This book was provided for review by the author and Zondervan.

Love Finds You.....

in Victory Heights Washington!



WWII was an intense time. I wasn't around during the time period, but my grandmother has shared her experience. She was part of a high school class of four. Three boys and herself. When the boys quit high school to go to war, she decided to quit too and work in the factory. (She went back later and finished.) Her brothers fought in the war too.

My grandmother's story has always interested me. As I read this book, I pictured my grandmother in the factory working and doing her part to help in the war effort. It was emotional.

If you love WWII historical novels, this is the bittersweet tale of Rosalie and the loss of her fiance to war. She does her part for the war effort by working as a riveter in the local Boeing plant. She finds herself thrust into the limelight as Seattle's own "Rosie the Riveter" by an aspiring reporter. Will she allow herself to move on and open herself to love?

Tricia Goyer is the award-winning author of more than a dozen novels. She and her husband have four children and live in Arkansas. Oceanna Fleiss is a published author and editor. She lives with her husband and their four children in the Seattle area. This is the authors' second book together.

This book was provided for review by Litfuse.

Beginning homeschooling fears

I start Monday homeschooling my seventh grade daughter. I am terrified! Of what? A pre-adolescent? Really? I had to deal with lots of those in my time....

No, that isn't it. I am terrified of screwing up my child. I am prepared, I think.... I started researching curriculum over a year ago. I went to the local conference and didn't miss a session. I interviewed other homeschooling moms. I researched public/private school options in our area. I checked into what the course of study was in the public schools. I bought curriculum (chasing down bargains). Most importantly, I prayed and I know this is God's best will for my child right now.

Am I qualified? I don't know. Am I up to the challenge? I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me!! That doesn't mean that fear isn't trying to seep in. It is a daily battle.

And honestly, I am a little selfish! Yep. I admitted it. While I look forward to spending time with her, I can't help but feel like I am cut off. I can't commit to a library storytime with my preschooler. I can't commit to a daytime bible study. I can't commit to a MOPS group. Feeling a little alone.....

But I KNOW that this is God's will and His will is always greater than we can ever imagine. I KNOW that I only have so much time left to impart great things to this child before she thinks I am an ignorant lunatic. I know that my ultimate responsibility is to be the parent God has called me to be. Being a mom is the best way to beat out our selfishness. It is always a sacrifice. This is just one more of those ways. It doesn't compare to the sacrifice that my Heavenly Father made for me.

Do me a favor? Just check in on me from time to time and help me to remember....

I was recently reading a book in which a character mentioned that anxiety is rooted in fear and that if you have complete faith in God, there is no fear. Anxiety is defined as distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune. Anxiety sets in if we try to control things ourselves and don't rely on God's provision. Guilty here more frequently than I'd like to admit.


A few years ago I was put on an anti-anxiety drug. A secondary usuage was for nerve pain, which I was diagnosed with. Later, the doctor told me he put me on the drugs because I seemed anxious during a visit. I was. I wonder what was his first clue? The woman crying the uncontrollable ugly cry? I don't know if the pain I was having was intensified by the anxiety or not. I wasn't on the drug long. I didn't like how it made me feel "foggy". Do I still struggle with anxiety? Yes. Absolutely. So I find studying these scriptures helps. I hope they help someone else tonight too.

Ps 27:1 - The Lord is my Light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, whom shall I fear?

Ps 34:4 I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.

Ps 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah

Proverbs 3:23-26 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble;
when you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
for the LORD will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being snared.


1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

He is that perfect love! Let Him comfort you and take away your fear!

Too much

Sometimes I talk too much. I know this is surprising (NOT!). I have hurt some people and disappointed others with my words and thoughts lately. Yep, the thoughts too, because thoughts become words, and words become atttudes, and attitudes dictate actions. So, if you are one of these people, I'm sorry! I need to learn when to keep my mouth shut, and to think on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. (See Phillipians 4:8)