Here are fiction and nonfiction recommendations. For more, please click on the Goodreads tab.
Veil of Winter is a Dericott Tale by Melanie Dickerson, a YA clean romance novel. In the novel, Princess Elyce’s father tells her she is too emotional and disgusting to him. He tells her God disapproves of her for not obeying her father, although her father is evil and unloving and should not be obeyed.…
Dead Air, a Waco Mystery by Mary L. Hamilton, addresses lies people believe because of clouded pain from past experiences. These erected walls cement bricks of pride and unforgiveness that lead to tragedies. Frustrated that her unemployed husband won’t accept less than his dream job, Kit Squires gives him an ultimatum. While listening to the…
Are you (or your kids) looking for a novel where the villain keeps the heroine on her toes? Do you like stories where good triumphs evil, but you’re not sure how this problem can be resolved until you reach the end, cringing through the climax and fretting that the characters you have come to admire…
More Than Grit, a middle-grade, historical novel by Gretchen Carlson, released today. I loved this debut novel and believe that not only will young people relate to it, but it will also be an excellent addition to any school reading curricula. Sissy, who lives in Kansas in 1939, wants to earn money, so she can…
Relentless Rebels addresses courage and the role faith plays in difficult circumstances. Relentless means unrelenting, which means grim determination. Rebel means fighting in an armed conflict against a constituted authority, especially in hopes of improving conditions. While I’ve never been a rebel as defined, I do relate to being determined. I bet you do too.…
Have you ever considered a how wrought with emotions a convict’s release and transition from prison to civilian life is for the released as well as the family? Reacclimating takes courage and lots of grace. Before reading Broken Together by Brenda S. Anderson and Sarah S. Anderson, I never contemplated the difficulties they might face.…
Candice Yamnitz, a talented storyteller, includes romance and sword-fighting danger in her debut young adult fantasy novel, Unbetrothed. Beatriz, a 17-year-old princess, embarks on a dangerous quest with her lady’s maid, Laude, whom she doesn’t respect much at the beginning, but whom she loves like a sister by the end. Beatriz’s faults include being self-absorbed…
Tinsel in a Twist by Laurie Germaine continues the story of Tinsel, the Christmas elf from Tinsel in a Tangle, a YA novel I raved about in February. Just in time for the holidays, the second novel arrives, just as endearing. Tinsel travels with Niklas and Santa and Mrs. Claus to Germany for Niklas’ initiation…
Castle of Refuge, the second book in the Dericott Tale series by Melanie Dickerson, picks up the story of Edwin, Lord Dericott, after he returns home to his castle after losing an arm. I learned from this novel that if you lose your arm, you have trouble with balance for a while. I never considered…
Just in time for Halloween, I have a scary novel to recommend: The Demons Among Us. Young fans of Frank Peretti will want to grab a copy of Jill K. Willis’ novel, The Demons Among Us. This intense YA story pulled me in so much that sometimes I’d forget it was fiction. Some large black…