A Katie Parker Production Series by Jenny B. Jones

In Between (A Katie Parker Production Book 1) 

Book Description:

Can we overcome our past? 

Katie Parker is about to get a new life—whether she wants one or not. With her mom in prison, and her father AWOL, Katie is sent to live with a squeaky-clean family who could have their own sitcom. She launches a full-scale plan to get sent back to the girls’ home when she finds herself in over her head...and heart. When Katie and her new "wrong crowd" get into significant trouble at school, she finds her punishment is restoring a historic theater with a crazy grandma who goes by the name of Mad Maxine. In the midst of her punishment, Katie uncovers family secrets that run deep, and realizes she's not the only one with a pain-filled past. Katie must decide if she'll continue her own family’s messed up legacy or embrace a new beginning in this place called In Between.

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What a fantastic YA novel! And I am not even a YA reader, but believe me it doesn't matter your age, I think anyone can enjoy this novel. Also, I can think of several YA, I will recommend this novel to! Not only does Jones paint a scene and circumstance so realistically, as well as characters that ring true, she manages to do this all while captivating your interest and engaging your heart! It has both humor, wit and depth. I am looking forward to book 2 and seeing what will happen next!

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On the Loose (A Katie Parker Production Book 2)

Book Description:

Six months into her stay with her foster parents, Katie Parker is finally adjusting to her new family. But when a tornado rips through the town of In Between, nothing is ever the same. When her foster mom, Millie, is diagnosed with cancer, Katie begins to doubt if God really does care. What will happen to Katie? Could she possibly have to leave In Between and the family she's come to depend on? Things spiral even further out of control when Katie juggles a malfunctioning best friend, Spring Break plans, and holding the attention of her own Prince Charming. It's going to take more than a glass slipper and some fairy dust to fix Katie's problems. But will help come in time?

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Katie Parker is a character not to be missed; nor this series! I laughed (out loud several times), I cried, and I devoured this novel! This may be a YA novel but I challenge anyone to give this series a try, you will not be disappointed. Jones is a brilliant author, who not only crafts a well written story but does it while keeping you completely charmed and captivated all the way through!

With witty writing, completely believable and likable characters, and insightful humor this novel navigates the ups and downs of life, family, friendships, faith and more. Jones manages to impart some wonderful and insightful truths while not being preachy, it just flows and breaths true. Bring on Book 3!!!

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The Big Picture (A Katie Parker Production Book 3) 

Book Description:

How do you walk away from love? 
Katie's bio-mom is fresh out of prison and wants to start a new life with her daughter--in a new town. Katie is forced to walk away from In Between, leaving the family she loves, an endangered town drive-in, and a boyfriend who can't take his eyes off his ex. 

As life with her mom takes a serious nosedive, Katie must rely on her faith to keep it together. Yet God seems to be nowhere around. Katie struggles to keep it together, taking care of her mother and spending time with a handsome new friend who makes her question everything. Will her big picture ever include a happily ever after?

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Another ace in the hole! While this novel started off a little slower, it picked up pace and didn't leave my mind, even when I had to set it down. While, this one was not as humorous, it had some really intriguing aspects to it. You really get to see some character development and growth, and meet a few new additions to the cast of characters! One not to be missed! Bring on Book 4!

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Can't Let You Go (A Katie Parker Production Book 4)

Book Description:

An old love whose kisses make her weak, but whose secrets threaten to destroy all she holds dear... 

Fresh out of college, Katie Parker had it all—a charming romance, a role in a famous stage production, and an idyllic life in London. Until she found her boyfriend cheating and got herself fired from the play. Leaving everything behind, Katie hops a plane home, only to run into her first love, Charlie Benson. As the couple returns to In Between, Katie questions everything she ever thought she wanted—including a renewed romance with her high school flame. 

While she attempts to rebuild her life, Katie's plan to manage the family’s theater meets a devastating obstacle, dragging her into a legal battle that will rock her small town. And the boy who once broke her heart seems to have the power to do it again. As Charlie’s secrets unravel, Katie must make a choice. Can she overcome her past and trust Charlie with her heart again? 

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I absolutely loved this series! From the great characters, laughs, drama and faith insights, it was in every way compelling and enchanting! I am terribly sad, to bid ado to Katie Parker and the wonderful and zany characters, I have come to care about.

Jones truly has a gift and I am so glad she is sharing it with all of us! I look forward to reading more by this author and I highly recommend this series to one and all, YA or older... Take a chance, you will be delightfully pleased!

Harvest of Rubies (Book 1) by Tessa Afshar

This novel will completely captivate you and compel you to speed through it  - I did today! Filled with well developed and witty characters, that seem quiet real and are endearing, you are sure to not only delight in their character development but also anxiously long to see how their circumstances will work out. Do they learn and grow, do they trust and forgive, or will they let their own insecurities and pride be their downfall?

Afshar has filled this novel with wonderful "rubies" of truth, lessons and encouragement for each of us. This is one not to be missed! And what is even better, the story is not over - Book 2, Harvest of Gold is already in print and I cannot wait to open its pages!

Update: Having just finished Harvest of Gold, I have to tell you that I was a little disappointed. While it was good and did have some solid biblical truths in it. It just felt lacking overall. I was not as engaged, and esp. towards the end did a lot of skim reading. If you are looking for a really great biblical fiction book about Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the wall, I highly recommend Lynn Austin's first book in The Restoration Chronicles, Return to Me (Book 1). All that said, will I read another book by Tessa Afshar? Yes, absolutely! My favorite by her is still Pearl in the Sand, excellent!

Keepers of the Covenant (The Restoration Chronicles, Book 2) by Lynn Austin

For those of you who love biblical fiction, you should definitely check out Lynn Austin's novels in that genre. Her series, The Chronicles of the Kings (5 Books) is absolutely amazing! So when Austin began her new series, The Restoration Chronicles, needlessly to say I was thrilled. 

Keepers of the Covenant, Book 2 in this series, is without a doubt a wonderful, well written and moving novel. It brings to life the OT times and sheds more light on a time period, where normally the focus would have been on Queen Esther. However, in this novel, Austin writes the story from the perspective of several different Jewish exiles and a Gentile, scattered in the Babylonian Empire.

I loved looking at this story with fresh eyes. Seeing the way Austin not only wove in God's love, mercy, grace and the miraculous as well as showing us His Holiness and the calling to live set apart unto Him; while in the midst of this creating not only relate able characters but ones that endear themselves to you. At one part in the novel, I was so captivated and held in suspense, I could literally feel my heart pounding in my chest. 

There were however, parts of the story that seemed a little repetitive or unnecessary, and because of that I did not give this novel an even higher rating. Nevertheless, this novel is well worth your time to read! It is captivating and will make this area of the OT come alive, with a breath of fresh perspective and tugs of reflective thoughtfulness in your own life.

Definitely on my recommendations list! 

Kept by Sally Bradley

Book Description:
Life has taught Miska Tomlinson that there are no honorable men. Her womanizing brothers, her absentee father, and Mark, the married baseball player who claims to love her—all have proven undependable. But Miska has life under control. She runs her editing business from her luxury condo, stays fit with daily jogs along Chicago's lakefront, and in her free time blogs anonymously about life as a kept woman. 

Enter new neighbor Dillan Foster. Between his unexpected friendship and her father's sudden reappearance, Miska loses control of her orderly life. Her relationship with Mark deteriorates, and Miska can't help comparing him to Dillan. His religious views are so foreign, yet the way he treats her is something she's longed for. But Dillan discovers exactly who she is and what she has done. Too late she finds herself longing for a man who is determined to never look her way again. 

When her blog receives unexpected national press, Miska realizes that her anonymity was an illusion. Caught in a scandal about to break across the nation, Miska wonders if the God Dillan talks about would bother with a woman like her—a woman who's gone too far and done too much. 

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Oh wow, and I do mean wow!!! This book was sooo good! In the beginning I wasn't sure if it would live up to all the hype I read in its reviews; I mean I thought it was good and all but it wasn't blowing me away... But just wait, it will! There comes a point where you are so consumed by this story, these characters, that you are no longer sitting on your couch reading a novel, you are there! These do not seem like characters but they live and breathe, and you cannot walk away from them.

This story was so good on so many levels. Captivating, well formed and smooth flowing, this novel breathed life, it was so real. The characters were honest, fresh and compelling; their interactions, their doubts, struggles, hurts and more brought a sense of reality to this novel in the best possible way. Miska's questions on faith, her struggle with it and later her desire for it, seemed very natural, never pushed or unrealistic. One of the reviewers referred to this novel as being a modern day classic version of Redeeming Love. And in some ways it is. Both are excellent novels, dealing with similar subject matter... Sin, redemption, grace, love, fear, faith, and so much more. All I can say is this book is one to add to your must read list, it is well worth your time reading it. In fact, I wouldn't mind reading it again today!

Simply, an amazing debut novel! I am excited to see what Sally Bradley has in store for us next!

A Cliché Christmas by Nicole Deese

Book Description:

Writing happy endings is easy. Living one is the hard part.

Georgia Cole—known in Hollywood as the “Holiday Goddess”—has made a name for herself writing heartwarming screenplays chock-full of Christmas clichés, but she has yet to experience the true magic of the season. So, when her eccentric grandmother volunteers her to direct a pageant at Georgia’s hometown community theater, she is less than thrilled. To make matters worse, she’ll be working alongside Weston James, her childhood crush and the one man she has tried desperately to forget.

Now, facing memories of a lonely childhood and the humiliation of her last onstage performance, seven years earlier, Georgia is on the verge of a complete mistletoe meltdown. As Weston attempts to thaw the frozen walls around her heart, Georgia endeavors to let go of her fears and give love a second chance. If she does, will she finally believe that Christmas can be more than a cliché?

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Nicole Deese is a bright shining star, rising up in Christian Fiction! Her first series wowed me, and she continues to not only impress, but she also continues to inspire and captivate readers with her latest release. This novel, started out as darling but it continued to build and escalate on so many levels, culminating in a very good read.

I absolutely love novels with well written characters and well developed relationships. Good dialogue and interactions are key. And Deese has a way of doing all of that, while steadily thrilling you sweetly, and building a momentum in the story that does not leave you disappointed. In fact, when finished with this novel, I was happily grinning and completely satisfied!

Now, going beyond this well crafted story, characters and relationships, Deese pulls you in to recognizing some deeper truths. Faith and love lessons, that speak to both our spirit and our heart. Doing this, while keeping the romance both sweet and steamy is quiet a feat and she does it so smoothly. I was touched on many levels while reading this novel and completely blessed by it! I cannot wait to see what she is working on next!

Surprised by Love (The Heart of San Francisco, #3) by Julie Lessman

I have been a big fan of Julie Lessman, ever since she first released her debut novel. She always leaves me eagerly awaiting her next release, and she never disappoints! Case in point with this novel! Absolutely captivating characters, real and wonderful dialogue, romance, spice, and the angst that keeps you reading till the very last page! But even more than all of that, are the faith sub-themes running through... Fear, pride, truth setting you free, trust, prayer, true love and above all it is about the ONE true love and clinging to Him! She very nicely and in a non-pushy way, wove all this in. One reoccurring theme being that of being like (OT) Abraham and truly trusting God and putting Him first, surrendering those we love on earth to Him, and trusting Him to bring about what is good. 

This novel was completely delightful! I was surprised, in a very good way towards the end. A wonderful and engaging wrap up to this series! Not to say that there are not characters in this series she couldn't continue to write about - there are! Either way, excited to see what she has in store for us next! Hope you enjoy this one as much as I did!

Wishing on Willows: A Novel by Katie Ganshert

Book Discription:
Does a second chance at life and love always involve surrender?
 
A three-year old son, a struggling café, and fading memories are all Robin Price has left of her late husband. As the proud owner of Willow Tree Café in small town Peaks, Iowa,  she pours her heart into every muffin she bakes and espresso she pulls, thankful for the sense of purpose and community the work provides.
                                      
So when developer Ian McKay shows up in Peaks with plans to build condos where her café and a vital town ministry are located, she isn’t about to let go without a fight.
 
As stubborn as he is handsome, Ian won’t give up easily. His family’s business depends on his success in Peaks. But as Ian pushes to seal the deal, he wonders if he has met his match. Robin’s gracious spirit threatens to undo his resolve, especially when he discovers the beautiful widow harbors a grief that resonates with his own.
 
With polarized opinions forming all over town, business becomes unavoidably personal and Robin and Ian must decide whether to cling to the familiar or surrender their plans to the God of Second Chances.

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Wishing on Willows is the follow-up novel to Ganshert's debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter. I absolutely adored this book! The characters are so life like and likable, the circumstances real and engaging, and the flow of the novel is set at such a nice cadence. Truly, you do not want this novel to end. I wouldn't have minded a few more chapters, but then I don't know if you are ever truly ready to say farewell to some characters/stories.

I like that Ganshert writes compelling and true to life stories, they are not only fresh and heart touching but there is a deeper truth being woven throughout. She is not pushy in the way the seeds of faith are woven in, she is in fact completely honest and real... Walking us through the struggles and the victories.

I have to say, well done! I eagerly await Ganshert's next novel and hope you will give this one a try!

Wildflowers from Winter: A Novel by Katie Ganshert

Book Description:
Like the winter, grief has a season. Life returns with the spring.
 
A young architect at a prestigious Chicago firm, Bethany Quinn has built the life she dreamed of during her teen years in a trailer park.  An unexpected interruption from her estranged mother reveals that tragedy has struck in her hometown and a reluctant Bethany is called back to rural Iowa. 
 
Determined to pay her respects to her past while avoiding any emotional entanglements, she vows not to stay long. But the unexpected inheritance of five hundred acres of farmland and a startling turn of events in Chicago forces Bethany to come up with a new plan.
 
Handsome farmhand Evan Price has taken care of the Quinn farm for years.  When Bethany is left the land, Evan must fight her decisions to realize his dreams. But even as he disagrees with Bethany’s vision, Evan feels drawn to her and the pain she keeps so carefully locked away.
 
For Bethany, making peace with her past and the God of her childhood doesn’t seem like the path to freedom. Is letting go the only way to new life, love and a peace that she’s not even sure exists?

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I have to say this novel grabbed my attention and held it throughout. In fact, I probably would have rated it higher, except through the first half of the novel I really didn't care for our heroine. Although, this adds to the story and the character buildup, as well as relations, it just bugged me.

However, let that not deter you from reading this novel! It is well worth the read. I found myself still thinking about it later that night and this morning. And I am so excited that this novel isn't the end, and cannot wait to begin Ganshert's next novel and pick up with these characters again! This is a wonderful debut novel and I look forward to reading more from this author. Her characters are well developed, and the story is about so much more that just romance, there is a greater story at work. One where the Truth is woven in and done so in a way that just flows.

Okay, I honestly can't think to write anymore right now because I am so hyped up to start the followup novel!  That in itself should tell you enough!


PS. I read Ganshert's novella - An October Bride and it was wonderful!!!