A Measure of Mercy

Home to Blessing One
Lauraine Snelling
2009
Bethany House
Fiction/Historical

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

Astrid Bjorklund, has always wanted to be a doctor, and has been studying under her sister-in-law Dr. Elizabeth Bjorklund.  However an accident to a young man in the community  has Astrid questioning her calling as a doctor.  The young man's death is hard for Astrid to understand and accept, and she is not sure now she wants to pursue further studies in the field of medicine. 

Joshua Landsverk left the little town of Blessing, where Astrid and her family lives, but now he has returned, all due to Astrid, although she is not aware it is because of her that he has returned.  He has dreams.  Dreams of her, dreams of making a living doing something other than farming.  Dreams of building a life with Astrid in Blessing North Dakota.  He has not however revealed any of his dreams to Astrid.  He is nearly afraid to even dream such dreams, let alone share them. 

A missionary comes to their small town telling of the extreme need for medical personnel on the mission field.  Astrid is touched by his message, and decides to go ahead with her studies, but will she go to Africa?
Will Joshua fulfill his dreams?

The first in what appears to be a series, at least that is my hopes, A Measure of Mercy is a book that will hold your interest.  Full of historical information about how immigrants from Norway made a way for themselves in North Dakota.  A very very wonderful book.  367 pages 5 stars $13.99 US

This book was provided for review purposes only, no cash or payment was recieved for this review.

The Courteous Cad

Catherine Palmer
Available January 2010
Tyndale House Publishers
Fiction/Historical Romance

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

Prudence Watson is heart broken, she fell in love with a American blacksmith, who is totally not on her society level. Declaring she will never wed, and traveling the countryside with her recently widowed sister, Prudence is pickpocketed by a young mill worker.

Finding a cause to champion for, Prudence plays with fire, flirting and using her feminine wiles on the owner of the mill. Joining the mill workers under disguise as one of them, she fights for better working conditions for the children and the adults in the mill, better meals and clean air.

The dangers of the mill are mild, compared to the danger Pru finds her heart in. She is falling in love with a cad. Follow this story, be amazed at the lengths Prudence goes to, in order to champion her cause.

A bit slow to get into, but once I was able to get into the book, it was a delightful story. I truly enjoyed the book. 382 pqges $12.99 US 4 stars

This book was provided for review purposes only, no cash or payment was recieved for this review.

The Unfinished Gift

Dan Walsh
2009
Revell
Fiction/Christmas/Christian

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

Set in World War II, The Unfinished Gift is a wonderful story of family redemption. Little Patrick Collins is taken to stay with a grandfather he has never met. A grandfather, full of bitterness, anger and sorrow of all the things he feels had gone wrong in his life.

Patrick's mother was killed in a car accident, and his father is in England fighting in the War. Patrick has to stay with his grandfather until his daddy comes home. However a telegram comes that lists his father as missing in action. His grandfather yells at him, and it drive Patrick to run away.

A story that will have you crying, laughing and mad at the same time. A wonderful story. Dan Walsh's first novel is a hit for this reviewer. 249 pages 5 stars.

This book was provided for review purposes only, no payment or cash was received for this review.

The Unfinished Gift

The Christmas Dog

Melody Carlson
2009
Revell
Fiction/Contemporary

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

Betty Kowalski is getting older, times are changing, her children and grandchildren are all grown. And she has a crazy new neighbor, Jack Jones. He is living in the Spencer's house, but no one seems to know who he is. Only that he is not friendly and is up at all hours of the night.

In the middle of Betty's holidays her grand daughter Avery appears after being missing for a few months. Happy to see her safe and sound, Betty is enjoying Avery's company, until she finds herself drug into a family squall. Not her idea of how families should work.

Enter Ralph, a small dog of undetermined heritage, who seems to have a knack for bringing out the worst in both Betty and Jack. Avery, however falls head over heels in love with the little dog and he brings her great comfort as she deals with her problems with her mom.

Will it all work out? Will Betty and her neighbors find out that Jack is a maniacal madman bent on killing them all? Will Avery go home and settle her differences with her mom? Will Ralph find a family who will love him forever?

A charming holiday story about how life changes over the passage of time. Melody Carlson once again shows us why we love her books. 172 pages, $14.99 US 5 stars.

This book was provided for review purposes only, no payment was provided for this review.

The Christmas Dog

Finding Christmas

Finding Christmas