Back to School Fiction 3 Reviews

The Sweetgum Ladies
Knit for Love
Beth Pattillo
2009
Waterbrook Press
Christian Fiction/Chicklit

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

A knitting and reading group combined, the Sweetgum Knit Lit Society gathers once a month to discuss the book they have read that month and to share their knitting projects.

Made up of 6 women, Eugenie Carson the minister's new wife and town librarian and leader of the group. Merry McGavin, wife of a local lawyer, Camille St. Clair, the owner of Maxine's Dress Shop, Esther Jackson, Sweetgum's social leader, Hannah Simmons, a teenagers that lives with Eugenie, and new member, Maria Munden the owner of the local five and dime. The Knit Lit ladies are all in for a surprise this time around. Eugenie has chosen love as the theme for this season's session. Books on love, classic love stories, even the look book in the Bible.

Each woman is battling her own lesson in love, dealing with family deaths, new loves, new lives and new homes. Follow along as Beth Pattillo leads you through a wonderful story of women learning to love, themselves and others. See the romance as new love blossoms among different members of the group. Cry as they grieve their lost family members, deal with frightening sicknesses. Giggle and worry through the angst of teenage love. Be amazed by the wonderful story that Beth has written.

Truly a wonderful story and an easy book to read, you will not want to put this book down, until it is finished.
Available at Random House



The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper
Kathleen Y'Barbo
2009
WaterBrook Press
Christian Fiction

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

A pampered daughter of a well to do man, Eugenia Cooper loved dime store novels. Despite the fact, that they were not considered proper reading for young lady of her standing. They made her yearn for a Wild West Adventure, similar to the ones Mae Winslow, her favorite heroine is always involved in.

A planned visit to relatives in Boston, suddenly takes a sharp turn, to the Wild West. Denver Colorado becomes her destination, when seeing a chance for an adventure Eugenia grabs it.
Posing as a governess for a motherless daughter of a wealthy mine owner, Eugenia takes the place of her maid's sister and goes to Denver. Praying the whole way there, that if this adventure was not meant to be, that God would close the door, Eugenia was on her way, to the adventure of a life time.

Adventure abounds, however Eugenia was not prepared for what happened to her heart. Follow this story as Eugenia muddles her way through her adventure, and looses her heart to her employer.
A wonderfully written story, with snatches of the dime store novel scattered though out. Kathleen Y'Barbo has written a book, bound to keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what scrape we will find Eugenia in next. 344 pages US $9.99
Available at Random House


Rose House
Tina Ann Forkner
2009
WaterBrook Press
Christian Fiction/Contemporary

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

Lillian Diamon Hastings, definitely had tasted her fill of sorrow, a recent widow, and loosing her twin children in a horrible car accident, grief was overwhelming her life. Betrayed and abandoned by her sister, the grieving woman was sure that her life could not be any worse than it already was.

Being followed and photographed, however was very frightening, then finding herself in a painting, she Discovering that her husband Robert, was not the man she thought he was, and that her sister had betrayed her, have only added to the difficult grief process Lillian is going through.
La Roseleda, a quaint town in wine country, offers her refuge. The beautiful cottage Rose House, catches her attention and is truly a part of her healing. She makes wonderful friends and finds herself falling in love with a gifted artist. Then secrets start being revealed that are tearing her life apart. Her sister, re-enters her life and it seems that someone is bent on harming them both.

Tina Ann Forkner, has brought us a book that is exciting, and truly a great read! Her descriptive writing of paintings, and the country she set the story in, truly are part of what makes this book so good. Definitely a book to share with friends. This book has some of the same characters her book Ruby Among Us had, but this book totally stands on its own, as a entire story. The end of the book, includes discussion questions perfect for a book club. 310 pages $13.99 US
Available at Random House