Don't Look Back by Lynette Eason

Jamie Cash is finally recovering from the horrible experience of being kidnapped and tortured that happened twelve years prior. When she finally begins to make a life for herself, the man who kidnapped her is back, eager to find and to kill the one who got away. Dakota has loved Jamie for a year and is close to a relationship with her when he must save her from a madman who is cunning enough to outwit even the FBI. Can Dakota save Jamie before it's too late? Or is Jamie strong enough now to save herself?




My thoughts: I loved this book. While I enjoyed the first one in the series, this one was even better. Eason's dialogue flowed more smoothly in this book than in the first, and the reader had more insight as to why the killer was the way he was, which wasn't there in the first book. Jamie is a beautiful picture of the resiliency of people--fighting debilitating panic and fear and eventually overcoming it and leading a normal life...as normal as a forensic anthropologist can lead. The action was well-paced and kept me up late reading it to see what would happen next. Although I figured out who the murderer was fairly quickly, there was surprise at the end that caught me off guard.

This book is an excellent book for any fans of Christian suspense.


Find the book on Amazon: Don't Look Back at Amazon
Author's website: http://www.lynetteeason.com/

Too Close to Home by Lynette Eason

Whenever teens go missing, especially in a small town, citizens want answers, and they want them now. Detective Connor Wolfe is searching for those answers and coming up empty. When the FBI sends in Samantha Cash, a computer forensics expert, to help find a connection between the cases, Wolfe must stay focused on the case and deal with his attraction to Samantha.


As the two team up to solve the murders, they grow closer and find that the murders are hitting closer to home with each one. When Wolfe’s daughter is taken by the murderer, they must work together and trust God to help them save Jenna, Wolfe’s stubborn teenage daughter.



My thoughts: I enjoyed this book. It’s the first one I’ve read by Lynette Eason, and I already bought the second one in the series. The characters are likeable, and the story line is intriguing. The story could have had a little more background—although I suspected who the murderer was, more background information on how this person became a murderer would have been helpful. Overall, an excellent read!



Check out the author’s website: http://www.lynetteeason.com/

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

Samantha Sweeting is a workaholic who is soon to be named partner at her law firm. When her one mistake costs her the job, she takes a bus, gets off on a random stop, and ends up at a couple's door. Through a miscommunication, Samantha ends up being hired as a housekeeper and cook....both jobs she's never done. To save face, Samantha tries to cook and clean for the couple, and it is one comedy after another as Samantha tries to pass herself as a gourmet cook. With the help of the good looking gardener Nathaniel's mother, Samantha learns how the value of a slower paced life.
When her old job opens up, will Samantha return to the hectic pace of her old life or remain a housekeeper?

Like most of Sophie Kinsella's novels, this one made me laugh and root for the heroine. Like most women today, Samantha works too hard. Her life is full of pressure and a constant need to prove herself. When she gets a forced break from that world by being fired, Samantha (and the reader) is reminded of how life should be enjoyed and savored. Great book!

Top 10 of 2010

Here is a list of my favorite books of 2010. They are in no particular order, and they range from children's books to financial advice. I guess that shows how eclectic my reading tastes are. :)


Out of my Mind--Sharon Draper


After Ever After--Jordan Sonnenblick


Unlocked--Karen Kingsbury


Listen--Rene Gutteridge


Predator--Terri Blackstock


An Eye for an Eye--Irene Hannon (It's the first book I read by her, and she's quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.)


Umbrella Summer--Lisa Graff


Financial Peace--Dave Ramey (It changed my life.)


Her Mother's Hope--Francine Rivers


Only the Good Spy Young--Ally Carter (I LOVE the Gallagher Girl series, and Heist Society is a close second.)

Fatal Judgment by Irene Hannon

Summary: Jake Taylor, U.S. Marshal, is assigned to protect federal judge Liz Michaels, who just happens to be the widow of his college best friends. Liz's sister was murdered at Liz's house, and the police believe Liz may have been the target. Jake dreads protecting Liz based on his friend's description of her cold ruthlessness and focus on her career above all else. Liz surprises Jake by being warm and caring, the total opposite of what he expected.
As he guards Liz, he realizes his friend's personal demons and struggle with alcohol may have been to blame for the failing marriage and his death, not Liz. Jake must decide if protecting his heart is as important as protecting Liz.
My thought: Irene Hannon is quickly becoming one of my favorite Christian authors. This book is a great combination of suspense with the murder investigation and romance with the feelings between Jake and Liz. the murder details aren't too graphic, and the romance isn't too mushy. The element of faith is not preachy, and overall, it's a great book.

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Summary: Lara Lington is a twenty-something young woman living in London, struggling to build a new business, and pining over her ex-boyfriend. When she goes to her great-aunt Sadie's funeral, she is surprised when her great-aunt appears to her even though she only met the lady a few times, convincing her to find her lost necklace. Although Lara tries to brush it off, Sadie continues to "haunt" her until she uncovers the past and in the process finding her own way in life.

My thoughts: This book is a funny read. Sadie's hilarious. She appears to Lara and immediately causes chaos, demanding that Lara find her lost necklace, and in the process making Lara appear mentally insane. As Lara delves into her family's past to find the missing necklace, she finds out more about the great-aunt she never knew and realizes that underneath people's age is still the same young person that wants to live and to enjoy life. Sadie makes Lara dress up in crazy 1920 outfits, ask out a random man, and confront her millionaire uncle. Through all these charades, Sadie teaches Lara the power of love and being loved back.

You had me at Goodbye by Tracey Bateman

Summary: Dancy Ames loves books. She is an editor for a publishing company is even working on her own novel. When Jack Quinn, her brother's best friend, sweeps in and takes her job, Dancy is at a loss for what exactly to do next. Should she work on her book, keep working for free at the little coffee shop, or just mooch off of her rich parents who are reuniting? Add a long lost half brother and a brother who is getting her dream condo, and Dancy's life is pretty much in turmoil. Will she surrender to the plans God has for her or keep fighting for what she thinks she wants?




My thoughts: I enjoyed this book. I love stories about people who fall in love with someone they've known all their lives. In addition to the love story, the storyline of Dancy's relationship with Nick, who fills the role of father since Dancy's dad is self-absorbed, is a strong one. Brandon, Dancy's long lost brother, is a nice supporting character.

Find the book on Amazon: You had Me at Goodbye

Reality Check by Jen Calonita

Summary: Charlie (short for Charlotte) and her three friends become the stars of a new reality teen TV show featuring their lives in a small town. When the cameras start rolling, the girls' friendship is tested as they find out that reality TV is more like "scripted" TV. Relationships are strained, and friendships are broken as the girls juggle their TV persona with their true feelings. Is the luxury of fame worth the price of your self-worth?

My thoughts: I'm a huge Jen Calonita fan. I like how she balances Hollywood life with normal girls. Many teens idolize the reality stars they see on TV, and this book gives a fictional inside look at how things on "reality" TV aren't always what they see.

The book also delves into the dilemma of how much of yourself do you have to give up to be famous. The end of the book has a powerful message as Charlie and her friends have to decide if the price of fame is too high.

Reality Check on Amazon Check out the book on Amazon!

Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers

I loved this book! Francine Rivers is always impressive, and I loved how she dealt with both the relationship between Marta and her father and then Marta and her own daughter. Growing up with an abusive father determined to keep Marta in her "place", Marta flees and works hard to create a life for herself. Set in the early 1900s, Marta must overcome obstacles for women in general in addition to the shackles that bind her to her family.
When she falls in love and has her own daughter, Marta becomes much like her father: hard and unrelentingly demanding on her daughter, who is meek and mild. While Marta fears her daughter will be limited in life because of her shyness, Hildemara must learn to be her own woman just like her mother did years before.
One of the most powerful bonds in life is the one between a mother and a daughter. It can either be one of the most beloved relationships or one of the most toxic, and this novel is a beautiful portrayal of that relationship from both sides.
I can't wait to read the second book in the series.

Find this book on Amazon: Her Mother's Hope on Amazon.com

Writing a Book

When I taught language arts, I loved writing stories with my students. I had my students each "publish" a book through StudenTales Publishing, and I used to love writing the stories and having my friend Jessica illustrate them for me. Now that I'm out of the classroom and in the library, I've missed writing. So, around Thanksgiving, I started writing a book. I've written about 15,000 words so far, and I'm enjoying it.
Even if it never gets published, it's fun to write. We'll see what happens. :)