Coming Home by Stacy Hawkins Adams

This is the first book that I have read by this author. I liked the writing style and the character development. Traveling along on the journey with Dayna was interesting to say the least. Even though I kind of sensed where the story would wind up I enjoyed the journey.

Dayna is single and dating a wonderful man when out of the blue her past shows up at her door. This past arrived in the form of her ex-husband with a bouquet of roses. Brent had been trying to reach her for a couple of months now via letter, but Dayna didn't want to have anything to do with him since during their marriage he cheated on her with a friend. He eventually married the woman he cheated with. Brent wanted to apologize for the way he had treated her and to share some news. I kind of new what that news would be, but it didn't take anything away from the story.

Following Dayna on this journey of forgiveness and discovering the lessons that God wanted to teach her was touching and encouraging to say the least. I know this is fiction, but I can't help but be amazed at how God can use stories and real life situations to enlighten our hearts and minds and to show us things we might need to hear, even if the particular area doesn't pertain to what we are dealing with

She Did What She Could by Elisa Morgan

She Did What She Could. Five very powerful words. Elisa Morgan uses these five little words to show all of us that it doesn't take grand gestures to accomplish what God wants us to do. First we need to give ourselves a break. Lay off of the self criticism. We are adequate enough to accomplish what God wants us to do. It doesn't have to be a big thing. Maybe just getting a meal for a homeless person. Giving a little extra tip for a waiter or waitress. Offering to do some simple task for someone in need. It doesn't take alot to make a difference.

If I do what I can; if you do what you can; if we do what we can, imagine what changes could be made in this world. A couple cans of food for a food pantry is something pretty easy to do and is a tremendous help. This book and the examples amongst it pages, challenged me to do more. It is so easy for me to tell myself that I couldn't possibly make a difference, or that I can't do certain things. But I can. I just can't imagine how this world could change if we thought outside of ourselves more and reached out in simple ways to show God's love for others.

It won't take long to read, and it isn't a very expensive book. It does have a very powerful message to everyone. I plan on do my best to do what I can!!

The Daddy Surprise by Ginny Aiken

I loved this book. I enjoy the author's mystery series as well.

Lucie and her daughter Chloe have just moved to Lyndon Point. Lucie has been searching for Chloe's father ever since their summer fling. Chloe is a result of that fling. Lucie tried to find him after she realized she was pregnant, but since Ryder didn't use his proper name when he was with her she had no idea how to find him. Lucie used a shorter version of her name too, so when Ryder tried to find her, he came to a dead end.

Ryder is the mayor of Lyndon Point and is just a little overwhelmed with the news that he has a daughter. Not only does he now have a daughter, but Lucie is trying to buy a house that Ryder won't let go of because of a mistaken notion of loyalty to a sister that he can't even find. Will Ryder be able to set aside his control tendencies in order to open up his heart to the possibility of a future with this beautiful little girl and her mom.

Ginny Aiken has the ability to wrap you up in her stories. The characters jump off the page and endear themselves to you. I couldn't help but cheer for Lucie in her attempts to help Ryder see clear to leave his past behind and move on to a wonderful future with the women he loves.

A very good read!!

Like Dandelion Dust by Karen Kingsbury

I loved this book, even if it made me cry. I haven't read very much by Karen Kingsbury, but I intend to read several if not all sometime in the future.

Molly and Jack seem to have the ideal life. They have a beautiful son named Joey who is the light of their life. Joey is almost five and although he isn't theirs by blood, they couldn't love him anymore than if he were. Molly is especially happy because her sister Beth and her family have just moved to the area so they can be close again. Beth and Bill are Christians and try to encourage Molly and Jack that God is important, but until Molly and Jack realize that the life they have is falling down around them in pieces, God just doesn't seem that important to them.

This is a story of what a childlike faith can do. Praying for things to be according to the will of God isn't the easiest thing in the world to pray for, especially when it could meant that someone you love might be taken away from you. Through Molly and Jack you will see what a simple seed of faith can do. This obviously doesn't mean that everything will always go the way we want, but it does help to understand being in the right attitude with Him.

Very touching story. Characters seemed so real. Loved it!!!