As High As the Heavens - Kathleen Morgan

Revell
ISBN: 0800758161
January 2008
Historical Romance
www.revellbooks.com

Reviewed by Robert H. Goss

Heather Gordon has enjoyed the privileges of nobility all of her life but now craves something more adventurous. Duncan Mackenzie has always lived his life in the Highlands and now has a daunting task – rescue Mary, Queen of Scots, from her imprisonment at Lochleven.

Duncan has one advantage – he looks like Colin Stewart who is privy to Lady Margaret’s court. Lady Margaret is Lochleven’s chatelaine so if Duncan can take Colin’s place, he can gain access to Queen Mary. The problem is that Duncan’s speech and conduct are of a rough nature.

Heather has been assigned the task of refining Duncan’s manner. Can she accomplish this in the three months before the rescue attempt? Can she and Duncan overlook their attraction to each other?

AS HIGH AS THE HEAVENS tells of a period in Scottish history when the English and Scottish were at war with each other. I found the book enlightening and well worth the purchase price of $13.99.

A Fire Within by Kathleen Morgan

Revell
ISBN: 0800759656
January 2008
Historical Romance
www.revellbooks.com

Reviewer: Robert H. Goss

A FIRE WITHIN, book 3 of These Highland Hills trilogy, carries on the story of Clan Campbell with the story of Caitlan, sister to Niall Campbell, the clan chieftain. If you haven’t read the first book, Child of the Mist, or the second book, Wings of Morning, never fear—they tell stories of other clan members. Wings of Morning was reviewed by RoundtableReviews in 2006.

When Caitlan observes a handsome stranger at Dalmally’s thrice weekly market gazing at her, she is affected unlike all other men’s gazes. He introduces himself as Darach MacFarlane and states his wish for him and his companion to meet with the Campbell. Caitlan agrees to let them accompany her and her maid little realizing he is Darach MacNaughton of the proscribed clan MacNaughton. (Proscription is the public identification and official condemnation of enemies of the state. Lands would have been seized and the clan members declared to be outlaws.)

A FIRE WITHIN grabs the reader’s attention right from the first page. While the characters are fictional, the historical aspect of the story portrays a period of time in Scotland that was very real. As romance builds between the two, the reader cannot help but wonder if Caitlan and Darach can overcome the difference in their positions. Add this book to your “must read” list, it is well worth the price.

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not Review

Faith Words

ISBN 10: 1599957132

Release Date: April 30, 2008

Christian Memoir

www.trishryanonline.com

Reviewer: Deb Fowler

Trish was a royal flop in the romance department. She lined them up like ducks in a row and there was always some circumstance or incident that shot them right out from under her. Every Mr. Right turned out to be Mr. Wrong, especially the abusive clod she married. He was a two time loser who could have used a few anger management classes, but she just didn't see it coming. In her newly released book, He Loves Me, He Loves Me NOT: A Memoir of Finding Faith, Hope, and Happily Ever After, Trish Ryan sheepishly states that she was "too embarrassed to admit that I still couldn't get a relationship to work.

"There was Tim, there was Mark, there was Chip, there was Josh and there was even Drew, who after a date or two entertained her with thoughts of his bisexual urges. Trish gave herself crash courses in practically everything from astrology to feng shui in order to attract a mate. Nothing seemed to help. Her prospects for marriage and a family appeared to be dismal at best until she started to think about something that was said to her about taking Jesus a bit more seriously. She purged her life of all idolatrous books and items she owned and started to take note of her life, especially her relationship with Jesus (or lack of it).

She began to attend the Vineyard church. With a whirlwind of men, jobs and homes behind her, perhaps she would find a place to safely land. Her social life began to pick up. Trish suddenly found a new sense of belonging and took a five-month "crash course in the Word of God." A friend handed her a Bible stating that "this is the self-help book you've been looking for." Would Trish Ryan find what she had been looking for all along? Would she find herself? Would she find herself a Mr. Right?

I really enjoyed reading Trish Ryan's memoir. Many Christian memoirs I've read come off quite preachy from the first sentence and I'm reluctant even to get to page two, let alone the ending. I like that Trish candidly admitted her fallibility, didn't dwell on it and went on to relate how she had changed. Her relationship with Jesus didn't develop overnight and from the look of it, it will be a lifetime commitment and joy to her. I don't really care for the one-size-fits-all Christian memoir, but this one is somehow different. It's a keeper. This book would be an excellent choice for the budding or self-doubting Christian.

Barbara & Susan's Guide to the Empty Nest

Publisher: FamilyLife Publishing
ISBN: 1602000603
Release Date: April 2008
Genre: Women's Issues, Self-Help, Christian Living
Publisher's Website: www.familylife.com
Reviewer: Sandie Kirkland

Every woman who is a mother will, if successful in raising their child, eventually face an empty nest. Children grow up and move out, to colleges, jobs, marriages... Many women are uncertain what will happen once the children are gone, and unsure what this new stage in their life will hold. Barbara Rainey and Susan Yates have written a book that will help all women walk through this new stage, whether they are handling it well or if it is a major challenge for them. Both the authors have been through this event, and their advice is useful for every woman.

While I was reading BARBARA & SUSAN'S GUIDE TO THE EMPTY NEST, it felt like water on a parched desert landscape. I didn't even know I was feeling these feelings, yet Barbara and Susan helped me give voice to what I was experiencing, and gave me the vocabulary to express the problems and the solutions for this issue. Each chapter discusses a possible issue that arises from the empty nest and gives solutions. There are chapters that talk about how to handle life's disappointments, how to renew one's marriage again, how to relate to adult children, how to handle one's own aging parents. Each chapter ends with a list of resources, and then a personal story from someone who had met that specific challenge.

The second part of the book talks about how to redefine one's life in this stage. It discusses how to identify strengths and desires, and how to refocus in order to make a difference now that more time and resources are available. Specific issues that need volunteers are discussed. In the back of the book are appendices that give hints, self-assessments and other valuable resources.

This is truly one one of the best books I've read in years. It is written from a Christian perspective, but even if the reader is not religious, the discussion and resources are so valuable. I plan to buy several copies to give as gifts, and I can't imagine a woman who couldn't gain something from reading it.

I Became A Christian And All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt

Released February 2008

Vince Antonucci's latest offering, I BECAME A CHRISTIAN AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS LOUSY T-SHIRT, delves into Christianity. As a teenager, Vince was not religious, but he found his passion and is now sharing his personal account of his foray into religion, his family and the lessons he is learning along the way.

The book is not overly lengthy. At under 200 pages, you should have no problem finishing the book in a couple sittings. The t-shirt theme is carried throughout the book delving into how shedding a symbolic t-shirt is often the first step in finding and understanding religion. It is an interesting metaphor.

The writing is extremely personable and humorous which makes it an intriguing read. That part I really like. As for the Bible being God's lessons for mankind, even the author still failed to convince me. L. Ron Hubbard's Dianetics lead to Scientology, a "religion" I equate to cult status. One man's opinion developed a rather scary cult following. In the end, I'm still unconvinced that the Bible is more than one or two people's mythological tales.