Rally Round Green

More than anything, Lois and Chris just want to get settled and enjoy their married life together.  Unfortunately, they're going to have to wait a little longer before the word "calm" can even begin to describe their life together.

The town of Green is still recovering from a tornado that nearly wiped out the whole town, when the state of Louisiana decides to close Green's schools due to poor academic performance and the shrinking population.

Everyone knows that without a school, the town will cease to exist.  They are all willing to fight to keep their local school, and they look to Lois and Chris to lead the way.  Between fighting for the school, restoring an old house, and comforting her husband after a freak accident, Lois is just trying to keep her head above water in Rally Round Green.

When I started the 4th installment of the Green series, I really wasn't sure where the story would take me.  Louis had bought the paper, fought to keep it, got married, and helped rebuild the town after a tornado.  The school story line was a pleasant surprise.  I love the continued stories of faith, compassion, and forgiveness.

Given the way Rally Round Green ended, I think I may know what one of the next story lines in Lois' life will be, and I. can't. wait.

Rally Round Green is scheduled to hit stores on November 1, 2011.  Read it.  Until then, spend a little time reading the first three books in the series: Gone to Green, Goodness Gracious Green, and The Glory of Green.

Copy provided by publisher for review.

The Book of Lies

When a story begins with a confession of murder, and the murderer insists the victim deserved her fate, I have to read the whole thing.

From the Publisher:
Life on the tiny island of Guernsey has just become a whole lot harder for fifteen-year-old Cat Rozier. She’s gone from model pupil to murderer, but she swears it’s not her fault. Apparently it’s all the fault of history.

A new arrival at Cat’s high school in 1984, the beautiful and instantly popular Nicolette inexplicably takes Cat under her wing. The two become inseparable—going to parties together, checking out boys, and drinking whatever liquor they can shoplift. But a perceived betrayal sends them spinning apart, and Nic responds with cruel, over-the-top retribution.

Cat’s recently deceased father, Emile, dedicated his adult life to uncovering the truth about the Nazi occupation of Guernsey—from Churchill’s abandonment of the island to the stories of those who resisted—in hopes of repairing the reputation of his older brother, Charlie. Through Emile’s letters and Charlie’s words—recorded on tapes before his own death— a “confession” takes shape, revealing the secrets deeply woven into the fabric of the island . . . and into the Rozier family story.

My opinion:
It took me forever to get through this book. I liked it, but...it wasn't a book that I had a problem putting down, though I did sometimes have to force myself to pick it back up.  I found Cat's story interesting, and as a history buff, I also enjoyed her uncle Charlie's story.  It was a slow moving book, especially in the beginning, but I'm glad I finished The Book of Lies.  Overall, it is an interesting story.  You just have to force yourself through it at times.

Copy provided by publisher for review.

The Glory of Green

Lois and Chris are finally getting married!  It's a beautiful spring day in Green, Louisiana, and everyone is so excited to attend the wedding they've been waiting for.  Within minutes of Chris and Lois being pronounced man and wife, a tornado hits, and their world is turned upside down.  In The Glory of Green, Lois struggles with the joys of being a newlywed, the stress of rebuilding, and the sorrow of losing loved ones.

What I liked about this book:  It's short, sweet, to the point, and I couldn't put it down (which is why I like that it is less than 300 pages!).  It's a story about strength, hope, and faith, as are all the books in the Green series.

What I didn't like about this book:  It was too short, and it made me jealous of Lois' life!  Don't tell my husband, but I think I'm in love with a Coach Chris Craig!

This series deserves to be read, and you deserve to read it.

Stories of Faith and Courage from World War II

Yesterday, I reviewed Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan. Today, I'm telling you about a similar book, Stories of Faith and Courage from World War II.

Each page will bring you a new story and corresponding scripture.  Along with the true stories told, the book is also filled with maps, summaries, and photos that brings a new and unique look at the history of WWII.

Truly an uplifting and inspirational book filled with first hand accounts from soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen hanging on and turning to their faith when facing and enduring the most horrific circumstances.

Copy provided by publisher for review.

Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan

We've all seen and possibly read daily devotional books, calendars, etc.  Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq and Afghanistan is so much more than the average daily. 

Every day, there is a new story from those who personally witnessed the 9/11 attacks, deployed soldiers, chaplains, military wives and parents, organizers of humanitarian efforts, and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.  With each story, you will also find a prayer and corresponding scripture.

This is a wonderfully inspirational book, and I truly appreciated being able to read the first hand accounts from so many remarkable men and women.

Copy provided by publisher for review.

Goodness Gracious Green

Journalist Lois Barker has decided to stay in Green, Louisiana to run the newspaper she has inherited.  In Goodness Gracious Green, she begins to question that decision when someone sets multiple fires at the newspaper office, and even burns down the garage at her house. 

Lois also gets served with a lawsuit, trying to take the newspaper away from her.  With the support of friends, the comfort of a budding relationship, and a tip from an unexpected source, Lois is ready to fight tooth and nail for the life she has grown to love.

I enjoyed the second book in the Green series just as much as the first.  Judy Christie is great at keeping the story going and keeping the reader interested.  If you're looking for a new series to read, this is a good one!

The Oriental Wife

The Oriental Wife begins in 1930's Nuremberg, and tells the story of two Jewish children, Louisa and Rolf, who flee Hilter's Germany.  They spend the next several years struggling to put down new roots and begin rebuilding their lives.

When Louisa travels to New York, she meets up again with Rolf.  They soon fall in love with each other, and begin planning the rest of their lives together in America.  Just as it looks as though they'll live out the rest of the their days living the American dream, a freak accident and a betrayal shatters the life that they hold so dear.

I honestly can't say that I loved this book, but I can say that I disliked it, either.  It took me a little while to get into it, but then I had a hard time putting it down...until I got to Part 3.  That's where the author started to lose me again.  While it was nice to know where Louisa and Rolf ended up, the whole Emma story line was a bit much.  I skipped large chunks of that story line because it felt as though the author was trying to add in a whole new story.

All in all, I'm glad I took the time to read The Oriental Wife.  However, I don't think this is one that I'll be reading again.

Copy provided by publisher for review.