When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin

Enjoyment Score 3
This is the best book that I have read so far this year. On the cover of this book, just beneath the title is the line: "A novel of the heart". How true this statement is. This book is about the whole heart; the physical heart and the spiritual heart. The story begins with Annie, a precious 7 year old girl who is in need of a heart transplant. She is selling lemonade to try to raise money to help pay for the surgery. Enter Reese, a non-practicing surgeon who has been living like a hermit since his wife died. Reese is on the scene when Annie steps off the curb and gets hit by a speeding truck. From that moment on their hearts are intertwined. This story is about two hearts that need healing, one physical and one spiritual.

Faith Score 2
The faith of the main characters in this story is very real and genuine and very unique in some of the secondary characters.

Purpose Score 2
This is a story of hope for the broken hearted. It shows how God can mend both the physical and the spiritual heart.

Page-turner Score 3
I kept making myself put this book down, because I was reading it too fast and I didn't want it to end.

Tearjerker Score 2
Several scenes have the capability of producing both tears of sadness and joy.

I encourage you to read this book. You won't be disappointed.

When Crickets Cry By Charles Martin

My Life as a Doormat by Rene Gutteridge

Enjoyment Score 2
My Life as a Doormat is an enjoyable romantic comedy. Leah, the main character is the doormat. She hates conflict and goes to great lengths to avoid it. Leah's life is turned upside down, but she emerges from the rubble victorious.

Faith Score 1.5
The first part of this book deals little with Leah or any of the other characters' "faith" outside of the fact that going to church is mentioned. The faith practices of Leah and Cinco (Leah's total opposite) are more evident in the second half of the story.

Purpose Score 1.5
This book offers encouragement for anyone who has doormat tendencies. Overall, I found this to be a light, funny and entertaining book.

Page-turner Score 2

Tearjerker Score 1
No tears, but several laugh out loud moments.

So far I have not read a Rene Gutteridge novel that I did not enjoy. If you enjoyed her Boo Series you will like this book also.

My Life As a Doormat, Women of Faith Series #13 By Rene Gutteridge

River Rising by Athol Dickson

Enjoyment Score 3
A historical novel set in the 1920's in a small river community on the Mississippi River. The Reverend Hale Poser arrives searching for information about his past and things are forever changed. This book draws you in right from the start. Just when you think you know where the author is going with the storyline, he takes it in a different direction. Right up to the very end he keeps you guessing as to how it will all end.

Faith Score 2
Reverend Hale Poser is a man of genuine faith. The author shows us the trials, struggles and pitfalls that he must endure and overcome to grow that faith.

Purpose Score 3
A powerful and thought provoking novel that deals with racial divide in the community and the church. This story will open your eyes to the racial injustices of the past and the ones which remain today.

Page-turner Score 2

Tearjerker Score 1

I highly recommend that you read this book, you won't be disappointed.

River Rising By Athol Dickson

A Hilltop in Tuscany by Stephanie Grace Whitson

Enjoyment Score 2
A cute, although predictable modern-day romance. Meet Liz Davis; affluent, beautiful, self-assured, head of Davis Enterprises; a construction company started by her late father. Multiple events happen which throw Liz's life into a tail-spin. Liz ends up learning many lessons from her mother (whom she has rarely listened to about life issues in the past) about life, love and faith.

Faith Score 3
Faith is exhibited strongly in the lives of Liz's mother and several other characters. The gospel message is presented and several lives are changed throughout book.

Purpose Score 1.5
I give this book a 1.5 for the strong faith message presented during the story.

Page-turner Score 2

Tearjerker Score 1

A Hilltop in Tuscany By Stephanie Grace Whitson

Summer of the Midnight Sun by Tracie Peterson

Enjoyment Score 2
Summer of the Midnight Sun is the first book in Peterson's Alaskan Quest Series. It is a historical romance that takes place in the Alaskan territory in the early 1900's. There is a nice blend of mystery and suspense throughout and a cliff hanger ending.

Faith Score 3
Most of the main characters have a strong Christian faith which is exhibited throughout the book. One character does not believe in God and at time seems anti-God. There are several debates about God, faith and the concept of mercy.

Purpose Score 2
I am giving this book a purpose score of 2 because of the Christian values and principles woven throughout the storyline.

Page-turner Score 2

Tearjerker Score 1

Like I mentioned earlier this book ends with a major cliffhanger. I eagerly await the next book in this series.

Summer of the Midnight Sun, Alaskan Quest Series #1 By Tracie Peterson

Savannah Comes Undone by Denise Hildreth

Enjoyment Score 2
Savannah Comes Undone is a an enjoyable, laugh-out-loud book. This is the second book in the Savannah series. The first book Savannah From Savannah was good, but this is book is better. The book starts out with Savannah being mortified that her mother (former Miss Georgia United States of America) has chained herself to a monument of the ten commandments in the center of town. This is the catalyst that causes Savannah to examine and make some changes in her all too comfortable and pampered life. There is a delightful cast of quirky characters: Amber, the current Miss Savannah United States of America; Joshua, Savannah's good looking co-worker; Joy, an eccentric old lady who wears the same clothes every day and has a knack for appearing at just the precise moment Savannah needs words of wisdom; Paige, Savannah's best friend and Duke, the faithful canine companion.

Faith Score 2
The characters in this book exhibit an authentic Christian life. They actively practice what they preach.

Purpose Score 2
As I started reading this book, I thought it was going to fall in the category of being solely for entertainment. As I kept on reading, I discovered the author did have a defined purpose. This book is about knowing what you believe, why you believe it and then having the courage to stand up for what you believe.

Page-turner Score 2

Tearjerker Score 1
No tears; plenty of laughs.

If you like to read Christian chick-lit, I think you will enjoy this book. The third book in this series Savannah by the Sea is due out June 2006. I can't wait.

Savannah Comes Undone, Savannah Series #2 By Denise Hildreth

Slices of Life by Judy Baer

Enjoyment Score 1
A cute book about small town life at a bed and breakfast called Grace Chapel Inn located in Pennsylvania.

Faith Score 3

Purpose Score 2
I consider the strong faith displayed by the characters in this book to be the purpose.

Page-turner Score 2

Tearjerker Score 1