• Rated 5 stars

“A riveting debut, Tethered is a story about a quiet, reclusive undertaker, Clara Marsh, who unwittingly gets swept into an unsolved murder mystery involving Precious Doe, an unidentified little girl that Clara herself compassionately prepared for burial a few years earlier. As the mystery deepens, Clara is forced to confront her own doubts about God and what happens to a soul after a body has been buried. What I found truly remarkable about Tethered was MacKinnon’s respect for faith. While this book isn’t about Christianity, I was struck that it wasn’t against it either, which I admit I was almost expecting. While some of the more haunting aspects of the novel might seem too supernatural for some readers of faith, what Tethered does is inspire the reader to believe that faith is actually possible. Sometimes if we are blessed to see it, God pulls back the veil just a little, just enough to remind us that He is here with us. It’s refreshing to see a mainstream novel pay respect to the very real struggle that humans have with faith even as we desire to believe. To its readers Tethered will hint of the very real possibility of what some of us are already blessed to know, that God exists.



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Tina wrote this review 11 days ago. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“I loved this historical by Ann Shorey, a talented historical writer. I found myself unable to put the book down as I waited to see what would happen to Molly and her children. One of my favorite parts of this novel is the friendship between Molly and an African American slave she has had since childhood. Shorey's sensitive examination of their relationship is gripping and Molly's quest to give her friend freedom is one of the most compelling points of the novel. I am looking forward to more from this author.”

Tina wrote this review Friday, October 17 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“I loved, loved this book. The fact that An Irishwoman's Tale is based on a true story and told so well as fiction makes the story that much more compelling. Lacy did a wonderful job weaving the true story she knows so well into this fictional tale and its message of redemption is one readers won't soon forget. It will live on in your head for weeks to come, whispering the truths of forgiveness and grace.”

Tina wrote this review Tuesday, August 5 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Broken Angel is a truly original book that ought to make a huge splash in the Christian book industry. Set in the future after the true meaning of Christianity has turned into a political movement, the interesting characters of this book are trapped in more than an extremist cult. They are trapped in a pseudo-country within the U.S., but that is separate. The extremist society imposes outrageous religious rules, including the revival of stoning, on its less than citizens. This book will keep readers turning the page to see how it ends. With a strong message that seems to say what is meant for evil can still be turned to God's glory, Broken Angel will scare you, but also leave you pondering the future and trusting in God's power.”

Tina wrote this review Monday, July 21 2008. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“"Michelle Sutton's gritty writing style will very likely go straight to the hearts of teens, addressing what they deal with every day in what is all too often grim reality for our youth. Sutton is no doubt a refreshing and much needed voice in today's YA fiction."”

Tina wrote this review Monday, June 2 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Kim Vogel Sawyer has managed to write yet another heartwarming tale about love and family that stands out among the rest.

In My Heart Remembers, three Irish-immigrant children, Mattie, Molly, and Maelle, are put on an orphan train to find new homes after disaster strikes their family. When they are separated, Maelle, the oldest, vows she will find her brother and sister no matter how long it takes.

In this wonderful historical novel, Kim Vogel Sawyer knits a moving story that is both fresh and meaningful. She even manages to shed light on the many injustices shown to poor and orphaned children in the 18oo's without disrupting the flow of the storyline.

Woven with rich, fascinating historical details, and filled with captivating characters, romance, faith, and a compelling story that will keep the pages turning, this novel is destined to become a favorite on CBA lists. My Heart Remembers will touch the hearts of readers and fill them with hope and inspiration.
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Tina wrote this review Monday, March 24 2008. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 0 stars

“More than just a love story, Chances is not a typical romance novel. This satisfied reader highly recommends Chances as a thought-provoking tale about a spunky suffragette and a seemingly boring Denver undertaker who both have a lot to learn about taking Chances on love and life.

Obviously meticulously researched, Chances is set in Denver during the suffragist movement. Nowak skillfully brings to life the busy downtown historical Denver and weaves a fair and balanced view of the issues of the times without sounding preachy. Women readers will be inspired by the spunky heroine, Sarah, and male readers will likely be impressed as they are reminded of the strides women have made in gaining the right to vote.

But what readers will come away with most about this book is a lovely story peopled with well-drawn and interesting characters. The characters' journeys to find their rightful places in a changing world will resonate with modern readers. And as the characters discover what really matters about themselves and each other beyond the outer trappings of life, readers will find themselves moved and inspired.

This is an excellent mainstream/ABA novel. ”

Tina wrote this review Wednesday, February 20 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 0 stars

“A Walk With Jane Austen, is an engaging and deeply personal memoir. Karen Joy Fowler, author of The Jane Austen Book Club, calls it "A lovely, intimate read." I have found it compelling for its honesty and heart.
I also found the memoir interesting because I lived in England when I was eighteen. So it was with bittersweet memories of the U.K. that I followed Lori Smith through England as she followed Jane Austen. But even if you haven't read Austen or you haven't been to England, if you are a woman, you will love this book of self discovery, love, and faith.

This is a great book. The author has an interview up on She Plants a Vineyard if anyone is interested. Here is the link: http://tinaannforkner.blogspot.com/2008/01/walk-with-jane-austen.html
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Tina wrote this review Wednesday, February 13 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“The Jane Austen Book Club, is a sophisticated, yet delightful story about how fiction, in this case fiction by Jane Austen, intersects with the lives of readers. It becomes clear very early in this well-crafted story about reading that the characters, all members of The Jane Austen Book Club of course, have their own ideas of who Jane Austen really was.


The book very possibly answers the question, is it possible for a reader to remain neutral when reading a literary classic, or fiction at all for that matter? The answer is no. And for any reader who has ever been told they were wrong about what a particular story meant (remember those old college English classes?), they will be happy to read about a group of people who also have a hard time separating their views of life with those in the literature they read.


Filled with fun and equal doses of wit and wisdom, much like an Austen novel, The Jane Austen Book Club entertains and is very well worth reading. Even if you aren't well-versed in all things Jane Austen, if reading is a big part of who you are, you will thoroughly enjoy this novel about human nature and how our triumphs and flaws draw us to the novels we read.
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Tina wrote this review Wednesday, February 13 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“This is a great book. Read "When the Heart Cries" first, but this is a very compelling continuation of the story. I felt myself right there with Hannah Lapp the whole time. It does have a catch though. You have to read book three to find out how it ends. I am looking forward to it!”

Tina wrote this review Thursday, February 7 2008. ( reply | permalink )