"A Seahorse in the Thames" Review

A Seahorse in the Thames
by Susan Meissner
Review by Brandi Webster

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A Seahorse in the Thames is a mystery, love story and family drama all rolled into one novel. It is a story of self-discovery as Alexa Poole and those around her must discover how to live out the life God desires for them.

How to give up control and follow the plans that the Lord has for them.Alexa spends her daily life committed to her sister Rebecca, who is mentally impaired after her near fatal car accident 17 years ago. Now her sister has disappeared from her residential center. Alexa naturally panics and calls her twin sister overseas. Priscilla decides to come home, but more than helping her family she needs to reveal a long kept secret. As Alexa searches for Rebecca lots of questions start to surface about the accident. Will Alexa reveal some truths that are best left hidden?

Alexa also has a man fall into her life- literally. Stephen Moran, a carpenter, is a man with a sweet and gentle spirit. Alexa finds she can't resist falling in love with him as she helps him with his recovery after falling from her roof. Stephen gives Alexa the courage to investigate Rebecca's disappearance. But will Alexa have the same courage to stay with Stephen once he gives her some startling news?

Another amazing piece of this story is Alexa's family. Can they finally make peace with themselves and each other after 17 years of shattered relations? Can they finally let go of the past and stop allowing it to dictate their lives? Can they finally have a plan and a hope for the future. This family has so separated itself from each other that it is amazing to watch God work in their lives through a little girl.

I loved this story because it is a firm reminder of "letting go and letting God". Meissner shows us how easy it is to get trapped by our pasts and not let go. She shows us that although the past isn't necessarily a great place to be, we can become so consumed with it that it becomes less scary than the unknown present and future. I also loved Alexa and Stephen's story because it is about taking a chance on an unknown future. It reminded me that while we certainly have personal plans for our lives, we still have no guarantees because our plans are not always God's plans. This story reminds me that our lives are not our own and we can cling to Jeremiah 29:11 and know the Lord will provide for our future.

"Summer of Light" Review

Summer of Light

W. Dale Cramer

Review by Brandi Webster

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Summer of Light is a wonderful story of discovery. It is a discovery of self, faith and joy in the every day. This is a compelling novel that I didn't want to put down once I started reading. Mick Brannigan, an iron worker, loses his job after being involved in an accident, but over the next year Mick will learn there are no accidents. God has a plan and purpose for everyone.

Mick and his wife Layne have three children- one with special needs. Layne had been asking Mick to quit his job to stay home with Dylan to deal with those special needs. Now that Mick is jobless it just makes sense that he will become a stay-at-home dad. Although he struggles with this idea in his mind, he can't seem to find any excuses to do otherwise.

Mick first has to deal with his pride. After all, taking care of the house is menial work at best. And how hard can it be to take care of the kids? Mick soon learns that perhaps he had underestimated his responsibilities and through many comical incidents we see Mick grow and accept that staying home is actually a 24 hour job. While Mick takes care of his children and home, he also picks up the hobby of photography. Through the help of a neighbor he soon discovers a talent and passion he never knew existed.

Mick also becomes involved with a homeless man whom he met just before his accident. The Man With No Hands shows Mick that faith is not about putting on a show. Instead, Mick learned it is about living out your faith. Not living in someone else's mold of what it looks like, but instead living it out by the choices you make based on the circumstances God gives you. Summer of Light gives you much to think about and breaks down stereotypes and prejudices.

I will honestly say my favorite part of this novel is Mick's relationship with his son Dylan. We have a son about the same age dealing with some of the very same issues. As a result, this book hit very close to home. Dylan was a believable character and I felt myself drawn to him. I felt Cramer did an excellent job in presenting Sensory Integration Disorder and the challenges that go with it.

Summer of Light is about living and dealing with the day to day. It is thought provoking and comical at the same time. I loved Cramer's style of writing and can't wait to check out his other novels.

"Copper Star" Review

Copper Star
Suzanne Woods Fisher

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In a world war, is it possible to ever really escape danger?

In the early 40’s, plotting to kill Hitler wasn’t exactly a state-sponsored event in Germany. However, there were those engaging in just such an activity. Louisa Schmetterling belonged to one such resistance group, doing what she could to keep the dark shadow of Nazism from covering the face of her beloved land.

Before long, however, it becomes clear that the noose is tightening and Louisa’s friend, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, arranges with a friend, Robert Gordon, to send Louisa to America for the duration of the war.

Louisa arrives in Copper Springs, Arizona and takes up residence with Robert and his Aunt Martha. Robert also has a son, William, who is deaf and thought to be mentally-challenged. Louisa sees through this misconception and begins trying to work with William, even as the long tentacles of war reach into Copper Springs, endangering Louisa once again.

Author Suzanne Woods Fisher has obviously done her research and does a great job of weaving history and fiction. A well-written and well-constructed historical novel, Copper Star delivers on a variety of levels. Although billed as an historical romance, Copper Star relies more on history and story, shunning the traditional fluff of the romance genre. Four stars!

Promise Me Always

Promise Me Always

by Christine Lynxwiler

Review by Brandi Webster

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Promise Me Always, the first book in The Pinky Promise Sisterhood Series, is a delightful story of friendship and new beginnings. In a society that often focuses on the negative side of female relationships, Lynxwiler reminds us it is possible to have encouraging, long-term, honest friendships among women! The even bigger message of the story is to rely on God at all times and let Him take care of your needs and desires.

Lynxwiler's character development is fantastic. Each character throughout the book has a distinguishable personality. Allie's best friends are likable, real women and I can't wait to see how they come alive as the series continues. Allie Richards is a young widow who has returned to her home town to support her two pre-teen daughters. Although five years have passed, you can see she continues to struggle in several areas of her life. Lynxwiler didn't create this perfect woman who has her act together and is moving on with her life, but instead we see a single mom juggling several hats trying to make it all work. Even though Ally has hopes and dreams she would like to see become reality, she is very scared of her future.

Daniel Montgomery, was the perfect addition to this story. Daniel, an old friend of Ally's, is a man redeemed. While his beginnings were less than ideal, he has let God turn his life around and he tries so hard to make good choices. His friendship with Ally is absolute perfect timing for her life. This is more than just moving on into a new romantic relationship. She needs to see Daniel's example of moving on and learning to trust God for all things.

The only thing I felt was missing from this story is an epilogue. I encourage you to journey with Ally as she learns to release control, take leaps of faith and trust God to provide. You will not be able to put the book down as the story unfolds. I painfully saw myself in many parts of this novel and felt the Lord's gentle reminders that life isn't about my desired outcomes but his. Lynxwiler uses Ally to remind us all to trust Him in all things and at all times and to depend on His perfect timing. 5 stars.

"It Happens Every Spring"

It Happens Every Spring
Gary Chapman and Catherine Palmer

Gary Chapman, author of the best-selling books The Five Love Languages and The Four Seasons of Marriage, brings his teaching and insight to a completely new audience with It Happens Every Spring, the first book in the new “Four Seasons” series.

In combining Chapman’s practical knowledge with award-winning author Catherine Palmer’s considerable writing abilities, Tyndale House Publishers may have found a winning team, if this first offering is any indication.

The fictional counterpart to Chapman’s non-fiction book The Four Seasons of Marriage, It Happens Every Spring is set in Deepwater Cove, a small community on the Lake of the Ozarks. It tells the story of Steve and Brenda Hanson, a middle-aged couple who are drifting apart. Steve is consumed with his business, while Brenda is languishing from a lack of attention.

It Happens Every Spring is well-written and insightful. Many couples may just recognize themselves while reading the Hanson’s story, hopefully in time to avoid some of the same mistakes. Recommended. Four stars!

Mozart's Sister

Mozart's Sister
by Nancy Moser
Review by Brandi Webster

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This is the story of Baroness Maria Anna Walburga Ignatia Berchtold zu Sonnenburg, better known as Nannerl Mozart, sister to Wolfgang Mozart. Mozart's Sister is a beautifully written novel through the eyes of Nannerl. We share the long journeys the family took both in and outside of Austria. We see what it is like to perform before royalty, struggle with constant illness and the worries of money. Perhaps her talent could have equaled "Wolfie's", yet because of her gender we will never know. This novel explores Nannerl's frustrations as she struggles with the realities of her station in life.

While today young women enjoy the freedom to explore their talents and desires, in the 1700s a woman's role was that of wife and mother. Nannerl may have enjoyed a childhood of travel and performing but she soon realized the freedom of her youth was coming to an end. She was certain she would be the young woman to break through traditional boundaries, but could her father focus on the talent of two prodigies? Could he take his mind off the constant need of money long enough to understand his daughter's desires talent?

Left behind in her brother's shadow, Nannerl must now make a life for herself. Does she have the courage to stand on her own and break out of the traditional role of a woman? Does she have the courage to stand up to her father and step around her brother's shadow? Nannerl know the decisions she makes now will effect the rest of her adulthood. Can she even see another life for herself outside of music? Could she possibly ever marry and settle into motherhood without the constant desire to get away?

While Mozart's Sister is in no way a fast read, it is worth every minute invested in completing this novel. I loved the historical aspects of the novel so cleverly intertwined with the fictional. Moser did a superb job of incorporating the Mozart family letters into the daily thoughts and conversations of Nannerl Mozart. While I was aware of Mozart's sister and the fact that the Wunderkind performed in early years, I never stopped to consider how Nannerl's life must have been during this time in history. While reflecting on the lives of the Mozart family I have now given adequate pause to Nannerl's life and feel a certain sadness that her talent can never receive the recognition that it might deserve. I thank Nancy Moser for following the call to write this book and she deserves her own Bravissimo for a job well done! 5 stars.

Wishing Makes It So

Wishing Makes It So
Marilyn Meredith

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In “Wishing Makes It So,” Author Marilyn Meredith pulls no punches. A well-written psychological thriller, “Wishing Makes It So” goes beyond mere horror, although it could be termed such, and may be Meredith’s finest offering yet.

Steven and Alyse Chrestman adopt a young girl, Belinda, believing that their experience as parents and Steven’s work as counselor will allow them to be a deciding factor in Belinda’s life. Far from the lovable and innocent child she appears, however, Belinda is capable of terrible deeds, especially carried out on other children. Will the Chrestmans realize the true nature of their new ward before she manages to manipulate the entire family into destroying itself?

Marilyn Meredith takes the sweetness of youth and skillfully creates a dark character that may well keep you up at night. Recommended. Four stars!