Double Trouble by Susan May Warren

Double Trouble by Susan May Warren is the second title in the PJ Sugar series. PJ has embraced her new role as private detective, even if her boss Jeremy isn't trusting her the way she'd like and her ex-boyfriend and police officer Boone doesn't think she's up to the challenge. They both have to change their tune when PJ undertakes a case that forces her to impersonate a woman in the Witness Protection Program and is sure that her life in is danger. PJ embraces the challenge, despite the threat of exposure. Warren has created a humorous and smart heroine in PJ who constantly seems to be tripping over her own feet and making promises that she can't keep. The sparks between PJ and Jeremy fly right off the page and will have readers just as torn between Boone and Jeremy as PJ is. Warren's writing is never cliched and she delights in upending readers' expectations. This is one series that I hope lasts for twenty or more books!

According to Their Deeds by Paul Robertson

According to Their Deeds by Paul Robertson is an unexpected delight disguised as a political thriller/mysterious book quest. Charles Beale is quite content with his life as a rare book store owner in Alexandria, Virginia. Married to his soulmate , Dorothy, and buying and selling books that inspire his soul, life has settled into a comfortable rhythm, even with the addition of a part-time worker named Angelo who is doing his probation working at the store. After the death of Charles' friend, Derek, he purchases back the antique books on philosophy that Derek had purchased over the years. He discovers Derek had a hidden life built on profiting from the secrets of others, and Charles determines what to do with this knowledge as well as discover who really murdered Derek and why. Most books with this plot as a set-up would quickly spiral into car chases, gunfights, and treks across the world. Robertson instead turns the entire genre on its head with this quiet and incredibly intelligent mystery. Charles' method of investigation involves enigmatic conversations with the many suspects, and much of the book is simply conversations. Charles is polite, and the definition of a good man. The secrets he discovers weigh heavily on his heart as he tries to determine whether to administer justice or mercy. As a reader, I fell in love with the subtle rhythm of the book, along with discerning the truth. It's a rare gem in a cluttered genre, and I hope that Robertson isn't finished with Charles and Dorothy. I would love a sequel.

The Real Enemy by Kathy Herman

The Real Enemy by Kathy Herman is the first book in the Sophie Trace trilogy. Police Chief Brill Jessup moved her family from Memphis, Tennessee to the small town of Sophie Trace to get away from the bitter reminders of her husband's betrayal. Kurt and Brill have decided to remain together for the sake of their nine-year old daughter, Emily, but it's a marriage in name only, and they both struggle to keep up the facade. Brill's tested in her first day on the job when a citizen disappears, seemingly off the face of the earth with no evidence as to how or why. In the succeeding six days, six more people disappear, and now, not only is her marriage in jeopardy, but her job is as well. Brill, Kurt, and Emily are all terrific characters, well-rounded and interesting, and the plot is full of twists and turns. The investigation is hindered by a local legend of angry Cherokee ghosts avenging the loss of their land, so the town of Sophie Trace becomes its own character. There's a profound message of forgiveness and temptation that Herman handles with flair. My only complaint with this thriller is that the reconciliation at the end of the novel seems to come out of the nowhere. I felt like I had missed a chapter because of the 180 degree turn in attitudes. That said, I plan on returning to Sophie Trace soon.

Michal by Jill Eileen Smith

Michal by Jill Eileen Smith is the first book in The Wives of King David series. Michal is the daughter of King Saul, ruler of Israel and David's sovereign. But Saul has refused to listen to God or his prophets, so David has been anointed King of Israel. This sets the two men on a path full of conflict. David tries to respect and love his regent, but Saul is murderously jealous of the affection the Israelites have for David. Saul reluctantly allows Michal to marry David, but when he puts out a death warrant on David, Saul annuals the marriage and gives her to one of his soldiers. Eventually Michal is returned to David when he claims the throne, but their relationship never recovers. This is the story as laid out in 1 and 2 Samuel in the Old Testament and Smith makes it come to life through amazing attention to historical detail as well as moving characterizations. I've always wondered about Michal when I read the story of David in the Bible. How could the same woman who risked her father's rage to help her husband escape then attack him and accuse him of acting undignified in his praise to God? Smith really gives a great deal of insight into the workings of Michal's mind; her loyalty to her family, her manipulation to achiever her own aims, her deep love for her father and yet terrible fear of the demons that drive him. Smith puts the pieces of the puzzle together in an entertaining and enthralling way. One small bit of criticism: most of the story and dialogue flows smoothly, but when Smith is quoting the Bible directly, the words seem forced and out of place. She would have been better off paraphrasing those passages to keep it from disrupting story's pace. I've always been fascinated by Abigail, David's third wife, so I can't wait to read the rest of this series!

Scream by Mike Dellosso

Scream by Mike Dellosso is a great addition to the growing genre of Christian horror. Writing in the tradition of Frank Peretti and Dean Koontz, Dellosso offers ups thrills and chills along with a message of faith. Mark Stone is trying to pick up the pieces of his life after his wife left him when he hears some strange screams on the phone when talking to a friend. He is deeply shaken when the friend dies immediately after the screams, and his fear grows when the screams happen again...and again, and every time someone dies. It sends Mark on a quest to discover the source of the screams and the truth about the existence of hell. But when he hears the screams while talking to his estranged wife, his quest becomes deeply personal and urgent. Dellosso taps into the reader's deepest fears and questions about hell and faith without ever preaching. I enjoyed his conversations with different ministers to get their take on hell and faith. It's a book to keep you up late at night and then make you think deeply about your own faith.

The Passion of Mary-Margaret

The Passion of Mary-Margaret by Lisa Samson is another ground-breaking cliche-shattering novel by an amazing author. Mary-Margaret Fischer has always known what God wanted her to do and eagerly embraced it: to be a nun. Mary-Margaret has an unusual relationship with Jesus that overflows with obedience and love, but when He asks her to marry Jude Keller she wonders just what He has in mind. Mary-Margaret and Jude grew up together and she has seen his life disintegrate. An abused child, he fell into drug use and prostitution, why on earth would God want her to marry Jude instead of becoming the bride of Christ the way she's always dreamed? The story is so much deeper and richer than can be described in just a few short sentences. Whenever I open one of Lisa Samson's books, I am forced to slow down my reading speed because I want to savor every word and phrase. Samson obviously spends a great deal of time crafting each sentence for maximum impact. Mary-Margaret's life is full and rich, and her story is a beautiful one of grace and mercy and allowing God to work through us. She is the epitome of what it looks like when Jesus shines through us to others. Samson breaks all of the rules when it comes to Christian fiction, and God bless her for it!

Last Mango in Texas by Ray Blackston

Last Mango in Texas by Ray Blackston is a light-hearted romance with an undercurrent of faith and responsibility. Kyle Mango falls in love with Gretchen his freshman year at Texas Tech after she rescues him from a fraternity house while doing the mummy dance from the Thriller video. The two bond, but Gretchen pulls away and becomes deeply involved with rescuing birds and wildlife, especially from the damage done by oil companies. In Kyle's senior year at school, he inherits four oil wells from his uncle, which makes his courtship of Gretchen more than a bit difficult. He's torn between providing for his mother, siblings, and employees and pursuing the woman he loves. Blackston has a real talent for writing laugh out loud humor and creating characters who are just quirky enough to be interesting without being completely unbelievable. He handles the controversy of the damage oil companies do to the environment vs the service they provide consumers with compassion and heart. Blackston's romance is a fun read with a real message of faith and responsibility.