Sydney takes on the challenge of matchmaking for a few of her friends including her boss, Lucinda. As she becomes confident in her set-up abilities, she even takes on the role of “Lucy for the Lovelorn,” a syndicated column that could take her career to new heights.

In the midst of it all Samantha, Sydney’s sister, is going through a relationship crises. Well, more like a relationship melt-down. Sydney tries to give her advice, but Samantha soon realizes that she must make the decision for herself - follow her heart and see where it leads.

Sydney’s matchmaking talents rival those of another beloved heroine, Jane Austen’s Emma. And just as Emma eventually comes to the conclusion that meddling rarely changes things for the better, Sydney must learn some lessons through a few matchmaking disasters.

I thoroughly appreciated Banister’s humor and writing style in her first novel, Around The World in 80 Dates, and Meddlers is made up of the same stuff. The story is well-told and filled with compelling characters. Sydney’s experiences made me laugh, made me cry and above all reminded me that giving advice is not always as simple as it might seem.

In the back of the book, readers will find a readers guide, Sydney’s Recommendations For Life’s Little Circumstances and a list of resources for those who want to be a part of promoting music education (as Sydney’s husband discusses in the book).

As He tends to do, God uses this bad situation to bring Ana together with a group of girls (Riley included) who, like her, are living their second chance at life. Ana realizes that they have brought together for a purpose, but she must now convince the other “Miracle Girls” - maybe not Riley - that their friendship is meant to be.

I really enjoyed Miracle Girls and am already looking forward to the next book in the series. This is the type of novel that is timeless, that I’ll want my daughter to read when she hits her teens (or tweens). I look forward to the day when I can share my love of reading - and clean, godly books like this one - with her.

Gretchen has moping around for months and consuming more Ben & Jerry’s than she ever thought possible. Until one fine day when, while watching her beloved HGTV she has a “light bulb moment.” She decides that the way out from under her grief and despair is hard work … like flipping a house.

So, Gretchen sets out on the adventure of a lifetime. Will she end up with a great investment or will her flip be a flop?

This book made me feel as if I were right in the story helping Gretchen flip the house. I, too, watch HGTV and have always wondered if I could do it. Walking through the experience with Gretchen was a blast, but at the end I was glad all the hard work had been hers.

DragonLight continues the story of Kale Allerion, the Dragon Keeper, and her husband Sir Bardon. They have been living happily with their dragons while Amara (the land they live in) recovers from years of evil and war. However, when they agree to accompany their Meech dragon friends on a quest to find the Meech Colony, they encounter dark forces that they aren’t expecting.

Kale and her friends must uncover the mysterious force behind the darkness. The question that remains is….how will they discover what they can’t see?

This is the final installment in the DragonKeeper Chronicles (must to my chagrin). Happily, there is a note at the end of the book sharing with readers that they can expect a new series summer 2009 - “a different continent and a different time - featuring a cast of characters whose adventures will touch your life.”

You can hear the interview with Donita K. Paul when she joined us on MomCast Live - listen here.

The book starts out very dark - the world that Tarran lives in is bleak. He is young - just on the verge of becoming a man and yet even at this age he knows in his heart that there should be more - must be more to living that simply fighting, killing and becoming a warrior.

When Tarran is expected to kill a bear to prove himself as a “Bear-Slayer,” the highest level of respect in his community, he finds himself at a crossroads. Will he do what is expected of him or will he risk becoming an outcast…or worse.

Clarke’s imagery and detail make you feel as if you are in the story yourself. The characters are deep and thought-provoking. Once I picked this up, I didn’t want to put it down.

Review By:
Jill Hart

I don’t read a lot of YA (young adult) Lit, but this book so much fun. The characters are charming and right from the beginning I was pulling for Lissa to make the right choices. The best part about this book is that while moms like me (thirty-somethings) will enjoy it, it’s also appropriate to be shared with teens and tweens. It would make a great conversations starter for moms and daughters!

Liz and Kellie have quite a journey. They are spectators at a village pancake race, taken on a whirlwind tour of British authors sites, and even end up in a hot air balloon. If that isn’t enough, one of them manages to get herself pulled aside for questioning on The Underground.

I’ve read many of Gunn’s other books, but I actually jumped into this series with this book. Even though I didn’t have a lot of background on the characters, the book was enjoyable and held it’s own. Although these mamas are middle-aged I still related to them and laughed with them along the way. I liked the book enough that I’ve already gone out and found myself a copy of the first book so that I can start from the beginning and experience life through the eyes of the two hilarious chicks. I almost forgot to mention, Gunn includes a bonus for her fans in the back of the book. She shares pictures and thoughts of her own trip to the UK as well as an excerpt from the Sisterchicks devotional, Take Flight.

Review By:
Jill Hart

But Joan knows she can’t make a change because no one would be there to care for her aging grandmother - a job that she has taken upon herself, but truly enjoys. Not to mention, the doctor may be adorable, but he’s also a Christian. And Joan’s not so sure that’s what she needs right now. Her life is comfortable - why complicate it with thoughts of love and religion. Joan’s not sure her life can handle either.

Stuck in the Middle is a picture of what life is like as middle child. It seems most three daughter families have the smart, ‘motherly’ older sister; the sweet, carefree younger sister; and the insecure, people-pleasing middle child. Joan is the epitome of a middle child and yet she’s easy to love. I was rooting for her from the very beginning. The two other sisters frustrated me at first, but as the book progresses you learn how much they care about their sister and they endear themselves as well.

The novel is the first book in the Sister-to-Sister Series and Virginia Smith’s sixth book. Smith’s contemporary fiction is filled with humor as well as meaningful lessons for life. There is one specific section in Stuck in the Middle that really made me pause and re-evaluate how I think about my life (I don’t want to give it away, but look for the chocolate ice cream story). I love a book that sticks with me. Weeks after I put it down, it still comes to mind and continues to make me think.

Review By:
Jill Hart