Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels
By Mindy Starns Clark
Harvest House
Retail Price: $13.99
Amazon Price: $10.03

From award-winning author Mindy Starns Clark comes the fast-paced and inspirational Million Dollar Mystery series.

Attorney Callie Webber investigates nonprofit organizations for the J.O.S.H.U.A. Foundation and awards the best of them grants up to a million dollars. In each book of the series, A young widow, Callie finds strength in her faith in God and joy in her relationship with her employer, Tom.

In book number two of The Million Dollar Mystery series, Callie is working to provide quality professional clothes to women who can't afford to buy their own. She soon becomes involved with one young woman who is trying to come out of drug rehabilitation-just as she's charged with murder.

What appears to be a routine murder investigation in her hometown on the Chesapeake suddenly becomes complicated amid international intrigue, cutting-edge technology, and deadly deception. A string of heart-pounding events lands her disastrously in the hands of the killer, where Callie finds she has less than a moment for a whispered prayer. Will help arrive in time?

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READING ROOM REVIEWS

This was a wonderful book by prolific author Mindy Starns Clark. This was a good suspense novel with an element of romance, and both aspects kept me guessing until the end. The characters were very likeable and believable and the plot was intriguing. This story is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Faith
By Jennifer Haigh
Harper
Retail price $25.99
Amazon Price: $13.97

Book Description: .

In the spring of 2002, a perfect storm hits Boston: Trusted priests are accused of the worst possible betrayal. Faith explores the fallout for one devout family.

Estranged from her family, Sheila McGann returns home when her older brother, Art—a popular pastor—finds himself at the center of the maelstrom. Her strict mother is in a state of angry denial. Sheila’s younger brother, Mike, has convicted his brother in his heart. But most disturbing of all is Art himself, who dodges Sheila’s questions and refuses to defend himself.

As secrets begin to surface, Faith explores the corrosive consequences of one family’s history of silence—and the resilience it finds through forgiveness. A suspenseful tale of one woman’s quest for the truth, Faith is a haunting meditation on loyalty and family, doubt and belief. Elegantly crafted, sharply observed, this is Jennifer Haigh’s most ambitious novel to date.


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READING ROOM BOOK REVIEW

This is the best book I've read in a long time. It was well written, sensitively told family story about a devout Roman Catholic family with buried secrets. I could hardly put the book down and read it whenever I had a free moment. It was intelligent, thought provoking and a real page turner.

~Reviewed by Ann Jeanie K.

Following God One Yes at a Time
By Connie Cavanaugh
Harvest House
Retail Price $12.99
Amazon Price: $10.39

Book Description:

Everyone experiences dry times in their spiritual lives. Noted speaker Connie Cavanaugh offers a wealth of insights to help believers find Jesus? living water during desert times. Connie shares five obstacles that hinder faith and then provides action steps readers can take to reestablish a vibrant relationship with God so that?

• when doubt strikes, they can use biblical truths to keep their faith strong.
• when they feel out of touch, they'll know how to say yes to God and persevere.
• when they feel inadequate, they can be sure God believes in them.
• when they believe they've failed, they can be confident God will redeem their efforts.
• when they slip from 'fearing God' to being afraid, they will know God loves them and will help them.

Offering strong encouragement, Following God One Yes at a Time gives readers what they need to triumph through Jesus Christ.

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READING ROOM REVIEW

This was a very practical book that spoke to my very soul. While it was convicting at times, it was also very humorous. The author had me laughing out loud at the escapades of her family. Cavanaugh's ability to share stories and then make such sound and practical spiritual application is truly amazing. This book is one you won't want to miss.

~Reviewed by Penny N.

Sort of Like a Rock Star

Sort of Like a Rock Star
By Matthew Quick
Little Brown for Young Readers
Retail Price: $8.99
Amazon Price: $5.99

Book Description:

Amber Appleton lives in a bus. Ever since her mom's boyfriend kicked them out, Amber, her mom, and her totally loyal dog, Bobby Big Boy (aka Thrice B) have been camped out in the back of Hello Yellow (the school bus her mom drives). Still, Amber, the self-proclaimed princess of hope and girl of unyielding optimism, refuses to sweat the bad stuff. But when a fatal tragedy threatens Amber's optimism--and her way of life, can Amber continue to be the rock star of hope? With an oddball cast of characters, and a heartwarming, inspiring story, this novel unveils a beautifully beaten-up world of laughs, loyalty, and hard-earned hope.

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READING ROOM REVIEW


This is a fantastic book for teenage girls. It ran the gamut of emotions, taking you to the lowest of lows to the mountain tops. You will laugh and you will cry. And you will be surprised by all the twists and turns. The main character is a strong young woman, who endures much hardship, yet doesn't give up her dreams. She serves as a role model for young women everywhere. The book is beautifully written and the story is very touching. I highly recommend it.

Purging Your House, Pruning Your Family Tree

Purging Your House, Pruning Your Family True
by Perry Stone
Charisma House
Retail Price: $15.99
Amazon Price: $9.87

Book Description:
Do the following questions express what you have felt—or asked—in the past?

* Does a weeping willow describe your family tree?
* Do you secretly wish you had been born to a different family?
* Did you pick up some bad DNA from someone in your lineage?
* Would you like to put on a new set of genes and make a new you?
* Is there a warfare going on that you won’t talk about?
* What are the keys to a happy home and marriage?


If so, keep reading! There are two important ways for you to alter your present personal situations and prepare for a great emotional and spiritual future—by purging your house and pruning your family tree. Purging your house involves removing spiritual, emotional, and mental hindrances from three houses: spiritual, physical, and emotional. The author teaches readers the 3-step process of removing the leprosy (laying aside the weights or sins), rebuilding a fresh foundation (replacing old thoughts with new thoughts), and restoring the house (new friends, relations, directions). Pruning your family tree involves a process called redemptive alteration, which positively impacts your future when the Word of God defeats the sin habits and overcomes the carnal nature through regeneration. The author reveals the dangers that can harm or destroy our family are the same dangers that destroy nature’s trees—storms that place pressure on the branches, drought the destroys the leaves, cold weather that destroys the fruit, and floods that uproot the entire tree. He teaches us how to evict the enemy by quoting Scripture, experiencing the anointing, rebuking the devil, and having strong faith.

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READING ROOM REVIEW

This was an interesting book. Often when we feel we've been dealt bad cards in life, we feel we are stuck in the situation. This book gives us hope that we can change our lives and the lives of those who come after us by breaking family curses and sinful strongholds that may have plagued our family line. It is very insightful and the author offers practical solutions, not lofty, theological suggestions. If you are at all interested in improving your family tree, read this book!

Mmm...Mmm Good!

Hungry Girl 1-2-3
By Lisa Lillien
St. Martin's Press
Retail price $19.99
Amazon Price: $10.50

Book Description:

With more than 200 recipes and two-ingredient “couples” to choose from, you’ll never be hungry again! Get ready to chew on:

Crazy Pineapple Salmon Teriyaki (347 calories)
Mom-Style Creamy Chicken ’n Veggies (307 calories)
Queen-of-the-Castle Sliders (254 calories)
Caramel Swirl Cream Puffs (121 calories)
Corndog Millionaire Muffins (160 calories)
Chili Cheese Dog Nachos (218 calories)
Turkey & Veggie Meatloaf Minis (142 calories)
Planet Hungrywood Sweet & Cap’n Crunchy Chicken (234 calories)
Shrimp & Grits . . . for Hungry Chicks! (380 calories)
Cannoli-Stuffed French Toast Nuggets (228 calories)

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READING ROOM REVIEW

My motto is that if it says "Hungry Girl," it's got to be good! Lisa Lillien's latest book, Hungry Girl 1-2-3 is another winner! I tried several of the recipes this weekend and each and every recipe I tried was easy to prepare and came out delicious. I went through and bookmarked the pages of the recipes I'd want to try and had to give up because there were just too many to mark. I will have to try them all! One of the things I like about Hungry Girl recipes is that they use REAL ingredients that you use in everyday life and the recipes are simple to prepare. All recipes include nutritional information and Weight Watcher "points". I enjoy using this innovative cookbook.

Who Do I Lean On?
by Neta Jackson
Thomas Nelson
Retail Price: $14.99
Amazon Price: $10.11



Book Description:

Now that Gabby is back on her feet after being in a homeless shelter, she has a new dream that will stretch her faith farther than ever.

Gabby expects a fight from her husband over custody of their boys, but she is taken aback when he leans on her for a loan to cover his gambling debts. When she turns him down, Philip makes a desperate move that puts Gabby, her friends at the shelter, and even the House of Hope at risk.

The props Gabby usually leans on--Jodi, her Yada Yada prayer partner; her friend Harry, the ex-cop; and Lee, her lawyer, who has fallen in love with Gabby--are not always there when she needs them most. Gabby must make a decision that could change the course of her life. But is it for better--or for worse?

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READING ROOM REVIEW


This book is part 3 in series of books by Neta Jackson, A Yada Yada House of Hope . This entire series is a spin off from her first series Yada Yada Prayer Group. I've read every single book of this series and have enjoyed them all. I have followed this House of Hope series very carefully. For some reason, this series hit home with me. Maybe because it is so real.

I received an advanced readers copy of Who Can I Lean On just a few days ago. I dove into it the first chance I got and I'm finished already. I just couldn't put it down. I've been following the story of the main character, Gabby, for 2 books and I couldn't wait to see how this ended.

The story is written in the first person from the perspective of Gabby and you really feel you know her. Jackson has a way of drawing you into the story and you feel like you are part of it. Gabby could be your own friend and you cheer for her and cry with her as the story unfolds.

If you've been reading the House of Hope series, I recommend that you get the book as soon as it comes out on June 15. Better yet, pre-order it so you are automatically sent your copy! If you haven't read any of the series yet, get yourself a copy of the first two so you will be ready for #3 in June. You don't want to miss this one.

I'm not a huge fiction buff. I read mostly non-fiction books that I can learn and grow from. However, this fiction title is full of good advice, life lessons, and spiritual insights and you find yourself examining your own life and making positive changes. To me, that is Christian fiction at its best.

Kudos to the author for another great book. She left enough "unfinished business" at the end of the book to give me hope for a sequel. I'm sure hoping there will be a number 4!