Books, Movies, and Chinese Food

Tori Sanderson has the professional opportunity of a lifetime. If she can prove she's executive material, she's in line for a big promotion. But there's only room for one new account executive, and her co-worker has his eye on the job--and on Tori. Her matchmaking sisters have a handsome handyman in mind for her. But how can she consider romance when she couldn't hold on to the one man who was supposed to love her forever--her own father? The time has come for answers, and Tori decides to search out the father who deserted her twelve years ago. While Tori may find the answers she craves, will she ever be able to love again? I have really enjoyed reading the Sister to Sister series by Virginia Smith. This is mainly because I am part of a three sister family so I could easily relate to what the sisters were going through. This time, it's the youngest of the sisters who gets to share their story. Tori's over fast paced career is none too familiar for her age gro...

Liz is at a ski resort getting ready for the wedding of her cousin. She thinks her biggest challenges will be her overbearing grandmother and staying out of the path of her former fiance Tim. If she can just get through the weekend it will be all over. However, when a dead body shows up on the slopes, Liz finds herself having to stay close to Tim to find out who the murderer is. Will the two be able to join forces or will their past come back and tear them apart again? The first thing that came to mind while reading this book was: Nancy Drew. This book totally brought me back to days of my childhood and reading tales of that famous female sleuth. Something about ski resorts and murders makes me think of Nancy for some reason. This story was very cozy and comforting to read. I've never been skiing before in my life so I live vicariously through books about skiing. This story shows a wonderful ski resort that just happens to have a dead body on it. I really enjoyed the myste...

Baby Vs Work: The Great Debate Desperate to stay home with her baby, Allie Harrod launches a new career. Sure, she dropped out of Girl Scouts because she was lousy at cookie sales, but makeup is different, right? She'll do anything to make enough money to cover her share of the household bills, but how can she focus on her business when her list of problems is growing? None of her pre-baby clothes fit, her checking account is dwindling, and her mother-in-law has decided to move in! To top it off, her husband's attractive coworker suddenly needs his help every weekend. Middle sister Joan insists that God has the answers to all her problems, but Allie isn't so sure. Can she really trust him? As with the first book in this series, I totally "got" these books. Being part of a three daughter family, I felt like this story was pretty much my life. You haven't lived until you've experienced three girls trying to share a bathroom, tying up the phone line or sho...

Announcing the best book of 2008 Mayla Strong is back. Only now she's a Christian and that's what's become the focus of her life. But she's still having to deal with her everyday life and the unpredictable outcomes that come of it. When her job becomes eliminated due to nepotism, she finds herself traveling to Florida to stay with her grandmother and aunt. But before she leaves she's in the midst of trying to find a new job, taking care of a stray bunny without her roommate noticing, AND she has to confront her pastor about their relationship. Then while in Florida she has to deal with a pregnant teenager, her grandmother being overly possessive, her gay friend's aversion towards Christianity and the email aftermath of her confrontation with Pastor Paul! Throughout all this, Mayla manages to keep her calm and have her faith grow at the same time. Is it possible to declare the best book of 2008 this early in the year? Because I think I've just finished...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Stuck in the Middle Revell (February 1, 2008) by Virginia Smith ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Virginia Smith left her job as a corporate director to become a full time writer and speaker with the release of her first novel Just As I Am . Since then she has contracted eight novels and published numerous articles and short stories. She writes contemporary humorous novels for the Christian market, including Murder by Mushroom (Steeple Hill, August 2007) and her newest release, Stuck in the Middle (Revell, February 2008), book 1 in the Sister-to-Sister Series. Her short fiction has been anthologized, and her articles have been published in a variety of Christian magazines. An energetic speaker, she loves to exemplify God’s truth by comparing real-life situations to well-known works of fiction, such as her popular talk, “Biblical Truths in Star Trek.” Virginia is a speaker, and an avid Scuba diver. She and her husband Ted, divide their time...

Becoming a believer in today's world Mayla has just become a new Christian. Everyone in her church is surprised because her dyed hair and piercings don't make her look like a normal Christian. However Mayla is eager to know more about God's word and to grow in her newfound faith. She has to battle grumpy church members who prejudge her because of her appearance and old friends who prejudge her because of her new faith. She is also becomes friends with a guy with AIDS and helps him to live out his last days with hopes of reconciling with his estranged family. Then there's finding her niche in church and her growing relationship with Pastor Paul. If you ever wanted to know what it's like to be a new Christian in today's world, read this book! I really enjoyed reading this book. Mayla was such a refreshing, realistic character. I could really relate to her. She's my age, going through the same problems that I am. I loved the fact that she had piercings an...

Killer Fungi Jackie Hoffner thought she'd be helping out the church potluck by bringing in a mushroom casserole. Little did she know that her dish would end up killing the most hated woman in church! Jackie's on a mission to prove that she's innocent by trying to find the guilty party. The problem is that there are many people who wanted Alice Farmer dead. Secrets from church members arise as Jackie and the pastor's wife try to question those who have the biggest motive to kill. This was a fun book to read (although don't attempt on an empty stomach!) I liked Jackie even though she's no Nancy Drew. Her character changed throughout the story as her original intentions were purely to clear her own name. Then as she found out what really happened to everyone else she changed for the better. What I found most interesting about the story was the attitude that other Christians had against Alice. It's tough to show love towards someone so spiteful. So I was...