All Things Hidden by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

Talk about baggage! Just about everyone in this book had some kind of hidden agenda, hence the title. I enjoyed reading about how some of the Alaska territory came to be and the hardships they had to endure. It was hard to pick a favorite character in this book. They were all so likable - well except for one nuisance of a character who was not only a pest but not a nice guy either! Okay, make that two characters - I forgot about Gertrude!

Gwyn and her doctor father love Alaska and will do what needs to be done to make the Matanuska Project a success. Will the arrival of Dr. Jeremiah Vaughan help or hinder that success? Especially after they discover his connection to their family. Oh and what secrets Dr. Vaughan has! I think my favorite person was Nasnana. In her quiet Alaskan way she endeared herself to me and I know you will love her too.

I really enjoyed this book. It has page after page of nonstop action and the twists and turns the plot takes will keep you turning pages long into the night. I highly recommend this book.

I was given a copy of this book by Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

A Shining Light by Judith Miller

I really enjoyed this book, it had everything a good book has and grabbed my interest from the first page. Right from the beginning the reader becomes involved with Andrea and her son. What an energetic boy he is too, so full of questions and curiosity! When Andrea learns her husband was lost at sea she is both happy and sad and sets out to start a new life on her fathers farm. But what waits for her there is both a surprise and a disappointment. She soon sees God's hand at work and finds there is a silver lining in everything, even if there are large bumps in the road.

I really enjoy reading a book that builds the suspense while moving the story along at a good pace. This book does that. While some of the things that happened were predictable, how they happened were not. I have read several books by this author, both on her own and in collaboration with other authors, and I have enjoyed them all very much. I look forward to the next book by this author.

I was given a review copy of this book by netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

Minding Molly by Leslie Gould

I enjoyed this book as I have the first 2 in the series. There were a few "hold your breath" moments which made the story richer. Molly just can't seem to stop being a control freak. She has to be in charge and in control but doesn't start to realize it until a chain of events happen that make her understand what she has been doing. A lot of that is courtesy of her younger sister who is resentful of always being to what to do and when to do it. Unfortunately for Molly this control issue of hers could jeopardize her future with a certain horse trainer. Throughout the book Molly seesaws back and forth wondering what is the best path for her. All the while she is worried about her Mamm's health and losing the farm. Once she decides to let God be in control of her future she starts to realize what she has been like through the eyes of others and sets about making things right.

I recommend this book if you are looking for an easy read with not a lot of suspense. I look forward to the next book by this author. I was given a review copy by netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

Plots and Pans by Kelly Eileen Hake

I liked the overall story although there were parts of it that seemed a little unrealistic. For instance, Jessalyn comes home after several years at boarding school to find she has an Aunt she never knew about who is of mixed color living in her house as a cook and she immediately takes to this woman like she has known her all her life. I think, back in the 1800's there might not have been that immediate acceptance. Also, the romance between Jess and Tucker had a lot of bumps that seemed to go away awfully quickly. I did really enjoy the romance between Miss Desta (the Aunt) and Ralph. I wish that could have been explored a little more. Overall it was a good read, held my interest and kept me entertained. I would recommend this book.

I was given a review copy of this book by netgalley in exchange for an honest review.