Shadows of Lancaster County by Mindy Starns Clark

I enjoyed this book because it had a little of everything. Amish novels are a pleasant reminder of my childhood home since many Amish live nearby. This book mixes modern day complexities with a peaceful Amish community.

The Walmart near my dad is just a bit different than the Walmart near my home. Our Walmart has a big parking lot with lots of parking spaces and the one near my dad has that in addition to a large section with hitching posts so the Amish can park their buggies. They even have special lanes for the Amish to drive sometimes, but often they share the road with the Englishers which can be quite dangerous for all involved.

Back of Book Says:

What Shadows Darken the Quiet Valleys of Amish County?

Anna Bailey thought she left the tragedies of the past behind when she took on a new identity and moved from Pennsylvania to California. But now that her brother has vanished and his wife is crying out for help, Anna knows she has no choice but to come out of hiding, go home, and find him. Back in Lancaster County, Anna follows the high-tech trail her brother left behind, a trail that leads from the simple world of Amish farming to the cutting edge of DNA research and gene therapy.

During the course of her pursuit, Anna soon realizes that she has something others want, something worth killing for. In a world where nothing is as it seems, Anna seeks to protect herself, find her brother, and keep a rein on her heart despite the sudden reappearance of Reed Thornton, the only man she has ever loved.

For Discussion Questions, to read the first chapter and more, check out the author's website.

ISBN: 978-0-7369-2447-4

Try Darkness by James Scott Bell

I never would have picked this book up by looking at the cover and reading the title, but I did since I was pulled in by Try Dying. There is some violence in the book, but nothing worse than anything you would see on a crime show during prime time TV. It was better than anything you might see on television because reading allows you to savor the moments you choose use your imagination. I had to get my hands on the Try Darkness as quickly as my library could get it so I could follow Ty's next adventure and learn more about him and the other characters.

For product description and excerpt go here.

Buchanan Series

Book 1 - Try Dying

Book 2 - Try Darkness

Book 3 - Try Fear (coming July 2009)

To learn more about the Buchanan Series or read an excerpt from Try fear go to James Scott Bell's website.

Deception by Randy Alcorn - Book Giveaway

Deception (a spin-off of two other novels - Deadline and Dominion) is a murder mystery with quirky, yet likeable characters. This book gives us a glimpse of heaven and encourages the reader to consider eternity, as each fictional book Randy has written does. Reading his books has helped me view life, death and eternity with fresh vision. Randy's website describes the book:

Ollie Chandler is a brilliant and quick-witted homicide detective with exceptional deductive skills and street smarts. He's a police department legend for his off-beat methods that solve crimes and coax confessions. But he's a risk taker and a rule-bender who drives his procedure-conscious superiors crazy. If not for his success rate, he'd have been squeezed out of the detective division years ago.

When a Portland State University professor is found murdered in his home, Ollie is called in. Some strange indications on the professor's body suggest a peculiar means of death. Tests confirm something even more bizarre than Ollie suspected. A motive of revenge seems likely. But revenge for what? The murder mystery gets more complex the deeper Ollie probes.

This month Randy Alcorn will be giving away three copies of his novel, Deception - for a chance to win this book go to his blog and leave a comment. Winners will be announced on his blog on June 3rd. During May, the paperback version of Deception is also on sale at the Eternal Perspective Ministries website for $8.99