Favorite Books

Favorite Book #1: Christina Berry's, The Familiar Stranger.

This is the debut novel from my critique partner, and dear friend, Christina. It is a wonderful book, full of intrigue and fascinating characters. This is a great story of forgiveness in marriage, and is heavily influenced by Christina's personal experience.

"Craig Littleton's decision to end his marriage would shock his wife, Denise . . . if she knew what he was up to. When an accident lands Craig in the ICU, with fuzzy memories of his own life and plans, Denise rushes to his side, ready to care for him.

They embark on a quest to help Craig remember who he is and, in the process, they discover dark secrets. An affair? An emptied bank account? A hidden identity? An illegitimate child?

But what will she do when she realizes he's not the man she thought he was? Is this trauma a blessing in disguise, a chance for a fresh start? Or will his secrets destroy the life they built together?" (Description from Amazon.com)

Favorite Book #2: Leslie Gould's, Beyond the Blue.
This is a terrific story about the two sides of adoption, and what mother's do to protect and love their children. The world of Vietnam if portrayed with all the harsh realities. It made me want to jump on a plane and help. The wonderful result of this book has been a few children adopted from Vietnam! Gotta love that!!!

"Two Worlds. Two Women. One Love.
In 1975, an American girl named Genevieve loses her mother when a plane full of orphans crashes in war-ravaged Vietnam. Miles away in the countryside, seven-year-old Lan, a Vietnamese girl, is forced out of her family home by her own brother who has joined the Viet Cong. Worlds apart, these two girls come into womanhood struggling to recover a sense of family-until their journeys suddenly converge.
Lan has grown up in the harsh realities of post-war Vietnam, but she yearns for a better life for her children. Meanwhile, Genevieve marries and, faced with infertility, decides to adopt a child from the country her own mother loved so deeply. But the uncertainty and risk of international adoption threatens to overwhelm both women before their hearts and their families can be healed.
'Beyond the Blue is the story of enormous losses, unthinkable choices, and the transforming power of God's love for the children of the world." (Description from BooksChristian.com)

Favorite Book #3: Cara Putman's, Captive Dreams

Part of a three book collection, Cornhusker Dreams (Available 11/1/09), Cara Putman brings stories of strong women who love God.

I've only read Captive Dreams, but have no doubt that the other two stories will be just as enjoyable.

Captive Dreams is a story about letting go of control and allowing God to lead your life's course. In this book you will follow Anna Goodman and Sid Chance, two characters who are stubborn enough to try and walk their own path and not God's.
Anna feels like she needs to fix everything. The farm is falling apart. She'll take care of it. There's a war going on. She'll stuff parachutes for the boys overseas. Her father is sunk into a deep depression. She'll bring him out, some way, some how.
Sid also has trouble seeing God's plan for his life, and mostly his troubles involved a certain lady who can get under his skin faster than anything.
Cara Putman writes beautifully. Her descriptions and images pushed me along in a 1940's world where I cheered and despaired for Anna and Sid's triumphs and challenges. Ms. Putman makes it easy to read and get involved with her characters. I highly recommend Captive Dreams!!

"During WWII, three Nebraskan women's dreams change course! Can schoolteacher Audrey help a rancher deal with his brother's death? When Lainie's dream is crushed, will she find someone to build new hopes with? And when Anna puts her desires aside to care for her family, will she accept help from the German prisoners' overseer?" From www.cbd.com

Kristen G. Johnson