Recently Read Books

Thursdays at Eight by Debbie Macomber: Every Thursday at eight, four women meet for breakfast — and to talk. To tell their stories, recount their sorrows and their joys. To offer each other encouragement and unstinting support.

Clare has just been through a devastating divorce. She's driven by anger and revenge . . . until she learns something about her ex-husband that forces her to look deep inside for the forgiveness and compassion she's rejected — and for the person she used to be.

Elizabeth is widowed, in her late fifties, a successful professional — a woman who's determined not to waste another second of her life. And if that life should include romantic possibilities — well, why not?

Karen is in her twenties, the years for taking risks, testing your dreams. Her dream is to be an actor. So what if her parents think she should be more like her sister, the very respectable Victoria?

Julia is turning forty this year. Her husband's career is established, her kids are finally in their teens and she's just started her own business. Everything's going according to plan — until she gets pregnant.

The Sacrifice by Beverly Lewis: This is book 3 of Abram’s Daughters Before she can be courted, tragedy befalls Leah, forcing her to choose between her happiness and her family. This powerful family saga features four Amish courting-age sisters growing up in Lancaster County Pennsylvania, beginning in the 1940s. Life in Gobbler’s Knob was all Leah Ebersol ever wanted until her older sister Sadie abandoned faith and family, leaving Leah no choice but to believe the worst, that Sadie—and her own beloved Jonas—had betrayed her. Now, two years later, Leah still misses both Sadie and Jonas keenly. Because of her sister’s shunning, she cannot contact either of them but hears through the grapevine that they are married. Loyal neighbor Gid is still biding his time, but on the verge of accepting his courting invitation, tragedy befalls the Ebersols and Leah must again choose between her own happiness and her family. Mary Ruth dreams of becoming a teacher, but it has gotten pushed to the back of her thinking when a nice young Amish boy comes courting. Twin Hannah yearns for her sister to attend baptismal classes with her, but Mary Ruth is not ready to take her vows.

The Prodigal by Beverly Lewis: In Book 4 of Abram's Daughters, an alarming secret is brought to light. Truth can be thorny, even heartbreaking, yet Leah is required to make another difficult choice. Will this secret of secrets bring further sorrow for Leah, Sadie and the Ebersol family? Never would this family, especially Leah, have expected the return of one more prodigal….

Dakota Born by Debbie Macomber: Buffalo Valley, North Dakota, a struggling farming community, is dying. But its citizens won't give up on the town where generations have lived, loved, raised families, worked hard, and died. When Savannah-born Lindsay Snyder decides to accept the teaching position in Buffalo Valley, she brings a breath of fresh air with her. Lindsay is trying to escape a stalled romance and learn more about her family, especially her grandmother Gina, who lived her entire life in the tiny town. Buffalo Valley has its share of characters, including Hassie Knight, the matriarch of this small community; Buffalo Bob Carr, the ex-biker who won the local watering hole in a poker game; and Gage Sinclair, the handsome farmer whose roots are deeply planted in the fertile soil of this North Dakota village. But Gage refuses to believe that Lindsay will find any reason to stay so far from the bright lights of the big city she recently called home. And Lindsay despairs that Gage will never comprehend that she has the best reason to remain--love, for him.

The Preacher's Daughter by Beverly Lewis: Book 1 of Annie's People. The Preacher's Daughter begins a remarkable journey of heartache and homespun delight. Paradise, Pennsylvania, is likened to a little slice of heaven on earth...but for Annie Zook--the preacher's eldest daughter--it seems like a dead-end street. She is expected to join the Amish church, but at 20 she is "still deciding." Because of the strict rules that guide the Plain community, she must continually squelch her artistic passion, although it has become her solace.

and the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers: In the Old Testament, God called his people to action with the blast of the shofar, a ram's horn. God still calls his people today. In this relevant and timely contemporary novel, dynamic young preacher Paul Hudson is committed to building his church--but at what cost? As Paul's zeal and ambition build, he loses sight of the One who called him. As Paul and those around him struggle to discern what it truly means to live out their faith, they must ultimately choose between their own will or God's plan.

I really, really enjoyed this last book. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author assuming that our lame library has any more.

Book info from BarnesandNoble.com