Lonestar Angel, by Colleen Coble

I'm a big fan of Colleen Coble. She's written some great books, that all have the perfect blend of romance, mystery, and Christian values. Lonestar Angel is no exception. In fact, I found this book so thrilling that I have barely put it down since receiving it in the mail.

Coble jumps right into the story with Eden and Kent having a romantic dinner. Eden knows Kent has every intention to propose, and she has every intention to accept. But right in the middle of their dinner, her ex-husband, Clay, interrupts them. He says that their daughter Brianna, who was kidnapped a six weeks old and presumed dead ever since, is in fact alive and Eden has to come with him immediately so that they can go get her. She's on a ranch with four other girls, and they're all foster children who have been taken from bad situations. It's up to Clay and Eden to figure out who their daughter is, and quick, because the kidnapper has come back and wants revenge on the couple.

Like I said, I couldn't put this book down. Coble weaves a fantastically intricate story, and leaves her readers constantly guessing at what's going on. Clay and Eden are both wonderfully written characters, and seem to leap off the page at times. Additionally, the five little girls are at times both heartbreaking and hilarious. I can't recommend this book highly enough, especially for fellow fans of Colleen Coble.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

There You'll Find Me, by Jenny B. Jones

In short, "There You'll Find Me," by Jenny B. Jones, is a fantastic book. I was immediately caught up in the story from the first sentence, and couldn't/wouldn't put it down until I was finished. It's the story of Finley, who goes to Ireland not only for a year of a foreign exchange program, but also to escape her past. She brings along her late brother's journal, and is determined to follow along in his footsteps and feel closer to him in the process. On the plane ride over, she meets Beckett Rush, a handsome twenty-something actor who stars in vampire films. She immediately hates him, and he's taken aback and amused by this woman who doesn't automatically throw herself at him. Of course, a friendship blooms, and then romance.

This book has a little bit of everything - romance, travel, humor, sarcasm, a little bit of reality, and a great Christian perspective. I really appreciated that the author didn't try to make the characters perfect - a main character deals with loneliness, bitterness, bullying, and even battles an eating disorder. It felt real enough to truly invest myself in the characters, which I didn't expect. Additionally, the romance that buds between the two main characters has its share of problems, and it feels as though you are actually experiencing every bump in the road with them. I loved Beckett Rush especially - his charm, wit, sarcasm, and level-headedness made him a character to cheer for.

While I recognize that I'm a little older that Jenny B. Jones' typical audience (I'm in my mid-twenties, and I believe she usually writes for teens), I nevertheless enjoyed this book thoroughly. I would recommend it to any teenage girl to read, partly because it has a very honest look at some harder issues that teens face. I'd also recommend it for anyone who wants a breezy, fun read - you won't be disappointed!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”