"The Second Half" by Lauraine Snelling

The Second Half by Lauraine Snelling is a contemporary inspirational fiction story about family trusting God through their struggles such as adjusting to retirement, raising grandchildren, dealing with depression. When Ken and Mona’s grown son, Steig, is deployed to Pakistan in the special forces, they become the legal guardians for his 9-yr.-old daughter and 5-yr.-old son whose mother abandoned them and gave up her parental rights. The grandparents and children look forward to skyping with Steig on Thursdays, but it never happens. One day they are informed that Steig is Missing in Action and they struggle to hold on to hope of seeing him come home.

I enjoyed this Christian fiction book, especially the everyday moments that made it very believable. I thought it was funny that Jake, the little boy, was afraid of dogs and cats and that his grandparents had one of each. It shows how one phone call can throw a monkey wrench into the best laid plans!  I highly recommend this to retirees or those nearing retirement.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"Ruby (Dakota Treasures-Book 1)" by Lauraine Snelling if a Fun Read

Don't know why libraries can't put their stickers on the back!

Ruby by Lauraine Snelling is a good read about Ruby and her younger sister Opal (9 yrs. Old) who move to the Dakota territory from the east when their father sends for them just before he dies to give them their inheritance. It’s hardly a town at all with just a saloon/brothel, the Dove House that they inherit and another saloon, small store and a few other buildings. No sheriff, no children, no school, no church. The father’s dying wish was that Ruby would take care of the girls. She promised him she would before she finds out that they are prostitutes. Ruby is very uptight about everything and Opal is fun loving, friendly and adventurous. Ruby decides to stay only because she promised her father so decides to discontinue serving liquor, and the brothel, changing it into a respectable hotel that serves food and coffee. She agreed to permit the card room to stay open for gambling certain hours and let Belle run it.

I enjoyed this book very much because it was interesting to see how Ruby persuaded the others in the business to stay on and help change things. I liked Opal better than Ruby. I didn’t understand why Ruby did not pray more in this Christian fiction book than she did when she kept running into so many problems and challenges. It seemed she just complained a lot, yelled a lot and bossed people around, expecting Charlie to take care of everything. If you like historical fiction, I would recommend this book. Although it is classed as Christian fiction, I didn’t really find all that much Christianity in it.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)


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"Heaven Sent Rain" by Lauraine Snelling is Great Contemporary Christian Fiction! (UPDATED)

Heaven Sent Rain by Lauraine Snelling is about Dinah Taylor, a single woman who is a biochemist and CEO of her own company with a quiet, orderly life until it gets turned upside down when she befriends a small boy, Jonah, and his dog, Mutt.  She finds herself really caring for the little kid and before she knows it, he becomes a big part of her life—bigger than she ever imagined.  Dinah is bitter against God for letting her little brother and her aunt die when she was a young girl.  When Jonah’s dog gets hurt, it’s Dinah he calls for help which is how she meets Dr. Garrett, the vet.  I loved how he would paint pictures of the pets and their owners to give to them.

I loved this book because I liked all the characters and I couldn’t help feeling sorry for Jonah and pulling for Dinah to trust God again.  I enjoyed the veterinarian and Dr. Garret became my favorite character who painted and had dogs, birds, and a cat for pets.  This book was recommended by Best Friends.  I loved it!  It is heartwarming contemporary Christian fiction that includes animals and a bit of romance with discussion questions included in the back for book club use. 
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

  
Gerard says:
This novel is about a young boy named Jonah and his dog, Mutt. They are befriended by a woman, Dinah.  When Mutt has a problem, Dinah takes the boy and his dog to the vet and meet Dr. Garret who helps all three of them!  This book has plenty of action that kept me turning pages.  The relationships in this novel carry it because they are done so well.  I highly recommend this one and encourage to you put it on your TBR list!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"The Long Way Home" by Lauraine Snelling (last of series)

The Long Way Home by Lauraine Snelling is the third book of “A Secret Refuge” series that kept my attention all the way with excitement and adventure including family drama, traveling with a wagon train, a bear attack, imprisonment, weddings, Indians and establishing a new home.  Although this is Christian fiction, it is not a predictable ending where all the loose ends get tied up.  It is a family saga that emphasizes all are created equal regardless of geographic location or skin color.  This takes place near the end of the Civil War and covers the effect the war had on both the lives of the south, the north and even the west.   

I enjoyed this entire series of light reading and was happy with the ending.  I liked that not all the slaves were mistreated.  My favorite characters in this series were Jesselynn, Thaddeus (her little brother), Meshack (a very smart, strong, Christian former slave) and Wolf (a half breed wagon master).   I highly recommend this series if you enjoy reading about the Civil War era or enjoy Christian fiction that has some depth to it..

 

This is the 8^th book I’ve read this year about the 1800’s during the Civil War era and I would rank it second to Michael Phillips’ Shenandoah Sisters series.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

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"Sisters of the Confederacy" by Lauraine Snelling (A Secret Refuge Series)

This is the back cover (the front has a big library label on it)

Sisters of the Confederacy is the second book in the Secret Refuge series by Lauraine Snelling.  It is about God's protection of three sisters during the Civil War who each have different lives--one married and well off, Louisa living with her aunt in Virginia trying to save wounded soldiers, including her brother, and Jesselynn on her way to Oregon with her horses, her little brother, and her freed slaves to start over.  Jesse and her troop join up with a wagon train and her secret is discovered when she is thrown from her horse into a creek and getting all wet.  Jesse questions God about the war and why little children die but mean men get to live.  Both sisters are brave and feisty. 

I enjoyed this book because Jesselynn is such a strong woman and feels responsible for those traveling with her.  Sometimes she feels overwhelmed, especially when Daniel finds himself in jail and is about to be hanged for something he didn't do.  The horse race was exciting too and loved how she handled it.  I really liked the story line about Jesselynn, but the one about Louisa, not so much.  I look forward to reading the last one in this series.  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"Daughter of Twin Oaks" by Lauraine Snelling

 Daughter of Twin Oaks by Lauraine Snelling is the first book in her Secret Refuge Series that I enjoyed.  It is at the time of the Civil War and Jesselynn is the daughter left to run the family's tobacco plantation called Twin Oaks.  Her brother is off at war, her parents are both dead and her two sisters are living with an Aunt in Virginia.  Twin Oakes is in Kentucky and she is trying to keep her few horses from being taken for use in the war.  After giving all her slaves their freedom, they decide to stay and keep working at Twin Oaks anyhow.  She proceeds to take the horses to her Uncle's farm in Missouri until the war is over, thinking they will be safe there.  She takes a few of her former slaves along, a wagon, a mule and her little brother Thaddeus.  Dressing like man, she and her group start their trek, trying to keep from soldiers seeing them along the way.  The other story line was about Jesselynn's sister in Virginia who volunteered at the wounded soldiers hospital.  The faith of the daughters is challenged by all the bad things that happen.

This book is full of action and adventure.  I was beginning to wonder if they ever would make it.  It is a quick read and left me wanting more.  Interesting characters and it made me more aware of the obstacles families in the south had to deal with during the Civil War.  I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)     

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