"The Divorce Party"

Author: Laura Dave
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Penguin Group, 2009
Pages: 272
Rating: Highly Recommend

Synopsis: Two women at opposite ends of a marriage are trying to answer the same question: When should you fight to save a relationship and when should you begin to let go?

On their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary, Gwyn Huntington and her husband, Thomas, invite friends and family over for a most unusual celebration. Their home, Huntington Gall, has been in the family for generations after surviving the Great Hurricane of 1938, which tore Montauk apart. Instead of celebrating their life there, Gwyn and Thomas are toasting their divorce.

The weekend also marks the first time that their son, Nate, brings his fiancee, Maggie, home to Montauk. But Maggie finds herself wondering if it will be the last, because she discovers a secret Nate has kept for years.

A multigenerational novel about love, family, and what it means to build a life with someon, The Divorce Party brings us two immensely appealing women: Gwyn, at the end of her marriage, and her future daughter-in-law, Maggie, at the beginning. Though they make very different choices, both women ultimately discover how to create the lives they most want to lead.

Review: This book was much better than I expected. It's told from Gwyn's and Maggie's points of view in alternating chapters. The characters feel very real and it is easy for the reader to become a part of their lives.

Laura Dave takes her reader on an interesting exploration of relationships. This is a page-turner, but not a fast read. It has some qualities of Chick Lit, but with much more depth.

I guarantee this will make you think and reflect on your own relationships.

"Living Dead Girl"

Author: Elizabeth Scott
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Publisher: Simon Pulse, 2008
Pages: 169
Rating: Recommend


Synopsis: Once upon a time, I was a little girl who disappeared. Once upon a time, my name was not Alice. Once upon a time, I didn't know how lucky I was.

When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends - her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over. Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her. This is Alice's story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.  

Review: While this book is considered "young adult" fiction, I found the copy I read in the adult section of my library, with good reason. The content and subject matter are extremely disturbing and I wanted to stop reading, but I could not put the book down.

I did enjoy the author's writing style and the story is well-told. 

With Wings as Eagles

Author: Elaine Schulte
Genre: Christian Lit
Series: California Pioneers Series (Book 4)
Publisher: LifeJourney Books, 1991
Pages: 275
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: With Wings as Eagles is the fourth book in the exciting story of the Talbots, a Christian Family determined to penetrate the west with the reality of God's love.

Review: I'll admit it, I'm tired of this series. This book was not unlike the others in the series of course and introduces yet another couple. Again, one could read this without having read the others in the series. The first book in the series, The Journey West, is still my favorite.

Eternal Passage

Author: Elaine Schulte
Genre: Christian Lit
Series: California Pioneers Series (Book 3)
Publisher: LifeJourney Books, 1991
Pages: 185
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: Louisa Abigail Setter is fleeing her abusive husband, a Virginia slave market manager. If she acn only make ti to the California Territory, her relatives will take her in. But life becomes more complicated as she realizes her deepening feelings for the man who made her journey possible. And Louisa is more certain than ever that her only hope is in God.

Eternal Passage is the third book in the exciting story of the Talbots, a Christian Family determined to penetrate the west with the reality of God's love.

Review: In typical Schulte fashion, Eternal Passage is heartwarming and sweet.

Golden Dreams

Author: Elaine Schulte
Genre: Christian Lit
Series: California Pioneers Series (Book 2)
Publisher: LifeJourney Books, 1991
Pages: 252
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: Her fiance's death has pushed her into the arms of his twin brother, but Rose Wilmington knows this is not God's plan for her. In desperation, she boards a clipper ship to sail from Boston to California. But she soon becomes confused as to the intentions of a tall and handsome fellow passenger, and troubled by thoughts of what strange new experiences await her in the California - quickly becoming known for gold and greed.

Golden Dreams is the second book in the exciting story of the Talbots, a Christian Family determined to penetrate the west with the reality of God's love.

Review: Ever predictable, these stories can be heartwarming. I read the first in this series Journey West and like it. I had hoped the second book would pick up where the first book left off, but this is a whole new storyline.

While I like reading a series in order, it is not necessary in this instance.

Wyoming Brides

Author: Debbie Macomber
Genre: Christian Fiction
Publisher: Mira
Pages: 464
Rating: Recommend


(Dana's Note: This is 2 books in 1, Denim and Diamonds and The Wyoming Kid)


Synopsis: Denim and Diamonds: Rancher Chase Brown has always loved Letty Ellison, but nine years she left their small town for a different kind of life. Now she's come home to Red Springs with her dreams in tatters - and a five-year-old child in tow. She's ready to trade the false glitter of Hollywood for the true happiness of being a rancher's fie. Chase's wife. But is it too late? 


The Wyoming Kid: Rancher Lonny Ellison is an ex-rodeo cowboy who's used to the adulation of women. But that's something he doesn't get from Joy Fuller. In fact, they argue constantly. His sister, Letty, says it's because he's interested in Joy. . .and Lonny figures she's right. Can he convince Joy that marriage to the Wyoming Kid will be as exciting as an eight-second bull ride and can be as sweet as the cookies she likes to bake. 

Review: Denim and Diamonds was my favorite of the two. The Wyoming Kid was slightly drawn out and repetitious. However, Macomber does a great job of tying these stories together in one novel. 


Macomber is one of my favorite authors for sweet, cute (non-trashy) romantic reads. While predictable and formulaic, I can't help but wish my life was as such a neatly wrapped package as the characters' in her books.


If you like Debbie Macomber, this is a must read. If you've never read Debbie Macomber, these two novels are a great introduction of her style.

The Journey West

Author: Elaine Schulte
Genre: Christian Lit
Series: California Pioneers Series (Book 1)
Publisher: LifeJourney Books, 1991
Pages: 274
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: So far, Annie Windsor Talbot has enjoyed a life of wealth and privilege. But suddenly she finds herself orphaned, bankrupt, and dependent on the assistance of her Christian relatives who are moving west. Stunned by the turn of events, she must learn to cope with the physical and emotional strain of a wagon train journey in the company of a family whose faith she cannot understand, and a young man whose presence disturbs her.

The Journey West is the first book in the exciting story of the Talbots, a Christian family determined to penetrate the west with the reality of God's love.

Review: Not the best of the Christian writers (I still prefer Janette Oke), but I enjoyed this story for what it is. I picked it up off the table at a book sale and for $.50 it was well worth my time. I'd like to see if I can find the other books in this series. If you like Christian fiction, then I recommend this book.