2 books: Watchers on the Hill, and Dangerous to Know

I finished it a few days ago. Written by Stephanie Grace Whitson, this is a Christian romance book of pioneer, ranching, and U. S. Cavalry days on the American frontier. A widow returns to her father's home to make a new life for herself and her wayward son. Romance beckons.
This book is the second in a series. While it could have stood alone successfully, there were too many annoying references to earlier times. (I have not read the first of the series.) However, it was a pleasant way to pass time.



Another romance, not Christian, written by Barbara Taylor Bradford. I started it yesterday, and am not liking the "spicy" passages. However, I probably will keep reading, just to find out who killed the old man. (Not a spoiler; we learn of his death on the first page.)

August 2 - On second thought, I won't finish it. I'll flip to the back to see how it ends, but I don't think I can swallow any more.

Under a Blackberry Moon: A Novel, by Serena B. Miller

From my church's library. Read and reviewed for LibraryThing in September, 2014

A Christian romance with excitement and danger. A young starving Chippewa widow with a baby seeks refuge in a lumber camp where she becomes an assistant to the cook and a friend of the owner and his wife. When danger of another kind threatens in town, she and her baby take off to reunite with her people, accompanied by Skypilot, an itinerant preacher. Their steamship explodes while navigating Lake Superior; the Indian Moon Song and her baby, Skypilot, and the young wife of an Army commander are the only survivors. Moon Song's native skills keep them alive; she can forage for food, devise shelter, swim, and find safe refuge. Knowing from past experience that white men are unreliable, she leaves Skypilot as she nears her village. Meanwhile, the young wife, Isabella, goes into a severe depression over the loss of her husband and baby in the shipwreck, and experiences a psychotic episode when she temporaily mistakes Moon Song's child for her own. There are other adventures before she reaches her homeland, and Skypilot has some decisions to make, as well. Then there is the attempt of the American government to take the native children far away from home to an "Indian school."

This was a surprisingly good book. I will look for more by this author.

Flabbergasted: A Novel, by Ray Blackston

Read and reviewed for a Christian book club meeting in May, 2012. Given to a friend.

A young man moves to a new town clear across the country, and wants to meet girls. He is advised to go to church to find girls. On a very remarkable and adventurous singles' beach trip, he encounters Jesus Christ and becomes a believer.

This is written in a very humorous and light-hearted style, not at all heavy or "preachy."

Lo, Michael, by Grace Livingston Hill

Read, reviewed, and released in July, 2010

A young street urchin is rescued from the slums, and falls in love with his benefactor's daughter. Light reading, full of early 20th century class struggles. In some ways, reminiscent of Dickens.

Promises Beyond Jordan, by Vanessa Davis Griggs

I read and reviewed this book on Bookcrossing in September, 2002. It has been "released in the wild" via Bookcrossing, and has not been heard from to date.

I enjoyed this book very much. It is a Christian romance about African-Americans. The characters are very well-written, and there are many surprising twists and turns in the plot. It will keep you guessing! I plan to release it into the wild today.