The Silence of God (Gale Sears)

At the turn of the twentieth century, St. Petersburg offers the best of Imperial Russia. The vast country is filled with grand cathedrals, a faithful populace, and many people who love and revere Tsar Nicholas II and the Romanov family. But as Russia becomes further entrenched in the Great War, a revolution begins brewing within her own borders.
For the wealthy Lindlof family, the only Latter-day Saints living in St. Petersburg at the time, the glitz and glamour of the Silver Age soon dissolves into mass rebellion, dividing their family and testing their faith. Life for Agnes Lindlof will never be the same—changed forever by an ideology that forces equality and demands the silence of God.
Agnes’s lifelong friend, Natasha Ivanovna Gavrilova, is the daughter of a professor and a firm supporter of Bolshevik ideals; she doesn’t believe in God at all. Yet, when the waves of the revolution wash over her family and her friends, Natasha must examine her own heart and decide for herself what to believe and what voice to listen to.
Based on an amazing true story of the only Latter-day Saint family living in St. Petersburg during the Bolshevik Revolution, The Silence of God is a rare glimpse into a fascinating period of history and a powerful, extraordinary novel of devotion and loyalty.

This book had a lot of Russian history and footnotes in it. I think it had more facts about the Russian / Bolshevik Revolution than depicting a story about the family. I love historical fiction, but this one was too much.

Turning Hearts (Deanne Blackhurst)

“Jake and I have called off the wedding.” “Amanda’s mother, doing dishes at the sink, froze at Amanda’s words. Her father stared at her in dismay. “But why?” her mother asked. “You both seem so happy together.” “Is it a worthiness issue?” her father turned a grim eye on Jake, who blushed. “No, sir,” he said. “It’s nothing like that.” “Then why?” her mother repeated. Amanda took a deep breath. “Because I’m going on a mission.”

Amanda knows there’s a certain family out there that needs the gospel—and she also knows she’s the one who’s supposed to bring it to them. Her recurring dream makes it seem urgent—the dream with the shiny gold frame and the vaguely familiar faces smiling down at her. The dream in which her grandmother says, “You must find them. You’re the only one who can.”

When Amanda gets to California and starts teaching, she wonders which family she was sent there to find. What happens next is something she never would have expected.

Turning Hearts is an inspiring story of faith, love, and the bittersweet struggles of missionary work that you won’t want to miss.

This was a quick read. I felt like I was reading a missionaries homecoming talk. It is a story about this girls testimony of missionary work and shared some of her favorite events throughout her mission.

The Crossing Places (Elly Griffiths)

When she's not digging up bones or other ancient objects, Ruth Galloway lectures at the University of North Norfolk. She lives happily alone in a remote place called Saltmarsh overlooking the North Sea and, for company, she has her cats Flint and Sparky, and Radio 4.
When a child's bones are found in the marshes near an ancient site that Ruth worked on ten years earlier, Ruth is asked to date them. The bones turn out to be two thousand years old, and DCI Harry Nelson, who called on Ruth for help, is disappointed. He'd hoped they would be the bones of a child called Lucy who's been missing for ten years; he's been getting letters about her ever since. Then a second girl goes missing and Nelson receives more letters. Soon it becomes clear that Ruth is in grave danger from a killer who knows that her expert knowledge is being used to help the police with their enquiries.

I enjoyed the mystery of this story, but I had a hard time with the wording she used to describe things and situations.

Dangerous (Diana Palmer)

Tall, lean and headstrong, FBI agent Kilraven lives by his own rules. And one of those rules includes keeping his hands off Jacobsville’s resident sweetheart, Winnie Sinclair, no matter the temptation. Shy and innocent, Winnie couldn’t handle a man like him—a merciless man with a haunted past. And this small town may hold not only the woman he fights to resist, but the answers to a cold case that is very personal to Kilraven....
Winnie has had her own share of sorrow and senses Kilraven’s pain. Even though she tries to deny it, the gentle 911 operator feels a connection with the darkly handsome agent. When he makes the disturbing discovery that her family’s unsavory past might have a bearing on his case, Winnie is determined to help him crack it...and the ice around his heart.
As they combine forces in a dangerous investigation, the stakes rise ever higher. Winnie’s life is on the line, and she’ll need Kilraven more than ever. But if they are to have a future together, her ruthless Texan will need to confront his past and risk it all for their love.

Loved this adventure. Had to look past the sex scenes that were described in detail, but some of the information in the middle of the scenes was needed to see the humor at the end of the book.

Chasing Lilacs (Carla Stewart)

It is the summer of 1958, and life in the small Texas community of Graham Camp should be simple and carefree. But not for twelve-year-old Sammie Tucker. Sammie has plenty of questions about her mother's "nerve" problems. About shock treatments. About whether her mother loves her.When her mother commits suicide and a not-so-favorite aunt arrives, Sammie has to choose who to trust with her deepest fears: Her best friend who has an opinion about everything, the mysterious kid from California whose own troubles plague him, or her round-faced neighbor with gentle advice and strong shoulders to cry on. Then there's the elderly widower who seems nice but has his own dark past.Trusting is one thing, but accepting the truth may be the hardest thing Sammie has ever done.

The Fairy Godmother (Mercedes Lackey)

In the land of Five Hundred Kingdoms, if you can't carry out your legendary role, life is no fairy tale . . .
Elena Klovis was supposed to be her kingdom's Cinderella -- until an accident of fate left her with a completely inappropriate prince! Determined not to remain with her stepfamily, Elena set out to get a new job -- and ended up becoming the Fairy Godmother for the land.
But "Breaking with Tradition" was no easy matter. True, she didn't have to sleep in the chimney, but she had to deal with arrogant, stuffed-shirt princes who kept trying to rise above their place in the tale. In fact, one of them was so ornery that Elena could do nothing but change him into a donkey.
Still, her practical nature couldn't let him roam the country, so she brought the donkey -- er, the prince! -- home to her cottage to teach him some lessons. All the while keeping in mind that breaking with tradition can land everyone into a kettle of fish -- sometimes literally!
And so begins a whole new tale . . .

This was a fun read.

To Weave A Web Of Magic (Anthology)

These four extraordinary and renowned authors come together with stories of epic romance that live through the ages...of the beguiling and transforming power of beauty...of a woman awakening to the magic she possesses...of a world where human women pursue the love of angels...and of a medieval legend who comes thrillingly to life. Four stories to delight and enchant. Four rare talents destined to weave a web of magic that will leave you breathless...

Patricia McKillip's story of The Gorgon In The Cupboard was a bit too wierd for my tastes. I liked the idea that the artist finally realises that everything isnt always as it appears but could have done without the talking painting. Lynn Kurland's The Tale Of The Two Swords was very enjoyable. I think she should make this story into a full novel because I want to know more of what happens.

Sharon Shinn's Fallen Angel is definitely different from anything I've ever read. I'm not sure if I liked it or not. It is difficult to wrap my mind around this different world of angels living among us as just another race but I did like the characters.

An Elegy For Melusine, by Claire Delacroix, broke my heart. I hated the ending but liked the story up to then. I have heard a different version of this same story somewhere else.