Never the Bride is a novel adaptation of Cheryl McKay's play of the same name.

Book Summary and Review:

Jessie Stone dreams of the perfect marriage proposal, the perfect wedding dress, and the perfect groom. Eleven bridesmaid dresses hang in her closet. Journals full of her hopes and dreams--lovingly recorded with her purple plumed pen--grace her bookshelf.

The only thing Jessie needs to make her dreams come true is, well, a groom.

Enter God.

In the flesh.

As God becomes more and more real to Jessie, He asks her to give her plans and dreams to Him. He asks her to give Him her precious purple pen.

Can she do it? More importantly, can she place her full trust in a God Who promises her the best love story, the Author of the greatest love story of all time?

This novel contains an amazing story. It's more than "just a Christian romance." It's a story of trust, of faith, and yes, of love--but not just the romantic love of Jessie's journal. I laughed out loud while reading this story, and at times I cried as well.

One of the truths in this delightful story is that God's timing is most certainly not our own, nor is it always the most convenient. another is that often our own hopes and desires get in the way of God's plans for us. How frustrating that must be for Him. And yet, He loves us. Me. You. The world.

I wondered as I read this novel, could I relinquish my own beloved blue gel pen to my Saviour, my Friend, my God? I hope and pray that if He asks it of me, I'll willingly comply.

I highly recommend this novel. What a great summer read!

You can purchase the book here.

Author info:

Cheryl McKay is the co-author (with Frank Peretti) of the Wild and Wacky, Totally True Bible Stories series, which has sold nearly 200,000 copies, and the screenwriter of the award-winning film The Ultimate Gift. Rene Gutteridge has published thirteen novels including Ghost Writer, My Life as a Doormat, the Boo Series, the Occupational Hazards Series, and the Storm Series. Together, McKay and Gutteridge are the authors of The Ultimate Gift, a novelization based on the feature film and popular book by the same title.

You've probably heard all the hype and seen Melissa Gilbert on the Today show or the View this week, promoting her new memoir, Prairie Tale.

For fans of the television show "Little House on the Prairie," this book gives the "behind the scenes" you might not necessarily want to read. But if you want to read about the personal and professional growth of an actress as she comes of age and self-awareness, this is the book for you.

Please be aware that this book is for older teens and adults; I'd give it an R rating for language and some content.

I appreciate Gilbert's honesty and forthrightness in her personal journey. It can't have been easy to write, but it was absolutely fascinating reading for this fan.

JILLIAN DARE by Melanie M. Jeschke

Publisher's Summary:

Jillian Dare leaves her Shenandoah Valley foster home behind and strikes out on her own as a nanny at a large country estate in northern Virginia. She is delighted with the beauty of her new home, the affection of her young charge Cadence Remington, and the opportunity for frequent travel to the Remington castle in England.

She is less certain about her feelings for her handsome but moody employer, Ethan. In spite of herself, Jillian realizes she is falling for her boss. But how can a humble girl ever hope to win a wealthy man of the world? And what dark secrets from the past is he hiding? This contemporary story, inspired by the well-loved classic Jane Eyre, will capture readers' hearts.

Pattie's Review:

I really liked this novel. Then again, I like contemporary retellings of classic stories, if they are well-done. This one was very well-done. While Jillian at first glance seems too good to be true, she proves herself to be a well-rounded and modern realistic literary reincarnation of Jane Eyre.

The story follows Jane Eyre pretty closely, but with modern technological additions and the still-fascinating (to American eyes, anyway) family castle with creepy secret passageways...

OK, enough details! If you liked Jane Eyre (or even if it's not your favorite British novel), you'll enjoy Jillian Dare.

Taking Tuscany by Renee Riva

Publisher's Summary:

A. J. Degulio loved the idea of a visit to the Old Country... until her family decided to stay. It's 1972 and she's turning fourteen in a crumbling castle on a hill in Tuscany, wishing she were back in Idaho with her beloved dog, Sailor. In Italy, her blonde hair makes her stick out like a vanilla wafer in a box of chocolate biscotti, and she's so lonely her best friend is a nun from the local convent.

The challenges of roots and relatives are nothing new to A. J., but she's going to need more than the famous Degulio sense of humor to survive. Can't anyone see that Italy isn't really home? It will take a catastrophe - and a few wise words from a friend - for A. J. to understand that sometimes the only thing you can change is your perspective.

Pattie's Review:

The whole time I was reading this, and loving it, I felt like it was reminding me of another wonderful and delightful book. Then it hit me: This book is a delightful coming-of-age story that reminds me of a bit lighter version of I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith.

I whipped through this book quickly. It was very difficult to put down! I truly, truly enjoyed it. It was delightful, laugh-aloud funny, and poignant. It has a lovable, likeable protagonist, letters, a dog (and a horse), quirky family members, and even a few nuns.

I'll be passing this book along to my daughter, who will be thirteen in the fall. I think she'll find a lot to relate to in this lovely novel.

I have never read any of Renee Riva's books before. This book is a sequel to Saving Sailor, but I was not lost without reading the first book. (I will, however, be reading it when I can get my hands on a copy!)