Trapped

Trapped by Irene Hannon.

Every teenager suffers through rules. The curfews are too early. The bedroom doesn't have to be clean if you close the door. The backpack gets left on the couch. Every teenager pushes the boundaries of authority.

However, Laura Griffith wasn't prepared for her step-sister's resentment of every request Laura made of her. Darcy's father died only a few months before and yet it feels like a lifetime go. Darcy inherited their mother's free-spirit. Laura's life is practical and organized. Their worlds collide when all they have left is each other.

Darcy feels anything but gratitude and eventually she takes off. She's lined up a place to stay in Chicago if only she can get a ride through the winter storm blanketing St. Louis. As the storm draws out her departure date, Darcy befriends a volunteer at a shelter. Mark is a kind guy who is almost too good to be true. Eventually, Darcy realizes he is when Mark traps her in a soundproof room in his basement.

Laura Griffith turns to Phoenix, Inc for help in locating her wayward step-sister. James Devlin is a former ATF agent who knows the risks that a teenager on the street faces. He takes the case hoping to relieve the fears that haunt Laura.

The reunion between Laura and Darcy culminates in an inferno of sisters learning how to encourage each other to live.

Hannon is one of the top suspense writers for Christian fiction. She keeps you guessing as to how the case is going to be solved.

Melinda Baker 1980-2013

Having just turned 33, I've been contemplating that Jesus fulfilled His purpose on Earth in his 33rd year. It makes me wonder if the night before He contemplated all He had accomplished and the weight of what the year ahead might bring.

I don't consider 33 to be old. I barely consider it to be old enough. I don't consider myself old. At this point in my life, I'm moving beyond the adventure stage and to the homesteading stage. The temptation has fled to remain in constant motion. I don't know how I would feel if this was my last year; if before I had turned 34 it was over.

If my final year was this one, I hope that I've made an impact. It won't ever be to the extent that Christ's impact has changed the world. Regardless of how long I live, I hope that I leave an impression of Jesus behind.

If I only have until I turn to 34:

1. I want to finish the book that I'm starting for NANOWRIMO.
2. I want the book to be honest and thought-provoking.
3. I want to convey how deeply I love everyone in my life with each passing day.
4. I want to leave an impression of Jesus everywhere I go.
5. I want to spend a few hours seeing shapes in the clouds.
6. I want to see a sunrise and a sunset with someone special.
7. I want to give more than I receive.

Glittering Promises

Glittering Promises by Lisa T. Bergren

Third book in the Grand Tour series.

The rebirth of Cora Diehl Kensington comes full circle. After discovering that she's part of the wealthy Kensington family and joining them for a Grand Tour through Europe, Cora becomes a tabloid sensation. The story of a poor girl coming into a wealthy inheritance has caught the eye of reports, paparazzi, and criminals.

Cora follows her heart and defies society by picking her tour guide, Will. Despite being pursued by a wealthy Frenchman, Cora believes her future is with Will. However, doubt and insecurity being to creep in and soon enough their promising future looks a bit uncertain. Along the way more attempts are made on Cora's life as loss continues to pile up for the Kensington family.

I'm glad  this series is over. There was never any doubt who Cora would choose and the journey to get there was exhausting. At every turn there seemed to be a more ridiculous obstacle in Cora's way. Sudden jealousies arise between Will and Cora that were fabricated through ridiculous plot points. As the tour comes to a close Cora is dodging metaphorical bullets. She's been kidnapped more than once. She's been fooled repeatedly. This series would have benefited from being a single book on the longer side. It reached beyond ridiculous at points.

When we finally reach the end, it is abrupt and anorexic. I wanted more and it wasn't there. We wasted too much time on ridiculousness and the payout wasn't enough.

I wanted to like this series more. However, between the uncomfortable reading of switching voices when moving between points of view and the drawn out plots, I just couldn't endorse this series.