The Dating Games #1 by Melody Carlson

The Story: 
Five high school friends have one thing in common as they start their sophomore year: none of them have ever been on a "real" date. With homecoming looming, they make a pact and start a secret club they call the DG (Dating Game). They're sworn to secrecy--and to purity--but the club is their way to set each other up on their first dates so they can report back to the DG. Of course, they all make different choices about how to deal with their parents and how to act on their dates, and they discover that they all have totally different experiences. Still, the things they learn about boys and dating will stick with them throughout high school.
Bestselling author and teen favorite Melody Carlson starts off her newest series with a good dose of fun, tackling two topics teen girls love to read about--friends and boys. 

My Review: 
First off I love to read YA especially when it has a Christian base. I didn't get much out of this book spiritually but overall it was a great novel.It was a quick read and I would recommend it for ages 14+.
*Parents
Before letting your child read this book I caution that you speak to them about dating and how you feel about it and your rules.

I've always had the feeling that dating was something that was to be done when you found the right guy but this book treats dating like your first date is just something to get out of the way.
Don't get me wrong this is a great book with good characters that teaches girls about friendship and how to stick together but I wouldn't recommend it to girls who are home-schooled or don't understand what dating is truly about.

I felt as though I connected with the character Cassidy most in the book. She wanted to wait until college to date but she let her friends convince her to join the "Dating Games" club. I felt as though she should have stood her ground.
I at 19 years of age still haven't had a "First Date" and I'm happy with that,I even went to prom with a guy friend.
So in closing I will give this book 3 stars because I did enjoy it but only because I am firm in my decision to not date.

On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin

Here’s The Story:
Lt. Georgiana Taylor has everything she could want. A comfortable boyfriend back home, a loving family, and a challenging job as a flight nurse. But in July 1943, Georgie’s cozy life gets decidedly more complicated when she meets pharmacist Sgt. John Hutchinson. Hutch resents the lack of respect he gets as a noncommissioned serviceman and hates how the war keeps him from his fiancée. While Georgie and Hutch share a love of the starry night skies over Sicily, their lives back home are falling apart. Can they weather the hurt and betrayal? Or will the pressures of war destroy the fragile connection they’ve made?

My Review:
I won On Distant Shores though a giveaway, all opinion’s are true and my own.
This is a very well written book. I didn’t have any problems reading it and didn’t catch myself turning the pages back and asking myself “When did that happen?”
The characters were very lifelike, it felt as if I really knew them. Georgie is such a wonderful character and I found myself wishing that I had a friend like her.
Georgie and Hutch struggled with real life problems that even though this book is set during WWII can be applied in a different way to today’s time.
This book is also rich in history and I’m sure not even the pickiest of history buffs could find fault in Sarah’s research.
So if your looking for a great Christian Fiction reach this is it.  On Distant Shores was rich with history,romance and action. There’s so much you can learn from historical fiction and Sarah Hit the nail on the head. 5 stars! Now I want more!!

Stranded By Dani Pettrey

Here’s The Story:
When her friend vanishes from a cruise ship, reporter Darcy St. James isn’t satisfied with their explanation that she simply left her job of her own accord. Something isn’t lining up, and Darcy believes the only way to find the truth is to put herself in Abby’s position. Within days, Darcy learns her friend wasn’t the only person to disappear mysteriously. Last summer, a woman vanished under almost identical circumstances.
Gage McKenna has taken a summer-long stint leading adventure excursions for the passengers of various cruise lines that dock for a few days of sightseeing. He’s surprised to find Darcy working aboard one of the ships, investigating a troubling report. Something sinister is going on and the deeper they dig the more Gage fears they’ve only discovered the tip of the iceberg.

My Review:
My discovery of Dani Pettrey’s books was because someone gifted me one of her books and ever since I’ve been in love. The Alaskan Courage series is so amazing. After you’re finished you feel as if you’ve been in a fun class learning about something you enjoy. Add mystery, action, drama, excitement and romance, an extremely handsome, rugged, strong man and you’ve hit the 5 star list for me. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

Chateau Of Secrets by Melanie Dobson

I received Chateau of Secrets to review by Melanie Dobson and I have to say I'm amazed! I've always loved history and have had a special interest in the World War II era since reading Anne Frank, but my view was limited to a 13 years olds point of view. I didn't know a lot about the German Army including that Jews served. The book is shown through 2 points of view; Gisèle Duchant (who is based off a real person) and her Granddaughter Chloe and follows Gisèle's heroic fight to protect the ones she loves and Chloe's journey to learning about her family's history. With the Nazis bearing down on Normandy Gisèle has secrets to keep, she fears that the Nazis will learn that she is harboring a Jewish child and French resistant fighters. Years later a German officer who is a Jew himself helps her and a orphanage full of children escape, one of those children they later adopt. I loved this book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an enthralling story they will hold in their heart forever.