Zada Connaway Author of "Mother's Journals : parts 1, 2 and 3"

Sue Durkin is the author of 'Life Is Like Making Chocolate Chip Cookies.'

This is a sensible little book that aims to uplift and offers support as well as some great techniques to use as stress relievers. Sue writes as though she is in conversation with the reader, which puts you at ease with her.

She shares some of her own trials and how she overcame them without becoming 'preachy'. This is a short and easy to read book that I will keep by my bedside for a long time.

You can find her here: http://www.weavingdreamspublishing.com/

This well written novel takes place in the Scottish Highlands where a long family history in the area follows the highly independent heroine into romance and mystery. Victoria's descriptions gave me a picture of a place I have never seen.

After quitting her job in Edinburgh due to a failed romance, Anna moves to her family place in the country. A mystery man appears on the loch one day and mysterious events leave her wondering about his intent. Is someone out to 'get' her? Shots fired while on a walk are startling, and other mysterious events make her think she is in danger.

Is the uninvited American visitor protecting her or trying to harm her? The Laird complicates matters when he too tries to woo her. She has a dillema between trying to protect herself from unseen forces and enjoying her home on the Loch. Who will she choose, and will she actually choose one of them?

There is plenty of action and romance in this novel along with drama and suspense.

You can find purchasing information and read more about this lady Here:  http://www.victoriahoward.co.uk/

Brenda Hill has managed to tell a tale of mystery entwined skillfully with romance and sorrow.

Lisa Montgomery finds herself in dire straights when her husband dies after many years of marriage. She manages to climb out of her depression and go on with life, only to find her husband had hidden many things and left her seriously in debt.

She begins a quest to find what had happened to the money that should have been left. This quest causes her pain and anguish, but she is unable to stop seeking and finds romance during the search. I was unable to quit reading.

This is a good story of hope and new beginnings.

Ms. Hill is a skilled and talented author--you can check out her other works here:  http://www.brendahill.com/

Wooffer, by Betty Fasig

Review of “Innocence Betrayed - A Dad's Story of Clergy Misconduct"

By Zada Connaway

In Helen Wisocki and Curt Szajnecki's blockbuster book, "Innocence Betrayed-- A Dad's Story of Clergy Misconduct", they deftly illustrate 

what any family can suffer at the hands of a less than scrupulous spiritual figurehead.  When Dee and Jim welcomed their new pastor to their 

church, little did they realize the devilishly evil heart he hid under his robes.  When this man tries to move in on Jim’s family, he is suspicious. 

But being a good Christian, he tries to overlook certain things, and is glad his wife is finding fulfillment in doing church work.  

He does not expect this ‘man of God’ to go against the church’s code of misconduct and the Ten Commandments  so blatantly.

 As you read, you will become part of this family while they are torn apart and enter a realm of chaos.  Family units are supposed to be held together by the churches they attend and the counseling they afford.  In this shocking case, the opposite was true.  If you have wondered why even the most infamous incidents involving churches where a minister, pastor or priest who perpetrate evil deeds disappear from the news after once being reported, this book will offer some explanation.  You will also see, like our own federal government, church governments can be just as shady and conduct cover ups of the misconduct of their trusted members and employees.

This is not a new phenomenon, and seems to occur in most religions.  I am certain many cases are never reported and do not make the media unless there is murder, molestation or rape involved.  While most churches are safe places and the majority of clergymen are honest, this book may change your view of organized religion forever, and make you question the actions of clergymen everywhere regardless of denomination.  Prepare yourself to be alarmed and become very suspicious of any actions by clergy.

I consider this book an important 5 star book, especially for parents everywhere to read.

Zada Connaway

Author of “Mother’s Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3”

ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0

In Curtis Gibson's wonderful novel, "Daddy's Tavern"  I found a neighborhood in decay, woven into a tapestry rich with the human element. Amidst despair, poverty and immorality, Mr. Gibson skillfully paints a canvas with his words that engulf the reader with a wealth of sights, sounds and scents.

His central characters are well developed and one can easily experience the feelings of each person as they go through them. This is a tale of love and hate, of trial and triumph. There are kinships and friendships that transcend blood relationships, depicting both the good and bad aspects of the human psyche. I found this story both heartbreaking and uplifting alternately throughout. It will fill you with hope.

This is a terrific ride on the roller coaster of life that I would recommend to anyone, and willingly give it 5 stars ***** as a rating.

Zada Connaway

You can check his site for more info : http://www.freewebs.com/blackjackcooper/

Leavin’ Sandlick and Speakin’ Appalachian

While reading Mary Ellen Goble Preece's latest book, Leavin’ Sandlick and Speakin’ Appalachian, one is transported to an area and an era seldom visited or spoiled by the outside world. In her simply told stories, complete with the actual dialect as it is spoken, the reader is given a heart warming and sometimes humorous glimpse into the lives of the people who inhabit the Appalachian area she grew up in. The stories are short and compelling. Although this book is small in pages, it is immense with meaning.

Mrs. Preece manages to show the pure and simple hearts of those who were and still are in the stories; and while some of her stories have morals to them, others are simply a view into how life was and still is in this part of the world. Families and neighbors are portrayed in such a way as to make one long to be a part of their community.

The use of the dialect spoken in the area enhances the stories in such a way that you wind up completely understanding, and perhaps even using some of the terms. She is also able to bring an understanding of the extreme importance of religion in the lives of those involved, and the commendable influence it had, and one would hope, still has over their actions.

At the end of the book, she has included an appendix which cites several sources giving an explanation of where the dialect comes from and it's usage. She has also thoughtfully included a glossary of words and terms, for anyone who has questions on the meanings of various words and phrases used in the book.

I found this to be a well written and easy to read book that should be often read and held dear by anyone who is priveleged enough to hold it in their hands. In other words, I would highly recommend this book to anyone, and give it a definite five star *****rating.

Zada Connaway

View Mrs. Preece's site for other titles and ordering info:  www.freewebs.com/megpreece

I just finished reading Anne Maisy Scott's book, "April Showers". This is the review I gave it:

In her book, "April Showers", Ms. Scott has used a vast array of characters to delve into the dynamics of a very dysfunctional family where love and hate coexist. It runs the gamut from alcoholism and drug abuse to multiple personality disorder and on through sexual abuse and blind denial. The effects of these abuses snake through the entire family in this story like the tentacles of an octopus, touching each character in different ways. Anyone reading this book is sure to identify with at least one of the characters in this book, and be transported into the scenes portrayed here. It is a startling and candid account of a family at it worst and its best at the same time. I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks their childhood was abusive. Truly an eye opener!

Zada Connaway

Meet the author here : http://www.freewebs.com/annemaisyscott 

On A Rainy Day,

a romantic novella by Rhonda Noble

ISBN: 1-4241-8450-9

In this easy to read and well written little novella, Rhonda takes you on a winding and twisted tale of good love that meets with disaster.  Her characters are believable, and more real than with the usual romance novel.  In fact, her characters are not teenagers or even young adults.  With children gone, life changes for parents. Rhonda deals with this issue well, as her characters are older which this no longer young reader finds quite refreshing.  I must confess that I do not usually read romances, but Mrs. Noble got my attention from the first page.  This is not a piece of fluff, but a rather serious piece of work, that begs for a sequel.

The phrase “The heart never lies; it knows when it has truly been loved”  was passed to Catherine by her mother, and rings true throughout the tale.  Her memories of a happy childhood and loving family are entrenched deep in her soul, and carry her through rough waters.  Temptation and dissatisfaction with life in general make Catherine reach out to a stranger on the internet, and the tale begins in earnest.  Will she stray from her loving husband?  It’s in the book, if you want to know how she handles her longings.

The story line will tug at your heart, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick romance novel to read.

(view her site here:   www.freewebs.com/rhondanoble )

Zada Connaway

Author of “Mother’s Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3”

ISBN #    1-4241-6969-0