Prize of My Heart was a good read – easily read in about 2 hours. [Guess what I did Sunday afternoon.] It’s the first time I’ve read anything by Lisa Norato; I’d probably pick up another of her books if I see it. I didn’t really relate to the story, but I enjoyed reading it. The plot is no surprise, but it’s one that hasn’t been done over and over. I like the characters and going between the hero and heroine’s point of view. The Biblical truths of assurance and forgiveness are presented throughout the book.

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I did not get to finish Chasing the Sun (Land of the Lone Star). I’m part way through and so far it’s typical Tracie Peterson – which is good! If you have read Christian fiction for any length of time you are familiar with Tracie’s books. If you just started reading Christian fiction you need to become familiar with Tracie’s books.

This story is set in Texas during the Civil War and Indian troubles. The characters are true to life and could easily be real people. Just in the small part I’ve already read Tracie Peterson has woven Biblical lessons and encouragement. The plot isn’t a new one, but I’m not sure which way it’s going to go. Sometimes it’s comforting to figure out the main plot while surprises happen around it.

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I’ve known the story of Abraham and Sarah as far back as I can remember. I expected Sarai: A Novel (Wives of the Patriarchs)
to be either A: over-fictionalized or B: boring. I was pleasantly surprised because it was actually C: none of the above. The story stays close to the Bible account with just enough dialogue to keep me reading. Jill Eileen Smith portrays Sarai in a way that easily blends with all I’ve learned about the Biblical character. She portrays Abram better than I’ve thought. [I agree with her portrayal. Maybe it's just all those gray haired old man visuals I've used to teach Sunday classes.] I really enjoyed the talk of Abram’s faith and how the people around him believe because of his faith. Then there’s Lot and his wife. This is the part of the story that has a bit more fiction added to it, but it’s done in a good way.

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I’m breaking a bunch of personal rules by writing this review, and I find that oddly coincidental. I wasn’t going to read it. I was extremely happy for Emily that she got the book contract, persevered through writing it, and actually had a published book; but I wasn’t going to read it. What were my reasons?

• She doesn’t use the same Bible version as I do.
• She talked about masks and feeling inadequate, and I didn’t need that – did I?
• I don’t try awfully hard – do I?
• It just isn’t my type of book – non-fiction AND religious.