The Girl in the Glass by Susan Meissner

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Publishers.  Meg has been waiting for almost twenty years to make a promised trip to Florence.   When it finally comes about it is completely different that she had always imagined it would be.  Meg finds herself arriving alone and completely unprepared.  With no where to stay she finds herself tracking down some of the authors that she has come to know through her publishing job.  Meg meets Sophia and begins a whirlwind tour of the city.  I really enjoyed this story.  Meg is an interesting character.  She is confused about many things, but she is willing to trust those around her.  She trusts her father when she has absolutely no reason to.  Meg spends a lot of time trying to figure things out and in the end she comes to the realizations that she needed to.  The characters all felt very real.  My heart ached for Sophia and the hard times that she has gone through.  I found myself loving Meg even more because of how she helps Sophia deal with the troubles that have come her way.  This was a fun story and I am glad that I had a chance to read and review it.  I would give it 4/5 stars. 

A Home in Drayton Valley by Kim Vogel Sawyer

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers.  Tarsie hates living in New Your City.  She has been saving her money for years to get herself out.  Eventually she is able to leave with her friend Mary and her family, and head for Drayton Valley Kansas.  Tragedy strikes when they are almost there and Tarsie's life takes a different path than she had imagined.  I enjoyed this book.  I really liked the character of Tarsie.  I found myself wanting her to succeed at what she was doing, and proud of the strength that she showed.  It was nice to see the changes that came over Joss and to see him become that Tarsie had always know he could be.  The story was well written and believable.  The romance was sweet and not overbearing.  I would give this book 4/5 stars. 

Undending Devotion by Jody Hedlund

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers.  Lilly and her sister have grown up in orphanages.  Lily has finally found a home for her sister and a job for herself.  She is trying to find a way to make a home for her sister and her self when her sister disappears and says that she is going to go and try and make some money at the lumber camps as a prostitute.  Lilly is devastated and does everything that she can to try and find and save her sister.  This story is trying to deal with a big issue, and trying to show us some of the ramifications that go along with it.  Overall I enjoyed the story, I liked the point that it was trying to make.  I did feel that the author was trying to bash me over the head with certain things.  The author dwelt on how Connell had to restrain himself around Lilly.  I felt that this was talked about more than it needed to be.  There were other instances where the author kept repeating things over and over.  I felt that the book could have been much shorter.  I would give it 2.5/5 stars.