The Passion of Mary-Margaret by Lisa Samson (Thomas Nelson)

Because of the circumstances of her birth, Mary-Margaret believes herself to be destined to live as a religious sister. She lives her life based on her plans to marry Jesus - and has no use for any boys. However, while growing up on a small island off Chesapeake Bay, Mary-Margaret forms a friendship with Jude, a boy with demons no one ever imagines.

The two lose touch after Jude disappears into Baltimore's red-light district. Mary-Margaret prays for his soul, but otherwise pursues the life she's always planned on. Until Jude comes home diseased, depressed and in dire need.

Jesus calls Mary-Margaret to fill that need - but it will cost her everything she's ever known or hoped for. Can she trust Jesus' plan for her life?

This is an amazing book of hope, healing, trusting, pursuit and friendship. Filled with metaphors of God's relationship with us, Samson tells a story of love, grace and mercy. Written as if we are reading the diary Mary-Margaret leaves for the Sisters at St. Mary's School, we get to travel through her deepest thoughts and feelings. Samson explores sacrificing for the Lord and how He uses us to accomplish His plans and win souls - and what an honor it is to be included.

Samson knows how to hook readers and keep them. This book had me smiling and in tears and crying out to the Lord. Mary-Margaret had to decide if she believed God's plan for her life would be better than her own - something we all must decide.

I love to read!

My husband often comes home to find me with my head buried in a book. And I tell him, "I love to read."

I think most people who like to read, enjoy it. They find it as a relaxing activity - something to do, a way to escape reality or visit a new place, a way to learn.

I find it to be all that and more. It is a passion of mine. Or an addiction. I crave reading like others crave caffeine. I love immersing myself in another world. In "meeting" new people - people I'll never have awkward silences with or who have the opportunity to judge me. I get to peek into their minds, their world and be a part of it for awhile. Even though they are usually fictional people.

I love when a good book surprises me or makes me laugh. Tears are not uncommon. Life's stresses seem a little easier when I can escape for awhile. And, escape I do. If the book is good and has captured my attention, I cannot put it down until I've finished. I often get disappointed when it's over - like a movie you don't want to end. I don't always realize what's going on around me or how much time has passed.

The act of reading amazes me. God allowed our brains to process symbols and gain meaning from them. He gave us imaginations so we could fill in the blanks or picture the words in our minds. Television fails to stimulate our imaginations the way a book does.

Well, I've gone on long enough for one day. I just thought I'd let you know that I love to read.

Seaside Letters by Denise Hunter

In this powerful story of love and redemption, Denise Hunter exemplifies God's unrelenting love for us through Tucker's love for Sabrina.

Sabrina grew up in the shadows of her beautiful cousins and when her fiance leaves her, it strengthens her belief that she's unworthy of love. Tucker meets her at the cafe where she works and seeks her out.

His pursuit mimics the way God seeks out His people. This romantic tale will take you on a journey of sadness, romance, despair, redemption and joy.

Hunter creates characters that come alive and invite you to join them on their journey of God-seeking. I hurt when Sabrina hurt and rejoiced when Tucker finally got to kiss his girl.

This is a must-read for anyone looking for a little romance and a reminder of God's grace.

Love Starts with Elle by Rachel Hauck

In this Christian fiction novel, Elle Garvey thinks she has everything she could ever want - she owns an art gallery, lives near her family in the beautiful city of Beaufort, SC, owns a home; and her boyfriend has just proposed.

But Jeremiah has plans of his own and Elle isn't sure those plans have room for her. Elle forms a new friendship with her new tenant and his young daughter, which complicates the issues of her heart.

God strips her bare and shows her that His plans far outshine our own.

I loved this story of God's provision. Elle's life takes turns that she would never have imagined, but surpasses her dreams.

The characters are so real and I was quickly drawn into their world. These characters have hopes and dreams and flaws and individual personalities that make them easy to relate to. Elle agrees to meet an older woman at church daily to pray. Her relationship with the Lord - and the way she tackles problems - vastly improves. It is so convicting - not only to pray more, but to dedicate time to hearing from the Lord.

If you are looking for a contemporary story that will challenge and delight you, I highly recommend this book.

A Day with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory

In this follow up to Dinner with a Perfect Stranger, David Gregory introduces Nick Cominsky's wife, Mattie. In this fictional novel, she meets a stranger on an airplane who reaches out to her. She is able to confide in him over her worries about her husband's new found faith, how it will affect their marriage and a secret she's never shared before. This man understands her like no one ever has and makes her open to believe things she never thought possible.

I found this book to be inspiring and informative. This book is good for new Christians, for those questioning their faith or for those who have ever been questioned.