Book picks similar to
One Smooth Stone by Marcia Lee Laycock


fiction
christian-fiction
book-club-reviews
inspirational

Out of Darkness


Erynn Newman - 2017
    . . if the CIA, international arms dealers, and her best friend don’t stand in the way.Elisabeth Allen gave her heart to Jesus as a little girl and to Drew Marek as a teenager. When their wedding day finally arrives, it’s the happiest day of her life—until a bomb transforms her dream come true into a living nightmare.As Best Man at the wedding, Gabriel Di Salvo promises Drew—his best friend and CIA partner—he’ll look after Elisabeth, but he never dreams it will become necessary so soon. As Elisabeth struggles to put the pieces of her life back together without Drew, Gabe becomes her rock, and as they share their grief and begin to heal, their friendship gradually deepens into something more.Three years later, Gabe and Elisabeth are planning a future together when he receives a shocking call from the one man who can upend his happiness: Drew. Suspecting someone at the CIA is behind his abduction, Drew refuses to come home. Instead, he asks Gabe to bring Elisabeth to him. Now Gabe just has to figure out how to let her go.Drew and Elisabeth race across Europe, dodging international arms dealers and attempting to reclaim what was stolen from them. But years of captivity and torture have left their mark on Drew. He is no longer the same boy Elisabeth fell in love with, but he is still Elisabeth’s husband, and she is determined to build something new and not allow her relationship with Gabe to come between them.When their enemies close in and the threat of a terrorist attack escalates, Gabe may be the only person they can trust. Drew, Elisabeth, and Gabe are thrown into a fight for their lives—one that will test their loyalties to God, country . . . and each other.

Second Chance in Summit County


Katherine Karrol - 2018
    God, however, had other plans. Her: “My marriage, career, and reputation just crashed around me and eliminated the little trust I had left in myself to make good decisions. I packed my bags, shook the dust off my feet, and started driving, begging God to tell me where to go. He brought me to a tiny, charming Northern Michigan town, where I’m recreating my life from scratch – without men.” Him: “My whole world turned upside down when I lost the love of my life and had to start over as a single father. I am now both mother and father to my little girl and have built my life around taking care of her; and protecting my heart from ever being hurt like that again. Love is not a part of my life anymore.” God: “We’ll see about that.” Can two people who have sworn off love stop fighting their attraction long enough to see that God is doing something? Can they trust Him enough to risk giving happiness another try?

Song of the Shepherd Woman


Carlene Havel - 2017
    Avram is known to be a peculiar, perhaps dangerous, man. His wife Yael cannot speak. Nevertheless, they are kind to Channah and teach her how to care for sheep. When her stepfather unexpectedly announces her betrothal to a Jerusalem tanner, the girl is forced to leave the only home she knows. Channah looks forward to a loving husband, but soon learns she is to be Enos the tanner’s second wife. The beautiful first wife is barren, and she resents her youthful rival. Channa struggles to adjust to marriage and city life, cherishing the hope of someday having her own child to love.

Don't Abandon the Superstar (Strong Family Romances #8)


Cami Checketts - 2020
    When their mixed luck crosses paths, life will never be the same. Is love at first sight possible? Austin Strong didn’t believe it, until Kate Joy met his gaze, and he crashed into a glass wall. Life would never be the same for the irresistible charmer of the Strong family, and he doesn’t want it to be. Forget his hundred and twenty-six other girlfriends. He only needs one. Don’t miss the surprising, romantic, and heartbreaking Strong Family finale as Austin meets his match with no way of knowing if he can win the one heart he truly wants. 1. Don’t Date Your Brother’s Best Friend - Ella Strong 2. Her Loyal Protector 3. Don’t Fall for a Fugitive - Heath Strong 4. Don’t Ditch a Detective - Cassie Strong 5. Don't Miss the Moment - Gavin Strong 6. Don't Love an Army Ranger - Nick Strong 7. Don't Chase a Player - Stetson Strong 8. Don't Abandon the Superstar - Austin Strong Try out Cami's newest series: The Jewel Family: Do Marry Your Billionaire Boss

When the Last Leaf Falls


Bill Myers - 2001
    Henry's classic short story "The Last Leaf" begins with an adolescent girl, Ally, who is deathly ill and angry at God. Her grief stricken father is a pastor on the verge of losing his faith.

The Two Crosses


Ernie Lindsey - 2010
    David Kreutzer just wants his wife's vision to stop failing before she goes blind. And then one day, their lives are changed forever when they suddenly find out that they have the ability to heal the sick with a single touch. With gifts so amazing, why does the mysterious stranger lurking in the shadows want to destroy them both, by whatever means necessary?

Covet


Lakisha Johnson - 2020
    Their marriage isn’t perfect, but they’ve made it work. They’re active members of True Vine MB Church, she’s a photographer and he owns a tire shop. Things are, well, they are good.Until the day, their life becomes the object of somebody’s obsession. The only downside, they don’t know who it is. This person, in the darkness has a yearning, a desire to possess something Karis and Darius has ... they just didn’t know it yet.Pray and fast, that’ll help when you’re going through a storm, right? Well, they’re doing that, but things are getting worst. Fire, turmoil, secrets and a kidnapping of a spouse. It’s clear, the person responsible hasn’t read Romans 13:9, “For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet...”

The Francine Rivers Historical Collection: The Scarlet Thread / The Last Sin Eater


Francine Rivers - 2016
    . . until they fall into the arms of the One who loves them unconditionally. Sierra Madrid’s life has just been turned upside down when she discovers the handcrafted quilt and journal of her ancestor Mary Kathryn McMurray, a young woman who was uprooted from her home only to endure harsh conditions on the Oregon Trail. Though the women are separated by time and circumstance, Sierra discovers that many of the issues they face are remarkably similar. By following Mary Kathryn’s example, Sierra learns to surrender to God’s sovereignty and unconditional love.The Last Sin Eater:A captivating tale of suffering, seeking, and redemption set in Appalachia in the 1850s, The Last Sin Eater is the story of a community committed to its myth of a human “sin eater,” who absolves the dead of their sins, and the ten-year-old child who shows them the Truth. All that matters for young Cadi Forbes is finding the one man who can set her free from the sin that plagues her, the sin that has stolen her mother’s love from her and made her wish she could flee life and its terrible injustice. But Cadi doesn’t know that the “sin eater” is seeking as well. Before their journeys are over, Cadi and the sin eater must face themselves, each other, and the One who will demand everything from them in exchange for the answers they seek.

The Ironwood Plantation Family Saga: The Complete Series


Stephenia H. McGee - 2020
    Civil War pits countrymen against one another and tears a nation asunder. Life and death are held in the balance where everyone is a slave to something. In a time when war brings the South to its knees, two women will forge a friendship in the fires of redemption and thrust Ironwood into a new future – where the battle for freedom has merely begun. Book Two: Heir of HopeA hidden diary. Dreams of the past. And a hope for a new future. Emily Burns grew up an orphan, so she never expected to inherit a southern plantation. When she discovers an old diary hidden in the attic, her life becomes strangely entwined with her Civil War ancestor and she soon begins to wonder how a woman long dead can keep showing up in her dreams.Book Three: Missing MercyThe venture ahead could leave their friendship behind.Made a safe-haven after the Civil War, Ironwood Plantation is a refuge of equality for former slaves. But twenty years and a new generation later, they have become an isolated community with little contact with the rest of the world.In a time where prejudices try to define them, Mercy Carpenter and Faith Harper must push the boundaries of their beliefs and trust in the God who holds the keys to freedom.

Hope Springs Books 1-3


Valerie M. Bodden - 2020
    So why does seeing him again stir up old feelings? Spencer promised himself he wouldn't fall for Sophie again. But there's something different about her now. Something that makes him think maybe God is giving them a second chance...Not Until This Moment: Peyton thought Jared was "the one"—until he told her he never intended to get married. Jared wishes he could give Peyton everything she desires. But marriage is the one thing he can never offer her. When they're thrown together again on an annual ski trip, both have to reexamine what they want. Because it's just possible God has other plans for them...Not Until You: Three years after her husband's death, Violet is sure her chance at happily ever after is over. Until Nate moves in next door and stirs feelings she thought had died with her husband. But when Nate reveals a devastating secret, they have to decide: should they walk away, or trust that the God of second chances has a plan for their future? If you love deeply moving stories filled with faith, forgiveness, love, and the promise of forever, then this set of Christian romances will touch your heart and leave you breathless with the power of true love.

Bargains, Ballots, & the Bakery


Carol Moncado - 2016
    She receives help, but finds herself organizing Mallard Lake Township’s rummage sale and running a mayoral campaign. Grayson Goddard returned home after college to find his friend and mentor had died and no one told him. Her beautiful granddaughter kept Millie’s promise of giving him a job. In a whirl of flying flour, he finds himself falling in love with his new boss, helping with the rummage sale and running for mayor against his high school nemesis. Together, they work to help the town’s less fortunate through the rummage sale proceeds and end the stranglehold the mayor’s family had on the office for nearly a hundred years. No matter the outcome of the election, can they find the recipe for love?

Pascal's Wager


Nancy N. Rue - 2001
    In a quest to cope with this devastating situation, Jill seeks out philosophy professor Sam Hunt. Savvy Sam challenges Jill to make "Pascal's wager" -- to "bet" that God exists by acting as if he does. The results not only change Jill's mind but transform her life in ways she never could have imagined. An exciting, faith-building thriller!

A Life to Live


Toni Shiloh - 2015
    She never imagined she’d run into her high-school sweetheart thousands of miles away from her home town. Why would God throw them back together?Caleb always regretted the way things ended with his high-school girlfriend, Mia. After a chance encounter in the streets of Nottingham, Caleb feels God is giving him a second chance to right the wrongs he committed. Unbeknownst to him, Mia has secrets that may require his forgiveness.Will her past overshadow his wrongs? As Mia and Caleb work through old hurts and broken hearts will they let the blessing of forgiveness redeem their relationship?____________Alternate cover for ASIN: B00UI8K16W

Saved in the City


Jacquelin Thomas - 2005
    She's been blessedwith the looks and the spirit to succeed, and she knows that God will guide herevery step in the competitive profession. But when she meets smooth-talking, gorgeous Miller Baisden, it's her personal life that poses the greatest challenge: Patterson is torn between the powerful attraction Miller awakens in her, and herdesire to maintain her morals.Pampered native New Yorker Macy Baldwin has taken a lot for granted, includingher wealthy parents' financial support--until they cut her off for flunking out ofcollege. Pretty and fashionable, Macy decides to pursue modeling. If things don'twork out, she can always fall back on her plan of finding a rich husband. And whenshe discovers that a handsome, widowed stockbroker needs a nanny for his littlegirl, Macy is sure her erratic prayers have been answered. But when she finds herselfactually working for a living, she realizes God works in mysterious ways....Born with the striking features and statuesque height of a true Nubian queen, socialworker LaRue Arnette has often been mistaken for a model. But when she surprisesher Baptist minister father and devout mother by quitting her job and leavingCalifornia to give modeling a try, she can't help but wonder--is she fleeing fromher true calling? A certain tenderhearted reverend may be the one to lead her to theanswer that's always been in her heart.

A Mother's Song: A Story of the Orphan Train


Cleo A. Lampos - 2013
    Pregnant with their third child, Deirdre works as a washerwoman at the hotel's laundry. If Sean works at all, he drinks his paycheck at the pub. When he is killed in an accident at work, Deirdre is devastated. She gives birth to another son, but cannot work at the laundry. The oldest son lives on the street as a newsie. Rather than let Ava Rose and her baby brother starve to death with her, she signs for them to be put on an orphan train. This orphan train takes these youngsters to Nebraska to Claudine, who has suffered multiple miscarriages. Will the adoption provide the safety and opportunity that Deirdre hopes? This researched story of two mothers and the child who loves both is heart wrenching.It is a poignant tale of hope and courage against unfathomable odds for a better life free from prejudice and poverty.