Book Review: Dawn Comes Early by Margaret Brownley/4 Stars

About the book: 

Looking for a woman of good character and pleasant disposition willing to learn the ranching business in Arizona territory. Must be SINGLE and prepared to remain so now and forever more. Will be given ownership of ranch. --Eleanor Walker

Disgraced dime novelist Kate Tenney fled the city that banned her latest book for a fresh start at a cattle ranch in the Arizona Territory. She hopes ranching turns out to be as romantic as she portrayed it in her novels.

But what awaits her is a much harder life. There is no room for mistakes on a working cattle ranch in 1895, and Kate is ill-prepared for her new life. She quickly learns that dawn comes early . . . every day. But she is tenacious.

Having been abandoned by a string of men, Kate has no intention of ever marrying. But she didn't expect to meet Luke Adams either. Luke awakens feelings inside Kate she doesn't recognize, and his steady presence is a constant distraction. She has only written about love in the past, never known it herself. But her feelings for Luke stand in the way of all she has to gain if she is chosen as the heir.

Perhaps God brought Kate to the barrenness of the desert to give new life to her jaded heart.

My thoughts:

Lately, my reading time has been "catch as catch can" with no continuity whatsoever, so to say I was very pleased that I picked up Dawn Comes Early would be a great understatement!  This was my first experience with one of Margaret's books, and I already know I will be coming back for more.  Her writing style was so different from other historical fiction authors in that, her characters were so entertaining and full of life and spunk, and frankly, just plain unique.  I loved them!  The storyline in itself was unusual because I was fully expecting a romance, but when the back cover said the heroine must be "prepared to stay single now and forevermore"...I knew the author had something up her sleeve.  :o)

With one tiny exception of a lull around the 200-page mark, Dawn Comes Early provided me with a wonderful reading experience that will prompt me to recommend it to several friends.  I'm anxious to see what happens next!

4 Stars

Southern?  No
Sassy?  Yes

**Many thanks to Nancy Berland PR for providing a copy for review.

**For more information on Margaret and her books, please visit http://www.margaretbrownley.com/

 

Book Review: A Case for Love by Kaye Dacus/4 Stars

About the book:

TV society reporter Alaine Delacroix feels like David facing Goliath when she takes on the biggest corporation in town to keep them from putting her parents’ garden center out of business. Lawyer Forbes Guidry wants nothing more than to stand up for the endangered local-business owners—but it will mean risking his job and crossing his powerful parents. Can Alaine and Forbes make A Case for Love?

My thoughts: 

The final installment of the fabulous Brides of Bonneterre series concludes with A Case for Love.

I'll be honest...I was a little nervous heading into this last book simply because this book carried more of a male perspective than the previous two books.  But hey, it didn't take long to put those nervous flutters to bed with such a dashing male hero!  Forbes Guidry was painted quite well as the epitome of success in his law career, but has just one thing missing from his life...a woman.

Alaine took a little while to grow on me.  At first, she seemed a little uppity with her tv program that she was bored with, along with her dismissal of Forbes' company.  The latter soon became understandable, but there was absolutely nothing that would keep these two apart!  Slowly but surely, their self-built walls started to crumble, and the fight was on to save a budding relationship amidst a nasty lawsuit.

This book had everything that I love--Southern charm, at least one character with sass, and the perfect dose of romance.  I absolutely cannot wait to dive into some of Kaye's historical fiction next, even though I'm confident of one thing...she's a master at contemporary romance!

4 Stars

Southern?  Yes!
Sass?  Double yes!

**Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.

Book Review: The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport/4 Stars

About the book: 

Lucy Banning may live on the exclusive Prairie Avenue among Chicago's rich and famous, but her heart lies elsewhere. Expected to marry an up-and-coming banker from a respected family, Lucy fears she will be forced to abandon her charity work--and the classes she is secretly taking at the newly opened University of Chicago. When she meets an unconventional young architect who is working on plans for the upcoming 1893 World's Fair, Lucy imagines a life lived on her own terms. Can she break away from her family's expectations? And will she ever be loved for who she truly is?

Readers will love being swept away into a world of mansions, secrets, and romance as they follow Lucy through the streets of the Windy City during one of the most exciting times in the city's history. From opulent upper-class homes to the well-worn rooms of an orphanage, Olivia Newport breathes life and romance into the pages of history--and everyone is invited.

My thoughts:

What a lovely journey back to the Gilded Era in fiction!  I tell ya, this has got to be my favorite period of history to read about.  I love the fashion, the manners, the occasions--all of it just makes me smile.  And what's even better is now this era has a new author to add to it's ranks--Olivia Newport.

Considering this was her debut novel, I was extremely impressed with the balance throughout the story.  There was a small bit of romance, a little air of mystery and suspicion, and a glorious backdrop of the 1893 World's Fair.  All three blended together made for a delightful read.

What was a bit disappointing, though, was that it didn't really feel like a Christian fiction novel.  There were a couple of instances where church was mentioned, but Christian elements did not weave themselves through the story like the books I've read by other authors published through Revell.  However, for someone looking for simply a clean novel, I'd have no trouble recommending this one.

Olivia looks like she'll be one busy lady in the next few years with all the books she's slated to release!  I, for one, am anxious to see what her style is like with some other genres, but will be even more eager to take another journey back to Prairie Avenue in Chicago with the next book in this series.

4 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  There were a couple doses of it, yes, but Lucy still tried to maintain her image of a dutiful daughter even if not everyone knew her secrets.

**Many thanks to Revell for providing a copy for review.

 

CFBA Blog Tour and Book Review: My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade/5 Stars

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing My Stubborn Heart • Bethany House Publishers; Original edition (May 1, 2012)
by Becky Wade

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Becky Wade is a graduate of Baylor University. As a newlywed, she lived for three years in a home overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, as well as in Australia, before returning to the States. A mom of three young children, Becky and her family now live in Dallas, Texas.







ABOUT THE BOOK:

A Sensational CBA Debut in Contemporary Romance!

This summer author Becky Wade makes her CBA debut with a fun -- and funny -- contemporary romance. Amidst the light-hearted banter and laugh-out-loud moments is a compelling spiritual journey of one woman's choice to listen to God and wait on him. Filled with humor and authentic romance, My Stubborn Heart is shaping up to be the hit of the summer.

Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When Kate's grandmother asks Kate to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance.

Yet, she discovers a different kind of project upon meeting the man hired to renovate the house. ;Matt Jarreau is attractive and clearly wounded -- hiding from people, from God, and from his past. Kate can't help but set her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back into the light... whether he likes it or not.

If you would like to read the first chapter of My Stubborn Heart, go HERE.

My thoughts:

It's been a long time since I read a romance novel that left me completely and utterly speechless. No joke...I'm not the target market for romance novels. I was as an impressionable, young, braces-on-my-teeth teenager complete with a dad who thought I shouldn't read so many of them (even if they were Christian).  Since then, I'm not so impressionable, but I find that my attention wanders greatly.  So, imagine my surprise to find one that I fell in love with from start to finish. I loved Matt's moodiness, Kate's persistence, and oh...those sweet, meddling, need-to-go-on-a-date seniors who were nosy as all-get-out. I loved the redemptive theme and the unfailing love of God that was present in every chapter. But if the truth be told, I really, really loved the romance. It was the kind that made me feel all giddy inside with loads of warm fuzzies. It was the kind that made me want to give my hubby that extra kiss in the morning before work. And it was the kind that made me thankful for parents who have been married for 40+ years and have had a romance that has endured all those hard times.

So, maybe I'll get back on that romance bandwagon. Well...leastwise when Becky Wade comes along with her next novel. You better believe that I'll be jumping on for that ride. :o)

5 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  Yes, from more than one character, too!  ;o)

**Many thanks to Bethany House for providing a copy for review through CFBA.


 

Leave It To a YA Novel to Readjust My Eternal Focus - There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones/5 Stars

I am literally at a loss for words right now.  I just finished this book, and it's been a long time since I've been this impressed with every aspect of a book like I was with this one.  Jenny has managed to write a witty, sassy, yet quite painful, novel that had me on an emotional roller coaster that I didn't want to end.

From the beginning, I knew that Finley was a hurting soul.  Her life was in shambles--the death of a brother, a stint in therapy, a semi-public image tainted--and God had never felt more distant.  On top of her personal turmoil, the stress she was under to complete a musical piece for a prestigious audition was intense.  But then she meets a boy.  And not just any boy, either.  This one was Beckett Rush...THE hottest young movie star on the Hollywood scene.  And the funny part?  She couldn't be less interested in him, which threw him for a big-time loop.  Gradually, they become friends, then more than friends, and he slowly starts to break down her walls.  Before too long, each one of them realizes things that they'd rather not face, yet know if they don't, their lives won't go any direction but downhill.

I've said it before...I wish books like this had been available when I was in the young adult stage.  I found this story to be so honest and real.  It was not a book I could wrap in a box with a fancy bow.  There was no fluff.  Instead, it was a brilliantly told, coming-of-age story that I will never, ever forget.  Yes, there was wit, sass and snark, but there was also pain, loss, and deep emotional hurt.  I found myself laughing along with Finley as she verbally sparred with Beckett (considering he had met his match there), and on the flip side, reaching for the Kleenex when Finley succumbed to her lowest point and realized that God had been right by her side all along.  She had just filled her life with so much noise that she couldn't hear God's voice.  That was my "aha" moment right there because I have done that very thing more times than I can count.  Like Finley, I think that if I can just do this one task, or wrap up this one commitment, or help this one person, I'll have accomplished something really great.  It becomes all-consuming, and I lose sight of the things that are eternally important.

But...

Leave it to a novel to bring my focus back where it needs to be.  Thanks for that, Jenny.  :o)  Thanks for using all those editors and going through all those rough drafts (as you mentioned in your acknowledgments) to get this story just right.

5 Stars

Southern?  No.  Although Finley is from SC, none of the book is physically set in the South.
Sass?  Absolutely!  How many Jenny B. Jones books do you know of that don't have sass?  :o)

Summary of There You'll Find Me:

Finley Sinclair is not your typical eighteen-year-old. She's witty, tough, and driven. With an upcoming interview at the Manhattan music conservatory, Finley needs to compose her audition piece. But her creativity disappeared with the death of her older brother, Will.

She decides to study abroad in Ireland so she can follow Will's travel journal. It's the place he felt closest to God, and she's hopeful being there will help her make peace over losing him. So she agrees to an exchange program and boards the plane.

Beckett Rush, teen heartthrob and Hollywood bad boy, is flying to Ireland to finish filming his latest vampire movie. On the flight, he meets Finley. She's the one girl who seems immune to his charm. Undeterred, Beckett convinces her to be his assistant in exchange for his help as a tour guide.

Once in Ireland, Finley starts to break down. The loss of her brother and the pressure of school, her audition, and whatever it is that is happening between her and Beckett, leads her to a new and dangerous vice. When is God going to show up for her in this emerald paradise?

Then she experiences something that radically changes her perspective on life. Could it be God convincing her that everything she's been looking for has been with her all along?

**Thanks to Thomas Nelson through NetGalley for providing a copy for review.

Watch Out for those Knives! ~ Wildflower Bride by Mary Connealy/4 Stars

"Don'tcha just love a good western?"  That question just kept running through my head over and over again as I flew through another fun tale by the talented Mary Connealy.  There is something about her style that always keeps me coming back for more.  Mostly it's her knack of telling a hilarious story, but I usually end up loving the romantic elements and the action pretty equally, too.

But, I must confess...I'm not usually a fan of Indians in fiction.  I don't know why that is.  I don't have anything against them, but I think it's just a matter of relating with them.  Being a city girl and accustomed to living indoors, I can't imagine what it must've been like to live in a tepee 24/7, not to mention moving from place to place to live off the land.  I'd die in no less than a week! 

But in spite of all that, this tale with it's inclusion of an Indian heroine just had me glued to the pages.  I empathized with Abby (initially known as Glowing Sun) after she dealt with the heartache of a massacre of her people by the white man.  I understood her reluctance to trust any white man, even one who had shown her nothing but kindness from the first day they met.  And I marveled at her ability to take care of herself in any situation.  (I lost count of how many times someone met her at knifepoint!)  Her relationship with Wade blossomed slowly, but surely, and it fit the story perfectly.  Normally, Mary's characters have an instant passion and attraction for one another that has a tendency to take over, but thankfully, that was not the case between Abby and Wade.  Each one had their own inner struggles to sort through first before they could begin to fathom a relationship, and I appreciated that Mary delayed the romantic attraction between them just enough to make the story that much more enjoyable.

Now that I've got two series by Mary under my belt, I'm anxious to dive into another one.  I've been trying to read her full-length novels in the order of their release, so next up will be the Sophie's Daughters Trilogy beginning with Doctor in Petticoats.  I have no doubt it will be another rip-roaring adventure in the west that will be enjoyed thoroughly!

4 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  Absolutely!  Any gal brave enough to whip a knife out in a flash is bound to have some sass!

Summary of Wildflower Bride:

Glowing Sun, a white woman raised by the Flathead tribe, has never met a man she didn't want to pull a knife on, including the man who's determined to marry her.
Glowing Sun has vague memories of her former life, including a name—Abby Lind. When she’s forced to sever all links with her adopted Indian family, Abby wonders if she’ll ever find a home again.

Tenderhearted Wade Sawyer, responsible for Abby’s survival during the village massacre, convinces the knife-wielding woman to return with him to the Sawyer Ranch, never realizing danger lurks behind every corner. Can they survive long enough to fall in love?

Guaranteed to Tickle Your Funny Bone! - The Husband Tree by Mary Connealy/4 Stars

When I want to read a top-notch western romance, I need not look any farther than Mary Connealy. Her books have that punch of humor that I love to get the occasional taste from, as well as a spine-curling romance that makes me sigh every time.

The Husband Tree was no exception. It had a great mixture of humor and romance, and a likeable hero and heroine in Silas and Belle. Both of 'em were stubborn as mules, and as hard-headed as they come about the opposite sex. But each one had a very tender side, and showed genuine affection for the other as their relationship progressed to the (inevitable) next level. :o)

The only, and I mean, the ONLY thing that keeps me from giving this book 5 stars was all the kissing. Normally, that is not something that bothers me one whit, but it seemed like every time Silas and Belle turned around, it was Smooch City. It just didn't seem to give their relationship a good foundation, nor was it believable. Like I said before, I don't mind it. I'm not some ol' fuddy-duddy. Kissing is a normal part of any relationship, real or fictitious. But in this case, there was just too much of it.

Will that stop me from reading more of Mary's works? Absolutely not! My funny bone gets tickled so much that I'd miss out on a lifetime of laughs if I didn't read her books! No worries there...not a single one. :o)

4 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  Belle was the epitome of sass!

Summary of The Husband Tree:

Hit the trail into the Old West, where a tough lady rancher and a seemingly aimless wrangler attempt to avoid the matrimonial noose. When Belle Tanner hires Silas Harden to help her get her cattle to market, the last thing she’s looking for is romance. So why does she turn into jelly whenever he’s near? Silas wants nothing to do with women, but he can’t seem to resist the pull of love when it comes to Belle. Can they make it through this cattle drive without getting hitched? Or will they steer straight into a commitment neither one counted on?

A Regency I Won't Soon Forget - The Aristocrat's Lady by Mary Moore/5 Stars

Let me preface this review by saying that I do not normally read small, mass market paperbacks. I've often found them either to all be the same, or to have so little plot and character development that I'm bored by book's end.

Today I ate those words.

I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a Regency novel more than I enjoyed this one.  The prose was exceptional, the characters and their flaws believable, and the romance was heart-stopping.  I loved the witty banter between the two major characters, as well as the secret that propelled much of the storyline.  And if all that wasn't enough to blow me away, the fact that The Aristocrat's Lady was Mary Moore's debut novel....well, you could've easily blown me over with a feather.

Quite possibly, this book will make my Top Ten list at year's end, and we've got a long way to go before we get there!  Ms. Moore is an author that I will be reading more from in the future...of that, I have no doubt.

5 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  Without question.  :o)

Summary of The Aristocrat's Lady:

An Unexpected Encounter


For a few moments on a moonlit balcony, Nicole Beaumont was just a beautiful woman catching the eye of the handsome Lord Devlin--but she knew the illusion couldn't last. If the enigmatic aristocrat knew her secret, he'd realize that her disability left her unfit for love. So who could blame her for hiding the truth a little longer?

Devlin had never met a woman like Nicole. Her unique combination of innocence and wisdom left him utterly intrigued. Yet what was she hiding? For a man who did not trust easily, discovering her secret was devastating. Overcoming their pasts and forging a future would take faith, forgiveness and trust. And second chances could lead to new beginnings...

The Queen of One-Liners - So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones

I'll admit...I went a little out of my comfort zone this time.  Not only did I pick up a chick-lit book, it was also a YA book.  Yep, this girl is taking the bull by the horns with this goal of reading something other than historical fiction in 2012.  :o)

So Not Happening is just fabulous!  At first, I didn't quite know what to think about this 16-year-old spoiled brat of a girl who was a New York transplant in Oklahoma.  I mean, Bella's a little self-absorbed, a little snobbish, but she's all kinds of snappy--as in the Queen of One-Liners--except when she says a little bit too much on a blog for the whole town of Truman to see.  Not that there's a lot of folks in Truman, but there's enough there that her friends scale slides to zero really quick!

So, while she recovers from all that drama (not to mention the drama at home), she makes one friend, then two, and then, she scores a spot on the newspaper staff with the most horrible editor on the planet.  (Really, this guy does NOT make a good first impression.)  While on her very first assignment for the paper, she overhears a sneaky conversation between a couple of guys, and her radar goes up fast.  And wouldn't you know...when she tries to take it to the editor that it could be a great tip for a story, he brushes her off!  But patience is key here, and before they know it, they are almost in over their heads with the story of the school year.

I never expected all the twists and turns that took place in this story.  First of all, it's down right hilarious in some places.  I cannot remember the last time I read a novel and laughed that much!  Secondly, there's a little mystery on the side that pops up about halfway through the book that had my jaw on the floor by the time it was solved!  Third, there were life lessons galore, and they fit in seamlessly through the whole story.  Not only were they for Bella, but for her mom, dad, new stepdad, and stepbrothers.  I highly recommend So Not Happening, especially for the older teenage audience.  And who am I kidding...this grown-up loved it, too!

5 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  Overflowing!

Summary of So Not Happening:


New York's social darling just woke up in a nightmare: Oklahoma. Problem is, it's right where God wants her.

Bella Kirkwood had it all: A-list friends at her prestigious private school, Broadway in her backyard, and Daddy's MasterCard in her wallet. Then her father, a plastic surgeon to the stars, decided to trade her mother in for a newer model.

When Bella's mom falls in love with a man she met on the Internet--a factory worker with two bratty sons--Bella has to pack up and move in with her new family in Truman, Oklahoma. On a farm no less!

Forced to trade her uber-trendy NYC lifestyle for down-home charm, Bella feels like a pair of Rock & Republic jeans in a sea of Wranglers.

At least some of the people in her new high school are pretty cool. Especially the hunky football player who invites her to lunch. And maybe even the annoying--but kinda hot--editor of the school newspaper.

But before long, Bella smells something rotten in the town of Truman, and it's not just the cow pasture. With her savvy reporter's instincts, she is determined to find the story behind all the secrets.

How can a girl go on when her charmed life is gone and God appears to be giving her the total smackdown?

Book Review: A Time for Peace by Barbara Cameron/3 Stars

About the book:

After Years of Hardship, Jenny’s Life Appears Perfect. So Why Does Something Seem to Be Missing?

Jenny Bontrager finally feels loved and cherished by her husband, Matthew, and his children. Life seems golden with both her family and career as a writer.

Then one day her grandmother, Phoebe, falls ill, and Jenny cares for her. As she reaches into Phoebe’s closet for a robe, Jenny finds a letter from her father dated the summer when she was nearly eighteen.

As she struggles to understand her father’s words, Jenny’s love for him, and her recently renewed faith and trust in God are thrown into question again. And without warning, her perfect life is thrown into question . . .

My thoughts:

As someone who reads a lot of Amish fiction, I was eager to read a book by a fairly new Amish author, Barbara Cameron.  Several reviewers have had wonderful things to say about her books, and I was curious to see if I would enjoy them for myself.

In my opinion, fans of Wanda Brunstetter and Shelley Shepard Gray would enjoy Barbara's stories and writing style because neither was really a fit for me with this book.  Without going into a lot of detail lest I spoil the experience for someone else, there were several areas that seemed to need some improvement.  For example, the first 60-70 pages were used to set up the story, and it could've been done in about 30-40 without the repetition that was present.  Also, the faith aspect of the book was watered down and almost non-existant. I expected there to be at least one mention of them going to church, or a visit with the bishop about spiritual matters, but neither was a part of this book.  Knowing that the Amish have a faith and belief system that is very important to them, it was a big surprise to see that it wasn't included.

Now, I've not read either of the previous books in this series, but that wasn't a problem.  This book was great as a stand-alone, and I had no trouble following along with some of the other characters from those previous novels.  Another bonus from this book was all the content in the back--a glossary (which is always helpful for those words you think you know, but don't), discussion questions (don't read them until the end because there are spoilers), and lots of yummy recipes (potato soup, here I come).

Even though it wasn't my favorite book, I do plan to read another of Barbara's novels in the future because I've always been a firm believer in giving an author a second chance.  There's no telling sometimes when they'll surprise us!

3 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  Phoebe had just a touch of it...ornery old coot.  :o)

**Many thanks to Maegan Roper and Netgalley for providing a copy for review.

Book Review: A Bride's Portrait of Dodge City, Kansas by Erica Vetsch/4 Stars

About the book:

Quench your craving for good fiction with this wonderfully written Old West adventure.

Hoping to leave the shadows of her shady yesteryears behind, Adeline Reed is focusing on her photography career. But when her ex-boyfriend’s compatriot in crime shows up in Dodge City her entire past is threatened by exposure. Can Addie keep her secrets while helping to catch a killer?

Deputy Miles Carr’s investigation into a shopkeeper’s murder leads him to Addie’s door. Will his attraction to this female photographer keep him from catching the true culprit? Or will Addie lead him off course in more ways than one?

My thoughts:

What do you get when you have a talented female photographer, a newly-minted town deputy, and a scoundrel of the worst sort who has come back to haunt you?  You get this book--A Bride's Portrait of Dodge City, Kansas--and it's a good'un, too.

I was so impressed with the detail of Addie's trade as a photographer.  From the darkroom, to her studio, and to the portraits taken at the Arden Palace, it felt like I was looking through the camera lens and capturing all the subtle nuances that only a portrait can show.  I could smell the chemicals that were used to develop the pictures, and I caught myself mentally counting the seconds along with Addie to get the right exposure.  Now, in real life, I don't have a clue about photography, but just for a few moments in this book, I felt like I knew a thing or two...and that brought a smile to my face.

Miles was an enjoyable character, too.  At first, it seemed like he was going to be green as the day is long at being a deputy, but he quickly settled into his role.  His reluctance to share his past was believable, especially how it related to Addie.

Then, there was the drama associated with Vin Rutter.  He came to Dodge City for a particular reason, and caused nothing but trouble for Addie, Miles, and Fran while he was there.  I felt sure the I had him pegged correctly the entire time, but leave it to this talented author to have a surprise or two up her sleeve.  :o)

Nothing gives me more pleasure than discovering an author that I've not been privileged to read before.  Erica Vetsch has created a delightful Midwestern tale that is sure to have me returning to read her future novels.  Fans of Mary Connealy, Kelly Eileen Hake, and Susan Page Davis are destined to enjoy this charming story!

4 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  Yes

**Many thanks to Barbour through NetGalley for providing a copy for review.

Book Review: The Wounded Heart by Adina Senft/2 Stars

About the book:

When a business offer turns into something more personal, Amelia is torn between what logic tells her is right, and the desire of her heart. 


A widow with two small children, Amelia Beiler is struggling to make ends meet. She is running her late husband's business, but it's not what she was raised to do, which is run a home. When she gets an offer for the business from Eli Fischer, she's only too relieved to consider it-especially when it looks like Eli's interest might include more than just the shop. But when she begins to experience strange physical symptoms and is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, it's difficult not to question God's will. If she pursues the treatment she believes in, she risks going under the bann. But how can she allow Eli to court her when she can't promise him a future?

Includes instructions to make the quilt block featured in the novel.

My thoughts:

I feel like I've hit a rut with reading.  You know what I mean...nothing seems to grab your attention, you struggle to finish a book, you find other things to do that are more exciting, and on and on.  That's where I'm at right now...nothing is blowing me away, and I hate that.  What's worse is that the Amish genre is one that has always been steadfast for me, always intriguing.  And because it's been a good while since I've read an Amish novel, I was hoping that this book would snap me out of my funk.

Well, it didn't.  It never felt like the author knew where she wanted her story to go.  First off, you've got these three women who are so painfully difficult to tell apart in the beginning, and for the most part, they're pretty opinionated to be Amish.  It seemed for awhile that I had stepped into a modern women's fiction novel rather than an Amish one.

Secondly, you've got the thread of this mysterious illness that has plagued Amelia for weeks, and almost has her on a wild goose chase to Mexico for treatment.  Now, I'm not bashing that people do stuff like that when they've exhausted all other options, but please...we're talking about the Amish here.  None of that part of the storyline was believable to me at all.

Thirdly, there's the drama of Amelia selling her business, which ruffles the feathers of quite a few of the local Amish men.  I thought it was embarrassing that the men with whom she had been friends with for years berated her for even thinking of selling to an Englishman.  What nerve!  She had no choice at the time but to consider all of her circumstances, including her children, and it just made me so mad that all these men seemed to gang up on her.

Lastly, there's this nagging tooth problem that Amelia has (which is very instrumental to the overall story, so I won't spill the beans too much).  I'm not a dentist or a tooth expert, but I have a little bit of knowledge about teeth since I worked in a dental office a few years ago.  I don't know how much detailed research the author did on this particular part of her story, but there were some issues with procedures and pricing that were not accurate at all. 

I really doubt I will read the rest of the series.  There were too many plot twists and too many stories going on at once to make much of it remotely believable.  It may be a great read for other Amish fiction fans, but it was not the book for me.

2 Stars

**Many thanks to Faithwords and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.

Southern?  No
Sass?  Surprisingly, a little bit.

Litfuse Blog Tour and Book Review: Heiress by Susan May Warren/5 Stars

About the book:

They can buy anything they want—fame, power, beauty, even loyalty.  But they can’t buy love.

The beautiful and wealthy heiress daughters of August Price can buy everything their hearts desire. But what if their desire is to be loved, without an enormous price tag attached? When one sister betrays another for the sake of love, will she find happiness? And what happens when the other sets out across the still untamed frontier to find it—will  she discover she’s left it behind in the glamorous world of the New York gilded society? What price will each woman pay for being an heiress?

Set in the opulent world of the Gilded Age, two women discover that being an heiress just might cost them everything they love.

My thoughts:

I could go in so many directions with this review to tell you all about the characters, the plot, the setting, the clothes (oh...the clothes), but Heiress is one of those novels that is an experience--in jealousy, in opulence, in tragedy, in love.  It's one that, if you know nothing but the back cover blurb, then you are in for the surprise of your life.

I knew that Susan was a great writer, even after reading my first book by her earlier this year, but Heiress has catapulted her to favorite author status in no time flat.  Just when I thought I was going to hit a lull in this story, she snapped my mind back to attention with one twist after another.  Now, I know that some authors usually like to have one surprise lurking somewhere in their stories, but to have them appear in rapid succession (and all of them believable, no less) showed that Susan's got some masterful writing chops.

Without a doubt, Heiress has to be the edgiest Christian fiction book of the year.  It should also come with a warning label--"Don't start unless you plan to stay up past your bedtime."

Go.  Get.  It.  Now.  I dare you.  ;o)

5 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  It makes an appearance from time to time.  :o)

**Many thanks to Summerside Press and Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy for review. 

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Enter 9/22-10/5!

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Book Review: The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund/5 Stars

About the book:

They vowed to keep their marriage in name only.

But when the unexpected happens on the grueling journey west...

Their carefully constructed partnership will be put to the ultimate test.

Priscilla White knows she’ll never be a wife or mother and feels God’s call to the mission field.

Dr. Eli Ernest is back from Oregon Country only long enough to raise awareness of missions to the natives before heading out West once more. But then Priscilla and Eli both receive news from the mission board: No longer will they send unmarried men and women into the field. Left scrambling for options, the two realize the other might be the answer to their needs.

Priscilla and Eli agree to a partnership, a marriage in name only that will allow them to follow God’s leading into the mission field. But as they journey west, this decision will be tested by the hardships of the trip and by the unexpected turnings of their hearts.

My thoughts:

As a rule, I'm not overly fond of wagon train stories, but I could not read this one fast enough!  It's not often that I have an opportunity to practically fly through a book as good as this one, but in 24 hours time, I read this book every moment I could spare.  Thankfully, my husband was very understanding as we went through an evening with me cooking no dinner, folding no laundry, and watching no tv.  And yes...he survived.  ;o)

Jody Hedlund has created a masterpiece in The Doctor's Lady.  She had me smiling at the teasing nature of Priscilla and Eli's early relationship, and conversely, she had me in tears during a moment that no mother every wants to experience.  If that wasn't enough, she created romantic tension so thick, I could cut it with a knife.

And this was not your typical marriage of convenience story, either.  Priscilla and Eli's marriage was quickly thrust into the dangers of what would become the Oregon Trail as they dealt with rapid rivers, dishonest guides, and fatal diseases.  Not only did they butt heads occasionally with their traveling companions, they also struggled to share their true thoughts with one another which created unnecessary, yet believable, emotional turmoil.

For those who are fans of Laura Frantz or Deeanne Gist, I guarantee The Doctor's Lady is a story that you will love in its entirety.  As I said before, wagon train stories are not my thing as there are usually several portions that lag and I find my attention drifting.  That is definitely not the case with this one!  The action is continuous, the hardships believable, and the romance new and exciting.  I have already carved out a place on my keeper shelf for this gem of a novel, and you better believe that it's there to stay.  :o)

5 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  Just enough for me to answer yes.  :o)

**Many thanks to the author for providing a copy for review.

**Be watching Monday as Jody will be here for her very own Southern-Style Meet & Greet where she'll be giving away a copy of this very book.  You don't want to miss it!  

Book Review: Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren/5 Stars

About the book:

Lisa Tawn Bergren's new YA series, River of Time, is romantic, historical fiction in which the plucky heroine doesn't have to fear a vampire's bite but must still fight for her life.

In Waterfall, American teenager Gabi Betarrini accidently finds herself in Fourteenth-Century Italy . . . Knights. Swords. Horses. Armor. And Italian hotties. Most American teens want an Italian vacation, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives there with their archaeologist parents. Stuck on yet another hot, dusty dig, they are bored out of their minds... until they place their hands atop handprints in an ancient tomb and find themselves catapulted into the Fourteenth Century and in the middle of a fierce battle between knights bent on killing one another.

My thoughts:

You remember when your parents always pointed out to you that "just because your friends do something doesn't mean you have to do it, too?"  More specifically, I believe the correct question was, "If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you do it, too?"  Well.  Dear old mom and dad just didn't know about the River of Time, and the "bridge" that took us there, did they?  *wink*

Yep, I jumped off a bridge and into a book that far exceeded my expectations.  I have always known that Lisa was an exceptional author, but she's gone and made me a fan for life with Waterfall.  I found myself smiling, laughing, and wishing that Gabi and Marcello could've met each other in the same century realistically.

I loved all of Gabi's 21st century thoughts as she wished she could go to Google for medicinal cures, or wondered why there was no deodorant, or most importantly, why there was *no* indoor plumbing (seriously, that'd be it for me...chamber pots just aren't my thing).  Lisa also did a great job with the language as Gabi was clearly out of her element at first.  Thank heavens, we have progressed enough to say "tomorrow" instead of "on the morrow," and that the use of "mayhap" has gone by the wayside.

But what impressed me the most was that this did not feel like a young adult novel.  Sure, there were some moments when Gabi's maturity faltered a bit, but overall, she was a believable teenager who handled this unusual journey through time quite admirably.  It was also nice to see that there are *great* books out there suitable for a younger audience that aren't full of vampires, zombies, or sex (not that I read any of those, but I'm tired of seeing them on bookstore shelves just the same).

So, I'm back on dry ground, no longer in the River of Time, but I'm itching to jump back in!  This book left me hanging in the worst sort of way, and the only way I'll recover will be to immediately find the next one, Cascade.  And if it wasn't already obvious, Waterfall has earned a well-deserved 5-star rating from this non-YA person, and a high recommendation for all audiences of Christian fiction.  :o)

**Many thanks to the publisher and the Amazon Vine program for providing a copy for review.

Southern?  No
Sass?  Yes

Book Review: Healing Hearts by Beth Wiseman/4 Stars

About the book:

Beth Wiseman's Amish novellas are now available for the first time in one collection.

"Healing Hearts"

Levina Lapp and her husband Naaman are alone for the first time in 30 years. When Naaman left to visit cousins in Ohio, Levina wasn't expecting him to be gone a year. Now that he's back, will they be able to move beyond this estrangement and fall in love again?

"A Change of Heart"

Leah is a writer in a community that does not encourage such fruitless endeavors. She lacks the skills necessary to be a good Amish fraa. Aaron knows these things about Leah, but his heart is captured by this spirited young woman.

"A Choice to Forgive"

Lydia has loved two men in her life. Daniel disappeared one Christmas Eve long ago, leaving only a note saying he wanted to live in the Englisch world. And Elam, Daniel's brother, to whom she has been happily married for 15 years. When Elam dies, Lydia gives up on ever loving again. But she is shocked when Daniel wants to return to the Order and her life.

These novellas previously were published in An Amish Love, An Amish Gatheirng, and An Amish Christmas.

My thoughts:

What an enjoyable time I had with this book!  For someone who doesn't prefer novellas, I had a hard time pulling myself away from the ones in this anthology.  Each one had a beautiful love story that was unique in it's own way, and I found myself smiling, laughing, and cheering on all of these sweet Amish characters. I also thought this book painted a clear picture of what it truly means to forgive, and how, if we give all our cares over to the One who can use all things for good, He'll give us a song in our heart, a joy in our step, and a peace like we've never known. 

Next to Cindy Woodsmall, Beth Wiseman is my favorite Amish storyteller.  Seriously, she gets better with every new release. Her stories have a way of getting into my heart every single time, and I can't ever seem to put them down!  I'm always anxious to see what she'll come up with next, and believe me, it's worth the wait every single time.  :o)

4 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  Briefly.  A crazy woman named Auntie Ruth comes to mind.  :o)

**Many thanks to the author for providing a copy for review.

**If you'd like a chance to win a copy of this very book, be sure to check out the interview I did with Beth earlier this week.  She's giving away a copy to someone, and it just might be you!  Click here for more details.


 

Book Review: The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck by Kathleen Y'Barbo/4 Stars

About the book:

Unlikely romance is sometimes just an inconvenient marriage away

Charlotte Beck may be entering adulthood, but she can’t seem to keep to her stubborn, independent spirit from bucking social protocol. Fed up with her behavior, Charlotte’s father Daniel pressures her to settle into a nice marriage despite knowing she is set on going to college. Then Daniel sees Charlotte with the handsome but annoying English astronomer Alex Hambly, and everything changes.

Though Alex and Charlotte can barely stand one another, Daniel offers them a deal they can’t refuse: if they agree to marry, he will save Alex’s family from financial ruin and grant Charlotte the freedom to go to college. Reluctantly the couple agrees, but in private they plot to annul the marriage as soon as possible.

But when Alex’s feelings change and he refuses to dissolve their contract, will Charlotte find a way out of her vows? Or will she discover that maybe this marriage isn’t so inconvenient after all?

My thoughts:

Oh, what a wonderful ending to this series!  There were beautiful dresses, luxurious homes, travel between London and the States, and if that wasn't enough...a match made in heaven (although it took the longest time for either to see it that way). Buffalo Bill was even thrown in for good measure.  :o)  It was a truly wonderful ride through history to have a peek into the lives of the Beck family, and I'm sorry that our time has come to an end.

Charlotte has definitely been the spunkiest character of this entire series.  She charmed her way into my heart as a pick-pocket in the first book, and grew into a confident young woman eager to prove herself as good as a man in the business world in this book.  But a certain young viscount kept getting in her way!  Geez, what's to be done about these men?!  :o)  From the opening chapter where she literally fell into his arms to the verbal sparring matches they had with one another about all those "agreements," I couldn't get enough of their story.  Naturally, I expected that their marriage would have taken place sooner in the book, but the sequence of events that led up to it was timed just right.  And lest I get too carried away with sharing all of the story, the last section of the book which focused on their married life was the very best, in my opinion.  I'll leave it at that.  :o)

Kathleen truly has a great gift with words, and it's been a privilege to read her work.  Throughout this book (as well as the previously written Anna Finch and the Hired Gun), I couldn't seem to erase the smile from my face.  I'm oh-so-anxious to read whatever she cooks up next, and here's to hoping that next book will have at least one sassy character...I can't seem to get enough of them!

4 Stars

Southern? No
Sass?  Oh, heaps of it!

**Many thanks to the author for providing a copy for review.

Could I trouble you a moment to rank my review?  I would so appreciate it!



**And one more thing...if you haven't read it yet, be sure to check out my interview with Kathleen.  She's giving away a copy of this great book, so you don't want to miss it!

Book Review: Too Rich for a Bride by Mona Hodgson/4 Stars

About the book:

With a head more suited to bookkeeping than a bridal veil, Ida’s dreams include big business- not beaus.

Ida Sinclair has joined her sisters, Kat and Nell, in the untamed mining town of Cripple Creek, Colorado for one reason: to work for the infamous but undeniably successful businesswoman, Mollie O’Bryan. Ida’s sisters may be interested in making a match for their determined older sister, but Ida only wants to build her career.

Under Mollie's tutelage, Ida learns how to play the stock market and revels in her promising accomplishments. Fighting for respect in a man's world, her ambition leaves little room for distractions. She ignores her family's reservations about Mollie O'Bryan's business practices, but no matter how she tries, she can't ignore the two men pursuing her affections—Colin Wagner, the dashing lawyer, and Tucker Raines, the traveling preacher.

Ida wants a career more than anything else, so she shrugs off the suitors and pointed “suggestions” that young ladies don’t belong in business. Will it take unexpected love—or unexpected danger—for Ida to realize where her priorities truly lie?

My thoughts:

After reading Two Brides Too Many recently, and the fact that it wasn't really my cup of tea, it was with a hint of trepidation that I cracked open Too Rich for a Bride.  I was already intrigued that I was about to read about a businesswoman in the late 1800's, since most women at that time were either already married, taught school, or they were employed as prostitutes.  So, Ida's choice of profession made Too Rich for a Bride a refreshing story from the start.

I enjoyed Ida's strong personality, and her desire to make her own way in a man's world.  Plain and simple, this girl had gumption.  I felt awful for her at the very beginning as a no-account professor of hers tried to "convince" her how she could get ahead.  Then, she got accosted shortly thereafter when she moved to Cripple Creek.  But hey...it only spurred her on more and more to show them (and herself, too) that she would not succumb to their taunts and ridicule.  She was going to make it on her own...period.

So, out of the two books currently available in this series, this one was by far my favorite.  The story was much more focused, and all of the characters introduced were vital to the story (not the case in the previous book, in my opinion).  I imagine Vivian will be the next sister featured, and I admit I'm a little curious which woman will be featured in the fourth book (two brides were featured in book one, one bride in books two and three, and we'll be out of Sinclair sisters by book 4).  Oh, well...it's just like these authors to keep us on our toes.  :o)

4 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  Yes

**Many thanks to Waterbrook for providing a copy for review through the Blogging For Books program.

**Would you kindly take a moment to rate my review?  It would make my day, and I'll send a hundred thanks your way!