Breath of Angel by Karyn Henley ~ 4 stars

Breath of Angel

Karyn Henley

The Angeleon Circle series #1

WaterBrook Press

About the book:

Melaia, a young priestess, witnesses the gruesome murder of an emaciated stranger in the temple courtyard. Just after she discovers wings on the stranger, the murderer enters the temple, and what Melaia has known only through song and story suddenly takes on flesh. Angels and shape-shifters were myths and stories . . . until now.

Melaia finds herself in the middle of a blood feud between two immortal brothers who destroyed the stairway to heaven, stranding angels in the earthly realm. When the feud turns violent and Melaia becomes a target, she finds refuge with a band of wandering angels attempting to restore the stairway. But the restoration is impossible without the repayment of an ancient debt, the “breath of angel, blood of man,” a payment that involves Melaia’s heart, soul, and destiny.

My review:

Well, this will be a little bit longer than my typical review, but there are a few things that need to be addressed.

First, although this is sold as Christian Fiction, I would just label it as clean fiction. There are angels and talk of the “Most High” that the priestesses serve, but there is no active God in the book. It is also NOT an allegory, and it does not follow Biblical principles. Also, there are two mild curse words (that I noticed) used in the dialogue. I know these things will be a to-read-or-not-to-read issue for some readers, so I wanted to mention them first.

Apart from that, I thought the book was pretty good. There were lots of plot twists and it kept me interested. It was a little confusing at first, but I soon was able to follow along very well. I was a little frustrated with the lack of power and options given to the angels and followers of the “Most High,” and wished that it was a little more Biblical in that area. It IS a fantasy world, though, and since it isn’t an allegory there are unbiblical ideas, things, and circumstances that you wouldn’t see in a Biblical allegory/fantasy book. I still liked it, however, and I will be reading the rest of this series, and I am definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next! I would recommend this book, but with a warning that it probably won’t be what you expect.

Thanks to Blogging for Books for my free review copy of this book.

Driven by Shellie Neumeier ~ 4 stars

Driven

Shellie Neumeier

Risen Books

About the book:

Robyn can’t help but notice the handsome new guy at her school. She ignores, however, the arrival of another being at Brookfield Central High School—a demon assigned to destroy her…

Robyn loves her friends, enjoys her youth group, and looks forward to meeting cute Caleb Montague. But when a caustic news reporter challenges her school’s prayer team, Robyn must choose: defend their right to meet on campus and pray for whomever they wish or back down at the principal’s request.

Now she must learn what God wants her to do. And she had better learn fast, because there’s a supernatural enemy in town whose sole mission is to stop her—no matter the cost.

My review:
While the writing didn’t blow me away, I definitely saw potential. There was nothing really wrong, just a few small things that will probably be ironed out with time. There were a some theological differences from what I believe in the book, but nothing that made me angry or want to stop reading. However, the book DID make me take a look at my prayer life and spiritual battles in a new way. (That was definitely a plus!) If there is a sequel, or a series following this book, I will most certainly be reading it.

A Secret Identity by Gayle Roper ~ 4 stars

A Secret Identity

Gayle Roper

Amish Farm Trilogy #2

Harvest House

About the book:

Cara Bentley is raised by her grandfather to appreciate family. When she discovers—quite by accident—that he was adopted, her whole perspective changes.

If Grandpa Bentley wasn’t a Bentley, who was he? If she isn’t a Bentley, who is she? She determines to find her “real” family.

Ending up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, she takes a room at the Zook family farm. When she seeks the help of attorney Todd Reasoner, the search for the truth begins in earnest. But as mysterious accidents begin to happen, Cara suspects her attempt to find out the truth is not welcome—and neither is she.


My review:
Well, this book definitely kept me more engaged than the first book, but it still isn’t my favorite kind of book. It was a good book, but I wasn’t wowed by it and I didn’t fall in love with it. I cannot pinpoint anything that I disliked; it just didn’t hold my interest in an I-can’t-put-this-down kind of way. I wouldn’t really recommend this, since I don’t know what type of reader this book appeals to. (I’m sure some people will enjoy it, but I can’t say specifically who would.) All I can say is, sweet romance, sweet characters, but just an okay book in my opinion.

Hearts Surrender by Marianne Evans ~ 4 stars

Hearts Surrender

Marianne Evans

Woodland series #2

White Rose Publishing

About the book:

Kiara Jordan is a sophisticated modernista, but beneath an engaging personality and super-model looks, her heart hungers, and she longs for deeper meaning in her life.

Ken Lucerne is the charismatic young pastor of Woodland Church; he's adjusting to life as a widower and copes by keeping as busy as possible with his parish and missionary work.

A home-building mission in Pennsylvania brings them together, and forces them to look hard and deep at the relationship they share, and where God means for it to go. Already bound by mutual respect and caring, love dawns, a love that takes them to a life-point neither would have expected.

After all, can a chic, vivacious woman find fulfillment within the quiet, mission-centered life of a clergyman? Can they trust God's hand strongly enough to surrender their hearts to one another...forever?

My review:

Well, I saw a marked improvement between the first book in this series, and this one. The writing was stronger, and the characters were understandable and easy to connect with. I could see their struggles, and enjoyed watching each of them grow in their faith. I especially loved when they were on the mission trip and wished more time could have been devoted to that part of the book. Such a wonderful opportunity to help others! Aside from a few belief differences, I had no real problems with this book. It was a quick, fun read. I look forward to continuing to see this author grow and write more in the future.

Thanks to Marianne for my free review copy of this book!

Amy Inspired by Bethany Pierce ~ 4 stars

Amy Inspired

Bethany Pierce

Bethany House

About the book:

With rejections piling up, she could use just a little inspiration...

Amy Gallagher, aspiring writer, has an unabashed obsession with words. She gave up a steady, albeit unexciting, job to pursue a life of writing. However, two years and one master's degree later, she finds herself almost exactly right back where she started. Discouraged by the growing pile of rejections from publishers and afraid that she has settled, Amy knows something has to change.

Then she meets the mysterious, attractive, and unavailable Eli. Amy finds herself struggling to walk the fine line between friendship and something more with Eli, even as she tries to cope with the feeling that her friends and family are moving on without her. When the unexpected begins pouring in, Amy doubts the love and fulfillment she seeks will ever come her way. Forced to take a close look at who she has become, the state of her faith, and her aspirations for her life, she must make a choice: play it safe yet again or finally find the courage to follow her dreams.

My review:
I really enjoyed this book. The writing was fresh and original, and, though not my normal taste, I really liked it. I could relate to Amy on many points, and looked forward to seeing her grow throughout the book. However, although her character did grow, it was very subtle and in some instances I didn’t feel she had a strong conclusion. It was more like a small piece of a person’s life than a changed character by the end of the book. She still had a lot of growing to do, and I felt like there wasn’t a solid resolution to some of her questions about her faith.

The writing was very frank, and I liked the tell-it-like-it-is approach she took to things. (However on some issues, I know this will make people uncomfortable, especially younger readers.) The book had what I call an “open” ending. It leaves the reader with the option of imagining the specifics of the ending, rather than tying up all the loose ends itself. I think readers who tend to like chick-lit type books will find this story best to their liking.

Thanks to Bethany House for my review copy of this book!

Stars Collide by Janice Thompson ~ 4 stars

Stars Collide

Janice Thompson

Backstage Pass series #1

Revell

About the book:

Her future's so bright, she's gotta wear shades

Kat Jennings and Scott Murphy don't just play two people who are secretly in love on a television sitcom--they are actually head over heels for each other in real life. When the lines between reality and TV land blur, they hope they can keep their relationship under wraps. But when Kat's grandmother, an eccentric star from Hollywood's golden age, mistakes their on-screen wedding proposal for the real deal, things begin to spiral out of control. Will their secret be front-page news in the tabloids? And can their budding romance survive the onslaught of paparazzi, wedding preparations, and misinformed family members?

My review:

I just want to say that I probably would have given this book a higher rating, but it took me about two weeks to read it (a crazy-long time for me) because of school, and I hate taking so long to read a book. The book wasn’t slow for me to read, I just had so much going on at the time.

I did love the characters, plot, and style. Janice just has such a sweet writing style! The ending was lovely and I loved how the reader was kept in the dark about the surprise right until the end! That was awesome. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what the rest of the series is going to be like! (And who the main characters will be…) Once again, Janice has come out with a heart-warming, lesson-teaching, faith-filled, fun-to-read book.

Available January 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

A Path Less Traveled by Cathy Bryant ~ 4 stars

A Path Less Traveled

Cathy Bryant

Miller's Creek series #2

WordVessel Press

About the book:

Trish James is tired of being rescued. When a spooked horse claims her husband’s life, she’s determined to blaze a path for herself and her traumatized son without outside help. But will that mean leaving the place etched on her heart?

Andy Tyler has had to struggle for everything, and starting a new law practice in Miller’s Creek, Texas is no different. Though prepared for business challenges, he’s not prepared for falling in love–especially with yet another woman who will probably abandon him for her career.

Will Andy and Trish be able to see past their limited human understanding to take a path less traveled?

My review:
I enjoyed this second book in the Miller’s Creek series. But, at the same time, my heart broke for Trish and all the pain she went through. I wanted to help and comfort her so badly! I liked that the theme of the book was trusting in God’s leading, and not trusting our own understanding. That was well portrayed in how Trish kept going her own way, sometimes even supposing that it was what God wanted her to do.

Andy is a great guy, and I loved him as the male lead. I love a guy who is willing to pursue his girl! However, I do wish that a little more time had been spent towards the end of the book on his emotional state, and what was happening with his family. There were so many things going on in this book, but I didn’t feel like they took away from Trish’s story at all. They just seemed to keep the book fast-paced. I would recommend this book, and the first in this series, as heartwarming reads.

Thanks to Cathy for my free review copy of this book!

*Sorry I was late posting this, guys! I'm ALMOST done with school. Just one more day of classes left, and I'm FREEEEEEE! For a few weeks at least. ;) *

McKenzie by Penny Zeller ~ 4 stars

McKenzie

Penny Zeller

Montana Skies series #1

Whitaker House

About the book:

"Desperate times call for desperate measures" is the reasoning that prompts McKenzie Worthington, a young lady of Boston's high society, to respond to an ad for a mail-order bride for a man in the Montana Territory. McKenzie is desperate, after all, to save her beloved younger sister, Kaydie, from her evil, abusive husband, who robs banks for a living. And so, it is with reckless determination that McKenzie runs away from the comforts of home and hearth to head West and meet her new husband-whom she'll divorce, of course, after she rescues her sister.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures" is the reasoning that also prompts Zachary Sawyer, a rugged rancher after God's own heart, to post an ad for a mail-order bride in various newspapers across the country. Managing a ranch and caring for his adoptive son, Davey, has become more than one man can handle alone, and Zach prays for God to send him a wife with whom to build a life and share his dreams.

When McKenzie arrives at Zach's ranch, she immediately puts her plan in motion, searching for her sister and doing all she can to keep her new husband from forming an attachment. But his persistent kindness and significant self-sacrifices begin to change her heart-and ruin her plans. God has a way of working things out to the good of those who love Him, though, as McKenzie and Kaydie will soon see.

My review:
While I did see room for improvements in this book, I also saw potential. I will definitely be reading the second book in this series.

Here are some things I thought could be better… The dialogue could use some work, but that was only in some areas. Occasionally it would seem a bit dramatic or over done, but that is easily fixed. It seemed to miss some opportunities to bring the reader closer to the characters and what was happening in their lives. Or a scene wasn’t played out, when I think it should have been. Such as when McKenzie and Zach get back from their wedding ceremony, you never know what happens. You just know that McKenzie sleeps in her own room, but you never know if they talked about waiting or what! That seemed an odd thing to leave out of the story to me as it is a pretty big deal in the characters lives. Also, when Kaydie tells her sister that she is pregnant. I felt like you waited such a long time for the sisters to be reunited, then you don’t even get to “participate” when they are really together and catching up for the first time.

The hero and heroine don’t meet until 100 pages into the book, but it seemed to pass quickly for me because of the letters passing between them. McKenzie is a spoiled brat when she first comes into the book, but as the story progresses you begin to see her changing into a more loving, God-centered person.

Zach is a first-rate hero! I loved him. He is so patient and kind! Awesome. He is a hero that is truly admirable. I loved how he took his dad’s advice about the “small things” and was ready and willing to please, compromise, and forgive whenever he needed to. Such a great guy!

Nightingale by Susan May Warren ~ 4 stars

Nightingale

Susan May Warren

Brothers in Arms series #2

Summerside Press

About the book:

Esther Lange doesn’t love her fiancé—she’s trapped in an engagement after a mistaken night of passion.

Still, she grieves him when he’s lost in battle, the letters sent to her by the medic at his side giving her a strange comfort, so much that she strikes up a correspondence with Peter Hess, an Iowa farmboy. Or is he? Peter Hess is not who he seems. Indeed, he’s hiding a secret, something that could cost them both their lives, especially when the past comes back to life. A bittersweet love song of the home front war between duty and the heart...a battle where only one will survive.

My review:
I didn’t like this book as much as the first book in the series, Sons of Thunder, but I did like it. It was SO different from Sons of Thunder! The plot, the style, almost everything was so different. But, like the first book, this has a strong faith message and a message about being redeemed through Christ. I liked that the Esther was a “fallen woman” who was searching for what was missing in her life. However, I didn’t feel very close to her. That may have been because of the POV changes to the main male lead, but I’m not sure. I just didn’t get totally caught up in her story.

Part of the reason I didn’t really connect with this book may have been because I was trying to read it quickly. However, the book has GREAT historic details that help the era to come alive. The letters exchanged between Esther and Peter were so sweet and I really enjoyed reading them. This IS a good book in its own right, just very different from book one in the series.

Thanks to LitFuse for my free review copy of  this book. Visit their site and Nightingale post HERE.

First Love by Michelle Sutton ~ 4 stars

First Love

Michelle Sutton

Tombstone Treasures series #2

Desert Breeze Publishing

About the book:

Josiah and Tara had enjoyed acting in their high school plays. They had also been each others' first lover... in fact; most of the time they'd spent together had been in Tara's bed. When Josiah became a Christian, he left Tara to go to college and didn't look back.

Four years later, Josiah is back in town when his father has a near-fatal heart attack. When they meet up again they realize how much their separation had hurt each of them. But now Tara is a Christian and is trying to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Josiah wants Tara back, but neither knows how to relate to each other without the physical intimacy they once shared. They are determined to do things right this time, but find it more challenging than they'd anticipated.

My review:
*Since my review copy was an ARC, some of the things mentioned in my review might not be the same as in the final version.*

First, I’m just going to say that I loved the subject that Michelle dealt with in this book. It is about two teens who had sex outside of marriage, then broke up. Later, they meet and are both Christians who want to renew their relationship, except this time do everything God’s way. I thought Michelle did a great job of portraying their struggle to stay pure and honor God with their relationship. To me, reading the book was kind of like hearing about some friends of mine who kept messing up, and I felt like I wanted to help them understand it and stay strong but couldn’t.

Some of the dialogue could be changed to follow more logical patterns. (Such as characters saying seemingly random things to make the dialogue go in a new direction.) But, that was pretty minor and could easily be fixed. For the most part, the character’s emotions were realistically done and there were only a few places where I felt like an emotion would come up that wasn’t warranted by the situation. However, that was pretty minor as well.

All in all, I really liked this book and its message about purity in relationships. It gave me some stuff to think about in terms of relationships and boundaries when dating. (Just a warning though, due to the subject matter and writing style of the author, there are some steamy scenes between the characters. I would not recommend this to younger teens.)

Teen People of the Bible by Daniel Darling ~ 4 stars

Teen People of the Bible: Celebrity Profiles of Real Faith and Tragic Failure

Daniel Darling

New Hope Publishers

About the book:

The Bible speaks clearly to issues that teens of any generation experience. Teen People of the Bible is a 100-day devotional for teens that shares the stories of teen celebrities in the Bible—Cain, Abel, Rebekah, Isaac, Daniel, Esther, David, Michal, Solomon and many more—relating their struggles and victories to those of today’s teens. As each new biblical person is introduced and discussed, the author provides unique lessons that inspire or challenge teens as they navigate their own spiritual journey.

My review:

This 100 day Devotional for teens is a great source for a teen who wants to see how Bible stories can relate to them since they aren’t “old.” For the most part, this was a great devotional and I enjoyed it. It seemed to have good insight into the Word, and relevant scripture usage. There were only a few things that I disagreed with, or was a little “fuzzy” on. All in all, I think this is a good place for teens to go to show stories and explain about the teenagers from the Bible.

Journey to Forgiveness by Laurean Brooks ~ 4 stars

Journey to Forgiveness

Laurean Brooks

White Rose Publishing

About the book:

When Jenny Hinson's abusive father deserts the family, the responsibility of the family's Tennessee farm falls to Jenny and her mother. Four years later, in 1938, boll weevils infest the cotton crop, plunging the Hinsons into dire financial straits. At the invitation of a Chicago aunt, Jenny takes the train north to find work to support her family.

Electricity has yet to reach Chicory Valley. But not only is Jenny introduced to it in its tapped form in Chicago, but encounters a few jolts along the way when she challenges the infuriating Austin Grant over a luggage mishap. Sparks fly outside the Kankakee train station when Jenny discovers her missing vanity case under Austin's arm, and labels him a thief. Then, after Austin coaxes money from her aunt's congregation to “supposedly” rebuild a tornado-stricken town, Jenny determines to find enough evidence to expose him and his nefarious deeds.

Why did Austin pull money from the mission strongbox and stuff a large roll into his pocket? Wasn't this the proof Jenny needed to convict him? Then why was she reluctant to report the theft? And why did her heart somersault at every encounter with the notorious Austin? Surely, she wasn't in love with him! Jenny's personal convictions would never allow a relationship where trust is blatantly missing.

Can Jenny muster the courage to ask Austin the tough question that will ultimately make or break their relationship? And how will she handle the strained relationship with her father? Can Jenny forgive his brutality? Will she relinquish love for a life of bitterness? Find out as you follow Jenny's struggles in Journey to Forgiveness.

My review:
Laurean definitely has a fun writing style. The main character, Jenny, is always getting herself into trouble and funny situations with her overactive imagination and lack of control over her tongue. In some places, I thought the phrasing or dialogue could be tweaked a little to make it more smooth or realistic, but for the most part I really enjoyed it.

I loved that they went on a mission trip to help people right in their own area! That really impressed me, and I loved that Austin wanted to do that with his life. The whole theme of forgiveness was good, and I liked the way Laurean portrayed the need for it through the character’s situations. At times, it seemed like the characters where “discovering” something, or saying that they “hadn’t thought of something that way” when they already had, so that area could have been improved.

But, all in all I thought the author did a very good job, and it is a good book with an important message that was fun to read. Lots of potential in this author, in my opinion.

Love, Charleston by Beth Webb Hart ~ 4 stars

Love, Charleston

Beth Webb Hart

Thomas Nelson Publishing

About the book:

Charleston’s Anne Brumley has long dreamed of romance while ringing the bells at St. Michael’s, but those dreams are beginning to fade. Her sister Alicia and cousin Della encourage her to strike out and make her own way—after all, she’s thirty-six. But the tall redhead is sure God said, “Stay here and wait.”

Widower Roy Summerall has happily ministered to the country folks of Church of the Good Shepherd for years. So why would the Lord call him and his daughter away to Charleston—the city that Roy remembers from his childhood as pretentious and superficial? Surely the refined congregation of St. Michael’s won’t accept a reverend with a red neck and a simple faith.

Meanwhile, Anne’s sister, Alicia, struggles with her husband’s ambition which seems to be taking him further and further from their dreams of a happy family together. And Cousin Della’s former fiancé has returned to Charleston, making her wonder if she chose the wrong path when she married her gifted but struggling-artist husband.

Family, friendship, and faith converge in a beautiful story about how God’s transforming love works in the Holy City of Charleston.

My review:
Well, I have mixed feelings about this book. The author has a unique writing style that appealed to me, where she often includes little details that other authors would leave out. One unusual thing is that the “main” characters don’t even meet until you are over 150 pages into the book. But, the storylines for the other characters kept me interested, so it worked out alright.

There was one thing that I didn’t care for, and that would be Lish’s situation. It broke my heart to read what she was going through. Her storyline basically gave me a mixture of sadness and anger. But, in the end she is doing better and you have hope for her character.

So, mixed feelings. I can’t say that DIDN’T like it, but I can’t say that I completely ENJOYED it either. I would recommend this to the person who likes books that are a little different from your average read. It’s not a typical romance, or any other genre that I can think of.

Thanks to BookSneeze for my review copy of this book.

Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico by Lena Nelson Dooley ~ 4 stars

Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico

Lena Nelson Dooley

Love Finds You series

Summerside Press

About the book:

All that glitters is not gold. It’s 1890, and Golden, New Mexico, is a booming mining town where men far outnumber women. So when an old wealthy miner named Philip Smith finds himself in need of a nursemaid, he places an ad for a mail-order bride—despite the protests of his friend Jeremiah. Hoping to escape a perilous situation back East, young Madeleine Mercer answers the ad and arrives in town under a cloud of suspicion. But just as she begins to win over Philip—and Jeremiah himself—the secrets she left behind threaten to follow her to Golden...and tarnish her character beyond redemption.

My review:

Madeline is facing a lot of changes in her life: the recent death of her father, the death of a poor friend which leaves a newborn baby in Maddy’s care, and her father’s supposed business partner, Horace, and his claims to marriage with Madeline. Not to mention the rumors surrounding her father’s death. In an attempt to escape marriage with Horace, Maddy flees to New Mexico in answer to a “bride wanted” ad in the newspaper. Imagine her surprise when she arrives to learn that the man who places the ad is actually an elderly miner! In addition to all that the miner’s best friend can’t seem to stand Madeline and treats her with utmost suspicion. With all these things added together you have a recipe for adventure.

There were some things about this book that I thought could have been better. Those were mainly really small things, though, like phrasing and stuff like that. For the most part though, this is a well written, sweet romance and I would recommend it.

Angel Song by Sheila Walsh & Kathryn Cushman ~ 4 stars

Angel Song

Sheila Walsh and Kathryn Cushman

Thomas Nelson Publishing

About the book:

When Annie Fletcher returns to Charleston to see her younger sister, Sarah, receive her master’s degree, she finds herself riding in the back of an ambulance, watching helplessly as Sarah fights for life. During the ride, Sarah appears to talk to someone who is not there, humming a melody Annie has never heard before.

Neighbor Ethan McKinney lends a shoulder when Sarah unexpectedly dies. And as a carpenter, Ethan volunteers to help Annie get the Fletcher family home into shape for selling. Ethan’s presence is distracting, but what troubles Annie is her neighbor Tammy’s 12-year-old son. Keith has Down Syndrome and the guile to believe he can see and hear angels.

God begins to reveal Himself to Annie – both in her newfound friends and through heart-rending and clearly supernatural events. Annie discovers faith in God, finally experiencing the comfort that His angels really do surround us.

My review:
I definitely loved the subject in this book. Angels are something that most people, including Christians, don’t seriously think about very often. It really made me think and want to do a little more reading about angels and their roles in our lives.

There were some things that I didn’t quite agree with, because I believe differently in those areas, but for the most part I liked what the book had to say. Ethan is a really sweet male character, but I didn’t fall in love with him. I think that is because the main focus of the book is Ann and her coming to terms with her past, more than on the romance between her and Ethan. I enjoyed this book, but it’s not one of my favorites. However, the writing is good and I would recommend it to someone who favors this type of book.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for my review copy of this book.

Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa by Melanie Dobson ~ 4 stars

Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa

Melanie Dobson

Love Finds You series

Summerside Press

About the book:

Times are hard in 1894. Desperate for work, former banker Jacob Hirsch rides the rails west from Chicago with his four-year-old daughter, Cassie. When a life-threatening illness strands the pair in Homestead, Iowa, the local Amana villagers welcome the father and daughter into their peaceful society. Liesel, a young Amana woman, nurses Cassie back to health, and the Homestead elders offer Jacob work. But Jacob’s growing interest in Liesel complicates his position in the Amanas. Will he fight to stay in the only place that feels like home, even if it means giving up the woman he loves? Or will Liesel leave her beloved community to face the outside world with Jacob and Cassie at her side?

My review:

There are certain things about the way the Amana Society believes that bother me. So those instances made the book a smidgen less enjoyable for me, but for the most part, I liked the book. The writing was good, and I liked the characters, but I didn’t fall in love with them. This is an enjoyable read with a sweet ending though, and I did like it.

Somewhere to Belong by Judith Miller ~ 4 stars

Somewhere to Belong

Judith Miller

Daughters of Amana series #1

Bethany House

About the book:

Journey inside the picturesque villages of the Amana Colonies, 1877

Johanna Ilg has lived her entire life in Main Amana, one of the seven villages settled by devout Christians who believe in cooperative living, a simple lifestyle, and faithful service to God. Although she's always longed to see the outside world, Johanna believes her future is rooted in Amana. But when she learns a troubling secret, the world she thought she knew is shattered. Is this truly where she belongs?

Berta Schumacher has lived a privileged life in Chicago, so when her parents decide they want a simpler life in Amana, Iowa, she resists. Under the strictures of the Amana villages, her rebellion reaches new heights. Will her heart ever be content among the plain people of Amana?

My review:
I really enjoyed this book. But, in my opinion, the writing was good, not great. I just wasn’t wowed by it. It IS a good book, and I loved the characters and seeing them grow and change. I also really liked the message or theme of secrets. I liked how the author portrayed how secrets can potentially destroy relationships and how wonderful it feels to just get everything out in the open. I would recommend this, just not highly.

Thanks to Bethany House for my review copy of this book.

Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James ~ 4 stars

Love on a Dime

Cara Lynn James

Ladies of Summerhill series #1

Thomas Nelson Publishing

About the book:

In age of elegance and excess, Lilly Westbrook longs for a love both true and eternal.

Newport, Rhode Island, 1899, is a place of shimmering waves, sleek yachts, and ladies of leisure. Of opulent mansions that serve as summer cottages for the rich and famous. Home of railroad magnates and banking tycoons--dashing young men and the women who aspire to marry them.

But it's not the place for lady novelists. Especially not those who pen disreputable dime novels. This poses a problem for Lilly Westbrook, because that's exactly what she does.

No one in Lilly's social set knows she pens fiction under the nom de plume Fannie Cole. Not her family or the wealthy young man about to propose to her. And especially not Jackson Grail, the long-lost beau who just bought her publishing company...and who stirs her heart more than she cares to admit.

But Lilly must put aside her feelings and follow the path that will maintain her family's social stature and provide the financial security that everyone is depending on.

Now Lilly faces a double dilemma. Can she continue to protect her secret identity? And will she have the courage to choose the man who will risk it all just to win her heart?

My review:
I loved the storyline of this book. I loved the whole idea and the characters and the plot. However, the writing style left a little wanting, to me. For example, there were a few instances in the book where I thought the author could have taken advantage of the situation to evoke more emotion in the reader than she did. I did see great potential though, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for my review copy of this book.

Hearts Awakening by Delia Parr ~ 4 stars

Hearts Awakening

Delia Parr

Bethany House Publishing

About the book:

Two people in desperate circumstances. One unlikely proposal.

Life has left few choices for Elvira Kilmer. Her hopes for marriage and a family of her own have long since passed her by, and her arrival on Dillon's Island, nestled in the Susquehanna River, is not of her choosing, either. She needs work. And Jackson Smith needs a housekeeper.

Yet Ellie never imagined the widower would be so young... so handsome.

Jackson, on the other hand, has never met anyone quite so... plain. But he quickly comes to realize that Ellie's presence may solve his own problems--both the rearing of his young boys and the scandal that surrounds his first marriage.

When Jackson offers her something quite out of the ordinary, will Ellie look beyond mere necessity and risk opening her heart?

My review:
Hearts Awakening is a book that made me cry, scoot to the edge of my seat, growl in frustration, and, in the end, sigh. Ellie is the kind of woman that I try to be like: patient, forgiving, insightful, kind even when she doesn’t feel like it, and she puts others first. She isn’t naturally this way. She just tries her best because she knows it’s the right thing to do. Her determination to keep on loving Jackson, even when he sorely did not deserve it, emulates true love. She encouraged him to be better, by example and by word. The book itself was easy for me to get caught up in, but it was a little lacking in romance between the characters, in my opinion. All in all, I would recommend it.
Thanks to Bethany House for the reviewer copy of this book.

The Anonymous Bride by Vickie McDonough ~ 4 stars

The Anonymous Bride

Vickie McDonough

Texas Boardinghouse Brides series #1

Barbour Publishing

About the book:

Three mail-orders brides arrive in Lookout, Texas, each expecting to marry the local marshal. But—he didn't order a bride. When a contest ensues to discover which bride will make him the best wife, there is a surprise fourth entry--an anonymous one. Mayhem occurs as the whole town tries to figure out who the anonymous bride is, and the mayor pressures the marshal to pick a bride or lose his job. Will Marshal Davis tuck tail and run for the hills? Or will he lose his heart and his bachelorhood?

My review:

I had expected this book to be pretty funny from what I had read about it, but, to me, it was more of a “funny-circumstances’ than a “laugh-out-loud-comedy” kind of a book. I really did enjoy it, just not in a “this book will crack you up” kind of way. The first and secondary characters were great and I loved them all. (I really loved how two certain scoundrel boys turned out to be so protective and caring towards Jack. LOVED IT.)

I liked how Vickie showed how important it is to forgive others in this book. Especially how she showed that the thing we are so angry about, might not even be something we should be angry about. We don’t usually know the whole story and we need to reserve judgment until we do. She wrote that theme into the book in a very poignant way. That lesson will certainly stay with me, and help me to be slower to anger towards others for their supposed wrongs toward me. Definitely recommended to people who like a sweet romance with a message.