Rock Harbor Search and Rescue

Book Description: "In Rock Harbor Search and Rescue, a middle grade fiction novel based on Colleen Coble’s bestselling Rock Harbor series for adults, kids will enjoy the mixture of pets, adventure, suspense, and a mystery.

Emily O’Reilly is obsessed with all things Search and Rescue. She volunteers with the team and goes on rescue missions with her stepmom. She is even selling homemade jewelry to save up for her own Search and Rescue puppy. But when an expensive necklace is stolen from a renowned jewelry artist at Rock Harbor’s fall festival and Emily is accused of the crime, it looks like she’ll never get her puppy and be able to join the Rock Harbor Search and Rescue team.

Emily isn’t willing to give up on her Search and Rescue dreams that easily, and she sets out to find the real culprit and to restore her reputation. With a few suspects in mind, Emily is determined to uncover the truth, but she isn’t prepared for the secrets she and the Search and Rescue dogs sniff out in the process."

My Review:  I enjoyed reading this youth novel.  Colleen Coble is one of my favorite authors, but I wasn't sure if she would do as well with a youth novel.  I was not disappointed.  There is plenty of adventure and suspense, as well as lessons to be learned.  Any young girl that loves to read would benefit from reading this book.  Ms. Coble wrote a book that girls can read, enjoy, and learn from.  I will definitely be hanging on to this book for my daughters to read when they get a little bit older.  I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their Booksneeze Blogger program in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.   

Dandelions on the Wind

Book description:  "Maren Jensen, a rejected mail-order bride from Denmark, works as a domestic on Elsa Brantenberg's farm and helps care for Elsa's granddaughter. Maren's failing eyesight has made having a family of her own seem impossible. When Rutherford "Wooly" Wainwright returns to the farm, now a Civil War veteran, he discovers that Maren has become an important part of his mother-in-law's and daughter's lives. Maren soon realizes there isn't room for both she and Rutherford on the farm and takes a job at a store in town, making it possible for Rutherford to start fresh with his family, but her absence in the home affects them all. In the end, Maren realizes God has been lighting her path all along."

My review:  This is a novella that I think should have been a longer book.  I enjoyed the characters and the story, but the book was just not long enough for the author to fully develop either one.  I was really disappointed when the book ended, because I felt like I had been cheated.  Where was the rest of the story?!  I did appreciate the spiritual lessons.  Even Elsa had lessons to learn though she was "old" and a grandmother.  I really liked that this portrayed the fact that no matter how old we get, our spiritual lives can continue to grow and learn and mature.  I also appreciated Maren's physical limitations caused by her eyesight.  We often don't think about what it would have been like to live even a generation ago where modern medicine was not advanced enough to correct what is more easily corrected today.  

Even though the book was a bit disappointing, I did enjoy reading it.  I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Waterbrook/Multnomah in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

The Guardian

Summary:  "When Jodi Winfield comes to Lancaster to house-sit, the last thing she expects to find is a disheveled little girl alone on the side of the road. The young teacher is mystified when she learns there have been no reports of a missing child, and the girl herself is no help, since she can't speak English. It's as if the child appeared out of nowhere.

Then Jodi turns her attention to Hickory Hollow--and the cloistered world of the Old Order Amish--in search of answers."

My Review:  I always look forward to new books by Beverly Lewis.  This one was not one her best, but it was still good.  The Guardian, which is part of the Hickory Hollow series, can stand alone.  It is a very easy read and the story did not take the path I expected it to take just from the title.  Jodi is a strong likable character, and I enjoyed reading about her introduction to the Amish way of life.  The story flows easily around Jodi's life as well as the Amish.  Some parts of the story I found unbelievable, but the characters themselves were endearing.  Even though this story is not a page-turner, if you enjoy stories about the Amish this a book you will enjoy reading.  I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Letters to Katie

Book description:  "Everything changed between them the first time he called her Katie.

Katherine Yoder has loved Johnny Mullet since they were children, but he never actively returned her affections. Like so many things in their world, he assumes Katherine will always be there. Once his horse farm is a success, then he will court her in earnest.

For several weeks, Katherine has been plagued by severe headaches and dizziness. While resting at home, Johnny unexpectedly visits, but when dizziness strikes, she loses consciousness. She awakens hours later in a hospital bed, unable to remember how she got there.

Seeing Katherine injured and vulnerable stirs something in Johnny, and his guilt compels him to spend time with her while she heals. Soon his heart begins to stir with questions: Does she even remember why he'd come to her house that day?

As Katherine struggles to recall recent memories of Johnny, a surprise visitor arrives in her already unsteady world—a man named Isaac who claims they had been writing letters to each other, even considering marriage, before her illness.

With two men vying for her attention and her memory still elusive, Katherine has never felt so divided. The answer may lie behind a door she never considered opening."

My review:  Another great book to read!  I enjoyed following the lives of both characters.  Johnny's thought processes were not unusual, and Katherine's responses were typical.  I think that is what made this book so real.  As I read, I almost felt as though this were a true story, but the amnesia and the man named Isaac kept it from truly feeling that way.  I do think that both of those parts added to the story though without seeming like  they didn't belong.  The ending was a bit unusual but very appropriate!  I thought it was a perfect ending to a wonderful story.  This book also continued the story of Laura and Sawyer, who were the main characters of a previous book by this author.  I enjoyed catching up on their story as well.  If you enjoy reading about the Amish, this is one you will want to read.  I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their Booksneeze Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Wishing on Willows

Book description:  "A three-year-old son, a struggling cafe, and fading memories are all Robin Price has left of her late husband.  As the proud owner of Willow Tree Cafe in small town Peaks, Iowa, she pours her heart into every muffin she bakes and espresso she pulls, thankful for the sense of purpose and community the work provides.

So when developer Ian McKay shows up in Peaks with plans to build condos where her cafe and a vital town ministry are located, she isn't about to let go without a fight.

As stubborn as he is handsome, Ian won't give up easily.  His family's business depends on his success in Peaks.  But as Ian pushes to seal the deal, he wonders if he has met his match.  Robin's gracious spirit threatens to undo his resolve, especially when he discovers the beautiful widow harbors a grief that resonates with his own.

With polarized opinions forming all over town, business becomes unavoidably personal, and Robin and Ian must decide whether to cling to the familiar or surrender their plans to the God of second chances."

My review:  Once again, Katie Ganshert has written a story that is real with characters that are believable.  The reader is able to enter into the lives of Robin and her son and experience what they are feeling.  Robin is a strong character with strengths and weaknesses that make her real.  Her struggles will make you sympathize with her and want to try and find some way to help.  Ian is the kind of character that you love one minute and hate the next.  The reader is left with mixed emotions about him; however,  Mrs. Ganshert was able to write the story in such a way that although the outcome was not really predictable, it was satisfactory in the end.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.  I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook Press in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

What a Son Needs from His Mom

What a Son Needs from His Mom by Cheri Fuller is an excellent book for moms that have sons.  This is a practical parenting book written by a godly woman.  She covers topics such as building confidence, praying for, listening and communicating with, and developing a son's character.  While some of these topics we think we know about, Cheri Fuller adds insight and new ideas that I had not considered before.  Many are practical, some are Biblical, and all will help moms of sons no matter what stage of life those sons are in.  This is a book you will want to take your time reading in order to absorb all the information and advice that she gives.  In fact, taking notes is not a bad idea since there are so many practical ideas and helpful tips that you will want to remember.  As you read you will realize that there are plenty of things that you already knew but plenty more that you have to learn.  This is a must read for every mom with sons.  I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

The Heiress of Winterwood

Book Description:  "Amelia Barrett gave her word. Keeping it could cost her everything.

Darbury, England, 1814

Amelia Barrett, heiress to an estate nestled in the English moors, defies family expectations and promises to raise her dying friend’s baby. She'll risk everything to keep her word—even to the point of proposing to the child’s father—a sea captain she’s never met.

When the child vanishes with little more than an ominous ransom note hinting to her whereabouts, Amelia and Graham are driven to test the boundaries of their love for this little one.

Amelia’s detailed plans would normally see her through any trial, but now, desperate and shaken, she’s forced to examine her soul and face her one weakness: pride.

Graham’s strength and self-control have served him well and earned him much respect, but chasing perfection has kept him a prisoner of his own discipline. And away from the family he has sworn to love and protect.

Both must learn to accept God’s sovereignty and relinquish control so they can grasp the future He has for planned for them."

My review:  This is a dangerous book to start reading unless you have lots of time!  I couldn't put it down!  I finished it the day after I started it and hated to see it come to an end.  Sarah Ladd is able to pull the reader into the story from the very first words.  The characters were developed in such a way that the reader feels like she is part of their lives.  The romance is not overdone and the suspense and mystery, while a bit predictable, makes you second guess exactly what you think is going to happen.  Ms. Ladd could have continued with the story, and I would have happily kept reading.  I will certainly look for more books by this author.  I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their Booksneeze Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.