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.

The Rocky Mountain Heiress Collection

Book description:  "Kathleen Y'Barbo's The Rocky Mountain Heiress Collection includes the rollicking romances of three amazing young women; an adventure-seeking heiress pretending to be a governess to go west, a feisty well-to-do society girl longing to become a journalist and chase the story of a lifetime, and the millionaire's daughter who is being asked to marry for the good of the family business. Fans of westerns will find themselves transported to frontier Colorado and into stories with independent heroines, adventure, love, and ambition."


My review:   Although this book is a collection of three separate stories, the characters are intertwined.  I really enjoyed all three stories and would be hard put if I had to say which one was my favorite.  Kathleen Y'Barbo has a delightful sense of humor.  I actually laughed out loud in several places as I read.  I enjoyed the characters and was sad to see the third book come to an end.  The plots in each story were not unusual, but the twists and unexpected circumstances gave each book a freshness that kept me turning pages to see what would happen next.  I would love to read more by this author, but I would especially like to read more about these particular heroines.  Their stories made me feel like I know them.  I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.