Saturday, November 29, 2014

A November Bride

Book description:  "Sadie McAllister is fastidious to a fault-but that serves her well as a personal chef to her clients in Denver. But her earliest attempt at managing romance was a bust when Erik Davis declined her invitation to the school's eighth grade Sadie Hawkins Dance.
Having celebrated the big 3-0 by ending a relationship, Sadie is tired of romantic relationships-by-text. The only man she knows willing to put down his iPhone and have face-to-face conversations with her is Erik. It's time to put a 21st-century twist on the Sadie Hawkins' tradition of a woman going after her man. He may not be the hero of her romantic dreams, but she can propose to Erik and achieve some sort of happily ever after with her best friend.
Erik is good at two things: his freelance job and maintaining casual, no-one-gets-hurt relationships with women. What is Sadie thinking, proposing to him? This is marriage-not a middle school dance. Erik decides to show Sadie what romance looks like when the man takes the lead. And while he's at it, he'll prove just how wrong they are for each other. But when he realizes he's fallen for her, can Erik convince Sadie his just-for-fun dates were the prelude to "'til death do us part"?"

My review:  This is the final book in the "Year of Weddings" novellas.  I think it is a great book with which to end the series.  I enjoyed both Sadie and Erik.  There is plenty of humor to go with this down-to-earth story, and this is one novella that did not feel rushed.  I think the fact that Sadie and Erik had known each other so long set the stage for a quick romance.  This is a great quick read!  I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher through the Booklook Blogger program in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.    

Friday, November 28, 2014

Love Unexpected

Book description:  "All Emma Chambers ever wanted was a home, but when her steamboat sinks just outside Presque Isle, she's left destitute and with no place to stay.

An unlikely solution arises when the lighthouse keeper arrives in town. He's just lost his wife and is having a difficult time caring for his child. So a traveling preacher gets the idea that the keeper and Emma might be the answer to each other's dilemma. After a hasty marriage, she finds herself heading to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger. Nothing in her aimless life, though, has prepared her for parenting a rambunctious toddler, as well as managing a household.

Emma soon suspects Patrick may be hiding something from her, and then she hears a disturbing rumor about the circumstances surrounding his late wife's death. It seems as if her wish for a home and family of her own could end up leading her once more into turbulent waters."

My review: I enjoy reading historical fiction that is carefully researched and presented accurately.  Love Unexpected is one those books.  The historical aspects that were woven into the story were very intriguing.  I didn't realize the Great Lakes had trouble with pirates. This is a story full of grace and forgiveness.  The characters are real and well-developed and their problems and circumstances are not far-fetched.  There is just enough suspense and romance to pull the reader into the story and yet not be overdone.  I was really looking forward to reading this book after reading the short prequel.  I was not disappointed!   I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.  

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Ada's House Trilogy

Book description:  "The Hope of Refuge
Two very different women are pulled by their strongest desires. Deborah Mast joined the Amish church and longs to marry her fiancĂ©, but he is changing. Cara Moore is forced to look into a life that was meant to be hers. Will Ada’s House help them realize their hearts’ desires or will it force them to accept what life has done to each of them? 

The Bridge of Peace
Living out her passion for teaching, Lena Kauffman’s work is suddenly interrupted by a series of pranks and accidents targeted toward her and her students. When tragedy strikes her dear friend Grey Graber’s family on school property, the school board begins to blame her for the trouble. As grief and confusion take their toll on Grey and Lena’s friendship, they are both forced to face a new reality that may offer the peace and love they each long for.

The Harvest of Grace
Fleeing a terrible mistake, Sylvia Fisher dedicates herself to saving the failing Blank farm. When prodigal son Aaron returns, he is surprised by this unusual farmhand who opposes all his plans. Will Aaron and Sylvia’s unflinching efforts toward opposite futures mask the bigger picture—a path to forgiveness, grace, and the promise of love?"

My review:  This collection of three books was one that I hated to see come to an end!  I enjoyed all three and would have a very hard time choosing one to be my favorite.  As each of the first two stories came to an end I was quickly drawn into the next one.  As the third one ended, I hated to see the trilogy end.  The characters felt like family and the stories were very thought-provoking.  Each title accurately represents the theme in each book: hope, peace and grace.  Ms. Woodsmall has a way of telling a story that makes you feel as if you are right there in the middle with many lessons to learn along with the characters.  If you are a fan of Amish books, this is a trilogy you won't want to miss!  I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher through the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.  

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

When Mercy Rains

Book description:  "Suzanne Zimmerman was only seventeen and pregnant when her shamed mother quietly sent her away from their Old Order Mennonite community in Kansas. With her old home, family, and first love firmly behind her, Suzanne moved to Indiana, became a nurse, and raised a daughter, Alexa, on her own.

Now, nearly twenty years later, an unexpected letter arrives from Kansas. Her brother asks her to bring her nursing abilities home and care for their ailing mother. His request requires that Suzanne face a family that may not have forgiven her and a strict faith community. It also means seeing Paul Aldrich, her first love.   

Paul, widowed with an eight-year-old son, is relieved to see Suzanne again, giving him the chance to beg her forgiveness for his past indiscretion. But when he meets Alexa, his guilt flickers in the glare of Suzanne’s prolonged secret—one that changes everything.

Suzanne had let go of any expectation for forgiveness long ago. Does she dare hope in mercy–and how will her uncovered past affect the people she loves the most?"

My review:  This is a wonderful book! The guilt, hope, forgiveness, and mercy that are found on the pages of this book are very real and convicting.  This is a book where the reader can place herself into the lives of the characters and feel the overwhelming peace that forgiveness brings.  I loved the story and the characters and stayed up way too late finishing the book. An intriguing tale that I hated to see come to an end.  I will be anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.