Steadfast Heart

Book description:  "Despite her spoiled upbringing, twenty-year-old Lenore Fulcher isn't pretentious. She simply believes a marriage should be built on true love. Her father, however, thinks she's wasted enough time searching for the perfect husband. He wants to marry her off to one of his business partners--who is seventeen years her senior--an idea that is out of the question for Lenore.

Kolbein Booth, a young lawyer from Chicago, arrives in Seattle looking for his headstrong sister, who he believes may have answered an advertisement for mail-order brides. Sick with worry, he storms into the Madison Bridal School, demanding to see his sister, only to learn she isn't there. But Lenore Fulcher is, and something about her captures his attention.

Is this the man Lenore has been searching for? She may not have long to find out..."

My review:  Tracie Peterson is one of my favorite authors, but this book does not live up to her usual quality.  The book description is deceiving, because most of the book centers around Abrianna, who is Lenore's best friend.  The little bit of story that there is for Lenore is very shallow and unrealistic. However, I did enjoy Abrianna.  Her character has a lot more depth and her story is what kept me reading.  I was also very disappointed in the ending.  The story shifted back to Lenore, ended quickly, and left many loose ends; one of the loose ends being Abrianna.  I will only be reading the next book in the series in the hopes that Abrianna's story will be finished. This book is just not what I have come to expect from Tracie Peterson.  I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.    

A Woodland Miracle

Book description:  "Grace feels like she can't measure up to those around her, and Ben could use a good dose of humility.

In their small northern Michigan district, where women outnumber men three to one, Grace doesn't believe she will ever attract a husband, especially with her limp. Tired of struggling both emotionally and physically, Grace is ready to see the specialist in Ohio, even if it means going against everything she's heard about God's grace being sufficient.

Ben Eicher is a young man from Pinecraft, Florida, whose carefree ways have caused him to lose his father's respect-again. According to Ben, though, life shouldn't be so serious that it suffocates all the fun. When he is sent to Michigan's Upper Peninsula to get his life back on track, he never thought it would mean working alongside a woman-especially a hardworking one like Grace. The last thing Grace wants is another friendship with a man who pities her.

Meanwhile, the Amish community becomes entangled with two potentially dangerous men on the run. When Ben discovers Grace has been kidnapped, he sets out to find the woman who has captured his heart and risks his own life when he attempts to lure the captors away.

Grace must learn that God's love is sufficient, and Ben is left to ponder whether he belongs back in Florida, or in the northern woods-with Grace."

My review:  This is another Amish novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.  The characters pull you into their story and become like family.  There is plenty of trouble to keep you on the edge of your seat, as well as plenty of surprises.  This is a story that will help you evaluate your own ideas and opinions.  Ruth Reid did an excellent job of writing a story that not only entertains but exhorts as well.  I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher through the Booklook Blogger Program. All opinions are my own.