Spring for Susannah

From the back of the book: With no prospects for marriage and her parents recently deceased, Susannah Underhill agrees to go west to the Dakota territory to marry her minister's homesteading brother, Jesse. But Susannah is painfully shy, doesn't see herself as worthy of love from either a husband or from God, and lives in constant fear that Jesse is going to ship her back to Detroit.

In spite of her petite size, Susannah surprises Jesse with her abilities. The years she spent as her father's veterinary assistant allow her to save Jesse's ox and twin calves and to help neighboring farmers with their animals.

But Susannah's feelings of unworthiness are deeply rooted, and she can't believe that Jesse's praise-or the tenderness and love he shows-could possibly last. The thawing of her heart seems almost as distant as Spring in the midst of the winter blanketing the Dakota prairie.

My review: Writing my review for some books is very hard, and this is one such book. I was excited to read Spring for Susannah after reading the description from the back of the book. As I started reading I enjoyed Jesse's sense of humor, and the short prayerful phrases at the beginning of each chapter. His spiritual leadership and obvious love of God and the Scriptures was very evident. I wasn't far into the book, however, when the author seemed to become obsessed with bedroom scenes. I do enjoy a good romantic book, and while there was nothing inappropriate about the way these scenes were written, enough is enough! I kept thinking to myself, oh no, not again! If the reader is married she knows what happens between a husband and a wife. If the reader is a teenager or unmarried woman, constantly reading those types of scenes could lead to sinful desires or unwanted frustration. Our teens today are bombarded with sex almost everywhere they go. We need Christian fiction that portrays sex in a healthy way that is not overdone. And, that is exactly what this book is-overdone! Needless to say, I was happy to see Jesse leave to find work. However, his leaving did not fit his character. I found that to be inconsistent. Some of the minor characters did not seem necessary, and I couldn't understand what they had to do with the rest of the book. Some scenes were rushed and not fully developed, and the whole book ended very abruptly. I really wanted to like this book, but I do a lot of reading and this book fell far short! With so many other good novels to choose from, don't waste your time on this one! I received a complimentay copy of this book from the Litfuse Group in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.



To celebrate her debut novel, Catherine and her publisher, Thomas Nelson, have teamed up to give away a Spring For Susannah Prize Package worth over $150!

One grand prize winner will receive:

* A brand new Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi and Pearl Screen

* Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond (for KINDLE)

To enter just click one of the icons below and then tell your friends! But hurry, giveaway ends on June 27th. Winner will be announced on Tuesday, June 28th at 5 PM (6PM MST, 7PM CST, & 8PM EST) during Catherine's Spring for Susannah Book Club Party on Facebook! Catherine is rustling up some fun for the party - she'll be chatting about the story behind her novel, hosting a book club chat, testing your mail-order bride trivia skills, and giving away some GREAT prizes! Don't miss the fun and tell your friends!

Blog tour schedule http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13347248

A Reluctant Queen

From the back of the book: You've read it as a Biblical tale of courage. Experience it anew as a heart-stirring love story. She was a simple girl faced with an impossible choice. He was a magnificent king with a lonely heart. Their love was the divine surprise that changed the course of history. The beloved story of Esther springs to fresh life in this inspired novel that vibrates with mystery, intrigue and romance.

My review: I think this is the best novel I have read in a long time! Joan Wolf did an excellent job tastefully weaving a love story about Esther. I couldn't put the book down! Although the story of Esther is well-known, this book helps the reader understand a little better what life might have been like for her to go from such a simple lifestyle to the magnificence of palace life. The reader does have to remember that this is a fiction book. A few things have been changed from the scriptural account and details have been added. I appreciate the fact that the author was careful to note that she took liberties with the story. Reading this book has given me a fresh desire to go back to the Scriptures to read and study the Biblical account of Esther again. A novel that incites the study of Scripture is a well-written novel indeed! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their Booksneeze blogger program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Too Rich For A Bride

From the back of the book: Ida Sinclair has joined her sisters, Kat and Nell, in the untamed mining town of Cripple Creek, Colorado, for one reason: to work for the infamous but undeniable successful businesswoman Mollie O'Bryan. Ida's sisters may be interested in making a match for their determined older sister, but Ida only wants to build her career.

Under Mollie's tutelage, Ida learns how to play the stock market and revels in her promising accomplishments. Fighting for respect in a man's world, her ambition leaves little room for distractions. She ignores her family's reservations about Mollie O'Bryan's business practices, but no matter how she tries, she can't ignore the two men pursuing her affections-Colin Wagner, the dashing lawyer, and Tucker Raines, the traveling preacher.

Ida wants a career more than anything else, so she shrugs off the suitors and pointed "suggestions" that young ladies don't belong in business. Will it take unexpected love-or unexpected danger-for Ida to realize where her priorities truly lie?

My review: Too Rich For A Bride continues the story of the Sinclair sisters. Even though I have not read the first book, I did not feel lost in this one. It can certainly stand alone. For the most part this is a typical romantic fiction book, however; I appreciate that the author did not focus so much on how each character looked on the outside, but what was on the inside. The characters are likeable and the situations are real. Mrs. Hodgson set this story in the late 1800's, but the lessons learned are so relevant for today. This was an easy enjoyable book to read. I look forward to reading more about the Sinclair sisters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Waterbrook/Multnomah Blogging for Books blogger program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Desert Gift

From the back of the book: A nationally known marriage expert, Jillian Galloway is at the pinnacle of success. Her syndicated talk radio show is a hit and her first book is about to release. But just as she's leaving for her West Coast publicity tour, Jill's faithful husband of twenty-four years drops a bombshell: he wants a divorce.

As her world crashes down around her, Jill flees to her parents' home in the California desert, wondering if everything she's built her career on-and everything she's built her life around-is a sham. She thought she'd done everything right. So how did her marriage slowly slip away? And will she ever get it back?

My review: I especially enjoyed the plot in this book. A marriage expert whose own marriage falls apart was a great idea that has not been overdone. I think Mrs. John did a good job developing a storyline that will pull the reader in and hold their attention. I will have to say though that Mrs. John's choice of character names was rather corny. While I enjoyed the story I had a hard time getting past the names Jack and Jill as well as the references to the nursery rhyme. I think it was just plain silly and didn't fit at all. If it weren't for the nursery rhyme references I would highly recommend this book. However, I will only give it a 3 out of 5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Daddy Dates

From the back of the book: "Daddy Dates" is about a guy taking his best shot at being a successful dad by trying to know his girls-really know their fears, dreams, and opinions-and how he stumbles across an incredible strategy to do that with daughters of any age or stage. This funny, insightful, and relatable book poses the wildly original concept that should be a "duh" for most dads-but isn't. In order to raise a confident woman-to-be, show your daughter what it feels like to be treated with love, respect, and true interest by a man who loves her.

"Daddy Dates" is not another "how to" book from a parenting expert. It's a personal, eye-opening, often humorous look at an Average Joe's intentional pursuit of his daughters' hearts and minds, and the love-inspired steps he is taking to solidify Dad's place in each of their lives, forever.

My review: Daddy Dates is a great book for a dad (and mom) who has daughters. The book is fun, easy to read, and is full of practical advice. Greg Wright is open and honest about what has and has not worked for him in relation to his daughters. Even though some dads might already take their daughters on dates, Greg gives ideas and specifics about what does and does not constitute as a date. Some dads might find that their idea of a date is not going to make the cut. Each chapter is short and full of humor, so men that don't enjoy reading as a general rule will find this book very easy to read. Greg has also included helpful tools at the end of the book to help jump-start dads who might be unsure exactly what to do and how to start. Every dad who has daughters needs to read this book. Moms need to read the book as well if for no other reason than to support dad in one of his most important endeavors: "Becoming her hero, one date at a time." I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their Booksneeze blogger program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Lilies in Moonlight

From the back of the book: After a roaring night on the town, fun-loving flapper Lilly Margolis, dazed and disoriented, twists her ankle and falls into the backyard of a wealthy family where the effects of the Great War-over for more than half a decade-are still endured. Inside the walls of the Burnside mansion, Cullen Burnside, a disillusioned and disfigured veteran, and his widowed mother, Betty Ruth, who daily slips a little further into dementia, lead a lonely existence...until Lilly. Whimsical, lighthearted, and beautiful, she rejuvenates their sad, disconnected lives and blossoms in the light of their attention.

But Lilly, like Cullen, is hiding from a painful past. And when Cullen insists on returning her to her faraway home, their budding attraction seems destined to die on the vine. The resulting road trip becomes a journey of self-discovery-but what will Cullen and Lilly find at journey's end?

This is another book that I really enjoyed. It was fun getting to know each of the three main characters. I especially enjoyed Betty Ruth. The reader never quite knows what Betty Ruth will do next. Toward the end of the book the author had me a little worried about an idea that Betty Ruth presented. I was afraid the book was going to end in an unbelievable way, but Mrs. Pittman managed to pull away from the unbelievable and end in a satisfactory way. I was very glad that she did!

Mrs. Pittman also painted a very realistic picture of Lilly's background. The absence of grace and love in Lilly's growing up years is unfortunately common in many fundamental circles today. Lilly finds that the picture her mother painted of God is not accurate. Through the character of Lilly, Mrs. Pittman does a great job portraying true forgiveness. This is a great book to read! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Multnomah Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Now I Walk On Death Row

From the back of the book: As a Wall Street finance lawyer, Dale Recinella had prestige, power and unthinkable paychecks at his fingertips. He was living the American dream...at least on paper.

But above the roar of life in the fast lane, Dale heard Jesus whispering to him. And his life took an unfathomable turn as he heeded Jesus' call: He sold everything he owned and followed Him-even to the stark floors of death row.

With the warmth and ease of a natural storyteller, Dale shares his amazing journey of going from high-powered lawyer to humble lay chaplain. And he reminds us that when we live out the words of Jesus, what we give up is nothing compared to what we receive in return.

My review: Wow! What a convicting book! Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Dale Recinella is a great story-teller, and as you read you will be drawn into the book. The story of his life, and his determination to obey what Jesus says will become a challenge to each reader. A powerful reminder that we should seek first the Kingdom of God. I was a little wary of what I would find on the pages of this book when I realized that Dale was Catholic. While there are a few doctrinal issues, that is not the main focus of the book. Any christian could read this book and come away with a renewed sense of the importance of loving God and loving people. I highly recommend that every christian read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers, courtesy of Chosen Books, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.