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.

The House that Love Built

Book description:  "Brooke has only loved one man, her late husband. Owen’s rebuilding after a painful divorce. Can a mysterious house bring them together for a second chance at love?

In the charming town of Smithville, Texas, Brooke Holloway is raising two young children on her own, supporting them by running the family hardware store. The last thing on her mind is falling in love. But she’s intrigued when a stranger moves to town and buys the old Hadley mansion. She’s always heard that house holds a secret—maybe even a treasure—and she can’t wait to see inside. When she meets the new owner and they spend time together, she can’t deny the attraction. Could God be giving her another chance at happiness? Or is she betraying her late husband’s memory by even thinking that way?

Owen Saunders bought the Hadley place to spite his cheating ex-wife. She’d always wanted to restore an old house in Smithville. Now he’s going to do it without her. But if anything needs restoration, it is Owen’s heart. Then he meets Brooke and her kids and finds himself tempted by love. Can he bring himself to trust a woman again?

Throw an eccentric uncle into the mix, along with the town’s teenage troublemaker, and even a finicky cat—and one thing becomes clear: God is bringing them all together for a reason."

My review:  On one hand I would say this book is a quick easy read. On the other hand, there are some deep issues that are addressed.  I enjoyed the story, and the theme of forgiveness is a thread throughout the book.  That theme is present on several different levels and reminds the reader that forgiveness is something we deal with in a lot of every day situations as well as difficult situations.  Death is also prevalent in this book.  These are only two of the difficult themes that are dealt with.  The author, Beth Wiseman, gives the reader plenty the think about while reading and even after the book is finished.  Even though these are issues we like to ignore, this was a great book to read.  There was plenty of humor, mystery, and romance to balance the book.  This is another  book by Beth Wiseman that I can recommend.  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.

Firefly Island

Book description:  "Mallory Hale's life quickly veers off course when she falls hopelessly in love. After a whirlwind romance, Mallory finds herself leaving the bustle and action of Capitol Hill for the remote town of Moses Lake, Texas--with husband, stepson, and a U-Haul in tow.

A sweet, mishap-filled journey into marriage, motherhood, and ranch living ensues, and Mallory is filled with both the wonderment of love and the insecurities of change. But what she can't shake is the unease she feels around her husband's new boss, Jack West. Jack's presence--and his mysterious past--set her on edge, and when hints of a scandal emerge, Mallory finds herself seeking answers... and comes to realize that the middle-of-nowhere home she wasn't sure she wanted is the very place she'll risk everything to save."

My review:  This was a book that was hard for me to get into.  As I continued to read I was drawn into the story, but it took me awhile.  I did really enjoy the character development of Mallory.  Her personality continued to grow throughout the story.  The mystery of Jack West wasn't completely revealed, so it would seem another book should be written.  Even though the beginning of the book was slow for me, the author, Lisa Wingate, did a great job in developing her story and the mystery surrounding the plot.  I was disappointed when it ended and would like to read a sequel to find out more about Mallory, the small town, Moses Lake, and the mysteries surrounding them.  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 Matter of Trust

Book description:  "When life is murder, who can you trust?

One minute Mia Quinn is in her basement, chatting on the phone with a colleague at the prosecutor’s office. The next minute there’s a gunshot over the line, and Mia listens in horror as her colleague and friend Colleen bleeds to death.

Mia’s a natural for heading up the murder investigation, but these days she has all she can do to hold her life together. As a new widow with a pile of debts, a troubled teenaged son, and a four-year-old who wakes up screaming at night, she needs more time with her family, not less—and working Colleen’s case will be especially demanding. But Colleen was her friend, and she needs to keep her job. So she reluctantly teams up with detective Charlie Carlson to investigate Colleen’s death. But the deeper they dig, the more complications unfold—even the unsettling possibility that someone may be coming after her."

My review:   I really enjoyed reading this book by Lis Wiehl.  I had just barely started the book when knew that I would have trouble putting it down.  The plot had plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end.  Her characters were real and their lives were believable.  I hated to have the book come to an end, and I look forward to more books about Mia Quinn.  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.