Rugged and Relentless by Kelly Eileen Hake

Rugged and Relentless is book #1 in the Husbands for Hire series by Kelly Eileen Hake. This series follows four women as they move to Hope Falls to begin new lives and search for husbands. What I love most about this whole series is that from one book to the next the story picks up right where it left off so you don't miss a thing. In book one we find 4 friends, sisters Evelyn (Evie) and Cora Thompson, Cora's soon to be sister-in-law Lacie and her cousin Naomi heading off the Hope Falls to help nurse Cora's fiance back to health and the search out husbands for themselves. We have heard of mail order brides but mail order husbands? That is excalty what these women set out to do.  Thus they come up with the idea to place an advertisement and hire for husbands. They get more than they bargained for as two dozen men descend on the small town.

Jake (Creed) Granger is haunted by the death of his brother, promising vengeance, and by the cooking of a beautiful lady back East. Imagine his surprise when he discovers her in Colorado surrounded by other men who might marry her. As he tracks his brother's killer to Hope Falls it gives him time to not only seek vengeance but to get to know this fiesty cook better.

I won't spoil the rest of the story but I enjoyed the interaction between Evie and Jake and couldn't wait to see if they would ever get together. The only thing I didn't like about this book was how it seemed as though the ending was rushed. That being said if you enjoy this book you want to read book two as it starts right where book one leaves off.

Prairie Fire by Catherine Palmer

Book two in the Town Called Hope series, this books picks right up where the first one ended. In this book we follow Catrin Murphy an Irish immigrant and Jack Cornwall. If you have already read book one then you know that Jack Cornwall is Chipper's uncle and he devoted a lot of time to tracking Seth Hunter and Chipper down to reclaim his dead sister's son. Book one ended with Jack giving up and heading back home. This book picks up with Jack hiding out in the O'Toole's barn because he is injured and Catrin finding him and nursing him a bit in secret. The have a strong attraction to each other but Catrin had a strong faith in God and Jack doesn't. Jack leaves but promises to come back. While gone his faith in God is strengthened and he realizes that he needs to make changes in his life if he has a future with Catrin. Jack returns to Hope with his mom and "crazy" sister in tow. I don't want to spoil any more of the story so lets just say there are a lot of misadventures and prejudices along the way. The author shows a different side of the inhabitants of Hope and how many people, even Christians, can hold on to prejudices. The character development was better in the first book and I would have liked more background on both Mrs Cornwall and Lucy but still a great story. I loved the turn of events at the end of the book and look forward to the next installment!

Prairie Rose by Catherine Palmer

A Town Called Hope, the inspiring series set in post Civil War Kansas, is the creation of best-selling romance writer Catherine Palmer. In the fast-paced Prairie Rose, impulsive nineteen-year-old Rosie Mills takes a job caring for the young son of widowed homesteader Seth Hunter in order to escape the orphanage in which she was raised. Rosie's naive view of love and her understanding of what it means to have a Father in heaven are quickly put to the test. Afraid of being wounded again, Seth struggles to freely open his heart—to his hurting son, to a woman's love, and to a Father who will not abandon him. Together Rosie and Seth must face the harsh uncertainties of prairie life—and the one man who threatens to destroy their happiness.

This is one of the best Christian romance books I have read. I liked that there was a lot of reference to God and scripture, you don't see a lot of that and it was very refreshing. I also enjoyed watching Rosie "grow up" throughout the book. Even though the book doesn't span a great amount of time, we watch Rosie transform from a 19 year old "kid" into a woman, taking care of young Chipper, transforming Seth's soddie into a home, and helping to transform their settlement into a real town. I won't go into much detail because I don't want to spoil it for you but if you like Christian romance this series is definately for you. I am looking foreward to reading the next installment Prairie Fire.

Beyond Hope's Valley by Tricia Goyer

"After an extended stay in Montana, where Amish traditions are different than in her home state, Marianna Sommer returns to Indiana for two reasons, first to help her brother and his girlfriend prepare for a baby and their wedding. Second, to plan her own wedding to Aaron Zook -- a marriage she’s been dreaming about ever since childhood. And yet, although she had missed the idyllic farms and families of her upbringing, Marianna is surprised that Indiana is somehow making her long now for Montana.

As months pass, secrets that were hidden in winter’s frozen grasp thaw and take on a life of their own. The truths about a child, about a past relationship, and about God’s plans are being revealed. Walking through a valley of questions, Marianna must hold on to hope as she decides where and with whom her heart truly belongs."

This is the final book in this Amish series. If you haven't read the first two already I highly recommend them. You can find them in my previous reviews. In this final book we see Marianna back at "home" in Indiana. She is trying to fit back into the community while trying to help her brother prepare for a wedding and a baby that is on the way. But, does she still fit here, and will she ever be able to forget about Montana or the one she left there? This book moved a little slow for me but I was just too anxous to get to the end and find out with whom or where Marianna would truley decide to be. This book did not disappoint! A great read but if you haven't read the previous books in this series you may be a little lost, I recommend the whole series!!

A Bride's Portrait of Dodge City, Kansas by Erica Vetsch

A suprisingly good read! I'm not sure what I expected when I started this book but it did not disappoint. The author did a wonderful job of portraying the era. Set in Dodge City, KS at the time of Bat Masterson. I enjoyed the energy and spunk of the main character, Adeline Reid. Throw in a romance and a good mystery and what more could you want? This book also has a wonderful Christian theme. Several characters deal with pasts that seem to haunt them and you get to see all that come to light as they struggle through it. Overall I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!

Ten Plagues by Mary Connealy

What a wonderful book. I loved that it kept you in suspense throughout the entire book. I enjoy a good mystery as well as a good romance and it isn't very often that you get both in one book. The romance flowed smoothly and fit perfectly with the story line. I also liked the fact that it had a strong Christian theme to it. A lot of books who call themselves "Christian" barely mention God but this book does a great job. The characters deal with real life struggles of Faith and past mistakes. The reader gets a chance to see them work through those issue and ultimately stand strong in their faith. Some of the plot is predictable but that didn't matter, it was still a great read!!

The Journey by Wanda E Brunstetter

This was a wonderful Amish story. Book one in the Kentucky Brothers series. There are a lot of characters in this story and it took me a while to keep them all straight so this may be a spin off from another series. This story is about Titus who has a twin brother named Timothy. Timothy is settled with a good job, a wife and child. Titus on the other hand is not settled and contantly feels like he is being compared to his brother. When an opportunity arrises to move to another state Titus jumps at the chance. Will this finally be a way to make it on his own without being under the shadow of his brother? After several things go wrong his mom is hoping he will return home but Titus is determined to make Kentucky his permanent home. Will he find love in Kentucky or will the allure of his ex Phoebe keep him clinging to the past? A great read and I am already looking forward to the next book in this series. Be looking for that review soon!

Gaby, God's Little Angel

Women of Faith - Over the Top!

I am so excited to have been chosen to attend this event and blog it! Due to some unfortunate circumstances (email issues) I didn't even know I had been chosen until I got the tickets in the mail today. Talk about a shock. I didn't think I had been chosen. I am beyond excited and now I have to rush to find someone to go with me and find a hotel (hope I can still find one). From what I have read there are still tickets available for this event so if you haven't registered to go, there is still time!! I will be blogging after the event to let you know all about it. Stay tuned...

Along Wooded Paths by Tricia Goyer

LOVE, LOVE, LOVED this book!  Can't wait for the next in this series. After reading book one (Beside Still Waters) I was drawn in to this story and the people. It kinds left me hanging and I was anxious for the next book. I was so excited to have the opportunity to read and review this book. Book two (Along Wooded Paths) picks up right where the first book left off. Marianna is still trying to decide who her heart belongs to, Ben or Aaron. Things get even more complicated for Marianna when Aaron comes for a surprise visit to try to win her heart back. I won't give too many details because I don't want to give the story away but as I read this book I felt like I was going through the emotions with Marianna. I couldn't decide who I liked better Ben or Aaron. The book ends much like the first one, leaves you wanting more and anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. I still have so many questions and even though it appears that Marianna has made a choice, I have a feeling things will change (at least I hope they do). If you read the first book and loved it, this is a must read for you!! If you haven't read the first book yet I encourage you to read it first or there may be things you don't understand in this book. (This book comes out October 1, 2011)

Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond

Hundreds of miles from home, Susannah faces an uncertain future as a mail-order bride on the untamed Dakota prairie. When her parents die suddenly, and no suitors call, Susannah resigns herself to the only option available: becoming a mail-order bride. Agreeing to marry her pastor's brother, Jesse, Susannah leaves the only home she's ever known for the untamed frontier of the Dakota Territory. Her new husband is more loving and patient with her than she believes she deserves. Still, there is also a wildness to him that mirrors the wilderness surrounding them. And Susannah finds herself constantly on edge. But Jesse's confidence in her-and his faith in God's perfect plan-slowly begin to chip away at the wall she hides behind. When she miscarries in the brutal Dakota winter, Susannah's fledgling faith in herself and in God begins to crumble. Still, Jesse's love is unwavering. Just when it seems like winter will never end, Susannah finally sees the first tentative evidence of spring. And with it, the realization that more than the landscape has changed. She looks to the future with a renewed heart. Yet in her wildest dreams, she couldn't predict all that awaits her.
I enjoyed this book a lot. At first I was frustrated at the fact that we didn't know much about Susannah's background. Why she was so shy around Jesse. As the book progressed and Susannah's character developed I found myself enjoying the book more and more. My only complaint is that I wish there was just one more chapter in the book. I won't go into details on that because I don't want to spoil it for anyone. A great read!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Promise of an Angel by Ruth Reid

"In Mescota County, Michigan, an angelic visitor's words inspire Judith to a future she never imagined. After a barn raising accident, Judith Fischer’s convinced she’s met an angel. However, her attempts to convince others end up frustrating her Old-Order Amish community. Only Andrew Lapp believes her, but the rest, including Levi Plank, the man she’s waited to marry, demand she forget the nonsense. Meanwhile, her younger sister Martha has taken a fancy to Levi and sees her sister's controversy as a perfect distraction for turning Levi's head. In a dream, the angel tells Judith she must choose her path. As her faith continues to grow, so do her feelings for Andrew. Will she continue to place her hope in the angel’s message, even if it means losing all she knows and loves?"
This is one of those books that once you start you can't put down! Loved this book from page one til the end. The story is told from two different view points, Judith's and Andrew's. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow even with all the frustrations and distractions. I loved how the book ended and it doesn't leave you hanging or asking questions. This is the first book I have read by Ruth Reid and it did not disappoint. I am looking forward to reading more from this author!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Fashioned by Faith by Rachel Lee Carter

Fashioned by Faith is a book written for teen girls about modesty and self image. This book is written by Rachel Lee Carter, an international model, who has modeled for many famous designers. She took a stand early on that she would not model clothing that was too revealing, which I think is great! Each chapter begins with the opinion of a boy (even though most say the same thing). She then goes on to talk about different topics reagarding modesty and self worth. There is also a study guide so you can use this book as a study for teen girls or a daily bible study.



I enjoyed this book. It was great to read a book from someone who shares the same opinions that I do on how to dress. It is hard in today's society to be fashoinable and dress modestly. Rachel gives some great pointers on how to dress in today's fashions but be modest. I recommend this book to any teen or young woman.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer

I have always loved reading novels about the Amish. I am fascinated by their simple life. This book did not disappoint.

About the book: "Marianna Sommer believes she knows where her life is headed. Nineteen years old and Amish, her plan is to get baptized into the church, marry Aaron Zook, and live in the only community she's ever known. When Marianna's family moves from Indiana to Montana she discovers life and faith will never be the same. As she builds an easy friendship with local guy, Ben Stone, Ben not only draws her heart, he also gets her thinking about what loving God and living in community is all about. As Marianna struggles to find "home", she also encounters God in intimate ways."

This was a very positive heartfelt book. I enjoyed the change of scenery from typical Amish books. Montana is definately not a place you typically think of as an Amish setting. This book was different from most Amish stories and I enjoyed the fresh approach it gave. My heart went out to the family and the heartaches they endured. Definately a must read!

Lilly's Wedding Quilt by Kelly Long

From the back cover: "Local Amish schoolteacher Lilly Lapp is tired of weddings, afraid of horses, and immersed in caring for her depressed mother. But when Jacob Wyse, a handsome horse breeder from her small community rescues her from a dangerous accident, Lilly discovers a renewed interest in life and the possibility of love. Yet Jacob has lost the one true love of his life to another man and doesn't care to expose himself to the vulnerabilities of loving again. God works to bring this unlikely pair into a sweet romance to produce a pattern of faith, which leads to the creation and comfort of Lilly's Wedding Quilt."
What a wonderfully written book! This is the second book in the "A Patch of Heaven" series. After reading book 1 "Sarah's Garden" I was looking forward to the second installment. I was so pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this book and it did not dissappoint. In this book we follow Jacob Wyse and Lilly Lapp. Lilly is a school teacher who has admired Jacob since they were kids. Jacob "the horsewhisperer" lost his first love Sarah to another man. Can Jacob get past his love for Sarah and find room in his heart for another? Can Lilly learn to trust Jacob and put her guard down. Through this well written book you see how God has worked in both of their lives to bring them together. I won't say more because I don't want to ruin the story for anyone. I highly recommend this one, it is a must read! I am now anxiously awaiting another book in this series!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

God's Promises Devotional Journal

Book Description: "A guided journal to lead you through the promises God has for every believer. More than 20 of our leading Christian authors bring inspiration and encouragement every day of the year. Guided questions and commentary gently lead the way for personal meditation and reflection on God’s promises for your life. Journaling space is provided for recording your thoughts and prayers, and for promoting quality quiet time alone with the Lord."

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to review this devotional. I have been searching for a book just like this for some time now and hadn't been able to find exactly what I was looking for until now. For each day of the week there is a bible verse, a short commentary from a leading Christian author and then a question to make you examine your life and your walk with God along with space to journal your answers. What I like about this devotional is that there is enough journaling space (at least for me) that I am planning on writing the date next to my entries and use this same devotional again next year. It will be interesting to see how my life has changed in a year as well as my answers to the same questions. The questions are thought provoking and the commentary is very insightful. Not only that but is has a beautiful hardcover with a leaf design. This is one I will use for years to come. I highly recommend this devotional!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Velveteen Bible

NKJV Children's Bible. A sweet addition to the Tommy Nelson Baby/Toddler Bible line, using an adorable image of a flocked velvet bunny.

Inspired by Baby's First Bible with the adorable fuzzy duck cover, this new offering for little ones, The Velveteen Bible features soft fur and a fuzzy tail! Inside, the New King James Version scripture is accompanied by whimsical images of bunnies and other baby animals, colorful borders, and lovely sentiments from the scriptures. The Bible is packaged in a keepsake treasure box.

The is an adorable little bible. The size is perfect for little hands and would be a wonderful gift bible for any little one in your life. The pictures inside the bible are very cute and I loved the fuzzy feel of the rabbit on the outside. I was hoping based on the description of this bible that it would be more of a beginers bible and easier for little ones to read. It is not, it is the NKJV bible and the print is very small. There also aren't as many pictures as I was expecting to find on the inside. This disappointed me because while the bible covering and inside pictures are cute, they won't hold the attention of my little ones for very long. I was hoping this bible would get them interested in wanting to read the bible but the words are small and to a little one very intimidating. 

With that being said I still think this is a wonderful version of the bible and I know several young ones who would love to carry this bible with them to church every week. If you are looking for a gift bible for any little one in your life and are wanting a full version bible that they can grow up with and read when they are older, not a beginners bible then this one fits the bill.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Beginning Reader's Bible

This exceptionally illustrated Bible storybook allows children to read the story, pray to God, and grow closer to Him.


Using actual Bible text from the International Children's Bible® as well as prayers, memory verses, and fun activities, children will love this large format and be engrossed in the intricate detail of the illustrations. Bible stories from the Old and New Testaments are included and stories are accompanied by a prayer for the child to pray, a verse to memorize, and a fun activity to help them grow.

I teach the 4 & 5 year old Sunday School class at my church. This book is a great resource for me to use in that class. The illistrations are wonderful. The kids really get a feel for the story and it helps them to understand the story better. I was impressed at how many stories were included in the book. I wasn't crazy about the version of the bible that was used because some of the words were changed from say the KJV or NKJV version which is what I like to use. Also, this is more of a storybook than a beginning readers bible. I was expecting it to be something my kids could somewhat read themselves but it definately needs to be read to them. Overall this is a great book and I would highly recommend it!
 
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Softly and Tenderly by Sara Evans

Softly and Tenderly by Sara Evans is about a woman named Jade who seems to have several crisis hit her all at once. Her attorney husband, Max, is a recovering addict. Her sister faces danger on a daily basis in Guatemala. Her mother, a former hippie with terminal cancer, wants to leave Jade’s home in Whisper Hollow, Tennessee, to go home to die. Jade and her mother-in-law walk in on her father-in-law and another woman. A freak car crash destroys the entire front of Jade’s store, and infertility is a dark cloud over her head. Then comes the final, crushing blow. Her friend Rice dies in a solo plane crash, leaving a little son behind, and the father is none other than Max, who wants Jade to raise the boy as their own. I was intrigued by this book because I can relate to one of these crisis (the infertility part) so it was easy for me to get into. While I found this to be a great read, there were some things that bothered me. First, everyone calling Jade "shug" really got under my skin. I don't know why but it irritated me. This is a very "southern" book and that is evident from the beginning. I also would have liked to have seen God as a more central force in everyone's life. Otherwise a good read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Love

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! Please follow along through Christmas day as each post shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year. AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS!  Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.

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Love
by Lauraine Snelling

When asked to write a Christmas message, one of my first thoughts was Do I climb up on my soapbox regarding changing the words in Christmas songs, using only holiday, etc. I thought about it and decided no. After all, they’re only words and what difference does a word make---really make after all?

Then I kept on thinking. If they’re only words… But we as writers know the power of words, as do readers. When the wrong word is used, it jars, while the right word can be most powerful. Take one highly overused and under practiced word---Love. Four letters is all. We toss it around so glibly, saying love ya and luv and love. But think about the power in I love you. Three of the most precious words in our language when put together. Those of us who write romances or books with romance in them, understand the power when one of our characters tells another, I love you. As humans we can never hear that enough or too much.

Christmas is about love. The greatest love story ever told, that of God for us humans, and it never changes. Customs change, politics change, the years change but God’s love never, ever does. At Christmas we are invited to share that love, to give it away, to pass it around. To find wonder again and joy in simple acts of love. We make contact with people we might never see or talk with through the year. That says I love you. We buy and make gifts to give, we reach out to strangers in need, we try to make sure everyone has a special dinner and every child a present. By giving, we receive.

So, let’s use the power words, but more so, put feet on those words and pass the love around. Let’s look for and find the wonder, the joy and the peace, maybe in small bits and pieces and perhaps in an avalanche of blessings. Make your days brighter with the simple gift of a smile, a kind word, a touch, for every single one that you give away, will come back to you multiplied. As you give, so shall you receive. Merry Christmas my friends. May we all recognize our blessings----and let an attitude of gratitude permeate this holiday and every day. With love and joy on this day, Lauraine!

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About Lauraine: Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of more than sixty books, with sales of over 2 million copies. She also writes for a wide range of magazines, and helps others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the country. Lauraine and her husband, Wayne, have two grown sons, and live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a cockatiel named Bidley, and a watchdog Basset named Chewy.



For more information please visit Lauraine's website: http://www.laurainesnelling.com/.

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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com/) on New Years Day!



12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/