The Message on the Quilt by Stephanie Grace Whitson

Published: 2013

Publisher: Barbour Books

Series: The Quilt Chronicles(Book 3)

Goodreads Summery: When Emilie Rhodes convinces her newspaper editor father to assign her to interview the speakers at the 1890 Chautauqua series, she meets and falls in love with “The Man of Many Voices.” But Noah Shaw’s professional life is only one reason he’s in Nebraska. Noah is on a quest to find answers. . .but will a treasured quilt bear a message of brokenness—or hope and healing?

     Emilie loves to write and wants more then anything to write articles for her fathers paper but her parents are not keen on the idea and after getting herself in trouble for helping with the print press she is not even allowed to write the local goings on column. She is left with a great idea for a story and the competition paper to write for. Noah has come to Nebraska for a job but also to see if he can find out answers about his mother. All he has is her stories and the quilt she made him when he was a boy. When these two cross paths love begins to bloom but when Noah finds out some things about his past that shake him to the core and Emilie’s story causes family problems can they find a way to make it work?

     This is the final book in the series and I really liked it.

What I liked: I really liked Emilie. She was frustrated with her parents but still loved them. Her three cousins where also quite likable. Noah was a interesting character and I liked the mystery that came from his past. I also found the big fair they all where a part of quite cool to learn about and it was fun to imagine being there.

What I did not like: As much as I liked the story about Noah and his father I thought it was a little over the top on his reaction. I know it was a time period thing but how that ended was kind of lukewarm. I also thought that Emilie and her parents worked out their issues about her writing way to easily and I was kind of left going really that’s how that ends?

     Over all I really liked this book and its easily my favorite of the series. I wish the cousins could have had a chance to have a book as well because I really liked them. I also thought it was neat how the quilt helped Noah learn about his past. This book can easily be read as a stand alone no need to read the first two books. I highly recommend it.

Book Rating

Buy From

Amazon

Barnes&Noble

Christianbook.com

     The series over all was good. The three books did not really tie together at all but each book had something to do with a quilt. The first two books where good but kind of dark and even a little sad. I liked the change of pace with the 3rd book and how it was not as heavy a read but still really enjoyable. Of the three I liked the 1st and last one the best and the 3rd book was my over all favorite. I also really like the covers of each of the books.  If you enjoy historical fiction and like a heavier read then this series is for you.

Series Rating

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Sundays in Fredericksburg by Lynette Sowell, Eileen Key, Connie Stevens, Margie Vawter

Published: 2013

Publisher: Barbour Books 

Series: Romancing America

Goodreads Summery: Come on down to Fredericksburg, Texas, where four generations of couples encounter romance in Sunday Houses. Having become a schoolteacher to avoid marriage, Amelia Bachman finds her resolve crumbling before a smitten carpenter. Determined not to fall in love, Mildred Zimmermann carefully nurses an army medic crippled in love and war. Somewhat of a homebody, Trudy Meier isn’t sure she has the courage to love a roving reporter. Gwendolyn’s beautiful wildflower field is threatened by a geologist’s search for knowledge. Will these four women risk their hearts for the love a stranger?

     This book contains four stories that take place in Fredericksburg, Texas and spans from the 1800’s to present day. Back in the 1800’s they had what was called Sunday houses and farmers who lived many miles out of town would own a small weekend house so that they could come into town for Church each week. The Sunday homes serve as the back drop for the stories and follow a few families through out the years.

What I liked: I liked how this book started with historical stories and worked towards the present and for the most part followed some of the characters from earlier stories. I like when they do this as it makes the short stories feel more like one book and its easier to get into each story when they share some details.

What I did not like: The last two stories where okay but I did not enjoy them as much as the first too.

     Over all this as an enjoyable book and a solid add to the Romancing America series.

Book Rating

Buy From

Amazon

Barnes&Noble

Christianbook.com

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah E. Ladd

Published: 2013

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Series: Whispers on the Moors(Book 1)

Goodreads Summery:

Pride goes before the fall . . . but what comes after?

Darbury, England, 1814

Amelia Barrett, heiress to an ancestral estate nestled in the English moors, defies family expectations and promises to raise her dying friend’s infant baby. She’ll risk everything to keep her word—even to the point of proposing to the child’s father, Graham, a sea captain she’s never met.
Tragedy strikes when the child vanishes with little more than a sketchy ransom note hinting to her whereabouts. Fear for the child’s safety drives Amelia and Graham to test the boundaries of their love for this infant.
Amelia’s detailed plans would normally see her through any trial, but now, desperate and shaken, she examines her soul and must 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.
Both must learn to accept God’s sovereignty and relinquish control so they can grasp the future He has for planned for them.

     Amelia makes a promise to her dying friend that she will raise her child as her own. A problem arises when Amelia’s fiancé will not allow the child to remain once they are married. Amelia loves the child so much she does the unthinkable for the time period and asked the babies father Graham who has just returned from his ship to marry her. Not long after the baby is kidnapped and Amelia and Graham must work together to find the baby. Will love win in the end? Read this great book to find out!

      This was a great book I really enjoyed it. This is a new author and I think she did an amazing job on her first book.

What I liked: This book was well written and the characters likable. Amelia loved the child like it was her own and would do anything to keep the promise she made to her friend. Graham found out he had a daughter and was trying to figure out where he fit into the child’s life and also where her beautiful guardian fit as well. I also enjoyed the suspense of who kidnapped the child and if they where going to be able to get her back. Very well put together. I also absolutely love the cover image!

What I did not like: Over all not much. The ending was a tad bit predictable.

     This was a very good book by a wonderful new author and I highly recommend this book. I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series. I would say this is one of the best books I have read yet this year! Grab a copy today.

Book Rating

     This book also gets my

I give this award out to books that stand out from others I have read.

Buy From

Amazon

Barnes&Noble

Christianbook.com

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Mountain Homecoming by Sandra Robbins

Published: 2013

Publisher: Harvest House

Series: Smoky Mountain Dreams(Book 2)

Goodreads Summery: In the second book in the Smoky Mountain Dreams series, acclaimed author Sandra Robbins spins a tender tale of God’s faithfulness throughout the generations.
Rani Martin, Simon and Anna’s only daughter, is a beautiful and spirited young woman living deep in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. She has plenty of ideas about the man she’ll marry someday, but none of them could have prepared her for the return of Matthew Jackson.
Matthew left Cades Cove as a child after his father’s death. Now he’s come back to build a new life for himself, and it’s his dearest wish that Rani be a part of that life. But the people of the Cove won’t let him forget the sins of his father, and Matthew can’t forget the darkness of his own past.
Is there a place for Matthew in the Cove? And can the light of Rani’s love overcome his pain?

     Rani’s best friend who recently got married is moving away and she feels so alone. The same day her friend leaves a man named Matthew comes to the cove and Rani does not trust him at first. But soon she gets to know him and finds herself falling for him but Matthew has things in his past that threaten to ruin everything. Can Rani and Matthew overcome these issues to find happiness with each other?

     This is book two in the series and I quite enjoyed it.

What I liked: I liked how Rani is the daughter of the couple from the first book and how this storyline flowed. I really liked Rani and her spunk. She said what she thought even though it got her in trouble at times yet made for a fun read. I also liked how the time flowed in this book and both Rani and Matt had to do some growing up. It made it more believable and interesting.

What I did not like: Rani in the beginning of the book was quite upset with a logging company and had some words with Matthew about it and then it was not really talked about again. I thought there was going to be more of a story-line there. Not a big deal just something I noticed.

     Over all I liked this book and thought it was even better then the first. I am now really looking forward to the third and final book of the series due out later this year. You don’t have to read the first book of the series before you pick this one up but I would recommend it as learning the back story will make this book more enjoyable.

Book Rating

Buy From

Amazon

Barnes&Noble

Christianbook.com

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Heiress’s Homecoming by Regina Scott

Published: 2013

Publisher: Love Inspired

Series: Everard Legacy(Book 4)

Goodreads Summery: Terms of the Will To keep her cherished childhood home, Samantha Everard must marry by her twenty-fifth birthday. Yet she refuses to marry on a whim, not even to save her fortune. When she returns to Dallsten Manor to say goodbye, the last person she expects to see is her handsome, disapproving neighbor William Wentworth, Earl of Kendrick.
Will is certain the scandalous Everard family is nothing but trouble. He shouldn’t care about Samantha’s predicament, but her feistiness and kindheartedness intrigue him—as does her refusal to wed. He wants to help, especially when he perceives the threat that surrounds her. Soon his greatest wish is to persuade Samantha that her true home is with him.

     Samantha returns to her childhood home for one last party and to say good bye to her home because if she is not married by the time she turns 25(which is only weeks away) she loses it all. She has no plans to marry and only want to enjoy this one last party before its all gone. But will her neighbor who she has not seen in years change the course of her future?

     This is the fourth book in the series. I have not read the other three so there was a few times I was a little confused but it can easily be read as a stand alone.

What I liked: Samantha does not want to marry just to save her fortune she wants to marry for love. She is a strong character and I liked her a  lot.  Will also does not plan to marry again since he has a son and does not need a heir to take over but as he gets to know Samantha he finds himself rethinking that and I liked how these two interacted and slowly came to care for each other.

What I did not like: The smaller storyline of Will’s son liking Samantha and how that was handled was a little weird to me.

     Over all this was a good book. I wish I had read the other three books though because those characters are in this book and they would mention things that probably happened in one of the other books and I was a little confused. But that was not a big deal and I still very much enjoyed this book. It was a fun historical romance with some suspense thrown in.

Book Rating

Buy From

Amazon

Barnes&Noble

Christianbook.com

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Love in the Balance by Regina Jennings

Published: 2013

Publisher; Bethany House

Series: There is no series given but this book does follow another book which I will link below.

Goodreads Summery: Molly Lovelace dreams of a life without cares in Lockhart, Texas. She also dreams of handsome wrangler Bailey Garner, her ardent but inconsistent beau. The problem is, with Bailey’s poor prospects, she just can’t fit the two dreams together.Then mysterious stranger Edward Pierrepont sweeps into town–and her life–and for the first time Molly wonders if she’s met the man who can give her everything. But he won’t be in Lockhart long and while he talks about their glorious future together, she can’t quite get Bailey out of her mind.
What’s a girl to do with all these decisions when love is in the balance?

     Molly needs to marry someone with money to help keep the family saw mill running but she is in love with Bailey who is just an average cowboy. Bailey knows he needs to find a job that he can support a wife but finding that job is none to easy. When Molly’s dad starts to have health issues finding a husband becomes even more urgent. When a rich and handsome man enters her life she thinks maybe its time to forget Bailey and do what her family has been asking. Can she let her true love go and meet her obligation to her family?

     We first meet Molly in Sixty Acres and a Bride when she tried to steal the male love interest affections. When I saw that she was going to be the main character in this book I was not sure if I would like it. The book was okay but I did not like it near as much as the first book.

What I liked: I liked how this book took people who had troubles and with God’s help they found a better path but getting to that path was met with bad choices. With forgiveness and God’s grace they found happiness once again. I really like Bailey and I think a lot of people could relate to him and his struggle to find his purpose in life. Even when things looked really gloomy he did not give up.

What I did not like: Honestly I did not really like Molly. I admit in the first book I ended with a negative opinion of her so it was hard to try and give her a clean slate. I really did not like her at all as the book began. As it progressed I tolerated her but even by the end I still was not that fond of her. Yes she changed her ways some but honestly Bailey could have done better. The book also seemed to have a slow start and took me a while to get into it.

     Over all this book was okay. The story was interesting but my dislike for Molly just made it hard to really like this book. The author is a great writer though and I look forward to more books from her.

Book Rating

Buy From

Amazon

Barnes&Noble

Christianbook.com

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

An Angel by Her Side by Ruth Reid

Published: 2013

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Series: Heaven On Earth(Book 3)

Goodreads Summery: With the help of the angel Elias, one willful schoolteacher is about to learn a lesson in what it means to carry a cross for the person she loves.
Twenty-nine-year-old Katie Bender s dream of marriage ended when her fiancé died seven years ago. She s content as the Amish settlement s schoolteacher, that is, until a tornado destroys the schoolhouse and several of the area s farms. Supplies are low and the needs are great. Rebuilding the schoolhouse is a low priority. But Katie knows a lot about surviving tragedy and she simply won t accept that her days of teaching are over.
Seth Stutzman is a master builder who is in town to install beehives on his brother-in-law s property and to offer him healing and support following his wife s recent death. Beehives aren’t his passion, but they re his livelihood since making a fatal error while working on a neighbor s barn. Seth arrives just as a tornado is wreaking havoc on Hope Falls. In spite of his construction error, he finds it difficult to avoid joining the work crew.
Both have valid reasons for avoiding each other. But what God ordains is impossible to resist. Celestial influences change the course of their decisions as they gain the patience and grace toward community members and each other. Seth and Katie can no longer deny that the sparks flying between them just might be love.

     Katie still feels responsible for the death of her fiancé and does not plan to marry. She works as a teacher in her community and feels like she has found her calling. Yet a tornado destroys her school and leaves her wondering what she will do next. Seth just happened to be in the right place at the right time and helped Katie and the school children to safety during the storm. He is visiting his brother to help him and does not plan to stay in the area. Elias the angel is watching over them both and as love blossoms so does a new understanding of God.

     I have really enjoyed this series and this book lived up to my expectations. I really like how this book incorporates angels and evil spirits into the story. It  may not be realistic but its so well written you can’t help but imagine a angle whispering God’s messages into your ear.

What I liked: I really liked Katie and Seth. Both where dealing with past issues that required them to listen to God for guidance. I love the good vs. evil that went on in this book. Not a lot of Christian fiction will write of a different realm like this author does and I really enjoy it. I also liked how characters from the first two books pop up from time to time. I liked how the story also dealt with Seth’s brother and how he was lost and slowly with the help of his family and spiritual guidance he found his way back. Very well written.

What I did not like: As much as I liked this book I thought the angel might have gotten to involved in the lives of the characters in the book. There is only one thing that really bothered me and it had to do with the little girl but I also have to remember its fiction and not real.

     Over all this was a great book and I really enjoyed it. Both Katie and Seth had to let go and let God and it’s a good lesson for all of us. Adding the angel into the story made it interesting. I highly recommend this book.

Book Rating

Buy From

Amazon

Barnes&Nobel

Christianbook.com

     I really liked this series. I admit I have always been fascinated with the supernatural and enjoy reading books on the subject so to have a Christian romance(Amish fiction too!) do that was extra neat for me. All three books where well written and I liked how previous characters are in each book with out over shadowing the new story. I thought how the good vs. evil was incorporated into each book was well thought out and flowed very nicely. If you’re a fan of Amish fiction and like some supernatural story lines this is a great series! Each book can be read alone if you don’t want to read all three.

Series Rating

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Forsaken Dreams by MaryLu Tyndall

Published: 2013

Publisher: Barbour Books

Series: Escape to Paradise(Book 1)

Goodreads Summery:After witnessing the death and destruction caused by the Civil War, Colonel Blake Wallace is eager to leave his once precious Southern homeland for the pristine shores of Brazil and the prospect of a new Utopian community. Widow Eliza Crawford seeks passage on Wallace’s ship harboring a dirty secret—and a blossoming hope for a fresh start. But will dangers from the sea and from man keep them from the peace and love they long for?

     Eliza is heading to Brazil to start over. She was a southerner who married a northerner and her family and fellow country men can not forgiver her for her choice. She hopes to keep her secret hidden and begin a new. Blake is in charge of the group heading to Brazil. He had been an officer for the south during the civil war and he needs to leave before he is hanged. The ship just gets out to sea as the north was on Blake’s trail. As the ship makes its way south there are many issues and problems that have some people on board thinking the voyage is cursed. Will Eliza get her fresh start or will her past catch up with her? Can Blake over come his war memories to lead the group to their new promise land and can Blake and Eliza find love when everything seems stacked against them?

     I am very excited about this new series by MaryLu Tyndall. It’s a little different then some of her other books but very exciting.

What I liked: The characters are very likable. Not only do we learn about Eliza and Blake we also get to know the other people on the ship and a sneak peak at the main characters of the other two books that will make up this series. I really like how the spiritual side of the storyline of the series is being set up and I am very excited to see where it goes.

What I did not like: Over all there is not much I did not like with this book. The one thing that I did not love was the book started farther into the story and then jumps back quite a bit and we have to work our way back to that point. Not a huge deal but I so wanted to know what was going to happen next and I had to wait. A good way to get people into the book and hooked from the get go!

     This was a great book and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I love how the author tells her stories from the sea and how her characters are so easy to like and so real. The one thing I will also ad is her books are not easy reads they have depth and quite a few characters that the reader has to learn. Thankfully she gave a cheat sheet at the beginning of the book which I had to go back and reference a few times at the beginning to help keep everyone straight. She also brings the dark side of the spiritual realm to the story and it really made for a interesting read and left me wondering how the next book will go. A must read!

Book Rating

I am no longer doing Steamy Ratings because all the books I read are Inspirational Romance. If a book would warrant a steamy rating I will add it for that book.

Buy From

Amazon

Barnes&Noble

Christianbook.com

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Swept Away by Mary Connealy

Published: 2013

Publisher: Bethany House

Series: Trouble in Texas(Book 1)

Goodreads Summery: Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy MacNeil isn’t all that upset at being separated from the family who raised her. All they’ve ever done is work her to the bone. She prayed for a chance to get away, and then came the raging flood. Alive but disoriented, she’s rescued by Luke Stone…so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate future.
Luke is heading home to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But the men who killed his father are working hard to ensure Luke doesn’t make it alive. He has no choice but to keep moving. Still, he can’t just abandon Ruthy, so she’ll have to come along.
His friends–a ragtag group of former Civil War soldiers–take a fast interest in the pretty gal. Luke thinks that’s rather rude–he’s the one who found her. And the more time he spends around the hard-working young woman who is a mighty good cook, the more he finds himself thinking beyond revenge and toward a different future. For the first time in a long time, Luke is tempted to turn from his destructive path and be swept away by love.

     Ruthy has been living with a family for years since her parents died and they have treated her more like a slave then a daughter and now they are heading west in a wagon train and once they hit California they plan to force her to marry their creepy son. But fate steps in with a flash flood that sweeps her down river. Luke Stone is on his way back to his family ranch to reclaim it from a man who has stolen it when he finds  beat up but alive Ruthy. He can’t leave her out in the middle of no where so he brings her along. Soon she finds herself in the middle of Luke’s ranch war and not only is the ranch at stake so is her heart.

     This is book one in a new series by the author and it’s a slight spin off of the last series Kincaid Brides as we meet Callie’s brother.

What I liked: As is the authors style the characters are fun and full of fire. Ruthy slowly shows Luke she is tougher then he thinks and Luke starts to see the woman hiding behind her past all while keeping you entertained. I also like the other guys in the book who I am sure are going to be the leads for future books of the series. The scenes with the doctor and the local woman had me laughing out loud.

What I did not like: This book was a little slow getting going. But its also the first book of the series and a lot of people where introduced and that takes time. It just took me about half way through the book before I really started to enjoy it.

     Over all this was a good book. Like I said above I had a little trouble getting into it because there where a lot of new characters introduced in the first half of the book and it took me some time to sort everyone out but once it got going it was very enjoyable. I am really looking forward to the 2nd book as I know the characters now and it will be like walking right back into the action of the first book.

Book Rating

I am no longer doing Steamy Ratings because all the books I read are Inspirational Romance. If a book would warrant a steamy rating I will add it for that book.

Buy From

Amazon

Barnes&Nobel

Christianbook.com

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

A Dream for Tomorrow by Melody Carlson

Published: 2013

Publisher: Harvest House

Series: Homeward on the Oregon Trail(Book 2)

Goodreads Summery: Elizabeth Martin and her two children have made it through the easy part of their journey, but now their wagon train faces high mountain passes, dangerous river crossings, and decreasing supplies. Desperate circumstances bring out the best and worst of the travelers, including Will Bramford, the wealthy widower who is pursuing Elizabeth, and Eli Kincade, the independent and solitary guide who has stolen Elizabeth’s heart.
As the group reaches the Oregon Country, the emigrants part ways to find their new homes. Elizabeth and Will and their families have made arrangements to board a ship that will take them south along the coast. Will Eli change his plans and accompany Elizabeth to her new and permanent home? Or will his mysterious past continue to keep them from love?

     This is book two of the series. Book one was getting started with the Oregon Trail book two spends the whole book on the trail. Elizabeth and her family are traveling along. Elizabeth is finding herself having feelings for Eli but she has also attracted the attention of Will another person on the train. As they get closer to the end of the train Elizabeth receives a letter from her sister in law and the news is not great. Has Elizabeth and her family made a bad choice coming west? Can Elizabeth find love? Who will she choose Eli or Will?

     I have come to enjoy books that have an Oregon trail plot and this book was enjoyable and interesting.

What I liked: Elizabeth and her family are heading west for a new start and enjoying the adventure along the way. Elizabeth continues to deal with her feelings towards Eli the scout of the train and also she soon finds out that Will also on the trail west is interested in courting her. Plus there is added worry about what they will face when they reach the end of the trail when Elizabeth gets a letter from her sister in law. I thought all the different story lines when well together.

What I did not like: Elizabeth is again the only first person character in the book and I just don’t like that. I know this is can be a personal preference but I wanted to get to know Eli maybe even Will a little but we are left with only getting glimpses of their feelings from her and I feel it really takes away from the book.

     Over all this book is likable and I am looking forward to the third and final book of the series which will focus on settling into the Oregon territory. My rating is a little lower because of only the one first person telling of the book. Had it had two it would have easily been a 4 or 5 star book. Still good though and I recommend this series. Though you will need to go back and read book one as they are very much tied together.

Book Rating

I am no longer doing Steamy Ratings because all the books I read are Inspirational Romance. If a book would warrant a steamy rating I will add it for that book.

Buy From

Amazon

Barnes&Nobel

Christianbook.com

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.