Category: Author

The Heart of a Cowboy

Jody Hedlund

MY REVIEW

This is the second book in this series, Colorado Cowboys. It states it is Historical Fiction, but it really is far more a romance story

I liked the main characters in the story. I didn’t particularly care for their love story. There was a lot of physical attraction mentioned, and they kiss several times then decide to make nothing of it. I found that a bit strange for this historical time. Nowadays, that’s certainly a far more commonplace idea and happening. In the past, though, a kiss really meant something.

It was interesting to read how far they drove the cattle, the dangers along the way, what they did when water was scarce, and how they overcame other obstacles as they made their way on the Santa Fe Trail.

I also enjoyed the family dynamics in the story. They are interesting, really, for both the female and male heroine. There is more complexity in the hero’s story and family. I enjoyed getting to know Wyatt’s ( hero from the previous book) family in this book.

More history and deeper character development than romance is my “cup of tea”, but this book is a favorite among fans. For Jody Hedlund fans, her writing is vivid and detailed as always…and a bit of mystery to the story as well. So if you are interested in taking a historical trip on the Santa Fe trail, grab a copy.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A View Most Glorious

Regina Scott

MY REVIEW

This was a fun, quick read. I really liked the main characters, and there are some wonderful secondary characters as well. They really come to life in the book. 

Lately I have really enjoyed the books that allow me to travel. The author does a great job with the setting and the history in the book.

The faith theme is a good one as well. It is quite strong in this book, and it is natural to the storyline. The book is a bit predictable, but I enjoyed the journey and seeing how things turned out for the characters.

An armchair travel book with wonderful, vivid characters; interesting and intriguing storyline, and an intrinsic faith theme is all wrapped up in a very enjoyable novel.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A Deep Divide

Kimberley Woodhouse

MY REVIEW

I hadn’t heard anything about Harvey Girls until reading this book. The history of the restaurant chain was fascinating. I also enjoyed the historical characters added into the story. The author really did a great job of making the reader want to visit the restaurant and the Grand Canyon.

I enjoyed the characters in this book. The characters, plot, and storyline were very well done. The suspense keeps the reader turning the pages. The faith theme is a good one, and this read gets a higher rating because of it. The theme of over coming ones fears, and the scripture verses that are in the book do such a marvelous job of showing why we need not fear. The faith theme is an intricate part of the story, and it is so well done.

So take a trip to the Grand Canyon, learn some great history, and read about God’s Grace and love in this beautifully written story.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Carved in Stone

Elizabeth Camden

MY REVIEW

Carved in Stone by Camden is in an interesting time in history. I have watched documentaries on the Rockefeller and Carnegie dynasties so I’m familiar with steel and this time period. I enjoyed the history, plot. And characters. It was predictable but interesting enough to keep me in the book.

I felt more connected to the main female character, but I found myself wishing to know a bit more about her younger years. I liked the main male character, but I didn’t really like all of the rosary mentions that came up in regards to his character. I realize that some of it made it historical as Irish immigrants were Catholic, but it seemed odd in a Christian fiction book.

The history and its background was what really held my attention throughout this book. It was very well done.

I received this book from the publisher.All opinions are my own. 

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery

By Amanda Cox

MY REVIEW


I thoroughly enjoyed this read! It’s what I call “Women’s Fiction.” Three generations of mothers and their struggles and triumphs. Life…that’s the best way I can think to describe this wonderful read. Far too many secrets among family and how they play out in each of their lives. It is so realistic, heart wrenching, and heartwarming. Lynn Austin is one of my favorite authors, and it felt a bit like reading one of her stories.

Love, marriage, birth, rearing children…all those things that are so important in life and in a women’s life are so well put on paper. People’s perspectives, motives, and choices- how they affect what kind of life we lead…and how people can be so very wrong in their perspective of someone else, even their own mothers. It’s quite a powerful story, really, yet so simply told. Beautifully told.

I was thrilled with the characters, loved the split time,setting, and storyline. The Vietnam era isn’t a common one, though I have noticed more authors using it. I so enjoyed the story and writing that I hope to get this author’s first book as well. I believe I have found a new author to follow. If you love family fiction or women’s fiction, you really don’t want to miss this novel. It is definitely going on my forever shelves. This would make a great book club read….and a great re-read as well. Go get it.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

To Write a Wrong

By Jen Turano

MY REVIEW

This was a slow starter for me, but that could have just been me. I was reading to get my mind of a ferocious headache which Daphne, the main character here probably would have said was a ridiculous idea. However, no one makes me laugh more than Jen Turano when it comes to books. I did eventually get into it, and I enjoyed her story.She has been my favorite character in this group. 

Her outlandish wardrobe and growing vocabulary were marvelous and so enjoyably funny. Her hero was wonderful and perfect for her. I can’t say he was one of my favorite people, but he definitely did well in handling Daphne.

All in all, it was another fun story from Jen Turano. You can count on out loud laughter when reading her novels. They are so fun.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Chase

By Lisa Harris

MY REVIEW

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were very well done, the storyline engaging, the setting was great, and the faith theme was very well intricately woven as a natural part of the storyline. I really like friends to lover stories as they seem so much more natural.

The pace was good and well laid out. I had not read the previous book, but I hope to do so. I was able to read this one just fine as a stand alone novel. I really enjoy this authors books! There is a lot of action and fast paced scenes. If you enjoy suspense or mystery that are clean reads, you definitely do not want to miss this one.

A Lady in Attendance

By Rachel Fordham

MY REVIEW

This is my first book by this author. I have wanted to read previous ones just have a TBR that feels like it’s never ending so I hadn’t read one yet. I’m hoping to get her previous ones as I enjoyed this book. I had no idea what “lady in attendance “ meant, but I was quite surprised that was her title. 

I really liked the characters in this book. Gilbert’s shy behavior was something to which I could definitely relate. His career was an interesting one, and I loved reading the author notes as to why she chose his profession.

The main characters were wonderful, the storyline turned out to have several surprises and much suspense. It’s difficult not to give anything away here, but I’ll just say that I was definitely surprised at the turn the book took. It held my attention, and I ended up staying up well into the morning hours to find out what happened.

The faith theme was incredibly strong, and it , in itself, brought about much change. It was incredibly well done.

I thoroughly enjoyed this author’s writing style and do hope to read more of her books soon. Definitely do not miss this story! It was such a sweet story with much to enjoy.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Along a Storied Trail

By Ann Gabhart

MY REVIEW

This was a lovely story and so well written. I really liked Tansy and her love for books. I had heard about the people who delivered books during the Great Depression, but this story really brought that to life. I didn’t realize that they used materials to make books or that they delivered so many magazines.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book that bring the storyline to life. It had wonderful dialogue between the characters. The story seemed so realistic and true to its time period. There was quite a varied group of characters in the book all adding to a well written story.

I loved the faith theme in the book as well. It was intrinsic to the story and well written. Forgiveness, love, hope, and thankfulness were all woven so well into the plot. The dialogue of spiritual things was intriguing and added much to the novel.

A beautiful cast of characters, wonderful scene and era brought to life, and a realistic and interesting faith theme all made for a novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. This book will make it to my forever shelves-beautifully done!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Cold Case Trail

By Sharee Stover

MY REVIEW

This was a terrific read! As always, this author engages the reader in the plot of the story and the wonderful characters. This story has a bonus in the side kick being a dog. 

I learned many things I did not know about K 9 units that was quite fascinating. I will not share that here…read the book! I read it in one sitting. It is one of those books that the pace keeps moving and I just did not want to put it down. 

The plot was a good one, the characters wonderful ( my favorite obviously being the dog), and the mystery/suspense was intriguing. Another terrific story from this author! 

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.