Category: Christian Romance

Falling for the Cowgirl

By Jody Hedlund

MY REVIEW

This book follows in the style of the previous three books in the series. A feisty girl and a guy who can’t decide what he wants to do. If you like a romance read, this is for you. It was an easy read for me, and I’m not big on the romance. This series seems to have that more at the center than previously written books by this author. I prefer more history…just my preference.

The plot seemed a bit weak in this one, but it has some interesting intrigue moments and a bit of suspense/mystery thrown in if ( like me) you like suspense in your stories. This book is definitely driven by the characters.

Ivy feels as if she doesn’t really have a place, but she does know exactly what she wants. I grew up doing the things my brothers did so I understand that part of her character. I wasn’t a huge Jericho fan, but he figures it out, of course.

If you are a romance fan and love Cowboy stories, you will enjoy this entire series by Jody Hedlund.

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


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The Bride of Blackfriars Lane

By Michelle Griep

MY REVIEW

4.5 stars
Delightful and fun with so much wit…the characters are fantastic, and the story never stops. It’s such an incredibly fun novel from beginning to end.

This is the second book in a series of two, and I was thrilled when I found out a sequel to the first was releasing. Many books written in England are written about the elite and wealthy. This is a totally different kind of read, and probably far more realistic for most that lived during that time.

The characters are terrific, the mystery well written, the faith theme so very good and intrinsic to the tale, and the storyline is incredible. There is so much to like about this story.

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

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Deception

By Patricia Bradley

MY REVIEW

An incredibly fast paced suspense read. There is a lot going on in this novel-many paths to follow and many surprises.

The main characters, Madison and Clayton, are both well done. I liked both the main characters which is not always true. There are far too many surprises waiting for these two it is rather unbelievable that they are all contained in one novel. Both characters are like-able and good at their jobs.

Some inspirational elements in this book. Trust being a huge one for the female lead character as well as giving a second chance. This book really helped open my eyes to the struggles of an addict. I had never seen it so well written. I know several, and I think this fiction more than any other read presents the addiction as just a way of life. The way it is done it helped me to understand better how difficult it is to leave the addiction behind. Certain scenes in this book still come to mind as I am writing this. It was incredibly well done. The faith theme is an intricate part of the story.

The author keeps the reader on the edge of the seat for this one. There are so many twists and turns. It is a well done mystery/suspense read that just might keep the reader awake far past a persons bedtime. Well worth it, too.

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

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Critical Alliance

By Elizabeth Goddard

MY REVIEW

This was an interesting read about cyber security, and the big “who dunnit ?” The characters were well done, I really liked the suspense in the book. All of the electronics and how they could be a bad thing was fascinating to me. The characters didn’t have extreme depth, but this story is really driven by the mystery and suspense. 

It does have romance, but it wasn’t a lot…and it wasn’t what kept me turning the pages. It seemed a bit fast, but there was some back history between the two.

It had a faith theme of forgiveness that was well done. It was about forgiving oneself and their past.

In reading mystery, I have gotten pretty good at guessing who the culprit is. Definitely NOT with this book. The ending and revelation of the “who” was a huge surprise and a fantastic well written turn of events. It was a WOW moment for sure.

Overall, it was a good read. I haven’t read the previous in the series, and it held up fine on its own.

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

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Where the Road Bends

Rachel Fordham

MY REVIEW

Another sweet story from Rachel Fordham. It has an early twist so that it does not end up like one thinks at the beginning. After a few chapters it is pretty predictable, but a sweet storyline none-the-less.

I loved the characters in this story, and they are what endeared the book to me. Flawed characters that really touch the heart..both main and secondary characters are wonderful.

I do think in the last year or so that I have read so many stories of woman abused by men. I have to admit that story line is getting a bit old and redundant. At least in this story it isn’t steeped in that for which I am thankful.

There is an orphan boy in this one, and I love reading books with children as main characters. Something about the dynamic of having a child who needs love that adds much to a story. 

It is a sweet, simple story that touches the heart. I have enjoyed all the books I have read by this author. I have one I have not read, and I hope to rectify that soon.

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

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Sunburst

Susan May Warren

MY REVIEW


I enjoyed this read. It has been sometime since I had read this author, but I enjoy suspense so I decided to give this book a read. I enjoyed the storyline, but would have liked more suspense and less romance— just my personal preference when it comes to books.

I am thinking I might have missed a bit by not reading the first in this series, but I’m not sure on that so that makes me say that really this book stands well on its own.

If you like to travel in your reads, I would recommend this one. You get a touch of another culture and experience “traveling” from the comfort of wherever you are reading. I really enjoyed that about this book. I liked the characters, but neither one of them were good at communicating well to the other, The two main characters seem to dance around their words and feelings through most of the book. They desperately needed to just open up and talk to each other. I’m the opposite of that, and I was bluntly honest when I fell in love with my hubby. I kind of underStand after reading the book, why the guy was hesitant. The girl really needed to just spit out what was on her mind…again…just my opinion.

I liked the faith theme in this book as well…always something I want in my books.
I rarely read any contemporary romance. This author wrote it well enough for me to want to find out what happens, and I finished the book enjoying the story. That’s a win for the author. If you like contemporary romance with some action, this book is for you.

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


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When the Meadow Blooms

By Ann H. Gabhart

MY REVIEW

Such a sweet story. This story was a good one for me. I’m bedridden much of the time, and my daughter has done so much of the work. I have had a difficult time with that so I really relate to Rose. It is hard to rest while one’s daughter is working, yet it must be done. I loved the attitude of the girls as they worked. My daughter handles the responsibility so incredibly well. I could so relate to that part of this lovely story.

This was a great read to come after a mafia story! I grew up in the city and now live in the country. I can totally relate to wanting to live or just visit a beautiful meadow. The girls are so sweet, and even as a reader I wanted to give them a hug.

Such a terrific faith theme woven in this book…hope, faith and forgiveness. Friendship and family, good times and tough times, all the things that make up our journey of life are in this story. It’s a sweet , heartfelt story…probably a new favorite from this author. 

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

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To Tame a Cowboy

By Jody Hedlund

MY REVIEW

The characters are vivid and well done in this third book of the Colorado Cowboys. This author always does such a great job of making her characters come alive. Even the secondary characters become interesting for the reader.

The setting is a beautiful one. I’ve never been to Colorado, and this book may be the closest I get. 

I read historical fiction for the history. I love to learn as I read fiction. This book, to me, seemed much more about romance and the attraction between the main characters than it did about anything else. Since I’m not a reader of just romance novels that was not a bonus for me,

If you like historical fiction with swooning romance then this is definitely a book for you.

There is a faith theme present in this read which is what gave its value to me. Christian fiction should have something of Christian in its pages. It isn’t a large one, but it is present and well woven into the story.

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

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Written on the Wind

by Elizabeth Camden

MY REVIEW

This was a wonderful read with the backdrop of the Trans-Siberian Railway. I have always been fascinated by Russian history so I was looking forward to this read. It did not disappoint.

For me,the characters are what made the story. The author did such a good job of bringing them to life and making them real. Both of the main characters are fantastic. They are not copycats, and they cause this story to be different from so many other historical fiction books. I can’t say more or I take the chance of spoilers.

The storyline is a good one with a Russian viewpoint, American viewpoint, and a good faith theme. This authors books are always interesting. This one is definitely my favorite in the series so far…I’m looking forward to book three! 

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

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The Master Craftsman

By Kelli Stuart

MY REVIEW

This book starts with some Russian history and a treasure hunt. That alone intrigued me. It was a split story line. The historical one was interesting, and the present day one was fast paced. If a deep storyline isn’t for you the treasure hunt may keep you engaged. I enjoy history so the historical Russian history was fascinating. 

The biggest problem the story had was the language and the lack of any faith theme. I expect a faith them from this Christian publisher, yet there was none. At one time, I would have been shocked at language in a book like this. Unfortunately, it isn’t as rare as it use to be. I did read a quote for the author that the book wasn’t a Christian one…which made me wonder why it was published by Revell.

If you are not bothered by the above, then you may find this read interesting and fitting for you. I honestly cannot think of an author I read to compare her writing style. Many reviewers do that, but I’m unable to come up with one for this particular book. Perhaps because it is the only one I’ve read by this author. I thought the storyline was well done as was the twist and turns in the book…especially a huge twist close to the end of the story. I didn’t connect with any of the characters, but this book was far more about story than people.

If the language or lack of faith theme doesn’t bother you, and you enjoy a fast paced mystery then this book might be for you. It just was not my type of read. There are plenty other reviewers who disagree.

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

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