January 28, 2015

Undeniably Yours


















Undeniably Yours is the first novel in Becky Wade's latest book series.  This series tells the story of the Porter family.  You are first introduced to Meg Cole when she learns of her father's sudden death.  She is numb, as she must return home to fill the spot as the head of her family's large oil empire.

One of the first tasks she seeks to fulfill is to close down any needless activities throughout her father's estate.  This task leads her face-to-face with Bo Porter, the manager of her father's thoroughbred racehorse farm.  First, Bo's looks take her off-guard; then, his refusal to accept her decision to close down the farm, leaves her offering him a six month window to improve the farm's numbers.

Meg's anxiety seems to be growing as she attempts to fill her father's shoes.  The only place she seems to find any peace is when she is in Bo's company.  As Bo and Meg's friendship begins to grow, you sense that trouble lies ahead.  Whether it is Bo's feelings of inadequacy to gain a place in Meg's world or a resurgence of problems from Meg's past, you sense that something will upset the apple cart!

Throughout the pages of this book, you will see both Bo and Meg learning to trust in God's presence in their lives, especially in the final pages of this sweet tale!



January 19, 2015

Gathering Shadows


















Gathering Shadows, the first book in Nancy Mehl's Finding Sanctuary series,was a great read!  Hang on as Wynter Evans, a young reporter, attempts to solve a 9-year old mystery concerning the disappearance of her 7-year old brother.

After Wynter sees an image that looks like her brother, she knows she must check out the situation.  She heads to Sanctuary, Missouri, the location where the photograph was taken.  This small, remote Mennonite community turns into a very interesting place to start her investigation. 

After she meets Reuben King, the local mayor, he agrees to help in her search for the answer to her question.  Could that boy in the photograph truly be her brother?

You won't believe the situations she encounters on her way to the answer.  She makes a number of new and dear friends, as well as a new awareness of God's place in her world!


January 15, 2015

A Brush with Love: A January Wedding Story


















A Brush with Love by Rachel Hauck tells the story of Ginger Winters, a young woman trying to live her life in the shadows.  Ginger has worked for years as a personal stylist, trying to bring out the beauty in other women; however, after a fire terribly disfigured her at a young age, Ginger cannot see any beauty in herself!

When Ginger moves back to her hometown to open her own shop, she encounters people and memories from her past that were better left forgotten.  When Tom Wells ends up in her chair one afternoon, the feelings for a former love come flooding back!

Little does Ginger know that God has brought Tom back into her life, to not only experience the love of a man; but more importantly, to know the love of an awesome God, who has never forgotten her!

  received this book from Zondervan in exchange for my unbiased review


January 12, 2015

Meant to Be Mine


















You meet Celia Park and Ty Porter on the pages of Meant to Be Mine by Becky Wade.

Celia was initially attracted to Ty in high school and then again, just out of college, during a trip to Vegas.  These second moments of attraction ends up with Celia and Ty actually tying the knot!  Ty declares the next morning that it was a big mistake and that he actually has a girlfriend back home.  When Ty and Celia part ways, Celia goes home alone, only to discover weeks later that she is expecting!

Five and a half years later and after another trip to Vegas with friends, Ty decides to track Celia down.  Ty has been successfully working as a bull rider, while Celia has been struggling as a single parent, trying to keep the bills paid. When Ty travels to Oregon to see Celia, he is in for the surprise of his life. Celia tells him that he has a four-year daughter named Addie!

From that point on, their lives are turned upside-down!  This is an interesting journey, as both Celia and Ty must learn to forgive and trust each other again, but only after they accept the forgiveness and love that only God has for each of them!



January 7, 2015

The Wishing Season


















You meet PJ McKinley and Cole Evans on the opening pages of The Wishing Season, the latest book by Denise Hunter.  PJ and Cole soon enter a year-long contest with each other to win ownership of a house in Chapel Springs.

PJ and Cole each have a dream.  PJ wants to open and run a successful restaurant.  Cole dreams of opening a home to assist young people leaving foster care and looking to start a life on their own.

Both PJ and Cole have trials that they each must work through on the pages of this novel.  There are many moments of conflict with each other; however, moments of something deeper and more lasting seemed to be growing.

This book definitely had me smiling once I reached the final pages!




January 2, 2015

A Lady of Willowgrove Hall


















Sarah Ladd brings The Whispers of the Moors series to a close with A Lady of Willowgrove Hall.

You are introduced to the leading lady of this tale, Cecily Faire, on its initial pages.  Cecily is attempting to run away with the young man who had taken away her innocence.  Unfortunately, her father has learned of their plans.  He intervenes and takes Cecily to the Rosemere School for Young Ladies instead!

After Cecily has been at the school for five years, she is given the opportunity to work as a lady's companion at Willowgrove Hall.  Cecily has no idea how her life will change when she enters this new world!  Cecily meets Nathaniel Stanton, Willowgrove's young steward, as she is arriving to start her new job.  You soon learn that both Nathaniel and Cecily have secrets they want to keep under cover. 

This is an interesting journey with Nathaniel and Cecily as they learn to trust each other and also trust their great God!