Finding Her Heart

This inspirational romance begs to the question, what would happen if everything that could go wrong, did go wrong? In Allie's case, she faces one uphill battle after another. Her only constant has been her passion for art. Growing up in a small town she was more sheltered than most. Raised in seclusion by her aunt and uncle, her only friends were forest animals. Due to her Asperger's most of the kids in school made fun of her, and the fact that she had to wear overly modest, homemade clothes, didn't help her much either. When it comes time to graduate she has her heart set on art school. She uses the money she's earned from winning painting competitions to secure her first year and things finally seem to be looking up. Then her uncle dies. Despite all the obstacles being thrown at her Allie finds a way to tough it out, despite her disability and lack of money or resources. Everything would be so much easier if she had God on her side, but she doesn't know where to begin. If only she had a man to show her the way, or a parent figure. Then lo and behold, the comes a man who is set on helping her out. But is just interested in her art, or maybe in her heart? Finding her Heart contains a little bit of romance, faith, and perseverance. It is a quick inspirational read that readers will adore.

Old Fashioned

Sometimes you just need a light, fluffy read that has a predictably cheesy happily ever after ending. I was getting the January blues and this definitely fit the bill for "gentle read." Normally I don't like books based on movies (although I love them the other way around), but since I hadn't seen the movie, "Old Fashioned" I was totally ok with the book. I have no idea how it is compared to the movie though since the movie is releasing on Valentine's Day this year (it's competing against 50 Shades! Good luck old boy!).

Chivalry makes a comeback. Free spirited Amber, is constantly jumping from one adventure to another. When her car runs out of gas in quaint little college town she decides to give it a chance. She finds the perfect little apartment for rent that comes with an adorable landlord. The only problem is, her landlord is the most old fashioned person she's ever met. He won't even be in the same room as an unmarried woman and doesn't believe in dating. That doesn't stop Amber though, she keeps "breaking" things in her apartment so her landlord has to stop by. Even though she's regulated to standing on the stoop and talking to him through the screen door, it doesn't deter her. Clay, her reclusive landlord, is hiding from a past. He's radically changed his life in the past nine years but he still feels the burden of his guilt. When carefree Amber waltzes in his life, he feels a pull he hasn't felt in years. But he's soo scared of repeating the past that he knows he has to do things much much differently this time.

Pretty adorable story, with obvious Christian undertones. Looks at alternatives for dating and discusses redemption for sins in the past. Definitely one of my favorite inspirational reads (trust me, that is hard saying. inspirational romance is NOT my go to genre!).

I received this book free from Tyndale press in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

Threads of Change

I've read several inspirational historical romance quilting books this year (phew is that a mouthful) and this one followed a pretty similar route. Take a historical romance, add some widows or unmarried women who too much time on their hands, throw in a dash of quilting with a side of unrequited love and VOILA you have this book (along with a whole new genre).

Liz is an independent women, she is a widow with a ten year old son and she isn't afraid to speak her mind. When her grandfather convinces her that she, her sister, her two cousins, her son, and her should move west to Texas, in order to avoid the coming war (Civil War) she hesitantly agrees. While on the trail to Texas she utilizes her quick thinking and inner strength to save the traveling party from near disaster several times. It may seem like she's in control of everything but her heart and her head are at war. Accompanying them is her dead husband's best friend, Thomas. He's clearly smitten with her and she is unsure how to proceed. What's a woman to do? Spoiler alert, quilting solves most problems.

The storyline was decent although the beginning was convoluted and confusing. Once they reached Texas I feel like the author rushed together a hasty ending. The pacing was a little odd but overall I guess the story was ok.

I received this book for free from Moody Publishing in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

Summer of Joy

Told through the eyes of fourteen year old Jocie, this story of love, faith, and redemption is full of vibrance and enthusiasm. It's the 1960's and Holyhill is still as small town as ever, nearly immune to the turbulent times across the nation. Two outsiders come to this quaint town and threaten to undo that peace and quiet. One, a mean and calculating freshman english teacher, and the other a long lost relative. Jocie speculates on how these characters affect not only her but those around her. Her father is due to be married and Jocie can hardly contain her excitement at getting a new mother, in fact most of the town is excited. But will these unexpected visitors throw everything off? Will God provide?

Cute, fast read. For fans of Christian historical romance. Be warned though, this is the third book in a series and some of the characters back stories are only touched upon. Also, unlike the title, the story is only set in summer for about three chapters (not that it really matters, but I found it amusing).

I received this book for free from Revell Reads in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

A Sky Without Stars

This is the second book I've read in the "Quilts of Love Series" and I had no idea they were all written by different authors and followed completely different storylines and characters. Pretty cool!

This particular novel followed Frankie Chasing Bear and her son, Harold, as they try to make ends meet in a white man's world. It's 1951 and times are tough for a single mother, especially an Indian one. Her abusive and alcoholic husband has recently bit the dust (no big loss) but now her ten year old son is more unruly than ever. He is suspended from school for supposedly stealing a sewing machine and is always running off. To make matters worse there is a handsome federal agent that keeps hanging around. He is only half Lakota, but Frankie wants a whole man. Will she get that? Will her son settle down? Will her quilts ever get finished?

Cute, heart warming, and a quick read. For fans of Christian historical romance.

I received this book for free from LitFuse Publicity in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

Echoes of Mercy

Kim Vogel Sawyer once again writes a Christian historical romance that readers will be clamoring to read. It's a fast read full of history, love, doubt, and human rights. Her characters may be very obviously good or very obviously bad, but she still places religious doubt in them so they have a little dimension and struggle.

The turn of the twentieth century has brought many changes, but young Carrie is still working hard to bring about more. She works undercover in factories trying to shed light and bring changes to children workers and unsafe conditions. When she is sent to Dinsmoore's World Famous Chocolate factory she got more than she bargained for. She finds herself caring for three young orphaned children and trying to avoid the dashing janitor, Ollie Moore. She finds herself falling for him, even though she's holding in a big secret on her true purpose at the factory. But to her surprise she finds that he is there on a secret errand as well. Can they put aside their differences and work together to achieve the greater good? Can Carrie help Ollie find God? Can they find someone to care for the three orphaned children that have wormed their way into their hearts?

For fans of Christian historical romance and worker's rights.

I received this book free from Waterbrook Press in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

The Sweet By and By

This was a cute, heart wrenching, and mildly predictable but still enjoyable christian romance. Country singer, Sara Evans, and Rachel Hauck team up to write this sappy, endearing novel about redemption, heart break, and true love. Jade has an ugly past. Her parents all but abandoned her and her brother and sister and let their grandmother raise them while she was off living vicariously from man to man. When Jade turns sixteen she secretly marries her high school sweetheart only to have her heart broken. Now in her thirties and engaged, Jade begins to have doubts. Can she ever leave the past in the past? Confide in her fiance? Forgive her hippie mother? Find Jesus?

For a Christian romance I was impressed. It wasn't overly Godly and the characters had real, relatable flaws.

Scraps of Evidence

File this under cozy Christian romance mystery. This is one of those light beach reads that you can knock out in one lazy afternoon. It's not a terribly complicated story line and all the characters (save the very obvious villain) are very amiable (albeit one dimensional).

The story follows Tess, a young, super nice detective, as she adjusts to having a new super attractive, and super nice male partner (sparks fly!). Within a week of working together they got a homicide and the crime appears to be all too familiar. It looks as if the serial killer that murdered Tess' best friend in high school is back! Duh duh duh duh!! If you read the back synopsis "Could a quilt really hold the secrets of a serial killer?" and the first chapter you will immediately know who the killer is. That was my big beef with the book, you don't have to be a genius to figure out the whole thing, the author places way to many "Easter eggs" throughout the novel, giving too much away. Don't get me wrong it was still an enjoyable read, but there wasn't a whole lot of mystery to it.

There are more elements of romance, finding Jesus, and speaking out against domestic abuse, then there were mystery or quilting. For people who don't like violence, or thrillers, or suspense, don't worry, you can get through this book no problem. Unbeknownst to me, this was the 14th book om the Quilts of Love series. I thought it stood well as a stand alone, but then again, I don't know if it's the same characters in every story or if it bounces around.

For fans of Christian romance. Mystery lovers be warned, this is the world's easiest whodunit, proceed with caution.

I received this book for free from LitFuse Publicity in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.


Enter Today | 2/17 - 3/8!

Princess Ever After

Rachel Hauck brings every girls dream to life in this funny, charming, and romantic novel insisting that fairy tales can come true. Regina Beswick is just your average girl next door (that is, if your girl next door was a super beautiful accountant turned car shop owner, who has never been kissed) until one day she finds out that she is heir to a throne and destined to be a princess. She has to find out if she can handle what God has in store for her, because she would be perfectly happy restoring classic cars for the rest of her life. Does she have the courage to become a princess, to rule people, and leave her family behind?

The beginning was a tad long, but I suspect that was because the author was trying to paint a believable picture and make the whole thing seem more realistic. It's not every day someone finds out they are heir to a throne thousands of miles away. The romance between Regina and the Minister of Culture, Tanner, is cute but happens a little fast for my taste. Let's just say I wish that I found my true love and confessed my feelings for that person in less than a week.

Overall, the story was cute, the cover artwork adorable, and this book will have christian romance fans clamoring for more in the royal wedding series (this is the second).

I received this book for free from LitFuse Publicity in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

With Autumn's Return

It was nice to read a Christian historical fiction novel that didn't have a damsel in distress for once. Elizabeth Harding is a tough, no nonsense broad (okay, okay, she's a lady) that defies the sexist stereotypes of the day and becomes a doctor, which for taking place in 1887 AND being an "inspirational" read, is kind of a big deal.

The crux of the story is that a nice lady doctor moves to Cheyenne to open her own practice only to discover that, shocker, people don't think  women should be doctors; they don't have the brains plus they should be in the kitchen or poppin' out babies. Elizabeth is initially discouraged, especially after the smokin hot lawyer next door tells her her business is doomed. Slowly she starts building up clientele (hey treating whores will pay the bills!)  and she discovers that her lawyer neighbor is actually quite nice (and did I mention attractive?). The two start courting and everything seems peachy, until gossip and deceit amongst Cheyenne's wealthy threatens to tear apart everything Elizabeth has worked so hard to build!

This book is the third in the Westward Winds series, but honestly I didn't discover that in the end. It serves as a stand alone book quite well.

For fans of historical Christian Romance and take charge leading ladies.

I received this book free from Revell Publishing in return for my honest, unbiased review.

Long Trail Home

Long Trail Home is the third in the Texas Trails series which follows the Morgan family through different generations. I didn't feel that it added much historical and emotional appeal as the other two and it would serve better as a stand alone novel.

This inspirational romance follows Riley Morgan as he journey home from the Civil War. When he finally arrives in his hometown of Waco after years of bloody brutal battles, he discovers that his parents had been murdered by a tribe of Indians and his fiance married someone else. So clearly his life sucks. But this guy is a trooper. He cries for like a day and moves on. He can't bear to stay in his childhood home because there is nothing left for him there so he convinces the lady that runs the School for the Blind to let him room for free if he makes repairs around the place. While there he starts to fall for a young woman who has quite a sinister past as well.

Annie, took shelter at the school of the blind when she was just a young child. Her mother was dead and her father abandoned her in Waco so she faked blindness so she could seek refuge in the only place that would take her. For seven years she's lied to everyone in the community and the only one that knows her secret is Laura, the headmistress. As she starts to develop feelings for Riley she feels as if she needs to tell him of the deception but then they receive the news that the school is to be shut down, the timing is awful. Oh what will they do?!

For fans of breezy inspirational novels and light historical fiction.

I received this book for free from Moody Publishers in return for my honest, unbiased review.

All in Good Time

Sigh, I had high hopes for this book, even though it was a Christian romance (admittedly not my favorite genre). In 1887 a young woman opens a safe house for former prostitutes in Denver, sounds promising right!?! Wrong, it fell just short of the mark. It took a lot of will power for me to finish this bad boy.

The whole theme of "all in good time" is POUNDED into your skull throughout the novel. We get it! God works in His own time and you need to be patient! For example:

* Dessa is eager to open up "Pierson House" a safe place for former prostitutes and women who want to turn their lives around. Instead of waiting for enough donations to buy a house, Dessa rushes ahead to get a loan so she can buy a house she's had her eye on. She quickly realizes that she should have waited, what if she can't make the loan payments?

* Dessa rushes into an agreement with Turk Foster, a slick businessman who owns the theater (i.e. illegal gambling hall and saloon) in the bad part of town to tost a benefit for Pierson House. She realizes to late that her donors will be upset by this collaboration and will stop donating to her cause.

* Dessa is quick to judge Henry Hawkins, the bank manager. She quickly writes him off as a mean ol' Scrooge who cares only for money. She and Henry are surprised when they both start to fall for each other.

*Dessa offers to help two young Chinese immigrants who are going to be sold into prostitution without asking anyone for help and without thinking about the consequences. As a result there is rioting and Pierson House is at stake.

Basically, Dessa is far too hopeful about everything and always gets into trouble. After a while, you just stop caring. The only characters I really enjoyed in this novel were the women and girls that stayed at Pierson House, Remee (the older haughty former prostitute), Jane (the sixteen year old that attempted to hold up a bank to get money), Nadette (a ragamuffin who keeps bringing people for Dessa to save, but won't stay herself), and the Chinese sisters Liling and Mei Mei.

It's a decent story line but I was more invested in the minor characters than I was in Dessa or Henry. Not to say it was badly written, it was just a bit repetitive in the problems.

For fans of historical and inspirational fiction.

I received this book for free from Tyndale Press in return for my honest and unbiased opinion.

What Once Was Lost

Despite the normal grumblings I have about historical Christian fiction (women belong in the house, men know best, etc.) this was actually a pretty good book. Kim Vogel Sawyer actually had the audacity to counter some of my least favorite aspects of Christian romance (finally!).

This historical romance is set in rural Kansas during the mid to late nineteenth century. Christina Willems runs a well loved poor house on the outskirts of town but when a fire ruins the only home she's ever known she has to find accommodations for her and all the residents. Finding someone to take in Tommy, an eleven year old blind boy turns out to be difficult. Desperate and with no where else to go she entrusts him to a faithless bachelor, Levi Johnson. While Miss Willems busies herself trying to secure funds to rebuild the house and look after her wards sparks begin to fly between her and Levi. The more frustrated she becomes with her the more the attraction grows. The turmoil in her heart isn't the only ache Miss Willems has to face however, someone is trying to sully her good name in town and she has no idea why. Will the townspeople stand by her? Will Levi? Read to find out!!!

As stated, for a Christian historical romance I was pleasantly surprised. Yes there were many instances of women aren't as worthy or capable as men (it's in the bible!) stuff, but the author addresses and counters it. Another redeeming factor was Cora, a young pregnant and unwed girl who, shockingly, isn't stoned or ridiculed (not by everyone in the town anyways, there are good Christians!). Overall, a good quick and uplifting read.

I was given this book for free from Waterbrook Press in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

Shades of Mercy

A supremely cozy read. This budding romance warms you up and gives you the happy butterflies. I'm not normally a fan of romance, let alone the super sappy Christian romance, but this book went far beyond my wildest expectations.

This coming of age tale follows young Mercy as she learns just how prejudiced God-fearing Christian people can be. It's Maine in the fifties and a local tribe of Maliseet Indians have been shunted to the dump to live in squalid conditions. Mercy's father is a good Christian and hires the Maliseets to work on his farm even though people in town look down on the tribe as less than human. Mercy and her family have a soft spot for them, especially for Mick, a good looking boy that Mercy has fallen hopelessly in love with. Mercy discovers the hard way just deep the town's and her family's prejudices can go. Will she ever be able to be with Mick publicly? Doesn't Jesus love everyone equally?

This book is a fast read and doesn't get to sappily romantic or preach hell-fire and damnation. It's inspirational, happy, and leaves you in a happy positive mood :)

A copy of this book was provided by Moody Press for free in exchange for an honest review.

Wishing on Willows

As I've mentioned before, Christian Romances generally aren't my cup of tea, author Katie Ganshert however, has once again made me change my opinion on this often overlooked genre.

In her second novel (and sequel to "Wildflowers from Winter") Ganshert does an excellent job of breathing life into her characters. They're realistic and face real problems, they don't just breeze past them with God's grace as in many other Christian romance novels. They struggle and fail and pick themselves back up again like real people. It's actually quite refreshing.

This story takes place about four years after "Wildflowers from Winter" and features Robin as the main character tather than Bethany (although she is still in the story). For all those that never read the first book, never fear, this novel easily stands alone and explains things in enough detail that you're always in the know. Anyhow, Robin is struggling to keep her Willow Tree Cafe in business and to raise Caleb as a single mother (her husband Micah died in the first book). As if she didn't have enough on her plate, a developer comes into town and wants to buy her property to tear it down to build condiminiums. Not only would she lose her business, but "One Life" a charity organization, would lose theirs as well. She has to fight the charming developer, Ian McKay, with all she's got in order to save her passion and the well being of the town.

Overall, I found this to be a great read. It's believable and you start to root for the characters as you go along. You know it has to have a happy ending but it keeps you guessing til the very end as to how everything is going to turn out. It's a page turner about love and second chances and you won't want to miss out!

The Widow of Saunders Creek

I love it when I find something that I swear I'm going to hate and it turns out to be a real gem. The Widow of Saunders Creek by Tracey Bateman didn't sound all that appealing to me at first. I hear widow and I start thinking about sappy romances and God's true calling, etc., etc. Thankfully, this story had a lot of depth and added witches, seances, spirits, and demons to the plot.

The story follows Corrie, a widow of six months (her husband died a heroic death in the military) as she moves out into the country to live in the house that was her dead husband's grandparents. After his untimely death he left it to her, stirring resentment in the family because they wished it had been given back into the family, not given to a widow who had no kids and no further ties with the family. Despite some negative vibes she decides to move in hoping it will somehow make her closer to Jarrod's (her husbands) spirit. Little did she know she would be getting just that wish.

Doors slam close, paintings get re-arranged, sounds are heard and Corrie quickly becomes convinced that her husband is indeed in the house with her. It doesn't help that Jarrod's eccentric family all agree with her. Crazy Aunt Trudy (a witch whose talents were given to her by God, hardy har har) convinces her to hold a seance to find out what Jarrod wants. The only one who doesn't believe there is a spirit in the house is handyman, Eli, Jarrod's cousin. He is hired by Corrie to fix the house so they start to see each other on a regular basis. Feelings start to develop between the two but Corrie gets mad when Eli tries telling her it's a demon inside of the house and not Jarrod. Tensions rise, the house gets spookier, and Corrie and Eli are confused how to proceed. Is Corrie ever ready to love again? Can she forsake her husband in death for his cousin?!

If that at all sounded interesting please read. Just a quick note for all my avid readers, this IS a christian romance although it isn't preachy (thank goodness) or too in your face. All in all I thought it combined a few different genres and did a pretty darn good job of conveying a spooky, uplifting, and moving story.

I received this book for free from Waterbrook Press in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

Come on Baby Light My Fire

Lisa Tawn Bergren, an accomplished Christian novelist with dozen of books in print, combines fear, risk, love, loss, and fires all into one novel, in "Firestorm." As I've admitted before this isn't my favorite genre but I'm always pleasantly surprised when I read a Christian romance that doesn't have me gagging. This story follows fire science expert, Reyne, as she tries to overcome her fears and learn to trust in God again after she loses four of her crew in a horrendous firestorm. After taking a much safer job behind the scenes she starts to cross paths with sexy smoke-jumper, Logan, but is hesitant to get to attached because she fears that he too will be overcome by the fire someday. As the story progresses she learns to drop some of her barriers as she takes a dying friends advice (her best friend, Beth, has cancer) to live life to the fullest and to trust God with what he has in store for you.

Overall, it was predictable and sappy but still pulled at the heartstrings. A light breezy read that doesn't require too much of your focus. On a side note, it is also interesting to see how fire-jumpers and firefighters combat big forest and plain fires. Read at your leisure if you like Christian romance.

I received this book for free from Waterbrook Press in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

The Most Well Christian Romance Reader in all of Indiana

In this past year or so I've become one of the most well-read christian romance readers in all of Indiana. Bragging rights? Anyhoo, I grabbed this After All by Deborah Raney because based on the description (and it's genre) I figured it would be a quick read and I need to start zipping through my insanely large "to read" book-pile from Goodreads.

It was as I guessed an insanely fast read, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The story follows Susan, the widow of a fallen fire fighter who struggles to deal with her loss, with her family (she has two adult sons), and her homeless shelter. Her husband and five other fire fighters died in a tragic fire the year before when her fledgling homeless shelter caught fire. Many people in the town thought good riddance of the homeless shelter and were aghast when she re-opened it in another location so soon after her husband's death. She faces opposition everywhere she goes, especially from Fire Chief Peter who harbors some blame at the homeless for starting the fire that killed five of his men, including Susan's husband, the year prior. Against his better judgement he starts to help out Susan and they begin to develop feelings for each other. Besides struggling to keep the shelter open, Susan must deal with the fact that her son informed her that her fallen husband had been cheating on her prior to his untimely death, and then she has to deal with the temptress herself as she tries to steal Peter away from her.

Overall, this was a small quick plot that was easy to plow through. Not the most romantic or impactful, but a light breezy beach read that fills the time. Not great, not bad. But alright for a Christian romance.

Disclaimer, this book is the third in a trilogy, although you would never know it by the way the story is set up. It stands easily on it's own, I was never once confused.

I received this book free from Goodreads giveaways in return for my unbiased, honest opinion.