The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter

Denise Hunter didn't disappoint in her latest novel, The Accidental Bride. Second in the Big Sky Romance Series, the plot revolves around Shay, a single mom in Moose Creek, Montana. She agrees to play the bride in the Founder's Day reenactment ceremony, to help out Miss Lucy the town's matchmaker and eccentric dollmaker. She had no idea that the groom would be her high school sweetheart that she never quite got over even though 14 years have gone by. Travis is back in town overseeing his parents ranch while they are on a short-term missions trip. Although he has been a success with the rodeo, he never forgot leaving Shay so abruptly and he wants to make it right by helping save her ranch. I LOVED this story! The characters felt so real and I almost read the whole book in one day. I loved the conflict and the bantering between the two main characters. Plus, the characters from the first in this series were in side plots, although you didn't need to read the books in order. Denise Hunter includes Reading Group questions at the end that make you think. I hope the author continues with "the gang from Moose Creek". Thanks Thomas Nelson for my free copy of this book!

Smitten

Colleen Coble, Kristen Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter have all come together to create the novel, Smitten. Smitten, VT is a dying town. The lumber mill has closed and with no hope of another industry taking its place, the townspeople are thinking to give up. Four friends come up with a plan to turn Smitten, VT into a honeymoon destination similar to the Poconos. Although, some of the men in town grumble at the thought of turning their manly town into something girly, romance is soon in the air. The book is broken down into 4 seasons, with each of the friends taking a turn as the main character. The four authors take their turn as well in the writing of the novel that tells a year in the life of Smitten, VT. I love all these authors and impatiently waited for Thomas Nelson to send me a free copy to review. I practically read the book all in one day b/c I wanted to see how it ended. I could find a little bit in common with each of the women - athletic Reese, energetic Natalie, graceful Shelby, and sophisticated Julia. These women dealt with issues such as single parenting, starting their own business, forgiving their parents, abortion, and falling in love with their best friend. I love how they learned to trust God for their future, and realized they didn't have to "do life" on their own. Can't wait for the sequel that comes out next December!!!!!

Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist

It's 1904 and Georgie Gail is an independant woman. She is a switchboard operator, living on her own in Texas. Unexpectantly, the telephone company sends Luke Palmer along to repair phone lines and Georgie's little work space becomes crowded. Yet, she doesn't realize Luke is a Texas Ranger sent to stop a gang of train robbers. She gets to know the "undercover Luke" and grows to care for him. Luke enjoys being a Texas Ranger and keeping people safe. He has never felt the need to settle down with a family. After meeting Georgie, he begins to think twice about his lonely lifestyle. This is an adventurous story from Deanne Gist, much like her previous novels. Her female characters are strong and fiesty. She has studied the history of the setting and includes events that really happened during that time period, such as Maifest and the Annual Texas State Sportmen's Tournament. So when you read one of her novels you are also learning about history at the same time. There was much action in this story, plus some humor and suspense thrown in. A must read if you like reading historical fiction! Bethany House publishers sent me a free copy to review.

His Steadfast Love by Golden Keyes Parsons

Set in Texas during the Civil War, Amanda Belle is determined to care for her younger sisters after her parents pass away. When Union soldiers occupy their home for awhile, she comes to care for Captain Kent Littlefield, a Pennsylvania native. Since her brother is in the Confederate Army, Amanda is torn between love and family. She never excepts the war to last long, nor for all the pain it brings to her family. The North and South were never the same after the war, and only with God's help were both sides able to forgive their enemies. This is a typical story of life during the Civil War. A little mix of the North and South mini-series and Gone with the Wind. The reader gets a true picture of life on the battlefields, prision for the soldiers, and those at home trying to survive with very little. Thanks Thomas Nelson for providing me with a free copy of this book to review!

The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund

Bethany House provided me a free copy of The Doctor's Lady to review. Set in 1836, the story begins with Priscilla White feeling the call to be a missionary to India. She has grown up with all the comforts of a wealthy family, yet has been diagnosed with infertility and feels no one wants her. A young doctor Eli Ernest comes to their church with plans to go to Oregon Territory as a missionary. He is headstrong and only wants to get to the mission field. He feels a wife would only slow him down, and the trip would be too hard for a woman. However, the mission board will only allow married couples to go to the mission field. So they agree that a business arrangement will allow them to still fulfill their mission to God, so they hastily marry and head on their journey West. Eli plans an annulment for Priscilla as soon as they arrive. This is a true story of the first white woman to cross the Continental Divide and start a mission to the Nez Perce natives. Author Jody Hedlund does a terrific job making you feel like you are on the trip west with Eli and Priscilla. I couldn't put the book down! I loved the history and adventure in the story, and a map in the front of the book to show their stops along the way really added to the story! This is the first novel I've read from Hedlund, and I will certainly read another.

The Wonder of Your Love by Beth Wiseman

I received a free copy of Beth Wiseman's new novel, The Wonder of Your Love. It is book 2 in her Land of Canaan series, which takes place in Colorado. Katie Ann Stoltzfus finds her herself widowed at age 40 and raising a newborn. Eli Detweiler has been a widower for 17 years, and during that time raised 6 children on his own. Now he has plans to travel the country and enjoy his freedom. When he travels to Colorado for a wedding, he can't help but feel attracted to Katie Ann. He loves to help others and knows just what to do for a colicky newborn. Katie Ann has never met another man like him, yet she can't trust her heart. Her first husband was unfaithful and she is still trying to pick up the pieces. As they seek God for answers, they realize that God's ultimate plan may be different from their own. I enjoyed reading the continuing story of characters from the first book in the series. It picks up right where the last one left off. The Amish is this book sometimes don't seem like other Amish. They are more outspoken and are allowed more freedoms, so it didn't seem like real life. It was a quick read for me. If you like Amish, this is a typical book in a modern day Amish community.

Out Of Control by Mary Connealy

In exchange for a review, Bethany House Publishers sent me a free copy of this book. It is Book 1 of the Kincaid Brides Series. Rafe Kincaid is the eldest of 3 brothers. He is used to being in control and giving the orders. When he finds Julia Gilliland trapped in a cavern near his ranch, his life changes. She is fiesty and independent, and enjoys exploring caves for fossils while her father runs a saloon in town. When her father dies, and the Kincaid brothers realize there is someone after Julia, Rafe aims to keep her safe and catch the tracker. He has always been in control of his feelings, but around Julia he can't think straight. There was alot of adventure in this book and I liked the time period of the mid-to-late 1800's. For someone interested in the exploration of caves this has many descriptions of the inside of caves. The men and women alike are strong and hard-working characters. There wasn't really any mention of having a personal relationship with God. They talk about a curcuit riding preacher, but other than that, nothing about the importance of God in your life. It was one of those so-so books that I may read the other books to come in the series, but if I don't, it's okay too.

Cherished by Kim Cash Tate

I received a free copy of Cherished by Kim Cash Tate from Thomas Nelson. It was a Women of Faith novel that continues with characters from the setting of St. Louis, MO. This time the story centers on Kelli London, younger sister of Cedric and Lindell who were in Tate's novel Faithful. Kelli has grown away from the Lord while living in TX. Song lyrics used to come to her in the past, and she shared a special relationship with Brian Howard. Now Brian is a Christian rapper, and while attending a songwriter's conference she came face-to-face with Brian again, and all her hurt feelings when their relationship ended come flooding back. Brian never dreamed of having a future in Christian music like Kelli did. He was interested in pursing science to the highest academic level. Yet, he feels God has called him into the ministry for a special purpose. They learn the importance of forgiveness and how to use their spiritual gifts to help others. A subplot in this novel includes the continuation of Heather Anderson's story. In Faithful, Heather had an affair with a married man from church, and she is on a downward spiral, farther away from God. While at the songwriter's conference she has a one-night stand with a drummer from a Christian rock band. Cedric's wife Cyd begins a Bible study together with Heather and Kelli to help them see that God loves and cherishes them, and has made them a new person when they committed their life to him and turned from their sin. I absolutely loved this book! I loved that it continued with characters from Kim's first novel. And it is about real modern day life! So many people can see themselves in Kim's characters, and how she shows that God cherishes each one of us and reaffirms that nothing can separate us from His love is amazing! I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone!

Treasuring Emma by Kathleen Fuller

I recently received a free copy of Treasuring Emma by Kathleen Fuller from Thomas Nelson. The setting is in Middlefield, OH similar to her other novels that I've read. It tells the story of Adam who has been living in the English world in Michigan, who comes home when his best friend and first love Emma loses her mother. He never liked living under his father's rules or those of the Amish community. Yet after he is home, he feels at peace and tries to begin a relationship with Emma again. Emma's brother-in-law has a cousin that arrives in town and shows an interest in her that she has never experienced before. Emma has a hard time putting the past behind her, and is pushed by her sister to face the future when money becomes scarce. She is afraid of trusting Adam again, b/c she knows he won't stay there forever. I found this novel to be slow. I have read books by Kathleen Fuller before, but this one seemed to be lacking something. I would have a hard time recommending it.

Hidden Affections by Delia Parr

I recently received this free copy of Hidden Affections from Bethany House Publishers. I had never read anything by Delia Parr, but found that I liked her writing style. The setting takes place around Philadelphia in 1831. Annabelle and Harrison find themselves forced into marriage after being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Harrison is an elusive bachelor who does not want to go through the pain of loving and losing, since he has experienced this first hand in his own family. He feels that God has forsaken him and has become self-centered and cynical as well as very wealthy. On the other hand, Annabelle looks for God's blessings everyday and for ways to help the unfortunate, even though she has nothing after being cheated out of her small inheritance. As they go to live in Harrison's mansion, she makes friends with the servants and has a way about her that changes Harrison. He looks for ways to please her, yet is still determined to not love anyone because of fear of being hurt. The storyline flows smoothly and kept my interest. The characters seemed to come alive and made me wish I had lived in this time period with them. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys historical Christian fiction!

Spring For Susannah by Catherine Richmond

I received a free copy of this new book from Thomas Nelson. Set in the Dakota Territory after the Civil War, Susannah is to be a mail-order bride to her pastor's brother Jesse. Jesse is a strong Christian who tries to show Susannah how to have confidence in herself and trust God's perfect plan. Susannah has always been shy and has never been allowed to share her opinion with others. Their getting to know each other has some funny dialogue. She discovers that she is a survivor of the wild frontier and that God has been in charge all along, when Jesse sets off to find work and she is left to fend for herself. The book is true to the time period and I liked how Catherine Richmond tells the story of life in the wilderness and the immigrants that are there. There were some slow parts in the middle, and sometimes the scenes would jump from one place to another and I wasn't sure whose thoughts I was reading. Yet, I liked the transformation in the confidence of Susannah. If you like the historical Christian fiction from this time period, you will for sure like this one!

Fairer Than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott

Thomas Nelson sent me a free copy of Fairer Than Morning to review. This is the first novel in The Saddler's Legacy series, based on the true story of the Hanby family who were citizens of Westerville, OH. Will Hanby is a saddle-maker's apprentice in Pittsburgh with a very evil master. He longs to be free and loved by God. When Ann and her master saddler father visit Pittsburgh, Ann sees the cruelty that Will regularly receives. Ann has been proposed to by Eli, an inspiring doctor who shares her interest in poetry. She must choose between the 2 young men, when Will escapes his master and comes searching for Ann. I read this book quickly because of the suspense between Will and his master. I enjoyed the historical accuracy of this book and learning the truth of how many endentured apprentices were treated. Some of the violent acts were hard to read b/c of the cruelty involved, even though I knew that was truly what happened in that time period. The characters deepen their personal relationship with God throughout the book and that is a plus! I look forward to reading the second book coming out in February 2012.

The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen

Bethany House publishers sent me this book to review. The setting is 1814 in England. Mariah has been banished from her house for inappropriate behavior and sent to live in her distant aunt's gatehouse. She begins to secretly write novels to pay the rent. Matthew is a former Navy captain that comes to lease the estate, and as he begins to see more of Mariah, he wonders why she is there. The story is about how they interact with each other. This was my first book by Julie Klassen. Although, I usually like books in this time period, this one I didn't care for. It moved too slowly, and was hard to get excited about. There was some mystery, but not enough. It reminded me of Wuthering Heights or Pride and Prejudice. The characters didn't come alive for me, nor did I see enough about their relationship with God. I probably would not recommended this book to my family and friends.

The Lightkeeper's Ball by Colleen Coble

Thomas Nelson sent me The Lightkeeper's Ball to review this week. This is Book 3 in the Mercy Falls series, yet this can also be a stand-alone book. I had only read Book 1 before this, and while they do bring in the characters from the first 2 books, you don't need to read them to understand the plot. Olivia Stewart is from a wealthy NY family, and travels to California to investigate her sister Eleanor's death. Olivia's parents had prearranged a marriage for Eleanor and Harrison Bennett, and since Eleanor's death, Olivia is expected to marry Harrison. She is suspicious of anyone that had contact with her sister, and she decides to use her rarely used English title so that no one can identify her before she solves the mystery. Harrison has a passion for building airplanes and his dad believes it is a useless pursuit in 1907. His dad wants him to marry Olivia to solidify the family's financial future. When the truth is discovered at a charity masquerade ball, Olivia learns that even little white lies can hurt those she loves. I loved the mystery and suspense in this book! Plus, with the history and romance thrown in, I couldn't put the book down. This makes me want to read more of Colleen Cobles novels. I would definitely recommend the book, especially to those that love this time period.

A Cowboy's Touch by Denise Hunter

Denise Hunter's latest novel, A Cowboy's Touch has just been published by Thomas Nelson. The setting is Montana at a ranch owned by widowed cowboy, Wade Ryan. There are secrets he is keeping and investigative reporter Abigail Jones is determined to find the answers. She is in Montana for the summer to spend time with her elderly aunt and get away from the stress of her job in Chicago. Somehow she finds herself as Wade's daughter's nanny for the summer, and her life slowly becomes entangled with theirs. Wade has fears of letting another woman into his life, fears of letting someone down again and guilt over his wife's death. Abigail has fallen away from God and immersed herself into her career, but the longer she stays in Montana, the less important her career seems to be. She reflects back to how an incident in her childhood affected her career choice and her pursuit of the truth. She must decide in the end if people are more important than her latest article.
I LOVED this book! I don't know how Denise Hunter makes the characters come alive for the reader. I couldn't put the book down! I felt like I was living in Montana for the summer and was friends with the people of Moose Creek. I can't wait for her next book!!!!!

Seek Me with all your Heart by Beth Wiseman

I received a copy of Seek Me with all your Heart by Beth Wiseman this week from Thomas Nelson Publishers. Using some of the same characters from her Daughters of the Promise series, she tells the story of a new Amish community that has begun in Canaan, Colorado. David Stolzfus's family has moved there from Lancaster County, PA and he doesn't know why. He doesn't like their new home and is trying to earn enough money so he can return to PA. Emily Detwiler's family has moved there from OH b/c of a tragedy they are trying to put behind them. However, Emily can't seem to forgive and forget. David and Emily both struggle with understanding God's will for their lives. I read this book in one day; I couldn't put it down! I liked that the characters were interconnected from Beth Wiseman's previous series. The setting was modern day and it was easy to become a part of the characters lives. I can see why it won the Women of Faith Novel of the Year!

Save The Date by Jenny B. Jones

Save the Date is the latest book I received from Thomas Nelson Publishers. The plot revolves around Alex, a former NFL player who is running for Congress in South Carolina. He has wealth, charm, and popularity, but the voters are looking for a more stable, caring, family type guy. He is searching for who he is, and what is his real purpose in life now that neither football nor money has made him happy. Lucy grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and is now running a non-profit organization for girls. Her funding has been cut and she needs a way to keep her girls' home open. She desperately accepts Alex's plan to pose as his girlfriend to help him get votes while she gets money to save her project. I LOVED this book!!!! The characters were so real, and their romantic banter was hilarious. I had laughter and tears as I read this book. There is a message of God's grace and forgiveness cleverly woven in. Lucy struggles with feelings of not being good enough because of not being part of the wealthy crowd and having klutzy moments while at social functions. Alex feels like he hasn't done anything important enough for God in his life and has turned away from his family when they needed him. I loved the adventure that they went through in this book and how they found their way back to God. Although, I had never read any books by Jenny B. Jones, I will surely be looking for more of them!!!!