Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund

Bestselling author Judy Hedlund has written a new novel titled Unending Devotion.  Set in central Michigan in 1883, the reader sees what life was like in a lumber camp.  Connell McCormick is in charge of the logging camp in the town of Harrison for his father.  As long as his shanty boys show up for work each day, he is satisfied.  He wants to prove his worth to his father.  What the loggers do at the saloons on their off hours is none of his business.  When Lily Young shows up in town looking for her sister, Connell knows he is in trouble.  Lily isn't afraid of standing up for what is right.  She will do anything to find her sister and help other girls, even if it means taking on villian James Carr who forces young women to work for his establishment.  No one has ever stood up to him before, but that doesn't stop Lily!  Connell is torn between doing what he knows is right and being a success for his father.  And his attraction for Lily is growing stronger everyday!
I have read 2 other books by Hedlund before and I love how they are about true people and events in history.  Although the book started out kind of slow for me, I soon got into it and enjoyed seeing Lily's fighting spirit.  Connell had all kinds of pressure to deal with from family, co-workers and "his girl".  I recommend this novel if you like this time period in history.  There is lots of action!  Thanks Bethany House Publishers for sending me a free copy to review.

http://www.bethanyhouse.com/Book.asp?isbn=978-0-7642-0834-8

Lovelier Than Daylight by Rosslyn Elliot

Book #3 of The Saddler's Legacy is published by Thomas Nelson.  I am grateful for the free copy they sent me.  This novel takes place in 1875 in Westerville, OH and centers around the Hanby family.  Just as Susanna Hanby is primed to start college, she discovers that her sister is missing as well as her children.  The 6 of them has been sent to two separate orphanages and their alcoholic father cares nothing about them.  Nor will he provide any help in rescuing them.  Susanna values her family above all else and will do anything to get them all together again.  Johann Giere is the only son of a German-American brewery in Columbus and he and his father are the supplier for a new saloon in Westerville.  Johann's dream is to be a journalist and comes to Westerville to write news articles for his part-time job when the temperance crusaders start protesting the new saloon in town.  Johann and Susanna seem to be on opposite sides.  Both must decide what is most important in their lives and find a way to bring Susanna's family back together again. 
Even though I read the first book, I didn't read book #2.  I still had no trouble following along with the Hanby family.  This story is based on a true historical event, the Westerville Whiskey war of 1875 that is featured in the 2011 documentary Prohibition by Ken Burns.  It moved along at a good place and I liked reading about this time in history, especially about an area of the country close to where I live in western PA. 

The Trouble with Cowboys by Denise Hunter

Book 3 of the Big Sky Romance series by Denise Hunter is finally available!  Thomas Nelson sent me a free copy of The Trouble with Cowboys to review.  And Denise Hunter didn't disappoint!  This novel continues with life in Moose Creek, Montana.  It centers around horse trainer Annie Wilkerson.  She is the guardian for her younger sister Sierra, who is trying to go through college and raise her young son at the same time.  Both girls remember what kind of cowboys their mother married, and are positive that all cowboys are alike.  When Annie's horse training column for a local magazine is cancelled, she is offered a chance at writing a lovelorn column.  Annie needs the money so she agrees even though she has never been in love.  Dylan Taylor is a confident cowboy that seems to flirt with all the girls.  He has a horse that needs special attention and he feels Annie is the only person who can help. In exchange, he will help Annie with her advice column on love.  Neither knows what to think when chemistry sizzles every time they are together. Annie has always tried to be in control of her life and her sister's.  She is quick to judge and forgets to trust God with the future.  Dylan is vulnerable and unsure if he should show the real "Dylan" to Annie.  Again, what a wonderful story!  Denise Hunter has a way of making you think you are right in town with all these characters.   I love the interaction between characters...it is so real!  This is an excellent novel.  I couldn't put it down! 

Over The Edge by Mary Connealy

Bethany House Publishing Company provided me a free copy of Over the Edge.  This is book 3 of the Kincaid Brides by Mary Connealy.  Seth is the youngest of the three Kincaid brothers and has always been the reckless one.  When he receives a letter from a woman Callie, claiming to be his wife, he sets out to find her.  He has vague memories of being injured in Andersonville and having a pretty nurse caring for him.  But nightmares from a childhood accident keep his mind from thinking clearly.  Callie is a strong Texan who just wants to find her husband so she can shoot him.  She is used to fending for herself and hated feeling abandoned by the only man she has ever loved.  To add to the action, there is still an outlaw that is intent on finding the Kincaid brothers and taking back his long ago stolen treasure.  All three brothers must protect their families and defend their land when the enemy finds them.  There is action and some comedy in the way these characters interact with each other.  I like how the characters from the first two books are all drawn together in this one.  I also like how the Seth finds his way back to God.  Thanks again, Bethany House!

The Scent of Rain by Kristin Billerbeck

Daphne Sweeten is leaving Paris and moving to Dayton, OH to put her perfume creator skills to work.  But first comes the wedding and that's impossible without a groom!  Mark leaves her at the altar and leaves the keys to their house in Dayton with her father.  Daphne feels she has to choice but to start over in Ohio.  However, her sense of smell has disappeared and she can't have her new boss, Jeese finding out!  Her whole life seems spinning out of control as Daphne goes through conflict after conflict and she wonders if God really is in control?
  I was given a free copy to review from Thomas Nelson. Although I had read novels by Billerbeck before, this one didn't interest me like her other ones have in the past.  The writing seemed "jumpy" and "scattered" to me.  It was hard to get into the characters lives.  The conversation between characters seemed abrupt or maybe sarcastic?  Anyways, I did like how Daphne tried to show Christian love to co-workers.  Plus, the believers she came in contact with when she moved to a new town, was exactly how Christians should be.  She put others first and reached out to the hurting.  It was a good read, but not one I would read again.

Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

Years ago, Meredith was rescued when trespassing on Travis Archer's land, and she has never forgotten his kindness.  So when she overhears a plan to force Travis and his brothers off their land, she doesn't hesitate to go onto Archer land again.  To Meredith, Travis was a hero, yet has also shut himself off from the world to protect his land and younger brothers.  When Meredith gets hurt while helping Travis, he first feels guilt along with the gratitude.  But when Meredith's uncle insists that her reputation is ruined after being at the Archer ranch overnight, he must step in and marry her.  He is unsure of these new feelings for Meredith... are they more than just protection and gratitude?  Should he court his new wife that he is suddenly attracted to?  Meredith has dreamed of being with Travis since their first encounter years ago.  Once married, she finds nothing has changed.  Without meaning to, Travis makes her feel like he only married her out of obligation.  How can Meredith communicate with Travis that she is ready to be a true wife?   I absolutely LOVED this book.  I read it all in one night!  I kept thinking, just one more chapter, until I noticed it was 2 am when I finished.  Loved the action and the "real" conversation between Meredith and Travis.  I had read other books by Witemeyer, but this one was by far the best!  Thank-you, Bethany House Publishers for sending me a free copy to read and review!

Starring Me by Krista McGee

Thomas Nelson sent me a free copy of Starring Me to review.  Kara has been chosen to audition for a teen version of Saturday Night Live in Florida.  Chad has already been picked as the co-host, but his parents want his castmate to share his faith.  Through the housemother and Kara's best friend, Kara learns about Christianity while at the audition, even though there are such obstacles such as family problems at home and hypocritical girls.  Kara must decide what is truly important in her life and how a true believer in God would act.  I REALLY liked the book; I couldn't put it down!  This would be a perfect book for a teenage girl, even one that isn't a Christian.  There are many Scripture passages throughout the book to guide one to a better knowledge of Christ.  I would definitely recommend this book.  This was the first one I have read by Krista McGee, and now I want to go to the library to find more!  I look forward to another book by McGee coming out in December.

Hope Springs by Kim Cash Tate

Thomas Nelson provided me a free copy of Kim Cash Tate's latest novel, Hope Springs.  Taking place in Hope Springs, NC it meshes the lives of 3 main characters: Janelle ,a young widow, her cousin Stephanie, and Becca, a pastor's wife.  They have all come to Hope Springs for different reasons, but life will never be the same after their stay is over.  The two main churches in town are still divided by racial lines, and as women from both churches get together at the local diner for a Bible study, they come to realize that it's God's church and God's plan for their lives, that it isn't all about themselves.  This story is true to Southern life and gets you thinking about stepping out of your comfort zone and being a true servant to God, that one area of ministry is not greater than another.  I have read two other novels by Tate and this one includes some of the same characters.  The family tree listing in the front really helped me keep all the relationships straight.  There is also Reading Group Discussion questions at the end.  This wasn't my favorite novel of Tate's but it was a quick read, with an open ending for upcoming novels. 

Chasing the Sun by Tracie Peterson

Bethany House Publishers sent me a free copy of Book One in the Land of the Lone Star Series.  Titled Chasing the Sun, the setting is Texas in 1863. Hannah is living on a ranch with her two younger siblings waiting for her father to return home.  The ranch was given to him for helping the Confederate army, even though it truly belongs to William Barnett.  William has been wounded while fighting for the North, and is surprised to find Hannah at his ranch when he returns home.  Life is never easy on a ranch, especially during war times.  There are Comanche Indians nearby, upset with being driven off their land.  Plus, Hannah's father has a business partner that is demanding and sly.  Throw that in with a mutual attraction that Hannah and William have for each other and you have Tracie Peterson's latest novel.  There is action and suspense, plus history true to the time period.  If you like historical Christian novels you will like this one! 

In Too Deep by Mary Connealy

Bethany House publishers provided me a free copy of In Too Deep by Mary Connealy. It is Book 2 in The Kincaid Brides series. Ethan is the middle brother of the Kincaid family. Now that older brother Rafe is happily married, he thinks his brother should be too. He has always been the one to give orders to Ethan and younger brother Seth. So when Audra, a young widow with 2 children needs to be protected from thugs who are looking for money that was stolen by Audra's former husband, Rafe gives the orders again to Ethan. He thinks Ethan and Audra should get married. So they agree to a marriage of convenience. But life never goes smoothly for the Kincaids. Younger brother Seth still has nightmares, Audra has 2 babies to look after, and Ethan is trying to be in control of his part of the ranch, yet his ranch hands are quick to remind him of how Rafe does things. Audra is determined to take care of herself as well as protect her children, even when danger comes calling. I read Book 1, and I found this one to be better than the first. I liked the strength of Audra and the way Ethan and Audra learned to depend on each other. I like the late 1880's time period, and how there is some action/mystery in the book. And now I look forward to book 3, which is eluded to at the end of this book. Can't wait to see how the trilogy ends!

Dawn Comes Early by Margaret Brownley

Thomas Nelson recently sent me a new novel by Margaret Brownley. Dawn Comes Early takes place on Last Chance Ranch in Arizona Territory in 1895. Kate Tenney is a dime novelist from Boston who has had her latest book banned and is looking for a place to start over when she responds to an want ad in the newspaper. Eleanor Walker has no family and is looking for a single girl to become her heiress. Kate quickly learns that ranching is hard labor, but is determined to meet every challenge head on. She has no family and mistrusts men because of her father's desertion when she was young. Luke Adams is the town blacksmith who rescues Kate after more than one mishap, but feels inferior to Kate because she is an educated woman. Plus, a relationship with Luke would stand in the way of Kate's ownership of the ranch because remaining single is one of Eleanor's requirements. Kate has to learn to trust her heart and realize that God never leaves us nor forsakes us. I enjoyed this novel because it had alot of action in it. Kate is a fiesty character that doesn't give up!

Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble

Book 1 of a new series that takes place "Under Texas stars"finds Nate Stanton a bachelor running the family ranch. Without his knowledge his meddling father sets up a proxy marriage with a young woman, Lucy from Indiana. So when he returns with Lucy and her orphaned younger brother and sister, Nate is dumbfounded. He doesn't have time for a wife, especially one in charge of 2 siblings. Lucy is petite and Nate only needs one look at her to see she isn't cut-out for ranch life. But Lucy has never had a stable home life and she dreams of being a blessing to her husband. She is used to being in control, so their personalities clash more than once. Lucy sets out to prove her worth to Nate and learns much about how greed can affect others. Colleen Coble has woven a story of romance as well as mystery that I found myself unable to put the book down! Her characters always have so much spunk, and the suspense is just an added bonus. I look forward to the coming of Book 2!