Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

When Bethany House Publishers offered me a free copy of Karen Witemeyer's latest novel, Stealing the Preacher in exchange for an honest review, I jumped at the chance. Continuing on with the lives of the Archer Brothers from Texas in the mid-1880's, this story involves Crockett Archer, a cowboy who feels God is calling him to be a preacher. On his way to candidate at a church, he is kidnapped by former outlaw, Silas Robbins, who wants to make his daughter Joanna happy.  Joanna's mother's dying wish was for her husband to become a believer in God, yet without a pastor in their town, Joanna feels it will never happen.  Seeing her unhappy and knowing he needs to get his daughter a special birthday gift, Silas finds that Crockett is the perfect solution!  And he can use Crockett help on his ranch as well.  Silas doesn't trust preachers, but he sees something different in Crockett.  Joanna has never known a man that has such a heart for ministry before getting to know Crockett.  She knows he is the right person for their church as well as the one to lead her father to the Lord.  And he just might be who God has chosen for her helpmeet!  I loved this story, and Karen's whole style of writing- with humor and a little bit of suspense thrown in.  I felt like I lived in Texas with them.  I am hoping for a third story for this series!

The Wishing Tree by Mary Beth Whalen

Five years ago Ivy Marshall fled from Sunset Beach, NC as she broke off her engagement with Michael to marry Elliott.  Disappointing her family, she has lived an estranged life in the mountains on the other side of the state.  Yet, when she finds out her husband has cheated on her and her office is closing, she finds herself running again, this time back to her family.  Her sister Leah was proposed to on national television and now the same station wants to capture every step of the wedding.  So when Ivy's mom begs for Ivy to come home to help Leah plan the wedding and be in charge of the family tradition of the Wishing Tree, Ivy returns home pretending all is well.  She discovers Michael has moved on with his life, but never really forgave her for his heartbreak.  Ivy wants forgiveness and maybe even a second chance on a relationship with him.  After all, her husband cheated on her!  Add in an aunt in the bakery business who knows Ivy better than herself,  a repentant husband with a Twitter account, a mom in a secret relationship, and a bride-to-be with cold feet,  and you have Mary Beth Whalen's latest novel The Wishing Tree.  This was the first story I have read by this author.  Although, slow is some parts, I did eventually get into the story.  Centering on family and forgiveness, it had quite a few flashback scenes.  Sometimes that is hard for me to follow and connect with the characters.  Zondervan, a division of Thomas Nelson provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest interview. 

Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

Bethany House sent me a free copy of Undeniably Yours.  If you like a romantic cowboy story set in the heart of Texas this novel is a must read. As the only child of oil tycoon William Cole, Meg finds herself thrust into her daddy's shoes as CEO of Cole Oil when her father dies unexpectedly.  She had planned on coming back to work with her father eventually, but only after following her own dreams working in an art museum.  Meg likes her life private, quiet, and out of the media spotlight.  She just wants to shut down as many of her dad's side businesses and get back to her own life.  However, when she tries to close up her dad's Thoroughbred racehorse farm, manager Bo Porter stands in her way.  His dream was to own a ranch, and Whispering Creek Ranch is close to being profitable. So he makes a deal with Meg for more time to prove himself.  Add to that Meg's fear of horses, a single mom and child that Meg takes in, and Meg's divorced husband who decides he is entitled to Meg's money, and you have an action packed story that is hard to put down!  This was the first book I read by author Becky Wade and I loved it! Her style reminded me of a combination between Denise Hunter and Colleen Coble.  One of the best I have read in a long time!

Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck

Thomas Nelson publishers just sent me a free copy of Once Upon a Prince to review.  With a modern day setting off the coast of Georgia, readers are in for a royal treat.  Susanna Truitt has a plan for her life- get married to her boyfriend Adam of 12 years and work as a landscape architect.  But God has other plans.  First, Adam decides they are better off as friends and makes plans to marry someone else.  Then she finds herself without a job and has to work at her parent's diner.  Prince Nathaniel, from the small British island of St. Simons, has come to Georgia for vacation time before becoming King.  His father is close to death and he is next in line for the crown.  Susanna and Nathaniel meet under the fabled Lover's Oak and have an instant connection.  Susanna, not realizing he is a prince, accepts his offer to landscape Nathaniel's family vacation home in Georgia.  Nathaniel gets a true dose of southern living when he helps out at her family's diner.  He loves this chance to be himself before taking on the duties and stress of King.  Susanna is the perfect girl for him!  Yet Prince Nathaniel's advisors and family have a future queen in mind for the good of their nation and a long ago royal law states that the king can not marry a foreigner. Nathaniel can't think with his heart anymore, he must think of what is best for his country.  Susanna knows she isn't queen material and this wasn't part of her "plan".  Yet when Susanna travels to St. Simons for Nathaniel's coronation, she feels like she fit into this fairy tale life.  But will their love be enough and what is God's plan for their lives?  This was a new author for me.  Rachel Hauck was recently chosen by Family Fiction readers as one of the top 5 romance authors in CBA.  According to her biography, she has already written over 15 novels.  Overall, I liked her writing style.  At times the story seemed to drag along at too slow of a pace.  And so much of it seemed to not be close to real life that I had a harder time getting into the book.  But for those that like stories about royal life, life in the south with a touch of British, this story is for you!

What a Son Needs From His Mom by Cheri Fuller

Bethany House Publishers recently sent me a free copy of What a Son Needs From His Mom in exchange for a honest review.  I have a 10 year old son, plus 3 daughters and I really wanted to connect with him like I do with my girls.  Author Cheri Fuller really communicates the importance of letting your son be the male that God created him to be, and treat him differently than you would a daughter.  In the 14 chapters, she discusses ways to encourage him with his hobbies, how to build confidence in your son, how to pray for him, how to listen & communicate with him, and how to help him manage his emotions, just to name a few.  Regardless of the boy's age, she draws on her own experiences to help moms stay connected to their sons.  It's okay for a mom to be nuturing and protective, but it's vital to know how and when to let your son be independant.  Our jobs as moms are to raise our sons to be a loving and godly man who lives a purposeful life.  Sometimes it's hard to release him into God's care and Cheri Fuller understands that because she has gone through it with her 2 sons.  I really found this book helpful and eye opening to me.  I found there are many things I can do now to help my son succeed in school and in his spiritual life even at a young age.  It also helped me to understand how the mind of a male works.  I even found myself understanding why my husband says or does things now!  So even if you don't have a son, you can benefit from this book! 

Swept Away by Mary Connealy

Bethany House Publishers sent me a free copy of Book 1 in Mary Connealy latest series - Trouble in Texas.  Continuing on after the Kincaid Brides Series, Swept Away is set in Texas in 1868.  Callie Kincaid's older brother Luke is returning home from war only to find that his family's ranch has been stolen and his father killed by as evil man.  Callie is with her new life in Colorado, so it's up to Luke to find a way to get his ranch back.  Ruthy McNeil is an orphan traveling with a wagon train to California.  The family she is with treats her like a slave and wants to marry her off to their son. Ruthy wants a chance at real love like her parents had and a place to call home.  When everyone but Ruthy is swept away at a difficult river crossing, she finds herself floating along in unknown territory barely alive when Luke comes to her rescue.  Ruthy quickly finds herself hiding out with Luke and his friends as they plot how to save an abused mother with 2 children while seeking justice for Luke's family.  Ruthy is used to hard-work but she has never been around men like these that protect women and show the love of God in their everyday actions. 
I enjoyed the action in this novel as well as the loyality these man had to each other after being in Andersonville prison together during the war.  The characters were strong and believable. I liked the setting and the time period as well.  I had read the Kincard Brides Series, so I was familiar with Mary Connealy's style of writing.   Even though this is a spin-off from that series, you don't have to read it to understand the characters of this book.  Sometimes the first book in a series is slower to start because the author needs to set up the characters for the future novels.  Connealy gave a thorough description of Luke's friends that I feel like I know them in person.  I look forward to seeing how the plot develops with these characters in Book 2 Fired Up coming out in Sept. 2013. 

The House That Love Built by Beth Wiseman

Thomas Nelson sent me a free copy of The House That Love Built by Beth Wiseman.  With a modern day setting of Smithville, TX, the reader immediately feels like she is part of the small town. Owen has just bought an old mansion in Smithville.  His wife's dream was always to restore an old house into a Bed 'N Breakfast.  Yet when she is caught cheating with his best friend, Owen decides to continue her plan on his own.  Brooke is a young widow, raising 2 children while operating a hardware store.  When their paths cross, there is a connection that neither is ready for.  Brooke doesn't want to be disloyal to her first husband, and Owen has vowed to never trust another woman.  He has always wanted children, but his ex-wife refused.  Although Brooke grew up without a father in her life, she knows her children need a father figure in their lives.  Owen enjoys being with them, especially when looking for a rumored treasure in the old mansion.  Brooke and Owen both draw closer to God and start to wonder if maybe this is part of His plan all along.  I had only read Amish novels by Beth Wiseman, so I wasn't sure what to expect.  I was sucked in right away and enjoyed this book very much!  The setting was real life and there was a lot of action.  Centered around family, I would recommend it to anyone!