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!