Secretly Smitten

Secretly Smitten is the second book in the Smitten, Vermont series written by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt & Denise Hunter.  Each author takes a turn telling the story of each of the 3 sisters and their mother. A set of dog tags is found in their grandmother's attic, belonging to her first love that was supposedly killed in action.  If he never returned to Smitten, then how did they get there?  Tess, Clare, and Zoe decide to investigate, despite their mother Anna's misgivings.  Along the way, they each find a special someone.  Some of the characters from the first book in the series are in this book too, but you don't need to read that one first.  The 4 authors each have their own style of writing and it flows along from one season into the next.  I could see a little bit of myself in each of the main characters.  Although I little the first one better, with a little bit of mystery thrown in, this novel is a quick, fun read.  Thanks, Thomas Nelson Publishers for sending me a free copy!

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!