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Courting Trouble
By Deanne Gist
Bethany House
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0394-7
Historical Romance
Inspirational
* * * *
Essie Spreckelmeyer, a feisty, almost middle-aged woman, still single, is the independent
lady of the era, with a mind of her own. Especially as she goes serching for a man to take her as wife. Busy about
her task, she believes no one will come to her willingly, so she's out to find her own. What happens in her search for the
right one to suit her becomes the page turner for this story set in Corsicana, Texas in the year 1894.
Full of wit and character, this book with a memorable group of characters by a
great storyteller, I believe, is one of Deanne Gist's most lively! The twists and turns come about unexpectedly
which keeps the reader wanting to stay with it, rather than slip away to work in her garden. Drawbacks? Maybe
it was my disappointment in the way she finished the story. A real page turner for this reviewer. Delightfully fun
and an interesting read. If you like surprises you will enjoy Courting Trouble!
Reviewer: Caree C
A Lady of High Regard
By Tracie Peterson
Bethany House
ISBN: 978-0-7642-2777-6
Historical Romance
Inspirational
* * * * *
Fast-paced and set in the 1800s
in Philadelphia, this story is about a socialite who loves to matchmake others and often forgets about herself. The
ultimate in propriety, Mia Stanley is a woman whose heart you'll find is bigger than her common sense...or at least it
seems that way. Mia is a working woman, back when that kind of thing was frowned upon for real ladies. Under wraps she is
a writer for Godey's Lady's Book magazine, and its there she puts her heart and soul in all her writings. But unfortunately
her work leads her right into the rougher section of town. There, she discovers a few Seamen's wives being
taken advantage of. This involves Mia in a personal mission to makes sure these same women get a fair
treatment in life.
The story takes us right into an unexpected love involvement
between Mia and her long time best friend, Garrett. It only takes a bit to fall right into the feelings of both and the
conflict they get into with each other. Is the wait to see what's going to happen worth the complete read? I thought so.
Tracie Peterson's writing is full of
adventure, danger, and very lovable characters. She also provides depth and has each of her readers thinking about what their
role should be in helping people less fortunate. I had fun reading this one in between writing. It is
definitely worth reading on a couple of Sunday afternoons. Mia, that proper young lady, who is a writer herself, keeps
your eye on the page wanting to turn to see what is going to happen next. Ms Peterson did an outstanding job.
Reviewer: Shirley C
Winning the Highlander's Heart
Terry Spear
Vintage
ISBN: 978−1−4022−1157−7
Historical Romance
* * * *
Anice, Countess of Brecken, at the beginning, is to the home of
her cousins, Queen Matthilda and King Henry I for the purpose of finding a suitable husband. Not appreciated her fate
by the time she gets there she finds issue with the behavior of the King and attempts to escape from his advances. What she doesn't realize is the way she goes about her escape becomes the very
beginning of a pattern that endears him to her very heart.
Malcom
MacNeill, Earl of Pembrinton, arrives and discovers the Scottish Countess as she is attempting to secure her freedom.
His adventurous life becomes turned around by the stirring distraction of the Scottish lady. The rest the reader must see
for herself to discover where the author takes this suspenseful story!
Delightfully
witty dialogue, interesting characters, exciting and suspenseful to the max, this is an incredible story written by Terry
Spear for those who enjoy reading funloving and adventurousl stories full of Scottish brogue and unsuspected events.
I enjoyed it very much but there might be some who have a difficult time with some of the brogue. I will read Ms. Spear's
work again.
Reviewer: Shirley C
Gossamer Wings
Anne Whitfield
Vintage
ISBN: 0-9785368-6-X
Historical Romance
* * * * *
Set in Leeds, England in 1870, Grace Woodruff
is the eldest of seven daughters in a dysfunctional family situation, and her mired with the responsibility of being
in charge of everything including a father who sees her and all the rest of her sisters as worthless commodities until they
are wed, and that for only the purpose of him gaining wealth and some sort of nobility. Fate sets in to deal with
this entire family, unfortunately bringing devastating circumstances. that will send this many members spiraling out
of control. Grace ends up standing alone iand trying to forge a new way of life as household manager to her six
sisters. This takes so much from Grace's time let alone her spirit, the reader finds her yearning for her own perfect
family.
Anne Whitfield's story of the heart touched my heart
from beginning to end and was impossible to put down. You want to cheer the heroine on from beginning to end with your
tissues urging her to continue. Kudos to Ms Whitfield who is a more than excellent writer.
Reviewer: Shirley C
Opal
Lauraine Snelling
ISBN: 9780764222207
Historical Fiction
Inspirational
* * *
The heroine, Opal, young and energetic
ends up on Ruby and Rand's ranch taking to it right away, a true tomboy at heart. Youthful Opal can ride
and rope with the best of them all. It's when young Pastor Fitzgardar comes to town, she begins to see herself differently.
Opal discovers that love holds more joys than riding with the boys.
The story is supposed to be centered around a young woman, Opal who makes many
foolish decisions for her life, but it is Jacob who catches this reader's heart. Miss Snelling does a wonderful job working
her characters and bringing out their personalities, so that I felt like a part of them but unfortunately, by the ending
I was left empty and feeling greatly disappointed.I hope my next read by Ms. Snelling will leave
me with a better impression.
Reviewer: Caree C
Every Time I turn Around I Bump into God
Barb Boswell
Non fiction (Self-Help)
* * * * *
Ms Boswell has fun with life and takes the reader into a high spirited jaunt into
her own faith journey through her troubled times and she manages to do it successfully even through her tender
bout with cancer. It is a joyful way to show us all that hard times don't have to be so difficult. I like that. It's
all in how we look at things. Good going Ms. Boswell.
Reviewer: Shirley C
Willow Springs
Jan Watson
Tyndale House
ISBN: 978-0-7394-8336-7
Inspirational fiction
* *
Copper Brown from Troublesome Creek, finds
herself suddenly married to an almost stranger, the doctor, Simon Corbett, who whisks her off an away from her
beloved home to a busy life in Lexington, Kentucky. Sad and lonely, Copper has to learn to adjust to a completely
different kind of lifestyle to what she is accustomed. The troubles and tragedies that come her way and into the hands
of the doctor are guaranteed to change both forever.
Colorful and descriptive and lively throughout. But in the reading I
found that Ms Watson tended to do a lot of head-hopping. I was confused while reading the book
more often than not. There are several subplots going on in this story which is okay in itself when handled
well with care. I'm hoping to read it again and maybe get a better picture the second time through.
Reviewer: Linda B
A Passion Most Pure
Julie Lessman
Harvest
Historical Romance
Inspirational
* * * * *
True to life writing about a couple of sibling
sisters who are in love with the same stinker of a guy who needs to do something about his life if he wants to win the right
woman. One of the girls looks as if she will remain faithful to her God while the other is as rebellious as they
come.
This story was interesting, with developed characters and enough grip to hook you.
I enjoyed the admirable qualities of some and willingly waited for others to come around. I applaud the realism author, JulieLessman
used in some areas but there were places it did not extend with Faith and her beliefs. Over all, A Passion Most Pure is
a great read with lessons for all young women to learn, although I wouldn't recommend it for a young teen, who might be tempted
to follow the traits of Faith's sister, Charity, and begin to think it's okay to sin, and then go to God later about
it. I loved how Ms Lessman instilled a true breath of life into all her characters, especially with her dialogue.
I guarantee, it's a page turner! Kudos to Julie Lessman.
Reviewer: Shirley C
Haven
Bobbi Smith
Dorchester
ISBN: 0-8439-5312-8
Romance
Inspirational
* * *
A story that takes the reader
into the lives of several disparate individuals who intersect at a local church discovering how each individual's
worlds begin to go downhill. We read about an ex con who seeks refuge, then guidance after witnessing a murder;
we read about an embittered matron who must face life when she discovers her spouse has walked out on her for a
woman young enough to be both their daughter. There's a story within the story about an unwed mother seeking to strengthen
her life as she faces the future. Each character goes through struggles the reader gets involved with as she reads
the story. This book is unlike many inspirational romances. It speaks to how good people are not so good and can
be petty or wrong about many things, yet it still offers hope. To sum up the message I think author Bobbi
Smith was trying to accomplish would be to show us how everyone with problems can receive a miracle...if
they search for it.
I found HAVEN to be, in some ways, fine and uplifting, since it spoke
to faith lost and faith found in a group of people's lives, but since it was labeled "inspirational" I was disappointed to
see unnecessary use of foul language. I can receive that sort of thing in a secular novel, but for many readers looking for
inspirational ways of escape, I have to draw the line. Ms Smith, in Haven showed a strong message of God's love,
however in her writing. IF you haven't read her work, you should.
Reviewer: Caree C
Secrets of a Duchess
Kaitlin O'Riley
Kensington
Historical Romance
**
Caroline Armstrong, with her sister, goes to London to live with her
grandmother. Caroline, for secret reasons,decides she can never marry, but keeps her reasoning to herself, until the Duke
of Woodborough, Alexander Woodward shows up to kindle her spirit through a scandalous pretense of marriage with him. She become
enraptured by Alex, then finds herself in a precarious situation.
I enjoy reading others' debut novels, but found myself completely
disappointed with Ms O'Riley's attempt. It was not well written and her lack of taking time to do research
into the time period shown throughout. I don't mind a few errors in a novel, but in this one I saw too much head hopping,
and too many elementry level cliches as well. Perhaps her second book will be better.
Reviewer: Shirley C
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