"Small Town Girl" Review

Kate Merritt has been in love with Pastor Mike since she was fifteen – or so she thought. With her sister actually being the one to marry Pastor Mike and with a charming best man in the form of Jay Tanner showing up to the wedding, Kate doesn’t know what to think anymore.

Jay Tanner has spent his life mostly on his own. Being raised by an unloving aunt and uncle after the death of his mother has caused Jay to feel that the only person he can trust is himself. But meeting Kate changes everything, and Jay is drawn to the town of Rosey Corner and the people there in a way he has never experienced before.

The United States is on the brink of entering the Second World War, and no one in the country will remain unaffected. Will Jay and Kate be able to learn to trust, or will the war in the land – and in their own hearts – keep them apart?

Small Town Girl is the second book in the Rosey Corner series by Ann H. Gabhart.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series – Angel Sister – so when I found out there was to be another book about Kate and her family, I was so excited. As I began the book, I delighted in returning to Rosey Corner and reconnecting with all of the characters from the first book.

After I was reacquainted with the characters and the story, however, I thought the plot moved rather slowly. I appreciated that the author was giving Kate and Jay time to get to know each other – quick romances are definitely a pet peeve of mine – but the whole story just moved very slowly, especially in the middle. Since the bombing of Pearl Harbor and other crucial events didn’t take place until at least ¾ of the way through the novel, there didn’t seem to be enough to keep the plot moving before that. It was mostly just inner monologues from Kate and Jay.

Even though these inner monologues were somewhat repetitive, they did help to develop the main characters very well.  I really felt as if I knew them, and I thought Jay’s growth throughout the novel was excellent. The character of Lorena is just a delight, and I absolutely loved how Kate and her family embraced Jay and showed him how a relationship with God completely changes your life.

I have to say, though, that the advice Kate received from almost everyone in her life confused me a bit. Again, I loved how they took Jay in and showed him how a family loves and showed him that God loves him, too. I also really liked the open and honest relationship that Kate had with her mother. But her mother’s advice to “follow her heart” when she was unsure of Jay’s relationship with Christ seemed contradictory. Kate and the other members of her family seemed to seek God through prayer and through the Bible constantly, so this advice from several members of the family didn’t seem to fit. This contradiction just bothered me throughout the novel, even as I was enjoying the rest of the story.

Although I didn’t find it as captivating as Angel Sister, I did enjoy Small Town Girl. The last quarter of the book was very intense and moving – so much so that I am really hoping that there is another book in this series. I want to know what happens in the lives of Kate and her sisters in the future.

I will give Small Town Girl … 3 BookWorms.

 




Small Town Girl
by Ann. H. Gabhart
Book #2 in the "Rosey Corner" series
Revell Publishers
Publication date: July 1, 2013




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
 

"Reasons for Belief" Review

Trusted Theologian Presents a Case for Christian Faith in Easy-to-Understand Language
How can you know God exists? Why should you trust the Bible? How can you be sure Jesus is the Son of God?


Do you know what you believe...and why? Regardless of your age or experience, if you're looking for clear, easy-to-understand answers to these important questions, you've come to the right place.

Trusted theologian and bestselling author Norman Geisler teams up with teacher/speaker Patty Tunnicliffe to provide concrete, step-by-step reasons for why Christians believe what they do. Organized around the most basic questions of faith, Reasons for Belief offers clear evidence for the existence of God, the reliability of the Bible, Jesus' resurrection, and more.

Whether you're a curious skeptic or a believer wanting to learn how to defend your faith, Reasons for Belief will give you the answers you're looking for.

 

My Take:

 

I have been attending church all my life, and I have been a Christian since I was eight years old. But I really like to read books like this - those of the apologetics sort - in order to rehearse what I know about the Bible and what is true.

 

This book is set up in such a way that both Christians and non-Christians can benefit from it. The 10 questions (challenges to the truth) that this book addresses are:

 

• Real truth does not exists - Truth is just truth to you.
• God does not exist.
• If God exists, He isn't necessarily the God of the Bible.
• Miracles don't happen.
• The New Testament's many errors make it unreliable. It's more like a collection of myths and legends.
• Jesus never claimed to be God.
• Jesus didn't prove to be God.
• Jesus did not rise from the dead.
• The Bible isn't the only true religious book.
• Christianity is too narrow. There are many ways to God besides Jesus.

 

These questions or challenges are definitely ones that are brought up in our daily culture and in conversations. It is always a good thing for Christians to be able to defend their faith and back-up what they believe, and this book is a good place to start to be able to do that.

 

Each of these ten challenges are answered thoughtfully and thoroughly. It was neat to see how each one seemed to build and expand on the others. It was also interesting to see how the truths from the Bible about God and Jesus measured up to other religions and beliefs.

While this book does well at presenting arguments, I got tripped up on some of their facts. Not many, but a few. As an example, the book states that, "...every book of the NT was written by a baptized Jew." Ummm...I don't think Luke was Jewish, and he wrote two books of the NT.

In spite of this, Reasons for Belief is a good starting point in Christian apologetics.



Reasons for Belief
Norman L. Geisler & Patty Tunnicliffe
Bethany House Publishers
Publication date: February 15, 2013
240 pages




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

 

 

"Rosemary Cottage" Blog Tour

Amy came to Rosemary Cottage to grieve, to heal, maybe even find love. But there's a deadly undertow of secrets around Hope Island . . .

The charming Rosemary Cottage on the beach offers Amy Lange respite she needs to mourn her brother, Ben. She's even thinking of moving her midwife practice to the Outer Banks community. It's always been a refuge for her and her family. She also wants to investigate Ben's disappearance at sea. Everyone blames a surfing accident, but Amy has reason to wonder.

Coast Guard officer Curtis Ireland has lost a sibling too. His sister, Gina, was run down by a boat, leaving him to raise her infant daughter. If anyone knew who little Raine's father was, Curtis could lose his beloved niece. Yet he can't help being drawn to Hope Beach's new midwife, Amy. He even agrees to help her investigate what happened to both Ben and Gina.

Can two grieving people with secrets find healing on beautiful Hope Island? Or will their quest for truth set them at odds with each other . . . and with those who will go to any length to keep hidden things hidden?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/mQ63a

Meet Colleen: Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA's RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

Learn more about Colleen: http://colleencoble.com/




My Take:

When I read a Colleen Coble novel, I am always ready for a good mystery and lots of action and adventure. In that sense, Rosemary Cottage did not disappoint. I like to be entertained when I read a novel, and it’s fun to try to figure out who the bad guys are and what their motivations are for doing what they do. In Rosemary Cottage, I was able to put enough of the pieces together so that the revelation at the end was not just completely out of left field. At the same time, the mystery wasn’t too easy to figure out. It was fun to be along for the ride with all of its twists and turns. The mystery and the action in this novel were excellent. At times my heart was racing – especially during the ‘child in peril’ portion of the plotline. I don't usually choose to read about children in danger, however, since it was a Colleen Coble novel, I had faith that everything would be okay in the end!

In the beginning of the novel, I wasn’t quite convinced of the attraction between Amy and Curtis. They just didn’t seem to have a lot in common at first, and their constant on-again/off-again relationship didn’t hold too much interest for me. As the story moved along, and as they were forced to work together to figure out what happened to their siblings, their relationship became much more understandable. As for the other characters, I’m just glad that I had read the first book in the series – Tidewater Inn – otherwise I would have been hopelessly lost trying to figure out all of those characters.

The overall spiritual aspect of this novel was done fairly well. I was not, however, expecting the book to be as preachy as it was. This time, though, the preachy parts were not centered on the gospel but on issues such as extreme healthy eating and at-home births. Every character in a novel is entitled to his or her opinion, of course, but I though these aspects of Amy’s character really detracted from the rest of the story.

But with a Colleen Coble novel, the mystery is the thing – and this one did deliver.

I will give Rosemary Cottage … 3 ½ Bookworms.

Rosemary Cottage
by Colleen Coble
Book #2 in the "Hope Beach" series
Thomas Nelson Publishers
Publication date: July 9, 2013

Water can be calming and healing, but it can also be dangerous, as Amy Lange and Curtis Ireland both found out. Both lost their siblings to the sea, and they hope to find healing on Hope Island. But will they find it, or will their quest to find answers set them at odds with each other and with those who have secrets that need to stay hidden?

Find out in Colleen Coble’s latest book, Rosemary Cottage, which released July 9. To celebrate, Colleen is hosting a 12-day Nautical Summer Giveaway. From July 16-27, Colleen will be giving away a new nautical prize every day. She’ll announce the winners on July 29 on her website, so mark your calendars for that date to see if you were picked as a lucky winner!

Not on Facebook? Enter here.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
 

"Ripples Along the Shore" Review

Caroline Milburn lost her husband in the Civil War and has spent the last few months living with her sister in St. Charles, Missouri. Many people from the town are preparing for the wagon train that is to depart for the West in just a few short months. But Caroline feels caught in the middle. Should she stay and help her sister deal with a wounded husband who has grown bitter and angry or should she join the other travelers and get on with her life?

Garrett Cowlishaw is the wagon master for the train that is heading West out of Missouri. He takes his job very seriously, and it doesn’t help that he keeps getting distracted by the pretty young widow, Caroline Milburn. When Caroline shows interest in joining the wagon train, Garrett is torn. He desires to protect Caroline from the harshness of the trail by having her stay in St. Charles, but he can’t deny that he would love having this spirited redhead on the trip right by his side.

As the date for the departure of the wagon train grows ever nearer, Garrett and Caroline, along with the other travelers, prepare their minds and hearts for the trip – and for the parting that must take place with the ones left behind.

Ripples Along the Shore is the third novella in the Quilted Hearts series by Mona Hodgson that is leading up to the new full-length novel series, Hearts Seeking Home, the first of which is due out in August.

Since I had been introduced to the character of Caroline in the previous novellas in this series, I was interested to continue her story in this book. I was also interested in finding out more about Garrett and about the organization of the wagon train.

The romance between Caroline and Garrett in this story is sweet. I liked how the two of them thought about each other throughout the day even as they were trying to convince themselves that they didn’t need a romance at this point in their lives. I would have liked for the spiritual side of these two characters to have been more deeply explored. Caroline experiences a bit of growth as far as her faith is concerned, but it was somewhat abrupt.

There are tons of additional characters in this novella, and I especially enjoyed meeting Boney Hughes from the Cripple Creek series. If you have not read the first two novellas, though, it would probably be pretty hard to understand what’s going on. I think it will be nice to start the next series of novels with already having a clear understanding of all of the people who will be travelling on the wagon train.

That being said, I was a bit disappointed that things were not really wrapped up with all of the characters in this story. I realize that their stories will continue in the full-length series to come, but I was hoping that the main storyline of this novella would be wrapped up more than it was. In the first two novellas, the storylines with Maren and Rutherford and with Emilie and Quaid came to some semblance of a conclusion. In this one, some things were settled, but not quite enough for me to have a sense of completion. I am looking forward to the next series, though, so I guess these novellas did the trick!

I will give Ripples Along the Shore … 3 BookWorms.

Ripples Along the Shore
by Mona Hodgson
Novella #3 in the Quilted Hearts series
WaterBrook Press
Publication date: May 21, 2013






Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"A Home at Trail's End" Review

Elizabeth Martin and her family, along with all of the new friends that were made on the Oregon Trail, have finally made it to their destination. But even though they made it through the toughest trip of their lives, their new lives in the “Promised Land” may not be as easy as they thought it would be.

For Elizabeth, the first hurdle to overcome is facing life in Oregon without Eli, the guide who Elizabeth fell in love with on the trail. Assuming that he has chosen trail life over her, Elizabeth resigns herself to providing for her children on her own as she had originally planned. However, with Eli’s unexpected return – and proposal – Elizabeth is overjoyed to start her life in Oregon with Eli by her side.

Even though things are going well for Elizabeth and her family, this rapidly developing town in Oregon Territory does not grow without its difficulties. The fire-and-brimstone preacher in the settlement has practically run everyone out of the church, and Indian troubles are always looming on the horizon. Will the settlers of this land ever be able to come together and work towards a common goal?

The final book in the “Homeward on the Oregon Trail” series by Melody Carlson follows the settlers as they stake their claims in the Oregon Territory and start their new lives there.

I enjoyed the first two books in this series – the second one probably better than the first – so I was interested to see what would happen as the folks from the wagon train settled into their new lives in Oregon. There are so many characters that were introduced throughout the course of the first two novels that it was sometimes difficult to keep everyone perfectly straight. I was very glad that there was a “cast of characters” page in the beginning of the book. As I said in my review of A Dream for Tomorrow, I think all series books should do this!

Once again, this story is told only from Elizabeth’s point of view. While this allows the reader to become invested in Elizabeth’s character, I sometimes found it to be slightly monotonous. I don’t think I really felt this way during the first two books, perhaps because this one-sidedness seemed to fit with the monotony of a life on the Oregon Trail. In this novel, since they were no longer on the trail, the one point of view did not give as broad of a view of things as I was expecting.

The small conflicts that come up in this novel – for example, Elizabeth and her friend Malinda dealing with some jealously and bickering – were really good examples of how to resolve conflict as a Christian. Although Elizabeth usually seemed to be on the side of “right” in these conflicts, it wasn’t always the case, and it helped to keep Elizabeth from seeming to be too perfect.

The bigger circumstances that arose, however, did make Elizabeth and her family seem too good to be true. I loved the fact that they wanted to treat African-Americans and Native Americans with respect and that they wanted to help with the church and with their new neighbors. But after a while it just seemed as if Elizabeth and her husband, Eli, and her dad, Asa, were just always going around fixing everyone else’s problems for them. It made them seem too perfect compared to everyone else around them, which was somewhat annoying.

Overall, however, I enjoyed seeing how everything came together for these people and this town after their long and grueling journey. I appreciated Elizabeth’s excitement as she moved into her new home in Oregon Territory that would very soon become a state. I would have liked for the spiritual aspect to dig a little deeper into the gospel as it did during the second book, but at least the themes of mercy and respect for all people came through clearly. Most everything wraps up nicely at the conclusion of the story, but I would not be surprised if this town and its inhabitants are revisited in a future series.
I will give A Home at Trail’s End … 3 ½ BookWorms.

A Home at Trail's End
by Melody Carlson
Book #3 in the "Homeward on the Oregon Trail" series
Harvest House Publishers
Publication Date: July 1, 2013

Previously in this series: Westward Hearts & A Dream for Tomorrow






Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"The Quarryman's Bride" Review

Emmalyne Knox always knew that one day she would marry Tavin MacLachlan. But when tragedy strikes, Emmalyne’s father moves the family away from their small quarry village just outside St. Cloud, Minnesota. He insists that the wedding between Emmalyne and Tavin will not take place and that Emmalyne will do her duty as the youngest daughter to care for her parents in their old age.

After spending many long years tending to her grief-stricken mother while living in Minneapolis, Emmalyne is shocked to hear that her father has decided to move back to St. Cloud. Emmalyne is also stunned to discover that, after seeing Tavin again, she is still in love with him after all these years away. But Emmalyne’s father still stands in between them.

As tensions rise between the quarry owners and workers, Emmalyne and Tavin, along with their families, find themselves in the middle of the fray. Tavin is determined to find those responsible for the ‘accidents’ at his father’s quarry, and Emmalyne is equally determined to do all she can to help heal the deep wounds in her family.
Emmalyne and Tavin desire to have a future together, but the obstacles they face are seemingly impossible. Will they have the faith to submit to the plan God has for them?

I really enjoyed the previous novel in this collection by Tracie Peterson – The Icecutter’s Daughter – so I really had high hopes for this one. I enjoyed it, but not quite as much as I did the first one. I can’t exactly put my finger on what made this one a bit less enjoyable, but my best guess is that I didn’t relate to Emmalyne as well as I did to Merrill in The Icecutter’s Daughter. The events were a bit darker in this book, too.

Emmalyne’s character did experience some growth over the course of the novel as she realizes what her role could be in the possible healing of her fractured family. However, she seemed to be a little too perfect – the obedient daughter to a hateful father, the young woman who every eligible guy around falls for – and it didn’t always ring true. I will say, though, that her ability to forgive her family, especially her father, was a very touching aspect of the book.

I thought Tavin’s character and his struggles were genuine, and I really felt for him as he tried to figure out where his faith was coming from and where his life was going. As for the other characters in the book, I thought they were a bit over-the-top. Emmalyne’s father’s hatred and bitterness was extreme, as was her mother’s grief and illness for eleven years. Actually, now that I think about it, her mother’s grief was understandable, but the short time that it took for her mother to come out of that fog was rather quick, especially after being in that state for eleven years. There was another character, Tavin’s sister, who plays a crucial role at the end, but I actually thought that whole storyline was a bit out of place and seemed to only throw another wrench into some already tragic situations with these families.

Emmalyne and Tavin’s relationship was interesting because they had previously been engaged. But because it had been eleven years, there was no way they could just pick up where they left off. They each had to deal with their own issues before they could decide what they wanted and needed to do together, and that particular storyline was a unique way to explore a relationship.

Even though some things about this book felt somewhat contrived, the overall themes were actually very touching and portrayed really well. The forgiveness and grace that was extended throughout both of these families could only come from God. It was also really interesting to read about the quarry and the events that were going on there. The unions that were forming at this time in history (late 1800’s) were such a force in industry, and it was interesting to read about the different views from the workers and the owners.

I also thought it was interesting to explore the struggle that Emmalyne faced in honoring her parents but also having her own life. I read another book recently that dealt with this same topic, and while I didn’t necessarily agree with the stance that the characters took initially, it was still interesting to think things through in my own mind.

Tracie Peterson’s writing is so easy to read. It flows well, and faith in God is always at the forefront. Although not as captivating as the previous one by this author, The Quarryman’s Bride was still an interesting novel, one with an excellent message of forgiveness and reconciliation.

I will give The Quarryman’s Bride … 3 ½ BookWorms.

The Quarryman's Bride
by Tracie Peterson
Book #2 in the "Land of Shining Waters" series
Bethany House Publishers
Publication date: June 1, 2013






Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"Though My Heart Is Torn" Review

After a shotgun wedding and a very rough start to their marriage, Gideon and Lonnie O’Riley have finally found happiness with each other. Living on the farm with the Bennetts in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains with their precious infant son only adds to the joy that they have found.

Their joy is short-lived when Lonnie is summoned by her father to return home to Rocky Knob. Lonnie’s father claims that her mother is ill, but when she and Gideon arrive in their hometown, equally horrific news waits for them: Gideon has been married to another woman this whole time.

Lonnie is naturally devastated by this revelation, and Gideon’s guilt in the situation threatens to overpower him. Will their love be enough to sustain them when all hope seems lost?

Though My Heart Is Torn is the second book in the “Cadence of Grace” series set in the Blue Ridge Mountains during the early years of the 20th Century.

I requested to review the first book in this series for my blog last fall, but I actually was never able to fit it into my schedule, and it kept getting pushed back. When I saw that the next one in the series was available, I requested it for review through The Christian Manifesto, knowing that it would force me to fit the first one in.

The first book, Be Still My Soul, had an interesting, albeit somewhat overdone, concept. Although I felt the writing was pretty good (the descriptions made you feel as if you were right there in the Blue Ridge Mountains), overall, the novel was just too heartbreaking for me to enjoy it to its fullest. The novel did have a satisfying conclusion, though, so I was wondering where the second book would take the characters.

Was I surprised when I found out!

After the plot in the first book was the usual “having to get married and learn to love each other along the way” plot (which I actually like), the second book revolves around Lonnie and Gideon being forced to be apart because he is already married to another women. This second plot was much more unique, even to the point of being unrealistic. I understand that the time period in which this story takes place lends itself to a couple being forced by others to “do right by” the first wife.  But I just couldn’t help thinking, “what about the second wife?” Why do you need to do right by the first wife and not the second?

Even though that part of the plot bothered me, it was definitely an interesting concept that kept me engaged during the first half of the book. The descriptions of the setting and surroundings are so real that you feel as if you're right there in the Blue Ridge Mountains with the characters.

However, once I got to about halfway through the book where Lonnie and Gideon are pretty much forced to be separated, I have to admit that I quickly lost interest. It seemed as if the last half of the book was just Lonnie and Gideon missing each other. I understand that their situation would be extremely difficult, but I don’t think that half of the second book needed to be devoted to only their inner monologues. It was just too long and drawn out. And then after all of that bemoaning the fact that they aren’t together, they each seem to flip a switch and start thinking that they could be interested in other people. That was most unrealistic and disappointing of all. I didn’t like spending 40% of the book reading about how they were devastated over losing the other person, but then by the end of three months they were each ready to move on. It made me wonder if they were ever actually in love in the first place.

In this novel, and in the previous one, Lonnie tries to rely on God to get her through the struggles she is facing. This is an excellent aspect of her character, and through this Gideon is shown what it is like to have faith in God. But in the first book, and most especially in the second one, I kept having the feeling that the faith Gideon is experiencing in his own life is based more on him having faith in Lonnie rather than in God. He wants to be a “good” person like Lonnie is instead of experiencing true repentance through Christ. I am hoping that Gideon’s faith will be more developed in the final book.

It might seem as if I have given away too much of this book, but I really don’t think I have. There is another twist at the end of the book that sets up the third book in the series.
While Though My Heart Is Torn has an interesting concept, too much of the book relies on the emotions described in the title rather than using action and character development to move it along.

I will give Though My Heart Is Torn … 2 BookWorms.

 








Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook-Multnomah Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
 

"The Icecutter's Daughter" Review

Merrill Krause is loyal to the promise she made to her dying mother – to care for her father and four older brothers for as long as they need it. Caring for her family’s horses and assisting in the ice harvest each year has never been a burden to Merrill, even though her best friend insists that she will never have a home and family of her own if she doesn’t start acting more like a lady. Merrill does long for a husband and children, but her work and her protective older brothers never give her a chance to get to know any of the young men in the area.

When Rurik Jorgenson arrives in Waseca, Minnesota, to help his uncle in the furniture business, Merrill assumes he will be like every other man she has met. But Rurik doesn’t seem to be the least bit intimidated by Merrill’s brothers, and there is immediately a connection between the two of them. When things from Rurik’s past follow him to Minnesota, Merrill and Rurik become involved in a scandal that they never saw coming. They must rely on God more than they ever have before and learn to trust Him and each other before they can begin to have a promise of love.

Set in 1896 during a Minnesota winter, The Icecutter’s Daughter is a story of faith and trust in our God who has everything in His control.

When I first requested this book for review, I have to admit that I picked it only because I was very curious as to what an “Icecutter” was. I have read many Tracie Peterson books in the past, but the last few of hers that I have read have not really been my favorites. They were fine – just nothing that made them stand out from the pack.

The Icecutter’s Daughter, however, seemed to hearken back to the ‘olden days’ of when I first started really reading Christian fiction. Back then I enjoyed her stories because they always had so many dimensions to them, and this novel once again captured that extra something special that I remember from her earlier books.

My favorite part of this book was how well I related to the main character, Merrill. I have mentioned before that I’m not really a “girly girl.” I would much rather watch college football on a Saturday than go shopping, and I very much prefer a T-shirt and jeans and a baseball cap to pretty much everything else in my closet. Also, when I was growing up, I had a hard time understanding some of the other girls when they would become so obsessed with make-up and clothes and the latest rock star. In that same way, Merrill is like me in the story. She enjoys working with her brothers and father during the ice harvest, and she doesn’t always understand other women’s fascinations with lace and frills. She is independent and a hard worker and she doesn’t think she should have to change who she is for a man.

Once Rurik comes along and she realizes that he is attracted to her, it just felt very similar to the way it was with my husband and me. Rurik comes to care for her because of who she is, not because she acts as a woman is “supposed” to act. On the other hand, Merrill isn’t only good at farm chores and working with horses. She is a great cook and can paint beautiful pictures, too. She’s an all-around talented gal, and it was a nice balance for the character. Just because she was good at “man’s work” didn’t mean that she couldn’t still be feminine. Merrill’s character really resonated with me in this way.
 
I said that I initially picked up this book because of the occupation of the main character’s father, and I have to admit that the ice cutting was an interesting process. It was also interesting historically since by the turn of that century, electric ice machines were being produced that were slowly taking away the need for cutting ice from lakes.

Overall I thought the story moved at a very comfortable pace after it got started. About halfway through the book I was beginning to think that the main plot point (the romance between Merrill and Rurik) was going to be led along by the completely overused Big Misunderstanding and just-talk-to-each-other-already conflicts. But as I kept reading, I was pleasantly surprised. There were enough twists and turns and outside circumstances that gave the story much more dimension than I was expecting. The lies and false accusations that were part of the plot were at times frustrating but were also intriguing.

The romantic part of the book was pretty good, but there was a bit too much “love-at-first-sight” for my taste. The main characters didn’t interact much and yet fell in love very quickly in a matter of weeks. I did, however, like that the author was able to show that there was chemistry between Merrill and Rurik without going overboard with physical descriptions of passionate kisses and stolen glances and the like.

The spiritual aspect in this novel was well-balanced. Faith in Christ is clearly presented, and their faith blends in naturally throughout every aspect of their lives instead of being shallow.

The Icecutter’s Daughter is exactly the type of novel that first got me so interested in the Christian fiction genre, and it is an excellent beginning to the ”Land of Shining Water” series.

I will give The Icecutter’s Daughter … 4 BookWorms.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"A Noble Groom" Review

Annalisa Werner, recently widowed, is struggling to save her farm in Michigan in 1880. Her father’s answer to her plight is to send word back to relatives in Germany to send a husband to America for Annalisa.

When Carl Richards arrives from Germany to the small farming community of Forestville, Michigan, he is relieved to secure a job working on Annalisa’s farm until her groom makes his appearance. A falsely accused nobleman, Carl is running from those in Germany who would have his head.

As Carl learns the rigors of farm life, he also finds himself more and more drawn to Annalisa and her precious daughter. Carl will do all he can to save Annalisa’s farm, but he worries what will happen when the man who is to marry her shows up. Will he be able to walk away from the woman he is beginning to love?

From the moment I began reading this novel, I was drawn into it. The overall story was completely engrossing, and there were several smaller stories that intertwined with each other throughout the entire novel that kept it interesting. The concept of a mail-order groom was also an interesting switch to the normal mail-order bride stories.

The characters in this novel were not necessarily relatable, since their lives and their situations were completely foreign to me, but they were definitely sympathetic.  I felt for them so much. Their lives and struggles were so hard, and yet they persevered through it all. I also liked watching the immense growth that Carl experienced over the course of the novel.

The writing in this novel really puts you in the middle of everything that is going on. I thought this was true in a previous novel by this author – The Doctor’s Lady – and it was definitely true again in this novel. I could imagine myself being right there in the middle of the cornfield working alongside Carl and Annalisa, which is why I think I was able to be so sympathetic towards the characters. At times I would even say that the descriptions were somewhat gritty, because they were so true-to-life.

As for the spiritual aspect, I thought the novel was pretty light in that area. Annalisa realizes that God loves her and cares for her, which is an excellent theme that runs throughout the course of the novel. However, Christ is not mentioned as the way to faith in God. She seems to almost be putting her hope completely in Carl rather than God, even towards the end of the book. Carl fulfills her fairy tale, and she doesn’t seem to need too much more than that. I can imagine that the steps of faith that Annalisa did take in the novel will eventually lead her to an ultimate faith in Christ, but the reader is not actually given that information.

I also thought at times that the book was too sensual for my taste.  I understand that the author was trying to show Annalisa what a true, loving marriage can be, but the romantic scenes were sometimes a bit much.

Even though the spiritual aspect was not as deep as I would have liked, Annalisa experiences tremendous growth in this book as far as social issues are concerned. She learns that she has a voice as a woman in a male-dominated German society. She also realizes that she can have a marriage filled with love rather than just one that comes out of obligation.

Those social and historical pieces of the novel were absolutely fantastic. As I said earlier, the story was completely engrossing, and the social and historical aspects were most of the reason that the novel was so absorbing. Aside from a few times when I thought the inner monologues of Carl and Annalisa got repetitive, the story kept my interest.

A Noble Groom is a tale of struggle and hardship but also one that shows that true love can be found.

I will give A Noble Groom ... 4 BookWorms.

A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund
Bethany House Publishers
368 pages
Published April 1, 2013






Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"Take a Chance on Me" Review

About the Book:

Darek Christiansen is almost a dream bachelor—oldest son in the large Christiansen clan, heir to their historic Evergreen Lake Resort, and doting father. But he’s also wounded and angry since the tragic death of his wife, Felicity. No woman in Deep Haven dares come near.

New assistant county attorney Ivy Madison simply doesn’t know any better when she bids on Darek at the charity auction. Nor does she know that when she crafted a plea bargain three years ago to keep Jensen Atwood out of jail and in Deep Haven fulfilling community service, she was releasing the man responsible for Felicity’s death. All Ivy knows is that the Christiansens feel like the family she’s always longed for. And once she gets past Darek’s tough exterior, she finds a man she could spend the rest of her life with. Which scares her almost as much as Darek learning of her involvement in his wife’s case.

Caught between new love and old grudges, Darek must decide if he can set aside the past for a future with Ivy—a future more and more at risk as an approaching wildfire threatens to wipe out the Christiansen resort and Deep Haven itself.


For more information about this title click here.

About the Author:

Susan May Warren is the bestselling, RITA Award–winning author of more than forty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. She served with her husband and four children as a missionary in Russia for eight years before she and her family returned home to the States. She now writes full-time as her husband runs a lodge on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota, where many of her books are set. She and her family enjoy hiking, canoeing, and being involved in their local church.

Susan holds a BA in mass communications from the University of Minnesota. Several of her critically acclaimed novels have been ECPA and CBA bestsellers, were chosen as Top Picks by Romantic Times, and have won the RWA's Inspirational Reader's Choice contest and the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award. Five of her books have been Christy Award finalists. In addition to her writing, Susan loves to teach and speak at women's events about God's amazing grace in our lives.

For exciting updates on her new releases, previous books, and more, visit her website at www.susanmaywarren.com.



My Take:

When I picked up this novel, I wasn’t sure if I would like it or not. I really enjoyed the first Deep Haven novel that I read by this author – My Foolish Heart – but the others I have read since have not been my favorites for various reasons (not all having to do with the author’s writing).

But as I kept reading, I became fascinated with the interesting storylines and the believable characters. I didn’t always like the characters, but they still were relatable. There was a lot of drama, but at the same time, the story didn’t seem to get all wrapped up in its own drama. The writing somehow was able to keep things more down to earth than might have happened with other novels.

I think the main reason for this was that the gospel was clearly presented several times throughout the novel. The author didn’t shy away from the truth – that Jesus Christ loves us and died for our sins – and this was the best part of the book for me. The overall themes of forgiveness and grace were also extremely compelling. When I finished the book, I just sighed and thought, “Wow…that kind of forgiveness could only come from God.”

In the other Deep Haven novels that I have read, I didn’t always like that another storyline was told in parallel with the story of the two main characters. But in this one, I liked getting the story from the sides of all four characters – Darek, Ivy, Jensen, and Claire. Their stories intertwined so much more in this novel than they seemed to in past Deep Haven books, and I liked having all four perspectives.

Aside from the four main ones, there are lots and lots of minor characters in this novel. I have found this to be the case with the Deep Haven novels, but it didn’t distract me too much in this one. What did distract me a bit was how quickly Darek and Ivy “fell in love.” It was so fast – even before all of the excitement and repentance of the ending – that it didn’t quite ring true for me. I also thought that the novel got a bit long towards in the middle. Also, even though the ending was exciting and touching, it was still pretty predictable. I don’t think that made me enjoy the book any less, but I could see where it was going very easily.

I’m having a hard time deciding if Take a Chance on Me is my favorite of the Deep Haven novels. It is a close race between this one and My Foolish Heart. I think My Foolish Heart is going to win out only because of the football part of that story!

I will give Take a Chance on Me … 4 BookWorms.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."