book review

“Catch a Falling Star” by Beth K. Vogt

August 13, 2014 by Amy

What does a girl do when life doesn’t go according to her plan?

At 36, Kendall Haynes has seen some of her dreams come true. She’s a family physician helping kids with severe allergies and asthma achieve more fulfilling lives-a childhood struggle she knows all too well. But the feeling of being “the kid never picked” looms large when romance continues to evade her and yet another one of her closest friends gets engaged. Are Kendall’s dreams of having it all-a career, a husband, children-nothing more than childish wishing upon a star? Should she hold out for her elusive Plan A? Dust off Plan B? Or is it time to settle? God says he knows the plans he has for her-why can’t Kendall figure them out and be content with her life?

Griffin Walker prefers flying solo-both as an Air Force pilot and in his personal life. But a wrong choice and health problems pulled him out of the cockpit. His attempts to get out of “flying a desk” are complicated by his parents’ death-making Griffin the reluctant guardian of his sixteen-year-old brother, Ian. How did his life get so off course? Can God get his life back on track … or has there been a divine plan all along?

Catch a Falling Star reminds readers that romance isn’t just for twenty-somethings and that sometimes letting go of your “wish I may, wish I might” dreams is the only way to embrace everything God has waiting for you.

Catch A Falling Star is the very best kind of fairy tale – the kind that could be real. When my daughter was born, I saw princess decor everywhere and decided I didn’t want her to think that her dreams would all fall in her lap. It rarely works that way. Happily-ever-afters require compromise and hard work and understanding, but above all, they require knowing that it’s not our own plans that matter most, but God’s, and He has a happy ending for everyone who trusts Him with it. That is the very best feature of this book: the coming to terms and reality of the happily-ever-after. This is what I want to teach my daughter.

I enjoyed the intertwining of the characters’ stories, as well. From a teen, a divorced man, a single woman, and a mommy-wanna-be, the perspectives told were believable and varied. The way that their plots intersected so that each character learned from another and was able to be helpful was well planned and added a great layer of depth.

Catch A Falling Star isn’t a fluffy fairy tale but a real-life romance full of dreams and trust. It should definitely go on your summer reading list.

To read other reviews on this bloggy tour,click here. You can purchase this book here.

Beth K. Vogt is a non-fiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice), though she said she’d never marry a doctor-or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four, though she said she’d never have kids. She’s discovered that God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” Her contemporary romance novel, “Wish You Were Here”, debuted in May 2012 (Howard Books), and “Catch a Falling Star” releases May 2013. An established magazine writer and former editor of Connections, the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth is also the Skills Coach for My Book Therapy, the writing community founded by best-selling author Susan May Warren.

Find out more about Beth K. at http://bethvogt.com.

I received a free copy of Catch a Falling Star from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

“Carolina Gold” by Dorothy Love

August 13, 2014 by Amy

The war is over, but her struggle is just beginning.

Charlotte Fraser returns to her late father’s once-flourishing rice plantation on the Waccamaw River, determined to continue growing the special kind of rice known as Carolina Gold. But Fairhaven Plantation is in ruins, the bondsmen are free, and money is scarce.

To make ends meet, Charlotte reluctantly accepts a position as tutor to the young daughters of Nicholas Betancourt, heir to the neighboring Willowood Plantation. Then Nick’s quest to prove his ownership of Willowood sends Charlotte on a dangerous journey that reveals an old family mystery—and threatens all that she holds dear.

Inspired by the life of a 19th century woman rice planter,Carolina Gold continues Dorothy Love’s winning tradition of weaving together mystery, romance, and rich historical detail, bringing to life the story of one young woman’s struggle to restore her ruined world.

What was it like to live through Reconstruction? Dorothy Love shares all about the struggle for a woman plantation owner in Carolina Gold. Charlotte’s story is like none other I’ve heard. With an up-close-and-personal look at the remains of the Southern gentry after the Civil War ended, you’ll never see that time the same again.

It took time after the end of the war for people to find their place: to figure out what role they could play, to find jobs, to find supplies, to learn what they needed and what they could do without. Love walks us through that struggle step-by-step, and from multiple viewpoints, to boot: from that of a single woman trying to revive her family’s plantation; from that of a married woman with an incapacitated husband; from a former prized slave; and from an abandoned boy who desperately wants an education.

That variety adds to the realistic value of the story. Charlotte’s determination and adventuresome spirit makes her a winning character and puts her into contact with people from all walks of life, especially in the aftermath of the war. I loved being able to see the same issue from each of these perspectives.

My very favorite part of this story, though, was the way that Charlotte took to education. Her unique and unusual approach to learning stood out to me because I believe in doing something very similar. I enjoyed seeing the creative way that Charlotte was able to turn her new passion into a money-making opportunity that could help revitalize the plantation.

What I didn’t like about that effort was its speed. By the time that you could be certain of Charlotte’s future, the story ended and moved into the epilogue. I appreciated that very much, and I wanted very much to know what would happen next, but I wanted to read about it. At the same speed I had read the previous few hundred pages. It was too good to skip over; I want the details.

But in the end, isn’t that the very best kind of book? One where you’re not ready to leave the characters but are craving more? If that’s the case, then this is one of the best.

Purchase a copy here, or read other opinions on this bloggy hop.

A former journalist, free-lance writer and college professor, Dorothy Love explores the intersection of history and human relationships to create novels that speak to the hearts of women everywhere. She is the author of the acclaimed Hickory Ridge novels set in her native state of Tennessee.

After earning a masters degree and Ph.D, she authored dozens of magazine articles before breaking into book publishing with a number of award-winning novels for preteens and young adults. The Hickory Ridge series marked her adult fiction debut. Currently she is working on several stand-alone historical novels set in the South.

When she isn’t busy writing or researching her next book, Love enjoys hiking, traveling, and hanging out with her husband Ron and their rambunctious golden retriever. The Loves make their home in the Texas hill country.

To keep up with Dorothy Love, visit www.dorothylovebooks.com, become a fan on Facebook(Dorothy Love Books) or follow her on Twitter(@writerDorothy).

I received a free copy of Carolina Gold from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

“The Calling” by Suzanne Woods Fisher

August 13, 2014 by Amy

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher delivers her trademark twists, turns, and tender romance in this delightful and exciting visit to the deceptively quiet community of Stoney Ridge.

Twenty-year-old Bethany Schrock is restless. Her love life has derailed, her faith hangs by a thread, and she is spending the incredibly hot summer days wading through a lifetime’s accumulation of junk at the home of five ancient Amish sisters. About the only thing that holds her interest is the spirited and dangerously handsome Jimmy Fisher—and he seems bent on irritating her to no end.

When the sly old sisters and a guest at the Inn get Bethany involved in running the local soup kitchen and starting a community garden, she suddenly finds herself wondering, Shootfire! How did that happen? Despite her newfound purposefulness, a gnawing emptiness about a childhood mystery continues to plague her. Encouraged by Jimmy Fisher, she will seek out the answers she craves—and uncover a shocking secret that will break her heart, heal it, and point her to love.

The Calling is one fun story. It’s a great continuation of Bethany’s plight from The Letters, the first book in this series, and I love the way that Fisher has Bethany dealing with her family and romantic situations and growing in maturity at the same time. This doesn’t keep her from being a bit reckless, especially where Mrs. Miracle is concerned, which definitely adds an element of playfulness to the story.

The Sisters add depth and maturity to the story by comparison. While Bethany’s definitely growing, the Sisters set a great example of doing good deeds in secret, of caring for those around you, and of keeping priorities straight. Of course, their advanced age set against Mrs. Miracle’s unexpected youthfulness keeps these lessons lighthearted, as well.

The very best stories are ones in which you learn great lessons alongside the main characters without getting quite as traumatized as they do, and Fisher writes these masterfully. I love that the wide array of characters can face such modern issues in honest, simple, truthful ways without the reader feeling bogged down in heavy emotion. While Fisher certainly gets the depth of these matters across, The Calling is poignant and funny all at the same time – and I can’t wait for the next one.

Read an excerpt here, hop around on this bloggy hop, or purchase your own copy now

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Inn at Eagle Hill series, Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, includingAmish Peace. She is also the coauthor of a new Amish children’s series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. Get Amish proverbs delivered right to your mobile device! Download the Free App! http://bit.ly/10Tygyi

Learn more about Suzanne at: http://suzannewoodsfisher.com

I received a free copy of The Calling from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

“Brush of Angel’s Wings” by Ruth Reid

August 13, 2014 by Amy

Rachel Hartzler is not your typical Amish maiden. With a less-than-excellent reputation in the kitchen and all thumbs with a needle, Rachel prefers more active pursuits outside, and her father accepts her help – until he hires Jordan, an Englischer with an Amish mother who’s trying to find his way. As he grieves for his mother after her passing, he takes a job with the Hartzler family until he can plan out what to do next. With his presence comes pressure for Rachel to accept a more traditional role, which doesn’t go down smoothly. As Rachel and Jordan dance around their attraction for each other and struggle to find their place, tragedy strikes the community. Will death ultimately throw them together – or forever apart?

Rachel is not a typical Amish girl, and this is not your typical Amish book! While the Amish vs. English romance has been done before, the drama that Reid writes into the story takes this book far deeper than most. What really makes it stand out, however, and what kept me up late reading is the parallel story. The Bible says that we do not fight against what we can see, and Reid makes this evident through paragraphs inserted into the action of this story that describe what is happening in a more celestial realm. An angel named Nathaniel and a demon named Tangus are each fighting for Jordan and Rachel, and these asides make this story much more thought-provoking.

Brush of Angel’s Wings alone is a great story with likable characters and exciting action; but the addition of Nathaniel and Tangus take this book to a whole other level. You won’t want to miss this story.

I received a free copy of Brush of Angel’s Wings from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.

“The Bride Wore Blue” by Mona Hodgson

August 13, 2014 by Amy

What do you do when you can’t find a job, really want to be out from under your older sisters’ wings, and are just about out of money? How far would you go to maintain your independence? That’s Vivian Sinclair’s dilemma in The Bride Wore Blue.

The Sinclair sisters are a lot of fun. This is the first book in the “Sisters of Cripple Creek” series that I’ve read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Hodgson took a very serious problem – how to achieve financial independence – and a spiritual one – how to forgive yourself – and addressed them with historical accuracy, emotional depth, and enough lightheartedness to keep the story fun. Vivian’s antics were often comical and her run-ins with Carter, a deputy, had enough zaniness to make you blush for her. Trying to untangle the mess she’s made of her life, though, has a depth that is belied by the simplicity and beauty of the cover. The message is far deeper than what is normally contained in your typical ‘romance’ – and could prompt serious soul searching to those in need of personal forgiveness.

Previews are included for Hodgson’s next two books at the end of this one (as well as a reader’s guide). They sound as fun and dramatic as this one. I can’t wait to read them!

I received a free copy of The Bride Wore Blue from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review.

“The Breath of Dawn” by Kristen Heitzmann

August 13, 2014 by Amy

Corporate turnaround specialist Morgan Spencer, dubbed the “success guru,” has a Midas touch in business. But losing his wife sent him to the brink, and his two-year-old daughter, Livie, is all he’s living for-until they encounter a woman whose trouble just might draw him out of his own.

Four years ago Quinn Reilly did the right thing. Now the man her testimony put in jail is getting out. Though she has put up barriers to protect herself and those around her, she has come to care for the Spencer family, especially the winsome Livie and her mercurial father. Unwilling to put them at risk when the threats begin, she requests something she hopes the super-successful Morgan might be able to deliver.

Fixing problems is what Morgan does best, but his counterproposal takes them in a direction neither is equipped to handle. Determined to confront the past, will they survive to build a future?

I absolutely love Kristen Heitzmann’s books! Always full of suspense and intrigue, this book is as fast-paced as the others. Quinn Reilly makes a spunky and resourceful lead character as she struggles to do what’s right and avoid the trouble she senses ahead. Morgan plays the wounded warrior coming to the rescue of his damsel -in-distress, and nobody does it better. The pain each feels pulls you in and makes you want to cheer them on, and the issues coming at them keep the pages turning.

Heitzmann masterfully mixes human crime and temptation with supernatural evil to keep the suspense level high and your emotions on edge throughout this book. Little else could stop Spencer, whose money and connections could remove most obstacles. The combination of Quinn’s determination and pure intentions coupled with Morgan’s power create worthy opponents for the evil lying in wait around every turn.

The Breath of Dawn is the third in a series, and while I’ve read many of Heitzmann’s books, I’ve apparently missed the previous two. Heitzmann describes the turmoil of past stories well and keeps the reader informed of all pertinent information, so I didn’t feel as if I was missing anything while reading – except that I can’t wait to go back and read the others.

I think I’ll go search for them now.

If this sounds like your cup of tea, you can order this book here.

Kristen Heitzmann is the bestselling author of over a dozen novels, including “Freefall”, “Halos”, “A Rush of Wings”, and the Christy Award winner “Secrets”. She and her husband, Jim, and their family live in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she serves as worship leader in their church.

Find out more about Kristen at http://www.kristenheitzmannbooks.com/.

I received a free copy of The Breath of Dawn from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

“Blue Moon Promise” by Colleen Coble

August 13, 2014 by Amy

Laid off and about to be evicted, Lucy Marsh has nowhere to turn. With her parents dead and her stepmother long gone, she is solely in charge of her twelve-year-old brother and three-year-old sister. When a stranger claiming to be her father’s old friend shows up and offers his son in marriage by proxy, Lucy has no choice but to accept. While Nate, Lucy’s new husband, is less than pleased with the new arrangement, that is not Lucy’s only problem. Grafted onto a ranch full of men, Lucy faces the monumental task of making this dusty land a home for her family, facing Indians, wild animals, and stampedes. With mysterious strangers breaking into their little cabin and their father’s murder still unresolved, who is behind the strange happenings that threaten their hope for a peaceful future – and a marriage based on love?

Colleen Coble has crafted a complete page-turner in Blue Moon Promise. The very best of historical fiction, this book has it all – romance, faith, personal struggle, real history, and lots of mystery. Once started, I couldn’t put this story down.

Lucy Marsh makes a fabulous main character. Beautiful, talented, and with a big heart, she’s like the cheerleader your high school self always longed to be, and yet she’s real, too. With a quick wit and a controlling nature, Lucy struggles with letting God direct her steps. She doesn’t get everything right the first time and faces the same control issues over and over before she learns from them, even when someone wiser calls her to the carpet. Her strong desire to be loved for herself only makes her a more lovable lead.

Not all books make it onto my bookshelf. Many I thoroughly enjoy reading but when the story ends, the characters and I go our separate ways. Not so with Blue Moon Promise. It’s the kind of book I like to read over and over – when the characters become much-loved friends and each read another visit with them. With enough action to keep the story speeding along and enough emotion and drama to keep it real, this is not only a must-read – it’s a must-keep.

If you’d like to add this book to your shelf, you can find it here.

This review is part of a blog tour by LitFuse Publicity. If you’d like to read other reviews, you can find a complete listing here.

Kindle Giveaway and More! Save the Date – 3/13!

Blue Moon Promise is a story of hope, romance, and suspense . . . immersing the reader in a rich historical tale set under Texas stars.

To celebrate Colleen is teaming up with her publisher Thomas Nelson for a “Blue Moon Promise” Facebook Chat party where she will giveaway a KINDLE Fire and a Texas-sized gift basket (fabulous Texas treats and fun Lucy-inspired housekeeping products)!

Click the banner, RSVP today for the Facebook Party and mark the date on your calendar!

Invite your friends and don’t miss Colleen’s evening of chat, trivia, prizes, and more.

About author Colleen Coble …

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.

I received a copy of Blue Moon Promise from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

“Beloved” by Robin Lee Hatcher

August 13, 2014 by Amy

Diana is ready to begin a new chapter in her life-until the husband she believed dead reappears at her engagement party.

Diana Brennan came west on the orphan train and was given a home with a loving couple who cherished and spoiled her. At 17, she fell hard for Tyson Applegate, the son of a wealthy mine owner. After a whirlwind courtship and marriage, Tyson took off for adventures around the world, including fighting with the Rough Riders in Cuba. Receiving no word from him in years, Diana’s infatuation with her dashing husband died an ugly death, and she is ready to move past the old pain and marry again, just as soon as Tyson is declared legally dead.

But when Tyson returns, claiming to be a changed man, he wants to reunite with his wife and run for the senate. While Diana suspects the election is his real reason for wanting her by his side, she agrees to maintain his home and to campaign with him, but when it is over, win or lose, she wants her freedom.

He agrees with one condition—she must give him a chance to change her mind about him.

Beloved is the perfect conclusion to Hatcher’s latest series. Diana has the ultimate problem – she’s prepared to marry again and secure her future when her thought-to-be-dead husband reappears and ruins her plans. Figuring out what to do next takes both Diana and Tyson on a faith journey that involves a sick dog, demanding parents, a kidnapper, thief, a senatorial election, and a few mysteries, besides. I like the way that each of these obstacles were used not only to advance the plot in action but to allow the characters to grow in their faith, as well.

For while you simultaneously want to cheer on Diana and Tyson’s marriage while beating him up for being a selfish cad, ultimately you want them to grow. To grow together and to grow up in maturity. It becomes less about the love story and more about the faith, although the growing of the faith allows forgiveness to fall and love to bloom.

I was excited to read this third installment in the series as I’ve read the other two and enjoyed them. I don’t think the ending would have been as clear if I hadn’t read them, however, for one very specific reason: a character from one of the other books appears during the climax of this book, and as soon as a resolution is reached, the book jumps from the end of this book to a scene which closes out the series. I think it suits the series well but is a bit abrupt for this book, so it might help smooth out that transition if you read the series in order.

All in all, Hatcher is a master of historical love stories. This one is certainly no exception.

Read other reviews in this bloggy hop here or purchase your own copy here now.

Robin is the author of 65+ novels and novellas. Her home is in Idaho, where she spends her time writing stories of faith, courage, and love; pondering the things of God; and loving her family and friends.

Learn more at: http://www.robinleehatcher.com

I received a free copy of Beloved from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

“Beauty for Ashes” by Dorothy Love

August 13, 2014 by Amy

Carrie Daly feels alone. Widowed in the Civil War and with her brother newly married, she finds herself living in a boarding house in town, missing her room on the farm and a place to belong. Though nearly engaged to Nate Chastain, something is holding her back from setting the date, and when town newcomer Griff Rutledge saves her from a runaway horse, Carrie thinks she’s found the spark she’s been wanting. Rutledge, though a society man from back east, has been on his own for a long time, and the townspeople aren’t ready to trust him. Can Carrie find the love she’s been longing for, or has happy already passed her by?

Author Dorothy Love is an expert in the art of dramatic suspense. While by no means a thriller, she keeps the reader on the edge of her seat through the longings of Carrie’s heart and the twisting, turning plot that plagues Carrie throughout the story. The perfect pacing and the cries of Carrie’s heart draw the reader completely into the story.

I want to be Carrie Daly’s best friend. Talented and generous, kind yet headstrong, she’s the kind of person I want to have on my side. That she’s capable of seeking the truth in any situation and is patient enough to do so means that she has much to teach me. Daly became so real during the reading of this book that I could see myself inviting her over for a baking marathon, and how often can you say that you’re friends with the characters?

Dorothy Love’s work is new to me, but it won’t be for much longer, for I’m heading off to find more. If you want more out of your next read than an escape from your own kitchen, pick up a copy of Beauty for Ashes – it won’t disappoint.

Don’t take my word for it, though – if you’d like to read some other opinions of Beauty for Ashes, hop around the blog hop here.

I received a free copy of Beauty for Ashes from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

“The Betrayal” by Robin Lee Hatcher

August 13, 2014 by Amy

The latest historical romance from award-winning author Robin Lee Hatcher and the second book in the Where the Heart Lives series, Betrayal will take readers to the high desert of western Wyoming, through the crags of the Rocky Mountains, and into the hearts of two seekers learning to trust God’s love no matter the circumstances.

It’s the turn of the twentieth century and drifter Hugh Brennan is a man well acquainted with betrayal. Hugh finds himself drawn to the attractive widow, Julia, yet when he looks into her eyes, he recognizes the same hurt that haunts him.

Julia Grace has little reason to trust men, but she’s going to have to trust someone if she’s to keep her ranch from the clutches of her dead husband’s half-brother. Is it possible God had a hand in bringing Hugh to her door?

Robin Lee Hatcher’s latest romance is not just a fluffy read. Julia Grace has a tough row to hoe, and none of her options look good: should she give in to the threats for her land and sell out, losing everything, or should she trust her new hand Hugh and risk her heart?

Most of us have been heart in some sort of relationship at one time or another, and it’s never easy to take a chance and reach out again. Hatcher’s realistic look at the struggle to trust again can teach a lesson to all of us.

Julia Grace isn’t the only honest person in Betrayal’s cast of characters. Hugh hasn’t had it easy, either, and Julia Grace has some good neighbors. This team worked together well and added a lighthearted edge to the story.

Betrayal is a special book because at the root of it all, this story is about overcoming the odds. Each character is written with kindness, love, and grace, for a seasoned story that’s full of heart.

I received a free copy of Betrayal in exchange for an honest review.