A Matter of Heart (Lone Star Brides, #3)

A Matter of Heart by Tracie Peterson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jessica Atherton, born into a life of privilege and wealth, has not had to work hard like her mother and father did when they first set up ranching. Spoiled Jess somehow comes round to understanding how self-centered she really was for she has lost all her friends. Trying to break free of her old ways, Jess finds that it's not that easy.



Predictable...

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All is Bright

Thomas Kinkade's Cape Light: All is Bright by Katherine Spencer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At number 15, the Cape Light series is still going strong. In this book, Reverend Ben is doing some reminiscing of days gone by...when he first started preaching at his new church and his daughter Rachel was just a baby. Rachel, now 36 and widowed at 34, is still putting one foot in front of the other, trying to protect her two children from the effects of losing their father. Will she be able to remove the walls she built around them when possible love and hope are peeking in?

These sweet novels remind us of home, faith in humanity and God, and that there is always hope....

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To Everything a Season

To Everything a Season by Lauraine Snelling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

To everything a season...the little town of Blessing, North Dakota is growing as is the hospital. The hard work Ingeborg, her husband, Norwegian farmer, Haakan Bjorklund and their family have put into the community is showing. The small town is thriving, new shelters must be built for the arriving workers and the new hospital will soon have nurses riding the train in from Chicago. But, with growing towns - new issues also turn up such as crime and differences in faith and worship. Will Blessing be fractured or can the differences be resolved?

One of my very favorite series....

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Good Call: Reflections on Faith, Family, and Fowl

Good Call: Reflections on Faith, Family, and Fowl by Jase Robertson


Jase Robertson comes across TV as the dry, witty brother of the Robertson's Duck Dynasty clan. If you like the show or are curious about the Robertson family, this is another must read. Younger brother of Alan, but older brother of Willie and Jep, Jase seen his father at his worst, Phil, and forgave him. Throughout the book, his story is told and scripture is quoted. His personal faith and love of family, the land and hunting shine through every chapter.

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Good Call: Reflections on Faith, Family, and Fowl

Good Call: Reflections on Faith, Family, and Fowl by Jase Robertson


Jase Robertson comes across TV as the dry, witty brother of the Robertson's Duck Dynasty clan. If you like the show or are curious about the Robertson family, this is another must read. Younger brother of Alan, but older brother of Willie and Jep, Jase seen his father at his worst, Phil, and forgave him. Throughout the book, his story is told and scripture is quoted. His personal faith and love of family, the land and hunting shine through every chapter.

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A Shining Light

A Shining Light by Judith Miller
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Andrea Wilson only feels relief when the news arrives that her sailing husband has died at sea. Even though she is left a widow without any financial means, Andrea know that she and her son are better off without the severe cruelty he inflicted upon them. She heads home to the family farm in Iowa, only to find that her father has perished in a terrible fire that consumed their home but left the barn. The good people from the nearby Amana Colony take her and little Lukas in and provide for their needs until arrangements can be made for their future. Just when things are looking up more shocking news enters Andrea's life.

Although a work of fiction, this gentle read of faith is woven throughout with historical tidbits.

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All Things Hidden

All Things Hidden by Tracie Peterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gwyn and her strong, steadfast father, a doctor, are the only medical personnel in their small, remote Alaskan valley and beyond. They were summoned to help with the colonization of 200 families in the Matanuska Valley which would bring relief to the American people and settlement to Alaska. The decision had been made by President Roosevelt on January 15 and the families would arrive by May. Gwyn feared change, due to her mother walking out on the family while she was still small, and had trouble trusting that God would meet her every need because of this. Her misgivings had a ring of truth to it - how could 200 families be sent to Alaska and enough food and shelter be in place within several months - before the long, grueling Alaskan winters hit?

Although many of the characters and happenings in the novel are fiction there are facts and historical details included. A wonderful book about trust, faith, loss, and the strength of pioneering families.

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What Once Was Lost: A Novel

What Once Was Lost: A Novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Christina was raised in a loving home, with parents that stressed being responsible for those in need. In fact, her parents ran the poor farm, as people called it, with Christina's help. Before they passed, Christina didn't have the day to day stress of running it alone as she does now and with the recent fire in the kitchen - all the residents are displaced and awaiting the repair of the home. When the board fails to approve money for the much needed repairs and even closes the poor farm down, Christina feels that not only her faith is failing, but she's failing her residents, especially eleven year old Tommy, blinded from an accident.

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A Place to Belong

A Place to Belong by Lauraine Snelling
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Book three in the Wild West Wind series wraps up the story of Cassie Lockwood and her return to the Engstrom ranch in South Dakota. Cassie is maturing and eagerly learning the hard ways of ranching by Mavis Engstrom and her sons, Lucas and Ransom. Her shooting skills are returning as the strength in her damaged arm mends and Cassie looks forward to the next shooting match where hopefully a win will earn money for the ranch. Accepting a marriage proposal from Lucas will ensure her stay on the rich Dakota land that she wants to call home, but Cassie still isn't sure of her feelings for the younger of the two Engstrom brothers.

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Step of Faith

A Step of Faith by Richard Paul Evans
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book four in the Walk series by Richard Paul Evans finds our character Alan Christoffersen, who was walking from the state of Washington to Florida, flying back to a medical center near his father’s home in Los Angeles for surgery on his recently found brain tumor. Fortunately, the tumor is found to be benign, and after spending weeks recuperating and against his father’s wishes, Alan flies back to St. Louis to continue his journey – meeting interesting and engaging people along the route. Walking provides an outlet for his jumbled, tortured thoughts and as he approaches the Florida state line, Alan realizes that he is ready to live and love again. But, he has to hold onto hope when a message is left on his cell reporting an emergency at home.

As Alan says, “For now Key West must wait. For the third time since I began, my walk has been delayed. In the beginning, I had considered these stops on my journey as interruptions - but I’m coming to understand that perhaps these detours are my journey. No matter how much I, or the rest of humanity wishes otherwise, life is not lived in smooth downhill expressways, but in the obscure, perilous trails and rocky back roads of life where we stumble and feel our way through the fog of the unknown. Life is not a sprint. It was never meant to be. It is just one step of faith after another.”


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At Every Turn

At Every Turn by Anne Mateer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alyce Benson loves to race her little sports car, especially out in the countryside, but it's only 1916 and women drivers are frowned upon - especially those who don't drive a sedate speed! Alyce is also a bit impulsive - her heart is in the right place but when missionaries come from the Gold Coast of Africa and share the need for funding, a pledge of $3,000 pops out of Alyce's mouth. When her well-to-do father angrily opposes donating the money in her name, Alyce does the only thing that she does well - she enlists the help of her father's mechanic, Wallace, and disguising herself as a man, enters the competition at the Chicago Speedway!

Even though this work of historical fiction is light on the facts, it's still enjoyable. Stepping back into the early 1900s, as in Alyce's case, young women from wealthy homes were expected to be wards of their father's until they married well. Alyce was very fortunate to be able to drive and have her own car - so for women to race was actually unthinkable. A woman was even forbidden to be in the pits - Danica Patrick and NASCAR were way off in the future!

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The Chance

The Chance: A Novel by Karen Kingsbury
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Teenagers Ellie and Nolan are best friends and have been since second grade and it was at their favorite spot - where they had played hide and seek, did homework, and cracked their hearts open - at the biggest Oak tree in Gordonston Park, that Ellie had to tell Nolan that she was leaving Georgia and moving to California. It's the same spot they decide to bury Nolan's old, rusty tackle box with enclosed letters written to each other and then meet again in eleven years to unearth and read the precious words. Will their lives be changed by then or will their dreams be still on hold?

Bestselling Karen Kingsbury writes a sweet, sad novel of choices and how our lives sometimes don't follow the paths we originally choose for ourselves....

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A Season of Angels

A Season of Angels by Thomas Kinkade
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another sweet Christmas novel about Angel Island from the team of Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer - widow and now 90 year old Adele Morgan has come to the island to mend the estrangement between her son Joe, living in Cape Light and younger son, Kevin. Many years before, when Kevin was a desperate alcoholic, Adele's late husband gave him their thriving business in hopes of giving him a purpose in life. But, since the business had really been promised to Joe, it created a terrible, unforgiving chasm between the brothers. Adele has promised herself, before she passes from this life, to do anything to bring them both back together. Even with the help of her grandchildren, Molly and Sam, a miracle by Christmas - if even her lifetime - seems impossible. Also staying at the lovely, old Angel Inn is grad student Jonathan Butler, eager to write his dissertation paper on disproving the existence of the legendary visit of angels to the island during the 1600s,. While doing his research at the Cape Light Historical Society at Lilac Hill, he meets waitress/undergrad student Tess Wyler who also works as a docent and helps Jonathan find the needed information. As Adele and Jonathan remain longer than intended at the Angel Inn, the island seems to work its divine presence upon them.

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The Wedding Dress

The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Charlotte, owner of a classy, contemporary bridal boutique, finds a vintage bridal gown in an old, locked trunk bought from an estate sale, she can't get over the amazing quality and new look to the dress. Charlotte doesn't even consider using the dress for her own upcoming wedding, but she does question the history and secrets of the lovely satin gown. As she searches for past owners, Charlotte's own fading love story pales comparison and she yearns for a true and lasting love of her own.

The story is told from many viewpoints, but only 4 beautiful women will wear the gown.. for now...

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Cross Roads

Cross Roads by Wm. Paul Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Anthony Spencer - cruel egotistical businessman, selfish pitiful loner - the words to describe "Tony" aren't pretty. In his quest to reach the top and hide his failures, Tony spurns any attempts of love and friendship - he trusts no one and no one trusts him. When a brain hemorrhage drops Tony in ICU and a coma claims him - he finds himself in an amazing, surreal world where he finds the Trinity, but in different forms. As Tony examines the man he was, he slowly realizes that even he can be redeemed...

Has it really been 5 years? Young's follow-up to bestseller,The Shack, is a very deep, moving novel worth rereading...perfect for those who doubt God's unending love for humanity..

Note: Wm. Paul Young was born a Canadian and raised among a Stone Age tribe by his missionary parents in the highlands of former New Guinea. He suffered great loss as a child and young adult and now enjoys the "wastefulness of grace" with his family in the Pacific Northwest.

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Dawn Comes Early

Dawn Comes Early by Margaret Brownley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Certainly if you can write a potboiler about ranching there should be no problem living the real deal - right? College-educated Bostonian Kate Tenney is about to find out that ranching in Arizona territory is not all romance and roses. Determined to be the heiress that toughened Eleanor Walker needs to inherit her ranch, Kate will outlast the other applicants - even if means signing the dotted line to never marry. No big deal, her past life experiences have taught her never to trust men - any men. Unfortunately for her and Mrs. Walker, blacksmith Luke Adams and local hombre, Cactus Joe might have a say in the matter.

I love Brownley's characters, especially faith filled ranch hand Ruckus and Luke's aunts - Bessie and Lula-Belle. These two ladies are a hoot and when Bessie decides it's time to make her husband's toes curl with passion - don't be surprised to find yourself laughing out loud!

Next book in the series The Brides of Last Chance Ranch: Waiting for Morning

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Taming the Wind

Taming the Wind by Tracie Peterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Carissa Lowe loves her young daughter, Gloria and has made a new life after the death of her abusive husband – but it includes never trusting another man and never marrying just to have a father for Gloria. Living in Texas with her sister Laura’s family, while her parents are away, proves to be one harrowing adventure after another. When the man who saved her life comes calling at the door, Carissa stands her ground that she’ll never need another, but Gloria has no doubts that Tyler could be her new papa.

Set in Texas when anger still burns hot from the Civil War and dangerous cattle drives and Indian raids are the norm, Taming the Wind, finishes the adventures of the Land of the Lone Star.


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The Bridge: A Novel by Karen Kingsbury
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Charlie and Donna Barton have given their all to those who enter their quaint little bookstore in Franklin, Tennessee. It has been a meeting place for students, young lovers, and getaways for older married couples. When the 100 year flood rolls through and ruins their inventory, there is no money to restock the shelves and Charlie, especially, feels as though life is over. As he mulls over his future, Charlie realizes that he's worth more dead then alive and actually puts thought into planning an "accident." As his car begins to slip on the icy road home, Charlie is distraught over what Donna will go through after his death - but the car has already lost traction...

Karen Kingsbury writes another little inspirational book for Christmas, reminding me of the first wonderful little books I read of hers - the Red Glove series.

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The Reason

The Reason by William Sirls
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

During a horrible storm, lightning strikes the huge wooden cross outside of St. Thomas' Church - Pastor Jim Lindy and his almost nonexistent congregation do not have the funds to replace it. When little five year old Alex Thomas and his mother Brooke, who live with Pastor Lindy, his wife Shirley and grown son Charlie, mention it at the hospital where he's having tests done, Dr. Macey Lewis rounds up a few people to lend a hand. They include her co-worker Dr. Zach Norman, NP Kaitlyn Harby , and carpenter and volunteer Kenneth, who keeps oddly repeating, "only believe." Dr. Lewis makes quick friends with Alex and his family and although dismayed when the test conclude Alex has aggressive leukemia - she knows as a oncologist, she is the best at what she does - finding answers and helping children like Alex beat cancer. But, what do you do when leukemia will not respond to the strongest medication and treatments. Kenneth repeats, "only believe."

A compelling look at faith, doubts, and miracles...

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Whispers in the Wind by Lauraine Snelling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 2 of the Wild West Wind series by Snelling continues the story of Cassie Lockwood and her rag/tag family from the Wild West show searching for her father's ranch in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The second book picks up where Cassie had just found her ranch already owned and occupied by the Engstrom family, close friends and partners of her deceased father. Trying to find a way to fit in, as she really does own the deed to a share of the Bar E Ranch, Cassie is warmly welcomed by Mavis Engstrom, her daughter Gretchen and younger son Lucas, but not so much by Ransom, the eldest son. Cassie's Wild West family, no shirkers of hard work, jump in to help where they can on the ranch before the worst of winter arrives. However, Cassie feels responsible for them, and worries incessantly over the money it will take to feed and clothe them and feed their troupe of animals as well. Can Cassie trust in the Lord to answer her many needs?

A sweet book about faith and trust and fitting in. I'm looking forward to number three in the Wild West Wind series.

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