Jaded: A Novel (Mended Hearts Series Book 1) by Varina Denman

Book Description:

As a child, Ruthie was shunned by the local congregation. Thirteen years later, Ruthie’s heart begins to stir when an attractive single preacher arrives. But their relationship is bitterly opposed—unearthing a string of secrets which threaten to turn the church, the town, and her world upside-down.

Jaded is the rare novel that is both love story between a woman and man ... and God and His church. Plunging deep into the waters of shame, forgiveness and restoration, it will resonate with every woman who’s experienced a loss of heart ... and a thirst for hope.

Varina Denman writes stories about the unique struggles women face. She teaches creative writing and literature, volunteers in her local cooperative, and is a home educator to her five children. She resides with her family in North Texas. This is her first novel.

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I have been wanting to read this one for a while. Between great reviews and a good book description, Jaded captured my attention. Having never read a book by Denman before I was a little unsure of what to expect, but she blew me away. This novel, was soooo good! And I can't wait to read the rest in the series.

Jaded is a story about the messiness, and the beautiful parts of life. We see people with all their hang-ups and sin, but we also see the love and value found in relationship; not only with others but with God. Denman shows us, that yes, even the Church can get it wrong at times. We can trust the wrong people and make bad choices, but we can also ask for and offer forgiveness. We can reach out and impact the lives of others with blessings or curses. We can be light or darkness. I loved going on this journey with these characters and cannot wait to see what awaits in Book 2, Justified!

Absolutely worth the read!

So Rare a Gift (Daughters of His Kingdom Book 3) by Amber Lynn Perry

Book Description:

Escape is Anna Rone’s only option. Never again will she be trapped in a loveless marriage. A new life in America means safety—and discovering the truth behind her beloved brother’s death. But when she is nearly captured and forced to return to England, her vow to never marry for anything but love is forgotten when she must marry for protection. Perhaps the handsome man she accepts is truly as caring as he seems. If he is not, her future in America is darker than ever before.

Captain Henry Donaldson aided the colonists too many times. And now, the British army intends to make him pay with his life. Without his friends in Sandwich, he would be a dead man. He’s already changed his name, and when the kind, courageous woman he rescued offers to become his bride, he accepts despite the risks. His past taught him that women are not to be trusted and that love can cut deeper than the sword. Only time will reveal if this choice will bring the greatest pain he’s ever known.

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   Absolutely wonderful! So Rare a Gift is the 3rd Book in the fantastic Daughters of His Kingdom Series. I have to say that this may be my favorite of the three thus far... Because I am really hoping Perry is currently working on a Book 4; so we will see!

   From the start you are catapulted into the tensions and dangers faced by those who are caught up in the pre-Revolutionary War period. Things are starting to happen and both sides have reason to fear. Perry had me completely engaged and kept me that way throughout the book. In fact, I stayed up to finish this one.

   I loved the characters, especially our two main characters for this novel. While Captain Henry Donaldson was present in the first two novels, in this novel we really get a feel for his character. And he is wonderful! Sure, he has his doubts, and can let his past taint his present at times. But hey, no one is perfect. However, his loyalty, his friendships, faith and the way he honors and cares for Anna is wondrous to behold. And Anna, she just shines; she is lovely inside and out. I loved seeing her openness and willingness to trust. She battles fear, and insecurity, but she overcomes!

   This novel is sure to please fans of Perry's first two books. You cannot help but be delighted with the plot, the action, the romance and faith elements that blend harmoniously together to craft such a great novel! I definitely recommend this one!

*** Okay, I really blundered and accidentally deleted my review for Book 1! Which was awesome! I believe several of you already read it, whew! Now, you may have noticed there was no review for Book 2 - oops! I will just say, that I really enjoyed it!

The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep

Book Description:

Proper English governess Eleanor Morgan flees to the colonies to escape the wrath of a brute of an employer. When the Charles Town family she’s to work for never arrives to collect her from the dock, she is forced to settle for the only reputable choice remaining to her—marriage to a man she’s never met. Trapper and tracker Samuel Heath is a hardened survivor used to getting his own way by brain or by brawn, and he’s determined to find a mother for his young daughter. But finding a wife proves to be impossible. No upstanding woman wants to marry a murderer.

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   Captivating and well told this novel is sure to be a keeper! Griep drew me into the story from the start, and had me fascinated with her portrayal of early settler life and the unease rising up before the Revolutionary War. Her cast of characters further intrigued me; from the main characters down to the secondary ones, they were well drawn out and engaging. In truth, Griep could most certainly make this a series; although I see no plans for that to happen.

   This novel weaves in faith, action, adventure, drama and romance seamlessly; and you can't but help to enjoy the journey! While this is the first novel I have read by Griep, it will most certainly not be the last!

   Absolutely wonderful from beginning to end!

A Royal Christmas Wedding (Royal Wedding Series, Book 4) by Rachel Hauck

Book Description:

Avery Truitt aches for true love—the kind she once shared with Prince Colin. Can she dare to hope for happily ever after, or is a fairy-tale ending beyond reach?

College volleyball star Avery Truitt has not seen her former flame, Prince Colin of Brighton Kingdom, since he suddenly pushed her away five years ago. But now, the sadness of losing her father and the joy of her sister Susanna’s pregnancy have brought Avery back to Brighton just in time for Cathedral City’s enchanting Christmas season.

Avery knows she can’t avoid seeing Colin—now the Kingdom’s most eligible bachelor—whether or not her heart is ready to relive the pain. But seeing him again might bring her the closure she needs after all this time.

When Colin finds himself at the center of a centuries-old Brighton tradition, he must decide whether to follow the path laid out before him or follow his heart to the only woman for whom he would ring the Pembroke Chapel Bell.

Can Colin convince Avery to meet him at the chapel on Christmas morning—as tradition dictates—or will Avery run back to her St. Simons home and pursue a coaching career as planned?

In the fourth installment of the Royal Wedding Series, New York Times bestselling novelist, Rachel Hauck, weaves a charming story of holiday romance as two broken hearts seek the love they once knew.

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Absolutely delightful! I sped through this one today, and with a grin on my face for the most part! What a fantastic series this has been. A Royal Christmas Wedding is a perfect book to curl up with for an afternoon, but I warn you that you will not want to put it down.

I enjoyed seeing all the previous cast from the series again and finally getting to see Colin and Avery's story play out. This is truly a gem and a wonderful wrap-up to the series. Sweet, romantic and such a fun read!

Wild Montana Skies (Montana Rescue Book #1) by Susan May Warren

Book Description:

Search and rescue pilot Kacey Fairing is home on leave in Mercy Falls, Montana, twelve years after she joined the military to escape the mistakes of her past. With a job waiting for her as the new lead pilot of Peak Rescue in Glacier National Park, Kacey hopes to reconnect with the now-teenage daughter she sees only between deployments. What she doesn't realize is that someone else is also back in town.

Ben King has been building his country music career since the day Kacey shut him out of her life. Now all of that's on hold when his injured father calls him home to help run Peak Rescue until he's fully recovered. It doesn't take long, though, to discover his father's ulterior motives as Kacey Fairing walks into the house and back into his heart.

With Mercy Falls in a state of emergency due to flash floods, Kacey and Ben are forced to work together to save lives. But when floodwaters turn personal, can they put aside the past to save their future?

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She did it again; Warren exceeded my expectations! Wild Montana Skies is a firm foundation for Warren's newest series, Montana Rescue. This is a romantic adventure novel filled with action, faith, drama and not only a superb plot line but also secondary ones as well! The theme of this novel is second chances. Not only is this a first loves novel about Ben and Kacey, but along with their second chance at love is the prodigal story of faith woven in. Warren does an exceptional job of tying this all in together. We are shown the truth that no matter how far we run or how far we fall, He is there waiting with open arms to restore us to a right relationship with Him. We cannot out sin Him, His grace is sufficient. And we can not out run His love. He can take our mistakes and bring forth beauty from ashes, and wash away our sin and shame. Beautiful!

As I mentioned, this novel has plenty of action and between that and the relationship dramas I was glued! Seriously, I could not put it down and had to stay up and finish this book late last night. The characters are so well written, and not just the main characters but also the secondary ones as well. I am fascinated and cannot wait to see all these story threads play out through the series.

For those of you who read the prequel, If Ever I Would Leave You, you will be thrilled to see Ian and Sierra's story continue in Book 1. Warren's most recent series, Montana Fire does have a tie-in to this one but if you have not read that series you will be okay. This novel can be read as a stand alone, although I would read the prequel first if you can. I just like having all the back story information.

Highly worth the read! I cannot wait for Book 2 due out at the end of January 2017! Thank you Susie for another fantastic read!

Since You've Been Gone by Christa Allan

Book Description:

One moment, Olivia Kavanaugh is preparing to walk down the aisle and embrace her own happily ever after. The next, she learns that her fiancé, Wyatt Hammond, has been in a fatal car accident. Then comes a startling discovery: Wyatt’s car wasn’t heading toward the church. He was fifty miles away…with a baby gift in the backseat.

Her faith shaken, Olivia pores over the clues left behind, desperate to know where Wyatt was going that day and why. As she begins uncovering secrets, she also navigates a tense relationship with her judgmental mother and tries to ignore the attentions of a former boyfriend who’s moved back home. But when she starts receiving letters written by Wyatt before his death, she must confront a disturbing question: Can we ever know anyone fully, even someone we love?

When an unexpected path forward—though nothing like the life she once envisioned—offers the promise of a new beginning, will she be strong enough to let go of the past and move toward it?

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   Since You've Been Gone is the first book that I have read by Allan. And as is the case with any new to you Author, you are not sure what to expect. From the beginning, Allan hooked me in. The mystery with all the circumstances of Wyatt's death will pull you all the way through the novel.

   To be honest, this novel left me with mixed emotions. I would say that the first half of the book had me completely glued but then things slowed down and I got a little frustrated. I won't pretend that I can understand all the grief, anger and other emotions a person caught up in these circumstances would feel. I will say that, I believe Allan wrote out her character, Olivia with a lot of thought and honesty. Which at times made me want to shake Olivia and wake her up out of her self-focused, cloud of grief. There were aspects to Olivia's character that I just did not like, but she was not a unlikeable character. She, as well as other characters in this novel, particularly her mother both had a mixed up view of God. I was really hoping, to see more come out of this novel faith wise for these women than I did. Not to say that there was not growth, there was, but it lacked where I hoped and thought it could have gone.

   While Olivia looked to blame God (or others) for everything and kept herself at a distance from Him. Her mother acted more like the Pharisees Jesus encountered . Ruthie, Olivia's Grandmother seemed to have a better grasp on God, grace and faith. She was, one of my favorite characters. However, there was one thing that she said that bothered me. I got the heart of what she was saying, and maybe it is just semantics, but still it dug at me. Towards the end of the novel she tells Olivia, "Being a victim is a decision. Happiness is a decision, too. I don't believe in Santa-Claus God, but He does want us to be happy.". Really, God wants us to be holy. He allows things in our lives to draw us closer to Him, and to be refined. He desires for us to seek Him and to trust Him. Our life's purpose is to glorify Him and to enjoy Him. There is a difference between happiness, which is circumstantial, and the joy that is from Him (not circumstantial). We are never promised happiness on this earth, we are in fact told to expect trials. But Ruthie is right in that it is a choice. We must choose Him, choose joy.

Overall, this was a good read and it does give you some things to ponder.  Also, this is currently available with Kindle Unlimited!

A Lady Unrivaled (Ladies of the Manor Book #3) by Roseanna M. White

Book Description:

White Is Quickly Becoming the Top Name in Edwardian Romance 
Lady Ella Myerston can always find a reason to smile--even if it's just in hope that tomorrow will be better than today. All her life everyone has tried to protect her from the realities of the world, but Ella knows very well the danger that has haunted her brother and their friend, and she won't wait for it to strike again. She intends to take action . . . and if that happens to involve an adventurous trip to the Cotswolds, then so much the better.

Lord Cayton has already broken two hearts, including that of his first wife, who died before he could convince himself to love her. Now he's determined to live a better life. But that proves complicated when old friends arrive on the scene and try to threaten him into a life of crime. He does his best to remove the intriguing Lady Ella from danger, but the stubborn girl won't budge. How else can he redeem himself, though, but by saving her--and his daughter--from those dangerous people who seem ready to destroy them all?

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   A Lady Unrivaled, is a shining gem in the series! I was expecting this novel to be a good read, but I was in no way expecting to love it like I did! White captured my interest early on and held it all the way through.

   Ella, is quiet simply, just delightful! This is one character you have no trouble loving; she is happy, playful, hopeful and wise. I like that she was a strong female lead but not in a showy way. Her strength comes through in her character; her ability to look beyond, to trust and have faith even when others doubt or circumstances are more than what they seem. She stands firm and holds to her convictions.
 
   Seeing Cayton's transformation and spiritual growth was another gem in this tale! I really enjoyed this pair. Their banter and interactions were well written and very engaging. I chuckled several times and definitely had a grin upon my face.

   The Fire Eyes mystery and suspense finally comes to ahead and is wrapped up well. White brings previous characters from Book 1 & 2 back, and finishes off both this novel and series in a satisfying and well thought out way. I can highly recommend this one!

 

Puss without Boots: A Puss in Boots Retelling (Fairy Tale Kingdoms Book 1) by Shari L. Tapscott

Book Description:

Finding your happily ever after is complicated when your matchmaker is a cat...

Etta's happy with her simple life in the mill, but when her aunt passes and leaves her a very peculiar cat, everything goes awry. Now, determined to find her place in the world, Etta's learning to hunt, having audiences with a king, and falling for a man who's keeping something from her.

Beau's happy at sea until his father passes and leaves him with an odd last request. Now he's setting up shop in a small town, searching for ogres, and, inconveniently, falling for the miller's sister—who just happens to be taken with someone else.

It soon becomes clear that if Etta and Beau want to get anywhere, they'll need not only each other's help, but the cat's as well. But putting your trust in a feline is difficult, especially when you're not exactly sure what it is he has planned...

A romantic retelling based on the original beloved fairy tale,Puss in Boots.
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   I vaguely remember the story of Puss and Boots from when I was a child; I do remember that I liked it quiet a bit. I wasn't sure how I would like this retelling of the story, but Tapscott is a wonderful writer and I have thoroughly enjoyed her very imaginative novels thus far, so I gave it a go! I am so glad that I did. This was truly a delightful tale!

   A wonderful cast of characters, including the cat, draw you in. I enjoyed the twist to the tale and the friendship and romance that progress through the book. Sweet, enchanting and pure fun!

 

Newton and Polly: A Novel of Amazing Grace by Jody Hedlund

Book Description:

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound 
that saved a wretch like me. 
I once was lost, but now am found…

Now remembered as the author of the world’s most famous hymn, in the mid-eighteenth century as England and France stand on the brink of war, John Newton is a young sailor wandering aimlessly through life. His only duty is to report to his ship and avoid disgracing his father—until the night he hears Polly Catlett’s enchanting voice, caroling. He’s immediately smitten and determined to win her affection.

An intense connection quickly forms between the two, but John’s reckless spirit and disregard for the Christian life are concerns for the responsible, devout Polly. When an ill-fated stop at a tavern leaves John imprisoned and bound, Polly must choose to either stand by his side or walk out of his life forever. Will she forfeit her future for the man she loves?

Step back through the pages of history, to uncover the true love story behind a song that continues to stir the hearts and ignite the faith of millions around the globe.

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   Prior to reading this novel I knew a little bit about the history of John Newton, the author of the hymn, Amazing Grace. A song that has touched so many lives through the years. Newton's love for Polly is something to behold. However, Newton is a mess. He continually makes bad choices and pays the consequences for them. Still in the midst of all his trials, you can see the grace of God. God working and reaching out to him. Sadly, it takes Newton many a hard lesson and falling far into the pit before he can see his way out.

   Polly, while her struggles are not as obvious, is too in need of God's grace. She struggles with pride and other heart issues. I was incredibly touched and moved by this story. Hedlund penned their story so well and brought forth their pitfalls, love and deep truths of faith with such ease and flow, that it all felt real and natural. I especially love how at the end of each novel, Hedlund goes into separating the fiction and the fact. She references her sources for the facts; for those of you who would like to dig deeper.

   I am still just meditating upon this story. Truly a reflection of the power of grace and love at work. I highly recommend the read!