Red Rose Bouquet: A Contemporary Christian Novel (Grace Revealed Book 2) by Jennifer Rodewald

Book Description:

The dark places in life have taught her this much—some things simply cannot be forgiven.

Cheryl Thompson learned over a decade ago to guard her shattered heart with a veil of cold indifference. Life since that day has been an endless cycle of detachment and loneliness, followed by superficial relationships. Break up, rinse, and repeat. Until something in her snaps. This life…she can't do it anymore. She returns to her childhood home in the Colorado Rockies to help her nana, only to discover a man capable of thawing her iced-over emotions—a man she knows she doesn’t deserve, so she pushes him away. But he keeps coming back.

Brock Kelly lived high as King of the Slopes in the world of snowboard cross racing. Medals. Money. Fame. But after a visit to an orphanage in Mexico, he gave up his adrenaline-packed lifestyle to follow a calling from God he didn’t know he had—helping kids who’d been damaged emotionally. When his best friend's baby sister returns to town, he recognizes the hollow look in her eyes and sees the pain beneath her icy armor. It seems God has issued new call on his life. One he is not prepared for.

Falling in love with a woman who keeps secrets is dangerous all on its own. But when Cheryl finally tells Brock what she's never told anyone else...no wonder she is the way she is. It would take a miracle to heal that wound, and a love bigger than Brock had ever imagined to walk with her through the process.

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Wow, I am a little overwhelmed with emotion, as I have just finished reading this novel. Rodewald took a delicate and controversial subject and brought it to life in an honest, heartfelt and redeeming way. I do not want to give away too much here, but understand that going into this novel there are subjects that may be hard for some to read, but also may be good for them to read at the same time.  This is most definitely not a light hearted novel. This novel, has a message and it is a good one; but it will bring tears and work on your heart.

We first meet Cheryl in Book 1, Blue Columbine. Cheryl is abrasive and not a warm and fuzzy character, but you get to the heart of why that is in this novel. I enjoyed Blue Columbine, which dealt with one of the main characters being an alcoholic. In that novel too, I felt like Rodewald did a wonderful job of conveying the struggles of the person in need of help, as well as those who are there trying to help. However, in this story I felt like Rosewald really took it up a notch. She powerfully brought to life the struggles and truths in this situation, in a way that was both moving and transformative.

There are no perfect people, but there is a perfect Savior. While our love is not perfect, His absolutely is. Christ offers grace and He can and does redeem anything. There is no sin that is too great for God to redeem. This is the beauty that this story portrays.

Definitely worth the read!

A Moonbow Night by Laura Frantz

Book Description:

After fleeing Virginia, Temperance Tucker and her family established an inn along the Shawnee River. It's a welcome way station for settlers and frontiersmen traveling through the wild Cumberland region of Kentucke--men like Sion Morgan, a Virginia surveyor who arrives at the inn with his crew looking for an experienced guide. When his guide appears, Sion balks. He certainly didn't expect a woman. But it is not long before he must admit that Tempe's skill in the wilderness rivals his own. Still, the tenuous tie they are forming is put to the test as they encounter danger after danger and must rely on each other.

With her signature sweeping style and ability to bring the distant past to vivid life, Laura Frantz beckons readers to join her in a land of Indian ambushes, conflicting loyalties, and a tentative love that meanders like a cool mountain stream.

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Laura Frantz is one of those authors who have me preordering her books once they are available. Ever since the first novel I picked up by her I have been hooked; and usually from the first page. Which is why, I was a little shocked that it took me longer to be captivated by this story. Don't get me wrong, from the very beginning Frantz weaves her magic with her wording; it is both eloquent, provocative and beautifully descriptive. I'm not sure why it took me longer to be fully invested, but being a fan of Frantz, I knew that the story was sure to be good. And she did not disappoint! All at once, I was held captivate and found it hard to step away from the pages, and indeed it kept me up late finishing it.

Frantz's stories are historically rich and descriptive, and they transport you to another time and place; capturing your imagination and most often leaving you in awe. Her stunning grasp of the time period, influences, speech and life details are so abundant and woven so well that you move seamlessly through the story. She brings deep truths and aspects of faith to the story but in a completely organic way. And she completely delivers, a story that not only stimulates the mind but can enrich both the spirit and soul.

I find myself in awe of this generation, who lived in this land during a time of great unrest and danger, no matter where you lived, and who you were. The bold, brave and determined people who made the way for many to follow. There were obviously some who marked a course for out betterment, while there were others who's actions make you want to cry. Such is the truth of history, the good and the bad. Those who inspire and those who show us the course we do not want to take. 

There is so much more to say, especially about Tempe, Sion and a rich cast of characters. I enjoyed getting to know them, seeing them be stretched and watching the unfolding relationships. I was refreshed by the honesty, the heartfelt pondering, purity and sweetness of the growing relationship between Tempe and Sion. Watching them both work through their past hurts and fears, and move towards a place of freedom. All in all, definitely worth the read!

Never Forget (Beacons of Hope Book 5) by Jody Hedlund

Book Description:

Rose Island Lighthouse, Rhode Island
June 1880

Will she betray his trust to stay on the island she loves?

Abbie Watson is content to spend her days clamming, crabbing, and tending Rose Island Lighthouse. Her grandpa is the head light keeper, but his senility may lead to their eviction. Since leaving the island would kill her beloved Gramps, Abbie will do anything to keep him in the one place he knows and loves.

Wealthy Nathaniel Winthrop III’s wild living has gained him a reputation as the ‘bad boy’ among the elite social circles of Newport. After a blow to the head in a yachting accident washes him up on Rose Island, Nathaniel has no memories of his past.

Abbie tends the wounded stranger in her home only to realize he assumes they’re married. Although she knows she needs to correct Nathaniel’s mistake, his presence calms Gramps and provides a way to prevent eviction from the lighthouse.

The longer the charade continues, the harder it gets for Abbie to tell Nathaniel the truth, more so as she begins to fall in love. Everyone she’s ever loved has abandoned her. Will Nathaniel leave her too, once he discovers he’s not really her husband? 

**NOTE: Never Forget is Book 5 in the Beacons of Hope series but can be read as a standalone novel.

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   While this story took me a little longer to get into, it ended up grabbing my attention and kept me up reading late tonight. Never Forget, the final book in the Beacons of Hope series, had me wondering what would become of these two! Abbie, while tenderhearted and hardworking, has entrenched herself with her lies. And Nathaniel has made several bad choices and is feeling the consequences. There are so many lessons wrapped up in this one; obviously honesty and living a godly life, but woven in are the threads of family, hope, forgiveness, trust, marriage and redemption.

   I loved seeing Nathaniel transform and eventually Abbie too. Both had to make some hard decisions and trust God to ultimately work it all out. Their chemistry and affection felt very real and I enjoyed the moments between them. Fans of the series will delight in this last installment!

   Can Nathaniel believe he has been made new in Christ and live it out? What happens when he discovers Abbie's deception? And what will happen when his past catches up with him? Can Abby trust God and find security in the fact that He will never leave her? Can she be brave and honest? And what about the threats she is receiving from Zeke? How will she care for her grandpa? And what about those rumors of treasure? I guess you will just have to read this one to find out!

Then Came You: A Bradford Sisters Novella by Becky Wade

Book Description:

A leather-bound journal. A single father. A woman in pursuit of freedom.

Garner Bradford, heir to the troubled Bradford Shipping empire, doesn't know much about babies. But he's going to have to learn fast because he's just become a single father to his newborn daughter. As he confesses through his journal entries, he's not entirely sure how to keep a newborn alive, whether or not he'll ever patch together his shattered heart, or how to forgive himself for his mistakes.

Career girl Kathleen Burke is wholly uninterested in settling down. She has big dreams, and none of them include Garner and his small hometown in Washington State. Yet she can't seem to get her handsome boss out of her head or her heart. There's something extraordinarily tempting about his beautifully sad green eyes. . . . 

Told through journal entries, phone conversations, and letters, Then Came You is a unique, heart-stirring romance novella by acclaimed author Becky Wade.

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I am super excited about Wade's newest series, and this was the perfect way to jump start it! Stepping out of her normal mode of writing, Wade tell this story through journal entries, letters, and phone conversations. Initially it was Garner's journal entries that hooked me. But further in Kathleen's story drew me in as well. I was captivated and quiet honestly couldn't stop thinking about their story as I had to step away from it from time to time today. I was so very eager to dive right back in and honestly a little sad that it is over.

Garner's story will tug at your heart, and even brought moisture to my eyes at one point. I truly felt for him and what he was going through. Wade did a wonderful job of bringing these characters and their story to life in this unconventional way, and it was heartfelt and delightful. I am very eager to begin Book 1, True to You in May!

Rescue Me (Montana Rescue #2) by Susan May Warren

Book Description:

When Deputy Sam Brooks commits to something, nothing can sway him--not just on the job as liaison between the Mercy Falls sheriff's department and PEAK Rescue, but in his private life. He's the one who stuck around to take care of his mother after his father's accidental death. And he's the one--perhaps the only one--who believes Sierra Rose is the perfect girl for him. Safe, practical, and organized, she's nothing like her hippie, impulsive, bleeding heart sister, Willow.

Willow, however, has been in love with Sam Brooks for as long as she can remember. But she wants her sister to have a happy ending. Besides, Willow has other things to focus on--namely, nabbing the job as youth pastor for her small-town church. Best thing for her to do is to purge Sam from her heart.

Neither can predict the events that will bring them together in a fight for their lives in the forbidding wilderness of Glacier National Park. Stranded, injured, and with the winter weather closing in, Sam and Willow will have to work together to save a crew of terrified teenagers. As they fight to survive, they might just discover a new hope for love.

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Rescue Me is another fantastic novel by Warren! There is so much wrapped within its' pages that I am not sure my review can do it justice, but I will try. First off, I highly encourage you to read this series in order. There are a few characters that crossover from Warren's previous series, Montana Fire, but you do not have to read that series first to read this one. If you have however, that would be great! But starting with If Ever I Would Leave You, the prequel to this series (which is currently free by the way) would be the way to go, following up with Book 1, Wild Montana Skies.

All of the characters you have come to know and love are back! Which is of course a big deal, because let's face it Warren writes well developed and interesting characters that you can't help but be enamored with. This novel has layered storytelling, with several different POV; this does not detract but totally adds to the build up. There is of course the main story going on between Sam and Willow, but then you have Sam's brother, Pete and Jess's story playing out as well. And lurking in there is the continuing saga of Ian and Sierra; just small bits but we know this is building up to their story down the line.

Warren writes complex characters, ones who are not perfect but are moving forward. You can't help but root for them, hang on the edge of your seat for them and hope for the best outcome. I mean, these are like real people (wink, at least they are in my mind)! The action in this story just keeps coming and you will find it impossibly hard, past the intro to put this story down! It so consumed me I was up way past my bedtime last night finishing it. But it was worth it! Umm, yes it was that good!

The action, the romance, the suspense between the two - wow! I was on edge, in a good way, waiting to see how they would all make it out safely and I hoped with their relationships worked out. Sam and Willow had a sweet and touching story. Don't get me wrong there were some road blocks along the way. But watching them navigate through it all was tugging on my heart. That and seeing Sam and Pete working through their issues separately and with each other. As I said earlier there is way too much wrapped up in this novel to do it justice, just read it! Read about the suspense, action and romance, but more than that is the way Warren organically weaves in deep truths. I love that about her novels. Warren is not preachy but she manages to communicate these truths in a way that reaches the reader. Grace, forgiveness, identity, hope, trust, sacrifice, pride, love... on and on I could go, there is a lot to credit this story.

I cannot wait for Book 3, and really the rest of this series to unfold! I am totally in!