Category Archives: Christian

November 7, 2018 · 11:58 pm

Review: On Magnolia Lane by Denise Hunter

Title: On Magnolia Lane by Denise Hunter
Blue Ridge Series Book Three
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom and A December Bride (now beloved Hallmark Original movies) comes the final book in the Blue Ridge Romance series.

Falling in love with Daisy was easy for Jack. But finding the courage to tell her becomes problematic when his secret feelings lead to even bigger complications.

After two years of counseling sessions with Daisy Pendleton, Pastor Jack McReady has earned a permanent spot in her life as a spiritual leader—and nothing more. Jack would never risk losing her trust by exposing the depths of his heart, but he’s hopelessly in love with her.

Daisy loves her southern small-town life and her job at her family-run flower shop, but she doesn’t have the thing she longs for most: someone to share it with. Her recent foray into online dating has been a disaster—until she meets TJ.

Jack could kill his friend Noah for using his initials and some indistinct photos to set up a profile on the dating app Daisy is using. But when he’s finally afforded the opportunity to show her a different side of himself, he’s sucked into the plan before he has time for second thoughts.

Online, Daisy shares some of her greatest fears with TJ, but in person, Jack and Daisy are spending more time together. When a devastating family secret surfaces, Daisy knows that only her trusted friend and counselor can bring her comfort. Jack wants nothing more than to be both men for Daisy, but revealing his secret will prove to be the ultimate test of Daisy’s grace.

Review:

On Magnolia Lane by Denise Hunter is a sweet, heartwarming Christian romance. Although this latest release is the third novel in the Blue Ridge series, it can be read as a standalone. However I HIGHLY recommend the entire series.

Pastor Jack McReady is in love with Daisy Pendleton but due to their age difference and the fact he is her pastor, he keeps his feelings to himself. Unbeknownst to Jack, Daisy is using a dating app and one of his friends has created a profile for Jack on the same site. Despite his serious reservations about deceiving Daisy, Jack (who goes by TJ on the app) continues chatting with her on the site. In real life, the two of them are unexpectedly growing closer since Daisy is finally viewing Jack as more than her pastor.  Jack’s conscious is telling him to confess the truth to Daisy, but will she understand his reason for his deception?

Jack is a wonderful pastor who is quite devoted to his congregation. While he is very confident in his career, he is shy and awkward around women. Although there are no restrictions about him dating someone from his congregation, Jack has been uncomfortable about taking his relationship with Daisy beyond friendship. When jealousy strikes, he makes a split second decision to continue getting to know Daisy as TJ. Never quite at ease with deceiving her, Jack eagerly looks forward to exchanging messages with her and he is quite delighted when, in real life, Daisy begins to consider more than just her spiritual guide.

Daisy is kind-hearted, compassionate and very involved in the local community.  She works alongside her mother and grandmother in their family owned florist shop. While her floral creations are much admired, Daisy suffers from low self-esteem. During their one on one sessions,  Pastor Jack has been a guiding force in helping her change the way she views herself. Although she sees him socially quite frequently, she views him pastor first and a friend last. After learning shocking information about her family, Daisy gradually begins to realize there is more to Jack than his vocation. Yet she is conflicted about her growing feelings for Jack since she is also quite smitten with TJ. What will happen when Daisy discovers that no one, including Jack, is as perfect as she believes?

On Magnolia Lane is an endearing romance that also provides a heartfelt lesson about grace and forgiveness. Jack and Daisy are richly developed characters whose flaws are wonderfully offset by their kindness and compassion. While Jack is quick to confess and ask forgiveness for his mistakes, Daisy is deeply disappointed by the discovery that her heroes are not infallible. Denise Hunter brings the novel to an uplifting, sigh-worthy conclusion. I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend this final installment in the Blue Ridge series to fans of the genre.

Comments Off on Review: On Magnolia Lane by Denise Hunter

Filed under Blue Ridge Series, Christian, Contemporary, Denise Hunter, Inspirational, On Magnolia Lane, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing

September 10, 2018 · 11:58 pm

Review: Ours for a Season by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Title: Ours for a Season by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Publisher: WaterBrook
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Women’s Fiction
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

An Old Order Mennonite couple’s vows and beliefs are challenged in this stirring contemporary novel for fans of Cindy Woodsmall or Shelley Shepherd Gray.

Anthony and Marty Hirschler are part of an Old Order Mennonite community in Pine Hill, Indiana. The couple has grown apart since a doctor confirmed they would never have children. Marty longs to escape the tight-knit area where large families are valued, and the opportunity to do so arises when her childhood friend, Brooke Spalding, resurfaces with the wild idea of rebuilding a ghost town into a resort community. Brooke hires Anthony to help with the construction, drawing the Hirschlers away from Indiana and into her plan, and then finds herself diagnosed with cancer. Moral complications with Brooke’s vision for a casino as part of the resort and the discovery of a runaway teenager hiding on the property open up a world neither the Hirschlers nor Brooke had considered before. Will they be able to overcome their challenges and differences to help the ones among them hurting the most?

Review:

Ours for a Season by Kim Vogel Sawyer is an emotional journey of self discovery, resilience and faith.

Marty Hirschler and her husband Anthony have been married for sixteen years but the past few years have been quite difficult. The discovery she would never have children has sent Marty into a crisis of faith. She has also withdrawn from Anthony and the rest of their community. Her best friend Brooke Spalding’s proposal for Anthony to head up a huge restoration project is the answer to Marty’s prayers.   Upon their arrival, Marty discovers Brooke has just been diagnosed with cancer and she refuses to allow her best friend to go through her upcoming ordeal on her own. Will Marty finally decide to trust God to help her as she encounters many unexpected challenges in the upcoming months?

Marty has closed her heart to both God and Anthony as she struggles to accept she will never have the family she dreamed of. She is bitter, full of sorrow and resentful as she pushes everyone, including Anthony, away from her.  With Anthony gone on yet another construction project, Marty makes a fervent plea to escape her regular life.  With her prayer answered, she is reunited with Brooke and she finds purpose in aiding her friend in her battle. Over the next several months, Marty gradually begins feeling hopeful for her future.

Anthony is just as disappointed about not having children as Marty, but he remains certain this is part of God’s plan. His faith never wavers as he and his beloved wife traverse their new course, but he fears Marty will never find her way back to him. Anthony is encouraged by the changes in Marty and he treads lightly when it appears their marriage might finally recover from the devastating blow dealt to them.

Brooke has come a long way from her dysfunctional and poverty stricken childhood. She is a successful businesswoman who is on the cusp of realizing her goal. Learning she has cancer is a turning point as she realizes her professional success is not the legacy she wants to leave behind. Brooke is fiercely independent and she at first resists Marty’s efforts to help her.  Initially feeling unworthy of God’s love and grace, Brooke discovers the peace and joy missing from her life as she discovers the healing power of  her spiritual journey.

Ours for a Season by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a powerful novel of faith, hope and friendship. All of the characters are well-drawn with relatable flaws and realistic growth as they begin to heal.  Kim Vogel Sawyer tackles some very difficult subject matter such as infertility, cancer and human trafficking which results in a thought-provoking storyline that has quite a bit of depth.  I absolutely loved and highly recommend this uplifting novel of resilience and faith to readers of Christian fiction.

Comments Off on Review: Ours for a Season by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Filed under Christian, Contemporary, Kim Vogel Sawyer, Ours for a Season, Rated B+, Review, WaterBrook Press, Women's Fiction

April 25, 2018 · 11:58 pm

Review: Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter

Title: Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter
Blue Ridge Romance Series Book Two
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

After Brady Collins’ ex-wife dies, he receives devastating news—his nine-month-old son Sam isn’t his son at all. And Sam’s wealthy maternal grandparents want custody of the child. Brady knows he’s in for the fight of his life. But regardless of what any blood test says, Sam is his son, and Brady will go to any lengths to keep him.

Brady’s attorney tips him off that one major life change would virtually assure him of winning guardianship of baby Sam at the final hearing: an impending marriage. And his friend Hope is willing to step in as the loving and devoted fiance.

Local radio celebrity Hope Daniels has been driven by a solitary goal her entire life, and after a happy accident she’s finally offered her dream job. But if the truth comes out about her arrangement with Brady, she may miss the chance of a lifetime and stand in the way of a dear friend’s dreams.

As Brady and Hope make sacrifices to help each other in their times of need, they risk uncovering a truth neither of them expects to find.

Review:

Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter is an incredibly sweet and heartfelt marriage of convenience romance. This latest addition to the Blue Ridge Romance series can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend the entire series.

The best thing  to come out of Brady Collins’ marriage to his recently deceased ex-wife, Audrey, is their baby son, Sam.  To say that his life is turned upside down when he discovers his former in-laws are planning to sue for custody on the grounds that he is not Sam’s biological father would be an understatement.  When his lawyer erroneously concludes that Brady and his good friend, Hope Daniels, are engaged, they decide to keep up the pretense after the disappointing results of the paternity test. After Brady wins temporary custody in the months leading up the judge’s permanent ruling on the case, he and Hope decide their friendship is a strong basis for marriage. Both Brady and Hope carry wounds from previous relationships but since neither expects to fall in love, they are taken off guard when these unresolved issues upset their burgeoning relationship.

Given his history with his drug addicted mother, Brady’s discovery that Audrey tricked him into marriage is an unexpected blow. However, since he dearly loves Sam, he is upset but the trade off is worth the heartache. Brady genuinely cares for Hope and their easygoing friendship is a bright spot in his life, but he is surprised when she readily agrees to marry him.  Even more disconcerting is how easily they settle into married life together. In the weeks leading up their final court date, Brady is delighted by the change in their relationship but he is concerned about their future when he senses Hope is beginning to pull away from him.

Hope has not had a serious relationship since the very tragic end to her high school romance several years earlier.  She genuinely cares for Brady and she loves Sam so a marriage of convenience provides her the family she has dreamed of.  Since they love each other as friends but they are not in love, Hope will get everything she wants without risking her heart again. Hope’s minor concern about the future of her career is easily overcome so she is stunned when her old demons return after she and Brady take their marriage to the next level.

Since Brady and Hope have settled so easily into their new life, neither are expecting any real issues to arise after their “courtship” finally leads to intimacy between them. This change in status quo occurs simultaneously with Brady’s estranged mother reappearing in his life, a career opportunity for Hope and the final custody hearing.  Brady is taken off guard by Hope’s somewhat extreme choices when the dust settles around them and he is at a loss how to handle the unexpected situation. Will Hope finally talk to him about what has sparked such a drastic decision? Or is this the beginning of the end of their happy life together?

Despite some unnecessary drama and angst late in the story, Honeysuckle Dreams is an engaging romance that is very heartwarming. Brady is a wonderful man caught in a situation not of his making, yet he refuses to let hurt and anger control him. Hope is a lovely young woman who selflessly agrees to help a friend in need but refuses to take steps to help herself when her unresolved past unexpectedly resurfaces.  This newest addition to Denise Hunter’s Blue Ridge Romance series is a wholesome love story with a gentle undercurrent of faith that fans of the genre will enjoy.

Comments Off on Review: Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter

Filed under Blue Ridge Series, Christian, Contemporary, Denise Hunter, Honeysuckle Dreams, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Thomas Dunne Books, Thomas Nelson Publishing

March 14, 2018 · 11:58 pm

Review: Beneath a Prairie Moon by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Title: Beneath a Prairie Moon by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Publisher: Waterbrook
Genre: Historical, Christian, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Blogging for Books

Summary:

Readers rabid for the sweet historical romances of Tracie Peterson and Tamara Alexander will flock to best-selling author Kim Vogel Sawyer’s prairie-set heartwarmer of high society cast-off and the western town that welcomes her.

Abigail Brantley grew up in affluence and knows exactly how to behave in high society. But when she is cast from the social registers due to her father’s illegal dealings, she finds herself forced into a role she never imagined: tutoring rough Kansas ranchers in the subjects of manners and morals so they can “marry up” with their mail-order brides. Mack Cleveland, whose father was swindled by a mail-order bride, wants no part of the scheme to bring Eastern women to Spiveyville, Kansas, and he’s put off by the snooty airs and fastidious behavior of the “little city gal” in their midst. But as time goes by, his heart goes out to the teacher who tries so diligently to smooth the rough edges from the down-to-earth men. How can he teach her that perfection won’t bring happiness?

Review:

Beneath a Prairie Moon by Kim Vogel Sawyer is an absolutely heartwarming historical romance with a gentle undercurrent of faith.

After her father is arrested and convicted of stealing from his business partners, Abigail Brantley loses not only her social standing, but her friends and fiancé.  With no one to turn to for help, she becomes a mail order bride for Mrs. Helena Bingham. Unfortunately , none of her matches have worked out so when Helena receives sixteen requests for brides from a small town in Kansas, she decides she needs to meet the men in person. Both women journey to Spiveyville where Abigail is tasked with tutoring the men who have hearts of gold but need a little polish and tips for courting their brides.  Mack Cleveland, one of the few men who did not request a bride, is sent to pick up the women. Mack has reason to be suspicious Helena’s business is on the up and up so he is surprised when he looks forward to spending time with Abigail during her stay in town. Given the differences between them, is there any chance for a future together?

Abigail clings tightly to the teachings of her darling mother and she is unyielding when it comes to manners and social decorum. However, she does not seem to realize that what is proper behavior for her former life is not exactly a perfect fit for her new circumstances.  Abigail holds tight to these last vestiges of her previous social standing and in doing so, she pushes everyone away. She has also lost her faith since she feels so abandoned by everyone else after her father’s activities come to light. Now with one more failed match behind her, Abigail is scared that Helena will desert her as well.

Helena is a wonderfully wise, caring and compassionate woman.  She wants nothing but the best for the women who are willing to become mail order brides. However, she is having a difficult time convincing Abigail that she needs to lower her expectations and be more willing to relax her strict adherence to social etiquette. Unwilling to cast her out, Helena instead comes up with a plan to put Abigail’s social skills to good use.

Mack is a good hearted man who knows better than anyone how Abigail’s fall from grace feels. He too experienced being judged by his peers for someone else’s actions.  His friends in Spiveyville helped him heal from these emotional wounds but he is not quite as trusting as his  neighbors when it comes to mail order brides. So with a healthy skepticism,  Mack is determined to make sure Helena and Abigail are not running a scam. Initially highly suspicious of the two women, Mack is very surprised by how much he enjoys spending time with Abigail. When the truth about her past comes to light, will Mack continue to give Abigail the benefit of the doubt?

Beneath a Prairie Moon is an absolutely charming novel with a superb cast of lovable characters. Mack and Helena are quite endearing right from the start but Abigail is initially quite frustrating and not overly appealing.  The plot is engaging and Abigail’s transformation occurs at a realistic pace. Spiveyville is a typical rough around the edges western town and Kim Vogel Sawyer does an outstanding job bringing the little town and its residents vibrantly to life.  The spiritual element is perfectly woven into the storyline in a way that feels like a natural extension of the characters’ lives.  With just a hint of adventure, this wonderful historical novel comes to an uplifting and heartfelt conclusion.

1 Comment

Filed under Beneath a Prairie Moon, Christian, Historical, Kim Vogel Sawyer, Rated B+, Review, Romance, WaterBrook Press

December 11, 2017 · 11:56 pm

Review: You’re Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher

Title: You’re Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Who knew fate could twist a tragedy into a second chance at love?

Samantha Winters lives her life the way a good accountant should—measured, deliberate, and safe. After watching her father die in a tragic skiing accident, she decided never to allow risk into her life again. But she didn’t count on falling for Nick Chastain, who embodies everything she doesn’t want in her safely constructed world.

Against Samantha’s warnings, Nick plans a dangerous kayaking trip over spring break. Furious that he’s so careless with his life, she ends their fledgling relationship with harsh words.

Two years later, Samantha is desperately in need of a change. When she learns her grandmother has had an accident and is in need of a caretaker, Samantha quickly packs her bags and heads to Thunder Creek, Idaho. But nothing could prepare her for the surprise awaiting her in her grandmother’s hospital room . . . Nick.

With the charming backdrop of small-town friends, beloved cousins, and a whole church congregation rooting for them, can they set aside the disastrous ending of their first try at love? Has Nick changed enough to meet Samantha in the middle—and can she realize that a risk in love might be worth taking?

Review:

You’re Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher is a charming second chance at love Christian romance which is set in the delightful small town of Thunder Creek, ID.

Samantha Winters is risk-averse to the point it affects her personal and professional relationships. Even though she is passed over time and again for promotions, she remains in a stagnant job with a boss she dislikes. In her personal life, Samantha’s fears lead her to end her eight month relationship with outdoorsman and adventure seeker Nick Chastain.  When her beloved grandmother, Ruth Johnson, is injured in a fall and needs some assistance with day to day tasks, Samantha does not hesitate to take a leave of absence from work to care for her. What she does not expect is to immediately cross paths with Nick, whom she has not heard from since their painful break up two years earlier.  She is stunned by how drastically different he is from the man she once dated, but can Samantha trust that Nick will not revert back to his daredevil ways?

Samantha avoids confrontation at all cost and runs away instead of facing problems. She has worked for the same company and boss for several years and despite her unhappiness at how her boss treats her, she refuses to look for another job since she does not like change.  However, spending time with Ruth, Samantha begins to question some of her decisions but will she be willing to walk away from the comfortable (and somewhat boring) life she has created for herself?

Nick has undergone dramatic changes since he last saw Samantha and he is refreshingly honest about how selfish  he was during their relationship.  While these significant alterations in his life might not have been of his choosing, Nick readily admits he is a much better person than he was when he dated Samantha. He is quick to take responsibility for how his actions affected their relationship in the past and he is not shy about discussing the reasons his life has changed so radically. Nick has also undergone a considerable amount of spiritual growth in the intervening years and he is now quite devout.

In spite of Nick’s assertions these changes in his lifestyle are permanent, Samantha is doubtful he can resist his adventurous spirit.  Despite her reservations, she is willing to give him a second chance, but she is also quick to doubt him when she misconstrues his actions in emergency situations. Samantha’s propensity to run away from problems also causes trouble between them because her first instinct is to shut down instead of discussing the issues between them. Will Samantha finally deal with her deep-seated fears or is her second chance at love with Nick doomed to fail?

With a strong element of faith, You’re Gonna Love Me is a heartwarming novel of forgiveness, reconciliation and love.  Nick and Samantha are wonderfully developed, likable characters that readers will find it easy to root for. Their romance moves at a slow but realistic pace as they try to work through the issues that ended their relationship in the past. Since Nick’s life changes occurred during their separation, the story focuses mainly on Samantha’s character growth. Robin Lee Hatcher has created  a warm and inviting community in the small town of Thunder Creek and readers will enjoy revisiting characters from previous works. A heartfelt romance that fans of the genre will enjoy.

Comments Off on Review: You’re Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher

Filed under Christian, Contemporary, Rated B+, Review, Robin Lee Hatcher, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing, You're Gonna Love Me

November 5, 2017 · 11:42 pm

Review: Blue Ridge Sunrise by Denise Hunter

Title: Blue Ridge Sunrise by Denise Hunter
Blue Ridge Series Book One
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Former free spirit Zoe Collins swore she’d never again set foot in Copper Creek or speak to the man who broke her heart. But return she must when her beloved Granny dies, leaving the family legacy to Zoe—a peach orchard nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

When Zoe returns home with her daughter and boyfriend Kyle, she finds that she’s the only person in town who doesn’t expect her to give up the life she’s established far away from Copper Creek. Everyone believes she was born to run the orchard, but how can she make it her home after so many years?

Cruz Huntley never quite got over his first love, Zoe Collins, the little sister of his best friend Brady. Not when she cheated on him during their “break,” not when she took off to parts unknown with good-for-nothing Kyle Jenkins, and not even now—five years later.

As life-changing decisions and a history with Cruz hang over Zoe’s head, tensions rise between her and Kyle. Even as she comes to terms with the shifting relationships in her life, Zoe still isn’t sure if she can remain in Copper Creek with her new responsibilities . . . and her first love.

Review:

Blue Ridge Sunrise by Denise Hunter is a heartwarming novel with an underlying theme of second chances. With more than just a second chance at love romance, this first installment in the Blue Ridge series is also a lovely story of new beginnings and healing.

Five years ago, Zoe Collins and Cruz Huntley’s relationship ended due to lack of communication, immaturity, insecurities and family disapproval. Zoe impetuously fled town with Kyle in order to pursue her dreams of becoming a musician. Cruz remained in town where he repaired his friendship with Zoe’s brother Brady while trying to get over losing his first love. Now, five years and many, many regrets later, Zoe returns for her beloved grandmother’s funeral and finds the courage to leave Kyle who has become increasingly controlling. Zoe also knows she needs to reveal the secret she has been keeping from Cruz but will it destroy any chance she has at possibly reconciling with the man who still holds her heart?

Zoe is one of the those characters readers might find difficult to like. When she was young she comes across as more impetuous and immature than “free spirited”. It is also difficult to forgive her choice to not tell Cruz the truth before she runs off with Kyle. Despite not being particularly likable, it is all too easy to understand how easy it was for her to allow Kyle to manipulate and control her.  After finally breaking free from her abusive relationship, Zoe initially remains a little timid and unsure but she gradually regains her self-confidence and sass.  Despite these changes, she is a little slow to own up to her terrible choice regarding keeping quiet about a MAJOR decision she made before leaving town, and Zoe is forced to deal with the consequences once Cruz stumbles onto the truth.

While Zoe is impetuous and a little thoughtless, Cruz is steadfast and loyal.  He reluctantly agreed to keep their relationship under wraps in the past and wtheir romance was discovered, her family’s reaction fed into his doubts and insecurities.  Zoe did not help the situation by her rash decisions and it was rather easy for external forces to take advantage of his uncertainties. In the intervening years, Cruz conquered his demons with the help of Zoe’s grandmother and his insecurities and lack of self-esteem are now a thing of the past.  Cruz still harbors feelings for Zoe, but once he stumbles onto her secret, will he forgive her for her lie of omission?

With a slight element of suspense and a gentle undercurrent of faith,  Blue Ridge Sunrise is an engaging romance with endearing characters. While Zoe does not always make the best choices, she does undergo believable growth throughout the story. Cruz has already come to terms with his emotional baggage but he must decide whether or not to absolve Zoe for not being honest with him. Although it takes a backseat to Zoe’s struggles to move past her mistakes, their renewed romance is quite sweet. Despite some of the predictable elements of the storyline, this first installment in Denise Hunter’s Blue Ridge series is an enjoyable read with interesting characters that readers will relate to.

1 Comment

Filed under Blue Ridge Series, Blue Ridge Sunrise, Christian, Contemporary, Denise Hunter, Rated B, Review, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing