Buy it Here

Age Appropriate For: 13 and up for mild romance

Best for Ages: 15 and up

Description: Who can work in a house that's overrun by contractors and carpenters? Not Madeleine Houser, a successful novelist who gladly accepts the help of her octogenarian friend, Ginny, to arrange for a temporary office in the charming bed and breakfast owned by Ginny's friend, Arthur. Maddie’s never met the innkeeper––but a friendship grows between them as Maddie and Arthur leave messages for each other each day. To Maddie’s alternate delight and chagrin, she seems to be falling for the inn’s owner––a man who's likely many years her senior––and who she’s never even met.

I was so honored when BookLook selected me to be one of the review bloggers allowed to review two of the Year of Weddings novellas. I so enjoyed December Bride and I couldn’t wait to see if the series would continue to be as good.

This story was such a delight for me as a writer. After all, Maddie is a writer way behind in her word count and disasters keep happening at her house while repairs are made. Enter a kind next-door neighbor who has the perfect place to escape - a pretty mansion. Okay, I admit it. I am so jealous that she got to write in such a perfect setting.

I laughed so much while reading this book. The misunderstandings and humorous mistakes by the different characters was so much fun without being ridiculous. I really think this book would make an excellent movie.

The only down side? I felt that the author of the novella tried to add too much tension toward the end of the book, without the word count to fully explore and work out the issues. That however, was not hard to overlook with the other enjoyable aspects of the book.

The romance was sweet and not overdone. There were a couple of kisses, but nothing over the top. I also liked that the romance was based on a friendship first. Granted, it was far quicker than I would like, but it was nice to see nonetheless.

I highly recommend this book to romance lovers, writers, and those looking for a short, light read.

Was this helpful? Please vote it up on Amazon.

I received this book from Zondervan via BookLook in exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

There have been times in my life when I haven’t wanted to read the Bible. There have been times that God has felt distant or I was angry at him. There have been times that I have needed a push in my faith, but I wasn’t willing to take it. In these situation, God has often used fiction books in my life. That is right, fiction. Today, I would like to share with you some of the fiction books that God has most inspired me with.

Christy by Catharine Marshall: I read this book the first time when I was fifteen. It made me realize that head knowledge was not enough. I had to be ready to live out my faith even if I was placed in a harsh environment. I have reread this book twice since then (I normally read fiction books only once). It was life changing each time.

The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis: For me, this was the most powerful C.S. Lewis. It impacted me more than any of is non-fiction works. Why? I was going through a very rough time in my life, a time when God was completely reshaping my faith. I was frustrated and angry, and felt like opening my Bible would lead to yet another guilt trip. I decided to reread the Chronicles of Narnia. I started crying while reading the scene where Shasta meets Aslan. Every bad thing that Shasta says has been wrong with his life, Aslan shows him how it was used for his good. After this, I started reading my Bible again and felt so much closer to God.

Sophia’s Heart by Lori Wick: No other book has impacted my view of others, especially immigrants, more than this book. In a time when I was becoming politically involved and I was starting to get drawn into the immigration debate, God used this book to remind me that He sees the heart. Sometimes, I judge people for their accent and assume things about them that are wrong.

Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Harnurd: This tale was a blessing to me. It really encouraged me to follow God no matter where he led. As Much-Afraid learns to trusts the Shepherd, I was learning not only to trust God, but also to see that the trials I was going through would be for my good.

From the Dark to the Dawn by Alicia Willis: Although this book is not yet published, I was very blessed to read and endorse this book. This is a hard book to read, but it really helped remind me what my faith was all about. It really has been one of the biggest reasons I have become a lot more faithful in my time I spend with God. This book also helped me resolve some the doubts that had been bothering me.

What are some fiction books that God has used in your life?

Other posts you might enjoy:

          Adventure Between the Pages: Christy

          Adventure Between the Pages: Sophia's Heart

         Worst Moment or Finest Hour 

          

My mom got this for me. It is perfect because in our house, there is both a lot of laughter and a lot of music.

Other posts you might like:

         Pieces of my Life: My Bookshelf

         Adventure Between the Pages: Tales for the Heartily Homeschooled

         Writing Saturday: J is for Joy

Buy it Here

Age Appropriate For: 13 and up for mild romance

Best for Ages: 15 and up

Description: Like a beautiful patchwork quilt, the three novellas in The Quilted Heart tell stories of lives stitched together with love and God’s unending grace. Once a week, Elsa Brantenberghosts the Saint Charles Quilting Circle at her farmhouse on the outskirts of the riverside town of St. Charles, Missouri. The ladies who gather there have all experienced heartache related to the intense hardships of the Civil War, and together, they are facing their painful circumstances with friendship and prayer. Can the tattered pieces of their hearts be stitched together by God’s grace?

I seem to be trying a lot of new authors this year. This novella collection is my first book by Mona Hodgson. I have seen her books around, and I was glad to finally get a chance to finally read not just one, but three of her stories.

There was one thing that I felt detracted from the stories. Often in the short pages of the novella, we would break from the main story and have a chapter about someone else. This was irritating as a novella really doesn’t have space for a lot of points-of-view.

Dandelions on the Wind

This tale about a Maren Jensen, a mail-order bride who was rejected because she is going blind, was so sweet. The tension and the themes of redemption woven through the short pages of this story, showcased Hodgson’s talent. It is hard sometimes to show changing hearts within a novella, but she manages to do it.

Maren was a wonderful heroine that captured my heart. Her faith and her vulnerability made her feel real and lovable.

Bending Toward the Sun

This story was my favorite of the collection. In a time when honoring your parents is laughed at, this story is refreshing. It was so nice to see a hero who does the hard thing, and stays away from the girl he loves to honor her father. It doesn’t stop him from praying and trying to change the fathers mind, but he honors the father’s request.

Emily was a very likable heroine. She is caught between what her father wants for her, an what she wants. She too wants to honor her father, but struggles. I loved that she struggled and wasn’t a push over, it made the story more believable.

Ripples Along the Shore

We have heard a bit about Carolina in the other novella’s, but now she gets one all to herself. To be honest, I really didn’t think that there was a very good transition between her not trusting Garrett, and liking him.

This story also doesn’t have the ending I had hoped for, probably since the author intends to continue their story in her next book.

Overall, this collection was enjoyable. It was nice to curl up and read three novella’s that were connected to each other.

Was this helpful? Please vote it up on Amazon.

I received this book from WaterBrook Press in exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

Other posts you might like

            Pieces of my Life: My bookshelf

            Learning to Manage my time Well

            Writing Saturday: F is for The Feudal System

Buy it Here

Age Appropriate For: 11 and up for reading level and mildly scary scenes

Best for Ages: 15 and up

Description: Her courage and her heart will be tested in ways she never expected...

Beth Thatcher has spent her entire life in the safe, comfortable world of her family, her friends, and the social outings her father's wealth provides. But Beth is about to leave it all behind to accept a teaching position in the rugged foothills of western Canada. Inspired by her aunt Elizabeth, who went west to teach school several years ago, and gently encouraged by her father, Beth resolves to put her trust in God and bravely face any challenge that comes her way.  But the conditions in Coal Valley are even worse than she'd feared. A recent mining accident has left the town grieving and at the mercy of the mining company. The children have had very little prior education, and many of the locals don't even speak English. There isn't even a proper schoolhouse. In addition, Beth's heart is torn between two young men--both Mounties, one a lifelong friend and the other a kind, quiet man who comes to her aid more than once. Despite the many challenges, Beth is determined to make a difference in the rustic frontier town. But when her sister visits from the East, reminding her of all the luxuries she's had to give up, will Beth decide to return to her privileged life as soon as the school year is over?

It has been far too long since I have read any book by Janette Oke. I read her entire Love Comes Softly series, Seasons of the Heart series, The Canadian West series, and a couple others of her stand-alone books. However, over the past few years I haven’t read any of them. I had forgotten how much I had loved her books.

This story was a refreshing change from the books I have been reading. Beth was neither shy nor submissive to a fault, or so strong and boyish as to lose her femininity. Beth was sweet, but was also courageous. She wanted to teach despite her mother’s protests, without hating her parents. She wanted to have a job, without thinking that homemaking was stupid. She wasn’t a stereotype character.

The story itself was a slower pace than many I have read lately. There isn’t any heavy romance or heart-stopping action. It is about the day-to-day struggle of Beth trying to teach in primitive situations, and help a mining town that has been devastated by a recent cave-in. There isn’t much action, yet the story pulled at my heartstrings and kept me turning the pages.

The cast of characters was rich and diverse. From the kind hearted, Italian miner, to the kind and wise woman who runs the boarding house, to the children in the class room; the characters were so real.

I really enjoyed that the romance, although a part of the story, wasn’t the main element of the book. As much as I love a good romance, it is nice to have some books that are not all about passion and romance.

I highly recommend this book for readers who love Jennet Oke, light romance, and stories of courageous women.

Was this helpful? Please vote it up on Amazon.

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.



Other posts you might enjoy:
          Adventure Between the Pages: Dear Mr. Knightley
          Adventure Between the Pages: Wren
          Adventure Between the Pages: Just Jane

I like to start my morning with digging into a devotional. I love reading the Bible, but first thing in the morning, I am not ready to digest scripture. I normally start by reading in a book or devotional then reading a couple chapters of the Bible. I enjoy a wide variety of devotional books, including books that weren’t intended to be so.

As you can see, most of the books shown are not your typical devotional books. All of these books have been a great blessing to me however, in the recent years.

Digging into a book about my faith, first thing in the morning helps me start my day. What do you start your time with God?

Posts you might also enjoy:
         It is all in the Roots
         Dealing with Anxiety
         Adventure Between the Pages: Your Beautiful Purpose by Susie Larson

I have decided to start a new series, sharing bits and pieces of my life. I am going to start with a series on my bookshelf.

Today, I would like share probably one of the oddest things I have on my shelf: These two figures.

They aren’t pretty and don’t go with my room, but they are very special to me. Our family has some dear missionary friends from Africa brought them back for me on their last visit to the states.

The missionary couple works on translating the Bible into the language of the unreached people groups of Africa, especially in Sudan.

Next week, we will find out what is inside this box.

Other posts you might like:

            Top 10 Books of 2013

            Growing your own Herbs

            Is it Okay?

Buy it Here

Age Appropriate For: 13 + for romance

Best for Ages: 15 and up

Description: In Dry Gulch, Texas, 1893, a young woman with a tender heart that longs to help those in need takes it upon herself to meddle in the affairs of three acquaintances who are in dire straits. Wanting to stay anonymous, she relies on unusual methods to hire men and women of good character who she thinks can solve the problems facing her “targets.” How was she to know that her meddling would turn into a cupid’s arrow? And what will she do when her friends turn the tables on her with a matchmaking scheme of their own?

I have been looking forward to this collection of stories since I first heard about it. Not only is it set in my home state, two authors I adore (Witemeyer and Cox) are in this collection. I was so excited when my copy finally arrived and I was able to dig in.

A Cowboy Unmatched

This story was the first and my favorite. Karen Witemeyer is on my top 10 favorite author list, and it is mainly because of the Archer brothers. I so enjoyed Short-Straw Bride and Stealing the Preacher because of the strong male characters. Neil was no disappointment. He was every bit as wonderful as his brothers.

Clara was a wonderful heroine and matched perfectly for Neil. I wish this had been a full length novel so I could have gotten to know her even better. However, the story flowed so well it is hard to see how it could have been better.

An Unforeseen Match

This was my first introduction to Regina Jennings, and I will be reading more by her in the future. The story of Grace, a school teacher that has gone blind, and the cowboy Clayton, who is helping her to earn money for a horse, was so sweet. I really enjoyed how Clayton pushes Grace to cope with her blindness. At the  time it made him seem a little mean, but in the end you see that he is only trying to help her.

No Match for Love

I really loved the last book I read by Carol Cox. She is a master of humor, mystery, and romance. This story felt a bit rushed. It seemed that the author had a hard time fitting the story she wanted to tell into the allotted word count. However, it was very enjoyable. It was my second favorite, probably because I like feisty old ladies.

I laughed as Lucy learned how to make tea and other chores she had never done in her privileged growing up years. She was a delightful character and made up for all the story’s shortcomings. It was a wonderful little story.

Meeting her Match

I have a lot of friends on Goodreads who review the same books I do. When I read the first part of this story by Mary Connealy I could not understand the negative reviews and then I kept reading. I sadly have to concur with many of my reviewing buddies: this story was bad.

Although subtle, this story seems to take a stab at large families. It made it sound like the reason people had more than four is if the father was an ogre who wanted boys. Now I understand that may not have been the author’s intention, and I might have been able to overlook that but, there was another huge issue.

I found the romance in this story disturbing. At first it is sweet. An awkward guy and sweet girl like each other but don’t say anything. However, it quickly turned from sweet to uncomfortable. *Spoiler alert* They somehow spend half an hour in a locked room. Everyone assumes they have slept together, and so they are forced to marry. *End Spoiler alert*

Overall this is a delightful collection of romance stories. There is some kissing, nothing too excessive. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves good, clean romance stories and westerns. I would, however, caution you about the last story in the collection.

Was this helpful? Please vote it up on Amazon.

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

Other reviews you might be interested in:

            Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

            Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

            Love in Disguise by Carol Cox