Perfectly Matched

Perfectly Matched is the third book by Maggie Brendan in the Blue Willow Bridges Series. Anna Olsen has moved to Denver Colorado as a mail order bride in the year 1888. She wanted to have a home of her own, but her marriage was not exactly what she thought it would be. Rather than be told what to do by her new husband Edward, she decided to help save animals that were treated poorly and abandoned. They do not both agree on this course for her life, and we quickly see Edward concerned about the lack of scheduling and precision in his life.

 

Both Edward and Anna offer good examples that in marriage, and all relationships, compromise is necessary. I read the first two books in this series, but it’s not necessary to read the first ones to understand what is going on in this book. I think that most animal-lovers will find themselves interested in this book.   

 

"Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."  

A Reluctant Courtship

The third and final book in the Daughters of Bainbridge House by Laurie Alice Eakes is called A Reluctant Courtship and follows Honore Bainbridge. Honore, the youngest in the family, does not have the best of luck finding a suitor, as she was courted by both a traitor and a murderer. When her family send her away to their summer home she finds herself falling for Lord Ashmoor - Meric Poole. He also has secrets that might make him unsuitable for her; he came back to England from America and is accused of helping people escape from Dartmoor Prison.  

From the first line, I was completely enthralled in this story with its romance and mystery. I really liked the main characters in this story and Laurie Alice Eakes’ writing style. She makes the reader feel as if they can relate to the characters and their need for forgiveness. I would recommend this entire series to anyone interested in historical romance books.  

Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

           Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Heart of the Country

 

I really love to read books that turn into movies. Even though I know many people feel that movies ruin the books, I always want to see if the book can translate well into a movie. I was not disappointed with the book and movie Heart of the County starring Jana Kramer. Heart of the Country by Rene Gutteridge and John Ward  tells the story of Faith and her husband Luke. When Luke’s company is investigated for running a Ponzi scheme, Faith returns to her home that she hasn’t visited in 10 years. Faith cannot believe that Luke lied to her so she goes to the only other place she knows she can turn to. Faith is soon facing her past and the death of her mother while trying to get along with her older sister Olivia. Luke, meanwhile, is at their home in New York City where he finds out everyone he thought was his friend has turned on him. Both of these characters soon come to realize that their families and faith are what they need to get through their difficult times.

 The book was written in a way that has each chapter from the perspective of a different character. I think this really added to the story because it helped me understand the reason certain characters acted in the way that they did, especially Faith’s sister. I think if we had only seen Olivia from the perspective of Faith, she would not have been a likeable character, but from getting her perspective it was possible to understand why she treated Faith the way she did. I really enjoyed this book, and the movie as well. I would recommend both to others.

 You can watch a trailer for the movie here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4DXfARALE8

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

 

 

Under a Blackberry Moon

Under a Blackberry Moon, by Serena B. Miller, continued the story of Moon Song who was originally introduced in the book The Measure of Katie Calloway. Moon Song had given birth to a young child when alone in the woods, and she stumbled into a lumber camp where Katie Calloway was the cook. Soon, she finds herself on her way back to her home with the Chippewas with Skypilot, a man she helped nurse back to health after an accident at the lumber camp. They face many different obstacles as they are traveling, and it was great to see their interaction with each other and their faith grow throughout the book.

 

I really enjoyed this book, and I was happy to read more about Skypilot since I really enjoyed his part in The Measure of Katie Calloway. The book was an easy read, and can be read as a stand-alone book, but I would recommend reading the first book in the series so you can understand the history the main characters had with one another.

 

Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Love's Awakening

Love's Awakening is the second book in the Ballantyne Legacy series by Laura Frantz, and the book was just as well written, if inot better than, the first. The book follows the story of Ellie Ballantyne, as she travels' back to her family home after attending school in Philadelphia. As she is traveling home, she meets Jack Turlock, who has a less than perfect home life in a family that is the enemy of the Ballantyne family. Soon they find themselves spending more time together when Ellie opens a school for young girls and begins to teach his young sister. As a realtionship begins to form between herself and Jack, she begins to question if she could ever have a place in their family since they are pro-slavery and they make whiskey.

I really enjooyed the main characters in this story, and I liked the historical focus on the book. It was intersting to read a book that contained information about the Underground Railroad because I don't often have a chance to read those types of books. In terms of the characters, Jack is a great example that no matter what type of family you come from, you are able to overcome and move beyound your background. I'm looking forward to the next book in this great series.   

 Available September 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Invention of Sarah Cummings

The Invention of Sarah Cummings, by Olivia Newport, is the third book in her Avenue of Dreams Series based in Chicago. Sarah Cummings was introduced in the Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow book when she began working for the Banning household. As soon as I read about her in that book, I didn’t particularly like her, and it took a good majority of the newest book for me to start liking her. Sarah always seemed to think she was too good to be working for the Banning family, as she had dreams of being a part of the upper class. Sarah invents a new identity, Serena Cuthbert, which allows her to create a place for herself in upper society. She is able to keep up this charade by dressing the part by re-fashioning the gowns given to her by the Banning family.  

 

I really have enjoyed all of the books in this series, and I ended up enjoying this book, but I didn’t really connect with the Character of Sarah as much as I had the others in previous books. I don’t know if this book would have been as enjoyable if I had read it as a stand-alone, but I did end up liking the growth of the main character as she found out what was important in life.  

 

Available September 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

All in Good Time

All in Good Time, written by Maureen Lang, is a part of The Gilded Legacy Series, and it focuses on Dessa Caldwell’s plans to open Pierson House. This will be a place for former prostitutes in Denver to live once Dessa is able to get a bank loan as final financing for her project. Henry Hawkins is the owner of the bank, and he has no desire to become involved in the Pierson House. His business partner, and family member, becomes involved and gives Dessa the loan which intertwines the stories of Dessa and Henry. They both have pasts they are trying to hid, but through forgiveness they are able to grow, both in their faith and personal lives.

 

Maureen Lang is one of my favorite authors, so I was really excited to read this book. I really enjoyed it and the characters she created. They were very likeable and relatable in that many people have something in their past they aren’t proud of. I look forward to reading more stories that she writes.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."