Ready to Trust by Tina Radcliffe

I have to say that Tina Radcliffe's newest book in her "Hearts of Oklahoma" series is a winner! Also, the cover, in my humble opinion is one of the best I've seen in a long time. Just check out the peach trees...okay, I'm kidding, who wouldn't swoon over this gorgeous specimen of a real peach? His name is Reece Rainbolt and he is also swoon-worthy inside this delectable book.

Ready to Trust, is the second book in the series following Finding the Road Home which was the story of Mitch and Daisy who make appearances in this book as well. But don't worry, this book can be read as a stand-alone book.

The story is based in Rebel, Oklahoma and this story centers around Reece Rainboldt and Claire Ballard. Reece manages the family Rebel Ranch and Claire's father owned Ballard farms next door. The story begins with Claire's father passing away and she's come back to Rebel for the reading of the will. She soon finds out that Reece, her former 'fling' has inherited half of her father's farm. Both are dumbfounded when they find out about it. Claire wants to sell the farm to Reece because she has a job as a nurse in another town. Reece learns that Claire has a five-year-old daughter and doing the math, finally figures Zoe is his little girl. 

This is a story of redemption, forgiveness, faith and love. It brings in some secondary characters like Willard and Nan that I just fell in love with. Sometimes the wisdom of older folk should be listened to and taken to heart. 

Zoe won me over from the very first appearance. But I must say when she tells her mommy that she wants a daddy like Mr. Reece and then asks her how they can do that. She stole my heart. 

Ms. Radcliffe wrote a remarkable story with well-created believable characters who made me want to jump in the car to find Rebel Ranch. I loved this book!

If you like contemporary romantic fiction you will love this book. I guarantee it!

On a 5-Star scale = 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank the author for my copy of Ready to Trust. I received my copy for free with no expectation for a positive or negative review. The opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.

Smiles & Blessings,

Her Unexpected Family by Ruth Logan Herne - with Giveaway!

I am a huge fan of Ruth Logan Herne's work. When I saw her newest Love Inspired book, Her Unexpected Family, I grabbed it up quickly and could hardly wait to read it. Imagine my surprise when I received an autographed copy in the mail from this very generous author. I was excited and told her since I had purchased a copy I would offer that to one of my readers. So if you would love to have a copy of this wonderful book to read for yourself, please read to the end of this post so you will know how to enter the giveaway.

Blurb from back of book:

A Family to Love. 

Emily Gallagher and Grant McCarthy are planning a wedding together--just not their own. Emily's well-structured life is turned upside down when her company is hired to help Grant put together his deployed sister's nuptials. Because as Emily spends more time with Grant and his adorable twins, she can't help but daydream about being at the altar herself. But Emily's ex-beauty-queen status brings Grant memories of his children's appearance-obsessed mother--a woman who walked out on their family. For a future with Emily, can Grant escape the confines of his painful past? If he can, the next wedding they plan could be their own.

My Thoughts:

Welcome to the town of Grace Haven. As the author writes, "A town full of heart, happiness and home". I picture a very small town environment in which everyone knows pretty much everyone living in town. The author has created an ideal place in which this reader would love to live. 

As mentioned in the blurb above, the main characters are Emily and Grant. Both of these characters have issues with trust and forgiveness but they learn to overcome and the outcome is quite beautiful. I would love to tell you about how they overcome their issues but that would ruin your experience in reading this wonderful bool. Ruth Logan Herne has a gift in creating living breathing characters that seem to reach out from the written page to grab the reader and pull them into their world. I love it when an author can do that and Ruth Logan Herne does it well.

Her Unexpected Family was released this month and it flew off the shelves at my WalMart so I have a feeling it may have flown off the shelves at other stores as well because Ruth Logan Herne offers beautiful stories about everyday life in small town America within her Love Inspired books. If you can't find it in the stores, you can always order it through Amazon (follow this link). Or you can enter my giveaway and win a copy of your own.

I would highly recommend Her Unexpected Family for anyone who loves a good clean book. I guarantee it worth your time to read this wonderful book.

On a 5-Star scale - 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank the author for my copy of Her Unexpected Family. I received my copy for free to read it and give my honest review.

*********************  GIVEAWAY INFORMATION  *********************''

To be entered to win a copy of this book, you simply have to leave a comment telling me you would like to be entered to win. I would love it if you would follow me on Google Connect or by email//but it is not a requirement. So please leave a message and good luck! Contest ends on 08/31/16.

Smiles & Blessings,

Back in the Saddle by Ruth Logan Herne

The last book I read in 2015 was without a doubt the best contemporary novel I read last year. Ruth Logan Herne's book, Back in the Saddle, is the first book in her "Double S Ranch" series for Multnomah Books. It is a contemporary western, set in a small town in Washington state.

It is on a rare occasion when I pick up a book to read and the author's words paint such a beautiful picture I feel like I am watching a movie unfold before my eyes. That is exactly the experience I had when I read Back in the Saddle. I had a clear and vivid image of each of the characters and the ranch and town. It was a wonderful experience seeing the story as well as reading it.

This is the story of Colt Stafford. As the story begins, he has just left his career on Wall Street due to some stock market issues that have hurt him financially. He has come home to the family ranch in Gray's Glen, Washington to help out as his father is ill. As he enters the house, he encounters the ranch house manager, Angelina Morales. Angelina is a 'spitfire' that takes her job seriously and Colt finds himself at the other end of a gun questioning which of his father's gun it just might be and who is on the other end of it. 

Colt has personal issues he needs to deal with and a relationship he needs to mend with his father and brothers. Angelina has a secret she is hiding and only Sam, Colt's father, is aware of it until Colt starts snooping around. Can Colt get over the past hurts from his father and make amends or is it too late? Will Angelina let down the walls she has built around her heart to let Colt see who she really is? 

This is a story about forgiveness, trust and growing beyond the hurt and pain.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching the characters develop and open up to each other. I hated to say goodbye to them. I can hardly wait for the next book in the series.

Back in the Saddle is a sweet story that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good read. I absolutely loved this book and as I said at the beginning, it is without a doubt the best contemporary book I have read in 2015. Be sure to pick up a copy when it released on March 15, 2016.

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 HUGE Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank the author, Ruth Logan Herne, for my copy of Back in the Saddle. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon

Whenever I pick up a book by Irene Hannon I know that I will be in for a treat. Although I usually read her suspense novels. her contemporary novels are just as wonderful to read. Her newest novel, Hope Harbor, is a wonderful contemporary story set in what I believe to be the fictitious town of Hope Harbor, Oregon. 

The main characters of this wonderful novel are Tracy Campbell, a cranberry farmer during the day and an accountant at night, and Michael Hunter, the head of a charitable organization in Chicago. They both have tragedies in their past that they need to overcome but the question is can they?

Then there is Floyd the seagull, Charley the fish taco chef and Anna, the town recluse. Each character in this novel has been well crafted and plays an important part in Tracy and Michael's story.

If I had anything negative to say about this book, its that Tracy and Michael's story took too long to unfold for me, but then when I look back at the story as a whole, I realize that the only way to really allow the story to unfold was at the slow pace.

I would highly recommend Hope Harbor to anyone wanting to read a sweet story about love lost, love gained, second chances and hope.

On a 5-star scale - 4 1/2 stars!!!!

I would like to thank Revell, a division of Baker Publishing, for my copy of Hope Harbor which I received for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Together With You by Victoria Bylin

When I first heard of Victoria Bylin's debut novel, Until I Found You, I jumped at the chance to read it because I love debut novels. It was so extremely good (read my review here) that when I was given the opportunity to read her second book, Together With You, I jumped at the chance.

Carly Mason is an ex-social worker, working as a manager in a toy store while going to school for her PhD. in Social Welfare. When the story begins a young girl with FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) has been reported missing somewhere in the mall. When Carly hears the "Code Adam" over the Mall PA system she finds herself going back in time when one of her charges ran away and still hasn't been found. At a heightened alert she begins the Code Adam protocol in her store and finds Penny, a young girl who matches the Code Adam description. Soon Penny's father, ophthalmologist Dr. Ryan Tremaine shows up with his two sons to claim Penny. 

While talking with Carly, Dr. Tremaine explains to her that Penny suffers from FASD, but before he can explain what it is, Carly explains it to him. Dr. Tremaine is in need of a nanny. Someone who understands Penny's disorder would be icing on the cake. He asks her to come for an interview and at first Carly tells him no. But she soon changes her mind and accepts the interview.

This book explains a lot about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and the reader is shown what the outcome can be and how children need be handled. Ms. Bylin treated the subject with sensitivity and care.

Ms. Bylin created very believable characters and I found myself wanting to reach out and hug little Penny. I know Ms. Bylin did her research and wouldn't be at all surprised if she observed children with FASD over a period of time.

This story was about forgiveness, trust, and learning to believe and trust in God. While it is a love story between Dr. Tremaine and Carly, it is also a love story between Dr. Tremaine and his kids. There is also a small suspense thread in the early part of the book.

If you enjoy a good contemporary inspirational novel you will love this one. 

On a 5-Star scale = 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Bethany House for my free copy of Together With You. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Heaven Sent Rain by Lauraine Snelling

Lauraine Snelling's newest novel, Heaven Sent Rain is the story of scientist and pharmaceutical CEO Dinah Taylor, veterinarian Dr. Garret Miller and a seven-year-old Jonah Morgan. It is a story of loss, love and trust.

Heaven Sent Rain is well crafted and the characters come to life on the written page. Dinah has issues that cause her to wear mostly white and her apartment is all in white as well. She is very organized and isn't ready for the changes that take place in her life but she soon adapts.

Dr. Garret Miller and Dinah don't really hit it off but because of young Jonah and his needs, they try to get along. Will their animosity tear them apart or pull them together.

One of the major story lines in this book deals with the disease diabetes. Personally, I felt the author went a little overboard in bringing the subject to light. Maybe because I am diabetic I felt I was being brow-beaten. But for some it could very well be an eye-opener.

If you like clean contemporary fiction that pulls at your heartstrings, I would highly suggest this book. I will say that you may need a box of tissues while reading this book. I found myself in tears on several occasions. 

On a 5-Star Scale - 3 Stars.

I would like to thank Faith Words for my copy of Heaven Sent Rain. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

  

At Bluebonnet Lake by Amanda Cabot

I always enjoy reading authors that are new to me. Especially when they are as gifted as Amanda Cabot. Her newest book, At Bluebonnet Lake, was an enjoyable "feel good" story set in Texas.

Kate Sherwood works in advertising and aspires to become a partner in the firm one day. She is a workaholic so when her grandma Sally wants her to take a month long trip with her to Rainbow's End, Texas, Kate reluctantly agrees. Mostly because she knows Sally's health is fragile. She owes Sally so much because when Kate's parents died when she was young her grandparents, Sally and Larry raised her. 

Sally wants to return to Rainbow's End because she spent one wonderful week there with Larry fifty years before. When they arrive at Rainbow's End, it is not the same. It is run down and in desperate need of repair, but Sally still sees the beauty of it.

The hero is billionaire Greg Vange and when Kater first meets him she believes him to be a maintenance man at the resort.

I truly loved this story, it was simple but enjoyable. Besides Kate and Greg's story, the reader is also treated to a love story between Sally and Roy. The stories were woven together and left a smile on my face. 

The characters were well developed and interacted well with each other and I must say when I closed the book they all left a smile on my face.

I would highly recommend At Bluebonnet Lake to anyone who enjoys a good Christian contemporary love story.

On a 5-Star Scale - 4 1/2 Stars!!!!

I would like to thank Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for my copy of At Bluebonnet Lake. I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Evergreen by Susan May Warren

Whether you are already a fan of Susan May Warren's Christiansen family or not, Ms. Warren's newest book in the Christiansen family series is one not to be missed. This is the story of the Patriarch and Matriarch of the family, John and Ingrid Christiansen.

This is the story of 'empty-nesters' and how they deal with having a house full of children to having none. At least for awhile anyway. Ms. Warren shows how John and Ingrid look at things differently and how they have to learn to compromise.

I will admit I shed more than a few tears in this book but I can't tell you why or it will ruin the story for you. I will suggest you have some tissues handy just in case.

Evergreen is the story of endings and new beginnings, of truth and consequences, of love and forgiveness. Ms. Warren has masterfully created characters that make the reader feel what they feel.

I would highly recommend picking up a copy of Evergreen. This book is a novella and while it is a mere 185 pages long it packs a powerful punch. It is a book that even if you never read any of Ms. Warren's other Christiansen family stories you should read this one. 

On a 5-Star Scale = 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Tyndale House Publishers for my copy of Evergreen to review. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest opinion, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

CFBA - Until I Found You by Victoria Bylin

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Until I Found You

Bethany House Publishers (May 6, 2014)

by

Victoria Bylin

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A word from the Author:

This may sound crazy, but I was driven to write romance by giant bugs and killer rabbits. I just couldn't take it anymore. My husband and two sons would be camped in front of the television watching a movie about spiders the size of bowling balls, and I'd be wondering when the handsome scientist would get around to kissing the spunky woman with the bug spray. When it didn't happen, I decided to write my own happy endings--without the giant bugs...


Known for her realistic, likable characters and vivid writing, Victoria Bylin writes both western and contemporary inspirational romance. Her books have finaled in the ACFW Carol Awards, the Rita Awards and RT Magazine’s Reviewers’ Choice Awards. She and her husband currently live in Lexington, Kentucky and have two grown sons.

ABOUT THE BOOK


Finding each other was only the beginning . . .


When Kate Darby swerves off a mountain road to avoid hitting a California condor, she ends up trapped in her car, teetering on the edge of a cliff. Terrified, she breathes a prayer that changes her life.


It's Nick Sheridan who comes to Kate's rescue. Nick is handsome and confident, and he seems to develop a habit of rescuing her, but Kate is in town only until her grandmother recuperates from a stroke. She's not planning to get involved with one of the locals.


Nick is a reformed veteran of life in the fast lane, a new Christian, and a travel writer. When he sees a car dangling on the edge of a cliff, the daredevil in him jumps into action. He doesn't expect to be swept off his feet by the car's occupant. He's made a vow--no dating for a year--but keeping that vow is going to be a lot more difficult now that he's met Kate Darby. . . .


If you'd like to read the first chapter of Until I Found You, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS:

This was my first experience reading a book by Victoria Bylin but as cliche as it may sound, it won't be the last. I loved her strong POV of her characters. Kate Darby and Nick Sheridan were perfectly crafted to show all their flaws and yet they pulled this reader in and made me care for them despite their many flaws.

Nick comes to Kate's rescue early on in the book and their meeting was traumatic and heroic all at once. Throughout the book Nick tends to come to Kate's rescue but it never gets old. In fact you expect him to be there at just the right time.

Kate's grandmother, Leona, was a wonderful character and Ms. Bylin depicted her character very well, especially after Leona suffers a stroke. I loved the passion that Leona has for the California Condor and the journal she created for Kate about the condors. Well done Ms. Bylin.

I loved this book. I love birds. I'm a native Californian (transplanted to Indiana) and I could relate to the mountainous driving that Kate Darby was so fearful about. 

On a 5-Star Scale = 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Bethany House Publishers for my copy of Until I Found You. I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

One Perfect Spring by Irene Hannon

Whether it is Christian Contemporary Fiction or Christian Romantic Suspense, author Irene Hannon knows how to weave a tale that will grab the reader, pull them in, and make them feel part of the story.  Ms. Hannon's book, One Perfect Spring was just such a tale. 

One Perfect Spring begins with a handwritten letter from 11 year old Haley Summers. She wrote the letter to David McMillan because she saw where he had given money to a children's hospital and her mother, Claire, told her Mr. McMillan did a lot of nice things for people. In Haley's letter, she tells Mr. McMillan about her neighbor, Dr. Maureen Chandler, who is looking for her son that she gave up for adoption at birth. That sets the basis for the story.

Keith Watson is the executive assistant to Mr. McMillan and part of his job is to go through some letters written to the McMillan Charitable Foundation. When Keith comes across Haley's letter he has no intention of bringing it to David's attention, however, it ends up on the floor where David discovers it and believes it to be a worthy cause. So Keith is put in charge of helping Dr. Chandler find her son.  

There is one thing that could throw a major glitch into the plans of answering Haley's request, Maureen Chandler told Haley's mother Claire about her son in strict confidence. Unfortunately, Haley was eavesdropping and decided she wanted to help their friend.

Sparks slowly ignite between Claire and Keith, but an added bonus is Keith and Maureen find themselves involved as well. Now, some may say a story like this is far fetched, but as the title of my blog says, "All Things Are Possible" and as a Christian I know God can do anything. I would love to tell you more about this wonderful story but I never hand out spoilers.

This novel is filled with well crafted, believable characters and a few twists and turns that keep you guessing. It is a story of forgiveness, hope, love and prayers answered. All in all this was a beautiful story that was ignited by the wish of a small child. 

I would highly recommend Ms. Hannon's newest book to anyone wanting a good clean book to read. If you have never read anything by this author, please take a chance on One Perfect Spring, you won't be sorry. If you have read Ms. Hannon's work before then make sure to grab yourself a copy of this wonderful book. It's a sure hit!

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Revell, a division of Baker Publishing group for my copy of One Perfect Spring. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,