Keeper of the Stars by Robin Lee Hatcher

When I saw the cover of Robin Lee Hatcher's newest book, Keeper of the Stars, I couldn't help but want to read it. First, the cover art is enticing and second, the title is the same as one of my favorites songs by country singer Tracy Byrd. Once I started reading I realized the song and book title were not a coincidence.

Keeper of the Stars is the third book in Ms. Hatcher's "Kings Meadow Romance" series, but while it is the third book it can be read as a standalone book. I must admit I haven't read the first two books in the series yet but didn't feel like I was missing anything.

This book is a story that deals with grief, remembrance, forgiveness and healing. It is the story of a young woman and her father who live in Kings Meadow, Idaho and for the most part are just moving through life carrying their grief baggage with them. You see, twelve years prior to where the story begins, Penny Cartwright, her brother Brad and her father Rodney, lost their mother and wife to pneumonia. All three had a hard time dealing with the loss but somehow pulled through. It is now twelve years later and Penny and her father are now trying to get over the loss of Brad who has died in a tragic car accident. Unfortunately, Penny blames Brad's boss, country singer wannabe, Trevor Reynolds for Brad''s death. Afterall, if Trevor hadn't hired Brad as his drummer, Brad might still be alive.

What I truly enjoyed about this book is the way Ms. Hatcher did flashback chapters from Brad's point of view so the reader was able to see him for who he was and how God had chosen him to be used to touch the lives of so many people.  She also allowed each character to show their grief and anger in such a realistic way that the reader can't help but feel it too.

Trevor comes to Kings Meadow at the request of Brad and is met with anger and contempt from Penny but is met with a caring warmth from Penny's dad. In time, God's hand is seen in the reason Brad requested Trevor to go to his home in Kings Meadow. This was a beautifully told story that showed how grief can be healed and forgiveness can be a gift.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good family love story. On a 5-Star scale = 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity for my copy of Keeper of the Stars. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

Four Weddings and a Kiss by Margaret Brownley, Debra Clopton, Mary Connealy, and Robin Lee Hatcher

If you like reading anthologys or short novellas, then Four Weddings & a Kiss is a book you will want to pick up and devour. The authors offer up wonderful stories that will put a smile on any reader's face. 

The book begins with a prologue introducing Reverend Gregory Miller. He is a pastor in love and the woman he loves is someone that he feels isn't right to be a pastor's wife. When the book begins, he is at a revival meeting in Ft. Worth, Texas and the following day he will be getting on a train to head home. While he is praying to God he speaks out loud asking God how is he going to live without Elizabeth in his life. Four other pastors hear his cry and they begin to share stories of 'miss-matched' couples that found their happy endings.

The first story offered is Spitfire Sweetheart by Mary Connealy.  Maizy MacGregor was raised by her father since the age of five and she can ride and work a ranch along with the best of men. However, she has a problem of getting herself in trouble. Rylan Cartens owns the neighboring ranch to the MacGregors and he has made it clear that Maizy is to stay off his property. A black angus bull and one crazy grizzly bear set the tempo of what ensues next.  This was probably my favorite story in the entire anthology. 

                                         

The second story is A Love Letter to the Editor by Robin Lee Hatcher. This is the story of Molly Everton and Jack Ludgrove. Molly's father owns the local newspaper and decides it is time to hire someone as managing editor. When Molly finds out that her father has hired Jack instead of offering her the position she is outraged. While Molly is trying hard to deter Jack from staying at the newspaper, her heart is telling her something else. This was a cute story that I truly enjoyed.

A Cowboy for Katie, by Debra Clopton, is the third story. It is the story of Katie Pearl and Treb Rayburn. When the story begins, Katie has just suffered a devastating loss three weeks prior. Her father was killed when a tornado hit their ranch. She was pinned under debris for several days and now the people of the town thinks she's crazy because she acts different. What they don't know is she suffered a concussion and is slowing recovering from the affects of it. Treb is suffering himself, with a case of wanderlust. Three days before arriving Midway, Texas his horse dies right out from under him. When he arrives in town, he decides to get a job in order to make enough money to buy another horse. Katie overhears him asking the proprietor of the general store if he knew of any place he could get hired on. Katie proceeds to offer Treb a job with pay and the promise of a horse when the job is done. She wants him to rebuild her house that was destroyed. This was another fun story, that kept me engaged until the end. 

The last story offered is Courting Trouble by Margaret Brownley.  This is the story of Grace Davenport and Brock Daniels.  Grace is a young widow raising her son alone. The story begins with her son, Jesse Morris, asking Brock, a local lawyer, to help his mother who is currently in jail. According to Jesse, the sheriff said she killed her husband. Jesse wants Brock because the lawyer the court appointed for her has lost most of his cases and his clients have been hung. She is found innocent but only because the judge sided with her and needed to leave town. Through a discussion that Brock has with Jesse they come up with an idea on how to find out who really killed Grace's husband. This was another fun story and I loved the suspense thread.

The book concludes with an epilogue in which Reverend Gregory Miller arrives home to his Elizabeth and he tells her he wants to share with her the stories the other pastors shared with him. Stories about two people in love just like them. And yes, after reading the four stories, the epilogue ends with the kiss.

I would highly recommend Four Weddings & a Kiss to anyone who enjoys light-hearted reading. You can easily read each novella in one sitting. If I were to say anything negative about the book it is that I would love to learn more about all of these characters. All the women had spunk and the men had the willingness to tame them. An enjoyable read.

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

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity and Thomas Nelson for my review copy. I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

A Bride For All Seasons by Margaret Brownley, Debra Clopton, Mary Connealy & Robin Lee Hatcher -my review

I truly love reading anthologies, yet I always find, in the end, I want more. I want more story. I want more of the characters. I want more from the authors. This is not a bad thing by any means. In reading A Bride for All Seasons, an anthology written by Margaret Brownley, Debra Clopton, Mary Connealy & Robin Lee Hatcher I discovered a new author to me, Debra Clopton. I also remember why I love all these authors and it makes me want to go out and pick up their newest novel.

A Bride for All Seasons is made up of four stories.  The first is And Then Came Spring by Margaret Brownley. This is the story of Mary-Jo Parker, a Mail-Order Bride who has come to Colton, Kansas in 1870 to marry one Mr. Daniel Garrett. One, very dead, Mr. Daniel Garrett. Will Mary-Jo stay in Colton and find someone else to wed or will she return from wince she came? What about the young boy that has been left fatherless when Mr. Daniel Garrett passed on? 

I found Ms. Brownley's story quite enchanting. I was immediately drawn into her story and fell in love with her characters.  

The second story was Debra Clopton's, An Ever After Summer. This was the story of Melvina Eldora Smith (Ellie for short) and Mathew McConnell. It takes place in Honey Springs, Texas in 1870. Ellie is escaping her past with hopes of a new future with Mathew and her beloved Lord and Savior Jesus. What she doesn't know is Mathew requested that his bride not be a Bible thumper. Can Ellie change his mind?

This was my first experience in reading Ms. Clopton's work and it won't be my last. She too drew me into the story quickly and made me care deeply for her characters.

The third story was Robin Lee Hatcher's, Autumn's Angel. This was the story of Luvena Abbott and Clay Birch and takes place in the Idaho Territory in 1870.  Luvena's parents have died as has her sister and brother-in-law, leaving her to raise her two nieces and one nephew. She knows the only way she can manage is by becoming a mail-order bride. What she doesn't know is that her letter has been altered and she doesn't realize that Clay Birch doesn't want to raise someone else's children. Clay also didn't receive the part of Luvena's letter telling him of her young charges. What happened to their letters? Will Clay come to care for the children as his own?

This is the second time I have read something by Ms. Hatcher. I truly enjoy her work and always look forward to reading more. She too created lovable characters.

The last story was Mary Connealy's Winter Wedding Bells and it is set in Wyoming in 1870. It is the story of Megan McBride and David Laramie. David is the father of two small boys, ages 4 and 5, and he believes he is about to die. He wants a bride so when he dies his sons will have a mother to care for them. David was diagnosed with pneumonia and told he has a failing heart. Megan won't hear of such a thing and begins to nurse him back to health just as she nursed her own brothers when they had pneumonia. I must admit I chuckled a few times in this story. Okay, I laughed out loud. After all, the author is Mary Connealy and she is quite good at placing a touch of humor in all the right places. 

Ms. Connealy captured me with the very first page and drew me into the story as she always does. Her characters are crisp and believable.

While none of the stories are connected to each other by character or setting, they are connected by The Hitching Post, a mail order catalog, and Mr. Melvin Hitchcock, the owner and editor. Mr. Hitchcock, has a knack for 'knowing' just what each person is truly looking for in a bride or groom and he sees to it that each letter is 'tweaked' just a little.

More about A Bride For All Seasons:

It All Started with an Ad in a Mail Order Bride Catalogue . . .

Melvin Hitchcock of the Hitching Post Mail Order Bride Catalog isn't dishonest---not exactly. If he tweaks his clients' applications a bit, it's because he's looking out for their best interests.

This charming bouquet of novellas introduces four Hitching Post prospects in the year 1870, each one eager for second chances . . . and hungry for happiness. Year in, year out, they'll learn that love often comes in unexpected packages.

And Then Came Spring by Margaret Brownley

Mary-Jo has been unlucky all her life. But who would guess she'd travel halfway across the country to meet her match . . . only to find him dead!

An Ever-After Summer by Debra Clopton

Ellie had no idea she's not what Matthew ordered. And what's wrong with being a "Bible thumper" anyway? She's determined to show him she's tougher than she looks---and just the girl he needs.

Autumn's Angel by Robin Lee Hatcher

Luvena would be perfect for Clay if she didn't come with kids. But kids are a deal breaker, especially in a rough-and-trouble mining town. The trouble is, there's no money to send them back. . .

Winter Wedding Bells by Mary Connealy

David's convinced he's not long for the world. He needs someone to mother his boys when he's gone---nothing more. Can plucky Irish Megan convince him to work at living instead of dying?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/mL2Ln

Meet the Authors:

Margaret Brownley is a NEW YORK TIMES best-selling author and has penned more than twenty-five historical and contemporary novels. @margaretbrownley 

Robin Lee Hatcher is a Christy and RITA award-winning author. Her books often appear on bestseller lists. @robinleehatcher 

Mary Connealy is a Carol Award winner, an a RITA, Christy and Inspirational Reader's Choice finalist. @MaryConnealy 

Debra Clopton is an award winning author of sweet, heartfelt, western romance that face life with a smile. With over 2 million books in print, Debra has her first book coming as a movie starring LeAnn Rimes. @debraclopton

I would highly recommend A Bride for All Seasons to anyone wanting a good clean historical romance to read.  I thoroughly enjoyed all four stories. Did I have a favorite? Yes, but that's my secret.

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

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity and Thomas Nelson for my review copy.  I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Betrayal by Robin Lee Hatcher - my review & 2 book giveaway

I am so very excited to tell you about a new author I discovered.  Well, you all may have read her work before but I was just blessed with reading my first book by Robin Lee Hatcher.  I was given the chance to read and review her book betrayal (little 'b' on purpose), the second book in her "Where the Heart Lives" series and Zondervan blessed me with not only a copy of betrayal, but also the first book in the series, belonging.  Oh, and they were also gracious enough to send me a second copy of each to offer to you, my readers.  Yes, this is a giveaway post!  Yippee!

I read the book, betrayal first as that was the book Zondervan was requesting to be reviewed.  Now I am excited to read the first in the series.

betrayal is the story of widow Julia Grace and drifter Hugh Brennan.  Julia's husband had been abusive to her and she vowed never to love or marry again.  She is left with a ranch to run and taxes to pay.  Hugh Brennan's mother died when he was young and he and his sisters were separated when they were sent to live with different families.  Hugh's father soon finds him and takes him to live with him only to turn him over to a life of crime.  Hugh serves time in prison for a crime he didn't commit and is now trying to find his two sisters.  In his travels, he encounters Julia and he asks if she could use some help on her farm for a few days.  I can't say anything more or it will be a spoiler, which I never try to do.

One thing I loved about this book is the way Ms Hatcher weaves God's Word throughout, whether as a thought or a spoken word.  Well done.  Not overbearing.

Ms. Hatcher has created a beautiful and believable cast of characters that come to life on the written page.  I found myself endeared to Julia and Hugh from the very beginning and Charlie, well, let's just say....I didn't like him at all.  Well done Ms. Hatcher.  Any author who can make me love and hate their characters becomes an author that I will go out of my way to find their books.  

As a side note, in my humble opinion, whoever created the beautiful cover art for betrayal captured the leading male, Hugh Brennan very, very well. 

I would highly recommend betrayal to anyone enjoying a good Christian love story.

On a 5-Star scale = 5 BIG stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Zondervan for my review copies and giveaway copies.  I received my copies for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

Now for the giveaway.....

************ GIVEAWAY RULES  ************

1.  Giveaway is open to US and Canada

2.  No PO Boxes please.

3.  Answer my question below for one entry - +1..

4.  For extra entries you may do one or all of the following:
    -- become a Google Friends Connect follower +2

    -- become an email subscriber +1

    -- invite a friend to become a follower of my blog.  If they become a follower & mention your name, you will both receive 2 extra entries

5. Include an email address where I can reach you if you are selected as the winner of this giveaway.  Please enter your email address in this format    winner[at]yahoo[dot]com

To make sure your entry counts, please answer the following question:

What is your favorite season of the year?


Giveaway will run through February 24th, and one winner will be selected to win copies of both books using Random.Org

For giveaways on other blogs please go to Winning Readings at http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/p/winning-readings-giveaways.html

Smiles & Blessings,