“Smitten” by Collen Coble, Diann Hunt, Kristin Billerbeck & Denise Hunter

When I heard that Thomas Nelson was going to publish “Smitten” I’m pretty sure I jumped up & down.   At least I did in my head.  Not only did it sound like a fabulous, snuggle-up-on-a-rainy-day kind of book, it also has collaborated four of the best authors in today’s Christian fiction market.

“Smitten” is a fictional town set in Vermont.  It is like any typical small town in America, struggling with what seems to be the common theme everywhere nowadays: the economy.  Their largest employer has bit the dust and the town is on its way to extinction.   Four gal pals, Natalie, Julia, Shelby & Reese, concoct a plan to give the town a new image by creating it to be the romance capital of America.

 

“Smitten” was a really fun book to read.  It’s easy reading and you can take it one novella at a time.  The book is divided up into the four novellas, about 100 pages each, and each author developed their character to reflect their real life personalities.  I loved that we got an idea of what the author’s are like in real life as these ladies are some of my absolute favorites.

My only complaint about the book is that since they are novellas, the storyline between the characters progress rather quickly.  I would have loved to have seen full novels on each of these ladies, but then the initial concept of “Smitten” would be out the window.  The GREAT news is that there is a second book on “Smitten” that we be published soon!

I received a copy of “Smitten” from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, in exchange for my honest review.

“Longing” by Karen Kingsbury

When I finished Longing, I felt let down. Does anyone else feel like this series is just DRAGGING on?? But phew, we only have one more book to go… unless Karen Kingsbury makes another series to add on to this series that was added on to that series that goes with that other series. Follow? Yeah, me neither.

Okay, annoyances aside, I love Karen Kingsbury. I think she write stories that deal with real emotions and we all can relate to her characters. That’s one thing I loved about her Redemption, First Born & Sunrise series. The Above the Line series was just kind of weird but you had to read that to get to the Bailey Flanigan series. But I feel very let down with this current series.

During the last part of the Sunrise series and the Above the Line series, I really started to love the characters of Bailey and Cody. Imagine how happy I was (and you too, probably) when I heard that she was giving Bailey her own series. I was really excited and have read each of them faithfully as they’ve released.

But like another reviewer posted, I can’t help but think that she is swaying her writing in favor or the real life story with her own daughter, Kelsey, who just got engaged to Kyle Kupecky, who is a member of Anthem Lights (whose band was plugged in the book(and it’s also plugged numerous times on her FB page… Thanks, Karen…. I think.)) PLUS, Karen had Kyle pose as Brandon on the cover of Longing and in the trailer of the book. It all just seems a little too coincidental, don’t you think? And to add to all of that frustration, Brandon’s character is way too needy and kind of creepy. And I think Bailey is swayed just a little too easily by him. (Note to Karen: I don’t think your future son-in-law will be offended if you have Bailey end up with Cody instead of Brandon… Their relationship won’t be doomed if you do.)

BUT regardless, I have been sucked in and I will be reading #4 in the Bailey Flanigan series. I know I’m not the only one frustrated with the ending of Longing. I just hope I don’t throw “Loving” up against the wall when I’m finished with it. Karen, it’s in your hands… or pen….

Crossroads of Grace series by Allison Pittman

I really love Allison Pittman’s writing. She has the ability to captivate her readers with her attention to detail and depth of characters. The first of her novels that I read was “For Time and Eternity” which is part of her Sister Wives series, which did not disappoint.

After reading both books in the Sister Wives series, I started the Crossroads of Grace series. The first in the series, “Ten Thousand Charms”, is really similar to Francine River’s “Redeeming Love”. I don’t think it was as epic as River’s, but good nonetheless.

That being said, “Speak Through the Wind” & “With Endless Sight” were not my favorite of hers. While I was excited to read about Sadie(Kassandra) & Biddy (Belinda) after having met her in the first book of the series (Ten Thousand Charms) I didn’t find myself pulled into these novels the same way that I’ve been with Pittman’s other books.

In “Speak Through the Wind”, I felt like the book focused so much on Sadie’s plight (how she got out of it, then back into it, out again, in again) that I was emotionally exhausted with the first 80% of the text. Then, the part I wanted to read, the part about REDEMPTION & FORGIVENESS, was just a small rushed snippet towards the very end of the book.

The same can go for “With Endless Sight”. Belinda was BY FAR the most lovable out of the three heroines in the series, but in some way, when you know what is going to happen to her (from the 2 novels previous) it just makes the story not as interesting. I felt like the novel ended abruptly and I was left with just an “okay….” feeling.

Regardless, I will continue to read Pittman’s novels as she releases them. She really is a talented author and I HIGHLY recommend her Sister Wives series.

GREAT Giveaway at the Tyndale Facebook page!

I wanted to let you know about a great giveaway happening over at the New Living Translation Facebook page, and also give you a chance to enter a Tyndale Blog Network exclusive giveaway.

Here are the NLT Facebook page giveaway details:

Starting on November 29th until December 24th at the New Living Translation Facebook page we’re giving away lots of great prizes and something free for you just for singing up.

By visiting the giveaway entry page (located on the NLT Facebook page, the link is under the profile picture) and entering your name and e-mail address you’ll be entered to win the following prizes:

One random person each day will win a Life Application Study Bible Family Pack (Guys Life Application Study Bible hc, Girls Life Application Study Bible hc, Student’s Life Application Study Bible hc, Life Application Study Bible hc, Life Application Study Bible Large Print hc).
One Random person each week will win an Apple iPad 2!

Everyone that signs up gets a free download copy of the Life Application Bible Study – Book of Luke!

“Lonestar Angel” by Colleen Coble

I was provided a copy of “Lonestar Angel” by Thomas Nelson’s Book Blogging program called Book Sneeze for my honest review of the book.

I am not one to read books that are in a series out of order, so when I learned that “Lonestar Angel” was book #4 in the Colleen Coble’s Lonestar series, I knew I had to somehow devour the first three titles in a very short amount of time.  Thankfully, Colleen Coble’s writing made that pretty easy.   However, some of the plots and scenarios that take place are somewhat unbelievable and a little farfetched, but that’s part of the joy of reading fiction.

With all that being said, “Lonestar Angel” was probably my second favorite out of the four Lonestar books (my favorite being “Lonestar Secrets” Book 2).  In Book 4, Eden and Clay Larson are brought back together after five years apart.  Through a turn of events that you’ll just have to read to believe, they find themselves searching for the daughter that was stolen out of her crib as an infant.  They are led to Bluebird Ranch, where they think their daughter is with a group of girls that are in the foster care system.  They become pseudo camp counselors in order to identify which one is their daughter, during which they become involved in a cat and mouse game with their daughter’s original kidnapper.

I really enjoyed this novel and highly recommend reading the series in order, unless you don’t mind spoilers.  However, when you’re reading them you just have to ignore that sarcastic, little voice in your head that says “Like that could really happen….” and just enjoy the story.   I will definitely be reading more of Colleen Coble’s novels!  I’m going to give it 5 stars because the book is simply good fiction.

The other books in the Lonestar Series!

“The Doctor’s Lady” by Jody Hedlund

I was provided a copy of “The Doctor’s Lady” by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Historical fiction, especially those based in America, is one my favorite genres.  Not only do I (usually) get a fabulous story, I’m also able to learn about those who came before us.   Regardless of whether the character is completely a figment of the author’s imagination or based off of a real person, you’re still able to catch a glimpse into the world that they lived in: the trials and hardships that they endured all for the sake of a better living (to which we are all the beneficiaries of).  I’m pretty positive that if it were up ME to be one of the first to settle the West, we would have only made it as far as the Ohio River.    What is most fascinating about “The Doctor’s Lady” is that the hero and heroine are based on real characters in America’s history, a fact that I didn’t realize until I turned over the last page of the book.  Even though the vast majority of what I read was pure fiction, little factual details were still webbed through the story.

My heart broke for Priscilla throughout this book.  I’m so thankful that we no longer live in a society that deems a woman unworthy and undesirable because of her inability to reproduce.  While I envy the innocence and modesty that was lived day in and day out a century ago, I am thankful that some trains of thought have been shifted on to more compassionate tracks.   Thankfully, through her hasty marriage, she comes to realize her true value and worth.  At first, I didn’t particularly care for Eli.  I thought him crass and kind of a jerk, but as the story continued, Eli softened up and became a wonderful “hero” of the book.

I loved this book so much that I ran to library and checked out Jody Hedlund’s other novel “The Preacher’s Bride” which is also based on a true couple and their marriage.  Jody Hedlund is an author to watch!

“Softly and Tenderly” by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck

I received this book from Thomas Nelson publishers in exchange for my honest review of this novel. 

I love Rachel Hauck, so when I heard that she was collaborating with Sara Evans on a new series, I was really excited.  The first novel of this series by this dynamic duo is called “The Sweet By & By” which I also reviewed for Thomas Nelson.  I really enjoyed the book, but it wasn’t one that grabbed me and made me wait anxiously for the second installment to come out.

So, when I was able to read “Softly and Tenderly” I have to say that it was my favorite of the two.  My heart broke for Jade on so many levels.  On the surface, she seems like a young lady that has her life put together, but once you get to know her you realize how much she has dealt with and is currently dealing with: her mother, her abortion, her numerous miscarriages, her ex-boyfriend, her husband’s drug addiction and secret child.  While Jade brings some of this on herself, most of it is thrown into her lap for her to deal with.  How would you respond in these situations?  I think everyone thinks that they would handle it with the utmost class, but I think once we’re put into the thick of it our true human tendencies would start to show.

I really enjoyed “Softly and Tenderly” and I’m looking forward to the conclusion of the Songbird series!

“Forsaking All Others” by Allison Pittman

When I decided to read The Sister Wife Series by Allison Pittman, I really had no idea what to expect. I figured it could either be really terrible, or it could be really good.  Thank goodness it was the latter!   Not only do I think I think I’ve found a new author to add to my “favorites” list, I learned a TON about Mormon history and culture, which was an added bonus.

 

I agreed to review “Forsaking All Others” by Allison Pittman for Tyndale Publishing.  They sent me the book in exchange for my honest opinion.  However, I can’t stand reading books out of order in series, so I HAD to read the first one before I even cracked open the second.   And I am so glad that I did. I HIGHLY recommend reading Pittman’s first book in the series “For Time and Eternity” before reading this novel.  You’ll find yourself lost and a little confused otherwise.

 

I think everyone can relate to Camilla, regardless of religion, age or circumstance.  Aren’t we all searching for something greater than ourselves?  Something to give our life to?  What each person decides is completely up to them and is what makes us “people”. We all are searching for something and that is where Nathan Fox found Camilla.  She grew up in a Christian home and had devout Christian parents, but she never claimed it for her own. She longed for the love and attention that she was deprived of at home and found that Nathan Fox could fill that need for her.  Only after giving her life to her husband, his false beliefs, having her infant son die in her arms and then having her husband take a second wife is she able to find the God she grew up with but never “knew”.   Camilla decided to do the unthinkable and run away from her husband, leaving her two young daughters with him.

 

And so this is where we find Camilla at the beginning of “Forsaking All Others”: a runaway, an “apostate”, her children abandoned.  How are her actions in line with what God wants?   It would be hard to understand why Camilla decides to take this path, but she feels so strongly that this is what God would have her do that there is no stopping her.  Cold and in need, she stumbles upon a United States Army camp, where she is taken in by Colonel Charles Brandon. The friendship that develops between Camilla and Charles is like a flower bud in late winter and it continues to grow and blossom into something more as the months pass by.  My only qualm with the book is that I wanted to read more about Camilla and Charles, but this was Camilla’s story, her journey.  And it is a beautiful one that we can all relate to.  We’ve all been in Camilla’s shoes, but it’s which direction we decide to go that makes us who we are.

 

Thank you again to Tyndale Publishing for letting me review this book.  I probably would not have picked it up otherwise, but now I will be recommending it highly to everyone!

 

The FIRST in the Sister Wife Series!  “For Time and Eternity” by Allison Pittman

“Cherished” by Kim Cash Tate

I received “Cherished” from Thomas Nelson’s Book Blogging program called BookSneeze.  They gave me a free copy of the book for my honest review.

Honestly, I had a hard time getting into this book. Maybe it’s because I had a huge stack of other unread books glaring at me, or maybe the book just didn’t grab me, but it’s my honest opinion.  Now, I do have to say one thing:  I would like a “warning” when the book is second in a series. I hate it when I snuggle down to start a book, only to find out I missed the first one in the series.  It completely puts a bad taste in my mouth when I realize I’ve already missed a lot of the backstory.

I do agree with another reviewer when she says “The only thing that threw me a bit from time to time was some of the conversational language. Slang words and phrases (that are quite natural when spoken) seemed a bit forced when written in the dialogue.”   Even though I’m sure it’s true to the characters, I do find that when author’s use “slang” for their character’s speech, it throws off the reader who is not necessarily familiar with that type of slang.  I’ve had the same issue with Janette Oke’s “Love Comes Softly” text.

“The Colonel’s Lady” by Laura Frantz

When I turned the final page, I wanted to cry.  That, my friend, is how good “The Colonel’s Lady” is.

Let me put it bluntly:  I wish there was some way that I could be transported into one of Laura Frantz’ s novels.  I would even put up with the corsets and lack of air-conditioning.  Please, pretty please?  Can I?

“The Colonel’s Lady” does not disappoint, whether you are a faithful Frantz reader or if this is the first of her novels to grace your bookshelf.   Roxie, although a tad fickle, is a lovable heroine.  At first glance, I was convinced that the great and powerful Colonel Cassius McLinn was a tad too overbearing and snobbish for her, but towards the end, I realized how wrong I was.

Living in central Kentucky myself, I find myself swept back into history through Frantz’s novels, to a time where daily life was much simpler, love was innocent and war was real, unkind and a reality.  The stories she weaves, albeit pure fiction, brings about a deeper respect for my ancestors, my state and my country.  What a sacrifice our forefathers made for us, all for the sake of freedom.

I really loved this book.  Really, I did.  My favorite of Frantz’s is “Courting Morrow Little”, but I would say this is a VERY close second.