“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!