The Vigilante's Bride

The Vigilante's Bride by Yvonne Harris

This book was provided to me free of charge by Bethany House publishers in exchange for my posted review.  

The Vigilante's Bride was set in the Montana Territory - December 1884.  Luke Sullivan is on his way away from a job that he's grown tired of when he overhears the travel plans of his enemy - the man who robbed his father many years ago.  So, on a spur of the moment decision, Luke decides to hold up the stage coach and get back what he feels is rightfully his.  

Only one problem.  The coach was not just carrying the banker and cash, but also a young lady who Luke finds out it a mail order bride for his enemy.  So rather than just taking the money and running, Luke also kidnaps the girl.  And she does NOT take kindly to this!

But what if Luke turns out to be the man of her dreams?  What if he really is the man of her dreams?  

Follow Luke and Emily's journey as they discover how to tolerate each other as they both try to escape the dangerous man Luke has crossed.  

I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes Historical Western style fiction.  

Love's First Bloom By Delia Parr

Love's First Bloom by Delia Parr
Published by Bethany House Publishers

I received this book for free through Bethany House Publishers book review program. I am under no obligation to write a positive review on the book.

That being said, I AM going to write a positive review. I have become a full fledged fan of Delia Parr's now. This is her second book, and I have had the privilege of reviewing both. When I saw that Bethany House was offering her second book to reviewers, I jumped at the opportunity!

Now for the review.

It is March of 1838, and Ruth Livingstone's life is about to change forever.

Ruth is the daughter of Reverend Livingstone, a man who loves God and ministers to the prostiutes who work in New York City's brothels. His ministry is known as The Prodigal Daughters.

Then the unthinkable happens. One of Reverend Livingstone's "daughters in the faith" is found murdered, and he is accused of her murder. After being granted a few days to put his affairs in order, Mr. Livingstone sends Ruth off with a toddler in her arms to live with a family she's never met under the assumed name Widow Malloy.

As Ruth adjusts to her new surroundings and identity, she spends her days praying for her father, and reading the local papers, hoping for word of his acquittal. As another tragedy threatens to consume what's left of her feeble faith, Ruth takes solace in the one place she can find peace - her garden.

There, as she prepares the soil to accept new beauty in the form of flower starters, she meets Jake Spencer, a man who also has secrets. He both annoys and inspires Ruth. As both Jake and Ruth discover their attraction to each other, will the secrets they both keep be too much to overcome? Will Ruth be able to find ANYONE to trust? Will she be able to keep her identity, and the identity of the precious little girl in her care, a secret as she tries to protect her from the newspaper men trying to find them?

A little intrigue, a little romance, and a lot of what we as humans really feel all combine to make this a book - and an author- I would highly recommend.

Thank you, Bethany House Publishers, for allowing me the privilege of reviewing this book for you. And, Ms. Delia Parr, keep on writing. I'll keep on reading!

A Scarlet Cord of Hope - By Sheryl Griffin

A Scarlet Thread of Hope - Written by Sheryl Griffin and published by Westview Inc., Nashville, TN

First of all I want to thank Sheryl herself for making herself vulnerable to me every time we meet. She gave me this copy of her book, and even autographed it for me. :)
I agreed to publish a review of it on my blog. What an honor she gave me in the gift of her book.

A Scarlet Thread of Hope is the true story of one very courageous woman - who happens to be a friend of mine - and her journey through guilt, shame, and fear to Hope. To quote Sheryl, "This book is not a book complaining about my childhood or being a victim. This book is not meant to tell every aspect of my life."

This being said, it does go into details of Sheryl's childhood through present day and the strands of thread that, when woven together, formed a scarlet cord that hung heavily around her neck. These details are the ones that she believes were the keys to her eventual diagnosis with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

It is a book that I couldn't put down when I started reading. It is one that I think I'll have to buy copies of for a few friends and relatives.

My favorite parts of the book came at the end of each chapter. These sections were labeled What I Know Now. I loved these parts, because that's where Sheryl shared the truths she received from God through her healing process. The story is a very sad one throughout most of the book. But the "What I Know Now" sections make it so very worth the read.

Sheryl likened her journey to healing as finding and putting together the pieces of a puzzle that in the end would form a picture that finally made sense to her. Read it to find the picture she found. It's moving and WORTH THE READ!!!

Thanks again, Sheryl, for sharing this with me, and with the many others who I hope and pray will read it and begin or continue on their own road to healing. Many blessing on you!

Hearts Awakening

Hearts Awakening - by Delia Parr Published by Bethany House Publishers

Two lonely people. Two lonely children. A proposal of convenience. And enough twists and turns to make it a truly enjoyable read.

Elvira ("Ellie") Kilmer is a 32 year old spinster living off the "charity" of her cousin, Mark and his wife Olivia due to the fact that her parents are both deceased and she has no inheritance.

Jackson Smith is a young widower with 2 very young sons and a past soaked in scandal because of a marriage gone awry.

Ellie needs a job and Jackson needs a housekeeper. So cousin Mark "offers" Ellie's services for 2 weeks for FREE!!! But Ellie must take the job, as she is hoping for a recommendation so she can become a housekeeper in a larger city and move from her cousin's home.

Ellie takes the 2 hour walk one way to meet Jackson - whom she finds VERY attractive - and who finds her VERY plain - and begins her work for him.

As Ellie begins finding a place in her heart to love 2 very active boys, Jackson realizes that her presence in their life may be the answer to two of his most pressing needs - a caregiver for his sons, and the scandal of his first marriage.

When Jackson offers Ellie a proposal of convenience, will either he or Ellie find the companionship they need? Or will the secrets they both harbor tear them apart even more.

I found Hearts Awakening a book so hard to put down, I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to read, even though I have 4 sons of my own and a job! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Delia Parr, you have yourself a new customer!

I did not find Amana somewhere I belong.

Somewhere to Belong - By Judith Miller

I'm sorry. I hate writing bad reviews about books. I LOVE reading, and am so thankful to be part of the review board for Bethany House Publishers. It lets me receive books for free.

But this book just hit a raw nerve with me. I grew up in a cult like religion, and the unbending and unwritten rules in this book just got under my skin. They reminded me of how no one can measure up under those circumstances.

I didn't like the fact that Berta was labeled "rebellious". When I had to abide by unbending rules with no grace involved, I was considered rebellious too. :( And the fact that Johanna was punished because of the supposed wrongdoings of Berta made me feel angry too.

I was expecting a book more along the lines of Beverly Lewis's Amish books, which I adore! But this book is nothing like them, in my opinion.

All in all, I won't be reading any more of the books in this series, and probably won't read another book by Judith Miller.

Beguiled By Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand

Beguiled is written by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand and published by Bethany House Publishers

Rylee is a dogwalker for wealthy clients who live "South of Broad" in Historic Charleston, South Carolina. She has a ring of keys that would rival a jailer's with her at all times. She loves animals, and the dogs and their owners alike trust her with their lives and possessions. As a matter of fact, they have come to rely on her at any time of the day or night.

Rylee's been walking dogs for years, and, having grown up in Charleston, has never been afraid of the streets, even after dark. As a matter of fact, she can frequently be seen walking a dog as late as 2 am. But all this is about to change. A series of burglaries and a stalker put Rylee in fear for her safety and ultimately her life for the first time.

Logan Woods is a reporter. He's following the burglaries in hopes of getting material for his true crime book. As he digs into the mystery of the "Robin Hood Burglar" (dubbed this because the burglar donates the stolen objects to local charities), Logan finds out that Rylee seems to be in the middle of everything.

As the attraction between Logan and Rylee grows, Logan must proceed carefully. How should he go about his investigation? What if it all points to Rylee? Should he even pursue the story at all?

Is Rylee involved? Why is she being stalked? Is she the beguiler or the beguiled?

Read Beguiled to find out.

The Hidden Flame - By Davis Bunn and Janette Oke

The Hidden Flame - written by Davis Bunn & Janette Oke Published by Bethany House Publishers

The Hidden Flame is the continuing saga of the first century church. The "Followers of the Way" are growing by leaps and bounds. Thousands are being won to Christ, and many more are being healed by the Apostles.

Enter Abigail, a beautiful and mild mannered Follower who finally found home and family with the group of growing believers. Abigail had lost her entire family to the Romans - or so she thought. But, through a friend, Leah, and her husband, Alban, new followers of the Way, she has just been reunited with her brother, Jacob. She is also being mentored by none other than Martha and Mary, specifically Martha. She works hard despite a debilitating wound on her leg that causes her so much pain she can barely walk.

Two suitors are drawn to this beautiful, determined, yet orphaned young lady. One, Ezra, is a widower in need of a mother for his children. The other, Linux, is a friend of Alban's - a Roman soldier captured by her beauty and faithfulness. He could definitely provide protection for Abigail, and maybe even the love she desires.

But neither have captured her heart. As Abigail struggles with the uncertainty of being a woman who's future is in the hands of her guardian - Alban has the final say on who she will marry, and he will listen to Peter - she learns important lessons in faith. Will she be able to continue to trust God through this time of uncertainty?

And what will she do when the Sanhedrin and the Romans both see the Followers of the Way as a threat that needs to be stamped out? Will she survive with heart and faith intact as she faces persecution the followers never saw coming?

To find the answers, I recommend reading The Hidden Flame. But for even more enjoyment, and a fun history lesson on the early church, begin with The Centurion's Wife.

Both The Centurion's Wife and The Hidden Flame have me wanting to go back to the book of Acts to read more about the early church and the people God used to help it grow so much that even today, we are still affected by "The Followers of the Way".

By Reason of Insanity - By Randy Singer

By Reason of Insanity was written by Randy Singer and published by Tyndale Fiction

Looking for a good courtroom drama that will keep you interested til the end? How about this book by Randy Singer? I haven't read many of John Grisham's books, but others have said Randy Singer is just as enjoyable a writer as he is.

Randy is a vetran trial attorney, so he knows his stuff.

By Reason of Insanity is a book about Catherine "Cat" O'Rouke, a newspaper reporter who, after a series of kidnappings and murders, begins to have visions about them. These visions provide so many details that she ends up becoming the main suspect in the serial murder investigation.

Enter Las Vegas lawyer Quin Newberg. He's a wonderful (though high priced) lawyer who has just made his name famous by specializing in insanity cases. Catherine just covered a story of him defending his sister in a murder trial involving the plea of insanityl Because there is no reason for Cat to have had these visions if she's not the killer, she hires Quin to help her plead her case as guilty by reason of insanity.

As the trial ensues, we are taken on a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. Will Catherine be found guilty of the serial murders? Is she really insane, or is she a cold blooded killer? Or is she really innocent and being framed, as she is inclined to believe.

For a great read, and a surprise ending, I recommend By Reason of Insanity.

Fearless By Max Lucado

Fearless by Max Lucado

Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers 2009

This is my 2nd Max Lucado book I've read, and I want you to know that he has now joined Brennan Manning as one of my favorite non-fiction writers, which is saying a lot since I much prefer fiction to non-fiction! He is an author that begs to be read. A man that can put profound thoughts into simple sentences. He writes books that capture me from the first chapter, yet are still easy enough for my 12 year old son to read and understand. I'm thinking of having him do just that!

Now, the review.

In a world peppered by fear - fear of the unknown, fear of death, fear of H1N1 virus, fear of terrorist plots, fear of earthquakes and tornadoes, where can we turn? The media scares us more and more every day. Newspapers are filled with bad news. Watch any 6 o'clock news program, and you'll want to go crawl in a hole - or even better - a bomb shelter. Even prescription drug commercials are filled with so many possible side effects that you never want to take another pill in your life!

How can we overcome that fear to become "Fearless"?

The only way we can is by listening to the words of Jesus - the One who spoke the words "Fear Not" many more times in the Bible than I had ever known. He used this phrase with his disciples, his followers, and with those who had never met Him before. He calmed the fear of the man paralyzed from birth before He healed him. He calmed the storm and then asked his disciples why they were afraid. And He tells us not to fear - we are worth more than sparrows, and He sees every one of them that falls, and feeds them too.

To quote Max himself, "There's a stampede of fear out there. Let's not get caught in it. Let's be among those who stay calm. ... Let's be numbered among those who hear a different voice, God's."

Reading this book gave me the tools to put that into practice. As so many of us do, I struggle with fear. But as Jesus becomes bigger in my life, my fear begins to shrink. Faith begins to replace that fear. What would it be like to always live like that? I don't know yet. But I want to find out! And this book gives me the tools to begin to life my life like that.

It is a book that you will not want to miss. It is a book I intend to read and re-read. And yes, a book I intend to give to my son to read. Please, do yourself a favor, and pick up a copy for your self. You have nothing to lose but fear itself. :)

Update - January 1, 2010

Sorry, Guys! I haven't been able to read for a long time. I started "Fearless" by Max Lucado, and am still reading it. I hope to have it done before I go back to work on Wednesday of next week. I've been sewing a gift for my sister in Alaska, and then my youngest son had surgery. But the sewing's almost done, and my son is on the mend. So back to reading I go~ very soon. Hope to post several more reviews in the near future.