A Bride for All Seasons

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About the Book

 A Bride for All Seasons is a four book series relating to mail order brides in the same time period.

1800s mail-order bride catalogs facilitated many happy marriages. Here are the stories of four couples who owe their wedded bliss to creative editing by The Hitching Post publisher.

“And Then Came Spring”—Margaret Brownley

Sheriff Tom Garrett wants vengeance on his brother’s murderers, but he must think of his orphaned nephew. Then Mary-Jo shows up, swearing she married Tom’s brother by proxy and he’d neglected to mention a son.

“An Ever-After Summer”—Debra Clopton

Widower Matt McConnell wrote his ad with no room for misunderstanding—Bible believers need not apply. But Bible-thumping Ellie shows up on his doorstep. Matt’s so desperate for her help that he accepts.

“Autumn’s Angel”—Robin Lee Hatcher

Luvena Abbott is a singing sensation in New York. But as guardian to her brother’s children, she has few options to provide a home. Clay Birch won an abandoned theater in a poker game. The Hitching Post editor thinks they’ll make a perfect match.

“Winter Wedding Bells”—Mary Connealy

David Laramie is looking for a woman to care for his children. In exchange he’ll make her financially comfortable for life. But no woman wants to marry a dying man. Then Megan responds to his ad. It seems his “edited” letter contained no mention of him dying.

My Review

 Typically multiple short books in one collection is not something I want to read. There is usually a limited space for an author to actually make an interesting story. I was intrigued with this collection because I like the authors and the historical aspect. The first book And Then Came Spring by Margaret Brownley was my favorite. I felt like it offered the most solid story line, a little depth to the characters of Mary-Jo and Tom Garrett, and good setting. While all of these stories are very predictable and full of romance, they were enjoyable reads. I just wish I could find out more beyond the short romance to each story. Each of them are entirely separate from each other, the only connection is the newspaper with the mail order brides and the sneaky editor. I liked the overall flow of the collection and it was put together in a fun way. While this is not my all time favorite I give it four stars. 

"I received this book from Litfuse for free in exchange for an honest review."

Four novellas, four brides, and four stories to fall in love with. 

Enter the world of mail-order brides with four of your favorite authors: Mary Connealy, Robin Lee Hatcher, Debra Clopton, and Margaret Brownley. In A Bride for All Seasons (Thomas Nelson) each of the prospective brides is hopeful for a second chance at love—and that second chance always seems to come in an unexpected package.

 

The authors are celebrating with a fun 12 Days of Unexpected Packages Giveaway! Between July 12-23 visit the authors’ Facebook Page to enter to win a new giveaway each day. Winners will be announced at the Facebook Author Chat party on July 23rd! Such fun!

Lead Me Home Book Review

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About the Book

A compelling novel of truth and a search for identity by bestselling author Stacy Hawkins Adams.

Stacy Hawkins Adams first touched on love and belief with her Jubilant Soul series. Coming Home, the first novel in her Winds of Change series, let her look deeper into the same themes.

Now, in Lead Me Home, the second in the Winds of Change series, Shiloh Griffin has no identity outside of her roles as pastor's wife and mom. Some days that is enough … but not always. Particularly when partnered with the always confident, always gracious Jade Smith on a church ministry project. Rather than shying away from God in her nervousness, Shiloh clings to him, seeking every day to redeem herself.

When Shiloh begins mentoring Monica, a fifteen-year-old member of the church, she confronts an issue she has been praying for years to forget. If she turns away, this teen's life-and her soul-could be in jeopardy. If she decides to stand up and help, she knows she's the one who risks losing everything.(Goodreads)

My Review

I fell in love with the cover of this book and the main story line before I even got this book in the mail. I hadn't read anything by Stacy Hawkins Adams before so it was a refreshing change of pace. This is a great book, good strong characters and depth for the story line. A typical woman struggles with her past decisions and is confronted with them twenty years later. As a talented music teacher (Shiloh) meets a young gal who reminds her of herself and then lands in a similar situation she was once in. The relationship between Shiloh and Monica is good to read because I think it is a lot like real life and easy to relate with. 

This is not a fun fiction read, it deals with a ton of real life issues that aren't very pretty. I won't go into detail or I will ruin the book for future readers, but this is a more serious book. I do recommend it though because of its honesty and how well it is written. 

"I received this book from Booksneeze for free in exchange for an honest review."

Still Life in Shadows

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 About the Book

It’s been fourteen years since Gideon Miller ran away from his Amish community in Carlisle, Pennsylvania as a boy of sixteen.  Gideon arrives in the Smoky Mountains town of Twin Branches and settles in at the local auto mechanic's garage. He meets a host of interesting characters –the most recent acquaintances are Kiki, an autistic teen, and her sister Mari. Known as the "Getaway Savior" he helps other Amish boys and girls relocate to life in modern America.
On day the phone rings. On the other end is his brother Moriah calling from Florida. Of course Gideon welcomes his brother to stay with him and offers him a job. But Moriah is caught in a web which ends in his death and forces Gideon to return to the town of his youth, with his brother’s body in the back of a hearse and Mari and Kiki at his side. He must face not only the community he ran away from years ago but also his own web of bitterness. Will he be able to give his anger over to God and forgive his father?(Goodreads)

  

My Review

I had read a lot of reviews about this book before I received it in the mail. The start of the book I was completely interested. There is intrigue and multiple characters and events happening. After the first few chapters it was difficult to continue to read. I like the main character, Gideon, but he was the only person I really liked. There is an overall sense of mystery throughout the book and it is completely unique from typical Amish fiction. Still this was not my favorite book and I can't recommend it. But seeing all of the positive reviews, others are enjoying it so perhaps you might too!

"I received this book from Moody Publishers for free in exchange for an honest review."

 

Flanders Fourth of July BBQ

Our church group had a BBQ at their ranch and we all had a good time.

Redeeming Love Book Review

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 About the Book

California's gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep.

Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside.

Then she meets Michael Hosea. A man who seeks his Father's heart in everything, Michael obeys God's call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel's every bitter expectation, until despite her resistance, her frozen heart begins to thaw.

But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband's pursuing love, terrified of the truth she no longer can deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael does ... the One who will never let her go. (Goodreads)

Francine Rivers is an incredible author. This is the first book of hers that I read, and it is still my favorite. I couldn't put this book down and I have given multiple copies away for others to read. The story in this book is truly eye opening and life changing. You could cry, you could see yourself as one of the characters, this is an incredible book and my favorite book that is on my bookshelf. The story of Hosea is woven into a beautiful story with great historical aspects, as if there are two stories being told.  Francine did a great job with her research and you can tell the book is written from the heart. If you haven't read this book, make this a must read.  

"I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah for free in exchange for an honest review."

Inside the New House Before the Move In

 Up into the dining room from the basement.

 Dining room.

 Kitchen/Dining Room. We didn't like the white separator wall-you will see what did at a later date!

 Kitchen. We are going to paint it.

 We love the oven. It is smaller but it doesn't heat up the entire house.

 Living room, we love it. All new carpet.

 Looking into the bedroom.

 Bathroom.

 On the other side of the hall looking into the office. We love the wood floor, that is what is hiding underneath all of the carpet too!

 Basement. We have a bit of work to do down there but it is nice for extra space and Chance's man cave.

We have already done a lot to the house since these pictures were taken so there will be more!

Grounded Book Review CFBA Tour

ABOUT THE BOOK

...But Hope May Be Just Across the Street

Grace Meredith is a beloved contemporary Christian recording artist whose career--and personal life--hits unexpected turbulence. She feels grounded--in more ways than one. Grace s fiancé, bothered by her outspoken stance on purity and her near-constant travel, has broken off their relationship. Exhausted and unable to continue her current concert schedule, Grace returns home to Chicago, where she is soon stranded in a major snowstorm. Facing new questions about her future and her faith, Grace finds herself connecting for the first time with the residents of her neighborhood. What she discovers in these unexpected relationships could change everything.

Welcome to the Neighborhood The first in the Windy City Neighbors series, Grounded is an uplifting, contemporary story about ordinary people wrestling with the spiritual and practical issues of real life. The series employs the innovative storytelling technique of parallel novels, each with its own drama and story arc, but whose characters lives become intertwined and affect one another. Grounded welcomes you to Beecham Street--a typical, isolated American neighborhood that might just be a place of hope.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Grounded, go Here. 

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Grounded
Worthy Publishing (May 7, 2013)
by
Neta and Dave Jackson

My Review

 I have not ready any books by either of these authors and I was impressed. I always find it amazing that two people can write a book together and it turn out good. I would think it would take a lot of patience to figure out an entire story line that satisfied each person. Anyway this is a delightful fun book that focuses on real life issues. Granted Grace is a famous singer but she has her own personal struggles which was nice to read about, famous people struggle too! Grace has a past that eats her alive but she portrays an entirely different life in order to get away from her past. While it doesn't have to be anything major, I think a lot of people could relate to the difficulty of forgiving yourself of your past choices. The setting for this book is fun and easy to imagine and the characters are easy to relate with. It is a fairly predictable book, I knew how it would end but I am excited to read the next book in the series! 

I recommend for an light easy read.

"I received this book from CFBA for free in exchange for an honest review."

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

As a husband/wife writing team, we are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together we are the authors or coauthors of over 120 books. (You can see our Publication Record by clicking HERE.) In addition to writing several books about Christian community, we have been privileged to coauthor numerous books with expert resource people on a variety of topics from racial reconciliation to medical ethics to ministry to kids in gangs.

But over the years the we have especially enjoyed writing for children and young people! This includes our award-winning TRAILBLAZER series, historical fiction about great Christian heroes and heroines for young people ages 8-12, and the four-volume HERO TALES: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Great Christians, and the companion book, Heroes in Black History.

Somewhere along the way, our own children grew up! Son Julian is Director of Experience Design for the Alder Planetarium in Chicago where he “provides the experience of exploring space” for visitors. He has two sons, Liam Isaac and Elijah David. Daughter Rachel graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and after working in the field of rape-crisis prevention went on to earn a Masters Degree in counseling from the University of Illinois. She is now a counselor at “Uni High School” in Champaign, Illinois. She is the loving mother of Havah Noelle (our first grandchild!) and Noah Zion, our youngest grandchild. The Jackson family also includes a Cambodian foster daughter, Samen Sang, who has four children.

We live in Evanston, Illinois, where for twenty-seven years we were part of Reba Place Church, a Christian church community. We are now members of a multi-racial congregation in the Chicago area.

New House

 

 Plum, Peach, Plum tree in that order.

These are before pictures, we have planted a garden in the back yard and weeded some.There will be more before and after pictures to come!