A Heart Revealed: A Proper Romance book review

A Heart Revealed

by Josi S. Kilpack (Goodreads Author)

 

Amber Marie Sterlington, the Rage of the Season in Regency-era London, has her pick of men, and she knows what she wants most in a husband: a title and a fortune. Why would she ever marry for something as fickle as love? And why would she ever look twice at Thomas Richards, a third son of a country lord?

But when Amber’s social standing is threatened, the character of her future husband becomes far more important than his position. After a public humiliation, she finds herself exiled to Yorkshire. Alone except for her maid, Amber is faced with a future she never expected in a circumstance far below what she has known all her life. Humbled and lonely, Amber begins to wonder if isolation is for the best. Who could ever love her now?


My Review: 10/10
 
Warning: reading later in the day will lead to poor decision making, such as pulling an all nighter, because you just cannot put this book down. Clear your schedule and start early!

This. Book. Ahhhh *insert happy sigh*

I have never read Ms. Kilpack's work before, though I have read every book in the Proper Romance series. I hope she continues to write regency fiction like this because I want more!

This wonderful, wonderful book featured something all too rare: a heroine who is honestly flawed. For a decent portion of the book Amber Marie Sterlington is downright ugly. She is selfish, greedy, vain, dishonest, and manipulative. But she acts the perfect lady. When we're honest with ourselves, how many of us can relate to her? We all have less than flattering aspects of ourselves that we hide from the public. If you don't think so, than you probably have even more in common with our leading lady because she has also deluded herself into frequently thinking she's the victim.

Despite that, I was absolutely horrified by what happened to her. I didn't like her, but I wouldn't wish what she went through on anyone. Her humiliation, struggles and concerns were legitimate. I ached with her.

But as other characters commented, her beautiful, humbled heart was worth what she lost and more. It really was such a beautiful transformation to witness.

And I loved the references to faith.

I do wish there had been a little more interaction between Thomas and Amber, but I understand why there wasn't. I guess I was just left really wanting more.

On a side note: according to the back of the book, Fenton will be getting his own story! Hurrah!

Esther: Royal Beauty book review

Esther (A Dangerous Beauty Novel Book #1): Royal Beauty 

by Angela Elwell Hunt (Goodreads Author)

 

When an ambitious tyrant threatens genocide against the Jews, an inexperienced young queen must take a stand for her people.

When Xerxes, king of Persia, issues a call for beautiful young women, Hadassah, a Jewish orphan living in Susa, is forcibly taken to the palace of the pagan ruler. After months of preparation, the girl known to the Persians as Esther wins the king's heart and a queen's crown. But because her situation is uncertain, she keeps her ethnic identity a secret until she learns that an evil and ambitious man has won the king's permission to exterminate all Jews--young and old, powerful and helpless. Purposely violating an ancient Persian law, she risks her life in order to save her people...and bind her husband's heart.

My Review: 6/10

When I finished reading this book, I felt... confused. I'm familiar with being bored with a book, being obsessed and savoring a book, being angry or disillusioned with a book, being critical and a million other expectations and resultant reactions. I was confused after finishing Esther because I felt none of these things.

Let me start by saying, I have only read the New Testament and Genesis. While I've heard many other famous Bible stories at small groups, bible studies and church, this is not one of them. I've heard of Esther, that she was one of the few female books in the Bible and showed  that women are not overlooked in God's plan. I've heard her referred to as a courageous queen. But that is all. So I had zero preconceived notions about her.

*SPOILERS*

The book was kind of slow moving for a while and didn't really seem to say much, just driving in the fact that Esther did not identify with her fellow Jews. And that she was obsessed with beauty but also somehow in denial of her own.

Things didn't really get suspenseful until Haman's arrival. That is resolved quickly enough and at that point, you're pretty much at the end of the book, where you're given a kind of vague, yet somehow loaded, epilogue.

The abrupt ending without resolution in some key areas (did she ever have kids? I think not, but it didn't really definitively say. What was her continued relationship like with the future king, her stepson, Artaxerxes, as he grew older? Actually, what was her relationship like with husband after all the drama was Haman was over? Was she back in favor? Was she interesting again? Did things ever change?) left me reeling. Given that Ms. Hunt was working with Biblical record of real people, I guess she couldn't determine these things, and I respect that, but she made me care about these people and I felt like the story was just starting to get interesting when it stopped.

At the end of the book, all I could think was, "What was the point?" I don't think I've ever read a book and not known, by the end of it, what the author was driving at. In fact, in this genre, I'm used to knowing pretty much exactly what to expect.  What was the purpose of this story? Was it her relationship with her husband? Was it learning to accept and embrace (assumed) barrenness? Was it her personal relationship with God? Was it her throwing off a cloak of vanity and opening herself to God's plans for her? Was it simply to save a people she had never really considered -hers- before? Was it to overcome the evil of Haman (judging by my Kindle, this particular part only occupied about 5% of her story)? All of these things were touched on for a short time, never becoming the focal point of the story.

I wonder if I would have had a totally different reading experience if I was already familiar with Esther's story and/or had read it in the Bible. If nothing else, this book is prompting me to do just that.

Love Unexpected book review

Love Unexpected 

by Jody Hedlund (Goodreads Author)

 

A Perfect Blend of History and Romance, with a Whisper of Mystery

All she's ever wanted was a home. But stranded at Presque Isle port after their steamboat sank, Emma Chambers and her brother, Ryan, couldn't be farther away from security. While Ryan at least can find work, Emma can't even find a place to stay. An unlikely solution arises when the lighthouse keeper, who recently lost his wife and is struggling to raise his young son, arrives in town. A traveling preacher believes they might be the answer to each others' problems, and after a hasty marriage, Emma is headed back to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger.

But nothing in her wandering life has prepared her for suddenly being asked to raise a child and keep a house. Struggling at every turn, Emma also suspects Patrick may be keeping something hidden from her. In town she hears whispers about strange circumstances surrounding his previous wife's death, and it seems as though Emma's answered prayer for a home and family may actually be something much more dangerous.




My Review: 6.5/10
Many books in this genre follow a courtship culminating in the wedding night. I enjoy those stories too, but it always strikes me that it is so hard to find a lovestory about an already legitimately married couple. At least in historical fiction like this. I wonder if it's sending the message that the romance is only exciting in the beginning or that once you're in love, you're always in love and your story is kind of over. I don't believe in either of these statements and wish I could find stories out there that showed real struggles in married couples, the beauty of falling in love over (and over and over) again with the same person but for new reasons, determining to love someone when they're not being loveable, etc. And while this (and a handful of similar book I've read) is slightly different because the two main characters marry in the beginning of the book, it's still pretty much the same, because it's a marriage in name only, with the story really being about their courtship still, once again culminating in the night that it becomes a full marriage. A little different, but still essentially the same, and not the story I'm seeking. But that's not really the author's fault. Back to Love Unexpected.

As always, Ms. Hedlund infuses her stories with interesting history that really transports you back in time. I always love her author's notes at the end of her books. I enjoyed the brother/sister themes and the pirates. I loved Ryan's character and hope to see a lot more of him possibly in another book in the series.

I don't usually like the portrayal of children in books like these (in fact, I always mention that) and I try to avoid them when I can. But apart from some grating language ("Me go," "Me want" etc) and a couple of unbelievable moments (I don't believe that a two year old, particularly one raised in this household, would know anything about pirates or "bad guys,") things were fairly realistic. I found myself chuckling appreciatively at Emma's second guessing her parenting choices and their effectiveness.

I'm not a fan of self doubt and insecurity running rampant in relationships, even with good reason. But I felt like it was somewhat atoned for by Patrick's declaration of his accepting God's forgiveness.

I loved, LOVED the message of hope being secure in God alone; that placing hopes in people, things, relationships, homes, etc, would only lead to disappointment.

I think the thing that really kept me from connecting with this book and loving it the way I've loved some of Ms. Hedlund's previous stories, was some inconsistency of Emma's character. She mentions early on that her own father had a rather unsavory past (possibly even murder, maybe? I can't remember, and one of the problems with ebooks is that it's not so easy to flip back and check) and that she turned a blind eye to his doings. She seemed to feel guilt over this. Patrick's past was made clear enough early on and I thought Emma would be uniquely suited to forgive a man with this kind of history. I thought with her own regret, that she would be a perfect match to encourage Patrick to seek a second chance through God, the way she would have wanted her father to, and perhaps the way she wished she had encouraged him to. But Emma seemed to completely forget about her own place in such sins and really struggled with Patrick's revelations. I was disappointed in her too. And unlike Patrick, I didn't feel like her apology and attempts to stand up for him after the fact were good enough. Though I was relieved to see her finally recognize Bertie's behavior for what it was.


Despite that, I would recommend this book; fans of this genre and fans of this author will not be disappointed.

Longing For Home: Hope Springs book review

Hope Springs

by Sarah M. Eden

All is not well in Wyoming. Katie Macauley gave up her life-long dream of returning to Ireland in order to make a home for herself in Hope Springs, but her future has never been so uncertain. The town is more divided than ever, with both the Irish and the Reds stealing property, burning buildings, and endangering lives.

Katie’s heart remains sharply divided between her love for playful Tavish and steady Joseph, a decision she feels ill-prepared to make. In the midst of the growing unrest, temperatures drop quickly, too quickly, and Irish nightmares of famine and cold resurface as the little Wyoming town struggles to beat the harsh winter.

Katie makes one sacrifice after another to keep the peace and help see her loved ones through the difficult days ahead, but will it be enough? Can the town make amends before their hatred consumes them all? And will Katie find the love she has been searching for as well as a home to call her own?

My Review: 10/10

Oh Oh OH! This was so unexpected.

This book has stayed on my mind since I finished the first one many months ago. As dissatisfied as I was with certain aspects of the first book, I was unwilling to pay any money at all, let alone over $10 on Amazon for what I believed I'd never read again. But I had to know what happened! How was everything resolved?! Who did she choose?! What of her family?! Etc. etc. etc. Thus began my long library hunt. Finally this past weekend, my book arrived. I was not expecting much pleasure, but rather relief from finally getting answers.

To say it simply, this book had everything the previous one lacked. It was a thing of beauty.

I read this book as a standalone novel; it had been 8 months since I read the first book and I did nothing to refresh my memory. Therefore, any previous irks and irritations did not carry over. It should be noted that it does stand firmly on it's own. Actually come to think of it, I would probably recommend this book be read on its own. Probably. Mmm, maybe. I don't know, I'll have to think on it.

I can't remember the last time I was so emotionally moved by a book that I cried, but this one hit me hard. I'll be brief because my emotions are still too close to the surface.

The romance and Katie's ultimate choice was so well done, so natural. Yes, extreme circumstances kind of threw spotlights on the situation. That would normally frustrate me as it would seem to be taking the responsibility of making a choice from the character. However, this was not the case. The choice was already being made, life just happened. So I was at peace with it.

Most of the resolutions/townspeople I thought were done believably as well. I understood some of their difficult positions and impossible choices.

I cheered inwardly when Joseph finally took a stand. I cheered harder when Katie stayed true to her (flawed, in my opinion) character and disagreed with him over it. I loved that there were consequences for making the right choice. That's so often true for life and I think seeing a character struggle with that and ultimately choose the right thing anyway is so admirable and encourages us to be courageous and upright too. And then Joseph got through to Katie too. So. Good. Ahhhh.

There is just so much good to say about this book. The people, the history, the hurts, all of it, was so realistically done that I felt like I was there, dealing with irrational, hardheaded people, that I sometimes wanted to comfort and sometimes wanted to shake. This book so openly and honestly deals with racism in a time when it was not just common, it was the foundation of the country, of every community. Though we try to pretend it doesn't exist anymore, it does. And even if it didn't, it would still exist as a very important part of all of our histories and our humanity, as this book so poignantly illustrates.

My tiny complaints are thus:
No epilogue?! I'm torn. I love the fact that this book looks like a sequel with no intent to turn it into a trilogy. I would respect the author and this book/set SO MUCH MORE if they would hop off the trilogy train. Just 'cause all the cool kids do it doesn't mean you should too! Some things are made weaker by stretching them out thinner than they were meant to be. On the other side of the same token, I would love another book about these people. I feel like Katie's story is done. But I've always wanted to know Finbarr's story, even more so now. And I just wanted to check in with the town and see how they're doing, healing and growing. I feel like this could have been accomplished with an epilogue, though a spinoff story of Finbarr's wouldn't be unwelcome. Perhaps a novella? I don't know. I'm disappointed that I felt like I didn't get to see enough of the aftermath/healing when I had been immersed in the ugliness and pain for so long. But I'd also likely be disappointed in a whole third book that dwells solely or mostly on that topic.

Second issue- did Bob Archibald fall off the face of the planet?! What happened there? It seemed like Ms. Eden forgot about him. He was briefly mentioned as not being given a respite on the eviction, but that's it. *SPOILERS* *SPOILERS* He was a proven murderer and arsonist. He almost killed several others. What was done about it?! Where did he go? How was he convinced to leave? I felt very unsettled about this.

The Daughter of Highland Hall book review

The Daughter of Highland Hall 

by Carrie Turansky (Goodreads Author)

 

Fans of Downton Abbey, Jane Eyre, and Pride & Prejudice will enjoy this pure and inspiring romance taking place in Edwardian England amid a clash of cultures and changing times.

Eighteen-year-old Katherine Ramsey travels to London with her family to make her debut into society and hopefully find her future husband. Her overbearing aunt insists she must secure a proposal from a wealthy young man who is in line to inherit his father’s title and estate. But Katherine questions her aunt’s plans when she gets to know Jonathan Foster, a handsome medical student and strong Christian who is determined to protect the poor and vulnerable in London’s East End. When a family scandal puts a damper on Katherine’s hopes for the season, she has time to volunteer with Jonathan, caring for children in one of London’s poorest areas, and romance blossoms. Katherine’s faith grows and she begins to envision a different future with Jonathan. But when Katherine’s work in the East End puts her in danger, Jonathan distances himself from Katherine to protect her. A wealthy suitor reappears, and Katherine must choose which path to follow.


My Review: 6/10
 
This was better than the last book. While I found much of it to tie itself strongly to pretty much every other book in this genre, there were a few things that stood out to me in a wonderful way. Our heroine makes a comment about following your heart and this being the right move and, for perhaps the first time ever, our hero responds with a comment about how his choice was NOT about following his heart because our hearts are inherently deceitful and following them can lead us astray. He followed up with clarifying that our choices should be made based on following God and then he took the time to question the motivation behind his actions and pray about it. Holy cow, I was impressed. This (the whole following your heart nonsense) is something that has bothered me for so SO long and I have no idea how many times I've vented about it. More than I've been able to keep track of. I am so grateful that an author finally adressed this way of thinking and set the record straight.

I was also super surprised and appreciative of Julia's advice about being equally yoked. I loved that it came about naturally, that it wasn't what he wanted or hear (or what she wanted to say, most likely), and that it pointed to a weakness in Jon. I love when authors allow their characters to be flawed and to make mistakes; it allows realistic growth and lets me really bond with them.

But I did have a few disappointments that I couldn't ignore.

First and loudest: why was Julia there? It seemed beyond inappropriate that William and Julia were still living under the same roof now that they were courting and engaged. It seemed to me that she probably should not be the children's governess anymore, but at the very least, she should have moved out. Sure there were some social mores that I wasn't surprised at them ignoring, but this wasn't just about what society thought, but about staying clear of temptation and maintaining an upright appearance. Realistically, I thought all this would press for a short engagement. But instead they decided to have a normal courtship while also playing at marriage. I thought it was wrong that Julia lived under the same roof, continued to work for the family, and yet acted as mistress of the house; William makes every decision with her, speaking as a "we," etc.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, * SPOILERS * Jon immediately follows up a declaration of love with a marriage proposal. Wait, did William do that too? Now I'm not sure and it seems likely. I guess it only stood out as so awkward because we get to see William and Julia's courtship, but Jon and Kate jump from acceptance to the wedding day. I don't know, apparently in Ms. Turansky's Edwardian time period, couples fall in love from a handful of daily interactions, then wrestle with it, accept it, declare it and then propose. There is no courting. There is no slow build.

Which brings me to me last issue: when making his fine speech, Jon says that he has loved her from first sight. Not only am I sure that was not true (Kate references seeing friendship in his eyes and then Jon is disappointed in her lack of interest in current events) but I think if it were true, it would cheapen those feelings because they couldn't have been built on anything but attraction.

All in all, if you like christian historical romances, you likely enjoy this. As for me, I probably wouldn't buy it or reread it, but I am looking forward to the next book, which seems likely to be about Penelope (and Theo?)!

The Secret of Pembrooke Park book review

The Secret of Pembrooke Park

by Julie Klassen (Goodreads Author)

 

Julie Klassen Is the Top Name in Inspirational regency Romance

Abigail Foster fears she will end up a spinster, especially as she has little dowry to improve her charms and the one man she thought might marry her--a longtime friend--has fallen for her younger, prettier sister.
When financial problems force her family to sell their London home, a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play . . .

The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem to know something about the manor's past, the only information they offer Abigail is a warning: Beware trespassers who may be drawn by rumors that Pembrooke contains a secret room filled with treasure.

Hoping to improve her family's financial situation, Abigail surreptitiously searches for the hidden room, but the arrival of anonymous letters addressed to her, with clues about the room and the past, bring discoveries even more startling. As secrets come to light, will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?


My Review: 5/10
I had mixed feelings about this book. I really liked the setting, the nods to Jane Austen, and the mystery in general. The plot was very well done; I was very invested in unraveling it, and had no suspicions or theories as to true motives of any of the characters.

However, a lot of William's and Abigail's actions didn't sit well with me. I'm not an authority on 19th century propriety by any means, unless a solid love of Jane Austen's work and a tendency to immerse myself in regency period novels makes me an expert. But I just couldn't see a devoted man of the cloth or a well-bred lady doing the things that they did. I mean, Lydia Bennet would, but she brought shame down on anyone with a teaspoon's worth of sense. Frequently inviting a man into your bedchamber, being alone with said man in said bedchamber, coming upon a half naked man and then staying to chat, the super forward flirtatious remarks, the sensuous lingering touches- these are all commonplace and accepted today, but 200 years ago? Not so much. Definitely not without consequences. I was frequently disappointed in both of them. How often William risked her reputation. If he really cared for her and/or if he had integrity, he wouldn't have trifled with her, but would have taken the utmost care to treat her like a lady and preserve her good name.

A Most Inconvenient Marriage book review

A Most Inconvenient Marriage

by Regina Jennings (Goodreads Author)

 

A Marriage of Convenience Turns Most Inconvenient in this Historical Charmer

Having fled a difficult home life, Civil War nurse Abigail Stuart feels like her only friend in the world is sweet but gravely wounded patient Jeremiah Calhoun. Fearing he won't survive, the Confederate soldier's last wish is that Abigail look after his sickly sister at home. Marry him, return to his horse farm, and it'll be hers.

Left with few choices, Abigail takes him up on his offer and moves to Missouri after his death, but just as the family learns to accept her, the real Jeremiah Calhoun appears--puzzled to find a confounding woman posing as his wife. Jeremiah is determined to have his life back to how it was before the war, but his own wounds limit what he can do on his own. Still not fully convinced Abigail isn't duping him, he's left with no choice but to let the woman stay and help--not admitting to himself she may provide the healing his entire family needs.


 My Review: 10/10

I have been waiting for what feels like an eternity for this book, and Ms. Jennings did not disappoint; her excellence is as consistent as ever. This novel has it all- history, romance, Christian and moral elements, adventure, personal growth, humor, everything.

I loved every moment of this book.

I was frequently bursting out laughing over the shenanigans and antics that the Huckabee kids got into. I will admit that I don’t usually like children as supporting characters in this genre. They rarely are depicted realistically, but rather portrayed as little angels that highlight the heroine’s maternal instincts thus making the hero fall madly in love with her. Please. I have kids; you can’t pull the wool over my eyes. I love them more than my own life, but they bring out the worst in me as often as they bring out the best in me. Anyway, Ms. Jennings writes life into her characters of all ages. Josiah and Betsy were adorable and hysterical and innocent and mischievous and real. And I loved Abigail’s playful spirit. Oh, the piecrust. And Betsy’s “kitten!” I haven’t laughed like that in quite a while.

I loved that Abigail notes on a few occasions that Jeremiah is not classically handsome, and certainly not the most handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on. Her reflections on his appearance change naturally as her respect and admiration for him grows. I respected her for that.

I loved that Jeremiah didn’t know his own heart for most of the book. How accurate. How often do we convince ourselves that we want something, need something, deserve something, and plow on after it, trampling God’s opportunities in our path? Often we don’t even realize how wrong we were until we’ve gotten what we thought we wanted and it doesn’t satisfy. How grateful I am when He intervenes!

The plot was so well done. The suspense was never too extreme or outlandish. With about 80-90% of the book read, I considered the fact that this story might end in a very unexpected way. Books in the historical fiction/Christian romance department are often predictable. I mean, you know what the story is driving at and how it will likely end. But every so often an author blindsides you with an unexpected blow to take you through a different emotion or experience than the one you signed up for. Ms. Jennings had blindsided me before and I found myself wondering if the love story unfolding was really the story of people I hadn’t invested in.

The growth in some of the characters was natural and well paced, set off by realistic circumstances. I appreciated an honest portrayal of vices, virtues, pain, confusion, mistakes, and sacrifice.

I completely understood Abigail’s heart when it broke for rejection, yet rejoiced in the man that Jeremiah was. An impossible situation. But those seem to be God’s specialty. I cheered when Abigail decided she wouldn’t go down without a fight. But even more, I loved that ultimately it was neither what she did, nor what Jeremiah did, but what God did. From beginning to end, and every second in between, this was the very best kind of story.

The Brickmaker's Bride book review

The Brickmaker's  Bride 

by Judith McCoy Miller (Goodreads Author)

 

Yearning for a fresh start, Ewan McKay travels with his aunt and uncle from northern Scotland to West Virginia, promising to trade his skills in the clay business for financial assistance from his uncle Hugh. Hugh purchases a brickmaking operation from a Civil War widow and her daughter, but it's Ewan who gets the business up and running again. Ewan seeks help from Laura, the former owner's daughter, and he feels a connection with her, but she's being courted by another man--a lawyer with far more social clout and money than Ewan. Besides, Ewan has resolved he'll focus on making the brickmaking operation enough of a success that he can become a partner in the business
and be able to afford to bring his sisters over from Scotland.

But when Hugh signs a bad business deal, all Ewan's hard work may come to naught. As his plans begin to crumble, Laura reveals something surprising. She and her mother may have a way to save the brickworks, and in turn Ewan may have another shot at winning Laura's heart.


My Review: 6/10
This was an enjoyable read. But I think it would have been refreshingly unique if a couple of things were different. I wished that Ewan's point of view wasn't included. It wasn't always believable (come on, no man would remark to himself that he "noticed a scent of Jasmine.") and it would have added some suspense to not be so confident of his feelings. That might have made Laura's uncertainties more believable.

But even more so, it would have been refreshing to have a poor Scots-Irishman with some pride, thinking he may have been poor, but he could be any man's equal. He could prove genteel, intelligent, hardworking, successful, without being born to priviledge. I just really don't like the self-pitying that's chalked up to rank and unfortunately for me, that seems to be the most popular mode of conflict in this genre. Come on, ladies! Give me a strong, confident, charming lead character!

Apart from that, there was so much to love about this book. I'm a Pittsburgh native, so despite the less than flattering commentary, I loved the history from beginning to end. I agreed with and appreciated many of the Christian themes. Some of the ones chosen were not the usual choices: waiting on God, not judging another person's faith/standing with God, honesty and integrity in every situation, God working all things- even suffering, loss, and death- for good, being disappointed in God's answers, and healing your relationship with God. So much truth in these pages.

Ewan was one of the most upright men after God's heart that I've seen depicted in print. I realize that he was human and made mistakes. But I felt that a couple of his inconsistencies should have been addressed as mistakes. He did enter into a deception with Kathleen, when providing her with information on the dinner party that she did not attend. Why didn't he just turn around and take her home? Yes he would have been late, but better to be late than assist Kathleen in compromising herself. And while he did not specifically instruct her to lie, I've learned that the state of the heart matters as much as the words themselves when it comes to God's standards. Just as being angry with someone is as severe in His eyes as murder, a deceitful heart and carefully worded omissions are equal to lies (Matthew 5:21-22). Ewan is careful not to technically utter a lie himself, but never seems to realize that a deceitful heart and following actions are still guilty of the sin.

I didn't like the kiss between Ewan and Laura. Despite their feelings, she was in a relationship with Winston. Harboring feelings for another man is bad enough and then you add in kissing. I lost some respect for them both.

Hugh's conversion was a little too abrupt for me, but I'm glad that it happened.

I look forward to checking out more books by this author.

Playing By Heart book review

Playing by Heart

by Anne Mateer (Goodreads Author)

 

Lula Bowman has finally achieved her dream: a teaching position and a scholarship to continue her college education in mathematics. But when she receives a shocking telephone call from her sister, Jewel, everything she's worked for begins to crumble.

After the sudden death of Jewel's husband, Jewel needs Lula's help. With a heavy heart, Lula returns to her Oklahoma hometown to do right by her sister. But the only teaching job available in Dunn is combination music instructor/basketball coach. Neither subject belongs anywhere near the halls of academia, according to Lula!

Lula commits to covering the job for the rest of the school year, determined to do well and prove herself to the town. Reluctantly, she turns to the boys' coach, Chet, to learn the game of basketball. Chet is handsome and single, but Lula has no plans to fall for a local boy. She's returning to college as soon as she gets Jewel back on her feet.

However, the more time she spends in Dunn, the more Lula realizes God is working on her heart--and her future is beginning to look a lot different than she'd expected.


My Review: 6/10
 
I really enjoyed much of this book. My favorite part was the humanity of Lula. As the oldest in my family, I couldn't immediately relate, but before long, my heart was twisting right along with Lula's as she worked herself to the bone trying to earn the respect of those who should have been her biggest cheerleaders and supporters. I guess a lot of it was the age difference and the time period, but it was still so hard to swallow.

Lula had no easy choices and I really appreciated her growth as she struggled to let God's love and direction be enough, trading the temporary for the eternal.

Though I wasn't clear on the exact time period for most of the book, I loved the historical aspects. At first I thought the tornado was too melodramatic, and then I did a little research and read about the tornadoes that touched down during World War I. Fascinating. The author clearly did a lot of research and found natural ways to have the information sprinkled throughout the pages. She did a great job of staying consistent to the time and attitudes.

The things I didn't like about the book were just specific to my own tastes; I didn't like Jewel's romance. It was obvious, but more than that, I just couldn't picture it myself. While being pregnant with her deceased husband's child, she starts a romance with his best friend, just months after laying him to rest? I realize that, especially for the time, this kind of thing was much more necessary and common, but it just didn't appeal to my steadfast personality. Not at all.

I thought the end was kind of abrupt too. I'm glad that the author didn't write Chet a loophole to get out of the commitment he made, but I was surprised that it pretty much cut to epilogue right after; I'd have liked to hear a little more about his experiences there.  Their's is a story that might make a good sequel- seeing the shape Lula's life continues to take and experiencing Chet's maturity and growth as he experiences war himself and learns that it has little to do with glory. The family dynamics could be fleshed out even more, in both Lula's and Chet's families. Blaze and Nannie would make a good substory. So much potential.

Becoming Bea book review

Becoming Bea 

by Leslie Gould (Goodreads Author)

 

Ben and Bea have always irritated each other. But when their friends push them together, can they cease bickering long enough to fall in love?

 

 

My Review: 8/10

 

This book is the best of it's kind. I've read some Amish fiction before, and I'd read the previous book, Minding Molly, and I felt like the author did a really great job of showing another side to the story; both Molly and Bea have distinct voices.

The book is aptly named and you really get to see a transition as a young woman grows up. I thought her changes were natural; being thrown into helping raise children with no previous knowledge, accidentally overhearing some brutally honest words about your character from a friend, being separated from your family, all of these are things that would naturally mature and grow a person. So well done.

I don't know how realistic Don's character/situation is for the Amish, but I thought Bea's reaction to him and his actions was appropriate. I could have done without him as a subplot, but perhaps there will be some redemption for him a subsequent book.

The themes of forgiveness and trust and vulnerability were all beautifully done. I could understand where Bea was coming from in her fear and frustration and doubt. And I thought it was a little ironic that she was called overbearing. Perhaps Molly rubbed off on her more than she realized?

The storyline is interesting and the characters and their relationships are engaging, but ultimately, the charm of this book comes from Bea's voice: her introspection, prayers to God, her flaws and growth and insights along the way.