The Accidental Bride was a sweet, romantic read which I really enjoyed.
When a wedding reenactment turns real, Shay suddenly finds she’s an
accidental bride.
Shay Brandenberger has been raising her daughter in Moose Creek, Montana on her childhood ranch, nestled against the Yellowstone River. In spite of all her work, Shay cannot seem to keep the ranch afloat, and now the bank is threatening to foreclose. Desperate, Shay prays for a miracle, but what she receives is anything but one.
When Shay agrees to play the bride for the Founder's Day wedding reenactment, she is horrified to meet Travis McCoy, her high school sweetheart, at the end of the aisle. Suddenly, the unthinkable happens. A busy body and an absent minded preacher cause the wedding reenactment to result in a legal marriage. However, before Shay can yell for divorce, Travis comes up with a crazy idea. If Shay refuses, then she will lose her home. But if she accepts, she may lose her heart.
Shay isn't sure if the events are God's will or simply a preacher's blunder. Can she trust her heart to a man who once shattered it? Will it be the worst mistake of her life, or could their marriage be the best accident ever?
The Accidental Bride was an enjoyable tale. The plotline was sweet, and the characters were lovable. However, I found the plotline to also be fairly predictable and its structure left me wanting more development. From the first chapter to the last I felt that the entire story could have been summed up in less than two chapters. I just recently discovered Denise Hunter when reading Smitten, so I was pleased to read more of her works. However, while I enjoyed Denise Hunter's writing for the short story of Smitten, her longer novel of Accidental Bride left much to be desired in content.
I received this book for free from BookSneeze with Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
The Christmas Singing
The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall is an excellent book which I highly recommend.
Here's the link to my review of the book: http://hearttoheartbooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-singing-by-cindy-woodsmall.html
You can read the first chapter of the book here http://scr.bi/uJkucX, and the video promo of the book can be found here http://bit.ly/vvg9mc.
Check it out!
Here's the link to my review of the book: http://hearttoheartbooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-singing-by-cindy-woodsmall.html
You can read the first chapter of the book here http://scr.bi/uJkucX, and the video promo of the book can be found here http://bit.ly/vvg9mc.
Check it out!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Smitten
Smitten was a wonderful collection of novellas written through the collaboration of Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter.
The storyline of Smitten is as follows. In the small working town of Smitten, Vermont, four friends are convinced they are going to save the town -through love. The lumber mill of Smitten is closing. As the major employer of the townspeople, how will the town ever survive without it? A close group of women- Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese - think they have the perfect plan to save Smitten. They will use the name of the town and make the place the go-to romantic location for honeymooners and tourists. The women envision sweet shops, a spa, romantic music, and cabins outfitted with all the necessities.
However, is this logging, manly town ready for the invasion of lovers and ....love?
Country music star Sawyer Smitten decides to help by holding his own wedding in Smitten on Valentine's Day. And little Mia's lavender wreaths decorate the town, reminding all that faith can work miracles. As Smitten transforms, the four women leading the way - energetic Natalie, sophisticated Julia, graceful Shelby, and athletic Reese - find that they too are being changed by love.
I really enjoyed Smitten. The format what was not what I was expecting, but I truly liked it. Smitten is a collection of four novellas. Each novella is written by one of the four authors, and each novella focuses on one of the four women who are the primary characters of the collection (Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese). All four of the novellas are also connected, and each one flows into the next. For example, the first novella is written by Colleen Coble, tells the story of Natalie, and sets the stage for the transformation of Smitten, Vermont. The final story is written by Denise Hunter relates the story of Reese. It occurs almost a full year after the first story, concluding on the Valentine's Day of the wedding of Sawyer Smitten and the real beginning of the town's new direction. One particular reason why I liked the format of the book was that each author got to put their flavor into the story and make their character have some of their characteristics. The authors really capitalized on their friendship and used it to develop the friendship of their characters and to make the book truly believable.
I also fell in love with the overall plot line and each individual story of Smitten. The love lives of the four women in the story were each different and each very enjoyable to read. I read the entire book in one day because I just could not put it down. I will definitely be reading the second installment of life in Smitten, Vermont when it comes out next winter.
If anyone wants to check out some of the background behind the book and see other cool extras, you can go to SmittenVermont.com .
I received this book for free from Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.
The storyline of Smitten is as follows. In the small working town of Smitten, Vermont, four friends are convinced they are going to save the town -through love. The lumber mill of Smitten is closing. As the major employer of the townspeople, how will the town ever survive without it? A close group of women- Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese - think they have the perfect plan to save Smitten. They will use the name of the town and make the place the go-to romantic location for honeymooners and tourists. The women envision sweet shops, a spa, romantic music, and cabins outfitted with all the necessities.
However, is this logging, manly town ready for the invasion of lovers and ....love?
Country music star Sawyer Smitten decides to help by holding his own wedding in Smitten on Valentine's Day. And little Mia's lavender wreaths decorate the town, reminding all that faith can work miracles. As Smitten transforms, the four women leading the way - energetic Natalie, sophisticated Julia, graceful Shelby, and athletic Reese - find that they too are being changed by love.
I really enjoyed Smitten. The format what was not what I was expecting, but I truly liked it. Smitten is a collection of four novellas. Each novella is written by one of the four authors, and each novella focuses on one of the four women who are the primary characters of the collection (Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese). All four of the novellas are also connected, and each one flows into the next. For example, the first novella is written by Colleen Coble, tells the story of Natalie, and sets the stage for the transformation of Smitten, Vermont. The final story is written by Denise Hunter relates the story of Reese. It occurs almost a full year after the first story, concluding on the Valentine's Day of the wedding of Sawyer Smitten and the real beginning of the town's new direction. One particular reason why I liked the format of the book was that each author got to put their flavor into the story and make their character have some of their characteristics. The authors really capitalized on their friendship and used it to develop the friendship of their characters and to make the book truly believable.
I also fell in love with the overall plot line and each individual story of Smitten. The love lives of the four women in the story were each different and each very enjoyable to read. I read the entire book in one day because I just could not put it down. I will definitely be reading the second installment of life in Smitten, Vermont when it comes out next winter.
If anyone wants to check out some of the background behind the book and see other cool extras, you can go to SmittenVermont.com .
I received this book for free from Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall
Seventeen year old Hannah Lapp has been raised in an Old Order Amish family her entire life. However, she still desires to marry outside the community even if it means breaking the Amish rules. She has been in love with Mennonite Paul Waddell for three years, and when he asks her to marry him once he finishes his last year of college, she accepts.
However, on the evening of their engagement, tragedy strikes Hannah, and life the way she knows it is utterly destroyed. As Hannah finds herself with questions her people cannot answer, she has to face the possibility of losing her place in her family, her community, and in the heart of the man she loves.
When the Heart Cries is a novel filled with the importance of love, forgiveness, and family. However, throughout the novel many times these themes are shown through the lack of love, forgiveness, and family bonds shown to Hannah. Hannah is constantly treated wrongly even when her situation was not her fault. There are only two to three people in the entire novel who treat Hannah with respect, honor, and love despite what is going on.
I really enjoyed the storyline of When the Heart Cries. There were several instances where the plot line shifts that were quite surprising to me. Other portions of the story brought me to tears, others to laughter. Overall I felt the plot was well written and very realistic, and the ending was a cliff hanger that left me eager to read the next book.
The characters development in When the Heart Cries was extremely well done. Hannah's thoughts, feelings, and growth were well laid out for the reader. The supporting characters also were portrayed well and evoked the correct emotions in the reader. Some of the characters made me angry, and others I fell in love with immediately.
As a whole, I particularly enjoyed this novel. I loved the characters, and while the plot line had an overall sad tone, it did not deter me from reading the novel or enjoying it. I will definitely be picking up the second book in this series, Sisters of the Quilt Book 2: When the Morning Comes.
I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Press in exchange for an honest review.
However, on the evening of their engagement, tragedy strikes Hannah, and life the way she knows it is utterly destroyed. As Hannah finds herself with questions her people cannot answer, she has to face the possibility of losing her place in her family, her community, and in the heart of the man she loves.
When the Heart Cries is a novel filled with the importance of love, forgiveness, and family. However, throughout the novel many times these themes are shown through the lack of love, forgiveness, and family bonds shown to Hannah. Hannah is constantly treated wrongly even when her situation was not her fault. There are only two to three people in the entire novel who treat Hannah with respect, honor, and love despite what is going on.
I really enjoyed the storyline of When the Heart Cries. There were several instances where the plot line shifts that were quite surprising to me. Other portions of the story brought me to tears, others to laughter. Overall I felt the plot was well written and very realistic, and the ending was a cliff hanger that left me eager to read the next book.
The characters development in When the Heart Cries was extremely well done. Hannah's thoughts, feelings, and growth were well laid out for the reader. The supporting characters also were portrayed well and evoked the correct emotions in the reader. Some of the characters made me angry, and others I fell in love with immediately.
As a whole, I particularly enjoyed this novel. I loved the characters, and while the plot line had an overall sad tone, it did not deter me from reading the novel or enjoying it. I will definitely be picking up the second book in this series, Sisters of the Quilt Book 2: When the Morning Comes.
I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Press in exchange for an honest review.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Future Doors by Jason Lethcoe
A mystery is afoot at 221 Baker Street, but will Griffin Sharpe be able to
figure out the clues before the future catches up with the past?
When Sherlock Holmes moves out of Baker Street, a new tenant moves in—a mysterious woman who is not all she seems. With several criminals out to steal an invention from his uncle, Griffin is on a race against time to discover how to stop them before they change history itself.
The Future Doors is a very cute book. It is book 2 of the No Place Like Holmes series. It is not necessary to read Book 1 (No Place Like Holmes) first, but I think it would be a little helpful to understand the character development that occurs in the second book.
The novel contains an interesting mystery that does seem a little scattered simply because of the time traveling. However, overall, I felt it was an enjoyable, if simple, book. It is definitely a book meant for children between the ages of 9-12, though I think it would also be a good read aloud.
I received this book for free from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.
When Sherlock Holmes moves out of Baker Street, a new tenant moves in—a mysterious woman who is not all she seems. With several criminals out to steal an invention from his uncle, Griffin is on a race against time to discover how to stop them before they change history itself.
The Future Doors is a very cute book. It is book 2 of the No Place Like Holmes series. It is not necessary to read Book 1 (No Place Like Holmes) first, but I think it would be a little helpful to understand the character development that occurs in the second book.
The novel contains an interesting mystery that does seem a little scattered simply because of the time traveling. However, overall, I felt it was an enjoyable, if simple, book. It is definitely a book meant for children between the ages of 9-12, though I think it would also be a good read aloud.
I received this book for free from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.
Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs
Mine is the Night was a wonderful portrayal of the story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz set in eighteenth century Scotland.
Only weeks after her husband's death, Elizabeth Kerr must begin life again without fortune, title, or property. She is not afraid to work and soon finds work as a seamstress in order to support her mother in law and cousin. However, how will Elizabeth ever be able to stitch her life, and her heart, back together?
Elizabeth did not come to Selkirk alone. Her mother in law, Marjory Kerr, is a woman whose life's dreams have been shattered by the deaths of her husband and sons and the loss of her property. Having to depend on her poor cousin and Elizabeth, Marjory dreads the future as much as she mourns and regrets the past. However, she finds that there is still joy and hope in the world.
When a honorable hero comes into town, there is a new spark of life for Elizabeth and Marjory. Will he risk his reputation to defend the two women who have been labeled as traitors, or will he choose a rich, untainted beauty as his bride?
This novel, Mine is the Night, was a surprisingly enjoyable read. When the book arrived in the mail, I was a little apprehensive of it because the book appeared so long. However, as soon as I read the first chapter, I was hooked. I read through the novel in less than a day and wished it was longer. The book is set in eighteenth century Scotland, and it is filled with beautiful descriptions of the countryside and the lovely customs of the Scots. Mine is the Night also contains many instances of Scottish brogue which add to the wonderful flavor of the book.
My favorite part of the novel was its correlation to the Biblical story of Ruth and Naomi. I was able to experience the story of Ruth with whole new eyes, and I really enjoyed it. The characters were extremely well developed. All had flaws which they were only able to work through by the grace of God. Elizabeth was a lovely character, and I enjoyed watching Marjory's progression through change as well. I fell in love with Lord Jack Buchanan immediately. He was the perfect example of honor, generosity, and kindness, and he was a very sweet man as well.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel, and I cannot wait to read more of Liz Curtis Higgs!
I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Press in exchange for an honest review.
Only weeks after her husband's death, Elizabeth Kerr must begin life again without fortune, title, or property. She is not afraid to work and soon finds work as a seamstress in order to support her mother in law and cousin. However, how will Elizabeth ever be able to stitch her life, and her heart, back together?
Elizabeth did not come to Selkirk alone. Her mother in law, Marjory Kerr, is a woman whose life's dreams have been shattered by the deaths of her husband and sons and the loss of her property. Having to depend on her poor cousin and Elizabeth, Marjory dreads the future as much as she mourns and regrets the past. However, she finds that there is still joy and hope in the world.
When a honorable hero comes into town, there is a new spark of life for Elizabeth and Marjory. Will he risk his reputation to defend the two women who have been labeled as traitors, or will he choose a rich, untainted beauty as his bride?
This novel, Mine is the Night, was a surprisingly enjoyable read. When the book arrived in the mail, I was a little apprehensive of it because the book appeared so long. However, as soon as I read the first chapter, I was hooked. I read through the novel in less than a day and wished it was longer. The book is set in eighteenth century Scotland, and it is filled with beautiful descriptions of the countryside and the lovely customs of the Scots. Mine is the Night also contains many instances of Scottish brogue which add to the wonderful flavor of the book.
My favorite part of the novel was its correlation to the Biblical story of Ruth and Naomi. I was able to experience the story of Ruth with whole new eyes, and I really enjoyed it. The characters were extremely well developed. All had flaws which they were only able to work through by the grace of God. Elizabeth was a lovely character, and I enjoyed watching Marjory's progression through change as well. I fell in love with Lord Jack Buchanan immediately. He was the perfect example of honor, generosity, and kindness, and he was a very sweet man as well.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel, and I cannot wait to read more of Liz Curtis Higgs!
I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Press in exchange for an honest review.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall
The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall was a sweet little book which I read in one sitting, but warmed me through and left me thankful for solid, enjoyable novels.
Gideon Beiler has loved Mattie Eash since they were children. But when he is faced with heartache and pain, he decides to lie to Mattie and make up an excuse for ending their engagement.
Mattie is brokenhearted. She moves from Apple Ridge to Ohio where she follows after her dream to become a cake decorator. She also finds a new fiance -someone who offers the security that Gideon denied her.
When disaster forces Mattie to return to her home, she and Gideon must deal with the heartache caused by his dishonesty as well as address the powerful feelings that continue to hold them together. Who will Mattie choose at the Christmas singing - Gideon or Sol?
I really enjoyed reading this novel. I fell in love with Gideon immediately. He was a very dynamic character, flawed, but with strong positive characteristics as well. Mattie was adorable. She was like a whirlwind -forgetting things, messing up, but continuing to persevere and to show kindness. The Christmas Singing was a rather short book, but it had a heartwarming plot, and it was a wonderful book to curl up with on a cold night and dive into.
Gideon Beiler has loved Mattie Eash since they were children. But when he is faced with heartache and pain, he decides to lie to Mattie and make up an excuse for ending their engagement.
Mattie is brokenhearted. She moves from Apple Ridge to Ohio where she follows after her dream to become a cake decorator. She also finds a new fiance -someone who offers the security that Gideon denied her.
When disaster forces Mattie to return to her home, she and Gideon must deal with the heartache caused by his dishonesty as well as address the powerful feelings that continue to hold them together. Who will Mattie choose at the Christmas singing - Gideon or Sol?
I really enjoyed reading this novel. I fell in love with Gideon immediately. He was a very dynamic character, flawed, but with strong positive characteristics as well. Mattie was adorable. She was like a whirlwind -forgetting things, messing up, but continuing to persevere and to show kindness. The Christmas Singing was a rather short book, but it had a heartwarming plot, and it was a wonderful book to curl up with on a cold night and dive into.
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