Return to Me - Robin Lee Hatcher

I bought this one for $0.99.  I'm not quite sure why, but I was watching for the price on this one to drop. 

This is a story of the prodigal daughter.  Roxy went to Nashville to become a big hit.  She had her grandmother's inheritance and big dreams.  Once she got there, she wanted to be an instant success, not work her way up from the bottom like the rest of the people.  After 7 years of bad choices and mistakes, she ends up broke, broken and alone. She decides to borrow the money to go back home to Idaho.

Wyatt was once Roxy's love.  They spent the better part of a decade off and on until he became a Christian.  Then Roxy dumped him.  Now that she is back, Wyatt has to tell her that he is now engaged to her sister, Elena.

Elena was always the perfect sister.  Always getting along with her father and doing the right things.  Roxy and Elena's mother died when they were children.  Elena tried to watch out for Roxy but eventually she came to resent Roxy because she always seemed to get her way and avoid consequences.  Now that she has returned, Elena isn't as happy as she should be and now even begins to doubt Wyatt's love for her.

This book was a nice story of forgiveness and grace.  It wasn't the type of book that I would normally read, but I thought it was a decent book.  I wouldn't read it again, just because most of it was pretty depressing.  I don't think that it's a bad book at all, it's just not the kind of thing that I normally like to read.  I'll give it a Decent Book review.  If you enjoy stories of redemption, you would probably like this book.

Heartbreak Trail - Shirley Kennedy

This book was another one of my impulse freebies.  I've been drawn to the tales of the west lately and decided this one sounded interesting.

Lucy is living in Boston with her distant husband.  He is completely under the thumb of his brother who decides to sell their farm and head west to California.  Lucy's choice is to leave her husband and go back and live with her unbearable stepmother or pack up and head west.  Lucy loves her husband's son from his first marriage and decides to stay with him.

One of the guides for the wagon train is Clint, a rough around the edges man who is attracted to the married Lucy.  Lucy feels the attraction as well and does her best to hide it.  Unfortunately there are a few people that seem to pick up on it anyway.

An accident kills her husband and leaves Lucy with yet another choice.  Will she leave Noah, her stepson, and head back east?  Her husband's brother claims that since she is only his stepmother, she has no claim on him and he will stay with his uncle.  His uncle is a cruel, unhappy man who can preach nothing but fire and brimstone.  Leaving would also separate Lucy from Clint.

I made it to 43% and there it was.  The sex scene.  Once the character of Clint was introduced, there was some language, so I had some inkling that the sex could be on the way.  I wasn't quite sure how a crowded, no privacy place like the wagon train would be able to accommodate that, but lo and behold, there was magically a rainy day where everyone stayed inside.  I found this odd, since it was repeatedly mentioned that there is nowhere to hide without someone seeing something.

Beyond the aspects that offend my prudish nature, the writing was good, yet depressing.  Understanding that traveling the trail to the west was hardly an easy journey, I knew that it wasn't going to be a totally uplifting story.  It's just not my kind of book.

Into the Woods - Linda Jones

I'll admit to a certain amount of desperation lately.  I didn't have many books left and it was a circumstance I wasn't prepared for!  In normal times, when I have 20 books, I avoid the cheaper books as much as possible.  It's not that I think they are all bad, it's just that most of them don't appeal to me.  I picked this one up because it seemed an unusual story and the cover reminded me of the good old fashioned gothic novels where the cover shows the slightly inept heroine running from the castle.

Now usually, I will add the picture of the cover at the end.  You'll soon find out why I placed this one here.

I read some of this book.  It tells the story of Matilda, a woman believed to be a witch.  At the beginning of the book it is a play on the story of Hansel and Gretel.  Matilda's last name is Candy.  Need I say more?

After making something of himself, Declan has come back to his hometown to gloat.  His plan includes wooing the most eligible lady in town and making her fall in love with him.  He remembers Matilda's grandmother, and even though he doesn't believe in magic, decides to ask her for help.  Finding Matilda might change things.

Something was striking me as odd about this book.  I went back to the amazon reviews.  I usually don't read much of the reviews ahead of time, I don't want to be influenced.  From the reviews, I found out that they create a potion and decide to "test" it.  That led me to believe that there were going to be sex scenes in the book.  Further reading confirmed my suspicions.

When I went to look the book up at amazon, I saw that the paperback version of the book had a different cover than the Kindle version.  Had I seen the paperback cover, I would never have picked up the book.  I know that you can't judge a book by its cover, but sometimes you can tell more about what's inside than you think.  Lesson learned for me and it has been removed.



Chasing Mona Lisa - Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey

After reading The Swiss Courier, I was excited to read more from these two.  If you haven't read that one, I recommend reading it first.  Sometimes there are books in a series that can be read alone, but I think that these two would definitely be more enjoyable in order.

Still in WWII, Gabi and Eric are traveling to France during a turbulent time.  The liberation is in full swing and they meet up with Bernard, who is a member of one of the many different liberation forces.  His group, along with the others, have joined together to do their best to help free Paris from German occupation.  Bernard believes that his Communist ideals are more important than anything else, even love.

Colette is his girlfriend.  They haven't known each other very long and both have their secrets.  Colette works for the Louvre and is in charge of many of the paintings.  She also has the location of some of the more valuable pieces that were moved before the occupation.  She is being forced to deal with a German who uses the Louvre as his own personal gallery to pick from.  Blackmail is forcing her to keep the secret from everyone, including Bernard.

The German art collector knows that his future is uncertain since it seems that they have lost Paris.  It's only a matter of time before his days are ended.  He plots a scheme to steal the Mona Lisa to use as a bargaining chip.  Now Gabi, Eric, Colette and Bernard have to work together to assure the safety of one of the nation's most beloved pieces.

As secrets are revealed, Colette and Bernard are faced with knowing more about each other than they were prepared for.  I didn't get the overall happy ending that I usually expect in my books, but I have to say that it was appropriate.  I didn't mourn the way it ended at all.

Just like The Swiss Courier, I loved this book.  It was an easy read for me and I loved the recurrence of many of the characters from the first book including the American pilot.  The action was exciting and I learned more about the war in a way that was interesting but not overwhelming.  I highly recommend these two books and am happy to give it my Good Book review!

Bluebonnet Belle - Lori Copeland

I was a little frustrated by not getting any hits on my wish list for the past 3 months and decided to get proactive.  I surfed around on amazon and found 2 Lori Copeland books that were under my $5.00 limit.  They were each $4.85, but I needed an author that I could rely on for a good read.  My trip is fast approaching and I didn't want to be left without anything to read at all.  I like Lori Copeland, I've read a few of hers including Faith (Brides of the West) and Outlaw's Bride.  Ironically, the day after I bought these, I had 2 wish list hits for $2.99, but that's another story.  At least I'm prepared for my trip now.

I decided to read this one beforehand because one of the reviews I read mentioned that the book dealt with abortion.  I wanted to make sure that it was handled in a way I was comfortable with.

April lost her mother to what she perceived was unnecessary surgery.  As a result, she doesn't trust doctors.  The problem is that she is attracted to the town doctor, Gray.  She is helping to sell a vegetable compound that is supposed to cure all female complaints.  Gray thinks that she is misguided, but he has his own issues.

As time goes by, the two become an unlikely pair.  April's beau is hardly what he seems.  It takes some serious evidence to convince her of that even though she would rather rely on Gray for help.  Gray has a debt that needs to be paid and as a result feels like he needs to put up with his ex-fiance.  She isn't a small town girl at all and Gray can't seem to get rid of her.

I really did enjoy the book.  The abortion that was in the book was dealt with in a way that I approved of.  It was a small portion of the book and I felt it was used in a way to show that it is possible to overcome mistakes.  It was a good buy and I have no regrets giving this one my Good Book label.

Sixty Acres and a Bride (Ladies of Caldwell County #1) - Regina Jennings

This book is an obvious take on the Bible story of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz.  Sometimes I have problems making the connection, but this book makes it clear from the beginning when Rosa leaves her family in Mexico to come back to Texas with her mother-in-law.

Both women are widows and Rosa is not used to the customs of the Americans.  She makes a spectacle of herself on more than one occassion, although she is trying especially hard not to.  When the women get back to the ranch, they find that the people that had leased it are gone and have not paid the taxes on it for three years.  The women have 3 months to come up with an impossible amount of money.  While her mother-in-law, Louise, is in denial about the reality of raising the funds, Rosa is desperately working and trying to find a way.

Weston is the cousin of Rosa's late husband.  He is feeling guilty for the death of his wife and has secluded himself from others.  Running into Rosa changes that, but he fights it all the same.  Rosa also fights her feelings for Weston, she has been in a loveless marriage before.

Rosa's unusual ways and hard work also draw the attention of their lecherous neighbor who believes that he can use Rosa's ignorance of America's customs to take advantage of her.  He follows her about and takes delight in the fact that he might have a chance at the farm when Rosa and Louise are unable to come up with the money.

If you have any doubts to the connection with Ruth and Boaz, the story is mentioned in the book itself.  I almost didn't read the book when I read the prologue, it seemed like I had picked up the wrong book.  Rosa was headed to the barn at night where she was to go ask a man to help her.  I looked again, and it was a Bethany House book, so I knew I could read on safely.

This seems to be the only book available by this author, but it was a great read and I hope to see more from her in the future.  I got it for free, but at present it is only $5.59 and worth the money.  Definitely gets my Good Book tag!

Fearless - Max Lucado

Imagine your life without fear.  That's the concept of this book by Max Lucado.  This is actually my first read from the popular Christian author.  I've heard from more than one person that he's a good author but a lot of his books seem repetitive.  Since it's my first, I can't comment either way.  I picked it up a long time ago when it was $2.99.  I read through the main part of it a while back and then just recently picked it back up to read again.

I struggle with fear sometimes.  Who doesn't?  This book covers most of the major causes of fear that I can think of including fear of death, fear of not mattering, fear of violence, fear of not protecting my kids, etc. 

I found a lot of really good thoughts in this book.  I have to admit that I again didn't make it through the questions at the back of the book.  I would recommend that, if you read it, try to complete the Bible study/soul questions as you complete the chapters.  Since I had forgotten about the questions, I got to the end and they felt disconnected in many ways.

Some of the thoughts that I read that really struck me, I highlighted.  I just have to say that being able to highlight something in the Kindle is really helpful for people like me who HATE writing/highlighting in books.  Just some of the amazing things I read:

Fear creates a form of spiritual amnesia.  It dulls our miracle memory.  It makes us forget what Jesus has done and how good God is.

Fear of insignificance creates the result it dreads, arrives at the destination it tries to avoid, facilitates the scenario it disdains.

And my personal favorite:
Everything will work out in the end.  If it's not working out, it's not the end.

There's TONS more good stuff in this book.  My highlight list goes on and on.  There's even a list of worry stoppers that uses the letters in the word "peaceful."  If fear has ever tried to get a hold of you in a way that it doesn't want to let go, I recommend this book.  Even if you only struggle with occasional fear, I still recommend the book.  It's a good resource and something I can see myself using again in the future.  Great Book!

Texas Roads (A Miller's Creek Novel) - Cathy Bryant

I'm running out of things to read on my Kindle!  I have 4 books total at the moment and it's probably the lowest number I've had on there since I got it!  I've got a trip planned at the end of the month and I'm wondering if I'm going to have to break down and try to find a book to buy that's within my limit.

Texas Roads is the story of Dani.  She is escaping her life in the city to visit an aunt she's never met.  She is trying to find a place to call home.  Her aunt, Mama Beth, is living in a small town that is struggling and it's the hometown of her now wealthy and snooty mother.  Her mother is incredibly critical and manipulative.

On the way to Miller's Creek, Dani's car runs out of gas and she meets Steve.  Not knowing that he is the mayor and future love of her life, Dani makes some comments on small town living and the people that live there.  This creates a rocky start for them.

Steve is trying to protect his town and Mama Beth, who is like a mother to him.  She has some medical problems that throw Steve and Dani together and he is able to see that she honestly cares.  Both have been hurt and have no interest in pursuing a relationship, but that's about the time that they fall in love regardless of what their heads are telling them.  Secrets and misunderstandings throw a wrench into their friendship and romance.

I thought that the book was good, but there was a ton of depressing elements to overcome.  There was cancer, betrayal, mistrust, dementia, divorce, death, fire, vandalism and more death.  I didn't have any issues making it through the book, but I don't think that I'm going to watch any more in the series.  There was a preview of the next book (and only one I found) in the series, A Path Less Traveled, and it starts out with Steve's sister and her husband has died.  It's just too depressing for me.  Texas Roads will get my Good Book review regardless of the small issues I had with it.

The Swiss Courier - Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey

I've had this book on my Kindle for a little bit and decided to give it a shot.  It's not the normal romances that I like to read.  I've also read Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington by Tricia Goyer and I really liked that one.  Living in Washington, I felt a connection with the setting.  Also with the time period.  I have a personal interest in some of the WWII books since my grandfather was a pilot with the Army Air Corps.

This book is also during WWII, set in Switzerland, a neutral country in the war.  To avoid upsetting either side, they send Jews back to Germany and hold stranded Allied pilots in "camps."  They're more on vacation than anything else, but escape attempts are punished. I'd say that the book follows 3 main story lines that come together as the book goes on.

Gabi has joined up to decipher communications and has safe cracking skills.  She gets involved in a situation that is more than it seems, but relies on God to get her through.  She's also got Eric, a farmer, and Dieter, her boss, after her romantically.  She knows that Eric is steady and a good Christian, but she is starstruck by Dieter's involvement in the war efforts.  The romance aspect of the book was subtle, but worked well with the book.

Joseph Engel is working with the Germans on a wonder weapon.  This is shortly after the failed assassination attempt on Hitler, so the Gestapo is looking closely at everyone.  They discover that Joseph was adopted and that he was born a Jew.  Upon closer inspection, they decide that he needs to be detained.

The American intelligence finds out about the planned abduction and works with their contacts in both Switzerland and Germany to get there first.  They successfully grab him first, but they still have to get him out of the country.  We find out about a group of individuals that risk their lives to shelter him and an American pilot that becomes important in the rescue attempt.

I LOVED this book.  It's rare that I enjoy a book this much.  The research involved in this book was incredible.  There was a lot of information about the war that was presented in a manner that definitely kept my attention.  I had to stop myself from reading too much of the book at one sitting so I didn't mess up my eyes.  I recommend this book if you have interest in WWII and like a good spy story.

I also have Chasing Mona Lisa, which is another book by these two and looks like it has some of the same characters in it.  I don't want to give it away who it is because some of the characters are not what they seemed in the first book.  If you read the summary of it, you'll find out of course, but not by me!  I plan on reading it soon.  If it's anything like the first one, it will be an action-packed exciting book.  This one is one of my favorite books to get a Good Book label.

The Merchant's Daughter - Melanie Dickerson

After reading The Healer's Apprentice, a book based on the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty, I was pleased to see that the author had out another book.  I was even happier when I found out this one was based on Beauty and the Beast.  That's pretty much been my favorite for quite a few years.  Honestly, I actually have a picture of myself with Belle at Walt Disney World!

On to the book.  Annabel's family has been shirking their duty since the death of her father.  It's been three years since they paid their dues and now the new lord is coming.  They are sentenced to an impossible amount of restitution or one of the family has to be a servant for 3 years.

Annabel's brothers are pretty useless, so it's up to her to save the family, even though they hardly appreciate it.  The family is trying to convince her to marry a horrid lecher.  To escape, she decides to be the servant, wondering if the lord could be as horrible as everyone says he is.

Lord Ranulf has gone through some pretty rough stuff.  His hand, arm and eyepatch have made him scary to the villagers.  He seems to even have more scars on the inside from his deceased wife.

The lecherous Tom doesn't seem to want to take no for an answer and Lord Ranulf is there most of the time to save Annabel.  Things get dangerous later on and through it all, Lord Ranulf proves himself to be more than his scars.

The only unfortunate thing I have to say is that this is the only other book by the author.  I really enjoyed both of her books and hope that I'll see more in the future.  I'd love to read more of her creative takes on fairy tales!  This one is still up for $2.99 - I wholeheartedly recommend picking it up!  Good Book!

A Dream Unfolding (Prescott Pioneers #1) - Karen Baney

I want to start out by saying that I'm disappointed that for the 3rd month in a row I've had NO hits on my wish list.  I didn't even see anything interesting in the 100 books offered for $3.99 or less.  Bummer!

On to this book.  I wanted to like this one since they also offered up the other 2 in the series for free as well.  I was looking forward to a new trilogy.  This one even came complete!  I ended up quitting about 50% in.  I even took it off my Kindle at one point and then re-downloaded it to try and muck through. 

This book follows two groups of people.  The first is Hannah and Drew.  Drew is a doctor in Cincinnati and has a nice practice.  Unfortunately, when his brother tries to rob the bank the town turns against him.  Hannah's best friend even turns on her.  I found that a little hard to believe to be honest.  The two had been friends since childhood and Hannah had nothing to do with it.  You would think that her friend would at least be sad to give up Hannah as a friend if she felt so compelled.  Anyway, Drew decides to relocate to the Arizona territory.  Hannah was thinking a little closer, Indiana, and ends up angry at Drew and giving him the silent treatment for almost half the trip.

Will is a rancher whose father has just died.  His selfish brother, Reuben, has ordered that he take his part of the inheritance and leave the ranch.  Reluctantly leaving his sister behind, Will takes a few cowboys, his herd and heads west.  Along the way, they deal with Indians and lack of sleep.  By the time I quit reading, he had at least gotten to Arizona.

I found the insight into westward travel interesting, but the long descriptions left me wanting.  I craved a romance in there for Will.  It felt like a long book.  I kept expecting something to happen.  I started to check my % more and more often and inwardly groan that I hadn't gotten far.  The other 2 that were up free were A Heart Renewed and A Life Restored.  I think that if you are in the mood to read a book that will give you a window into the hardships of settling the west, you would probably like this book more than I did.  It just wasn't for me and I've taken the other 2 off my Kindle as well.