Where Willows Grow (Heart of the Prairie #10) - Kim Vogel Sawyer

This was my last book in this series that I needed to read.  I did pick and choose to some degree and enjoyed most of them.  The ones I skipped are about the Mennonites, and personally I am not overly fond of that genre of fiction.  The complete list is:
1. Waiting for Summer's Return
2. Where the Heart Leads
3. A Promise for Spring
4. Fields of Grace
5. A Hopeful Heart
6. Courting Miss Amsel
7. A Whisper of Peace
8. Song of My Heart
9. A Home in Drayton Valley
10. Where Willows Grow.

Harley has been working hard to keep his farm going through a never-ending drought. Desperate to provide for his family, he decides to sell the mules and take a job elsewhere in Kansas building a castle.  He loves his wife but sees her growing discontent with her lot in life and wants to prove himself to her.  They are both stubborn and argue before he leaves.

While he is gone, both of them have a change of heart regarding the way they left things and want to make amends.  Unfortunately, the neighbor that Harley asked to help his wife out has been hopelessly in love with her since they were children.  Seeing this as an opportunity to gain what he wants, Jack goes to any measure he finds necessary to keep the two of them apart.

I did like this book, although I was irritated with Anna Mae at the beginning of the book. She is upset that Harley is leaving and didn't consult her.  Instead of trying to talk about the problem, she acts like a spoiled child and gives him the silent treatment.  Other than that, they both come to realize that it is best to make sure you don't leave things unsaid. Anna especially learns this lesson when a man from another town brings news of the castle project.  And all I can say about Jack is he is a bad, bad man!

The concept of the castle was unusual and I had the feeling that it was based on fact.  I looked it up online and there is a castle in Lindsborg, Kansas.  The place is called Coronado Heights Park.  I waited to find out a little bit about it at the end, but all I saw were dedications from the author.  I enjoy when authors incorporate truth like this, I just wish there had been a bit about it at the end of the book.  Likable characters, good story line - Good Book!

The Tutor's Daughter - Julie Klassen

I've come to look forward to reading books written by Julie Klassen.  So far, I've been able to read The Silent Governess, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, and Lady of Milkweed Manor. I really liked all of those so it was an easy choice to pick this one up.

Emma helps her father who runs a school teaching young men.  Since her mother died, Emma has noticed his declining devotion to his work.  Hoping to get some business, she writes to a family that had sent two of their sons, one a trouble-maker and the other a friendly young man, to encourage the family to entrust their other two sons.  Instead of sending their sons, the family invites Emma and her father to reside at the house and teach the boys.  Thinking the change of scenery might be beneficial for her father's spirits, they agree to make the journey.  They aren't at the house long before strange things begin to happen to Emma.

Henry regrets his pestering of the tutor's daughter and notices how she's grown up. Unfortunately, it seems like his stepmother would never approve and his younger brother, Philip, appears to have his eyes on Emma anyway.  Henry is wrapped up in family secrets and knowing that strange things are happening to Emma causes him additional worry.

This story has the gothic elements of Jane Eyre with the midnight mysteries in Emma's room and other parts of the house, but it also has the two brothers fighting for Emma's heart.  One brother seems to be more substance than she thought and the other has all the appearance of substance but doesn't quite live up to it.  As with her other books, I really enjoyed this book.  Next up is The Dancing Master, due out in December.  I'm already tracking it!  Good Book!

Outlaw - Ted Dekker

If you've read any of my reviews of Ted Dekker novels in the past, you'll know that he is my favorite author.  There isn't much that he's written that I didn't enjoy and after reading the four sections to Eyes Wide Open, (Identity, Mirrors, Unseen and Seer) I was looking forward to the next part of The Outlaw Chronicles.

Outlaw begins int he 1960's with a violent storm.  Julian and her infant son are fighting for their lives on board a sailboat until the ship breaks apart.  After the captain dies and the boat sinks, men in a small boat approach Julian and take her out of the water, but it's not necessarily to save her.  Without her child and alone in a world that she can't relate to, she does her best to stay alive.

The things she has to do cause her to doubt God and rail against Him.  As times goes on, she learns that the events of the day of the shipwreck are not exactly the way she believes them to be.  She is made aware of a fact that will turn her life upside down once again, leaving her without bearable options.  Once her eyes are opened, she becomes part of a greater story than she imagined.  I won't go into detail about the second half of the book - I don't want to add spoilers!

The amazing thing about Ted Dekker's books is that there are so many levels to them. You have the story itself, which is always a window to another world, be it real or imagined.  There's also the deeper meanings that Dekker seamlessly adds to his books that can cause the reader to rethink the way they look at the world.  After I finished this book, I went back and read the end of Seer, the end of Eyes Wide Open, and refreshed my memory in regards to Outlaw.

The reason I love Ted Dekker's books so much is that it doesn't matter what the topic is, he has such a great style that he can make it interesting.  I would never dream of picking up a book about a tribe in New Guinea had it been written by any other writer.  He’s just that good.  This book is related to Eyes Wide Open, another great book, but it isn’t necessary to read them in order.  I recommend them both without hesitation.  Great Book!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Against the Tide - Elizabeth Camden

Elizabeth Camden has become one of the authors that I look forward to reading.  When I pick up one of her books, I know that I'm going to be reading something that is a unique story with great characters.  In the past, I have seen that in The Lady of Bolton Hill, The Rose of Winslow Street, and Into the Whirlwind.  All great books and I was anxious to read this one.

Lydia spent part of her childhood on a boat and the rest of it in an orphanage.  Her knack for languages has landed her a job at the Navy Yard translating things from around the world.  She loves her job and enjoys that everything in her life seems to be in order.  All that changes when she faces losing her home.  She needs to come up with some extra money fast.

Bane likes to mess with Lydia's neat and tidy world.  If he was in a position to be attracted to a woman, it would be Lydia.  Not only does his past prevent him but also the present course of his life.  He was deeply involved in the opium trade and since he became a Christian, he now is on a mission to bring down the trade that he helped establish.  He also has determined to get back at the man who made him into who he used to be.  Since that man is always after Bane, he can't endanger Lydia by letting her into his world.

As with her other books, I was impressed.  I loved the characters and the originality of the story.  The historical notes at the end opened my eyes to some of the ways the opium trade affected so many lives, especially children.  I don't see anything else on the horizon from Camden, but I'll definitely be on the look-out.  Good Book!

A Promise to Love (Michigan Northwoods #3) - Serena B. Miller

As far as I can tell, this is the first time I have read this author.  On amazon, this book is listed as book #3, but I can't find evidence of what series it is referring to.  I did, however, make the connection that this book follows The Measure of Katie Calloway.  It seems that the characters in that book make an appearance in this book, but after realizing who they were, their role in this book is small enough that reading this out of order isn't a big deal.

In this book, Ingrid has come from Sweden to meet her twin brother, Hans, and make a new life in Michigan.  When her brother doesn't write, Ingrid begins to think that something has happened to him and now has to make her own way.  Unfortunately, she has ended up in the employ of a spoiled woman who abuses Ingrid and punishes her repeatedly. Fed up, Ingrid leaves and is now looking for another way to provide for herself.

Joshua Hunter's wife has just died mysteriously.  His in-laws are blaming him for her death, claiming that he must have poisoned her.  At the inquest, he is absolved of responsibility of his wife's death, but the in-laws push the case that he is unable to provide for the children.  The judge agrees, but Ingrid has seen kindness in Joshua and offers to be a mother to the children.  Feeling like this is the only way he can keep his children, he agrees to a marriage.  As time passes, Joshua tries to tell himself that he will never love anyone again, but time and unknown details might just change his mind.

I really enjoyed this book and ate it up.  I found Ingrid to be a great character and her plan for bringing Bertie back home, based on true events, was amusing.  The amount of research and true events that was weaved into the story was great and I'm happy to say that I've found myself a new author.  I've got The Measure of Katie Calloway already waiting on my Kindle.  Had I known it came before this one, I would have read it first.  Also, the author has written some Amish novels, which I'm not a fan of, but has released another book, Under the Blackberry Moon, just today.  It's on my watch list and I look forward to reading more.  Good Book!

Bourne (River of Time 3.1) & Tributary (River of Time 3.2) - Lisa T. Bergren

These two are novellas that are meant to be read after the River of Time series: Waterfall, Cascade and Torrent.  Make sure you have read this series BEFORE you dive into these novellas - you'll have no clue what's going on if you don't.

In Bourne, we pick up where Torrent left off.  Men are wounded from battle and there is a new threat to the Betarrinis and those they have come to love.  Lia still doesn't quite feel like she belongs but knows she won't be going back.

Tributary was my favorite story of the two.  Alessandra has gotten a head wound while out hunting.  Lia and Gabi know that they have no choice but to take her back to their castello even though it is obvious that this girl has come from their enemies.  As Alessandra heals, she comes to realize that everything she believes is not as black and white as she first thought.

I really loved this series and these two novellas.  Finding some closure for Lia, Luca and Rodolfo was nice although not everything is wrapped up in a neat little bow.  It has been over two years since I read the River of Time series, but there were enough reminders to help me remember what had been going on - great job by the author on that one!  You still have those moments where the "teen" aspect of the book shines through in the language.  For me, it sort of broke up the flow but it wasn't bad enough to change my opinion of the stories.

These are available separately, but I recommend you buy them together for two reasons. The first is that it is cheaper to buy them together.  They are $2.99 separately and $3.99 together.  For some, the difference is minimal, but when you buy/read as many books as I do, every little bit helps.  The second reason is that both stories are definitely worth reading and you'd be missing out by only reading one.  Great Series!  Great Novellas!

A Home in Drayton Valley (Heart of the Prairie #9) - Kim Vogel Sawyer

I've been reading through this series, picking out the ones I thought sounded interesting. The ones I've read so far are Waiting for Summer's Return, A Promise for Spring, A Hopeful Heart, Courting Miss Amsel and Song of My Heart.

Tarsie is a young, independent woman who is trying to make ends meet.  Her best friend, Mary, has been sick for quite some time and when Tarsie finds a book telling about the ideal place to live: Drayton Valley, Kansas.  She wants to get Mary out of the unhealthy air in New York and get to the cleaner air in Kansas.  It will also get Mary's children to a better place to grow up and Mary's husband, Joss, away from liquor.

Joss grew up with a father who was always angry and drank all the time.  He loves Mary and is devastated when he realizes how sick she really is.  He starts to wonder if she will even get to see Kansas.  As she's dying, Mary asks Tarsie to take care of her children but also Joss.  Tarsie's not so sure she can do it, but she vows to try.

This was an interesting read, but I must say it was a little depressing at times.  Tarsie does her best to show God's love to Joss, but he treats her with indifference and plans to leave first chance he gets.  The way he treats his children is the way he was treated even though he vowed not to become like his father.  At the end of the day, it was a good book about how anyone can turn their life around and I enjoyed it. I've got one more to read from this series, Where Willows Grow, and I look forward to reading it soon.  Good Book!

Betrayal (Where the Heart Lives #2) -- Robin Lee Hatcher

Almost a year ago, I read Belonging, the first book in this series.  At that time, I couldn't find any more information about the series and was disappointed.  Little did I know that the series moved on without me! This series is about three siblings that were separated on the orphan train.  Now they are working their way back to each other.  The first book was about Felicia.

Hugh is on his way to find his sister, Felicia.  On the way, his horse comes up lame and he ends up at the ranch owned by Julia.  Hugh keeps to himself, but he feels that Julia is hiding just as much as he is.  As he comes to feel for her, he holds back the details of his past.  People judge him by it even though he knows he is a new man in Christ.  Even knowing that, he has learned it is better to be on his own than risk the pain of betrayal.

Julia doesn't really miss her husband.  When he was alive, he abused her and punished her for not giving him a child.  It's not in her nature to be trusting, but she asks Hugh to stay and help her get the cattle to market.  When he agrees, she also decides to hold back.  She feels that her past will push away any feelings Hugh might have growing for her.

This was a nice short read and I enjoyed it.  The final book in the series, Beloved, just came out at the end of September and I have it on my watch list.  I hope to find out what happened to Diana very soon.  Good Book!

Rock Harbor Search and Rescue: Lost and Found - Colleen Coble

After reading the first book in this series, Rock Harbor Search and Rescue, and knowing that my daughter enjoyed it, it was a no-brainer to pick this one up.

We pick up where we left off with Emily, but it’s not to the point you feel like you’re missing something if you haven’t read the first book.  I think that’s important, especially with series written for the younger crowd.  Emily is faced with a whole new set of problems and tries to solve them all on her own again.

Her best friend, Olivia, discovers that she has been adopted and the girls go about trying to find out why Olivia’s parents have never told her.  They can’t ask, because that would ruin a surprise anniversary party, so they enlist the help of a local reporter who has been helpful in the past.

Not only do the girls try to figure out Olivia’s past, Emily’s mother is back in town and wanting to get back in touch with her daughter.  Emily’s not sure she can trust her, but knows that no matter what her mother is planning, God wants her to forgive.  There’s also been a fire at the school and the evidence isn’t quite what it seems.  When her stepmother, Naomi, goes missing, Emily isn’t sure things can get much worse.

I have no issues recommending this series.  It was a nice enjoyable read for me and it definitely doesn’t disappoint.  The action goes right up until the end and I think will keep the kids motivated to read it through.  The only caution I have is that I believe this series would be more appropriate for ages 10 and up.  Amazon has it listed as age 8, but due to content, length and writing style, I think it would be more enjoyable for 10 and up.  Hope to see more in the future!  Good Book!

* I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Unspoken - Dee Henderson

I have read a lot of Dee Henderson's books in the past including the entire O'Malley series.  I've always enjoyed her ability to mix suspense, mystery and romance in a real page-turner.

Bryce is bored.  As a coin dealer, his life has gotten monotonous and he is praying for something to shake up his life.  That prayer is answered in the form of Charlotte.  She appears one night under mysterious circumstances and intrigues Bryce.  She's offering him the opportunity to buy a collection of coins.  If he says no, she's going to open up a coin store right next door and be his direct competition.

As the mystery surrounding Charlotte begins to unravel, Bryce wants to help her with her goals of distributing her grandfather's estate.  Bryce comes to realize that the estate is much more than he imagined.  Charlotte has a troubled past and hasn't said a word about the four years she spent kidnapped.  Even though is has been 18 years, her past is still chasing her.

I hate to say this, but I wasn't very fond of this book.  I had issues getting into the story.  I don't know anything about antique/rare coins and the amount of detail about the coins became too much for me.  There were also random details that I felt could have been left out and made the book easier to read.  It definitely could have been shorter.  I skimmed part of the second half of the book and thought that the suspense at the end was well done, but overall it probably could have lost 50-100 pages and the story wouldn't have been as bogged down with random details. And I still don't like antique coins.  It was just okay.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Talent for Trouble (Ladies of Distinction #3) - Jen Turano

In the past, I have been able to read the novella to this series, Gentleman of Her Dreams, and also the first book in the series, A Change of Fortune.  I’ve had the second book, A Most Peculiar Circumstance, on my watch list for quite a while, but haven’t seen a drop in it yet.

Felicia has just had a letdown.  Her secret infatuation with the local reverend, which appears to be no secret at all, has ended with him married to another woman.  For four years, Felicia had altered who she was to try and attract this man’s attentions.  Now that he is gone, Felicia’s mother has seen fit to try and match her up with someone as soon as possible.

Grayson has had a troubled past and has vowed to never marry again.  His past mistakes have made him, in his eyes, unworthy of forgiveness from God and thereby unsuitable as a husband to any young woman.  Problem is, Felicia is both maddening and intriguing at the same time.  While he wants to spare her from his past, saving her from one of the troubles she tends to get into brings his past right to her door.

As with the other books I have read by Jen Turano, this was another great read.  I didn’t feel like I had missed much by having to skip the second book, although mention was made of botched marriage proposals.  Apparently all the men in these books make a mess of their proposals.  Other than that, as long as you realize it’s a happily-ever-after, you’re not going to spoil much by reading them out of order.  I do hope that this series doesn’t follow the usual trilogy format, as we still don’t have resolution for Agatha and I think it would be a great story from a relatively new author.  She’s a great writer and her characters make me smile.  Definitely hope to see more from her!  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Traces of Mercy (Mercy Medallion Trilogy #1) - Michael Landon, Jr. & Cindy Kelley

Anyone who has watched many movies on Hallmark channel has heard of Michael Landon, Jr.  The first movie that comes to my mind is Love Comes Softly.  Seeing that he had written a book had me intrigued.  I hadn’t heard of Cindy Kelley, but it looks like they worked together to release a book back in 2009.  Doesn’t look like something I would read, but this title did.

The beginning of the book grabs you right away.  The Confederate sniper that we meet has an unexpected encounter.  When she loses her memory, all she has are the men’s clothes she is wearing and a medallion.  Since she doesn’t remember her name, the nuns she is staying with call her Mercy.

Rand seems like a knight in shining armor.  He is really interested in Mercy and doesn’t care about her past.  His prominent family is concerned about the consequences should Mercy remember she has a husband and family, but Rand seems to think it’s not an issue.

Elijah meets Mercy at a party and feels like he’s met her before.  When he figures out how he knows her, it could put everything that Mercy has planned for her future at risk.  What will she do to keep her dreams alive and what will it cost her?

This was a real page-turner.  Mercy’s amnesia is frustrating for both the character and the reader.  I couldn’t put the book down and just had to know what was going to happen.  I wanted to know if Mercy would find out who she really was.  Would she remember everything?

I have to warn you that this is a trilogy AND you are left with a major cliffhanger at the end of this book.  If you don’t want to be invested in an entire trilogy, you may want to pass, but I must warn you that you’ll be missing out.  I’m not normally a fan of these types of trilogies, but I’m looking forward to the next title in this series.  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.