by Crystal Caudill | Aug 30, 2016 | Book Reviews
The Canadian West Series by Janette Oke
Okay after having to leave a two-star rating for my favorite author last week, I had to revisit my favorite series from her and give her a glowing review to make up for the disappointment.
The Canadian West Series:
#1 When Calls the Heart
#2 When Comes the Spring
#3 When Breaks the Dawn
#4 When Hope Springs New
# 5 Beyond The Gathering Storm
# 6 When Tomorrow Comes
The first four books are my absolute favorite. In the first book, Elizabeth Thatcher goes to the Canadian West to teach in a school near her brother. Only she finds out turning down the wrong man puts her in a school much farther west where she has to learn to live alone and teach in a little one room school house. The fun ensues with her mistakes and the challenges of teaching in a small community.
In When Calls the Heart, Elizabeth Thatcher goes to the Canadian West to teach in a school near her brother. Only she finds out turning down the wrong man puts her in a school much farther west where she has to learn to live alone and teach in a little one room school house. The fun ensues with her mistakes and the challenges of teaching in a small community. Of course, there is the dashing mountie, Wynn. The miscommunications and the romance that follows is wonderful to read.
When Comes the Spring begins with the wedding, honeymoon, and then the first year of marriage. It is such a wonderful book showing how a God-centered marriage works, even in the most challenging of situations. Not only do they have to leave the small community they had come to know and love, but Elizabeth follows Wynn to the far north to live in an Indian village where she is an outsider.
In When Breaks the Dawn, they must move yet again and Elizabeth works with the Indian community to survive a wildfire and then flood. It is an exciting read and I just love following their marriage.
When Hope Springs New is the last one to focus on their lives as husband and wife, mountie and teacher. This book touches on the difficult topic of not being able to have children and God’s grace. It is a wonderful read that leaves you with hope for the future.
Finally, Beyond the Gathering Storm and When Tomorrow Comes follow the lives of Wynn and Elizabeth’s two children. One is an adopted son and the other is their miracle daughter. Each struggle to find their way in the world and to be patient for love. I enjoy reading both of their stories and love that you get to see Wynn and Elizabeth in a different light.
This is one of those rare series that I would make everyone read if I could. Janette Oke reveals the true life trials of married life and how it can be done in a Godly manner. Even if you have no Godly couples to look to, you can really see a great example in this series.
I love Wynn and Elizabeth as if they were real people. Okay, so maybe that is a little creepy. But in the books that really impact you and you love, it feels that way.
So what are you doing? Go buy and read this series. I promise you won’t regret it AND it is way better than her newest series and even the When Calls the Heart television show (which I do like, but it is nothing like the books.)
by Crystal Caudill | Jul 12, 2016 | Book Reviews
Engaging the Competition by Melissa Jagears
Engaging the Competition was an enjoyable quick read. The plot was believable and fun to read, but it was the characters I loved.
Charlie Andrews is a competitive, tomboy girl who excels at outdoing the boys, whether it be shooting or ranching. Her nature has left her with few choices when circumstances developed requiring her to marry. Her insecurities and struggles are realistic and relatable, especially her struggle between family loyalty and wanting a man she thinks she can’t have.
Harrison Gray is not your average western hero. He is a man with tons of book smarts and a disabling amount of blindness without his glasses. I love how he’s not the typical hero who is great at everything, but a real man who wants to be respected and has carefully hidden insecurities.
If you are looking for a cute, quick read, I recommend this one.
Ever since Charlotte Andrews bested four-eyed Harrison Gray in a shooting competition when they were teenagers, he decided a tough, show-off girl like Charlie didn’t need him to look after her. Now a teacher at the local school, Harrison learns Charlie intends to marry a neighbor who comes from a long line of no-good troublemakers and, for some inexplicable reason, it falls to him to talk some sense into her…if she has any under that tomboy exterior.
Their heated confrontation unfortunately takes place right as a bad storm is coming on and, in the melee of arguing and taking shelter, Harrison’s glasses are knocked off his face and broken when Charlie’s horse crushes them under a hoof. Harrison and Charlie may have their differences, but she can see from his panic that the loss of his glasses is a blow to him. She volunteers to help him at school until his new pair of special order glasses arrive despite knowing the one place she can’t best Harrison is in the classroom. Readers will have fun being introduced to the characters of Melissa’s Teaville Moral Society series!
– Blurb from Amazon.com
To purchase your own copy, visit:
Amazon.com Barnes and Noble
Visit Melissa at http://melissajagears.com/
by Crystal Caudill | Jul 5, 2016 | Book Reviews
Runaway Bride by Mary Connealy 
I loved this novella! I have been a huge fan of Mrs. Connealy for a long time and own the majority of her books. This story was a fun bridge between two series, the Kincaid Brides and Trouble in Texas. I highly recommend reading those two series before reading this novella.
Seeing characters you have already met (mostly from Trouble in Texas) and their expanded families is a pure joy, and Big John was always one of my favorites. It was such a blast seeing him be the “tough man” he is and being won over by the determination and courage of Carrie and her brother.
It was so enjoyable I ended up reading it while making dinner. My poor library will get a book returned with oil splatters. I will definitely be adding this book to my Connealy collection.
Big John Conroy is a Texas Ranger asked by a friend to assist Carrie. He catches up to Carrie and her brother Isaac and races away from a dangerous man who will stop at nothing to make the beautiful young woman his wife. Soon Big John’s feelings for Carrie turn to more than simply protective, and Carrie finally feels that she’s in the presence of a man she can respect–something she’s never known. Fans of Mary’s The Kincaid Brides and Trouble in Texas series will enjoy catching up with those characters.
– Blurb from Amazon.com
Buy your copy at:
Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble
Visit Mary Connealy at her website http://maryconnealy.com/
by Crystal Caudill | Jun 28, 2016 | Book Reviews
Okay, so life has been a little too chaotic to read for leisure. A crime, I know. Well, I have broken free from jail and am reading again, so first up…
Her Dearly Unintended by Regina Jennings 
5/5
“1870s Missouri –Heavy rain means trouble for Katie Ellen. With her parents away, she’s left to take care of the mountaintop farm alone until Josiah Huckabee happens to check on her. She used to think him charming–used to–but before she can run Josiah off, a stranger appears. The bridge has washed out, stranding a weathered and threatening man with them. Immediately sensing danger, Josiah steps in and claims the place–and Katie Ellen–as his own. His farm, his wife, and this Silas Ruger character better be respectful. Furious, Katie Ellen is forced to play along. Readers of Regina’s Ozark Mountain Romance series will love seeing favorite characters all grown up.” – Blurb from Amazon.com
I loved this story! Regina does a great job of making entertaining and relatable characters. Katie Ellen’s perfectionist tendencies were a source of great enjoyment for me as I see much of myself in her. Well, maybe not the clean house, but the need for perfection in the work I do.
Josiah is a character that grows on me, especially when you find out the reason why the man abandoned their childhood friendship. I won’t spoil anything, but let me tell you it is worth the read.
Regina did a great job of keeping me guessing and giving plot twists I totally did not expect. It was a pure joy to read! I highly recommend buying and reading this novella. Her Dearly Unintended is humor, misunderstandings, and love at its best.
To purchase your own copy, visit:
Amazon.com Barnes and Noble
Visit Regina Jennings at http://www.reginajennings.com/.
by Crystal Caudill | Jun 7, 2016 | Book Reviews
Mail Order Surprise by Lucy Thompson
Mail order bride stories have seemed to become a trend in recent Christian Fiction stories. Each has their own special twist, and Mail Order Surprise follows that trend.
Neither character has a flawless past nor are they prepared for the trouble that seems to follow the duo wherever they go. Barriers create a love that is slow growing and hesitant, especially on Lydia’s part.
Lucy does an excellent job of showing the emotional reactions of an abused woman entering into a new marriage to escape her past and protect her children. Her hesitancy toward love is understandable and realistic.
Beau is a gentleman trying to do his best with what he has been given. He doesn’t always make the right choices, but he is a good and admirable man.
Both Lydia and Beau start off their marriage withholding important information from each other – she has two children and he has a household full of relatives living with him. The intermingling of the two families is entertaining.
The plot moved along nicely and had a few surprises and unexpected twists. While there were some weaknesses to the story, they were easily moved past and the story remained enjoyable.
I would not call it the best story I have ever read, but I certainly enjoyed Lucy’s own take on mail order brides. If you are looking for a twist on the traditional story line, this needs to be put on your TBR pile. (To Be Read, if you didn’t know.)
*I received a free e-copy in exchange for my honest opinion, which you have read above.*
To purchase your own copy, visit:
Amazon.com
Visit the author at https://lucythompsonauthor.com/tag/mail-order-surprise/
BEAU HARDING just wants to keep his family together. Leaning on his own strength, he’s tried to do his best by his siblings and he needs a little help. Okay, more than a little help. Only one thing to do—send for a mail order bride. Widow, LYDIA WALSH, must trust God’s promise to protect her future, despite his silence. With her former abusive mother-in-law, MRS. WALSH, after her children, Lydia puts her hope in what she can see: a fresh start as a mail order bride in the mountain town of Halls Pass.
Can these two survive the wild west to find God’s will for their lives and healing for their hearts?
– Blurb from Goodreads.com
