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 | Aug 23, 2016 | Book Reviews

Where Hope Prevails by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan


Janette Oke was the first Christian author I ever read. She was also the first author to make me anxiously await the next release. Her books largely helped me to understand life as a Christian when I first began my own journey. She is still a remarkable writer that I would love to meet one day.
That being said, this was not my favorite book from her and her daughter. In fact, I would rate it as my least favorite I have ever read from her and will promptly be reading my favorite book from her, When Calls the Heart, to make sure I end on a good note.
For me, the story line was very slow moving, and actually quite boring. There was not a lot of interaction with her and Jarrick, even though this is the book they get married in. Elizabeth spends most of the book struggling with her relationship with her partner teacher and her own personal emotional struggles.
If I had not been reading expecting a romance story, it would have been probably more enjoyable. I would call this book strictly women’s fiction. Elizabeth Thatcher has a great amount of personal growth, and there are great lessons to be learned. I would still recommend the book as long as you have that as the primary focus. If you are expecting romance and the sweetness of an engaged couple, you will find it in unsatisfactory amounts.
by Crystal Caudill | Aug 2, 2016 | Book Reviews

Marie and Mr. Bee
written by Margaret Welwood and illustrated by Coralie Rycroft

I don’t usually do picture books, but Margaret Welwood reached out to me to review hers, and I have to say it was a cute read.
The book is meant to be read by an adult to a child and allow for a discussion about work ethic. It is a good illustration for that discussion, although I felt that portions of Mr. Bee’s story could have been more filled in to make a stronger point.
You can see in the picture that Marie is confined to a wheelchair but that is never mentioned or made a point of the story. So if you are looking for a book with a character with a disability but do not want it to be the focus of the story, this is a good one.
There are two versions available for purchase: one aimed specifically at a Bible-oriented market and the other meant for a secular market. The only difference between the two is on the last page where Marie is reading to Mr. Bee. In the Proverbs version, she is reading from the Bible and the verse Proverbs 12:14b is written in the book.
Honestly, the verse felt a little slapped on there compared to the other version. The verse was not cited except for the front of the book, and it did not look as polished as the version where she is just reading a regular story to Mr. Bee.
Even so, it is still a great book to read to your kid and spark a discussion. And knowing the verse from the sticker can prompt you to pull out your own Bible with your kid and look it up in the actual Bible like Mr. Bee and Marie.
I would recommend buying this book. The characters, story line, and illustrations are cute, and a great discussion can be started between you and a child.
*I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion, which can be read above.*
“Marie is a happy little girl who lives in a cabin in the woods, working and playing with her forest friends . . . until a not-so-busy bee entices her to neglect her work! Compassion, forgiveness, restoration, and a forever friendship ensue.
By the following summer, Mr. Bee is too old to fly. But every night, Marie lifts her little friend onto her lap and reads to him from the Book of John and the Book of Proverbs.”
– Blurb from Amazon
If you are interested in purchasing a copy or learning more about the book visit:
Amazon.com – Proverbs Version
Amazon.com – Secular Version
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/