The Broken Trail by Christa MacDonald

Let's start with the book summary:

Katherine Grant takes the job at Sweet River Christian Academy hoping a small town in the wilderness of Maine will be a vacation from her high-powered career and a break from the emotional toll of the secrets she has buried deep. With the school director on a power trip and evidence of shady dealings, there’s nothing relaxing about it. Maybe it would be easier if she wasn’t so distracted by Captain MacAlister, the local cop she can’t get along with, yet can’t get out of her head. She didn’t trek up to the middle of nowhere to lose her heart.

Mac doesn’t need the kind of trouble he believes Katherine will bring. He’s got enough to deal with from poachers to drug crime. Mac has rules to maintain his faith, like avoiding the pull of an attractive woman who doesn’t fit his life. But when he meets Katherine, he’s drawn in by her intelligence and strength, despite getting burned by her quick temper.

When near tragedy strikes, Katherine reveals her feelings, and Mac doesn’t hesitate to respond. If only their scars, both seen and unseen, didn’t threaten to tear them apart. Two wary hearts must soften and two steel wills bend if they have any hope of making it down the broken trail to love.

And now, my review:

Oh, pick this one!!!  What a delightfully penned story!  I SO enjoyed it!!  It had me laughing and longing to keep on reading.  It was well-developed, felt real, the flow of it was well thought out, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!!  I love it when an author has characters that are “real” and they have issues that are realistic and you get to see how it all turns out.  I also enjoy it when a book makes me laugh and that happened quite a bit.  I REALLY can’t wait to read book 2 and other books by this author!

I recommend that you give this one a try.  If you’re like me, you won’t be disappointed!

I received a copy of this book for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Trail-Sweet-River-Redemption-ebook/dp/B01I5KLRUS/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483729670&sr=1-2&keywords=the+broken+trail

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-broken-trail-christa-macdonald/1124705896?ean=9781943959112

The Pattern Artist by Nancy Moser

Let's begin with the summary:

Born into a life of hard work, English housemaid Annie Wood arrives in New York City in 1911 with her wealthy mistress. Wide-eyed with the possibilities America has to offer, Annie wonders if there’s more for her than a life of service. Annie chooses to risk everything, taps into courage she never knew she had, and goes off on her own, finding employment in the sewing department at Macy’s. While at Macy’s Annie catches the eye of a salesman at the Butterick Pattern Company. Through determination, hard work, and God’s leading, Annie discovers a hidden gift: she is a talented fashion designer—a pattern artist of the highest degree. As she runs from ghosts of the past and focuses on the future, Annie enters a creative world that takes her to the fashion houses of Paris and into a life of adventure, purpose, and love.

And now, my review:

If you like historical fiction you’re going to love this one!  What a delightful read!! This is a story penned with unexpected turns and delightful twists.  One that is hard to put down once started.  I really enjoyed the sewing theme throughout, the hope of the Savior directing the character’s lives/futures, and the surprises that came about.  It kept me reading for more.  This author has a way of painting pictures in her writing that stay with the reader and helps them experience much through the five senses. 

I highly recommend this one!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Pattern-Artist-Nancy-Moser-ebook/dp/B01HHJIK9O/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483728721&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Pattern+Artist+by+Nancy+Moser

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-pattern-artist-nancy-moser/1123611033?ean=9781634097925

https://www.christianbook.com/the-pattern-artist-nancy-moser/9781634097925/pd/097925?event=ESRCG

Choosing REAL by Bekah Jane Pogue

Here is the book summary:

Are you ready to release your control of needing to be everything for everyone? . . . The invitation is yours. In Choosing REAL, author Bekah Pogue walks with you into life’s unplanned circumstances--specifically frantic schedules, pain and transition, feelings of unworthiness, loneliness, and tension. . .  And she'll remind you that it is in these very moments that God invites you to notice, respond, and even celebrate how He shows up in every little detail.


And now, my review:

Choosing Real in life is a wonderful thing!  This book had great parts to it and I really liked her experiences that she shared.  She went into details of life happenings that framed how God is using her now.  Comforting others with the ways she has been comforted.  I thought she had great challenges and addressed things like living in a Facebook/Instagram world and remaining REAL.  Also, the importance of putting that away to embrace what God has placed right in front of you.  This is relatable material in the world that we live in.  And true!!  Life flies by and those things should NOT be number 1, or even have a high place in our days full of people and relationships in our mission for the Lord.

Like every book, every person has a opinion of what being real is.  I have an idea of REAL that at times is different than this author. I've seen her REAL before, but it's not all that REAL to me.  Check it out and see what you think. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Choosing-Real-Invitation-Celebrate-Planned-ebook/dp/B01HHJIKBW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483726777&sr=1-1&keywords=choosing+real+by+bekah+pogue

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/choosing-real-bekah-jane-pogue/1123611041?ean=9781634099646

https://www.christianbook.com/choosing-invitation-celebrate-life-doesnt-planned/9781634099646/pd/099646?event=ESRCG

The Will of a Man and the Way of a Woman by Robert and Pamela Crosby

Here is the book summary:

While a man possesses a unique God-given motivational propensity for exercising a strong will in life, a woman conversely possesses a unique God-given propensity for discerning the appropriate way of life. Through ups and downs, these magnetic tensions have helped husband and wife writing team, Robert and Pamela Crosby, learn to balance, bend, and blend in their marriage--to appreciate the balance their differences bring, to bend more appropriately in response to each other, and to move toward a more joyous blend that can only emerge out of two quite different ways somehow turned into one. Simply put, where there’s a WILL, there’s a WAY. The Will of a Man & the Way of a Woman invites you and your spouse to harness the magnetic draw of your differences and blend better in life and love.

Here's my review:

Such a great marriage read!

What a refreshing non-fiction marriage book that leaves me encouraged and hopeful.  I really enjoyed this read because I feel that they have something with this idea/saying of “The Will of a Man and The Way of a Woman”… They had me drawn in by the personal accounts they share in the book, they had me laughing because they are so on track, and they had the challenges all laid out.  They share a quote by someone at the beginning of every chapter and I found those refreshing and well placed within the book.  This book is encouraging for the soon to be married, the newly married all the way up to the ones who have been married for years.  I think wherever you are on your marriage journey you will be encouraged by theirs words and also helped to “see” the truth in their book title.   

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Will-Man-Way-Woman-Balancing-ebook/dp/B01FLE4YZQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483726211&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Will+of+a+Man+and+the+Way+of+a+Woman

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-will-of-a-man-the-way-of-a-woman-robert-crosby/1123475779?ean=9781634099295

https://www.christianbook.com/will-woman-balancing-blending-better-together/robert-crosby/9781634099295/pd/099295?event=ESRCG

Hope's Design by Dawn Kinzer

Let's start with the book summary:

Inspirational Historical Romance Novel

In 1904, Hope Andrews, an aspiring fashion designer, struggles with leaving New York City. But with no job, her parents leaving the country, and an abusive ex-fiancé refusing to accept their broken engagement, Hope doesn’t have much choice but to give in to her parents’ wishes that she move far away and live with her cousin indefinitely.

Talented Benjamin Greene can’t deny his passion for painting, but guilt over a painful incident in his past keeps him from sharing his gift. Instead, he devotes much of his days to helping his younger sibling rebuild a farm inherited from a great-uncle. Only his brother is aware that Ben spends his spare time in a studio on their property.

In the small rural town of Riverton, Wisconsin, Hope and Ben can’t help but be thrown together. But as feelings for each other deepen, tension thickens over how talent should be used. Their mutual passion for art brings them together, but will it also drive them apart?

BOOK CLUB MEMBERS: You’ll find 20+ questions included for discussion and reflection.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Hope’s Design was written as a stand-alone novel, but some readers may appreciate parts of the story even more if having read Sarah’s Smile, Book 1 in The Daughters of Riverton series.

And now for my review:

Another GREAT read!! Book 2 in the series was a great continuation of the story from book 1, but could definitely stand alone.  The author has a way of making you want to come and sit with the characters over a cup of tea and talk about life.  There is a sense of longing to be part of a town that she paints in the book.  There are real life situations in the book that are penned through in a way that's realistic and enjoyable.  This is a book that once started, you never want to put down until you’re finished and it has left me longing for the next one in the series.  Being who God created you to be is a theme and I thought well played out by each person.  There's a sense of joy in seeing them embrace this truth.

I would highly recommend this book and this author.  I received a copy of the book from the author for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Hopes-Design-Daughters-Riverton-Book-ebook/dp/B01LZS5VYQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483724941&sr=1-1&keywords=hope%27s+design+by+dawn+kinzer

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hopes-design-dawn-kinzer/1125041187?ean=9780997815412

Sarah's Smile by Dawn Kinzer

Let's begin with the book summary:

Inspirational Historical Romance Novel

Romance. Heartbreak. Scandal. Secrets. Second Chances.

In 1902, Sarah McCall is waiting to leave for the mission field when the man she once loved steps back into her life. Abandoned as a child by her mother and gambler father, she strives to overcome a tarnished history she didn’t create and a heartbreak she can’t forget.

Peter Caswell returns to his Wisconsin hometown a pastor, dedicated to his four-year-old daughter and new congregation. But no matter how hard he tries to move on with his life, he can’t forgive himself for his wife’s death.

When Sarah learns that Peter is returning to Riverton, the letter giving her departure date for Africa can’t come soon enough for her. They were best friends—she loved him and supported his dreams—but he married another and broke her heart. Although ten years have passed since he left Riverton, Peter hopes Sarah still cares enough to give him a second chance. But a charming newcomer pursues her affections—and Sarah’s childhood nemesis manipulates her way into Peter’s life. Will Sarah and Peter find their way to forgiveness and each other, or will past mistakes make a life together impossible?

And now for my review:

This is a story penned of an adventure of love. A novel, that once started, is hard to put down! I thought the plot was well thought out, with lots of twists and turns. The characters were well-developed and easy to get to know.

There is a message of forgiveness that is weaved throughout and is thought provoking. This book is highly flavored with romance which is a perfectly blended recipe to me in a Christian fiction.

I highly recommend this book and look forward to enjoying it again along with the ones to come in the series.

https://www.amazon.com/Sarahs-Smile-Daughters-Riverton-Book-ebook/dp/B01M0GA0LI/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483724139&sr=1-1&keywords=sarah%27s+smile+dawn+kinzer

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sarahs-smile-dawn-kinzer/1125041042?ean=9780997815405

Forgiveness by Marianne Evans

Let's begin with the book summary:

Country music bad boy, Chase Bradington is on the comeback trail. Fresh from rehab for alcohol addiction and transformed by the power of Christ, Chase is battling to rediscover the music he loves and a career he nearly ruined. Then he meets up-and-comer, Pyper Brock and instantly sparks ignite. Despite her rampant attraction to the handsome and talented icon, Pyper knows of Chase's reputation and soundly dismisses his romantic overtures. No way will Pyper make the mistake of falling for a man whose done battle with the bottle. What happens when Chase's quest to win Pyper's love breaks down chains of resentment and eases the long-buried wounds of her childhood? And what happens when Pyper's father shows up in Nashville, clean, sober and seeking a chance to apologize? Can Pyper follow a pathway to peace when it comes to her father? Can she fully trust Chase? Above all, can a sin-damaged past be released in favor of forgiveness?

Now for my review:

You should find much delight in reading this one.  Forgiveness was a well written story with a realistic deliverance of addiction, intertwined with the HOPE of the gospel.  You walk away with a sense of the power of forgiveness.  What it means to embrace it in the way of being forgiven, receiving forgiveness, and extending forgiveness to others.  Enjoy this great read by author Marianne Evans.

I received an advanced reader copy of Forgiveness. I was not required to leave a positive review. My opinion is 100% my own.

https://www.amazon.com/Forgiveness-Marianne-Evans-ebook/dp/B01BB7R95E/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483724419&sr=1-1&keywords=forgiveness+by+Marianne+evans

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forgiveness-marianne-evans/1123810208?ean=9781611168600