All For a Song by Allison Pittman

All for a Song

Every now and then publishers send me books for review. After all the buzz I saw on this book, I was excited at this surprise in my mailbox.

Let’s begin with the summary:

Dorothy Lynn Dunbar has everything she ever wanted: her family, her church, her community, and plans to marry the young pastor who took over her late father’s pulpit. Time spent in the woods, lifting her heart and voice in worship accompanied by her brother’s old guitar, makes her life complete . . . and yet she longs for something more.

Spending a few days in St. Louis with her sister’s family, Dorothy Lynn discovers a whole new way of life—movies, music, dancing; daring fashions and fancy cars. And a dynamic charismatic evangelist . . . who just happens to be a woman. When Dorothy Lynn is offered a chance to join Aimee Semple McPherson’s crusade team, she finds herself confronted with temptations she never dreamed of. Can Dorothy Lynn embrace all the Roaring Twenties has to offer without losing herself in the process?

And now, my review:

I love learning more about Aimee Semple McPherson’s life. She was such a pivotal person in church history, especially certain denominations. With Aimee as a key feature in this story, I thought I’d enjoy this read. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get into the story. Dorothy Lynn’s adventures eventually take her to her sister’s house, but even through the first several chapters, I kept feeling like I was waiting for the story to actually begin, so tedious was her journey to that point. Her name is too long to see it as often as you see a heroine’s name in a novel. I also had a hard time respecting her. I know part of my response to this novel was expectation. Perhaps moving up the Aimee portion would have helped. Honestly, I didn’t read far enough to know. After over five chapters, I moved on to the next book in my to-be-read pile. 

I enjoy stories set in the Roaring Twenties as I picture my grandparents, so this element interested me. However, the characters’ speech and inner thoughts were presented with simple language. So, the writing (of this particular story) felt stilted. This was my first novel by this author, and I sincerely wish her the best. I’m sure I’ll give her another try. The next book in this series, All for a Story releases in October, 2013.

Forsaken Dreams by MaryLu Tyndall

Forsaken Dreams by MaryLu Tyndall

This cover won me over from the first moment I saw it! Gorgeous! Wouldn’t you agree?

Let’s begin with the summary:

Embark on a seafaring adventure in a brand-new series from bestselling author MaryLu Tyndall. After witnessing the death and destruction caused by the Civil War, Colonel Blake Wallace is eager to leave his once precious Southern homeland for the pristine shores of Brazil and the prospect of a new utopian community. Widow Eliza Crawford seeks passage on Wallace’s ship harboring a dirty secret—and a blossoming hope for a fresh start. But will dangers from the sea and from man keep them from the peace and love they long for?

And now, my review:

I love MaryLu’s knowledge of historical maritime things—the ships and routes, the crew’s jobs, all of it. Great research!

She included some elements from the Civil War fallout that I hadn’t considered before, which I found very interesting. For example, I always naively thought both sides just settled down after the war. That none of the soldiers (in the know) carried on, pursuing anyone from the other side. Very interesting. 

These characters have the hope of new lives in a new place—of starting over. They dream of a place where their pasts can’t find them, where their mistakes, regrets, associations can no longer condemn them. New beginnings are universal. Readers will relate with this hope.  

I’ve really enjoyed MaryLu’s books in the past. One thing I noticed this time was a bit more redundancy. The hero shields the heroine’s body with his several times in the first third of the book. I love a noble hero, a protective hero, but that repetition didn’t work for me. Also, the beginning of the story (about that same length, or one-third) seemed to move rather slowly. And I got a little lost in the opening scenes when we went forward, then back, and then back again for additional characters’ backstories. 

Yet, overall, there were plenty of elements to delight in. MaryLu’s fans will enjoy this swashbuckling tale!  

(print)           (e-book)

Take a Chance on Me by Susan May Warren

Take a Chance on Me by Susan May Warren

How exciting that Susan and her publisher have just launched a new series set in Deep Haven: The Christiansen Family novels.

Let’s begin with the summary:

Darek Christiansen is almost a dream bachelor—oldest son in the large Christiansen clan, heir to their historic Evergreen Lake Resort, and doting father. But he’s also wounded and angry since the tragic death of his wife, Felicity. No woman in Deep Haven dares come near.

New assistant county attorney Ivy Madison simply doesn’t know any better when she bids on Darek at the charity auction. Nor does she know that when she crafted a plea bargain three years ago to keep Jensen Atwood out of jail and in Deep Haven fulfilling community service, she was releasing the man responsible for Felicity’s death. All Ivy knows is that the Christiansens feel like the family she’s always longed for. And once she gets past Darek’s tough exterior, she finds a man she could spend the rest of her life with. Which scares her almost as much as Darek learning of her involvement in his wife’s case.

Caught between new love and old grudges, Darek must decide if he can set aside the past for a future with Ivy—a future more and more at risk as an approaching wildfire threatens to wipe out the Christiansen resort and Deep Haven itself.

And now, my review:

This was one of the best books I’ve read in a while! Susie’s work stands out because of her ability to layer elements upon each other. She’s the queen of characterization and helping readers feel the emotion demanded in the scene.

I enjoyed the fact that this story contained two simultaneous romances. Each character’s brokenness made me sympathize and want to see them free. Jensen and Darek handled their pain differently—one with anger and one with a gentle self-sacrificing—yet, they were each hurting. And I cared about their journey.

In fact, each character’s journey to restoration and freedom, to forgiveness, felt meaningful, relatable, genuine. Susie uses symbolism to echo her messages: gardening, pruning, wildfires. The scene where the two couples work through their issues was so original and delicious! And Darek and Jensen’s friendship moved me.

The theme and phrase of "take a chance on me" echoed in several ways, each meaningful. I'll leave it to the reader to discover what I mean. This was one of my favorite elements.

Susie included themes of family, not running away, and friendship. I’ve already mentioned forgiveness, which was a strong thread throughout. There were wisdom-laced life lessons sprinkled in the prose. The most rewarding read is one that changes lives. I believe readers will find relatability here, plus a few nuggets to carry forward.

Readers will not be disappointed in this story. It’s the best I’ve read so far this year.

Highly recommended.

(paperback)        (e-book)

Claiming Mariah by Pam Hillman

Claiming Mariah by Pam Hillman

I heard lots of buzz about this sophomore offering from Pam Hillman, so when it went on sale, I purchased it for review. The cover drew me in.

Let’s begin with the summary:

In light of her father’s death, Mariah Malone sends a letter that will forever alter the lives of her family. When Slade Donovan, strong willed and eager for vengeance, shows up on her front porch, Mariah is not ready to hear his truths: her father’s farm, the only home she’s ever known, was bought with stolen gold. With Slade ready to collect his father’s rightful claim and force Mariah and her family out on the streets, Mariah must turn to God for guidance. Though Mr. Frederick Cooper, a local landowner, promises to answer her financial woes if she agrees to be his bride, Mariah finds herself drawn instead to the angry young man demanding her home.

With the ranch now under Slade’s careful eye, he will unearth more than he ever imagined as a devious plot of thievery, betrayal and murder threatens more than the well-being of the ranch, endangering the lives of those who hold it dear. With days dwindling until the rest of the Donovan clan arrive to the Lazy M ranch, Mariah and Slade must rise above the resentment of their fathers and see their true feelings before greed alters their futures forever.

And now, my review:

I enjoyed the characters and setting of this story. Though the author chose a cliché “story,” she added some elements that helped make the story fresh, and her writing was strong. Along with some predictable aspects, she included some twists and kept me reading. Quite honestly, the number of cliches distracted me from the story, but these may have simply been the way the characters all thought. I've known many, many people who use cliches in their everyday life, outside of my writer friends. So a character whose introspection and speech include them is believable. 

One of the themes of Claiming Mariah was forgiveness. God's forgiveness, but also that between characters. Outlaws abounded in this book, and their choices affected so many people around them. I liked how we watched redemption and second chances at work, as a theme throughout. And the symbolism of the cat worked well.

Sometimes, when I’m reading a novel that is not part of a series, I crave a sequel highlighting one of the first book’s secondary characters. That happened with this novel. I kept imagining the author developing a story around the hero’s brother, Buck, who was himself heroic.

Lovers of old-west-based historical romance, full of ranches and cowboys, will enjoy this novel.

Note: at the time of this review, this book is only available in e-book format.

(e-book)

A Review of Secretly Smitten

In this sequel to Smitten, each author contributed a novella. The four authors are: Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter.

Let’s begin with the summary:

Summer, fall, winter, spring—Smitten, Vermont, is the place for love . . . and mystery!

There’s a secret in Grandma Rose’s attic—a forgotten set of dog tags belonging to her first love. But David Hutchins was killed in action and never returned to Smitten. How did the dog tags end up in the attic?

The mystery intrigues Rose’s three granddaughters—Tess, Clare, and Zoe—and they decide to investigate, though their mother, Anna, warns against meddling. But as the seasons turn and the mystery unravels, the three young women and their mother encounter some intriguing mystery men of their own. Has a sixty-year-old puzzle sparked something new for this close-knit family of women?

Join popular romance novelists—and real-life BFFs—Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter for four delightful intertwined tales of mystery and sweet intrigue.

And now, my review:

I like novellas because they’re bite-sized stories. They read fast, they’re romantic, and they’re satisfying. I liked this sequel to Smitten! The "intrigue" the summary speaks of wasn't a huge aspect, just enough to keep readers engaged. Well done.

The setting—small-town Smitten—is delightful. Along with the setting, the family connection ties these novellas together. Each story focuses on one of the sisters, and one tells the mom’s love story. I related with each heroine, at least in some respect. One of the other elements that tied the novellas together was the grandmother’s love story. Her granddaughters (all adults now) discovered her first love’s dog tags in the attic. But the grandmother hasn’t ever seen them. How did they get there? Hadn’t the man died in the war? This mystery kept me reading through the novellas as well. I especially enjoyed the introduction to the underlying (first love) thread in novella one, the tenderness of story two, that story three centered on a mother of 20-somethings and turned a cliché situation (not wanting to trust in love following divorce) into a believable and heartfelt storyline, and the gardening focus and mysterious hero of story number four.

Looking forward to any further Smitten books that come along. Enjoy!

The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

Rachel Hauck's The Wedding Dress released in April, 2012. I have so many good things to say about this novel, I don’t know where to start!

Here’s the summary: 

Four brides. One Dress.

A tale of faith, redemption, and timeless love.

Charlotte owns a chic Birmingham bridal boutique. Dressing brides for their big day is her gift . . . and her passion. But with her own wedding day approaching, why can’t she find the perfect dress…or feel certain she should marry Tim?

Then Charlotte discovers a vintage dress in a battered trunk at an estate sale. It looks brand-new—shimmering with pearls and satin, hand-stitched and timeless in its design. But where did it come from? Who wore it? Who welded the lock shut and tucked the dog tags in that little sachet? Who left it in the basement for a ten-year-old girl? And what about the mysterious man in the purple vest who insists the dress had been “redeemed.”

Charlotte’s search for the gown’s history—and its new bride—begins as a distraction from her sputtering love life. But it takes on a life of its own as she comes to know the women who have worn the dress. Emily from 1912. Mary Grace from 1939. Hillary from 1968. Each with her own story of promise, pain, and destiny. And each with something unique to share. For woven within the threads of the beautiful hundred-year-old gown is the truth about Charlotte’s heritage, the power of courage and faith, and the timeless beauty of finding true love.

And now, my review:

I’d been hearing a lot of buzz about this book from several writer friends. So, I knew I had to check it out.

First, I’ll say I loved the prose. Rachel has a way with words that made me want to grab a highlighter!

I liked the fairytale aspect of the man in purple. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think of him, but later, I loved that she included him. There was a supernatural quality to him that really worked.

The symbolism and revelations of God’s personal care of His people blessed me too. Every once in a while, the central contemporary heroine would worship God and I loved those moments. Rachel knows the Bridegroom’s heart and how important each of us is to Him—that we’re each His favorites. So, watching the heroine relate with God was a blessing. I’ve read Rachel’s books before, but this was a deeper read to me, more flavored by the bridal paradigm (spiritually speaking, specifically, though I loved the literal wedding focus). Reading this novel fed my heart.

One of the fun elements was how Rachel included names of friends, like ACFW worship team members. I enjoyed that! (*waving at Javier!)

This novel shifts between the contemporary heroine’s love story and the historical heroine’s love story. I enjoyed that contrast and the parallels as well. I felt the balance, and how long we focused on them, worked perfectly and will satisfy lovers of contemporaries as well as those who prefer historicals. It was enjoyable to watch the modern-day heroine track down the dress’s previous owners. I liked the tie-in to the past and how those elements affected the present. Her pacing was right on, as well, made only more delightful by her prose.

This was one of the best books I’ve read in a long while.

Highly recommended!

(print)        (e-book version)

Book Review of Doctor to the Rescue by Cheryl Wyatt

Doctor to the Rescue by Cheryl Wyatt

What a privilege to read Cheryl Wyatt's latest release for review! 

Let's begin with the summary:

Combat doctor Ian Shupe returns home from overseas with his most important mission: to raise his little girl. But Ian's a single dad, and working at Eagle Point's trauma center means having to find child care. When bighearted, struggling lodge owner Bri Landis offers babysitting in exchange for construction work, Ian accepts. He vows to keep his emotional distance from Bri, yet can't deny that his daughter is blossoming under her tender care. But is he ready to believe that his heart's deepest prayer may finally be answered?

And now, my review: 

I love the combination of military personnel (stateside, for now), medical care, family, and romance. 

Poor Bri. She feels she has to do everything on her own. This community is about to prove her wrong. And Ian. Oh, he’s been betrayed and heartbroken by his ex-wife. His heart is dark and cold. He hides behind a grouchy exterior and avoids relationships. But his daughter needs a capable sitter. Bri is capable. And beautiful. And full of life—just what he needs to pull him back. 

Cheryl’s prose is delicious. Her pacing kept me hooked, wondering if these two could get together. She brought in great symbolism as Ian accepted his daughter and loved her through her tantrums while she adjusted to change. (living with him after her mother abandoned her) Another symbolic element was Bri’s handicap (physically, a broken arm; socially, pride that kept her from asking for help), which was overcome by the generous community’s outpouring of assistance to help rebuild the lodge. That speaks to trusting God to meet our needs, even when we can’t lift “an arm” to help. This changed Bri. And Ian's heart was changed as he saw forgiveness at work in Bri.

A great book! I’ll be watching for book three in this series. 

(paperback)     (e-book)