Perfectly Matched (The Blue Willow Brides #3) by Maggie Brendan (Review)

His life runs like clockwork. Hers is a spontaneous adventure. But God's timing is always perfect.

Anna Olsen knows it's time to leave her sister's increasingly crowded house and start a life of her own. Following her sisters' examples, she becomes a mail-order bride, and after a short correspondence with clock maker and jeweler Edward Parker, she moves to Denver to become his wife. 

Almost immediately it's painfully apparent that Anna and Edward are very different. Anna is a free spirit who would rather be painting and enjoying the company of friends than cleaning house. Edward is a consummate perfectionist who, on their wedding day, hands Anna a list of chores that need to be done around the house daily. 

Can this mismatched couple see past their differences to a harmonious future? Or will their disparate passions create obstacles neither is willing to surmount?

I GIVE THIS BOOK:

MY THOUGHTS:

Perfectly Matched is the third book in The Blue Willow Brides series and it is by far the one I most enjoyed - though that's not saying much, considering I only somewhat enjoyed the first one and strongly disliked the second.

I loved how this book begins right in the middle of Anna and Edward's wedding ceremony. Immediately both characters personalities and quirks were apparent which was great. I especially loved what Edward gives Anna when he takes her to their home for the first time - it made me laugh so much!

Anna is such a sweet character! I loved her heart for caring for stray animals and to stop animals from being abused. However, several times she referred to animals as both "dumb animals" & "God's dumb creatures" which I found to be both annoying and completely opposite of the way she behaved. I think she meant that they were helpless and we needed to take care of them, but the terminology wasn't one I would have ever used - it just sounds mean.

Edward is a great character too, even though at first I wasn't to sure about him. It becomes evident how much he cares for Anna and the lengths he is willing to go to make her feel happy and loved.

There is a bit of an age discrepancy for Anna between this book and Deeply Devoted, the first book in the series. Deeply Devoted takes place in the spring of 1887 and Anna is fifteen. However in Perfectly Matched, which is set fall 1888, Anna is seventeen and turns eighteen towards the end of the story (around November the same year). I personally see no way for this to work, but this is just a small issue - it took away nothing from the story except that it made me check to see if I was mistaken about her age in the other book.

One of the things I didn't care for in the book was the constant repetitive sentences. A person would say something to someone then later that someone would say nearly the exact same thing to the original person and then the original person would behave as though they had never heard/thought of it before - even though chapters before they said it! Another thing I didn't care for was how characters would say something which, to me, came across as they were angry then the other character would say something snippy back and then they would both smile at each other as if nothing bad was said to each other - and they weren't acting, they meant it. Both of these thing were very annoying to say the least!

If you enjoy reading mail-order novels, you would probably find this one to be a nice read. The books in this series can be read out of order, in my opinion, and you wouldn't miss anything and the only things spoiled for you would be who ends up with whom but that's something you can usually figure out just by reading the back cover.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

“Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Warning Signs by Katy Lee (Review)

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT
When a drug-smuggling ring rocks a small coastal town, the DEA sends Agent Owen Matthews to shut it down. A single father with a deaf son, Owen senses that the town's number one suspect—the high school's new principal—doesn't fit the profile. Miriam Hunter hoped to shrug off the stigma of her hearing impairment when she returned to Stepping Stones, Maine. But her recurring nightmares dredge up old memories that could prove her innocence—and uncover the truth behind a decades-old murder. Yet Owen's help may not be enough when someone decides to keep Miriam silenced—permanently.

I GIVE THIS BOOK:

MY THOUGHTS:

I usually don't enjoy love inspired suspense books, they never seem that suspenseful or realistic, but this one was nothing like those. I completely loved Warning Signs! It was everything a suspense book should be.

I honestly didn't really read the synopsis of the book before I read it, so I didn't realize that the main character, Miriam, was deaf - this came as a surprise, the nice kind. I really liked having a main character that was so different than the norm. And while most people would consider being deaf a disability, Miriam didn't think of herself that way and would get irritated when anyone called her that. I liked the analogy used to describe deafness, that it's sort of like when you visit a country where you don't know the language would you be considered disabled?

The mystery about what was really going on in Stepping Stones was wonderfully written. I thought I knew who was behind it right away, but then I kept changing my mind and then when the culprit was revealed I was surprised - never saw it coming!

The romance in the book was so sweet and perfect! Miriam and Owen are perfect compliments to each other.

I heartily recommend reading Warning Signs if you love suspense or a good mystery. This was a great story and probably one I'll end up reading again.

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

PRODUCT DETAILS

• Series: Love Inspired Suspense
• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Love Inspired (October 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373445598
• ISBN-13: 978-0373445592
• Product Dimensions: 0.6 x 4.2 x 6.6 inches
• Available to purchase at Amazon | B&N | CBD

Waiting on Wednesday (October 30, 2013)

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

A Match Made in Texas: A Novella Collection 
by Mary Connealy, Karen Witemeyer, 
Carol Cox, & Regina Jennings

In Dry Gulch, Texas, 1893, a young woman with a tender heart that longs to help those in need takes it upon herself to meddle in the affairs of three acquaintances who are in dire straits. Wanting to stay anonymous, she relies on unusual methods to hire men and women of good character who she thinks can solve the problems facing her “targets.” How was she to know that her meddling would turn into a cupid’s arrow? And what will she do when her friends turn the tables on her with a matchmaking scheme of their own?

Four novellas in one volume.

Why I want to read this:

Gorgeous cover, four great authors, and it sounds amazing!

A Match Made in Texas will be available January 1st 2014 from Bethany House Publishers.

Twice Promised (The Blue Willow Brides #2) by Maggie Brendan (Review)

Seeing how successful her older sister's "mail order marriage" has been and longing to strike out on her own, Greta Olsen answers an ad for a mail order bride in Central City, Colorado. But when she meets Jess Gifford, owner of a thriving mercantile, she begins to harbor doubts. He didn't place the ad to begin with and his business in a busy mining town leaves him little time or energy for love. To compound her troubles, she was not the only bride to answer the ad! Will either bride strike the match she hopes for?

Filled with amusing and awkward situations that will keep the reader interested and guessing, "Twice Promised "is another sweet romance from Maggie Brendan.

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 

MY THOUGHTS:
The writing on this book was all right, not great or good just all right, but the reason I'm giving it such a low rating is the characters were just horrible! For a book sold in the Christian fiction genre the way the characters behaved was so opposite of that and there were no repercussions for it. What happened may have been meant to be amusing, but I just found it sickening and very unbelievable. Any shred of respect I had for the characters in the beginning was gone and I just couldn't wait to be done with the book. I can't really say what the reason was without giving away key details and, in case you plan on ignoring my review and reading it anyway, I don't want to spoil it for you. However, if you'd like to know what it is just ask me and I'll let you know.

I don't recommend Twice Promised at all!

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

First Date by Krista McGee (Review)

The last thing Addy Davidson wants is to be on a reality TV show where the prize is a prom date with the President's son.

She's focused on her schoolwork so she can get a scholarship to an Ivy League college, uncomfortable in the spotlight, never been on a date, and didn't even audition for it.

But she got selected anyway.

So she does her best to get eliminated on the very first show. Right before she realizes that the President's son is possibly the most attractive guy she has ever seen in person, surprisingly nice, and seemingly unimpressed by the 99 other girls who are throwing themselves at him.

Addy's totally out of her comfort zone but that may be right where God can show her all that she was meant to be.

I GIVE THIS BOOK:

MY THOUGHTS:
First Date is the third book I've read by Krista McGee and it's really good! The first book I read by her, Right Where I Belong, was actually the third book with characters that appeared in her other books - which I didn't know before I read it. First Date is the first about those characters, the second one is Starring Me which I hope to read soon. Reading them out of order really didn't affect my enjoyment except that I knew what the final outcome was going to be - at least sort of, it's been awhile since I read Right Where I Belong so I didn't remember everything very clearly which was a good thing :)

Just like Right Where I Belong was loosely based on the biblical story of Ruth, First Date is loosely based on the biblical story of Esther. I love this! It makes you really connect with the story in a way you just don't otherwise. However, because the book was trying to draw similarities with Esther the story got a little silly at times, but nothing too ridiculous.

Many times this book had me laughing out loud, and not just the chuckling kind, which is always a great thing :)

Addy is such a great character! She's a girl every Christian girl should try to be like and I think that she's a great role model for them.

First Date is a book people of all ages would enjoy. I recommend it!

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.*** 

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

PRODUCT DETAILS

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 10, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401684882
• ASIN: B009F7R2XM
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 4.6 x 1 inches
• Available to purchase at Amazon | B&N | CBD

Under a Blackberry Moon by Serena B. Miller (Review)

Just a few days after she gives birth alone in the Northwoods, a recently widowed young Ojibwe woman stumbles into a nearby lumber camp in search of refuge and sustenance. Come summer, the camp owner sends Skypilot, his most trusted friend, to accompany Moon Song and her baby on the long and treacherous journey back to her people. But when tragedy strikes off the shore of Michigan's Upper Peninsula wilderness, Moon Song and Skypilot must depend on each other for survival. With every step they take into the forbidding woods, they are drawn closer together, until the tough questions must be asked. Will she leave her culture to enter his? Will he leave his world to enter hers? Or will they walk away from a love that seems too complicated to last?

With evocative descriptions of a breathtaking landscape, Under a Blackberry Moon will sweep readers into a wild realm where beauty masks danger and only the truly courageous survive, even as the sweet love story along the way tightly grips their hearts.

I GIVE THIS BOOK:

MY THOUGHTS:
Under a Blackberry Moon is a very moving and touching tale. The story is rich in detail, which made it very easy to picture everything.

Moon Song was such a complex character. I wasn't sure at first if I was going to like her, but very quickly I did. Then as the story progressed, and I came to understand her, I loved her. I've come to learn that she was a minor character in one of this author's previous books, The Measure of Katie Calloway, and understand why people have said they wanted to see a book about her - she is such a great character!

Under a Blackberry Moon is the first book I've read by this author, but I hope to read her other books soon. Highly recommended!

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.*** 

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

“Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Waiting on Wednesday (October 23, 2013)

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen

Leaving London, dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire--but is stunned to discover that dancing is prohibited! He finds an unlikely ally in Miss Julia Midwinter, but her questions about his past are becoming harder to evade. Together, can they bring new life to this quiet village--and heal long-kept-secret scars?

Why I want to read this:

I have read all of Julie Klassen's books and think that she is one of today's best historical writers. I'm always super excited when I get to read a new book by her.

The Dancing Master will be available January 1st 2014 from Bethany House Publishers.

Waiting on Wednesday (October 16, 2013)

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

For Love or Loyalty (The MacGregor Legacy #1) 
by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Scotland to Carolina, 1760 

One conquest could destroy her, but avenge his family.

Malcolm MacGregor vows to free his family and exact revenge against Duncan Campbell. When the opportunity arises, Malcolm decides to use Glenn’s daughter as the bargaining price. Lauren Campbell is the perfect answer, until she begins chipping away at the bitterness in Malcolm’s heart and changing everything. Her bold faith and forgiveness ignites guilt he would rather avoid and a love he doesn’t deserve.

Lauren Campbell never expected to discover such a caring and protective man behind the façade of Malcolm MacGregor’s fierce reputation. When they arrive in America, things turn against them, and Lauren finds herself in a fate worse than death. Now Malcolm has the dilemma of freeing the rest of his family or rescuing Lauren, but time is short and with little means, he needs a miracle.

Why I want to read this:

This sounds like it will be a fun read, plus I'm ready for some Christmas time fiction :)

For Love or Loyalty will be available November 5th 2013 from Abingdon Press.

Entwined by Heather Dixon (Review)

Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away. All of it.

The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.

Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.

But there is a cost.

The Keeper likes to keep things.

Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

I GIVE THIS BOOK:

MY THOUGHTS:

I've never read anything about the twelve dancing princesses and even though I have heard of them I didn't know much about them. Entwined was an okay story, maybe younger readers would enjoy it more than I did. I just felt that most of it was too ridiculous. How many toddlers and adolescents would willing subject themselves to dance when it caused them pain? I just couldn't see all twelve of them wanting to do it. Some, sure. All, no way!

It also seemed really funny how under a year after she is born, the youngest sister was walking and talking - seemed like the author forgot how old she was.

Even without knowing the story I figured everything out well beforehand and so the story was just tedious to finish.

I wouldn't recommend this one, but if you still want to give it a try I would suggest borrowing first, if at all possible.

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

PRODUCT DETAILS

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books; First edition (March 29, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062001035
• ISBN-13: 978-0062001030
• Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 6 x 8.7 inches
• Available to purchase at Amazon | B&N 

Deeply Devoted (The Blue Willow Brides #1) by Maggie Brendan (Review)

When Catharine Olsen leaves Holland for America as a mail-order bride, she brings along some extra baggage: two sisters, her mother's set of Blue Willow china, and a tragic past. When she arrives in Cheyenne, Wyoming, she promptly marries Peter Andersen and dreams of starting life over in this rugged land. Peter is kind and patient with Catharine and accommodating to her sisters. His mother, however, is not. When she begins a campaign to sabotage Peter's marriage, Catharine is distraught, worried that her secret past will be discovered. Will her life end up as nothing but broken pieces? Or will these trials make her stronger? 

Readers will love negotiating the clash of cultures and class as a highborn European and a Western wheat farmer learn to love one another and trust God with both the past and the future.

I GIVE THIS BOOK:

MY THOUGHTS:
I love mail-order bride novels, so when I saw Deeply Devoted I just had to read it. However, I'm so torn about what to give this book! It was one that I didn't want to put down and had to finish, but it was also so annoying at times because some of the aspects of the story were so unbelievable.

The story begins with Catharine along her sisters arriving in Wyoming from Amsterdam after six months of Catharine corresponding with Peter, her fiance. Peter had no idea that she was bringing along her two sisters, which is the start of the trust issues between them.

I loved most of the characters, even though they were a bit dull at times, so this is the reason I'm giving it a 3 star rating instead of a 2. I was strongly considering giving it a 4 star, but the negatives of the story were just too many.

For a story that takes place in the 1880's I found all the modern ideas very unbelievable. Women wearing overalls and thinking them cute. People considering a women of 18 all grownup and not needing, or allowing, anyone to tell her what to do anymore. But I think the attitudes regarding divorce were the biggest shock to me and the one I found the hardest to believe. I can't really get into detail about it, as the reason behind it is kind of a surprise, but I still had to mention it. Also the big scene at the end, which I saw coming, while very sweet was so ridiculous.

I plan on reading the next books in this series and am hoping that they will be better. If you love mail-order bride novels you'll probably want to read this one, but I would suggest borrowing it, if at all possible, first.

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

BOOK DETAILS:

• Series: The Blue Willow Brides (Book 1)
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Revell (September 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800734629
• ISBN-13: 978-0800734626
• Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 5.5 x 8.4 inches
• Available to purchase at Amazon | B&N | CBD

Murder, Mayhem, and a Fine Man by Claudia Mair Burney (Review)

All Amanda Bell Brown wanted for her 40th birthday was to watch CSI on television, but what she got was a couple of corpses, a hunk of a detective, and a drop-dead gorgeous red dress. What's a girl to do when a cult madman is on the loose? Save the day, of course, and maybe snag a good man.

I GIVE THIS BOOK:

MY THOUGHTS:

Murder, Mayhem, and a Fine Man was a fun and quirky read that also covered a much deeper topic than I was expecting. It was much more a romance than a mystery, in my opinion.

I felt so terrible for all that Amanda went through in her younger years and what she still goes through because of it.

The relationship between Amanda and Jazz became intense very quickly, almost too quickly. They meet and within the same night they are kissing and saying that they love each other - semi in jest, yes, but mostly serious. This begins a lot of verbal sparring between the two that was a lot of fun to read :)

This book is categorized as Christian fiction, but it's not what I usually expect from that genre. What I expect from Christian fiction is a faith based message (or element), no cuss words and no suggestive scenes. This book did a great job of the first two, there was a lot of talk about God and the Bible and were absolutely no cuss words, however with the other not so much. One scene that stands out is when Amanda's sister says, somewhat seriously, "she could stand a good bodice ripping tonight" (p. 27), but there were a whole lot of other things. This seems to be more common among African American Christian fiction, not sure why that is. So I'm rating this book as though it were a mainstream novel. I'm much harsher on Christian fiction.

If you don't mind a little suggestive talking, nothing too bad, then I think you would enjoy this book.

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!