A TENDERING in the STORM by Jane Kirkpatrick

I almost decided not to finish this series, but I changed my mind and I am glad I did. This was a good sequel to the first book in this series, and I know I will be reading book 3 soon. These books are full of historical details of how life was for these people who left their community in Missouri and are now living in the Oregon and Washington territories. Emma Giesy is a very stron-willed young woman, who with her husband and children have decided to live in the remote coastal forest of the Washington territory. She suffers a great loss and many disappointments throughout this story. Her strong-will character was appreciated in book one by me, but in this book I see how damaging her will can be. We all need people and Emma refuses to be "beholden" to anyone. She suffers for her stubborness and my heart goes out to her and she learns the hard way that we need people in our life and that not everyone expects something in return. A good historical series.

GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN by Dr. Helen Roseveare

This book gives the life of Dr. Helen Roseveare, a missionary doctor in the Congo in the 1950-1960's. She tells her story with honesty and insights and I have learned to love this lady. She has went through alot in her life, and her love for her Lord continues to shine through her life. Yes, she had struggles with pride, bitterness, attitdues, etc., but she was pliable and always kept her great God and Savior before her and was willing to be molded and changed into the person He wanted her to be. I enjoyed reading of her life. The Epilogue at the end was excellent where she lays out some of the lessons she has learned throughout her life!

LOVE ON A DIME by Cara Lynn James

This story takes place in Newport, Rhode Island in the year 1899. It is a time when society had strict thoughts on what a lady did and did not do and how a lady acted in society. The class disctinctions between the rich and those not rich were quite obvious. So when Lily Westbrook, a lady of the social set of Newport, starts writing and getting published "dime novels" she must do it under a pen name so no one will know who the real "Fannie Cole" is.
Lily is in Newport for the summer with her family, has a wealthy beau, and discovers her brother George has brought his longtime friend Jackson Grail to be part of the summer group. The problem is Lily and Jackson were once very much in love and Jackson was to ask for Lily's hand in marriage. But things didn't work out back then and Jackson left to get wealth and a name for himself so he had a chance to be "suitable" for Lily. Jackson also has bought out the publishing house that Lily has been selling her dime novels too. So there are alot of secrets, social expectations and long lost love feelings to deal with in this story. I enjoyed the way the author wrote this story, although at times I just wanted to scream at Lily to let go and let Jackson help you!!! She can be a very stubborn woman. I look forward to book two in this series. A special thanks to BookSneeze for sending me this book for review.

LETHAL DREAMS by Anne Patrick

I like Anne Patrick's style of writing! This book had some suspense and mystery in it and some good romance too. It is the story of Erin Jacobs, who is making a name for herself in the world of sports injuries, as she is a trained physical therapists and good at her job. She has the gift of encouraging and inspiring her patients on to full recovery. Erin herself has had a life of disappointments and hardships, but still she has a heart for people. When her husband is shot in the line of duty she starts to get mad at God and turn her back on Him. She still continues to have a heart for people though and helps at the homeless shelter when she isn't working at the hospital or doing her private therapy sessions with people.
The book begins right off the beginning pages with a shooting that Erin happens upon and she stops on her bike to help the wounded officers. Decective Logan Sinclair is one of those shot and the chemistry between these two throughout the book is great! Logan Sinclair is such a devoted and caring man to Erin, but she definately is not interested in getting serious with another man in law enforcement. There was a great place in the book that Erin came to end of her rope and just cried out to God her sorrow, her anger and her resentment and I thought, if more people would let go of their anger and let God be God, their circumstances would be so much easier to handle. There were a great cast of characters in this book, all sent by God to help Erin even though she can't seem to realize all God is doing for her.
All in all an enjoyable story and I look forward to reading more by Anne Patrick!

SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY by Siri Mitchell

This was a great story about the way it was for a certain young debutante in the 1890's who was forced into making a match with a gentleman she had no desire for. The rules of that era and the way people played their games was a real eye-opener for me. Also what the women of that era went through with the clothes they had to wear (let me just say that I am glad corsets are a thing of the past!).
Clara Carter didn't have any desire to be a debutante, but her Aunt and her father had plans for her, and the goal was for her to have the wealthy DeVries heir, Franklin, ask for her hand in marriage by the end of the Summer. Clara and her friend Lizzie are both after the same man. There is also Franklin's brother, Harry who plays a major role in the whole situation. There is some mystery, scheming, love, and betrayal all wrapped up in a very well written story.
It was a very interesting and enlightening book for me and I enjoyed it alot. I also loved the cover of this book!!
Thanks to Bethany House for giving me a free copy to review.

TAKE THREE by Karen Kingsbury

Karen Kingsbury has the ability to make you feel these are real people and you could visit with them and want them as friends and neighbors. These people don't always have happy endings and life does not always go the way they planned, but Christ is central in their lives and that is what gets them through the tough times.
In this story Bailey and her roommate Andi are two of the central characters. Bailey needs to decide if her relationship with her boyfriend is what she wants, or if Cody will ever be able to see her as more than a friend. Andi has some tough decisions to make also and I appreciated the final outcome and decision she makes at the end. The movie making team of Chase and Keith also has some hard decisions to make - like what is more important, making movies or keeping your marriage and family together.
I enjoyed this story, as well as the whole series and will patiently wait for book 4 to come out!

THE SILENT GOVERNESS by Julie Klassen

This was an enjoyable story to read. I really liked the fact that I couldn't put all the pieces together until the very ending of the book. It kept me interested and wanting to know how everything was going to come together at the end. Olivia Keene finds herself leaving her home and family quite suddenly. She happens upon a secret conversation at a party and finds herself being forced to take a position at Brightwell Court, under the scrutiny of Lord Bradley. Lord Edward Bradley has a secret and if the truth gets out he could lose his inheritance, his home and everthing. Which is why he must keep Olivia under his watchful care, since she overheard this secret. But keeping an eye on a lady he is not sure he can trust, soons turns to more for both of them.
There are alot of other interesting characters in this book and alot of mystery surrounding these characters. It is well worth the time to read this book!