Abbie's Reading Corner

Chasing the Sun by Tracie Peterson

Posted on May 15, 2012 by

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Chasing the Sun by Tracie Peterson

Published: 2012

Publisher: Bethany House

Series: Land of the Lone Star(Book 1)

Goodreads Summery: When her father disappears in war-torn Mississippi, Hannah Dandridge finds herself responsible not only for her younger siblings but for the ranch her father recently acquired on the Texas plains. Though a marriage of convenience could ease her predicament, she determines to trust God for direction.
Wounded soldier William Barnett returns to his home only to discover that his family’s ranch has been seized. Though angry and bitter at this turn of events, he’s surprised to discover that it is a beautiful young woman with amazing fortitude who is struggling to keep the place running.
Hannah, desperate for help, and William, desperate to regain his family’s land, form an uneasy truce. But nearby Comanche tribes, the arrival of Confederate soldiers, and a persistent suitor all threaten the growing attraction that builds between them. Will they be able to set aside their own dreams and embrace the promise of a future together?

Hannah is living in Texas on a farm with her two young siblings. She receives word that her father has been captured and she is concerned about what she is going to do. Soon after hearing about her father the former owner of her farm shows up and wants his farm back. William returns from the war to find his ranch has been given to someone else because his father and his brother as well as himself had been off fighting in the war for the north. He has lost both his father and brother and was badly injured and now his ranch may not even be his.

Hannah allows William to stay until they sort out the ownership of the farm. Soon William finds himself caring for Hannah and when she finds out her father is dead and that her father wanted her to marry his business partner William and Hannah find their feelings for each other may go deeper then they thought. Will these two find happy ever after together?

This book was okay. The idea of the storyline was interesting and I was hoping for a fun read.

What I liked: Hannah was a woman who even though was put in a tough spot by her father has made the best of things and done a good job of raising her siblings. She is also brave and a take charge kind of gal and I really liked that about her! William wanted to protect Hannah which resulted in some tension between the two of them which made me smile from time to time.

What I did not like: To be honest this book was kind of boring to me. I just did not fall in love with the characters and the story line was kind of dual. The storyline of Hannah’s fathers partner and his plans felt weak and not overly believable. I also felt the relationship between William and Hannah was a little weird. The time they where together in the book they did not talk a lot and the romance part of the book was so so.

Over all it was an okay book. The author is a good writer I just did not bond with the characters like I would have liked. I would suggest you read some other reviews about this book before you pick it up.

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DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this paperback from the publisher Bethany House to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Posted in 2.5 Stars, 2012 Reviews, Bethany House, Historical Fiction, Romance, Series, Tracie Peterson, Western Romance |

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Brush of Angel’s Wings by Ruth Reid

Posted on May 7, 2012 by

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Brush of Angel’s Wings by Ruth Reid

Published: 2012

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Series: Heaven On Earth(Book 2)

Goodreads Summery: Rachel and Jordan’s feelings for each other are hostile at first, but angelic intervention helps the two discover peace . . . and perhaps love.

The youngest and last unmarried of four sisters, Rachel Hartlzer spends most of her time helping with barn chores. Her role abruptly changes when her father hires Jordan Engles, the son he always wanted.

As Jordan takes on brotherly roles around the house, like escorting Rachel to the youth singing, the enmity between the two grows. Besides, Jordan has one foot in the "Englisch" world and is determined not to get involved with an Amish girl.

Neither realizes that God has sent an angel, Nathaniel, to help mend their hearts. The angel’s intervention helps them find peace and healing in accepting God’s will for their lives.

Rachel is the last unmarried daughter and with the death of her only brother two years earlier she feels the reasonability to help her father in the barn and fields and she enjoys it more then doing woman’s work in the house. Her parents are worried that she is not going to find a husband if she is not working at improving her cooking and sewing skills. Her father hires Jordan who is not Amish but living with his Amish uncle for a while as his mom who had grown up Amish asked him right before she dies to give it a try. Rachel does not like Jordan and feels like her father is trying to replace her brother and does not want her to help and she becomes resentful.

Jordan is looking for work so he can earn enough money to go to trucking school and move on with his life now that his mom is dead. Even though he finds working with the Amish rewarding he does not plan to stay long in the community. Little do Rachel and Jordan know but Nathaniel the angel that two years ago causes such a stir is back to help them find their way. With Nathaniel watching over them will they over come their fears and anger to find forever together and with their heavenly father?

I really enjoyed this book. I admit I was curious when I read the first book in the series how angles where going to work in such a story line but its very good!

What I liked: I loved how the angle Nathaniel was incorporated in this book! In the first book he was very visible which caused quite a stir amount the community. With this book he was more heard but not seen. Parts of the story was told from the angles side and I thought it was really cool. I also really liked the two main characters. I really wanted them to find peace with God and happiness together.

What I did not like: There is not much I did not like with this book. The storyline with Rachel’s sister was really sad and the part where she was possibly going to marry another man felt a little forced and predictable.

Over all I really liked this book and look forward to the 3rd book of this series due out early next year. The author does a really great job of incorporating angles into the story line which makes for a unique reading adventure!

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DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Posted in 2012 Reviews, 4.5 Stars, Amish Fiction, Ruth Reid, Series, Supernatural, Thomas Nelson |

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Beyond Hope’s Valley by Tricia Goyer

Posted on April 30, 2012 by

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Beyond Hope’s Valley by Tricia Goyer

Published: 2012

Publisher: B&H Publishing

Series: A Big Sky Series(Book 3)

Goodreads Summery: After an extended stay in Montana, where Amish traditions are different than in her home state, Marianna Sommer returns to Indiana for two reasons, first to help her brother and his girlfriend prepare for a baby and their wedding. Second, to plan her own wedding to Aaron Zook — a marriage she’s been dreaming about ever since childhood. And yet, although she had missed the idyllic farms and families of her upbringing, Marianna is surprised that Indiana is somehow making her long now for Montana.
As months pass, secrets that were hidden in winter’s frozen grasp thaw and take on a life of their own. The truths about a child, about a past relationship, and about God’s plans are being revealed. Walking through a valley of questions, Marianna must hold on to hope as she decides where and with whom her heart truly belongs.

This is book three and the final book of this series. The book starts with Marianna coming back to Indiana with her soon to be husband Aaron. She can’t wait to get back and settle in. She looks forward to welcoming her brother back into the fold as well as a new niece or nephew. But as she settles in with her new faith in Jesus she finds her community not as willing to listen to her beliefs and everyone is watching her closely. Also after seeing the house that Aaron build for her and spending time with him she starts to wonder if he really is the one and she finds herself thinking about Ben more then she wants to.

Meanwhile Ben is on tour for his hit song he wrote about Marianna but he finds himself not enjoying it as much the second time around and wishes he could go to Marianna and convincer her they belong together. We also get the final piece of the puzzle when it comes to Marianna’s mom and dad. Will a man from her moms past threaten to shatter the peace they had found in Montana?

I was excited to read the 3rd book and see who Marianna ended up with and was pretty satisfied with the outcome.

What I liked: For a final book in a series I was happy with how the book wrapped up and it did not feel like it was not finished. I liked how Marianna was strong in her faith and knew what she wanted. Even though the community in Indiana was not overly happy with her at times she stuck to what she believed. I also really enjoyed the spiritual message about her personal relationship with Christ I thought it was well written.

What I did not like: Like the other two books in the series the first half of the book seemed to drag for me. Once I got around 70% it started to pick up.

Over all I enjoyed this book. I was happy with the ending and glad to see everything resolved from the previous two books.

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Series over all: This was a interesting series. I was a little surprised when I realized all three books where about the same characters. Of the three the last one I liked the best. The middle book could not end fast enough I just wanted to know who Marianna was going to end up with! If you like Amish fiction and romance you should check this series out! This is also a series you need to start from book one and work your way through or you will be lost.

Over all series rating

Posted in 2012 Reviews, 3.5 Stars, 4 Stars, Amish Fiction, NetGalley, Romance, Series, Tricia Goyer |

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The Key on the Quilt by Stephanie Grace Whitson

Posted on April 25, 2012 by

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The Key on the Quilt by Stephanie Grace Whitson

Published: 2012

Publisher: Barbour Books

Series: The Quilt Chronicles(Book 1)

Goodreads Summery: Enter a historic Nebraskan prison where three women find betrayal, love, and ultimate truth. Jane Prescott is serving a ten-year sentence for murder. Can a broken spirit be healed behind bars? Matron Mamie Dawson feels called to help the wounded women in her charge. Will a guard’s attentions keep her from her mission? Warden’s wife Ellen Sullivan has changed her preconceptions about these female prisoners. Will it be enough to save hear from a life-or-death situation? Will the cryptic quilt connecting their lives expose the truth of one woman’s past and ensure a better future for them all?

Jane is in prison for murder. Mamie is the Matron of the ladies ward of the prison and Ellen is the Wardens wife. The book starts off introducing us to each of these woman and slowly they come together and the story start to take shape. Jane has a daughter named Rose that she misses terribly. She struggles to adjust to prison and also when Max shows up a man from her past she deals with her feeling for him. Max was the man who danced with Jane and causes the final fight that ended in the death of Jane’s husband. He does not think Jane should be in jail and works hard to get her released.

What I liked: I liked how this book told the story from three very different people. You have the prisoner Jane, the Matron who watches over her Mamie and the new warden’s wife Ellen. There is also a few chapters with Max and Rose telling as well which just adds to the storyline. The detail in this book was really good I felt like I was right there with the characters.

What I did not like: There where a few times I felt the book was dragging a little. I wish there had been a small epilogue. This is book one in a series so hopefully we might see a little more of these characters again in the next book.

Over all I really enjoyed this book. I have not read a book about woman in jail in this time period before and I found it very informative and I gather the author spent a lot of time researching and it showed. I highly recommend this book!

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Posted in 2012 Reviews, 4.5 Stars, Barbour Books, Historical Fiction, NetGalley, Romance, Series, Stephanie Grace Whitson |

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Saving Hope by Margaret Daley

Posted on April 21, 2012 by

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Saving Hope by Margaret Daley

Published: 2012

Publisher: Abingdon Press

Series: Men of the Texas Rangers(Book 1)

Goodreads Summery: When a teenager goes missing from the Beacon of Hope School, Texas Ranger Wyatt Sheridan and school director Kate Winslow are forced into a dangerous struggle against a human trafficking organization. But the battle brings dire consequences as Wyatt’s daughter is terrorized and Kate is kidnapped. Now it’s personal, and Wyatt finds both his faith and investigative skills challenged as he fights to discover the mastermind behind the ring before evil destroys everyone he loves.

Kate runs Beacon of Hope School for girls who have been prostitutes. Her mom is not happy about it and when things start to go wrong at the school her mom who controls the funding for the school pulls it. Kate as to deal with the disappearance of one of the girls the death of another and the attempted suicide of a 3rd. The disappearance of the one girl ends up getting the Texas Rangers involved and soon Wyatt finds himself becoming found of Kate. He is also dealing with being a single parent to his 14 year old daughter. Will Kate and Wyatt find the leaders of the prostitution ring and save the girl as well as find love together? Read this great suspense romance to find out.

What I liked: I really enjoyed this book. Even though the subject and story line was in-depth it was very well written. I really liked Kate and felt bad that her mom did not see what a great thing her daughter was doing. Wyatt came across as a man still dealing with his wife’s murder and also struggling to raise his 14 year old daughter. The characters where very real and likeable. The storyline kept me interested and turning pages as fast as I could.

What I did not like: There was not much I did not like. The subject of prostitution was kind of deep but the book was so well written and it was very eye opening to what it could be like.

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This book also earns my

I do not give this award lightly only books I truly love get this award and I loved this book. I lost a few hours of sleep reading this book as I could not put it down. Love love love!!

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Posted in 2012 Reviews, 5 Stars, Abingdon Press, Buring the Midnight Oils Award, Contemporary Fiction, Margaret Daley, Mystery and Thrillers, NetGalley, Romance, Western Romance |

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The Heart’s Frontier by Lori Copeland, Virginia Smith

Posted on April 17, 2012 by

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The Heart’s Frontier by Lori Copeland, Virginia Smith

Published: 2012

Publisher: Harvest House

Series: The Amish of Apple Grove(Book 1)

Goodreads Summery: An exciting new Amish-meets-Wild West adventure from bestselling authors Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith weaves an entertaining and romantic tale for devoted fans and new readers.

Kansas,1881–On a trip to visit relatives, Emma Switzer’s Amish family is robbed of all their possessions, leaving them destitute and stranded on the prairie. Walking into the nearest trading settlement, they pray to the Lord for someone to help. When a man lands in the dust at her feet, Emma looks down at him and thinks, The Lord might have cleaned him up first.

Luke Carson, heading up his first cattle drive, is not planning on being the answer to anyone’s prayers, but it looks as though God has something else in mind for this kind and gentle man. Plain and rugged–do the two mix? And what happens when a dedicated Amish woman and a stubborn trail boss prove to be each other’s match?

Emma is Amish and she is moving with her grandma to help some relatives. She is not overly happy about the move but wants to follow her fathers wishes and Gods plans for her life. On the trail her family is robbed and they meet Luke in a small town. At first Luke does not want to help the Amish but finds himself doing just that. As the cattle drive progresses feelings develop between Emma and Luke but can they find love with the differences between them?

When I saw what this book was about I got excited it take two of my favorite genera’s and puts them together. I was not sure how the two where going to mix but I was pleasantly surprised.

What I liked: This book was well written with a fun story line and great characters. I love when a book makes me laugh. I really liked Luke and Emma. Luke was a kind caring cowboy and Emma was a sweet yet determined Amish young lady. Her Grandma had me chuckling a lot as well. I liked the idea of the cattle drive as the back drop for this story and thought it was a neat twist.

What I did not like: The story was a little slow at the beginning but picked up pretty quickly. The only other thing that bothers me and this is more of a Amish issue then with the book itself is the fact its okay for others to use guns to protect the Amish but its not okay for them to use it. I know its their way but it always bugs me.

Over all this was a fun book and I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the close relationship Emma had with her family and really felt like I got to know them. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series due out in September which deals with Emma’s sister and it should be really good!

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