Streams of Mercy by Lauraine Snelling Review

From the author: "
Anji Baard Moen, recently widowed in Norway, returns to North Dakota with her children. She quickly settles back into life in the familiar surroundings of Blessing, teaching in the high school and writing articles for the Blessing Gazette. In the midst of an unexpected crisis, Anji is thrust into a role she never imagined. And almost without her even being aware, an old friendship begins to show signs of developing into something more."
Lauraine Snelling was one of the first christian authors I read, many years ago and I always loved her writing.  In fact, I also got my oldest girl hooked on her children's books back then.  I will have to say that it has been awhile since I've read any of her books and in all fairness I didn't realize this was Book 3 of a series.  In the past, when picking up a book that was part of a series, I found it very easy to follow the story line; I am sad to say this wasn't the case with this book. I immediately felt that I had missed the initial story and was out of place.  There were two saving bits of story line in this book-the first one was that there was mention of Rosebud Reservation in North Dakota and my husband has ancestors that lived there and it was so fun to read about it in the book(though it was just a mention) and the second story line was about a Diphtheria outbreak-this immediately perked my interest because when my mom was a girl in San Francisco she actually had Diphtheria and was quarantined to her home; she told me about the large signs they put on the front door etc.  I tried to research when this occurred, I believe it would have been somewhere between  1916-1922.
The story line was somewhat confusing for me and it wasn't until I was more than half way through the book that I felt I had a good handle on all the characters.  I haven't felt that way about a story before and I can tell there will be a 4th book in this series by the way it ended.  I have read many positive reviews on this story and feel it is because the readers started from book 1.  I was truly disappointed with this story. I can't honestly recommend this book, unless you are an avid reader of Lauraine Snelling's books.
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing, provided this book to me without any compensation in exchange for my honest review.   
Noreen

Judith Miller's "A Potter's Lady" Review

"When Rose McKay convinces her brother, Ewan, to invest in a pottery business, she’s determined to assist him in making the venture a success. Having just graduated from the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, she believes she can design pieces that will sell well. In her efforts to help the pottery flourish, Rose reconnects with Joshua Harkness, who oversees his own family’s pottery works in a nearby town. Rylan Campbell has never liked change, but the new owners of the pottery seem to be the decent sort. He just wishes Rose wouldn’t insist on cleaning and moving everything. But when McKay Pottery starts losing business to the Harkness company, Rylan realizes Joshua might be taking advantage of Rose.
Then Franklin Hotels announces a design contest. Winning the Franklin contract would be exactly the boost McKay Pottery needs, so Rose and Rylan work closely together to create something magnificent. With Joshua’s company as their main competition, can Rylan convince Rose her trust in Joshua may be misplaced?"

Judith Miller again has weaved a wonderful tale of romance and suspense.  I have always loved pottery and this story grabbed my heart.  Set in historic West Virginia in the 1870's, the tale evokes the time and difficulty of business, especially for a woman.  This book was a quick read and captivated me.  I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Judith Miller's writing.  I have not read any other in this series, Refined By Love.
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing, provided this book for my honest review, without any compensation.

Keep reading!
Noreen

 

Together With You by Victoria Bylin Book Review

Good Morning Friends~Once again it is time for a book review; I'm sure you'll love this story. I have a special announcement at the end of this post.

From The Author:
"When a Lost Child warning blares over the mall's PA system, Carly Mason finds the little girl playing with a stuffed rabbit. Something about Penny Tremaine is different. An ex-social worker, Carly recognizes that the child suffers fetal alcohol effects, and a piece of Carly's past suddenly confronts her. Never again will she become personally involved with a client. The risks are far too great. But something about Penny--and Penny's handsome father--tugs at Carly's heart.



Dr. Ryan Tremaine is trying to put his life back together. With his ex-wife remarried and on a trip far away, his two teenage sons and Penny are living under his roof full time. Ryan has put his faith in his Sink-or-Swim list, a plan to reconnect with his children. The first step: recruit Carly Mason to be Penny's nanny.



Ryan never anticipated being so drawn to Carly, an attraction Carly seems to fight as much as he does. Could Carly be the missing piece that helps his family stay afloat, or will their blossoming romance only complicate things further?"

I loved this book for many reasons, Carly's love for a special needs child and her way of interacting Penny.  I have always had a very special place in my heart for children who have disabilities,  especially down syndrome, autism or emotional problems.  This book grabbed me from the start.
I wondered how the difference in faith would be resolved and it was, but in a way that I didn't expect.  I haven't read any of the authors books before, but would rate this a five star and also want to read more of her stories.  It was a quick read and I would highly recommend it.
Bethany House provided me with this book in exchange for my honest review.  I did not receive any compensation for it.
Also, this morning when I went to Victoria Bylin's website, I found out she is having a great give away-here is the link. Go visit and enter it!
https://promosimple.com/ps/6ff5

I hope you have a great day and fantastic weekend.
Joy to you~
Noreen

Steadfast Heart by Tracie Peterson review

"Lenore Fulcher isn't pretentious despite her spoiled upbringing. Her deepest desire at the age of twenty is to find true love. However, her father believes she's wasted enough time searching for a suitable husband, and he wants to marry her off to one of his business partners--thirty-seven-year-old James Rybus. But the idea of marriage to a man so much older is out of the question for Lenore.
Kolbein Booth, a lawyer from Chicago, arrives in Seattle looking for his headstrong sister who he believes may have answered an advertisement for mail-order brides. Sick with worry, he storms the Madison Bridal School, demanding to see his sister, only to learn she isn't there. But Lenore Fulcher is, and something about her captures his attention.
Is this the man Lenore has been searching for? She may not have long to find out..."

I have always enjoyed this author and this book didn't disappoint me.  Having been to Seattle several years ago and seeing the underground streets near the water, I could envision this location.  The characters were well developed and there was enough intrigue to keep me guessing as to what was going to happen next.  Lenore's best friend Abrianna is compassionate with just enough stubborness thrown in to make her adventures interesting, as well as dangerous.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series, to find out what happens to Abrianna.
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing, provided me with this book for my honest review.  I have received no compensation.
If you are a follower on my blog and would like to a chance to receive this book, leave me a comment.  I will draw a name tomorrow.

Noreen
 

From My Library

Whenever I travel, I always love to take a new book along to read.  I have loved Tracie Peterson's books and found this story simply delightful.
The Icecutter's Daughter is set in Minnesota during the late 1800s; the story is so rich that you almost feel yourself among the towns people of Waseca, living there in the cold winter.   The story centers around two main characters;  Merrill,the only daughter of a farmer who raises Belgian Horses and has an Icecutting business on the side.  Merrill's four brothers have long since taken over the role of her guardian and chased away any young man who wanted to court her; not only because of their fierce protectiveness of their sister, but also due to the fact that she has been the primary cook and housekeeper for them.  She is a strong, confident young women who not only is an incredible cook-you can almost taste her dishes, but also a strong worker with the horses and icecutting. 
The town's furniture maker is getting up in years and asks his nephew to come and help him with the business.  So after settling in with his uncle, Rurik tags along with men from town to help Merrill's family cut ice from the lake.  Rurik is immediately impressed with how hard Merrill works and then finds himself having dinner at the farm; he is also taken by her cooking skills.  What most don't know is that when Rurik moved, his fiance had broken off their arranged engagement; much to his pleasure.
As the story progresses, Merrill and Rurik find themselves falling in love, when suddenly out of the past the fiance and her brother show up in town.  Will Merrill and Rurik find a way to make a life together?
Although this is a classic Christian historical fiction with a love story thrown in, it will captivate the reader and keep them glued until the end.  If you are looking for a accurate portrayal of Swedish and German business and traditions, by all means make sure you pick this up.  A great story; I love forward to the next one in this series.
Bethany House provided this book to me for my honest review and opinion.  I was never compensated in any way.

Blessings,
Noreen & Hunter

From My Library

 

Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller have written a wonderful book; in fact, I couldn't put it down. Here is the synopsis of the book: "Callie DeBoyer is unsettled as she arrives at Bridal Veil Island with the Bridgeport family. She's just received a letter from her parents, missionaries in coastal Africa, stating they are in dire need of more personnel. Should Callie give up her governess job and join her parents in their important work? Is God calling her to the mission field, or does she just want to escape the emotional scars of being jilted by her former beau? When she enrolls young Thomas Bridgeport in golf lessons, Callie meets Wesley Townsend, who urges Callie to take lessons, as well. During their time at the golf course, Callie comes to care for Wesley--until she discovers hidden secrets about his past. Then expensive jewels go missing from various homes on the island, and suspicion is aimed in Callie's direction. As the investigation continues, Callie wonders if she should escape it all by going to Africa. After the secrets he kept about his past, will Wesley ever be a man she can honor and trust for the rest of her life? ".
I love historical Christian fiction and this book did not disappoint me, except I wish it didn't end. In fact, I will be on the look out for other books by these authors.
I received this book free from Bethany House for my honest review and was not compensated in any way.

I hope you have a wonderful day today friends!
Noreen & Hunter

From My Library

This is one of the most suspenseful, romance thrillers I've read in a long time; a book that was hard to put down but also kept rolling through my thoughts at bedtime. I had read one of Kristen Heitzmann's book quite awhile ago, but it wasn't as suspenseful as this.
From the back cover of the book: "Corporate turnaround specialist Morgan Spencer, dubbed the "success guru," has a Midas touch in business.  But losing his wife sent him to the brink, and his two-year-old daughter, Livie, is all he's living for-until they encounter a woman whose trouble just might draw him out of his own.  Four years ago Quinn Reilly did the right thing.  Now the man her testimony put in jail is getting out.  Though she has put up barriers to protect herself and those around her, she has come to care for the Spencer family, especially the winsome Livie and her mercurial father.  Unwilling to put them as risk when the threats begin, she requests something she hope the super-successful Morgan might be able to deliver. 
Fixing problems is what Morgan does best, but his counterproposal takes them in a direction neither is equipped to handle.  Determined to confront the past, will they survive to build a future?"

This book has so many twists and turns, you are never quite sure what will happen next.  A good plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.  The characters are well developed and you can imagine that you know them.  I will say this isn't for the faint of heart; but if you like mysteries, you'll like this. Check your library to see if they have it on their shelves, you won't be disappointed.
I received this book free from Bethany House for my honest review and did not get any compensation.
~Noreen

From My Library

I just finished this book and want to tell you that it was such a good read.  It is  historical fiction, set in the 1800's and an accurate portrayal of Pioneer Life.  I have read other books by Kim Vogel Sawyer and love her way with words; she truly is a beautiful writer.  The story is about three friends who leave New York and head for Kansas via Wagon Train; not just any Wagon Train but one that carried black families.  The plot surrounds a young woman named Tarsie who promises her best friend to care for her children and husband as her friend battles cancer.  The characters were rich and developed and the struggle of prejudice is woven throughout the story.  This was a book I didn't want to put down; Kim has become one of my favorite authors.  I look forward to more of Kim's stories!  You won't be disappointed by this book; if you haven't read any of Kim's books, be on the lookout for them-she is a great writer.
I would like to say Thank You to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this book to review.  I received no compensation for it and was asked to review it, whether my feelings were positive or negative. 

From My Library

Recently, I received this book from Bethany House to review. I had not read anything by Jody Hedlund before, so I was excited to read this book. I will tell you the story line was taken from an actual town and lumber area. Below is the story line for you to read.

"In 1883 Michigan, Lily Young is on a mission to save her lost sister, or die trying. Heedless of the danger, her searches of logging camps lead her to Harrison and into the sights of Connell McCormick, a man doing his best to add to the hard-earned fortunes of his lumber-baron father.
Posing during the day as a photographer’s assistant, Lily can’t understand why any God-fearing citizen would allow evil to persist and why men like Connell McCormick turn a blind eye to the crime rampant in the town. But Connell is boss-man of three of his father’s lumber camps in the area, and like most of the other men, he’s interested in clearing the pine and earning a profit. He figures as long as he’s living an upright life, that’s what matters.
Lily challenges everything he thought he knew, and together they work not only to save her sister but to put an end to the corruption that’s dominated Harrison for so long."

I have not received any payment for my review and the book was sent to me, free, from Bethany House. I enjoyed this book but found it a bit long; I also thought some of it could have been made into a second book.  I would definitely read another of her books; she developed her characters in a deep manner and you felt like you had known them in today's world.
I would love to send this book to one of my readers to enjoy; if you are interested please leave me a comment and I will draw a name on Thursday.
I forgot to add this on-I am thankful for receiving free books to read and I am thankful for the gift of eyesight and the ability to read.  
Have a great day!
Noreen