Review of A Good Cowboy Style Fiction

Emily's Chance
By Sharon Gillenwater
This book is the second in Sharon's series called "The Callahans of Texas". The theme throughout this book is simply as stated in Chapter 1-"man meets woman. Man loves woman. Man marries woman".  BUT, this is not as simple as it sounds, at least, not to one of the main characters, Chance. In fact, it is NOT simple at all.
Emily Rose, the lovely maiden, is the other main character in this book, who has arrived at a small town in Texas to revitalize their historical museum.  She has the intention of completing the job for experience in her chosen field - to prove to her parents that her degree IS useful for something.  What Chance and Emily do not realize, is- the challenges and events that will occur in a short time span.  Emily's only desire, when she arrives at Callahan Crossing is to use this as a rung on her ladder to success- which will look good on her ever growing resume as she strives to become a big city museum curator.
Little does Emily know, that Chance, the cowboy and contractor, is going to fall for her- big time and makes a hearty attempt to keep her there- both with the town and him!!  As he helps her restore the town's history, after a disasterous fire, can he help her uncover the value of love???
Emily's main plan was to  please her parents by proving she does have a prestigious job- which she applies for, later in the story, and they have not wasted her education.
This book is a heartbreaking story of hope and healing.  The characters become very real to you as the author's talent for dialogue give them an authentic feel.  Family problems persist, relationships wobble, but peace and love overcomes all challenges. A good read, enjoyable to relax with!!  Well done!
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available now at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

A Review of a Book that is a Work of Art with its writing of letters!!

Nightingale
by Susan May Warren

This book was a pure joy to review. 
Esther Lange, the main character, becomes pregnant, by a man who becomes her fiance, but true love is absent from the quick affair. It was a mistaken night of passion.  Her fiance, Linus is called off to war. Although, they had never built a true relationship, Esther truly grieves when Linus is lost in battle. She receives letters sent to her by a medic, Peter, who stayed by Linus as he lay dying. They appeared to give her comfort.
Due to the warm feeling  of receiving these letters, Esther starts to correspond with Peter, who says he is a wholesome farm boy from Iowa.  The question is:  Is he truly who he says he is ??  Although the entire book was excellent, it was the  letters that made the book  a work of art.  The letters that went back and forth between Peter and Esther were emotional, showing love and caring and written almost in a poetic style. You could actually feel what each of them was going through.  
There are secrets in this book that appear- is Peter really who he claims to be?  Is Linus really dead?  I will not spoil the storyline for you by telling you more details.
Esther does go through a great period of turmoil and hurtful experiences which she feels will hurt her little girl. She has to make many decisions of great importance.
The book concludes with a completely surprising ending. Happy but a total shock to me!!  It is definitely a  page turner and I did not want this book to end. Now I would like a follow up story. It is a story of war, not only in the world but in the inner being of the characters.  Great book that I would highly recommend!!
Book was provided by LitFuse for review purposes. More reviews can be seen on this site: http://www.litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/nightingale-by-susan-may-warren.html)

Historic Romantic Fiction at its Best!! : A Book Review

The Preacher's Bride 
By Jody Hedlund

Jody's book was inspired by the real-life story of the great hero of faith , Paul Bunyan. writer of the famous Pilgrim's Progress. Behind this great man in history was his wife and Jody has chosen to make her fictional character (although much about her is fact) , Elizabeth, into the woman that loved and stood by a man of faith and helped shape him into the hero we got to know and love.
The setting is Bedford, England and the year is 1659.  John Costin, a Pilgrim preacher has just lost his wife due to childbirth. He is left alone to fend for his small children and a newborn infant. Of course, everyone in his following thinks they know best what should be done for this tiny newborn- he is so paralyzed with grief, he chooses to think it would be best if the little one joined his mother in a better place. Then, in walks the real heroine, Elizabeth, who amidst obstacles of all sorts,  from bossy ladies to gruff men, takes over the job as housekeeper to attempt to help the situation.
John goes on his way to preach the gospel although threats are constantly made against he and his family. Elizabeth stands by him, defending his family and suffering herself, mentally and physically , in order to keep this household safe and together. Violence abounds as John refuses to bow down and stop preaching his beliefs. 
As the challenges and the warfare between people and beliefs continue, the beginnings of a loving relationship develops- whether it is true for both John and Elizabeth is for you to discover in your reading of this book.
I found this book enthralling,- adventuresome, excitement and fear all abound.  The book is certainly well written and keeps you reading until all hours of the night, as my husband can attest to!!
Well done, Jody!!!! Keep writing and I will keep reading.
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc. Available now at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

Dining With Joy- a Book Review

Dining with Joy
By Rachel Hauck

This book was very different from the ones I usually choose to read, but I did enjoy it very much.
Rachel has the ability to turn a serious issue into a real comedy act, and then bring us back to the serious nature in a quick turnaround.
The main character, Joy, is the "chef"  on a regionally syndicated cooking show. BUT - she has one major secret- She CAN"T cook!! But no one realizes that fact.  She has inherited the show from her father under the pretense that she is the fantastic chef that he was. When her show is picked up by a major network and given a prime time slot,  everything lets loose and flies!!!! beyond your imagination.

Then, in comes Luke Redmond, a handsome , creative chef who has just lost his own restaurant due to financial failure. He is asked to cohost the show with Joy- and she definitely feels JOY at that point-maybe he can save her.  Luke certainly becomes more than a cohost!  But, oh the trials along the way!! Joy meets so many embarrassing situations and failures- she has an enemy who really wants to see her fail. I will not tell you more as it would be a spoiler!  Wenda Devine becomes her cruel rival, although, she ends up by making Joy think of God and what is really important in life.
This is a well written book- don't know whether to call it a comedy of errors or..... Anyway, it was a fun read!
Provided courtesy of Booksneeze