Stay With Me by Becky Wade

I don't usually read Contemporary Christian Romance books.  I tend to stay with historical or suspense, but ever so often I step out of my normal genres and pick up something different.  After reading Stay With Me, I'm asking myself why I don't read more books like this!  Especially by this author!

This book had me from the first page.  It is a beautiful story that deals with some really tough subjects.  Genevieve is a Bible study author who, after an ankle surgery, is battling an addiction to prescription pain pills.  After receiving an anonymous letter about her parents past, she returns to her hometown.  After a long night, Genevieve takes some pills and ends up asleep in the beautiful farm house that belongs to Sam Turner.  When Sam finds Genevieve asleep on his property, he can't seem to wake her.  He soon finds out her secret.  This is the last thing Sam wants in his life as he is still dealing with the guilt of his own past, but it seems as God has another plan.

Just about every emotion is visited in this book.  I found myself laughing in several places, frustrated in others, and also at times hopeful as well as saddened.  There is a family secret that two sisters work to uncover and I enjoyed the mystery it brought to the book.  There is a great message of grace and forgiveness and I loved the gospel message that the author brought out. 

This just so happens to be the first book in The Misty River Romance series and you better believe I'll be reading the rest of the series.


***Thank you to Bethany House Publishing for this book!

Love's Mountain Quest by Misty M. Beller

Love's Mountain Quest is the second book in the Hearts of Montana Series by Misty M. Beller.  It works great as a stand alone book, but I think you would enjoy reading them in order as this book continues on with some of the same characters that were in the first book.

Joanna has recently been widowed and left alone to care for her five year old son, Samuel.  Samuel is full of spunk and a regular little chatterbox.  Isaac, who came to Joanna's rescue is still drawn to her.  He is so concerned about her welfare and does his best to check on her, provide food for her and help when needed.  He would like to pursue her in a romantic way, but because of his past sins he feels he is unworthy of her love.

Joanna's friend is watching Samuel and they both are kidnapped.  Joanna is frantic and Isaac runs to her aid and the two of them head to the mountains, hot on the trail of the kidnappers.  As it becomes apparent where the trail is leading them, Isaac knows good and well where they are going...straight to the past that he wanted to leave behind.  All of his secrets will soon be revealed.  Can he find redemption from God and from the woman he loves or is his past going to destroy his future?

I did not want to put this book down!  It was so enjoyable.  Joanna is such a strong woman, who fights through her circumstances.  She also is a mother determined.  Nothing is going to keep her from saving her son.  Isaac is such an admirable man and my heart was so sad for him.  The burden of his past weighed heavy on him.  This was something that was very relatable to me.  So often we let our past sins keep us from living life abundantly like we are meant to once we are forgiven.

I am excited to see what book three has to offer.  I hope to revisit Joanna and Isaac!

***Thanks to Bethany House Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with the ebook. 

Piecing It All Together by Leslie Gould

Piecing It All Together by Leslie Gould is the first book in the Plain Patterns series.  The story centers around to women, one from the past and one from the present. 

Savannah Mask has a future that is all planned out, but when her fiance suddenly calls off their wedding, Savannah's world comes crashing down.  Savannah decides to return to her roots and visit her Amish grandmother until she can decide where she wants to go from here.  While there, she learns through a story told at a quilting circle about Emma Gingrich.  Emma suffered a lot in life, but proved to be a strong woman with endurance.   This helps Savannah through her current situation.

Both of the characters are very interesting.  I seemed to connect more with Savannah.  There was also some side stories going on within the Amish community that I really enjoyed.  I'm curious to see if there will be glimpses into Savannah's life as the series continues. 

It has been a while since I've read a book by Leslie Gould.  I won't wait so long next time!

***Thank you Netgalley and Bethany House Publishing for the ebook!

An Appalachian Summer

Before we get to far into things lets just take a minute to appreciate the cover of this book.  I mean, just look at it.  The beautiful colors, the cabin in the back...doesn't it just make you want to escape to the mountains!

Well, that's pretty much what Piper Danson does.

Even in the midst of the depression Piper's parents insist on a debutante party.  Their goal is for her to marry a rich man, and not to worry, love will come later.  Piper is less than thrilled, but agrees to the party to make her mom happy.  The only man she can imagine marrying is Jamie, but his family has moved away after losing everything.  Braxton Crandall is the man her parents want her to marry.  He can provide for her the way she is used to.

The day after the party Piper meets Mary Breckenridge, the founder of the Frontier Nursing Service in  the Appalachian mountains.  Piper is able to convince her parents to let her volunteer over the summer.  Piper's adventure has just begun.  She is now spending her days caring for horses, milking cows and even assisting with the delivery of babies.  Her life is transformed.  How can she go back to the life her parents want for her.  Doesn't she deserve happiness?  Shouldn't she be free to marry her true love and not someone who her parents have picked out for her?

This is such an enjoyable read.  I loved that it touched on two completely different lifestyles during the depression.  I've always enjoyed reading stories about midwifery and books set in the Appalachian mountains.  This one was a bit different than previous reads and that made it all the more enjoyable.

***Thanks to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Don't Keep Silent

We are in the middle of a heat wave here in Missouri, so staying cool in the nice air condition with a good book is the way I want to spend my afternoons.  I've been reading a lot of books lately and for the first time, I have several going at the same time.

Let me tell you about the most exciting one I've read lately!  Don't Keep Silent by Elizabeth Goddard.  It is the third and final installment in the Uncommon Justice series.  It makes a great stand alone book, but trust me when I say you will want to read them all.

When I began reading Don't Keep Silent I knew while reading the prologue that I was in for a treat.  Seriously!  I was on the edge of my seat during the prologue!  How crazy good is that!  The fast pace and intense situations continued throughout this book.  Add an intense relationship, and for me, it felt like I found gold in this book.

Rae Burke is on a mission to find her missing sister-in-law Zoey.  What she doesn't expect, is to run into Liam Mckade.  To say there is a history between them is an understatement.  After all, Liam almost lost his life saving Rae.  Now he finds himself in a similar situation.  As he joins forces to help Rae, danger seems to surround them.  Liam has no choice but to protect her once again.  Everything they thought they left in their past is catching up with them....including their feelings for each other.

A couple other great things I want to make mention of is the way God is so easily brought into the story line.  The prayers are beautiful!  "God, you're here in this place.  In the stars above.  In the mountains and the woods, smiling down at me from heaven and here with me now, closer than I can understand."  It also brings light to human trafficking which is such an important issue that needs more attention brought to it.

***Thanks to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.