Stuck Together

I won't be putting this little note in my review on the retail sites, but I wanted you let you, as my blog readers, know what happened with this book. A couple of weeks ago we had a house fire. Unfortunately I was about 3/4 of the way through this book and the only thing that survived was a portion of the cover. I was enjoying the book and also knew that Bethany House was expecting a review from me. So I was pretty upset when I found that piece of the cover while sifting through the ashes. I emailed Bethany House as soon as I returned to the hotel room. They quickly responded and told me that they had marked the book as already reviewed so I didn't have to worry about it while I was dealing with my house. But they sent me another copy just to read. Bethany House is awesome!!!

So even though I didn't have to, I like this author and I wanted to write this review as a thank you to Bethany House.

Stuck Together

Trouble in Texas Book 3

Mary Conneally

Tina joined her brother in Broken Wheel after her aunt kicked her out. She barely knows him, but he's the only family she has. Her mission field is to picket the local saloon. But her picketing days are soon numbered when more trouble than just a glass of whiskey rolls into town.

Vince has a grudging respect for Tina, but is sure that he can never marry. His mother is crazy and his father is cruel. So he admires her and finds ways to spend time with her, but refuses to marry her. Escaped prisoners, drunk cowboys, and an elderly lady with dementia add to the chaos and craziness that make up Broken Wheel, Texas.

I've enjoyed the other two books in this series so it was no surprise that this one was so fun to read. Since I've read the other books I knew who all of the characters were and enjoyed reading more about them. I probably wouldn't recommend this book as a stand-alone, because of the characters from previous books. The characters are comical, caring, and realistic. The author did a great job of keeping my attention and interest through the entire book. The sense of family between the men who weren't brothers was heartwarming. I was disappointed when everything wrapped up at the end. I was really hoping this series would continue for a while. I'll definitely be keeping my eyes open for her next book.

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

A Woman of Fortune

A Woman of Fortune

A Texas Gold Novel

Kelli Coates Gilbert

Claire is living the perfect life. She has wealth, amazing children, and a wonderful husband who adores her. She glosses over the minor negatives and sees what she wants to see. Until one day everything comes crashing down around her. Her family is falling apart and her husband is on his way to jail for fraud. Every single thing she thought she knew about her family is becoming a lie.

The story flowed smoothly and I read the book quickly. I liked some of the characters and really, really disliked others as I'm sure was the author's intention. The plot was an interesting angle that mirrored a true story. But I couldn't really grasp the focus of where the story was supposed to go. The author pulled faith, trust, resilience, and the sacredness of marriage into the story and did a great job. But the plot seemed plucked out of a section of the character's life and I wasn't given more than a brief glimpse before it ended. So I have really mixed feelings about the book. I enjoyed the writing style so will definitely be checking out the other books by this author.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.

Four Boots One Journey

Four Boots One Journey

A Story of Survival, Awareness, and Rejuvenation on the John Muir Trail

Jeff Alt

Jeff, an avid hiker and backpacker, has married a wonderful woman. But Beth's idea of a vacation includes a hot shower and soft bed. So when he tries to convince her to join him she isn't interested. Several years after their wedding they experience the loss of a loved one. This spurs Beth to hike the John Muir trail with Jeff to raise awareness about depression.

I enjoy the author's style of writing. It reminded me a bit of the book A Walk in the Woods. He tells the story in an honest and refreshing way that makes me want to lace up my hiking boots and find some trails. The author tells of their experiences, while also peppering the story with his thoughts about life and about the aspects of depression. It was a fun and informative little book to read.

I received this book free of charge from Direct Contact in exchange for my honest review.

Hearts in Vegas

Hearts in Vegas

Colleen Collins

Frances is a P.I. for an insurance company and is going under cover to investigate some coin and jewelry thefts. While undercover she meets Braxton, her body guard assigned to her by the man she is investigating. His past is a secret and she can't tell the truth about hers. So how are two people ever supposed to get to know each other if both of their current lives are a lie?

I just reviewed the first book in this series and enjoyed it. So I was looking forward to reading this one. The plot is more complicated than the first book. The quirky family is back again and just as entertaining. Drake from the previous book is Braxton's brother so he is in quite a bit of the book. He is even more annoying in this book. In fact, I really disliked him. But the rest of the characters were fun and the plot was full of humor and intrigue. I enjoyed the plot twists and character that the author added to the book.  

I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.

Sleepless in Las Vegas

Sleepless in Las Vegas

Colleen Collins

Valerie is being mentored in the P.I. field. Her home is in Las Vegas, the city that never sleeps. She is  desperate to get into the field, but her boss doesn't think she's quite ready. Valerie takes on a job while her boss is out of the office that has her accidentally spying on another P.I. To correct her mistake, she ends up working for him to solve an arson and put a man behind bars. 

The plot was interesting and kept my attention. I enjoyed the quirkiness of the main female character. The main male character was slightly annoying. He didn't really appeal to me. But his family made up for it. The author did a good job of writing an intriguing story that was both romantic and humorous.

I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.

Miracle in a Dry Season

Miracle in a Dry Season

Appalachian Blessings Book 1

Sarah Loudin Thomas

Perla has returned to Wise, West Virginia to stay with her aunt and uncle. But this time she returns with a young girl and no husband. She just wanted a place to stay where she wouldn't be ostracized for her bad choices and where hopefully the rumors wouldn't run her out of town. Casewell is an elder in the church and a very eligible bachelor. Perla knows there is no way that he would ever consider a fallen woman, but for some reason she can't help sharing her secrets with this quiet, steady man. 

I'd reviewed the novella that was a sort of prequel to this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. (See review here.) I once again loved the characters and the sweet simplicity of the little town. The side characters added depth and heart to the story. I was drawn into the story from the very beginning and saw a beautiful little town with flaws and spirit as I read. While I enjoyed the romance and plot in the story, I also really loved the way the author wove the plan of salvation and the difficult act of forgiveness in so seamlessly. The miracle is not so much about something tangible as it is a miracle of the heart.

It isn't often that I find an author that I can truly add to my favorites list. It's even rarer that this is a new author, just getting started. But this author has definitely made the cut. I look forward to her next books.

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Women of the Word

Women of the Word

How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds

Jen Wilkin

Lost about how to really study the Bible and feeling like what she knew barely scratched the surface, the author started on a journey to learn how to study the Bible more effectively. She begins by pointing out several hit or miss methods and shows how they can be inadequate. She then outlines five steps to learning how to read and study the Bible with purpose. The next five chapters follow these five steps. The book ends with a conclusion how how to studying the scriptures points us to our Savior.

I have often fallen into some of the "unhelpful habits" that the author mentioned. This little book really helped give me perspective and clarity. I enjoyed her friendly, common sense approach. It felt more like a chat with a friend than a lecture. The points that she brings out are not only helpful, but spot on in terms of getting the scripture to apply to our hearts AND minds. It's definitely a book I'll be keeping and sharing with others.

I received this book free of charge from Crossway in exchange for my honest review.