Tag Archives: Bethany House

#BookReview: The Midwife’s Choice by Delia Parr

13 Dec

The Midwife's Choice

The Midwife’s Choice by Delia Parr

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In a time when the traditional ways of medicine are constantly being questioned by new doctors fresh from medical school, midwife Martha Cade tries to balance her life’s calling with the demands of her family. Recently reunited with her estranged seventeen-year-old daughter, Martha finds herself torn between guiding her child and allowing her to be an adult. At the same time, she must decide whether she’ll risk reopening the heart she’d long closed off to love.

Though a small town, Trinity, Pennsylvania, is fraught with secrets, and as a midwife, Martha moves among its people. She knows which homes are filled with light and love, which families have slipped into grief, which wives are unhappy, and which husbands dare to cross lines…As Martha struggles with the conflicts of being a mother, a midwife, and a woman, she learns the greatest lessons of all–that hope can shine even in the darkest hours, and that faith has a way of making the impossible possible.

 

My thoughts:

The Midwife’s Choice is a wonderful story! Once again, Delia Parr brings Trinity, Pennsylvania, and its residents to life in a captivating tale of faith, family, and friendship.

I love Martha Cade and her work as the community midwife! In this second book of the At Home in Trinity series, Martha is confronted with events that cause her to struggle with the decisions she has made and the life she has chosen. Each twist and turn of the plot drew me deeper into the story, and I reveled in its drama, emotion, and romance.

There are beautiful spiritual threads woven through the story and numerous words of wisdom shared. I made note of several meaningful quotes and passages throughout the book, and the following encapsulates one of the many lessons Martha learns.

“It’s natural for things to change. Even the land changes over time. So do people. They come into our lives and sometimes, sadly, they leave far too soon. But our memories–of our loved ones and our lives together–are ours to keep. Sometimes they fade a bit and we lose little details, or we might even forget whole incidents. Until something prompts us to remember. But the goodness, the warmth, the love our memories contain–that’s what will always stay in our hearts so we can carry our memories wherever we go. And there’s always room to add more.”

I thoroughly enjoyed The Midwife’s Choice and can’t wait to revisit these beloved characters again in The Midwife’s Dilemma!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the author:

Delia is the author of fifteen historical novels who now devotes herself to writing inspirational historical romance. The mother of three grown children, she is a full-time high school teacher in southern New Jersey who spends her summers writing on Anna Maria Island in Florida.

Review: Love Everlasting

15 Oct

Love Everlasting

Love Everlasting by Tracie Peterson

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Abrianna Cunningham has always viewed her longtime friend, Wade Ackerman, as a protective brother. Lately, however, she’s begun to see him differently and finds herself attracted romantically to him. But she’s confused and overwhelmed by these unfamiliar feelings.

Wade, on the other hand, has loved Abrianna for some time and has been waiting for her to realize they are more than just friends. When he asks her to marry him, she asks for time to adjust to their changed relationship.

And then there’s Priam Welby, who has been relentlessly pursuing Abrianna. Will his underhanded tactics succeed in luring Abrianna into marriage with him?

My thoughts:

Love Everlasting is an enjoyable tale of drama, intrigue, and romance! Tracie Peterson’s wonderful attention to detail always lends vibrancy to her stories, making them a pleasure to read.

After all Abrianna Cunningham and Wade Ackerman have been through together, I delighted in the culmination of their relationship. I have really enjoyed this series and will miss its well-crafted characters.

While the books in the Brides of Seattle series can stand alone, I encourage you to read them in order. In doing so, you will come to know the characters and understand their rich history that carries through each of the stories.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

 

Tracie Peterson

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than one hundred books. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana.

Visit Tracie’s web site at: http://www.traciepeterson.com

Review: Refining Fire

14 Jul

Refining Fire

Refining Fire by Tracie Peterson

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Militine Scott, twenty-two, is in training at the Madison School for Brides in Seattle, Washington. Though she has no intention of pursuing marriage–believing no man will have her–she has found the school provides the perfect opportunity to hide her unsavory past.

Thane Patton, though fun loving and fiercely loyal to his friends, hides a dark secret, as well. He finds himself drawn to Militine, sensing a haunting pain similar to his own.

Will they finally allow God to make something new and beautiful from the debris of the past?

 

My thoughts:

Refining Fire is an engaging story rich in history! Although it is the second book in the Brides of Seattle series, I believe this story easily stands on its own. I have not read the first book, Steadfast Heart, and had no trouble following the story line.

Tracie Peterson’s love of research is evident in her stories, and the imagery and details she included in Refining Fire allowed me to envision the setting and the events that transpired during this time. I really enjoyed the historical aspects of the story, as well as the spiritual messages that were included. I also enjoyed visiting the Madison School for Brides and getting to know the well-crafted characters and experiencing their stories. With elements of drama and intrigue, Refining Fire is an enjoyable historical romance. I look forward to continuing the series in the next book, Love Everlasting.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Bethany House Blogger Reviewer program in exchange for an unbiased review. I appreciate the opportunity to read this story and share my thoughts.

 

Tracie Peterson

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than one hundred books. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana.

Visit Tracie’s web site at: http://www.traciepeterson.com

Review: Now and Forever

8 Jun

Now and Forever

Now and Forever by Mary Connealy

Purchase links:
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A grizzly bear, sheep, and wolves!  Oh my!  I can always count on Mary Connealy to humor me with her stories, and she certainly delivered the laughs in Now and Forever.  She also delivered drama, danger, and intrigue in this Wilde adventure. 

I loved Shannon Wilde and Matt Tucker!  Shannon is an independent woman who is determined to maintain her homestead and tend her sheep.  Matt is a mountain man content to hunt and trap and live off the land.  These two are entertaining characters and the fireworks between them are fun to behold!   

Now and Forever is another delightful story in the Wild at Heart series.  I love these feisty sisters and can’t wait to read Book 3, Fire and Ice

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Bethany House Blogger Reviewer program. All thoughts expressed are my own and no monetary compensation was received.

 

About the book:

Saddle up for romance and adventure with the Wilde sisters!

Shannon Wilde is the middle sister–and the one who loves animals. She’s established her own homestead and is raising sheep for their wool. Things are going fine…until Shannon gets swept over a cliff by Matthew Tucker!

Tucker seizes every opportunity to get away from civilization, but one particular walk in the woods ends with him sprinting away from an angry grizzly and plunging into a raging river, accidentally taking Shannon Wilde with him. Their adventure in the wilderness results in the solitary mountain man finding himself hitched to a young woman with a passel of relatives, a homestead, and a flock of sheep to care for.

As Tucker and Shannon learn to live with each other, strange things begin to happen on Shannon’s land. Someone clearly wants to drive her off, but whoever it is apparently didn’t count on Tucker. Trying to scare Matthew Tucker just makes him mad–and trying to hurt the woman he’s falling in love with sets off something even he never expected.

 

Mary Conneally

 

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy…with cowboys.
http://www.maryconnealy.com
She is a Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

 

 

Review: A Love Like Ours

4 May

A Love Like Ours

A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade

Purchase Links:
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 Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake’s childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion’s reluctance to run.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake’s will, Lyndie’s sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he’s built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he’d thought he’d lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

 

My thoughts:

A Love Like Ours is a heartwarming romance!  This is the third book in the popular Porter Family series, with each novel sharing the story of one of the Porter siblings.  Having not read the two previous books, I found this story read easily and enjoyably as a stand-alone novel.   

Jake Porter is a wounded warrior bearing physical, mental, and emotional scars.  My heart ached for him as fear and guilt plagued him and caused him to close himself off from those around him.  When his childhood friend Lyndie James returns to Holley, Texas, their relationship is much different than the one they left behind years ago. 

I loved Lyndie’s vivacious personality and her determination to help Jake find healing, hope, and happiness once again.  I also enjoyed the family dynamics of the Porter Family and the James Family and each of their special members.  The horse training and racing was another delightful aspect of this touching story.  I enjoyed A Love Like Ours and look forward to reading more of the Porter Family series!

A complimentary copy of A Love Like Ours was provided to me through the Bethany House Blogger Reviewer program.  I appreciate the opportunity to read this story and share my honest opinion.

 

A Love Like Ours FB Party

Join Becky Wade TOMORROW night at a Facebook party celebrating the release of her new book, A Love Like Ours.

And when you purchase the book before May 17th, a portion of the proceeds will support the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

 

Becky WadeDuring her childhood in California, Becky frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She’s been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that Becky’s passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances with Avon Books, then put her career on hold for several years to care for her kids, then recently returned to writing sheerly for the love of it. She felt led to move to the genre of contemporary Christian romance and couldn’t be more thrilled with it.

These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up with her housework, sweating at the gym, carting her kids around town, playing tennis, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa watching TV with her husband.  Visit her website at  http://www.beckywade.com/home.html

Review: A Harvest of Hope

25 Mar

A Harvest of Hope

A Harvest of Hope by Lauraine Snelling

Purchase Links:
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Miriam Hastings has her future plans in place…
But Trygve Knutson is intent on changing them.

Just a few short weeks into her year-long training at the Blessing Hospital, Miriam Hastings is called home to Chicago, where her mother is gravely ill. With siblings to care for, Miriam pleads to be allowed to finish her training in Chicago. Her nursing supervisor grants her a brief reprieve but extracts a promise that Miriam will return to Blessing and fulfill her one-year commitment.

While in Chicago, Miriam has tried to get Trygve Knutson and Blessing out of her mind, but his letters make that impossible. Trygve is busy building a house, hoping he can convince Miriam to return to North Dakota and marry him. Torn between Trygve’s love and her family’s needs, she doesn’t know what to do.

When Miriam finally returns to Blessing, she buries herself in her work. But no matter how hard she tries to put it off, she has some life-changing decisions to make about her future, her family… and the man who is never far from her thoughts.

What will it take to convince her to stay?

 

My thoughts:

A Harvest of Hope is a much-anticipated continuation of the Song of Blessing series!  I highly recommend reading book one, To Everything a Season, before reading A Harvest of Hope.  Several important events occur in the first book and set the stage for this second story. 

Lauraine Snelling does a wonderful job of bringing the characters and community to life, and I was eager to return to this quaint community in North Dakota.  I really enjoyed the historical details, as well as the complexity of the characters and their stories.  The drama continues, as does the romance between Miriam and Trygve, creating an emotional narrative.  Blessing is a lovely place to visit and I look forward to continuing this compelling series!   

Please note: This series is a continuation of Lauraine’s earlier stories of the Bjorkland family and the community of Blessing.  If you are a long-time fan, you will certainly welcome the opportunity to revisit these special characters and this unique community.  For those who are not familiar with these stories, you may find the large, diverse cast of characters to be a bit overwhelming at first.  A Bjorkland family tree has been included in the beginning of the book for reference. 

A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me through the Bethany House Blogger Reviewer program.  I appreciate the opportunity to read this story and share my honest opinion.

  

Lauraine Snelling

Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of over seventy books, with sales of more than 2 million copies.  She also writes for a wide range of magazines, and helps others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writers’ conferences across the country.

Lauraine and her husband, Wayne, have two grown sons, and live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a watchdog Basset named Winston.  They love to travel, most especially in their forty-foot motor coach, which they affectionately deem “a work in progress”.

To learn more about Lauraine, please visit her website.