In Firefly Valley (By: Amanda Cabot)

In Firefly Valley
By: Amanda Cabot

Storyline

Marisa St. George has returned to her hometown of Dupree, Texas to accept the job of business manager at the newly renovated Rainbow's End Resort. Although she is looking forward to reconnecting with her best friend and living closer to her mother, Dupree holds more painful than good memories for Marisa - namely that her alcoholic father left without a trace eight years before. But what she least expects is to fall for one of the guests staying at the resort - and for a relationship to bring about the healing she desperately needs.

Blake Kendall is facing a serious case of writer's block. An author with a deadline and desperate for the creative juices to flow again, he comes to Rainbow's End for a change of scenery. The fireworks between he and Marisa begin immediately when they meet, but Blake has a secret - he has written a series of books (under a pseudonym) that Marisa loudly protests against quite frequently. 

While the plot had great promise and some good elements, the story wound up being very predictable. We don't always mind that, as long as the journey is worth it! But in this case, the book just didn't hold our attention all that well. The characters are lovable and develop well, but it was easy to remember that they were fictional. In other words, we didn't get swept away in the story, and it didn't became our reality.

Depth

Some heavy issues are dealt with lightheartedly and solved easily, such as forgiveness, alcoholism, and anger. Chief among these things, the author asks the question: Can people really change?

Faith

All the characters have faith in God, while some live it more strongly than others. Most of the faith in this book comes toward the end. The author answers the question above - can people really change? - by assuming that God is the only answer to real, lasting change in a person. Several characters experience redemption through a relationship with their Savior. 

Squeal Factor  

Blake and Marisa practically fall in love at first sight and have a very realistic dating relationship, but unfortunately it was a little hard to feel their emotions and stirrings of their hearts. 

Overall

It's hard to pinpoint why this book wasn't a home run for us - after all, it appears to have many of the right elements. But when a story doesn't hold our attention, make us feel what the characters feel, or give us a way to relate to the characters, it's very difficult to get into. In Firefly Valley was in no way a bad read - just perhaps a little less interesting than we would have liked to have read.
 
Find it on Amazon: In Firefly Valley

We were given this book from the publisher in exchange for our honest review.

As Love Blooms (By: Lorna Seilstad)

As Love Blooms
By: Lorna Seilstad

As Love Blooms is the third book in the Gregory Sisters series.

Storyline

In this book we get to journey with Tessa, the youngest of the Gregory sisters. Tessa is energetic, full of life, daring and always looking for an adventure! Her sisters have rarely taken her seriously as she has always dabbled in different hobbies. Tessa, who wants to prove to her sisters she is grown up and ready for a life of her own, is going to show them how serious she is about her new hobby/profession: she has gone to school to study horticulture (the science and art of cultivating plants) and she dreams of working at Como Park in her hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota. There, she meets with the park's superintendent but is turned down because he does not hire women. But Tessa won't let that keep her from achieving her dreams. In comes Reese King, a gardener at Como Park who is working on a special project to impress the superintendent. He has a run in with Tessa and finds that she may be able to help him on this project and in return can help her as well. Can the two work together and both get the end results they want? And will the attraction they both hold for one another interfere with their work?
 
Depth

One of the big themes in this book is keeping things from others and the damage and hurt it can cause. Not only are the two main characters keeping things from each other but we also see the same thing happening in Tessa's extended family. This theme was drawn out through the book but the author brings it together nicely near the end on how hurtful it can be to not trust those you love with the truth. Near the end there is also a bit of mystery. We would have liked that to be more drawn out, but it did add a little more to the depth to the story.

Faith

Faith was more subtle in the beginning of the book but eventually we see both Reese and Tessa come to realize they need to put their hope and trust in the Lord and not in man or any earthly thing. Tessa also learns the importance of deep rooted love in God and family.

Squeal Factor

Tessa and Reese have a cute relationship but for so long it is covered by the "just friends" motto. Once they do cross that boundary the truths that both are keeping from the other is an obstacle. Don't get us wrong, they do share some sweet scenes together but we would have enjoyed more growth in relationship and more butterfly feelings!

Overall

As Love Blooms is a lighthearted read and will especially be enjoyed by those who like gardening or love history. Lorna is a gifted, detailed author and easily transports you to the time period where the story takes place. As Love Blooms was good and wrapped up the series nicely, but unfortunately this read did not capture our attention like her previous books. It did not stick with us the way others have - but do not let that keep you from reading all her others which are thoroughly enjoyable.

Find it on Amazon: As Love Blooms 

We were given this book from the publisher in exchange for our honest review.

From the Start (By: Melissa Tagg)

From the Start
By: Melissa Tagg

Melissa Tagg's newest book is her best one yet! We have enjoyed her other novels but this one was pure delight. So much depth and love in this story; you'll fall in love with the characters and the town of Maple Valley.

Storyline

Kate Walker should be an expert at love since she writes made-for-TV romance screenplays, right? Wrong! Kate has been wounded deeply in love so she remains single; and to top it off her career is in a slump. After a tornado hits her hometown of Maple Valley, Iowa, she rushes home from Chicago to clean up. Not only does she help her hometown and her dad get back on their feet, she meets a certain someone that just might help bring some life and love back to her! 

Colton Greene, a big time NFL quarterback is now injured and no longer able to play the game. Confused as to what his future holds, plus dealing with a past he can't piece together, Colton travels to Maple Valley with his friend to hide out for awhile and maybe get a glimpse of what a normal life is like. He meets Kate and enlists her to help with a project. As the two spend time together, they both realize their need for a new purpose in life, but will it include each other?

Depth

Melissa Tagg brought so much depth into this story. Kate and Colton both deal with very real issues, especially Colton who was raised in the foster care system and still, to this day, can't reconcile parts of his past. The author also brings in a few side stories of people dealing with hurt and pain and does a fabulous job writing about it. You will become part of their lives and come to care so much about the characters. We thoroughly enjoyed the journey of this book.

Faith

With so much depth in this story, we were hoping for a good balance of faith and dependence on the Lord. Melissa Tagg did a great job doing just that. There may not have been a deep exploration of what faith is, but the story was full of lessons that we even found ourselves pondering. Themes of forgiveness, love, surrendering to God's will, reaching out to others and trusting in the Lord were all present.

Love Story

Kate and Colton are great mix. The friendly banter they start out with is so enjoyable; we found ourselves laughing along with them. As we got deeper into the story we got deeper into who they are and what they are made of. The love that starts to blossom is real and beautiful. A few scenes were downright adorable.

Overall

Pick up this book and enjoy every page of it - we sure did. We look forward to Melissa Tagg's next book in the series and cannot wait to journey back to Maple Valley again. Great job Melissa on a fabulous start to a new series fantastic series.

Find it on Amazon: From the Start

Novella - Three Little Words (By: Melissa Tagg)

Three Little Words
By: Melissa Tagg

If you plan to start the new Walker Family series by Melissa Tagg, you won't want to miss this little novella that gets things going! 

Ava Jane Kingsley (sister to Autumn Kingsley, heroine from Melissa's last series) is at a college class reunion when she runs into her old nemesis, Seth Walker. Ten years ago, the two of them sparred continually through debates in the school newspaper and certainly weren't called friends. But surprisingly, their reunion leads to a connection, built mostly over email as pen pals - she in Minnesota, he in Maple Valley, Iowa. One year and hundreds of emails later, Ava reaches a crossroads in her career and, on a whim, decides to take Seth up on his offer to visit.

But when she arrives, Ava is confronted with unexpected circumstances, unexpected feelings for Seth that go beyond friendship, and a serious girlfriend he plans to marry. As they each seek the Lord's plan for their lives, will they both have the courage to say the three little words that would matter most?

This novella is a fantastic introduction to the Walker Family series - we can't wait to read the stories of the rest of the family!

Find it on Amazon: Three Little Words

To Win Her Favor (By: Tamera Alexander)

To Win Her Favor
By: Tamera Alexander

Check out the newest addition to our Golden List! We could not put this book down and were thrilled to jump back into another historical novel at Belle Meade Plantation.

Storyline

Cullen McGrath, an Irish immigrant, comes to Nashville after losing his wife and daughter to Typhoid. Looking to buy land and start over, he faces severe discrimination against his people in the post-civil war era. Gilbert Linden, who is dying, is very close to losing the farm that has been in his family for generations - land that neighbors the magnificent Belle Meade Plantation. When he and Cullen meet, Gilbert sees a way to avoid losing the land and secure his daughter Maggie's future - if she will agree to marry a man she doesn't know. 

Maggie Linden wants nothing more than to race her thoroughbred horse to make him a champion. But little does she know, Cullen has vowed to stay far away from racing because of his past. When their interests conflict, sparks fly. Will these two be able to make their marriage work and overcome all the obstacles and discrimination against them?

Depth

Author Tamera is nothing short of masterful at revealing the beauty in good people's hearts against a backdrop of darkness. In post civil-war era, racism against former slaves and foreigners was a nasty, festering issue. She doesn't shy away from the harsh reality of racism and discrimination, but rather balances it out by highlighting the goodness in people who saw all as equally God's children. Although there were some incredibly evil acts done during that time, those who sought to love outshone the darkness. Tamera weaves it all together in a deep, insightful glimpse into humanity.

Faith

Gilbert Linden has a rock solid faith that rubs off on Cullen, almost from the moment they meet. Faith is not so much preached in this book as rather shown in God's love through people's actions. As mentioned above, those who want to be a light in the darkness are a striking light against the culture of the day. Faith is lost and found by the characters and really winds up being the final answer to all the conflicts and and obstacles to overcome.

Squeal Factor

Did someone turn up the thermostat? Wowzers! Marriages of convenience usually have the highest potential for squeal factor, since man and wife are free to explore their attraction and chemistry. Cullen and Maggie sizzle as they learn to love one another as God intended, and it does our hearts good to enjoy their witty, tender and electrifying love story. Kudos to Tamera for making the reader feel what the characters feel!

Overall

Not since To Whisper Her Name - the first Belle Meade Plantation novel - has Tamera so thoroughly thrilled our hearts and minds with a story. Our hearts delighted in the relationships crossing racial boundaries, our pulses raced at the romance, our minds were stimulated by the original plot, and these 2 chicks had a couple of very late nights reading! This books deserves a spot on our Golden List and we are thrilled to recommend it to any historical fiction fans.

Find it on Amazon: To Win Her Favor

We were given this book from the publisher in exchange for our honest review.

A Love Like Ours (By: Becky Wade)

A Love Like Ours
By: Becky Wade

A Love Like Ours is the third book in the Porter Family Series and it is exceptional! This story has all of the components needed to make it a favorite read for us; it hands down earns a spot on our Golden List.

Storyline

Jake Porter, the youngest son in the family and former Marine, suffers from outward scars and deeper inward scars from his time in Iraq. Now home and living with PTSD, Jake keeps to himself and his horses, and is destined to live a lonely life. Lyndie James, his childhood best friend who moved away, has now returned to Holley, Texas. Full of sunshine, she is determined, compassionate and fearless. We could not help but love her! Jake and Lyndie are different people as adults but both still feel the bond of friendship they once shared. When she manages to get a job exercising his horses, they wind up spending many days together. However, Jake - aka tall, dark and brooding, according to Lyndie - has 12 foot walls around his heart. She yearns to help tear those down piece by piece, but he is determined to protect Lyndie - even if that means from himself. Will Jake ever be able to open up his heart to her? Becky Wade takes us on a fabulous journey with these two characters. The storyline is pieced together beautifully!

Depth

The author does a great job bringing depth into this story. She powerfully writes about the true pain of living with PTSD that Jake suffers from every day after the haunting memories of war. He will always live with it to an extent, and Becky does not cover that up. Lyndie has her own story, in that her younger sister has cerebral palsy and has been blind since birth. Lyndie, so compassionate and loving towards her sister and others, readily learns to love Jake even with his hardened heart and inward turmoil.

Faith

Jake has fallen away from the Lord and lives with guilt, anger and confusion about the injustices in life. He is ignorant to the fact that what he truly needs for healing is his Savior. Lyndie loves the Lord and it shows in who she is and how she lives. A learning point for her is when she starts falling for Jake...is it her will, or God's? Will she be enough for him? No, Jake needs the Lord and she prays he will be led back to Him! There is much redemption, healing and love in this book and we love that Becky chose to write with a passionate faith woven throughout the story.

Squeal Factor

Jake and Lyndie are childhood friends, but goodness gracious don't think that they stay within the friends boundaries for long! The chemistry between the two of them is so satisfying. It takes awhile to get these two comfortable and admitting attraction, but when they do you will want to melt! We loved their relationship. Not easy or painted perfectly, rather covered in real love and grace. This couple will win you over!

Overall

After reading, this book will stick with you for days. Now that is a clear sign of a great read! Don't miss this fantastic series. Well done Becky Wade on an engaging, romantic, redemptive story that had us enjoying each moment!

Find it on Amazon: A Love Like Ours 


We were given this book from the publisher in exchange for our honest review.