A Cowboy for Keeps (By: Jody Hedlund)

A Cowboy for Keeps
By: Jody Hedlund

Series: Colorado Cowboys (Book #1)

Story Line: 4 Stars
Depth: 4 Stars
Faith: 3 Stars
Love Story: 3 Stars
Overall: 3.5 Stars

These two chicks on lit were very excited when we came across A Cowboy for Keeps. Jody Hedlund is one of our favorite authors, we love mail order bride stories, and we were eager to see her write a western! While we found a lot we liked, we found this story lacking compared to many of her other books. 

Greta and her younger sister, Astrid, are heading to Colorado in hopes that the mountain air will help heal Astrid's consumption. Greta will do anything to help her sister, including marrying a man she has never met. Surprisingly after arriving, she learns her intended has died and she is penniless and out of options. 

Wyatt is having a rough go getting his cattle ranch up and going. He's going to prove to himself and his family back east that he won't fail. When the Mayor strikes a deal to invest in cattle if Wyatt will agree to marry Greta, he reluctantly agrees. Little does he know that he might be getting more than he bargained for - will he lose his heart in the process? 

One of the most refreshing parts of this read was Jody didn't hold back in writing of the harsh realities new settlers faced as they moved out west. In order to survive, they were better off sticking together. The love story is sweet and progressed slowly. However, the characters seemed to go around in circles with their emotions and it started to drag towards the end. All that to say, we are eager to see how the rest of the series plays out.


Note:  We were given this book in exchange for our honest review.  

Runaway Bride (By: Jody Hedlund)

Runaway Bride
By: Jody Hedlund

Story Line: 4 Stars
Depth: 4 Stars
Faith: 4 Stars
Love Story: 5 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

We were highly anticipating this second book in the Bride Ships series and Jody Hedlund did not disappoint! 

Arabella Lawrence comes from a wealthy family, but must flee her home after facing some painful circumstances - most easily done by joining other women on a bride ship bound for a far away land. Once they reach British Columbia she is terrified to be on her own, but even more afraid of being sought by the wrong suitor. Two men, who could not be more different from each other, quickly notice her and try their best to win her favor - and this new competition to win her hand will only complicate matters. 

Peter Kelly, the local baker, has worked hard to overcome his past mistakes. He longs to make his father proud, and one day he would love to settle down with a family of his own. The moment he meets Arabella he longs to win her heart. But Peter questions if he is enough, especially since she is used to wealth and comfort, and Navy Lieutenant Richard Drummond has also set his sights upon her. 

Arabella befriends a young Indian girl who has been left behind to fend for herself since her village was burned down after a smallpox outbreak. Due to many differing opinions on how the Indians should be dealt with, secrecy and caution are imperative. Can Arabella break free from the expectations society has placed on her? Can she trust God to care for and lead her to make the best decisions for her present and future? Jody weaves this story together beautifully. We highly recommend it and again anticipate the next book in the series!

Note: We were given this book in exchange for our honest review.  

A Reluctant Bride (By: Jody Hedlund)

A Reluctant Bride
By: Jody Hedlund

Story Line: 5 Stars
Depth: 5 Stars
Faith: 5 Stars
Love Story: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars

Author Jody Hedlund is one of our favorite authors for this main reason: she expertly weaves together realistic, intriguing storylines with a God who is intimately involved with his people. Throw in some romance and tender friendships, and we have yet another book to add to our golden list! A Reluctant Bride is the first book in Jody's new Bride Ships series, and this one kept us up late at night reading until every last page was turned. 

The story revolves around Mercy Wilkins, a young lady from the poorest of the poor slums in 19th century London. When she receives an opportunity to sail to British Columbia, she is eager to begin a new life for herself, not realizing her passage is aboard a Bride Ship - a vessel full of young women destined to marry men in the new world. Mercy is appalled at the thought of marriage, so instead focuses her efforts on assisting the ship's surgeon, Joseph. As they work together and get to know each other, both try to ignore the deep connection between them, but cannot deny the way God is moving them in their lives. 

Jody hits a homerun in just about every way in this book. The storyline is igniting and flows smoothly at an excellent pace, deep issues are explored and dealt with, God is a main character with the way He leads and loves His people, and the love story is touching and swoon-worthy. We cannot wait for the rest of this series!

Note: We were given this book in exchange for our honest review.  

Never Forget (By: Jody Hedlund)

Never Forget

By: Jody Hedlund

These 2 Chicks are thrilled to be putting the first book of the year on the Golden List! One of our favorite authors, Jody Hedlund, whisks us away to 19th century Rhode Island for an exciting and heartfelt read.

Storyline

Abbie Watson is contented to spend her days on Rose Island tending the lighthouse and caring for her aging grandfather in his growing senility. But in 1880, women were not allowed to keep lighthouses by themselves and with Gramps' declining health, it looks as though their tenure as lightkeepers won't last much longer. But when a stranger washes up on shore and mistakenly believes himself to be Abbie's husband, she suddenly has a promising reason to be allowed to stay - as long as she can keep the charade going.

Nathaniel Winthrop III has no memory of his former life, or how he ended up on Rose Island. He doesn't remember he was once engaged to Victoria Cole (in book 4 of the Beacons of Hope series), or that he was actually known as the Bad Boy of Newport. All he knows is that he is fast beginning to love Gramps and the woman he believes to be his wife. Although he doesn't know exactly what was in his past, he senses he needs to turn over a new leaf and be a man of integrity.

Author Jody masterfully crafts this plot and weaves together intricate details and storylines to make every page interesting! We were swept into this story right from the first chapter. Her writing abilities continually amaze us and this book was the best we have read by her.

Depth

Everyone in Abbie's life has left her, some intentionally and some accidentally. So, without feeling sorry for herself, Abbie has learned to be strong, figuring she is just better off alone. But as she and Nathaniel fall in love, she catches a glimpse of what life could be like in a healthy marriage. Even when the charade comes crashing down around her, Abbie is still determined to always do the right thing - even if it means giving up what she most desperately wants. Issues of abandonment, depression, deception, the reality of Dementia and integrity are dealt with. 

Faith

Even in Gramps' old age, he wants to read the Bible every night, specifically his favorite passage out of Corinthians. As Nathaniel reads this to him, he becomes interested in more of the Scriptures. Although Nathaniel isn't certain what his past holds, he is drawn to the Lord and to living an upright life. He is determined to be a man of integrity and makes some hard choices to do so. Both Nathaniel and Abbie sacrifice their own happiness at different points to be honorable. 

Love Story

The romance between Abbie and Nathaniel is beautiful right from the start. As they live together, he believing they are married and she pretending to be married, they are an inspiring picture of hard work and serving one another together. Abbie sees what a healthy, happy marriage could look like when its done the way God designed. And these two generate some serious chemistry and sparks together! And as we say in many of our reviews, we ALWAYS appreciate authors who put such a priority on purity and remaining faithful in marriage!

Overall

Never Forget is the fifth book in the Beacons of Hope series and it was our favorite! All of these books have been a joy to read, and this final book finishes it off with a bang. Exciting scenes, tender romance, everyday faith and complex characters give this book everything a good story needs. Well done Jody Hedlund!!

Love Unexpected (By Jody Hedlund)

Love Unexpected
By: Jody Hedlund

*Note: This is book one of Beacons of Hope Series

Storyline

This book offers a plot that's been visited before, but nonetheless kept us turning the pages right from the start! Widowed father Patrick is a light-keeper by night and a fisherman by day in 1800's Michigan. When Emma Chambers arrives in town, a traveling preacher suggests she and Patrick could be the answer to each other's desperate situations by getting married. Knowing it could solve several problems at once, the relative strangers agree and quickly say their vows. Lurking on the edges of wedded bliss, however, are dangers from the past that threaten all the new couple is working so hard for. Delightfully, Jody Hedlund adds some mystery to the story and keeps us guessing until the very end about some of the plot twists!

Depth

The issues in this book are no walk through the park. Near death experiences, parenting a difficult toddler, and reconciling with past mistakes are just a few components that gave this story flavor- and our main characters' deepest heart longings will reach out to the reader.

Faith

Faith is a central factor to the story, and key to the character development. Patrick and Emma both have pasts - his is sordid, hers is sad. He has trouble understanding how God has forgiven him, and she wonders where God has been through all of her loss. Both have a journey of faith to walk to reconcile these things, but God is an ever present help in their time of need throughout the book.

Squeal Factor

Sometimes the best squeal factor comes from the stories of "convenience marriages" and this is no exception! Living in close quarters, being a family and spending so much time together sets up this book well for tender moments between our two main characters. And the vivid setting for these moments - a lighthouse, stormy nights, and warm summer evenings - bring it to life all the more!

Overall

Not since the book The Doctor's Lady have we enjoyed one of Jody Hedlund's so much! Love Unexpected has all the right ingredients to ensure an entertaining read. It has enough real life to chew on, enough faith to give us hope and enough mystery and squeal factor to keep us turning the pages late into the night.

Find it on Amazon: Love Unexpected