Review: Dreaming on Daises

Dreaming on Daisies by Miralee Ferrell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


When her father's debts, brought on by heavy drinking, threaten Leah Carlson's family ranch, she fights to save it. When handsome banker Steven Harding must decline her loan request, he determines to do what he can to help. Just as he arrives to serve as a much-needed ranch hand, Leah's family secrets—and the pain of her past—come to a head. They could destroy everything she's fought for. And they could keep her from ever opening her heart again.

This is western historical romance that offers hope and healing to the deepest wounds in a woman's past.

--My review. Leah is a very strong young woman. So when she is denied at the bank for help with the ranch, what is she going to do? Lots of secrets out at her house too. And you have Steven now living out there. Lots of characters all culminating in this one, lots of stuff brewing!

Between Leah and Steven and then Leah's father and his drinking habits. Also, all the secrets with the ranch, and Leah's brother coming back bring all the secrets to light! I didn't know what to believe! Still my favorite is Mrs Cooper!!! I can't get enough of her.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.



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Review: Messy Beautiful Love

Messy Beautiful Love: Hope and Redemption for Real-Life Marriages by Darlene Schacht

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


"Messy Beautiful Love" delivers an incredible testimony of grace that offers hope for today's marriages and a spark for rekindling love.

Love gets messy.

Financial problems, sickness, aging parents, a chronically unhappy spouse . . . trials will inevitably come that threaten your marriage. No matter how long you've been married or how strong your relationship is, sooner or later you are going to have a mess to clean up.

"Messy Beautiful Love" is about cleaning up messes God's way, exchanging your ideas for His, and being prepared for both the best and the worst that marriage has to offer.

When you surrender your relationship to God, then and only then will you experience the blessing of marriage as He intended. This is the blessing of obedience. "Messy Beautiful Love" is an invitation to that obedience. The cynical world says marriages don't last, but God knows better. Tune out the world and tune in to Him. When you do that, a beautiful marriage is not only possible, it's inevitable.

-- My review. If you have NEVER ever heard Darlene's story you MUST. Not because you need to be nosy. Because it is amazing what God can do, if you let him work. Darlene is one of the neatest ladies I know. This book is SUCH a blessing! This is going to be a book club in November on Women Living Well (www.womenlivingwell.org) and I encourage you to get your copy and join in! I know I am.. I have already read the book, but I know I can go over it and over it.

I could tell you what she says in here, but there would never be enough time in the day. I cried, I laughed, I couldn't get enough. At times I had to put it down, get on my knees and say thank you God for sending me this book, or confess something that I knew God was sending me this book to convict me of something at that moment.

Yes, please do read it. Join in the book club. Give copies! Read it over and over! Be blessed!

I received a copy in exchange for my honest opinion!




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Review: Ashenden

Ashenden: A Novel by Elizabeth Wilhide

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


When brother and sister Charlie and Ros discover that they have inherited Ashenden, the beautiful eighteenth-century English country house steeped in their family history, they face an important decision: Do they try to keep it or do they sell it?

In a beguiling narrative spanning two and a half centuries, we meet those who have built the house, lived in it, loved it, and those who would subvert it to their own ends. The walls of Ashenden echo with the lives of the architect who directs the building of the house in 1775, the wealthy Henderson family in their heyday, the maid who is tempted to solve her problems by stealing a trinket, the Jazz Age speculator who hosts a fabulous treasure hunt, the prisoners held there during World War II, and the young couple who lovingly restore it in the 1950s.

With upstairs and downstairs storylines intertwining to form a rich tapestry, Ashenden is an evocative portrait of a house that is a character as compelling as the people who inhabit it.

--My review. Well this one took me awhile. But it picked up about halfway through and then as time went on, I was amazed at how much the house actually brought to the table! Maybe in the style of the ever popular Downton Abbey, or Upstairs, Downstairs... I really like some of the people!

This book really was a lot of fun, the different people. I really adored the cover as well. It was very deep at times and the different situations. Not a book that was lighthearted. And the story wrapped back up with the brother and sister! Bravo!

I received a copy of this book from the first reads program in exchange for my honest opinion.



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Review: Somewhere Safe wtih Somebody Good

Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good by Jan Karon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


After five hectic years of retirement from Lord’s Chapel, Father Tim Kavanagh returns with his wife, Cynthia, from a so-called pleasure trip to the land of his Irish ancestors.
While glad to be at home in Mitford, something is definitely missing: a pulpit. But when he’s offered one, he decides he doesn’t want it. Maybe he’s lost his passion.
His adopted son, Dooley, wrestles with his own passion—for the beautiful and gifted Lace Turner, and his vision to become a successful country vet. Dooley’s brother, Sammy, still enraged by his mother’s abandonment, destroys one of Father Tim’s prized possessions. And Hope Murphy, owner of Happy Endings bookstore, struggles with the potential loss of her unborn child and her hard-won business.
All this as Wanda’s Feel Good Café opens, a romance catches fire through an Internet word game, their former mayor hatches a reelection campaign to throw the bums out, and the weekly Muse poses a probing inquiry: Does Mitford still take care of its own?
Millions of fans will applaud the chance to spend time, once more, in the often comic and utterly human presence of Jan Karon’s characters. Indeed, they have never been more sympathetic, bighearted, and engaging.

My review -- Well the gang is back! I love Mitford. I felt a big sigh when I got this book. I love how big it is and I sank my teeth in right away! I couldn't wait to find out what Dooley, Father Tim, Cynthia and all my favorite people were up to.

Father Tim gets asked if he wants to come back to the church and help out. There is a mysterious limo driving around Mitford. What do they want? Dooley's brother is acting up, big time. Lots going on, lots of new people, almost need a character map sometimes!

I think being gone so long from Mitford, it took awhile to get back into the swing of things, but after awhile it felt natural. I did really miss it.

Any big fan like myself will enjoy this book of course! It is like coming home after being gone so long! Lots of surprises and fun.

I received this book from the first reads program, in exchange for my honest opinion!



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Review: A Light in the Wilderness

A Light in the Wilderness by Jane Kirkpatrick

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Letitia holds nothing more dear than the papers that prove she is no longer a slave. They may not cause white folks to treat her like a human being, but at least they show she is free. She trusts in those words she cannot read–as she is beginning to trust in Davey Carson, an Irish immigrant cattleman who wants her to come west with him.
Nancy Hawkins is loathe to leave her settled life for the treacherous journey by wagon train, but she is so deeply in love with her husband that she knows she will follow him anywhere–even when the trek exacts a terrible cost.
Betsy is a Kalapuya Indian, the last remnant of a once proud tribe in the Willamette Valley in Oregon territory. She spends her time trying to impart the wisdom and ways of her people to her grandson. But she will soon have another person to care for.
As season turns to season, suspicion turns to friendship, and fear turns to courage, three spirited women will discover what it means to be truly free in a land that makes promises it cannot fulfill.

Based on a true story.

My review. I couldn't get enough of this story. And based on a true story? Heck yes! I loved Letitia's heart. I love how Jane molded all three women together. This is WHY I read. How can you not love a story, and also learning? Gasp! Sigh... ahhh simply amazing.. To think that people, PEOPLE were treated this way? Why? How could we treat other humans this way and think it was ok? I don't know. When the papers were missing my heart plummeted -- there were so many favorite parts in this book, when Davey proposed -- you just MUST read this book.. I have to say it is right up there with The Daughter's Walk..

Here is a video of this book, I hope you can take the time to watch!

http://youtu.be/8Ixka881BNY

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.



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Review: Four Friends

Four Friends by Robyn Carr

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Gerri can't decide what's more devastating: learning her rock-solid marriage has big cracks, or the anger she feels as she tries to repair the damage. Always the anchor for friends and her three angst-ridden teenagers, it's time to look carefully at herself. The journey for Gerri and her family is more than revealing—it's transforming.

Andy doesn't have a great track record with men, and she's come to believe that for her a lasting love is out of reach. When she finds herself attracted to her down-to-earth, ordinary contractor—a man without any of the qualities that usually appeal to her—she questions everything she thought she wanted in life.

Sonja's lifelong pursuit of balance is shattered when her husband declares he's through with her New Age nonsense and walks out. There's no herbal tonic or cleansing ritual that can restore her serenity—or her sanity.

Miraculously, it's BJ, the reserved newcomer to Mill Valley, who steps into their circle and changes everything. The woman with dark secrets opens up to her neighbors, and together they get each other back on track, stronger as individuals and unfaltering as friends.

--My review. Each woman sure did bring something to the table. I really liked Gerri, she seemed like she had it all together. But when she learns devastating news about her marriage, her perfect world will come crashing down. Or will it?

Andy I think was my favorite! I love her love story and she really just I don't know, really saw beauty in something that everyone didn't. I tend to be like that, so maybe that is why I thought she was my favorite!

Sonja drove me crazy!! The new age stuff and her trying to control everything, would drive anyone over the brink! No wonder her husband walked out.

BJ, the dark secrets and everything. I really loved her story and I loved the whole ending! I know you will love this book, well because who doesn't love anything by Robyn Carr??

Enjoy, and I know you will find your favorite character too. One you identify with most!



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