Ever Faithful by Karen Barnett

Can we all first just stop and admire this cover!?  I just love it! Coming June 18th, is Karen Barnett's new novel, Ever Faithful, the third book in the National Parks Series.

Elsie is a worker in Yellowstone National Park where her father is a park ranger.  Elsie enjoys her job in the park, but she also wants to branch out and further her education.  She dreams of a life as a teacher and wants to make a difference in peoples' lives. However, she struggles with a tragedy that that she suffered as a child and can't seem to move on, especially when her cousin shows up to work in the park and dredges up their history.  However, she always finds the beauty in the park and is very grateful for the relationships she shares with her two best friends, Mary and Rose. 

Nate Webber is part of President Roosevelt's CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), giving a hand up to certain men who are given jobs and education in the parks.  Nate is a natural born leader but hasn't received a formal education.  He struggles with certain things regarding learning and he feels ashamed but is looking forward to the new opportunity.  

Teddy Vaughn is a proud park ranger and has his eyes set on Elsie.  It seems to be fate that they are thrown together what with their shared history in Yellowstone.  He feels like he's on top of the world with his position and feels that marrying Elsie is a given.  There's no way she would turn him down, right?

Other things happen in the book and I don't want to give too much away! 
You do not need to read the other two to know what's going on in the third.  They are total stand alone stories but I really enjoyed the other two as well.  

I have said in other blogs that I absolutely love when something in a story is true and makes me look more into what is being discussed.  The CCC was in fact a real program that provided jobs during a the Great Depression.  I had never heard of it before.  Some young men felt that the pay wasn't worth it while others saw it as a great chance to improve their lives and learn. Here's a picture of a group of young men who took part in the program: 

I could easily imagine the characters in the book being in this picture.  If you want to learn more about the CCC click here: CCC Program

I really enjoyed this book! It was one of those great, sweeping stories.  It drew me in right away and I think it is just perfect for your summer reading! Get yours June 18th! Thank you so much to WaterBrook and Ms. Barnett for the great read. 

The Farmer's Bride by Kathleen Fuller

Martha has a problem.  She knows she should be thinking about finding a husband and she's ready for that, but she feels pressured from the young men in her community.  She wants to find her match on her own terms, but things seem to keep getting in her way.  

Seth is also not ready to find a spouse.  He is more interested in his wood carving that he's trying to perfect to maybe go into business.  He is also dealing with some family issues that I won't go into.  I don't want to give too much away.  He's just in a place in his life where he doesn't have time nor or the desire to settle down. 

A new family arrives in town to start an inn.  Loren, Delilah (Loren's mom), Nina (Loren's daughter) and Levi (Loren's son) all live together and start working on the business and building a new life in Birch Creek.  Delilah immediately wants to set up Nina and Levi with possible spouses.  Delilah thinks Nina should start a relationship with Seth and that Martha might be good match for Martha.  But, Martha isn't ready to be attached to Levi and Nina isn't ready to be hooked up with Seth.  So, Martha and Seth hatch a plan.  If they can just put the idea out there that they are interested in each other, even though they aren't, it may just keep everyone off their backs.  What could go wrong?

 So great when you get a book and find out it's part of a series.  Am I right? The Farmer's Bride is the second book after The Teacher's Bride.  Now, you don't have to read the first one, but, personally, I recommend it.  I enjoyed seeing appearances by characters in this book that I knew from the first.  

I enjoyed this book so much.  I loved the story, the dialogue, the characters and the writing style. And look at that gorgeous cover!  Honestly, I think it would be a great movie.  Comes out June 4th. Get your copy then! Thank you so much to the author! 

The Perfect Son by Lauren North

Tess wakes up in a hospital with a stab wound and has no idea how she got there.  She remembers that it happened on her son, Jamie's birthday and now she doesn't know where he is.  Even worse, she remembers that her husband is dead, killed in a tragic plane crash several weeks prior.  

The story takes the reader back to a little more than a month before Jamie's birthday and alternates between that time and the current time in the hospital, leading up to the actual birthday.  

While I thought the premise was good and the way the story was told was original, I was a little let down by the ending. Well, let me re-phrase that.  The whole idea was good and creative but without giving too much away, I think the ending would have packed a little more punch IF the author hadn't portrayed the main character the way she did with such severity. She ended up getting on my nerves a little.

Overall, I think this book will do well.  It was previously released in the U.K. as The Perfect Betrayal. Releases here August 2019. Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for the copy.  No review was required. All opinions are my own.

The Artful Match by Jennifer Delamere

Hello! 
The Artful Match is now out by the very talented Jennifer Delamere.  This is book three in the series, but you can easily read it as it a stand alone.  The series is about three sisters: Rosalyn, Julia and Cara.  One book for one sister.  I haven't read the first one yet, but I thoroughly enjoyed the second one so I was excited to read this one.  

Cara is down on her luck after she leaves her current employment (I won't spill why) and travels to London to stay with her sister.  She is shocked to find that Julia is out of town (again not telling why -haha) and just as she decides to go to Rosalyn, she meets up with Langham.  Langham is an aspiring artist with a very different background than Cara.  Langham learns that Cara's dream is to become and artist and he takes her under his wing.  

Cara is drawn into an artist's world as well as into Langham's along with his brother a very rich earl, Henry and his ward, Amelia.  I don't want to give too much away so let's just say that the story is about Cara making her way in the world with new friends and new opportunities.  There is also a side plot about Cara's family that just adds to this wonderful story. 

I know I am a little late as this story came out last month, but let me tell you I just loved the second one and I loved this one, too.  Miss Delamere writes so well and I always think the characters are brilliantly developed.  When I read, I personally don't like a lot of description because I am imagining the scene in my head anyway.  However, this author gives the perfect amount of description and really transports the reader into the story and the time.  I could go on and on about how much I enjoyed this book.  If you love Christian fiction, get this book.  It's fantastic. 

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House.  No review was required and all opinions were my own.  Thank you to Bethany House for this opportunity! 

Becoming Us by Robin Jones Gunn

Hello all! 

Do you all remember the Christy series from awhile back? I have heard all about the books a lot of times, but  I will admit that I did not read them, but I know how popular they are.  This is the first book in a new series that features Christy all grown up.

Christy has a side appearance because this book is really about Emily and her new found friends Christy, Tess, Sierra, and Jennalyn.  Emily, her husband, Trevor and their daughter Audra have moved from the east coast to sunny California to start a new chapter in their life together. Emily and her small family used to live with Trevor and his family.  Trevor got an opportunity to take over a family member's car dealership and they jumped on the chance to start again and stand on their own. 

It proves to be more difficult that originally thought.  They struggle financially and with other issues.  I won't go into Emily's biggest struggle, but for her it is heartbreaking and hard for her to move on.  

Emily meets Jennalyn and is drawn into a small group of women who meet for some relaxation and good times but also to have some meaningful conversations about their lives and to build their faith in God.  

As the story went on I really started connecting with some of the struggles the women were facing.  Don't we all face something in our lives?  Sometimes,  it seems hard to move on from that dark place.  

Recently, I have found myself in several situations where I feel it's very hard to move on, but also in those times I feel the need to strengthen my faith as well and this is what these women are doing.  They are purposefully making choices to think, speak, feel and DO better all with the help of each other and their faith. 

I recommend this book.  It's a very good read of family, friends, the connection we make with others, struggle, and faith. It is also about the conscious choices we make in how we treat each other. You can make it out of that dark place with the right people and God.  

Book releases late May 2019.  Thank you so much to WaterBrook and Ms. Gunn. 

How Not To Die Alone by Richard Roper

Hello all!
Courtesy of Netgalley, I got to read this book and let me tell you! Well, wait. 

Set in the U.K., Andrew works for a government council that deals with people who pass away that seem to have nobody in their lives.  The council's job is to look around the person's home to see if they can find next of kin or some kind of funds to have a simple burial.  Sounds like a dreary job, but Andrew takes it to the next level. If the deceased seems to have nobody in their life, Andrew takes the time to attend the small church service offered. He feels that it is the least he could do. 

However, in the book, you know something bad has happened to Andrew, but we don't know what it is right away.  Andrew spends his days at work and lonely nights living in a drab apartment.  The only thing that keeps him going is his love for model trains and the online forum where he feels he can talk to his online "friends." Andrew also has a secret.  I am not giving anything away here, it's in the description of the book, but Andrew's loneliness has driven him to create a fake family for the sake of his co-workers.  

He weaves tales of his wife, Diane and two children.  He feels this is going along fine until the boss wants each employee to hold a dinner party at their respective homes. Well, I knew the secret was going to come out but couldn't wait to find out how. 

Also another wrench in the works is new hire at the job, Peggy.  Peggy is married (really she is!) with children and has her own issues.  Both Peggy and Andrew strike up a friendship that proves to be beneficial to both parties. 

I couldn't wait to find out how Andrew's secret was going to come out, how it would affect his very rigid constructed life and also how it would affect his real friendship with Peggy. The author did a phenomenal job with the development of these characters, from Andrew to Peggy to their horrible co-workers (ha!), they all seemed real to me.  

i found  this book very touching and it made me smile and even laugh in some parts. In all honesty, the way Andrew's friends rally around him in the hour of his need had me teary eyed. What a well rounded, thoughtful, engrossing story.  I think a lot of people will enjoy it. Thank you so much to Netgalley and to the publisher!

 Coming May 28, 2019!  

We Hope for Better Things by Erin Bartels

Detroit, Michigan.  Elizabeth Balsam is a reporter aiming for her big scoop.  However, life has other plans.  A man who has pictures from the historic Detroit riots approaches Elizabeth saying he wants to get them back to the original owner, Nora.  Nora is actually Elizabeth's great aunt that she doesn't know. After Elizabeth's big story falls apart, she ventures out to the countryside to Nora's home and begins to learn about the past as well as her own history. But, in addition to THAT, the story goes back even further to Nora's ancestor, Mary Balsam who is struggling keeping her homestead going while her husband off fighting a war that eventually frees the slaves. So, really this is kind of three stories in one: Elizabeth's, Nora and William's and Mary and Nathaniel's. 

I can honestly say I was riveted by all three of these women's stories and thought the author really did an excellent job of tying them all together. Some of the descriptions of the riots and the times about the slavery were disturbing and some of the struggles with Mary and Nora were heartbreaking,  but in a way that made me think. 

This was a very different type of story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I am looking forward to the author's next book.