Finally A Bride - Vickie McDonough

Summary of the book:
Jacqueline 'Jack' Davis is a reporter for the Lookout Ledger bent on discovering the truth and nabbing her story at any cost. When Noah Jeffers comes to Lookout as a temporary pastor, Jack suspects there may be something hidden beneath his shepherding ways. Soon, though, Jack begins to be attracted to the new pastor despite her initial hesitation. But as she uncovers the truth, will this story cost her too much? Will she reveal what she's uncovered or keep it hidden to protect newfound love? Carly Payton returns to Lookout after years in prison, hoping to rebuild her life there. But she soon discovers that new beginnings and second chances are not always easy to find. Garret Corbett is determined to marry--but not to a jailbird like Carly. When Carly is equally repelled by Garret's prank-playing ways, will the two see past their dislike and give each other--and love--a second look?

Again I LOVED the other two books in this series and the last one :( did not disappoint.
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." - Ephesians 1:7
With this book this verse stuck out. Carly Payton is out of jail for what she did while she was stuck in her outlaw brother's gang. She could not find a way out of his gang so she was forced to stay in. She spent six years in jail for what she did, and was made new in Jesus Christ. She hopes to be accepted by the town of Lookout, but sadly only a few people accept her. When she gets back to Lookout, people still see her as the outlaw she was when she first came to the town impersonating one of the brides the Corbett brothers had ordered for Luke Davis, their cousin. At first Garrett snubs her, thinking she's not changed. Until he gets to know her more and starts falling for her. Carly is attracted to Garrett as soon as she first laid eyes on him after ten years. They soon fall in love once Garrett see the diamond under Carly's rough exterior.
I loved reading about how Jacqueline, 'Jack' has grown up. She's now a reporter for her town's newspaper. She always figured she would never marry. She never really trusted guys, because of what her first father did to her and her mom Rachel. It's taken ten years for Jack to really warm up to Luke, and accept him as a good guy that won't hurt her or her mom.
Enter Noah Jeffers the town's new pastor. The verse above fits for Noah's story too. As a kid he did a lot of bad things. Until he accepted Jesus Christ as his savoir then he was made new. He lived in Lookout as a kid and now is back. When he's back he tries to reconcile for what he did as a kid. Jack instantly is attracted to him though she won't admit it. Noah secretly liked Jack when he was just a kid, and when he sees her again he falls head over heels in love with her, pretty quickly. They both slowly come to grips about the feelings they have for each other. Noah makes it pretty clear he likes Jack, but she's weary of him, at first. Jack slowly starts to open up to Noah. Until he tells her who he really is!
All in all I love this series and I was sad to see it end. Vickie McDonough know how to write western romances!

Emily's Rating Of This Book:


My next book will be the newest book in the Lonestar series by Colleen Coble, Lonestar Angel.



God Bless!

Second Chance Brides - Vickie McDonough

Summary of the book:
After a mail-order bride debacle, both Shannon O'Neil and Leah Bennett find themselves stranded in Texas. There are only two options available to them: get a job or find another man to marry. The Corbett brothers, Garrett and Mark, try to atone for the mess they created when they ordered their cousin three mail-order brides by hosting Saturday socials for the town's eligible singles. Will Shannon, the Irish immigrant, be wooed out of her timidity by the gallant rancher Rand Kesler? Or will Mark Corbett recognize something special in her green eyes? When the livery owner comes to Leah's rescue, will she find a diamond in the rough? Or snub him and seek out a more well-to-do man? The Lookout citizens are in for a wild ride before wedding bells toll again in town.


Sorry it so long to upload this review. Since school has started I have less time to blog. Also I started a job babysitting a little girl I even less time.

I read The Anonymous Bride months ago and could not wait to read the second book in the series. I loved The Anonymous Bride and fell in love with the characters. I could not help but feel sorry for Shannon and Leah as their stranded in a strange town and alone. Their only option is to either find a job or marry.

I loved both Shannon and Leah's characters. Shannon with her quiet personality, but don't get her mad or you'll see her Irish temper come out full swing! And Leah, with her strong-willed take charge personality.
Along with the Corbett brothers. Mark with his silent, mature personality until it comes to his brother pulling pranks on him then his temper comes out as well. I like Mark because he's compassionate, and gentle. And Garrett, who never quite grew up, and is a little boy in a grown mans body. I like Garrett because he likes to enjoy life and never take some things to seriously, he likes to live in the moment.

I loved that Vickie continued the story with Rachel and Luke as well. I loved reading about their story and I like that I can continue reading about their story with the second book. But I liked that she kept the focus on Leah and Shannon's love stories.
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." - Isaiah 1:18
That verse kinda stuck out to me when I was reading this book. Mark felt he was a bad person for something he did in the past. Clearly our sins are made as white as snow because of the grace of God. Mark struggles to remember that he is made new in Jesus Christ. He almost loses Shannon because of his struggle.

Emily's Rating For This Book:


My next book is the last book in the Texas Boardinghouse Brides series Finally A Bride.




God Bless!

Dining With Joy - Rachel Hauck

Summary Of This Book:
Joy Ballard has a secret:
she's a cooking show host who can't really cook.

When her South Carolina-based cooking show, Dining With Joy,
is picked up by a major network,
Joy Ballard's world heats up like a lowcountry boil.

Joy needs help. Then she meets chef Luke Davis
who moved to Beaufort after losing his Manhattan restaurant.
A cook at the Frogmore Cafe,
he's paying debts and longing to regain his
reputation in the elite foodie world.

Luke and Joy mix like oil and water…until
Joy is exposed on national television.
With her career and his reputation both under fire,
they'll have to work together to fix the mess.
Is it possible that they can learn to
feast on God's love and dine with joy?

This book caught my eye while I was browsing through my local library. I've never heard of Rachel Hauck before, so she's a new author. I was just blankly looking at ALL the books on the shelf, let me tell you, my paradise is just walking through a library! :D But I was walking around just browsing and found this book, read the description of the book, and thought it sounded interesting.
Let me tell you, the description did not disappoint. I was hooked by the first chapter, and never got unhooked! I loved reading about the back and forth between Joy and Luke. It was comical and sweet at the same time, if that makes sense. Joy brought out the funny, class-clown in Luke, and Luke brought out the inner cook in Joy. He helped her see that her dad, did care about her, did things just for her. Helped her get over the bitterness she held toward her dad.
I think my favorite part of the book was when Joy was unsuspectingly put into a Cook-Off with her nemesis Wenda Divine. Luke steps in to help her and out of the gratefulness she felt toward him came out in a passionate kiss in the middle of the Cook-Off!
If this book is any indication of Rachel Hauck's other books, then I'll be definitely reading other books by her!

Emily's Rating Of This Book:


My next book will be Second Chance Brides by Vickie McDonough.


God Bless!

A Cowboy's Touch - Denise Hunter

Summary of this book:
Four years ago, rodeo celebrity Wade Ryan gave up his
identity to protect his daughter. Now, settled on a
ranch in Big Sky Country, he lives in obscurity,
his heart guarded by a high, thick fence.

Abigail Jones isn't sure how she went from big-city
columnist to small-town nanny, but her new charge is
growing on her, to say nothing of her ruggedly
handsome boss. Love blossoms between
Abigail and Wade--despite her better judgment.
Will the secrets she brought with her to Moose Creek,
Montana separate her from the cowboy who finally
captured her heart?

Denise Hunter was recommended by another author I read Colleen Coble. So I gave her books a try. I have loved every book I have read by her.
This is the first book in the Big Sky Country series. She already has the second book out and I can't wait to read that one too!

I loved reading about Abigail and Wade's love story. It was not like the typical love stories I've read in the past. Of course with love stories the ending is pretty predictable, and you know at the end their going to get together. I know that going into every romance novel I read. But I can't help it, I love reading about happily-ever-afters. I like to read about people finding the ONE God has chosen for them. With this book Wade thinks all girls are the same. Because of his first marriage, he has sworn off women. Obviously, his first wife was not the one for him, so you wait for the one God has chosen. Doesn't mean you swear off women, you wait and when it's time God will bring her into your life. That happened to Wade, for five years he did not even look at a woman. Until Abigail came into his life then he couldn't stop thinking about her. He was instantly attracted to Abigail.
Abigail went into the nanny job, doing it to have something to do, while visiting her Great-Aunt Lucy, in Montana. But as the time flies, Maddy grows on Abigail, and so does Maddy's dad Wade. Abigail is right off attracted to Wade, and doesn't know why. He scowls all the time and is VERY distant. He keeps everyone at arms length. But she was still intrigued by him.
I did like the book, but I didn't like that Abigail kept her job, a reporter, a secret from Wade. When she found out he was J.W Ryan, instead of wanting to write an article about him she should have confronted him and told him then. And Wade should have told Abigail who he was when he started having feelings for her. But he didn't. I got annoyed with both of them, because of it.

Emily's Rating Of This Book:



My next book will be Dining With Joy by Rachel Hauck.



God Bless!

Hometown Sweetheart - Lenora Worth

Summary of the Book:
Seven unruly kids have moved next door to
Simon Adams's mountain cabin. On a church retreat,
these rambunctious rascals and their perky teacher,
Shanna White, prove to be too much for one reclusive
craftsman to handle. Plus, they're a big reminder of
everything Simon lost, especially his chance for
marriage and family. All he wants is to be left alone,
but soon he's drawn in by the kids' shenanigans—and by
Shanna herself. Can a brooding mountain man and a
sweet lady live happily ever after?

This is a take on the classic fairy-tale Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs. My sister read this before me and she LOVED it so I decided to read it as well. As I read it I noticed certain things that were similar to Snow White's story. Like the seven kids Shanna has in her care. Her name, Shanna White. She had a evil stepparent. So I enjoyed reading it and finding the similarities between the two stories.
I also enjoyed reading about Simon's change of heart. It was refreshing to see. He was SO reclusive, did not want to associate with anybody! Until Shanna and the seven kids moved next door for a week. He was instantly attracted to Shanna which scared him. He has never been attracted to any woman other than his late wife. He liked Shanna's personality, she was funny, and perky, and so full of life. She always found something to smile about. Which is kinda like me, I always think there is reason to smile. Even when your world is crumbling, there is ALWAYS something to smile about. It's better to smile your way through life than hide away and frown.
Shanna saw in Simon's eyes something deep inside him that was hurting and she longed to erase that sadness in his eyes. When she found out what happened to him, she promised herself she would find some way to heal the grief inside Simon. She slowly inched herself into his life and gradually thawed his heart. As she thawed his heart she also inched herself right into her heart. He fell for her hook, line and sinker. In return Shanna fell for him fast. In a week's time Shanna and Simon fell in love with each other. Their love story was so sweet to read.

Emily's Rating of This Book:



The next book I'll be doing is A Cowboy's Touch by Denise Hunter.


God bless!

Longing - Karen Kingsbury

Summary of this book:
Longing, book three in the Bailey Flanigan Series, picks up where Learning ended. After a long and lonely silence from Cody Coleman, Bailey Flanigan becomes closer to her one-time Hollywood co-star, Brandon Paul. Nights on the town in New York City and long talks on the balcony of Brandon's Malibu Beach home make Bailey dizzy with new feelings and cause her to wonder if her days with Cody are over forever.
Meanwhile, Cody's work coaching a small-town football team has brought him and his players national attention. In the midst of the celebration and success, Cody finds himself much closer to a woman who seems to better understand him and his new life. Even so, never does much time go by without Bailey and Cody experiencing deep feelings of longing for each other, longing both for the past and for answers before they can move forward.Will an unexpected loss be the turning point for Cody? Will Cody and Bailey find a way back together again for the first time in more than a year? And if they do, will their brief time together be enough to help them remember all they've been longing for?

I have been waiting to read in book for a LONG time!! I first read about Bailey Flanigan in Karen Kingsburys series Above The Line. I loved the character of Bailey, she was so down-to-earth, and kind and dedicated to her faith. I was over the moon thrilled she decided to make a series based on Bailey! Bailey was my favorite character in the series, even though she wasn't the main person! :D
I have read all the books in the Bailey Flanigan series now!! But this is the first I have reviewed.
In the first book I was totally on Team Cody and thought Brandon should take a hike! :P I loved Cody, but the more I read the more I saw Cody was not right for Bailey cause every time something happened Cody would run. Brandon on the other hand he did everything he could think of to prove his love for Bailey.
So as the series went on I transferred to Team Brandon! As I saw more of Brandons personality I saw he was right for Bailey. He's funny, sweet, kind, spontaneous (if you read this book you'll see that), and thoughtful. He brings out the best in Bailey and she brings out the best in Brandon. It's a match made in Heaven!
With Cody when he ran, he found someone else too. But unfortunately she was not the ONE for him. But he finally got closure with Bailey. They both realized that they weren't in love with each other but in love with the idea of the other. Cody saw Bailey as the perfect, innocent girl and thought he was in love with her. Bailey had a crush on him since she was a freshman in high school, and thought it turned to love. She saw Cody was a hero, and looked up to him. But in the end of this book they found closure, and agreed to slowly go back to friends. The motto of the series is “When a boy pursues you, he better do it like a dying man looking for water in a desert. When it's the right guy, you'll know, because he'll cherish you.” and I think it shows in this book who is the right guy for Bailey.
I LOVE Karen Kingsbury books and this book was no exception. Y'all should definitely read the Above The Line series and the Bailey Flanigan series they WILL change your lives!

Emily's Rating Of This Book: A DEFINITE five stars!!


The next book I'll be doing is Hometown Sweetheart by Lenora Worth.



God bless!

Two From Galilee - Majorie Holmes/The Cowboy's Homecoming - Brenda Minton

Sorry it took me awhile to post the review I was spending this week with my family.


Summary of the book:
This is the story of two real people whose lives were
touched by God: two people chosen by God to provide
an earthly home for His Son. Here are Mary and
Joseph-a teenage girl and a young carpenter-alone,
frightened, in love, faced with family conflict, a
hostile world and an awesome responsibility. It is a
story for young and old alike; for everyone who finds
the Christmas tale a source of timeless beauty and
wonder, a compassionate, emotional novel of divine
love.

I heard about this book two years ago but never had the chance to read it till this year. I LOVED it. With this book you get to read a different perspective of the Christmas story. You read Marys, Josephs, and her parents' side of the story. Which is interesting cause I've only read the version in the Bible. I read it every year on Christmas, and this year I read it along with this version. You get to read the feelings and reactions from Mary and Joseph. This book takes you back to that part of history and shows you how it was and the thoughts of the main people in the AMAZING story of Jesus' birth. I'd recommend this book to any who would LOVE to read a different angle to the Christmas story.

Emily's Rating For This Book:




The Cowboy's Homecoming

Summary of this book:
Former bad boy turned cowboy Jeremy Hightree is
back in town. And he wants to bulldoze an old
broken-down church. Problem is, his old love
Beth Bradshaw won't let him. She's got strong memories
of that church—and of him—and won't let him destroy it.
Then a storm sweeps through town,
and Back Street Church is the perfect shelter for
townspeople who've lost their homes.
As Jeremy and Beth work together to rebuild their
community, he realizes that God has led him back home
for a reason. And that this cowboy's homecoming just
might become permanent….

I saw this book and thought sure. It looked interesting. I was mistaken. It was not what I thought it would be. I found myself trying to force myself to finish the book. It was boring and predictable. Not much I can say about it. The only thing I liked about it was it took place in my state Oklahoma. I can vouch for the fact that the author knew her Oklahoma weather and knew it can change in an instant. It can be sunny one minute and in the next a storm and tornado is on its way. Which is what happens in the book.

Emily's Rating For This Book:


My next book is one I've been LONGING to read for a LONG time! Longing by Karen Kingsbury!!!