Review of "A Home for My Heart"

Rating: 4 Stars

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Review: Anne Mateer tugs on heartstrings in "A Home for My Heart," a gentle love story. The characters and setting combine to create a tender plot. Although it is slow in places, there is enough conflict to keep attention and interest.  Not only is Sadie nursing a breaking heart and settling into a new job, but the futures of the Raystown Home and its children are at stake.  It was nearly impossible not to be moved by the plight of the orphans and think about real-life orphans of the past and the present. Sadie's love and care for her charges adds sentiment and reflects genuine emotion, which makes her a realistic character. I related to the doubts and challenges that plagued Sadie as the new Raystown matron.  At some point, we all search for our unique path in life, the home for our heart. Mateer shows that our right path may not always be the one we dream of for ourselves and it may be more rocky than smooth.

Mateer has a talent for writing love stories that don't focus solely on romance, and "A Home for My Heart" is an excellent example. Sadie's passion for orphaned children takes precedence over romantic love. The relationship between Sadie and her beau, Blaine, is already established at the beginning of the novel. Their love is put to the test when their plans diverge. Although the relationship between Sadie and Blaine suffers a rift that lasts throughout the plot, it allows their love to grow in a manner that is more emotional and less physical.  Because the story is told from Sadie's perspective only, it is hard to be certain of Blaine's emotions, but his actions demonstrate his love in ways that more physical scenes cannot.  I appreciate that Mateer chooses to build a deeper love between her characters and focus on many types of love, not just that of a romantic nature.

"A Home for My Heart" is not overly exciting or eventful, but its focus on everyday issues and challenges make it more realistic.  I have enjoyed Anne Mateer's other novels more, but this is a touching story that evokes emotion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Summary from Bethany House: A sweet story of hope and love set against the poignant backdrop of a 1910 orphanage.

Sadie Sillsby works as the assistant to the matron at the Raystown Home for Orphan and Friendless Children, pouring all her energy into caring for the boys and girls who live there and dreaming of the day she'll marry her beau, Blaine, and have children of her own. But when the matron surprises everyone by announcing her own engagement, Sadie is suddenly next in line for the esteemed job of running the orphanage.

There's one glitch. The matron cannot be married. She must focus her attention on the financial, legal, and logistical matters of the Home. Sadie's heart is torn. Should she give up her plans for a life with Blaine in order to continue serving these children who have no one else? Does she, a young woman who was once an orphan herself, have what it takes to succeed in such a challenging career? And when the future of the Home begins to look bleak, can Sadie turn things around before the place is forced to close forever?

Review of Longing for Home

Rating: 4 Stars

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Review:  After reading many favorable reviews about Sarah Eden's novels, I eagerly anticipated reading, "Longing for Home: A Proper Romance."  Set in the small town of Hope Springs, Wyoming Territory,  the novel is anything but small in its scope of weighty issues regarding relationships.   Katie enters town with the hope of securing a position as a housekeeper with Joseph Archer and earning enough money to finally return to her childhood home of Ireland.  As the novel progresses, it becomes evident that the town is scarred by discrimination and prejudices.  Like the political turmoil and famine that Katie left behind in Ireland,  she finds herself in the middle of mounting tension within the town. Her presence has only become fuel for the growing fire of hatred that wishes to consume all hope from the town.  Despite these circumstances,  Katie finds her heart opening to friendships and the interest of two men.   She faces inner struggles as she yearns for the love, friendship, and acceptance that she has experienced as a young child.  Her past been scarred by tragedy,  loss, and rejection, and she struggles to find peace and forgiveness. 

Sarah Eden masterfully weaves historical details and Katie's past in Ireland, within the pages of "Longing for Home."  I was drawn to Katie's plight and hoping for a "happily ever after" ending for this novel.  I even found myself torn between the two men, Tavish and Joseph, who possibly offer Katie an opportunity to find love and happiness.  Like the town and Katie, both men struggle with their own pasts and personal circumstances.  Sarah Eden shows that, like real-life, there are sometimes no simple solutions and neatly packaged "happily ever afters."  While "Longing for Home" has somewhat of a conclusion,  there are many unanswered questions and perhaps deadly consequences for each resident in the tension-filled town of Hope Springs.  Only the sequel to "Longing for Home" will hold some of these answers within its pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Shadow Mountain Publishing through Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Summary from Shadow Mountain Publishing:    Twenty-six-year-old Katie Macauley needs to convince the influential Joseph Archer to hold true to his word and keep her on his payroll as his housekeeper—despite her Irish roots. When Joseph agrees to keep Katie as his housekeeper, the feud between the Irish immigrants and frontiersmen in the 1870 Wyoming Territory erupts anew, and Katie becomes the reluctant figurehead of hope for the Irish townsfolk. As the violence escalates throughout the town, Katie must choose between the two men who have been vying for her love—though only one might be able to restore hope to her own heart.

Review of "Bleeding Heart"

Rating: 4 Stars

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Review: Reading a novel by a new author is always an exciting prospect. Sometimes the excitement fades and disappointment sets in; other times the pages reveal a fresh voice full of promise. "Bleeding Heart" is a promising debut, and Amber Stokes treats readers to a poignant tale of heartache and healing.  As the title and synopsis suggest, broken hearts are the central focus, so this is not a traditional light-hearted romance. The plot is unpredictable, and Stokes takes risks by incorporating some tragic events that will leave readers emotionally shaken.  Five battered characters make a heavy load for one novel to carry, but "Bleeding Heart" is successful. Stokes intersects the lives of each character in a story centering around Sally Clay, while giving each individual a unique source of pain and different ways of coping. 

The ending of "Bleeding Heart" is more hopeful than completely happy. Hope balances the pain that is present in the novel.  Sally, in particular, represents healing and forgiveness.  Although her story is sad, it is ultimately uplifting. Stokes depicts two kinds of bleeding hearts throughout her novel, both a human's broken heart and the actual flower. She shows readers that hearts can become darkened and bitter, but those hearts that allow love to heal them can become as beautiful as a bleeding heart's blossom. The cover captures the overall essence of "Bleeding Heart" - the peace and beauty that arise when a heart heals from devastating wounds. 

 Although the subject matter of "Bleeding Heart" is heavy, I did not feel burdened by it.  The novel is an engaging and worthwhile read that reminds me of Alison Pittman's "Crossroads of Grace" series in the non-formulaic plot and the portrayal of soiled doves on the road to redemption.  Amber Stokes shows undeniable talent for crafting a touching and memorable story, and I hope that "Bleeding Heart" is just the beginning of many more novels. 

I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from Amber Stokes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. 

Blog Tour: http://www.bleedingheartnovel.blogspot.com/p/blog-tour.html

Summary from the Author: Five bleeding hearts. One profound journey. 

Summer 1886

Sally Clay’s livelihood has been snatched away, but in its place arises an opportunity to escape from her sordid past and an unrelenting, unwanted suitor. Boarding a train with a heartsick rancher and an enigmatic miner, she leaves Virginia City behind and heads to Northern California, waiting for the chance to make right what went wrong three long years before.

But the road to revenge is far from smooth. Sally soon learns that the jagged pieces of a broken heart can far too easily wound the hearts of others – and hers isn’t the only heart that’s broken. Tragedy and fear dog her steps as she flees from the redwood forests to the high desert and back again. Will her bleeding heart ever find a way and a place to heal?

A desperate soiled dove. Three men who come to care for her. One man determined to claim her. 

All on a journey that will show them what true love really involves.

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review of "When Mountains Move"

Rating: 5 Stars

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Review: Julie Cantrell's debut novel, "Into the Free," left a lasting impression on me and created an enduring connection to Millie's story.  "When Mountains Move" begins where "Into the Free" ends, and Millie's pain and questions about her future are immediately refreshed.  Both novels have an weightiness that make them powerful and meaningful reads that I will revisit. Cantrell does not shy away from heavy subjects that will grab the hearts and attention of readers. "When Mountains Move" focuses primarily on the emotional and physical wounds inflicted on Millie by one man's evil deed.

After reading the story of Millie's childhood and teenage struggles, I wanted Millie's future to be smooth and bright - gently rolling hills rather than rocky mountains.  It is clear from the beginning of the novel that Millie's path to happiness will not be easy.  It is hard to believe that Millie is just seventeen and bearing such heavy burdens that quickly transition her from girlhood to womanhood.  Cantrell portrays Millie's thoughts and feelings in rich detail, making her character even more gripping. The pain and doubt that weigh Millie down are raw and tangible.  Told from first person perspective, it is easy to share Millie's questions about her marriage, her past, and her future.  The questions pulled me deep into the plot and kept drawing me back until all was resolved.  But still, the emotion of the novel lingers; and I am glad that Cantrell did not choose to give Millie a predictable and gentle journey to peace because the message would be lost.

"When Mountains Move"  takes Millie out of the cultured south and into the untamed wilds of the Rockies. Cantrell uses the mountains symbolically to compliment the course of the plot.  The imagery of two mountain peaks mentioned at the beginning and end of the novel is particularly memorable and brings Millie's journey full circle from bleak and desolate to strong and shining with promise.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from David C. Cook through Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Summary from David C. Cook: It is the spring of 1943. With a wedding and a cross-country move, Millie's world is about to change forever. 

If only her past could change with it. 

Soon after the break of day, Bump will become Millie's husband. And then, if all goes as planned, they will leave the rain-soaked fields of Mississippi and head for the wilds of the Colorado Rockies. As Millie tries to forget a dark secret, she hasn't yet realized how drastically those past experiences will impact the coming days. 

For most of Millie's life, being free felt about as unlikely as the mountains moving. But she's about to discover that sometimes in life, we are given second chances, and that the only thing bigger than her past is her future.

Review of "Elusive Hope"

Rating: 3.5 Stars

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Review: Mary Lu Tyndall leaves the ship deck behind in favor of the Brazilian jungle in "Elusive Hope," the second novel in the "Escape to Paradise" series.  Tyndall captures a unique segment of history when Americans settled in the wilds of Brazil to create a "new" south following the Civil War.  The historical elements and the scenery of the jungle were my favorite aspects of "Elusive Hope."  A connection to the characters never completely developed and the symbolism of evil became oppressive.  

Both Magnolia and Hayden are characters in need of redemption; so they have their fair share of flaws. In the cases of these protagonists, I found myself annoyed by them for the majority of the novel.  Between Magnolia's self-indulgence and willful ways and Hayden's flirtation and scamming, I found myself hoping they would change their ways sooner rather than later.  They grew on me towards the end of the novel, but it was a little too late for my personal taste.

Tyndall focuses on the pervasiveness and power of evil, and uses imagery to convey its presence in the colony of New Hope. Her portrayal of dark forces demonstrate her skill as an author, and I do not doubt that she will draw a wide range of emotions out of her readers.  I found the evil element to be too disturbing and slightly "witch-crafty."  The dark mist that preceded troubling visions for the colonists never failed to send chills up my spine.  While this shows that Tyndall's descriptions are powerful, it was a turn-off for me. 

I have always enjoyed MaryLu Tyndall's novels, and I have a some of the her other series on my bookshelf. "Escape to Paradise" may not join the collection, but many readers will find excitement, romance, mystery, and a message of faith in "Elusive Hope" and its sister novels.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books through Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Summary from the Author: Falling in Love Was Never Part of Their Plans

On the shores of Brazil, their Confederate friends are seeking a Southern utopia. But Hayden Gale and Magnolia Scott have different plans. Hayden is out for revenge and vows to keep pursuing his father—at any cost—whom he blames for his mother’s death. Magnolia is looking for a way out. . .and a way back home after her father insists their family escape the South following the Civil War. As the fledgling colony of New Hope struggles to survive, they both seek to use the other for their own purposes. Falling in love was never part of their plans.