'Claiming Mariah' by Pam Hillman

In light of her father's death, Mariah Malone sends a letter that will forever alter the lives of her family. When Slade Donovan, strong willed and eager for vengeance, shows up on her front porch, Mariah is not ready to hear his truths: her father's farm, the only home she's ever known, was bought with stolen gold. With Slade ready to collect his father's rightful claim and force Mariah and her family out on the streets, Mariah must turn to God for guidance. Though Mr. Frederick Cooper, a local landowner, promises to answer her financial woes if she agrees to be his bride, Mariah finds herself drawn instead to the angry young man demanding her home.With the ranch now under Slade's careful eye, he will unearth more than he ever imagined as a devious plot of thievery, betrayal and murder threatens more than the well-being of the ranch, endangering the lives of those who hold it dear. With days dwindling until the rest of the Donovan clan arrive to the Lazy M ranch, Mariah and Slade must rise above the resentment of their fathers and see their true feelings before greed alters their futures forever.
 
MY THOUGHTS:
I felt like sitting back with a good, clean romance set in yesteryear and that's exactly what I got.

Without warning, a brusque young man sweeps into Mariah Malone's front yard and informs her that her childhood home never actually belonged to her family. Her father swindled his over some gold years ago, and it turns out that his father's name was the only one on the deed. He's decided to evict her. Yet although he wants Mariah gone so that he can start over, Slade Donovan isn't heartless enough to toss her out on the spot. He agrees to let her stay long enough to tie up loose ends and get a bit of money together before she and her grandmother are out in the cold.

There's an entertaining amount of friction from the start, making us wonder how the pair of them could possibly sort out their differences, let alone fall in love. The gradual attraction is convincingly written on both sides.

Both main characters are likeable and their points of view easy to understand. Mariah behaves with dignity and comes across as tender-hearted and sweet, although she has a few foibles. She gets cranky when Slade jumps to what may seem an automatic conclusion about her sister, Amanda, and decides not to be forthcoming. I understand that choosing to withhold information adds mystery and thickens the plot, but is it completely in character? She didn't get that mad at him when he announced that he was kicking her off her home and land. I think it just worked, because a little feminine inconsistency doesn't hurt a great story.

Slade is suitably swoonworthy. He's the typical handsome, rugged tough guy who we can't help loving for the empathy he feels, whether he chooses to or not. The town of Wisdom is an ideal nineteenth century backdrop for a good show-down between good guys and crooks. And I did appreciate that, even though this is a romance, we see that both Slade and Mariah are prepared to work very hard, as people did to stay alive.

Overall, it's a book to make you happy when you feel like a treat, and I'm sure I'll be reading it again someday, for that reason.

4 stars

 Claiming Mariah available from Amazon

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Imogen's Chance

by Paula Vince

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'Marcus Varitor - Centurion' by Anne Baxter Campbell

Marcus, son of Senator Decimus Varitor, is a decanus in the Roman cohort in Jerusalem. His tribune hints at a promotion to centurion if Marcus can bring in Barabbas. There are really only two things Marcus really wants—to be a centurion and to win the love of an Egyptian girl. When Meskhanet is sent to Rome on a slave ship and Marcus is captured by the very brigand he’s supposed to apprehend, those hopes may both evaporate faster than a small puddle under the hot desert sun.

MY THOUGHTS:
Wow, what a non-stop romp through the Roman Empire. I'm not kidding, there are back-to-back adventures all the way through, very dramatic, but also quite believable for this time period. I can imagine it as a TV series in which we have to wait, impatiently, for each new weekly episode.

Although I hadn't read the first book in this series, it was easy to pick up the plot. Marcus is a young soldier charged with the job of capturing Barabbas, a crook who turns out to be just as slippery as he was in the gospels. I like the way Barabbas was portrayed in this story, justifying his own warped and extreme principles. It seems fluky escapes were his established pattern. Realising Barabbas' dangerous character, Marcus tries a few unorthodox ways of getting hold of him, but they backfire badly. He finds out that it's not necessarily wise to go ad lib when you might end up getting yourself crucified.

Meanwhile, Meskhanet, the Egyptian slave girl who Marcus loves, has to wriggle out of one peril after another. It is definitely a precarious time for a lovely young girl with no family or personal effects to be alive in. Only her own resourcefulness and God's grace save her from the unscrupulous time and again.

There's a lovable cast of supporting characters. I really liked Rebecca, the sad old Jewess who wondered why her son, Barabbas, had gone so far off the straight and narrow. Then there's Septus, Marcus' cute little half brother, who steals every scene he's in. And Dinah and David, the 10-year-old twins who were bought by Marcus and his family. (Notice I said 'bought' and not 'adopted'.)

The story takes place partly in Caesaria, partly in Rome, partly in the desert wilderness and partly on the sea. What it takes to hold a book of this scope together is a hero with courage, intelligence, resourcefulness, a bit of cunning, and a kind heart. As Marcus is definitely all of that, and handsome as well, it worked great for me.

I received a copy from the author in return for an honest review.

4 stars

 Marcus Varitor,Centurion - Book Two - The Truth Trilogy available from Amazon

"Astonished" by Mike Erre

In Astonished, Pastor Mike Erre calls Christians away from simplistic formulas to honest and rugged faith in the mysterious and unpredictable God. God is more about deepening the mystery of faith, not removing it. Jesus should get bigger the longer we walk with him. Life and faith should grow to be more profound and wondrous, not less. In Astonished, you will see how we are far more comfortable with tips, steps and techniques for living, than we are with ruthlessly trusting the mysterious God of the Bible. God asks us to follow him into tension, frustration, and difficulty because he wants our trust, not just our intellectual agreement. He calls us to seek Him even as we live in awe of all that is yet to be known about Him. Astonished is an invitation to question in a culture that wants answers, to wonder in a world with little mystery left, and to believe in what is unseen and find it beautiful.

MY THOUGHTS:
This book prompts us to look at the deep and honest questions we have about God, particularly those frustrating ones we tend to poke into the background, because there seems no point in wondering. Why are desert times said to be 'necessary' in our relationship with God, when we don't have them with significant fellow humans? Why does He keep Himself hidden like a kid playing hide and seek? And one I've often grappled with at different times, why should we even want to be friends with Him, if He behaves so coy and perverse? After all, human parents don't hang back, and stay silent and aloof when their children ask them questions.

It was refreshing to come across a book which is so direct in asking such things. Mike Erre understands why it may be easy to wonder if there is, in fact, something wrong with us, and our receivers. His observations about our end of the communication were interesting, indicating that some of our problems may be to do with assumptions we've made, which originated with vocal Christians and not with God.

He examines how we often choose to come to God out of self-interested motives, rather than simply wanting to know Him for His own sake. He points out possible flaws in our methods of sharing Him with others. Jesus Himself never felt the need to dazzle people into His kingdom, as modern Christians often seemed compelled to do, making them come across the same way as those annoying steak-knife salesmen. He was content with obscurity, and felt no pressure to polish up His message to make it more palatable for the crowds. If people wanted to pursue other options, He simply let them. And if we want to present Him as something He never presented Himself, that's our problem.

Are all of the questions answered completely? No, but if there was any way they could be, the title of this book couldn't be called "Astonished". God's mysterious and surprising ways of working are part of His character. This book's intent seemed to be to help us find out more about God, and as a bonus, it helps us find out more surprising things about ourselves, including dodgy motives and counterproductive ways to trying to probe the mystery. I enjoyed it.

I received a copy from Net Galley and David C Cook in return for an honest review.

4 stars

 Astonished: Recapturing the Wonder, Awe, and Mystery of Life with God available from Amazon

'Wild Mint Tea' by Valerie Comer

She's rooted deep. He flies free.

Local-foods chef Claire Halford envisions turning Green Acres Farm into an event destination. Weddings prove trickier than she imagined when the first one comes with a ruggedly handsome brother-of-the-bride, who has everything but a fixed address. Oh, and faith in God.

Noel Kenzie loves the freedom his reforestation company affords him. Why worry about deep stuff like God and commitment when he's in his prime? Except there's a woman who might make it worth giving up his wings...and digging in some roots. If he dares.

MY THOUGHTS:
This is the second in Valerie Comer's 'Farm Fresh Romance' series. Those who read 'Raspberries and Vinegar' will remember Claire as the practical and undemonstrative chef, whose dream of making a go of the self-sustained lifestyle farm is nonetheless huge. This is her story.

Wanting to earn a bit more money to put into the project, she applies for a temporary position as chef with a reforestation group. The boss, Noel Kenzie, turns out to be undeniably attractive.

The two main characters are different from each other in many ways. She values the security of home and hearth, while he is a free-spirited wanderer with a thirst for adventure. In fact, the one thing they have in common is a mutual agreement that they should keep well away from each other. It's very easy and satisfying to read.

Although Claire's aversion to traveling seems extreme, given her common sense, we understand when we read the snippets about her upbringing. It doesn't take the reader long to figure out that Noel is the right man for her. I originally liked him for his humour and patience with the other women in his life; Amber, his little sister, who still has a tendency to pout and throw tantrums, even though she's soon to be married, and Jess, his foreman, who keeps teasing him about his crush on Claire until the joke gets really old.

My favourite parts of the story may be the insights we get into the rigours of the hospitality industry. As my teenage daughter wants to follow that path, it was eye-opening. The three original girls, Jo, Claire and Sierra, decide to begin catering for weddings and functions. It's soon obvious to the reader that their dream takes lots of intelligence, forethought, dedication and meticulous detail. Perhaps these books work so well because we all appreciate it when hard work is offset by a little romance.

I'm looking forward to Sierra's story in the third book.

Thanks to the author for a free review copy.

4 stars


Wild Mint Tea (A Farm Fresh Romance) available from Amazon

'How Sweet the Sound' by Amy K Sorrells

A Southern Novel of Second Chances From a distance, the Harlans appear to be the perfect Southern family. Wealth and local fame mask the drama and dysfunction swirling through their family line. But as the summer heats up, a flood tide of long hidden secrets surface. Devastation from a rape followed by the murder of two family members brings three generations of the Harlans together on their pecan plantation in Bay Spring, Alabama. Chief among them is Anniston, who by the time she turned thirteen thought she’d seen it all. But as her heart awakens to the possibility of love, she begins to deal with her loneliness and grief. This tender coming-of-age tale, inspired by the story of Tamar in 2 Samuel 13, shows how true healing and hope comes only from God. Though our earthly family can wound and disappoint, our heavenly Father brings freedom to those long held captive through His mercy and grace.

MY THOUGHTS:

This is a beautiful book which reminded me a little of a modern "To Kill a Mockingbird" with its similar deep south setting. The main character, Anniston, is a wise and perceptive young girl, a bit like Scout Finch. Her family, the Harlans, are the cream of the district, but hiding a terrible legacy like a simmering volcano, making us wonder when it will erupt, and what we will discover.

We quickly find out that it's partly based loosely on the Biblical story of King David's daughter, Tamar, with Anniston's Aunt Comfort as Tamar, and her brothers Cole and Rey (Anniston's father) taking Amnon and Absalom's roles.

The beautiful writing style is not to be skim read, as descriptions and observations are often symbolic of something occurring in the plot. A good example is Anniston's memories of her father's words, telling her why pecan growers need to be slow and leisurely, noticing the small things in life. Some of the treasures Jed gives her are also significant, such as the geode, which is ostentatious on the outside but a sparkling treasure within.

The story is full of interesting character studies. Princella, the grandmother, is a lady who reminds me of Cruella DeVil, but shows brief flashes of vulnerability. You can't help wondering at the magnitude of all she must keep hidden, and the final revelation inspires questions. She obviously thinks she'd put her past behind her and 'made it', yet the story is written so readers can't help reacting with repugnance at her unnatural behaviour, such as carrying on as usual when her two sons have just killed each other.

Even though the brothers were in the story for such a short time, they were well-rounded characters whose influence, either evil or good, never stopped. How sorry I felt about Rey's family losing him, even though he just had a few lines at the beginning of the story. We still get a sense of just what sort of a man he was, which was excellent writing.

When we do learn Princella's secret, we can't help wondering whether we've just made the crime of judging by appearances, since we were unaware of the depth of her past hurt until then, not that this consideration makes us like her any better. Her personality was warped by events from her past. Yet other characters, such as Jed, have chosen to react completely differently to a traumatic past. And much of the story deals with Comfort, and whether or not she will let pain overwhelm her or find a way to push through.

It's an engrossing read which I recommend. The horror and tragedy is matched just as hugely by hope and heroism. For every Cole or Jimmy presented, there's a Solly or Jed to balance him out. We are left with beautiful images, such as when the children saved the fish.

And like all good books, there's something for the reader to take away for themselves. One of my favourites was Ernestine telling Anni about Jacob's ladder and reminding her to look for the ladders in her own life, 'places where the sky opens and you can feel angels pulling pain outta your soul and replacing it with a song.'

I received a copy from NetGalley and David C Cook in return for an honest review.

4.5 stars

  How Sweet the Sound: A Novel available from Amazon

'Until we Reach Home' by Lynn Austin

Life in Sweden seems like an endless winter for three sisters after their mother's death and father's suicide. Elin feels the weight of responsibility for her sisters' welfare, and when circumstances become unbearable, she writes to her relatives in Chicago, pleading for help.

Joining sixteen million other immigrants who left their homelands for America between 1890 and 1920, Elin, Kirsten, and Sofia begin the long, difficult journey. Enduring the ocean voyage in steerage and detention on Ellis Island, their story is America's story. And in a journey fraught with hardships, each woman will come to understand her secret longings and the meaning of home.

MY THOUGHTS:

Three orphaned teenage sisters are forced by circumstances to leave their homeland, Sweden, and migrate to America. The novel deals with their passage and first couple of months in Chicago.

Elin, the eldest, feels highly responsible for the other two and bears the weight of the world on her shoulders. Sometimes she comes across to both herself and the reader as a weary old woman instead of a pretty nineteen year old. Kirsten, the middle sister, is bold, statuesque and fun-loving, but has a broken heart and desperate secret which comes to light in the detention centre. Sofia, the youngest, is what we might now call an HSP (highly sensitive person), who feels things very deeply and allows the others to look out for her interests just because that's the way things have always been done.

I found it a lovely read, with a bit of romance and several interesting twists and turns. The highlight, for me, was the relationship between Sofia and Ludwig, which began in the detention centre. I've never comes across another love story quite so unique. She's Swedish, he's German, they cannot understand a word from each other but manage an ingenious way of communicating through Bible verses. And every so often, I found myself sitting back with a smile, reminding myself that as an English speaker, I'd be able to understand neither of them, yet I'm totally sold on their story. He's definitely a resourceful and admirable young guy.

The bond between the sisters, and the way the point of view shifts between the three of them from chapter to chapter is enjoyable.

5 stars
Until We Reach Home available from Amazon