Another unforgettable heroine!
Like a dandelion in the wind, Hope Ladley blows from one farm to the next, helping cook for the field hands during the harvest. Illiterate and often twisting cliches and Bible verses into mind-boggling observations, Hope leaves widower Jakob Stauffer baffled by her unconventional ways. But her sunny disposition and unstinting love make changes of a different kind around the place. His little daughter and the pregnant sister he's shielding from an abusive husband adore Hope, and things are getting accomplished even if Hope's methods are unique.
Then Jakob's brother-in-law shows up and threatens the newfound peace and happiness of the farm. With Jakob's future uncertain and his heart tangled, can the farmer convince Hope to take root and remain as his wife?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last night I decided to go back and see what the oldest book on my Kindle was that I hadn't read. It turns out that it was Forevermore by Cathy Marie Hake. It looked interesting so I settle in....and read until 4 am. Oops!

The Good:

The Bad:

The Summary:

If you like what you've read here, please share it with others using these buttons:

Stunning Yosemite National Park sets the stage for this late 1920s historical romance with mystery, adventure, heart, and a sense of the place John Muir described as "pervaded with divine light."

Watercolorist Olivia Rutherford fashioned her image as an avant-garde artist to appeal to the region's wealthy art-collectors. When she lands a lucrative contract painting illustrations of Yosemite National Park for a travel magazine including its nightly one-of-a-kind Firefall event, she hopes the money will lift Olivia and her sisters out of poverty.

After false accusations cost him everything, former minister Clark Johnson has found purpose as a backcountry guide in this natural cathedral of granite and trees. Now he's faced with the choice of becoming a National Parks Ranger, but is it his true calling?

As Clark helps open Olivia's eyes to the wonders of Yosemite, she discovers the people are as vital to the park's story as its vistas-- a revelation that may bring her charade to an end.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When this book landed on my front porch, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it or not. In fact, I set it aside and read half a dozen other books before I spotted this one again and thought I had probably get around to reading it. I'm so glad that I did.

The Good - 

The Bad - 

The Summary - 

I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own.

If you like what you've read here, please share it with others using these buttons:

Readers rabid for the sweet historical romances of Tracie Peterson and Tamara Alexander will flock to best-selling author Kim Vogel Sawyer's prairie-set heartwarmer of high society cast-off and the western town that welcomes her.

Abigail Grant grew up in affluence and knows exactly how to behave in high society. But when she is cast from the social registers due to her father's illegal dealings, she finds herself forced into a role she never imagined: tutoring rough Kansas ranchers in the subjects of manners and morals so they can "marry up" with their mail-order brides. Mack Cleveland, whose uncle was swindled by a mail-order bride, wants no part of the scheme to bring Eastern women to Spiveyville, Kansas, and he's put off by the snooty airs and fastidious behavior of the "little city gal" in their midst. But as time goes by, his heart goes out to the teacher who tries so diligently to smooth the rough edges from the down-to-earth men. How can he teach her that perfection won't bring happiness?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Okay, all. I have to start by saying that the above synopsis (taken from Goodreads) isn't correct. I actually changed a couple of the names, but I don't feel as if this gives an accurate feel for the book. Still, that's what was provided, so I've provided it for you...heh...Now, on to the review!

The Good - The characters. The author writes in such a way that before you know it, you feel as if you know each and every character as if they were your own neighbors and friends. I think that's incredibly important in a book. If you can't know a character, you can't connect and if you can't connect, you put the book down and walk away.

The Bad - Umm...I can't think of anything. The book moves at just the right pace, is easy to read, has wonderful characters and is one that I could read repeatedly.

The Summary - Kim Vogel Sawyer writes books that draw you in and don't let go until the final page. I can't recommend her books any higher than I already do. Go and pick this one up and I'm sure you won't regret it.





I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own.

If you like what you've read here, please share it with others using these buttons:

The messenger's ghostly words tickled her ear and caused the shaking to cease. Mariella's eyes snapped open. The flame of fear was immediately snuffed out and replaced by something that burned even hotter-the spirit of power, tempered by love, directed by a sound mind. She lifted her chin and stared at the wall of churning blackness. It was then that the lightning struck. She basked in its power, for the lightning was hers. It is here in the depths of the mountain and the heights of the stars that the saga ends. One way or the other, it ends.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is it! The end of The Ameron Chronicles! I can't believe that it's already over! I read this entire series in less than two weeks and now I'm bummed that there wasn't the next book in the next series to pick up by these two authors.

What did I like? What didn't I like is probably a better question. Every time I had a moment I was picking up this book. I had to know what was going to happen to all of the characters that I had come to know and to love. Would the two couples end up together? Would they defeat the bad guy(s)? Would they save the kingdom of Ameron? Would the chosen reclaim their lands? What role does the baby from an earlier book have in the future of this kingdom?

So many questions and I'm happy to report that most of those were answered. If I have one complaint, it's that not all of my questions were answered. The authors had assured me that this was the complete tale but based on this final book and especially the epilogue, it's clear that there were intentions to either have another book or to launch another series. I sincerely hope that's the case because it's going to bother me for ages that I don't know some of these answers.

Just like my other reviews, I can't help but tell you to bug these authors. Get this series and then "harass" the authors into writing additional books because you're going to want to know the answers that I want to know. The easiest way I've seen to reach the authors is via their Facebook page. Don't hesitate to buy the entire series at once. Heck, the holidays are coming. If you know of a fantasy lover, this would be a great gift!


If you like what you've read here, please share it with others using these buttons:

It is said that whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head. These words are from the Ancient Texts so they must be true. The King of Ameron is a tale closer to truth than fiction of a land that has been given that warning. What happens to those who take heed...and to those who do not?

This continuation of the Ameron Chronicles sheds light on a land torn asunder by an evil within, that is no less dangerous than the evil lurking in the shadows. Brothers by birth, bound by the fire of circumstances, Thomas and Hank strive to save a reeling nation. But, to do so, they must accomplish the impossible!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Book three is where this series really grabs a hold of you and refuses to let go. Suddenly there are even more questions than there were before and you just keep reading hoping for some answers! The cast of characters continues to grow in size but somehow the authors write them in such a way that for the most part, there's no difficulty in keeping everyone sorted out. For those that get a bit confused, there's a cast of characters listing in the back of the book. I'm unsure as to why it's written the way that it is, but I'm sure that will come to light before the end of the series.

Hank and Thomas are doing what they can not only to survive but to bring along the kingdom with them. Each of them has their own roles and as each book progresses, we're dragged along (in the best of ways) on their emotional journeys as well as their physical ones. I honestly cannot wait to see what happens next. I have a million questions... Is Youngblood a good guy or a bad guy? Who is this mysterious assassin? What's happened to Thierry? What about the infant? Will the bad, icky creatures overrun the capital?

I guess I'll just have to keep reading to find out. If you'd like to read along with me, contact the authors via their Facebook page and convince them to sell you copies of this series!





If you like what you've read here, please share it with others using these buttons: