TITLE:  Sleigh Ride Together With You

AUTHOR:  Jo Ann Durgin

DATE:  2014

PUBLISHER: Pelican Book Group/White Rose Publishing

STARS:  *****

As the popular television co-host of Wake Up, Des Moines! Nicole Reardon has achieved her dream. So why has the network sent “image maker” Alex Kingsfield to the station? The irritatingly handsome man is also the first man she’s been attracted to since Jake Marston dumped her three years ago in Starlight, Iowa. When an unexpected assignment sends Nicole and Alex to Starlight, can she rise above the past and make this interview the defining moment of her career? 

Alex Kingsfield knows Nicole is poised on the cusp of network stardom. But beneath the professional exterior is a small-town girl at heart, genuine and God-honoring. Alex holds the power to boost Nicole’s career to unknown heights. Or crush her dreams. From any angle, he’s caught in a “no win” situation when he finds himself falling for the beautiful Nicole. What’s a man to do when love comes calling at Christmas?

After reading the first two books of this series, Meet Me Under The Mistletoe, and Starlight, Star Bright, this novella by Jo Ann Durgin felt like a homecoming. Nicole left her little hometown of Starlight years ago for the bright lights of a television career in Des Moines, but her heart isn’t as fulfilled as she’d imagined. Until network exec Alex barges into her work and her life, creating sparks that have nothing to do with wiring and everything to do with her heart.

I loved reconnecting with the residents of Starlight and getting to know a few new “friends.” Nicole’s friend Colin wormed his way into my heart, and I’d love to read about a romance for him (hint, hint!). Nicole’s and Alex’s faith in God is real and affects their decisions. The fact that they have to submit to God’s will before finding a solution to their dilemma rings true.

Sleigh Ride Together With You is a well-written, sweet romance for any time of the year and earns five stars.

His (Jesus Christ’s) divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Peter 1:3)

I must admit, I love my good old Strong’s Concordance. Digging deeper into the meaning of words fascinates me, and Strong’s is my go-to reference for delving into intriguing Bible verses like this. And I love this verse, so much that I’ve chosen it for my verse of 2015.

Why?

My health isn’t the greatest, and I often struggle, especially with lack of energy. So reading that Jesus has already given me everything I need for life, while a wonderful thought, doesn’t exactly resonate when I’m struggling to breathe. Life isn’t much fun then, and I wonder if this is what He intended.

Imagine my surprise when I dug into alternate meanings for the word rendered “life.” The one that jumped out at me? Vitality. Jesus has given us everything we need for vitality – wow!

At the time I discovered this, daily life had become of blur of exhaustion, where walking across the living room required a rest on the couch. Life? Yes. Vitality? No way.

So I grabbed hold of that promise, the assurance that God’s intention is vitality, not a foot-dragging, blurry existence. And I realized that even when my body is uncooperative and I cannot do everything I want to or should, the life that God gives me through Jesus Christ can be a life of vitality. He intends me to be vital.

Like a plant in His garden, God provides everything I need to burst forth in abundant life.

My body is mortal, and some days that fact is plenty obvious, but the life I have in Jesus Christ is eternal – and energetic, invigorating, indispensable, significant, and vibrant.

Just typing those words makes me sit up straighter and breathe deeper. Yes, I want that! I want to exhibit the vitality of a godly life. But how can I do that?

What do you think? How do you tap into God’s vitality?

TITLE:  Starlight, Star Bright

AUTHOR:  JoAnn Durgin

DATE:  2013

PUBLISHER:  Pelican Ventures, LLC

STARS:  *****

The sequel to the popular "Meet Me Under the Mistletoe" (2012).

Texas-born goalie and Italian World Cup champion, Dante Moretti, only expected tiny Starlight, Iowa to be a blip on the radar of his life. Stopping at Barney’s Diner for a quick meal a couple of weeks before Christmas, Dante meets two women who quickly capture his heart in very different ways. Then his rental car won’t start, stranding him overnight.

Amanda Marston is excited to be home in Starlight for her big brother Jake’s wedding. When she drops in for a cup of Caroline Picasso’s coffee at Barney’s, she meets a handsome but mysterious, Italian-spouting cowboy. Before she knows it, Dante’s staying with Caroline and Ben Picasso and helping out with projects all over Starlight. 

Does God have a plan for Dante in Starlight, one that might include Amanda? Or will Dante take her heart with him when he returns to Italy?

JoAnn Durgin does it again –grabs readers hearts with an intriguing man and a beautiful but unassuming woman and their instant attraction. When soccer champion Dante gets stranded in the tiny town of Starlight, Iowa, he expects to leave as soon as his rental car is fixed. But after meeting Amanda, his desire to move on deserts him. He finds himself helping out all over town, which makes some people suspicious. That just adds to his appeal for others, though, including Amanda, who can’t seem to fight the appeal of the Italian Cowboy. Her life is in Florida and his is in Italy. How can they possibly have a future together?

I thoroughly enjoyed this story of love, faith, and family. Ms. Durgin paints a picture of a welcoming (for the most part) town and how faith makes love possible – even when circumstances interfere. Starlight, Star Bright earns five stars for its warmth, humor, and wonderful, multi-layered personalities.

 

TITLE:  Meet Me Under The Mistletoe

AUTHOR:  JoAnn Durgin

DATE:  2012

PUBLISHER:  Pelican Ventures, LLC

STARS:  *****

Jacob Marston, Starlight, Iowa's hometown hero, made a long-ago promise to the Lord: he won't kiss a woman until he knows she's "the one." Now at age twenty-eight, the rugged firefighter questions if it'll ever happen. Then, he meets his best friend's sister, Julia Sinclair, and Jake believes he's found the woman of his dreams. But she's promised to another. 

When Julia makes an unexpected confession on Christmas Day, Jake shares his secret with her, and it looks as though happily-ever-after will make a holiday appearance. But what will she think when she discovers his vow?

Somehow, everyone in the tiny town of Starlight suddenly learns Jake’s secret, and he's instantly transformed from town hero to laughingstock. Did Julia reveal his secret? Can Jake forget the humiliation and find his way under the mistletoe to share a forever kiss with Julia? 

Do you believe in love at first sight? Author JoAnn Durgin does, and her stories are convincing me. In this sweet Christmas novella, Jake is a wonderful hero, a firefighter who loves his family ties and hometown. His awkwardness around women made me smile and fall in love with him a little. When he sees Julia for the first time in many years, the pull is irresistible – until Jake finds out that Julia is already engaged.

Faith plays a big part of this story, both in the lives of the hero and heroine, but also in how the fine folks of Starlight, Iowa, interact and care for one another. This story does not preach, but it shows beautifully how faith in God leads to hearts opening. In this case, two hearts in particular.

I loved this story and look forward to reading the rest of this three-part series. The characters are realistic and likable, and the bits of humor sprinkled into the story make it a joy to read. Meet Me Under The Mistletoe earns five stars.

TITLE:  A Lancaster County Christmas

AUTHOR:  Suzanne Woods Fisher

DATE:  2011

PUBLISHER:  Revell

STARS:  *****

Jaime and C. J. Fitzpatrick began their married life as most couples do--in love and looking forward to a bright future together. But four years later they've drifted apart and are almost ready to call it quits.

Mattie Riehl was hoping to give her husband Sol the Christmas gift they have both longed for--news that a baby was on the way. But as usual, she is disappointed. The holidays bring an acute awareness to Mattie that her dream of a big family isn't likely to become a reality.

Then a winter storm raging outside blows the Fitzpatricks into the Riehl home--and into a much slower pace of life. Can these two couples from different worlds help each other understand the true meaning of love this Christmas?

With her trademark plot twists and attention to detail, Suzanne Woods Fisher offers readers a beautiful Christmas story of love, forgiveness, and what truly matters in life. 

An insecure wife, a grieving mother, their husbands, and one charming little boy come together after a “chance” encounter. The outcome of their impromptu meeting gives each person the chance to see life through the lens of a lifestyle extremely different from their own.   

I had no trouble identifying with Jamie Fitzpatrick with her insecurity, grief for the loss of her mother, and the deep need for a father’s love. Mattie’s grief has also been my own, so both these women spoke to me. Their husbands are admirable if imperfect men, and I adored precocious Danny. Zach, the troubled teen, also caught my heart. The interactions between these disparate families open eyes to deep truths about real love, the only perfect love.

A Lancaster County Christmas is highly recommended and earns five stars.

TITLE:  Where Wildflowers Bloom (Sisters At Heart Book #1)

AUTHOR:  Ann Shorey

DATE:  2011

PUBLISHER:  Revell

STARS:  *****

The War Between the States stole a father and brother from Faith Lindberg-- as well as Royal Baxter, the man she wanted to marry. With only her grandfather left, she dreams of leaving Noble Springs, Missouri, and traveling west to Oregon to start a new life, away from the memories that haunt her. But first she must convince her grandfather to sell the family's mercantile and leave a town their family has called home for generations. 

When Royal Baxter suddenly returns to town, Faith allows herself to hope that her dreams might come true. Does he truly love her? Or could another man claim her heart? Will she find that following her dreams may not mean leaving home after all? 

The characters in "Where Wildflowers Bloom" jump off the page and into the reader's heart. Author Ann Shorey infuses her characters with the virtues and quirks that bring them fully alive as they search for contentment and love. 

Faith is a caring, responsible young woman who loves her grandfather and longs for a fresh start. But she isn’t perfect – she tends to let her own desires overrun her good sense at times. Her imperfections make her even more likeable and realistic.

Curt Saxon has his own secret weakness, and his struggles tugged at my heart. I thoroughly enjoyed Where Wildflowers Bloom, especially since I’d previously read book three in this series. It was fun to get reacquainted with these characters. I highly recommend this book (and the series) and give it five stars.

TITLE:  Evergreens and Angels

AUTHOR:  Mary Manners

DATE:  2014

PUBLISHER:  Pelican Book Group

STARS:  ****1/2

Dillon Cutler has returned to Clover Cove just in time to help with the busy Christmas season at his family’s nursery. All his siblings have found love, but he has no plans to hustle to the altar...until Brynn Jansen shows up at the nursery one night searching for a fresh-cut tree and a sprig of mistletoe. Intrigued by her gentle laughter and dark-chocolate eyes he asks her out. 

Brynn Jansen comes to Clover Cove to help Nana, who’s broken a hip. She has warm memories of visiting Clover Cove as a child and is especially fond of the Cutler family who brought her grandparents a Christmas tree during a tough financial time. 

Brynn has plans to pay that kindness forward. What she doesn’t plan for is falling in love with Dillon Cutler. 

The loving care Brynn shows her beloved grandparents warmed my heart, and Dillon’s cozy family ties made him a hero to admire. Mary Manners drew me into her story from the first paragraphs, and I enjoyed “watching” the relationship develop between the hero and heroine. Add into the mix an adorable but injured little girl, and I was hooked.

This is a heartwarming love story, perfect for Christmas or any time a sweet romance is desired. Evergreens and Angels earns four and a half stars.

TITLE:  A Sandy’s Seashell Shop Christmas

AUTHOR:  Lisa Wingate

DATE:  2014

PUBLISHER:  Scribe Light Media

STARS:  *****

A magical place, an island Christmas eve, a broken family in need of healing…. 

For young military widow, Tiff Riley, Christmas isn't just another day. It's the worst of all days. Hiding out on Hatteras Island with three-and-a-half-year-old Micah, she's desperate to once again ignore the anniversary of tragedy. The winter-season quiet of North Carolina's Outer Banks is the perfect place to escape. It never feels like Christmas at the beach. 

But in tiny Hatteras Village, the crew at Sandy's Seashell Shop is determined to make sure no one is forgotten at Christmas. Is it possible for a magical Christmas Eve at the Seashell Shop to help mend one damaged life? On a night of miracles, in a place of miracles, can a young widow's heart be reopened to joy, hope… and even love? 

How does Lisa Wingate pack so much story into just forty pages? I love this! The first time I read it, I was touched by its poignancy. The second time I read it (just now), I realized that this story could be a lesson in “Show, don’t tell.” The author’s prose seems to vibrate with life and emotion. It pulls me into the setting, the struggles of this young widow, and I, too, find myself searching for her lost love – and hoping for a better future.

If I could award more than five stars, I would. I absolutely love this e-short story.