TITLE:  What Momma Left Behind
AUTHOR:  Cindy K. Sproles
DATE:  2020
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: ****

Worie Dressar is seventeen years old when influenza and dysentery ravage her Appalachian Mountain community in 1898, leaving behind a growing number of orphaned children with no way to care for themselves. Worie's mother has been secretly feeding a number of these little ones on Sourwood Mountain. But when she dies suddenly, Worie is left to figure out why and how she was caring for them.

Plagued with two good-for-nothing brothers--one greedy and the other a drunkard--Worie fights to save her home and the orphaned children now in her begrudging care. Along the way, she will discover the beauty of unconditional love and the power of forgiveness as she cares for all of Momma's children.

What Momma Left Behind made reviewing difficult for me. I enjoyed the story, once the Appalachian dialect became more familiar, but the harsh details that made the story real were disturbing. Worie’s life is turned upside down when her beloved mother suddenly dies, leaving her alone in the world for all practical purposes. When her momma’s quiet practice of feeding orphans falls onto Worie’s young shoulders, her struggle to carry on her mother’s legacy of caring creates an unforgettable story.
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Love, loss, redemption and hope combine in What Momma Left Behind. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and award it four stars.
 

TITLE:  Rocky Mountain Revenge
AUTHOR:  Rhonda Starnes
DATE:  2020
PUBLISHER: Love Inspired Suspense
STARS: *****

Temporarily home to help at her family’s vet clinic, Grace Porter has no intentions of staying—but someone’s determined she won’t live long enough to leave. With both Grace and her sister in the crosshairs, her ex-boyfriend, Police Chief Evan Bradshaw, must protect them. But can the single dad lawman uncover the truth about why a killer’s out for vengeance before time runs out?

Rocky Mountain Revenge starts with one of the best first paragraphs I’ve ever read. It’s shared here with permission of author Rhonda Starnes.

Grace Porter regretted she hadn’t stopped for fuel before leaving Denver two hours ago, when it was still daylight. If she had, she wouldn’t be at a run-down gas station that looked like it belonged in a low-budget horror movie. A dim yellow light flickered overhead and made a strange buzzing sound. The attendant, a tall, gaunt man with oily brown hair, stood behind the counter and stared at her through the window, reminding her of Norman Bates.

Did that make you shiver in anticipation? Me, too. The rest of this fabulous story keeps its promise of great writing, tight suspense and fantastic characters.

When danger replaces the expected tedium in helping her sister with the family veterinary business, Grace has to re-examine her long-held beliefs—and those she’d set aside. She’s determined to discover who attacked her sister and threated her, complicated by having to rely on her old flame, the police chief.

Chief Evan, single father of six-year-old cutie, Camden, needs to protect Grace and her sister Chloe from unknown attackers while managing his police force. He also strains to control his reignited attraction to Grace—a lot of roles to juggles. Maybe too many?

With a multi-layered plot filled with suspicion, treachery, faith and love, Rocky Mountain Revenge easily earns five stars. I was given an ARC of this book by the author, and I highly recommend it.
 

TITLE:  On a Coastal Breeze (Three Sisters Island #2)
AUTHOR:  Suzanne Woods Fisher
DATE:  2020
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: *****
For Madison Grayson, life is good. Newly licensed as a marriage and family therapist, she can't wait to start her practice. Despite the unfortunate shortage of eligible bachelors on the island--they're all too young, too old, or too weird--Maddie feels like she's finally found her sweet spot. Not even one panic attack in the last year. Not one.

And then Ricky O'Shea drops in. Literally. Floating down from the pure blue sky, the one man in the world she hoped never to see again--the one who'd been her archnemesis from kindergarten through her senior dance--parachutes into town, landing on Boon Dock, canopy draping behind him like a superhero. Ricky O'Shea. Now Pastor Rick, the new minister on Three Sisters Island.

Time to panic.

With wit and a bit of whimsy, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Three Sisters Island where family, forgiveness, and a second chance at love await.

On a Coastal Breeze welcomes you back to Three Sisters Island, a small, rugged island off the coast of Maine where loyalty and faith are honored and eccentricity is celebrated.

I enjoyed getting reacquainted with the Grayson family, Paul, his three daughters, and little Cooper. This is Madison’s story, for the most part, but as in real families, the rest of the family is involved. Cam, the elder sister, still has things to learn about redeeming the time, Blaine, the youngest, is fighting for her own identity, but Madison finally feels settled. Except for the anxiety that plagues her, especially with Rick O’Shea.

Her past relationship with Rick is shown in flashbacks, glimpses of the puzzle between them. In this story, flashbacks work. Rick makes a fantastic hero with his tall-dark-and-handsomeness enhanced by his vibrant faith. Curiosity as to what shaped him kept the pages turning, as did the challenges facing each character.
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On a Coastal Breeze is a rich feast of setting, multi-dimensional characters and realistic story lines, worthy of five stars. I look forward to the next installment of the Three Sisters Island series. I received this book courtesy of the publisher; all opinions are my own.
 

TITLE:  Standoff (Natchez Trace Park Rangers #1)
AUTHOR:  Patricia Bradley
DATE:  2020
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: *****

The Natchez Trace National Parkway stretches 444 miles from Nashville to Natchez, the oldest town on the Mississippi River. It's the perfect road for a relaxed pleasure drive. Unfortunately for Luke Fereday, it's also perfect for moving drugs.

Sent to Natchez to infiltrate the organization at the center of the drug ring, Luke arrives too late to a stakeout and discovers the body of his friend, park ranger John Danvers. John's daughter Brooke is determined to investigate her father's murder but soon finds herself the target of a killer who will do anything to silence her.

Luke will have his hands full keeping her safe. But who's going to keep him safe when he realizes he's falling – hard – for the daughter of the man he failed to save?

Standoff starts off with a bang, almost an accident but shrouded in desperation and mystery, and continues to weave a tangled web of suspicion, desire, and betrayal. The taut pace of this story kept the pages turning with barely an interruption.

Luke is a man of many secrets, but his past relationship with Brooke threatens not only his job but his life—and hers. Luke’s Grandma Daisy adds a touch of humor and normalcy, and the danger-filled, tentative romance between Luke and Brooke adds anticipation of love to a story laced with death.
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With many interlaced relationships, secrets and deceits, Standoff is a great read for anyone who enjoys romantic suspense and earns five stars. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher; all opinions are my own.

TITLE:  Silent Shadows (Harbored Secrets #3)
AUTHOR:  Natalie Walters
DATE:  2020
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: *****

Pecca Gallegos moved to the tiny town of Walton, Georgia, to protect her son and escape the dangerous lifestyle that once defined her. When a series of strange circumstances evolve into threats, Pecca finds herself confiding in an unlikely ally--her stubborn patient.

Army veteran Colton Crawford is desperate to recover from the undiagnosed disorder that is ruining his life, and his instincts are on high alert when threats against his nurse and her son force him to take action. But Colton's involvement only ramps up the danger when he uncovers a family secret revealing that whoever is after Pecca is closer--and more deadly--than they realized.

Silent Shadows begins with a bittersweet moment, hits hard, slows just long enough to introduce the wonderful residents of Walton Georgia, including hero Colton, and quickly increases tension. The tempo and plot of this romantic suspense works well, but what really makes this story memorable for me are the people of Walton, especially those rascally old veterans from the Mansion, also known as Home for Heroes.

Pecca is a capable and caring nurse and a protective mother to Maceo, the joy of her life and the imp who brings light and joy to the story. Pecca and her new patient, Colton, meet under less-than-ideal circumstances, and neither is certain whether the sparks flying are from anger or something else.

I thoroughly enjoyed the growing romance between Colton and Pecca and appreciated his efforts to protect her and Maceo. The puzzling threats against them kept the pages turning, and at times, made my heart race.
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Silent Shadows is a great story filled with memorable characters and a moving faith element. I received a copy of this book from the publisher and award it five stars. Recommended. 

TITLE:  Whispers From Yesterday
AUTHOR:  Robin Lee Hatcher
DATE:  2016
PUBLISHER: RobinSong Inc.
STARS: *****

Following her father's death and her own attempted suicide, pampered socialite Karen Butler reluctantly seeks refuge at the home of Sophia Taylor, the grandmother she has never known. Determined to escape Sophia's broken-down ranch as soon as she can, Karen resists connecting with its inhabitants - especially Dusty Stoddard, the driven director of the Golden T's summer camp for at-risk youth. Karen is not the only one who has been wounded; Sophia, Dusty, and the boys have all suffered tremendous pain and loss. But by the time Karen discovers this, it is too late to escape; they have become a part of her healing and she a part of theirs. For through their kindness and acceptance, along with the diaries of a remarkable women who died twenty-eight years before she was born, Karen will discover hidden secrets and amazing truths that could lead her to the greatest love of all.

Whispers From Yesterday will draw you in, bring you to tears, and open your heart. This award-winning novel weaves threads from three generations and two countries into a beautiful tapestry. Old wounds, deep regrets, and thwarted dreams could unravel the design, but Sophia knows from experience that God can heal every broken heart. So she keeps praying, watching, and listening, while wishing she’d learned those lessons a generation earlier.

The diary entries by Sophia’s sister Esther not only reveal Sophia’s old heartbreak, they awakened an awareness in me that our current society bears a troubling resemblance to pre-war Europe. Our invading enemy is a virus, where theirs was a human army, but both symbolize danger and a real need for a true faith in a true God.
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Whispers From Yesterday touched my heart and soul, spurring me on to a deeper faith in Jesus Christ. I award it five stars and highly recommend this book.
 
 

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TITLE:  More Than We Remember
AUTHOR:  Christina Suzann Nelson
DATE:  2020
PUBLISHER: Bethany House
STARS: *****

One night changes everything for three women. . . .

When Addison Killbourn's husband is involved in a car accident that leaves a woman dead, her perfectly constructed life crumbles apart. With her husband's memory of that night gone and the revelation of a potentially life-altering secret, Addison has to re-evaluate all she thought she knew.

Emilia Cruz is a deputy bearing a heavy burden far beyond the weight of her job. Her husband is no longer the man she married, and Emilia's determined to prevent others from facing the same hardship. When she's called to the scene of an accident pointing to everything she's fighting against, she's determined to see justice for those wronged.

Brianne Demanno is hiding from reality. She was thriving as a counselor, but when tragedy struck a beloved client, she lost faith in herself and her purpose. When her neighbors, the Killbourns, are thrown into crisis, Brianne's solitary life is disrupted and she finds herself needed in a way she hasn't been in a while.

As the lives of these women intersect, they can no longer dwell in the memory of who they've been. Can they rise from the wreck of the worst moments of their lives to become who they were meant to be? 

Three women, three hidden heartaches, and one terrible accident brings them together in ways none had imagined. As the story unfolded, I was drawn into the homes and lives of each one. Their struggles became mine, because of the descriptive power and fine-point writing of the author.

Addison has no reason to trust Emilia. Emilia has no reason to want to help Addison, and Brianne doesn’t trust herself to help anyone. As their lives become braided together, this powerful story unveils the absolute need for faith, honesty, and forgiveness. Little Lilly adds touches of humor, and I quickly fell in love with her.
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Powerful story-telling, multidimensional characters, and page-turning tension make More Than We Remember worthy of its five-star rating. Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

TITLE:  The Other Side of the River (In Search of Freedom #1)
AUTHOR:  Janice L. Dick
DATE:  2016
PUBLISHER: Tansy & Thistle Press
STARS: *****

Against the backdrop of a Russian nation in transition from Tsarist autocracy to communism, the Mennonite people who are settled in villages and colonies in western Siberia hope to remain unnoticed. The Siberian Mennonites wish for nothing more than relative freedom to live out their faith in peace, even if food is scarce.

Luise Letkemann yearns for freedom, security, and marriage to her lifelong love, Daniel Martens. She has heard of the war, famine and disease that have befallen her people in South Russia during the revolutions, wars and famines. She is also aware of the mass emigration of thousands of Mennonites from South Russia, now known as Ukraine, to the Americas. But until recently, her people have lived without significant governmental intrusion in Siberia.

The older I get, the more I appreciate history, and while The Other Side of the River is fiction, it is based on fact. Facts that drew and repulsed me, inspired and horrified. Because the story behind this story actually happened, the struggles of Luise and her beloved Daniel broke my heart even as their faith and love inspired mine. Author Janice Dick’s descriptions put me right into each scene. I felt the cold, saw the forests and plains and experienced the fear.
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My husband’s background is Mennonite, and we recently learned that some came from Russia, making this tale very personal. Well-written and haunting in its realism, The Other Side of the River earns five stars. Highly recommended.

TITLE:  Secrets of My Heart (Willamette Brides #1)
AUTHOR:  Tracie Peterson
DATE:  2020
PUBLISHER: Bethany House
STARS: ****1/2

Portland, Oregon, 1879. Nancy Pritchard finds herself a widow with a world of problems when her deceased husband's schemes start to come to light. As she searches through the pieces of her loveless marriage, Nancy realizes there is a lot that she didn't know about this man.

Seth Carpenter is a childhood friend of Nancy's who has recently returned to Portland. He's delighted to see her again, and as a lawyer, he is able to help her sort through the legal aspects of her husband's death. But there's more to him than meets the eye, and his job will take him into a darker side of Nancy's life--a side she didn't even know existed. As they search for the truth behind her husband's death, their attraction to each other creates complications, and the threat to Nancy increases. Can Seth be honest with her about who he really is and why he's come to Portland? And can Nancy bear another betrayal?

A familiar place in a different era drew me to Secrets of My Heart. I enjoyed imagining how Portland and area looked in 1879, especially the familiar Columbia and Willamette rivers. I did, however, have a hard time identifying with Nancy. Her stubborn refusal to reconcile with her parents touched a sore spot, as mine are gone from this earth. I do understand grief, and can only imagine the depth of sorrow at losing her beloved little brother.

Seth makes a wonderful hero, even though his need for secrecy creates a chasm between Nancy and him. I loved the renewal of friendship and hoped they could get past the barriers to find true love.

The supporting cast, especially the sisters Clifton and Mrs. Weaver, call for books of their own to reveal their well-kept secrets. I look forward to Gabe and Clementine’s story, too.
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Well-written (as expected from Tracie Peterson), Secrets of My Heart earns four and a half stars from me. Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
 

In this time of isolation, boredom and fear, faith-filled books are a great antidote, and LOVE IS IN THE AIR definitely fits the bill. Even better? You can pre-order this set (before May 10) for only 99 cents!!

I am excited to introduce five written-from-the-heart stories to you, dear readers. 

First Class Wrong Flight by Laura V. Hilton:
Candi Walker is excited to attend her former college roommate’s wedding. At least it’s a direct flight across the country and the potential of messing up is next to impossible…until she crashes into a handsome pilot. Now it’s a dream-come-true or her worst nightmare.

Alex Kuklewski has one last flight before he attends his stepsister’s wedding. Desperate to escape his tagalong ex-girlfriend’s clutches, Alex prays that his future wife would drop into his path. And she does. Too bad he and Candi aren’t headed to the same destination.

Emotional baggage on both sides exceeds the weight limit, and the flight to happily-ever-after seems grounded. What will it take for them to launch true love into the air?

A Castle in the Clouds by Candee Fick:
Aspiring romance novelist Miranda Scott has her head in the clouds and her nose buried in a book. Raised by a single mother, extravagant trips to castles overseas are only a fairy-tale…until a co-worker’s accident has her boarding a plane to teach creative writing on an all-expenses-paid school-sponsored trip. Family responsibilities kept Joshua Clark close to home, but it’s finally time for the history teacher to spread his wings. Hopefully his time chaperoning an overseas trip and seeing history in person will reveal what the next chapter holds.

However, falling in love surrounded by teenagers was never the plan.

Flying Into Love by Kathleen Rouser:
Unable to say no when others need her, Talia Sampson took on her deceased aunt’s advice column and the care of her special needs niece. Then new veteran, Ben Tanner, shows up unexpected on her doorstep. Hurt many times, he wonders where home is. Talia isn’t happy finding a hot-air balloon with him, but she treasures the old journal with it. Ben hopes restoring her family’s antique will please her, until he discovers a secret that shatters his trust. And Talia hates flying.

Will she trust God—and Ben—enough to go airborne?

To Gain Forever by Tanya Eavenson:
Karianne Bennett, small-town wedding coordinator, has always believed in happily-ever-afters. That is, for everyone but herself. Her fiancé’s alcohol-related death put an end to her own dreams and turned her career into a weekly reminder of all she’s lost. Hope comes when she adopts a retired service dog and a newcomer catches her eye.

Trey Scott has been fascinated with fireworks since he was a boy. If he can land the account for a hot-air balloon festival in an out-of-state town, he’ll be that much closer to achieving his lifelong goal. But his dreams never included a beautiful dog walker who also happens to be the stranger he’s been praying over for years.

Written in the Clouds by Kathleen Friesen:
An extraordinary cloud formation points two couples toward a forever love, if they dare follow its lead.

Serena Hanson has been caring for her mother and rental properties, and when a property sale is threatened, Serena vows to resolve it. JR Carmichael’s dad, Jim, sends him to solve the delay. From their first encounter, sparks fly, but will they kindle a happily ever after? Maybe, just maybe, they’ll find love at first flight.

Meanwhile, Serena’s mother, Blythe Hanson, reconnects with her high school love, Jim Carmichael. They’d never forgotten one another, but after so many years and so many changes, is their reunion too late?
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Can love—for two generations—be written in the clouds?