Review: Irish Meadows by Susan Anne Mason

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Irish immigrant James O’Leary has spent his life building Irish Meadows into a thriving horse farm and is not about to let hard economic times threaten its success. He intends for his daughters to marry prosperous men–ones who will secure the family’s rightful place in society, and at the same time, guarantee the future of Irish Meadows. Both girls, however, have different visions for their futures.

Brianna and Colleen O’Leary know their father expects them to marry well. Yet despite his wishes, Brianna, the quieter sister, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry– as long as her father’s choice meets her exacting standards. When stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from college and distant family member Rylan Montgomery stops in on his way to the seminary in Boston, the two men quickly complicate everyone’s plans. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?

My Review

The overall feeling I got from this book was desperation. The patriarch of the O'Leary family has a financial and social agenda and expects his loved ones to do his bidding without question. He is quite the bully and creates quandaries for the members of his family who are caught between  loyalty to James and following their dreams. There is plenty of angst as matters of the heart are involved and passions are repressed. I enjoyed the characters and read anxiously as each made choices that created a ripple effect throughout the story. I appreciated that the relationships were realistic- Gilbert and Brianna in particular had issues of trust, communication and expectations to work through, and the path was not smooth. The overriding theme was for each member of the family to learn to follow God's will for their life, not their father's.

(Thank you to Bethany House Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review: Mercy's Rescue by Debra Holt

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Fighting for his life after an ambush, Sheriff Josh Wellman awakes to find himself looking into the eyes of a real-life angel of mercy. Despite his groggy condition, he knows his life has changed the instant their hands touch.

Devastating heartbreak has left Mercy Smith's faith in tatters, her heart guarded against more loss. Her dedication to the air evac trauma team she leads has insulated her from the realities of the earth below, so now Josh faces the biggest challenge of his life.

Can he find a way around the walls that fortify her heart and convince this angel to stay on the ground with him? Can Mercy open herself to life again and find a way to restore her faith in God ... as well as love?

My Review

The plot of this book was solid and I especially enjoyed the perspective of a med-evac nurse. I didn't mind the love at first sight angle, but the romance didn't feel fully developed. The cockiness of the sheriff was charming... most of the time. His perspective was introduced midway through the story- I think it would have felt more balanced to have been earlier on. Mercy is a strong and independent character who has hidden vulnerabilities that rise to the surface when Josh stirs up feelings that she is not ready to face. She seemed to constantly deal with him in fight-or-flight mode which became frustrating as it repeatedly inhibited the progression of their relationship to any deeper level.

The story line of her mother's unexpected relationship with Josh's stepfather resonated with me since it echoes my own life- my widowed mother has also found a second chance at love which brings thoughts and emotions similar to what Mercy was feeling. Overall I'm glad I read this book despite some cliches and alcoholic consumption.

Review: The Lone Star Romance Collection by Cathy Marie Hake and Kimberly Comeaux

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Enjoy two series of romances under one cover from authors Kimberley Comeaux and Cathy Marie Hake. First head to Springton, Texas, where two Texas belles—a pretty outcast and a shy nurse—find rattlesnakes easier to lasso than the hearts of the men they desire. Then join the Gregor brothers from Scotland—doctor, cobbler, lawman—as they settle in the Wild West, seeking wives to help them live out a legacy of faith that their father rooted in them. Watch as God’s love unfolds a grand design into each life.

My Review

I enjoyed these novellas overall, although I discovered that I preferred the writing style of Cathy Marie Hake over Kimberly Comeaux which came off as a little cheesy. Despite the fact that the majority of the stories involve either a rape, attempted rape, unwed pregnancy, or prostitution, they are full of hope, redemption, forgiveness, and unconditional love. The connection between the tales of the Gregor brothers was nice since they wove together and made me feel like I was reading a whole book instead of three separate stories. I appreciated that each brother was unique as an individual but shared a heritage of strong family values and loyalty.

(Thank you to Barbour Books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review: Counting on a Cowboy by Debra Clopton

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

After losing everything dear to her, Abby never wants to love again. But a certain cowboy spurs her to wonder if maybe love is worth the risk. Running from a past that haunts her, Abby Knightly is drawn to the homey town of Wishing Springs, Texas, after her favorite advice columnist found love and a home there. Maybe this small town could offer hope and healing and a future for Abby too . . . if she's brave enough to reach out and take it. Bo Monahan isn't interested in the new romantic destination his little town has become--or the women who might be looking at him like he's their next Mr. Right. Between taking care of his Pops and his growing stirrup business, he isn't looking for serious romantic commitments. But unexpectedly the young child he never knew about appears on his doorstep and Bo's world is turned upside down. This confirmed bachelor might not need a wife, but he sure needs a woman . . . and newcomer Abby Knightly is definitely a woman. When she comes to his rescue to help him navigate fatherhood, he slowly uncovers her own history. And suddenly Bo's thinking maybe, just maybe, together they can help each other work through the problems of the past to create a future of their own.

My Review

I was fully engaged in the story the entire time I was reading this book. Abby portrays a wide range of emotions as she daily struggles with her feelings of guilt, grief and ultimate desire to feel happy again. She is a perfect example of how our perceptions of self and situation can be distorted while we are weighed down with heavy emotional burdens. Abby experiences unconditional love for Bo's son Levi and that love works to heal her deep hurts. Allowing herself to love the baby opened her heart to be able to allow romantic love then blossom. Bo is adorable in his adoration of Abby which was unexpected since he seemed pretty gruff in the previous book in the series. His devotion to Pops, his grandfather with Alzheimer's, shows how both hope and acceptance of the hand life deals you help to still celebrate the good memories and daily joys however small. I loved the cast of family and community members who emphasize the importance of reaching out, connecting with others, and surrounding yourself with positive friends and people. The message I took from the book is that we can't do it alone- we need each other and we need God. This story is full of heart in an idyllic setting with realistically flawed characters reaching out and supporting and trying their best. 

(Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing and BookLook Bloggers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)