Barefoot Summer

 

Barefoot Summer

By: Denise Hunter

 

Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter was a book I did not want to put down! It was a book with twists and turns and just when you thought you knew how something would end, Hunter would twist the plot in such a way to keep you reading. Love it!

Madison, a vet, a twin, daughter in a wealthy family, appears to have it all on the outside. However, nightmares befall her nightly, and she keeps messing up at work due to a lack of sleep, not to mention her youngest sister has more or less disappeared and the family doesn't know where she has gone or why she left.

Beckett, a sailor, son of a drunk, has a descent life, but knows something is missing.

Madison wants to learn to sail in an attempt to stop her nightmares by successfully winning the towns regatta in honor of her brother who dies ten years ago. Beckett ends up helping her and feelings that have been pushed aside for years begin to come through.

There is so much to say about the characters and the plot, but I don't want to give anything away! Hunter does a truly incredible job at weaving the lives of these characters together with their joys and problems. The reminder that God loves and forgives is prevalent throughout the book. Always a reminder to take to heart.

Once Upon A Prince

Once Upon A Prince

By: Rachel Hauck

 

Once Upon A Prince by Rachel Hauck was one romantic love story I didn't want to put down! Beautifully written, full of culture and history, it was the perfect blend. As with other books I have written by Hauck, I was immersed in the book from the very beginning.

Susanna, a woman from Georgia thinks she has life figured out, a plan of all plans. Her military man will come home from deployment and after 12 years of being together he would finally propose! Or so, Susanna thought.

Nate Kenneth, in Georgia on holiday from Brighton Kingdom, is visiting his cousin and decides to get out for a bit. Meeting Susanna at Lover's Oak after her breakup was not a coincidence, but truly ordained by God. The two enjoy some time together and learn a bit more about each other, but not everything.

Susanna, a struggling landscape architect hopes to find work in all the right places, yet is looking in all the wrong places. Nate and Susanna's friendship grows when he asks her to fix and landscape his father's garden in Georgia. Suddenly, Nate must go home, and both pine and long for one another 4,000 miles away.

A tale of romance and finding yourself. I truly enjoyed this novel by Rachel Hauck.

Wishing on Willows

Wishing on Willows

By: Katie Ganshert

 

I have found a new favorite author! Katie Ganshert sure knows how to deliver a power-packed book! I enjoyed her first book, Wildflowers From Winter, and I enjoyed my most recent read of Wishing on Willows.

Robin, a widowed single mother, lives and owns a cafe called Willow Tree. She has a few workers and a few customers and loves to play the piano that was given to her by her mother. Ian, a development contractor, who works for his father out of Peoria, has been called by the mayor of Peaks to build condominiums. Due to the recession Peaks has to had a lot of people coming to town, and Ian's father's business isn't doing so well either. Ian needs to make the sale for the development of these condominiums in order to help his father's company and redeem himself in the eyes of his father. However, there is one person standing in his way, Robin.

As Ian gets to know the town and the people living there, he comes to feel a sense of home there, except for the one person standing in his way whom he also is starting to get feelings for. Through the experiences of working with such an intimate town and seeing how family sticks together Ian learns more about himself and so does Robin.

Ganshert really knows how to write a conclusion as well. She gives you just enough and allows your imagination to fill in all the missing pieces, which I love.

I am excited to read more books by Katie Ganshert. She writes like all of my favorite authors and keeps me interested to the very end.

The Heiress of Winterwood

The Heiress of Winterwood

By: Sarah E. Ladd

 

I loved reading The Heiress of Winterwood, by Sarah E. Ladd. The story begins with Amelia Barrett taking care of a woman who has been living at Winterwood, Amelia's Home. Kathryn, a very sick woman, just had a baby named Lucy. Her husband, Captain Graham Sterling, was away at sea during this time. As Kathryn's life came to an end, she made Amelia promise that itching would happen to her lucky, that she would care for Lucy as her own child. Amelia fully intended to do just that.

As the story progresses, Amelia is engaged to a man, Edward Littleton, who is working with her uncle and the Barrett Trading Company. Edward is adamant about Lucy being gone once he and Amelia marry, but Amelia is less than fond of this idea. She also knows that by the age of 24 if she has not married she will not receiver her inheritance, nor will she be able to keep her status and home at Winterwood. She therefore comes up with a plan to end the engagement with Edward, and propose to captain sterling, Lucy's father, when he arrives from sea to see his child for the first time.

Events occur thought this book that keep you guessing and keep you engaged in the story. There were a few parts in the beginning that were a little slow, but the plot quickly thickened and I was engaged in the story from then on. This was the first of Ladd's books thatI have read, and I hope to read more from her Whispers on the Moors series, as this was book one.

The Color of Hope

The Color Hope by Kim Cash Tate is a continuation from another book titled Hope Springs. 

I really enjoy reading books of this nature that discuss the trials of the color barrier. The hardship that the characters face in the book remind me that my hardships are not always so bad. They also remind me to be thoughtful of those around me and to judge less and seek The Lord and His ways more than my own. 

This book has many characters, it is a blending of one large family and two churches, one white and one black. The pastors of both churches e very young and have some great ideas for getting the community to be more conducive to each other and to "blend" so to speak. However, the elders (more so the white church than the black church) have a difficult time dealing with this. 

There are other issues that Tate addresses in this book. Hatred for mix races, popularity and the unpopular, dating one of a different race, and just everyday issues that we all face in life. 

Tate does a remarkable job of blending it all together and creating a solid yet enjoyable read. 

Young Adult Novel

Right Where I Belong 
By Krista McGee

Right Where I Belong, by Krista McGee is a fun young adult novel about following the plans God has set out for you. Natalia, a high school senior leaves her home country to go live with her ex step mother in the United States. 

Natalia decides early on that she is in the United States to be with Maureen, to get an education, especially bible class, to be away from her parents who insist that she should not throw away her life and education on a job that won't provide, and more than anything, to not date!

Natalia meets some great friends who help her acclimate to her surroundings and help her as she is unable to help Maureen cope with her grief. These friends, are characters from other books by Krista McGee which I though was a fun, unique way to write the story. 

I really enjoyed reading this story as a simple love story and with the hidden gems about our  Lord that are always encouraging to hear. I have enjoyed the other novels by Krista McGee and would recommend them, especially to young adults. 

Thank you Booksneeze for the opportunity. 

Echoes Glenbrooke Series Number 3

Echoes

By: Robin Jones Gunn

 

Echos, the third book in the Glenbrooke series was a fun sexual to the plot that started in book one, Secrets. The majority of the story did not involve any of the characters from book one until closer to the end, which allowed for a really nice twist and really brought the Story based in Glenbrooke together.

Lauren, at the start of the book is engaged and will soon be married to Jeff. However, he turns about to be a very different man than she became engaged to and broke off the engagement when an offer to move and work in New York presented itself. Lauren, heartbroken, did not know what to do or what to think.

Her brother came, bearing gifts, most useful to her was the computer he installed, and she began a correspondence with K.C.. Over the course of a year they shared many things, including poetry by their favorite authors and a shared book on scripture. Lauren had fallen in love and eventually, K.C. Asked if they could meet. Lauren, unsure of the relationship for the first time was hesitant.

As mentioned, this book series has a really fun plot, and in order to find out what happens to Lauren, this book is a must read, especially if you have read book one, Secrets. I have not had the chance to read book two, but it was not necessary as each book has their own plots and stories, the characters are simply woven throughout which I think is very fun! Enjoy!