Gunpowder Tea Review

Gunpowder Tea is the last of three novels in Margaret Brown’s Last Chance Series. In my opinion, it is the best of the three (each book is a good read though!)

The story starts off similar to the other books in the series, in that the author establishes the back ground of the main character-a hopeful heiress to the Last Chance Ranch. This time however, the main character-Annie-is not truly interested in obtaining the ranch as a means of support for she is a Pinkerton detective. She has been sent to the ranch in hopes of discovering the identity of the mysterious Phantom who is terrorizing victims through train and bank robberies. Clues about the Phantom have led the Pinkerton Agency to the Last Chance Ranch as well as a Wells Fargo detective. Neither detective knows the true identity of the Phantom or each other for that matter. All people on the ranch are considered suspects. Both detectives are surprised by the identity of each other, neither being a true ranch worker.

Unwillingly, they team up to discover who the Phantom is, only to discover a strong attraction between themselves. Do they find out who the Phantom is? Do they acknowledge their feelings about each other? Will Annie change her mind and truly try to become the long sought out heiress of the Last Chance Ranch? Please read the wonderfully written book. I don’t want to ruin the ending for you!

I was given this book free of charge by Booksneeze.com in exchange for my honest opinion.

You'll Get Through This Review

You’ll Get Through This Review

You’ll Get Through This is Max Lucado’s most recent book. He takes the story of Joseph from the Bible and parallels it to modern life. Evil, Satan plans for us, is always turned to good by a gracious God. The reader sees this in the story of Joseph. Joseph was favored, hated, sold, enslaved, falsely accused, imprisoned, forgotten and then exalted. So many of us go through similar situations that leave us feeling the way Joseph did at times. Did our God abandon us when bad things happened? No. He is always there, He is always working to turn evil to good. He loves us.

    Max Lucado has long been a favorite author of mine. He is talented in writing the books for the everyday person to understand who God is & what He does. Biblical understanding is a blessing the reader can receive by reading Mr. Lucado’s book. I was not disappointed by this book. Jesus is the one who receives the glory in the story of Joseph. My favorite part is the parallels Max wrote between Joseph and Jesus.  An ordinary man (Joseph) went through one hardship & trial after another yet he remained faithful to God. Can’t we do the same? 

 Booksneeze gave me this copy free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Bride for All Season's Review

A Bride for All Seasons Review

  A Bride for All Seasons is a novel composed of four short stories about the marriages of four mail order brides-one for each season. 

   The first story is written by Margaret Browley and takes place in Spring. It is the story of Mary-Jo Parker and Mr. Garrett. Unknown to both characters, the agreed upon union is based on information tampered with by the mail order catalog owner, Melvin Hitchcock. 

   Both characters uncover the truth about their correspondences but somehow seem to make a workable relationship in which both discover love and happiness. Margaret Brownley weaves this story with her usual wit and humor much to this reader’s delight.

   In the season of Summer, the reader discovers the story of Melvina Smith and Matthew McConnell. Once again, letters have been tampered with by the catalog owner and both characters are in for rude awakenings when they discover the truth of one another’s desires for a mate. This story is written by Debra Clopton. This was a first time read of this author but definitely not the last! This was my favorite story in the book.

  Robin Lee Hatcher wrote the third story for Fall. I was quite disappointed in this story of Luvena Abbott and Clay Birch. The story line was very different from the other three-not really holding to the theme of the old West. 

  Mary Connealy wrote the final story taking place in Winter. Megan McBride and David Laramie are the only couples to unite in matrimony shortly after meeting. After the wedding, Mr. Hitchcock’s interference is uncovered. Mary Connealy is a talented author. Once again, she has created a male character that this reader can picture and admire. 

Overall, this book was a very good read. I look forward to more stories by these authors.

Booksneeze gave me this ebook in exchange for my honest opinion.

We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook Review

We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook is a joint effort of a mother & her daughter. They are opposites in personalities as well as their taste in food. Becky, the mother, is the "normal" one in my opinion as far as food goes. She likes meat! She eats meat! She provides recipes for the reader that contain meat. Rachel, the daughter, & her husband try the vegan diet after listening to an audiobook on the diet. She offers recipes for this lifestyle. Some may find the recipes worth trying, myself included, but this reader has no intentions of this type of diet taking root. Not when God declared all foods clean and acceptable to eat. 

Personal stores of each author accompany the recipes which comes at the end of the chapters. Their faith is spoken in soft but unmistakable ways much to a Believer's delight. It should still appeal to the lost readers out there as well. 

The book had humorous moments and testimoies of one's faith, so that makes it worth a read.

This book was provided free of charge in exchange for my personal opinion through Booksneeze.com.

Unrivaled Review

Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell

I am not usually a fan of historical fiction that does not take place outside of the West, but Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell was a good read. Siri Mitchell is a talented author who told a story around candy-a fulfillment of the American dream. Lucy Kendall is the daughter of a candy maker who lost his business and his most famous candy recipe. Lucy is determined to restore her father's business when his health prevents him from making candy. 

Charles Clarke reunites with his father to help in the candy business as well as make up for lost time. Charles and Lucy meet unaware that each other are competitors in the candy business. A strong attraction between the two main characters is woven throughout the book despite feelings of betrayal over candy recipes, candy promotions & underhanded business practices.

As both Lucy and Charles try to help their fathers, they learn lessons in God's grace and His love. God's love is greater than their sins but both characters must learn this truth through their circumstances. Charles must learn to forgive the father who walked away years ago & accept the fact his past cannot keep God from loving him. Lucy must learn to rely on God, not herself, to help those she loves. Read the book to discover how sweet candy and God's grace is to those who accept it.

Waiting for Morning Review

Waiting for Morning is the second book in Margaret Brownley’s series “The Brides of Last Chance Ranch”. Readers are introduced to the next heiress applicant, Molly Hatfield. Molly sees Miss Walker’s ad for an heiress and travels to Last Chance Ranch in Arizona with her disabled brother in tow. Being a singer in a saloon who sees the worst side of men and the only living relative to take care of her brother, Molly doesn’t mind the “do not ever get married” stipulation Miss Walker requires of her heiress.

An exciting introduction to the town’s doctor, Caleb Fairbanks, leaves Molly more determined to become the heir of Last Chance Ranch. Despite the presence of her brother, Molly convinces Miss Walker to give her a trial period in which she hopes to prove herself capable of running a cattle ranch.

Unlike the first book in the series, where the ranch duties take precedent in the character’s trial period, the author now focuses on the more personal lives of the town doctor, the disabled brother and Molly. 

Donny, Molly’s brother, learns to become more independent through the help of the easy going, easily likable Dr. Fairbanks. Molly learns through trying situations on the ranch and dealing with Donny, that she is loved by God; truly loved. She learns to accept and return the love of Dr. Fairbanks, but does she love the ranch more? Which will she choose?

Margaret Brownley is a talented, Christian author who is fun to read. This book was given to me free of charge in exchange for my honest review through Booksneeze.com.