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.

The River Review

The River is Michael Neale's first book. It is a book about a child's tragic loss of his dad & his journey to forgiveness & hope. 
Gabriel is five when he witnesses his dad die by trying to help another person. For years, he stays away from the river.His life is one of existence, not life. He is haunted by his day's death which seemingly controls the everyday events of his life.
Fifteen years later, he is invited on a trip that will change his life. Reluctantly, he travels back to the river with his best friend. Gabriel learns to face the tragedy & finds forgiveness in his life. Meeting a special girl helps to show him there is hope for his life as well. At long last, he is free from the pain that controls his life & finds the meaning of true forgiveness.
Though this book was exciting from the start, included well developed characters & had a good message, I found it a slow read. I think it's just my personal preference for historical fiction, not modern fiction.
I received this book free from Booksneeze.com in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Simply Grilling Review

Simply Grilling Review

I have never been one to cook on a grill even though I love the taste that only charcoal can bring to food. After reading Simply Grilling, I’m not as intimidated by the grill as I was before reading this book. The author, Jennifer Chandler, not only makes grilling over charcoal seem easier that I originally thought, but she includes helpful tips for gas grilling as well.

 The recipes include easy to find ingredients one can obtain in any well stocked grocery store. Bright, clear pictures enhance the appetite of the eye. We always eat first with our eyes! Simple, easy to follow directions to make even the most timid griller (me!) a success. I’ve enjoyed the recipes I’ve used and hope to go through the whole book before Summer’s end.

I was given a copy of the cookbook in exchange for an honest review by book sneeze and Thomas Nelson publishers.

Dawn Comes Early Review

Dawn Comes Early Review

Dawn Comes Early by Margaret Brownley is the first book in her new series “Brides of Last Chance. Dawn Comes Early is a story about Kate Tenney, a girl from Boston who heads west. Kate is deserted by her father & neglected by her mother. She deals with overcoming a hurtful childhood by getting an education & becoming an author. The only problem with her becoming an author is that her latest book is banned! The banning sets Kate in motion to the Arizona Territory in hopes of becoming an heiress to a cattle ranch. 

 Upon arrival, Kate is instantly put in danger by a local outlaw Cactus Joe. Fortunately she faints & is rescued by the town’s blacksmith Luke Adams. Despite warnings about Miss Walker, the ranch’s owner where Kate is trying to become an heiress, Kate heads to the ranch. She must prove herself able to run a ranch in four months time and agree to remain single.

Kate learns firsthand from Ruckus and other cowhands what it takes to perform daily tasks required of a ranch. Along the way, Ruckus also teaches Kate about God & His word. Thinking back to her father’s desertion, Kate finds it hard to trust God and men.  

 Luke Adams sees Kate when he works at the ranch or when she comes to town. Slowly, his feelings for her develop despite her fancy words and polished speech, which he finds annoying at first. Luke realizes his feelings when he helps search for Kate when she is kidnapped by Cactus Joe. Will Kate realize her own love for Luke & forsake the ranch? Read this delightful & funny book to find out!

I received this ebook through Booksneeze in exchange for my honest opinion.