The Meaning of Marriage: Tim and Kathy Keller

I wanted to review this book, but I can't. There's just too much in it to try to condense meaning, so I will just try and jot down some nuggets to remember. I'm in a hurry to pass it on to a young, unmarried-but-on-the-way-to-it friend.

The secret of marriage  is that Jesus gave himself up for us (p45)...he died to his own interests...marriage only 'works' to the degree that apporximates the patternof God's self-giving love in Christ...do for your spouse what God did for you in Jesus, and the rest will follow. (p47)...Marriage is a major vehicle for the gospel's remaking of your heart from the inside out and your life from the ground up.

The power for marriage if we look to our spouses to fill up our tanks in a way that only God can do, we are demanding an impossibility...we are not to live for ourselves, but for the other...all Christians who really understand the gospel undergo a radical change in the way they relate to people. (p53)

The Gospel: you are so lost and flawed, so sinful, that Jesus had to die for you, but you are also so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for you....freely give and freely receive...love is the opposite of self-seeking...
The Gospel can make you happy enough to be humble...Without the help of the Spirit, without a continual refilling of your soul's tank with the glory and love of the Lord, such submission to the interests of the other is virtually impossible to accomplish without becoming resentful.

Seek to serve one another rather than to be happy, and  you will find a new and deeper happiness...
CS Lewis: Give up yourself, and you will find your real self...(Mere Christianity) Wounded people...are so engrossed in their own pain and problems that they don't realize what they look like to others...The essence of sin...living for ourselves, rather than for God and the people around us. (p63)...see your own selfishness as a fundamental problem...

'Fear' means to be overwhelmed, to be controlled by something. To fear the Lord is to be overhwelved with wonder before the greatness of God and his love....We love - because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

The essence of marriage Lewis Smedes - we are who we become by making wise promises and keeping them....to be fully known and truly loved is like being loved by God...it liberrates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.

The mission of marriage  - its purpose. Friendship....must be about something that both are committed to and passionate about...'those who are going nowhere can have no fellow travellers'. (CS Lewis, The Four Loves) (p114)

Christian friendship: spiritual transparency, spiritual constancy...deep oneness  develops as two people, speaking the truth in love, journey together...

Loving the stranger...We don't really know each other when we get married...character flaws cause problems..Marriage brings out the worst in you...Marriage has...'the power of truth'...which is a hard gift to receive...give each other the right to hold one another accountable...marriage has a power to heal us of hurts and convince us of our own distinctive beauty and worth...give your spouse love in the way he finds most emotionally valuable and powerful...give affection and friendship; reconcile; give forgiveness as Jesus did.

Embracing the other... recognising how different and unique we are.

Book reviews: summary notes

I've had a lot of books on the go recently: time to post some summaries for future reference. Especially as some of the books are borrowed or to-be-lent-on (rather than to-be-leant-on-and-kept).

First, Getting to Yes with Yourself by William Ury. All about negotiation and compromise and agreement and knowing who you are so you can know what you really want.

This question of asking what I REALLY want - and keep asking through the layers of self-deception until I get to a REAL answer - has been REALLY USEFUL.

He gives six steps to help us to understand what we really want so that we can find a way to satisfy our needs AND agree with others: a win-win situation.

1. Put myself in my shoes. Observe myself from 'the balcony', as if from a distance, in order to avoid simply reacting; go deeper and listen with empathy to my feelings; go even deeper and discern my underlying needs.  It's not just about WHAT I want, but WHY I want it.
2. Develop my inner BATNA (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement). The best course of action for satisfying my interests if I cannot reach agreement with the other side - looking for alternative solutions.
3. Reframe my picture. Change how I see my life, creating my own independent and sufficient source of contentment. To see life as being on my side even when it seems unfriendly.
4. Stay in the Zone.  Stay in the present moment, not get lost in resentment about the past or in anxieties about the future. This is the only place where I have the power to experience true satisfaction as well as to change the situation for the better.
5. Respect them 'even if'. Surprise others with respect and inclusion even if they are difficult, not meeting rejection with rejection, personal attack with personal attack, exclusion with exclusion.
6. Give and receive. Change the game to a win-win-win- approach by giving first instead of taking.

Some nuggets:
"Actions can be wrong, but not thoughts or feelings."
A good question is: "Isn't that curious?"
"If you talked to your friends the way you talk to yourself, you wouldn't have any." (on negative self-talk)
"the work of putting yourself in your shoes gives you the understanding to then take responsibility for your life and your actions."
"Taking responsibility means owning your failures and faults as well as your successes and strengths."
"Who is responsible for meeting my core psychological needs? Myself."
"...people who practise gratitude seem measurably happier and are more pleasant to be around."
"...say 'yes' to life, seeing life as our friend." (in spite of painful circumstances)
"Our  ability to relax and let life flow naturally depends on how solidly anchored we feel in a friendly world....reframe our picture of life and find satisfaction from within...accept life JUST AS IT IS." (emphasis mine)
"...forgiving those who have wronged us...means accepting what happened and freeing ourselves from its weight."
"If we don't let go of resentment and regret, we become prisoners of the past."
"...let go of EXPECTATIONS of how life should be..."  ACCEPT THE PRESENT
"Accepting life means saying yes to the past, letting go of resentments and grievances...(and) saying yes  to the future, letting go of needless worries and replacing fear with trust.
"It takes STRENGTH to forget the past, COURAGE to trust the future and disciplined FOCUS to stay present in the midst of life's constant problems and distractions."
"..show respect...more likely to receive respect...accept...include...turn enemies into friends."
"...each human being receives the call...only Abraham listened....Abraham was known for his hospitality, for TREATING STRANGERS WITH KINDNESS AND RESPECT."
"...each of us is called to embark on a journey into the unknown. Each of us is given a certain gift, a light within. It is simply up to us to clean the window that looks out and to let our light shine to others."
"...learn to give in fulfilment of our purpose..."
win-win-win: a win within; a win with others; a win for the whole - a larger and more generous perspective that benefits everyone around us.

And so, when I struggle with relationship issues, recognising that they often stem from a search for significance, I remember Victor Frankl's book Man's Search for Meaning  and remember that I can choose to respond by reaching out to and helping others.
And I can WALK alongside - not FACING, in conflict - with others. Walking in the steps of Abraham.

CHANGE THE GAME: CHANGE THE FRAME; from hostility to hospitality. From war to welcoming.

The secret to peace is the 'third side';
the third side is 'us' and
each of us can take a step towards peace.

Book review: Love Letter, a Babe's Bible novel

There was a health warning on the back of this book: 'Not for the faint hearted...once you begin you won't want to stop, but be prepared for an emotional journey.'

Love Letter is the third - and, I guess, sadly the last - in the Babe's Bible trilogy. Karen Jones has created a compelling character in Grace, a vicar, who deals with many of life's challenges and problems.  Grace's encounters with her husband and son, her friends, her colleagues and the women she encounters at the women's refuge she has helped set up, are interwoven with the book of Ephesians. Meanwhile, Grace is writing a story of her own: begun in the first book (Gorgeous Grace), it is the story of Mary and Lila, first century women who are disciples of Jesus.

There are many parallels and reflections between what happens in Grace's world, and what happens in the world she has recreated in her book. Yet the stories are not too similar. In Grace's world, sinful characters find redemption and grace; in the first century, there is much evil as the Jews suffer under Roman rule until, in 70 AD, the temple in Jerusalem is torn down. Yet throughout both stories there is a powerful sense of God at work in people's lives.

So yes, it WAS true. I read the book very quickly indeed. It was truly a superbly crafted page turner. Having finished the last in the trilogy, it is probably time to start at the beginning again: because these are books well worth a second read.

A September Bride

This was another fun read in the Year of Weddings novella series.
Annie Price has recently moved to Red Leaf to take up a job she loves: manager of a second hand bookshop, whose elderly owner, Lorna Kent, she had met online. Unfortunately, barely days into her new job, the police officer who pulls her over for for a fault on her car turns out to be Lorna's son Jesse, who is very suspicious of Annie.

The scene is set for romance, and Kathryn Springer does not disappoint. Neat characterisation and descriptive settings make the reader smile as attraction between Annie and Jesse deepens. Then the local historical society, with which Annie is involved, decides to reenact the wedding of a couple who were instrumental in founding Red Leaf. A relative lends the original wedding dress for the event, and Annie is the only one who can fit into it. Meanwhile, Jesse is then inveigled into taking the part of the groom...

A light bit of escapism in a sweet series: probably one of the best so far. I really enjoyed Springer's writing style and will look for more by this author.

I received this book at no charge from www.booklookbloggers.com in exchange for an honest review.

An August Bride by Debra Clopton

Review no 2. I read An August Bride in August, some light relief in the middle of hectic preparations for our own lovely August Wedding.

Right in the opening of the book Kelsey Wilcox, who has escaped a jilting fiance and her ranching background, is rescued from drowning by Brent Corbin. The sparks of attraction fly between them, but the path of love is not at all smooth.

Kelsey has made a new life for herself, surviving the disappointment of losing her cowboy fiance when he jilted her at the altar AND her father's loss of the family ranch when lack of finances made it impossible to continue.

She has vowed never to have anything to do with cowboys again, having built up her own bakery and cafe business on the beach, but Brent farms a cattle ranch nearby and she finds herself going out there to visit.

As the love story unfolds, with the help of Kelsey's aunt and her two friends who are known as the Matchmakin' Posse of Mule Hollow, we walk with Kelsey as she is faced with her own bitterness. She realises that her dislike of weddings and prejudice against cowboys stem from her own sense of betrayal but that she CAN dare to trust again.  And haven't most women felt like this at some time or another? Walking Kelsey's journey with her, as she gets to know a man who loves and respects her, encourages women with the hope of finding love again.

This was an easy-read little romance, which I read through the Booklook Bloggers program, which provides review copies free of charge.

A June Bride: book review A Year of Weddings

Our June Bride, Wynne Hardy, suffering from rejection when Callum broke her heart, agreed to let her friend Picky send a video clip of her to reality TV show The Rejection Connection. Surprisingly, she is selected and on it, she meets Andy, who, catching her unawares, proposes to her on air. She accepts, and the wedding machine, accompanied by a huge amount of publicity, is set in motion.

Yet Callum suddenly reappears, and Wynne's life is thrown into confusion. Add in interfering Meredith, a 'star' from TV programme Marathon Mom, hectic plans for a very public beach wedding, lots of conflicting feelings and a 'June wedding' is thrown into doubt. Will it really happen, in spite of all the plans?

Wynne is surrounded by secrets and intrigue, particularly from Meredith, her new-found friend. Can she unravel and understand what is happening, not least, within herself as both Andy and Callum claim her affections?

I enjoyed MaryBeth's writing, though I worked out what would happen fairly early on. I found the clues rather too obvious and would have liked to have been kept guessing a little more. Still, what did I expect? This is a light-hearted, short, romantic novel, perfect for whiling away a couple of summer hours on the beach. Good fun.

About the author: Marybeth Whalen is the wife of Curt and mom of six children. She is the director of She Reads, an online book club focused on spotlighting the best in women's fiction. Marybeth is the author of The Mailbox, She Makes It Look Easy and The Guest Book. Marybeth spends most of her time in the grocery store but occasionally escapes long enough to scribble some words. She's always at work on her next novel. Marybeth and her family live in North Carolina. You can find her online at www.marybethwhalen.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookblogger program. I was not required to write a positive review.

Four Weddings and a Kiss... #notTheWedding #justabookreview

Well, yes, I do have weddings on my mind at the moment. One particular Wedding, as beloved son and beloved daughter-in-law get married in a couple of weeks' time.

Yet marriage, as we know, is both fairytale and in-real-life, romantic and prosaic... just so with the four stories gathered together in this book.

The book opens with a conundrum: a preacher in love with an Unsuitable Girl finds himself on the receiving end of wise advice from four older preachers, sitting round a fire, telling stories...stories of unlikely marriages to similarly Unsuitable females.

Each story has a happy ending for its unlikely heroine: a girl who behaves like a boy - until she has to help her neighbour with womanly tasks, thereby discovering her femininity while demonstrating her strength. A clever, independent woman is more than competent at running a newspaper. A plucky victim of a tornado, unwillingly accepting help to rebuild her ranch and her life. And a vulnerable woman, unjustly accused of murder, who nevertheless comports herself with winsome dignity.

The women are not 'rescued' by a handsome prince -whether that be a hard-working rancher, an ambitious editor, a wandering cowboy or a conservative lawyer - yet each one discovers strength in herself and in the relationship. There are five happy endings in this book: the four stories, and the story of the confused preacher who finds... yes, he finds that his Unsuitable Girl is, in fact, eminently suitable to be a preacher's wife.

Although written by four different authors - Mary Connealy, Robin Lee Hatcher, Margaret Brownley and Debra Clopton - the stories form an agreeable whole. For an enjoyable, light read, it is well worth looking out for more from the same authors.

Western romance is not my particular interest, but I was given this free of charge by Booklook Bloggers, who always offer quality books. This was no exception.

A May Bride - book review

Starting to catch up on book reviews. Phew. Takes a while.


A May Bride by Meg Moseley is another light romance in the series 'A Year of Weddings'.  Fun, as Ellie (Ellison) Martin meets the man of her dreams, Gray Whitby, embarks on a whirlwind romance and becomes engaged - quite quickly, it seems to me, as this happens before we have even reached halfway through the  book.

But all is not plain sailing. Throw in some doubts and divided loyalties, as Ellie seeks to placate her controlling mother and keep her younger sister, Alexa, happy. Alexa's wedding looms, but then, when her mother discovers that Alexa and her fiance have put 'bed before the wed', her mother refuses to pay for the wedding and all the plans are thrown in turmoil. Ellie, who has saved for her wedding since she left high school, generously gives her wedding fund to Alexa: without asking Gray first.

He is, understandably, upset that she has made such a major decision - which impacts hugely on their own wedding plans - without asking him. So the road to a happy ever after ending becomes rocky and uneven.

There are quirky details in the book. Ellie meets Gray when he is guest at a 'guerrilla wedding'.  Ellie, a country girl who lives in the city of Atlanta, is secretly 'guerrilla gardening' in a churchyard, pulling up weeds and enjoying the peace when a wedding party arrives. Avoiding fees, the couple are married, unbeknownst to the resident minister, in the churchyard. Gray notices Elllie hiding in the bushes and....so Boy meets Girl.

Ellie's relationship with her mother is one which many girls - particularly eldest daughters - will recognise. Feeling an undue sense of responsibility to keep her single mother happy, Ellie does not always put her relationship with Gray first, causing tension between the couple.  Ellie is also at risk of jeopardising her own happiness while also sacrificing her future plans to her self-centred younger sister.

All works out well in the end: Ellie is married, her mother makes compromises and the story ends with hope for the future. Not just the young married couples, but also for the older generation as Ellie's mom is brought to a different realisation about her daughters' lives.

An interesting, albeit very light, read. My thanks to BookLook Bloggers and Zondervan for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book: I am enjoying this 'Year of Weddings' series and am looking forward to the next one.

Nashville Sweetheart by Rachel Hauck: a book review

In this intriguing romance set in Nashville, Aubrey James has been a country music star for a decade. She had performed on stage since she was a small child, but rocketed to fame after her parents, who had pioneered gospel music, were killed. A private person, Aubrey is forced to enter the public eye after a former close friend and associate betrays her. Yet the reporter interviewing her for the country music magazine 'Inside NashVegas' digs up someone from her past she would rather forget. As her world seems to collapse around her (Aubrey breaks off her engagement to a rich businessman and fights with her label over the sort of music she wants to produce), Aubrey finds herself falling in love with the reporter and at the same time rediscovers her faith in God.

I love Rachel Hauck's books and take every opportunity to read her writing and have, in fact, read this book twice (I obtained it free of charge from Booksneeze in exchange for an unbiased review). Yet I found the language difficult. Not only is much of it written in the first person, but also the points of view change as each of the two main characters speak in turn. This is not a writing style I enjoy and I found it distracting. Nevertheless, I was drawn into the story and started caring about the characters.  By halfway through the book I had become involved and found that I really did want to know the ending.

I'm not sure I'd read another book in the Nashville series, but can recommend Rachel Hauck as a writer.

An April Bride: book review

It is a month before the wedding and Stella Carson's childhood sweetheart is returning home to marry her. But Marshall Henderson has suffered a head wound while serving his country in the military. He has post traumatic stress disorder and a faulty memory: he doesn't remember Stella and he doesn't remember that they have planned to marry.

When her childhood dreams seem doomed, Stella hangs on with determination as Marshall commits to going through with the wedding in the hope that his memory will return. He knows he does love Stella, but he can't remember. While wedding preparations are finalised, Stella gently and lovingly nurses their relationship as they rediscover their shared past and, in doing so, each other.

This is a gentle, typically sweet American, girl meets boy story, in a romantically old-fashioned setting near the Mississippi river in Louisisana. Stella's family are affluent, the house and gardens elegant, dress and furnishings quietly fashionable... all is picture perfect. The storyline of lost memory regained is intriguing and Lenora Worth does indeed manage to draw the reader in with her carefully crafted writing, holding attention to the inevitably satisfactory ending.

However, I found it all too sugary sweet for my taste. Yes, there were elements of suspense designed to make the reader wonder whether Marshall would ever regain his health and love for Stella, but the ending was inevitable. I have enjoyed the 'Year of Weddings' series, which I obtain free of charge from Booklook Bloggers (formerly Booksneeze), but I found this one the most disappointing so far. Since the story dragged a little, in my opinion it would have worked better as a short story. Sorry, but this was not a keeper!

Book review: 'Dancing with Fireflies' – a Chapel Springs romance by Denise Hunter

Dancing with Fireflies is the story of Jade, a free-spirited, blues playing girl who has fled from her home town only to return years later, nursing a sad secret. It is the story of Daniel, a man who has loved faithfully in secret for years and has lost the courage to declare his love. It is the story of two people whose close relationship must – should – end with them realising their love for and attraction to each other: but will they make the wise choice to be together?

I have read other stories by Denise Hunter, finding her an entertaining writer: enough detail to flesh out the plot, neither too much nor too little. She shows  the characters’ thoughts and feelings without too much angst, subtly driving the plot forward.  We meet Jade’s warm family and Daniel’s cool one, mixed together with peripheral friends who are romantic and suitable distractions. We read of family rediscovered, lives rebuilt and love reclaimed.

Daniel’s earliest memory of Jade was of her spinning alone in the at twilight, dancing along with the fireflies. Will she learn to dance with fireflies again?  

Denise Hunter writes enjoyable romantic novels which deal with difficult subjects: death – both actual physical death and the death of hopes and dreams; loss and bereavement; unwanted pregnancy; rape. The setting may include dark times but Denise Hunter treats them carefully and thoughtfully without leaving the reader downcast or despondent. You, too, as I did, will finish this book with a smile on your face.

A March Bride

I love Rachel Hauck's writing, so, yet again, I leapt at the chance to review her novella A March Bride. It is a sequel to Once Upon A Prince, where American Susanna Truitt meets, falls in love with and is wooed by Prince Nathaniel of Brighton. This story tells of their wedding.

Prince Nathaniel had convinced Parliament to amend the Marriage Act of 1792 which forbade marriage  between foreigners and royals in line to the throne. We meet Susanna, now living in Brighton and trying to learn Brighton law, tradition, customs...and how to be the wife of a king. But Susanna is missing her family and the warmth of Georgia, while Nathaniel seems busy, preoccupied, apparently less in love with her: and she begins to have doubts.

Misunderstandings creep in. Parliament throws difficulties in their way. Susanna's homesickness begins to get the better of her. Her family need her...and so she goes home for a 'visit'.

Susanna has many doubts to overcome and we walk with her through different encounters as she comes to realise that yes, she does love Nathaniel enough to endure the rigours and responsibilities of royal life. And, in turn, he proves once again how romantic he can be...

This was a light and enjoyable read but I must confess I was a little disappointed. It was all just rather too predictable: we know -the girl ends up with her prince. It felt too much like a Disney fairytale: perfectly saccharine sweet with few surprises for the reader. But then, Once Upon A Prince was a hard act (too hard perhaps?) to follow...

This was a Booksneeze review copy I received for free: I have enjoyed all the other books by Rachel Hauck, but this is the first one I wouldn't have bought. (That doesn't mean I'll give up on her, though: she crafts beautifully written books!)

Book review: A February Bride

Lighthearted romance is an easy way - for me - to switch off, so when Booksneeze emailed me with the possibility of a  free review copy of another novella in the 'A Year of Weddings' series, I was pleased to accept. What's not to like about a free book, anyway? I had already read A January Bride and A December Bride, too, which I enjoyed.

So, this was a girl-leaves-boy-meets-boy-again story. Marcus and Allie had been a couple for years and it was a foregone conclusion that they would, in time, marry. We begin reading at their wedding - only to find Allie leaving just as she is about to walk down the aisle: literally. Wearing the dress which has been worn for many family weddings - not least, by her mother through several marriages - Allie notices a tear in the fabric. That is enough to trigger an all out panic attack and she leaves, convinced that the dress is cursed and that it would only be a matter of time before her marriage, too, would be doomed. Because 'Andrews women break hearts before theirs get broken' she believes that wearing the dress will make her ruin her own marriage, too. She loves Marcus too much to let that happen, so she walks out...

Four months of avoiding Marcus and his family later, and Allie's best friend Hannah, who also 'happens' to be Marcus' sister, gets engaged - and Allie has to be bridesmaid. Thrown together again, the romance rekindles, even though Allie is convinced that Marcus is better off without her. She is still full of fears and 'what ifs'. Dare she risk it?

If this all sounds a bit ridiculously full of convenient relationships, meetings and coincidences, well, yes it is. It was almost impossible to believe that Allie would walk out of her own wedding and not see her fiance to explain - or even send him a letter.  But Betsy St Amant weaves a convincing tale which drew me in and I eagerly read on to the predictably happy-ever-after ending.

Of course. And thoroughly enjoyable.

Stones for Bread

Just read another delightful book from Booksneeze. I had it free for review and was, I thought, the best choice in a relatively uninspiring collection. One of those I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy. It looked a little dull and complicated, with recipes for bread posted at the end of every chapter: too much dough and not enough yeast.

Wrong again.

Stones for Bread  by Christa Parrish is a beguiling story of bread and grief and romance and re-creation. And a rediscovery of faith in the Bread of Life.

Liesl McNamara's life is centred on bread. Centred..on the legacy of the sourdough starter she inherited from her mother, her grandmother...on the bread she bakes to sell in her bakery...and, though she does not recognise it to start with, on the Bread of Life. She wrestles with questions as if kneading dough, bringing them to the surface and then pummelling them back down until they rise, as inevitably as yeast, again. There is a gentle rhythm and cadence to the novel as Liesl's childhood, her present business and her future romance weave together into a glorious challah bread of a story for Sundays and holy days and holidays. And soul hungry days.

Liesl wrestles with life: with the healing of memories, the difficulties of the present and the possibilities of the future. She gathers ingredients while friends and family cluster round her, integrating themselves gently into her life, as yeast permeates a rising dough.

Christa Parrish creates real characters who encounter real life issues. Mystery bubbles up through the rising dough of the plot, so subtly hinted at that it takes a second and third reading to notice the clues. Just as yeast dough seems to rise slowly at first before it bubbles up triumphantly, begging to be baked, so the story gathers momentum, until I found myself turning pages as greedily as if I was taking a bite of oven-warm bread.

This book satisfies the soul, yet leaves it hungry for more. I turned back again to the beginning, rereading and highlighting wonderful phrases with which I long to fill my mind. And then, of course, there are the recipes - so delicious that they will make a bread-maker of me yet...

Book review: A December Bride. Because it's December, it's Christmas holidays and it's switch off and read read read time.

I was delighted to get a copy of this little novella to review from Booksneeze - for free!  Thank you! I had already read Barefoot Summer, a full length novel in the Chapel Springs romance series, so it was delightful to become reacquainted with some of the characters.

'A December Bride' starts off in time-honoured fashion with a hero (introduced only as 'Murphy', though we soon find out his Christian name is actually Seth) who the heroine, Layla, is antagonistic towards. Then there is a problem - who will be Layla's date at a wedding; and an even bigger problem: the wedding is of an ex-boyfriend who, it seems, she hasn't quite got over. Throw in some misunderstandings (not least, that Seth publicly announces his and Layla's engagement - without her agreement), nasty remarks from the woman who stole the ex-boyfriend and the heroine's striving to change career and you have all the ingredients for a fun read.

And I'm really not giving anything away when I say that the reader knows how it will all end - happily ever after - but just as happily skips through the twists and turns, the acid conversations, the embarassing situations and the romantic encounters to arrive at the ending. Great fun.

This is the first in the 'A Year of Weddings' series by a range of contemporary authors, including Rachel Hauck of 'Once Upon a Prince' and 'The Wedding Dress', both of which were delightful. Denise Hunter is now firmly established in my mind as a similar 'go to' author. Thanks for the introduction, Booksneeze!

Gunpowder Tea

What fun! Miranda Hunt is a woman detective in the late 1890s who sets off, undercover, to Arizona, under pretext of being an heiress. Her talents have been recognized by the Pinkerton Detective Agency and she is keen to prove herself by uncovering the identity of The Phantom, a notorious robber. Arriving at the Last Chance Ranch, Miranda finds numerous suspects, one of whom she is strongly attracted to. She is, however, determined that nothing – not even romance – will interfere with her mission to apprehend the Phantom. I found myself becoming as bewildered as Miranda as she sought to discover who was friend or foe – including another undercover agent working for the rival company, Wells Fargo. Margaret Brownlee throws the delights of a small community, intriguing characters and a young woman’s desire to follow God’s will for her life into the mix. The plot is enough to keep up the reader’s interest, while not too complex for enjoyment. BookSneeze® provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. Although I enjoyed it, it was a very light read: I would probably not have bought a hard copy to keep and reread. Nevertheless, I would definitely read more books by Margaret Brownley. Good for those ‘switching off’ moments – pure escapism!

Dear Mr Knightley - a book review. For fans of Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters...and Jean Webster

When I read that  Dear Mr Knightley by Katherine Reay (coming out tomorrow November 5th!)  was available on Booksneeze, I absolutely had to read it. Instantly.  Advertised as a modern Daddy-Long-Legs by JeanWebster, with a heroine who hides her true self behind Jane Austen quotes, what wasn’t to like? Almost every girl loves Jane Austen, while Daddy-Long-Legs is just about my favourite novel ever. I reread it, following the development and adventures of the heroine Judy Abbott, every few years, along with Dodie Smith’s  I Capture the Castle.

However, my high hopes initially disappointed me. The setting: Chicago, around a young people’s residential unit for children who had missed out on fostering, was recognizable as Judy Abbott’s  orphanage but the context was too modern for me. Sam, our heroine, had far more issues than Judy and I didn’t identify with her.  Still, I ploughed on and found myself becoming absorbed by the story. The plot and equivalent characters with Daddy-Long-Legs were fairly easily identifiable and I enjoyed seeing how Sam, with determination, persistence and loving encouragement, began to turn her life around. Her predilection for speaking in romantic literary quotations, chiefly from Austen and Bronte, was quirky and fun. I found myself trying to place the quotes before the characters were able to do so.

As the story progressed, I became anxious.  Sam’s letters to her anonymous benefactor (Mr. Knightley) parallel Judy’s letters to her college sponsor.  As I read, I wondered if Sam’s story would have the same equivalent charming, happy ending. Judy falls in love with a wealthy, successful man before she discovers he is, in fact, her anonymous benefactor.  Sam develops a close relationship with Alex, a highly successful writer. Yet she also has a steady boyfriend with a good job and lavish lifestyle. Both relationships have ups and downs which she shares with ‘Mr Knightley’.  More importantly, Sam works through her issues, overcoming past hurts and damaging experiences. The story might draw on an older novel, but would this modern retelling end in a similar fashion?

Well, I won’t spoil it. Suffice to say that the ending is suitably happy. Sam achieves success: in her career, in her relationships, and in becoming a whole, healed, happy person. And, as Jane Eyre would say: “Reader, I married him.” What more could the reader of romantic fiction want? 

This was a free copy from Booksneeze, but I would have bought it.

A Bride For All Seasons: comfort reading for cosy nights (and lazy summer days) - a book review for Booksneeze

When I started to read ‘A Bride for All Seasons’ I hadn’t realised that it was, in fact, four linked novellas by four authors: Margaret Brownley, Debra Clopton, Robin Lee Hatcher and Mary Connealy. Once I realised how talented these women are, then the book just had to be a winner, and it did not disappoint.

Each novella has its own distinct flavour, yet a common thread weaving through all: a girl  who arrives in a remote Western location to marry a stranger; a husband to be who suffers from a misunderstanding; an interfering matchmaking agency which causes the misunderstanding in the first place; and a happy (although, at first, unlikely) ending.  Strong, determined, feisty, loyal,  feminine women and men who are faced with having to change from their own set ways and expectations.

And Then Came Spring tells of a husband with preconceived ideas and a bride who relies on ‘luck’ before she realises that it is God who holds her future in His hands.  An Ever After Summer tells of a bride, who has only ever dreamed of a different life, the chance to actually change things. And, again, a husband who finds that discarding his prejudices can actually bring him happiness. Autumn’s Angel again shows how difficult circumstances can be overcome for the better while  Winter Wedding Bells again demonstrates how a marriage of convenience can change into a match made in heaven.

Love, loyalty, commitment; sacrifice and reward; overcoming hardship and winning happiness. Eternal themes running through never fail to satisfy the reader who is looking for a comforting read with a sweet taste.

The book comes with a useful study guide for a reading group and an added bonus was to read a behind the scenes interview with the authors: such fun!  How I would have loved to be a fly on the wall – it sounded as if they all had a blast! In future, I’ll pursue this combination of talented writers while devouring their individual creations.

I reviewed a free copy for Booksneeze: the books on offer are usually very well worth reading.  This was quite a lightweight read - good escapism!

Barefoot Summer: a book review

 

Barefoot Summer: A Chapel Springs Romance by Denise Hunter

I downloaded this book as a freebie from Booksneeze in exchange for a review. (This is the review, by the way.) I had in mind saving it for a holiday, but, once I started reading, I couldn't stop. I had forgotten - how could I? - that Booksneeze offers top quality books. I had also forgotten that I had read some of Denise Hunter's books before, but, when I realised, I was not surprised to find myself just as well entertained.

The book begins in an auction house: Madison, our heroine, is anxious to secure an important bid in a time auction: learning to race in a sailing regatta. Pleasingly, just after we meet her, we are introduced to her love interest a few paragraphs later, setting the scene nicely. Madison does not allow herself, however, to be distracted from her goal. This is simple yet problematic. Ten years after her twin brother died in a drowning accident, Madison wants to achieve his dream in his memory: to win the local sailing regatta. The problem? Madison cannot swim, let alone sail.

Our hero, Beckett, reappears - to Madison's dismay. It was definitely not her intention, but he turns out to be her swimming - and sailing - teacher. Yet another problem: she holds Beckett responsible for her brother's death.

Denise Hunter skilfully takes us through a maze of complications. We know there will be a happy ending - how could there not be - the question is, what? Will Madison and Beckett really end up together, because there are many real obstacles in the way? Or is this story mainly about courage, forgiveness, overcoming fears and hurts - is the resolution of the problems besetting our hero and heroine more important than whether they actually end up together?

I really enjoyed this book: yes, it's a (sometimes predictable) romance, but the intricacy of the plot keeps the reader well engaged and the character development is very credible, even relatively minor characters in Madison's family. I finished reading, wishing I could jump into the book and be a real part of Madison's community.

I have left out many of the details - I wouldn't want the whole plot revealed to me in advance, so I'm not going to spoil it for the reader. Read and find out!

'Once Upon A Prince' - a book review

I came across Once Upon A Prince as a free book offered for review on Booksneeze. Sounds fun, I thought, completely forgetting that I had already read gobbled up The Wedding Dress by the same author. Once I started reading this fairytale romance, I was similarly captivated.

Susanna Truitt is our heroine, a Georgia girl who is dumped by her long term boyfriend/anticipated husband at the start of the novel. Having dated no one else since high school, she has waited through 12 long years and all his spells of military duty overseas only to discover that he has fallen in love with a colleague.

This is not going according to plan, and plans are what Susanna lives by. Even her career as a landscape architect is going nowhere and so she works in the family eatery business in between trying to work for an old friend and branching out on her own: both enterprises fail.

This is not a story, however, about how an independent woman builds a successful career: anything but. It is almost Cinderella - except that Susanna is surrounded by loving family and friends. She soon meets her prince, who introduces himself as `Nate Kenneth' - the name Prince Nathaniel Henry Kenneth Mark Stratton uses when he is travelling incognito. Susanna has no idea that he is the heir apparent to a small European country. Modest and unassuming, he keeps such a low profile that she discovers his identity only by chance. As mutual attraction develops, so too do the complications. He is a prince of a foreign country; she is American. He has a life planned out for him; she is trying to discover the plan for her life. Both of them find they have to surrender their wills to God's perfect plan, while using the talents and gifts they have been given.

Rachel Hauck skilfully develops the characters of hero and heroine, their friends and families. Without too much introspection, we understand how Susanna and Nate think. Language is frequently quirky; often amusing; on appropriate occasions, it is tenderly romantic.

Of course, the story ends in happily-ever-after. The beauty of it is in discovering how the author works the threads together to achieve this. I have read it twice now: the first time quickly, then again a few weeks after for the purposes of this review. The second time was almost as fresh as the first, as I enjoyed noticing the twists and turns in the plot.

The only jarring note for me, as a British reader, was the name of Prince Nathaniel's country: Brighton, which is actually the name of a well-known town on the south coast of England. This really hindered me from understanding what the country was like, which was a pity. I had to invent a completely different pronunciation of the word as I read, so that it didn't continually grate on my nerves!

Perhaps, were the book to be republished in England, the name 'Brighton' could be changed?!