Sunday

Another Great Book by Denise Hunter



This is for 'A Cowboy's Touch' by Denise Hunter. It is A Big Sky Romance.

I had fallen in love with Denise Hunter's books when I read a 'Convenient Groom' and was so excited when I saw this book on the book list and beyond thrilled when I got a copy of it.
Once again Ms. Hunter does not disappoint. It certainly did not hurt that a ranch and horses are a key part of her story. I absolutely adore horses and could almost imagine myself riding along with Abigail and Maddy in the beautiful country of Montana.
I also have to add that I loved the name of the ranch, Stillwater Ranch. It sounds so peaceful there it makes you wish you could go and visit it.

This book is not only the story of Abigail, the investigative reporter, it is the story of a hurting father and his daughter.
The daughter is obviously in desperate need of a mother and it is nice to see Abigail be able to fulfill that role in whatever small way she can as her nanny.
You never know what someone might be carrying around with them. Whether it is guilt over a long ago situation or sadness over something you couldn't help.

These characters come alive as they struggle with everyday problems and trying to find balance in a crazy life. I'm sure many people can relate to the closed off feeling that Wade carries with him always. Once a deep hurt has reached someones very core it can practically take a miracle to pry it open again and the let light through.

I also have to commend Ms. Hunter on her background characters. They were just involved enough to keep the story interesting without being to large a focus and taking away from the main story point.
I especially like the quirkiness of Abigail's Aunt Lucy.

Abigail ends up stuck between a rock and a hard place like so many people do sometimes. Read this wonderful book for yourself and find out whether she makes the right decision in the end. :o)

While 'Convenient Groom' is still my favorite so far by Denise Hunter, I definitely will hang on to this book and look forward to reading her next one!

Happy Reading to you all!
Jenny


*Note* I received this book for free through the Booksneeze book review bloggers program in exchange for writing a review about it. I am not required to write a positive review. Any opinions expressed are my own and they are sincere.

Monday

A Very Good Read!



This Review is for the book 'Here Burns My Candle' by Liz Curtis Higgs.
I haven't read that many of her books but I usually love Scottish themed novels so I requested the book hoping I would like it.
I did in fact enjoy the book quite alot.
For me it started out a little slow as I had a bit of trouble keeping up at first with who was who. Two of the main characters share the same title and there are several women who are written about. After about a chapter, however, I got it straight. After that little hiccup this book was enjoyable from start to finish and I cannot wait to read the next installment of it.
I applaud the author as I know how much research writing a book of this caliber took. It is rich with Scottish history and I love learning things about it. I could envision the rainy Scottish town and the rolling green countryside. It made me wish I was there to see it for myself! Not in the books time period as there is a war being fought but current day would be lovely! :o)
You are drawn in with the characters and hold your breath right along with them when the plot gets a bit intense. I could easily envision the lovely dresses they wear and them reading and eating by candlelight.
Ms. Higgs does an excellent job of making you 'see' what she is describing. The heart of this book is family and faith. Joy when you are with the ones you love, heartrending pain when you are betrayed by the ones closest to you and grief over losing someone dear. Faith and God are delicatly woven throught the pages of this book, skillfully and not preachy or in your face, it is a gentle almost quiet presence throughout the book, quiet like our Lord himself. Gentle, patient and ever faithful. The mother-in-law only has her two sons left, and their wives. She holds secrets in her heart which pain her. The rest of them have their own secrets as well. The journey of faith that Lady Elizabeth takes is eloquent. She goes from being a simple weavers daughter to a Lady of title and seems to almost struggle with the two different worlds. What once was acceptable for her no longer is. Having a husband who is whispered about in the streets doesn't help her situation. I have to say that Elizabeth was my favorite character. I questioned her a bit at first but enjoyed watching her grow as the story progresses. I was skeptical the first few chapters but was thoroughly won over to this lovely book by the last page and will be reading the next installment.
I highly suggest this book and will look for more writing by this author.


What are you reading today?
Jenny










*Note* I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for posting a review about it. I am not required to post a positive review. Any opinions expressed are my own and they are sincere.