Being Known by Robin Jones Gunn - 5 Stars

I loved this book. Such a compelling read. There was so much there to keep me thinking of how some of the suggestions in the book could help me in my marriage.  A new way to think about God in regard to a marriage.  I loved the character Christy and her husband and their help with Jennalyn and Joel.  I could have easily read this book in one day.  It was so hard to put down and go to sleep when I got into the book.  I recommend this book to anyone who likes faith-based women’s fiction books.  The characters are so well developed and they work together so well.  I loved the ending.  I absolutely give this book five stars!

I received this book as an advanced reader copy in the kindle format from The WaterBrook & Multnomah Fiction Team.  All comments and opinions on this book are my own and freely given.  I love to support great authors and publishing houses!

Description

From the bestselling author of Becoming Us comes a novel that asks: What does it mean to be truly known? In a marriage, in a friendship, or by a loving God?

After her mom passed away, Jennalyn was in the midst of moving, adjusting to life with a new baby, and helping her husband, Joel, work toward his dream job. At the time, she thought she’d processed her mother’s death, but only now that Jennalyn has two small children, a lovely new home, and a husband who is always working does she feel the full impact of what she has lost.

Even among her sweet circle of friends, the Haven Makers, grief silently overwhelms Jennalyn, until an unexpected encounter allows her to express herself in ways she hasn’t fully been able to with her husband. Even though Christy, Sierra, Emily, and Tess provide a soft place to land in times of tension, Jennalyn remains guarded, especially when Tess reveals she is tangled emotionally in a relationship that was thorny from the start.

Will the two women open up and remain honest with the others in their Haven Makers group? Or will their hesitation to truly be known, faults and all, keep them from holding on to the friendships that have been the sweetest gift during this season of life?

We Came Here to Shine by Susie Orman Schnall – 4 Stars

Vivi an actress tries to make it as an actress but was promised a part in a major movie if she would go to the 1939 World’s Fair and work as a swimmer in the Aquacade.  Max dreams of making it as a journalist, hoping to win a contest in which she will have her next year of schooling paid for.  Instead she is sent by her Professor to work in the office of the 1939 Worlds Fair.  She finds that she won’t be writing articles, woman isn’t accepted as journalists at that time and all of the articles are given to her male partner.

The two girls have their paths cross and start to put their heads together so that they can get out of their individual assignments what they wish for.  There is much going on at the Worlds Fair as described in this book.  The characters are well written and believable.  The ending is a surprise.  They actually find that in the end, they can get what they wish for or rather what they hadn’t thought of to wish for.  The book was well researched, with much information regarding this first Worlds Fair.  I do wish she would have included more information on the fair but it’s obvious that she did delve into the history of this first event and she does include quite a bit of information from that time.  She included as much as she needed in order to back the story of these very different ladies and the story line she wanted to weave.

I did receive this book through Goodreads I believe in the mail.  The thoughts and opinions of this book are entirely my own and freely given.

Description As Found On Goodreads:

At the iconic 1939 New York World’s Fair, two ambitious young women—a down-on-her-luck actress and an aspiring journalist—form an unlikely friendship as they navigate a world of possibility and find out what they are truly made of during a glorious summer of spectacle and potential…

Gorgeous Vivi is about to begin filming her first starring role in a Hollywood picture when the studio head ships her off to New York as a favor to a friend. She’s assigned the leading role in the heralded Aquacade synchronized swimming spectacular at the World’s Fair, a fate she believes will destroy her film career. If she performs well, she’ll have another chance at stardom, but with everything working against her, will her summer lead to opportunity or failure?

Plucky Max dreams of becoming a serious journalist, but when her job at the New York Times doesn’t pan out, she finds herself begrudgingly working for the daily paper of the World’s Fair. As her ideas are continually overlooked by her male counterparts and her career prospects are put in jeopardy, Max must risk everything to change the course of her life.

When Max and Vivi’s worlds collide, they forge an enduring friendship. One that teaches them to go after what matters most during the most meaningful summer of their lives.

At Love’s Command by Karen Witemeyer

I just finished reading this book.  It was interesting to read about a female doctor at a time in history when they weren’t well accepted.  The book is well written, a clean historical romance, faith based, with suspense built in, I finished it in one day.  I found myself invested in the characters and wanted to see what happened to them in the end, so I stayed up last night reading it.  I would recommend the book to those who like this type of genre.

I received this book as an advance reader’s copy, the opinions and thoughts on this book are my own freely given.  I received this book in a kindle format from Netgalley.com.  I would give the book 5 stars.  #AtLovesCommand. #NetGalley.

Description

Haunted by the horrors of war, ex-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries known as Hanger's Horsemen who have become legends in 1890s Texas. They defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed. But when a rustler's bullet leaves one of them at death's door, they're the ones in need of saving.

Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men taking one look at her skirts and discounting her medical skills. What she's not used to is having a man change his mind in a heartbeat and offer to assist her in surgery. Matthew Hanger's dedication to his friend during recovery earns Josephine's respect, and when she hears of her brother's abduction, he becomes her only hope for rescue.

Matt has stared down ruthless outlaws, betrayal, and injury, but when a bossy lady doctor crawls under his skin, his heart is tempted to surrender. And when she is caught in the crossfire, he may have to sacrifice everything--even his team--to save her.

The Way Of Love by Tracie Petterson – 5 Stars

The Way Of Love by Tracie Petterson – 5 Stars

The story line was well researched.  Faith Kenner was the product of a rape by an Indian which I believe I read about in a previous book.  She has been passing for white for years.  She has always been helping her Mother and has the gift of healing those in need especially the native people living on the reservation.  She knows she’ll never be able to marry as Indian people are not allowed to marry anyone other than their own nationality.  She wants to go to Medical school and is accepted.  This book is all about having faith in God, romance, suspense, history and a little mystery.  What more could a person want.  I loved the ending.

I received an advance reader copy of this book in kindle format.  The opinion of this book and thoughts are my own and freely given.  I received the book through Netgalley.com.

#TheWayOfLove  #Netgalley.com  #TraciePetterson

Description

Faith Kenner is pursuing her dream to become a doctor at Willamette University's medical college so she can use her gift for healing to help those in need, especially the native populations forced onto reservations and then neglected. When she meets Andrew Gratton, a handsome riverboat captain who has been injured on his ship, she uses her skills to tend his wound, and a friendship grows between them. Andrew admires her strength and willingness to stand her ground, and Faith appreciates his intelligence and compassion. But Faith holds a secret that means their friendship can never become anything more, so she must bury her feelings for Andrew as best she can.

When her fellow students put together lectures to speak out against Oregon's racist laws and policies, Faith is eager to participate. But some powerful men have other plans for their state, and soon Faith is caught in the middle of a plot to push the local Indian tribes to rebel. As she and Andrew fight for the rights of others, their love for each other grows. Can they trust that God has a way toward love for them, or will her secret stand in the way of their one chance for true happiness?

A Marshal's Embrace (Marshals with Heart Book 3) by Dora Hiers (Goodreads Author), Tori Kayson (Goodreads Author) 5 Stars

A Marshal's Embrace (Marshals with Heart Book 3)
by Dora Hiers (Goodreads Author), Tori Kayson (Goodreads Author)

Clean romance with suspense and mystery added in.  I really enjoyed the book and finished it in one day.  I was surprised at the ending.  I really liked the characters they were well written, as was the story line.

I received the book as an advance reader copy, my thoughts and comments are my own freely given.

Description as found on Goodreads:

A flight medic and an acrophobic marshal…can they overcome their fears to embrace a forever love?

After an injury forces Deputy U.S. Marshal Ryker McLane off duty, he retreats to his hometown to recover and reevaluate his career. But that down time quickly disintegrates after someone threatens his childhood friend “Dane.” But Danae isn’t his best friend’s little sister anymore and protecting—and resisting—the beautiful and generous woman takes more energy than hunting down her attacker.

Flight Medic Danae Huntley has loved Ryker since the day he joined their motley family at Quiver Full Orphanage. But the marshal only looks at her as a sister, a pesky, troublesome younger sibling. Besides, her outlook on life—embracing it to the fullest, risks and all—drives the man crazy! But when the threats escalate and the wounded marshal refuses to leave her side, dreams of a real family sink roots deep in her heart.

Will Ryker recognize Danae for the strong independent woman she is? Can he learn to live by grace and accept that God shapes their path? Can they overcome their fears to embrace a forever love?

A fast-paced, action-packed romance by Heart Racing, God-Gracing Romance author, Dora Hiers! (less)A flight medic and an acrophobic marshal…can they overcome their fears to embrace a forever love?

After an injury forces Deputy U.S. Marshal Ryker McLane off duty, he retreats to his hometown to recover and reevaluate his career. But that down time quickly disintegrates after someone threatens his childhood friend “Dane.” But Danae isn’t his best friend’s little sister anymore and protecting—and resisting—the beautiful and generous woman takes more energy than hunting down her attacker.

Flight Medic Danae Huntley has loved Ryker since the day he joined their motley family at Quiver Full Orphanage. But the marshal only looks at her as a sister, a pesky, troublesome younger sibling. Besides, her outlook on life—embracing it to the fullest, risks and all—drives the man crazy! But when the threats escalate and the wounded marshal refuses to leave her side, dreams of a real family sink roots deep in her heart.

Will Ryker recognize Danae for the strong independent woman she is? Can he learn to live by grace and accept that God shapes their path? Can they overcome their fears to embrace a forever love?

A fast-paced, action-packed romance by Heart Racing, God-Gracing Romance author, Dora Hiers!