Taming the Wind

Taming the Wind By Tracie Peterson

Published by Bethany House Publishers

Tracie Peterson is an author known for her Christian based Historical Ficton/Romance. I would have to say that she is one of my favorite authors in this genre.

Taming the Wind is the 3^rd book in the Land of the Lone Star Series by Tracie Peterson. It is set in the Post-Civil War Era. I have read the other 2, and have really enjoyed them.

Clarissa Lowe is a young widowed single mother who has resigned herself to the tough life of raising a rambunctious 2 year old daughter on her own. As a young widow, she is trying to decide how to make a living in a land still reeling from the after effects of the War Between the States.

Tyler Atherton is a cowboy with demons of his own. Cast off his land for being a Union symapthist during the war, he must deal with the rejection of the only state he's ever really loved, all the while dealing with the murder of his family by Indians several years before. 

Tyler helped save Clarissa's life several years ago, and he's never forgotten her. He learns that she and her daughter have moved in with her older sister on a neighboring ranch, and decides to go see how Clarissa and her daughter, Gloria, are doing.

When he meets Gloria, though, she worms her way into his heart in a way he'd never expected.

Read Taming the Wind for the story of Tyler and Clarissa's budding relationship. Will the demons of their past drive them apart, or will they join together in their grief and find love in a harsh and barren land?

The Breath of Dawn

The Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzmann

Published By Bethany House Publishers

This book was provided to me free of charge by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my written review.

The Breath of Dawn was an enjoyable book with both suspense and a bit of romance. It was hard for me to put down!

The Breath of Dawn is a story of Quinn Rielly, who, 4 years before, had done the right thing and given testimony that put a criminal behind bars. Now he's out, and apparently after Quinn.

It's also the story of Morgan Spencer, a very successful businessman who is a single dad due to the tragic loss of his wife. He seems to have all his ducks in a row, but his heart is still breaking.

When Morgan and Quinn meet, will the feelings that develop between them cause even more pain and suffering, or will it just what the doctor ordered?

Read this enjoyable Romantic Suspense book to find out. And if you want even more background about Morgan, read A Rush of Wings and The Still of Night.

This was my second or third book that I'd read of Kristen Heitzmann's and I was so excited to realize I had already purchased the other two of her books that feature characters from this book! :) I can't wait to read them.!

Though Mountains Fall

Though Mountains Fall by Dale Cramer

Published by Bethany House Publishers

Though Mountains Fall is the 3rd in the Daughters of Caleb Bender series. I hope it's not the last!

Though Mountains Fall is the continuing story of an Amish community who pulled up all roots from Ohio, and moved to a drastically different environment in Paradise Valley, Mexico.

Caleb Bender and his family were the first pioneers in Paradise Valley, and through this series, I have followed the stories of his daughters, Emma, Miriam, and Rachel as they grow and develop in their romances with and marriages to their beaus. This story focuses mainly on Miriam's decision to accept Domingo - a Catholic Mexican man's - proposal of marriage.

Domingo has worked for Caleb for over a year, and has proven himself trustworthy and loyal, as well as a stable, loving man to Miriam. But if Miriam is serious about marrying him, she is sure to be shunned, and will lose the other relationships she hold so dear, the ones with her family.

As Miriam and Domingo make the biggest decision of their lives, Rachel declares to her sister, " No matter what, we'll always be sisters".

Will this statement be challenged in the trying times ahead?

And what about the army sent to help protect the Amish community from the bandits? Are they a blessing or a curse?

This book is an enjoyable 3rd edition to what I hope will be a continuing saga of Caleb Bender's daughters. I've thouroughly enjoyed reading Dale Cramer's Amish Fiction, and can't wait to read another of his books in the future, hopefully soon!

PS. This book was provided to me free of charge from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my written review of the book.

Submerged

Submerged by Dani Pettrey
Published by Bethany House Publishers

My 16 year old son reminded me the other day that you can't judge a book by it's cover.  But I usually do.  Especially if one of my favorite authors recommends the book on the cover. 

Or if the cover says it's based in Alaska :)   [My sister lives in Alaska with her family, so naturally I'm drawn to books about the state.]

Submerged takes place in a town called Yancey, off the coast of  Tariuk Island, Alaska.  Having that sister in Alaska, I decided to go online to Google Maps to find this town/coast.  I looked and looked, zooming in and out, panning across the map, only to end up frustrated and decide (upon the suggestion of my same 16 year old son) to just Google it altogether. 

The first listing that popped up was a review by Christine (Core Foundations), who said "because I am a geography nut, I spent 49 minutes of my life trying to find Tariuk Island. . .only to give up in frustration and call the author herself, to discover she had made the place up! Wouldn’t you know it! (For the record though, it is loosely based off Sitka.)" 

Oh, well.  :) At least someone else did the same thing as me!

Back to the plot...

Submerged is the story of the McKenna family - a family of of divers - and of Bailey Craig - a girl who left Yancey years before, never planning to return. 

The McKenna's and Bailey ger thrown back together because of the tragic death of Bailey's aunt, a prominent figure in Yancey and a friend of the family. 

What follows is romantic suspense similar to Dee Henderson's O'Malley series.

Thanks to the cover and Dee Henderson's recommendation, I picked up the book and really enjoyed it... proving that you sometimes CAN judge a book by it's cover.  I hope you will enjoy it, too.

He Chose the Nails (What God Did To Win Your Heart)

He Chose the Nails (What God Did to Win Your Heart by Max Lucado
Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers

This book was provided to me free of charge by Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest review. 

He Chose the Nails, What God Did to Win Your Heart.  The title says it all. 

The God of the Universe, the maker of the stars and sky, of all we see and don't see, became man and dwelt among us. And in order to win us, to create a relationship with us, and to make a way available to spend eternity with us, chose a cruel way for His son to die. 

He chose the nails.  He chose the cross. He chose the spear.  Even though it would cost His son, Jesus, His very life, He chose the pain, and suffering for us. 

God wasn't shocked when they mistreated His Son.  He wasn't surprised that they beat Him and put a crown of thorns on His head.  He wasn't surprised at the mocking or the hatred. 

What if we were God?  Would we have chosen the same fate for our Only Son?  I think not!!! But God knew the only way for all our sins to be forgiven was by the suffering and death of the only sinless human ever created.  So He chose the nails for us. 

Max Lucado's books are defintely my favorite non-fiction books.  I could read them all the time and get something new out of them.  The word pictures and life examples make them resonate with me long after I finish the books.  I recommend anyone getting this book, and reading through it carefully.  It will show you the love of a Holy God in ways you may never have imagined. 

Just think, He chose the nails just for you. 

Prize of My Heart

Prize of My Heart by Lisa Norato
Published by Bethany House Publishers

Prize of My Heart was provided to me free of charge by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review of the book.


Captain Brogan Talvis has been on a search for his son for the last 3 years, ever since his late wife disappeared with him. His search has finally led him to a shipbuilder, Nathaniel Huntley,  and his daughter who have adopted "Drew" and raised him as their own.

When Brogan meets the family, he is surprised to find that he is attracted to Lorena, Nathaniel's daughter, who has been a loving caregiver to his son.

Lorena is surprised to discover that she, too, is falling for Brogan.

But both Lorena and Brogan have secrets. What will happen when they discover what the other is hiding?  Will their love survive?

That love is tested when Lorena is kidnapped by a trusted friend, and would be suitor.  Now Brogan will have to choose between rescuing the woman who has captured his heart, and the son he has searched for for so long.

The Captive Heart

The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer
Published by Bethany House Publishers

This book was provided to me free of charge by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review of the book.

The Captive Heart is the continuing story of the daughters of Caleb Bender.  It follows the life of Miriam, Caleb's 19 year old daughter, who has never had a beau, and is old enough to be considered "old maid" material.

As we begin the book, we find Miriam struggling with her growing attraction to the Mexican man, Domingo,  who has helped protect her family over the past year as they worked to establish an Amish community in Paradise Valley, Mexico.

Domigo has a pet name for Miriam, "Cualnezqui", which means Beautiful One.  The problem with her falling for Domingo is that although he is a man of courage, and gentle with Miriam, he is not Amish, and the Amish frown on marrying outside their religion.

Her emotions become even more complicated when more Amish families move down to expand the community, and bring along a young Amishman, Micah, who has set his sights on Miriam.

As Domingo haunts her dreams,  Miriam will have big decisions to make that will affect the rest of her life. 

Read to find out what decision Miriam makes.

Dale Cramer has become a new favorite of mine in Amish Fiction.  His books were recommended by Beverly Lewis, and I'm glad I took her advice and read his books.  Read this series and see if you agree with me.