Gone Too Soon, Melody Carlson (Book Review)

About the book:

An icy road. A car crash.
A family changed forever.

Hannah Josephson had always been the “perfect” daughter. Kiera couldn’t live up to her before, and she certainly can’t now that her older sister has died in a car accident. But the image she carried resentfully of Hannah is challenged when she finds her dead sister’s diary and begins to read. Apparently Hannah’s final year wasn’t as perfect as everyone thought.

Caught in a pattern of blaming each other, the Josephson family is falling apart. Their father has left, their mother is mixing opiates and alcohol, little sister Maddie has been shipped off to spend the whole summer with their grandmother, and Kiera feels utterly alone with her grief and anger. A summer job helping at a park in a poor section of town provides a friend and a purpose.

But it’s Hannah’s diary that fills her thoughts. For the first time in years, she feels close to the sister she’s lost. But can the knowledge she gleans about her possibly help her patch back together the family that seems determined to implode?

My thoughts:

  I did not finish this book. 
  I found this story did not fit with my morals and standards. 

there was drugs
Alcohol
Rape
Abuse

All were very upsetting and I felt I could not continue through to the end.

  On the positive side, I felt there was a lot of room for character growth on Kiera's part.

  This does not mean I won't be reading any more books by Melody, I have a few of her stories on my shelves waiting to be read.

 
  Thank you to Whitefire publishing who sent me a free copy of this book.


"I received a review copy from the publisher, and the thoughts and opinions are my own. I was in no way required to write a favorable review."

One December, Kyle Hunter (Book Review)

 About the book:
Nikki has loved Mike for as long as she can remember (as early as age seven!) Mike has his own past hurts to resolve, having lost both parents in an accident when he was fourteen. He’s tried to escape those painful memories by leaving New York and starting a new life on the West Coast. New facts indicate, years later, that his parents’ deaths might not have been an accident.
At Christmas Mike comes back to New York for the first time in three years. He and Nikki rekindle the friendship they had as children and share their newfound faith. Under a Christmas moon romantic sparks fly . . . but their mutual attraction takes an unexpected detour.
Nikki is devastated, believing her one chance for a relationship with Mike is over. She impulsively takes a one-year teaching opportunity in Paris, so that she can face her own fears and get over Mike.
If Mike and Nikki run away, can they find each other again? 

  My thoughts: ⭐⭐⭐
  
   I was hesitant about Nikki in the beginning. 
  
 She lacked the strength and stubbornness and independence I love in a heroine. 
  Nikki was a sheltered brat with no mind of her own who was completely dependent on the men in her life. 
    Nikki defines herself by men. She cares WAY too much about what men think of her. 
  
 I kinda really disliked Nikki and Mike.  (who I couldn't stop calling Nick) 
  Mike was a jerk. 
  Always judging and hurting Nikki. (Not in like a physical way, of course.) 
  He was too busy trying to change Nikki to notice his own faults and to do something about those. 
(Reminds me of a certain Bible verse) 

   This is a book I wanted to love. 
     The story line wasn't actually all that bad. 
        I didn't really care for Kyle's writing style though. 
  But I did appreciate the character growth on Nikki's part. 

  From being afraid to frequent fast food restaurants on her own to visiting foreign countries all by herself. 


I really enjoyed the descriptions of Paris and its surrounding cities.
Paris is a place I really want to visit.

  Some warnings if you're thinking of reading this book,
1  I hope this won't spoil too much, but, there was cheating.

2   there was also alcohol consumption.

 I know that doesn't bother a lot of people, I just prefer things like that to stay out of the Christian fiction genre.

3   there were some very descriptive kisses.


  ** All thoughts expressed are my own, I was in no way required to write a positive review **
   

The MISSadventure Brides Collection, (Book Review)

     

Love Is One of Life’s Greatest Adventures
Seven daring damsels don’t let the norms of their eras hold them back. Along the way these women attract the attention of men who admire their bravery and determination, but will they let love grow out of the adventures?

Along the Yellowstone River by Debby Lee
1832 Montana
Heather Duncan takes over her father’s fur trapping business, believing it’s an opportunity to also gain knowledge of medicinal plants, but a growing sympathy for animals and blossoming adoration for a rugged mountain man capture her heart.

My thoughts: ⭐⭐⭐

I thought the story line progressed a little early.
It's one of my biggest pet peeves, which is why I don't care for novellas all that much.

  I admired Louie's unwavering faith that God is good.
I know so many people suffer because they have a hard time trusting God is ultimately good, even if our circumstances aren't.
  But Louie refused to let anyone or anything alter his Faith in Christ.

 This book was odd. It annoyed me that at one point, Heather wasn't allowed in a room alone with one guy, but she went camping with another she met a week ago out in the middle of nowhere. 🤔🤔

Also, what's with Louie? He can be fine one second and have a raging fever and fearing for his life in another second?

 While Louie was really, very, sweet, he was too prim and proper, too perfect. A goody two shoes. I'm sorry to say I won't be adding him to my book boyfriend list 😕

  I didn't like how Louie was always right. Like, Heather wasn't a mindless, meek, whimpering, stupid little girl.

  Heather said that she liked learning about all this Bible stuff, but it made her feel vulnerable too. Do you feel vulnerable when trusting God? How does that make you feel?

MissTaken Identity by Kimberley Woodhouse
1883 Texas
Headstrong, bubbly, accident-prone Abigail Monroe is on a quest for adventure away from society’s expectations. But her pursuits are unexpectedly thwarted when she is arrested by a handsome Texas Ranger.

  My thoughts: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is the whole reason I requested this book.
  
Wrongfully accused of a crime, disguised as a boy, Abigail Monroe is thrown in jail by a handsome Texas Ranger, who believes her name is Chuck Miller.

No matter how hard clumsy Abigail tries to convince the ranger she's innocent, some how evidence keeps popping up that puts Abigail in a deeper pit.

  Abigail's spit fire, stubborn ways were very amusing, well not to Jim. But it was funny to watch him get frustrated with her. 😂   Watch him? I mean, read about him getting frustrated.

 I loved both Jim and Abigail. Both super stubborn and strong.



Lesson of Love by Cynthia Hickey
1885 Arkansas
City girl, Leah Ellison has big dreams but soon finds out that teaching in a backwards Ozark mountain community is far different than what she’d imagined.

My thoughts: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Leah Ellison, a fragile, fancy, young lady who smells of sunshine and roses.
Proved to be a fiery, strong woman by the end of the story.

Luke Canfield, a sweet character.
And not just because he shares a name with my sweet kitten.

  Leah's tendency to be extremely blunt raised a few eyebrows and extracted a few good laughs.

Luke has sworn off women, he's not sure what to do when the most beautiful woman on the mountain (his words not mine), takes a special liking to him. She's pure spit fire and fiery, Luke's not sure if he should run away, or to her.

Some things felt rushed.
I didn't much care for Cynthia's writing style.
I didn't hate it, I just prefer a different reader/writer relationship.
There were some really cute scenes.
Leah and Luke are really an adorable couple

  Overall a very cute and sweet story with a good amount of depth.

Maddy’s Llamas by Marjorie Vawter
1898 Colorado
In spite of Maddy’s “missadventures” raising her llamas for their wool and strictly-by-the-book Harry’s attempts to get her to do things “right,” they learn to work together and find love in the laughter.

My thoughts: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Maddy, described as eccentric, maybe even a little crazy, was a very amusing and ambitious character.
I loved her!

  The story line was good, the writing style not too shabby.
I liked both Maddy and Harry.
And the odd Llamas😂

  A “rancheress”, not many people approve of Maddy's chosen line of profession.
Described as odd, eccentric, she doesn't have many friends.

  Her parents love for her is conditional, they've expressed their disapproval for her quite boldly. making Maddy feel lonely and hold people at arms length. That is except Aunt Susie, who isn't actually related by blood.

  The uncanny attachment Maddy's favorite Llama, Betta, has to Harry, angers and unnerves her. But it made me laugh, sorry Maddy 😂😂 And now I'm talking to fictional characters..


Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure by Mary Davis
1903 cross-country trip
Zola Calkin sets out on an adventure to be the first woman to drive across the country. Will the journalist tasked to report her presumed failure sabotage her efforts? Or will he steal her heart?

My thoughts: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Zola was inspiring.
A voice for the women who were too afraid to speak out.
She was bold, stubborn and fiery. My kinda character!

  Allen angered me quite a lot.
Believing women incapable of a simple a task as changing a tire

   Zola and her cousin Vivian knew more about car engines than Allen or his dopey photographer

  Even though this story is only fiction, I found myself rooting for these amazing ladies.
I went off in my head quite a few times to the pigheaded, sexist men who dare cross these women

  I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

  Even when men did their best to sabatoge their efforts, the women persevered

   I appreciated the character growth on all of their parts, but especially on Allen's.


Detours of the Heart by Donna Schlachter
1925 New Mexico
A tour guide who wants to move on and a playboy who’s never had a place to call home—can they overcome their own plans and allow God to make their path straight, or will they take yet another detour?

   My thoughts: ⭐⭐⭐
Peter believes Millie is a flighty, flimsy actress.
But on the contrary, Millie is a focused and determined young woman fleeing an abusive past.
She has more character and depth than she is given credit for. She contains more strength than she knows

   Peter is kindhearted, his heart is in the right place most of the time.

  I didn't really ship Peter and Millie. They were too different and I didn't feel they connected well.

 An aspiring preacher, Peter falls fast and hard for Millie, but knows anything romantic between them would die a sorrowful death.

For Millie it's California or bust.
Can an actress and man of the cloth really navigate the path of love successfully?

   Peter accused Millie of not knowing Christ, but I think he needed to look at his own self and get to know Christ a little more.


Millie believes she has her whole life planned out- go to Hollywood, get rich and famous, live the rest of her life in comfort.

What she doesn't plan for is a too good looking, roguish man who claims to be "In like with her."

Millie was quite a bit selfish
 
"The moral of the story is that sometimes what scares us the most is meant to help us."

Riders of the Painted Star by Kathleen E. Kovach
1936 Arizona
Zadie Fitzpatrick, an artist from New York, is commissioned to go on location in Arizona to paint illustrations for an author of western novels and falls for the male model.

My thoughts:⭐⭐⭐

Royce Retger and Zadie Fitzpatrick.
This novella was like none other I've read. Royce is a male model pretending to be a seasoned cowboy.

Royce's mishaps, mistakes and slip ups proved to be very amusing.

Zadie was a fun and lively character. She had strength and confidence oozing out of her ears.

  Royce Retger has a lot of forgiving to do but that doesn't stop him from falling head over boots (points if you get my song reference 😉) in love with Zadie.

  The story line was good. And the writing was very good.

  I think it's just that I really want a break from reading, but this story didn't capture my attention nor my heart.
 It wasn't exceptional but it really wasn't bad.

Here are the links you're looking to purchase this amazing novella collection!
Amazon  and Christian Books.Com

**I received an ecopy of this book from one of the authors in exchange for my honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are purely by own. **

The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection: 7 Historical Romances are a Beacon of Hope to Weary Hearts (Book Review)

About the book:
Bound to the towers they manned, Great Lakes lighthouse keepers guarded dangerous and often remote shorelines to keep immigrants and good moving. Both men and women braved the elements to keep the lights shining. Seven romances set between 1883 and 1911 bring hope to these lonely keepers and love to weary hearts.

My thoughts:
I enjoyed learning about the the Great Lakes and Lighthouses. It was interesting to learn more about Lighthouse keeping and the men and women who kept the lights burning during the long nights.

Anna's Tower, Pegg Thomas. 
1883—Thunder Bay Island Lighthouse
Anna Wilson's plan to be the next lighthouse keeper is endangered when Maksim Ivanov is shipwrecked on Thunder Bay Island. Handsome and capable, he could steal her dream. Or provide a new one.
 My thoughts:
A bit predictable but a cute story.
   I thought there were too many characters introduced so early on. It got to be a little  confusing.
  The overbearing aunties were quite funny.
   I admired Anna's fire and wilful soul.
   Maksim was cute, barely able to speak English let alone understand it, he was treated sorta like a child, which I didn't appreciate.
 A sweet book, I enjoyed the friendships.

Beneath a Michigan Moon, Candice Sue Patterson. 
1885—New Presque Isle Lighthouse
Ava Ryan’s father has passed, leaving her alone, and ill, to tend the light with nowhere else to go. Logging foreman Benjamin Colfax needs the height of the lighthouse to determine the best cutting route, but he senses something amiss in Ava and her determination to remain reclusive. Can he get her to open up, or will she keep herself locked away?

My thoughts: 
 The story started off a little oddly.
  I wasn't sure whether to like or hate Mr. Benjamin Colfax.
Likened to a snake, my hackles immediately rose.
But by the middle of the story I really liked Ben.

  Things got pretty descriptive, there was some intense kissing scenes. A few things were hinted at that went a little farther than I like

  I felt like the story ended with a lot of unanswered questions.

Safe Haven, Rebecca Jepson.
1892—Old Mission Point Lighthouse
Rose Miller was found on the lighthouse doorstep as an infant, and now she must hide her quest to find the child who left her there from Captain Nathan Perry, the man she loves to hate.

My thoughts:
Beautifully and poetically written, I loved it from the start.

 I felt like the story was missing something. It skipped around a lot and ignored stuff

  There were some cute scenes that I really liked. It was a good story, not amazing, but good.

Loves Beacon, Carrie Fancett Pagels. 
1898—Round Island Lighthouse
Valerie Fillman's best hope for a future lies on the tiny island that holds her worst memories. Can Paul Sholtus, the new lightkeeper, and his daughter help bring healing? And love?

My thoughts:
  I did not read this story.   I started it, got a few chapters in and could not read it anymore.

It was odd and there were some upsetting things in it, such as memories of child abuse from when the main character was younger.


The Last Memory, Kathleen Rouser. 
1899—Mackinac Point Lighthouse
Natalie Brooks loses her past to amnesia, and Cal Waterson, the lighthouse keeper who rescues her, didn’t bargain on risking his heart—when her past might change everything.

My thoughts:
 I don't usually enjoy memory loss books, but this one was different.

 The story was well written. I liked the characters.
 
This story is one of my favorites in the collection.

I was very happy with the content; the Faith content was satisfying but not overpowering. (I know that upsets a lot of people)

Very clean, never went farther than I like.

The Disappearing Ship  Lena Nelson Dooley. 

1902—Whitefish Point Lighthouse
Romance and mystery collide at Whitefish Point Lighthouse when unemployed doctor Norma Kimbell and Drake Logan, owner of a steamship line, search for evidence of a supposed shipwreck.

My thoughts:
This story was alright. It wasn't amazing. It didn't have a lasting impression, the characters weren't memorable. I enjoyed it while I read it. But I don't believe I'll think on it again. 

  Drake made me a little angry with his opinions of women doctors and what women should and should not be. 
He sure changed his tune when he was the patient though. 

   This story didn't really fit with the others because neither of the main characters were lighthouse keepers. In fact, there wasn't really anything to do with the Lighthouse. 

The Wrong Survivor by Marilyn Turk
1911—Au Sable Lighthouse
Lydia Palmer's dream for happiness as a lighthouse keeper's wife shatters when her fiancé Nathan Drake drowned in a shipwreck, but his brother Jesse survived

My thoughts:

This was a good story. I liked the characters. Jesse was a sweetheart and not just because he shares a name with my favorite dog.

  Lydia was a good character, she had to learn what it means to forgive, not quite forget, but move forward.

This story is my 2nd favorite one in the collection. :)


   I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.