spring for susannah by catherine richmond

I'll be honest, normally I'm not a fan of the whole historical romance novel. However I found   the description on Spring for Susannah very intriguing - the mail-order bride scenario seemed a little different than what I usually read. Spring for Susannah is set in the 1800's on the frontier in the Dakota territory.The characters were very likable and interesting, I loved Jesse from the moment he was introduced and I truly felt the chemistry between Jesse and Susannah. After reading the book I can tell you that it's not your typical mail-order setting but more of a 'last resort' for Susannah. She knew this was her last alternative to even hope for a husband and home.

When Susannah left the home she knew she had no idea what she was getting herself into, she still got on the train and headed west. She was nervous and afraid. She assumed her new husband would have a home like she was accustomed to and she would take care of it and her husband as her mother taught her. In these pages of this book you will find out that she got something very different.

Can you imagine? Put yourself in her place: leaving everyone you have known your entire life and going out into the total unknown. I loved how patient and kind Jesse was with Susannah.
The only CON I really is have I felt the story being rushed with little to no emotion. I was little was disappointed with the ending, maybe another chapter or two. However, its a great story leaving the reader wanting more!! I hope there will be a sequel! She is a great new author!

Yellow Book Shelf grade: A
YBS recommends this book

Product Description
Hundreds of miles from home, Susannah faces an uncertain future as a mail-order bride on the untamed Dakota prairie.
When her parents die suddenly, and no suitors call, Susannah resigns herself to the only option available: becoming a mail-order bride. Agreeing to marry her pastor's brother, Jesse, Susannah leaves the only home she's ever known for the untamed frontier of the Dakota Territory.
Her new husband is more loving and patient with her than she believes she deserves. Still, there is also a wildness to him that mirrors the wilderness surrounding them. And Susannah finds herself constantly on edge. But Jesse's confidence in her-and his faith in God's perfect plan-slowly begin to chip away at the wall she hides behind.
When she miscarries in the brutal Dakota winter, Susannah's fledgling faith in herself and in God begins to crumble. Still, Jesse's love is unwavering. Just when it seems like winter will never end, Susannah finally sees the first tentative evidence of spring. And with it, the realization that more than the landscape has changed.
She looks to the future with a renewed heart. Yet in her wildest dreams, she couldn't predict all that awaits her.

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 14, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595549242
ISBN-13: 978-1595549242

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson, and was not required to present a positive review in return. 

Save the Date

Publisher:
When Alex and Lucy pick out wedding invitations, they wonder if they can be printed in vanishing ink.

Former NFL star Alex Sinclair is a man who has it all--except the votes he needs to win his bid for Congress. Despite their mutual dislike, Alex makes Lucy a proposition: pose as his fiancee in return for the money she desperately needs. Bound to a man who isn't quite what he seems, Lucy will find her heart on the line--and maybe even her life. When God asks Alex and Lucy to scrap their playbook and follow his rules, will they finally say, "I do"?

What I thought...
I have really enjoyed this book! It the story of a young woman (Lucy) who wonders what is going to happen to her Girls home after she loses funding. She strikes up a deal with a Ex-NFL hero (Alex) who needs Lucy to get elected...Its kind of The Proposal meets Sweet Home Alabama...but with a Christian perspective.
Throughout Save the Date the "agreement" causes a roller coaster of emotions, not only between Alex and Lucy, but Alex and his brother, Lucy and Matt, plus her Grandmother and deceased Father she never knew.
Lucy finds her self surprised when the things don't turn out the way she assumed they would. Lucy seeks the Lord's guidance through the book...and finds her self surprised at who else is seeking the Lord as well!
At the beginning Save the Date talks about how Lucy runs a girls home for young women who have been in the foster care system, but are now 18 and have no where to go...expect Saving Grace. Saving Grace is a big part of this book and I really like that, all too often I read a book where the main woman is kind of a blur...who is she, does she have friends? a job? Jenny B. Jones did a wonderful job making Lucy feel like a friend! Alex...I actually really liked Alex from the beginning. He was rough and hard around the edges, but I knew something great was on its way! He's a twin, which I like, since I have twins.
Save the Date is funny, Witty, and keeps you wondering what is going to happen...all the while surprising you! I would highly recommend this book!!
ISBN: 1595545395
Page Count: 320
Retail Price: $14.99

Please note that I was given Save the Date for free from the Publisher in exchange for a honest review!

Deliverd with Love

　
Delivered with Love

From the Publisher:
When 23-year-old Claire finds a 35-year-old love letter in the glove compartment of her inherited '72 Volkswagen bug, she decides to leave her life in L.A. and visit the town of Capitola, California. She just has to meet the man who sent that letter to her mom . . . whether he wants to be discovered or not! 352 pages, softcover from Abingdon.

My Review...
Claire finds old love letter 35 years after it was written at her mother's Memorial service. Starts Claire on a journey down the California coast to find the sender, this boy who seemed so in love with her mother. Along the way she meets many wonderful people...all of them just happen to be Christians! The Little the old couple who help her out and the young woman who becomes a friend when she needs one, all are always saying, "God will Provide"! When she gets to where she is going she finds a house to rent with a somewhat familiar realtor with a very familiar Mother. Her Neighbor is a handsome police officer.
I LOVE this book! It is 352 pages and I read it within 8 hours. Delivered with Love is full of God's love and forgiveness. Forgiving others is a very large part of this book. Note* There is a VERY tragic part of the story towards the end of the book, where I had to stop reading because I was crying. I really liked how through out the entire book the "The Lord with Provide" was mentioned. God's love is so amazing. Just reading about someone accepting Jesus into their heart was so powerful...I cried. The Author did a amazing job of creating characters with such depth. I have no favorite person in this book...they all are. Once the book is released in April 2011, I will be adding it to my library!

Availability: This product will be released on 04/01/11. You may order this item now and we will ship it to you when it arrives.

Note that I got this e-book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 352
Vendor: Abingdon Press
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN: 1426708661
ISBN-13: 9781426708664

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball a Novella

From the back cover of Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball a Novella:

"Every year, the Matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host a enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the Romantic matches they've decided to bring together."

Enchanting...is the Perfect word to describe Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball a Novella

Favorite Quote: page 83

Sandy's words- "This is what Jesus said: 'Let the little Children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like little a child will never enter it.' Then the bible says Jesus took the children in His arms and blessed them. That means that people who think like a little child are special to God." The words of sweet Sandy gave me chills and tears. In my family we have our own special and very sweet "Sandy" and I love the way this is approached by Donita...Just beautiful and sweet!

Two Tickets to the Christmas is Ball a Novella is a whimsical book about, a very different pair (Cora and Simon) with very different families, a peculiar street, a few odd shoppes and owners. Donita K. Paul has hit the jackpot with Two Tickets to the Christmas is Ball, she uses fun whimsical names like Wizbotterdad & Booterbaw, with a old fashioned feel, in addition she paints a fantastic picture that makes you feel as if you are a part of this whimsical adventure.

From the moment I saw the cover of Two Tickets to the Christmas is Ball I knew I would love it! From the very first word I was hooked. Without realizing it, I found my self half way through the book in only one short hour, I found my self laughing out loud many times. This is the kind of book you don't want to put down. When I did put it down, I found my self wondering what was going to happen and how events were going to play out!

Two Tickets to the Christmas is Ball beautifully tells a story of God's Divine plan, and how events can play out to show us what has always been right in front of us! I found my self identifying with Cora's Family and Simon's family both at the same time. Sandy will make you smile & the Booterbaw Sisters will make you laugh! Two Tickets to the Christmas is Ball is a fun loving, whimsical, funny adventure that I would recommend to everyone! The book is filled with tons of smart quotes. It is a perfect book for a cold night when the kids are in bed, or by the fire.

By Donita K. Paul
ISBN-13: 9780307458995
Pub. Date: October 2010
Publisher: The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group
Format: Hardcover, 340 pages
Single women/Fiction
Please get your self a copy of Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball a Novella, you will be so happy you did!

Two Tickets would be a perfect gift!

 
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are 100% my own.