Smitten (A Book Review)

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (December 20, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401684947
• ISBN-13: 978-1401684945

I must admit I am becoming a fan of short stories. I really enjoy when I get several short stories in one book and with "Smitten" we get four short stories by four different authors, but the great thing is that the stories are interwoven together. Each story begins where the other ends off, and allows us to view things thru the eyes of the woman that the particular story is about. The story takes place in Smitten, Vermont. When the towns biggest employer ( a lumber mill) plans on shutting down, the townspeople wonder  how they will ever make it. Well four friends decide that they are going to put the tiny town of Smitten on the map! Because of the town's name they think they can bill it as a romantic destination, a town for lovers. Can it work? Will the town of Smitten be saved? The four friends Natalie Mansfield,Julia Bourne,Shelby Evans,and Reece Mackenzie not only try and save the town but each of the women soon have men smitten with them. 

This was a great little read, the characters each were well drawn and easy to connect with. While the girls work together for a common goal, each were different, with their own issues. I always enjoy watching characters grow and change for the better and we got that with each of the stories in this book. I always enjoy a faith based theme in romance and this book has that, although it doesn't come off as preachy. A quick read, that had me smiling on several occasions. Because this book is written by four different authors it allowed me to sample the work of a few authors I hadn't read before, but will certainly be watching for more from. 

Four great little romances with an inspirational feel, not to mention a pretty cover, who could ask for anything more?

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze program in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description from Amazon.com:

Publication Date: December 20, 2011

Four friends devise a plan to turn Smitten, Vermont, into the country's premier romantic getaway-and each finds her own true love along the way.

With Smitten Lumber closing, residents wonder if their town can stay afloat. Then four friends and local business owners-Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese--decide the town is worth saving. How will they do it? They'll turn Smitten into a honeymoon destination!

As Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese work to save the town, each discovers romance in her own life. Meanwhile, the faith of a little child reminds the whole town what it means to have real faith in the God who is the always and forever Love.

Discover a novel written by four of Christian fiction's most popular romance novelists- friends in real life who've drawn an amazing story of four friends! Includes a Reading Group Guide as well as "Conversation over Coffee with the Authors".

An Amish Wedding ~ review

"An Amish Wedding" is a collection of three short stories written by three very popular Amish writers, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Long. Most of the books that I have read that contained stories from three different writers usually don't connect but with this one the authors weave their stories together.

"A Perfect Secret' by Kelly Long is the first story and the main characters are 19 year old Rose Bender and 23 year old Luke Lantz. Luke and Rose have been friends for years so when he proposes marriage in a calm manner, she is a bit disappointed after all she hoped for a bit of romance, but Luke's idea that their marriage be based on friendship and beneficial to both families makes sense so she accepts. While she believes she knows everything their is to know about Luke she soon learns differently.

"A Perfect Match" by Kathleen Fuller is the story of Naomi King and Zeke. Naomi has always been a successful matchmaker for her friends and family. Even at the age of twenty-five she hadn't ever felt pressure from her friends or family to marry, after all her life was full and satisfying. When her friend Margaret asks for help in finding a beau, she decides to try and make a match between Margaret and Zeke Lapp who has come to town for his cousin Chester's wedding. Of course things really never go as planned, will she be able to pair Margaret and Zeke together or does God have other ideas?

"A Perfect Plan" by Beth Wiseman is the story of Pricilla King and Chester Lapp. As their wedding day approaches things seem to keep going wrong,is it a sign from God that they should call the wedding off?

I always enjoy reading short stories and this book was no different. The one thing that I really liked was the fact that the characters intertwined in the stories, allowing the plot to connect even though each story was written by a different author. I think fans of Amish fiction will certainly enjoy this book, and for someone that has never read any of the Amish authors featured it is certainly a nice way to sample their work. Another great thing about reading a book like this is that it is easy to pick up and put down,although I found myself reading it in a few sittings. For me my favorite story had to be " A Perfect Secret" by Kelly Long, but overall each story was great!

This book was provided by Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.

Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble ~ review

For me this was a book that took me just a bit to get into, but really once I got a feel for the characters and their backgrounds it really took off for me. It was a book filled with mystery,suspense, romance and intrigue with a nice christian theme woven in. Imagine if you will your a young married couple when your child is kidnapped and later the police determine the child is dead. That's just what happened to Eden and Clay Larson, and their marriage didn't hold up.So Eden decides to move on with her life. Fast forward five years and she is about to be married again when Clay shows up, and informs her that he never signed the divorce papers he was served with. More than that he never gave up hope that the child that was kidnapped, a daughter named Brianna would someday be reunited with them.

What an interesting story line. It was easy to feel empathy for Eden. She lost a child and left Texas and moved to Indiana to get a fresh start. When Clay shows up and tells her he believes their daughter might be alive she does the only thing she can do and heads back to Texas to look for her daughter. What will she find in Texas. Read the book and find out. While this book is part of a series, I easily read it as a stand alone work once I got a feel for the characters. A new to me author whose work I plan on reading more of, because I do enjoy well written mystery, intrigue and suspense woven together with a christian theme.

Book provided by Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.

His Steadfast Love by Golden Keyes Parsons

This is the second book that I have read by Golden Parsons and I really think I liked the first book titled "Where Hearts Are Free"much better than this one. I normally am a huge fan of historicals especially ones that take place around the Civil War but for me this book really didn't seem to be very thouroughly researched. Other than that it was an okay story. Again I loved the civil war time period, and the fact that the plot moved along quickly was another plus. Even though that the main character (Amanda ) made a promise to her mother on her deathbed she still found herself falling in love with Captain Kent Littlefield, a union soldier, even though her brother Daniel was with the Confederates. I couldn't help but wonder how things would work out. I also find it quite refreshing that a writer can pull us into a story, and also give us a nice positive christian message as well.

If you enjoy historical fiction, and don't mind a bit of innaccuracies in the details then I think your going to enjoy this one. I easily give it four stars and will certainly watch for more from this author.

Waking Hours by Lis Wiehl with Pete Nelson ---review

Book review for "Waking Hours":

I haven't ever heard of Lis Wiehl but when I saw this book on Booksneeze I decided to give her writing a try. I thought the cover was quite eye catching and hoped the book inside was just as good. Well I think I am hooked on her writing. This book really captured my attention. I loved the fast paced style of writing.The murder of a teen girl sends shock waves thru the community of East Salem, New York. Whats worse is it looks like a ritual killing and the only suspect is another teen. But are things really what they seem?

This book really had me on the edge of my seat. There were plenty of twists and turns and it wasn't easy to figure out who the killer was. I am not a huge fan of paranormal but the paranormal/supernatural flavor of this story wasn't bad at all, and I am thinking I am going to give paranormal christian fiction a look. The ending wrapped up the story pretty well, but did leave a couple of loose ends, which has me hooked wanting the next book in the series.

If your new to Lis Wiehl's writing like I was then I suggest picking up this book. Its the first book in the East Salem series and its a great way to get a feel for this author's writing. I for one will be watching for the next book in this series.

*Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

The Wonder Of Your love by Beth Wiseman ~ review

"The Wonder Of Your Love" is the latest Amish book in Beth Wiseman's A Land Of Canaan Series. This is the story of Katie Ann Stoltzfus and Eli Detweiler. I found it quite interesting from the opening pages. Katie is an older single Amish mother, but there is a twist to her story. Her husband Ivan left her to live with an Englisher lady, and then was later killed in a car accident. He died without knowing that Katie was going to have his child. The opening pages of the story has the Englisher Lucy Turner coming to Colorado to see Katie because she has something important to tell her. Just what could Lucy need to tell Katie? Eli Detweiler is a widower of seventeen years. His children are all grown now and he is looking forward to doing a bit of traveling. When he goes to Canaan, Colorado to attend a wedding his family decides to try and pair him up with Katie, but her heart has been broken and she isn't sure she is ready for love. Will Katie and Eli find a second chance at happiness?

I have really enjoyed reading Amish novels, and while some are a bit predictable this one really stood out. The plot was different, Katie is older and is attempting to raise a son on her own. Her husband leaving her for an Englisher was also another twist. A fast moving story that I couldn't put down. I enjoyed the characters and the setting, as well as the positive christian theme woven thru the story. I will anxiously be watching for more from this author.

A complimentary copy of this book was sent by Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.

Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin ~ review

I have never heard of Charles Martin the writer before, I actually have a cousin named Charles Martin but thats another story for another day.

The writer Charles Martin really knows how to spin a story. While the book started out slow for me once it picked up momentium it became a book I couldn't put down.

Tucker Mason and his brother Mutt were raised by their housekeeper, Miss Ella Rain who was a nice christian lady. She showed them love and protected them from their abusive,alcholic father. Tucker grows up to become a famous photographer but his brother Mutt didn't fare so well, and wound up in a mental hospital because he suffers from schizophrenia as well as other issues. As the boys grew up their past pains from their father haunted them, but they learn that to find peace within themselves they must find forgiveness for their father.

I really liked the southern feel of this story. Miss Ella Rain certainly loved the two boys as her own and really took care of them, she continued to affect them long after she passed away. I thought the story of Katie and Jase was interesting as well.

Overall it took me several pages to become invested in the story but I am glad that I stuck it out because it became a story that I hated to see end.

This book was provided by Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.