Monday Musings--Book Review of A Hopeful Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer

I am behind on book reviews so decided to use some of my Monday Musings posts to catch up. I love all of Kim Sawyer's books, even though she writes mainly historical and I write mainly contemporary. But whenever I read one of her books it reminds me of why I've always loved historical romances, especially those written by such an expert writer of that genre.

Kim Sawyer has taken a chance comment by someone she met on a trip about a "herdsman school" that taught women how to be proper wives for ranchers, and woven a love story of an unlikely couple that you fall in love with and root for them to be together. And the whole cast of characters are so unique and well-drawn that you feel like you have spent time living in that community and sharing their lives with them.

Besides being a romance, this story encompasses cattle rustling, a couple shootings, lots of lessons on surviving on the prairie, and some great spiritual lessons that are so interwoven into the story that you feel like a friend is counseling you, not preaching at you. Forgiveness is one of the lessons, and also that God can turn bad things into good things.

Since this book is a stand-alone, it doesn't matter if you have read any of the author's earlier books or not, and if this is your first book by this author, you are in for a big treat. You could read a book a week by her until November without any repeats, so check out her website for a complete listing at http://www.kimvogelsawyer.com/. Happy reading!

Monday Musings--Book review of Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer

I thought I would start our week off with a book review of a wonderful book I just finished last night. I read Karen's debut novel, A Tailor-Maid Bride and reviewed it last year. Although some sophomore novels don't live up to the promise of the first book, I need to tell you that Karen's second book is superb! I read this book in two days which is a rarity for me nowdays!

If you like Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters, you will love Head in the Clouds. Take a governess, a small child and an English nobelman, then transport them to a sheep ranch in Texas and you have a rollicking good story with more than enough love to go around.

There is also a villian and some tense scenes which is why you have to read it so quickly to make sure everyone survives. So hurry on out and buy or order this book. You might have your head in the clouds for days afterward!

This book was sent to me by the publisher, Bethany House, for review purposes, but that did not affect my review in any way. Thanks, Bethany and Karen for a great read!

Book Review--A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer

We interrupt this Alaskan saga to share a book by a wonderful debut author--Karen Witemeyer.

Karen presents us with a heroine and hero who are at odds with each other from the time they meet. J.T. Tucker is a livery owner who hates frippery. Hannah Richards is a dressmaker who ends up with the shop he hoped to buy.

They both discover surprising traits about the other. Hannah helps his sister catch a beau. J.T. helps many of the townspeople. What will it take for them to each see the real person inside the other?

I hope you will go to your Christian bookstore and buy or order this book to find out. It is such an enjoyable read. I received my copy from the publisher (Bethany House) for promotional purposes.