Love Comes Softly (Janette Oke) Book Review

2017 Reading Challenge

20. Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke

Synopsis:

Marty and Clem set out for the pioneer West full of hopes and dreams. They would stake a claim of their own on the new frontier, and build a home for themselves and their family.
But just after they'd arrived and Clem had chosen the perfect setting for their new home, an accident took his life...leaving Marty alone and pregnant. Then, on the day of his funeral, Clark Davis came along...and asked Marty to marry him!
Marty was infuriated -- but with no money, no shelter, and a baby on the way, what choice did she have? Besides, Clark said he only wanted her to be a mama to his baby girl, Missie. If Marty was still unhappy come spring, he would pay for her ticket back East.
Determined not to be a burden to Clark, and intending only to earn her keep. Marty threw herself into her new role of "Mama." But she had never been anyone's mama before, and she didn't even know how to keep a house! If only she could do right by this lonely man and his daughter just long enough to earn her train fare back home...
Now, Marty must learn wholeness and love through patience and faith.

My Review:

This story takes you back to the pioneer days. When Marty's husband dies in an accident right after making it out west, Clark just happens to show up on the day of his funeral. And to her surprise, Clark asked her to marry him and be a mother to his daughter. Marty had no other option but to accept his offer. It was agreed that it would be for a trial period and if she still wasn't happy after a few months, then Clark would pay her way back east. Things got off to a rough start, as Marty was inexperienced in housework, like cooking, and didn't know how to take care of a baby/child. She learned all that she could as she worked toward her goal of doing enough to earn her way back home. It took some time, but as the days and weeks went on, Clark and Marty grew accustomed to each other and their ways, as well as Missie getting to know Marty as a mother. During this whole time, Marty was still grieving the loss of her husband, but was also starting to get used to letting another man into her life and by the end of the story, they have a romance brewing. Both also grow in their faith, especially Marty, who exhibited a transformation throughout the course of the book. They come to the realization that they both needed each other in their lives.

Love Comes Softly was a good hearted story of romance and what it was like, especially for women, in the pioneer times. Marty was a strong female character who, despite her grief and struggles, strived to be the best at what she was given. She didn't want to be a burden to anyone and that showed when she married Clark. She didn't settle for nothing less than trying and being the best, as I've already stated.

Although I have read a couple of Janette Oke's books before, this one did move slow at times. The only main issue with Love Comes Softly was the dialogue between Clark and Marty. Both spoke with strong accents, which was hard in the beginning to understand a little bit, but became easier once I became accustomed to their accents.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

~Meg~

Finding Peace (Melanie D Snitker) Book Review

2017 Reading Challenge

6. Finding Peace by Melanie D. Snitker

Synopsis:

Police Officer Tuck Chandler is good at his job. He’s also good at holding women at arm’s length. Jilted by his fiancée for his dedication to his job, he’s not about to open himself up to hurt like that again.
Laurie Blake is a struggling photographer. After growing up in a wealthy family, she’s determined to make it on her own, even if it means doing it the hard way.
When Tuck is assigned to a puzzling burglary involving Laurie’s fledgling photography business, he goes into it with his usual perseverance. He wants to help her – if she’ll let him. As the case unfolds and the mystery deepens, another question arises.
Will the past get in the way of their future?

My Review:

First off, this is the second book that I read by Melanie D. Snitker. Both are from the same series: this is the first book in the series and the other one was the second one. There are five books in Melanie's Love's Compass series. It was another great read by the author. The characters have a sense of realness to them. To me, the story reminded me of something I have always believed in: that that are some people who you are meant to meet in your life.

Laurie is independent and never wanting to take the easy way in life. She has a wonderful knack of capturing the perfect moment(s). As a side story in this novel, Laurie gets the opportunity to work with an autistic child and takes it in stride.

Tuck is a police officer and you also get the sense that it's what he's supposed to be, what his calling in life is. He genuinely cares about helping others. It reminds you that there are good cops out there.

The main issue in this novel is finding out who burglarized Laurie's photography business and what they were after. Tuck goes beyond the call of duty when he wants to do more to help Laurie figure out the mystery. It takes Laurie some time to realize that she can't do an investigation by herself and eventually lets him help her work it out together. The only difference is that Laurie doesn't know how much she is putting her life in danger and Tuck knows too well the dangers of trying to solve a crime.

As they get to work together, a bond starts to develop, but both are unsure if they want to have a relationship. Tuck is more hesitant because he ex-fiancée decided she couldn't bear to be the wife of a cop. Laurie gets to know the dangers he faces as a cop and has to come to a decision if she could handle that as well. Both are a little scared to let each other in and have to come to figure out if they can put down their guard.

It's a feel good type of romance story. And like most people, they struggle with their past and fears. It makes you want to keep turning the pages to see what happens next. It was another great read by Melanie with strong plot lines and relatable characters.

I mentioned in the first paragraph that this is part of a series. They can be read stand alone or in order.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

~Meg~

Come to Me Alive (Leah Atwood) Book Review

2017 Reading Challenge

5. Come to Me Alive by Leah Atwood

Synopsis:

Bryce Landry, country music’s hottest star, has it all, or so everyone on the outside thinks. They can’t see his struggle to discover himself, to find his place in unfamiliar territories, both as a dad and as a Christian. He takes a month off and escapes to the small town of Oden Bridge, Louisiana, where his daughter lives with his grandparents.
Sophie Thatcher has never been a risk taker, but she has no complaints and never thought her life lacked until her boyfriend of three years breaks off their relationship. Only then, does she begin to question what she’s missed by always playing it safe. Meeting Bryce is a call to action. She can let fear rule or trust in faith, which means taking the biggest risk of her life.
As the weeks and months pass, they discover finding each other was easy, but holding on will be a different story.

My Review:

A singer struggling to find his place in the world takes time off to discover who he is and to spend time with his daughter, who he didn't know existed until her mom died about a year before. A teacher who's re-examining her life and doesn't want to fall in love again after experiencing a breakup she didn't see coming. Could a chance encounter at the park change everything?

If you're looking for a quality chick lit and Christian romance book, then this is the book for you. Both Bryce and Sophie are questioning and re-examining their lives after certain situation. Bryce is trying to change his bad reputation after finding out that he has a daughter. Sophie is left wondering if she's always played it safe all her life. They put everything on the line as their relationship starts to build. Since Bryce is a celebrity, the couple faces some challenges. Does Sophie have what it takes to handle being in the public eye? Can Bryce balance his time between his celebrity persona and his personal life/relationship? Bryce realizes that his band mates will always be there for him if he lets them in. Both had supportive friends and/or family members to help them discover that anything is possible if they just believe, if they love each other. It's a love at first sight type of story, but they have to challenge a long distance relationship when he tours. Insecurities are put to the test in this quaint contemporary novel.

Q: Could you date a celebrity?

My answer would be yes. It would take some work, but any relationship takes work. It would just be a little harder because it would be more in the public eye.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

~Meg~

Through the Tears (Rosemary Hines) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

25. Through the Tears by Rosemary Hines

Synopsis:
Michelle Baron sat on the edge of the couch, her heart racing as she looked at the envelope in her hand. I guess this is it, she thought. The return address seemed harmless enough. Fairfield Lab, Portland, Oregon. But this envelope contained information that could change her life forever.
Michelle and her family rejoice when her father begins to regain consciousness after an unsuccessful suicide attempt. But a long journey awaits, as they seek to clear his name of the embezzlement charges that drove him to this desperate act. The days of their vigil at the hospital drag into weeks, and Michelle finds herself repeatedly drawn to the newborn nursery. Observing couples leave with tiny babies in their arms, her heart is stirred, and she begins to yearn for a child of her own. However, an unexpected twist will threaten her new dream.

My Review:

As John starts to recover from his suicide attempt, his family has to take care of his embezzlement charges and clear his name. In the meantime, Michelle has to figure out how to deal with Trevor. Who's Trevor? Trevor was her spiritual guide (or something like that) in Out of a Dream. It has also been his mission to somehow get involved intimately with Michelle and are destined to be together. And yes, he knows she's married. There have been some instances where Michelle has felt more comfortable being around him rather than her husband. Now, Michelle is looking to break back into her Christian faith, but is still battling some feelings for Trevor. In this book, you'll get to hear from Trevor's perspective as well and see where he's coming from. Michelle knows she has to break things off with him in order to fix things with her husband (once Steve finds out). She's more confused than ever between wanting to become Christian again and sorting things out with Trevor. Once she breaks it off, Trevor seems fine, but still wants to figure out how to be a part of her forever.

Since John is facing a long road to recovery, Michelle, along with her family, spends a lot of time at the hospital. Michelle keeps finding herself drawn to the nursery. Seeing couples leave with their newborns makes Michelle want to have a child of her own and experience the same joy of starting a family. After John moves to a rehab center closer to home, Michelle has time once again to focus on doing just that. Months go by without anything happening and finally they find out that Steve is infertile. As they figure out the options, Steve pushes for adoption, while Michelle really wants to give birth herself. They agree to artificial insemination (Steve only does because he knows how much it means to her). Once hearing about this, Trevor has a trick up his sleeve to always have a connection to her by being the other donor without them knowing about it. The process goes well and Michelle becomes pregnant pretty quick. Once Michelle gives birth, Steve could be less than thrilled. And they do find out about Trevor. It seems to be a matter of pride that he doesn't want to be involved with the baby. The not knowing who technically is the father leads him to request a DNA test to find out for sure. Once the results come back, all is well as Steve is the father and he's able to become the father he should be.

Click here for my Out of a Dream book review. It helps to read this series in order. 

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥