Review: Rocky Mountain Dreams

Rocky Mountain Dreams
By Danica Favorite
Love Inspired Historical, 2014


Summary

The last thing Joseph Stone expects to discover upon arriving in Leadville, Colorado, is a newfound little sister. Hoping to find his late father's silver mine and hopefully keep his siblings back home out of an orphanage, Joseph needs an ally. The preacher's lovely daughter agrees to care for the little girl. She's just not as willing to trust the prospector….

Annabelle Lassiter has seen what men do in pursuit of riches. Yet for all the hardship he's known, Joseph still shows tenderness and warmth. Annabelle's plan has long been to leave Leadville far behind. But Joseph's quest for silver could cost them a more precious dream—one of family, love and new beginnings….


My thoughts

Danica Favorite's debut story, Rocky Mountain Dreams, is an enjoyable story, just the type that hits the spot when you want something heartwarming and upbeat. Romance, Wild West adventure, an interesting cast of characters, and a vivid setting all combine to entertain fans of historical romance like me.

Danica did a great job conveying a sense of place in the 1881 mining town of Leadville, Colorado, evocative of one of my very favorite musicals, The Unsinkable Molly Brown. And we see several contrasting themes - greed/generosity, betrayal/loyalty, prejudice/acceptance, judgment/forgiveness, broken relationships/reconciliation. Love and commitment to family are also strong themes, which I especially appreciated.

Joseph and Annabelle make a good couple and, as might be expected, it's a long time before things run smoothly for them. Annabelle's compassionate father runs a mission for the miners, and I enjoyed journeying with Annabelle as her faith strengthens and she discovers her own compassion and calling. Joseph is a caring and responsible hero, whose main mistake is in deciding for himself how Annabelle feels. But it's Joseph's six-year-old sister, Nugget, who captures hearts and steals the show.

Danica's descriptions of life in the mining camp are excellent and there's also a good bit of danger and suspense. I'm not a big fan of suspense, so this wasn't my favorite element, but it was a key part of the overall story and worked well as such. Spiritual themes were skillfully woven into the story - such as prejudice, judgmental attitudes, and forgiveness.

Rocky Mountain Dreams was a very good read overall and I look forward to more from Danica Favorite. Recommended to fans of historical romance.

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A self-professed crazy chicken lady, Danica Favorite loves the adventure of living a creative life. She and her family make their home in Denver, Colorado, where they enjoy the mountain lifestyle with the comforts of the city. Danica loves to explore the depths of human nature and follow people on the journey to happily ever after. Though the journey is often bumpy, those bumps are what refine imperfect characters as they live the life God created them for. Oops, that just spoiled the ending of all of Danica's stories. Then again, getting there is all the fun.

Connect with Danica online at danicafavorite.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Interview + GIVEAWAY: Jody Hedlund

Surely most fans of historical romance have already discovered the wonderful writing of Jody Hedlund . . . and if not, I can almost guarantee that it will only take the reading of one book to become hooked.

I hope you will enjoy this visit with Jody today, as she shares about her newest release from the Beacons of Hope series, Hearts Made Whole (click on title to see my review). Romance, historical detail, character depth, adventure, lighthouses - this book has it all and I highly recommend it.

Also, one of you will win a copy of Hearts Made Whole, so enjoy Jody's interview and enter to win at the end.


Q:  You talked on your website about how your mom facilitated your love for reading at an early age, Jody. What were one or two books that you treasured most?

Anne of Green Gables and A Little Princess


Q:  How did you come up with the idea for Hearts Made Whole?

        Historical textbooks are full of stories about men like George Washington, Thomas Edison, Andrew Carnegie, and so many more.  And while such men are truly remarkable, all too often their stories overshadow equally courageous and remarkable women. One of my goals as an author is to help bring forgotten women of the past to life.
        In the Beacons of Hope series, I'm focusing on historical women light keepers who have often been kept in the dark by the more prominent stories of their male counterparts.
        As I researched for writing a lighthouse series, I came across a fantastic book called, Ladies of the Lights: Michigan Women in the U.S. Lighthouse Service. The book is a tribute to the approximately 50 or so women who served either as primary or assistant keepers in Michigan Lighthouses.
        I based the heroine in Hearts Made Whole on one of those women light keepers. It's my hope to bring her and the other women keepers out of the historical shadows and into the spotlight.

Q:  What is the story about and who are the main characters?

        This story is set at a lighthouse in southern Michigan on Lake St. Clair where the heroine, Caroline Taylor, is the acting light keeper. However, in the time directly following the Civil War, women weren't allowed to be light keepers if a man was available instead. Men were almost always given precedence.
        Along comes the wounded war hero, Ryan Chambers, who having a little bit of lighthouse experience is looking for a place where he can be isolated and nurse his physical and emotional wounds.
        Of course, when the two meet, they're both competing for the same job. Caroline needs to stay in the position in order to provide for her four younger siblings. And Ryan needs the job so that he can save to repay his war debts.
        As is always true for my books, when the hero and heroine meet both danger and romance abound!


Q:  Each of your lighthouse books is set at a real lighthouse that once existed in Michigan or still does exist. Tell us a little about the lighthouse in this second book.

        In my first lighthouse book (Love Unexpected), the lighthouse was set at Presque Isle which is on Lake Huron on the north eastern side of the state. For the second book, I picked a lighthouse in a completely new location with the intention of giving readers a different flavor of climate, geography, and the population.
        Windmill Point Lighthouse once existed on Lake St. Clair near Detroit, a much more urban and highly trafficked area than the remote wilderness of Presque Isle. Windmill Point Lighthouse was a strategic beacon that helped ships cross from Lake Huron over into Lake Erie as those ships transported raw goods from the Northwest states to eastern cities and seaports.
        The lighthouse is named after the old ruins of a windmill where early frontiersmen brought their grain for grinding. Also, legends attribute the area to being an old battle field of a savage encounter between the early French settlers and Indians. As many as 1000 Fox Indians were slaughtered on the banks of Lake St. Clair. Later settlers to the area uncovered bones, arrowheads, tomahawks, and other gruesome mementos of the battle.
        Today, all traces of the original windmill, lighthouse, and burial grounds are long gone. If you visit Grosse Pointe in the Detroit area, all that remains is a small conical structure with a white flashing light.


Q:  Many of the heroines in your books are inspired by real women. Is that true of the heroine in Hearts Made Whole? If so, what women provided inspiration?

        The woman light keeper in Hearts Made Whole is inspired by Caroline Antaya. Caroline lived at the Mamajuda Lighthouse on the Detroit River a short distance away from Windmill Point Lighthouse.
        Caroline's husband served with honor in the Union army during the Civil War, losing several fingers on his hand at Gettysburg. Eventually after returning from the war, her husband was named as keeper of the Mamajuda Lighthouse, but he passed away of tuberculosis.
        Part of what really impressed me about Caroline Antaya's situation was that she had been doing a fantastic job as a light keeper. But the district lighthouse inspector trumped up charges against her saying that she was in ill-health and incompetent. He took away her position simply because she was a woman and gave it to a man instead. Fortunately, her community rose to her defense and enlisted the help of a Michigan Senator to help her get her position back and she went on to serve as a light keeper for another three years.
        In those days, when women were regularly discriminated against because of gender, Caroline's story is inspirational and an encouragement to persevere in the face of injustice. I admired Caroline's will to stand up for herself and to pave the way for women coming after her to use their God-given talents and abilities in roles and jobs that had previously been closed to women.


Q:  What do you hope readers take away from Hearts Made Whole?

        Readers familiar with my books will know that I'm not afraid to tackle really tough issues. That's especially true in Hearts Made Whole. Since the hero is coming home as a Civil War veteran, he's facing some post-traumatic stress as well as debilitating war wounds that leave him addicted to his pain medicine.
        At the same time the heroine is struggling to act as both father and mother to her four siblings while holding down a job as light keeper. She has the overwhelming job of trying to take care of everyone and everything while always remaining strong.
        Both characters come to a point where they recognize they can't face all of their overwhelming troubles on their own and cry out to God their desperate need for Him. I hope that readers will take away a desire to turn to God in their most desperate needs too and know that He is there waiting to comfort and help them.

Q:  What stories can your readers look forward to in the days ahead?

In October, look for my historical called Luther & Katharina with Random House (Waterbrook) It's a book based one of the greatest untold love stories: the courtship and marriage of the great reformer, Martin Luther to a runaway nun Katharina von Bora. He's a heretic wanted dead or alive, and she's a noblewoman without a family or home. Amidst the dangers of pope, princes, and revolting peasants, the two must wage war to find a love of their own.


Q:  How can we support and/or pray for you, Jody?

My oldest son just graduated from high school and so I'd love prayer for him and for my husband and I as we prepare to send him away to college in August.

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GIVEAWAY

To enter the drawing for Hearts Made Whole . . .

1) If you're on Facebook, please visit my book review page at ThePowerofWordsBookReviews and "like" it if you would care to (not required).

2) Answer the following question or leave a comment for Jody:

Are you new to Jody's books? If you're already a fan,

do you have a favorite that you would like to recommend?

BE SURE to leave your e-mail address in a safe format - [at] and [dot] - for the drawing. And if you'd like to receive e-mail notifications of reviews, author interviews and giveaways, please subscribe to my blog in the upper right corner.

Contest ends at midnight PST on Monday, June 22. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and contacted by e-mail.

Eligibility: US residents

Review: Would-Be Wilderness Bride

Would-Be Wilderness Wife
By Regina Scott
Bachelor Brides, #2
Love Inspired Historical, 2015


Summary

Drew Wallin's youngest brother is determined to see him married--so he kidnaps Drew a prospective bride. Not only is Catherine Stanway beautiful, but she's a nurse who can help their ailing mother. Drew doesn't have time for distractions--he's too busy watching over his fatherless siblings. Yet he's drawn to this woman who carries loss and pain equal to his own.

Catherine has traveled West to use her nursing skills to save lives, not to find a husband. She knows if she gives in to Drew's matchmaking family, she'll be risking her already bruised heart. But maybe it's time she takes the ultimate risk to win the groom she didn't know she wanted!


My thoughts

Regina Scott is an author who draws from interesting historical events and settings as backgrounds for stories that both inform and entertain. Would-Be Wilderness Wife, a tender romance set in an area known for its rugged beauty, introduces us to a family that I can't wait to see more of. With its rural setting and close-knit family relationships, not to mention the antics of four brothers, it actually evokes the feel of the classic musical, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.  I have always enjoyed Regina's Regency romances, but am especially drawn to the Bachelor Brides series.

Mt. Rainier

Would-Be Wilderness Wife opens around Lake Union in the Seattle, Washington Territory during the spring of 1866, at a family settlement called Wallin Landing. Catherine was one of the Mercer's Belles who had sailed from New York Harbor in 1866, bound for what they had been led to believe was a land of promise and opportunity. Book #1 in this series, The Bride Ship, tells of that voyage and the friendship that formed between Catherine, Allie and Maddie, while focusing on Allie's story - and both stories can stand alone.

Regina does a great job at creating multilayered characters that are realistic and likeable. Catherine, a skilled nurse with a strong will and tons of determination, has no intentions of marrying and has, in effect, walled off her emotions, for "once she opened the door to feeling, she was very much afraid she'd never be able to close it again." Drew, a lumberjack, has selflessly taken on the responsibility for his Ma and five siblings . . . "He didn't eat until their plates were filled, didn't rest until they were dreaming. And if their sleep was peaceful, it was because they knew he was standing guard." But Drew had set aside any personal aspirations for many years and when it came to affairs of the heart, he had no clue - and that makes him all the more adorable.

Love for family is one of this story's strengths and I love how it harkens back to a time when families spent their evenings together, talking and sharing in various activities. One of the brothers, Simon, has a musical gift and I could almost hear him playing a tune which spoke to Catherine "of loves lost and friends parted, yet hope rising through it all, whispering of new life, fulfilled purpose." Simon was one of my favorite secondary characters and I hope to see more of him.

Spiritual themes are skillfully woven throughout, for it is so easy to react to life situations in the same way as Drew and Catherine did in allowing outside influences to control their emotions - Drew, the family responsibility he feels; and Catherine, her efforts to avoid the pain of loss that comes from caring. In showing the importance of trusting God and that He walks with us through everything, Regina quoted a Scripture that always ministers to me . . .

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye

might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation,

but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world."

- John 16:33

I enjoyed Would-Be Wilderness Wife and recommend it to all who enjoy inspirational romance.

Please click on the title, The Bride Ship, to see my review of the first book in this series.

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        Regina Scott and her husband are the parents of two sons. They reside in southeast Washington State and are members of the Church of the Nazarene. Born and raised in the Seattle area, Regina Scott is a graduate of the University of Washington. She comes by her writing talent naturally--both her parents were excellent writers in their vocations as teacher and electrical technician. Her mother envisioned the plot for Sweeter Than Candy, the novella which was written as a tribute to her.

        Regina is a devout Christian and a decent fencer; owns a historical, fantasy, and science fiction costume collection that currently takes up over a third of her large closet; and has been known to impersonate an independent consultant specializing in risk communication.

Connect with Regina online at reginascott.com, Facebook, and Goodreads.

Thank you to Regina Scott for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review: A More Christlike God

A More Christlike God
By Brad Jersak
CWRpress, 2015


Summary

What is God like? A punishing judge? A doting grandfather? A deadbeat dad? A vengeful warrior?

Believers and atheists alike typically carry and finally reject the toxic images of God in their own hearts and minds. Even the Christian gospel has repeatedly lapsed into a vision of God where the wrathful King must be appeased by his victim Son. How do such good cop/bad cop distortions of the divine arise and come to dominate churches and cultures?

Whether our notions of 'god' are personal projections or inherited traditions, author and theologian Brad Jersak proposes a radical reassessment, arguing for A More Christlike God: a More Beautiful Gospel. If Christ is "the image of the invisible God, the radiance of God's glory and exact representation of God's likeness," what if we conceived of God as completely Christlike---the perfect Incarnation of self-giving, radically forgiving, co-suffering love? What if God has always been and forever will be cruciform (cross-shaped) in his character and actions?

A More Christlike God suggests that such a God would be very good news indeed---a God who Jesus "unwrathed" from dead religion, a Love that is always toward us, and a Grace that pours into this suffering world through willing, human partners.


My thoughts

A More Christlike God is a provocative book, one with a powerful impact when read with an open mind, and I found it quite fascinating. While scholarly, theological, and deep, Mr. Jersak writes with passion in a style that is easy to understand and follow. He clearly draws from the scriptures, with the addition of many quotes and definitions. The more I read of theology, the more I realize that the "experts" rarely agree and that I never buy 100% into what any human writer says, but much of what is shared in this book was eye opening and I want to spend more time delving into each chapter.

"A More Christlike God" . . . Isn't that a beautiful thought? Many people are easily drawn to Jesus as Savior, but to the seemingly wrathful, angry God of the Old Testament? Not so much. But Mr. Jersak puts forth a different interpretation - that God is exactly like Jesus, a Father of radical grace rather than a vengeful despot - and gives us much upon which to ponder. It would take a lot more time and study for me to form an opinion as to theological accuracy, but I love that he gives us much to dwell upon.

Part 1 of this book asks the question, "What is God like," and contrasts two competing images of God; namely, His will vs. love. Part 2, "The Cruciform God," explores the idea of God as love in light of the cross. I particularly want to study in depth the section where Mr. Jersak delves into the problems of "a two-faced God (love versus force) and an apparently two-faced Christ (Lamb versus Lion; the suffering Servant versus the bloody Warrior on the white horse)."

Part 3, "Unwrathing God," explores in depth our preconceived understanding of a wrathful deity. Chapter 14, entitled "The Beautiful Gospel," is alone worth the purchase price of this book, for in it he uses the visuals of two chairs to illustrate a God who, like Jesus, never turns away from us, who loves us and always comes looking.

Here are a few quotes that stood out to me . . .

• "How do we know what God is like? By recalling that God is 100% Christlike and by remembering how Christ humbly laid down his life."
• "Jesus' favorite image of God was Father.... Jesus showed us in the Gospels what fatherhood meant to him:  extravagant love, affirmation, affection and belonging. It meant scandalous forgiveness and inclusion."
• "If God is in control - if he not only allowed, but also willed for tragedy and evil, natural and moral, to happen - he must certainly be all-powerful. But can he be said to be good?"
• "What if Jesus' humility, meekness and servant heart were never a departure from God's glory and power, but actually define it and demonstrate it?"

I loved how A More Christlike God delves into exactly what God is like by consistently pointing us toward Jesus Christ. I doubt I'll ever know how accurate theologically this book is, but I believe there is much to be gained from reading it. And with questions on which to reflect at the end of each chapter, this would be a great resource for personal or group study. Recommend.

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Brad Jersak (PhD) is an author and teacher based in Abbotsford, BC. He is on faculty at Westminster Theological Centre (Cheltenham, UK), where he teaches New Testament and Patristics. He also serves as adjunct faculty with St Stephen's University (St. Stephen, NB). He is also the senior editor of CWR (Christianity Without the Religion) Magazine, based in Pasadena, CA.

You can find Brad online at bradjersak.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Litfuse landing page:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/bjersak

Review: This Quiet Sky

This Quiet Sky
By Joanne Bischof
Prequel to the Cadence of Grace Series
Mason Jar Books, 2014


Summary

There is nothing extraordinary about Tucker O’Shay’s dreams. Go to college. Become president. Fall in love. And pretend like he has enough time to get it all done.

Sixteen-year-old Sarah Miller doesn’t expect anything out of the ordinary when she begins her first day at the one-room-school house in her new hometown of Rocky Knob. But when she meets seventeen-year-old Tucker O’Shay—the boy with the fatal illness who volunteers to tutor her in algebra—she finds herself swept up in a friendship that changes the way she sees the world and a love that changes her life.


My thoughts

I read This Quiet Sky last week, pondered for a while about what to say in my review, then decided to read it a second time instead. However, I'm still no closer to finding adequate words to do justice to this heartfelt and memorable story.

First, the tangibles. This Quiet Sky is a poignantly beautiful novella, exquisite in its simplicity, and a prequel to Be Still My Soul, book #1 in the Cadence of Grace series. It's a tender, bittersweet story of the young, but enduring, love between Lonnie's Aunt Sarah and Tucker O'Shay. And it's penned by a master at crafting imagery, rich characters, emotions, and invaluable life lessons. In Joanne's capable hands, a story of love that would seem hopeless on the surface is transformed into a heartwarming portrait of the hope that only comes from above.

Tucker and Sarah are so very real and easy to relate to - from Tucker's vulnerability, intellect, self confidence, and sense of humor, to Sarah's journey from friendship into a relationship which led her to the putting of another's needs first. This Quiet Sky reflects life, the realities of which are voiced in Tucker's words, "Sometimes an entirely different equation than you expect is staring you in the face." And there's just the right injection of humor with great scenes, such as Tucker's conjugation of Latin verbs and the favorite "Tucker stories" shared at a family birthday party.

Now for the intangibles . . . I am so glad that Joanne told the story that was on her heart, and I believe it is a story that had to be told. This Quiet Sky is in a class all by itself, for I can't think of another story to which it could be compared. The best stories entertain, but in addition to that, they challenge you, make you change or grow in some way - and that's what This Quiet Sky did for me. These are just a few thoughts that quickly come to mind as I reflect on Sarah and Tucker's story . . .

• That we don't really "fall" into love, but rather it is a choice we make
• Many things that I used to think were important have kind of faded away now
• There is strength in weakness, and the world really has no true concept of what a hero is
• That it's important to live in the moment, making the time we've been given count
• A determination to never let illness define who I am
• To reflect agape love, a selfless love that puts others first
• That there is always hope, because God is faithful to us, no matter the circumstances

I want to be like Sarah when I grow up - to be able to see the person, not the illness; to risk; to love selflessly and grow in the ways that she did. I wish I could have reached out and embraced Sarah when she realized, "It's now I who will be brave for him."

Joanne ends with an epilogue that takes place several years later, giving beautiful closure to the story. Another character that I'm drawn to is Benjamin, Tucker's brother, and I hope that Joanne will someday return to Rocky Knob, Virginia, with more stories from these families. I also encourage you to check out the beautiful Pinterest board that Joanne has put together for this story.

This Quiet Sky is a story that lives on in my heart and I am a better person for having read it. Very highly recommended.

Please click on these titles to see my reviews of the Cadence of Grace series:
Be Still My Soul
Though My Heart Is Torn
My Hope Is Found

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Christy Award-finalist and author of Be Still My Soul and Though My Heart is Torn, Joanne Bischof has a deep passion for Appalachian culture and writing stories that shine light on God’s grace and goodness. She lives in the mountains of Southern California with her husband and their three children. When she’s not weaving Appalachian romance, she’s blogging about faith, folk music, and the adventures of country living that bring her stories to life.

Connect with Joanne online at Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Thank you to Joanne for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.