Her Restless Heart by Barbara Cameron

★★★☆☆

Mary Katherine is caught between the traditions of her faith and the pull of a different life. When Daniel, an Amish man living in Florida, arrives and shares her restlessness, Mary Katherine feels drawn to him and curious aboutthe life he leads away from Lancaster County.

But her longtime friend Jacob has been in love with her for years. He’s discouraged that she’s never viewed him as anything but a friend and despairs that he is about to lose Mary Katherine to this outsider.

Will the conflicted Mary Katherine be lost to the Englisch world, or toDaniel, who might take her away to Florida? Or will she embrace her Amish faith and recognize Jacob as the man she should marry and build a life with?

I've seen this book as a freebie several times, and recently I decided to download it.  The story is about young Amish adults, and to be honest, I wasn't sure how exciting the story was going to be!  Her Restless Heart was a decent book, but it was very simple and a little slow.  The characters are extremely naive, which makes it hard to relate to and difficult to really get into the story.  I realize that is the nature of an Amish fiction book.  I probably won't be adding more Amish books to my library in the near future!

Jenna's Cowboy by Sharon Gillenwater

★★★★☆

Jenna Callahan Colby thought she was content. A partner on her father's successful ranch, she is surrounded by family and friends. But she never expected to see Nate Langley back in town--the first guy she ever noticed, the one her father sent away all those years ago.

And she never thought the attraction they felt would be as strong as ever.

Jenna's cowboy has some healing of his own to do, though, after two tours of duty in the armed forces. With the help of good friends, strong faith, and a loving family, he hopes to put the horrors of the past behind him--and become the man Jenna deserves.

I really enjoyed Jenna's Cowboy!!  It was a freebie, so I decided to give it a try and really ended up liking it!  It's a love story - of course.  :)  Jenna and Nate knew each other in high school, and although neither knew it, they had been attracted to one another back then.  Jenna has since married and had a baby, only to be walked out on by her husband.  Nate returns from the armed forces as the hometown hero, but he's struggling with the effects of war - PTSD.  This element definitely adds an aspect of depth and realism to the story.  Of course Jenna and Nate fall for each other, and that's where the love story happens!  Before reading this book, I never realized the impact of PTSD on a person's life... the author herself became well-educated on the subject before writing this story, so it's role in the story feels very real.  I really enjoyed this book!!

My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

★★★★★
Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother asks Kate to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance, takes a leave of absence from her job as a social worker, and the two of them set off. 

Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man her grandmother has hired to renovate the house. From the first moment she meets Matt, Kate can't help but be attracted to him -- he's got a combination of good looks and charisma that draw and tug at her. But she knows there's zero chance of a romance between them. Matt's in love with his dead wife, and even if he weren't, Kate realizes that she's way too ordinary for him. For Matt Jarreau is no ordinary guy. Kate discovers that he was once a great NHL hockey player who left the sport when his wife--an honest-to-goodness former Miss America--was diagnosed with brain cancer. Matt's been hiding from people, from God, and from his past ever since. Yet Kate is absolutely determined to befriend him, to try to reach him, to help him in some small way. 

No, Kate's not looking for love. She knows better than that by now. But when the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and Matt slowly shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her heart? Or will Kate be required to give up more than she ever dreamed?

Oh my goodness, I LOVED this book!!  Like stay-up-late, read-while-putting-on-makeup loved.  I'm not even joking... I brought my Nook in the car so I could read at the stoplights, hahaha!  I've realized recently that, by far, love stories are my absolute favorite kind of books to read.  My Stubborn Heart was so authentic and real.  Some love stories can teeter on the brink of trite or predictable, and sometimes it's okay to read those.  But this book was so well-written... the characters were really well developed, there is a cast of funny senior citizens, and the love story between Kate and Matt is palpable.  My Stubborn Heart is a christian fiction story, so there is also a spiritual aspect to the story that centers on God's timing.  This book had everything I love to read about all wrapped up into one.  I will most definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by Becky Wade!

The Mother Road by Jennifer AlLee

★★★☆☆

Within the course of a week, Natalie is dumped by her husband, receives an urgent call home from her father, and discovers her estranged sister is pregnant.

A road trip on Route 66 may not help, but it sure couldn't hurt. Or so Natalie thinks, until Lindsay's boyfriend starts stalking them. Will their trip down the Mother Road bring the two sisters closer together or turn out to be the biggest wrong turn yet?

I just finished reading The Mother Road, and I'm kind of glad it's over!  :(  It was definitely a slower-paced book, and there were many depressing undertones to the book: a mom who has Alzheimer's and doesn't remember one of her children, the sad dad who has to care for her, the main character's marriage that has crumbled after 18 years, and a lost-soul sister who is pregnant and unwed.  Although it ends hopeful, it wasn't an extremely uplifting read.  There are cute parts to the story, but overall I am glad this book is over.  I am ready for a good read!

Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson

★★★★☆
Ever wonder how Italian sounds with a Southern drawl? Bella Rossi's life is just starting to get interesting. When her Italian-turned-Texan parents hand over the family wedding-planning business, Bella quickly books a Boot-Scootin' wedding that would make any Texan proud. 

There's only one catch—she doesn't know a thing about country music. 

Where will she find a deejay on such short notice who knows his Alan Jackson from his George Strait? And will Bella ever get to plan her own wedding? Fun, fresh, and full of surprises, this flavorful combination of Italian and Tex-Mex highlights the hilarity that ensues when cultures clash. 

Fools Rush In was a really cute book!  It started off a little slow, but I really grew to love the characters.  There is such a sweet little love story between DJ and Bella.  I loved reading about their interactions with each other.  This book is a Christian fiction book, and the author did a really great job handling the characters' reactions when something drastic went wrong.  It makes me think, "Oh!  I would have probably never handled that situation in a good way, but here is an example of someone who did!  Next time something happens, I can do better!"  It's funny that a fiction story can make you do that, but it's true!! 

Blue Moon Bay by Lisa Wingate

★★★★☆

Every Once in a Blue Moon Your Heart Waits at a Crossroads.

For Seattle architect Heather Hampton, a trip back to tiny Moses Lake, Texas, is hardly in the plan. Yet because a promotion hinges on the sale of the family farmland, Heather heads to the last place she ever wanted to go. She's determined to return home, signed contract in hand, the next day.

But the currents of Moses Lake take visitors on unexpected journeys. As Heather's stay lengthens, she discovers a family steeped in secrets and an unexpected connection to local banker Blaine Underhill, despite his opposition to Heather's project. With each new revelation and question, Heather can't help but wonder if the handsome banker—and the family she has come to know again—are crooks or crusaders. Somehow she must find out the truth before she loses everything she has worked for and everything she's found on the shores of Moses Lake.

I really ended up liking Blue Moon Bay.  It was something a little different than what I usually read... it had some suspense and a little mystery, but thankfully there was also a love story.  :)  There were some depressing undertones at the beginning of the book, as the main character is trapped in a life where she is glued to her job and gets her satisfaction from her lifestyle... where she lives, what she wears, etc.  For her job, she has to go back to a town she hates, where she spent a year of her life in high school and where terrible tragedy had fallen on her family.  She is dreading the trip back, and everyone seems to be keeping secrets once she gets there.

Overall I enjoyed this book.  It definitely got good near the end, even though I wasn't positive it was going to!  It was a freebie for me, and I'm glad that I ended up reading it.  It turned out to be a really good book!

Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker

★★★☆☆

As a wedding planner, Sherilyn Caine should have the perfect wedding experience...

After all, she just landed her dream job at the wedding destination hotel, The Tanglewood. The rest should be a piece of cake for Sherilyn's Type A personality.

But while everything else goes smoothly, her own wedding plans start to sink right before her eyes. One way or the other, Sherilyn is determined to make this wedding work—until the latest development threatens to call the whole thing off. Is it possible that Sherilyn is allergic to her fiancé?

Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride was a cute story.  It was kind of simple and a little bit trite.  It wasn't a story with lots of depth, but it was a cute, semi-quick read.  I got it as a freebie and am glad I had a chance to read it.  I would probably read another of Bricker's stories if they were freebies, but I'm not sure I would actually purchase one.  I'm glad I read this, though.  :)

Talk of the Town by Lisa Wingate

★★★★☆

In this compelling tale by Lisa Wingate-award winning author of the national best-seller Lone Star Café-the associate producer of TV's hottest show fears Amber Amberson's tiny Texas hometown already knows its Amber is an American Megastar finalist. But after several hilarious culture clashes, the Hollywood pro enlists the help of the quirky townsfolk when the sweet and naïve Amber goes missing.

I was excited to read Talk of the Town because there were lots of good reviews on it (it was a freebie when I got it).  I have to say, though, this book did not capture my attention right off the bat.  I was about 60 or so pages into it, and I thought I might abandon ship.  It just seemed kind of trite, cutesy, and predictable.  It definitely didn't draw me in from the get-go.

I went back to make sure I really did see some good reviews on this book, and I decided to keep reading.  I'm so glad I did!  :)  This ended up being such a cute story.  The main character, Mandalay, is really sweet, and I loved reading about her interactions with Carter.  He is gentle, kind, and reserved, and I found myself not wanting to put this book down after a while.  I'm glad I stuck with it, it's a feel-good book.

Delivered with Love by Sherry Kyle

★★★★☆
An old love letter found in the glove compartment of a young woman's inherited 1972 Volkswagen propels her to leave her life in Los Angeles and go to the small town of Capitola, California.There her dream of finding the writer of the letter leads her on an unexpected journey that changes her life forever.

Claire James, age twenty-three, is ready to make it on her own. When she's fired from her job as a waitress and subsequently kicked out of her sister's home, she sees it as an opportunity to start over. But even before moving, a thirty-five-year-old love letter written to her mother keeps Claire stuck in the past. Michael Thompson, a middle-aged real estate agent, wants to keep the past where it belongs—at least until his grown daughter is married. But, then a young woman comes to town . . .

To be honest, I read this book because it was a freebie, and I debated whether to give it 3- or 4-stars.  It was better than a 3 but not as good as a 4.  :)  Delivered with Love is a sweet, Christian fiction book.  I felt at times like some of the characters were not extremely well-developed.  There are several instances where the book is very predictable as well.  But the overall story is sweet, and there is a really cute love story, so I ultimately decided to give it 4-stars.  :)  I probably would have been disappointed had I paid full price for it, but it made for a good freebie read.

Double Shot by Erynn Mangum

★★★★☆
Like I did for the last Maya Davis Series book, Latte Daze, I am not going to post the summary for Double Shot because it will be a spoiler since this is the third book in the series!  (The first is Cool Beans).

This book is just a continuation on in Maya's story.  It is so sweet.  I was so very sad when this book was over because it was the last in the series.  I honestly felt a little down for a few days because it felt like I had lost a few friends!  Pathetic, I know.  But these books are so cute and sweet, I would definitely recommend them for something light and semi-romantic!

Latte Daze by Erynn Mangum

★★★★☆
I'm not going to post they summary of Latte Daze because, since it's the second in the Maya Davis series (Cool Beans is the first), there are some spoilers in the summary!

And I'm not going to post much about what happens in this book, either, because there is a third book in the series! (Double Shot).

But like Erynn's other books, this was a great read.  You wish you were actually hanging out with her group of friends.  Such a cute, sweet story.  I was sad when it was over, but at least there is a 3rd book in the series!

Cool Beans by Erynn Mangum

★★★★☆
Everything seems to be going perfectly for Maya Davis: She has a great job at a coffee shop, gets along with her parents, and is happily single. That is until her best friend starts dating Maya’s high school sweetheart.
 
This funny, heartwarming fiction story by best-selling author Erynn Mangum uses the power of story to challenge teens to discover the relevance of faith in their relationships and their lives.

Okay, so I know the summary for Cool Beans says for "teens," but I am clearly not a teen and still really enjoyed this book!  Like Erynn's other books, her main character (Maya in this book), has a great group of friends.  You just want to hang out with them all.  Such a cute, sweet story.  This is the first book in the Maya Davis Series, the second is Latte Daze and the third is Double Shot.  Highly recommended for a light, semi-romantic read!

Divine by Karen Kingsbury

★★★★★
Mary Madison was a child of unspeakable horrors, a young woman society wanted to forget. Now a divine power has set Mary free to bring life-changing hope and love to battered and abused women living in the shadow of the nation’s capital.
 
Mary is educated and redeemed, a powerful voice in Washington, D.C. - both to the politically elite and to other women like her. But she also has a past that shamed polite society. Her experiences created in her paralyzing fear, faithlessness, addiction, and promiscuity. At the crossroads of her life, only one power set Mary free and gave her a lifetime of love and hope. A power that could only be divine.
 
Peggy Madison is Mary’s grandmother, a quiet woman who has spent her life praying for her granddaughter. Peggy clings to the belief that God has a special plan for Mary. Through years of sorrow and longing, Peggy walks the journey in faith and watches from a distance as one key person after another comes into Mary’s life and demonstrates the timeless, powerful love of the Master, the Savior. The divine Lord.
 
Emma Randall is a single mother fleeing an abusive relationship, wondering whether there is hope for her and her young daughters. She is desperate, broken, and unloved, tempted to commit the unthinkable. Then Mary Madison introduces Emma to the greatest love of all, greater than any either of them has ever imagined.

Wow, Divine was a really intense book.  When the book overview mentions "unspeakable horrors," it's not exaggerating.  Divine was written as a parallel to the story of Mary Magdelene from Scripture and the seven demons she dealt with.  The modern Mary of this book certainly faces her seven demons as the book delves into heavy topics such as prostitution, sex slavery, abuse, and more.  As dark as these topics are, this book is NOT explicit in any way; however, Kingsbury certainly leaves no question as to what the women in this book deal with.  Parts of it are certainly hard to read.  But it is a story of finding the all-encompasing and redeeming love of Christ, a love that is Divine.  It's a very good book, reminding us that whatever sins we have committed, even if they are unspeakable, and whatever is in our past, we are made alive and anew by Jesus and His sacrifice.

Match Point by Erynn Mangum

★★★★★
Matchmaker Lauren Holbrook is happy after putting together four successful couples. That is, until the tables are turned and she’s on the receiving end of the matchmaking!
 
Lauren and her boyfriend, Ryan, devise a plan to make it look as if they’ve broken up so people will get off their backs about marriage. No problem, right? That’s of course until Lauren realizes she’s in love.

Ah, another Erynn Mangum book.  :)  I loved Match Point, just like all of Erynn's other books.  This was such a sweet little love story.  It's the third book in the Lauren Holbrook series (the first is Miss Match, and the second is Rematch).  These stories are characterized by a tight-knit group of friends that you feel a part of while reading, fun characters, and Lauren's matchmaking schemes.  All of these books include love stories, my favorite kind.  :)  You wish you could hang out with the characters in real life.  I was really bummed out when I finished this book (and series).  Such great stories.  I would definitely recommend this series and this book if you are looking for something sweet and lighthearted!

Rematch by Erynn Mangum

★★★★★
Lauren Holbrook believes that God matched couples before time began-some just require a coordinated introduction. And no one plays love connection better than Lauren, an undercover Cupid on a mission to connect clueless friends.

The next couple-in-waiting? Brandon and Hannah, two unsuspecting pals who are perfect for each other in every way. They just don't realize it yet. But as Lauren grows closer to her friend Ryan, and her single father unexpectedly falls in love, she discovers the joy found in trusting God's perfect plan instead of her own.

The Lauren Holbrook series delivers fun stories on topics girls care about, such as boys, chocolate, and dating. Each book balances the lighthearted antics of Lauren with spiritual insights that will encourage teen readers to trust God for their lives. 

I loved Rematch!  This is the second book in the Lauren Holbrook series, the first is Miss Match.  Erynn Mangum has such a gift for writing entertaining, fun love stories that incorporate faith.  These are my kind of books.  :)  As ironic as it is, I can't put her books down although I dread having them end!  If I'd just slow down reading them, they would last longer!  I don't know what her target audience is, maybe young adult?  The characters in her books are in their early 20's (which, sadly, I am not anymore!)  But I guess it's because I'm a romantic at heart, I love reading stories of people falling in love.  :) 

Lauren has such a tight-knit group of friends, and this story makes you feel like you are part of 'the group' while you're reading.  You feel like you're just hanging out with them, that you're part of their lives and crazy antics.  :) 

I would definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a lighthearted, faith-filled romance-type book.  I love Erynn Mangum stories!

Miss Match by Erynn Mangum

★★★★★

Lauren Holbrook has found her life's calling: matchmaking for the romantically challenged. And with the eclectic cast of characters in her world, there's tons of potential to play "connect the friends."
 
Lauren sets out to introduce Nick, her carefree singles' pastor, to Ruby, her neurotic coworker who plans every second of every day. What could possibly go wrong? Just about everything.

I loved Miss Match!  I had downloaded this book while it was free, not sure what to expect.  It was so, so cute.  It is a Christian Fiction book.  The characters are so likeable.  It's about a young twenty-something girl, Lauren, navigating the things of life, setting up her friends, and working.  Lauren is just a normal girl trying to figure things out, but I love how she incorporates her Chrisian perspective into the desicions she makes.  I really enjoyed this book (and I'm a mom with 2 kids!), but I think it would also be great for a high school/college girl navigating relationships and friendships.  This is the first book in a series, and the next two are both on my reading list.  Definitely recommended as a fun, light, uplifiting read.

Just Beyond the Clouds by Karen Kingsbury

★★★★☆
#1 bestselling author Karen Kingsbury tells the heartwrenching story of Cody Gunner, a widower fighting for stability, and the woman who wants to help him trust again--even when trust is the most terrifying thing of all.

Still aching over his wife's death, Cody Gunner can't bear the thought of also letting go of his Down's Syndrome brother, Carl Joseph. Cody wants his brother home, where he will be safe and cared for, not out on his own in a world that Cody knows all too well can be heartless and insecure. So when Carl Joseph's teacher, Elle, begins championing his independence, she finds herself at odds with Cody. But even as these two battle it out, they can't deny the instinctive connection they share, and Cody faces a crisis of the heart. What if Elle is the one woman who can teach Cody that love is still possible? If Cody can let go of his lingering anger, he might just see that sometimes the brightest hope of all lies just beyond the clouds.

I really enjoyed Just Beyond the Clouds.  What I didn't realize until after I'd read it was that it's the second book in a series! (The first is A Thousand Tomorrows, which I haven't read).  You definitely don't need to read the first book in the series to get up to speed in this book, but I may go back and read the first one anyways.  This was a really sweet and enjoyable story.  Elle works with handicapped young adults, and their personalities are so sweet and innocent.  I loved reading about Elle and Cody and how they carefully navigate their relationship.  This is the second Christian fiction book I've read by Kingsbury, and she is definitely on my list of authors to watch for.  A really enjoyable and sweet read.

(By the way, A Thousand Tomorrows and Just Beyond the clouds are available as one Nook book here!)

Like Dandelion Dust by Karen Kingsbury

★★★★★
Jack and Molly Campbell can imagine no greater happiness than sharing their lives with their adopted son, Joey. Then, suddenly one day, their joy is dispersed like dandelion dust in the wind: A judge rules that four-year-old Joey must be returned to his biological father. As the Campbells desperately search for a solution, they begin to grapple with the moral core of life's problems. A heart-wrenching, ultimately uplifting novel.

Wow.  I thought Like Dandelion Dust was a fantastic novel.  It was the first Christian fiction book I had read in a while, and I thought it was wonderfully written.  The story is very rich - it explores both emotional and moral dilemmas.  Kingsbury makes you feel the gut-wrenching situations and decisions as her characters are experiencing them.  I liked the 'unpredictable-ness' of this book and thought it was a great read.  Very uplifting.  After reading this, I downloaded a few more of Kingsbury's books to my Nook - I have a new author to follow!