Clouds - A Review

Flight attendant Shelly Graham moves back to her childhood home because of downsizing at the LA offices of the airline she works for. Her move back home opens up a Pandora's box of memories of her first - and only - love Jonathan. When Shelly accompanies her sister Meredith onto a trip to Germany, she doesn't expect to run into Jonathan again. Yet she does. To her surprise, he's engaged. Lost and confused, Shelly reconnects with God in a way that she never had before. Shelly begins to wonder if there is someone out there for her. Can she trust that God can make even the impossible seem possible?

I've read this book several times. In the past, this has been my least favorite of the Glenbrooke books. Yet I read it with different eyes this time. Maybe because I'm older, I can appreciate Shelly's soul-searching more. There is a very nostalgic feel to this book that is different than the others in the Glenbrooke Series. I still love Robin Jones Gunn's books and am always thrilled to read - or reread - them! This time around though, I picked up on the dynamics between Shelly and Meredith. Meredith told Shelly how she felt that she pushed others away and Shelly took that to heart and tried to change. It's probably still my least favorite of the Glenbrooke books, but it is a relaxing read.

I received this book for free from Waterbrook/Multnomah's Blogging for Books program for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommend to fans of contemporary romance, Christy Miller, Robin Jones Gunn, Karen Kingsbury.

Rating - 4 stars

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Echoes - A Review

Lauren Phillips thought that she was happy. Happily engaged. Happily working at a steady job. When her fiance breaks the engagement, she's lost. Her brother introduces her to the wonderful world of the Internet and sets her up with a pen pal known as "KC." Over the months, emails fly back and forth between KC and "Wren." When Lauren is given a chance to meet KC in person, will she take it? Or will she hold back from what could be an everlasting love?

The third book in the Glenbrooke Series doesn't have to be read in order. While this one is not my favorite book, it is still a sweet story. I love how Lauren grows and changes through the book. I also love the beautiful new cover. I'd originally read this book for the first time when it was first published in 1999 and have reread it several times since. I personally love this cover much more than either the first cover or any of the other reprints that have come since. This is unlike any of Robin's other books in this series in that the romance takes place entirely via  email.

I received this book for free from Waterbrook/Multnomah's Blogging for Books Program for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommend to fans of Robin Jones Gunn, Denise Hunter, Deborah Raney, sweet romances

Rating - 4 stars

Secrets - A Review

Jessica Morgan hopes to escape her past by moving to the small town of Glenbrooke, Oregon. All she wants is to be able to live peacefully and make her own decisions. Yet life has a way throwing a curve at her. A car accident, a principal who is set on finding out anything that can be used to blackmail Jessica, a troubled teen, a trip to Mexico, and a handsome firefighter all shatter Jessica's peace. But as she falls further in love with the small town and its people, including the handsome firefighter, she finds herself drawn to the relationship with God that most of them seem to share. Will Jessica find a relationship with the God who loves her to distraction? Will she let go of her secrets enough to open her heart to love?

"Welcome to Glenbroooke - a quiet place where souls are refreshed," is the greeting of this small town. I've read this book several times over the years and I always find that it's so refreshing. For me, any of Robin's books - and I've read them all several times - is like a visit with a best friend. While it's been about four years since I've read this particular book, I was easily drawn into Jessica's story once again. The way that she searches for answers about faith is something I love. Each Glenbrooke book just infuses my desire to move to Glenbrooke.

I received this book for free from Waterbrook/Multnomah's Blogging for Books program for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Christy Miller, light romances, Colleen Coble, Denise Hunter

Rating - 4 stars