Choices of the Heart - A Review

Esther Cherrett was trained to be a midwife by her mother, who was trained by her mother, and so on. Denying her calling and hoping to save her family from a shameful scandal, Esther accepts a job as a teacher in the rural mountains of western Virginia. She had no way of knowing that she'd land right into the middle of a family feud and find two young men on opposite sides wishing to court her. As trouble arrives and emotions intensify, Esther finds herself wanting to run again. Especially since she feels unworthy of the man who has won her heart. Will there be peace on the mountain between the two families? Will Esther learn that she can't outrun God?

This is the third book in the Midwives series and it also stands alone. There were times when I wanted to shake Esther because she seemed unwilling to let God work in her life. She seemed pretty insistent that what she had done, even God couldn't forgive her. Both of the two young men, Zach and Griff, were fun. At times I wanted her to end up with Zach and at other times it was Griff. Though one of the two did end up stealing my heart as well. I remember reading Christy by Catherine Marshall and watching the series on TV. While reading this book, I felt that I was revisiting Cutter's Gap from Christy again with the way the mountain folk lived, talked, and took care of their own.

I received this book from the publisher, Revell Books, for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Catherine Marshall's Christy, Julie Klassen, Tracie Peterson, Jody Hedlund, Robin Lee Hatcher, Kathleen Morgan, historical fiction, and Christian romance.

Rating - 4 stars

Available in January, 2013 at your local bookstore from Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Midwife's Legacy - A Review

Four women. Four generations. One journal ties them all together as they face the trials and tribulations of being a midwife, and they may just find unexpected loves in the midst of all of their work. Adele Marley is a busy widow, mother, midwife, and Wisconsin farmer to really notice the banker. Polly Schultz is trying to survive the dangers of the Oregon Trail and finds herself falling for the young preacher. Christiana is determined that women can have both families and careers and tries to convince one man of that fact. Modern woman, Kendra Silverstone, has had her confidence shaken and stumbles upon her ancestors' journal. Will it hold the answers she seeks?

I usually avoid the 4-1 collections, because I like my books to have more story to them. The good thing about novellas is that they are short and I can usually read them in one setting. That said, I did enjoy each story in this book. Some more than others.I think my favorite one was the one about Christiana. Each of the four women, Adele, Polly, Christiana, and Kendra, had to come to understand that they were doing exactly what God had called them to do. Their realizations came at different points. Yet they came. My biggest complaint with the book is that the stories weren't long enough for me to really sink into and enjoy. About the time that I'd grown attached to the characters, the story was over and we moved on.

I received this book for free from one of the authors for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating - 4 stars