Hearts We Mend - A Review

Published - March 2016, Zondervan
Series - Barrister Falls Book 2
Author - Kathryn Springer
Title - Hearts We Mend
Format - ebook, paper
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Evie Bennett lost her husband in a fire when their son was six years old. For the past thirteen years, she has been raising Cody alone. Now Cody's getting married and will soon be a father as well. Evie begins to feel an entirely different form of loneliness. Always organized and sticking to a schedule, Evie has no idea how much her life is about to change dramatically. Jack Vale has been hired to fill in as the church's handyman. He's a man who lives his life moment to moment. His appearance raises more than a few eyebrows around the community. But as Evie gets drawn into Jack's life and world, she learns that sometimes spur of the moment is better than a safe, secure plan. But can Evie learn to let go of herself enough to fall in love again?

Last year when I read the first book in this series, Dandelion Field, I loved the book, but didn't like Evie too much. At first. But when I saw that there was going to be a second book about Barrister Falls, I was excited. Because I wanted to know more about the characters, and I wanted to see if Evie continued to grow on me as she did towards the end of the first book.

While I didn't love love love this book like I did the first, I still enjoyed it very much so. I loved seeing Evie be drawn out more and more. I ADORED Jack. I thought he was wonderful in the way that he related to Evie, tried to take care of his brother, and was there for all of the tenants in his building. But he was pretty deep too. He knew that he wasn't perfect, but he tried to show how Christ had changed him.

I loved how Jack actually saw Evie. And what I mean by that is that he actually saw through her facade and deep into her soul. He recognized (and encouraged) her to be herself. To have fun. To let go. I also loved catching up with Cody, Raine, Dan, and Gin.

This book does stand alone, but the story is much richer if you read Dandelion Field first. If this is the last one about this town, that's fine. But I could easily see stories for Nicki, Maggie, and some of the others.

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

Recommended to fans of Karen Kingsbury, Becky Wade, Katie Ganshert, Liz Johnson, Denise Hunter, Irene Hannon, contemporary fiction, Johnnie Alexander, Susan May Warren, Love Inspired

Rating - 4 stars

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books I read in 2015

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly theme hosted by the Broke & the Bookish.

This week's theme is the top ten books I've read in 2015. I could do a variety of lists, but I know myself well enough to know that I can't just pick 10! So here's what I came up with.

1. The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron - This is by far my favorite book of the year. It enthralled me.

2. Accept This Dandelion by Brooke Williams - This was so much fun to read. I giggled my way through it.

3. Dandelion Field by Kathryn Springer - The story in this one kept me turning the pages. The way that there were two stories really being told at the same time.

4. How to Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck - My favorite of the Royal Wedding Series. I loved this one.

5. From the Start by Melissa Tagg - Her books have captivated me from the first, and this one wasn't any exception.

6. Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund - I loved Ryan in this book. He gave a whole new meaning to the "wounded" hero.

7. Not By Sight by Kate Breslin - I loved her debut last year. This one was a great second novel.

8. The Gifting Series by K. E. Ganshert - I read all three of these in one weekend I believe.

9. Fire and Ice by Mary Connealy - I'd been wanting Bailey's story since book 1. Was so glad to get it in this one.

10. Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin - I love the cover on this book. I love her writing.

11. Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar - It's been a while since I read one of his books. This one was a surprise delight.

12. One More Wish by Robin Jones Gunn - Robin's books are like old friends. Even when it's a new book. They are truly a breath of fresh air.

13. Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz - Laura's books make me long to be in the period of history. They truly are amazing.

14. The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck - If I wasn't already a fan of Rachel's, then this book would have made me one. It's that good.

15. The Isle of Hope by Julie Lessman - Julie's first contemporary novel. There are enough fun characters in it to make me not sad that she's writing contemporary instead of historical. Though I still love her historicals.

16. Wings of Glory Series by Sarah Sundin - These have been on my list for a while. I'm so glad that I got to them, finally. Book 3 is my favorite.

17. Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter - I kept hearing about this book. I was glad to finally read it.

18. The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan - I'd forgotten how funny his books are until I started this one. I love his sense of humor.

19. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George - I love fairytale retellings. This one retells the Twelve Dancing Princesses.

20. Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey - I kept waiting for Reef's story. I was not disappointed in it at all.

Now for some that are mostly rereads:

21. Short Straw Bride & Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer - These are my two favorites by Karen.

22. Juliet by Anne Fortier - I loved this one from the first time that I read it. This time through, I was buddy reading it, and I loved it even more.

23. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling - One of my friends is reading this series for the first time, and I said I'd buddy with her on these. No matter how many times I read them, Harry Potter never gets old.

Dandelion Field - A Review

Published - January 2015, Zondervan Books
Author - Kathryn Springer
Title - The Dandelion Field
Format - ebook, paper
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Ginevieve Lightly wasn't planning on staying in Banister Falls. Until her daughter, Raine, asked to stay until she completed her senior year. Gin certainly wasn't expecting to come home from work one day to find her daughter sitting on the couch with tear filled eyes and say two words "I'm pregnant." Fire captain Dan Moretti vowed when his best friend died in a fire that he'd be there for his son, Cody Bennett. For Dan, it was an easy decision as Cody's mother, his father, and Dan himself were inseparable growing up, and Dan has always held a soft spot in his heart for Evie Bennett, Cody's mother. He wasn't expecting to answer a frantic call from Evie one day begging him to find Cody. When Dan does locate Cody, neither he nor Evie are prepared for him telling them that Raine is pregnant let alone his next words, "The baby is mine." Dan soon finds himself mediating between Evie and Cody, Raine, and Gin. As he gets to know Gin, he's drawn more and more to her. Gin's instincts tell her to run, but with Raine and Cody needing her, she can't. But can Gin trust Dan through it all?

I've read a lot of Kathryn Springer's books in the past. So when I learned that she was releasing a full length novel, I was thrilled because I've always enjoyed her books. I really wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I knew that there would be more depth and more character development than the Love Inspired Books, and I wasn't disappointed in that at all. In fact, this may be one of the most surprising books I've read this year because these characters have decided to linger in my mind. And I've found myself continuing their story in my mind I enjoyed them so much.

First, I loved Raine and Cody. I loved how they admitted they made a mistake. But that they were going to stand by one another no matter what. I also loved how they each sought out the Lord through the repercussions relating to the pregnancy.

I also loved Dan. I found that he really was the one that held things together for Evie and for Gin. I loved his strength. I loved how Cody felt he could be real with him. And even Raine ended up looking to him. I found Gin to be one character I wanted to know about. I wanted to find out if she mended her relationship with her sister. But I also admired Gin's determination to be independent. I understood where she came from and that her life had been difficult, but I did want her to learn to trust others too.

Overall, I'd have to say that I really loved this book. It is currently my favorite one by this author.

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

Recommended to fans of Irene Hannon's contemporary fiction, Karen Kingsbury, Lisa Wingate, the Love Inspired books, Courtney Walsh, Susan May Warren

Rating - 5 stars

September Bride - A Review

Published - August 26, 2014, Zondervan Books
Series - A Year of Weddings
Author - Kathryn Springer
Title - September Bride
Format - ebook
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Annie Price hopes that Red Leaf will be a place to start over. A place for her to finally find a home. She's soon a respected member of the community and assisting the historical society on a re-enactment of a historical wedding, as the bride. Deputy Jesse Kent can't believe that his mother turned over the managing of the bookstore to a complete stranger. Yet when he meets Annie, he is drawn to her. He has a hard time setting aside his hurt from the past to get through to who Annie is. He soon finds himself paired with her as the groom in the re-enactment. As they prepare for the wedding, they both start feeling things for the other. Can Annie find a place to call home with Jesse? And will Jesse be able to finally set aside his doubts and trust Annie?

I really enjoyed this one. It's not my favorite of the series, but it is sweet. I loved how Annie initially met Jesse - he pulled her over because of a broken tail light. I also loved how Jesse wanted to protect his mother.

I'll admit I giggled a bit when these two were thrust together into the roles of bride and groom for the wedding re-enactment. But as the story went on and the secrets were uncovered, I found myself really hoping that Annie really was all she seemed to be.

I received a Kindle copy of this book from Thomas Nelson/Zondervan's Booklook Blogger program for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of weddings, novellas, Love Inspired, romantic comedies

Rating - 4 stars