Back in the Saddle - A Review

Published - March 2016, Multnomah Books
Series - Double S Ranch Book 1
Author - Ruth Logan Herne
Title - Back in the Saddle
Format - ebook, paper
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Colt Stafford is coming home. Years ago, he left the family ranch angry with his father. He's made a success of himself in the financial world of Manhattan. But when the stock market leaves him jobless and broke, Colt makes the decision to return to the family ranch and his ailing father. He's broke, but not broken. He's determined to do all that he can to help out on the ranch until the market stabilizes and he can return to New York. He doesn't expect to be greeted by a pretty young woman pointing a shotgun at his chest. Angelina  Morales has her own reasons for working as the housekeeper at the ranch. She has her own secrets. Yet this oldest Stafford son sees more than she wants, and she can't deny that she's drawn to him. But when the market rebounds, will Colt stay or return to the city?

I think that this is my first book I've read by Ruth Logan Herne, but I may have read some of her Love Inspired books in the past. I really don't remember.

I really enjoyed this book. This is a unique twist to the parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15. I have to say, that I enjoyed Angelina's son and Nate's girls the best. They were minor characters in this book, but they were totally sweethearts.

I loved how much Colt, his brother, and his father change in the book. The Staffords have a reputation around town and it isn't a pleasant one. Yet each of them must try to change that reputation. They all have struggles too. For Colt, it's the issue of forgiveness. For his father, it's the issue of pride, and for Nate, it's the issue of fear.

The next book deals with Nate, and I'm looking forward to it.

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

Recommended to fans of Denise Hunter, Kathryn Springer, Susan May Warren, Love Inspired, cowboys, Becky Wade, Liz Johnson

Rating - 4 stars

Her One and Only - A Review

Published - May 2016, Bethany House Publishers
Series - Porter Family Book 4
Author - Becky Wade
Title - Her One and Only
Format - ebook, paper
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Dru Porter has always had to prove herself. As the youngest of four, and the only girl, she has always been trying to prove herself as capable as her older brothers. Now she's got that chance. She's been hired to help provide private security for NFL great Gray Fowler and keep him safe from a stalker. When Gray sees that an attractive young woman has been assigned as part of his security detail, he thinks the agency is crazy. But as Dru and Gray begin to work together, Gray sees that of all his detail, she's the best. But he's also drawn to her. Dru knows better than to fall for her client. Yet as part of her cover, she is posing as his girlfriend. But when the danger toward Gray escalates, will either of them survive to realize that sometimes love can catch them unaware?

This is probably one of the books I've been highly anticipating this year. I mean, finally, we get Dru's story. Needless to say, this one didn't disappoint me.

Dru is a strong character, and I fell for Gray right along with her. While this isn't my favorite of the Porter family (that honor belongs to Meant to Be Mine), I did enjoy reading it. I loved being able to connect with the others in the family too.

Like the other books, there is a secondary plot going on here. This time, we're taken full circle with Meg and Bo being the secondary plot. I'm not going to say what all is going on with them, as I don't want to give it away, but I found it delightful to come full circle.

It took me a while to read this book as I wanted it to last as long as possible.

I received the Kindle copy via NetGalley for the purpose of reviewing. I also received the paper copy from the author to help promote the book. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of contemporary romance, Becky Wade, Janice Thompson, Denise Hunter, Katie Ganshert

Rating - 4 stars

Note - Review will be posted on Amazon on the release date of May 3, 2016. 

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books Every Harry Potter Fan Should Read

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

Today's topic is the top ten books that every ____ person should read (history lover, memoir, etc). I chose to do one that I know for me would be rather easy, and that's for the Harry Potter fan.

1. Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Series by Michael Scott - This series was the first one I read after Harry Potter. They are excellent.

2. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis - Narnia is still one of my favorite worlds, and for the HP fan, if you haven't read Narnia, then you are missing out.

3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan - Greek mythology takes a new face and meaning with this fun series.

4. The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan - This is a continuation of the Percy books. Seriously, these books are so much fun.

5. The Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit by JRR Tolkien - Probably one of the fantasy pioneers, these are must reads for Potter fans.

6. The Story Thieves by James Riley - This is a series that's fairly new on the scene. Yet the books are fun. At least the first one. I've not read the second one yet.

7. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson - It's been a long time since I read this book. But it's probably one of the most well known children's fantasies.

8. The Wrinkle in Time Series by Madeline L'Engle - The Time Series is still one of my favorites, and I think that Potter fans who haven't already read them would really enjoy them.

9. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl - While there isn't really magic, this sweet tale ranks up there with the Potter books for me.

10. The Redwall Series by Brian Jacques - This is a series that has been on my reading list for AGES, and comes highly recommended to me. I know it's popular.

Saturday Scribbles Vol 2.11

Happy Saturday my friends.

Spring is my favorite time of year, even though my allergies can't stand it. But it's my favorite time of year because the one sport I care about starts up. I'm a huge baseball fan, and I love the fact that baseball season starts up. I don't get to as many Astros games as I would like to, but I try to go to one a season. Sometimes, I make it to more than one, and other times, I don't make to a game at all.

How did I fall in love with America's National Pastime? Well it started when I was little. You see, the school I attended, and my brother attended, would give out two free tickets to two games for either straight A's or perfect attendance. So my parents would always make sure to order 4 tickets to the games so we could go as a family. Which meant 4 games - 2 for me and 2 for my brother. By the time I was in 2nd grade, my mother told me that I couldn't bring the book with me. So I asked what I was supposed to do at the game then. Her response was to watch the game. And so I started watching it. I'd pay attention to what was going on. I developed a crush on the 2nd baseman (Bill Doran at this time). As I watched the Astros, I learned the players. I learned how to read and understand a batting average. I learned terminology. And I people watched.

The Astros remain my favorite team, even though I don't know who half of the players are anymore. I grew up in the era of Nolan Ryan. And then the Killer B's of Biggio, Bagwell, Berkman. And the really cute catcher, and my second favorite player, Brad Ausmus. But even though I don't know half the players on this young team, the love of the game is there for me.

When my brother and I went to our first game at what is now Minute Maid Park, we were both like kids in a candy store drinking in all the sights and sounds. When I was teaching, the field trip that my students go to take that year was a tour of the ballpark. I actually think that I was more excited than my students. Because I got to walk on the field, sit in the dugout, and more.

So while I freely admit that I'm not a sports fan, I love everything about the game of baseball. Because baseball has so many memories for me.

You're the One that I Want - A Review

Published - February 2016, Tyndale House
Series - Christiansen Family Book 6
Author - Susan May Warren
Title - You're the One That I Want
Format - ebook, paper, audio
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Owen Christiansen left Deep Haven bitter and angry. An injury left him unable to continue to play hockey, and he's let his bitterness fester. He's now working on a fishing boat in the Bering Sea. When Scotty McFlynn is swept overboard during a strong storm, Owen doesn't think. He jumps in after her. In order to survive, the pair are forced to depend on each other. Scotty's an only child and doesn't know what to think of Owen. Yet she's drawn to him. When Owen's older brother Casper appears in town while Owen is recovering, Scotty realizes that some problems need to be dealt with. As a police officer, Scotty is tasked with escorting the brothers back to Deep Haven. There Owen is forced to come face to face with his past, including the daughter he didn't know about. Can this prodigal find forgiveness, love, and his place in the family circle? And the budding relationship between Scotty and Owen, is it strong enough to survive the turmoil of Owen's past?

I've loved each of these novels, and this one was no exception. I've waited a long time for Owen's story. I wanted this prodigal to return home. His journey has been told through each of the books, so to finally get the rest of his story was very satisfying.

I loved the banter between Owen and Scotty. I loved that she actually saw him for who he was and not as the hockey player, the youngest Christiansen brother, etc. I also loved how she didn't mince words with either Casper or Owen. I loved how Owen realized that just how much he needed her.

Sure their relationship was rocky, but it's part of the beauty of this series. None of the siblings had an easy way to their happy ever after. I love how the author takes the time to show that forgiveness and grace are needed for each person.

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

Recommended to fans of Karen Kingsbury, Susan May Warren, Jody Hedlund, Denise Hunter, Lisa Wingate, Rachel Hauck

Rating - 5 stars

Would a Worm Go On a Walk? - A Review

Published - April 2016, Worthy Publishing
Author - Hannah C. Hall
Title - Would a Worm Go on a Walk?
Format - hardcover
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Children learn what different animals can and cannot do through bright pictures and fun rhymes.

This was another delightful book. The pictures were a little silly and reminded me a little of one of my favorite children's books, Rain Makes Applesauce.

When I read this to my friend's daughters, they giggled at the fact that a worm had feet and tennis shoes, and the other silly things in the book. They really enjoyed it.

I thought this book was adorable.

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

Recommended to parents of young children, kindergarten, librarians

Rating - 4 stars

Busy, Busy! - A Review

Published - April 2016, Worthy Publishing
Author - Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator- Elina Ellis
Title - Busy, Busy!
Format - board book
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It's spring and all of the animals are busy doing something. Mole is digging. Bear is fishing. Mama's busy too. But there's one thing that Mama's never too busy for and that's her children.

This book was adorable. The illustrations were vibrant and made the pages come to life. The story itself is written in simple rhymes.

I read this book to my friend's children (5, 3, 2), and each of them were captivated by something different. The youngest was captivated by the pictures and kept reaching out to touch them. The oldest enjoyed the almost musical quality to the words. The middle one, she was sitting with me sounding out some of the words and actually reading it.

I'd say that this book is good for kids of all ages. Parents will enjoy it as it helps children that sometimes parents are busy, but never too busy for their little ones.

I received this book for free from Worthy's First Look Blog Program for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of board books, parents of young children

Rating - 4 stars