Wrangler in Petticoats

WRANGLER IN PETTICOATS

CONNEALY, MARY

Tough Texan cowgirl, Sally McClellan, heads to Montana to visit her pregnant sister, Mandy. But when her traveling party is attacked, Sally is left for dead. Will the handsome rescuer who bound up her wounds give her the motivation to mend her manly ways?

Logan MacKenzie is a fine artist, but the beauty of the Rockies is not the only thing he is passionate about. He can't help but be attracted to Sally, a cowgirl who prefers riveted jeans over ribbons and lace. Is there any way he will be able to heal and tame this wild wrangler?

Danger prevails when outlaws return to permanently silence Sally, the only witness to their treacherous deeds. Will this fractured female survive long enough to capture the artist's love -- or find herself lost in a dreamscape rendered by her lonely heart?

JOHN WAYNE WOULD HAVE APPROVED OF SALLY MCCLELLAN. SHE'S A WOMAN AFTER ROOSTER COGBURN'S HEART -- A WILD WEST HEROINE WITH TRUE GRIT. WRANGLER IN PETTICOATS STARTS WITH A BANG...LITERALLY. ITS FAST PACED AND NAIL-BITING OPENING LEFT ME BREATHLESS AND MORE THEN A LITTLE MORTIFIED! DEFINITELY NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART! I COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT EVEN CONNEALY WOULD DO ALL THAT TO HER HEROINE IN THE FIRST CHAPTER! BUT SALLY ROSE TO THE OCCASION, AS ONLY A LEGENDARY WILD WEST WOMAN COULD AND SO BEGINS ANOTHER INCREDIBLE TALE FROM CONNEALY.

I LOVED SALLY -- THE CONTRAST IN HER PERSONALITY WAS INTRIGUING. HER NEED TO ASSERT AND BE STRONG; HER FEAR OF SHOWING ANY WEAKNESS ALL WAR WITH THE WOMANLY DESIRE TO BE CARED FOR, ADMIRED AND LOVED. SHE CAN'T SEEM TO MARRY THE TWO EXTREMES TOGETHER AND WATCHING AS SHE PUZZLES IT OUT ALL THROUGH WRANGLER IN PETTICOATS WAS A REAL REVELATION.

LOGAN IS ANOTHER OF CONNEALY'S UNLIKELY HEROES. IN MANY WAYS HE'S THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE'VE COME TO EXPECT FROM A WILD WEST HERO, BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE HIM ANY LESS OF ONE. IN FACT I LOVED THE TWIST AND THE WHOLE ARTIST ANGLE MADE MY HEART SING. I HAVE A REAL ADMIRATION FOR ARTISTS -- ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO CHRONICLED THE SETTLING OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WEST IN PAINT AND CHARCOAL SO IT WAS A THRILL TO READ ABOUT ONE SUCH ARTIST.

THE ONLY THING I'M NOT PLEASED ABOUT IS WHAT CONNEALY DID TO POOR MANDY (SALLY'S SISTER). I'M GLAD THAT I ONLY HAVE TO WAIT A FEW MONTHS BEFORE SHARPERSHOOTER IN PETTICOATS COMES OUT...JUST LONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO GROW MY NAILS OUT TO BITING LENGTH!!!!!

In Search of Love

LYNXWILER, CHRISTINE

IN SEARCH OF LOVE

Winner of 2003 ACRW Book of the Year award in the Short Contemporary Romance category

Annalisa Davis has lost much - her father deserted the family, her mother died of cancer, and her infant sister was taken away from her by social workers. Now, after seven years of frugal living on a bookkeeping job salary, Annalisa has saved a tidy sum of money in hopes of gaining her sister back.

Cade McFadden is taking a leave of absence from his PI business and building a ranch for troubled boys. When Annalisa hires on as cook for the ranch, Cade has no idea of her motivation to involve him in a missing child case.

Cade is quick to find a lead on Annalisa's sister, but will he be able to reveal any information to Annalisa?

BONUS: This book is available free online at: http://www.heartsongpresents.com/read/in-search-of-love/ I just discovered that by accident when I was searching for a cover image for the book. I got my copy (and the other three in the series) at a HUGE discount at my Christian bookstore.

THIS IS THE FOURTH BOOK I HAVE READ BY CHRISTINE LYNXWILER AND SHE HAS PERFECTED THE ART OF WRITING ROMANCE. HER PLOTS ARE COMPELLING, HER CHARACTERS ENGAGING AND HER PACING IS SUPERB! AND LYNXWILER'S WRITING STYLE IS SMOOTH AND EASY TO READ. IN SEARCH OF LOVE CERTAINLY LIVED UP TO MY EXPECTATIONS.

LYNXWILER HOOKED ME IN FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE -- A PROLOGUE FEATURING THE HEROINE, ANNALISA, AS A YOUNG TEEN. HER STORY IS HAUNTING, AND HER STRUGGLE TO COME TO GRIPS WITH THE PAST SO THAT THE FUTURE CAN BE BETTER FOR EVERYONE SHE LOVES -- INCLUDING HERSELF -- STIRRED THIS READER'S EMOTIONS. AND I LOVE GETTING EMOTIONALLY INVOLVED WITH MY CHARACTERS!

CADE HAS HIS OWN HISTORY THAT CLASHES WITH ANNALISA'S NEEDS AND YET I FELT SYMPATHY FOR THEM BOTH. THE TENSION BETWEEN THE TWO AS THEY FIGHT THEIR GROWING ATTRACTION WHILE HOLDING FAST TO THEIR BELIEFS IS PALPABLE.

IN SEARCH OF LOVE IS AN EMOTIONAL-ON-THE-EDGE-OF-YOUR-SEAT READ THAT I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND TO ROMANCE LOVERS.

The Healer's Apprentice

DICKERSON, MELANIE
THE HEALER'S APPRENTICE

Rose has been appointed as a healer's apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter's daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her -- a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.

When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she's never felt before and wonders if he feels the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose's life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.

I HAVE BEEN ANXIOUSLY (AND IMPATIENTLY) WAITING FOR THIS BOOK TO COME OUT FOR MONTHS! I HAVE A REAL PASSION FOR FAIRY TALE ADAPTATIONS AND HAVE NEVER READ A CHRISTIAN ONE. MELANIE'S DEBUT IS A STUNNING RENDITION OF SLEEPING BEAUTY.

THERE ARE SO MANY LAYERS TO THIS STORY AND TONS OF DISCUSSION OPPORTUNITIES FOR BOOK CLUB CHATS. IT IS CLASSIFIED AS A YOUNG ADULT NOVEL, BUT ANYONE WHO LOVES A FAIRY TALE ROMANCE WILL WANT TO DELVE INTO THE PAGES OF THE HEALER'S APPRENTICE. AND THIS WOULD BE A GREAT PICK FOR A MOTHER/DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB FOR MOMS AND THEIR TEENS.

RICH WITH DESCRIPTION, DICKERSON'S WORDS FLOW, CREATING A TANGIBLE WORLD THAT COMES ALIVE IN THE PAGES OF HER BOOK. AND THE CHARACTERS ARE EXCEPTIONALLY CRAFTED. THE HEROINE AND THE HERO BOTH HAVE NOBLE QUALITIES, BUT DICKERSON HAS DOUSED THEM WITH ENOUGH QUIRKS AND FAILINGS TO MAKE THEM REAL AND THEIR STRUGGLES BELIEVABLE.

THIS IS THE KIND OF BOOK YOU CAN LOSE YOURSELF IN. THE KIND OF BOOK YOU WANT TO READ ALOUD JUST TO HEAR THE FINELY-CRAFTED WORDS. IT'S THE KIND OF BOOK THAT UPLIFTS AND ENTERTAINS AND IS DEFINITELY THE KIND OF BOOK THAT SHOULD FIND IT'S WAY ONTO EVERY LIBRARY SHELF.

A HEALER'S APPRENTICE IS A BRILLIANT DEBUT NOVEL.

Blessings

SAWYER, KIM VOGEL

BLESSINGS

For as long as she can remember, Trina Muller has had a special affinity with animals. When the local vet, Dr. Groening, recognizes Trina’s passion and abilities, he assures her that she can take over his practice when she becomes a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. But that’s a career of which her parents heartily disapprove. Can God be so cruel as to give Trina the gift of healing without also giving her the avenue to use it?Graham Ortmann loves Trina, but when he finds out about her plans to attend college, he’s outraged. How can he marry someone who is determined to step outside the dictates of the Old Order Mennonite fellowship?

When a young man with a D.M.V. in hand approaches Dr. Groening about purchasing his practice, Trina’s dreams seem to be crumbling right in front of her. Is this a sign from God that she isn’t meant to be a vet after all?

SAWYER HAS A GIFT FOR CREATING CHARACTERS THAT MATTER. I WAS INVESTED IN TRINA FROM THE FIRST TIME I MET HER. BRIGHT, VIVACIOUS, FULL OF LIFE AND HAPPINESS. SHE IS LEADING THE PERFECT LIFE FOR AN OLD ORDER MENNONITE YOUNG WOMAN...OR SO IT SEEMS. BUT SAWYER CAREFULLY DIGS BENEATH THE LAYERS OF TRINA'S LIFE UNTIL WE CAN FEEL HER HEARTACHE AND CONFUSION. CAUGHT BETWEEN A GOD-GIVEN TALENT AND THE STRICT DICTATES OF HER GOD-FEARING RELIGION SHE IS AT ODDS WITH EVERYONE SHE LOVES...INCLUDING GRAHAM.

THOUGH THIS BOOK DEALS WITH THE OLD ORDER MENNONITE FAITH, IT WAS EASY FOR ME TO MAKE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN TRINA'S STRUGGLE TO LIVE TRUE TO HERSELF AND HER FAITH.

I FOUND GRAHAM A PARTICULARLY COMPELLING HERO. I ENJOYED THE GROWTH IN HIS CHARACTER, HIS WILLINGNESS TO EXPLORE ALTERNATIVES, TO NOT ONLY PRAY ABOUT PERSONAL PROBLEMS BUT TO LISTEN FOR ANSWERS -- AND RECOGNIZE THEM WHEN THEY COME.

SAWYER THROWS SOME CURVE BALLS INTO THE PLOT TO KEEP HER READERS TURNING PAGES. IN FACT, BY MID-BOOK I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW SHE WAS GOING TO BRING IT TO A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION. AND ONE MAJOR HAIRPIN TURN TOOK ME COMPLETELY BY SURPRISE!

THIS WAS A VERY ENJOYABLE AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING READ.

Autumn Rains

JOHNSON, MYRA

AUTUMN RAINS

Healy Ferguson knows all about prisons, both the physical one he's been released from and the emotional one he keeps himself trapped in. He knows paying dues to society doesn't always mean you've paid dues to yourself, and often the price you exact on yourself far exceeds the crime.

Valerie Bishop is caught in the emotional prison of post-traumatic stress disorder, unable to venture more than a few feet out her back door. Shadowy moments from a night she can't fully remember bombard her without warning, keeping her trapped between the painful past and a future that seems hopeless.

But God promises to repay the years that have been lost; for those who trust in Him. He promises refreshing, life-giving rain. Will Val and Healy trust to see God's perfect plan, or will they choose the chains that hold them back?

I WAS EXCITED TO FIND THIS AT MY CHRISTIAN BOOK STORE AS, LIKE THE STEEPLE HILL LINES, I DON'T THINK HEARTSONG PRESENTS TITLES HAVE A LONG SHELF LIFE. THIS IS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH THIS PUBLISHER AND AUTHOR AND I HAVE TO SAY I AM IMPRESSED.

MYRA JOHNSON DID A MASTERFUL JOB OF TELLING A HEART-TUGGING STORY WITH SUCH A LIMITED WORD COUNT. (THIS IS A SLIM VOLUME THAT WOULD EASILY FIT IN MY PURSE -- 172 PAGES.) CAREFULLY CRAFTED CHARACTERS WITH DEFINITE FLAWS AND HUMAN STRUGGLES SET THE TONE FOR THIS ENDEARING LOVE STORY ABOUT FORGIVENESS, HOPE AND LETTING GO IN ORDER TO GRAB ONTO SOMETHING EVEN GREATER.

JOHNSON MADE EVERY WORD COUNT AND I IMMEDIATELY FELT A CONNECTION WITH BOTH HEALY AND VALERIE. THEIR PARALLEL STRUGGLES FOR FREEDOM FROM EMOTIONAL ISSUES, THEIR PERSONAL GROWTH AND THE WAY THEY COMPLIMENTED AND ENCOURAGED ONE ANOTHER MADE FOR AN INSPIRATIONAL READ. BUT THE STORY WASN'T SUGAR-COATED. AUTUMN RAINS DEALS WITH GRITTY, REAL-LIFE ISSUES BUT IT ALSO DELIVERS TIMELESS GOSPEL TRUTHS THAT BRING HOPE.

Heart of a Cowboy

DALEY, MARGARET

HEART OF A COWBOY

Ten years ago Jordan Masterson left her hometown heartbroken -- and pregnant. Now, yearning for connection with her family, the single mother returns to Tallgrass, Oklahoma. But she's shocked to find her son's father -- unaware he has a child -- a vital parat of the community. Zachary Rutgers owns the ranch that the local homeschoolers use for riding and recreation. Which means little Nicholas, Jordan and Zachary will be spending a lot of time together. Jordan must tell Zachary the truth about their son -- and ask for answers herself. Hoping the heart of her cowboy will be hers for the taking.

Part of the Helping Hands Homeschooling series.

MARGARET DALEY KNOWS HOW TO PULL EMOTION OUT OF HER READERS...AT LEAST OUT OF THIS ONE. SHE DID AN AMAZING JOB OF HITTING FAST AND HARD WITH THE PLOT IN HEART OF A COWBOY.

I KNEW IT WOULD TAKE A LOT FOR ME TO FEEL CONNECTION WITH A HEROINE WHO HAS KEPT THE EXSISTENCE OF HER CHILD A SECRET FROM HIS FATHER FOR TEN YEARS. MY MIND WAS ALREADY CONJURING UP THE WHAT IF'S A FEW PAGES IN BUT DALEY DID AN EXCELLENT JOB OF GARNERING MY SYMPATHY FOR JORDAN'S PREDICAMENT...AND FOR ZACHARY'S. IN FACT I WAS PULLED BETWEEN THE TWO THE WHOLE BOOK WHICH MADE FOR A COMPELLING READ!

THIS IS A STORY ABOUT FORGIVENESS AND LOVE...AND MOST OF ALL, SECOND CHANCES.

Love Remains

DACUS, KAYE

LOVE REMAINS

Can the historian learn to leave the past in the past?

Zarah Mitchell, who's worked at the Middle Tennessee Historic Preservation Commission for more than a decade, is about to face a piece of history that could ruin the life she's built in Nashville: Bobby Patterson -- her first love and the reason her father kicked her out fourteen years ago.

Nashville native Bobby Patterson has just returned home after many years away to take a position with the Tennessee Criminal Investigations Unit. His new job: lead a task force investigating potential real estate fraud connected with the Commission.

When Bobby realizes Zarah is part of his investigation, he is tempted to use his grandmother's not-so-subtle setup as a way to learn if Zarah is involved in the fraud.

Zarah, at her grandmother's suggestion, tries to put the pain from the past aside to see if any love remains between her and Bobby. But when she learns he's been investigating her, will she be able to forgive him a second time?

I FOUND THIS BOOK FULL OF REFRESHING SURPRISES. KAYE DACUS HAS TAKEN CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE TO A NEW LEVEL WITH LOVE REMAINS.

THINGS I LOVED ABOUT THIS BOOK:

I LOVED THE SLOW BUILD...SHE TAKES THE TIME TO LET US GET TO KNOW THE CHARACTERS AND SETTING. BESIDES THE HERO AND HEROINE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER KEY CHARACTERS AND YET I NEVER FELT LOST OR HAD TO CHECK BACK TO REMEMBER WHO SO-AND-SO WAS. EVERY ONE WAS A UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL FROM THE MOMENT I 'MET' THEM.

I LOVED THE PACING. DACUS IS A MASTER AT DEVELOPING CHARACTERS THAT READERS CAN CONNECT WITH. SHE KEEPS OUR INTEREST BY REVEALING BITS OF INFORMATION OVER THE COURSE OF THE BOOK. WITH EACH NEW 'REVEAL' WE UNDERSTAND THE CHARACTER AND HIS/HER MOTIVATION JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE. IT'S VERY MUCH THE WAY A REAL FRIENDSHIP DEVELOPS AND MAYBE THAT'S WHY I FEEL LIKE I'VE JUST MET A GROUP OF NEW FRIENDS BY THE END OF THE BOOK!

I LOVED THE CHURCH SINGLES ANGLE! FULL OF SOME HARD TRUTHS, IRREVERENT HUMOUR AND THE PAIN OF CHANGE. DACUS GOT THE DYNAMICS -- AND THE EMOTIONS THEY CREATED -- JUST RIGHT.

I LOVED THE PREMISE TO THE WHOLE SERIES -- MEDDLESOME GRANDMAMMAS OUT TO MATCHMAKE THEIR GRANDCHILDREN. AND DACUS GIVES US GLIMPSES INTO THE LIVES OF THESE CLASSY WOMEN AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR GRANDCHILDREN.

I LOVED THE DEVELOPING CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HERO AND HEROINE. THIS IS WHERE DACUS SURPRISED ME THE MOST. SHE COULD HAVE GONE IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT (AND PREDICTABLE) DIRECTION A NUMBER OF TIMES BUT SHE DID THE UNEXPECTED AND THAT MADE THE ROMANTIC ELEMENTS SOAR.

I LOVED HOW IMMERSED I BECAME IN THE WHOLE READING EXPERIENCE. I FELT LIKE I HAD BEEN DROPPED RIGHT INTO THE MIDDLE OF THAT SINGLES GROUP AND WAS AN AVID SPECTATOR STRAIGHT THROUGH TO THE CONCLUSION OF LOVE REMAINS. AN EXCELLENT READ AND I AN ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THE SECOND IN THE SERIES WHICH WILL BE OUT IN THE SPRING.