Together Forever by Jody Hedlund (Orphan Train Series-book 2)

An amazingly accurate telling of what it was like for orphans as well as the agents in charge of orphans back in the 1800's. This book will make you laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time. Along the way, God helps them all through the ups and downs of travelling via steam rail from NYC to Illinois. We encounter a tragic accident that, only with the grace of God can be overcome. Through the uncertainty, hurts, fears, laughter and tears, Marianne and Drew band together to love the orphans and help to secure them a better life then living on the street of NYC.

I read this as a standalone even though this is technically book 2 of the Orphan Train series. Book 1 followed Marianne's older sister. The author gave us just enough background to understand some of what took place in book 1. We are also left with some cliff-hangers to gear us up for book 3 that will be released in December 2018 (Sophie's story). If you can, read them in order; if not, this is a wonderful book you won't want to put down.

This book will draw you in and dig down deep into your heart.

The Christmas Admirer by Laura V. Hilton

RT Rating:

  

Genre:

Inspirational

Publisher:

Whitaker House

THE CHRISTMAS ADMIRER

Author(s): 

Laura V. Hilton

Hilton writes a fast-paced, enthralling weekend romance in the third-person omniscient point of view to give the reader the big picture. We encounter heartache, suspense, doubt, betrayal and awakening while on the journey to recommit to a trust in God. Highly recommended!

After his parents’ deaths, Benaiah Troyer breaks up with his intended wife, Susanna King, due to the added responsibility of being the sole caretaker of his grandparents and three younger sisters. Susanna's father, who is Benaiah's employer, has decided to sell his house and business to get remarried and move far away to live in his new wife's community, taking Susanna with him. Will Benaiah step out of his comfort zone, offer to buy the business and marry Susanna like he wants, or will he let everything he loves slip through his fingers? (WHITAKER HOUSE, Sep., 256 pp., $13.99)

Reviewed by: 

Jenny Falcone for RT Book Reviews

Just Let Go by Courtney Walsh

RT Rating:

  

Genre:

Inspirational

Published:

June 5 2018

Publisher:

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

JUST LET GO

Author(s): 

Courtney Walsh

A flower-store owner meets a self-destructive Olympic skier in this well thought out, down-to-earth, realistic second book in the Harbor Pointe series. Walsh doesn't just write the typical romance novel, where there are two main characters who fall in love, break up over something and then make up. She writes a totally relatable story that makes you feel for all of the characters, sometimes laughing and sometimes crying along with them. If you read book one, Just Look Up, you will recognize some characters that make a reappearance. However, this book can be read as a standalone, as Walsh does wonders with her character development details. Conflict begins right from the start, and past hurts get in the way of future relationships. Come along on this original, romantic and emotional adventure in the small town of Harbor Pointe, Michigan.

The flower shop has been in Quinn Collins' blood since she was born. Her earliest memories consist of her, her sister and her mother dancing around her mother's flower shop. The shop is now hers, and her next goal is to catch her mother’s eye at the upcoming floral exposé. She hasn’t seen or heard from her mother since she left Harbor Pointe twenty years ago without a word. Grady Benson represents everything Quinn does not want in her life. She is determined and focused and does not have time for anyone or anything to get in the way of her goals. The last thing she wants is help with her shop from someone who causes havoc wherever he goes, but that is exactly what happens when he gets in trouble and encounters Quinn's dad, the sheriff, and his longtime friend, Judge. Grady could possibly be the best thing to ever happen to her, if she can just let go of past hurts and let him past her defensive walls. (TYNDALE HOUSE, Jun., 416 pp., $14.99)

Reviewed by: 

Jenny Falcone

The View From Rainshadow Bay by Colleen Coble

RT Rating:

  

Genre:

Inspirational, Romantic Suspense

Published:

January 23 2018

Publisher:

Thomas Nelson

• 
  

THE VIEW FROM RAINSHADOW BAY

Author(s): 

Colleen Coble

Coble is back with a new series called Lavender Tides, and book one, The View From Rainshadow Bay, opens with a heart-pounding, run-for-your-life chase. This exciting book will have readers questioning the heroine, and what she may have done to cause her attacker to come after her. Deaths are staged to look like accidents prior to the book opening and there is plenty more to come … unless our main character can overcome her past hurts and discover the truth. Will Shauna let her deceased husband’s best friend back into her life to help? Or will she continue to hold him accountable for the death of her husband and possibly be murdered as well? This book will stay with you for a long time, long after you flip to the last page.

Shauna is a widowed single mom of a five-year-old son and a helicopter charter business owner. Zach is an airport and emergency rescue service owner and has been friends with Shauna's husband Jack since childhood. Zach and Jack would loved to take risky outdoor trips, and during one such mountain-climbing trip, Jack fell to his death. Shauna cut off all ties to Zach and blamed him for the accident. A year later, Shauna's son has begged her to let Zach take him on a father-son hiking trip. Shauna is heartbroken, but concedes. When Shauna's mentor and surrogate father is caught in an explosion, she begins to think about all the recent "accidents,” and is determined to figure out what is going on. With Zach's help, all will be revealed ... but will her pride get in the way of letting him back in? (THOMAS NELSON, Feb., 336 pp., $15.99)

Reviewed by: 

Jenny Falcone

Falling For You by Becky Wade

RT Rating:

  

Genre:

Inspirational, Romantic Suspense

Sensuality:

Mild

Published:

May 1 2018

Publisher:

Bethany House Publishers

• FALLING FOR YOU

Author(s): 

Becky Wade

When an ex-football player and a model on vacation team up with a 12-year-old kid to discover what happened regarding an old missing persons case, anything is bound to happen. The moderate pace and suspense of the second installment of the Bradford Sisters series keeps you reading to discover what happens next. Falling for You can be read as a standalone novel, but reading the series in order gives a total picture of past events. We encounter and sympathize with both characters as they work out their personal internal struggles. This book will stay with you for a long time.

Twelve-year-old Charlotte is determined to play detective after finding the only remaining possessions of her great-aunt, who vanished without a trace 40 years ago. Former NFL quarterback Corbin Stewart is all for helping his cousin’s daughter while he recovers from an injury that took him out of commission. Willow Bradford has experienced more than her fair share of loss, and has trust issues to boot. After a messy breakup with Corbin four years prior, she is hesitant to have anything to do with him, even though his best friend is Willow's sister’s boyfriend. She eventually decides to help to keep her mind off her conflicting feelings about her chosen profession, Corbin and the promise she made to Corbin's ill father. (BETHANY HOUSE, May, 368 pp., $13.99)

Reviewed by: Jenny Falcone for RT Book Reviews