Book
Reviews: Inspirational Romance
Having read more than my share of Grace Livingston
Hill as a teenager, I find that pure, sweet romance still claims a piece
of my heart. While it is not my first chosen genre these days, I still
enjoy taking a moment here and there to treat myself to stories of romance
that I can trust. I believe
what really draws us to read romance is the need for the Romance of the
One who loves us best. Our Savior is also our Ultimate Lover and Best
Friend. He promises us the happily ever after we all long for, when we,
His bride, will spend eternity getting to know our Bridegroom.
I’ve met some wonderful authors who write romance
to glorify the King of romance. I hope their books bring you joy and
remind you of the Lover of your soul, the only One who truly knows how to
romance your heart in its deepest places.
Along
Came Love, Carrie Turansky,
Steeple Hill- Love Inspired Line, As many of my readers know, short
romance novels aren’t my preferred genre, but once in a while a romance
comes along that I truly love. This book is one of
those.
Written by Carrie Turansky, a wonderful, godly woman whose sweetness has
often blessed my life, it captures not only the beauty of romantic love,
but the precious love of our Savior. Single mom, Laura Woodman returns to
her Vermont hometown after years of hiding from her past. Wes Evan, once a
missionary in the Middle East, tries to recover from what happened
overseas, struggling to re-discover God’s love and forgiveness. What
happens between them is a beautiful story of second chances, healing, and
the romantic heart of God. The characters of this novel stayed with me
long after I laid down the book.
Never
Say Never,
Lena Nelson Dooley, Heartsong Presents. While I found this romance to be a
little too formulamatic, it
was a fun read full of fairy-tale ideals and exotic escape. Set on a
cruise ship the expected happens—the captain sees Charlotte Halloran, a
grieving widow, and it’s love at first site. What
supports a seemly predictable storyline is a subplot with
Charlotte’s teenage daughter, who rebels when she sees her mother
accepting the captain’s attention. Lovers of romance will enjoy escaping
with Charlotte to the high seas. Though I've never met Lena Dooley, she is
well loved and recently received the Mentor of the Year award from the
American Christian Fiction Writers Association.
Ekaterina by Susan K. Downs and
Susan May Warren, Barbour – Modern day Russia is full of intrigue when
America
Ekaterina Moore travels there in an attempt to discover the
family
she never knew. From the beginning she finds herself in way over her head
and gains the respect of secret agent Vadeem Spasonov. I genuinely enjoyed
this fast-paced and spunky romance and was blessed as I lived Kat’s
faith with her. As Kat chose God, even when life didn’t make sense, I
was buoyed in my own resolve to do the same. It is obvious that author
Susan May Warren actually lived in Russia by the rich texture of Russian
culture, history, and locations woven so naturally into the moving story
line. This addition to an already good tale left me feeling like I’d
visited a new place and learned a thing or two. And I can’t close
without saying a word about Susan Warren, the author. After spending a day
with her at a writer’s gig, I know she’s the real deal. Her natural
friendship, capable leadership skills, and genuine love for Jesus and
others endeared me to her from the beginning. As we’ve become better
acquainted I continue to stick by my first impressions—she’s one
special lady.
Catching Katie by Robin Lee Hatcher
Tyndale’s Heartquest line – This delightful love story, set in 1916,
brought a lot of smiles as I read it. Katie Jones, dedicated to fight for
the cause
of women’s suffrage struggles to comprehend God’s plan for
her life. Should she stay single and fight for women’s rights or is it
possible to follow her heart and marry her childhood sweetheart, Ben
Rafferty, owner and editor of the Homestead Herald. This is a perfect book
for a lazy afternoon when recuperating from a stressful week. It’s
light, interesting, and entertaining. You’ll fall in love with spunky
Katie and cheer for the loyal, stable Ben as he seeks to win her heart. By
the way, I met Robin and she’s as genuine as they come.
Ahab’s Bride and Hannah
Rose by Louise Gouge, RiverOak – An intriguing voyage into the
world of Hannah Oldweiler
Dick, the fictional wife Captain Ahab, of the
classic book, Moby Dick. You’ll
fall in love with Hannah’s spirit and wisdom and ache with her as she
grows into the woman God created her to be.
Ahab’s Bride shows her love story with Captain Ahab, and
her
discovery of the God Hannah must come to embrace if she is going to
survive first the loneliness of being a wife of a sea captain, and,
second, the horrors her husband’s death and the ruination of his
previously good name. Hannah Rose picks
up where the first book
leaves off and takes us through Hannah’s healing, growing strength, and
encounters with slavery. It also weaves a sweet love story that is sure to
touch your heart.
Beauty for Ashes and Joy for
Mourning by Dorothy Clark, Steeple Hill – Readers will enjoy
traveling into the 19th century with Elizabeth and Laina in
these back-to-back stories. I read them both in one sitting while
surviving a bad case of bronchitis. They were just what the doctor
ordered. Sweet romance supported by face-paced story lines and a good dose
of powerful faith messages. The author brought out some interesting
details of the time period and wove tales that tugged my heartstrings.
In the first book, Beauty for Ashes, Elizabeth
marries a stranger, Justin Randolph, to escape a forced union with a
wealthy, unkind man. Neither Justin nor Elizabeth believes true love can
happen, but as Elizabeth gives herself to caring for Justin and his
motherless little daughters, they find they can’t avoid it. In Joy
for Mourning, Justin’s grieving sister Laina discovers that there is
life after the loss of a spouse and
the devastation of being barren. She
finds her heart broken by the plight of the orphans in Philadelphia and
when she begins to help them, she wins the heart of doctor Thaddeous
Allen—but can any relationship survive 53 children and two different
social circles? These books were perfect reading for my sick bed and I put
them down feeling encouraged and entertained.
Love’s Denial by Tamela Hancock
Murray, Heartsong Presents – A sweet read from an equally as sweet
author. I met Tamela through American Christian Fiction Writers and have
been
blessed to have her prayers through our prayer loop. Her book takes a
young woman, Eleanor, places her in the 1900’s, and shows what it is
like when she has to find her way alone in the world. You’ll pull for
Eleanor as she overcomes loneliness, fear, and the division of the social
classes. You’ll also like Raleigh, who eventually admits his love for
Eleanor, even if his prejudice airs rankle you at first.
The Winter Pearl by Molly Bull, Steeple
Hill - A new fairly new publisher in the inspirational romance market is
Steeple Hill publishing, I had an opportunity to review Molly Noble
Bull’s novel, The Winter Pearl, part of their historical romance
line. Set in Colorado in 1888, this novel explores the heart life of Honor
McCall, a young woman who runs away to escape a drunken guardian. As Honor
finds safety in the care of a widowed pastor she must choose between
deception and bitterness and walking forward in honesty and forgiveness.
Honor learns to love not only the man whose unconditional love melts her
heart, but those who’ve harmed her as well. As she forgives others, she
finds the wholeness within herself that has eluded her. Molly Bull Noble's
novel touches the wintery place of unforgiveness that wants to lurk within
each of our hearts, seeking to thaw it and bring forth a pearl. A touching
read.
The English Garden Series by Lori Wick (Harvest House). I
read Wick when I need something quick and entertaining that I
don’t have
to think too hard about. Her recent English Garden series was a quick read
in an intense time and God used it to remind me that He wants us to live a
life of abundance, not just tread through our days. Sometimes those
fanciful, gentle romances just hit the spot.
The Celebrity by Robert Elmer,
WaterBrook – When pop star Jamie D. Lane travels to a small town in the
Pacific Northwest
to handle family matters, he doesn’t plan to assume a
secret identity and fall in love, but that’s just what happens. Readers
will enjoy Jamie’s rediscovery of himself, God, and the love of a
genuine woman. They’ll also adore Anne, a teacher who is overcoming the
effects of a serious head injury, as much as Jamie does.
Wedded Bless? by Susan K.
Downs, Kristy Dykes, Sally Laity, Carrie Turansky, Barbour – This
collection of four novellas is
based on the love stories of four different
couples as they approach their silver wedding anniversaries. I enjoyed
reading about women who endeavored to build their marriages into something
special as they faced issues such as empty nest, mid-life crisis, conflicting
dreams, and health problems. A nice change of pace from the typical romance.
Something especially fun for me in this selection is that my friend and
fellow homeschool mom, Carrie Turansky has her first book published in
this collection. Congratulations Carrie!
Princess by Staci
Stallings - Staci and I met through the American Christians Fiction
Writer’s association. I jumped at the opportunity to review her e-book, Princess
and the read
was more than worth my time. Basketball star Anthony Russell
and academic overachiever Heather Nolan seem to be an unlikely match from
every angle. But when Heather begins tutoring Anthony, she discovers a
heart of gold and a secret place of insecurity in the campus prince—and
He finds someone who sees beyond His athletic prowess. Their story breaks
down prejudice of all types as they learn to love the person beneath the
stereotype. I couldn’t put this book down and when I finished it I felt
satisfied and uplifted. Staci did a masterful job creating believable
characters who help us see beneath the outer person to the real soul
within. The delight of genuine love is magnified by the very real story
she created. This is romance at its best, minus the fluff. You can
purchase her books through her website.
