Category: Contemporary

Posted in Contemporary

Denise Hunter’s Trouble With Cowboys

Posted on by remaininhislove

About
Annie Wilkerson is Moose Creek’s premiere horse trainer and equine columnist for Montana Living. Money is tight as she tries to put her kid-sister through college and provide for her young nephew. When Annie’s column is cancelled, she’s given first shot at a new lovelorn column—and she can’t afford to turn it down. Only problem is . . . Annie’s never been in love.

Always resourceful, she reluctantly strikes a deal with the town’s smooth-talking ladies’ man Dylan Taylor: She’ll work with his ailing horse, Braveheart, if he’ll help her answer the reader letters.

Working closely with Dylan is harder than Annie imagined, and she quickly realizes she may have misjudged him. But her unwavering conviction that cowboys are nothing but trouble has kept her heart safe for years. And she can’t risk getting hurt now.

The more Annie tries to control things, the more they fall apart. Her feelings are spinning out of control, and her sister’s antics are making life increasingly more difficult. Annie knows she needs to turn the reins over to God, but surrender has never come easily.

When Dylan reveals his feelings for her, Annie doesn’t know what to trust—her head or her heart. The trouble with this cowboy is that he might just be exactly what she needs.

Review

No one does chemistry quite like Ms. Hunter! And this book is filled with it. You can’t help but fall in love with Dylan who is a fun character. As an older sister myself, the way Annie takes care of her sister is completely relatable. However, when it came to Dylan, Annie was seeing impossibilities where I didn’t see them. I kind of felt like she was creating problems where there were none. But, the book was intriguing, and there was an interesting curve ball thrown in towards the middle. I kind of would have liked to know more of what made Annie so special to Dylan, but other than that this a good novel to spend time with. Spiritually, Annie has to learn to trust God with her sister and her relationship with Dylan. Good book. Recommended.

Posted in Contemporary

Kim Cash Tate’s Faithful

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

Cydney Sanders thought she knew God’s plan for her life. She’d marry, have kids, and then snap her body back into shape by doing Tae Bo. But she’s celebrating her fortieth birthday as the maid of honor at her little sister’s wedding…and still single. Now her life is suddenly complicated by the best man. He’s the opposite of what she wants in a husband…and yet, he keeps defying her expectations. Starting with a lavendar rose–symbolizing enchantment–each rose he sends her reflects his growing love for her.

Cydney’s best friend Dana appears to have the perfect marriage–until she discovers her husband’s affair and her world goes into a tailspin. Then there is Phyllis–who is out of hope and out of prayers after asking God for six long years to help her husband find faith. When she runs into an old friend who is the Christian man she longs for, she’s faced with an overwhelming choice.

Life-long friends with life-altering struggles. Will they trust God’s faithfulness…and find strength to be faithful to Him?

Review

This was an interesting book! I had hesitated to read it because Cydney is 40 and single…and I found that a bit frightening (I’m just keeping it real here). But now that I’ve let go of that fear and am trusting God with my future (duh), I went out and picked up this book. This book had me laughing out loud at times and fussing at the characters at other times. It truly was an enjoyable read. I think the only problems I had with it, is that of the three friends, I found two more interesting than the third, so I was always rushing that one along and then, I felt that everything got wrapped up too quickly. There were some heavy issues here. Spiritually, this novel dealt with trusting God to be faithful to his word, even when it seems like he isn’t, as well as the importance of living holy sexually. Overall, good book. Recommended!

Posted in Contemporary

Krista Phillips’ Sandwich with a Side of Romance

Posted on by remaininhislove

 

About

She moved to Sandwich, Illinois, in search of a new life, but ended up
in a giant pickle.

Sandwich represents hope for twenty-year-old
Maddie Buckner and Kyle, the eleven-year-old brother Maddie wants to spring out
of foster care. Then she loses her new job after less than a day. It’s all
Reuben-the-Jerk’s fault, and she’s determined to make him right the
wrong.

He does so, reluctantly, by giving her a job at his restaurant,
The Sandwich Emporium. Then crazy things start happening at the restaurant, and
Kyle’s foster parents apply to adopt him. To stop it all, Maddie must learn the
art of humbling herself and accepting the help God has arranged, risking her
heart to Reuben in the process.

And she’d rather eat a million
corned-beef on rye sandwiches than do that.

Review

I really enjoyed this book. It starts off fun and light-hearted, but don’t let that fool you, this book gets deep. Maddie is a great heroine, she’s just trying to take care of herself and love God. Reuben has all this pride, but still has a soft spot for helping strays. There were moments when I wanted to slap Reuben, but his character was so realistic, I was like, I know this guy. Let me tell you, this book will make you laugh out loud and then there will be some moments that your heart just goes out to Maddie. One thing I love is how self-assured Maddie is. Jesus loves her and you can take her or leave her. I also like that  Reuben’s family strongly believes in being Jesus to everyone they meet. It’s a challenge to me to remember that. Very good. Very original. Highly Recommended!

Posted in Contemporary

Ronie Kendig’s Trinity

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

A year ago in Afghanistan, Green Beret Heath Daniel’s career was destroyed. Along with his faith. Now he and his military war dog, Trinity, train other dogs and their handlers. Though his passion is to be back in action, the medical discharge has forced Heath—and Trinity—to the sidelines. Military intelligence officer Darci Kintz is captured while secretly tracking the Taliban. Only one dog can handle the extreme conditions to save her. Trinity. Only one man can handle Trinity. Time is running out on the greatest—and most dangerous—mission of their lives.

 

Review

So let me just start off by saying that I do not like books with animals as main characters. Frankly, you can’t name an animal that I like period. Not even fish (have you seen one ever committ suicide? It would change your opinion too). Thus, I ordered Ms. Kendig’s book reluctantly and wishing she had chosen another angle. But, everything changed when I started her novel. So Good! Heath and Darcy were such great characters! The plot wasn’t complicated to follow. It was humorous, romantic, a little mystery tossed in, a few surprises, and yes, I even liked Trinity. I have been debating whether or not this is my favorite book by Ms. Kendig. Spiritually, Darcy must come to know and trust the God of her mother and Heath has to realize that God’s plans are quite simply, not our own; that He is still God even when we are disappointed with the way life turns out. Highly Recommended!

PS The next day, after reading this novel, I decided to give dogs another chance. I went over my cousin’s house, who has a dog that is larger than my own 5 feet. Let’s just say, my opinion did NOT change. Still loved the book though and cannot wait for the next one!

Posted in Contemporary, Young Adult

Judy Christie’s Wreath

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

What do you do when you’re too young to be on your own but have no one to turn to? Sixteen-year-old Wreath Willis makes a list: Find a place to live. Buy cheap food. Finish high school. Get a job. Go to college. Now she’s finishing high school by day and squatting in a junkyard by night, flying below the authorities’ radar while she makes a few awkward friends and searches for an illusory “good life.” But when a teacher grows too suspicious, Wreath is afraid she’ll have to move on before she graduates. Could it be this was a good life?

Review

This novel was really unique to me. You have Wreath who is on the run and instead of going to a foster home for her last year of schooling she would rather live in a car in a junkyard (of course the fact that she is running from a scary guy might be a part of that reason as well). I thought there were moments in this book that were a little predictable, but there were moments in this book that were heart-wrenching as well. Wreath had a tough time and you couldn’t help but want to cheer her along as went. Throughout the novel you could see how God was there with her every step of the way because of all the people she met who cared about her. Though this novel introduced a love interest and had a few romantic like scenes, I would say this book was more about survival than some guy. An interesting book and certainly a learning experience. My heart goes out to those who find themselves in this situation and I can only pray that I act with the same grace that (most) people treated Wreath with. Recommended!

Posted in Contemporary, Fantasy/Sci-Fi, Young Adult

Jill Williamson’s Replication: The Jason Experiment

Posted on by remaininhislove
About
When Your Life Is Not Your Own Martyr—otherwise known as Jason 3:3—is one of hundreds of clones kept in a remote facility called Jason Farms. Told that he has been created to save humanity, Martyr has just one wish before he is scheduled to ‘expire’ in less than a month. To see the sky. Abby Goyer may have just moved to Alaska, but she has a feeling something strange is going on at the farm where her father works. But even this smart, confident girl could never have imagined what lies beneath a simple barn. Or what would happen when a mysterious boy shows up at her door, asking about the stars. As the reality of the Jason Experiment comes to light, Martyr is caught between two futures—the one for which he was produced and the one Abby believes God created him to have. Time is running out, and Martyr must decide if a life with Abby is worth leaving everything he’s ever known.
Review
I woke up at 4am in the morning to read this book (it had downloaded onto my kindle that morning) and it did not disappoint. I was sucked in immediately with the idea of hundreds of boys who are cloned and then terminated on their 18th birthday, and more than a little disappointed when it ended. Martyr is such a sweetheart that you can’t but love him from the beginning and Abby is the perfect girl for him. I enjoyed that the novel was set in Alaska (which is quite the environment). I liked that Martyr was like a blank page that needed to be filling; it added a lot of humor to the situation. I really liked that Abby had great faith in her youth leader and such a deep relationship with Christ that she passed it on to Martyr effortlessly. Great book, unique concept. Highly Recommended!
Also I have reviewed Ms. Williamson’s Blood of Kings Trilogy here: https://remaininhislove.com/2012/05/24/jill-williamsons-blood-of-kings-trilogy-7/
And had the wonderful opportunity to interview her here: https://remaininhislove.com/2012/07/13/interview-of-jill-williamson-3/
Does anyone else have a favorite of Ms. Williamson? I’m pretty sure that this isn’t exactly dystopian, but does anyone else know of any similar books like this?
Posted in Contemporary, Young Adult

Krista McGee

Posted on by remaininhislove

First Date

The last thing Addy Davidson wants is to be on a reality TV show where the prize is a prom date with the President’s son.She’s focused on her schoolwork so she can get a scholarship to an Ivy League college, uncomfortable in the spotlight, never been on a date, and didn’t even audition for it. But she got selected anyway. So she does her best to get eliminated on the very first show. Right before she realizes that the President’s son is possibly the most attractive guy she has ever seen in person, surprisingly nice, and seemingly unimpressed by the 99 other girls who are throwing themselves at him. Addy’s totally out of her comfort zone but that may be right where God can show her all that she was meant to be.

Starring Me

Kara McKormick is told she’s auditioning to star in a new teen variety show. It’s what she isn’t told that could change her life.The feisty New Yorker moves to sunny Orlando to participate in a month-long audition, where she’ll live with nine other contestants and an eccentric housemother. Kara knows that the show already has a big-time celebrity lined up for the co-host, but she doesn’t know who it is. Chad Beacon quickly rose to fame after winning America’s Next Star, but he doesn’t want his entire career to be about singing. There is so much more he wants to do—like act. The new variety show sounds like the perfect next step for him, but his parents want him to have a co-star who shares his faith since they’ll be spending so much time together. Acting is high on Kara’s priority list. But a relationship with God? Not so much. But God is after Kara’s heart and He’s put people in her life who are showing her there’s far more to Christianity than rules and judgment. And just when it seems that Kara’s going to have to give up her acting dream, God reveals that she may have a starring role after all—in a story so big only He could write it.

Review
  So this will be a general review of both books. Personally, I enjoyed First Date more than I enjoyed Starring Me. Ms. Mcgee uses biblical stories (in this case Esther and Isaac and Rebekah respectively) as a template for her novels. I guess I just feel like the story of Esther has more complexities and intracacies than Isaac and Rebekah. I thought she was able to play around with First Date more than Starring Me. That said, both are enjoyable reads. Of course they are predictable, but their fun. One thing I really enjoyed in these novels is the imporance Ms. Mcgee places on getting others saved, even as youth. Your faith should do the talking. Recommended!
Anyone else like Starring Me more than First Date? Do you like the idea of using Biblical narrative as a template?
Posted in Contemporary, Young Adult

Jenny B. Jones’s The Charmed Life

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

There are three boooks in this series.

So Not Happening – New York’s social darling just woke up in a nightmare: Oklahoma. Bella had it all. Then her father decided to trade her mother in for a newer model. When her mom falls in love with a man she met on the Internet, Bella has to move in with her new family in Truman, Oklahoma. On a farm no less! How can a girl go on when her charmed life is gone and God appears to be giving her the total smack down?

I’m So Sure – Think you’re having a rough week? Bella’s stepdad just signed the family up for a reality TV show. As if having a camera crew following her around isn’t bad enough, Bella discovers a conspiracy against the prom queen candidates. Denying allegations of a love triangle, working to solve the prom queen mystery, and trying to keep her cool on national television finally motivate Bella to start talking—and listening—to God more.

So Over My Head – Newly single, stalked by a killer, and in desperate need of some chic clown shoes—Bella is one skinny mocha frapp away from total meltdown. When the carnival arrives in
Truman, Bella’s reporter instincts tell her the bright lights hide more than they reveal. Her suspicions are confirmed when one of the stars is murdered. Is God sending her a message in all of this madness? With a murderer on the loose and her boyfriend’s ex on the prowl, this undercover clown has never had more to juggle.

Review

Jenny B Jones’ books are the first set of YA I began reading when I realized they might actually be good. It started with my little sis’s birthday. I thought that I would buy her a Christian YA set of books to read. I did. But then I decided to read them first before I wrapped them…and then I decided to buy her shoes. Love this series! It’s so hilarious! Bella is a fun character that you can’t help but like, and Luke? What a great male role. Ms. Jones manages to deal with teenage problems and feelings with divorce, relationship break-up, and a distant father, in a great way. I love that her teens are not that complicated, maybe because I don’t remember being a teenager as having extra complications in life. Idk. The only drawback is that the mysteries have Bella doing some things I don’t quite think teens would do, but it works, so I’m good. Spiritually, Bella has to learn that God’s way of doing things is not our way and that God isn’t like our natural father. He’s better.

Ms. Jones has another series and another stand alone: A Katie Parker Production and There You’ll find Me. I recommend those series/book as well, The Charmed Life is simply my favorite. Highly Recommended!

Posted in Contemporary

Michelle Stimpson’s Someone to Watch Over Me

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

Tori Henderson is on the fast track in her marketing career in Houston, but her personal life is slow as molasses. So when her beloved Aunt Dottie falls ill, Tori travels back to tiny Bayford to care for her. But when she arrives, she’s faced with more than she bargained for, including Dottie’s struggling local store and a troubled little step-cousin, DeAndre. Worse, the nearest Starbucks is twenty miles away…

Just as Tori is feeling overwhelmed, she re-connects with her old crush, the pastor’s son, Jacob, who is as handsome as Tori remembers. As the church rallies for Aunt Dottie’s recovery, Aunt Dottie rallies to remind Tori of God’s love. And when Tori and DeAndre form an unexpected bond, and sparks fly between her and Jacob, small-town life starts looking promising. Tori came to Bayford to give, but she just might receive more than she dreamed was still possible for her…

Review

This book was sweet, funny, romantic, a bit unrealistic, and a good read. You have a hurt career woman who returns home to have to take care of a child. I’ll be honest kids and dogs don’t usually do it for me, but DeAndre was cuteness. I’m also not a fan of “career women” which I define as women who put their careers above everything else, however, you completely feel where Tori is coming from. The only thing that wasn’t realistic was to me was the romance. Now I don’t know if that’s my own personal projections, but Tori had one unsaved boyfriend and a saved guy who was crazy about her. It’s now often most women get two and then have a hard time choosing. That said, loved Jacob, such a sweet guy. Spiritually, Tori starts off the in the novel as a nonbeliever, but eventually she comes to know God and to realize that He’s always loved her. Highly Recommended!

Posted in Contemporary

Kristin Billerbeck’s Ashely Stockingdale Series

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 Kristin Billerbeck has written many books since this series, but this is probably my favorite series by her. Ashley Stockingdale is completely relatable and I enjoy that each novel is unique and fun in it’s own way. Ashely Stockingdale is a 31 year old lawyer who is wondering why she is still single. This series takes you through Ashley’s dating life until she finally ends up with the right guy. This book is fun, silly, and romantic. This is also another novel of a Christian woman simply living, but then again, that’s what Christian Chick-Lit is. Highly Recommended!