The Doctor's Lady By Jody Hedlund

Back of the Book

Historical Romance from the Author of The Preacher's Bride
Priscilla White knows she'll never be a wife or mother and feels God's call to the mission field in India. Dr. Eli Ernest is back from Oregon Country only long enough to raise awareness of missions to the natives before heading out West once more. But then Priscilla and Eli both receive news from the mission board: No longer will they send unmarried men and women into the field. 

Left scrambling for options, the two realize the other might be the answer to their needs. Priscilla and Eli agree to a partnership, a marriage in name only that will allow them to follow God's leading into the mission field. But as they journey west, this decision will be tested by the hardships of the trip and by the unexpected turnings of their hearts.

My Thoughts

This book was long, and did not hold my interest.  I felt like anything that could go wrong did go wrong, and that made the story unbelievable to me, but...  When I read the authors notes in the back, and found this book was based on actual events, all of the things that I felt were unbelievable really happened, and the one that I felt was believable, was one of the few things that was fictional.  

I would recommend this on the basis that I have a whole new respect for Narcissa Whitman (Priscilla in the book) and leaves you feeling in awe at what she went through.

When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren

Back of the Book

Hawaii was the last place Grace Christiansen ever imagined she’d vacation, much less fall in love. But when her family surprises her with a cooking retreat in paradise, she is pulled—or maybe yanked—away from her predictable, safe life and thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime.

Max Sharpe may make his living on the ice as a pro hockey player, but he feels most at home in the kitchen. Which is why he lives for the three-week culinary vacation he takes each year in Hawaii. Upon being paired with Grace for a cooking competition, Max finds himself drawn to her passion, confidence, and perseverance. But just when Grace dares to dream of a future beyond her hometown, Max pulls away.

Wrestling with personal demons, Max fights against opening his heart to a love he knows he should never hope for. And as his secrets unfold, Grace is torn between the safe path in front of her and what her heart truly desires. If love means sacrificing her ideal happily ever after, Grace’s faith will face its toughest test yet.

My thoughts

Susan May Warren took this book to the next level.  It picks up right where the last one leaves off, but where the last ones have Grace in the background, in this book she is in the spot light and totally lovable.  The love between Grace and Max is so sweet that I had to read the book twice, the first time to see if they would end up together, and a second time to enjoy more of their dialogue.  The book had a lot more back and forth, between her in Hawaii, and her family at home.  But it never seemed choppy and the transitions never seemed out of place.

It Had to Be You by: Susan May Warren

Back of the Book

Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen’s cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter, but is stuck writing obits—and starting to fear she doesn’t have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.

Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior—on and off the ice. Now at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he’s getting from Eden Christiansen isn’t making things any easier. But when Owen’s carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together . . . and begin to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.

My Thoughts

I have been a fan of Susan May Warren for a while and have really enjoyed reading the Christiansen Family books.  This novel was so wonderful and smooth.  The story flowed well and you just cheered Eden on in her quests to not only discover that she is a worth while person, but for Jace to do the same.  This leaves your heart happy and just continues to make you love the Christiansen clan as your own.

Stuck Together By: Mary Connealy

Back of the Book

When a lawman who values order gets stuck with a feisty crusader who likes to stir things up, there's going to be trouble in Texas! 

Now that she's settled in town, Tina Cahill is determined to get Broken Wheel's saloon closed for good. To that end, she pickets outside the place every afternoon. Unfortunately, so far no one has paid any attention.

Vince Yates earned the nickname "Invincible Vince" because of his reputation for letting absolutely nothing stop him. But Vince is about to face his biggest challenge yet: his past has just caught up with him. His father, mother, and the sister he didn't know he had show up in Broken Wheel without warning. His father is still a schemer. His mother is showing signs of dementia. And his surprise sister quickly falls for one of Vince's best friends. Vince suddenly has a lot of people depending on him, and Tina doesn't approve of how he's handling any of them.

With nearly every other man in town married off, Vince finds himself stuck with strong-willed Tina over and over again. Of course, Tina is the prettiest woman he's ever seen, so if he could just get her to give up her crazy causes, he might go ahead and propose. But he's got one more surprise coming his way: Tina's picketing at the saloon has revealed a dark secret that could put everyone Vince loves in danger.

My Thoughts

Tina was a wonderful, spunky character right from the start, the first chapter had me laughing at her antics and I never stopped.  She was such a cute girl just looking for her place in the small town and you just loved her for that.  Vince was also an entertaining person trying to keep his distance and spar with her all at the same time.  Connealy did a wonderful job making two strong personality characters blend so well.  Stuck Together was sweet clean book that would be a great summer read.

I received this book free from Bethany House Publishing in return for my honest review.