Five years after her boyfriend died, Sydney Chase is content with her world of horses, friends and grandparents. She forbids her grandfather to do any more matchmaking attempts. But then Jackson shows up to work with her horse. Has her grandfather been at it again?
A book about horses and romance. Really- what could be better! This was the fastest book I have read in a long time. I just couldn't put it down. It is a great book about forgiving yourself, and moving on past a tragedy. I felt like there was one loose end, but hopefully there will be another book to tell his story. This book set it up perfectly for it. I enjoyed the writing style and hope that there will be more books in the future.
Porter Huggins knows very well that he has made a lot of mistakes. But when the phone call came that his ex-wife died, he saw the chance to repair some damage. He didn't hesitate to head toward Panguitch, Utah to convince his sixteen year old son to come home with him. Taking him back to Arizona would be difficult, but not impossible. However, building a relationship with him may very well take a miracle.
This book took a while to really get in to. But once I did, I really liked it. It is simply about relationships and letting go of grudges. It made me wonder if every parent feels like they have made mistakes that are difficult to forgive. I also thought about how well a child feels like they know their parent. It was a simple plot but the characters had a lot of depth and I felt like they were all friends by the time I was finished. If you like books about relationships, I recommend it.
Melinda Keith likes being alone. Her farm 'experiment' in Texas after a painful divorce is exactly what she thinks she needs. But she doesn't count on Ryan Delaney moving in next door. Then, when random acts of violence start to happen on her farm, she has no idea what to believe.
This is an interesting book. The author has obviously done a lot of research on current farming techniques and how to create a self sustaining environment. I found the information on living off the land very compelling. By the time I was done, I wanted to plant a garden at the very least, and I'm not much of a gardener. This book really isn't much of a romance, I would classify it more as a drama. It was a good book to pass the time.
Seventeen years ago, Leah sent her young son, Austin, to the dark silhouette that she assumed was her husband. Austin disappeared. The extended search for their son has taken an emotional toll on their marriage and family as Leah and Garrett refuse to give up hope that Austin will be found. Will the new person who appears in their life help heal or harm their family?
I really enjoyed this book. It is clear, interesting and doesn't leave any loose ends. I couldn't predict the plot at all. How could it end so that it was okay for all involved? The author made sure that this story was realistic but hopeful. It certainly gave me a lot to think about - including thoughts about what holds a family together. I recommend it.
'Master' is the story of the life of Jesus Christ, as told by his servant Almon. Joseph and Mary found Almon, a young boy that was attacked by robbers and left for dead, and brought him into their household. Almon's primary responsibility was to care for and watch over Jesus throughout His entire life. Through Almon's eyes we gain a new respect and awe for the life of Jesus.
I was prepared to not like this book. I expected it to be a little too flippant with the subject matter for my tastes. But I was completely surprised. It was beautifully done and in a very reverent tone. It reminded me a lot of "The Work and the Glory" series. The events portrayed were real, with some creative license taken with a few characters to help the story make sense. I love reading books that bring real experiences to life and make me feel like I could have been a part of it. With this one I did. It started when Jesus was three and went through His entire life. How would I have reacted if I had been there? Would I have been one of Jesus's followers? I have often wondered. This book brought up many things to think about and I read it slowly, pondering as I read. I highly recommend it.
'Diamondback Cave' is the third book in the series. It is about how Imogene Vandergrift, a crazy woman who thinks Wesley Mackey is her son, wants the judge to post bail so she can get out of jail and recover her diamonds. Jack Mackey will do anything to make sure she stays in jail. When Alex Harris disappears, though, the Mackey family might actually have to help Imogene. Wesley Mackey, and his best friend Amanda, want to take matters into their own hands. The travel to Diamondback Cave to save Amanda's soon-to-be stepfather. There- they find that this case is more complicated than just Alex disappearing!
I would definitely recommend this book as long as your have read at least one other book in the series. I have read 'Widows Revenge' (the second book) but not the first and I understood this third book totally. This book is suspenseful and adventurous and for the first time you see the character Amanda really involved in the adventure. The author has done an amazing job, in fact, this is my favorite of her books that I have read. She keep you on the edge of your seat up until the very last page. I would recommend this book for ages 11 and up.
First Day is a continuation of the story Condie started in her first book, Yearbook. Many of the chapters are told from the perspectives of Andrea and Ethan Beckett, and the stories of their friends Julie and Mikey are interwoven in these chapters. New characters are introduced as well, including Joel Hammond and Caterina Giovanni, who each have chapters of their own.
I wasn't sure if I would be able to enjoy First Day, having not read Yearbook first. Many times when reading the second book in a series, it's hard to catch up. There was a little bit of that in the beginning, trying to figure out what was going on in situations that would be obvious to those who had read the first book.
I was pleasantly surprised, however, at how fast I was able to get into the story. The format was unconventional, with most of the story lines basically unrelated to each other, rather than telling different character's viewpoints of the same story. It didn't hold my attention as well as many of the other books I've read recently, but there is also one main story that is pretty compelling and pulls the reader through the book.
On the other hand, the book was fresh and interesting, and it was fun to see the lives of the different characters who were related in some ways, but completely individual in others, just as it is in our own lives.
All in all, I thought it was a good read with a few twists and turns thrown in to keep the reader on their toes. It could be enjoyed alone, but I think it would be most enjoyable for those who have first read Yearbook.
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