A Home in Drayton Valley by Kim Vogel Sawyer - a book review

From the Bethany House publisher’s website: 

“A dream of a better life...
A tragedy aboard a wagon train...
A tentative agreement...
Will it lead to love for two seeking hearts?

Hoping to escape the poor conditions of 1880 New York, Tarsie Raines and her friends Joss and Mary Brubacher and their two children set off for Kansas aboard an unusual wagon train. But when tragedy strikes on the trip across the prairie, Tarsie is thrown into a partnership with Joss that leaves them both questioning God and their plans for the future.

As their funds dwindle and nothing goes as planned, will they give up and go their separate ways? Or will God use their time in Drayton Valley in a way they never expected?”

I’ve said it before....I love Kim Vogel Sawyer’s books and I wasn’t disappointed by this one.  Having said that, I have to say, I would have liked to have had more background for the friendship between Mary and Tarsie.  I didn’t quite get why Tarsie would give her life’s savings to someone she didn’t really seem very close to. Once I got past that, I was able to enjoy the story.  Mary is such a sweet example of a submissive, hope filled wife, always believing that her husband, Joss, will find his way to God.  Joss comes across as a bitter, hate filled man.  I spent most of the first part of the book really disliking him, but there were hints of sensitivity and caring towards Mary, that suggested hope for his character.  Sawyer takes him on an emotional and spiritual journey that at times leaves the reader wondering where he will end up.  Tarsie is a spunky, corageous and moral young woman whose main desire in life is to follow God’s leading.

I love how Sawyer describes the conditions of the time period, from the dirty, crowded tenements of the city to rugged wagon train trail.

This book deals with struggles of that time period and many of the same issues we still deal with today, including predudice, alcoholism, and debt.  Sawyer shows us that God’s love can turn a life around and bring hope to a seemingly hopeless situation.

This is an exciting, emotional, and clean story of romance, forgiveness and redemption. 

You can read an excerpt on the publisher’s website,  http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/a-home-in-drayton-valley/323570.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House  through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano - a book review

A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

I love a book that makes me chuckle as I’m reading it.  This one is full of “I love Lucy” type moments that kept me wondering what Eliza was going to do next.  I did, however, feel as if she were two different characters at times.  When she wasn’t finding herself in comical predicaments, she was very down to earth. 
 

From the publisher's website:

  “Lady Eliza Sumner is on a mission. After losing her family, her fiancé, and her faith, the disappearance of her fortune is the last straw. Now, masquerading as Miss Eliza Sumner, governess-at-large, she's determined to find the man who ran off with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London.

 

Much to Mr. Hamilton Beckett's chagrin, all the eyes of New York society--all the female ones, at least--are on him. Unfortunately for all the matchmaking mothers and eligible daughters, he has no plans to marry again, especially with his hands full keeping his business afloat and raising his two children alone.

When Eliza's hapless attempts to regain her fortune put her right in Hamilton's path, sparks instantly begin to fly. The discovery of a common nemesis causes them to join forces, but with all their plans falling by the wayside and their enemies getting the better of them, it will take a riot of complications for Hamilton and Eliza to realize that God just might have had a better plan in mind all along."

While this book is publicized as Christian romance, I didn’t find it at all preachy.  I think even readers who don’t normally read Christian fiction but still enjoy a good clean novel, would like this book.   There’s mystery, danger, humor, and love all combined to make this a very enjoyable reading experience.  It is not a deep philosophical, intellectual book that makes the reader have to think too much.  I’m not that kind of reader.  I simply like to be entertained and feel good when the story is over.

 

I look forward to reading more from this author.

 

You can go to the publisher’s webpage and read an excerpt from the first chapter.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”