Against the Wind by Amanda Cabot ~ a book review

This is the second book in the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing that I’ve had the pleasure to read.

Each book is a stand alone story that involves places and characters from the previous one, and the author does a great job of giving us the back stories.

These stories are about three sisters from a blended household. Their father was the pastor in Sweetwater Crossing.  The family essentially falls apart when he dies and the sisters go their own ways but still keep in touch. 

This story is set in the late 1880’s and is from the viewpoint of the youngest sister, Louisa.  Her dream is to become a doctor.  She has to fight the typical stereotype of what an acceptable profession is for a lady.  Being a midwife is acceptable, being a doctor is not.  She leaves Sweetwater Crossing after her father dies but comes back for what she expects will be a brief visit. On her way back, she encounters an injured man, Josh, and  has to stay until he is recovered. 

This is from the publisher’s website:

“Doctor-in-training Louisa Vaughn has no intention of remaining in Sweetwater Crossing. She's just there for a few days to help a friend. But she can't abandon the injured man she finds at the side of the road. Until his broken leg heals, she'll serve as the town's doctor and midwife. She may not be fully qualified yet, but surely she's better than nothing.

Josh Porter's plans to win his grandfather's challenge and fulfill his father's final wish to gain full control of the family business hit a roadblock when he breaks his leg. But his enforced stay in Sweetwater Crossing gives him new ideas about the expansion of the company into new territory--ideas Louisa could help turn into reality.

If only the town were more accepting of Louisa's talents! Someone is determined to convince her to abandon her dream of healing others. Can Josh help her uncover the person behind the threats before it's too late? And is there any future for them together when neither of them plans to stay?”

This story takes both Louisa, Josh and others, on a journey of following dreams, changing your dreams, forgiveness and learning to hear God’s voice and following His leading.

There are secrets to be discovered and mysteries to be solved.  The author leaves us wondering about one, but the excerpt of the next story in the back of the book, gives a hint of what it is.

This is not a story you can rush through. The reader needs to take their time to appreciate all the characters, dialog and descriptions of people and settings.

There is a map in the front of the book that is very helpful in understand the layout of the town.  

Go HERE to read an excerpt

Go HERE to learn more about Amanda Cabot and her other books 

 

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

 

On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni ~ a book review

This is a contemporary, clean romance.  It is categorized as Christian fiction but the mention of God is minimal, which is why I call it “clean”

The main character, Cora, has had many painful disappointments and yearns for a normal life again. She comes to Moonberry Lake, her mother’s childhood home, to renovate her family lodge.  Her mother’s will stipulates that she must live in it for a year. In that time she meets, becomes friends with and comes to love a “family” of quirky, eccentric neighbors and townspeople. The list of characters is many. There is a brusque, no-nonsence, old handi-woman who worms her way into Cora’s heart. There is a grumpy, hate filled man who believes he owns her land and wants her gone. There is her neighbor, Pastor Joe, her employer, a genius who can’t leave his house, an old woman who tends a forgotten cemetery and many more interesting folk.  There is also a kind, handsome dentist, and a helpful, old family friend that bring a bit of normalcy to the story.

Cora has dealt with a broken engagement, her mother’s death, secrets, mysteries, lies and natural disasters.

This is not a fast read. It is very involved, but by the time I got about a third of the way into it, it became much easier to read. The story starts to come together for the reader.

By the time you’ve finished the book, you will have gotten to know and taken to heart Cora’s many friends and family.

The back of the book has some recipes and a sneak peek at the next story set in Moonberry Lake.

Go HERE to read an excerpt 

Go HERE to learn more about the author, Holly Varni

 

 

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.