Love Stays True, The Homeward Journey, Book One by Martha Rogers ~ A Booketeria Review

About Book

THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY, Book One

It is April 1865, can Sally and Manfred overcome the distance that the war has put between them and find love?

Three strong women from the South forge ahead to new territories to establish a new life and find happiness through their staunch faith. Related not only by blood but also by courage, they prove that love knows no boundaries, and when all else is gone, love will be there. Covering the themes of family, loyalty, belonging, and the journeys we take to find love, this new series by the popular author of Becoming Lucy will be sure to please her many fans.

• ISBN-13: 9781621362364
• Publisher: Realms
• Publication date: 5/31/2013
• Series: The Homeward Journey , #1
• Pages: 304

Where to purchase: Amazon, B&N, CBD

About Author

Martha Rogers is a freelance author of both fiction and non-fiction and a speaker. Her stories and articles have appeared in a number of compilations and magazines. Her first fiction novella released in 2007.

Her experiences as a public school teacher, Sunday school teacher, youth leader, First Place leader, Mom and Grandmother give Martha a unique field of ministry.

Martha is am alumni of CLASS and is available to speak at Women's Retreats, conferences, and luncheons on topics of interest to women of all ages.

As an author, she is available to speak at writing conferences and workshops on a variety of topics of interest to writers.

Visit Martha's website here. 

You can also find her on her blog Martha Writes.

My Thoughts

Sallie Dryer has been through a traumatic time during the war between the North and the South. She fears God has turned away from her.  In her mind she has done the unforgivable. What if her childhood love, Manfred Whitman is not able to forgive her either?  Sallie watches for her sweetheart to return.  He is the first thing on her mind when she awakes and then dreams of him through the night.  What if he never returns?  What if he has been killed?  All of these things among others is what go through her mind day in and day out.

Manfred along with his brother Edward, unbeknownst to his loved ones, have just been freed from being imprisoned by Union soldiers.  They have a long journey before they reach the their home. They have been through bad and good on their journey home but God has guided and protected them every step of the way. He is anxious to see his family but most of all he wants to see his sweetheart Sallie Dyer. Will she feel about him as he feels about her after all this time apart?  

I have no doubt that the author writes from her heart.  She gives us many life lessons be learned from reading this story.  Most importantly is trust in God which the character Sallie was unable to do therefore it instilled her with doubt and fear.  The author is a wise woman in that she creates stories that will encourage the weary and downtrodden soul to turn to God with our every need.  I love an inspiring historical romance and that is exactly what the author has given us with much to ponder on in our daily walk with God..

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Booketeria/Realms for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

If you found this book helpful vote yes or no here.

PENNSYLVANIA PATCHWORK by KATE LLOYD ~ Litfuse Tour & Amish Quilt Giveaway

About Book

Seattle native Holly Fisher is smitten by Lancaster County, its simplicity and her long lost relatives. In the sequel to bestselling Leaving Lancaster, Holly embraces the Amish culture, learning to slow down to see what --- and who --- really matters.

Meeting the family that her mother had kept hidden from her, Holly comes face to face with her real life and blood legacy. She also falls for the charming Zach, a handsome Mennonite veterinarian who is everything she's ever wanted in a husband: confident, kind, successful, and authentic. And Zach proposes marriage. Is this too soon? Is this the right choice? Mother and Amish grandmother think she's rushing into too much of a lifestyle change. Holly is in love with Zach and that precludes everything. Until she meets an attractive Amish man. And an old suitor shows up.

Pennyslvania Patchwork is the moving, richly told story of one woman's heart, her faith and trust, and the choices she makes. Never easy, but one choice can change your destiny.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/lG7GU

Landing page: 

http://litfusegroup.com/author/KLloyd

  

Meet Kate: 

Author Kate Lloyd is a passionate observer of human relationships. A native of Baltimore, Kate spends time with family and friends in Lancaster County, PA, the inspiration for her novels. She is a member of the Lancaster County Mennonite Historical Society. Kate and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest. Kate studied painting and sculpture in college. She's worked a variety of jobs, including car salesman and restaurateur.

Learn more about Kate at http://www.katelloyd.net


Kate Lloyd is celebrating the release of book two in her Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy, Pennsylvania Patchwork, by giving away an authentic Amish-made quilt!

 
One "grand" winner receive:

• An authentic Amish-made Quilt
• Pennsylvania Patchwork and Leaving Lancaster by Kate Lloyd

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 29th. Winner will be announced on July 1st at Kate's blog.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

My Thoughts

Holly Fisher lives under the same roof with her mother who is soon to be baptized Amish and her grandmother whom she was just recently united with due to the fact Holly was told her   grandmother was not alive. 

In their home the drama level is at a very high level.

Holly is trying to decide if she still wants to marry a Zach, the Mennonite veterinarian or convert to Amish and marry an Amish man.  But wait!  There is also an Englischer friend that has decided he wants to be more than friends with Holly and presents with a proposition he thinks she will not resist.  

It appears Holly has enough drama just by herself but then her mother, Esther was suppose to be getting married to Nathaniel and now the Bishop has come up with a very good reason why she may not get to marry Nathaniel.

Holly's grandmother, Anna is having health problems and showing signs of dementia needing more care than a toddler.  Her cooking and dropping off to sleep at any given time is proof her memory and health are failing.  

I was under the impression that life among the Amish was plain and peaceful.  Evidently not! The author's imagination must have been working on triple time.  Having raised several daughters I know how drama can build.

I tried to think of who was my favorite character in this story and I have to say Anna the feisty grandmother.  She may have been in bad health but the author gave her a big personality.  Anna was one sneaky, persistent and sometime sweet old lady.  

What really got on my nerves was the constant friction between Holly's so called suitors.  They bickered so much I wanted to bop them upside their head.  The story could have done with less of their bickering.

I suggest you read book one to really appreciate book two. All said, I do recommend this book. 

Considering the positive over the negative of this story I have rated the book a 4 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group/David C. Cook for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here.

The Scent of Rain By Kristin Billerbeck

About Book:

When deprived of her most prized sense, Daphne discovers a life she never expected, right under her nose.

Daphne Sweeten has left Paris – and a career she loves – in order to marry a man she loves even more. But when he stands her up on their wedding day, Daphne’s left reeling. Trained as a professional “nose” or perfume creator, Daphne soon realizes that her sense of smell has somehow disappeared too.

In the days following she moves to Dayton, Ohio, to take on a job creating fragrances for household products. Without her sense of smell, she must rely on her chemistry skills, and hope her handsome new boss, Jesse Lightner, doesn’t notice before she can figure out how to get it back.

Despite her desire to return to Paris, she can’t deny the way Jesse makes her feel. But when Daphne approaches former contacts, she learns her missing ex-fiancé has somehow snagged her old job.

As Daphne and Jesse work on a signature scent for their new line, she feels God at work in her life as never before. And the promise of what is possible is as fresh as the scent of rain.

Length	320 Pages
Publication Date	August 7, 2012
Company	Thomas Nelson
ISBN-10	140168565X
ISBN-13	9781401685652

Where to buy:  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD

About Kristin:   I grew up with a strong sense of justice.  I simply knew the way things should be.  And since I’m not smart enough to be a district attorney, I am a novelist.  My childhood was slightly confusing.  I blame my parents for this.  Oh heck, I’m going to blame them for everything.  I think I would have turned out normal if it weren’t for them.
	Okay, probably not.  I am a fourth-generation Californian, and an American mutt, but identify most strongly with my Italian heritage.  My mother’s family, of strong Norwegian/German descent, tried to teach me how to do things right.  How to cook, clean, sew, budget accordingly – all the things a proper young girl should know to be a contributing member of society.  I, however, failed miserably.  For my 40th birthday, my grandmother gave me a cookie gun, so it’s clear she hasn’t given up on me yet!  That is eternal optimism! My dad’s Italian family taught me about the good life.  The indulgent life.  How to eat, shop and be merry.  My Nana had very tiny feet and a penchant for shoes (she worked at the Emporium, no doubt to fund her shoe addiction).  My afternoons at her house had no lessons, other than how to walk in her high heels, drape myself in her mink stole and drip myself with rhinestones.  Tastefully, of course.  I picked up on this lifestyle much quicker.
I graduated San Jose State University with a degree in Journalism & Mass Communications (emphasis in Advertising), gave my life to Jesus during college and found my true love in a Christian Singles’ Group, which yes, I skewer in “What a Girl Wants”.  He is German.  Practical.   And a Contributing Member of Society.  I am still Italian, fluffy and an aficionado of fine shoes & handbags. Together, we have four children and now it’s our turn to confuse them.  The circle of life.  Dysfunctional family style. Kristin's website: http://www.kristinbillerbeck.com/

My Thoughts

Daphne has been stood up. Not stood up on a date, she has been stood up at the alter. The groom nor his family ever showed up at the church.

The only thing she feels right now is humiliated. It is as is she is in a daze unable to move. So many things are racing through her mind.

• Had she not seen this coming?
• He was so attentive and told her he loved her. 
• Her father bought them a house and they were suppose to move into it after the honeymoon.
• What about the new job they were suppose to start? 
• They were to be working for same company. 
• She left her dream job as a nose, scent specialist, in Paris, France in order to marry him and live in the States.  

She needed to stop and  pray for God to give her peace!

As the day comes close to an end she realizes she can't smell anything. It must be from all the stress. Great now she would be stressed that her smell would not come back before she starts her new job. She was hired for her nose surely she would have her smell back once to started the new job.

She decided she was not going to sit around feeling sorry for herself. She was going to start her new job. But she would not move into the house right away she would get a hotel room instead. When she gets into town she would go straight to her new workplace. 

What a shock her new boss is handsome. So far so good!  She does not understand how she could feel attracted to this man when she was just dumped. She better concentrate on concealing the fact that she still could not smell anything. She also wanted to find out if her ex-fiance showed up for his new job. This was definitely going to be awkward.

This book was suspenseful and kept me trying to solve the mystery of the absence of the almost groom.  There surely was more to the story than a missing groom .  

The author did a great job in the creation of the main characters They showed their Christianity right from the beginning. They had so much faith in God and believed He was leading them to this town and community. God had a plan for their lives and they had to learn to be at peace with His plan. They sought out this peace in prayer and through the comfort of their fellow Christians.

I recommend this book.

I rated this book a 4 out of 5.

Disclosure:
I received a copy of this book from Booksneeze/Thomas Nelson for review. I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is my own opinion.

Vote yes or no if you found this review helpful. here