What happens in the closet, stays in the closet...

Tom and Taylor Abbott are invited to the home of their neighbor Beau Hunter, a country music superstar, for a casual party. He is interested in buying the land Taylor owns that borders his ranch. Taylor is unwilling to sell her ancestors land. The cabin that belonged Justin and Allie still remains but needs fixing up. Someday she would like to live in it again but that won't be until they put their two children through college. While at the party Beau whisks Taylor off to talk to her about selling the land and also the bridge that they've installed across the river for better access to the cattle. They cross over the bridge to the old homestead when someone knocks Beau out and as Taylor makes a run for it the men catch her too. They tie them up and take them to a deserted storage shed where they are left. They are not sure why they are left but keep thinking that someone is asking a ransom. The story that ensues is one very different that I expected. Beau and Taylor are very different. Beau is younger than Taylor. Taylor is married and has two grown children. But, when you are in a situation such as they found themselves you find there is no hiding anything. Beau has lost himself in his stardom trying to push away guilt. Taylor has a low self esteem and is always putting herself down. Together they work through many issues. But...left on the outside is Taylor's husband and two children who are worried sick. The "gossips' are making it look like they ran away together. The fans of Beau are sucking up the news with fervor. But what happens when the gossip goes to far. Will it destroy Tom and Taylor's marriage? Will Beau learn what it is that is meaningful in life?

Great historical...

Brooke Baker's life changed when her parents and sister were killed in a buggy accident. Sent to live with her Uncle Jackson she experiences daily abuse. Then there is Hank who is handsome but has also been abusive to her. Her uncle decides to send her west as a mail-order-bride and gain some money from her sale. She is to marry Jason Jordan. Jason's cousin Sky hears about his upcoming marriage and decides to step in because no woman should be stuck with the likes of Jason. So Sky meets her at the stage carrying a single yellow daisy and marries her that very day. Brooke thinks all men are alike. Unpredictable and abusive and you always need to be on your toes. Sky notices that his new wife is jumpy around him and realizes that he needs to take things slow. Will Sky show Brooke that he's a man of his word? One that she can trust? Will Brooke realize that all men aren't alike and learn to trust her husband but more importantly trust her Heavenly Father?

I really enjoy this story. It's the first book in a series. The characters and situations felt very real. In fact, some of the storyline actually came from an historical event. And let me tell you ladies, Skylar Jordan was a hero any woman could love. The kindness and love he showed to Brooke will melt your heart. I am looking forward to the next installment of "The Shepherd's Heart series. It will be Jason's story.

A tale of forgiveness...

Forgiving Sean picks up where Drawing Marissa leaves off. Hawke wants to marry Marissa but there is still so much emotional stuff that she has to deal with she turns him down. In her heart-of-hearts she's afraid that Hawke will leave her just like Sean did. Hawke knows he needs to give God time to work in her heart. But then Sean's brother, Phillip, tells them that Sean is coming home for a weekend. Sean wants to talk to Marissa, come clean with a secret he's been keeping, apologize for leaving her and perhaps win back her affection. Hawke knows the secret that Sean is keeping and decides he needs to tell Marissa before Sean does. Hawke is secure in his love with Marissa but she and Sean do share a history. Will Marissa deal with the pain of Sean's leaving and now his return, put it behind her to gain a chance of true love with Hawke. Or will it all be too much for her to bear.

Great sequel. The book kept me engaged for the whole story and at times I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. You could read this as a stand alone but I highly recommend you read Drawing Marissa first for a more complete story. Looking forward to reading Book 3 in the Chatham Series, Hawke's Tale due out in 2010.

Will Marissa ever find what she's seeking?

Marissa Gladstone is a normal teen who has always been in love the local baseball hero Sean Moffit who is 3 years her senior and lives across the street. Sean has always been drawn to her too. Then one morning her whole life changes when her father is killed in an truck accident. Sean is there to comfort. Then she almost drown and Sean saves her and at that moment they both become connected. Her mom thinks too connected and forces a total separation. Then Marissa asks to attend a church youth ski trip to Vermont just to get away. But she is surprised when she meets up with Sean's friend Hawke Davies. One that just a year ago she found herself very drawn to. Hawke feels the same draw. The youth trip is all about letting the past go and allowing God to give you a fresh start. Can Marissa and Hawke both let go of the past? Is finding each other what God wants for them.

This was a great read. It kept me turning pages and you see the struggles of the teens and the frustration of the parent. I thought characters were very well drawn and anyone can relate to wanting to be loved and accepted. But if you're not looking for it in the correct place you're only in for more pain.

Crystal Falls Series

This is book 2 in the Crystal Falls Series and centers around Rachel Santos. Rachel is still angry with her sister Laura and still hates men except she seems to be drawn to the good looking bad boys. Oh and she's also being stalked by someone but doesn't have a clue as to who it might be. Elliott Truman is Rachel's somewhat geeky architect boss. When she is in an automobile accident she approaches Elliott about carpooling. She notices that he is always kind to her and her girls, always thoughtful. But Rachel won't allow herself to feel anything more than she would for her brother. Or would she? Can Elliott ever forget about Rachel since she doesn't seem interested anyway? When he hears that the stalker broke into Rachel's house all his feelings come rushing back. How will it all turn out? Guess you have to read the story.

Great follow-up story...

This was a great follow-up story to "All My Tomorrows". The story was equally divided between Alexa & Cole and Sydney & Trace. I loved how you were brought into the story like you were family. I absolutely loved both of these couples. The men were strong yet tender and both had a great sense of humor and were VERY romantic! When a Jamison man loves his woman look-out! Both of the women had deep issues that they were dealing with but their faith was a big factor in who they were and how they dealt with those issues. They were spunky, funny and always managed to find a little trouble here and there. I highly recommend this book. You really could read it as a stand alone but it is a much more fulfilling story if you read All My Tomorrow first. Great job Kathleen!

Wonderful Debut Novel...

Mattie Evans is a vet in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Though her family lost their land she still calls it home. Nothing can make her leave the Flint Hills or can it? Gill McCray grew up in the Flint Hills but difficult memories caused him to leave and become a quarterback for the 49ers. Nothing will make him return to Flint Hill, or is there? When Gil's horse, Dusty, is hit by a drunk driver, Mattie is called to help. She recommends the horse be put down but John McCray (Gil's estranged father) encourages Mattie to do everything she can to save the horse. When Gil returns home for a weekend visit to check on the horse he meets Mattie and sparks fly.

I loved this story and not because I'm a fellow Kansan. But because the story was filled will real people that could easily be living in the Flint Hills right now. Deborah's writing style makes you want to keep turning pages. The story is packed with lots of character interaction which I love. She also allows you to see inside each character's thoughts which is always intriguing to me. This is Deborah's debut novel but it reads like a seasoned author. This comes highly recommended. Can't wait for "Seeds of Summer". Great job Deborah!!!

Great second book...

As Sailor Conyers comes in to work, she sees there is something amiss. She calls the police. Gabe Slone and his partner Joe are in the area and come to find out what's going on. They find Sailor's business partner and friend Charlie murdered. Gabe assigns himself Sailor's protector. Sailor and Gabe have a history together in which both had broken hearts. But the emotional pull is still very strong. As they investigate who killed Charlie attempts are made on Sailor's life. Will Sailor and Gabe be able to explore the possibility of a renewed relationship or will a bullet find Sailor first.

This was an excellent romantic suspense. I was hooked from the first page and did not want to put it down until I was finished. Sailor Conyers had a lot of reasons to be bitter and angry but always seemed to display cheerfulness and spunk. She was a strong character but not unreasonable, which I like. Gabe was a wonderful hero. He has a love for Sailor that you can feel through the pages of of the book. He is strong but tender. Those kind of heros draw me in. I highly recommend Moving Target. You won't be disappointed. You can read it as a stand alone but I suggest that you read Perfect Target first for a richer story. Perfect Target centers around Cruse Conyers (Sailor's brother). Can't wait to read the third book, Smoke Screen.