At Home in Wishing Bridge by Ruth Logan Herne - Audiobook Review

At Home in Wishing Bridge
By: Ruth Logan Herne
Narrated by: Erin Bennett
Series: Wishing Bridge, Book 2
Length: 10 hrs and 1 min
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 10-02-18
Language: English
Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Five Stars Plus! *****

Review by Carrie Fancett Pagels

I absolutely loved this book. I loved the first novel, too, in this series. I listened to the story as an Audible.com download. The narrator was wonderful and perfect for the story. On Amazon the novel has ranked at #1 on Christian Women's Fiction but there's a lot of romance in the novels, too, and the story is listed under Clean Romance. 

The book is available in multiple formats and published by Waterfall Press, Amazon's imprint. They specially pick authors to publish for them. Ruth Logan Herne does a fantastic job with her stories so it is not wonder they invited her. 

We got to know Nurse Practitioner Thea in book one. She's got some dark secrets and deep hurts. Thea also has a sky-wide big heart. I love all the children who populate the book. As a former psychologist I was delighted how Ruth nailed all the possible reactions kids can have to difficult situations. Dr. Ethan Brandenburg is an interesting and well-developed character. He's not perfect. He has some big flaws. And he has a big spiritual arc that I loved. You'll need to listen to or read the story to find out what happens with these two. 

I can't wait for the next book in this series!!! Highly recommend!!! 

Publisher's Summary

Ruth Logan Herne, the bestselling author of Welcome to Wishing Bridge, invites readers back to the small town where big dreams come true.

After surviving the streets of South Philly, Thea Anastas never thought she’d wind up working in rural New York. But a call from a friend in need convinced the nurse practitioner to make the trip. Now her temporary position is making a difference in Wishing Bridge—though Thea can’t afford to make a difference, to fill a gaping hole in the sweet, small town. After all, the current medical practice is being dissolved in three months, and bigger opportunities are luring her away…

Her partner, Dr. Ethan Brandenburg, has his own struggles: caring for his orphaned niece and nephew and holding firm to his decision to leave Wishing Bridge for a prestigious job in Chicago. Though Thea’s no-nonsense advice in the office has been good for business, her compassion in Ethan’s personal life has been good for his heart. But how can he offer a commitment to a woman when they’re both about to say goodbye?

Wishing Bridge may be surrounded by forests and farms, but Thea is starting to realize that friendships and family form its heart—and that what she wants in life and love may be right in front of her eyes.

GIVEAWAY: Giving away winner's choice of a paperback copy or a Kindle copy. Leave a comment to enter. 

Audiobook Review of A Changed Agent by Tracey J. Lyons

Audiobook Review of A Changed Agent  (Brilliance Audio, 2016)
by Tracey J. Lyons

An Entertaining Listen!
Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

I listened to this novel via an audible.com download. This September I had the privilege of meeting Tracey J. Lyons in Nashville at a Christian writers' conference and readers' event. We're also both members of Romance Writers of America's Professional Authors Network.  It's been my experience that an author's personality is often reflected in their writing voice. And I found that to be true in this listen. Ms. Lyons is a delightful woman as was her heroine, Elsie Mitchell, a schoolteacher.  I really enjoyed this story!

A Changed Agent had a nice flow to it and the narration was also good. There were some surprises -- such as with Elsie's former fiancé.

The hero, William Benton, an undercover Pinkerton agent, has some emotional baggage he needs to deal with. He also now has the responsibility of taking care of his niece and nephew. William works a deal with Elsie to help him out with their care in return for enough compensation that she can go on her next big trip. Elsie loves to travel! But will this faux lumberjack foreman cause her to want to stay put?

Bibliotherapy: Abandonment, orphans, parenting, deception, and second chances.

This book is available in ebook (Waterfall Press), paperback, and audio formats. Since Christian historical romances are difficult to find, and because the narration was good for this lovely story, I'd recommend the audio version.

Noela Nancarrow reviews STEALING JAKE by Pam Hillman

Stealing Jake

Stealing Jake
by Pam Hillman
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (2011)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow
~5 Stars~ *****

Intriguing Historical Romance with a Great message!

It’s 1874 in the small but growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, on the outskirts of Chicago. The times are turbulent and everyone is doing it tough. But no one more so than the grimy homeless street urchins from Chicago, who have learnt the art of pick-pocketing in a bid to survive. Working in teams of two and with slick movements, the street kids lighten the pockets of unsuspecting men and women upon the boardwalks and streets of Chestnut. 
Young Luke, the self-appointed caretaker of these kids, is simultaneously on a determined yet risky mission to rescue his five year old brother from the clutches of the ruthless men running an illegal sweatshop.  The gripping and heartrending story of Luke’s and the other children’s dire circumstances is a powerful and tragic tale told throughout this amazing novel.

Livy O’Brien understands these misunderstood street kids and their bleak situation only too well. A runaway from Chicago, she’s come to Chestnut to make a new life for herself and feels blessed to have been taken in by Mrs. Brooks who runs the town’s orphanage. Livy would love to get these street kids into the orphanage, but getting these children on the run from the law to trust her, seems almost impossible.

Complicating things for Livy is Jake Russell, Chestnut’s charming, green-eyed and broad-shouldered Deputy Sheriff. Her first encounter with the deputy was delightful and impacting to say the least, but epitomizes the great effect they end up having on each other. But where Livy had a heart of compassion and understanding for the street kids, Jake was dubious and wanting to lock them up. Can Livy convince Jake to trust her about these young boys? From the very beginning sparks were flying between Jake and Livy, however Jake was a deputy and Livy was running from the law. Can Livy continue to run from her heart’s longing when Jake captures it? And as a man of law, what will he do when he suspects Livy?

Stealing Jake captures your attention from the first page and never lets it go. A thoroughly entertaining and intriguing historical romance that’s chock-full of action, suspense, inspiration, and a beautiful and delectable love story between the two charismatic heroes. There’s also a very stirring and encouraging message in this story about moving on and leaving your past behind, realizing it does not have to be your legacy nor your destiny. Yesterday does not have to define you and with God’s help, He can make all things new!

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This book may be purchased through Amazon, CBD, Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores.

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QUESTION: Have you ever left something negative (i.e. behavioral, attitude, or dysfunctional family, etc) behind in your past, and what helped you to do that? "LIKE" Pam's FB Author Page (and let us know), and answer the question to enter!

GIVEAWAY: OWG will be giving away a copy of either of Pam's books (winner's choice) and Pam is offering a signed paperback of her new-to-print 'Claiming Mariah'! (Thanks Pam!) E-book for winner's outside of USA.

Be sure to leave your E-MAIL for contact purposes if you are the winner!

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Julie Lessman's new release "A Love Surrendered" Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

A Love Surrendered

A Love Surrendered
by Julie Lessman
(Revell, 2012)

Loved this book! 

Susannah Grace Kennedy, or  "Annie" used to be called Grace by her older sister and parents. Now an orphan, Annie brings her younger sister, Glory, to Boston where they must live with a spinster aunt. (Beautiful story arc with the aunt.) Their older sister, Maggie, lives in Hollywood and from all the tales she told of her time at college in Boston, Annie longs to follow in her sister's footsteps.  Unfortunately, the innocent young women has no idea of how "fast" her sister's crowd was.  She's about to find out!

Enter Steven O'Connor, prohibition agent and Maggie's former beau, who knows all too well the cost of failing to keep himself from moral turpitude.  Although Annie knows who he is, Stephen doesn't realize the young beauty he attempts to protect is Maggie's little sister. He makes it his mission to protect her from both the young women she's been associating with and the men who seek to take advantage of her innocence.

Julie does a great job of moving the reader past the "ew" factor of having two sisters in love with the same man, who has been a lover to the older sister. She's dealt with similar territory before in the extended O'Connor family and knows how to hook the reader and get them so involved they can understand why the characters might still fall in love.

Stephen and Annie both have their own spiritual issues to resolve. Annie finds a woman at church who begins guiding her--Stephen's older sister! Beautifully rich scenes where Annie is pulled into the circle of the O'Conner women's open arms. In fact, the entire extended O'Connor clan shows up in this novel, which is marvelous!

Wonderful secondary storyline woven in of Patrick and Marcy's progress in making decisions whether to adopt their foster daughter or not.  Always love the scenes with the parents and can't wait to read their story "A Light in the Window" which is available for pre-order now. 

Bibliotherapy: Sexual abstinence, foster parenting vs. adoption, sibling issues, alcohol use and abuse,  forgiveness, and loss of parents. Lots of great reading about overcoming!

The only problem with this book is that it concludes Julie Lessman's six books series! BUT--I ordered the audiobook, the first audiobook available, and so I can listen to this story again! And I have the pre-quel ahead of me!  I could not wait for the audiobook so I read the NG download on my Kindle.

As usual we have Passion with a Purpose all through this book.  Julie's mission is to caution young women about making poor decisions in relationships that have veered toward the mainly physical attraction and to find God's best for their lives.

A Love Surrendered has been placed on my Best of 2012 list!!!

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Julie Lessman's books can be purchased on CBD, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Lifeway, and other book stores.

GIVEAWAYS: Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week's contests. Three drawings will be done this week for all the posts, with the last one late Saturday, your choice of Julie's books and choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. 

*International winners will only receive the book in ebook format, not as a paperback.

Readers: Which of Julie's books have you most related to?  Which had a theme of overcoming that resonated with you?

Audiobook Review of Karen Witemeyer's Short Straw Bride by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Short Straw Bride

Short Straw Bride
By Karen Witemeyer
(Bethany House, 2012)                           

5 stars*****

I listened to Short Straw Bride as an audible.com download.  A great listen!  

Karen Witemeyer's Short Straw Bride reflects themes of parental death, responsibility for family, and isolation from other as a means of protection.  Set in post-Civil War Texas, a young girl, Meredith Hayes, crosses the line onto Archer land. The young men, orphans, have as their family head Travis Archer, the oldest boy.

Travis blames himself for his father's death. His guilt and a commitment he made to his father imprisons him and his brothers on their land.

A decade later, Meredith overhears something that sends her back to the Archers.  All these years, she has harbored feelings for Travis.  An adult orphan now, her aunt and uncle are pushing her into an unsuitable marriage. 

I love the "Short Straw Bride" title and the theme in the book, which was very clever.  And Meredith has a physical issue that Karen well incorporates into the storyline.

I don't want to spoil the story, but I will say this book had it all--voice that was great for the characters (and a narrator for this audiobook who was very good), tight storyline, and great characterization and romance.  

Don't miss out on this!  And if you enjoy audiobooks, I highly recommend this latest release by Karen Witemeyer!


Karen Witemeyer's books can be purchased at Amazon, CBD, B & N, Lifeway and other Christian book stores. 



Giveaway:  Karen is giving away a signed copy of SSB this week and we are offering a choice of any of Karen's books, choice of format (international winners ebook only.)  

Interview With Lynnette Bonner by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Lynnette Bonner

Lynnette Bonner is the author of High Desert Haven, book 2, and of Rocky Mountain Oasis, book 1 in The Shepherd’s Heart series.

I met Lynnette through our mutual friend Marian Baay who does guest reviews for us. Marian loved Lynnette’s stories and suggested she contact me for a spot on Overcoming Through Time - With God's Help.

Lynnette, welcome to Overcoming Through Time.  Would you share either the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help, or the most tragic situation or circumstance one of your character’s has had to get past?

One difficult thing in my life early on, was heading off to boarding school at the age of 8. My parents were missionaries and there weren’t a lot of educational options on the field. The first couple of years were pretty tough, but in the long run, I think my relationship with the Lord was strengthened because of it – I had nowhere to turn but to Him. And later I learned to love boarding school. I still have strong bonds with many of my friends from those years.

In my adult years, I could name several things that have been difficult; being a pastor’s wife…, raising children…, persevering until I finally got published…. But through all of those circumstances, I’ve learned that the best place to turn when the going gets tough is to the Lord. Prayer really does make a difference, if only in my perspective.

What is your favorite bible verse and why?

This is a question to ponder, isn’t it? How does one pick just one jewel from a treasure trove full of them? Still, one of my favorite verses comes from Jeremiah, chapter 29, verse 11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Disability friendliness:

Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio? 

Currently none of my books are available as recorded audio books, but all of my stories are available for Kindle and are text to speech enabled.

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your books and why?

I think, as I’m winding down writing my fourth full novel within the next week or so, the one main message I would love for my readers to hear is this: Life is hard. We are all faced with painful circumstances as a result of sin in this world. But with the Lord’s help, we can forge ahead and press on, and even make a difference in this world for the better. A relationship with Jesus is the key to true happiness on this earth.

As you researched your books, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?

For book 3 in The Shepherd’s Heart series, Fair Valley Refuge, I did quite a bit of research on the orphan trains. Many of the stories tugged at my heart strings. Families too poor to be able to properly care for their children often took them to the orphanage steps and left them there during the night. Others truly were orphans, but were separated from siblings in order to secure them homes. Many never saw each other again. Some went to good homes. Some to homes where people only wanted the free labor.

But the piece of research I’ve done that has probably most touched my heart is for a series I haven’t even started yet that will be set on the island of Zanzibar and in East Africa during the late 1800’s. Many people don’t realize that slavery from the east coast of Africa continued long after most of the slavery from the west coast had been abolished. And some of the things those poor people had to endure are enough to bring tears to your eyes. Women who weren’t strong enough to carry both their child and the load of ivory the slavers wanted them to pack to the coast from the interior, had their children killed before their eyes. Young boys, sought after as eunuchs for Indian, Arab, and Chinese royalty, were castrated by the thousands. Only 1 in 10 survived the unsterile procedure. One in ten!

I could go on. But just those glimpses of my research will give you a taste of the heartbreak.

High Desert Haven by Lynnette Bonner

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?

In High Desert Haven my heroine Nicki has just lost her husband. It was a forced marriage and she didn’t really love him, but she still grieves his loss. And then has to come to terms with how she is going to forge ahead and overcome the new situation she finds herself in. So a particularly applicable topic would be grief.


Click here to order Lynnette's books from Amazon.

Thank you, Lynnette, for agreeing to answer these questions.  Have a blessed day and keep on writing!!


GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week's contest. Drawing will be late Saturday. Your choice of Lynnette's books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners only receive the book in ebook format, not as a paperback.