Diana Flowers Reviews A Bride's Rogue in Roma, Texas by Darlene Franklin

A Bride's Rogue In Roma, Texas

 

 

A Bride's Rogue In Roma, Texas

By Darlene Franklin

Barbour Publishing, 2012

 

Reviewed by Diana Flowers

4.5 stars****

 

A Heartwarming Summer Read!

 

In A Bride's Rogue in Roma, Texas, author Darlene Franklin has penned a heartwarming story of healing, redemption, and reconciliation---that sweeps the reader from the sedate town of Roma to the magnolia, citrus, and burning coal scents of the Rio Grande River.

 

The straight-laced Blanche Lamar feels all alone in the world...having recently lost her mother to death, and her father many years ago to life on the river. J.O. Lamar, Blanche's father and captain of the steamboat, Cordelia, had started running it up and down the Rio Grande before she was ever born. After her mother's death, Blanche receives a summons from her father via handsome Ike Gallagher, stipulating that she must spend time aboard the Cordelia before she can inherit it.

 

Thus begins the adventure of a lifetime as the sheltered Blanche learns how to steer the great riverboat under the tutelage of the delightful and crusty Old Obie, and butts heads with the gambling rogue, Ike, over how the Cordelia should be run. Will she learn to love life on the river?...even as dangers of the heart and the calamities of the Rio Grande threaten to engulf her? Is her father still alive...and if so, where is he and why did he desert Blanche and her mother all those many years ago? And is her relationship with Ike doomed from the start since he is not a believer?

 

This is the first book I have read from this author and it was a delight! Full of adventure, wonderful main and secondary characters (I loved Old Obie!), and interspersed with the message of salvation and redemption, this one is guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings. This is a light, well-written, clean read that even your teenage daughters would love! Nicely done, Ms. Franklin!

 

This book may be purchased through Amazon, CBD, BAM, and your local bookstore.

 

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Giveaway: Winner's choice of any of Darlene's books in paperback or ebook as available (ebook only for international winner.) If you are an OWG follower put OWG for an extra entry. **Please remember to leave your email address.**

 

 

Question: Blanche had to leave her comfort zone and experience life on a riverboat. Have you ever had to leave your comfort zone for awhile...and if so, did you enjoy it?



Diana Flowers Reviews Lily by Diane T. Ashley and Aaron McCarver

Lily

Lily by Diane Ashley & Aaron McCarver
Barbour Publishing, 2012

Reviewed by Diana Flowers
5 stars~*****

                         

A Most Delightful Summer Read!

In Lily, co-authors Diane Ashley and Aaron McCarver, sweep us away to historical Natchez, Mississippi; replete with southern plantations, steamboats, magnificent balls, and the bustling sights and smells of the Mississippi River.

Lily Anderson and her two younger sisters live with their grandmother, and aunt and uncle on Les Fleurs Plantation, after the tragic death of their mother and the abandonment of their father. Lily is feeling forced by her aunt and uncle to marry someone unsuitable, and concocts an incredible scheme...to leave the plantation and live where she has dreamed of living ever since she was a child-on the river aboard a steamship. She talks her grandmother into giving her her inheritance, and purchases the Hattie Belle, unaware that she is half owner with none other than the gambler, Blake Matthews!

Lily and Blake butt heads immediately as Lily wants to deliver cargo such as corn and sugarcane, whereas Blake wants to use it to create the biggest and best riverboat gambling casino on the Mississippi. Although Blake has beautiful, mesmerizing blue eyes, Lily has no intention of ever trusting another man after the abandonment of her father. But, when the wealthy and handsome, Jean Luc, begins to show an interest in Lily, has she finally found a man she can trust? And who becomes the captain of the Hattie Belle?...threatening to turn her world upside down? Who is out to destroy the Hattie Belle's business and why?

Ever since I watched the musical, Showboat, on tv years ago, I have always loved the rich, southern river settings with the steamboats and the big paddle wheels! This is my first novel by Diane Ashley and Aaron McCarver and it certainly did not disappoint. With wonderful main characters, and equally charming secondary characters, I was entranced to the very end! I loved the romantic tension between the main characters throughout the story, and the romance between Lily's slave and a crew member on the Hattie Belle stole my heart. A story of love, forgiveness, and salvation, the satisfying conclusion is guaranteed to leave you grabbing the tissue box.



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

Diane's books can be purchased through Amazon, CBD and other bookstores.

Giveaway: One of Diane's and Aaron's books will be given away this week. Extra counts given to OWG Followers. Simply put OWG at the end of your comment.
 
Question: Lily has major trust issues because of her father's abandonment. Has anyone in your life ever caused you to have problems trusting others?

Teresa Mathews Reviews Lily by Diane T. Ashley and Aaron McCarver

Lily by Diane Ashley

and Aaron McCarver 

Barbour Publishing, 2012

Reviewed by Teresa Mathews 

4.5 Stars

In this story Diane Ashley and Aaron McCarver have transported us back in time to Natchez, Mississippi, where we are introduced to life on the Mississippi River via steamboat. 

Lily Anderson from the day she was born has had the love of the Mississippi in her blood, having been raised on it until the accidental death of her mother when Lily was a young girl. Since that time Lily and her younger sisters have lived with her mother's parents after their father dropped them off never to return. He obviously didn't want the responsibly of raising three daughters alone.

Lily's grandfather has just passed away and now her Aunt Dahlia's husband is taking over the family's responsibilities and wants to force Lily into marrying a much older man. Lily does not want to marry this man or any other man for that matter, since her father's abandonment Lily has never trusted men. After a talk with her Grandmother Lily is able to get her inheritance without having to  go through her uncle. Little does her grandmother know that Lily will soon be back on the same river that took her daughter's life, as co-owner of a beautiful steamboat, the Hattie Belle.

Blake Matthews' father was a minister but in spite of that fact Blake finds himself on the Mississippi running gambling tables. Blake is well known for his honesty so if a man leaves his tables having lost all his money it wasn't because Blake cheated him. When the son of a well known business man comes to Blake's boat to have a little fun and leaves having signed an IOU giving Blake possession of the Hattie Belle, it wasn't Blake's fault lady luck had smiled on him. When he shows up at their mansion to claim the title Blake has no clue he will not be the only person with a claim to the Hattie Belle.

When Lily shows up to claim the Hattie Belle she is shocked to find Blake there already remodeling the boat to make it one of the best gambling boats to ever sail the Mississippi. Lily and Blake really butt heads when he finds out she will not allow any gambling on her boat, and since she has controlling interest it's decided the Hattie Belle will be carrying various cargo instead of gamblers. There is someone that will stop at nothing to get their hands on the Hattie Belle. Will Lily and Blake survive the attack that comes their way?

I found this story to be quite an enjoyable read, I loved all the characters, and how Diane and Aaron brought them all to life. The story line was easy to follow and I found myself quite drawn into it. I also enjoyed how Blake was shown the way to Christ, and how Lily came to terms with the unforgiveness she held for her father. There were a few unexpected surprises and a lot of moments of wondering how it was going to end. All in all I greatly enjoyed it and would love to read more by these authors in the future.

I would like to say thank you to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for giving me an arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lily may be purchased at CBD, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

Giveaway: One of Diane's and Aaron's books will be given away this week. Extra counts given to OWG Followers. Simply put OWG at the end of your comment.


QUESTION: Blake's father was a minister and Blake instead of following in the way he was taught, rebelled. Did you have a strict upbringing and if so did you have a hard time adhering to it?