Noela Nancarrow reviews CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE by Regina Jennings

Caught in the Middle

Caught in the Middle
by Regina Jennings
Bethany House Publishers (April 1, 2014)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow
5 Stars *****

Our life’s journey is rarely ever what we expect. Nicholas (Nick) Lovelace and Anne Tillerton both discover this truth in this fabulous historical romance. These two endearing characters suddenly find their lives propelled in completely different directions to the paths they were navigating their lives along. The unpredictability throughout this heartily entertaining novel will keep you guessing as you revel in watching this couple find each other, God, and their life’s purpose.

Anne, wrapped in her pistol-hiding loose green duster and wearing a floppy slouch hat, finishes off the ensemble with men’s britches and donning her smelly boots. She’d do whatever it takes to be invisible and cause people to keep their distance. With a harrowing past that has caused Anne to be untrusting of everybody and in particular men, her experiences have overshadowed every aspect of her life creating in it a lack of peace, relationships, and an often isolated, uneasy existence.

Anne was on the train to Garber, Texas, to hunt down the woman that was the cook for her buffalo-hunting friends back in Pushmatha, when an alarming incident happened that was the prelude to a life-changing series of events. I loved the character of Anne who was an exceptionally well-rounded character, hardened and feisty, yet with a vulnerability and innocence about her.

Nick, the hero of the story was a refreshing and charming character. He’s someone you’d love to know – being a man that listens and is forever patient whilst possessing a fantastic sense of humor as well! He’s also ambitious and driven but open to God’s leading. When he meets up with Anne on the train, he’s intrigued by her, finding other ladies of his acquaintance extremely dull in comparison. But when Nick steps onto the political trail, will this scruffily-dressed woman looking more like a man than a woman, hinder his chances of success? Nick is facing pressures from his employers and the corruption that raises its ugly head in the political arena. Suddenly his life isn’t so clear cut and Nick and Anne find themselves caught in the middle of their dreams, growing feelings, and a baby thrown in the mix! When Nick’s perfectly-orchestrated life gets messed up, will he still be willing to trust God? And will Anne ever come to the place where she can trust anyone, let alone God?

‘Caught in the Middle’ is immensely enjoyable and gratifying, with heart-rending moments that’ll have you in tears. It also delivers a timeless message of how easy it is to believe when things are going well, with the real test of our faith and trust in God unfolding when we go through difficult times. Highly recommended!

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

GIVEAWAY: This week we have two giveaways.  Regina is giving away a signed paperback (thank you, Regina!) and we are giving away winner's choice of any of Regina's books, choice of format. (USA only.)

QUESTION: Has your life ever taken a direction that was a surprise to you?

Teresa Mathews Reviews Caught in the Middle by Regina Jennings

Caught in the Middle by Regina Jennings

Book 3 of the Ladies of Caldwell County

Bethany House Publishers

Reviewed by Teresa S. Mathews

5 Stars*****

When I was introduced to Regina Jennings books two years ago I knew her characters and I were going to become dear friends. So imagine my delight when I discovered this book would tell the story of a brave young woman we met in Sixty Acres and a Bride; Anne Tillerton.

Anne thought she could put the past behind her when she took up the harsh life of a buffalo hunter. Never again would Anne trust a man with her heart after being mistreated by her father as a child and abused as a young woman by her now deceased husband. Until that fateful day she ran into Nicholas Lovelace from back home. Anne doesn't need this, all she wants to do is find that silly cook Tessa and bring her back so she doesn't have to cook at the train depot at Pushmataha.

While waiting for the train to Garber, Texas Nicholas Lovelace, spies a woman dressed in the garb of a buffalo hunter and he knows there is only one beautiful woman that dresses that way; Anne Tillerton.  On the way back home the train is stopped by a group of robbers. When Nick tries to come to the rescue of a young lady that is being accosted by the robbers, he would have been shot had not the brave Ms. Tillerton intervened and shot the toe out of the said robber's boot. Nick happily realizes Anne still has dead aim!

When Anne finds Tessa she can't get the errant cook to agree to come with her. Instead Tessa flees and leaves behind a surprise for Anne; her sweet baby boy! What is a buffalo hunter supposed to do with a baby? Remembering that after she saved Nick's life he told her if she ever needed anything all she had to do was ask; Anne sets out to find Nick's office, surely he'll know what to do! Anne shows up at with the baby in tow and what follows is a story that had me going back and forth between laughing and gasping. Nick just wants to have a life in politics; Anne just wants to go back to her buffalo hunting. Well we all know you don't always get what you want but when God is in charge of the plans you always get just what you need!

This book is Regina Jennings at her finest; it is packed with excitement and romance and it truly blessed my heart to see how Anne came to terms with her past and learned to trust her heavenly Father. If you haven't read one of Regina's books then let this be your first and I promise you will want to rush out and grab the other two in this fun series. Thanks Regina for this truly satisfying read! 

***Thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House for providing me a copy of this in exchange for my honest opinion.***

You can purchase this and other books by Regina at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and CBD and other bookstores.

GIVEAWAY: This week we have two giveaways.  Regina is giving away a signed paperback (thank you, Regina!) and we are giving away winner's choice of any of Regina's books, choice of format. (USA only.)

Happy Mother's Day

Mom's Love Letter

Finding out I was going to have you filled my heart with joy,

At that moment I didn't care if you were a girl or a boy.

I just knew that you were a precious gift from God above,

and that you were someone with whom I had fallen in love.

My love for you began to grow at that very moment in time, 

From then on you were the thoughts that filled my mind.

Thoughts of how glad I would be to hold you in my arms; 

To see your beautiful face and be awestruck by your charms.

Thoughts of the wonderful things you would say and do. 

From that day on all my thoughts revolved around you.

It's been many years now since that wonderful day; 

The day that you were born and you stole my heart away.

I have cherished every moment I have watched you grow 

Every year I've loved you more than you will ever know.

You've always been the love of my life and the apple of my eye

and my heart will always follow after you until the day I die.

        Love, Mom  

        Teresa S. Mathews(c) 2013

                                              

  For our sweet viewers that no longer have their moms with them I want to share another poem that I wrote for Carrie and Diana last year. 

A Message from Mom

My sweet child I wanted you to know 

even though I'm not with you anymore I still love you so.

I know that you miss me and would love to have me near, 

but Heaven is such a beautiful place and I just love it here.

I have forgotten all my worries, and I don't have a care. 

Everything has been joyful and I haven't shed a tear.

Honey I must tell you I'm now feeling right as rain,

there's no more sickness here and no more pain.

Since I got here I have seen so many wonderful, marvelous things, 

I've seen beautiful flowers bloom and heard the heavenly choir sing.

I've worshiped at the throne of the Almighty and seen Jesus too;

I've walked the golden streets and had angels in view.

I've rested by the river of life, and chatted with old friends,

I've even been at the gate to welcome new ones in.

My sweet daughter I love you and I'm waiting for the day,

when you will be up here with me forever to stay.

Until that time comes please keep holding on to Jesus' hand,

and He will see you safely through and bring you to this glorious land.

Hugs and Kisses,

Mom

© Teresa Mathews 2013

Vow Unbroken by Caryl McAdoo Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

A Vow Unbroken by Caryl McAdoo
Howard Books (2014)

Loved this story!  Fresh strong voice from Caryl McAdoo, who, herself has personality aplenty like her heroine Susannah "Sue" Baylor.  The feisty widow, mother of a nine year old girl, and custodial aunt to a teen boy, is one of the most memorable characters I've encountered in some time! Sparks fly as soon as she meets with "supposed" ne'er do well Henry Buckmeyer, who turns out to be a perfect match for her strong-willed character.

I especially loved Blue Dog, who was a true hero. Our own labrador retriever was named Blue Dog because his fur was so black it looked blue. Sue's daughter, Rebecca, is personality plus, too.  And Levi, her nephew, is also a well-developed character.  Caryl had the dialogue down pat. This entire crew perfectly fits the well plotted and nicely paced story.

Bibliotherapy elements: Widowhood, single parenting, serving as a parent to a child who isn't your own, dealing with teenagers, learning to trust again, hard-headedness (in this case Sue Baylor had no idea what she was getting into and Caryl does a great job of showing how Henry saves her from herself!)

The writing has a sparse feel to it. I don't mind that, in fact I sometimes write similarly. There's a Louis L'Amour and All-American feel to Caryl's writing. It's hard to find stories that are for women yet have this clean feel to them, and are rustic.  Beautiful romance, one of the nicest I've seen in a while. I'm expecting this book to make it onto my best of 2014 list.

***Thanks To Howard Books and NetGalley for providing me a copy 

of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.***

You may purchase this wonderful book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and BAM.

Giveaway: We're giving away two copies of this stellar book this week!

Teresa Mathews Reviews Vow Unbroken by Caryl McAdoo

Vow Unbroken by Caryl McAdoo

Howard Books March 4, 2014

Reviewed by Teresa S. Mathews

5 Stars*****

Caryl McAdoo has penned a beautifully flowing story that introduces us to Susannah Abbot Baylor, a young spirited widow. Susannah is mother to her beautiful, precocious, nine year old daughter Rebecca and her orphaned nephew, Levi. Susannah has taken care of the children since that fateful day nearly ten years ago when both her husband and his brother were killed in a logging accident. Now it seems like this may be the year she fails to make ends meet and she could lose the land that is her children's inheritance.

When Susannah goes to sell her cotton crop to a local man he reneges on the price he promised her, so in anger Susannah decides to take her cotton to market herself. When Sue's friend tries to talk her out of going, she agrees to ask a local man, Henry Buckmeyer to go along as her paid worker. Susannah is sure he won't agree to go because it's rumored he is a lazy mama's boy!

When the beautiful Baylor widow shows up at his place, astride a horse in trousers Henry is a little shocked; especially when she half-heartedly asks him to accompany her on a trip along the Jefferson Trace to take her cotton to market. Thinking it will be a good opportunity to sell his furs and seeds too, Henry agrees to go with her. Besides it will be a good opportunity to get to know the woman he has been thinking about for years. He has heard a few rumors about her too and how every man that has come calling leaves when they learn of her vow and what it will require on their part. 

Even though she doesn't want to admit it right away Susannah comes to the conclusion it was a good decision to ask Henry to come along on this trip. She can't wait to get back home and set those old ladies in the community straight that judged him as a ne'er-do-well. Henry literally becomes a lifesaver on more than one occasion and if Sue isn't careful this handsome man just might turn out to be more than a hired hand!

Caryl McAdoo has certainly written a wonderful tale that will find it's way into your heart. You couldn't ask for more endearing characters; Henry, a man with a past that could have made him into a monster but instead it made him a sensitive man with a heart of gold and Susannah, a strong beautiful woman that has fought hard to provide a living for her family without the help of a husband. Caryl's sweet storytelling made me feel like I was enjoying this adventure up close and personal and by the time I had finished I felt like part of this precious family! Thanks Caryl for a truly satisfying read!

***Thanks To Howard Books and NetGalley for providing me a copy 

of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.***

You may purchase this great book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and BAM.

GIVEAWAY: We are giving away two copies of Caryl's book this week! Like Caryl's Amazon Page to enter, just add "A" to your comment to let me know you have liked the page. 

Don’t Worry, Be Happy! by Caryl McAdoo

Author Caryl McAdoo

Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

Such a worrier! Unbeknownst to my dear mother, she exampled the bad habit throughout my childhood and even until she went to live with Christ, so I came by it quite honestly. Oh how upset I’d get with my dear husband because he refused to join my fretting. “Caryl,” he would say, “why should I? You worry enough for both of us.”

“But the bills! They need to be paid, and what about the baby? He’s so sick.”

Then in my forties, I received a birthday card from Bill Gothard’s Basic Youth Conflict, a simple homemade stiff paper printed with ‘Worry Hinders Every Promise of God.’ I stuck it in my mirror—mostly because its paper was a pretty shade of green, my favorite color. Every day, I saw it there, usually more than once. Then one time as I glanced at it, as clear and up close as high definition TV, the Holy Spirit wrote the Truth across my heart.

Worry hindered God’s promises to me! Every one!

I repented and received forgiveness, then ever since—much to my beloved Ron’s penchant—I quit worrying. Completely. Through the years, my faith has grown strong, and my desire is to please Him. I want to bring glory to the One Who loves me so much that He offered His Son so I could be with Him forever. Once He opened my blinded eyes, I clearly saw the waste of worry. It never accomplishes anything, except maybe to make you sick. (Repent of confessing, “I’m worried sick!” Quick!)

And it’s the total opposite of faith! Hebrews 11:6 tells us “Without faith, it is impossible to please Him.” To worry insinuates God isn’t big enough or doesn’t care. I absolutely know that is not true. He always ALWAYS comes through, provides my needs, and watches over me. I’ve proven Him o’er and o’er, and encourage you to as well.

In my new historical Christian romance VOW UNBROKEN, more than ten times I’ve used the phrase “Don’t worry”. Here’s how my heroine Susannah Baylor thinks about it. “One thing she did know. She’d learned long ago that worrying about tomorrow never changed a thing, so she dismissed the elusive day and its troubles and focused on a completely different subject. That wasn't a hard thing for her.”

God grew Susannah’s faith through her twenties when she found herself widowed, pregnant, and the guardian of an orphaned nephew on a hard Tejas prairie in 1822. A wonderful Truth to learn so young, but whether a millennia ago or the twenty-first century, those who belong to God should abandon every whim to worry.  It brings His sweet peace that passes understanding.

Friends and family oft think I’m weird, but it’s a perfect opportunity to testify! Right now, I have no wheels. Well, I do to, but they have no transmission! In one week, I have a very hectic schedule tied in to the release of VOW UNBROKEN which includes twenty-six events in twenty-two cities, and seemingly no way to get there. Several people, with great anxiety in their tone, have asked, “But Caryl! What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know exactly, but I’m not worried about it. God knows my every need, and He already has a plan in place for me to get around. So, I’m just waiting on Him to reveal what that is. I am checking doors, but haven’t found an open one yet.” I’m at peace. I know He will provide, He always ALWAYS does.

Post Script: I wrote this February 26 and now I’m re-reading it on April 26. I want to testify to the great goodness of my Jehovah Jireh – God, My Provider! My sister let me borrow her car the first week of March to get to all my Book Launch Events while she was out of state. On Tuesday of the 2^nd week, I was told to go check makes and pick out a car, I went to Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Chevrolet, and Ford and chose a Toyota Corolla (they had a GREEN one J).  The next day I was told to go find the best price at all the Toyota dealerships in the Metroplex. I found the best out the door tax, title, and license price, and God’s chosen came and wrote a check for the Toyota! A brand new green 2014 Corolla with FIVE miles on it and put the car into my name! How can the devil EVER convince me God won’t take care of me? What would I ever have to worry about when He who sits on Heaven’s throne is my God?

A Vow Unbroken by Caryl McAdoo

BLURB:

Susannah Baylor reluctantly hires Henry Buckmeyer to help her along the Jefferson Trace, the hard stretch of land between her Texas farm and the cotton market, where she's determined to get a fair price for her crop. It's been a long, rough ten years and the widow's in danger of losing the land her husband and his brother left to her and the children, but she needs help to get both her wagons safely to Jefferson. She knows Henry's reputation as a lay-about and is prepared for his insolence, but she never expects his good looks or irresistible, gentle manner. Soon entwined in a relationship that only gets more complicated, she prays Henry comes to know God the way she does. Dangers arise on the trace, but none as difficult as the trial her heart faces. Will Susannah and Henry's love overcome their differences? And will she get her crop to market and sale it for enough to save her farm? In this heartening and adventurous tale, a young woman's fortitude, faith, and heart are put to the ultimate test. 

BIO:

Caryl McAdoo and her husband Ron—high school sweethearts—live with four grandsons in the woods south of Clarksville, the county seat of Red River County in Northeast Texas. She enjoys four-wheeling over the 916-acre McAdoo Ranch, horseback riding, and singing the new songs God gives her. For every blessing in her life, including ten children (counting in-loves) and fourteen grandsugars, Caryl credits her relationship with the Lord, and her heart’s desire is to glorify Him.

GIVEAWAYS: This week we'll be giving away two copies of Caryl's new release. Answer the following question: How has God provided for you when you were trusting Him for provision?

What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer - Audiobook Review by Carrie Fancett Pagels

What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Triple Power--Bibliotherapy, Audiobook, and Overall Novel (Kim's book will be included on my 2014 Best of List in December for ALL three components)

Amazing Story and Characters!  Kim Vogel Sawyer has hit a home run with this story. Continues to have her no nonsense but sweet voice, this has a solid believable story, and all the characters, even the minor ones, are well developed.

Heroine, Christina Willems, is left with a legacy of caring for others. But her shoulders cannot bear the weight all alone, despite her efforts to do so.  The author beautifully shows how God has to be trusted to provide. She's been running a poor farm with her father but now he has passed away.  But she is determined to continue caring for those in her charge. After the home is damaged she is able to place all the residents elsewhere except for a blind boy.

Levi Johnson has hidden off by himself for so long that his connections with others are almost nil. But when the mill owner is forced to take in a blind boy, he finds a part of himself that had gone missing. And as his heart softens, he makes room for Christina, too.

I listened to this book through Audible.com, as an audio download. I have a Platinum membership and will offer a credit for this book to one commenter who enjoys audiobooks if they would prefer this option for reading. Narration was excellent.

Bibliotherapy elements: Father's pocket watch is somewhat of a talisman for Christina and becomes an important item in the plot. Having one's faith tested. Fellowship with others. Coming back to the Lord.  All kinds of bibliotherapy elements. Also coping with unexpected pregnancy--one of the secondary characters, Cora, is dealing with the shame of unwed pregnancy. Hypocrisy in the church. Levi has the elements of not fully using his God-given talents. He also has to reconcile his feelings about his depressed father, who died a broken man. And the sweet blind boy at the core of the story becomes so competent under the tutelage of Levi that one begins to forget he was blind.


Skillfully told tale. Highly recommend! This book will be up for my 2014 Books of the Year for three categories: Book, audiobook, and bibliotherapy book.

Giveaway:We are giving away 2 copies of choice of Kim's books this week - Reader's choice of book and format including audiobook choice, as mentioned. (International winners ebook only or paperback if book is available through the Book Depository.) And a Starbuck's $10 gift card! "Like" Kim's Amazon Author page and put "AA" and answer this question to enter: Have you ever read a book about a poor house set in America? 

Here are a couple of other of Kim's new books:

                                                          

Kim's May 6th Release

Kim's January Release