A Bride In The Bargain by Deeanne Gist

Here's The Story: In 1860s Seattle, a man with a wife could secure himself 640 acres of timberland. But because of his wife's untimely death, Joe Denton finds himself about to lose half of his claim. Still in mourning, his best solution is to buy one of those Mercer girls arriving from the East. A woman he'll marry in name but keep around mostly as a cook.
Anna Ivey's journey west with Asa Mercer's girls is an escape from the griefs of her past. She's not supposed to be a bride, though, just a cook for the girls. But when they land, she's handed to Joe Denton and the two find themselves in a knotty situation. She refuses to wed him and he's about to lose his land. With only a few months left, can Joe convince this provoking--but beguiling--easterner to be his bride?
My Review: 

Where do I even start? I just have to say I'm in love with this book, the characters, the plot, the setting, everything!! I felt like I really connected with the Joe and Anna, felt what they felt; pain, love, heartache and joy. Sure there are a few historical errors but this is a book. No matter how hard you try you'll never make a book perfectly accurate. You know why? Because research will never truly uncover what was really there. If you're looking for a book that will make you want to run out and buy every other book from this author then this is the one for you. I know I will be picking up more from Deeanne Gist's list on my next book haul

The Dating Games #1 by Melody Carlson

The Story: 
Five high school friends have one thing in common as they start their sophomore year: none of them have ever been on a "real" date. With homecoming looming, they make a pact and start a secret club they call the DG (Dating Game). They're sworn to secrecy--and to purity--but the club is their way to set each other up on their first dates so they can report back to the DG. Of course, they all make different choices about how to deal with their parents and how to act on their dates, and they discover that they all have totally different experiences. Still, the things they learn about boys and dating will stick with them throughout high school.
Bestselling author and teen favorite Melody Carlson starts off her newest series with a good dose of fun, tackling two topics teen girls love to read about--friends and boys. 

My Review: 
First off I love to read YA especially when it has a Christian base. I didn't get much out of this book spiritually but overall it was a great novel.It was a quick read and I would recommend it for ages 14+.
*Parents
Before letting your child read this book I caution that you speak to them about dating and how you feel about it and your rules.

I've always had the feeling that dating was something that was to be done when you found the right guy but this book treats dating like your first date is just something to get out of the way.
Don't get me wrong this is a great book with good characters that teaches girls about friendship and how to stick together but I wouldn't recommend it to girls who are home-schooled or don't understand what dating is truly about.

I felt as though I connected with the character Cassidy most in the book. She wanted to wait until college to date but she let her friends convince her to join the "Dating Games" club. I felt as though she should have stood her ground.
I at 19 years of age still haven't had a "First Date" and I'm happy with that,I even went to prom with a guy friend.
So in closing I will give this book 3 stars because I did enjoy it but only because I am firm in my decision to not date.

Butterfly Palace by Colleen Coble

                                                         * * * * */5
                                                         Here's The Story: 
When Lilly Donnelly arrives at the Cutlers' famed Butterfly Mansion in 1899, the massive house and unfamiliar duties threaten to overwhelm her. Victorian Austin is lavish, highly political, and intimidating, but with the help of the other servants, Lilly resolves to prove herself to her new employers.
Then, while serving at an elegant dinner party, Lilly recognizes one distinguished guest as Andrew, the love of her life, who abandoned her without a word back home. He seems to have assumed a new identity and refuses to acknowledge her, leaving her confused and reeling.
Before Lilly can absorb this unwelcome news, she's attacked. Could it be the sinister Servant Girl Killer who has been terrorizing Austin? Or is it someone after something more personal--someone from her past?
Does she dare trust Andrew to help or is he part of the danger threatening to draw Lilly into its vortex?
My Review: 
Yet another amazing intriguing novel from Colleen. I love that I can read a mystery that can keep me guessing and a romance that will make me sigh from how amazingly sweet it is at the same time. I felt like I was swept away into another time and not until I looked up and saw my modern technology did I realize I wasn't.  Colleen is a master story teller and I can't wait for her next novel. 

Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck

The Story: 
Regina Beswick never dreamed of faraway places. She’s happy with her life as a classic car mechanic and owner of a restoration shop.
But an unexpected visitor and the discovery of a fairytale, drawn by her great-grandma, causes Regina to wonder if she might be destined for something more.
Tanner Burkhardt, Minister of Culture for the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg, must convince the strong-willed Southerner, Miss Beswick, that she is his country’s long-lost princess. Failure could destroy his reputation and change his nation forever.
As Regina and Tanner face the challenges before them, neither are prepared for love to invade their hearts and change every thing they believe about themselves.
However, when a royal opponent nearly destroys Regina’s future, she must lean into God and trust He has sovereignly brought her to her true and final destiny.
My Review: 
 I really enjoyed this books predecessor Once Upon A Prince, but have to say I did not enjoy Princess Ever After as much. I found Regina to be a very selfish character and couldn't identify with her at all. I would like to think if the same situation were to happen to me I would be more worried about the country and its citizens that would cease to exist than about my car restoring business that I hadn't been running very long. I think Rachel Hauck is an amazing author but this particular story and set of characters didn't really bring me into what was supposed to be a royal fairytale.I was raised to not run away from responsibility so this story just grated against my upbringing. I did not like Regina and wouldn't want her to be my sovereign. All in all if you're looking for a quick non-deep book then you may love this Princess Ever After. I am looking forward to Rachel's next book with another set of characters.

The Trouble With Cowboys By Denise Hunter

                                                        Here's The Story:
Only one pair of boots-and the cowboy wearing them-can get Annie out of the mess she's in.
 Annie Wilkerson is Moose Creek's premiere horse trainer and equine columnist for "Montana Living." Money is tight as she tries to put her kid-sister through college and provide for her young nephew.
When Annie's column is cancelled, she's given first shot at a new lovelorn column-and she can't afford to turn it down. Only problem is . . . Annie's never been in love.
Always resourceful, she reluctantly strikes a deal with the town's smooth-talking ladies' man Dylan Taylor: She'll work with his ailing horse, Braveheart, if he'll help her answer the reader letters.
Working closely with Dylan is harder than Annie imagined, and she quickly realizes she may have misjudged him. But her unwavering conviction that cowboys are nothing but trouble has kept her heart safe for years. And she can't risk getting hurt now.
The more Annie tries to control things, the more they fall apart. Her feelings are spinning out of control, and her sister's antics are making life increasingly more difficult. Annie knows she needs to turn the reins over to God, but surrender has never come easily.
When Dylan reveals his feelings for her, Annie doesn't know what to trust-her head or her heart.
The trouble with "this" cowboy is that he might just be exactly what she needs.
My Review:  
I was pleasantly surprised with Trouble For Cowboys. I picked it up at a local bookstore on sale looking for a quick read. I got a lot more. I was pulled into the characters lives, when they felt anxiety I felt it, when they felt happiness so did I. I loved the fact that I got romance,humor,mystery and true love all in one book, I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Denise Hunter. She has earned herself another reader.

Tidewater Inn by Colleen Coble

Here's The Story: Welcome to Hope Beach. A place of intoxicating beauty . . . where trouble hits with the force of a hurricane.
Inheriting a beautiful old hotel on the Outer Banks could be a dream come true for Libby. The inn cries out for her restorer's talent and love of history. She's delighted to learn of the family she never knew she had. And the handsome Coast Guard lieutenant she's met there on the island could definitely be the man of her dreams.
But Libby soon realizes that the only way she can afford the upkeep on the inn is to sell it to developers who are stalking the island. The father who willed her the inn has died before she could meet him, and her newfound brother and sister are convinced she's there to steal their birthright. Worst of all, her best friend and business partner has been kidnapped before her eyes, and Libby's under suspicion for the crime.
 Libby's dream come true is becoming a nightmare. Her only option is to find her friend and prove her innocence, or lose everything on the shores of Hope Island.

My Review:
  Tidewater Inn! What an amazing book. I have been a long time reader of Colleen Coble but that hasn't change anythig, she still manages to hook me with each new book. I love how she writes about Faith,Romance and mystery all the while letting you into the characters life. Colleen never writes a a book with half a heart. I can not wait for the sequel in July!!

On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin

Here’s The Story:
Lt. Georgiana Taylor has everything she could want. A comfortable boyfriend back home, a loving family, and a challenging job as a flight nurse. But in July 1943, Georgie’s cozy life gets decidedly more complicated when she meets pharmacist Sgt. John Hutchinson. Hutch resents the lack of respect he gets as a noncommissioned serviceman and hates how the war keeps him from his fiancée. While Georgie and Hutch share a love of the starry night skies over Sicily, their lives back home are falling apart. Can they weather the hurt and betrayal? Or will the pressures of war destroy the fragile connection they’ve made?

My Review:
I won On Distant Shores though a giveaway, all opinion’s are true and my own.
This is a very well written book. I didn’t have any problems reading it and didn’t catch myself turning the pages back and asking myself “When did that happen?”
The characters were very lifelike, it felt as if I really knew them. Georgie is such a wonderful character and I found myself wishing that I had a friend like her.
Georgie and Hutch struggled with real life problems that even though this book is set during WWII can be applied in a different way to today’s time.
This book is also rich in history and I’m sure not even the pickiest of history buffs could find fault in Sarah’s research.
So if your looking for a great Christian Fiction reach this is it.  On Distant Shores was rich with history,romance and action. There’s so much you can learn from historical fiction and Sarah Hit the nail on the head. 5 stars! Now I want more!!