Christian Romances

Homespun Bride

Author: Jillian Hart

Published By: Steeple Hill

Date Published: February 1, 2009

Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Romance, Western

Pages: 288

Recommended Age: Adult

Read & Reviewed By: Me

Rating: C/3

It’s from my personal Kindle library.

Summary:

Noelle Kramer has been blind for about five years because of a horse and buggy accident. Living in Montana Territory during 1883 makes it hard for a blind person to maneuver around, but Noelle is determined to remain independent. When a runaway horse nearly plungs her into a freezing lake a stranger rescues her. She then realizes it’s not a stranger at all, but Thad McKaslin her ex-beau. She hasn’t seen Thad since he ditched her five years ago and left Montana.

Thad came back to Montana after five years to find the love of his life was blind.  After losing Noelle five years ago, Thad’s faith had been terribly shaken, and then finding she went blind had him questioning his faith even more.

My Thoughts:

I have been trying to read more Christian fiction lately, especially Christian Romance, so I acquired this e-book last week. I liked it.  I always loved romances set in the old west and I like the character of Noelle. Steeple Hill created a town with interesting characters that the reader is able to picture them with clarity. Take Noelle’s aunt for instance, the way she spoke and her opinion on subjects made the reader chuckle right along with Noelle.

I gave Homespun Bride only three stars and a grade of C, because I felt something was lacking. I felt it needed more of a story line than Thad trying to find his way back to God, and the only thing keeping Thad and Noelle apart is Noelle’s belief that she wouldn’t make a good wife. She felt being blind kept her from living a full life and that she had to give up her dreams.  The story line seems to need more meat to it.

If you love Christian Romances, I recommend Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart.  It’s a sweet love story and with some good Christian wisdom written into the story.

Language: None

Adult Content: None

Violence: None

_____________________________________________________

Redeeming Love

Author: Francine Rivers

Published By: Multnomah Books

Date Published: May 9th 2005 (first published November 1st 1991)

Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance

Pages: 464

Recommended Age: Mature Adults

Read and Reviewed By: Me

Rating: A/5

This is from my own private library.

Summary:

This is retelling of the book Hosea in the Old Testament of the Holy bible.

Set in California’s gold country in 1850 Angel doesn’t trust anyone, especially men. She was sold into prostitution as a child and it’s the only skill she knows, she’s the best prostitute at the Pair-of-Dice. She meets Michael Hosea, a man after God’s own heart. God tells Michael to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally.  Angel agrees to marry him after she was beaten close to death by her Madam’s bodyguard. Her ice-cold heart fights against the love that God and Michael is offering her. Her heart slowly softens towards Michael and starts to love him, but with it comes feelings of being unworthy. She runs away a few times before she accepts the healing that can only come from the Lord.

My Thoughts:

I love, love this book. I deem it the best book I read of 2015. My pastor’s wife, Angel Boll had me and others read this book for a women’s six week Bible study. After I read the prologue I practically threw it aside, thinking I could never read this book. Out of love for my fellow Sister-in-Christ I picked it back up and forced myself to read it, but once I made it past the harsh reality of the character’s childhood I could not put the book down. I read 464 pages within forty-eight hours.

I believe Rivers did a fantastic job recreating the story of Hosea. This is not an easy book to read.  It speaks of the harsh realities in this evil world that majority of us want to pretend is not happening (human trafficking, abuse, neglect, etc.), even me. This book is filled with a roller coaster ride of emotions. It’s also a spiritual journey that reader goes on with the heroine. The reader will read about God’s unwavering love, forgiveness, mercy, and grace. It’s a fantastic book to read with and discuss with your fellow sisters-in-Christ.

Parents:

Language: None

Adult Content: Some sex scenes

Violence: Rape of a child

_________________________________________________