THE SHEPHERD’S VOICE by ROBIN LEE HATCHER

Title: The Shepherd’s Voice

Author: Robin Lee Hatcher

Publisher: WaterBrook Press; 1st edition (July 18, 2000)

Pages: 384

This is the second book I’ve read by ROBIN LEE HATCHER in less than a few weeks. When I was just halfway through the first, I ordered THE SHEPHERD’S VOICE. Just after finishing THE SHEPHERD’S VOICE, I began reading TROUBLE IN PARADISE. You might say I’ve become an instant fan of MS HATCHER’S.

As a writer I tend to edit stories as I read. When I don’t, it says a lot about the author. That there work – in my eyes – has all that is needed for a great story. A wonderful plot, perfect pace, amazing character with a faultless beginning, middle and end.

Being a leader in the prison ministry through my church, the second I realized THE SHEPHERD’S VOICE involved a man that had been incarcerated, I had to read it. I love the whole twist on a prodigal son. Oh how I loved the hero and heroine. All the characters are so well developed. MS HATCER does an amazing job in doing the unexpected. One would certainly not call it predictable.

Gabe Talmadge spent years in prison for a crime his father was all too quick to convict him of. At his wits end, Gabe heads back to his father’s home in hopes of food, shelter and work.

Akira Macauley doesn’t hesitate to help a man she finds in desperate need of help. When it becomes clear he needs food and a place to stay, she offers him a job. Though others may find her too trusting, Akira puts her trust in God, and does as He calls her to do.

Looks like I have many more books to catch up on reading of MS HATCHER’S. 

THE BISHOP’S SON (THE AMISH OF BEE COUNTY) by KELLY IRVIN

Title: The Bishop’s Son (The Amish of Bee County) 

Author: Kelly Irvin

Publisher: Zondervan (September 29, 2015)

Pages: 368

Amazing or not I review each book I read, so I know it was in error that I somehow missed reviewing THE BISHOP’S SON (THE AMISH OF BEE COUNTY) by KELLY IRVIN. I am a HUGE fan of MS IRVIN’S in spite of the fact that I am not an Amish reading fan.

So with that said, and it having been several books that I have read since then, I can only tell you that I do recall loving it. That the writing is great, the plot excellent, and characters you will fall in love with. All common of MS IRVIN’S writing.

From the back cover:

Two men offer Leila two very different futures. Will she choose with her heart or with her faith?

Leila Lantz has been in love with Jesse Glick from the day she first saw him at his father’s store, but she can’t make sense of his intentions. One day he wants to come courting, the next he seems to be putting distance between them.

Jesse may be the bishop’s son, but his faith has been wavering of late. If he is so unsure, is it fair to give Leila false hope for a future he doubts he can provide?

Then there’s Will, Jesse’s cousin. He has been trying to keep his feelings for Leila a secret, but he also knows Jesse is wrestling with his faith. Would declaring his feelings for Leila be in her best interest or simply serving his own selfish desires?

Leila knows she can choose Will and be secure in her own future. But when her heart speaks, it’s Jesse’s name she hears. When will God make His will known to her? Could leaving everything she knows—even her own faith—be a part of God’s plan?

A VAST DIFFERENCE

GOD WILL USE THIS FOR GOOD: SURVIVING THE MESS OF LIFE by MAX LUCADO

Title: God Will Use This for Good: Surviving the Mess of Life

Author: Max Lucado

Publisher:   Thomas Nelson (September 17, 2013)

Pages: 64

I have yet to read a book by MAX LUCADO that I didn’t like, and GOD WILL USE THIS FOR GOOD: SURVIVING THE MESS OF LIFE is no exception. As soon as I spotted the title I had to have it. It is in a sense my motto in life. What a great little book to share with others who are struggling with the valleys in life. GOD WILL USE THIS FOR GOOD: SURVIVING THE MESS OF LIFE may be small in pages, yet it is huge in content. Would make a great idea for a Bible study, and cheap enough to purchase one for each person.

THE BUCKET LIST DARE by ANGELA BREIDENBACH, JESSICA FERGUSON , PAMELA S MEYERS, and LINDA W YEZAK

Title: The Bucket List Dare

Author: Angela Breidenbach, Jessica Ferguson, Pamela S Meyers, and Linda W Yezak

Publisher:  Gems (October 18, 2016)

Pages: 394

From the Back Cover

The Bucket List Dare -- Four stories of adventure...but do they dare to love too?

Four best friends--Texas A&M grads--challenge each other to revisit the bucket lists they made in college and tackle one daring item before they turn thirty. Living in different parts of the country and with birthdays on the horizon, the Aggie girls choose their adventure and work toward making it happen . . . with wonderful, unexpected results.

HER IMPOSSIBLE DREAM by ANGELA BREIDENBACH - Arabel Milligan, recently unemployed and with a new genealogical certification to her name, takes off for Scotland to discover the answer to a mysterious missing branch in her ancestral tree.

SAVE THE GROOM by JESSICA FERGUSON - Annie Flowers, a wedding photographer whose reputation is her pride and her job is her life, crashes the most extravagant wedding in the country.

WHAT LIES AHEAD by PAMELA S MEYERS - Kat Brownlee, an army veteran and amputee, has always dreamed of climbing the most challenging mountain she could find. Now that her life and body have been drastically altered--does she dare?

PAMELA S MEYERS sticks to proper writing, and not faltering from the rules of writing. WHAT LIES AHEAD is a unique story you are sure to enjoy.

SKYDIVING TO LOVE by LINDA W YEZAK - Jojo Merritt is a country veterinarian who has never jumped out of anything higher than a hayloft much less an airplane. How did that get on her bucket list?

As of today I have read just one other book by LINDA W YEZAK aside from SKYDIVING TO LOVE. The fact that I love, Give the Lady a Ride: Circle Bar Ranch Series, there is only one explanation, and that is that I am committed to reading other books and have not had the time to do so.

From the very first word of SKYDIVING TO LOVE, I was swept away in this amazing story. MS YEZAK is an amazing writing, with a remarkable talent for telling a story. Her characters are three dimensional, and are sure to win their way into your heart. SKYDIVING TO LOVE is the best short story I have EVER read. Most writers – in my opinion – cannot pull off a good short story. That is not the case with MS YEZAK. Everything about SKYDIVING TO LOVE is perfect.

LONG WAY GONE by CHARLES MARTIN

Title: Long Way GONE

Author: Charles Martin  

Publisher:  Thomas Nelson (October 4, 2016)

Pages: 320

I admit I have only read a few books by CHARLES MARTIN’S, and each time I am blown away by his amazing writing, incredible ability to create a story, the depth of emotion, and perhaps most of all by the content of the plot. 

I recently tried to figure out what it is about MR MARTIN’S writing that has me reading them at a slower pace, yet keeps me engaged until the very end. That something I discovered is pace. MR MARTIN has all the great qualities of a remarkable writer. The only thing that one could consider lacking might be the pace, and or the peaks and valleys. Yet the amazing storyline, emotion, and message holds so much weight, along with his wonderful writing, the pace seems irrelevant. 

“No matter where you go, no matter whether you succeed or fail, stand or fall, no gone is too far gone. You can always come home.”

Cooper O’Conner up and left home, leaving his father and the only life he knows behind. Yet he didn’t leave empty handed. No, he took his father’s cherished guitar and life’s savings. Sadly, it didn’t take Cooper long to lose everything. 

When Daley Cross unexpectedly shows up in Cooper’s life, he has to wonder if it’s too late to tell her the truth about his past, or if he is ready to face it himself.

What a unique telling of a prodigal son. I believe the only reason I have not read more by MR MARTIN is due to the intense plots. They will affect you right down to the very core of your being, and is life changing. MR MARTIN’S stories will remain with you long after you have read the last word. Years later and I am still affected by, WRAPPED IN RAIN.

HER GUARDIAN RANCHER by BRENDA MINTON

Title: Her Guardian Rancher (Martin's Crossing)

Author: Brenda Minton

Publisher:  Love Inspired (December 20, 2016)

Pages: 224

Too much time passes between new releases of BRENDA MINTON books. Each time I am aware of a new one coming out, I anxiously await its arrival. Needless to say, once it is out and in the stories I immediately purchase it. If I am currently reading a book, which is typically the case, I have a hard time not thinking about getting through my current read to begin MS MINTON’S book.

Daron McKay made a vow to his dying army buddy that he would watch over his wife and child. It wasn’t a surprise that he’d keep his promise. What he hadn’t anticipated was falling in love with her. 

Emma Shaw is a struggling mother. Daron McKay came into her life due to a sense of duty, mixed with guilt. If only he could set aside both, perhaps she could allow her heart to love him. 

As is true to MS MINTON’S stories, HER GUARDIAN RANCHER is well written, with three dimensional characters that you will fall in love with. It is not uncommon for me to fall in love with the hero, but MS MINTON has a way of drawing you into the heroine’s character as well. Not only the main characters, but ALL the characters. The plot is wonderful, not lacking in anything. As typical of MS MINTON’S writing, HER GUARDIAN RANCHER is peppered with original humor and great one-liners. 

A quick and easy read. Can’t wait for the next. Would love to read Lucy’s story.

OUT OF THE ASHES by SANDI ROG

Title: Out of the Ashes

Author: Sandi Rog

Publisher: Tulpen Publishing (June 6, 2015)

Pages: 302

There are a handful of things that one needs to incorporate to make a great book, and OUT OF THE ASHES by SANDI ROG certainly has a few of them. The cover is the first thing that typically catches reader’s eyes. The second the title. Both I give MS ROG five stars. Another important aspect of a great book is the ability to capture the reader immediately. Another five stars for MS ROG. OUT OF THE ASHES has one of the best beginnings I have ever read. I couldn’t stop reading, wanting to know what would happen next. 

Amelia Taylor never plans to marry. Not because she doen’t have the opportunity, but because she can’t see beyond her past family history. 

Nathaniel Ward needs a wife, but not just any wife would do. Wealth has afforded him a ray of woman to choose from, but only will do, and he means to set out to find her. 

*Please see my profile for more information on this review.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN COWBOY by TINA RADCLIFFE

Title: Rocky Mountain Cowboy (Love Inspired 

Author:  Tina Radcliffe

Publisher: Love Inspired Large Print; Large Print edition (December 20, 2016)

Pages: 288

Oklahoma Reunion by TINA RADCLIFFE is one of my favorite reads, and I will now be adding ROCKY MOUNTAIN COWBOY to the list. I was held captive from cover to cover, it’s that good. The writing and story line is amazing. I LOVE Joe Gallagher! What a great character. MS RADCLIFFE has a unique gift for pulling off a stubborn and surly cowboy that you can’t help but love. And talk about great lines. Oh my, there were many funny and unique lines.   

Joe Gallagher never expected to see the woman he loved again, and certainly not on his ranch. She may have reason to be there, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. 

Becca Anshaw Simpson doesn’t blame Joe Gallagher for being angry with her. Heck, she’s angry with herself. She’d made a mistake. A huge one. But it was time to let the past go, and head for a better future for her and her daughter. 

It goes without saying that Joe Gallagher will remain with me for some time. I'm thinking there is going to be a story about Abby. Can’t wait.

LOVE WITHOUT END, A KINGS MEADOW ROMANCE (BOOK 1) ROBIN LEE HATCHER

Title: Love Without End: A Kings Meadow Romance (Book 1)

Author: Robin Lee Hatcher

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 25, 2014)

Pages: 320

Another reviewer wrote, “THIS IS A MUST READ! But warning: You can NOT put it down!” I couldn’t agree more. This is the first book I’ve read by ROBIN LEE HATCHER. Before I completed it, I was looking up others books by her and quickly made a purchase, THE SHEPHERD’S VOICE. Involved in prison ministry, it immediately captured my attention. And guess what? I just started it and I CAN’T PU IT DOWN.

But enough about THE SHEPHERD’S VOICE, for that is a review for another day. LOVE WITHOUT END: A KINGS MEADOW ROMANCE (BOOK 1) by ROBIN LEE HATCHER is truly a must read. I have found a new favorite author in MS HATCHER. I cannot wait to devour more books by this amazing writer. If only one day I could write half as well as she.

Kimberly Welch lost her husband a few years back, and now she fears she is losing her daughter. Left in financial ruins after her husbands death, Kimberly moves in with an old friend until she can find work.

Chet Leonard lost his teenage son in a car accident, and then his wife to abandonment. Chet and his two remaining sons are getting along just fine. The last thing he needs in his life is a woman who has no intentions on staying in Kings Meadow once she finds a job in the area and lifestyle she is accustom to.

Where do I begin? MS HATCHER novel, LOVE WITHOUT END: A KINGS MEADOW ROMANCE (BOOK 1) checks off everything on my list of what makes a great story. Three dimensional characters you will fall in love with, great pace, wonderful plot, flawless writing, great beginning, middle, and end. When I read I tend to critique. You know a book is great when I forget about critiquing and immerse into the story that grabs holds and doesn’t let go.