Goodbyes and Second Chances (Bleu #1) by T.I. Lowe

Blurb: Some mistakes create accidental blessings.
Jillian (Jewels) Whitman lives with her mistakes and tries to move past the biggest one of her life – Dillon Bleu – Rocker and once best friend.
After saying goodbye to the lakeside trailer park of his youth, Dillon sets out to make something of himself only to discover all he needs is his Jewel. After hitting it big in the music industry, Dillon heads back to ask for a second chance.
Only… Nothing is ever as easy as it seems…
A southern tale of rags to riches where a man’s worth is ultimately found in his heart.

 

 

 

 

5 stars

I felt this book in my bones!  And I can’t explain why. It was very soulful, and I guess I needed something like that in my life.

It was what I would definitely call a christian romance.  I loved how Dillon used bible verses in his song writing and was able to become a successful singer through it.  He never lost his roots though and struggled hard with the decisions he and Jewels made together.  It was heartbreaking at times to read.

I think I identified with Jewels a lot.  I lived in a trailer for some time when I was little and we moved around a lot. I get how she felt.  I still feel like I come from nothing myself and often wonder how I  have made it as far as I have.  I’m very fortunate in that respect.  Jewels resisted even trying to become more than her trailer park life though and that is where I got angry with her.  She gave up so many things she wanted in order to have her friends and family succeed.  It was bittersweet to read because I get why she did it but I felt she was maybe taking a penance on that wasn’t hers to bear.

There are so many things I loved about this book and I can’t really go in to them because of spoilers but if you like christian romance then this book is highly recommended to read.

 

Back in the Saddle (Double S Ranch #1) by Ruth Logan Herne

Blurb: It’s been a long time since Colt Stafford shrugged off his cowboy legacy for shiny Manhattan loafers and a promising career on Wall Street. But when stock market manipulations leave him financially strapped, the oldest son of legendary rancher Sam Stafford decides to return to the sprawling Double S ranch in Gray’s Glen, Washington. He’s broke, but not broken, and it’s time to check in with his ailing father, and get his legs back under him by climbing into the saddle again.

He doesn’t expect to come home to a stranger pointing a loaded gun at his chest— a tough yet beautiful woman that Sam hired as the house manager. Colt senses there’s more to Angelina Morales than meets the eye and he’s determined to find out what she’s hiding…and why.

Colt’s return brings new challenges. Younger brother Nick has been Sam’s right-hand man at the ranch for years and isn’t thrilled at having Colt insert himself into Double S affairs. And the ranch’s contentious relationship with the citizens of Gray’s Glen asks all the Stafford men to examine their hearts about what it truly means to be a neighbor.  And as Wall Street recovers, will Colt succumb to the call of the financial district’s wealth and power—or finally the courage to stay in the saddle for good?

5 stars

I loved the cover.  This book has a lot to offer.  A diverse MC, a christian lesson and a great story.  This is my second christian romance and I gotta say I am pleasantly surprised I like them.  Usually I am very much into graphic sex, but this was a nice change of pace for me.

Colt is smart, responsible and a bit bitter towards his father.  With good reason, but I’ve always found that it takes too much effort to hold that anger inside and for long periods of time.  His character seemed to learn this as well, which made me identify with him and quite frankly like him more.  His character is a bit more serious than I am used to.  I really like how he seemed to realize that money was not all it was cracked up to be and how family was a blessing not to be ignored.

Angelina is a sassy, out spoken Latina with a fierce devotion to her family and the good book.  I liked how she took charge at the ranch and in her family life but I found her a bit too proud for my tastes.  She was very outgoing and always ready to help a friend or neighbor out.  Her protective instincts towards her family were admirable but a bit too overdone IMO.

Honestly, this book reminded me a bit (a small bit) of P&P.  One of my favorite books.

Ruth Logan Herne Bio

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Hide in Plain Sight by Marta Perry

Synopsis: She couldn’t turn her back on her family in their time of need.

So when her sister was injured, financial expert Andrea Hampton traded the big city for Amish country to help turn her grandmother’s house into an inn.

But life with the Plain People took a treacherous turn when a string of accidents and pranks threatened her family. Someone didn’t want the secrets the old house harbored to come to light. Trusting anyone— even the handsome carpenter who seemed so genuine—was a battle for Andrea, but her life depended on her ability to find the truth.

Get it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1OVUDe6

Add it to your TBR list on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6313686-hide-in-plain-sight

4 Stars

So I’m gonna do a little something different, I’m gonna let you in on a little secret.  I am a believer but I wasn’t always. As a teenager I did not believe, in fact I absolutely hated the faith, for reasons we are not gonna go into, suffice it to say, everybody’s got a story right?  At any rate, it took me a long time to come to terms with my faith and it wasn’t until I became pregnant with my daughter in my late twenties that I realized I did in fact believe in god. I’ve always been a casual observer, going to church once a month maaaaybe. But recently, as my daughter has become more involved with the church I have as well. I have been going more often and I like it.  I felt I needed to let you know because this book is a christian romance and I have nevr read one before.

I don’t generally read Christian based books because while I am a believer, the faith still is kind of uncomfortable for me, even after all these years.  Too many chefs in the kitchen and I already know how to cook thank you very much.

This book really spoke to me in that aspect because it wasn’t on every page or being thrust in my face. It was very casual and understated.  It wasn’t the main focus; it was just like a hint of it.  On the edge of your peripheral.  As someone who is a casual observer I really liked that. A lot.

There were a lot of poignant moments in the book between the two MC’s that really spoke on a deeper level.  The romance was very minimal, PG rated.  Totally appropriate for 14+.  It was more about coming together as a family and finding out who you are as a person and where you stand in the world.  And I really liked that. I think that the underlying suspense in the book is what drew me in to begin with.  Then all the layers of their self-discovery and going on this path together really brought it all together. I think I will read more.

It’s interesting to note how books can influence you in so many ways with regards to your lifestyle and your faith. I like what this book brought out on me.