A bold and loving story
581606
I loved this book. Having lived in England myself, although forty years later than the author, I was reminded how scary and yet oh so wonderfully freeing it is to leave familiarity for the sake of adventure and commitment. Irene's reflective writing and sense of place is often dream like. I felt I was along for the ride and her wisdom and reflection of life lessons were inspiring. Often telling some of our own stories, she writes with an open and encouraging heart.

So take a journey from England to the mountains and plains of Montana with a magnificent woman. It's the perfect book to curl up next to a fire with this winter.
3210304
Finding Fish is an excellent story filled with emotion.  The life story of Antwone Fisher is moving, touching, and unforgettable.  His story will inspire you to be all you can be, no matter what the circumstances are.  It teaches you to love and believe in yourself no matter what, and it teaches you to love others.  It would be hard for me to believe that there could be someone out there who was not the slightest bit touched by this book, not the slightest bit moved, or not feeling any compassion for Antwone Fisher.  It touches everyone on some level or another, and is interesting until the very end!  Finding Fish is a great book, and I recommend it with all my heart!
4637627
This is such a sweet story on many levels.  Finding faith and courage in yourself.  Finding  acceptance when you are different.  And along with all this finding a sweet, perfect love.  I hope you enjoy it.
1686955
This is true story of a woman reaching out to a boy barely making it in life and changing his world.  The story is real, an interesting read, and shows how anyone can make a difference in someone life.  It is a a feel good story that will make you feel pain and joy.  After you read it, go on line and see the woman and man years later being interviewed on morning talk shows and see the goodness that came of her care.
4149458
Maggie Brendan always delivers a delightful story.  This one is no exception. It is encouraging, heartwarming and gentle.  If you are looking for a feel-good story to read that will leave you feeling uplifted and serene, then try this one!  It is very straight forward and easy to read. There are no complicated plots to figure out.  In fact, there is only one scene that might qualify as intense.

One thing I really like that this author does is she  gives a date and location for the story. I don't like to ktry to deduce what the setting is.

This is definitely a Christian historical romance in every sense of the word.  Faith is an integral part of the story.  Its not an overly humorousstory but its in no way depressing.

Here is what the publisher says:
With a farm to run, can a widow possibly hope for new love?

All of her life, Grace Bidwell has longed for children, but now the chances of her dreams coming true are looking slim. Widowed and caring for her elderly father, she struggles to maintain her late husband's farm until she places an ad for a hired hand.

Robert Frasier arrives in town with three pitiful, bedraggled children who have nothing but the tattered clothes on their backs and a load of hurt, pride, and anger. Believing this is divine intervention in her life, Grace welcomes them with open arms. As feelings grow between her and Robert, Grace will have to convince him that she is a woman who can be trusted with his heart.

Get swept away into Montana's lush Gallatin Valley, nestled among towering mountains and proud pines, in this emotional story.

This was a very relaxing and refreshing book to read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books and Baker
Publishing Group through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
654965
I really enjoyed reading this story. It is filled with compassion and love for all people no matter their race.
463146
I downloaded this to my Kindle, and started reading immediately...what a compelling and unique love story, truly one for the ages. Told intimately to the reader by Max(imilian), the story of love for his next door neighbor Janice was enough to enthrall me until the early hours of the morning, when I forced myself to wait for the next evening's reading time. I won't spoil the ending, but it was touching and uplifting, as well as believable, as so many are not. I'd love the book - and both of the protagonists. We need to read the NEXT stages of their lives. More, please, Mark Calde!
3951784
What a beautiful story that gently and lovingly presents a common childhood challenge: moving and the change that accompanies it. I especially enjoy that Alex is encouraged to spend time with his neighbor, an older adult woman. Too few stories include inter-generational friendships; it was touching to see their bond unfold. Lovely illustrations too.
147516
This book is set before underneath it all - about Agata's parents and how they met and fell in love.

From Brandy's Pov, it chronicles her life as she starts suffering from the early onset of Alzheimers and her outlook on life.

In Agata's story, you see a little of why the kids are a little frustrated that their dad has spent more effort on their mom, than on them. In this story, you see the love that Ivo has for Brandy and you understand why he did what he did. a lovely story of love understanding the true meaning of "in sickness and in health"
1514844
The characters make this story special. I quickly became attached to them, and soon fell in love. The love that the characters have for one another is heartwarming. Each character has a unique personality, with good and bad traits, that allows them to quickly become real in the mind of the reader.

The story is also heartwarming. I enjoy when everything falls into place. Not in a predictable way, but in a way that feels right when the story is fully told. When you take the reader on a journey full of turns and twists, and in the end, they know that they have arrived at the proper destination, you have accomplished something wonderful.

I loved this story.
1234094
This is a great quick read, feel good story. The author takes you from anger due to a deep tragedy to forgiveness and love. It is inspiring and tells how one bad decision can affect so many lives for many years to come. I truly enjoyed this book and felt much love and pain for the two main characters. This story comes full circle with the power of one human making a difference in at least 40 lives. You will not be disappointed with this book.
2674995
I loved this story...of love and forgiveness, the power of words, the overcoming of evil. It is a beautiful reflection of the One who adopted us, was willing to die for us, and who controls the wind and rain.
1263526
What a great book! This story is about seventeen year old (Bear) who is abandoned by his mother and left to raise his adolescent brother (Ty) on his own. Luckily for them both, Bear has a best friend, girlfriend and most importantly, his best friend's older brother (Otter) as one of the best support systems imaginable. All the character's are wonderfully fleshed out and the story is told with such warmth, humor and intelligence. The love story between Bear and Otter is beautiful, and is made all the more so because of the love shared throughout this small makeshift family. Happily for the stubborn and proud Bear, Ty (the Kid) is a force to be reckoned with, as is Otter, who refuses to give up their shot at happiness. You won't regret this one.
1844919
I sit here at my computer after reading this book into the early morning hours and I ask myself how to put into words a summary of the faith, hope, and love the Santorums shared in this touching story of their daughter Bella. Bella's story is so much more than a heart wrenching tale of a precious child with life threatening challenges. It is the story of hope through faith triumphing in the face of impossible odds all carried in the arms of unmeasured love.

This is the story of defining and then acting upon what is truly important in life. Of realizing that life is a gift of God and it is our sacred duty as individuals and as a society to cherish and nourish that gift.

In reading about the Santorum's triumphs and tragedies it really shows that when love is present the struggles in life only make us stronger. From the introduction to the last chapter, this books is the story of love. Love as their daughter Elizabeth described in the introduction as "agape" love, that love done "in service of another, without expectation of a reward".

I especially appreciated how this story was built around the great love chapter of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13.  Each chapter of this book in some way developed the wonderful truths found there.

This coming May 13 the Santorums will be celebrating Bella's 7th birthday. Their past seven years of loving service for their daughter reminds me of an another Biblical story of service. In Genesis 29 it tells of Jacob's seven years of service for Rachel the daughter of Laban. The Bible describes it this way:

Genesis 29:20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

The word love here in Gen. 29 is the Hebrew ahabah and this is the first occurrence of the word in the Bible.  I think it only fitting to mention that in ancient Hebrew each letter was assigned a numerical value. The word ahabah in Hebrew is equal to 13.

Thank you Rick and Karen for sharing this story with us, I was blessed by it. As a home school family of 7 your testimony was especially poignant to us. Please give our love to Bella.

  And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
 1 Corinthians 13:13
4859908
Flowers in December, is truly a wonderful story. Jane Suen has successfully created a story that leaves the reader feeling for the main character Connor. I recently lost my father and was a little dubious at first however, any doubts were quickly forgotten as I immersed myself within the softness of the story.

This is a touching and heartwarming story to which so many can relate, dealing with loss, moments of reflection and ultimately moving forward with hope for a brighter future.

Congratulations Jane Suen you have so perfectly encapsulated the essence of those emotions one experiences losing a parent while creating a beautiful read.  Highly recommended.
2577450
This is a poignant tale of love; love lost, and love found. Sensitively written, with a clever use of emails from the past, the story unfolds like a fan; at the end the story and the picture are finally clear. Love of many types does have the power to heal and to redeem, over time.
1576627
This book is a Christian story about a young couple who are missionaries in Columbia. It is fiction, but reads as real. After reading the preface of this book I thought "big spoiler", but was I ever wrong. The beginning and the ending of this story was so griping, heart breaking and warming, all at the same time. Ms. Raney wove a beautifully inspiring story that also served as an edifying reminder of the price Jesus paid as God's  sacrificial Lamb.  And the priviledge and opportunities that we, as His followers,  have been given the  to share the Good News to unbelievers.  This story is well written, the characters are developed, a clean romance and smooth flow.  Good job!