Back Cover
Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships,
and in need of an adventure. When her
grandmother asks her to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the
grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance.
Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man hired to
renovate the house. Kate can’t help
being attracted to him, drawn by both his good looks and something else she
can’t quite put her finger on. He’s
clearly wounded – hiding from people, hiding from God, and from his past. Yet Kate sets her stubborn heart on bringing
him out of the dark and back into the light…whether he likes it or not.
When the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and Matt slowly
shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her
heart? Or will Kate be required to give
up more than she ever dreamed?
Review
My Stubborn Heart was a very
refreshing read - something I had been waiting a long time for. The story flowed nicely and
was well-developed. The dialogue felt
natural and the characters were real. I could envision them in my mind and feel their
emotions as the story unfolded. Kate Donovan held a spark of optimism to bounce off Matt’s more reserved, brooding character. Kate’s strong faith was evident and encouraging.
Reading about the relationship develop between Kate and Matt was liking watching a butterfly come out of a cocoon - beautiful and incredibly touching.
This is a very promising debut novel for Becky Wade. I started and finished this book in one day
and it left me wanting more. I rarely
read books twice, but I know I definitely will be reading My Stubborn Heart again.
…and again…
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Back Cover
Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey, Alaska, again. She has a past, and a reputation – and
Yancey’s a town that doesn’t forget.
She’s returned only to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash, but
then dark evidence emerges and Bailey’s expertise becomes invaluable for the
case.
Cole McKenna can face dangerous rescue dives. He can face the fear a murder may be
threatening his town. But facing the
reality of Bailey’s reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart…but doesn’t seem to be
the same girl who left Yancey ten years ago.
And he’s not the same guy she left behind.
Racing against the clock and a rising body count, Bailey and Cole must
move beyond the hurts of their pasts to work together until the truth of what
is hidden in the depths finally surfaces.
Review
Submerged is an intriguing
story that mixes history, romance, tragedy, and suspense. Bailey is on a journey of forgiveness and
redemption, and pulls the reader along for the ride. One can never underestimate the power of
change – especially at the hands of an all-powerful God. Sometimes it takes other people awhile before
they can accept a changed person, but sometimes, it takes time before the
changed person can accept themselves. That is where Bailey is at. She has changed, and she knows that, but she
still doesn’t feel worthy to accept any good gift God gives her. In this story, the gift comes in the form of
Cole McKenna, her former love.
I enjoyed following Bailey’s journey and seeing
the growth her and several other characters experienced. This novel had a very satisfying ending and I
look forward to book two in the “Alaskan Courage” series.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Back Cover
Lucy Banning may live on the exclusive Prairie Avenue among Chicago’s rich
and famous, but her heart lies elsewhere.
Expected to marry an up-and-coming banker from a respected family, Lucy
fears she will be forced to abandon her charity work and squeeze herself into
the mold of the well-dressed wife who spends most of her time and money
redecorating.
When she meets Will, an unconventional young architect who is working on
plans for the upcoming 1893 World’s Fair, Lucy imagines a life lived on her own
terms. Can she break away from her
family’s expectations? And will she ever
be l9oved for who she truly is?
Get swept away into the lavish world of Chicago’s high society as Olivia
Newport brings to life an age of glitz and grandeur, stark social contrasts,
and one woman who dares to cross class lines for what she believes.
Review
Lucy Banning is a rebel in her own way.
Even though she has grown up in a lavish lifestyle, she expresses
distaste for extravagance and prefers to spend her time assisting the local
orphanage or attending college classes—both of which would be frowned upon by
those of the same class, not to mention, her parents. Lucy finds herself performing a balancing act
between her family’s expectations and her true desires.
The Pursuit of Lucy Banning was
a nicely, well put-together novel. I
enjoyed the characters, and the budding romance between Lucy and
Will. This novel is a great
start to Olivia Newport’s “Avenue of Dreams” series. I look forward to the following books in the
series, and especially to learn more about the mystery surrounding Lucy’s maid,
Charlotte. All in all, a satisfying
read.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
