Review: Postmark Christmas

Postmark Christmas 

by Paige Winship Dooly, Darlene Franklin, Kathleen Kovach, and Paula Moldenhauer

I just love Christmas novels, but this set is not just about Christmas, the holiday, it's about the town of Christmas, Florida.

I loved each of the novellas. They are what I consider "sweet" stories that make you feel uplifted all the way through. I enjoyed the love connections made by each set of characters.

Enjoy a bubble-bath, a drink (of your choosing), and grab this book. You'll forget whatever it is that's outside your door--at least until the water gets cold. :-)

Here's the back cover:

The holidays are stamped for love in Christmas, Florida. While keeping her eye open for her next job lead, will nomadic event planner Stella find romance instead? How will one retired major change war widow Randi’s postcard-sending mission? Can photographer David Levine draw shy Gabi Archer out of her shell? Will retired police officer Rick Stanton be able to steal postmistress Edie Hathaway’s heart?

This wonderful collection is available at Amazon and other retailers.

Blessings,
Ginger

Review: A Bride's Rogue in Roma, Texas by Darlene Franklin

I have had the AWESOME pleasure (and yes, it was a pure pleasure) to read a number of great books lately.

A Bride's Rogue in Roma, Texas by Darlene Franklin is one of them.

Sometimes the next step that God asks us to take has to be on pure faith. Uncertainty causes us to hesitate, but the still small voice sends us forward. So it was with Blanche.

She takes that step of faith and joins Ike on the steamboat, beginning a new season in her life.

Most times that step requires us to release where we are, so we can travel forward. It's not always easy, as we see in this story.

I enjoyed reading A Bride's Rogue in Roma, Texas and I think you will too.

Backcover:

Blanche Lamar has inherited a steamboat from a father she’s never met. As she struggles to adjust to her new life she finds an unexpected ally in Ike Gallagher. She and Ike both want to find a way to make the steamboat profitable but are at odds on how to accomplish it. Can they learn to live in faith, or will their future happiness sink in a river of overwhelming devastation.

To purchase this book from Amazon, click here and help support this blog.

Blessings,
Ginger

Review: "A Ranger's Trail" by Darlene Franklin

I must say I have become a fan of Darlene Franklin's books. She incorporates real life happenings, which takes a lot of research, with a great imagination. This story is a great example of that.

Buck and Leta have baggage. Lots of baggage. Buck is half German; Leta hates the Germans, blaming them for her husband's death. They want the same thing, but their way of getting there is far different. With the typical ups and downs of frontier life, we see their love take root and grow, but only in their hearts, and against their wills.

Can they get of the doubts and fear to find their faith, both in God and in each other?

I can't say enough good things about  Ms. Franklin's writing. It pulls you in and won't let go until the story is told. You want to sit back and bask in the beauty of her words, as pictures are created in your mind.

Blurb:

This is the fourth book in a six-book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896. Although a series, each book can be read on its own.


In 1875 Buck Morgan rode into Mason County with the Texas Rangers to quell the violence stirred up by the actions a vigilantly mob. The Hoo Doo (or bad luck) War erupted as suspected cattle rustlers were  killed by an angry German mob and former ranger, Scott Cooley, gathers a gang to seek vengeance on the murders.


Suspected of cattle rustling, Leta Derrick's husband was murdered by the mob a year earlier. Now she is siding with the rogue ranger, Scott Cooley and refuses to help Buck Morgan stem the tide of violence.  Leta prays daily that God will wreak vengeance on her enemies. Buck prays that the God of all provision will supply for the needs of the widow, her son Ricky, and her 15-year old brother, Andy. Buck lays a trap at his uncle's ranch for the suspected outlaws but the plan backfires when Andy shows up. Shots are fired and one man is down. Andy has joined the outlaw gang and is now guilty of murdering Buck's cousin.


Will their actions fuel the fire of vengeance? Or will Buck and Leta strike an accord that leads to more than just peace?



If you are interested in purchasing this book, please click here and help support this blog.

Blessings,
Ginger

Book Review

I had the privilege of receiving three books (a trilogy) by Darlene Franklin recently. I must apologize to her for the tardiness in writing these reviews. Originally, I waited for "Knight Music" to be released, and then I just forgot.

I enjoyed each one and found amazing insights.

"Romanian Rhapsody"

Haunted by the orphans she met in Romania, Carrie Randolph returns to work in an orphanage. Soon she finds herself mothering five toddlers full-time and dreaming of adopting one of them when her two-year mission is finished. Steve Romero's wife and son died in tragic circumstances in Romania, and he struggles to put the past behind him. When he decides to adopt a child, he returns to Romania and the orphanage where Carrie works - breaking her heart when he chooses Viktor, her favorite. Will Carrie trust God to fulfill her dreams in His time? Can Steve let go of grief and learn to love again?

This was an amazing book. I cried with Steve and Carrie, but I laughed with them as well. It breaks my heart to know that there are children in orphanages all over the world who don't have people to love them.

It taught me that when bad things happen - death, disappointment, etc - it can be turned for the good by God. I don't believe He causes the bad things to happen, but He can take them and make them what works for our best. He takes our weeping and turns it into joy.

"Plainsong"

Homeless and jobless, Michelle Morris visits her friend Carrie in Denver to find a new job. She quickly envies Carrie's married life and wishes she could have a happily-ever-after of her own. What she doesn't realize is her knight in shining armor is about to sweep her off her feet - and love is much more complicated than she imagined.

Joe Knight lives by a code of chivalry and honor. As he spends more time with Michelle, he wants to protect her, fight her battles for her. He wants to be her strong knight, but feels more like a bungling squire. Does he have what it takes to be the man Michelle needs?

As their picture-perfect romance starts to hit reality, can Michelle and Joe overcome life's obstacles and find a love that truly ends in happily ever after?


From "Plainsong" I learned that sometimes we struggle to do what we think is the right thing when in reality it has taken us from the path God intended us to follow. We all traipse down "rabbit trails" once in a while, but we must always be willing to change directions when we realize we're going the wrong way.

"Knight Music"

Following a scandal in the family business, Ty Knight finds himself in Ulysses, Colorado, trying to rebuild his own self-image - and how his family sees him. His convoluted plan for a glorious return begins to unravel, however, as he gets to know the people around him. What once seemed a harmless adventure becomes personal as he realizes the damage he caused.

Sonia Oliveira has come to Ulysses to regroup after most of her artwork was stolen from a friend's art gallery. She needs to rebuild - her collection of art, as well as her confidence and emotional well-being.

Will and unexpected confession destroy the tenuous steps toward recovery she's made? What can Ty do to curb the widening repercussions from his foolish plan? As danger draws closer, will either of them let go enough to let God work, or will they insist on going it alone?


I found this book to be refreshing. I struggled with Sonia when she couldn't create, and felt like a failure. I also cheered for Ty as he admitted his sin. The message from this book was simple. No matter how bad our past, God will forgive us when we ask.




If you are interested in purchasing these books, click on the appropriate book name to follow a link to Amazon. In doing so, you will be supporting this blog.
Romanian Rhapsody
Plainsong
Knight Music - not yet available

"Lone Star Trail" by Darlene Franklin

An enjoyable read. Ms. Franklin wrote in such a way that made me want to find out how Wande Fleischer and her family conquer the land, also called Texas. It is a peek into the lives of the early Texans and those, like the Germans, who joined them in taming the land. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

If you are interested in this book, click here.

Enjoy.

under HIS wings,

Ginger