I am always on the lookout for books by new authors so I was glad for the chance to read Spring for Susannah, Catherine Richmond’s very first published novel. A historical romance set in Dakota territory, the story chronicles the experiences of a mail order bride and her new husband as they attempt to build a life together in their little sod home.
Both Susannah and Jesse had preconceived ideas about what their marriage would be but their expectations were slow to be realized. Jesse had looked forward to a wife who would be a companion to take away some of the loneliness of the long Dakota winters. What he got was a shy silent one who seemed to be afraid of him. Susannah had difficulty believing that anyone could possibly care for her and lived in fear that Jesse would send her away. As time passed, the couple grew to know each other better and love blossomed between them but they each had insecurities that prevented them from recognizing it. One disaster after another tested their endurance and their faith.
Spring for Susannah was a delight. Richmond’s characters were well developed and I cared about what happened to them. I could imagine myself there with them as I read the vivid descriptions of settings and events. Intimate moments between Susannah and Jesse were natural and tasteful. A spiritual message was woven naturally and unobtrusively throughout.
I look forward to future novels from Catherine Richmond and would recommend Spring for Susannah to all who enjoy Christian historical fiction.
A digital copy of this book was provided for review by BookSneeze.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Susannah goes to Dakota territory as a mail-order bride she finds something she never dreamed she would—true love.
With no prospects for marriage and her parents recently deceased, Susannah Underhill agrees to go west to the Dakota territory to marry her minister’s homesteading brother, Jesse. But Susannah is painfully shy, doesn’t see herself as worthy of love from either a husband or from God, and lives in constant fear that Jesse is going to ship her back to Detroit.
In spite of her petite size and the fact that Susannah doesn’t look like she could survive on the prairie, Jesse quickly discovers that his new wife is a greater blessing than he even hoped for. The years she spent as her father’s veterinary assistant allow her to save Jesse’s ox and twin calves and to help neighboring farmers with their animals.
But Susannah’s feelings of unworthiness are deeply rooted, and she can’t believe that Jesse’s praise—or the tenderness and love he shows—could possibly last. The thawing of her heart seems almost as distant as Spring in the midst of the winter blanketing the Dakota prairie.
Catherine Richmond was focused on her career as an occupational therapist until a special song planted a story idea in her mind. That idea would ultimately become Spring for Susannah, her first novel. She is also a founder and moderator of Nebraska Novelists critique group and lives in Nebraska with her husband.
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels.
She received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings’ Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership’s vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.
In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers.
She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research.
Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests.
Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family–especially her three grandchildren–Rainy, Fox and Max. She’s active in her church as the Director of Women’s Ministries, coordinates a yearly writer’s retreat for published authors, and travels, as time permits, to research her books
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Will Love Escape Her Grasp?
Life seems to be falling into place for Deborah Vandermark. On the cusp of finally marrying Christopher, the man who claimed her heart, she is devastated when he receives an urgent telegram. Bound to his family obligations, Christopher travels to Kansas City, uncertain of what he will find there.
When her fiancé returns to Texas, Deborah is faced with a very different future than she expected. She finds herself plagued with questions and uncertainty…about marriage, motherhood, and her passion to train as a physician. And when an old adversary reveals a contract that may spell ruin for Vandermark Logging, Deborah’s life seems to be spiraling out of control. Can Christopher and Deborah find a way to claim the future they long to share when so much stands in the way?
Hope Rekindled is a good example of the kind of book I have come to expect from Tracie Peterson. With strong characterizations and historic context and setting, Peterson has woven a story with dramatic and romantic elements interspersed with humor and suspense.
The third installment of the Striking a Match series, Hope Rekindled continues the story of the Vandermark family and their community. Christopher and Deborah seem to encounter even more hurdles as they attempt to plan their wedding. An unprincipled man’s relentless vendetta against the Vandermarks threatens the livelihood of the entire town and the White Hand of God, a group similar to the KKK, is a growing and violent menace. Yet when all appears to be hopeless, each of them must decide whether to trust in God or their own strength.
Although I feel that can be read as a stand-alone book, the previous books of this series contain valuable background that adds to its understanding and enjoyment. I have enjoyed this series and hope that Hope Rekindled is not the final installment because there are still some unresolved questions that I would like to see answered.
To celebrate this charming novel about a dating expert who’s never had a date, Susan has put together a romantic night on the town for one lucky couple. One grand prize winner will receive a Miss Foolish Heart prize package worth over $200!
The winner of the Romantic Night on the Town Prize Pack will receive:
* A $100 Visa Gift Card (For Dinner)
* A $100 Gift Certificate to a Hyatt/Marriott Hotel
* The entire Deep Haven series
To enter just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on June 16th. The winner will be announced that evening during Susan’s Miss Foolish Heart Party on Facebook! Susan will be chatting with guests, hosting a book club chat about My Foolish Heart, testing your Deep Haven trivia skills, and giving away tons of great stuff! (Gift certificates, books, donuts, and more!) Don’t miss the fun and BRING YOUR FRIENDS!
The Fine Art of Insincerity is the story of three adult sisters who have come together to empty and clean their grandmother’s beach house before its sale. Although they share the same tragic family background, their lives have taken widely divergent paths. Each sister thinks she knows the others so well but as the weekend passes, it becomes evident that they don’t really know each other at all.
I have long been a fan of Angela Hunt but had a difficult time getting through this book. Her writing was the high quality I have come to expect and the plot was an interesting one. However, this story could have been set anywhere because it took place primarily within four walls. The beautiful St. Simons Island setting was pretty much wasted here. Even though the story is told in first person through each of the three sisters, I never got to the point that I really cared about any of them. I guess I must prefer a book with a little more action and less introspection.
So – I don’t want this to be a negative review because I know there are many who love emotionally charged relationship stories. I do believe that Hunt did an excellent job of getting into the minds of her characters and taking them through some drastic changes as they began to understand each other. I was just not in the mood for the serious subjects of this book. Needless to say, I will continue to read Angela’s books and expect to enjoy them.
This book was provided for review by
Rebeca Seitz with Glass Road Public Relations.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Three Southern sisters with nine marriages between them–and more looming on the horizon–travel to St. Simons Island to empty their late grandmother’s house. Ginger, the eldest, wonders if she’s the only one who hasn’t inherited what their family calls “the Grandma Gene”–the tendency to enjoy the casualness of courtship more than the intimacy of marriage. Could it be that her sisters are fated to serially marry, just like their seven-times wed grandmother, Lillian Irene Harper Winslow Goldstein Carey James Bobrinski Gordon George? It takes a “girls only” weekend, closing up Grandma’s memory-filled beach cottage for the last time, for the sisters to unpack their family baggage, examine their relationship DNA, and discover the true legacy their much-marrying grandmother left behind.
“The Fine Art of Insincerity is the story of three middle-aged sisters that converge on St. Simon’s Island to clear away the cobwebs from their deceased grandmother’s island home. But the cobwebs hiding the secret pain that each sister harbors threatens to entangle and complicate each woman’s deep sense of order and decorum, especially since one of the sisters is hell-bent on a collision course with fate. Angela Hunt’s womanly tale of sisterly affection and protective martyrdom is a well-woven story of self-discovery and personal growth that will melt your heart!”—Patricia Hickman, author of The Pirate Queen and Painted Dresses
“Only Angela Hunt could write a relationship novel that’s a page-turner! As one of three sisters, I can promise you this: Ginger, Penny, and Rose Lawrence ring very true indeed. Their flaws and strengths make them different, yet their shared experiences and tender feelings make them family. From one crisis to the next, the Lawrence sisters are pulled apart, then knit back together, taking me right along with them. I worried about Ginger one moment, then Penny, and always Rose—a sure sign of a good novel, engaging both mind and heart. Come spend the weekend in coastal Georgia with three women who clean house in more ways than one!”—Liz Curtis Higgs, bestselling author of Here Burns My Candle
“The Fine Art of Insincerity is a stunning masterpiece. I was pulled into the lives of Ginger, Pennyroyal, and Rosemary—sisters touched by tragedy, coping in their own ways. So real, so powerful. Pull out the tissues! This one will make you cry, laugh, and smile. I recommend it highly.”—Traci DePree, author of The Lake Emily series
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Angela Hunt is the bestselling author of more than 100 books, including The Tale of Three Trees, Don’t Bet Against Me, The Note, and The Nativity Story. Her nonfiction book Don’t Bet Against Me, written with Deanna Favre, spent several weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. She and her husband make their home in Florida with their dogs. You can learn more at AngelaHuntBooks.com.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Many links on this site are supplied by the Reviewer groups that provide the books I review. Occasionally other links may be my personal associate links.
When Susannah goes to Dakota territory as a mail-order bride she finds something she never dreamed she would—true love.
Catherine Richmond was focused on her career as an occupational therapist until a special song planted a story idea in her mind. That idea would ultimately become Spring for Susannah, her first novel. She is also a founder and moderator of Nebraska Novelists critique group and lives in Nebraska with her husband.
!
