MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE by Karen Witemeyer, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

"She still had a few tender places that ached when prodded, but Zack and Seth had loved and accepted her into a place where past hurts mattered less than present blessings. Maybe God had brought her into this stranger's life to do the same for him." ~pg. 59

This is one of those stories to bask in for a few days after reading it just to absorb everything about it! After recovering from the heart-wrenching prologue, Witemeyer promises to soften the blow with her trademark humor and she does so beautifully! I think that's always my favorite things after reading a book written by this talented author; her infectious humor and big belly laugh-out-loud moments. You can't go wrong when you pick up one of her stories.

I'm also hoping she has more in this series because the ending was just the beginning for me. Especially for big brother Zack...and that's all I gotta say about that! Evie is a favorite of mine, she doesn't let what people say about her ruin her sense of well-being and upbeat personality. She has a tender heart when it comes to the misfits of the world, even so far as animals go as evidenced by her friendship with Hezekiah the wild pig. Well not so wild maybe because he's treated like one of the family, at least by Evie. What a spoiled rotten but lovable creature who adds his own personality to the mix! Then along comes Logan, as much of a mystery man as can be. He has revenge on his mind and a devious way to enforce it, that is until a wood sprite named Evie traipses into his life and property. He didn't count on getting emotionally attached to her and the way she makes him open up to things he'd rather see stayed buried! These two have opposite views when it comes to things in life and causes a few sparks. They are fun to watch and even more fun to see fall in love. Seth and Zack add to the strong family dynamics. This mixed family has so much to offer a reader; three people whose past circumstances mesh them together by tragedy, heartache and a bond that surpasses all understanding. There's lots to discover in this action-packed adventure, even a little bit of suspense and mystery going on and infused with plenty of faith. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll sigh satisfactorily at the end!

BACK COVER BLURB:
 Many consider Evangeline Hamilton cursed. Orphaned at a young age and possessing a pair of mismatched eyes--one bright blue, the other dark brown--Eva has fought to find her way in a world that constantly rejects her. Yet the support of even one person can help overcome the world's judgments, and Eva has two--Seth and Zach, two former orphans she now counts as brothers.

Seeking justice against the man who stole his birthright and destroyed his family, Logan Fowler arrives in 1880s Pecan Gap, Texas, to confront Zach Hamilton, the hardened criminal responsible for his father's death. Only instead of finding a solitary ruthless gambler, he discovers a man not much older than himself with an unusual family. When Zach's sister, Evangeline, insists on dousing Logan with sunshine every time their paths cross, Logan finds his quest completely derailed. Who is truly responsible for his lost legacy, and will restoring the past satisfy if it means forfeiting a future with Evangeline?

*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers on behalf of the author and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. * 

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FINDING EVERGREEN by Jennifer Rodewald, reviewed by Winnie Thomas

What an emotional roller coaster this story took me on! 
Jennifer Rodewald isn’t afraid to tackle the messy, gritty, real-life subjects, and this book definitely fits in that category.

Rodewald is talented at creating realistic, broken, but engaging characters and putting them in situations where they can grow and heal. However, she doesn’t let them off the hook easily—they have to work hard through seemingly hopeless circumstances in order to come out on top. Several times I wanted to slap the two main characters and tell them to shape up. 

The author infused the story with an inspirational thread of forgiveness, healing, and God’s grace, and left me with an uplifting feeling of hope and optimism. Finding Evergreen is part of a series, but it can easily be a stand-alone book. Jennifer Rodewald is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. I would recommend this to those who enjoy realistic, authentic, clean Christian fiction.

BACK COVER BLURB:
He thought he’d found the thrill of his life; she, the romance she hadn’t dared to hope for. Falling in love had been easy. Being married? Totally different story.

Married within a year of meeting, Ethan and Brandi add a foster daughter to their newly established family. Their story is enchanting—inspiring. Except when the fairytale fails. The stresses of unmet expectations and wounds from their pasts knife into their marriage, severing what they believed would be forever.

Hope for a broken marriage. Healing for their wounded spirits. It would take both to find evergreen. Are they brave enough to try?

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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WHERE THE FIRE FALLS by Karen Barnett, review by Rebecca Maney

"So you're at my disposal?"

Not exactly what Yosemite National Park guide Clark Johnson was expecting to hear from the raven haired artist, accompanied by her millionaire friends. Sure, he'd been assigned to guide Olivia Rutherford towards the park's splendid displays of natural beauty so that her paintbrush could capture their magnificence, but she is making it sound like he is nothing more than a glorified porter. "First chance he got, he'd be setting this little minx straight."

How could Olivia have let herself be talked into returning to Yosemite? What happened in this park years ago changed the course of her life and the lives of her younger siblings, who are now dependent on her success for their livelihood. Living behind an assumed name and an altered persona might gain her notoriety in the art world, but stepping back into her family history is tricky business, especially when a handsome, rugged mountain guide's simple friendship and discerning gaze dares to chip away at her carefully applied facade. Clark Johnson honestly believes that Yosemite is God's creative masterpiece, and maybe it is.

Enchanting, brimming over with descriptive scenery, and a bit unnerving at times, "Where the Fire Falls" is ultimately a freedom canvas; coloring in the emancipation of two pained individuals from the shame of their pasts; finding that "dis-grace is a human term . . . . . . God invented grace. " And the romance? . . . . . . . always and forever, unless greed finds a way to destroy the scene.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated are entirely my own.

BACK COVER BLURB:
Stunning Yosemite National Park sets the stage for this late 1920s historical romance with mystery, adventure, heart, and a sense of the place John Muir described as "pervaded with divine light."

Watercolorist Olivia Rutherford has shed her humble beginnings to fashion her image as an avant-garde artist to appeal to the region's wealthy art-collectors. When she lands a lucrative contract painting illustrations of Yosemite National Park for a travel magazine, including its nightly one-of-a-kind Firefall event, she hopes the money will lift Olivia and her sisters out of poverty.

    After false accusations cost him everything, former minister Clark Johnson has found purpose as a backcountry guide in this natural cathedral of granite and trees. Now he's faced with the opportunity to become a National Parks Ranger, but is it his true calling?

    As Clark opens Olivia's eyes to the wonders of Yosemite, she discovers the people are as vital to the park's story as its vistas--a revelation that may bring her charade to an end.

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Remembering Those Who Serve

Dad (back right) with some of his shipmates.

My dad, who’s 93 now, is a veteran of World War II. He volunteered for the navy in 1943 and spent the next three years in the Pacific. He was only seventeen at the time and had never been out of Texas before, except for a brief trip to Oklahoma City, so even though he didn’t suffer the great trauma so many of our veterans of all wars have, suddenly being halfway around the world from home for three years was not easy for him. And, since he is the youngest of ten children, I’m sure it wasn’t easy for his worried mother.

These days, though, especially around Memorial Day, he gets a lot of handshakes and thank yous and sometimes an especially nice person will pay for lunch as a gesture of gratitude. He never says much about it, of course, but I can tell it makes him very happy to be remembered even in these small ways. But sometimes, for various reasons, some of ways people react when they notice his LST-118 WW II ball cap are more memorable than others.

One of the ships Dad was on. He was a gunner's mate.

This year, Dad and I went to a local steakhouse for lunch the day after Memorial Day. Not long after we were seated, a family with three or four boys in their mid-teens was seated a few tables away from us. I didn’t particularly notice them as we ate, but as we were leaving, I was helping Dad negotiate a path through the tables and out to the front door, and all of a sudden, one of the boys from the table near us bolted past. I steadied Dad and told him to look out. Not that the boy ran into us or anything, but Dad uses a cane and I wanted to make sure he didn’t lose his footing. For my part, I just figured the boy was in a hurry and didn’t have time or patience to wait for an old man to find his way out.

I was amazed when we finally rounded the corner into the foyer to find the boy waiting for us at the front door. He hadn’t finished his meal yet. His family was still at their table eating. But he had dashed past us not because he was in too much of a hurry or oblivious to anyone besides himself, but because, as he said, “Holding the door is the least I could do to show my gratitude for your service.”

Dad and I both thanked him. Dad shook his hand and told him how much he appreciated the gesture. We often hear how thoughtless and self-centered “young people today” are. And, yes, many of them are. Many of all of us are. But I’m still smiling when I think of this fine young man, and I’m grateful to whoever has raised him to be kind and respectful. I always try to thank police officers, fire fighters and veterans of all wars when I see them somewhere. This made me want to do it more. It means so much to those who sometimes wonder if their sacrifices go unnoticed. It reminds me how awful it would be if these brave men and women weren’t there during the most difficult times of our lives to do the hard jobs most of us don’t want to do.

On this 74th anniversary of D-Day (the June 6, 1944, invasion of Normandy which resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control), send up a prayer for those who have been willing to serve, suffer and even die so we can be free and safe. And for those of you who remember and who teach your children what service and sacrifice mean, God bless you!