The Avid Reading Mom

Rosa’s Land is the story of Lafayette Riordan, the youngest of three sons.  He longs for adventure yet, due to his gentle upbringing, he is more suited to be a scholar and artist.  “Faye” as his family calls him, dreams of adventure and wants to earn a coveted position as a part of Judge Isaac Parker’s very famous team of marshals.  One day Faye tires of his simple life and sets out on a journey of discovery, secretly learning to ride and shoot so he can join the marshals. 

Rosa Ramirez is a young lady who lives with her grandfather on his ranch.  Their number one task to to keep the land safe from outlaws that are constantly raiding.  After a tragedy occurs during a raid by the outlaws, Rosa takes it upon herself to seek out Judge Isaac Parker and demands a marshal to stay on the ranch and help them run off the outlaws.  Rosa gets more than she bargained for as she rides back to the ranch with Faye.

The story continues with Faye moving from a “greenhorn” marshal to taking down one of the most famous outlaws, and grows up in many ways.  When his family visits, they are surprised at the man that Faye has become.  Can Faye and Rosa save the ranch from outlaws?  Can Rosa learn to trust Faye? 

I love Gilbert Morris.  I grew up devouring the Winslow Series and Cheney Duvall, M.D. as well as other books from Gilbert Morris.  While this book was good, I had a hard time reading this book.  The other books I have read by Morris have “meat” to them and the story lines kept my attention from the first chapter through the last.  This one, while good reading, was very shallow and unbelievable at times. The story starts with a large amount of unnecessary information on Faye’s father and brothers, and Faye isn’t mentioned right away.  Rosa, the title character, isn’t even mentioned until about one-third of the way into the book.  Faye and Rosa don’t even meet until almost half way through then their story speeds through to the ending. 

While it wasn’t my favorite read by Gilbert Morris, I will continue to read his books.  He is an amazing author and great storyteller.  Book Two in this series, Sabrina’s Man is set to release December 2013.  I am hoping that book will be a better read.

Thank you to NetGalley for my free copy of Rosa’s Land, which I received in exchange for an honest review.

Though My Heart Is Torn takes us on the continuing journey into the lives of Gideon and Lonnie.  Forced together in a shot-gun wedding, after one fateful night, their lives take twists and turn that leave the reader wanting more.  Book One, Be Still My Soul, is the beginning story of Gideon and Lonnie.  I would suggest that you read that book first or you will be lost.  The second book picks up where the story left off.

In Though My Heart Is Torn, begins with a very happy and content Gideon and Lonnie and they are raising their son in the Blue Grass Mountains, along side an amazing couple who mentors them through their challenges.  Yet, things will not stay happy for long, as Lonnie receives a letter from her family that takes them back to the Appalachian Mountains and a series of events that turns their lives upside down.  As Gideon is forced to deal with choices he made in the past, Lonnie is left reeling from those decisions.  She begins to wrestle with trusting God and that Gideon was the man for her, yet her love for Gideon never wavers.  As she returns to the Blue Grass Mountains and her home there, she is faced with a new love and new opportunities.  Can she forget about Gideon while raising their son?  Will Gideon settle into his new life and forget about Lonnie and his son?  What does the future hold for them as their tread through these new waters?

Again, Joanne did not disappoint.  This continuing story of Gideon and Lonnie left me turning page and page and not being able to put it down.  Their heart-wrenching story left me with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes several times, yet I couldn’t put it down.  You will be drawn into the lives of Gideon and Lonnie and they will become like a second family to you as you read.  The underlying faith in God is what keeps Gideon and Lonnie continuing toward the future that God has planned for them.
Most times, middle books are just that, middle books.  They are like bridges that link the first book to the ending.  Usually a middle book is forgettable or you find yourself trudging through them just so you can say you read it and can be prepared for the final book.  Not so with this one.  I actually enjoyed this book, as much or even a little more than the first one.  Book Three, My Hope Is Found, releases in October and I am anxiously awaiting it already!

Rush out, get book one and two, read them…you will be so glad you did!!!  I can’t recommend an author or a series more than I do this one.  It will not disappoint!

Thank you to Waterbrook Multnomah’s Blogging for Books program for my free copy of Though My Heart Is Torn, which I received in exchange for an honest review.


 

Be Still My Soul is a beautiful story of mercy, grace, love and forgiveness.  The story begins with shy Lonnie who lives in a home in the Appalachian Mountains in the early 1900’s.  Daily, she suffers the effects of an abusive father, yet, through it all, she holds tight to her faith in her Lord.  One night, Lonnie is left on her own to walk home through the dark woods.  She is escorted home by the very handsome Gideon…and that one night changed their lives forever.  Through a series of events, can Gideon learn to love the woman he is forced to marry?  Can Lonnie help Gideon find a love for her and for the Lord?  Will Gideon stay with her during their life journey?

This book kept me up almost all night just reading “one more chapter”.  This is Joanne Bischof’s very first novel and it is written very well.  I couldn’t put it down.  It left me wanting more and more.  The trials and joys that Gideon and Lonnie face are true to the times and their reactions are what kept me wanting more.  Joanne has a way of writing that makes the reader understand how harsh the lives were in the setting and time period of this story.  Joanne’s keen sense of details and emotional writing had me in tears as the book ended. 

As you near the end of this story, you will be left with the knowledge that forgiveness can be had, love will grow, but things are not always as they seem.  The ending will leave you wanting to know more about the lives of Gideon and Lonnie.  The next book in the series, Though My Heart Is Torn, is already available. 
I highly recommend this series to everyone.  It is definitely toward the top of my all time favorite stories.  You will not be disappointed.

Thank you to Waterbrook Multnomah’s Blogging for Books program for my free copy of Be Still My Soul, which I received in exchange for an honest review.