Hot by Laura Smith

Lindsey is beautiful, young and thrilled to be noticed by Noah, a handsome hockey player for her school’s team. She lives amid family struggles and the time she spends hanging out with Noah is the only time she feels safe and secure. She and Noah attend youth group together, have many common interests and are sure they love each other. But all the peer pressure and temptations of teenage life surround them and entice them to go further in their physical relationship. How far will Lindsey be willing to go for the peace and safety she craves?

Hot by Laura Smith is a glimpse into the life of a beautiful teenage girl. The story certainly stays true to the atmosphere and environment of today’s teenager. Once I got a few chapters into the book, I liked the story. The only complaint I have is that the book ended right in the middle of a conversation between Lindsey and Noah. I suppose this is a tricky way to ensure that the reader will want to purchase the next book in the series; however, I am not a fact of the tactic. A good read for teenagers who desire to remain sexually pure.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Somewhere To Belong

Johanna Ilg loves Amana, the plain community that she has always lived in. Though she longs to visit the outside world, she finds fulfillment by serving her people and her God. When the Schumacher family moves from Chicago to Amana, Johanna is given the responsibility of helping Berta Schumacher learn her responsibilities. The problem is that Berta does not want to be in Amana and she certainly does not want to work in a kitchen all day. Despite difficult moments, a unique friendship is formed between the two young women. When these young women discover family secrets that threaten to change their entire lives, they will only find restoration by pursuing the will of God. But will either of them be willing to face the difficult challenge of forgiveness?

I enjoyed this book, but it was one I would suggest renting from the library before buying. It was okay, but some things were confusing. I don't think Amana is an Amish village, but it has a lot of plain living characteristics. If you really like Amish stories, then you will probably love this book. The plot has a sweet love story woven within it, but focuses mostly on the lives of the two young women.
I suspect that there may be a sequel featuring more of Berta's life. The ending was very open. :)
 
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Letter Perfect

The death of her mother brings Ruth Caldwell's life into serious upheaval. In obedience to her mother's final wishes, she travels to California to live with the father she never knew. Unfortunately, when she arrives, she finds that he is dead and she may be heir to a part of the Broken P ranch. Joshua McCain has devoted his life to the success of the Broken P ranch and is part owner of the ranch. The revelation of Ruth Caldwell's existence gives her a claim to his ranch and at first, Joshua wants nothing more than to put her on a train and send her back East. To his dismay, Ruth proves to be a kind, sweet, admirable woman and Joshua can not help but be attracted to her. However, when her clumsiness begins to involve serious incidents, he begins to wonder if something sinister may be involved.

Letter Perfect is the struggle of one woman to move beyond her grief and the things of her past to embrace a future. The character of Ruth Caldwell is ridiculously clumsy and yet the author makes her seem perfectly authentic in the context of the story. The book contained just the right combination of mystery, humor, romance and culture to create a story that one will want to read over and over again.

Character-Like People

There are some people that I've met on the path of life that would make absolutely amazing characters for books.   I'm thinking of two people in particular.  One is a classmate from high school and one is a co-worker from a previous employer.  Both of them are actuaully kind of alike. They are both male, very well-educated, confident, and charming in a backwards sort of way. 

Sixteen Brides

The Ladies Emigration Society has promised free land and independence in exchange for ladies to journey to Nebraska and homestead the land. Sixteen ladies band together and board a train headed to Nebraska. They know that there will be plenty of challenges – building a homestead, providing income for themselves and a plethora of other possibilities. What these ladies do not know is that they have been marketed as eligible young women interested in marriage. Plum Grove, Nebraska, is the last stop before the ladies' destination and it is here the ladies learn on the plan to be marketed as brides. Refusing to go on, several of the ladies stay in Plum Grove and must decide whether to stay or to return to the East. The future of each of these ladies holds promise, love, choices and challenges. Will each of them have the courage to take hold of their own future and obtain the independence that they were promised?

Sixteen Brides was enjoyable to read. I have to say that I'm glad the author did not actually attempt to cover each life of each of the sixteen women. She conveniently dismissed a few of them and chose to focus in on about six of them. I liked this book, though I found it a little too unauthentic in that each of the women find the perfect mate for them. In reality, I can not imagine that happening though I suppose it could. It was a cute story. Perfect for curling up under a blanket on a rainy day.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

She Walks In Beauty

Clara Carter thinks she has plenty of time to find a way out of her debut into New York Society. However, when the De Vries family heir becomes the eligible bachelor of the social season, Clara's aunt decides that she will debut this year and somehow manage to get the De Vries heir to propose to her. Bound by family loyalty and society's tradition, Clara attempts to do all that her father and aunt desire for her to. In the end, she must choose between family, love, money and hope.

She Walks In Beauty is an enchanting story of one young woman's pursuit of love. But does she want the kind of love she is offered? Hard choices and learning family secrets have a way of making a person mature and that is exactly what happens to Clara in this book. The story is well-written and genuinely captures all of Clara Carter's emotions and experiences. I found myself not wanting to put this book down. I appreciate the way the author worked in social issues of the time. Poor immigrant housing and the extreme measures that women would subject themselves to in order to be beautiful were two of the main issues. Those issues can still be considered relevant in our culture today.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."