C Jane Read : May 2018

Thursday, May 31, 2018

C Reviews: Hometown Girl by Courtney Walsh

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Waterfall Press
Released: Sept. 19, 2017
382 pages

About the Book:

Beth Whitaker isn’t supposed to be a small-town girl. She’s always dreamed of leaving Willow Grove, Illinois, for the big city, but she feels trapped, struggling to make up for a mistake that’s haunted her for years. Just when Beth is finally ready to break free, her sister impulsively buys a beloved but run-down farm on the outskirts of town, and she begs Beth to help with the restoration. Reluctantly, Beth agrees to help—and puts her own dreams on hold once again.

Drew Barlow hasn’t been back to Fairwind Farm since he was a boy, and he’s spent all these years trying to outrun the pain of a past he thought he buried long ago. When he learns that the owner has passed away, his heart knows it’s finally time to do the right thing. Returning to Willow Grove, Drew revisits the old farm, where he attempts to piece together his memories and the puzzle of the crime he witnessed so long ago.

Both on a journey to find peace, Beth and Drew are surprised when they begin to experience a restoration of their own. But when long-buried secrets break through the soil and the truth unfurls, will it threaten their budding relationship—and the very future of the farm?

Goodreads / Amazon / Christianbook

Courtney Walsh's Website

I felt like Hometown Girl took me back to the small hometown and farm community that I grew up in. I could really picture walking through town and through Fairwind Farms. A small town community where people are there for each other and always pitch in and help each other out. I loved the unique supporting characters which were all well developed and each unique and realistically flawed their own way.

This story about healing, forgiveness and redemption also had an element of a mystery to be solved. This had my interest peaked into the book immediately. Drew was a man of few words and yet so full of emotion. I enjoyed watching his journey of healing and acceptance. Beth’s story was a journey of her discovering her true self. Along the way, she has to learn to forgive herself, learn to let others in and be vulnerable and to rely on God through the process.

This is a must read, and Courtney Walsh has quickly become a favorite author.

(I purchased my copy of this book, opinions expressed in this review
are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other Books by Courtney:

Change of Heart Review / Just Look Up Review

Goodreads / Amazon / Christianbook

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Jane Reviews: More Than Meets the Eye by Karen Witemeyer

Series: Patchwork Family # 1
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Bethany House
Releases: June 5, 2018
352 pages

About the Book:

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?

Goodreads / Amazon / Christianbook

Karen Witemeyer's Website

My Rating & Thoughts: 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 (4 stars)

Releases June 5th!

This is a story of love, forgiveness, and learning to overcome challenges. It is presented as a historical romance that also includes a mystery that requires digging into clues, elements of danger and drama. As much as the suspense kept me intrigued it was the personal relationships that captured me. The bond between Evie, Seth and Zach was wonderful. They were loyal to one another, supporting and looking out for each other, at times this might come across as a bit overbearing but when push came to shove they did whatever they could for each other.

Evie was easy to love, even though she has endured many hurts she remains optimistic and treats others with kindness. This is how she approaches Logan, the stranger that purchases the property beside her family. She continues to treat him with kindness even when she finds out he is hiding something from her. Logan came to town with one motive in mind, but after meeting Evie things become complicated for him. Will he follow through with his plan? How does meeting Evie change his plans?

I loved the interactions between Evie and Logan, there was a connection between them from their first meeting that only grew stronger the more they spent together. I found it easy to cheer for these two, wanting them to establish a future together. There was a second budding romance that I was not expecting, but I loved that we got to experience a part of it.

We got little peaks into the type of person Zach is, what he has done for his family but also that he is searching for peace. I look forward to reading his story soon.