Love in the Balance

Hmmmmmm.....

I have such a hard time being critical of any author when I know they put their heart and soul into their stories. But I do want to give my honest opinion, so here I go.

Book Rating: Here a little, there a little

I really enjoy Regina Jennings' style, and if you enjoyed her first book SIXTY ACRES AND A BRIDE then you might really enjoy this also. I thought I would...but for me, it wasn't my cup of tea.

The more I read, the pickier I get, I guess. The scenario of this book intrigued me, but it ended up taking a turn that I didn't like, and I just couldn't get over it. I have almost considered changing my rating system to a simple "I'd read it again" or "I won't read it again." And this story I wouldn't read again.

The conflict in this story is very strong--and that's a good thing of course--but the kind of conflict, mainly from the heroine, came across in such a way that made me not care for her and that's what soured the story for me. Molly Lovelace came across as quite self-centered for a large portion of the book--to me, anyway. Also, I found myself frustrated at the fact that Bailey (her long-time love interest) is trying his best to avoid temptation, but Molly doesn't seem to be trying as hard. At least that's the way it felt to me. I hate to say it, but frankly I couldn't see what Bailey saw in her. *gulp*

This is a clean book, but with a lot of adult themes, just so you know...

Now, again, all of these things being said, there are very nice things about the story. I thoroughly enjoyed Bailey's character. I thought he was honorable, and really continued to strive to do what was right most of the time. For me, he is the one shining element of the story.

So, if you are up for it--read it, and then tell me what you thought!

Thank you to Bethany House to my review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Happy Reading!
Buy it!

Sixty Acres and a Bride

Holy FREEEEEAAAAAK!  (Pardon my French.)  This book was breathtakingly beautiful.  I seriously could not stop reading!

Book Rating:  Best of the Best

I am often suspicious when I start a new book, and I haven’t decided if that is a good thing or a bad thing.  Anyway, I was extremely skeptical when I started this one.  No reason, really.  I just was.  But, it didn’t take long before I was consumed by my need to finish this book!  This is Regina Jennings first novel, and there’s no way it will be her last.  If you are keen on Tamera Alexander’s style of writing, you will like this book.  To me, their styles are quite similar.

So, this is a modern take on the Biblical story of Ruth and Boaz.  It’s a great, GREAT romance!  I smiled, and sighed and giggled my way through it.  Now, if you are like me, then you probably like to read these books knowing that there’s gonna be a good kiss sometime before you’ve gone through half the book. Not so here, my friends.  You gotta wait a long, long time. I mean, a long time.  But whoo-ee, it’s worth it!

Rosa (a lovely, sweet and hard working Mexicana) has married into the Garner family, and embraced the Christian faith.  She and her mother-in-law return to Texas from Mexico after their husbands die, only to find they may lose their land due to back-taxes.  They do everything they can think of to get the money, but in the end it still isn’t enough.  How in the world will they save their land and livelihood?

Enter, Weston Garner.  (Do you hear the angel chorus?)  He is really the perfect leading man, in my opinion—strong, with dashing good looks, kind, loves God, has a fun personality and is also romantic.  Who could want more?  Are you crazy?  Anyway, their relationship throughout the book grows slowly, but substantially.  I felt like the issues they were dealing with were very real, and I appreciated that greatly.

The Christian message of the story was wonderful.  Some books have a constsant flow of scriptures, prayer, etc. throughout the book and this one didn’t have as much of that as I have seen before.  But the stuff that was there was very good.

If you don’t like this book, I’ll eat my hat.

Happy Reading!
Buy it!