Two Brides Too Many (The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek #1) by Mona Hodgson

I stumbled across a true gem this summer, a Christian Fiction book virtual book club and I have absolutely enjoyed EVERY minute reading along with this group of women.  Not only are the novels they select fantastic, each month the author of the selection joins us on Facebook to discuss the novel.

One of the best authors to have visited our group is Mona Hodgson...we read her debut novel Two Brides Too Many (The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek #1) in September.

About the Novel:

Kat and Nell Sinclair are headed west—away from the manicured lawns of Maine to the boisterous, booming mining town of Cripple Creek, Colorado to start new lives for themselves as mail-order brides.

Aboard the train, romantic dreamer Nell carries a photo of her intended close to her heart and imagines an exciting and love-filled future, while her pragmatic older sister Kat resigns herself to marriage as a duty, not a delight.

But when the ladies disembark at the train depot, neither fiancé Patrick Maloney or Judson Archer awaits them with open arms. The well-bred Sinclair sisters find themselves unexpectedly alone in the wild, frontier town—a place where fire threatens to reduce the buildings to rubble, the working women strut the streets, rogues will gamble for the shoes on one’s feet, and God’s grace is found amongst the most unlikely of folks.

Two sisters,
Two missing misters,
A shocking welcome to the wild west that leaves both Kat and Nell Sinclair questioning their dreams­ and the hope for true love.


About the Author:

MONA HODGSON writes western, historical fiction for WaterBrtook Press. She is the author of TWO BRIDES TOO MANY, TOO RICH FOR A BRIDE, THE BRIDE WORE BLUE, TWICE A BRIDE, and THE QUILTED HEART novellas (early 2013 releases). Her writing credits also include nearly thirty children’s books, contributions to eleven books for adults, and hundreds of short stories, articles, and poems in newspapers and magazines. One of Mona’s favorite things to do (besides writing or eating dark chocolate) is to speak at women's retreats and schools, and for women’s groups, librarians, and at writers’ conferences throughout the United States and Canada. Mona lives in Arizona with her husband, Bob. Check out www.monahodgson.com to learn more. You can also follow Mona on her blog http://monahodgson.wordpress.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/author.mona.

My Thoughts:

I SO enjoyed my first Mona Hodgson read and am delighted to find that it is the first in a series.

After reading the beginning of the Sinclair sisters' journey I cannot wait to find out what becomes of them!


Kat and Nell Sinclair are the main characters in this Christian romance where the two sisters head out West for the promise of a new life, a new beginning, and a happily ever after.  When none of their plans go accordingly, these women begin to carve out a new existence for themselves and it is so interesting to watch their journey!

While romance (and not heavy doses of it) are a side note, what I loved most about this novel was that faith was front and center.  Ms. Hodgson doesn't shy away from it and she makes it a cornerstone of the novel.

I also adored the supporting characters.  Mr. Boney Hughes and Miss Hattie really add a solid foundation to the novel and are proof that there are all types of people out there and some may be the least assuming but may end up offering the most to your life.

The plot is flowing and you really do just want to keep reading to find out how this story turns out.  Kudos to Ms. Hodgson, you have made a fan out of me!

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

I am back reviewing with a vengeance - and boy let me tell you, this novel was an amazing choice to start with!

About the Book:

A critically acclaimed novel that will change the way you look at life, love, and family.

In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen ­year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heartwrenchingly beautiful, Mia's story will stay with you for a long, long time.

About the Author:

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away, I was a journalist who specialized in reporting on young people and social-justice issues. Which is a fancy way of saying I reported on all the ways that young people get treated like crap—and overcome! I started out working for Seventeen magazine, writing the kinds of articles that people (i.e. adults) never believe that Seventeen ran (on everything from child soldiers in Sierra Leone to migrant teen farm workers in the U.S.). Later on, I became a freelance journalist, writing for magazines like Details, Jane, Glamour, The Nation, Elle, Budget Travel, and Cosmopolitan. 

My first young-adult novel, Sisters in Sanity, was based on another one of those social justice articles I wrote when for Seventeen and you can click here to read the article. Sisters was published in 2007. My next book, If I Stay, was published in April of 2009 by Dutton. It is also being published in 30 countries around the world, which is surreal. The sequel/companion book to If I Stay, Where She Went, comes out in April 2011. I am currently working on a new YA novel, that is, when my kids (plural, after Willa we adopted Denbele from Ethiopia) allow me to. And after that book is finished, I’ll write another, and another….

Wow. This is crazy long. I suppose the short version of this bio could simply read: My name is Gayle Forman and I love to write young-adult novels. Because I do. So thank you for reading them. Because without you, it’d just be me. And the voices in my head.

Gayle Forman is an award-winning author and journalist whose articles have appeared in such publications as Jane, Seventeen, Glamour, Elle, and The New York Times Magazine, to name just a few. She lives in New York City with her husband and daughter.

My Thoughts:

I loved this novel - it took me back to young adult literature after a summer of many adult novels and I was glad to get back!

The plot was sensational - the idea that when we are critically injured that we can somehow have an out of body experience and see what is happening and even make a decision about which direction we want to go is breathtaking.

I think that the characters really set this novel up, Adam and Mia are of course the young couple in love facing some tough decisions when a tragic accident befalls them - their course is set into motion and at the end of the novel you don't find out where there relationship heads because there is a second book (which I am reading now, equally as good as the first!) 

Amazing author, my first read of hers and I am hooked - looking forward to finishing up the second on soon!

My Rating: 5/5

I'm Alive...and Reviewing Again!

Yes, I am alive...and reviewing again!  I took a summer hiatus from reviewing and blogging so I could focus on gardening, canning, and reading strictly for pleasure.  I am working my way back into reviewing and have signed up for some fall/winter book tours - much to come and looking forward to being back on the scene!

Child of the Mountains by Marilyn Sue Shank

About the Novel:

It’s about keeping the faith.

Growing up poor in 1953 in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia doesn’t bother Lydia Hawkins. She treasures her tight-knit family. There’s her loving mama, now widowed; her whip-smart younger brother, BJ, who has cystic fibrosis; and wise old Gran. But everything falls apart after Gran and BJ die and mama is jailed unjustly. Suddenly Lydia has lost all those dearest to her.

Moving to a coal camp to live with her uncle William and aunt Ethel Mae only makes Lydia feel more alone. She is ridiculed at her new school for her outgrown homemade clothes and the way she talks, and for what the kids believe her mama did. And to make matters worse, she discovers that her uncle has been keeping a family secret—about her.

If only Lydia, with her resilient spirit and determination, could find a way to clear her mother’s name...

About the Author:

Marilyn Sue Shank earned her PhD in special education from the University of Kansas, where she majored in learning disabilities and behavior disorders and minored in counseling psychology and families with disabilities. She has taught general and special education at the elementary, secondary, and college levels.

Marilyn’s work has been published in journals, and she coauthored the first four editions of Exceptional Lives: Special Education in Today’s Schools. Child of the Mountains is her first work of fiction. She lives in West Virginia with her three rescued dogs.

My Thoughts:

Oh my, what an endearing and emotional read!  I loved this one for so many reasons!

I have a soft place in my heart for stories involving Appalachia and the people who live there.  Much of my family calls these mountains home, I chose a college there, and my husband is from the Southwestern Virginia area and calls these mountains his home.  For those reasons, and just a pure love of the history of the area, books like this reach me on a whole new level!

I also have to give the author much credit because it is hard, I imagine, to write in the mountain dialect.  If you're not used to reading it it can be hard to follow but once you get into it you are hooked and it adds a whole deeper element to the story.

Lydia is such a complex character and the author really does a magnificent job portraying her and it was a amazing to watch her character grow and change throughout the novel.  Her story is heartbreaking but hopeful, and seeing all of the people who care about her and help her through touched my heart.

Just as valuable to the story are the supporting characters, they each have their special place in this novel and add something to the story that otherwise would not be.  One of the most touching was Mr. Hinkle, who showed Lydia that she should be proud of her culture, heritage and dialect.  He is evidence that a special person can show up in a child's life at just the right moment.  What he and Ms. Parker do for Lydia is beyond words.

I also enjoyed reading all of her "firsts" - lip gloss, nylons, etc.  It was exciting to see someone so humble experience that and as a reader I felt her excitement right along with her!

This book is about lessons...those we are taught within ourselves and those taught to us by others.  All valuable because they add to our character.  Lydia was the voice through this novel but it holds a bigger message that I think we all can learn from.

I love this novel, I read it in just a few short hours because I just couldn't put it down.  I am adding it to my reading list for my 6th grade book club students.

Book Rating: 5/5

Submerged by Dani Pettrey

If you want a suspenseful romance with a little history and faith splashed in, grab this book - it is a phenomenal read!

About the Novel:

A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-water divers.

Yancey, Alaska was a quiet town . . . until the truth of what was hidden in the depths off the coast began to appear.

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey again. She has a past, and a reputation--and Yancey's a small town. She's returned to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash and is determined not to stay even an hour more than necessary. But then dark evidence emerges and Bailey's own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.

Cole McKenna can handle the deep-sea dives and helping the police recover evidence. He can even handle the fact that a murderer

has settled in his town and doesn't appear to be moving on. But dealing with the reality of Bailey's reappearance is a tougher challenge.

She broke his heart, but she is not the same girl who left Yancey. He let her down, but he's not the same guy she left behind. Can they move beyond the hurts of their pasts and find a future together?

About the Author:

Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail-biting suspense, the deepening of one’s faith and plenty of romance. She’s a huge fan of dark chocolate, is always in search of the best iced mocha and her dream is to one day own a little cottage on a remote stretch of beach. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters. Visit her web site at www.DaniPettrey.com!

My Thoughts:

Wow, what a suspenseful read!  I am not usually into murder mysteries but this one had me on the edge of my seat and I really appreciated that!

When murder shocks the small town things are thrown into upheaval and the author does a great job of keeping readers interested in all aspects of the mystery.  I will say that some of the lineage information included about the Romanov family got hazy but simply because I am not that knowledgeable about Russian history.  Despite that, I appreciated the foray into a history that I don't know, it was interesting. 

What I liked most about this novel was the setting and characters - beautiful Alaska, simple beauty throughout the novel.  I also loved the characters, particularly Cole.  I think we can all look to someone like him as a great example of what a truly good person is and aspire to be just like him.  His acceptance of everyone, despite their flaws really made him special.  Plus the fact that he seems like the guy next door makes him even more likable.  Bailey was a bit different but I appreciated her humbleness and her honesty. 

This novel was picked as part of a Christian book club I participate in and it was a phenomenal choice.  I really loved the Christian themes throughout and the commitment by both of the main characters to their faith.

My only beef with this novel is Piper and Landon...I want to know what happened with them NOW!  I can't wait until book #2!  But like any good author of a trilogy, Pettrey has me chomping at the bit to get my hands on it!

Book Rating: 5/5

Information on Book #2: Shattered (release 2013)

Piper McKenna couldn’t be more thrilled that her prodigal brother, Reef, has returned to Yancey, Alaska, after five years. But her happiness is short-lived when Reef appears at her house covered in blood. A fellow snowboarder has been killed--but despite the evidence, Reef swears he's innocent. And Piper believes him.

Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he's also sworn to find the truth. Piper is frustrated with his need for facts over faith, but he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With his sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, some unexpected leads complicate the investigation, and pursuing the truth may mean risking Landon's career.

With Piper waging her own search, the two head deep into Canada's rugged backcountry--and unexpected complications. Not only does their long friendship seem to be turning into something more, but this dangerous case is becoming deadlier with each step.

Tuck Everlasting by Nancy Babbit

About the Book:


Doomed to - or blessed with - eternal life after drinking from a magic spring, the Tuck family wanders about trying to live as inconspicuously and comfortably as they can. When ten-year-old Winnie Foster stumbles on their secret, the Tucks take her home and explain why living forever at one age is less a blessing that it might seem. Complications arise when Winnie is followed by a stranger who wants to market the spring water for a fortune.

About the Author:


Natalie Babbitt was born Natalie Zane Moore on July 28, 1932, in Dayton, Ohio. She attended Laurel School for Girls, and then Smith College. She has 3 children and is married to Samuel Fisher Babbitt. She is a grandmother of 3 and lives in Rhode Island.

She is also a board member of the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance a national not-for-profit that actively advocates for literacy, literature, and libraries.


My Thoughts:

What a delightful little story! It has been a long time since I have read this one, so long that I couldn't remember what it was about. I love re-reading, especially books like this from my childhood.

The story is neat, the characters heartwarming, and the tale of a spring in the woods that from one drink will make you live forever. While I could go on all day about the setting, the plot, etc. I think this review is better served by mentioning that there is a bigger message here. Living forever (a metaphor for things we want but probably shouldn't have) is not a good thing. Too often things we badly want, but know we shouldn't have, are not good for us. The author does a great job making you think about that and think about the negatives to something that would seem incredible.

I look forward to sharing this story with my 6th graders, most of them have seen the movie so I will enjoy sharing the story with them.

Book Rating: 5/5

The World We Live In (Last Survivors #3) by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Whew, I am blown away...for sure.  I cannot believe how great this series was and I am sad to see it finished.  I hope (crossing fingers) that this author set the last book up to lend itself to a new trilogy outlining how the family does after they move.

About the Author:

Susan Beth Pfeffer was born in New York City in 1948. She grew up in the city and its nearby suburbs and spent summers in the Catskill Mountains. When she was six her father wrote and published a book on constitutional law, and Pfeffer decided that she, too, wanted to be a writer. That year she wrote her first story, about the love between an Oreo cookie and a pair of scissors. However, it wasn't until 1970 that her first book, Just Morgan, was published. She wrote it during her last semester at New York University; since then, she has been a full-time writer for young people.

For more on Susan Pfeffer, check out my last two reviews.

About the Book:

It’s been a year since a meteor collided with the moon, catastrophically altering the earth’s climate. For Miranda Evans, life as she knew it no longer exists. Her friends and neighbors are dead, the landscape is frozen, and food is increasingly scarce.

The struggle to survive intensifies when Miranda’s father and stepmother arrive with a baby and three strangers in tow. One of the newcomers is Alex Morales, and as Miranda’s complicated feelings for him turn to love, his plans for his future thwart their relationship. Then a devastating tornado hits the town of Howell, and Miranda makes a decision that will change their lives forever.

My Thoughts:

As I mentioned earlier, this trilogy blew me away - I read all three books in just a few days and I absolutely couldn't put it down.  For young adults, these three books cover an issue becoming more and more prevalent in people's minds - disaster, and how they will prepare for it.

This author certainly has mastered her craft - she writes amazingly well and younger audiences will fall right into the suspense and adventure of these stories.  As an adult I found it thrilling finding out what would happen next and I was so invested in the characters that I really felt like I could feel their experiences, feel their heartbreak, and their fear.  When you feel like you truly experience something as you're reading it that is the mark of a successful piece of literature in my mind and these three novels do just that.

This was a fitting ending to Miranda and Alex's stories.  I loved how she wove their stories together because they are fantastic characters on their own so to see them come together and experience the situation was really neat.  The author leads right up to all of the characters being forced to leave and move on but everything is an uncertainty.  I hope it is not an uncertainty whether this author will continue their story - it would be a great companion set to this trilogy.

Book Rating: 5/5