My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

Thirty-one year old Kate Donovan is in need of an escape from her everyday life where she’s burned out on work and tired of failed relationships. She and her grandmother return to Pennsylvania, where Kate’s grandmother grew up. Their mission? Restore Chapel Bluff, the house that has been in the family since 1820.

Matt, an ex ice hockey player, is the one who is helping them renovate Chapel Bluff. His reserved personality makes Kate curious. She can tell he’s hurting from something, and she wants to help restore him like he is helping to restore the house, but will his reservation keep him from opening up to her.

I thought this book was fantastic, one I will certainly pick up again. Becky Wade writes this story so you feel like you are able to get inside the heads of the two main characters. You know what they’re thinking; you know their fears. You know everything about them, and you cheer for both of them throughout the book. The struggles of Kate and Matt are shown in a real light. Life has hard moments, and sometimes it’s difficult to get past them or see God’s goodness in the midst of trials and disappointments. You can see that struggle in both Kate and Matt, as if it’s a mirror into our own lives.

This book was reviewed for Bethany House Publishers. 

The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis

Amelia Devries, a 24 year old violinist, is feeling the pressure from those around her to continue performing, to continue being a celebrity, but her heart is in fiddling, something her family would frown upon if they knew she was dabbling in it. They would think she was wasting her time and talent. Michael Hostetler, a young Amishman, is wrestling with the decision of whether or not to join the church. They meet unexpectedly during a storm, and Michael invites Amelia to spend some time in Hickory Hollow, giving her a chance to get away from it all. But her other life is beckoning, and Michael still has a decision to make.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was simple yet well developed. The characters were realistic and dynamic. I enjoyed the familiar references of Lancaster County because that's where I'm from, so I felt as though I could picture the scenes more vividly. The Fiddler is an enjoyable book, one that many people could relate. Many people grapple with those decisions that could change the path of their lives, so it's easy to understand what these characters are going through, whether or not the individual circumstances fit.

This book was reviewed for Bethany House Publishers. A review copy of this title was supplied free of charge through the Bethany House Book Review Program.

Kentucky

I had the opportunity to travel to Kentucky for a missions trip, and like many missions trips, I was served in more ways that I could serve. The people in Eolia, Kentucky were extremely welcoming, much more than they are back home in Pennsylvania. It made me think about the way I interact with people. Sometimes I put up walls to keep others out. I like my little bubble, but I need to be stretched from that comfortable spot. I need to open my heart and my doors to those people who are around me. Everyone has a story to tell, and I want to listen to those I haven't heard before. The trip challenged me to give more freely of myself, both my material resources and my time. I also saw how God equips the called instead of calling the equipped. What a wonderful realization. What a wonderful break it was from the everyday hustle and bustle! What an opportunity to slow down and see how God can really use you when you're willing!

Chasing the Sun by Tracie Peterson

Hannah Dandridge finds herself caring for her younger siblings in Texas while her father has gone to Mississippi, but he ends up missing. The ranch they’ve been living on actually belongs to William Barnett and his family, but William’s family abandoned Texas to fight for the Union. Therefore, the ranch was given to Hannah’s father because of his work with the confederacy. William returns to the ranch after his father and brother died in the war only to find it inhabited by a new family. William and Hannah need to figure out how to make this new reality work. Who does the ranch really belong to? 

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. It was light and heartwarming. There were some tense scenes, but I didn’t feel like I was on the edge of my seat with each chapter. In fact, this book was great to read before bed. It was easy to put down after each chapter because that author did not leave you hanging. The religious themes in this books were not too overwhelming or preachy. 

This book was reviewed for Bethany House Publishers. A review copy of this title was supplied free of charge through the Bethany House Book Review Program.