Well, I think I am finally on the downswing of my fluffy reading binge. Or just not grabbing books from the library (still randomly) that completely tickle my fancy. Yuletide Baby by Deb Kastner bypassed Thanksgiving right into Christmas. 

I have a couple loves with this one – the name of the town – Serendipity, Texas; the name of the abandoned baby in the church – Noelle. Who wouldn’t want to live in a town named Serendipity and if you know anything about my baby name choices (Emanuel, Echo, Trinity), well Noelle fits right in on that one. 

Now for what I had trouble with – this is another foster parent book. As mentioned previously a baby is abandoned in a church in the Christmas creche. There is a history of abuse with the female main character Heather and both she and the male lead Shawn (part time pastor full  time rancher) hold onto guilt for situations they could not control. 

There really is not much of a focus on the people in town around the two main characters, possibly because they are really both two wrapped up in their own emotional turmoil. You get a lot of back history in this story on both sides and most of it is tragic. This has caused a strengthening of faith with one and almost a fear of the church and God with the other. 

The ending has a rather dramatic climax that includes Heather’s foster children (and myself a tiny bit confused as to where Noelle was during all of this). The ending is lovely and wraps everything up with a Christmas bow. This is a seasonal contemporary Christian romance with a bit of a gritty under belly. In reading the author’s note to the reader I realized there are multiple books set in the town of Serendipity so the potential is there for more faith journeys in small town Texas. I think I simply prefer my light reading a little less angst filled. 

Blowing on Dandelions by Miralee Ferrell is the first in the Love Blossoms in Oregon Series. A historical romance, this story deals with the emotional pain that can be the difficult and strained relationship with one’s mother. The need for faith and trust and a love of God to renew and build anew torn relationships and broken hearts.

Love and a faith in God and a willingness to simply lay down your problems and worries at God’s feet help our main character, widow Katherine to not only mend her relationship with her mother who has traveled to Oregon to join her and her two daughters but to see the chance for love with Micah. A God fearing widower with a young son.

I love that not only do you follow Katherine and Micah’s story but two of their children as well, Lucy and Zachary as they all come to understand not only their own hearts and minds but how love can bloom in another’s after loss. Life is not simple in the 1880’s and loss of spouse or child common. Faith becomes difficult to hold onto when you are constantly attempting to stay strong in the face of adversity.

There is a boardinghouse full of characters with minor stories of their own to read about as well. Katherine is a woman in need of strength while at the same time trying to find a way to give all to the Lord and be weak in His eyes. The imagery of a dandelion blowing in the wind is so beautiful.

“Katherine Galloway’s soft exhales sent the dandelion fluff dancing on the warm current of air, but it didn’t bring the anticipated relief. Gripping the stem, she sat in the grassy field with her eyes closed and waited. Why didn’t it come? It had always appeared years ago when she needed it. How long had it been since her mind had drifted away to a place where nothing could hurt her? Fifteen years? Twenty?

She shook her head and an errant curl tickled her cheek.

More. Many more. But always her memory returned to those times when the dandelion fluff had carried her away to a place where mothers were loving and kind, and little girls didn’t need to be afraid of cutting words or sharp voices.”

A Christian Historical Romance, this is a lovely book of heartfelt characters and redemption. For ALL characters there is a chance for peace and love, acceptance and joy…

Blowing on Dandelions

I don’t usually read historical romances… at least not ones NOT based in the Regency Era but Amazon had this one up for free on Prime. I am glad that I did in this case. Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart is a sweet romantic story about a young woman who has had no luck in love following a wagon accident that took her eyesight and her parents’ lives.

Noelle is living with her aunt, uncle and 2 cousins after the death of her parents and broken engagement. She is dependent on her family as she continues to find her independence without the help of her sight. Strengthened by her belief in God and her teaching piano to the local children, Noelle is content with her life… that is until the snow falls and once again she is the passenger in a wagon gone wild.

When Noelle and her Aunt are saved by a stranger old memories and loves are brought to the surface and Noelle questions her life, choices and future. When the identity of the stranger is discovered we begin the journey of his return to faith and the healing of his broken heart. We learn more about their shared history and the parts each of their parents played in it.

This gentle romance pairs up two journeys of faith with a long ago time period of horse and buggy (or sled) and the beginning of steam powered train. I have to say, I really enjoyed this book. While definitely at a disadvantage due to her lack of sight Noelle does not constantly slip into a pity party. Instead we get a glimpse into the conundrums that come with being disabled in a society without a lot of the resources we now have at hand. If you are on the look out for an inspirational historical romance this could be the book for you!

Homespun Bride