The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

This was a great read. I love the glimpse into history from the eyes of a wedding dress. From the description of the dress, I decided I want to be the next bride to wear it!!!

Four brides. One Dress.

A tale of faith, redemption, and timeless love.

Charlotte owns a chic Birmingham bridal boutique. Dressing brides for their big day is her gift . . . and her passion. But with her own wedding day approaching, why can't she find the perfect dress…or feel certain she should marry Tim?

Then Charlotte discovers a vintage dress in a battered trunk at an estate sale. It looks brand-new-shimmering with pearls and satin, hand-stitched and  timeless in its design. But where did it come from? Who wore it? Who welded the lock shut and tucked the dog tags in that little sachet? Who left it in the basement for a ten-year-old girl? And what about the mysterious man in the purple vest who insists the dress had been "redeemed."

Charlotte's search for the gown's history-and its new bride-begins as a distraction from her sputtering love life. But it takes on a life of its own as she comes to know the women who have worn the dress. Emily from 1912. Mary Grace from 1939. Hillary from 1968. Each with her own story of promise, pain, and destiny. And each with something unique to share. For woven within the threads of the beautiful hundred-year-old gown is the truth about Charlotte's heritage, the power of courage and faith, and the timeless beauty of finding true love.

"The story of four loveable women, miraculously bound by one gown, whose lives span a century . . . will take your breath away." -Beth Webb Hart, bestselling author of Love, Charleston

First Date by Krista McGee

"Addy Davidson is the last girl in the country who wants to be on the new reality TV show to win a date to prom with the President's son. She's focused on her schoolwork so she can get a scholarship to an Ivy League college, uncomfortable in the spotlight, never been on a date, and didn't even audition for it.

But she got selected anyway.

So she does her best to get eliminated on the very first show… right before she realizes that the President's son is possibly the most attractive guy she has ever seen in person, surprisingly nice, and seemingly unimpressed by the 99 other girls who are throwing themselves at him.

Addy's totally out of her comfort zone-but that may be right where God can show her the most about who she is . . . and who she was meant to be."

This book is a great read for young teen girls. It's fun, and suspenseful and a little romantic. I really could relate to the character as a very focused, shy, OCD college student who seldom makes time for a personal life.  I also like how McGee shows how one person living for Jesus can impact many people. 

The Accidental Bride

As a recent Denise Hunter discoverer, this book was just another reason to love her! This book has a cute plot, and who doesn't love a romantic comedy!

Shay Brandenberger has been raising her daughter in Moose Creek, Montana on her childhood ranch, nestled against the Yellowstone River. In spite of all her work, Shay cannot seem to keep the ranch afloat, and now the bank is threatening to foreclose.  Desperate, Shay prays for a miracle, but what she receives is anything but one.

When Shay agrees to play the bride for the Founder's Day wedding reenactment, she is horrified to meet Travis McCoy, her high school sweetheart, at the end of the aisle. Suddenly, the unthinkable happens. A busy body and an absent minded preacher cause the wedding reenactment to result in a legal marriage. However, before Shay can yell for divorce, Travis comes up with a crazy idea. If Shay refuses, then she will lose her home. But if she accepts, she may lose her heart.

Shay isn't sure if the events are God's will or simply a preacher's blunder. Can she trust her heart to a man who once shattered it? Will it be the worst mistake of her life, or could their marriage be the best accident ever?

Smitten

"Four friends devise a plan to turn Smitten, Vermont, into the country's premier romantic getaway-and each finds her own true love along the way.

With Smitten Lumber closing, residents wonder if their town can stay afloat. Then four friends and local business owners-Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese--decide the town is worth saving. How will they do it? They'll turn Smitten into a honeymoon destination!

As Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese work to save the town, each discovers romance in her own life. Meanwhile, the faith of a little child reminds the whole town what it means to have real faith in the God who is the always and forever Love."

This was a great rainy day read. I read it during my Thanksgiving vacation and had a hard time putting it down. Thes girls are wonderful, and I want to honeymoon in Smitten!

"These four authors have penned a series of interconnected sweet romance tales that will have readers longing to visit Smitten, Vt. For pure escapism, this book is ideal." -Romantic Times

An Amish Wedding

Fans of Amish fiction will find triple the enjoyment here thanks to this gathering of novellas in one book. The trio of stories--all by accomplished writers of Amish fiction--create a tight braid of friendship and love as three young women follow their hearts despite bumps in the road.A satisfying addition to the popular Amish genre. --Publisher's Weekly

Three intertwined stories and characters combine in this charming book. -- Romantic Times


Amish fiction is a big hit right now. This book is great! The facts about the Amish people are accurate, and the plots are exciting. Great read for a rainy afternoon! 

Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble

"Award-winner Coble keeps the sparks flying in the new addition to the Lonestar series. Romance rekindles between Eden and Clay, but they must overcome past issues and face danger at every turn in this fast-paced adventure, until love finally brings a family back together." -Booklist


What if you lost your baby girl and your husband five years ago and they both pop back into your life?
That's the story of the Larson's. Five years ago their baby was stolen and never found. Eden blamed herself, Clay lost himself in work. Their young and rocky marriage ended. But Clay never signed the divorce papers.

Eden's moved to a new town. She's found faith and is trying to rebuild her life. She's even dating again, until Clay arrives informing her that they're still married. Clay has been searching for their daughter, and he believes he's found her in Bluebird, Texas.
Eden and Clay sign on as counselors at Bluebird Ranch. Working together, they rediscover their love for each other. Through a dangerous situation, they must fight to save their marriage and their family. Will they realize God has been fighting for them all along; and His plans are for a more abundant life than they've dared to hope. Find out in the newest book in the Lonestar series!

Heaven is for Real Deluxe Edition

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo is the astounding story of a little boy's trip to heaven. Colton is the son of an Nebraska pastor. He died breifly during an emergency surgury, and what happened to him has inspired thousands. Colton gives his account of entering heaven. The back cover reads:
"Colton said he met his miscarried sister whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us."
The author is Colton's father, who is the pastor of Crossroads Wesleyan, a wrestling coach, a volunteer fireman, and he operates a garage door company with his wife, Sonja, who is also a children’s minister, busy pastor’s wife, and mom. Colton, now an active 11-year-old, has an older sister Cassie and a younger brother Colby.