Book Review: Every Perfect Gift

Author: Dorothy Love
Title: Every Perfect Gift
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publish Date: Dec 12, 2012
Buy: 
Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Book Sneeze
Book Blurb: Ethan and Sophie long to share a future together. But the secrets they’re not sharing could tear them apart.

Sophie Caldwell has returned to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, after years away. Despite the heartaches of her childhood, Sophie is determined to make a home, and a name, for herself in the growing town. A gifted writer, she plans to resurrect the local newspaper that so enchanted her as a girl.

Ethan Heyward’s idyllic childhood was shattered by a tragedy he has spent years trying to forget. An accomplished businessman and architect, he has built a majestic resort in the mountains above Hickory Ridge, drawing wealthy tourists from all over the country.

When Sophie interviews Ethan for the paper, he is impressed with her intelligence and astounded by her beauty. She’s equally intrigued but fears he will reject her if he learns about her shadowed past. Just as she summons the courage to tell him, Ethan’s own past unexpectedly and violently catches up with him, threatening not only his life but their budding romance.

Review: Every Perfect Gift is the third book in the Hickory Ridge Trilogy. The story is as beautiful as the cover and I fell in love with the cover instantly. I mean look at that dress. ~sigh~ Don't we all wish we looked like that model?

If you read the first book in the series you got to know Sophie a bit there. But don't worry if you pick up this book and not the other two, you'll be fine, these are great stand alone novels as well.

Sophie has returned to Hickory Ridge from Texas to start up the old newspaper. She's a talented writer and a reporter and she really has a dream she wants to follow.

Ethan is a hardworking businessman who has helped get the new resort Blue Smoke. Both he and Sophie are attracted to each other from the start, but Sophie's desire to share news, is pulling them apart. There's a lot going on while Blue Smoke is preparing for its opening, such as fights among the immigrant workers, which inspires a story for the paper, much to Ethan and his boss' chagrin.

There are a lot of conflicts between Sophie and Ethan's boss because of the paper. Sophie stands her ground and though it is the right thing to do, bad things happen to her as a result.

Sophie is really a strong character and you really love her. Ethan's a little harder to come around to.but by the end you love them both.

One of my favorite parts of the story involves Sophie and her mother. Sophie was raised in an orphanage and didn't know much about her heritage. I liked that she got the closure she needed.

This is a Christian romance, but the story isn't heavily seeped in religion, which is good. A wonderful book and a great story to finish off Dorothy's Hickory Ridge series

Rating: 4 flowers

TLC Book Tour & Review: Beyond All Measure

Author: Dorothy Love
Title: Beyond All Measure
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publish Date: May 31, 2011
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: TLC Book Tours and the publisher
Book Blurb: Ada Wentworth may be young, but she's seen enough of life to know she can only rely on herself. Everyone including God it seems, has let her down. Having lost her family, her fiance, and her fortune, Ada journeys from Boston to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, to take a position as a lady's companion. Though initially charmed by the pretty little Southern town tucked into the foothills of the great Smokies, Ada plans to stay only until she can earn enough to establish a millinery shop.

Her employer, Wyatt Caldwell, the local lumber mill owner, is easily the kindest, most attractive man Ada has met in Hickory Ridge. He believes Providence has brought her to town and into his life. But how, after so many betrayals, can she ever trust again? Besides, Wyatt has a dream of his own. A dream that will one day take him far from Hickory Ridge.

As the South struggles to heal in the aftermath of the Civil War, one woman must let go of her painful past in order to embrace God's plans for her. Can she trust Him, and Wyatt, with her future and her heart?

Review: Beyond All Measure is a beautiful Christian historical romance that is full of the color of the time period. The story is set in Hickory Ridge Tennessee shortly after the Civil War. Dorothy Love paints a rather good picture of how things were in the south at that time.

Ada Wentworth had traveled to that small town to be a companion to Lillian Caldwell. Lillian is one of the highlights of the book. She's such a spunky, fun old lady. She's a wonderful curmudgeon at times, and at others she's totally sweet.

It is hard not to love Wyatt Caldwell, as well. He's the kind of hero we all want. He's kindhearted, loves his family, is loyal. Even when sparks fly between him and Ada, you want these two together, and since it is a romance, you know it will happen eventually.

I've been reading more Christian romances lately, but this one really stands out as a good one. Why? Religion is part of the story, but it isn't the whole story.

Each character has been hurt by things in their life and they grow to love and trust, even after they make some bad choices.

This is a book that just about anyone can read and enjoy! I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.


Rating: 5 flowers