CINDERELLA 'S BOOT by DARLENE FRANKLIN

I love stories with second chances. It shows the grace and forgiveness people work through. This story was very well written with two wonderful characters that I adored. What happens if you decide you don't want to get married on your wedding day? Cynthia was about to marry the man she has loved forever, but something stops her. I loved how she followed her dream even though she made a hasty getaway . Can you imagine what the groom must have felt when he realized his bride has run away?

Keith has not forgotten about that painful day four years ago when his dream went thousands of miles  away to Australia.  I really loved his character because he had great manners and treated women with respect. Cynthia had  left him  at the altar but now they find themselves back in the same small town. Keith has joined his dad's veterinarian clinic. There is one small problem  though. Guess who has been working there while Keith was getting his vet's license? Oh my the story is fun when Cynthia and Keith see each other after all those years. I loved the beautiful scriptures the author uses that ties beautifully to the story.  There are a few surprises in the story about a certain boot that will remind you that dreams do come true. It's a great read about two people who each much learn to forgive and open their hearts to a second chance.

I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.

TO RICHES AGAIN by DARLENE FRANKLIN

One of my favorite things about this author is she knows how to make a story come to life. I really enjoyed learning about the Orphan Trains. I can't imagine the sadness on the trains as the children grieved for their families. Elyssa  knows very well what it feels like to an orphan. She has such a tender heart and her love for the children is precious. She travels to Kansas to deliver the last of the orphans. I loved when she arrived at the station. The excitement as new moms and dads met their new children were a sight to see.

Elyssa has had a little doubt about one particular parent. It is most unusual for a single man to want to adopt. I chuckled as Elyssa  realizes that he is late and she starts to fret. Today of all days, Bill has an emergency on the farm  and is late  getting to the station. I don't think he made a very good impression on Elyssa. The ride out to the ranch must have been a bit strained as Elyssa is quite upset with Bill. Is Elyssa having second thoughts about Bill as the father of the two children she has for him?

The children, Ian and Bridgett are a delight. They finally feel like they belong somewhere. The story is well written with budding  romance that is guided by God. Will Elyssa take Bill's offer to stay and help with the kids? Can Elyssa learn to trust Bill? . Grab a copy if this great story and find out what happens when Elyssa and Bill listen to God for direction.

I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.

ANGELS' SHARE by JAMES MARKERT

I wasn't really sure about this book at first. I felt kinda lost and wasn't understanding what the book was about. I'm glad I kept going because slowly the author starts to develop characters that come alive. I loved the history behind prohibition and the era it was set in. In the woods of Kentucky lies distilleries. The people are glad that prohibition is over and they are ready to crank up the distillery again. Now who is going to run it?

Can you imagine running a distillery to pay bills, put food on the table and have  spending money? There  were plenty of people who depended on their craft but when the FBI came in and closed them, it must have been a real hardship. The story focuses on a family who has decided to start their distillery up again. The characters are interesting and I really liked the biblical reference to the story of Jesus. Some poor lost man  dies and people believe he will arise again. There sit twelve believers much like the disciples waiting for the miracle to happen.

The town is a mixture of characters and for some reason I just could not follow the story. Who is this person who everyone believes is a miracle? Could it be Jesus they were witnessing with their  own eyes? People in the town believe this man is making miracles happen. There is mystery , people running from the law and a man many claim could be Jesus. In this little town they need a miracle to keep it running. Asher is a great character who will play a very intricate part in this story. Who is he really? Did he come to help the town? The book is quite different but one that is worth reading.

I received a copy of this book from the Fiction Guild. The review is my own opinion.