My Stubborn Heart

My Stubborn Heart

by Becky Wade

From the back cover:

Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother asks her to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance. Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man hired to renovate the house. Kate can't help being attracted to him, drawn by both his good looks and something else she can't quite put her finger on. He's clearly wounded - hiding from people, from God, and from his past. Yet Kate sets her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back into the light...whether he likes it or not. When the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and Matt slowly shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her heart? Or will Kate be required to give up more than she ever dreamed?

My take:

I first heard about this book when my friend Becky reviewed it on her blog.  She rated it highly, and when she loves a book, most of the time I love it too. I finally got the chance to read it, and boy am I sorry I waited so long! I can't begin to recount how much I loved this book. From the setting in Redbud, Pennsylvania, the rich descriptions, the memorable characters...I loved all of it! Wade does an excellent job of building up tension/romance between Kate and Matt. I also loved Gran, Velma, and Morty. I found myself wishing I could go over to Chapel Bluff for a game of poker with them! 


I want to preface what I'm about to say with reiterating how much I loved this book. The only thing I wasn't entirely crazy about was Matt's dark, withdrawn personality. It seems that so many women go for men who are "emotionally unavailable," myself included (in the past). I don't consider this very healthy, and hope women reading it don't think they can change a man who is this way. That being said, I also recognize God's powerful work in a life, and know that He and only He can change someone for the better.

I probably went on a bit more for a book review, but I felt the need to elaborate a bit on the subject since it is one I feel strongly about. I also realize this is just a book of fiction, and it is fun to dream about "what could be."

I would recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a good inspirational romance. I give it a "5."


About the author:

Becky Wade is a graduate of Baylor University. As a newlywed, she lived for three years in a home overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, as well as in Australia, before returning to the States. A mom of three young children, Becky and her family now live in Dallas, Texas. Visit www.beckywade.com to learn more about Becky, her writing, and a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of My Stubborn Heart.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

River's Song

River's Song
by Melody Carlson

After the recent death of her mother, Anna Gunderson moves back to her childhood home to clean out her parents' things. She's had a hard life - she lost her husband at a young age, and she and her 18-year-old daughter have lived with her cruel mother-in-law ever since. At her childhood home, she meets old friends and  makes some new ones, and becomes inspired to turn the house into a bed and breakfast.

I wasn't sure I'd be able to say this, but I did like this book. The first few chapters were hard to get through - it was depressing to read about all that Anna had gone through, and it seemed as if the world was against her. In fact, if I hadn't committed to reading this book for a review, I would have put it down. In the end, I am glad I had a reason to finish. The story did get more interesting, and I enjoyed reading about Anna's "new lease on life." Interestingly, it's the first in a series of books called "The Inn at Shining Waters." The end of the book featured the first chapter of the next book, River's Call. What I read interested me enough that I would definitely read the second book.

About the Author:

Melody Carlson published her first book in 1995 and she has been writing prolifically ever since. To date, Melody has published over 200 books, making her one of the top 20 most prolific authors of all time. With total sales of over 1.4 million her award-winning books include: Homeward, Love Finds You in Sisters, Oregon; Limelight; the Diary of a Teenage Girl series; the True Colors series; and the Charter House Girls series.

In her professional life, Melody has worn many hats: from pre-school teacher to political activist to senior editor. Currently, she writes full-time, and freelances from her home. She has two grown sons and lives in Sisters, Oregon with her husband, Chris, and Bailey, her chocolate lab. They enjoy skiing, hiking, and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains. 


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Glass Road Public Relations. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."