The Country House Courtship by Linore Rose Burkard

A truly enjoyable read, The Country House Courtship, third in Linore Rose Burkard's "Inspirational Romances for the Jane Austen Soul" shines through all the twists and turns in the road for Ariana Mornay's sister, Beatrice Forsythe, who considers setting her cap toward Mr. Tristan Barton, a deceitful and despicable scoundrel, unless she is allowed to go to London to find a suitable gentleman of good breeding and fortune.

However, five years earlier, Beatrice had promised Peter O'Brian she would marry him, but she was young then, too young to know what she was really promising. And Peter, who had disgraced himself in the second book in the series, The House in Grosvenor Square, has changed from the selfish, improper man he used to be, and is now a gentle, kind, understanding clergyman with a Christ-like love for mankind, living on a very meager salary. Peter's financial stability (including his ability to marry and raise a family) now depends almost entirely upon Ariana's husband, Phillip Mornay's, generosity. Phillip is not known for his ability to forgive, and Peter's behavior in book two prevents Phillip from trusting Peter completely.

When Ariana becomes gravely ill with a contagious fever, Beatrice sees Tristan Barton in his true light, and wonders in amazement at Peter O'Brian's compassion and empathy. But, will Barton allow a mere clergyman to marry the woman he already has designs upon? What follows is a romance worthy of its billing, a tuly inspirational romance for the Jane Austen soul.

Well done, Linore! I may have to read this once twice!

The House in Grosvenor Square by Linore Rose Burkard

Ariana's romance continues in Linore Rose Burkard's book, House in Grosvenor Square, but this time the elements of mystery and kidnapping are included. Billed as "Inspirational Romance for the Jane Austen Soul," it missed the mark as a true romance novel, as Ariana is already engaged at the opening and happily married at the close, it does make room for lots of mystery and intrigue in between. One has to wonder, however, how many times one woman should be the victim of attempted and actual kidnapping in one novel, and this issue is stretched a little too far. The story did capture my attention and held me there through to the end. While I liked the story, I was very much annoyed at the head-hopping within the book, although Jane Austen did quite a bit of this herself. Abrupt point of view (POV) changes were quite irritating at times, and in one paragraph I counted four POV changes, which made the story a little difficult to follow. While Jane Austen may have been able to pull this off in the Regency era, for our modern writing it would have been better had the POV changes been confined to scene changes. That said, I felt the story a likeable one; I have and do recommend it to others. And, I will continue to read Linore Rose Burkard as I believe she has real talent in crafting Regency era novels.

Before the Season Ends, by Linore Rose Burkard

Before the Season Ends, by Linore Rose Burkard, was given to me as a Christmas gift this year (along with its sequel, The House in Grosvenor Square) and I spent most of Christmas Day and half of the next day reading it. I couldn't put it down at any point. It's being billed as "Inspirational Romance for the Jane Austen Soul" which made me particularly intrigued, as I love both the Victorian and Regency Time Periods (Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors), and Inspirational Romance is often what I write.

Before the Season Ends begins with Ariana Forsythe's family sending her to London to escape a suitor they consider unsuitable (for good reason), hoping some culture (museums, theatres, the ballet) will help round out Ariana's education and take her mind off her suitor. But, her aunt (and now her chaperone and guardian in London), Agatha Bentley, has another idea: marrying Ariana off to a rich and elegant bachelor of the highest rank. When Ariana first hears of Phillip Mornay, she decides he is perhaps the least likely candidate for a husband because he is ill-tempered and too rich to associate with anyone beneath his own station, besides being incredibly handsome. However, Before the Season Ends, Aunt Bentley is determined to make the match possible. What ensues can be scandalous, comical and laugh-out-loud delightful, especially considering Ariana, while endowed with the ability to be graceful and charming, has a tendency to let her temper flare and her outdoor manners run wild.

One of the important facets of Before the Season Ends is Ariana's devotion to God, and the role He plays in her every day life. Of course, she wants her future husband to feel as close to God as she does, but Phillip Mornay is not known for any pious inclinations, which makes his suitability, in her eyes, impossible.

If you have any leanings toward Jane Austen, the Regency Era, or just plain fun reading, you've got to read Linore Rose Burkard's book. I thoroughly enjoyed Before the Season Ends, and recommend it heartily. Thanks, Linore, for a joyful and captivating read!

Thoughts on Christmas

As I prepare to celebrate the holiday season with my sweet husband, I am reminded of one particular Christmas more than 2000 years ago when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. What a day it must have been for Mary and Joseph! What a choice experience to parent the Christ Child! Who could have guessed that from such humble beginnings as His birth in a lowly stable amongst the animals we would receive the greatest exemplar ever to walk upon the earth?

Jesus was more than a mere man, he was a promoter of peace, compassion, empathy, divine power and humility. He taught hope, peace and kindness to all mankind; He was a shield and a protector of our own everlasting happiness; He promised us eternal joy if we would but follow Him. He counseled us, "Fear not."

In today's world of commercialized Christmas, of disbelief in the Savior of the world, and the notion that keeping Christ in Christmas is a politically incorrect idea, perhaps it is time to step back and assess the impact Jesus Christ has had upon our own lives. He has taught us it is better to forgive than to harbor ill will, better to give than receive, better to choose kindness and patience than to allow anger into our hearts, better to look after those around us, to help and protect those less fortunate than us, and to walk in righteous pathways.

The Christ is so powerful and dynamic that mankind has even gauged time around His humble birth in Bethlehem. The sun rises and sets under His command, the stars sparkle, the moon shines, the tides ebb in and out, the earth orbits, the animals and plants obey . . . all Heaven dashes about in answer to His command.

If time, space and all forms of matter respond so eagerly to his beck and call, why is it only humans who disobey or deny Him? We would be nothing if not for the Savior's power and His eternal plan for us.

As for my part, I will declare to the world that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the Living God, and it is right that we should celebrate the birth of such an exemplar as the Savior was and is and remains forever. Joyfully, I would sing with the angels in Heaven, "Joy to the world! The Lord is come!"

I pray each of you will have a Merry Christmas, and remember the true reason for the season.

The Journey by J. Adams

When Ciran, princess of Krisandor, is sent from her father's kingdom to Havenwood, her journey begins and her faith is tested. I was instantly reminded of the pre-existence and our own journey here on earth. Quick to point out during Ciran's sojourn that each choice has a consequence attached to it, the analogy to earth life is poignantly detailed in Jewel Adams book, The Journey. The battle is being waged in every life, and each person is accountable for his or her choices . . . so The Journey teaches. This tale of love and loss, flattery and deceit, is as endless as time, itself. There will always be trials that lead us to choose either good or evil, but Ciran's story will touch you in ways that will make you want to choose wisely. The Journey is an interesting, absorbing read and one you might enjoy, too.

Santa Maybe by Aubrey Mace

I should have known from the very beginning. I mean, what reader gets taken in so easily? Oops! It was me. I have to confess that Santa Maybe by Aubrey Mace, sucked me in too quickly, left me laughing too long, and that I should have known from the very first sentence that I was destined to thoroughly enjoy Santa Maybe. After all, how many books begin by explaining, ". . . I fell in love like most people change their socks." Every day? I asked myself. Yet Aubrey manages to explain it all so deliciously (pun intended -- my only regret was the recipes were missing).

Who would expect Santa to actually leave a man under the Christmas tree for Abbie, even when she asked for one? Abbie's situations are just too funny! And, Ben's reason for being under Abbie's Christmas tree . . . almost unbelieveable until the twist, then totally understandable, and all the while endearingly comical.

If you want a really good bout of the chuckles this holiday season, you won't miss reading Santa Maybe. Oh! And, if you're single, you might think of sending Santa your letter, asking him for a man for your Christmas present. You never know what might happen if you do! After all, it happened to Abbie.

Santa Maybe is one Christmas story you won't want to miss! Enjoy!

Shudder by Jennie Hansen

Tackling the often hidden issue of spouse abuse, Jennie Hansen shines in her latest novel, Shudder. When two young women, Darcy and Clare, are separated by the devious manipulation of Clare's fiance, Blaine, it seems their lifelong friendship comes to an abrupt end. But, Darcy is devoted to Clare and becomes her lifeline in a relationship that answers the age-old question, "Who can say where love will be found?" In addition to Darcy's concern for Clare, she is unknowingly thrown into an intricately woven web of fear and danger . . . a rippling effect put into play by the skillfully controlling Blaine. If it were not for David's entrance (the romantic interest) into her life, Darcy might have been maimed or killed several times over. This is one story that kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through. Regardless of the subject content and the many twists of plot involved, Jennie Hansen holds true to the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in her engrossing story Shudder. I would heartily recommend Shudder to teens and adults alike. Enjoy!