Raspberries and Vinegar

My parents have talked about living off the grid quite a bit. We do our best to eat fresh food.  

Could we do better? Yep. 

Do I still go out and eat the occasional fast food burger? You bet.

Do I believe you are going straight to the bad place downstairs if you don't grow your own food? Um, that would be a no (and I'm pretty sure Valerie doesn't, either). 

Why am I asking these questions? Because. I am about to share a book with you that I enjoyed very, very much. But I must warn you that it may change how you feel about what you eat. And I mean that in the best possible way. :) 

This book delivers exactly what it promises on the front cover. It's about a farm. It's fresh. And it's a romance.

It's about a farm.

But this isn't just any farm. It's a back to nature, make your own compost, heritage seeds only, as-organic-as-you-can-get farm. Jo and her buddies Sierra and Claire are serious about changing the way we as a culture look at food. They're passionate about being good stewards of the earth, and as a result, taking care of the human body in the process. Move over, Super One- Green Acres has come to town!

It's fresh.

I could compare reading this book to eating a crunchy, home grown, leafy green salad. It's just plain good! I have never read a book like this before, and I believe Valerie's voice has definitely been missing in the Christian fiction market. Valerie's characters have minds of their own. They're snarky. They have dreams. They have "issues". And in the end, they come to a point of asking, as we all must, "Who's plan am I following? Am I doing what I want, or am I doing what God wants?"

It's a romance.

Yep. No denying the chemistry between Jo & Zach drives this story. But it's also about the love of the land. The love of the simple life- and the simple things in life. It's about loving those near to you while you still have time. It's about loving another person, even if you will never see eye to eye with them. And most of all, it's about loving God, and desiring to follow Him no matter where it might take you.

Can this book be confrontational? Yes.
Will it challenge the way you as a reader look at the food on your plate? Yes.
That's kind of the point.
 Raspberries and Vinegar will stick with you long after you finish reading it. And, just like that fresh salad, you will be wanting more.
Want to know more about Valerie? http://valeriecomer.com

2013- 12 Days of Fiction: DAY 1!

The Secret Keeper by Sandra Byrd

Here it is, friends! The moment we've all been waiting for- my top pick in fiction for 2013. 

I hesitated to pick up Sandra's books for a long time. I mean, the covers are obviously really rich and exquisite. Reader eye candy, if you will. I can't tell you how many times I picked this book up off the shelf and put it back. 

Henry VIII is a notorious 'womanizer' - and this book centered around the women in his court. Was it possible to tackle such an amorous subject and still keep the content clean enough for a sensitive reader like me? 

One day, while once again studying Sandra's beautiful book sitting on the shelf of the bookstore, one of the employees walked up to me and said, "Why don't you review that book for us?" 

Needless to say I was more than willing to help out! 

And...I have never been more thankful to be proven wrong. These books are written from the perspective of hand maidens to the queen(s) of Henry VIII. Instead of using them as a way to tell a sizzling romance from a different perspective, we get a unique and beautiful look into the lives of the queens themselves. Their joys, heartaches, and triumphs are shared from the caring heart of someone close to them. 

I chose to feature Secret Keeper because I connected with this book deeply. I love to read, so of course, I read often. But it's rare that a book actually moves me to tears. Juliana and her story became my own. I don't want to give the end away, but in all honesty the end of this book is the main reason Keeper has my number 1 spot. The end is beautiful. It's everything you would hope for. 

But it was more than that to me. It was a reminder of the perfect love of Jesus. I wept because I saw myself, forsaken and alone, without a friend. I had nowhere else to go, no one to turn to. And in the moment of my deepest despair, He came, pulled me out of my darkness, claimed me as His own, and rescued me. And that, my friends, is a truly beautiful thing.

So, there you have it! I hope you have enjoyed this year's countdown, and found some new authors to add to your bookshelf! 

I highly recommend all of the books in the Ladies In Waiting series (which can also be read as stand-alones).

Back Cover: 

The author of To Die For returns to the court of Henry VIII as a young woman is caught between love and honor. 

 Juliana St. John is the daughter of a prosperous knight. Though her family wants her to marry the son of her father's business partner, circumstances set her on a course toward the court of Henry VIII and his last wife, Kateryn Parr.
     Sir Thomas Seymour, uncle of the current heir, Prince Edward, returns to Wiltshire to tie up his concerns with Juliana's father's estate and sees instantly that Juliana would fit into the household of the woman he loves, Kateryn Parr. Her mother agrees to have her placed in Parr's household for "finishing" and Juliana goes, though perhaps reluctantly.
     For she knows a secret. She has been given the gift of prophecy, and in one of her visions she has seen Sir Thomas shredding the dress of the king's daughter, the lady Elizabeth, to perilous consequence.
    As Juliana learns the secrets of King Henry VIII's court, she faces threats and opposition, learning truths about her own life that will undo everything she holds dear.

2013- 12 Days of Fiction: DAY 2!

All She Wanted by Nicole Deese

Sorry I'm late with this one, but this book is most definitely worth the wait. Nicole Deese and her book, All She Wanted, are my favorite find of 2013. This book is a shift from my 'usual' reading fare- a contemporary romance- but what a refreshing change! The moment I opened this book on my Kindle, I was completely absorbed in the story. As in, utterly useless. Almost non-functional. If I didn't have 2 little ones and a hubby to feed, I may have just lived on the couch from beginning to end.
I loved Charlie and Briggs. I loved watching them interact, learn about each other, and fall in love. I love that Charlie learns to respect, forgive, and be transparent. I love that Briggs is always the gentleman, is willing to abide by rules he doesn't understand, and puts Charlie and her needs before his own.
These are characters you will care about, invest in, and be utterly satisfied with at the end.

http://www.fictionherofeatures.com/2013/11/briggs.html

Back Cover:
Choices. They determine how we live, who we are, and what we want. Some choices are made for us. Others we must make for ourselves. 
Charlie Lexington is a living consequence of both. Everything about the feisty redhead represents a second chance—even her name. Though she was rescued at the age of five, her past is a lingering reminder of what she longs for most. And the one thing she has spent a lifetime trying to find. After a series of less-than-stellar choices, her Performing Arts Scholarship now hangs by a thread. Her sudden suspension has not only resulted in her father’s disappointment, but in the loss of her freedom as well. She is forced to face the music: four weeks house arrest. 
Briggs is the carefree, charming, yet all-too-mouthy fireman who is asked to keep an eye on the pretty little spitfire. He quickly learns, however, that his first assessment of her was off—she’s tougher than she looks. When her stubborn resolve pushes his sanity and intercepts his heart, his loyalties are put to the test. Sometimes the hardest choice we make, is the one we must make for love... 

**This is the second book in the Letting GO series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. **

2013- 12 Days of Fiction: DAY 3!

Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden

I'm beginning to think I have a thing for stories with a nautical setting. Some of my favorite stories involve a shipyard, or an actual ocean voyage, or pirates, or...you get the idea. In my opinion, this is the best book Elizabeth Camden has written to date- and I am looking forward to more of the same. And since Against the Tide won the 2013 Christy and Rita Awards, I'm not the only one who saw something special in this book.
Alexander Banebridge is not a nice guy. He has his own agenda, and he uses Lydia as a means to his end. He's so focused on what he wants that he overlooks Lydia's needs entirely. There's a bad guy to be caught- and "Bane" believes it's his job to do the catching.  But he can't just waltz in and arrest this baddie. No- he has to toy with him a little first. See, it's all about the setup.
And Bane has it all figured out. Until things get complicated.
Suddenly, he needs Lydia's help for more than just random translation work. But when she becomes more than just another pawn on his chessboard, Bane's priorities shift. Can he accomplish his goal without losing Lydia? Or will his mission cost him everything he loves?

Back Cover:

After a childhood rampant with uncertainty, Lydia Pallas has carved out a perfect life for herself. She spends her days within sight of the bustling Boston Harbor, where her skill with languages has landed her an enviable position as a translator for the U.S. Navy.

Lydia's talents bring her to the attention of Alexander Banebridge, a mysterious man in need of a translator. Driven by a campaign to end the opium trade, Bane is coolly analytical and relentless in his quest. He cannot afford to fall for Lydia and must fight the bittersweet love growing between them.

When Bane's enemies gain the upper hand, he is forced to turn to Lydia for help. Determined to prove her worth, Lydia soon discovers that carrying out Bane's mission will test her wits and her courage to the very limits.


When forces conspire against them from without and within, can their love survive?

2013- 12 Days of Fiction: DAY 4!

The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

Before I even figured out my "slots" for this countdown, I had to choose which Laura Frantz book I was going to feature. Let me explain. No.....there is too much. Let me sum up.
I won a big giveaway earlier this year, and the prize was 4 of Laura's books. It was kind of like opening a bag of M&M's. You can't stop with just one. I blew through the novels. The Frontiersman's Daughter. Courting Morrow Little. The Colonel's Lady. Love's Reckoning. There must be more! I thought. And there was! I joined the ranks of seasoned Frantz-natics, and waited for the day when Love's Awakening was to be released. A few days after my copy arrived, it occurred to me. I had now read every published book written by Laura Frantz- in one year.
So you can see my dilemma. Some of you may be thinking, "But this is an older title." Yes, it is.
Here is the reason I chose The Colonel's Lady. These are the characters who have stayed with me the longest.
The story is set in Kentucky, and takes place largely inside one of the wilderness forts. Confined within 4 walls, starvation, sickness, and Indian attacks are a constant threat. But we know, amid the harshest circumstances, beauty shines out that much clearer. Lady is a story of hope, courage to overcome your fear, and the power of forgiveness.

Back Cover:
Can love survive the secrets kept buried within a tormented heart?

Roxanna Rowan may be a genteel Virginia woman, but she is determined to brave the wilds of the untamed frontier to reach a remote Kentucky fort. Eager to reunite with her father, who serves under Colonel Cassius McLinn, Roxanna is devastated to find that her father has been killed on a campaign.

Penniless and out of options, Roxanna is forced to remain at the fort. As she spends more and more time with the fiery Colonel McLinn, the fort is abuzz with intrigue and innuendo. Can Roxanna truly know who the colonel is--and what he's done?

Immerse yourself in this powerful story of love, faith, and forgiveness set in the tumultuous world of the frontier in 1779.

2013- 12 Days of Fiction: DAY 5!

A Cast of Stones by Patrick Carr

We come to it at last- the top 5! As I shared on Facebook before I began this countdown, the top 5 slots were especially hard to fill. If the characters were alive and able to arm wrestle, that's probably what would have happened. Then I could have called a winner and saved myself from agonizing over who to place where. Alas, there was no arm wrestling to be had, and in the end I tightened my belt,  narrowed my vision, and hammered out the slots.
Here we find my second recommendation for my guy readers. I have been looking for an epic fantasy tale since Bryan Davis's Dragons of Starlight/Tales of Starlight series' alternate releases last year. (For the record, I STILL haven't read the 3rd book, Exodus Rising, or it's counterpart, Liberator). But I digress....
A Cast of Stones follows Errol, a stinky, worthless drunk, on a fantastic journey to freedom from alcohol, warrior training, and, of course, transformation to a bona fide hero! This book is a slow burner- but stick with it because I promise you will not be disappointed. Patrick Carr knows how to tell a sweeping story, and I ended up loving Errol with all his flaws, and rooting for him (almost) the whole way through the book. I can't wait to get my hands on book 2, Hero's Lot. 

Back Cover:
The Fate of the Kingdom Awaits the Cast of Stones

In the backwater village of Callowford, roustabout Errol Stone is enlisted by a church messenger arriving with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Eager for coin, Errol agrees to what he thinks will be an easy task, but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins. Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he's joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom.

Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom's dynasty nears its end and the selection of the new king begins--but in secret and shadow. As danger mounts, Errol must leave behind the stains and griefs of the past, learn to fight, and discover who is hunting him and his companions and how far they will go to stop the reading of the stones.

2013- 12 Days of Fiction: DAY 6!

Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert

Katie is an up and coming author and I am thankful to have discovered her fairly early in her writing career. 

Willows is contemporary romance at it's finest. 

Maybe it's because I grew up (and, incidentally still live) in a small town, but I connected right away with Robin, and the residents of Peaks, Iowa. 

What happens when the stores on Main Street start struggling and big money arrives in town with an offer they can't refuse? When property gets sold, and someone's dream dies on the altar of 'progress'? 

Robin had a dream- and she shared it with her husband. Aside from her son Caleb, The Willow Tree Cafe is all she has of him. She isn't about to give up, and definitely not without a fight. 

We all have dreams. Sometimes everything goes as we imagine. Sometimes, we have to let go, and the dream dies. And sometimes, our dreams are to small. And it's when we surrender those dreams, and give ourselves to a greater plan than ours that we receive infinitely more than we could ever ask or think. Because the One we trust knows what we need even before we ask- and he loves to give us good gifts! 

http://www.fictionherofeatures.com/2013/08/ian-mckay.html

Back Cover: 

Does a second chance at life and love always involve surrender?

A three-year old son, a struggling café, and fading memories are all Robin Price has left of her late husband. As the proud owner of Willow Tree Café in small town Peaks, Iowa,  she pours her heart into every muffin she bakes and espresso she pulls, thankful for the sense of purpose and community the work provides.
                                  
So when developer Ian McKay shows up in Peaks with plans to build condos where her café and a vital town ministry are located, she isn’t about to let go without a fight.

As stubborn as he is handsome, Ian won’t give up easily. His family’s business depends on his success in Peaks. But as Ian pushes to seal the deal, he wonders if he has met his match. Robin’s gracious spirit threatens to undo his resolve, especially when he discovers the beautiful widow harbors a grief that resonates with his own.

With polarized opinions forming all over town, business becomes unavoidably personal and Robin and Ian must decide whether to cling to the familiar or surrender their plans to the God of Second Chances. 

2013- 12 Days of Fiction: DAY 7!

Deployed by Mel Odom

So in case you're wondering, "Does this chick even read anything that doesn't end up on her other blog?" The answer is YES! It just so happens that most of my favorite books this year happen to coincide with FHF. Most....but not all. :)
Mel Odom writes modern suspense- his other series before this was about NCIS. As a fan of the TV show, I'm not sure how I missed those books. They are on my TBR pile now, though.
Book 1 in the Called To Serve series follows Marine Lance Corporal Becka Shaw from her home in a backwater town in the U.S. to Somalia, where she is deployed (hence the title) with her unit to offer protection to humanitarian aid workers.
I am proud of Mel for choosing to highlight the struggles of those women who choose to serve in our country's armed forces.
Becka has a sweet little boy who waits for her at home. He's a little more grown up every time she returns. As a mother, I relate to Becka's struggles. She does what she has to in order to provide for her son- but she knows every time she leaves she could be saying goodbye for the last time.
For those who remember last years countdown, I try to read & recommend something for the guys* as well. This is one of those books. While it may center on Becka, there are several other men in her unit who become primary characters. Book 2, Renegade, picks up the story of Pike Morgan- and I have read & recommend it also. If you enjoy page turning action, suspense, and all around good fiction, Mel Odom should be added to your reading list.

*because Mel is writing about war and terrorists, there is a lot of death in these books, often in violent manners (i.e. Explosions, executions, and lots of gunfights). I am big on age-appropriate fiction, so please bear in mind that this title is recommended for men specifically, and parental discretion is encouraged before purchasing for a younger reader.

Back Cover:
Lance Corporal Bekah Shaw joined the Marine Reserve to support herself and her young son when her ex-husband decided they were no longer his responsibility. Deployed to Somalia for her current tour of duty, she learns that her team must protect international humanitarian efforts and hunt down the terrorists responsible for the violence and carnage. The mission seems straightforward until the team encounters a renegade, a ghost who seems to be fighting against both sides.

Rageh Daud once lived in contentment with his family in Mogadishu, Somalia. But when that life was torn from him by a terrorist attack, he vowed to avenge his loved ones whatever the cost. Raising an army of men from the displaced people scattered through the countryside, his only goal is destruction—until he encounters an orphan child he feels compelled to protect.

When their worlds collide in a desperate situation, Bekah’s Marines and Daud’s militia realize that their only hope for defeating a common enemy—and their only chance at staying alive—may be to form an unthinkable alliance.

2013- 12 Days of Fiction: DAY 8!

A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund

Even though I loved the cover on this book, it took a bit of convincing to get me to read it. I guess I had this hang up that if I read the book, and the story wasn't good, it would ruin the cover. And I really liked the cover. So I looked and didn't touch for a long time. But when A Noble Groom popped up on FHF, I knew my hesitancy had cost me- and I figured it was time to read the book.
I really enjoy stories where the characters are forced together. It makes for some truly great dialogue, and who doesn't love those awkward moments when one (or both) of the characters blunder?
Combining two independent personalities and 'shoving' them into a relationship often makes for an explosive read. I don't know that I would call Groom explosive, although there did come a time while reading it that I exploded....and Carl and I had to part ways for a while. :) I suppose it is a testament to how much I cared about Annalisa and what happened to her.
A Noble Groom is a page turner with loveable characters and an absorbing plot.

http://www.fictionherofeatures.com/2013/06/carl-richards-gottfried-charles-von.html

Back Cover:
Michigan, 1880

Annalisa Werner's hope for a fairy tale love is over. Her husband failed her in every way and now his death has left her with few options to save the family farm. She needs a plentiful harvest. That, and a husband to help bring it in. Someone strong, dependable. That'll be enough. A marriage for love...that's something she's given up on.

So her father sends a letter to his brother in the Old Country, asking him to find Annalisa a groom.

Then a man appears: Carl Richards, from their home country of Germany and a former schoolteacher--or so he says. He's looking for work and will serve on the farm until her husband arrives.

With time running out, she accepts his help, but there's more to this man than he's admitting. He's also gentle, kind, charming--unlike any man she's ever known. But even as Carl is shining light into the darkness of her heart, she knows her true groom may arrive any day.

2013- 12 Days of Fiction: DAY 9!

No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig

In trying not to feature the same authors as I did last year, I've run into a completely different hurdle. I've managed to double promote almost all of these titles. :) If you are a fan or follower of the blog I co-write with my battle brother, Nancy Kimball, my 12 Days will seem pretty redundant.
I can't really apologize though, because it means not only do these books contain great heroes, but also the book as a whole is a great read.
Elizabeth Ludwig writes historical suspense, and it's a genre that I am not very familiar with. But having read both No Safe Harbor and Dark Road Home (book 2 in the a Edge of Freedom Series) it's pretty safe to say that I am now a big fan. (Am I also allowed to say that book 3, Tide and Tempest is one of my most anticipated titles for 2014? Of course I can. It's my blog. Ha!)
This story centers around Irish immigrants who have just arrived in New York city. My husband's great-grandfather and  -grandmother immigrated here from Scotland in 1902 through the gateway of Ellis Island- so the setting and characters appealed to me. Rourke and Cara are characters worth investing in, their love story...and the suspense, will keep you turning pages until the very end.

http://www.fictionherofeatures.com/2013/07/rourke-walsh-turner.html

Back Cover:
New York City, 1897

She came to America searching for her brother. Instead all she's found is a web of danger.
Cara Hamilton had thought her brother to be dead. Now, clutching his letter, she leaves Ireland for America, desperate to find him. Her search leads her to a houseful of curious strangers, and one man who claims to be a friend--Rourke Walsh. Despite her brother's warning, Cara trusts Rourke, revealing her purpose in coming to New York.

She's then thrust into a world of subterfuge, veiled threats, and attempted murder, including political revolutionaries from the homeland out for revenge. Her questions guide her ever nearer to locating her brother--but they also bring her closer to destruction as those who want to kill him track her footsteps.

With her faith in tatters, all hope flees. Will her brother finally surface? Can he save Cara from the truth about Rourke... a man she's grown to love?

2013- 12 Days of Fiction: DAY 10!

With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin

I just want you to take a moment and appreciate the cover of this book. It's so rich! I'm a little partial to it because one of my favorite photographers, Brandon Hill, took the picture used for the cover art. I actually saw this image on his blog before I discovered Sarah's book! 

The WINGS OF THE NIGHTINGALE series attracted me for several reasons, but what really connected me to the story, and with Mellie, is the fact that she is a Filipino. Sounds strange, but there's a good reason. It just so happens that my youngest sister, Alice, was adopted from the Philippines. She's been a part of our family for 3 years now, and I couldn't be more thankful that she is finally home.  

So you see, I was automatically invested in the heroine even before I started reading With Every Letter. I wanted Mellie to succeed. The connection was personal. 

My favorite thing about this story is that Sarah takes her time drawing the characters together. The characters mature together, becoming so much a part of each other in the process that reading "The End" on a story has never been more satisfying. 

Against the conflict of WWII when death is an ever present reality, the friendship and ultimate romance between Tom and Mellie is a breath of fresh air. 

Well researched, with a great cast of secondary characters, Letter is a story not soon forgotten. 

Back Cover: 

They know everything about each other--except their real names.

Lt. Mellie Blake is looking forward to beginning her training as a flight nurse. She is not looking forward to writing a letter to a man she's never met--even if it is anonymous and part of a morale-building program. Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer stationed in North Africa, welcomes the idea of an anonymous correspondence--he's been trying to escape his infamous name for years.

As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other's true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face-to-face for the first time. Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage by their pasts?

Combining a flair for romance with excellent research and attention to detail, Sarah Sundin vividly brings to life the perilous challenges of WWII aviation, nursing--and true love. 

And, once again, for more about Mellie's story, head here: 

http://www.fictionherofeatures.com/2013/10/tom-macgilliver.html

2013- 12 Days of Fiction: DAY 11!

Submerged by Dani Pettrey 

I am a late comer to the McKenna party. But a body can only hear so much praise before curiosity takes over, and suddenly I "had to know" what all the fuss was about. 

This story swallowed me like the frigid black waters of Alaska swallow Cole every time he dives. Unlike Cole, I didn't let the limited air in an oxygen tank determine how long I stayed under. :) 

It's been a while since I've read a good, tight suspense. The story is character driven, with Bailey and Cole leading the charge. Getting to know the rest of the McKenna clan is a bonus, and the carry over from one book to the next is seamlessly done. This story is about overcoming your past, and leaving it in the past. Bailey's struggle to believe that she is not who she used to be is one that we all face, and her journey to accepting her identity as a new creation is powerful. 

If you are a fan of Dee Henderson's O'Malley series, I guarantee that you will love the Alaskan Courage series. 

So come on- take the plunge! It's worth it.
 

For a spotlight on Cole McKenna and a unique look at Submerged, check out my other blog: 

http://www.fictionherofeatures.com/2012/09/cole-mckenna.html

Back Cover:

A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-water divers. 

One single clue.

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey, Alaska, again. She has a past, and a reputation--and Yancey's a town that doesn't forget. She's returned only to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash, but then dark evidence emerges and Bailey's own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.

Cole McKenna can face dangerous rescue dives. He can face the fear a murderer may be threatening his town. But facing the reality of Bailey's reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart...but doesn't seem to be the same girl who left Yancey ten years ago. And he's not the same guy she left behind. 

Racing against the clock and a rising body count, Bailey and Cole must move beyond the hurts of their pasts to work together until the truth of what is hidden in the depths finally surfaces.

2013- 12 Days of Fiction: DAY 12!

Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

Short-Straw Bride is a light, lovely western romance. 

I should admit here that I am kind of a control freak. 

Sometimes. 

I just, you know....like having control of things.

As a result, one of my biggest spiritual struggles is trust- surrendering to God's will and not giving in to fear. How interesting that control issues are the fatal flaw of our hero, Travis Archer. 

Bound by our common weakness, I journeyed with Travis through the book. And what do you know- the story became a mirror, reflecting my own flaws back to me. I became more aware of my need for change, even as Travis did, in the story.

Once again, Karen does a great job of bringing the characters to a point of surrender and ultimately strengthening their faith. 

I am thankful she also challenged me along the way. 

For a spotlight on Travis, and a unique review of Short-Straw Bride, check out my other blog: 

http://www.fictionherofeatures.com/2012/07/travis-archer.html

Back Cover:

Four brothers. Four straws. One bride.

No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a long-standing debt compels her to take the risk.

Years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer comes across a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt prompt him to attempt to rescue her once again.

Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she vows to stand by his side. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her as merely a short-straw bride?

God Leads Us Along

"Your way [in delivering Your people] was through the sea, and Your paths through the great waters, yet Your footsteps were not traceable, but were obliterated." (Psalm 77:19 AMP)

This verse resonated in my heart this morning. We often desire and seek deliverance in our own lives.  It's a sign of growth. We become aware of a place that is keeping us from oneness with the Lord- a place of bondage. We yearn to be free and continue our journey to the promised land. But there is always something that stands in the way. Just like the Israelites- we have to cross a Red Sea. 

The Lord's heart is always for our deliverance. And our great God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, tests us in the same way he tested His chosen people. He leads us through the waters. This should be a lesson we've learned well- one that no longer surprises us. The crossing is much longer than it looked from the shore. It's dark and cold at the bottom of the sea, and the towering walls of water loom large above. We question the wisdom of God. We don't see His hand- or His footsteps- and our strength to continue on is tested to the core. 

As I was meditating on this verse, the Lord brought a sweet old hymn to my heart.

1. In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along;
Where the water's cool flow bathes the weary one's feet,
God leads His dear children along.

2. Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.

3. Though sorrows befall us and Satan oppose,
God leads His dear children along;
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads His dear children along.

4. Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
God leads His dear children along;
Away up in glory, eternity's day,
God leads His dear children along.

Chorus:
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.

Our great God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, never stops leading us. Even when His footsteps are completely obliterated- He is there. Are you walking through a flood? Be encouraged. God is leading- and you will reach a far better shore.