"A Tailor-Made Bride" by Karen Witemeyer

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Hannah as dreamed of owning her own shop where she can design and make clothes for others. J.T. hates anything to do with fashion since his mother deserted the family for a rich man able to supply her with all the latest fashions. Will they ever be able to find a middle ground?

I had read Witemeyer's "Short Straw Bride" and it was okay--a way to kill a couple of hours. I was exhausted and just wanted some fluff to pass a little time. This took "fluff" to the extreme!

Hannah is portrayed in the first part of the book as a quiet, meek girl who barely answers when questioned, but after being left a store in another town to open her own dress shop, she's suddenly this strong, confident spit-fire. Let's be honest, J.T. is basically a total jerk throughout a good portion of the book. He resents Hannah as he thinks pretty dresses turn all women bad, and he wanted to buy that store to help out the laundry woman next door, and keeps his sister in dull, drab clothes to make sure she doesn't turn out like their mother. That sub-plot is beyond ridiculous! When J.T.'s sister spills her secret love for a man in town that never notices her, Hannah not only makes her a new dress, but puts her on a diet and exercise regime to slim down. Yes, Hannah has a whole, exercise routine (not just getting in a good walk, though that is included) she does daily, and it's talked about a LOT in the book. It leaves you with the message that if you don't slim down and dress your prettiest, you'll never get your guy.

The story line is ridiculous. Typical hate-turns-to-love theme with the heroine constantly falling into the hero's arms, her life put at peril so he can save her and realize his feelings for her, and a "bad guy" that is portrayed as turning that way due to bullying and low self-esteem because of his birthmark and unrequited love for J.T.'s sister. (There is a subtext that the two were always together because of his birthmark and her chunkiness and lack of good looks, so he expected them to get together as no one else would look at her.) It even tries to "rehabilitate" him in the end.

I would not recommend this book to anyone. I like an occasional "fluff" book, but this was beyond ridiculous.

"Short-Straw Bride" by Karen Witemeyer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Meredith Hayes has loved Travis Archer for years since he saved her from a trap when she was a girl. She never sees him, though, as the Archers stay on their land and no one steps foot on Archer land unless they want to risk their lives. That's exactly what Meredith does, though, when she hears a plot to burn them out. Meredith, however, is injured while helping them and her reputation is left in tatters. Four brothers, four straws, one bride. Will they find true love?

This is one of those kinda cute, kill-a-couple-of-hours kind of books. Parts of it had me rolling my eyes, but there was some laughter and a few sweet moments as well. Not a great book, but kind of cute.

"Deployed" by Mel Odom

Deployed by Mel Odom
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Bekah Shaw is a single mother divorced from a serious low-life she should never have married in the first place. She joined the Marine reserves, never expecting to be deployed, but has spent six months each in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the opening of the book, Bekah gets into a fight in a bar with a man much larger than her who starts beating her friend. Everyone (including said "friend"), agrees with the aggressor, saying Bekah started it unprovoked and she is arrested. While she's waiting for her trial, she is once again called to active duty, this time to Mogadishu.

I knew this was going to be a hard book to review going into it due to my personal views on women in the military--especially combat, but I worked hard to set that aside and go into it with an open mind. I know some have said a woman would not be leading a fire team, but I did some research and found out that there are actually women marines (or at least one that I know of) that are fire team leaders.

The story felt rather disjointed for the first part of the book as character after character is introduced, but then finally starts to coalesce when they all end up deployed together. I'm not military, so I couldn't speak as to the reality of the combat situations, but it felt very realistic and well done.

That said I'll move on to what really dropped this review in my opinion. This book is marketed as "Christian Fiction". I beg to differ. The book starts with Bekah in a bar for beer with friends. Pretty much everyone introduced in the book is either blatantly non-Christian or the subject is ignored. God is barely mentioned through almost the entire book. A few remembered Bible verses from childhood and an "epiphany" during battle that maybe this moment is why God has you here accompanied by a prayer that you can make that perfect shot does not a Christian book make. I kept waiting for a Christian character to show up, one of the characters to remember enough from childhood to get saved, or even for salvation to just be mentioned! Nada. As a military fiction book, I think it's pretty good. As a Christian fiction book, it fails miserably. Very, VERY disappointed!

"Wings of Glass" by Gina Holmes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Penny runs away to marry the man of her dreams, she has no idea that it will turn quickly into a nightmare. Seventeen and sheltered, she is drawn under Trent's spell, not realizing what he is truly like until it is too late. Years of abuse follow, dragging her down, as she sees no way out. An accident at work injures Trent, forcing Penny to find work and, unexpectedly, friends as well.

This is a very well written book covering a sensitive topic--domestic violence. Penny's youth and innocence is heartbreaking as she spirals into depression due to the hopelessness of her situation. Trent's accident helps snap her out of her depression as there is somewhat of a change in him for the better. The fulfillment of a long awaited dream--a child of her own--helps bring some joy to her life. Trent's returning eyesight, however, brings back his normal abusive self. Circumstances spiral to the point the Penny finally has to face the truth and find the backbone to save herself and her son. This is a poignant telling of an all-to-familiar story. I would definitely recommend this book.

"Congo Dawn" by Jeanette Windle

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

There are very few books in life that I just absolutely cannot read. Unfortunately, this was one of them. I struggled and struggled through the first few chapters, putting it down then picking it up again over and over. I finally threw up my hands in defeat. I wanted to like this book, and wanted to read it. The characters fell flat for me--they didn't draw me in and make me care at all. I was fascinated by the idea of the book, I just couldn't make it work for me.

"A Ranger's Trail" by Darlene Franklin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Leta Denning's husband is murdered at the start of the Mason County War, and all she wants is revenge. Buck Morgan is a Texas Ranger sent in to find the truth. Trying to show Christ's love, he starts helping Leta out at her ranch, becoming close to her, her son and her brother. Life gets more complicated as he finds those close to him on both sides of the war. Can he stay impartial, and will Leta stay fixed on revenge or learn forgiveness?

Book 4 of the Morgan Family series is just as good if not better as the other three. Historical fiction based on fact is a favorite genre of mine, and this one delivers. Bits and pieces from newspapers at the time, letters and more start each chapter, which was a very nice touch. There is a little romance in the book, but it doesn't interfere or over-run the main story line. This is a historical/western/adventure book first and foremost, and I am very excited to read the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. I am not required to give a postive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"The Quarryman's Bride" by Tracie Peterson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Emmalyne is weeks away from marrying the man she loves when tragedy strikes and her father invokes "the tradition" forcing Emmalyne to stay home to care her parents and cancel her wedding. Tavin reacts in anger at Emmalyne's refusal to run away with him, and the lovers are separated. Can they find their way back to God from the bitterness of their situations, and is there any hope for their future?

This was a very different book. Frankly, I wasn't sure I cared for the first half of the book. The storyline was dark, and many of the characters so unlikeable. The author managed to craft a story that turned towards light without stooping to unrealistic happenings. I thoroughly enjoyed Emmalyne's discussions with her pastor and the way some of the characters turned around. It felt very realistic and well done. There were a couple of bits of the story (I'm not going to give spoilers) that I really could have done without, but over all it was well written and I enjoyed it.

I received a digital copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley.com for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.