Book Review and Giveaway: Cassidy (Big Sky Dreams Book 1) by Lori Wick

This is an engaging, character driven, gently paced, sweet historical romance.

Cassidy (Big Sky Dreams Book 1)
by Lori Wick

• File Size: 448 KB
• Print Length: 306 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0736916180
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (July 1, 2007)
• ASIN: B005MJ8Y02

Genre: Historical Romance, Christian
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: July 1, 2007
Following the success of her recent stand–alone novel, White Chocolate Moments, bestselling author Lori Wick returns to delight readers with a new series set in the vast open places of Montana.

Token Creek, Montana Territory, 1880—Cassidy Norton is a fine seamstress who makes her living sewing for others. Amid the bustle of a busy frontier town, her life is rich. What time her business doesn’t take, her friends and church family fill. But Cassidy hasn’t always lived in Token Creek, and few people know her full story. So she struggles with a nagging unsettledness in her heart.

Cassidy’s friend Meg is married to a rancher and has a baby, something Cassidy wants for herself. But that would mean revealing the details of her life. Will Cassidy find the strength to take that risk?

Book 1 in the Big Sky Dreams series.

Review:
Cassidy moved to Token Creek leaving behind secrets. She is making a reasonable living and, more importantly, has become part of the community through church and friends. She is especially close to Meg, who is married to Brad and expecting their first child. They live outside of town on a ranch with Brad’s younger brother, Travis.

Travis believes that Cassidy may have an interest in the local bank manager, Chandler, who has been seen walking with her. She also is close to Rylan, the burly bachelor Pastor. But Travis expresses concern about Cassidy’s safety as she lives alone and the town gets a bit rowdy on Saturday nights. After talking to Brad and Meg, they ask Cassidy to stay with them on Saturday nights and then go in to church together.

The story flows gently with the sharing of the characters and their individual and combined efforts to grow in their relationships with God. Midway through the book two new characters are introduced. One makes a surprising proposal to Cassidy while the other turns her life upside down. When Travis returns from a cattle drive will he join some of the other town members in condemning Cassidy or will he stand by her?

Although it is not faced paced, I did enjoy the gentle tone and steady style of the writing. There is a little mystery but don't expect any real suspense or action. I loved the consistent Biblical messages that are shared in natural settings through bits of sermons, prayers and study group discussions. There was nothing forced or disruptive in the easy presentation. Even though a daily life-style was shown, we (Ladies’ Book Club) thought there could have been a stronger emphasis on the setting details, like clothing since sewing was Cassidy’s specialty. Also, as another of my lady friends noted, there was a strange use of "that lady" instead of "she".  There were interesting discussion questions at the end of the book.

Several members of my Ladies’ Book Club have read most all of the works by Lori Wick. Three of us had never read her before but agreed that we liked the story and would be interested to read more by the author. I recommend this story to reader’s who like a gentle, character driven, inspirational historical romance. All of those elements are wrapped nicely in this book.

I purchased this at a discount price for Ladies Book Club. It was our April read. I am using this for Full House Challenge: Published between 2000 and 2013

ONE (gently read) PRINT COPY GIVEAWAY

US Only

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries (a) comment on the review, OR

(b) comment and tell me if you have a favorite book to recommend by this author

I didn't find an AUTHOR'S WEBSITE but here is her page at Fantastic Fiction and at Goodreads.

* This contest is open to US only for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 7 PM (Central) May 22, 2015.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after May 22, 2015.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.