Book Review: January Breeze, February Embers, March Whispers (Elderberry Croft #1) by Becky Doughty

All three of these are lovely stories.
January Breeze, February Embers, March Whispers
(Elderberry Croft #1)
by Becky Doughty

Kindle Edition, 84 pages
Published November 18th 2013 by BraveHeart Press (first published March 2nd 2013)
ASIN B00BO2AAOE
Elderberry Croft: The Complete Collection (Amazon)
Genre: Christian Literature, Community, Inspirational
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

For most of the residents, The Coach House Trailer Park is the last lonely stop on the road of life. But on a crisp January breeze, a new girl sweeps into the neighborhood, charming them all with her wild nature, her elderberry gifts, and her outrageous laughter. What brings the mysterious Willow Goodhope of Elderberry Croft to this dead end place? From what--or whom--is she hiding?
January Breeze
There’s a new girl in town, and she’s breathing life into The Coach House Trailer Park, starting with the tiny cottage she christens, Elderberry Croft. Kathy Kekoa isn’t so sure about this wild child living across the way, with her generous nature, and exuberance for life. What’s a vibrant, young thing like Willow Goodhope doing in a place like The Coach House? From what—or whom—is she hiding?

February Embers
Richard and Patti Davis have slipped into the shadowlands of hopelessness, where their days stretch out endlessly ahead of them. Lately, though, Richard has been sitting up and taking notice of the new girl down the way; Willow Goodhope, with her red curls and her wild laugh. Will Patti lose the only man she’s ever loved to the green-eyed earth girl? Or will Willow steal both their hearts?

March Whispers
Joe Sanderson has been around long enough to know that living simply is simply better living. He gardens, he cooks, he entertains Vivian. Everything is going just fine…then along comes Willow Goodhope, with her whispering shadows and her elderberry pie, reminding him of what it means to be a man. Will he rise to the occasion, or dig in his heels?

Review:
January Breeze
Willow is a noticeable addition to The Coach House Trailer Park. Most of the residents are living there for the end of their life journey. But Willow sweeps in, transforming her cottage, which she dubs Elderberry Croft, with flowers and brightness. Some of the other residents wonder what she’s up to, almost resenting her energy and creativeness and even question if she has some witchy aspects.

One of the neighbors, Kathy, is a grumpy woman with two dogs and a negative attitude. Willow brings her homemade biscuits for the dogs and then a basket of elderberry goodies for Kathy. Can Willow’s generous, bright sharing help Kathy find a new attitude?

February Embers
Another park unit is occupied by Patti and her invalid husband Richard. Patti has been a dedicated caretaker but the years are weighing on her. Each day she helps Richard into his chair on the front porch where he watches the vibrant Willow as she gardens in her yard or travels the street delivering gifts. Patti is frustrated by Richard’s attention on Willow and lack of appreciation for Patti. They are encouraging their son, Ivan, to show an interest in lovely Willow. Ivan and Willow bring a sweet Valentine surprise and chance for rekindled love to Patti and Richard.

March Whispers
Joe Sanderson is living his elder years apparently alone and in quiet simplicity in the park. He does have a lady friend, Vivian, who visits providing gossip fodder for others in the park. Joe likes to garden outside and watches Willow as she too gardens or as she visits others. In spite of her bright appearance, Joe has noticed sorrow in Willow’s eyes. He knows a thing or two about secrets and he suspects that Willow is hiding secrets of her own. Willow visits Joe to share scones and coffee. Perhaps they can find a way to share some of their secrets and provide comfort for each other too.

Willow is a charming, lively character who spreads life among her neighbors. Ms. Doughty presents a positive, uplifting event in each story. The writing flows smoothly and naturally providing a light, easy read. I am thinking about getting the full collection with stories continuing for other months. I recommend this to readers who enjoy community and uplifting stories.

Source: Kindle Free TBR 2015. I'm counting this toward my Monthly (January, February and March) goals as well as 2019TBR and 2019Alphabet.

Book Review and Giveaway: A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist

This has wonderful history and an engaging romance.

A Bride Most Begrudging
by Deeanne Gist

Paperback: 347 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; First Edition edition
(July 1, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764200720
Genre: Christian, Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

When Lady Constance Morrow finds herself kidnapped and bound for the American colonies, she's sure she'll find a reasonable man who'll believe her story and send her back to England. Instead, she's "bought" by farmer Drew O'Connor. How long will it take before this marriage of convenience becomes very inconvenient for both of them?

Review:
Lady Constance Morrow is visiting her uncle who is being deported to the American Colonies. When she lingers too long she is kidnapped by the Captain. She manages to make a friend of Mary, one of the women who is being transported to be bartered as a bride to the colonists.

Two months later they arrive at a Virginia port where the Captain presents Constance to the crowd as one of the brides. In spite of her protests Constance is sold to a crude, sleezy man named Emmet. Later that night a rugged colonist arrives to claim her, having won her purchase receipt in a card game.

Drew O’Conner doesn’t want a wife. He has lost too many family members and the woman he fell in love with died like so many others who never make it through the hardships of wilderness life or the long lonely winters. Besides, Drew doesn’t like redheads or girls with freckles. But he couldn’t allow the woman to be tied to Emmet.

Drew practically drags Constance through the forest to his homestead. He doesn’t want to believe Constance’s claims that she is a gentlewoman who was kidnapped. Still, he can’t explain her baring, her cultured speech, her ability to read and, to top it off, her complete lack of practical skills. Fortunately for Drew and Constance, Drew’s brother Josh purchased Mary who is skilled at cooking and household tasks that stymie Constance such as starting a fire, collecting eggs, and even cleaning.

Local community authorities show up forcing Drew and Constance to marry. Constance convinces Drew to a marriage of convenience which can be annulled later. That was the original plan but things begin to change as they spend time together, Constance grows close to Drew’s younger sister and Drew finds himself admiring Constance’s determination to learn and fit in. But really, Drew begins to think he is completely unworthy of this remarkable woman and he sets his heart on sending her home to England.

I found this story charming. Constance and Drew are wonderfully real characters. I was just frustrated by their failure to communicate their misconceptions of each other’s feelings. The history seemed well researched and I was very interested in the detail of colony life in 1643. My ladies book club enjoyed the story but thought it a bit longer than needed. We recommend this to readers who enjoy Christian, historical romance.

Source: Print books picked up on sale at Christianbook.com. This book fits my 2019TBR and 2019Alphabet goals.

GIVEAWAY:

TWO WINNERS!

Paperback Book (US and Canada Only)

ENTRY FORM HERE

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

For 3 Extra Bonus entries

(a) comment on the review

(b) visit the author's Website and tell me something you like there.

* This contest is open to US and Canada only for the paperback book.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) March 23, 2019.
Winners are asked to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

Sunday Post March 10, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 11, 2019

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date (at Wordpress).

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Once again a mostly quiet week.
I continue to work on files and consults in office while helping with real estate closings for the title office.
I sent an email with photos and report to the recommended engineer and architect. I hope to hear from them soon.
Hubby is struggling through the rehab.
Azaleas are busy blooming and our temps hit 81 today. Strange to have sunlight until 7pm.

My reading seemed slow but I had two long books (450pgs and 26 hour audio). I finished 2 ebooks. I posted four reviews and my usual memes.

I only got to 18 blogs last week. I'll try harder this week.
Shout Out this week to Recipes and a Read. This blog's tagline is: "Come for the read. Stay for the food."
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post March 3, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 4, 2019.

• NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Ladies of Intrigue: 3 Tales of 19th-Century Romance with a Dash of Mystery by Michelle Griep; Christian Romance, Historical Romance; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Blackmoore by Julianne Dondalson; Historical Regency, Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall, Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 8, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 3/14/2019.

• A2019- Audible Book Review: Escape from Bythos by Phil Tucker; Dark Fantasy; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: The PVC Pipe Book by Chris Peterson; Crafts, D-I-Y, Home; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #364 Comment Giveaway March 9, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 3/23/2019.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement March 10, 2019.

Finished Reading:
1. Print (PTBR-LBC)

A Bride Most Begrudging
by Deeanne Gist
This has wonderful history and an engaging romance.
Source: Christianbook.com for Ladies book club.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (ebTBR)

January Breeze, February Embers, March Whispers
(Elderberry Croft #1)
by Becky Doughty
All three of these are lovely stories.
This is for my 'Monthly' Goal reading.
Source: Kindle Free TBR 2015.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone/MP3 (Author)

Age of Expansion: A Kurtherian Gambit Series
Ghost Squadron Boxed Set, Books 1-4
By: Sarah Noffke, Michael Anderle
Narrated by: Chris Abernathy
Length: 26 hrs and 6 mins
This is fun entertainment. I have about 7 hours to go.
Source: 2019 Audible credit from Author.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Indian Paintbrush (Carson Chronicles Book 3)
by John A. Heldt
I am starting this again.
Source: 12/18 Author review request.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/Smartphone/MP3 (Author)

The Double-A Western Detective Agency
A Holmes on the Range Mystery
By: Steve Hockensmith
Narrated by: John McLain
Series: Holmes on the Range, Book 6
Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
I will start this audio next.
Source: Received March 2019 from the author for review.
Publisher's Summary
Big Red and Old Red Amlingmeyer’s dream has come true: The Sherlock Holmes-worshiping cowboy brothers are finally in business as professional detectives. But their fledgling A.A. Western Detective Agency faces a few challenges. Their partner, Col. Crowe, is almost as cantankerous and secretive as Old Red himself. The colonel’s daughter, Diana, insists on tagging along for the Amlingmeyers’ first assignment. And that assignment lands them smack dab in the middle of a range war - with Big Red and Old Red expected to shoot it out with rustlers rather than rustle up clues and solve a mystery.
When the violence claims an unexpected victim, however, the Amlingmeyers are called upon to holster their guns (for a moment) and use their “Holmesifying” skills to track down the killer. But someone else is tracking them...someone who seems to set one ambush after another for the brothers. Will the Double-A Western Detective Agency’s first case also be its last?
©2018 Steve Hockensmith (P)2019 Steve Hockensmith

March 10, 2019 - I am staying up to date with the One Year Bible plan reading through You Version App.
I completed a 4 day Lent reading plan: Unlikely Lenten Preachers: Devotions From Time Of Grace
I'll be picking another study this week.
[You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed two books and posted four reviews. That puts me current with 2 reviews to post.
I need to catch up adding newer reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and Audible again. (Not counting the older reviews.)
I added one title so my NetGalley shelf is still at 11 unread from December to date plus 4 old titles (2012!) that I might get read this year. I still have three remaining author ebook titles in queue. 
Still many through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I added one new children's' title from NetGalley.
I picked up two audio titles: one Audible Daily Deal and the other a free Audible Original.
I picked up 41 free kindle titles again. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I selected this at NetGalley:

Space Dragons
by Robin Bennett
This looks like fun.

Won

NONE

Purchased

3/6/19 Audible Daily Deal $3.95
A Willing Murder
By: Jude Deveraux
Narrated by: Susan Bennett
Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins
Release date: 09-18-18

Free

3/9/2019 Audible Original - Free
Wishes and Wellingtons
By: Julie Berry
Narrated by: Jayne Entwistle
Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins
Release date: 09-25-18

I added 41 free titles to my Kindle library.  Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement March 10, 2019

Our Sunday School teacher shared a lesson on spiritual gifts based on 1 Corinthians 12. After praise and worship our youth pastor shared this week’s message on The Bridge from Hebrews 3.

Pastor J noted that Hebrews is a letter to Jewish followers who were acing persecution and difficulties. The letter was to encourage the followers not to abandon their faith in Jesus.
Hebrews 3:1-11 establishes Christ as our hope.
Things in our day to day lives compete for our time, our energy and our faithfulness to Jesus. Things pull our attention to the temporary, away from the eternal.
Something is competing for your attention – it may be friends, social media, work, games or something else. We find ourselves struggling with circumstances.

We are God's house and Jesus is in control of the house.

Our past often completes with future. The same God who handled my past wants to do something with my future.
There is nothing in your past that compares with your life in Christ. Hebrews 3:7-19.
We need to refocus to use something in your past to push you into your future. We must keep moving forward. Hebrews 3:12-19.
Make a choice to move forward with the Bridge; with Jesus.
Identify what is competing for you. What is your Moses?

I had a couple songs in mind. I chose this - Only Jesus.

Verses for Today:
Hebrews 3:3-6 NIV
3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5 “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.

Lord, I pray that you help me let go of distractions and help me focus on my future in Christ Jesus.

Sharing Beyond Books #364 Comment Giveaway March 9, 2019

Hello again and Welcome back to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
There was a pretty resounding "NO" to writing in books/margins. 11 out of 18 did acknowledge that they did make notes in textbooks, reference books or workbooks, mostly during school years. Three of us acknowledge making highlights or notes in our Bibles.

The Winner from SBB #363 comments is: #7 MYSTICA who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post. -- [12/15/18 I am pulling out some new Christmas and Love titles to add to the Win box choices. I had to move the books due to the water threat in office. I will dig them out again soon.]

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #364

(One Question.)

Faith Hope and Cherry Tea asks: Are any readers subscribed to the Audible Audiobook Romance Package? Responses or thoughts?

I have an old Audible membership with 2 credits for a reasonable price. Someday I may update the plan. I have thought about subscribing to the Romance Package but I have held off as I have lots of books on TBR and I have been listening to more Sci Fi over the past year or so.

Image found at Publishers Weekly.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify.

Your turn to share. Faith Hope and Cherry Tea asks: Are any readers subscribed to the Audible Audiobook Romance Package? Responses or thoughts?

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday March 23, 2019 at 5 PM central.