Roses For Mama- Janette Oke| A Western Romance

★★★★★

(5 stars)

"For Angela, now seventeen, and her older brother Thomas, the profound events that reshaped their family also changed their lives. Angela does her best to care for the children, but still wonders if she is providing everything they need- like her mother did."

This is one of my favorite books, because I can relate to the feelings the main character has, because (though I haven't lost my mother) I have many younger siblings myself. With three younger siblings, Angela was left with the responsibility of taking care of a farm house and a family after the death of her parents along side her older brother. While as the reader I can see the good job she's doing, I couldn't help but feel the stress and pain she had to carry as she tries to be a mom to her younger siblings, tries to encourage old family friends, and deals with her somewhat annoying friend Trudie. With two young men vying for Angela's attention, while she tries to balance her own life and the care of her siblings, this book kept me up late to finish it!

It's completely clean, and like all Janette Oke books, very faith based. I won't give away the ending, but be prepared to be surprised! And make sure you keep the tissues close by during the entire read, because you're really going to need them....

-Missy

THE LOST GIRL OF ASTOR STREET by Stephanie Morrill | A Brilliant, 1920s Romantic Mystery

{Source.}

★★★★★
(4.5 stars)

(Note: I read The Lost Girl of Astor Street prior to its official release; it is set to release in February 2017.)

Piper's best friend is missing, and has left the police clueless as they scour Chicago. Piper will not rest until she finds answers, and yet when she sticks her nose into dark alleyways, hidden buildings, and the mafia itself, it seems that she's only asking for trouble -- and she may find more answers than she bargained for...

Okay. Wow. Give me a moment to catch my breath.

The Lost Girl of Astor Street was amazing. It was riveting; the plot, characters, and writing style all meshed together so brilliantly, it was like magic. It seemed evident that Stephanie did her research, because the 1920s seemed so alive and pulsing, as if they had a heartbeat.

I do admit that it took me a chapter or two to get into it, seeing as it took that long for the heroine to grow and the story to progress. But it was so worth it.

And haven't I mentioned the romance? (*cues the fangirling*) (*pauses*) THE ROMANCE WAS SO INCREDIBLE. I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO DESCRIBE THE COUNTLESS NUMBER OF TIMES I NEARLY SCREAMED/CRIED WITH JOY. (*squeals*) (*jumps up and down like a little girl*) (*straightens bowtie*)

Stephanie tied up all the loose ends perfectly, and I firmly believe that not a strand was out of place. So I definitely recommend it -- it is SO worth the read. :)

You may want to know: There were light implications of indecent acts against characters, as well as murder, violence, and some drinking.

~Liv
oliviakfisher.blogspot.com

Congratulations to...

Melissa

Jemma

Jemma and Melissa will be joining me in blogging here at Christian Lasses & Their Books. There are currently no plans for any of us to maintain an exact blogging schedule, and there may be times when we review the same books, in order to express more varying opinions.

You can find out more on what we think makes a book clean on this page, as well as the genres we enjoy reading on this one. And you can find us on Facebook at this link.

So welcome to the team, Jemma and Melissa! I've sent you each an email. I'm very much looking forward to blogging with you two!

~Liv
oliviakfisher.blogspot.com