Tag Archives: where the wild rose blooms

Books I Love to Read- Grew Up Reading

18 Sep

Over on my social media pages, I’m sharing with you some of the books that I absolutely love and this week is all about those books that I think about often.

Over the next several weeks, I’ll be doing, well, I suppose you could call it a kind of series. I’ll be sharing videos where I talk about books I love, with a different focus or theme, each time. I’m also sharing blog posts on those same books. If I’ve already written a review on the book, I’ll link it! This is meant to be a quick way to get to know me a little bit more – and these blog posts will be short reads! You’re welcome!

The focus is very specifically, on Lori Wick and Janette Oke books that I grew up reading. I’ll definitely share other favorites from my growing-up years but this is it for now =)

I probably started reading these around twelve or thirteen years old.

Where the Wild Rose Blooms by Lori Wick – published in 1996. Just when love blooms between young Clayton and Jackie, tragedy strikes. How can Jackie tell Clayton the truth when it could ruin everything?

A Woman Named Damaris by Janette Oke – published in 1991. The idea of living away from her drunk, abusive father grows in fifteen-year old Damaris’ mind and one day, with her mother’s love and two family heirlooms, she makes her getaway.

Roses for Mama by Janette Oke – published in 1991. Angela and Thomas struggle to care for and raise their younger siblings after their parents died. The responsibility seems to grow harder as Angela works to raise them how their mother would have wanted.

A Gown of Spanish Lace by Janette Oke – published in 1995. When Arianna is suddenly kidnapped and the boss’ son set to guard her, she fears for her life and future.

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Series Review – Rocky Mtn. Memories

13 May

Hello readers!

It’s been fun going through my shelves and deciding what series to read next to share with you guys! Trust me, I’ve got several series just begging to be shared here!

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As with most Lori Wick books, I grew up reading this series and will admit that the first one is still my favorite. It just might be my favorite of all her books, honestly. I also had a few ‘writer aha’s ‘ while reading this series this time around – you don’t have to write a complex story ( i’m looking at you Tolkien) and move your story along with the dialogue. These are pretty basic writing things here of course but I tend to get so focused on the one conversation that I don’t look ahead and tie in what I want to happen, in the conversation. And, when reading Tolkien, it’s been easy to compare the complexities of Middle Earth with my little universe, but it’s ok! Wick is a hugely popular author who’s been getting published since 1989 (!! for more info on her, check it out!). Just imagine that. 27 years! I’m in awe now that I looked it up.

Ahem.

Anyway, let’s get to it, shall we?

Where The Wild Rose Blooms – book 1 – Clayton Taggart loves his home in the high mountains of Colorado where he mines with his father.  But he dreams of one day becoming a teacher and getting out of the dark, dangerous mines. When he meets Jackie Fontaine, a beautiful, strong-willed beauty from the east, he only wants to tease her. But as time passes, they fall for each other.  Then an accident happens and Jackie keeps it a secret from Clay – will she be able to move past her fear and let Clay back in?

 

~ Sigh. This is a tender romance full of faith in love and Christ. I have loved the name Clayton ever since I first read this book and am in the sloooow process of convincing my OH that we should name our (very) future son that. =) 

 

Whispers of Moonlight- book 2 – Rebecca runs away after rumors reach her ears that her husband only married her for her father’s ranch. She’s confused and hurt but can’t believe Travis could love her. She starts a new life for herself but struggles through each tiring day.   Travis can’t believe Rebecca would leave him, hadn’t they had a good marriage, short though it was? His anger carries him for years but then his whole outlook changes and he starts praying for his wife. When she contacts him, he sets off to find her and bring her home.      Rebecca finds herself back at the ranch with Travis but he’s changed since she left and she struggles to make sense of everything that happened. Can she really let go of her fear and pride and let him love her?

~Ah! This book. This. Book. 

To Know Her by Name – book 3 – Mckay Harrington isn’t sure what to make of the woman taking care of him up in the Colorado hills. He’d tracked and killed an outlaw, but in the process he’d gotten shot as well. Now he was laid up with only this mysterious woman. When he’s finally healed enough to get back to work, he’s sure he’ll never see her again. But an unexpected encounter leads to intrigue, faith and love.

~I love reading about women who push the boundaries of what is expected/allowed, mainly in western days! 

I enjoy how each one of these books focus on  different aspects of faith – forgiveness, letting go of pride and fear and relying on Him. It even prompted a good conversation with my OH. And if a christian romance novel sparks theological discussion, it’s a keeper in my book.

These can be read separately but  you do get to see the previous characters in the next books, which is always fun. I highly recommend this series, it is delightful and honestly, I got through each book in two or three days probably, I just couldn’t put them down!

*there was no slight meant on Tolkien, I am amazed at his writing skill. I mean, it’s hard to put down The Two Towers! My revelation is that I DON’T have to write like that, which is good, because if I did, I’d give up now. *

*you might notice that I had to get book number 2 from the library! I couldn’t believe it when I realized I only had 1 and 3!!*

*UPDATE: This series has 4 books! I can’t believe I forgot that! From what I remember when I read it years ago it is just as enjoyable as the other 3! It’s called Promise me Tomorrow. 

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