Prairie Song by Mona Hodgson

About the Book
The first step in a challenging journey is often the one that means the most. 
Though it means saying goodbye to the beloved friends and spiritual mentors of her St. Charles, Missouri quilting circle, Anna Goben is certain that she needs to enlist her family in the Boones Lick Company wagon train. The loss of her beloved brother in the Civil War has paralyzed her mother and grandfather in a malaise of grief and depression and Anna is convinced that only a fresh start in the Promised Land of California can bring her family back to her. Although the unknown perils of the trail west loom, Anna’s commitment to caring for her loved ones leaves no room for fear—or even loving someone new.
During the five-month journey, trail hand Caleb Reger plans to keep a low profile as he watches over the band of travelers. Guarding secrets about his past and avoiding God’s calling on his life, Caleb wants to steer as far from Anna as she does him, but she proves to be just as he assessed her from the beginning— independent, beautiful trouble.
Led by a pillar of hope, the group faces rough terrain that begins to take a toll on their spirits. Will the wilderness of suffering lead them astray, or will the gentle song of love that echoes across the prairie turn their hearts toward God’s grace and the promise of a new home?

My Thoughts
After the extremely unfinished feel of the third prequel novella, Ripples Along the Shore, I was quite anxious to get to this book and see how the stories would play out. Though I was kinda sad that Boney and Anna didn't end up together I had kinda figured it out already since Boney is also a character in Mona's previous series The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek which is set many years down the road from this series. That being said I really enjoyed watching Caleb and Anna's relationship grow from mutual dislike based on misconceptions to a beautiful romance. I was also happy that we got to read the rest of Caroline and Garrett's story! The setting of a wagon train was really fun and it was well executed. It was especially entertaining for me because as a child all of my attempts at writing a story ended up being about people heading west. Overall I really enjoyed this story and it just might be my favorite of this author's! Looking forward to book two!


About the Author
Mona Hodgson is the author of Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series and The Quilted Heart Novellas.
Mona's writing credits also include nearly thirty children's books, including Real Girls of the Bible: A Devotional, Bedtime in the Southwest, and The Princess Twins and the Tea Party. One of Mona's favorite things to do, besides writing or eating dark chocolate, is to speak at women's retreats and conferences. Mona lives in Arizona with her husband, Bob.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Ripples Along the Shore by Mona Hodgson

About the Book
When Caroline Milburn steps off the boat and back into her hometown of St. Charles, MO, part of her wishes she could step right back on board and sail away. St. Charles, though home to her beloved friends and quilting circle, hasn't felt like home since the death of her husband. And living with her sister, Jewell’s family hasn't provided much balm for her grieving heart. Caroline knows something needs to change—but for now she’s stuck sharing her sister’s home, and enduring the anger and bitterness of her brother-in-law.
But change is brewing in St. Charles. A group of brave souls are preparing to head west on the Boones Lick Wagon Train, led by the mysterious and handsome Garrett Cowlishaw. Despite her dislike for Mr. Cowlishaw, who served as a Confederate soldier in the war that killed her husband, Caroline is tempted to join the wagon train and start fresh somewhere new.

When the lovely young widow makes her intentions to travel west known, Garrett Cowlishaw forbids her—a single woman—to travel with them. Will one man’s prejudice destroy Caroline’s hope for a new future? Or will the ripples of God’s love bring the answer she needs?

My Thoughts
It's hard to write this review since I'm still kinda confused. I've been enjoying these novellas a lot and I was really looking forward to this one, so once I got it I excitedly jumped in. The characters were great and it was interesting how not only Caroline's story but also a bit of another girl named Anna's were told. The plot was also cool with the idea of Union widow and a Confederate soldier. Honestly I was loving this book until the end, where the story just stopped abruptly without any sort of resolution between the two main characters. And Anna's story seemed like she was going to end up with Boney but after I bit of searching I  realized that the author's next book is about Anna and another guy and that Boney is actually from the Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek series where his story is finished. So I was really left with way more questions than answers and this novella really felt unfinished. I still would recommend reading this one especially if you plan on reading this authors new series.

About the Author
Married forty-one years to her leading man, Mona from Arizona lives in the Southwest where trees have
arms instead of branches and salsa is a staple. When Mona Hodgson isn't writing or speaking, she's playing Wii games with her Arizona grandson, spending time with her mom, picnicking, texting her sisters, or chatting on Skype with her grandchildren in Africa.
Mona Hodgson is the author of nearly 40 books, historical novels for adults and children's books, including her popular Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series, The Quilted Heart novellas, and upcoming Hearts Seeking Home Series. Her children's books include bestseller, Bedtime in the Southwest, six desert and princess Zonderkidz I Can Read books, Real Girls of the Bible: A 31-Day Devotional, and her six I Wonder books. Mona's writing credits also include several hundred articles, poems and short stories, which have appeared in 50 different publications. Mona is a speaker for women's groups, Christian women's retreats, book clubs and reading groups, schools, and conferences for writers and librarians.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own

Bending Toward the Sun by Mona Hodgson

About the Book
Can the Divine Quilter stitch together the torn pieces of Emilie’s heart?
Divided between the love of her father and the desires of her heart, Emilie Heinrich must rely on the love and wisdom of the women in her quilting circle for support. Since Emilie is dedicated to her education and to helping her father in his general store, she is convinced she doesn't have time for love. But when a childhood friend returns to St. Charles, Missouri, after serving in the Civil War, his smile and charm captures Emilie’s eye and her heart.
Quaid McFarland has a gentleness and humor that causes Emilie to question her indifference toward romance. But her German father sees only one thing when he looks at the young man: an Irish teamster. And Johann Heinrich is not about to let such a man court his beloved daughter.
Her father’s prejudices test Emilie’s faith in God’s ability to mend the patchwork pieces of her life. Will she be forced to choose between honoring her father and a future with a husband and family of her own?

My Thoughts
I had a bit more mixed feelings about this book than the first one. While I think I liked these characters more the writing was a little less well done in this story. I really liked Quaid's character and I was really pleased with how he handled the situation and the respecthe had for both his parents and Emilee's father. Emilee was a great character as well and I enjoyed seeing some of the other characters from the previous book. I'm really enjoying this series and I can't wait for book three!

About the Author
The author of nearly forty books, Mona Hodgson writes historical fiction for adults and picture books and readers for children. In 1987, Mona began writing articles, poems, and short stories for publication and has had several hundred printed in more than 50 different publications. Her publishing credits now include The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek historical fiction series, The Quilted Heart eBook novellas, nearly 30 children's books, and contributions to 11 books for adults.
Mona is a speaker for women's retreats, schools, educators and librarians, and at writers conferences throughout the United States and Canada. She holds professional memberships in Women Writing the West, American Christian Fiction Writers, Pikes Peak Writers Group, Romance Writers of America, Christian Authors Network, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.
What does Mona like to do when she's not writing? Picnic, read to kids, visit museums, play Wii Tennis, sink her toes into wet sand at the beach, retreat with her sisters, explore new places, gaze at sunsets and share lunch with a friend.

I received a free e-book copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own I was not required to write a positive review.

Dandelions on the Wind by Mona Hodgson

About the Book
Tattered relationships and broken hearts, like a quilt, can be pieced together by God’s love.                                                         
When Maren Jensen took a job on Elsa Brantenberg’s St. Charles, Missouri farm, she never expected to call the place her home. As she grows to love Mrs. Brantenberg and her granddaughter, Gabi, Maren is transformed from a lonely mail-order bride-without-a-groom to a beloved member of the Brantenberg household.
But when Gabi’s father, Rutherford “Wooly” Wainwright, returns to the farm unexpectedly, everything changes for Maren. Despite the failing eyesight that caused her suitor to reject her, she can see that Wooly desperately needs to reconnect with the family he abandoned when his grief sent him running toward the army—and into the Civil War. She also senses there could be something more between the widower and herself, if either can move beyond their past hurts.  
Comforted and counseled by the wisdom of the women in her beloved quilting circle, Maren begins to discover the cost such decisions demand of her heart. Are her choices in obedience to God, or is she running from His plan? Is it too late for love to be stitched into the fabric of her life?

My Thoughts
This was a really sweet and well written short story. Sometimes it's harder to make a novella work since you have less time with which to develop your characters and plot and satisfy the reader, but Mona Hodgson did a very nice job. I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline was well done. I know this is a short review but there's only so much you can say about a hundred page book without giving away the whole story. Let me just leave you with the recommendation of these book and the fact that I enjoyed it enough to look forward to reading the next novellas in this series!

About the Author

The author of nearly forty books, Mona Hodgson writes historical fiction for adults and picture books and readers for children. In 1987, Mona began writing articles, poems, and short stories for publication and has had several hundred printed in more than 50 different publications. Her publishing credits now include The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek historical fiction series, The Quilted Heart eBook novellas, nearly 30 children's books, and contributions to 11 books for adults.
Mona is a speaker for women's retreats, schools, educators and librarians, and at writers conferences throughout the United States and Canada. She holds professional memberships in Women Writing the West, American Christian Fiction Writers, Pikes Peak Writers Group, Romance Writers of America, Christian Authors Network, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.
What does Mona like to do when she's not writing? Picnic, read to kids, visit museums, play Wii Tennis, sink her toes into wet sand at the beach, retreat with her sisters, explore new places, gaze at sunsets and share lunch with a friend.

I received a free e-book copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own I was not required to write a positive review.

Top Ten Minor Characters

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I once again decided to choose an old topic rather than do the actual one for this week. I didn't want to do this one, A: Because it had a swear word in it, and B: Because I couldn't come up with ten. So I decided to go with my top ten minor characters. There are always those secondary characters that you just love, and here are ten of my favs!

Conner Young-Team Hope by Susan May Warren
I absolutely loved Conner in this series and I desperately wanted him to have his own book. He was the funny, lovable, geek, who you couldn't help but like. He deserved his own story and a girl!

Luther and Buff-Lassoed in Texas & Sophie's Daughters by Mary Connealy
These two were older guys who made it their personal job to watch out for the McClellan girls. They were kinda like those sorta crotchety uncles you can't help but love.

Tucker Newman-You Don't Know Me by Susan May Warren
It's kinda hard to describe Tucker. He was a broken teen looking for the love of a family, and your heart just kinda broke for him. He had done the whole bad boy route but is now doing everything in his power to be worthy of acceptance.

Marshall "The Kid" Vaughn-Discarded Heroes by Ronie Kendig
A funny prankster, he seems like the guy that would be fun to just hang with. I would say more but I might give something away so I gonna leave it at that.

Crockett, Jim, and Neill Archer-Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer
I loved the relationship that these brothers have and they are all just really fun characters. I was so happy when I discovered that Crockett is getting his own book!

Fortino Forelli-River of Time by Lisa T. Bergren
A pretty cool guy, who's fun, gentlemanly, a reader, and pretty brave to boot! Luca's my fav River of Time guy but Fortino is pretty high on the list!

Ruthie McGee-A Charmed Life by Jenny B. Jones
Ruthie is a fun, quirky character that makes you laugh!

Midge-Prairie Promises by Kelly Eileen Hake
It took me a bit to warm up to Midge but once I did I loved her. She was always match-making and being funny and I loved her little love story in the final book of the series!

Vera & Oren-Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund
I loved Oren's over-protective daddy bear-ness, it was pretty adorable. And Vera was a spitfire with a sense of humor.

Hattie-Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek by Mona Hodgson
A fun, matchmaking, middle aged lady who you couldn't help loving! I was glad she got some of the spotlight in the last book of the series!

Twice A Bride by Mona Hodgson

About the Book
Love lost doesn’t mean love lost forever. 
Can unexpected romance deliver a second chance for two deserving widows?
Full of resolve, young widow Willow Peterson decides to pursue her dreams to be an artist as she settles into a new life in the growing mountain town of Cripple Creek.  When she lands a job working as a portrait painter with handsome entrepreneur and photographer Trenton Van Der Veer, the road before Willow seems to be taking a better-than-anticipated turn.
With questions tugging at several hearts in town, including the Sinclair Sisters’ beloved Miss Hattie, change is traveling down the tracks as several unexpected visitors make their way out West.  Will the new arrivals threaten the deep family bonds of the Sinclair sisters and the roots of love that are just taking hold for Willow?  
Filled with the resonating questions that all women face, this romance awakens hope against grief, love against loss, and dreams against life’s unexpected turns.

My Thoughts
This fourth and final Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek was probably my favorite of all of them. I really enjoyed meeting Willow in the last couple books so I was happy that she was gonna get a second chance at love in this book. I love her caring heart and selfless ways it made her quite easy to love. And Trenton was a great hero for the story. His speech impediment was an interesting quirk to give a character and it went far in endearing him to me. I wanted to smack the people that looked down on him for it, especially the pastor who told him that it was from the devil.
Another cool thing about this book is that we finally got to meet the girl's father Harlan Sinclair. I don't want to give any spoilers but I was happy that he, Miss Hattie, and Boney each found someone spend the rest of their lives with. Check out this book to see who!

About the Author
Mona Gansberg married Bob Hodgson in 1972, and became Mona Hodgson. They have two grown daughters, two sons-in-law, and a gaggle of grandchildren.
In 1987, Mona Hodgson began writing articles, poems, and short stories for publication and has had several hundred printed in more than 50 different publications. Her publishing credits now include The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek historical fiction series, nearly 30 children's books, and contributions to 11 books for adults.
Mona is a speaker for women's retreats, schools, educators and librarians, and at writers conferences throughout the United States and Canada. She holds professional memberships in Women Writing the West, American Christian Fiction Writers, Pikes Peak Writers Group, Romance Writers of America, Christian Authors Network, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, the Society of Southwestern Authors, and Arizona Reading Association.
What does Mona like to do when she's not writing? Picnic, Hula-Hoop, read to kids, visit museums, play tennis (on Wii), sink her toes into wet sand at the beach, retreat with her sisters, explore new places, gaze at sunsets and share lunch with a friend.

I received a free e-book copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own I was not required to write a positive review.

Top Ten Books On My Fall TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This weeks Top Ten is list the books we are most looking forward to reading that will be released between September 22 and December 20. I cheated and one of them comes out on Dec 25, but whose counting?


1. Full Disclosure by Dee Henderson

2. You Don't Know Me by Susan May Warren

3. The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson

4. The Trouble With Cowboys by Denise Hunter

5. To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander

6. When A Heart Stops by Lynette Eason

7. Lovelier Than Daylight by Rosslyn Elliott

8. Guardian by Heather Burch

9. Right Where I Belong by Krista McGee

10. Twice A Bride by Mona Hodgeson

The Bride Wore Blue by Mona Hodgson

About the Book
Headed toward a fresh start but tethered by her past, Vivian longs to break free, to find forgiveness and love.

At last, the sisters are reunited! The youngest Sinclair, the family“ baby”, is moving from Maine to Cripple Creek, Colorado and joining Kat, Nell, and Ida. But Vivian is a young woman with a will of her own, and made some decisions back in Portland that have begun to haunt her. Will she be able to live up to the expectations of her three perfect and now happily-settled sisters?

The sisters warmly welcome Vivian to the mountain west, but the wild-and-woolly mining town isn’t ripe with opportunities for a respectable young woman. The youngest Sinclair sister is determined to make her own way, so when she’s offered a job as a hostess in a sporting house, she takes it, thinking the position is appropriate for a tainted, unlovable woman like herself. Although she’s convinced she’ll never be asked to entertain privately, Vivian keeps her employment a secret from her sisters, knowing they’d be mortified—as will Carter Alwyn, the kind and godly sheriff ’s deputy who’s sweet on her.

Vivian is descending into a life of secrets, lying to the very people who love her and could help her heal from her mistakes. Will an outpouring of grace remind her that she is still God’s beloved and that her past can be washed as clean as Rocky Mountain snow?

My Thoughts

I had mixed feelings about this book. Some parts I thought were really good and other parts just seemed to be lacking for me. This has been the case with all of The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series, they are good but not amazing. This isn't to say that I don't enjoy reading them, but there just always seems to be something that holds them back. Unfortunately I can't put my finger on what that is exactly. But enough about that and onto the actual book review.

I think my favorite thing about this book was the hero, Carter Alwyn. He's a pretty awesome guy who is willing to accept when he's wrong and apologize for it-who doesn't love that in a guy!-he's also quick to forgive, and just has that all around western deputy thing down! Vivian wasn't too bad either and I found myself sharing some of her emotions, which is always fun to find. 

I know this review is rather random, but as I said I have mixed emotions about it and it's hard to put them into words!

About the Author

Mona Gansberg married Bob Hodgson in 1972, and became Mona Hodgson nearly 40 years ago. They have two grown daughters, two sons-in-law, three grandsons and a granddaughter.

In 1987, Mona Hodgson began writing articles, poems, and short stories for publication and has had several hundred printed in more than 50 different publications. Her publishing credits now include The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek historical fiction series, nearly 30 children's books, and contributions to 11 books for adults. 

Mona is a speaker for women's retreats, schools, educators and librarians, and at writers conferences throughout the United States and Canada. She holds professional memberships in Women Writing the West, American Christian Fiction Writers, Pikes Peak Writers Group, Romance Writers of America, Christian Authors Network, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, the Society of Southwestern Authors, and Arizona Reading Association.

What does Mona like to do when she's not writing? Picnic, Hula-Hoop, read to kids, visit museums, play tennis (on Wii), sink her toes into wet sand at the beach, retreat with her sisters, explore new places, gaze at sunsets and share lunch with a friend.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.