She’s the last of six Lowcountry sisters to tie the knot, so when Elle Garvey’s quarterback-turned-minister boyfriend Jeremiah pops the question, the family resolves to give them the send off of the century.
But as Jeremiah leaves Elle to plan the wedding and moves ahead to Houston for a large pastorate there, Elle listens for her own call to the ministry-but none seems forthcoming. And with the influx of new residents in coastal Beaufort, South Carolina, Elle’s art gallery business has never been more fruitful. She’s even begun to successfully show her own paintings-paintings she created after Jeremiah left town.
Soon Elle’s widowed tenant, Heath, arrives, throwing a real wrench in the works, and offering a new kind of love that soon takes hold.and blossoms.
******************** Kelly’s Review
This is the second book in Rachel Hauck’s Low Country Series. The first was Sweet Caroline which I just LOVED, so I have eagerly been anticipating this second installment. The anticipation was more than worth it. Love Starts with Elledid not disappoint. What a terrific read!!
Elle Garvey is an art gallery owner in Beaufort, South Carolina. When the novel opens, we discover that she is dating a local minister by the name of Jeremiah and they soon become engaged to be married. The hitch is that he has taken a new church in Dallas, TX. Elle begins to transition out of her life in Beaufort, faithfully although reluctantly, to begin a new life with Jeremiah in Texas. It is clear that her heart is torn in many different directions and that Elle finds herself struggling to make the right decisions for herself and her faith.
Enter Heath McCord, a widower from New York City who has come to Beaufort with his four year old daughter, Tracey-Love, in hopes of healing his heart and learning to move on with his life after his wife’s tragic death. Heath has rented Elle’s home and the two find themselves meeting in an unexpected way, but a friendship and bond soon form. The two discover they have more in common at heart and soul than they ever would have anticipated.
Elle is a beautifully written novel. Rachel Hauck has a way of touching on subjects of faith that is truly heart-opening. She doesn’t throw any issues out in an “in your face” way, but I know that I came through several times realizing that the words she had written spoke to my own heart. In addition to reading an excellent novel, I also felt moved by the way issues were presented and handled throughout Elle’s story.
I just adore this Low Country series. I have become a fan of Rachel Hauck and now I find that I am once again anticipating the next installment.
Editing to add this cute clip. It’s not long, so give it a view.
Stefanie Noble feels like “happily ever after” has passed her by—until three needy kids show up in town. Movie star Lincoln Cash has one last chance to start a new career—in Phillips, Montanta. When Lincoln accuses one of Stefanie’s charges of arson, neither of them realizes that somebody is out to get them!
****************** Kelly’s Review:
Finding Stefanie is the third novel in Susan May Warren’s Noble Legacy Series and I hope it’s not the last we’ll read of the Noble family. I have thoroughly enjoyed each book in this series and Stefanie is no exception.
Throughout the course of this novel, we learn more about the personality and inner-workings of Stefanie Noble. Stefanie returned home from college after one semester and has been working the family ranch ever since. She feels that there should be more to her life besides the ranch, but she doesn’t know what or where. Throughout the course of the novel, three children come into Stefanie’s life unexpectedly and bring redemption, purpose and hope with them. Also, Stefanie finds intrigue and romance in a very unlikely (to her) candidate - that being Lincoln Cash, a movie star who has moved to the adjoining ranch.
This novel contains elements of suspense, mystery, romance and family. It kept me glued from start to finish. I stayed up late on our last evening at the beach so that I could finish it because I was not at a point that I wanted to put it down. I actually didn’t want it to end and I sincerely hope another installment to this excellent series will be in the works!
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Dubbed the billion-dollar babies, Kara and Lizzie have known only squalor, neglect, and lies. Robbed of their birthright by a legal technicality, the twins are “raised” by greedy relatives. But when their stepmother finally tracks them down, she discovers two deceived and angry 18-year-olds. Can she prove her love—and will they believe in grace?
***************** Kelly’s Review
I began reading this book the day before we left for the beach. I picked it up thinking I’d start on it at home and have the rest left for beach reading. And, I’ll be honest - the first few pages in I thought that maybe I should put it down and set myself up with some “lighter” reading for the beach trip. I’m glad I didn’t put it down. I would have missed an amazing story!! I actually wound up reading most of this book in the van on the way down to the beach and I hated that it got dark when I had about 1/3 of the book left to read. I couldn’t wait until the next day when I could pick it up and read the conclusion. This book was excellent and, again, I am so thankful that I didn’t put it down. What a treasure!
Sure, keeping the home fires burning while constantlyputting out fires is no easy task. But never fear…Date Night in a Minivan offers you real-world advice for creating teamwork in your marriage. Crammed front seat to back with humor, stories, and road-tested tips, Craker’s guide zeroes in on the hot-button issues that crop up in a marriage when kids climb on board. Paperback.
************* Kelly’s Review:
I first discovered this book in an email from MOPS and I was intrigued by the title and description. I would venture a guess that most of us who have had children, especially more than one, find ourselves in ruts as far as marriage and family, so this book was one I wanted to read. I’m happy to report that this book did not disappoint. I found it to be very helpful with great tips, advice and stories that we can all relate to in our married lives. Lorilee Craker provided personal stories of her own, plus those from other couples and that gave some poignant insight into issues such as finances, romance, child-planning and more. The range of topics covered was just right and the book flowed nicely from subject to subject.
One thing I really appreciated about this book was Lorilee Craker’s honesty. She didn’t write this book as a “do as I say” piece of work at all. This book contains her admissions and she is forthright in saying many times throughout that she and her husband have their “issues” to work on too. We all do. It was refreshing to me to read her words and know that she was just honest and real.
I also appreciated that this book addressed each parent’s need for personal time. I have read other books that basically state that a Christian stay-at-home mom shouldn’t NEED time away from her children. And, frankly, I disagree with that. As much as we love our children, I do think we all need breaks from time to time. This book gave great ideas and insights for each parent to have their own individualized time as well as family time and couple time.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book for Christian mothers. I enjoyed it and I plan to pass it along to friends. A great read from start to finish!!
I’m sorry I have let my blog get stale of late. July has just been BUSY. And, I do mean B-U-S-Y!! First we had Macey’s 5th birthday and celebrations for that, then traveling over the 4th, then Mickey went away to camp for a week while Macey had dance camp in the afternoons here at home. Then we had a beach vacation with two other families that are close friends of ours. So, it’s been GO GO GO!! But, I’m back now and I plan to dust off this blog and get it back on track again.
