Monday Morning Faith by Lori Copeland

I am a big fan of Lori Copeland's fiction. Her books are usually light and funny and a joy to read. Monday Morning Faith doesn't fit that bill. Now let me quickly say it was a joy to read... a wonderful book... but far from light and funny (although there are some hilarious scenes!). In Monday Morning Faith, Copeland seems to step out a bit and present a look deep inside the heart... a heart satisfied with the Status Quo... a good heart... a heart that loves the Lord, lives a good life, does good things, sits in church every Sunday... but a heart that is satisfied to do just that... sit and not grow.

Johanna Holland is a never-married 40 year old librarian with a nice comfortable life... but all that is about to change. In a matter of weeks she goes from caregiver of her elderly parents to single lady with time on her hand.... and then Sam enters the picture. Sam is everything Johanna is not... at least she thinks he is. He is a widower with a call to missions... active hands-on missions in Papua New Guinea. And somehow he is able to convince Johanna to accompany him on a mission trip to this far away place.

We watch as Johanna attempts to adjust to life in the jungle among natives who speak no English with missionaries who haven't been able to break the language barrier with the natives. There are snakes... mud...monkeys... animals that are considered sacred and so can't be eaten...disease... crime (in a fashion)...heat... bugs... none of the comforts of home... isolation...

So does Johanna survive? Does she decide God is calling her to missions or does she decide He just wants her to stay home? I want give that part away, but I will tell you it is not what most of us would assume is going to happen. Copeland gives things a bit of a twist.

Throughout the book the reader is privy to Johanna's thoughts... to her struggles and questions ... her excitement and heartache... her anger and frustration... her love and compassion... I loved that the most. It was enthralling to me to watch everything play out inside her as I also watched things happening to her and around her.

Like I stated at the beginning, this is not a light and easy fun read. It certainly isn't difficult read, but it is a bit heavier than Copeland's normal fare.. and soo worth it! This is definitely one of the best books I have read this year. Very challenging, thought provoking and insightful.

Now and Always by Lori Copeland

Lori Copeland is one of my favorite authors. I cannot think of a single book of hers I didn't like... Now and Always is no exception. It is a contemporary novel, but includes horses... which seem to show up often in Copeland's works.

The setting for this book is a unique one... a private, secluded home that provides shelter to battered women. Candlelight is Katie's heart.... her mission in life... but she is struggling to keep it going. Managing money isn't her forte, but she is determined to do her best. Enter Warren, an old high school friend who has gone from Nerd to hunk.. and rich to boot! Warren has moved back home and Katie solicits his help to get her on her feet financially.

In the meantime, a high-profile client is drawing unwanted media attention.... Katie takes in 4 injured horses despite a lack of funding to care for them... Ben, the town sheriff has given up trying to get Katie to go out with him... and someone wants the shelter closed now. Who can Katie trust.... and who does her heart belong to? Can she dig herself out of the financial pit she is in and protect the women in her care?

Only God has the answer.

Yellow Rose Bride by Lori Copeland

I love Lori Copeland books... especially her historic romances. She just knows how to tug at a girl's heart strings!

Yellow Rose Bride is actually a rewrite of an earlier secular market book by Copeland (Bridal Lace and Buckskin) The Taylor's and the Baldwin's have a family feud reminiscent of the Hatfields and McCoys.... but no one really knows the root of the feud. Vonnie Taylor and Adam Baldwin grow up intent on hating each other, but along the way their hearts get in the way and they fall in love. In an impulsive move they run off and get married... a marriage which last 1 days and is never consummated. No one knows except the 2 of them and the judge that annuls the union. Years pass and each builds their own life. Vonnie becomes a master seamstress specializing in wedding dresses, while Adam is groomed by his father to take over the family ranching empire.

Life changes when Adam becomes engaged to Vonnie's friend, Beth, who asks Vonnie to make her wedding dress. Vonnie and Adam are both forced to face their past and the feelings that still remain.

A tragic death brings the an end to the family feud or so everyone thinks. But only the truth can really set them free....but how can the truth be found in all lies and deceptions that have been fabricated?