A Love to Last Forever by Tracie Peterson

This is book 2 of Peterson's Brides of Gallatin County series and it comes as no surprise that it is a great read! I really do love Tracie Peterson's books... and I am sucker for stories set out west during the pioneer days.

Each of the books in this series focuses on one of the three Gallatin sisters, but the story always includes the others and each book builds on the previous one so definitely read them in order. Book 2 focuses on the youngest Gallatin sister, Beth. Beth is a romantic often sneaking off to read a cheap romance and to day dream of finding her own Lord Wodehouse. What she doesn't realize is all she wants and needs is right before her eyes. Nick Lassiter has loved Beth almost since the first moment he saw her, but how can he convince her that they are meant for each other. In the meantime Adrian Murphy has set his cap for Beth and doesn't seem to want to take No for an answer.

Things seem to finally be moving in the right direction for Beth and Nick when a secret from his past shows us... in the flesh... threatening their budding relationship.

This is a very sweet book and one that really focuses on walking by Faith.... hoping in things not seen instead of focusing on what we can see.

On to book 3 soon!

Bluegrass Hero by Allie Pleiter

Bluegrass Hero is book 1 in the Kentucky Corners series from Love Inspired. I have to admit I wasn't sure I would like this book. It is set in Kentucky and involves a horse farm. I am not a horse fan... I think they are beautiful animals... from a distance! Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the heroine of this book feels the same way... Emily Montague is a girl's girl... she loves old-fashioned charm and romance...anything connected to Paris, France... and especially soaps. In fact, she runs her own soap shop called West of Paris. Gil Sorrent's a guys guy... no sweet smelling stuff for him. He works with horses all day at his farm, Homestretch, which provides an opportunity for guys who have taken a wrong turn in life to get back on the straight path. Gil enters Emily's shop for a birthday gift for his niece and ends up with a bag full of trouble. The men at his farm get the idea the free samples Emily sent home have some power to attract women and so it begins.... a tug of war between Emily and Gil with the farmhands in the middle. Of course all of this is heightened by the undeniable attraction between the two. But will their pasts create an insurmountable wall between the two? And will Homestretch Farm survive after a member makes the choice to fall back into a life of crime?

Bluegrass Hero is a very enjoyable read and I am looking forward to reading future books in this series.

Interior Motives by Ginny Aiken

This is book 3 of Aiken's Deadly Decor Mysteries series... and I believe the final book for this series... which saddens me. I have enjoyed these light mysteries and the wonderful characters Aiken created. While the story lines may be a bit light... a kin to Murder She Wrote (which I love), there is a depth to some of the characters that intrigues me. Haley Farrell is not Jessica Fletcher.. she is a young interior designer learning to live light despite her past which includes not only sadness, but personal despair. Her faith is tested over and over in these books and Haley, like all of us, struggles with trusting God.. giving Him control. Dutch Merrill is her nemesis.. or so it seems... a contractor with a sharp wit and keen observation skills. Then there is Bella... oh my Bella and the Balis (her feline babies)... Bella is a hoot... really to kooky to be real and yet I have a feeling I know a Bella or two! She defines the word eccentric and stretches it to whole new heights. Tedd is a wonderful Christian psychologist who has issues of her own and Lila is the karate cop "twin" of Haley (just don't tell them or you will catch their wrath!). Add in a smathering of other fun folks and you have a cast who keeps you entertained with their "doings".

In Interior Motives life is going good for Haley. She is in the midst of renovating Tedd's office... a much needed renovation in her opinion... she is dealing with the issues in her life... she is not having to deal with Lila... life is good. Then she meets Darlene.. a sweet elderly woman who is caring for her husband, an Alzheimer patient, while battling cancer. Darlene's gentle spirit captures Haley's attention as does her fascination with Darlene's home.. a grand old Victorian lady in need of revitalization. Haley agrees to help Darlene bring the old girl back to life, but when she goes for their first consultation plans change. Darlene is dead... the cancer has won... or did it? Why does Haley suspect foul play when no one else does? Why does she call Lila instead of an ambulance? And how is it that every time she goes to redo a house a dead body pops up?

A very fun read... you definitely need to read the book in the series in order as they all build on each other.