Susan Godfrey (Author of The Titus 2 Woman)

Susan is now friends with Alaina Bullock

Susan rated a book 2 of 5 stars

A Season for Tending (Amish Vines and Orchids #1)
by Cindy Woodsmall (Goodreads Author)

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

I will state up front–I am NOT a fan of Amish fiction and A Season for Tending is not the book that will change that. It was slow moving and a bit too soapy for me. Cindy Woodsmall is a fine writer, no doubt about it, but I simply did not enjoy the s...more

Susan rated a book 3 of 5 stars

Over the Edge (Kincaid Brides, #3)
by Mary Connealy (Goodreads Author)

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

A few months ago, I was able to read the first book in The Kincaid Brides series, Out of Control and I was really disappointed with it. The main female character in that one, Julia Gilliland, annoyed me beyond belief. I really, REALLY disliked her ch...more

Susan rated a book 5 of 5 stars

Borders of the Heart
by Chris Fabry

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Borders of the Heart is a gripping tale of how God has bigger plans for us if we just allow him to use us. The story is action packed with a little romance tossed in. The story could have easily been torn from actual headlines. It was true-to-life an...more

Susan rated a book 5 of 5 stars

Through Rushing Water
by Catherine Richmond (Goodreads Author)

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Through Rushing Water is the first book by Catherine Richmond that I have read, but it won’t be the last. Through Rushing Water is beautifully written. For the review, I had scheduled to read chucks of this book through out a week. To say the least,...more Through Rushing Water is the first book by Catherine Richmond that I have read, but it won’t be the last. Through Rushing Water is beautifully written. For the review, I had scheduled to read chucks of this book through out a week. To say the least, that schedule was an epic fail. I stayed up to nearly three a.m. on two different nights simply because I was so drawn into the story that I could not put it down. This is not something I do regularly, so that really tells you how much I enjoyed the story.

I was easily drawn to Sophia’s character. The way she was spurned by the man she thought she was going to marry made her very sympathetic. Her decision to become a missionary seemed to go against what I saw her character being. It wasn’t her becoming a missionary so much as that it was such a spur-of-the-moment decision, which I thought went against the traits we had come to know about her from earlier in the book. I saw Sophia as being more in control and even keeled. But that decision sets the course for the resplendent story to come. I relished watching Sophia’s faith grow and how God took her spur-of-the-moment decision and molded it for His glory. Sophia’s romance with Will is sweet and satisfying. I was enchanted by their sweet romance set against such a stark and tragic background.

While Sophia and Will were an integral part of the story, it was the Ponca people that kept me engaged. I became so invested in their fate that I simply could not put the book down. I was really struck by how much we take for granted today. The absolute poverty and the abysmal treatment of the Ponca Indians was disheartening. This treatment of the American Indians is a shameful chapter of our country’s past.

Through Rushing Water is a well researched book and is broadly based on true events, which are explained in the Author’s Note at the end of the book. I’m a history junkie and am drawn to books that are true to history and life. Nothing frustrates me more than reading an historical novel filled with inaccuracies. I didn’t find that with this book. Richmond has done and admirable job with Through Rushing Water . She has woven a beautiful romantic tale, while still staying true to the tragic facts of the dismal treatment of the Ponca people. Richmond now has a new fan, and I look forward to reading more from her. I simply cannot recommend Through Rushing Water highly enough!

NOTICE:
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

Susan rated a book 4 of 5 stars

Inescapable (Road to Kingdom #1)
by Nancy Mehl

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

I'm not a big fan of the Amish/Mennonite genre that seems to be all the rage in Christian fiction in recent years. So, I was a bit hesitant to read Inescapable. This was also the first book by Mehl that I have read. I have to admit, I was pleasantly...more

Susan rated a book 3 of 5 stars

The Bride Wore Blue: A Novel (The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek #3)
by Mona Hodgson (Goodreads Author)

read in September, 2012

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

WaterBrook Press (Blogging for Books) recently sent me a copy of The Bride Wore Blue by Mona Hodgson to read and review. The Bride Wore Blue is a 288 page Christian romance novel. It also contains a Readers Guide as well as a preview of her upcoming...more

Susan rated a book 5 of 5 stars

Short-Straw Bride
by Karen Witemeyer (Goodreads Author)

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Bethany House recently sent me a copy of Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer to read and review. Short-Straw Bride is a 363 page Christian historical romance novel, which was released in June 2012. The author, Karen Witemeyer has written 3 other boo...more Bethany House recently sent me a copy of Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer to read and review. Short-Straw Bride is a 363 page Christian historical romance novel, which was released in June 2012. The author, Karen Witemeyer has written 3 other books published by Bethany House. A while back I read her novel, A Tailor-Made Bride, and really enjoyed it. So, I jumped at the chance to read Short-Straw Bride. Even just looking at the cute cover made me want to dive in and start reading. I’m really loving the way Christian publishers are doing their romance novel covers. They are such a VAST improvement from the smutty secular romance covers you see staring down from the book store shelves! The sweet cover art on Short-Straw Bride gives a good idea of the sort of romance to expect. So a round of applause to the cover designer.

Short-Straw Bride Plot Summary

No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk.

Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can’t bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.

Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?

My Thoughts About Short-Straw Bride

From start to finish, I.LOVED.THIS.BOOK! Short-Straw Bride was a really fun and light-hearted read. I felt the characters were well crafted and true to life. I especially like Meredith and Travis. Their relationship is sweet. I also got a hoot out of the rest of the Archer brothers. I sincerely hope Witemeyer plans on making a series out of them! If she does, I know that I will be first in line to purchase them. I really love light-hearted, sweet romances and Short-Straw Bride certainly fit the bill. Short-Straw Bride is one of those books where when you come to the end, you simply sigh and wish it could go on. Witemeyer has now gone to the top of my favorite authors list. I’m planning on picking up the other 2 novels of hers that I haven’t read: Head in the Clouds and To Win Her Heart. Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer is such an enjoyable read that I can’t recommend it enough to fans of this genre of book!

NOTICE: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this item free from the creator. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

Susan rated a book 4 of 5 stars

Cottonwood Whispers
by Jennifer Erin Valent (Goodreads Author)

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

About Cottonwood Whispers

A while ago, Tyndale Blog Network sent me the book Cottonwood Whispers by Jennifer Erin Valent. I hate to say it, but it kind of got lost and I just ran across it again this past week. So, I FINALLY had a chance to read it. C...more About Cottonwood Whispers

A while ago, Tyndale Blog Network sent me the book Cottonwood Whispers by Jennifer Erin Valent. I hate to say it, but it kind of got lost and I just ran across it again this past week. So, I FINALLY had a chance to read it. Cottonwood Whispers is the follow up story to the award winning novel, Fireflies in December. Valent does a fine job capturing the turmoil of the time and her writing is beautiful and true to life.
Synopsis of Cottonwood Whispers

Cottonwood Whispers takes place in 1936 Virginia, a time and place still deeply rooted in prejudice. The story centers around 17 year old Jessilyn, her best friend Gemma (who was raised by Jessilyn’s white parents), Jessilyn’s relatiship with Luke Talley, and the death of a young girl. The summer of1936 finds Gemma pulling away from Jessilyn. This sets Jessilyn adrift. Not to mention that her relationship with Luke Talley has become awkward and confusing.

When a little girl is killed, the town is split apart and an innocent man is wrongfully accused of the child’s death. Jessilyn works to discover the truth and bring the real killer to justice. She must find the truth before the town’s vigilante mob hangs the wrong man. Meanwhile, Jessilyn discovers Gemma’s secret. She has fallen in love with an older white man, whose family she works for.
My thoughts on Cottonwood Whispers

Cottonwood Whispers transfers you back to a time with the deep south was rife with hate and prejudice. Not just against blacks, but also against anyone different. Valent’s story is authentic to the time and rich in historic detail. I really enjoyed the book and loved the character of Jessilyn. My only issue is that you really need to read the first book, Fireflies in December, to fully understand some of the plot lines. I hadn’t read the first book yet, and I got a bit confused until I was better able to familiarize myself with the characters and plot. Regardless, I would highly recommend Cottonwood Whispers and look forward to reading more from Jennifer Erin Valent.

NOTICE: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this item free from the creator. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

Susan rated a book 2 of 5 stars

My Stubborn Heart
by Becky Wade (Goodreads Author)

read in August, 2012

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Recently, I received the book My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade It is a 352 page light-hearted contemporary Christian romance novel from Bethany House Publishers.

The main female character is Kate Donovan. She is burned out with her job as a social work...more Recently, I received the book My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade It is a 352 page light-hearted contemporary Christian romance novel from Bethany House Publishers.

The main female character is Kate Donovan. She is burned out with her job as a social worker following a tragedy and she’s down on her luck in the romance department. he wants to be married and have a family, but in the past has made some bad choices in the men she dates. She comes to Redbud, Pennsylvania with her grandmother to recharge and help her grandmother restore the house she grew up in. She meets Matt Jarreau, the contractor hired by her grandmother, and is immediately attracted to hi. Matt was once a well known and celebrated hockey player in the NHL. He left that world behind when his wife died of cancer. Matt is wounded and is hiding from the world and hiding from God, whom he has lost faith in.

Kate is drawn to Matt and feels that the Lord is urging her to help him heal his wounds and move on with his life. Will Kate’s stubborn determination to pull him out of his grief work? Will Matt be able to trust and open his heart again?
My Thoughts on My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

The main characters of My Stubborn Heart are true to life and I was really drawn into the story. Becky Wade’s writing if fun and the plot line is well crafted. I loved the secondary characters (the “girls”, her grandmother’s friends) and the secondary plots were fun. But, would I recommend this book to others? The honest answer is that it would depend on the reader. While I loved the characters and plot, it was awfully worldly for a Christian novel. I had quite a few issues with the book’s content. I’ll share them so you can make up your own mind on whether or not to read My Stubborn Heart.

There is a preoccupation with all the women in the book about how “hot” Matt is. There are very few discussions between the female characters about him where his “hotness” is not at least mentioned. I found this a bit disturbing, especially because My Stubborn Heart is a Christian novel. I found it a bit offensive, as even the married women were constantly discussing his “hotness”. One married woman even said that if Matt ever asked her out that she had her husband’s permission to date him. Even joking around, adultery is not funny. Matthew 5:28 says, “but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” This is certainly true for both men AND women.

A preoccupation with appearances seemed to be a main theme among all the characters. Some of the descriptions running through the characters thoughts were also a bit uncomfortable and offensive, especially in a Christian novel. Matt’s description of the kind of girls he’d been attracted to in the past was “the kind of girls in Budweiser ads. Blond, big curves on top, mile-long legs.” I found this sort of physical description offensive and uncalled for in a Christian novel.

Another annoying thing was the author’s habit of tossing in brand name placement ads. It got to the point where I seriously started wondering if the author was getting kick-backs from all these companies she kept mentioning. When describing a person’s clothing, brand names were nearly always tossed in.

I also found that the Christian characters all felt too “worldly”. They gambles, playing poker for money. This wasn’t just once, but an every Friday event described multiple times in the book. Kate dates a casual drinker, while Matt purposely sets out to get drunk. Not to mention several instances of mild cursing. All of these things topped with the apparent obsession with appearances gave this Christian novel a bit too much worldliness.

The final issue I had with My Stubborn Heart is that the faith element felt like an after thought. My Stubborn Heart really felt more like a secular romance novel that someone decided to try to sell to the Christian market.

Overall, I think Becky Wade is a fine writer, but I would like to see her write a less worldly Christian novel in the future. After reading My Stubborn Heart, while I liked the characters and plot, I don’t know if I’d choose another book by this author.

NOTICE: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this item free from the creator. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

Susan's Bookshelves

Susan’s Friends (186)

Susan's Fans (4)

Susan Godfrey

Goodreads author profile

229 posts
Susan Godfrey's Blog

combine editions
Susan Godfrey's Books

Upcoming Events

Susan is Currently Reading

rss
Susan's Recent Updates

recent posts
Susan’s Groups

Susan’s Friend Comments

Flag Abuse

	The Titus 2 Woman 3.71 of 5 stars 3.71 avg rating — 14 ratings — published 2011 — 2 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Real Food Real Frugal 4.6 of 5 stars 4.60 avg rating — 5 ratings — published 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Making Hand Milled Soap For Fun & Profit 2.5 of 5 stars 2.50 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2011	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Food Storage Basics 4.0 of 5 stars 4.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2011	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Susan is now friends with Alaina Bullock
May 18, 2013 10:44am · like
Susan rated a book 2 of 5 stars A Season for Tending (Amish Vines and Orchids #1) by Cindy Woodsmall (Goodreads Author)	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I will state up front–I am NOT a fan of Amish fiction and A Season for Tending is not the book that will change that. It was slow moving and a bit too soapy for me. Cindy Woodsmall is a fine writer, no doubt about it, but I simply did not enjoy the s...more
Nov 12, 2012 10:14am · see review
Susan rated a book 3 of 5 stars Over the Edge (Kincaid Brides, #3) by Mary Connealy (Goodreads Author)	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
A few months ago, I was able to read the first book in The Kincaid Brides series, Out of Control and I was really disappointed with it. The main female character in that one, Julia Gilliland, annoyed me beyond belief. I really, REALLY disliked her ch...more
Oct 31, 2012 01:52pm · see review
Susan rated a book 5 of 5 stars Borders of the Heart by Chris Fabry	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Borders of the Heart is a gripping tale of how God has bigger plans for us if we just allow him to use us. The story is action packed with a little romance tossed in. The story could have easily been torn from actual headlines. It was true-to-life an...more
Oct 22, 2012 09:34am · see review
Susan rated a book 5 of 5 stars Through Rushing Water by Catherine Richmond (Goodreads Author)	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Through Rushing Water is the first book by Catherine Richmond that I have read, but it won’t be the last. Through Rushing Water is beautifully written. For the review, I had scheduled to read chucks of this book through out a week. To say the least,...more
Oct 16, 2012 08:57am · see review
Susan rated a book 4 of 5 stars Inescapable (Road to Kingdom #1) by Nancy Mehl	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I'm not a big fan of the Amish/Mennonite genre that seems to be all the rage in Christian fiction in recent years. So, I was a bit hesitant to read Inescapable. This was also the first book by Mehl that I have read. I have to admit, I was pleasantly...more
Oct 10, 2012 06:58pm · see review
Susan rated a book 3 of 5 stars The Bride Wore Blue: A Novel (The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek #3) by Mona Hodgson (Goodreads Author) read in September, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
WaterBrook Press (Blogging for Books) recently sent me a copy of The Bride Wore Blue by Mona Hodgson to read and review. The Bride Wore Blue is a 288 page Christian romance novel. It also contains a Readers Guide as well as a preview of her upcoming...more
Sep 18, 2012 09:35am · see review
Susan rated a book 5 of 5 stars Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer (Goodreads Author)	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Bethany House recently sent me a copy of Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer to read and review. Short-Straw Bride is a 363 page Christian historical romance novel, which was released in June 2012. The author, Karen Witemeyer has written 3 other boo...more
Aug 15, 2012 12:43pm · see review
Susan rated a book 4 of 5 stars Cottonwood Whispers by Jennifer Erin Valent (Goodreads Author)	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
About Cottonwood Whispers A while ago, Tyndale Blog Network sent me the book Cottonwood Whispers by Jennifer Erin Valent. I hate to say it, but it kind of got lost and I just ran across it again this past week. So, I FINALLY had a chance to read it. C...more
Aug 14, 2012 09:25am · see review
Susan rated a book 2 of 5 stars My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade (Goodreads Author) read in August, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Recently, I received the book My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade It is a 352 page light-hearted contemporary Christian romance novel from Bethany House Publishers. The main female character is Kate Donovan. She is burned out with her job as a social work...more
Aug 12, 2012 05:45pm · see review

Susan Godfrey

Goodreads author profile

Upcoming Events

rssSusan's Recent Updates

Flag Abuse

rss
Susan's Recent Updates