A Borrowed Dream by Amanda Cabot

-
A Borrowed Dream (Cimarron Creek Trilogy Book #2) by Amanda Cabot

This is book two of the Cimarron Creek Trilogy. It has everything you would expect for the genre historical romance: the guy, the girl, the secrets, the narrow escapes, and of course the happily ever after.  But this book has a few key things that, to me, give it a leg up above other books in its genre.

One is, it has God in it. God is close to Catherine, the main character. Her mother has died, but has left her a legacy of relying on God. Unfortunately, Catherine also blames the local doctor for her mother's death and resents him greatly for it. She is unwilling to forgive him until God gets a hold of her and she realizes she must let go of her bitterness and forgive. She is able to do that and even take the doctor a treat. I really appreciated this aspect of the book.

Another aspect that you don't always find in books like this is the abused boy. His father was a no-good father who only wanted his son for the work he could do and when it didn't go his way would beat the boy. I really liked Catherine's heart of compassion for the boy and later Austin's as well.

Another thing I appreciated is the author's research. Austin, the main male character, was a plastic surgeon. This book is set in the 19th century and these two things seem at odds with each other. But Amanda went to the work of verifying that really plastic surgeons were a thing at that point in history.

And one final piece is something I want to quote from the pastor's sermon that I think is good. "Each one of us has a God-given talent,.... For some, it's raising a family. For others, it's growing crops or ranching. For still others, it's healing. No one talent is better than any other. They're all valuable. That's why God gave them to us. So I charge you to reflect on the talent you've been given and ensure that you're using it to God's glory."  Is that what I'm doing or am I pining after someone else's talent and wishing it were mine and missing mine altogether.

I enjoyed this book. It was a fun and easy read, with a few twists and turns thrown in.

I received this book from Revell and was not required to write a positive review.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fragrant Whiffs of Joy by Dorcas Smucker (It's Giveaway time)

-
Image
Ah yes, this was just what the doctor ordered. I've wanted to review Dorcas' last book or two and was always too chicken to ask, but this time I threw caution to the wind and said, "Yes, I want to review your book." And I'm so glad I did. It was the perfect book for this stage in my life. Short, easy to read chapters that can be picked up and read whenever and wherever. They are guaranteed to either make you laugh, smile, cry, or or just give you that ah-ha feeling that someone else experiences life like that too.  I could quote from pretty much every chapter something that struck me in one of those ways, but I really want you to go buy the book so I won't do that many spoilers. I only want to give you a hint of what is to come in the book. First off, isn't the cover beautiful? I can dream of a kitchen table like that with the apple pie still steaming and the tea pot, or coffee pot more likely, full to the brim and a beautiful arrangement of flowers
Read more

The Swindler's Daughter by Stephania H. McGee

-
Image
  Lillian is raised by her "widowed" mother who wants Lillian to marry slightly above her station so as to secure a good future for both Lillian and her mother.  But then the unexpected happens and Lillian is left the inheritance of her father who has only just now died. She travels to Dawsonville where she is confronted with secrets and a whole new life. She is given community, family, friendships and acceptance, something she has never had before.  It was a fun light read, but I can't say I gained any huge inspiration from it. It was pretty fluffy. Of course, there was Jonah battling his own things and struggling to come to terms with the way his own life was turning out. So you know the end of all that, but on the way there there was some danger and some twists and turns in the plot which added to the story.  I received this book from Revell and was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions expressed are my own. 
Read more

PRECIOUS CHILD

-
In my dreams, you are alive and well Precious child, precious child In my mind, I see you clear as a bell Precious child, precious child In my soul, there is a hole That can never be filled But in my heart, there is hope 'Cause you are with me still In my heart, you live on Always there never gone Precious child, you left too soon Tho' it may be true that we're apart You will live forever... in my heart In my plans, I was the first to leave Precious child, precious child But in this world, I was left here to grieve Precious child, my precious child In my soul, there is a hole That can never be  filled But in my heart there is hope And you are with me still In my heart you live on Always there, never gone Precious child, you left too soon,  Tho' it may be true that we're apart You will live forever... in my heart God knows I want to hold you,  See you, touch you And maybe there's a heaven And someday I will again Please know yo
Read more