Saturday, January 23, 2010

A Lady Like Sarah - Book Review and Giveaway

Some of my favorite books are historical romance novels set in the west. There was a time when I couldn’t get enough of them. My favorite authors couldn’t write them fast enough. Then the historical market faded quite a bit, and the types of books I loved to read were few and far between. Before long I was reading contemporary novels exclusively. But historicals are on the upswing again and I’m as happy as I’d be if Sonic Burger would come to my part of the country so I could have a cherry-limeade anytime I’d like.

I’m especially overjoyed with the inspirational market. One of my favorite historical authors, Margaret Brownley, has just made her inspirational debut with a western-set historical, A Lady Like Sarah.

One of my favorite books of hers, one of my all-time favorite reads, was a historical romance called Ribbons in the Wind. What I wouldn’t give to be able to get my hands on a copy of that book again. Fun, sweet, down-to-earth and super romantic with a blend of humor, Ribbons in the Wind was about a group of people racing across the United States in Model-T Fords at the turn of the century. Oh, I mean, at the turn of the last century.

My anticipation level for A Lady Like Sarah was high, to say the least. I was on pins and needles waiting for it to arrive, checking Barnes and Noble, checking Amazon and Overstock to see when the release date would be. When I finally found the release date, I went to my local Christian bookstore and ordered it. Two weeks early. I was hoping they’d be able to get it the very instant it was released, and I most likely drove the owner a little crazy since I showed up at least three times before the book came in.

It won’t surprise you that I absolutely loved this book, because it included every little nuance I associated with Margaret’s writing style. And it was made all the more sweet because I’ve missed her historical novels so much.

This is the story of Preacher Justin Wells, as he’s traveling to his new church in Rocky Creek, Texas. Imagine if you will, a preacher, fairly new at his job, traveling to a church in the wild west as a way of punishment for some minor infraction. He comes from Boston, so he’s a little unhappy about heading into the great wild unknown.

Alone on the dusty trail, and thinking about how much he didn’t want to leave Boston, Justin comes across an injured U.S. Marshal and his prisoner. Justin does everything he can to help save the dying man, even though he knows little to nothing about bullet wounds. The prisoner, a female outlaw, is being transported back to Rocky Creek where she’s been sentenced to hang.

Sarah Prescott was raised by her outlaw brothers, and it’s the only life she’s ever known. But when she meets Justin, the pretty girl with the tough exterior finds herself longing for another sort of life…the life of a lady. And yet the only way she can have a life of any sort is if she manages to escape Justin.

Justin, in spite of his growing feelings toward Sarah, is morally bound by his promise to the dying lawman to return Sarah to Rocky Creek.

The dilemma for Justin is huge. It seems there’s no way out for Sarah, and leave it to Margaret Brownley to keep the suspense building. This book kept me on the edge the entire time, wondering if she’d be able to find a way to save Sarah. I absolutely fell in love with these characters…the preacher hero, a baby, a donkey, but mostly with Sarah. Usually it’s the hero who steals my heart, but this time it was Sarah, the outlaw with a tender heart who longs for a life she’s never been able to have—a life she’ll never be able to have if she returns to Rocky Creek.

If you enjoy historical romance, and you love Christian fiction, you won’t want to miss this book. I’m so glad Margaret has found her way to the world of Christian romances. A Lady Like Sarah was a pure joy to read, and I can’t wait for the next book in the Rocky Creek Romance series, A Suitor for Jenny, due out in September.
You can visit Margaret’s website at: http://www.margaretbrownley.com/

Thanks for stopping by. I’ll be giving away a copy of A Lady Like Sarah, so please leave a comment along with your e-mail address so I can contact you Sunday (January 24th) if your name is drawn.

**Visit Inkwell Inspirations today, Saturday, January 23rd, where I'm reviewing and giving away a copy of The Big 5-0H! by Sandra Bricker.

10 comments:

  1. thanks for the opportunity to read this fabulous book :)

    karenk
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  2. Hi Karen,

    Thanks for stopping by. I really think you will enjoy this book. It's a fun, but sweet, tender, but tough read.

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  3. This looks like a good one. Sign me up for the drawing please

    dinasleiman at gmail dot com

    Thanks, Suzie.

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  4. Good morning, Dina. You're entered, too. Thanks for stopping by today!

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  5. Ooh! I've been eyeing this one for weeks. Please toss my name in the proverbial hat, Suzie! And thanks for the background on Margaret, I may have to look up some of her earlier work.

    niki716(at)gmail(dot)

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  6. Suzie, great review! Margaret's book sounds like a fabulous read :-)

    narelle [at] narelleatkins [dot] com

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  7. Niki and Narelle, you're both in the drawing. This book is great!

    Oh, and Niki, I'm not so sure the hat is proverbial. LOL!

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  8. This book sounds amazing! Wow, what conflict! :)

    I'd love to be entered if you haven't drawn yet, Suzie. Thanks!

    missytippens [at] aol.com (or use the other email addy you already have) :)

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  9. Hi Missy,

    Aside from the wonderful heart of the characters, I think the conflict is really what made this book work so well. And it truly was a fun book. Yes, you're in time for the drawing.

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  10. I just drew the names, and Karen K is the winner of A Lady Like Sarah.

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