Jasmine A. (jasmineflower88) reviewed Love's Sweet Beginning (Sisters at Heart, Bk 3) on + 51 more book reviews
This was a wonderfully sweet historical with some surprising twists and turns. To be honest, it was the first line in the book blurb that caught my attention, It isn't Cassie Haddon's fault that she has reached the age of twenty-five without possessing any useful skills. Since I wasn't familiar with Ann Shorey's books I didn't know if they were sweet romantic historicals or funny ones or dramatic. I was pleasantly surprised to find all three were elements of this enjoyable story.
Love's Sweet Beginning has everything going for it, a skilled author, a nice storyline, enjoyable characters, and even a lovely cover.
I really liked Cassie. She starts out as a young woman who is obedient to her mother to a fault but by the end of the book she has become a spunky and independent young lady. Watching her grow and change through the story was fun.
Jacob is good man, and hardworking to a fault, kind to his employees. I liked how the author portrayed Jacob as a man trying to do what is right but also making mistakes. Through the book God gently tugs him towards finding his own faith.
Ann Shorey is quite good at creating a variety of characters and eliciting the reader's emotions involving them, you will find yourself rooting for some and totally disliking others. I got so involved in the story that I hardly got anything else done. I was also a perfect bedtime read, I read quite a few enjoyable pages while tucked under one of Grandma's quilts.
(I received a copy of this book from Revell through The Book Club Network for my honest review. All opinions are my own)
Love's Sweet Beginning has everything going for it, a skilled author, a nice storyline, enjoyable characters, and even a lovely cover.
I really liked Cassie. She starts out as a young woman who is obedient to her mother to a fault but by the end of the book she has become a spunky and independent young lady. Watching her grow and change through the story was fun.
Jacob is good man, and hardworking to a fault, kind to his employees. I liked how the author portrayed Jacob as a man trying to do what is right but also making mistakes. Through the book God gently tugs him towards finding his own faith.
Ann Shorey is quite good at creating a variety of characters and eliciting the reader's emotions involving them, you will find yourself rooting for some and totally disliking others. I got so involved in the story that I hardly got anything else done. I was also a perfect bedtime read, I read quite a few enjoyable pages while tucked under one of Grandma's quilts.
(I received a copy of this book from Revell through The Book Club Network for my honest review. All opinions are my own)
Charity L. (kingsdaughter1611) -
To start off with, I hated, well greatly disliked, the main character. Did that grab your attention? Ann Shorey did so with a heroine that makes you want to slap her. But, it doesn't stay that way. Cassie is a female who has her issues, maybe more than some of us, who slowly grows. And yes, I did end up liking her, it just took me a while:)
The author does an excellent job in shaping her characters. Like I said above, the heroine is kinda off-setting but it goes to show how well you can write a person out. Believe me, I mean this in the best of ways. For you to want to slap a characters, even when you know they aren't real, that is good writing!! The scenery comes to life, the plot is a very sweet romance that makes for good reading on these winter days. Kinda has you dreaming about summer:) In reality, I enjoy books like these every once in a while to balance out the normal suspense novels I savor. An excellent book written by Ann Shorey!!
I was given a free product from Revell in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine.
The author does an excellent job in shaping her characters. Like I said above, the heroine is kinda off-setting but it goes to show how well you can write a person out. Believe me, I mean this in the best of ways. For you to want to slap a characters, even when you know they aren't real, that is good writing!! The scenery comes to life, the plot is a very sweet romance that makes for good reading on these winter days. Kinda has you dreaming about summer:) In reality, I enjoy books like these every once in a while to balance out the normal suspense novels I savor. An excellent book written by Ann Shorey!!
I was given a free product from Revell in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine.
Cassie Haddon was born with the proverbial silver spoon. The end of the Civil war changed her and her mother from wealthy aristocrats to homeless average people with no skills to support themselves. After overstaying their welcome at her uncles they are forced to move. Her mother refuses to accept her loss of status and lifestyle, but Cassie takes a realistic point of view, especially after she overheard her uncle call her useless.
Her mother uses the last of their money for tickets to Noble Springs, Missouri on a hear-say that her brother is living there. An old friend of Cassies, Rosemary Stewart, invites them to stay with her and her husband Elijah. Cassie is angry and humiliated to realize her mother plans to put down roots and take advantage of the Stewarts hospitality permanently. This and her uncles declaring her useless spurs her do get a job to support her and her mother.
She applies at Jake Wests restaurant as a waitress. Her persistence and spunk persuade him to hire her. Having never worked in her life she has a real learning experience. Her mother is not only horrified at her working, but down right angry when Cassie rents them a little 2 room cabin in town.
Throughout the book Cassie shows courage, perseverance, and character, as she faces her mothers conniving and manipulation, not to mention the many mistakes she makes as she learns to make a new life for herself. Mutual respect soon draws Jake and Cassie together and they find themselves falling in love. Her lack of confidence and His secret from his past keep them from declaring their feelings at first.
They had much in common in spite of their very different backgrounds. Jake had grown up poor and neglected, whereas Cassie was raised rich and overly pampered, yet both of them were striving to overcome their pasts through hard work and honesty.
I loved the way Cassie was always double checking her choices and actions by Gods Word. I also admired her respect and patience with her mothers selfishness and scheming. It was wonderful to see a story where the spoilt rich girl becomes a godly woman of substance. Expect lots of surprises and glitches throughout the story! I appreciated the godliness and integrity of the main characters. An enjoyable book. Although have not read the other two books I never felt I was missing part of the story. I look forward to reading them now!
I received this book free from Revell Pulishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Her mother uses the last of their money for tickets to Noble Springs, Missouri on a hear-say that her brother is living there. An old friend of Cassies, Rosemary Stewart, invites them to stay with her and her husband Elijah. Cassie is angry and humiliated to realize her mother plans to put down roots and take advantage of the Stewarts hospitality permanently. This and her uncles declaring her useless spurs her do get a job to support her and her mother.
She applies at Jake Wests restaurant as a waitress. Her persistence and spunk persuade him to hire her. Having never worked in her life she has a real learning experience. Her mother is not only horrified at her working, but down right angry when Cassie rents them a little 2 room cabin in town.
Throughout the book Cassie shows courage, perseverance, and character, as she faces her mothers conniving and manipulation, not to mention the many mistakes she makes as she learns to make a new life for herself. Mutual respect soon draws Jake and Cassie together and they find themselves falling in love. Her lack of confidence and His secret from his past keep them from declaring their feelings at first.
They had much in common in spite of their very different backgrounds. Jake had grown up poor and neglected, whereas Cassie was raised rich and overly pampered, yet both of them were striving to overcome their pasts through hard work and honesty.
I loved the way Cassie was always double checking her choices and actions by Gods Word. I also admired her respect and patience with her mothers selfishness and scheming. It was wonderful to see a story where the spoilt rich girl becomes a godly woman of substance. Expect lots of surprises and glitches throughout the story! I appreciated the godliness and integrity of the main characters. An enjoyable book. Although have not read the other two books I never felt I was missing part of the story. I look forward to reading them now!
I received this book free from Revell Pulishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Mary N. (maggysue) reviewed Love's Sweet Beginning (Sisters at Heart, Bk 3) on + 811 more book reviews
I enjoyed this book so much! It's been a great series by Ann Shorey. I liked the character of Cassie and how she pressed on during almost impossible circumstances. Highly recommended!
