Forget Me Not by Miralee Ferrell

Overview: Can a Lost Love be Redeemed?
Baker City, Oregon, 1881

Seven years ago, Julia McKenzie rejected the man she loved, wanting to experience more of life. Now, at the age of twenty-four, she regrets that decision. What will Seth think of her, when they encounter one another hundreds of miles from home? Will the man she cared for understand the direction her life has taken and love her in spite of her choices?

Pastor Seth Russell has never completely forgotten the girl he once courted. When she shows up in his new home of Baker City, all those feelings return. But why is she sneaking around town late at night? Even more important, will she reject him and break his heart again, or can God heal the breach between them?

Forget Me Not is part of the historical romance, Love Blossoms in Oregon series, published by David C Cook. This book can stand alone, but is better enjoyed when reading the series and getting acquainted with the full cast of characters from the Love Blossoms in Oregon series.

ISBN-13: 9780996006811
Publisher: Mountain Brook INK
Publication date: 3/27/2014
Pages: 160

Buy It: B&N | Amazon | CBD

My reviews of the Love Blossoms in Oregon series.

My Review: What a sweet story! Not only did this novella answer questions about the compassionate pastor we meet in Blowing on Dandelions, but it provided a way for me to visit with all the characters from the other books in the Love Blossoms in Oregon series. I really enjoyed the story and I wish it were longer! However, it was well-written and naturally flowing.

I loved Julia's character. Her devotion to her calling was admirable and her struggle in dealing with hypocrites and judgmental people was very real. Seth was just what she needed! His job as a pastor and his compassion and caring nature were soothing to Julia's stubborn and independent streaks.

The message of the story was about forgiveness. There is a whole conversation in the book between Julia and Mrs. Roberts that I would love to quote because there was so much wisdom and understanding in those pages. Forgiving others for what we perceive is wrong is hard, especially because we don't want to! Think about where we would be if Jesus had that attitude? He didn't have to forgive us, but He did, and He did it freely. Isn't that amazing!

Overall, this was a great short story and fits in nicely with the Love Blossoms in Oregon series.

About the Author: Miralee Ferrell is a speaker, accredited counselor, and multi-published, award winning, best-selling author of contemporary and historical romance novels. She enjoys horseback riding, gardening, and family gatherings around their eleven-acre property in Washington State. Miralee has had nine books release with a traditional publisher, and Blowing on Dandelions, her first book in the Love Blossoms in Oregon series made the ECPA Best Seller list in 2014. A family friendly, Christian movie production company is also considering one of her Love Finds You novels as a TV movie.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/miralee | Miralee Ferrell's Fan Page
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MiraleeFerrell

Dreaming on Daisies by Miralee Ferrell

Overview: The Ranch Wasn’t All She Could Lose

Fiery redhead Leah Carlson will do whatever it takes to save her family ranch. Somehow, she must cover her father’s debts, brought on by his drinking—even if it means asking handsome banker Steven Harding for a loan. When he must decline, Steven vows to assist this captivating woman.

After a mining accident destroys his home, serving as her part-time ranch hand seems the ideal solution. Until Leah’s family secrets, and the pain of her past, come to a head. They could destroy everything she’s fought for, including the spark of love that may never have a chance to flame.

ISBN-13: 9780781408103

Publisher: Cook, David C.

Publication date: 10/1/2014

Series: Love Blossoms in Oregon Series

Pages: 384

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Enter for a chance to win it on Lena Nelson Dooley's blog! 

My Review: "As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." -- Joshua 1:5 

I absolutely loved this book. The story was fast-paced, with twists and turns I didn't see coming. The romance was sweet and natural. The character development was superb. I didn't want to put the book down! As I've come to expect from Miralee Ferrell, it is very well written and addresses some deep issues.

Leah, Steven, and her pa, Charlie, all have to overcome some serious issues in their lives in order to live the life God has for them. The development of each of these characters is essential to the story and flows effortlessly throughout the pages, especially Charlie and Leah's as their stories are intertwined. I loved visiting with Frances, Beth, and Katherine from the previous books in the Love Blossoms in Oregon series, as well.

As I stated previously, this book delves into some deep issues. Alcoholism, mistrust, depression, and abandonment run their course throughout the book, but Miralee does a fantastic job of weaving in the message of Jesus. Both Leah and Steven, who are already believers, have to overcome their past and learn to trust that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Joseph will keep His word. Charlie has to overcome the hurt and anger of his past, and accept that Jesus is the only one who can help him do that. All of these issues can be overcome or conquered with God's help, if we'll just let him!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I can't wait to read the novellas that are also a part of this series as well as other books from this amazing author!

*Thank you Miralee Ferrell and David C. Cook for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*

About the Author: Miralee and her husband Allen have been married over 40 yrs. They live on 11 acres in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge in southern Washington State, where they love to garden, play with their dogs, take walks, and go sailing. Miralee also rides her horse on the wooded trails near their home with her grown daughter who lives nearby. She’s an avid reader and has a large collection of first edition Zane Grey books, which inspired her desire to write fiction set in the Old West. When she started writing fiction Miralee believed that she’d always stay with women’s contemporary, but has since branched out to historical romance. Her first two books were women’s contemporary with Kregel Publications, The Other Daughter, and Finding Jeena.

Miralee served as president of the Portland, Oregon, chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) for five years and currently serves on the board as an adviser, and she belongs to several other writing groups. She speaks at women’s groups, libraries, and churches about her writing journey, and has taught at both writers’ and library conferences.

Her fourth historical romance with Summerside Press in their Love Finds You series, Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming, released summer of 2011. It won the Will Rogers Medallion for Excellence in Western Fiction. Mission Pictures is considering this book as a made-for-TV family movie. Universal Studios was considering The Other Daughter as a family movie at one time as well.

Miralee is currently under contract with David C. Cook for a three-book series of historical romance novels, set in Oregon. The first, Blowing on Dandelions, released in June 2013, book two, Wishing on Buttercups, released February 1, 2014., a novella, Forget Me Not (published by the author), released April 1, 2014, and the final book in the series, Dreaming on Daisies, releases Oct 1, 2014.

Some of her books have a suspense thread as well as romance, and three have a higher degree of action with a decided Old West slant. Her current Love Blossoms in Oregon series will be somewhat of a women’s fiction/historical romance combination, with the emphasis on well-developed characters and plot.

Miralee is branching out into something new, a series of middle-grade girls’ horse novels titled Horses and Friends. The first book, A Horse for Kate, releases March 1, 2015, with each succeeding book releasing every four months after. These books will have an emphasis on friendship, horses, adventures, and will contain high moral values and lessons for kids woven into the story line. Watch for the titles–book two: Silver Spurs, book three: Mystery Rider, book four: Blue Ribbon Trail Ride.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/miralee | Miralee Ferrell's Fan Page
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MiraleeFerrell

Wishing on Buttercups by Miralee Ferrell

Overview: Can Love Survive When Secrets Collide? 

She’d kept her secrets safely hidden—those from her past, and those in the present. Some things, Beth Roberts knows, a lady simply doesn’t share, even in the 1880’s West. The townspeople would never understand. No one ever has.

Jeffery Tucker, a handsome young writer, has kept his own secrets. He doesn’t have a right to pry into Beth’s affairs but finds himself strangely drawn to her and intrigued by the whiff of mystery surrounding her.

Beth knows that one day someone will unravel the threads of her past. And when two men from her past arrive, the truth might just hurt . . . Beth’s future and her heart.

As shadowy memories surface, Beth sketches the scenes she sees and is shocked by what—and who—her illustrations reveal. Dare she risk her heart again?

ISBN-13: 9780781408097

Publisher: Cook, David C.

Publication date: 2/1/2014

Series: Love Blossoms in Oregon Series Series

Pages: 416

Read my review of Blowing on Dandelions

Buy Wishing on Buttercups: B&N | Amazon | CBD

My Review: What a wonderful story! Miralee Ferrell is an excellent author. I appreciate her way with words and her ability to keep a story from stalling. I was delighted to revisit some characters from the first book in the Love Blossoms in Oregon series, Blowing on Dandelions, as well!

I found it hard to relate to Beth in the beginning of the story. To me, she seemed rude and selfish at times. However, as the story progressed, and I was able to glean more knowledge of her past, I could put her actions in better perspective. By the end of the story, I was fully involved in her life and rooting for her! After all, who can't relate to scars from the past (both seen and unseen)? Jeffrey, bless his heart, is a very patient man. While I wish his relationship with God would have been more developed, I understand it might have taken away from the main plot of the story. However, I still admired his love and dedication to Beth.

The theme of the story is hinted at right in the beginning of the book. The Bible verses the author included at the beginning of the story were very relevant throughout the book. Learning that God is always with you, even in the rivers and fires of our lives, is a hard lesson (Isaiah 43: 2).  Also, keeping God first and foremost in our minds when looking to the future, and handing Him the reigns is something everyone struggles with (well, I know I do!). 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and cannot wait for the next book in the Love Blossoms in Oregon series, Dreaming on Daisies.

About the Author: Miralee and her husband Allen have been married over 40 yrs. They live on 11 acres in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge in southern Washington State, where they love to garden, play with their dogs, take walks, and go sailing. Miralee also rides her horse on the wooded trails near their home with her grown daughter who lives nearby. She’s an avid reader and has a large collection of first edition Zane Grey books, which inspired her desire to write fiction set in the Old West. When she started writing fiction Miralee believed that she’d always stay with women’s contemporary, but has since branched out to historical romance. Her first two books were women’s contemporary with Kregel Publications, The Other Daughter, and Finding Jeena.

Miralee served as president of the Portland, Oregon, chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) for five years and currently serves on the board as an adviser, and she belongs to several other writing groups. She speaks at women’s groups, libraries, and churches about her writing journey, and has taught at both writers’ and library conferences.

Her fourth historical romance with Summerside Press in their Love Finds You series, Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming, released summer of 2011. It won the Will Rogers Medallion for Excellence in Western Fiction. Mission Pictures is considering this book as a made-for-TV family movie. Universal Studios was considering The Other Daughter as a family movie at one time as well.

Miralee is currently under contract with David C. Cook for a three-book series of historical romance novels, set in Oregon. The first, Blowing on Dandelions, released in June 2013, book two, Wishing on Buttercups, released February 1, 2014., a novella, Forget Me Not (published by the author), released April 1, 2014, and the final book in the series, Dreaming on Daisies, releases Oct 1, 2014.

Some of her books have a suspense thread as well as romance, and three have a higher degree of action with a decided Old West slant. Her current Love Blossoms in Oregon series will be somewhat of a women’s fiction/historical romance combination, with the emphasis on well-developed characters and plot.

Miralee is branching out into something new, a series of middle-grade girls’ horse novels titled Horses and Friends. The first book, A Horse for Kate, releases March 1, 2015, with each succeeding book releasing every four months after. These books will have an emphasis on friendship, horses, adventures, and will contain high moral values and lessons for kids woven into the story line. Watch for the titles–book two: Silver Spurs, book three: Mystery Rider, book four: Blue Ribbon Trail Ride.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/miralee
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MiraleeFerrell

Blowing on Dandelions by Miralee Ferrell

It's been awhile since I could finish a book back to back like this, but this is my last week of school for the summer so I decided to slack on my schoolwork a little (don't worry, I'm doing it today!). This book was too good to think about doing anything else and I'm kind of sad I have finished it. This was my first book by Miralee Ferrell and will definitely not be my last! I want to thank Lena Nelson Dooley for providing me with a copy of this book as one of her many giveaways!  Her author interviews are always insightful.

Overview:  Do Dandelion Wishes Actually Come True? 

 
Katherine Galloway knew this moment of calm wouldn’t last, blown away like the dandelion seeds she scattered as a girl. In 1880, three years after her husband’s death, she struggles to run an Oregon boardinghouse and raise two girls alone. Things don't get easier when her critical, domineering mother moves in. Katherine must make the situation work, but standing up for herself and her family while honoring her mother isn't easy. And with a daughter entering the teenage years, the pressure on Katherine becomes close to overwhelming. Then she crosses paths with Micah Jacobs, a widower who could reignite her heart, but she fears a relationship with him might send things over the edge. She must find the strength, wisdom, hope, and faith to remake her life, for everything is about to change.

My Review:  "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." - Psalm 91:1-2

This verse, stated at the beginning of the book, struck me as I read each chapter as the message the author wanted to get across.  Katherine Galloway is a widow with two children to raise.  Her mother, who is all the overview describes her to be and more, is coming to live with her again.  Considering who her mother is, you would not expect Katherine to have the gentle, kind, and loving nature that she has.  You hurt with her every time her mother cuts her down, and you cheer for her every time she stands up for herself (as little as it may be).  When Micah Jacobs enters the picture, you are instantly drawn to him.  You also want to shake him for his stubborn pride. He is hurting and trying to figure out how to heal, something everyone will be able to relate to at one time or another. He is also mad at God, which is another thing we can all relate to at one time in our lives or another. Katherine's mother, Frances, is a character to behold. Getting inside her head is not easy; she thinks she's helping when she's really hurting.  You wonder what could have made her that way.  With a cast of enticing supporting characters as well, I commend the author on creating such wonderful characters. 

The love story of the book, and the overall plot, is well thought out and was wonderful to see.  I can relate to the struggle between staying loyal to your first husband/wife and your growing feelings for someone new.  The author did a fantastic job capturing this aspect of each character.  The tension created by Frances between herself and everyone else in the story was palpable. It felt like I was right there in the middle of it, and little Mandy was a great source of comic relief. There were no parts in the story that lagged, and it was a quick read. I wanted to see how the story played out. I wanted to know what would happen between Katherine and Micah.

Overall, I give this book 5 stars.  Miralee Ferrell did an excellent job creating a story that almost everyone can relate to, whether it be to problems with parents, struggling to rely on God even when bad things happen, or facing new love when it feels wrong to give up the old love.  I can't wait to see how the secondary characters come to play in the rest of the series. I'm eager to learn more out the mysterious Jeffrey Tucker, the shy Beth Roberts, and the eager Aunt Wilma Roberts. I'm also interested to see the children grow up, so I hope they play a role in the next books as well.

Check out this book, and more from Miralee Ferrell's Love Blossoms in Oregon series here: 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blowing-on-dandelions-miralee-ferrell/1112120154?ean=9780781408080

*You can learn more about the author by clicking on her name in the first paragraph. You can learn more about Lena Nelson Dooley and her blog by clicking on her name in the first paragraph.*