Penny A. Zeller

Dreams on the Horizon is the second book in the Horizon Series, but the first one I’ve read by Penny Zeller and it can be read as a standalone. But I am definitely intrigued by the characters to put the previous book and the following two on my TBR!

I think what I loved the most were the different little facts I learned about life in the late 1800s in Idaho. There was a lot to learn starting with how the railroad was connecting more and more cities, over farm life in this specific time and its dangers, to the rising awareness of the needs of deaf and hard of hearing children and how families struggled (or not even tried) to communicate with them and to deal with this specific situation when support in these matters was extremely rare.

This plot thread with the Horizon School for the Deaf was one that interested me the most and I loved how devoted Mae was to her pupils. How much she cared for them and how enabling them to communicate made such a big difference in their lives. I would however have wished for more direct conversations with the kids. Mostly what the kids signed was translated to others or the most important message just described. So even though I could feel Mae’s love for them, I never really connected with the kids as a reader because they felt more like quiet bystanders. Maybe it’s just me, but I think this could have been done differently, especially because the book (and Mae) clearly wanted to show that deaf people can not only communicate but take part in everyday life.

But there is a lot more going on. From Landon’s money driven parents to a matchmaking scheme involving an older couple, a dangerous poisoning of nearly the whole school, … I could go on, but I don’t want to give too much away.

Let’s just say there are great family dynamics (Mae’s found family is just wonderful and I love that the other books of the series are about 4 other family members!), little and big conflicts, threats and danger and of course a love story.

I knew this was a romance novel, but funnily enough this was the part of the book that I didn’t enjoy nearly as much as the rest. Maybe it’s because of the insta-attraction or because of a back and forth in the character’s evaluation of their feelings. I think Landon admitted to himself to feeling more than friendship about three times, at least one of these instances after already having declared to his mother that he intended to court Mae (or ask her to court him, which I tried to look up, because I never heard of courting in the sense that the man asks the woman to be courted, but sadly I didn’t find anything about this custom). So don’t get me wrong, I really liked both characters and they were very sweet as a couple. But I wasn’t too invested in their love story whereas I enjoyed the rest of the plot a lot.

Faith was a very important aspect of this story and I really liked that there were character’s included who stood strong in their faith, others who just recently became Christians and also non-believers. So how questions were approached depended on who was asking and even though a lot of questions were answered by an actual pastor (Mae’s brother Albert), it didn’t feel too preachy and I thought the faith aspects felt real and genuine.

So like I said - I really enjoyed this book, definitely recommend it if you are looking for faith filled historical fiction (with a sweet and clean romance) and am looking forward to the other books of this series!

* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.… (lisätietoja)

This second book in the wonderful Horizon series was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. It splendidly exceeded my high expectations! What a pleasure is was to return to Horizon, Idaho, and reconnect with the wonderful Shepherdson family and other delightful, memorable citizens of the small town especially Miss Greta. Her side story relationship with The Lieutenant is priceless! It is now 1891, and sweet little Mae Shepherdson, who I love, is now grown up and teaching at the Horizon School for the Deaf. Landon Bennick is the perfect match for her despite their difference in social station. The intriguing plot with funny moments mixed with serious ones kept me reading expectantly. Beautifully crafted characters who come to life drive the story. The gentle faith thread reminds us of God’s unconditional love, His faithfulness, and His perfect plan for each life. I love this faith-filled historical romance story and highly recommend it. I look forward to reading the next book in this touching series!
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.… (lisätietoja)

This is book four in the Wyoming Sunrise series and I was sad for it to come to a conclusion. I loved that at the end the author tells us where they are now so nothing is left hanging. This is a beautiful story of second chances and the power of a grandmother’s prayers. The characters are very real and believable and you find yourself being immersed in their stories. When the three orphan children come on the scene I am putty in their hands as my heart was full of so much empathy for them. So much is going on in this book that you become throughly engaged to see what happens next. I don’t want to spoil it by saying too much, but just know it is well worth investing your time and heart in. It can be read as a stand-alone but I wouldn’t have wanted to miss anything in this series. I did not want to stop reading once I started.
I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.… (lisätietoja)

Penny Zeller's "Wyoming Sunrise Series" concludes with book four, Love's Promise, and it is a top notch wrap up of the entire series. In this story we meet a redeemed young man whose grandmother had adopted and raised. She prayed fervently for him through his turbulent childhood and young life when he went astray.

As the story opens in Love's Promise, we meet Silas who is now a rancher and who has lovingly attached himself to an older couple providing help as needed and finding much love in return. Soon their needs bring their granddaughter, Amaya, to assist.

As the story develops, Silas' past catches up with him and brings trouble to the community.

Thrown into this mix, Silas discovers three young children living on their own with no one accountable for them. He solicits the community's assistance in caring for the children until a permanent solution can be found.

As the author fleshes out the characters, she weaves an especially endearing story. Not just sweet living but with adventure and danger compounding the action.

I highly recommend this entire series; but if you can only read one, then Love's Promise is the winner.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.… (lisätietoja)