At Bluebonnet Lake

How I hated this book to end, but I rejoiced when I read the author’s notes at the end, and there are to be two more books.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder is more than true when Sally and her Granddaughter Kate arrive at Rainbow’s End Lodge. Sally had spent a loving time there years ago with her husband Larry, and had finally convinced Kate to take some time off and enjoy this place with her.
Of course you can picture what it looks like after several years of neglect, and of course new owners, who have removed the Christian aspect of the place. The saving grace of the place appears to be the cook Carmen, and several of the other visitors, and local people.
What a gift Kate appears to have to help people, but can she help herself. show more Her main goal in life, above everything is to become a partner in her firm. Will she succeed? Or will she lose everything she has always wanted, or are their trade ups.
One thing neither woman has any inkling of, or a desire for is a bit of romance, but lo and behold, there appears to be some on the horizon, not for one of them, but both. When we travel into the countryside in Texas, in April, the place is filled with the beauty of the blue bonnets, oh how I would love to see this, and I felt like I was on the ground lying in them. Amanda Cabot’s way with words put me right in the meadows, along with the Indian Paintbrush, oh how I loved it.
There is another major character in Greg, his problem; he is extremely bright, and very wealthy. To most of the woman who have crossed his path they are interested in his being their meal ticket. Will he find peace and happiness? He does have a strong faith in God, as do most of the people at the lodge, but will they make the right decisions, and turn to Him for help, or forge their own way?
I highly recommend this great read, and cannot wait for the next book in this series. show less

Rainbow's End seems destined to become a place of meetings, of life-long changes and sudden new directions. In essence, the old broken down resort that's seen better days, was the place many came to ponder the crossroads they faced. In this book, we meet Roy, Sally, Kate and Greg. Their quandaries and decisions are what makes this contemporary romance a rewarding read.

One of the factors I loved about this book was the vivid descriptions of the surrounding countryside and Bluebonnet Lake. I could easily imagine myself vacationing in the area. The author employed descriptive terms that conveyed well the peace and tranquility of the views. Looking through Kate's eyes, I could see the potential of Rainbow's End as she began to see it. She show more was a visionary for the advertising firm she worked for. She had the ability to find hidden potential for her clients' businesses as part of her work creating effective ads for them. It was only natural that she would see unique possibilities for the failing resort.

Another thing I liked was the double feature: two romances for the price of one. Both romances were reminders that we can experience love regardless of our age. I especially noticed how the sweet relationships fit the setting so well. A heavily conflicted relationship would not have matched the tranquility of the location. Of course there were some barriers both couples needed to overcome before their romance could grow, but the obstacles were not formidable. Kate and Greg, the main characters, needed some closure from past issues before they could move forward as a couple. These issues created light tension between them in spite of their attraction to each other. But the resolution was satisfying.

The third element of the plot I enjoyed was the undercurrent of faith in their lives. The author writes it as a natural part of each character's personality. God's ways were important to the four friends we grow to care for in the story. Faith was as normal as breathing. It was natural for them to read their Bibles and pray together. Reading this book, we see faith in action rather than something to preach about. God was real to them, and their comforter and source of wisdom.

The author plans to make this book the first in a series. The next book is scheduled to be released in the early months of 2015. Rainbow's End is the setting once more for the next adventure. I'm looking forward to reading them.
For more information you can go to the author's website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Netgalley on behalf of Revell (a division of Baker Publishing). I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” show less

The reviews on this book run the gamut from love to hate to ehh...

Several comments were made about formatting in one review I read – and while it was later revealed to have been a digital ARC (which would explain the typos and funky formatting), I can understand how it would make the book difficult to read.

Part of what writers are told over and over and over again is that we must get our spelling, grammar and wording right so that our readers are not pulled out of the story world!

I was fortunate enough to have a paperback copy of the book (not an ARC) so I did not have these problems – thankfully!

And I believe many other reviewers who didn't love the book had a problem because they had read Amanda Cabot's historical fiction. That show more can be a difficult transition but perhaps it was only easier for me because I have never read Amanda Cabot's historical fiction.

I LOVE the idea of the book! A Christian resort. And hey, isn't part of the fun of a getaway... to get away! No cell service certainly sounds like just the thing!

Of course for a spunky gal who is married to her job – I can understand being bugged by a serious lack of cell service!

Amanda certainly has the characters pegged! And as far as I can tell, she didn't have any difficulty transitioning from Historical fiction to contemporary!

I've also noticed several people having issues with “Grandma” taking such a central role in the story but I have to say I find it refreshing! Too many people overlook our fantastic matriarchs (and patriarchs)!

psst... another series I just LOVE features a spunky Grandma and Grandpa – and they are my favorite part of each book!

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. show less

Rainbow's End, a once beautiful resort in the Texas Hill Country, sits in decay, physically and financially. Kate Sherwood, whose marketing career is on the upswing, reluctantly agrees to her ailing grandmother's request to visit Rainbow's End together for one month. While Kate's grandmother, Sally, relives the memories of her previous visit fifty years ago, Kate sees only a month without internet and cell phone service, a potential death trap for her career. When Greg Vange, whom Kate assumes is the resort's handyman, helps her get an internet connection and tells her where to find service, Kate is ready to get back on track. Or is she? As she brainstorms the marketing concept for her newest client, Greg is distractingly handsome, fun show more and rich. Greg has the money to restore the resort. Kate has the talent to create marketing appeal. It seems like a great match to bring life to Rainbow's End, except that Rainbow's End and Greg Vange don't fit into Kate's life plans. Will love find a way to bring them together? Read more in At Bluebonnet Lake by Amanda Cabot.

At Bluebonnet Lake is the first novel in Amanda Cabot's Texas Crossroads series. The premise, billionaire meets marketing maven, delivered a gentle story of friendship that transformed to love. The novel was laced with humor and touched on redemptive themes such as letting go of bitterness and surrendering to God's will for one's life. However, the plot meandered and was repetitive... as in the same settings/scenes occurred repeatedly. Unfortunately, I lost interest and even though the ending was sweet, I probably won't read it again.

At Bluebonnet Lake has some good points and readers who love the small town setting might like it more than I did. However, I was a bit disappointed and I recommend renting the novel from the library prior to buying.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." show less

Great book!

Engaging, quick read - one I couldn't wait to come back to and keep reading! Even some zingers of one-liners that spoke directly to some situations going on in my own life. Recommended!

Amanda is an author that I have heard many good things about but honestly have not been able to read her books for myself until now. At Bluebonnet Lake is a sweet read that was strictly about the romance between Kate and Greg and the restoration of Rainbow's End. The writing was beautiful and I loved the way Amanda told her story, however, when I read a novel set in "today's" time period, it is usually a suspenseful thriller where something unexpected happens in the unlikeliest places. So, I had some what of a difficult time reading this slower paced, modern day romance with my "today's time" mindset. At Bluebonnet Lake is beautiful book, and I loved the characters, but, I wish that I had read one of Amanda's Historical fiction books show more for a first time read, as historical fiction is more my thing.

I am still rating At Bluebonnet Lake 4 out of 5 stars because it really is a great book, just simply not my preference.

"I received this book from the author/publisher for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are my own."

You can read this review, as well as others, at http://acceleratethejesusmovement.wordpress.com show less

At Bluebonnet Lake takes you on a journey through several character's lives weaving them together by bringing them all to a resort in Texas. This resort, Rainbow's End has seen it's better days yet has a marvelous cook, Carmen. Kate joins her grandmother, Sally for a month long vacation there and has no idea how she will manage thirty days away from her job in New York. Amanda Cabot fleshes out her characters well and you are able to identify with them. I found at times that the book was long, but I understand why she takes the reader through all the happenings and changes as the story develops. Love, hope, and trust in God are main themes. The book is amusing and at the same time dramatic.

I recommend reading At Bluebonnet Lake by show more Amanda Cabot. I understand there are sequels coming.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given. show less