Rain Shadow By: Cheryl St. John

Anton Neubauer is looking for a wife, but not just any wife. He wants one who can cook, clean, and be a mother to his son. Rain Shadow is the exact opposite of what he is looking for. At the age of 3 1/2, Rain Shadow was rescued from a wrecked wagon train by Two Feathers, an Indian with the Wild West Show. She cannot find true happiness until she finds out who she is and who her family is. Nineteen years later, Rain Shadow and her son Slade are part of the Wild West Show. Slade is in a train wreck traveling with the Wild West show to their winter quarters and is taken to Anton’s house to recuperate. Once Rain Shadow realizes where her son is, she can’t leave him. How far will guilt, shame, and grief rule Anton and Rain Shadow’s decisions? Can they get past their beliefs that they are no good for each other? Anton decides to marry Rain Shadow to protect her from the father of her child. He figures what would be the harm in marrying her to protect her and her child until the danger passes? He’s not attracted to her; she’s not the wife material he’s looking for. However, can he remember that when they are married? “She was reminded of the calm before a storm, those minutes of heavy, oppressive stillness before wind gusted and rain poured from the skies in torrents. A volatile undercurrent passed between them.” You won’t want to miss this amazing story! Rain Shadow is filled with passion, bravery, and shame. She can’t get over her past. Anton will never forgive himself for his previous wife’s death. Now that he needs a mother for his son, he has the perfect one picked out. But where does that leave Rain Shadow? Rain Shadow is the second book in a series by Cheryl St. John. Heaven Can Wait is the first in this series. It is not necessary to read these in order, but you will want to read the first one to get the complete story of Anton and Emily. I thoroughly enjoyed Rain Shadow. Sometimes true love comes when you least expect it, wrapped differently than you ever thought possible. You won’t be disappointed with this story!!

Heaven Can Wait By: Cheryl St. John

I loved this book by Cheryl St. John. Just because you’re different doesn’t mean you don’t have worth. But, how far do you let pride take you before you realize it’s wrong? Lydia Baker notices Jakob Neubauer, an Outsider right before a fire breaks out in her bakery. He saves her and captures her heart in the process. Her father disowns her when she decides to marry Jakob against his wishes. Can she trust Jakob with her heart even though he’s an Outsider? Lydia must learn that just because someone is different, doesn’t mean something good can’t come from it. Can she be secure in Jakob’s love for her, or will she believe the lies someone tells her without thinking through what they’re saying? Will she let pride ruin what she has found with Jakob, or will she learn to trust her heart? Emily’s mother was always looked down on by the respectable women of the city. Then, she saw the ad in the newspaper that Anton Neubauer was looking for a bride. By marrying him she could now become respectable. She feels like she doesn’t fit in with his family, however. Instead of talking about her feelings, she lets pride get in the way and takes matters into her own hands, not realizing until it’s too late that her actions affect the people around her. Due to pride, Lydia’s father refuses to let her see her family. She must sneak back to see her mother and grandmother. His pride won’t let him accept Jakob for the man she loves. He punishes himself by letting pride rule. As events unfold, will he realize his mistakes or continue punishing those he loves? Jakob must teach Lydia how to love, as her family never touched or hugged. She doesn’t understand the feelings she has for her husband and thinks it is wrong to love him. Heaven Can Wait is a sweet story of finding and expressing love to the ones around you, and sometimes having to overcome pride to let their true feelings show. Always say I love you and be yourself. Don’t let pride rule your actions. Heaven Can Wait is a book I will read over and over.