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Cascade Brides #1
Rock and A Hard Place
Book One of the #1 Amazon Bestselling series CASCADE BRIDES. The Three Sisters Mountains are part of the Cascade Mountain Range near the town of Sisters, Oregon. The peaks were named Faith, Hope, and Charity by early settlers. In the Cascade Brides series, three estranged siblings named for the mountains, each in the far-flung reaches of the state, are drawn back to their childhood home in Sisters by men who ultimately help the siblings realize the blessings of family bonds. In Rock And A Hard Place, Faith Conrad is used to striving. After more or less raising her twin sisters due to problems at home, she knows the meaning of responsibility. She had to drop out of high school to pay the bills, and now is working on a career in nature photography. When handsome Bureau of Land Management ranger Shane Zadopec rescues her from a rock climb gone wrong and reveals that he's a photographer too, she feels threatened and rebuffs his attempts to get close. Will she ever picture them together? (Christian Romance)
Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2011
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981 people want to read
About the author
Bonnie Blythe
26 books292 followersEver since I tucked paperback romance novels in my school textbooks, I've
been a fan of Christian romance. Getting to write them is even more fun.
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Bonnie-Blythe/...
been a fan of Christian romance. Getting to write them is even more fun.
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Bonnie-Blythe/...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 4, 2014
A rock and hard place
Faith is a photographer working for Merle, his nephew comes to town even though he is working as a park ranger he is also a photographer. Faith is afraid that he is going to take over her job. When they first met she is stuck at the park and rescues her. She was in the park taking photographs. One day Merle decides that Faith and Shane should work on a photo contest together. They did not win the contest but won each other's heart. Faith has two sisters she has not seen for a long time and she tries to contact one of them and she hears from Hope at the end of the book so the story continues.
Faith is a photographer working for Merle, his nephew comes to town even though he is working as a park ranger he is also a photographer. Faith is afraid that he is going to take over her job. When they first met she is stuck at the park and rescues her. She was in the park taking photographs. One day Merle decides that Faith and Shane should work on a photo contest together. They did not win the contest but won each other's heart. Faith has two sisters she has not seen for a long time and she tries to contact one of them and she hears from Hope at the end of the book so the story continues.
May 19, 2016
I was loading a bunch of books on my Kindle for vacation (the 150 that I already had on there were not enough I suppose) and as I was feeling ill, I decided to read one. This one was the first one that caught my attention.
The first few pages didn't impress me, but this story, I quickly found was not made to impress. This story was a sweet romance and the best kind at that. There was attraction and kisses, and there was also a lot of them getting to know each other. It was an easy read, but now pure fluff.
My favorite part? Shane encouraging Faith to do good and hard things. To many books have the guys only making the girl feel safe a loved. Shane was willing to do what was best for Faith, which was pusing her out of er comfort zone.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
The first few pages didn't impress me, but this story, I quickly found was not made to impress. This story was a sweet romance and the best kind at that. There was attraction and kisses, and there was also a lot of them getting to know each other. It was an easy read, but now pure fluff.
My favorite part? Shane encouraging Faith to do good and hard things. To many books have the guys only making the girl feel safe a loved. Shane was willing to do what was best for Faith, which was pusing her out of er comfort zone.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
August 12, 2015
Satisfying. I think that's how I would describe this book.
It was a pretty quick read for me - finished in about a day. While I was reading, my brother kept asking why I was smiling. My answer: "Because I'm enjoying myself!" This is my first book by Bonnie Blythe, so I wasn't sure what to expect. As with all new-to-me authors, I feared disappointment (I do so hate to have to say I didn't like a book); but her writing style (which I love!) has me wanting to read more of her books.
One particular thing I liked was that the characters felt very real to me. I think that's pretty important to most readers, so I felt like I should mention it.
It was a pretty quick read for me - finished in about a day. While I was reading, my brother kept asking why I was smiling. My answer: "Because I'm enjoying myself!" This is my first book by Bonnie Blythe, so I wasn't sure what to expect. As with all new-to-me authors, I feared disappointment (I do so hate to have to say I didn't like a book); but her writing style (which I love!) has me wanting to read more of her books.
One particular thing I liked was that the characters felt very real to me. I think that's pretty important to most readers, so I felt like I should mention it.
August 20, 2014
I really like the writing style of this author, and this series so far I think has been my absolute favorite of hers! I pretty much read this all in one sitting. I love the character development!
Faith is so great, even as she can be frustrating-but understandably so! It's so very real! And Shane makes one fabulous hero. I feel very close to the characters, and I was rooting for them through all the issues, and still am as I anxiously look to the next book in this series to see how it turns out!
Faith is so great, even as she can be frustrating-but understandably so! It's so very real! And Shane makes one fabulous hero. I feel very close to the characters, and I was rooting for them through all the issues, and still am as I anxiously look to the next book in this series to see how it turns out!
August 4, 2016
Rating: 2.5/5
While I enjoyed it, it lacked something... Faith was a little too quick to judge and take offences. She really was like a prickly hedgehog. The romance was nice, but it lacked depth, somewhat. I expected a deeper connection to get between them. It is a Christian romance, after all, a genre I practically have no experience with, so maybe this is the norm dose of "feelings". It was a nice book overall, although the writing style wasn't as engaging as I would've liked. Still, not bad :)
While I enjoyed it, it lacked something... Faith was a little too quick to judge and take offences. She really was like a prickly hedgehog. The romance was nice, but it lacked depth, somewhat. I expected a deeper connection to get between them. It is a Christian romance, after all, a genre I practically have no experience with, so maybe this is the norm dose of "feelings". It was a nice book overall, although the writing style wasn't as engaging as I would've liked. Still, not bad :)
July 12, 2016
The Three Sisters Mountains are part of the Cascade Mountain Range near the town of Sisters, Oregon. The peaks were named Faith, Hope, and Charity. In the Cascade Brides series, three estranged siblings are named for the mountains. In Rock and A Hard Place, Faith Conrad has pretty much raised her two sisters because of an absent father and sick mom. Having had the responsibility of others, she dropped out of high school to pay the bills. She runs into Shane Zadopec, a handsome ranger, when she is out taking photos and needs rescuing. I enjoyed the book and would read more by this author.
August 4, 2016
A quick read
This is a fluffy little novel with a strong love interest. It follows the usual pattern of discord, and conflict between the main characters with the usual ending. It is well written and is a light romance for a sunny afternoon.
This is a fluffy little novel with a strong love interest. It follows the usual pattern of discord, and conflict between the main characters with the usual ending. It is well written and is a light romance for a sunny afternoon.
August 7, 2016
Awesome book
Very easy to read. This is a good book to take along on a lazy summer vacation to the lake .
Very easy to read. This is a good book to take along on a lazy summer vacation to the lake .
September 28, 2017
It took me a while to get into this one as it is very descriptive, but I guess it has to be! A good read, although I found the ending was lacking a little. Not exactly a cliffhanger, but it does make you want to find out more.
March 16, 2021
Faith
Doubt and security is so overwhelming that we almost always forget to whom we should look to. I myself find that doubt can catch me and I admit it sometimes takes awhile to ask the Lord for help.
Doubt and security is so overwhelming that we almost always forget to whom we should look to. I myself find that doubt can catch me and I admit it sometimes takes awhile to ask the Lord for help.
June 2, 2024
feel good book
It has so much to offer, excellent descriptions of amazing rugged scenery and dealing with the wounds of past hardships. Challenges to well established walls, faith and eventually Friendship.
It has so much to offer, excellent descriptions of amazing rugged scenery and dealing with the wounds of past hardships. Challenges to well established walls, faith and eventually Friendship.
December 27, 2020
A good read. I enjoyed this story. The rattlesnake scene was particularly good.
September 5, 2012
It was slow starting but once it got going it was engaging. I love the details about the local areas, including the roads and the vistas. If I could, I would travel to the area (John Day, Oregon) just on the basis of the descriptions in this novel.
Faith, the main character, is the oldest of three sisters. The younger two are twins. Faith quit high school to work two jobs to support her sisters when their mother became ill and later died. This is almost all that we are told and I think there is a story there. We just get that as the background information and that she doesn't know anything about her sisters who left town years before. This doesn't quite ring true to me. I think this is where the story lies, perhaps a prequel is needed.
At the beginning of the novel, Shane Zadopec (this is a really tough name for a character...I think I would have chosen a different last name as I kept stumbling over it as I read) comes to town. He is a ranger and is the nephew of Faith's boss, Merle. It's clear from the beginning that they'll end up together, regardless of how hard to get Faith plays it. It just takes them a long time and when it happens, it happens very quickly.
I will put the other two in the series on my list and see how those are.
Faith, the main character, is the oldest of three sisters. The younger two are twins. Faith quit high school to work two jobs to support her sisters when their mother became ill and later died. This is almost all that we are told and I think there is a story there. We just get that as the background information and that she doesn't know anything about her sisters who left town years before. This doesn't quite ring true to me. I think this is where the story lies, perhaps a prequel is needed.
At the beginning of the novel, Shane Zadopec (this is a really tough name for a character...I think I would have chosen a different last name as I kept stumbling over it as I read) comes to town. He is a ranger and is the nephew of Faith's boss, Merle. It's clear from the beginning that they'll end up together, regardless of how hard to get Faith plays it. It just takes them a long time and when it happens, it happens very quickly.
I will put the other two in the series on my list and see how those are.
April 25, 2015
I have such mixed emotions on this book. On one hand there were very few characters, but the main character wasn't all that likable. It would take a lot of understanding and patience to put up with her dysfunctional life and reactionary ways. This woman got mad at every dang thing. On the other hand, fortunately for her, and the story, Shane was overly patient, and just tried to get her to open up. A normal guy would have thrown up his hands and told her to see him again after a few years of therapy.
But there were things about her that sort of keep you reading just to see her growth...which of course there was, because, what kind of a plot would it have been for a person to remain a poophead all the way through? She had reasons, not the least of which was, as her mother got sick, Faith had to quit high school to pay bills and feed the family.
It takes 9/10ths of the book for her to see what a gem Shane is....which was frustrating.
I liked the authors writing. She has a great way with words. It was the plot that might have needed a bit more work.
But I finished it, and didn't hate it.
But there were things about her that sort of keep you reading just to see her growth...which of course there was, because, what kind of a plot would it have been for a person to remain a poophead all the way through? She had reasons, not the least of which was, as her mother got sick, Faith had to quit high school to pay bills and feed the family.
It takes 9/10ths of the book for her to see what a gem Shane is....which was frustrating.
I liked the authors writing. She has a great way with words. It was the plot that might have needed a bit more work.
But I finished it, and didn't hate it.
October 12, 2016
I think that this has to be one of the sweetest romance stories I can remember reading. Faith is so unsure of herself, lacking in confidence in who she is and her own value. Shane comes along and encourages (well sometimes prods her!) into believing that she is worth more than she thinks. With their faith in God to guide them and a little helping hand from Shane's uncle who is also Faith's employer, they find their way to love for each other. (And who wouldn't fall in love with gorgeous ranger Shane? I was half in love with him myself by the end of the book although please don't tell my husband that...!)
Bonnie Blythe has crafted a beautiful sweet story but also painted a beautiful backdrop as its setting. I live in the UK and have never been anywhere near Oregon. However I was able to see and experience the sights and sounds of the breathtaking countryside, as well as feel the warm sun as Shane and Faith hiked together. Thank you Bonnie I look forward to reading more of your books.
Bonnie Blythe has crafted a beautiful sweet story but also painted a beautiful backdrop as its setting. I live in the UK and have never been anywhere near Oregon. However I was able to see and experience the sights and sounds of the breathtaking countryside, as well as feel the warm sun as Shane and Faith hiked together. Thank you Bonnie I look forward to reading more of your books.
July 6, 2012
The Plot
Faith, the heroine of the story, feels so inadequate having never completed her high school certificate.
When her boss' nephew comes to town she quickly becomes concerned that she will lose her photography job to him... Or will she just lose her heart to him?
The Opinion
Amazing!
I love how Faith's self esteem grow within the story however with every hiccup she faced, you worried! It was also interesting how the author used the main male character to move the story along. At times you felt like saying... give Faith a moment of reflection before you probe her further yet later you realised that she needed the push to change things. While the romance in the story line was enjoyable, the book also encouraged you to reflect on your own life! Thanks Bonnie.
Faith, the heroine of the story, feels so inadequate having never completed her high school certificate.
When her boss' nephew comes to town she quickly becomes concerned that she will lose her photography job to him... Or will she just lose her heart to him?
The Opinion
Amazing!
I love how Faith's self esteem grow within the story however with every hiccup she faced, you worried! It was also interesting how the author used the main male character to move the story along. At times you felt like saying... give Faith a moment of reflection before you probe her further yet later you realised that she needed the push to change things. While the romance in the story line was enjoyable, the book also encouraged you to reflect on your own life! Thanks Bonnie.
April 7, 2013
This is the first book I have read by this author but it will not be the last!!!!! I throughly enjoyed this story of Faith, a young lady who has not had the best of luck in the past. Her father had left and her mother had died leaving her with twin sisters to care for. She had to quit high school and work 2 jobs to make ends meet. Her sisters left and she has not had contact with them since.
She takes a job as a photographer and meets her bosses nephew. She is convinced that he is after her job.
Faith has a low self esteem that wont let her relax and trust anyone.
This was one of those books you want to finish before you put it down. Would love to read the other two.
She takes a job as a photographer and meets her bosses nephew. She is convinced that he is after her job.
Faith has a low self esteem that wont let her relax and trust anyone.
This was one of those books you want to finish before you put it down. Would love to read the other two.
October 19, 2011
Another good clean christian read from Bonnie Blythe. I really enjoyed the story but found the female lead frustrating. She was pessimistic and parinoid and a real explanation for it was never clearly revealed. There were vague hints to her mind set but not to my satisfaction. The male was a great guy with a sunny disposition. A nice counterpart for her. I loved the setting of the John Day area of Oregon and the surrounding mountains.
December 24, 2013
Here is quick summary.
Faith is stubborn person. She doesn't let anybody in because she is afraid of being hurt. Until her bosses nephew, Shane moves to town. He dares and challenges her to step out of her boundaries. She doesn't want to at first, but then she realizes that she needs him more than she realizes.
Things I didn't like about. It was so predictable. The best part of the book was ending. No joke. It had a cliffhanger.
Faith is stubborn person. She doesn't let anybody in because she is afraid of being hurt. Until her bosses nephew, Shane moves to town. He dares and challenges her to step out of her boundaries. She doesn't want to at first, but then she realizes that she needs him more than she realizes.
Things I didn't like about. It was so predictable. The best part of the book was ending. No joke. It had a cliffhanger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2014
Again, this is one of those books I got as a free kindle deal. It's out of my usual reading preference but this one also surprised me. I struggled with the writing at first but then it eventually grew on me and I found a good rhythm. Cheesy, sappy, cute. I did tear up at one point towards the end. I enjoyed it, and maybe I'll read the other 2 books in this series, just maybe.
September 2, 2015
Not bad but it dragged on forever
This wasn't a bad story, the writing was good and the hero sounds amazing, but the heroine made me want to scream. Her issues seemed over dramatized. I made it a little over halfway before I skipped to the end. I don't think I missed anything.
This wasn't a bad story, the writing was good and the hero sounds amazing, but the heroine made me want to scream. Her issues seemed over dramatized. I made it a little over halfway before I skipped to the end. I don't think I missed anything.
January 29, 2016
A great read which I would have given 5 stars except the editing was horrible. I loved the story of these two and how the hunky ranger took to this lowly photographer and helped her come alive. I also loved that it was told from a Godly point of view. Great story of love and forgiveness and self awareness.
February 1, 2016
This was such a romantic story.
Faith, a photographer meets Shane her employer's nephew.
Shane has an attraction for Faith but her insecurities keeps her from noticing.
I love the storyline, the characters and the awesome setting of Oregon.
I was impressed with The Three Sisters, the photograph Faith did of her and her sisters, Hope and Charity.
I eagerly look forward to the next two books.
Faith, a photographer meets Shane her employer's nephew.
Shane has an attraction for Faith but her insecurities keeps her from noticing.
I love the storyline, the characters and the awesome setting of Oregon.
I was impressed with The Three Sisters, the photograph Faith did of her and her sisters, Hope and Charity.
I eagerly look forward to the next two books.
April 20, 2013
This was a cute inspirational romance. Unfortunately I didn't really like the heroine very much and that colored my opinion of the story. Maybe if more of her background had been revealed or her actions better explained, I would have understood/liked her more.
May 9, 2013
I would love to visit John Day, Oregon based on the author's description of the area. It sounds so beautiful. However, the story was less than satisfying. The main character had way too much unexplained, or underdeveloped angst. This book was more of a 2.5 for me.
February 9, 2015
Great Christian Romance
In this Christian romance taking place in Oregon, Faith Conrad, who acts as a mother figure to her younger sisters, falls in love with forest ranger Shane. Highly recommended.
In this Christian romance taking place in Oregon, Faith Conrad, who acts as a mother figure to her younger sisters, falls in love with forest ranger Shane. Highly recommended.
April 14, 2015
Mountains, vistas, and a snake bite?
"Rock and A Hard Place"(Cascade Brides Series)by Bonnie Blythe. This story has all you would expect, romance, conflict,danger, and most of all scenic descriptions, that makes you want to go to the setting of the story.
"Rock and A Hard Place"(Cascade Brides Series)by Bonnie Blythe. This story has all you would expect, romance, conflict,danger, and most of all scenic descriptions, that makes you want to go to the setting of the story.
May 24, 2012
Great book, not too long very clean.
April 2, 2013
Well written with likable characters.
May 4, 2013
My favorite of the three...maybe because it was about the responsible sister.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews