The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Cassie Everson is an expert at escaping bad first dates. And, after years of meeting, greeting, and running from the men who try to woo her, Cassie is almost ready to retire her hopes for a husband—and children—altogether.

But fate has other plans, and Cassie’s online dating profile catches the eye of firefighter Jett Bentley. In Jett’s memory, Cassie Everson is the unreachable girl-of-legend from their high school days. Nervously, he messages her, setting off a chain of events that forces a reluctant Cassie back into the dating game.

No one is more surprised than Cassie when her first date with Jett is a knockout. But when they both go home and find three children dropped in their laps—each—they independently decide to do the right and mature thing: hide the kids from each other while sorting it all out. What could go wrong?

Melissa Ferguson’s hilarious and warmhearted debut reminds us that love can come in very small packages—and that sometimes our best-laid plans aren’t nearly as rewarding and fun as the surprises that come our way.

My thoughts-

I love reading books by new authors because it is a great way to find something new and fresh. I think The Dating Charade is one of the cutest books I have read in a long time. I love heartwarming stories, especially this time of year and this one was full of heart. Cassie and Jett are lovable characters that you can't help but root for. I always enjoy a good blast from the past re-connection and Jett is just too adorable when he sees Cassie's profile and the events that unfold that make Cassie interested. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good clean romance novel. 

No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Challenging perceptions of discrimination and prejudice, this emotionally resonant drama for readers of Lisa Wingate and Jodi Picoult explores three different women navigating challenges in a changing school district--and in their lives.

When an impoverished school district loses its accreditation and the affluent community of Crystal Ridge has no choice but to open their school doors, the lives of three very different women converge: Camille Gray--the wife of an executive, mother of three, long-standing PTA chairwoman and champion fundraiser--faced with a shocking discovery that threatens to tear her picture-perfect world apart at the seams. Jen Covington, the career nurse whose long, painful journey to motherhood finally resulted in adoption but she is struggling with a happily-ever-after so much harder than she anticipated. Twenty-two-year-old Anaya Jones--the first woman in her family to graduate college and a brand new teacher at Crystal Ridge's top elementary school, unprepared for the powder-keg situation she's stepped into. Tensions rise within and without, culminating in an unforeseen event that impacts them all. This story explores the implicit biases impacting American society, and asks the ultimate question: What does it mean to be human? Why are we so quick to put labels on each other and categorize people as "this" or "that", when such complexity exists in each person?

My thoughts-

I really think books like No One Ever Asked are so important. There are some things we can never understand unless we we are able to see the point of view of others. I think this book did a great job of conveying that point. There were several different characters who cross paths but who all have different walks of life and different struggles and I thought Ganshert did a great job with their character development. I have read every book Katie Ganshert has written, and I have loved them all, but this one I think may be the most important. This is book club material. This is a book that needs to be discussed and open further dialogue about racism. I love that there are discussions questions conveniently included. I recommended No One Ever Asked to fans of Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give or to fans of Katie Ganshert.  

The Mayflower Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse (Daughters of the Mayflower Series 1)

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Can a religious separatist and an opportunistic spy make it in the New World?

A brand new series for fans of all things related to history, romance, adventure, faith, and family trees.

Mary Elizabeth Chapman boards the Speedwell in 1620 as a Separatist seeking a better life in the New World. William Lytton embarks on the Mayflower as a carpenter looking for opportunities to succeed—and he may have found one when a man from the Virginia Company offers William a hefty sum to keep a stealth eye on company interests in the new colony. The season is far too late for good sailing and storms rage, but reaching land is no better as food is scarce and the people are weak. Will Mary Elizabeth survive to face the spring planting and unknown natives? Will William be branded a traitor and expelled?

My thoughts-

It's always exciting when I come across the first book in what is to become a series. I love staying in fictitious worlds so even though I love reading stand alone books, there is nothing like a good series that keeps me immersed with characters for some time. I thought The Mayflower Bride sounded intriguing because it isn't often you come across a book that is set on the famous Mayflower. I felt like this book gave me some good insight into what the journey to the new land might have been like. Part of the reason I felt that way is because a lot of the book uses real passengers from the ship and tells their stories, and the author gives some background information before and after the novel which I found very helpful and enlightening. I really enjoyed getting to know Mary Elizabeth, and her family. 
I am hoping to see more of them, even if just a brief glimpse or mention, in the coming books of the Daughters of the Mayflower series. I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction. 

More to come in the Daughters of the Mayflower series:
The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1725 New Orleans (April 2018)
The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep – set 1760 during the French and Indian War (June 2018)
The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1774 Philadelphia (August 2018)
The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1794 on the Wilderness Road (October 2018)
The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall – set 1814 Baltimore (December 2018)

The Delusion by Laura Gallier

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy  of the book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

By March of Owen Edmonds' senior year, eleven students at Lincoln Forest High School have committed suicide. Amid the media frenzy and fanatical onlookers, Owen remains levelheaded - that is until he encounters his own near death experience and wakes to a distressing new reality. 

Everyone he sees appears shackled and enslaved. 

While frantically seeking to cure his crazed hallucinations, Owen's delusions become even more sinister when he witnesses what appears to be an unseen army of hideous, towering beings. These Creepers, as he calls them, are preying upon people, including his classmates and girlfriend, tormenting and inciting humanity to self-destruct. 

Owen eventually arrives at a mind-bending conclusion: He's not merely imagining forces of evil at work. Everyone else is blind to the evil that is. 

He must warn others and rescue those he loves -- a difficult mission when no one will believe him.

Take this heart-pounding journey through Owen Edmonds' eyes and decide for yourself: Are wicked forces after me?
 
Laura Gallier's debut novel will leave you on the edge of your seat and begging for more.

My thoughts-

The Delusion is the best Christian suspense novel I have read in a while. It was fast paced and the story line kept me aching to find out exactly what was going on. I like that the book creates imagery with the chains to represent spiritual warfare and what everyone might be going through. Even people you might not think are struggling most likely are. I feel bad for Owen because he has a difficult home life, and doesn't have faith, so it is good to see this particular character seeking the truth about what is going on around him. The Delusion isn't for the faint of heart, but I think it is an important book read. It is the first book in a series, so we don't really get any answers in it, but that is a great reason to look forward to book 2. 

T-H-B by Randy C. Dockens (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Buoyancy PR in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Luke has his dream job being an astrophysicist at the Houston Aeorspace Engineering Center preparing for the upcoming Mars mission. He even has a blooming romance with Sarah, a physician where he works.  Life in 2089 is good- couldn't be better. Until...until he makes that fateful choice. The decision to pick up that small piece of paper containing three simple letters plunges him into a conspiracy of memory manipulation caused by a secreat organization. Why is it occurring? Every direction he turns points him to T-H-B. Would finding it provide answers, or will it make him an enemy to the entire world?

My thoughts-

The description of this book sounded so intriguing. I love the fast pace of suspense novels and all of the trying to figure out exactly where things are going in the book. I like that it also had a touch of sci-fi and romance, which I think helped make it a more well rounded book. T-H-B was a quick page turning read as you want to see what is happening with Luke and friends, and learn exactly what T-H-B is and what is going on with the mind control elements and who exactly are the bad guys? By the end of the book, I felt like I had more questions unanswered than answered, but hopefully book two will help explain things a little better. I can't wait to see where things are headed. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense novels. T-H-B would make a fantastic Christmas gift for a book lover!

F-S-H-S: Book Two of The Coded Message Trilogy, is planned for release in June 2018, followed in September 2018 by the third and final book, T-U-L-E: Book Three of The Coded Message Trilogy.

Haven of Swans by Colleen Coble (Book Review)

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

A beautiful woman stands by the side of the road, barefoot and bleeding, a child in her arms. Someone just tried to kill her, but she wouldn't recognize him if she saw his face. She doesn't even remember her own name.
A suburban cop surveys a kitchen in disarray—a woman and child missing, a chilling note. This crime scene is unlike any he has ever seen.
The man who calls himself Gideon waits and plans. He sees himself as a destroyer of evil, one who rids the world of abominations. He has already killed five. He will kill again.
And somewhere in the wilderness, in a secret geocache near where the wild swans gather, lies the unspeakable clue that links them all together.
Michigan's rugged and beautiful Upper Peninsula is the setting for this absorbing tale of love and loss, beauty and terror, grievous sins and second chances. A deftly woven thriller from the bestselling author of the Rock Harbor novels.
Previously published as Abomination.

My thoughts-

It's been a while since I got to read a book by Colleen Coble so when I saw this one, I grabbed it! I always enjoy her work. I didn't realize it was several books into a series, but it stood alone on it's own absolutely fine. The book kept my wheels turning trying to figure out what was going on, who might be the bad guy, and wondering if the main character would get her memories back. I was quite interested in these characters and the outcome of their story, so I will probably go back and read the other books in the series as well. I love that the book is edgy but not completely out of whack due to the fact that it is written in the genre of Christian suspense. That doesn't mean it isn't suspenseful or interesting. I think Mrs. Coble does a fantastic job of pushing the envelope without it getting to an uncomfortable level. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense novels.

To Have and to Hold: Three Autumn Love Stories (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-
To Have and to Hold: Three Autumn Love Stories.Love Takes the Cake: A September Wedding Story by Betsy St. Amant
Charlotte Cantrell is always the baker; never the bride. When Will, a regular at Charlotte's bakery, catches her attention, she can only hope that he is the reliable man this single mother has always hoped to find. The problem is that he's regularly stopping in to buy cookies for another girl. But when Charlotte is hired to bake a host of wedding goodies for a difficult bride and finds out Will is the best man, she has the perfect opportunity to get to know him better—and find out how serious Will is about this other girl in his life.

The Perfect Arrangement: An October Wedding Story by Katie Ganshert

Amelia Woods is a small-town wallflower and the proud owner of Forget-Me-Nots, a quaint flower shop. Her love
life has always been a bit lackluster—until she ends up in an embarrassing fender-bender with handsome Nate
Gallagher. Meanwhile, Amelia's younger brother, William, has proposed to his girlfriend. Amelia would be excited
except she has evidence that the fiancée is not who she says she is. It seems Nate is the only one available for any
advice-giving, and he's good at it—and pretty fun to talk to, too. As Amelia works to craft the perfect flower
arrangements for other people, she begins to wonder if real love is better than the dream. And if it is, will Nate still
be interested when he learns who she is?

Love in the Details: A November Wedding Story by Becky Wade

When Josh returns to his hometown of Martinsburg, Texas, to help his best friend get married, he didn't intend to run into church wedding coordinator—and ex-girlfriend—Holly. He can't help but pine after the girl he never got over. Holly broke up with Josh years ago in an attempt to
ensure his future success. But she loved him then and still loves him now. As she helps him plan his best friend's
wedding, she longs to be with Josh but doesn't feel worthy of his big-time lifestyle when she is more comfortable in
her small-town world. Will Josh and Holly be able to keep things as they are when their true feelings threaten to
surface at every turn?

My thoughts-

I am not usually a novella compilation sort of reader but there is just something about romantic stories, no matter
their format, that I can't resist. It doesn't hurt that all 3 of these authors are women who write novels I absolutely
love so I knew the novellas would be amazing. All 3 stories were great! They each had me hooked and invested
from the beginning. Normally I have a clear favorite in these sorts of compilations but I truly loved all 3 of these.
To Have and to Hold was a about a woman who was a baker who has a handsome customer who always shows up
 to buy cookies for someone. The Perfect Arrangement is about what I would call a meet cute, and some great banter
and nice classic movie knowledge. Love in the Details is set in Texas and speaks to my Texan heart AND is about
 high school sweethearts thrown back together. See? All 3 are a romantic's dream reads. I thought all of the couples
were interesting and all 3 stories were fun. I would recommend this collection of novellas to anyone who enjoys
reading a nice love story. 

Just a Kiss by Denise Hunter (Book Review)

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

For fans of JoJo Moyes' Me Before You and Nicholas Sparks' The Choice comes a breathtaking story of second chances, friendship, and true love in all its forms by bestselling novelist, Denise Hunter. 

Riley Callahan's plans to reveal his secret feelings for his best friend are ruined when his life is drastically altered in Afghanistan.

Watching the love of his life falling for his brother was enough to send Riley straight to boot camp. But over a year later, he's officially a marine, and Beau and Paige are no longer an item. When Riley's tour in Afghanistan is up, he intends to confess his feelings to Paige and win his best friend's heart once and for all.

But all that changes when an IED takes the life of a comrade and leaves Riley an amputee. Now he's heading home, injured and troubled. His plans to win Paige are a distant dream. She deserves so much more than the man that's left. All he can do now is put some healthy distance between them. But upon his return he discovers his family has arranged for him to stay with Paige.

Paige is a nurturer at heart and happy to take care of her best buddy. By all appearances he's adjusting miraculously well to his disability. But as the days pass, Paige begins to see that the smiles and laughter are just a mask for the pain he's hiding. He has nightmares and mood swings, and his unwavering independence keeps him from accepting help from anyone, including her. To make matters worse, her job is in serious jeopardy. The animal shelter that she's poured her heart into has lost its funding, and she has three months to come up the money needed to save it.

As the weeks wear on with the two in such close proximity, Paige's feelings for Riley begin to shift into unchartered territory. Why is she suddenly noticing his corded arm muscles and the way his lips curl at the corners? Will she be able to deny her feelings for another Callahan brother? And will Riley let his heart heal so he can let Paige in?

My thoughts-

I love books like Me Before You and The Choice so the comparison grabbed my attention. I didn't realize this was a book in a series until after I had already read it, but the previous two books were about other main characters and I was satisfied with how well I got to know Paige and Riley without having read their back stories in the previous books. I loved them so much though that I want to go back and see how it all began in the other two books and also read about the other two Callahan brothers and their significant others. Just A Kiss was a great romance about two people who have both are holding back sharing their feelings for one reason or another. I love stories about friends falling in love and I think it is so romantic that Riley has been in love with Paige since they were teenagers! It was difficult to see how hard it is for Riley to deal with the injuries he sustained while deployed and how it turns him into a negative, jaded person. Luckily Paige isn't having any of that and does whatever she can to try and help him see things in a different light. One of the sub-plots I really liked in the book is that Paige works at an animal shelter and Riley helps her out there when he needs a job and she suddenly looses the person that was helping before. I love animals so I always enjoy reading about them. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good, clean romance novel!

The Things We Knew by Catherine West Blog Tour + Book Review

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book  from the publisher via Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

A tragedy from the past resurfaces in this tale of family secrets and reignited love.

After her mother's death twelve years ago, Lynette Carlisle watched her close-knit family unravel. One by one, her four older siblings left their Nantucket home and never returned. All seem to harbor animosity toward their father, silently blaming him for their mother's death. Nobody will talk about that dreadful day, and Lynette can't remember a bit of it.

But when next-door neighbor Nicholas Cooper returns to Nantucket, he brings the past with him. Once her brother's best friend and Lynette's first crush, Nick seems to hiding things from her. Lynette wonders what he knows about the day her mother died and hopes he might help her remember the things she can't.

But Nick has no intention of telling Lynette the truth. Besides the damage it might cause his own family, he doesn't want to risk harming the fragile friendship between him and the woman he once thought of as a kid sister.

As their father's failing health and financial concerns bring the Carlisle siblings home, secrets begin to surface---secrets that will either restore their shattered relationships or separate the siblings forever. But pulling up anchor on the past propels them into the perfect storm, powerful enough to make them question all they ever believed in.

My thoughts-

Sometimes when I am reading the plot  synopsis on the back cover of a book, certain  words jump out to me and  I have no choice but to devour the thing cover  to cover.  Buzz words  for The Things We Knew include Nantucket, close knit family, adolescent crush, and faith. The gorgeous front cover also called out to me. The Things We Knew drew me in immediately and made me care and empathize with Lynette quickly. There is a decent sized cast of characters and sometimes when there are more than a few it doesn't feel like the more minor characters are developed well, but I didn't feel that way at all. I felt like I got to know all of Lynette's siblings and both Lynette and Nick's fathers. Something else I really enjoyed about the book was the touch of suspense. The last chapters of the book were intense and that is always a great way to arrive at the climax of a novel. I felt like the last few pages of the  book were a little contrived, but overall I thought this was a great book.  I  would  recommend The Things We Knew to anyone who enjoys literary fiction or women's fiction. 


About the  author-

Catherine  West writes stories  of  hope  an d  healing from her island home in Bermuda. When she's not  at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border collie for long walks on the beach or tending to her roses and orchids.  She and her husband have two grown children. 

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The Loyal Heart by Shelley Sheppard Gray Blog Tour + Book Review

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

The Loyal Heart (Zondervan, July 2016)

Robert came to Galveston to fulfill his promise to a dying man and look after his widow. He didn't expect to find love in the unlikeliest of places.

Robert Truax, former Second Lieutenant and Confederate officer in the Civil War, made a promise to his comrade Phillip Markham. If anything happened to Phillip, Robert would look after his beloved wife, Miranda. She was his life, his world, his everything.

After the war, Robert is left to pick up the pieces and fulfill his pact. When he arrives at Miranda's home in Galveston, Texas, things are worse than he imagined. Phillip's name has been dragged through the mud, everyone in town believes him to be a traitor, and his widow is treated as an outcast. Even more disturbing is her emotional well-being. Miranda seems hopeless, lost, and so very alone.

Robert had thought his duty would be simple. He would help Miranda as quickly as possible in order to honor a promise. But the moment Robert laid eyes on her, his plans changed. He's mesmerized by her beauty and yearns to help her in any way he can.
He makes it his duty to protect Miranda, turn her reputation around, and to find some way to help her smile again. But it doesn't prove to be an easy task---Robert knows something about Phillip that could shake Miranda to the core and alter her view of the man she thought she knew so well.

My thoughts-

I am a Texan born and raised and I love reading books that are set in Texas, so this one piqued my interest. I was born in Galveston, and have lived in several of the other cities mentioned throughout this book so I got a kick out of that! Civil War era books are not usually my thing, but I really enjoyed The Loyal Heart. It may be because it was set after the war and in an area I am familiar with, but the interesting story line didn't hurt either. I couldn't help but empathize with poor Miranda, dealt a life of ostracism for something her husband may or may not have done. It was interesting seeing how she was getting on in her life after her husband's death through the eyes of Robert. I really enjoyed the touch of suspense and trying to figure out who started the rumors about Miranda and her husband. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good Christian Romance novel or who enjoy historical fiction. 

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2ae3eOX

About the author-

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

When Death Draws Near by Carrie Stuart Parks Blog Tour & Book Review + Giveaway

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book via Litfuse Group in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Gwen Marcey takes death in stride. Until she’s faced with her own mortality.

Forensic artist Gwen Marcey is between jobs when she accepts temporary work in Pikeville, Kentucky—a small town facing big-city crime. But before Gwen can finish her first drawing of the serial rapist who is on the loose, the latest witness vanishes. Just like all the others.

Gwen suspects a connection between the rapist and the “accidental” deaths that are happening around town, but the local sheriff has little interest in her theories. When her digitally-obsessed teenage daughter joins her, Gwen turns her attention to a second assignment: going undercover in a serpent-handling church. She could get a handsome reward for uncovering illegal activity—a reward she desperately needs, as it seems her breast cancer has returned. But snakes aren’t the only ones ready to kill. Can Gwen uncover the truth—and convince anyone to believe her—before she becomes a victim herself?

In a thrilling race against time, When Death Draws Near plunges us into cold-case murders, shady politics, and a den of venomous suspects.

My thoughts-

This was my first Carrie Stuart Parks book. It is the third book in a series about detective Gwen Marcey, but these novels also stand alone.  The subject matter may be a little heavy for some readers, but there aren't any grotesque scenes or anything that is written in complete detail so it's not that gory or anything. I love books that have short chapters and are fast paced so this novel was right up my alley. I like my suspense novels to keep me on my toes. I thought I had this one figured out early but I couldn't have been further from figuring it out. There is nothing like being blindsided when you are reading a suspense novel, I think it is a sign of great writing. When Death Draws Near was a great introduction for me to Gwen Marcey. I can't wait to read more of Carrie Stuart Parks books!

Learn more and purchase a copy

About the author-

Carrie Stuart Parks is an internationally known forensic artist, who travels with her husband, Rick, across the United States and Canada teaching courses in forensic art to law enforcement specialists. Parks is a Carol award winning author. as well as a Christy finalist. She has also won numerous awards for her fine art.  Plunge into forensic artist Gwen Marcey's world, full of cold-case murders, shady politics, and a den of venomous suspects. Add Carrie Stuart Parks' new Gwen Marcey novel, When Death Draws Near, to the top of your must-read list. Gwen accepts temporary work in Pikeville, Kentucky—a small town facing big-city crime. But before she can finish her first drawing of the serial rapist who is on the loose, the latest witness vanishes. Just like all the others. Can Gwen uncover the truth—and convince anyone to believe her—before she becomes a victim herself?

  **Undercover Artist Starter Set Giveway**

Join Carrie in celebrating the release of When Death Draws Near by entering to win an Undercover Artist Starter Set.

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of When Death Draws Near
• A $30 Michael's or Hobby Lobby gift card (winner's choice)
• Colored pencils
• A sharpener
• A pencil case
• An eraser
• A coloring prayer book
• A coloring notecard set
• A lap desk

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on August 22. The winner will be announced August 23 on the Litfuse blog.

Someone Like You by Victoria Bylin (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

My thoughts-

Single mom Julia Dare has a lot on her plate. A brand new Christian, she's busy trying to run her own business, spend time with her widowed mother, and raise her young son, Max, despite his father's less-than-ideal influence on him. When a big account from her event-planning business sends her to the Caliente Springs resort, she's shocked to come face-to-face with Zeke Monroe, the resort's general manager and her college sweetheart.

With his faith in tatters, Zeke Monroe is determined to keep the historic Caliente Springs resort running despite financial difficulties. But when Julia walks back into his life, he can't ignore the feelings she stirs up. As they work together on an important client's dream wedding, the fate of the resort soon depends on their success. When Zeke and Julia are pushed to their limits both personally and professionally, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together?

My thoughts-

I was drawn into Someone Like You from the very beginning. Julia and Zeke are both easy to relate to, one who has come to faith as recently and one who grew up in the faith but it is now struggling. These characters seemed like they could be real people. Many of us have probably  wondered about a past love or maybe even have given an old flame a second go round, but even if not it is incredibly easy to get wrapped up in the romance of these two characters both having pretty instantaneous feelings for each other upon their running into each other. Beyond the love story of Julia and Zeke, there are also other love stories in the book that are just as romantic, as well as some great humor. Some of my favorite parts of Someone Like You involve a goat named Ladybug. When she shows up, hilarity ensues! Like any good book there is also a villain and this guy is just the worst. Hunter is Julia's ex-boyfriend and the father of her child and as poorly as he treats her (and their son many times) it is difficult to see what she ever saw in him. I enjoyed that the book was set at a resort and that a big part of it was the staff planning a wedding. There is definitely a lot of mentioning of faith and loss of faith and restoration of faith in the novel and the ending may tie up everything a little too neatly that makes it lose a little of it's realness, but there are some great moments of  forgiveness, faith, and of course some swoon-worthy romantic scenes. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good love story.

The Painter's Daughter by Julie Klassen (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Sophie Dupont assists her father in his studio, keeping her own artwork out of sight. In private, she paints the picturesque north Devon coast, popular with artists--including handsome Wesley Overtree, who seems more interested in Sophie than the landscape.

Captain Stephen Overtree is accustomed to taking on his brother Wesley's responsibilities. Near the end of his leave, he is sent to find his brother and bring him home. Upon reaching Devonshire, however, Stephen is stunned to learn that Wesley has sailed for Italy and left his host's daughter in serious trouble.

Stephen feels duty-bound to act, and strangely protective of the young lady, who somehow seems familiar. Wanting to make some recompense for his own past failings as well as his brother's, Stephen proposes to Miss Dupont. He does not offer love, but marriage "in name only" to save her from scandal. If he dies in battle, as he fears, she will at least be a respectable widow.

Desperate for a way to escape her predicament, Sophie finds herself torn between her first love and this brooding man she barely knows. Dare she wait for Wesley to return? Or should she elope with the captain and pray she doesn't come to regret it?

My thoughts-

I don't even know where to begin with this story. I loved every single second of every single page, just as I have become accustomed to with each new Julie Klassen novel that comes out. This one is still her usual regency era fare, and it still has a very Jane Austen-esque feel which I love, but this book had the added element of scandal which was new and I quite enjoyed. Life isn't usually cookie cutter clean, even back in the day, so I appreciated a look into what might have happened in a scandalous situation in that time period.  I was immediately sympathetic for Sophie's character and enthralled with Stephen Overtree from their first meeting. He had a little bit of Mr. Darcy's brood going on, but right away we are shown he has a soft and caring heart, regardless of how it seems on the outside. I am glad that there was an opportunity to get to know Stephen as he and Sophie get to know each other before he went off to war. I enjoyed the entire cast of characters that live at or visit Overtree Hall. Klassen does a wonderful job of really making you feel like you understand the characters and the descriptions of the settings are amazing too. I absolutely recommend The Painter's Daughter (and all of Julie Klassen's novels) to anyone who enjoys regency era romances. She is, in my eyes, our current day Jane Austen and for that I am grateful.

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In Good Company by Jen Turano (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

After spending her childhood in an orphanage, Millie Longfellow is determined to become the best nanny the East Coast has ever seen. Unfortunately, her enthusiasm for her job tends to bring about situations that have employers looking askance at her methods. After her most recent dismissal, Millie is forced to return yet again to an employment agency.

Everett Mulberry has suddenly and quite unexpectedly found himself responsible for three children he barely knows. Attempting fatherhood while also pacifying the less-than-thrilled socialite he intends to marry is made even more complicated when the children scare off every nanny he hires. About to depart for Newport, Rhode Island, for the summer, he’s desperate for competent childcare.

At wit’s end with both Millie and Everett, the employment agency gives them one last chance—with each other. Everett is wary of Millie’s penchant for disaster, and she’s not entirely keen on another snobby, grumpy employer, but they’re both out of options. As Millie falls in love with her mischievous charges and tries to stay one step ahead of them, Everett is more focused on achieving the coveted status of society’s upper echelons. As he investigates the suspicious circumstances surrounding the children’s parents’ death, will it take the loss of those he loves to learn whose company he truly wants for the rest of his life?

My thoughts-

I love a good Cinderella story and the above description of In Good Company sounded like just that so I really wanted to see where the story went. As I started reading the book I realized it was something totally different. This is a book full of great shenanigans, usually with Millie right in the thick of things. I love her fun personality and how stubborn she can be. I also loved how her relationship with Everett started off pretty tense and enjoyed watching it evolve the further into the book I got. There is a character that you will love to hate, Caroline, she may well be the worst person every written into the pages of a book, but she absolutely adds an interesting dimension to the story. In Good Company is a great mix of romance, society life, and mystery. I laughed out loud so many times and couldn't stop turning the pages at the end when things become quite tense and crazy! This was my first Jen Turano book, but definitely won't be my last. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially of the historical romance persuasion. You will laugh, you will cringe, you'll be swept off of your feet. You will not want to put the book down until you have reached the last page.

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A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade Blog Tour & Book Review + Enter to win $100 Cash Card!

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Litfuse Group. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake's childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion's reluctance to run.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake's will, Lyndie's sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he's built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he'd thought he'd lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

My thoughts-

This was my first Becky Wade book! It is the third in a series of books, but they all stand alone well. I haven't read the other two, but I intend to go back and do so. I was excited to read a book set so close to where I am from. It was fun reading a book and seeing local places mentioned (Lonestar Park, Braum's, ect.)! The ptsd that afflicts military vet Jake is what drew me to this story. I know so many men and women who have been in the military, even a few who has suffered losses and tragic accidents similar to Jake's so the plot really hit close to home. My absolute favorite part of this book is how confident and optimistic the leading lady is. With Jake having such trouble coming to terms with all that he has seen and been through, it was refreshing to have someone who could be patient and tread lightly around him while still being there for him. I also loved the thoroughbred racing that goes on in the novel. I have lived in Texas my whole life and my uncle even works at Lonestar Park, but I have only been to the races once. A Love Like Ours made me feel like I was there at the track watching the jockeys do their thing and definitely makes me want to go check out the races in person again! I enjoyed the bits of humor sprinkled throughout the book as Lyndie and her friend make a pact to go on three dates each to get their love lives going. Some of the situations they find themselves in are hilarious! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good romance novel!

About the author

Becky Wade is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and moved to Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market, took time off to raise her children, then felt God nudging her to pursue contemporary Christian fiction. Becky's work has been a finalist for both a RITA and an INSPY Award.



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***Enter to win $100 cash card!***

Fall in love with Becky Wade's new book, A Love Like Ours, a story of healing, romance, and cowboys. A glimmer of the hope Jake thought he’d lost returns when Lyndie lands back in Texas, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

To celebrate the release of her new book, Becky is giving away a $100 cash card and a book-inspired prize pack!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $100 cash card
• A copy of A Love Like Ours
• A copy of the Secretariat DVD
• A scarf
• A dog-tag/cross keychain
• A pair of earrings
• A Scarf
• A Texas-shaped cutting board
• A Jake Porter mug

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 26th. Winner will be announced May 27th on Becky's site.

An Amish Cradle by Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller & Vannetta Chapman (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

In the Father's Arms by Beth Wiseman
Ruth Anne Zook is excited that she and her best friend are due with their children the same week. But when Ruth Anne's baby is born with Down Syndrome, she and her husband struggle to understand God's plan.

A Son for Always by Amy Clipston
Carolyn and her husband Joshua are thrilled to be pregnant with their first child. A teenager when she had her son Benjamin, Carolyn still feels obligated to work to secure Ben's future, even though Josh adopted Ben. She struggles to realize that Josh will love and protect both of their children equally.

A Heart Full of Love by Kathleen Fuller
Ellie's mother loves to meddle in her personal life-especially now that Ellie's pregnant. Since Ellie is blind, her mother worries that she won't be able to handle the baby. When Ellie gives birth to twins, her mother insists on moving in. Just as everyone reaches the breaking point, a miracle draws them closer to each other and to God.

An Unexpected Blessing by Vannetta Chapman
At 42, Etta thought her time of having children was over, but she's pregnant again. She goes into labor during a blizzard, and complications with the delivery raise fear. Etta struggles to acceptGotte's wille for the baby and her son, David, who moved away two years earlier in search of what he would do with his life.

My thoughts- 

I don't read compilation novellas that often because I usually prefer one long flowing story, but I couldn't seem to pass up the opportunity to read this book. An Amish Cradle is about 4 different Amish families, each who end up having a child with special needs or have a special circumstance in the pregnancy. This premise was so different from any other Amish fiction I have read that I really found myself interested in reading the novellas. I liked that each story introduced us to a new family with a different circumstance and four different sets of parents will deal with things in four different ways, so it really did feel like four separate stories.  For me, that was both good and bad. I love that each author had their own voice, but it would have been nice to see some of the characters be connected in some way. I read An Amish Cradle very quickly, in just a few days' time, so this is a great book if you want a fast read! I think any parent at all will be able to relate to each of these stories, but especially parents with special needs children. Of all of the stories, I enjoyed the first one by Beth Wiseman the most, but the three that follow were good stories as well. My only complaint about the book is that I want to know more about how things turned out for the families! I felt like there could have been much more to each story, a novel's worth perhaps? I get so attached to stories and characters it is difficult to leave them after a short time, but each story definitely had a resolution by the end. Maybe there could be a second compliation by the same authors' that let's us peek into their lives a year later or something like that! I would read it!! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Amish fiction.