Review & Giveaway: Ruth by H. B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Master storyteller and best-selling author H. B. Moore brings to life the biblical account of Ruth as never before in this vivid retelling of her courageous and faithful life.

Following the death of Ruth's husband, she finds herself at a crossroads. Rather than return to her family and hometown, the young widow makes a remarkable decision: she will remain with her mother-in-law, Naomi, as her caretaker and companion.

Together, the two widows boldly leave behind the lives they knew in the land of Moab and make their way to Bethlehem, arriving downtrodden and destitute. Though Ruth works day and night to provide for Naomi, it is ultimately through the kindness and generosity of Boaz that the two women find respite from their trials. As Ruth comes to know Boaz, she finds that her broken heart is beginning to heal in ways she could never have imagined. But when a question of inheritance threatens any hope of a life with Boaz, Ruth may have to give up the last piece of her heart in order to secure her future.

My Review

Once again I was completely immersed in the setting and in the lives and emotions of the characters! I absolutely loved how the author brought the familiar Bible story to life with historical details that are shared with authenticity. We meet Ruth and Boaz just before each of their lives are about to change drastically and witness their grief and transition as they adjust. I loved Ruth's relationship with Naomi and the wisdom she learns from her. Ruth's loyalty and devotion to Naomi speaks of her character and does not go unnoticed by Boaz. Their relationship develops as Boaz protects Ruth and the various members of their families urge them each to remarry. The emphasis on faithfulness and virtue as desirable attributes in a wife and kindness and goodness as desirable attributes in a husband was refreshing and made me admire Boaz and Ruth for the choices they made. A wonderful Biblical novel that made me appreciate the sacrifices and lives of these historical individuals.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Review: Lady of Breken Manor by Heather B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

No lady can steal a loyal man from his fiancé, but what if that lady is a ghost?
 
Lady Charlotte is bored. So bored that when the owner of her manor in Scotland dies, she actually looks forward to haunting, uh, meeting the new owner. Too bad he’s engaged. Because if he weren’t, and if Charlotte could get him to fall in love with her, then the curse would finally be broken.

What curse, you ask? The curse that keeps Charlotte confined to an ancient manor decade after decade, playing parlor tricks on unsuspecting visitors. If only being a ghost weren’t so tedious, Charlotte might actually enjoy her life-slash-death. But the new owner is making her rethink her entire existence.

My Review

I'm not big into the paranormal genre but if my favorite author is writing it, I'm going to read it. And love it. Such was the case with Lady of Breken Manor. The characters were easy to get to know quickly (which is an important thing in a novella) and I loved seeing them get to know each other and fall in love. Because of the unusual situation of Charlotte being a ghost and Sean being the one who could finally send her to the next life, their love had obstacles to work through and was tested and tried. I loved how the author made everything work out in the end, and I finished the story with a smile on my face. The amazing setting of a manor in Scotland was another thing I loved about the story, it really set the tone and made it seem like magical things could happen.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

LADY OF BREKEN MANOR will be released in the Secret Legends Boxed Set on September 12, 2017. Secret Legends will be available only for a limited time at the low price of 99 cents.

LADY OF BREKEN MANOR will be then moved to an individual release in December 2017.

Synopsis

Warning: Book Hangovers Ahead.

Looking for the perfect escape? When you dare to venture into the romantically-charged pages of SECRET LEGENDS, you’ll get lost in stories from today’s New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling authors.

This must-read paranormal romance and urban fantasy boxed set is filled with tales of vampires, aliens, angels, witches, ghosts, shifters, sirens, and more, containing over one hundred hours of page-turning reads that will leave your heart pounding and your pulse racing.

Ready to dive in? Pre-order today to secure YOUR copy of this extraordinary boxed set!

Includes EXCLUSIVE stories from the following authors...
USA Today bestselling author Heather B. Moore
Anna Santos
Shannon Eckrich
Award-Winning author Morgan Jane Mitchell
USA Today bestselling author Joanna Mazurkiewicz
J.L. Beck
USA Today bestselling author Raine English
USA Today bestselling author Nicole Zoltack
USA Today bestselling author Megan J. Parker & Award-Winning author Nathan Squiers
Award-Winning author Debra Kristi
USA Today bestselling author Lily Thorn
Kaiden Klein
USA Today bestselling author Jocelyn Dex
Award-Winning author Katie Salidas
Jane Hinchey
Award-Winning author Alyssa Breck
USA Today bestselling author Amy Lee Burgess
New York Times bestselling author Catherine Vale
Award-Winning author Carma Haley Shoemaker
Lillie J. Roberts

Review: A Year of Love by Heather B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

1907, England 

Lucien Baxter’s best and most incorrigible friend, Will, dies unexpectedly, leaving behind his new bride and unborn child the week before Christmas. Will’s last request is that Lucien watch over Cora, not just as a benefactor, but as a husband. When Lucien does his duty and proposes to Cora, he’s turned down flat. Over the course of the next twelve months, Lucien discovers that marrying Cora wouldn’t be any sort of duty after all, but a matter of following his heart.

*Note for readers: A YEAR OF LOVE was previously published in A Timeless Romance Anthology: Silver Bells Collection, as TWELVE MONTHS.

My Review

This is a perfect example of a novella that quickly draws the reader in, makes it easy to connect emotionally with the characters, builds the anticipation of what will happen next, and offers toe-curling romance with a satisfying resolution. I loved how Lucien supports Cora during her first days of mourning, and that she lets him and draws strength from him. Even though Lucien was good friends with Will, he is different  from Will in all the right ways, and a true friendship naturally blossoms as he and Cora are genuine with each other. This is a story that put a smile of my face as I read and finished it :)

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: The Duke's Brother by Heather B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Mr. Gregory Clark is having an awful day, and it only gets worse when he’s run over by … a woman. Mabel Russell reluctantly visits her sister in London for the Season, even though she’d rather stay in the country cataloging insects and aphids. When she runs into Mr. Clark, quite literally, she’s afraid to show any interest, especially since he’s a member of the dreaded Ton. But getting to know Mr. Clark becomes an unexpected delight.

*Note for readers: THE DUKE'S BROTHER was previously published in A Timeless Romance Anthology: All Regency Collection

My Review

This is a great novella, with well-rounded and interesting characters, a plot that can be quickly solved but also kept me reading to find out how everything played out, and bits of humor thrown in that made me smile :) The Regency genre is known for its formality and adherence to the rules of the ton, so it's always refreshing to read about those like Mabel and Gregory, who have interests and dreams outside of what society expects of them. Even though they are following their own non-conformist dreams, they didn't seem too modern since they still were polite and well-behaved. A perfectly enjoyable story that made me imagine how their happily-ever-after would continue, just what I look for in a novella!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: Mistress Grim by Jane Redd

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

The Grim Reaper has been collecting souls of the dead for hundreds of years, but even the Master of Death has to pass on his reign. Unfortunately, his progeny is not quite ready to replace him.

Cora Grim, daughter of the Grim Reaper, is suddenly thrust into her father’s role. Leaving the Underworld on her own to bring back the dead souls, she discovers that the Master of Death neglected to tell her one thing. She can still fall in love.

My Review

Wow! Although I don't read much fantasy, if I have a recommendation from a friend or the author is one of my favorites I will give it a try. Heather B. Moore (aka Jane Redd) is definitely one of my must-read authors and she did not disappoint! The fantasy elements are based in familiar mythology, but with  twists and details that made it interesting and not like a history lesson ;) I loved the characters of Cora and Leo and instantly felt like I could relate to them and their goals. The plot is intense and moved swiftly along to the climax. The romantic moments are charged and yet sweet also. A great quick read that took my imagination to new places!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)


Mistress Grim is available as part of the Shattered Worlds collection of 23 novella-length stories from various authors - currently only 99 cents!

Synopsis

 

Escape into twenty-three epic worlds that will leave you breathless.

From dystopian nightmares to gorgeous steampunk and fantasy settings to fairy-tale retellings and beyond, SHATTERED WORLDS has every story you’ve been dying to get your hands on!

This unique Young Adult/New Adult collection, inspired by the creative minds of today’s New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling authors, promises to satisfy your cravings for action and adventure as you experience rune magic and time-travel, overthrow corrupt governments, meet reapers and aliens, battle dragons, fall hopelessly in love, and break ancient curses, right alongside some of the bravest characters in fantasy fiction!

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About the Author

Writing under Jane Redd, Heather B. Moore is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than a dozen historical novels set in ancient Arabia and Mesoamerica. She attended the Cairo American College in Egypt and the Anglican International School in Jerusalem and received her Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University. She writes historical thrillers under the pen name H.B. Moore, and romance and women's fiction under the name Heather B. Moore. It can be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom.

Follow Jane Redd Books on 

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Review: Falling for June by Heather B. Moore

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Once a year, June Dawson goes on vacation with her best friends from high school. When she arrives in Maui, she realizes she's the odd-woman out. With Sydney engaged, and Maria nearly so, June wonders if anyone will ever fall for her. Then June meets Lance, their gorgeous next door bungalow neighbor at the Maui resort, and she's definitely charmed. But after her recent breakup, June refuses to fall for gorgeous, or charming, again.

My Review

This is such a fun series of novellas! I love the friendship and loyalty between the three young women- June, Sydney, and Maria. Since they don't live close to each other, they take a girls getaway to Hawaii. I recently visited Hawaii for the first time so it was fun to visualize the setting and remember my own experiences there. Lance is also on vacation there and unattached, and June's friends encourage her to spend time with him, especially since he lives only an hour away from June's home. They quickly develop a sweet friendship and feelings of attraction, and commiserate on their respective past failed relationships. I liked how up front they are with each other and wished that there would have been more dialogue or banter to establish their bond. Of course, reality hits when they return to the mainland and they face obstacles to continuing their relationship. I liked seeing that they didn't just have a fling but were both feeling more. A great short story of clean contemporary romance!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the other books in the Falling series . . .

Read my 4 star review here

Synopsis

Sydney has been the perfect friend, the perfect daughter, and Rian checks off on her perfect fiancé list. But when Sydney notices a strange truck parked in her fiancé’s parking spot, she’s in for the surprise of her life. Not only is Rian not who she thought he was, but his brother Jake is about to turn her life upside down.

Read my 4 star review here

Synopsis

At twenty-six, Maria is holding out for the perfect man to share the rest of her life with. Josh seems to be that man, but after months of dating, their relationship is at a stand-still. Maria plans to nudge Josh forward, but when the company she works for is bought out, her new boss Walker seems determined to change Maria’s idea of the perfect man.

Review: A Taste of Sun by Heather B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

From USA Today bestselling author Heather B. Moore comes the contemporary romance novella: A TASTE OF SUN

Winona Grant embarks on a summer-long visit to NYC to house-sit for her great-aunt after a nasty break-up with her boyfriend Paul. But when her aunt commissions neighbor Steve Monti to tour Winona around, they strike a deal. Winona has too many deadlines to play tourist, and Steve is looking for a distraction from his looming gallery opening. So Steve goes on the tours by himself, and Winona reports back to her aunt as if she’d gone too. The longer this happens, the more Winona wants to change her mind. Seeing the city with Steve might be the perfect solution to forgetting about Paul.

Note for readers: A TASTE OF SUN was previously published in A Timeless Romance Anthology: Summer in New York Collection.

My Review

I loved the characters in this novella! Winona and Steve are both confident and assertive people despite setbacks in their lives, and shared great banter. I read and enjoyed this story in the Summer in New York Collection, but since then I've visited NYC for the first time, and so this time when I read it as a single I was able to visualize the setting so much more vividly and had a richer reading experience. Another thing that makes this a short story one that stands out to me is the glimpse into the art gallery scene of NYC. It left me wanting more details, but I still finished it with a smile on my face and imagining what the future would be like for these two. A fun novella and a great deal for only 99 cents!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)