Review: Love Far from Home: Romance Box Set of Novellas by Annette Lyon

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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Synopsis

Journey to to California, Yellowstone, and Las Vegas on three romantic trips in this boxed set of novellas by USA Today bestselling author Annette Lyon:

THE PIER CHANGES EVERYTHING
Alexandria has one last task to perform for her late husband, who died much too young: scatter his ashes in the Pacific Ocean. She goes to the Santa Monica Pier to do just that, but her plans get sidetracked after meeting Michael and feeling an immediate connection to him. They grab lunch, and the more time they spend together, the more they discover that they have in common—including past romantic hardships. As the day wears on, Alexandria begins learn that her heart just might be able to find love again.
(originally published in A Timeless Romance Anthology: California Dreamin' Collection)
 
OUR SONG
Cassie and Matt have been dating in the Yellowstone area for two years, and things are, well, average. When Cassie meets up with two college friends who are visiting, their love lives like sound like fairy tales: rose petals, chocolates, candles on the beach… Cassie goes home feeling like she’s missing out. After all, repeatedly watching Old Faithful erupt and walking through sulfur-smelling gases at Fountain Paint Pot don’t exactly say “romance.” Maybe things with Matt aren’t going anywhere, and it’s time to move on. Then she discovers that perception and reality are completely different things. Now she can only hope it isn’t too late to show Matt how much she really cares.
(originally published in A Timeless Romance Anthology: Annette Lyon Collection)
 
HEAD OVER HEELS
Tristan is proud to be an entrepreneur, running a popular singles’ lifestyle blog. So when she gets an offer to cover a singles convention in Las Vegas, she needs to find a way to get there from another freelance job in Salt Lake without breaking into her personal savings. Her friend sets her up with a co-worker who happens to be driving that way, and Tristan is more than surprised to come face-to-face with a man she has a lot in common with, not to mention seems to click with right away. The two decide to play a prank on Tristan’s friend, and pretend that they are smitten with each other, but soon, the lines between pretend and reality start to fade. 
(originally published in A Timeless Romance Anthology: Road Trip Collection)

My Review

This is a fabulous collection of three of my favorite novellas by Annette Lyon! It was a pleasure to read all of them again and I loved visiting the various settings with the characters.

The Pier Changes Everything is a lovely blend of fading grief and budding hope as childhood summer sweethearts serendipitously reconnect after several years apart. I loved how they were each at a turning point in their lives, attempting to leave heartache behind them and move on. It was sweet how they felt that instant connection and sense of rightness, being together again. I think this would make a great longer story as well, I would have liked to learn more about their experiences together at camp and how it shaped their lives leading up to present day, as well as more of the secondary characters like Michael's friend Nate. I feel like it's a well-written novella because I quickly got a good sense of their personalities, circumstances, and felt the depth of their emotions during their interactions. It wrapped up with a feeling of excitement for what the future holds for this wonderful couple.

Our Song is a great example of perception versus reality, and I appreciated the message of the true characteristics of love and what contributes to a successful and lasting relationship. The status quo between Cassie and Matt gets shaken up, but it wakes them both up to digging deep and getting out of their comfort zones to realize what they really want. It was fun to see what Matt cooked up to catch Cassie's attention! I'm a big fan of camping and the national parks, so I loved the setting and Cassie and Matt's jobs.

Head Over Heels is an entertaining story! The way Tristan's friend Alyssa connects her with the hot guy she met briefly at ComicCon is great, and even though Mac seems charming and cool, we soon see the more approachable and goofy side of him that is endearing. They have awesome chemistry and it's fun to see the beginnings of a relationship with two people that match together so well. They are the kind of people I like to be friends with :) This is one of my top 10 novellas that I love to re-read!

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

Review: Knox by Susan May Warren

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

He's not looking for trouble...

Montana rancher Knox Marshall's danger years are behind him. A former bull-rider, he now runs the Marshall family ranch, raising champion bucking bulls for the National Professional Bullrider's Expo (NBR-X). Wealth and success are his, but life is stable, expected, and…ordinary.  But he wants more from life...

But trouble is looking for her...

Kelsey Jones just wants a safe life, a family, a home. Onstage, the beautiful rising star of the Yankee Belles becomes the person she longs to be - vivacious and confident - burying the brokenness she carries from a violent assault. Becoming NBR-X’s next country act is key to outrunning her past and achieving the success and security she craves.

When trouble finds them both...

Knox and Kelsey's paths collide when an explosion at an NBR-X event traps them in the rubble and leaves them reeling. Kelsey’s crippling nightmares return, but for Knox, an obsession to find the bomber is ignited.

What will it cost him to protect her? 

When Kelsey’s past threatens Knox’s family, he'll have to choose between saving the Marshall legacy or becoming the protector he's always longed to be.

My Review

Be still my heart! I was thrilled to find out that the author is writing a series about the Marshall family- Rueben, the oldest brother, was my favorite smokejumper in the Montana Fire series, and the brief glimpse we see of his family when they are reunited at the end of Burnin' for You provided the perfect lead-in to more stories. I loved reading Knox's perspective and understanding his feelings about being responsible for the ranch while his siblings went on to lead exciting lives. He feels nice, safe, and old, but when Kelsey comes into his life with all her trauma and vulnerability, he is exactly what she needs, and he feels good about that. It was interesting to see the dichotomy in Kelsey's persona- the vibrant country singer who can hold a crowd in the palm of her hand, and the frightened victim who is just trying to hold it together for one more day. She drew out the hero in Knox, and he helped her feel protected and cherished for who she really is. They had great chemistry and the author did a fantastic job of showing them falling in love amid the turmoil in their lives. I loved the peace of the ranch and the way it calmed Kelsey, allowing her to realize the Lord's hand at work in her life. The pace is steady and quickens with each element of danger the characters face. Part of the story is shown from the perspective of Tate and Glo, and I'm excited for their story and the continuation of the suspenseful plot! All five books in the series are being released this year and I appreciate that we won't have long to wait between each book!

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

THE MONTANA MARSHALLS (family series)
 

Book 1: Knox
Book 2: Tate (July 2019)
Book 3: Ford (September 2019)
Book 4: Wyatt (October 2019)
Book 5: Ruby Jane (November 2019) 

Review: The Reluctant Warrior by Mary Connealy

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Union army officer Cameron Scott is used to being obeyed, but nothing about this journey to Lake Tahoe has gone as expected. He's come to fetch his daughter and nephew, and seek revenge on the people who killed his brother. Instead he finds himself trapped by a blizzard with two children who are terrified of him and stubborn but beautiful Gwen Harkness, who he worries may be trying to keep the children.

When danger descends on the cabin where they're huddled, Cam is hurt trying to protect everyone and now finds Gwen caring for him too. He soon realizes why the kids love her so much and wonders if it might be best for him to move on without them. When she sees his broken heart, Gwen decides to help him win back their affection--and in the process he might just win her heart as well.

My Review

This second book in the High Sierra Sweethearts series continues the adventure in the wilds of Nevada. I love the absolute remoteness of the setting, and in winter it's especially isolated. Cam is stuck in the rut of his officer persona, and it's pretty humbling for him to realize that he has to change in order to win the affections of the children. Gwen is the mother figure in the lives of the children, and it's humbling for her to help a difficult man who will soon take them away from her. There is plenty of humor blended in the circumstances, though, and I chuckled every time Gwen literally smacked Cam upside the head to let him know he needed to chill. The danger and suspense continues with Raddo terrorizing the group in order to silence the witnesses to his crimes. I liked that he was a bit more complex and unpredictable in this book, and it was challenging for Trace, Cam, and the others to secure the homestead. The romance that develops between Cam and Gwen is hesitant and sweet, and it was nice to see them find a happy ending together.

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

Review & Giveaway: A Guarded Heart by Heidi Kimball

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Three years after a shocking scandal destroyed her family and forced her into isolation, Eleanor Hayward finally has an opportunity to put her painful history and dashed hopes behind her. But reentering society is no simple task. In her cousin's glittering ballroom, Eleanor is stunned when she comes face-to-face with the man who broke her heart those years before.

Edmund Fletcher thought he had laid the past to rest until he unexpectedly encounters the woman who so nearly became his wife. Soon to be engaged to another, Edmund knows he must let go of the complicated feelings he harbors for Eleanor. However, when the Hayward scandal resurfaces and the truth behind their parting is revealed, Eleanor and Edmund are left reeling. Tormented by thoughts of what could have been, they realize it is impossible to rewrite history. But is there a future in which they might both find happiness—and true love?

My Review

I loved the creative storytelling in this bittersweet Regency romance, with alternating perspectives of Eleanor and Edward, and also the past and present. It allowed details to unfold gradually and added  elements of suspense and anticipation to the plot. Conflict due to misunderstanding isn't my favorite, but the characters were complex and well-developed, drawing me into their world and emotions. The relationship between Eleanor and Edmund was a pleasure to read, and it was gratifying to see them have a second chance at love after everything went so wrong. So happy to have a new Regency author to follow and read!

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

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Review & Giveaway: Daughters of Northern Shores by Joanne Bischof

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Daughters of Northern Shores
(Blackbird Mountain #2)
By Joanne Bischof
Christian Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 368 Pages
March 12th 2019 by Thomas Nelson

“The Norgaard brothers and their families will steal your heart.” —Catherine West, author of Where Hope Begins

Heartache and regret, boldness and sacrifice. What will restoration cost the beloved Norgaard family?

Aven Norgaard understands courage. Orphaned within an Irish workhouse, then widowed at just nineteen, she voyaged to America where she was wooed and wed by Thor Norgaard, a Deaf man in rural Appalachia. That the Lord saw her along the winding journey and that Aven now carries Thor’s child are blessings beyond measure. Yet while Thor holds her heart, it is his younger brother and rival who haunts her memories. Haakon—whose selfish choices shattered her trust in him.

Having fled the farm after trying to take Aven as his own, Haakon sails on the North Atlantic ice trade where his soul is plagued with regrets that distance cannot heal. Not even the beautiful Norwegian woman he’s pursued can ease the torment. When the winds bear him home after four years away, Haakon finds the family on the brink of tragedy. A decades-old feud with the neighboring farm has wrenched them into the fiercest confrontation on Blackbird Mountain since the Civil War. Haakon’s cunning and strength hold the power to seal many fates, including Thor’s which is already at stake through a grave illness brought to him as the first prick of warfare.

Now Haakon faces the hardest choice of his life. One that shapes a battlefield where pride must be broken enough to be restored, and where a prodigal son may finally know the healing peace of surrender and the boundless gift of forgiveness. And when it comes to the woman he left behind in Norway, he just might discover that while his heart belongs to a daughter of the north, she’s been awaiting him on shores more distant than the land he’s fighting for.

From Christy Award–winning author Joanne Bischof comes Daughters of Northern Shores: the highly anticipated sequel to her moving novel Sons of Blackbird Mountain.

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My Review

5 stars / It was amazing

I was so happy to return to Blackbird Mountain and the haven where Thor and Aven share such a tender and devoted love. Life isn't perfect there- it's full of peril with the Sorrels threatening trouble again and a mysterious sickness weakening Thor. I was glad that the story alternated to Haaken's point of view as well, seeing his journey of redemption as his regrets compel him to return home after four years to make amends. The writing is beautiful and evocative, not flowery, but gently and subtly painting a picture of the setting, relationships, and growing tension as the Norgaard's prepare again to fight for everything they hold dear. I loved seeing their family grow with the birth of Aven's first child and Haaken's unforgettable love. Highly recommend to fans of historical fiction and sweet romance!

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

Other Books in the Series

Sons of Blackbird Mountain
(Blackbird Mountain #1)
By Joanne Bischof
Christian Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 339 Pages
July 3rd 2018 by Thomas Nelson

From the bestselling award-winning author of The Lady and the Lionheart

“Beloved author Joanne Bischof doesn’t disappoint with her latest beautifully written, heartrending tale . . . a quick favorite for historical romance readers.” —Elizabeth Byler Younts, author of The Solace of Water

A Tale of Family, Brotherhood, and the Healing Power of Love

After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of Nineteenth-Century Appalachia. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband’s cousins—three brothers who make a living by brewing hard cider on their three-hundred acre farm. Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in this tight-knit family.

But her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers. The youngest two both desire her hand, and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where—and whether—to offer her affection. While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her. Though Deaf, mute, and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain, Thor possesses a sobering strength.

As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts. Will two brothers’ longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family? Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged, and unfamiliar world?

A haunting tale of struggle and redemption, Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a portrait of grace in a world where the broken may find new life through the healing mercy of love.

Praise for Sons of Blackbird Mountain:

"Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a quiet gem of a historical romance. Refreshingly real and honest in its depiction of flawed but lovable individuals, it introduces characters readers will want to meet again." - CBA Market

". . . the novel provides an interesting glimpse of the time period and some complex social issues among neighbors in an area still recovering from the Civil War." - Historical Novels Review

"VERDICT Christy- and Carol Award-winning author Bischof (The Lady and the Lionheart) creates endearing characters and a heartwarming story line in this unforgettable novel about the power of family, love, and the true meaning of home. Fans of Kristy Cambron, Julie Klassen, and Susan Meissner will love this one." - Library Journal

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About the Author

Picture courtesy of https://joannebischof.com.

Joanne Bischof is an ACFW Carol Award and ECPA Christy Award-winning author. She writes deeply layered fiction that tugs at the heartstrings. She was honored to receive the San Diego Christian Writers Guild Novel of the Year Award in 2014 and in 2015 was named Author of the Year by the Mount Hermon conference. Joanne’s 2016 novel, The Lady and the Lionheart, received an extraordinary 5 Star TOP PICK! from RT Book Reviews, among other critical acclaim. She lives in the mountains of Southern California with her three children.

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Review & Giveaway: A Tip of the Cap by Rebecca Connolly

About the Book

Series: The London League  
Genre: Adult, Regency, Romance  
Publisher: Phase Publishing  
Publication date: February 1, 2019

With Cap in hand... 

Malcolm Colerain, Earl of Montgomery, needs a wife. He has four children, a peerage, and a demanding secret occupation as a member of the London League; all of which give him a fulfilling life, so a proper marriage of convenience is all he seeks. But when he meets Elizabeth Owens, things begin to change. Distance becomes difficult, convenience becomes rather inconvenient, and his exciting life as a spy turns on its head.

…Love comes to call... 

Beth Owens seizes the chance to marry the handsome and striking Earl of Montgomery, marriage of convenience or not. Her heart is his for the taking, and she is determined that he eventually will. But the more she learns about her husband, the more he puzzles her. He has secrets, she is well aware, but just how many and how deeply do they run? And when she finds a few secrets of her own, will they ever have a chance at love?

GOODREADS | AMAZON

 

Review

5 stars / It was amazing

I loved the complicated dynamics of Malcolm and Beth as they yearn for each other and struggle with their feelings. Malcolm is especially angst-ridden as he still grieves for his first wife and finds himself falling for Beth. She is perfect for him and his children, and she is patient as she works to discover the hidden layers of Malcolm. His secret life as an agent provides him an escape and distraction from his familial circumstances and often runs when Beth gets too close. I liked seeing the other members of the League call him on it and encourage him to focus on his most important priorities. It was gratifying when Malcolm and Beth finally overcome the issues and allow themselves to fully enjoy their relationship. Of course, danger is always looming for the London League and a dramatic revelation of the treasonous suspect brings an exciting climax to the plot. Another fabulous addition to the series, I'm hoping that Rook's story will be next!

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

The Books in the Series

About the Author

Rebecca Connolly writes romances, both period and contemporary, because she absolutely loves a good love story. She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She started writing them down in elementary school and has never looked back. She currently lives in the Midwest, spends every spare moment away from her day job absorbed in her writing, and is a hot cocoa addict.

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Review: Tomorrow's First Light by Naomi Rawlings

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Marrying a stranger to keep the woman's siblings out of an orphanage is one thing, but when more children than expected pour out of the stagecoach, what’s a man to do?

Nervous about meeting her fiancé for the first time, Ellie Spritzer’s lifelong hope of finding love is about to end—or rather, begin. She never imagined her quest for love would take her to the other side of the country with all eight of her siblings in tow, but after her mother dies unexpectedly, what choice does she have? At least the man she’s been writing for the past year is still willing to marry her and take in her siblings… or so she thinks until she arrives in the dusty town of Twin Rivers, Texas.

Growing up an orphan, Sam Owens never had a place to call home or a family to love. So if his wife-to-be needs to bring three of her siblings with her, he has no complaints about having a ready-made family. But his mail-order-bride doesn’t arrive with three. She arrives with eight.

Sam can’t make himself turn away children in need. But as a beginning rancher, he doesn’t have the resources to care for so many people. When sinister forces threaten the things Sam and Ellie both hold dear, can they figure out how to keep their fledgling family together, or will they lose the very things they cherish most?

My Review

I'm excited for this new series set in the West from author Naomi Rawlings! It's loosely connected to her Eagle Harbor series, but follows Ellie and her siblings on their new venture to Texas. I admired Ellie for her determination to keep the family together, and Sam is patient and accepting of them all. I enjoyed their sweet relationship, even if it grew slowly because of all their chores and the children preventing them from spending quality time together. The dispute over Sam's ranch land brought tension and a real sense of anxiety to the plot, especially when it became apparent that corruption was at the root of the problems. Sam has a strong group of friends ready and willing to support him, once he figures he can't do it on his own... almost too late. Some scenes were told from the perspective of Daniel, the young sheriff, and I'm looking forward to the coming books telling the stories of Sam's friends.

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

Review: 100 Extraordinary Stories for Courageous Girls: Unforgettable Tales of Women of Faith by Jean Fischer

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Girls are world-changers! And this deeply inspiring storybook proves it!

Just for the girls in your life, ages 8 and up, this collection of 100 extraordinary stories of women of faith--from the Bible, history, and today--will empower them to know and understand how women have made a difference in the world and how much smaller our faith (and the biblical record) would be without them. Featuring full-page, colorful illustrations alongside the true stories of amazing women like Lydia, Naomi, Rahab, Rebekah, Jane Austen, Corrie ten Boom, Bethany Hamilton, Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa, and dozens more, the stories of these 100 women will encourage and inspire girls to become the world-changers God created them to be!

My Review

This book is a treasure! I love the high quality binding with ribbon bookmark, the thick pages, and the beautiful illustrations. There is one page of text for each story, and I was impressed with the easy conversational tone to the storytelling, making it easy for young girls to relate to the iconic women they are learning about. It is so important for them to have heroes and heroines to look up to and emulate, and this book is chock full of them, from several eras in history and across a wide variety of cultures. I loved the apt inspirational Bible quotes for each woman that encourages and further helps apply the scriptures to the reader. There is a table on contents at the beginning, making it easy to find a particular person since they are presented in no particular type of order. I believe this would make a lovely gift for a young woman from ages 8 to 18. Highly recommend!

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

Review & Giveaway: A Monumental Love by Susan Alyworth

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

A Monumental Love is FREE for Kindle Unlimited subscribers!

Synopsis

Roxelle McCann is eager to meet the family of her best friend, so she takes a mini-vacation to the Navajo Nation. Roxelle expects to find out more about Navajo language and customs and to be awed by the beauty of Monument Valley. She does not expect to find love among the monuments. The man she meets offers both a surprising possible future and a tender reminder of the past.

My Review

I appreciated the unusual setting in this novella of a remote Indian reservation. It was interesting and Roxelle was respectful of the heritage and culture of her friend. Roxelle had a rough childhood but it helped her bond with her roommate and they became unlikely best friends. I liked that Roxelle worked hard and has a bright future ahead of her, but she really dwelt on the past and how it shaped her. After a bit of a mix up, she has a wonderful encounter with someone she admired from afar, and I enjoyed seeing them get reacquainted. I would have liked to see more conversations and scenes as their relationship deepened. Even though it looks like they will have to sacrifice their dreams in order to be together, everything works out in the end. A sweet love story!

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

About the author

Susan Aylworth loves books, poems, plays, words in almost all polite forms, and good raspberry 
jam. Her first book, started when she was nine, "was a rip-off of Black Beauty. I wrote eight 
whole pages." For her fifth grade career day, she stated her ambition to become "a rich and famous 
author." Decades later, she is pleased to have achieved the 'author' part of that goal.

A former university professor, she enjoys researching backgrounds and careers for her novels. "It's 
one way to live many lives all at once." Servant to two spoiled cats, she lives in northern California 
with her writer husband, Roger. She wishes the kids would visit more often.

Susan loves "travel, great music, and hearing from readers." Reach her at 
susan.aylworth.author@gmail.com, post on her wall at:
www.facebook.com/Susan.Aylworth.Author or follow her @SusanAylworth. "If you enjoy my 
books, please tell everyone you know: friends, relatives, neighbors, the person who delivers your 
mail, people you meet in line in the grocery store, everyone!" She welcomes ideas for new books 
and characters.

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