Review: Serving Up a Sweetheart by Cheryl Wyatt

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Meadow knows how to serve delicious food to match any wedding theme. But can she accept love when it's served up on a silver platter?

During one of the biggest weeks of her catering career, Meadow Larson’s kitchen roof caves in after an unrelenting blizzard. She has to accept help from the last person on earth she wants to see: Colin McGrath. The tormentor from her past is now a contractor, her new neighbor—and the only person available to take on a project of this size.

Colin is aware God has given him a second chance to make things right with Meadow after bullying her in high school. After years of regret and guilt, Colin is determined to earn her respect and forgiveness, no matter what it takes.

It’ll take an extreme kitchen renovation, several cooking lessons, a little lace, and a lot of grace, but God is using this renovation project not only to restore Meadow’s heart, but also to restore Colin’s integrity in her eyes. Will Meadow learn to trust the new Colin even as their relationship grows from a business exchange to something more meaningful?

My Review

I liked the idea behind this story, but the first part of the book only hinted at some of the misdeeds from Colin's past, which made the extent and intensity of Meadow's bitterness seem unequal to what was revealed. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if her vulnerabilities were shown rather than repetitively guarded by a brash exterior. Once she begins to let go and forgive, the story picks up and the characters are able to finally interact and bond. I admired Colin's tenacity in proving himself to Meadow- he goes the extra mile by volunteering his time and resources to repairing her house and giving her a place to live and work during the renovation. All free of charge, no strings attached. I completely understand how uncomfortable this makes Meadow, but as she's desperate to fulfill her upcoming contracts, she accepts... and her matchmaking sister with a softer heart for redemption influences Meadow to open her heart and allow God to heal her hurts.

(Thank you to Zondervan Publishing and BookLook Bloggers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review: A Cowboy for Christmas by Lacy Williams

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

After an accident leaves her injured, Daisy Richards stays secluded at her family's Wyoming ranch to avoid the town's gawking stares. Yet handsome cowboy newcomer Ricky White insists she can do anything she dreams—ride a horse, decorate a Christmas tree…even steal a man's heart.

Once a reckless cad, Ricky is to blame for what happened to Daisy. Now reformed, he wants to make amends by setting things right for his boss's beautiful daughter in time for the holidays. But Daisy doesn't know Ricky's responsible for her predicament. When the truth is revealed, will he lose the greatest gift he's ever received—her trust?

My Review

Boy, Daisy and Ricky sure have it rough in this story! In the beginning Daisy has a very "woe is me" attitude (can't really blame her...) but her tentative friendship with Ricky gets her looking beyond her trials and forward to the future with hope. Her character arc was well done and realistic for the challenges she faced. Ricky is so full of guilt and remorse, and I admired his fortitude in relying on Jesus to carry the burden of his sins. Of course, throughout the story I was waiting for the ball to drop- for Daisy to discover that Ricky had a part in her tragic circumstances, and wondered how she would manage to handle it and forgive him. You'll have to read the book to find out! ;)

(Thank you to Harlequin and Love Inspired books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

E-book sale: 99 cents for Daisies are Forever by Liz Tolsma

Only 99 cents for the e-book of Daisies are Forever by Liz Tolsma. This one is on my to-read list since her previous book was excellent!

(Be sure to check the price since e-books sales are for a limited time)

Synopsis

Gisela must hold on to hope and love despite all odds in the midst of a war-torn country.

Gisela Cramer is an American living in eastern Germany with her cousin Ella Reinhardt. When the Red Army invades, they must leave their home to escape to safety in Berlin.

However, Ella is a nurse and refuses to leave, sending her young daughters with Gisela. During their journey, Gisela meets Mitch Edwards, an escaped British POW. She pretends she is his wife in order to preserve his safety among other Germans, especially one wounded German soldier, Kurt, who has suspicions about Mitch's identity. Kurt also has feelings for Gisela and tries to uncover the truth about her "marriage."

Their journey to Gisela's mother in Berlin is riddled with tragedy and hardship, but they strive to keep Ella's daughters safe so they can reunite with their mother. During the journey Gisela and Mitch begin to develop feelings for one another beyond friendship. They reach Berlin, but their struggles are far from over. Gisela and Mitch must learn to live for the day and find hope in the darkest of circumstances.

In this moving, historically accurate portrayal of WWII Germany, the characters learn that, even with destruction all around them, some things last forever.

Review: Buried Secrets by Irene Hannon

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

After seven years as a Chicago homicide detective, Lisa Grant has hit a wall. Ready for a kinder, gentler life, she takes a job as a small-town police chief. But the discovery of a human skeleton by a construction crew at the edge of town taxes the resources of her department. A call for assistance brings detective Mac McGregor, an ex-Navy SEAL, to her doorstep. As they work to solve the mystery behind the unmarked grave, danger begins to shadow them. Someone doesn't want this dead person telling any tales--and will stop at nothing to make certain a life-shattering secret stays buried.
Master storyteller Irene Hannon is back with an exciting new series featuring former special forces operatives now in the thick of the action in civilian life. Hannon is at the top of her game in this can't-put-it-down thriller that will have readers up until the wee hours devouring every page.

My Review

If you're looking for a book to help you fall asleep at night, don't pick this one up! I finished Buried Secrets at 2 am since I could not put it down. We read about the accident in the prologue, in first person perspective from the one who masterminded the cover-up. So the who-done-it is not a mystery, but rather the suspense comes from how the people involved are going to prevent the truth from coming to light. Lisa's character reminds me of Teresa Lisbon from the TV show The Mentalist- tough, professional, dedicated, and tenacious. Mac offers some assistance and insights but she clearly has a handle on the investigation. They are attracted to each other from the start, and Mac repeatedly admires her auburn hair with highlights. He's obviously a hair guy. We see his vulnerable side as he worries over his two brothers who are active duty special ops overseas. The softer side of Lisa is for the stray dog she adopted and became the department mascot. The viewpoint of the villain was chilling but also interesting to know the motivations for behavior. The investigation isn't fast-paced at first but the different viewpoints prevent stagnancy. Things speed up as evidence is discovered and more pressure is put upon the villain, which leads to a nail-biting climax.

(Thank you to Revell Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)