Review: Together With You by Victoria Bylin

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

When a Lost Child warning blasts over the mall's PA system, toy store manager Carly Mason finds the little girl playing with a stuffed rabbit. Something about five-year-old Penny Tremaine is different. An ex-social worker, Carly recognizes that Penny suffers fetal alcohol effects, and a piece of Carly's own past suddenly confronts her. Never again will Carly become involved with a client. The risks are far too great. But something about Penny--and Penny's handsome father--tugs at Carly's heart. Before she has time to think it through, she agrees to a much-needed job as a nanny. 

Dr. Ryan Tremaine knows he messed up his life. But this summer he will redeem himself. With his ex-wife remarried and on a trip far away, his two teenage sons and Penny are living under his roof full time. Ryan is dedicated to his sink-or-swim list, a plan to reconnect with his children. The first step: recruiting Carly Mason to be Penny's nanny. 

Ryan never anticipated being so drawn to Carly, an attraction Carly seems to fight as much as he does. Could Carly be the missing piece that helps his family stay afloat, or will their blossoming romance only complicate things further?

My Review

My attention was grabbed right off the bat when the background to Ryan's daughter Penny was explained. I didn't expect his character to be so flawed, but at the same time I admired his resolve and determination to be a better father and improve his family dynamics as best he could. I also didn't expect there to be such a huge focus on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. I definitely learned some new things in that regard. It was a brilliant move by the author to have a few scenes from Penny's point of view since it gave me a deeper understanding of her thought process. Carly could have come across as too happy and perfect, but instead she showed depth, compassion, intelligence, and even inner conflict. I felt like the emphasis on the relationship and interactions between the children and adults overshadowed the romance, and the foundation of friendship Ryan and Carly built was glossed over during the time lapses. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it, because I did- this book is excellently written, but I did miss that aspect of Ryan and Carly's relationship. The drama is somewhat gritty but the characters' reactions and struggles come across as realistic and true-to-life.

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

Review: In Firefly Valley by Amanda Cabot

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Marisa St. George is devastated when she is a victim of downsizing and has no choice but to return to the small Texas town where she grew up. Though it's a giant step backward, she accepts a position as business manager at the struggling Rainbow's End resort. The only silver lining is Blake Kendall, a new guest who is making her believe in love at first sight. But will her dreams of happily-ever-after be turned upside down when she discovers who he really is?

My Review

Like the previous book in the series, In Firefly Valley is slow moving, but in a relaxing way. I enjoyed all the characters in the small-town community. The personal struggles of Marisa were realistic as she deals with her issues of abandonment and anger. Blake and Marisa have great kissing scenes, and secondary romance between Drew and Lauren was nice. Strong themes of family, alcoholism, anger, secret identity, trust, grief, and forgiveness, and second chances make this more than just a light read.

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

Review & Giveaway! The Moses Chronicles: Bondage by H.B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing!

Synopsis

A gripping, historical fiction account of the events that lead to Moses’s flight into the wilderness, The Moses Chronicles: Bondage will take you back to a rich period of history replete with scandal, strife, love, and hope as God prepares a prophet to lead His chosen people.

My Review

Amazing, epic, seriously can't wait for the next book in the series! I'm not often in the mood for Biblical fiction but I'm so, so glad I chose to read this one! Heather B. Moore never disappoints. This is the story of Miriam, Moses' sister, and her life as a Hebrew slave, daughter, and sister. She is headstrong but fiercely loyal, and attracts the interest of Caleb, who wants to protect her but doesn't understand why she continues to put herself in danger by watching the Egyptian royals (Moses and his friends). The story is also told from the perspective of Moses and his Egyptian mother which offers fascinating insights into his life in the Egyptian court, his compassion for the Hebrews, and the strength of the princess who raised him. The characters and setting are so well-written that I could easily envision the story in my mind and I couldn't put it down (words like intense and gripping apply here). There is action, drama, intrigue, romance, and while the ending of the book nicely wraps up Miriam's adventures, it's only just beginning for Moses...

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

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Review: Somewhere, My Love by Susan May Warren

Pre-order Somewhere, My Love for only 99 cents! Release date is May 26th!

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

We’d all like to believe that there is someone out there, waiting for us. The perfect one, who is exactly the right fit. But sometimes the wait – and the fear of launching out to find that special someone -- keep us from leaping out in faith. From saying hello, accepting that cup of coffee, saying yes to a romantic walk on the beach.

Sometimes it just takes a providential moment to change everything. RITA and Christy award-winning, ECPA and CPA best-selling novelist, Susan May Warren brings you three delightful novellas about leaping out into the unknown only to discover that yes, somewhere, my love is waiting.

"This Little House of Mine"
When they said "missionary," Interior Decorator Ellen White expected, well, not the hot, tall, and sweet Paul Stoneman, fresh from the backwoods of some Russian village. And sure, she'll help him redecorate his cute missionary home. After all, clearly the confirmed, rough-around-the edges bachelor needs a woman's touch. But when she falls for him, she discovers that loving a man with a heart for God requires more from her than she's willing to give.

Paul Stoneman longs for a wife to share his life wife. Sure, he loves his life as a missionary, but admittedly, he's lonely. Beautiful Ellen White is exactly what he's prayed for - right down to her ability to turn his life into something beautiful. But Ellen isn't interesting in leaving the comforts of America for the rustic life of a missionary, right?

"Measure of a Man"
The last person Calli Deane expects to find trapped in an elevator in Siberia at 2.a.m is Peter Samuelson—the man who broke her heart. Besides, she has a life she loves now - as a missionary in Russia. But Peter is not the man she remembers, and suddenly, she has to take another look, remeasure the man she once knew. But can love be reignited, or will the fears – and mistakes – of the past drive them apart again?

"Proof of Your Love"
Investigative Reporter Justine Proof knows she doesn't belong in the small, backwater town in East Tennessee...not only is she a Yankee, and hasn't the foggiest idea what grits are, but she's pretty sure someone is out to get her. And yes, it might be because she's investigating a murder, but someone is making it personal. Certainly it can't be cute, but redneck, coffee shop owner "Wild" Pat Bells, right? Still, every time she has car trouble, Pat "seems" to show up, raspberry latte in hand. Is he a rogue meaning her harm - or a friend trying to help?

Patrick Bells can’t believe he heard a woman plan a murder into her tape recorder. And not just any woman – cute and sassy Justine Proof, a woman he’s been scraping up the courage to meet since the first day she ordered a raspberry latte in his coffee shop, the Right Cup. But Pat isn't going to let anyone get hurt in his town. . .

Justine has finally found someone she’d like to trust -- someone who has suddenly become more than just an early morning ray of sunshine in her life. But her suspicious mind stands between her and true love. She’s about to learn that trust is a choice, and that only God can help her make it.

My Review

This book is a compilation of three novellas Susan May Warren published early in her writing career. Each has a preface from the author describing what inspired her to write the short story and how it influenced her later writing. The first two stories have a heavy missionary theme, each with one of the characters questioning their path in life and what God's will for them is in regards to spreading the good news and serving in His kingdom. The romance is sweet but there are also some angsty-dramatic moments to spice things up. The third story has more suspense with a quirky journalist/mystery writer and the southern town she is trying to assimilate into. I felt like things moved a bit quickly and I was missing some details in the mystery that would have rounded out the story better if it had been full-length rather than a novella. I enjoyed the stories and while they are not as high quality as the author's current writing, I appreciated her perspective on missionary work in remote places.

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