Gratitude Giveaway Hop! A Reluctant Bride by Kathleen Fuller

I love this time of year to refocus on all the blessings I have to be grateful for. Just one of them is the opportunity to read and review so many amazing books on my blog. I'm also thankful for all the friends I've made with fellow bloggers, authors, and readers! Thank you for your support!

Synopsis

She never wanted to marry. He hopes to make amends for past wrongs. Can love find a way to heal both of their hearts?

Sadie Schrock swore she would never marry. All of her other Amish friends could court and marry she was content to manage the family business and eventually take it over when her parents are ready to retire. But all of that changes when a reckless driver kills both of her parents and seriously injures her younger sister. With mounting hospital bills adding to the pile of debt her parents left behind, Sadie is left with no choice: she must marry. And not just any man the man who saw her at her weakest and walked away.

Aden knows what his brother did to Sadie years ago was inexcusable. And every day since that incident, Aden has lived with the guilt for not intervening sooner. When he is faced with the chance to protect Sadie once again, he can t let her down even if it means living with the scorn of the woman he loves for the rest of his life.

Working alongside Aden at the store, Sadie realizes he isn t the same boy who once betrayed her. Just when Sadie starts to let her guard down and perhaps develop feelings for her new husband, dangerous secrets are revealed. Now everything Sadie has worked so hard to protect is threatened, and she must find a way to save her family and herself.

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Review & Giveaway: Change of Heart by Molly Jebber

My rating: 2 stars / It was okay

Synopsis

Ohio, 1899. Soft-spoken midwife Becca Yost lived by her Amish faith's strict rules—until her fiancé jilted her before their entire community. She's never been away from home, but the bustling Englischer town of Massillon, Ohio, is a welcome unexpected refuge. Especially when she goes to work for Dr. Matt Carrington, who shares her passion for healing those in need. His outgoing spirit and gentle strength show Becca a surprising new world of choices—and irresistible love. But there is one formidable obstacle: Matt's wealthy mother is determined her son will marry a society woman.

With her newfound resolve challenged, Becca decides that she and Matt must not be destined for each other after all. She accepts that she will have to forge a life alone—until a wrenching crisis and life-changing revelations teach her that true faith lies in all things, especially impossible second chances. . .

My Review

This was a difficult book for me to get into. The biggest problem for me was how stilted the dialogue and narration is (example: "Matt is sitting by the window at Lizzie's. No one is with him. I am hungry. We should join him.") It was just not a smooth read where I'm excited to read the next sentence, but more of a struggle. Much of the dialogue is of mundane things that made no difference to the plot but took up page space and made me lose interest. The narration also told of the characters thinking or feeling things that didn't quite fit with what is going on. There is a lot of telling instead of showing which made the characters seem two-dimensional to me. I think it would have benefited from a more thorough macro and line edit. For fans of Amish fiction not as picky as me I think this book will still be enjoyed by many.

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

About the Author 

Molly Jebber is the author of CHANGE OF HEART, an Amish historical romance. Fascinated by the Amish history, culture, Molly pursued her passion to write. Her love of writing led to a book deal with Kensington Publishing as well as three more titles debuting in 2015 and 2016. Publisher’s Weekly magazine announced and listed this book number three in their best ten review list for 2015. Romantic Times gave Change of Heart 4.5 stars. Molly enjoys time with her family, friends, traveling, swimming and golf. She loves God and serving Him. Sign up for Molly’s newsletter for giveaways, appearances, and latest news on book releases.

A copy of the book will be given away at each stop on the blog tour! So there are several chances for you to enter to win!

Nov 14: Heidi Reads... (http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com)
Nov 15: Cassandra M (www.cassandramsplace.com)
Nov 16: Bukwurmzz (https://bukwurmzzz.wordpress.com/)
Nov 17: Cherylbookblog (https://cherylbbookblog.wordpress.com/)
Nov 18: Just Commonly (http://JustCommonly.blogspot.com)
Nov 19: ArtisticNobody (www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.wordpress.com)
Nov 20: Big Reader's Site (http://bigreadersite.wordpress.com)
Nov 21: Texas Bookaholic (https://www.facebook.com/txbookaholic?fref=nf)
Nov 22: bookbites, beestings (http://www.bookkisses.blogspot.com/)
Nov 23: Debbiesdustydelib (http://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com)
Nov 24: Singing Librarian Books (http://singinglibrarianbooks.com)
Nov 25: Simpleharvest (https://simpleharvestreads.wordpress.com/)
Nov 26: A Greater Yes (http://agreateryes.wordpress.com)
Nov 27: Quiet Quilter (http://karla-hanns-karla.blogspot.com/)
Nov 27: The Power of Words (http://booksmusicandlife.blogspot.com)

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Review: Under the Mistletoe Collection (A Timeless Romance Anthology) by Cindy Roland Anderson, Annette Lyon, Julie Coulter Bellon, Sarah M. Eden, Heather B. Moore, Jennifer Griffith

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Under the Mistletoe Collection. Six contemporary novellas, all adding sweet romance to the Christmas season.

In the enchanting novella FORGOTTEN KISSES by Cindy Roland Anderson, costume designer Madison Taylor has no love lost when the male lead playing Sir Lancelot in a TV series is fired. She couldn’t stand working with him anyway. But when she discovers who his replacement is, her heart nearly stops. Caleb Matthews is one of the hottest male actors ever… and not to mention Madison’s former boyfriend. When things got too serious between them, everything fell apart. And now, Madison must play nice or lose her job. She just has to forget all of the reasons she’d fallen for him in the first place.

In THE LAST CHRISTMAS, a sweet romance novella by Annette Lyon, Meredith only has to make it through the Christmas holiday pretending that she and her husband Eric aren’t on the verge of divorce. She doesn’t want to ruin the holiday for her two grown daughters and their boyfriends. But when Eric hurries home after weeks of living in a motel to unpack before their daughters arrive, he starts pressing Meredith with questions about why she filed for divorce. The last thing Meredith wants to do it give Eric a second chance, but it seems that Eric is not willing to let her go without trying to win her back.

In Julie Coulter Bellon’s captivating novella TRUTH OR DARE After a year of recovery, wounded war veteran Jonah Harrison comes home for Christmas. No longer the outgoing high school track star, he just wants to be left alone, away from well-meaning friends and neighbors. But when a blizzard strands him with Cami Jackson—the girl who once knew him best—he can’t hide anything from her, no matter how much he wants to. Cami has a wounded heart of her own, though, and it might take a Christmas miracle for them to find the healing they both long for and the courage to reach for a chance at love.

In the charming novella HOLIDAY BUCKET LIST by Sarah M. Eden, Celeste Lagorio has officially given up on Christmas. A single mother, with her children grown and unable to return for the holiday, Celeste determines to take a break from everything. When her single neighbor and almost-best-friend, Mike Durham, discovers her non-plans, they discuss things they’ve always wanted to do, but never had time. Mike and Celeste put together a friendly competition of checking off the things on their bucket list, all the while drawing closer and discovering they have more in common than they thought.

In CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY, a delightful novella by Heather B. Moore, Monica is on the verge of buying her dream store, but when she tells her boyfriend, he turns it into an embarrassing public argument. Heartbroken, but determined to follow her dream, she goes to her employer’s Christmas party to play Mrs. Claus, only to be paired with someone unexpected. A young Mr. Claus who is the complete opposite of her ex-boyfriend in all the most important ways. Yet, Monica is not sure she can risk opening her heart again.

In Jennifer Griffith’s exciting novella FIRST (AND LAST) CHRISTMAS DATE, pilot Juliet Law has been in a holding pattern, dating the wrong guy, until she gets a holiday shake-up: old flame Tag McClintock e-mails her to ask for second date—after ten years. Their first date, back in high school, had been an unmitigated disaster culminating with Pepto Bismol and the police. Still, Juliet would have gone out with Tag again the next day—and the next—had he asked. So now that he’s finally popping up in her in-box again, Juliet must decide whether to say yes to the date, even if it puts her at risk of another decade of carrying a torch for Tag McClintock. Will their second date be their last?

My Review

I absolutely loved each and every one of these stories!!! I should know better than to start a Timeless Romance collection at bedtime because I can't read just one story... and then at 3 am my husband rolls over and reminds me that I do need a little sleep to function the next day :) Two of these novellas really stood out to me as the ones I connected with the most. The Last Christmas by Annette Lyon brought tears to my eyes- even though I don't normally go for the struggling marriage theme- it was beautifully written and still realistic while providing a happy ending filled with renewal, forgiveness and hope. Truth or Dare by Julie Coulter Bellon featured a physically wounded vet and his emotionally wounded crush/bestie from high school- reunited and stranded in a winter storm, the perfect setting for some angst and attraction. Loved their exchanges! When I finish a book or collection with a happy smile on my face and a sigh of satisfaction, I know it's one I'll be reading again and recommending to my friends!

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

Review: Merry Christmas, Henry by Aubrey Wynne

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Henry, a shy and talented artist, moonlights as a security guard at a museum and loses his heart to a beautiful, melancholy woman in a painting. As his obsession grows, he finds a kindred soul who helps him in his search for happiness. On Christmas Eve, Henry dares to take a chance on love and fulfill his dream.

My Review

Even though this story is short, the characters are multi-layered and interesting. I really didn't know what to expect of the ending, but the lovely writing made it a pleasant journey getting there. As an artist and lover of museums I quickly connected with Henry and his struggle to balance love and solitude. His longtime friend Melinda, her daughter Katie and his aunt Lucy each have special places in his heart and are extremely likable. His banter with Melinda was especially enjoyable and I was kept waiting to see where things would go with them since the author doesn't lay it all out in the beginning, but reveals the different facets of Henry's life, past and present, a bit at a time. It really is a well-paced short story that felt complete when finished. A wonderful story to snuggle up and read in one sitting during the holidays!

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