Review: A Bride in Store by Melissa Jagears

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Mail-order bride Eliza Cantrell is on her way to meet her intended groom and help him grow his general store business when her train is held up by robbers and she loses her dowry. She's further thwarted upon arriving in Salt Flatts only to find Axel, her groom, away on business.
Hoping a wife would push Axel to become a better business partner, William Stanton had encouraged him to seek a mail-order bride. With Axel gone, Will feels responsible for Eliza, so he finds her a place to stay and lets her help in the store.
Working together isn't what they'd expected, and when Axel is further delayed, neither can ignore the sparks that fly. But Eliza is meant for Axel and is set on a future with the store, while Will is biding time until he can afford medical school.
Their troubles are far from over when Axel returns to town, however, and soon both Will and Eliza must decide what they're willing to sacrifice to chase their dreams--or if God has a new dream in store for them both.

My Review

I was so excited to read this book, but it turned out to be somewhat different than I expected. I love mail-order bride stories since it's a fascinating situation for two strangers to enter into. In this case, the delay of Eliza meeting her intended groom allows for her to get to know Will, his business partner. It takes a while for the chemistry to build between Will and Eliza and since they each are focused so much on the store and saving the business I felt like romance just wasn't a priority for them. Not to mention that Eliza is committed to marrying Axel and Will doesn't consider sharing the considerable flaws of his shady and absent business partner. I didn't fully buy into Will's hangups preventing him from pursuing his dream- there was just too much waffling and he came across as a weak character. There are some interesting historical details involving the general store that I enjoyed learning about.

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

Review: Beneath by H.B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Chalice Stratford's hands won’t stop shaking, and not only is she required to give up her medical practice, but she’s forced to enter the witness protection program since the serial killer who brutally scarred her is still at large. Working in a museum in Bordeaux, France, the last thing she expects is to be abducted in a museum theft gone wrong. Omar Zagouri, the man behind the heist, is not who she expects, and Chalice soon learns he might be the one man who can put her demons to rest.

My Review

Wow. This short story sure packed a punch! It was intense, fast-paced, action-packed, and still introduced the characters in a way that made them easy to visualize and care about. While Chalice's past is somewhat mysterious, there is enough back story shared for the reader to understand how traumatized she still is. I feel like this would be an amazing first chapter and I want to read the rest of the story! I'm definitely going to be reading the other books the author writes in the Omar Zagouri series- as of now Finding Sheba (a full-length novel) is available.

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

Review: An October Bride by Katie Ganshert

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

What if the only way you could make your father’s last wish come true . . . was to marry the man of your dreams?

Emma Tate has just moved on from one fiancé, so when she announces a sudden engagement to her lifelong buddy Jake Sawyer, every busybody in Mayfair goes into high alert. Of course, no one but Jake and Emma know the real reason they’re getting married—so Emma’s dying father will have a chance to walk her down the aisle.

But while Jake and Emma move forward with their plan—and frantically plan an October wedding—it becomes clear that their agreement has a few complications . . . the biggest being their true feelings for each other.

With dubious friends, deliriously thrilled parents, and a town that won’t keep its nose out of their business, Emma and Jake will have a lot to contend with if they’re going to pull this off. The real question is: Who wants this wedding more, Emma’s dad . . . or Emma?

My Review

LOVED it! This novella is well-written, the main characters have amazing chemistry and romantic tension, and the heart-breaking storyline of a dying father is one that always gets me since I can relate to it all too well. It was so enjoyable to see Emma and Jake realize their feelings for each other and the ending is just perfect... definitely my favorite from the Year of Weddings collection!

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

Review: A September Bride by Kathryn Springer

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Annie's always wanted a home and a family. But will pretending to be a bride get her closer to her dreams?

All Annie Price has ever wanted is a place to call home. Growing up in the foster care system, that dream seemed far away, but now Annie's dream may be coming true. A friend she met in an online book group wants to retire and has offered Annie a fresh start managing her little bookstore. Believing the opportunity is an answer to prayer, Annie packs her suitcase and moves to Red Leaf, Wisconsin.

The residents of Red Leaf welcome Annie into the fold . . . everyone except the bookstore owner's son, Jesse Kent. But Annie refuses to let the handsome deputy keep her from embracing her new home with open arms. She even volunteers to help the local historical society refurbish an old church and agrees to be the 'bride' for a special reenactment celebrating the museum's open house.
 
Jesse Kent can't believe his mother has handed the keys to her business over to a woman she met on the Internet. Annie's beautiful, of course, and smart as a whip, but what do they really know about her, anyway? What if she's come to their town just for his mother's money? The only way to see if his suspicions about Annie Price are true is to keep a close eye on her---even if it means he has to marry her! Planning their mock wedding will give him the chance to uncover Annie's motive for moving to town. But as the day of the wedding approaches and secrets come to light, Jesse must face the truth. He wants Annie to be his September bride . . . for real.

My Review

What a sweet falling-in-love story set in a quaint small town. Annie and Jesse may not have started off on the right foot, but they quickly see the good in each other and with the help of some well-meaning townspeople, find themselves in situations perfect for a little romance. My favorite scenes were hunting for vintage treasures in Ms. Viv's attic and Annie dressing up to read to the children in the bookstore. There is even a mystery towards the end that has to get solved before the wedding if Annie is going to feel welcome in Red Leaf, and it's heroic how Jesse comes to her defense.

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

Review: A July Bride by Beth Wiseman

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Can she forgive the man who left her at the altar?

Alyssa Pennington dated Brendan Myers for three years before she accepted his proposal. For almost a year, Alyssa's friends and family helped her plan a lovely wedding to take place in the church she'd grown up in. It was the happiest day of her life when she walked down the aisle to be united with the man of her dreams. But when Brendan left her at the altar, Alyssa was consumed by humiliation, embarrassment, and a broken heart that wouldn't allow her to trust anyone. Especially Brendan.
 
Brendan Myers knows he will spend the rest of his life regretting what he did to Alyssa, the only woman he's ever loved. Without her, his life is empty. In one fateful moment, he'd panicked, destroyed their future, and ruined everything. Now he plans to win her back.
But winning back his bride might prove much more difficult than he can imagine. And even if he does get her to the altar again, will she think turnabout is fair play?

My Review

This novella is well-written, but since the story takes place during the aftermath of the ruined wedding and recovery of Alyssa's heartbreak, there is a lot of angst and not much romance. We do eventually learn why Brendan panicked, but since Alyssa refuses to hear him out for so long I was left wondering for much of the time what his deal was. I would have been happier with more happiness in the story :)

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

Review: With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

In the shadow of the nation's capital, Kate Livingston holds a respectable position as a government statistician when she encounters a rival from her past, the insufferable Trevor McDonough. A Harvard-trained physician, Trevor never showed the tiniest flicker of interest in Kate, and she's bewildered at the way he suddenly seeks her out. Surprising even herself, Kate agrees to Trevor's entirely unexpected and risky proposal to work side-by-side with him in his quest to rid the world of tuberculosis, a contagious and deadly disease.

As Kate begins to unlock the mysteries of Trevor's past, she realizes there is much more to him than she could have imagined. His hidden depths may fascinate her, but his most closely guarded secrets and a shadowy enemy lurking in the background carry a serious threat to their future.

When the truth of the past comes out, threatening to destroy everything they hold dear, how will Trevor and Kate ever overcome all that stands in their way?

My Review

I was surprised by how intense this book is! The main characters are both strong and flawed in different ways, so it was very interesting to read their interactions as they worked toward a common goal. Their personalities and pasts are revealed layer by layer- I was riveted by several facets of the story. A great historical novel!

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

Review: Prejudice Meets Pride by Rachael Anderson

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

After years of pinching pennies and struggling to get through art school, Emma Makie’s hard work finally pays off with the offer of a dream job. But when tragedy strikes, she has no choice but to make a cross-country move to Colorado Springs to take temporary custody of her two nieces. She has no money, no job prospects, and no idea how to be a mother to two little girls, but she isn’t about to let that stop her. Nor is she about to accept the help of Kevin Grantham, her handsome neighbor, who seems to think she’s incapable of doing anything on her own.

Prejudice Meets Pride is the story of a guy who thinks he has it all figured out and a girl who isn't afraid to show him that he doesn't. It’s about learning what it means to trust, figuring out how to give and to take, and realizing that not everyone gets to pick the person they fall in love with. Sometimes, love picks them.

My Review

I really connected to the characters in this book since they are so genuine in their feelings and expressing them to each other. There is some humor in the first impressions they form which are not the best, but become inexplicably drawn to each other. It was interesting to see the transition from foe to friendship. Even though the title implies that it's a contemporary Austen adaptation, it doesn't follow the original plot lines closely at all- in fact, the only similarity I felt was that the main characters start off with too much prejudice and pride, which they learn to overcome as they see beneath the surface of each others personalities and stretch beyond the comfort zone. Emma's sacrifice for her brother and nieces is the heart of this novel and brought some tears during the emotional parts. There is definitely chemistry between Kevin and Emma and I enjoyed their banter and conversations.

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

Rachel Hauck Fires Up the Romance with “A Brush with Love” Kindle Giveaway!

"Fire" up the romance in the new year with Rachel Hauck's newest book, A Brush with Love, by entering her Kindle Fire giveaway! And be sure to catch a sneak peek of the soon-to-be-released How to Catch a Prince!

 One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• A Brush with Love by Rachel Hauck

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway only runs for a week, 12/30 – 1/5. Winner will be announced January 6th on Rachel's blog.

{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

Review: Love Without End by Robin Lee Hatcher

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Chet and Kimberly have both failed when it comes to love. Will they risk their hearts to love again?

Chet Leonard's life was forever changed when his seventeen year old son died and then, soon after, his wife walked out on their family. Over two years later, all he wants to do is hold onto his horse ranch and raise his remaining sons to be honorable men.

Kimberly Welch, widowed mother of Tara, a rebellious fifteen-year-old, has reached the end of her finances and nearly the end of her rope. She and Tara come to King's Meadow to try to piece their lives back together again. Kimberly has no intention of become involved with the residents of this remote mountain community and certainly not with any man.

When 84-year-old Anna McKenna returns to King's Meadow and to the Leonard ranch, she becomes an agent of change and healing for the two hurting families. With her help, Kimberly and Chet's families at last discover a love without end.

My Review

The pace of this book is as leisurely as the stroll depicted on the cover. It really gave me time to get a feel for each of the characters as well as the setting. I totally appreciated that the romance between Chet and Kimberly was not of the whirlwind variety. The progress of their friendship and relationship was also slow-moving, interspersed with flashbacks from pivotal moments in Anna's life. Both Kimberly and Chet have issues to work through along the way, and with Anna providing profound insights and some teenage kids to liven things up, this is an enjoyable book to read. My favorite quote from Anna is "God doesn't need me to pretend, and He isn't afraid of my questions. You go right on and pour out your feelings to Him. Don't hold back. He'll listen, and then He'll comfort. You see if He doesn't."

(Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing and Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

E-book sale: 99 cents for So Fair a Lady by Amber Perry!

Download this amazing book for only 99 cents at Amazon! Read my 5 star review of So Fair a Lady by Amber Perry here.

Synopsis


Boston, MA 1773: Shards of Eliza Campbell's life crash to the ground when she discovers a devastating secret: her father was a spy for the Sons of Liberty. Determined to uncover the truth--at any cost--not even a marriage proposal from the dashing British Officer Samuel Martin can dissuade her. When rescued from British capture by handsome patriot Thomas Watson, Eliza discovers what her father risked his life for and yearns to know more. But will her budding attraction to this courageous patriot damage her already wounded heart?

After years of being blackmailed by Officer Martin, Thomas plans to start a new life in the small town of Sandwich. However, when his actions place Eliza and her sister in danger, he must act quickly to protect them from falling into enemy hands. If the three of them are discovered, their lives will never be the same. Now, not only must he protect Eliza, he must protect his heart from a love that is sure to wound him far greater than any British soldier ever could.

Free e-book! The Unveiling by Tamara Leigh

I have a friend who raves about how amazing Tamara Leigh's Age of Faith series is, and the first book The Unveiling is FREE! Not sure how long this sale will last so download it now! I'm really looking forward to starting this series!

Synopsis

12th century England: Two men vie for the throne: King Stephen the usurper and young Duke Henry the rightful heir. Amid civil and private wars, alliances are formed, loyalties are betrayed, families are divided, and marriages are made.
For four years, Lady Annyn Bretanne has trained at arms with one end in mind—to avenge her brother’s murder as God has not deemed it worthy to do. Disguised as a squire, she sets off to exact revenge on a man known only by his surname, Wulfrith. But when she holds his fate in her hands, her will wavers and her heart whispers that her enemy may not be an enemy after all.

Baron Wulfrith, renowned trainer of knights, allows no women within his walls for the distraction they breed. What he never expects is that the impetuous young man sent to train under him is a woman who seeks his death—nor that her unveiling will test his faith and distract the warrior from his purpose.

Free e-book: Truth Be Told by Carol Cox

Free e-book today only: Truth Be Told by Carol Cox

(Be sure to check the price before ordering)

Synopsis

When Amelia Wagner takes over the running of her father's newspaper in Granite Springs, Arizona, she vows to carry on the paper's commitment to reporting only the truth. But Amelia soon learns that even the truth can have consequences. Her father's revealing articles about Great Western Investment
Company's business methods have caught the notice of the wrong person, and pressure mounts for Amelia to retract her father's statements.
 
Determined to find the truth, Amelia goes through her father's notes and begins to interview members of the community. She can't seem to shake Benjamin Stone, a Great Western employee who's been assigned to keep tabs on her for the good of the company.
 
The more Ben and Amelia learn, the more Amelia's father's claims appear to be accurate. In fact, it's probably worse than he realized. Even Ben is beginning to wonder if he's become a pawn in the workings of a corrupt empire. But Great Western isn't about to stand for a female reporter and one of their own men bringing down their lucrative schemes. Working against time, and never knowing what danger lurks around the next corner, Ben and Amelia set out to reveal all they've discovered before Great Western silences them for good.

E-book sale: 99 cents each for the Sophie's Daughters trilogy by Mary Connealy

 TODAY ONLY! Each book in Mary Connealy's Sophie's Daughters series is only 99 cents for e-book! I loved this series and recommend it to fans of historicals set in the West.

Doctor in Petticoats (Book 1)

What happens when an idealistic student nurse encounters an embittered army doctor in a stagecoach accident? How will she react when she learns her training didn’t prepare her for tragic reality? How will he, an army deserter, respond to needs when he vowed to never touch another patient? Can these two stubborn mules find common ground on which to work and bring healing to West Texas?

Wrangler in Petticoats (Book 2)

Ride into the Rockies where love peaks between a tough Texas tomboy and a passionate artist. On her way to Montana, Sally McClellan’s party is attacked and robbed. But then artist Logan McKenzie saves the badly wounded cowgirl who has been left for dead. Can this landscape painter tame the tomboy without breaking her spirit? Sally doesn’t know much about ribbons and lace, but Logan’s presence makes her want to connect with her feminine side. Will this fractured female discover a way to capture the artist’s love—or find herself captured and killed by outlaws?

Sharpshooter in Petticoats (Book 3)

Aim for hours of reading pleasure with award-winning author Mary Connealy’s last book in the Sophie’s Daughters series. Mandy Gray, a wealthy sharpshooting widow, is content living in her mountain home and raising her young-uns alone. But how long can she protect herself when thieving outlaws have her surrounded? Rancher Tom Linscott can’t bear to see a defenseless woman in danger. Yet his rescue efforts end up bringing trouble right to her door. Now that they’re both trapped on Mandy’s Mountain, can they learn to live together—or will they die alone?