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?

Review: Becoming Bea by Leslie Gould

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Beatrice Zook knows God wants her to learn patience toward others. When assisting a family overwhelmed by triplets proves surprisingly successful, her confidence in dealing with others, both young and old, grows.

One person she’ll never be able to find peace with though is Ben Rupp. They’ve known each other forever, and Ben understands precisely how to antagonize her. What neither she nor Ben will admit is that beneath all their bickering, attraction awaits. When friends decide to try and bring the couple together, will the pair be able to find true love? Or will they damage their relationship beyond repair?

My Review

Leslie Gould's characters are far from perfect, but that's what makes them so realistic and easy to relate to. I had a hard time understanding Bea in the previous books in this series, so I was glad to read her perspective and watch her grow as she chose to go outside her comfort zone and serve others in need. Her love/hate relationship with Ben wasn't overly emotional since she would repress her feelings and avoid acknowledging them, which made it difficult as a reader to clue in to what her true emotions were. A cute quirk is their habit of spelling words out to each other and defining them since their rivalry stems from the schoolhouse spelling bees :) Much Ado About Nothing is one of my favorite Shakespeare works so it was fun to keep an eye out for scenes and themes based on the play.

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