Heidi Reads...

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Review: Round Up by Rebecca Connolly, Sophia Summers, Heather B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Broken Heart? Check. Ranch retreat? Check. Handsome cowboy? ...Check.

The rules at Broken Hearts Ranch are pretty simple: no romance between staff and visitors. Ryan Prosper, rodeo has-been and ranch manager, hasn’t had a problem with that. His sister runs the therapy side of the place while he handles the ranch itself, and the balance has worked well. But when Talia James shows up for her turn at the retreat, things get a little more challenging.

Talia needs this therapeutic retreat badly, and hopes that it will be just what she needs to get unstuck after her tragic loss. The charming cowboy brother of her new therapist is a ray of sunshine she hadn’t anticipated, and spending time with him seems to do as much good as her sessions. But is her still broken heart ready for romance, and does she really have the heart to resist him?

My Review

This book was so much more than I expected! I love that the Broken Hearts Ranch therapy retreat is as much a major theme as the rodeo, if not more so. Ryan is no longer able to ride in the rodeo, and is still struggling with the idea of being involved in any other capacity as he grieves his loss. Talia's loss of her son is so heartbreaking and it was inspiring to see the progress she makes after being stuck in the fog of grief for so long. Ryan's sister Kellie is a wonderful advocate and provides support as Talia balances a blossoming romance while doing some heavy work on herself and looks to rebuild her life. Ryan is a light in her life and I admired the way he was there for Talia in whatever capacity she needed him. I felt like the joy she finds as she chooses to face her feelings and come to life again is an example to Ryan with his own issues, and the happy ending is full of hope. Excited to read more in the series!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Welcome to Lost Creek Rodeo!

Best friends at a small college in Texas, six cowboys rise to become pro-rodeo stars. Follow Ryan, Reid, Westin, Ford, Eric and Lars in these six swoony sports romances.

Visit us on Facebook: Swoony Sports Romances

Releases Feb 2021

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Blog Tour, Free E-book & Giveaway: The French Twist Series by Sandra Byrd

French Twist series JustRead Blog + Social Blitz

Welcome to the Blog + Social Blitz for the French Twist series by Sandra Byrd, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOKS

Download and devour this delicious series, lashed with romance and fun, and then spiced with a lightly Christian world view. Bon Appétit!

Title: Let Them Eat Cake
Series: French Twist #1
Author: Sandra Byrd
Publisher: Quaystrokes
Release Date: 2012
Genre: ChickLit

What do you do when you've got a degree in French and absolutely no job prospects? You slide into your favorite French bakery, of course! When a lighthearted conversation with the manager of the local patisserie turns into a job offer, Lexi Stuart gladly accepts.

She indulges in tasty pastries and wins over skeptical coworkers, but the actual glamour is minimal and the pay less than generous. Trouble by the handful is stirred into her life as she juggles the flirtatious baker she has her eye on and a handsome young executive who likes Lexi even more than her Napoleons. As she folds together dilemma and delight, Lexi learns that it's not satisfying to try to fulfill everyone else's expectations. Instead, she embarks on an adventure in trusting herself and God with her future.

February 11-15 Let Them Eat Cake Kindle edition is FREE

Title: Bon Appetit
Series: French Twist #2
Author: Sandra Byrd
Publisher: Quaystrokes
Release Date: August 25, 2016
Genre: ChickLit

Lexi Stuart is risking it all. Saying au revoir to the security of home, her job, and could-be boyfriend, Lexi embarks on a culinary adventure in France to fulfill her life dream of becoming a pastry chef. Life in her new quaint French village should be everything she dreamed of, but settling in isn’t nearly as easy as she imagined. Her optimism is greeted with both acceptance and resistance in the people and culture around her—soft and crusty at the same time— like the very best baguettes. Determined to gain her footing, she finds a church, meets new friends, and makes the acquaintance of a child named Celine - as well as Celine's attractive, widowed father. As Lexi lives her dream, she realizes she can have anything from life's patisserie display window, but not everything. How will she choose?

Title: Piece de Resistance
Series: French Twist #3
Author: Sandra Byrd
Publisher: Quaystrokes
Release Date: August 25, 2016
Genre: ChickLit

Having earned her chef's hat, Lexi Stuart bids au revoir to her glamorous and deliciously satisfying pastry mentorship to find life unexpectedly complicated.

She's put in charge of a high-end catering bakery, but there's a catch: she has to make this lavish bakery into a successful business in just a few, short months. In over her head and at a loss for creative marketing ideas, Lexi can't compose the perfect recipe for success. Stir in a complicated relationship with her French beau, then add a dash of romance with her down-to-earth lawyer, and life suddenly contains more ooh la la than Lexi can handle. With the fate of her career and her love life hanging by a thread, the phrase "piece of cake" has never been more daunting. Lexi finally trusts the dreams in her heart to the God who put them there.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bestselling author Sandra Byrd has authored more than fifty books, and her fiction has received many awards, nominations, and accolades, including the Historical Novel Society’s Editor’s Choice award, two Christy Award nominations, Two Library Journal Best Book selections, and inclusion on Booklist’s Top Ten Inspirational Books of the Year list.

Sandra has also published dozens of books for kids, tweens, and teens, and devotionals, including the bestselling The One Year Be-Tween You and God Devotions for Girls. She continued her work as a devotionalist with The One Year Home and Garden Devotions and The One Year Experiencing God’s Love Devotional, which was named by Called Magazine, the #1 magazine for Christian Women, as among their favorite, must-read books.

Sandra loves walking, the beach, cooking and baking, photography, watching Escape to the Country, Fake or Fortune, and Chef’s Table, as well as spending time with family and friends.

CONNECT WITH SANDRA: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $75 e-gift card to MarieBelle!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight February 11, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 18, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Spotlight: Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts by Nancy Campbell Allen

Synopsis

A steampunk retelling of Cinderella.

Emmeline O’Shea is determined to save the world—single-handedly, if necessary. A strong voice for societal reform, she is the natural choice to deliver a key speech at the end of the International Shifter Rights Organization’s week-long Summit in Scotland.

But when a death threat arrives at Emme’s home, she is immediately placed into protective custody, watched over by none other than her personal nemesis, Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed. The two have crossed paths many times, with disastrous results, but now they will have to work together in order to reach the Summit before midnight of the last day in order to ensure legislation is passed to protect the Shifter community.

As unseen enemies close in around Emme and Oliver, they struggle to reach Edinburgh by any means necessary, only to find Emme’s vindictive stepsister, Oliver’s vampire brother, and a dangerous political minefield awaiting them in Scotland.

Even more difficult is their own refusal to admit that the fiery animosity that once burned between them might be turning into the heat of romantic passion. Could a straitlaced policeman determined to uphold the law and an outspoken activist willing to break the rules ever find true love? Or will all their dreams shatter like glass when the clock strikes midnight?

Don't miss the other books in the Steampunk Proper Romance series . . .

Review: A Joyful Christmas by Cynthia Hickey, Liz Johnson, Vickie McDonough, Liz Tolsma, Carrie Turansky, Erica Vetsch

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

A Christmas Collection to Warm the Heart
Grab a warm cup of tea and watch as romance is kindled and joy is restored to broken lives during six bygone era Christmas celebrations.

A Christmas Castle by Cynthia Hickey
Married by proxy in Missouri, Annie Morgan sets off for Tombstone, Arizona, to join her new husband as a cattle rancher. But too soon she finds herself a widow with an unexpected daughter and butting heads with her handsome neighbor.

A Star in the Night by Liz Johnson
Wounded within Confederate territory, Union officer Jedediah Harrington finds refuge at the tiny cabin of Cora Sinclair and her grandfather. Still haunted by what she saw as a battlefield hospital volunteer, Cora finds that only Jed can understand. But, though she longs to give him her heart, the risks to both of them are too great.

An Irish Bride for Christmas by Vickie McDonough
When Jackson Lancaster’s brother and wife die, he takes his three-year-old niece home. But a meddling busy-body makes the judge give her custody “because an unmarried man shouldn’t raise a little girl.” Now Jackson has until Christmas to find a bride or lose his niece forever. Larkin Doyle is grateful her employer took in the orphan and believes Jackson abandoned his niece. When her heart says otherwise, will romance blossom?

Under His Wings by Liz Tolsma
Adie O’Connell, orphaned and left alone in a dangerous Wisconsin logging camp, seeks the stability she once knew when both her parents lived. Despite the compassion and friendship offered by Noah “Preacher Man” Mitchell, she refuses to consider marriage to a man always drifting from one job to another for God.

Shelter in the Storm by Carrie Turansky
The daughter of a wealthy Tennessee doctor, Rachel Thornton begins nursing James Galloway, a wounded artist-war correspondent. As James recovers, their hearts draw closer together. Having already lost one sweetheart to the war, Rachel is hesitant to reveal her feelings for James, who insists on returning to the front lines. Would she be safer in the arms of another man?

Christmas Service by Erica Vetsch
Beth Sorensen has been put in charge of the Christmas pageant at the little log church, and this year she wants something different. But she didn’t count on a Minnesota blizzard paralyzing the whole town. Can the blacksmith teach this preacher’s daughter about what it means to serve one another in love through the storm?

My Review

What's better than a Christmas novella? A collection of them! This one features several authors I enjoy, and I found all the stories to be engaging and heartwarming. I love reading Christmas stories any time of the year, and being able to feel that special holiday spirit that is inspiring and uplifting. These are all historical settings, with compelling plots and relatable characters. Perfect for binge reading or spreading out over a busy time of life, with quick access to a happy ending.

Review: A Heart of Gold by Stacy Henrie

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

They'll have to conquer more than the Klondike Trail to reach her father in time; they'll have to overcome their past too.

After months of silence from her father in the Klondike, Tava Rutherford finally receives word from him. Only the outdated letter reveals that her father is ill and may be dying. Desperate to discover his fate, Tava resolves to make the journey to the wilds of northwestern Canada. But Jess Lawmen, her ranch foreman and the man who broke her heart, insists she doesn't go alone. Jess intends to keep his promise to look out for her—even if that means traveling thousands of miles with Tava, the woman he claims to feel just friendship for but has never stopped loving.

With their own ragtag group of travelers in tow, Tava and Jess confront one challenge after another as they join the hundreds of stampeders scrambling to reach the goldfields. But as the two of them come face to face with their past hurts and mistakes in their race to reach Tava’s father, they will have to decide whether to cling to safety or risk their hearts for something even greater.

My Review

An exciting adventure story of the journey Tava takes to discover what happened to her missing father. I can't even imagine not being able to communicate with loved one across long distances, but the reality is that many never saw or heard from family members again after relocating. It's pretty risky for Tava to follow her father into the Klondike, but it shows the level of devotion she has for him. Jess and she have a rocky relationship since his rejection of her, but he's also devoted to keeping her safe. Their proximity and challenges in the wilderness allow them the opportunity to reconcile and reveal the secret that is keeping them apart. Recommend to fans of Misty M. Beller and Mary Connealy!

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Trial and Error by Robert Whitlow

Trial and Error JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Trial and Error by Robert Whitlow, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Trial and Error
Author: Robert Whitlow
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: February 2, 2021
Genre: Christian Suspense/Legal Thriller

A small-town lawyer has been searching for his daughter for eighteen years. Now another young woman is missing, and he’s determined to find them both—no matter the cost.

Buddy Smith built his law practice around tracking down missing children. After all, he knows the agony of being separated from a child. Not long after his daughter’s birth, her mother ran away and Buddy never saw either one again.

Gracie Blaylock has known Buddy her entire life, and now that she is clerk of court for the county, their paths cross frequently. When Gracie hears that a teenager in town, Reagan, has gone missing, she knows Buddy is the one for the case.

Reagan’s parents are desperate for answers. Together with Gracie and Mayleah—the new detective in town—Buddy chases all leads, hoping to reach Reagan before it’s too late. And as he pursues one teen girl, he uncovers clues that could bring him closer to the girl he thought he lost forever: his own daughter.

Master legal writer Robert Whitlow will keep you guessing in this gripping legal drama while reminding you of the power of God’s restoration.

Learn More Here: https://www.tnzfiction.com/trial-and-error/