Heidi Reads...

Saturday, February 8, 2025

Review: Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

About the Book

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters--and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young woman found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather's ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope's acting troupe. The evidence points to her guilt, but Titus's heart divines a different truth--one that might just get Penelope killed.

An enchanting Western take on the classic Snow White fairy tale, Fairest of Heart will sweep you away from once upon a time to happily ever after.

My Review

This is such a creative retelling of Snow White! The setting is not your usual Western, either- it features a traveling performance troupe, a ranch for retired cowboys, and a Texas ranger following an investigation. Penelope is genuinely good, and embodies the essence of the classic Snow White. She has had a life of struggles, but is still compassionate and caring. The old cowboys adopt her as a granddaughter of sorts, and she reciprocates their kindness with actions of service such as cooking, cleaning. The ranch becomes a real home to her of affection and security, something she craves. I wasn't feeling the chemistry between her and Titus- they didn't have many scenes together before their relationship accelerated from Titus's suspicion and accusations to romance. The villainess was truly conniving, and a handful of scenes are from her perspective to keep the plot moving along. Thankfully the faith and loyalty of Penelope's new "found" family helped all things work together for her good.

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.

The Texas Ever After series

Review: Rosemary Cottage by Colleen Coble

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

About the Book

The cottage by the sea offers Amy a refuge to mourn her brother’s death and perhaps even discover a new love. But what if Ben’s death was no accident?

Rosemary Cottage on the Outer Banks of North Carolina has been in Amy Lang’s family for generations and offers her a haven within its peaceful walls. There she hopes to discover what really happened to her brother, Ben, even as she tries to come to grips with his death in the ocean months before.

She hopes the Coast Guard team will help her find closure, but they are quick to dismiss her concerns of foul play. Everyone in Hope Beach regards the suspicious e-mail she received as a vicious prank. When it seems discovering what happened to Ben will take longer than she expected, Amy moves her midwifery practice to Hope Beach.

Coast Guard officer Curtis Ireland may hold the key to many of her questions, but he also hides a secret that will change her world forever. And her own secrets could tear apart the fragile love developing between them. Will Amy have the courage to put down her mask and let Curtis love her for who she is? And can they both weather the danger that threatens to destroy the most precious thing in their lives?

My Review

I really struggled with the first part of the book because the author dives right into the plot and several characters, jumping scenes and I felt like in each scene I was only getting half the information I needed in order to understand what was going on. I kept going despite feeling lost amid the vague information, and even after things began settling into place, I wasn't feeling connected to the emotions of the characters and almost didn't finish the book. There are various themes of family dynamics- dysfunction & secrecy, loyalty & sacrifice. I was intrigued by Curtis and Amy's occupations, but their work lives somehow seemed disconnected from their life and investigation on the island. Amy and Curtis alternate feeling attracted and pushing each other away, especially when accusing and judging the mysterious choices of Gina and Ben. About 2/3 through I knew I needed to find out whodunit, and gave up on the "romance" between Amy and Curtis. The book is definitely more plot driven that character driven. Some unexpected twists made the last quarter of the book and the ending satisfying, and I'm glad I finished it.

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.

The Hope Beach series

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Blog Tour, Author Interview & Giveaway: Where I Found You by Betsy St. Amant

Where I Found You JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Where I Found You by Betsy St. Amant, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Where I Found You
Series: Magnolia Bay #1
Author: Betsy St. Amant
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Genre: Contemporary Southern Romance

From beloved author Betsy St. Amant comes a enemies to more, Hatfields and McCoys swoon-worthy contemporary romance set in a small beach town that reminds us that true love is worth fighting for.

Noah Hebert recently inherited the Blue Pirogue Inn—along with all its problems. He needs money to keep his beloved childhood home from being shut down by his family’s longtime nemesis, Isaac Bergeron. So when Noah’s lawyer approaches him about an additional segment of his late grandfather’s will, it’s just in the nick of time. But even from beyond the grave, his grandfather is up to his usual games. In order to receive the last portion of inheritance, Noah must follow the clues. But there’s one condition…

Magnolia Blossom Cafe manager Elisa Bergeron is shocked to discover an acquaintance from the local Puzzlers Club left her something in his will—and even more surprised to discover they are clues to a portion of his estate. When she learns she must work with introverted inn-owner Noah Hebert to solve the puzzle, she’s torn. Growing up in the middle of a multi-generational feud between their families, she’s been taught by her father Isaac that Heberts can’t be trusted.

When these two exes must work together to save their future, will love get a second chance or will the longstanding family feud claim another generation?

Mnterview with Author Betsy St. Amant

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Sure! I’m a wife and mom, part of a blended family now after an unexpected divorce in 2013. My now-husband Topher and I each had a daughter when we got married almost 8 years ago, and now they’re teenagers (ages 14 and 16). I also am the proud fur-mama of a spoiled miniature Schnauzer named Cooper (aka Muffin, aka Muff-Muff, aka Sir Cooperton). In this season of my life I love reading, coffee (any caffeine source, really), baby-talking Cooper, and buying work-out clothes.

What do you do besides writing?

Well, I discovered CrossFit in January 2024, right before I turned 40, and it accidentally became my entire personality! Ha! I’m working hard toward getting my first strict pull up (you’ll know when it happens, you’ll hear me yell) I recently hit a personal record on dead-lift of 200 lbs, which was very exciting. And I’m an oil & gas landman by day, and the taxi driver of my two teen girls 24/7. Needless to say, I haven’t been bored since roughly 2006! lol

What was your favorite part of researching for this book?

Plotting the clues with my father! My dad and I are very close, and I gave him a heads-up before this book got contracted that if it did, I’d want his help writing the clues because he’s so good at that kind of stuff. We camped out in the sunroom at my parents’ house one afternoon with bottomless cups of coffee and had the best time bringing the treasure hunt to life. One of my favorite memories to date!

How do you find visual inspiration for your characters? Do you have images you can share that come close to how you picture your characters?

Yes! I create private Pinterest boards for my books, which are practical in that they let me remember at a glance my character’s hair or eye color, but are also aesthetic and fun to post about later. Sometimes if I need to hit a word count goal for the day but am not feeling very inspired, I can pull up my Pinterest board and feel that surge of motivation in wanting to bring the photos to life. Below is an image of my board for Where I Found You. You’ll see Elisa in blue, her father Isaac in a black button down, Noah in his flannel, Mama D (Delia) in her chef’s fit…

What are some songs that you listened to or inspired you while writing your book?

I actually can’t write to music, and it’s a bit of a bummer! I would love to be able to have a book soundtrack like other authors, or turn on relaxing music to set the mood of each scene. In theory, that sounds amazing, but in application, it’s a disaster. I get too distracted and over stimulated, unfortunately. But I am often inspired by movies, and I feel like Where I Found You is a nod to Fool’s Gold (2008 romantic comedy, starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey).

What message would you like readers to ultimately take away from the book?

I would love for readers to be encouraged toward forgiveness and releasing bitterness. It’s so easy to stand back as believers and see areas where other people are harboring resentment or grudges toward others, but much harder to see that in our own hearts. I hope Noah and Elisa and their family feud shine a light on those hidden places in our hearts that we’re not surrendering to the Lord and not offering others a second chance.

What can we look forward to coming from you in the future?

Books 2 and 3 in Magnolia Bay! Look for Cade and Rosalyn’s story, titled No Place Like Home, this May and in August, you’ll get to read about Linc and Zoey in Meant For Me. I also have a stand-alone Christmas rom-com releasing with Waterbrook Multnomah in September this year. (I’ve been a busy bee!)

More Books in This Series

About the Author

Betsy St. Amant

Betsy St. Amant Haddox is the author of over twenty romance novels and novellas. She resides in north Louisiana with her hubby, two daughters, an impressive stash of coffee mugs, and one furry Schnauzer-toddler. Betsy has a B.A. in Communications and a deep-rooted passion for seeing women restored to truth. When she’s not composing her next book or trying to prove unicorns are real, Betsy can be found somewhere in the vicinity of an iced coffee. She writes frequently for www.ibelieve.com, a devotional site for women.

Connect with Betsy by visiting betsystamant.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of Where I Found You and a $10 Sunrise Shop Gift Card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 4, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 11, 2025. 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Review: Threads of Grace by Kelly Long

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

About the Book

Grace’s beauty almost cost her everything. This new start is all she has left.

When Grace Beiler was only a girl, she was married off to an older Amish man in order to save her family’s farm. Years later, she finds herself newly widowed and a mother to a young son. She has finally fled her sad past and plans to settle into a quiet life in Pennsylvania.

As soon as she arrives, she captures the attention of Seth Wyse, the most eligible bachelor in Pine Creek. Seth is candid about his feelings for her, and for her son Abel, but Grace is determined to protect her heart. Her determination falters when her brother-in-law reveals the troubling contents of her late husband’s will.

Seth offers Grace his hand in marriage, and thus a means of escape. But despite his having saved her from another loveless marriage, Grace is slow to trust her new husband. And as the months wear on, Seth wonders if he has made a mistake. But God is quietly at work in their hearts, and Seth and Grace soon discover that threads of grace bind them together in a tapestry rich in hope and love.

My Review

This is a sweet story told from many perspectives. The main characters are Grace and Seth, but the author often switches suddenly to five or six others. It's not a writing style I enjoy, but it did bring more attention to the secondary cast. The abuse Grace suffered from her first husband was heartbreaking, and she had quite a bit of healing to do. The villain of her brother-in-law was creepy and provided the impetus for her to marry Seth before she was ready. I felt unsatisfied that the will was such an issue and the bother-in-law had plans to work around it, but then the actions never came to fruition and the resolution of his plot line was tied up too neatly and quickly to seem realistic. I enjoyed Seth's personality the most, and how patient and encouraging he was with Grace. She had a whole new support system with her sister, friend Alice from her hometown, and new extended family members. Grace also spends time trying to befriend an angry young woman but I was confused when nothing really came of it. Grace's son Abel is autistic and it was interesting to see how he interacted with the community and they with him.

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.

Patch of Heaven series