Review: A Bride For Keeps by Melissa Jagears

My rating: 4 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads.com

Although Everett Cline can hardly keep up with the demands of his homestead, he won't humiliate himself by looking for a helpmate ever again--not after being jilted by three mail-order brides. When a well-meaning neighbor goes behind his back to bring yet another mail-order bride to town, he has good reason to doubt it will work, especially after getting a glimpse at the woman in question. She's the prettiest woman he's ever seen, and it's just not possible she's there to marry a simple homesteader like him.

Julia Lockwood has never been anything more than a pretty pawn for her father or a business acquisition for her former fiance. Having finally worked up the courage to leave her life in Massachusetts, she's determined to find a place where people will value her for more than her looks. Having run out of all other options, Julia resorts to a mail-order marriage in far-away Kansas.

Everett is skeptical a cultured woman like Julia could be happy in a life on the plains, while Julia, deeply wounded by a past relationship, is skittish at the idea of marriage at all. When, despite their hesitations, they agree to a marriage in name only, neither one is prepared for the feelings that soon arise to complicate their arrangement. Can two people accustomed to keeping their distance let the barricades around their hearts down long enough to fall in love?

My Review

While I loved the premise, the characters, and many of the situations the characters were in, the continued lack of communication made it hard for the plot to progress, and the characters repeatedly stewed over the same issues throughout. I enjoyed the author's voice and will definitely be reading her next novel!

(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)

Review: A Talent For Trouble by Jen Turano

My Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads.com

Miss Felicia Murdock firmly believed her destiny was to become a minister's wife. When the minister on whom she had set her sights marries another lady, Felicia is forced to take a close look at her life and comes to a few uncomfortable conclusions. Determined that something needs to change--and soon--Felicia discovers she is finally ready to spread her wings and embrace life the way she's always wanted.

Grayson Sumner--or Lord Sefton, as he's officially known--has had more than enough of spreading his wings and only hopes to settle into the life of a normal, respectable New York gentleman. Prompted by some well-meaning friends to lift the spirits of the disappointed-in-love Miss Murdock, he is surprised to encounter a young lady who seems to have become quite adventurous and quite determined to get herself into all sorts of troublesome situations.

Intent on remaining independent, Felicia is reluctant to accept Grayson's help, especially as she finds herself developing feelings for him. However, just as Grayson decides he's had quite enough of her antics, his past comes back to haunt him and his presence in her life has endangered Felicia. Will Grayson and Felicia decide they want to spend the rest of their lives keeping one another out of trouble?

My Review

I wanted to like this book, but the things that bothered me prevented me from fully enjoying it. There is plenty of action, but much of it seems contrived and ridiculous, which is also what the main character's personality was like to me. I liked the supporting characters much better so I will try the author's previous books that they are featured in.

(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)

Rebellious Heart giveaway at 'Chat With Vera'

Check out the review and giveaway of Jody Hedlund's latest books Rebellious Heart over at 'Chat with Vera'!

Another Blackmoore giveaway at "All Things Purple"

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