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Showing posts with label Fiction Guild. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fiction Guild. Show all posts
June 2, 2019
Fresh from the Bookshelf: Becoming the Talbot Sisters by Rachel Linden {Book Review}
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May 31, 2019
Fresh from the Bookshelf: The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay {Book Review}
It's been a little while since I've shared a book review with you, so I thought a nice rainy day like today was a good day to do it! As usual, I have books coming and going all the time and some are worth mentioning and some are a hard pass. I read all types of books, and one area that I find lacking overall, are books with characters who have handicaps or mental illnesses. I was pleasantly surprised to discover such a book in The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay. Join me today as share my review of this book I received from the Thomas Nelson Fiction Guild.
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About the Book
The Austen Escape follows the life of Mary Davies, an engineer in a small firm who has hit a brick wall with her job thanks to anDecember 16, 2018
The Amish Letters Series by Kathleen Fuller {Book Review}
The Amish Letters series by Kathleen Fuller follows the three Amish couples whose lives were changed because of a letter. This trilogy was one of my first experiences with books by Kathleen Fuller and I quickly decided I enjoyed her style of writing, even though Amish fiction isn’t my favorite thing to read. I am sharing my review of the books of this series in a joint post since they all take place in the same town of Birch Creek.
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About the Books
The Amish Letters series consists of three novels by Kathleen Fuller. Each novel is set in the Amish community of Birch Creek, and each book has characters who are connected in some way.
December 13, 2018
Hurricane Season by Lauren K. Denton {Book Review}
USA TODAY’S bestselling author Lauren K. Denton’s latest release Hurricane Season is a story of a family’s unusual journey to healing—and the relationships that must be restored along the way. This was a new-to-me author and a novel set in contemporary time—not a favorite setting of mine. However, when I received the book to review, the back cover summary caught my interest, and I’m now ready to share my review with you!
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About the Book
Hurricane Season takes place in southern Alabama on the Franklin Dairy Farm. The owners Betsy and Ty Franklin have buried their desire for children of their own. The day-to-day operation of the farm keeps them both busy enough to try toAn Amish Family: Four Stories by Kathleen Fuller {Book Review}
An Amish Family is one of the newest collections of novellas by Kathleen Fuller. While Amish fiction isn’t my favorite, I’ve grown to enjoy certain authors of the genre. I couldn’t remember having read any by Kathleen Fuller, so I was curious to see if I would enjoy her take on this unique culture.
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The links on this blog and in the posts may be affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details and thank you for your support!
About the Book
An Amish Family contains four short novellas which each stand independent: Building Trust, A Heart Full of Love (also in An Amish Cradle), Surprised by Love, and A Gift for Anne Marie (also in An Amish Second Christmas). As I noted, two of theseNovember 14, 2018
The Solace of Water by Elizabeth Byler Younts {Book Review}
Do you like meaty books? I mean like fiction books that make you uncomfortable and don't end with a feel good feeling. I don't always reach for them, but every now and then I am willing to give them a try. When I was initially sent The Solace of Water by Elizabeth Byler Yates to review, the book cover presented a story that although peeked my interest, it didn't grab me right away. I recently decided to pick it up and give it a try, and discovered a very deep rich story about racism, secrets, grief, and the power of forgiveness and friendship. I'd like to give you a peek into this book and let you know what I took away from it in my review today.
November 13, 2018
Freedom's Light by Colleen Coble {Book Review}
I have been a fan of Colleen Coble's books for quite awhile. She is one of the few contemporary fiction authors that I enjoy reading. She only has a few historical fiction books, so imagine my surprise when I was sent Freedom's Light, an inspirational historical fiction book set in the Revolutionary War, to review. I hoped that it would have the intriguing plot that I have come to love in her books. Join me today, as I share my review of this new release!
September 18, 2017
Love Bears All Things by Beth Wiseman {Book Review}
I have been exploring more Amish fiction than I have ever before, thanks to the many books coming into my hands through different review programs like The Fiction Guild. One of the books that I recently read was Love Bears All Things by Beth Wiseman. I started it knowing that it was the 2nd book in a series, and I hoped that not reading book 1 first would mess me up.
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About the Book
Love Bears All Things is the second book in the Amish Secrets Novels by Beth Wiseman. This novel continues the life of Charlotte Dolinsky introduced in book one, My Brother's Keeper. This book takes place several months after the conclusion of book one. There are four primary characters in this book: Charlotte Dolinsky, Jacob King, Daniel Byler, and Annie Byler. Charlotte is a 28 year old English woman who just got dumped by her boyfriend. Still trying to process the rejection and grow in her fledgling faith, she suddenly gets a phone call from her Amish friend Hannah King that Hannah's brother Jacob has run away from home in Lancaster, PA. Charlotte promises to do what she can to help Hannah--but is still shocked when Jacob shows up on her doorstep in Houston. He's decided to explore what it means to be English even though it means living his fiance Annie Byler behind in despair. But he doesn't realize that Charlotte's life has fallen apart and is getting evicted from her home--yet she does her best to encourage him to come home. She finally decides she needs a new start herself, and heads up to Lancaster to try to sell the house her recently departed brother left her. Jacob doesn't come with her though--which puts animosity between Charlotte and Jacob's fiance Annie who is SURE Charlotte was encouraging him to stay.
The book's plot has a main focus on Charlotte and how she deals with her past and feeling of brokeness--while trying to decide what she's going to do with her life. Ironically, she finds friendship in Daniel Byler, Annie's older brother. But he's Amish and she isn't, so she knows it won't work between them romantically no matter how wonderful it would be. Together she and Daniel work to help Jacob and Annie get back together, all the while she tries to understand the power of redemption and learn what it means to have God as your Father who won't let you down.
My Thoughts on the Book
I think that certain aspects of Love Bears All Things would have been easier to understand had I read book one in the series. So much was referenced to Charlotte's previous time in Lancaster County, that I had to just piece together the information. Was it 100% necessary to read the first book? No, I don't believe so. I think this book gives the reader enough to understand.
I think the book does a good job of showing how we are all imperfect in our lives, no matter what we think. The emotional ups and downs of Charlotte are very familiar I'm sure to those in similar situations of abuse, rejection, and trauma. I think the author handled it very well.
The book covers out of wedlock pregnancy, drug addictions, depression, and more--not something you think you would find in any old Amish story. The author keeps her characters real and I appreciate that. There isn't a red ribbon to tie everything up into happily ever after when it is done either.
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| Love Bears All Things earns 4★ |
All in all, I think this book was interesting and it does make me want to go back and read book number one now. I would probably pick up book #3 Home All Along to see what happens next in this story.
by Beth Wiseman
***July 26, 2017
Fresh from the Bookshelf: Sweetbriar Cottage by Denise Hunter {Book Review}
About Sweetbriar Cottage
July 12, 2017
Fresh from the Bookshelf: The Beloved Hope Chest by Amy Clipston {Book Review}
There are three things that my regular readers should know about me by now--#1 I am not a big fan of Amish fiction, #2 I prefer historical fiction, and #3 I strongly dislike reading series books out of order. Now imagine my thoughts when I received my latest book The Beloved Hope Chest by Amy Clipston from the Fiction Guild to review, and discovered that it was book #4 in a contemporary Amish fiction series. Could this book still win me over, even though it started with three strikes against it? Let's just say I have now added Amy Clipston to my list of MUST READ authors. Read on to learn how this book beat my odds!
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The Beloved Hope Chest is the fourth book in the An Amish Heirloom Novel series by Amy Clipston. The conclusion to the series finally shares the story of the mother of the three
About The Beloved Hope Chest
June 21, 2017
Fresh from the Bookshelf: The Memory of You by Catherine West {Book Review}
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I was first introduced to author Catherine West when I reviewed her novel The Things We Knew last year. Because it was not my preferred genre of Christian fiction, I was reluctant to read it. I discovered however, a new-to-me author to the contemporary Christian fiction world who wasn't afraid to dive into deeper topics so relevant in today's world--her characters had baggage that far too many can relate to. Things that some authors choose not to incorporate in their stories in the Christian fiction genre--parents with dementia, divorce/separated characters, anxiety, and abuse to name a few. The book ended up being one of my top reads for the year--something that surprised me. I was recently sent her next novel The Memory of You to review for The Fiction Guild, and this time I was eager to see if she would continue in the style she wrote previously.
The Memory of You by Catherine West is a contemporary story set in the famous Sonoma Valley, CA, at a family owned winery. Natalie Mitchell is a top executive at her father's firm in NYC, but feels
Please see my disclosure policy for full details and thank you for your support!
I was first introduced to author Catherine West when I reviewed her novel The Things We Knew last year. Because it was not my preferred genre of Christian fiction, I was reluctant to read it. I discovered however, a new-to-me author to the contemporary Christian fiction world who wasn't afraid to dive into deeper topics so relevant in today's world--her characters had baggage that far too many can relate to. Things that some authors choose not to incorporate in their stories in the Christian fiction genre--parents with dementia, divorce/separated characters, anxiety, and abuse to name a few. The book ended up being one of my top reads for the year--something that surprised me. I was recently sent her next novel The Memory of You to review for The Fiction Guild, and this time I was eager to see if she would continue in the style she wrote previously.
About The Memory of You
The Memory of You by Catherine West is a contemporary story set in the famous Sonoma Valley, CA, at a family owned winery. Natalie Mitchell is a top executive at her father's firm in NYC, but feels
May 8, 2017
Fresh from the Bookshelf: The Illusionist's Apprentice by Kristy Cambron {Book Review}
Every now and then a book comes across my radar that captures my attention from the first discovery. I am in a Facebook forum where I get to talk to authors of my favorite Christian fiction, and help them decide on covers and such. Last year, I remember voting on a cover--and I was captivated by simply the title and the cover, as well as a super short summary. I knew that if I was possible, I wanted to read The Illusionist's Apprentice by Kristy Cambron as soon as soon as possible!
Needless to say, when the book arrived for me to review as part of the Fiction Guild-- and I discovered that it even had the very cover I had voted for--well I was even more eager to dive into it. Would it be as good as I had judged it was, just from the cover?
Needless to say, when the book arrived for me to review as part of the Fiction Guild-- and I discovered that it even had the very cover I had voted for--well I was even more eager to dive into it. Would it be as good as I had judged it was, just from the cover?
January 15, 2017
Fresh From the Bookshelf: The Silent Songbird by Melanie Dickerson {Book Review}
I think it was last year that I discovered the author Melanie Dickerson and her *new* take on classic fairy tale stories. I started with The Golden Braid, and then quickly became enchanted with her signature style as I devoured the rest of her fairy tale series. I have been fortunate to be able to review several of her books, and was delighted to receive the latest installment in her Medieval Fairy Tale series, The Silent Songbird, from The Fiction Guild to review. I hoped that I would enjoy it just as much as I had all the previous books.January 9, 2017
Fresh from the Bookshelf: The Wedding Shop and A Royal Christmas Wedding by Rachel Hauck {Book Review}
Rachel Hauck is a rising star in the inspirational romance genre with her delightful books usually centered around weddings! In fact, both of her top selling series are wedding themed! She has released two new books in 2016 that go with two of her most beloved series. The Wedding Shop is part three of her The Wedding Dress/Heart's Bend series, and A Royal Christmas Wedding is a novella that goes with her The Royal Wedding Series. I received both of these books from The Fiction Guild to review, and because each of these books are wedding oriented, and were both released in 2016, I decided to combine them for a Rachel Hauck Romance Book Review!November 30, 2016
Fresh from the Bookshelf: Unblemished by Sara Ella {Book Review}
I was very excited to receive a gift package of SIX new books from The Fiction Guild (a review division of Thomas Nelson Publishing), in honor of their anniversary a couple weeks ago. There was a mix of genre and many were new-to-me authors. While I don't have to review all of them, I knew there were several I wanted to read. But where do I start? Every book lovers dilemna! LOL. I decided to start with debut author Sara Ella and her young adult fantasy book Unblemished. I really enjoy young adult fantasy, so I decided to give it a go!
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About the Book
Unblemished is the debut novel for author Sara Ella. Unblemished brings us to the world of seven Reflections--parallel worlds, in which Earth as we know it is the 3rd Reflection. Our lead character Eliyana (aka El) lives in 3rd refection in the city of New York. She loves her city where she lives with her mom Elizabeth and her best friend (and yes her crush) Joshua. But it's not perfect in her world, and she knows this with every person she meets--for she was born with a birthmark on her face. An unusual red vine-like collection of flourishes that cover the right side of her face. Having been subjugated to all sorts of teasing, disdain, and avoidance by most of society Joshua and her mother are the only ones who treats her as if it's not there.
A few weeks before she turns 18, her life turns upside down when her mother is killed in a fire. Suddenly she's thrust into a world without one of the only two people who have loved her. But then, after the funeral, everything she knows as normal explodes, when it's revealed that there is a boy with the power to render his victim immovable, arrows soaring through central park, a man appearing and disappearing, and her best friend Joshua revealing he's her Guardian from another Reflection. Thrust immediately into scenarios clearly unworldly, El must accept that everything she's ever held to be true, may be a lie---including her mother's death and her family history. Now she will do anything to find her mother and be reunited--including being taken to another Reflection where everyone is out to get her--because it turns out her birthmark is not just a birthmark, it's a sign that she's someone they have been waiting on for a very long time, and has the power to bring either light or darkness to the world, depending on who has her in their control.
My Thoughts
I don't know what I was expecting with this novel, but it blew me away! Once the story started going, I couldn't put it down. It was just the type of fantasy I enjoy with twists and turns every step of the way, and the kind of plot where just when you are sure you have it figured out--you get slammed with something else.
There was SOOOO much in this book. I had to re-read chapters now and then because little pieces were strewn and I needed to make sure I didn't miss anything! The lead character Eliyana is very well done and really grew and changed throughout the book. I enjoyed having pieces of her past woven throughout the story. I am not always good with first person narratives, but this one was very well done and I think it might have lacked something if it had been done any other way.
This book had pieces of other fantasy books I have enjoyed--like the 13th Reality series by James Dashner with its parallel worlds, the Animorphs series where humans can morph into other creatures, and Twilight in that people had a special gift (aka superpower). But I don't think I ever felt like "Oh I've read this before." It was like taking the best of everything I loved and putting it into this book.
The ending makes you think--and throws a MAJOR twist you don't see coming--or at least I didn't, and actually explains the Prelude in the book (which I JUST figured out). I was left just wanting to pick up the next book and start reading!
I think Hollywood could have a FABULOUS time with this book--it has everything they love. Love triangles, "super powers", secrets, good vs evil, battles, and personal sacrifice.
I also want to add, that while I initially expected some sort of Christian fiction tie-in (there wasn't any mention of God or the gospel--beyond obvious dark v. light, good v. evil and a few deeper messages hiding--kind of like JR Tolkien and CS Lewis do), the book is a CLEAN fantasy. There are just a couple quick kiss scenes. And the battles aren't gory. I think this makes it a great choice for those who want to provide a "safe" fantasy series for their children.
I know it's shocking, but I have given Unblemished one of my rare 5 star ratings. It was everything I could have asked for in a Fantasy novel and more--great plot, twists and turns everywhere, no slow parts, constant having to piece things together, a lead character with faults--and it left me wanting MORE! I cannot wait to get the next book in the series Unraveling which will be released July 2017. I have heard from the author, that this is a trilogy, which means nothing will be completely resolved in book 2 either! LOL
Unblemished (Book 1 of Unblemished Series)
by Sara Ella
Available on Amazon and Christian Book Distributors
It's going to be so hard to wait until July 2017 for the next book! But Unblemished is actually a book I would read again, so I could pick up things I missed the first go around--the true sign of a 5 star book! I hope you will add this book to your TO READ list if you like fantasy, it doesn't matter that it's YA genre at all.

October 31, 2016
Fresh from the Bookshelf: Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray by Dorothy Love {Book Review}
History. I simply love historical fiction. I especially love historical fiction based on true events. When I had the chance to review Mrs. Lee & Mrs. Gray by Dorothy Love, a book based on a real life friendship between the famous general's wife and her housekeeper, I was eager to dive in as it seemed to be just the sort of book I would enjoy!
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*****
About Mrs. Lee & Mrs. Gray
Mrs. Lee & Mrs. Gray by Dorothy Love explores the true-life account of an extraordinary alliance between Mrs. Robert E. Lee and her slave girl-turned housekeeper Mrs. Selina Norris Gray during the period of time leading up to and through the Civil War. Written in third person, the story alternates between Mary Anna Custis Lee (great-grandaughter of Martha Washington, wife of Confederate General General Robert E. Lee, and heiress to Virginia’s storied Arlington house and General Washington’s personal belongings) and Selina Norris Gray (a girl born in bondage at Arlington who learns to read and write in the schoolroom Mary and her mother keep for the slave children). We see the courtship and marriage of Mary (aka Molly) and Robert, the growing up of Selina through the household of the Custis family into the role of housekeeper, the turbulent period of slave uprisings before the war begins—from both women’s point of view, the beginning of the war, the changing of relationship between Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray to close friends, and more. The story explores the 50 year friendship forged at the turning point of America’s journey from enslavement to emancipation.
My Thoughts on the Story
Honestly, I had high hopes for this story. It was set in a period of time I love. It was based on a true-life account. It had a double narrative. All things that should have worked for it. But for some reason, I can’t quite figure out why it didn’t work for me. It’s wasn’t bad, or even kinda bad. It was just…okay. This surprises me actually, since I have loved this author’s books in the past. Maybe it was the way the book moved quickly through time. And taking that with the alternating narratives, it might have just been too much bouncing.
That being said, I did like the way the book explored the events from both sides—slave owner and slave. The idea that Mrs. Lee wanting things to “stay the same” in relation to the pre-war good old days of growing up in Arlington, meant that Mrs. Gray’s dreams of freedom for her family could never come true. I also thought Arlington had been through Robert E. Lee’s family, I didn’t know it was actually through his wife—although I did know about the connection with George Washington somewhere in there. So I guess I liked the history pieces more than the actual story itself. It made me eager to explore the true-life account myself.
The book was well-written, but it wasn’t spellbinding like other books by Dorothy Love I have read. It did touch on some of the less than nice aspects of the relationships between slave and slaveholder—including the mulatto issues. But it was done in a tasteful way and fit the story flow.
I just give it an "okay" rating at three stars. It wasn't spellbinding, nor did it hold my attention for more than a few chapters at a time. I think it tried to pour too much of the 50 year relationship in the pages, and it just moved too quickly--especially bouncing back and forth between the two characters.
by Dorothy Love
Available for Kindle and Paperback
Here are some other books by Dorothy Love:
October 30, 2016
Fresh from the Bookshelf: The Things We Knew, a novel by Catherine West {Book Review}
Being a member of the Fiction Guild for Thomas Nelson publishers is a good thing, but can also be challenging. Why? Well I never know what I am going to receive, except that it will be within my favorite genres--romance, historical fiction, or young adult fiction. Surprise new books are good, right? Well, not always--like when they send a book that is out of my box, and one I wouldn't necessarily pick to read intentionally. This occurred when I received The Things We Knew, a novel by Catherine West. Not only was I not familiar with the author, but it was a contemporary setting (not my favorite) and the synopsis wasn't exactly begging me to read it. But, I was willing to give it a try and hope for the best.Fresh from the Bookshelf: Dawn at Emberwilde by Sarah E. Ladd {Book Review}
I recently was introduced to the Christian Fiction author Sarah E. Ladd, and quickly fell in love with her style. She is known for weaving a romance with intrigue, and putting them into lush and captivating settings of the countryside of England. When I had the chance to review one of her more recently published books Dawn at Emberwilde through the Fiction Guild, I hoped that it too would follow in this same pattern and be another great story to add to my growing collection.
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About Dawn at Emberwilde
Dawn at Emberwilde is the second book of the Treasures of Surrey series by Sarah E. Ladd. At the center of the story is beautiful, free-spirited Isabel. Raised as an orphan at the Fellsworth School, she has risen to the ranks to be a teacher, in order to care for her younger sister Lizzie, left to her care after her father’s death. But just when she is sure of her future, a stranger brings news of unknown relatives and her small, predictable world is turned upside down—moving Isabel and her little sister to Emberwilde, a vast estate adjacent to a mysterious wood. Unexpectedly, two handsome men begin pursuing Isabel, and she’s forced to learn a dance between attraction, rules of courtship, and her heart. Through it all, Isabel will discover the key to unlocking the mystery of her past, may also open the door to her future. And what secrets will she discover hiding in the depths of Emberwilde Forest?!
My Thoughts
I am always leery about starting a series in the middle. I hate being thrust into middle of a story, because far too many series have each book a continuation of the previous story. Fortunately, I never felt like I was missing pieces of a story with this book. I am suspecting that the series more shares locations, rather than characters, although I would have to go back and read the first book The Curiosity Keeper to be sure.
August 22, 2016
Fresh from the Bookshelf: The Goodbye Bride~ A Summer Harbor Novel by Denise Hunter {Book Review}
As you know, I am not a huge fan of contemporary novels. I would rather just hid in historical fiction to get my reading fix. One of the authors that I am willing to make an exception for is Denise Hunter. I just love her style of writing and now seek her novels out. I loved her Summer Harbor series when I was introduced to it in the book Falling Like Snowflakes, and I determined to read all the rest of the novels in the collection. When I had the chance to review yet another Summer Harbor novel The Goodbye Bride for the Fiction Guild, I was eager to get back to Callahan family and hear Zac's story.
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***
About The Goodbye Bride
Zac Callahan was on the verge of marrying the love of his life Lucy Lovett, when she vanishes without a trace just weeks before their wedding. It's been seven months since she left and he's trying to move forward with his life.
Lucy wakes up, after hitting her head on a floor, to find herself in a wedding dress she doesn't know, surrounded by people she's not familiar with, and in a city she has no recollection of ever moving too. All she knows is that she's supposed to be marrying Zac in a couple weeks. So why does she have an apartment in Portland, ME and why is she engaged to marry someone she can't remember?! Where is Zac?
Lucy arrives back in Zac's life, vulnerable, homeless, and as much in love with him as ever. How come she can't remember the last 7 months of her life? What's going on? Is this Zac's second chance to be with the love of his life, or will Lucy's memory return and tear them apart again?
Lucy wakes up, after hitting her head on a floor, to find herself in a wedding dress she doesn't know, surrounded by people she's not familiar with, and in a city she has no recollection of ever moving too. All she knows is that she's supposed to be marrying Zac in a couple weeks. So why does she have an apartment in Portland, ME and why is she engaged to marry someone she can't remember?! Where is Zac?
Lucy arrives back in Zac's life, vulnerable, homeless, and as much in love with him as ever. How come she can't remember the last 7 months of her life? What's going on? Is this Zac's second chance to be with the love of his life, or will Lucy's memory return and tear them apart again?
My Thoughts
I really fell in love with the Callahan brothers in Falling Like Snowflakes and was eager to read Zac's story as it sounded like it was a humdinger! I really enjoyed The Goodbye Bride right from the first chapter. I LOVE how Denise Hunter opens the story immediately with Lucy's "awakening", as it sucked me in right away.
I enjoyed "visiting" with the Callahan brothers again and seeing Beau and Eden from the first book again. I think Denise does an excellent job keeping each book separate, but still sharing threads of the story. Going with a family of brothers makes it easy I think! LOL!
I really liked Beau and Eden, but I think I like Lucy and Zac even more! They both were in love with each other so much, but with Denise writing the story so we see Lucy's thoughts and then Zac's thoughts, it allows us to see all the doubts they each had in themselves and each other. I appreciated how Denise kept the secret behind Lucy's memory loss hidden until much much later in the book, to build up the anticipation and speculation.
Another aspect of the book I liked, was the setting up of the third book in the series (Just a Kiss, coming out soon!) with the third brother Riley. I just love it when author's do that (subtlely, not brazenly) because it makes me wait for the next book with baited breath.
I enjoyed "visiting" with the Callahan brothers again and seeing Beau and Eden from the first book again. I think Denise does an excellent job keeping each book separate, but still sharing threads of the story. Going with a family of brothers makes it easy I think! LOL!
I really liked Beau and Eden, but I think I like Lucy and Zac even more! They both were in love with each other so much, but with Denise writing the story so we see Lucy's thoughts and then Zac's thoughts, it allows us to see all the doubts they each had in themselves and each other. I appreciated how Denise kept the secret behind Lucy's memory loss hidden until much much later in the book, to build up the anticipation and speculation.
Another aspect of the book I liked, was the setting up of the third book in the series (Just a Kiss, coming out soon!) with the third brother Riley. I just love it when author's do that (subtlely, not brazenly) because it makes me wait for the next book with baited breath.
I really really liked this book. The plot sucked me in from the get go and the characters LIVED on the pages. The story was so good and drew me in to the lives of each character. Yes, even needed tissues. I thoroughly recommend the Summer Harbor series to anyone looking for new books to try--and really, just give Denise Hunter a go! You won't be sorry!
The Goodby Bride
by Denise Hunter
ISBN #978-0718023737
Available at Amazon and Christian Book Distributors
July 27, 2016
Fresh from the Bookshelf: Kissed by a Cowboy by Debra Clopton {Book Review}
It is very hard to find CLEAN contemporary fiction books. It just is. I'm not a huge fan of contemporary novels, but every now and then I get a "wild hair" and go for them. Because picking up a novel free from the world's smut is very important, I tend to stick with Christian Fiction for my contemporary reading selections. There are a few authors in this genre that I have come to love for their skill in writing contemporary novels--one of these is author Debra Clopton. I was recently given her latest novel to review from the Fiction Guild, and I dove into it.
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Kissed by a Cowboy is the third book in the Four of Hearts Ranch Romance series. The series focuses on the three Monahan brothers living in Wishing Springs, TX. Book 3 gives us a story about the oldest of the three brothers, Jarrod. Jarrod is your typical oldest child--burdened with heavy responsibilities in taking care of family including his grandfather Pops who is succumbing to dementia. Trying to keep the family ranch afloat after his dad bankrupted it to pay off gambling debts has been a long hard road, but he's finally moving ahead--except there are rustlers to deal with. Dealing with all of that keeps him way too busy to take time to seek a romantic relationship. He was in love once, but he ran scared and lost his shot at happiness.
Enter Cassidy Starr. She grew up next to the Monohans, living more often than not with her Aunt Roxie at her strawberry farm. Now after a painfully dreadful divorce, she's back in town and ready to pick up where her aunt left off running not only a successful organic strawberry business, but opening a bed & breakfast. She is absolutely 100% done with love and ready to live like her aunt as a happy, independent SINGLE woman. Trouble comes in the form of former sweetheart, Jarrod who has decided to change her mind.
As someone who prefers to purchase organic products, I enjoyed the bits about Cassidy's challenges with becoming an organic farmer. It made me understand even more why there is such a cost difference in the two types of products.
This is the third book in the series, and while I think it stands on it's own perfectly well, it definitely made me want to go back and check out the first two books. I wanted to see the behind-the-scenes pieces that brought the other couples together and set the stage for this book.
Characters in this book were delightful. I enjoyed the bantering between the brothers and sister-in-laws, and the challenges of having to take care of an elderly grandparent suffering from a mental illness like dementia. My grandpa suffered from it, so I absolutely related to the portrayal. I think that the hesitation on Cassidy's side for any relationships was also well done. Some might thing it was over exaggerated, but I have a brother-in-law who has a girlfriend so much like Cassidy--predominately in her leeriness of relationships, based on her parent's example.
I give Kissed by a Cowboy by Debra Clopton a solid four star rating. It was very enjoyable and i enjoyed the setting and meeting the characters. I thought the story was very flushed out and made you relate to each character very well. I highly recommend it for anyone seeking a heartwarming, happy ending type of romance. I look forward to seeking out the rest of the books in this delightful series.
***
About the Book
Kissed by a Cowboy is the third book in the Four of Hearts Ranch Romance series. The series focuses on the three Monahan brothers living in Wishing Springs, TX. Book 3 gives us a story about the oldest of the three brothers, Jarrod. Jarrod is your typical oldest child--burdened with heavy responsibilities in taking care of family including his grandfather Pops who is succumbing to dementia. Trying to keep the family ranch afloat after his dad bankrupted it to pay off gambling debts has been a long hard road, but he's finally moving ahead--except there are rustlers to deal with. Dealing with all of that keeps him way too busy to take time to seek a romantic relationship. He was in love once, but he ran scared and lost his shot at happiness.
Enter Cassidy Starr. She grew up next to the Monohans, living more often than not with her Aunt Roxie at her strawberry farm. Now after a painfully dreadful divorce, she's back in town and ready to pick up where her aunt left off running not only a successful organic strawberry business, but opening a bed & breakfast. She is absolutely 100% done with love and ready to live like her aunt as a happy, independent SINGLE woman. Trouble comes in the form of former sweetheart, Jarrod who has decided to change her mind.
My Thoughts
Oh my. I fell in love with Cassidy from the opening scene where she gets herself good and stuck in the pet door of her new home in the middle of the night. I mean seriously. HILARIOUS! And then to make matters worse, the person who finds her is no other than her old sweetheart Jarrod. My what a pair. I definitely enjoyed the chemistry that flew between these two.As someone who prefers to purchase organic products, I enjoyed the bits about Cassidy's challenges with becoming an organic farmer. It made me understand even more why there is such a cost difference in the two types of products.
This is the third book in the series, and while I think it stands on it's own perfectly well, it definitely made me want to go back and check out the first two books. I wanted to see the behind-the-scenes pieces that brought the other couples together and set the stage for this book.
Characters in this book were delightful. I enjoyed the bantering between the brothers and sister-in-laws, and the challenges of having to take care of an elderly grandparent suffering from a mental illness like dementia. My grandpa suffered from it, so I absolutely related to the portrayal. I think that the hesitation on Cassidy's side for any relationships was also well done. Some might thing it was over exaggerated, but I have a brother-in-law who has a girlfriend so much like Cassidy--predominately in her leeriness of relationships, based on her parent's example.
I give Kissed by a Cowboy by Debra Clopton a solid four star rating. It was very enjoyable and i enjoyed the setting and meeting the characters. I thought the story was very flushed out and made you relate to each character very well. I highly recommend it for anyone seeking a heartwarming, happy ending type of romance. I look forward to seeking out the rest of the books in this delightful series.
Kissed by a Cowboy
by Debra Clopton
ISBN #978-1401690533
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