Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Can't Wait Wednesday: Honeysuckle Dreams

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine


Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter
Blue Ridge Romance #2
May 1, 2018
Thomas Nelson

About the Book
After Brady Collins’ ex-wife dies, he receives devastating news—his nine-month-old son Sam isn’t his son at all. And Sam’s wealthy maternal grandparents want custody of the child. Brady knows he’s in for the fight of his life. But regardless of what any blood test says, Sam is his son, and Brady will go to any lengths to keep him.
Brady’s attorney tips him off that one major life change would virtually assure him of winning guardianship of baby Sam at the final hearing: an impending marriage. And his friend Hope is willing to step in as the loving and devoted fiance.
Local radio celebrity Hope Daniels has been driven by a solitary goal her entire life, and after a happy accident she’s finally offered her dream job. But if the truth comes out about her arrangement with Brady, she may miss the chance of a lifetime and stand in the way of a dear friend’s dreams.
As Brady and Hope make sacrifices to help each other in their times of need, they risk uncovering a truth neither of them expects to find.

Why I Want It
Love Denise's books and while I still need to read book one in this series I'm excited for this one!

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Top Ten Books That Take You to Another Place

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

England
Hawthorne House Series by Kristi Ann Hunter
Shadows Over England Series by Roseanna M. White

Ireland 
There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones

Italy
The River of Time Series by Lisa T. Bergren

Afghanistan
The Quiet Professionals Series by Ronie Kendig

Russia
Mission: Russia Series by Susan May Warren

Czechoslovakia
For Such A Time by Kate Breslin

New Zealand
Close to You by Kara Isaac

Australia
Then There Was You by Kara Isaac

World Travelling
The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel

Monday, March 26, 2018

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #285

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:
Loved all of these! And they all have the same color scheme!

What I am currently reading:
Just started Dining With Joy but I'm enjoying it and Simply Tuesday is really good! Still working through Les Mis but actually made some decent progress this week!

What I hope to read this week:
Starting a new random draw from my TBR thing and these were the books I got for this week! Hoping they are good!

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!
Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Just Look Up by Courtney Walsh

About the Book
After tirelessly climbing the ranks of her Chicago-based interior design firm, Lane Kelley is about to land her dream promotion when devastating news about her brother draws her back home―a quaint tourist town full of memories she’d just as soon forget. With her cell phone and laptop always within reach, Lane aims to check on her brother while staying focused on work―something her eclectic family doesn’t understand.
Ryan Brooks never expected to settle down in Harbor Pointe, Michigan, but after his final tour of duty, it was the only place that felt like home. Now knee-deep in a renovation project that could boost tourism for the struggling town, he is thrilled to see Lane, the girl he secretly once loved, even if the circumstances of her homecoming aren’t ideal.
Their reunion gets off to a rocky start, however, when Ryan can’t find a trace of the girl he once knew in the woman she is today. As he slowly chips away at the walls Lane has built, secrets from his past collide with a terrible truth even he is reluctant to believe. Facing a crossroads that could define his future with Lane and jeopardize his relationship with the surrogate family he’s found in the Kelleys, Ryan hopes Lane can see that maybe what really matters has been right in front of her all along―if only she’d just look up.

My Thoughts
To say that this book has been recommended to me would be a gross understatement. Countless people have told me I absolutely had to read this book which just made my initial desire to read it grow even more. And after I read this author's latest release I knew there was no doubt I'd love this one. So with all that hype and build up I opened this book and started to read, and I have to say that it was even more amazing than I even imagined! I loved it so much and could barely stand to put it down, finishing it in a twenty-four hour window. And when I reached the end I didn't want to say goodbye, I'm already dreaming about a reread.
Lane was a heroine that I could really relate to emotionally. I haven't endured all that she did but so many of the thoughts and emotions she was experiencing are ones that I have had. My heart broke for her, the way she had been bullied, and how she felt she had no one on her side. I can't imagine feeling betrayed and abandoned by family members like she did. I loved watching her discover that she was enough just as she was, that God loved her simply because she was her, and that the people she had pushed away were waiting with open arms.
Ryan Brooks. I could not have loved him more if I tried! He had an easy-going, fun manner and the charm of someone who was good looking and knew it! He'd had a less than ideal childhood but through the kindness of Lane's father he found a second family. His past didn't define him but it fueled him to be a better man. I absolutely loved the way he was with Lane, gently nudging her but always being aware of how fragile she was and not pushing too hard. He just showed up when she needed it, even the moments when she couldn't recognize her own need. His relentless but quiet pursuit of her and the way he slowly broke down her walls, had me melting!
Brooks and Lane were just absolutely perfect for each other and completely adorable. I was cheering for them the whole time.
The other characters in this story were wonderfully written, whether it was someone to despise or love, or the ones that had to grow on you some.
Basically everything about this book was unbelievably good and I cannot recommend it enough!

Meet the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Courtney Walsh is a novelist, artist, theatre director, and playwright. Hometown Girl is her seventh novel. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, was a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. She has written two additional books in the Sweethaven series, as well as three small-town romance novels: Paper Hearts, Change of Heart, and Just Look Up. She lives in Illinois, where she and her husband own a performing arts studio and youth theatre. They have three children. Visit her online at www.courtneywalshwrites.com.

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Can't Wait Wednesday: Storm Front

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine


Storm Front by Susan May Warren
Montana Rescue #5
May 1, 2018
Revell

About the Book
A tornado has destroyed a small Minnesota community and among the missing are not only a group of students but PEAK Rescue team leader Chet King. Ty Remington will stop at nothing to rescue his mentor, not even when the girl he loved--and lost--walks back into his life. But Brette needs his help more than he knows, despite her stubborn determination to push him away. And when he gets a second chance, loving her just might cost him more than he can imagine.
A blogger for Vortex Storm Chasers, Brette Arnold didn't expect her adventures to land her in the same place as Ty, the guy who she walked--no, ran--from over a year ago. She had her reasons--good ones. The kind that tell her that falling for him again would only lead to heartache. But Ty isn't the kind of man to give up--not on the missing students, or on her.
Life and love hang in the balance in Susan May Warren's breathless story of holding on to hope during a deadly summer of storms.

Why I Want It
I love this author and this series has been amazing! Cannot wait for Ty and Brette's story, the little bit we got of their romance previously made me very excited to see what happens!

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Top Books on My Spring TBR

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Upcoming Releases I Hope to Get

Storm Front by Susan May Warren


Falling for You by Becky Wade

The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy

Pelican Point by Irene Hannon 

Together Forever by Jody Hedlund


Books I Hope to Read off My Shelf

The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner

Love's Faithful Promise by Susan Anne Mason

The Thirteenth Chance by Amy Matayo

Jane of Austin by Hillary Manton Lodge

A Most Inconvenient Marriage by Regina Jennings

Monday, March 19, 2018

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #284

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:
Loved Charming the Troublemaker and A Most Noble Heir was okay. Love Kindness was really good and a timely message. And yes I know I'm a woman but my friend told me to read For Men Only in addition to For Women Only and it wasn't bad.

What I am currently reading:
Loving this one so far!

What I hope to read this week:
Hoping to get to this one and maybe another this week! I've heard lots of good things so I'm excited!

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!
Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Friday, March 16, 2018

Amongst the Roses by Meghan M. Gorecki

About the Book
The War Between the States shakes Margaret Bryant out of her comfortable upper-class life when her father enlists in the Army of the Potomac. Despite being safely ensconced above the Mason-Dixon Line in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Margaret finds her strength tested by opposition from familiar faces and Confederate threats. Will she let a young man from a lesser station into her heart even as war rages ever nearer to the home front?
Restless Connor Doyle sees the war as a way to escape from his family’s farm and his identity as a poor Irishman’s son. His brother, Adam, torn between duty to country and his family, enlists alongside Connor. Adam dares to hope in a future with Margaret when he begins a courtship correspondence from the war front. The two brothers make a vow to protect one another at all costs, but when faced with death and destruction from all sides—will they be able to uphold it?
The three bloodiest days in America’s history bring these three together at Gettysburg and tragedy’s cruelty threatens to tear two hearts apart—and bring two unlikely allies together.

My Thoughts
A sweeping tale woven through the beginning years of the Civil War. Meghan gave us a glimpse at both sides of life during this time, the homefront and on the battle lines. And while that meant months would go by at a time it was easy to see how it was necessary to keep the story flowing.
Margaret was a heroine that took me a little to warm up to, a bit too uppity at the start, but that just made the change in her all the more rewarding. When face with a life completely turned upside down she didn't cower and hide but rose to the occasion doing whatever was necessary to take care of her family. By the end of the book she was someone to be admired. And honestly there was a lot about her that I could relate to which definitely helped me like her even more.
Conner was rather reckless and had a devil-may-care attitude but he had good qualities too that kept you rooting for his character. I especially loved his determination to protect those close to him.
Adam was the guy you couldn't help loving. A true gentleman with a strong faith and compassionate heart.
The brothers were polor opposite, one brash the other soft-spoken, one determined to make his own way the other trusting God to make a way, but despite their differences they were close and always looked out for each other.
I really don't want to give anything else away so I'll close by saying that this book made me smile and it made me cry and I cannot wait until the second book comes out!

About the Author
Meghan M. Gorecki is an author of inspirational fiction about what God can make beautiful from the ashes of history, and hearts. A lover and avid studier of people, times gone by, and fiction, she has been writing since childhood and now houses her books under Northern Belle Publishing. Coffee and red lipstick color her days as a redhead from a box, alongside her treasured tribe of family and friends in her beloved hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Connect with her on social media and at her blog/website at: northernbellemeg.com

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Can't Wait Wednesday: Together Forever

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine


Together Forever by Jody Hedlund
Orphan Train #2
May 1, 2018
Bethany House Publishers

About the Book
Marianne Neumann has one goal in life: to find her lost younger sister, Sophie. When Marianne takes a job as a placing agent with the Children's Aid Society in 1858 New York, she not only hopes to give children a better life but seeks to discover whether Sophie ended up leaving the city on an orphan train.
Andrew Brady, her fellow agent on her first placing trip, is a former schoolteacher who has an easy way with the children--firm but tender and funny. Underneath his handsome charm, though, seems to linger a grief that won't go away--and a secret from his past that he keeps hidden. As the two team up placing orphans amid small railroad towns in Illinois, they find themselves growing ever closer . . . until a shocking tragedy threatens to upend all their work and change one of their lives forever.

Why I Want It
Jody's books are always so beautiful! I loved book one in this series and I can't wait to find out what happens with these characters!

Monday, March 12, 2018

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #283

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:
Another pretty good week of reading! Secret Six and Capital Gaines were ones I was reading a chapter per day and I really enjoyed them! The two fiction novels and one novella were all amazing!

What I am currently reading:
Loving Charming the Troublemaker and Love Kindness is really good!

What I hope to read this week:
Looking forward to this one!

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!
Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Thursday, March 08, 2018

Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren

About the Book
In 1772 England, Lady Keturah Banning Tomlinson and her sisters find themselves the heiresses of their father's estates and know they have one option: Go to the West Indies to save what is left of their heritage.
Although it flies against all the conventions for women of the time, they're determined to make their own way in the world. But once they arrive in the Caribbean, proper gender roles are the least of their concerns. On the infamous island of Nevis, the sisters discover the legacy of the legendary sugar barons has vastly declined--and that's just the start of what their eyes are opened to in this unfamiliar world.
Keturah never intends to put herself at the mercy of a man again, but every man on the island seems to be trying to win her hand and, with it, the ownership of her plantation. She could desperately use an ally, but even an unexpected reunion with a childhood friend leaves her questioning his motives.
Set on keeping her family together and saving her father's plantation, can Keturah ever surrender her stubbornness and guarded heart to God and find the healing and love awaiting her?

My Thoughts
It's no surprise that I loved this book! Really the authors name alone was enough to guarentee me reading it, but you add in that gorgous cover and the unique and intiguing storyline and I was a complete goner.
I loved the setting of the Caribbean and the sugar cane plantations. It's one I've not often explored so all the details and history were extremely interesting to me.
Keturah took me a little bit to warm up to. While I totally understood where her distrust of men was founded the way she treated all members of that sex was a bit grating at times. That being said she did grow on me and I absolutely loved her by the end. She had not been given an easy life but I admired the way she stood her ground and did whatever needed done to provide for the family she had left.
I absolutely loved Gray! He hadn't always lived admirably but he had turned a corner and was now determined to be a better man. The way he was always aware of Keturah's feelings and never pushed her made me love him even more. He took care to let her do things her way while at the same time being ready and willing to do step in and help as much as she would let him. Keturah took awhile to come around but Gray was patient and steadfast.
I also became very fond of Keturah's sisters (can't wait for their stories) and Gray's servant turned friend. They were all well-written and added a lot to the story.
This book dealt with some hard issues but I liked that the author addressed them while staying true to the times and what the reality of life was at that time.
This book had me hooked from start to finish and I can't recommend it enough!

Meet the Author
Lisa T. Bergren has published more than 40 books with more than 3 million books sold combined. She's the author of the Christy Award-winning Waterfall, RITA®-finalist Firestorm, bestselling God Gave Us You, and popular historical series like Homeward, Grand Tour, and more. She's also a recipient of the RT Lifetime Achievement Award. She lives in Colorado Springs with her husband and three teen-and-older children. Find her online at www.lisatbergren.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Wednesday, March 07, 2018

Can't Wait Wednesday: Pelican Point

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine


Pelican Point by Irene Hannon
Hope Harbor #4
April 3, 2018
Revell

About the Book
A crumbling lighthouse is not part of the inheritance Army doctor Ben Garrison expects to claim when he journeys to Hope Harbor. Fresh out of the service, he wants only to unload the tower of bricks, decompress from years of treating battlefield trauma, and prepare to launch his civilian career.
Hope Harbor Herald editor Marci Weber has other ideas. She may not be a Hope Harbor native, but the small Oregon seaside town has become home--and she's determined to save the Pelican Point landmark.
Sparks fly as the two go head to head over the fate of the lighthouse. But when they start to cooperate, a different kind of fire ignites. And as they work together, might Hope Harbor heal the hearts of these two romance-wary souls?
Bestselling author Irene Hannon invites readers back to their favorite town for a story that will light a beacon of hope within their hearts.

Why I Want It
I love all of Irene Hannon's books and this series has been really good so far!

Tuesday, March 06, 2018

Top Ten Book Quotes

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

I'm generally pretty terrible about keeping track of quotes from books but I've been trying to be better lately and have taken to snapping a pic of the page on my phone. Her are ten that have stuck out to me and I actually managed to keep track of!

"I do, you know," he said on a soft breath.
"Hmmm...?" She played with the hair at his nape.
"I love you, Lucy."
Her heart did a slow roll even as fear struck a match. "Again?" she teased.
"No." He gave her a long, slow look. "Still."
The Goodbye Bride by Denise Hunter

Her heart was, very simply, set on him. Perhaps both in spite of and because of his shortcomings.
True to You by Becky Wade

"But the very best love stories are the ones that are flawed and full of forgiveness and pain and joy and challenges and happiness. All these things make up a love story."
Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh

I really just wanted to be alone. But being with Lawry felt almost the same.
The Bound Heart by Dawn Crandall

"Your soul fits perfectly to mine, and somehow I knew it at once."
The Captive Imposter by Dawn Crandall

"The slightest thought of you wreaks havoc within me."
The Cautious Maiden by Dawn Crandall

"Stories are found in the pages of a book-and I'd like our stories to merge in the next chapter." He pulled out the small jeweler's box.
Dangerous Illusions by Irene Hannon

"Fiction is a way to express mankind's deepest heart. His fears. His hopes. His failings. His successes. Fiction is truth...in a pretty wrapping"
A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White

"Real life isn't just your career or your everyday stuff. It's the surprises and opportunities and open doors you didn't see coming."
Like Never Before by Melissa Tagg

"Especially if it's crazy." Case stood. "Besides, half the time crazy is just another word for bold. Or grand. Or adventurous. All of which I generally support."
Like Never Before by Melissa Tagg

Monday, March 05, 2018

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #282

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:
I had such a great week of reading! These books were just too good to put down! Four of them I read start to finish in a day each and the fifth took two days-lol! Loved them all so much!

What I am currently reading:
Change of Heart is so good so far and I'm loving it! The other two are extremely good too!

What I hope to read this week:
Hoping to keep up my reading streak with these three gems!


Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!
Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Thursday, March 01, 2018

The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel

About the Book
Megan Jacobs always wished for a different heart. Her entire childhood was spent in and out of hospitals, sitting on the sidelines while her twin sister Crystal played all the sports, got all the guys, and had all the fun. But even a heart transplant three years ago wasn’t enough to propel Megan’s life forward. She’s still working as a library aide and living with her parents in her small Minnesota hometown, dreaming of the adventure she plans to take “once she’s well enough.” Meanwhile, her sister is a successful architect with a handsome husband and the perfect life—or so Megan thinks.
When her heart donor’s parents give Megan their teenage daughter’s journal—complete with an unfulfilled bucket list—Megan connects with the girl she meets between the pages and is inspired to venture out and check off each item. Caleb—a friend from her years in and out of the hospital—reenters her life and pushes her to find the courage to take the leap and begin her journey. She’s thrown for a loop when Crystal offers to join her for reasons of her own, but she welcomes the company and the opportunity to mend their tenuous relationship.
As Megan and Crystal check items off the bucket list, Megan fights the fears that have been instilled in her after a lifetime of illness. She must choose between safety and adventure and learn to embrace the heart she’s been given so that she can finally share it with the people she loves most.

My Thoughts
Oh my goodness, this book! It was big and bold yet quiet and intricate at the same time. Quite honestly it took my breath away in the most beautiful way. Typically this story probably wouldn't have caught my eye but after a glowing recommendation from one of my favorite authors I was intrigued and found myself anxiously awaiting it's release. And I will forever be grateful for that prompt to read this because I fell in love with every single part of this book.
The journey Megan and Crystal took, both emotionally and physically, had me swept into their lives, never wanting to stop turning pages. To say they'd had a hard go of things would be an understatement and I cannot imagine going through either side of their story. One had to live with a life-threatening condition and the other had to live never knowing if their other half would suddenly be gone. Misunderstandings and failure to comunicate had created a seperation that neither knew how to bridge, until this unexpected trip.
I loved seeing all the sights through their eyes and watching as slowly but surely they opened up to each other, becoming sisters once again.
The romance was more of a back burner to the story but that didn't stop it from being wonderful and heart melting. I absolutely loved Caleb's character. His steady encouragement of Megan and the way he was there for so many of the hard parts in her life. They both were fighting to live, and they inspired and cheered for each other along the way. I love how their story came full circle, from kids cheering each other up, to adults with new hearts ready to embrace life's adventures.
Crystal's story with her husband was heart-breaking at times but I still loved it and was rooting for them as they worked through things.
Really there wasn't a second of this story I didn't love and I'm now anxious to read her first novel and can't wait to see what else this author has in store for us!

Meet the Author
Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd who lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. She’s held a variety of writing and editing jobs over the years, and now juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with writing novels. When she’s not writing or chasing after her children, Lindsay enjoys making a fool of herself at Zumba, curling up with anything by Jane Austen, and savoring sour candy one piece at a time. Connect with her at www.LindsayHarrel.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.