The Perfect Christmas by Bell Renshaw

About the Book
Will the perfect Christmas be enough to convince Beau that a life with Ansley could be equally perfect?
Born and raised in Winter, Montana, Beau Bradley can’t imagine life anywhere else. During the holiday season his coffee shop, Mountain Grounds, is as busy as ever and now that his girlfriend is back in town, things finally seem to be lining up—until he gets a call that could change it all.
Ansley Strauss is back in Winter after a nine-month, art intensive in Canada and she’s ready to celebrate the Christmas season in the tried and true Winter-style. There’s only one problem: her boyfriend lacks Christmas spirit. Her solution? Make this Christmas perfect to remind Beau just how special this time of year is.
Set on a course for ultimate Christmas joy, Ansley and Beau find that life doesn’t always work out the way they hope it will. Beau faces the reality that plans can’t account for everything and sometimes risking it all is the only way. Ansley will have to come to the realization that no matter how perfect things are, it’s the imperfections in life that make it worth living.
It’s another Christmas in Winter, Montana where the coffee is always hot and the mistletoe beckons lovers to share a kiss.

My Thoughts
I have been waiting for this story for what feels like forever and I was so happy to finally get it in my hands!
After meeting Beau and Ansley in the previous book I was quite anxious to see how their story would play out and was so ready to see them get their happily ever after!
Beau was, by his own admission, an idiot for most of the book. Not in the I-hate-this-character way but in the wake-up-and-smell-the-alfalfa way. He was his own worst enemy, letting his crazy need for having everything thing planned out and overthinking almost sabotage his relationship with Ansley. But despite the fact that he needed a good wake up call I still liked his character a lot!
I felt a little bad for Ansley, waiting for Beau to realize what was right in front of him all those years, but I loved that she never stopped loving him through all of it.
They really were a cute couple and I could not wait for them to work through everything and find their way to their happy beginning.
It was a lot of fun to visit Winter again and see some familiar faces! I’m looking forward to coming back again when we get Troy’s story!

Meet the Author
Annabell “Bell” Renshaw has always loved books and the power of a good story. She turned those passions toward writing at an early age, finding solace and adventure in made-up worlds when her mother would read to her as a kid. She’s grown up now, but still finds herself lost in those worlds. She believes in the power of a happy ending and the fact that--no matter what--love will always find a home.
Connect with her on her website: www.bellrenshaw.jimdo.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. 

Deadly Deceit by Natalie Walters

About the Book
Independent and tenacious journalist Vivian DeMarco is back in Walton, Georgia, for one reason--to do her job and get out. When her boss suddenly dies under suspicious circumstances, Vivian's only hope for finding the truth--and the next big story--is small-town law enforcement's lanky poster boy, Deputy Ryan Frost. But the deeper they dig, the more twisted the truth becomes, and Vivian finds herself fighting for not only answers but also her life. False leads, incriminating emails, and someone called The Watcher force Vivian to confront the secret of her past and decide: How much is she willing to risk for the sake of a headline?

Author Natalie Walters welcomes you back to Walton, Georgia, where everyone knows your name--but no one knows your secret.

My Thoughts
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book since both the heroine and the hero didn’t make the best impression in book one. But my worry was unfounded and the author brilliantly turned them around!
Ryan was a bit of a gangly nerd but in a Captain America-esque move, months of intensive training from the FBI made him a strong gangly nerd. After Living Lies I wasn’t sure he’d be believable hero but he kept his charming personality while adding the capability of coming to the rescue that really made him a hero you could root for!
As for Vivian, she was the typically annoying reporter that only cares about the story in book one so I honestly thought I’d hate her in this one. But after the fallout from the events of LL she really had to reevaluate things and began to realize that there’s more to life than the next big story. Getting into her head and seeing what made her tick also made her so much more likable and I actually enjoyed her character.
It was cool to see both Ryan and Vivian come into their own and find happiness together.
The mystery of figuring out who the Watcher was and trying to stop him was very compelling and I was invested throughout!

Overall this was a sequel that outshone its predecessor and I’m looking forward to watch Natalie Walters has in store for us next!

Meet the Author
Natalie Walters is the author of Living Lies. A military wife of 22 years, she currently resides in Hawaii with her soldier husband and their three kids. She writes full-time and has been published in Proverbs 31 magazine and has blogged for Guideposts online. In addition to balancing life as a military spouse, mom, and writer, she loves connecting on social media, sharing her love of books, cooking, and traveling. Natalie comes from a long line of military and law enforcement veterans and is passionate about supporting them through volunteer work, races, and writing stories that affirm no one is defined by their past. Learn more at www.nataliewalterswriter.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. 

She Prays by Debbie Lindell

About the Book
One of the most wonderful things about walking with God is that we can have an intimate and real relationship with him. He wants us to know him so well that we are comfortable talking to him about anything and everything. Yet, there are times when we feel disconnected and insecure. We desire to grow in prayer, but we don't know where to begin, what to say, or how to listen for his voice.

In She Prays, Debbie Lindell invites you on a 31-day journey to experience a confident and conversational relationship with your heavenly Father. She shows you how to replace the pressure to perform in prayer with a faith-filled expectation--trusting that God is delighted with every conversation and every word we whisper to him. Her desire is that your soul will be transformed as your confidence in prayer grows, and that your faith will be strengthened as you see God work through your prayers in ways you never imagined possible.

My Thoughts
This book would be a great tool for those who are new to Christianity and prayer. There was a lot of truth and helpful tips jammed into this small book. Each day's reading is the perfect length to fit into busy schedules and just the right amount of information to be easily digested.
As some who has been a Christian all of her life, nothing in this book was new information or even information told in a new way. But it was extremely well written and I know that it will be very useful and informative for many other people and I know that I will be recommending it.

Meet the Author
Debbie Lindell is the author of She Believes, and she and her husband, John, serve as lead pastors of James River Church in Springfield, Missouri. In 2003, Debbie launched the Designed for Life Women's Conference, which today draws 10,000 women annually from across the nation and around the world. As a dynamic leader and speaker, she has a passion to see women of all ages embrace their unique design, understand their purpose, and connect to one another through life-giving sisterhood. Learn more at DebbieLindell.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.