Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Pretending to Wed by Melissa Jagears

About the Book
It’s a match made in heaven…as long as they don’t fall in love!The ranch Nolan Key has spent decades working for, even lost a leg for, is now his—or at least it should be. But an absurd clause in his father’s will means he’s in danger of losing the place to his lazy, undeserving cousin. Nolan finds himself scrambling to save his home—by proposing marriage to the town laundress. Corinne Stillwater’s hands have betrayed her. Numb from hours of doing the same work over and over, her hands will only heal, according to the town doctor, if she gives up the laundry and marries. But she’s been stung repeatedly by love before, so that is one remedy she can’t swallow. When Nolan offers Corinne a marriage in name only, how can she refuse? Such a partnership could give them the security they seek, but what if the ranch isn't as secure as they believe, and their lives—and dreams—aren't quite as compatible as they thought?Pretending to Wed is the second book in the Frontier Vows Series by award-winning Christian romance author Melissa Jagears. If you like marriage of convenience stories that deal with the nitty-gritty of making a relationship work, you’ll love this authentic romance set in a time gone by that tackles issues still relevant for today.

My Thoughts
Marriage of convenience is my absolute favorite trope, enough so that that’s basically all you need to say to convince me to read a book! And it’s even better when it’s by an author that I know I enjoy! So when I heard about this story I of course jumped at the chance to review it.
This one was a little different than most marriage of convenience stories in that both of the characters had previously decided to never marry and so when circumstances forced their hands they very much approached the whole arrangement as a business deal and were very clinical about the whole affair. The moments where they found themselves slipping up on the “no romantic nonsense” rule we’re definitely my favorites even if they weren’t acting on their thoughts!
Both Nolan and Corrine had physical limitations/ailments and both of them were too stubborn for their own good when it came to properly resting and/or taking care of themselves, which honestly was a little frustrating at times. They also were not great at communicating which led to problems that could have been avoided or at least handled better if they’d just have had a conversation. Their romance was still sweet overall though and made me smile several times!
Nolan’s cousin on the other hand did not bring any smiles and his conniving, slimy, manipulative ways made me what to give him a solid boot to the you-know-what and give him a one-way ticket to Siberia.

So while this wasn’t my favorite of Jagear's works it gave me the full range of emotions and if it sounds like something you’d enjoy I encourage you to check it out for yourself!

Meet the Author
Much to her introverted self's delight, ACFW Award winner and double INSPY finalist Melissa Jagears hardly needs to leave her home to be a homeschooling mother and novelist. She lives in Kansas with her husband and three children and can be found online at www.melissajagears.com, Facebook, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

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

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson

About the Book
In this new Regency romance, Elizabeth knows she must protect her heart from the charm of her new husband, Lord Torrington. She is not, however, prepared to protect her life.
When the widowed Lord Torrington agreed to spy for the crown, he never planned to impersonate a highwayman, let alone rob the wrong carriage. Stranded on the road with an unconscious young woman, he is forced to propose marriage to protect his identity and her reputation, as well as his dangerous mission.
Trapped not only by her duty to her country but also by her limited options as an unwed mother, Miss Elizabeth Cantrell and her infant son are whisked away to Middlecrest Abbey by none other than the elder brother of her son’s absent father. There she is met by Torrington’s beautiful grown daughters, a vicious murderer, and an urgent hunt for the missing intelligence that could turn the war with France. Meanwhile she must convince everyone that her marriage is a genuine love match if her new husband has any hope of uncovering the enemy.

Determined to keep her son’s true identity a secret, Elizabeth will need to remain one step ahead of her fragile heart, her uncertain future, and the relentless fiend bent on her new family’s ruin.

My Thoughts
I’m the first to admit that gothic regency is typically not a genre I gravitate towards but when this author’s debut came out something intrigued me and I had to check it out. I was quickly swept away and became a fan of her unique writing style! This is Abigail Wilson’s third novel and I have to say it’s my favorite so far! I somehow managed to get a good bit into the book before realizing the connection to the first novel and the fact that we had indeed met this heroine before!
Elizabeth had changed quite a bit since we saw her last and I really liked her in this book! I admired her spunk and the brilliant way she thought through things. Her love for her son was also endearing. Adrien was a hero we could all root for and the more you learned about him the more you saw just how great of a man he was!
I loved the slow build in the romance and you know I’m always here for a marriage of convenience story!
The mystery was intriguing and while I guessed a lot of the pieces I couldn’t quite figure out how they fit together!

In short this was an absolutely wonderful and enjoyable read and I highly recommend it!

Meet the Author
Abigail Wilson combines her passion for Regency England with intrigue and adventure to pen historical mysteries with a heart. A Registered Nurse, chai tea addict, and mother of two crazy kids, Abigail fills her spare time hiking the National Parks, attending her daughter's gymnastic meets, and curling up with a great book. In 2017, Abigail won WisRWA's Fab Five Contest and ACFW's First Impressions contest as well as placing as a finalist in the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. She is a cum laude graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and currently lives in Dripping Springs, Texas, with her husband and children. Connect with Abigail at acwilsonbooks.com; Instagram: acwilsonbooks; Facebook: ACWilsonbooks; Twitter: @acwilsonbooks.

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. 

Monday, May 25, 2020

A Date for Daisy by Tara Grace Ericson

About the Book
He thinks she’s the captain of the Hot Mess Express.
She thinks he’s rigid and wound too tight.
And this renovation is about to get complicated.
Daisy Bloom is determined to turn her 100-year-old house into a bed and breakfast. The only problem? She knows nothing about renovations.
Enter Lance Matthews, construction guru and business owner. He is determined to tackle this project with his usual methodical, organized approach. His only problem? The beautiful and infuriating homeowner -- deeply involved with the project and completely averse to lists, schedules, or any form of organization.

When sparks fly between these wildly different personalities, will they find common ground? Or does God have other plans for each of them?

My Thoughts
Another cute romance from Tara Grace Ericson! From the moment we first met Daisy and Lance in Hoping for Hawthorne I knew their romance would be a fun one and I was right!
They definitely started off on the wrong foot, their extremely different personalities causing more than a little frustration! But I loved watching as they started to realize how well they could work together and balance out each other’s extremes. The attraction was there from the start and it was fun to see them fight, ultimately in vain, against it!
The home renovation angle was fun and as someone who’s seen all the Fixer Upper episodes it was really easy to visualize their various projects!

It was good to see more of the entertaining Bloom family and I am looking forward to reading Poppy’s story and figuring out her secrets!

Meet the Author
Tara Grace Ericson lives in Missouri with her husband and two sons. She studied engineering and worked as an engineer for many years before embracing her creative side to become a full-time author. Her first book, Falling on Main Street, was written mostly from airport waiting areas and bleak hotel rooms as she traveled in her position as a sales engineer. She loves cooking, crocheting, and reading books by the dozen. Her writing partner is usually her black lab - Ruby - and a good cup of coffee or tea. Tara unashamedly watches Hallmark movies all winter long, even though they are predictable and cheesy. She loves a good “happily ever after” with an engaging love story. That’s why Tara focuses on writing clean contemporary romance, with an emphasis on Christian faith and living. She wants to encourage her readers with stories of men and women who live out their faith in tough situations.

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

Monday, May 18, 2020

Bout of Books 28: Wrap-Up


Another great Bout of Books! I finished 20 books for a total of 6,025 pages! Didn't break my book total record but I did break the page total record! All of the books I read were rereads and it was really fun to revisit old friends!

The Books
Petticoat Ranch by Mary Connealy
Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy
Gingham Mountain by Mary Connealy
Montana Rose by Mary Connealy
The Husband Tree by Mary Connealy
Wildflower Bride by Mary Connealy
Doctor in Petticoats by Mary Connealy
Wrangler in Petticoats by Mary Connealy
Sharpshooter in Petticoats by Mary Connealy
Jennifer by Dee Henderson
Danger in the Shadows by Dee Henderson
The Negotiator by Dee Henderson
The Guardian by Dee Henderson
The Truth Seeker by Dee Henderson
The Protector by Dee Henderson
The Healer by Dee Henderson
The Rescuer by Dee Henderson
Paige Torn by Erynn Mangum
Paige Rewritten by Erynn Mangum
Paige Turned by Erynn Mangum

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Bout of Books 28: Day Six Update


Day Six Update

Books I Read Today: 
The Healer by Dee Henderson (267 pages)
The Rescuer by Dee Henderson 275 pages)

Books I Finished Today: 
The Healer by Dee Henderson

Pages Read Today: 542

Total Books Finished: 16

Total Pages Read: 5,084

My Thoughts on Day Six:
My slowest day so far. But these books are the hardest in the series to get through emotionally and I also had some plans that cut into my reading time. But overall not a bad day!

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Bout of Books 28: Day Five Update


Day Five Update

Books I Read Today: 
The Truth Seeker by Dee Henderson (330 pages)
The Protector by Dee Henderson (322 pages)\
The Healer by Dee Henderson (53 pages)

Books I Finished Today: 
The Truth Seeker by Dee Henderson
The Protector by Dee Henderson

Pages Read Today: 755

Total Books Finished: 15

Total Pages Read: 4,542

My Thoughts on Day Five:
I think I have to accept that I just can't read this series fast lol! Still made decent progress though!

Friday, May 15, 2020

Bout of Books 28: Day Four Update


Day Four Update

Books I Read Today: 
The Negotiator by Dee Henderson (296 pages)
The Guardian by Dee Henderson (275 pages)

Books I Finished Today: 
The Negotiator by Dee Henderson
The Guardian by Dee Henderson

Pages Read Today: 571

Total Books Finished: 13

Total Pages Read: 3,787

My Thoughts on Day Four:
Not sure what was up with me today but I was reading a whole lot less than past days. For some reason I was easily distracted and since these books are a little more dense and detailed they just took me longer. Hopefully tomorrow will be better!

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Bout of Books 28: Day 3 Update


Day Three Update

Books I Read Today: 
Wrangler in Petticoats by Mary Connealy (314 pages)
Sharpshooter in Petticoats by Mary Connealy (315 pages)
Jennifer by Dee Henderson (154 pages)
Danger in the Shadows by Dee Henderson (312 pages)

Books I Finished Today: 
Wrangler in Petticoats by Mary Connealy
Sharpshooter in Petticoats by Mary Connealy
Jennifer by Dee Henderson
Danger in the Shadows by Dee Henderson

Pages Read Today: 1,095

Total Books Finished: 11

Total Pages Read: 3,216

My Thoughts on Day Three:
Another great day! Had a few things that took some time out of my day but I still managed to get a lot read!

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Bout of Books 28: Day Two Update


Day Two Update

Books I Read Today: 
Montana Rose by Mary Connealy (232 pages)
The Husband Tree by Mary Connealy (315 pages)
Wildflower Bride by Mary Connealy (318 pages)
Doctor in Petticoats by Mary Connealy (318 pages)

Books I Finished Today: 
Montana Rose by Mary Connealy
The Husband Tree by Mary Connealy
Wildflower Bride by Mary Connealy
Doctor in Petticoats by Mary Connealy

Pages Read Today: 1,183

Total Books Finished: 7

Total Pages Read: 2,121

My Thoughts on Day Two:
Had a really great day of reading despite getting a late start due to having trouble falling asleep the night before and sleeping in a bit!

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Bout of Books 28: Day One Update


Day One Update

Books I Read Today: 
Petticoat Ranch by Mary Connealy (285 pages)
Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy (284 pages)
Gingham Mountain by Mary Connealy (283 pages)
Montana Rose by Mary Connealy (86 pages)

Books I Finished Today: 
Petticoat Ranch by Mary Connealy
Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy
Gingham Mountain by Mary Connealy

Pages Read Today: 938

Total Books Finished: 3

Total Pages Read: 938

My Thoughts on Day One:
Got off to a decent start and surpassed my goal for the day!

Monday, May 11, 2020

Bout of Books 28: Sign-Up


The Bout of Books readathon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It’s a weeklong readathon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 11th and runs through Sunday, May 17th in YOUR time zone. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are daily challenges, Twitter chats, and exclusive Instagram challenges, but they’re all completely optional. For Bout of Books 28 information and updates, visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Excite for another read-a-thon week! Going on a rereading binge this time!

Tuesday, May 05, 2020

Starfish Pier by Irene Hannon

About the Book
A year ago, ex-Delta Force operator Steven Roark left the rigors of combat behind to run fishing charters in Hope Harbor, decompress, and talk some sense into his kid brother. Business is good--but making peace with his past is more challenging than he expected.
First-grade teacher Holly Miller leads a quiet, low-profile existence--until she's recruited to advocate for a cause that's dear to her heart. When she solicits Steven's assistance, sparks fly--especially after they find themselves on opposite sides of an issue that disrupts their placid seaside community.
As these two seemingly incompatible souls search for common ground, might they discover a deeper connection--and find that love can banish darkness and light the way to a future filled with promise?

Bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon invites you back to Hope Harbor--where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

My Thoughts
Fans of Hope Harbor will enjoy this trip back to the quiet little town!
Steven and Holly were both great characters! They had overcome a lot in life to get to where they were and both were starting to figure out what their next steps were. The attraction was instant with them but they had to fight through so obstacles and reevaluate some things before they found their happy ending.
There were lots of cameos from familiar Hope Harbor residents including the ever popular taco maker/artist Charley.

If you’ve loved all the previous Hope Harbor books this one will for sure be up your alley but don’t worry if this is your first since they all read pretty easily as standalones!

Meet the Author
Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than fifty novels, including Hope Harbor, Sea Rose Lane, Sandpiper Cove, Pelican Point, and Driftwood Bay, as well as the Code of Honor, Private Justice, and Men of Valor suspense series. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, and she is a member of that organization's elite Hall of Fame. Her many other awards include National Readers' Choice, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers' Choice, Booksellers' Best, Carols, and Reviewers' Choice from RT Book Reviews magazine, which also honored her with a Career Achievement award for her entire body of work. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

Storing Up Trouble by Jen Turano

About the Book
When Miss Beatrix Waterbury's Chicago-bound train ride is interrupted by a heist, Mr. Norman Nesbit, a man of science who believes his research was the target of the heist, comes to her aid. Despite the fact that they immediately butt heads, they join forces to make a quick escape.
Upon her arrival in Chicago, Beatrix is surprised to discover her supposedly querulous Aunt Gladys shares her own suffragette passions. Encouraged by Gladys to leave her sheltered world, Beatrix begins working as a salesclerk at the Marshall Field and Company department store. When she again encounters Norman on a shopping expedition, he is quickly swept up in the havoc she always seems to attract.

But when another attempt is made to part Norman from his research papers, and it becomes clear Beatrix's safety is also at risk, they soon discover the curious way feelings can grow between two very different people in the midst of chaos.

My Thoughts
Get ready for another Turano adventure full of mishaps, miscommunications, misunderstandings, all sprinkled with Turano’s trademark outlandish humor! We’re thrown right into the thick of things as the book starts off and follow the characters from one topsy-turvy situation to the next!
The characters all had their unique eccentricities and had to learn how to embrace who they were while also being considerate of others and what was expected of them.
In addition to the main characters there were a couple other side romances and it was lovely to see everyone find their happily ever after! It was also nice to get glimpses of the characters from the first two books of this series.

If you’re looking for a light-read to entertain you this might be the one for you!

Meet the Author
Jen Turano, a USA Today bestselling author, has written four historical romance series. She is a member of ACFW and RWA and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Visit her website at www.jenturano.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. 

Hadley Beckett's Next Dish by Bethany Turner

About the Book
Celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanagh is known for many things: his multiple Michelin stars, his top-rated Culinary Channel show To the Max, and most of all his horrible temper. Hadley Beckett, host of the Culinary Channel's other top-rated show, At Home with Hadley, is beloved for her Southern charm and for making her viewers feel like family.
When Max experiences a very public temper tantrum, he's sent packing to get his life in order. When he returns, career in shambles, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public's good graces is to work alongside Hadley.
As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of public persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along, but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness . . . and maybe even love. In the meantime, hide the knives.

Fan-favorite Bethany Turner serves up a heaping helping of humor and romance with this thoroughly modern story centered on cooking, enemies, and second chances.

My Thoughts
I was full on dopey grinning at the end of this book! In fact I think this just might be my favorite of Turner’s books!
I loved Hadley Beckett (even her name is awesome) she was just so genuine it was hard not to fall! She had that southern charm while also not being afraid to speak her mind when the situation called for it. I also admired the grace with which she handled some of the crazy situations thrown at her!
Now Max was another story, when we first met him in the prologue I didn’t know how on earth I could come to like that guy. But then the story jumped a few months. I really liked how Turner didn’t just magically turn him into a likable guy but instead gave us a hero who realized he had faults and was working on changing but still slipped up. Watching him fight to be a better man made me slowly fall in love with his character too!
And together Hadley and Max were amazing, the banter, the fights, the jokes, the making up (or out), and the texting. It was all absolutely entertaining to read!

In short this was a wonderful story from start to finish and I’m going to have a smile on my face whenever it comes to mind!

Meet the Author
Bethany Turner is the award-winning author of The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck and Wooing Cadie McCaffrey and the director of administration for Rock Springs Church in Southwest Colorado. A former bank executive and a three-time cancer survivor (all before she turned 35), Bethany knows that when God has plans for your life, it doesn't matter what anyone else has to say. Because of that, she's chosen to follow his call to write. She lives with her husband and their two sons in Colorado, where she writes for a new generation of readers who crave fiction that tackles the thorny issues of life with humor and insight.

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.