Saturday, June 30, 2018

Mail-Order Bride Switch by Dorothy Clark

Mail-Order Bride Switch (Stand-In Brides)Mail-Order Bride Switch by Dorothy Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Requested review copy via Netgalley
Genre: Old-Western Romance

Book Description:  His Imposter Bride

Garret Stevenson must find a bride or forfeit his newly built hotel. With his deadline approaching, he plans an in-name-only marriage with a maid who’ll cook and clean for his guests. When a pampered, pretty heiress arrives instead, the deception confirms Garret’s distrust of women. But Virginia Winterman has more substance than her elegant clothes suggest.

Fleeing West to escape a cruel suitor, Virginia finds a business arrangement with Whisper Creek’s brusque hotel owner is mutually beneficial, and she relishes being useful. Yet what was once a practical solution soon blossoms into a deeper union. Can Garret get past old betrayals before his future with Virginia slips away?



My thoughts: Mail-order bride stories can be a lot of fun, particularly if the couple can find a happy-ever-after. I'm sure that historically, many didn't end happily. Of course, that is why I read fiction! I can have a good experience reading a fun story.

Garrett Stevenson needs a bride in order to keep his hotel. There is a stipulation that he must marry. He is suffering from emotional pain and is not willing to put himself in a position to be hurt again. Therefore, he decides to order a bride for an in-name-only marriage.

Virginia Winterman is running from an abusive engagement. An in-name-only marriage sounds like the perfect solution to her problem, until she realizes that it isn't enough.

This book is a fun read that looks at the development of a relationship. Trust is a hard commodity to obtain, particularly if you have been hurt before. I liked that this relationship develops gradually. Both of the M/C's are good people that you would want to know in real life. Garrett is patient, even though he doesn't like to be. Virginia rejoices in the small victories of the day.

This book is clean with some kissing.




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Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Road to Gretna Green ~ A Timeless Regency Romance Collection

Road to Gretna Green by Lucinda BrantRoad to Gretna Green by Lucinda Brant
My rating: 4.5of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Regency Romance Novella Collection

Book Description From the publisher of the USA TODAY bestselling & #1 Amazon bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series in Regency Romance, comes ROAD TO GRETNA GREEN. Featuring New York Times bestselling author Lucinda Brant, Julie Daines and Heather B. Moore

SAVING GRACE by Lucinda Brant
When widow Helen, Lady Dysart, returns to the English border town of Carlisle for a family wedding, she decides to confront local physician Royston Meredith, the man who broke her heart. Royston has loved Helen since they were teenagers. He thought the feeling mutual until she up and married the local MP. While everyone around them hopes this reunion will see Helen and Royston sort out their differences, of more immediate concern is Royston’s youngest sister Grace, when she elopes with the steward’s son. Helen and Royston dash after her, determined to save her from scandal and an imprudent match. But in saving Grace the couple may very well be saving themselves.

FOOLS RUSH IN by Julie Daines
Richard Arden needs a wife in order to collect his inheritance. Eliza Barnes needs to escape an arranged marriage to the odious Mr. Barrington. When Richard overhears Eliza’s plight at the coaching inn, he does the most reckless thing he’s ever done—he proposes to a woman he’s never met before. What begins as an easy solution leads Richard and Eliza on a journey across the country with Mr. Barrington at their heels, complicated even more when their fake engagement leads to feelings that are very real.

A LADY OF SCANDAL by Heather B. Moore
Unfortunately, Bridget’s marriage is over in four hours due to her husband’s tragic death. Fortunately, Bridget is now free from her distasteful marriage of convenience. When her year of mourning passes, and she meets her former husband’s cousin, Bridget discovers that her difficulties are far from over. Lord Hugh Wilde blames Bridget for his cousin’s death. But when Bridget’s sister elopes to Gretna Green with a man of questionable reputation, Lord Wilde is the only one who can help, and they both have to set aside their pride to rescue the errant sister. 





My thoughts: Three novellas that take you on an adventure is what you find in Road to Gretna Green. I loved reading them, the time flew as the pages turned. (OK, I right clicked on my kindle.) I devoured this book in less than a day.

The three stories are unique, the common points that they have is that they are set in the Regency period and that they are all in a hurry to get to Gretna Green, not for their own weddings. All three are well written and the authors do a fantastic job at setting the characters and plot in a limited format.

If you want a fantastic book to read and you don't have a large amount of time to sit down and enjoy a full length book, you should read this one. You can quickly read each novella, have a story from start to finish and then when you get a little more time, read the next!

This book is clean with kissing.



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Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Together Forever by Jody Hedlund

Together Forever by Jody HedlundTogether Forever by Jody Hedlund
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source; Received to review from Netgalley
Genre: Historical Christian fiction

Book Description Will the mistakes of their past cost them a chance at love?

Determined to find her lost younger sister, Marianne Neumann takes a job as a placing agent with the Children's Aid Society in 1858 New York. She not only hopes to offer children a better life, but prays she'll be able to discover whether Sophie ended up leaving the city on an orphan train so they can finally be reunited.

Andrew Brady, her fellow agent on her first placing-out trip, is a former schoolteacher who has an easy way with children, firm but tender and friendly. Underneath his charm and handsome looks, 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 in the small railroad towns of Illinois, they find themselves growing ever closer . . . until a shocking tragedy threatens to upend all their work and change one of their lives forever.



My thoughts: My list of book to read keeps growing. I haven't read the first book in this series, and now I NEED to because I enjoyed this one!

This book is set in New York City, a train, and rural town in the country. I liked "seeing" the transition between city life and country life in the 1850's. The book also covers some dilemma's of the time... was it in the best interest of the child to send them to a new home without knowing the conditions the child would be living in? I must admit that I was anxious along with the characters about whether the home would be a good one and the child would be taken care of.

I enjoyed this book. I liked the characters, plot, and setting. The bright spot was some of the children. I think that was one of the reasons that it was sad for me to have them placed in a home and not on the train and towns with the main characters.

This book is a romance, but it is more than romance. It is a story about love, unconditional love. It was heart wrenching to have a precious little boy not be chosen right away by a family. Marianne showed love to others above herself on numerous occasions. When the tragedy strikes, she is there with love and compassion. The story is also about forgiveness, not only of others, but of oneself.

I highly recommend this book. I look forward to reading the first book, an the third when it comes out.

This book contains kissing and non-graphic violence.



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Jody Hedlund
About the author (Taken from Goodreads)  Winner of the 2016 Christian Book Award for fiction and Christy Award for historical romance, best-selling author Jody Hedlund writes inspirational historical romances for both youth and adults.


Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

Visit her WEBPAGE!

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Conviction by Robbin J. Peterson (blog tour with a giveaway!)






ConvictionConviction by Robbin J. Peterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Religious Suspense



Book Description:  After a rocky start as a missionary in Ukraine, Elder Neal Christensen is struggling to learn the Russian language and embrace an unfamiliar life away from his small Northern California town. And in an instant, a peculiar encounter with the wrong people changes everything. Dragged from his apartment in the dead of night, Neal is taken to prison and charged with the theft of a priceless museum piece. As days turn into weeks, he is thrown into a world of uncertainty where he must rely on the only person he can trust—the Savior. And as his Russian slowly improves within the prison walls, he begins preaching the gospel in the last place he imagined proselytizing. But when civil unrest erupts in Ukraine, the now-familiar routine of imprisonment is over. Neal is trapped in the chaos, and with his life on the line, his only hope of survival is escape. Yet he learns too late that there is as much danger awaiting him outside the prison walls as within. Someone has gone to great lengths to incriminate the young missionary, and they will stop at nothing to silence him forever. 



My thoughts: There are many descriptor words that can be used with this novel: refiners fire, atonement, forgiveness, compassion, strength, hell...etc. These are just a few. I am sure that readers can come up with many more. While it is a book about learning and growing, it is also about a young man becoming strong and realizing where strength comes from.

This book in many ways is a nightmare brought to life. Neal Christensen is accused of a crime he didn't commit, thrown in jail, beaten and berated. He is in a foreign country trying to understand a language he is struggling with. He is way out of his element.

This book spans so much more than religion. It is a great suspense book, there is the real thief out there who went to great lengths to incriminate a young American. It is a book about forgiving yourself and forgiving others. It's a book about a young man who is put in impossible circumstances but comes out stronger in the end. In short, it's a book about hope.

This book contains violence. I would recommend it to older teens and above.



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Robbin J. Peterson
About the Author: (Taken from Amazon) I graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor degree in English Lit. My first written work of art was in sixth grade: a play called "Cinderella." I wrote it then directed it with friends in the church gym. Writing was always a creative escape for me. And now that I'm a mother with several children, that has become especially true. When I'm not writing I enjoy playing my viola in our local symphony, as well as teaching the young and old to develop their own talents, whether that be with a stringed instrument or through writing workshops.


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Rachael Anderson ~ Unforgettable Love tour (with a giveaway)





    My Sister’s Intended by Rachael Anderson

For as long as Prudence can remember, it has been understood that her sister will one day wed the eldest son of their nearest neighbor. Such an alliance will benefit both families and bring a great deal of joy to all parents involved. Unfortunately, Prudence has never been able to feel as joyful. She believes her sister is mad to consider marrying a man she hardly knows, even if he will one day make her a countess. Titles and wealth shouldn’t factor into matters of the heart, and as an aspiring romance novelist, Prudence cannot fathom how anyone could even think of settling for less than love. She certainly wouldn’t, and she doesn’t want her sister to either. Unable to stand by and do nothing, Prudence sets out to help the awkward couple discover the best in each other with the hope that they will eventually find love. What she neglected to foresee, however, was the possibility that she might fall in love with Lord Knave herself.
 



When Prudence lifted her eyes to his again, they sparkled with a challenge. “I was going to save this question until later so as not to shock you from the get-go, but I really do need to know . . . What does it feel like to kiss a woman?”

 A large lump formed in Brand’s throat, and his mouth went dry. What the deuce? She had promised not to ask questions that would make him uncomfortable, but already he wanted to flee like a frightened kitten. How could he possibly explain how it felt to kiss a woman?

 Brand searched his mind for a way to avoid answering until he heard a snicker escape her lips. She was laughing at him. Him! Hildebrand Ethan Cannon, Viscount Knave—a man at least eight years her senior and a great deal higher in social standing.

  Unbelievable.

“You are teasing me,” he said, hoping it was true. If she’d posed the question to make him squirm—and perhaps make him more inclined to answer her other questions—then she wouldn’t be expecting an answer.

 She shook her head, still smiling. “I’m afraid not, my lord, although I did find the look of terror on your face vastly amusing.”

 “I’m glad I could entertain you.”

 “I hope you will be equally glad to instruct me on a few things as well. The first scene in my book will include a kiss, and I have no idea how to describe the experience. Do a woman’s lips feel warm or soft or even moist? Would your pulse quicken? Aside from touch, what other senses are engaged? How would it make you feel and what would you notice when you held a woman in your arms?”

 If she thought he’d appeared terror-stricken before, there would be no word for how he looked now. Did she earnestly expect him to answer such questions? Surely even she knew how inappropriate it would be to discuss such things, her being an innocent.

 “I cannot say,” he finally muttered.

 Her brow puckered in confusion. “Have you never kissed a woman, my lord?”

 Brand was sorely tempted to lie and say he had not, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so. Any man of six-and-twenty who had never experienced a kiss would be laughed out of his manhood. Women were expected to remain innocent until married. Men were not.

 “Yes, I have kissed a woman,” he finally admitted, “but I have no intention of discussing any of the details with you.”

 “Why not?” she asked, her large brown eyes blinking at him curiously. “Would you rather I invent the information?”

 “Yes.”

 She obviously didn’t appreciate his retort because she scowled. “Can you not tell me at least a little?”

 “No.”

 “Why?”

 “Because a kiss could never be described with any sort of accuracy, at least not by me. It involves too many feelings and sensations and complexities of thought. If you wish to know what a kiss feels like, you’ll have to experience it for yourself.”

 Too late, Brand realized his mistake. Her expression became contemplative, as though she was actually considering doing just that. Good gads, had he really just encouraged an innocent young woman to go hunting for a kiss? Who would she ask? A groom? Stablehand? The next peddler that came to town?

 “I think you are right,” she said at last. “I really must experience a kiss for myself if I am to describe it with any sort of accuracy.” She blinked up at him with that innocent expression again. “Will you kiss me Lord Knave? No, how silly of me. You are to marry my sister, so that would never do.” She pursed her lips for a moment before musing, “Perhaps one of the footmen would be kind enough to show me how it’s done.”

  Kind enough? Brand could think of a great many reasons a footman would comply with such a request, and kindness did not factor into any of them. Brand would kiss her himself before he allowed a footman near her.

 He rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on. “Perhaps I can try to explain what it feels like after all.” Better that than having her chase after a footman.

 “But you only just said you couldn’t do it justice,” she pointed out. “I realize I sound dreadfully forward, but I really must know, and experience is the best teacher, is it not?”

 “No, it isn’t,” he lied. “And you are not going to kiss a footman.”

 “Then who? Felix or Lionel, perhaps? I’m fairly certain I can convince one of them to do it, if given the opportunity. The question is how to go about it?”

 It was plain to see by the firm set of her jaw that she would not rest until she had experienced a kiss of her own. She didn’t seem to care who did the deed, only that the man did a thorough job of it. A quick peck on the lips wouldn’t satisfy her curiosities.

 “Perhaps I could send a note to Felix and ask him to call on me,” she continued to muse. “We could take a stroll through the maze in the gardens. There is a hidden alcove on the south side, which could be quite perfect. We would have to evade Ruth, obviously, but—”

 “Devil take it,” Brand growled as he pulled her to him. Her quick intake of breath was the only sound she made before his mouth covered hers.



 



 “I got seriously hooked on this book right from the first glance. Everything in this story is so beautiful and done so perfectly. The cover is stunning, the blurb intriguing and the story flow expertly done.” –NjKinny’s World of Books & Stuff

 “The moment I set eyes on this cover page, I knew I am going to love this cute love story. Delightfully crafted with endearing characters this is an ongoing tale of fun, love and some hard decisions. –Finitha J., Know Your Books Blog

 “My Sister’s Intended is my FAVORITE kind of book to read. It is the kind of story I will save in my Kindle forever so I can re-read again and again. What makes this story so good? Everything! This book is pure perfection.” –Nicole, Christian Fiction Girl Blog.

 “WOW. I reserve five stars for books that blow me away, and this has become my newest addition! What a delight to discover a gem like this.” –Mary, Goodreads.com



   
Author Rachael Anderson
A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.
 






 



Giveaway Details Ends 7/11/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano

Out of the Ordinary (Apart From the Crowd, #2)Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Source: Received to review from the publisher.
Genre: Historical Christian romance



Book Description Working as a paid companion may be quite commonplace, but Miss Gertrude Cadwalader's eccentric employer makes her job unpredictable, to say the least. She finds herself carrying out an array of highly unusual tasks, including wearing peculiar outfits and returning items the woman pilfered. But when the wealthy Mrs. Sinclair catches Gertrude sneaking around the Sinclair yacht with some of the missing items in her possession, she immediately jumps to the wrong conclusion.

Shipping magnate Harrison Sinclair is caught in the middle of a misunderstanding between his mother and Gertrude, but he can't help coming to his friend's defense. Even as he hopes their friendship might become something more, Harrison is unprepared for the outlandish escapades that seem to follow the lovely, anything-but-ordinary Gertrude at every turn.



My thoughts: I loved this book cast with eccentrics! There are so many moments that had me smiling/laughing/chuckling. This is fun book to read from start to finish!

While this is a fun book to read, there are many serious issues the characters are going through. Jen Turano deals with their problems with grace and a sense of humor. The most important part is that they are not alone. Friends an a loving Father in Heaven are always there to comfort and guide.

This is a second book in a series, but can be read as a stand-alone. I would suggest reading "Behind the Scenes" because you will find more of the same humor and time with the characters in this book.

This is a wonderful book to read. It contains Christian Themes, romance, skulduggery, mystery, romance novel dilemma's, etc. You will not be sorry to pick this one up!



P.S - A note of caution:  Do not pick this book up to read when you are trying to settle down to sleep.   I know from personal experience!  I spent so much time laughing that I was no longer tired.😐🤣

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Jen Turano
About the Author: (Taken from Goodreads)  Jen Turano is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in Clothing and Textiles. She pursued a career in management for nine years before switching to full-time motherhood after the birth of her son. When she's not writing, Jen can be found watching her teenage son participate in various activities, taking long walks with her husband and dog, socializing with friends, or delving into a good book. She lives in suburban Denver, Colorado. Learn more at www.jenturano.com.

Unforgettable Love ~ Featuring Author Janette Rallison (with a giveaway)





My Fair Lacey & A Perfect Fit by Janette Rallison "My Fair Lacey" is the story of Lacey, who has dreamed of opening a restaurant for years - but first she needs a loan. When Garrett Halifax, her roommate's Harvard-educated brother, offers to help her clean up her appearance and manner to impress the bank manager, she jumps at the chance - but will she be able to keep up appearances without falling for the sexy Garrett? In "A Perfect Fit" Rallison Jojo Halifax believes that winning Echo Ridge's float competition is just what her fledgling art career needs. And if that means giving her ex-boyfriend, Anthony, a second chance so she can be a designer on his team, well, she's willing to make the sacrifice. But when a lost bet leads to a blind date with her brother's friend, Wyatt, she begins to have second thoughts about second chances. Wyatt is handsome and charming and just might have been paid to make her forget about Anthony. Is falling for his charm worth the risk or should she take Anthony back again?




 




She read more Dickens along with Wuthering Heights, and Frankenstein. When she went to Garrett’s house for her next lesson, he led her into the living room and asked, “What did you think of this week’s literature?” 
I never knew British dudes had so many problems.” She plopped down onto his couch. “They all seemed like they had such boring lives.”
He laughed and she couldn’t keep herself from staring at him. He looked good when he laughed. He seemed relaxed, touchable, and . . .well, there was probably some hyped up word with lots of syllables that smart people used to describe a guy when he looked that way, but she hadn’t learned it yet.
He gave her a twenty-minute lesson on verb tenses, then spent another twenty minutes quizzing her on it. “Which is correct: They is meeting you later or they are meeting you later?”
Neither. I don’t have time to meet anyone. I sold my soul to Garrett Halifax.”
 “Correct,” he said, and there was a pleased glint in his eye.




 
I always always love Rallison's stories and characters and this was no exception. I look forward to reading the book over and over again! --Kathy at Bookworm Nation


Janette always hits it out of the park with fun character voices, hilarious situations, and delightful romance. This is another great addition to her collection of books that I'd recommend anyone read and enjoy! --Five Star Review


Such a great read! It had many laugh out loud parts and I don’t use lol lightlyl. --A Reader






 

Author Janette Rallison USA Today, bestselling author, Janette Rallison/ CJ Hill writes books because writing is much more fun than cleaning bathrooms. Her avoidance of housework has led her to writing 28 novels that have sold over 1,000,000 print copies and have been on many reading and state lists. Her books are fantasy, sci-fi, and romantic comedy because hey, there is enough angst in real life, but there’s a drastic shortage of humor, romance and hot guys who fight dragons. She lives in Chandler, Arizona with her husband, kids, and enough cats to classify her as eccentric.



Just One WishMy Fair GodmotherMy Double LifeMy Unfair Godmother MasqueradeHow I Met Your BrotherSon of War, Daughter of ChaosMy Fairly Dangerous Godmother


   



  Giveaway Details Ends 7/9/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  a Rafflecopter giveaway