A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade

A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade. Bethany House, 2015. 352p. (9780764211096) Series: The Porter Family, #3

We finally get to meet tall, dark and brooding Jake Porter! And he is that. Tall. Dark. And brooding. For two books now, Undeniably Yours and Meant to Be Mine, we’ve gotten bits and pieces of his story. And this book doesn’t disappoint.

Goodreads Summary:

Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake’s childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion’s reluctance to run.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake’s will, Lyndie’s sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he’s built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he’d thought he’d lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

My Review:

Real life jockey Chantal
Sutherland, one of
the inspirations for Lyndie
(from Becky's Pinterest)

Even though this is Jake’s story in the Porter Family Novels series, Lyndie is who I remember best. She’s fun, determined, stubborn, creative, caring, strong. The list goes on. She's exactly who Jake needs. He just doesn't want to accept that fact. Her character traits shine through her actions as the author does a nice job of showing not telling us.

Lyndie’s neighbor Amber is another memorable character and I really enjoyed the side story of Amber’s foray back into the dating world. While dragging Lyndie along with her. :-)

Plus she’s the same Amber from book one, Undeniably Yours. Which is also a great book – I just now got sidetracked and read almost half of it because I’d forgotten the details of Amber’s past. And as soon as I’m done posting this I’ll finish the book.

Celia’s bakery from book two plays an important role in the beginning and the Porter family gets together for dinner a number of times, so for all you fans of the first two books, you can see how everyone is getting on. There is a fourth book coming in the series, so hold on to your hats because the lone Porter girl’s story is coming next.

But what I like best about this book is not the romance – though that is very well written and the tension of it drives the book, but the issues that the author brings to light and weaves into her tail. Life isn’t a walk in the park and this book reflects that. Jake struggles with PTSD. Lyndie’s sister has cerebral palsy.

If you enjoy contemporary Christian romance, with an honest take on life then get a hold of this book.

Go read it! Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon ($11.17); Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($9.99); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($11.25); Buy it from an Independent Bookstore near you 

(Prices good as of June 22, 2015 always double check for yourself)

Disclosure: I received these book for free from the author and publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com or Independent Bookstores use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

How to Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck

How to Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck. Zondervan, 2015. 368p. (9780310315544) Series: Royal Wedding, #3

I quite enjoyed the first two books in this series, Once Upon a Prince and Princess Ever After and was excited to read Prince Stephen’s story. Especially given the summary!

Goodreads Summary:

Prince Stephen came to America to escape responsibility. But what he found complicates his life more than ever.

Corina Del Rey is happy with her life in Melbourne, Florida. She spends her days engrossed in her career as a journalist and has her sights set on climbing the corporate ladder if for no other reason, to distract herself from her dissolving family. But when she is confronted with the past she fought so hard to put behind her, she struggles to make sense of her future.

Prince Stephen of Brighton Kingdom has moved on since the tragic death of his buddies in Afghanistan. A star professional rugby player, he has no intention of looking over his shoulder at what could have been.

But when a notice arrives in the mail requiring his and his wife s appearance before the courts to dissolve their marriage, he must deal with the questions rumbling around in his heart. He thought his marriage had been annulled long ago, but his memories of Corina Del Rey remain close. Does he still love her? Can he even find her? Above all, can he tell her the truth about that fateful night in Afghanistan seven years ago? If he does, he might really lose her forever."

My Review:

This is a very fun story with an interesting twist. I’d recommend reading the first book in the series and possibly the novella A March Bride before reading this one. The second books deals with a neighboring kingdom and while King Nathaniel, Stephen’s brother, is in there I don’t think it’s necessary for enjoying book three.

This book, like the other two, is very sigh worthy. What girl at some point doesn’t daydream of marrying a prince or being an heiress, and being able to wear stunning gowns? But at the same time it deals with difficult and complicated issues: Forgiveness. Survivor’s guilt. And the author guides her characters through those emotions and processing them very well.

I didn’t remember Stephen being such an intense and downcast man from the previous stories but the rest of the royal family were as I remembered them. The family dinner that Corina was invited to was an excellent scene showing how Susanna is making her mark on the royal household!  

The supernatural elements were a bit far-fetched, but it isn’t logical really to want to call it far-fetched since I do believe angels are sent to look after us from time to time and we accept much more fantastical occurrences in fantasy tales.

All in all a fun read, especially if you like modern day fairy tales and royalty.

Releasing Feb 24^th, pre-order it! Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon ($9.99 / $11.95); Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($9.99/$11.99); Buy it from Barnes &Noble ($9.99/$11.95);

(Ebook/paperback prices good as of January 24, 2015 always double check for yourself)

Disclosure: I received these book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com or Independent Bookstores use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Unspoken by Dee Henderson

Unspoken by Dee Henderson. Bethany House, 2013. 441p. (9780764211713) Series: (Not officially but Full Disclosure and Undetected are related, this one falls in the middle)

Oh my. What a complex book of emotions, fear, sacrifice, hope and dreams. And I just love that the author mentioned her O’Malley series and credited them to a character in this book (I hadn’t read Full Disclosure yet and this fun tidbit plays an important part in that story). I think I’ve found a new favorite author.

Goodreads Summary (edited):

Charlotte Graham is at the center of the most famous kidnapping in Chicago history.

The task force of FBI and local cops found her two abductors, killed them, rescued her, but it took four very long years. The fact she was found less than three miles from her home, had been there the entire time, haunts them. She's changed her identity, found a profession she loves, and rebuilt her life. She's never said a word--to the cops, to her doctors, to family--about those four years.

A family legacy has brought her back to Chicago. Bryce Bishop doesn't know her past, he only knows she has coins to sell from her grandfather's estate--and that the FBI director for the Chicago office made the introduction. The more he gets to know Charlotte, the more interested he becomes. But nothing else is working in his favor.

My Review:

Bryce Bishop is “bored out of his mind” with his life and his enjoyable job running a high-end coin shop. But both he and the reader don’t know how much that is going to change when Charlotte Graham shows up in his parking lot. And goodness what a ride it is.

I really don’t want to give away any surprises in this story! The intensity of this book is not in the drama or action, but it simply waiting alongside Charlotte and Bryce for things to progress, for trust to be built, for cold cases to be solved. In watching Charlotte struggle through continuing to figure out life 19 years after being held captive for four years.

Some reviewers have complained about the length – and it is a long book, but who hasn’t wished a story had been a bit longer just so you could spend more time with the characters. Some reviewers have complained about the details regarding the coins in the collection, but I found it interesting and it helps explain the grandfather’s estate, lets the reader get to know Bryce’s character and is an interesting glimpse into the world of coin collectors.

The romance was incredibly sweet and slow and subtle; a very clean romance too. They don’t make a big deal out of their faith either, the author is quite adept at creating characters who are Christians – she doesn’t include any sermons and isn’t pushy.

If you like suspense, mystery and romance, then this is a book for you.

Go read it! Find it at a library near you  ; Buy it from Amazon ($13.41/$8.63) ; Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($9.49/$8.67); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($13.67/$9.99); Buy it from anIndependent Bookstore near you

(Paperback/ebook prices good as of November 14, 2014 always double check for yourself)

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from the library. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Links include affiliate links. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com or Independent Bookstores use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

School Book Saturday: Adams, Shackleton & Obama (Who was/is....? series)

 Who was Abigail Adams?
by True Kelley, illustrated by John O'Brien. Grosset & Dunlap (Imprint of Penguin Group), 2014. 112 pg. (9780448478906)
Series: Who was/is…?
Dewey: J973.4
Reading level: 4.6
Interest level: 3rd-6th

Publisher Description:
Abigail Adams was a strong woman far ahead of her time. She urged her husband, President John Adams, to "remember the ladies" and despite having no formal education herself, she later advocated for equal education in public schools for both boys and girls. She was also the first First Lady to live in the White House! This biography tells the story of Abigail Adams and her role in America's Revolutionary War period.

My Review:
I enjoyed this brief biography of this truly remarkable woman. It is an excellent introduction to her life and what she did while her husband was away serving the fledgling US government. At one time they didn't see each other for five years!

The sentences were short; easy for young readers. The pen and ink illustrations show the clothing, housing, tools and modes of transportation of the day. There are a few maps and several boxed inserts focusing on specific events or people in her lifetime. The careers of her husband, John Adams (2nd US president) and son, John Quincy Adams (6th US president) are also told about as they relate to her.

At the end is a timeline of her life and the world, a brief bibliography including books for young readers and a list of websites (only one didn't work) for further research.

Great for 3rd to 5th graders looking for a biography of an amazing woman from the American Revolution and the early years of American government.

4 stars

Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon ($4.49); Buy it from Barnes &Noble ($4.49); Buy it from ChristianBook ($4.49); Buy it from an Indie Bookstore near you
(Paperback prices good as of July 12, 2014; double check for yourself before purchasing)


Who Was Ernest Shackleton? 
by James Buckley Jr., Illustrated by Max Hergenrother. Grosset & Dunlap (Imprint of Penguin Group), 2013. 112 pg. (9780778729563)
Series: Who was/is…?
Dewey: J919.89
Reading level: 4.6
Interest level: 3rd-6th

Publisher Description:
As a boy he preferred reading sea stories to doing homework and, at age 16, became an apprentice seaman. Subsequently, Ernest Shackleton’s incredible journeys to the South Pole in the early 1900s made him one of the most famous explorers of modern times. His courage in the face of dangerous conditions and unforeseeable tragedies reveal the great leader that he was. His historic 1914 journey aboard the Endurance has all the drama of an action movie.

My Review:
I quite enjoyed learning more about this explorer of the freezing cold. This book was more interesting to me than the Abigail Adams book since I knew (in the recesses of my mind) most of her story and Shackleton's story was for the most part a new bit of history to me.

The writing is simple and engaging. Kids will enjoy his adventures living in a boat and on ice for months on end. The illustrations are very well done and really enhance the text.

At the end of the book are two timelines, one of his life and one of world events. There is a bibliography that includes several websites. Nothing listed is specifically geared toward children but students 5th grade and up should find the websites interesting and informative.

4 stars

Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon ($4.49); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($4.49); Buy it from ChristianBook ($4.49); Buy it from an Indie Bookstore near you
(Paperback prices good as of July 12, 2014; double check for yourself before purchasing)

Who Is Barack Obama? 
by Roberta Edwards, Illustrations by Nancy Harrison and John O'Brien. Grosset & Dunlap (Imprint of Penguin Group), 2009. 112 pg. (9780448453309)
Series: Who was/is…?
Dewey: J973.932
Reading level: 4.9
Interest level: 3rd-6th gr

Publisher Description:
As the world now knows, Barack Obama has made history as [the] first African-American president [of the United States of America]. With black-and-white illustrations throughout, this biography is perfect for primary graders looking for a longer, fuller life story than is found in the author's bestselling beginning reader Barack Obama: United States President.

My Review:
All but the last three chapters are apolitical (for the most part). At that point the story reaches his speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention, his run for US Senate and then of course his US presidential campaign. Since the book was published in 2009 there is no mention of his presidency, but that is for the best since it takes a while before the big picture can be seen and he's currently the president.

I enjoyed learning more about Obama's childhood and college years. The book doesn't go into very much detail, but it highlights the main events and tells about the many places he grew up. Kids would find this a great source for a biography book report or for a project on the president.

The Civil Rights Movement is mentioned but simplified and misrepresented to the point that it strongly implies no African-Americans had the right to vote until the 1960s. Which of course is false and misleading since African-Americans had been voting for almost 100 years, though they had quite a bit of difficulty in some southern States. Hence the Civil Rights Movement.

As with all the books in this series there is a timeline of the person's life and a timeline of world/US events. There are five books listed in the bibliography - two are for young readers and two are Obama's own books. No websites were listed.

Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon ($4.49); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($4.49); Buy it from ChristianBook ($2.29); Buy it from an Indie Bookstore near you
(Paperback prices good as of July 12, 2014; double check for yourself before purchasing)

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay. ThomasNelson, 2013. 328p. (9781401689681)

I’m writing this a few months after reading the book. (It’s been a busy semester and other reviews got pushed ahead of this one…) But this is the third book I read on my 24 hour trip home for Christmas and while I did have to close my eyes a few times on the third and last flight I did finish this delightful book before touching down at home.

Goodreads Summary:

Dear Mr. Knightley is a contemporary epistolary novel with a delightful dash of Jane Austen.

Samantha Moore survived years of darkness in the foster care system by hiding behind her favorite characters in literature, even adopting their very words. Her fictional friends give her an identity, albeit a borrowed one. But most importantly, they protect her from revealing her true self and encountering more pain.

After college, Samantha receives an extraordinary opportunity. The anonymous “Mr. Knightley” offers her a full scholarship to earn her graduate degree at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. The sole condition is that Sam write to Mr. Knightley regularly to keep him apprised of her progress.

As Sam’s true identity begins to reveal itself through her letters, her heart begins to soften to those around her—a damaged teenager and fellow inhabitant of Grace House, her classmates at Medill, and, most powerfully, successful novelist Alex Powell. But just as Sam finally begins to trust, she learns that Alex has secrets of his own—secrets that, for better or for worse, make it impossible for Sam to hide behind either her characters or her letters.

My Review:

I certainly enjoyed this book while reading it but the characters didn’t stick with me. Though that might be because I had hardly slept in 24 hours when I read it. Flipping back through it now makes me want to reread it and savor all the references to Austen and Bronte classics.

Samantha Moore, Sam, is an interesting character to get to know. Life hasn’t been easy and I think the author did a good job portraying Sam’s fears and the rational for her actions. Her story sucks you in and makes you hope she figures out what she’s looking for and can find it.

If you enjoy epistolary novels, characters that overcome difficult childhoods, and lots of quotes and references to classic books than you should give this book a try.

Go read it! Findit at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon ($9.99 / $14.39); Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($9.99 / $11.99); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($9.99 / $14.69)

Prices are good as of May 18, 2014 for the ebook/ paperback edition. Please double check for yourself.

Disclosure: I received these book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Surrender Bay by Denise Hunter

Surrender Bay by Denise Hunter. ThomasNelson, 2007. 298p. (9781595542571) Series: Nantucket, #1

I’ve read the other books in this series and finally got a chance to read the first book. You don’t have to read them in order as the characters don’t overlap. Just the setting, Nantucket island, is the same.

Goodreads Summary:

On the beautiful island of Nantucket, salt and roses scent the air, waves sparkle over hidden currents, and a storm-tossed soul seeks safe harbor.

When Samantha Owen's estranged stepfather dies, she inherits his cottage in Nantucket--a place she left years ago, never planning to return. As a single mom, Sam can't afford to pass up on a financial windfall like ocean-front property. So she travels home to fix up the house and sell it . . . never suspecting that Landon Reed still lives two doors down. As their long-dormant romance begins to bud again, Sam must face the fact that Landon still doesn't know why she left the island. Will the secrets she's hidden all these years tear them apart . . . or is Landon's love really as unconditional as he claims?

Denise Hunter weaves a heart-tugging tale of shattered trust and enduring love . . . all in a romantic seaside setting.

My Review:

For a good part of the book I was wondering if the author had decided to branch out into non-Christian fiction. The characters didn’t have active faiths if they had one at all, there was no mention of church or praying or anything you usually expect.

Nearing the end I realized that she was giving us a picture of what persistent, unconditional love looks like. So it’s a cool visualization of what Christ’s love is like, but if anyone misses the allegory I don’t think it’s a realistic portrayal of human love. Landon was too perfect.

I did enjoy the story though and was reminded that the life of a single mother is a difficult one – a good reminder to pray for the single mothers I know. Samantha who goes by Sam, was nicely written and as with all the books in this series, now I want to visit Nantucket.

There are a number of kisses and once when Sam gets drunk she makes some stupid decisions and goes home with a man. They get interrupted though and there aren’t a whole lot of descriptive details, but still I’d say this is for older teens and up.

Rating: I didn't like enough to say 4 butterflies (i.e. worth the read and reread) but it's not exactly a fluff book either...so, 3.5 butterflies

Go read it! Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon ($9.99 / $13.14 or $7.19); Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($9.99 / $11.99 or $6.29); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($9.99 / $7.99) 

(E-book / paperback prices good as of May 13, 2014 always double check for yourself. The second pb is the value edition.)

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from the library. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Blog tour and review: Meant to Be Mine by Becky Wade

A book tour hosted by Prism Book Tours.

Welcome to my tour stop for

Meant to Be Mine

by Becky Wade

Meant to Be Mine
(A Porter Family Novel #2)
by Becky Wade
Christian Romance
May 2014 by Bethany House Publishers

My Review:
One of the things that stood out to me the most in this book is Becky’s talent for painting a scene so incredibly well. I felt like I was on the sidewalk looking at that tacky wedding chapel with Celia and Ty. That I was standing in the parking lot when Celia and her little girl saw the car.

 Becky also made the characters come alive. I really wanted to shake some sense into Ty and ask, “What in the world do you think you’re doing!?!” Sorry all you Team Ty people, I still favor Matt from My Stubborn Heart. Maybe I’m just not used to encountering smart men from good families in Christian fiction that want a divorce so they can marry a gal who strings them along. Though he is very charming and caring and generous to both Celia and her daughter.

 I really enjoyed that cute little girl, getting to meet the characters from Undeniably Yours and the uniqueness of a romance where the characters are already married. Plus we get to know a little more about Jake Porter. And I’m very much looking forward to his story!

 Read this if you enjoy contemporary romance with twists, cowboys and cute little girls. And great (clean, but sweep you off your feet) kisses.

Book Description:
Ty Porter has always been irresistible to Celia Park. All through high school—irresistible. When their paths cross again after college—still irresistible. This time, though, Ty seems to feel exactly the same way about Celia. Their whirlwind romance deposits them at a street-corner Las Vegas wedding chapel.

From Becky's pinterest board

The next morning they wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia’s ready to be Ty’s wife, but Ty’s not ready to be her husband. He’s a professional bull rider, he lives on the road, and he’s long planned to settle down with the hometown girl he’s known since childhood.

Five and a half years pass. Celia’s buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. Ty’s achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the eyes of the woman he couldn’t forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had.

How much will Ty sacrifice to win back Celia’s trust and prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime?

Amazon *  Barnes & Noble * Book Depository * ChristianBook

About the Author

During her childhood in California, Becky Wade frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She's been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that Becky's passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances for the general market, put her career on hold for many years to care for her kids, and eventually returned to writing sheerly for the love of it. She’s delighted to be penning warm, wry, and heartwarming contemporary romances for the Christian market. Her CBA debut, My Stubborn Heart, was a finalist in both the RITA and INSPY awards. Undeniably Yours kicked off her Texas-set Porter Family series. Her newest contemporary romance, Meant to Be Mine, has just hit shelves!

These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up with her housework, sweating at the gym, carting her kids around town, playing tennis, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa watching TV with her husband.

Website * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest

Tour-Wide Giveaway

Prize #1: $50 Visa gift card and a paperback or ebook copy of Meant to Be Mine (open internationally)
Prize #2: 1 lb. of Starbucks coffee and signed copies of Undeniably Yours and Meant to Be Mine (US Only)
Prize #3: Box of See's Chocolates and signed copies of Undeniably Yours and Meant to Be Mine (US Only)

May 4 - 18

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Come follow the tour!

May 5

Tressa's Wishful Endings

I Am A Reader

Rina's Reading

May 6

The Wonderings of One Person

JoJo's Corner

Heidi Reads...

May 7

Copywrite1985

Kindle and Me

Redpillows

AddLibrarian

Little Lisa

May 8

Katie ' Clean Book Collection

Christy's Cozy Corners

Tell Tale Book Reviews 

The Written Adventure

Elle in Organic Shoes

Life Isn't Always a Fairytale

May 9

My Love for Reading Keeps Growing

Reviews By Molly

Batch of Books

Getting Your Read On

Coffee Books and Me

May 11 - Grand Finale

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A February Bride by Betsy St. Amant

A February Bride by Betsy St. Amant. Zondervan, 2014. 120p. ebook (9780310338291) Series: A Year of Weddings, #3

Another lovely cover and cute story in this year of weddings series!

Goodreads Summary:

Happily ever after guaranteed. Allie left the love of her life at the altar—to save him from a lifetime of heartbreak. When a Valentine’s Day wedding brings them back together, she struggles against her family’s destructive history. Can Allie ever realize that a marriage is so much more than a wedding dress?

History repeats itself when Allie Andrews escapes the church on her wedding day—in the same dress passed down for generations and worn by all the women in her family—women with a long history of failed marriages. Allie loves Marcus, but fears she’s destined to repeat her family’s mistakes. She can’t bear to hurt Marcus worse.

Marcus Hall never stopped loving Allie and can only think of one reason she left him at the altar—him. When the two are thrown together for his sister’s Valentine’s Day wedding, he discovers the truth and realizes their story might be far from over.

Can Allie shuck expectation and discover who she is as a bride and in the Bride of Christ? And if she ever walks down the aisle, what dress will she wear?

My Review:

This was a fun read but it doesn’t stick in my memory as much as the previous two books in the series do. It was easy to empathize with Allie but I also wanted to talk some sense into her. Fortunately her best friend, Hannah, and Hannah’s mom are there to do just that.

In a neat twist it is Hannah’s brother that Allie loves and has dumped. Which of course means that it is her once future mother-in-law to be that is showing love and sharing good advice. I enjoyed this novella and look forward to reading some of Betsy St. Amant’s other books.

3.75 stars

Go read it! Buy it from Amazon ($3.79); Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($3.69); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($3.99)

(Prices good as of March 23, 2014 always double check for yourself)

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

~~~

Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

WoW #40: Meant to Be Mine by Becky Wade

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Meant to Be Mine by Becky Wade
 Series: Porter Family, #2
Bethany House - May 2014

About
Ty Porter has always been irresistible to Celia Park. All through high school--irresistible. When their paths cross again after college--still irresistible. This time, though, Ty feels exactly the same way about Celia. Their whirlwind romance deposits them at a street-corner Las Vegas wedding chapel.

The next morning they wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia's ready to be Ty's wife, but Ty's not ready to be anybody's husband. As a professional bull rider, he lives on the road and can't bring himself to settle down.

Five and a half years pass. Celia's buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. Ty's achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the face of the one woman he couldn't forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had.

How much will Ty sacrifice to make Celia's dreams come true, to win her trust, and to prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime?

Why I want to read it
I absolutely loved My Stubborn Heart and really enjoyed Undeniably Yours. Ty is Bo's brother from UY and Bo was "a fabulous hero" according to my review of that book. So I'm looking forward to meeting more of the Porter family and to reading this next book of hers.

Where you can find it
Amazon ($10.51/$8.99) and ChristianBooks ($8.99/$8.89) and Barnes & Noble ($10.49/$10.49)
Prices are good as of April 9, 2014 for pre-ordering the paperback/ebook edition. Please double check for yourself.

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren

It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren. Tyndale, 2014. 480p. (9781414378428) Series: Christiansen Family, #2

I think Susan May Warren is one of my new favorite authors. This week It Had to Be You is on sale for $2.99 (or $2.39) and I bought it. (Sale runs through April 5th, 2014) And then read it that same day. And then went straight to the library catalogs to see if I could borrow the first book, sadly neither one has it. :( The next fiction series I’m buying for the school library is this one or Deep Haven.

Goodreads Summary:

Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen's cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter, but is stuck writing obits--and starting to fear she doesn't have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.

Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior--on and off the ice. Now at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he's getting from Eden Christiansen isn't making things any easier. But when Owen's carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together . . . and begin to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.

My Review:

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I am not a hockey fan, but reading the descriptions of the hockey games made me want to watch and learn the game! Even though the story is about two pro-hockey players there isn’t a whole lot of time spent at the rink. I think the author found an excellent balance of just right.

While most of the story revolves around the hospital – both Owen and Jace spend some time there as does a sweet little friend of Jace’s. It is during that time that Eden stumbles on a story she thinks could be a big break for her faltering journalism career.

Jace and Eden work together to pursuit the story and that plot line was excellently woven throughout the tale. Both of them are touched and affected more than they ever would have guessed. And like a pebble thrown into a pond their actions impact many, many more. It’s a neat story line and very touching.

What was even more enjoyable were Jace and Eden’s interactions. Very believable, heartwarming, tense, grin worthy and has just the right amount of detail kissing scenes. This is a Christian romance novel but the faith elements were slipped in naturally and their spiritual struggles added to the story.

I completely enjoyed my visit to Minneapolis, St. Paul and Deep Haven and can’t wait to spend more time with the Christiansen family. This is book two in the series but you don’t have to read the first one to know what’s going on.

If you like contemporary Christian romance, particularly ones with handsome athletes and down to earth families, then this is a great book for you. Oh, and there's a short story of how Eden's parents met and fell in love included at the end.

Go read it! Buy it from Amazon $2.99 ; Buy it from ChristianBooks.com $2.39 ; Buy it from Barnes & Noble $2.99

(Prices good as of March 31, 2014 always double check for yourself) [Quick note: The promo email I got from the author states the sale runs through April 5^th]

Disclosure: I bought this book. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

A January Bride by Deborah Raney

A January Bride by Deborah Raney. Zondervan, 2013. 120p. ebook (9780310337706) Series: A Year of Weddings, #2

The second book in this fun series has quite a unique twist.

Goodreads Summary:

Who can work in a house that's overrun by contractors and carpenters? Not Madeleine Houser, a successful novelist who gladly accepts the help of her octogenarian friend, Ginny, to arrange for a temporary office in the charming bed and breakfast owned by Ginny's friend, Arthur. Maddie’s never met the innkeeper––but a friendship grows between them as Maddie and Arthur leave messages for each other each day. To Maddie’s alternate delight and chagrin, she seems to be falling for the inn’s owner––a man who's likely many years her senior––and who she’s never even met.

My Review:

I really enjoyed reading a story about a historical fiction writer trying to write a book. The setting was cozy. The misunderstandings are funny and natural, quite the comedy of errors. Alex the cat is cool. The matchmaking neighbor a lot of fun. And the way the romance develops is different and interesting. It’s a squeaky clean romance with two or three kisses.

Go read it! Buy it from Amazon ($3.79); Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($3.53); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($3.99)

(Prices good as of March 23, 2014; always double check for yourself)

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.