Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Winning Winnie's Hand

About the Book:

She’s no damsel, but dang…this knight in shining armor kinda makes her want to be.

Born into a driven and successful family, Winnie Knox tries—and fails—to impress her parents and siblings as she bounces from career to career, year to year. In a last-ditch effort, Winnie takes on consulting work at a stately home in England, hoping to gain a nice bit of prestige as she improves the massive British estate.

In true Knox Fashion, Winnie dives headfirst into her new position. In true Winnie Fashion, she ends up with her car headfirst...in the mud. But what does she see coming to her rescue? Nothing short of a knight in shining armor.

Literally. A knight in shining armor. On a horse. What century is this again? Well, whatever it is, Winnie doesn’t mind lingering in it if she gets to stare at a man like him all day. This job is going to be a walk in the park.

Of course, nothing is ever as easy as it should be with Winnie as she puts her foot in her mouth and straightaway offends the knight—who just so happens to be someone far more important than the simple thespian he appears to be.

But Winnie Knox is a professional. She can charm anyone.

Can't she?

My Review:

From the opening scene of a knight in shining armor emerging from the trees, I was caught up in the story of Winnie and Matthew. Wanting so desperately to please her father with her consulting business, she runs over everyone to help make the Medieval festival more successful. Winnie’s take charge attitude and ignorance of the history of the period causes her to not see the importance of what Matthew is trying to accomplish. It takes a lot of patience and a ride into the countryside for Winnie to see what is all around her.

I loved that Matthew and Winnie help each other see that failures are opportunities to grow. Winnie’s fear of that caused her to nearly give up her heart’s desire. Matthew’s fear of no one longer caring about the festival makes him almost forsake his passion of teaching history and seeing the next generation get excited about the past. The solution for both of them was perfect and what I liked the most about the story.

Things to love:
Knight to the rescue
Medieval festival
Riding through the countryside
Hide and seek
“Minnie” Cooper
Enemies to more

I highly recommend this first book in the Men of the Isles series. You will love this if you like clean romantic comedies.

I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

Monday, May 13, 2024

For a Lifetime

About the Book:

Grace and Hope are identical twin sisters born with the ability to time-cross together between 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, and 1912 New York City. As their twenty-fifth birthday approaches, they will have to choose one life to keep and one to leave behind forever--no matter the cost.

In 1692, they live and work in their father's tavern, where they must watch helplessly as the witch trials unfold in their village, threatening everyone. With the help of a handsome childhood friend, they search for the truth behind their mother's mysterious death, risking everything to expose a secret that could save their lives--or be their undoing.

In 1912, Hope dreams of becoming one of the first female pilots in America, and Grace works as an investigative journalist, uncovering corruption and injustice. After their parents' orphanage is threatened by an adversary, they enter a contest to complete a perilous cross-country flight under the guidance of a daring French aviator.

My Review:

Twins Hope and Grace are living in two very signifiant periods in our country’s history. One time being the Salem Witch Trials and the other the start of the age of aviation. The research that Ms. Meyer did for this story was amazing as she was able to bring events to life. I learned quite a few new things, some of it was sad and shocking, while other events were encouraging and exciting. I stopped reading a couple of times to look further into some of the things that happened in the story.

I loved how different the girls were and the perspectives they each brought to the story. Grace is cautious and careful while Hope is daring and takes risks. The twists and turns that the story took were a pleasant surprise and made this hard to put down. I highly recommend this and the other books in the Timeless series. You do not need to read the other books to enjoy this one, but it was nice to see some of the women from past books.

Hope finds that there are more time crossers in their extended family, so this will be fun to see which characters Ms. Meyer will choose to write about. I am also curious and excited about the time periods we will get to explore.

I received a complimentary copy of the book through Austen Prose. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

Thursday, May 9, 2024

Flat Deception

About the Book:

Lady Sophie Henderson has worked tirelessly to establish a breeding stable for racehorses on her family’s Scottish estate. But when her father cuts her funding, she’s desperate to find a way to achieve her life’s ambition. Selling precious heirloom jewels enables Sophie to care for her thoroughbreds, though it’s a temporary solution—and one that does not go unnoticed.

Zander Matthews is painfully aware of the role he played in Sophie’s loss of sponsorship. Now, he’s determined to use his hard-earned wealth to help her achieve her dreams. When Zander shocks Sophie with the offer of a business investment, it seems her aspirations are finally within reach. But the new partners discover that finding success will not be simple. There is a dark side to the posh British racing community, and Sophie and Zander have captured the attention of an enemy whose greed knows no bounds. Even as their partnership develops into something more, their happy ending is just beyond reach. Because in a world where people are willing to do anything to win, it’s impossible to know who to trust.

My Review:

Paige Edwards has become a favorite author of mine. She does an excellent job with interweaving subplots to create a suspenseful and hard to put down story. I never did figure out who was the mastermind behind the illegal horse racing activities. Maybe you’ll have better success than me! With a romantic suspense you of course need a couple, and Zander Matthews and Sophie Henderson are the perfect pair. Sophie is a horse expert in a male dominated sport, having to be careful in every decision she makes. One misstep and her tireless efforts of creating a stud farm will just be a dream. I love how Zander steps in to provide her with the financial backing to follow her heart. He is patient, kind, and generous in showing Sophie he believes in her. Ms. Edwards provides a glossary of Scottish words at the beginning of the book in case you need them. I appreciate that this was given, but I really only needed it for a couple of words because the context of the words helped me to figure out the word with no extra effort. Things I enjoyed: Crafty villains Lovable hero Horse racing Scottish dialect The staff I highly recommend this second book in the Roxbury Heirs series. You can read this as a standalone, but you’ll want to read the other book too because it is just that good. I received an advanced complimentary copy. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

A Casualty of the Heart

About the Book:

Her first London Season has arrived, but Clare Compton is far from enthusiastic. In fact, she finds the experience positively nauseating, and when her first ball ends in disaster, the consequences threaten to upend her entire Season. She wants nothing more than to retreat to her country home away from Society’s judgmental stares. Instead, respite comes from a most unexpected source. Patrick Milton, Clare’s childhood enemy, offers a cunning he will serve as her escort for the final five weeks of festivities to help repair Clare’s reputation. The plan seems foolproof. But can she repair her reputation without forfeiting her heart?

Patrick has more than Clare’s welfare in mind when he proposes his ruse. He needs to stay close to the ballrooms of the ton, where he can keep an eye on his wayward twin brother—and serving as Clare’s escort offers the perfect pretense, with the added advantage of saving himself from matrimonial matchmakers. But as the weeks fly by in a whirlwind of candlelit ballrooms and dizzying dances, Patrick’s scheme takes on a life of its own, forcing the now friends to navigate feelings they never expected.

My Review:

Did you have a childhood enemy? Clare Compton has one (Patrick Milton) and he is just as to her annoying now as he was all those years ago. When Clare has a terribly embarrassing thing happen to her that ruins a ball, Patrick is there to help her rebuild her reputation among Society. I wasn’t sure of his willingness to come to her aid, but that is one of the intriguing parts of the story.

I thought Patrick was a bit clueless when it came to Clare and her feelings. At times he seemed to be one to be able to get his way, regardless of Clare’s plans. For this reason, he wasn’t my favorite, until the end! His grand gesture was hilarious and very original.

Things to enjoy:
Twins
Molly- childhood friend
archery competition
secret mission
farmyard animals
Regency era
Clean and wholesome romance

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of the book that was provided to me. All opinions are my own.

Monday, May 6, 2024

Secondary Target

About the Book:

A ruthless murderer. A deadly secret. An unbreakable love.

After the brutal murder of her mother and brother twelve years ago, Corina Roberts built a new life in Kentucky. But when strange things begin to happen, she is thrust into a perilous game of life and death. With nowhere else to turn, her best hope of survival depends on her ex-boyfriend, army veteran Bryce Jessup.

Recently returned from service, Bryce has every intention of staying away from Corina, but when threats close in around her, he isn't willing to leave her safety to chance. As their search for answers uncovers lethal secrets her detective father kept hidden, Bryce and Corina must untangle the mystery of the merciless killer intent on terrorizing and eliminating Corina's family before it's too late.

My Review:

“Vengeance, as well as justice, demanded that debts always be repaid.”

It’s hard to believe this is the debut novel of author, Angela Carlisle. It is an edge of your seat, action-packed, cat-and-mouse suspense that also has a second chance at love. You are sure to become involved in this story and be looking out for Corina Roberts as there are several points of view, one being the murderer.

The slow reveal of what actually happened to Corina’s family and the clues she finds hidden in crime scene photos keep you guessing and added intrigue as to their significance in the case. I enjoyed seeing the broken relationship between Corina and Bryce repaired and loved that they were going to get their HEA. I am looking forward to reading more stories set in the small town of Kincaid, Kentucky.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of the book that was provided to me. All opinions are my own.

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Loyally, Luke

About the Book:

Sometimes love means embracing the good, the bad . . . and even the impossible.

Dear Reader,

My name is Luke Edgewood, and there are few things in life that I require. Mainly black coffee. And flannel. And lots of solitude. And my dogs, Chewy and Indie. What I don’t need is romance, so I have no plans to change my thirty-year-old bachelor status anytime soon.

But my youngest sister thinks that by accepting a short-term construction job in the small European country of Skymar, I’m going to follow along in her footsteps and discover my own romantic adventure. Nope. Bah humbug. The End. This time, her rom-com-movie senses are totally wrong.

Or maybe not. Because I’ve met a Grace Kelly look-alike who is annoying . . . until she isn’t. But she is impossible. As in, nothing can happen between us because she is a literal princess. Even though that’s easy to forget when we’re working together to restore a castle-like orphanage in a secluded mountain town and “forced proximity” includes a small closet, a secret one-hundred-year-old journal, and the tactile memory of an off-limits royal in my arms.

Basically, the whole situation has turned into an ooey gooey magical snow globe of romantic tropes complete with cute kids and an actual ball. Now, even my sentences are starting to sound like mush. Ugh. Send high levels of testosterone my way—I’m going to need it.

Loyally,

Luke

My Review:

Bravo, author Pepper Basham, on sharing the love story of Luke who is the practical, solid rock of his family. A man who secretly would love to find the right woman, but outwardly is a bit crusty and is adamantly opposed to the mushy Hallmark romance movies. I have enjoyed getting to know him through the other two books in the series and was so happy to read his love story.

There are just so many wonderful things to love about this book. The humor throughout was perfect. This includes the airport (not) meet cute, an incident with a royal guard, and the texting between Luke and his sisters. Ms. Basham portrayed Luke just as I thought he would be, a feat not easily achieved when he was written as a secondary character for the other two books.

Even though it seems Luke and Ellie’s romantic relationship won’t work out, Luke doesn’t let that deter him from being so thoughtful and helping her complete items on her list of simple things to do. I enjoyed how others were part of the equation of helping them with their HEA.

Things to love:

flannel

Skymar

royals

second chances

multiple romance tropes

friends and family

Skymar school and its students

I loved this third book the Skymar series and heartily recommend reading it. In order to enjoy this book fully, you should begin with Authentically, Izzy. I hope you will enjoy this book and the rest of the series as much as I do.

I received a complimentary advanced copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

Friday, May 3, 2024

Earning the Mountain Man's Trust

About the Book

Book: Earning the Mountain Man’s Trust

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: April 9, 2024

In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune.

Naomi Wyatt has finally given up on the man who once promised to love her for the rest of his life—then disappeared with no way to contact him. She’s now a single mother with a beautiful baby girl to provide for, a daughter whose red hair reminds her daily of the man she gave her heart to. She has to move on though, so when Jonah Coulter asks for her hand in marriage, she knows she would be hard-pressed to find a better husband for herself and father for her sweet daughter. He’s a Coulter, after all, and he’s proven to be a good friend during her darkest hours.

But when her first love rides onto the ranch property saying he’d been searching for her for months, her heart is shredded once again. Before she has time to catch her breath though, a new threat appears on the horizon. This time she has far more at stake than her heart, and only a Divine hand can turn this disaster for their good.

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a mountain family saga filled with a second chance romance, love triangles, hidden treasure, and love that heals wounded hearts.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

Naomi Wyatt travels west to put the past behind her and start a new life with her young daughter, Mary Ellen. When her fiancé, Eric LaGrange, shows up at the Coulter Ranch where Naomi is living and is now a part of their lives, things get really interesting. You see, Naomi is now engaged to Jonah Coulter more out of a sense of safety than love. What happens with the three of them is what makes the story one to read. I really enjoy the Coulter family and anyone who gets to become part of the family or ranch is sure to be accepted and loved. As the book ends, there is a mystery that is left unsolved, and I will be waiting to see what happens. I am sure it will be good! While this is part of the Brothers of Sapphire Ranch, it can be read as a standalone. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of the book that was provided by the publisher through Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

More from Misty

Storytelling vs. Historical Authenticity?

I’ve been a fan of historical fiction for as long as I can remember, all the way back to the Mandie books by Lois Gladys Leppard and the Sadie Rose books by Hilda Stahl. Does anyone remember those series?

When I started thinking about my first novel, there was no doubt it would be a Christian Historical Romance set in the west. By my second book in, I had narrowed my focus to frontier life in the Rockies. My happy place!

It can be challenging to write about a time I haven’t experienced and cultures that don’t exist in the same form anymore. I love reading first-hand accounts to help me bring a particular time period to life. I often visit historic forts and talk with those who have studied the time period and setting in greater depth.

Three years ago, My family and I set out on a 28-day epic road trip to tour many of the state and national parks across the country. We spent about half of our time in Wyoming and Montana, exploring Yellowstone and Glacier, and tour historic and ghost towns. We spent more than one night tent camping in primitive camping!

These experiences definitely make it easy for me to slip into that world as I write. The characters come alive in my mind, and I see the story like a movie in my head. Writing Earning the Mountain Man’s Trust was especially fun to write, as we return to the Coulter Ranch. I fell in love with not just Naomi and Eric, but also sweet little Mary Ellen, their one-year-old daughter who Eric meets for the first time in this book.

I pray the story comes to life for readers as much as it has for me! J

Blessings!

Misty