Long Journey Home
By Sharlene MacLaren
ISBN 978-1-60374-056-2
Whitaker House
Contemporary
Back Cover Copy:
A story of healing hearts, rekindling faith, and finding love in life's tragedies
A Painful Past
After divorcing her abusive husband, single mother Callie May is still nursing emotional scars when a handsome but brooding stranger moves into the apartment across the hall.
An Embittered Widower
Former church pastor Dan Mattson may be attractive, but his circumstances certainly aren't. He abandons his flock and turns his back on God following the tragic death of his beloved wife and baby daughter.
An Unlikely Romance
When Callie's ex-husband shows up to wreak even more havoc in her life, Dan finds himself coming to her defense--and being forced to face his own demons in the process. Will Dan and Callie allow God to change their hearts and mend their hurts so they can take another chance on love?
My Review:
I've loved reading Sharlene's historicals, and she's really nailed it in this contemporary. Bringing authentic doubts, fears, and emotions into her characters, she created a compelling story of human mistakes and divine redemption. Lacing that with strong romantic tension, she brought her hero and heroine through their own individual rocky roads. The spiritual thread is strong, showing the unusual ways God can take to reach one of his children. Add the element of an unstable ex-husband, and we have all the elements of a real page turner. You won't want to miss it.
A Lady of Secret Devotion
By Tracie Peterson
ISBN 978-0-7642-0147-9
Bethany House
Historical Fiction - Ladies of Liberty
Back Cover Copy:
Eager to ease the financial burdens of her family, Cassandra Stover is thrilled when she is hired to be a companion to Mrs. Jameston, a wealthy society women. Cassie finds herself living a life she'd never imagined--and growing close to the elderly woman who treats her like a daughter.
Her new position is tarnished only by Mrs. Jameston's son. As Sebastian's resentment and cruelty toward his mother mount, Cassie begins to harbor concerns for her employer's safety. . .and ultimately her own. When Sebastian is suspected of fraud, insurance investigator Mark Langford solicits Cassie's help to uncover the truth. But what begins as a game of pretense is quickly complicated by matters of the heart.
My Review:
With good reason, Tracie Peterson is a favorite author of women who read historical inspirational fiction. Her loyal readers, and new ones alike, will enjoy reading the Ladies of Liberty series.
In addition to well-crafted, multi-dimentional characters, Tracie created an interesting plot with just a touch of mystery woven in. Readers come away from the book with a story that will stay in their mind for a long time. You won't want to miss this book.
Holiday Illusion
By Lynette Eason
ISBN 978-0-373-44316-1
Love Inspired Suspense
Contemporary
Back Cover Copy:
Her Life For A Child's
To save a sick, orphaned boy, Anna Freeman must risk her own life. Little Paulo desperately needs a new heart. It's his only Christmas wish--well, that and building his first snowman. For the surgery, Anna must take him to a hospital in the city she once called home. A place she fled in fear years ago. Which means telling Dr. Lucas Bennett that the woman he's known all this time as a caring orphanage worker is really someone else. Someone with a very frightening past. And that the danger stalking all of them won't take Christmas day off.
My Review:
I love reading Christmas books in November and reviewing them for my readers. This is a wonderful Christmas story. It's also a well-crafted suspense. The red herrings are all convincing and lead the reader on a chase.
If you love a fast-paced suspense, a wonderful romance with lots of romantic tension, and a Christmas story as a bonu, this is the book for you.
A Bride By Christmas
By Linda Goodnight, Kelly Eileen Hake, Vickie McDonough, Therese Stenzel
ISBN 978-1-60260-119-2
Barbour Fiction
Historical Romance
Marriage Is Given a Christmas Deadline
In an era when a single woman had little hope of support and security outside marriage, four young women find themselves talked into weddings on the eve of Christmas celebrations. Can four unlikely couples find happiness in marriage on the Great Plains?
I liked the idea that the novella collection contains stories from different ethnic backgrounds. There's an Irish bride, a Dutch bride, an English bride, and a Cossack bride. And each bride brings traditions from her family's past into the mix.
Each story contains a completely different, but believable reason for the quick marriage. Along the way romance blossoms in unexpected ways.
All four authors did a masterful job of creating good reads. This is a debut novel for Therese Stenzel, and she held her own with these other three multi-published authors.
A thoroughly satisfying read, I highly recommend A BRIDE BY CHRISTMAS.
Hill Country Christmas
by Laurie Kingery
ISBN 978-0-373-82798-5
Love Inspired Historicals
Back Cover Copy:
Holiday Heiress
Overnight, Delia Keller went from penniless preacher's granddaughter to rich young heiress. She's determined to use her money to find the security she's always lacked. And building herself a new house by Christmas is her first priority. But handsome Jude Tucker is challenging her plans and her heart. . . .
The foirmer Civil War chaplain hasn't felt peace in a very long time, and he has a hard time letting go of his past. But as Jude gets to know the spirited Delia, he longs to show her what true Christmas joy means. In the rugged Hill country, he'll reach for a miracle to restore his faith. . .and give Delia his love for all seasons.
My Review:
This is the first Laurie Kingery novel I've ever read, but I enjoyed it very much. Her characters are true to life, with believable faults and doubts. I fell in love with Delia and Jude from the first moment each was introduced.
Laurie peopled her novel with an assorted cast of secondary characters that plays an important part in the story. And it didn't hurt that the book is set in a part of Texas where I lived for several years. A beautiful area dear to my heart.
I highly recommend this wonderful holiday read.
A Connecticut Christmas
By Diane Ashley, Janet Lee Barton, Rhonda Gibson, Gail Sattler
ISBN 978-1-60260-118-5
Barbour
Contemporary Christian Romance
Back Cover Copy:
Simple Christmas Ornaments Are Key to Romance
Snowbound Village, Connecticut, is full of holiday charm, especially at the mall's Christmas Collectibles Shop where romance is in the air.
Nick Jackson seeks to add to Delia Wilkin's collection of Santas and turn her heart toward Jesus. But will working so closely with Delia become awkward since he has ended their romantic relationship?
Jonathan Griffin shops for something to enhance Cindy Morrow's new cookie shop and attract her attention. Will Cindy slow down enough to recognize the plans the Lord has for her when she's presented with a cookie jar full of love?
Sheila Fisher's storytelling is inspired by Morgan Frost's collectible critters. When she meet the man to ask permission to write about his creations, will the encounter lead to dreams of love or dreams stolen?
Rochelle McWilliams collects snowflakes, adorning everything with them, much to Kade Guilford's chagrin. Will Kade allow Rochelle to melt the ice around his stubborn heart?
Will these four couples find a love beyond their greatest wishes this Christmas?
My Review:
Earlier today, I was trying to decide which story was my favorite. I decided it was the last one SNOWBOUND FOR CHRISTMAS, but then I couldn't leave out THE COOKIE JAR or either of the other two stories. So I don't have a favorite.
This is a fun collection of people who come together for a variety of reasons, and each couple has strong reasons not to be together. Don't you just love tension? And each person in the couple has a stirring attraction to the other one. Now romantic tension. It's the thing that keeps the reader turning pages.
I loved the people and setting. There was one thing in the book that I felt wasn't explained quite as much as I wanted it to be. Can you find what that is? If so, send me an email about it.
I highly recommend this book.
Wyoming Christmas Heroes
By Jeanie Smith Cash, Linda Lyle, Jeri Odell, Tammy Shuttlesworth
ISBN 978-1-60260-117-8
Barbour
Contemporary Romance
Back Cover Copy:
A Celebration of Brave Hearts at Christmas
A cup of Christmas, a dash of heroics, a sprinkling of romance, and a heap of faith creates a recipe for holiday magic on four novellas.
Widowed and pregnant, Annie Benson moves to Wyoming just in time to deliver her twins in a snowstorm. What's the chance that her handsome new neighbor is also a doctor?
A snowmobiling mishap in Yellowstone leaves Chris Jennings trapped in a remote cabin. How can it be considered answered prayer when the park ranger on duty is Paul Rogers--her ex-fiance?
Upon meeting a handsome paramedic, Holly Olson's matchmaking daughter suddenly becomes accident prone. Will Luke Jolly join the game and charm the stubborn widow?
Stacy Waters will protect her son at all costs, even from Santas with daddy-like potential. Jack Trenton fights fires when not playing Santa, but can he quench the fire of resentment around Stacy's heart?
Who will come to these women's rescue when the snow gets deep and holiday depression piles up?
My Review:
It would be impossible to choose a favorite among these four stories. I loved them all. Filled with romantic tension and complicated by strong internal conflicts, each story drew me into the action making it hard to put the book down.
I also enjoyed learning more about heroes in our society--how they work and why they can be considered heroes. I highly recommend this enjoyable read.
The Christmas Edition
By Robin Shope
ISBN 978-1-60154-330-1
Wild Rose Press
Contemporary Romance
Back Cover Copy:
Lucy Collins has given up on Christmas since the painful break-up with her fiance. Things only get worse when a large newspaper is about to come to town and threatens the livelihood of their family run business, THE TURTLE CREEK NEWSPAPER. At the staff Christmas party, she makes a wish and what seems like the answer to her prayer walks in the front door to apply for the editor position, which they are hoping will bring new life to the paper.
Not only is Joe McNamara a genius when it comes to the written word, but he is also gifted with ideas about keeping the newspaper afloat. However, Joe has a secret of his own that he is keeping from Lucy. If she finds it out, then what looks like a promising relastionship will unravel, but it's Christmastime, the season of rebirth and miracles.
Will the spirit of celebration be enough to heal two hearts? Or will the reality of deception make this the worst Christmas of all?
My Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed THE CHRISTMAS EDITION. It is filled with romantic tension as well as hidden tension that keeps the reader turning pages. I loved all the characters, even the secondary ones. I can hardly wait to read their stories. And I didn't guess the mystery in Joe's life until it was revealed. A real plus. You won't want to miss this Christmas story.
Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas
By Sandra D. Bricker
ISBN 978-1-934770-45-0
Summerside Press
Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Back Cover Copy:
So what if she can't hook a fish? This girl has a plan to snag something else. . .and his name is Justin.
Lucy Binoche is attractive and intelligent, and she has better-than-average hair. So why is she nearly 30 and single? When stunningly gorgeous Justin Gerard joins the singles group at church, Lucy is convinced he's the answer to her prayers. And when he signs up for a camping trip in Snowball, Arkansas, Lucy is quick to write her name on the line beneath his. There's only one problem: Lucy's idea of "roughing it" is suffering through a long line at Starbucks. She assumes she can rely on the grace of God and the assistance of her best friend, Matt, to thrive in the great outdoors. Will Lucy pretend to be someone she's not just to snag a boyfriend? Or will she discover that she can be loved just as she is?
My Review:
This is one of the first two releases from Summerside Press, and the first one I've reviewed. I'm impressed by the look of the books as well as the content. The covers are beautiful, and this one really fits the story.
Sandra Bricker has a quirky sense of humor that shines through the story. However, that doesn't keep the message from coming through, in a subtle way. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. The characters, the situations, the humor, the romance. It's all there tied up with a ribbon of a happily-ever-after ending. I highly recommend this book.
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