I love the whole premise of mail order brides and wondered how these authors would approach writing stories about it. Let me say that none of them disI love the whole premise of mail order brides and wondered how these authors would approach writing stories about it. Let me say that none of them disappointed me. I didn't want to put it down and each story for me is definitely worthy of 5 stars!
If you haven't had a chance to read any of these anthologies I would suggest you pick your favorite sounding collection. The Road Trip collection, this one, California Dreaming, Winter collection, Love Letters collection, etc., and dive right in. I have read several and have really enjoyed all of them. I really enjoy them for the fact that I don't have to question/wonder if they will be clean. I don't have to spend my time reading reviews wondering if I will have to close the book part way through or if I will be able to finish it. All of these timeless romance anthologies have great novellas that are sweet and romantic and lots of fun. I love that I can(I'm sure you've read this in other reviews but it's true) sit and read through the whole thing or have a story I can read in a short amount of time as I read one novella then another.
I love the idea of Mail Order Brides and have read several other books that have been based off of that idea. Marriages of Convenience usually end up being great reads and this group of authors were able to pull of 6 great reads in my opinion. It's been a couple weeks of vacation time, and several books during that time, since I read this and so I won't break it down into individual stories but I will say that they all had their own unique spin off. I found myself wondering how each author would approach this topic.
The stories range from a wealthy heiress looking for somebody to love her and not her money to a doctor wanting a wife who has midwifery training to an Italian immigrant leaving her family to find love of her own to an orphan searching for safety and stability in marriage, and a couple other spin offs. I enjoyed them and am always looking forward to the next collection in these anthologies.
I downloaded a copy from Amazon. (They were $0.99 a few weeks ago but not sure if it still is. Definitely worth the purchase).
Happy Reading!!!
Merged review:
I love the whole premise of mail order brides and wondered how these authors would approach writing stories about it. Let me say that none of them disappointed me. I didn't want to put it down and each story for me is definitely worthy of 5 stars!
If you haven't had a chance to read any of these anthologies I would suggest you pick your favorite sounding collection. The Road Trip collection, this one, California Dreaming, Winter collection, Love Letters collection, etc., and dive right in. I have read several and have really enjoyed all of them. I really enjoy them for the fact that I don't have to question/wonder if they will be clean. I don't have to spend my time reading reviews wondering if I will have to close the book part way through or if I will be able to finish it. All of these timeless romance anthologies have great novellas that are sweet and romantic and lots of fun. I love that I can(I'm sure you've read this in other reviews but it's true) sit and read through the whole thing or have a story I can read in a short amount of time as I read one novella then another.
I love the idea of Mail Order Brides and have read several other books that have been based off of that idea. Marriages of Convenience usually end up being great reads and this group of authors were able to pull of 6 great reads in my opinion. It's been a couple weeks of vacation time, and several books during that time, since I read this and so I won't break it down into individual stories but I will say that they all had their own unique spin off. I found myself wondering how each author would approach this topic.
The stories range from a wealthy heiress looking for somebody to love her and not her money to a doctor wanting a wife who has midwifery training to an Italian immigrant leaving her family to find love of her own to an orphan searching for safety and stability in marriage, and a couple other spin offs. I enjoyed them and am always looking forward to the next collection in these anthologies.
I downloaded a copy from Amazon. (They were $0.99 a few weeks ago but not sure if it still is. Definitely worth the purchase).
Hands down every story in this collection gets 5 stars from me! I'd get done reading one thinking nothing can top that or be as good. Then I'd start tHands down every story in this collection gets 5 stars from me! I'd get done reading one thinking nothing can top that or be as good. Then I'd start the next novella and was hooked again from the beginning and all the way through and think ok that one was awesome too!!!
I'm not a huge ghost/paranormal story reader. I do read some books that aren't scary thrillers and I figured I love, and have read most of these authors that I don't think they would go that direction with this All Hallows' Eve collection. I really really enjoyed myself while reading these and the spin offs and Halloween twists/connections that the authors used were great! Super fun and sweet swoony reads!
I want to tell you about each of the stories and ramble about the different couples and how I sighed, giggled, and just all around grinned while reading about them. All the couples were very well written. I want to tell you about how each story just was happy and left me happy. I loved the combination of three historical stories and three contemporary stories. The ghosts were fun and the Halloween day stories, sigh!
Oh my word, these authors know how to tell a tale and add spice, humor, thrills, great plots and fabulous characters. I think this might be my favorite collection that I've read so far (I probably say that about most of them but honestly you can never go wrong with the main authors and they always pick great guest authors to include). My favorite thing about these collections is that I never have to wonder about content or go searching reviews trying to decide if it will be a clean read or not. There's never any question about that! Thank you authors for that!!!!
What will you find within? Ghosts, ghosts, and more ghosts. Sirens, haunted mansions, dreams, loss, heartache, renewal, hope, ancient curses, marriage of convenience, second chances, horses, convent, restoration, misunderstanding made clear, swoony sighs, sweet kisses, love and Halloween.
I'll say it again, these are all great clean reads! And if you didn't know, it recently won an award which convinced me to stop debating and take the plunge to purchase it.
This was my personal copy I downloaded from Amazon.
Happy Reading!!!
Merged review:
Hands down every story in this collection gets 5 stars from me! I'd get done reading one thinking nothing can top that or be as good. Then I'd start the next novella and was hooked again from the beginning and all the way through and think ok that one was awesome too!!!
I'm not a huge ghost/paranormal story reader. I do read some books that aren't scary thrillers and I figured I love, and have read most of these authors that I don't think they would go that direction with this All Hallows' Eve collection. I really really enjoyed myself while reading these and the spin offs and Halloween twists/connections that the authors used were great! Super fun and sweet swoony reads!
I want to tell you about each of the stories and ramble about the different couples and how I sighed, giggled, and just all around grinned while reading about them. All the couples were very well written. I want to tell you about how each story just was happy and left me happy. I loved the combination of three historical stories and three contemporary stories. The ghosts were fun and the Halloween day stories, sigh!
Oh my word, these authors know how to tell a tale and add spice, humor, thrills, great plots and fabulous characters. I think this might be my favorite collection that I've read so far (I probably say that about most of them but honestly you can never go wrong with the main authors and they always pick great guest authors to include). My favorite thing about these collections is that I never have to wonder about content or go searching reviews trying to decide if it will be a clean read or not. There's never any question about that! Thank you authors for that!!!!
What will you find within? Ghosts, ghosts, and more ghosts. Sirens, haunted mansions, dreams, loss, heartache, renewal, hope, ancient curses, marriage of convenience, second chances, horses, convent, restoration, misunderstanding made clear, swoony sighs, sweet kisses, love and Halloween.
I'll say it again, these are all great clean reads! And if you didn't know, it recently won an award which convinced me to stop debating and take the plunge to purchase it.
This was my personal copy I downloaded from Amazon.
Cute story that my whole family loves. We've read it and watched it several times on Storyline Online. Puts a fun twist to the concept of monsters undCute story that my whole family loves. We've read it and watched it several times on Storyline Online. Puts a fun twist to the concept of monsters under the bed. The illustrations are great as well!...more
Oh my heart. I loved this story and wished that it wasn't so short, but it was power packed with little goodies. Charolette, Marsali's sister, has steOh my heart. I loved this story and wished that it wasn't so short, but it was power packed with little goodies. Charolette, Marsali's sister, has stepped in and agreed to marry Mr. Vancer when it is discovered that Christopher is alive and Marsali is still a married woman. Charolette is a young widow with a young toddler to care for and she has been worried how she will manage that. Yet when Marsali's wedding day approaches and with only a few hours left until the wedding, she realizes that Mr. Vancer is a good man. She has watched how he treats her sister, even his kindness to her and her little son has proven to her that he is kind and would be a good father and husband to them.
Mr. Vancer asks if Charolette might consider marrying him and with her affirmative answer we get this sweet novella. Starting with the wedding and their sweet courtship, after their marriage of convenience of course! So sweet and the healing that they are able to help each other with was very touching. I loved all the scenes with Charolette's son. The waltz...oh my! The snowball fights...super fun! If you don't or haven't read any of the other books in this series you can read this one no worries and will love it!
If you're a lover of mystery/murder short stories this might be one that you would enjoy. So far I've only read one of the stories but enjoyed it and If you're a lover of mystery/murder short stories this might be one that you would enjoy. So far I've only read one of the stories but enjoyed it and from other reviews I've read about the other short stories in this anthology, I'll probably pick it up later and read through those and add my reviews about those stories later. I won't give a rating for the whole series now but will rate individual stories as I read and review them.
Two Faces by H. B. Moore (4 stars)
A newly wed bride doesn't know what to make of her husband and his changed behavior after a few weeks of marriage. Who is this man that she thought she knew so well? How can he disappear for hours at a time at night and not share with her where he was and what he has been doing? After a visit with a new friend and a few suspicions, Vivian shares her thoughts with her husband. When she discovers her husband Simon after another late night escapade, she comes to understand what he has been doing. How should she handle it and should she end their relationship or does she love him enough to help him or support him in his escapades?
This was a fun, very short story and definitely a little mysterious. I think a seasoned reader would be able to pick up on what Simon does after reading a little further into the short story but it's still an intriguing read.
I received a copy from an author and was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I'm between a 3-4 star rating so I'll go with 3.5 rounding up.
Tis the season to read lots of cozy, heartwarming Christmas stories and novellas. I reaI'm between a 3-4 star rating so I'll go with 3.5 rounding up.
Tis the season to read lots of cozy, heartwarming Christmas stories and novellas. I read another book based in Scotland a week or so ago and when some friends said this one was free on Amazon right now, I grabbed it and read it right away. I love anything British, Scottish or Irish so how could I pass up another great read of an English rose and a Scottish clan chief.
The descriptions of the Scottish lands was beautiful and had me wishing I were there to look all around and see the beauty for myself. The characters were fun and easy to read about.
Lady Juliet has been sent away to Scotland due to an incident that occurred in the gardens at a high society ball. Her mother is livid with her and can't believe she would throw away all of her chances for a good match. As the book opens we find Lady Juliet near the end of her stay in Scotland and as a parting gift her dear aunt and uncle take her to the Highland games with her cousins. Immediately her eye is caught by none other than Iain MacLeon, a very powerful and strong clan chief. She's not the only one to have someone catch her eye...yes you guessed it, Iain can't deny the connection between him and Juliet at first meeting. He as good as declares his intentions when they have a funny incident and stumble upon each other, and he asks her to wear his clan's tartan.
As they are both starting to get to know each other, peril strikes. Lady Juliet's father is injured and her brother has come to fetch her home to receive instructions from him before he passes away. Iain steps up and agrees to escort her home. Many revelations are given once they reach home and discover that Lady Juliet is engaged to Malcolm, a very powerful Englishman and a very cruel man.
The adventures begin as Lady Juliet and her brother Ruck decide to hatch a scheme to save Juliet from Malcolm's clutches and evil ways. Yes, Iain is pulled unknowingly into the scheme, but had they asked he would have joined willingly. ;-) It's pretty funny what happens and I found myself laughing right along with Juliet. The adventure and peril continues to pile up until the end of the story with plenty of danger and romance throughout.
Some of the historical aspects seemed like they were inaccurate for those of you who are very particular with that. There were a few other things scattered throughout that bothered me but it's been a couple days and with my tired brain I can't remember what they were(I should have written my review right away but ran out of time).
Content: There are some battle scenes but nothing graphic. There is an attempted rape, the most graphic thing it says about it is he grabbed for her breasts. Some kisses but no sexual relations(except for attempted rape). There are religious aspects throughout with characters praying to God and asking for his will to guide and direct them. I would say it's a clean read and recommend for more mature readers.
I kept seeing reviews and talk about the Snow Valley books but hadn't read any until this one. I have to say I was hooked by the first couple paragrapI kept seeing reviews and talk about the Snow Valley books but hadn't read any until this one. I have to say I was hooked by the first couple paragraphs and really want to see what characters from this are in the other Snow Valley books.
I loved the way Cami Checketts showed the character's dreams and how they worked towards those goals that would help them achieve their dreams. Yet sometimes even through hard work and dedication, dreams aren't always fulfilled, or can be altered due to life or new realizations. Very well done!
The romance was sweet and swoony. Kazlyn and Ty have great chemistry and had me laughing throughout the book. They were great "real" characters who were easy to connect to and cheer for. I especially loved all of Ty's great lines during the beginning of their relationship. Kazlyn could definitely keep up with his wit!
I enjoyed the little snippets of back stories we got about them and the way their lives were shaped through those experiences. That's really how life is for everyone, the choices we make and the experiences that come all mold and shape us into the person we are, and it's an ever changing and growing process.
If you're a fan of this author I think you'll really enjoy this read. If you've never read any of her works I hope you take a chance and find yourself pleasantly surprised.
Content: swoony kisses, an attempted fist fight, an attempted rape(nothing happens and the author keeps it very mild and non graphic). Overall I would say it's a clean read. I'd recommend it for older YA and up.
I received a free copy from the author and no review was required, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
There are so many wonderful thoughts, feelings and emotions for me connected to my reading of this novel. Very well done. Beautifully writt4.5 stars.
There are so many wonderful thoughts, feelings and emotions for me connected to my reading of this novel. Very well done. Beautifully written. A character voice I won't soon be forgetting. This is my first book by this author and has hooked me and intrigued me to continue reading her other works.
Emily has not had a stable and idyllic childhood. She holds many moments of life at bay due to her innate desire to protect herself and her sister. She can control and fix any object around her as her profession is a restorer. She takes a broken or worn item, analyzes, and decides the best way to fix it and restore it to perfection or as close as possible. As she has applied that tactic to all aspects of her life, she comes to realize throughout this novel that by so doing she has missed out on some important moments, relationships, healing, etc. in her life.
As she is away from home on an emergency restoration project, her whole life changes in a simple, yet very impactful meeting. Her life, her perceptions and her ability to see and portray beauty quickly changes and unfolds before her very eyes.
Life is more beautiful, has more meaning, more ups and downs, heartache, mistakes, ultimate joys and plenty of healing that she would not have discovered had she not followed her heart and taken a step into the unknown.
Emily travels to Italy and is caught up in a family's life, their anger, heartache, joys, sorrow, love, betrayal, secrets, passion, forgiveness, parting, healing, etc. and must decide where and how she fits into it all. Will she embrace this possibility of a new life or will she turn and run away from it all?
I loved the many dynamics between all the characters. I loved the family life. It was real and raw and brought many emotions of these characters to the surface. I feel that any reader will be able to feel and relate to the intricacies found therein.
Content: I would say this was a clean read. There are some kisses and nothing further. There is talk about a child born out of wedlock but done very well. There are some Christian religious aspects throughout but not overpowering. Talk about forgiveness and love and mercy and healing. Again I thought the whole book was done very tastefully and would recommend to older YA readers and up.
I read the brief excerpt from the author's other book, Dear Mr. Knightly, and must say I'm really excited to read it. It is similar to the book Daddy Long Legs(which I just had recommended to me and can't wait to read). More great books to add to my wonderful pile. :-)
I received a copy from the publisher, Thomas Nelson Fiction, through NetGalley. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I'm loving this Billionaire Bride Pact series. This is the second book I've read from it and love that they can be read as standalone novels. The coveI'm loving this Billionaire Bride Pact series. This is the second book I've read from it and love that they can be read as standalone novels. The covers are super cute with each "bride" wearing different shoes to match their personalities.
Holly has grown up an only child to parents who own and run an amazing resort. When one of the three original partners of the resort plans to sell his share things turn ugly and bitter and result in Holly's parents making very specific plans for the future...more specifically Holly's future.
Holly was very young when everything happened with the partnership but everything she knows and does is a result of the breakup and the remaining partners trying to secure their resort's long term future. One such stipulation, each partner will not have more than the one child they already have and those two children will marry to ensure the resort stays in the family.
So Holly knows each step of her life in advance, follows the rules and what is expected of her and yet...she can't help but dream of having a real marriage with love and not just an obligation for her family's sake.
As wedding plans start to be forced upon her, Holly hides away in her secret garden trying to find peace. When she finally emerges, what she discovers will not bring peace but more turmoil than she's ever known in her life. Is it worth the risks or should she keep playing her part in the family expectations and bury all hopes and dreams? Or for once in her life should she take a step and truly start living?
The pacing of the novel was great and it was short enough to be read in a few hours but long enough to develop characters and plot that draws the reader in. I loved the emotions of Holly and felt the author did a fantastic job of making me as a reader feel those and connect with the character without being told each individual emotion and feeling she had.
The romance was sweet and clean. I found myself cheering for the characters to just explain everything, stop holding back secrets, forgive and move forward. I love my happily ever after endings and this novel was a great addition to my HEAs. <3
Content: Clean with several kisses. A character gets beat up but nothing graphic. I'd recommend for anyone who loves a sweet and swoony contemporary romance.
This book was a fun, quick Christmas read for me. I enjoyed the setting and the characters. Nathan needs an escape from his busy life and he decides tThis book was a fun, quick Christmas read for me. I enjoyed the setting and the characters. Nathan needs an escape from his busy life and he decides to head to Park City for some fun skiing. He is trying to get past thoughts of missing his dad after his recent death. His plans are to ski, enjoy the sights, eat some good food and then head to his brother's house in time for Christmas. While skiing one day he is passed by, rather rudely by an amazing skier decked out in hot pink ski clothes. He's pretty upset and chances upon seeing her again on his way back to the lodge where he is staying. Deciding to give her some grief about her actions on the ski run, he is completely unprepared for the attraction and sparks flying between them once they start talking. Boy is she a spitfire and fun to banter with.
Storm doesn't know what to think about this arrogant man who comes in with attitude towards her. Yet she has to admit that she hasn't felt a spark like this for a long time, if ever. After bantering back and forth for a day she agrees to dinner with him. Unfortunately he happens to overhear a phone conversation that leaves her upset as well as meeting and talking with her friend(and ex-boyfriend) Skye. In no time at all he might get her to unload all her troubles and share information that she hasn't ever shared with anyone, not even her grandfather who has gotten her into the mess she's in. Yet how can she blame him when he was just looking out for her and their family ranch. But with no control over life, he has passed away and left her needing to marry someone by Christmas(in three days) or else she will lose the farm and everything she has held dear.
Nathan and Storm have sparks zinging every time they meet. Yet Nathan doesn't know how he could help her, especially since she has committed to marrying Sky, her ex-boyfriend. And yet the more they spend time together and the more he helps her with her business, the more they fall for each other. Rationalizing that he's only helping her to get some parts of her life in harmony, he continues to stick around only to fall more in love with her. Yet Nathan doesn't need anyone in his life, let alone this girl who has so pretty crazy problems.
Will Nathan ever be able to heal from the loss of his father and every other family member? Will he be able to let his heart open and realize that love makes life worth living and better? Or will he ruin the chance that he has right before him and have to move on alone again? Will Storm decide to marry Skye to keep all that she knows in her life? Or will she realize that she can walk away from it all and have the memories of her life instead of forcing herself to do something that might make her miserable again? Would she be happy with Nathan or would he just hurt her in the end as well?
If you are looking for a fun, fast paced Christmas romance this is definitely a fun one. It's clean and sweet with sparks and some kisses.
Another fun book in this series and it definitely lived up to my expectations for a rewrite of my favorite Austen novel. In this version the MC is CarAnother fun book in this series and it definitely lived up to my expectations for a rewrite of my favorite Austen novel. In this version the MC is Caroline Bingley in place of Anne Elliot, even though I absolutely love Anne, for this series it works great having Caroline Bingley as our leading lady.
Caroline's life was what most would consider perfect, on the path to an amazing career, plenty of money and the love of a wonderful man. Of course her family convinces her that it won't work with that man so she breaks off the engagement. Unfortunately her family's business goes under and she is found at the bottom working her way up again. Her family is horrible and completely ignorant of her and use her almost unforgivably. Life has turned completely around from what she thought was going to be exactly what she'd dreamed of and yet she isn't going to stop pushing forward to make her dreams come true again, it's just going to take a little bit more time than originally planned.
Enter one crazy, awful and insane day, and it's not even been more than an hour or so and enter in one jilted and completely heartbroken and angry previous fiance, Rick Wentworth. Caroline doesn't know how she can handle this day when she discovers that Rick is now the owner of the clothing store she helps manage and he is there to check up on her and congratulate her on her sales tactics. Both of them are shocked and surprised when they see each other that day. Are their feelings the same? Have they both harbored the hope to someday reignite that flame, you know the one that didn't really go out? Or is the hurt and heartbreak and anger too much to allow any healing and love to build a wonderful relationship again?
Let's add on top of it all Caroline's sister Louisa...and her new boyfriend, Rick Wentworth. Yup that's right the love of her life is now in a very serious relationship with her sister. How is that ever going to work out for Caroline?
I loved the take that Jenni James took on this fun story, actually on all three books so far in this series. It's been fun reading them and enjoying a fun little jaunt into my Austen addiction. They're short enough that you can read them in a few short hours, on a nice drive, on a quiet evening, or a few minutes here or there throughout your day(s).
If you enjoy retellings of Jane Austen's novels I have enjoyed this series and this author's other series for teens and would recommend them to anyone looking for a sweet, fun and enjoyable read.
I love this book and have had a busy week since finishing it. I could have done a quick single finger typing review on my phone Choices and Destiny...
I love this book and have had a busy week since finishing it. I could have done a quick single finger typing review on my phone and goodreads app but I really wanted to type it at my computer so I could really just type fast whatever thoughts popped up in my mind. I didn't think it would be this long before I could get to my computer but here I am a week later finally being able to sit and let my thoughts loose. I've thought about what I want to say about this final book in the series without revealing any spoilers and hope I can do it justice. This is definitely one you should read in order, otherwise there is so much that you won't understand and that you will miss out on.
Choice and Destiny is a great way to sum up many of the ideas in this book. There is a prophecy that we learn about in book one and from that prophecy we know that it is said that Hope is going to heal the veil once she ascends and joins with her soul mate. Hope's heart throughout the series is struggling to come to terms with the prophecy and with the expectations of many around her(not all, but many). In this one, The Prophecy, we have our group of heroes trying to reach the original Prophecy and those who can translate it for them. They need to know exactly what is written and how they can go about making sure it is fulfilled, or how they can heal the veil.
I want to tell you about the Prologue of this book and how something that happened at the end of the previous book has completely changed everything again. I want to tell you why the prologue and the characters in it are so key to the whole of the prophecy. I want to tell you about the many battles fought, some overcome with good and some lost that leads our group into further peril. The grip that Amatsu has on the veil and it's weakening is growing stronger and stronger and several choices of Hope's will determine if that veil can ever be fixed. Or if Amatsu and evil will conquer Earth and reign forever.
I really love this series and tell everyone I can about it. If you love YA, fantasy and an awesome clean romance(there's even some budding romance between secondary characters that was great), humor, suspense and really great writing, I highly recommend this series for you.
The humor in this book is fantastic. I found myself so many times(probably close to most of the book) grinning and laughing out loud, or chuckling quietly to myself. My husband would look over at me and laugh at me laughing so much. I tried to explain some of it but I think since he didn't know the characters it was a little lost on him. Angie is one of my favorites, ok maybe I shouldn't say she is one of my favorites because honestly I really like all of the characters. Yes I said ALL of the characters. How is that possible? Well you will have to read to find out. Many characters that I was not happy with from previous books had some great redeeming moments, or they just kept being their normal selves that I didn't necessarily like, but they ended up giving me reasons to like them(how's that for being vague and spoiler free?)
I want to see more of Angie, yes I know the series ended with this book but honestly I want more Angie and more of her life after everything finished. There's some good stuff going on there and we were left without some closure between her and a couple Kami (who shall remain nameless for this review). Angie is just a spitfire, an awesome best friend and exactly what Hope needed to help her through all the ups and downs and craziness that awaited her throughout this series. Love, love, love Angie.
This review wouldn't be complete without saying how much I love Hope and Tie. I feel if I say much else that I would start to reveal major aspects of this book and series so I will keep quiet and just keep saying that they are definitely one of my top favorite literary couples. There's a lot of heartache involved and misunderstandings and betrayals and healing and betrayals and heartache...you get the idea but I absolutely loved them. Read the series to understand why!
Content: There are some steamy kisses, nothing past that and I would say this is a clean read. If I remember right, the characters do mention sex but only in the sense that they are setting boundaries in their relationship and stating that they believe in waiting until marriage before adding that aspect to their relationship. That their love for each other isn't based on sex but so many other aspects. There are some swear words scattered throughout, mostly the *d* word. So a heads up if you don't like that, it's not said a lot throughout but pops up every once in a while. Overall I would rate this a clean read and would recommend for a little bit older YA readers and up. I can't say enough good things about this series and this author. Honestly she's amazing and is very gifted with her writing talent. If you haven't read any of her other books either, grab them and enjoy reading on a rainy or snowy day all snuggled up with them.
I received an ARC from the author, all thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
I'm going to say it again...for those of you who've read my other reviews for books by Heather B. Moore then you already have read this and know how mI'm going to say it again...for those of you who've read my other reviews for books by Heather B. Moore then you already have read this and know how much I love her writing, for those of you who have no idea, well now you do!!!! Any chance I get to grab a new book by Heather I will. This one comes out tomorrow and I had just started an ARC copy for a different author/book when I checked my email and had this one waiting for me. I was going to wait, then I was just going to peek at the first couple pages....ha! Yeah right! I was hooked!!! Completely, utterly hooked! Then I told myself it's ok because it's a novella and I can finish it fast and get back to my other list of books I'm working through. So it's all good. Yeah I really didn't want to put it down so any free time I had, the book was being read.
Honestly I love any genre that Heather writes in, she does so in such a way that it feels she was always writing in that one genre. If you haven't read anything by her I highly recommend scrolling through her list of books and picking whichever one strikes your fancy and try her out. Well worth the time.
*ok I ranted a little here below so if you don't want to read all my rants-positive rants-then just skip down to the next group of * and I'll pick up on just the review and not my rant.*
I loved Falling for Sydney. Some moments brought back those feelings and memories of when I first met my husband and the instant connection we made. I knew about him for a year, he found out about me the night we met(at a wedding reception) and he fell head over heels for me instantly ;-) Actually I almost didn't go on the trip to two of my roommates weddings because I knew he would be there. They'd been telling me about him for a year and I was young and not interested in any relationship, I was going to see the world. LOL. But nope, I met him, he asked me out on a date for the following day and he was smitten(I was too). We lived states apart going to school but talked nonstop on the phone and seeing each other as often as we could. It was a whirlwind time. We were engaged in a few months and married a few months after...yep it's true. Now 14 years later we're still madly in love, and sometimes we still act like the young couple we were and honestly I wouldn't have it any other way.
Ok why did I just share all of that personal info in a review? Well life today most couples take things very slow and date years sometimes to be sure. This book has an insta-love story to it and some people think that's not possible but I'm living proof that it is and it works. The book also deals with choices and consequences and I think that's a big part of my life and how my husband and I have stayed committed and happily married with each other. I think that when two people meet and feel that strong connection and love with each other that they can make a relationship work. It takes two together to be committed and to make choices, good choices with good consequences that build that relationship daily, even through the easy, hard and crazy moments in life. It's a daily and sometimes moment by moment commitment but it is possible. Now I'm not saying that just any two random strangers will be 100% compatible but that it's possible when two people truly love and commit to each other.
Yeah, I just rambled and went on a little soapbox there but it's dear to my heart because it's my life with my husband and our family. So to summarize I completely and wholeheartedly believe in insta-love and love reading novels about it.
*end of rant ;-)*
Sydney is ready to settle down, she's got the wedding in a couple weeks all that's left is to try on her dress for the final time and wait for the days to pass. Unfortunately life is not always what it seems and she is left completely shocked when she follows her instincts about her fiance. He's gone, suddenly disappears, and a stranger who claims to be family is staring at her from inside her fiance's condo. Who is this stranger and how can the things he is claiming be true? Sydney is so levelheaded that what she's hearing just can't be true, she would never walk into a situation like this...but with this wake up call she realizes that's exactly what she's done.
Now she is left to pick up the pieces and figure out life again. Her best friends June and Maria(the main characters for the next two books in this series) come rushing to her rescue. But to their surprise, this handsome stranger and Sydney have sparks zinging between them. Sydney and Jake decide to work together to pick up the pieces for her fiance's family and find that they are really enjoying their time together.
Sydney discovers that sometimes using her logic and analyzing everything doesn't always lead to happily ever after, sometimes you have to let your heart guide you.
I loved how the author used the fiance, Rian, to show choices and consequences in life. Sometimes those consequences are not hefty and other times they are very overwhelming and can impact not only the person making the choices life, but the lives of so many others around them.
This was a quick read, almost too quick. I wished it could have been a little longer to develop the main relationship a little more but it still sucked me right in and hooked me. I loved it!
Content wise I'd say it was a clean read. There was a swear word and some kissing. There was some innuendo but nothing graphic that would make me say it wasn't a clean read.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
What a sweet, clean and perfect snuggle up inside by the fireplace while the snow falls outside, Christmas read!
I loved Chelsea and her spunky sweet What a sweet, clean and perfect snuggle up inside by the fireplace while the snow falls outside, Christmas read!
I loved Chelsea and her spunky sweet personality. She has several insecurities when it comes to the man of her dreams, her best friend from high school whom she hasn't seen or heard from in 6 long years. Oh how she's dreamed about him from the day of their first meeting but they've only ever been friends and she's not even sure he realizes she's a girl. Ok he knows she's a girl but not in the sense that he might be interested in her other than a hang out, shoot some hoops, or play some other sport with her like he would a guy buddy.
When a chance encounter brings Drew back into her life Chelsea has to decide if she takes a chance to risk showing him she's interested or stay his buddy because nothing will ever move past friendship in their relationship.
Along with Chelsea's and Drew's relationship/friendship we also have another budding relationship underlying in the story. Mason is one of Chelsea's high school students. His life is complicated and he gives all he can to support and protect his family. Yet he has fallen hard for the smartest, prettiest and richest girls at school. Mason is so far out of her league, and yet he can't help but wish for the chance to be better friends.
I loved this sweet Christmas story. I loved the characters, their interactions with each other, their goodness, their support of each other. So many great characters that gave a nice blend to the story. The setting and timing of the story were fun and added greatly to the story. A small town at Christmas time...what better place to visit in a book as Christmas approaches than a place that helps you feel the spirit of Christmas and the joy of giving rather than receiving.
Super cute and swoony read. I'm glad I picked this for my quiet and calm evening read. I needed something fun and quick to read. Cami is definitely on my favorite authors list. I've read several of hers now and have come away smiling and pleasantly surprised after each book I've read. Definitely worth it if you haven't picked up one of her books yet!
Content: sweet and swoony kisses and nothing further. There is a character that has an abusive home life. Mostly described as mentally abusive but there is a moment with a fight in the abusive relationship. Nothing graphic but definitely enough to understand the situation.
Super cute and definitely should be made into a Hallmark movie!!!!
~Update 3rd read through 1/5/18~ Still think it'll make a great Hallmark movie. The Super cute and definitely should be made into a Hallmark movie!!!!
~Update 3rd read through 1/5/18~ Still think it'll make a great Hallmark movie. The author rewrote the book to submit to Hallmark in hopes that it will be picked. Fingers crossed! Some definite changes from the original but I loved the changes and felt more connected with the townspeople and I loved Bell and Drake's relationship even better. I read an unpublished rewritten document so not sure when she'll update the book to that or how the author will do that. But again, fingers crossed and anxiously waiting for it to be chosen once it's submitted! I could definitely see myself snuggled up with my hubby watching this, laughing and sighing.
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What a fun storyline! I loved Bell's character. She is a secret santa working for the big Santa himself. She's lived in the same town for about four years and each year has a special list she gets the beginning of December telling her who in the town needs help with their Christmas cheer. It's Bell's job to be secretive finding out more information about each person and finding a way to help them overcome whatever is causing the lack of cheer and joy in their lives.
I loved Bell's zest for life and joy. She was so excited to share that with everyone around her and a lot of times she found ways to do so by enlisting the help of the townspeople. What better way to bring joy to someone's life than to go out and get them to serve others. Those who needed a little extra cheer were often the ones she brought along to help an elderly neighbor, or a struggling new business, or a lonely friend. It was great and made me think of my life and how I feel so much more joy when I am helping and serving others. There are moments in our lives though when we need that joy and help as well as giving it.
Bell's biggest struggle...Drake Pine. This was the year she was finally going to figure out why he was on her list again for the fourth year in a row and why she was unable each prior year to do what needed to be done to remove him from the list.
Each interaction Bell had with the people on her list, especially Drake shed more light on their character and their struggles or sorrows. I loved when they were able to let the joy come into their lives, even though sometimes it didn't completely fix their situation but it made it feel lighter and more doable.
Honestly the whole time I was reading this novella I pictured the cute little town all decorated up for Christmas, snow falling around and the community being brightened with Christmas joy. Now there is of course a cute, sweet romance written into the story as well. I loved it and found myself smiling many times throughout(at the developing romance but also about the whole story).
Cute, cute, cute!!!!! If you are looking for a sweet holiday read to dive into and bring some magic into your day for a few hours I highly recommend this one. I also can't wait to see if she continues on with the series and we get to see more people in this town or if we'll get a new little town with a whole new storyline.
I really enjoyed this novella and loved the setting and characters. Something about the Scottish and Irish Brogues that I just love (yes this was a boI really enjoyed this novella and loved the setting and characters. Something about the Scottish and Irish Brogues that I just love (yes this was a book but my imagination works great to hear the brogue in my head). Definitely a great clean and swoony contemporary/paranormal read.
This had a paranormal twist to it that I really enjoyed. Not quite the normal ghost paranormal story but a Scottish Laird who is in stasis due to a curse brought upon him due to two family's inability to let go of wrongs against them.
Gwen has purchased a great get away trip for her and her husband of a month (or so), unfortunately their marriage ends before it really gets started. Jump ahead a year and Gwen finds herself enjoying this trip by herself with the chance to go visit her ancestral home at the end. As she arrives at the castle she finds herself taking many selfies and trying very discreetly to take pictures of a handsome kilt clad Scotsman. When she finally gets the courage to talk to him and ask the owner of the castle about him, she comes to discover that she is the only person who can see him, in person and in her pictures.
They have an instant connection and are off on a hunt to discover how to release Niall from his curse and be able to move on. Yet as they grow closer together in their friendship, love starts to bloom and both Gwen and Niall start wondering if they want him to move on to the afterlife.
The whole journey and ending of this novel was quite enjoyable for me. I love the setting and the way the authors wrote the curse was fun.
Content: sweet, swoony kisses, some flashbacks to clan wars but nothing too graphic, sword fighting and a little blood but not bad. I'd recommend it for YA and up!!!
This was a fast paced novel, full of the suspense and sweet romance that I've come to enjoy from this mother/daughter writing team.
Liam and Maurie haThis was a fast paced novel, full of the suspense and sweet romance that I've come to enjoy from this mother/daughter writing team.
Liam and Maurie have been best friends for years, not to mention business partners. Both of them have feelings for the other but they of course don't want to jeopardize their relationship by stepping into the territory of dating and loving each other.
Yet unforeseen forces have gathered all around them and force them to try to outsmart and stay ahead of the one person nobody suspected of being bad, Maurie's fiancé.
Can Liam convince her that she isn't just a rebound? Can Maurie allow her heart to be hurt again when everything is pointing at Liam's unreliability in relationships?
How far will anyone go to protect and cover their biggest secrets? Everyone has something to hide and something to uncover? Who will reveal it all first and who will come out victor?
Gun chases, sandy beaches, sailing, paintings, marshmallows, broken glass, missing sunglasses, bubba gump trivia, sweet kisses, false identities, cover ups, pounding hearts, a wedding, ice cream and a movie and so much more is within this page turner.
This is a great clean read I'd recommend for anyone who needs a quick read with suspense and spice. The setting and artwork makes the story great and easy to get sucked into.
I really enjoyed reading this and thinking about the promises and blessings that we can receive as we keep covenants made with the Lord. I love that oI really enjoyed reading this and thinking about the promises and blessings that we can receive as we keep covenants made with the Lord. I love that our covenants are personal between us and the Lord. Yet at the same time can be all encompassing to those who came before us.
An increased offering of our time to the Lord can bring added peace and less stress to our lives.
I loved the beginning story about a meeting she was at in Russia a few years ago and had the thought to ask what lineage the ladies were from. She went on to ask those from each individual tribe of Israel to stand( for those who aren't aware-in the LDS faith we can receive a very sacred and special, and very personal blessing from the Lord called a Patriarchal blessing, in which we learn from which tribe of Israel we descend from). Think about in the Scriptures we read about the gathering of the ten tribes of Israel. Wendy Watson Nelson was able to witness that, as 11 of the 12 tribes were represented in descendants that day. Then she was able to go to Armenia a few hours later for another conference and have someone who had heard about the previous meeting and say to her "I have Levi", meaning someone was there who was a descendant of the tribe of Levi. Amazing to be able to see, and hear about that and not just some random I heard about someone from this tribe through this person's cousin's uncle's friend's so and so.
A couple quotes I liked...
"They received blessings in multiple aspects of their lives and in important ways they could never have imagined."
"I am even more convinced now, years later, that weary covenant men and women are revitalized as the power of God flows into their lives when they keep their covenant of service. We were indeed born to serve! Our spirits remember our pre-mortal covenant to serve, and they rejoice when we keep it. One way we can keep our covenant to serve is by helping others Prepare for, understand, and keep their covenants."
"Making covenants with God calls forth the divine within us. Keeping our covenants with God allows Him to pour his divine power into us."
Content: Religious teachings applicable to anyone and some key aspects applicable to those of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints faith.
My mom gave this book as a gift to my hubby for Father's Day.
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