Montana Groom

Montana Groom of Convenience

Linda Ford

Carly's father has backed her into a corner. He said if she doesn't get married, she won't inherit the ranch that she's been running ever since he was injured. As she sits in the diner complaining to her friend, Sawyer overhears. Sawyer has just received custody of his orphaned little sister and has no clue how to raise a girl. He offers Carly a solution that he thinks will help both of them out of their predicaments. Can the two fool everyone long enough to get what they both want?

This was a sweet story with a predictable ending. But even though I knew how it would end, I enjoyed the story getting there. The author did a great job of weaving faith, romance, drama, and family together to create an enjoyable story. The characters were entertaining and the secondary characters were just as amusing and deep as the two main people. The author did a great job of portraying the difficulties and blessings of a blended family. Overall, this was a sweet, romantic story that would be enjoyed by readers who enjoy clean, historical romance with elements of faith.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Compromised by the Prince's Touch

Compromised by the Prince's Touch

Bronwyn Scott

Prince Nikolay is exiled from his country of Russian because of his part in a rebellion. He's living in London with his friends, but misses his homeland so much. So when the Russian Ambassador's daughter asks for riding lessons, he agrees. He knows that he shouldn't, but he can't resist her smile. The plot thickens when he meets an earl associated with the ambassador and learns that another rebellion is afoot in Russia. He must play his cards carefully or he'll be accused of treason and lose his life and those he loves.

This book would probably be classified as a romance. But it was full of drama, suspense, and intrigue. There were spies, plots, traps, and politics involved throughout the entire story. The romance was an integral part, but was part of the intrigue. There were some bedroom scenes for those who prefer to read more clean novels. For some reason, despite all of the drama, I just couldn't get into the story. The two main characters didn't seem to connect or fit together well and I think this threw off the plot for me. I think readers who enjoy historical romance with suspense will enjoy the story. And since this author has always been a favorite in the past, I will continue to read her stories and assume this one just wasn't my style.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Come & Eat

Come & Eat

A Celebration of Love and Grace Around the Everyday Table

Bri McKoy

As humans we crave relationships and meaningful interaction. But in our busy, stressed out lives we often miss opportunities to connect with those around us. The author draws from personal experiences to share how she enriched her life by gathering around the table to learn more about her friends and family and establish those meaningful connections. Each chapter begins with the thoughts and stories from the author. She pulls in scripture and the experiences of others as well. Sprinkled through out the chapter is helpful tips on how to implement what she is talking about. The chapter ends with a prayer for the table, questions for the table, and a recipe for the table. The book ends with several appendixes that have resources, thoughts, and a 21-day challenge. 

I really enjoyed reading this book. The author is authentic and down to earth. I didn't feel like the end result was unattainable. The questions and challenges fit with my family, but were just generic enough that I know they will work in the future as well. I've made a couple of the recipes so far. My family loved them. The instructions were easy enough to follow and the end result was delicious. I think every family would benefit from reading this book.

I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Holding the Fort

Holding the Fort

Fort Reno #1

Regina Jennings

Louisa is a dance hall singer. When she receives a letter that her brother is in prison at the army fort, she worries about his reckless behavior. When she's fired from her job, she decides to head to the fort to save her brother from himself. Due to a huge miscommunication she's now working as a governess for two wild little girls. And their father, Daniel, is as full of secrets as she is.

This was a fun book. The plot was well thought out and while predictable in its romance, it was also full of surprises and tiny twists. The characters were well written and I enjoyed the several of the secondary characters as much as the main ones. I think the romantic parts were well written for the time period and fit well with the story. I wasn't as fond of Louisa as I would have liked to be, but I think Daniel made up for it. I really liked his character. Overall, it was a fun book to read, just don't expect depth, this isn't one of those books. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Heir Force

Heir Force

A Military Inspirational Romance

Michelle Connell

Kate is in love with John and works with him on the air force base. But when she receives devastating news, she's left alone to pick up the pieces of her life. Secrets come out that makes her question everything. Her friend Spencer is a huge help and while Kate is just friends, Spencer is hoping for more.

The author did a good job of creating believable and likable characters. I liked how she brought inspiration and some thought provoking moments into the story. But the negatives, sadly, outweighed the positives for me. I had a hard time getting into the story, there wasn't enough of a pull. Because I was reading this to review, I read the entire book, but I wouldn't have, had I been just reading it. It just didn't grab me. The author has a good base, but really needs to do some editing to make it flow better and not come across as stilted. The story was told and not shown to the reader. There is a lot of unnecessary things that can be taken out to make it flow better and not bog down the reader. I think there is potential here, but it needs some serious polishing before it will become a great read.

I received a copy of this book from Goodreads. All thoughts expressed are my own.

The Energy Medicine Yoga Prescription

The Energy Medicine Yoga Prescription

Lauren Walker

The author, a yoga teacher, has written this resource book to help the reader uncover the root causes for some of their physical health issues. Then the reader can use the yoga and self-care practices to begin a journey towards healing. The book begins with explaining the theory of energy medicine and how yoga plays into it. It spends quite a bit of the book instructing the reader on how to read their energy signs and how to incorporate this knowledge into getting better. Black and white photos are interspersed throughout the book to give the reader an idea of how some of the poses are to look like.

I'm a fan of yoga and believe it would be great if everyone practiced yoga. I am completely unfamiliar with the practice of energy medicine and was so confused while reading this book. My perception was that that the book was more about energy and not yoga. So while this book might be perfect for someone who practices energy medicine, it wasn't what I was looking for and left me with more questions than answers when I finished. Despite my disappointment, I did learn some things and think this would be a great addition to someone more familiar with energy medicine.

I received a copy of this book from Goodreads. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Out of the Ordinary

Out of the Ordinary

Apart from the Crowd #2

Jen Turano

Gertrude has the difficult job of being the paid companion to one of the most difficult women in town. She has been turned orange, made to wear strange ensembles, and is now currently stuck to a couch because of her employer's odd inventions. Harrison thinks of Gertrude as a dear friend, one who gets him and his oddities. But when he is put in a difficult decision he realizes he might lose his friend if he doesn't step up and take charge.

First - I loved the cover. The colors and the model fit well with the story in my imagination. The author, in the past, has placed a lot of humor into her plots. This time was no exception. I loved the characters and while this book is part of a series, I do think it could be read as a stand alone. The previous characters where there, but it didn't feel like I was missing something had I not read the first book. This is clean historical fiction that is clean and romantic. There is a tiny bit of a mystery, but it's cleared up quickly. It isn't to be read to learn more about history, but to be enjoyed as a sweet romance. The characters are full of life and fit well together with the plot. I can't wait to see what the author chooses to do with the next book.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Imperfect Justice

Imperfect Justice
Hidden Justice #2

Cara Putman

Emilie, a lawyer from a non-profit for women, is devastated when one of her clients appears to murder herself, her daughter and put the other daughter in the hospital. Kaylene was leaving her abusive husband and was ready to make a new life for her daughters. So why would she choose to end everything when she was so close to her escape? Emilie doesn’t believe the husband’s version for a moment. And neither does Kaylene’s brother, Reid. The two team up to solve the mystery of what really happened in that home before the police arrived. But a stalker is scaring Emilie and she has no idea who it might be. 

I loved the writing style and how the author woven different plot threads to make it all seamless.  There are elements of faith and romance, but most of the book focuses on the suspense. I thought the author did a great job of not only showcasing, but being sensitive about the subject of spousal abuse. My only complaint would be the part with the stalker. It didn’t seem to mesh with the rest of the story and the character’s reaction didn’t seem on target based on what her job is. But overall, I really enjoyed the book and can’t wait to read her next one. 

I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity. All thoughts expressed are my own. 

May the Faith Be With You

May the Faith Be With You

NIRV Holy Bible

Geared towards young teens and pre-teens, this Bible takes the concepts and verbiage of Star Wars and uses that interest to spark interest and appreciation for scripture. This particular version has a more simple interpretation and vocabulary, making it great for the intended age group. Sprinkled through the book are glossy, colored pages that have different subjects under the headings - Ways of Wisdom, Master Moment, and Use the Force. These cover things like "famous children of the Bible", "the miracles of Jesus", and "fruit of the spirit". 

While I'm not the target audience, I did enjoy flipping through and reading the additions. My son who is 11 yrs old said he would enjoy having a Bible like that. I think it would be an excellent gift for a young person who is a fan of Star Wars.

I received a copy of this book from Handlebar Marketing. All thoughts expressed are my own.

His Frontier Christmas Family

His Frontier Christmas Family

Frontier Bachelors #7

Regina Scott

Every single man in Callie's life has abandoned her or broken a promise. Now she's left caring for her younger siblings and her little orphan niece. When a minister named Levi shows up claiming to be her brother's friend and niece's guardian, she's scared. But with no other options, she joins him at his home for Christmas. When strange things start happening, Levi must confront his past and help solve the mystery before Callie is taken from him.

This was a nice addition to the series. I've read book 5 and 6 so I had a little idea of the concept of the town the families were creating and how Levi fit into the story. I don't really think it works well as a stand-alone. I would recommend starting from the beginning. I enjoyed the plot and the little bit of suspense the author wove into the story. I had a hard time connecting to the main characters, but the children stole the show. Overall, this was a fun story, but not my favorite by this author.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Brides of Minnesota

Brides of Minnesota

Lena Nelson Dooley

A Swedish family settles in Minnesota and helps settle the town. The brother's find love in unexpected ways as they navigate their new country. Three novellas written by one author are all written about the same family and town, but can be read as stand-alone stories. Each story focuses on one couple and their journey to love. The author weaves in elements of faith and romance to bring together a sweet book that will be enjoyed by readers of clean, historical fiction.

I really enjoyed this book. I've read a couple other novellas that included stories by this author, but this was the first entire book I'd read by her. I really enjoyed her writing style and look forward to reading more of her books. I think these stories, or at least one of them, was pulled from a previous book. Each story was well written and had intertwining characters that stood out and had depth. I would recommend this book if you enjoy clean romance and sweet plots.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Christmas Ranch Rescue

Christmas Ranch Rescue

Wrangler's Corner #5

Lynette Eason and Lauryn Eason

 Nathan, a DEA agent, is being sent back home to investigate his friend, a girl he'd been in love with, for drug trafficking. He can't imagine that she's involved. He also hopes to reconnect with his family, especially his father. But when Becca witnesses a murder and become a target, he needs to protect her and find the killer before she's murdered as well.

This was a fast paced story that started out with a major scene and didn't really let up the entire book. There is a strong sense of faith and family woven into the story along with elements of romance. I've only read one other book in this series, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment and I didn't feel like I was missing anything. Although I definitely plan on going back and reading the others books to catch up. The author left some openings for other characters to have their own story. I loved how she tied everything up in the end. Overall, this was a great story and I look forward to reading the next one.

 

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Covert Kisses

Covert Kisses

Sons of Stillwater #1

Jane Godman

A gorgeous woman washes up on Cameron’s private beach. While that is unusual itself, she is a twin to his girlfriend who passed away last year. What Cameron doesn’t realize is that the woman is Laurie, his late girlfriends cousin sent to investigate him for trafficking. When someone tries to kill Laurie, Cameron realizes that he cares for Laurie’s as her own person and not because she reminds him of the past. 

I enjoyed the story. It moved quickly, had romantic and suspenseful elements, and also some twists. The plot felt rushed and the two main characters were the only ones who felt real to me. I think this could have had a little more depth. But overall, it was a fun romantic suspense and I’m willing to try the 2nd book in the series. 

I received a copy of this book from Goodreads. All thoughts expressed are my own. 

The Calico and Cowboys Romance Collection

The Calico and Cowboys Romance Collection

Mary Connealy

The author has written eight novellas that are full of lighthearted adventure in the Old West. Each story is a stand-alone, but I have read some of the stories in other anthologies or they were a part of a previously read series. The ones that belonged to the series were using secondary characters that needed their own story, but it wasn't enough to make into a whole book. They all tied together by using one family as the main theme throughout. Even the one story that was contemporary had the Hardin family in its family tree. Each story was sweet, romantic, clean, historical, amusing, and faith based. While I enjoyed all of them, since I love this author, I did have a couple of favorites. His Surprise Family and and Hope for Christmas were my two favorites.

This author does a great job of setting the scene so that the reader feels a part of what is happening. Each story is all about romance, but there is some intrigue and drama as well. And each story has family and faith at the very heart. While faith is a very strong element, the reader doesn't feel preached to. The faith is a part of the characters and their lives. So while the characters are flawed, they are authentic and relatable. I really enjoy reading this author's books and can't wait for the next one.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.

The Second Chance Bride Collection

The Second Chance Bride Collection
Lauralee Bliss, Liz Tolsma, Pam Hillman, Pamela Griffin, Laura Hilton, 
Angela Breidenback Tiffany Stockton, Grace Hitchcock, Romona Cecil


Nine brides are given a second chance at love in these nine short stories. Each story is written by a different author and is tied with the other stories by the theme of second chances, faith, Love, and family. Each novella showcases the individual authors writing style and gives you a glimpse into what a full length would be like. The stories are perfect for when you only have a short time to read and want to get lost in romance and sweet plots. I enjoyed all of the stories, although a couple were my favorites.

If you enjoy clean romance, stories about redemption and second chances, and finding new authors, than you’ll love this book. It would also make an excellent gift for the bookworm in your life.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Santa's Kitty Helpers

Santa's Kitty Helpers

Kayomi Harai

The holiday season is here. And what better way to wind down and relax than to color these adorable pictures of kittens and Christmas. Each page is perforated. The coloring page is on one side. The other side is quote, space for writing, and the name of the picture. The back page has some inspiration pages to show how the page might be colored. The lines are clean and detailed.  

I really enjoyed this book. The pages were more detailed than I expected. But they are still simple enough that my children enjoyed coloring with me. The book is the right size for coloring and the pages bend well. They are also thick which means that my markers didn't bleed or ghost. This is a great book to get for the holiday season when the family has some down time.

I received a copy of this book from Fox Chapel Publishing. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Tokyo Street Style

Tokyo Street Style 

A Coloring Book

Lise Sukhu

The book is eye catching with a bright, colorful cover and a thick bendable cover with a band to keep it closed when not in use. There is a bookmark and prints on each page. The pages are not perforated. Most of the designs are about clothing and street style, but some scenery designs are also included.

I liked the diversity of the designs and the thick,  non-bleed pages. I would have preferred smaller designs; some of the pages had quite a bit of white space. My daughter who also loves coloring books took one look through it and fell in love. She actually liked the extra white space so she could add her own elements. Overall, this is a fun little coloring book that enthusiasts will enjoy.

I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books. All thoughts expressed are my own.