Tag: Book review

fiction · five star

A Ruff Royal ChristmasKaren Schaler

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Description:

Princess Ava’s perfectly planned Christmas Eve charity event erupts into chaos when she loses Stormy, the Queen’s mischievous new border collie. With Christmas fast approaching, Ava must team up with Justin, a laid-back American dog trainer who’s used to wrangling strays, not royal runaways.

Sparks fly as Justin’s rule-breaking free spirit clashes with Ava’s determination to follow royal protocol. But when their search for Stormy takes them through glittering Christmas markets, festive holiday activities, and snowy winter wonderlands, an undeniable chemistry builds between them.

The more time they spend together, the harder it is to fight their growing attraction. But Ava’s already promised to a duke. Will she stay on the safe, traditional path…or risk it all and follow her heart?

This feel-good royal holiday romance is a Christmas romantic comedy packed with humor, heart, and holiday spirit, and a royal secret that flips the script. Because the best love stories can’t be planned, and they never follow the rules.

Perfect for fans of Karen’s Netflix sensation A Christmas Prince, her novel A Royal Christmas Fairy Tale, her novella Royal Extra After, and Casey McQuiston’s, Katharine McGee’s, Teri Wilson’s, and Jasmine Guillory’s royal romantic comedies.

My Review:At first I thought oh man Ava is going to Miss stuck up with Miss know it all, and let me tell you I was wrong. She was so fun to read, while she kept her guard up with everyone as you read the story it makes a tons of sense why. I love how she serious when need be but also willing to laugh when she made mistakes that were not a big deal. Justin was so laid back, go with the flow but also struggled with a choice that would change his life and helping the queen he hoped would help but he did not know what he was getting into. I loved the queen, Lydia, Edgar, Stormy and Samuel I feel they all played such a huge part in the story and their personality shined so much which had you laughing through out the story because of the antics. Overall this was a fun read and the author did keep this a clean read and I would say well worth the read. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

www.karenschaler.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Karen’s other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

Christian fiction · five star

Canyon of Deceit Diann Mills

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Description:

A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel from the author of Lethal Standoff and Facing the Enemy.

When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing—and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.

Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.

Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot—no matter the risk to their own lives.

My Review:

I am never disappointed when I get one of this authors book so I was excited when I grabbed this one. As always its one of book that start strong and I really struggled to put it down it just kept drawing me in. I really liked Blane he was a no non-sense kind of guy who tried to keep things as honest as possible no matter what. I really liked Therese she truly was a fighter, she didn’t let anyone push her around. She wasn’t in law enforcement but would stop at nothing to help find a child who needed to be found. Overall I like that this author keeps you drawn in till the very end, the author also kept this a clean read. Well worth the read. 

Where to Buy the book:

www.christianbook.com

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

diannmills.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Diann’s other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · four star

Could It Be Magic? Fay Keenan

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Description:

Thea Ashcombe, a fiercely independent single mum, is about to face her toughest challenge yet: Christmas on a shoestring. As the festive season looms, Thea’s feeling a little like their old family Christmas tree – tired and lacking in sparkle! 🎄💝

Nick Saint, the quiet and devoted farm shop manager in the idyllic village of Lower Brambleton, has secretly liked Thea for years. Trapped in the friend zone since high school, he’s given up hope of Thea seeing him as anything more than reliable ‘Saint’ Nick…

But when Thea steps into Nick’s world to help at the bustling farm shop, something unexpected happens. Suddenly, her sensible head is spinning with a schoolgirl crush she never saw coming! Is it just the enchanting glow of Christmas, the twinkling lights playing tricks on her mind?

As they work side-by-side preparing for the magical Christmas market, and as Nick’s thoughtful gestures – like a perfectly fresh Christmas tree appearing at her door – begin to melt her defenses, Thea starts to wonder – maybe all she really needs for Christmas… is Nick! ✨

Prepare for a heartwarming and enchanting tale of unexpected romance, festive magic, and the surprising ways love can blossom when you least expect it! 💖✨

My Review:

When it comes to Christmas we all want a little magic in our lives. Thea was faced with some tough situations with putting food on the table or gift under the tree. She would do anything for kids and nothing would stop that including getting a second job without telling her family. Nick was pressed for help with the holidays and his sister getting away and his parents getting hurt. When the two come together to help each other out it seems magic is in there corner and every time they turn around things just seem to fall into place. overall the story was super sweet however I did feel like there were parts that just dragged on. I feel like someone of it could have been condensed down some. There is some adult content in this story so may not be suitable for all. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

faykeenan.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Fay’s other books. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · Three Star

A New Family at Paddleduck Farm Della Galton

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Description:

Welcome back to Puddleduck Farm and a wonderfully warm, festive and uplifting listen from Della Galton

Are there enough hours in the day for everyone to find their happy place?

Phoebe Dashwood and Sam Hendrie welcome their beautiful baby daughter into their already busy lives. With motherhood now top of Phoebe’s to-do list alongside being a vet, and running an animal sanctuary there’s no time for daydreaming.

As Phoebe battles sleepless nights, extra challenges arise in the shape of abandoned African pygmy hedgehogs, stolen cats, and a worrying trend to keep wildlife as pets.

Meanwhile, Sam is selflessly left holding the baby and when a familiar face from the past returns old feelings are tested. With so many plates spinning Sam worries something may get broken – he just hopes it won’t be their relationship.

Can parenthood, a relationship, and a professional life be successfully juggled and is it really ever possible to have it all?

My Review:

This book is part of a series I have not read any of the other books in the series, and this is a new to me author. This story is about the daily struggles of a family just starting off and how life throws challenges into the mix. I feel like just so many relationships the lack of communication between Phoebe and Sam truly was the cusp of their problems. I Liked Phoebe and Sam’s moms and grandma, they seem to run with doing so much for the baby and for them even more then Phoebe or Sam seem to know they wanted. I also felt in the beginning of the story even though they were in a relationship it seemed they were both on their own path and less as a couple. Overall it was ok read. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

dellagalton.co.uk

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · Three Star

So This is ChristmasHelen Rolfe

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Description:

Two old friends 🫂 One last letter 💌 A life-changing trip! ✨

Care assistant Sophie loves the holidays, and nothing makes her feel more festive than helping 82-year-old resident Bea keep in touch with her old friend Greta. In their Christmas letters, the women update each other on their lives – Bea’s in the quiet residential home in London, Greta’s in the heart of Vienna and the grand Wynter Hotel.

But everything changes when Bea passes away before Sophie’s had a chance to post this year’s letter. Devastated, Sophie struggles to imagine this Christmas without her dear friend. But then Sophie finds one last note from Bea – and this time, it’s not addressed to Greta. It’s to Sophie, telling her to go to Austria.

Which is how Sophie finds herself in Vienna at Christmas, with the snow falling, and an important delivery to make… But when Sophie reaches the Wynter Hotel, there are surprises in store, and before she returns to England, her life will have changed in ways she could never have imagined…

My Review:

This is a new to me author. I love a good Christmas book so I was excited to grab this one. I love the genuine friendship between Greta and Brea they seemed more sisters than friends. I will say though I really struggled to get into this book. I like a book that draws you in and captures your attention pretty quickly.  I felt this book favors a very rich descriptive style then and less of a banter and dialogue between the characters, which made it difficult to really get into the story.  The author does a good job and noting each chapter with who it’s about so it is less confusing who you are reading about. Overall I have to say this book just was not for me. The author did keep it a clean read 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

www.helenjrolfe.com

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · four star

Snowflakes over Starr’s Fall Kate Hewitt

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Description:

As the stars twinkle and the snow drifts over the town… someone’s about to find the magic she didn’t even know she’d been missing…

Jenna has lived in Starr’s Fall for most of her life, and has run the general store for over ten years. Secretly she might dream of love and romance, but she’s happy as she is. Really.

That is, until Starr’s Fall’s newest resident—ex-New Yorker, millionaire investment banker—Jack Wexler breezes into Jenna’s store, seemingly furious they don’t stock smoked salmon. Jenna is as amused as she is annoyed. Who is this ridiculous guy, and doesn’t he realize he’s not in Manhattan anymore?

Jack meanwhile can’t believe he lost it in public. But ever since being forced to leave his high-flying career to focus on his health, he’s not been himself. What’s more, the last person he’d expected to be attracted to is the shrew of a storekeeper he’s just encountered… which he might have called Jenna, in a moment of temper…

Neither of Jenna or Jack’s ideal of romance includes these sorts of furious sparks flying. But when they’re both roped in to organizing the town’s Winter Wonderland parade, they’re forced to work together. And as Christmas approaches – will two opposites merely attract? Or, in magical Starr’s Fall, could they fall in love for keeps?

A perfect, Christmas-set, enemies-to-lovers, small town romance, perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber and Virgin River, from million-copy bestselling author, Kate Hewitt.

My Review:

I will say I liked the simplicity of the way this author writes. This is the second book I have read in this series and from this author. I really liked the small town feel of Starr’s fall you get the grouch, the matchmakers, the gossips and so on so on, I love that while everyone is in everyones business they will all watch out for each other if someone from the outside comes in and tries to hurt one. I was not a huge fan a Jenna in the first book I read I felt like she was so immature and in this story I felt like her actions made a lot more sense. I Liked Jack I felt like he met his match with Jenna I felt like while the two of them were water and oil they also could me sugar and cinnamon. I liked how big Jack’s heart is when he allow people to see who he is. It was also fun to catch up with the others from the other books and I really enjoy the sassiness of each character. I will say in some ways I did feel that the author did over explain certain situations which made the book a little wordy. Overall the author kept this a clean read and it was a worth it read for me. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

katehewittbooks.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Kate’s other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · Two Star

The Cowboy’s Downfall Paula Altenburg

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Description:

His first mistake…saying yes. 

Retired bull rider Nix McCray savors his freedom riding the range. Let a woman run his life? Never again. Those days are behind him. When the Endeavour Ranch asks him to run a bull riding clinic for teens, he agrees. How much trouble can a group of kids be? No idea, but the uptight, hyper responsible older sister of a reckless seventeen-year girl sure becomes a burr in his side, disturbing his calm.

Self-assured lawyer Shauna Walsh has always followed the rules. When her flighty mother begs her to take her sister following the latest school expulsion, Shauna’s confident she can prevail. Wrong. She’s out of her depth. Worse, the amused, sexy cowboy running the rodeo clinic is everything she shouldn’t want, yet he has a super power over her once sleepy libido.

Soon, the unruly teenager determined to shock everyone is the least of Shauna and Nix’s problems. How can they explore the fire burning between them, yet keep the casual affair a secret in a rural community when they’re supposed to be setting a good example?

My Review:

When I think of a cowboy, I envision someone who has their life relatively in order, demonstrates a strong work ethic, and serves as a role model for the next generation. Unfortunately, Nix did not embody any of these qualities. I found him to be overly passive, unable to assert himself, and far too accommodating—particularly when it came to his ex-wife. As a result, I struggled to connect with his character from the very beginning. Shauna was a somewhat more balanced character, though I must admit that my initial impression of her aligned with Nix’s—she came across as rather pretentious. 

Overall, this book just wasn’t my thing. I felt like some of the sexual content and some of the sexual innuendos didn’t really need to be there and kind of took away from the story. It just didn’t click with me.

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes and noble

Where you can connect with the author:

www.paulaaltenburg.com

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

Christian fiction · fiction · five star · suspence

Final Approach Lynette Eason

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Description:

She’s intent on investigating a sinister plot of revenge, and it will take all her courage to survive. 

Air Marshal Kristine Duncan is not on duty when a hijacker attempts to seize control of the plane she and her friends are on as they head out on a much-needed vacation. Jumping into action and aided by FBI Special Agent Andrew Ross, Kristine thwarts the attack and the plane lands safely. But as the investigation into the incident gets underway, Kristine and Andrew are confused at every step. Nothing about the investigation goes as it should, and each layer they peel back just reveals another layer of perplexity. 

As the two work together to navigate a web of deception, blame, and personal reckoning, they find there’s more to this story than meets the eye–and more to love and admire about each other. They’ll have to put their skills to the test–and their hearts on the line–to unravel the truth and ensure that justice prevails.

My Review:

All I have to say is I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!! I never read the descriptions on book and just grab them on the cover and did the same with this book. From early on in the book I swear I had it figured out but the author did have me second guessing all the way through. I love this series and this group of friends and this book did not disappoint at all. I loved Kristine and my heart truly broke for her with some of the things she faced but she was a fighter and had the biggest heart and was always going above and beyond for those close to her. Andrew faced a few things that seems to break his spirit but he just kept going and doing the best for his friends, family and his country. He was also an amazing character to read about. I truly feel like I am catching up with friends when I read this series they are an amazing group of friends and I truly can’t wait for more from them. Just be prepared to read this is one sitting because you will not want to put it down. 

Where to Buy the book:

www.christianbook.com

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

lynetteeason.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Lynette’s other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · four star

Deal with the Texas Soldier Julie Benson

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Description:

Former soldier Tanner Jordan embraces the opportunities in his new town of Service, Texas. He’s invested in a business that requires his trouble-shooting skills, and when he finds out his new partner is a hometown girl with a huge heart, sassy mouth and a brilliant brain, he’s struck gold. He relishes challenges in work and pleasure.

Reese Cartwrightisn’t thrilled when her granddad sells his share in the family business to an outsider, even though he is a friend. But she’s not expecting her new partner to be sexy as sin, and eager to make changes. Reese issues a challenge—winner take all—convinced she’ll win.

Tanner—a true Texan—is game, and their sizzling attraction soon ignites. Tanner wants it all—Reese and their business partnership, but can this stubborn beauty compromise so that they can both win?

My Review:

I did not read the first book in the series but I am sure it was just as fun as this one. The author touches on some tough subjects which I liked how she did not just sugar coat it, or glaze over it but really showed the human interaction and how it impacts someone in real life. I liked Tanner while he dealt with some tough things and saw things while serving in the military he didn’t really let that stop him from living the best life he could. He was a hard head and fought hard for what he wanted. I like Boone man he was fun and even had something up his sleeves. I did like Reese but found that she could be whiny sometimes and jump to conclusions which made her very dramatic. Overall this was a fun laid back read. However this is some adult and sexual content in the story so it may not be suitable for all. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble 

Where you can connect with the author:

www.juliebenson.net

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Julie’s other books. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

Christian fiction · four star

An Amish Second Chance Romance Rachel L. Good

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Description:

From stunning handmade crafts to fresh-picked produce and mouthwatering baked goods, Lancaster, Pennsylvania’s Green Valley Farmers Market offers sweet surprises every day—including the chance to make new friends, find community—and even discover a forever kind of happiness . . .

Cathy Zehr prides herself on her skilled donut-making—and on her plain speaking. After all, talking about others’ failings is only telling the honest truth—and it might prevent others from making the same mistakes. But gossiping has made her an alt maidel—someone never courted to be a wife. And she’s finally at a loss for more than words when she must care for her ailing brother’s young sons. To find out what not to do, she turns to reserved woodworker Myron King, a bachelor who raised his orphaned niece and nephew. His advice proves invaluable—plus, Cathy discovers they have much in common. Yet she fears their growing closeness will never overcome her deep trauma—much less lead to love . . .

Myron is taken aback by Cathy’s request—yet he’s also intrigued. Perhaps confessing his parenting regrets will ease some of his guilt. Still, he’s surprised when Cathy truly listens to him, even softening her blunt manner. Myron is even more surprised by his growing attraction to her—despite his fears about risking heartbreak again. But when their deepest secrets suddenly collide, can faith, forgiveness, and courage unite their longing hearts?

My Review:

I really enjoy this series, its so fun catching up with Mrs. Vanderburg and her willing and helpful heart. She is always so blunt, loving and caring in the kindest way it makes me as the reader pause and sometimes am humbled by what its being shared with the characters. I like Myron a lot he seem broken in away that he need to have his eyes opened through someone else’s journey to see the brokenness he was dealing with. I wish the author would had followed up more with someone who was a big part of the story in the beginning who was connected to Myron as I so want to know what was next for this person. Cathy was not one of my favorites, while in the end you find out why her guard is up so high part of me wishes the truth would have come out at least to the reader early on so that it would make a ton more sense what she acted they way she does. While in the end I like how everything played out it just felt like her situation just kept going more than it maybe needed to. I do hope the author tells Tahiti’s story I feel like that is a story I won’t be able to put down. Overall this was a cute story with some very thought subjects discussed. They author did keep it a clean read. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

racheljgood.mystrikingly.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Rachel’s other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.