Love's Faithful Promise (Courage to Dream #3) by Susan Anne Mason

Title: Love’s Faithful Promise (Courage to Dream #3)

Author: Susan Anne Mason

Pages: 400

Release Date: September 13, 2016

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

About the book:

     If two wounded souls can find healing, love may not be far behind.

     Widower Dr. Matthew Clayborne is devoted to two things: his work with wounded soldiers and his four-year-old daughter, Phoebe. When Deirdre O’Leary, a feisty New Yorker, arrives in Toronto requesting he use his skills to help her stricken mother, he won’t abandon either of these priorities to care for one older woman. However, when his daughter suffers a health scare and needs a respite, Deirdre offers a trade – they can escape to the peace of her family’s farm, if he will care for Mrs. O’Leary.

     Matthew agrees for his daughter’s sake, but is intent on staying as short a time as necessary. The sojourn at Irish Meadows does wonders for Phoebe, and as she begins to flourish, Matthew finds himself drawn to the O’Learys, especially to the captivating Deirdre. But since he has no intention of leaving his life up north forever, and Deirdre has sworn off marriage in favor of her career, how will they deal with the undeniable attraction between them?

My review:

     An incredible way to wrap up a wonderful series!

     In my mind this is the final book in a “true” series. All the same characters are here and their lives have progressed in a very normal way.

     It was wonderful to see how both Connor and Deirdre turned out now that they are all grown up. They were sweet as the much younger siblings in the first two books. But they have come into their own with dreams and love interests to sort out and.

     I found that I really liked both Matthew Clayborne and Jo Miller. They were both hard-working and dependable characters. They each had family issues that they had to sort out before they could look at the possibility of falling in love. The path that they each took was unique and well developed.

     I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how all the different family units within the O’Leary clan worked together to deal with difficulties. The support and encouragement that they gave to one another was fantastic.

     I LOVED this entire series and am highly recommending each and every book in it! It is a delightful way to spend some of your free time. This book (just like the previous two) is getting a rating of 5 stars from me.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

A Christmas Homecoming (Sunriver Dreams #2) by Kimberly Rose Johnson

Title: A Christmas Homecoming (Sunriver Dreams #2)

Author: Kimberly Rose Johnson

Pages: 190

Release Date: September 23, 2016

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Mountain Brook INK

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a free eBook copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

About the book:

     Can the mystery of Christmas unite two hurting hearts?

     Bailey Calderwood gives all she has to her job as an interior design assistant, but her best isn’t good enough for her demanding, bed-ridden boss. For some unexplained reason Mona has turned against her. At least not everyone is out to get her. A mysterious admirer is sending her cards and flowers. Could it be her boss’s son who’s recently returned home in time for the holidays?

     Stephen Belafonte rushes home from France to be with his mother after her stroke and is surprised by the rift between his mom and Bailey, her assistant. When his mom demands he fire Bailey, he’s torn between respecting his mother’s wishes and doing what’s best for the family business. Can Stephen find a way to heal the rift in his family as well as his own heart, or will he be forced to let Bailey go?

My review:

     This is a delightful holiday romance.

     This is a stand-alone story. Some of the characters from the first book are in it as secondary characters though.

     Both Bailey and Stephen are extremely well developed. They are each carrying wounds from the past that have shaped who they are. They believe in God and that is a strong foundation for anyone to have.

     I really enjoyed the way the relationship between Bailey and Stephen slowly built from just meeting to friends and on. They were both willing to take things slowly and careful to not put themselves in a compromising position. This was a breath of fresh air for me.

     This is a very sweet story that is perfect for reading during the holidays. I’m giving it a rating of 5 stars as well as recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

She Walks in Power (Protectors of the Spear #1) by MaryLu Tyndall

Title: She Walks in Power (Protectors of the Spear #1)

Author: MaryLu Tyndall

Pages: 322

Release Date: September 2, 2016

Genre: Medieval Romance

Publisher: Ransom Press

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a free eBook copy of this novel from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

About the book:

     From Award-Winning author, MaryLu Tyndall, comes an exciting medieval romance surrounding the Spear of Destiny!

     Alexia D’Clere didn’t ask to be Protector of the Spear, but after her dying mother gave her the tiny metal object and made her promise to keep it safe, she had no choice. Orphaned at age eight, she began to take over the running of her parent’s castle with the help of a trusted steward. Yet, when a plot to murder her was revealed, a friar whisked her away to live hidden in the forest. There, she learned to shoot expertly with bow and arrow and hone her skills to see into the spirit realm.

     Now, at eighteen, Alexia continues to keep the Spear protected, provide meat for the starving village, while secretly caring for her ill sister who still lives in the castle. With Alexia’s powers of spiritual discernment and her skill as an archer, she is no match for those who come for the spear. That is until she meets Ronar LePeine, one of the King’s elite guard.

     Ronar desires nothing more than to do his duty to God and King and pay penance for past sins. Yet a forest sprite with red, flaming hair blocks his every move, all the while enchanting him like no other. Something evil lurks at Castle Luxley, and both Ronar and Alexia are soon thrust into the middle of a spiritual battle which will not only test their very beliefs, but put them both in mortal danger.

My review:

     An absolutely incredible medieval romance!

     I loved the depth of the main characters and their individual pasts that are presented over the course of the story. Both Alexia D’Clere and Ronar LePeine have been through very hard times and that has shaped who they are at the start of the book. Alexia’s past is presented in bits and pieces from the very beginning. Ronar’s integrity and character is shown and painted in great detail and then much later we are told about his past that drives him to be the way he is.

     Throughout the novel there is a war going on between good and evil in the spiritual realm and there is never any doubt as to which character is on which side of this battle. I was captivated by the development of this battle and how both Alexia and Ronar grew in their understanding of God’s power and the need to trust in Him. I also liked the fact that they each had strong supportive friends that helped them right from the start.

     I have loved every book by MaryLu that I have read. This one is right up there with the others and it is getting a rating of 5 stars from me. I’m highly recommending it. There is a warlock and manifestations of demons so if this is something you don’t want to read about you may want to skip this book.

     You can find out more about MaryLu and her books on her website at: http://www.marylutyndall.com/

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*