Almost Like Being in Love (Destination Wedding #2) by Beth K. Vogt

 

Title: Almost Like Being in Love (Destination Wedding #2)

Author: Beth K. Vogt

Pages: 384

Year: 2016

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Howard Books

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     From the author of Somebody Like You, a RITA finalist, and one of Publishers Weekly’s top ten books of 2014, comes the story of a woman who has everything for a perfect wedding—except the groom!

     Winning an all-expenses paid Colorado destination wedding might seem like a dream come true for some people—but Caron Hollister and her boyfriend Alex Madison aren’t even engaged. How is she supposed to tell him she’s won their wedding and honeymoon when he hasn’t asked her to marry him? Being “perfect for one another” seems like the absolute best reason to get married. But what if their supposedly faultless relationship is merely a safe place to protect his secrets and a way to keep their families happy? After quitting her job, Caron accepts her best friend’s offer to visit Colorado. She needs to catch her breath. Who knows, maybe visiting the destination wedding site will make a future with Alex seem like a reality.

     Kade Webster just landed the biggest deal of his life with his company, Webster Select Realty, participating in the Colorado Springs Tour of Homes. He never imagined he would run into the woman who broke his heart—Caron Hollister—right when his career is taking off. Seeing her again, Kade can’t help but wonder why Caron walked away from him years ago, leaving him with no explanation. When Kade learns his home stager won’t be able to help with the Tour of Homes, he vaults past all the reasons he should stay away from Caron, and offers her a temporary job helping him on the project. This time, their relationship is purely business.

     Spending time with Kade has Caron questioning everything. The man intrigues her—at times infuriates her—and remind her of what she lost. Has she been settling for what everyone expects of her? Just because others believe she and Alex are an ideal couple, does that mean they should get married? And how can Caron say “I do” to one man when she’s wondering “what if?” about another?

My review:

     This is a very thought provoking contemporary romance!

     I love the main characters in this wonderful story. Caron has a very complicated life emotionally. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the journey she went on trying to sort it out and figure out how God wanted her to live it. She had a couple of very strong and supportive friends that were encouraging her along the way.

     At the same time Alex had a very difficult family life that he seemed to be trapped in. He also had to go through a period of sorting out his feelings about it and grow and mature.

     I was very caught up in the story and was pulling for each person to work through their problems and find their own happily ever after.

     I am giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. 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.*

The Chisholm Trail Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #12) by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Title: The Chisholm Trail Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #12)

Author: Kathleen Y’Barbo

Pages: 256

Year: 2020

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Barbour Books

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Stubborn Hearts Clash on a Cattle Drive

     Eliza Gentry’s pursuit of marriage to the son of her family’s sworn enemy has cost her greatly. Furious at his daughter’s choices, her father send her off with the cattle drive heading toward Fort Worth and the Barnhart ranch, but under the watchful eye of Wyatt Creed, a Pinkerton man he has hired to see to her safety. With danger at every turn—not the least of which to his heart—can Wyatt Creed keep his focus with Eliza Gentry around? Is the Chisholm Trail a place for falling in love or a place to die at the hands of cattle thieves?

     (This synopsis sounds like a totally different story from what the book actually is. I’m only including it because this is what you will find if you look for the book online. The only things the same are that it starts on the Chisholm Trail and the names Eliza Gentry, Wyatt Creed, and the Barnhart family.)

My review:

     I loved this wonderful historical romance novel!

     The three main characters Eliza, Wyatt/John, and Ben are very well developed. I was able to connect with Eliza especially, very quickly. I thoroughly enjoyed the tidbits of star gazing and astronomy that were a thread throughout the book.

     The information about how the members of a cattle drive would work together were wonderful. I enjoyed seeing what both Eliza and Wyatt were assigned to help with. I  liked seeing Cookie’s attitude toward proper manners and requiring them of all of the men.

     The plot of the story was great. I was definitely caught up in it and pushing to see a happy ending for Eliza. She went through some very difficult challenges along the way. I was glad to see each and every person who stepped up to help her get through them.

     I’m giving this fantastic book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. 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.*

The Pink Bonnet (True Colors Series) by Liz Tolsma

Title: The Pink Bonnet (True Colors Series)

Author: Liz Tolsma

Pages: 256

Year: 2019

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Barbour Books

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     A Desperate Mother Searches for Her Child

     Widowed in Memphis during 1932, Cecile Dowd is struggling to provide for her three-year-old daughter. Unwittingly trusting a neighbor puts little Millie Mae into the clutches of Georgia Tann, corrupt Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society director suspected of the disappearance of hundreds of children. With the help of a sympathetic lawyer, the search for Millie uncovers a deep level of corruption that threatens their very lives.

     How far will a mother go to find out what happened to her child?

My review:

     This is an incredible fictional story based on true crime!

     I love both Cecile Dowd and Percy Vance. They are so  well developed that I felt like I truly came to know them. Their relationship was forged in the midst of a intense trial that changed their whole lives.

     The plot captured my attention from the very beginning. My heart broke for all of the women whose children were taken by Georgia Tann. She was truly evil personified.

     I am giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. 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.*

The Celebration (Amish Cooking Class #3) by Wanda E. Brunstetter

 

Title: The Celebration (Amish Cooking Class #3)

Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter

Pages: 319

Year: 2018

Genre: Amish Fiction

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Return to Holmes County,  Ohio, for Amish style cooking class.

     Lyle and Heidi Troyer have taken in a brother and sister, who were orphaned when their parents were killed in a car accident. Hoping to help the children adapt and make friends, Heidi decides to hold a series of cooking classes for kids. But kids are always accompanied by an adult—and that is where the trouble arises.

     Miranda Cooper is living the life of a single mom to her two kids while separated from her husband, but Trent is trying to worm his way back into her heart.

     Denise McGuire’s life as a wife, mom, and real estate broker is full and spilling over.

     Darren Keller, single dad and firefighter, and Ellen Blackburn, single mom and nurse, find a few things in common.

     Will hearts be healed over plates of Amish food?

My review:

     This is a fantastic look at the simplicity of life for the Amish.

     There is a fairly large cast of characters to keep straight in this book. Heidi Troyer is teaching a cooking class for children this time. I enjoyed seeing the variety of children and their family situations. Each one had some type of problem that they were dealing with. It was wonderful to see how they children themselves interacted with each other and learned from realizing that each one had difficulties.

     I liked it when the characters from the previous books in this series popped in for cameo appearances. It was nice to see how their lives had progressed.

     I am giving this delightful story a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. 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.*

Heart of the Crown (Daughters of Peverell #3) by Hannah Currie

 

Title: Heart of the Crown (Daughters of Peverell #3)

Author: Hannah Currie

Pages: 320

Year: 2021

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: WhiteSpark Publishing

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

About the book:

     The last place Lady Wenderley Davis ever expected to find herself after swearing off princes forever was living in a palace with two of them. Even if it is only temporary. And she did agree to it. Kind of. Against her better judgement.

     But then, she’s never been one to hide her heart, nor hold back help from anyone who needs it. And if ever there’s a family who need help, it’s this one.

     As two weeks stretch to more, Wenderley throws all she has into showing the princes and their family how to smile again, and she’s loving every moment of it. Which is a problem. Because she’s very quickly becoming attached, and—as the man she’d rather forget keeps reminding her—the one thing she can’t do is stay.

My review:

     This is a wonderful “princess” romance story!

     I loved seeing how Wenderley came into her own in this book. She was a great support character in the previous books in this series but she is fantastic in this one. She fits in so well with the children yet she can rise to the formality of the royal adults.

     Prince Marcos had me a little confused at the beginning of the book. He was very careful to separate himself from others but he definitely needed to connect with his son more.

     I enjoyed seeing the mischief that Wenderley got into with the young Princesses and Prince Ryan. They had fun and it seemed to help others in the family work through the grieving process.

Dreams of Savannah by Roseanna M. White

Title: Dreams of Savannah

Author: Roseanna M. White

Pages: 400

Year: 2021

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Cordelia Owens can weave a hopeful dream around anything and is well used to winning the hearts of everyone in Savannah with her whimsy. Even when she receives word that her sweetheart has been lost during a raid on a Yankee vessel, she clings to hope and comes up with many a romantic tale of his eventual homecoming to reassure his mother and sister.

     But Phineas Dunn finds nothing redemptive in the first horrors of war. Struggling for months to make it home alive, he returns to Savannah injured and cynical, and all too sure that he is not the hero Cordelia seems determined to make him. Matters of black and white don’e seem so simple anymore to Phin, and despite her best efforts, Delia’s smiles can’t erase all the complications in his life. And when Fort Pulaski falls and the future wavers, they both must decide where the dreams of a new America will take them, and if they will go together.

My review:

     This is a wonderful historical romance!

     I love the main characters. They are very well developed. The author did a great job of including what it was like for the slaves as well as the children of the slave owners at the start of the Civil War.

     I enjoyed seeing how Delia and Phin both matured and grew as the story progressed. It was interesting to see who influenced each of their lives.

     I am giving this wonderful story a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. 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.*