Wildflower Falls

 

Description

He’s here to train her horses, and then he’s moving on. She’s keeping her true identity a secret. But their spark complicates both of their plans.

When her mother’s death leaves Charlotte Simpson bereft, she hopes the Robinson clan will accept her as one of their own and help fill the void. But a startling discovery dashes her hopes and leaves her wondering if she will ever know the father she’s always longed for.

Horse trainer Gunner Dawson has experienced profound loss and intends to avoid it. So he lives on the move without forming close bonds or putting down roots. When Charlotte hires him to work with her horses and help expand her ranch, he commits to staying for a few months. But he doesn’t count on getting caught up in Charlotte’s search for her biological father. Or on falling in love—with Riverbend Gap or with Charlotte. This time, he’s not sure if he’ll be able to move on—or if he even wants to.

The queen of heartwarming, small-town love stories returns to Riverbend Gap with a deeply satisfying tale of love’s healing power.

Review

I have a confession to make. It's a bit embarrassing, especially after reading and falling absolutely in love with Wildflower Falls, but this is the first book I've read by Denise Hunter. Crazy, right?! She has such long backlist of books which actually now makes me excited for all that I get to read!!

Wildflower Falls is a sweet small-town romance that hits you in all the feels. The characters and all their d.r.a.m.a. (!) kept pulling me back into the story. I took my kindle with me everywhere there was a chance I had to sit and wait so I could sneak in a few more pages (waiting at appointments, waiting for the car to warm up, waiting for the toaster oven to finish...you get the idea!). 

Super enjoyed this book and if you don't hear from me in awhile...well, that might be because I'm too busy reading all of Denise's other books!

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for a copy of this book to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

You Make it Feel Like Christmas

 

Back Cover

It's the most wonderful time of the year - 

for everyone except Starr Lewis.

As if going home for the holidays jobless and single wasn't bad enough, she's dragged into a holiday season full of activities leading up to her sister's uber-romantic Christmas Eve wedding - to Starr's ex-boyfriend. But when her brother's best friend, Waylon Emmerson, attends their family Thanksgiving, she starts to wonder if maybe coming home for Christmas isn't so bad after all.

As Starr finds the perfect distraction in helping Waylon make over his late mother's Christmas shop, the most wonderful time of the year works its magic and the spark between them grows. But with the holidays fast approaching, Starr must decide what she wants out of life after the gifts are unwrapped and the ornaments are put away - to go back to New York City or to open her heart to a love that will last beyond Christmas Day?

Review

This was so sweet and so fun! Loved this little Christmas novella. Starr and Waylon are such a cute couple together, and I really enjoyed their relationship. You Make it Feel Like Christmas incorporated so many feel good themes like following your dreams, leaning into Jesus during trials, and opening your eyes (and heart!) to falling in love with the most unlikely person. This was a treat to read over the holidays, and I hope Toni Shiloh writes more Christmas novellas! 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

The Secrets Beneath

 

Back Cover

Some secrets can only stay buried for so long...

Anna Lakeman has spent her life working alongside her paleontologist father, drawing intricate sketches at ever dig. When they find dinosaur bones near their home in Wyoming Territory, they're given the opportunity of a lifetime and are swiftly caught up in the competitive era of the Bone Wars. But after her father becomes sick and an old beau returns for the summer, Anna's world is upended, and the practical, orderly life she has made for herself shatters.

Medical student Joshua Ziegler left his hometown to forget Anna, the one woman he truly loved and deeply hurt. But when he returns, time hasn't erased the feelings they've always had for each other. After Joshua's nephew goes missing - just like his sister did years ago - and Anna's job is threatened, tensions mount and dangerous secrets are unearthed.

Review

The Secrets Beneath was a bit of a surprise. I've read historicals by Kimberley Woodhouse before and really enjoyed how she brings an intriguing part of history to life in a very unique way. And in this novel, it was super fun to dive into the "Bone Wars" era (something I'd never heard of before!). Paleontology is something that's always fascinated me so I enjoyed exploring that a bit in The Secrets Beneath.

I enjoy historicals with a twist, and throwing in a mysterious crime angle certainly made this story unique. What I was bit surprised about was how DARK it turned the story. It was like unwittingly diving into a Criminal Minds episode, and I found myself flipping over pages that were in the villain's point of view. The villain was so downright creepy and disturbed, and I didn't like those parts at all. It was almost as if it didn't fit in with the story, but I suppose you don't usually read a Christian historical with some psychotic person in them!

In the end, The Secrets Beneath left me with some mixed emotions. The main character, Anna, was a bit difficult to like at first, but Joshua was sweetheart, and I did enjoy the rekindling of their romance. I'm really intrigued on the direction of this new series and hope the subsequent books don't have the same dark undertones...we shall see! 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

The Love Script

 

Back Cover

A Hollywood hair stylist.

Nevaeh Richards loves making those in the spotlight shine but prefers the anonymity of staying behind her stylist chair, where no one notices her. But when a photo of Nevaeh and Hollywood A-lister Lamont Booker goes viral for all the wrong reasons, her quiet life becomes the number-one trending topic.

The silver screen's latest heartthrob.

Lamont Booker's bold faith has gained him a platform, and the authenticity of his faith is well known...until the tabloids cause the world to question everything he claims to be. With his reputation on the line, he finds himself hearing out his agent's push for a fake relationship - something he never thought he'd consider in a million years.

A love that goes off script.

With their careers at risk, Nevaeh and Lamont have to convince the world that their scripted romance is more than just an act. But when fake seems to turn into something real, can Nevaeh trust her heart in a world where nothing is ever as it seems?

Review

If I had to sum this book up in one word, it would be FUN. The Love Script is a delightful rom-com that had me giggling like a little girl all the way through. It's a breath of fresh air having a bit of levity in a book and I simply loved it. Don't get me wrong: I still very much enjoy my suspense and dramatic historical novels, but every once in a while, you need a good comedy to lighten things up a bit.

The Love Script isn't all fun and games, however. One of my favourite aspects about a Toni Shiloh novel is that the characters undergo a wonderful faith arc where their relationship with Christ is deeply changed for the better. While yes, this is a fictional story with fictional characters, it's still encouraging to read how Nevaeh and Lamont learn to lean into the Lord during the trials in life as it's like seeing "faith in action". An excellent reminder that God is FOR us, not against us.

Loved this book!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Into the Fire

 

Back Cover

Instinct only takes you so far. 

After that, you need proof. 

But cunning killers hide their tracks.

As a former smokejumper, arson investigator Bri Tucker knows her way around fires. But after a mysterious blaze takes the life of a former colleague, Bri inherits a curious puzzle from him that raises questions about several fiery deaths. Someone, however, doesn't want her picking up where he left off in search of answers.

When she teams up with ATF Special Agent Marc Davis to solve the puzzle, the case heats up - as does the attraction between them. Sparks fly as the danger escalates, but will they mange to track down the person behind the mysterious deaths before their budding romance - and maybe even their lives - go up in flames?

In this pulse-pounding new series from the bestselling and award winning queen of romantic suspense, you'll be swept up in a whirlwind of danger, mystery, and romance. Get ready to burn through the pages as Bri and Marc race to solve the puzzle and uncover the truth.

Review

This book sure did turn the heat up! In her classic style, Irene Hannon has crafted a twisty suspense story with complex characters, a heated (but clean) romance, and one crazy villain. Into the Fire is one wild ride that I quickly devoured. Suspense lovers cannot go wrong in picking up one of Irene's books. You can tell she thoroughly researches before putting her story together and she just has a way in crafting very real, multi-dimensional characters.  I love that this is the kick-off to anther series revolving around siblings and can't wait for the next installment!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

A Royal Christmas

 

Back Cover

Adelaide Smith is too busy for fairy tales.

She's been working hard to put herself through law school, and she's determined to stay focused on her goals. Then she receives a letter notifying her that she is a direct descendant of King Maximillian Konig V, the ruler of a small European principality called Montovia.

What? No. That's the stuff of cheesy made-for-TV movies, not real life.

Still, curiosity gest the best of her, leading to a Christmas break trip chock-full of surprises, including a charming village, an opulent palace, family mysteries, royal jealousies, a handsome young member of Parliament, and the chance at a real-life fairy tale romance.

Review

This was a cute novella, perfect for the holiday season. Who didn't dream of being a princess or falling in love in a fairy-tale like land when they were a little girl? A Royal Christmas satisfies all those dreams through the story of Adelaide Smith. I was charmed by the descriptions of Montovia and wish it were possible to spend Christmas in the snowy, mountainous country! 

There was certainly a lot of drama packed into this little novella, and it could easily have been fleshed out to a full-length novel. As it was, it kept the pace of the story moving along at a good clip and held my interest until the very end. I really enjoyed reading A Royal Christmas over the holidays and will definitely be picking up some of Melody Carlson's other Christmas novellas to enjoy!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.