Tag Archives: Love story

$0.99 Sale- One Enchanted Eve

22 Nov

All the ingredients for an enchanting happily ever after!

one-enchanted-eve-sale

Melissa Tagg’s One Enchanted Eve is out today, and it’s only 99¢ for a limited time!  Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/2eUjNfW

 

After years of mistakes and regret, Colin Renwycke finally has a plan: Hone his baking talent at the Denver Culinary Institute and embark on a new career as a pastry chef. If he’s lucky, he might even manage to earn back his family’s respect. But despite his skills in the kitchen, Colin’s a mess in the classroom and his ongoing disasters are proving too much for his prickly instructor. If he loses his spot at the school, he’s out of backup plans.

Culinary school instructor Rylan Jefferson has the chance to reclaim her dream of running her own bakery. But she only has until Christmas Eve to come up with the perfect recipe to impress an eccentric investor. She has no time for holiday parties or family plans . . . and especially not for the unruly student baker who couldn’t follow a recipe if his life depended on it.

But Colin has the one ingredient Rylan needs most—talent. Lots of it. And when he makes a proposal that just might solve both their problems, Rylan can’t say no—even if it does mean traveling all the way to Iowa. It just might be that the snow-covered plains and a charming small town full of postcard Christmas cheer are exactly what her hungry heart needs . . . along with a man who is much more than he seems.

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#BookReview: The Loyal Heart | Facebook Chat Party

19 Jul

The Loyal Heart

The Loyal Heart by Shelley Shepard Gray

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2ae3eOX

Robert came to Galveston to fulfill his promise to a dying man and look after his widow. He didn’t expect to find love in the unlikeliest of places.

Robert Truax, former Second Lieutenant and Confederate officer in the Civil War, made a promise to his comrade Phillip Markham. If anything happened to Phillip, Robert would look after his beloved wife, Miranda. She was his life, his world, his everything.

After the war, Robert is left to pick up the pieces and fulfill his pact. When he arrives at Miranda’s home in Galveston, Texas, things are worse than he imagined. Phillip’s name has been dragged through the mud, everyone in town believes him to be a traitor, and his widow is treated as an outcast. Even more disturbing is her emotional well-being. Miranda seems hopeless, lost, and so very alone.

Robert had thought his duty would be simple. He would help Miranda as quickly as possible in order to honor a promise. But the moment Robert laid eyes on her, his plans changed. He’s mesmerized by her beauty and yearns to help her in any way he can.

He makes it his duty to protect Miranda, turn her reputation around, and to find some way to help her smile again. But it doesn’t prove to be an easy task—Robert knows something about Phillip that could shake Miranda to the core and alter her view of the man she thought she knew so well.

Quote- The Loyal Heart

My thoughts:

The Loyal Heart is a compelling story! Shelley Shepard Gray sweeps readers away to the post-Civil War era, where Galveston provides a wonderful backdrop for this historical Texas tale. Robert Truax is a dashing hero and staunch protector of his fallen comrade’s wife, Miranda Markam. Their story, steeped in mystery and laced with romance, intrigued me from the first page until the last. I thoroughly enjoyed The Loyal Heart and am eager to continue the Lone Star Hero series!

 

The Loyal Heart Chat Party

Join Shelley on her Facbook page for a special chat party, TOMORROW, July 20th at 7:00 pm Eastern.

 

Shelley Gray

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

 

Connect with Shelley:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

 

The Loyal HeartI received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

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#BookReview: One Enchanted Christmas by Melissa Tagg

10 Dec

One Enchanted Christmas

One Enchanted Christmas by Melissa Tagg

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Last December, mystery author Maren Grant had the most perfect night of her life. On a glimmering winter evening, she got to watch the photo shoot for her very first book and ended up on a magical date with the cover model himself—Colin Renwycke.

Fast forward one year. This December, with a looming deadline, restless spirit and her creative spark long since gone, Maren is desperate to get unstuck. And she can’t get Colin out of her head…or his year-old open invitation to spend a couple weeks writing at his family’s farm.

Drew Renwycke never planned to come home and take over the Renwycke family farm. But he’s spent too many years watching his siblings unravel, including his brother, Colin, after one terrible family mistake. If moving to Maple Valley, Iowa, renovating an old farmhouse and switching careers is what it takes to put the Renwycke family back together, he’ll do it.

But his simple plan upends when a scrappy author lands on his doorstep. And she just might be the key to coaxing his brother home. But what if he wants her all to himself? Drew will have to choose between his Christmas wish and the enchantment of a holiday romance that just might be the happy ending they all long for.

 

One Enchanted Christmas graphic

My thoughts:

Adorable! Bubbly! Charming! Delightful!

I’m pretty sure I could continue through the alphabet listing adjectives to describe this holiday novella. I loved it! All of the story elements, from the narration to the cover model crush to the trip Maple Valley, were such fun, and the romance was enchanting!

One Enchanted Christmas is the perfect read for the holiday season; it’s guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart!

 

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Melissa Tagg is a former reporter and total Iowa girl. In addition to her homeless ministry day job, she’s also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching community for writers. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever (not that she’s biased), watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next story. She’s passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings.

Melissa blogs regularly and loves connecting with readers at http://www.melissatagg.com.

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#BookReview: The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck | $100 Cash Card #Giveaway

3 Dec

The Wedding Chapel

The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1RlAvCm

For sixty years, a wedding chapel sat silent, waiting for love. But times have changed and the hour has come when it just might be too late.

Retired hall-of-fame football coach Jimmy “Coach” Westbrook never imagined anything would come of his labor of love—the wedding chapel he built for Collette Greer, the woman he fell for back in ’49. But now an offer has come to turn the chapel into what it was meant to be—a place for love—and Jimmy sees no reason to hang onto his dream any longer.

Photographer Taylor Branson is trying to make a life for herself in New York. Leaving her hometown of Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, she put a lot of things behind her, including her family’s abysmal marriage rate. But love surprises her when she falls head-over-heels for Jack Forester, a top ad man. Their whirlwind romance results in an elopement, and a mountain of doubt. Jack, while genuine in his love for Taylor, can never seem to overcome his own demons to find the words of his heart.

When Taylor takes an assignment in Heart’s Bend, the job does more than send her back to her hometown, but into a world of family secrets buried beneath the sands of time.

When Taylor’s journey intersects with Coach’s, they rediscover the heartbeat of their dreams and that the love they long to hold is right in front of them. And worth every waiting moment.

 

My thoughts:

There is so much goodness to be found in Rachel Hauck’s stories, and I believe The Wedding Chapel is one of her best yet! 

Told from multiple points of views, I was captivated by the intricacies of this story. I also reveled in the dual time frame and the superb imagery that brought each time period to life. There was a genuineness about the characters and their emotion-filled journeys that captured my heart, as did the wedding chapel and all it represented.

I loved this beautiful love story and longed to step into its pages and visit the enchanting chapel tucked in the Tennessee woods. I think it’s a place you’ll want to visit, too!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.  All thoughts expressed are my own.  

Blog Tour:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/rhauck

 

Join Rachel in celebrating the release of The Wedding Chapel by entering to win a copy and a $100 cash card—perfect for finishing up your Christmas gift shopping!

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One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A copy of The Wedding Chapel
  • A $100 cash card

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 17th. The winner will be announced December 18th on Rachel’s blog.

wedding chapel - enter banner

 

Rachel Hauck

Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, best selling author of critically acclaimed novels such as The Wedding Dress, Love Starts with Elle, and Once Upon A Prince. She also penned the Songbird Novels with multi-platinum recording artist, Sara Evans. Booklist named their novel, Softly and Tenderly, one of 2011 Top Ten Inspirationals. She serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pets.

Connect with Rachel: website, Twitter, Facebook

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Review: Paper Hearts

4 Mar

Paper Hearts

Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh

Abigail Pressman would never have guessed that love notes penned on paper hearts by an anonymous couple could restore her belief in love. As a business owner in a quaint town at the base of the Rockies, she’s poured everything into dreams of expansion . . . and resisting the matchmaking efforts of the Valentine Volunteers, who gather in her store to continue Loves Park’s tradition of stamping mail with the city’s romantic postmark.

When Abigail is unwillingly drafted into the Volunteers, she encounters the paper hearts, a distraction that couldn’t come at a worse time. A hard-to-read doctor has become Abigail’s new landlord, and he’s threatening to end her lease to expand his practice.

As she fights a growing attraction to this handsome man crushing her dreams, Abigail is inspired to string the hearts in her store, sparking a citywide infatuation with the artsy trend. But when a new batch of hearts reaches the Volunteers, it appears something tragic has happened to the couple. Will uncovering their story confirm Abigail’s doubts about love, or could it rescue her dreams . . . and her heart?

Thoughts:

I was immediately drawn to this book and knew it would be a story I would love. The adorable cover captured my attention first and then I watched the book trailer and it sealed the deal. Love it! I knew Paper Hearts was a must-read for me and I wasn’t disappointed.

Paper Hearts is a heartwarming story and a sigh-worthy romance! I loved the charm of the small town of Loves Park, Colorado, and its colorful residents. I also enjoyed the Valentine Volunteers and their matchmaking efforts. With endearing characters, an enchanting storyline, and a lovely Valentine tradition, Paper Hearts captured my heart and left me grinning from ear to ear! I highly recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance and can’t wait to read more from Courtney Walsh.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through The Book Club Network. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own and no monetary compensation was received.

 

Watch this adorable book trailer that Courtney and her husband Adam created and starred in! 

 

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Love in the Wind

25 Jul

Love in the Wind

Love in the Wind by Elizabeth Goddard

Synopsis:

Sailing is Maddie Cramer’s escape.

Now she’s counting on it to bring her closer to the biological father she’s just met. But her chances of winning the regatta—and his approval—are in jeopardy unless she can find a new crewmate. Enter Grady Stone, a perfect fit for Maddie’s crew in more ways than one.

Maddie and Grady grow close as they spend time together on the water. But Maddie, wary of emotional entanglement, guards her heart closely. And Grady’s here only to help Maddie win the race, then he’s off to a new job. The day of the race will test their ability to sail together—and the trueness of their love.

Thoughts:

Love in the Wind is a delightful love story!  I loved the main characters, Maddie Cramer and Grady Stone.  They both had such strength, but their pasts left them vulnerable as well. Their emotional and romantic journey felt very natural and was a pleasure to read. I also enjoyed the beautiful setting and the sailing that was wonderfully detailed.  Love in the Wind is a great story and a perfect afternoon read! 

You can purchase your copy from Amazon, other online retailers, or your favorite bookstore.

Biography:

highresgoddard-HR-2-2-e1382722351811Elizabeth Goddard is an award-winning author of eighteen romance and romantic suspense novels, including the romantic mystery, The Camera Never Lies—winner of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011. After acquiring her computer science degree, she worked at a software firm before eventually retiring to raise her four children and become a professional writer. A member of several writing organizations, she judges numerous contests and mentors new writers. In addition to writing, she home schools her children and serves with her husband in ministry. 

To learn more about Elizabeth and her books, visit her website at http://elizabethgoddard.com.  While you’re there, be sure and sign up for her quarterly newsletter so you won’t miss any exciting news!

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

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Love on the Slopes

9 Jan

Love on the Slopes

Love on the Slopes by Elizabeth Goddard

Synopsis:

Shannon De Croix had big plans, but a serious injury ended her dreams of making the nation’s top ski team.  Now, with her handsome coach, Hudson Landers, at her side, Shannon hopes to compete again.  Though she trusts Hudson’s judgment, she wants to train harder.

Hudson cares too much about Shannon to let her risk her life just for the sake of competition.  He fears that one more fall could destroy her future and break her heart.  Can Shannon and the disabled kids he coaches show him that falling down and getting back up again is what faith and love are all about?

Thoughts:

I love Elizabeth Goddard’s books and this tender love story is one of my favorites!  Love on the Slopes is a beautiful story of faith and love!

Elizabeth Goddard always does a tremendous job of drawing the reader into her stories.  The sights, sounds, and atmosphere in Love on the Slopes were wonderfully depicted!  I envisioned the athletes and their training routines, as well as the ski resort and its beautiful surroundings.

I was quickly captivated by the main characters, Shannon De Croix and Hudson Landers.  I admired their dedication and determination, but also enjoyed their vulnerabilities.  I found their journey throughout the book to be enlightening and loved the way their relationship slowly unfolded.

Love on the Slopes is a charming book and one I highly recommend!  You can order your copy from Amazon, other online retailers, or your favorite bookstore.

Biography:

highresgoddard-HR-2-2-e1382722351811Elizabeth Goddard is an award-winning author of eighteen romance and romantic suspense novels, including the romantic mystery, The Camera Never Lies—winner of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011. After acquiring her computer science degree, she worked at a software firm before eventually retiring to raise her four children and become a professional writer. A member of several writing organizations, she judges numerous contests and mentors new writers. In addition to writing, she home schools her children and serves with her husband in ministry. 

To learn more about Elizabeth and her books, visit her website at  www.elizabethgoddard.com.  While you’re there, be sure and sign up for her quarterly newsletter so you won’t miss any exciting news!

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.

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Blog Tour- Love’s Refuge

22 Nov
I am delighted to be participating in the blog tour for Love’s Refuge by Sandra Leesmith!  Visit Seasons of Humility for the complete tour schedule.
 

Loves-Refuge

Love’s Refuge by Sandra Leesmith

Synopsis:

Skye Larsen loves her peaceful life on Leeza Island in Puget Sound – the tranquility, the friendly neighbors, and especially the safety from big-city dangers. So when cruel pranks start to escalate and changes threaten to overtake the island, Skye is determined to fight for her haven. The presence of a handsome vacationer and the unexpected feelings he awakens can’t distract her from her goal.

Danny Fraser doesn’t realize how desperately he needs a rest until he meets Skye. By allowing him to glimpse her simple way of life, she helps him reorient his priorities – and steals his heart in the process. But his work and home in Seattle keep Skye at bay.

An isolated island girl with painful memories. A dedicated city boy with a wild past. What will it cost for them both to find a refuge from their storms?

Thoughts:

Love’s Refuge is a tender love story set against the beautiful backdrop of a remote island in Puget Sound.  Vivid imagery makes the sights and sounds of Leeza Island come alive! 

Skye Larsen and Danny Fraser are relatable characters, each with issues they are struggling with.  Skye enjoys her quiet life and doesn’t want anything or anyone to disturb the tranquility of her home.  Danny is very committed to the work he does, but is carrying the burden of situations beyond his control. 

As destructive incidents begin to occur and romance begins to bloom, Skye and Danny provide refuge for each other.  With God’s help, they both find solace and healing.  The spiritual themes of faith and love are gently woven into this story as a reminder that God offers the perfect refuge. 

I enjoyed meeting Skye and Danny and the other residents of Leeza Island and would love to visit again!  Full of mystery and romance, Love’s Refuge is a great escape. 

Don’t miss your chance to visit Leeza Island!  During the blog tour, Love’s Refuge is available from the Kindle store for only $0.99.  Click the beautiful cover above to be taken to the Kindle store.

Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of her latest novel, Sandra is giving away a basic Kindle loaded with her e-books.  This is the perfect prize for enjoying a great escape this holiday season!  To enter, simply click the giveaway link below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Biography:SandraLeesmith

Sandra Leesmith loves to travel in her RV and explore all of nature’s beauty, discover America’s history, and fellowship with the wonderful people she meets while on the road. She enjoys reading, writing, hiking, swimming, and pickleball. Learn more about Sandra and her books at www.sandraleesmith.com.

You can connect with Sandra on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. You can also find her and her talented writing buddies at the Seekerville blog.

 
* Thank you, Sandra Leesmith and Amber Stokes, for providing me with a copy of Love’s Refuge and allowing me to participate in the blog tour.  All thoughts expressed are my own and no monetary compensation was received.   

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