"sea rose lane" by irene hannon

Last summer, Irene Hannon introduced readers to Hope Harbor, a small coastal Oregon town. In Sea Rose Lane, she returns to that setting for another delightful installment of small-town life.

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Two people starting over . . . in a town known for second chances

After a devastating layoff, attorney Eric Nash heads back to Hope Harbor--only to discover that his childhood home is being transformed into a bed and breakfast. Instead of plotting his next career move in peace, he's constantly distracted by noise, chaos--and BJ Stevens, the attractive but prickly blonde architect who's invaded the house with her motley crew. As for BJ, her client's son might be handsome, but after a disastrous romance, dating isn't high on her agenda. Yet when they join forces for to help Hope Harbor seniors, might they also find healing, hope, and a new beginning themselves?

Come home to Hope Harbor--where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

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When I reviewed Hope Harbor last summer, I said that it reminded me of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series. That Cedar Cove vibe is alive and well in Sea Rose Lane, and that's a great thing!

Sea Rose Lane focuses on contractor BJ and attorney Eric. Though their first meeting does not endear them to one another, their paths keep crossing, and they soon begin falling for each other. Their romance was sweet, and I also enjoyed their individual personal journeys. However, the characters I most cared for in Sea Rose Lane were involved in the secondary plot: Cuban refugee Luis and octogenarian Eleanor. Their stories intertwined in a way that I did not immediately anticipate, yet it made perfect sense. There was a realism to both of their stories that I found quite touching.

Other minor characters brought a liveliness to the town. Reverend Baker and Father Kevin provided some comic relief, and I hope to see more of them in future novels. I also loved, loved, loved Charley, the town taco truck owner and resident artist. He has appeared in both Hope Harbor and Sea Rose Lane, and there seems to be a bit of mysticism to him. I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that he's an angel ... but I guess I'll just have to keep reading the Hope Harbor series to find out!

While a few times the romantic dialogue registered a little high on the "cheese-o-meter," overall, Sea Rose Lane was a delightful read. I love visiting Hope Harbor, and I can't wait to return again next summer for Sandpiper Cove. 4 stars.

Note: Though Sea Rose Lane is the second book in Hannon's Hope Harbor series, it can be enjoyed without first having read Hope Harbor. The two novels share several supporting characters, but the main characters' stories are contained within each novel.

Buy the book.
Read my review of Hope Harbor (4-1/2 stars).

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Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than forty-five romantic suspense and contemporary romance/women's fiction novels, including the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series, along with That Certain Summer and One Perfect Spring. Her books have garnered dozens of honors, including two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America. She is also a two-time Christy Award finalist. IreneHannon.com

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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 ringmaster's wife" by kristy cambron

The Ringmaster's Wife
(Thomas Nelson, June 2016)

Travel back to the days of the Big Top circus with Kristy Cambron's fascinating novel The Ringmaster's Wife.

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An ounce of courage. A split-second leap of faith. Together, they propel two young women to chase a new life---one that's reimagined from what they might have become.

In turn-of-the-century America, a young girl dreams of a world that stretches beyond the confines of a quiet life on the family farm. With little more than her wit and a cigar box of treasures to call her own, Mable steps away from all she knows, seeking the limitless marvels of the Chicago World's Fair. There, a chance encounter triggers her destiny---a life with a famed showman by the name of John Ringling.

A quarter of a century later, Lady Rosamund Easling of Yorkshire, England, boards a ship to America as a last adventure before her life is planned out for her. There, the twenties are roaring, and the rich and famous gather at opulent, Gatsby-esque parties in the grandest ballrooms the country has to offer. The Jazz Age has arrived, and with it, the golden era of the American circus, whose queen is none other than the enigmatic Mable Ringling.

When Rosamund's path crosses with Mable's and the Ringlings' glittering world, she makes the life-altering decision to leave behind a comfortable future of estates and propriety, instead choosing the nomadic life of a trick rider in the Ringling Brothers' circus.

A novel that is at once captivating, deeply poignant, and swirling with exquisite historical details of a bygone world, The Ringmaster's Wife will escort readers into the center ring, with its bright lights, exotic animals, and a dazzling performance that can only be described as the greatest show on earth!

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I adore fiction, but I also love a good biography, and Kristy Cambron has given readers a great mix of the two in her fictionalized but reality-based novel The Ringmaster's Wife. The dual timeline novel follows two women: the historical Mable (Burton) Ringling and the fictional Lady Rosamund Easling.

I must admit that it took a while for me to get into the novel. It's written well—Cambron is an excellent writer—but the back-and-forth nature of the time lines, especially when Mable's story featured a few large time jumps, kept me from really engaging with the first half of the novel (and I often flipped back to see what year we'd previously been in). Near the midway point, though, something shifted, and I found myself swept into the world of the Ringling Brothers' circus. I especially loved how Cambron described the circus performers through Rosamund's eyes as she adjusted to life with the traveling circus. Through Rosamund, Cambron made a powerful point that people are just people: When reflecting on the sideshow performers after spending a bit of time with the circus, Rosamund thought "how peculiar it was that her surroundings weren't so peculiar after all. They included real people. With real hearts and giving natures few ever saw" (p. 191).

Of the story lines, Mable's was my favorite. I loved watching her romance with John Ringling develop and then seeing her become like a mother to some of those in the circus. While her story is fictionalized, it's so good that I'd love to believe it's close to the truth. I'm also now itching to see the Ringlings' home, Cà d'Zan, for myself! (Yes, I've looked it up on Google, but how great would it be to visit?)

All in all, Cambron has written a beautiful novel that will leave you longing to attend—or maybe join—the circus! 4 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Cambron's The Butterfly and the Violin (4 stars) and A Sparrow in Terezin (4-1/2 stars).

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Kristy Cambron fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. Her second novel, A Sparrow in Terezin, was named Library Journal Reviews' "Pick of the Month (Christian Fiction)" for February 2015.

Cambron is an art/design manager at TheGROVEstory.com storytelling ministry. She holds a degree in art history from Indiana University and has nearly 15 years of experience in instructional design and communications for a Fortune-100 company. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good Christian fiction read.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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 awakening" by k.e. ganshert

The Awakening is the second book in K.E. Ganshert's YA trilogy, and if you thought The Gifting was good, just you wait!

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"I can't go home. It's not safe. Nowhere is." 

Tess Eckhart isn’t crazy. She’s not suffering from psychosis. She and Luka Williams are part of The Gifting. Before they can find out what that means, the man with all the answers turns up dead. The only thing he left behind? A few patient files that lead to the nation’s most lawless city. 

With authorities chasing them, Luka and Tess escape into the very heart of peril and against all odds, find an underground community of people just like them. They aren’t gathered together for the sole purpose of survival, either. They have a plan and a purpose—to awaken as many people with The Gifting as possible. It’s dangerous and deadly work. Tess wants to help. Luka is desperate to keep her safe—a task that proves increasingly difficult as Tess’s gifting comes to light. 

Could Tess Eckhart be the One they’ve been waiting for? The One who can save them all? 

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I very much enjoyed The Gifting, which introduces readers to Tess and Luka, part of "The Gifting," people who have special powers. So I don't mean this as a knock on that book, which I gave 4-1/2 out of 5 stars to, when I say that The Awakening is so much better! Basically, Ganshert took the solid base that she'd established in The Gifting and kicked it up a notch. The Awakening is full of action, danger, and romance, and it moves at breakneck speed.

Tess and Luka find themselves in Detroit with a group of others who are like them. There, they can hone their abilities and hopefully save others (like Tess' grandma). Most of this book takes place within the walls of their underground sanctuary, where many intriguing characters are introduced. The book careens toward its conclusion ... which is a gigantic cliffhanger. I listened to this on audiobook while mowing my lawn (which made mowing much less terrible), and when it ended, I literally yelled, "You're kidding me!" And then I looked around sheepishly to make sure none of my neighbors had heard me.

The only thing I didn't completely love about the novel was Tess. Her impatience and self-reliance grated on me, and I hated how she began to exclude Luka when she knew he wouldn't approve of her actions. I had to remind myself that she was a teenager, acting as teens tend to act! At the end of the book, she finally "came to her senses," so to speak, and I anticipate we'll be seeing a more mature Tess in the final book.

As for the audiobook, narrator Heather Masters (who also narrated the other two books) did a wonderful job, doing more emotive reading than acting. One of my pet peeves in audiobooks is when the narrator tries to act out all the dialog; Masters brought meaning and emotion without being over the top, and I appreciated that. 5 stars.

Note: This is one series that you definitely need to read in order! Start with The Gifting (which seems to be perpetually free for Kindle) and go from there.

Buy the book.

Buy the audiobook.

Read my reviews of  The Gifting (4-1/2 stars) and of Ganshert's adult titles Wildflowers from Winter (5 stars), A Broken Kind of Beautiful (5 stars & my favorite read of 2015), An October Bride (5 stars), and The Perfect Arrangement (5 stars).

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K.E. Ganshert was born and raised in the exciting state of Iowa, where she currently resides with her family. She likes to write things and consume large quantities of coffee and chocolate while she writes all the things. She's won some awards. For the writing, not the consuming. Although the latter would be fun. You can learn more about K.E. Ganshert and these things she writes at her website www.katieganshert.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this audiobook free for review from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

"jaded" by varina denman

Jaded kicks off Varina Denman's small-town saga about judgement, misunderstanding, and abuse among church leadership.

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As a child, Ruthie was shunned by the local congregation. Thirteen years later, Ruthie’s heart begins to stir when an attractive single preacher arrives. But their relationship is bitterly opposed—unearthing a string of secrets which threaten to turn the church, the town, and her world upside-down.

Jaded is the rare novel that is both love story between a woman and man ... and God and His church. Plunging deep into the waters of shame, forgiveness and restoration, it will resonate with every woman who’s experienced a loss of heart ... and a thirst for hope.

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When I agreed to review Jilted, the third book in Denman's Mended Hearts series, the publisher offered to send the first two novels, as well. Since I had time (yay, summer!), I decided to go ahead and read the novels in order.

First off, I want to be clear: You can read each of these novels without having read the others, but reading them in order will provide a much richer experience. Things introduced in Jaded are paid off in the following novels, and the three novels come together to form a cohesive story.

Jaded focuses on Ruthie Turner, who was left with a bad taste in her mouth toward Christians when she and her mom were expelled from the Trapp, Texas, church, and her best friend Fawn shut Ruthie out of her life. But new preacher Dodd Cunningham and his family seem different from Trapp's Christians, and Ruthie finds herself slowly drawn to the God Dodd loves, even when she still can't stand other Christians.

One of the highlights of the novel is Ruthie's bond with her cousin JohnScott (a bond that is played for laughs early on in the book). I liked Ruthie and Dodd, but I absolutely loved JohnScott, so I was thrilled to learn that JohnScott would get his own story in Justified, the second book in the series.

Jaded is a great beginning to this fabulous series. It's romantic without being sappy, and it deals with real issues that could be present just about anywhere. 4-1/2 stars.

Buy the book.
Read my review of Denman's Jilted (4-1/2 stars).

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Varina Denman is author of the Mended Hearts series and a native Texan. She spent her high school years in a rural town and now writes stories about the struggles women face in similar small town settings. She and her husband live near Fort Worth, where they enjoy spending time with their five mostly grown children.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

"love on a deadline" by kathryn springer

In recent years, Kathryn Springer has become one of my favorite authors. I've absolutely adored her Bannister Falls series (especially book 2, The Hearts We Mend), and I also enjoyed A September Bride, her entry in Zondervan's first Year of Weddings series. This, of course, meant that I also wanted to read Love on a Deadline, her entry in the second installment of the Year of Weddings.

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MacKenzie thought writing wedding stories was beneath her journalistic abilities. Until one love story rekindled an old flame and opened her heart to love once more.

MacKenzie “Mac” Davis left her hometown of Red Leaf, Wisconsin, ten years ago, and she never looked back. But when her father, beloved Coach Davis, suffers a mild heart attack, she returns home for an extended visit. It means taking a job at the local newspaper, where the biggest news story is the return of Hollis Channing to marry her celebrity fiancé, but Mac would do anything to make sure her dad takes care of himself. She just didn’t know that would include spending extended time with her high school crush, Ethan Channing, brother of the bride and the boy who broke her heart.

When Ethan Channing offered to help his sister plan her fast wedding, he had no idea what a big production it would be. Nor what a dilapidated state their old family home would be in. But when he catches Mac trying to take pictures of the house for an article she’s writing, he ropes her in to helping him. It’s hard to believe the tomboy coach’s daughter he remembers from high school has turned into this beautiful fire ball of a woman. And he has to admit he doesn’t mind needing her help in planning the wedding of a lifetime.

It’s been ten years since they’ve seen each other. And ten years is a long time. But is it long enough to repair broken hearts and turn old high school crushes into love?

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Oh my goodness, this novella was a delight from start to finish! I've mentioned before that sometimes it's difficult for an author to tell a complete story in a novella, but Springer had no problem here, perhaps because Ethan and Mac already had a history. Their past was revealed slowly, and I enjoyed seeing how it affected their present. I also really loved the romance—a plus when you're reading a romance novel! Overall, this novella is simply fantastic, and it lives up to what I've come to expect from Springer. 5 stars.

Buy the novella.

Buy Kiss the Bride, which contains the novellas I Hope You Dance, Picture Perfect Love, and Love on a Deadline.

Read my reviews of Springer's The Dandelion Field (5 stars), The Hearts We Mend (5 stars), and A September Bride (4 stars).
Read my reviews of the other Year of Weddings and Year of Weddings 2 novellas.

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Kathryn Springer is a USA Today bestselling author. She grew up in northern Wisconsin, where her parents published a weekly newspaper. As a child she spent many hours sitting at her mother's typewriter, plunking out stories, and credits her parents for instilling in her a love of books --- which eventually turned into a desire to tell stories of her own. Kathryn has written nineteen books with close to two million copies sold. She lives with her husband and three children in Marinette, Wisconsin.

Website | Facebook

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

"sins of the past" by henderson, pettrey, and eason

Three masters of romantic suspense unite for a novella collection featuring characters whose past comes back to haunt them.

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In Dee Henderson's Missing, a Wyoming sheriff is called to Chicago when his elderly mother goes missing. Paired with a savvy Chicago cop, the two realize her disappearance is no accident, and a race against the clock begins.

Dani Pettrey returns to Alaska with Shadowed, introducing readers to the parents of her beloved McKenna clan. Adventure, romance, and danger collide when a young fisherman nets the body of an open-water swimming competitor who may actually be a possible Russian defector.

Lynette Eason's Blackout delivers the story of a woman once implicated in a robbery gone wrong. The loot has never been found--but her memory of that night has always been unreliable. Can she remember enough to find her way to safety when the true culprit comes after her?

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As is often the case with novella collections, the contents are a mixed bag. Some novellas I loved, and others were just so-so.

Missing by Dee Henderson: I started reading Henderson's romantic suspense in college, and I absolutely devoured her O'Malley series. This is the first of her writing that I've read in probably close to ten years, and I have to say, I didn't really enjoy it. The story is fine—John returns to Chicago when his mother goes missing, and he begins working with Chicago cop Sharon to find her. The mystery was intriguing, and though I did accurately guess who had John's mother, I was way off on the motive. The problem for me was that Henderson told the reader that John and Sharon were falling for each other, but it was all talk—there was a lack of emotion that made me not buy the two romantically. 2-1/2 stars.

Shadowed by Dani Pettrey: Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series featuring the McKenna family is one of my favorite series of all time, so I was thrilled to dive into the love story of Ben McKenna and Libby Jennings, who would later become the parents of the McKenna tribe. (They are long dead by the time the Alaskan Courage series begins, so it was nice to meet them.) The mystery surrounds the murder of one of Libby's swimming competitors, and as Libby and Ben investigate, they find their lives in danger. For me, the love story was a bit rushed, but the suspense was spot on. And, as always, Pettrey's writing was excellent. 4 stars.

Blackout by Lynette Eason: Of the three novellas included in this collection, Blackout is by far my favorite. Macey survived being shot and buried alive as a teenager, but her memories of that tragic night have been dim at best. When she finally starts remembering, she becomes a target. Macey's next door neighbor Chad, a police detective, helps her search for the person who is after her, but the closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous things become. Eason is known for her high-octane suspense, and Blackout certainly lives up to her reputation! Also, the romance in this novella doesn't feel rushed (as the two are friends prior to the novel's beginning), which lent an air of believability to the story. 5 stars.

Overall, I enjoyed Sins of the Past, and, while I definitely connected with some novellas more than others, I think most fans of romantic suspense will enjoy this collection. 4 stars.

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series Submerged (4-1/2 stars), Shattered (5 stars), Stranded (4-1/2 stars), Silenced (5 stars), Sabotaged (4-1/2 stars); and Cold Shot (5 stars).
Read my reviews of Eason's Nowhere to Turn (4 stars) and No Place to Hide (4 stars).

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Dee Henderson is the author of numerous novels, including Taken, Undetected, Unspoken, Full Disclosure, and the acclaimed O'Malley and Uncommon Heroes series. Her books have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, such as the RITA Award, the Christy Award, and the ECPA Gold Medallion. Dee is a lifelong resident of Illinois. Learn more at www.deehenderson.com.

Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the Alaskan Courage romantic suspense series, which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, Silenced, and Sabotaged. Her books have been honored with the Daphne du Maurier award, two HOLT Medallions, two National Readers' Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, and Christian Retailing's Best Award, among others.  


She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves--the thrill of adventure, nail-biting suspense, the deepening of her characters' faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their two daughters, a son-in-law, and a super adorable grandson. You can find her online at danipettrey.com.

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Women of Justice series, the Deadly Reunions series, and the Hidden Identity series, as well as Always Watching and Without Warning in the Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of an ACFW Carol Award, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Readers' Choice Award. She has a master's degree in education from Converse College and lives in South Carolina. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Dani Pettrey and Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

"jilted" by varina denman

Jilted (David C. Cook, June 2016)

Long hidden secrets come to light in the captivating conclusion to Varina Denman's Mended Hearts series.

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Lynda Turner has struggled with depression since her husband abandoned her and their young daughter fifteen years ago.

Yet unexpected hope awakens when a local ex-convict shows interest. As long-hidden secrets resurface, Lynda must fight for her emotional stability and for a life where the shadow of shame is replaced by the light of love.

Jilted tells of a woman who has lost the joy of living, a man determined to draw her back toward happiness, and a town that must---once and for all---leave the past where it belongs. It is a gentle reminder that all things can work together for good.

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Jilted concludes the family saga begun in Jaded, focusing on ex-con Clyde and bitter single mother Lynda. Throughout this series, one of the themes has been how Christians hurt and judge one another and the need for love and forgiveness. This all comes to a head as Lynda, the character most hurt by the Trapp church, finally begins to live again, urged on by her high school friend (and fellow outcast) Clyde. The two develop a sweet romance as they both try to move past the wrongs done to them, though that proves difficult when tragedy strikes and secrets are revealed.

Though Lynda was a minor character in Jaded and Justified, she is perhaps the most important in the whole series, as her expulsion from the Trapp church in the prologue of Jaded was the first outward sign of trouble in the church. Lynda was wholly unlikable in Jaded and only slightly better in Justified, so I was a little hesitant to read a whole book centered around her, even as I understood her importance to the overall story. So I was pleasantly surprised to find myself understanding and sympathizing with Lynda as Jilted unfolded, and I ended up really liking her by the end of the novel.

While Jilted clearly flows out of the first two books, and the experience of reading it is made richer by knowing the background information, Denman wrote the novel in such a way that new readers will have no trouble understanding and appreciating the story. (I would highly recommend reading the first two books prior to Jilted, though, as they're excellent!)

While I didn't find Jilted to be quite as engaging as the previous two in the series, it did touch my emotions in a way that surprised me, and it was a very satisfying story. This book (as well as the whole series) made me consider my own prejudices and spiritual blind spots while enjoying a well-crafted, realistic story. 4-1/2 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.

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Varina Denman is author of the Mended Hearts series and a native Texan. She spent her high school years in a rural town and now writes stories about the struggles women face in similar small town settings. She and her husband live near Fort Worth, where they enjoy spending time with their five mostly grown children.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Can all things really work together for good, and can the joy of living be found once again? Don't miss one woman's story in book three, Jilted, of Varina Denman's Mended Hearts series. Lynda Turner has struggled with depression since her husband abandoned her and their young daughter fifteen years ago. Yet unexpected hope awakens when a local ex-convict shows interest. As long-hidden secrets resurface, Lynda must fight for her emotional stability and for a life where the shadow of shame is replaced by the light of love.

Celebrate the release of Varina's Jilted by entering to win a $50 gift card.

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Jilted to kick off a summer of reading
• A $50 Kohl's gift card to make your summertime sweet

The giveaway ends on July 1st. The winner will be announced July 5th on Varina's website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

"i hope you dance" by robin lee hatcher

Author Robin Lee Hatcher takes readers back to the beloved setting of Kings Meadow for this novella in Zondervan's second Year of Weddings series.

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Can two left feet lead to one perfect romance?

Grant Nichols is a genius in the kitchen and a klutz on the dance floor. But his friend’s wedding is shaping up to be a shindig the likes of which Kings Meadow has never seen—including dancing. Lots of dancing. Then he learns that a local dance teacher, Skye Foster, is offering dance lessons for the wedding party. The lessons are free, so what does he have to lose?

A former rodeo queen, Skye Foster teaches children ballet and tap during the day, but with the popularity of ballroom dancing and her own love of Country Swing, she’s been teaching adults in the evenings.

Grant comes from a family of ten siblings. He was the second oldest and believes he's had his fill of little rug rats. He’s happy with his bachelor state, despite the fact that he’s given up his ladies’ man lifestyle. Even he admits to his wilder nature and has been trying to clean up his act, with God's help.

Skye, on the other hand, loves being around kids. She would love to find the right guy and settle down to have half a dozen children of her own.

Grant and Skye are no match on paper. But when they step onto the dance floor, they move to a love song all their own.

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Novellas can be difficult. Because they're short, sometimes the author has to leave things out or rush things in order to tell a complete story. Unfortunately, that's what's happened with I Hope You Dance. I loved the set up of Grant and Skye meeting and falling in love, and I could even buy a quick proposal—after all, that does happen in real life. But the big hindrance to their happily ever after—Skye's desire for a big family contrasted with Grant's determination to not have children—is resolved so quickly and rather improbably, and it just didn't ring true.

I have loved Robin Lee Hatcher's Kings Meadow series, and I Hope You Dance is a charming return to that world. I just wish that it could have been slightly longer to allow for a touch more believability. 3-1/2 stars.

Buy the novella.
Buy Kiss the Bride, which contains the novellas I Hope You Dance, Picture Perfect Love, and Love on a Deadline.
Read my reviews of Hatcher's other Kings Meadow stories: A Promise Kept (5 stars--not "officially" a Kings Meadow novel, but set there), Love Without End (4-1/2 stars), Whenever You Come Around (4-1/2 stars), and Keeper of the Stars (4 stars).
Read my reviews of the other Year of Weddings and Year of Weddings 2 novellas.

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Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heart-warming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, two RT Career Achievement Awards, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over sixty novels.

Connect with Robin: website, Twitter, Facebook

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

"samson and delilah" dvd review

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a representative from FishFlix to see if I'd be interested in reviewing a DVD. I hadn't heard of FishFlix before, so I went to their website to check them out. They have lots of Christian DVDs, Hallmark movies, and other family friendly DVDs for sale, and their prices are pretty comparable to Amazon's—some DVDs are cheaper than on Amazon, and others are slightly more expensive. (So shop around!) What interested me the most is that many of the older Hallmark movies are cheaper on FishFlix than they are on Amazon ... and you know how I love my Hallmark movies!

I agreed to let them send me a DVD, and when it arrived, I saw it was Samson and Delilah, a TV film that aired on TNT in 1996.

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Elizabeth Hurley stars as the seductive Delilah, the Philistine who used her beauty to draw super-strong Israelite Samson, played by Eric Thal, to his eventual downfall. Dennis Hopper also stars in this powerful recounting of the Old Testament story.

As told in the Old Testament, Samson, a simple shepherd with the strength of a titan, is betrayed by a scheming Philistine beauty, Delilah, who is torn between her love for Samson and her loyalty to her people. Samson's epic revenge vanquishes his Philistine enemies.

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Prior to watching Samson and Delilah, I reread the biblical account in Judges 13-16 to refresh my memory. Samson and Delilah basically takes the original story as source material and then goes off on its own tangent, changing large portions of the story while loosely following the timeline of Samson's life.

I'm going to be honest: getting through this movie was almost painful. It's horribly long (3 hours!), fairly boring, graphically violent, and disturbingly sensual. Knowing the source material, I expected a movie about Samson to be both violent and sensual, and that's exactly what it delivered, though the amount and intensity of the sexual content surprised me. Though the content is milder than much of what is on TV today, it is also decidedly not family friendly.

Then there's the acting. While Diana Rigg shines as Samson's mother and Elizabeth Hurley portrays Delilah just as you would expect her to be, Dennis Hopper is horribly miscast as a Philistine general. He is the only one to speak with an American accent (I'm not saying the other actors' British accents are particularly appropriate, but Hopper's flat American tone definitely stood out in a bad way), and his acting is wooden and unbelievable. (Some of this could probably be contributed to the writing...)

Overall, I cannot recommend Samson and Delilah, and it's not a movie I'll ever watch again. 1 star.

Note: While I will not be watching Samson and Delilah again, FishFlix is a place I'll go when I'm looking to feed my Hallmark movie addiction! Just as with any retail site, you have to check things out for yourself—is Samson and Delilah suitable for the whole family? Absolutely not. But FishFlix does offer many movies that are.

Buy Bible Stories Samson and Delilah DVD.
Get a $5 coupon to FishFlix.com by joining the email list here or by texting 5-GIFT to 44222.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this DVD free for review from FishFlix.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The 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 secrets of flight" by maggie leffler

I absolutely love World War II novels, and that's what drew me to The Secrets of Flight. In actuality, only about half of the novel is set during the war, but the story is so captivating that I didn't even care!

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Estranged from her family since just after World War II, Mary Browning has spent her entire adult life hiding from her past. Now eighty-seven years old and a widow, she is still haunted by secrets and fading memories of the family she left behind. Her one outlet is the writing group she’s presided over for a decade, though she’s never written a word herself. When a new member walks in—a fifteen-year-old girl who reminds her so much of her beloved sister Sarah—Mary is certain fate delivered Elyse Strickler to her for a reason.

Mary hires the serious-eyed teenager to type her story about a daring female pilot who, during World War II, left home for the sky and gambled everything for her dreams—including her own identity.   

As they begin to unravel the web of Mary’s past, Mary and Elyse form an unlikely friendship. Together they discover it’s never too late for second chances and that sometimes forgiveness is all it takes for life to take flight in the most unexpected ways.

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Told in alternating viewpoints and set in both the present and the past, The Secrets of Flight is a captivating novel from beginning to end. The narrative switches between the perspectives of Mary, an octogenarian whose only real human contact is through the writers' group she runs at the local library, and Elyse, a young girl who joins the group because she is desperate to become a writer. Mary is immediately drawn to Elyse, as Elyse reminds Mary of her sister Sarah, who died young. When Mary hires Elyse to type her memoir, secrets Mary intended to take to her grave slowly come to light, and both women find their lives irrevocably changed.

I found myself completely drawn into the world of The Secrets of Flight—both the part set in the present and the part set in World War II, which is essentially Mary's memoir. As Mary told her story, I was able to guess where it was going and how Mary and Elyse would become connected, but author Maggie Leffler wrote it in such a way that I didn't even care that I'd guessed the "big" secret—I just wholly enjoyed the journey. The Secrets of Flight is a beautiful book, and I highly recommend it! 4-1/2 stars.

Content note: The Secrets of Flight does contain a fair amount of swearing (which didn't bother me much, but I felt I should alert you), as well as one fairly graphic almost sex scene (which did bother me). Modern Mrs. Darcy talks about the 8-line edit, and I wish it could have been employed here. Though the "almost sex" served a purpose in the story, I wish it hadn't been quite so graphic ... or even in the novel at all. If you do choose to read this book, please don't be mad at me for recommending it, as I am giving you fair warning as to the content!

Buy the book.

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Maggie Leffler is an American novelist and a family medicine physician. A native of Columbia, Maryland, she graduated from University of Delaware and volunteered with Americorps before attending St. George's University School of Medicine. She practices medicine in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she lives with her husband and sons.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product free for review from Amazon.com through its Vine reviewer program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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 convenient groom" by denise hunter

Back in 2008—well before I was reviewing books on a regular basis—The Convenient Groom caught my eye. I had never read anything by Denise Hunter before, but I gave it a chance based on two things. 1) That cover. I just love it! 2) It's a marriage of convenience story, a trope I've loved ever since I read Lori Wick's Sean Donovan as a high schooler.

I adored The Convenient Groom, and it set off a love affair with Hunter's writing that continues to this day. (Her books routinely make my yearly "best of" lists.)

When I learned that the Hallmark Channel was turning The Convenient Groom into a film starring Vanessa Marcil (Brenda on General Hospital) and David Sutcliffe (Christopher on Gilmore Girls), I decided that maybe it was time to revisit the novel and see if it was as good as I remembered it being.

Spoiler Alert: It was.

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She wrote the book—literally—on finding the right mate. But does she really understand what love's about?

Five hours before her Nantucket beach wedding—and on the eve of her big book launch—celebrity marriage counselor Kate Lawrence has everything in place.

Everything, that is, but the groom. She might not have a career, either, when her nationwide audience finds out their marriage guru has been left at the altar.

Enter Lucas Wright, who offers to stand in for the missing husband-to-be and marry her. Kate's desperate enough to agree—although she's sure this Mr. Wright is completely wrong for her. But can they pull it off? And why would Lucas marry her in the first place?

Could it be that "Dr. Kate" doesn't know the first thing about love?

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I clearly remember reading The Convenient Groom into the wee hours of the morning the first time I read it. This time was no different, except that I also had to take time to compare versions! (Seriously. It was 2 a.m., and I was flipping back and forth between my paperback and Kindle copies.) See, my paperback copy is the 2008 version, but somewhere along the line, the story was revised to make it more clearly Christian, and the revised version is the one you'll get if you buy it on Kindle (which I picked up for $.99 last year).

For the most part, the story is the same, except that Kate and Lucas are clearly Christ-followers in the revised version, whereas God isn't really mentioned in the original. I didn't even notice any differences until a pivotal plot point near the end of the novel didn't play out like I remembered. So I pulled my paperback off the shelf, and, sure enough, things were different. It's not a make-it-or-break-it kind of thing, but I do vastly prefer the way things unfolded in the original version. So if you find yourself with a choice between the original and revised versions, I'd definitely recommend the original!

Either way, though, The Convenient Groom is a great story! I loved the way Lucas slowly and surely won Kate's heart, and the two have chemistry in spades. Also, each chapter begins with a quote from Kate's book, and it was fun to see how those quotes fit in (or didn't) with the events in Kate's life.

The Convenient Groom is a wonderful romance, and I highly recommend it! 5 stars.

Buy the book: Original Paperback & Revised Kindle.
Read my reviews of Hunter's Summer Harbor novels Falling like Snowflakes (5 stars) and The Goodbye Bride (5 stars); Chapel Springs books Barefoot Summer (5 stars), A December Bride (4.5 stars), Dancing with Fireflies (5 stars), The Wishing Season (5 stars), and Married 'til Monday (4.5 stars); and Big Sky novels A Cowboy's Touch, The Accidental Bride (3-1/2 stars), and The Trouble with Cowboys (4-1/2 stars).

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Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 20 books, including Dancing with Fireflies and The Convenient Groom. She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader's Choice Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist. When Denise isn't orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are raising three boys. You can learn more about Denise through her website DeniseHunterBooks.com or by visiting her FaceBook page at facebook.com/authordenisehunter.

 

Exciting news for fans of Denise Hunter's stories: Her book The Convenient Groom is making its silver screen premiere as a Hallmark Channel Original Movie! Join Denise and other readers on Facebook on June 16th for a fun author chat party at 8:00 PM EDT (that's 7:00 Central, 6:00 Mountain, & 5:00 Pacific)! Denise will be chatting about the book, answering your questions about the book-to-movie process, and of course, there will be plenty of fun giveaways too: a $100 Amazon gift card and 25 signed copies of Denise's newest book, The Goodbye Bride!

The movie releases two days after the author chat party on Saturday, June 18th, 9 EDT/8 CDT. Click here for details and to find out more about the movie.

Get your copy of The Convenient Groom so you're ready for a fun book discussion. You can order your copy and find out more about the book here.

Hope to see you on June 16 for Denise's The Convenient Groom Pre-Premiere Facebook Party!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this book myself and reviewed it by choice. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

"dawn at emberwilde" by sarah e. ladd

Regency romance fans will love Sarah E. Ladd's latest novel, Dawn at Emberwilde.

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Isabel Creston never dared to dream that love could be hers. Now, at the edge of a forest filled with dark secrets, she faces a fateful choice between love and duty.

For as long as she can remember, beautiful and free-spirited Isabel has strained against the rules and rigidity of the Fellsworth School in the rolling English countryside. No longer a student, Isabel set her sights on a steady role as a teacher at the school, a safe yet stifling establishment that would enable her to care for her younger sister Lizzie, who was left in her care after her father's death.

The unexpected arrival of a stranger with news of unknown relatives turns Isabel's small, predictable world upside down, sweeping her and her young charge into a labyrinth of intrigue and hidden motives.

At her new family's invitation, Isabel and Lizzie relocate to Emberwilde, a sprawling estate adjacent to a vast, mysterious wood rife with rumors and ominous folklore—along with whispers of something far more sinister. Perhaps even more startling, two handsome men begin pursuing Isabel, forcing her to learn the delicate dance between attraction, the intricate rules of courtship, and the hopes of her heart.

At Emberwilde Isabel will discover that the key to unlocking the mystery of her past may also open the door to her future and security. But first she must find it—in the depths of Emberwilde Forest.

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In Dawn at Emberwilde, Isabel and her younger sister Lizzie suddenly find themselves swept from their peaceful (if poor) existence at a school to Emberwilde Hall, which Isabel's long-lost relatives own. Isabel tries to fit into polite society, but it seems she upsets her aunt at every turn. Then her aunt and uncle each begin pushing her toward very different men, and they both seem to have ulterior motives. Isabel knows what her heart feels, but just how beholden is she to her relatives?

Hands down, my favorite aspect of this novel is Isabel. She is at times strong, loving, hesitant, and confused—basically, she seems like a real person! She also has a very strong sense of self; though she does want to please her relatives, she never loses sight of what is important, and she doesn't allow herself to be pushed into anything, even when her new, comfortable life is at risk.

While Dawn at Emberwilde ostensibly features a love triangle, in actuality, there's no doubt about which suitor Isabel will choose—because the novel is written from two perspectives, Isabel's and the man she ends up with. Still, I enjoyed watching their romance develop, and Isabel's journey with the other suitor was also interesting.

I have enjoyed reading Ladd's Whispers on the Moors novels, as well as the first Treasures of Surrey novel. Dawn at Emberwilde fits well within Ladd's brand—sweet romance, great characters, and a touch of mystery. While I did struggle to stay engaged in the middle, I still greatly enjoyed the story, and I look forward to whatever Ladd will write next. 3-1/2 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book. 
Read my reviews of Ladd's Treasures of Surrey novel The Curiosity Keeper (4-1/2 stars) and her Whispers on the Moors novels: The Heiress of Winterwood (4 stars), The Headmistress of Rosemere (5 stars), and A Lady at Willowgrove Hall (4 stars).

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Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The Heiress of Winterwood. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, sweet daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

"through the shadows" by karen barnett

Historical fiction lovers will enjoy this look into San Francisco as it recovers from the 1906 earthquake in Through the Shadows, the third book in Karen Barnett's Golden Gate Chronicles.

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As San Francisco rises from the ashes, an age-old battle looms between corruption and the promise of new beginnings.

The devastating earthquake is just two years past, but the city of San Francisco is still trying to recover. Destruction of this magnitude is not so easy to overcome—and neither are the past regrets shadowing Elizabeth King's hopeful future.

Hoping to right her wrongs, Elizabeth dedicates herself to helping girls rescued from slavery in Chinatown brothels, even if it means putting her own life at risk to sneak through the gloomy alleys and rooftops where dangers lurk.

Putting her life on the line for a worthy cause is admirable. But opening her heart is even more terrifying. So when Elizabeth meets attorney, Charles McKinley—a man who dreams of reforming San Francisco's crooked politics—Elizabeth begins to doubt: Can she maintain her pretense and hide her past? Or will her secret jeopardize both their futures?

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I've long been interested in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. (Just ask my poor high school classmates, who had to suffer through a speech I wrote about it. Trust me: no one back then would have ever believed I'd spend 12 years coaching high school speech!) So when I learned that Karen Barnett, whose Mistaken I really enjoyed, had written a series centered around the earthquake, I knew I wanted to read it. The first two books, Out of the Ruins and Beyond the Ashes, were both enjoyable reads. I loved the plots, but I felt a bit ambivalent toward the heroines. Still, the strong writing was enough to keep me coming back for more.

Through the Shadows features the same vivid writing found in Barnett's previous novels, but I liked it even better for one reason: I loved the heroine! Elizabeth is a spunky young woman unafraid to stand up against evil but terrified that she can never be forgiven for her past mistakes. I really appreciate that Barnett chose to gave Elizabeth a real past—she's not feeling guilty about circumstances out of her control; rather, she's regretting her sin. She moves to San Francisco to help the girls at the Mission Home, but she also believes that maybe, just maybe, if she does enough good, that will get her back into God's good graces. As danger swirls around her, she finally understands that God's grace is freely offered, not something she must work to attain.

I also enjoyed Elizabeth's romance with Charles. When Elizabeth was tentative, Charles was patient and kind, and all the roadblocks to their happily ever after made sense. (One of my biggest pet peeves in romance is when the hero and heroine are kept apart due to ridiculous miscommunication.) In the beginning, I wasn't so sure that I'd like Charles, as he was quick to take his (obviously shady) uncle at his word. But Charles quickly grew on me, and just as I rooted for Elizabeth to accept God's grace, I rooted for Charles to stand up to his uncle and make his own way in the world. Also, I enjoyed the look into law office politics.

The bulk of the novel takes place at the Mission Home, a refuge for girls rescued from forced servitude and prostitution in Chinatown. I loved reading about Elizabeth's interactions with the girls, as well as the rescue missions—so to learn the Mission Home was a real place (that still exists today!) and mission director Donaldina Cameron was a real person was just the icing on the cake. You can learn more about the mission—renamed the Cameron House—here.

Through the Shadows is Barnett's best book yet. I loved every second I spent reading it, and I highly recommend it! 5 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Barnett's Beyond the Ashes (3-1/2 stars), Out of the Ruins (4 stars), and Mistaken (4 stars).
Enter the giveaway here.

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Karen Barnett is the author of Beyond the Ashes, Out of the Ruins, and Mistaken. Named the 2013 Writer of Promise by Oregon Christian Writers, Karen lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband and two kids. When she's not writing novels, she loves speaking at women's events, libraries, and book clubs.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

"children of god" by phil wickham

Several years ago, I took a road trip with my sisters. We took turns choosing the music, and I swear one of my sisters always chose Phil Wickham when it was her turn. (She remembers choosing Ingrid Michaelson, but I actually liked Ingrid, and I wasn't such a fan of Phil, so that's what has stuck with me.) By the time we arrived home, two weeks and countless hours in the car later, I thought I'd be happy to never again hear a Phil Wickham song.

Then, to my surprise, I learned that "This Is Amazing Grace," one of my favorite songs in recent years, was by Phil Wickham. I decided that perhaps I needed to give him another shot—and I'm very glad I did!

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Marking Phil Wickham's first LP in three years, Children of God comes on the heels of the impactful single "This Is Amazing Grace." Children of God is filled with songs sure to become new worship favorites. Heralded by the single "Your Love Awakens Me," the album is available everywhere now.

Track Listing:
“Doxology//Amen”
“Better Than Life”
“Your Love Awakens Me”
“Secret Place” (feat. Madison Cunningham)
“Wide Awake”
“My All In All”
“Starmaker (Above The Earth)”
“Children Of God”
“Stand In Awe”
“Body Mind & Soul”
“As It Is In Heaven”
“Spirit Of God”

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I've really enjoyed listening to Children of God. My favorite songs on the album are "Your Love Awakens Me," which I've heard on Christian radio, and I think we've even sung it in church (or maybe I've just belted it in the car. Either way, it's a great song!); "Doxology//Amen," which is a beautiful rendition of the Doxology and sets a worshipful tone; and "Secret Place," which features Madison Cunningham and has a different feel than all of the other songs.

While Children of God isn't an album I'll be listening to on repeat, it will be great mixed in with other worship music. 4 stars.

Watch the music video for "Your Love Awakens Me":


Buy the album: iTunes, Amazon

Listen on Spotify.
Watch Phil's YouTube channel.

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Phil Wickham is, at his core, a humble and sincere artist who writes songs and worships God using the medium of his music. It is with that brush that he paints images of a loving and creative God across the canvases of listener's hearts and minds. The evidence of this gift has been apparent on all of his critically acclaimed efforts: Phil Wickham (2006), Cannons (2007), Heaven & Earth (2009), Response (2011), and The Ascension (2013).  

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.