"a november bride" by beth vogt

The final novella in Zondervan's Year of Weddings series ends the collection as it began—with an incredibly romantic story of two friends becoming something more.

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Sadie McAllister is fastidious to a fault—but that serves her well as a personal chef to her clients in Denver. But her earliest attempt at managing romance was a bust when Erik Davis declined her invitation to the school's eighth grade Sadie Hawkins Dance.

Having celebrated the big 3-0 by ending a relationship, Sadie is tired of romantic relationships-by-text. The only man she knows willing to put down his iPhone and have face-to-face conversations with her is Erik. It's time to put a 21st-century twist on the Sadie Hawkins' tradition of a woman going after her man. He may not be the hero of her romantic dreams, but she can propose to Erik and achieve some sort of happily ever after with her best friend.

Erik is good at two things: his freelance job and maintaining casual, no-one-gets-hurt relationships with women. What is Sadie thinking, proposing to him? This is marriage-not a middle school dance. Erik decides to show Sadie what romance looks like when the man takes the lead. And while he's at it, he'll prove just how wrong they are for each other. But when he realizes he's fallen for her, can Erik convince Sadie his just-for-fun dates were the prelude to "'til death do us part"?

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You know the phrase "you don't know what you've got till it's gone"? That could be Erik's motto in A November Bride. It's not until he's about to lose Sadie that he realizes that being her best friend isn't enough.

Erik and Sadie's story is incredibly sweet and romantic, and I enjoyed every minute I spent reading it. I also liked how author Beth Vogt included accountability in the story. I don't think I've ever before read a Christian romance that talked so openly about the importance of accountability in avoiding sexual temptation. It was included in a way that didn't come across as preachy and fit seamlessly into the novella.

A November Bride is a wonderful conclusion to the first Year of Weddings collection, and I eagerly anticipate reading the novellas in year two! 4-1/2 stars.

Buy the novella.
Read my review of Vogt's Wish You Were Here, and Catch a Falling Star.
Read my reviews of the other Year of Weddings novellas: December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, and October. 

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Beth K. Vogt believes God's best is often behind the doors marked "Never." She's the wife of a former Air Force family physician who said she'd never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She's a mom of four who said she'd never have kids. She's a former nonfiction writer and editor who said she'd never write fiction. Beth's novels include Wish You Were Here, Catch a Falling Star, and Somebody Like You. 

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." 

"an october bride" by katie ganshert

As you probably know, I've been on this Year of Weddings train from the start. It started out with Denise Hunter's "A December Bride," and since then, I've read some amazing wedding stories ... but none has excited me as much as Katie Ganshert's "An October Bride."

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She wants to make her father's dream come true. She doesn't realize her own dream has been in front of her the whole time.

Emma Tate isn't a risk taker, so everyone in her small Midwest town is surprised when she suddenly becomes engaged to lifelong friend Jake Sawyer. No one but Jake and Emma know the true reason they're getting married-so Emma's dying father can walk her down the aisle.

While Jake and Emma plan an autumn wedding together, it becomes clear that their agreement has a few complications-the biggest being their true feelings for each other.

In this novella by award-winning author Katie Ganshert, a young woman must reconcile her dying father's dreams with her own dreams for love and for her future.

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I love fake fiance/fake wedding stories. They're done all the time, and they're usually rather similar—two people pretend to be in love, and by the end of the story, they are. "An October Bride" doesn't break the mold, but it's an absolutely satisfying journey. Jake and Emma are both really likable characters, and I found myself identifying with Emma from the moment I began reading. The supporting characters are just as delightful, and I hope Ganshert will revisit this wonderful small town again—I think Emma's best friend needs her own story. I also really enjoyed the point of view—first person, present tense from Emma's perspective. It drew me into the story immediately.

I had incredibly high expectations for "An October Bride"—due to both the subject matter and the author. Happily, those expectations were met. I loved every second I spent reading "An October Bride," and I'm now itching to get my hands on another Ganshert novel! 5 stars.

Buy the book.
Read my review of Ganshert's Wildflowers from Winter.
Read my reviews of the other "Year of Weddings" entries: December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, and September.

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Katie Ganshert graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a degree in education and worked as a fifth grade teacher for several years before staying home to write full-time. She was born and raised in the Midwest, where she lives with her husband, their young son, and their goofy black lab, Bubba. When she's not busy writing or playing or reading or snuggling, she is obsessing over the paperwork and the waiting that comes with adoption. Visit her website at katieganshert.com.

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."

"a september bride" by kathryn springer

When they're chosen as the bride and groom for a community wedding reenactment, Annie and Jesse just may not be able to keep their attraction at bay.

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Annie's always wanted a home and a family. But will pretending to be a bride get her closer to her dreams?

All Annie Price has ever wanted is a place to call home. Growing up in the foster care system, that dream seemed far away, but now Annie's dream may be coming true. A friend she met in an online book group wants to retire and has offered Annie a fresh start managing her little bookstore. Believing the opportunity is an answer to prayer, Annie packs her suitcase and moves to Red Leaf, Wisconsin.

The residents of Red Leaf welcome Annie into the fold . . . everyone except the bookstore owner's son, Jesse Kent. But Annie refuses to let the handsome deputy keep her from embracing her new home with open arms. She even volunteers to help the local historical society refurbish an old church and agrees to be the "bride" for a special reenactment celebrating the museum's open house.

Jesse Kent can't believe his mother has handed the keys to her business over to a woman she met on the Internet. Annie's beautiful, of course, and smart as a whip, but what do they really know about her, anyway? What if she's come to their town just for his mother's money? The only way to see if his suspicions about Annie Price are true is to keep a close eye on her-even if it means he has to marry her! Planning their mock wedding will give him the chance to uncover Annie's motive for moving to town. But as the day of the wedding approaches and secrets come to light, Jesse must face the truth. He wants Annie to be his September bride . . . for real.

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"A September Bride" is another winning entry in Zondervan's Year of Weddings series, and it features some of the strongest chemistry of any of the novellas so far. Annie and Jesse's attraction is palpable, and they're both very likeable characters. The supporting characters are wonderful, as well, and I hope author Kathryn Springer revisits Red Leaf in the future, as there seem to be a lot more stories there!

I do think "A September Bride" suffers a bit because of its novella length. Annie has a secret that sort of, but not completely, comes to light, and as it was so important to her, I was surprised to see it dropped. (It's one of those cases where Jesse knows the truth, but she doesn't know that he knows.) I'm sure that in a full length novel, it would have been explored.

While I won't spoil anything, I have to say that the end didn't turn out as I'd anticipated—and I think this novella is so much better for it! Kathryn Springer is definitely moving onto my list of authors to watch. 4 stars.

Buy the novella.
Read my reviews of the other "Year of Weddings" entries: December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, and August.

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Kathryn Springer, winner of the 2009 ACFW Carol Award (Family Treasures), grew up in a small town 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. After a number of busy years, when she married her college sweetheart and became a stay-at-home mom, Kathryn rediscovered her love for writing. An unexpected snow day from school became the inspiration for a short story, which she submitted to Brio magazine. She went on to publish over a dozen more short stories for Brio, but it wasn’t until her youngest child started school that she decided to pursue her dream to write a novel. In August 2004, her Love Inspired® debut novel, Tested by Fire, was published. Encouraging women in their faith journey is the reason Kathryn loves to write inspirational fiction. She hosts a women’s Bible study in her home and volunteers in a local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) ministry. When she isn’t at the computer, you’ll find her curled up with a good book, spending time with family and friends or walking on the trails near her country home.

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."

"an august bride" by debra clopton

Do you believe in love at first sight? I don't ... but perhaps I'm just cynical because it hasn't happened to me. "An August Bride" sure made me want to believe, though.

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Kelsey vowed never to love a cowboy again. But then she meets Brent.

After a cowboy broke her heart, Kelsey Wilcox traded in her boots for flip-flops and a bistro on the beautiful sandy beach of Corpus Christi. Two years later, still not believing in happy endings, she is about to endure a weekend of torture at her cousin's beach wedding. Not only will she be forced to watch yet another wedding, but her great-aunt and her two best friends-aptly nicknamed "the matchmaking posse of Mule Hollow"-are coming to the wedding, and Kelsey is sure to be on their radar.

Brent Corbin has had his share of bad luck with women and isn't looking for love or looking forward to the weekend of wedding festivities as a groomsman for his friend. When he sees a commotion on the beach and what appears to be a mermaid in distress, he doesn't hesitate to dive to the rescue. His attention is instantly captured by the woman he's saved and it turns out they're part of the same wedding party. But the instant Kelsey spots his soaking wet boots she wants no part of him.

Thrown together through the weekend and with the meddlesome encouragement from the matchmakers, Brent is determined to pursue Kelsey and change her mind about cowboys. Sparks fly at this August wedding as Kelsey and Brent dance a rocky Texas two-step toward a beach wedding of their own.

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Debra Clopton isn't a new-to-me author, but "An August Bride" is the first of her contemporary work that I've read. (I previously read her entries in the A Bride for All Seasons and Four Weddings & a Kiss historical romance anthologies.) I must say, I enjoy her contemporary cowboy romance much more than her historicals! While I generally don't care for the love at first sight/relationship moves at the speed of sound romances, "An August Bride" won me over. Brent is the epitome of a heroic leading man, and Kelsey's hesitancy to get involved with a cowboy is understandable. Put them together, and you have a great couple with sizzling chemistry. Yes, the romance moves quickly, but it also feels realistic. The novella length felt like the perfect space to tell this couple's story, and I'll definitely be checking out more of Clopton's contemporary romances! 4-1/2 stars.

Buy the novella.
Read my reviews of A Bride for All Seasons and Four Weddings & a Kiss.
Read my reviews of the other "Year of Weddings" entries: December, January, February, March, April, May, June and July.

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Bestselling author Debra Clopton has sold over 2.5 million books and her holiday story, OPERATION: MARRIED BY CHRISTMAS has been optioned for an ABC Family Movie staring LeAnn Rimes. Debra writes cowboy romances, inspirational, Christian romance, contemporary and western romances set in Texas. She is known for her snappy dialogue, cowboy heroes and spunky heroines. Her awards include: The Book Sellers Best, Romantic Times Magazine's Book of the Year. She's also a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Finalist, and a triple finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award.

A sixth generation Texan, Debra lives on a ranch in central Texas with her husband Chuck. She loves to travel and spend time with her family. She is the author of the much loved Mule Hollow Matchmakers series where you never know what the Matchmaking "Posse" is going to do next! She writes for Harlequin Love Inspired and Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins Christian. She is currently working on her 30th novel surrounded by cows, dogs and even renegade donkey herds that keep her writing authentic and often find their way into her stories. She loves helping people smile with her fun, fast paced stories.
Visit Debra's website at http://www.debraclopton.com
Check out her Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/debra.clopton.5
Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/debraclopton
Contact her at Debraclopton@yamil.com
Sign up for Debra's newsletter and contests at http://debraclopton.com/contest

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."

"a july bride" by beth wiseman

About the book (from the publisher): Can she forgive the man who left her at the altar?

Alyssa Pennington dated Brendan Myers for three years before she accepted his proposal. For almost a year, Alyssa's friends and family helped her plan a lovely wedding to take place in the church she'd grown up in. It was the happiest day of her life when she walked down the aisle to be united with the man of her dreams. But when Brendan left her at the altar, Alyssa was consumed by humiliation, embarrassment, and a broken heart that wouldn't allow her to trust anyone. Especially Brendan.

Brendan Myers knows he will spend the rest of his life regretting what he did to Alyssa, the only woman he's ever loved. Without her, his life is empty. In one fateful moment, he'd panicked, destroyed their future, and ruined everything. Now he plans to win her back.

But winning back his bride might prove much more difficult than he can imagine. And even if he does get her to the altar again, will she think turnabout is fair play?

My take: "A July Bride" turned out to be nothing like I expected—in a good way! When I began reading, I thought Alyssa and Brendan's reunion would be a fairly simple one, and I was a little annoyed that I thought I had it figured out so soon. But then Wiseman introduced Dalton, who also began vying for Alyssa's heart, and I wasn't sure who she would end up with or who I even wanted her to. The point of view shifts throughout the story among Alyssa, Brendan, and Dalton, allowing the reader to understand each of the characters.

That said, by about a third of the way through the novella, I knew who Alyssa would end up with, as one of the suitors became decidedly unsuitable. But I didn't anticipate exactly how things would resolve themselves, and I did enjoy the journey. I also appreciated what I thought was a fairly realistic look at marriage presented by Alyssa's best friend Sherry and her husband Monroe.

Some stories are suited for novellas, and others would function better as full-length novels. This is one of those stories that felt rushed as a novella. It covers the span of a full year, so much is left out/sped through. For example, Alyssa and Dalton's relationship—it took place over the span of several months, and while it moved a little rapidly, the pace wasn't unreasonable. But on one page, they've been dating for a few weeks in the early fall, and on the next page, it's winter and they've taken a major step towards marriage ... but the reader isn't privy to any of that. I would have enjoyed seeing the relationship develop a bit more.

Overall, "A July Bride" is a quick, enjoyable read ... I just wish it had been longer and more developed. It's not my favorite of the Year of Weddings novellas, but it's still pretty good.

My rating: 3-1/2 stars

Buy the novella.
See my reviews of Wiseman's The Wonder of Your Love and the other Year of Weddings novellas: December, January, February, March, April, May, and June.

About the author: Beth Wiseman is hailed as a top voice in Amish fiction. She is a Carol-award winner and author of numerous bestsellers including the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. She and her family live in Texas.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookblogger 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."

"a june bride" by marybeth whalen

About the novella (from the publisher): It takes a reality TV show for Wynne to realize love isn't just a game.

Wynne Hardy never thought she'd get engaged on a reality TV show, but when she met Andy on The Rejection Connection, the two of them hit it off. Now he's asked her to marry him, much to the public's delight and fascination. They're all set to wed on live TV in a seaside ceremony at the height of the wedding season.

But just as Wynne thinks all her dreams are coming true, her ex-boyfriend walks back into her life at the worst possible time. Callum broke her heart years ago, and she's still sorting through her feelings for him. Her heart isn't as clear as her head that it's past time to move on-even though she's engaged to Andy.

At a local TV talk show appearance, Wynne meets Meredith, who won another reality TV show-Marathon Mom-proving herself nothing short of a superhero. As Wynne's beach wedding plans spin out of control, Meredith offers to help, unknowingly stepping on Wynne's secret feelings . . . and exposing some secrets Meredith has been keeping to herself. Can these two reality stars get real about their feelings? Will Wynne go through with her televised wedding and be the perfect June bride the network is looking for?

My take: I've been loving this "A Year of Weddings" series (for the most part), and when I heard that June's installment would have to do with a Bachelor-type reality show, I couldn't wait to dive in! (The Bachelor/ette franchise is my TV guilty pleasure.)

"A June Bride" centers around Wynne's upcoming televised wedding to Andy, the man she chose at the end of The Rejection Connection. But she's haunted by memories of her ex Callum, who chooses to reenter her life mere weeks before the wedding. Should she honor her commitment to Andy or give Callum another chance?

I have mixed feelings about this novella. I absolutely love the concept, and I definitely enjoyed reading it. I especially liked the behind-the-scenes look at reality TV. But it also seemed less than realistic ... even for reality TV. Wynne didn't ask some very important questions about Andy until right before the wedding date, and she brushed over some rather unsatisfactory answers. I even wondered if she'd had a break with reality at one point, as she and Andy had a conversation that clearly went in one direction, and then she immediately told the press the opposite.

"A June Bride" isn't a bad novella, but it definitely isn't one of my favorites in the series. I've read another book by Whalen (The Guest Book), and I loved it, so perhaps the short length of the novella kept this story from being fully developed. I do think that reality TV fans will get a kick out of it if they can overlook some of Wynne's flaws.

My rating: 3 stars

Buy the novella.
Read my reviews of Whalen's The Guest Book and the other Year of Weddings novellas: December, January, February, March, April, and May.

About the author: Marybeth Whalen is the wife of Curt and mom of six children. She is the director of She Reads, an online book club focused on spotlighting the best in women's fiction. Marybeth is the author of The Mailbox, She Makes It Look Easy and The Guest Book. Marybeth spends most of her time in the grocery store but occasionally escapes long enough to scribble some words. She's always at work on her next novel. Marybeth and her family live in North Carolina. You can find her online at www.marybethwhalen.com.

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."

"a may bride" by meg moseley

About the book (from the publisher): She thinks she has prepared for her wedding all her life . . . but it seems she may have forgotten the most important part.

Ellie Martin, a country girl in Atlanta, has dreamed of a traditional wedding all her life-a wedding just like the one her younger sister is planning back home. Their single mom will pay for Alexa's wedding, but Ellie started her own wedding fund years ago. She only needs to find a groom.

At a wedding at her church, Ellie bumps into a man who's one of the guests. She's noticed him around the neighborhood, but today he introduces himself as Gray Whitby. They embark on a whirlwind romance, but her mother doesn't trust freewheeling men like Gray.

When Ellie risks her own future for her sister's sake, Gray feels betrayed. Will he always play second fiddle to Ellie's family?

Will Ellie and Gray reconcile their differences so her dream wedding can come true, or will the romance they've begun come crashing down?

My take: The instant I began reading "A May Bride," I knew I was going to like it. It's written in first person, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't ... and in this case, it's perfect. Ellie's voice is so clear and realistic ... and she's hilarious!

I loved watching Ellie and Gray's story unfold through Ellie's eyes. As she faced problems in her relationship with Gray, I often found myself thinking, "That's how I would have handled it, too." I guess you could say I identified with the character!

Ellie's mother does seem a bit like a stereotypical conservative Christian (basically, the way you'd see a Christian portrayed on a TV show), but I've also known people who are every bit as legalistic, so while I don't like the way she is portrayed, I guess she's realistic. And there are other wonderful Christians in the novella to balance out her rigidity.

"A May Bride" is my favorite installment in the Year of Weddings novella series (so far). It's a quick read (it took me an hour—an hour when I was supposed to be reading another book), and it's oh so enjoyable! This is the first I've heard of Meg Moseley, but if this novella is any indication of her other work, she could easily become one of my favorite authors.

My rating: 5 stars

Buy the novella.
Read my reviews of the other novellas in the series: December, January, February, March, and April.

About the author: Meg Moseley is a Californian transplanted to the South. For four years, she wrote human interest columns for a suburban section of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, and she home-schooled for over twenty years. Mom to three grown children, she enjoys books, motorcycle rides with her husband, and gardening.

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."

"an april bride" by lenora worth

About the book (from the publisher): War changes everything . . . even their love.

Bride-to-be Stella Carson can't wait to marry her longtime sweetheart Marshall Henderson. But Marshall has been away serving his country and has suffered a head wound. After being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, he has distanced himself from Stella, asking her not to visit him in a Washington, D.C., hospital. Marshall returns to Louisiana just four weeks before the wedding, but as the big day draws near, Stella wonders if the man she's loved for most of her life has become someone else.

Can true love conquer all for Stella and Marshall, even the tragedy of war?

My take: I am completely smitten with Zondervan's "Year of Weddings" novella series. I've absolutely devoured the ones set in December, January, February, and March. When I received April's novella to review, I completely fell in love with the cover and anticipated falling in love with the story, as well.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Instead, I really struggled to connect with Stella and Marshall. While their situation was horrible and could be heartwrenching, I felt, well, emotionless, as I read their story. I really struggled to keep going, basically from the first chapter. I guess the author's writing style isn't one I connect with. It's not a bad novella, but I was hoping for more.

I did appreciate how persistent Marshall was in trying to remember Stella and get his life back ... and how he decided to move forward even if his memory didn't return. I also enjoyed the end, though it was a bit convenient. But I was glad it ended as it did.

Even though this particular novella wasn't my favorite, I do look forward to reading the next installments in this series—overall, it's been great!

My rating: 2-1/2 stars

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of the other "Bride" novellas: "December," "January," "February," and "March."

About the author: Lenora Worth has written over 45 books for three different publishers. Her first Love Inspired “The Wedding Quilt” won Affaire de Coeur’s Best Inspirational for 1997, and “Logan’s Child” won RT’s Best Love Inspired for 1998. Her suspense “Code of Honor” finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Carol Award and her “Body of Evidence” made the New York Times Bestseller list in Mass Market Paperbacks. With millions of books in print, Lenora continues to write for Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense and she recently sold three books to Harlequin’s SuperRomance, still writing as Lenora Worth. Lenora also wrote a weekly opinion column for the Shreveport Times and worked freelance for SB magazine. She has now turned to full-time fiction writing and enjoying adventures with her retired husband, Don. Married for 36 years, they have two grown children—Kaleb and Carly. Lenora enjoys writing, reading and shopping … especially shoe shopping.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through theBookLook 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."

"A March Bride" by Rachel Hauck

As someone who read and enjoyed Once Upon A Prince, I was eager to read this continuation of Susanna and Nathaniel's story.

"a february bride" by betsy st. amant

About the book: Allie left the love of her life at the altar - to save him from a lifetime of heartbreak. When a Valentine's Day wedding brings them back together, she struggles against her family's destructive history. Can Allie ever realize that a marriage is so much more than a wedding dress?

History repeats itself when Allie Andrews escapes the church on her wedding day - in the same dress passed down for generations and worn by all the women in her family - women with a long history of failed marriages. Allie loves Marcus but fears she's destined to repeat her family's mistakes. She can't bear to hurt Marcus worse.

Marcus Hall never stopped loving Allie and can only think of one reason she left him at the altar - him. When the two are thrown together for his sister's Valentine's Day wedding, he discovers the truth and realizes their story might be far from over. Can Allie shuck expectation and discover who she is as a bride and in the Bride of Christ? And if she ever walks down the aisle, what dress will she wear?

My take: "A February Bride" is another pleasing entry in Zondervan's Year of Weddings novella series. While the set up strikes me as a bit ludicrous—four months after leaving the love of her life at the altar, Allie hasn't told him or anyone else why, and my guess it that's because anyone who heard her reasoning would easily talk her out of it, thus negating the need for this novella—the development is thoroughly delightful.

Marcus and Allie are both well-developed, likable characters, and their chemistry is practically palpable. Of course, the reader has no doubt these two will make it work (what kind of romance novel would it be if they didn't?), so the enjoyment comes in how they get there. And this is one journey that certainly is fun to take.

My rating: 4 stars

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of "A December Bride" and "A January Bride."

About the author: Betsy St. Amant is one Good Girl who enjoys writing about Bad Boys in her YA fiction novels. She lives in Louisiana with her adorable kindergartener, is often found consuming massive amounts of chocolate, and is an avid reader who is constantly wondering where Mr. Darcy went. A freelance journalist and fiction author, Betsy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and is multi-published in Contemporary Romance. Her ninth Love Inspired novel will release January 2014, while her first YA novel, ADDISON BLAKELY, CONFESSIONS OF A PK, released 2012 through Barbour Books. She recently contracted a 2-book deal with Zondervan. When she’s not reading, writing, or singing along to the Tangled soundtrack with her daughter, Betsy enjoys inspirational speaking and teaching on the craft of writing.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through theBookLook 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."

"a january bride" by deborah raney

About the book (from the publisher): What will happen when novelist Madeleine Houser's 'pen pal' friendship with a lonely widower takes an unexpected turn?

Who can work in a house that's overrun by contractors and carpenters? Not Madeleine Houser, a successful novelist who gladly accepts the help of her octogenarian friend, Ginny, to arrange for a temporary office in the charming bed and breakfast owned by Ginny's friend, Arthur. Maddie's never met the innkeeper - but a friendship grows between them as Maddie and Arthur leave messages for each other each day. To Maddie's alternate delight and chagrin, she seems to be falling for the inn's owner - a man who's likely many years her senior - and who she's never even met.

Arthur Tyler is a college professor who lost his young wife to cancer. Together they ran the bed and breakfast where Art lives, but without his wife, the house is missing warmth and cheer. He jumps at the chance to have author Madeleine Houser use the space that was once filled with guests. He, too, begins to enjoy the daily exchanges with Maddie, but a series of misunderstandings lead him to believe she's far from being a prospective date—even if he were ready to date again, which he's not.

When Maddie and Art finally meet and discover one another's identity, sparks fly. Even so, they each have obstacles to overcome in order for this winter romance to blossom.

My take: "A January Bride" is a fun, quick read. While it's a novella, it doesn't feel like one. What I mean is, even though the book is short, the characters are well developed, and the relationship moves at a reasonable pace.

I especially enjoyed the lead-up to Art and Maddie discovering the other's true identity, and I laughed aloud a few times as each figured out the mistake.

I am glad that "A January Bride" is a novella, as the mistaken identity plot could quickly grow tiresome if stretched out through a full-length novel. As a novella, though, it's just about perfect.

This is the second installment in Zondervan's A Year of Weddings series, and if the first two novellas are any indication, this is going to be an enjoyable year!

My rating: 4-1/2 stars

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of "A December Bride" and Raney's Forever After, After All, and The Face of the Earth.

About the author: Deborah Raney is the award-winning author of several novels, including A Nest of Sparrows and the RITA award winning Beneath a Southern Sky and its sequel, After the Rains. Deborah's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, was the inspiration for World Wide Pictures' highly acclaimed film of the same title, which in December 2004 aired on primetime network TV for the second time. Deb's novella, "Playing by Heart," was a National Readers Choice Award winner and a 2004 Christy Award finalist. Her novel for Howard/Simon & Schuster, Yesterday's Embers, appeared on the ECPA Christian fiction bestseller list. Known for her sensitive portrayal of family struggles and relationships, Deb has also written nonfiction books and articles and often speaks at women's retreats and writers' conferences around the country. She and her husband, illustrator/author Ken Raney, have four children and make their home in Kansas. Find out more at DeborahRaney.com.

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."

"A December Bride" by Denise Hunter

About the book (from the publisher): What started as a whim turned into an accidental—and very public—engagement. Can Layla and Seth keep up the façade in Chapel Springs this holiday season—for the sake of her career . . . and his heart?