Review: "Royally Yours" by Melissa Tagg, Betsy St. Amant, Liz Johnson, and Ashley Clark

Christmas novellas from some of my favorite authors? Yes, please! The instant I heard about Royally Yours, I knew I needed to get my hands on the collection. And guess what? It's really, really good!

Review: "Now and Then and Always" by Melissa Tagg

I love every literary trip to Maple Valley, Iowa. I wish it was a real place—it's like the midwestern version of Stars Hollow! Now and Then and Always marks the first book in Melissa Tagg's new Maple Valley series, and it's a delightful return to the adorable small town she created.

2017 Mini Reviews

I write a lot of book reviews. (Many of you are saying, "duh," right now.) But did you know that I read more books than I review? Over the past year, I've read a handful of books that, for whatever reason, I didn't review. But I do have thoughts about them (of course I do!), so I thought I'd do a mini review wrap up of the ones I remember reading.

"One Enchanted Noël" by Melissa Tagg

Is there anything better than Maple Valley at Christmas? I don't think so 🙂. For the third consecutive Christmas, Melissa Tagg enchants with her Enchanted Christmas collection.

"All This Time" by Melissa Tagg

All This Time took me, well, all this time to read for one simple reason: I didn't want the Walker Family series to come to an end!

(Yes, that is a bad joke, but I don't apologize for it!)

"One Enchanted Eve" by Melissa Tagg

Last Christmas, I read Melissa Tagg's completely charming One Enchanted Christmas, which brings together writer Maren and farmer-turned-builder/craftsman Drew Renwycke. This year, Tagg is continuing the Renwycke family's story with a novella about Drew's brother Colin.

"like never before" by melissa tagg

I love Maple Valley, Iowa. I wish it was a real town that I could visit! If you've read Three Little Words or From the Start or One Enchanted Christmas, then you already know how charming (and Stars Hollow-like) the town is. Author Melissa Tagg takes readers back to Maple Valley in Like Never Before, the second book in her Walker Family series.

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Maple Valley became Amelia Bentley's haven after her heart and her dreams of a family were shattered. But when the newspaper she runs is in danger of closing, she pins all her hopes on a story that just might convince the new owner to keep the paper running.

After his biggest campaign success yet, widowed speechwriter Logan Walker has the chance of a lifetime: a spot on a presidential campaign. But first he has to return to his hometown to sell the newspaper he's suddenly inherited.

But instead of a quick sale, Logan finds himself helping Amelia chase her story. She's scrappy, but wounded. He's dependable, but lost. And working together to break the story on Maple Valley's unsolved mystery is just the start of the sparks that fly in the office and in their hearts.

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For months now, I've been reading about Melissa Tagg's love for Logan Walker, whose love story is featured in Like Never Before. And now ... now I finally understand why she loves him so much! Logan isn't your typical romance novel hero—he's softer, kinder, more life-like. More like the kind of guy I'd like to find. (That's not to say Logan is weak. He's a strong, manly hero—he just isn't a stridently strong alpha male.)

Like Never Before is the story of speechwriter Logan and newspaper editor Amelia Bentley. The novel begins with an oh-so-cute email exchange, where Amelia is trying to get former reporter Logan to return to Maple Valley and write for "her" newspaper. Turns out, Logan actually owns the newspaper—the former publisher left it to Logan in his will. So Logan has to return to Maple Valley to figure out what to do with the paper ... and sparks fly. (Especially in what has to be one of my all-time favorite kissing scenes. I may never look at a janitor's closet the same way!)

Like Never Before isn't just all cute boy-meets-girl, though. Both Logan and Amelia are dealing with past hurts—his wife passed away, leaving him to raise their daughter alone while his career is taking off; she's recovering from a divorce she never wanted and the disappointment of a failed adoption—and are struggling to reclaim their faith. As they become closer, they push each other toward healing.

One thing I loved about the book is that it didn't end up like I thought it would. I mean, yes, Logan and Amelia get together. (I don't think I need to say spoiler alert because—hello!—this is a romance novel.) But where they end up in their lives is so different from what I imagined, and I have to say that I like Tagg's version better than my own!

I highly recommend Like Never Before to anyone who enjoys romance. Also, though this is book two (sort of three—there's also a prequel novella) in Tagg's Walker Family series, you can read this without having first read book one. And if you're a fan of old movies, you'll really enjoy the references in this book! 5 stars.

Portions of this review originally appeared on Coffee & Conversation.

Buy the book.
Visit fellow launch team member Michaela's blog for a chance to win a copy of the book!
Read my reviews of Tagg's Walker Family books Three Little Words (5 stars) and From the Start (5 stars), and the "Walker-adjacent" novella One Enchanted Christmas (5 stars).

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Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last, Here to Stay, and the Walker Family series, is a former newspaper reporter, current nonprofit grant writer, and total Iowa girl. When she's not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever. She's passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly at www.melissatagg.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this novel free from Bethany House Publishers as a member of Melissa Tagg's book launch team. I was not required to write a positive review, and 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 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.”

best books of 2015: honorable mention

2015 was a banner year for lovers of inspirational fiction. I can't remember another year when I've had such a difficult time choosing a top 10 list—I read so many phenomenal books this year that I couldn't limit myself to 10. (Goodreads tells me I read 104 books this year—crazy!) We'll start with the honorable mentions today (which were hard to narrow down, too!) and then move on to my 10 favorite books of the year tomorrow. Keep in mind that these are books I read in 2015; a few of them were published in previous years.

One Enchanted Christmas by Melissa Tagg (my review) 

While I loved all three of Tagg's novels/novellas that I read in 2015, One Enchanted Christmas takes the top prize for its humor and adorability.

The Girl From the Train by Irma Joubert (my review) 

Always a fan of World War II-era fiction, I devoured this novel about a German orphan who is adopted by a South African couple.

A Table by the Window and Reservations for Two by Hillary Manton Lodge (my reviews) 

I couldn't read these novels quickly enough, and I can't wait for the third to release! They contain a love triangle that is rare in the fact that I have no idea which man the main character should choose.

Falling Like Snowflakes by Denise Hunter (my review) 

I always love Denise Hunter's novels, and Falling Like Snowflakes marks a great start to her new Summer Harbor series.

Somebody Like You by Beth Vogt (my review)

Somebody Like You is the first book I read in 2015, and it remains one of my favorites. The premise—an identical twin the widow didn't know about shows up and falls in love with her—could have been ripped from a soap opera, but the book is not even slightly soapy.

Shadows of Ladenbrook Manor by Melanie Dobson (my review) 

I simply adored this dual timeline story that shows how one secret can affect a family for generations.

How to Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck (my review)

This final book in Hauck's Royal Wedding series is cute, romantic, and thought provoking. It's a definite winner!

I'm sure there are many more books I could list here, but I have to cut myself off somewhere! Check back tomorrow for my top ten list, and be sure to let me know in the comments if you loved any of these books, too!

Disclosure of Material Connection: 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.”

"One Enchanted Christmas" by Melissa Tagg

Earlier this year, I read a novella by Melissa Tagg (Three Little Words)—and immediately, I wondered what had taken me so long to read Tagg's writing! I started following her on Instagram and saw that she was working on a "secret project"...when said project became available in the Kindle store, I pre-ordered it immediately. That was a very good decision :-)

"from the start" by melissa tagg

The instant I finished reading Melissa Tagg's adorable (and free!) novella Three Little Words, I wanted to tear into From the Start. Because I've developed a smidgen of self control over the years, I forced myself to wait until the next day—11 p.m. is not the time to begin a novel when you have to work the next day! It's a good thing I waited, as once I dove in, I didn't want to stop.

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Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays ... until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley. 

Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.

While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?

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From the Start is too cute! (I said virtually the same thing about Three Little Words ... I'm sensing a theme here!) I loved watching Kate and Colton slowly fall in love—from the "meet cute" (which is a hilarious scene) to the romantic end, I couldn't fly through the pages quickly enough.

But the book isn't just cute and romantic. Kate and Colton are realistic characters with realistic problems. Their lives are messy—especially Colton's as the novel begins—and they both grow throughout the novel as they try to figure out their purpose.

Also, the town of Maple Valley is quite endearing. I live in a small town, and while mine is nothing like Maple Valley, I wish it was! I look forward to returning to the town and to the Walker family again and again.

This series reminds me of Susan May Warren's Christiansen Family series—small town, interesting family, great romance—and in my book, that's a great thing! 5 stars.

Read an excerpt.
Buy the book.
Buy Three Little Words, a prequel novella. (It's free!)
Read my review of Three Little Words.

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Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, is a former newspaper reporter, current nonprofit grant writer, and total Iowa girl. When she's not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever. She's passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly at www.melissatagg.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. 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.”

"three little words" by melissa tagg

This. Is. Adorable.

Those three little words are pretty much all you need to know about Three Little Words. Now go to Amazon and get your free Kindle copy!

(Oh, you want more of a review than that? Well, I'll oblige ...)

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Ava Kingsley and Seth Walker might be the most unlikely friends ever. The only thing these two polar opposites have in common is a knack for wordsmithing. Back in college, they were known for their written sparring in the campus newspaper's popular "He Says/She Says" column.

At their ten-year college reunion, they pick up right where they left off. Except this time their squabbling leads to a surprising turn: friendship and a year-long exchange of emails. So when Ava approaches a crossroads in her athletics department career in Minnesota, Seth is quick to offer the open apartment above the restaurant he's been remodeling in Maple Valley, Iowa.

Ava doesn't know where her career will lead her next, but she's starting to suspect she might see Seth as more than a pen pal. Which would be exciting...except for the fact that he only sees her as a friend.

As Maple Valley grows on her, Ava wonders if there might be something here for her even though Seth is unavailable. And maybe, just maybe, after all the words the two of them have exchanged over the years, they'll finally be able to say the three that matter most.

Three Little Words is an e-only novella that gives an exciting introduction to Melissa Tagg's new series about the charismatic Walker family and the endearing town of Maple Valley!

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I cannot believe it took me this long to read something by Melissa Tagg. Seriously! I've been following her blog for more than a year now, and anyone who loves Gilmore Girls as much as I do is OK in my book. (Sure, she falls on the wrong side of the Dean/Jess debate, but we all have our faults.) So of course I'd enjoy her fiction!

Three Little Words is just so cute. I've said before that "friends falling in love" is one of my favorite romance tropes, and this is another example of it being done well. So, so well.

My favorite line from the whole novella is this: "Not even twenty-four hours open, and Seth was already regretting not hanging the No Cell Phones sign he'd wanted to," because as soon as I read it, I immediately flashed to this:

#tbt That time Regina took me and Jen on a tour of the Warner Bros lot, and Luke's Diner was unlocked. #GilmoreGirls

A photo posted by Becky Ritta (@beckyritta) on Oct 2, 2014 at 11:08am PDT

Yup, that's me inside Luke's Diner! Notice the No Cell Phones sign. It was such a thrill to be on the Gilmore set!

Gilmore Girls reference aside, this novella has a lot to offer. It's romantic, witty, and charming. It also feels complete without being rushed, which is a feat for a novella. Ava and Seth make a great couple to cheer for, and Seth's family is great—I'm glad this series will be centered around them!

Once you start reading Three Little Words, you won't want to put it down ... and once you finish, you'll want to tear right into From the Start, the first novel in the Walker Family series.

So what are you waiting for? Go get your free copy now! 5 stars.

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Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, is a former newspaper reporter, current nonprofit grant writer, and total Iowa girl. When she's not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever. She's passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly at www.melissatagg.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this book myself and reviewed it of my own accord. I was not compensated in any way. 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.”