"rival hearts" by tara randel

About the book: They both want the promotion. But will they find out that it is worth the cost?

Molly Henderson and Ben Weaver have been rival magazine writers for the same publishing group for years. When both come up for the same promotion, they find themselves in an unexpected competition to win the spot. Molly, editor of Quilter's Heart, and Ben, editor of Outdoor Adventures, must switch roles, each working for the other for one month, then submit an article at the end of their quests.

Can girly-girl Molly survive the outdoor adventures that Ben has planned? Can Ben navigate the perils of the social dynamics of quilting events without destroying a valuable quilt in one short month? More importantly, in this he-said, she-said situation, will Molly and Ben give in to their attraction and fall in love, no matter who wins?

My take: Rival Hearts features one of those stories that I could easily see being made into a romantic comedy: co-workers vying for the same promotion are pitted against each other in a competition and soon find themselves incredibly attracted to one another. I don't know that I've seen this exact plot, but I'm sure Hallmark or Hollywood has done something similar. (You've Got Mail, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and Hallmark's A Christmas Song aren't quite the same plot, but they do have some similarities.)

Even though the plot is familiar, it works. Well. From start to finish, Rival Hearts is enjoyable. Ben and Molly are both compelling characters with intriguing back stories. Their chemistry is palpable, and the romance is sweet. Also, I never figured out who would actually win the competition, so kudos to the author for keeping it secret yet realistic.

The dialog does come across a bit stilted at times, especially in the beginning. There's one section where the boss is laying out Ben's and Molly's accomplishments, and it seems to be solely for the reader, as Ben and Molly would both be well aware of everything the boss is saying. Also, the "villain" (not too villainous, but the only person who doesn't seem like a wonderful human being) was very clearly telegraphed, so when conflict between Ben and Molly arose, I had no difficulty figuring out who to blame.

Overall, though, Rival Hearts is a very enjoyable read and an excellent entry in the "Quilts of Love" line.

Content note: While this book contains no objectionable content regarding language or sex, I do need to note that the view of salvation in this book does not line up with my own—it's more "if you believe in God, then you're a Christian" than "saved by grace through faith." As this is romantic fiction and not a theology book, and the religious thread is very light, I don't think it's a major deal, but it is worth noting.

My rating: 4 stars

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Learn more about this book and the series at the Quilts of Love website.

Read my other Quilts of Love reviews: A Promise in Pieces, Aloha Rose, Tempest's Course, and A Wild Goose Chase Christmas.

About the author: Tara Randel is the author of five romance novels including Lasting Love, Melody of Love, and This Time Love. A member of ACFW, Tara is also the lead author of the new Annie's Mysteries series (see AnniesMysteries.com). Tara lives in New Port Richey, Florida.

Connect with Tara at her website and on Facebook.

About the giveaway: Don’t miss this month’s Quilts of Love book, Rival Hearts, by Tara Randel. A quilt becomes a labor of love for a lonely wife mysteriously separated from her young husband.

Celebrate June's release by entering to win a summer camping kit (grill, tent, and camp chairs) from Quilts of Love.

One winner will receive:

• A Coleman grill, tent, and camp chairs
• A Promise in Pieces by Emily Wierenga
• A Stitch and a Prayer by Eva Gibson
• Rival Hearts by Tara Randel

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 13. Winner will be announced on the Quilts of Love blog.

Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

About the series: Quilts tell stories of love and loss, hope and faith, tradition and new beginnings. The Quilts of Love series focuses on the women who quilted all of these things into their family histories. A new book releases each month and features contemporary and historical romances as well as women's fiction and the occasional light mystery. You will be drawn into the endearing characters of this series and be touched by their stories.

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."

"silenced" by dani pettrey

About the book (from Goodreads): Romantic Suspense's Rising Star Returns with an Electric New Thriller

A relaxing day of rock climbing takes a disturbing turn when Kayden McKenna's route leads her face to face with a dead climber. Is it a terrible accident or something sinister? When the case is handed to the overburdened sheriff, he turns to Jake Westin. With Jake's past now revealed, he's ready to use his talent for investigation again--but he could never prepare for where the case will take him.

Kayden and Jake soon realize that the death was no accident. And worse, it seems the killer is on to them. When strange things begin happening in Yancey, Jake is terrified that once again his world may put someone he loves in danger. But the truth is far worse than he could ever imagine.

My take: I. Love. This. Series.

And since I didn't read Stranded until after Silenced released, I got to read the two one right after the other instead of waiting a year between books! Reading the two books together allowed me to treat them as a cohesive unit, and it made for a very enjoyable reading experience :-)

Silenced is Kayden and Jake's story—a story I've been waiting for since reading book one, Submerged. It was absolutely worth the wait! Author Dani Pettrey knows how to write chemistry, and Jake is definitely a swoon-worthy hero. Also, Pettrey does a great job of setting up upcoming romances in each book, so I'm now definitely ready to read about Reef and Kirra in the next book, Sabotaged!

One thing that made this book fantastic (and makes it my second favorite book in the series, behind the fabulous Shattered) is the suspense element. All of the books in this series have been suspenseful, but Silenced is on another level. I thought I had it all figured out, and then Pettrey shifted everything. This book ended up feeling much more personal than the previous novels in the series, and that made the stakes even higher.

From start to finish, I was completely captivated by Silenced. I highly recommend it, as well as the rest of the series!

My rating: 5 stars

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Submerged, Shattered, and Stranded.

About the author: Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the romantic suspense series Alaskan Courage, which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, and her latest release, Silenced. 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 daughters, son-in-law, and super adorable grandson.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Bethany House Publishers through its book reviewer 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."

"stranded" by dani pettrey

About the book (from Goodreads): When her friend vanishes from a cruise ship, reporter Darcy St. James isn't satisfied with their explanation that she simply left her job of her own accord. Something isn't lining up, and Darcy believes the only way to find the truth is to put herself in Abby's position. Within days, Darcy learns her friend wasn't the only person to disappear mysteriously. Last summer, a woman vanished under almost identical circumstances.

Gage McKenna has taken a summer-long stint leading adventure excursions for the passengers of various cruise lines that dock for a few days of sightseeing. He's surprised to find Darcy working aboard one of the ships, investigating a troubling report. Something sinister is going on and the deeper they dig the more Gage fears they've only discovered the tip of the iceberg.

My take: Dani Pettrey's "Alaskan Courage" series is one of my favorite in-progress series, and Stranded continues the high-octane suspense and romance from the previous two books. Gage and Darcy, whose attraction in Shattered was undeniable, are the central romance in Stranded. Watching them fight their attraction and then finally acknowledge it is so much fun. Also, the mysterious Jake Westin's past is finally revealed to everyone, setting up his romance with Kayden McKenna in book four.

As for the mystery, it's a good one. As Darcy and Gage get closer to the truth of what happened to the women who vanished from the cruise ship, the stakes become higher and higher, and the ultimate reveal? Well, let's just say I'm going to be hesitant to ever take a cruise!

I really enjoyed Stranded—it's a great continuation of a fantastic series.

My rating: 4-1/2 stars

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Submerged and Shattered.

About the author: Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the romantic suspense series Alaskan Courage, which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, and her latest release, Silenced. 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 daughters, son-in-law, and super adorable grandson.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this book myself and reviewed it of my own free will. 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."

going gluten free: two week update

I've now been gluten free for two weeks. It hasn't actually been all that difficult. No dreams of bread, and my sister's amazing chocolate chip cookies didn't even appeal to me. (Read my introduction to my gluten-free diet here.)

My biggest challenge is one that I didn't anticipate:

I'M HUNGRY ALL THE TIME. ALL. THE. TIME. I haven't had an appetite like this in years. Figuring out what I can stuff in my face is a bit challenging at times, especially when I'm at work. I know it would help if I actually liked things like carrots and celery ... I've been eating lots of popcorn and Greek yogurt. It "helped" that I finally got my Vitacost order of several different gluten-free flours. (I went with Vitacost over Amazon because Vitacost's prices were way lower. I was surprised.) So I immediately made brownies. Tasted great, but I'm thinking that wasn't the greatest food choice! I also made gluten free pancakes, which tasted great but were way too runny. I've found a lot of good-looking recipes, so I'll keep experimenting!

Some of my gluten-free meals. Yes, that is a giant bowl of meat from Arby's :-)

As for how I'm feeling, well, it's been a mixed bag. One thing I've noticed is fatigue. I mean, I'm always tired, but twice since I've gone off gluten I've been so tired after work that I've taken a nap. I never nap. I'm sleeping between seven and eight hours a night, so I know I'm not sleep deprived. Weird. I even took a sick day last week because I was so exhausted after my shower that I had to lay down for a while. It was so strange. The next day, I felt "fine"—well, as fine as I ever feel. I was hoping (rather naively, I'm sure) that I would immediately feel a reduction in thyroid symptoms. (The fatigue could have nothing to do with this diet, but it's weird that it hit just as I made the change.)

But digestively, I've noticed a huge difference. I can't remember a time that I didn't have digestive issues—cramping, gas, constipation, diarrhea. While things aren't perfect, these are the best two weeks I've had in a very long time. Really, that alone makes this change worth it.

So I'm going to keep going. I'm still hopeful that it will help me feel "normal" again, but if it doesn't, I'll find something else to try. I'm learning a lot about Hashimoto's, I'm determined to keep fighting to feel better!

"the hatmaker's heart" by carla stewart

About the book: For Nell Marchwold, bliss is seeing the transformation when someone gets a glimpse in the mirror while wearing one of her creations and feels beautiful. Nell has always strived to create hats that bring out a woman's best qualities. She knows she's fortunate to have landed a job as an apprentice designer at the prominent Oscar Fields Millinery in New York City. Yet when Nell's fresh designs begin to catch on, her boss holds her back from the limelight, claiming the stammer she's had since childhood reflects poorly on her and his salon.

But it seems Nell's gift won't be hidden by Oscar's efforts. Soon an up-and-coming fashion designer is seeking her out as a partner of his 1922 collection. The publicity leads to an opportunity for Nell to make hats in London for a royal wedding. There, she sees her childhood friend, Quentin, and an unexpected spark kindles between them. But thanks to her success, Oscar is determined to keep her. As her heart tugs in two directions, Nell must decide what she is willing to sacrifice for her dream, and what her dream truly is.

My take: When I first began reading The Hatmaker's Heart, I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy it. Something about the opening pages just didn't grab me. But by page 20 or so, I was completely invested in Nell's story. I absolutely love the way the novel unfolded—author Carla Stewart slowly (very slowly) peeled back the layers of Nell's backstory, revealing information or including flashbacks at the perfect time. At the beginning of the novel, I never would have guessed the depth of Nell's character or the horrible things in her past. I also never would have guessed that this would become an interactive novel. I mean, how often do I gasp, "Oh, no!" or yell, "Kick him to the curb!" while reading? (Virtually never.)

What could have been a typical romance novel became so much more. In fact, the romance, though sweet, isn't the heart of the novel—really, the novel is all about Nell finding her voice (in more ways than one) and becoming the woman God created her to be. And it's a truly delightful journey.

My rating: 4-1/2 stars

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About the author: Carla Stewart is the award-winning author of four novels. With a passion for times gone by, it is her desire to take readers back to that warm, familiar place in their hearts called "home." She and her husband live in Tulsa and have four adult sons and six grandchildren (with one on the way!).

Carla can be found at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

About the giveaway: In celebration of The Hatmaker's Heart's release, Carla Stewart has a fantastic giveaway going on on her blog. She's giving away a copy of the book, a cookbook, English treats, a hat, and a $100 gift card. Enter here through June 14.

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."

"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."

"raptor 6" by ronie kendig

About the book: His mission.

His team.

Captain Dean Watters keeps these parts of his life in laser-like focus. So when hackers threaten both his mission and his team, Dean's Special Forces training kicks into high gear. Ten military super-secure computers are missing-which if opened, would give America's enemies a blueprint of US military intelligence. Failing to stop the hackers isn't an option.

Zahrah Zarrick is a missionary teacher to Afghan children in Mazar-e Sharif. She's also a target. Her expertise in quantum cryptology makes her an unwitting pawn in the hackers' deadly game. They're coming for her, and Dean and his team must stop them.

Before the team can get to Zahrah, she disappears. Now Dean must race to rescue her and stop the hackers from unleashing terror on millions across the globe. But to do so, Dean will be forced to crack open the steel box around his heart-a move that might come at the highest cost.

My take: Ronie Kendig is known for "Rapid-Fire Fiction," so when I picked up Raptor 6, the first of her novels I've read, I expected to immediately be swept into an action-packed thrill ride. That's not quite what happened. The novel does start out with a bang as Dean "Raptor 6" Watters is dumped at a military base in Afghanistan following time in captivity. But then the action jumps back six months, and things progress rather slowly as Kendig introduces characters and sets things up. During this section, the glossary of terms and the character lists were invaluable. I found myself constantly flipping to them as I tried to grasp who everyone was and what exactly was happening.

But once the plot really began rolling—probably about 60 pages in—it fired on all cylinders. Suddenly, things moved so quickly that I struggled to keep up! (And I did still need to consult that glossary every so often.) But even though the plot moved at break-neck speed, I still felt like I got to know the characters. Dean is a great hero—a strong leader who keeps his emotions at arms length until he meets Zahrah. Zahrah is very intriguing, and I feel like we only scratched the surface with her, so I hope she shows up in future novels! Also, I did not expect to tear up while reading Raptor 6, but I did—there is an incredibly touching thread involving one of the members of Dean's team that tugged at my heart.

As I reached the last few pages of the novel, it became clear that everything wasn't going to neatly wrap up. It doesn't exactly end on a cliffhanger, but there are enough threads left open that I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!

My rating: 4 stars

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About the author: Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. After twenty-plus years of marriage, she and her hunky hero husband have a full life with four children and a Maltese Menace in northern Virginia. Author and speaker, Ronie loves engaging readers through her Rapid-Fire Fiction.

Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

About the giveaway: Don't miss the first book, Raptor 6, in Ronie Kendig's new Quiet Professionals series. Ronie combines a dangerous romance and explosive action for a thrilling and satisfying ride. "Lock and load for this Spec Op, fighting under God’s 'rules of engagement.'" —Bob Hamer, veteran FBI undercover agent and award-winning author

Ronie is celebrating with a Kindle HDX Giveaway!

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Raptor 6 by Ronie Kendig

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 15th. Winner will be announced June 16th on Ronie's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Ronie's blog on June 16th to see if you won.

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."