The Runaway Bride

Wealthy Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship still wearing the scars of past mistakes. One of the few single women in the boomtown, she immediately has suitors, but she is determined not to find herself trapped again by a poor choice.

Vying for her hand are two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town's baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella's affections, but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak.

As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need—a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Peter's advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what's right cost both her and Peter everything?

My Rating: 4 Stars

What a story! I loved the meetcute between Arabella and Peter. It was such a cute way for them to meet and their developing relationship throughout the book kept me guessing as to how it would all play out in the end. I really enjoyed getting to see Arabella again and learning more of her backstory after meeting her in The Reluctant Bride, and Peter was quite a character. I really liked him. The story was full of twists and I had trouble putting the book down at times because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. If you like historical Christian fiction then give this one a try. 

I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own. 

Out of the Embers (Mesquite Springs #1)

Ten years after her parents were killed, Evelyn Radcliffe is once more homeless. The orphanage that was her refuge and later her workplace has burned to the ground, and only she and a young orphan girl have escaped. Convinced this must be related to her parents' murders, Evelyn flees with the girl to Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country and finds refuge in the home of Wyatt Clark, a talented horse rancher whose plans don't include a family of his own.

At first, Evelyn is a distraction. But when it becomes clear that trouble has followed her to Mesquite Springs, she becomes a full-blown disruption. Can Wyatt keep her safe from the man who wants her dead? And will his own plans become collateral damage?

Suspenseful and sweetly romantic, Out of the Embers is the first in a new series that invites you to the Texas Hill Country in the 1850s, when the West was wild, the men were noble, and the women were strong.



My Rating: 4 Stars

I really enjoyed Amanda's debut to her newest series. It was a very interesting story line with a mystery between several characters and figuring out how all the pieces fit together. The story kept me involved and wondering what would happen next. The book is a quick easy read and an enjoyable way to pass a day stuck at home. My only complaint with the book is that I didn't like an event that happened near the beginning of the story. I realize why it's part of the story but I think it could have been handled in a way that wasn't quite so much. I didn't think an event of that magnitude was necessary. So I docked a star for that, otherwise I thought the story was wonderful.

I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

The Happy Camper

Home is the place to heal, right? At least, that's what Dillon Michaels is hoping as she leaves her disappointing career and nonstarter love life behind to help her grieving and aging grandfather on his small Oregon farm. The only problem? Her eccentric mother beat her there and has taken over Dillon's old room. After a few nights sleeping on a sagging sofa, Dillon is ready to give up, until she receives an unlikely gift--her grandfather's run-down vintage camp trailer, which she quickly resolves to restore with the help of Jordan Atwood, the handsome owner of the local hardware store.

But just when things are finally beginning to run smoothly, Dillon's noncommittal ex-boyfriend shows up with roses . . . and a ring.

Mr Rating: 5 Stars
This story was absolutely charming. First, that cover?? Adorable!! I loved the fun of the vintage trailers and enjoyed the seeing Dillon restore and decorate the trailer. The story was a quick and easy read and perfect for being stuck inside during what's going on in our world currently. Light and fun with romance, humor, great characters and the RV theme made this book a near perfect read. Would love another story about these characters down the road. Melody's stories are always must reads for me and this one is going to the top of my favorites of hers. If you are in need of a light and fun read, give this one a try. I don't think you will be disappointed!

I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

The Fifth Avenue Story Society

An invitation to join The Fifth Avenue Story Society gives five New York strangers a chance to rewrite their own stories.

Executive assistant Lexa is eager for a much-deserved promotion, but her boss is determined to keep her underemployed.

Literature professor Jett is dealing with a broken heart, as well as a nagging suspicion his literary idol, Gordon Phipps Roth, might be a fraud.

Uber driver Chuck just wants a second chance with his kids.

Aging widower Ed is eager to write the true story of his incredible marriage.

Coral, queen of the cosmetics industry, has broken her engagement and is on the verge of losing her great grandmother’s multimillion-dollar empire.

When all five New Yorkers receive an anonymous, mysterious invitation to the Fifth Avenue Story Society, they suspect they’re victims of a practical joke. No one knows who sent the invitations or why. No one has heard of the literary society. And no one is prepared to bear their deepest secrets to a roomful of strangers.

Yet curiosity and loneliness bring them back week after week to the old library. And it’s there they discover the stories of their hearts, and the kind of friendship and love that heals their souls.

My Rating: All the Stars-5 on Goodreads

All the stars. This book gets all the stars. I adored this book from crusty old Ed to broken Coral, from Chuck and Jett and Lexa and how their stories intertwined. It was simply a charming, charming story. With each character holding a secret, I drawn into their stories and lives and how they formed a family of sorts from 5 nearly complete strangers who receive a mysterious invite to the Fifth Avenue Story Society. Just do yourselves a favor, read this book. I don't think you'll be disappointed. My only minor complaint is there was one element of one of the characters stories I would have liked to see more fully resolved but other than that, this story was pretty much perfect. This book with it's gorgeous cover is going on my keeper shelf.

Woman of Sunlight

After years of isolation on top of Hope Mountain, Ilsa Nordegren may finally be ready to leave. Raised to fear the world, Ilsa and her sisters never planned on coming down, but when the Warden family arrived in need, they had to help. And it may cost them everything.

Having made his fortune, Mitch Warden returned home and found the family homestead abandoned. In a land grab, a ruthless cattle baron had forced his family to escape up the mountain, and when he follows, the last thing he expects is to fall smitten to a black-haired woman who dresses like Robin Hood.

Warden is intent on helping his family reclaim their land, but doesn't realize the risks his past has brought. Dangerous men have tracked him, and rather than risk innocent lives, he's determined to end the danger. But that means a journey to the city--and when Ilsa insists on joining him, the mismatched pair suddenly find themselves on a venture they'll never forget.


My Rating: 4 Stars
What a fun follow up to Aiming For Love. I really enjoyed the mysteries following Mitch and the adventure he and Ilsa are forced on when the danger following Mitch comes to close to home. The mysteries had few surprises and a satisfying conclusion. Ilsa was such an interesting character and after getting to know Ursula a little bit in this story, I am looking forward to her story later this year. All in all, this was a fun read, with mystery, humor and romance. Recommended.

I received this book for review and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.