Author: remaininhislove

Posted in Uncategorized

Melissa Tagg’s Here to Stay

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

After playing nomad for five years, Blake Hunziker has finally had enough of adventure. Not sure what reception he’ll get from everyone back in Whisper Shore, he’s stunned at not only a warm welcome from his hometown but also a job offer. The job is his if he can successfully pull off the annual Christmas Festival. If only he knew the first thing about coordinating events…

If there’s one thing Autumn Kingsley knows, it’s Whisper Shore. For years, she’s been stuck running her family’s inn when all she wants is to see the world. Now she has a visit scheduled from a potential investor who could take over the inn, as well as a dream job offer in Paris. But with just two weeks to whip the inn into shape, her chance at escape is a long shot.

The Hunzikers and the Kingsleys may not get along, but Blake knows Autumn’s the only one who can help him. She agrees to a trade–she’ll help with the Festival and he’ll help with inn repairs. But what was meant to be a simple deal quickly becomes much more than that when the guy who’s done running away joins forces with the girl who can’t wait to leave.

Review

I had the pleasure of reading the first book in this series, and being introduced to Blake. Blake was pretty unique in the first novel, so I was glad for the chance to get into his head. And it was worth it! Here’s what I thought:

What I liked:

Blake. He has such a rich back story that encompasses who he is. I found myself just wanting to know more about him. I liked him, I liked the way he thought, and I liked the way he reacted in different situations.

Blake’s family. I loved the way they just supported him. So often we read about parents who fail to be understanding and loving, and I was glad that Blake had the support that he needed.

Autumn. She was a heroine who was really likeable. Some crazy things happened at her inn and she was handling it. I really liked that she had a dream and did what she could to make it happen even as circumstances got in the way.

The romance. It was a friendship based romance and I enjoyed when Blake and Autumn were on the same page of the book. There was a nice simplicity to their romance that made the novel just fun to read.

Spiritually, Blake has to learn to forgive himself and one theme that stuck out in my mind is that God loves you just as you are.

What I didn’t like:

It’s not so much what I didn’t like, but what I noticed. We are told a lot about the problems between the Kingsley and Hunzikers and while there was some tension there, I failed to be really concerned about it like I think the author wanted me to.

Overall, very cute and in my opinion better than the first novel.

Romantic Scale: 8.5

**I received this novel from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**

Posted in Uncategorized

Monday Musings….Robin Jones Gunn’s Forever With You

Posted on by remaininhislove

Do I have any Christy and Todd fans out there? Because if I do, have you seen this?

I fell in love with Christy & Todd approximately six years ago. I bought the YA novels for my younger sister, but I decided to read one to make sure it was on the up and up before I gave it to her. Welllllllll, I ended up reading the whole series, plus the college years, and a spin-off as well.  Christy & Todd are such an interesting couple, and I”m more than a little excited to know that there story has not ended. I do believe it releases June 10th!

Posted in Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense

Silenced Blog Tour and Giveaway!

Posted on by remaininhislove

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

Kayden’s climbing expertise soon leads her and Jake to the realization that the death was no accident. And worse, it seems the killer is onto 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.

Review
I have been looking forward to this book almost since the first one came out. And it did not disappoint! Here’s my thoughts:

What I liked:

The novel starts off with a bang. And then it doesn’t let up. At no point in the novel did I feel like putting it down and doing something else. The writing is compelling, the mystery intriguing, and the romance on point.

The romance. I’ve been watching Kayden and Jake since day one and I am very pleased with how their story came together. One thing I’ve noticed in series like these, is that the author runs the risk of having the male characters all seem the same or the females all come across as very similar. Not so with Kayden and Jake. They had distinct personalities in the other books and are well able to stay the same in this book. This of course means that their romance was a little different, a bit slower, but perfect for them. I was initially worried that with Kayden’s prickly personality that I would find her annoying in regards to Jake. But I didn’t, I found her endearing.

The mystery. Dani Pettrey writes my kind of mystery: not too complicated that I get lost in the details and yet you can still make guesses about what is going on.

The family. I love when the McKenna’s are together. Every scene where they work together is fun to read. And I do believe another McKenna has a story coming out. Here’s to looking at you Reef!

Spiritually, the major theme is dealing with fear and how it can keep you from living if you don’t trust God with it.

What I didn’t like:

Really nothing. It was a lot of fun to read.

Romantic Scale: 8.9

Overall, a very fun read you won’t want to put down!

**I received this novel from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**

Giveaway

Dani Pettrey has graciously offered to giveaway a copy of Silenced (that’s right, it’s free)! Just leave a comment below stating what you love about a Dani Pettrey novel (or why you would like to read one) with your email address. The winner must live in the US and be over the age of 18. You can make as many comments as you want, but only one comment will count towards the giveaway. A winner will be randomly selected. The winner must respond within 48 hours of being notified of their win. The contest ends May 30th!

Posted in Contemporary

Becky Wade’s Meant to Be Mine

Posted on by remaininhislove
About

Ty Porter has always been irresistible to Celia Park. All through high school–irresistible. When their paths cross again after college–still irresistible. This time, though, Ty seems to feel exactly the same way about Celia. Their whirlwind romance deposits them at a street-corner Las Vegas wedding chapel.

The next morning they wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia’s ready to be Ty’s wife, but Ty’s not ready to be her husband. He’s a professional bull rider, he lives on the road, and he’s long planned to settle down with the hometown girl he’s known since childhood.

Five and a half years pass. Celia’s buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. Ty’s achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the eyes of the woman he couldn’t forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had.

How much will Ty sacrifice to win back Celia’s trust and prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime?

Review

Being an avid reader of Christian romance, I will say that most Contemporary Christian Romance novels have a tendency to feel contrived to me. Problems usually feel created. But not so with Becky Wade! I love her writing and My Stubborn Heart is one of my favorite novels of all times. But, now, here are my thoughts for this one:

What I liked:

The beginning. It completely pulled me in and allowed me to become totally invested in Celia. Rarely, and I do mean rarely, do I connect with a heroine as much as I connected with Celia. Even Ty couldn’t pull me all the way over to his side.

The premise. It is not often that you have in a Christian novel, hidden babies. I was super excited to see it here even though there really isn’t a good reason to hide a kid from his/her dad. But, it worked here! I got why Celia didn’t tell Ty about their daughter.

I love stories that deal with parents falling in love with their children. Watching Ty get to know his daughter was so sweet. I also liked when the Porter clan was introduced to his daughter.

Ty. I liked that Ty was not like other heroes. He didn’t make up his mind right away about Celia and that really added some extra anxiety to the story.

The romance. It was slow, but it had a nice simmer to it. And I must say, love is nicely portrayed in a Becky Wade novel. It’s giving, it’s compromising, it’s putting someone else first. Beautifully done.

Spiritually, there is this great theme of forgiveness and what that really looks like. I thought Celia’s learning to follow God and letting go of the past was realistically portrayed. Her reactions came across as genuine and really understandable. There’s also something to be said about obedience here. I think Ms. Wade does a wonderful job with the spiritual message of not being too subtle as to have you wonder if this is a Christian novel, and yet the messages are not so overpowering so as to not fit the tone of the novel.

What I didn’t like:

Ty. This might be confusing because I liked that Ty was different. But, he was so confused about his feelings about Celia. And it’s not that that is a bad thing per se, but I didn’t trust him anymore than Celia did. I liked Ty, I just didn’t understand Ty.

Romantic scale: 9

Overall, very cute, original, fun, and romantic.

**I received this novel from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**

Posted in Uncategorized

Ronie Kendig’s Raptor 6

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

Captain Dean Watters keeps his mission and his team in the forefront of his laser-like focus. So when these two things are threatened by hackers, Dean’s Special Forces training kicks into high gear. Failing to stop the hackers from stealing national security secrets from the military’s secure computers and networks isn’t an option. Zahrah Zarrick is a missionary teacher to Afghan children in Mazar-e Sharif. And a target. When Zahrah is captured because of her expertise in quantum cryptology, endangering the US national security, Dean is forced to crack the lockbox around his heart—a move that might come at the highest cost.

Review

If you have read Ronie Kendig’s A Breed Apart series, than you’ve been introduced to Dean Watters. I was really excited to see him (and his men) get his own story. Let me just start off by saying I have read every book that Ms. Kendig has written, but I found this book to be very different than the others. And it was almost as though it had two very different parts. Here’s my thoughts:

What I liked:

Not that I’ve been in the military and certainly not to the Middle East, but it felt real. Nothing about this book sugarcoated the military or glossed over various actions. I felt like I knew exactly what it was like to serve as an American soldier in the Middle East. Ms. Kendig comes across as a very trustworthy author which means that her characters are equally trustworthy.

And speaking of reality, there are some serious things that happen in this novel and thought it was hard to read, I appreciated that the novel didn’t shy away from reality.

Zahrah. I love that she is a woman of color who brings with her a culture of her own. She’s both American and Afghani, and it is so nice to read about someone who is a bit different in a Christian novel. Not to mention that she really is a great heroine. She’s such a brilliant woman and yet she gives of her time and energy in service. I also like how she thinks and reacts to situations around her, she’s so much more focused on the bigger picture.

Dean Watters. I liked him too. Usually I say people with his hang-ups need to get over themselves, but this guy has been through a lot. Oh Dean. The things he suffered and not just for himself but for others. My heart just went out to him.

Papa Z. He’s a character. Keep your eye on this one.

Spiritually, for me, this book shows that God will do a lot to reach us and that we just have to keep focused on the greater plan even when all the small things look to be going south.

What I didn’t like:

Okay, so this is hard because I don’t want to give a thing a way. Let me just say that though I liked Zahrah and Dean together in the beginning, but I failed to be invested in their romance and wondered why everyone else in the novel was. I kind of put the book on the shelf, a bit frustrated with the insta-love I felt like I was being sold.

Then the second half of the novel started. And I became a believer.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was engaging, different, fascinating, kept you on the edge-of-your-seat, original, etc. I’m already a fan of Ronie Kendig, but she took me to new heights with this one. I can’t wait to read the next one!

Romantic Scale:8.5

**I received this novel from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**

 

 

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized

Beth Vogt’s Somebody Like You

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

Can a young widow find love again with her husband’s reflection?

Haley’s three-year marriage to Sam, an army medic, ends tragically when he’s killed in Afghanistan. Her attempts to create a new life for herself are ambushed when she arrives home one evening—and finds her husband waiting for her. Did the military make an unimaginable mistake when they told her Sam was killed? 

Too late to make things right with his estranged twin brother, Stephen discovers Sam never told Haley about him. As Haley and Stephen navigate their fragile relation­ship, they are inexorably drawn to each other. How can they honor the memory of a man whose death brought them together—and whose ghost could drive them apart? 

Somebody Like You is a beautifully rendered, affecting novel, reminding us that while we can’t change the past, we have the choice to change the future and start anew.
 
Review
 
Beth Vogt won me over with her last novel. But when I saw what this book was about, I knew I had to get my hands on it. I mean, identical twins?! Here’s my thoughts:
 
What I did like:
 
The concept. I loved the idea of Haley falling in love with her husband’s identical twin. Awkward. But, you really get to watch Haley fall for Stephen and you know it isn’t something that happens instantly. 
 
Stephen. He was such a sweetie. My heart completely went out to him the entire book. Even with his flaws, I found him endearing. And this guy is not your typical Alpha male. He’s very Beta, and I loved him for it.
 
The writing. It completely pulls you in. I read this book in one sitting.
 
Spiritually, I liked watching Stephen learn what courage means and that there is no fear in love. I also liked watching Haley come to the realization that too often she was trying to do things her way and not letting God in on the decisions. 
 
What I didn’t like:
 
Stephen does a ton for Haley. He really goes out of his way to be there for her. And frankly, I’m all about the man doing the work in the relationship. But, I just wanted Haley to do something for him once. Just once. I was like, can’t she bake him some cookies or something? So yeah, it really got to me that Haley was forever on the receiving end and never on the giving end, because by her not giving, I felt like she didn’t love Stephen as deeply as he loved her.
 
This isn’t so much what I didn’t like, but just something I noted. You really have to suspend your disbelief here. In the tech world that we live in, it is unlikely that you could know someone well enough to marry them and not know they had a twin. And, let’s not even begin to talk about Stephen and Sam’s mom. So, just ignore all the reasons why it wouldn’t work, and you can really enjoy it.
 
Overall, it’s a beautiful romance novel that’s super creative and intriguing. Recommended.
Romantic Scale: 8.7
**I received a copy of this novel from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**
Posted in Personal

Monday Musings….Books I’m Looking Forward To in the Next Couple of Months

Posted on by remaininhislove

Hawaii was the last place Grace Christiansen ever imagined she’d vacation, much less fall in love. But when her family surprises her with a cooking retreat in paradise, she is pulled—or maybe yanked—away from her predictable, safe life and thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime.

Max Sharpe may make his living on the ice as a pro hockey player, but he feels most at home in the kitchen. Which is why he lives for the three-week culinary vacation he takes each year in Hawaii. Upon being paired with Grace for a cooking competition, Max finds himself drawn to her passion, confidence, and perseverance. But just when Grace dares to dream of a future beyond her hometown, Max pulls away.

Wrestling with personal demons, Max fights against opening his heart to a love he knows he should never hope for. And as his secrets unfold, Grace is torn between the safe path in front of her and what her heart truly desires. If love means sacrificing her ideal happily ever after, Grace’s faith will face its toughest test yet.

When a lawman who values order gets stuck with a feisty crusader who likes to stir things up, there’s going to be trouble in Texas!


Now that she’s settled in town, Tina Cahill is determined to get Broken Wheel’s saloon closed for good. To that end, she pickets outside the place every afternoon. Unfortunately, so far no one has paid any attention.

Vince Yates earned the nickname “Invincible Vince” because of his reputation for letting absolutely nothing stop him. But Vince is about to face his biggest challenge yet: his past has just caught up with him. His father, mother, and the sister he didn’t know he had show up in Broken Wheel without warning. His father is still a schemer. His mother is showing signs of dementia. And his surprise sister quickly falls for one of Vince’s best friends. Vince suddenly has a lot of people depending on him, and Tina doesn’t approve of how he’s handling any of them.

With nearly every other man in town married off, Vince finds himself stuck with strong-willed Tina over and over again. Of course, Tina is the prettiest woman he’s ever seen, so if he could just get her to give up her crazy causes, he might go ahead and propose. But he’s got one more surprise coming his way: Tina’s picketing at the saloon has revealed a dark secret that could put everyone Vince loves in danger.

When love simmers between a reclusive scientist and a wealthy debutante, will they abandon ship or is it full steam ahead?


Nicole Renard returns home to Galveston, Texas, to find her father deathly ill. Though she loves him, Nicole’s father has always focused on what she’s not. Not male. Not married. Not able to run Renard Shipping.

Vowing to find a suitable husband to give her father the heir he desires before it’s too late, Nicole sets out with the Renard family’s greatest treasure as her dowry: the highly coveted Lafitte Dagger. But her father’s rivals come after the dagger, forcing a change in Nicole’s plans.

After a boiler explosion aboard the Louisiana nearly took his life, Darius Thornton has been a man obsessed. He will do anything to stop even one more steamship disaster. Even if it means letting a female secretary into his secluded world.

Nicole is determined not to let her odd employer scare her off with his explosive experiments, yet when respect and mutual attraction grow between them, a new fear arises. How can she acquire an heir for her father when her heart belongs to another? And when her father’s rivals discover her hiding place, will she have to choose between that love and her family’s legacy?

What’s coming out in the next couple months that you’re looking forward to?

Posted in Contemporary, Personal

Feature Friday: Creston Mapes’ Rock Star Chronicles

Posted on by remaininhislove

One of the most memorable series I’ve ever read is Creston Mapes Rock Star Chronicles. The main character, Everett Lester, manages to become so real on the pages that I almost, for a split second, thought he was a real Rock Star. This series is amazing with a moving story about the power of prayer. If you haven’t checked it out, then you’re missing out (and yes, there is romance, and it’s one of the sweetest most memorable love stories I’ve ever read).

If he ever wrote another book in this series, I would be first in line!

Posted in Uncategorized

Deeanne Gist’s Fair Play

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

Saddled with a man’s name, the captivating Billy Jack Tate makes no apologies for taking on a man’s profession. As a doctor at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, she is one step closer to having her very own medical practice—until Hunter Scott asks her to give it all up to become his wife.

Hunter is one of the elite. A Texas Ranger and World’s Fair guard specifically chosen for his height, physique, character, and skill. Hailed as the toughest man west of any place east, he has no patience for big cities and women who think they belong anywhere but home…

Despite their difference of opinion on the role of women, Hunter and Billy find a growing attraction between them—until Hunter discovers an abandoned baby in the corner of a White City exhibit. He and Billy team up to make sure this foundling isn’t left in the slums of Chicago with only the flea-riddled, garbage-infested streets for a playground. As they fight for the underprivileged children in the Nineteenth Ward, an entire Playground Movement is birthed. But when the Fair comes to an end, one of them will have to give up their dream.

Will Billy exchange her doctor’s shingle for the domesticated role of a southern wife, or will Hunter abandon the wide open spaces of home for a life in the “gray city,” a woman who insists on being the wage earner, and a group of ragamuffins who need more than a playground for breathing space?

 
Review
Deeanne Gist can write some hilarious romantic books and this is another one of them. For those of us who read the first novel by Ms. Gist in this series, we briefly came across Billy Jack Tate. And then for those of us who bought the novella about Billy Jack Tate…well…we knew what to expect to some degree. Ms. Gist does not pull back the punches on some things. Here’s my assessment:
 
What I liked:
 
The authenticity of the novel. I really felt like Ms. Gist did her research with not only the fair, but the medical aspects of Billy Jack’s work and the police work that Hunter was involved in. Also as a Chicago native, and one who has been to the Hull House, it was really nice to kind of picture the area that she was describing (though it was a very different looking Chicago back then). Furthermore, there’s a lot that I learned that I didn’t know about and while I did get a bit confused about why Playgrounds were expected to accomplish so much, it was still fascinating to see how they came about.
 
The romance. Well, in case you’re wondering why Ms. Gist is considered an edgy Christian novelist, just read this one and you will find out. It gets a little toasty in this book, but all within the confines of Christianity, I can assure you. I will say, that I love the way Billy Jack handles Hunter. She is a woman who knows what she wants and she is not afraid to let him know it. I also felt like there was a carefreeness to their relationship. When they were getting to know each other there was no extra stress that sometimes I feel certain novelists add to force tension. And I love the spirit of give a little, get a little in this novel. They really worked to make their relationship a success, so that even though they were very different people coming from very different backgrounds, I had complete faith in their relationship at the end of the novel. In fact, it would have been lovely if the novel continued throughout their marriage. 
 
It’s cute! This novel is so light, and cute, and funny. Sometimes you just need to unwind and read something that won’t stress you out. This is that kind of read (though it has a couple of CSI moments, and while I found myself involved, it wasn’t too intense; I mean, this is Chicago).
 
Spiritually, the novel is a bit light, but both characters spend time in prayer and seek God when things get difficult. 
 
What I didn’t like:
 
At about 30% on my kindle, the novel slowed a bit. I was like, where is this going exactly? And I put the book down for a day. Pick it back up! I promise you it gets better and you will become very much involved with the characters. 
 
Billy Jack Tate is woman ahead of her times. That’s fine. But sometimes I wondered why she failed to understand that not everyone was ahead of their time like her. 
 
Overall, a very good novel and well worth the read!
Romantic Scale: 9
**I received this novel from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**