Category: Contemporary

About

Shelby Roswell is a history professor on the fast track to tenure until her new book is crushed in a review by the famous historian, Ransom Fielding. She struggles to regain her momentum only to discover that Fielding has taken a visiting professorship at her college. The place that was once a refuge from the poverty of her past is now a battlefield of Civil War proportions.
Ransom is still struggling with his role in his wife’s accidental death six years ago and was hoping a year at Shelby’s small college would be a respite from the reminders back home. He never bargained for falling in love with the one woman who would give anything to make him leave. Together Shelby and Ransom learn that home is never very far away, and when you least expect it, love arrives.
With a cast of Civil War re-enactors, an evil wedding planner, antebellum mansions, and several mysterious diaries, ‘Pride, Prejudice and Cheese Grits’ will take you on a touching and hilarious ride through a modern South you haven’t seen before.

Review

So cute! Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books and films (the five hour version thank you very much). And therefore I’m not very fond of modern retellings. To use the same formula generally seems like a lack of creativity. So, yes, I was very hesitant to read this book, but it had so many positive reviews I bit the proverbial bullet. First off, let me say that the Jane Austen’s story was merely a template. I could see traces of Darcy and Elizabeth, but the author was most definitely creative  because had the author changed the title I would not have immediately guessed that this book was influenced by P&P.

Now, Ransom. He was suitably prideful and yet endearing. I will say, that unlike Shelby, I found him to be rather annoying. And yet, he grows on you. Shelby, was such a relatable heroine. I found her actions to make complete sense. I will say that at the end, for once I wanted a heroine to give a hero a bit of a harder time. I will admit that as a Civil War lover, I loved every little Civil War tidbit so I found even the fact that they were history professors to be engaging.  Spiritually, you see Ransom began to open his heart to God and see Shelby’s faith get strengthened. This novel was a joy to read and very romantic. Recommended!

About

Hospitality consultant Andrea Sullivan has one last chance to snag a high-profile client or she’ll have to kiss her dreams of promotion good-bye. When she’s sent to meet Scottish celebrity chef James MacDonald on the Isle of Skye, she just wants to finish her work as efficiently as possible. Yet her client is not the opportunistic womanizer he portrays himself to be, and her attraction to him soon dredges up memories she’d rather leave buried. For James, renovating the family hotel is a fulfillment of his late father’s dreams. When his hired consultant turns out to be beautiful, intelligent, and completely unimpressed by his public persona, he makes it his mission to win her over. He just never expects to fall under her spell. Soon, both Andrea and James must face the reality that God may have a far different purpose for their lives-and that five days in Skye will forever change their outlook on life and love.

Review

Please do not let the cover fool you! When I first saw the cover of this book, I thought it would be…boring. But I began to hear some good things about this novel and had to read it myself. So glad I did! This novel starts off by introducing you to Andrea Sullivan, a woman who is wounded and yet lovable. I really liked how the author slowly unraveled Andrea’s past and you could really see how it had impacted her life now. And Jamie. He’s a great hero. Flawed, yet wonderful. And the man can cook! I like how the novel doesn’t actually clear up everything in his past (and that of his family’s). Those little mysteries added depth to his character. I found the novel to be very romantic and I enjoyed watching Jamie and Andrea fall in love. I also liked that the novel took place in Scotland. The land became a character itself. Spiritually, I like the revelation Jamie gets about appearances and how he should be careful to reflect God more. I also enjoyed watching Andrea return to the faith of her youth. Good novel. This is an author to watch!

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

About

In the years since her twin brother’s drowning, Madison McKinley has struggled to put it behind her. Despite the support of her close-knit family and her gratifying job as a veterinarian in their riverside town, the loss still haunts her.

To find closure, Madison sets out to fulfill her brother’s dream of winning the town’s annual regatta. But first she has to learn to sail, and fast.

Beckett O’Reilly knows Madison is out of his league, but someone neglected to tell his heart. Now she needs his help—and he’ll give it, because he owes her far more than she’ll ever know.

Madison will do anything—even work with the infamous Beckett O’Reilly—to reach her goal. And as much as she’d like to deny it, the chemistry between them is electrifying. As summer wanes, her feelings for him grow and a fledgling faith takes root in her heart.

But Beckett harbors a secret that will test the limits of their new love. Can their romance survive summer’s challenges? And will achieving her brother’s dream give Madison the peace she desperately seeks?

Review

I find Ms. Hunter to be a fabulous storyteller with loads and loads of romance. However, it is inevitable in her novels that someone will have a big secret. Therefore, the issue for me comes down to how they handle “the secret.” I’ll get back to that. My favorite person in this book was hands down Beckett. I found him to be complex and fascinating and everytime he was on the pages I paid attention. Though I will say, I felt he made life harder than it needed to be at moments. And frankly, I didn’t like Madison so much. She seemed particularly angry all the time. For the first half of the book, I almost flinched each time she insulted Beckett. Though, she had a reason (no, she was not a meanie on purpose), to me there was clearly miscommunication going on and I felt like she chose to blame as opposed to finding out what really happened. And then “the secret” was revealed and she handled it…badly. Now let me just say that Ms. Hunter is a wonderful writer, the novel pulled me in. I just found that I wasn’t a fan of Madison. Spiritually, I love how the novel shows the importance of giving your burdens to the Lord. Only he can give you peace, particularly in bad situations. I also love how the book showed how God can transform a life from something bad into something great. Though this novel was not a favorite, it was still a page-turner for me.

About

It’s a summer of change for Jennifer O’Malley. The busy physician has a pediatrics practice in Dallas, and meeting Tom Peterson, and falling in love, is adding a rich layer to her life. She’s sorting out how to introduce him to her family–she’s the youngest of seven–and thinking about marriage.

She’s falling in love with Jesus too, and knows God is good. But that faith is about to be tested in a way she didn’t expect, and the results will soon transform her entire family.

Review

Having read the O’Malley series, I thought this novella wouldn’t be as interesting since I already knew what would happen.  Well I was wrong. I found myself flipping those pages quickly. It just goes to show that Ms. Henderson is a fabulous storyteller. While I happen to find that Ms. Henderson’s romance novels have a tendency to come off as more logic-driven than romance-driven (and this one is no different), I found Tom’s love for Jennifer to be so sweet. I imagine it cannot be easy to be committed to someone who has possible long-term health issues. So, I loved Tom. I liked his personality, I liked how he treated Jennifer, I liked how he pursued her, and I liked how he stayed. In the other O’Malley series, I thought Jennifer was a bit more light-hearted(or romantic) than she came across in this book, but I suppose I could see how she might not have been as well.  Also, in spite of the fact that I read this book knowing the end, I still teared up with this book. Spiritually, I like how Tom gently led Jennifer to the Lord (though he appeared to be missionary dating!). And seeing how Jennifer came to know Christ didn’t come across as corny in anyway. Loved the emphasis on the fact that God is good.

** I received this novel from BethanyHouse. My opinion was not affected in any way.**

About

Not Since Romeo and Juliet Has a Couple Faced Odds This Long

The Cramers and Mosiers have been angry with each other for as long as anyone can remember. Things had cooled to a simmer…until Addie Cramer and Jonathan Mosier fell head over heels for each other. Now old tensions are renewed, and Addie’s parents insist she marry stolid and uninspiring Phillip Eicher.

Distraught at a future apart, the two decide their best hope is to reconcile the two families…but that means digging into the past to see what tore them apart. Will their love be enough to keep them together or will long-held secrets ruin their chance at happiness?

Review

Having read Courting Cate, I knew that I would enjoy Adoring Addie and I was not wrong! I am not a huge fan of Amish novels, but Ms. Gould does a fantastic job of making the characters in her novel real people. I don’t get this feeling of profound otherness that I often get when I read other Amish novels. Ms. Gould has lately been taking Shakespeare’s plays and applying them to an Amish backdrop. I thought she did a great job with Romeo and Juliet. As Juliet, I found Addie to be a fleshed out character that you couldn’t help but root for throughout the novel and the pages turned quickly for me. If there was anything I didn’t like about this book it had all to do with the same reasons I don’t care for the play Romeo and Juliet and yet those aspects have to be there in order to duplicate the play. So no fault to Ms. Gould! I’m not fond of the insta-love in Romeo and Juliet that also happens in this novel. That said, I loved the way Jonathan becomes developed throughout the novel and you can’t help but like him yourself. His love for Addie combined with his deep understanding of God made him a great hero. I also didn’t care for the feud between the families, I thought it was a bit overblown, but most feuds are. There were times when I thought Addie should just leave her family, but then the story could not have played out like the play. As I said, all of problems have to do with the play itself and not the writing. Spiritually, I love how we’re told just how much God loves us and has a purpose for our lives. I found the book to be wonderful and I highly recommend this novel!

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

About

Welcome to Bloomfield, where life is simple, love is real, and stories are shared.

Review

This was the first time I had ever read a book by Ms. Macias and I found that I was in for a treat! I found her writing to be engaging and page-turning. Not to mention, I loved the way the mystery around Last Chance slowly unraveled though I will say, when I found out all the facts it was a bit anti-climatic. Lynn and Rachel came across as two very realistic women. I didn’t find any fault with their characters and enjoyed reading from both of their points of views (though Lynn’s reaction to Bloomfield seemed a bit unusual). The romance in the story was a bit more obvious that I would have liked, but I appreciated the hero and found him to be endearing. Spiritually, I loved how Rachel and Lynn both practiced praying before they made a decision and how God was always part of everything they did. The novel wasn’t intense, but it was fascinating and I wouldn’t mind picking up another novel by this author and reading it.

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

About

When Meg Cole’s father dies unexpectedly, she becomes the majority shareholder of his oil company and the single inheritor of his fortune. Though Meg is soft-spoken and tenderhearted–more interested in art than in oil–she’s forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of her father’s empire.

The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father’s thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.

Bo’s determined to resent the woman who’s decided to rob him of his dream. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them–her wealth, his unworthiness, her family’s outrage–and earn the right to love her.

But just when Meg begins to realize that Bo might be the one thing on the ranch worth keeping, their fragile bond is viciously broken by a force from Meg’s past. Can their love–and their belief that God can work through every circumstance–survive?

Review

Oh I was so thrilled to get my hands on this book and it did not disappoint! I’ve said it before, but can I say it again? I love the way Ms. Wade’s heroes love their heroines. I mean its real love that isn’t flaky and doesn’t change with the wind and when it hits them it hits them hard. Bo is no exception. I love the way he anticipates Meg’s needs before she tells him, the way he patiently waits for her, and the way that he doesn’t stop loving her when things get hard. So Bo has my vote! I found Meg to be a real person. She had flaws and issues and yet she turned to God with each of them and you could see her grow and develop throughout the course of the book. I really appreciated her overall generous nature that really shines in this novel. I will say, when I first saw what the book was about, I was like another rancher/cowboy who saves a city girl? But honestly, the characters come to life in such a way, it will be unlike any other novel you have read. Furthermore, I liked the overall theme of forgiveness and not only trusting God, but learning how to trust people again after encountering particularly nasty people. Looking forward to anything Ms. Wade writes next! Highly recommended!

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

About

Is life about accomplishing plans . . . or wishes coming true . . . or something more?

Dr. Kendall Haynes’s plans to have it all—a career, a husband, a family—are eluding her. Now that she’s thirty-six, she needs to stop wishing upon a star and face reality: Some dreams just never come true.

Air Force pilot Griffin Walker prefers flying solo in the air and on the ground—until a dangerous choice ejects him from the cockpit. His life becomes even more complicated after the sudden death of his parents makes him the guardian of his sixteen-year-old brother. There’s no way his life will ever get back on course now.

When their lives collide during a near tragedy, Kendall and Griffin must decide if they can embrace the unexpected changes God has waiting for them.

Review

Now this was a book I couldn’t put down! I found Kendall to really be a woman of her times as she has to deal with having an important profession and her desire to have a family. I really enjoyed the journey that she went through as she realized that just because she’s single doesn’t mean that she’s half a person; that God has given her a life and she doesn’t have to wait on a man for it to start. I found Griffin utterly fascinating and really I only wanted to know more about his life and his background. I really liked the focus on forgiving yourself and moving past your past. God does, so why don’t you? I also liked to watch his relationship unfold with Ian. If I had any problem with this book, it was that I felt there needed to be one more scene to kind of solidify the relationship between Griffin and Kendall. I don’t want to give anything away, but I felt that Griffin could have been there a bit more for her at one point in the novel. That said, fantastic book. I’m now sold on Beth Vogt and I look forward to her next book!

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

About

An actress running from her past finds escape with a man hiding from his future.
When someone wants to be lost, a home tucked among the Ten Thousand Islands off the Florida coast is a good place to live. A couple decent boats, and a deep knowledge of fishing and a man can get by without ever having to talk to another soul. It’s a nice enough existence, until the one person who ties him to the world of the living, the reason he’s still among them even if only on the fringes, asks him for help.
Father Steady Capri knows quite a bit about helping others. But he is afraid Katie Quinn’s problems may be beyond his abilities. Katie is a world-famous actress with an all too familiar story. Fame seems to have driven her to self-destruct. Steady knows the true cause of her desire to end her life is buried too deeply for him to reach. But there is one person who still may be able to save her from herself.
He will show her an alternate escape, a way to write a new life. But Katie still must confront her past before she can find peace. Ultimately, he will need to leave his secluded home and sacrifice the serenity he’s found to help her. From the Florida coast, they will travel to the French countryside where they will discover the unwritten story of both their pasts and their future.

Review

Reading a Charles Martin novel supplies you with the feeling of  curling up with a book on a rainy day. I mean his books are what writing is all about. I’m not sure the “back of the book” does this novel justice though because at first I wasn’t sure it was something I was interested in reading. However after you read the first two chapters I promise you will be sold. You have Sunday, Kate and Steady, each who have a fascinating life and interesting back stories that slowly unravel. Mr. Martin’s writing is as detailed as ever, bringing his characters to life. I will say that the novel did slow down a bit in the middle and I wanted more of a romantic conclusion than I got, but that said, it was a very rich story and enjoyable! The novel has this theme of forgiving yourself and still moving forward. You can’t give up on life or hide, that’s not what we were meant to do. Though this is not my favorite novel by Mr. Martin, you won’t be disappointed in reading it.

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