My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

Summary:

Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother asks Kate to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance, takes a leave of absence from her job as a social worker, and the two of them set off.

Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man her grandmother has hired to renovate the house. From the first moment she meets Matt, Kate can’t help but be attracted to him–he’s got a combination of good looks and charisma that draw and tug at her. But she knows there’s zero chance of a romance between them. Matt’s in love with his dead wife, and even if he weren’t, Kate realizes that she’s way too ordinary for him. For Matt Jarreau is no ordinary guy. Kate discovers that he was once a great NHL hockey player who left the sport when his wife–an honest-to-goodness former Miss America–was diagnosed with brain cancer. Matt’s been hiding from people, from God, and from his past ever since. Yet Kate is absolutely determined to befriend him, to try to reach him, to help him in some small way.

No, Kate’s not looking for love. She knows better than that by now. But when the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and Matt slowly shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her heart? Or will Kate be required to give up more than she ever dreamed?
My Thoughts:

I thouroughly enjoyed this book.  This book traveled with me on vacation and it was the perfect choice!  I was fully engrossed in this story, which kept me distracted from long airport layovers and airplane turbulence. I have oddly enough worked my way backwards through Becky Wade’s books.  I loved True to You and decided I would basically binge read every Becky Wade story I could get my hands on.  I lucked into My Stubborn Heart in the bargain section and snactched it up!  This story had so much life, and spunk and humor!  I thought the characters were excellent and I had such a love for the little Senior group in this story.  They added so much charm and humor!  I thought Matt’s character was such an honest picture of someone dealing with grief and guilt.  It was so hard to read, but that is what made it so good.  You could feel the hurt and grief through the pages and it kept you invested in this story until the end.  I loved Kate’s honesty and persistence.  I loved seeing all of the things the characters experienced to lead them to where the story concludes.  Such a rollercoaster of emotions during the last few chapters.  Loved this from start to finish.

To purchase a copy of my Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade visit one of the links below!

Amazon: My Stubborn Heart
BeckyWade.com

A Matter of Trust by Susan May Warren

Summary:

Champion backcountry snowboarder Gage Watson has left the limelight behind after the death of one of his fans. After being sued for negligence and stripped of his sponsorships, he’s remade his life as a ski patrol in Montana’s rugged mountains, as well as serving on the PEAK Rescue team. But he can’t seem to find his footing–or forget the woman he loved, who betrayed him. 

Senator and former attorney Ella Blair spends much of her time in the limelight as the second-youngest senator in the country. But she has a secret–one that cost Gage his career. More than anything, she wants to atone for her betrayal of him in the courtroom and find a way to help him put his career back on track. 
When Ella’s brother goes missing on one of Glacier National Park’s most dangerous peaks, Gage and his team are called in for the rescue. But Gage isn’t so sure he wants to help the woman who destroyed his life. More, when she insists on joining the search, he’ll have to keep her safe while finding her reckless brother, a recipe for disaster when a snowstorm hits the mountain. 
But old sparks relight as they search for the missing snowboarder–and suddenly, they are faced with emotions neither can deny. But when Ella’s secret is revealed, can they learn to trust each other–even when disaster happens again?

My Thoughts:

This book was packed with action from start to finish!  I enjoyed the fast pace of this book and was in eager suspense during the entire second half of this story.  I did find this book a little hard to get into at the beginning.  There were a lot of characters on the PEAK rescue team and not having read any previous books in the series it was a little hard to follow.  I did enjoy the action and suspense that this story delivered.  The details about being trapped in an avalanche were chilling.  I enjoyed that the extreme situations the characters were placed in gave them an opportunity to sort out their feelings and communicate, while also providing a sense of danger and suspense.  This was a fast and easy read.  If you are a fan of stories with action and romance you will enjoy this one! 

To order a copy of A Matter of Trust visit one of the links below.

Amazon: A Matter of Trust
www.susanmaywarren.com
*I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

The Rise of Miss Notley by Rachael Anderson

Summary:

When Miss Coralynn Notley’s father barters her off to the first titled gentleman to come along, she realizes she must flee her home or be forced to wed a despicable man. Driven by desperation, she applies for the position of housekeeper at Tanglewood Manor, the home of the handsome Mr. Jonathan Ludlow.

The moment Jonathan sees Miss Notley, he is intrigued. She is far too young and inexperienced, yet there is something about her that that inspires a certain hope within him. Does he dare offer her the position of housekeeper or will doing so result in catastrophe?

My Thoughts:

This is the second book in the Tanglewood Series and I thought it was a great addition!  I love the heroines written by this author!  I enjoyed the decisiveness and determination of Cora Notley, the heroine in this story.  She was willing to leave everything behind, in order to secure a future that was of her own making.  Her attempts at housekeeping were so humorous to read!  I liked her positive attitude and her caring nature for those around her.  I didn’t quite know what to make of Mr. Jonathan Ludlow.  He seemed to be a bit of a contradiction and I wasn’t convinced that I would come to care for him at all by the end of the book.  However, as the story progressed I warmed up to him.  I admired his efforts to change and become more involved with his servants lives as time went on, instead of just barking orders and firing his staff.  The servants of the household played a more significant role in this story, but it was nice to read about the tasks and lives of the servants of the house.  There were some secrets revealed towards the end of this book that helped all the pieces fall into place for a happy ending.  And who doesn’t love a happy ending?  I also have to mention that I loved the cover of this book, so pretty!  Rachael Anderson’s next book in this series will be making its appearance in August 2017 and I have no doubt that it will be equally as good as the others in this series!

To purchase a copy of this book visit one of the links below:

Amazon: The Rise of Miss Notley
Rachael Anderson Website

True to You by Becky Wade

Summary:

After a devastating heartbreak three years ago, genealogist and historical village owner Nora Bradford has decided that burying her nose in her work and her books is far safer than romance in the here and now.
Unlike Nora, former Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient John Lawson is a modern-day man, usually 100 percent focused on the present. But when he’s diagnosed with an inherited condition, he’s forced to dig into the secrets of his past and his adoption as an infant, enlisting Nora to help him uncover the identity of his birth mother. 
The more time they spend together, the more this pair of opposites suspects they just might be a perfect match. However, John’s already dating someone and Nora’s not sure she’s ready to trade her crushes on fictional heroes for the risks of a real relationship. Finding the answers they’re seeking will test the limits of their identity, their faith, and their devotion to one another.

My Thoughts:

I loved this book!  I have only recently begun to branch out from my historical ficton bubble and this book was such a great pick!  This book had me captivated from start to finish!  I thought the plot was interesting and characters relatable and easy to connect with.  I loved Nora!  She was unique and genuine, and very much a typical romantic with her binge watching her BBC drama and pints of Ben and Jerry at the ready.  I loved the little transformation that she goes through when Willow decides to “enhance” her looks. Who doesn’t love a makeover on an already charming character? I really enjoyed that we got to see a bit of the Bradford sisters interact and learn a little of their stories.  Makes me excited for what is to come in future books! I loved the interaction between Nora and John.  Together they are perfection! I enjoyed watching their friendship develop as they searched for John’s birth mother.  John was dealing with a lot of things throuought the course of this story  and it was great to see his character shine through in how he handled each situation. There was a plot twist towards the end of the book that totally took me by surprise.  I love it when a book surprises me!  It leads to some very emotional pages for John and Nora, but again, I love how it allowed the characters to really challenge what they believe and put their relationship to the test. So hard, but so good!  I felt like I needed to cry and eat Ben and Jerry’s and tell Nora everything would be ok.  I don’t want to give anything away about this book so I will just say that I was more than satisfied with the conclusion of this story.  I checked this book out from the library, but I am going to order my own copy because I loved it so much!  This book gets all the good thoughts and feels from me!  Fairly certain I am going to binge read all the Becky Wade books in existence because this one was so good!  If you haven’t read it, you are missing out! 

To order your own copy of True to You by Becky Wade click on one of the links below!

Amazon: True to You
BeckyWade.com

Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer

Summary:
Grace Mallory is tired of running, of hiding. But when an old friend sends an after-hours telegraph transmission warning Grace that the man who has hunted her for nearly a year has discovered her location, she fears she has no choice. She can’t let the villain she believes responsible for her father’s death release his wrath in Harper’s Station, the town that has sheltered her and blessed her with the dearest friends she’s ever known.
Amos Bledsoe prefers bicycles to horses and private conversations over the telegraph wire to social gatherings with young ladies who see him as nothing more than an oddity. His telegraph companion, the mysterious Miss G, listens eagerly to his ramblings every night and delights him with tales all her own. For months, their friendship–dare he believe, courtship?–has fed his hope that he has finally found the woman God intended for him. Yet when he takes the next step to meet her in person, he discovers her life is in peril, and Amos must decide if he can shed the cocoon of his quiet nature to become the hero Grace requires.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely loved this book!  Heart on the Line has instantly become my new favorite from Karen Witemeyer.  I started this book and literally could not put it down.  Written in true Karen Witemeyer fashion it was full of romance, humor, adventure, and characters that you can’t help but love.  Grace was a heroine that was intelligent, sensitive, and courageous.  I loved her cautious nature and her quick thinking.  The setting of this book was just so fun!  I loved reading the interactions on the telegraph between Grace and Amos.  It was so cute for the characters to have a form of communication that no one else understood.  One of the things I love about this series is the appearance of characters from previous stories are always present.  As I reader I enjoy the familiarity of a beloved character from a previous story.  And then there is Amos.  Sweet, lovable, nerdy, courageous Amos.  He is my new favorite hero! I loved so much about this character.  The thing that stood out most about Amos was that he was alwasy confident in spite of his insecurities.  He was smart, dependable, funny, and never afraid to be himself.  Grace and Amos’s interactions were sweet and full of chemistry that jumped off the pages.  I loved the added storyline of Helen and Lee.  It was nice to see Helen’s character who was so broken and bitter find peace and healing in the most unexpected way.  Of course there were plenty of tense moments as the story progressed.  I flew through the last pages anxious to see how it all wrapped up.  Sweet and satisfying conclusion to a lovely story!  If you are looking for an light and easy story with humor, romance, and adventure than I would reccomend this book!  It will not disappoint.  I am a huge Witemeyer fan and this book is the perfect addition to this series!

Amazon: Heart on the Line

Karenwitemeyer.com

*I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions are my own.

Though Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin

Summary:

It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges–and dangers–await them.
My Thoughts:

This book was such a page turner!  You could really feel the tension that something significant was about to happen in the beginning chapters of this book.  There were a few really tense scenes in this book that I felt like I was gripping the cover tightly and waiting in anticipation for the outcome!  I enjoyed Jim and his lighthearted approach to Mary and their friendship.  I think as a reader you can’t help but love Mary.  She is everything good, sweet, selfless and humble.  I enjoyed watching their relationship grow slowly throughout the pages.  There were times that I wished Mary would be a little more assertive and bold, but it wasn’t who she was and her character remained consistent.  I liked being able to see the growth in Mary’s character and her small victories to overcome her aversion to attention.  It seemed very natural.  The attention to detail about the naval ships and missions really transported you to another place and time.  I love it when you can get lost in the setting of a story thanks to impeccably written details! This book wraps up with a satisfying conclusion and a powerfully starltling last few pages that will keep you hooked until the very end!  Who doens’t love a good story full of romance, war threat and a little sabotage?  If you are a fan of historical fiction or World War II era novels, I think you will really enjoy this one! 

To purchase a copy of Through Waters Deep click on one of the links below!

Amazon: Through Waters Deep
Sarahsundin.com

Jane of Austin by Hillary Manson Lodge

Summary:

Just a few years after their father’s business scandal shatters their lives, Jane and Celia Woodward find themselves forced out of their San Francisco tea shop. The last thing Jane wants is to leave their beloved shop on Valencia Street, but when Celia insists on a move to Austin, Texas, the sisters pack up their kid sister Margot and Jane’s tea plants, determined to start over yet again.
But life in Austin isn’t all sweet tea and breakfast tacos. Their unusual living situation is challenging and unspoken words begin to fester between Jane and Celia. When Jane meets and falls for up-and-coming musician Sean Willis, the chasm grows deeper.
While Sean seems to charm everyone in his path, one person is immune – retired Marine Captain Callum Beckett. Callum never meant to leave the military, but the twin losses of his father and his left leg have returned him to the place he least expected—Texas.
In this modern spin on the Austen classic, Sense and Sensibility, the Woodward sisters must contend with new ingredients in unfamiliar kitchens, a dash of heartbreak, and the fragile hope that maybe home isn’t so far away.

 
My Thoughts:

I am trying to diversify my reading a bit lately and this was the perfect opportunity for branching out.  A modern twist on a Jane Austen style plot.  I was wondering how this could work and not be a mirror image of the story, but the author does a great job of modernizing and making the story unique, while also giving a nod to the tried and true Sense and Sensibility plot line.  The book is written in first person from the point of view of both Jane and Callum.  I liked the dual point of view!  It offered variety and a chance to experience the story from the other side periodically.  I admired Celia, Jane and Margo for pulling together and making things work when things became difficult.  I have to say that I enjoyed Callum’s character the most. He was dealing with a lot of issues due to his injury and it allowed the reader to see his struggles and form a connection with that character.  I feel like I was instantly rooting for Callum.  Contemporary romance fans will really enjoy this novel.  If you are looking for a book with romance, relationships, heartache and manly heroes to the rescue then you will not be dissapointed!

To purchase a copy visit one of the links below!

Amazon: Jane of Austin

http://www.hillarymantonlodge.com

*I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions are my own.