Her Heart’s Desire

Author: Shelley Shepard Gray

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: January 3, 2023

What a fun story to kick off the New Year!

Mary Margaret Miller has always had trouble connecting with people, especially in her small Amish community. So, she decides that she needs to get away and selects a bed in breakfast in Pinecraft, Florida, which will be much more pleasant than her snowy Ohio home. On the bus ride, she meets two other girls that she begins to connect with. When bad weather delays the trip in Georgia, they share a motel room, and their friendship deepens as they even stay at the same bed and breakfast in Pinecraft. While there, they encounter two Amish men and a romance ensues, but appearances do always hold the truth as Mary Margaret will soon discover.

Amish fiction is not my usual go to genre, but this one was a good read. With chance encounters and romance, it took the edge off some cold weather while I read (especially being set in Florida). While an enjoyable read, it also featured some valuable lessons concerning forgiveness, especially when it is difficult to do so after you’ve been hurt.

I recommend this book to people who like Amish fiction, contemporary romance, and an overall good story.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

2022 Top Contemporary Fiction

We hope that everyone had a great Christmas and were gifted all the new books you wanted! If you still hunger for more, check out our top picks for Contemporary Fiction!

Top Pick: The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold

The Extraordinary Death of Mrs. Kip is just that, an extraordinary book, especially when you realize this is a debut book. Sara Brunsvold has written a delightful new story that is going to be in the running for one of my favorite books of the year. This book hit me in all the right places and even had me wiping away a tear or two towards the end, not something that happens often when reading.

Read the full review here.

Order your copy today!

Runner Up: No More Lies by Kerry Lonsdale

If you enjoyed No More Words, then you will love this book even more. I was initially expecting a continuation, but this is a retelling of the same time period from Jenna and Josh’s perspective. So, readers know the elements of what happened to Lily, but now get to read about it firsthand and understand how the characters became who they are today. Needless to say, Lonsdale placed plenty of intrigue throughout the pages to keep her readers hooked through the full story. There are references to events in the first book that readers may need to go back and enjoy again to get the full effect.

Read the full review here.

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Honorable Mention: The Local by Joey Hartstone

As a fellow Texan, I have friends who are patent lawyers in Marshall, so it was fun to pick their brain while I read this story to get an idea of what goes on. The book centers more on the criminal case of the murdered judge instead of patent law, which probably makes the book move faster and get readers more engaged. Hartstone did a great job of setting up the scene quickly and bringing characters in to connect with readers.

Read the full review here.

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Honorable Mention: Among the Innocent by Mary Alford

Normally a book on Amish fiction would not be one I eagerly pick up to read, but I’m happy to say Among the Innocent was so much better than I expected. Mary Alford crafted a story set within the Amish community that was engaging, suspenseful, delightful, and more.

Read the full review here.

Order your copy today!

Honorable Mention: Shaped by the Waves by Christina Suzann Nelson

Christina Suzann Nelson always manages to craft characters who are hurting, yet strong willed, and make them become a reader’s best friend while trying to help them work out their problems. I have been a fan of many of her books and this is an excellent addition to the collection. The main character within the pages is my favorite character from any book this year!

Read the full review here.

Order your copy today!

Pretty Little Pieces

Author: Carmen Schober

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: December 6, 2022

Carmon Schober follows up her debut novel with another great contemporary read that fans of HGTV will fall in love with!

Georgina Havoc and her boyfriend Lance Broussard are the newest up and comers following in the footsteps of Chip and Joanna Gaines. But when their fairytale romance falls apart, Georgina comes up with the idea of reinventing herself and creating her own show by renovating a cottage in a tiny town on the outskirts of Tennessee. Having been billed as a package deal, Georgina now must prove that she has enough to offer the network without their star, Lance. The town and trying to get her show in order are stressful enough, but when her sister comes to town, things get even tougher. To top it off, she finds herself around Cassidy Stokes, an ex-sniper that quickly develops feelings for Georgina. While trying to pick up the pieces of her life, she must decide if she is going to stick with what she knows or trying something new.

Carmen Schober blew me away last year with her debut novel, After She Falls. I was excited to read her next book, Pretty Little Pieces. The hard thing is when an author writes such an amazing book it becomes difficult to follow it up with something as wonderful. Pretty Little Pieces was a good read but falls in a completely different genre than what I was expecting. The story of Georgina and all that she went through while Lance decided he needed time is well played out, it is written where it is very easy to dislike Lance and cheer for Georgina to come out on top. Schober has a way of writing characters with such depth that readers will be pulled in deep and not be able to look away until the story is over. Georgina and Cassidy had a great connection and I loved the way they are written. Georgina has gone through a lot in a very short amount of time and as a reader I felt for her deeply and that is the mark of a great author. I recommend this book to readers that love contemporary romance novels.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

All My Rage

Author: Sabaa Tahir

Publisher: Razorbill

Release Date: March 1, 2022

A contemporary story that will pull at your heartstrings and climb deep into your soul long after you have finished the very last page.

Starting out in Pakistan, Misbah has just married Toufiq in a pre-arranged marriage and they quickly leave the country they have always been in to move to America and open a motel. Jump ahead many years to the present with Sslahudin, the son of Misbah and Toufiq, is trying to navigate the world he is growing up in and the ever-changing relationship with his best friend Noor. They are both outcasts at school and try to restore their relationship after a huge fight. When Misbah falls ill, Sal tries to run the family business as his father drinks away his grief. Noor works for her uncle who owns a liquor store and wants nothing more than to get away, so she applies to college to hopefully leave him and the town that means so little to her. Sal and Noor must figure out what they mean to each other and if what they have is worth fighting for.

This is not the normal novel written by Tahir as this is very different but in a very good way. In All My Rage, readers get to see characters that grow in such a drastic way you can’t help but feel for them and all they go through. I thought it was very helpful that the front of the book contained trigger warnings for those reading it to be aware of some of the content. Even though this book is in the Young Adult category, I think that label can be misleading at times. I wouldn’t consider this great for young teens but older teens and those in their early twenty’s would probably really enjoy this one.

I enjoyed the way the story played out and the characters; I loved many of them and the ones I couldn’t stand were okay because I wasn’t supposed to like them. Being able to write characters in this way shows just how amazing Sabaa Tahir is as an author. Her first series is nothing like this and goes in a completely different direction, which shows she has great range.

I would recommend this book to those that enjoy seeing characters go through very difficult circumstances but work hard to overcome them and grow with the story.

The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch

Author: Julia Brewer Daily

Publisher: Admission Press, Inc.

Release Date: November 1, 2022

Unique story set amongst scenic South Texas.

Emma Rosales is the heir to her family’s ranch, The Thorn. As owners of the largest ranch in Texas, each generation of Rosales produce only one child, a daughter who inherits and runs the ranch. For five generations this pattern has continued, and Emma is next in line, but not sure she wants the life set out for her. While obtaining her veterinarian’s degree at Texas A&M University, Emma begins to wonder what it would be like to settle down in a small town with her own vet practice, but she still returns home after graduation. One day while riding out on the ranch, her favorite horse breaks his leg, and she must put him down and walk back to the ranch house. But what she discovers along the way will not only prevent her return home but change everything she knew about the ranch she has spent her life on.

This book turned into nothing that I expected. I was intrigued by the setting of Southwest Texas, which is near the area I live and have traveled through much of it, so I always enjoy books set close to home. I’m not sure what I thought I would get into, but this was very different than what I thought it would be. That said, I still enjoyed the story of Emma and how she went from heir apparent to captive amongst an almost primitive tribe. The story was written very well and believable given the different story lines between Emma and her mother Josie. I also enjoyed the switchover to Kai when Emma become sick and turned into a shell of herself. The ending, while partly sad due to what is implied by Kai working on the ranch, was still an overly happy ending with two people that seemed destined to be together.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Sundown

Author: Susan May Warren

Series: Sky King Ranch #3

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: November 1, 2022

Warren hits it out of the park once again with Sundown to conclude a fantastic series readers will love!

Once thing Colt Kingston is best at is spotting someone trying to lie to him. As a former Delta Operative, he has many skills and has used them in many different dangerous situations. He is suspicious of Tae, the woman taking care of his father at Sky King Ranch. His suspicions of her, up until men come looking for her at the ranch. The secrets she holds go much deeper than Colt would have predicted when he finds out she knows the antidote to a plague that could threaten the whole world. Colt is going to have to work with his brothers to protect both Tae and the rest of the country.

Susan May Warren is a master with Romantic Suspense and blows it out of the park with the conclusion to the fantastic Sky King Ranch Book. These characters are fun, strong, and full of all the action you would want from a great romantic suspense read. The character of Colt is probably my favorite of all the Kingston brothers, just the way his story unfolded made the story click in the best way for me. Tae had so much intrigue and mystery that I loved how her story played out as well. With these two as main characters, the pages of this book fly. To be honest, there isn’t much I didn’t like about this story, it was a classic Susan May Warren Romantic Suspense making for a great weekend read. If you are a fan of her writing or just love romantic suspense novels, I would highly recommend this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

A Quilt for Christmas

Author: Melody Carlson

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: September 6, 2022

A sweet Christmas story about loss, love and how much we all need each other!

Vera Swanson has always loved Christmas, that is until she had no one to spend it with. When her husband passed away and when she relocated to be closer to her children, she thought it would be perfect for the holidays, but when the kids move away, she is left alone in her small condo. One day, the children next door come knocking and need help. Their mother is sick, and their father is out of town. Fiona, the youngest ask Vera to help make her mom a quilt for Christmas. Vera knows she can make the quilt but not in time for Christmas by herself. With the help of others in town, they work to make the Christmas extra special for Fiona and her family.

When the current season is getting to you, slipping away into a nice and cozy Christmas novella is just the thing you need. A Quilt for Christmas is a fun and sweet little read that was quick, easy and the perfect little escape. Vera and Fiona made the perfect little pair, I loved the young and old dynamic showing different perspectives in what they were going through. Readers will love the different characters and how they are all pulled together by such an unexpected event. This is a perfect afternoon read for anyone wanting to escape for a few hours into a story that will pull at your heartstrings and leave you with a smile by the turn of the last page. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet Christmas story.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Where the Blue Sky Begins

Author: Katie Powner

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: October 11, 2022

If you are looking for a book that will make you feel connected to the characters in a way few authors can, this is the book for you!

Small towns have a vibe all their own. When Eric Larson leaves Seattle to help in his uncle’s financial company in a small town in Montana, he wants nothing to do with the town, only to return to the big city. Eunice Parker has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and wants to make amends with anyone she has wronged before the illness takes her. When Eric and Eunice are brought together through an unlikely set of events and try to work to determine what is most important, especially when there isn’t much time left.

Katie Powner has a way of very different way of writing than most, which is very refreshing. So many of the books published the same version of each other with different names and settings, making reading very monotonous at times. Katie Powner is a breath of fresh air with her books about everyday people and the struggles they face. Readers will be able to relate and enjoy seeing the struggles these characters go through and how they overcome. This story takes characters in hard times and real moments that so many of us go through and helps us relate. Lately I have been in a slump of not wanting to read after reading so many books that seem like the same ole thing. Fortunately, I came across this book at just the right moment. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy a great contemporary read.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

To Win a Prince

Author: Toni Shiloh

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: September 13, 2022

Another charming romance for anyone that is a fan of The Princess Diaries movies, not to be missed.

After her best friend became Queen of an African nation, Iris Blakely decides to stay and help the citizens of the country by starting a sustainable clothing company. Iris has been asked to bring on Ekon Diallo, the man who betrayed her best friend, to work with her at her company. Ekon has been stripped of his title as prince after trying to overthrow Brie before she could become Queen. Tensions are high as Ekon and Iris struggle to work together; they realize they are completely different people from different worlds but their hearts might just be wanting the same thing.

After reading the first book in this series, In Search of a Prince, I couldn’t wait for more from this world. The story of Brie reminded me of The Princess Diaries, which I loved and was eager to see how the story of Iris held up. I may have had my expectations set a little too high with this one because I felt a little let down. My biggest problem was the immediate attraction between the characters. I enjoy a fun rom-com but the romance here was just too quick after he had tried to betray her best friend. Toni Shiloh is a great writer and I enjoy her stories, just with less eye-rolling at such early attractions. If that hadn’t turned me off so early, I would have loved every part of the book. If that is something you can look past, then this will be a thoroughly enjoyable book. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy contemporary romance with characters that are instantly attracted to each other.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Last Way Home

Author: Liz Johnson

Series: Prince Edward Island Shores #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: August 2, 2022

Love going back to PEI and meeting new characters mixed with those readers have already grown to love!

Eli Ross returns home to Victoria-By-The-Sea after his NHL career with the New York Rangers comes to a sudden and abrupt end. Now without a penny to his name, he strides into town just as his mother’s pottery shop catches on fire. Unsure if his family will even welcome him back, he has no idea how long he will stay. He owes money to a loan shark back in New York and the only job that he can find is coaching hockey for a middle school girls league. How much farther can he fall?

Violet Donaghy ran from her past 10 years ago after a horrific accident. She came to Victoria in hopes of starting a new life when she met Mama Potts, who took her under her wing to become an artist. But when their shop, and her apartment, catch fire, she is left having to work with Mama Potts black sheep son, Eli, in order to get things back in place. When hearts collide, what is in store?

I really enjoyed Eli and Violet’s story more than I did that of Oliver and Meg in the previous book. Not sure why, but maybe it was the hockey?? Whatever the reason, I enjoyed the banter that these two had and the unlikely situations that Eli kept finding himself in, especially when he became the coach of the middle school girl’s hockey team, The Stars. He had a lot of growth during that period that matured him a lot. I also loved that Eli and Violet made a stop at the Red Door Inn and I got to check in on some of my favorite characters from that series!

This is a story of redemption for both Eli and Violet from their past mistakes. I love that the element of forgiveness was the basis for this book with a bit of the theme of the Prodigal Son (and daughter). This story can be read as a standalone, but it will shine light on other characters backstories.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.