Calling on the Matchmaker

Author: Jody Hedlund

Publisher: Bethany House Publishing

Release Date: December 12, 2023

A historical romance that will pull readers back in time and fill their hearts.

Finola Shanahan no longer feels she can have a family of her own and spends her time helping those in need. Her parents, however, keep arranging relationships for her and she must find a way out of each one. She is able to work her way out of each until she meets Riley Rafferty and realizes things are different with this one. As their attraction grows, a cholera outbreak hits St. Louis and their lives are all put at risk.

Finola is one spunky character; even though her parents keep trying to set her up, she has decided it isn’t for her. Once she meets Riley, that all changes and we see her life get turned upside down as she can’t deny the attraction. All this made for an interesting read at times but did take away from the story when it was over the top with their heated glances and such. There is a lot of sexual tension throughout which may turn some readers off. While it was interesting with the characters and what they went through I have to say I liked this one but didn’t love it.

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

The Best Summer of Our Lives

Author: Rachel Huack

Publisher: Bethany House Publishing

Release Date: June 27, 2023

By far my new favorite Rachel Hauck book; she keeps getting better and better!

In the summer of 1977, Summer Wilde was expecting to have the best time with her friends, Spring, Autumn, and Snow, nicknamed the four seasons. All their plans change as they end up at a camp in Oklahoma as counselors with secrets they wanted to stay hidden and a summer that would end up changing all of their lives. Years later, Summer ends up back in Oklahoma as she is stranded back in a place she never expected to be and finds healing she didn’t know she needed.

This story sucked me in from page one and wouldn’t let up, I have actually found myself rereading it just for the enjoyment. Rachel Hauck has created characters filled with such raw emotion that it was hard to turn away from. Summer was full of charm and such a relatable character in the struggles she went through and how it changed her. I found myself nodding my head as she faced each struggle and came out to the other side a better person. This is the type of story that readers can get so much out of, each reader might end up getting something different from the pages and still be completely satisfied by that.

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

Indigo Isle

Author: T.I. Lowe

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

Release Date: June 6, 2023

A very interesting and unexpected, enjoyable read!

After leaving South Carolina over fifteen years ago and working to become a successful Hollywood location scout, Sonny Bates never thought she would end up back home. Her crazy schedule and demanding boss keep her from thinking about the past she left behind, until she is back of the coast of Charleston for a film and runs into a reclusive owner that the locals refer to as the Monster of Indigo Isle. This Monster is Hudson Renfrow who left his life as a successful attorney in New York and now works to keep up the fields of Indigo. When a hurricane hits the area, Sonny and Hudson are forced together until it passes. They find an unlikely friendship that quickly develops into something more.

Inigo Isle was a breath of fresh air. After several books that were sub-par for me, this one was quick and very enjoyable. I loved the way Sonny and Hudson were forced together and the flames of attraction ignited and were impossible to put out. As far as contemporary romances go, this one is a keeper for me. This is one that hooked me from the start and wouldn’t let me go. If you are looking for a fun and quick read, I highly recommend Indigo Isle.

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

Marshalling Her Heart

Author: Mary Connealy

Series: Wyoming Sunrise #3

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: October 17, 2023

The conclusion to the Wyoming Sunrise series returns readers to the frontier that is a sure bet for readers that enjoy inspirational romance.

Becky Pruitt knows life on the prairie is hard and running a ranch as a woman is even harder. She has worked hard to know what’s happening and keep it running smoothly. When Nate Paxton, her ranch foreman, comes to her one day and tells her that the ranch would be the perfect spot to allow U.S. Marshals to stop a notorious gang, Becky is hesitant to be involved in such an undertaking. Knowing it is the best thing for the town, she reluctantly agrees to let Nate and the Marshals do what they must. The one thing Becky didn’t count on was her heart falling for Nate and it might end up being a problem for them all.

Mary Connealy is a staple in the libraries of those that enjoy Wester and Historical Romance and even though this isn’t my favorite genre to read I have found her books to be enjoyable. This is probably my favorite of the three in this series with the danger and suspense that brought Nate and Becky together. Becky is a strong and independent female protagonist, and I enjoyed watching her go through the motions of trying to run the ranch and stay independent and finally giving into her heart. Overall, this was an enjoyable read that fans of historical romance will enjoy.

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

A Winter by the Sea

Author: Julie Klassen

Series: On Devonshire Shores #2

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Release Date: December 5, 2023

Another fun read for fans of series such as Downton Abby.

Emily Summers and her sisters end up hosting some of the royal family’s male staff when the Duke and Duchess of Kent and their daughter come to rent a neighbor’s cottage. Emily wants nothing more than to become an author and she is given the opportunity to get published if she writes a guidebook first. One of the Duke’s secretaries helps Emily, and she is quickly attracted to him. She finds herself in a dilemma when someone from her past shows up and her heart is pulled in two directions.

After reading several historical fictions in a row, this one fell midway into the pack. It was a good read but not outstanding. Julie Klassen did a great job setting up the scenery to pull me in but the romance aspect fell a little flat. I would have liked to see a little more tension to draw the characters together and apart before they found their way fully to each other. Overall, it was an easy quick read that fans of historical romance will enjoy.

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

Julia Monroe Begins Again

Author: Rebekah Millet

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Release Date: October 24, 2023

A warm and fuzzy read that will find its way into reader’s hearts.

Julie Monroe has been dealt a hard hand. She has just turned 40 and is all alone after her boys head off to college and she is left a young widow. Her focus is not on her business and trying to be the best version of herself she can. That is all made harder when Samuel Reed shows back up town after breaking her heart over twenty years ago. The last thing she wants is to find her heart in pieces again and the only way to accomplish that is to avoid Samuel at all costs. Her best friend has other plans though and sets off to bring the two together.

If you are looking for a fun and somewhat sappy love story, this one is for you. I flew through the pages waiting to see how and if the love would blossom between these characters. There were a few over the top, roll your eye, moments but overall, this was a quick and fun romance. Julia is a character after my own heart, I turned 40 this year and even though my boys are still at home it won’t be long until they are gone. I enjoyed the second chance romance aspect and how things all played out. Anyone that enjoys contemporary romance will not want to miss this one.

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

A Beautiful Disguise

Author: Roseanna M. White

Series: The Imposters #1

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Release Date: August 22, 2023

A fun read that fans of shows such as Downton Abby will thoroughly enjoy.

Life behind a desk is not at all what Sir Merritt Livingstone wants after all his time in the field. But when he is hit with pneumonia and forced out of the field, he must show that he still has worth. When he finds suspicion of an aristocrat sending information to Germany, he must find a way to stop it and asks The Imposters, Ltd to help. This is a group that is more legend than anything else but they always get results. Lady Marigold Fairfax and her brother run The Imposters, Ltd; they work to uncover secrets in their society, but nothing prepares them to look into her best friend’s father as a traitor.

This book had a lot of potential but fell flat for me. That being said, it just isn’t my cup of tea, but those that enjoy this genre will not be disappointed. Historical romanced are a hit or miss for me, for some reason this plot line of this one dragged a little and I just couldn’t seem to get going. I did find The Imposters an intriguing group and thought more time should have been focused on this part of the story. If you are a fan of Downton Abby and such this will be one you will very much enjoy.

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

Into the Fire

Author: Irene Hannon

Series: Undaunted Courage #1

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: October 3, 2023

Another great romantic suspense from Irene Hannon that was explosive to the very end!

Bri Tucker has put the life of being a smoke jumper behind her after an accident left her unable to stay in the job she loved. Now, she works as an arson Investigator and is looking into the death of a former colleague that had been digging into cold cases. Bri starts looking into the puzzle pieces left behind by the death of one of the investigators she looked up to. With each new piece she uncovers, she finds herself in more and more danger as the killer quickly puts a target on her back. She works with ATF Special Agent Marc Davis and together they try to put the puzzle pieces together before it all falls apart.

Irene Hannon is one of the bestselling authors when it comes to Christian fiction both with romantic suspense and contemporary fiction books. This was a great first book in her new series and I enjoyed it as much as any Christian romantic suspense I’ve read lately. There wasn’t anything negative I can say about it; it was overall a very enjoyable book with many tense moments and good wrap up at the end that also left me wanting more! I can’t wait to see what the next in the series will have to offer. Fans of Hannon’s work will not want to miss this one.

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

Facing the Enemy

Author: DiAnn Mills

Publisher: Tyndale House

Release Date: September 5, 2023

Just what I have come to expect from Diann Mills, a quick read that is enjoyable and engaging.

Risa Jacobs worked at the FBI trying to fight crimes against children when her estranged brother reaches out to meet with her. She is excited about the reunion until it ends in tragedy with his death after a hit and run. She leaves the FBI and goes back to teaching. As she tries to put the tragedy behind her, one of her students writes a paper with amazing details of how her brother’s death. Risa works with her former partner to track down her brother’s killer and hopefully keep anyone else from getting hurt.

DiAnn Mills is one of the top Christian fiction writers; she is good but unfortunately for me, her writing is becoming predictable leading to similar storylines. The story is good and clean, which I love. Readers of Christian fiction will love the fact that this is a suspense story with no bad language or gore. The characters are good, but I didn’t feel the connection between Risa and Gage, no matter how much I wanted to I just never did. The best thing I can say about this book is the female lead is a good character and it is a good suspense story that is clean.

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

You Make it Feel like Christmas

Author: Toni Shiloh

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Release Date: September 5, 2023

A quick and fun holiday story that will get readers in the holiday spirit!

When Starr returns home for the holidays to attend her sister’s wedding to her ex-boyfriend, she thinks that is going to be the hardest part, that and keeping the secret of losing her job. The tension with the rest of her family is high and when her brother’s best friend, Waylon Emmerson shows up, the attraction is making her think it might not be all bad coming home for the holidays.

If you are looking for a quirky holiday romance that can be read in a day and not involve a lot of deep thinking, this will be the book for you. It was a little too much at times with all the characters’ names and holiday type references, but if you didn’t think too much about that it made for an enjoyable story. This is the type of holiday story that can be quickly read and enjoyed. The family drama that Starr had to deal with made the story more entertaining and her involvement with Waylon was written just right. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a clean and enjoyable read.

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