THE WISHING SEASON by Denise Hunter



The Wishing Season By Denise Hunter is a very entertaining read that opens like a thriller. A sweet romance that sparks with the reality of human struggles of faith and love. P. J. McKinley and Cole Evans find themselves with the dilemma of having to compete for the same prize under the same roof with the added complication of their mutual attraction.

Both P. J. and Cole live with trauma and sorrow from their pasts. This comes back to haunt their budding relationship. Whom do they trust? What do they trust--their heart or their assumptions about each other? P. J. dreams of owning her own Restaurant with her own chef masterpieces while Cole yearns to have a foster home for young people to transition into adult life. They both want the same Ancestral Home offered up by its elderly owner to the person with the best plan for its restoration and use. Her solution for two great plans is for them to share the house for a year and show which plan would be the best.

As both accept the challenge, they succeed in getting much more than they bargain for...I highly recommend you accept the challenge this inspiring romance that should be bound for your keeper shelf.

JADE'S COWBOY CRUSH By Kimberly Krey

 

Every once in a while you come across a book that is just a gem of a find by an author you haven't read before.

 

This story, part of a series, is such a book. Though not a Christian romance, it is albeit, a very clean read; but with spice. It is deliciously romantic.

 

Jade's Cowboy Crush opens with a hint that the hero and heroine may have a brief history together. It immediately jumps forward into a suspenseful conundrum for Jade. She witnesses a murder and needs to enter Witness Protection with her son.

 

Enter Gavin, her protector--a hard as nails cowboy, moonlighting as a construction contractor, with a history of his own. Home is not a place Gavin wants to return to; but home is where he's agreed to take mother and son and pretend to be happily married.

 

Of course this is a recipe for trouble. Ms. Krey writes the best kissing scenes. Just as in real life, the characters must choose the high ground and just when you think you can't turn the page, they make the right choice.

 

This one has you hanging on the edge of your seat at the end. Gavin's past collide's with the future he hope's to have with his little family. Will the bad guy find them and will Gavin be able to save them and his heart? You have to read to find out.

 

An excellent, clean, romantic, suspense for your keeper shelf. I plan to read the whole series. Ms. Krey, you've made my list of favorite authors!



A MOST INCONVENIENT MARRIAGE By Regina Jennings

 

A most unusual treatise for a story. I wasn't sure how the author was going to carry it off. In fact, I wasn't sure that I would  enjoy a story where the person had married someone and then discovered that the person wasn't who they married at all.

But Ms. Jennings uses the culture of that time, integrity, beliefs, and loyalties to make you understand and root for her characters. As you discover the reasons for the misunderstandings and see how the characters deal with what life has thrown their way you find yourself turning the pages because you are so invested in the story.

 

War wounds, not only those physically involved, but those left behind. An Inconvenient Marriage is thought provoking from several directions. Complicated relationships, life and death issues, and the after effects of war and it's effects on daily living make this story worth your time and investment.  This is one I will want to read again just to see what I missed. 

The romantic encounters were that--romantic. At the climax, the tension was palpable  but things naturally evolved into a very humorous outcome to a serious situation. You have to read to find out.

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.



 



PETTICOAT DETECTIVE By Margaret Brownley

Margaret Brownley always writes entertaining novels. This is no exception. Her sense of humor shines. Laughter and mystery abound.

Jennifer Layne, alias Amy, is working undercover as a lady of ill repute. Trying to find clues to the gunny sack bandit while not having to entertain "guests" , as Ms. Lillian calls her patrons,  certainly counts as hazardous pay. Amy meets Tom Colton who is trying to clear his brother's name while he discovers who might have murdered him. Both feel the attraction for the other and that complicates matters for both.

Amy  feels she can't blow her cover but hates that Tom thinks she is a bad girl; and Tom, who is really an ex-Texas Ranger, feels drawn to Amy and berates himself while still wishing she could get out of her predicament.

There are so many opportunities for misunderstandings that create humorous situations to keep you laughing and turning pages. In addition, piquing your interest in history are the references to the Pinkerton Agency and female agents. This story makes you want to research that subject further.

 I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

THE AMISH BLACKSMITH By Mindy Starns Clark & Susan Meissner

 

 

After a very slow start, "The Amish Blacksmith" picked up steam and was a page turner at the end. You are turning pages to find out if Jake realizes what he's been missing and if he will make the right choice in time.

 

Besides the slow start, the story is told in first person which I admit is not one of my favorite tools. But Ms. Starns and Ms. Meissner do a good job not to let the story get too bogged down.

 

In fact, there is a mystery and murder for which the audience as well as Jake think they know the answer but for which  there are some surprise twists.

 

All in all, this is one read that helps pass the time when you are waiting and it is easy to pick up where you left off. I received this from Netgalley for an honest review.



AT BLUEBONNET LAKE By Amanda Cabot

 

 

At Bluebonnet Lake gets off to a slow start but like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon it evolves into a sweet romance wrapped up in some mysterious revelations that the reader has to patiently wait for.

 

Kate Sherwood meets Greg Vange at the Rainbow's End Resort that her ailing grandmother desires to return to. She mistakes him for the handyman. Greg is definitely volunteering as the resort's handyman but not because he needs the job.

 

Ms. Cabot does a great job building the relationships in her novel including the secondary one between the grandmother and another gentleman at the resort.

 

Kate's main goal in life seems to be gaining the promotion that will make her a partner in the advertising business. She has to make choices but will those choices cost her what really matters most?

 

Greg on the other hand, seems to be running away from something, but spending time with Kate and listening to her advice brings him to a pivotal point in his life as well.

 

This is a sweet romance easy to read and pick up where you left off as you wait in line or at the Doctor's office. I received this from Netgalley for an honest review.



PLAYING BY HEART by Anne Mateer

Most of the time I find I do not like a book told in the First person; but "Playing by Heart” works very well told from the perspective  of  the hero and heroine's point of view. I found myself looking forward to each chapter to see what the other was thinking during a particular incident of the story.

Ms. Lula Bowman, at the turn of the century, has an unusual profession as a University Teacher in Mathematics. Having lost her mother at a young age, her goal has been to achieve what no woman has, a Masters in Teaching Mathematics. But is she doing it for herself or for her Dad?

Suddenly, life throws a curve ball and Lula must return home to help her sister and children survive the tragic loss of her sister's husband. She finds a teaching job but it is in Music with a secondary duty of coaching the girls’ basketball team. The quandary for Lula is that she has no knowledge of basketball.

Chet Vaughn, the Math Teacher also Coaches the boys’ Basketball team. Chet has a passion for his students and for basketball. More importantly, he feels called by God to do what he does. Both he and Lula have something in common. Neither is interested in the opposite sex or marriage. But they both find their views on that subject and others change as Lula seeks Chet out to help her learn the finer art of basketball.

Playing by Heart flows like a beautifully written piece of Music played well. I loved watching Lula's and Chet's goals and needs change as their complicated relationship developed. The plot ebbs and flows and has many surprises. I highly recommend "Playing by Heart" as an enjoyable read that should fast become a favorite on your shelf.