TO WIN HER FAVOR By Tamera Alexander

If you love horses, as I do, and civil war history, then this Christian Romance is for you. Tamera Alexander, one of my all-time favorite authors, has done it again. From the first page, you are caught in the struggles of both hero and heroine to survive an environment hostile to both for different reasons.

 Cullen McGrath finds himself in post-Civil War Tennessee because it's where his deceased wife wanted them to settle after fleeing Ireland and trouble with the Thoroughbred Racing authorities there. On the passage over, he lost both wife and daughter and now he just wants to buy some land to farm. But everywhere he turns are signs "Irish need not apply" and others willing to show him the door, literally.

 Maggie Linden has lost her mother and then her four older brothers to the war. Her father is in failing health and their farm is set to go to auction soon. Maggie's prize possession is the thoroughbred mare she's raised and trained from a foal to achieve her dream.

By divine appointment, Cullen meets up with Maggie's father who recognizes the character of the man and realizes that his needs and theirs intersect. So he makes a proposition to Cullen that involves Maggie's consent to succeed.

The proposition involves a marriage of convenience for both parties in which they both might achieve their greatest hopes; but will their hearts become the biggest prize of all?

Ms Alexander tastefully describes the intimacies of marriage with sensibility and her descriptions of the struggles to develop a relationship in marriage are relatable. She also deals with the atrocities of racism and bigotry and the struggles for women to be accepted in a male dominated world. I think you'll find you can't put this one down.

I received this book from Netgalley for my honest review.

WHENEVER YOU COME AROUND By Robin Lee Hatcher

Definitely a sweet romance and most definitely romantic--"Whenever You Come Around" belongs on your keeper shelf. I've read quite a few books by Ms. Robin Hatcher but this novel part of the Kings Meadow Series is one of my favorites.

Charity Anderson has one of those bad days that go from bad to worse when her dog, inadvertently causes her new neighbor, Buck Malone to fall and suffer injuries that will incapacitate him for a while.  Both Buck and Charity for different reasons desire a single lifestyle with no room for a significant other.

That changes when Buck needs help to get chores done around his small ranch and help with meals and even some personal assistance. Charity, doesn't like men since she had a traumatic experience back in high school, which is why she hasn't returned to her hometown community before now. She definitely doesn't like handsome cowboys that like to flirt and cause her to feel things she doesn't want to feel any more.

 Both Charity and Buck have trust issues; and Charity's past is full of pain which an astute Buck senses. Buck sweetly draws Charity out until she finds she has to trust him with her ugly past and leave him to choose whether she is worth it or not. Will Charity's courage to confront her past land her in the arms of her hero at the class reunion dance? Check it out.

 

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

 

SABOTAGED by Dani Pettrey

Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey is the final installment of her Alaskan Courage Series about the McKenna siblings. I loved the way Dani brought all the siblings in on this mystery and displayed all their unique talents. A whole family of Extreme Sports enthusiasts great at search and rescue, Landon and Jake with their law enforcement backgrounds, Darcy with her newspaper sleuthing abilities, Kayden, capable of flying airplanes, and Bailey, the Russian History artifacts expert, just to name a few, aid in making this a page turning, nail biting action packed novel. Add the tender romance between the main characters Reef McKenna and Kirra Jacobs and you have another one for your keeper shelf.

In addition, Kirra struggles with a secret in her past that makes it difficult for her to trust men. She finds herself teamed together with the charming and sexy Reef McKenna with a reputation as a carouser. Can she trust him? Has he changed? The lives of her uncle and her cousin depend on her.

The stakes become even higher when the whole state of Alaska maybe under an environmental threat of nuclear proportions. Ms. Pettrey handles espionage, romance, and a controversial yet personal subject with aplomb. I highly recommend this whole series which is better read in order but entertaining as stand alones.

THE BRACELET by Dorothy Love

A true historical novel built around a mystery involving family secrets, Dorothy Love's "The Bracelet" makes an enthralling read. The setting is pre-civil war south in Savannah, Georgia. Her descriptions of the era and culture are enlightening and the discussions surrounding the looming possibility of Civil War fascinate especially given the inevitable.

She slowly reveals the relationship between her characters so that you aren't sure how invested in each other they are until you are deeply involved in their stories. Celia and Sutton who have known each other for years and whose engagement seems inevitable, Celia’s cousin, Ivy whose snide comments and sneakiness make her untrustworthy, and then there is the journalist bent on digging up family tragedies. And so the notes and clues begin and finally "The Bracelet" is introduced. After the novel seems to climax, you are then led on another series of twists and turns in the narrative.

 I found the language of the jewels to be very intriguing. Ms. Love author's notes at the end add a lot to this enjoyable read. If you like history and mystery, then this is your book.

LOVE WITHOUT END by Robin Lee Hatcher

Love without End, a story of second chances, is told from the perspectives of both the hero and heroine as well as through the eyes of the elderly adoptive aunt, Anna. Past histories and blended family troubles  are something many of us have experienced or know someone who has.

We all struggle with whether to love or love again and that becomes much harder when there are children involved. We all have fears and regrets and many of us love animals especially horses and the cowboys who ride them.

I don't usually care for romances about those who are middle aged or older and having almost grown children; but this book was special and written very well. Kudos to Ms. Robin Lee Hatcher for drawing you into the lives of her characters and making you care about them and want to see Idaho for yourself. I highly recommend this book which I received from Netgalley for an honest review.

FOUR WEDDINGS AND A KISS By Margaret Brownley, Debra Clopton, Mary Connealy, and Robin Lee Hatcher

Four Weddings and a Kiss gives the reader the bonus of reading 4 great authors. Sometimes you find that only one or two are worth the book; but, in this case, every story keeps you turning the pages. What makes it most unique is that the stories are stories within a story. It opens with a young preacher involved in a conundrum and four experienced Pastors one up each other to share the best story to provide him with a solution.

 All the authors: Mary Connealy, Robin Lee Hatcher, Debra Clopton, and Margaret Brownley have been in my arsenal of favorite and reliable authors for romantic and entertaining reads. You can't go wrong with Four Weddings and a Kiss--well worth your time and investment.

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.