Review (+ Tour Giveaway): Love for All Seasons

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Love for All Seasons
(Four Inspirational Historical Romance Novellas)
Inspirational Historical Romance
ebook, 164 pages
November 9th 2016

If you like the inspirational historical romances of Deanne Gist and Lauraine Snelling, you’ll love USA Today bestselling author Stacy Henrie! With four novellas—one for each season of the year—you’ll find a heartwarming collection of couples from a simpler time in America who discover the redeeming powers of faith and love.

A Long Winter Kiss

As Samantha and Rex’s childhood friendship matured into young love, they promised their hearts to one another, even as Rex headed off to war. But their hope for a bright future was shattered when Rex succumbed to his belief that the horrors of war had made him a man no woman could love. Now he has returned, and Samantha must help Rex see that he still has much to give—and much more to gain—by replacing fear with faith and opening himself to love.

An Unlikely Spring Courtship

Tempest worked hard to secure her independence as a woman running her own mercantile, so when Bram has the audacity to open a competing shop in a town with only enough room for one, Tempest is driven to despair. And then to retaliation. But when tragedy strikes their community and threatens everything they both hold dear, will they be able to recognize that what they share is far more important than what separates them?

A Summer for Love

Loralee’s life has changed dramatically in the eight years since she’s last seen the resort town of Bayocean, but one thing that has never changed is her feelings for Wyatt, a man she promised to meet at the resort on a specific day if they were both still unattached. When Wyatt appears on that date, as hopeful and uncertain as Loralee, the two must see if an old and abiding love has outlasted the changes wrought by time—and begin to build a new life together.

Romance in Autumn

Phoebe and James grew up together but apart in the same beautiful mansion, he as the son of the owners, she as the daughter of a servant. In the years since, Phoebe’s fortunes have changed dramatically, and she carries the dream of one day owning the mansion that is still close to her heart. Until James—now a deeply compelling man—delivers the bad news that securing the purchase will be all but impossible. As Phoebe reluctantly relinquishes her dream, she will also look deep into her soul to learn that a true home might exist in her budding love for James.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble

USA Today bestselling author Stacy Henrie is the author of western romances and the Of Love and War series, which includes Hope at Dawn, a 2015 RITA Award finalist for excellence in romance. She was born and raised in the West, where she currently resides with her family. She enjoys reading, road trips, interior decorating, chocolate, and most of all, laughing with her husband and kids. You can learn more about Stacy and her books by visiting her website at stacyhenrie.com.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest

My Thoughts

Novella collections and Christmas seem to go together for some reason, possibly because I’m looking for shorter stories during this busy season. Also, I’ve enjoyed other stories by Stacy Henrie in the Love Inspired series, so I was eager to read Love for All Seasons.

These four stories are built around a seasonal theme, set in different eras and settings – and I have to say that I love the cover. I was pleasantly surprised at how complete each story was, an element not always found in novellas. The characters are likeable, easy to connect with, and have depth. Spiritual themes are woven throughout as the characters live out their faith.

I enjoyed each novella very much and won’t even try to pick a favorite. Love for All Seasons is filled with sweet, touching stories – perfect for any time of the year when you’re looking for a satisfying shorter read.

Recommended.


Tour Schedule

November 27th: Launch

November 28th:

Katie's Clean Book Collection

Heidi Reads...

November 29th:

The Power of Words

Hardcover Feedback

November 30th:

Bookworm Lisa

Reading Is My SuperPower

Zerina Blossom's Books

December 1st:

Tell Tale Book Reviews

Wishful Endings

December 2nd:

Singing Librarian Books

Jessica and Gracie's Tree

Mel's Shelves

Bookworm Nation

Rockin' Book Reviews

December 4th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

$40 Amazon eGift Card and Winner's Choice of an ebook of Any of Stacy Henrie's Books (you can see her books listed on Amazon here)

Open internationally
Ends December 8th

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Review (+Tour Giveaway): Finding Margo

 

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book

Off the charts and on the run.

International pop star Margo Hartman could use a night off. A grueling tour and overbearing entourage have sent her over the edge. It’s time for this diva to disappear. And who would think to look for the superstar in a small town in Ohio?

Sheriff’s deputy Brock Moore is undercover as well. He knows Margo isn’t who she appears to be, but her uncanny resemblance to a local Amish woman is raising all sorts of questions . . . the kinds that make her a target for a killer.

Both are determined to find answers, but their mutual attraction stands in the way of either of them doing it alone. Is finding Margo the solution to Brock’s problems or the just the beginning . . . ?

About the Author

USA Today best-selling author Jen Turano writes contemporary and historical romances with quirky characters and unusual storylines. Just outside Denver, Colorado, Jen and her husband live as empty-nesters, and they do so fabulously. Contact Jen at jenturano.com.

My thoughts

With Finding Margo, Jen Turano has waded into the waters of contemporary romance/suspense and delivered one highly entertaining novel! The era might be different, but the writing is not. I loved everything about this story and could have identified Jen as the author even if I hadn’t seen her name on the cover.

Finding Margo is fresh. It’s filled with Jen’s laugh-out-loud humor. It has a quirky feel to it and blends together several elements – a cold-case child abduction, mystery, romance, a touch of the Amish/Mennonite community, and witty dialogue. Margo and Brock are unique, very appealing characters with hidden depth, and their sweet romance is well balanced with the suspense elements. And then there’s the duck, which delivers one of the most delightful animal themes I’ve ever come across.

I appreciated the spiritual theme that we are more than the expectations family and culture might put upon us – and that God never leaves or stops loving us, but is always working to fulfill His plans and purposes for our lives.

An epilogue beautifully sets up book #2, to be released in fall of 2017. Not to wish the passing of time, but I’m eager for this!

Highly recommended.

I was provided a free copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Blog Stops

November 17: Book by Book

November 17: Book Reviews From an Avid Reader

November 17: cherylbbookblog

November 17: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

November 18: A Reader’s Brain

November 18: I Hope You Dance

November 18: Blogging with Carol

November 19: ASC Book Reviews

November 19: Bibliophile Reviews

November 20: Lighthouse Academy

November 20: Karen Sue Hadley

November 20: Back Porch Reads

November 21: Reading Is My SuperPower

November 21: Genesis 5020

November 21: 100 Pages per Hour

November 22: Pause for Tales

November 22: Quiet Quilter

November 22: Bigreadersite

November 23: Just Commonly

November 23: A Greater Yes

November 23: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS

November 24: Smiling Book Reviews

November 24: Ashley’s Bookshelf

November 24: Singing Librarian Books

November 25: It’s Storytime With Van Daniker

November 25: History, Mystery & Faith

November 25: inklings and notions

November 26: Daysong Reflections

November 26: The Scribbler

November 26: Blossoms and Blessings

November 27: Christian Chick’s Thoughts

November 27: A Baker’s Perspective

November 27: Through the Open Window

November 28: The Power of Words

November 28: His Grace is Sufficient

November 28: Reader’s Cozy Corner

November 29: Fiction, Faith, and Fun

November 29: Faithfully Bookish

November 29: Christian Bookaholic

November 30: Raining Butterfly Kisses

November 30: Book Bites, Bee Stings & Butterfly Kisses

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jen is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card and signed copies of her book! Enter below - and be sure to comment on this post to claim your nine entries on the giveaway!

Review (+ Tour Giveaway) : Trust My Heart

Trust My Heart
By Carol J. Post
Waterfall Press, 2016


Summary

Grant McAllister arrives in Murphy, North Carolina, with one aim: to sell his inherited property and leave as quickly as possible.

The big-city lawyer has no interest in his late, estranged grandparents or the dilapidated mansion he just acquired. After his high-profile divorce, he should be avoiding perky reporters, too. But Jami Carlisle is honest, funny, and undeniably appealing.

After breaking up with her safe-but-smothering boyfriend, Jami is determined to ace her first big assignment. A story about the McAllister estate is too intriguing to ignore---much like its handsome, commitment-phobic heir. Thanks to her digging, the pieces of Grant's fraught family history are gradually fitting into place, but also upending all his old beliefs.

The two draw closer as they share their dreams, until misread signals and misunderstandings begin to test their trust. But in the unspoiled beauty of the Smoky Mountains, there's healing and forgiveness to be found. And for Grant, this unplanned detour may be just what's needed to finally guide him home...

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2fg7WKG


My thoughts

Trust My Heart is an impressive contemporary romance set in the small town of Murphy, North Carolina. Carol J. Post has written several highly-rated stories in the Love Inspired Suspense line, which I’ve never read because I’m not much of a suspense fan, so I welcomed this contemporary. There’s an element of mystery surrounding Grant’s deceased grandmother and the McAllister estate that I thought was well done.

The Murphy, North Carolina setting was vividly conveyed and especially appealing, as I have spent many family vacations in the Smoky Mountains of this lovely state. It was fun to see this area through the eyes of Jami and Grant as she introduced him to several local activities – including hiking, geocaching, and whitewater rafting. A humorous secondary storyline involving Bernie and Hank, two quirky supporting characters, added depth.

When it comes to relationships, past experiences cause both Grant and Jami to have trust issues and insecurities, which felt realistic based on all that had happened. Also true to life is the different effect spiritually – one relying on faith, the other pulling away. I loved how mutual respect and friendship developed initially, then wanted to shake some sense into them when they reacted negatively rather than communicating when something happened to shake that fragile trust.

Trust My Heart has a solid spiritual foundation, and my favorite part was seeing Grant slowly open up as a result of Jami’s gentle witness. This is a story of forgiveness and second chances – and the characters reflect that, however much we might want a second chance, the extending of it is not always easy.

My only negative is that I would have liked more dialogue and action rather than so much dwelling on thoughts. Enjoyable story overall, though, and I hope there will be more Murphy, NC stories in the future.

Recommended.

_________________________

From medical secretary to court reporter to property manager to owner of a special-events decorating company, Carol J. Post's résumé reads as if she hasn't yet decided what she wants to be when she grows up. But one thing that has remained constant through the years is her love of writing. She started as a child composing poetry for family and friends, then graduated to articles for religious and children's publications. Now she pens fun, fast-paced inspirational romance and romantic suspense stories. Her books have been nominated for an RT Reviewers' Choice Best Book award and selected as an RT Top Pick.

When Carol isn't writing, she enjoys sailing, hiking, camping---almost anything outdoors. She also plays the piano and sings with her music-minister husband. Their two grown daughters and their grandkids live too far away for her liking, so she now pours all her nurturing into taking care of a fat and sassy black cat and a highly spoiled dachshund.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

I was provided a free copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/cpost

____________________

GIVEAWAY

Join Carol in celebrating the release of Trust My Heart by entering to win her $75 Cozy Cash Giveaway.

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Trust My Heart
• A $75 Visa cash card
• A basket full of goodies made in North Carolina to keep you cozy in the cooler fall weather

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on November 23. The winner will be announced November 28 on Carol's blog.

Review: The Most Wonderful Time of Year

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
By Ace Collins
Abingdon Press, 2016


Summary

Celebrate 31 days of a Christ-filled Christmas season.

For Christians worldwide, the month of December is filled with joy and wonder as we anticipate the celebration of Christ's birth. There is no other time of the year that can compare to the Christmas season for both the young and young at heart.

From December to New Year's Eve, reawaken the wonder, joy, and magic that is Christmas with daily scripture and inspirational readings of stories behind popular Christmas traditions, carols and movies. Enjoy a wealth of fun activities to help make the most of the season, including heartwarming holiday recipes and homemade gift ideas.

With this soon-to-be-cherished holiday devotional, best-selling author Ace Collins will capture your imagination and help to make each day of December more memorable and meaningful to you, and those you love, by shining a light on the real spirit of the season.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2frWQG8


My thoughts

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Ace Collins is just that – most wonderful! This collection of 31 readings for the month of December consists of meditative thoughts, hymn stories, and a recipe or craft. On the surface, it is this varied grouping of seasonal readings that seems to make it attractive, but readers will discover a hidden depth beginning in the very first chapter.

Many excellent devotionals have been written, collections of hymn stories are available (some written by Ace Collins, in fact), and all types of recipe or handcraft books abound … So what makes The Most Wonderful Time of the Year special? I think it’s because, while this warm and cozy collection entertains, it offers quiet, reflective moments in the midst of an often-frustrating busy season – and we’re subtly challenged to shift our focus to others, being sensitive and responsive to the needs of those around us.

In the first day’s reading, everything is put into perspective as we’re asked to visualize the unthinkable, a world in which Christ had not been born. It was interesting to learn the meanings behind many of our Christmas traditions – that the evergreen tree represents eternal life, red decorations are symbolic of Christ’s shed blood, etc. In another chapter, Ace draws application from the wise men’s gifts, and I loved the suggestion to pray over our gift-giving list before beginning to shop.

Music is an integral part of Christmas, something that everyone can relate to, and this is one of the book’s strengths. Ace mentions some popular entertainers who were a vivid part of my growing up years – such as Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Bob Hope, Irving Berlin – causing many treasured family memories to surface. But most touching of all is the meditation on how George Frideric Handel came to write Messiah and the corresponding lesson of encouragement.

The hymn story of O Come, All Ye Faithful gives lyrics that include a verse I had never heard of, and I’d like to end with their beautiful thought . . .

Child, for us sinners
Poor and in the manger,
We would embrace thee
With love and awe.
Who would not love thee,
Loving us so dearly?
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is an excellent devotional collection that can be used personally and would also be a most meaningful gift. Highly recommended.

_________________________

Ace Collins defines himself as a storyteller. He has authored more than sixty books that have sold more than 2.5 million copies. His catalog includes novels, biographies, children's works as well as books on history, culture and faith. He has also been the featured speaker at the National Archives Distinguished Lecture Series, hosted a network television special and does college basketball play-by-play. Ace lives in Arkansas.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

I was provided a free copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/acollins

Review (+ Tour Giveaway): Cat Got Your Diamonds

Cat Got Your Diamonds
By Julie Chase
A Kitty Couture Mystery #1
Crooked Lane Books, 2016


Summary

Grandeur and opulence are everything in the famed New Orleans Garden District where pets are family and no bling is too big. Opening Furry Godmother, pet boutique and organic treat bakery, is Lacy Marie Crocker’s dream come true–until the glitter gun used to make her Shih Tzu tutus becomes a murder weapon. And Lacy becomes public enemy #1.

Now Detective Jack Oliver is hounding Lacy, and her Furry Godmother investor wants out before his name is tarnished by association. To make matters worse, a string of jewel heists with suspicious ties to the murder case has New Orleans residents on edge. To save her dream, Lacy must take a stand, put her keen eyes to work, and unravel what really happened at her shop that night. But can Lacy sniff out the killer cat burglar in time to get her tail-raising designs on the catwalk?


My thoughts

Cat Got Your Diamonds is an entertaining, well-written cozy mystery that’s full of southern charm. The author conveys a vivid sense of place, especially when it comes to the New Orleans culture. I had no idea who the murderer was and just enjoyed letting the story unfold.

As the story opens, Garden District residents are busy preparing for the upcoming French Quarter Jazz Festival, which included “planning the finest fundraisers and galas for their favorite organizations and charities, including Animal Elegance.” Lacy has just opened her new specialty shop called Furry Godmother – a custom pet boutique and organic, animal-friendly bakery. The idea of making couture clothing for animals, as well as the New Orleans setting, was so foreign to me that I found it fascinating.

Lacy is a complex and very appealing protagonist. I loved how relationships play such an important part in this story. Lacy is the daughter of wealthy parents, and that creates difficulty as her mom’s “old money” and her dad’s “new money” conflict with each other. I admired Lacy’s refusal to accept her parents’ financial help, wanting to prove herself – and found her closeness to her father touching. There’s even an element of romance with two different guys. I’m pulling for a certain one, but have no idea what will develop as the series progresses.

There’s an ever-present humor that is delightful. Lacy exhibits lots of southern charm, one example being that she had “learned years ago why all the fancy ladies kept gardens. They could rip weeds out by the roots and pound gloved fists against the earth when they really wanted to scream and swear.”

I appreciated that Cat Got Your Diamonds is a fun, clean read.  It will be interesting to see how the characters develop in future books.

Recommended.

_________________________

Julie Chase is a mystery-loving pet enthusiast who hopes to make readers smile. She lives in rural Ohio with her husband and three small children. Julie is a member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) and Sisters in Crime (SinC). She is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyons Literary Agency. Julie also writes as Julie Anne Lindsey.

Facebook │ Twitter │ Website │ Goodreads

Purchase Links:  Amazon │ BAM! │ IndieBound

I was provided a free copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

____________________

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Review (+ Tour Giveaway): Five Dog Voodoo

Five Dog Voodoo
By Lia Farrell
A Mae December Mystery #5
Camel Press, 2016


Summary

As Halloween approaches, engaged couple Mae December and Sheriff Ben Bradley have devoted all their energy to Ben’s campaign for reelection as sheriff of Rose County, Tennessee. The race is already too close to call when the sheriff’s office is hit with yet another maddeningly tricky murder case. In recent years the town of Rosedale has had more than its fair share of murders, a fact Ben’s smarmy opponent is all too eager to exploit.

Investigator Dory Clarkson and her friend, Counselor Evangeline Bon Temps, are visiting the mysterious Voodoo village when a resident tells them her granddaughter, Zoé Canja, is missing. Her dog, a Weimaraner nursing four pups, escapes the house and finds the young woman’s body in a shallow grave. Evangeline becomes Sheriff Ben Bradley’s unofficial consultant because her grandmother in Haiti and later her mother in New Orleans practiced Voodoo. A threatening symbol is left on the pavement by Dory’s front door, effectively banning her from the case. Evangeline and the sheriff’s office ask too many questions, and Evangeline soon wears out her welcome. Voodoo curses aside, Ben’s job is at stake, and no one associated with the case is safe until the killer is found.

Book 5 in the Mae December Mystery series, which began with One Dog Too Many.


My thoughts

Five Dog Voodoo is an excellent story, one of my favorites in the cozy mystery genre. While the title initially gave me pause, the description caught my interest – and I’ve discovered what looks to be a great series. It’s extremely well written, with no unnecessary descriptions or repetition of thoughts as filler, and moves at a quick pace. Setting is atmospheric, plot is multilayered, and an appealing ensemble cast adds much depth. This book can stand alone, but I’m eager to read the four previous stories and hope for more to come.

Weimaraner

The setting moves between the small Tennessee town of Rosedale and the Voodoo Village located close by, which literally becomes a major character. My knowledge of voodoo is minimal, and the authors did a masterful job at bringing this group of people and their beliefs to life. Sheriff Ben Bradley’s murder investigation is complicated by the people’s secretiveness and belief that they are outside the law. I found the secondary plot involving Chief Detective Wayne Nichols emotional and poignant. And Erzuline, a Weimaraner that Mae takes in while she is nursing her pups, simply stole my heart.

The mystery itself is well plotted – and I loved how, rather than being overly suspenseful, it involved the logical, step-by-step gathering of facts. It was easy to follow and held my attention throughout.

I was especially drawn to Evangeline, whose Voodoo background was invaluable in helping to solve the case. Her words to Wayne also made these people feel so real: “Although the Voodoo Village is a curiosity to most of us, to the people who live there it’s a paradise, a sacred space of safety and community.” The scenes involving the fête mori, a festival honoring the dead, were vivid and haunting. It was at this festival that Evangeline strongly felt the pull of the Voodoo culture, and I loved the way that struggle played out at the end.

Five Dog Voodoo is all that a cozy mystery should be and I enjoyed it greatly. It is basically a clean read, with only a few instances of mild profanity and some of the characters living together being the only negatives for me.

Highly recommended.

_________________________

Lia Farrell is the nom de plume for a mother/daughter duo of writers. Mom Lyn Farquhar and Daughter Lisa Fitzsimmons have been collaborating on the Mae December mystery series for four years.

        Lyn Farquhar taught herself to read before starting school and honed her story telling abilities by reading to her little sister. Ultimately, her mother ended the reading sessions because Lyn’s sister decided she preferred being read to over learning to read herself. She fell in love with library books at the age of six when a Bookmobile came to her one-room rural elementary school. The day the Bookmobile arrived, Lyn decided she would rather live in the bookmobile than at home and was only ousted following sustained efforts by her teacher and the bookmobile driver.
        Lyn graduated from Okemos High School in Michigan and got her college and graduate degrees from Michigan State University. She has a master’s degree in English literature and a Ph.D. in Education, but has always maintained that she remained a student for such a long time only because it gave her an excuse to read. Lyn holds the rank of Professor of Medical Education at Michigan State University and has authored many journal articles, abstracts and research grants. Since her retirement from MSU to become a full time writer, she has completed a Young Adult Fantasy trilogy called Tales of the Skygrass Kingdom. Volume I from the trilogy is entitled Journey to Maidenstone and is available on amazon.com. Lyn has two daughters and six step children, nine granddaughters and three grandsons. She also has two extremely spoiled Welsh Corgi’s. Her hobby is interior design and she claims she has the equivalent of a master’s degree from watching way too many decorating shows.

        Lisa Fitzsimmons grew up in Michigan and was always encouraged to read, write and express herself artistically. She was read aloud to frequently. Throughout her childhood and teenage years, she was seldom seen without a book in hand. After becoming a mom at a young age, she attended Michigan State University in a tri-emphasis program with concentrations in Fine Art, Art History an Interior Design.
        Lisa, with her husband and their two children, moved to North Carolina for three exciting years and then on to Tennessee, which she now calls home. She has enjoyed an eighteen year career as a Muralist and Interior Designer in middle Tennessee, but has always been interested in writing. Almost five years ago, Lisa and her mom, Lyn, began working on a writing project inspired by local events. The Mae December Mystery series was born.
        Lisa, her husband and their three dogs currently divide their time between beautiful Northern Michigan in the summertime and middle Tennessee the rest of the year. She and her husband feel very blessed that their “empty nest” in Tennessee is just a short distance from their oldest, who has a beautiful family of her own. Their youngest child has settled in Northern Michigan, close to their cabin there. Life is good.

Website │ Blog │ Goodreads │ Facebook

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Purchase Links:  Amazon B&N

I was provided a free copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

GIVEAWAY

Please click on this link and share my Facebook post, then enter below to win an e-book copy of Five Dog Voodoo.

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Review + Giveaway: A Convenient Christmas Wedding

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

A Convenient Christmas Wedding

(Frontier Bachelors #5)
by Regina Scott

Christian Historical Romance

Paperback & ebook, 288 pages

November 8th 2016 by Love Inspired

The Marriage Agreement

Proposing a marriage of convenience to a rugged logger is the boldest move of Nora Underhill's sheltered life. In return for Simon Wallin's protection from her overbearing family, the unassuming seamstress offers prime frontier farmland. But their paper marriage changes when Nora's greedy brother tries to draw her back into a life of drudgery. Her only option: move to Simon's farm, and into the center of his loving, unruly family.

Years of shouldering responsibility have left Simon cynical and reserved. But little by little, Nora's warmth opens his shuttered heart to joy. With their marriage claim under threat, can this practical arrangement blossom over the holidays…and become a love for all seasons?

Fifth book in the Frontier Bachelors series, following The Bride Ship, Would-Be Wilderness Wife, Frontier Engagement, and Instant Frontier Family. Frontier Bachelors: Bold, rugged, and bound to be grooms.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin

My Thoughts

I ask mercy… Mercy for mistakes, flaws, problems.

Mercy for things undone, words unsaid.

Was such mercy available to him?

- Simon

_________________________

Regina Scott has created a delightful group of stories in the Frontier Bachelors series, all of which blend together a beautiful outdoor setting, multilayered characters, humor, tender romance, and spiritual themes. A Convenient Christmas Wedding, set in the Lake Union region of Washington Territory during December of 1866, features the large Wallin family that I have come to love. This is Simon’s story, the musician of the family who touched me so much back in Would-Be Wilderness Bride (click on title to see my review).

Nora, a talented seamstress, is determined to distance herself from her controlling brother and sister-in-law. I loved the subtlety with which the romance between Simon and Nora is conveyed, often through shared glances, gentle touches, etc. The book’s cover reflects a Christmas spirit that is beautifully woven throughout, and the Christmas play is especially moving. The humor that is a trademark of Regina’s writing kept me smiling, and as for the three-legged cow and talking dog … well, you’ll just have to read all about them yourself.

Characters from previous stories appear, but this book can stand alone.  A Convenient Christmas Wedding is one of my favorite stories in the series, and I just can’t get enough of the Wallin family. Within the Love Inspired line, 5 stars. Highly recommend.

Regina Scott started writing novels in the third grade. Thankfully for literature as we know it, she didn't actually sell her first novel until she had learned a bit more about writing such as vocabulary, sentence structure, and plot. After numerous short stories and articles in magazines and trade journals, she got serious about her novel writing. The Unflappable Miss Fairchild was her first novel to be published (March 1998).

Besides her novels, Regina Scott has had published three Regency novellas ("The June Bride Conspiracy" in His Blushing Bride, "Sweeter Than Candy" in A Match for Mother, and "A Place by the Fire" in Mistletoe Kittens). Two of her novels, A Dangerous Dalliance and The Twelve Days of Christmas, have been translated into German. A Dangerous Dalliance and The Incomparable Miss Compton have been translated into Italian. Starstruck and Perfection have been translated into Dutch.

Regina Scott and her husband are the parents of two sons. They reside in the Tri-Cities of southeast Washington State and are members of the Church of the Nazarene. Born in 1959 and raised in the Seattle area, Regina Scott is a graduate of the University of Washington. She comes by her writing talent naturally--both her parents are excellent writers in their vocations as teacher and electrical technician. Her mother envisioned the plot for "Sweeter Than Candy," the novella which was written as a tribute to her. 

Regina Scott is a devout Christian and a decent fencer; owns a historical, fantasy, and science fiction costume collection that currently takes up over a third of her large closet; and has been known to impersonate an independent consultant specializing in risk communication.

Website│Blog│Goodreads│Facebook│Pinterest

Tour Giveaway

- 1 winner will receive: Signed copies of Would-Be Wilderness Wife (which introduced Simon Wallin, the hero of A Convenient Christmas Wedding) and Instant Frontier Family (which introduced Nora Underhill, the heroine of A Convenient Christmas Wedding), and a set of pioneer Christmas ornaments that say "Joy, Peace, Love."
- US only

- Ends November 18th

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