Showing posts with label Gentle Read. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gentle Read. Show all posts

6.30.2023

Her Only Wish ~ Review

Her Only Wish
A Season in Pinecraft #2
By Shelley Shepard Gray

Her Only Wish follows Betsy Detweiler, whom we were introduced to in Her Heart's Desire. Betsy has decided to return to Pinecraft, Florida, in an attempt to get out from under the excessive hovering of her family. As a young girl Betsy's asthma more than once led to her being hospitalized, and her parents have never gotten over the fear of nearly losing her. But Betsy needs to break out on her own, to convince her parents that she can handle life. She has a life list and has given herself a month to fulfill as much of it as possible.

First up on Betsy's list taking golf lessons so that she can play a round of golf. Her first foray into the world of golf finds her in the middle of the green at Snow Bird Golf Course, which isn't the safest place to be. Fortunately for her, she is spotted by August Troyer, who just so happens to be who she needs to talk to when it comes to playing golf and taking lessons. Meeting August just might be the best thing to happen to her as they both connect and quickly form a friendship that could become something more with time.

Soon Betsy meets Annie, who, with her sister Danielle has the means to help Betsy mark another item off her life list. Learning to swim is up next. But we are also given a chance to get to know Annie, who is rediscovering her sister. Where Annie and Danielle are concerned, it is interesting how Annie's observations about Danielle differed from what was taking place in her life. 

This is an excellent read. There are emotional highs and lows as the various characters work through the issues they are each facing. I enjoyed getting to know each character, and revisiting some of the characters from the first book in the series was fun. This is a book that gently pulls one into it. There isn't a sudden drop into the life-shattering action, but rather a pleasant stroll onto the beach. If you want a pleasant read that will help you unwind, I would recommend this. Depending on the character, you will either love them or wish they would log out of Skype. (You'll need to read the book to get it, but yeah, just get off Skype.)

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own. 


About the Book:
Return to Pinecraft, Florida, for a Sweet Amish Romance

Sheltered yet adventurous, Betsy Detweiler is on a mission to get out of Kentucky and experience new things in life. She's got a list--a life list. What better place to start than with her friends in beautiful Pinecraft, Florida?

From the moment Betsy walks into the Snow Bird Golf Course to sign up for lessons, August Troyer is mesmerized. Betsy is a mass of contradictions--beautiful yet awkward, outgoing yet unsure, joyful yet hesitant. She's like no one he's ever met before, and as the only child of missionary parents, he's met a lot of people.

As Betsy and August embark on a month of enjoying life to the fullest, they'll encounter several reasons to back off and play it safe. But playing it safe has its own consequences. This tender romance reminds us that life--and love--requires a fair amount of risk.

1.12.2023

A Winter at the White Queen ~ Review

A Winter at the White Queen
Romance at the Gilded Age Resorts #1
By Denise Weimer

What more can I say other than this was a delightful book to read? Well, obviously I can say more because I read and enjoyed this book. First Ellie Hastings is an orphan who is at the beck-and-call of her wealthier relations who took her in all those years ago. Her aunt almost sees Ellie as staff with how she treats her. And worse she can't live her own life until her youngest cousin is secure in a proper engagement and worse Ellie has to discover any potential suitor's worth and potential. 

When the Hastings family winters over in Florida, Ellie is suppose to uncover Mr. Lewis Thornton's eligibility, and unless he is married he is fair game in Aunt Florence's opinion.

But there is something that Lewis Thornton is hiding and Ellie is determined to find out just what that is. And when Aunt Florence's diamond necklace goes missing Ellie has her own suspicions as to who is guilty of the crime.

This is a lovely book that falls in both clean and gentle reading. The setting is Florida's winter social season during the Gilded Age. If you are a fan of Love Finds You In historical fiction or the Doors to the Past series, you will LOVE this book. This is the first book in a new series that I'm interested in seeing what happens next. This was my first introduction to Denise Weimer and I was not disappointed in what I read. I highly recommend it to fans of Historical Fiction. And if nothing else, judge this book by its cover - you won't regret it!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but the I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.


In the world of the wealthy,
things are never quite as they appear.

About the Book:
Ellie Hastings is tired of playing social gatekeeper—and poor-relation companion—to her Gibson Girl of a cousin. But her aunt insists Ellie lift her nose out of her detective novel long enough to help gauge the eligibility of bachelors during the winter social season at Florida’s Hotel Belleview. She finds plenty that’s mysterious about the suave, aloof Philadelphia inventor, Lewis Thornton. Why does he keep sneaking around the hotel? Does he have a secret sweetheart? And what is his connection to the evasive Mr. Gaspachi, slated to perform at Washington’s Birthday Ball?

Ellie’s comical sleuthing ought to put Lewis out, but the diffident way her family treats her smashes a hole in his normal reserve. But when Florence Hastings’ diamond necklace goes missing, Ellie’s keen mind threatens to uncover not only Lewis’s secrets, but give him back hope for love.

11.10.2022

A Nanny for the Rancher's Twins ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog + Review Blitz for 
A Nanny for the Rancher's Twins by Heidi Main,

A Nanny for the Rancher's TwinsA Nanny for the Rancher's Twins 
By Heidi Main

Laney Taylor has plans for her late aunt and uncle's ranch, and they don't involve allowing the neighbor's cattle to roam everywhere freely. But Ethan McCaw isn't about to give up on the land that he has been leasing. If he hopes to keep his family's ranch going, he needs to convince Laney to change her mind. Which is easier said than done. 

Laney and Ethan are both focused on pursuing their dream - Ethan of keeping his ranch as a family business and Laney turning her ranch into a wedding venue. But Ethan needs to access to Laney's land that he has been leasing the rights to for years. And Laney needs the land for her wedding venues but she also needs the funds the lease provides. Can they reach a compromise? Or will both their dreams and goals be lost to them forever?

When Ethan offers his assistance in exchange for six weeks of help with his three-year-old twin daughters, neither he nor Laney expected anything but a mutually beneficial short-term deal. Neither expected to have their hearts get involved. And that just won't do as both have a history of relationship failures that have made them vow never again. But twin girls didn't figure into their equations. 

A Nanny for the Rancher's Twins finds two people who are more than a little surprised to find that achieving their dream just may cost the other their dream. Is it possible for dreams to change? Can a compromise be worked out so that both can come true? 

Throughout, Laney and Ethan are struggling with betrayals in their pasts that are keeping them from accepting what they truly want in life. Can the betrayals have caused too much distrust and raised too many walls to ever be breached? And what if there are two adorable three-year-old heart-stealing twins involved?

This is a sweet contemporary book that deals with a whole lot of past hurts that have kept both Ethan and Laney from seeking out love. But sometimes, what our head tells us is safe disagrees with what the heart wants. And overcoming past hurts and betrayals can be a major hindrance in living life to its fullest. But how does one change? How can trying to be safe actually cause more hurt than good? These are the issues that the two are left to try to figure out, and we, as readers, are brought along on their journey. I think it is interesting how they are trying to allow two vastly different businesses to work together in the same area - a wedding venue and a cattle ranch. Living next door to cattle, I can just imagine the cleaning that would need doing before anyone in a wedding dress would want to wear their dress in that field, no matter how beautiful the view from the hilltop. Just saying cows can be a tad messy! Overall this was a nice read with not a lot of anything other than normal day-to-day living and the unexpected problems that it can bring, which admittedly can, at times, be overwhelming.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion, all thoughts expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: A Nanny for the Rancher's Twins 
Author: Heidi Main 
Publisher: Love Inspired 
Release Date: October 25, 2022 
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Returning to small-town Texas was her fresh start.

She never expected a ready-made family. 

What could be better than running a rustic wedding venue? Event planner Laney Taylor has it all laid out…except for the serious renovations her inherited property needs. Rancher Ethan McCaw will help—but only if she’ll nanny his toddler twins. Laney’s all about planning weddings for others and shielding her own heart, but Ethan, Zoe and Tori might be just the ones to change her mind…

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heidi Main

Heidi Main writes sweet inspirational romance novels set in small towns. Though she lives in central North Carolina’s suburbs, she dreams of acreage and horseback riding, which is why her novels include wide-open ranches and horses. Before starting her writing career, Heidi worked with computers and taught Jazzercise. A perfect Saturday is lounging on the deck with her husband and watching the many birds in their backyard.

Connect with Heidi by visiting heidimain.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.




TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and a print copy of A Nanny for the Rancher's Twins.

(1) additional winner will receive a $10 gift card and a print copy of the book.

A Nanny for the Rancher's Twins JustRead GIveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 9, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 16, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

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A Nanny for the Ranchers Twins JustRead Blog + Review Blitz 

11.29.2021

Their Yuletide Healing ~ Review

Their Yuletide Healing

Their Yuletide Healing 
Bliss, Texas#4

by Mindy Obenhaus

They deserve a perfect Christmas...
and Max and Maggie's foster mom Rae Girard is prepared to do everything in her power to ensure that they get it. But how to reach two children traumatized by the abuse they saw will take some work and maybe some help. And Rae doesn't do help easily.  

When Bliss's Mistletoe Ball lands in the middle of her life Rae is less than thrilled, especially when Cole Heinsohn is asked to "help" her pull it all together. Cole is everything Rae isn't aloof, grim, unsocial, and not a fan of Christmas. How such a person is expected to help is beyond Rae's imagination, but Cole proves to be a surprise especially when he takes an active interest in both Max and Maggie.

Romance is something neither Rae nor Cole is interested in due to their painful pasts so of course one expects that to go out the window. And what follows is a sweet story of care, concern, and a chance at family. Their Yuletide Healing is one of those leave-you-happy books though there are a few times you may want to have a tissue or two nearby. A perfect book to get you in the holiday spirit. And there is even a special visit with Santa that is more than a little touching.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Their Yuletide Healing 
Series: Bliss, Texas 
Author: Mindy Obenhaus 
Publisher: Love Inspired 
Release Date: November 30, 2021 
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance 

As her plans unravel, can she give her children what they truly need? 

Foster mom Rae Girard’s determined to make her children’s first Christmas with her the best they’ve ever had—and she’s shocked when the town scrooge, attorney Cole Heinsohn, offers to pitch in. Rae’s young charges have melted Cole’s heart, and he wants them to experience the special day he never had. But when disaster strikes, an imperfect holiday might bring them something better: a family…

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | ChristianBook | BookBub

MORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES


Mindy Obenhaus 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups and countless cattle. She’s passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her in the kitchen, spending time with her grandchildren or roaming the ranch in search of inspiration. She’d love to connect with you via her website, mindyobenhaus.com, or on Facebook.

CONNECT WITH MINDY: Website | Facebook | Instagram

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a copy of all four Bliss, Texas series books and a $20 Amazon gift card.

Their Yuletide Healing JustRead Giveaway 
(1) winner will receive a copy of four Bliss, Texas series books and a $20 Amazon gift card. (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics. Instagram is not affiliated with nor responsible for this giveaway. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on December 6, 2021.) 
To Enter, go to my Instagram post and follow @mindy.obenhaus, @justreadtours, & Tag 2 friends in the same comment on this Instagram post or any other hosted post of this tour. Enter up to 3x per post.

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