The Beautiful Pretender Book Review

The Margrave of Thornbeck must marry and so he asks ladies from other lands to join him for a house party for two weeks so he can choose his bride. Avelina is asked to pretend to be one of the Ladies and embarks on a journey to a new land. She must ensure that she is not picked or she will loose all that she was promised.

I caught a glimpse of Margrave in The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest and was excited to see his story put to page. I really liked Margrave's gruffness as it reminded me of Beauty and the Beast. He tries so hard not too like Avelina but finds he is drawn to her and wants to know her. Avelina is drawn to Margrave but fights it by throwing up walls hoping he will choose one of the other young ladies. The story pulled me in and it was fun to watch them find their hearts. 

This story is entertaining and romantic. Definitely a good clean read. I was given a copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers for a honest review.

The Relunctant Duchess Review

Brice Myerston, Duke of Nottingham has just lost his father and wants nothing more than to relax and figure out his next plans in apprehending those who tried to harm his friends. Instead he is caught in a parsons trap and follows through with marriage to a Highlander girl who is broken and needs his help more than ever.

Lady Rowena Kinnaird comes from an abusive home where she has lost much of herself. She finds herself becoming more of a shell and longs to escape her life. Her only hope lies with the Brice Myerston when he offers to marry her.

Once married, two strangers work to find a means to overcome their differences, past hurts, rare gems, and those who would destroy their marriage.

This is the second book in the Ladies of the Manor series. I enjoyed reading this continuation of the story. I really felt for Rowena and all she suffered. I thought Brice was incredible with all the patience and faith he had to help her overcome her fears. I liked how Brice may have seemed the perfect man, but there were weaknesses even he had that he never realized. There is a lot of adventure, mystery, and romance as there was with the first. I recommend this for anyone looking for those things to read.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through Net Galley for my honest review.

A Daring Sacrifice Review

Julianna is not the Lady she was supposed to be. Robbed of her birthright from her uncle and cousin she hates more than anything, she fights to provide for her people against their tyranny. She is headstrong and feisty. She robs the rich to feed her people without concern for her life. She makes one decision to rob the one who sees her through her disguise and longs to see the woman within.

Lord Collin Goodrich is back home from serving with the Noblest Knight. He is used to purpose and now his life has no purpose. He has all the wealth he needs, but lacks the entertainment he craves. He is at a loss with what to do with himself until he meets a robber unlike any robber he has ever encountered. Suddenly he is very curious about this woman who fights to survive along with her people.

This is the second book in a series by Jody Hedlund. It is a light read full of adventure and romance. Collin and Julianna's story is definitely worth the read. I enjoyed their banter back and forth. The characters are well defined. If you read the first book, An Uncertain Choice, you will know a bit of Collin before. I have read both books and enjoyed both. I must admit that Sir Derrick is definitely my favorite of the three knights so far. I like Collin but Derrick is more rugged and mysterious. I look forward to reading about Sir Bennet in her next book.

I received a copy courtesy from Zondervan Publishers through Net Galley for my honest opinion.

Her One and Only Book Review!

Grey Fowler is the typical football player with talent, looks and attitude. He just has two problems. A stalker who is threatening him and a woman on his security team. Which one is the biggest thorn in his side? The woman, Dru Porter of course. Dru is ex-marine and ready to prove herself as a top notch  "Executive Protective Agent". She won't take his attitude and he won't take her orders. Sparks fly between the two with an undercurrent of attraction. As each of them begin to learn more about each other and their pasts, the walls of protectiveness crumble with a chance at love for each of them.

I have read all of the Porter Stories. This one is just as good as the others. I really liked Dru. She is exactly what I would expect being raised with those porter boys. She was tough but Grey brought out her girl side. Grey won me over quickly once you got past his cocky attitude and saw what was beneath. His past was so heartbreaking to read.

I also thank the author for the Bo and Meg's finish to their story. I must admit I cried during that part and I am very happy with how it ends. Just between you and me, Bo will always be my favorite of three Porters.

This book is a great stand alone book, but if you start with this one, I know you will want to read about Dru's brothers. I highly recommend this book to those looking for a sweet romance that is clean and has a bit of mystery. I received my copy of the book courtesy of Bethany House on Net Galley for my honest review.

A Great Regency Adventure

Nicholas Langdon is unwillingly pulled in to find french sympathizers who will do harm to those fighting the war on the continent for England. In doing so, he meets Julia Grey who is orphaned and relies on the kindness of relations known as the Wilherns. Julia Grey is accomplished and very much the lady. She fights an attraction to Nicholas though her cousin wishes him for herself. Nicholas fights his attraction for Julia though he is trying to get closer to the Wilherns through her cousin. The Wilherns are under suspicion and it will take both Julia and Nicholas to find whether the Wilherns are indeed working with the French.

I enjoyed this book. It is well written with intrigue, adventure, and a bit of romance. The characters were well thought out and I felt a connection to each of them. If you want a good, clean adventure with romance to read on a rainy afternoon, this would be the book for you. It is a story I could read again and add to my library.

I received a free copy of this book by Netgalley and gave it my honest and unbiased opinion.

Julia Midwinter is a girl trying to find herself and happiness. She feels she is confined by her inheritance and the small town she resides in. She looks for anything that may take her away from the pain of being from her family and home. Alec Valcourt, dancing master moves to Devonshire with his mother and sister. Alec strives to build a career for himself to provide for his family with obstacles constantly in his way.

It took me awhile to be pulled into this story. I had a hard time relating to Alec and Julia. The author was very detailed about these two, but there was just a little lag in the beginning. Once I got through half the book, I saw the characters take more substance though I was disappointed in the lack of wanting a bit more spark between them. The mystery of Julia's birth took forever to come to light and overall I just wanted to see more with other characters relationships.

Overall it was a good read but I wished for a little more romance. I received a complimentary free copy from Bethany House Publishing for my honest opinion of the book.

A Simple Change Book Review

This is the story of Jancey Rhoder who's world is turned upside down when her parents decide to return to their childhood roots of Amana colonies. Jancey knows that she needs to follow her parents to this unknown world to take care of her ailing mother, but her heart longs to teach the orphans. She also walks away from a possible marriage to go to the Amana colonies. There she learns about a different life of hard work and lots of faith. She meets friends and finds conflict in her attraction to another young man named Ritt when she still does not know what to do with her former beau, Nathan who manages to complicate things by showing up in the Amana Colonies to woo her back to her former life.

Jancey's life gets more complicated as mistakes are made and trust is given to the wrong person. She finds herself a keeper of secrets and her ability to find a solution harder to find. Jancey finds the peace and love she craves in the end.

I must admit that this is the first book I have read that deals with the Amana colonies so that kept my interest to learn the nature of how they survive with the simplicity of life. I thought that the author was very knowledgeable on this subject. The plot itself is what I struggled with. I admire Jancey sacrificing all to go with her parents to take care of her mother. I had a hard time with Jancey and Nathan's relationship. She felt that a time of separation would tell whether things would work out between them, but later on she felt in her relationship with Ritt that separation would break their chance of a relationship. To me the plot was predictable. Also her relationship with her parents seemed to be so important to her that I found it odd that she would not confide in her parents or seek their advice until near the end of the story. I felt the story could have had a bit more romance in it as well.

It was a one time read for me. I was given a free copy of this book from Bethany House for my honest opinion.