The Valiant Hearts Collection Review

The Valiant Hearts Collection is a group of short novellas that tell about love, trials, and span through a part of history that must have been difficult to live in from civil war through the depression. These stories are great for reading when you have not much time to devote to a full length novel. They add just enough to give you a taste though some you wish you could have a bit more of the story. There were a couple stories that I had a hard time finishing but everyone has different tastes. Ashes was a great story by MaryLu Tyndall. Overall it is a great collection.

A copy of this collection was given to me by Barbour Books for my honest review.

The Courageous Brides Collection Review

This is a collection of short novellas dedicated to Courageous Brides and their stories. This is the type of book that I like to read while waiting to pick up my son from school or a quick read before bed. They are fun to read and short. Most of the stories I liked like the Doctor's Woman. A couple I had a hard time finishing but everyone has different tastes. They are full of adventure for women in the 1800's.  So if you are like me, and sometimes have only time to read a short romantic adventure, then these help fill in that time.

A Copy of this collection was provided to me by Barbour Books for my honest opinion.

Kiss the Bride Book Review

This is a collection of three novella's about lost love, new love, and a high school crush turns into love. Picture Perfect caught my attention right away as Jenna is confronted with her past when her ex-fiance Ashton turns up on her doorstep after two years. I love that Ashton finds out how he handled things badly with Jenna and strives to right the wrongs from the past. I Hope You Can Dance is about Skye, a dance instructor who meets Grant, a reformed cowboy. Grant finds that he is ready to settle down and finds himself instantly drawn to Skye but is scared that she will accept him even though he was a bad boy in the past. Skye feels drawn to Grant and wonders if love can happen so fast. Love On a Deadline is about MacKenzie who dreamed of football star Ethan Channing most of her teenage years He was popular and never really saw her. Ethan moved away after the passing of his father and she thought she would never see him again. Ten years later, Ethan moves back to Red Leaf and MacKenzie fights her high school crush feelings all over again. The only difference this time is that Ethan notices MacKenzie and love finds roots.

I liked reading all three stories. They were lighthearted and sweet. Love On a Deadline was the favorite for me. Maybe it has something to do with memories of my own high school crush. I think all of us ladies can relate to that story. I received a complimentary copy of Kiss the Bride from Zondervan on NetGalley for my honest review.

An Elegant Facade Book Review

Colin McCrae lives the life on the edge of society. His life is about business and strives to prove himself worth knowing even if he is beneath society. His friendships with the Duke of Marshington and the Duke of Riverton keep his normal sane life in constant upheaval. He is thrown into helping his best friend the Duke of Marshington win love. Through it all, he is drawn to the Duke of Riverton's youngest sister who seems a spoiled calculating girl. As he delves deeper, he observes a fragile heart trying to protect a great secret.

Lady Georgina Hawthorne has a purpose and that is to find the most advantageous match. She will do everything she can to find the man who will marry her by the end of her first season. She has planned and prepared for it for years. She must do this so that she will be protected once her secret is known.

I read the previous novella, Lady of Esteem and book, A Noble Masquerade which I loved. An Elegant Facade continues the story in the Noble Masquerade but you see more of Colin's side of being pulled in to help the Duke of Marshington. You also see his first impressions of Georgina which I have to say I was in agreement with from reading about her in A Noble Masquerade. I was astonished at how she became more real by the end of An Elegant Facade. I loved the barbs that went between Colin and her through the story. The end made me smile. Can I just say that Colin was just wonderful? All the men in these stories are fun to read about. I hope that we get to read about the Duke of Riverton and Lord Trent finding love. These books are definitely going in my favorites.

I received a complimentary copy of from Bethany House Publishers on Net Galley for my honest opinion and review.

No Other Will Do Book Review

Malachi Shaw is a orphan trying hard to make his way in life. He meets Emma Chandler who saves his life and wins his heart when they are young. Years later, Emma tries to set up a woman's colony but finds trouble. Her only possible hope of defeating it is asking Malachi to come to her aid. He drops everything to find a way to save her from her trouble. Sparks fly when they both see each other grown up. That attraction long buried surfaces and both struggle to fight it.

I have to say that I enjoyed this story. The characters were well developed. I liked how Malachi was the orphan who still felt he had something to prove. Emma seemed so strong yet she wasn't complete until Malachi helped her to dig down deep to find her strength. I loved the ladies from the woman's colony. I laughed and cheered throughout the book. The romance was sweet and made me smile. I hope we get to read more about Tori and Mr. Porter. Something tells me there could be a story there.

I was given a copy to read from Bethany House for my honest review.

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.