Monday, July 29, 2024

Romancing the Grumpy by Jenny Proctor review


Title: Romancing The Grump

Author: Jenny Proctor

Ch: 26 plus epilogue

Pg:358

Series: Appies 4

Genre: Rom Com

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: indie

I never thought that any of the Appies would replace Flexi as my favorite. But that was until I read Romancing the Grump and met grumpy Nathan Sanders. Grumpy sunshine has always been one of my favorite tropes. But Nathan was more than just a grumpy hockey player. And of course, Summer’s the exact opposite of him making the banter awesome.

I mean as a rom com you know how it ends but the fun is the journey the characters take to get there. And it doesn’t hurt that he loves his family. Nathan really is a grump with a heart of gold.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Sunday, July 21, 2024

Until Our Time Comes by Nicole M. Miller review

 


Title: Until Our Time Comes

Author: Nicole M Miller
Ch: 49 plus epilogue
Pg: 384
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Rating: 4 stars
Publisher: Revell

Until Our Time Comes is the debut novel by Nicole M. Miller about a part of World War Two history. Involving the Janow Podlaski stables in Poland. This book was the first time I had heard about it. But horse trainer Adia Kensington and Bret Conway bring the story to life.

While you can tell the author did her research and but that it to the book it reads like the historical fiction novel it is and not a history textbook. I felt like I was there with Adia as she tries to save the horses. It felt like I was traveling across Poland with her and eventually farther into Eastern Europe.  And of course it brought history to life for me. I did learn a lot from this book as the only thing I already knew was the bit about the allies making their way east. I can’t wait to see what else this author writes.

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog tour  I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Thursday, May 30, 2024

Love at First book by Jenn McKinley review


Title: Love at First Book


Author: Jenn McKinley


Ch: 23 plus epilogue


Pg: 09:49:02


Genre: Rom Com


Rating: 4 stars


Publisher: Berkley

I loved this hate to love rom com. Emily and Kieran were perfect for each other even if they don’t see it. But it’s the banter between them the keeps the reader turning pages.

Though I listened to the audio book instead of reading. As the audio adds charm t Kieran’s Irish accent and not to mention proper pronunciation of the Irish names.

Now this isn’t just a cute rom com it does deal with some tough issues. There’s a trigger warning for cancer, and difficult parent adult child relationship but the author handles it all respectfully.

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

A Run at Love by Toni Shiloh review


Title: A Run at Love


Author: Toni Shiloh


Ch: 43 plus prologue and epilogue


Pg: 352


Series: Love in the Spotlight book 2


Genre: Christian romance rom com


Rating: 5 stars


Publisher: Bethany House

I never thought that anyone could write a Christian romance or rom com set around horse racing and the Kentucky Derby due to its nature. But Toni Shiloh did,and she was great at writing a story set around the culture with a Christian theme.

Piper McKinney and Tucker Hale are best friends who both grew up around horses and horse racing Piper’s a Black Woman and the transracial adopted daughter I say this because it’s important to Piper’s character and how her story plays out, of the McKinneys and the owners of the thoroughbred farm while Tucker is the son of one of the trainers.

Toni handles the storyline of transracial adoption and Piper being the only Black person in her small town as only she can with grace and truth.

As not only a Kentuckian but a  Louisvillian I’m wary of authors not from here setting their books here, but with Toni I didn’t have to worry she did her research. Even including how to say my city in the books. I also loved that she created a fictional town in a very real county as horse country is well known. But the fictional town feels like it fits. And I love that she included Kentucky’s soft drink.

In the two books I’ve read by Toni I’ve discovered that faith is a huge part of her books. Especially in the character’s life and that of the story. I know want to read the first book in the series and now can’t wait for the third book to release.  

 


 

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Loyally Luke by Pepper Basham review


Title: Loyally Luke


Author: Pepper Basham


Ch: 23


Pg: 384


Series: Skymar book 3


Genre: Christian romance Christian rom com


Rating: 5 stars


Publisher: Thomas Nelson

All I can say with Loyally Luke by Pepper Basham is finally. Not because I wanted the series to end, but because we finally get Luke’s story. And as someone who fell for Luke in the first book, I spent the second book falling deeper. But in Loyally Luke I fell head over heels, what can I say I’m a sucker for a country boy in flannel with a heart of gold. I have to say I love seeing more of Luke in this one.

I have to admit Ellie wasn’t who I pictured Luke falling for he who dislikes the rom com. It was hilarious to see him end up in one. His and Ellie’s meet cute was perfect for him. And there was more than meets the eye to Ellie.

This one gave me a bit of The Princess Diaries vibes and all the movie references. Whoever thought a country boy could charm a princess. But for me it was Luke dropping The Princess Bride quotes into normal conversation. And then accidentally creating what I thought was the perfect country song.

And like all of Peppers books faith is threaded throughout the story and plays out in the characters’ lives. And love that Luke is a man of faith that makes him the perfect hero in my book. That alone would do it but a country boy in flannel makes Luke even more realistic. And a perfect end to the series.

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Sunday, May 26, 2024

The Song of Sourwood Mountain by Ann H Gabhart review


Title: The Song of Sourwood Mountain


Author: Ann H Gabhart


Ch: 41 plus epilogue


Pg: 354

Genre: Christian Historical fiction, Christian Historical romance


Rating: 4 stars


Publisher: Revell

The Song of Sourwood Mountain is the newest Kentucky set book by Ann H Gabhart. I have to say the story reminds me of Christy. In the sense Mira a teacher leaves her life in Louisville to teach in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. Gordon Covington is a preacher who’s convinced Mira is the teacher the town needs.

What I love about Ann’s apart from the fact that she always gets Kentucky right is that her settings become another character in the book. The town of Sourwood the perfect name for a mountain town and even fictional fits perfectly in the hills of Eastern Kentucky. That seemed like a world away from Louisville in 1910. Heck even today it still can feel a world away.

And it was actually the secondary characters especially Ada June who stole my heart. While the book focuses on Mira and Gordon’s story. It is the secondary characters who help shape them and their story. Mira and Gordon wouldn’t be who they are without the people of Sourwood.

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog tour  I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel review


Title: The Irish Matchmaker

Author: Jennifer Deibel

Ch: 30 plus epilogue

Pages: 320

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction, Christian Historical Romance

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Revell


I have to say while not my favorite book by the author I still enjoyed it. I didn’t really like the heroine Catriona at the beginning. Sara the heroes daughter was actually my favorite character. And Donal was such a sweetheart but then I’m a bit of a sucker for the single dad troupe. But the heroine did redeem herself by the end.

I’ve seen readers saying this is a love triangle book, but I didn’t get that vibe even though there’s two guys in the story. That doesn’t mean love triangle that means the author wants to kept the readers on their toes and continuing to read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.