Her One and Only by Becky Wade

Becky Wade's fourth novel in her "Porter Family" series, Her One and Only, was a wonderful read. I only wish I had read the first three books in the series prior to reading this one. While the book reads fine by itself, I felt like I missed a lot by not reading the others first.

This book surprised me. The cover conveys that it is a fun, sweet romance but the first page told me something totally different. It has suspense written all over it. Here is the first line of this novel:

"Dru lifted her handgun, leveling it on Gray's stalker as she rushed forward through the crowd."

Yep! It definitely was suspense filled and I loved it! The first sentence pulled me into the story where I stayed, happily turning each page until the very end.

The characters of Dru Porter and Gray Fowler were well created. Dru, while trying to prove she's tough, is also sweet with a love of family, friends and others. Gray is a professional NFL player who has a stalker on his heels but he isn't really keen on having a female body guard. At least not in the beginning.

If I had to say one negative thing about this book it is the cover is misleading. But that is still okay because I do love a good suspense novel.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good clean read with a little bit of suspense mixed in.

On a 5-Star Scale - 4.5 Stars!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity and Bethany House for my copy of Her One and Only. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

CFBA - Once Upon a Winter's Heart by Melody Carlson

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Once Upon a Winter's Heart

Center Street (January 7, 2014)


by

Melody Carlson


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults--with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards.

She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Emma Burcelli has suffered over a decade of dating disasters. But she concludes that love is officially dead when her grandfather Poppi suddenly passes, leaving her grandmother Nona devastated. To help out, Emma works in the family bookstore, which Nona insists must be decked out in sweetheart décor as Poppi would have done for Valentine's Day. Although she feels like a V-Day Scrooge, Emma quickly learns to enjoy the task with the help of a handsome family friend, Lane Forester, who shows her that hanging hearts is much more fun when done to the tune of Dean Martin. As Emma and Lane share time and memories of Poppi, she reconsiders the notion that romance is alive.




If you would like to read the first chapter of Once Upon a Winter's Heart, go HERE.



My Thoughts:

When I began reading Once Upon a Winter's Heart I was a bit concerned as the reader isn't introduced to the male lead until page 28. I usually like to make 'his' acquaintance earlier than later, but in this book it worked. Once I met Lane Forester, I was smitten.

The story is centered around Valentine's Day. Emma Burcelli has come home to help her grandmother out after her grandfather passes away.  Her grandfather loved decorating their book store for every holiday and with Valentines Day quickly approaching, Emma tells her grandmother that she will do the decorating. Emma is a scrooge and would rather toss the decorations in the trash, but in walks a friend of her family, Lane Forester who soon has her believing romance can be real. 

I loved this simple little book by Melody Carlson.  It is only 155 pages and I completed reading it in just a few hours.  I would highly recommend it to anyone who would like a quick clean romance. 

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Center Street for my copy of Once Upon a Winter's Heart. I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

On a 5 Star Scale - 4 1/2 Stars!!!!

Smiles & Blessings,

If the Shoe Fits by Sandra D. Bricker - My Review and Giveaway

I have to say that the story of Cinderella has always been a favorite of mine. So when I was given the opportunity of reading If the Shoe Fits I jumped at the chance since I heard it was based on the story of Cinderella. The fact that the author was Sandra D. Bricker was another reason to read the book as she has a knack of creating fun and entertaining stories.

If the Shoe Fits is the story of childhood friends, Julianne Bartlett and Will Hanes both attorneys who, as the story begins, have just opened up their own law practice together. Will has loved Julianne from childhood but Julianne only sees him as her best friend.  Julianne believes that her Prince Charming is out there and one day he will come and sweep her off her feet. In the opening scene, Julianne sees who she believes is her true Prince Charming and she takes it as a sign from God that he is the one for her.  What transpires afterwards is true Sandra D. Bricker magic as she creates a fairy tale world based in reality.

Ms. Bricker's characters are believable and draw you into their world with no coaxing at all. You find yourself part of their world and sorry when you have to say goodbye. The Christian thread was not overpowering and I felt that there was a moral to the story.  I felt the moral was "when we step out of the way and allow God to open our eyes to His plan we will find our dream come true".

I would highly recommend If the Shoe Fits to anyone who loves to read.  It is a laugh-out-loud masterpiece of pure delight.

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 Hilarious Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Moody Publishers for my review copy. I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

* * * * * * * * * 

************ GIVEAWAY RULES  ************

1.  Giveaway is open to US and Canada

2.  No PO Boxes please.

3.  You MUST be a Google Friends Connect follower of my blog (please be sure to leave the name you follow under in your comment)

4.  For extra entries you may do one or all of the following:

    -- become an email subscriber +1

    -- invite a friend to become a follower of my blog.  If they become a follower & mention your name, you will both receive 2 extra entries

5. Include an email address where I can reach you if you are selected as the winner of this giveaway.  Please enter your email address in this format    winner[at]yahoo[dot]com

Giveaway will run through October 5th and the winner will be selected using Random.Org

Smiles & Blessings,