Category Archives: Denise Hunter

April 26, 2022 · 12:01 am

Review: Mulberry Hollow by Denise Hunter

Title: Mulberry Hollow by Denise Hunter
A Riverbend Romance Book Two
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 333 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

When a handsome handyman faces a medical emergency on the Appalachian trail, his sudden appearance in town challenges an ambitious doctor’s plan to remain single for life.

Avery Robinson decided to be a physician after helplessly watching her mother lose a battle with a terrible disease. Now at risk of developing the same illness, Avery guards her heart from love. She’s driven to protect her loved ones as a workaholic doctor in the tiny mountain town of Riverbend Gap, North Carolina.

Contractor Wes Garrett is hiking the Appalachian trail, in memory of the man who died saving his life, when an illness racks his body. After an agonizing fifteen-mile hike to Avery’s clinic, he collapses on her doorstep. He recovers to find himself in debt again—but this time to a beautiful doctor.

When he decides to help her renovate a rundown carriage house, the obstacles to their attraction sprout like weeds—starting with the woman waiting for Wes at the end of the trail. Will he be able to relinquish the debt he owes his best friend? And will Avery find the courage to risk everything for love?

This second book in Denise Hunter’s popular Riverbend Romance series explores what it might be like to live fearlessly and free.

Review:

Mulberry Hollow by Denise Hunter is a thought-provoking, faith-based romance.  

Dr. Avery Robinson returned to Riverbend, NC to set up her practice and be near her family. She has accomplished many of her goals by her thirtieth birthday but she is looking for another doctor to join her clinic. Avery’s single-minded focus on medicine has helped her maintain her no relationship decision. She has also avoided her friends’ attempts to set up her with eligible men. Avery’s family health history is the reason she does not plan to marry or have children but her family has a difficult time respecting her wishes. Will her unexpected patient Wes Matthews change her mind?

Wes is thru hiking the portion of the Appalachian Trail that in honor of his deceased friend, Landon. As soon as he completes the hike, he plans to keep the promise he made to Landon to take care of his sister Lillian. But an unanticipated illness brings him to Avery’s doorstep. Short on money, Wes works off his debt to her by renovating her carriage apartment. Wes is surprised by how much he enjoys Avery’s company, but will he change his plans to move to Lillian’s hometown in order to honor his promise?

Wes and Avery have an immediate connection and their time together is a welcome reprieve for the usual solitary evenings. Wes keeps in touch with Lillian as his time in Riverbend lengthens. Avery continues to remain resolute in her choice to not marry or have children. Underlying their growing friendship is a simmering attraction they work hard to ignore. Avery’s reason for remaining single is understandable but will love make a difference? Wes has a strong desire to repay Landon’s sacrifice by caring for Lillian, but is there another way to fulfill his promise?

Mulberry Hollow is a heartwarming romance with an idyllic setting. Wes is an honorable man whose choices are dictated by guilt. Avery is a caring and compassionate woman but her fears are preventing her from living life to its fullest. The storyline is engaging and easy to relate to. The secondary characters are well-developed and quite appealing. Wes and Avery’s future together is far from certain as Denise Hunter brings this delightfully charming romance to a heartfelt conclusion.  A Riverbend Romance series can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend book one as well.

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Filed under A Riverbend Romance, Contemporary, Denise Hunter, Mulberry Hollow, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing

November 11, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: Riverbend Gap by Denise Hunter

Title: Riverbend Gap by Denise Hunter
A Riverbend Romance Book One
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational, Romance
Length: 335 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

She came in search of the family she’d always wanted—and found the kind of love she’d never dared imagine.

When Katelyn Loveland’s car veered off a winding Appalachian Mountain road, she thought she was done for. That is until Cooper Robinson, local sheriff’s deputy, came to her rescue. And though Katie narrowly escaped her brush with death, she still fell. Hard.

She wasn’t the only one. But soon Cooper learns that the woman he’s more attracted to than any he’s ever met is his brother’s new girlfriend—and therefore unquestionably off limits. Yet, despite their best efforts, Cooper and Katie can’t seem to avoid running into each other. Or ignore the undeniable chemistry between them.

As they grow closer, Katie shares secrets from her past and the real reason she moved to their small North Carolina town. She also wins over Cooper’s welcoming and bighearted family. But they don’t know that her feelings for Cooper keep growing—all while she’s dating his brother. Soon the stakes of their emotional connection become higher than either could have imagined.

Katie stands to lose the first family she’s ever had, and a scandal could doom Cooper’s campaign for sheriff. Suddenly they find themselves on the edge of another precipice—and they’re forced to make a decision that could change their lives forever.

Review:

Riverbend Gap by Denise Hunter is a wonderful inspirational romance with a delightfully unique storyline.

Katelyn Loveland is relocating after accepting a job working in her friend Dr. Avery Robinson’s medical clinic. She is also dating Avery’s brother, Gavin, who has recently gone through a divorce. Katie’s arrival in town gets off to a memorable beginning when she is involved in a frightening accident. Off-duty sheriff’s deputy Cooper Robinson comes to her rescue and there are definite sparks on both sides. However, when they realize she is dating his brother, both are determined to ignore their attraction. But emotions are tricky things to wrangle into submission and everything they both care about is eventually threatened.

Katelyn is longing for family so she is delighted to be welcomed with open arms by Gavin’s mom, Lisa and stepdad, Jeff. She is settling into small town life with ease soshe is a little reluctant to pursue the other reason she moved to town. Katie is also mourning a heartrending loss and she is a bit emotionally fragile at times. She is continually drawn to Cooper but she does not want to hurt Gavin nor does she want to lose the family of the heart she is building.

Cooper has a bit of a reputation with women since he has yet to find “the one”. He is very close to his family and everyone is grateful that Katie has helped bring Gavin out of his depression. Cooper attempts to quash his feelings for Katie and avoids her as much as possible. But it is inevitable they are thrown together and Cooper makes a decision that throws his future in doubt and causes strain between him and his family.

Riverbend Gap is a thought-provoking romance with a gentle undercurrent of faith.  Katelyn and Cooper are delightfully appealing characters whose lives are closely intertwined which makes it difficult to ignore their growing feelings. Unexpected conflict from outside sources serves to inadvertently bring them into contact despite their best efforts to maintain their distance from each other. With their future hanging in the balance, Denise Hunter brings this heartwarming romance to a sweet conclusion.

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Filed under A Riverbend Romance, Contemporary, Denise Hunter, Inspirational, Rated B+, Review, Riverbend Gap, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing

April 26, 2021 · 12:02 am

Review: Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter

Title: Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 335 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Sophie Lawson should be enjoying her sister’s wedding day. But nothing could have prepared her to see the best man again.

After her mother became bedridden and her father bailed on the family, Sophie found herself serving as a second mother to her twin brother, Seth, and younger sister, Jenna. Sophie supported her siblings through their college years, putting aside her own dream of opening a bookshop in Piper’s Cove—the quaint North Carolina beach town they frequented as children.

Now it’s finally time for Sophie to follow her own pursuits. Seth has a new job, and Jenna is set to marry her college beau in Piper’s Cove. But the destination wedding reunites Sophie with best man Aiden Maddox, her high school sweetheart who left her without a backward glance.

When an advancing hurricane strands Aiden in Piper’s Cove after the wedding, he finds the hotels booked to capacity and has to ask Sophie to put him up until the storm passes. As the two ride out the weather, old feelings rise to the surface. The delay also leaves Sophie with mere days to get her bookshop up and running. Can she trust Aiden to stick around? And will he find the courage to risk his heart?

Review:

Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter is a sweet second chance at love romance.

Sophie Lawson stepped up and took charge of her twin brother, Seth and their younger sister Jenna after their mother’s illness worsened. Now all of them are in their twenties, Jenna is marrying her fiancé and Seth has his first post-college job. Sophie is on the verge of opening her much dreamed about bookshop in cozy, seaside town Piper’s Cove. She has no regrets about everything she sacrificed for her family and she is eager for this next stage in her life. When she comes face to face with her former high school sweetheart, Aiden Maxwell, her hurt and anger rise to the surface. But their meeting also stirs her old feelings about him too. Is Sophie willing to risk her heart on Aiden again?

Aiden has never really taken a hard look at the reasons he ended their relationship. The risk he took when he was offered the chance of a lifetime back then has paid off. But after seeing Sophie again, Aiden realizes that he has never gotten over her. While helping her get her bookshop ready for  grand opening, he would like to give their relationship a second chance. But their past seems to playing out all over again in the present. Will they resolve their issues now they are adults?

Both Sophie and Aiden have issues arising from their childhoods that they have yet to resolve. While Sophie is slow to realize the changes she needs to make, once she becomes aware of them, she takes much needed action. Aiden’s kneejerk reaction stems from his need to protect himself from getting hurt. Will their respective baggage prevent them from finding their happily ever after?

Piper’s Cove is a beautiful setting and the town springs vividly to life. It is a close-knit community and Sophie is delighted at the friendships she is forging. But she comes to truly appreciate the town  when the residents rally around her and give her assistance when she needs it most.

Bookshop by the Sea is a heartwarming romance with a storyline that deals with true to life issues. Sophie and Aiden are wonderfully drawn, incredibly likable characters. Their reticence to become involved again is understandable. Despite the passage of time, their feelings for one another in the present are believable. Piper’s Cove is easy to visualize and its residents are very easy to like. The heartfelt conclusion is very uplifting and the epilogue is an absolute joy.

Old and new fans of Denise Hunter are going to absolutely love Sophie and Aiden’s story.

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Filed under Bookshop by the Sea, Christian, Contemporary, Denise Hunter, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing

October 26, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter

Title: Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter
Bluebell Inn Romance Series Book Three
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational Romance
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom and A December Bride (now beloved Hallmark Original movies) comes the third and final novel in the Bluebell Inn series!

When a mysterious man turns up at Grace’s family-run inn, it’s instant attraction. But she’s already got a lot on her plate: running the Bluebell Inn, getting Blue Ridge Outfitters off the ground, and coping with a childhood event she’d thought was long past.

A gunshot wound has resurrected the past for secret service agent Wyatt Jennings, and a mandatory leave of absence lands him in Bluebell, North Carolina. There he must try and come to grips with the crisis that altered his life forever.

Grace needs experience for her new outfitters business, so when Wyatt needs a mountain guide, she’s more than happy to step up to the plate. As their journey progresses, Grace soon has an elusive Wyatt opening up, and Wyatt is unwittingly drawn to Grace’s fresh outlook and sense of humor.

There’s no doubt the two have formed a special bond, but will Wyatt’s secrets bring Grace’s world crashing down? Or will those secrets end up healing them both?

Review:

Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter is a heartwarming romance with a gentle undercurrent of faith. Although this newest release is the third book in the Bluebell Inn Romance series, it can be read as a standalone.

After four years of hard work, Grace Bennett and her siblings, Levi and Molly, are ready to put their successful B&B up for sale.  Following their tragic loss, they completed their parents’ goal of turning the family home into an inn. Levi, Molly and Grace are, at long last, ready to move on to the dreams each of them have willingly put on hold.

Now twenty-one, Grace has worked hard to get her business, Blue Ridge Outfitters, up and running. She has plans for the next step in her life but she is a little nervous about moving forward. Grace is confident and happy, but a couple of incidents bring up long ago memories that continue to haunt her.

Secret Service Agent Wyatt Jennings is unexpectedly coping with a long unresolved issue following an incident while on the job.  When his boss forces him to take time off, Wyatt decides it is time to find some closure.  Returning to Bluebell, NC, he impulsively decides to stay at the Bluebell Inn. Feeling much older than his years and a bit world weary, Wyatt is surprised by his interest in Grace.

Grace is supportive of Wyatt’s quest and she volunteers to aid him as he searches for the place where his life took a shocking turn. Wyatt is impressed by Grace’s maturity and how down to earth she is. They perfectly complement one another and prove to be incredibly helpful as each of them face their painful pasts. As Grace and Wyatt get to know one another, they both fight their unanticipated attraction to one another. Despite their deepening feelings, Grace and Wyatt cannot see any chance of a future together. Or is there?

Autumn Skies is a sweet romance with plenty of depth and substance. The storyline is well-developed with realistic issues for Grace and Wyatt to overcome.  Grace and Wyatt are three-dimensional characters who spring vibrantly to life. The Bluebell Inn and surrounding area provide a tranquil backdrop for the unfolding story. With a delightful plot twist,  Denise Hunter brings this final installment in the Bluebell Inn Romance series to an uplifting, heartfelt conclusion.  Old and new fans are sure to love this charming  faith-based romance.

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Filed under Autumn Skies, Bluebell Inn Romance Series, Contemporary, Denise Hunter, Inspirational, Rated B, Rated B+, Review, Thomas Nelson Publishing

May 18, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: Carolina Breeze by Denise Hunter

Title: Carolina Breeze by Denise Hunter
Bluebell Inn Romance Series Book Two
Publisher:Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A jilted bride. A struggling innkeeper. And a romantic mountain getaway that changes everything

Rising Hollywood star Mia Emerson is looking for a safe place to land in the wake of a public breakup and celebrity scandal, and she finds it in the lake town of Bluebell, North Carolina—the location of her canceled honeymoon. She wants nothing more than to hide and wait for the tabloids to die down.

Soon after her arrival at the Bluebell Inn, Mia meets Levi Bennett, who runs the inn along with his two younger sisters. Drawn to one another from the start, Mia trusts Levi to keep her location from the press, and Levi confides in Mia about the precarious financial state of the inn—a secret he’s been keeping from his sisters.

When Mia and Levi discover an old journal that hints at a rare diamond necklace hidden in the inn, they set off on a treasure hunt to find the long-lost heirloom. What they don’t expect to surface are feelings they thought were safely locked away. Mia and Levi must decide if falling in love again is too big a risk—or if it will uncover a treasure of its own instead.

Review:

Carolina Breeze by Denise Hunter is a sweet contemporary romance. Although this latest release is the second installment in the Bluebell Inn Romance series, it can be read as a standalone.

Levi Bennett and his sisters Molly and Grace are in the their second year of owning a bed and breakfast. The siblings are working hard to make their business a success so they can follow through with their plan to sell the business once it becomes solvent. Levi is handling the marketing and accounting along with manning the front desk and taking care of maintenance. He longs to return Colorado, but he cannot go back on the promise he made to take care of his sisters.  Levi is a compassionate man but he is a little overzealous  when it comes to his sisters.

Actress Mia Emerson wants to put as much space between her and Hollywood as possible following an unexpected scandal.  While not enthused about honeymooning alone, her room at the Bluebell Inn is paid for so that is the logical place for her to escape the media attention. She is a little wary of trusting Levi’s promise he will not try to cash in on her celebrity. But as they spend time together, she gradually trusts him to keep his word. Mia has a family tie to the B&B so she is excited to learn as much as she can about her estranged grandparents.  Her easygoing friendship with Levi slowly turns into an unanticipated romance, but will Levi’s sense of responsibility and Mia’s insecurities ruin their chance for a future together?

Carolina Breeze is a charming romance with appealing characters and interesting storyline. Levi and Mia’s respective issues are realistically portrayed and easy to relate to. Their relationship is heartwarming and a true joy to watch unfold.  The tranquil setting is atmospheric and vibrantly springs to life.  Denise Hunter brings this delightful romance to a heartfelt conclusion that is quite uplifting. Old and new fans are sure to love this newest addition the Bluebell Inn Romance series.

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Filed under Bluebell Inn Romance Series, Carolina Breeze, Christian, Contemporary, Denise Hunter, Rated B, Review, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing

November 13, 2019 · 11:58 pm

Review: Lake Season by Denise Hunter

Title: Lake Season by Denise Hunter
A Bluebell Inn Series Book One
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The first story in a brand-new series, Lake Season invites readers to the Bluebell Inn in a small North Carolina town where a lost letter, a chance for new love, and old secrets beckon.

When their parents die in a tragic accident, Molly Bennett and her siblings pull together to fulfill their parents’ dream of turning their historic Bluebell, North Carolina, home back into an inn. Staying in town would be temporary—three years at most—then they plan to sell the inn, and Molly can get back to chasing her own dreams.

Adam Bradford (aka bestselling author Nathaniel Quinn) is a reclusive novelist with a bad case of writer’s block. Desperate for inspiration as his deadline approaches, he travels to the setting of his next book, a North Carolina lake town. There, he meets his muse, a young innkeeper who fancies herself in love with his alter ego.

Molly and Adam strike up an instant friendship. When Molly finds a long-lost letter in the walls of her inn, she and Adam embark on a mission to find the star-crossed lovers and bring them the closure they deserve. But Adam has secrets he isn’t ready to share. Past and present collide as truths surface, and Molly and Adam will have to decide if love is worth trusting.

Review:

The first installment in the Bluebell Inn series, Lake Season by Denise Hunter is a bittersweet novel of love and healing.

Molly Bennett and her siblings, Grace and Levi, decide to follow through with their deceased parents’ dream of turning their home into an inn.  With Grace finishing high school, the majority of the work falls to Molly and Levi.  Most of the renovation is almost complete as the summer tourist season is approaching when visitor Adam Bradford stops in hoping to reserve a room. Molly bends the rules a little since the inn has not undergone their inspection when she allows Adam to stay with them. After she discovers a lost letter within the inn’s walls, Molly and Adam team up and attempt to locate the letter writer and recipient. An unexpected friendship springs up between them but as their feelings for one another deepen, will their respective issues prevent Adam and Molly from giving love a chance to bloom into a lasting relationship?

Molly is a very outgoing, cheerful young woman who does not think twice about abandoning her dreams after her parents’ tragic deaths.  With one failed relationship behind her, she is not in any hurry to take a chance on another man deceiving her like her previous boyfriend.  After finding the lost letter, Molly becomes quite invested in trying to locate what appears to be a star-crossed couple.

Adam is a popular, best-selling author who guards closely guards his privacy and writes under a pseudonym. He is a quite intelligent and a little shy. Adam  has an extensive backlist but he still struggles with insecurities and low self-worth.  With a looming deadline on the horizon, he is struggling with writer’s block for the first time in his career. Since his research is not spurring his creativity, Adam instead offers to help Molly track down the author of the letter and addressee.

Chapters which flash back to the events leading up to the lost letter are interspersed with events playing out in the present.  In 1962, a local young woman and a visitor unexpectedly fall in love over the course of the summer.  Just as they are planning their future together, outside forces tear  them apart.  Is there any chance Molly and Adam will find the couple after so many years?

Lake Season is a delightful novel with a slight undercurrent of faith. Molly and Adam are charming characters whose strengths, self-doubts and shortcomings are realistically depicted. The main storyline is well-developed and will resonate with readers. The secondary story arc is poignant and tugs at the heartstrings.  I absolutely loved and highly recommend this uplifting and engaging novel by Denise Hunter.

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Filed under A Bluebell Inn Series, Christian, Contemporary, Denise Hunter, Lake Season, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing