Category Archives: Romance

March 25, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: An Unexpected Amish Proposal by Rachel J. Good

Title: An Unexpected Amish Proposal by Rachel J. Good
Surprised by Love Series Book One
Publisher: Zebra Books
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Sometimes love is found in the most unexpected places—as three blessed men will discover in Rachel J. Good’s heartwarming Amish romance series, set in a bustling Pennsylvania community . . .

When an organic farm causes rents to skyrocket at the Valley Green Farmer’s Market, Fern Blauch’s family baked goods stand is driven to the edge of eviction. . . . Until a mysterious temporary reprieve. Fern is confused when she discovers the benefactor is barbecued chicken stand owner—and her longtime crush—Gideon Hartzler. She’s grateful, but pridefully tells him she intends to pay him back. If only she can find a new place to sell her wares . . .

To stay competitive, and help as many others as he can, Gideon expands his stand to provide full meals—including dessert. That’s where Fern comes in. As the two work long hours, side-by-side, business booms—and so does their attraction. Still, the demands of caring for aging parents and struggling relatives cause them to hide any feelings beyond friendship. But as new challenges emerge and Gideon and Fern turn more deeply to their faith, and to each other, will love find a place at their table?

Review:

An Unexpected Amish Proposal by Rachel J. Good is a warm-hearted Amish romance.

Fern Blauch loves working in her family’s baked good stand at the Valley Green Family Market. She and the people who work the other stands have formed warm friendships over the years. They are shocked when the new owner, Russell Evans, raises their rent so high they will not be able to turn a profit. Realizing they will most likely go out of business, Gideon Hartzler steps in and strikes a secret deal with Russell in order to give Fern and the others the opportunity to decide their next steps. When the two months are up, what will happen to Fern and the others?

Fern is a kind-hearted young woman who genuinely cares about others. She has long had a crush on Gideon but she tries to hide her interest in him.  When she unexpectedly gets the chance to continue selling her baked goods, they spend their days in close proximity. Pleased to spend most of her days with him, Fern’s hopes are soon dashed he might view her in a more romantic light. When she believes someone else has captured his heart, will Fern continue to work with Gideon?

Gideon is a loyal person who always keeps his word. He bears more than his share of responsibility as he works his family’s chicken stand, helps his widowed sister-in-law with her children and takes on the mess his deceased brother left behind. Gideon often acts before he thinks and several situations in his life begin to spiral out of control. Then there is his inconvenient attraction to Fern…

The majority of the story takes place in the Market. The daily contact between Fern and Gideon gives each other even more to admire as they deftly handle issues with compassion. They also assist a troubled teen as his relationship with his father deteriorates. Gideon faces a new quandary when he feels vaguely threatened by a businessman who recently begins working at the Market. In between drama, misunderstandings and weighty personal obligations, Fern and Gideon’s feelings for each other continue to deepen.

With a tiny hint of mystery, An Unexpected Amish Proposal is a sweet Amish romance. The plot is engaging with interesting story arcs. Gideon and Fern are wonderfully developed with realistic foibles, strong faith and giving hearts.  Rachel J. Good brings this charming novel to a sigh-worthy conclusion. Fans of Amish romances are sure to enjoy this first installment in the Surprised by Love series.

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Filed under Amish, An Unexpected Amish Proposal, Contemporary, Rachel J Good, Rated B, Review, Romance, Surprised by Love Series, Zebra Books

March 11, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

Title:Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
The Brown Sisters Series Book Three
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 393 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

In USA Today bestselling author Talia Hibbert’s newest rom-com, the flightiest Brown sister crashes into the life of an uptight B&B owner and has him falling hard—literally.

Eve Brown is a certified hot mess. No matter how hard she strives to do right, her life always goes horribly wrong. So she’s given up trying. But when her personal brand of chaos ruins an expensive wedding (someone had to liberate those poor doves), her parents draw the line. It’s time for Eve to grow up and prove herself—even though she’s not entirely sure how…

Jacob Wayne is in control. Always. The bed and breakfast owner’s on a mission to dominate the hospitality industry and he expects nothing less than perfection. So when a purple-haired tornado of a woman turns up out of the blue to interview for his open chef position, he tells her the brutal truth: not a chance in hell. Then she hits him with her car—supposedly by accident. Yeah, right.

Now his arm is broken, his B&B is understaffed, and the dangerously unpredictable Eve is fluttering around, trying to help. Before long, she’s infiltrated his work, his kitchen—and his spare bedroom. Jacob hates everything about it. Or rather, he should. Sunny, chaotic Eve is his natural-born nemesis, but the longer these two enemies spend in close quarters, the more their animosity turns into something else. Like Eve, the heat between them is impossible to ignore… and it’s melting Jacob’s frosty exterior.

Review:

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert is an endearing romance. This third installment in The Brown Sisters series can be read as a standalone but I HIGHLY recommend the entire series.

Eve Brown has flitted from career to career and her parents finally put their foot down. They are cutting off her trust payments until she holds a job for an entire year. Upset, Eve goes for a drive and ends up at an adorable B&B that is looking for a chef. Through a series of erm, mishaps, she is now the Chef at the Castell Cottage B&B. Eve is also trying to prove to herself and her new boss B&B owner Jacob Wayne, that she is the absolute right person for her new job.

Eve is the youngest in her family and she feels like she has never measured up to her sisters. She has always had trouble fitting in and her education and job failures leave her lacking self-esteem. Eve does not want to love her new job because, in the past, that seems to doom her chances of success. But she is  completely comfortable cooking and taking care of the B&B’s guests. Eve’s upbeat, sunny personality makes her a hit with everyone except for Jacob.

Jacob is methodical and sticks closely to his routine. He initially convinces himself that his impulsive new employee is not at all suited for working for him. Jacob is straight-forward and always speaks his mind, which other people sometimes find off-putting.  He is delighted that Eve is also not one to hold back her opinions or thoughts. Jacob gradually realizes he is attracted to her but he does not want to take advantage of an employee.

Eve is drawn to Jacob and an unexpected friendship springs up between them. Some of their interactions are laugh out loud funny while others poignantly pull on the heartstrings. Jacob helps Eve understand herself better and she begins to grow more confident. After they give in to their mutual attraction, will Eve and Jacob give their fledgling romance time to grow?

Act Your Age, Eve Brown is a fun romance that deals with true to life issues. Eve and Jacob are wonderful characters whose flaws add to their charm.  The storyline is engaging and perfectly blends humor with more serious topics. Their friendship gradually turns into a steamy romance but their respective fears threaten to derail their burgeoning relationship. Old and new fans of Talia Hibbert’s The Brown Sisters series are sure to enjoy this  captivating romance.

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Filed under Act Your Age Eve Brown, Avon, Contemporary, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Talia Hibbert, The Brown Sisters Series

February 26, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: An Amish Homecoming by Rosalind Lauer

Title: An Amish Homecoming by Rosalind Lauer
Joyful River Series Book One
Publisher: Zebra Books
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating:

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Author Rosalind Lauer weaves a patchwork quilt of life and love in the Pennsylvania Amish community of Joyful River, where new beginnings and old ways meet with faith, hope, and compassion . . .

Essie Lapp’s birthday is doubly blessed. There’s a delicious meal to savor with her family, and the sweet gift of time spent with her beau, Harlan. Over two years they’ve forged a bond as strong and hopeful as a tree reaching for the sky. To practical-minded Essie, there’s comfort in knowing exactly what her future will bring. Yet Gott has his plan, and it soon turns her family’s world upside down . . .

Essie’s widowed English uncle has brought his troubled teenage daughters back to their mother’s Amish community, convinced it’s the fresh start they need. Essie strives to welcome her cousins, but adapting to plain living won’t be easy, even if the rewards are great. As cultures clash and hearts collide, Essie feels the first stirrings of doubt about Harlan’s commitment to her. Yet as the seasons change, and the heat of summer gives way to crisp, ripe autumn, this homecoming might mean a bountiful beginning . . .

Review:

The first book in the Joyful River series, An Amish Homecoming by Rosalind Lauer is a delightfully charming romance.

Essie Lapp’s eighteenth birthday celebration is interrupted by the arrival of her Uncle Sully and his three teenage daughters, eighteen year old twins Serena and Megan and fifteen year old Grace. He is a policeman who works the evening shift and the girls have been gotten out of hand since the death of their mother. The Lapps welcome the teenagers into their lives but are the girls prepared for life on an Amish farm?

Essie is a quiet, dutiful daughter who is eager to settle down. She is a little frustrated that Harlan is putting off their wedding but she understands his obligation to his mom and sister. Essie and Harlan have been saving up for a place to live and they have recently  discovered new ways to bring in extra money. However, just as they are ready to announce their plan to marry, unforeseen circumstances threaten to derail their future together.

After a bit of a rocky beginning, Serena has finally adjusted to life on the Lapp’s dairy farm. She has become friends with Scout Tanner and they enjoy a few quiet minutes together almost every day. When he suggests a solution to a problem she is experiencing, they begin spending more time together. With her interest captured by a new hobby, Serena is also falling for Scout. But will she overcome his reluctance to dating?

Megan has settled into living with her aunt and uncle. She is still recovering from a sports injury and she enjoys long walks around the farm. Megan is an excellent student and dedicates herself to her studies. Grace struggles the most with being away from their father, but  as the months pass, she becomes much more content with living with her extended family.

An Amish Homecoming is a sweet family-centric novel. The characters are three-dimensional and quite likeable. The setting is richly developed and springs vibrantly to life. With a couple of unexpected conflicts to resolve, Rosalind Lauer brings this heartfelt story to a gratifying conclusion.  Readers are sure to enjoy this first installment in the Joyful River series.

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Filed under Amish, An Amish Homecoming, Contemporary, Joyful River Series, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Rosalind Lauer, Zebra Books

February 23, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: From this Moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Title: From this Moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Publisher: Waterbrook
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating:

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A lost ring brings together two wounded souls—a youth minister haunted by the past and a spunky church custodian—in this heartwarming romance from the bestselling author of The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow.

Growing up in the foster care system, Jase Edgar always dreamed of one day starting his own family. But his fiancée’s untimely death shattered his plans. Moving to Kansas and serving as a youth minister should be a fresh start, but he can’t seem to set aside his doubts about God’s goodness long enough to embrace his new life.

Newly-appointed church custodian, Lori Fowler is battling her own challenges. Her strained relationship with her father and her struggles with overeating convince her she’s not worthy enough for love. When an Amish weaver enlists their help locating the owner of a ring found among the donated clothing she uses as fabric, Jase and Lori find themselves drawn to each other. But will they be able to release the past and move forward from this moment into a joyful future?

Review:

From this Moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a delightful Christian novel.

Jase Edgar relocates from San Antonio to Bradleyville, KS after he is hired as a youth minister for a local church. He is still mourning the loss of his fiancé Rachel who died in a car accident a year ago. Not only did Jase lose the love of his life, he has lost his faith. Although he begins to feel like he accepted the job under false pretenses, he enjoys the company of the minister of the church and his wife. He also likes spending time with church members Lori Fowler and Kenzie Stetler. And despite his doubts, Jase is beginning to form connections with the teenagers he is ministering to along with the other members of the church. But will Jase regain the faith that has long sustained him?

Lori is outgoing, friendly and enthusiastic about anything that catches her interest. She and Kenzie are best friends who also happen to work together at the local quilt shop. When hours might be cut at the quilt store,  Lori volunteers for  a second job at the church as a custodian. Her interest in the new position is not completely altruistic since she is quite smitten with Jase. Despite her sunny disposition, Lori’s self-doubts and low self-esteem manifest themselves in unhealthy coping mechanisms. Ashamed and embarrassed, will Lori overcome her problems through her faith and assistance of Jase and Kenzie?

Kenzie left her family and Amish faith after she discovered a new religion. She holds her memories of her family dear and she misses them dearly. Kenzie has a giving spirit and she does not want anyone to know of her good deeds. When she discovers a wedding ring, she is determined to find its rightful owner. But with her heart telling her to return to family and share her  faith, can Kenzie leave her friends behind and her task unfinished?

With a warm and welcoming setting, From this Moment is a heartfelt novel of faith, redemption and love. The storyline is well-written with carefully chosen scripture designed to fit the various issues that crop up during the unfolding story. All of the characters are beautifully developed with relatable strengths,  foibles and problems to overcome. Kim Vogel Sawyer weaves the various story arcs together and brings this wonderful novel to an uplifting conclusion.

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Filed under Christian, Contemporary, From this Moment, Kim Vogel Sawyer, Rated B, Review, Romance, WaterBrook

February 22, 2021 · 12:02 am

Review: Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

Title: Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
Publisher: Park Row Books
Genre: Contemporary, Lesbian, Romance, Women’s Fiction
Length: 241 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

When becoming an adult means learning to love yourself first.

With her newly completed PhD in astronomy in hand, twenty-eight-year-old Grace Porter goes on a girls’ trip to Vegas to celebrate. She’s a straight A, work-through-the-summer certified high achiever. She is not the kind of person who goes to Vegas and gets drunkenly married to a woman whose name she doesn’t know…until she does exactly that.

This one moment of departure from her stern ex-military father’s plans for her life has Grace wondering why she doesn’t feel more fulfilled from completing her degree. Staggering under the weight of her parent’s expectations, a struggling job market and feelings of burnout, Grace flees her home in Portland for a summer in New York with the wife she barely knows.

In New York, she’s able to ignore all the constant questions about her future plans and falls hard for her creative and beautiful wife, Yuki Yamamoto. But when reality comes crashing in, Grace must face what she’s been running from all along—the fears that make us human, the family scars that need to heal and the longing for connection, especially when navigating the messiness of adulthood.

Review:

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers is a multi-layered novel with a fantastic cast of diverse characters.

Grace Porter should be on the top of the world. After years of hard work, she finally has her doctorate in astronomy. The next phase of her plan should be easy but as a Black woman working in a white man’s career field, Grace is struggling to secure a job. And then there’s the fact that on a girls’ trip to Vegas, Grace wakes up to find she is married a perfect stranger. Her new wife, Yuki Yamamoto, skipped out the morning after their impulsive wedding, but she left her contact info. As Grace tries to figure out her future, she decides to take a break and get to know her new wife. But can she compromise her life goals in order for her and Yuki to live happily ever after?

After her parents’ divorce, Grace and her military father leave her mother’s Florida orange grove to settle down in Portland. Her dad is strict with exacting standards and high expectations for his only daughter. In between working the orchard, Grace’s mom travels the world trying to find herself. Although Grace does not want to let either parent down, she does insist on choosing her career path.  In order to please her parents, she studies hard and excels in college. Now twenty-eight years old, Grace is a new graduate with an unexpected wife and trying to figure out how to make her career goals mesh with her new marriage.

Yuki has a cool radio show where she incorporates storytelling with her exploration of interesting urban myths. She is mostly comfortable with where she in life and she is delighted Grace wants to give their marriage a chance.  Yuki is not as driven as her wife and she prioritizes relationships over climbing the career ladder. When their different approaches to life clash, will Grace and Yuki find a compromise that works for them?

Both Yuki and Grace have strong support systems. Since Grace is the one who does not have a job, she travels to New York to get to know Yuki. She misses her friends but she is a good fit with Yuki’s friends. Despite being surrounded by people who care for her, Grace struggles to escape the loneliness and anxiety she feels while trying to cope with the stress of finding the perfect job. Grace cannot outrun her problems but will she slow down long enough to take the necessary steps to deal with her issues?

Honey Girl is a captivating novel with a realistic storyline and relatable characters. Despite her outward success, Grace is a hot mess once it is time to move on to the next stage in her life. Yuki is a delightful young woman with quirky interests and a steadying presence. The secondary cast of characters is quite colorful and extremely loyal to one another.  Morgan Rogers brings this charming debut to an uplifting conclusion that readers will love.

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Filed under Contemporary, Honey Girl, Lesbian, Morgan Rogers, Park Row Books, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Women's Fiction

· 12:01 am

Review: The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unexpected Baby by Jennifer Beckstrand

Title: The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unexpected Baby by Jennifer Beckstrand
The Amish Quiltmaker Series Book One
Publisher: Zebra Books
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 279 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In the first in an engaging new series, an Amish quiltmaker moves from Pennsylvania to a new settlement in Colorado, where adventure, challenges, and love are waiting . . .

Esther Zook is starting over after her father’s death, piecing together a new life with as much care as she puts into her intricate quilts. When her wayward sister abandons her baby, it throws all those plans for a fresh start asunder. Esther had accepted her status as an old maid—but a mother? And a single one, at that? Not that she hasn’t noticed Levi Kiem, the eligible young man who’s making repairs in her house. Yet he surely has no interest in Esther as anything other than a friend . . .

It’s true that Levi has plenty of marriage prospects. His dat has even offered to send him to Ohio to find a wife. Yet the more time he spends with Esther, the more intrigued he becomes. Feisty and independent, she’s nothing like the wife he once imagined for himself. Yet just as a quilt is crafted from contrasting cloth, they might find that together, they can create a family to cherish . . .

Review:

The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unexpected Baby by Jennifer Beckstrand is a charming Amish romance with a relatable storyline.

Thirty year old Esther Zook is settling into her new life in Byler, CO when her estranged sister Ivy shows up. Ivy jumped the fence years ago and Esther has rarely seen her in the intervening years. This visit is a shock since Ivy has her newborn baby girl with her. After staying a brief time, Ivy takes off with Esther’s money but leaves baby Winter behind. Esther does not know anything about babies so she is grateful when plumber Levi Kiem stops by. She is even more appreciative when Levi proves to be experienced with babies and sends his family over lend a hand. Esther and Levi become friends over the course of several months and both are smitten with her niece. But how will they react when Ivy unexpectedly returns?

Esther has good reason not to trust Ivy so she reluctantly allows her and the baby to stay with her. Their once close relationship rapidly deteriorated during the years leading up to Ivy running away. Esther has made peace with the fact she will remain a spinster so she has never spent much time around babies. At first completely out of her depth, she is shocked when realizes how much she loves Winnie. Esther is also rather surprised at how much she enjoys Levi’s company.

At twenty-four, Levi remains unmarried due to a dearth of young women in their Amish community. He is more than happy to help Esther but he makes it clear he only considers her a friend. He likes spending time with her but his plan to seek a bride out of state has not changed. Levi is aware of the situation between the two sisters but he is completely unprepared to deal with Ivy.

The youngest of the Zook children, Ivy is spoiled and does not give Esther’s feelings much consideration. She is also very manipulative and vindictive when things do not go her way. Broke and with no place to live, Ivy’s eventual return to Esther’s home is not much of a surprise. Despite Esther’s uneasiness at letting Ivy back into her life, she does not turn her away. Unsettled, she does everything she can to placate Ivy because of her very real fear that her sister will leave and take Winnie with her.  But what will Esther have to give up in order to keep Ivy happy?

The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unexpected Baby is an entertaining Amish romance with quirky characters and a realistic storyline. Esther is an independent woman who is afraid of getting her heart broken again. Levi is a likable young man with a giving nature. Ivy is not easy to like but has potential if she is willing to change her ways. The friendship between Esther and Levi is quite heartwarming but will they have the opportunity to explore their deepening feelings for each other?

This first book in Jennifer Beckstrand’s The Amish Quiltmaker series is sure to be a hit with readers of Amish fiction.

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Filed under Contemporary, Jennifer Beckstrand, Rated B, Review, Romance, The Amish Quiltmaker Series, The Amish Quiltmaker's Unexpected Baby, Zebra Books