Molly - Sewing in SoCal 1 - by Sarah Monzon

 

About the book:

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I absolutely refuse to tell a lie no matter the consequences. So don’t ask me a direct question unless you’re prepared for a direct answer—that’s something my SoCal sewing girlfriends have learned the hard way.
But who would have thought my honesty policy would get me fired from my job at the preschool? Or that a desperate—and not to mention devastatingly handsome—single father of one of my (now-former) students would hire me that same day as a nanny for his daughter?
I’m an education professional. How hard can taking care of a four-year-old and her over-stressed, over-worked father be?

My review:

This was a sweet story about a very honest girl!  I liked Molly and her honesty, even though it did get her into some predicaments!  She was also very caring and went above and beyond as a nanny.  Ben sounded pretty amazing, too, but I couldn't figure out how he took care of his daughter so long by himself while working so many hours.  This was a clean romance with some cute moments.  I didn't like the term "white lies" that was used, as lying is lying.  Ben seemed like a Christian from different things he said but while Molly had some familiarity with the Bible, it wasn't clear whether she just believed God existed or if there was more to it than that.  This is more of a clean read than a Christian romance.  There were a lot of amusing moments and I also liked Molly's roommates and look forward to reading their stories.  I recommend this story if you like humor and romance.

I received this ebook free from JustRead Tours.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

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Enjoyable Sequel! 'Until I Met You' - Restoring Heritage 2 - by Tari Faris

 

About the book:

Welcome back to Heritage, Michigan--the small town with a big heart

When she hears that the town of Heritage is looking for a new librarian, Libby Kingsley jumps at the opportunity. Little did she know the library is barely more than a basement room stuffed with dusty, outdated books. What the community really needs is a new building. But the only funds available are those being channeled into the new town square, and the landscape architect in charge of the project wants nothing to do with her plans.

All Austin Williams wants to do is get the town square project finished, and he hopes it is enough to save the family business. Then he can extricate himself from the town that reveres the brother who cost him so much. But the local media and the town's new librarian seem to be conspiring against him at every turn. Will the determined bookworm find her way into his blueprints--and possibly even his heart?

My review:

I enjoyed this story that took us back to the charming town of Heritage.  I liked getting reacquainted with the wonderful characters, especially as we got to revisit what was hinted at in book one with Nate and Olivia.  I liked that we saw more of his past and what made him tick, even though I was a bit frustrated with his stubbornness.  I also enjoyed getting to know his brother and he was also incredibly stubborn as he was dealing with his unforgiveness toward Nate.  I have to admit the boys drove me a little nuts with how they acted.  I felt for Libby and a trauma she went through that gave her anxiety and a distrust of men especially.  I admired her courage and how she worked to make things right.  She hadn't trusted God since her brother Luke was kidnaped when they were children and I loved that she read 'The Hiding Place' and learned from Corrie Ten Boom's faith.  I also liked Olivia and her straightforwardness and determination.  There were some wonderful romantic moments.  It works as a stand-alone but I'd recommend the first book as it was amazing and Luke and Nate feature prominently in that one as well.  I'd recommend this story if you like romance

I received this ebook free from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   Tari Faris

   Tari Faris

   Tari Faris is the author of You Belong with Me. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers and My Book Therapy, she is the projects manager for My Book Therapy, writes for  learnhowtowriteanovel.com, and is a 2017 Genesis Award winner. She has...

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Fun Light Read! 'The Christmas Swap' - by Melody Carlson

 

About the book:

All Emma Daley wants this holiday season is a white Christmas. But the young teacher and struggling musician sure can't find that in sunny Arizona. Luckily, there's someone living in a perfect mountain home in the Colorado Rockies looking to make a vacation trade.

West Prescott is an in-demand songwriter and talented musician who put his own singing career on hold to write songs for celebrity acts to perform. When his mother convinces him to do a vacation trade for Christmas, he never imagined one of the houseguests would be so sweet--or so strikingly pretty. Naturally, he decides to stick around, and to get better acquainted, he poses as the caretaker of his own house. But when Emma's friend Gillian discovers his true identity and sets her sights on him, things get . . . messy.

My review:

This was a fun light read perfect for getting me in the Christmas spirit!  I loved the idea of going to a ski town for Christmas, especially as Emma had never seen snow!  It seemed to be a Hallmark movie kind of setting.  I really liked Emma and her peaceful and peacemaking ways.  Gillian and her mom were a bit annoying but it didn't get too bad.  They definitely created some drama!  West seemed like a good guy and prayed at different times in the story.  Emma's parents were missionaries and that was about the extent of the faith content.  There was a little bit of romance, some skiing and music and of course, Christmas!  I read Melody Carlson's new Christmas book every year and I recommend this one if you're looking for a sweet, cozy Christmas story.

I received this book free from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   Melody Carlson

   Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over 200 books with sales of more than 7 million, including many bestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and contemporary romances. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the...

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Beautiful Story! 'The Edge of Belonging' - by Amanda Cox

 

About the book:

When Ivy Rose returns to her hometown to oversee her late grandmother's estate sale, she soon discovers that the woman left behind more than trinkets and photo frames--she provided a path to the truth behind Ivy's adoption. Shocked, Ivy seeks clues to her past, but a key piece to the mystery is missing.

Twenty-four years earlier, Harvey James finds an abandoned newborn who gives him a sense of human connection for the first time in his life. His desire to care for the baby runs up against the stark fact that he is homeless. When he becomes entwined with two people seeking to help him find his way, Harvey knows he must keep the baby a secret or risk losing the only person he's ever loved.

In this dual-timeline story from debut novelist Amanda Cox, the truth--both the search for it and the desire to keep it from others--takes center stage as Ivy and Harvey grapple with love, loss, and letting go.

My review:

I love split time novels and this one was just beautiful!  Both storylines were intriguing and made me eager to discover the mystery surrounding Ivy's birth.  I liked Ivy a lot and felt for all she was going through but Harvey and Grandma Pearl stole the show.  Harvey's brokenness and Grandma Pearl's love and determination were a match made in heaven and it was wonderful to see his transformation.  There was also quite a difference between the men in her life, from a jerk of an ex to the best friend who was always there for her.  She had some issues to work through, also, because of her adoption.  A couple of the characters dealt with anxiety, panic attacks and depression and I appreciate seeing that portrayed more in Christian books.  There were some sweet romantic moments and so many touching moments  filled with redemption and love.  This book made me laugh and cry and showed what a difference one life can make.  I highly recommend it!

I received this book free from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   © Emilie Haney

   Amanda Cox

   Amanda Cox is a blogger and a curriculum developer for a national nonprofit youth leadership organization, but her first love is communicating through story. She holds a bachelor's degree in Bible and theology and a master's degree in professional counseling....

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Timely Suspense! 'Nine' - by Rachelle Dekker

 

About the book:

Some secrets can't stay hidden

Zoe Johnson has spent most of her life living in the shadows, never drawing attention to herself, never investing in people or places. But when a wide-eyed, bedraggled teenager with no memory walks into the diner where Zoe works, everything changes.

Against her better judgment, Zoe, who has been trying to outrun her own painful memories of the past, finds herself attempting to help a girl who doesn't seem to have any past at all. With little warning, they must follow the only sure thing they know: a woman hundreds of miles away, will either save them . . . or be the last person to see them alive.

My review:

This was an intriguing story about survival and choices and whether or not our past determines who we are.  There was a lot of action, some violence, though not gory, and a little bit of romance.  This story actually refers back to "The Girl Behind the Red Rope," I realized as I got quite a ways into it but it works well as a stand-alone also.  There's talk about good and evil, right and wrong and mention of God, though no overt faith message.  I enjoyed this suspenseful story that also made me think.  I recommend it if you like suspense, especially if it's a little out of the ordinary.

I received this book free from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   Rachelle Dekker

   Rachelle Dekker is the Christy Award-winning author of The Choosing, The Calling, and The Returning in the Seer series. The oldest daughter of New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker and coauthor with him of The Girl...

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