The Noble Guardian (The Bow Street Runners #3) by Michelle Griep

The must-read conclusion to Michelle Griep’s Bow Street Runners Trilogy: Life couldn’t be better for Abigail Gilbert—but it’s been a long time coming. Having lived with a family who hated her, love is finally within reach. Abby sets off on a journey across England to marry one of the most prestigious gentleman bachelors in the land—until highwaymen upset her plans and threaten her life.

Horse patrol captain Samuel Thatcher arrives just in time to save Abby. But to him she’s simply another victim in a job he’s come to despise. Tired of the dark side of humanity, he intends to buy land and retire.

Abby pleads with him to escort her on the rest of her journey. He refuses until she offers him the thing he desperately needs to achieve his goal: money. Delivering her safely will earn him more than enough to settle into a quiet life.

So begins an impossible trek for the cynical lawman and the proper lady. Each will be indelibly changed by the time they reach her betrothed, if they don’t kill one another first—or fall in love.

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Michelle Griep is an author whose books I love to read.  She has such a fantastic way of weaving a story- gently and gradually.  I can literally feel it building and growing.

This story started out slow for me and it took me a bit of time to become invested but it did happen.  I knew it would, I just had to be patient.   Samuel and Abby really do frustrate each other but through that they also find respect for each other.  From respect grows friendship and admiration.  I loved the natural progression of feelings between them.

There were plenty of external conflicts for Samuel and Abby.  For the most part it was the two of them against the conflicts.  They had to work together and I liked that a lot.   The ending was satisfying and I was grateful to reach a happy place.

Content:  some violence, peril.  Kissing.  Some talk of God and praying.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

 

The Reluctant Courtship of Jack Allan by Dayle King Searle

Jack Allan cannot count the number of times he’s been approached with invitations beginning something like, “My sister has a friend…” It seems as if everyone in the small town of Corbett, Idaho, is intent on finding a wife for him--everyone except for Jack himself. The townspeople gossip that this is because Jack, a young widower, has not gotten over the death of his wife, Katelin, and in a way they are right. However, it isn’t his undying love for Katelin which is holding Jack back. Rather it is the memory of events surrounding her death, events about which only he knows and which have left him filled with guilt.

Undeterred, Ruby Henderson, Jack’s feisty neighbor, introduces him to her granddaughter, Ally. Jack unwittingly finds himself attracted to Ally, and it seems she is attracted to him too. So he is stunned when he finally asks her out and she turns him down his by saying it would be best if they were just friends. This sets in motion events which lead Jack into one romantic entanglement after another and with not one possible romantic interest but three.

Set against the backdrop of farming and small town life, The Reluctant Courtship of Jack Allan is filled with amusing characters. It tells a story which is sometimes humorous and sometimes poignant as Jack struggles with his guilt while also working to sort out his love life and those of the people around him.

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This book is a bit of a mixed bag for me.  It's labeled as an inspirational romance but I really wouldn't call it that.  I would say that it was inspirational because there is definitely religious tones but this really wasn't a romance.  One of my reviewer friends said this read like women's fiction and honestly, she nailed it.  That is exactly what I thought while reading it.  The funny thing is that the main character is a male.  So, it's women's fiction with a male lead.  Ha!  There is some dating in the book but in all honesty, that takes a back seat to what I would like to call "the life of a small town Idaho potato farmer".  This story is really about Jack; his day to day life, his family and his community.  

Even though the romance was actually minimal, I was still, for the most part, interested in Jack's story.  Sometimes it got a little long with details of things (potato harvest) and I really wanted to skim through it and move on but overall, Jack is a likable character and I enjoyed being a part of his world for a bit.  The author did a great job of making Jack, just your average, hard working guy, feel like someone I would like to know.   I was rooting for Jack and his happiness all the way through.

Content:  mild peril, kissing, mild religious elements (praying, faith)

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Faith in Sweetwater County by Ciara Knight

Cline Grant, a man with a checkered past turned preacher has dedicated the last ten years of his life to making up for past sins. But when he is faced with removing a young girl from her abusive uncle he must face the calling he never expected. He escapes with the young girl to the safety of a small town until a beautiful and dedicated social worker asks too many questions, questions that put his faith to the ultimate test.

Kinley Stafford refuses to accept the new preacher’s credentials as a father because he claims to be a man of faith, not after she failed to protect a boy only months earlier from a dead-beat dad. And when the preacher’s little girl runs away, Kinley makes it her personal mission to expose whatever secrets Preacher Cline is hiding.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

I have some mixed feelings about this book, so here is the lowdown. 

What I liked:

-The small town feel, the way small towns rally around each other

- Cline.  His life change, his willingness to put others before himself, his strength

- The build up in the story to a dramatic ending

What I didn't like:

- Kinley.  She was meddlesome and a bit annoying.  I'm not really sure what the draw was for Cline other than she was pretty

This is an inspirational fiction story.  It is clean and is centered around a preacher so there is obviously talk about God and faith.  I enjoyed the story well enough but it didn't really engage my emotions or leave me feeling excited in any way.  It was gentle in nature.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Just Maybe (Home In You #3) by Crystal Walton

When a case of mistaken identity spirals into a more-than-complicated pretend relationship, an adventure seeker and a grammar fanatic just might’ve met each other’s match. 

Three weeks. That’s all the time self-made billionaire Cooper Anderson has to respond to discovering he’s a single dad, sell his lake house, and catch a one-way ticket across the world. The quick-witted nanny responding to his ad couldn’t be more of a life saver … and maybe a nice distraction. Until the secrets she’s hiding get a little too close to exposing his own.

The one lead guaranteeing Quinn Thompson a promotion just has to land her back in her hometown to finagle an interview out of Mr. Elusive, of all people. But she can hack it, right? Even while mistaken for the nanny, she can keep things quick and professional. No running into her embarrassing southern family, no stirring up the wounds that’d sent her packing four years ago, and definitely no melting over a stockbroker’s unfair dimples and boyish charm.

Why, oh, why doesn’t anything ever go according to plan?

With both their deadlines closing in before they’re ready, Quinn and Cooper must decide whether the life they’re set on pursuing alone is worth more than the one they could be missing together.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

I've been reading (and enjoying) Crystal Walton's books from the very beginning and I have to say that I think this book might be my favorite one.  I loved it.  LOVED.  IT.

These characters were so well crafted.  Each page felt like I was peeling back a layer, getting closer to the soul of who they really are.  I loved that.  The whole cast of characters were fantastic.

Oh, and there were sparks flying around everywhere.  The chemistry between Quinn and Cooper is crazy and the butterflies in my tummy were in full force.  I loved their banter and all their interactions.  Good stuff, that.

This book is full of emotion and depth.  The characters grow and learn.  There is a perfect  balance of flirty and fun with serious and challenging.  I could not put this book down.  LOVE!!  😍

Oh!  You can pick this book up on KU if you have that.  OR it's just $.99 to buy!!  Don't miss this fantastic deal!!

Content:  Clean, some kissing

- I received a copy of this book from the author.  All opinions expressed are my own.

A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom by June McCrary Jacobs + Win a copy of this book!

When her student, six-year-old Mary Noel, survives a car accident over Thanksgiving break, Amber and her new friend, Paul, are determined to cheer her up during the holidays. But Mary Noel’s most painful injury is the loss of her dog. The more withdrawn Mary Noel becomes, the more Amber and Paul need a miracle—a miracle that requires the entire community’s help.

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Cedar Fort *

 

The two best adjectives I can think of to describe this novel are sweet and gentle.  It will remind you of all the best things about Christmastime.

This is a story of faith and service- about a caring community who pull together to help a family in need.  Amber is kind hearted and caring.  When she meets Paul, they come together for a common goal and find that their hearts are coming together as well.  The romance is sweet but not really the main focus.

If you are looking for an inspirational short story to fill you with all things Christmas this is a book you will love.  I really enjoyed it.  It had peace and good will oozing from the pages.  This is a Christian based book and there is talk of God and faith.  It's perfectly clean and just right for a cozy winter night.

My thanks to the author and publisher for allowing me to read and review this sweet story.  The publisher, Cedar Fort, has provided an ebook copy of this book for a giveaway.  Thank you Cedar Fort!  Find the details for entering below.

June McCrary Jacobs spent twenty years as a primary grade educator after graduating from California State University, Hayward, with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and a multiple-subject teaching credential. Along with writing fiction, June is a freelance designer of sewing, quilting and crafting projects. “A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom” is June's debut novel, though not her first published work. Since 2007 June's original sewing, quilting and stitchery projects and articles have been published in national and international magazines including Stitch, Sew News, Sewing World, Simply Handmade, Sew Hip, Sewing Savvy, Crafts 'n Things and Create & Decorate. Two of her sewing designs for children will appear in the upcoming “101 One-Yard Little Wonders” book published by Storey Publishing. A Californian since age six, June currently resides in the San Joaquin Valley. Learn more about June's writing endeavors and view some of her original sewing projects by visiting her website at www.junemccraryjacobs.com.

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Because of Love by Shauna V. Brown

For Christmas, all Phoebe Brown wants is to give her daughters new shoes to replace their heavy leather boots. But because they have very little money, her husband refuses to pay for them. Inspired by true events, this Christmas story shows how the power of love can change even the most begrudging heart.

What a sweet, sweet book!  This book touched my heart and made me feel things.  I love when books do that to me.  

Phoebe longs to give her daughters new shoes.  The girls are ridiculed and hurt by other children because they wear big, heavy boots everywhere.  All the time.  One of the worst feelings, I think, as a mother is to know your children are hurting.  When your children hurt, you hurt.  But, just like most mothers, Phoebe is resourceful and creative and she devises a plan to work and get new shoes for her girls.  It's touching and powerful.  As a mother and a daughter, I connected with the emotion in this book.  Love is a powerful tool that can change lives.

This sweet story is less than 100 pages.  It reads quickly and is the perfect little Christmas story.  This will definitely set your heart in the right place leading up to Christmas.

My thanks to Cedar Fort for allowing me to read and review for them.

* Cedar Fort * Goodreads *