Forever Yours: A Review

By Kelly Bridgewater



Back Cover Copy: 

Enjoy the rollercoaster ride five modern couples take on the road that leads them back into a love that was meant to be. The ex-wife reads his work of fiction for an eye-opening revelation. The missing fiancée is returned to her home. A desperate wife gets one last Christmas with her husband before they divorce. The busy housewife wakes up to the drift occurring in her marriage. The low-key mom suddenly encounters her son’s high-profile dad.

My Thoughts: 
Forever Yours is a nine hundred page book, so I couldn't wait to get lost in some of the stories and spend a lot of time there. This book's cover was beautiful with the husband and wife on the cover looking toward the title in their wedding attire as the day ends. 

Each individual story does allow each couple to show the struggles that normal married couples go through. While most stories like to make marriage look like a piece of cake with no true dilemma. These stories did a good job at allowing the fairy tale endings to appear more realistic. I truly enjoy that part of the stories. Also, I enjoy the idea of second chances for individuals. It is such a strong cord in who I am, so I loved that idea for the stories. 

The writing of each author is top notch and made me feel like I was really there, experiencing the dilemma that each character has been facing. I understood the individual thoughts, struggles, and emotions. The setting and point of view were top notch. Like I would expect from these individual authors. 

I wish some of the stories were longer, so I could spend more time with the characters. I felt like I got dropped in the middle of their struggles and didn't really get to spend a lot of time knowing each individual character. It would have been nice to see them more developed. 

I received a complimentary copy of Forever Yours from Barbour Publishing through Netgalley and the opinions stated are all my own. 

Why do you enjoy reading a collection of novellas?

Irene Hannon: Hope Harbor

By Kelly Bridgewater

From Amazon

Back Cover Copy:

Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life--and love--altered her plans. When tragedy strikes and changes her plans yet again, she finds herself back in her hometown with a floundering farm to run and a heartbreaking secret. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter's. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help save a struggling charitable organization, the winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives--including their own.

My Thoughts:

Irene Hannon is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors. I knew she has written a number of books for the Love Inspired line and has two full length contemporary novels that I have enjoyed immensely. So when I heard she wrote a new contemporary romance novel, I couldn’t wait to get my hand on a copy.

Hannon is great at creating characters that are life-like and memorable. They stick with me after I’m finishing reading the book. Hannon allows Tracy and Michael to literally run into each other within the first couple of pages of the book, allowing a lasting impression to change both their lives for the better. In Hope Harbor, Tracy is a determined young lady, willing to help her aunt and uncle who took her in after her parent’s untimely death. She works selfishly long hours at the cranberry farm and volunteers to help others in the small sea-side community of Hope Harbor. The hero, Michael Hunter, is a person who is fleeing from his non-profit work in Chicago, hoping to free himself from the guilt over his wife’s death. He volunteers to help others even the elderly lady who is his temporary landlord.

The theme of moving on and learning to accept what God has in store for the future is important for everyone to learn. It is a hard lesson, yes, but something we need to grasp on to and trust God with both hands.

I enjoyed getting to roam the small town of Hope Harbor and see how a number of lives are affected and changed through the course of the novel. Hannon knows how to create a story that rips at the heart of the reader and keeps them thinking about the plot long after I they close the book. I loved traveling down the beach and having fish tacos from the little stand where most of the locals visit.

Always enjoyable, Irene Hannon’s latest book, Hope Harbor does exactly that. Bring Hope to the characters that populate the pages and interact with each other. The story has just the right amount of romance, sprinkled with tension and real world dilemmas. I would recommend this book to fans of Irene Hannon’s romantic suspense or fans of contemporary romance like Melissa Tagg, Susan May Warren, or Beth K. Vogt.

I received a complimentary copy of Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor from Revell Publishing through Netgalley and the opinions stated are all my own.

Irene Hannon’s Writing Bio:

Irene Hannon is the best-selling author of more than 35 novels. Her books have been honored with the coveted RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, the HOLT Medallion, the Reviewer's Choice Award from Romantic Times BOOKreviews magazine and the Daphne du Maurier Award for mystery/suspense. Irene and her husband make their home in Missouri, USA.

From Irene Hannon's Amazon Author Page

Where to connect with Irene Hannon:

Irene Hannon’s Personal Website

Facebook

Where to purchase Hope Harbor:

Amazon

Barnes and Nobles

Christianbook

Your Local Favorite Bookstore

What do you prefer: Irene Hannon’s romantic suspense or her contemporary romance? Why?

Carla Laureano: London Tides

By Kelly Bridgewater

Back Cover Copy:

Irish photojournalist Grace Brennan travels the world’s war zones documenting the helpless and forgotten. After the death of her friend and colleague, Grace is shaken.

She returns to London hoping to rekindle the spark with the only man she ever loved—Scottish businessman Ian MacDonald. But he gave up his championship rowing career and dreams of Olympic gold years ago for Grace ... only for her to choose career over him. Will life’s tides bring them back together ... or tear them apart for good this time?

My Review:

I was introduced in London Tides by Carla Laureano because I love her The Song of the Seare series by C. E. Laureano. They are both the same author. Laureano’s fantasy series grips me from the first page and kept me raptured as I follow the hero and heroine along the trail. But there is a huge difference for her contemporary romance books.

Laureano’s writing is tight and grammatically sound. In both series, I have no problem following the struggle and fears of the heroine and hero. The balance between the prose and dialogue is evenly matched. Laureano has a good command at matching the dialogue with the character’s personality.

While her writing is good, Laureano has a good grasp at anchoring her reader in the setting. I could totally imagine myself walking along the Thames River in London and wandering through the London city. I could imagine India and watching the characters interact with the hurting nation. Laureano does a great job at describing the world for her readers.

Conflict is important to a story, but Laureano had a hard time keeping my attention in London Tides. The story takes forever to get off the ground. Gabby wonders around in London, staying at her friend, Asha’s house, looking for her next big break. There really is no conflict. Yes, she runs into her ex-fiance, Ian, a number of times, but I really did not feel the struggle between the two characters. All of the conflict occurred inside Gabby and Ian’s head. It was really hard to drag myself through this book. I couldn’t wait for it to be done.

Overall, Laureano writes fantasy that I love, and I think she should keep her focused on that genre. I lost myself in that venue, but I struggled through London Tides, trying to find other things to do instead of sitting down reading this book.

I received a complimentary copy of London Tides from David C. Cook Publishing through Netgalley and the opinions stated are all my own.

Carla Laureano's Facebook Profile Page

Where to connect with Carla Laureano:

Personal Website

Facebook

Where to purchase London Tides:

Amazon

Christianbook

Barnesand Nobles

Do you think it is hard, as an author, to write in romance and fantasy? Why or Why not?

Denise Hunter: Married ‘til Monday

By Kelly Bridgewater

Back Cover Copy:

With a big anniversary party in the works for her parents, Ryan will pretend to be Abby's husband for just one last weekend.
Ryan McKinley has tried to move on from his ex-wife, Abby. He’s sulked, he’s gotten angry, and ultimately he bought her dream house. Big mistake. Living alone in the massive 2-story has only made him miss her more. When her parents call him out of the blue about their anniversary party in Summer Harbor, Maine, Ryan believes God has dropped a golden opportunity straight in his lap.
Abby McKinley never exactly told her parents about the divorce. A strained relationship with her dad has culminated in a distant relationship with her parents, but she’s finally succumbed to her mom’s pressure to make the drive for their 35th-anniversary party.
Then Ryan shows up on her doorstep, looking as devastatingly handsome as ever. When he insists he’s going to Seabrook, with or without her, Abby knows she can’t say no. Her parents still think they’re married and now Ryan knows it too. Besides, he only wants to check in with his best friend from college—her cousin Beau, who just lost his dad. It’s just a one-week road-trip with the man who broke her heart. What could possibly go wrong?

My Review:

I was first introduced to Denise Hunter when I read The Wishing Season. I thoroughly enjoyed her book, even though contemporary romance is not my first choice when it comes to a book. But something about Denise Hunter’s A Chapel Springs Romance series rings a chord in my soul.

First, the lies and the hurts that the characters in the Chapel Springs Romance series ring close to home. The lies that the heroine or heroes believe, either that they will amount to nothing or something as damaging is a lie that I personally have struggled with since I was a child. Inner struggles like this affect a lot of people. Hunter does a good job at understanding how these hurts would affect a person and even ruin their outlook on relationships. I felt a tug at my heart while I read her story.

As for the romantic tension, it was creative and original. The part where a couple has to pretend that they are married has been overdone, and honestly, I thought that this is what the story would be about. But Hunter surprised me by throwing obstacles in their way to spark that flame that Abby and Ryan allowed to weaken. The story is sweet, and Hunter drew me in on the first page and kept me glued, waiting to find out what would happen to Abby and Ryan.

The characters are important to telling the story as much as the tension threading through the story. It will be hard not to fall in love with Ryan and sigh as he shows his ongoing love for Abby. Ryan is a true hero in my book. As for Abby, she has a lot of hurt to deal with in her past, which I totally understand, but her transformation and willingness to return to God brought a smile to my face.

Overall, Denise Hunter’s Married ‘til Monday, is a gripping story dealing with the hurts and lies from a childhood that can affect someone’s outlook on life. The romance is a hard fought battle, but luckily, Ryan and Abby are adorable characters to hang out with. I truly enjoyed this book, and I am sad to see it is the last book in the series. I have to go back and read the first two books now.

I received a complimentary copy of Married ‘til Monday from Thomas Nelson through Netgalley and the opinions stated are all my own.

From Hunter's Amazon's Author Page

Denise Hunter’s Writing Bio:

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 20 books, including "Dancing with Fireflies" and "The Convenient Groom". She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader's Choice Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist.

Denise writes heartwarming, small-town love stories. Her readers enjoy the experience of falling in love vicariously through her characters and can expect a happily-ever-after sigh as they close the pages of her books.

In 1996, inspired by the death of her grandfather, Denise began her first book, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her husband says he inspires all her romantic stories, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

When Denise isn't orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are raising three boys.

Where to connect with Denise Hunter:

Personal Website

Facebook

Where to purchase Married ‘til Monday:

Amazon

Barnesand Nobles

Christianbook

Your Local Favorite Bookstore

What part of stories involving the same families members appeal to you the most?

Janice Thompson: Every Bride Needs A Groom

By Kelly Bridgewater

Back Cover Copy:

Small-town girl Katie Fisher is planning her wedding. Sure, her boyfriend hasn't managed to pop the question just yet, but that doesn't mean she shouldn't enter a contest in Texas Bride magazine to win the dress of her dreams, right? But when her boyfriend breaks up with her and takes a job in another town--the very same day Katie wins her dream dress--her world is turned upside down. Should she claim her prize? And will the hunky former pro-basketball player who runs the swanky Dallas bridal shop--yeah, you read that right--catch on to her humiliation if she does?

My Review:

When you think of a novel dealing with weddings, Janice Thompson’s name comes to the forefront of my mind. She has written a number of novels, featuring the wedding industry and all the struggles involved with a comedic flair. I have only read one other book by Janice Thompson, but something about the cover on the book from Every Bride Needs a Groom grabbed my attention. Maybe it is the pretty model in the beautiful wedding dress, modeling it in front of the mirror.

Anyways, Every Bride Needs a Groom is a unique and totally unpredictable story. From the moment, I met Katie I knew something had to be different about her. She enjoys her small town Fairfield, Texas and enjoys working in her father’s hardware store. But after winning the wedding dress and cover on the Texas Bride magazine, she travels to the big city and changes her status in life. I didn’t see the story as a typical romance; it was nicely handled. I enjoy romances where the hero and heroine take awhile to fall in love, and Thompson did just that in Every Bride Needs a Groom.

The setting of the bridal shop in Dallas, Texas appeared to be realistic. From the tulle and lace, wrapped around the various mannequins in the bridal shop, I never once doubted Thompson description about the shop. I haven’t been in a bridal shop in fourteen years, so I take Thompson at her word, but from what I remember, and what the television shows portray, it rang true.

Katie Fisher and Brady James were not the normal pairing. What I mean is that Katie Fisher actually enjoys the small town living where she grew up and was prepared to marry her small town boyfriend, so she enters this contest. But what would happen, he breaks up with her just after she finds out she won the dress and cover. Katie is innocent, sweet, and wants the best for her family. On the other hand, Brady, a professional basketball player on leave, honors his mother by offering to take control of her bridal shop while she fulfills her dream in Paris. Brady is sweet, caring, and truly a noble man who honors his commitments to God, family, and his career.

Overall, Janice Thompson’s Every Bride Needs a Groom is a unique wedding story with characters that will attach themselves to your heart and not let go. I truly enjoyed this story and anxiously wait for the next volume in the continuing saga of Katie and Brady.

I received a complimentary copy of Every Bride Needs a Groom from Revell Publishing and all the opinions stated are my own.

From Thompson's Amazon's Author Page

Janice Thompson’s Writing Bio:

Inspirational author Janice Thompson also writes under the name Janice Hanna. She got her start in the industry writing screenplays and musical comedies for the stage. Janice has published over 100 books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children's books and more. In addition, she enjoys editing, ghost-writing, public speaking, and mentoring young writers. She was thrilled to be named the 2010 Barbour/Heartsong Author of the Year, with three books on the top ten list for that house. Janice is active in her local writing group, where she regularly teaches on the craft of writing. Her online course, "Becoming a Successful Freelance Writer" (www.freelancewritingcourses.com) has been helpful to many who want to earn a living with their writing. Janice is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing. She lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends, and two mischievous dachshunds.

Where to connect with Janice Thompson:

Website

Facebook

Where to purchase Every Bride Needs a Groom:

Amazon

Barnes and Nobles

Christianbook

Your Local Favorite Bookstore

What aspect of a contemporary romance novel with a bride on the cover draws your attention?