Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Review: Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

Series: Archer Brothers #1
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: June 1, 2012
365 pages
About the Book:

No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk.

Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.

Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?



  
My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Such a fun story. Travis has taken on the responsibility of his three brothers after losing their parents 14 years ago. They have become self-sufficient and closed off from the community. Travis has only left the ranch once years ago when Meredith was hurt on his land. Meredith has never stopped thing about Travis from when she met him as a girl, and now years later when she hears something that will negatively affect him she makes the decision to go and warn him about it. Due to circumstances, she ends up staying at the ranch longer than planned, which has a negative impact on her uncle and he forces her to marry to save her reputation. I liked following both points of view and getting to know how they were feeling about this marriage and watching them deal with their feelings. There were some lines that made me laugh out loud. I liked both characters equally and didn't want to put the book down. This is a fun and entertaining read. 

Favourite Quote: 
“No matter how many precautions we take, none of us are truly in control. Only God can claim that kind of authority. All we can do is use the good sense he provides and trust him to guide us.”
(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

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Monday, November 27, 2023

Review: Life Support by Robert Whitlow

Series: Alexia Lindale #1
Genre: Legal Fiction 
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: July 15, 2003
392 pages
About the Book:

Alexia Lindale knows her new case is a matter of life and death. She doesn't have a clue what it will do to her heart...and soul.

From the Christy-award-winning author of The List, The Trial, and The Sacrifice comes this twisting tale of tough decisions, mixed motives, and mysterious, healing grace.

Baxter Richardson survived a fall from a cliff while hiding in the mountains. Whether he'll make it through the next few weeks is unclear. His survival depends on the machines that help him breathe. On the haunted, unstable wife who wants to pull the plug and hide her secrets. On the doting father who wants him alive for reasons of love and money. On the conflicting legal documents that send the fight to court. And, on the music and prayers of an extraordinarily gifted pianist.




My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐


I did not enjoy the audiobook and found it hard to follow as it jumped scenes between characters suddenly.

Rena's husband is on life support after a tragedy, and she hires lawyer Alexia Lindale to help her end life support, but her father-in-law is fighting to keep his son on life support. We as readers know what happened to Baxter that caused his current condition but only one character actually knows what happened. It was hard to support this person in their goal, and I wanted to tell various characters not to trust them. The story does not wrap up with this book, the ending leaves a lot unfinished. There were scenes or events described that didn't add to the story that I had no idea why they were included, for example, Alexia's vacation to France. I was really enjoying the scenes between Alexia and her old secretary Gwen, but then she seemed to disappear from the story. There is a faith element portrayed, and we see a particular character find a relationship with God. There is one brief kiss scene, but it felt wrong to me, wrong setting at the wrong time. I will read the next book to see what happens.

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

 

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Friday, November 24, 2023

Review: Stay with Me by Becky Wade

Series: Misty River #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: May 5, 2020
392 pages

About the Book:

Loving her is a risk he can't afford . . . and can't resist.

When acclaimed Bible study author Genevieve Woodward receives an anonymous letter referencing her parents' past, she returns to her hometown in the Blue Ridge Mountains to chase down her family's secret. However, it's Genevieve's own secret that catches up to her when Sam Turner, owner of a historic farm, uncovers the source of shame she's worked so hard to hide.

Sam has embraced his sorrow, his isolation, and his identity as an outsider. He's spent years carving out both career success and peace of mind. The last thing he wants is to rent the cottage on his property to a woman whose struggles stir his worst failure back to life. Yet can he bear to turn her away right when she needs him most?




My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐

I did not connect with these characters as much as I had hoped to. I liked Sam and could feel his struggles with Genevieve's situation due to his past relationship challenges, however he put his feelings aside various times to support her through. I was more interested in the mystery that Genevieve and her sister Natasha were trying to solve than the romantic relationship. At the end of each chapter is a short flashback scene from the earthquake told in view points of one of the Miracle Five. I did not enjoy this as it took me out of the main story each time. There was also one chapter that felt like it had a very loose connection to the current story and really threw me off making me wonder if there was an error in my kindle version. Did not like the romance, there was way too much kissing for a non defined relationship. I really enjoyed the scene with Alice and Genevieve's family. Such a good example of showing God's love.

Favourite Quote: 

“If she was going to be okay, truly okay again, then that outcome could not depend on anyone except herself and God.”
(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

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Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Review: Take a Chance on Me by Becky Wade

Misty River #0.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Independently Published
Released: Feb. 25, 2020
97 pages
About the Book:

When baker Penelope Quinn steps in to help her brother’s family through a medical crisis, she’s forced into close proximity with charming Air Force fighter pilot Eli Price.

Penelope has one iron-clad dating rule—she does not date airmen. Months ago, she relaxed her rule with Eli and immediately lived to regret it. After a long deployment, he’s now back in Misty River and, to her dismay, she finds him just as tempting as always.

Eli’s spent months thinking about funny, feisty, creative Penelope. He once leveraged his focus and drive to become a pilot, his childhood dream. Now he's set on leveraging that same focus and drive in order to convince Penelope to give him one more chance.

This romantic prequel novella introduces readers to the quaint mountain town of Misty River.


My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐

Novella's never give me enough of the story, I always want more. This is a sweet romance story with a heavy side topic included. Penelope has made a rule to never date any airmen because she's seen what happens when they get reassigned however Eli is a fighter pilot who is determined to change her mind. I liked that we learned that Eli and Penelope have a history and they weren't just meeting in this one. I was more focused on the side story and wanting to know that things would work out okay there than I was on the romance.

Favourite Quote: 

“I sometimes think that when God hears us making statements about our future plans, what we will do and will not do, He laughs. Then he rubs his hands together and says, 'We'll see about that.'”
(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

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