Recent Faves: September & October

Can you believe it is November already? I was away on vacation for 2 weeks in September and since I have been home and gotten back into my regular routine the days have just been flying by. Do I dare say, Christmas is less than 2 months away. As I share some of my favourite reads from the last couple months, maybe you will find some ideas for gifts? 

           

My Review: A Sparkle of Silver  //  A Worthy Pursuit  //  Bobbins and Boots

           

My Review: Delayed Justice //  Her Minnesota Man  //  Hidden Peril

           

My Review:  Random Acts of Outrage  //  Sandwich, With a Side of Romance   //  The Isaac Project

  

What have been some of your favourite reads recently?

Do you have any recommendations for me?

Jane Reviews: A Side of Faith by Krista Phillips

Series: Sandwich #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: OWD Publishing
Released: Aug. 12, 2014
126 pages

About the Book:

He is everything she never wanted
Rachel Carter is on top of the world. A new job in a new town, friends, and a house to call her own. Men? Eh, someday. And when the time comes, she’ll go for a nice safe geek or something. She will NOT be repeating the mistakes of her youth.

But then Cameron Foster comes knocking on her door, reminding her of the man she vows never to think of again.
God wouldn’t send her a man who reminds her of everything she is trying to put behind her...would He?

Goodreads / Amazon

Krista Phillips Website

 

My Rating & Thoughts:  🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟   (4 stars) 

This novella picks up 3 years after ‘Sandwich, with a Side of Romance’ ends. Maddie is playing matchmaker to friends Rachel and Cameron. However Rachel wants nothing to do with Cameron as he reminds her too much of her ex. Through her work Rachel is teamed up with Cam to organize the Fall Festival for the youth and the more time they spend together the more she finds herself drawn to Cam. She continues to fight it but when Cam comes to her rescue during a crisis she realizes he is not like her ex. I found it easy to like both characters and enjoyed their interactions. After having just recently finished the first book in this series, it was great to catch up with Maddie and Rueben, I got a kick out of their part in this story. This story contains suspense along with the romance and shows the importance of having faith and learning to trust God’s plan.

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

Other Books by Krista Phillips:

  

     

The Engagement Plot Review / Sandwich, With a Side of Romance Review

Goodreads / Amazon / Christianbook 

Jane Reviews: Sandwich, With a Side of Romance by Krista Phillips

Series: Sandwich #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
320 pages

About the Book:

Sandwich represents hope for twenty-year-old Maddie Buckner and Kyle, the eleven-year-old brother Maddie wants to spring out of foster care. Then she loses her new job after less than an hour on the clock. It's all Reuben-the-Jerk's fault, and she's determined to make him right the wrong. He does so, reluctantly, by giving her a job at his restaurant, The Sandwich Shop. Then crazy things start happening at the restaurant, and Kyle's foster parents apply to adopt him. To stop it all, Maddie must learn the art of humbling herself and accepting the help God has arranged, risking her heart to Reuben in the process. And she'd rather eat a million corned-beef on rye sandwiches than do that.

Goodreads / Amazon / Christianbook

Krista Phillips Website
 

My Rating & Thoughts:  🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟   (5 stars)  

Maddie has had a rough upbringing and comes to the town of Sandwich with dreams of establishing herself so she can take her younger brother, Kyle, out of foster care and come live with her. But she gets fired from her job on her first day all because Rueben fell asleep in her chair. She forces Rueben to get her a new job, and when waitressing at his restaurant doesn’t work out she becomes his office assistant. After a chance encounter with Rueben’s niece reveals a secret Maddie has been keeping the family takes Maddie in and showers her with love. Maddie is reluctant to receive charity and tries her best to stop them, but they are determined. Meanwhile there is one character that is determined to bring Maddie down. Can Maddie achieve her goal and maybe discover much more along the way?

I loved Rueben’s family, they opened their hearts and home to her, showing her generosity like she had never experienced. She is a relatively new Christian and continues to grow in her relationship with God, learning to lean on and trust Him.

Rueben and Maddie’s relationship has a rocky start and with them both being stubborn they tend to clash quite a bit. But they learn from one another and even start developing feelings for the other. However there are obstacles in their way and just when it seems they will overcome the obstacles an incident transpires that creates a huge wedge between them and they no longer interact. Months later the truth comes out and there is hope for reconciliation.

This story is filled with witty dialogue, characters you want to root for (except Livy), and a family you want to be around. There were so many times I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the antics that happened. I was very pleased with the way the story ended and I didn’t want to leave the town of Sandwich.

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

Other Books by Krista Phillips:

  

     

The Engagement Plot Review

Goodreads / Amazon / Christianbook

The Engagement Plot by Krista Phillips

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Shiloh Run Press
Released: Nov. 1, 2017
320 pages

About the Book:

Can Hanna and Will Find True Love Amid the Bright Lights of Reality TV? Perfect for the fans of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette!

Six months ago, William stole Hanna’s heart and shattered it in front of millions of people on a reality TV dating show. And now the big-wig CEO is back on Hanna’s home turf in Minnesota and wants her to forgive him? Fat chance of that. But life is swirling around faster than snow in a blizzard, and despite her objections, teaming up with William seems like the only option to rescue her reputation.

William has never regretted anything more than the day he gave that ill-fated interview for the reality show, The Price of Love. But while he can’t change the past, he’s determined to fix the future. He just needs to convince Hanna to forgive him—and pretend to be engaged with him. Simple, right?

When the media erupts with even worse accusations, teaming up and pretending to be engaged seems to be the only way to salvage their reputations.  Despite the media frenzy that swirls around them, an attraction neither of them can fight off begins to surface. Could this love run deeper than a scandal, or will old wounds tear them apart once and for all?  When all seems lost, it’s only with help from above that Hanna and Will may find their happily-ever-after.

Goodreads / Amazon / Christianbook 
Krista Phillips Website

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟  (4 stars)

“It’s not about you anyways. It’s about bringing God glory.”

After the first scene I had a feeling this book was going to be filled with many hilarious moments and I wasn’t mistaken. I quickly grew to feel for Hanna and the embarrassment she has gone through all because of one comment Will said. I totally understood her angry feelings towards him. Will was frustrating at the beginning. His motives for seeking out Hanna months after he ruined her reputation were more selfish than to correct the wrong he did, it really bothered me that saving his job came first and Hanna second. However Will redeemed himself in my eyes as the story progressed. Both Hanna and Will grew throughout the story and learned a lot about themselves. I enjoy their witnessing their journey.

The banter between Will and Hanna was fun and entertaining, their clashes made for some really hilarious moments. When they were getting along and let their true feelings come out they had some of the sweetest moments.

The supporting cast of characters were wonderful and each added a different element to the story. Carly was the bff that would speak her mind. Emma was the assistant that kept everything on track. Will’s parents and Hanna’s dad were the parents that did what they felt was best for their kids. I loved Will’s parents, they had me laughing at some of the things they said, the way they acted with Hanna was great and his dad was able to challenge Hanna nicely. One of my favourite parts had to be the interactions between the two fathers.

The theme I got took from this story is that the meaning of our life should come from our relationship with God and not be based on our job status or what others think about us. This was an entertaining romance with a bit of a mystery thrown in.

“I’m trying to fix this. So unless you want me to kiss you to quiet down,
I suggest you hush. I’m game either way.” 

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Shiloh Run Press through NetGalley;

opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other Books by Krista Phillips:

    

Goodreads / Amazon / Christianbook