My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Barbour Books
Released: July 1st, 2017
256 pages

About the Book:

Journey now to Mackinac Island where... A Tangled Gilded Age Love Story Unfolds.

Although the Winds of Mackinac Inn has been in her mother’s family for generations, Maude Welling’s father refuses to let her run it without the guidance of a husband. So she seeks to prove her worth and independence by working incognito as a maid at the Grand Hotel. Undercover journalist Ben Steffans, posing as a wealthy industrialist, pursues a story about impoverished men chasing heiresses at the famed hotel.  While undercover, he becomes attracted to an intriguing maid. By an act of heroism Ben endears himself to the closed-mouthed islanders—including Maude—and he digs deep for his story. But when scandal threatens, will the growing love between Maude and Ben be scuttled when truths are revealed?

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟  (2 stars)

 

“Everything you have comes from God, by His will, and for His glory only. Don’t ever fool yourself into thinking that anything here on earth truly belongs to you.”

 

I struggled with this story; I had a hard time connecting with the characters and following the storyline. It felt choppy when it switched between points of view from one character to another. Also there were a parts that made no sense to me such as Maude taking the job at the Grand to prove herself to her dad except she didn’t want him to know she was working there, so how was this suppose to prove anything to him? And why was he so against her taking over the inn? The progression of the romance between Maude and Ben felt like there were chunks missing, they first meet at the docks and are instantly attracted to each other but I didn’t feel like they really got to know each other before declaring their love. What was their love really based on? There were so many secrets being kept by various characters, some are revealed early on, others take some time to be found out. I don’t feel like I even know what some of them were. What I did like about the book was the descriptions of the island views I felt like I could see what the characters were seeing. I also liked that Maude was a strong female and was willing to work to achieve her own dreams. I hate giving a bad review but I just couldn’t get into this book.
  

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley;

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

First Line Friday - Week 8

Happy Friday!

Tomorrow (July 1st) is Canada's 150th birthday so I thought I would celebrate on the blog for the next few Friday's by featuring books set in my home country - Canada. To start we are going be visiting the beautiful Prince Edward Island. Me and my husband went for the first time a few years ago and loved our visit and can't wait to go back again sometime. 

Today's book is: The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson

 

 "The change in Marie Carrington's pocket wouldn't pay for a ferry ride across the Northumberland Strait to Prince Edward Island, let alone a bus ticket to anywhere else in the world."

If Marie doesn't have enough money to get a ferry to the island, how does she get there and why is is hoping to get there? I just finished reading this book for the second time (getting ready to read book 3 that is releasing soon) and loved it just as much the second time as I did the first time. Keep an eye out for my review to be posted later this month.

Now it's your turn! Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Then join in more First Line fun by visiting these blogs:

 

A Baker's Perspective // All the Book Blog Names Are Taken // Bibliophile Reviews // Bookworm Mama // Cafinated Reads // Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen // Faithfully Bookish // Fiction Aficionado // Joy of Reading // Kathleen Denly // Lauraine's Notes // Moments Dipped in Ink // Radiant Light // Reading is my SuperPower // Robin's Nest // Singing Librarian // With a Joyful Noise

My Unexpected Hope by Tammy L. Gray

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Waterfall Press
Released: June 27, 2017
332 pages

About the Book:

 

After a year of grieving her divorce and living a life permanently stuck on pause, Laila Richardson is finally ready to have her own happy ending. Then a listing for a quaint cottage in another town answers her prayers for a fresh beginning—one that will bring her closer to her new boyfriend, Ben. Unfortunately, in her small town of Fairfield, Georgia, letting go of the past is virtually impossible. No one wants to see her move on, including the man who destroyed her heart to begin with.

 

Chad Richardson has spent years in misery but finally has his life on somewhat stable ground. When he learns his ex-wife is dating, he knows it’s time to go back and fight for the life he abandoned. Bolstered by his newfound sobriety, Chad has every intention of winning back the woman he loves, even if that means facing old demons that are waiting for him to fail.

 

Passions run deep as two souls searching for a second chance find the courage to let go of old patterns. Can they recognize that their dreams are still possible, even when forged from a broken past?

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

“I am not going to question whom God uses, and you shouldn’t either.”

Wow! I felt for these characters so much, much more than I expected to. There were quite a few difficult situations addressed throughout - the constant fight of trying to overcome an addiction, friends and family who are addicted, and the heartache these things bring. Laila thinks she is ready to move on from her past and start over, but is she really? I felt so much for Laila (and cried with Chad at one point). I did not want to like Chad but I just couldn’t help myself, after getting to know him more I was cheering for him to be happy. I was pleased that he appeared to be getting on the right track and when he struggled I cried with him or yelled at him to be strong. His struggles were dealt with honest and openly and felt real. Nothing was sugar-coated. I could feel how much he loved Laila and his struggle between wanting her and wanting the best for her. The secondary characters helped (and forced) Laila and Chad to deal with their emotions, actions, thoughts and faith. Cooper might have had his own issues but he was a true friend to Chad and his support might just end up costing him everything. God can and will use us in ways that we cannot picture, this was shown in many different aspects throughout, such as the way he used Laila in a little girl’s life, the way he used Katie helping Chad, and the way he used Ben in Laila’s life. I especially enjoyed the flashbacks to the teenage years. I do wish there had been more focus given to the times that the characters turned to God for help. Chad and Laila’s story is wonderful example of Christ’s love and His healing power. I was very pleased with the ending.

“She’d been fighting all this time to stay in control. But maybe that was the problem. Maybe it was time to give all of herself to a God who had never rejected or abandoned her.”

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley; opinions expressed

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

Over the Moon by Liz Isaacson

Series: Gold Valley Romance # 5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: AEJ Creative Works
Released: June 26, 2017
210 pages

About the Book:

Caleb Chamberlain has spent the last five years recovering from a horrible breakup, his alcoholism that stemmed from it, and the car accident that left him hospitalized. He’s finally on the right track in his life, and he’s found peace with being a cowboy at Horseshoe Home Ranch for the rest of his life. Until Holly Gray, his twin brother’s ex-fiance mistakes him for Nathan. Caleb wasn’t around much when Nathan and Holly were an item, and it takes him a few minutes to figure out who she is, but definitely not that long to want to get to know her better. Holly’s back in Gold Valley to get the required veterinarian hours to apply for her graduate program. When the herd at Horseshoe Home comes down with pneumonia, Caleb and Holly are forced to work together in close quarters. After checking with his brother, Caleb decides he wants to start something with Holly, despite her plans to leave town in eight months. Holly’s over Nathan, but she hasn't forgiven him—or the woman she believes broke up their relationship. As she and Caleb get to know one another better, she’ll have to figure out if she's really in love with Caleb—or the memory of Nathan—and how to forgive everyone she hasn’t. Can Caleb and Holly navigate such a rough past to find their happily-ever-after?

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟  (3 stars)

I struggled with this story. I really liked Caleb and the peace he had with life. I also liked Holly, but there was just something about the story that felt off to me. I can only narrow it down to the fact that Caleb’s twin brother was once engaged to Holly and this didn’t seem to bother the two of them much. I know I would feel strange if I began dating the brother of my ex-fiancé. But other than just the one phone call between Caleb & Nathan asking for permission to ‘hang out’ with Holly, they seemed to have no strange feelings about starting a relationship. However not everything goes smoothly for them. Their families are not as accepting of the relationship as they hoped. Another obstacle in their path together is the fact that their plans seem to taking them in separate directions. Can they overcome their struggles and find happiness?

(I received an ARC of this book from the author; opinions expressed

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

 

First Line Friday - Week 7

Happy Friday!

I was lucky enough to recieve an advance copy of Rachel Hauck's new book that releases July 11th.  Since I was blessed with this opportunity I decided I would share a sneak peak with you.

Today's book is: The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck 

"This should be her night of triumph."

Yep, that's all I am giving you… I know I'm mean! But trust me you will want to pick this one up find what happens. My review will be posted on July 11th.

Now it's your turn! Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Then join in more First Line fun by visiting these blogs:

A Baker's Perspective // All the Book Blog Names Are Taken // Bibliophile Reviews // Bookworm Mama // Cafinated Reads // Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen // Faithfully Bookish // Fiction Aficionado // Joy of Reading // Kathleen Denly // Lauraine's Notes // Moments Dipped in Ink // Radiant Light // Reading is my SuperPower // Robin's Nest // Singing Librarian // With a Joyful Noise