Forever With You: a clean, sweet romance

Forever With You is the prequel novella to the San Diego Marines series by Jess Mastorakos. After being left at the altar, Sara comes home to San Diego to help run her parent’s bookstore. She has sworn off love but when she meets Sergeant Vince Moore, the handsome Marine recruiter, who works next door, her heart begins to soften. Vince had been struck by Sara from the moment they met, knowing she has been hurt, he is determined to show her that he is trustworthy and reliable. First, they must navigate the long hours and broken promises that come with the territory of a Marine recruiter. Can their new relationship survive the demands of the Marine Corps? Can Sara put her past hurts behind her and see Vince as the right man for her? 

I love books about the military. Whether it be historical, romance or general fiction, if it has a military man, I’m intrigued. I loved this quick, engaging read from Jess Mastorakos. It was a sweet, clean romance. I enjoyed Sara as she is battling heartbreak and just trying to live her life, convinced that she doesn’t need love. I loved Vince who is honorable and drawn to Sara. Their first meeting was funny and every encounter after is sweet and endearing. Even the few moments of misunderstanding were expected with the discussions and explanations afterward were realistic. I enjoyed the set up for future books. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. If you enjoy clean romance with military men, I recommend Forever With You. 

Forever With You is available in paperback and eBook

The Making of a Matchmaker: a great introduction to a new historical romance series

The Making of a Matchmaker is a prequel novella to The Mystery Matchmaker of Ella Pointe series by Tess Thompson. It is the fall of 1910, Roland Tutheridge is found murdered. His death freed his wife, his four children and residents of the small island in the Puget Sound. Ruling his family in a savage dictatorship, Roland left his children, each with their own unique personalities, with little hope for happiness and love. Their mother comes up with a matchmaking scheme. However, the cloud of their father’s murder hangs heavily. As his secrets are revealed, everyone on the island becomes a suspect. Will the plan find love for the eccentric Tutheridge family? Can love grow after such darkness? 

A historical series with a murder mystery and swoony romance? Yes, please! I love Tess Thompson’s Emerson Pass historical romance series. I am slowly reading my way through it but I am loving it. So I was excited to hear that Ms Thompson announced a new historical series.  The Making of a Matchmaker introduces readers to the residents of Whale Island and a murder mystery. In six chapters, readers will be ready to jump into the romances of the Tutheridge children and a murder mystery that will affect everyone. It is a very quick read as an introduction to the Tutheridge family and the series. I am looking forward to the series. I recommend The Making of a Matchmaker. 

The Making of a Matchmaker is available in eBook

A Sound Among the Trees: a story of one house and the three women tied to it's history

A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner is the story of one house lost in time and the line of women who share in its heritage of loss. Susannah Page came to Holly Oak as a young bride. Rumored to be a Union spy during the Civil War and viewed as a traitor to her Virginian roots. Her great-granddaughter, Adelaide, is the current matriarch of Holly Oak, doesn’t believe that the ghost of Susannah haunts the halls of the mansion. When Marielle Bishop marries into the family, it doesn’t take her long to firmly believe that the house brings misfortune to the women who live there. Marielle now must shift through the rumors and superstitions to discover the truth and make peace with her own sacrifices she made for love. 

I love Susan Meissner’s books. She has introduced me to the dual timeline historical novels where someone in the present finds a way to make peace with their past by learning about another event of the past. This is what I expected A Sound Among the Trees to be. I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters especially Adelaide who seemed bitter. It was slow getting to the part of Susannah’s story that it was a let down. I would have liked to see more of Susannah’s point of view and not just letters from the area. This is the first time I have read a Susan Meissner novel and felt disappointed. She is still one of my go-to authors, unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. 

A Sound Among the Trees is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

I Forgive You, But...: the freeing and healing power of forgiveness

“I Forgive You, But…” 3 Steps that can heal your heart forever by Karen Jensen Salisbury asks the question “Have you ever been hurt, betrayed, used or done wrong?” At some point in life, everyone experiences wounds at the hands or words of others. Staying hurt is not okay. When we refuse to forgive, holding on to the hurt, we end up hurting ourselves rather than punishing the person who hurt us. Karen Jensen Salisbury sets out to present a book about how to forgive, how to turn to the Bible when you’ve been hurt and let the Word set you free. Forgiveness is the God offered do-overs and fresh starts and walk away free from the pain of the past. Featuring the real life stories of individuals who once thought that forgiveness wasn’t the answer, but learned the transformative power of forgiveness. 

Many people think that forgiveness should be given when it has been asked for or when the person is truly sorry. However, what happens when the person never asks or doesn’t think he or she did anything wrong. Karen Jensen Salisbury shows readers through personal stories and Scriptures that forgiveness frees us from bitterness and resentment even when forgiveness isn’t asked for or when the pain remains despite the “I’m sorry.” While I expected a different format, the book is still filled with Scriptures on forgiveness and examples of how unforgiveness affects our daily lives. One of my favorite quotes from the book is “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. Nobody can go back and make a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” What a great reminder! I recommend “I Forgive You, But…” 

“I Forgive You, But…” 3 Steps that can heal your heart forever  

is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Forgive and Remember: a Christian romance with the healing powers of accepting God's forgiveness

Forgive and Remember is the first book in the Greater Life romance series by Robin Merrill. Shelby Beaton is the new kindergarten teacher in Hartport, a small coastal town in Maine. She is looking forward to this opportunity to serve God at the Freedom Academy. Lincoln Kallock owns a security business and is the single dad of one of her students. There is an instant connection; however, Shelby keeps her distance as she holds a secret. When threats are made against the small school, Lincoln brings in his security team to protect the school. He notices that Shelby is brave as well as beautiful and kind. Despite her desire to keep her distance, they seem to be being pushed together and she begins to break down her walls. Can she trust him with her secret? Can he convince her that a shared burden is an easier load to carry? 

Everyone knows the old saying “forgive and forget,” so when I came across a book entitled Forgive and Remember, I was intrigued. From the opening chapter to the closing page, this story is about truly accepting God’s forgiveness and allowing ourselves to heal and move forward in His love. I loved Shelby as she is committed to serving God as she made a promise. Her secret is sadly a common occurrence and Lincoln and other characters who learn the secret were wonderfully comforting and supportive. I wish that more people were this sympathetic. There is the mystery about who is making the threats but it doesn’t bog down the story. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series. It is a clean Christian romance with realism and emotional moments. I will admit I shed a few tears as I finished reading this book. I highly recommend Forgive and Remember. 

Forgive and Remember is available in paperback and eBook

Not You Again: what if Mr Right is right there among the Mr Wrongs?

Not You Again by Terri Osburn is the first book in the NOT series. Becca Witherspoon has agreed to four blind dates in five days. She only agrees to get her four best friends off her back. They are worried about her and if a few dates will convince them that she is fine, then she’ll do it. How bad can a few blind dates be? Apparently, very bad. Each date is worse than the last. And none of them compare to her former fiance. Becca needs to prove she doesn’t need a man to move on. However, on each date, a beautiful stranger keeps saving her from the awful dates. Jacob Kim keeps crossing her path and the more time she spends with him, the more she wishes he was one of the dates. With one date left, will Becca get her wish? Are the odds in her favor? 

From the opening chapter to the last page, Not You Again, is a fun, sweet clean romance with plenty of laughs, emotions and a few tears and hard-hitting moments. I loved the recurring statement that it is okay not to be okay as Becca lives life just going through the motions. It is a lesson Becca needs to learn. The reason why Becca’s friends think she needs to move on from her former fiance isn’t revealed until near the end and it is a doozy! I loved Becca’s growth as she learns to speak up, to heal and to find and give forgiveness. I loved Jacob’s character and I loved how their paths kept crossing. The supporting cast of characters are loving and willing to call out Becca’s excuses. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I highly recommend Not You Again. 

Not You Again is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

A SEAL's Oath: a second chance romance

A SEAL’s Oath by Cora Seton is the first book in the SEALs of Chance Creek. Navy SEAL Boone Rudman and his friends are creating a sustainable community with the hopes that, if successful, can be replicated anywhere in the world. When Martin Fulsom offers them land in Chance Creek, they take it. However, Fulsom is expecting families in the new town. Boone and his friends are as single as they come. Now Boone needs to find a wife or lose his chance at his dream. When he arrives at Westfield, he finds that it is already occupied by Riley Eaton, the woman who got away and has occupied his mind ever since. Riley is at a crossroad in her life. With no job and no prospects, she and her friends throw caution to the wind and decide to stay at the ranch her uncle inherited and create a Jane Austen style vacation for six months in Chance Creek. As Boone and Riley realize their plans for the land clash, can they find a way to help each other? Or will they destroy their chance for the futures they dream of? 

I love novels that feature military men and second chance romances. Of course, the cover caught my eye. Marriages of convenience as a trope seem a little far fetched but can make for a good romance. When I bought this book, the Jane Austen aspect in the blurb didn’t register. I added it to my To-Be-Read list and moved on. It came up on the list and I started reading. Boy, was I disappointed. I am not a fan of Jane Austen. And I do not get the appeal of someone who wants to live in “a simpler, more beautiful life-one that allows time for art, literature and music.” What? The Regency Era, simpler? Seriously? Whatever. But then Boone and his friends lecture endlessly about global warming and sustainability that it bogs down the story and you forget you’re reading a romance novel. I found Boone and Riley too immature and stubborn. Sadly, this book was not what I thought it was and by the end, I didn’t care if Boone and Riley found a common ground. I certainly will not be finishing the series. If you enjoy stories of Navy SEALs and love Jane Austen, you may enjoy A SEAL’s Oath. 

A SEAL’s Oath is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook