The Marine's Marriage: a grumpy-sunshine romance with faith, hope and healing

The Marine’s Marriage is the first book in the Fuller Family in Brush Creek series by Liz Isaacson. After retiring from the Marines, Tate Benson has arrived in Nowhere, Utah in order to fix up his late grandfather’s house and join the local police department. Wren Fuller has her days filled with running the family’s cleaning company. While Tate calls and needs a maid for that morning, Wren decides to clean the house herself. She discovers that Tate is her new neighbor and behind his rude exterior hides a kind heart and a wounded soul. As Tate keeps his cool exterior, he and Wren can’t help but be drawn to each other. The Marine and the maid seem to be a match made in heaven. Can their new relationship weather the storms of past wounds and look to the hope of the future? 

The Marine’s Marriage is a grumpy-sunshine romance with hope, healing and faith. It is a fast read, fairly short. A perfect book for an afternoon of reading. I enjoyed the introduction of Wren and Tate. Wren is the quirky member of the Fuller clan who wears the shirts that irritate her mother. And Tate is the man carrying more than physical wounds. Their first meeting was funny with great banter as Wren goes toe-to-toe with grumpy Tate. The romance between Wren and Tate was good and I enjoyed their happily ever after. However, the sheer number of secondary characters was overwhelming and keeping track of them all was difficult. Overall, the story was good; however, I was not intrigued enough to read the rest of the series. If you enjoy stories of hope, healing and faith, I recommend The Marine’s Marriage. 

The Marine’s Marriage is available in paperback and eBook. 

Brush Creek Cowboy: a second chance romance

Brush Creek Cowboy is the first book in the Brush Creek Cowboy series by Liz Isaacson. Walker Thompson is a former rodeo champion who now trains horses at the Brush Creek Horse Ranch with his ten year old son, Michael. Tess Wagner is a widow who came to Brush Creek with her son, Graham, for a fresh start after the tragic loss of her husband. It has been a quiet life until Walker, out of the blue, asks her to dinner. Neither wants to endure the pain of loss again, but is willing to take a chance. However, when Tess’s breast cancer comes back, Walker backs off. He begins to feel the hole their presence left in his life. He must decide if the risk of loss is worth the love they could share in the meantime? Can they lean on God in order to find a happy ending? 

Brush Creek Cowboy is a clean, Christian romance. I love a second chance at love and the doubts and questions of blending families. I enjoyed Walker and Tess’s introduction and back stories. However, everything about this story was abrupt and had no time for development in their relationship. I was bored. I needed more. The potential for an emotional story was there but I needed more. There was no real depth in their emotions and it was too short. Even if Walker and Tess had known each other for years, their relationship seemed rushed. I did like the faith discussions and the reliance on and leaning to God in times of trouble and joy. Overall, Brush Creek Cowboy was a decent story but I felt no investment. I most likely will not be continuing this series. If you like clean, Christian romance with cowboys, I recommend Brush Creek Cowboy. 

Brush Creek Cowboy is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Mechanics of Mistletoe: a second chance romance

The Mechanics of Mistletoe by Liz Isaacson is the first book in the Shiloh Ridge Ranch in Three Rivers #1. Bear Glover can be a grizzly or a teddy bear. He always thought he was content working the family ranch but when he develops a crush on Samantha Benton, he decides it’s time to act on it. Samantha “Sammy” is a genius with a wrench who can fix just about anything. She struggles being the strong one in her family as she has custody of her orphaned nephew and taking care of her aging parents. When Bear asks her out, she is surprised but thrilled. While their first date is considered a disaster, they can’t stop thinking about each other. When a series of tornadoes hit their small town, Bear is determined to have a second chance with Sammy. Will this be their second chance at love? 

The Mechanics of Mistletoe is a clean, Christian second chance romance. I liked Bear as the eldest brother who takes care of his family and responsibilities at the cost of his personal life. I cheered him on as he decided to take a chance with Sammy. However, I did not like Sammy. I admired her strength to take care of her nephew and her parents following her sister’s death; however, she mentions it all the time! I didn’t like her stubborn independence as she resists Bear’s help. I loved how Bear was determined to show her that asking for or accepting help isn’t a weakness. Overall, as I closed the story, I was left ambivalent about The Mechanics of Mistletoe. However, I know I most likely will not finish this series. However, if you enjoy small town, faith-based second chance romance, you may enjoy The Mechanics of Mistletoe. 

The Mechanics of Mistletoe is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

His First Love: a second chance at a first love

His First Love by Liz Isaacson is the first book in the Ivory Peaks series. Hunter Hammond is back in town after completing his degree at MIT, ready to take his place as a part of the family company. On his first day back in town, he runs into Molly Benson, his childhood sweetheart. Molly had broken up with him in high school. Seeing her again, Hunter realizes the old flame still burns for Molly. She may have ended their relationship due to parental pressures but Molly never forgot him. Now divorced and carrying emotional scars and feelings of unworthiness, she feels she doesn't deserve Hunter now. As their paths cross in their small Colorado town, they can’t help being drawn to each other. Is this their second chance at their first love? Or will family pressures tear them apart again? 

A continuation of the Hammond brothers saga, readers are introduced to Gray’s son, Hunter. Readers do not need to read the original series to enjoy His First Love. There is so much wrapped up in this second chance romance. Mental health, family obligations, personal sacrifice, expectations of marriage and what it means to be truly happy. I enjoyed the honesty and openness of the characters’ conversations and conflicts. It felt realistic and not forced or oversimplified. I also enjoyed the depiction of prayer and the crisis of faith. Unfortunately, the image of a Christian and their families is perfect with no conflict. That is farthest from the truth. Christians are still humans with real shortcomings, real conflicts and real hurts. I enjoyed His First Love. I look forward to the rest of the series. I recommend His First Love. 

His First Love is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook