Promise of Love: a predictable a la Hallmark romance

Promise of Love is the first book in the Holiday Family Christian Romance series by Tamie Dearen. Noelle Holiday doesn’t feel the magic of Christmas. Everything about the holiday seems to be cursed for her and she would rather avoid the holiday all together. When good things begin to happen for her, she starts to be suspicious. What’s the saying? If something is too good to be true, it probably is. First, she agrees to adopt an injured Golden Retriever, then she meets a guy who seems to like her and cares for her. For the first time in ages, she feels like she could have a family of her own. But when disaster strikes, Noelle feels she has lost the dog and the guy. The curse strikes again, or so she thinks. Is Noelle doomed to be alone? Or can the magic of Christmas find her once again? 

A predictable a la Hallmark romance, Promise of Love is touted as a faith filled romance of a believer who struggles with her faith and finds real love for the first time. While I love a faith based story especially with a believer who struggles with faith, because let’s face it we all have at some point, it irks me when the same old misquoted and misused Bible verses are used. For example, Noelle tells a character that “God says not to judge,” referring to Matthew 7:1 and yet ignores the rest of the chapter that teaches more than that. I didn’t care for Noelle who was so negative that it was hard to root for her. I really disliked that she ignored every warning in her head about a guy and then laments when he turns out to be a jerk. Like seriously!?!? I do not recommend Promise of Love. 

Promise of Love is available in eBook

When The Day Comes: she lives two lives but must choose one. Which one will she choose?

When The Day Comes is the first book in the Timeless series by Gabrielle Meyer. Libby has a powerful gift. As she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the other. She is the same person but leading very different lives. Libby lives one life in Colonial Williamsburg in 1774 amidst the early days of the American Revolution. She, along with her mother, is a public printer for the House of Burgesses and the Royal Governor. She works to provide for her family and support the Patriot cause. Henry Montgomery is the man she loves, a man with secrets of his own. She lives another life in the Gilded Age of 1914. A life filled with wealth, privilege and social standing. However, she is not destined to live the two lives forever. On her twenty-first birthday, she must choose one path. What was once a clear choice, as she nears her birthday, the choice becomes harder and harder to make.

I was intrigued by this premise. A faith based time crossing historical novel? Who would have thought of that combo? When The Day Comes is inventive and inspirational about our life’s decisions and the impact they have on the present and the future. The addition of faith and seeking God’s guidance in one’s decision was great to see. I could not put this book down and read well into the night to finish. I had to know what happened! There is so much that happens in this story that I cannot talk about due to spoilers! However, readers will not be disappointed. It is engaging with wonderful characters. I loved Libby and her fire and courage as she stands for what she believes in. I loved seeing various historical figures and hints at historical events we know that come. After I finished, I immediately added the other books to my wish list. I highly, highly recommend When the Day Comes. 

When the Day Comes is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Shadow Game: a faith based suspense thriller with a hint of romance

Shadow Game is the first book of the Shadow Alliance series by Shawna Coleing. Morgan Caine spent three years in prison for a computer crime she didn’t commit. Now that she has been exonerated, she is trying to rebuild her life. However, she takes a gamble and hacks into a computer network and stumbles across an assassination plot. Unable to sit back and let a man die, despite the possible risks of exposure, she seeks out the man in question. Oliver Wright is intrigued by this young woman who claims to have found a plot to kill him. As he investigates the plot, they become trapped in a conspiracy with time running out. Now Morgan finds her putting faith into a God she doesn’t trust and discovers what she and Oliver are willing to sacrifice to save both their lives. 

I was intrigued by a faith based suspense thriller when I picked up Shadow Game. I immediately liked Morgan as a wrongfully convicted woman and yet not so innocent as she has hacking skills. Oliver is a man of faith while the people who work for him are not, which added an element of realism. The story gets to the assassination plot fairly quickly; however, the suspense didn’t really kick in toward the final third of the book. The romance between Morgan and Oliver wasn’t overly done and took a backseat to the assassination plot line. The answer as to who was behind the plot was a surprise and yet, looking back, made a lot of sense. I really liked the realness of Christianity and faith portrayed in the story. Overall, the story was enjoyable. If you enjoy faith based suspense with a small hint of romance, I recommend Shadow Game. 

Shadow Game is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Island Refuge: a clean romance

Island Refuge is the first book in the Wildflower B&B series by Kimberly Rose Johnson. Zoe Griffin walked away from her dream job as a five-star chef and retreated to the tiny island in the Puget Sound. Now working as a cook and maid at the rundown bed-and-breakfast, she begins to feel at home Dr Nick Jackson is done with medicine and decides that owning and running the B&B is just what he needs but his new employee is giving him plenty of doubts. But as Zoe begins to let down her defense, Nick sees a competent, caring and yet deeply wound woman. As they begin to fall for each other, they both learn the hardest lesson of all. Can they find a way to forgive, heal the past and move forward with a future together? 

Island Refuge is a clean romance with a hint of Christian faith. I say a hint because it didn’t read like a faith based romance until suddenly it was. It seemed to come out of nowhere as if the author suddenly remembered she needed to add the characters' faith. And the faith was a little more fluffy than I would have liked. However, I liked Zoe as a woman searching for a fresh start, a place to hide and lick her wounds. Nick was a harder character to like as he was a bit more hardened. However, as the two grew to know each other and their wounds revealed, it was great to see them together. Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was a quick read for a lazy afternoon. If you enjoy clean romances, I recommend Island Refuge. 

Island Refuge 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