Wishful Thinking: finding self-acceptance and your heart's desires

Wishful Thinking by Kay Bratt is the ninth book in the Wishing Tree series. In this story, Janie Stallard has a new life as the newest business owner in Linden Falls as she has opened Wishful Thinking shop. She also helps Neva run the Wishing Tree Inn. She’s looking forward to the future as her divorce moves closer to becoming finalized. Coco Baines is a guest at the inn with the goal to become the graceful and fit anchorwoman her boss expects her to be. No matter how unfair she thinks the stereotype is outdated, she has to have that promotion! When a rumor about the Wishing Tree becomes an undeniable truth, the whole town is in an uproar and has banded together to protect their precious tree. Even with Janie and Coco working hard to divert the crisis, it will take more than just wishful thinking to save their tree. It will take a miracle. 

Wishful Thinking is a story of self-acceptance and finding your heart’s desires in the most unlikely places. I saw myself in Coco as she was fueled by an image that she thinks she needs to be in order to be the success she wants to be. She doesn’t see that she is beautiful just as she is. It takes a friendship with the local reporter and the story of the Wishing Tree to see that. Janie is a single mother who is trying to move forward until her estranged husband shows up in town. What is his motive? Can she trust him again? Can she trust herself to truly see her heart’s desires? My heart broke at the thought of the beloved Wishing Tree would be no more, even though I knew a solution would be found, I was surprised and enjoyed how the tree was saved. I highly recommend Wishful Thinking as well as the rest of the Wishing Tree series. 

Wishful Thinking is available in paperback and eBook.

Before I Called You Mine: an inspirational story about your heart's desire and God's plan

Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese is a story of love, family and finding your heart’s desire in the most unusual way. Lauren Bailey is a romantic at heart. But after a decade of failed matchmaking, she turns her attention to another match, the one that will make her a mother. As a dedicated first grade teacher, her love for children has led her on the path of international adoption. To satisfy the adoption agency’s requirements, she gladly remains single for the foreseeable future. However, as she awaits the life changing email, she is blinded by a complication she never thought about. Joshua Avery is a substitute teacher by day but his true passion is in educational technology. Lauren does her best to keep him at bay and deny their intense connection, but his relentless pursuit puts her once firm commitment at risk. As a possible match looms closer, she faces an impossible decision. She must choose between the two deepest desires of her heart. Does saying yes to one mean letting go of the other? Is there a way to have both? 

From the very beginning I was intrigued by the story. Although at one point, early in the book, I wasn’t sure if I liked where it was going but I pressed on. I am so glad I did! I stayed up late into the night finishing this wonderful story. It was a beautifully moving story. It had it all. Laughter, drama, tears of sadness and tears of joy. Ms. Deese deals with international adoptions and adoption in general with honesty and highlights the ups and downs of finding a forever home for these children. Although Lauren was a hard character to care for at times, I understood her doubts, her struggles and her capacity for love. My favorite character by far was Joshua. He was funny, understanding and supportive and while he made his own missteps, he wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable. I enjoyed the flirty banter between Lauren and Joshua. I especially enjoyed that the book put their text conversations in actual text bubbles. It was like actually reading their conversation over their shoulders. I highly recommend Before I Called You Mine. 

Before I Called You Mine is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

Where Dragonflies Hover: two love stories and lives connected despite the years

Where Dragonflies Hover by AnneMarie Brear is the story of two women connected through a diary. The story opens in 1945, Alexandria “Allie” Jameson, whose health is fading,  is determined to finish the story of her and Daniel. Allie was a nurse in France during World War I when she meets Captain Daniel “Danny” Hollingsworth as she nursed him back to health after he was wounded in battle. Fast forward to 2010, Alexandria “Lexi” O’Connor is a successful solicitor and married to a successful doctor but something is missing. Hollingsworth House, an old estate, is up for sale and she is determined to have this house despite her husband, Dylan’s, objections. Her desire for the house intensifies when she find Allie’s diary. She buys the house and begins to fix up the house as she continues to read Allie’s diary. She and Dylan split when it seems they want different things in life. When an emergency seems to bring them back together, will they be able to reconnect and rediscover their love for each other? Will Allie and Danny have a happily ever after?

Where Dragonflies Hover is a wonderful story which blends past and present into a heart wrenching love story. One love during a terrible war and another during a war within themselves. I loved that Ms. Brear chose the backdrop of World War I for Allie and Danny’s story. So few books have stories set during the Great War or tell the story of the brave men who fought in the trenches and the women who were in the field hospitals who worked tirelessly to save their lives. I also loved Lexi and Dylan’s story which is such a modern story of trying to find the balance between one’s career and their heart’s desires. I highly recommend Where Dragonflies Hover!

Where Dragonflies Hover

is available in paperback and ebook