Forever and Ever, Amen: the heartwarming stories behind some of the greatest songs in country music

Forever and Ever, Amen: The Heart-Warming Stories Behind the Music of Paul Overstreet by Paul Overstreet with a foreword by Randy Travis. Paul Overstreet, a humble songwriter, chose to write songs that affirm family, the joys of marriage and faith. He would change the face of modern day country music as he no longer wanted to write about misery or “love gone wrong” songs. His songs would end becoming big hits for artists like Randy Travis (Forever and Ever, Amen, On The Other Hand), Keith Whitley and Alison Krauss (When You Say Nothing at All) and the Judds (Love Can Build a Bridge) and many, many more. Featuring the story behind the writing of some of his biggest hits, as well as personal testaments to the impact on the songs had the audiences who wrote about the influence his words had on them. 

Paul Overstreet’s success is in the power of a simple song. I loved reading about the story behind his lyrics as well as the letters from audiences about the impact his words had on their lives. I was reminded about the great music Mr Overstreet wrote for country music as well as songs I did not know he wrote. As I read about each song, I quickly went to my music app to add my favorites to my playlist. Forever and Ever, Amen is a quick read as readers will be drawn into the simple story of a simple man bringing beautiful songs to the world. It is not a complicated book. Just a man discussing his life, his faith and his inspiration behind some of the greatest love songs in country music. If you love country music or inspirational stories, I highly, highly recommend Forever and Ever, Amen. 

Forever and Ever, Amen is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The American Roommate Experiment: fun, romantic and heartwarming

The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas is the sequel to The Spanish Love Deception. Rosie Graham has a problem, make that “problems”. She quits her high paying job as an engineer to focus on her romance writing career. Her first book was a success and now the deadline for her second book is just weeks away and she has writer’s block. Then the ceiling of her New York apartment falls down around her. She simply packs up and heads to her best friend’s empty apartment. Lina is on her honeymoon and probably wouldn’t mind if Rosie crashes there. What Rosie doesn’t know is that Lind has promised the apartment to Lucas Martin, her visiting cousin from Spain. They come to an agreement to share the apartment. When Rosie confesses her writer’s block, Lucas offers to take her on a series of experimental dates meant to fuel her muse. What does she have to lose? Lucas’s stay has an end date and her deadline is looming.

I enjoyed The Spanish Love Deception so much that when I saw Ms. Armas had written a sequel, I grabbed it. The American Roommate Experiment is the same slow-burn, steamy and swoon-worthy romantic comedy as its predecessor. On the About the Author page, Ms. Armas states she hopes to “make your heart skip a beat or two, your palms a little sweaty, and your cheeks flush in that rosy pink that makes other people want to peek at the page you are reading.” And boy does she succeed! Wow! This story has it all. There are sexy flirting moments. Moments with deep hurt, heart and healing. And moments that would make any reader sigh. I loved Rosie. I loved Lucas. And I loved them together. I smiled. I laughed. I sighed and I even blushed. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I highly recommend The American Roommate Experiment. Although it is not necessary to enjoy this book, I also recommend The Spanish Love Deception. 

The American Roommate Experiment is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Wishes of Home: a heartwarming story of love and home

Wishes of Home by Barbara Hinske is the twelfth book in The Wishing Tree series. Readers first meet Pam in book five, Workout Wishes and Valentine Kisses, as her relationship with Steve blossoms from childhood friends to colleagues to romance. In Wishes of Home, Pam and Steve are still going strong, although her past hurts from her ex-husband finds herself doubting her relationship with Steve. In this story, Pam furthers her talent for remodeling and home décor. What started as a hobby takes her on an unexpected path. With her boyfriend, Steve Turner, at her side, she is filled with more confidence. But when their relationship hits a rough patch, will her dreams come tumbling down? Meanwhile, a young girl’s wish from the Wishing Tree touches Pam’s heart and she is determined to fulfill this wish. Has she taken on more than she can handle? Can she fulfill her own wish as well as this young girl’s wish? 

Wishes of Home is a sweet, wonderful story. There are heartwarming moments and a few tears. When Pam is filled with doubt about herself and her relationship with Steve, instead of talking with him, she ghosts him. Thinking the relationship is over, Steve doesn’t know where to turn. But the residents of Linden Falls aren’t going to let Pam and Steve ruin their relationship because they are perfect for each other. It is a story of communication, even if it could be hurtful and tough. Communication is key. There was one piece of information that Steve thought Pam knew, thinking small town everyone knows, but not realizing that she does not. It adds to the old saying “Assuming makes an ass out of you and me.” Overall, I enjoyed this story. It has been a great addition to The Wishing Tree series. I highly recommend Wishes of Home as well as the rest of The Wishing Tree series. 

Wishes of Home is available in paperback and eBook. 

Hello, Love: a funny, heartwarming love story

 Hello, Love by Karen McQuestion is the story of moving forward. A year after the death of his beloved wife, Christine, Dan is barely holding on. The only thing that gets him through the long and lonely nights is their cherished dog, Anni. One night, Anni is stolen from his front yard, Dan and his teenage daughter, Lindsay, are devastated and do everything they can to find her and bring her home. Meanwhile, in another part of town, Andrea Keller is recovering from the heartbreak of a messy divorce. While servicing a notice to tenants, she recuses a defenseless dog and her life changes in ways she never could have imagined. Providence causes Dan and Andrea to cross paths again and again and slowly they are drawn to each together but unable to make that final connection. Will Anni find her way home? Will Dan and Andrea find a second chance at happiness? 

Hello, Love is a heartwarming story of finding love a second time. It was an easy book to get lost in and devour in a day. I could not put it down as I waited to see if Anni would make it home and if Dan and Andrea would truly end up together. I loved the growing tension as each potential meet brings Dan and Andrea closer together. There are moments of laughter and moments of shock and tears. Dan and Andrea’s lives are filled with wonderful, colorful characters which help push them outside of their comfort zones and closer to each other. It’s not an overly complicated story and it's not a book that takes itself too seriously. It is simply a “feel-good, read in an afternoon” kind of book. If you are ready to set back and read a heartwarming, feel good story, I recommend Hello, Love. 

Hello, Love is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook. 

The Santa Trial: a great Christmas love story with all the sweetness, heartwarming goodness of the season

The Santa Trial: A Christmas Short by Tess Thompson is a tale of wonder and romance against the backdrop of Christmas. The story opens as Morgan Scott, a young girl, makes a video letter to Santa asking for his help. She wants her dad to meet someone and she has a list of requirements. Cut to Rena Burke who is not happy about missing work for jury duty. As she lists and prioritizes bills to pay with what income she has left, she notices that her “pretend boyfriend” Ryan is also on the jury. The man she has admired from afar is now sitting next to her. Ryan Scott is also not happy about being on jury duty, especially days from Christmas. His To-Do list gets longer by the minute. Soon Rena catches Ryan’s eye and maybe jury duty isn’t so bad after all. The case at hand is John Smith, a man who believes himself to be Santa Claus and makes it his mission to help the kids whose parents cannot afford to be Santa themselves. Is Mr. Smith THE Santa Claus? Is Rena the Christmas gift Morgan has asked for?

The Santa Trial is the Hallmark holiday romance movie on the page. It was short (very short, only 80 pages), sweet, heartwarming as any Christmas movie. It had a very Miracle on 34^th Street feel which is awesome because it is one of my favorite Christmas movies. Some might call it cheesy as most Christmas romance movies are, but it was enjoyable to sit back and read for a couple hours and read a story filled with love, hope and the miracles of Christmas. I laughed. I smiled. I sighed. I closed the book feeling all warm and fuzzy. I loved the interactions between the characters and what is the holiday without a little magic? If you enjoy holiday romance stories, you will enjoy The Santa Trial.

 

The Santa Trial is available in paperback and eBook