Seeking Mr Debonair: one pact, one dream to find her very own Mr Darcy

Seeking Mr. Debonair is the first book in The Jane Austen Pact series by Cami Checketts. At the age of twelve, Harley Redland vowed to marry a man as debonair as Mr Darcy, even though she is secretly in love with her older brother’s best friend. After graduating from Yale, Harley learns she has been accepted into Cambridge for her master’s program. However, she is called home to the family ranch in Wyoming as her father is very, very sick. Crew Harrison has known Harley all of her life and has harbored love for her for as long as he can remember. He wants to find a way to show her that he is as charming, educated and romantic as her precious Mr Darcy. A wrench in his plan is her dream Englishman who comes to town on business. Can Harley see what she is looking for is right at home?

Everyone who knows me knows I am not the biggest Jane Austen fan. Especially since everyone seems to fixate on Pride and Prejudice and love for Mr Darcy. That being said, I do not turn away books because the characters love Pride and Prejudice. When I read the blurb of Seeking Mr Debonair, I was intrigued and it sounded like a fun romance. However, right from the beginning, I did not care for Harley. I understand a dream which started as a young girl; however, as one grows and matures, the dream usually grows and matures with them. Not Harley, she would not budge. Her Mr Darcy can only be an Englishman otherwise he is not Mr Darcy. So narrow minded. I didn’t like the never travel, never leave home/your roots mentality from her brother. Really? Overall, I did not enjoy Seeking Mr Debonair and I will not be continuing the series. 

Seeking Mr. Debonair is available in paperback and eBook

Emma's Dream: a pleasant romance

Emma’s Dream by M Lee Prescott is the first book in the Morgan’s Run Romances series. It is the story of Ben Morgan, who is on his way to his family’s ranch in the Saguaro Valley, Arizona. He has been ordered a few months rest by his doctors. His day back in town, he has a fender bender and the other driver is none other than Maggie Williams. Ben and Maggie had a one stand night many years ago. He left to start his business in California, she left to go to college. But she was back in town working at his family’s ranch. Ben learns she has a 4-year-old daughter, Emma, who has been in a wheelchair after a car accident. It is obvious from the beginning that Emma is Ben’s daughter, but will Maggie tell him? Will she be able to keep it a secret? How will he react? How will his family react?

Emma’s Dream is a nice romance as Ben is immediately drawn to Maggie as he was so many years ago. The characters were fun and relatable. I particularly liked Ben and Maggie. I understood her reluctance to tell Ben even though she knew she would have to in the future. The story was enjoyable and set up future stories in the series. My only complaint is the book had way too many chapters. 71! Granted they were short chapters but most of them could have been combined into larger chapters. Overall, I enjoyed Emma’s Dream and recommend it. I may continue the series if I come across the other titles.

Emma’s Dream

is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Doggie Delicious: a story of discovering new skills

Doggie Delicious by Mary Jo Wisneki Johnston is an imaginative book about a dog on a ranch who grows wings and learns to fly. The story begins as the narrator is approached by a stranger telling her that her new dog is waiting for her over there. She and her husband had no intentions to get a new dog but were curious about the stranger’s message. They soon fall in love with a puppy and go through the adoption process. They name their new dog Bialy Habibti, which is Polish and Arabic for White Honey, and call her Bibi for short. Soon, strange things begin to happen on the ranch and Bibi is growing wings. With her new abilities, she begins to help around the ranch in ways that no one else can and she inspires the other animals to display their unique talents.

Doggie Delicious was a cute story which kids will have fun imagining a dog who can fly. There are a few minor annoyances I found. For instance, the narrator kept explaining what the abbreviations were that she used. Explain once and that’s it. The repetitive explanations are unnecessary. I like the message of the story to keep the faith, determination and courage to fulfill your dreams. The “possibilities are endless with belief and persistence.”

Doggie Delicious is available on Amazon

In hardcover for $24.95 and in paperback for $18.95