Review: A Worthy Heart by Sara Beth Williams

Title: A Worthy Heart

Author: Sara Beth Williams

Series: A Second Chance Book 2

Publication Date: July 2019

Length: 310 pages

About the Book

Joel Bennett has always known Serena Hayes as his sister’s gregarious best friend. In the three years since Lacey began college, Serena became a regular houseguest, but lately, she’s absent more than not. When Joel discovers she’s in an abusive relationship, protectiveness from within roars to life. With only a part-time job to support her and nowhere to go, Serena fears leaving her current relationship would jeopardize her chances of graduating college. After a brutal attack leaves her no choice, she courageously moves out. On her journey toward regaining confidence, self-worth, and independence, Joel falls in beside her, encouraging her. The way he emulates Godly love and compassion draws her close—not just to him, but to the God who can satisfy her longing for love better than any man,Attraction sizzles between them, but events from their pasts cast shadows of doubt. When the unthinkable happens, can Serena open her heart to a second chance at love, or is she destined to be alone?

First Line Friday - September 27, 2019

Welcome to First Line Friday hosted by Hoarding Books! 

How was your week? Mine was busy! I am looking forward to some quiet reading time this weekend. 

My first line today comes from The Sound of Distant Thunder by Jan Drexler. This will be my first historical Amish fiction book. 

"'Jonas! Pay attention!'"

Review: You Belong With Me by Tari Faris

Title: You Belong With Me
Author: Tari Faris
Series: Restoring Heritage Book 1
Publication Date: September 2019
Length: 331 pages

ABOUT THE BOOK 

Realtor Hannah Thornton has many talents.

Unfortunately, selling houses isn't one of them.

When a business tycoon determines to raze historic homes in the small town of Heritage, Michigan, and replace them with a strip mall, Hannah resolves to stop him. She sets about helping Heritage win a restoration grant that will put the town back on the map--and hopefully restore her disgraced family name. But she'll need help to do it.

As a foster kid, Luke Johnson never truly felt he belonged. Now he has a chance to earn his place in his hometown. But he doesn't anticipate how his relationship with Hannah will set into motion events that reveal the truth about who he is--and who he was.

First Line Friday - September 20, 2019

Welcome to First Line Friday hosted by Hoarding Books! 

Do you have special plans for the weekend? I am planning to go yard saling. :) Whatever you do, I hope you have a great weekend and enjoy a good book.

My first line today comes from Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson. I enjoy reading this author's Christmas novellas every year and I'm anxious to get to this one.

"Krista Galloway didn't usually second-guess herself, but as she slowed down the U-Haul truck on the outskirts of Winter Hill, she was assaulted with some serious doubts."

Reunited in the Rockies by Mindy Obenhaus Blog Tour, Review, and GIVEAWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Reunited in the Rockies by Mindy Obenhaus, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

Title: Reunited in the Rockies 

Series: Rocky Mountain Heroes, Book 4

Author: Mindy Obenhaus

Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Release Date: September 1, 2019

A fresh start…and an old love reignited?

A Rocky Mountain Heroes romance

For widow Kayla Bradshaw, restoring a historic Colorado hotel means a better life for her and her soon-to-arrive baby. But she needs construction help from Jude Stephens, the love she lost through a misunderstanding. Working with Kayla, the police officer finds himself forgiving her—and longing to rebuild her shattered confidence. But can they trust each other enough to forge a future together?

                                                           MY THOUGHTS

This story makes me sigh a happy sigh. I really enjoyed this book! I was drawn in right from the start and loved every minute of it! This story had a heroine that had to overcome her past and a strong hero to help her do that.

I liked the second-chance-at-romance theme. It only took a couple of encounters between Kayla and Jude before I wanted them to get back together. There were several subplots going on such as Jude’s future as a cattle rancher, the romance between Clint and Hillary, and Kayla’s relationship with her in-laws that added to this story. I also loved the friendship between Kayla and Lily.

There is talk of abuse in this book so readers should be aware of that in case that is a trigger for them. It is handled well.

This is the fourth book in the series, but can easily be read as a standalone.

If you like contemporary Christian fiction, I highly recommend this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First Line Friday and GIVEAWAY - September 13, 2019

Welcome to First Line Friday hosted by Hoarding Books! 

Do you have special plans for the weekend? Some of my in-laws are visiting so I'm looking forward to a fun-filled weekend with them. :) 

My first line today comes from The Amish Christmas Matchmaker by Vannetta Chapman. You can read my review here and enter to win the book and some other great prizes!

"Annie Kauffmann thought she'd just experienced a perfect day - business had gone well, the fall weather was exquisite and each member of her family was happy and healthy."

The Amish Christmas Matchmaker by Vannetta Chapman Blog Tour, Review, and GIVEAWAY

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Amish Christmas Matchmaker by Vannetta Chapman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

Title: The Amish Christmas Matchmaker

Series: Indiana Amish Brides #4

Author: Vannetta Chapman

Publisher: Love Inspired 

Release Date: September 1, 2019

Genre: Inspirational Amish Fiction

She’ll find him a wife for Christmas…

Which of these Indiana Amish Brides is next?

With her wedding business thriving, Annie Kauffmann could never leave her beloved Amish community.

So when handsome Amish cowboy Levi Lapp tries to convince her father to move the family to Texas, she must put a stop to it.

If Annie finds Levi a wife, he might forget his dream of moving…but can she keep from falling for him herself?

MY THOUGHTS

I enjoyed this book! I was a little slow to get into it and I wasn’t connecting with the characters in the beginning, however as soon as Annie and Levi pretended to be “stepping out”, the story really picked up for me.

I liked that Annie was a successful businesswoman. I thought it was realistic that she so adamantly did not want her family to move to Texas, however I didn’t like her initial animosity toward Levi. I liked Annie’s relationship with her best friend and business partner.

It was fun that others could see the feelings blossoming between Annie and Levi before they could and I enjoyed the chemistry between them.

If you like Amish Christian fiction, I recommend this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She is the author of over twenty novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series, and Plain and Simple Miracle series. Vannetta is a Carol award winner, a Christy finalist, and she also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She currently writes Christian suspense, Amish romance, and Amish mystery. She was a teacher for 15 years and resides in the Texas hill country.

CONNECT WITH VANNETTA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a copy of The Amish Christmas Matchmaker (print or digital), a quilted Amish mug mat, a woven Amish mug mat, and $10 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on these tours for more chances to win. Full tour schedule on this tour shown below. Giveaway begins at midnight September 9, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 16, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid. 

For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

First Line Friday - September 6, 2019

Welcome to First Line Friday hosted by Hoarding Books! 

Can you believe it's the first Friday of September? Did your summer go by fast? Mine sure did.

My first line today comes from You Belong With Me by Tari Faris. I'm excited to start reading this book because I've heard such good things about it!

I hope you have a great weekend!

"Was she really the only one left who cared about this town?"

New Review: An Informal Affair by Heather Gray

Title: An Informal Affair
Author: Heather Gray
Series: Informal Romance Book 5
Publication Date: 2017
Length: 195

From the Back of the Book

Online dating was supposed to make life easier.

Lia Promise is a nurse who enjoys the fast pace of the ER. Why, then, is her love life moving at a snail’s pace? She decides to take matters into her own hands with online dating. That ought to speed things up, right?

Maverick Hoyt is the hospital’s IT guru and all-around ordinary guy…for the most part. When his long-time friend Lia asks for moral support – which means joining her in the world of online dating - he agrees. What could possibly go wrong?

Lia and Maverick meet regularly to tell each other about their horrible dates. After all, misery loves company. As their impressive bad-date streak grows, Lia struggles with her self-image while Maverick questions why he’s even dating. How will God show these two — both set on doing things their way —that He’s had a perfect plan all along?