Forged in Love by Mary Connealy (Review & #Giveaway) #booktwitter #newbooks #christianromance #christfic #romancebooks #bhpfiction @bethany_house @celebrate_lit


Welcome to my tour stop with Celebrate Lit! Check out my review and the giveaway below...

Forged in Love
(Wyoming Sunrise #1)
By Mary Connealy
Christian Historical Romance
Hardcover, Paperback Audiobook & eBook, 297 Pages
February 28, 2023 by Bethany House Publishers

Summary

When sparks begin to fly, can a friendship cast in iron be shaped into something more?

Mariah Stover is left for dead and with no memory when the Deadeye Gang robs the stagecoach she’s riding in, killing both her father and brother. As she takes over her father’s blacksmith shop and tries to move forward, she soon finds herself in jeopardy and wondering–does someone know she witnessed the robbery and is still alive?

Handsome and polished Clint Roberts escaped to western Wyoming, leaving his painful memories behind. Hoping for a fresh start, he opens a diner where he creates fine dishes, but is met with harsh resistance from the townsfolk, who prefer to stick to their old ways.

Clint and Mariah are drawn together by the trials they face in town, and Clint is determined to protect Mariah at all costs when danger descends upon her home. As threats pursue them from every side, will they survive to build a life forged in love?

(Affiliate links included.)

My Review

FORGED IN LOVE is a story about an independent woman who tries to find her place and safety after losing her family in a stage coach robbery and a man who wants to love and protect her. Set in a small town with some memorable friends, humorous moments and suspense. An overall enjoyable read.

I've read almost all of this author's books and have come to expect unique characters and situations as well as sparks of the romantic and dangerous variety. This story wasn't quite as humorous or as snappy in the dialogue as I'm used to, making it a bit of a slower read for me. The characters were great although I wanted them a bit more fleshed out. The romance quickly developed while also being very sweet while the heroine tried to stay safe and true to herself. There were three very strong women who were best friends in this story with an aspect of this story talking about changing women's rights. The inspirational aspect was weaved through well, making these characters' faith feel natural and genuine. The feeling of danger subtly grew towards the end. 

In the end, was it what I wished for? This was an enjoyable, steadily-paced read with likeable characters, sweet romance, inspirational moments and suspense. There were plenty of openings for further books in the series and I'm looking forward to reading the next story.

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Celebrate Lit/NetGalley, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author


Mary Connealy (www.maryconnealy.com) writes “romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has sold more than one and a half million books. She is the author of the popular series Brothers in Arms, Brides of Hope Mountain, High Sierra Sweethearts, The Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie’s Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.

More from Mary

The Inspiration

I started plotting this novel when I found out that Wyoming was the first state (then a territory) in the Union to grant women the right to vote. Then I discovered it wasn’t just the right to vote; all sorts of other rights were given to women as well, like the right to run for elected office or be appointed to office. In fact, the first woman justice of the peace in the U.S. was from Wyoming. This inspired me to have one of my heroines be the second justice of the peace in the country.

As I continued my research, reading about all that went on in Wyoming was fascinating. They became a territory in 1868—with women voting—and yet they weren’t allowed statehood for another thirty years. With other states being granted statehood in only a few years, why was this? Because the U.S. government refused to let Wyoming in unless they took the vote away from women.

Because Wyoming adamantly refused to strip the vote from women, year after year they were denied statehood. When they finally did get it, the state’s women maintained their right to vote because Wyoming would not budge on the issue. The whole history of this was great reading.

So I wrote a three-book series called Wyoming Sunrise in which all my heroines play against the normal, conventional female roles of the day.

Now, what job could I possibly think of that wasn’t traditionally for women? How about Mariah who happens to be a blacksmith? And while I’m writing against stereotypes, I created a man named Clint who runs a diner. That wasn’t too unusual, for lots of diners were run by men back in the day. Yet not many of them were talented chefs trained in high-class restaurants in New York City. Clint is an excellent chef. Of course, an excellent chef in a small Wyoming town is kind of wasted on folks who prefer fried chicken and beef stew.

Clint makes chicken and beef, but he calls his dishes weird names and makes them unusually delicious. Meanwhile, Mariah is working over a hot forge for long hours every day. When her father and brother are killed in a stagecoach holdup, she becomes the only blacksmith in town.

There’s some resistance to her doing such a masculine job, but even among those who disapprove, well, they’ve got a broken wagon wheel or a hole in their kettle and it’s either let Mariah fix it or go without. Mariah is allowed to be a blacksmith out of pure necessity.

My second book, The Laws of Attraction, has a female justice of the peace, while the third, Marshaling Her Heart, features a tough lady rancher. I write westerns, and honestly, writing about tough, feisty lady ranchers like Becky the Rancher comes naturally to me. Writing about a blacksmith and a judge, however, presents more of a challenge.

Mariah, who survived the stagecoach holdup, learns that the robbers believe she might know something that will reveal their identity, and she needs to be silenced. Clint tries to protect her and finds himself stepping between her and a murderous gang of outlaws.

Through it all, love finds them, and they begin to forge a life together.

Tour Schedule

Bigreadersite, March 18





Stories By Gina, March 20 (Author Interview)







Lighthouse Academy, March 22 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Remembrancy, March 23


Betti Mace, March 24




Pause for Tales, March 26





SodbusterLiving, March 28


Splashes of Joy, March 29


Wishful Endings, March 30

HookMeInABook, March 30


EmpowerMoms, March 31

Mary Hake, March 31

Tour-Wide Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize package of a $15 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book Forged in Love!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.


Are you a fan of this author or western romances? Will you be reading this one?

I Can't Wait for... A Shadow in Moscow by Katherine Reay (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #booktwitter #newbooks #histfic #historicalfiction #mustread @Katherine_Reay


Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

I've loved this author's books for a long time - since her debut Dr. Mr. Knightley. Her writing has always been superb and I've found her stories both entrancing, informative and wonderful every time. Her upcoming release is my pick this week...

A Shadow in Moscow:
A Cold War Novel
By Katherine Reay
Historical Fiction, Suspense, Dual Timeline
Paperback, Audiobook & eBook, 384 Pages
June 13, 2023 by Harper Muse

Summary

A betrayal at the highest level risks the lives of two courageous female spies: MI6’s best Soviet spy and the CIA’s newest Moscow recruit. As the KGB closes in, a compromise must be struck if either woman hopes to survive.

Vienna, 1954

After losing everyone she loves in the final days of World War II, Ingrid Bauer agrees to a hasty marriage with a gentle Soviet embassy worker and follows him home to Moscow. But nothing deep within the Soviet Union’s totalitarian regime is what it seems, including her new husband, whom Ingrid suspects works for the KGB. Upon her daughter’s birth, Ingrid risks everything and reaches out in hope to the one country she understands and trusts—Britain, the country of her mother’s birth—and starts passing along intelligence to MI6, navigating a world of secrets and lies, light and shadow.

Washington, DC, 1980

Part of the Foreign Studies Initiative, Anya Kadinova finishes her degree at Georgetown University and boards her flight home to Moscow, leaving behind the man she loves and a country she’s grown to respect. Though raised by dedicated and loyal Soviet parents, Anya soon questions an increasingly oppressive and paranoid Soviet regime at the height of the Cold War. When the KGB murders her bestfriend, Anya picks sides and contacts the CIA. Working in a military research lab, Anya passes along Soviet military plans and schematics in an effort to end the 1980s arms race.

Alternating points of view keep readers on their toes as the past catches up to the present when an unprecedented act of treachery in 1985 threatens all undercover agents operating within the Soviet Union, and both Ingrid and Anya find themselves in a race for their lives against time and the KGB.

(Affiliate links included.)


Will you be reading this one?

New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for March 20th - March 26th #freebook #booksale #booklinkup #booklinky


Here are the New Releases / Free & Bargain Books, hosted by
Sharon over at Beck Valley Books, for this week! Check it all out below...

Authors please feel free to add your own books.
Readers please free to add your own finds.
(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author
For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author
For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 
For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!


By adding your link, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy and transmitted to Inlinkz in accordance with their Privacy Policy.

Would you like to share our linkup on your site? click here
Would you like to become a weekly host? sign up here

Come back and check out the new selection every week!

I Can't Wait for... The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #romancebooks #cleanromance #cleanreads #womensfiction #chicklit #booktwitter #newbooks @Crazy4Fiction


Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

I absolutely adore this author and have yet to not enjoy one of her books! Her newest looks and sounds adorable. It also sounds like it tackles a fairly poignant and relevant topic. It's my pick this week...

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley
By Courtney Walsh
Contemporary Romance, Clean & Wholesome
Paperback, Audiobook & eBook, 368 Pages
June 13, 2023 by Thomas Nelson

Summary

She’s out to prove that there’s no such thing as choosing happiness.

Isadora Bentley follows the rules. Isadora Bentley likes things just so. Isadora Bentley believes that happiness is something that flat-out doesn’t exist in her life—and never will.

As a university researcher, Isadora keeps to herself as much as possible. She avoids the students she’s supposed to befriend and mentor. She stays away from her neighbors and lives her own quiet, organized life in her own quiet, organized apartment. And she will never get involved in a romantic relationship again—especially with another academic. It will be just Isadora and her research. Forever.

But on her thirtieth birthday, Isadora does something completely out of character. The young woman who never does anything “on a whim” makes an impulse purchase of a magazine featuring a silly article detailing “Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy”—which includes everything from smiling at strangers to exercising for endorphins to giving in to your chocolate cravings. Isadora decides to create her own secret research project—proving the writer of the ridiculous piece wrong.

As Isadora gets deeper into her research—and meets a handsome professor along the way—she’s stunned to discover that maybe, just maybe, she’s proving herself wrong. Perhaps there’s actually something to this happiness concept, and possibly there’s something to be said for loosening up and letting life take you somewhere . . . happy.

(Affiliate links included.)


Will you be reading this one?

A quirky small-town romance... Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer (Review) #romancebooks #booktwitter #chicklit #christianromance #cleanreads #newbooks @crazy4fiction @tyndalehouse


This was a fun read! Find a Q&A with the author here and my full review below...

Dear Henry, Love Edith
By Becca Kinzer
Contemporary Romance, Christian
Paperback, Audiobook & eBook, 348 Pages
January 31, 2023 by Tyndale House Publishers

Summary

He thinks she’s an elderly widow. She’s convinced he’s a grumpy old man. Neither could be further from the truth.

After a short and difficult marriage, recently widowed Edith Sherman has learned her lesson. Forget love. Forget marriage. She plans to fill her thirties with adventure. As she awaits the final paperwork for a humanitarian trip to South Africa, she accepts a short-term nursing position in a small Midwestern town. The last thing she needs is a handsome local catching her eye. How inconvenient is that?

Henry Hobbes isn’t exactly thrilled to have Edith, who he assumes is an elderly widow, dumped on him as a houseguest for the summer. But he’d do almost anything for his niece, who is practically like a sister to him given how close they are in age. Especially since Edith will be working nights and Henry works most days. When he and Edith keep missing each other in person, they begin exchanging notes—short messages at first, then longer letters, sharing increasingly personal parts of their lives.

By the time Henry realizes his mistake—that Edith is actually the brown-eyed beauty he keeps bumping into around town—their hearts are so intertwined he hopes they never unravel. But with her departure date rapidly approaching, and Henry’s roots firmly planted at home, Edith must ultimately decide if the adventure of her dreams is the one right in front of her.

Reminiscent of the beloved classic You’ve Got Mail comes a delightful new romantic comedy about mistaken identities, second chances, and finding love in unexpected places.

(Affiliate links included.)

My Review

DEAR HENRY, LOVE EDITH is a story where a relationship begins to bloom between two characters as they exchange letters to each other. It's full of quirky, small-town characters, charm, and two likable main characters who both have obstacles to overcome to find their happily-ever-after. Throw in a fake relationship, a slightly crazy brother-in-law and plenty of unfounded rumors for more excitement.

I pretty much loved the first half of this book. The characters are seriously likable and I loved the whole premise of them writing letters thinking they are completely different people than who they actually are. I also loved the fake relationship. It added a fun dynamic and also created some awkward and humorous moments. There are so many quirky characters in the town that also added quite a bit of color to the story.

I also had a few things I didn't love about the story. The second half of the story dragged for me, especially towards the end. A lot of the things that occurred were completely unrealistic and over-the-top dramatic. This made a story that I had been loving turn into something that was a bit tedious to finish.

In the end, was it what I wished for? Overall this was an enjoyable story. The first half was fabulous and the second half not as great. Other readers might not have the same issues I did and it is still definitely worth the read. I'm looking forward to seeing what this author writes next.

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author


Becca Kinzer lives in Springfield, Illinois, where she works as a critical care nurse. When she’s not taking care of sick patients or reminding her husband and two kids that frozen chicken nuggets is a gourmet meal, she enjoys making up lighthearted stories with serious laughs. She is a 2018 ACFW First Impressions Contest winner, a 2019 Genesis Contest winner, a 2021 Cascade Award winner, and an all-around champion coffee drinker. Dear Henry, Love Edith is her debut novel.



Is this one on your list to read?

New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for March 13th - March 19th #freebook #booksale #booklinkup #booklinky


Here are the New Releases / Free & Bargain Books, hosted by
Sharon over at Beck Valley Books, for this week! Check it all out below...

Authors please feel free to add your own books.
Readers please free to add your own finds.
(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author
For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author
For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 
For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!


By adding your link, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy and transmitted to Inlinkz in accordance with their Privacy Policy.

Would you like to share our linkup on your site? click here
Would you like to become a weekly host? sign up here

Come back and check out the new selection every week!

Check out an interview with the author... Woodencloak by Dawn Ford (Interview & #Giveaway) #middlegrade #booktwitter #fantasy #books #newbooks @justreadtours


Welcome to my tour stop with JustRead Publicity Tours! I'm sharing an
excerpt and giveaway today for this Middle Grade Fantasy. Check it all out below...

Woodencloak 
(Band of Unlikely Heroes #1)
By Dawn Ford
Middle Grade Fantasy
Paperback & eBook, ? Pages
February 7, 2023 by Scrivenings Press

Summary

Thirteen-year-old troll princess Horra Fyd’s life changes forever after an unexpected visit from the fairy queen and her two daughters. Tales of fairies gave Horra nightmares as a young troll. Before evening falls, however, a real nightmare unfolds. Horra’s father, King Fyd, goes missing. Her woodgoblin instructor is poisoned and uses his magic to revert to a seed. And a mysterious, gaunt man wearing a cape and playing a panflute joins the fairies in trying to capture her.

Horra flees but is instantly lost in a world she’s never had to travel alone. A letter hidden in her knapsack from her late instructor informs her that a power hungry Erlking seeks revenge against her kingdom and their allies for a two-generation old war. She is tasked with getting his seed to the Weald, a magical forest. There it can regenerate into a druid, the only creature with the power to hold the balance between good and evil, and who is able to defeat the Erlking.

However, the Erlking is always one step behind her. Horra must fight to protect herself, but she has no magic. She accepts a gift from a dead druid spirit of a charmed woodencloak to disguise her. But magic failed her mother, how can she possibly trust it?

Can Horra have faith and courage enough to trust a power she can’t see, and become a warrior heroine her foremothers can be proud of? Or will she allow fear to rule over her and lose everything that matters—including her life?

(Affiliate links included.)

Author Interview

Would you tell us more about the main characters from Woodencloak?

The main character is a smallish troll princess who loves herself, warts and all, but as a troll, she has no magic. She’s fierce, hard-working, and dedicated to her kingdom. She loves animals and plants. Though she is well-educated for a troll, she has been rather shielded from normal life. She hasn’t believed in magic since it failed to save her mother’s life. Fairies give her nightmares.

The Erlking is a dark-magic using elf who has been rejected by his kind – the reclusive elves. He seeks vengeance for the destruction of his predecessor who was defeated by the trolls and the fairies in a war two generations before. That predecessor placed a curse on the land, foretelling this Erlking’s coming as the possible end of their world as they know it. He is based on the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

What inspired you to write a story with a troll as your heroine?

The last name Fyd had floated in my mind for over twenty years when I noticed it on a piece of mail I sorted in a mail room where I worked. I played around with the different character names you could use but let it sit in the back of my mind. Fast forward a dozen or so years and I was challenged by my boss at a flash fiction magazine to write a flash fiction piece from one of my manuscripts. It was about a library of the undead. I sat down and wrote a seven-hundred word story in less than two hours about a troll princess, her two fairy half-sisters and a spell that went awry. When I sent it in for feedback and was delighted when they published it—my first published work. I loved the idea of the characters so much that I wrote Woodencloak around them.

Which character do you most relate to and why?

I relate to Princess Horra because I was a very small girl and a huge tomboy as a child. I loved bugs and playing in the mud. Even though I was very small, I was fierce in my own mind, and always loved playing in nature. I took much of that and put it into Horra.

What advice would Horra give about navigating her world?

Never leave your bow and arrows behind when your castle is overtaken. Always check to be sure the rocks you are near aren’t magnetized when you need to rely on your compass. When going incognito, stick to the shadows. Magic can be useful after all.

What part or aspect of this story do you love the most?

I love how fierce Horra is. I wanted a story where the odds were against my main character but that the main character was bigger than anything the fates could throw at her. She’s someone everyone can identify with, imperfect but determined to make the right choices even when it doesn’t look like they’re the right ones.

When you reach for a book to read, what genre do you grab and what are some of your favorites in that genre?

I love fantasy, most any genre and age group of it as well as dystopian fiction. I adored the Harry Potter series where good triumphed over evil in the end, and where love and friendship were the true important things in life. Some of my favorite authors are Lindsay Buroker, Patricia Briggs, and Jenny Schwartz.

What was a book that made you cry, a book that made you laugh and a book that made you swoon?

The Hunger Games made me cry more than once—I was incredibly invested in the characters. A.G Howard’s villain turned hero Morpheus made me swoon in his determination to win over the main character, Alyssa in the Splintered series. This series is based on Alice in Wonderland which is one of my all-time favorite books. I never knew the mad-hatter could be so tantalizing a character.

What’s something you enjoy doing when you’re not reading or writing?

I love crafting (so many crafts, so little time!) and enjoy thrift shopping. Of course, I delight in spending time with my grandchildren.

What are you working on next?

I am working on the second book in the Band of Unlikely Heroes series and the third in my Firebird series, pretty much simultaneously.

Other Books by the Author

The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes
(Firebird Series #1)
By Dawn Ford
Christian YA Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 297 Pages
April 12, 2022 by Expanse Books

Summary

Eighteen-year-old servant girl Tambrynn is haunted by more than her unusual silver hair and the star-shaped pupils in her eyes. Her uncontrollable ability to call objects leads the wolves who savagely murdered her mother right to her door.

When she’s fired and outcast during a snowstorm, her carriage wrecks and she’s forced to find refuge in an abandoned cottage. There, her life is upended when the magpie who’s stalked her for ten years transforms into a man, Lucas. He’s her Watcher and they’re from a different kingdom. His job is to keep her safe from her father, an evil mage, who wants to steal her abilities, turn her into one of his undead beasts, and become immortal himself.

Can they make it to the magical passageway and get to their home kingdom in time for Tambrynn to thwart her father’s malicious plans? Or will Tambrynn’s unique magic doom them all?

(Affiliate links included.)

About the Author


Dawn Ford lives in a small town nestled among the Loess Hills in Western Iowa with her husband and Snickers, the Wonder Beagle. Dawn’s love for stories came naturally to her as a child who was lucky enough to be able to explore the Iowa pastures and countryside in search of adventure.

Dawn adores anything steampunk, is mesmerized by shiny, pretty things, loves purses, shoes, and needs at least one good, strong cup of coffee a day to wake up.

Dawn’s novel, The Girl With Stars In Her Eyes, won the 2016 ACFW Genesis Award under the title, Kingdom Come. Her flash fiction stories have been featured in Havok, an online magazine.

Connect with Dawn by visiting dawnfordauthor.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Photo credit: Arpit Mehta

Tour Schedule

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

Tour-Wide Giveaway


(3) winners will receive a signed paperback copy of Woodencloak!

Full tour schedule linked above. The giveaway begins at midnight March 13, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 20, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Does this sound like a story you or someone you know would enjoy? Have you read any other stories with trolls?

I Can't Wait for... Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #booktwitter #newbooks #histfic #romancebooks #christianfiction #bhpfiction @bethany_house


Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

I pretty much love anything by this author and I also love anything that is a spin on a fairy tale, so this sounds like it'll be just my thing. It's my pick this week...

Fairest of Heart
(Texas Ever After #1)
By Karen Witemeyer
Christian Historical Romance
Hardcover, Paperback & eBook, 352 Pages
June 6, 2023 by Bethany House Publishers

Summary

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters--and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather's ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope's acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope's guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

(Affiliate links included.)


Will you be reading this one?

She isn't the match he's looking for... A Match in the Making by Jen Turano (Review) #booktwitter #newbooks #historicalromance #christianfiction #BHPF


Welcome! I'm sharing my review of this delightful story today. Read on below...

A Match in the Making
(The Matchmakers #1)
By Jen Turano
Christian Historical Romance
Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & eBook, 362 Pages
February 21, 2023 by Bethany House Publishers

Summary

Miss Gwendolyn Brinley accepted a temporary paid companion position for the Newport summer season, believing it would be a lark to spend the summer in America's most exclusive town. She suddenly finds her summer turning anything but amusing when her employer expects her to take over responsibilities as an assistant matchmaker. Tasked with the daunting prospect of attaining advantageous matches for her clients, Gwendolyn soon finds herself in the employ of Mr. Walter Townsend, the catch of the Season, but a gentleman Gwendolyn finds beyond irritating.

Walter Townsend is reluctantly in search of a wife for the sake of his unruly motherless children who cannot keep a governess for long. What he wasn't expecting was Miss Brinley, an amateur matchmaker who turns his quest for a new wife into a complete and utter debacle. Constantly besieged by society ladies on a mission to win his affection, Walter must find a way to overcome their inundating attention--and his unexpected attraction toward Gwendolyn.

The more time they spend together throughout the Newport Season, the harder it is for Gwendolyn to find Walter a wife when she realizes his perfect match might be . . . her.

(Affiliate links included.)

My Review

A MATCH IN THE MAKING is a story about a strong, unconventional woman and a traditional society man who doesn't realize that she is the one he and his children need in their lives. She becomes his matchmaker unwillingly and thus ensues a story full of humor, banter, delightful familial moments, and some rather romantic and inspiring ones as well. A definite recommendation for fans of the author and genre!

This is one of those stories that had me smiling and laughing out loud almost from the first page. Turano is in her element with a witty, confident, no-nonsense heroine and a wealthy, dashing hero who form a business agreement. Like most such romance stories, close proximity and glorious banter turns into a deeper understanding as love begins to slip in regardless that they aren’t looking for it. There are a slue of memorable characters, including some spoiled but adorable children who desperately need a mother in their life. I loved the characters and the plot overall.

My only misgivings with this story was that the middle and the end seemed to drag. There was too much dialogue in places (overly wordy conversations) as well as parts where the characters almost became one-dimensional versus their more fully-fleshed selves from the beginning of the story. The only other thing were a few places that felt rather unrealistic and over the top. I loved the beginning of this story, but that flagged a bit half-way through to the end.

In the end, was it what I wished for? I enjoyed reading this! Recommended to inspirational romance readers who want a story that will pull on all their emotions, but especially make them smile and leave them with that satisfying happily-ever-after ending! I wish that the second half of the book was as delightful as the first half, but still a book I'd recommend.

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through JustRead Publicity Tours, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Have you read this book or any of this author's other books? Do you have any thoughts on this one?

New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for March 6th - March 12th #freebook #booksale #booklinkup #booklinky


Here are the New Releases / Free & Bargain Books, hosted by
Sharon over at Beck Valley Books, for this week! Check it all out below...

Authors please feel free to add your own books.
Readers please free to add your own finds.
(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...

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(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!


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Read an excerpt from this sweet romance... Her Surprise Hometown Match by Tara Randel (Excerpt & #Giveaway) #booktwitter #newbooks #cleanreads #cleanromance #romancebooks #harlequinromance @HarlequinBooks @justreadtours


Welcome to my tour stop with JustRead Publicity Tours!
I'm sharing an excerpt and the tour giveaway below...

Her Surprise Hometown Match
(The Golden Matchmakers Club #4)
By Tara Randel
Contemporary Romance (Sweet/Clean)
Paperback & eBook, 265 Pages
February 21, 2023 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Summary

Can she be honest…

With the rodeo cowboy?


Juliette Bishop is living a lie. And she won’t let any man get close enough to discover she’s not the hero Golden residents imagine. But rebellious former rodeo cowboy Ty Pendergrass slips under her radar…and straight into her heart. No stranger to the struggles of shedding a reputation, the daring trick rider could be her perfect match. If she has the courage to come clean with him and her hometown!

USA TODAY Bestselling Author

From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.

(Affiliate links included.)

Excerpt

“That’s a story for another time. For now, we figure out how to make your program work.”

Juliette sighed. “We’ll just have to see what happens.”

“Maybe you just need the right people around.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “You know, it’s annoying that under all that bravado, you’re a nice guy.”

“Why thank you, darlin’.”

Her expression grew dark. “Ixnay on the nickname.”

“It fits.”

“No. Not now, not ever.”

“You know you’re making it impossible to stop.”

She rolled her eyes, but Ty didn’t miss the twitch of her lips when she looked away.

They moved to the paint bucket together, nearly knocking heads as they leaned in for their paint brushes. Her ponytail swung over her shoulder, brushing his face. The scent of peppermint tickled his nose and while he could have stared at her pretty face for hours, they had a barn to paint.

His gaze traveled to her lips. The thought of kissing her took hold. They had this strong attraction but, for the life of him, couldn’t figure out why. They were so different. She was as by the book as he was easygoing. He might have promised his dad he’d settle down, but that didn’t stop him from wanting to jump on his horse and ride with the wind. And when he pictured it, Juliette was right beside him.

He broke the connection and stepped away before he did something stupid. She’d just agreed to be his date, he didn’t what to blow it. Not only that, he liked her. Good grief. How had she managed to captivate him so thoroughly?

About the Author


Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and, of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. She writes for multiple genres, including romance, mystery and Women’s fiction.

Connect with Tara by visiting tararandel.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Schedule

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

Tour-Wide Giveaway


(1) winner will receive an autographed copy of His Small Town Dream as well as Stealing Her Best Friend's Heart, a bookmark, and a $25 Amazon gift card!

(1) additional winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card!


Full tour schedule linked above. The giveaway begins at midnight March 6, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 13, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

What did you think of the excerpt? Does it sound like something you'd enjoy reading?

I Can't Wait for... Along a Breton Shore by Arlem Hawks (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #booktwitter #histfic #historicalfiction #fiction #newbooks @ShadowMountn


Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

I haven't read a lot of books set specifically during this time period in England. This one sounds like it will be a fantastic read. It's my pick this week...

Along a Breton Shore
By Arlem Hawks
Historical Fiction
Hardcover, Audiobook & eBook, 368 Pages
June 6, 2023 by Shadow Mountain

Summary

A soldier and a young woman, on opposite sides of the revolution, must run for their lives across a war-torn France in this gripping novel of friendship, love, and survival.

France, 1794

Maxence Étienne, a soldier for the République, believes fiercely in the revolution that is bringing liberty to France. But even though the monarchy has fallen and Maxence is part of a great cause, he is still searching for a place to belong.

Armelle Bernard is a young woman from Breton whose father was sentenced to death for hiding counterrevolutionaries. She decides to confront the priest who betrayed her father, and as the conflict escalates, she herself is ordered to be executed―an order to be carried out by Maxence.

Maxence has seen his share of violence and bloodshed, but he also carries a tragic secret and can’t bring himself to carry out his assignment. In allowing Armelle to escape, he is forced to combat a fellow soldier, who dies in the struggle.

Though Armelle and Maxence are strangers and on opposite sides of the revolution, they find themselves united as fugitives of the new republic. Now they must find a way to trust each other as they search for a path to peace, and to freedom.

(Affiliate links included.)


Will you be reading this one?