Together With You by Victoria Bylin

Book Description:

Sometimes the most unexpected love can be exactly what a heart needs...When a Lost Child warning blares over the mall's PA system, Carly Mason finds the little girl playing with a stuffed rabbit. Something about Penny Tremaine is different. An ex-social worker, Carly recognizes that the child suffers fetal alcohol effects, and a piece of Carly's past suddenly confronts her. Never again will she become personally involved with a client. The risks are far too great. But something about Penny--and Penny's handsome father--tugs at Carly's heart.

Dr. Ryan Tremaine is trying to put his life back together. With his ex-wife remarried and on a trip far away, his two teenage sons and Penny are living under his roof full time. Ryan has put his faith in his Sink-or-Swim list, a plan to reconnect with his children. The first step: recruit Carly Mason to be Penny's nanny.

Ryan never anticipated being so drawn to Carly, an attraction Carly seems to fight as much as he does. Could Carly be the missing piece that helps his family stay afloat, or will their blossoming romance only complicate things further?

Known for her realistic and engaging characters, Victoria Bylin delivers an emotion-packed story reminiscent of The Sound of Music, one that reminds us all to believe in the power of faith and love.

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Bylin had me engaged from the first page! This story swept me up and had me eagerly, enjoying page after page. Her characters were well fleshed out, the plot was intriguing and there was heart to the story. 

I will say Dr. Ryan Tremaine does not start off as your favorite hero. He has messed up, but he is in the process of trying to make things right. And I have to be honest, I do love a good redemption story. And it is not just Ryan, but also Carly, who is working through something in her past that she carries the weight of. They each have their struggles and their strengths.

Things do wrap up rather neatly at the end. Which is some ways felt a little too perfect, but at the same time, gives you that nice happy feeling. Overall, highly enjoyable story!

* Clean romance, no violence, no language and a spiritual message spread throughout.  

The Thorn Keeper (Penned in Time Book 2) by Pepper Basham

Book Description:
With her newfound faith, Catherine Dougall hopes to take the remnants of her threadbare life and make something beautiful, even if society shuns every choice she makes. 

Dr. David Ross must save his war hospital from ruin, but when his notorious aunt makes an offer he can’t refuse, he must choose between his surprising affection for a reformed flirt or his dreams. 

From the beautiful Derbyshire countryside to the trenches of World War One, Catherine and David must learn to trust in a God who never forgets his children and fashions beauty out of the most broken things.

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The Thorn Keeper, left me swept away! I delighted in the beautiful, unfolding tale of Catherine and David's story. And what a story it was! This novel drew me in and had me devouring the pages, there was a softer flow mid way through, but still just as engaging. However, the last quarter of the novel had me hungrily devouring the pages and enamored with the stunning and glorious way Basham wove this story and its' conclusion.

A story filled with romance, yes, but also with so much grace, love and truth. Basham masterfully, guides you through these lessons and brings such a sweetness and deeper awareness in a completely organic way.

The relationship between Catherine (Kat) and David was so sweet, completely romantic and swoon worthy - yes! The unfolding friendship and romance was well done and will leave you with a grin and a sigh, delighted and challenged too! What is real love? Do you love well? Do you rest in the lavish love of your Savior?

Conclusion; you should read this one for sure!

The Thornbearer (Penned in Time Book 1) by Pepper Basham

Book Description:
BRONZE MEDAL—CHRISTIAN FICTION—READERS FAVORITE BOOK AWARDS 
FINALIST—2015 GRACE AWARDS 
SHORT-LISTED—2015 INSPY AWARDS 

From the decks of the ill-fated Lusitania to the smoke-filled trenches of France, Ashleigh must choose between the forgiveness of her past, life in the present, and a Savior who can rescue her from them all. 

When her fiancé leaves her eight months before their wedding, the unexpected blow ignites a battalion of insecurities stemming from her father’s intimate betrayal. Her worst fears are confirmed – who could ever love a soiled woman? 

In an attempt to escape the shame and disappointment of her past, Ashleigh boards the ill-fated Lusitania to cross the war-torn waters of Europe. Much to her dismay, she isn’t traveling alone. 

Sam Miller is always making up for his best friend’s mistakes. Determined to help Ashleigh, he offers his compassion and protection as she ventures across a perilous sea. With the faint hope of renewing his lost love for Ashleigh’s sister, Sam never expects to find the woman of his dreams in his best friend’s former fiancé and his own childhood companion. 

As they travel across the Atlantic, neither is prepared for the life-altering and heart-breaking journey of their friendship. 

When the truth of Ashleigh’s past explodes in the middle of war and Sam rejects her, Ashleigh must decide if God is enough – or if the double weight of her betrayal and past will crush her life forever.

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As Basham's bio states, her novels are truly romances peppered with grace and humor! The Thornbearer has a good deal of family drama, there are some dark secrets and deep wounds. While Basham covers the topic of abuse, and more specifically sexual abuse, she handles it well. The reader is made aware of the situation and its' repercussions but without all the gory details. This story is focused more on grace, love, redemption and forgiveness.  There are so many truths shining through this novel; the lies we believe, the shame that binds, pride, prejudice, learning to accept grace and give it, as well as forgivness, for not only others but oneself.

This story has many layers and I thoroughly enjoyed pealing my way through every one, until I reached the heart of the story. The romance was sweet, the characters engaging and the novel engrossing.

Looking forward to Book 2!

A Twist of Faith: Will a wager against her future steal her chance at true love? by Pepper Basham

Book Description:

Will a wager against her future steal her chance at true love? 

Dr. Adelina Roseland has worked ten years in research as an accent reduction specialist to attain her dream job. But a secret wager to transform Appalachian cattle farmer Reese Mitchell into corporate material challenges Adelina in ways she never expected, threatening her new position. 

For one, Adelina didn't plan for the faith and friction of Reese, or the unexpected influence of his chaotic family. Now, drawn into a culture she'd tried to forget, Adelina finds the warmth of family, the hope of faith, and the joy of love melting away the deep wounds of her past. 

But when Reese discovers that he's a pawn in her climb up the academic ladder, will he forgive Adelina's deceit or will their miscommunication end in two broken lives? 

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I absolutely loved this novel! Which is a wonderful twist on the My Fair Lady/Pgymalion story. It was the perfect blend of whit, humor, romance, and truth; all wrapped up in one hard to put down story! A Twist of Faith, is the first novel I have read by Basham; but you can believe that it will not be the last.

The characters and plot were very well written and fleshed out. In fact, there are many secondary characters that you will fall in love with. I hope to see them get their own novel as well! But, in the mean time, you should definitely read this one!


*** Currently available with Kindle Unlimited!

Forever Safe (Beacons of Hope, Book 4) by Jody Hedlund

Book Description:
Race Point, Massachusetts, 1876 

Will she ever be able to stop running, even when she believes she’s finally safe? 

Heiress to a vast fortune, Victoria Cole has everything she wants, including the perfect fiancé. Having left two other men at the altar, Victoria is sure that now she’s found her true love and will finally live happily ever after. As her wedding draws near, however, Victoria’s life is threatened. To keep her safe, Victoria’s father hires a bodyguard. 

Tom Cushman’s number one priority is protecting his clients, which means no personal entanglements. But he’s never guarded someone as beautiful and winsome as Victoria. After a near-kidnapping, the wedding is cancelled, and Tom hides Victoria at Cape Cod’s Race Point Lighthouse until her attacker can be found. Appointed as assistant light keeper with Victoria posing as his wife, Tom believes the isolation of the lighthouse will keep her safe. 

As Victoria struggles to live without familiar luxuries, her heart betrays her with growing feelings for her protector. Determined to help Tom stop fleeing from his haunted past, can the runaway bride learn to face her own fears? With the attacker closing in, will both of them ever be able to stop running and find the safety they long for?

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This book delivered the proper dose of all that makes for a good read! To be honest, the cover is not my favorite, but I loved the story inside! From the beginning, Hedlund had me hooked; and she had no trouble keeping me that way as the story unfolded. Well written characters, romantic tension, a dash of danger and threads of faith all woven together in harmony.

Bodyguard and client, ultra-rich and your regular joe, marriage of pretense themes pack a punch and I honestly enjoyed these themes and the way Hedlund wrote them. They did not seem pat but organic to the story.

The romance was sweetly passionate and I enjoyed seeing the relationship build. Not only that I enjoyed seeing both the main characters grow and face their fears. All the way around, well done!



Romance - Clean, some sigh worthy kisses
Violence- Mild
Language -Clean
Faith Message - Encouraging. Stop running in fear and run toward the One Who is your help.