Kept by Sally Bradley

Book Description:
Life has taught Miska Tomlinson that there are no honorable men. Her womanizing brothers, her absentee father, and Mark, the married baseball player who claims to love her—all have proven undependable. But Miska has life under control. She runs her editing business from her luxury condo, stays fit with daily jogs along Chicago's lakefront, and in her free time blogs anonymously about life as a kept woman. 

Enter new neighbor Dillan Foster. Between his unexpected friendship and her father's sudden reappearance, Miska loses control of her orderly life. Her relationship with Mark deteriorates, and Miska can't help comparing him to Dillan. His religious views are so foreign, yet the way he treats her is something she's longed for. But Dillan discovers exactly who she is and what she has done. Too late she finds herself longing for a man who is determined to never look her way again. 

When her blog receives unexpected national press, Miska realizes that her anonymity was an illusion. Caught in a scandal about to break across the nation, Miska wonders if the God Dillan talks about would bother with a woman like her—a woman who's gone too far and done too much. 

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Oh wow, and I do mean wow!!! This book was sooo good! In the beginning I wasn't sure if it would live up to all the hype I read in its reviews; I mean I thought it was good and all but it wasn't blowing me away... But just wait, it will! There comes a point where you are so consumed by this story, these characters, that you are no longer sitting on your couch reading a novel, you are there! These do not seem like characters but they live and breathe, and you cannot walk away from them.

This story was so good on so many levels. Captivating, well formed and smooth flowing, this novel breathed life, it was so real. The characters were honest, fresh and compelling; their interactions, their doubts, struggles, hurts and more brought a sense of reality to this novel in the best possible way. Miska's questions on faith, her struggle with it and later her desire for it, seemed very natural, never pushed or unrealistic. One of the reviewers referred to this novel as being a modern day classic version of Redeeming Love. And in some ways it is. Both are excellent novels, dealing with similar subject matter... Sin, redemption, grace, love, fear, faith, and so much more. All I can say is this book is one to add to your must read list, it is well worth your time reading it. In fact, I wouldn't mind reading it again today!

Simply, an amazing debut novel! I am excited to see what Sally Bradley has in store for us next!

A Cliché Christmas by Nicole Deese

Book Description:

Writing happy endings is easy. Living one is the hard part.

Georgia Cole—known in Hollywood as the “Holiday Goddess”—has made a name for herself writing heartwarming screenplays chock-full of Christmas clichés, but she has yet to experience the true magic of the season. So, when her eccentric grandmother volunteers her to direct a pageant at Georgia’s hometown community theater, she is less than thrilled. To make matters worse, she’ll be working alongside Weston James, her childhood crush and the one man she has tried desperately to forget.

Now, facing memories of a lonely childhood and the humiliation of her last onstage performance, seven years earlier, Georgia is on the verge of a complete mistletoe meltdown. As Weston attempts to thaw the frozen walls around her heart, Georgia endeavors to let go of her fears and give love a second chance. If she does, will she finally believe that Christmas can be more than a cliché?

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Nicole Deese is a bright shining star, rising up in Christian Fiction! Her first series wowed me, and she continues to not only impress, but she also continues to inspire and captivate readers with her latest release. This novel, started out as darling but it continued to build and escalate on so many levels, culminating in a very good read.

I absolutely love novels with well written characters and well developed relationships. Good dialogue and interactions are key. And Deese has a way of doing all of that, while steadily thrilling you sweetly, and building a momentum in the story that does not leave you disappointed. In fact, when finished with this novel, I was happily grinning and completely satisfied!

Now, going beyond this well crafted story, characters and relationships, Deese pulls you in to recognizing some deeper truths. Faith and love lessons, that speak to both our spirit and our heart. Doing this, while keeping the romance both sweet and steamy is quiet a feat and she does it so smoothly. I was touched on many levels while reading this novel and completely blessed by it! I cannot wait to see what she is working on next!

Surprised by Love (The Heart of San Francisco, #3) by Julie Lessman

I have been a big fan of Julie Lessman, ever since she first released her debut novel. She always leaves me eagerly awaiting her next release, and she never disappoints! Case in point with this novel! Absolutely captivating characters, real and wonderful dialogue, romance, spice, and the angst that keeps you reading till the very last page! But even more than all of that, are the faith sub-themes running through... Fear, pride, truth setting you free, trust, prayer, true love and above all it is about the ONE true love and clinging to Him! She very nicely and in a non-pushy way, wove all this in. One reoccurring theme being that of being like (OT) Abraham and truly trusting God and putting Him first, surrendering those we love on earth to Him, and trusting Him to bring about what is good. 

This novel was completely delightful! I was surprised, in a very good way towards the end. A wonderful and engaging wrap up to this series! Not to say that there are not characters in this series she couldn't continue to write about - there are! Either way, excited to see what she has in store for us next! Hope you enjoy this one as much as I did!

Wishing on Willows: A Novel by Katie Ganshert

Book Discription:
Does a second chance at life and love always involve surrender?
 
A three-year old son, a struggling café, and fading memories are all Robin Price has left of her late husband. As the proud owner of Willow Tree Café in small town Peaks, Iowa,  she pours her heart into every muffin she bakes and espresso she pulls, thankful for the sense of purpose and community the work provides.
                                      
So when developer Ian McKay shows up in Peaks with plans to build condos where her café and a vital town ministry are located, she isn’t about to let go without a fight.
 
As stubborn as he is handsome, Ian won’t give up easily. His family’s business depends on his success in Peaks. But as Ian pushes to seal the deal, he wonders if he has met his match. Robin’s gracious spirit threatens to undo his resolve, especially when he discovers the beautiful widow harbors a grief that resonates with his own.
 
With polarized opinions forming all over town, business becomes unavoidably personal and Robin and Ian must decide whether to cling to the familiar or surrender their plans to the God of Second Chances.

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Wishing on Willows is the follow-up novel to Ganshert's debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter. I absolutely adored this book! The characters are so life like and likable, the circumstances real and engaging, and the flow of the novel is set at such a nice cadence. Truly, you do not want this novel to end. I wouldn't have minded a few more chapters, but then I don't know if you are ever truly ready to say farewell to some characters/stories.

I like that Ganshert writes compelling and true to life stories, they are not only fresh and heart touching but there is a deeper truth being woven throughout. She is not pushy in the way the seeds of faith are woven in, she is in fact completely honest and real... Walking us through the struggles and the victories.

I have to say, well done! I eagerly await Ganshert's next novel and hope you will give this one a try!

Wildflowers from Winter: A Novel by Katie Ganshert

Book Description:
Like the winter, grief has a season. Life returns with the spring.
 
A young architect at a prestigious Chicago firm, Bethany Quinn has built the life she dreamed of during her teen years in a trailer park.  An unexpected interruption from her estranged mother reveals that tragedy has struck in her hometown and a reluctant Bethany is called back to rural Iowa. 
 
Determined to pay her respects to her past while avoiding any emotional entanglements, she vows not to stay long. But the unexpected inheritance of five hundred acres of farmland and a startling turn of events in Chicago forces Bethany to come up with a new plan.
 
Handsome farmhand Evan Price has taken care of the Quinn farm for years.  When Bethany is left the land, Evan must fight her decisions to realize his dreams. But even as he disagrees with Bethany’s vision, Evan feels drawn to her and the pain she keeps so carefully locked away.
 
For Bethany, making peace with her past and the God of her childhood doesn’t seem like the path to freedom. Is letting go the only way to new life, love and a peace that she’s not even sure exists?

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I have to say this novel grabbed my attention and held it throughout. In fact, I probably would have rated it higher, except through the first half of the novel I really didn't care for our heroine. Although, this adds to the story and the character buildup, as well as relations, it just bugged me.

However, let that not deter you from reading this novel! It is well worth the read. I found myself still thinking about it later that night and this morning. And I am so excited that this novel isn't the end, and cannot wait to begin Ganshert's next novel and pick up with these characters again! This is a wonderful debut novel and I look forward to reading more from this author. Her characters are well developed, and the story is about so much more that just romance, there is a greater story at work. One where the Truth is woven in and done so in a way that just flows.

Okay, I honestly can't think to write anymore right now because I am so hyped up to start the followup novel!  That in itself should tell you enough!


PS. I read Ganshert's novella - An October Bride and it was wonderful!!!

A Broken Kind of Beautiful: A Novel by Katie Ganshert

Book Description:
Sometimes everything you ever learned about yourself is wrong

Fashion is a fickle industry, a frightening fact for twenty-four year old model Ivy Clark. Ten years in and she’s learned a sacred truth—appearance is everything. Nobody cares about her broken past as long as she looks beautiful for the camera. This is the only life Ivy knows—so when it starts to unravel, she’ll do anything to hold on. Even if that means moving to the quaint island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother’s bridal wear line—an irony too rich for words, since Ivy is far from the pure bride in white. 

If only her tenuous future didn’t rest in the hands of Davis Knight, her mysterious new photographer. Not only did he walk away from the kind of success Ivy longs for to work maintenance at a local church, he treats her differently than any man ever has. Somehow, Davis sees through the façade she works so hard to maintain. He, along with a cast of other characters, challenges everything Ivy has come to believe about beauty and worth. Is it possible that God sees her—a woman stained and broken by the world—yet wants her still?

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A compelling tale, with grit, heart and a message for us all. Ganshert's characters are real and honest and broken. And who doesn't love a good story where the broken are lifted up and made new - I know I do!  The romance is sweet but even greater is the BIG LOVE STORY woven throughout! This is the first of Katie Ganshert's novels that I have read, but I look forward to reading more!

Love's Fortune: A Novel (The Ballantyne Legacy, Book 3) by Laura Frantz

    Picking up one of Laura Frantz's novels, is like stepping into another time and place. You become immersed in the beauty of her writing, the depth of her characters and their dialogue and you are completely swept away into the story setting itself. Frantz has yet to write a novel, that I have not thoroughly enjoyed! This, her latest release, is no different. I was completely enraptured with the story and found my heart pulled, my mind captive and myself dreading its' completion. 

Frantz pens characters that hold your heart and breathe as they tread through life and difficult choices. Her characters have depth, passion and ring true. I love seeing the build up of relationships, the complexity, and the tender moments that touch us all. I also love seeing characters evolve and/or hold true to what is unique or good in themselves. In this novel, I was even more blessed, as we had not only two main characters but also two very large secondary characters' stories playing out through the pages. It was exciting all the way until the very end, to say the least. 

I am not one to give spoilers, so I am not quiet sure what else to say... Except, dive into this novel and find yourself captivated and delighted within its' pages! A fantastic read and well worth every moment!