Until I Found You by Victoria Bylin

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I wanted to read this book because of the cover. It is possibly my favorite ever. If characters are going to be on a cover, this is exactly how I'd want it done. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
Another amazing part of this novel is the spiritual thread--probably the best I've read in a looong while. Any book that mentions the blood of Jesus within the first sixteen pages is one that I respect. Salvation is the absolute most important thing that could be spoken or written about, and I loved how Nick lived his faith and shared his testimony with Kate who wasn't even sure there is a God.
This story starts with a load of action and continues with a sweet story that readers are sure to enjoy.
Kate's grandma is adorable, my favorite secondary character.

The one negative is that the writing style, at times, felt more like "telling" than "showing." But that's a small detail compared to the plot.

I'm looking forward to more contemporaries from Victoria Bylin.

You can buy the book here!  

 

 



Backcover Blurb

 

When Kate Darby swerves off a mountain road to avoid hitting a California condor, she ends up trapped in her car, teetering on the edge of a cliff. Terrified, she breathes a prayer that changes her life.

 

It's Nick Sheridan who comes to Kate's rescue. Nick is handsome and confident, and he seems to develop a habit of rescuing her, but Kate is in town only until her grandmother recuperates from a stroke. She's not planning to get involved with one of the locals.

 

Nick is a reformed veteran of life in the fast lane, a new Christian, and a travel writer. When he sees a car dangling on the edge of a cliff, the daredevil in him jumps into action. He doesn't expect to be swept off his feet by the car's occupant. He's made a vow--no dating for a year--but keeping that vow is going to be a lot more difficult now that he's met Kate Darby. . .

 

*I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.*



Meant To Be Mine by Becky Wade

Such a happy cover, don't you think?

Meant To Be Mine is the second book in the Porter Family series. It follows Ty Porter, a confident bull rider, and Celia Porter, the wife he hasn't spoken to in five and a half years. Oh, and their daughter who Ty knows nothing about. Secret baby story, anyone?

I expected to enjoy this book...but I didn't. I LOVED it. Celia seemed like a real woman, not just your typical romance heroine. She has struggles and faults and unfulfilled dreams. She carries the pain from Ty's rejection while trying to give her daughter the best life possible. My respect for Celia grew more and more as the story continued. Her frustrations became mine.
Ty was a humongous jerk. In the beginning, anyway. But I highly doubt anyone would consider him a jerk by the end ;0)

I'm sure I'll reread this one since I didn't want the story to end.

There were a few things that did bother me though. Multiple times Ty "swore under his breath." I understand that some guys do this, but I cringed each time. Also, some of his jokes were a little too risqué for my taste.

But the strength of God's forgiveness is a beautiful message that Wade weaves throughout the novel. Absolutely beautiful.
I'm ALREADY craving the next book in this series!!!

 

Backcover Blurb:

 

Ty Porter has always been irresistible to Celia Park. All through high school--irresistible. When their paths cross again after college--still irresistible. This time, though, Ty seems to feel exactly the same way about Celia. Their whirlwind romance deposits them at a street-corner Las Vegas wedding chapel.

The next morning they wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia's ready to be Ty's wife, but Ty's not ready to be her husband. He's a professional bull rider; he lives on the road, and he's long planned to settle down with the hometown girl he's known since childhood.

Five and a half years pass. Celia's buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. Ty's achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the eyes of the woman he couldn't forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had.

How much will Ty sacrifice to win back Celia's trust and prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime?

 

 

Love Comes Calling by Siri Mitchell

 

Absolutely FIVE stars!

 

 

Let me start with the obvious: The cover is gorgeous. I am one of those people who cringe when models' faces are shown on book covers, but I LOVE this cover.

 

And the heroine...oh my, Ellis Eton has become one of my favorite characters of all time. The way Siri Mitchell writes Ellis' thought process is hilarious. If she lived in modern times, Ellis would be diagnosed with ADHD (according to Mitchell), but I loved her energy. She is relatable, abundantly interesting, and fun. 

Griff, her long-time friend who wants to be more, is sweet and charming also. Even without his POV included in the story, I still felt like I got to know him. 

 

 The plot lacked nothing. It supplied just enough suspense and romance to keep me turning the pages. I read this book in two days, despite work and other obligations, because I had to know what happened.

Even with the hilarity, serious topics are discussed such as Prohibition, insecurity, and the fact that God is the only One who can change hearts.

This book was a blast to read. I truly cannot recommend it enough.

Go ahead and buy this one! 

I hope Mitchell writes twenty other novels like this one.

 

Backcover Blurb:

 

When a look-alike friend asks Ellis Eton to fill in for her as a telephone operator, Ellis jumps at the chance. For her, the job will provide not only acting practice but the funds to get Ellis a start in the movies. She's tired of always being a disappointment to her traditional Boston family, and though she can't deny the way he makes her head spin, she knows she's not good enough for Griffin Phillips, either. It's simple: avoid Griff's attentions, work, and get paid. But in typical Ellis fashion, her simple plan spirals out of control when she overhears a menacing phone call...with her very own Griff as the target.

 

*I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.*