Bridesmaid Blues by Lainey Bancroft

Story: 9

Presentation: 9

Total: 18

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Sweet Contemporary

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Blurb: Trisha Ellison hopes a trip to the San Jose flower market will help her find a bloom exotic enough to suit her picky sister. When events unfold that send Trisha to the market with The Flower Basket’s hunky new driver, Rico Martinez, Trisha wonders if she’s also found a solution to avoid attending her sister’s wedding solo.
Raised by a grandmother soured by servitude to affluent white Californians, Rico Martinez steers clear of fair-haired, filthy rich young ladies. When perky wedding planner Trisha requires more than just his floral expertise to make the wedding she's planning a success, what's a sympathetic gentleman to do? Especially since he's falling for her--big time. Until he discovers she isn't just a simple, dog-rescuing wedding planner, but the sister of the bride…and daughter of Almendra's most affluent man!

Review: NICE!! So, when I started this one I was immediately pulled in. Though in the beginning I got a bit lost with the large amount of secondary characters that showed up and all the conversation between them, it didn't detract from the appeal of the story.

And let me tell you that once things got going I just couldn't stop reading. WONDERFUL story! Tell me if you can what better feeling is there than knowing you are loved for who you are rather than what you are?

Ms Bancroft has done a wonderful job and I can't wait to see more from her!

Southern Comfort by Theresa Lynn Hall

Story: 8

Presentation: 9

Total: 17

Publisher: White Rose Publishing

Christian Inspirational

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Blurb: Beth McDonald has a secret—a secret that is costing a lot of people their lives. With no where to turn, she leaves her dream job in the city and heads for a small town in Texas to a place where no one will find her. Tired of running, she turns to the sheriff for help and soon finds herself fighting for more than just her life. Sheriff Clint Fisher has his life just where he wants it—peaceful and happy. But when the beautiful D.A. walks into his office, his world is turned upside down. The confident sheriff is pretty sure he can keep her alive…but can he keep her forever?

Review: Faith filled, fast paced with a bit of suspense :)

Ms Hall has penned an interesting story that hits the heart of renewing faith when things get down. Complications throw these two together and sparks fly. The faith filled sheriff renews Beth's belief in Him and what the power of worship can do for a person.

I can't wait to see what this author has coming next :)

Prodigal by Robin Bayne

Story: 7.5
Presentation: 9
Total: 16.5
Publisher: White Rose Publishing
Christian Inspirational
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Blurb: Daniel Gardner is making a grand entrance at his brother’s wedding. The problem is, no one has seen him in years. Unsure of his welcome, this prodigal son needs the years and the hearts of his family to miraculously melt…but he may not be the only one needing to make amends. Lane Taylor doesn’t realize how much she still loves Daniel until she’s standing face-to-face with him after so many years apart. Once upon a time, they’d dreamed of a life together. Now, when it seems they might get a second chance, she has to decide whether to divulge the secret she’s sure will shatter their happily-ever-after.

Review: I have to say that this one really made me stop and think. When Lane tells her secret, Daniel's reaction at first really isn't what any woman wants to hear. HOWEVER... everything works itself out for a good ending.

With good characters and solid story, this one is one that delivers a message about discovering what you really want in life and taking stock of what you have. What is important to you and your future and what are you willing to do to get it?

Ms Bayne has done a good job of delivering a faith filled love story that will make you think. Good Job!

The Open Face of Heaven by BK Reeves

Story: 9
Presentation: 9
Total: 18
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Historical Romance
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Blurb: Just what the doctor ordered... After losing her parents, Milly Blakely cut her hair and pretended to be younger to get on the Orphan Train. She’s come a long way to find a new family. Her heart hungers for someone to love. When she spies a frail and sick-looking young woman with a frowning, yet handsome man at the Orphan Train’s stop in Addison, Kansas, she knows she can help these people and can’t wait to get started. But can she love these hurting people without getting hurt herself? Rad Powell’s wife, Frances, is dying. He gives in to her wish for a companion and takes in Milly Blakely. Milly is a blessing and so much more than a mere companion during Frances’ last days. After the loss of his wife, he realizes how much this young woman has changed his life and touched his bruised heart. Can he find a second chance at love?

Review: What a wonderful historical! This was just what I needed :) A sweet story about love, letting go, finding your place in the world and loving again.

Ms Reeves has gripped me in the past with another of her other works and this is just another peg in the wall as far as I am concerned, for an author who really knows how to create a tale with characters and a plot that really tugs on the heart strings :)

As this story is the second in the Orphan Trail series, I can assure you I will be keeping my eyes peeled for the rest to come. I can't wait to see what Ms Reeves gives us next :)

Johnny B. Goode for Christmas by Kimberlee R. Mendoza

Story: 9.5
Presentation: 9
Total: 18.5
Publisher: White Rose Press
Sweet Holiday
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Blurb: Emma has returned to her high school to teach art and literature. Despite painful memories close to a "Carrie" experience, she agrees to chaperone the school Christmas dance.She is barely holding it together, and then it gets worse. Johnny B. Goode, the jerk from high school who caused her so much pain, has just been hired as the new P.E. coach. It is hard enough to return to the scene of the crime, but to have to look at the cause of all her adolescence angst is too much. Though Emma makes sure Johnny knows she wants nothing to do with him, he isn't easily deterred.Can Johnny be good this Christmas, or will Emma experience the same heartache again?

Review: Have you ever read a book that just tugs at every emotion you have and then some? Let me just say that this was one that twisted me up and spit me out.....in a good way!
I LOVED every thing about this story! Not one thing wrong with it other than it ended!!!! I didn't want it to. I wanted to keep reading but alas, I realize the story had to end sometime, I am just thrilled that Ms Mendoza allowed me to come along on the journey :)
*SNAPS* on a job superbly done!!!!I just can't say enough good stuff but I know if I don't stop this review right now I will talk myself into re-reading it.....for the third time :)

Karaoke Cowgirl by Stacy Dawn

Story: 8
Presentation: 9
Total: 17
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Sweet Cowboy Contemporary
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Blurb: How far would you go to attract the man of your dreams? Ally Standish re-invents herself every Saturday night to sing for her cowboy. But when they come face to face in the light of a normal day—and he discovers the real Ally—will he let her sing him more love songs or will the music die for good.

Review: I love a good sweet story that makes me smile and leaves me with a fuzzy light hearted feeling when it is over. Every Saturday night these two go through the same old song and dance. They are drawn to each other but feel certain they just aren't good enough for the other.

I got a good chuckle at the end when they finally meet "face to face". A cute ending for a really cute story. I will be on the look out for more from Ms Dawn as she did a great job crafting a wonderful little romance with great characters, a good story line and all the believability you can pack into such a short story. :) Was a Winner for me :)
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Roan's Redemption by BK Reeves

Story: 8
Presentation: 9
Total: 17
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Historical Western Sweet
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Blurb: Oklahoma Territory 1892Addie McKenna finished digging the grave at sundown. She had to get Mattie in the ground tonight; tomorrow would be another scorcher. The dog barked as Addie climbed from the grave. A stranger driving a buckboard loomed from the shadows. As he came closer, Addie's breath caught. Roan McLeod! She kept her face blank. He was a married man.Roan McLeod looked at Addie McKenna, alone beside the open grave. Four months since he'd seen her. His nights had been haunted by this red-haired girl, haunted by forbidden images of them together as he opened his mouth on Addie's and removed her clothes. Those were shameful thoughts for a man who had buried his wife and daughter only ten days ago.

Review: An intereseting sweet western romance that really gives a glimpse at what life could be like.

Ms Reeves has created a tale about family, loss and love. Sometimes you just have to wait for the right time to let your heart take over. But when the time is right it all just falls into place. This tale is a good one that really shows you how things can get in the way for a couple but when all the fuzz clears, the sky brightens and hope is in fact, not lost.