Only in Novels by Laura Briggs

Story: 7.5
Presentation: 9
Total: 16.5
Publisher: White Rose Publishing
Contemporary Inspirational
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Blurb: When a simple mistake lands bookstore owner Lannie Maxwell with the wrong author for her book signing, she wonders if her tiny business is destined to fail. Instead of Ms. Modern Homemaker-an author sure to multiply the bookstore's gross revenue-Lannie finds herself stuck with D.E. Hensen, an unorthodox and infuriating adventure novelist. The dashing D.E. is determined to help Lannie rescue her struggling business, but his outlandish ideas threaten to turn her world upside down. Can the two put aside their differences to save the store-and find their own version of happily-ever-after?



Review: This was a cute little story. The emotion that she felt about her bookstore literally jumped of the pages at me from the beginning. While I thought there were some…silly ideas :) suggested by the hero, I think the author did a really good job making it all work. In the end I was pleased with the journey I made.

The inspirational aspect of the story was not over the top, but a pretty steady influence throughout. All in all it was a story that had likeable characters, a cute plot and story line and a good conflict that I found to be believable.

Good job Ms Briggs :)

In His Sight by Pamela S. Thibodeaux

Story: 6
Presentation: 8
Total: 14
Publisher: White Rose Publishing
Inspirational
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Blurb: Grade school teacher Carson Alexander has a gift—a gift that has driven a wedge between him and his family. Worse, it’s put him at odds with God. Feeling alone and misunderstood, Carson views God’s gift of prophecy as the worst kind of curse…that is until he meets Lorelei Conner, landscape artist extraordinaire, and perhaps the one person who may need Carson and his gift more than anyone ever has.


Lorelei Connor is a mother on the run. Her abusive ex-husband has followed her all over the country trying to steal their daughter. Distrusting of men and needing to keep on the move, she’s surprised by her desire to remain close to Carson Alexander. Through her fear and hesitation, she must learn to rely on God to guide her—not an easy task when He’s prompting her to trust a man.

Can their relationship withstand the tragedy lurking on the horizon?
Review: While fraught with inspiration and the Lord, the plot seemed to be weighed down at times by scenes that just didn’t seem to move the story forward at all.

I enjoyed the characters for the most part. I think the light paranormal element could have shined a bit more giving me, the reader, a better look at it rather than just a passing glance. While it was discussed, the actual “feelings” seemed rather vague and gone before I knew it.

All in all it was a story that I think had really good potential but I felt like I read a first draft rather than a final product.

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 :)

Child of My Heart by Merry Stahel

Story: 9

Presentation: 9

Total: 18

Publisher: White Rose Publishing

Contemporary Inspirational

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Blurb: Hannah didn’t expect to be raising her mother’s surrogate child. But Baby Seth’s parents also died, and he has no one else...Until Uncle Aaron shows up, demanding that Hannah give up her half-brother to his family, since genetically, Seth is their son.
Can the love of one tiny baby unite two families?

Review: LOVED IT!!! This is one of those little numbers that you read and when you get to the end you just want to start all over again. Without a doubt this is one of the best books I have read in awhile.

Though I felt I was reading a Sweet contemporary and not really an inspirational, I fell in love with the characters, the plot, the smart quirky way Hannah puts Aaron in his place when he comes to talk about baby Seth, and the resolution left me feeling good all over. A total winner ;)