Forged in Love by Mary Connealy

 

Forged in Love - Mary Connealy - 5 Stars - Great Western Romance! (Book 1 in the Wyoming Sunrise Series)

Ya'll, what a SURPRISE! I really enjoyed this book! Such an engaging, "keep you on your toes" plot and a very precious and sweet romance. I don't read a lot of Western settings but I am starting to really come to LOVE them! I listened to the audio and felt like the narrator has a great "western historical fiction" voice so that is probably another reason I really liked it! The book is fast paced in the plot but also has several beautiful chapters of Clint and Mariah together that I LOVED. I also laughed out loud at several points throughout the story and LOVED the loyal dog friend.

Set in 1870, Mariah Stover is left for dead with no memory when the Deadeye Gang robs the stagecoach she's on, killing her father and brother. Clint Roberts and others rush to check out the scene when their horses chaotically show back up into town. Clint has had an interest on Mariah for 2 years since he got to town so when he sees Mariah hurt, he makes sure to get her back to town for healing. The leaders of the town want to keep Mariah hidden in secret and sent away to hide from the Deadeye Gang but she is a strong woman so she isn't about to leave her town or her father's blacksmithing business she works in. Since she doesn't remember anything from the attack by the gang, they decide to let her stick around in town and stick to the story of she doesn't remember what happened - hoping the Deadeye Gang doesn't come back looking for her as they never leave any surviving witnesses.....but things start happening to Mariah that make everything think someone is after her.....and Clint will do anything to protect the woman he loves.

Overall, such a great start to this series. I really liked the characters and how Mariah was a strong woman in the blacksmithing business - with Clint being all into cooking and his restaurant. There was some emphasis that appear as "feminism" in the story, but I didn't feel like it was too much. It makes sense for the time period and our character is such a strong willed woman who is making her way after losing her father and brother, so to me, it was understandable.

Some reviews have mentioned they didn't like the open-door fade to black romance in this, but there really wasn't anything I saw that was bad. They were a married couple and it was not detailed in any way to me. I wouldn't even really call it "open" door in my opinion. I actually loved seeing how they were very open and honest in their marriage and talked through how to handle things in an respectable way as a newly married couple. They were just a very refreshing couple to see.

Excited for book 2 that comes out soon! Grabbed it on NetGalley because I really want to read Nell's story as she was one of my favorite side characters.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5613988442
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Nj3s6n
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/465104

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F0tuWJiWKg&t=

Keturah by Lisa T. Bergran

Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren - 4 Stars - Let's travel to the 1700s in the West Indies for family drama, a strong faith walk and a protective hero! (Book 1 in The Sugar Baron's Daughters Series)

I ended up really enjoying Keturah. At first I wasn't loving it, but once the characters got to off the ship to their destination, things started happening and I was certainly more invested. I really liked our main guy of Gray in this book - he was such a good hero in the story. I loved how Keturah was a strong, female lead but also broken in many ways and needed true healing from the Lord. Seeing her faith walk was inspiring. She can be so stubborn and quick to anger throughout the story, but to see her surrender to God - so beautiful. Also, I really liked her sisters and excited to read more of their stories in the series.

In 1772 England, Lady Keturah and her sisters found themselves heiresses of their father's estate in the West Indies and have to travel there to save what is left of their heritage. They got to the Caribbean and are floored with the culture there and the way slaves and women are treated here. Ketruah swore she would never marry again as her first husband was abusive and unkind. But when she meets Gray, she starts to wonder if she could ever love again. Either way, she has to be strong for her sisters. They go to her Father's plantation/land and what they find is not what they expected.....Keturah is hurt and angry at these circumstances and the story goes on from here.

Overall, I did enjoy their story and the 30%+ mark is when I finally was really interested in what happened next. The audiobook was really good with a good narrator who kept me invested in the story. There were some pieces I didn't love - such as this really didn't always feel like the 1700s for me - some parts were a little unrealistic - like the women going by ship - alone with no male family members - to their father's plantation. We always love these type of stories - but is it historically accurate, I'm not sure. Some parts were also a bit slow for me in the pacing, but again, I did overall enjoy this book and will be reading more in the series. 

Content Warnings: This book deals heavily with men who are abusive to women and slaves. Slavery and prejudices are discussed in detail throughout the story. Also mentions of men getting drunk and slaves are being auctioned off with a scene of violence against them.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4680388925
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3XfqnnI
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/38477

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F0tuWJiWKg&t=

The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis - 4 Stars - "No one is told any story but their own." (Book 3 in the Chronicles of Narnia)

I enjoyed this children's classic in the Narnia series :) I think there is a lot I still didnt fully understand and need to re-read some of it a second time but this first time around I enjoyed the story. 2 young children find themselves in a world of talking animals and a journey to Narnia. Loved the talking horse, Bree and the times we saw Aslan. This is separate journey/story but I still liked being in this world. Really fun adventure and I am excited to continue in the series. :) Also need to look into more of the Christian allegory here as I always love tying that together. I could see some things but want to dive more into it.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5607378071
Amazon: https://amzn.to/43Ujueb

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F0tuWJiWKg 

Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano

 

Five Days in Skye - Carla Laureano - 3.5 Stars - A great Christian romance set in Scotland! (Book 1 in the MacDonald Family Trilogy)

An enjoyable Christian, contemporary romance with an immersive setting in Scotland. I really liked the setting the most in this story - our main characters being in Scotland and traveling around to the different sights and such - loved that. Our main characters, James and Andrea were fun to see getting to know each other - lots of sarcasm and flirtatious moments, but still sweet. Andrea went through some very hard things and was broken by them and to see her come back to God in her brokenness was a beautiful moment. I also loved how James was willing to be there for her through he brokenness and was very understanding after she opened up to him. I really liked the family side characters too.

This follows Andrea - who is working as a hospitality consultant and has to "snag this high-profile client" or kiss her dreams of a promotion goodbye. This is where she meets Scottish celebrity chef James MacDonald on the Isle of Skye. He's working on renovating the family hotel and meets Andrea and things go on from here - sparks fly and all that jazz. :) I feel like they have great chemistry together. My favorite parts were them traveling the Isle of Skye and the faith in the ending.

Overall, I did enjoy my time reading this. The only downsides I had was I don't love instalove and this is definitely that - which you can expect going in because she is only there for 5 days right :) I also felt like some parts were a bit longer then others but other then that I really enjoyed it and plan to continue with the next books in the series!

*TW for mentions of a miscarriage, divorce, mentions of drinking

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5603766073
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CFsTdw
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/148120

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F0tuWJiWKg

A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter

 

A Noble Masquerade - Kristi Ann Hunter - 5 Stars - A regency romance that will leave you with lots of laughs and loves!  (Book 1 in The Hawthorne House Series)

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! Read this if you love books with lots of moments that will make you laugh out loud, regency romance, great characters, writing secret letters with your love interest, the trope of liking your brother's best friend and lots of secrets along the way leading up to a big reveal! Miranda and Ryland - MY HEART. One of my favorite couples of all time. This book had me laughing and was just a good time. Miranda is one of my favorite characters right now - she is SO funny and truly cares for others but she also ain't afraid to get right in the thick of things! Ryland was also such a good guy and so mysterious- LOVED him.

In this story, we have Lady Miranda Hawthorne who has written her brother's best friend, the Duke of Marshington, these pretend letters for many years. These were really more like journal entries and never meant to be read by anyone. Things get crazy when one accidentally gets mailed by her brother's valet, Marlow. With Miranda approaching spinsterhood, this is the last thing she needs. She finds herself with feelings for 2 men - one she has never met (the Duke of Marshington) and the other she needs in her life with all he has helped her with (Marlow) but he seems suspicious...what will Miranda decide as she gets involved in some serious conflicts....

Such a good lighthearted, Christian historical romance with regency balls, high-society life and all the things you want in a fun romance :)

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5346982405
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NlgMHo
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/38108

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMN2J1UFNbw

The Hunter and the Valley of Death by Brennan S. McPherson

 

The Hunter and the Valley of Death - Brennan S. McPherson - 4 Stars - A beautiful Christian allegory novella. (Book 1 in The Psalms Series)

This short book got me emotional in the end! This is an allegorical, lyrical story based on Psalm 23 and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It reads like a biblical fiction style story to me with a fantastical parable element. It may be short, but boy does it bring the emotions in the end. Maybe it's just the time in my life that I am reading it, but I did tear up in the end. I was a little confused at the beginning and it took me a little bit to understand what was going on, but by the middle of the story I was really interested in this journey our character was taking. Keep reading if you're not sure what's going on - I am glad I did.

What a beautiful reminder that "When we take our eyes off our shepherd we find ourselves surrounded by trouble. And yet, He always delivers the sheep who love Him."

In this story we have a man who wakes up in the Valley of Death and realizes he's given up everything, including his memories to attempt to kill "Death" so he can bring his wife back to life. He goes on the journey in his different trials and errors - he felt very realistic to me, much like we are in our own lives as we make mistakes. But Christ died to redeem us and purchase our love - and that's shown beautifully here.

There is a Psalm 23 short bible study and symbolism explantion afterwards that I really appreciated. He explained how things tie together and what Psalm 23 means to him. I loved that.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5578245844

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JpJ0zL

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMN2J1UFNbw

Fortress of Snow by Melanie Dickerson

 Fortress of Snow by Melanie Dickerson - 3.5 to 4 Stars - A Snow Queen Retelling (Book 4 in The Dericott Tales Series)

I am just really enjoying the books in these series :) The set up in typically about the same in each one with a different retelling vibe and I am learning that I really enjoy retellings from this series.

This one is a "Snow Queen" reimagining and follows Mazy. Her father dies and brother, Warin, abandons her - leaving Mazy forced to seek help from her older brother, Sir John in the estate of Strachleigh. When she gets there to see John, he isn't as eager to help her but she meets the kind and loyal Sir Berenger. Things happen that force Sir. Berenger and Mazy apart for 2 years. During those 2 years, she learns more about how to defend herself and becomes an excellent knife throwing expert and how to sell in the market goods to take care of herself in London. Circumstances brings Sir Berenger and her back together after 2 years but things happen when Berenger's new mission leaves him with a requirement to marry a recently widowed woman - Lady Bristow and take over her estate. Unfortunately...there are some troublesome rumors about Lady Bristow and the circumstances surrounding her previous husband's death...among other things. Mazy learns of these things and goes to stop Berenger from marrying her after learning all of Lady Bristow's secrets.....Will she get there in time?

Overall, even though the setup in these is about the same each time and the romance is generally super fast and instalove-y, I still have a good time reading these each time. They do show how they are YA many times but I still had fun reading it. The covers are AMAZING. The characters in this one were very cute and again, Melanie sure does know how to write a good villain.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5591162086
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3qKhZk0
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/459704

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMN2J1UFNbw