Christian Romance

Category: Christian Romance

The Swindler’s Daughter

By Stephenia H. McGee

MY REVIEW

I really enjoyed this novel. The story was interesting, and I enjoyed the character growth shown in the book. The main character has a lot of character growth throughout the book. Much of that character growth is the result of an older woman who is so helpful as a mentor.

The main male character also experiences character growth throughout the book. He realizes how blessed he is, and what is really important in life. This is kind of a coming-of-age story.

I liked the setting. It was well done. The storyline itself was interesting, and the secondary characters were wonderful. The mystery adds even more interest to the story. If you like a lot of romance it isn’t found here, but I prefer other strong elements in my stories.

The story itself increased in stars because of the well done faith theme. In inspirational fiction, a good faith theme isn’t as common as it use to be. The author did a good job of making it intrinsic to the story and the characters.

With wonderful characters, an interesting storyline, and a good faith theme this was better than I expected. I definitely recommend.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Under Fire

By Lynn H. Blackburn

MY REVIEW

I have absolutely loved the team in this series of books. I like the camaraderie, the witty banter, and the faith shared in the group. I have really enjoyed the characters most of all. In an unusual statement, I don’t think I have a favorite book in this series.

You can read each book as a stand-alone, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The reader gets much more from the books by getting to know the group one book at a time.

Both characters Zane and Tess get their story told from their perspective. I really felt like both were necessary and both gave much to the story. I would have preferred more action less romance-that’s always my opinion. I read for the suspense. You will note I’m in the minority on this one, but the budding of the relationship between the two characters seems to take precedent much of the time. There is nothing beyond kissing, but the romantic tension/dialogue felt a bit much for me.

With fantastic characters, wonderful faith theme, well paced suspense this read will make suspense fans happy. The character group themselves really pulled me through the book. I really enjoyed how well they work together and support each other.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Remember Me

By Tracie Peterson

MY REVIEW

I really enjoyed this book. My favorite thing was the incredibly strong faith and forgiveness theme. Christian fiction doesn’t always have such a strong and open faith theme. This one was incredibly well written, and it is intrinsic to the story so it flows very well.

I liked the history of the expo as well…there is some very interesting historical facts in the book that made it a wonderful read that I didn’t want to put down.

The main characters are well done in the book. They grow in their faith and towards each other throughput the book. The secondary characters are wonderful, and they really help complete the story.

This was an enjoyable read with strong characters, well written story, and a heartfelt faith theme.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Match in the Making

By Jen Turano

MY REVIEW

What an absolutely fun story!! I honestly think this is the best novel I have read by this author. That is really saying something since I have read all her books, and I own them all.

Miss Gwendolyn Brinley is a wonderfully fun character. I really enjoyed her interactions with the kids. Kids in books is a favorite of mine, and these kids were so fun. Her interactions with people is wonderful…including Walter of course. Several scenes in the church were so fun, and children really do make everything so much more lively.

Walter grows so much throughout the book, and it is wonderful to see him bond with his three lively and heartwarming children.

I thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue, wit, antics, and characters in another terrific book by this author. A fun read is a must from time to time, and Ms. Turano is definitely an author that serves up lots of that to her readers.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own

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The Cold Light of Day

By Elizabeth Goddard

MY REVIEW

MY DAUGHTER READ AND REVIEWED. THIS IS ONE OF HER FAVORITE AUTHORS.

4.5 stars
One of the best Elizabeth Goddard books I have read- wonderful characters, and plot lines.
Autumn and Grier’s story has plenty of romance, up and downs and all around fun times! The romance was not overdone, and it had a little more depth than some.

I really enjoyed all the water scenes and the suspense of what was going to happen next. There were a few twists and turns that were surprising, ( very unusual for me to say), and some of the more intense scenes were written so that I felt like I was the one in danger not the hero/heroine!

The faith theme was fabulously done and woven in to the story really well. Loved the verses and the amount of praying in the book. It is hard to weave in a faith thread in a suspense story, so I found this one really good!

The characters themselves were flawed, but God helped them be better. A sweet reunion makes the ending even better. The last quarter of the book was my favorite, as it was entirely fast paced, and the kind of suspense I love.

It would have gotten five stars if it hadn’t dragged just a bit at the beginning. I love the ending so much and the book was so well written it almost deserved it. I’m looking forward to the next book!

I received this book from the author , all opinions are my own.

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The Maid of Ballymacool

By Jennifer Deibel

MY REVIEW

I have enjoyed every book by this author. This one, however, is my favorite. It has great story elements, unseen twist and turns, faith, and well done characters.

The mystery in this book is wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I got caught by surprise at an interesting twist in it. The pace and way it was written really kept me turning the pages.

The character development was so good in this book. I really enjoyed watching Brianna grow throughout the story. She has several friends as secondary characters that really round out the cast well. Michael Wray is a fantastic hero with his kindness and concern when others do not even seem to notice Brianna and her load of work.

So grab the book and follow Brianna’s story. You will not be sorry that you did. This author has become a must buy for me. Her setting is always fascinating and very well done. It’s a book that took me on a journey. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Last Chance Cowboy

By Jody Hedlund

MY REVIEW

The last of the siblings gets his story. I always love a good redemption story, and a marriage of convenience plot. The characters are well done, and the witty banter between siblings is fun. I have four siblings of my own.

I enjoyed the action and the forgiveness/ redemption topic. I do wish the redemption part had taken place during the story. I did enjoy the action in the story and the wonderful midwifery stories.

I’m not much into overly romantic stories…I prefer more the historical side of a book. I would have preferred it to be more like her previous series where I learned so many interesting historical facts. I am in the minority on this subject, though. Jody Hedlund fans and fans of cowboy romance will be sure to love the final story in the Colorado Cowboy series- characters, action, forgiveness, and a marriage of convenience story.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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The Weight of Air

By Kimberly Duffy

MY REVIEW

The Weight of Air covers some difficult topics. Most of these were not ones to which I could personally relate. I was never able to give birth ( different emotional difficulties there), and I had a utopian type childhood. I do, however, have some close relationships where postpartum depression was such a struggle, known those who committed suicide, and those who were abandoned by parents. So I understood to some extent the struggles these characters face.

Mabel was by far my favorite because she seemed to really grow throughout the book. She had a heart to forgive and love. The characters were very well done as is common for this author. I really enjoy her writing style, and I have read and own her other books.

I really felt this book had a great opportunity to have a better faith theme. “I can do all things” was mentioned, but in relation to circus tricks-nothing spiritual. There was faith and hope, but it wasn’t tied to the faith and hope we have through Jesus Christ. A very slight faith theme comes in at the end, but it doesn’t really affect the lives of the characters at all. There is also a relationship that a woman puts herself in to keep her job. There isn’t a big forgiveness or redemption story tied to that at all either. The idea of using the beauty of a woman was portrayed as wrong, but the characters, especially Mabel, did nothing when pictures were used of her that should not have been. She didn’t like it, but she made no complaints to the boss. That just seemed strange to me.

The story itself was well written as all of this authors books are. I felt the characters were real and intriguing as we learn the circumstances that shaped them, and the scenes were so vivid. I’ve never been to a circus so the author did a good job of making me “see it.”

It’s a book with flawed and broken people making their way through the life and circumstances that occurred that were beyond their control. One of my favorite tropes is used and done so well, but no spoilers so I won’t go there. A terrific set of characters, a wonderful story, it just needed more Christian faith elements for me to truly love it. I have to say it was refreshing to read a book where men were not terrible, abusive to women…but tried to support the women in their lives! That has been a common theme in many CF books. I have a husband who sometimes carries me literally and figuratively. I’m not saying they were perfect as none are, but they grew in their relationships and supported the women in their lives whether wife or daughter. Loved that.

If you enjoyed this book and author Kristy Cambron, Lynn Austin, and perhaps Jody Hedlund are some authors you might want to consider reading. If you want more historical circus stories Joanne Bischof and Kristy Cambron have some out there that are quite good.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Hearts of Steel

By Elizabeth Camden

MY REVIEW

I really liked Maggie in this book…even though obsessive, her fears were definitely warranted. She was so scrappy and incredibly hard working. I liked Liam, but I do wish he had grown a bit and learned to better control his temper. He was too old for board room brawls…not saying the guy didn’t deserve it. However, he should have been above that eventually. I felt Maggie had some growth to her, but Liam didn’t really. I did love what he would do for those he loved. This was a great title for the two characters.

This story grabbed my attention from the beginning and held it. The plot and storyline was very interesting, and the attempts by the crooked guy that just keep coming seem unreal. Most of it, however, is based on a true character in history.

The two main characters complement each other well, the storyline keeps the reader engaged, and Liam ends up in the state in which I live with his yacht! He doesn’t come for a vacation, though. My favorite scene is a beautiful gift given to Liam from his sister that he treasures.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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The Rose and the Thistle

By Laura Frantz

MY REVIEW

A beautifully written tale set in Scotland. It is as if every word sings in this novel. I have a habit of skimming a bit since I read so fast. I did not with this book. Every word is to be savored as the reader meets the characters and takes a journey with them.

The main characters are fantastic and realistic. I loved them both. The secondary characters steal the readers heart as well, especially sweet Orrin. They struggle and contend just as we do. The love story is not just about looks and lust-it is about character and respect. Oh, how this reader loved that. I was kept up way past my bedtime to enjoy this alluring read.

I felt the strong underlying theme was to follow the Lord and rule what He has given well. God sets up the kings, but we each have our own dominion. It is for that, that we shall answer to The King how well we execute His commands.

The author appeals to all senses to put the reader in the setting. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting, loved the characters, eagerly anticipated the climax of the plot, and loved the happily ever after. This is one of those books that brings a beautiful sigh at the conclusion, yet I did not want it to end. Engaging characters, enchanting setting, intriguing plot, well woven faith theme, and an entirely magnificent story that will have its place on my forever shelves. Just lovely.

I received this book from the publisher as well as purchasing one. All opinions are my own.

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