Matchmaking the Cowboy + Giveaway

What’s a little covert matchmaking between friends?

Lucy Aveline’s ex has a knack for making her feel small and helpless. She’d avoid him entirely, but he still owns a piece of her heart in the form of the pets he purchased for her but kept for himself. She visits Rosie and Jasmine when she can, vows to avoid another controlling boyfriend by staying single, and focuses on her large animal veterinary practice. Or that’s the plan until some longtime family friends attempt to set her up with former rodeo star Hollis Price. Lucy convinces them to drop the plot only when she promises to find Hollis a good match herself.

Hollis is more concerned with surviving his first Christmas after losing his dad than with finding love. Dad’s champion horse is aging, and rumors started by an unhappy client threaten the horse training business Hollis inherited from his father. When the kind and talented Lucy offers friendship, he accepts simply to add cheer to the season.

It’s not long before his interest in Lucy deepens, but so do problems at his ranch. Saving his father’s legacy begins to look as impossible as earning Lucy’s trust. Especially when her ex continues to use her love of animals against her and she won’t stop pushing her single friends at Hollis long enough to notice she’s the one he’s falling for.

Return to Redemption Ridge, Colorado and enjoy the faith, friendships, and forever-afters in this Christian Christmas Romance.

Matchmaking the Cowboy is book 9 in the Christmas in Redemption Ridge series, but each of the books can be read on their own.

My Review:

published in 2024

I do so love a good matchmaking romance and this one fits the bill, especially with the added bonus of a Christmasy setting! Love the unique twist to the matchmaking plot: in order to avoid being aggressively (though lovingly) matched with Colter throughout the holiday season, Lucy agrees to find him a match herself. While that might get the well meaning matchmakers off her back, it also catapults Lucy into Hollis’s orbit so frequently that it’s impossible not to, well, fall in love with the guy. Bwahahaha!

Of course, things don’t go smoothly. There’s plenty of sassy banter and charged attempts to fight the inevitable attraction. Plus there’s Lucy’s horrid ex whose despicable actions made me want to pursewhomp him in the worst way. Thankfully, Hollis has his own measured comeuppance planned which sent me twirling into a jubilant victory dance while whooping my delight at the top of my lungs. My neighbours might still be traumatized, but I found it refreshingly cleansing. And yes, I know that’s not appropriate given it’s the season for good will and peace on earth but, trust me, once you meet the ex, you’ll totally understand!

There’s an array of engaging secondary characters who add depth and humour as well as unsolicited advise. 🙂 Many are heroes and heroines from previous ‘Christmas at Redemption Ridge’ novels, but this one easily reads well as a standalone.

I appreciated the faith elements the author included in Hollis and Lucy’s story. Pertinent and meaningful without coming off as preachy or too forceful. Just the perfect touch to bring hope and healing to this hero and heroine who absolutely deserve their happily ever after.

The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House + Giveaway

It is 1901 when clockmaker and brilliant tinker Sydney Forrester inherits Blakely House, the eclectic estate of an estranged uncle she’s never met. The well-known but mysterious industrialist has left behind a stunning array of peculiar inventions–and a couple of nephews intent on removing this interloper from the estate. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle’s death, the late master’s nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn.

Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate’s butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master’s brilliance as well as his property–or someone else will.

My Review:

The first sentence that sparked my curiosity:

“It was a strangely calm morning in March, with no wind off the dales, when the woman I assumed to be my mother slipped into the shop.”

And from there I was hooked. Often confused, but completely absorbed. Even the secrets have secrets! Sometimes it felt like I’d been dropped on my head and I was reading everything upside down! Kafuffled doesn’t begin to describe my bibliophile state…but also intrigued!

Sydney is my kind of heroine – “That was what novels were for – having adventures without any of the discomfort.” She is a clever, quirky young woman who loves her books but likes the security of reading them in comfortable surroundings. And then, suddenly, she’s catapulted into a novel-worthy adventure of her very own…complete with a ‘pirate’ hero. (Her man of mystery inspires untold swoons and toe-curls for both Sydney and me!)

Blakely House and its inhabitants are as surprising and confusing and mysterious as you’d expect to find in this kind of thrilling atmospheric read. Adventure, romance and amazing curiosities abound. Politano is a gifted storyteller with an unsurpassed imagination and she has delivered a stunning inspirational historical romance in ‘The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House.’

“God had a rather unexpected way of saying “yes” to little girl prayers, slipping his answer into the fabric of everyday life.”

A Wonderful Christmas Crime

Innkeeper Holly White has a lot to be joyful about this season, until an attempted robbery throws the town into suspicion in the sixth installment of the Christmas Tree Farm mysteries from bestselling author Jacqueline Frost.

As Christmas descends on Mistletoe, Maine, Holly White has an extra gift for the a new baby on the way. Her husband, Sheriff Evan Gray, has been worried about her elevated blood pressure and Holly has agreed to take this year easy. Being idle has never been one of Holly’s gifts, so when Evan surprises her with tickets to the town-wide dinner, she and her many cravings thank him. But when a thief tries and fails to steal an antique ornament from the dinner’s holiday display, it’s clear that someone is on the naughty list. 

The thief manages to escape, but after dinner, Holly spots their lifeless body. It’s clear that someone in town was keen to kill them. Evan is less than jolly to find his wife at the scene of yet another holiday homicide and asks her to promise that she’ll leave the investigating to the police. But Holly has never been one to turn down a challenge and has to get creative with the help of a few of her friends in order to find this killer.

Will she and her friends be able to stop the killer, and uncover the motive behind the attempted robbery, or will the killer strike again and paint the town a bloody red?

My Review:

What would Christmas be without some heartwarming murder and mayhem involving the ‘Christmas Tree Farm Mystery ‘crew?! This is one of my favourite cozy mystery series for so many reasons and this sixth book is a perfect example of why.

First — the cozy to mystery ratio is superbly written. While the investigation (both official policing and amateur sleuthing) is centerstage, Frost seamlessly incorporates exquisite cozy elements that provide an anchor of humour and heart to the story. The result is me alternately chuckling and swooning and feeling all nostalgically Christmas-y while trying to solve the mystery before Holly ( or at least keep up with her!) Makes for an incredibly captivating read.

Well, listen (again!) for me because narrator Allyson Ryan has become the voice I hear in my head when I think about these characters. She’s brilliant at giving everyone distinctive voices, including Holly’s disgruntled semi-feral cat Miss Cindy-Lou Who. And I always have the feeling that she is enjoying the story just as much as I am, which makes it feel like I’m buddy reading with a kindred spirit.

This is definitely a series I think should be read in order – not only for the character development, evolving friendships and slow-burn, toe-curling romance – but also for the sheer brilliance of all the holiday festivities. The author has an exceptional imagination and I love the mix of old favourite ‘reindeer games’ along with new traditions that appear in each book. This series breathes Christmas and, in fact, might just contain a hint of special Christmas magic on the side. I might be gloating a wee bit after reading that ending because, well, I knew it all the time!

My thanks to Dreamscape Media and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

Toils and Snares + Giveaway

A riveting tale of love, betrayal, and long-buried secrets, set in the heart of Alaska.

Daphne’s life takes a sharp turn when she becomes engaged to the love of her life, a beloved pastor in Anchorage. But joy is short-lived as she is thrust into the upscale world of her fiancé’s wealthy and influential family.

As the news of their engagement spreads, peculiar incidents start to unfold, leaving Daphne questioning whether there’s a sinister force at play. Haunted by her own family’s dark past, she begins to suspect that her secrets might be intertwined with those of her fiancé’s family—secrets that could shatter not only her own future but also the lives of everyone she holds dear.

From the bestselling USA Today author Alana Terry comes a gripping tale of danger, romance, and faith, set against the backdrop of the rugged Alaskan countryside.undefined

My Review:

An intriguing read and a little hard to define. Not quite a suspense, but there is a mystery, only it’s the kind that happens to Daphne rather than her trying to solve it. As a reader, I could see the pieces pulling together so there was still a bit of an armchair sleuthing component to the read which kept me turning pages.

Engaging characters with an interesting relationship – Daphne’s backstory is particularly compelling. And that’s about all I can say without posting spoilers due to the writing style and the shorter word count. A great read to go in blind and just let the story unfold.

Love Finds You in the City at Christmas + Giveaway

Love comes to the big city in two heartwarming stories of Christmas past and present. 

“Red Kettle Christmas” 
It’s 1946, and police officer Mike Wolzak has inherited his family’s home . . . and the custody of his younger sister, who is in trouble with a problem he doesn’t know how to fix. While on patrol during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mike makes the acquaintance of a lovely Salvation Army bell ringer, Karen O’Leary, who is struggling to support herself and her young daughter. As their paths cross during the festive holiday season in Manhattan, Karen teaches the tough World War II veteran how to support and love his family. In the process, he just might gain a new one.

“Manhattan Miracle”
A war-weary soldier who has served three tours in the Middle East, Max Wolzak has come home to New York City to celebrate Christmas with his family in the Manhattan brownstone where he spent much of his childhood. There Max reconnects with Sarah Peterson, his sister’s old schoolmate who now organizes relief missions for the United Nations. Sparks fly as the pair gets reacquainted over various holiday events, but when Max realizes that Sarah will leave for the Middle East the day after Christmas, he has a decision to make—convince her to stay, wait for her to return, or go with her to the one place to which he never thought he’d return.

My Review:

published in 2013

Be still my heart — I’m sure I heard the Hallelujah Chorus in the background as I finished this book. It is that good. That’s moving and uplifting and down-home Christmasy good.  Both stories start with Macy’s Thanksgiving parade and that sets the mood perfectly. Both stories have adorable little girls who know the true magic of Christmas and how to share it. Another excellent way to set that special mood. But though there are similarities in these two novellas, each author’s distinctive voice creates a unique and heart-warming read.

In Red Kettle Christmas, Herne’s characteristic writing style swept me into the heart of post World War II New York City  from the very first page. I love the way characters come to life at her fingertips. And I love how she portrays life and loss realistically, but always laced with hope. This novella has all the makings of a classic Christmas read.

Fast forward to present day and we get to read about the next generation of Wolzaks in Schmidt’s Manhattan Miracle. Interesting to jump decades and land at the very same place and the very same time. Love that link between the two stories. This is another touching read that gave me goosebumps at the Hollywood worthy finale.

Winterset + Giveaway

Northern England, Late Fall, 1820

Katherine Lockwood is hiding for her life in the most unlikely of places: the forgotten priest holes in the abandoned Winterset Grange manor house. When Kate learns that Winterset’s long-absent owner, Mr. Oliver Jennings, is about to return, she is desperate to find a way to make him leave, even if it means “haunting” him from behind her protective walls.

After a grand tour of the Continent, Oliver returns home to England determined to make the most of his inheritance. But from the moment he arrives, nothing is as he expected. His manor is in disrepair, the steward hired to care for his estate is a thief, and to top it all off, Winterset is haunted. Undeterred, Oliver resolves to reclaim his life, piece by piece.

When Oliver discovers the hidden rooms, he’s shocked and pleased that his “ghost” is actually a beautiful young woman. Captivated by Kate and her story, he invites her to stay at Winterset under his protection.

Yet, danger persists as the man who threatens Kate’s safety learns of her ruse and attempts to exact his revenge. Kate and Oliver find themselves ensnared in a perilous game of cat and mouse against a powerful opponent while also trying to untangle their blossoming feelings in this enthralling gothic Regency romance.

My Review:

Delightfully atmospheric! I love the way the story unfolds, unhurried but always moving forward so there was plenty of time to savour each scene. And, oh my, the meet-cute!!! Not quite a ‘meet’ and definitely not ‘cute’! Ingenuous!

Kate is audacious with an imagination to rival Anne Shirley (Green Gables reference.) The situations she puts Oliver through are diabolically clever. And the poor man is just beginning to find himself while trying to get comfortable with his new home and community.

Cue some shivery foreshadowing and I was frantic to warn Oliver and Kate of something ominous lurking ahead! What a completely immersive read! Well, listen for me since I enjoyed Helen Day and Thomas Judd’s excellent narration.

The Confidentiality Clause

My best friend’s brother needs help. And not just because he’s the most annoying man on the face of the earth.

Brock Jones is the definition of a workaholic. He’s constantly on his phone and barely leaves his office.

This makes everyone who loves him worry—namely, his twin and my best friend, Sutton.

She sends me to check on him, and I find out he’s worse off than anyone thinks.

He begs me not to tell Sutton his secret. I agree, but on one he lets me help him out of this mess.

Now we’re spending more time together than ever before, and my big, dumb heart is starting to fall for him.

Which can’t happen, because I need someone who’s husband material, and Brock has already said til death do us part to his job.

The Confidentiality Clause is a best friend’s brother romcom with tons of banter! It has all the sizzling chemistry you love, without the explicit scenes. Check out the fifth and final book in the More Than a Game series, a series based around four professional athletes and their agent.

My Review:

Eeeeepppp!!! I’ve been waiting for Brock’s story. ‘The Confidentiality Clause’ is the fifth book in Annah Conwell’s ‘More Than a Game’ series, though it can certainly be read as a standalone novel. I love the continuity with the guy friend group and the lovely series epilogue at the end of this last book. Such a treat for series fans!

And what an epic grand finale for the series. Ariel and Brock are…well, not exactly each other’s idea of a love match, that’s for sure! Their snarky banter is so well written. Enough snark to keep me chuckling without making it seem mean-spirited. These two have a kind of love/hate relationship from the start. Definitely opposites attract and Brock is such a grumpy workaholic that I despaired of him ever loosening up. But I hadn’t bargained on Ariel’s free-spirited determination to shake his life up a bit – for good, of course!

Conwell’s writing is smart and snappy and full of wit which makes it easy to breeze through the story. But she also excels at creating characters with emotional depth, grappling with real struggles as they try to come to grips with the kind of stuff readers can relate to. And that combination – comedy and drama – is what makes this book so riveting.

I listened to the audio edition of ‘The Confidentiality Clause’ narrated by Chelsea Kwoka and JD Tomlinson and loved every second of it! I’m finding that I really enjoy dual narrators, especially for a rom/com and these performers delivered both the humour and all the emotion perfectly. They really enhanced my listening pleasure.

My thanks to Dreamscape Media and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

Christmas Jars + Giveaway

Where had it come from? Whose money was it? Was I to spend it? Save it? Pass it on to someone more needy? Above all else, why was I chosen? Certainly there were others, countless others, more needy than me… 

Her reporter’s intuition insisted that a remarkable story was on the verge of the front page. 

Newspaper reporter Hope Jensen uncovers the remarkable secret behind the “Christmas Jars”, glass jars filled with coins and bills anonymously left for people in need. But along the way, Hope discovers much more than the origin of the jars. When some unexpected news sets off a chain reaction of kindness, Hope’s greatest Christmas Eve wish comes true.

My Review:

published in 2005

A quick little read with a classic Christmas-y feel. And hard to review without giving away spoilers because of it’s brevity but I’ll try.

Hope is the perfect name for our heroine. By turns, she brings hope and searches for hope throughout the story, culminating in the marrying of both by the heartwarming conclusion.

Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that can rekindle lost hope and I appreciate the way Wright highlights how a simple act of kindness can snowball into an avalanche of goodwill. This story showcases how we are all connected, however tenuously and that life can come full-circle, joy overcoming despair, bringing hope to our future.

Sandpiper Cove + Giveaway

Hope Harbor police chief Lexie Graham has plenty on her plate raising her son alone and dealing with a sudden rash of petty theft and vandalism in her coastal Oregon hometown. As a result, she has zero time for extracurricular activities–including romance. Ex-con Adam Stone isn’t looking for love either–but how ironic is it that the first woman to catch his eye is a police chief? Yet wishing for things that can never be is foolish.

Nevertheless, when Lexie enlists Adam’s help to keep a young man from falling into a life of crime, sparks begin to fly. And as they work together, it soon becomes apparent that God may have a different–and better–future planned for them than either could imagine.

Lauded by Library Journal as “a master at character development,” Irene Hannon welcomes readers back to this charming Oregon seaside village where hearts heal–and love blooms.

My Review:

published in 2017

I’m rereading the whole Hope Harbor series via audible editions and am loving Therese Plummer’s narration so much! She breathes life into these characters and heart and humour into her interpretation of Hannon’s exquisite words.

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There is something exceptionally delightful about Irene Hannon’s characters. There’s so much depth and intrigue in each and every one whether they are the hero and heroine or any number of secondary characters — including Clyde, the dog!

You can tell a lot about a hero by the way he treats a dog. And Clyde will tell you that Adam is a keeper. Some of my favourite scenes are between this life-battered pair. A man who has had a rough start in life and the abused dog he rescued. Both are wary of getting too close to people, finding comfort and safety in their solitude…until Lexie gets involved.

Love the unusual pairing — an ex-con and a police chief. It’s all kinds of complicated and they are their own worst enemies. Both are wounded by past tragedies and their love story doubles as a beautiful redemption story.

“You know…it’s interesting how our paths often smooth out if we give God a chance to pave the way, isn’t it?” (p 293) One of things I love most about Sandpiper Cove is the way the author has seamlessly woven an inspirational thread into the plot. Faith shines through the lives of some pretty memorable characters. Uplifting but never forced, bringing the warmth of hope to the most difficult situations.

A complex romance that sizzles right to the very last page. Stupendous addition to the Hope Harbor series…and, woohoo…Irene Hannon promises there are more books to come.

The Christmas Book Flood + Giveaway

In this charming World War II historical romance novella inspired by Jolabokaflod, Iceland’s Christmas Book Flood, an author falls in love with a man who doesn’t know he is her editor.

Iceland. December 1944. Tatiana Eliasdottir is looking forward to welcoming her niece Elea for Christmas. She’s determined to give the little girl a joyful holiday and take her mind off troubles at home. Soon, however, the publishing house where Tatiana works is flooded with orders thanks to the first issue of a seasonal book catalog. With the war causing so many shortages, Icelanders are eager to give their loved ones something that isn’t rationed, and books are the perfect solution to their dilemma.

Anders Johannsson is an editor who shares Tatiana’s love for stories. While he wishes to know her better, he’s never dared pursue more than friendship. They are first and foremost colleagues. But when Tatiana’s attempts to cheer Elea fail, Tatiana recruits him to help, a plea he can’t refuse. He is, after all, not only an editor but a beloved children’s book author and devoted uncle to his adoring nieces and nephews.

As the two creatively bring Icelandic Christmas traditions to life for Elea and frantically work to meet the demands of the publisher’s holiday rush, Tatiana finds herself increasingly drawn to kind, thoughtful Anders. But if a love is to grow between them, she will need to reveal her closely held she is the mysterious author of a popular new novel . . . and Anders is her editor.

A standalone World War II historical Christmas novella. A sweet holiday romance with a friends-to-more trope. Features a bookish heroine and hero. Christian fiction great for fans of Lynn Austin and Sarah Sundin

My Review:

I’ve been putting off writing a review of The Christmas Book Flood because I can’t seem to find the words to express not only how much I enjoyed this story, but the impact it had on me as well.

I guess I’ll start by saying it’s an epic Christmas tale destined to become a traditional read every year in my house. I’m still living with these characters a week later. In fact, I keep playing complete scenes over again in my mind and I remember so many delightful little details. To say I’m enamoured with this Christmas novella would be an understatement!

First, I’ve been totally captivated with Iceland’s book flood (Jolabokaflod) tradition since I heard about it a few years ago, so to find a story set in the year it started…well, talk about sending me into a bookish tizzy fit! And White’s talent for including historical and regional details in her stories is brilliantly done here. In particular, some epic Icelandic Christmas traditions elevated the story to a whole other level. So many rich details that completely charmed me.

And Anders! Be still my heart – a bookish hero! A rather shy and awkward one at that. And Tatiana with a delicious secret and a sweet little niece to care for over Christmas…and a secret crush on Anders. (Pssst, that crush is not one-sided!) And who can resist the romantic setting of a publishing house? Eeeepppp!!!! Not me!

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Talon David and, oh my goodness, she does an incredible job with these characters! And I appreciated hearing the Icelandic words and phrases pronounced correctly. Really brought authenticity to the storytelling and made the listen extra special.