Falling for Alaska by Belle Calhoune

 Have you visited Alaska or would you like to?  OR  What is a highlight for you this week?  I have always wanted to visit Alaska.  I love this photo with the mountains.  

📘Review: Falling for Alaska by Belle Calhoun is a sweet romance that is the first book in the Moose Falls, Alaska series.  Xavier, Caleb, and Landon Stone come back to Moose Falls, Alaska after being gone for 20 years.  Grandma Hattie invites them back to learn how to run her business and possibly take over as she is dying.  This story introduces the family and we follow Xavier and True Everette as they navigate a romantic relationship.  

True and Xavier are two people who have had to grow up fast and are not strangers to hardship.  I enjoyed watching their love story, watching them change, and appreciated the satisfying ending. The author did a great job of weaving the theme of reconciliation through the story. 

"Sometimes Granny scares me," Landon whispered.  Xavier turned towards him and asked, "Only sometimes?" 

Granny is definitely a crowd favorite.  I was intrigued that Grandma Hattie was facilitating healing and forgiveness in her family as she was dying.  I look forward to learning more about the Stone family in the next books of the series and having more time in Moose Falls, Alaska.  

I enjoyed the banter, romance and redemptive themes in Falling for Alaska by Belle Calhoun.   I highly recommend this sweet romance. 

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.  

Publisher's Weekly Best Selling Author Belle Calhoune was born and raised in Massachusetts, one of five children. Growing up across the street from a public library fed her hunger for books, particularly romance novels and mysteries.

A member of the RWA (Romance Writers of America) Honor Roll, Belle has written over 40 books.

Her novel, An Alaskan Christmas, has been made into a television movie by Brain Power Studios, featured on UPtv in October of 2019.

What the Mountains Remember by Joy Callaway

 
What The Mountains Remember by Joy Calloway is a lovely historical romance set against the backdrop of the mountains of Ashville, North Carolina and the building of Grove Park Inn. Belle Newbold has not been in the mountains for a long time. She travels to meet her arranged fiancé, Worth Delafield. Bella and Worth hold many secrets and while camping with Henry Ford’s Vagabonds, facing the past, and watching the Inn built they see their secrets unravel and their lives change.

I enjoyed this historical romance and my time in the mountains It was fascinating to learn about the building of Grove Park Inn, early automobiles, and the Vagabonds. I connected with Belle and Worth as characters and enjoyed walking with both of them as they transformed and fell in love. The themes of loving and grieving deeply resonated with me. The author did an amazing job honoring those who built Grove Park Inn.

This was a beautiful and deeply moving historical story. The characters touched my heart and will stay with me. I highly recommend What the Mountains Remember by Joy Calloway.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

Joy Callaway is the author of All the Pretty Places, The Grand Design, The Fifth Avenue Artists Society, and Secret Sisters. She holds a BA in journalism and public relations from Marshall University and an MMC from the University of South Carolina. She resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband, John, and her children, Alevia and John. Visit her online at joycallaway.com.

I'm Not His Style by Kasey Stockton

I’m Not His Style is a contemporary romance by Kasey Stockton.  Beth Parker loves to make people beautiful through her gifts with hair and make-up.  She has the opportunity to work with her long time celebrity crush, Rhett Myers, and jumps at the chance.  Rhett Myers life is complicated and he seems so nice on the big screen, but we are not sure how nice he is in real life.  Can they work things out?

I enjoyed getting to know Beth and Rhett and watch their love story unfold.  There were many funny moments, some intrigue, and I loved stepping into the world of celebrity romance.  Beth was such an endearing main character that I wanted to invite her over dinner.  (Would asking her to bring Rhett be too much?)  I thoroughly enjoyed the story with the pop culture references.

This was a sweet romance with great banter, wonderful characters, and an interesting plot.  I loved my time in this glamorous world and highly recommend I’m Not His Style by Kasey Stockton. 

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review. 

 

Tangled Up in Love by Carolyn Miller

 Tangled Up in Love by Carolyn Miller is a sweet romance and is part of the Trinity Lakes Series.  Ellie Reilly has just returned from an amazing trip in Europe.  She has been charged to reopen the Trinity Lakes’ historical museum.  Jasper Cohen has been working at his family’s hardware store and admiring Ellie from afar for many years.  Can they be more than friends? 

I thoroughly enjoyed this great story with its sweet romance and engaging characters.  I was glad to be back in Trinity Lake and getting to catch up with old friends.  I enjoyed watching Ellie and Jasper become more than friends and transform into two people who cared for each other.  The faith thread was beautifully written and challenged me to reflect on my own life.

I enjoyed the beautiful setting of Trinity Lake, the delightful characters, and the romance in Tangled Up in Love.  This a beautifully written story that   I highly recommend. 

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review. 

Carolyn Miller is an inspirational romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. She enjoys music, films, gardens, art, travel, and food.

Miller’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers.

Learn more about Carolyn at www.carolynmillerauthor.com, or find her on Facebook (Carolyn Miller Author), Instagram (@CarolynMillerAuthor), and Twitter (@CarolynMAuthor).

Amazing Train Journeys 60 unforgettable Rail Trips and How to Experience Them by Lonely Planet

Have you taken a train ride? OR What is your favorite trip activity? OR What are you reading? I was able to take two train rides this last summer in Colorado with my friend Susan Nyberg . We went on a Wildflower train ride and one around a mining town Truly the highlight of me year. I even had my picture taken with the conductor.

 
I was thrilled to receive a copy of Amazing Train Journeys 60 Unforgettable Rail Trips and How to Experience Them by Lonely Planet 

The definitive guide to the world's most remarkable train journeys presenting 60 memorable travel experiences by rail.

Each of the featured itineraries provides an illustrated route map, breathtaking images, and a handy infographic showing key stops and moments. This is the ultimate book of train travel inspiration for anyone wishing to embark on a sustainable expedition and delight in the people and places encountered along the way.

Review: I am so enthralled by this book! I love choosing one of the train rides in the book and exploring. The gorgeous pictures and maps give you a taste of what it is likely to look like. I was intrigued by all of the trips, but especially the one through England and Scotland. The book is great for all ages to imagine what a trip would be like, plan a new one, or just see the world by train I highly recommend.

I was given a copy and not required to write a positive review.   

Pride and Preston Lin by Christina Hwang Dudley

Pride and Preston Lin by Christina Hwang Dudley is an adaption of Pride and Prejudice set in San Francisco.  Lissie is the middle of three sisters who were taken in by their aunt and uncle after their parents pass. The two older sisters help their aunt and uncle run their restaurant.  Preston is a wealthy Stanford PhD. Student who is very confident in who he is and his opinions.  Lissie accidently serves a dish containing shellfish to someone who is allergic and Preston Lin happens to be at that table.  Will they ever make it as friends? 

I enjoyed this fabulous Austen adaption of Pride and Prejudice. The characters were interesting, thoughtful and the author did a great job adapting them to modern day. I found myself engrossed in the story and enjoyed seeing the connections to Pride and Prejudice.  The story was from Lissie’s perspective, had interesting twists from the original story and took place in the Asian community of San Francisco.  Truly a delightful read. 

Pride and Preston Lin by Christian Hwang Dudley is a great Pride and Prejudice adaption.  This thoughtfully written story will join my other favorite Austen adaptions on my bookshelves.  I highly recommend this story!

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.    

Christina Dudley's books have been called "enchanting," "sparkling" and "swoon-worthy" by reviewers like Austenprose and Austenesque Reviews. She's authored two award-winning Regency series: The Hapgoods of Bramleigh and The Ellsworth Assortment, as well as PRIDE AND PRESTON LIN, a contemporary riff on Austen's classic which was chosen as a February 2024 Editor's Pick by Kirkus Reviews Magazine and received starred reviews from both them and Booklist. She and her family live in Bellevue, Washington.

 

Catch A Wave by Savannah Scott

Catch a Wave by Savannah Scott is the third book in the Love Trippin series, but is a standalone novel.  Kalaine is a big wave surfer who just had a wipe out that took her out of surfing.  Bodhi was also a big wave surfer who now teaches surfing on Marabella Island and lives with Kalaine’s brother, Kai.  They used to date, and now connect for the first time in several years on Marbella Island outside the house Bodhi shares with Kai.  Second chance?

This book is fabulous! I loved watching the second chance romance play out and was cheering for Kalaine and Bodhi from the beginning.  The story alternates between the present with Kalaine and Bodhi and when they dated in the past.  The dual POV, slow burn romance, and endearing characters had me very engaged in the story.  I was absolutely fascinated learning about the world of surfing.  I think I may have to learn to surf someday.  

This will be one of my top book picks of this year.  I enjoyed the slow burn romance, the engaging characters and the surfing culture. I highly recommend the sweet romcom Catch a Wave by Savannah Scott.  

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review. 

I’m Savannah Scott – the girl behind the Getting Shipped! series, otherwise known as the founder of the town of Bordeaux, Ohio.

And yes, my hair is strawberry blond in that family photo. It has been dark brown, medium brown, and blond (current color) too–short, long, curled, straight … What can I say? I like changing my hair.

I want to tell you a little about me since you took the time to make it to this “about” page.
Life around the Scott Home

I’ve been married to my surfer husband for over 25 years. He has a heart of gold. In our relationship, I’m like the kite, and he’s the steady hand holding the string.

I’ve spent many years as the “den mom” in my own private Boy Scout troop … mom to two boys, one no longer living at home, and a whole slew of boys in our neighborhood too.

We also have a labradoodle puppy named Bella … she likes to eat shoes, tug the dishtowel off the stove, and chase squeaky balls. Sometimes she chills out and then we call her Bella-Snugarella because she flops against you like a living teddy bear. That’s my favorite.

Encouraging other moms is my jam. I’ve written several non-fiction books for women (under Patty H Scott), and I have a website dedicated to pouring out into mama hearts at slowdownmama.com.

When I’m not writing, I’m either reading, dancing zumba, or going on a walk or out to coffee with friends. I love road trips, especially when there’s adventure in the mix.