A Moment to Love by Tracie Peterson

A Moment to Love by Tracie Peterson is book number three in The Hope of Cheyenne Series. The book can be read as a stand-alone novel or to complete the series. Dr. Carrie Vogel is beside herself when her fiancé steals her research work. After breaking up with him she decides to go back home to Cheyenne in the Wyoming territory to start again. Her good friend, Spencer Duval, a Pinkerton Detective, needs to travel to Cheyenne for business. They decide to have a temporary marriage as a way to detract attention from Spencer. But it is hard when you start to fall in love with your best friend.

I was swept up in this delightful multiple POV story set in 1890. Carrie and Spencer had so much depth as characters, were committed to helping people, and grew so much in the story making them very endearing charters I was invested in. The author wove themes of redemption, forgiveness, family, and making peace with yourself into the book. I appreciated the beauty of the story, getting to know the people of Cheyenne, and learning about female doctors and medicine in the 1890s.

I enjoyed reading A Moment to Love by Tracie Peterson. The characters were so engaging, the story had beautiful spiritual themes, and the setting was so interesting. I very highly recommend A Moment To Love by Tracie Peterson.

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

 

Tracie Peterson gave her life to Jesus at the age of six. Tracie knew at an early age that God was calling her to ministry, and writing for Him has allowed her to offer the Gospel message and encourage people to hope in the Lord. Her motto in writing, as well as all other aspects of life is Soli Deo Gloria—For God Alone the Glory.

Often called the “Queen of Historical Christian Fiction,” Tracie Peterson is an ECPA, CBA and USA Today best-selling author of more than 110 books, most of those historical. Her work in historical fiction earned her the Best Western Romance Author of 2013 award from True West magazine and the USA Best Books 2011 Award for best Religious Fiction for Embers of Love. She was given the Life Time Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers in 2011 and the Career Achievement Award in 2007 from Romantic Times, as well as multiple best book awards.Tracie received her first book contract in November 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership’s vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row. Eventually, Tracie also managed Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents book line—overseeing the production of 52 books a year.
In December 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers/Baker Publishing Group. She has co-written with a variety of authors including Judith Pella, Judith Miller, James Scott Bell, Kimberley Woodhouse, and Tracie’s daughter Jennifer.

Tracie, a Kansas native, now makes her home with her husband, Jim, in the mountains of Montana.

Remember That Day by Mary Balogh

I was so thrilled to read Remember That Day by Mary Balogh published by Berkley. It is a delightful Regency Romance and part of the Ravenwood series The story actually combines charters from to series. The author does a great job giving you the back story you need to easily understand the story.

I was looking for a Regency Romance to start off my year and this was the perfect book! I loved the engaging characters, Regency setting, and the sweet romance. The story had all things Regency with a house party, a Summer Festival, a London Ball, and all the complicated Regency society, friendships and rules explained so well.

Winifred Cunningham was endearing, kind, full of charm and a realism that she made her way into my heart. Nicholas is the perfect hero and I appreciated his introspective character. This dual POV made this love story a fun one to watch unfold. There were many interesting side characters giving the story depth.

I highly recommend this closed-door Regency romance. It was the perfect book to start off my new year with. I very highly recommend.

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

Blurb: Winifred Cunningham, the adopted daughter of a portrait painter, hopes that her new close friend, Owen Ware, will soon ask for her hand in marriage. But when Owen introduces Winifred to his elder brother Nicholas, the late Earl of Stratton’s second son, the slow burn between them begins.

Mary Balogh grew up in Wales and now lives with her husband, Robert, in Saskatchewan, Canada. She has written more than one hundred historical novels and novellas, more than forty of which have been New York Times bestsellers. They include the Bedwyn saga, the Simply quartet, the Huxtable quintet, the seven-part Survivors’ Club series, and the Westcott series.

Echoes of a Silent Song by Amanda Wen

 Echoes of a Silent Song by Amanda Wen is a wonderful book and first in the Melodies and Memories series.   Blair Emerson is the piano accompanist for the Peterson high school choir.  She has sadly watched choir directors come and go for the last few years at her beloved school.  Callum Knight sees his position as choir director as a layover on the way to bigger and better things.  When Callum and Blair discover a piece of choir music from the 1970’s they both work together to the discover the mystery of the writer and what happened to her. 

I was absolutely drawn into this lovely dual time line multiple POV story.  This beautifully woven story was filled with romance, mystery, and themes of faith.   Callum and Blair were complex and likeable main characters with great chemistry and banter.   I loved their growth, introspection and watching them fall in love.  I was truly enchanted by this book and kept reading to see how everything would come together. 

Echoes of a Silent Song by Amanda Wen was truly magical and one that will stay with me.  The author moved flawlessly through time as she told this delightful story. It  is a fantastic book that I highly recommend. This will be a 2026 favorite for me. 

I was gifted a copy from the publisher and not required to write a positive review. 

Amanda Wen’s novels have released to both reader and critical acclaim. Her second novel, The Songs That Could Have Been, won both the Selah and the Carol Awards, and her debut, Roots of Wood and Stone, was a finalist for the Christy Award. In addition to her writing, Amanda is an accomplished professional cellist and pianist who frequently performs with orchestras, chamber groups, and her church’s worship team, as well as serving as a choral accompanist. A lifelong denizen of the flatlands, Amanda currently lives in Kansas with her patient, loving, and hilarious husband, their three adorable Wenlets, and a snuggly Siamese cat.

An Unexpected Texas Reunion by Heidi Main

An Unexpected Texas Reunion K-9 Companions by Heidi Main is a sweet Love Inspired romance and part of the K-9 Companions Tale book 40. It is a standalone story. Brenna Parks comes back to her small town with her support dog, Lulu, to ease back into life after a very traumatic experience. She is hoping to co-lead a summer camp with her friend. But things change, and she is now working with recently widowed, Owen McCaw, her past boyfriend from high school. Do they have a chance?

This is a beautiful second chance romance, and the author did a great job helping me to connect with characters and story through her writing. Main characters Brenna and Owen both transformed in the story and I was rooting for them to have a happily ever after. I loved their tender conversations. The story explores themes of grace, forgiveness, and trusting.

This will be a 2025 favorite for me and I highly recommend An Unexpected Texas Reunion by Heidi Main. A delightful story that you will connect with through the themes, characters and sweet love story!

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

Heidi Main is a Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author, a Holt Medallion finalist, and a Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers Reader’s Choice Award finalist. Her sweet inspirational romance novels celebrate small-town life, faith, and the beauty of second chances. Though she lives in the suburbs, Heidi dreams of acreage and horseback riding—longings that find their way into her novels through wide-open ranches and loyal horses.

She loves popcorn and milk chocolate (not necessarily in that order), and savors novels and movies with happily-ever-afters. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys taking walks, gardening, playing card games, curling up with a good book and watching HGTV. Before starting her writing career, Heidi worked with computers and taught Jazzercise. A perfect Saturday is spent relaxing on the deck with her husband and watching the birds that visit their backyard. 

Betting on the Best Friend by Melanie Jacobson

 

Betting on the Best Friend: A Sweet Romantic Comedy and partof the Betting on Love series by Melanie Jacobson is a delight!  This is a series, but I think you can pick up any book at any time.  The author does a fantastic summary at the beginning bringing you up to speed.

 Ruby has dated a guy for five years, broke up with him, and now he is flaunting an engagement to someone else on Instagram.  Her roommates are trying to set her up so she can show him!   Luckily, she has her best friend, Charlie, until she doesn’t.  Can they be best friends again, will they be friends again,  or can they be more?

This was a refreshing take on friends to more. The author did a great job in this dual POV sweet romance.  Charlie and Ruby had great chemistry, banter, and a friendship that fun to watch.  I seriously wanted to hang out with Ruby and Charlie at the library, and the fact that they both worked at the library was an added bonus to the story.  It was fun to visit with the characters from past books and they added their unique personalities to the story.  I laughed many times over their antics.

Betting on the Best Friend by Melanie Jacobson is one of the best friends to more story that I have enjoyed in a long time. I loved the depth of the characters, the humor, banter, and the sweet romance. This was the perfect way to end my 2025 and will be a 2025 highlight for me.  I highly recommend that you read!

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

Melanie Bennett Jacobson is an avid reader, amateur cook, and champion shopper. She lives in Southern California with her husband and children, a series of doomed houseplants, and a naughty miniature schnauzer. She holds a Masters in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is a USA Today bestseller and a four-time Whitney Award winner for contemporary romance.

On a Midnight Clear by Tracie Peterson, Karen Witemeyer, and Misty M. Beller

On a Midnight Clear by Tracie Peterson, Karen Witemeyer, and Misty M. Beller are three historical novellas that take place around Christmas and weave in themes of the Nativity. Each story takes place on the Western frontier.

This is such a delightful collection of historical western romances. Each story was heartfelt with themes of love, friendship and grace. I was truly enchanted by each story, and fell in love with the endearing characters. This was the perfect cozy book for me to read in December.

I highly recommend On a Midnight Clear Tracie Peterson,Karen Witemeyer, and, Misty M. Beller which will be a 2025 favorite for me!

 

Not Exactly Mr. Darcy by Carolyn Miler

Not Exactly Mr. Darcy is the first book in the Silver Teapot series by Carolyn Miller.  Olivia Bennett’s life in Australia implodes when her teaching contract is not renewed.  She is nominated by her family to help care for her grandmother after surgery in her small English Village.  Olivia is intrigued by Harbury Hall which was used as Pemberly in filming of Pride and Prejudice especially the fountain.  Her grandmother makes a way for Olivia to help bring Harbury Hall back to life for visitors.  Her only issue is with the gardener, Liam Browne.  

What a delightful novel to get lost in with many lovely Jane Austen connections!  Olivia and Liam were endearing characters with wonderful chemistry, good banter, and sweet romance.  They both grew and matured in the story making them so loveable.  I adored their English village and all the villagers. The faith thread was natural, well written, and naturally woven into the story.  I especially enjoyed visiting Harbury Hall and the author did an amazing job helping me feel like I was walking the grounds and touring the house.  I enjoyed getting to know Olivia’s family and I look forward connecting more with her sisters in future books in the series.  

Not Exactly Mr. Darcy By Carolyn Miller is a wonderful book with sweet romance, engaging characters, and beautiful redemptive themes.  The book is immersive with the author’s writing style.  I highly recommend Not Exactly Mr. Darcy by Carolyn Miller.    A 2025 highlight for me. 

I was gifted a copy 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 LM Montgomery, and Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Carolyn's readers describe her books as heartfelt and realistic with relatable characters, woven with faith, hope and humour. She enjoys music, films, gardens, art, travel, ice hockey and food. Her bestselling, award-winning Regency and contemporary novels are available wherever good books are so