A Princess for the Marine by Jess Mastorakos

 

There is something about a princess story that never grows old for me.  Maybe I have seen too many Disney Princess movies, but they all remain my favorites.  Princess for the Marine by Jess Mastorakos is a delightful read.  Princess Zara and Huck were very sweet characters, and it  was a joy to watch them work through their lives and fall in love. I found it  kind of like a Hallmark princess movie that involved Marines.  So fun!  

Both of their families were delightful, interesting, and overprotective.  I enjoyed meeting them all.    But really, what is there not to love about a princess trying to escape her palace life to become a doctor  and the marine she meets during her attempted escape?  Princess Zara and Huck have a great story, and I recommend it.   This is the third in the series First Comes Love, but is definitely a stand-alone novel.  

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

Jess Mastorakos writes sweet military romance. Grab a free book at jessmastorakos.com/forever-with-you

Tacos for Two by Betsy St. Amant

Tacos for Two by Betsy St. Amant is a delightful Romantic Comedy!  The story has many marvelous similarities to You’ve Got Mail, one of my favorite movies of all time!    Rory Perez and Jude Strong know each other in “real” life and through a dating app.  Rory is the proud owner of a food truck she inherited, but she is not much of a cook.  Jude has been through law school, but really wants to  not take the Bar, get away from the family business, and have his own food truck. When Rory and Jude meet in real life, they definitely are not impressed with the other.  

This charming story had me rooting for Rory and Jude.  The author does an amazing job showing both character’s perspectives and letting you walk (or run) a mile in their shoes to see their perspective.  I was so invested in their friendship and growing relationship.   I loved their texts.   The author wrote terrific secondary characters that were interesting, funny, and added greatly  to the story. 

Tacos for Two is a story about forgiveness, redemption and making peace with who you are. The author has created wonderful characters that you will enjoy getting to know.   It is a tasty romantic comedy that will leave you satisfied.  (sort of a like a good taco)  

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

Betsy St. Amant Haddox is the author of over fifteen inspirational romance novels and novellas. She resides in north Louisiana with her hero of a hubby, two total-opposite young daughters, a vast collection of coffee mugs, and an impressive stash of Pickle chips. Betsy has a B.A. in Communications and a deep-rooted passion for seeing women restored in Christ. When she’s not composing her next book or trying to prove unicorns are real, Betsy can usually be found somewhere in the vicinity of a white-chocolate mocha–no whip. She blogs frequently at www.ibelieve.com, a devotional site for women.

Betsy is proud to be represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency.

A View Most Glorious by Regina Scott

A View Most Glorious View by Regina Scott is a historical romance set in Tacoma, Washington in 1893, and tells  the story of Cora Baxter  and Nathan Hardee.   Cora wants to climb Mount Rainier to bring people's attention to the woman's suffrage movement in Washington State.  Her stepfather finds Nathan to guide her up the mountain.  Cora is extremely independent and works at her father's bank.   Nathan used to be a part of Tacoma society until tragedy struck and now lives very close to the mountain. 

I'm a huge Regina Scott fan and this story did not disappoint. Cora and Nathan were amazing characters who I fell in love with.  The story is set against the incredible backdrop of Mount Rainier and shares the  history of the area before it was a state park. The story eloquently shares society's rules and roles for women, the women’s suffrage movement, the downturn in the economy of that time, workers rights, and the beauty of Washington State.  

I was very invested and thoroughly enjoyed the story. The author masterfully weaves in historical content with an engaging story.  A View Most Glorious has characters that are interesting and introspective, a  setting that is amazing, and a gentle love story.   I highly recommend it. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review.  

Regina Scott started writing novels in the third grade. Thankfully for literature as we know it, she didn't actually sell her first Regency romance novel until she had learned a bit more about writing such as vocabulary, sentence structure, and plot. After numerous short stories and articles in magazines and trade journals, she got serious about her novel writing. The Regency romance The Unflappable Miss Fairchild was her first novel to be published (March 1998). In 2011, she was delighted to move into Christian romance with the publication of The Irresistible Earl. October 2019 marked her debut for prestigious publisher Revell. Her novels have been translated into Dutch, German, Italian, and Portuguese; and a large number have been issued in hardcover, large print editions.

Her books have won praise and awards from industry professionals and readers alike. She has twice won the prestigious RT Book Reviews Reviewer's Choice award for best historical Christian romance of its type, for The Heiress's Homecoming in 2013 and Would-Be Wilderness Wife in 2015. Booklist, the magazine of the American Library Association, named her book, A Distance Too Grand, one of the top ten romances of 2019. Never Doubt a Duke, the first book in her bestselling Fortune's Brides series, was awarded a Gem award from Kathy's Review Corner as one of the best books of 2018. It was also picked by staffers at Hope by the Book as one of the best reads of 2018.

Regina Scott and her husband are the parents of two grown sons. They reside in the Puget Sound area of Washington State on the way to Mt. Rainier. Regina Scott is a graduate of the University of Washington. She comes by her writing talent naturally--both her parents were excellent writers in their vocations as teacher and electrical technician. Her mother envisioned the plot for A Match for Mother the novella, which was written as a tribute to her.

Regina Scott has learned to fence, driven four-in-hand, dressed as a Regency dandy, and sailed on a tall ship, all in the name of research, of course. Her extensive historical, fantasy, and science fiction costume collection takes up the entire closet in her office.

Christmas with Cameron Stinking Miller by Martha Fouts

Our Christmas decorations are packed away and not accessible, and I really needed a Christmas backdrop for this book.  So, I decided to bring Christmas with Cameron Stinking Miller to Costco with me as I knew they would have some decorations out.  I had my husband stand watch as I took pictures with the most accessible Christmas decorations I could find. I must admit I am pleased with the results, and Costco has not revoked my membership. (I heard they can do that if you have too many returns)   

Christmas with Cameron Stinking Miller by Martha Fouts tells the story of Hannah Orwell and  Cameron Miller  who grew up together at the same church.   Hannah has just come back to town to host the Morning show Rise and Shine and connects with Cameron the middle school football coach.  They are both roped in, I mean asked to help with the annual Christmas play by Maureen, their pastor’s wife. 

Our story follows Hannah and Cameron as they untangle the hurts of their past to build a new future together.  I enjoyed their alternating points of views, text messages, and stories from elementary and middle school sprinkled throughout the book.   It was a pleasure to watch the characters change and grow with the backdrop of the town of Cool Springs and the Christmas play.  

This is a memorable Christmas story that  weaves in themes of redemption, love, and caring for your neighbor.  I am adding this to the category of classic Christmas stories that I read every year at Christmas like The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!   I highly recommend Christmas with Cameron Stinking Miller by Martha Fouts. 

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

Martha Fouts and her husband, Kevin, are the lead pastors of Discovery Church in Yukon, Oklahoma. They are blessed with stinky socks, a huge grocery bill, a car filled with sports equipment, lots of noise, and everything else that life with three teenage sons brings. In the current season, Martha’s life is loud, busy, and chaotic, and she reminds herself daily that decades ago doctors told her that these children of hers would never exist – then she praises the Lord for her messy home!

Martha is also a high school English teacher. She loves helping students discover a love for reading and writing, and she’s the type of teacher that students can easily veer off topic by getting her to talk about books. She is passionate about writing and has written novels and Bible studies. In her free time, her favorite thing to do is sit outside with a cup of coffee and her laptop and write devotionals, Christian fiction, and sweet romances. Her favorite books are those that blend romance and humor and point people to Jesus.

My Own Best Enemy by Julie Christenson

 “Emi’s good with words.  I’m an action guy.  Oil and Vinegar.  Not Salad dressing.”

My Own Best Enemy by Julie Christenson is a delightful romcom!  The story is the second in the Apple Valley series, but is definitely a stand alone novel. Emi and Nash, the main characters, are two people that I connected with and enjoyed getting to know.   I loved their alternating points of view throughout the book and how they both were introspective of their own lives as they walked through challenging events.  It was refreshing to see how they changed over time. 

I enjoyed my time in Apple Valley, and look forward to book three.  The author weaves in the funniest scenes from kick-boxing classes to wedding planning as Nash and Emi discover what it means to forgive themselves and each other. These  delightfully flawed characters bring their own joy, quirks, and introspection to the story to make this a great read. I recommend it.   

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

Born and raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles, Julie Christianson loves her hilarious family, three crazy rescue dogs, and laughing at her own jokes.

She dreamed of being an author the first time she held a crayon, and she became a published novelist back in 2016. Last summer, after the library where she worked closed, Julie decided to shift her writing focus to sweet romantic comedies. The world had pretty much shut down by then, and she figured everyone could use more reasons to smile.

Julie is a former English teacher and lapsed marathon runner, the mother of two great kids, and the wife of one very funny man. Her goal is to write books that make you laugh out loud, fall in love, and live happily ever after.