Everything is Just Beginning by Erin Bartels

Do you play an instrument? I played the guitar in college. I actually had a Glen Campbell Ovation guitar that my husband and son still play. Swipe to see the guitar. I had to smile when Glen Campbell's guitar was mentioned in the story.

 
Everything is Just Beginning by Erin Bartels was a wonderful trip back to 1990. Guitarist Michael Sullivan’s life has been anything but easy. He is currently living in his Uncle’s trailer after getting kicked out of bandmates apartment. Natalie Wheeler, Pinky, is the daughter of famed musician and music producer. Michael is taking a life journey.

This novel is full of such depth and richness with engaging characters, world events and culture from the 1990’s woven into the story, and beautifully written original songs. I loved this thought provoking book. The themes of family, redemption, and giving grace to others resonated with me.

“Music was healing, but so often it was more healing for the listener, who got the fully formed song at the moment of their deepest pain, than it was for the songwriter still muddling through and hating how inadequate they were to the task.”

I highly recommend Everything is just Beginning. I enjoyed the original music, the redemptive themes, and the fabulous 1990 references. A must read!

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

ERIN BARTELS is the award-winning author of We Hope for Better Things, The Words between Us, All That We Carried, The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water, and Everything Is Just Beginning. She lives in the capital city of a state that is 40% water, nestled somewhere between angry protesters on the Capitol lawn and couch-burning frat boys at Michigan State University. And yet, she claims it is rather peaceful.
You can find her on Facebook @ErinBartelsAuthor and on Instagram @erinbartelswrites. You won’t find her on Twitter because that place is a cesspool of negativity.

A Match in the Making by Jen Turano

 

A Match in the Making is part of Jen Turano’s new “The Matchmakers" series. While spending her summer in Newport Miss Gwendolyn Brinley accepted a temporary position as a paid companion. That position somehow has turned into an assistant matchmaker position. Walter Townsend has come to Newport in search of a new wife for his disorderly children. He enlists Gwendolyn's help in trying to make his perfect match.

I loved rooting for Gwendolyn and Walter to see what was right in front of them. The detailed setting of Newport Beach, the rules of high society, and why women married in 1888 made this a fascinating Gilded Age read. The endearing characters such as Walter’s children, the people in Newport’s exclusive circle, and the presence of pets added to the humorous story. (So what do you do with a pony that eats people’s hats? Asking for a friend).

The author weaves in humor, wisdom, and some mystery into this delightful story. I laughed and thoroughly enjoyed all the antics of the story. I love Jen Turano’s books and this one is a delight. I highly recommend A Match in the Making. 

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

Named one of the funniest voices in inspirational romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today bestselling author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publishers Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She's been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers' Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. She and her family live outside of Denver, Colorado. Readers can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and at jenturano.com.

I'm Not Charlotte Lucas by Kasey Stockton

 I‘m Not Charlotte Lucas by Kasey Stockton was a delightful read that drew me and kept me smiling as I read. Charlie Lucas is currently living in her parents attic while working at a bank. She is a lover of all things Pride and Prejudice and hopes she is not Charlotte Lucas. Liam is literally the hero next door or his grandmother is next door to Charlotte. He is a swoon worthy hero with a non-profit who interacts with movie stars.

This book was fabulous and I enjoyed every minute. I loved how the characters were reflective, thoughtful and changed throughout the story. I was very invested in the characters and the story. The themes of following your dreams, accepting and believing in yourself, and the importance of family resonated with me. The romance was sweet and the Pride and Prejudice references were a delight.

I thoroughly enjoyed I’m Not Charlotte Lucas by Kasey Stockton. The story was fabulous and this was the perfect read for me. I highly recommend it.

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

Kasey Stockton was drawn to the Regency period at a young age when gifted a copy of Sense and Sensibility by her grandmother. A staunch lover of all things romantic, Kasey doesn’t discriminate between genres and enjoys a wide variety of happily ever afters. A native of northern California, she now resides in Texas with her own Prince Charming and their three children. When not reading, writing, or binge-watching chick flicks, she enjoys running, cutting hair, and anything chocolate.

Memory Lane by Becky Wade

Memory Lane by Becky Wade is an absolutely fantastic story! I was drawn in from the first page and literally loved each and every moment of the story! Remy lives in a secluded house in Maine working on her sculptures. She likes her remote, consistent, and steady life. Jerimiah ends up floating in the waters outside her home. How do you help someone to heal and keep your life static?

The beautiful setting of Maine was wonderful to visit. The story was so well written with its mystery, sweet romance, and the depth of the characters. The characters from Memory Lane become my good friends by the end of the novel, and I felt like I was part of their family. I was very invested in what happened to them and enjoyed walking with them as they grew into better people. The mystery of Jerimiah’s life played out well and kept me reading.

The author writes with such depth, wisdom, and humor. I am still in my book hangover and am so glad I had the opportunity to read Memory Lane. I can not wait for the second book to find out what happens to the other characters! I highly encourage you to read Memory Lane! It is an amazing read!!

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

For the first 7 years after becoming a mom, I didn’t write at all. Not a word. God had very clearly closed a door on the kind of books I’d been writing and called me to focus on raising my little ones. As one year flowed into the next, I grew more convinced that my days as a writer were lost and gone for good.

God, it turns out, had different plans.

In His time, He began to nudge me to write again. Still romances, but romances written for Him and for the Christian market. I started fleshing out a story idea. Then eventually, I carved out the time to sit down in front of my computer. Slowly but surely, I wrote My Stubborn Heart.

The fact that I was able to complete it while simultaneously mothering my 3 kids is a flat-out miracle. I can’t attribute it to anything except His greatness. I would have failed unless He helped me. But, He’s full of mercy and sufficiency and He did help me. Anything good, entertaining, or moving about my books comes from Him and is due strictly to His ability.

So here I am – amazed, humbled, and thankful beyond words that God has given me a second chance to be an author at this particular phase and stage of my life.

I’m grateful for the journey He’s led me on so far and excited and expectant about the journey ahead.

Muskoka Hearts by Carolyn Miller

Muskoka Hearts by Carolyn Miller is part of the Muskoka Romance series. Characters from other novels in the series are a part of the story, but I still consider it a stand alone novel. Main character, Toni, is a single mom who is living with her pastor brother. She has just gotten a big break on her art and for the first time in a while is excited about her future. Matt is her brother’s best friend and has had feelings for Toni for sometime. He has watched her from afar.

I found Toni’s character so endearing, and Matt is the kind of guy you want to be your friend. This is a sweet friends to lovers story, and I loved how both main characters were broken and changed through the story. It was wonderful to watch them heal, fall in love, and become who they were meant to be. The setting of Lake Muskoka is delightful and their friend groups are endearing, sweet and funny. I love the town and resort!

This is a great series with wonderful characters who transform in the story, a beautiful setting on Lake Muskoka, and realistic well developed faith elements. I was relieved to know there was another book left in the series, and can not wait for it to be published. I thoroughly enjoyed Muskoka Hearts a  delightful read!

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).

 

 

Someone Else's Life by Lyn Liao Butler

Someone Else’s Life by Lyn Butler is a great thriller. Annie Lin’s life is falling apart. She feels like she has lost everything including items around her home. Her family moves to Kauai, and she is trying to start her life over when she lets someone in during a big storm. That may not have been the best plan.

Thrillers are not my usual MO, but I stayed up way too late to finish Someone Else’s Life. I enjoyed the story, including the sweet rescue dog, Marley, the setting of Kauai, and getting to know the different characters. The author weaves in the past and the present seamlessly while contrasting living in paradise with Annie's perception of her life. The themes of treasuring your loved ones, connecting with family, and appreciating the gift of life resonated with me. I was so glad that I had the opportunity to read.

This was a quick enjoyable read that drew me in and kept me up late. I am a big fan of the author’s other works and enjoyed reading something outside her usual genre. I recommend the story.

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

Lyn Liao Butler, author of upmarket fiction, thrillers, and romcoms, was born in Taiwan and moved to the States when she was seven. Before becoming an author, she was a professional ballet and modern dancer, and is still a personal trainer, fitness instructor, and yoga instructor. She is an avid animal lover and fosters dogs as well as volunteers with rescues.

When she is not torturing clients or talking to imaginary characters, Lyn enjoys spending time with her FDNY husband, their son (the happiest little boy in the world), their three stubborn dachshunds (Lokie, Mochi, Cash, and Pinot in heaven), sewing for her Etsy shop, and trying crazy yoga poses on a stand-up paddleboard. So far, she has not fallen into the water yet.