Saving Grace/Michele Paige Holmes

Synopsis:

    "After the death of Grace Thatcher’s grandfather, the Duke of Salisbury, Grace wants nothing more than to live quietly in the country with her younger siblings. But her father’s debts thwart those plans, and to protect her sister, Helen, Grace must marry a man of her father’s choosing.
    As each suitor proves less than desirable, Grace comes up with clever schemes, causing each to reject her. While staying at the mysterious Sutherland Hall, a middle-of-the-night mishap sends Grace into the arms of a stranger, Nicholas Sutherland—and provides inspiration for her grandest plan yet—one that will leave her reputation in tatters yet free both her and Helen from all possibility of marriage. But when Grace meets Mr. Samuel Preston, a true gentlemen and sworn enemy of Nicholas Sutherland, instead of being free, Grace is caught between two men—each with his own agenda."

Review:

    Grace just wants a normal life not just for her, but her younger brother and sister. Away from her Father's debt and greedy tendencies. To do that she has to create a scandal. Nicholas seems to know all about scandal and when Grace includes him in her plans, without his knowledge, things end up the exact opposite of what she had planned. They will both end up needing each other, not just for business. They don't realize it, but they are both in need of each others love.
    Loved this novel! It was a bit long, but well worth the trouble. Lots of fun and excitement. Romance, Drama, Intrigue are all waiting inside these pages. I am excited to read the sequels that are with Helen, Graces younger sister, and her brother Christopher. I am a fan of Michele's books and own a few others. Cant go wrong!

All Regency Collection/Various Authors

Synopsis: 

"THE WEDDING GIFT: A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE STORY, by Anna Elliott, the story opens two weeks before Elizabeth Bennet’s wedding to Mr. Darcy. He has given her the perfect wedding gift, and now she must come up with one for him. But what do you give a man who has everything? Elizabeth soon discovers that the gift of love is more important than any one thing.

DREAM OF A GLORIOUS SEASON, by Sarah M. Eden, we meet Elizabeth Gillerford who envies her sister only one thing—that she’s been intended for Julian Broadwood since they were children. The trouble is that Elizabeth is hopelessly in love with Julian too. When Julian discovers that Elizabeth has been denied a Season because her older sister is yet unwed, he undertakes his own stealthy measures to introduce her to society, only to find himself falling in love with her himself.
 

THE MENDER, by Carla Kelly, Thankful Winnings takes a sea voyage with her cousin on the Ann Alexander, in a last adventure before she settles down to marry one of her beaus. Unexpectedly they come upon the aftermath of a fierce ship battle, and Thankful is commissioned to help in the place of an injured surgeon on one of the Royal Navy ships. Adam Farnsworth, surgeon, has been at sea for years. Tired of war, but devoted to his post, it takes a resourceful lady such as Thankful to give him the hope of love and help heal his own wounds, the ones that show and the ones that don’t.
 

BEGIN AGAIN, by Josi S. Kilpack, Regina Weathers gives up on marrying for love the day that Ross Martin walks out of her life. Now, fifteen years later, Ross shows up at a ball and thinks he can woo Regina. But she is set on her lonely path and stitched-up heart, no matter the excuse Ross gives for his years of silence and neglect. When Ross insists he wrote many letters during his military years, Regina discovers a secret long-since buried by her father, and the revelation might be enough to thaw the coldness of her heart.
 

THE AFFAIR AT WILDEMOORE, by Annette Lyon, Mrs. Ellen Stanhope escorts her three daughters to a ball. As her oldest flirts with a beau, Ellen is reminded of her courtship and early years of marriage with Anthony, before tragedy struck with the death of their infant son. The marriage has faded and dulled. Not until she sees Anthony dancing with a woman he courted years before does Ellen realize how much she misses him, still loves him, and yearns for him to yet feel the same way for her.
 

THE DUKE’S BROTHER, by Heather B. Moore, Mr. Gregory Clark is having an awful day, and it only gets worse when he’s ran over by … a woman. Mabel Russell reluctantly visits her sister in London for the Season, even though she’d rather stay in the country cataloging insects and aphids. When she runs into Gregory Clark, quite literally, she’s afraid to show any interest, especially since he’s a member of the dreaded ton. But getting to know Gregory becomes an unexpected delight."

Review:  

    Another great set of Novella's! Also one of my favorite genres: Regency! For me I can lose myself in a good book, and having six different stories put in one to indulge myself in, just adds to the pile of books I have already enjoyed, and hopefully can bring others to that same mindset.

    I wont put the descriptions of the books, since they are already posted. They all have different plots and twists. Two of them actually had the same name Elizabeth as the main female character's, but that is all that is the same. Romance, Drama, and Comedy are in these pages. Read just one, or two more in the same sitting. 

    Great Authors who bring a different light to the Regency time period, and making it their own, and share their gifts with all who are willing to let them into their lives.

Letters to My Future Husband/Lisa McKendrick

Synopsis:

    "Sophie doesn't know what kind of man she's looking for, so her father suggests she write letters to her future husband-and come to know him in the process. But Sophie soon learns her letters aren't the most reliable key to her heart. This hilarious coming-of-age novel is a guaranteed laugh-out-loud read you'll want to share with all your friends."

Review: 

    This book definitely had some great comedy that brought loads of laughter. It starts off with Sophie as a young girl and devastated that she was not allowed to marry the man of her dreams. Skip to the age of 19 and a trip to Europe that changes her outlook on her teenage crush.We finally end up at the age of 30 and her journal she had written to her future husband was still sitting in her childhood home closet, mostly forgotten, gathering dust. Will she finally be able to transfer that journal to the man it was meant for?
    This book is something you need to read when your in the mood for a good laugh. I did have a problem with the whole future daughter thing, but I can look past that. That part just seemed a bit to annoying for my taste. But what is a few pages in a book? The Author did a great job at keeping my attention. Especially the parts with Peter. Fun read!

The Hunt for the Big Bad Wolf/E.M. Tippetts

Synopsis:

    "Chloe knew she was giving up the quiet life when she married Hollywood A-lister, Jason Vanderholt. She expected harassment from paparazzi but not from the writers of Blood Ritual, a television crime drama that brought national attention to a tough case she is trying to solve as a forensic scientist. While she and the rest of the Albuquerque Police Department once collaborated with the show, now relations have gone sour, and details that the police are trying to keep secret in the investigation are cropping up in episodes watched by millions.

If that weren’t enough, everyone in Chloe’s life seems to be going through a rough patch, from her best friend, Lori, who is trying to plan a wedding, to her niece Kyra who is upset about Jason’s choice of television roles, to Jason himself who is inexplicably moody and withdrawn. None of this drama is the type of thing Chloe knows how to resolve.

She is trained to do one thing: hunt down the big bad wolves of the world. But with her connections to fame compromising her work, she may not even be allowed to stay on the case. The clock is ticking as law enforcement agencies across the country try to find a serial killer before he strikes again. Chloe is faced with a choice, to help catch one of the most evil criminals in history, or provide support to the friends and family who have always been there for her. Either way, she feels she might make the mistake of a lifetime."

Review: 

    Satisfied in the catching of the Big Bad Wolf! I want to see what happens in the future, maybe a baby Vanderholt......? The world keeps turning and a well deserved closure comes in an unexpected way for Chloe while in her work life. 
    Chloe for me has a great outlook on life. She doesn't over react and seems to always be the voice of reason to those around her. When she sets her mind to it she gets things done, even when she is taken off a case.
   For someone who has had to deal with what she has for most of her life, she seems like a good role model to look up to. She does have her insecurities as everyone does, and that is what makes her human.
    I have read most of Emily's books and am a big fan of her writing and style. Such a great imagination and researcher. Every character is different and has a touch of something unique. If you are looking for a series of books with romance, drama, and comedy with a touch of fairytale happily ever after, then don't pass up this series.

Eve: In the Beginning/H.B. Moore

Summary:

    "In a world where everything is perfect, yet the same day after day, Eve must decide if she wants to live forever in the garden with Adam and never know what lies beyond the walls. When she makes a choice with terrible consequences, the pain of mortality is swift. As she and Adam explore their new world, and her body changes, Eve discovers the sweetness of first love with the man who has always been at her side."

Review:

    What a great perspective on the life of our Mother Eve! I couldn't imagine starting out with nothing, and experiencing things for the first time without having knowledge before hand of the obstacles outside of their Eden.
    The first half of the book has to do with Adam and Eve living in the garden. When things start changing with the now sudden appearance of Lucifer, they don't know what to make of it since living in pretty much the same routine day by day.
    The last half of the book deals with them out in the world. Experiencing their first snow, their first kill, all that comes with a life and surviving it.
    I love the relationship between Adam and Eve and the constant support they gave each other while trying to make sense of their new world.
    Although we really don't know how hard life really was for our first parents, Heather probably wasn't far off any of the struggles they most likely had to endure. I am even more grateful now then ever before for their sacrifice!

Silver Bells Collection/Various Author's

Synopsis:

    "Lucinda Brant’s delightful novella, FAIRY CHRISTMAS, Kitty Aldershot is orphaned and forced to live on others’ charity. Offered a home under the generous roof of her relatives, the Earl of Salt Hendon and his countess, Kitty wants for nothing, not even the affections of Mr. Tom Allenby. But when Kitty stumbles across a letter written by Lady Caroline that reveals how Mr. Allenby would be ruined should he marry the likes of Kitty, she realizes she has been fooling herself all along. Kitty’s world crumbles around her as she recognizes she will forever be alone with no prospects at all.

    Sarah M. Eden’s charming romance novella A CHRISTMAS PROMISE, Sean Kirkpatrick is trying to get to his new place of employment, Kilkenny Castle, in order to start as the new stablehand. His only requirement is to drive a team of high-spirited nags from Dublin to Kilkenny in a certain amount of time. Unfortunately he winds up in a muddy field, stuck, lost, and running out of time. He’s about to lose the job before he can prove himself capable of finishing his first assignment. When Maeve Butler arrives on the scene, Sean isn’t sure if she’s intent on rescuing him or bent on torturing him with her fiery wit and lovely dark eyes.

    In Heather B. Moore’s enchanting novella, TWELVE MONTHS, Lucien Baxter’s best and most incorrigible friend, Will, dies unexpectedly, leaving behind his new bride and unborn child the week before Christmas. Will’s last request is that Lucien watches over Cora, not just as a benefactor, but as a husband. When Lucien does his duty and proposes to Cora, he’s turned down flat. But over the course of the next few days, Lucien discovers that marrying Cora wouldn’t be any sort of duty after all, but a matter of following his heart.

    In Lu Ann Staheli’s sweet romance novella, A FEZZIWIG CHRISTMAS, Dick Wilkins and his best friend Ebenezer Scrooge have been looking forward to the annual Fezziwig Christmas dance for weeks. Ebenezer is practically engaged to Annabelle Fezziwig, and Dick hopes to start courting her younger sister, Pricilla. Once the dance starts, and Pricilla arrives, as pretty and charming as ever, Dick discovers that he’s not the only man vying for her attention. His best friend advises Dick that he has to win Pricilla’s heart, as well as her mother’s favor. Losing his heart has suddenly become very complicated.

    A TASTE OF HOME, a captivating romance by Annette Lyon, we meet Claire Jennings, who’s on her way to spend Christmas with her family. As she rides the train with William Rhodes, who grew up across the street, memories of Christmases past flood her mind. He may be twenty-one now, but she can’t forget his torturous teasing from their school years. At the rail station, Claire discovers that her home is under quarantine because her little brother has measles. She's stuck in town, away from her family, on her favorite holiday. William stays behind with her, and as Christmas Day approaches and her homesickness deepens, she discovers that perhaps he has changed in more ways than one.

    Becca Wilhite’s entrancing novella, MY MODERN GIRL, follows Margie, who lands her dream job as a clerk at Macy’s department store in New York City. Margie might be new in town, but she’s determined to succeed and prove to Henry that moving to the city was the right decision. As the Christmas season approaches, Margie realizes that being a “modern girl” might not be all she had dreamed of and Henry might have more to offer than she ever imagined."

Review:

    Another great collection of Anthologies. Each novella brings in the Christmas Spirit. If you are in the holiday frame of mind these short stories are well worth your time. Each story has Romance, and it takes place when most of the characters are not expecting it or looking for it.
    Take your time and spread out the stories during the week or month or read them all within one day or night. That is what is great about these collections. I cant say much else about the books since looking at the synopsis sums them up nicely. Each story was well written and thought out by the Author, and I don't have much complaint.
    If your in the holiday mood and need some romance, then this book is for you!

I want to be Baptized/Annalisa Hall/Corey Egbert

Synopsis:

    "Depicts what baptism really means for children's lives by comparing it to objects they remember and relate to. Turn to these heartwarming illustrations and meaningful analogies next time a child asks you about baptism."

Review:

    Need help explaining baptism to your children? Look no further. This book highlights the importance of being baptized. It helps the child understand the steps they need to take before, and the steps they need to take after baptism, to keep the Holy Ghost with them.
    I honestly wish I had this book a couple of years ago when my niece asked me to give a talk at her own baptism. Now that I have this book, it will definitely be available for the rest of my family when the time comes for them to be baptized.
    The book is well written and well illustrated. Towards the end of the book they have the different stepping stones with some additional information such as Scriptures and Hymn numbers. Check out the other book they have out called "The Holy Ghost is like a Blanket".