A June Bride

A June Bride
By Marybeth Whalen

About the book:
It takes a reality TV show for Wynne to realize love isn't just a game.
Wynne Hardy never thought she'd get engaged on a reality TV show, but when she met Andy on The Rejection Connection, the two of them hit it off. Now he's asked her to marry him, much to the public's delight and fascination. They're all set to wed on live TV in a seaside ceremony at the height of the wedding season.
But just as Wynne thinks all her dreams are coming true, her ex-boyfriend walks back into her life at the worst possible time. Steve broke her heart years ago, and she's still sorting through her feelings for him. Her heart isn't as clear as her head that it's past time to move on---even though she's engaged to Andy.
At a local TV talk show appearance, Wynne meets Meredith, who won another reality TV show---Marathon Mom---proving herself nothing short of a superhero. As Wynne's beach wedding plans spin out of control, Meredith offers to help, unknowingly stepping on Wynne's secret feelings . . . and exposing some secrets Meredith has been keeping to herself. Can these two reality stars get real about their feelings? Will Wynne go through with her televised wedding and be the perfect June bride the network is looking for?

My thoughts:
A June bride is sort of a take off of "the Bachelor" tv show.I wanted to like the story but most of the time I felt confused. There were pieces left out and the story bounced around. I didn't really know who Wynne was or why she chose Andy. Yet isn't that how "The Bachelor" tv show is?

Wynn:




*i received this book free for review from Zondervan Publishers through netgalley.com*

A May Bride

A May Bride
By Meg Mosley

About the book:
She’s prepared for her wedding all her life … but she forgot a few things.
Ellie Martin, a country girl in Atlanta, often de-stresses from city life by tending the flower beds of a church near her apartment. She has dreamed of a traditional wedding all her life, a wedding like the one her younger sister is planning back in their hometown. Their single mom will pay for Alexa’s wedding, but Ellie started her own wedding fund years ago. She only needs to find a groom.
She bumps into a man who’s a guest at a wedding on the church grounds. She’s noticed him around the neighborhood, but today he introduces himself as Gray Whitby. They embark on a whirlwind romance, but her mother doesn’t trust freewheeling men like him. Standing up to Mom leads Ellie to stick up for Alexa too. When Ellie risks her own plans for her sister’s sake, Gray feels betrayed. Will he always play second fiddle?
Will Ellie and Gray reconcile their differences so her dream wedding can come true, or will the romance they’ve begun come crashing down?

My thoughts:
Ellie thinks she established a life all for herself but when Gray Whitby comes into her world he challenges how independent she really is. Does she want the life her mom has planned for her or does Ellie wants to make her own path.

Ellie's mother is very controlling and bitter. Her views and opinions took over the story and there are time a I wish there was more Ellie, even if she reflected on her moms bitter ways I wish it was contrasted with what Ellie really thought. Ellie struggled with how to stand up to her mom but Gray didn't always support the struggle and I don't understand why they wanted to jump into marriage so quickly, like I said there wasn't enough of them to really know it was simply Ellie's mom doesn't want a quick marriage of a marriage to someone she (Ellie's mom) hadn't known for a long time.

They did seem happy at the end and Ellie made some big strides in "cutting the apron strings" as Gray so often put it.

*I received this book free for review from Zondervan Publishers through netgalley.com*

Ellie:

A March Bride

A March Bride
By Rachel Hauck

About the book:
A year’s worth of novellas from twelve inspirational romance authors. Happily ever after guaranteed.

Susanna has found her true prince, and their happily ever after is just around the corner. But when Nate asks her to give up something precious to her, Susanna can’t help but wonder if it’s a sign that their love is not meant to be.

Susanna Truitt (Once Upon A Prince) is three weeks from royalty. She’ll soon marry King Nathaniel II of Brighton Kingdom. But when the government insists she renounce her American citizenship before the wedding, coupled with the lack of involvement by family and friends, Susanna’s heart begins to doubt whether this marriage is God's plan for her.

Nathaniel would do anything for his bride-to-be. But he knows his position requires that she give up a lot to be with him. Her life will never be her own—right down to her very identity. When she travels home to St. Simon’s Island, Georgia, right before the wedding, Nathaniel fears she won’t return. Gathering his courage, he devises a plan to win his bride all over again, and together they seek out a kingdom to treasure above all.

My Thoughts:

This modern-day fairytale has a theme that runs deep. Suzanna is on her way to marrying Prince Nathanial but the country expects one thing of her, that she gives up her American citizenship. Feeling as if they are tearing away a part of her she has to decide if holding into all she knows is more important than a step of faith.

How I envision Susanna:



*i received this book free for review from Zondervan Publishers through netgalley.com*

Rating: 4 carats

A January Bride

A January Bride
By Deborah Raney

About the book:
A year's worth of novellas from twelve inspirational romance authors. Happily ever after guaranteed.
What will happen when novelist Madeleine Houser's 'pen pal' friendship with a lonely widower takes an unexpected turn?
Who can work in a house that's overrun by contractors and carpenters? Not Madeleine Houser, a successful novelist who gladly accepts the help of her octogenarian friend, Ginny, to arrange for a temporary office in the charming bed and breakfast owned by Ginny's friend, Arthur. Maddie's never met the innkeeper---but a friendship grows between them as Maddie and Arthur leave messages for each other each day. To Maddie's alternate delight and chagrin, she seems to be falling for the inn's owner---a man who's likely many years her senior---and who she's never even met.
Arthur Tyler is a college professor who lost his young wife to cancer. Together they ran the bed and breakfast where Art lives, but without his wife, the house is missing warmth and cheer. He jumps at the chance to have author Madeleine Houser use the space that was once filled with guests. He, too, begins to enjoy the daily exchanges with Maddie, but a series of misunderstandings lead him to believe she's far from being a prospective date---even if he were ready to date again, which he's not.
When Maddie and Art finally meet and discover one another's identity, sparks fly. Even so, they each have obstacles to overcome in order for this winter romance to blossom.

My thoughts:

A January Bride is a quick, light read a sweet and somewhat predictable read. Maddie is an author in need of a place to write. Art is a widower who owns a Bed and Breakfast. A pretty typical romance set up. While predictable, how events came about were sometimes surprising and a little bit sweet.

Shades of Blue

Shades of Blue
By Karen Kingsbury

About the book:
Brad Cutler, twenty-eight, is a rising star at his New York ad agency, about to marry the girl of his dreams. Anyone would agree he has it all … a great career, a beautiful and loving fiancee, and a fairy tale life ahead of him—when memories of a high school girlfriend begin to torment him.

Lost innocence and one very difficult choice flood his conscience, and he is no longer sure what the future will bring except for this: He must find his old love and make amends. Haunted by the past and confused about the future, he turns to God seeking forgiveness and redemption.

Three people must work through the repercussions of a decision made long ago before any of them can look toward a new future.

My Thoughts:
Karen Kingsbury is an extremely prolific writer and I have enjoyed most of her books but with this one I have mixed feelings.




As is with all of Karen Kingsbury’s books, this one is deep and emotional. Karen Kingsbury is not afraid to embark on difficult topics nor show consequences of misguided choices. "Shades of Blue" is no exception.



However, Shades of Blue is a little difficult to follow at times. Not only does the writer switch points of views but within those points of views she switches years. Readers can easily identify which character’s eyes we are seeing through but not so easily identify which period of life the characters are in, teenage or adult. Without knowing this at the onset of a scene made the reading a challenge to keep up with.



The characters were deep and well developed; readers can easily sense the pain and joy. As a whole, "Shades of Blue" is a good story, even powerful at times.

*I received this book free for review from Zondervan Publishers*


Rating:4 carats

Visit Karen Kingsbury's website
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Leaving

Leaving
By Karen Kingsbury

About the book:
The Bailey Flanigan Series begins with Leaving. Bailey leaves Bloomington, Indiana for the adventure of a lifetime. She has won an audition for the ensemble of a Broadway musical in New York City.




Bailey is determined to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but is she really ready to leave family and friends for the loneliness of the city? And what of Cody? His disappearance has her worried about their future and praying that their love can survive.


My Thoughts:
“Leaving” continues to follow the Baxter family and this time focuses on Bailey Flannigen as she tries to figure out what to do with her life. Does she take the opportunity to move to New York City and be on Broadway or stay in Bloomington, Indiana with her family?




“Leaving” illustrates how we may leave everything that is familiar to us but God will never leave us.



This book flows right along with all of Karen Kingsbury other books. It is very emotional and life is always challenging and changing these characters.



Come back Friday for an interview with Karen Kingsbury

*I received this book free for review from Zondervan Publishers*

Rating: 4 carats

Visit Karen's website Buy the book

Made To Crave

Made To Crave

By Lysa TerKeurst

About the book:

Has food become more about frustration than fulfillment? The New York Times Best Selling book Made to Crave is the missing link between a woman’s desire to be healthy and the spiritual empowerment necessary to make that happen. Author Lysa TerKeurst personally understands the battle that women face. In Made to Crave, she will help you:

Break the cycle of “I’ll start again on Monday,” and feel good about yourself today.

Stop agonizing over numbers on the scale and make peace with your body.

Replace rationalization that leads to diet failure with wisdom that leads to victory.

Reach your healthy goals and grow closer to God through the process.

This book is not a how-to manual or the latest, greatest dieting plan. Made to Crave is a helpful companion to use alongside whatever healthy eating approach you choose — a book and Bible study to help you find the “want to” in how to make healthy lifestyle changes.

My Thoughts:
Made to crave - oh yes, aren’t we all. The problem is allowing our cravings to rule our desires.




It was refreshing to read Lysa Terkeurst’s straight forward yet gentle guidance on how people allow the God given ability of craving to morph from God’s intention for humanity to crave after Him into cravings which please the physical body. Lysa mentors every reader through personal struggles on the road to personal successes.



The best thing about this book is the principles outlined can take any reader on a journey to turn any personal struggle, whatever that may be, into a God craving.



Favorite Line:

“Our flesh buys right into Satan’s lie that it’s not fair for things to be withheld from us.”

*I received this book free for review from Zondervan Publishers*

Rating: 5 carats

Visit Lysa TerKeurst's website
Buy the book