Tag Archives: contemporary romance fiction

Top 10 Tuesday — Love Freebie

11 Feb

Happy Tuesday! Today book bloggers celebrate Valentine’s Day early with a Love Freebie! I’ve chosen to highlight books with symbols of Valentine’s Day in their titles — love, hearts, and roses — and one that generally leads to the culmination of all that romance! It’s an eclectic list, for sure. I hope you find one to whet your interest.

For more lovely book lists, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Titles Featuring Love, Hearts, Roses, And . . . A Wedding!

The Key to Love by Betsy St. Amant

The Love Script by Toni Shiloh

To Love A Viking by Heather Day Gilbert and Jen Cudmore

Change of Heart by Courtney Walsh

Heart Echoes by Sally John

Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh

Roses Have Thorns by Sandra Byrd

The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden

Yellow Roses by Suzie Waltner

A Gardin Wedding by Rosey Lee

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Spotlight on Contemporary Romance — Misgivings

3 Feb

Misgivings JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Misgivings by Anne Gibson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

Misgivings

Title: Misgivings
Author: Anne Gibson
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: September 2, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Desperate to avoid the turmoil that now engulfs her, Dee would do anything for a chance to turn back time. Wracked with regret and paralyzed by fear, she is forced to hide halfway across the world, all in a bid to safeguard the one person she holds most dear. If only she could undo the past and prevent this disastrous situation from ever unfolding.

After waiting five long years, Luke thought he was finally making progress in his relationship with Dee. But just as she begins to open up and trust him, she suddenly vanishes, leaving him bewildered and determined to uncover the truth behind her sudden disappearance.

Excerpt

Stepping forward, Dee wrapped her arms around him and leaned her head against his strong chest. “Just be careful,” she whispered. Though she didn’t know the exact nature of Luke’s job, she suspected that it was dangerous. Why else would he be so secretive about it? Luke wrapped his arms around her and held her for a few moments. He liked the fact that they could stand there in silence and not be uncomfortable. Gathering his courage, Luke tilted Dee’s chin up.  Leaning in, his warm lips met hers. His kiss was soft and gentle, not forceful or demanding. When Luke started to pull back, Dee leaned in and kissed him deeper and longer. He gently caressed her cheek, longing for this moment to last forever. When she finished kissing him, he allowed for her to pull back and he stared into her eyes.

“I’ve wanted to do that for over five years,” he murmured. His voice was deep and husky, causing Dee’s spine to tingle with excitement. He continued to stare at her, unable to tear his eyes away from her beautiful face.

“I’m glad you finally did.”



PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

About The Author

Anne Gibson

Award-winning author Anne Gibson is blessed to call the stunning Canadian Rockies home. When she isn’t penning her stories, she relishes time in nature—hiking, paddling, and basking in the sun at the beach alongside her family and beloved furball. A true romantic at heart, Anne often finds herself curled up with an engaging book, dreaming up her own captivating love stories.

Connect with Anne by visiting authorannegibson.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Misgivings as well as a $25 Amazon gift card!

Misgivings JustRead Tours blog tour giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 3, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 10, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

Tags: ,

Book Review: Indigo Isle

15 Jan

Indigo Isle by T. I. Lowe won the 2024 Christy Award for Contemporary Romance and Book of The Year. Before beginning it, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. What I got blew my mind. This book is fabulous! Read it now! 😉 See all my gushing below.

Sonny Bates left South Carolina fifteen years ago and never looked back. Now she’s a successful Hollywood location scout who travels the world, finding perfect places for movie shoots. Home is wherever she lands, and between her busy schedule and dealing with her boss’s demands, she has little time to think about the past . . . until her latest gig lands her a stone’s throw from everything she left behind.

Searching off the coast of Charleston for a secluded site to film a key scene, Sonny wanders onto a private barrier island and encounters its reclusive owner, known by locals as the Monster of Indigo Isle. What she finds is a man much more complex than the myth.

Once a successful New York attorney, Hudson Renfrow’s grief has exiled him to his island for several years. He spends his days alone, tending his fields of indigo, then making indigo dye―and he has no interest in serving the intrusive needs of a film company or yielding to Sonny’s determined curiosity. But when a hurricane makes landfall on the Carolina coast, stranding them together, an unlikely friendship forms between the two damaged souls. Soon the gruff exterior Hudson has long hidden behind crumbles―exposing the tender part of him that’s desperate for forgiveness and a second chance.

A story of hanging on and letting go, of redemption and reconciliation, and of a love that heals the deepest wounds, from the author of the breakout Southern fiction bestseller Under the Magnolias.

T. I. Lowe is an ordinary country girl who loves to tell extraordinary stories. She is the author of nearly twenty published novels, including her recent bestselling and critically acclaimed novel, Under the Magnolias, and her debut breakout, Lulu’s Café. She lives with her husband and family in coastal South Carolina. Find her at tilowe.com or on Facebook (T.I.Lowe), Instagram (tilowe), and Twitter (@TiLowe).

My Impressions:

Wow! Indigo Isle by T. I. Lowe was not what I expected. Billed as a contemporary romance set in the lowcountry, I thought this novel would have the typical tropes and themes. It does not. Main character Sonny Bates has made a few, no, a lot of mistakes in her life. And she is paying for them. Of course, some of the problems that she deals with are those inflicted by others, namely an abusive boss. Coming back to her roots after 15 years adds its own level of stress and trauma. But Sonny has an awakening that changes the course of her life’s trajectory. With some nods to fairy tale elements — a motel-owning fairy godmother and a Beast with his own set of trauma — Indigo Isle is a novel of complex family relationships, a journey of missteps and wrong turns put straight, and the powerful message of God’s grace and mercy. I loved, loved, loved this book. Sonny is a flawed character that will resonate with any reader. I was in turn frustrated with her, enraged for her, and cheering her on as she made her way back to who she could be in the future. I do have a warning for readers though — Lowe does not gloss over the abusive nature (sexual and emotional) of the relationship between Sonny and her boss. (If you are sensitive to this topic, you may want to skip this book.) I did love that secondary characters came along side her to back her up. There’s also the ending. I don’t think Lowe could have written a better epilogue if she tried. You are going to love the HEA!

Indigo Isle has it all — compelling storyline, powerful themes, and characters to love. This is my first book by Lowe, but it will not be my last!

Highly Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

Audience: Adults.

(I purchased the ebook from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Tags: ,

TTT — 2025 Bookish Goals

14 Jan

Happy Tuesday everyone! Today the bloggers of TTT are sharing their goals for 2025. My husband retires in 4 days, so any reading goals I may have entertained will be replaced by assisting in the projects he has planned for the coming months, upcoming trips, and general hanging out time. He will start doing a little relief work (he’s a veterinarian) in March, but only a few days on selected weeks. That will be the time I slip in all day reading. 😉

But in the meantime I do have a few bookish goals, though nothing taxing or restricting. I plan on, again, reading what I want to read, scaling back book tour obligations, resting up from the Book Festival I have been working on for the past year, and a new activity — crocheting a book blanket as a reminder of all the fabulous books I will read in 2025.

Here are some pictures of granny squares and books so far in 2025. They will be joined together to form an eclectic (like my reading choices) reminder of the year’s reading.

What are some of your bookish goals?

Tags: , , , , , ,

TTT– Most Anticipated Books of The First 1/3 of 2025

7 Jan

Happy New Year! With a new year comes new books. Yay! Actually new books release all the time, but it’s still good to celebrate whenever they arrive. This week’s TTT is most anticipated books of the first half of 2025. It really was hard to whittle the list down, so I just went with the first 1/3 of the year instead of half. 😉

Do you have any books that you are REALLY looking forward to?

For more great new books, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Most Anticipated Books of January — April 2025

January

Before The King by Heather Kaufman

The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz

Serial Burn by Lynette Eason

February

Midnight on The Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin

Storm Warning by Elizabeth Goddard

March

Break My Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn

Shattered Sanctuary by Nancy Mehl

April

The Light on Horn Island by Valerie Fraser Luesse

Sunrise Reef by Irene Hannon

Tempest at Annabel’s Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Spotlight on Contemporary Romance — Rescued at Christmas

12 Dec

Rescued at Christmas JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Rescued at Christmas by Janice Carter, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

Rescued at Christmas

Title: Rescued at Christmas
Series: Home to Maple Glen #2
Author: Janice Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: November 26, 2024
Genre: Clean Contemporary Romance

Rescuing her was his Christmas miracle…

But will she be gone again by New Year’s?

Devon Fairchild arrives in the small town of Maple Glen just weeks before Christmas to honor a promise she made to her late brother. Then she’ll get back to her life in the city. But when she’s injured, firefighter Finn McAllister rescues her and takes her home to his family, who shower her with compassion and holiday cheer. For the first time, Devon starts to feel like she belongs. But the walls she’s built around her heart have always kept her safe. If she lets them fall, will she truly be rescued…or will it only lead to more heartbreak?

Excerpt

Devon didn’t know how long she’d been lying on the ground. She’d been careless, stopping on the path to stow her phone in her backpack. Then without hoisting the pack onto her shoulders, she’d held onto it a moment longer, taking one step forward without looking down. That had been her mistake. The cluster of composted leaves had covered a slick of ice, and her instinct to stop herself from falling had misfired badly. She’d felt the sharp pain in her ankle as she twisted it on the way down. The backpack she’d been holding flew into the brush alongside the path, the phone inside. Not that it would have been any use, as Bernie Watson had told her. After the first agonizing seconds, when she knew she wasn’t going to carry out her mission that day, Devon tried scootching toward the pack using her arms and hands, but the pain was too intense and the effort left her exhausted. Panting, she lay back down, staring up at the gray sky. Then the first large flakes of snow began to fall.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books in This Series

About The Author

Janice Carter

Janice Carter has been writing Harlequin romances for a long time, through raising a family, teaching and on into retirement. This is her 18th Harlequin romance and she has plans for more!

Connect with Janice on Facebook or Twitter.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card, a print copy of A Small Town Fourth of July (first book in series), and maple syrup/sugar treats!

Rescued at Christmas JustRead Blog Tour Giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 11, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 18, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

Tags: ,

Spotlight on Contemporary Romance — Once Upon A Horse

11 Dec

Once Upon a Horse JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Once Upon a Horse by Helena Smrcek, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

Once Upon a Horse

Title: Once Upon a Horse
Series: The Vets of Heavenbrooke County #1
Author: Helena Smrcek
Publisher: EverWind Press
Release Date: November 15, 2024
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance

In the charming Heavenbrooke county, where country life meets big-city dreams, 28-year-old accountant Stella Barkley is about to discover that sometimes love arrives when you least expect it.

After a flat tire leaves her stranded on the side of the road, a handsome stranger comes to her rescue—Dr. Jason Alba, a dedicated veterinarian with a heart as big as his ambitions. Their initial encounter sparks an undeniable connection, aided by Stella’s spirited Jack Russell Terrier, Milkbone, who takes an immediate liking to Jason thanks to his pocket full of treats.

As their paths intertwine, Stella finds herself drawn to Jason, despite their differing views on farm life and future aspirations. Their budding romance takes unexpected turns, especially when a mysterious missing horse from a local breeder, Enrique Rodriguez, complicates matters.

When Thanksgiving arrives, Jason becomes Stella’s unexpected hero, saving her from a culinary disaster and charming her city friends with his warm spirit. But just as their relationship begins to flourish, a crisis emerges in the barn: the missing mare, Starling, is discovered in distress, leading Jason to perform a life-saving surgery that brings them even closer.

However, secrets and misunderstandings threaten to tear them apart. Stella’s desperate attempt to protect a champion mare sends her on a collision course with both Jason and Enrique, forcing her to confront her choices and the future she thought she wanted.

When Stella realizes that her life in Heavenbrooke may be over, she pens a heartfelt goodbye letter to Jason, leaving it at the church where their story began. Alone on Christmas morning, she grapples with loneliness and regret, only to be surprised by the appearance of the man who stole her heart.

Can a simple letter and the magic of Christmas lead them to a second chance? Will they find a way to bridge the divide between city and country, love and loyalty?

Join Stella and Jason on a heartfelt journey of love, loss, and the enduring power of second chances in Once Upon a Horse. Perfect for fans of contemporary romance, this tale of unexpected connections and the bonds we forge will leave you believing in the wonder of love.

Excerpt

Stella pulled on her favorite hat, the only remnant of her ski gear, and exited the truck. A quick inspection confirmed her fear. A flat. She shivered and shoved her hands into the deep pockets of her grandma’s parka, thankful for the warm pair of comfy Sorel boots.

Had anyone from Rogers and James Public Accountants Inc., her former downtown employer, seen her allowing Milkbone to ride shotgun in her grandpa’s pickup, they wouldn’t have believed their eyes. Thankfully, the chance of that happening was virtually zero.

Milkbone scratched at the window.

“No,” she said sternly, patting the pockets for her cellphone. The wind picked up. If only I remembered to throw a tool bag behind my seat.

Stella took off the cable knit mitts and tapped her phone to life. The frosty air nipped at her fingers. No service. Hoping for the impossible, she crossed the road. No luck.

She needed to get to work fast. Mr. Barnes insisted the store always be open on time, with no exceptions. The delivery guy never waited. And as if on cue, Milkbone changed his tactics to whining.

Stella did a quick 360 and scanned the seemingly endless fields stretching on both sides of the road. No farmhouse. She had been driving through this stretch for months now, not considering the possibility of becoming stranded with no help to be found.



PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

Also Available

About The Author

Helena Smrcek

Helena Smrcek is an award-winning author, screenwriter, public speaker and writing coach. From her romantic suspense series to women’s fiction, contemporary romance, and humor, and her latest favorite, dual timeline historicals—like a box of chocolate truffles—she loves them all. With a passion for storytelling sparked by her grandparents, Helena Smrcek weaves heartfelt tales that explore themes of faith, love, and redemption.

Connect with Helena by visiting helenasmrcek.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of all 3 books in the Alicia Yu FBI series plus Once Upon a Horse!

Once Upon a Horse JustRead blog tour giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 9, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 16, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Winner location limited to where Amazon will ship. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

Tags: ,

Top 10 Tuesday — Stormy Books

10 Dec

Happy Tuesday! Today’s TTT topic is books to read in a storm. Because I live in the mostly sunny South, most of our storms do not include time to snuggle in and read. 😉 Hurricanes and tornadoes are the storms we face most often. I have only experienced two snowstorms in my life, each with a great deal of record setting snowfall. Those were times when a good book was definitely called for. So my list today features books in which a storm plays a part in the storyline. Interestingly, many are hurricanes. I guess I can’t get away from my roots! And for a fun twist, one of the authors name is Storm! I hope you find one to love.

For more book recommendations, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Books That Feature Storms

Bookshop by The Sea by Denise Hunter

The Elevator by Angela Hunt

The Fabled Earth by Kimberly Brock

Honor’s Refuge by Halle Bridgeman

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton

Life Flight by Lynette Eason

Magnolia Storms by Janet Ferguson

Relative Silence by Carrie Stuart Parks

Venus Sings The Blues by Buck Storm

What We Found in Hallelujah by Vanessa Miller

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Book Review: The Christmas Tree Farm

9 Dec

I like to include at least one Christmas novella leading into the holiday season. This year my book club chose to read The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson. If you are looking for a feel-good story with serious Hallmark vibes, then this one is for you.

When Madison McDowell returns from several years teaching overseas, she has high hopes of picking up where she left off at her family’s Christmas tree farm in Oregon. But between damage from a recent wildfire and the neglect due to her sister Addie’s unwillingness to invest, the farm is in sad shape. In fact, Addie is intent on selling the property. And to top it off, her former high school flame, the now-widowed Gavin Thompson, has plans to break Madison’s heart again by turning his neighboring property into a dusty, noisy dirt bike track for his daughter.

With the odds stacked against her, Madison decides there’s only one thing to do: double down on her dreams. It will take a ton of hard work–and some help from an unlikely ally–to save the farm she so dearly loves. But it may take a miracle to restore her relationship with her sister.

Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson charms and delights with this uplifting Christmas story full of old memories and new beginnings.

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her novels range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including Romantic Time’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/

My Impressions:

Sometimes you want an uncomplicated, feel-good story with a Christmas-y setting. You will get that with Melody Carlson’s novella The Christmas Tree Farm. With serious Hallmark vibes, this holiday romance is set in the most Christmas location — a Christmas tree farm. The main character, Madison, returns to the place of her cherished childhood memories ready to begin a new life. She faces obstacles of a depressed economy and a manipulative younger sister, but puts in the work to bring the tree farm back to its former glory. She also has a second chance at love which is always a favorite trope. Add in a hunky leading man and an adorable kid sidekick and you have the elements for a fun Christmas read. Is it predictable? You bet! But sometimes that’s just what you want or need.

The Christmas Tree Farm isn’t my favorite of Carlson’s novellas, but it was a quick read that I found enjoyable. If you are looking for a light read with all the holiday trimmings, then give this one a try.

Audience: Adults

(I received a complimentary ebook from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Tags: , ,

Spotlight on Christian Romance — The Fiancé Finale

23 Oct

Fiancé Finale JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Fiancé Finale by Angela Ruth Strong hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

Fiancé Finale

Title: Fiancé Finale
Series: Love Off Script #3
Author: Angela Ruth Strong
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: October 22, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Charlie Newberg is sure about one thing: Nicole Lemaire is the woman God wants him to marry. There’s a slight problem, though—he’s already left her once. The day before their wedding. To make a documentary.

But he’s got a plan. The marketing firm she works for is the ideal choice for promoting his new film. Collaborating will give him the perfect chance to propose again, so he conspires with her boss to make sure she runs the campaign for the same kind of documentary Charlie left her—basically at the altar—for.

Despite Nicole’s resistance, the two work well together. But Charlie’s going to need more than teamwork to convince the jilted bride to give him a second chance. In fact, he might need to fall in love in a way he’s never really understood.

Excerpt

I get tired of first-world problems. There are much bigger issues on earth than another supposed superstar putting the “player” in playing golf. I’m not here to judge him. 

In fact, I’m only here until I get a contract with a ministry in the Philippines to film its need of training for midwives and to highlight how many mothers and children are dying for lack of health care. My goal is to make the world a better place by educating those who can help about those who need help. I click my mouse, ignoring Google News, and simply try to search.

My itch to produce another documentary overseas is spreading like chicken pox. I’ve stayed in Portland, Oregon, since I got back from filming my last foreign documentary because of Nicole. But a guy can only pursue a girl for so long before he starts considering other options. Even if he thinks God told him to marry said girl.

If it’s God’s will, then the responsibility for our relationship is on the Boss Man, right? Right.



PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books from This Series:

Husband Auditions: A Novel (Love Off Script Book 1) Hero Debut: A Novel (Love Off Script Book 2)

About The Author

Angela Ruth Strong

Angela Ruth Strong is the founder of IdaHope Christian Writers. Her books have earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been a finalist for the Christy, won the Cascade Award, and become Amazon best sellers. Her book Finding Love in Big Sky, Montana released as a movie in 2022. Strong lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband.

Connect with Angela by visiting angelaruthstrong.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Fiancé Finale and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Fiancé Finale JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 23, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 30, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

Tags: ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →