Excited about Reading: Sweetwater Gap by Denise Hunter

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The Cover Story ~

A story of love and second chances. She wished she could go back and change things . . . but life doesn't give do-overs. Could anything but good-byes be waiting on the other side of Sweetwater Gap?

Josie Mitchell's sister Laurel thinks she's come home to pitch in with the apple harvest and save the family orchard. Her brother-in-law Nate thinks she's there to talk the overworked, very pregnant Laurel into finally selling the family business. The orchard's new manager Grady Mackenzie just thinks she's trouble with a capital T. They're all right . . . and all wrong. Because no one really knows what drove Josie from home in the first place. Why she's never come home before, even for her own father's funeral. Why she pushes herself so hard . . . and what she's running from. And nobody, not even Josie, is prepared for the surprising new fruit she'll find on her last trip home.

Sharing my takeaway ~

A guilt-inducing phone call from her brother-in-law brings Josie Mitchell back home to Sweetwater Gap to help with the apple harvest. Orchard Manager Grady Mackenzie doesn't appreciate the help, especially when Josie admits she came home to convince her sister to sell the orchard.

Relating to Josie was a challenge. She carried a staggering amount of guilt for years, choosing to bottle it up inside rather than talk about it with her sister or aunt, and wrestled with low self-esteem. She made a conscious decision before the story started that I didn't understand (no spoilers). Maybe she had too many issues. On the other hand, Grady, aka Marlboro Man, was easy to like. Betrayed by his ex-wife, he's vulnerable and lonely, and fears that Josie only cozies up to him to convince him to sell his small share of the orchard. Even so, he's kind and sweet, regardless of how she treats him.

Usually, Hunter's true-to-life characters and oh-so-delectable romance jerk me right into the story until I lose all track of time. But for me, Josie's heavy unresolved issues overwhelmed the actual romance in this book. That said, Sweetwater Gap is definitely one of those books that will leave you pondering long after you turn the last page. 

Disclaimer: I purchased Sweetwater Gap. The opinions expressed in this review are my own, and I received no monetary compensation.

Excited about Reading: Married 'til Monday by Denise Hunter

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With a big anniversary party in the works for her parents, Ryan will pretend to be Abby's husband for just one last weekend.

The Cover Story~ 
Ryan McKinley has tried to move on from his ex-wife, Abby. He’s sulked, he’s gotten angry, and ultimately he bought her dream house. Big mistake. Living alone in the massive 2-story has only made him miss her more. When her parents call him out of the blue about their anniversary party in Summer Harbor, Maine, Ryan believes God has dropped a golden opportunity straight in his lap.

Abby McKinley never exactly told her parents about the divorce. A strained relationship with her dad has culminated in a distant relationship with her parents, but she’s finally succumbed to her mom’s pressure to make the drive for their 35th-anniversary party.

Then Ryan shows up on her doorstep, looking as devastatingly handsome as ever. When he insists he’s going to Seabrook, with or without her, Abby knows she can’t say no. Her parents still think they’re married and now Ryan knows it too. Besides, he only wants to check in with his best friend from college—her cousin Beau, who just lost his dad. It’s just a one-week road-trip with the man who broke her heart. What could possibly go wrong?

My takeaway~
Yeah. What could go wrong? lol.

"There's no if. I'll be back next Monday, and everything will be exactly like it is now. You'll see."

I was soooo looking forward to Ryan's story after reading all the other books in the Chapel Springs series. The poor guy has been pining for his ex-wife, Abby, and I couldn't wait to hear their story. This restoration romance didn't disappoint!

Full of angst, the remnants of a emotionally and physically abusive childhood:

It's not true. Nothing he said is true. I'm not stupid. I'm not worthless. I'm not unlovable.

A faith thread that asks some tough questions:
 Thank You, God, he'd said. Where was God now? And how come He only got credit for the good stuff?

Sprinkled with light, playful moments like this:

She suddenly realized it had been quiet a moment. Her eyes shot up to find him watching her, gun lowered. She wiped the appreciation from her face. "Not bad," she said, stepping up to take her turn.
He smirked. "My aim or...?"
"Your aim, smart aleck." She reloaded the gun, her face heating.
"If I didn't know any better, Abby McKinley, I'd think you were checking out my form."

Sigh...
Married 'til Monday has all the components that a romance lover craves, including a hero that digs deeper than the exterior to reveal a soft, hurting woman underneath the tough, you-don't-want-to-love-me, I've-got-too-much-baggage facade. Save a chunk of time because you won't want to put this gem down!

Disclaimer: Sending a big thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction and Denise Hunter for the privilege of reviewing Married 'til Monday. I was provided a free copy of the book in exchange for my fair and unbiased review.

On My Kindle ~ The Wishing Season by Denise Hunter

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Sharing my review~
Chef PJ McKinley, the youngest of the McKinley clan, is out to prove to her loving family that she can take care of herself by winning the Wishing House, an ancestral home that's being awarded to a deserving business by a Chapel Springs philanthropist, and turning it into a thriving restaurant and B&B. 

Cole Evans, a former foster kid who blames himself for the accident that stole his family, plans to win the house for Crossroads, a transitional home for foster kids who turn eighteen during high school and are forced onto the streets. When they present business plans to the eccentric philanthropist, she grants Cole the upstairs and PJ the bottom floor for the restaurant. Both are challenged to make their ventures work before the deadline.

I'm a huge fan of cute meets, and The Wishing Season doesn't disappoint, but I won't spoil it for you. And all those chance meetings at the front door or in the kitchen were charged with romantic tension. Just enough for me to keep turning pages. 

"I can't stop thinking about you." Her breath hitched at the husky timbre of his voice. At the words. He advanced slowly, purposefully. His eyes, locked on hers, were filled with longing.

"Is that so?" Was that her breathy voice? She gripped the edge of the counter before she could do something stupid like pulling him into her arms and kissing his neck.

"Yeah, that's so."He stopped when he was close enough to make her body hum, and cradled her face in his hands. Then his lips were on hers. Not slow and lazy like last time, but deliberate, full of want. Finally.

What do you think? Would that keep you flipping pages past your bedtime? The Wishing Season wasn't all fun and fluff, though. Hunter balanced some heavy moments with some lighter ones, but she also offered spiritual nuggets to combat the lies that each character believed.

"If your heart's telling you you're not capable, it's lying. What's God telling you?" 

PJ made a face. "Honestly? I haven't asked in a while. I've been too busy trying to make a success of myself."

Mom squeezed her hand. "Well, it's never too late. We all have thorns, you know."

"Thorns?"

"Those things that rise up around us, strangling us. Thorns don't keep a seed from sprouting, but they'll keep it from producing fruit."

Phew! How many of us have been there? I appreciate how everything wasn't wrapped up in a neat little package just because it's an inspirational romance. Overall, The Wishing Season was the perfect book to curl up with on a lazy Saturday afternoon. Actually, it'd be the perfect book to spend any afternoon. :)

Disclaimer: Sending a big thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of reviewing The Wishing Season and for the free copy I received in exchange for my fair and unbiased review. This opinion is my own, and I received no compensation.

The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter ~ Sharing My Review

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About the book~
She wrote the book--literally--on finding the right mate. But does she really understand what love's about?

Five hours before her Nantucket beach wedding--and on the eve of her big book launch--celebrity marriage counselor Kate Lawrence has everything in place.

Everything, that is, but the groom. She might not have a career, either, when her nationwide audience finds out their marriage guru has been left at the altar.

Enter Lucas Wright, who offers to stand in for the missing husband-to-be and marry her. Kate's desperate enough to agree--although she's sure this Mr. Wright is completely wrong for her. Can they pull it off? And why would Lucas marry her in the first place?

With her life spinning out of control, Kate wonders what good her carefully laid plans are if they only lead to chaos. Could it be that "Dr. Kate" doesn't know the first thing about love? When she seeks God's will instead of her own, Kate finally discovers true and lasting love.

Sharing my thoughts~

Jilted by her fiance, Bryan, just a handful of hours before their wedding, Kate's pain and internal turmoil literally seeps off the pages. How could this happen? She was a marriage consultant, supposedly an expert on the topic, and her book was launching along with her wedding. Lucas, a carpenter, had loved Kate since the day she rented the space above his shop. Since the groom's identity had been kept a secret, all tied up with the book's marketing plan, Lucas volunteers to step in. Kate agrees to his plan, but only for a year. Lucas is in it for the forever.

Committing a year of her life to a man she didn't love. Good grief, most of the time she didn't even like him. Not that he was a bad person. He was just so...irritating sometimes. Vexing. The way he was late and careless and so laid-back she wished she had a remote control so she could push the fast-forward button.

Yep. Major conflict ensues when organization to the nth degree marries laid back Lucas. But Lucas sets out to show list-making Kate that life happens between the pages. 

Know what you're looking for before you begin dating. As with a spontaneous shopping spree, if you don't have a goal in mind, you'll come home with the wrong thing. 

~Excerpt from Finding Mr. Right-for-You by Dr. Kate

I enjoyed the excerpts from Dr. Kate's book that plugged the beginning of every chapter, little nuggets that enticed me to keep reading. Not that I ever once thought about putting down the book, but just to give me an idea of what deliciousness I would find in the next chapter. Totally cool!

Best of all, I appreciated how this story, without words or preaching, represents Christ and His love for us. Carpenter Lucas (don't you just love that??) loved Kate. Before she ever knew of his love, he stepped in with a plan, to marry her, hoping that he would eventually woo her with his love and his actions. For me, this was an irresistible love story straight from the Word. Rich with symbolism, I can't think of a more appropriate story to read at Easter. Scoop it up! You'll be so glad you did.

Disclaimer: I purchased The Convenient Groom. The opinions expressed in this review are my own, and I received no monetary compensation.

Dancing With Fireflies by Denise Hunter ~My Review

Dancing with Fireflies
Amazon ~Pre-order Link
Releases on 3/11/14

About the book~
Jade returns home to Chapel Springs after years of protecting her fragile heart. Then along comes Daniel, making her long to dance again.

Creative and complicated, Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden growing up in Chapel Springs. When she left, she thought she’d never look back. But now, pregnant, alone, and broke, she has no other choice but to return.

The mayor of Chapel Springs, Daniel Dawson, has been an honorary member of the McKinley family for years. While his own home life was almost non-existent, Daniel fit right into the boisterous McKinley family. He’s loved Jade for years, but she always saw him as a big brother. Now that she’s back, his feelings are stronger than ever.

As Jade attempts to settle in, nothing feels right. God seems far away, she’s hiding secrets from her family, and she’s strangely attracted to the man who’s always called her “squirt." Finding her way home may prove more difficult than she imagined.

Sharing my review~

"I hate to ask another favor, but--" This one was harder than the last. More personal.

"Go on." His voice was deeper than she remembered.

"It's just that you know so many people, what with being the mayor and all. I was going to ask Ryan, but he tends to be, well, too brotherly, and if left up to him I'm afraid I'd never--"

"Spit it out, Jade."

"I need a man."

Some scenes were just laugh-out-loud funny. Other times, I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest. Jade had been in love once, but after her fiance died, she vowed she'd never go down that road again. So when she discovers she's pregnant, love isn't included on her "list" of qualities for a husband. Daniel helps her out with a date, but inside, he's dying, only wanting what's best for her, but that isn't him. At times, I wanted to throttle Jade. The perfect man for her was right in front of her face, and it took her awhile to realize that. Even then, she still makes some wrong decisions, but who could fault her for all she'd been through? I probably would have made the same choices.

Daniel's a hero who never gives up on the love of his life, no matter how far she runs or how long she stays away, or how many times she overlooks him for somebody else. Kinda reminds you of somebody else, doesn't it? What a gentle, intrinsic way to weave faith into the story. 

I thoroughly enjoyed A December Bride and her short piece in Smitten, and after reading this little goodie, I plan to snatch up some of her older titles! Dancing with Fireflies is a great book to curl up with in the evenings, to take on vacation, sitting in the carpool line, soaking in the tub....you get the idea. It's perfect for any time!

Disclaimer: Sending a big thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of reviewing this book. I received a free copy of Dancing With Fireflies in exchange for my fair and unbiased review. This opinion is my own, and I received no compensation.

A December Wedding by Denise Hunter ~ Sharing My Review

Purchase Link~
DeeperShopping.com

About the book~

What started as a whim turned into an accidental — and very public — engagement. Can Layla and Seth keep up the façade in Chapel Springs this holiday season - for the sake of her career . . . and his heart? Under normal circumstances, Seth Murphy — the best friend of Layla O’Reilly’s ex-fiancé — would be the last person she’d marry. But the news of their upcoming (and phony) nuptials convinces a big client that Layla may be high-society enough to work for his agency — a coup that would put her fledgling home-staging business on the map. Seth has secretly loved Layla for years, even when she was dating his best friend. Maybe she’ll never forgive him for the way he hurt her back then, but he has to try. And Layla is willing to keep up their engagement farce until she’s landed her client. For Layla, it’s the chance to save her career. But for Seth, it’s his last chance to win her heart.

Sharing My Review~

A December Bride draws you into Layla's predicament right from the first page. Layla's friendly date cancels on her at the last moment, and she's determined to find another one, pronto. After all, the wedding she's attending should have been hers, but the groom's marrying her cousin instead. Seth Murphy offers to take her, and while she hasn't forgiven Jack's buddy for his role in their breakup, she's not about to miss the wedding and the chance to show her ex-fiance that she's so over him.

I just love a hero who's loved the heroine for a very long time, but the circumstances kept them apart, and Seth fills the hero role to perfection. He should have asked Layla out first, but Jack beat him to it. Now that Jack's married, this is Seth's chance, but he almost blows it. 

Layla set the white votive inside the Mason jar and slid it down the table to Murphy.

He caught the jar and cut a length of twine. "I swear they're going to revoke my man card."

Layla scooped sugar into the next jar and arranged red berries around the votive. "You own a hardware store; I think your manhood is intact."

He scowled. "I'm tying bows on glass knickknacks. Don't you need some wood chopped or something?"

"What I need is thirty of these to line the walkway, so butch up and tie the bow."

Cute, adorable sparring keeps the dialog moving along at a face pace, and A December Bride packs just enough heat to make me reach for the air conditioner switch in the middle of winter. Denise Hunter is now on my must-read list, and A December Bride could slide very easily onto your bookshelf any time of the year!

Disclaimer: Sending a big thank you to Zondervan  Fiction and NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of reviewing this book. I received a free copy of A December Bride in exchange for my fair and unbiased review. This opinion is my own, and I received no compensation.