Category Archives: Fiction

Blue Ridge Sunrise

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Blue Ride Sunrise by Denise Hunter

Have you ever wished for a second chance at love?

When Zoe returns to her hometown for her grandmother’s funeral, she’s floored when she discovers that she’s inherited her grandma’s peach orchard. Being home dredges up so many good and painful memories. Zoe has never gotten over her high school crush on Cruz, her brother’s best friend. Plus, she’s a mommy and has to care for her four-year-old daughter. She’s been on the road since she’s had her kid and she’s in a terrible relationship with her current boyfriend. Plus, she’s estranged from her dad.

Cruz has never forgotten Zoe. When she turns up back in town, all of those old feelings are reawakened. But, can her family accept him as her equal, or, will they always feel that he’s not good enough for her.

But, Zoe has a secret and when Cruz discovers why she’s left…

Although I enjoyed this book, I felt it was more like a sweet romance than Christian fiction. I felt the message was very light, almost non-existent. However, the story was very good and I was pulled in from the beginning. I just wish the flash back wasn’t so many chapters. I was mesmerized by the first few chapters. But, when I went back to Zoe and Cruz’s relationship from years ago…yeah it was good, but, I’d rather the story had started at the beginning of their romance instead of flashing back.

I recommend this book if you love a good, heartwarming story about second chances. The chemistry between Cruz and Zoe is hotter than grease on an iron skillet – and I mean that in a positive way!

So, have you ever wished for a second chance at love? Have you ever broken up with someone and wished you could see them again and try and see if things could work out the second time?

 

Love Simplified

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Love Simplified by Terri J. Haynes

Do you like to watch reality TV? If so, what’s your favorite reality show?

Author Tempest Day is the expert on the subject of love! She’s had pairing parties, where she’s paired up folks with their future mates. She’s been somewhat successful in her love pairings, however, there’s something unique about Tempest: Although she advises people about romance, she’s never been in love!

When she’s challenged on a talk show, she’s practically forced to so something about her never-fallen-in-love status. Her life takes a drastic change and when she’s now a reality TV star, she finds herself working with handsome and bad-tempered Lance Moretti. Lance is drawn to Tempest and the chemistry sizzles between them like oil hitting a hot skillet!

This book was so exciting! There were so many surprises and twists and turns. You’ll keep turning the pages as you read about these amazing characters. It was also exciting to read about life on a reality show.

So, do you like to watch reality TV? If so, what’s your favorite reality show?

Merry and Bright

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Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber

Do you like lighthearted Christmas romance stories?

Well, if your answer is yes, then this book will not disappoint! Merry (aka Mary) Knight is working on a temp assignment at Jayson (aka Jay) Bright’s company. When her mother and brother sign her up for an online dating service, she’s hesitant. She’s so busy working that she has no time for romance. Meanwhile, Jayson Bright is a curmudgeon workaholic from a dysfunctional family.

He’s also Merry’s boss. When they meet online, they don’t realize that they are already connected to one another.

I really liked Merry. She’s a hard worker and she likes the simple things in life. I liked Jay, but, felt he had some growing up to do. However, his bad-temper was partially due to his sad childhood, and it was understandable why he was so grumpy.

The way the story plays out is funny and romantic. I also loved how Merry dealt with the issues in her own life (outside of dating). Her mom is sick with MS and her brother has special needs. In spite of all this, she mostly remains happy and carefree with an optimistic look on life, for the most part.

I also loved reading about Christmas! The holiday scenery and decorations, the way they were described, was so much fun to read about!

So, do you like lighthearted Christmas stories? If so, what are some of your favorites?

Any Dream Will Do

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Any Dream Will Do by Debbie Macomber

Have you ever been forced to make a fresh start in a new environment? How did you handle it? Did you fit in?

When Shay is released from prison, she’s alone with no place to go. When she shows up at a church, she encounters Drew, a widower/pastor/single father. He’s still grieving over his wife’s untimely death and when he spots Shay, it’s during a dark moment in his life. He kindly offers Shay his help.

Shay is a bit suspicious of Drew, but, she accepts his help. After all, she has no choice. She has a chip on her shoulder since she’d been imprisoned for embezzlement. She’d only stolen the money to help her younger brother, Caden. After all, his life would be in danger if she didn’t give him the money.

Her mistake cost her years in prison, and now she’s ready to make a fresh start.

This book showed how judgmental and superficial Christians can be. Although a congregation should follow Jesus’s example, that doesn’t always happen. Sometimes, you just have to ask a congregation, What would Jesus do?

I loved to see Shay change and grow within this story. She got along with Drew’s children and they loved her. Drew finds he enjoys spending time with Shay, but, her past proves to be problematic for several in the congregation.

I thought this was a refreshing book and it was a bit different than Macomber’s other books. I guess it was different because it was about an ex-con, trying to make a fresh start. Shay gives it her best, leaning on Jesus for guidance.

So, have you ever been forced to make a fresh start in a new environment? How did you handle it? Did you fit in?

Between Friends by Debbie Macomber

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Between Friends by Debbie Macomber

Have you ever been best friends with somebody for decades, since childhood?

Jillian and Lesley have been best friends since grade school. After high school, their lives change drastically since Lesley feels she has to marry her boyfriend, and Jillian goes away to college. Jillian’s career flourishes while Lesley is home housebound and unhappy. This is a highly unusual novel because the story is told in the form of letters. I’ve never read an entire book with letters back and forth between several characters.

The story spans decades, starting in the sixties. It’s a great way to see some modern history. This book also shows how deep friendships can be. I really enjoyed this highly unusual book. It’s an amazing story about true friendship.

So, have you ever been best friends with somebody for decades? Were you friends when you were children? I’d love to hear about it! Leave me a comment!

Sweetbriar Cottage

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Sweetbriar Cottage

Have you ever known a female barber?

Josephine, the town’s beautiful female barber, continues to be haunted from a past traumatic experience. The ghosts of her past affect her so deeply that she wonders if she is able to accept true love. The skeletons that invade her closet are so strong that it affects her marriage. She still feels bad about what what she’s done to her “ex-husband” Noah.

Noah has been a loner since he “divorced” Josephine. He lives on a ranch far away from town. He works with animals as he struggles to get over Josephine’s deception.

However, something happens and Josephine and Noah are forced to spent every waking moment together, alone, far away from humanity, for several days. This experience makes both of them take a good hard look at their lives and examine the nature of their mistakes.

This book was so good. This story gives an example of how something deeply traumatic can affect the view we have of ourselves, making us believe lies about ourselves. I thought that Noah was wonderful, and I really felt bad for Josephine. You’ll find yourself rooting for both of these characters in this deeply emotional story of true love.

I also thought it was sort of unique to read about a female barber. I seldom see female barbers. Usually a female works in a beauty shop and seeing Josephine as a woman barber was a refreshing change from the norm.

So, have you ever known a female barber?

Picnics and Promises – A New Summer Box Set – Available Now – 99c – Kindle Unlimited!

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What’s your favorite childhood summertime memory?

Summer is my favorite time of the year! When I was a kid, I loved being out of school!. We’d run around the neighborhood, playing Red Rover, Dodgeball, Kickball and we’d ride our bikes. We’d yell and scream while we played Monsters. When I got older, I started watching soap operas during the summer! I got hooked onto General Hospital and All My Children. I also read TONS of romance novels and baked fruit pies as well as cakes and cookies. Those were some fun times!

So, what’s your favorite summertime memory? Leave me a comment!

Picnics and Promises is now available – only 99 cents and it’s available on Kindle Unlimited.

Come check out this warm, wonderful, delicious summer box set! Picnics and Promises features my novella, Sweet Delights – The Bakery Romance Series Book 6!  Come celebrate summer by reading Picnics and Promises! This is a fun summer boxed set that features six warm, delicious summer romances! There’s a delicious pie recipe featured at the end of each novella!