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Blogging for Books, Book Reviews

~Book Review~ “I Said Yes” by Emily Maynard Johnson

Jenna Evans

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Goodreads Synopsis:

When her high-profile search for romance led Emily Maynard to dead end after dead end, real love finally found her.

Millions know Emily Maynard Johnson from her unprecedented double appearances on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. Millions also know that neither of the relationships from those shows lasted much longer than a commercial break.

Overcome with embarrassment following her nationally televised failures at romance, Emily finally committed her heart to the only one she knew would never leave her empty and alone. Abandoning her desire to be chosen by men and finding peace in the fact that she was already chosen by God, Emily found the joy she had been looking for in serving God.

In I Said Yes, Emily tells the story of her life before and after reality TV fame, describing the profound new reality she discovered when she forsook fame in favor of the Lord. At the end of a long, fruitless search for a man, this courageous young woman found the truest love of all waiting right in front of her. To that love, Emily said yes.

My Review: 

I have been an avid Bachelor and Bachelorette fan since the very first season of the Bachelor when Alex broke Trista’s heart and then Trista went on to find love with Ryan in the first season of the Bachelorette. I don’t agree with the way that they go to “find love”, but it is great entertainment. Many seasons later, I remember seeing Emily Maynard on the show and her and Ricky stole my heart. The way that Emily and Ricky interacted was so sweet. Her story captured the hearts of many people and this book just helped me understand more about the reasons why she went on the show. The story was heartbreaking and made me cry at times, but it was a great story about overcoming anxiety and fear about falling in love after having heartbreak. It only took me a couple days to read this book because I wanted to know more about this person I had seen on TV. I tend to like to read books about people who were previously on reality TV. This one had writing that was not as developed as I would have liked which one of the few reasons why I gave this book a 4 out of 5 stars and not a 5 out of 5 stars. I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

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Book Reviews, BookLook

~Book Review~ “Kissed by a Cowboy” by Debra Clopton

Jenna Evans

Kissed by a Cowboy cover

Goodreads Synopsis:

Cassidy was looking for a home and a place to belong . . . not for a cowboy to steal her heart. Having lived through her parents’ endless string of “matrimonial bliss gone wrong,” Cassidy Starr knows when the odds are not in her favor. Divorced and humiliated, her faith on rocky ground, Cassidy is through with love. She’s been bucked off that horse far too many times. Instead, she returns to Wishing Springs, Texas, and the rundown farm she’s inherited from her great aunt Roxie. She’ll reopen the strawberry farm and a bed & breakfast and follow in her aunt’s footsteps, remaining forever-independent, happy . . . and single. Rancher Jarrod Monahan’s hands are full running the ranch, looking after his ailing grandfather, and chasing down a group of rustlers on the loose. He’s pushed his longing for a family to the bottom of his list of priorities. Besides, he was in love once but ran scared and lost his shot at happiness. But suddenly, the biggest regret of his life has moved in next door with a wounded heart, determined to become a spinster . . . and that’s a challenge that Jarrod can’t pass up.

My Review:

This book is so good! I just finished it and decided to go ahead and write my review.

Cassidy Starr is a stubborn red head who doesn’t want to relive her past. Jarrod Monahan is a handsome cowboy who lives next door. Jarrod kissed Cassidy a long time ago and then ran and Cassidy just got through a divorce. These 2 characters were great staples in this wonderful romance novel by Debra Clopton.

What drew me to this book was the cover. A few horses and a handsome cowboy kissing a girl made me want to read this book and I mean, who wouldn’t with a title like “Kissing a Cowboy”! I have always liked books that have to do with Cowboys and horses and this one was no different. While I was reading, it was like I was taken to a different world. I love when a book can take me out of my current situation and transport me to someone else’s story. I want to feel as though it is a movie in my head. This book did that from the first page. I felt as though I could see every laugh, cry, heartache, and lovely moment that happened throughout this book. The story between Jarrod and Cassidy made me root for them as much as if I knew this couple. There were a few twists in the story which made it more fun to read.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I received this book in exchange for my honest review form Booklook Bloggers.

*image courtesy of Booklook Bloggers*

Book Reviews, Revell Reads

~Book Review~ “Blind Trust” by Sandra Orchard

Jenna Evans

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Goodreads Synopsis:

“Kate Adams had no idea she was carrying counterfeit money, and she can’t believe that it came from her sweet neighbor. Or that it lands her in the middle of another one of Detective Tom Parker’s investigations. Determined to prove her neighbor’s innocence, Kate stumbles into a pit of intrigue that is far deeper than a two-bit counterfeit operation–and strikes too close to home for comfort. As family secrets come to light, her world–and her budding romance with Tom–begin to crumble. To Kate, it’s clear that she won’t be safe until she uncovers all of Port Aster’s secrets. But is it too late for her and Tom?
Award-winning author Sandra Orchard draws readers into a world of rogues, red herrings, and romance as she unfolds the continuing story of amateur sleuth Kate Adams.”

My Review:

Ok, so this book has me kind of torn about whether to like it or not. I could not stop reading the book because I liked it so much, but then when I finished the book, I was disappointed not because of it ending but that it just kind of left me hanging. I was not expecting it at all. This book gave me so many twists and turns that I didn’t know who had committed the crimes and that is what kept me reading. Tom and Kate are great characters and have great chemistry from the very get go. This book is a second book though so I was kinda lost the first chapter. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. I give the book a 4 out of 5 stars.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review from Revell Reads.

Book Reviews, Revell Reads

~Book Review~ “While Love Stirs” by Lorna Seilstad

Jenna Evans

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Good Reads Synopsis:

After graduating from Fannie Farmer’s School of Cookery in 1910, Charlotte Gregory is ready to stir things up. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to travel, lecture, and give cooking demonstrations on the very latest kitchen revolution–the gas stove–and certainly doesn’t mind that the gas company has hired the handsome Lewis Mathis to perform at her lectures. Lewis encourages her work, especially her crusade to introduce fresh, appetizing, nutritious food to those convalescing in hospitals. But young hospital superintendent Dr. Joel Brooks is not convinced any changes should be made–especially by this outspoken young woman.

When Charlotte and Joel are coerced into planning a fund-raising gala for the hospital, will this combustible pair explode?

Fan favorite Lorna Seilstad is back with a breezy, lighthearted love triangle that will keep readers guessing. Attention to historic detail adorns the timeless story of a young woman looking for true love and making her way in a rapidly changing world.

My Review:

This book is a must read. Lorna Seilstad took the characters of Charlotte and Joel and made them feel like real people. There were real situations in this book unlike some books where it is all fairytale and no reality. I like fairytales, but sometimes its nice to see more of real life. From the love triangle to the scene with the tornado to all of the fights, I was captured. I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review from Revell Reads.

Book Reviews, Revell Reads

~Book Review~ “One Perfect Spring” by Irene Hannon

Jenna Evans

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Claire Summers is a determined, independent single mother who is doing her best to make lemonade out of the lemons life has handed her. Keith Watson is a results-oriented workaholic with no time for a social life. As the executive assistant to a local philanthropic businessman, he’s used to fielding requests for donations. But when a letter from Claire’s eleven-year-old daughter reaches his desk, everything changes. The girl isn’t asking for money, but for help finding the long-lost son of an elderly neighbor.
As Keith digs reluctantly into this complicated assignment, he has no idea how intertwined his life and Claire’s will become–nor how one little girl’s kindhearted request will touch so many lives and reap so many blessings.
Through compelling characters and surprising plot twists, Irene Hannon offers readers this tenderhearted story of family connections that demonstrates how life is like lilacs–the biggest blooms often come only after the harshest winters.

My Review:

One Perfect Spring makes for one perfect story! The little girl Haley stole my heart from the very first chapter. Once I started reading it, I couldn’t wait to get home and read some more! Keith and Claire and David and Maureen are great characters and Irene Hannon intertwined their stories in such a way that was amazing. Irene Hannon’s books have always been some of my favorite books and this one goes right in the pile with the others! I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review from Revell Reads.

Bethany House, Book Reviews

~Book Review~ “A Match Made in Texas” by Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, and Carol Cox

Jenna Evans

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Goodreads Synopsis:

“In the small town of Dry Gulch, Texas, a good-hearted busybody just can’t keep herself from surreptitiously trying to match up women in dire straits with men of good character she hopes can help them. How is she to know she’s also giving each couple a little nudge toward love?

A Cowboy Unmatched
Neill isn’t sure who hired him to repair Clara’s roof–he only knows Clara desperately needs his help. Can he convince this stubborn widow to let down her guard and take another chance on love?

An Unforeseen Match
Hoping to earn an honest wage on his way to the land rush, Clayton ends up on Grace’s doorstep, lured by a classified ad. He may have signed on for more than he expected though–and he may have found the one woman who can keep him from moving on.

No Match for Love
Andrew can’t fathom how refined Lucy ended up as the caretaker to his dotty aunt, and somehow her arrival has prompted even more bizarre occurrences around the ranch. When they join forces to unearth the truth, will the attraction between Andrew and Lucy develop into more?

Meeting Her Match
When the tables are turned and a tenderhearted meddler becomes the beneficiary of a matchmaking scheme, her world is turned upside down. As her entire life changes, will she finally be able to tell the banker’s son how much she cares for him?”

My Review:

I have read many novella collection books and they are always good including this one. The person that keeps setting the couples up in the first 3 novellas makes for one tale twisting collection linking everything together. Then in the 4th novella, the tables turn and the matchmaker gets the romance. I liked that twist. Neill and Clara, Clayton and Grace, Andrew and Lucy, and the matchmaker and the banker, are all couples that make you want to find that special match of your own. I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review from Bethany House.