Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh

I absolutely love the cover on this book. It is very visually  appealing and made me excited to pick up this book to read. I know they say not to judge a book by its cover, but if it doesn't have a pretty cover then I'm not as excited to read it. I'm not for sure why that is.

Of course, being a book lover (obviously), I enjoyed the setting of this book. Abigail owns a bookstore/coffee shop. Seriously. What book lover can't relate to this setting?! The two go hand-in-hand. Abigail has dreams of expanding and thinks that's possible at first. However, she quickly is let down when she sees a handsome man, although she hates to admit it, looking at the building. Jacob has come looking for a new start and just might have found it. This is how Abigail and Jacob's story begins to weave together with each other.

My favorite parts had to be when Abigail's mother intervenes in her dating life. Being from a small town, I can relate! I also liked the town natives, in general. They all had a huge interest in Abigail and wanted to see that girl married off!

Paper Hearts, the first book in this series, reminds us that we all make plans for our lives. We have the best intentions, but God ultimately knows the whole story of where we should be going in life and what we should be doing. It reminds us that we are to hold the reins loosely in our own lives and be willing to go and do whatever. It's a story of love and moving through the ugly in the past.

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I received this book free from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Every Bride Needs a Groom by Janice Thompson

Janice Thompson is one of my go-to authors when it comes to chick-lit. Her stories are light and full of humor. I always finish reading her books with a smile on my face because of her humor.

This book is the first in her new series, A Brides with Style. Since I have read most of her other series, I absolutely loved seeing familiar names popping up, like Bella, Gabi, and Jordan. It also mentioned Bella's family who host The Italian Kitchen show on TV. I like Janice Thompson starts new series, but still is able to tie in favorite characters into her new series. It makes her books connect in some small way.

I know Stan was a minor character in the story, but he was oddly one of my favorites. His little one-liners he used trying to convince Brady to get back into the pro game of basketball were funny. I know the ladies at the bridal shop dreaded to see him come in, but I loved it.

Being from a small town, I appreciated the small town feel she brought to the story. It was easy to relate to the how everyone knows you and the pace is a lot slower. Katie's predicament that brought her to the big city meant that many in her family stepped out to take a chance on love and mending relationships. The way Katie's brother's were worked into the story had me laughing just imagining the scene in my head.

I am definitely looking forward to reading book 2 in this series. These are the type of books that make excellent summer/beach books.

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton

I enjoy light-hearted romance books! Debra Clopton had me laughing out loud in certain parts of this book. It'd been awhile since I've actually done that! Maggie Hope was a true character. She's a girl who is stronger that she actually realizes she is. Who would have ever thought that she'd need a horse and a cowboy in order to figure out just how much she could handle. Needless to say, she learned that falling out of the saddle didn't mean being down forever. She learned to pick herself up again and move forward.

Tru is a cowboy that any girl would love to know. He's a sweet gentleman who has been through a lot. His love for his brothers and grandfather is beautiful. He lives in a small little town, called Wishing Springs, where everyone knows everyone and is full of wonderful, fun people.

Betting on Hope isn't just romance, though. There is a little bit of tension throughout the book because neither Maggie, nor Tru, have a clean past. They both have to come to the realization that they can trust each other in order for them to move forward. For Maggie, that's hard to do when it's out of her hands.

I'm glad I don't have long to wait for the next book in this series to come out..... August 2015!

Read more reviews on this book by going to http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/betting-on-hope-debra-clopton.

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A bet gone wrong. A small town’s meddling. And a cowboy intent on saving his ranch.
Maggie Hope is an advice columnist whose background leaves her with little advice to give . . . and it’s beginning to show. When Maggie fills in at an interview with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan, the on-camera chemistry between them is undeniable. Maggie’s bosses know this is the opportunity she’s been looking for to launch her career—and their bank accounts. In order to save her column, Maggie takes Tru up on the bet that he can teach her to ride a quick-stepping cutting horse like any cowgirl, despite the fact that she has never been on a horse. And in the meantime, she can get the scoop on the man under the cowboy hat.
Tru has been on the competition circuit for longer than he’d like, but he knows it’s the only way he can afford to keep the Four of Hearts Ranch that means so much to his ailing grandfather. So when his sponsors see the opportunity for Tru’s fans to get to know the star on a more intimate level, he knows he must oblige. To his dismay, Maggie not only invades his small town of Wishing Springs, but she also invades his heart, and that is something he cannot let any woman do—for her own good.
In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart’s desires.
Learn more and purchase a copy at Debra’s website.

{More About Debra Clopton}

Debra Clopton is a multi-award winning novelist and has written more than 22 novels. Along with writing, Debra helps her husband teach the youth at their local Cowboy Church. Debra’s goal is to shine a light toward God while she entertains readers with her words.
Find out more about Debra at http://debraclopton.com.
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I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group and Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

A Bouquet of Love by Janice Thompson

This is probably one of my top series in chick-lit or contemporary fiction. I've read every book, starting with Bella and her story. I laugh in them and find them a good book to come home to and read after a long day. Janice Thompson does a great job with her characters. I couldn't even imagine up some that she does. For example, the Splendora sisters are a handful and a lot of fun. I'm curious how she has come up with such fun, funny, and very opposite characters.

This book focuses on a Greek family who has come to Texas. Babbas is hilarious with Uncle Laz. However, it was a little sad to watch his relationship with his family turn to one of fear. It showed me how quickly our good intentions and our expectations of our family members can hold them back and make them and us miserable.

I couldn't help but laugh at the many instances where they were cavorting with the enemy. All I could picture is My Big Fat Greek Wedding mixed with an Italian family that I've gotten to know well! And Alex....dreamy Alex.....at least to Cassia he is. I liked how they had problems but the hit it off from the start. That part is dragged out in a lot of books, so it was nice to go ahead and get that out of the way.

I really hope there will be more books with the Rossi's. I've truly enjoyed each one of them!

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Paige Rewritten by Erynn Mangum

This series has been so much fun to read.  It had me laughing and I felt like I was right in the middle of the situations with Paige.  I certainly felt I could relate to some of her craziness, just in a different way than what she is experiencing.  Paige is a very real character that reflects so many people in real life.

After I read the first book in this series, I downloaded all of the other books by Erynn Mangum (much to my husband's dismay).  I really liked her writing and like to read it when I need something that's a bit more light-hearted.  I don't mean the topics are light-hearted, just the characters.  I consider these books a bit like "cleansing my palette."  I was hooked from the  beginning of this book.  I found myself wanting to flip a few pages ahead (I didn't!) to see what decisions Paige would end up making.

I am definitely looking forward to the next book, Paige Turned, that is set to come out in April of 2014.  Not much longer!

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This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Paige Rewritten NavPress (October 8, 2013) by Erynn Mangum

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A few things about her:

So, if we were having this conversation in person, we would probably be hanging out at Starbucks or one of the cute coffeehouses in town. I’m nuts about all things coffee, I’m crazy about all things pink and girly, and I love, love, love the Food Network! I’m married to my best friend and the most amazing guy ever, Jon. He is amiable toward coffee, does not like anything pink or girly and tolerates the Food Network. So, we make a good match! In July 2010, we became parents to one of the funniest, cutest, sweetest little guys in the whole world (and nope, we aren’t biased at all!), our Nater-Tot, who is legally known as Nathan. Most days, I’m cleaning up messes, making goofy faces, trying to fit some writing in, and just LOVING the life that God has given me!

ABOUT THE BOOK
Paige Alder is in a really good place. She’s dating nice guy Tyler. Her boss has offered her a raise. Her walk with God is strong. Life is great—and that’s when things start to change.

First, the youth pastor at church keeps asking Paige to work with him full-time. Then her sister shows up newly engaged and wanting to reconnect, even though they haven’t spoken in years. And now former boyfriend Luke has come back into her life. How is Paige supposed to know what the right decisions are?

This warm and humorous second book in the Paige Alder series will help young girls work through important issues, such as forgiving others and obeying God.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Paige Rewritten, go HERE

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I received this book free from NavPress Publishers and CFBA in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Paige Torn by Erynn Mangum

I really like the cover of this book.  It uses two of my favorite colors and its a simple cover that is very eye-catching.  It's also a cover that I can look at and see several pictures that I can relate to on it!

 

I liked this book because I could relate to it more than I'd like to admit.  There are many times that I get so busy serving that I neglect my personal relationship with God.  "No" isn't a word that I like to say!  At many times in this book, I felt like I was reading about myself at different times in my life.  I think many women can relate to that since we tend to "do" and don't rush to say "no." 

 

Paige rushes from one place to another serving because she just can't say "no."  She's exhausted and filled up with caffeine from my favorite place, Starbucks.  She's trying to figure out what matters in life and what service to God really means.  It's so easy to think we can "do" more, but that's not necessarily what God wants us to do.  Tyler helps Paige see this truth....eventually.

 

This book was a light and easy book to read but fun to read, as well.  It was one that I enjoyed reading and had some difficulty putting it down.

 

I've never read anything by Erynn Mangum, but I think she is someone that will be writing many more good books for us to read in the future.  Since I've been on a roll with books for the beach, I think this one can definitely be added as a "book for the beach."

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I received this book free from CFBA and NAV Press in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh

I saved this book to read on the beach and I'm glad I did.  It was the perfect, light, funny book that just screams the beach!  I loved picturing all of the changes Harriet was implementing.

 

I also like the topic of this book.  There are definitely many nonfiction books that deal with church conflict, but there aren't many fiction books that deal with that topic.  I liked how this book hit on this topic.  It made it easier to relate to since it was fiction.

 

Harriet is easy to relate to as well.  She's rebelled and then changed, but has to prove herself to others that she has changed.  Maddox was quite easy to like.  Their relationship was predictable, but it still made a good story.  In all honesty, not many romance books are unpredictable because a relationship has to form out of a budding relationship anyway.

 

Now I've got to read the next book of Tamara Leigh's!

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I received this book free from Waterbrook Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

 

Perfecting Kate by Tamara Leigh

To be perfectly honest, I almost didn't want to read this book.  The cover of the book did not really appeal to me at all.  The colors were eye-catching, but it just lacked the visual appeal for me.  That said, I'm glad that I didn't judge the book by its cover.  

I liked Kate in this book, once I was able to set aside the fact that she didn't really like how she looked.  I know that often I struggle with my appearance (I'm not for sure what girl doesn't), so I had to remind myself that Kate was in her daily struggle.  It didn't help at all that the cosmetic surgeon could immediately tell the things that he could fix on her.  That would make me a bit self-conscious, too.

I liked the humor in this book.  I found myself laughing and just visualizing some of the encounters became quite hilarious in my head!    I really like chick-lit and I think this book falls under that category.  I'm looking forward to reading the rest of her books.  I hope they are as funny as this one!

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I received this book free from Waterbrook Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

The cover of this book told me right away that I'd be in for a romance that was quite possibly filled with humor.  I was so excited to read this book.  I could hardly wait to flip it open when I got it.  There was just something about the cover that made me REALLY want to read this book.

I'm glad that all of my excitement over this book didn't vanish when I completed this book.  I liked 

conflicting emotions between Meg and Bo.  I appreciated Bo and his determination to straighten out the farm.  I was a little surprised by what the "threaten force" was in their relationship....that thing that could possibly break apart a chance of a relationship.

The romance came pretty early in the book and I was a bit worried that it'd kill the book for me.  It 

didn't, though.  She somehow made it work and still had me wrapped up in their relationship but not making it so sappy that it's overkill.

I'm definitely looking forward to the second book in this new series, The Porter Family.  I keep hearing good things about her first book she wrote, My Stubborn Heart, so I found it in the bookstore 

and am about to read it now!

Read more reviews at http://litfusegroup.com/author/BWade.

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I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

The cover of this book told me right away that I'd be in for a romance that was quite possibly filled with humor.  I was so excited to read this book.  I could hardly wait to flip it open when I got it.  There was just something about the cover that made me REALLY want to read this book.

I'm glad that all of my excitement over this book didn't vanish when I completed this book.  I liked 

conflicting emotions between Meg and Bo.  I appreciated Bo and his determination to straighten out the farm.  I was a little surprised by what the "threaten force" was in their relationship....that thing that could possibly break apart a chance of a relationship.

The romance came pretty early in the book and I was a bit worried that it'd kill the book for me.  It 

didn't, though.  She somehow made it work and still had me wrapped up in their relationship but not making it so sappy that it's overkill.

I'm definitely looking forward to the second book in this new series, The Porter Family.  I keep hearing good things about her first book she wrote, My Stubborn Heart, so I think I need to be reading that book now!

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I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers and CFBA in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

First Date by Krista McGee

The President's son and a girl from a Christian school in Tampa, Florida, who wouldn't normally be in the same social circles, find themselves on a game in which a prom date is up for the winning. 

Addy doesn't like attention.  She has goals in life and none of those goals include going on a reality television show where the President's son gets to choose his prom date.  However, her school was chosen to send someone and so Addy was the one appointed to go.  She tries to resist, but figures there must have been some reason God wants her there so she goes.  None of the girls like her, except for one, Kara.  They all think that she is trying to get all of the votes and will do anything to win the attention of Jonathan.  She is far from that, though.  She really is the opposite of what everyone is making her out to be.  She's a girl who is struggling to let Christ shine through her discomfort and has to find a way to stand for Christ in a place where Christ is not popular.

Jonathan likes Addy from the beginning and would love to go on a date with her but Hank stands in his way.  Hank hates Addy and will do anything for Addy to be off the show.  How far will Hank go to get rid of Addy?  Who will Jonathan choose?  Or will his choice even really be his choice?  Will Jonathan and Addy be together or will it be Jonathan and someone else?  All these questions but one thing is clear: Addy wants to make it known that she will obey Jesus when her heart is scared.

This is a cute book that I enjoyed reading.  I'm not sure what category it would fall under because it was almost a chick lit book but would make a great read for a teen.  Some of the ideas were far fetched, but honestly, I never mind that when I'm reading a book.  I think that a book is a place for me to escape to anyway, so anything can happen within the pages of a book.  Some people don't like that though, so that would be my only caution about the book.  Like I said, though, I liked that and it didn't deter me from enjoying this book.  If you have a teen daughter who likes to read, this would be a great book for her.

I should also say that this book is a modern retelling of Esther and Mordecai.  That in itself requires some scenes that are hard to believe.  So do keep that in mind when you are reading this book.  You may even want

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I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

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Smitten by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, & Denise Hunter

Four of my favorite authors combined into one book!  You can't help but have a wonderful book when you combine these three.  I really like chick lit.  In fact, I happened upon Kristin Billerbeck's books by chance and fell in love with her chick lit books.  So thanks to her, I now like that genre of books.

Full of romance, as one might expect, four women have a desire to save Smitten, Vermont, when the logging company closes and the town isn't for sure if they will ever be noticed again.  Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese decide to take matters into their own hands and open up a honeymoon destination right in Smitten. Despite all of the daily issues that life throws at you and the heartbreak that is involved in life, these four friends come together to bring romance into their town.

These authors worked well in writing their stories with each other.  No one story stuck out as misplaced and it flowed together very nicely.  All chick lit lovers need to add this book to their collection!  This would make a wonderful vacation book.

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I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.