Picture Perfect Love by Melissa McClone

I enjoyed this sweet short novel. I read it at the beach very quickly and found it to be a story that was hard to set down. I honestly wasn't expecting that because I usually enjoy full novels because of all the details that can be put into a novel. I think it takes a lot of talent to write these short novellas because you have to only include the important information.

Right away I liked Jenna. I couldn't stand Asher at first. He seemed arrogant and mean to me. However, he did grow on me as the story went along. I'm not certain that I could have been as gracious as Jenna was about the whole past two years. To deal with the Vance family with such graciousness, but also speaking her mind, was such a wonderful part of the story. Asher's sister drove me up the wall! I couldn't stand her attitude. I'm sure she really changed, but she was probably my least favorite character.

I have not read anything by Melissa McClone but now I'm going to be looking into her other books. I also haven't read any other novellas in this series, so I'd like to read the rest of those. They are the perfect novellas that I can read in a very short time.

Read more reviews on this novella at http://litfusegroup.com/author/mmcclone.

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About the Book

Picture Perfect Love (Zondervan, May 2015)
When image becomes everything, it’s up to love to refocus the heart.
Photographer Jenna Harrison wants every bride and groom to look picture perfect on their special day, putting her heart into every wedding to give the couple memorable images of their love. But her own heart is still broken, the unworn wedding dress hanging in her closet a reminder that relationships aren’t always as perfect as they look through her camera lens. But Jenna has faith that she will find true love. Until then, she must be patient and trust in God’s plan and His perfect timing.
Attorney Ashton Vance is the one that got away. When an embarrassing Photoshopped picture of put an end to his political aspirations, he blamed Jenna. So what if the photo led to his being offered a dream job and changing his life for the better? Jenna betrayed his trust, and two years later, Ashton’s heart still hasn’t recovered.
It was me. His younger sister’s three words turn Ashton’s world upside down. He must ask Jenna’s forgiveness, but can he risk his heart a second time? Even if Jenna can forgive him, dare he hope for a second chance at her love?
Learn more and purchase a copy.

Melissa McClone

Melissa McClone has published more than thirty novels with Harlequin and Tule Publishing Group. She has also been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three school-aged children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds and cats who think they rule the house.

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

Sincerely Yours by Jane Kirkpatrick, Amanda Cabot, Laurie Alice Eakes, & Ann Shorey

Imagine getting a letter that changes your life.  That's exactly what happens throughout each of these short stories.  The history that is involved in these stories is also very interesting.  I find the time frame of these stories fascinating and really capture my interest.

I have read many books by each of these authors.  I always look to read the books that are by these ladies because I know they can never disappoint me!  I didn't like one story over another.  Since each story was different, they each had something different to offer the readers. I liked the humor and romance.

I think the challenge that plagues novellas is how to make the story develop in such a short time frame.  Some stories end up feeling not pulled together or rushed.  However, I never felt that way about these.  I felt they were well-developed and ended at just the right time.

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

Once Upon a Winter's Heart by Melody Carlson

A family seems like it's being torn apart with little hope of reconciliation.  A lot of thoughts were circling around about the "grass being greener on the other side" and love that hasn't been invested in over the years, as well as mistakes made and forgiveness not being offered.

Emma was jaded in the love department but she was my favorite.  Her sister, Anne, drove me nuts with her false claims over Lane.  Her mom did, too, for practically taking sides over sisters.  It reminded me of Cinderella and the stepsisters some!

This was a cute Valentine's Day story.  It was a fun holiday novella that got me in the mood to celebrate a holiday that I normally gloss over.  I can't remember ever reading a Valentine's novella before so it was refreshing to celebrate a smaller holiday!

I have always liked Melody Carlson's books.  They are sweet and fun reads that are a nice escape.  The shortness of the book was a good change for me too after reading really long books.  Sometimes it's nice to read something in a few hours!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults--with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards.

She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Emma Burcelli has suffered over a decade of dating disasters. But she concludes that love is officially dead when her grandfather Poppi suddenly passes, leaving her grandmother Nona devastated. To help out, Emma works in the family bookstore, which Nona insists must be decked out in sweetheart décor as Poppi would have done for Valentine's Day. Although she feels like a V-Day Scrooge, Emma quickly learns to enjoy the task with the help of a handsome family friend, Lane Forester, who shows her that hanging hearts is much more fun when done to the tune of Dean Martin. As Emma and Lane share time and memories of Poppi, she reconsiders the notion that romance is alive.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Once Upon a Winter's Heart, go HERE.

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

A Bride for All Seasons by Margaret Brownley, Debra Clopton, Mary Connealy, and Robin Lee Hatcher

I really enjoyed reading the love connections that Melvin Hitchcock took it upon himself to orchestrate.  As owner of the Hitching Post Mail-Order Bride Catalogue, Melvin received letters from both men and women who were looking for a spouse.  Some had kids, some were heartbroken as soon as they arrived and saw their spouse, some thought they were dying, and others wanted a woman who had no interest in God.

 

Each novella takes on a different season and different characters for their stories.  But they all have one thing in common....Mr. Hitchcock.  He tends to leave some of the most important information out of his letters that he writes to those intended for each other.  However, in each case, he turns out to be right about the match that he had made by only reading letters.

 

Each author flowed seamlessly from one story to the next.  As I read the 4 stories, I never felt like I was reading 4 completely different authors.  I was quite impressed!  Instead, I felt like I was reading one continuous story that had major sections in the book.  That's quite a feat to pull off when you're talking about 4 different authors, each with their own writing style.  I liked each mail-order bride and particularly liked the mules in the story.  I laughed at Prudy and all of the scenes that she was in.  And then I liked Old Blue and imaging Megan trying to ride him. 

 

I hope all 4 authors can come together and write more stories together.  Their interview in the back of the book was fun to read, too.  I felt like I was listening in on their conversations! 

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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.

 

Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story by Dee Henderson

What a sweet story of Jennifer and her true love, Tom Peterson!  I absolutely love Jennifer and and I think her relationship with Tom was picture perfect.  I liked how slowly the relationship developed 

and how it centered on friendship.  I felt like I was a friend watching this relationship bloom and

it was perfect.

I was heartbroken at the end when it reveled a huge block in Jennifer's life and something that could change many decisions in their life.  I hated to see the ending but knew something good would 

also bloom from it.  I know it would make it easier to relate to her patients.

I liked the medical setting in this story and how most of the story happened at the hospital.  Dee Henderson wrote with such knowledge and tugged at my heart when a certain girl takes a turn for the 

worse.

This book is the prequel to the O'Malley series.  Once you finish this book, go right into learning

about the O'Malley family.

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