The Christmas Card by: Amanda Tru

ABOUT THE BOOK:
A Christmas card meant to win the heart of a woman, changes the hearts of many. Cole Nikols had spent months planning the perfect night for his girlfriend, Sarah Whitman. But when Sarah abandons their date for yet another emergency with her ever-demanding charitable work, everything falls apart. Now, instead of planning their future, Cole is worried he’s ruined any chance he had with Sarah. Wanting to prove his love for Sarah, Cole writes a Christmas card. He sends it to everyone he knows, spreading the message of Sarah’s generous life and dedication to God, while asking others for help in his project of winning the woman he loves. However, never does he imagine the far reach and impact one Christmas card can make. Landing in the hands of so many different people, it produces a chain that changes lives forever. As the Christmas card’s stories come full circle, will Cole’s plan work? Will a Christmas card be enough to win Sarah’s heart?"

MY THOUGHTS:

I loved this book and the whole idea behind it. What Amanda would like to accomplish is so awesome! The whole concept behind it reminds me of the movie Pay It Forward. This book however is based more religiously on what would we do for the Savior. I love that Amanda wants to get the word out about her genius project around Christmas. The point is to have people that are doing random acts of kindness with the soul purpose of keeping the Savior in mind. That is the true meaning of Christmas anyway!!! I can't wait to put this plan in motion and to spread the word both about the project and the book! I plan to get my kids involved but I hope I can also get my church ward involved as well. It is a great idea and a great book! Once again Amanda impresses me with her talent and her great ideas. I hope this one goes far and does many wonderful things!

At Last: Book 3 in the Love and Weddings Trilogy (Volume 3) by: Shannon Guymon

To learn more about Shannon and her books visit her website:  http://shannonguymon.blogspot.com/

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Maya Tenney just wants to feel safe again. She never would have pictured herself as a woman who runs from danger, but being put in the hospital by a violent man has made her realize that staying alive is more important than her pride. She'll even move in with the grouchiest man she knows if that will scare off her ex.Tristan Jensen knows what it's like to deal with heartbreak, but he's not okay with anyone who hurts women. He's intrigued with Maya but he's done with women who manipulate and use others. Will these two be able to get past their misconceptions of each other or will they let pride destroy what could be a great love story?

MY THOUGHTS:

I knew that if I started this book I wouldn't be able to put it down but I started it around 9pm last night anyway. I read till 2am and then finished it this morning. The town of Fircrest is awesome. The more you read the more you really fall in love with them all. I love how Shannon is able to pull all their stories together how they have formed a bond and really watch out for each other. I loved the theme I got from this book that there is good in people and you can persevere even after hard times. My favorite line from the book is " It’s hard to find someone who’s all good or all bad. Life is a collage of gray areas and it takes compassion and empathy to see that.” Maya and Tristan were both coming from a rough relationship and didn't have trust but without even trying found they had a bond and friendship they couldn't ignore. Their story is a great one and I loved how the whole town pulled together to help them. Shannon has a great gift for story telling and I can't wait for more from Fircrest!

Assumption of Guilt by: Amanda Tru

 ABOUT THE BOOK:
CHRISTIAN ROMANTIC SUSPENSE NOVELLA

Nobody stops to think what it would be like to be arrested. That just doesn’t happen to normal people, right?

When a major theft happens at a party she’s attending, Sophie James finds herself the prime suspect. Has she been framed or was she just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Now Sophie must convince the police, along with her cop boyfriend, that she’s innocent. With no record, no motive, and no evidence, that shouldn’t be difficult.

Then why does no one seem to believe her?

MY THOUGHTS:

I loved this novella! Amanda's books have a way of pulling you in and you really connect well with the characters of the book! I found myself really feeling bad for Sophie and her situation. This book is full of twists and the ending is very surprising, it was a lot of fun! It's a great afternoon read. Even my 11 year old is enjoying it so far and she is not much of a reader. I love Amanda's books they never disappoint.

Random Acts of Deceit (Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries Book 2) by: Christy Barritt

To learn more about Christy Barritt and her books visit her website: http://www.christybarritt.com/

ABOUT THE BOOK:

“Break up with Chase Dexter, or I’ll kill him.” Holly Anna Paladin never expected such a gut-wrenching ultimatum. But the man threatening her makes it clear he’s dead serious. With home invasions, hidden cameras, and bombs threats, Holly must make some serious choices. Whatever Holly decides, the consequences will either break her heart or break her soul. She tries to match wits with the masked man, but he’s always a step ahead of her. The more she fights, the deeper she’s drawn into the perilous situation. Dealing with the ultimatum, her sister’s wedding problems, and riots that have broken out in the city, Holly’s nearly at her breaking point. She must discover the identity of this mystery man before someone she loves dies. But the deceit is threatening to pull her under . . . six feet under.

MY THOUGHTS:

I loved Holly Anna in the first book, and after reading the second one, I love her even more. She is totally someone I would want to be friends with. I loved this book. It was full of action and excitement. Holly Anna seems to find herself in trouble like Gabby from the Squeaky Clean Series. It got me thinking maybe there will be a lot more books in this series and I like that idea! Holly is forced to make some really tough decisions and has to face them alone. It shows her true strength and her love for Chase! After all she went through in the first book it was tough to see her go thru so much again but she was strong and persevered and I was glad she got a happy ending! As always Christy's books are amazing! 

NOTE: I was gifted this book by the Author in exchange for a honest review!

 

Still Time by: Maria Hoagland

To Learn more about Maria and her books visit her website: http://www.mariahoagland.com/

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Thrust into the chaos of her mother-in-law’s hoarding and forgetfulness, LDS church member Alyssa Johnston wishes she could retreat to a simpler time when her kids were small and almost anything could be fixed with a hug. But reassurance and a quick distraction no longer erase the pain of a missionary son who is struggling, a young teen who is bullied, or a daughter who is distant. As Aly’s own life and relationship with her husband plunge out of control, she wonders if her faith will be enough to keep her family—or herself—from falling apart. Still Time is a deeply moving story about a woman’s faithful journey into the next phase of her life. You will laugh with Aly, feel her sorrow, and see yourself in Maria Hoagland’s realistic, heartfelt portrayal of a woman’s struggle to keep her family safe and hold back time as long as she can.


MY THOUGHTS:

This is the first of Maria's books I have reviewed. It took me a while to get used to reading a book written in first person. In the end though, I felt like I could connect with the characters and the story well. 'Aly' was one brave woman to tackle taking care teenagers and her mother-in-law at the same time. It was nice to read that she had the same feelings and thoughts I would have had in those situations. She was far more patient than I would have been though.  My favorite line from the book was, "If you let the Lord write the story of your mission, it will be a story worth telling." In the book they were talking about serving an LDS mission but I think that applies to life as well. If we dedicate our lives to the Lord our story will be a great one! I love discovering new Authors. I own Maria's other books as well and look forward to reading them soon!

Summer in Snow Valley

ABOUT THE BOOK:
#1 Bestselling Amazon Authors of Christmas in Snow Valley, have teamed up again with six wonderful summer novellas that are sure to make your summer sweet and sassy!
Catching Caytie by Amazon Top Seller Cindy Roland AndersonOn the night Caytie Holbrook intends to break up with her cheating boyfriend, he blindsides her by announcing their engagement at a dinner party. When Caytie discovers her father is in on the scheme, she runs away from her home in Beverly Hills to hide out at her uncle's ranch in Snow Valley, Montana. While Snow Valley is a beautiful place, Caytie only plans to stay until her twenty-fifth birthday when she'll inherit a trust fund her grandmother left her, allowing her to pursue her dream to move to Italy. That is until she meets Jace McAllister, an incredibly sexy--although somewhat grumpy--cowboy who threatens to disrupt her plans.

Tin Foil Tiaras by Amazon Top Seller Jeanette Lewis
Cameron Elliott has come to Snow Valley to coach Annalisa Drake in the Miss Snow Valley pageant, and prove to her demanding boss that she deserves a place at the prestigious Westbrooke Agency. But Annalisa's handsome and protective big brother, Kyle, is determined to keep his sister from becoming a reluctant beauty queen. As Cameron tries to win Kyle over, Kyle insists some things are more valuable than a title and as crazy as it sounds, Cameron might just believe him.

A Touch of Love by Amazon Top Seller Cami Checketts
Annie Stirland has endured a lifetime of teasing, embarrassment, and isolation due to her speech impediment. When irresistible cowboy, Luke Wilson, seems to be falling for her, she's certain he's too good to be true. A tragedy involving his ex-girlfriend proves she's right. What man can resist sheltering someone they once loved? Annie knows she should walk away, but Luke isn't ready to give her up.

First Love by Amazon Top Seller Taylor Hart
Janet Snow doesn't expect to get caught in a full-blown make out session at her brother's wedding. Especially not with Michael Hamilton, the boy she'd written off ten years ago. Even though they both agree to no complications, Janet's not sure they can stick to it given their past. After a trip to the hot springs, a helicopter ride, and a proposal, even the most cautious single mother would start to wonder if true love really is just about the timing. Now Janet has to make a choice--play it safe or trust that her first love could also be her last.

Romancing Rebecca by Amazon Top Seller and Award-winning Author Kimberley Montpetit
Rebecca Dash loved spending her teen summers swooning over Jane Austin and helping her aunt at the Starry Skies Bed & Breakfast in Snow Valley. But as a recent college grad, she'd rather write sappy romance novels than go out with guys that make her a nervous wreck. When a team of fire-fighters set up camp on the lawns of the B&B and Captain Wade catches her eye, Becca soon learns that there's more to a happily-ever-after than a flirty firemen with muscles the size of the Montana hills.

Love in Light and Shadow by Amazon Top Seller and Award-winning Author Lucy McConnell
Mercedes O'Shay has sworn off gorgeous men because they have a tendency to break her heart. When she meets her new neighbor, Chet Bauer, she immediately puts him in the Do Not Date category based on his well-defined muscles and stunning blue eyes. But the more Mercedes learns about the cowboy who reads classics and forges iron, the more she realizes the heart doesn't see in black and white; it sees light and shadows.

MY THOUGHTS:

Catching Caytie

I loved this novella! I loved how the main characters met and that they ended up spending so much time together when it happens they are going to be living under the same roof. Their story was so sweet and even when they were forced apart they found their way back to each other. It was a great feel good romance much like the first book!

Tin foil tiaras

I can't relate much to the beauty pageant scene because I never did it myself. I know that it is a lot of pressure on girls. I see the same thing with my daughters’ friends that dance. Glad both she and I never did either. I also liked that the Author addressed cutting. It isn't something very widely talked about and I wish it could get out more because I had a niece that had some issues with it. I think if people knew more about it maybe it could be helped or even stopped. All in all I loved this addition to snow valley!

A Touch of Love

This novella was awesome! One of my good friends stutters like Annie.  I am sure that she has had some rough times because of it. We have always had a great time together and it has never bothered me. Annie and Luke's story was so sweet. I like that he was patient from the start, he never saw her as anything but beautiful and perfect for him. It was fun to get a glimpse of Kazlyn and Ty again! Another great book by my favorite Author! Love all of Cami's books!

First Love

This book was so sweet about past loves reuniting. At one point it almost had me crying. I love to see deserving people get their happily ever after and that is how this story goes. Loved it!

Romancing Rebecca

Another great novella. Just when Becca thought her life wasn't going anywhere and she had no inspiration for the novel she wants to write everything in her life changes. I feel it was a great book for self discovery and happiness!

Love in light and shadow

The Count of Monte Cristo is my favorite of the classic books! I loved the references to it! Chet and Mercedes had such a great story. Their playfulness and instant bond and understanding of each other reminded me of my husband and I. It was an excellent finish to a great set of novellas!

 
NOTE: I WAS GIVEN A COPY OF THIS BOOK BY THE AUTHORS IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW