Fancy Pants

Last winter I saw a recommendation on Facebook group for this rom-com. I listened to it on Hoopla and I am so glad I did!  It was one of the funniest books I have listened to as the narrator’s characterization of each of the characters was perfect, especially Big Tim Creighton. 

Wealthy Lady Sydney Hathwell left England to marry an American businessman after her father’s passing. With thoughts of love and a new life, Sydney is in for a rude awakening as her fiancé only sees their marriage as a business arrangement. Being totally repulsed by the thoughtless and greedy man, Sydney sees only one option: flee. Thus begins the adventure of “Syd” as she tries to pass herself off as a young man on her uncle’s Texas cattle ranch. 

The funny things and misunderstandings that happen to Syd had me laughing throughout the book. Big Tim thinks Syd is a sissy and is trying to make “him” into a man, including putting weights on his hips to correct the way he walks. Syd finds purpose, love, and acceptance with the people of  Gooding, Texas. After I finished listening to it, I wanted to start all over. It was that good.   

If you are looking for a side-splitting, faith-filled book, then I think you will enjoy reading the first book of the two in the Only in Gooding series. 

 

Pining for Lord Lockhart

Charity Standish is strong, passionate woman who cares about a great number of things, particularly education of the poor and women’s suffrage. While this was considered not in vogue during her time, Charity’s strength of character and her convictions make her a wonderfully strong and extremely likable young lady.

Andrew Lockhart is loyal, caring, and compassionate. He is one of the few men who truly appreciates Charity’s intelligence and her motivation in wanting to better other’s lives. He does everything he can to support her causes by attending meetings and giving of his money and time to an inner city school. He even ends up teaching the first day of class at the new school! Charity and Andrew are perfectly suited for each other. So, why doesn’t he propose? 

Andrew is the kind of man who would do whatever he could for someone, even at the expense of his own happiness. He is presented with a situation that the vast majority of men would have said it was not their problem. But, Andrew is not like everyone else and gives up his opportunity to court Charity in order to help out a childhood friend. I liked Andrew before, but my admiration for him grew tenfold for what he did. I was glad to see things work out and Charity and Andrew to have their happy ending after all. 

This is the fifth book of the Lords for the Sisters of Sussex and I think you will enjoy reading about the other sisters in this clean Regency romance series. Thank you to the author of a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Danger on the Loch

 

The romantic suspense novel of Danger on the Loch immediately captured me into a tangled web of murder, secrets, deceit, and criminal activity. With many of the characters hiding behind friendly facades, I found myself suspicious and wary, even the police officials. 

Paisley Clark is passionate about photography. As she looks for “just the right shot” I found this to be an important and endearing part of Paisley’s character. She doesn’t mean to be so daring, it just happens when she tries to capture what she sees. Watching her enthusiasm and child-like exuberance is what draws James Pressley-Coombes to Paisley. It was sweet to see him realize that Paisley, his childhood friend, was the woman he loved and grew to cherish and protect. 

While I liked Paisley and James, I liked the dowager Cameron (Granny) the most.  I especially liked her role as fairy godmother when Paisley had to go to a ball. She opened up her heart to Paisley and gave her love, a sense of belonging, and a legacy that would always be treasured. 

I enjoyed the descriptive writing of the Scottish countryside, drawing me in so  I felt I was there looking out on the moor, the dark caves, and the mysterious loch. The Gaelic sayings that were interspersed throughout the book added to the charm of the characters. I appreciated having a glossary of Scottish sayings for things I may not have known and it was easy to refer to it if needed. 

While this is a stand alone book, there are two more books that involve the Pressley-Coombes family. I look forward to reading the other stories and recommend this book.

I received this complimentary E-book from Covenant Communications Publishers via NetGalley in order to provide an honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Dear Miss Dupré

 

How wonderful would it be to have your pick of 30 of the richest young men in New York to marry? This is the situation Willow Dupré finds herself in as the board of her father’s sugar will not let her run the Dupré Sucré company without being married. As tempting and this sounds, how do you turn down the other twenty-nine suitors? How will Willow know the man she picks is the right one?

Willow discovers that some men are honorable, while others are looking to advance their careers and their pocketbooks by marrying her. Crazy things happen as the competition grows fierce for her hand and the number of potential husbands dwindles. Frauds, fisticuffs, and friction between the suitors and Willow made this part of the story entertaining. I grew partial to some of the men and others I was glad to see leave as they were not her type and would have been a disastrous choice. 

I loved the secondary plot of her company’s competitor and his villainous activities to stop at nothing to ruin the Dupré Sucré empire. The duplicity of one of the suitors, his struggle with his past mistakes and righting them were what really provided suspense and depth to the story. Will he be the man Willow chooses after she finds out what he has done?

Flora, Willow’s best friend, was a godsend. She was a sounding board and a wise counselor in helping her with her suitors. Her candor was refreshing and what Willow needed since her mother was not helpful in guiding her. She was a true friend who intervened when it was necessary to ensure Willow’s happiness.

I am looking forward to reading the other books in the American Royalty series because Ms. Hitchcock has introduced some intriguing characters who I would like to see receive their happily ever after. I recommend this book and hope you will enjoy this story as much as I did.

I received this complimentary E-book from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in order to provide an honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the Author: 

Grace Hitchcock is the author of The White City and The Gray Chamber from Barbour Publishing. She has written multiple novellas in The Second Chance Brides, The Southern Belle Brides, and the Thimbles and Threads collections with Barbour Publishing. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in southern Louisiana with her husband, Dakota, and son. Visit Grace online at GraceHitchcock.com.

A Promise to Keep

 

Would you go to your high school reunion? No? Would you go if you promised a dying man? Such was the case of Savannah Sanderson’s promise to her high school sweetheart and late husband, Nick. Perhaps this is what she needed to do to put aside her past, stop dwelling on what-ifs, and move toward a new future. 

Michael McCann also made the same promise to his childhood best friend, Nick Sanderson, to attend the reunion. He had very little reason to return, but a promise was a promise. Little did Michael or Savannah have knowledge of the promise they had made to Nick, but both of them trusted him implicitly and decided to attend. 

Dealing with grief and the loss of someone dear to you is handled with great gentleness and care in the story of Savannah and Nick. She needs to return to visit the places where her life with Nick began and to also find peace and bring closure to the life they would no longer share. Michael needs to return to their hometown to face the reason he so hastily left.

The love that was shown in a variety of ways in the book made me think of I Corinthians 13: 7-8 that says, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.  Nick’s love for Savannah never ended. He wanted her happiness and to be cared for long after he passed away. Savannah had to take risks, believe in those who loved her. She showed her dedication and love to Nick even in sickness and unimaginable pain and loss. Michael had to let go and believe that love wants the best for others, no matter the outcome. I enjoyed this beautiful story of hope, love and sacrifice. 

Thank you to the author for a copy of the book. I was not required to give a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Beyond Justice

This was my first foray into a legal suspense book and it certainly won’t be my last.  Cara Putman masterfully creates a story that kept me totally engaged in the events that were unfolding. Given just enough details to keep me guessing and provide suspense, I raced through this book. 

Lawyer Hayden McCarthy is assigned a nearly impossible wrongful death case of an illegal immigrant teen. We as the readers are given some details, but not enough to actually know what is truly happening. The twists and turns of this plot made me feel like I was on a n emotional roller coaster. One minute I was elated because I figured out some point and the next minute I was bewildered or tense as something new would happen. 

Andrew Wesley was just the man that Hayden could feel comfortable with and understood her passion and desire for justice. He, too, has this drive to see wrongs made right. Hayden and Andrew are a powerful and faith-filled couple who I greatly admired. When things got dangerous they both relied on God to help them through it. 

With Ms. Putman’s legal expertise I was able to see the court system in operation. I appreciated that she didn’t use legalese that would detract from the story, but seamlessly explained things as they were occurring.  This is the first in the Hidden Justice series. While it can be a stand alone, there are several of Hayden and Andrew’s friends that I hope to learn more about in future books. 

My thanks to the author for a copy of this book. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.  

About the Book:

Hayden McCarthy is on track to become the youngest partner in her prestigious D.C. law firm . . . if the case she's just been handed doesn't destroy her first.

Hayden McCarthy knows firsthand the pain when justice is not served. It's why she became an attorney and why she's so driven in her career. When she's assigned a wrongful death case against the government, she isn't sure if it's the lucky break she needs to secure a partnership—or an attempt to make sure she never gets there.

Further complicating matters is Andrew, her roommate’s distractingly attractive cousin. But Andrew’s father is a Congressman, and Hayden's currently taking on the government. Could the timing be any worse?

The longer she keeps the case active, the higher the stakes become. Unknown enemies seem determined to kill the case—or her. Logic and self-preservation would indicate she should close the case. But how can she, when justice is still just beyond her reach?

Vying for the Viscount

Viscount Hudson Stildon has lived his entire life in India and is now going to England to manage the estate left to him after his grandfather’s passing. Hudson’s love and knowledge of horses is such that he hopes to build a well-renown stable for the racing community. He is feeling a bit uncertain in a new country with its cold climate and unfamiliar ways, so he seeks refuge with the only familiar thing he knows, horses and stables. As Hudson begins to acquaint himself  with his new race horses, Bianca Snowley his neighbor, enters the stable and mistakes him for a horse thief. Bianca is determined to drive off the thief with the only weapon she can find, her boot. 

“Get out of here,” she said, embracing the idea of being Hestia’s avenger. The boot nearly jerked from her hand as it solidly connected with the man’s shoulder, but Bianca held on and swung it again, aiming for his midsection this time. “Tell whoever sent you”  — swing—“that no one” — swing— “steals” — swing— “from Hawksworth stables.”

After laughing until my side hurt, I knew this was going to be a fabulous story. And, indeed, it was. My expectations were high for this book because I have read Ms. Hunter’s Hawthorne House series and fell in love with the people, their stories, and the relationships that have been formed. I was delighted to see that this was going to be such a story and that Hudson had these wonderful people as his neighbors and confidants.

As you can see from Bianca’s initial encounter with Hudson, she is a loyal defender of those she loves. While she has a horrible stepmother who is so uncaring and makes even the worst mother seem sweet, she manages to be true to herself and to forgive her repeatedly. Bianca shows great self control in living with her and choosing to love, making me admire her all the more.

Hudson has “head knowledge and little experience” when it comes to England and its customs and needs someone who is familiar with the horses and the racing community. Of course, his choice is the highly spirited Bianca since she can introduce him to the right people and help him learn of the English ways. The journey of forgiveness, trust, and love for both Hudson and Bianca's lives was beautifully told. 

If you are looking for strong characters, humor, and a message of hope will want to read this book. I don't think you will be able to stop there, though, because you will want to know all about the other people who befriend Hudson. The good news is that you can read about them in the Hawthorne House series.  

This is the first in the Hearts on the Heath series. You can preorder the next book, Winning the Gentleman now. The release date is April 20, 2021. 

I was given this book as a really fun book exchange that author, Becky Wade, has at Christmas. You can be a part of it too.