Nameless Queen by Rebecca McLaughlin Release date: January 7, 2019 Rating: 3.5/5
Let’s just say that I wanted this book to knock it out of the park but unfortunately, it did not deliver what I was hoping for. The book is still good and I loved the world-building and the characters; however, it just didn’t capture my attention and imagination as much as I hoped it would.
Choosing to call herself Coin, a young girl finds herself fighting to survive on the streets of Seriden, a city of Royals, Legals, and the Nameless. With the death of King Fallow, the tattoo of the next ruler reveals itself on Coin’s arm. How could the king name his successor without a name? Confusion and outrage follow these events as Coin temporarily ascends the throne as the Nameless Queen until she can be challenged during the Assassin’s festival. Does Coin even want to be queen? Could she actually make a difference? What about the magic powers that come with the royal tattoo? Can she learn to control them? Can she save the only person she cares about as a temporary queen?
This story had so much promise and I did enjoy it, but something seemed off. The characters are fun and unique. The world McLaughlin has created is interesting but the history of Seriden and magic probably could have been laid out more clearly. There were consequences for actions but not quite as satisfying as I’d like.
This story is not a romance; it is more fantasy adventure with some mystery. This story is also a standalone novel. I would still recommend this story for younger readers, especially those who deal with insecurities. If you like books with strong heroines, I’d also recommend this book.
My thanks to the author and NetGalley for an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
Book: The Wedding Dress Christmas Author: Rachel Hauck Genre: Romance, Christmas Release Date: October 22, 2019
December covers quaint Heart’s Bend, Tennessee with a blanket of white and the glitter of Christmas lights.
For JoJo Castle there’s no place like home. It’s her safe place. Her one-time love of adventure ended when life in the big city shattered her hopes and dreams. Now that she’s returned to Hearts Bend, she never wants to leave again.
Buck Mathews, the biggest country singing sensation in decades, has the world on a string – his guitar strings, to be exact. However, when news of his mother’s illness sends him back to Hearts Bend for the holiday season, he remembers how good it can be to live among family and friends.
Working with her cousin Haley in The Wedding Shop, JoJo has no aspirations of love. Leaving home, surrendering her heart again, is just too risky.
When she runs into her friend and high school crush Buck Mathews, she discovers Love might have other plans for her .
Buck’s career is on the verge of an momentous leap. But seeing JoJo awakens feelings he’d buried long ago. Falling in love is easy, but winning her heart will take more than one of his melodic tunes and clever lyrics.
JoJo and Buck want opposite things for their lives, leaving no room for compromise. Can love, especially the kind that touches hearts at Christmastime, overcome her fears andhis quest for greatness?
When a very special gown – the wedding dress – begins to make its presence known, JoJo and Buck’s hearts bend in a way neither ever thought possible.
Rachel Hauck is an award winning, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.
Her book The Wedding Dress was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times Book Reviews. She is a double RITA finalist, and a Christy and Carol Award Winner.
Her book, Once Upon A Prince, first in the Royal Wedding Series, was filmed for an Original Hallmark movie.
Rachel has been awarded the prestigious Career Achievement Award for her body of original work by Romantic Times Book Reviews.
A member of the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers, she teaches workshops and leads worship at the annual conference. She is a past Mentor of The Year.
At home, she’s a wife, writer, worship leader and works out at the gym semi-enthusiastically.
A graduate of Ohio State University (Go Bucks!) with a degree in Journalism, she’s a former sorority girl and a devoted Ohio State football fan. Her bucket list is to stand on the sidelines with Ryan Day.She lives in sunny central Florida with her husband and ornery cat.
My Review
The Wedding Dress Christmas by Rachel Hauck A Novella in the Wedding Dress Collection Rating: 4/5
This story was a quick read and so perfect for the holidays. I am a huge fan of Rachel Hauck and couldn’t wait to read this continuation of her Wedding Dress series. This book can definitely be read as a standalone novella, but I recommend reading the others if you enjoy this one.
JoJo has been back in her hometown for a few years and has been supporting her friend, Haley, in the local wedding dress shop. She uses her PR background to help out the store especially this Black Friday. Shadows of the past haunt her but she feels safe back home in the small town where she knows everyone. She loves her town and has volunteered to help with many different events and activities.
Buck is ready for a break. After all the touring and living on the road, he is excited to go back home and rest. He is even more enthusiastic about going home when he learns that JoJo is back in town. He hopes they can catch up while he’s back. They were inseparable back in high school despite the fact that she was a few years younger than him. Music had been good to him but he was ready for a change – perhaps to settle down?
When JoJo and Buck get roped into helping out with the Children’s Christmas performance which includes an original song, the sparks fly and JoJo must learn to open up her heart for her old crush if she wants to find happiness. Can she be honest about her past and her current feelings? Will Buck’s career and touring get in the way of their relationship?
Honestly, this story reads like a great Hallmark movie. I loved it. The ending seemed a bit rushed to me but it’s a novella so that’s par for the course. Whenever you bring together two characters with shared history, it’s a bit more believable to move the story forward quickly. The songwriting aspect was a lot of fun (this is coming from a fellow singer-songwriter). The characters do get some time to develop and grow. Rachel Hauck is a beautiful writer who can seamlessly weave in a story of God’s love and the faith that sustains us even in the darkest and most confusing places.
I highly recommend for those that enjoy Hallmark movies and inspirational romance.
My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and CelebrateLit for an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
More From Rachel
Hello Royal Rockstar Readers!
I’m thrilled to share The Wedding Dress Christmas with you. I’ve heard from so many how much The Wedding Dress has touched them, and as I noodled over new story ideas, my thoughts drifted toward the wedding dress and Christmas. What’s more romantic than a Christmas wedding?
This novella is set in Hearts Bend, Tennessee, the fictional town ofThe Wedding Chapel and The Wedding Shop. Even if you’ve never read one of books inThe Wedding Collection, you’ll enjoy this story, the mystery of the dress, and the women whose lives it changed.
I love weddings. They remind us of the purity and the hope of love, the power of commitment. Something powerful is released when two people pledge to spend their lives together, loving and serving one another in both good and bad times. Every wedding I attend reminds me of the vows I made to my husband and I sign up all over again.
Stories are a powerful reflection of life. Yes, fictional stories are often told with wild hyperbole, but that’s what makes them fun to read.
I also love wedding stories because they remind us of God’s love for us, and that one day there will be the grandest wedding of them all. Isn’t it wonderful that God planned a wedding before He created the earth?
In The Wedding Dress Christmas, JoJo and Buck have their issues, but love proves strong enough to conquer them all.
Thanks for going on this little tour with me and The Wedding Dress Christmas.
The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson Rating: 4/5
This story was a lot of fun to read. I don’t think the title of the book is a good description of the story but I did enjoy it.
Cassie is fed up with the online world of dating but the girls at the youth center she runs have other ideas. Cassie longs to find a partner who wants to adopt but she is hesitant to put that on her dating profile.
Jett is a local fireman who signs up for online dating and notices that Cassie, his high school crush, is on the same site. When he sets up a date for them, he realizes that Cassie was completely blindsided and someone else had been sending messages on her behalf. Cassie refuses the date and doesn’t recognize him.
What happens when they finally start dating and falling in love and both of their lives jump head first into chaos and parental responsibilities?
The author alternates between Cassie and Jett’s point of view. The characters are flawed and fearful of sharing their messy lives with each other. Can anyone relate? They have huge hearts of gold and find themselves thrust into the craziness that is foster parenthood without warning. As someone who hopes to adopt some day, I loved this story. I liked how they talked about both sides of the story and how fostering is hopefully only temporary.
I highly recommend this story for those that love a heartwarming rom-com.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
Hello. This blog is all mine and I will do my best to post what interests me and what books I read with honest reviews. I am a lover of good Christian fiction with a touch of romance, mystery, intrigue, humor, fun, etc. I invite you to join me as I read my way through books and life. I am currently pursuing my residency training as a family medicine physician!!! I have to carefully choose what I want to read for fun. My name is Kim and you are entering the Wong Mind.
