Book Reviews

To Love a Stranger
by Colleen Coble
Rating: 4/5
Book 4 in the Wyoming series
Thomas Nelson – Fiction | Historical Romance

Bessie Randall has a problem. Her younger sister Lenore agreed to marry a stranger – a soldier stationed in the wild frontier – but instead of writing as herself, Lenore used her sister’s name. Afraid of what her society parents will think or do if they learn the truth, Lenore begs Bessie to go in her place and honor the marriage, since Lenore already has a beau. Lenore fears being sent to jail for forging her sister’s name and Bessie won’t let anything bad happen to her baby sister.

Bessie prays about it and arrives west to find Jasper Mendenhall, her new husband, surprised to see her. Having received a picture of his wife, Jasper was expecting a woman who looked like Lenore and was disappointed to find Bessie, a plainer woman who doesn’t seem at all like the girl he’d been writing with. He’s not sure Bessie would last as an officer’s wife on the frontier and wants to send her back to Boston. However, plans change when he has to quickly move to Fort Bowie, Arizona, and must take Bessie with him. He quickly learns that Bessie is different and might be able to adapt to life on the frontier if he gives her a chance. But will the dangers of living on the frontier be too much for Bessie and Jasper to handle? Can they learn to love a stranger?

Colleen Coble is one of my favorite authors and she captures the reader’s attention right from the start. I was seriously frustrated with Lenore’s immature actions and really felt sorry for Bessie’s predicament, but I was warmed by Bessie’s love for her sister. As you can tell, my emotions got all tore up by these sisters. I enjoyed getting to know Bessie and Jasper and how they dealt with different situations as they grew together as a couple.

Side note: I just realized that this book was a reprint and part of a series but it read well by itself. Also, I’m not quite sure why it’s included in her Wyoming series since the book mainly takes place in Arizona.

I definitely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historical romance.

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

All Summer Long: A San Francisco Romance
by Melody Carlson
Rating: 4/5
Book 2 in the Follow Your Heart Series
Revell – Fiction | Contemporary Romance

Tia D’Amico is excited to move from small town Washington to big city San Francisco in order to help her aunt as the new chef for her dinner cruise ship. When Tia discovers that her aunt has hired Leo Parker to be the captain of the old luxury yacht, she has to work at keeping her heart from exploding outside her chest when she sees her former crush from sailing camp. Her hopes are crushed when she learns that Leo’s heart is already taken. Will Tia be able to follow her dreams and steal the heart of her prince?

Melody Carlson is quickly becoming one of my favorite contemporary authors. She writes in such an easy manner and the reader just gobbles all the romance up. I always find it difficult to put her books down and like to read it all in one sitting. I really enjoyed getting to know Tia and Leo’s characters and couldn’t wait to read more. Also, all the food mentioned in the story left me salivating, so I’d read with some snacks nearby.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fun and light contemporary romance for the summer!

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Honor Redeemed
by Christine Johnson
Rating: 4/5
Book 2 of Keys of Promise Series
Revell – Fiction | Historical Romance

After losing her parents, Prosperity Jones sets out to meet with her fiancé who is stationed in Key West. Taking a leap of faith that everything will work out, she follows her heart to the only other person she loves, Lt. David Latham. Arriving penniless, Prosperity is hurt and confused when she learns that her beloved fiancé is already married to another woman. What will she do to survive? How could her faithful David do this to her? Upset w desperate, Prosperity proceeds to find a new home and occupation with the help of some friends. Will her broken heart ever be whole again?

Having never read a book by Christine Johnson, I was uncertain what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised at the wonderfully descriptive writing that took me back to the 1850s in Key West. Even though this was book 2 in the series, the story could be read without reading the first (although now I want to read the first book). Johnson beautifully tells both sides of this story and the reader can really feel all of the emotions that Prosperity and David go through. The plot was not as predictable as I thought it would be (just from reading the back cover), which I found refreshing.

I highly recommend this book for someone who enjoys a historical romance with vivid imagery.

I received this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.