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Riverbend Gap by Denise Hunter

About the Book

Title: Riverbend Gap
Series: Riverbend Romance #1
Author: Denise Hunter
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: October 19, 2021

She came in search of the family she’d always wanted—and found the kind of love she’d never dared imagine.

When Katelyn Loveland’s car veered off a winding Appalachian Mountain road, she thought she was done for. That is until Cooper Robinson, local sheriff’s deputy, came to her rescue. And though Katie narrowly escaped her brush with death, she still fell. Hard.

She wasn’t the only one. But soon Cooper learns that the woman he’s more attracted to than any he’s ever met is his brother’s new girlfriend—and therefore unquestionably off limits. Yet, despite their best efforts, Cooper and Katie can’t seem to avoid running into each other. Or ignore the undeniable chemistry between them.

As they grow closer, Katie shares secrets from her past and the real reason she moved to their small North Carolina town. She also wins over Cooper’s welcoming and bighearted family. But they don’t know that her feelings for Cooper keep growing—all while she’s dating his brother. Soon the stakes of their emotional connection become higher than either could have imagined.

Katie stands to lose the first family she’s ever had, and a scandal could doom Cooper’s campaign for sheriff. Suddenly they find themselves on the edge of another precipice—and they’re forced to make a decision that could change their lives forever.

“A perfect blend of romance and women’s fiction.” —SHERRYL WOODS, #1 New York Times bestselling author for Summer by the Tides

“I have never read a romance by Denise Hunter that didn’t sweep me away into a happily ever after. Treat yourself!” —Robin Lee Hatcher, bestselling author

“If you like Robyn Carr, you’ll love Denise Hunter.” —Colleen Coble, USA TODAY bestselling author of One Little Lie

Sweet and thoughtful contemporary read
First in the new Riverbend Romance series
Book length: approximately 82,000 words
Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Purchase your copy here!

About the Author

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 25 books, including A December Bride and The Convenient Groom, which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Carol Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist. When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are rapidly approaching an empty nest.

Connect with Denise: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

My Review

Riverbend Gap
by Denise Hunter
Book 1 in the Riverbend series
Rating: 4/5

“All her life she’d been searching for a place to belong, a person to belong to, and she’d finally found him. But she couldn’t have him.”

As someone who enjoys Denise Hunter’s books, I was excited to read the first book in a new series. As dramatic as the beginning of the novel was, the rest of the story was all about the aftermath of what happened. I was immediately drawn into the story at the start – talk about an engaging hook.

The chemistry between the two main characters was palpable. I especially loved the hiking trip part. This new family, the Robinsons, was a lovely family that had its faults but still knew how to come together. I’m hoping that the other books will involve the other siblings. The setting of Riverbend sounds amazing – just look at that gorgeous cover! I’m always excited to visit new places through books and I can’t wait to read more. I also enjoyed how the author was still able to weave her faith into the story in a nonthreatening way.

“Sometimes family isn’t the situation you’re born into but the people who’ve chosen to love you along the way.”

Highly recommend if you enjoy Christian contemporary romance with small town charm and lots of heart.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

November 10, 2021 by Kim Book Reviews

Tacos for Two by Betsy St. Amant

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

About the Book

Title: Tacos for Two
Author: Betsy St. Amant
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: October 12, 2021

Rory Perez, a food truck owner who can’t cook, is struggling to keep the business she inherited from her aunt out of the red–and an upcoming contest during Modest’s annual food truck festival seems the best way to do it. The prize money could finally give her a solid financial footing and keep her cousin with special needs paid up at her beloved assisted living home. Then maybe Rory will have enough time to meet the man she’s been talking to via an anonymous online dating site.

Jude Strong is tired of being a puppet at his manipulative father’s law firm, and the food truck festival seems like the perfect opportunity to dive into his passion for cooking and finally call his life his own. But if he loses the contest, he’s back at the law firm for good. Failure is not an option.

Complications arise when Rory’s chef gets mono and she realizes she has to cook after all. Then Jude discovers that his stiffest competition is the same woman he’s been falling for online the past month.

Will these unlikely chefs sacrifice it all for the sake of love? Or will there only ever be tacos for one?

Purchase your copy here!

About the Author

Betsy St. Amant Haddox is the author of over fifteen inspirational romance novels and novellas. She resides in north Louisiana with her hero of a hubby, two total-opposite young daughters, a vast collection of coffee mugs, and an impressive stash of Pickle chips. Betsy has a B.A. in Communications and a deep-rooted passion for seeing women restored in Christ. When she’s not composing her next book or trying to prove unicorns are real, Betsy can usually be found somewhere in the vicinity of a white-chocolate mocha–no whip. She blogs frequently at www.ibelieve.com, a devotional site for women.

Connect with Betsy: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Bookbub

My Review

Tacos for Two
by Betsy St. Amant
Rating: 4/5

“Taco grease is thicker than water”

Who doesn’t love tacos and books surrounding food? If you are a fan of Rom-Coms, especially You’ve Got Mail, you will absolutely devour this story! (The author’s dedication to her husband is so sweet!) It is so cute and funny yet still full of deep hurts and regrets. I fell in love with the main characters and you will too! The writing is well done as always and is full of fun characters and fantastic antics. I am such a foodie that my mouth was watering whenever they talked about the food. I really wish they’d offered a free recipe at the end of the book too – you can never have too many delicious recipes. My only concerns for the book were that there wasn’t a faith thread woven throughout the story which is fine but I usually expect that with books from Revell. Some of the characters’ past hurts could easily have been addressed with some faith aspect but the author did not choose to go there. This story is still a fun story though and deserves to be read.

Highly recommend if you enjoy clean romantic comedy with strong You’ve Got Mail vibes.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

October 28, 2021 by Kim Book Reviews

A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano

About the Book

Title: A Midnight Dance
Author: Joanna Davidson Politano
Genre: Historical Christian Romance
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: September 7, 2021

All theater romances are tragedies. Ella Blythe knows this. Still, she cannot help but hope her own story may turn out different than most–and certainly different than the tragic story of the Ghost of Craven Street Theater. Yet as she struggles to maintain her tenuous place in the ever-shrinking ballet company, win the attentions of principal dancer Philippe, and avoid company flirt Jack, Ella cannot deny the uncanny feeling that her life is mirroring that of the dead ballerina.

Is she dancing ever closer to the edge of her own tragic end? Or will the secrets that are about to come to light offer release from the past?

Mystery and romance make the perfect dance partners in this evocative story from fan-favorite Joanna Davidson Politano.

Purchase your copy here!

About the Author

Joanna Davidson Politano is the award-winning author of Lady Jayne Disappears, A Rumored Fortune, Finding Lady Enderly, and The Love Note. She loves tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives and is eager to hear anyone’s story. She lives with her husband and their two kids in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan. You can find her at www.jdpstories.com.

Connect with Joanna: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

My Review

A Midnight Dance
By Joanna Davidson Politano
Rating: 4/5

“What I want . . . is for you to fly.”

I have to admit that the book is delightful and mysterious and brooding and beautiful and inspiring but it didn’t start that way for me. It wasn’t till I got 1/3 of the way through that the story really picked up and peaked my interest. I am so glad I kept reading. Having never read anything from the author before, I was grateful for her beautiful writing and intelligent story telling. She was also able to weave her faith and God’s love throughout the story in a genuine way that complemented the characters’ development.

“Then before I knew it, quite against my will, the dancer’s heart in me was awakening, sparking with life, and answering yes against the silence of the room.”

As someone who loves ballet, I was eager to read this story. As someone who has felt the Lord’s presence and pleasure when worshiping in dance, I loved how Ella’s heart was expressed in her dancing. Her light shown through on the stage and people noticed.

“Turn after turn, dance after dance, I found myself unwinding from the constraints of this world, muffling its beat as my heart matched the rhythm of its Creator.”

I also enjoyed the mystery that kept me guessing till the very end. It was well written and well-deserved.

Highly recommend if you enjoy a story about love, family, faith and dance.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

October 12, 2021 by Kim Book Reviews

Inside the Wong Mind: Reading is my therapy

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.