Book Review: How to Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck

About the Book:

American heiress Corina Del Rey's life was devastated by war. Every thing she loved was lost. But after five years of grief, she's shed her grave clothes and started over in the sunshine along the Florida coast.

But some things are not so easily forgotten. When a secret from her past confronts her face to face, she realizes she must follow her heart. Even if it cost her everything.

Prince Stephen of Brighton Kingdom is a former Royal Air Command lieutenant turned star rugby player, trying to make sense of his life after the devastation of war.

When his brother, King Nathaniel, discovers Stephen's pre war secret, he must deal with an aspect of his life he longed to forget. But how can he do so without exposing the truth and breaching national security?

Yet, true love has a destiny all it's own. As the cathedral bells peal through Cathedral City, Corina and Stephen must chose to answer the call of love on their hearts.
Or let it be lost forever?

My Thoughts:  With the release of the new Cinderella movie, this seemed a very fitting book to review.  If you enjoy fairy tales and princesses, then you will love this book!

It's not all light and fluffy.  The book deals with serious issues including war and death.  Yes, there is romance and love, but there is also tragedy and sorrow.  What I really enjoyed were the spiritual lessons learned along the way.  One scene involving the prince towards the end of the book was particularly moving.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for organizing this tour and providing me with my complimentary review copy.

Book Review: Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton

About the Book: A bet gone wrong. A small town's meddling. And a cowboy intent on saving his ranch.

Maggie Hope is an advice columnist whose background leaves her with little advice to give . . . and it's beginning to show. When Maggie fills in at an interview with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan, the on-camera chemistry between them is undeniable. Maggie's bosses know this is the opportunity she's been looking for to launch her career---and their bank accounts. In order to save her column, Maggie takes Tru up on the bet that he can teach her to ride a quick-stepping cutting horse like any cowgirl, despite the fact that she has never been on a horse. And in the meantime, she can get the scoop on the man under the cowboy hat.

Tru has been on the competition circuit for longer than he'd like, but he knows it's the only way he can afford to keep the Four of Hearts Ranch that means so much to his ailing grandfather. So when his sponsors see the opportunity for Tru's fans to get to know the star on a more intimate level, he knows he must oblige. To his dismay, Maggie not only invades his small town of Wishing Springs, but she also invades his heart, and that is something he cannot let any woman do-for her own good.

In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart's desires.
My Thoughts: I don't think I've read anything by Debra Clopton before but that will change from now on - I'm hooked!  I'm not really into horses myself, and yet westerns still hold a great appeal as far as fiction goes.

Believable and extremely likable characters were the biggest draw for me in this story.  Even though the ending isn't very suspenseful, you are still caught up in the storyline because you care what happens to the characters.  Her writing is excellent, and makes you feel like you're right there in the small town of Wishing Springs.  I loved it!

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for organizing this tour and providing me with my complimentary review copy.

Book Review: Twisted Innocence by Terri Blackstock

About the book:
Holly Cramer's past choices have finally caught up to her, but she never expected them to endanger her baby.

Though Holly's stumbled through most of her adult life as a party girl, she longs to live a more stable life for her daughter. Then police show up to question her about the whereabouts of Creed Kershaw, Lily's father. She has kept his identity a secret from friends and family---she never even told him about the pregnancy. Now he's a person of interest in a drug-related murder case.

Determined to keep him out of their lives and turn him over to police, Holly uses her private investigating skills to search for him. But her bravado backfires when he turns the tables and takes her and the baby hostage. As desperate hours tick by, Holly realizes his connection to Leonard Miller-the man who has gunned down several members of her family. Creed claims he's innocent and that Miller is after him too. His gentleness with Lily moves her, but she can't trust a man who has held her at gunpoint . . . even if he reminds her so much of herself.

Dangers old and new threaten Holly and her baby, and lives are demanded as sacrifices for love. Through a complex web of mistakes and regret, redemption is the one hope Holly has left to hold on to.

My Thoughts: I always know I'm in for a good read when I pick up a Terri Blackstock book and this one was no exception.

A great plot, believable and likable characters, suspense, and romance - this book has it all.  The book also tackles the deep subjects of second chances, and personal suffering being used by God to deepen our faith and our character.

You won't be disappointed in this one.


Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for organizing this tour and providing me with my complimentary review copy.