Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter

Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter

I enjoy keeping up with Denise’s books, so let’s get to it!

Here’s the summary:

After Brady Collins’ ex-wife dies, he receives devastating news—his nine-month-old son Sam isn’t his son at all. And Sam’s wealthy maternal grandparents want custody of the child. Brady knows he’s in for the fight of his life. But regardless of what any blood test says, Sam is his son, and Brady will go to any lengths to keep him.

Brady’s attorney tips him off that one major life change would virtually assure him of winning guardianship of baby Sam at the final hearing: an impending marriage. And his friend Hope is willing to step in as the loving and devoted fiancée.

Local radio celebrity Hope Daniels has been driven by a solitary goal her entire life, and after a happy accident she’s finally offered her dream job. But if the truth comes out about her arrangement with Brady, she may miss the chance of a lifetime and stand in the way of a dear friend’s dreams.

As Brady and Hope make sacrifices to help each other in their times of need, they risk uncovering a truth neither of them expects to find.

And now, my review:

Brady is a single father with a slew of trouble headed his way. He’s been friends with Hope forever, but they’ve stayed just that—friends. This is a modern-day “marriage of convenience” story that for the most part, worked. There were a few missed opportunities—an implied plot direction that didn’t pan out, but overall, I enjoyed this story. It held my interest the entire novel. 

Hope is a likable character. I sympathized with her. Just when her life started going very well, when her dreams were coming true, the past came up to haunt her. Some of the elements in this book that released the same day as my latest novel were the same. Hope needs therapy, but she isn’t willing to get it. Instead, she suffers and hopes things will get better, which of course, they won’t until she takes the big step. This psychological aspect was very familiar as I read (because of my own novel). I’m glad our books came out at the same time since they shared some aspects.

I liked that the hero and heroine were married already (by a short ways into the story). That meant that the romance could happen without the usual road blocks. But in some ways that meant this book sometimes felt like women’s fiction, which is fine. Themes included believing that our old coping mechanisms can still carry us through current trials. How friendship can turn to love. And sacrificing for those you love is difficult, but rewarding and heroic.

The way these characters sacrificed for each other was beautiful, a welcome example in a sometimes-selfish world.

Kindle Freebie until May 6!

Kindle Freebie: Finding Love in Friday Harbor, Washington

To celebrate the release of book two in the Washington Island Romance series, the first book is being offered as a Kindle freebie this week! Go grab your copy! 

Finding Love in Friday Harbor, Washington is a Christian contemporary romance, but it's more than a romance. You'll find themes of grieving, regrets, healing, family, and even some humor thrown in. One reviewer likened the book to a Hallmark movie, so if you enjoy them, you'll enjoy this story. While you're at Amazon, check out book two: Finding Love on Bainbridge Island, Washington, which just released May 1.

These are getaway books. Isn't it time for a getaway? Come visit picturesque Puget Sound and get caught up in stories of hope and second chances.

Here's the summary:

Will keeping his promise lead to another broken heart—or help them find love again?  

Professor Mikaela Rhoades has a plan: she’ll encourage her students’ marine biology research through an exclusive program while helping an old family friend’s whale touring business stay afloat. The challenge is the tour captain is her first love and ex-fiancé. Mikaela longs to help his family in the wake of his father’s death, but she’s keeping secrets. She’ll have to face her past and overcome her concerns about the future to make it through the summer. 

Captain Hunter Cahill has taken over the family touring business after his father’s death. Unfortunately, he’s drowning in grief and debt. He’s hoping the incoming stodgy professor will help resurrect the failing business, but he’s not prepared when that professor turns out to be Mikaela, his former fiancée. To make matters more difficult, he’d promised his father to pursue her if she ever returned to the island single. The more time they spend together, the easier it is to keep that promise, though she still plans to leave at the end of the season. How much will it cost him to spend the summer romancing Mikaela?

Get it free on Kindle today!

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Here's more info about Finding Love on Bainbridge Island, Washington, book two in the Washington Island Romance series, offered at $2.99 on Kindle for a limited time. Kindle Unlimited members read for free!

Finding Love on Bainbridge Island, Washington

Book two, Finding Love on Bainbridge Island, is a stand-alone, Christian contemporary romance novel. This book is also a reunion romance with characters who have regrets from their past, but are growing and might be ready for a second chance. 

Readers are enjoying the varied characters, especially Aunt Matilda, who brings humor to balance some of the weightier themes in the book of abandonment, PTSD, and personal growth. 

Here's the summary:

Neither of them is ready for a relationship, but love may not give them an out.
Jenna-Shea Brown considers herself a broken therapist. Years ago, she witnessed something that caused PTSD. She can’t let her boss or her patients know about her battle. Who would want to trust her to help them, when she can’t help herself? She’s finally able to find a fresh start in her family’s beach cabin, but the renovations aren’t complete. Her parents have hired her ex-boyfriend to finalize them, but his negligence led to her being in the wrong place at the wrong time all those years ago.

Liam Barrett is trying to prove he’s nothing like his deadbeat dad. He’s working hard, yet still failing. Adrenaline and adventure offer him a diversion, but maybe he can’t escape his genes. He’d like to make things right with Shea, but he’s unsure if she’ll forgive him. Meanwhile, he’s challenged to forgive his father. He’s also worried about Shea and all these episodes she won’t explain. Now that they’re back in close proximity, he’s falling for her again. But can anything heal the past?

Release Day: Finding Love on Bainbridge Island, Washington

Finding Love on Bainbridge Island, Washington

It's finally here! Release day for the second book in my Washington Island Romance series: 

Finding Love on Bainbridge Island, Washington!

Release Day!

This novel has been in my heart for a long time, and it's so fulfilling to see it launch into the world. 

A little behind-the-scenes info: About ten years ago, I dreamed up a series of location-based novels set in Puget Sound. I knew this would be the second one, and I knew the heroine's name: Jenna-Shea Brown, but I didn't have this plot until last year! 

Yes, this is book two in the Washington Island Romance series, but this novel also stands alone, which means you do not have to read book one in order to follow what happens here. You'll find themes of forgiveness, PTSD, romance, psychology, healing, love languages, humor, and hope as the hero and heroine get a second chance at love.

Here's the summary:

Neither of them is ready for a relationship, but love may not give them an out.

Jenna-Shea Brown considers herself a broken therapist. Years ago, she witnessed something that caused PTSD. She can’t let her boss or her patients know about her battle. Who would want to trust her to help them, when she can’t help herself? She’s finally able to find a fresh start in her family’s beach cabin, but the renovations aren’t complete. Her parents have hired her ex-boyfriend to finalize them, but his negligence led to her being in the wrong place at the wrong time all those years ago.

Liam Barrett is trying to prove he’s nothing like his deadbeat dad. He’s working hard, yet still failing. Adrenaline and adventure offer him a diversion, but maybe he can’t escape his genes. He’d like to make things right with Shea, but he’s unsure if she’ll forgive him. Meanwhile, he’s challenged to forgive his father. He’s also worried about Shea and all these episodes she won’t explain. Now that they’re back in close proximity, he’s falling for her again. But can anything heal the past? 

And here's what an early reader had to say: "Love, love, love this story and the characters! I cheered for them and cried for them. Great story!" ~ Melissa Henderson, reviewer

This novel is available in both print and e-book formats on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. If you're a Kindle Unlimited member, you can read both Finding Love in Friday Harbor, Washington, and Finding Love on Bainbridge Island, Washington, for free!

If you get a chance to read them, I hope you'll write a review and tell your friends. Happy reading!

Storm Front by Susan May Warren

Storm Front by Susan May Warren

This spring has been fun for reading some of my favorite authors, Susie May among them!

Let’s begin with the summary:

A tornado has destroyed a small Minnesota community and among the missing are not only a group of students but PEAK Rescue team leader Chet King. Ty Remington will stop at nothing to rescue his mentor, not even when the girl he loved—and lost—walks back into his life. But Brette needs his help more than he knows, despite her stubborn determination to push him away. And when he gets a second chance, loving her just might cost him more than he can imagine.

A blogger for Vortex Storm Chasers, Brette Arnold didn't expect her adventures to land her in the same place as Ty, the guy who she walked—no, ran—from over a year ago. She had her reasons—good ones. The kind that tell her that falling for him again would only lead to heartache. But Ty isn't the kind of man to give up—not on the missing students, or on her.

Life and love hang in the balance in Susan May Warren's breathless story of holding on to hope during a deadly summer of storms.

And now, my review:

I liked seeing the PEAK Rescue team leave the mountains of their usual setting and loved how Susie made this believable—if the problem centers on one team member, the whole team will come help.

Brette is a likable character in this novel. She’s courageous and doesn’t seem to be about to sell out the PEAK team, like she seemed about to do in an earlier Montana Rescue series book. I rooted for her after learning more of her story and seeing her try to be noble. 

Ty is one lovable character! He’s all heart. He follows his gut instincts, and he is often misunderstood because of it. But he’s the ideal guy to have on a rescue team because he will not give up. He cares about everyone the same. He can’t see that he’s a hero, but instead he zeroes in on his past dark moment and calls himself a failure. Really, that’s a lie and it’s all about his perspective. 

As usual, Susie’s research is impeccable. We learn about mesocyclones and other storm terms. My inner science nerd loved this! The storms made for an adventurous element.

I’m enjoying this series, but a word to the reader: please, read these books in order. You may be a little bit lost if you read them as stand-alones.  

Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.