Wait for Me by Susan May Warren

Wait for Me by SMW

I’m so excited to share my review of this final book (#6) in Susie’s Montana Rescue series. Here we go!

Let’s begin with the summary:

Pete Brooks can't believe he's waited an entire year for Jess Tagg to return to Montana, only to have her break his heart by getting engaged to her ex-fiancé. Worse, a series of mistakes on the job have cost lives, and Pete isn't sure he wants to continue to work in Search and Rescue. Maybe if he can just get over Jess, he can figure out how to move forward.

EMT Jess Tagg has returned to Montana to finally give her heart to Pete, but it seems he's no longer interested. When a terrible fight between them sparks an impulsive decision, she finds herself crashed on the side of a highway along with Esme Shaw. And just when she thinks things couldn't get any worse, she and Esme are taken captive and into the untamed Montana wilderness—with murderous intent.

Now Pete and the other PEAK Rescue Team members are in a race against time, the elements, and the actions of a vengeful man. Pete will have to use everything he's learned to find Jess and Esme—and pray that his past mistakes don't cost him the life of the woman he can't stop loving.

And now, my review:

I recommend you read this series in order. Last I knew, the prequel that begins the series was still free in e-book format.

Susie is the queen of strong opening lines. You’ll be hooked right away. She includes great opening lines when we meet a new POVC (point-of-view characters).

Pete had “never been good at surrender.” This was a perfect summation for this flawed hero. I liked watching him risk trusting, risk relying on others. Risk loving the heroine. It’s been years now, and we readers wanted to see these two together. Great suspense that keeps you reading.

Jess is indecisive, which is relatable at times in our lives. She has some decisions to make and some messes to clean up. She’ll have to overcome her fears as well.

I enjoyed many of the story’s themes, like “true love declares you worthy,” and trusting in God’s love.

Here’s my favorite quote: “It’s not about deserving it. It simply is. I love you. I would die to save you. Full stop.”

A strong ending to an enjoyable series!

Recommended!

An added note: my favorite in this series is still Troubled Waters, which is book number four. How great that you can now get them all—no delay between releases since they’re all released.

Happy reading!

Introduing My New Book: Finding Love in Friday Harbor, Washington!

FLI Friday Harbor, WA

Have you ever been on a whale tour? The characters in my new novel take whale tours nearly every day! 

I'm so excited to share that the first book in my new series, Washington Island Romance, will release on September 1, 2017. You can pre-order the e-book version of Finding Love in Friday Harbor, Washington now. Very soon the pre-order link for the print copy will be available as well!

Here's some info:

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 accumulated 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?

I wrote this book because I love beaches and summertime reads, but this book will transport you to the beach any time of year. And if you've ever had to wait on God for answers or breakthroughs, if you've ever felt like: hoping for positive changes is hard, but what other option do you have? You've been a prisoner of hope, and this book is for you. 

Return to the stronghold,
You prisoners of hope.
Even today I declare
That I will restore double to you.

(Zech 9:12 NKJV) 

I developed the characters in this story to take readers deeper than a surface-level. I wanted both the setting and the Lord to be active characters. You'll smell the salty air, taste the rich fudge from the Granny's Fudge Shoppe, and hear the gulls cry overhead. You'll watch the orcas play in the strait and root for these characters to overcome their hardships, with the Lord's help. You may relate with my hero as God woos him, or my heroine who is afraid to ask God for His opinion because she may not like what He says. 

If this sounds good to you, click the pre-order link for the special intro price, or add this book to your wish list. Don't miss out. And if you enjoy the book, please leave a review on Amazon. 

Happy reading, friends!

Just a Kiss by Denise Hunter

Just a Kiss by Denise Hunter

 

Denise is one of my favorite writers!

Here's the summary of her book, releasing today:

Riley Callahan’s plans to reveal his secret feelings for his best friend are ruined when his life is drastically altered in Afghanistan.

Watching the love of his life falling for his brother was enough to send Riley straight to boot camp. But over a year later, he’s officially a marine, and Beau and Paige are no longer an item. When Riley’s tour in Afghanistan is up, he intends to confess his feelings to Paige and win his best friend’s heart once and for all.

But all that changes when an IED takes the life of a comrade and leaves Riley an amputee. Now he’s heading home, injured and troubled. His plans to win Paige are a distant dream. She deserves so much more than the man that’s left. All he can do now is put some healthy distance between them. But upon his return he discovers his family has arranged for him to stay with Paige.

Paige is a nurturer at heart and happy to take care of her best buddy. By all appearances he’s adjusting miraculously well to his disability. But as the days pass, Paige begins to see that the smiles and laughter are just a mask for the pain he’s hiding. He has nightmares and mood swings, and his unwavering independence keeps him from accepting help from anyone, including her. To make matters worse, her job is in serious jeopardy. The animal shelter that she’s poured her heart into has lost its funding, and she has three months to come up the money needed to save it.

As the weeks wear on with the two in such close proximity, Paige’s feelings for Riley begin to shift into uncharted territory. Why is she suddenly noticing his corded arm muscles and the way his lips curl at the corners? Will she be able to deny her feelings for another Callahan brother? And will Riley let his heart heal so he can let Paige in?

And now, my review:

The Summer Harbor series has been such a treat! From the beginning (Book One), we’ve known that Riley had a crush on Paige. Now we’re in Book Three and these two finally get a chance to see what might happen. Denise’s trademark storytelling and romantic threads shine, as usual.

One of the themes was identity. Who is Riley now that he’s missing one leg and suffering PTSD? Can he be the same man he was? Should he? When life gets tough again, should he run? Last time he did there were dire consequences. His lie is believing he’s damaged now, and he’d rather distance himself from the woman he’s always loved rather than burden her with his struggles.

In a mirroring parallel, Paige feels like she’s lacking value as well. For some reason, those she loves always abandon her. Rather than see it’s their issues that causes this pattern, she internalizes and blames herself. She can’t see her own valuable traits—her kind, nurturing heart; her loyalty and beauty. I was thankful the Callahans surrounded her, treating her like family even when Riley couldn’t treat her kindly b/c of all his pain.

I enjoyed this wrap-up of the series. Looking forward to seeing what’s next from Denise, and enjoying cheering her on as some of her books become Hallmark movies!  

Book Review: How to Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck

How to Catch a Prince

It's release day for the final book in Rachel's great Royal Wedding series. Loved this series! (Once Upon a Prince, and Princess Ever After were the two earlier novels).

Let's begin with the summary for How to Catch a Prince:

An American heiress and a crown prince seem destined to be together. Will the devastation of war keep them apart forever?

American heiress Corina Del Rey caught her prince once. But the tragedy of war kept her too long in a fog of grief. Now she’s shifting her life forward, reigniting her career as a journalist. Still, nothing can relieve her of the secret and the love she carries in her soul. 

Prince Stephen of Brighton is one of the world’s most eligible bachelors and a star rugby player, trying to make sense of his life. His days in Afghanistan with the Royal Air Command will mark him forever. And he can’t shake their dark shadow.

But when his brother, King Nathaniel, confronts him with a document the prince thought long buried and forgotten, Stephen is forced to face the pain of his past and the love he left behind. 

With a little heavenly help, Prince Stephen and Corina embark on a journey of truth. But when the secrets are revealed, can they overcome, move forward, and find love again? 
 

And now, my review:

This story takes us back to the kingdom of Brighton—a beloved place, at least to this reader.

The story was unpredictable in many ways. Here are two people, married to each other, will they reconcile? Will they reunite? 

As with other Rachel Hauck novels, there were great supernatural elements. I like how creative she is with these and love that she includes them. She also includes the messages of God’s love and generosity. That theme—the way He prepared a place for the heroine in this story—really spoke to me because it was both personal and supernatural. And extravagant—fit for a princess. The beautiful picture of a humble and wealthy king blessing the object of his affections.

One of the themes is “love well.” I like how Rachel makes us think about this directive and try to interpret and define it for ourselves, (at least I did), as we read. 

Rachel wasn’t afraid to include real issues, like PTSD and problems faced by survivors. I thought those issues were well-handled. 

This wasn’t a rags-to-riches story, yet folks who’ve never had millions will relate. These characters were flawed, yet respectable. I was annoyed a couple of times with the prince as he lost the heroine in the crowd. Not so noble. But he was likable otherwise, so I forgave him. (grin)

Took me a while to get into this story since they were already married (sort of a reverse romance), and their attraction didn’t quite keep me hooked as it seemed too one-sided. But I think there’s a message in that too, as God’s pursuit and unconditional love for us can be all One-sided (in His favor) as it was in the heroine’s here. And once I was hooked I read through.  

I love Rachel’s books and look forward to her next novel!