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.

Colors of Christmas by Olivia Newport

Colors of Christmas by Olivia Newport

Let’s begin with the summary for each of the novellas in this compilation:

Christmas in Blue
In the wake of a personal loss deeper than anyone realizes, Angela plans to bypass as much of the season as possible and get through her duties as the church organist by going on autopilot. Instead, she finds herself in charge of the town’s celebration. After a mysterious young man arrives, townspeople suspect he is the reason that one set of plans after another disintegrate until little is left of their traditions. Yet Angela warms to Gabe because she suspects they share a secret—his real reason for coming to town. Even when all they have to work with is a garish supply of blue Christmas decorations, Gabe helps Angela discover the hidden beauty of hope.

Christmas in Gold
After eighty years, change is nothing new for Astrid. By the time she was twenty, she survived the destructive Nazi regime, caring for her family under brutal circumstances, moving to America, and losing her husband. At forty she was widowed again and left to build a new life with her children. Now, when she faces a move into an assisted living community and meets a young woman on the brink of despair, she resolves to stir up hope through tragedy one more time.

And now, my review:

I enjoy reading Christmas books/novellas at Christmastime. I was hoping I had found two Christmas romance novellas, written by an author I respect. Unfortunately, I found two women’s fiction novellas (or if there was romance, I didn't see it in the pages I read), which didn’t interest me. The story is full of redundancies and I didn’t feel the pacing worked, probably due to the repeated information. 

These two novellas weren't for me, but I plan to read more books by this author in the future.

The Reluctant Prophet by Nancy Rue

This challenging book is a great read, and a great ride!

Let's begin with the summary:

At age forty-two, Allison Chamberlain is still making a half-hearted attempt to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up. Although she has been a pew-sitting member of a church for seven years, “prophet” has never been on the short list of possible careers.

Then one Sunday Allison senses a divine nudge to buy a Harley motorcycle and go wherever it takes her. Soon she is wondering if she is called to present the reality of Christ to one of society’s darkest corners—and challenge her own church to look beyond their fears.

The first in a brave trilogy from seasoned writer Nancy Rue, The Reluctant Prophet shows how one person’s response to God’s call can change a community forever.

And now, my review:

Nancy Rue has a way with words. And storytelling. And pacing. And characterization. Written first-person, past tense, this story grabs you from the first words. You’re immersed in the story as if you’re the heroine. But as the reader, you’re wondering where the Lord is going to “Nudge” our heroine, how the down-and-out are going to respond, and how the other Christians are going to react.

You’ll cheer our heroine on as she takes on the judgmental Christians around her while helping the lost and destitute. The storyline made me glad for our church’s vision of going outside the four walls of the church. But I was still challenged. Would you buy a Harley, learn to operate it, then cruise around the worst neighborhood in your city?

God’s nudges were a great aspect of this tale. He absolutely directs us. He made our heroine aware of His directives, and she learned to heed Him. He gave her courage, boldness. She lived like Jesus, setting an example while setting up a “mirror.” No one liked the transformation, at first. She battled onslaughts from every side, even the Christians. Her battles and hardships were true-to-life that though God’s way isn’t easy, it’s worth pursuing.

This novel doesn’t leave you untouched. Rather, it challenges your beliefs about serving others,

taking risks, reaching out, and what you do with God’s nudges. The author was brave to begin this series and readers are brave to ride along.

My only disappointment is that Book Two in the Reluctant Prophet Series (Unexpected Dismounts) doesn’t come out until October. I’ll be waiting. Expectantly.

Highly recommended.