The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury

Karen has a way with story. That’s why she’s number one in inspirational fiction. With all my other time constraints, I haven’t read her work in at least a year, maybe two. But when this story came along about books and a bookstore, I was intrigued. Who doesn't love the cozy setting of a store full of books?

Let’s begin with the summary:

Molly Allen lives alone in Portland, but she left her heart back in Tennessee with a man she walked away from five years ago. They had a rare sort of love she hasn’t found since. 

Ryan Kelly lives in Nashville after a broken engagement and several years on the road touring with a country music duo. He can still hear Molly’s voice encouraging him to follow his dreams; Molly, whose memory stays with him. At least he can visit The Bridge—the oldest bookstore in historic downtown Franklin—and remember the hours he and Molly once spent there. 

For thirty years, Charlie and Donna Barton have run The Bridge, providing the people of middle Tennessee with coffee, conversation, and shelves of good books—even through dismal book sales and the rise of digital books. Then in May, the hundred-year flood swept through Franklin and destroyed nearly every book in the store. 

Now the bank is pulling the lease on The Bridge. Despondent and without answers, Charlie considers the unthinkable. Then tragedy strikes, and suddenly, everything changes. In the face of desperate brokenness and lost opportunities, could the miracle of a second chance actually unfold? 

The Bridge is a love story set against the struggle of the American bookstore, a love story you will never forget.

And now, my review: 

These characters immediately felt familiar, like friends. And we certainly shared the love of books. I did feel the slant went a bit too far toward printed books and the opening note's comments against e-books were a bit much. Like a worship of books—which is too extreme. I love books too, but it’s story that captivates me. And e-books on e-readers are just as engaging and a lot more convenient. 

That aside, I liked our main character and I felt for him as his family-owned bookstore faced closing after a flood. His dreams were suddenly on the chopping block and for the business to close meant he’d failed—fulfilling his father’s hateful words that he’d never amount to anything. He can’t let that happen, but he may not have a choice. 

I liked that this book was a novella; it read fast. I like that it was set in late fall and winter, including Christmastime. 

Over all, a sweet story about love, friendship, and second chances.

(hardcover)       (e-book version)

The Unlikely Wife by Debra Ullrick

Let’s begin with the summary:

A Woman in pants! 

The arrival of Michael Bowen’s bride, married sight unseen by proxy, sends the rancher reeling. With her trousers, cowboy hat and rifle, she looks like a female outlaw—not the genteel lady he corresponded with for months. He’s been hoodwinked into marriage with the wrong woman! 

Selina Farleigh Bowen loved Michael’s letters, even if she couldn’t read them herself. A friend read them to her, and wrote her replies—but apparently that “friend” left things out, like Michael’s dream of a wife who was nothing like her. Selina won’t change who she is, not even for the man she loves. Yet time might show Michael the true value of his unlikely wife.

And now, my review:

I think readers tend to get used to a certain type of heroine in historical romances. We’re used to women in lovely dresses (or at least some kind of a dress) if we’re talking about the 1800’s. Imagine the groom’s shock when he’s been corresponding with a woman who comes across as classy, elegant, and refined,  yet a woman in trousers with an uncultured vocabulary shows up. What a shock. Worse, they’re already legally bound in marriage. They married by proxy because they were each sure they knew the other person. 

As with book one, I liked the nobility of the hero. He didn’t just have the marriage annulled as soon as he saw her. I like how the author wrote outside the box by not giving us the usual heroine. But I didn’t find it believable that the heroine was immediately in love with the hero (from their letters, no doubt). He certainly wasn’t perfect, and naturally his adjustment period made him a bit grumpy. I felt that plot development could have grown over time. (the heroine falling for the hero)

I would have liked to see more evidence that he needed this kind of challenge in his life so he’d change. (A supposition put forth by the other characters in the book—that Michael needed to be more flexible.) He didn’t strike me as rigid and impossible in book one or here in book two.

I also didn’t care for the heroine’s misunderstanding of embracing one’s identity and not being willing to change or grow up. How could such a tomboy expect a man to fall in love with her? What straight man wants a wife who acts like another man? She does eventually change a bit, as she tries to please her husband. But I still found her too rough around the edges and too prideful to be likable. The hero and heroine came into agreement that he'd work the ranch, and she'd help him by caring for things in their house. The scene where she thinks serving odd foods to her husband is okay seemed far-fetched and didn’t help me like her as a character, especially since he’d already told her he wanted usual food, not frog legs, crawdad tails, etc. I also would have liked to have seen someone correct her language. The repeated use of "iffen" (for "if") started to wear on me by two-thirds of the way through the story.

I think readers who like heroines who are outside the box will love this story because all the other elements were strong. And though the heroine was a tomboy, there was still romance between the hero and heroine as they each adapted and accepted the other. And isn't that how relationships/marriages work?

  (e-book format)

The Unexpected Bride by Debra Ullrick

This is the first book in Debra’s series about the Bowen family living in Idaho Territory in the 1800s. 

Let’s begin with the summary:

After the disaster of his first marriage, Haydon Bowen has no intention of marrying again. Unfortunately, his brother has some intentions of his own, and plans to see to it that Haydon finds happiness once more. So he answers a "groom wanted" advertisement—in Haydon's name—and sends Haydon to meet his new bride at the stagecoach stop!

For beautiful, cultured Rainelle Devonwood, any dangers she may face in the Idaho Territories are preferable to staying with her abusive brother. So even when Rainee learns she's a mistakenly ordered bride, she won't let Haydon drive her away. She's up to the challenge of life on the difficult, demanding frontier…and the greater challenge of opening Haydon's heart again.

And now, my review:

This was the first Love Inspired historical I’ve read in a while, and I really enjoyed it! I loved the characters, who were all likable and believable. I liked Rainee’s strength. The hero’s brother has arranged this without the hero’s knowledge. And Haydon is such a gentleman, he can’t just send this bride-to-be back where she came from. And good thing, because she’d either be killed by her hateful brother or married off to the hometown wife murderer. 

I liked the setting and how closely the story stuck to the romance between these two characters, which is an LI requisite. I liked the way the hero wasn’t trying to win her, but couldn’t deny his own good character traits. He was noble, and protective, and kind. And of course, what heroine wouldn’t fall in love with a hero like that? If you’re up for reading the series (three of the books are available in e-book format, and some are available in print), I’d begin with this one so you’re not lost when the characters appear in later books. If readers ever feel they'd prefer a more concentrated romance (as opposed to a full-length novel, which is more drawn out and with more characters and subplots), I recommend reading Love Inspired novels. They're wholesome, concentrated romance. 

Watch for my review of book two coming soon to Net's Book Notes.

(e-book)

You Don't Know Me by Susan May Warren

Welcome to the blog tour for You Don’t Know Me by Susan May Warren. I love her books! So glad to participate in the tour for this latest Deep Haven release. By the way, Happily Ever After continues to be one of my all-time favorite books. HEA was the first release in the Deep Haven series, back in 2003. If you haven’t read it, check it out!

Susan May Warren is hosting a party on Facebook with giveaways and prizes! See below for more information about that. For your convenience, I've included links below in case you're interested in purchasing either the print or e-book version of You Don't Know Me.

Let's begin with the summary: 

To everyone who knows her, Annalise Decker is a model wife and mother. She’s a permanent member of the PTA, never misses her kids’ sporting events, and is constantly campaigning for her husband’s mayoral race.

No one knows that Annalise was once Deidre O’Reilly, a troubled young woman whose testimony put a dangerous criminal behind bars. Relocated through the Witness Security Program to the sleepy town of Deep Haven, Deidre got a new identity and a fresh start, which began when she fell in love with local real estate agent Nathan Decker. Twenty years later, Annalise couldn’t be more unprepared for her past to catch up with her. When Agent Frank Harrison arrives with news that the man she testified against is out on bail and out for revenge, Annalise is forced to face the consequences of her secrets. Will she run again, or will she finally find the grace to trust those she loves most with both her past and her future?

And now, my review:

Identity is such a mystery, isn’t it? I loved Susan’s treatment of this fundamental aspect of our lives. From the characters who had to change their names and make up tales about their families, to the characters who had to assume a role, she makes readers think. How much of a person’s identity is in his/her name? And how much does that realization affect sanity and one's understanding of reality? 

She also helped me understand more about the witness protection program, how a person’s life and their family’s lives are affected. Fascinating and a bit unsettling, all for the sake of safety. Because Susan’s characterization is always so stellar, I could easily (though warily) put myself into the shoes of the main characters (both the heroine and her mother) and imagine giving up so much in order to be safe. 

And then, there’s Susan’s prose. Check out this highlighted excerpt from my Kindle reading:

Outside, ruby and amber leaves tumbled down the sidewalk, gems bullied by the wind. She’d have to cover her mums tonight. 

The secondary characters shone in this novel. I especially felt for Tucker. He was just trying to make good, rise out of the poverty and hardships of his life. Fit in. To be someone. His character will make readers wonder if they’ve ever misjudged someone, to the detriment of all involved. He wasn’t so much of a “hoodlum” as those around him guessed him to be. Well done. 

The characters here had to face some tough choices in very believable scenarios. I liked how deep the story was. Susan is never one to pull punches when it comes to hard-hitting emotional story elements. I appreciated that in this book. And yet, there’s hope. There’s redemption in the knotted scenarios that seemed impossible to unravel. 

I didn’t find as much romance in this story, but there was some between Tucker and the heroine’s daughter. But you will find heroism and nobility as the hero and heroine face the past together. This story explores lies and safety and hiding and courage. If you like fiction that makes you think, this one’s for you. For me, having been a student of “identity” for some time, I found this exploration fascinating. The reading transcended story in that sense. An enjoyable, thought-provoking novel. Enjoy!

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(print version)           (e-book version)
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Here's some information about the Facebook party coming up on October, 23rd!

Win a $200 Weekend Getaway from @SusanMayWarren! RSVP for Facebook Author Chat Party on Oct. 23rd! Welcome to the campaign launch for Susan May Warren’s latest offering in her beloved Deep Haven series, You Don’t Know Me. Susan is celebrating with a $200 Weekend Getaway Giveaway and hosting a fun video Author Chat Party!

 

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa Gift Card (Use that to catch up with a loved one and “Get to Know” your spouse, friend, sister, mom…whomever!)
• The entire set of Deep Haven Books

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 22nd. Winner will be announced at the ”You Don’t Know Me” Author Chat Facebook Party on 10/23. Connect with Susan for an evening of book chat, Deep Haven trivia, and a live video chat! There will also be info about Susan’s BookShout read-along and a chance to win gift certificates, books, and other fun prizes!

So grab your copy of You Don’t Know Me and join Susan on the evening of the October 23rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the books – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 23rd!