An Arranged Marriage with a Beast (Marriage Mart Scandals Book 1) by Amanda Stones

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Through pain and anger, a man justifies his behavior by being cruel and rude to those around him. His only course for marriage is to arrange one for himself. Trent is beastly and will not give up his past. Arabella is a ligh in the darkness. I loved that Arabella stood up for herself, yet tried to make an unpleasant situation into a life that she could live contently in. It's not an easy task when your husband is known as "Beast". I loved Arabella, but began to like Trent when he started letting Arabella into his life. The story is heartaching in places, but love restores the darkness. 

 

Finding Miss Giles (Hearts of the Hall Book 1) by Philippa Jane Keyworth

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I liked this story, but it took a few chapters to really engage with the story. Once engaged the malice of the few who think they can gain by destroying the life of a human being is terrible.I think the problem was solved rather naivily by the author. It's good that Miss Giles gets the man, but how would their marriage work out in society? None of those questions are really answered, because it is all neatly packaged up.

 

Fairy Tale Christmas: Water of Life by Nancy J. Farrier

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is a fairy tale based on a kingdom that worships a God close to our Christian God. This world is filled with all things magical, but Yatheth is in control. The third princess, Iyana, is all things kind and is faithful to Yatheth teachings. This story has all the excitement of a great quest and the resulting sacrifices of love. It is enjoyable and each page is worth turning to find out what is going to happen and how Princess Iyana is going to save her father and her one true love.

The Poet and the Earl Next Door: An Age Gap Friends to Lovers Secret Identity Clean Regency Romance by Kristina Earl

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐

This delightful tale of a spinster with a secret life and an Earl who moves next door is engaging and warmth filled. Lord Wedmore is an eccentric Earl who loves reading and poetry. It is Eleanor who introduces him to the poet, Edwin Hart works. Edwin Hart is Eleanor secret pen name. Eleanor's heart is confused, because the Earl is in love with Eleanor, but wants to meet Edwin and takes up a correspondence with the man, I.E. Eleanor. Eleanor is delightful in her confusion and makes many mistakes, that someone as intelligent as Alexander should have picked up on it a lot sooner. However, despite this deficit in Alexander's brain, both characters are warm, loving and engaging, nor do they engage in idle conversation. Beware reader! You might learn something.

 

A Colorful Life Kindle Edition by Melissa Storm

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is told from multiple perspectives, but primarily focuses on Daly, the stifled artist. We rarely see the story through the eyes of the mother or Hannah, the pregnant single mother. The narrative follows Daly's journey from a life of monotony to a colorful existence filled with love and passion. She finds joy in her relationship with her Indian boyfriend in New Delhi and through her connection with Laine and Hannah's newfound happiness. Hannah's character serves as a catalyst, demonstrating to both Daly and Laine the transformative power of faith. While the story has some instances of run-on sentences, and the frequent shifts in perspective can occasionally disrupt the flow, the overall message of hope and redemption is compelling.

 

The Final Assignment: Mila K. Mysteries (The Mila K. Mysteries Book 1) by K.C. Brennan

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a great little cozy mystery that takes place in the Soviet Union. As soon as Mila gets her new post at the University of Chernivtsi, a rare book is stolen, and the detective points the finger at her. Of course, she is determined to prove her innocence and discovers that the book is more dangerous than interesting. This one is interesting because Mila uses her academic knowledge to investigate why the book was stolen, pointing out that she had no reason to steal it. The investigation leads her to one man, and this is where the story gets truly exciting.

Christmas Eve Surprise by Misha Quinn

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

There is nothing extraordinary about this woman being surprised by who dressed up as Santa. Just a meeting where a man lets a woman realize what he feels for her. The story is very short and can only be obtained if you subscribe to Misha Quinn's newsletter. It was okay and I wasn't impressed.
 

SEALed By Fate: A Clean/Closed-Door Second Chance Suspenseful Military Romance (SEAL Heroes Series Book 1) by Hayden Layne

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Sealed by Fate" starts with a promising premise: a thrilling rescue mission to save a kidnapped friend. However, the novel quickly veers away from the suspenseful action, instead focusing on the rekindled romance between the main characters, Kendall and Brock. While the character development and exploration of themes like love and loyalty are commendable, the novel's failure to deliver on its central plot line is a significant misstep. Overall, "Sealed by Fate" is a disappointing read that fails to live up to its potential. While it may offer some emotional depth, it ultimately falls short of an excellent climactic ending.

Espresso Your Love (The Coffee Loft Series: Fall Collection) by Bella Greene

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The story is a delightful romantic comedy that captures the essence of small-town charm and blossoming love. The story follows Cassie, a meticulous event planner, and Ryan, a ruggedly handsome new cop in town. Their paths intertwine when Ryan is assigned to provide security for the upcoming Autumn Festival, which Cassie is organizing. What sets this novel apart is the unique premise of Cassie's innocence. At 30, she's never been kissed. This unexpected twist adds a layer of sweetness and vulnerability to her character. The author deftly balances humor and heartfelt moments, creating a heartwarming and enjoyable read. The chemistry between Cassie and Ryan is palpable, and their slow-burn romance is both endearing and exciting. If you're looking for a lighthearted and heartwarming romance, It's a cozy read that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside

 

Mail Order Mishap by Jenna Brandt

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is a little mischievous  and straight forward. Elizabeth is a feminist for the suffrage movement, but her relative sends her to her brother to watch over Elizabeth after some serious mistakes made in Boston Society. Elisabeth is a strong-willed and intelligent woman ahead of her time. Her passion for women's suffrage adds depth and complexity to her character. Jake is ready to settle down and is waiting for his mail-order bride to arrive. Jake is a rugged and charming man who is initially put out by Elizabeth's manner after her mishap but is gradually won over by Elizabeth's spirit. His character arc is both humorous and heartwarming. One mishap has these two meeting and their romance takes-off from there. Two things that could have been written better was the scene where the men were protesting her women's suffrage meeting. The scene itself was intense, but the sheriff just arresting the men was a little too neat. The arrival of the mail-order bride should have had more drama. The mail-order bride could arrive during some dangerous event.By exploring these ideas, the scene could have had more dramatic and engaging scenes that would have kept me more hooked. The romance is sweet and Jake falling in love on second-sight is funny after his first encounter with Miss Elizabeth. It's a nice cozy read.