The Church of The Lighted Window Volume 1: Denial by Tony Faggioli

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Inside the mind of Kyle Getty can get pretty confusing, and it's that way because that's what a mental breakdown can do to you. Kyle has just been admitted to Fallbrooke with his father's bible. The story makes several great points as he learns to survive in his new environment. I especially like the one he makes on death. There are several dry sections that happen when Kyle is venting in his mind, but the story progresses as Kyle gets a clearer vision of who he is as God enters his life through Kyle's bible reading. The ending is left open and leaves the reader feeling like they are hanging in the air. It's not how I want to feel at the end of a story. All the character are engaging and well developed, and there are some very entertaining moments throughout the story, and the depth of God's revealing presence makes this worth reading.
 

A Desperate Deal with the Duke: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Violet Hamers

Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really liked this story about honor and dignity. The Duke is a man of honor and despite his best friend's betrayal, he defends the sisters of the scoundrel. Unfortunately, due to the evil machinations within the ton, the Duke is caught up in a scandal with Veronica. Although, it's not a bad thing when you are in love. The truth all comes out as it always does and his sister takes the reins of her own life. As for the Duke's mother, she is personna non grata throughout this story. As for the evil machinations of the ton, guess who is behind them?
 

Promised to a Highland Beast: Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance by Fiona Faris

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Alec after being banished from his clan by his father becomes Laird when both his brother and his father pass away. The clan does not know what to expect from him and his alliance marriage to Lorna. The clan is used to abuse and cruelty of Alec's father and brother. The romance between Lorna and Alec is sweet and the enmity of clan Campbell keeps the action and story moving. Alec makes the mistake of not explaining why he brought the woman to the castle. He doesn't want Lorna to know his past. Which is exactly why he should have never brought her to the castle. When will men ever learn? The story is enchanting, even with this major error on Alec's part.
 

An Earl's Valentine Story: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Bridget Barton

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a poignant story about an age difference between a mature earl and a young spinster. These two really love each other, but everybody's got to get into your business. The characters are well written, but why does the author write a mature earl so unsure of himself. An earl that age would know his own mind, his own wants and needs. An opportunity for love a second time around is rare, and should be grabbed. At just over 40, it's a lonely existence to spend the next twenty-five years alone. This story regardless of the all the busybodies is well written and enjoyable.
 

What a Duchess Wants: Historical Regency Romance by Roselyn Francis

Rating: ⭐

Talk about being your own roadblock, Her Grace Rose Barrington is the worst kind of woman. Always making the worst decisions, so she can be miserably unhappy. This woman is what the Lord defines in Proverbs as a fool. What Mr William Browning does to manipulate things into his favor makes me sick to my stomach. His behavior is deceitful and downright hurtful. The only character with any redeeming quality in this story is our villain, the new Duke Barrington. In my opinion, I wouldn't want to be associated with any of these characters. The story has a surprise ending, but it is the kind of ending as a woman I would be highly insulted. Is our Duchess insulted? No, she just goes along with all the deceitful trickery and the fear and anxiety that these two men put her through.

 

Armed and Dangerous #1 Zack by Cheyenne McCray

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cheyenne McCray writing never seems to disappoint me, and continues to do so with this rough, but second chance at love story. Their love never died, but was pushed away by Zack, because he felt he wasn't worthy of love. The grief and heartbreak between these two is felt, yet they are pulled back together as Zack, now a member of ICE chases down cattle rustlers from across the border. Definitely worth reading as not only a deep love is reignited, but also the action and danger of cattle rustlers, and the corruption that is found deep in the small border town.
 

A Lady's Lustful Adventures by Emily Honeyfield

Rating: ⭐⭐

This story is so backwards and so out of line with Regency, England. This relationship would have never been condoned and Eliza's father would have sold her to the first man in nobility who offered, and Eliza would have had to elope with Mr. James Russel, the fisherman. If we all had fathers who were so understanding, the world would be colored pink through rose colored glasses. It was a nice try, but the attempt to make it seem as if the union was accepted by society failed.
 

Stolen by Her Bear by Felicity Heaton

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

This is a fun story slightly longer than a short story and shorter than a novel. The characters are set because the characters come out of another series, Cougar Creek. The bear, Saint is misunderstood by the cougars, but being woken up while hibernating makes any bear angry. Finding ones mate when cranky can cause a bear to do stupid things. Because this story is full of doing stupid things, on the cougar side too.
 

Partners in Justice and Love by Lorelei Brogan

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story starts out fast and continues as Sara heads out West to help her brother's family. The story is well written and the characters are well thought out. Our hero is a good man, but slow when it comes to how women think. The action keeps this story moving and the romance only advances when Logan is made to see the error in his thinking. Sara is so good, it seems ashamed to waste her on an ex-bounty hunter. Sara sees the good man in Logan, not the monster that he sees.

Letters from her Valentine: A Historical Western Romance Novel by Carol Colyer

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Don't you hate when I guy tests your love? I've got security issues, so I am going to test you. Even though I've known you all my life except the last 3 years. Going away changed him, but Caitlen didn't change. She's lived in the same place under the same rule and is just as wild as when Nathaniel left her years ago. Her parents don't give a crap about her, only that she will marry someone who will take care of her. Their choice wasn't very good and not well informed. I think parents who want to arrange their children's lives should fully vet the suitor. PI's were common back then also, and did that kind of work for the wealthy. Someone like Caitlen would never settle for less and her suitor was less.  I'm sorry to say that I got bored with all the bickering and feeling sorry for themselves. Action makes the man or woman. So Nathaniel & Caitlen take action, not let life decide if you should be together. Add this all together and it took away from the mystery of the letters, leaving it second rate and a minor thing.

Her Secret Bargain with the Duke: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Hazel Linwood

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Another fake engagement that doesn't work out, It's the common theme through this one. People's feelings get hurt and no one thinks what they should be about the other one. The characters are well written, except for the grandmother, she does a total 180 in this story that is not in line with the initial character written. I also have to say this. This being about a powerful Duke is absolutely not true. A powerful Duke would not bow to his grandmother, but find his own way.

An Unsuitable Alliance: Dutiful Wives by Beverley Oakley

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is so full of lies, twists and sub-plots. I am not sure if anyone had the best interest of Adelaide in mind, even her husband. Her mother is drugging her opium when she doesn't behave the way her mother wants. Her ex lover wants her back and is willing to do anything to persuade her, including taking advantage of her during one of her opium trips, caused by her mother. So when Tristan finds out about his friend's betrayal he sends Adelaide away. The whole book is highly emotional and the plot is really twisted. The characters are well written to some extent, but a lot of minor characters are typical stereotypes. This story makes me give thanks for the wonderful mother that God gave me.