Christmas in the Rink by Dora Hiers

I loved this novella by Dora Hiers! A wonderful story to read for the Christmas season. Chaney Mitchum had a skating future with Connor Weddington until he left town without looking back, turning his back on skating and her. Why did he leave without a word? Where did he go?

Chaney gave up her dreams of a skating future with Connor as her partner. Now she's a skating instructor raising her niece. But she can't get Connor out of her mind or heart. What would her future have been like if Connor had stayed?

Connor came back to town and is now a mechanic. Chaney gets stuck in a ditch and Connor comes to the rescue. Connor and Chaney's chemistry on the ice and off is palpable in this story. When Connor left, he took her aspirations for the future and her heart with him. Can Connor find what he's lost since leaving the rink behind? Can Connor find the forgiveness he needs to enjoy the Christmas season with Chaney?

They each had choices that affected their futures. Now that they are back in the same town, will those choices affect their future? Chaney needs help getting her students ready for an upcoming recital. What better choice than to ask Connor to help. But can her heart take it? Tis the season for love, faith and joy and what better way to experience them than by reading this book!

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Threads by Mary Howard Wright

Ever wondered what it would be like for the German immigrants coming to America? Threads is a fictional story of a German family deciding to leave Germany and head to America. This is the first book in the Tapestry Series.

Fletcher and Rachel's love spans from Germany to Blacksburg, VA where they move. This first book describes when they fell in love, their journeys on the ship from Germany, and Fletcher getting things together in Blacksburg to have his family come over later. He works in the Big Vein coal mine in Montgomery County, VA in order to save enough money to be able to afford to bring his family over from Germany to be with him. The trials they face, the hardships they endure, and their growing love for each other are realistically portrayed. I enjoyed this glimpse into life in Germany before coming to America and how their life started here in Montgomery County, VA. Fletcher and Rachel's story is about life, love, sickness, death, faith, and hope.

I look forward to reading the other books in the series. Wright drew me in with her story and her life-like characters. I can't wait to read the next book in the series to see what happens. Each chapter is preceded by a scripture reference. I would recommend this book to anyone who is curious about their ancestors from Germany and what they went through to come to America, has ties to the Montgomery County area of Va, or those who enjoy a great story about the early settlers.

Calculated Risk by: Zoe McCarthy

What happens when your future isn’t what you thought it would be? Can the sticky note queen be worth the risk of falling in love? These characters felt like family members. I didn’t want to leave them at the end of the story. Looking forward to many more books by Zoe McCarthy!

Cisney Baldwin and Nick LeCrone work together. She is a marketing rep who loves her sticky notes and he is an actuary who loves his numbers. When Cisney’s boyfriend jilts her right before Thanksgiving, Nick invites her to his family’s house for the long weekend. Sparks start flying.

Cisney suspects Nick has a problem communicating. She thinks he needs remedial communication classes. Shouldn’t he know how to handle conversations? Nick thinks Cisney should ask questions instead of waiting for him to tell her. She has the outlook of a fairy princess. Can these two get past their hurdles and find true love? Don’t miss this book to find out!

Nick gets upset when Cisney impresses his family. Why would he? She’s not his girlfriend. He just invited her when her plans with her boyfriend fell through. But will his matchmaking family push them farther away? Can they get past what they think they know about each other?

Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. God gives us the scriptures we need to help others. We just have to listen. Cisney and Nick must learn to trust God; he’s always on your side.

Memorable characters, engaging plot, and great romance kept me turning the pages to finish this story. I laughed at Cisney and Nick’s assumptions, and cried when things didn’t go as planned. For a book to get lost in, pick this one up today!

Christmas, Actually by Anna J Stewart, Anna Adams, and Melinda Curtis

Christmas, Actually is three novellas. The themes in all these stories is about being hurt, what secrets they are holding so no one will find out. The Banning siblings Callie, Jack, and Nick each get their own stories. These are three great stories and you will love each one!

The Christmas Wish by Anna J Stewart
Sometimes we as adults need help with our kids, just need to know there is another adult who understands, or who will stand with us, even if the other person is a teacher who has seen it all. Callie Benning lives in Christmas Town. Dean Galloway is just passing through with his seven year old daughter. What happens when a seven year old doesn’t like Christmas and she is staying in a place called Christmas Town at Christmas? She tries sabotaging everything to do with Christmas not realizing she is hurting others. Can Callie help heal her heart and in the meantime help Dean? This is a great story. I loved the seven year old daughter. Sometimes you don't have to be very old to be hurt and not understand why things are the way they are.

The Christmas Gift by Anna Adams
Sophie Palmer is pregnant but the father of her baby, Jack Benning, doesn’t want anything to do with her. He will take care of the baby financially but will have nothing to do with them. Why is he adamant to break all ties? Why is he now a stranger after everything they have shared? You will enjoy Sophie and Jack's story!

The Christmas Date by Melinda Curtis
Gina Vernay owns The Tea Pot. She has given up on Christmas, dating, and love, but decides to step outside her comfort zone to sign up for online dating. Nick Banning sees her computer screen one day and decides to sign up too. He's secretly liked Gina but didn't know how to ask her out. They've both been hurt by others and the things people say to each other. Can they learn to trust each other! Great story!

Evergreens and Angels by Mary Manners

I love Mary Manners' books! This book has it all: romance, God's love, and the Christmas season. Can Brynn Jansen trust Dillon with her heart? Can he trust her not to run off with his?

Dillon Cutler is working at the family Christmas tree farm. He can't see himself falling in love with someone. He's been jilted; how can he trust another woman not to do the same thing?

Brynn Jansen is back in town helping her Nana recuperate from a broken hip. Will she be in town long enough for Dillon to know whether he likes her or not? And if he does, can she leave her life behind and move here to be with him? He doesn't want to move away now that he's back in town. Can she leave her life behind and start over here, with Dillon?

Dillon and Brynn met years ago when they were kids; now they are all grown up. Is the spark still there that was present back then? Mary Manners creates great characters. Even the secondary characters come to life and you feel like you are right there in the story. I would love to live in this town and never have to leave. If you love sweet Christian romances, you will love this!

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.

The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

I love this series by Carrie Turansky. You do not need to read these in order to understand what is going on. It helps to get the back story on some of the characters, but it has no affect on this story.

Katherine Ramsey is ready to enter the social world. But when the time comes, a family scandal takes away her chance to find a suitable match. A man of wealth and a man following God's lead are trying to capture her heart. Which one will she choose? Kate is looking for love. Will she find it with the man who is in line to inherit from his parents, or from the one just starting out? Finding someone to love and who returns your love is a precious gift.

Katherine's aunt pushes Kate to get out there and meet the eligible bachelors during the season so she can find a suitable husband. Her cousin runs the family estate now. She needs a husband so she is not dependent on him. But who to choose? A medical student opens her eyes to the poor. Will Kate decide to serve others or live a life being served?

The characters pull you into the story. You won't want to stop reading until you find out which suitor has stolen her heart. God's love is intertwined in the characters' lives and the decisions they make.

I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

The Generations A Little Lower Than the Angels By: Caryl McAdoo

I enjoyed this Biblical Fiction story! This first story centers on Adam, Eve, Cain, and Abel. Have you ever wondered what it would be like, to live during their times? Caryl McAdoo puts together a story that makes you feel like you are there. At the end of the story is a list of questions and scriptures to see how her fictional story lines up with the Bible.

God’s comfort and grace have been with us from the beginning. Travel back in time and see it in operation. Namrel is an angel who watches over Abel after Cain has killed him. Abel has questions and Namrel answers them as he can. I had never thought so much about these characters as I did when I read this story. Adam and Eve living in the Garden of Eden are brought to life as Eve is tempted in the Garden by Satan. Why did God reject Cain’s sacrifice but accept Abel’s? Why did Cain react the way he did? A Little Lower Than the Angels is a wonderful Biblical adventure back in time! I look forward to reading more of these stories, bringing to life the men and women of the Bible while explaining the plan of salvation.

Her Tycoon Hero By: Narelle Atkins

I loved this story! Faith and romance come together in a wonderful book about forgiveness. Cassie’s had a wild past, but she’s gotten saved and God is helping her to overcome. But everywhere she turns, her past is coming back to haunt her. Can Ryan look past the woman she used to be to the follower of Christ she’s become?

Ryan works for Cassie’s dad. Did her dad set them up so she could get married? What about Ryan’s faith? Does he believe like she does? He can’t forgive his brother for the things he did in his past. Will his inability to forgive drive them further apart?

Forgiveness is hard, especially when it’s yourself you need to forgive. Can Cassie and Ryan learn to forgive to have a future together and have the faith to believe God can change someone? Just because you don’t have a perfect past doesn’t mean you can’t have a hope-filled future. God’s real and He loves us.

Her Tycoon Hero is an inspiring faith-filled contemporary romance. I loved the characters and the theme. I couldn’t put the book down until I’d finished it to see how it was going to end. Looking forward to reading many more books by Narelle Atkins!

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.