Winning Over the Heiress by: Narelle Atkins

You will love this story from the cover, to the first page, to the satisfying conclusion. Can a bad boy surfer dude turn his life around? Can the woman he loves trust him?

Sean Mitchell has a past he's not proud of: gambling debts, embezzlement, drinking. He doesn't see eye to eye with his dad. Can he overcome against discontent? That's what got him into trouble before, buying things he couldn't afford. Can his faith help him to become a better person? God's grace covers his sins, but he wonders if he is worthy of God's forgiveness. Can he trust God to do a work in his life?

Julia Radcliffe knows Sean's reputation, but he says he's a changed man now. Can she believe him? Julia is searching for her birth mom. She doesn't know who her father is. She feels she has to earn God's love. She can't understand the concept that God's grace is free and no amount of works will compensate for it. If she serves on a mission field or becomes a pastor's wife, then she will feel she has earned God's approval. She feels she is a good enough person, that she has to make herself look better in God's eyes. Marrying a pastor would improve her status. How does Sean fit into this ideal she has set up for herself? He has a past, but says he's changed. Do his actions follow his words?

Julia thinks her works will make a difference in God's eyes. Sean feels he'll never be good enough for Julia. Can they learn to trust each other and God? We each have a past, but when God forgives us, that past is forgiven. Sometimes it's much harder to forgive ourselves. No one can improve their status or do enough works to pay for grace. Grace is free. We just have to accept it. Julia's story sticks out because she's always tried to do the right thing. But in God's eyes, there is no big or little sin. Everyone needs God's forgiveness and grace.

I loved the characters in this story. They pulled me right into this satisfying inspirational romance. For an encouraging, uplifting read, pick up this story today!

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

Discovering Hope The Diaries of the Woodsmall Sisters Book Two-Bethany's Diary by Rachel Rittenhouse

This second book in the series focuses on Bethany Woodsmall. She is a young teen growing up during the 1800s, and reading about her life and the challenges she faces on a farm in Minnesota, brings to life this time period and Bethany's family. The book is written in diary form. Bethany records the scriptures preached at church each week and what they meant to her. She writes about the issues that face her family, like living through a blizzard, the rain almost destroying the crops, sickness, and even death. The despair, the hope, the triumph are felt as Bethany writes in her diary.

This story is filled with hope, encouragement, and faith for us as we face daily challenges. Opening your heart to love, frees you to live life. I loved the drawn pictures interspersed in the book depicting the story. The characters come to life and I felt like I was living there with Bethany. Situations may arise beyond our control, or things happen that we don't understand, but take Bethany's advice. Rely on God, trust in Him. In God there is hope. As Bethany wrote in her diary, "Even in the rough times, God showed us His unending faithfulness and we truly discovered His hope."

I can't wait to read more books by Rachel Rittenhouse. She has a knack for bringing characters to life. You do not need to read Book 1 before reading this one. You will want to just to see what happened previously, but you won't be confused if you didn't. Read this story today and get to know Bethany and her family. Teens would love this book as it is from a teen's viewpoint, as well as others who enjoy the 1800s, and characters who grow in their faith in God.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Accidental Fiancee by Mary Moore

I loved this Christian historical romance by Mary Moore! I loved the dialogue between Lady Grace Endicott and Lord Weston. She is caught in a compromising situation, but she will do everything she has to in order to ensure nothing hurts her sister Lydia's introduction to society. To protect Grace's reputation, Lord Weston announces she is his betrothed. Sounds simple. Pretend to be betrothed and then break it off. But what happens when one of them is a Christian and isn't comfortable lying?

Can a known rake come to accept God's grace? Can he turn his back on how he's lived his life and be the husband for Grace? He is determined to protect Grace's virtue, but the only way he can do that is to say she is his betrothed. Lord Weston is ready to put the plan into action, but Grace cannot lie about her situation. Grace has to follow along so her actions won't hurt her sister Lydia's chances of finding a suitable husband. Grace's sarcastic responses keep Lord Weston on his toes. She assumes she is too old for love but won't marry for convenience. Can they keep London society from guessing the truth? Or, will they discover they have more in common than they first thought?

God's grace is freely given and covers our sins. Can Grace show Lord Weston that means even him? "We have been given the gift of grace from God." Accidental Fiancee is a great book with snappy dialogue, intriguing characters, and a plot that pulls you in. Lady Grace is an independent young woman set on living her life as a Christian. As she and Lord Weston get to know each other, will she find the rake is past all hope, or is there still a chance for him?

Pick up this great book today and get lost in a wonderful love story!

Once a Marine (Those Marshall Boys) by Loree Lough

Once I started this book, I did not want to put it down. How do you overcome fear, doubt, and a violent attack? Different people react differently. Zach, a former Marine, is tormented by what happens when he can't control what's going on, like his sister's attack and men he lost in the war. But instead of hiding from his fear, he reaches out to help others.

Summer Lane has lived through her worst nightmare, a violent, near-death attack. She is a prisoner in her own home. Her neighbor's son, Alex Peterson, runs her errands for her so she doesn't have to go out. He tells her about Zach and his self-defense classes. Can she summon the courage to go out? Can she trust Zach enough to come out of her home?

Zach Marshall is a former Marine and teaches self-defense classes. Is he really interested in Summer, or does her situation make him want to protect her because of what she's been through? She can't be the woman for him since he wants a strong woman in his life to fulfill his dreams. But, once he meets Summer, is he falling for her, or just helping her to cope?


It was a joy to read this story and see how the main characters, Zach and Summer, change and grow. Fear, doubt, and lack of trust engulf Summer as she starts living her life again. Zach has a past too, from serving as a Marine. Can he let go and be the man Summer needs in her life? Can she become the woman Zach needs? Can they trust each other? Once a Marine is a sweet romance dealing with real life issues. He won't let Summer hide and Summer won't let him be her knight in shining armor. I can't wait to read the rest of the stories in this series!

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

When Dawn Breaks by Jennifer Slattery

I loved this second novel by Jennifer Slattery! God's hope, love, and grace resonate throughout her stories. No matter what we are going through, no matter our past, God can use us and our circumstances.

Jacqueline Dunn moves in with her estranged daughter after a hurricane forces her out of her own home. Jacqueline has never been married. The church she attends is a refuge for the victims of the hurricane. She learns that everyone has a purpose; God has put her here for a reason. As she volunteers to help out, she meets 14 year old Gavin and his sisters.She failed her own daughter, but can God's grace forgive her for her past and let her have another chance with her daughter and with these kids displaced by the hurricane?

Jonathan Cohen has taken another job close to where Jacqueline's daughter lives. His wife died a few years before, and he only has a few more years until retirement. The job at his new place of employment isn't what it seems. Will he lose everything he's gained? It was so much fun seeing God working in his heart and his life. What will happen when he follows God's plan for his life?

This book perfectly describes what God can do with a willing heart and teachable spirit. Will Jacqueline and Jonathan follow God faithfully? Can Jonathan find love with Jacqueline, or will it be too much since he is so close to retirement? This contemporary romance incorporates real life situations and feelings.

Jacqueline's relationship with her daughter drew me in. She had a past she wasn't proud of, but was trusting God through his grace to help her daughter forgive her and reestablish a relationship. Gavin and his sisters added another dimension to the novel. What he and his sisters had been through was heartbreaking. Can Jacqueline make their future better? What about her daughter? How will she feel about Jacqueline taking on more kids?

Pick up this book today for an inspiring, encouraging read. Life's obstacles may get in your way, but God is bigger than those obstacles.

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