Thursday, August 20, 2015

Daughters of the Heart by Caryl McAdoo


I loved this historical christian fiction story by Caryl McAdoo. It is book 5 in the Texas Romance series. You don't have to read the books in order, but it helps to know the backgrounds of the characters. Cecilia, Gwendolyn, and Bonnie have vowed not to break their father's heart like their older sister did when she ran off and got married. Anybody that even thinks of dating his daughters, their father will shoot. But can Henry Buckmeyer go against his daughters' wishes when they find their one true loves and wish to marry before they turn 18?

Cecilia meets a man and wants to spend her future with him. But he's leaving Texas and going to California. How can they stand being apart? Gwendolyn's suitor has been run off by her father, but he comes back for her. Another man shows up and Gwendolyn can't decide which one she likes better. Cecilia and Gwendolyn must decide if they can trust their hearts or if one of their beaus is a fraud.

This is a great story filled with engaging characters, descriptive settings, and a flowing story line. I didn't want the story to end. What do you do when your past catches up to you and your future is closer than you want? Step into Henry's shoes and see how he handles his past and the changing future.

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Chasing Happiness by Raine English


This is a short, sweet, heartwarming romance, the first in the Love Always series, but it can also be read as a standalone. Three childhood friends vowed to be wed by the time they were 25. Time is fast approaching. Can they find their true loves? Together they own Rosebud, a flower shop in Lakefield, Maine.

Zoe Goodwin, Ariana Black, and Katie Dunn own Rosebud and are getting prepared for opening day. Ariana had been living in New York as a model until she came back home and went into business with them. What happened while she was in New York? Later that evening at the grand opening party, Phil confronts her about leaving him. Why did Ariana come back home and why is she running from Phil?

Katie is engaged to Jake Patterson. She has a bad feeling about Dan, Zoe's boyfriend. Is Jake who she is intended to marry?

Zoe is dating Dan Stevens. Why don't her friends like him? Zoe has decided not to move in with Dan until marriage, but he presses the issue, even giving her a key to his place. What happens when she uses the key to thank him for referring their flower business to his friends which increases their sales?

After getting to know these characters, I can't wait to read the rest of the series and see what happens. Even after reading this story, I caught myself thinking about the characters, wondering what was going to happen. Definitely a series I will be reading over and over!

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