Review: The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen

About the Book

Amelie Hampton is a hopeless romantic, which makes her the perfect columnist to answer lonely heart letters in The Marriage Gazette. When Amelie plays matchmaker with two anonymous lonely hearts, she also decides to secretly observe the couple’s blind date. To her surprise, the man who appears for the rendezvous is Harold Radcliffe—a grieving widower and a member of Amelie’s book club.

Police detective Michael Baker has been struggling ever since his best friend and brother-in-law died in the line of fire. Because he knows the dangers of his job, he has vowed never to marry and subject a wife and family to the uncertainty of his profession. But when he meets Miss Hampton, he is captured by her innocence, beauty, and her quick mind.

When a woman’s body is pulled from the river, Michael suspects the woman’s husband—Harold Radcliffe—of foul play. Amelie refuses to believe that Harold is capable of such violence but agrees to help, imagining it will be like one of her favorite mystery novels. Her social connections and clever observations prove an asset to the case, and Amelie is determined to prove Mr. Radcliffe’s innocence. But the more time Amelie and Michael spend together, the more they trust each other, and the more they realize they are a good team, maybe the perfect match.

They also realize that Mr. Radcliffe is hiding more than one secret, and when his attention turns toward Amelie, Michael knows he must put an end to this case before the woman he loves comes to harm.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I absolutely loved this book. It was such a fun read. It's a slower-paced book (except for the last fourth where things really ramped up), but it was exactly what I needed at the time.

This book was full of wonderful and likable characters. Amelie and Michael had great chemistry. Their banter was lively and so entertaining. And I really liked Amelie's cousins, Eva and Charlotte, and am hoping they get their own books.

I really enjoyed the mystery. It was fun to play detective alongside Amelie and Michael. To try and figure out what was really going on with Harold Radcliffe. He seemed like a perfectly nice, proper, and charming guy, but was there a darkness lurking inside? Did he kill his wife? I was so invested in finding out the truth.

All in all, this was another great historical romance from Nancy Campbell Allen. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys clean romance and cozy mysteries.

4.5 STARS

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: The Real Thing (The Macleans Book 4) by Autumn Macarthur

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two.

This week I'm featuring The Real Thing (The Macleans Book 4) by Autumn Macarthur. I just finished this sweet romance and really liked it. It was the perfect read for the me after the difficult couple of weeks I've had. We had to say goodbye to our 17+ year old dog Hank. And gosh, that was rough. He was the best and most loyal guy you could ask for. We're gonna miss him so much. 

About the Book (From Amazon)

He's an embittered cynic. She's a perpetually cheerful Pollyanna. They both need to learn what trusting God really means.

Disabled since birth, bullied as a child, Edinburgh author Brodie Maclean has no faith in God, or in human nature. He learned young that his best weapons are his sharp tongue and his biting honesty, and he doesn’t hesitate to use them. When he’s forced to employ Flynn Ferguson as his housekeeper, it’s instant dislike. She’s too cheerful, she’s too loud, she’s too everything. Including distracting. How is he supposed to write with her around?

Even always-look-on-the-bright-side Flynn finds it hard to be glad about her new boss, apart from the little fact the generous salary he pays means she can give her daughter a wonderful birthday. As soon as she can (“Tomorrow, please Lord?”), she’ll quit.

Neither intends to deceive the other, but only when they meet online in an unintentional deception, safe behind names that aren’t their names and photos that aren’t their photos, are they able to be their real selves and fall in love. Can they recognise the truth behind their false impressions before it’s too late?

You’ve Got Mail meets As Good As It Gets meets a mischievous ferret in this faith-filled Scottish enemies-to-love opposites-attract romance.

Book Beginnings (This beginning is a little peak into a story Brodie is writing)

Picking the padlock on the cellar door in the dark wouldn't be the easiest thing in the world, but he didn't dare risk a light. If he could see the kidnappers through the uncurtained windows of their single-room hut, odds were they'd see him as well. The harnessed horse and cart suggested they planned to leave soon.

Friday 56

Brodie ended the call with the animal welfare officer and gave Flynn a twisted smile. He hated to admit it, but he had to. "You were right. Help is on its way."

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Shadow Angel: Book Two by Julie Hall & Leia Stone

About the Book

He's gone, and the worst part is, I don't if he's dead or alive.

I dealt with the curse. I picked my side. The hellish nightmare that I woke up to when I discovered I was a Watcher should be over, but it's not. Weeks have passed with no sign of Gage and I can't seem to move on, but a war is brewing and wallowing is no longer an option. With the ruler of the Netherworld after me, my new mission not only affects one realm, but all of them.

Save my mom.
Save the souls.
Save the world.

No pressure.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

What a great sequel! I loved the first book and couldn't wait to get my hands on book two, especially after that ending! Talk about cliffhanger! This book was action-packed and had quite a few twists and turns that left me speechless. I can't really say too much because it would verge into spoiler territory, but what a wild ride! Tatum is tasked with a seemingly impossible mission, but she embraces it head-on with the kind of bravery I wish I had. I can't wait to see how it all plays out in the next book.

I received an early copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FOUR STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Summer We Forgot by Caroline George

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring The Summer We Forgot by Caroline George releasing March 8.

About the Book

Caroline George once again transports readers with lush, evocative prose, leading them to ask the question: what happens when we can’t even trust ourselves?

Some memories are better left forgotten.

Darby and Morgan haven’t spoken for two years, and their friend group has splintered. But when the body of their former science teacher is found in the marsh where they attended camp that summer, they realize they have more questions than answers . . . and even fewer memories.

No one remembers—or no one is talking.

The group of reunited friends begins to suspect that a murderer is stalking the coastal highway 30A, and they must try to recover their memories as quickly as possible . . . before the history they can’t remember repeats itself.

Everyone has a secret.

As tensions rise and time runs out, Darby and Morgan begin to wonder if they can believe one another . . . or if they can even trust themselves.

What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Review: Secrets of Their Past: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance (Wander Canyon #5) by Allie Pleiter

About the Book (from Goodreads)

Facing the past

could change his future.

Veterinarian Neal Rodgers is in Wander Canyon seeking the truth about his past—not to rescue a litter of kittens under his next-door neighbor’s porch. But persistent single-mom Tessa Kennedy is impossible to ignore—especially when she uncovers a family secret of her own. Discovering the hidden facts of their histories could be the key to unlocking everything in this small town.

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Wander Canyon

Book 1: Their Wander Canyon Wish
Book 2: Winning Back Her Heart
Book 3: His Christmas Wish
Book 4: A Mother's Strength
Book 5: Secrets of their Past

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was another delightful read from Allie Pleiter. This final trip back to the charming town of Wander Canyon did not disappoint. It was great catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.

I was so happy that Tessa got her own story. She's been such a fixture in this series, such a loyal friend, and deserved a sweet love story of her own.

Neal was a bit of a grump when he was first introduced, but he ended up being quite charming and an all-around great guy who I couldn't help but root for. He was in town to solve a very important personal mystery, and I was really hoping for the best outcome for him.

And I've gotta say, I really enjoyed getting to know more about a certain other town resident. No spoilers, but I always wondered what their backstory was.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys sweet and inspirational contemporary romance.

I received an early copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Saying Goodbye to a Beloved Friend

We had to say goodbye to Hank on Friday. We're sure gonna miss him, but we're so thankful to have had 15 wonderful years with him. He was 17+ years old and still such a loving and loyal protector and friend.

We were looking for a new friend for Sadie when we adopted him. We had gone to one of the local animal rescues and saw a few dogs, but none of them worked out. We were leaving when we came upon a pen that had a dog we hadn't seen yet and asked about him. The caretakers kinda dismissed the idea and said they hadn't shown him to us because they were sure it wouldn't work. Well, Sadie had her own ideas and was eager to meet the dog. They reluctantly let us in and it was like Sadie had met her soulmate. Hank. Him and Sadie just immediately started playing and chasing each other. The caretakers were shocked because they said he was scared of everything and everyone. They couldn't believe how his whole demeanor changed. We brought him home and he fit right in.

Hank was a fierce protector and the best friend you could ask for. He definitely had some big fears, but he was always so brave and would face them head on. He kept us safe from the UPS man and took that job very seriously. He could hear those box trucks coming from a mile away and would let everyone know that they were coming. They weren't gonna sneak up on us. Not on Hank's watch.

He was also really good about letting us know when someone was in the neighborhood who he thought shouldn't be there. If anybody came around that he didn't know, they got told in no uncertain terms that they weren't welcome around here.

He had a few "incidents" with some chickens but absolutely loved baby chicks. And baby goats? Oh my goodness, he couldn't get enough of them. He'd give them lots of kisses and loved watching them.

 

He was obsessed with keeping his feet clean (and all the other dogs' feet too, lol!). Whenever Daisy, our German Shepherd, got her feet muddy or wet, she'd run to Hank and he'd get them all cleaned up for her.

Hank really was the best. He was such a sweet guy and a fighter to the end. We're gonna miss him so much.

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two.

This week I'm featuring The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen.

About the Book

Amelie Hampton is a hopeless romantic, which makes her the perfect columnist to answer lonely heart letters in The Marriage Gazette. When Amelie plays matchmaker with two anonymous lonely hearts, she also decides to secretly observe the couple’s blind date. To her surprise, the man who appears for the rendezvous is Harold Radcliffe—a grieving widower and a member of Amelie’s book club.

Police detective Michael Baker has been struggling ever since his best friend and brother-in-law died in the line of fire. Because he knows the dangers of his job, he has vowed never to marry and subject a wife and family to the uncertainty of his profession. But when he meets Miss Hampton, he is captured by her innocence, beauty, and her quick mind.

When a woman’s body is pulled from the river, Michael suspects the woman’s husband—Harold Radcliffe—of foul play. Amelie refuses to believe that Harold is capable of such violence but agrees to help, imagining it will be like one of her favorite mystery novels. Her social connections and clever observations prove an asset to the case, and Amelie is determined to prove Mr. Radcliffe’s innocence. But the more time Amelie and Michael spend together, the more they trust each other, and the more they realize they are a good team, maybe the perfect match.

They also realize that Mr. Radcliffe is hiding more than one secret, and when his attention turns toward Amelie, Michael knows he must put an end to this case before the woman he loves comes to harm.

Book Beginnings

Amelie Hampton blinked in surprise as her normally unflappable aunt called her to task over a mistake that, frankly, Amelie didn't believe was a mistake at all. Poor judgment, at most.

Friday 56

Another sound near the door startled her, and she squinted around her fingers, trying to sit up in bed. There was something off about the room, as though a door had been opened then closed, a puzzle she couldn't put together. The more she grasped at the wispy thought, the quicker it blew away.

What have you been reading lately?