Can't Wait Wednesday: Lethal Kings (The Fae Dynasty #2) by Victoria McCombs

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 Lethal Kings (The Fae Dynasty #2) by Victoria McCombs releasing November 12. I loved the first book, Mortal Queens, and have been so eager for this sequel!

About the Book

You've been warned many times, you cannot trust the kings . . .

The old queen is dead, a new queen is in play, and the realm has descended into darkness. For the first time in history, a queen has rejected the game. Eliza will start her reign with no alliances while Althea must fight to save her tenuous bond with the king who cannot love. Her relationship threatens to break, but Althea’s attention becomes divided after receiving a few harrowing clues connecting her past and the game at hand.

Before she can find answers, a mysterious fae appears promising the power of the seventh king to whoever can solve a series of riddles, leaving the fae realm in shambles as they race to come out on top. Althea has one year left. New alliances are forged. Old stories come to life. She must make her move, or the fate of the queens will consume her.

What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Review: Finding Love at Christmas: 12 Heartwarming Christian Romance Novellas for the Holidays

About the Book

Twelve authors present to you twelve clean and wholesome Christian novellas that celebrate finding love at Christmas and happily-ever-afters.

A Maple Run Christmas (Maple Run Book 5)
by Christy Award winning author Toni Shiloh

Kandi Williams knows that agreeing to be Rafe’s fake girlfriend might twist the knife of unrequited love a little harder, but when his soulful gaze locks onto hers, she finds herself agreeing to be his plus one for the holidays.

Snowed in for Christmas with a Cowboy
by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cynthia Hickey

A woman headed nowhere and a cowboy looking for purpose are snowed in together during an unexpected Christmas blizzard. Neither are looking for romance. Love has other ideas.

An English Christmas with Aunt Mairi (The Duncans Book 2)
by USA Today bestselling author Lisa M. Prysock

Determined not to be the only family member without a date at Christmas, Maisey resorts to a fake boyfriend.

Last Christmas (The Blue Door Book 2)
by USA Today bestselling author Autumn Macarthur

Last Christmas they teetered on the edge of falling in love, until a misunderstanding tore them apart. This Christmas, when an emergency throws them together as volunteers at a homeless shelter, can they see beyond their past to the future God intends for them?

A Lot Like Christmas (Holiday Hearts Book 9)
by USA Today bestselling author Lesley Ann McDaniel

A successful sitcom actress stars in a Christmas musical opposite a local actor who’s ready to give up on his dream. Can she help him reclaim the joy in doing what they love?

From Realms of Glory (A Festival of Carols Prequel)
by critically acclaimed author Scott R. Rezer

He loved her once; she loves him still—now, if he can just remember her.

Noel (Millionaire Suspense Book 4)
by award-winning author Terry Toler

When aspiring actress, Noel Day, lands a role as leading lady in a Christmas romance movie, she wonders if the love the leading man is showing her is real or acting.

Emma’s Christmas Surprise
by award-winning author Linore Rose Burkard

Emma Dawson thought she found the perfect match in the new pastor-intern—if only his brother didn’t fill her with unsettling doubts! Can a Christmas surprise put her undecided heart to rest?

Trying to Save Christmas
by critically acclaimed author Dawn Kinzer

A new teacher trying to save Christmas for a grieving student and his guardian brother risks losing her heart to them both.

Falling in Love Despite Christmas Miscalculations
by critically acclaimed author Christine L. Henderson

Alexander is an aristocratic Brit. Natalie is middle-class American. When a mistaken identity gets tangled in love at a glitzy ski resort will the miscalculated romance split these two apart? Or can a Christmas Charity Ball draw them together?

Mended Hearts (Love in the Rockies)
by critically acclaimed author Rose Fresquez

Amid Denver's twinkling lights, Elena seeks a miracle for her ailing mother and finds it colliding with Ford, her first love. For Ford their reunion is a star shining in the darkness, a second chance wrapped in Christmas joy.

Wish You Faith (Christmas Sweethearts)
by USA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson

A love triangle blooms at the Christmas tree farm… He falls in love with her at first sight. But someone else is also pursuing her. Who will get the girl in this holiday romance?

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I had the privilege of receiving an early copy of this collection, and while I haven't read all the stories (though I plan to), I've read a few. My thoughts on those are below. 

Last Christmas by Autumn Macarthur
What a sweet second chance romance! Full of hope, forgiveness, and a wonderful message of faith, I could hardly set it down.

I really liked Holliday and Zay. There were some issues from their past that they needed to work through, a misunderstanding from the previous Christmas, but I was rooting so hard for them.

I loved The Blue Door. It’s such a special place. I loved meeting the people who worked there and the residents. I look forward to visiting again. This was such a heartwarming Christmas story. I loved it so much!

A Maple Run Christmas by Toni Shiloh
This was such a great fake dating, friends-to-more romance. I loved that God was at the forefront of this story. I loved how the characters talked to Him, listened for His answers, and trusted in His ways and timing. And I loved the big family dynamics. I always enjoy my visits to Maple Run, though they never seem to last long enough. This was another wonderful story from Toni Shiloh.  

Emma’s Christmas Surprise by Linore Rose Burkard
Emma’s done with romance, but it’s not done with her.
I was a little apprehensive about this story and the potentially dicey relationship dynamic, but I was so curious how it would all turn out and I’m happy that I stuck with it. There was a really great reminder to seek, listen, and trust God.

From Realms of Glory by Scott R. Rezar
This was such a beautiful love story. I’m almost at a loss for words. I loved how resilient Matt and Jennifer were. They were dealing with a really tough situation, but they never gave up. I loved the message of hope and the reminder that all things are possible with God. This was my first time reading anything by this author, but it won’t be my last. I’m looking forward to more from him.  

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

4.5 STARS

Review: To Defy a Dream by Mary Mecham

About the Book

What if Sleeping Beauty pricked her finger on purpose?

Princess Aurelia’s kingdom is plagued by the Eternal Slumber, a disease progressively ensnaring the minds of her subjects. After Aurelia wishes for the means to revive her brother, her sinister fairy godmother presents an ominous solution: Aurelia must stab herself with a poisoned spindle.

Accepting this fate plunges Aurelia into a nightmare where victims of the Eternal Slumber are being held hostage by a dark djinni. However, Aurelia’s brother isn’t the only familiar face she finds herself reunited with; Everett, the love of her life who mysteriously disappeared years ago, is there as well. As the djinni’s power grows, Aurelia must decide who to save before the djinni escapes and enters the waking world.

Failing on her quest could trap her in the dream world forever. Will she forgo her chance at a happily ever after and protect her brother, or will she choose to rescue herself and the man she loves?

No matter who she chooses, someone will be doomed to remain in the nightmare that never ends.

To Defy a Dream is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. It is one of twelve novellas in The Shattered Tales, a collection of twelve fractured retellings of your favorite fairy tales. They can be enjoyed in any order, so fall in love with the swoony sweet romances, magical adventures, and tale-shattering twists one happily-ever-after at a time!

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I’ve been wanting to read something by this author for awhile, and I’m so happy that I finally did. This was a fun and twisted retelling of Sleeping Beauty. It poses the question of, What if she pricked her finger on purpose? Color me intrigued! What would make her do that? I was glued to the pages! It’s a quick read, but it’s jam-packed full of goodness.

The worldbuilding was excellent. Everything was fleshed out, and the volcanic realm really came to life. Both frightening and fascinating, I was captivated and found myself having a difficult time putting the book down!

While I admired Aurelia’s desire to find a cure for the Eternal Slumber, she was a bit impulsive and headstrong. There were some moments where I had a hard time liking her, but by the end, she really grew on me.

If you’re looking for a unique retelling, grab a copy of this book. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading more from this author.

FOUR STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Fireline (Chasing Fire: Montana #5) by Kate Angelo

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. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 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. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Fireline (Chasing Fire: Montana #5) by Kate Angelo. I'm loving this series. I think this one might be my favorite installment! 

About the Book

SECRETS. BETRAYAL. SACRIFICE.
THIS TIME, THEY'RE NOT JUST FIGHTING FIRE.

An original series created by bestselling authors Susan May Warren and Lisa Phillips.

She was born to be a smokejumper…

As the niece of a legendary smokejumper, Nova Burns is tough as nails. When their crew chief Tucker Newman breaks his leg, Nova longs for the opportunity to helm the team, ready to take risks and prove herself. But there's one risk she refuses to take—falling in love.

He’s living a lie…

Undercover Homeland agent Booth Wilder is seeking redemption. Scarred by a past explosion that took the life of his partner, Booth is hunting a rogue CIA faction known as the Brotherhood. Now, he's determined to uncover their secrets and find a hidden nuclear weapon that could turn the world to ash.

Only problem…summer sparks have ignited between Booth and Nova. Nova is torn between her future as the smokejumping chief, her growing attraction to Booth, and the belief that he’s hiding something from her. Of course he is…Booth is hiding his true goal—unrooting the Brotherhood and returning to his life as a Homeland Security agent, a life that he’s not sure he really wants.

Then the wildfire threatens the home of the Jude County Firefighting team, and Nova doesn’t care what secrets he might be hiding—she needs everyone to save the town. But when the Brotherhood discovers Booth and his goals, the fight becomes personal. Now, Booth must choose between accomplishing his mission and saving the woman he’s come to love.

It’s a dangerous game of loyalty, betrayal, and pulse-pounding action in the fifth installment of the Chasing Fire: Montana series.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

His enemies had found him.

All this time and they'd come so far. They'd nearly finished it.

Now it would all be for nothing.

Friday 56

The sun sank low in the hazy sky, setting the whole landscape alight in a fiery orange glow. In a cloud of dust and flying debris, the helicopter lifted clear of the ground.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White

About the Book

The Nutcracker and Edwardian-Era England combine to weave a magical tale of love and friendship at Christmastime.

As the beloved stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, Lady Mariah Lyons cherishes her home at Plumford Manor, but her idyllic world will be threatened when the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend she hasn't seen or heard from in years. Once, Mariah dreamed their friendship would kindle into something more, but that was before she heard Cyril was courting the cruelhearted Lady Pearl. Now Mariah is willing to welcome him as a friend and pray he will be the heir her stepfather needs, but she'll keep her heart locked safely away from anyone with such poor taste.

Cyril Lightbourne has long avoided returning to Plumford Manor, yet he reluctantly arrives in time for Christmas. When his friendship with Lady Mariah reignites, he finds himself caught between his affection for her and her family's misunderstanding of his attachment to Lady Pearl. Then, more trouble arrives in the form of a Danish lord on a mission to win Mariah's hand by Christmas. Will the magic of the holiday season help lead to the discovery of true love, or will duty to country leave all longing for what could have been?

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This story was an absolute delight, brimming full of Christmas spirit. It swept me away to Edwardian England during Christmastime. I felt like I was right there in the midst of it all and I loved every minute of it.

Although Mariah and Cyril were childhood friends, time and distance separated them, making them feel almost like strangers when they met again. I loved watching them reconnect and get to know each other again. They were both so easy to like, and I was rooting for them.

Plumford Manor was a character all its own. It was such a beautiful place full of wonder and cheer.

There was a whimsy about this book that I absolutely adored. Not to say that it was all fun and games, but I appreciated the balance between the practical and the whimsy. I think as we get older, we can sometimes lose our sense of wonder, so I loved the reminder that there’s an important place for that too. It's no fun being serious all the time.

This book was full of an infectious joy, I couldn’t help but smile my way through it. It’s the perfect book to get you in the holiday spirit. Needless to say, I highly, highly recommend it.

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

FIVE STARS

Review: Running into Forever by Jennifer Rodewald

About the Book
Wanted: Horsewoman, skilled at driving. Must be willing to live on a remote island . . . and marry her boss. Both are nonnegotiable.

Taylor Everest loves his home on Sanctuary Island and running his family’s carriage business. But his standoffish personality has the local resort questioning the renewal of his contract. Not to mention the contract also has an old, pesky clause Taylor had hoped to ignore: He’s supposed to be married by age thirty. He’s just turned thirty-one. Not willing to let go of his family’s legacy, Taylor puts out a bold advertisement.

Sonora Hillary is good with horses and even better with people. Unfortunately, her sunshine personality wasn’t enough for Donovan Arlington—the man she’s dated for two years. When Donovan announces his engagement after a mere two weeks of dating another woman, Sonora loses her level thinking. She answers a bizarre ad, agreeing to move and to marry the stiff and grumpy man she’s to work for. At least it’s only temporary. And surely living so far away—not to mention being married—will help her put away the ache of Donovan’s betrayal.

After the tourist season, Taylor and Sonora will both have what they wanted, and with a clean annulment, they’ll go their separate ways. No harm. No attachments. No regrets.

That was the agreement. The plan. But beneath this charade, Taylor and Sonora wrestle with mutual attraction and, more poignantly, with a deep and pestering question: What do they do with the painful past? Could they ever again trust the God who had allowed such great disappointment before? And was it possible those frustrations and regrets had led them there, together, for something good and beautiful?

Continue your journey on the remote Sanctuary Island, where you'll find small town charm, community, heartfelt romance, and faith journeys that will stir your soul.

*****
Welcome to the shores of Sanctuary Island, where six bestselling authors of Christian romance bring you stories of love and redemption. From tender romance to enduring faith, each standalone novel in this series promises unforgettable characters and heartwarming small town charm.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was another stellar romance from Jennifer Rodewald. She always delivers a soul-stirring, faith-filled swoonworthy romance, and this was no different. I loved every second of it.

I really liked Taylor. He was a bit of a grump, but he had a kind soul beneath all that gruffness. I just wanted to give him a hug. Sonora was fierce, strong, and sassy despite recent heartache. They were both at low points in their lives when they first met, but despite the unconventional nature of their relationship, I thought they were the perfect pair. I loved their banter. I enjoyed watching them get to know each other and learn to trust God again after heartbreaking disappointment.

I don’t usually see many contemporary marriage of convenience stories, so I really enjoyed that. I thought it was so well done here. The grumpy-sunshine trope is my favorite, and this has to be one of the best I’ve read.

If you’re looking for a swoonworthy romance with a strong message of faith, you’re sure to love this book. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

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

FIVE STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Time Door (The Eternities #1) by Shannon McDermott

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 Time Door (The Eternities #1) by Shannon McDermott releasing October 29.

About the Book

A reckless last mission on Mars, a crusade for justice on Earth . . .

Reuben Jackson is the only one who still cares about Mars. In the shambles of the Great Collapse, Earth has abandoned the Mars explorers to their fate. But Reuben will make a stand for the Mars team—even against the powerfully united politicians and scientists. In too deep, he discovers hidden conspiracies and unexpected allies.

As the conflict mounts on Earth, time runs down on Mars. Left to face Mars alone, Commander Donegan Moynihan and his team have no hope of surviving after their supplies are gone. Willing to accept a quicker death than starvation, the explorers strike out on a dangerous mission. They venture deep inside the ancient volcano of Arsia Mons, into perils and secrets long buried. What they discover would move mountains on Earth—but will it be enough to save themselves?

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?