At Love's Command by Karen Witemeyer

HE'S FOUGHT THROUGH RUTHLESS OUTLAWS AND INJURY,

BUT WITH HER, HE'S TEMPTED TO SURRENDER

Ex-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries who defend the innocent, but when a rustler's bullet leaves one of them at death's door, they seek out help from Dr. Josephine Burkett. When Josephine's brother is abducted and she is caught in the crossfire, Matthew may have to sacrifice everything--even his team--to save her.


Publisher: Bethany House, 2020
Genre: Historical Romance
Setting: Texas, 1893
Series: Hanger's Horsemen, book one



My Review
At Love’s Command is a smashing start to a great new series. The book opens with gripping action and solidifies the relationships between Hanger’s Horsemen. The hero and heroine are lovable, noble, and flawed, and their attraction sizzles from the moment they meet. A gripping plot drives the story forward, blending perfectly with the setting. The last two chapters made this romantic’s heart sing! I cannot wait for book two in this series.

Hadley Beckett's Next Dish by Bethany Turner

GET READY FOR A HEAPING HELPING OF HUMOR, 

ROMANCE, AND SECOND CHANCES

Celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanaugh is known for many things: his multiple Michelin stars, his top-rated Culinary Channel show To the Max, and most of all his horrible temper. Hadley Beckett, host of the Culinary Channel's other top-rated show, At Home with Hadley, is beloved for her Southern charm and for making her viewers feel like family.

When Max experiences a very public temper tantrum, he's sent packing to get his life in order. When he returns, career in shambles, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public's good graces is to work alongside Hadley.

As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of public persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along, but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness . . . and maybe even love. In the meantime, hide the knives.

Fan-favorite Bethany Turner serves up a heaping helping of humor and romance with this thoroughly modern story centered on cooking, enemies, and second chances.

Publisher: Revell, 2020

Genre: contemporary romance; romantic comedy

Setting: Nashville, TN

Series: standalone novel

My Review

I was so excited for the opportunity to read this book. I love the premise. I love the cover art. I love romantic comedies. Bethany Turner was a new-to-me author and I found her writing witty, refreshing, and entertaining. The plot took twists and turns that kept the pages turning, the reality TV angle was unique, and Hadley was so down-to-earth and lovable I would watch her on TV if she were a real-life chef with her own show. However, the story fell short for me with the hero. I didn't love his character or even start rooting for him until almost 3/4 of the way through the story. I enjoyed his character growth at the end, but his behavior during the first half of the book was so despicable I couldn't understand why Hadley was attracted to him at all. I think some redeeming qualities thrown in with his flaws would've balanced him enough for me to like him from the beginning. 


I will read more of Bethany Turner's books, as her writing style and unique premises intrigue me. I gave this book three stars. This review is my honest opinion.

The Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund

Haunted by mistakes in her past, 

will she ever again trust her heart to another? 

Wealthy Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship still wearing the scars of past mistakes. One of the few single women in the boomtown, she immediately has suitors, but she is determined not to find herself trapped again by a poor choice.

Vying for her hand are two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town's baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella's affections, but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak.

As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need—a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Peter's advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what's right cost both her and Peter everything?

Publisher: Bethany House, 2020

Genre: historical romance

Setting: Vancouver Island, 1862

Series: Book #2 in The Bride Ship series

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

My Review

I'm a huge fan of Jody Hedlund. Her attention to detail and the masterful way she crafts a story always holds me spellbound. I read A Reluctant Bride, book one in this series, and was delighted to see those characters make brief appearances in this book. Each are written as standalone novels, so reading them in order isn't necessary to understand the series. It just makes it more fun. 

Arabella Lawrence's backstory is dangled in front of the reader from the start and is revealed organically as the story progresses. She is strong and wonderful and flawed and absolutely lovable. Two men are vying for her affection: Lieutenant Richard Drummond of the Navy and Peter Kelly, a humble baker. Both men have their strengths and weaknesses, and I was torn between who I wanted to win Arabella's heart the first half of the book. As the story concludes, her backstory is fully laid out--revealing the true challenges of the day--the reader is left satisfied with her choice, and left eagerly awaiting book three. 

I look forward to the next book in the series, as well as reading more of Jody's books I haven't read yet. 

When Silence Sings by Sarah Loudin Thomas

After the rival McLean clan guns down his cousin, Colman Harpe chooses peace over seeking revenge with his family. But when he hears God tell him to preach to the McLeans, a failed attempt to run away leaves him sick and suffering in their territory. He soon learns that appearances can be deceiving, and the face of evil doesn't look like he expected.


Publisher: Bethany House, 2019
Genre: historical fiction (with light romance)
Setting: West Virginia, 1930


My Review
I love Sarah’s books because of their authenticity. Her characters are so genuine in their triumphs and their flaws. Her settings feel like home. Her plots are relevant with sound Bible teaching stitched throughout like a handmade quilt you want to wrap up in.

When Silence Sings is beautifully written and stays with you long after you turn the last page. I highly recommend this book.

Hope's Highest Mountain by Misty M. Beller

On her way to deliver vaccines to a mining town in the Montana Territory, Ingrid Chastain never anticipated a terrible accident would leave her alone and badly injured in the wilderness. When rescue comes in the form of a mysterious mountain man, she's hesitant to trust him, but the journey ahead will change their lives more than they could have known.

Publisher: Bethany House, 2019

Genre: historical romance

Setting: 1866 Montana Territory

Series: Hearts of Montana, book one

My Review

The first chapter had me hooked. Ingrid immediately befalls tragedy and injury, which hinders a timely delivery of the smallpox vaccines that have brought her to the territory. It also hinders Micah's plan to stay sheltered in the mountains away from other people. Lives are at stake as a town is awaiting the arrival of the vaccines and the longer Ingrid is delayed the more lives might be lost. Micah, former doctor and broken man after losing his wife and child to smallpox a few years earlier doesn't want any part of this mission. But Ingrid is strong and determined and soon talks him into helping her accomplish her task. Relying on each other throughout the rough travel builds a trust and friendship that's essential in the wild Montana mountains. One setback after another interferes with the vaccine delivery and great secondary characters are added along the way. The plot is engaging, the characters relatable, and the romance sweet. This was the first book I've read by this author and it won't be my last. I give this book three of five stars. 

The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden

Gray Delacroix has dedicated his life to building a successful global spice empire, but it has come at a cost. Tasked with gaining access to the private Delacroix plant collection, Smithsonian botanist Annabelle Larkin unwittingly steps into a web of dangerous political intrigue and will be forced to choose between her heart and her loyalty to her country.

Publisher: Bethany House, 2019

Genre: historical romance

My Review

I love Ms. Camden's books for the way she makes history come alive. Her characters are solid, relatable, and intriguing. Her plot lines are gripping, and she weaves true history into fiction masterfully. I always learn something when I read one of her books.

The Spice King was no exception. Grey Delacroix was flawed yet oh-so-dreamy as owner of a global spice empire, a perfect match for the energetic and driven Annabelle Larkin, a Smithsonian botanist. I enjoyed learning about various spices, the various ways they were formulated and bottled, and the challenge the government had regulating such items.

The side plot and supporting characters in this story were so well written, I'm impatiently waiting for Ms. Camden's next book.

Summer By The Tides by Denise Hunter

From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom (now a beloved Hallmark Original movie) comes a heartfelt story of family secrets, forgiveness, and unexpected romance.

Following a painful betrayal, Maddy Monroe's love life is a wreck, and her restaurant career is in shambles. When her grandmother goes missing, she and her estranged sisters converge at the family beach house in Sea Haven, North Carolina. Being with uptight Nora and free-spirited Emma at the place where their family broke apart is a struggle, and undercurrents of jealousy and resentment threaten to pull the sisters under. In the midst of the storm, sparks begin to fly between Maddy and Gram's maddening neighbor, Connor Murphy.

As the sisters pack up the family belongings, memories of idyllic, slow-paced summers are resurrected. But long-buried secrets also come to light as Maddy discovers that all was not as it appeared that last summer in Sea Haven--nor today in the seemingly perfect lives of her sisters.

As family tensions rise and Connor causes tumult in Maddy's heart, the sisters must find a way to accept each other for the women they've become before the bitterness of the past destroys their hope for a future.

~*------------*~

My Review
If Hallmark doesn't turn this book into a made-for-TV movie I'll be severely disappointed. Hunter goes beyond her typical romance plot and incorporates a splash of women's fiction and a drop of family saga (yes, puns intended....). However, since this is a standalone novel, every side plot is nicely tied together by the end. The romance between Conner and Maddy is strong and satisfying (and a little angst-y at times, which keeps the pages turning). The setting made me wish I was there. I'm a big fan of Ms. Hunter's, and I can't wait to see what she brings her readers next!