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If the Boot Fits: (A Christian Historical Western Romance Fairy Tale Retelling of Cinderella) (Texas Ever After)

368 pages Bthany House publishers March 12,2024 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

One fateful night will change their destinies forever. . . .

Convinced that his stepmother and half brothers have been wrongfully evicted by cattle king Eli Dearing, Asher Ellis uses the cover of an extravagant ball to break into the Three Cedars’ ranch house to search for proof. On the verge of discovery, he flees, but a boy’s cry compels him to make a daring rescue.

Spunky and independent Samantha Dearing balks when she learns the ball her father is hosting is nothing more than a matrimonial ambush. Taking a break from unwanted suitors, Samantha spots a thief fleeing her home. When the stranger ends up saving her brother’s life, she hides the only clue to his identity left behind–his boot–and resolves to find him herself.

When Samantha encounters the older brother of a student she tutors, all thoughts of the bootless mystery man vanish. Asher values family above wealth, a rare trait that opens her heart. Afraid she will discover his past misconduct, Asher tries to keep his distance, but when a series of suspicious accidents befall her, he vows to protect her, even though saving her life could mean losing her love.

MY THOUGHTS

If the Boot Fits is Karen Witemeyer’s retelling of the Cinderella story. If you enjoy fairytale retellings, strong protective cowboy western hero’s and a strong stand on her own two feet heroine protective of her little brother then I suggest this book.


When I first met Samantha Dearing’s character, I didn’t like her. She is portrayed as bratty, whiny and giving her father a hard time at what she thinks is a ball thrown to marry her off to a rich man to further her father’s business investments.

Samantha hasn’t been too in tune with her father in the past years and thinks her father sees her as a nuisance and just wants her out of the way since he has the son he’s always wanted. Talking to her father at the ball and after we see Sam or Samantha as she prefers now has had a misunderstanding about her father’s feelings all along.


When a man escapes out of the window of her home and her father sees it, he’s labeled a thief, but he saves her Non swimming brother from drowning at a pond at their home. When the man escapes after saving the young brother the only clue he leaves behind is a cowboy boot leaving Samantha determined to find him herself.


Samantha spends a lot of time with her father and as they work on straightening out their relationship, he clears up some misconceptions she’s had. I enjoyed the great quality time they had together and seeing a strong relationship reappear.


There is mystery, forgiveness, compassion a bit of danger and a beautiful faith-based thread running through the story.
There was a great sense of humor woven amongst the pages along with sweet romance and a fine plot that eagerly kept me reading.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Pub Date 12 Mar 2024
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Voted #1 Readers’ Favorite Christian Historical Author in 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine, Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and family board game player who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she’s on deadline. Learn more about Karen and her books at http://www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Tell me your thoughts. Would you read this book? Enjoy your day. Thanks for stopping in.

Beautiful tag given to me by my friend Susan at Susan Loves Books. Please check out her blog here.

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Blog Tour for Love Letters on Hazel Lane

ABOUT THE BOOK

Scrabble fan Jo always seems to pick the wrong guys. Now she’s moved to the Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick, and decided to give dating one last chance. This time, there’s a catch: she will only date men whose names would score highly in her beloved word game.

After Tarquin (16 points) proves just as disappointing as the rest, she meets low-scoring local doctor Ras (3 points). Her rules mean she can’t date him – but when he asks her to organise a Scrabble festival with him, she can’t say no.

As the event draws nearer and Jo and Ras grow closer, will Jo ignore her rule and let true love blossom over the triple letter scores

Purchase Link – https://amzn.eu/d/buZJ9yb

MY THOUGHTS

After reading A Little Board Game Cafe I was delighted to see another board game-based book by the author. And so quickly as well. The board game cafe idea is fresh and bright, not a subject that has been rehashed many times over in books.


From the author’s writing I’m going to make the deduction she loves writing
because her books are so fun and original, she loves board games and loves to see others happy in their romance when they find the right person for themselves.


You’ve got to admit the cover is really cute and the font used to spell out ‘Love Letters’ in the title is a perfect match for a book loosely based on scrabble games.


After escaping a controlling man in her marriage Jo is ready to make a new start in the Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick and possibly give dating one last chance. She enjoys playing Scrabble, but to say that may be an understatement. She enjoys Scrabble so much she only dates guys that have names that score highly in her favorite game, Scrabble. When she becomes interested in a man with a name that scores low, she couldn’t possibly date him. Asking her to organize a Scrabble festival with him she figures, sure, what will it hurt?


I loved seeing the character growth, especially Jo, she becomes self-assured, willing to try new things and stand up for herself.
Ras is such a positive influence in Jo’s life. His character is warm, compassionate and he goes the extra mile with Jo helping her to become the best person she can be.


The many Scrabble games were so fun to read about, and the town loved coming together to play. I loved seeing the fellowship the game created and how the lonely characters were no longer lonely. It was a lovely way to bond.
Loved this book and all its characters and greatly look forward to more board game books by the author.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

VISIT OTHER BLOGS ON THE TOUR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author Bio – Jennifer Page wrote her first novel – a book about ponies – when she was eight. These days she prefers to write romance. When she isn’t writing, Jennifer can usually be found playing board games which are the inspiration for her first novel. She has worked as a television producer, a music teacher and has even run a children’s opera company. She now lives near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire with her husband and his large collection of games.

Social Media Links –

https://www.facebook.com/JenniferPagewrites/

https://www.instagram.com/jenniferpagewrites/

Have a splendid day. Thanks for visiting.

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A Match in the Making (The Matchmakers Book #1) Historical fiction full of humor by Jen Turano

362 pages Feb 21,2023 publish date Bethany House publishers

About The Book

Miss Gwendolyn Brinley accepted a temporary paid companion position for the Newport summer season, believing it would be a lark to spend the summer in America’s most exclusive town. She suddenly finds her summer turning anything but amusing when her employer expects her to take over responsibilities as an assistant matchmaker. Tasked with the daunting prospect of attaining advantageous matches for her clients, Gwendolyn soon finds herself in the employ of Mr. Walter Townsend, the catch of the Season, but a gentleman Gwendolyn finds beyond irritating.

Walter Townsend is reluctantly in search of a wife for the sake of his unruly motherless children who cannot keep a governess for long. What he wasn’t expecting was Miss Brinley, an amateur matchmaker who turns his quest for a new wife into a complete and utter debacle. Constantly besieged by society ladies on a mission to win his affection, Walter must find a way to overcome their inundating attention–and his unexpected attraction toward Gwendolyn.

The more time they spend together throughout the Newport Season, the harder it is for Gwendolyn to find Walter a wife when she realizes his perfect match might be . . . her.

My Thoughts

If you read a Jen Turano book, you’ll be guaranteed of laughter. Her books are full of humor and always make me smile and put me in a good mood as I’m reading them. I really enjoy books set in places I’ve been to. This past Summer we vacationed in Newport and visited many of the opulent mansions of yesterday there. From doing this I could picture the descriptions the author offers in her writing, and it makes the book absolutely come alive.

I laughed out loud so many times imagining the hilarious scenarios being played out. 

Gwendolyn is one of my favorite female characters Jen has written about. The children, now they just make the book so charming and amusing. The dialogue is humorous and witty. 

I enjoyed reading how the assistant reluctant matchmaker does such a wonderful job with matchmaking but yet she becomes part of a perfectly matched pair herself.

If you’re looking for a historical romance full of humor and wit, may I recommend this one to you? I look forward to seeing what the author puts out next. I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

Enjoy your day and give a smile to someone who needs it today.

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Before I Do by Sophie Cousens-Review

About The Book

A heartwarming and playful novel about the ones we love and the ones we lose by the New York Times bestselling author of This Time Next Year
 
What would you do if ‘the one that got away’ turned up the night before your wedding?



    Head-in-the-stars Audrey is about to marry down-to-earth Josh. Though they are polar opposites, they have a healthy, stable relationship; Josh is just what Audrey needs. But romance should be unpredictable and full of fireworks, and as the big day approaches, Audrey’s found herself wondering if Josh really is “The One.”
 
    So, when Josh’s sister shows up to the rehearsal dinner with Fred, Audrey’s “What If? guy”—the man she met six years ago and had one amazing day with—Audrey finds herself torn. Surely Fred’s appearance the night before she is due to get married can’t be a coincidence. And when everything that could go wrong with the wedding starts to go wrong, Audrey has to ask herself: Is fate trying to stop her from making a huge mistake? Or does destiny just have a really twisty sense of humor?

My Thoughts

This was a “I couldn’t put it down” kind of book.
A Sophie Cousen’s book is truly a charmer, a book that’ll make you laugh, delight you and you’ll insist all your friends read it. There are some crazy things that happen in it, crazy but totally not out of the possibility of actually happening.
There are multiple timelines in it so start each chapter looking at the timeline at the top of the page or you’re going to be lost.
Our bride to be Audrey is set to marry Josh, but they are such opposites in so many ways.
In the days leading up to the wedding she starts to doubt if marrying is the right thing as she remembers a past relationship, of one day and can’t stop thinking of it. It seemed so fun and that what if possibility lingers in her mind. The guy was so incredible and handsome. The possibilities are endless. Going back and forth from past times in this relationship to her time in the church leading up to the possibility of her wedding. There is a strong female friendship and a lot of support from her best friend, Clare at the church. I enjoyed Clare’s character, she is there for Audrey every step of the way, Audrey’s mother is there as well, she and her daughter are trying to get their adult relationship back on track. A guest from Audrey’s past that she hasn’t seen in over six years at her wedding has Audrey stressed and exhibiting self-doubt. Is Josh really the one she wants to spend the rest of her life with? I enjoyed Josh’s character; he puts up with Audrey when she has panic attacks and self-doubt. He is the most supportive husband to be even at times I think Audrey may not deserve it. Such a peppy and full of surprises book. I recommend this book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Grab A Copy Here

The Author

Sophie Cousens started her career in television, where she produced, among other things, The Graham Norton Show, Big Brother, Ant and Dec and Russell Howard’s Good News. Working in TV taught her three things;

1 – Wearing a lanyard makes you look as though you know what you are doing.

2 -The best phrase you can contribute in meetings is “let’s action that!”If you say it often enough, hopefully someone else will do your work for you.

3 – If in doubt, find someone wearing a lanyard – they’ll know what to do.

Sophie currently lives in Jersey where she now writes full time. She lives with her husband Tim and has two small children who keep her occupied with important questions such as ‘but did Cinderella have a toothbrush?’ and ‘do giraffe’s know they have really long necks?’ She yearns for a time when she will be able to add a miniature dachshund to the party.

Thank you for stopping in today. Have a wonderful day.

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