Review & Giveaway: Charity's Cross by MaryLu Tyndall

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Suspected of killing her husband, Charity Westcott flees on the first ship out of Portsmouth, England heading for the colonies. Loathing all men after her abusive marriage, she hopes to reunite with her family in Charles Towne, but the ship ends up in Nassau. When she spots her husband’s brother, who is intent on seeing her hang, boarding her ship, she jumps overboard.

Elias Dutton, preacher and son of the famous pirate, Rowan Dutton, must get to Barbados as soon as possible. His sister is in danger, and his parents have charged him with her safety. He cannot let them down—again.  But after rescuing a madcap woman from the bay, he now finds himself tricked into masquerading as her husband so they both can procure passage to Barbados.

Pirates, storms, shipwreck and betrayal threaten to delay the couple in their journey even as sparks fly between them. With her brother-in-law in fast pursuit, the last thing Charity wants is help from a man, especially a religious one, but she has no choice. After Elias’ heart was broken by a sordid woman who nearly ruined his life, he seeks a godly woman pure as the virgin sands of the Caribbean. He believes he has found such a woman in Charity. Until he discovers she is a murderer and is now faced with two choices: letting her go or turning her into the authorities.
 
My Review

Non-stop action. Epic setting. Dynamic characters. This book reminded me of Pirates of the Caribbean, but with a spiritual thread and a damaged main character. The abuse Charity endured at the hands of her husband completely demolishes her faith and trust in men. Elias demonstrates over and over his kindness and goodness, and it was frustrating how blind she was to his character. I loved that his protectiveness took priority over everything, including his attraction to her. She has a strength and tenacity, even in her desperation, that draws him to her despite her repeated rejection. I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure of this book... even with Charity's overuse of the exclamation "Vapors!" ;)
 

(Thank you to Celebrate Lit Publicity for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

About the Author

Award-winning author MaryLu Tyndall dreamt of pirates and sea-faring adventures during her childhood days on Florida's Coast. With more than seventeen books published, she makes no excuses for the spiritual themes embedded within her romantic adventures. Her hope is that readers will not only be entertained but will be brought closer to the Creator who loves them beyond measure. In a culture that accepts the occult, wizards, zombies, and vampires without batting an eye, MaryLu hopes to show the awesome present and powerful acts of God in a dying world. A Christy award nominee and Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award winner, MaryLu makes her home with her husband, six children, two grandchildren and several stray cats on the California coast.

Review: Home for Christmas: Historical Christian Romance Collection by Janet Dean, Ruth Logan Herne, Pam Hillman, Julie Lessman

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

There is nothing better than romance unless it's faith-filled romance plus Christmas! Join these multi-published, award-winning and best-selling historical authors as they take you on a joy-filled, old-fashioned sleigh ride full of sweet, happily-ever-after romances, the tried-and-true kind that honor God, love, romance and timeless Christmas spirit!

My Review

A Daddy for Christmas by Janet Dean
Rafe learns through the grapevine that the girlfriend he left behind in his hometown had a baby and never told him. He leaves his job working on Mount Rushmore to go home and do his duty so his child won't be fatherless. I admired his resolve to make a family for his child, even though it meant facing unhappy memories from his own childhood and a disapproving father. Tess has been taking care of her niece Josie for three years since her sister died in childbirth and holds Rafe in contempt for leaving her sister. She was a pretty tough nut to crack as she completely resists the efforts of Rafe to get to know his daughter. On top of all that, she and her father are close to losing their store to Rafe's father, leaving them without a way to care for Josie. All the adults become humbled as they put a little girl's welfare above all else during Christmas.

Second Chance Christmas by Ruth Logan Herne
Nellie is on the run from the law, unjustly accused of theft. She arrives in Second Chance, South Dakota to work for the local seamstress, but immediately has a run-in with the sheriff-blacksmith who disdains her impractical fancy city dress. I enjoyed reading as they learn to see beyond first impressions and prejudices.

All Aboard: Destination Christmas by Pam Hillman
My favorite of the collection! This is one I plan to read again.The best kissing scene and an exciting and  compelling plot of survival when the train gets trapped on the tracks by accumulated snow. Great ending for a couple who thought their futures were headed in opposite directions.

The Best Gift of All by Julie Lessman
Julie Lessman's novella would be most appreciated by those who have read her books and already know the family of characters and their dynamics. It was a story of a married couple from one of her previous books and the miscommunications they experience during the holiday season, with moments of humor woven in.

(Thank you to Seekerville for a copy of the book as a gift; this is my honest review)

Review: A Gentleman's Kiss Romance Collection: 9 Modern Romances with an Old-Fashioned Quality by Ginny Aiken, Kristin Billerbeck, Lynn A. Coleman, Peggy Darty, Nancy J. Farrier, Rebecca Germany, Bev Huston, Yvonne Lehman , Gail Sattler, Pamela Kaye Tracy

My rating: 2 stars / It was okay

Synopsis

Are you ready for some good old-fashioned romance in a contemporary setting? Then you’ll enjoy these nine stories of modern women who are forced to slow down and take a new look at dating and romance when new men enter their lives. For some it will take vacation time, others will discover through music, while some need the gentle nudges from both God and Grandma. Delight in discovering how chivalry is not dead despite the stresses of today’s world.

My Review

I struggled through this collection of novellas. While the premise of each story was somewhat interesting, I found the dialogue to be either cheesy, stilted, preachy, immature, or unrealistic. Some were so slow paced they lost my interest, while others moved the plot forward in ways that seemed contrived. I loved the cover of the book and thought it gave the impression that the stories would be more romantic than I found them to be.

(Thank you to Barbour Books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review: Broken Things to Mend by Karey White

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Celia is in desperate need of a change--a change of scenery, a change of pace, and a complete redo of all relationships. Not knowing what else to do, she opens a map, closes her eyes, and lets fate decide her future. Then she packs her meager belongings and buys a one-way ticket to a little town on the fringes of Oregon's Deschutes National Forest called Sisters. She's wanted a family for years. Will she find one in Sisters?

What Celia doesn't plan to find is a strange Chinese woman whose meddling ways keep throwing her in the path of a handsome, but reserved, forest ranger. But no matter how kind or dependable Silas seems to be, there are some things in Celia's past that neither of them can escape, and this time, the damage might be too much to mend.

***This book is part of a multi-author project that features one recurring character--the match maker--but it is a STAND-ALONE novel.***

My Review

I absolutely loved this story of a gentle romance between two lonely and hurting people. It is well paced, with plenty of room to soak in the characters without feeling slow. The details of the lives of Celia and Silas prevent the plot from seeming cliché. The setting of a small town in Oregon made me want to take a road trip to the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I loved Silas' Aunt Nancy, with her giant garden, quilting, and open hospitality. Even though the serious topic of rape is a part of the story, it never felt dark or hopeless. Rather, it was a hope-filled journey of healing and connection. The matchmaker Pearl only made an appearance at the beginning of the story and the end, which I liked since she didn't distract from the relationship between Silas and Celia developing naturally. I'm looking forward to reading more by the author and the next book in the Power of the Matchmaker line.

(Thank you to Ebooks For Review for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)