The Art of Love and Lies by Rebecca Anderson

The Art of Love and Lies 

By Rebecca Anderson 

Published by Shadow Mountain 

Description from the publisher: 

  A free-spirited artist teams up with a no-nonsense detective to capture a thief who has stolen a priceless Michaelangelo painting. 

Manchester, England, 1857 

Rosanna Hawkins is one of Manchester’s finest artists, even though no one knows her name. She reproduces “parlor versions” of classic masterpieces with near-perfect precision, which her employer then sells to the emerging upper-middle class families. 

When the largest art exhibition ever to be held in England opens in Manchester, Rosanna is excited to visit. She meets the handsome Inspector Martin Harrison, who is head of security, and is immediately intrigued by his charm, confidence, and portrait-worthy good looks. The two spend many a flirtatious afternoon exploring the exhibition hall, discussing art, and sharing their secret hopes. Rosanna dreams of painting something original and meaningful, and Martin hopes to one day shed the shadow of his father’s notorious past. 

But when they discover the theft of some of the paintings—and all the evidence points to Rosanna—she must convince Inspector Harrison she is innocent and proposes a plan to capture the real art thief. 

It is a daring race to catch the criminal before he disappears with the most priceless piece in the collection—Michaelangelo’s The Manchester Madonna. If Rosanna and Inspector Harrison fail, not only will the painting be lost forever but so will their chance to paint their own happily ever after. 

Advanced Reviews: 

“Enchanting. An art thief can't prevent love from blooming.” —Foreword Reviews, starred review

“Exciting historical romance. A tender love story.” —Library Journal 

“The romantic escapades of this unlikely duo will keep readers eagerly turning pages.” —Publishers Weekly

My Review:
I think my favorite part of this book might actually have been the setting--I'm totally intrigued by Victorian England and love learning new things about it, so getting glimpses of the Art Treasures Exhibition in Manchester in 1857 was really cool. I also like the banter between Martin and Rosanna; they were quite cute together! There were a few plot points that were a little hard to believe (like how Rosanna escapes a couple of situations), but all in all, this romance was fun to read.
3.5 stars.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Miss Newbury's List by Megan Walker

Miss Newbury's List

By Megan Walker

Published by Shadow Mountain

Publication Date: February 7, 2023

England, 1820.

Rosalind Newbury loves her family and wants nothing more than to add to their legacy. So when an opportunity arises to marry a duke—a dream come true for her family—despite hardly knowing him, she quickly agrees. 

But after rediscovering a childhood wish list, Ros realizes that she has dreams of her own and little time left to fulfill them. She recruits her dearest friend Liza and subsequently Liza’s handsome but wayward cousin Charlie—a gentleman turned rugged boxer—to help her complete her list before her wedding. 

From boxing lessons to buried treasure, Charlie helps Ros experience a life and love that she’d never dreamed possible. Soon, Ros is faced with the very decision she’s been running from—to save her family’s future or her own. 

Review: 

I was really drawn into the book at the beginning--mainly because I liked Charlie so much!--but midway through, my interest started to wane. I didn't connect with Rosalind as much as I'd hope; I think if the book had alternated between her POV and Charlie's (which would have given me a little less time in Ros's head), I probably would have liked it better. I really liked seeing Charlie and Ros together; it was the scenes when they were apart that dragged a little for me. I don't necessarily think there was anything wrong with Ros or the way her character was written, so I know my experience will be way different from other readers who will totally click with her. The romance is adorable--like I said, I really liked seeing Ros and Charlie together. There are some seriously amazing lines in this book--the flirting is so cute! 

3.5 stars for me, but I know other readers will adore the whole thing. 

I read an ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Until Vienna by Heather B. Moore

 

Until Vienna (Romance on the Orient Express #3) 

By Heather B. Moore 

Published by Covenant Communications 

Publication Date: April 1, 2021 

Description: 

Georgina Ballard has been disappointed in love more than a few times, a fact that she is uncomfortably aware of amid her sister’s wedding preparations. When her elderly aunt Rowena bids Gigi to accompany her on an art tour across Europe, Gigi hesitates but eventually resigns herself to the train journey alongside a group of aged art connoisseurs, if only to mollify her aunt. 

Once aboard the Orient Express, Gigi is pleased to discover that not everyone on the tour is in their twilight years: Clyde Haskins, an energetic young art professor from the University of London, will serve as the group’s tour guide. Clyde is equally intrigued that a young lady has joined the tour, and Aunt Rowena and her friends immediately set out to play matchmaker. Clyde and Gigi both find humor in Aunt Rowena’s antics despite knowing that each is determined to keep their heart carefully guarded. Yet, the enchantment of their European exploration weaves an undeniable spell between them. When their journey ends, can their holiday love story endure the obstacles of real life? 

Review: 

I really liked the setting as well; the glimpses of the Orient Express made me want to go book a spot in a sleeper car and the stops on the art tour had me longing to go on a tour of my own. I also enjoyed seeing Gigi and Clyde fall for one another. I didn't love the main conflict in their romance; I won't give away what it is in order to avoid spoilers, but my personal preferences have always made this type of conflict one that I just don't care for. However, I did like how Clyde finally got to the point of reconciliation and the conclusion of the book. This is a good choice for those looking for a sweet historical romance. 

3.5 stars. 

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

His Accidental Bride by Carolyn Twede Frank

His Accidental Bride

By Carolyn Twede Frank

Published by Covenant Communications

Publication Date: January 4th, 2021

Description:

Dorothy Bednar is living a life she despises. Forced to work as a double-dealing saloon girl, Dorothy has finally had enough. The next train out of town is her ticket to freedom, and Dorothy jumps aboard without a thought for where she’s going—until she meets a kind woman aboard the train. Her fellow passenger was originally traveling to Colorado to marry a man she’d never met, but her cold feet offer Dorothy the perfect opportunity to set up roots somewhere new. Dorothy soon finds herself posing as the mail-order bride—after all, marrying a stranger can’t be worse than what she left behind. 

Young Colorado lawyer Ronald Smith is astonished when he spies the lovely woman who comes to greet him—the woman who is to be his wife. Dorothy is beyond Ronald’s wildest dreams, a kindhearted partner eager to be a homemaker and mother. To Dorothy, Ronald is the most gentlemanly man she’s ever met—a man who makes her feel safe and cherished. What begins as a deception soon deepens into true love, but too soon, Dorothy’s secret past threatens the beautiful life she’s built—a life that feels truer than anything she’s ever known. 

Review:

I think my favorite thing about this book was that Ronald wasn't a dashing hero; he was steady and pragmatic, and his attempts to research how to court a woman and make plans accordingly were totally endearing. And I loved how Dorothy, after the mistreatment of her brother and a more "exciting" life could appreciate Ronald for who he was. Some parts of the books were predictable and sometimes the writing felt stilted sometimes, but all in all, this was a pleasant story. 

3.5 stars. 

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A Heart of Gold by Stacy Henrie Blog Tour and Giveaway!

A Heart of Gold 

By Stacy Henrie 

Published by Mirror Street Press 

Publication Date: September 15th, 2020 

Description:

 After months of silence from her father in the Klondike, Tava Rutherford finally receives word from him. Only the outdated letter reveals that her father is ill and may be dying. Desperate to discover his fate, Tava resolves to make the journey to the wilds of northwestern Canada. But Jess Lawmen, her ranch foreman and the man who broke her heart, insists she doesn't go alone. Jess intends to keep his promise to look out for her—even if that means traveling thousands of miles with Tava, the woman he claims to feel just friendship for but has never stopped loving. 

 With their own ragtag group of travelers in tow, Tava and Jess confront one challenge after another as they join the hundreds of stampeders scrambling to reach the goldfields. But as the two of them come face to face with their past hurts and mistakes in their race to reach Tava’s father, they will have to decide whether to cling to safety or risk their hearts for something even greater.

Review:

I liked seeing all the details of how to travel to the goldfields; it was really really interesting seeing how they traveled by various means and what the regulations were regarding being able to go. I didn't connect with the characters quite as much as I'd like; I did appreciate Jess's struggle to deal with his past and how it will impact his future. 

 3.5 stars. 

I read an ARC provided by the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.

Connect with Stacy here:

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/stacy-henrie

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Stacy-Henrie/e/B008ESZ46U

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5778153.Stacy_Henrie

Check out all the stops of the tour: 

9/21 - Heidi Reads / Mom With a Reading Problem

9/22 - Wishful Endings / LDS and Lovin It

9/23 - Literary Time Out / Julie Coulter Bellon / My Book a Day / Singing Librarian Books

9/24 - Katie’s Clean Book Collection / Bookworm Lisa / Empower Moms

9/25 - The Bibliophile Files / Kellie Dickes / Books are Sanity  

And enter to win a paperback copy of A Heart of Gold:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An Ivy Hill Christmas

An Ivy Hill Christmas 

By Julie Klassen 

Published by Bethany House

Publication Date: September 1st, 2020 

Description:

 Richard Brockwell, the younger son of Ivy Hill's most prominent family, hasn't been home for Christmas in years. He prefers to live in the London townhouse, far away from Brockwell Court, the old family secret that haunts him, and the shadows of his past mistakes. But then his mother threatens to stop funding his carefree life--unless he comes home for Christmas. Out of options, he sets out for Ivy Hill, planning to be back on a coach bound for London and his unencumbered bachelor life as soon as the festivities are over. 

But Christmas in the country presents unforeseen surprises, including encounters with an orphaned apprentice, the first love he disappointed years ago, and Arabella Awdry, a young lady who is far more appealing than he recalled . . . and determined to have nothing to do with him. 

Will Christmastime in Ivy Hill, with its village charm, kissing boughs, joyous songs, and divine hope, work its magic in his heart . . . and hers as well? Review: I liked this story, but I didn't find it as gripping as the other books in the series. It didn't feel as polished as the other books. However, I did enjoy seeing Richard's transformation and growth throughout the book. 

3.5 stars. 

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

It Started on the Orient Express

It Started in Budapest (Romance on the Orient Express #1)
By Julie Daines
Pulished by Covenant Communications
Publication Date: August 10th, 2020

Description:
Molly Cooper is haunted by one simple fact: it is her fault her twin brother, Matthew, has spent his life trapped in a frail body while she has thrived. Deep in her heart, she knows he can’t hold on much longer ...
In her desperation to save her brother, Molly finds inspiration in an unlikely source: the newly published novel Dracula. When her family embarks on the Orient Express to seek treatment for Matthew in Bulgaria, Molly is prepared to set her plan in motion: she will sneak away from her parents and journey alone to Transylvania, where she will seek a vampire, whose blood can make her brother immortal. Molly’s rash plan is going flawlessly—until she encounters Percy Hunt, a handsome American traveler running from the shadows of his own past. When he discovers Molly’s plan, Percy’s concern for the naive young woman leaves him no choice but to accompany her on her strange quest. But neither Percy nor Molly is prepared for the feelings that quickly grow between them or for the death-defying escapade that awaits. 

 
Review:
I didn't like this book as much as Daines' other books, but I think that's partly due to the fact that Gothic stuff doesn't really appeal to me. I would never pick up a book BECAUSE it was Gothic; I might (as in this case) read it in spite of it having Gothic elements. Molly's search for a vampire (and her deep belief in vampires in the first place) didn't really appeal to me and it was a little hard for me to get on board with that element on the story. I really liked Percy, though, and the backdrop of the Orient Express (and other trains) was appealing. I wish the romance had been a little more developed--particularly why Percy was so drawn to Molly)--but all in all, I enjoyed it. This is a good choice for those who like clean romances, and fans for clean romances who really like Gothic elements will really like this one.
3.5 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Under the Stars

Under the Stars
By Carolyn Twede Frank
Published by Covenant Communications

Marshal Hank Walker needs a posse to help him bring in an outlaw, Rosie Decker volunteers--only to have the marshal reject her help. Although she's a woman, Rosie's also a crack shot and highly competent, and if the marshal won't accept her as a woman, she'll disguise herself as a man and join the posse that way...which works until the day her fake mustache falls off. Determined to prove herself, Rosie soon finds that while she wants the marshal to recognize her skill, she also wants him to recognize that she's the right sort of woman for him.

Although this is the third book in a series, it can be read as a standalone. (I haven't read the first two books.) Rosie is a fun character, and she often had me chuckling. I liked seeing how she and Hank learned to work together.
3.5 stars.
I read an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Major's Daughter

The Major's Daughter (Fort Reno #3)
By Regina Jennings
Published by Bethany House
Publication date: December 3, 2019

Caroline Adams is restless and wants to find a path for herself that isn't defined by her position as the major's daughter. When the president signs off on a bill to allow the Unassigned Lands in Oklahoma territory to be claimed by homesteaders, Caroline decides this is her chance. She'll stake a claim and establish a boardinghouse. She even finds the perfect place--only realizing after she has claimed it (and there are no other plots to be claimed) that it's the exact spot Frisco Smith had picked out for himself.
Frisco, who has long been trying to settle in the unassigned lands, was instrumental in getting the territory opened for settlers--and he's picked out the perfect spot to set up a town. He even started building, put in a garden, and sold plots to others who will come to settle the land after he claims. On race day, however, he's held up at the starting line, trying to establish who was really there and who might have left early to stake a claim dishonestly--so Caroline reaches the land before he does. He desperately needs to convince Caroline to let him have the land and tries everything he can think of to get her to trade him for the small plot he claims in a neighboring developing town. She's equally determined to hold on to her dream and it seems one of them is bound to be a loser--unless they can find a way to work together.

The historical background for this book was really interesting. Seeing people who wanted a chance at claiming the land and their struggles was captivating, from those like Caroline who were successful in claiming the land but then needed to actually get to work settling there, to those like Frisco who didn't get the opportunity they so desperately wanted but were still trying to find a way to be successful. I also enjoyed the plot line with Frisco, a lawyer, trying to figure out if the very men who settled the town where he managed to buy his small plot did so legally or if they started out early in order to stake a claim. The romance angle wasn't quite as appealing to me as the other romances in this series, but all in all, it made for a good read.
3.5 stars.
I read a copy of the book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Spice King

The Spice King (Hope and Glory #1)
By Elizabeth Camden
Published by Bethany House
Release Date: September 3, 2019

Annabelle Larkin needs to somehow turn her temporary position at the Smithsonian into a full-time position, so when she's assigned to contact Gray Delacroix, a successful businessman whose spice empire and the plant collection that supports it are legendary, to try to gain access to his plants, she pursues the assignment wholeheartedly.
Gray has no intention of letting the Smithsonian anywhere near his plants--but Annabelle turns out to be a different story. He's quickly enamored by her and beings courting her. Little does he know how letting her into his life will change everything--but not in the ways he anticipated.
Annabelle cares for Gray, but she's also a loyal American, and when she's approached by government officials who insist they need her help to keep her country safe, rooting out spies who could hurt their country in the delicate situation following the Spanish-American war, she can't say no--even if it means ruining her chance for love to do so.

This was a really unique piece of historical fiction. It was really interesting to see Gray's business pursuits and the development of spices that we take for granted in our day, particularly alongside the government aspect, with the Smithsonian wanting information and the Department of Agriculture wanting to start regulating the growing business. Saying a book talks about the beginning of the fight for food safety and ingredient labels, that might not make it sound very appealing, but it was really fascinating, which I think shows Camden's talent for taking a unique part of history and making it engaging so that readers find themselves totally caught up in something that they didn't think they'd ever find that interesting. (I expected the "spice" aspect of the book to be the thing I liked least, but I really enjoyed it!) The political setting, with the brief look at the aftermath of the Spanish-American war, was also something Camden made me want to know more about. The plot was good, with suspense and action and family dynamics, and moved along well. I definitely want to read the next book in the series to see how things play out for certain characters.

What didn't work quite as well for me was the romance, particularly on Annabelle's side. I just didn't see her feelings being developed enough. Gray's feelings were shown more than hers were, but I just didn't ever get a good sense of chemistry between them. They worked well on projects--sometimes because they antagonized each other!--but I would have liked a stronger romantic feel.
The other thing that fell a little short for me was the Christian aspect. There was very little that came through about Christian beliefs (and the biggest part of that was very close to the end of the book), to the point that I actually double-checked to make sure this really was being put out by Bethany House.
So, with that said, if you're mainly interested in historical fiction, this an excellent choice. If you're looking for a great romance or a book with overt Christianity, this might not be the best choice. For me, it's interesting enough that I'll give it 3.5 stars and I want to continue with the series.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Escape to Everly Manor

Escape to Everly Manor
By Chalon Linton

Lizzy will do anything to protect her younger brother Thomas, so when she realizes her Uncle Cline, their father's estranged brother who claimed their estate and became their guardian after their parents' deaths, plans to send him to join the crew of a merchant vessel, she is determined to keep that from happening. They escape on the journey to the ship and take refuge in an abandoned cabin, and they soon find an ally in Mr. Barton, a handsome young man who wants to help this mysterious girl and her brother.
Barton knows that Lizzy isn't telling him everything, and his mother warns him against trusting her, but he can't turn his back on her and will do all he can to keep her safe and show her that she can trust him with her entire story--and with her heart.
I really enjoyed Barton's kindness and Lizzy's devotion to her brother. I also enjoyed it when Lizzy would banter with Barton, and I also enjoyed the fact that Barton actually slugged someone in the course of the story. There were some points where I started to lose interest, but all in all, I enjoyed it.
3.5 stars.
I read an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A Desperate Hope

A Desperate Hope
By Elizabeth Camden

Eloise Drake has a good, safe job working as an accountant in New York City. She enjoys her job and the possibility that her supervisor might be interested in her--a good, safe man is exactly what she needs. When she is assigned to go to upstate New York to Duval Springs, a town which is going to be demolished in order to create a reservoir for New York City to have clean water, she doesn't want to go--because it will mean seeing Alex Duval, whom she hasn't seen since her guardian drove him out of town after finding out about Alex's and Eloise's clandestine relationship. Eloise goes to Duval Springs and sets about doing her work appraising the properties in the town to determine how much the City will have to pay; while running into the man she gave everything to isn't something she can avoid, she's certain that she can be mature and professional. When she actually runs into Alex, though, that becomes a lot harder than she expected. As the mayor of Duval Springs, Alex has fought long and hard to keep his home city intact; when that's no longer possible, rather than throw in the towel, Alex comes up with the crazy idea to relocate the town--he wants to move the buildings out of the valley and onto higher ground--but he needs Eloise's math skills to figure out how to make that happen. And while he's at it, he wants to win back the woman he still loves, but Eloise wants a safe life with few risks, not the risky, big dreams that Alex has to offer.

 There were some really interesting elements to the plot--the idea of moving all of the buildings in town was so fascinating. I loved the fact that Eloise is a CPA at a time when few women were, and the mystery element, as someone is sabotaging the camp where workers for the reservoir are staying, was interesting.
However, there were also some parts that were disconcerting to me. Alex and Eloise had premarital sex when they were teenagers, and while Eloise feels badly about it, it almost seems she's more embarrassed and worried about people knowing about it than she is about how than the fact that she sinned, and Alex doesn't seem to have any remorse about it whatsoever. From a Christian novel, I definitely expected more about grace and repentance, and it just was really odd to me that those things weren't there. (Side note: Eloise realizes her boss in NYC won't be compatible with her because he doesn't really believe in God, but I didn't see anything that demonstrated Alex believed, either.) If this weren't a book from a Christian publisher, that wouldn't have been a problem, but I really found myself wishing for it here--not to be preachy but as a beautiful affirmation of God's grace and how He forgives and redeems.
As for characters, I had mixed feelings about Alex. I liked his passion for his town and his big dreams, but there were times when he was just rude to Eloise and didn't even really apologize for it, and I hard time with that. I'm all in favor of a realistically flawed hero, but I couldn't get behind him 1oo-percent.
Is it fair to judge a book differently because it's Christian? I don't know. If this weren't a Christian book, I'd say it's a 4-star book. As a Christian book, however, I didn't feel like there were actually enough Christian elements and even Eloise didn't really come across as more than a surface Christian, which makes it hard for me to endorse as a Christian novel. With those mixed feelings, I'll give it 3.5 stars and I hope I've provided enough information for readers to know whether the things that bothered me would detract from the book for them as well or if they'd be fine with it and thoroughly enjoy the story.
*Although this is the third book in a series, you don't have to read the other two novels prior to reading this one.

I read an ARC via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Picky Eater

The Picky Eater
Written by Betsy Parkinson
Illustrated by Shane Clester

Piper is a picky eater--with her particular palate, she prefers provisions that start with "P." What will she do when her parents persist in presenting her with uninviting options?

This colorful book makes a situation many families face humorous, giving families an opportunity to talk about being willing to try new foods. The illustrations are appealing, and my picky eater was eager to read this book with me.

I read a copy via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars.

How to Spot a Sasquatch

How to Spot a Sasquatch
Written by J. Torres
Illustrated by Aurelie Grand

Jay is determined to find a Sasquatch on his camping trip even though his fellow campers and leader tell him there's no such thing. While the others may be skeptical, Jay is certain someone is out there. Sass the Sasquatch and her friends keep their eye on the campers, pilfering their snacks and playing tricks. But when Jay falls into the river, Sass can't just stand back and watch anymore.

This is a fun story about friendship. Kids will enjoy the camping adventure, Jay's determination, and Sass's playfulness. This is a good graphic novel for children who are just getting started with graphic novels--not too long or too wordy.

I read a copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars.

Rescue Me

Rescue Me
Susan May Warren

Deputy Sam Brooks, a member of the PEAK rescue squad, can't forgive himself for not saving his father from freezing to death--or his brother Pete for his role in their father's death. He's determined not to lose anyone else. He's dependable, solid--not at all like Pete. Sam's just the right sort of guy for Sierra Rose, who is just as responsible as he is. Willow Rose, Sierra's free-spirited, tenderhearted younger sister, knows that Sam and Sierra are perfect for each other, so she's determined not to let her feelings for Sam show or grow. But when Sam and Willow, along with the new youth pastor and a few members of the youth group, are in an accident that leaves them wounded and lost in stormy weather, Sam has to reevaluate who he can depend on and who he really needs in his life.

There's a lot action and adventure in this story. The search and rescue work is really interesting. Willow is totally sweet and good-hearted, the sort of character I just can't help pulling for. Sam is broken and hurting, in ways he doesn't even realize, and I liked seeing his journey toward healing. There is an almost dizzying number of characters, and early on in the book it was a little hard to keep track of who was who and what all the back story was (probably especially because I haven't read the first book in the series), and that slowed the book down for me initially, but things picked up before too long. One thing that bothered me is that we see quite a bit of Pete and Jess, the girl he's falling for, but there isn't any resolution for them in the book--and since the next book in the series doesn't have them as the main characters, I'm a little worried if we're really going to see that resolution in a future book or not!

I read a copy of the book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

There, There

There, There
By Tim Beiser; Illustrated by Bill Slavin
When a rainy day forces him to stay inside, Hare is quite upset. His friend Bear tries to comfort him, but as Hare's whining continues, Bear decides to teach him a lesson instead.

The full color illustrations are engaging and the rhyming text is good (not the same old predictable sort of rhymes). This book wasn't quite my thing--but I can totally picture kids, particularly little boys, getting a big kick out of it, especially the ending.
3.5 stars.
I read a copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I Want a Friend

I Want a Friend
By Anne Booth; Illustrations by Amy Proud

Arthur wants to make a friend, but he isn't entirely sure how to go about it--and his initial attempts don't work out so well. But maybe Lily can help him learn how to be a good friend.

 I love the illustrations; they're so cute. I also like the concept--navigating the waters of friendship isn't easy, and kids will relate to the Arthur's struggle. The rhyming text was pretty good; some of the passages were better than others, but overall, they worked okay. A fun book to share with kids and talk about how to be a good friend.
3.5 stars
I read a copy available through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Heartless

Heartless
By Marissa Meyer

Catherine Pinkerton may be the daughter of a marquess, but all she wants to do is open a bakery with her friend/maid Mary Ann. She certainly doesn't want to marry the silly King of Hearts--and that's before she meets his new joker, Jest, and is swept off her feet by him. Once she meets Jest, though, she is certain she can't marry the king, even though it seems nearly impossible that she'll be able to disagree with what her parents want and do what she wants instead. But Jest has a way of making the impossible possible, and Catherine comes to believe there might just be a way to make all her dreams come true.

So, I've never actually read Alice in Wonderland, and I've never seen the entire movie, so while I was vaguely aware of some of the details of the story, I didn't have very much background as I started reading this book. I did know enough to know it wasn't going to end well...but at the same time, I couldn't but hope there was a way that it COULD end well, which I suppose in some ways in similar to Catherine's experience in the book--hoping that the impossible will become possible. I didn't like this book nearly as much as I liked the Lunar Chronicles, but I think I knew going in that I wouldn't because of personal reading biases--like the fact that I like happy endings and I'm not a fan of the literary nonsense genre or talking animals. While those things worked against the book, I DID like both Catherine and Jest and I was intrigued by their relationship and the idea of the Queen of Hearts' backstory. I felt like the overall change in Catherine came too quickly--but that could be because the nonsense elements of the story detracted from the building of their relationship and I wasn't as drawn into as I think I would have been without those elements. I think other readers who are more comfortable with and more interested in the literary nonsense genre and with Alice in Wonderland in general would have been pulled in to the relationship more and the subsequent changes and reactions would seem more intense to them.

3.5 stars.

Hope for Christmas

Hope for Christmas
By Rachelle Christensen

Anika is trying desperately to make it through the Christmas season. She's got a seasonal job at Kenworth's department store, but even with the work, she's struggling to provide for herself and her four year old daughter Megan. With bills to pay, there isn't much money left for Christmas, but Anika is determined to find a way to make Christmas good for her daughter. When she bumps into Carlos Rodriguez, a handyman/carpenter doing some remodeling at Kenworth's, her first instinct is to avoid him. But Carlos is sweet and kind and persistent and seems to really care about her and her daughter, and soon Anika finds herself opening her heart a little.

Carlos is a terrific character; he's totally dreamy. I loved the fact that he's a blue-collar worker who finds practical ways to try to help Anika and Megan, not some rich guy who swoops in to save the day. That made the story both more realistic and more endearing for me than a story where the guy is loaded and it's easy for him to buy whatever the girl needs. I thought Anika and her fears and hesitations were well-developed. This is a great pick for a quick Christmas read. I received a free copy of the ebook from the author. All opinions are my own. 3.5 stars.

One Plus One Equals Trouble

One Plus One Equals Trouble
By Sondra Kraak

Having been jilted by her fiancé, who wed her twin sister instead, Claire left San Francisco for a fresh start as a teacher. While she was supposed to be assigned to a school in Seattle, she instead is sent to teach in remote Pine Creek—and she quickly falls in love with the town. Determined to be a success at something, after feeling like she’s failed in love and at ever measuring up to her sister, Claire is shocked when she finds out her job isn’t as secure as she believed—the school board has hired TWO teachers and she has to battle against Barrett Clarke (who is the nephew of one of the school board members and a former college professor) to see who will ultimately be offered the position. Claire refuses to fail—but so does Barrett, who lost his position teaching at a university after false accusations and came home to teach for a year, after which his uncle will give him land so he can be a rancher—which is what he truly wants to do. Equally determined to win the job, Claire and Barrett each set out to prove their merits—but as they work together, attraction flares, complicating things even further.

I liked the premise of the book. I thought Claire was particularly well-developed, with her straight-laced personality and need for control reflecting her attempts to be perfect and not to fail. Barrett is more light-hearted, but I did sometimes get frustrated with him for constantly teasing Claire; while he was trying to break through her reserve, sometimes I thought he’d be better served by just saying something nice to her. There was a lot of banter between the two, as well as a lot of one-step-forward-two-steps-back type behavior from Claire, who retreated whenever she felt vulnerable. Sometimes that made the plot move a little slowly—it was kinda the same banter over and over. Toward the end, though, things picked up a little. Overall, I enjoyed the book. 3.5 stars