Nashville Sweetheart {Rachel Hauck}

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own.

What do you do when the past you've been dodging shows up at your door with cameras rolling?

Aubrey James ruled the charts as the queen of country for over a decade. She'd rocketed to fame in the shadow of her parents' death—both of them pioneers in gospel music. But while her public life—high-profile romances and fights with Music Row execs—made for juicy tabloid headlines, the real and private Aubrey has remained a media mystery.

When a former band member betrays Aubrey's trust and sells an "exclusive" to a tabloid, the star knows she must go public with her story. But Aubrey's private world is rocked when the Inside NashVegas interviewer is someone from her past—someone she'd hoped to forget.

All the moxie in the world won't let this diva run any longer.

Can I just say I loved everything about this book? First of all, I'm always fascinated by the private lives of celebrities. I don't know why, but it makes them seem much more normal when they have lives just like the rest of us.

Aubrey has a private life, and she tries so hard to keep it private. She has her friends, her professional staff, her fiance, and now a reporter that is trying to get deep down in her soul.

I really appreciated that the author made us work a little to get Aubrey's background, rather than just coming out with it in the beginning. It really made the story more meaningful to get the background as it was relevant to Aubrey's current life.

This story begins with the last concert before a summer break, and we get to watch as Aubrey's life completely changes that summer. We get to watch God get a hold of her and really start working on her in all aspects of her life.

This story has heartbreak, drama, emotional suspense, and a wonderfully perfect ending. This story also brings with it the powerful message that God is in control - always. He uses any person, any circumstance, and any opportunity to work in our lives, and he worked in Aubrey James' for sure.

This book is definitely worth picking up. (This book was previously released as Diva NashVagas)

Meet the Author: Rachel Hauck | Facebook | Twitter | Google+

Purchase this Book: Kindle | Nook | Kobo | Christian Book

New Release: The Girl Who Believed in Fairy Tales {Heidi Garrett}

The Girl Who Believed in Fairy Tales

Sub Genre: Magical Realism

Release Date: June 23, 2014

Heather Baker believes in fairy tales, and she turns to their timeless wisdom whenever life gets difficult. 

Again and again, the playfulness, symbolism, and deeper meaning in fairy tales have filled Heather with hope, nurtured her spirit, and fired her imagination. Sometimes touching, and sometimes humorous, these tales capture the three most transformative experiences in her life: 

Picture Perfect {Janice Thompson}

Feisty wedding photographer Hannah McDermott has dealt with her share of difficult brides. But none can compare to the ultimate Bridezilla she's dealing with now. Still, she's trying desperately to impress Bella Neeley, Galveston Island's most sought-after wedding planner, so she can take the top spot in Bella's list of recommended photographers--a spot currently occupied by her arch-rival, Drew Kincaid. What she doesn't count on, however, is falling head over heels for the competition.

A few years ago I discovered Janice Thompson's Weddings by Bella series and fell madly in love with it. I think I read every book in that series in about two weeks. It was one of those series that you didn't want to end. After that, I started the Backstage Pass books, but I'm not sure why I never continued past the first book.

When I saw the Weddings by Design series, I knew that I wanted to pick them up. I had no idea that I would be in for such a familiar surprise - all the characters from the Weddings by Bella series are back!

Of course, this series centers around a whole new host of characters but they are all connected to Bella, DJ, and the whole clan. It just felt so familiar be back with the family.

I loved Hannah in this book. She reminds me a lot of myself in the way she feels about herself and second guesses herself quite a bit. Watching her slowly gain confidence made me so happy.

Of course this book also contained the one thing that makes me love Janice Thompson's writing so much - God is loud and clear throughout the entire book. The characters in these books are always God seeking and Christ centered. Listening in on their conversations tends to get me sometimes. More often than not I find the words in the books speaking to me on a personal level as well as part of the story.

Once again, Janice Thompson has hit a home run with a new series. I've already purchased books two and three, and pre-ordered book four in this series. I can't wait to get through them, and tell you all about them!

(PS. at the time of this review, this ebook is free on all four of the sites listed below)

Meet the Author: Janice Hanna Thompson | Twitter | Facebook

Purchase this Book: Kindle | Nook | Kobo | Christian Books

Coming Soon: This Summer {Katlyn Duncan}

I am super excited to be participating in the trailer reveal for Katlyn Duncan's THIS SUMMER. It's awesome and it makes me even more excited to read the book and I can't wait for its release on July 9th.

I am also thrilled to be able to share a guest post in which characters Hadley and Lily share their Top "Summer to Remember" Must Haves.

If you haven't yet heard of this upcoming New Adult release from Author Katlyn Duncan, the book's description is below. And if you haven't yet "met" the author, her details and places to find her online are also below.

But first, here is the THIS SUMMER Trailer. I can't wait to share it with you. What do you think?

Death Takes a Ride {Lorena McCourtney}

I received an ARC of this book in order to facilitate an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Cate Kinkaid arrives at H&B Classic Auto Restorations to give a friend a ride. But, as usual, trouble finds Kate even there--this time in the form of one dead man, one wounded man, and what appears to be a pretty obvious case of self-defense. Owner Matt Halliday wants to hire her, but not for this case. Instead, Cate is charged with finding a man who owns a particular motorcycle Matt would like to buy. As her search progresses, she begins to suspect that the shooting in Matt's office may not have been as cut-and-dried as it appeared.


This is the third book in the Cate Kinkaid series, but I have not read the first two and this one stood alone just fine.

I loved Cate's character. She's a private investigator who never intended to be in that line of work. But, she realizes that sometimes God has plans for us that we never dreamed. She just happens to be visiting a friend and inviting her to an event when she hears a murder take place. As the first on the scene, she becomes involved in finding the who and why of the suspicious event.

Mitch is Cate's "friend" and seems like a great guy. He offers to take in the murder victim's dog, and much of Mitch's story is more about his growing relationship with Clancy rather than with Cate. At least that's what you are lead to believe.

I loved watching Cate form relationships with some of the most unlikeliest of people throughout her investigation. She seems to really let God work in directing her throughout the investigation and becomes someone friends with a few of the people she interviews.

As this story progresses, you are taken on several twists and turns and you start to think you have the who thing figured out. But then you don't!

I was truly surprised at the end of this book and the real who and why was revealed. I was even more surprised with the ending of this book - and I loved it!

This was my first Christian Mystery, but it definitely won't be my last.

About the Author: Lorena McCourtney | Facebook

Purchase this Book: Kindle | Nook | Kobo | Christian Books

The House on Moody Avenue {Cellestine Hannemann}

I received a complimentary copy of The House on Moody Avenue in exchange for my honest review. That is what this is.

An eclectic assortment of humanity, with all their foibles and failings, lived in the house on Moody Avenue over a period of ninety years. I tell their stories.

Lisette, her unshakable faith sustaining her, is undeterred in the face of adversity; Julia, a social-climbing snob, sees her world crumble when her children marry inappropriately; Clarence, a Casper Milquetoast bank clerk, absconds with a quarter of a million dollars; Frances, a country girl, comes to the big city to marry a rich man; Sammy, a black man, passes for white.

Beatnik squatters, high on LSD, burn down the condemned ninety-year-old house, leaving it naught but a precious memory in the hearts of those who once sought its shelter.


This book simply wasn't for me. Part one was simply okay. You get to meet Lisette and get into her life and it is somewhat interesting. Then part two arrives and it gets choppy and boring.

I tried to finish this book, but I just couldn't make myself get interested enough to keep going.

Sorry.

The Opposite of Maybe {Maddie Dawson}

I received a complimentary copy of The Opposite of Maybe for the purposes of providing an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Jonathan and Rosie have been together so long they finish each other’s sentences—so when he (finally) proposes and asks her to move across the country with him, everyone is happily surprised.

But when things suddenly unravel, Rosie sends Jonathan packing and moves back home with Soapie, the irascible, opinionated grandmother who raised her. Only now she has to figure out how to fire Soapie’s very unsuitable caregiver, a gardener named Tony who lets her drink martinis, smoke, and cheat at Scrabble.

It’s a temporary break, of course—until Rosie realizes she’s accidentally pregnant at 44, completely unequipped for motherhood, and worse, may be falling in love with the sentimental, troubled Tony, whose life is even more muddled than hers. 

It’s not until Rosie learns the truth about her mother’s tragic story that she wonders if sometimes you have to let go of your fears, trusting that the big-hearted, messy life that awaits you may just be the one you were meant to live.


This book had parts that I loved, and parts not so much. When the book started I loved Rosie and Jonathan's relationship. Their carefree lifestyle seemed so fun and relaxed. But as soon as things started to go wrong I started hating Jonathan and getting frustrated with Rosie. This sentiment for them lasted throughout the entire book.

I just loved Soapie. A modern day girl forced to raise her granddaughter, and refusing to conform to "being old". Although she comes across as mean sometimes, it is obvious that Soapie has a much deeper story. I'm so glad that we got to hear that story before this book ended. It made Soapie even more enjoyable and made me fall even more in love with her.

And then there's Tony. Oh Tony! I think I really like the guy. He sacrifices everything for anyone he cares about. He has such a deep character and I don't feel like we really got to get all aspects of who he is. Parts of me wishes that we could have spent even more time with him and wishes he would have put up a fight earlier for his son. That part of the story could have been great.

A little after half way through this book I did tend to get a little bored and ready to get it over with. But near the end the story starts picking back up and gets interesting again. By the time it was over I was laughing out loud and so proud of Rosie for finally making a good decision for herself.


About the Author: Maddie Dawson 

Purchase this Book: Kindle

The Ghost of Blackwood Lane {Greg Enslen}

My book club meets again on Friday the 13th, so we wanted to find something scary to read for the occasion. We looked up scary books on Goodreads and this was listed first so we picked it.

This book was not scary. Suspenseful, yes. But not scary. BUT, it turned out okay.

The book starts out pretty confusing. It feels like you have walked into a room full of people in mid-conversation. Several of the characters have more than one name and it takes a bit to figure out who is who, and and how they all mesh together.

Once you get everyone figured out, the book is actually good. The story line is very practical and there enough suspense to keep you turning pages late into the night. All the characters work well together and make the story line fun to read.

About half way through I found myself picking favorites and cheering Judy on through her struggles.

This is not my typical genre to read, and I likely won't be back to it any time soon. But it was a fun read and a good change of pace.

Meet the author: Greg Enslen

Purchase this book: Kindle

More Than a Glimpse {Robin Keahey}

I am so in love with the story of Katie and Levi, and I have been waiting on this book for months.

Loving her new life, Katie Phillips knows she is blessed beyond measure. She has an amazing husband, a son she adores, and a new life growing in her womb. She thought the pain and struggles from her past were over but with one accidental bump of a stroller, it all comes rushing back. The blue-eyed monster from her past is back, and he’s determined to take what he thinks is his.

As her life changes from idyllic to chaotic, will Katie stand strong in her renewed faith, or will she crumble when her dreams of a happy future are replaced by old nightmares?

More Than a Glimpse is the riveting and unpredictable sequel to Katie’s Glimpse.

More Than a Glimpse starts right where Katie's Glimpse left off (you can read my review of that first book here). Katie is happy and living a wonderful life, and then JT shows up and throws everything off. Of course Levi comes in and rescues Katie from the initial encounter, but JT is not finished.

It is hard to tell you how awesome this book is without giving away any of the story line. Basically JT is stalking the family, Levi is protective of his family, and Katie is still so sweet.

As Katie's pregnancy progresses she has to come off her depression medications. This mixed with JT's constant appearances creates a complete mess for Katie. Levi is so madly in love with Katie and I love how he takes such good care of her and Asher.

I felt like God was working more in this book than in the first one and I love it. Watching Katie come around, as well as her reaching out to JT is a testament to what God can and will do if you just let him.

This book finished with a wrap up of the story, so I'm not sure if there is a book three or not. If there isn't, I really hope Robin will give us some blog posts every once in a while about what Katie and Levi are up to. I feel so invested in their lives and want to see how they are doing.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good Christian fiction/romance story. But, you need to read Katie's Glimpse first. You can purchase them both at the links below.

About the author: Robin Keahey

Purchase this book: Kindle