A Bouquet of Love Book Review

Weddings by Design

Volume Four

SUMMARY:  She didn't expect to fall in love - but roses aren't the only thing blooming on Galveston Island.

     Cassia Pappas has found herself in a nearly impossible situation.  She wants to spend her time immersed in her new job at a Galveston Island floral shop, arranging blooms and brightening occasions with her lovely creations.  But her boisterous Greek family - especially her father - has other ideas.  They're all relocated to Galveston to open up a new family restaurant located on the Strand - directly across the street from iconic pizza place Parma John's - and they want Cassia's full participation.

     To make matters worse, as Cassia is trying to develop a strong professional relationship with Galveston's premier wedding coordinator, Bella Neely, her own father is intent on stealing all of the Rossi family's faithful customers.  Not exactly the best way to get into this former Rossi's good graces!

     Still, at last Alex, that hot delivery guy from the nursery, is always hanging around the flower shop . . .

REVIEW:  Janice Thompson's latest novel lives up to the expectations I've come to anticipate from this fabulous author.  This story kept me in stitches as I read Cassia's story and followed along in my mind's eye.  While it can be a little over top and corny at times, these are what make everything come alive.  The characters are real and deal with some of the same family situations we do, making them easy to relate to and enjoy.  There were many times I found myself laughing out loud.
     I really enjoyed Cassia and Alex's story and getting to see other characters I've come to know and love progress in their lives.  This book is good by itself but you would really benefit from reading the other stories.  The conflict between Uncle Laz and Niko, Cassia's father is hilarious.  You get the full effect of the difficulties if you've read the other books in this series.  There is even the potential for a future series set in Splendora. 
     If you are looking for something fun and light to read, this is a book and series you need to check out.  I don't think you will be disappointed. 

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author ad screen-writer.  An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson offers an inside look at the wedding business, drawing on her own experiences as a wedding planner.  She is the author of the hugely popular Weddings by Bella series and the Backstage Pass series, as well as Picture Perfect,  The Icing on the Cake, and The Dream Dress.  She lives in Texas.  Learn more at www.janiceathompson.com.

In Perfect Time Book Review

Wings of the Nightingale Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  Two hearts are about to learn the rhythm of love.

     Bold, sophisticated, and coy, Army Air Force flight nurse Lt. Kay Jobson collects hearts wherever she flies, leaving men pining in airfields all across Europe.  So how can ruggedly handsome C-47 pilot Lt. Roger Cooper be all but immune to her considerable charms?  In fact, he seems to do everything he can to avoid her.

     Still, as they cross the skies between Italy and southern France, evacuating the wounded and delivering paratroopers and supplies, every beat of their hearts draws them closer.  Can they overcome the fears and misunderstandings of the past in order to take hold of the future?

     Sarah Sundin seamlessly weaves together emotion, action, and sweet romance into a tale that transcends time and calls us to believe in the power of love.

REVIEW: Sarah Sundin's finishes the Wings of the Nightingale series on a good note.  This book shows that Kay is more than a pretty face and heart-breaker.  When she finally gives her life to the LORD, I like how she tries to change how men (and women) perceive her by changing how she relates to each.  I also love how she really steps up to become a leader when she and some of her fellow servicemen and women face some very difficult obstacles. There were incidences when I would get frustrated with the timing between Roger and Kay but, like the title says, everything happens "in perfect time."
     While the ending could be considered a little cheesy, I thought it was a great ending to a wonderful series.  I love how each of the books overlap but doesn't lose it's individuality.  In Perfect Time is a delightful book.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Revell Publishers for review without compensation.

Sarah Sundin is the author of With Every Letter, On Distant Shores, and the Wings of Glory series.  In 2011, A Memory Between Us was a finalist in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards, and Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference.  Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.  Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.

When I Fall In Love Book Review

A Christiansen Family Novel

Book Three

SUMMARY:  Come home to the Christiansens', where faith and family meet real life.

     Hawaii was the last place Grace Christiansen ever imagined she'd vacation, much less fall in love.  But when her family surprises her with a cooking retreat in paradise, she is pulled - or maybe yanked - away from her predictable, safe life and thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime.

     Maxwell Sharpe may make his living on the ice as a pro hockey player, but he feels most at home in the kitchen.  Which is why he lives for the three-week culinary vacation he takes each year in Hawaii.  Upon being paired with Grace for a cooking competition, Max finds himself drawn to her passion, confidence, and perseverance.  But just when Grace dares to dream of a future beyond her hometown, Max pulls away.

     Wrestling with personal demons, Max fights against opening his heart to a love he knows he should never hope for.  And as his secrets unfold, Grace is torn between the safe path in front of her and what her heart truly desires.  If love means sacrificing her ideal happily ever after, Grace's faith will face its toughest test yet.

REVIEW:  Susan May Warren's latest novel lives up to everything I have come to expect from her writings.  Grace and Maxwell's story is wonderful.  Grace is a girl after my own heart.  She feels more comfortable at home in Deep Haven, serving her family and friends.  Maxwell wants to live his life alone, afraid of the genetic disease that has claimed his father and other family members, afraid to trust God.  My heart went out to both Grace and Maxwell as they learned to step beyond their safety zones and learned to trust each other and God for the desires of their hearts.  I loved the descriptions of all the fun they had as they toured and enjoyed the island.  I also enjoyed, and envied, the cooking skills they both had and the cooking contest they entered.

     The side story of Raina, Owen and Casper sets up a future Christiansen Family story.  Raina's insecurity and desire to be accepted touched my heart.  I can't wait to see how her story develops.
     This book kept me turning pages to see if Grace and Maxwell could work things out to be together and how it would be accomplished.  Check out this book and series.  You won't be disappointed.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for review without compensation.

Susan May Warren is the bestselling, Christy and RITA Award-winning author of more than forty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike.  She spent eight years as a missionary in Russia with her husband and four children before returning to Minnesota's north shore to write full-time.  Visit her website at www.susanmaywarren.com.  

Captured by Love Book Review

SUMMARY:  Michigan Territory, 1814
     A voyageur and a young woman swept up in a time of upheaval and danger discover firsthand the high price of freedom.
     The British Army has taken control of Michilimackinac Island and its fort, forcing the Americans to swear an oath of loyalty to the crown in order to retain their land.  Pierre Durant is a fur trader who returns after being away from the island for years, only to find the family farm a shambles and those he cares about starving and at the mercy of British invaders.
     Torn between the adventurous life of fur trading and guilt over neglecting his defenseless mother.  Pierre is drawn deeper into the fight against the British - and into a relationship with Angelique MacKenzie, a childhood friend who's grown into a beautiful woman.  She now finds herself trapped by the circumstances of war and poverty, and the cruelty of her guardian, Ebenezer Whiley.
     As tensions mount and the violence rages on.  Pierre and Angelique must decide where their loyalties rest and how much they'll risk for love.

REVIEW:  Jody Hedlund's latest novel follows in step with all of her others.  From the first page to the end of the book, I had a difficult time putting it down until I was finished because it was so good.  I admired Angelique's determination as she struggles to survive the food shortage due to the harsh northern Michigan winter and the British absconding any surplus the villagers had, while helping Pierre's blind mother and avoiding punishment by her very strict step-father.  Given multiple opportunities to forget them, I like how commitments that had been made previously to people no longer in the picture, by both Angelique and her step-father Ebenezer, were honored. 
     This was an excellent story about love, commitment and doing what is right, even though it may be difficult.  Check out this book and any others written by this fantastic author.

This book was provided by Bethany House for review without compensation.

Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of Rebellious Heart,  A Noble Groom, and The Preacher's Bride, which won the 2011 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award and the 2011 Award of Excellence from the Colorado Romance Writers.  Jody loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog at JodyHedlund.com.