Tag Archive | contemporary

Falling Like a Rock (Book Review)

Jul18

ebook cover copy (1)Falling Like a Rock is the latest release by author Bonnie McCune. This contemporary romance is set in the mountains of Colorado.

Elaine’s life is falling apart. Losing her job, and her boyfriend she stumbles into a refuge in the mountains of Colorado at the home of a college friend. In an effort to pick up the crushed pieces of her life and sagging self-esteem, Elaine finds that life is filled with more challenges when she meets the rugged, hunky Joe, the mayor of Falling Rock.

Could Joe help her find a job in the crashing economy of this mountain oasis? Facing her own insecurities as she tries to prove herself in a new town forces Elaine to confront her past as well as her present and future as she learns to take responsibility for her emotions and her life as she repeatedly runs into conflict with Joe, a man she finds attractive and likes but can’t seem to get along with.

Falling and breaking her ankle, fighting an eating disturbance and struggling against his stubbornness are nothing compared to battling with the forest fire that burns the chaff away to reveal to both her and Joe their true feelings for each other.

Sometimes, surrender is the best choice, when one falls like a rock into love. 

This is an enjoyable story that takes the reader on a journey into the heart of personal struggles with doubt, self-esteem and body perception issues and the desire to please that can be at the root of sometimes misguided choices. Elaine learns the hard way that the only person she needs to care for and impress–is herself. And out of the ashes of that can come a wealth of blessings. With the character of the mountains of Colorado playing a major role in this story, the reader is transported into the lives and characters of a small town in America where real life, and love, bloom.

Previous books authored by Bonnie McCune include: Heart Strong, Irish Episode, and A Saint Comes Stumbling In.

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Undeniably Yours (Book Review)

Aug23

undeniably yoursI was disappointed that I couldn’t snag a free copy of Becky Wade’s Undeniably Yours to review, but there’s always the library! Yay! I loved Becky’s writing in My Stubborn Heart and she has been nominated for some pretty awesome awards for that novel.  Just rising to that level of awareness in this industry is an achievement in and of itself.  The thing is, Becky deserves it. She writes phenomenal contemporary romances.

Undeniably Yours is totally different from My Stubborn Heart. It is not a sequel but an entirely new story in its own right and written with just as much compelling drama and romance. Meg Cole had no desire to run her father’s oil business and had an agreement that for ten years she could do her own thing. His death shortened that dream and put her at the helm of a business she had no skills or knowledge about. With the advice of her many staff members, she starts by cutting costs and one of those cuts was the Thoroughbred racehorse farm that was her father’s pet indulgence.

Bo Porter had worked hard in partnership Whispering Creek Ranch to make the Thoroughbred Farm a profitable venture and he’s just about to break even when the blow comes. He’s been fired and he has to terminate everyone, sell the horses and close the farm. Something about Mr. Cole’s daughter intrigues him though and he refuses her termination. He negotiates for six months in hopes that maybe she’ll change her mind.

The last thing either of them anticipated was falling in love and the complexities that would ensue.  Throw a sociopathic ex-husband into the mix and Oil “royalty” and you have one major adventure!  With Bo’s job on the line and their relationship hanging in the balance, Meg seeks God’s guidance as to how to juggle the career she despises with the opportunities it provides. Danger lurks as Meg pursues her passions and finds that helping others puts her at risk.

Undeniably Yours is a well-crafted romance with beautifully drawn out characters will keep you reading and rooting for Meg and Bo and Becky Wade doesn’t leave you wanting with her happy ending. This is a book I hope to read again.

My Stubborn Heart (Book Review)

Jul26

This review was initially posted on Sept. 11, 2012 but I have reposted it here because it was one of the top five books in the Romance category of the INSPY awards of which I was a judge.

On a whim I had clicked to download a free ebook on amazon as I so often do – and yesterday My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade just happened to be the book I decided to open and read.  It seems that lately every book I pick up by Bethany House, whether historical or contemporary romance – have been beautifully written and have touched my heart. This book is no exception.

Kate is on a break from her job as a social worker and on a three month stint to help her Grandmother restore an old family estate.  She has reached the advanced age of 31 with no husband and is constantly reminded of her lack by those around her – as well as the loneliness she feels deep inside. Yet she has determined and prayed that she would never settle for any man – but only the one God would have for her.

Matt has had a career as a hockey player, fame and beautiful wife. After his lovely bride died of cancer he walked away from everything he knew, even shutting out family and friends, to live a hermit’s life and live with his grief and subsequent anger at God for not answering his prayers. Accepting the job to work at renovating an old home, he shows up to work to find that there is an annoying woman who keeps coming by to talk. He doesn’t want to talk, he wants to be left alone.

Over time though Matt has a change of heart as Kate worms her way in with her light banter and teasing. She is not afraid to challenge him as she is determined to help him escape his self made prison. Definitely attracted to this “hottie” she feels that he is above her reach and tells herself they could only be friends. The heart doesn’t always listen to logic.

I don’t want to give any spoilers away, but I loved the challenge of this book as it looked spiritually at two key issues: 1) Can you trust a sovereign God with your prayers and that He, knowing what’s best will answer them in His perfect timing?  2) How far are you willing to go to obey Him?

This book is not preachy at all – but it deals with the honest gut-wrenching decisions we all at times have to face at the foot of the cross and as we deal with the painful realities of life. Becky Wade does a beautiful job weaving that all together in a compelling story.