Review: Meddling with Mistletoe

"Meddling with Mistletoe" is a sweet romance in more ways than one. The female love interest is a baker after all. While there aren't any deep spiritual themes developed here—there's a quick bit about God not making man to be alone—this was one of the best developed easy-read holiday romances I've read. The story is very slice-of-life, with the only real drama revolving around the "big reveal" that Whitney has made a deal to help Aretha in exchange for tuition funds. We know about the deal from the start, so what follows is predictable. Still, author Liz Johnson crafts a lovely story wherein we enjoy watching Whitney fall in love with the man who she is supposed to be setting up with another woman. What's truly sweet is the way in which Whitney helps Daniel, the male lead, leave his painful past behind and smile again, while he reminds Whitney of her own unrealized strengths. Of course, it's a Christmas novel, so there's snow, sledding, decorations, and more involved. Readers are sure to find it all very delightful and merry.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Fiction Review: Sandcastle Inn by Irene Hannon

Irene Hannon's 10th visit to Hope Harbor does not disappoint, and readers can already be looking forward to book 11! Here, characters find healing, rest, and romance, and readers find some catharsis, too. I've read most of the Hope Harbor novels and always look forward to the gentle wisdom of Charlie the taco man and Hannon's own occasional references to the arts and theatre. 

In "Sandcastle Inn," Matt struggles with the tragic loss of his wife and daughter, while Vienna deals with the loss of a job and a strained relationship with her mother. Their paths cross as Matt helps his sister refurbish an inn and Vienna puts her high-end hotel expertise to work in aiding him. Meanwhile, the contractor working on the inn and his wife rebuild their lives after family estrangement and difficult financial straits. As usual, Hannon gives as much care to side characters as she does to her romantic leads, and what unfolds is both realistic hardship and hopeful, sweet ends. 

The religious element is not particularly strong in Hannon's novels, but one can appreciate that she does not add such things in gratuitously. 

My one complaint is that it never seems like we get enough of these characters. That is, we are left wanting more in a good way. Even 300+ pages does not seem like enough space to dive into who they are and how their lives intertwine, especially when it comes to getting a sense for the romantic chemistry between Matt and Vienna. It also felt like Charlie was not in this book as much as some of the other Hope Harbor novels.

I certainly look forward to more of Charlie and Hope Harbor in the next installment!

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

Fiction Review: Windswept Way by Irene Hannon

Irene Hannon's Hope Harbor novels get better and better. "Windswept Way" was one of my favorite yet in this series, with endearing characters and relatable struggles. Despite pressure from her mother to choose a more stable career, Ashley Scott takes a financial risk in working with a secluded widow restore her historic home as an event venue and tourist attraction. While there, she meets Jonathan Gray, who, with her help, slowly learns to not let his physical scars impact his self-worth and confidence around others. The secluded widow's story makes for a sweet side journey, as she, too, begins to open up the world and share both her home and her talents. Hannon knows how to unfold these characters and their mysterious pasts in a way that keeps her readers hooked and invested. These are deeply realistic people, and every reader will wish she could know them in real life.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

Fiction Review: A Royal Christmas by Melody Carlson

Melody Carlson's "A Royal Christmas" is essentially a mashup of "Princess Diaries," "The Prince and Me," and every Hallmark or Netflix "royalty romance." Fans of these kinds of stories will love Carlson's latest holiday novel, but should not expect anything too original. The plot follows a young woman who finds out she's the daughter of the king of a small country, travels to meet her father, and runs into both romance and conflict (kidnappings, succession disputes, betrayal). Carlson does incorporate a sweet bit about things happening in God's timing, but with her usual lack of character development, Carlson does little to develop this or any other spiritual themes in the book. As usual, Carlson provides a short and easy, enjoyable holiday read, but not much substance.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Fiction Review: A Quilt for Christmas by Melody Carlson

The ladies of "A Quilt for Christmas" very quickly become the reader's best friends. Among them, one has downsized after her husband's passing. Another is young and divorced. They're brought together when Vera helps a new neighbor and decides to make a large quilt for her at the request of the woman's sweet daughter. 

This short novella probably has some of the best character development I've seen from author Melody Carlson. As much as I love her heartwarming stories, I always feel shortchanged by the limitations her novels' length puts on her lovely stories. In this case, one of the women of Vera's quilt "club" has lost both a husband and child, which has given her a less-than-sunny disposition. Carlson switches to telling part of the story from her perspective toward the end of the book, and I felt the story would have had so much more of an impact if Carlson had written the character's perspective into the novel much earlier. Instead, the character's change of heart feels sudden and abrupt, albeit inspiring. 

Christian themes are murky in Carlson's writing, as well. "A Quilt for Christmas" is your typical holiday novella. There's not much to it, but it's still highly enjoyable.

*Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

Fiction Review: Sea Glass Cottage by Irene Hannon

Heartwarming. Inspirational. Raw. 

Irene Hannon continues to draw us in with both new and beloved characters making their home in Hope Harbor, a charming coastal community every reader wishes were real. From the generous, guardian-angel-like Charlie, who always seems to be in the right place at the right time with the right thing to say, to two couples struggling with difficult pasts and promising futures, Hannon crafts believable, relatable characters that quickly become her readers' good friends. The only disappointment is that the mystery of who owns the "sea glass cottage" of the title is never revealed, although it's fun to guess.

The minimal plot of "Sea Glass Cottage" follows Christi, a former spoiled rich girl, and Jack, Christi's ex-boyfriend who learns he has a daughter from another relationship. Christi comes to Hope Harbor hoping Jack will loan her money for a friend, only to find a new, providential home and job. The woman who offers her the job has separated from her husband after the death of their son. Her husband's redemption and dedicated efforts to love his wife were the highlight of the book for me. But, really, there's something for everyone to love in this novel. Hannon rarely disappoints, and "Sea Glass Cottage" quickly won me over.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

Fiction Review: The Catch by Lisa Harris

Lisa Harris gives readers another thrilling page turner with "The Catch." This is the third novel in her US Marshals series, and readers may have an easier time feeling attached to marshals Madison and Jonas if they have read the previous two books in the series. However, Harris does a good job of filling any new readers in on details they may have missed. In any case, this isn't really a book you read for the character development. Harris excels in crafting an exciting plot with many unexpected twists and turns, but any faith elements or real character development feels like more of an after thought. Madison and one of the other characters both deal with loss of loved ones, and Madison also finally has a chance to "catch" the person who murdered her husband. Meanwhile, the main story line follows the search for a missing woman with ties to a criminal and a judge. To say any more would be to give away too much, but I can promise you that, out of the three books in this series (and out of the several Harris books I've read), "The Catch" contains probably the most interesting plot in terms of edge-of-your-seat moments. 

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.