A Fun Fake Relationship | The Rancher's Fake Fiancée by Amy Vastine

ABOUT THE BOOK

“I’m coming home…

With my bride-to-be.”

Tyler Blackwell just announced that he and Hadley Sullivan are getting married. And they’ve never even dated! Now she and her boss are in Montana so Tyler can sell his family ranch. Hadley only agreed to continue the deception in exchange for a promotion. But moving up the corporate ladder pales beside her growing feelings for Tyler. Will his past and Blackwell family secrets sabotage what Hadley wants more than anything—a real wedding?

Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming

Release Date: November 6, 2018

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OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

The Rancher's Twins
The Rancher's Rescue
The Rancher's Redemption
The Rancher's Homecoming

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #29

Hosted weekly by The Book Date.

Happy Monday!

And happy New Year's Eve!

I've been enjoying the holidays this week, while trying to finish all my reading challenges. I won't quite make it, but it's been a fun reading year anyway.

Reading Challenges | 2019 Plan

Tomorrow is 2019, which means it's time to think about reading challenges!

I get so excited at the start of a new reading year. With so many new reading challenges, there are so many possibilities, and my ambition gets a little out of hand. 

This year, in addition to setting my Goodreads Reading Challenge for 365 books, I hope to participate in (and post monthly updates for) the following reading challenges:

Beat the Backlist

(I want to read at least 100 backlist books.)

#Booked2019

(I want to complete all 24 prompts.)

Connect Five Books Reading Challenge

(I want to make at least five connections.)

#LitsyAtoZ

(I want to read a book for each letter.)

Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge

(I want to complete all ten prompts.)

Mount TBR

(I want to reach Mt. Everest.)

Popsugar Reading Challenge

(I want complete all 50 prompts.)

Read Harder Challenge

(I want to complete all 24 prompts.)

Will you be participating in reading challenges in 2019? If so, which ones?

Fun & Sweet | The Lieutenant's Bargain by Regina Jennings

ABOUT THE BOOK

Hattie Walker dreams of becoming a painter, while her parents want her to settle down. As a compromise, they give her two months to head to Denver and place her works in an exhibition or give up the dream forever. Her journey is derailed when a gunman attacks her stagecoach, leaving her to be rescued by a group of Arapaho . . . but she's too terrified to recognize them as friendly.

Confirmed bachelor Lieutenant Jack Hennessey has long worked with the tribe and is tasked with trying to convince them that the mission school at Fort Reno can help their children. When a message arrives about a recovered survivor, Jack heads out to take her home--and plead his case once more.

He's stunned to run into Hattie Walker, the girl who shattered his heart--but quickly realizes he has a chance to impress her. When his plan gets tangled through translation, Jack and Hattie end up in a mess that puts her dreams in peril--and tests Jack's resolve to remain single.

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Release Date: December 4, 2018

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OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

Holding the Fort

Bound and Determined

The Friday 56 & First Line Friday | The Lieutenant's Bargain

The Friday 56 is hosted weekly by Freda's Voice.
First Line Friday is hosted weekly by Hoarding Books.

Happy Friday!

Set near Christmas of 1885, this second Fort Reno novel from Regina Jennings is a lot of fun. I so enjoyed getting to know Jack and Hattie this week, seeing their relationship play out with heartwarming humor.

An Intriguing Regency Story | In the Shadow of Croft Towers by Abigail Wilson

ABOUT THE BOOK

From debut author Abigail Wilson comes a mysterious Regency tale of secrets and spies, love and treachery.

Orphaned Sybil Delafield jumps at the opportunity for a position at the mysterious Croft Towers. She believes she was hired to act as companion to a dying woman, but a highway robbery and a hostile welcome from the Chalcroft family cause her to wonder if she was actually hired to help someone spy for France.

An unsolved murder adds intrigue to this already secretive family, and Sybil recognizes Mrs. Chalcroft’s handsome grandson as one of the infamous highwaymen who robbed her. Sybil must determine if this man’s charming smile and earnest eyes speak the truth or if he is simply using her like others in the house. Everyone seems to have something to hide, and Sybil must decide who to trust while also coming to terms with the truth about her own past.

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: January 15, 2019

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christian Book

Another Trip to Christmas Town | Five Golden Wishes by Cari Lynn Webb

ABOUT THE BOOK

Dylan King never intended to get involved with Christmas Town. He'd arranged his business trip to include a short visit with his Aunt Odette. But now he's fixing furniture for Over the River Retirement Home residents, welding a fence for the carousel and extending his stay every other day. If he stopped making up excuses to spend more time with Sadie Kent, he could finally get back to business like he wanted.

Sadie Kent has fallen to a new low. Not only has she ditched Santa School (a birthday gift from her young daughters to regain her Christmas spirit after her holiday divorce last year), Sadie has seriously embellished her culinary skills. Between keeping her volunteer commitments and trying to find a job that won’t interfere with her daughters’ school schedules, baking and decorating Christmas cookies to help raise money for the carousel refurbishment might be one step too far. If Dylan King stopped offering suggestions and distracting her, and reigniting her holiday spirit, Sadie could prove she had everything under control.

Welcome back to Christmas Town where wishes in the heart, no matter how deep they're buried, find a voice. And the power of family and love endures.

Publisher: IndieWrites

Release Date: October 9, 2018

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OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

A Miracle for Christmas

Defending Christmas
Pride and Presents
Sleigh Bells in the Snow
Our Christmas Promise
The Hope Chest
Paint Me a Christmas
A Gift Horse
Santa School
The Dark Horse
His Christmas Carousel Baby

Waiting on Wednesday | Summer by the Tides

Hosted weekly by Breaking the Spine 

to spotlight eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

(Similarly, Can't-Wait Wednesday is hosted by Wishful Endings.)

Happy Wednesday!

I'll read anything Denise Hunter writes. I can't wait.

Top Ten Tuesday | Books I Hope I Find Under My Christmas Tree

Hosted weekly by That Artsy Reader Girl.

Happy Tuesday!

And merry Christmas!

Realistically, I already have more books than I'll likely read, and my family thinks so, too, so I never actually receive books as gifts. Regardless, I can dream, and I would be thrilled to get my hands on any one of these books this Christmas.

Emotional, Sweet & Heartfelt | Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock

ABOUT THE BOOK

This Year, Christmas Comes Just in Time.

As a first-year law associate, Sydney Batson knows she will be updating her resume by New Year’s if she loses her current court case. So when her grandmother gets inexplicably ill while she’s in court, Sydney arranges for a cab to get her to the clinic.

The last thing cab driver Finn Parrish wants is to be saddled with a wheelchair-bound old lady with dementia. But because Miss Callie reminds him of his own mother, whom he failed miserably in her last days, he can’t say no when she keeps calling him for rides. Once a successful gourmet chef, Finn’s biggest concern now is making his rent, but half the time Callie doesn’t remember to pay him. And as she starts to feel better, she leads him on wild goose chases to find a Christmas date for her granddaughter.

When Finn meets Sydney, he’s quite sure that she’s never needed help finding a date. Does Miss Callie have an ulterior motive, or is this just a mission driven by delusions? He’s willing to do whatever he can to help fulfill Callie’s Christmas wish. He just never expected to be a vital part of it.

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: October 9, 2018

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christian Book

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #28

Hosted weekly by The Book Date.

Happy Monday!

And merry Christmas Eve!

I'm looking forward to spending time with family over the next couple weeks—and squeezing in plenty of reading before the end of the year.

Twisted & Entertaining | Mind Games by Nancy Mehl

ABOUT THE BOOK

FBI Behavioral Analyst Kaely Quinn’s methods may be highly unorthodox, but her talent is undeniable. She’s done her best to establish a new life for herself after being demoted and transferred to St. Louis when a reporter revealed she’s the daughter of an infamous serial killer. But when that same reporter claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely’s, it seems her old life has followed her.

When a body is found that fits the poem’s morbid predictions, Kaely and her new partner, Special Agent Noah Hunter, are forced to move past his skepticism of her approach and work together to unravel the deadly riddle.

With a brazen serial killer who breaks all the normal patterns on the loose, Noah and Kaely are tested to their limits to catch the murderer before anyone else, including Kaely, is killed.

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Release Date: December 4, 2018

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christian Book

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

Fire Storm

The Experience of an Iconic Christian Woman | Made for the Journey: One Missionary's First Year in the Jungles of Ecuador by Elisabeth Elliot

ABOUT THE BOOK

In her first year as a missionary to a small group of native women in the Ecuadorian jungle, Elisabeth Elliot faced physical and spiritual trials. In Made for the Journey, Elliot captures the mysteries and stark realities surrounding the colorful and primitive world in which she ministered. More than just a recounting of her early days, this is a beautifully crafted and deeply personal reflection on the important questions of life and a remarkable testimony to authentic Christian obedience to God.

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: December 4, 2018

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christian Book

The Friday 56 & First Line Friday | A Timeless Christmas

The Friday 56 is hosted weekly by Freda's Voice.
First Line Friday is hosted weekly by Hoarding Books.

Happy Friday!

Here's one more Christmas story I'm hoping to squeeze in before the end of the year. I do love a time-travel romance.

Fantasy Lovers, Read This! | Mark of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse

ABOUT THE BOOK

Lady Selene is the heir to the Great House of Ravenwood and the secret family gift of dreamwalking. As a dreamwalker, she can enter a person's dreams and manipulate their greatest fears or desires. For the last hundred years, the Ravenwood women have used their gift of dreaming for hire to gather information or to assassinate.

As she discovers her family's dark secret, Selene is torn between upholding her family's legacy--a legacy that supports her people--or seeking the true reason behind her family's gift.

Her dilemma comes to a head when she is tasked with assassinating the one man who can bring peace to the nations, but who will also bring about the downfall of her own house.

One path holds glory and power, and will solidify her position as Lady of Ravenwood. The other path holds shame and execution. Which will she choose? And is she willing to pay the price for the path chosen?

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Release Date: November 6, 2018

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christian Book

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

Flight of the Raven

Interesting & Entertaining | Fortune's Christmas Baby by Tara Taylor Quinn

ABOUT THE BOOK

His holiday surprise…

Is a bundle of joy!

When Nolan Forte returns to Austin a year after a yuletide romance, he is shocked to learn he is a father. He wants to do right by his beautiful baby girl—and her sweet mama, Lizzie Sullivan. But when he reveals his real name is Nolan Fortune, all bets are off. Lizzie doesn’t trust men with money. Maybe some Christmas magic can convince her that she, Nolan and Stella are already rich in what matters!

Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition

Release Date: November 20, 2018

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

A Fortunes of Texas Christmas

Waiting on Wednesday | Sweet on You

Hosted weekly by Breaking the Spine 

to spotlight eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

(Similarly, Can't-Wait Wednesday is hosted by Wishful Endings.)

Happy Wednesday!

This Bradford Sisters series from Becky Wade is phenomenal so far. I've loved True to You and Falling for You, so of course, I can't wait for the friendship-to-romance (plus all the chocolate!) of Britt's story.

Top Ten Tuesday | Books on My Winter TBR

Hosted weekly by That Artsy Reader Girl.

Happy Tuesday!

My TBRs always prove more ambitious than practical (so many books and so little time!). Nevertheless, here's what I'm hoping to read this winter.

High-Stakes Drama, Suspense & Romance | Tell Her No Lies by Kelly Irvin

ABOUT THE BOOK

Even the most admired families have secrets to hide...

Nina Fischer carries a camera wherever she goes—so she can view life through a filter. Safely. After her mother abandoned her to the streets, Nina has kept people at a distance, including her uncle, who adopted Nina and her sister. Wealthy and proud, he is a good man, a fair judge, and someone many in San Antonio admire.

But when he is murdered, and the detective assigned to the case accuses Nina of the crime, she knows she must act. She’s determined to use her journalism background to find the real killer. The two men in her life want to help, but can she trust them? She’s known Rick since they were children, but now he’s an attorney whose political aspirations seem more important than Nina’s tragic loss. And then there’s Aaron, a news videographer; using their friendship could break the biggest story of his career.

Following the evidence leads Nina on a journey of discovery into her father’s shocking masquerade as a law-abiding, family-loving Christian. Unlocking these secrets could prove fatal, but it’s the only way Nina will ever be able to trust love again.

Combining romance and suspense, bestselling author Kelly Irvin’s Tell Her No Lies is a high-stakes race for the truth.

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: November 13, 2018

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christian Book

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #27

Hosted weekly by The Book Date.

Happy Monday!

 I'm officially free of classes until January! Besides work, I'm enjoying filling my time with (more) cheesy Christmas movies, catching up on Fuller House, nearly last-minute Christmas shopping, and as many books as possible.

Friendship, Kindness & Christmas | Silent Days, Holy Night by Phyllis Clark Nichols

ABOUT THE BOOK

The sounds of Christmases past echo through a silent house…

Everyone in town knows Emerald Crest, the green granite mansion atop the highest hill: the legendary, lavish Christmas festivities that used to light up the nights—and the silence that followed when the parties abruptly stopped many years ago. And everyone has heard whispers about the reclusive, mysterious master of the manor, Henry Lafferty the Second . . .

When eleven-year-old Julia Russell steps into the great house for the first time and meets Mr. Lafferty, the entire course of her life is altered. She meets a man who is nothing at all like the rumors she’s heard from neighbors and classmates. He’s kind and extraordinarily talented—he also happens to be deaf and uses a wheelchair. And when she overhears a secret about him, Julia decides it’s time for the town to bring Christmas back to Emerald Crest—an act that will change them all forever.

Publisher: Gilead Publishing

Release Date: October 30, 2018

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christian Book

The Friday 56 & First Line Friday | One Christmas in Winter

The Friday 56 is hosted weekly by Freda's Voice.
First Line Friday is hosted weekly by Hoarding Books.

Happy Friday!

Another week, another Christmas story, of course.

Waiting on Wednesday | Sherwood

Hosted weekly by Breaking the Spine 

to spotlight eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

(Similarly, Can't-Wait Wednesday is hosted by Wishful Endings.)

Happy Wednesday!

Another retelling from Meagan Spooner? Can. Not. Wait.

Top Ten Tuesday | Based-on-a-Book Christmas Movies

Hosted weekly by That Artsy Reader Girl.

Happy Tuesday!

It's a freebie week for TTT, so of course, I'm sneaking in more Christmas talk. And as I've been so enjoying a binge of holiday movies (mostly from Hallmark) recently in addition to books, why not combine the topics? Here's a list of a few Christmas movies and the books on which they're based.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #26

Hosted weekly by The Book Date.

Happy Monday!

It was a week of Christmas parties for me! Very festive and fun. Of course, I couldn't resist watching a few more delightfully cheesy Christmas movies—and books.

C.E. Laureano | Days of Fantasy for Christmas

ABOUT THE BOOK

In a kingdom where the Old Ways hold fast and a man’s worth lies entirely in his skill with the sword, Conor Mac Nir is a scholar, a musician, and a follower of the forbidden Balian faith: problematic for any man, but disastrous for the son of the king.

When Conor is sent as a hostage to a neighboring kingdom, he never expects to fall in love with the rival king’s sister, Aine. Nor does he suspect his gift with the harp (and Aine’s ability to heal) touches on the realm of magic. Then his clan begins a campaign to eliminate all Balians from the isle of Seare, putting his newfound home in peril and entangling him in a plot for control of the island that has been unfolding since long before his birth.

Only by committing himself to an ancient warrior brotherhood can Conor discover the part he’s meant to play in Seare’s future. But is he willing to sacrifice everything—even the woman he loves—to follow the path his God has laid before him?

Publisher: NavPress

Release Date: May 1, 2014

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christian Book

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

Beneath the Forsaken City
The Sword and the Song

Ronie Kendig | Days of Fantasy for Christmas

ABOUT THE BOOK

He's coming for them. And the kingdom.

Haegan and Kaelyria Celahar are royal heirs of the Nine Kingdoms, but Haegan is physically crippled. What chance does he have against Poired Dyrth, the greatest enemy the kingdom has ever faced, who wields fire with a power none can match?

Their only hope is forbidden: Kaelyria must transfer her fire-harnessing abilities to Haegan. When she does it comes with a terrible price: Haegan’s disability is healed, but only by being transferred to Kaelyria. This decision causes their father, King Zireli, to unleash his wrath against Haegan.

Haegan flees the kingdom alone with two impossible tasks: Find a cure for Kaelyria and stop the coming war with the omnipotent Poired Dyrth.

Publisher: Enclave Publishing

Release Date: October 16, 2015

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christian Book

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

Accelerant
Fierian

The Friday 56 & First Line Friday | A Convenient Christmas Wedding

The Friday 56 is hosted weekly by Freda's Voice.
First Line Friday is hosted weekly by Hoarding Books.

Happy Friday!

Another week, another Christmas story I'm looking forward to reading. My classes end this weekend (finally!), and I fully intend to make the most of my free time before the holiday.

Reason to Breathe | Spotlight & Excerpt

ABOUT THE BOOK

Phylicia thought life was passing her by, but maybe this was love’s plan all along…

At twenty-nine, Phylicia Chandler put her life on hold to care for her dying mother with her sisters, Joanna and Britt. Now Mom is gone and their father stuns them all by running off with a woman young enough to be their sister. Life is moving forward all around her, but Phylicia feels stuck—until her father’s protégé, Quinn Mitchell, presents the sisters with an intriguing business opportunity to purchase a trio of cottages just outside of Langhorne, Missouri. Joanna and Britt are convinced the three of them should launch a vacation rental venture, but Phylicia remains skeptical.

To complicate matters, Quinn soon finds himself falling hard for Phylicia. But how can he pursue this beautiful, talented woman twelve years his junior when she’s still reeling over her father’s hasty engagement to a younger woman? Quinn is determined to give Phylicia her happily-ever-after. But first, he must help her come to terms with her discovery of long-held family secrets and persuade her that true love can transcend their differences.

Publisher: Gilead Publishing

Release Date: October 23, 2018

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christian Book