Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

Regina Beswick didn't know she was born to be a princess.

She’s content to be a small-town girl, running a classic auto restoration shop, unaware that a secret destiny awaits her. One that will leap from the pages of her grandmother’s hand-painted book of fairy tales.

Tanner Burkhardt is the stoic minister of culture for the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg. When he is tasked to retrieve the long-lost princess, he must overcome his fear of failure in order to secure his nation’s future — and his own.

Yet lurking in the political shadows is a fierce opponent with sinister plans to abolish the throne forever.

Overwhelmed with opposition, Regina must decide whether she’s destined to restore old cars or an ancient nation. Together — with a little divine intervention — Regina and Tanner discover the truth of her heritage and the healing power of true love.

The second in Rachel Hauck’s Royal Wedding series, Princess Ever After tells another delightfully cute tale of unexpected royalty. Regina Beswick, like most girls, had youthful dreams of becoming a princess, but never actually expected someone like Tanner Burkhardt to arrive proclaiming her legitimate royal heritage and duty. With Tanner’s prodding and persuasion, Regina’s life quickly turns upside-down with this surreal and ostensibly impossible opportunity, and she must quickly determine how to respond to God’s calling. As this story unfolds, Regina handles her challenges with spunk and charm, and her personality easily complements Tanner’s intelligent and affable yet troubled one. Their romance is sweet (albeit rushed and sudden at times), and their spiritual growth believable and encouraging. Like Once Upon a Prince, Princess Ever After is a fun, light, relaxing read, and fans of contemporary romance will be pleased. I certainly enjoyed it, and now I’m looking forward to read the next book in the series, How to Catch a Prince, when it comes out next year.

Thanks to Zondervan and NetGalley, I received a copy of Princess Ever After and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Waiting on Wednesday: Thief of Glory

Hosted weekly by Breaking the Spine 
to spotlight eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

Goodreads | Amazon

Title: Thief of Glory
Author: Sigmund Brouwer
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Expected Publication Date: 19 August 2014

In the tradition of Brock and Bodie Thoene's Zion Chronicles and history-meets-contemporary mysteries like those of bestseller Kate Morton, this WWII drama is both exciting in its revelations and heart-rending in its truth about human nature and forgiveness.

In the early 1940s, Jeremiah Prins was a 12-year-old living a content life as the son of a school headmaster in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia). When Holland declared war on the Japanese in 1941, the situation changed swiftly. The Japanese army invaded, and Jeremiah and his family were placed in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp – a camp Jeremiah finally escapes and returns to Holland. Yet wartime complications force him to abandon a marriage engagement with Laura Jensen. The young man flees to California, where he struggles with the lingering anger and war stress he faced as a child.

Determined to find some kind of redemption, a now-elderly Jeremiah tries to make sense of his life by journaling of all that he does not want to reveal to his children about his past, intending to leave his writings as an apology after he is gone.

An online encounter puts Jeremiah in touch with his true love from the war years, Laura, and when they meet again, it triggers the time bomb of long-buried secrets. Even seventy years later, if uncovered, these secrets can harm everyone who matters to Jeremiah.

Why I'm Waiting: I saw a bit of buzz about this book, and when I checked out the Goodreads blurb, I couldn't help but add it to my TBR list. I love historical novels with intrigue and secrets. 

Storm Siren by Mary Weber

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

"I raise my chin as the buyers stare. Yes. Look. You don’t want me. Because, eventually, accidentally, I will destroy you."

In a world at war, a slave girl’s lethal curse could become one kingdom’s weapon of salvation. If the curse – and the girl – can be controlled.

As a slave in the war-weary kingdom of Faelen, seventeen-year-old Nym isn’t merely devoid of rights, her Elemental kind are only born male and always killed at birth – meaning, she shouldn’t even exist.

Standing on the auction block beneath smoke-drenched mountains, Nym faces her fifteenth sell. But when her hood is removed and her storm-summoning killing curse revealed, Nym is snatched up by a court advisor and given a choice: be trained as the weapon Faelen needs to win the war, or be killed.

Choosing the former, Nym is unleashed into a world of politics, bizarre parties, and rumors of an evil more sinister than she’s being prepared to fight… not to mention the handsome trainer whose dark secrets lie behind a mysterious ability to calm every lightning strike she summons.

But what if she doesn’t want to be the weapon they’ve all been waiting for?

Set in a beautifully eclectic world of suspicion, super abilities, and monsters, Storm Siren is a story of power. And whoever controls that power will win.

Wow wow wow. (Is that enough wows?) I don’t know if I’m able to say enough good things about Mary Weber’s debut novel, Storm Siren, but I’ll start with saying, “I loved every single bit of it.” It’s marvelous and fantastical and shocking and fun, and it held me as a willing captive from the first page to the last.

Weber creates an enchanting world fraught with powerful and mysterious magic and superbly introduces it to her readers in Storm Siren. While reading, I felt thoroughly intrigued and immersed yet not overwhelmed. At just the right moments, she reveals the necessary explanatory details, but never lets superfluous background information bog down the narrative.

Against the backdrop of this world, Weber places an equally enchanting cast of characters. First and foremost is Nym, a perfect main character for Storm Siren. She has potent and formidable abilities as an unprecedented Elemental, yet remains confined by her station as a slave and the unforgettable tragedies of her past. She faces obstacles ostensibly impossible to overcome and proves to be clever, bold and decidedly conflicted – very likable and relatable. And supporting Nym are well-developed and complex characters. Their personalities vary uniquely and show insight beyond the static and stereotypical roles.

All in all, Storm Siren is a highly imaginative and mesmerizing story. With bits of everything from action and suspense to romance and humor, it’s a must-read that lovers of fantasy will surely enjoy. I just can’t say enough how much I loved this book. Most assuredly I’m hooked and, as soon as possible, will be picking up the book to follow (especially since that gasp-inducing cliff-hanger of an ending doesn’t leave me much of a choice).

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of Storm Siren and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

Evergreen by Susan May Warren

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

An empty nest has Ingrid Christiansen dreading the upcoming holidays, but her husband, John, couldn't be more excited about this new season of life. He even has a surprise trip abroad planned. He's sure she'll love it. What's more romantic than Christmas in Paris? 

Before he can stop her, however, Ingrid agrees to spearhead a major church project. Then their faithful dog, Butterscotch, needs emergency surgery, draining their savings. And then – because disasters strike in threes – an unexpected guest arrives, dredging up old hurts. 

As a beautiful blanket of snow transforms the north woods into a winter wonderland, a deep chill settles over John and Ingrid's marriage. With the holidays fast approaching, their only hope of keeping their love evergreen depends on turning the page on the past and embracing a new chapter of their future.

Susan May Warren returns to Deep Haven and Evergreen Resort for a sweet holiday story, focused on John and Ingrid Christiansen, in this Christiansen Family novella, Evergreen. With an empty house for the first time in years, John and Ingrid must rediscover how to relate to each other, while overcoming formidable challenges of both the present and past. Their story is not an easy one of smooth sailing, but as the couple learns to trust and forgive, Warren gives her readers many tender and hopeful moments.

As the foundation of the Christiansen family, John and Ingrid make appearances in Take a Chance on Me, It Had to Be You and When I Fall in Love, but I’m so glad to see them in their own story, brief though it may be. From the glimpses of these two characters in previous novels, I’ve always thought of them as stable and reliable, always ready to add a wise, encouraging word when necessary. Yet, Evergreen gives both John and Ingrid unique depth and personality, in ways I hadn’t expected. They are conflicted and flawed (and sometimes a bit frustrating), which helps make them real and relatable. I loved this opportunity to get to know John and Ingrid better.

Evergreen picks up just after When I Fall in Love, so fans of the Christiansen family will surely appreciate it. But readers new to the series need not be daunted – while I think it helps to know about the events found in the three previous novels, Warren provides just enough background information for this novella to be read either on its own or out of order. Overall, it’s a quick, enjoyable read of contemporary, inspirational romance, perfect for a free weekend in the approaching holiday season.

Thanks to Tyndale BlogNetwork, I received a copy of Evergreen and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren

Susan May Warren's newest book in the Christiansen Family Collection, When I Fall In Love, has won over readers' and critics' hearts alike. With critical reviews like, "...an exquisite romance. Profoundly touching on the topic of facing fears, this book is a true gem," and more than 60 five-star reviews at Amazon, When I Fall in Love is sure to please.

Susan has teamed up with some amazing food bloggers for a fun food challenge and a KitchenAid Mixer giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A KitchenAid Mixer
• The first three books in the Christiansen Family Collection.
• Melissa Ringstaff’s Kitchen Planner
• Jackie Brown's Freezer Inventory sheet

Grab your aprons and wire whisks and buzz on over to the When I Fall in Love website to learn more and enter the Hawaiian Chef Showdown! Susan is challenging you to make a Hawaiian-inspired dish using coconut, mango, or one of the other ingredients mentioned in the book. You’ll get extra points for creating your own recipe - plus she might share it on the When I Fall in Love site! Or if you're not up for an adventure in the kitchen just click one of the icons below for easy entry.

Hurry, the giveaway ends on August 10th. All winners will be announced August 13th at Susan's blog.



Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Susan's blog on the 13th to see if you won!

About the Book

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

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.

Max 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.

Sigh. I can’t get enough of the Christiansen family. I just love them – but with the way Susan May Warren creates and writes her characters, it’s nearly impossible not to. This family is real and inviting, full of love and their share of problems, and their interactions heartening and entertaining. When I Fall in Love, preceded by Take a Chance on Me and It Had to Be You, brings yet another charming and unique Christiansen romance to the series.

Grace Christiansen and Max Sharpe become fast friends on their food-oriented vacation to Hawaii and I couldn’t help but smile. Together they have so much fun with all the required tourist activities (when they’re not working hard in the kitchen), and their dialogue is continually witty and encouraging. Sweetly, stubbornly, inevitably, Grace and Max fall in love – but their relationship isn’t an easy one, since each character carries hidden baggage. As they individually struggle for and against the relationship, Warren skillfully cultivates an overarching spiritual theme of confronting the fear and uncertainty of the future within her narrative and provides authentic character growth and resolution.

When I Fall in Love is challenging, inspiring and heart-melting. Fans of the Christiansen family will not be disappointed and first-time readers will certainly be hooked. Pick it up now and fall in love – it’s a perfect summer read (especially on the beach). I highly recommend it, and I can’t wait to read what’s next for the remaining Christiansens!

Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers and LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of When I Fall in Love and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Feel free to go behind the pages of When I Fall in Love at Susan's website and check out other reviews. Also, don't forget to purchase your own copy here!

About the Author

Susan May Warren is the bestselling, RITA Award-winning author of more than forty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. She served with her husband and four children as a missionary in Russia for eight years before she and her family returned home to the States. She now writes full-time as her husband runs a lodge on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota, where many of her books are set. She and her family enjoy hiking, canoeing, and being involved in their local church. Several of her critically acclaimed novels have been ECPA and CBA bestsellers, were chosen as Top Picks by Romantic Times, and have won the RWA's Inspirational Reader's Choice contest and the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award. Five of her books have been Christy Award finalists. In addition to her writing, Susan loves to teach and speak at women's events about God's amazing grace in our lives. She also runs a writing community for authors. 

Find Susan online at her website, My Book Therapy, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.