Top Ten Tuesday: Books From the Past Three Years I Would Classify as All-Time Favorites

Hosted weekly by The Broke and the Bookish.

All Dressed Up in Love by Ruth Logan Herne

★★★★★

Greg Elizondo hadn’t bargained for this. Any of this.

Satin. Lace. Tulle. Pearl inlay, embroidered bodices, and Swarovski crystals.

The bridal shop business it took his mother three decades to build, the enterprise that covered his university and law degrees in full, was struggling because he might be part-genius when it came to contract law… But corset-style gowns with a mermaid flair? Shoot me now.

Tara Simonetti hated law school, but loved the community grant funding her presence at Temple University’s esteemed school of law. She could not fail. Would not fail. But when a notice for bridal store help appeared on the community notice board, Tara applied for the job immediately. While grants and loans helped pave her way, money for food was scarce. Legal precedence, moot court, and judicial clerking all had their place, but they were nothing compared to Alcenon lace, tucked silk skirts, and a well-placed peplum. 

Greg had grabbed her help as the act of a desperate man. Within weeks, he was desperate again, this time to win her heart. But after using community funds to get her degree, how can Tara turn her back on the people who helped finance her goal?

But if she leaves Philadelphia and Greg to return to her small-town in northern Pennsylvania, she’ll be leaving her heart behind. A heart he won, fair and square by posting a help wanted notice on the coffee shop board… A heart that filled the missing niche in his mother’s acclaimed bridal store. A heart Greg longed to cherish forevermore.

Here we go again: another fun, heartfelt romance from A Year of Weddings with “All Dressed Up in Love” by Ruth Logan Herne. This novella, set against the backdrop of a local bridal boutique, takes its characters into challenging, sometimes humorous, situations that turn their lives upside-down. Yet, as they navigate their way amidst these situations, they encounter God’s intentions for their futures - and perhaps the necessary romance. Though it moves quickly, “All Dressed Up in Love” fits neatly into this behind-the-scenes novella collection and delivers a sweet, romantic story. I certainly enjoyed it and cannot wait for the chance to read the next novella.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of “All Dressed Up in Love” 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.”)

About the Author

Award-winning author Ruth Logan Herne is the author of over a dozen novels for Love Inspired and Summerside Press. The mother of seven children, she loves kids and pets. She is married to a very patient man who is seemingly unthreatened by the casts of characters living in her head.

How to Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck

An American heiress and a crown prince seem destined to be together. Will the devastation of war keep them apart forever? Find out in Rachel Hauck's new book, How to Catch a Prince. True love has a destiny all its own. With a little heavenly help, Prince Stephen and Corina embark on a journey of truth. But when the secrets are revealed, can they overcome, move forward, and find love again?

Enter to win a "royal" prize pack! 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A royal-themed Brighton charm bracelet
• 2 tickets to see the new Cinderella movie
• The Royal Wedding series (Once Upon a Prince, Princess Ever After, and How to Catch a Prince)

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 23rd. Winner will be announced March 24th on Rachel's blog.


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About the Book

★★★★★
Read chapter one here.

An American heiress and a crown prince seem destined to be together. Will the devastation of war keep them apart forever?

American heiress Corina Del Rey caught her prince once. But the tragedy of war kept her too long in a fog of grief. Now she's shifting her life forward, reigniting her career as a journalist. Still, nothing can relieve her of the secret and the love she carries in her soul.

Prince Stephen of Brighton is one of the world's most eligible bachelors and a star rugby player, trying to make sense of his life. But his days in Afghanistan with the Royal Air Command have marked him forever. And he can't seem to shake their dark shadow.

But when his brother, King Nathaniel, confronts him with a document the prince thought long buried and forgotten, Stephen is forced to face the pain of his past and the love he left behind.

With a little heavenly help, Prince Stephen and Corina embark on a journey of truth. But when the secrets are revealed, can they overcome, move forward, and find love again?

How to Catch a Prince is a splendid addition to Rachel Hauck’s Royal Weddings. I loved both Once Upon a Prince and Princess Ever After, and now I can easily say I loved this third novel, too. In it, Prince Stephen unexpectedly reunites with the woman he once married, Corina Del Rey, and as I read, I enjoyed getting to know both of these characters. In light of the secrets kept and choices made, Hauck kept me wondering if Stephen and Corina could have a second-chance, happily-ever-after relationship - but I hoped. A sweet romance filled with spiritual truths, How to Catch a Prince will please fans of contemporary fiction - I recommend it.

Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of How to Catch a Prince 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. To read other opinions, be sure to check out what other reviewers think here.

About the Author

RITA Finalist and Carol Award winner Rachel Hauck, named by Family Fiction readers as one of the top five romance authors in CBA, is the author of more than seventeen novels, including the acclaimed Songbird novels with multi-platinum country singer Sara Evans and the EPCA/CBA best-selling novel The Wedding Dress. 

Find Rachel online at her website, Facebook and Twitter.

A Faith of Her Own by Kathleen Fuller

★★★★★

Jeremiah thought leaving Middlefield was the hardest thing he'd ever do. That was nothing compared to returning home.

When Jeremiah left his Amish community to pursue his dream of becoming a veterinarian, he left more than just his faith behind – he walked away from his family and his childhood friend, Anna Mae. Now that he's returned to help out his mentor and work in a Yankee veterinarian practice, Jeremiah must face his past – and the people he betrayed.

Anna Mae had finally put the loss of Jeremiah and the broken vow between them behind her. Even though she supported her best friend's pursuit of his dream, she never let on how his departure left her questioning her own place in the Amish world. With his return, new questions arise, along with feelings she'd never fully acknowledged before.

As their rekindled friendship begins to turn into something more, Jeremiah and Anna Mae must examine their own faith and their relationship with each other and their families. With both of them torn between loyalty to their loved ones and being pulled in different directions, they must decide whether to heed God's call, even if it means being apart forever.

Kathleen Fuller’s A Faith of Her Own tells a wonderful story of faith, forgiveness and community. Anna Mae and Jeremiah, along with a great cast of interesting, supporting characters, face daunting decisions of the future, while reconciling the painful hurts of the past. Each characters must rely on faith to move forward, however difficult that may be, and I found their journeys to be engaging and encouraging. An overall sweet story, A Faith of Her Own is a quick, enjoyable read and for fans of Amish fiction, I would recommend it. I definitely enjoyed it and now look forward to reading more from Kathleen Fuller.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of A Faith of Her Own 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.”)

About the Author

Kathleen Fuller is the author of several bestselling novels, including A Man of His Word and Treasuring Emma, as well as a middle-grade Amish series, The Mysteries of Middlefield. Visit her online at her website and Twitter.

Serving Up a Sweetheart by Cheryl Wyatt

★★★★★

Meadow knows how to serve delicious food to match any wedding theme. But can she accept love when it's served up on a silver platter?

During one of the biggest weeks of her catering career, Meadow Larson’s kitchen roof caves in after an unrelenting blizzard. She has to accept help from the last person on earth she wants to see: Colin McGrath. The tormentor from her past is now a contractor, her new neighbor – and the only person available to take on a project of this size.

Colin is aware God has given him a second chance to make things right with Meadow after bullying her in high school. After years of regret and guilt, Colin is determined to earn her respect and forgiveness, no matter what it takes.

It’ll take an extreme kitchen renovation, several cooking lessons, a little lace, and a lot of grace, but God is using this renovation project not only to restore Meadow’s heart, but also to restore Colin’s integrity in her eyes. Will Meadow learn to trust the new Colin even as their relationship grows from a business exchange to something more meaningful?

Cheryl Wyatt’s addition to A Year of Weddings, “Serving Up a Sweetheart,” features yet another second-chance romance developing behind the scenes of weddings. Meadow Larson only knows Colin McGrath as a bully who made her high-school experience painful to remember. But when he comes into her life years later, she must decide whether she can risk her heart with forgiveness and trust. It is sweet, fun journey with many unexpected circumstances determined to bring this couple together. Fans of A Year of Weddings will surely enjoy the delightful romance of “Serving Up a Sweetheart.”

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of "Serving Up a Sweetheart" 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.”)

About the Author

Cheryl Wyatt writes romance with virtue. She’s earned RT Top Picks, spots #1 and #4 on her debut publisher’s Top 10 Most-Blogged-About-Books list, Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence final, and other awards. Cheryl loves readers! Join her newsletter at her website and visit her on Facebook and Twitter.