REVIEW WEDNESDAY - A June Bride

 Good morning, readers!

We're stepping into June all about the brides. This week's novella was interesting. Let's get into the book and the review.

AMAZON

BLURB:

The reality show ended with an engagement, so why doesn’t this feel like the fairy tale she thought it would be?

The Rejection Connection hardly sounds like the place to fall in love, but Wynne Hardy walked off the reality-TV set with an engagement ring. And in the whirlwind of publicity and preparation that follows a TV-bride-to-be in her fifteen minutes of fame, Wynne barely has time to consider how she really feels about her new fiancé . . . to say nothing of how she still feels about her ex.

As the wedding plans develop, so too do Wynne’s doubts: Is she in love with Andy? Or is this really about Callum—the ex-boyfriend who sent her onto Rejection Connection in the first place? A nationally televised snub might be the best revenge . . . but is it a good reason to get married?

When Callum resurfaces at the worst possible moment, Wynne can’t help wondering if she’s made a huge mistake. Is her marriage a publicity stunt? And what happens when the cameras stop rolling, and she has a husband she barely knows?

A June Bride is Book 7 in the A Year of Weddings series. 

I've never been a fan of reality TV, unless it's a cooking show (those are a little harder to script, I think, though not impossible). But as this story brings to light, most of it is scripted for ratings. Meredith brings that to light when, as her Marathon Mom fame is dying, she steps onto Wynne's wedding dress train for a shot at a new run; a way to keep herself in the spotlight. Wynne doesn't see this at first. She's too caught up in her upcoming wedding to her chosen one on the reality show, The Rejection Connection. But was she really 'rejected'? Or did she misunderstand why Callum walked away? 

The evolution of this story was smooth, believable, and worth the read. Once you read the book, please leave a comment either here, or in your own review whether or not Andy was really in it to find a partner or was he also riding the reality train?

I'm giving A June Bride...

Remember, you can find out more about Marybeth Whalen and her books by clicking any of the links below.

WEBSITE

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~ Angela

RETURNING TO HISTORY - Part 2

 As readers we think (or at least I've heard) that writing a book is easy. For those authors who are pumping out 4-6 books a year I just can't imagine. Do they not do anything but write? No other interests?

I have always had some experience, feeling, something to draw from and to add a dimension to my stories. With An Ozarks Homecoming, I started with a clean slate. The closest I have to experience with this book is 1) my passion for all things Eureka Springs and 2) my desire to in some way, pay my respects to Corporal Donald Matney, the Korean War Veteran who inspired the secondary story line.

For those of you who are authors, you'll understand what I'm about to say next. The Hero, Marc, informed me last night that his last name can NOT be the same as the Veteran, because his mother (the daughter of the late Cpl. Sterling) married. Marc's name would be that of his parents... not his mother's maiden name. (As I repost this I realize I've still not addressed this in the story. Hmm)

My strongest desires for this book are to do justice to Cpl, Matney and his family, to pay honor our Veterans, and to put out the very best book I can.

So tell me, are you are writer? a reader? both?

All my best!

~ Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Marybeth Whalen

 Good morning, friends!

This week we are preparing for a June wedding. That story comes tomorrow. For now, let's meet this week's author.

BIO:

Marybeth Mayhew Whalen is the author of THE THINGS WE WISH WERE TRUE (7/16) and five previous novels. She speaks to women's groups around the US. She is the co-founder of the popular women's fiction site, She Reads www.shereads.org. Marybeth and her husband Curt have been married for 24 years and are the parents of six children, ranging from young adult to elementary age. The family lives in North Carolina. Marybeth spends most of her time in the grocery store but occasionally escapes long enough to scribble some words. She is always at work on her next novel. 

You'll find out more about Marybeth and her works by clicking the links below.

WEBSITE

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~ Angela

THOUGHTFUL MONDAY

Good morning, friends!

I've scheduled a lot of posts so I can get back to finishing this book. I'm ready to talk to new characters. 

All my best!

~ Angela

 

FRIDAY PHOTO

 Good morning!

June starts the big travel season so you'll see photos to inspire your romantic getaways, excursions, and other fun ways to escape the daily grind.

courtesy of Julius-Silver-Hallstatt on Pixabay

All my best!

~ Angela

RETURNING TO HISTORY - Part 1

 Good morning, friends. 

I'm going to be reposting older content. For one reason, I may have followers that have not seen them. The other reason is bring posts related to my current work in progress to the foreground. I'm getting closer to finishing An Ozarks Homecoming so it's time to bring some things back - refreshing both your memory (if you've been following me awhile) and my own. At almost sixty-five, this brain isn't always what it  used to be in some areas. 

Future posts will run on Wednesdays and the conference/ contest items will run on Thursdays, when available.

EDITED FROM JANUARY 2019 - How it all began.

I don't think I've told any of you yet, but Book 2 is centered around a young couple brought back together (there's that 2nd chance thing) through the events surrounding bringing home the remains of a Korean War Vet. I got the idea two years ago as I stood by the side of the road in solemn respect of a procession carrying Crpl. Donald Matney home to Seymour MO. Something about this young man spoke to me. While I've never believed in visiting someone at a cemetery, I find myself stopping by his resting place almost every time I travel through on my way to Springfield.

They say 'write what you know'. Many of my stories are influenced by my own personal experiences. I'm struggling with Book 2 because I really don't have anything to pull from. The other challenge I have is making sure I get all of the military information correct. I do not want to dishonor our service men and women by misrepresenting something. 

All my best!

~ Angela

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - The Farmer's Bride

 Good morning!

Was nice to curl up and really enjoy the book yesterday. I needed the break. The canning is done until fall, so that's one thing off my plate and I can get back to writing.

In the mean time, I have a soft romance for you today. This book was special. One of the reasons I love to read novella's because they show the author's true artistry in telling a tight, well-structured story. This week's book is a great example of Christine Sterling'stalent.

AMAZON

BLURB:

She offered herself as a bride, to save her future—and his heart.

Elizabet Garrett is out of time and out of choices. Cast out by her brother’s growing family, she knows the early American frontier offers little mercy to an unmarried woman with nowhere to go. When she witnesses a wounded farmer being rejected by his mail-order bride, Elizabet does the unthinkable. She steps forward and offers herself as the substitute.

Peter Arkin has learned not to hope. Finding a wife on the frontier isn’t easy when you have a disability. He has survived loss, injury, and a bitter struggle with anger on his isolated homestead. When his carefully arranged mail-order match fails, the last thing he expects is a stranger’s brave and desperate proposal. Elizabet never intended to fall for the rugged man behind the scars, but her past threatens to follow her into marriage.

Peter starts believing in love again, but his temper and self-doubt could destroy the fragile bond they’re building. Can two wounded hearts find healing, faith, and love on the unforgiving frontier, or will fear cost them everything?

Set in the small town of Flat River, Nebraska, this heartfelt and uplifting historical romance is perfect for readers who enjoy 1800s western frontier stories filled with strong pioneer women, rugged men, and the courage it takes to choose love. If you love clean historical romance rooted in faith and hope, with frontier hardship and a love which grows stronger through God’s grace, then read The Farmer’s Bride today and discover why readers keep coming back to Flat River.

I loved multiple things about this story. First and foremost a disabled hero. It isn't often we see disability featured, especially in a historical. He was so sweet. Elizabet helped him see he wasn't incapable of a lot of things, including love, just because he was missing a leg. They were both bruised from various occurrences in their past. They found each other when they needed to someone to help them heal. 

As for Elizabet. I loved her character. The fact that her brother acted the way she did. Elizabet left to begin her new life with Peter with a small carpet bag holding her meager possessions. I won't give anything away but safe to say, Peter had much more restraint than I would have. 

The Farmer's Bride is Book 1 of 7 in the Flat River Matchmaker series. Christina said we'll see some of the characters make appearances along the way. I want to read the others if for no other reason than to find out if Elizabet's brother comes to his senses. 

You'll find a complete list of the series on...

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/351177-the-flat-river-matchmaker

I'm giving The Farmer's Wife...

All my best!

~ Angela