Keep Holding On - A Review

Published - September 2016, Larkspur Press
Series - Walker Family Book 3
Author - Melissa Tagg
Title - Keep Holding On
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Beckett Walker hasn't returned home to Maple Valley in years. He's come back for his cousin's wedding. And to make amends for an incident that happened years ago when he stopped Kit Danby's wedding. Beckett knows that there's a pretty good chance he'll be arrested once the police know he's back in town considering that he stole a car and then wrecked it prior to leaving town. Kit Danby's supposed to be in London. But she's back in Maple Valley and trying to make sense of her life. Her family's apple orchard is in danger of closing, and Kit begs her father to allow her to make a go of it for the season. When trouble strikes, Kit turns to her best friend from childhood, Beckett, for assistance. Beckett's got to do a lot of community service and Kit's orchard is the place to do it. But can he keep from falling for his best friend - again?

Melissa's books always make me smile. Over the past few books, I've gotten to know the Walker family, and I love them. I love the way that the siblings pull together when they need to. I also love the way that they tease each other.

Beckett and Kit were a cute couple. I thought that they did well together. Of course it's fun to see the other siblings as well. I am looking forward to Raegan's story.

I received the kindle book for free from the author for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Jody Hedlund, Becky Wade, Susan May Warren

Rating - 4 stars

Like Never Before - A Review

Published - April 2016, Bethany House Publishers
Series - Walker Family Book 2
Author - Melissa Tagg
Title - Like Never Before
Format - ebook, paper
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Widower Logan Walker is a speechwriter on the fast track to a presidential campaign spot. But when he finds out that he's inherited the small newspaper in his hometown of Maple Valley, Iowa, he has no choice but to head home with his daughter. Hoping for a quick sale of the paper, Logan isn't prepared for reporter Amelia Bentley to fight for the paper's survival. When she pitches a story to him, he's intrigued. As the pair chase down leads on this mystery, sparks fly not only in the office, but in their hearts.

I've loved Melissa's writing since I first read Made to Last. And when she introduced us to the Walker family, I realized that it would be a series of books. Returning to Maple Valley with Logan was delightful. I loved the sparks between Logan and Amelia. I also loved seeing his siblings.

One thing that I can always say about Melissa's books, they make me want to watch Cary Grant movies! I'm serious with that. But each book has been a delight to read. I know that I can always count on Melissa's books to lift my mood, make me giggle, and to fall in love with the characters.

I received this book back at the end of March/beginning of April from the author for the purpose of helping to promote. I'll admit I read it in April, but forgot to write my review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of romantic comedies, Melissa Tagg, Becky Wade, Katie Ganshert, Janice Thompson, Denise Hunter, Susan May Warren

Rating - 4 stars

 

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books I read in 2015

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly theme hosted by the Broke & the Bookish.

This week's theme is the top ten books I've read in 2015. I could do a variety of lists, but I know myself well enough to know that I can't just pick 10! So here's what I came up with.

1. The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron - This is by far my favorite book of the year. It enthralled me.

2. Accept This Dandelion by Brooke Williams - This was so much fun to read. I giggled my way through it.

3. Dandelion Field by Kathryn Springer - The story in this one kept me turning the pages. The way that there were two stories really being told at the same time.

4. How to Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck - My favorite of the Royal Wedding Series. I loved this one.

5. From the Start by Melissa Tagg - Her books have captivated me from the first, and this one wasn't any exception.

6. Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund - I loved Ryan in this book. He gave a whole new meaning to the "wounded" hero.

7. Not By Sight by Kate Breslin - I loved her debut last year. This one was a great second novel.

8. The Gifting Series by K. E. Ganshert - I read all three of these in one weekend I believe.

9. Fire and Ice by Mary Connealy - I'd been wanting Bailey's story since book 1. Was so glad to get it in this one.

10. Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin - I love the cover on this book. I love her writing.

11. Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar - It's been a while since I read one of his books. This one was a surprise delight.

12. One More Wish by Robin Jones Gunn - Robin's books are like old friends. Even when it's a new book. They are truly a breath of fresh air.

13. Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz - Laura's books make me long to be in the period of history. They truly are amazing.

14. The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck - If I wasn't already a fan of Rachel's, then this book would have made me one. It's that good.

15. The Isle of Hope by Julie Lessman - Julie's first contemporary novel. There are enough fun characters in it to make me not sad that she's writing contemporary instead of historical. Though I still love her historicals.

16. Wings of Glory Series by Sarah Sundin - These have been on my list for a while. I'm so glad that I got to them, finally. Book 3 is my favorite.

17. Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter - I kept hearing about this book. I was glad to finally read it.

18. The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan - I'd forgotten how funny his books are until I started this one. I love his sense of humor.

19. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George - I love fairytale retellings. This one retells the Twelve Dancing Princesses.

20. Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey - I kept waiting for Reef's story. I was not disappointed in it at all.

Now for some that are mostly rereads:

21. Short Straw Bride & Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer - These are my two favorites by Karen.

22. Juliet by Anne Fortier - I loved this one from the first time that I read it. This time through, I was buddy reading it, and I loved it even more.

23. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling - One of my friends is reading this series for the first time, and I said I'd buddy with her on these. No matter how many times I read them, Harry Potter never gets old.

From the Start - A Review

Published - April, 2015 Bethany House Publishers
Series - Walker Family Book 1
Author - Melissa Tagg
Title - From the Start
Format - ebook, paper
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Kate Walker is a romantic screenplay writer. Yet her scripts are falling flat. When a tornado draws her back to her hometown of Maple Valley, she sees this as a chance to figure out what she needs to do with her life. She wants to do something meaningful. Colton Greene is an NFL quarterback who saw his career end with an injury. Temporarily hiding out in his best friend's hometown of Maple Valley, Colton hopes to avoid the media and be normal. There's one problem. He doesn't know normal. Maple Valley is a small place, so it's only natural that Kate and Colton will see a lot of each other, especially since he is staying at her father's house. As the pair find themselves forming a friendship while working a project together, they soon realize that they both ave new dreams and just possibly a future together.

I don't know how Melissa does it. but each book just keeps getting better. I loved it! While her author's note at the end of the book tells the reader that this was her hardest book to write, I found I appreciated that even more. 

The characters are well developed. There is the author's trademark style of humor and classic film/literature throughout the book. I loved the interactions with the Walker Family. I loved the way that the community stood together to make things happen. 

The cover itself is also true of Melissa's other books. It's bright and fun and just begs the reader to pick it up. I was delighted to be captivated by the cover and into the book's rich story. 

I cannot wait for the next book to come out. Melissa's books have become, for me, a fun way to escape the reality of life. 

Fans of romance will love this book. 

I received the book for free from the author to help in promoting it. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Becky Wade, Melissa Tagg, Debbie Maccomber, contemporary fiction, chick flicks

Rating - 5 stars

Here to Stay - A Review

Published - May 2014, Bethany House Publishers

Series - Where Love Begins book 2

Author - Melissa Tagg

Title - Here to Stay

Format - ebook, paper

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Blake Hunziker returns to his hometown of Whisper Shore, Michigan on the heels of his "celebrity" status as Miranda Woodruff's fake husband. He's ready to come to grips with his past and to put his years of wandering the globe behind him. When his father and the town's Chamber of Commerce offer him the job of getting the town ready for the Christmas festival, Blake agrees. There's only one problem. He has no idea how to run a festival. Autumn Kingsley is running her family's inn and dreaming of leaving her small town. Her inn is in need of a lot of TLC and when a high profile potential investor checks in, Autumn is determined to put her inn at its best. Though with no money for repairs, Autumn doesn't know how she will put the inn's best forward to her investor. When she runs into Blake, he offers a solution to both of their problems. He'll help with the repairs around the inn if she'll help him with the festival. Autumn knows that both of their families will protest the bargain due to a long held feud between them, but she agrees to Blake's offer. What she doesn't expect is to start to fall for the man. What's Blake to do when the man who has stopped running begins to fall in love with the girl who can't wait to leave?

After loving Melissa Tagg's debut novel, Made to Last, last year, I eagerly anticipated Blake's story. I'd grown to love him in Made to Last and had very high expectations for this book. I'm pleased to say that this book exceeded all of my expectations.

This one was filled with humor like the first. I loved how Blake wanted to show he'd changed and had moved far from his nickname of "Blaze." I loved how he went out of his way to help someone or to assist Autumn. For her part, Autumn needed to discover who she really was and what made her happy. I loved her journey.

Seriously, if this were a movie, it had all of the makings of a chick flick that I'd enjoy over and over. I loved this book just as much as the first.

I received this book for free from the author as part of her Tagg Team to help promote the book. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of romantic comedies, chick lit, Janice Thompson, Becky Wade, Melissa Tagg, contemporary romance

Rating - 5 stars

Made to Last - A Review

Miranda Woodruff will do anything to keep her home-building show, From the Ground Up, on the air. Even introduce her husband to her viewers. There's just one problem. The "husband" she's supposed to be married to doesn't exist. When her producers come up with the idea to hire a man to play the part of her husband. So now Miranda's closely guarded private life is about to become very public. Reporter Matthew Knox is desperate for a breakout story that will save his career. When he's offered the chance to blog about the very private Miranda Woodruff, he jumps at the chance to find out what makes this intriguing woman tick. Plus it's a huge financial breakthrough that will help to pay for an important surgery for his young niece. Sparks fly between Matthew and Miranda from the moment they meet. But with her supposedly married, nothing can come of it, right? But when the truth comes out, will Matthew and Miranda escape with their hearts intact or not?

I was thrilled to be a part of the author's Tagg Team for this book. Early reviews I kept seeing on Facebook and Twitter kept praising this book. I knew I was going to have to move it up in my reading pile sooner rather than later. As I started reading, I could tell that the early praise didn't disappoint. I was laughing by the end of the first chapter and then kept giggling through out the rest of the story. I loved seeing how both Matthew and Miranda would deny their attraction for one another because after all, she was married. This has quickly become one of my favorite romantic comedies and I'm looking forward to the next book. I'm hoping it will be about the delightful Blaze! This is a debut author who has fast become a favorite!

I received this book for free from the author for the purpose of promoting and reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Home Improvement, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, romantic comedies, Janice Thompson, Becky Wade, Rachel Hauck, Lisa Wingate

Rating - 5 stars