A March Bride - A Review

Publisher - Zondervan, February 2014

Series - A Year of Weddings Novella #4

Author - Rachel Hauck

Title - A March Bride

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Three weeks shy of her wedding to King Nathaniel II, Susanna Truitt is feeling overwhelmed. She's having to adjust to a new country, a new culture, becoming a royal, and the press. When her mother calls her and delivers some devastating news to her, on the heels on an announcement from Nathaniel, Susanna doesn't think. She just runs home. Nathaniel has found his soul mate in Susanna. He is very much aware of what all she will have to give up to be his wife. But with Susanna returning home, he will do whatever it takes to show her exactly what she means to him. Will this be the end or will the king and his American princess figure out a way to have their happily ever after?

I LOVED this! I walked around with a silly grin on my face when I got to the end. *sighs* When Once Upon a Prince Came out last year, I really was ok with not having more of Susanna and Nathaniel's story. Then I found out that the author was doing a short novella continuation of their story as part of the Year of Weddings series. I knew I just had to have it. I pre-ordered it from Amazon back in November and then the Booksneeze/Book Look Blogging program offered it for review as well. So I requested it.

Obviously since this is a novella in a collection of a year of weddings, the happily ever after is a given. But it's how that happily ever after comes about is what is special. Susanna struggles with some very real fears that I'm sure most brides struggle with. Only in her case it's magnified by about 100 times because her fiance isn't just an ordinary man - he's the ruling king of a nation. So her fears and struggles are very public. I loved how her pastor at home gave her some sound advice. I also loved how Nathaniel decided to do whatever it took to show her that he loved her and understood what she was giving up by marrying him. And the way he goes about showing her is where I got the silly grin on my face and it didn't disappear until I finished the book.

Once again the supporting cast of characters, Avery, Susanna's parents, Jonathan, and Prince Stephen were all delightful to engage with through the story. I'd love to see a story for Avery, Jonathan, or Prince Stephen.

With the Royal Wedding series, I can honestly say that Rachel Hauck has become one of my favorite authors. After all, what little girl doesn't dream of being a princess?

I received an e-copy of the book for free from Thomas Nelson/Zondervan's Booklook Bloggers program for the purpose of reviewing. I did also purchase this from Amazon. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of happy endings, weddings, Rachel Hauck, fairy tales, Becky Wade, Melissa Tagg, contemporary romance

Rating - 5 stars - I just can't gush enough about this one!

Once Upon A Prince - A Review

Susanna Truitt never dreamed that her high school sweetheart turned Marine hero and love for the past twelve years would break up with her instead of proposing. Yet that's what he does. As she scrambles to put her life back together, she strikes up a friendship with a man she knows only as Nate. Prince Nathaniel of Brighton came to the small Georgia island community of St. Simmons for a vacation and well needed rest. He never expected the woman whose tire he changed to steal his heart. A beautiful friendship develops between the two. But there are so many obstacles of their being together - the first of which is that Brighton law forbids the marriage between a royal in line for the throne and a foreigner. But as both Nathaniel and Susanna learn, God is bigger than oceans and countries. Does His plan include a royal wedding?

I love fairy tales. And happy endings. This book is a modern day fairy tale that once I finished it, I just sighed happily. I'd first discovered Rachel Hauck's books in January of this year with The Wedding Dress. After reading and loving that  book, I knew I had to read Once Upon A Prince. There is so much of this book that reminds me of Lori Wick's The Princess. I loved both Nate and Susanna. I also loved the way that Susanna's homeless, tent-living friend, Aurora would speak God's truth directly to her. Yet Susanna was reluctant to believe and listen. I loved how both Susanna and Nate were willing to sacrifice for the other's well being, or for the sake of the Kingdom of Brighton. Sure, it's a little predictable, but that was fine with me.

This is a perfect read for a lazy summer day at the beach or under a shade tree with a tall glass of lemonade.

I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze program for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of happy endings, fairy tales, Lori Wick, Becky Wade, summer reads, and feel good stories.

Rating - 5 stars - I loved it and it made my inner princess happy.