Tag: romance

Cloaked in Beauty

Cloaked in Beauty, Softcover, #3
By Karen Witemeyer / Bethany House

This book is a fun and enjoyable love story set in Texas beginning in 1881 . I chose it to read because I do like “journey stories”. An heiress to a shipping fortune on route back to her childhood home is guarded by a Pinkerton Agent. The young lady’s villainous uncle is committed to thwarting her arrival and makes plans to bring about her demise. The Pinkerton Agent is fully occupied keeping her safe. Along the way, major accidents and harrowing adventures threaten to keep them from their destination. The two main characters Letty Hood (aka Scarlett Radcliffe) and Philip Carmichael discover a deep admiration and abiding love for each other. The author portrays them both as capable and wise. Throughout the story they most often act unselfishly and care deeply about social justice. At first glance the wealthy heiress and traveling security guard may not seem like they could make a future together work, but the author resolves this perfectly. Reader’s will be happy with the conclusion. I also like the elements that gave a nod to fairy tales. There were many instances when what you might expect was turned upside down. For example: While Letty Hood needed protection, she was not damsel in distress. Her country upbringing while in hiding with her grandmother allowed her to acquire a range of skills that helped to keep her safe until she could reach her twenty-first birthday, return home, and claim her inheritance. The other element turned on its head was the wolf’s role in the story. No big bad wolf here. Just a loyal companion named “Rusty” who is a main character in his own right. The duo of Letty and Philip aren’t going to Grandma’s instead they leave her and make the journey away from her home, only to be reunited with her later. A true “fracture fairy tale” and a fun story to read. This book is Book #3 in the Texas Ever After Series

I read an ARC supplied by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. #CloakedinBeauty, #NetGalley

Meddling with Mistletoe

Meddling with Mistletoe: A Red Door Inn Christmas Romance, Softcover
By Liz Johnson / Revell

Liz Johnson’s newest book is a joy to read. I chose this book to review because she is one of my favorite authors. Meddling with Mistletoe earns high marks for its setting, delightful plot, and characters you will grow to love. It’s a multigenerational story brimming with Christmas cheer and a bounty of plot twists and turns. The romance that blooms between our two main characters, Whitney and Daniel, is equal parts fun and serious. We see them share a stroll through a holiday light display and feel their sense of awe and joy. They grow closer while selling Whitney’s delicious homemade pies at a local farmers’ market. At the mid-point their growing bond is disrupted by a backstory that threatens to tear them apart. All ends well, just in time for Christmas.

Aretha Franklin Sloan is Daniel’s meddling aunt. It’s easy to walk in her shoes and understand why she’s working so hard to micromanage Daniel’s love life. The story resembles real life when despite her best efforts, her plans go awry.

If you’re looking to pick up a genuine and satisfying romance novel with the expectation of enjoying a respite from crazy schedules then this book is for you. I read a print copy supplied by the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review.