Every Bride Needs a Groom by Janice Thompson

Katie Fisher's small town of Fairfield, Texas is all she knows and all she wants. Surrounded by family, friends and her long-term boyfriend, Casey, her life is almost complete. Having dreamed of being a bride and wife all her life, she is beyond ready for Casey to pop the question. She's sure it will be soon and with the encouragement of her cousin, she enters an essay to win a one-of-a-kind wedding dress. Ironically, on the same day she wins the dress, her boyfriend breaks up with her. Tired of everyone knowing and talking about her business, she travels to Dallas for some time away from Fairfield and to inform the bridal shop owner that she can no longer claim the prize. She's unprepared for the owner's son, a recovering, handsome and single pro-basketball player named Brady. As Katie is swept along through the fitting and designing, she and Brady strike an easy friendship that could be so much more. Will Brady discover her secret and will he want anything to do with her if he does? Read more in Every Bride Needs a Groom by Janice Thompson.

Every Bride Needs a Groom commences Janice Thompson's “Brides with Style” series and delivers an emotional story about losing dreams and finding new hope. Though there were plenty of issues for Katie to work through, I would have liked a little more depth. In spite of Katie's (and her family's) issues, the story felt pretty light overall. Katie's character exemplified uniqueness and beauty. I was initially unsure if I would like the first person point-of-view, especially since Katie has such quirky, small-town mindset (at least in the beginning), but after a few chapters, I enjoyed seeing her life from her perspective. As with other books by Janice Thompson, movie trivia and humorous situations are woven into the plot.

Every Bride Needs a Groom is solidly written and will likely appeal to readers looking for a clean, sweet romance with touches of humor.

Read an excerpt from Every Bride Needs a Groom on the publisher's website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. 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."

The Waiting by Cathy LaGrow

Minka DeYoung grew up in circumstances that were simultaneously difficult and safe. Working alongside her parents and being unable to attend high school, Minka is innocent and shy. On a picnic one summer day in 1928, Minka slips away for a walk in the woods with another girl, only to be sexually assaulted by a stranger. Understandably confused and hurt, she later realizes that she is also pregnant. Sent away to hide the pregnancy and give the baby up for adoption, Minka falls in love with her beautiful baby girl, Betty Jane. Realizing that giving her to another family is for the best, Minka sacrifices her own desires and leaves the child for its adoptive parents. Almost eighty years later, she utters a prayer asking to see her daughter, but never expects that it will happen. Such a prayer seems impossible, but Minka's story exemplifies the truth that with God, nothing is impossible. Read more in The Waiting by Cathy LaGrow.

At times, The Waiting was difficult to read and I found myself on the verge of tears. It's not light, fluffy entertainment, but a remarkable true story that has the potential to change hearts with its themes of perseverance, faith and love.

The author expertly brings the reader into Minka's experience with vivid narration, intriguing historical detail and a heart-wrenching plot. Some details of the rape are given, but only the necessities that help the reader to understand the story. While it is unpleasant to read about and probably not appropriate for younger readers, it is not overly graphic. I enjoyed how much history was integrated within the story. Not just big events like wars and economic upheaval, but lesser known things like the doctor following the standard procedure of the day in dosing Minka with ether when she came to the pushing stage of childbirth.

The cover of The Waiting is stunning and the photos inside contribute positively to the reader's experience. To see Minka and Ruth (Betty Jane) together after reading their story is such a poignant image.

Readers who are looking for an inspirational, true story of perseverance and faith will enjoy The Waiting. This book is a keeper for me. It's not something I'll want to read again in three months, but I'm sure I'll read it again in the future.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. 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."

The Creole Princess by Beth White

Lyse Lanier spends much of her time between the company of her best friend, the daughter of a loyal British commander, and working with her brother to provide income for their family. Spanish merchant, Rafael Gonzalez, notices Lyse when she fends off an unruly sailor. As their paths cross, his theatrics hide deeper intelligence and feelings that Lyse slowly recognizes and comes to admire. However, Rafael's true motives remain a mystery to Lyse and leads her to question his intentions. Spain is still neutral in the American-British conflict – at least formally – but Lyse's connection to a British commander could be easily exploited. Will the budding love between Lyse and Rafael survive the perils that abound? Read more in The Creole Princess by Beth White.

The Creole Princess is the second novel of the Gulf Coast Chronicles series by Beth White. I have not read the first and the second worked fine as a stand-alone. Being set mostly in Mobile, Alabama, – an area somewhat apart from the original thirteen colonies – at the brink of the American Revolutionary War created an intriguing and original backdrop for story. The cultural fusion represented in Lyse was offset by the well-known racism and slavery of the “South” during earlier centuries. Though the latter elements were present in the story and presented in a negative light, the themes did not overpower the story.

I enjoyed the humor and mystery that Rafael brought to the story. The Creole Princess is far from the mystery genre, but the espionage element helped keep the story moving. I think the story could have benefited from a little different pacing. As it was, the romantic relationship between Rafael and Lyse developed quickly and then stagnated as Lyse spent much of the story ruminating on if Rafael was truly in love with her and the future of their relationship. While this is a natural reaction in light of the circumstances of their relationship, I found it a bit repetitive at times.

That being said, the setting, humor and well-rounded characters of The Creole Princess make it worth reading, especially for fans of early American romances.

Read an excerpt from The Creole Princess by Beth White on Revell Publishers' website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. 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."