Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist

Georgie Gail's position as a telephone switchboard operator is enviable. Her employer, SWT&T, provides an income and a simple cottage for her. Her pleasant life includes independence, community and a lovely garden designed to attract birds. She's less than thrilled when SWT&T sends Luke Palmer to be the local troubleman. Not only will he be selling telephone subscriptions and repairing equipment, but he'll also be looking over her shoulder. Luke, however, is more than he seems. He's a Texas Ranger undercover in search of the notorious and well-supported outlaw, Frank Comer. Between dealing with Luke, fulfilling her job and denouncing the use of birds in women's hats, Georgie has her hands full. As Luke pursues the outlaw and his group, danger grows and Georgie and Luke realize that more than their jobs are on the line.

Having read several of Deeanne Gist's prior books, I had some expectations when I picked up Love on the Line. As always, Gist showed that she knows how to tell a story with plenty of romance and adventure! Though set in the past, Georgie struggles with issues that women of today still deal with. I appreciated Georgie's character growth from a mindset of 'I can do anything a man can do.' to 'Each person has their own strengths and weaknesses, but when put together with another, both are important and complement each other.' Die-hard feminists might not be too happy with this mindset, but I subscribe to the idea of working in partnership rather than competition. I was completely okay with this book being less edgy than other books by Gist. There are less sexual overtones and not quite as many deep, dark issues as in Gist's prior books.

Overall, Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist is an entertaining read for inspirational romance audiences.

Click here to read an excerpt from Love on the Line.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their blogger review program. 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."

A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist

Anna Ivey strongly suspects Hoke will eventually attempt to rape her and she will kill in him. Opting to avoid that particular situation, she agrees to travel with Asa Mercer to Seattle, Washington, where she will work as a cook for Mr. Joe Denton and his lumberjack employees. When Anna arrives in Seattle and discovers that Joe is expecting a wife, she is less than agreeable. Her refusal to marry Joe not only inconveniences him, but also endangers 320 acres of his land. Can Joe overcome Anna's aversion to marriage? There's plenty of attraction between Anna and Joe, but will love enter the picture?

A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist manages to be a classic, historical romance while avoiding many of the cliches that commonly accompany a storyline like this. Authentic characters, romantic tension, and just a tad of suspense make this novel difficult to put down. I can definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a good romance.

 
To read an excerpt from A Bride in the Bargain, Click Here.

A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist

Lady Constance Morrow only boarded the ship because she wanted to bid her uncle goodbye. Unfortunately, a deceptively simple choice leads to her being kidnapped, sold as a tobacco bride and then won on a gamble by Drew O'Conner. When she is forced into a marriage of convenience, she remains convinced that once her father hears of her misfortune, he will bring her back to England. What she does not count on is the strong attraction between her and her new husband. But this is only one of many struggles that she faces. Will their growing love survive the struggles that rage inside each of them?

This was actually my second time reading A Bride Most Begrudging and I had the same opinion of it that I had the first time. I loved the story. It is well-written and the pace is perfect. There is plenty of romance and even the occasional moment of humor. I loved the characters and the depth that the author gave to them. However, the sexual overtones are so strong that they almost overpower the story. It's just a matter of personal taste whether or not that would bother a reader. Deeanne Gist is known for her edgy fiction and most of the time I love her books, but this one is actually my least favorite by her.

Deep in the Heart of Trouble by Deeanne Gist

Essie surrendered her life to God years ago. With that surrender came the acceptance of her singleness. Now, at age 34, Essie is considered to be an old maid and is content helping with her father's business, running the Corsicana Velocipede Club and spending time with her loved ones. When her father hires Tony Bryant, Essie's under-control world begins to spin out of control – especially when Tony asks for permission to court her! But Essie and Tony both harbor secrets. Essie made a horrible mistake in her past and Tony hides his very identity. Can Essie and Tony both gather the courage to reveal their darkest secrets before the secrets destroy them?

Deep in the Heart of Trouble by Deeanne Gist is the sequel to Courting Trouble and I admit, of the two books, I liked this one better. The plot was filled with romance and at the same time had characters that challenged the reader to grow closer to God. I certainly admired Essie's dedication to God and her understanding that her worth came from God – not a man. She found contentment in her singleness and was willing to stay that way until God decided otherwise. Gist's writing style was catchy, fun and humorous. Mrs. Lockhart's character was absolutely charming. I loved the way she quoted romance novels to make her point. Overall, a good book that I would recommend for a permanent library. I will definitely be reading it again.

Beguiled by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand

Rylie Monroe loves her dog walking job. The dogs are her only family besides her ailing grandmother and she loves the time that she spends with them. When the families of her dogs become victims of benign burglaries, Rylie becomes a suspect. An attractive reporter, Logan Woods, is covering the burglary stories, but his alternative motive leads him to investigate the stories deeply. When Rylie and Logan team up to prove her innocence their lives become uniquely entwined and romance sparks unexpectedly.

Beguiled by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand is a good, good book. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of mystery and romance. The mystery aspect of the story develops slowly and kept me guessing about the identity and motive of the burglar. This really kept me engaged with the book. The relationship between Riley and Logan was handled well and I was quite pleased with the ending.
I am sure I will reread this book again in the future.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. 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 Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."