You Belong with Me by Tari Faris

You Belong with Me: Realtor Hannah Thornton has many talents. Unfortunately, selling houses in the town where her family name is practically poison isn't one of them. When a business tycoon determines to raze historic homes in the small town of Heritage, Michigan, and replace them with a strip mall, Hannah resolves to stop him. She sets about helping Heritage win a restoration grant that will put the town back on the map--and hopefully finally repay the financial debt Hannah's mother caused the town. But at first no one supports her efforts--not even her best friend, Luke.

Luke Johnson may have grown up in Heritage, but as a foster kid he never truly felt as if he belonged. Now he has a chance to score a job as assistant fire chief and earn his place in the town. But when the interview process and Hannah's restoration project start unearthing things from his past, Luke must decide if belonging is worth the pain of being honest about who he is--and who he was.


Heidi here. In one word: Amazing. Debut author, Tari Faris has hit You Belong with Me out of the park! I loved how real Hannah and Luke are. Their childhoods were not perfect, they are not perfect, and that makes for an unforgettable and heartwarming story. Now I want to visit Heritage, Michigan, in the summer mind you, as much as I’ve longed to spend a weekend in Stars Hollow. Grab your copy today! Go to Tari's website and you can download a FREE copy of the prequel of Hannah and Luke's story :-)

Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter

Honeysuckle Dreams: After Brady Collins’ ex-wife dies, he receives devastating news—his nine-month-old son Sam isn’t his son at all. And Sam’s wealthy maternal grandparents want custody of the child. Brady knows he’s in for the fight of his life. But regardless of what any blood test says, Sam is his son, and Brady will go to any lengths to keep him.

Brady’s attorney tips him off that one major life change would virtually assure him of winning guardianship of baby Sam at the final hearing: an impending marriage. And his friend Hope is willing to step in as the loving and devoted fiance.

Local radio celebrity Hope Daniels has been driven by a solitary goal her entire life, and after a happy accident she’s finally offered her dream job. But if the truth comes out about her arrangement with Brady, she may miss the chance of a lifetime and stand in the way of a dear friend’s dreams.

As Brady and Hope make sacrifices to help each other in their times of need, they risk uncovering a truth neither of them expects to find.

Heidi here. I loved the premise of this story: Brady Collins needs a wife to secure custody of his baby boy, Hope Daniels never wants to fall in love again so a ready-made family sounds like a dream.

This was such a quick read, and I think it was my favorite Denise Hunter novel thus far! The characters were multi-dimensional and flawed. There was great conflict, which ebbed and flowed well. There were several conflict-inducing secondary characters. Such a fun page turner ~ highly recommend Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter!

The Masterpiece

The Masterpiece

by Francine Rivers

A graffiti artist living on and off the streets meets a doormat divorcée who lost her confidence when she was seven. Between the two of them, they have enough baggage to fill Grand Central Station. But they live on the West Coast. And she works for him. And he hates everyone. Almost.

This Christian romance is filled with twists and turns, and I especially love that this author seems to care more about building characters and letting them learn the life lessons they need more than she cares about getting her characters hooked up and walking down the aisle.

The hero and heroine both have a rich story, peopled with interesting characters and motivations. They’ve both experienced childhood trauma and found very different ways to cope. And as a result, they are both in need of deep healing which only their Heavenly Father can provide.

I loved peeking into the artist’s studio as well as watching the concept of hope bubble up into situations where there didn’t seem to be a shred of hope possible.

I’m embarrassed to say this is my first time reading Francine Rivers. I’ve got some catching up to do. The Masterpiece is a wonderful story. A worthy romance. And Kingsbury is an extraordinary talent.

Do you think of Graffiti as art or crime? Or both? Leave us a comment for a chance to win this week's prize!

Jennifer Fromke writes from NC, where she pines for colder temperatures all year long. Northerners by upbringing, she and her husband of 26 years have raised three Southern-ish children. Jennifer reviews books at Shetalksbooks.com and offers a free short story when you sign up for her newsletter here.

Until Winter Comes Again

Until Winter Comes Again

By Mary Jane Hathaway

Sweet Christmas Romance. I love those. Especially in December.

I chose this book because of the cover. Yep. But look how pretty it is! As I started reading, I became aware that most of the side characters must have each had their own romance book – it was about five couples after they had gotten together, and how they all wanted this new couple to get together. Matchmaking overkill. In a good way. So when I looked it up, I realized this is book six in the Cane River series. But even though I didn’t read any of the previous stories, I enjoyed this one.

The stories revolved around a beloved bookstore in a small town. Of course, I love this factor. The small town is picturesque and filled with awesome characters! If I could travel there and meet these characters, I would!

This particular romance is definitely sweet – best friends who realize they’re in love. Perfect for a cold winter’s night by the fire. With a cup of hot chocolate in hand.

Do you read Christmas romances in December? It’s my holiday indulgence. Okay, ONE of my holiday indulgences. 

Leave us a comment to be entered into this week's giveaway.

Bidding on the Bouquet Character Interview

 

 

Catherine: Today I have a character interview with the heroine, Marietta Wilson, from my newest inspirational romance Bidding on the Bouquet. Marietta, I’m guessing from the book title that the story has something to do with a wedding, or at least a wedding bouquet.

Marietta: It does, and it’s quite a different sort of wedding, especially from the wedding party’s point of view.

Catherine: The wedding party?

Marietta: Yes, you see the bride is selling off her bridesmaid spots to the highest bidders.

Catherine: What? I’ve never heard of such a thing. Is it some sort of new fad?

Marietta: I’m not sure, but I do know the notion sparked quite a few stories. The editor of Forget Me Not Romances is doing a whole collection, called Auditioning for Love, based on the idea.

Catherine: So, tell me how you got invited to bid.

Marietta: I received an invitation to bid on a bridesmaid spot from Chrissy Vandermere. I don’t know her very well. We were only in a study group together. Since she sent me an invitation to bid, apparently, she remembered me.

Catherine: Do you know why she’s making girls bid to be in her wedding? Is she hard up for money?

Marietta: Hardly. Chrissy’s family has money. Lots of money. The invitation didn’t say why she was having an auction. From the little I know about Chrissy, I supposed it was a bridezilla thing for her. She was a bit of a diva in the study group.

Catherine: So if you’re bidding on a bridesmaid spot, where does the bouquet come in?

Marietta: That’s the other twist. The bride will be throwing her wedding bouquet, the one she carries down the aisle, only to the six bridesmaids who win the auction bids.

Catherine: Why?

Marietta: Because that bouquet contains a 14 karat solid gold rose in it. I suppose it’s some sort of incentive to make us want to bid.

Catherine: And did it make you want to bid?

Marietta: Not at first, but now I’m hocking everything of value I own to try and win a spot in Chrissy’s wedding party. And from what I’ve heard, the competition will be very stiff.

Catherine: Well, I wish you luck, Marietta.

Marietta: Thanks. I’ll need it.

 

And here’s a sneak peek from

 

Bidding on the Bouquet

By Catherine Castle

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

You are invited to participate in the season’s most prestigious event.

Date: June 17

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Place: The Vandermere Estate

Event: The auction of bridesmaids’ positions for Chrissy Vandermere’s wedding

Light refreshments will be served

℘

Chrissy is auctioning off a chance to be an attendant in her wedding.

Winners will be escorted down the aisle by New York’s finest bachelors,

and they will procure a bridesmaid-only spot at the tossing of the bride’s bouquet event.

Chrissy guarantees one of the bridesmaids will catch the bouquet,

containing a solid 14-carat rose-gold flower.

℘

Opening bids begin at $100 and are non-refundable. Cash only.

You may make an opening bid higher than $100 if you choose.

Please RSVP by April 30

 

Marietta dug into the envelope again and retrieved a smaller card and matching envelope.

 

I, ________________________, will be pleased to attend the auction.

My opening bid is $_______

Should I win a spot, I will be available on August 9

to be part of the wedding party

for Chrissy Vandermere

and

Jock Sterlingson

 

Stunned, Marietta reread the invitation. Chrissy Vandermere? The only Vandermere she knew was her wealthy classmate Chip Vandermere, and they weren’t on real talking terms. Nor did they run in the same circles. They only had a few of the same classes and a couple of case studies together in which he had commandeered the group. The guy thought himself a born, or rather a privileged, leader. His attitude had driven her nuts, and, although he was one hot guy who knew he had undeniable sex appeal, she’d stayed away from him as much as she could. She was at the MBA program to learn and conquer, not be someone’s conquest.

Is he related to this Chrissy?

If so, the whole auction idea was totally insane. Chip Vandermere had so much money he could afford to pay bridesmaids to be in a wedding. No need to auction off the spots. Besides, why should anyone spend money to be in her wedding—or any wedding for that matter? And why had the bride invited her to participate? Even though she’d spent the last six years at an elite private college, she didn’t hang around with the sort of people who had money to throw away on frivolous things such as bridesmaid auctions. She’d spent her undergrad and postgrad years nose-to-the-grindstone, studying and pinching her pennies.

Then she remembered. As a college senior, she had contact with a Chrissy, a rich, air-headed girl, who talked of nothing but herself. She’d never mentioned having siblings. The beautiful, but not-very-bright, student, had asked Marietta to help her pass an exam—and not in the study-hard-so-you-can-pass way. She’d refused, convincing Chrissy to join the study group instead. Chrissy got a D plus, but she’d at least done it honestly. Marietta wasn’t certain the rich debutante had appreciated being spared the indignity of cheating. But if the Chrissy she knew was this Chrissy Vandermere, and if she remembered who she was after two years and invited her to bid on her bouquet, maybe she’d learned a lesson.

Then again, maybe not. Maybe taunting her with the idea she might win something of great value—a 14-carat rose-gold flower—was some sort of joke.

 

Don't forget to comment to be entered in this Week's Giveaway:

Handmade Dish Clothes by Gail Kittleson!

This week we have a special treat! Author Gail Kittleson is giving away a pair of dish clothes handmade with love by the author. Thank you so much for such a special gift, Gail!

About the Author:

Catherine Castle is the author of the multi-award-winning inspirational suspense romance, The Nun and the Narc, and the sweet romantic comedy, A Groom for Mama. Catherine loves writing, reading, traveling, singing, watching movies, and the theatre. In the winter she quilts and has a lot of UFOs (unfinished objects) in her sewing case. In the summer her favorite place is in her garden. She’s a passionate gardener who won a “Best Hillside Garden” award from the local gardening club. 

 

Her debut inspiration romantic suspense, The Nun and the Narc, from Soul Mate Publishing was an ACFW Genesis Finalist, a 2014 EPIC finalist, and the winner of the 2014 Beverly Hills Book Award and the 2014 RONE Award. Her most recent release, A Groom for Mama, is a sweet romantic comedy from Soul Mate Publishing.  Her newest release is an inspirational contemporary romance, Bidding on the Bouquet, All three books are available on Amazon.