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Cute Rom-Com

Revisado: 10-11-24

This was a very delightful read and audiobook. Owen was a really fun character to get to know. I loved the glimpses I got of him in Levi Bailey Gets Butterflies, so listening to his story was even more fun. I just love this group of siblings. The way they encourage each other, love each other, get on each other's nerves, and meddle in each other's business is hilarious, realistic for siblings, and makes for a jolly good time.
Owen and Annie are best friends. They have been for a very long time and what Annie doesn't know is that Owen is in love with her. She writes for an advice column and when someone doubts her advice, she decides to put her advice to the test by having Owen use it while going on blind dates with girls that Annie sets him up with. Great plan, right?
Owen will do ANYTHING for Annie.

I loved both of their growth by the end, how she vows to always be straight and true like an arrow, and he to be himself always.
I loved the sweet things they do for each other and their gifts to each other at the end are so sweet and perfect.

I definitely recommend this book in audio format, which is now available by the way!
Only on Audible.

Audiobook Review:
I loved the dual narration for this one. Both narrators did a really fantastic job.

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Heart-breaking Redemption Story

Revisado: 08-06-24

Absolutely stunning story, characters, lessons of forgiveness, redemption, and the narration is perfectly done. Loved this one.

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Beautiful Faith-filled Biblical Romance

Revisado: 07-19-24

"Your marriage will be happy if you both put your hearts into it and serve each other. Despite the challenges your mother and I faced, we were the happiest when we were serving each other."

Lessons I be learned from Rebekah and Isaac:
Serve my partner/spouse
Pray with sincerity
Put my trust in God
Patience and Faith in God

Confession time: This was my first Biblical story as retold by HB Moore, and I simply enjoyed it from beginning to end.
HB did a fantastic job bringing this familiar Biblical story to life and made it simple to understand using our everyday language, while also including verses from the Bible at the beginning and the end of the book.
Rebekah and Isaac's story is one of beauty, faith, and a match that was foreordained by God. I loved how Rebekah supported Isaac 100% and that Isaac cherished and loved Rebekah and admired her as a woman of God, filled with faith and courage.
I appreciated the author's note where she explained a few things about the story and her research that went into writing this story. She did a great job of explaining the culture during that time period and place.

I highly recommend this one, especially if you love the Bible, looking for a good Christian story, and/or have read HB Moore's other Biblical romance books.

Series: Biblical Fiction Series; Each book can be read as a standalone
Genre: Historical Romance: Biblical/Ancient; Christian
Audio Release Date: July 16, 2024
Narrator: Luone Ingram
Publisher: Shadow Mtn

Content Warnings: mild suspense/battle scene, kisses only

Trigger Warnings: trouble getting pregnant and grief that comes from that

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Oliver + Cora = a Perfect Charming Story

Revisado: 07-03-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Regency Romance

How Much I Loved it: A million stars and hearts

Dear Joanna,

Words are not adequate for how I feel upon finishing this gem. I really do not know if I can convey the jumbled thoughts and feelings into this review, but I shall try. Because To Charm a Lady has truly charmed my heart!

Immediately upon finishing “A Game of Hearts” in February of this year, I knew I needed this one, as “A Game of Hearts” is one of my all-time favorite books. Fortunately, I did not have to wait long.

Cora. Beautiful, innocent, tender-hearted Cora has longed so desperately for Oliver’s love for so long. Her pining and unrequited love for him is so beautifully conveyed in this story. I felt her longing at one time in my life when I too had unrequited feelings for someone at a young age. Sweet Cora is elegant, she has a good heart, and only sees the best in people. I aim to be more like her in every best way possible. I also liked that she has her weaknesses. A bit clumsy (that’s me at times). Her sass! Loved her sassy moments. Her character felt so real. I loved that she helped Oliver become the man he is supposed to become. If I could step into a fictional world and be friends with anyone, it would be her!

Oliver. Oh man! What a man! When he decided it would be best to keep Cora away from Stanton by pairing her with the other men at the house party, little did I realize how much that would result in hilarity and so much diverting throughout. Also, don’t ever come between him and Cora. You will definitely regret it! He falls so HARD! I thought he would have a figurative concussion for how hard he fell for Cora. His redemption...I can't even express the right words for that, it was just that poignant.

I usually for the most part enjoy the male main character's POV, but this book was so well-written and Cora's POV was so perfect, I loved both POV. It flowed so exquisitely. And this is the ultimate friends-to-lovers because it is not your typical friends-to-lovers.

Marigold and Tristan's cameo was so eloquently done. She was her same old feisty, go-get-her self. And their conversational reference to a scene in A Game of Hearts had me snorting out loud.

From the beach scene in the beginning (think wet shirt, but only maybe better😉) , to the encounter on the seaside cliff, and the whole ordeal with the lemonade, to library interactions and their shared dance, To Charm a Lady had me swooning, laughing, gasping, and sobbing tears of happiness throughout. That whole ending had me in joyful tears. I can't pick just one favorite scene.

My kindle notebook is full of quotes and favorite parts highlighted and I look forward to sitting down and rereading them all as I tab my paperback copy (which arrives today! 2 days sooner than expected).

This is a book I will be rereading over and over and live rent-free in my mind and heart and soul forever. I honestly didn't want it to end; I couldn't get enough of Oliver and Cora. They are a new favorite fictional couple for sure.

Thank you, Joanna, for allowing me to help you with the launch of Oliver and Cora’s story.

Your Devoted Reader,
Holly

PS. The Audiobook was just as good if not better than the ebook. I once again was swept into the Cartwells' lives through Jana Fox's words. She did such a fantastic job!

Content Warning: blood, mild violence, accidental drunk behavior, deep kisses, no swearing, no explicit scenes
Trigger Warning: Disapproving parents

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Beautiful Story of Faith and Forgiveness

Revisado: 07-03-24

My Favorite Parts:
Suspense and Mystery
Christian aspects
Medieval Serbia (a whole new time period to me, one I had never read about)
Arranged Marriage
The history
The gifts
Gestures
Forgiveness
Healing
Duel and battles

Sowards weaves a beautiful tale of eventual love in an arranged marriage, reliance on God, and healing from grief beyond comprehension. Beneath a Crescent Shadow is a moving story about Zupan Konstantine and Suzana who must find love for each other, survive the battle field and conspiracies, and learn to rely on God and each other through difficult times.
Wow! What a fascinating and inspiring story. I really enjoyed every aspect of this story: the faith in God, the battle scenes, the tender romance, the grief, the conspiracies, forgiveness of those who wrong us, importance of communication in a relationship especially a marriage, and healing.
The pain and ache on both sides felt real. I felt deep emotions for the characters. I empathized with one of Suzana’s pains.

I loved how hard the characters had to struggle and fight physically and emotionally to come to understand and fully love one another on a deeper emotional level. I truly enjoyed this one and learned much about that time period and setting and look forward to the rest of the series.

Audiobook Review: I loved being able to listen to the audio because I learned how to pronounce all of the many medieval Serbian/Turkish names. The narrator did a fantastic job at voices, general narration, and making this story come to life.

Thank you to the author for a complimentary copy of the audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Content Warning: peril from battle, blood, violence (non gory), peril from other instances, drinking, physical intimacy between married couple implied

Trigger Warning: PTSD from abuse and rape, rape (referenced), stillborn/miscarriage

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Nail-biting, Heart-pounding, mind-blowing romantic suspense

Revisado: 07-01-24

Wow!! This book!! I can’t even right now!

My Favorite Parts:
Small gestures
Intense Competition
Unique story
Nicknames
Sisters
Matching uniforms
Austrailian MMC
Tough FMC
Climbing up Peg Wall
Rivals to more

First off, the audio for American Gauntlet was freaking amazing! The narrator, CJ, for this one did a nail-biting, heart-pounding, and mind-blowing performance. This book. Never have I been on the edge of my seat so much for a book. It made me want to toughen up, work out, and my gag reflex definitely was tested. Lol! So many gross moments that added variety to the suspense of it all.

And oh the swoony kissing moments. Joss is melty!

Never have I been encouraged to exercise more than after finishing this book. Or want to watch those reality tv shows of survival!

Do you have what it takes to face the gauntlet? Read and find out! I wouldn’t last 2 seconds.

Content Warnings: biblical infrequent swearing, intense perilous moments, disgusting/gross moments, references to troubled childhood, kissing (makeouts with tongue), no explicit or implied scenes

Trigger Warnings: referenced: troubled childhood, parental neglect, cancer; phobias: snakes, needles, trapped in small spaces

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Loved it!

Revisado: 04-20-24

Ahhh this one was so good. I loved the intrigue and suspense and historical aspect. And I loved the romance and swoony parts.

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Fun quirky characters, creatures, and world with engaging plot

Revisado: 04-16-24

I really loved it! The plot was entertaining and the world building was unique. With a few plot twists.

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