VALENTINE ROMANCE FAVORITES with Kim and Rebecca!

💗💗They didn't have to think twice!!💗💗

KIM'S CHOICE:
For me, it’s Love You, Truly by Susan Tuttle. It’s one of my favorite stories ever. It is romantic and has a great salvation scene!

REBECCA'S CHOICE
When I think of romantic stories, I think of Becky Wade. I have not only read all of her books, I have read them more than once.

If I were to choose a favorite, based on the number of those re-reads, it would have to be "A Love Like Ours". Lyndie James' sweet, patient spirit penetrates the walls of darkness and trauma that have become a fortress around the heart of her once-best-friend Jake Porter. The result becomes "a love like ours". 

 

and this is why...

Kim's Review of LOVE YOU, TRULY
I can’t say often that a fiction book has changed me, but Love You, Truly by Susan Tuttle has! I loved this book! It is has romance, humor, character growth, a fun storyline, and a wonderful message of God’s love. But, there is also a depth to it that totally took me by surprise.

Susan Tuttle has such a way with words that she makes you feel the way the characters are feeling. I laughed and shed a few tears right along with Blake and Harlow. This story also has the most touching, tear inducing salvation seen I’ve ever read. I literally got chill bumps.

In a word, the story is about love. Yes, it’s a love story between Blake and Harlow, but more than that, Susan Tuttle has shown the love of God beautifully. She has shown the fruits of the Spirit in action and I am praying this story gets into the hands of everyone who needs it- which is everyone! Love You, Truly is definitely one of my top books of the year!
*I bought a copy of this book, and was under no obligation to review it.

BackCover Blurb:
Blake Carlton, the camera-shy son of Hollywood’s Darling, dodges the invasive limelight and scripted relationships that so often accompany fame. But when his mother’s popularity declines and she falls into a depression, he offers himself up as the next bachelor on a reality show, hoping to reignite interest in her career while creating a way for them to finally connect.

After her fiancé dumps her for her best friend, aspiring photographer Harlow Tucker is done with romance—until her beloved, disabled sister requests her aid to start a nonprofit. Harlow agrees to do whatever is needed to raise funds, even reluctantly costarring on a dating show with a notorious womanizer who distrusts anyone behind a lens.

As Blake and Harlow navigate the superficiality of a reality show, their preconceived notions of love are challenged. Deciding to trust each other feels like the ultimate risk, but taking that chance could lead to a love truly picture-perfect, worth both of their hearts.
Available in digital ebook and paperback:
Buy Love You, Truly at Amazon

Rebecca's Review of A LOVE LIKE OURS

Tall, dark and brooding, Jake Porter is a study in contrasts. Admirable, accomplished and handsome on the outside, but so miserable, guilt-ridden and utterly broken on the inside that he can hardly manage any measurable human contact. Enter Lyndie James; beautiful, imaginative, free-spirited Lyndie; Jake's childhood friend who has dared to re-enter his life twenty years after exiting. Lyndie arrives back in Texas with her family after living in California for years; padding her resume as a horse trainer with the best stables in the area, and she eagerly seeks employment at Whispering Creek Ranch; exercising Jake's magnificent thoroughbreds and continuing her career as a writer and illustrator of children's books.

Lyndie takes Jake's breath away; his first reaction is to shove her into the dark recesses of his mind and heart where she belongs, but he cannot ignore her talent on a horse and reluctantly agrees to hire her. When Lyndie decides that God has placed her in a position to not only motivate Jake's skittish stallion Silver Leaf to race, but to infiltrate Jake's thick post traumatic stress disorder barriers, the two are poised for an adventure that could have disastrous results in the short term. Or just perhaps, a love like theirs, could last a lifetime, with the miracle of God's faithfulness.

Becky Wade's third installment in the Porter family series is both thought provoking and heart-breaking, but utterly worth the trail of tears that these two endearing characters must face. And . . . there is a bonus feature . . . Amber Richardson . . . has her second chance at love. 

BackCover Blurb: 

Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake's childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion's reluctance to run.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake's will, Lyndie's sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he's built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he'd thought he'd lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy A LOVE LIKE OURS at Amazon

 

#GIVEAWAY of SWEET ON YOU... because HERE'S SOME OF OUR FAVORITE ROMANCES!

Nicole Cook is helping us celebrate this day of romance with a giveaway of SWEET ON YOU by Becky Wade! If you LOVE contemporary romance novels, you will know why!  or Buy Sweet on You

Now for some swoony (or is that swooney?) favorites from Inkwell Gals:

Rebecca Maney: Sweetwater Gap by Denise Hunter is a story that will always live on my shelf.

God's redeeming, everlasting and unconditional love is beautifully illustrated through Josephine's precarious flirtation with life and death. Ian, a ghost from her past, and Grady, her love for the future, bring Josie to a crossroads; will she determinedly self-destruct or will she accept the peace that passes all understanding and dare to live her life as it was intended?

Set in the beautiful apple country of the North Carolina mountains, this is a book that everyone should read at least once, and as it has been in my case, possibly re-read on many occasions.

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Nicole Cook: Two favorites!Falling for You by Becky Wade:
Corbin and Willow’s previous relationship crashed and burned publicly, but sparks between the two still remain strong after several years apart. This was such a fun, romantic story of reconciliation.

Becky Wade has been done it again! Another incredible contemporary romance novel for the keeper shelf. Becky Wade is a master at contemporary romance and creating witty banter between her hero and heroine. Becky Wade is one of my favorite must-read authors, and I have loved every one of her books. Without a doubt, Falling for You was my favorite book of 2018.

A Cowboy's Touch by Denise Hunter- 
This is my all time favorite book by Denise Hunter, although all of her books are amazing! I have reread this book several times. I love the relationship between Abigail and Wade and the tension between them in the novel as they work through their feelings for each other. Denise Hunter writes the best first kiss scenes, and she does not disappoint in this book! A handsome humble cowboy, a spunky heroine, and a heartwarming story taking place in Big Sky Country...what more could you want??!! When Abigail was writing her investigative story about Wade, I did keep saying to myself, “No don’t do it!” I would definitely recommend this book to fans of Christian contemporary romance!
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Winnie Thomas: A Twist of Faith by Pepper Basham. 

 

I adore the cover. It makes me smile every time I look at it. When I first saw it, I knew nothing about the story or the author, but I decided I HAD to read it.
I love the characters. They are so endearing, relatable, and well-developed. The main characters, Adelina and Reese, meshed so well, and Reese’s family and the rest of the characters were charming and fun.
I love the story. It’s a creative and imaginative adaptation of Pygmalion/My Fair Lady involving an Appalachian farmer, Reese Mitchell, and Dr. Adelina Roseland, a speech and language therapist whose specialty is accent modification. The dialogue is witty and cleverly done.

I love Pepper Basham’s writing. It flows so well, and she meshes the story with inspirational messages so seamlessly that they aren’t preachy or overbearing. This is a clean, humorous story. It was so fun to read that I didn’t want it to end. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys romantic comedy. Okay—I’m done gushing now! Just read this book! You’ll be glad you did!

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Kim Ann chose:

When You Look at Me by Pepper Basham

This story was just about perfect! Totally swoon worthy and definitely one of my favorite romantic reads! 

Pepper Basham has done it again! This story is just wonderful! I highlighted more lines then I think I ever have, and you can be sure I’ll be rereading them again soon. Let’s start with the beginning - this has got to be one of the best first meets ever!! I loved it! And, of course, the humor throughout the book is spot on! Even at some of the most heart wrenching moments, Pepper will add a perfect line of humor, so it lightens the mood and never feels too sad. Nate and Henry had me snort-laughing so many times throughout the story. Thank goodness I was alone - well mostly anyway! There are some epic humorous scenes in this story - the laundry scene, the birth scene, and the family dinners were probably my favorites.

Pepper takes a very sensitive subject and handles it really well. The way Julia acts and feels seem very realistic. Your empathy pours out for her and for what she has gone through. The mystery part of the story was so fun! I loved how Julia and Henry worked together to solve it and how Henry eventually figured out the whole thing. I also absolutely loved the way music played such a large role in their relationship. It brought them together and helped Julia heal. Oh! And I loved seeing Wes and Eisley again! It really made me want to do a reread of their story!

Finally, God is all throughout this story, without being preachy or pushy. I Love this quote, “Sometimes God uses what we least expect to bring us what we need the most.” ❤️

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NOW FOR THE LIST MAKERS! 

Paula Shreckhise's list is ALL Pepper Basham: 

1. Charming the Troublemaker 

2. When You Look At Me (linked review)

3. A Match For Emma (linked review)

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Debra's list is also short:
"I don't swoon easily but when I do it's for stories like these":
The Innkeeper's Daughter by Michelle Griep
Then There Was You by Kara Isaac

The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof
 
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And did we mention LISTS?

Trixi Oberembt first said she couldn't think what she'd choose. Then she changed her mind:

I adore Regency or Historical so here are those titles:

The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen (my top favorite Regency writer. I love ALL her books).

Forever Lately by Linore Rose Burkard (a Regency time travel novel)

A Love So True by Melissa Jagears

The Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason

The Promise of Breeze Hill by Pam Hillman

Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer

Brentwood's Ward and The Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep

A few Contemporary (I don't read many):

Wooing Cadie MacCaffrey by Bethany Turner

Just the Way You Are by Pepper Basham

A Glitter of Gold by Liz Johnson

Project Scrooge by A.M. Heath

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Now for THE GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway