Michelle Lindo-Rice's Blog, page 11

Review: A California Christmas

A California Christmas by Brenda Novak
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Emery Bliss is a TV anchor whose sex tape has been posted online because she broke up with her fellow anchor. The revenge tape has become viral, which led to her losing her job. She goes undercover in Silver Springs to lick her wounds. While she is there, hoping that the scandal will die down, she reconnects with Dallas Turner.

Dallas Turner is home for Christmas and his adoptive mother, Aiyana's wedding. He had a tough childhood and for him. mountain climbing is the release he craves. He loves the solitude but that all changes when he links up with Emery. He finds himself intrigued with his mother's houseguest and finds himself in the role of her knight in shining armor. However, he might be the one who needs rescuing--from his past.

The fire and electricity between Emery and Dallas was one charged with attraction. Each finds peace and a spark with the other that they didn't know was missing from their lives.

I have read some of the other books in the Brenda Novak's Silver Springs series and it was good to read this continuation. The heat between the characters was above a 10 on the scale. I do wonder about some of Emery's encounters with Dallas - would she have been so open when she was in the midst of a scandal but other than that, I enjoyed watching as they conquered their personal demons. Dallas was a strong character who had to realize the real strength comes from opening himself to love and forgiveness.

The supporting characters were well written - providing some great insight that can serve as takeaways. Such as:
"Being nice is wonderful, but allowing someone to push you around isn't. Sometimes when people step over the line, you have to let them know you won't put up with it."
"Sometimes when people take responsibility for the things they've done--no matter how terrible--it can heal old wounds."
"You don't have to be perfect to be perfect for someone." What a great line and truth!

Overall, another good read from Brenda Novak and I look forward to reading more. Thank you #Netgalley for this book.

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Review: Untamed Passion

Untamed Passion by Cat Schield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oliver Lowell is a successful photographer with some serious demons to battle: Alcohol, addiction and anger. Samantha "Sammi" Guzman is a model who needs to break free of her mother's clutches. The two meet and have a hot one night stand. From that single encounter, Sammi learns she is pregnant. From that point on her life changes. Oliver can't get Sammi out of his mind, so when he learns she may be expecting his child, he finds himself opening his home, if not yet his heart, to this woman.
The heat and chemistry between the two characters drove this story for me. It was an intense physical attraction. I was glad to see Sammi come into her own and gain some independence. And, Oliver, who may not be every reader's idea of a book hero, also has to decide if he will be ruled by his anger toward his father or if he has the strength to rise above.
I enjoyed the story. It kept my interest and the cover art is absolutely stunning. There wasn't much in the storyline that made it diverse for me. However, I do like the strong theme of forgiveness, of love and of second chance.
Memory quotes:
"If you can't let go of your anger, you will always be its victim."
"Loving him meant she had to be brave enough to goad him into fighting for their future, and failing that, be willing to let him go."
thank you #Netgalley #Harlequin

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Review: Alaskan Christmas Redemption

Alaskan Christmas Redemption by Belle Calhoune
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Braden North has returned home and learns his best friend, Piper Miller, is in danger of losing her diner. His years away was because of a secret that he fears would make Piper hate him. Rather than lose her, he left to go on grand adventures. Nevertheless, Braden is determined to help Piper save her father's legacy. If only his heart didn't complicate matters.
The third book in the Home to Owl Creek series can also be read as a standalone, I haven't read the other two books in the series.
I found this to be a sweet story. I loved the banter and friendship between Piper and Braden. I also loved how they relied on each other. I felt that the 'secret' was more of a misunderstanding that Braden could have cleared up quickly with open communication. I especially enjoyed reading about how she revitalized her business but I was surprised that she hadn't thought of those initiatives on her own as she appeared to be resilient and creative. But it is so good to have a friend in your corner, who pushes you and who is willing to go the extra mile.
Overall, a feel good read.
Thank you #Harlequin and #Netgalley

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Review: A Love Redeemed

A Love Redeemed by Lisa Jordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tucker Holland and Isabella Bradley have been friends for over sixteen years. During that time, Isabella earned her culinary degree while Tucker married and had twins. But Tucker has lost his wife and as a paramedic, struggles to find someone to care for his children. After a huge error that led to her losing her job, Isabella returns home to lick her wounds and finds out that her father needs help with his diner. She plans to save the diner but it is a task that she can't do alone. Tucker has the perfect idea and temporary solution: Isabella will be his nanny while he works and he will help her renovate the diner. However, both will find that they might want a more permanent solution--with each other.
From the first line, I was captured in this story. I enjoyed reading such a clean and wholesome romance. I loved each character's personal development and the romance between them as well. Isabella struggled with not knowing if she was worthy of love and Tucker had to learn to make room in his heart to love again. I loved their friendship and how that led to something more lasting. Despite their past pain, it was great to see how God gave them a better future and a second chance. The wonderful thing about second chances is that God gives them even when they are not deserved.
What I did question was there was a lot of scenes where she was talking about her dad, but it happened outside the page. There wasn't much actual interaction with her and her father written in the story.
Overall, I look forward to more from this author.

There were some memorable lines that blessed me:
"Sometimes, your job is to just trust God to show up."
"When we continue to find hope in the heartache, that's what draws us closer to Him."
"...the more you exercise your heart, the more it grows, giving you more opportunities for loving others."


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Review: A Love Redeemed

A Love Redeemed by Lisa Jordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Pearl in the Sand

Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Canaanite woman who once sold her body is used to bring God glory. Pearl in the Sand is the story of Rahab who lived in the wall of Jericho. She has an unsavory past but God can make her into a suitable wife for one of Israel's leaders.
Salmone is a strong man of faith who has faced heartache. When he meets Rahab, he is shocked to desire someone of such a wretched past.
What I loved about this story is that the author took a well-known Bible historical tale and opened my eyes to what her life might have been back then. We know that Jesus came out of this lineage but I never considered what Rahab and her family had to go through once they left Jericho.
Seeing them learn new ways and how to learn a new faith and way of life was very interesting to me. I especially admired Rahab's faith and how it was depicted in this book.
The cover art is beautiful and it was wonderful to see that a book written years ago was given a comeback. I do think that the written was a tad simplistic but what a great read!
Thank you #Netgalley

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Review: Before the Crown

Before the Crown by Flora Harding
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am a huge fan of The Crown and I love historical fiction so I was really excited to read Elizabeth and Phillip's story before she ascends to the throne. The cover is extremely gorgeous as well.
It was a slow build for me though I loved how the author took her time to tell their love story. For Elizabeth, it was love at first sight. For Phillip, it seemed to be about convenience. But, we know from real life that their marriage has lasted.
I am not sure how much is fiction versus fact but it was well-written.
Thank you, #Netgalley.

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Review: Somebody's Daughter

Somebody's Daughter by Rochelle B. Weinstein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Emma and Bobby Ross live in a hotel with their twin daughters in Miami Beach. They have a charmed life, great friends, and their family unit appears to have an unbreakable bond. But on the night of their daughters, Zoe and Lily's fifteenth birthday, things take a drastic turn.
A video of Zoe in a compromising position goes viral and the Ross family finds themselves embroiled in a public scandal. Soon, they find themselves judged harshly and the objects of pity and scorn. The incident has brings back memories of Emma's own past to the forefront. A past that could tear her family apart.
Whew! This is not my first Rochelle Weinstein read. She tackled the dangers of social media and covered the topic of harassment and cyber-bullying etc. What a topic to cover with young girls and sexuality. I loved the development of the story, even though Bobby's character arc made me dislike him at times. He was so...rigid. I do think Emma's revelation dragged a bit. Themes such as family, love, forgiveness were threaded throughout. For me, this was read about moving on after a big mistake. Yes, you can do. You must keep going. And you can, with love. And, as a mother, I understood Emma. I am going to love my children no matter what. I cried at the end, though some may see it as cheesy and neat.
There were some memorable quotes:
"Family doesn't abandon each other at tough times. Families don't pick and choose the parts to love. Families fight for each other no matter what tries to break them apart."
"Let me tell you what love means. It means we're all profoundly human. That we make mistakes, and we accept each other's faults. It means we value each other more than our pride."

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Review: The Only Woman in the Room

The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hedy Lamarr was a combination of beauty and brains. Her beauty drew the eye of an Austrian arms dealer. Married at a young age to this powerful man placed her in a position to overhear the plans of the Third Reich. She gave up her passion and appeared to have it all. But, what she wanted most was freedom. Using her cunning, Hedy gained just that and made her way to America to become a screen star.
But, Hedy has a secret, one which rages within her. Soon, Hedy knows she has to help fight the Nazis but as a woman she is doubtful anyone will take her seriously.
This daring depiction of a screen siren and scientist with a groundbreaking invention that helped shaped our modern day communication was a gripping read and my third by Marie Benedict. The author has a way of showing the lives of women in a way that is masterful while lauding their intelligence. The descriptions were magnificent. I could visualize the castles, the luxury and the fear. I felt the impact of her beauty, gender and ethnicity in that time period. The novel takes us seamlessly through time, although there was a heavy emphasis on her life before and during her first marriage. I loved this read and can't wait to read more of her work.

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Review: Carnegie's Maid

Carnegie's Maid by Marie Benedict
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clara Kelly is an imposter, pretending to be an Irish maid. Another woman with the same name was supposed to get the job but she is nowhere to be found. She Clara assumes her identity and works for the Carnegie's in Pittsburgh.
Clara's family in Ireland desperately needs her financial help so she has to succeed in her new role as a lady's maid for the Andrew and Tom Carnegie's mother. Mrs. Carnegie is tough and not so easy to please but Clara strives to meet the other woman's demanding expectations.
But her identity isn't the only thing Clara is hiding: her intelligence. One that Andrew Carnegie sees right away. Together they form a friendship and Andrew begins to seek her out, relying on her advice on business matters. Soon, Andrew comes to mean more to her than just being her boss but Clara knows that her families' welfare could be jeopardized if he learns the truth. But her relationship with Andrew Carnegie might have influenced his philanthropy.
I was glued reading this story by Marie Benedict - my second by this author. This tale shows the author's imagination and her ability to tell a believable tale. I felt like I was taken back in time and I could see the plight of the immigrants during this time. My heart broke reading about the poverty and the struggle. The discrepancy between the rich and poor was pronounced and really impactful. My next read is, The Other Woman in the Room. All I can say is, keep them coming. I love Marie Benedict's creativity. Her work is a masterful blend of history and fiction.

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