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In this article:
The Pastor’s Reckless Bride by Ford
The Rival Kiss by Kate
The Fellowship of the Ring by Tolkien
DNF: Captive of Klapilton
The Pastor’s Reckless Bride (Hope House Brides #4) by Malory Ford
5 STARS, Historical Christian Romance, My format: YouTube Audiobook
Goodreads Synopsis | YouTube Audio
Reviews in Hope House series: #1 Cowboy’s Runaway Bride | #2 Sheriff's Guilty Bride
Tessa is reckless but has good intentions. Ben is a pastor with a past that makes him angry. When Tessa shows up as Ben’s mail-order bride, they have to navigate their unlikely union.
Personal Review:
I do believe this is my favorite of the Hope House Brides series. I am just growing to love Ford's writing and stories more and more. The characters are mature but not without faults. The plot is simple but never predictable. The love stories are realistic and truly clean. There is nothing I don't love about Ford's books.
In this installment, Tessa is impulsive but I love her heart. I think her character was really well done as the impulsive thing can be annoying sometimes.
Ben may be my favorite hero in the Hope House series yet. I can't even put my finger on what I love about him; I think it's because he was a steady presence but not shallow. There was more to his character than you originally expected. I also like that even though he was a preacher, he was never preach-y. He preached more through his character and actions than through his words. Loved it.
Oh, and the ending. My heart, the ending. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Content Warnings:
a couple of violent fist fights
The Rival Kiss (Harry and Maisie #1) by Jessica Kate
3 STARS, Contemporary Romance Short Story, My format: e-book
Goodreads Synopsis | Find the e-book here
Maisie catches Harry using her laptop at the school on a Saturday night, after which secrets are spilled.
Personal Review:
This was a cute and quick read that acted as an excellent cleanser. After DNF'ing a couple of books, it was nice to finish this one in less than an hour.
I thought the writing was good and the story was cute, but I didn't know the characters well enough to believe their little "moment". From the way things were described, I felt like they barely knew each other and may have actually very much disliked each other. To be fair, enemies to lovers and contemporary romance are not my favorites, but I wanted to give the author a try.
My rating would have been higher if it wasn't for the implications of what was happening with another couple in the story. *Spoiler* The principal and a married teacher are caught looking disheveled and guilty. The implication is that they are having an affair. *End Spoiler*
A short story like this is a good idea and a good way to find out if an author is a good fit!
Content Warnings:
kiss between two people not in a relationship, implications of married woman having an affair
The Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings #1) by J.R.R. Tolkien
5 STARS, Classic Fantasy, My format: paperback
Goodreads Synopsis | Buy on BookShop | Buy ebook on Kobo
Frodo Baggins finds himself with a weighty gift, a ring that he must destroy to prevent evil from taking over. He is joined by his hobbit friends and a few others on this epic journey from the Shire to Mordor.
Personal Review:
Tolkien was a brilliant man and I am amazed at the worlds, the languages, the races of people, and the adventures he created. I feel privileged to have at my disposal what I feel is the beginning of my favorite genre (Christian-themed fantasy) and it was quite the experience reading this for the first time. I will take a break so my brain can assimilate back to reality, but I will read this entire series this year for sure.
I have watched the movies several times, albeit over a decade ago now. But the images that Tolkien portrayed through his writing were more vivid in my mind than anything that the movies could produce. I am so glad I am finally reading the books because it feels like coming home to a favorite.
Content Warnings:
war-like scenes and battles, suspenseful moments of evil and/or looming attacks
Did Not Finish
I quit reading the Captive of Klapilton by Charity Land at about 26%. I picked up this book because the author is local to me and medieval made-up worlds are right up my alley. However, there were so many typos and mistakes in grammar that I couldn’t enjoy the story, even if it was cute.
Have you read any books that have been adapted as movies? Is the book always better?