EmpowerMoms

Cottage at the Beach (The Off Season Book 1) by Lee Tobin McClain

I loved reading this book from start to finish! The book mostly focuses on Try and Erica’s story but also had other key characters which hopefully will be mentioned to future stories.

I liked reading about Trey’s police work and his K-9 dog partner and the training that is involved. I liked seeing Trey’s character evolve during the story to a man more relatable, nice and patient with others. I loved his passion that he had for this partner and protecting and helping others.

I liked reading about Erica and her passion with helping kids-especially those high risk and from broken homes. She was patient, kind and worked well with everyone-even her boss who was a constant jerk. She was such a great example to the kids! I liked Ziggy (her dog) and the animal healing element throughout this story.

Clean romance, fun characters, great story line… highly recommend! I loved it and I can’t wait to read more in this series!!

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
Escape to the Chesapeake Bay, where beach life is full of love, surprises and second chances…

When an injury forces K-9 officer Trey Harrison onto the sidelines, his only thought is getting back to the police force where he belongs. And he’ll do anything to make that happen—even volunteer in a small waterfront community, just to please his boss. But no one ever said Trey had to enjoy it…

Since the surgery that destroyed her dreams of having children, schoolteacher Erica Rowe has grown even more dedicated to her work with at-risk teens. So she doesn’t need some cop with a chip on his shoulder putting the program’s future in jeopardy. But when Trey finally connects with the students, Erica’s heart melts. And when, in a tender moment, he admits he longs to have children, her heart breaks. She’s convinced he’d be better off with someone who can give him everything, but she can’t seem to shake the hope that maybe love is enough…

Purchase your copy here:

About the Author
USA TODAY bestselling author Lee Tobin McClain watched Dr. Zhivago way too young and developed a lifelong passion for angsty romance. When she’s not writing, she’s probably FaceTiming with her college-age daughter, mediating battles between her goofy goldendoodle and her rescue cat, or teaching aspiring writers in Seton Hill University’s MFA program. She is probably not cleaning her house. For more about Lee, visit her website at www.leetobinmcclain.com.

“One Summer Day” (Prosperity Ranch) by Heather B. Moore

I really enjoyed this story! It was easy to read and I loved the Texas setting and characters. Clean, romantic fiction with a couple swear words and steamy kisses throughout. (I mention this because I typically read/review clean fiction free of bad language and sex)

I liked Macie and the courage it took to go visit her ex’s family on their ranch, despite how they felt about her and trying to get to reconcile with her ex-husband. She continued to help and be kind and compassionate to others, not expecting anything in return. I also liked Holt and his feelings and struggle with helping his brother, keeping up with the ranch and wanting to take care of Macie and her daughter. I could feel the emotions from all the characters and I loved reading about their ranch life.

I can’t wait to read more books in this series! I really enjoyed it! I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book
Macie’s divorce has left her at rock-bottom, and she uproots everything and takes her young daughter to visit Prosperity Ranch for the summer. Every kid deserves to know her grandparents, right? Macie hopes for some healing time, even if she is staying at her ex in-laws ranch. What she isn’t expecting is her ex-husband’s brother, Holt Prosper, to fit every ideal she’s ever hoped for in a man.

Books in the series:
One Summer Day
Steal My Heart
Not Over You

Purchase your copy here:

About the author:
Heather B. Moore is a USA today bestselling author who writes sweet romance. Under H.B. Moore she writes historicals & thrillers. Under Jane Redd, she writes Young Adult. There are more than 9,000 5-star reviews for Heather’s books on Goodreads!

Praying God’s Promises: The Life-Changing Power of Praying the Scriptures by Linda Evans Shepherd

I liked reading the introduction from the author and her personal story how prayer and scripture helped her during a trip. I truly believe this is the case, however, I feel that there has to be an element of faith and belief-not just reading a scripture and praying. Sometimes our prayers are not answered right away or burdens lifted quickly if at all; but constant prayer and scripture reading will help us be accepting of our life journey and experiences.

Each chapter includes stories, insight, scriptures and “I agree” sentences. The chapters include things like faith, blessings, troubles, peace, protection, etc. There are 27 total chapters. This would make a great gift or scripture study companion book.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
The Scriptures tell us that when we pray the will of God, he delights to answer our prayers. But what is God’s will in any given situation? How can we know it? And if we don’t know it, how can we pray it?

Linda Evans Shepherd shows readers that God’s will is not a mystery–it’s clearly laid out in his Word through his many promises. Through stories, practical application, examples of prayers, and guided reflection, Shepherd leads readers toward a more powerful prayer life. Arranged by topic for ease of use, this book shows how to pray God’s promises

– of his presence
– of love
– of peace
– of joy
– of hope
– for provision
– for health
– for breakthroughs
– for our relationships
– over children and loved ones

Shepherd includes a chapter on God’s powerful answers to prayer that will inspire readers to search the Scriptures, pray God’s will, and wait expectantly for his promised answers.

Purchase your copy here:

“To Every Love a Season” by Stacy Henrie

I loved this collection of historical romantic novellas (short stories). Each one with different characters, stories, and time periods. Easy reading since they are short. Clean Christian fiction.

All of the stories were fun to read and I especially liked the first two stories. Although they are short, I still felt like there was enough depth to the characters and story lines.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
From USA TODAY best-selling author Stacy Henrie comes five inspirational historical romance novellas.

Her Winter Suitor
If Callie doesn’t attract the interest of a suitor by the Patriarch Ball, she’ll be shipped off to England to find a husband. Unwilling to let that happen, Leo, the son of Callie’s favorite chocolatier, volunteers to pretend to be her secret admirer. In return, Callie will ensure his family’s shop provides chocolate favors for the ball—in hopes of keeping the shop from closing. But when their arrangement deepens into real feelings, the two must decide if a humble maker of chocolate and a wealthy heiress can find more than temporary happiness together.

An Unlikely Spring Courtship
Tempest and Bram are both eager to have the most successful mercantile in town. But there are only enough customers to support one store, and neither Tempest or Bram are willing to concede defeat. In spite of their initial competition, the two can’t help but admire the tenacity of the other and eventually they form a bond of friendship. When disaster strikes the town, the pair will have to choose what matters most—success in business or in following one’s heart.

A Summer for Love
When circumstances thwarted their young love, Wyatt and Loralee promised to meet in eight years if neither of them had found someone. This time Loralee isn’t returning to the beach resort as a lowly hotel maid, though—she’s become a renowned singer, performing across the country. Wyatt’s situation has also changed. He’s become a father to his orphaned niece and wishes to provide her with a stable home. But when Wyatt and Loralee see each other again, they begin to wonder if their love hasn’t lessened with time but has deepened instead into something lasting.

Romance in Autumn
Once the daughter of a servant, Phoebe is now an heiress with enough funds to provide herself and her mother with a home of their own. And she knows exactly which house she wants to buy—the mansion at the seaside where she and her mother once worked in the summers. However, James, the son of their former employer, has been tasked to sell the mansion at auction for a price much higher than Phoebe can likely afford. Still hopeful, she volunteers to help James return the neglected mansion to its former glory, and the two become good friends. Yet as the auction draws nearer, they will need to determine which dreams are worth pursuing and which are worth changing.

A Long Winter Kiss
Once the best of friends, with the promise of being something more, Samantha and Rex have seen little of each other since Rex returned home from the war. Samantha is still hurt over Rex eventually asking her not to write him anymore while he was away, and Rex is certain Samantha doesn’t deserve to be with a man who bears the emotional scars of a soldier. However, the two of them are thrown together again when Samantha’s father is unable to deliver his annual Christmas Eve gifts. As Samantha and Rex perform the task, the walls between them start to crumble, making them both hope in the miracles of the season.

Purchase your copy here:

About the author:
A USA TODAY bestselling author, Stacy Henrie graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in public relations. Not long after, she switched from writing press releases and newsletters to writing inspirational historical romances. Born and raised in the West, where she currently resides with her family, she enjoys reading, road trips, interior decorating, chocolate, and most of all, laughing with her husband and kids. Her books include HOPE AT DAWN, a 2015 RITA Award finalist for excellence in romance.
Website: https://www.stacyhenrie.com/
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Stacy-Henrie/e/B008ESZ46U
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacyhenrie.author
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/stacy-henrie

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Collision of Lies”by Tom Threadgill
The book description sounded really interesting and I have never read anything by this author so I was excited to read it. Unfortunately, I felt like the story line was pretty slow moving so it was hard to keep my interest. I kept putting the book down and then going back to read some more, which is very unusual for me. Usually I can read a book in 1 or 2 days. The characters were interesting, especially Amara, and the story line had potential but it wasn’t for me.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
Three years ago, a collision between a fast-moving freight train and a school bus full of kids led to devastation and grief on an unimaginable scale. But a fresh clue leads San Antonio police detective Amara Alvarez to the unlikely conclusion that one of the children may still be alive. If she’s correct, everything law enforcement believes about the accident is a lie.

With time running out, Amara must convince others–and herself–that despite all evidence to the contrary, the boy lives. And she will do everything in her power to bring him home.

Purchase your copy here:
https://amzn.to/2VjUwoi