Marrying Mr. Wrong - Melissa Jagears - Frontier Vows

 

DANGER, FAITH, ROMANCE, AND LOOKING BEYOND THE OBVIOUS TO FIND THE BEAUTY

Wyoming Territory 1885. Timothy O’Connor suffers from blemishes and oily hair, is poor as dirt, and lives under the shadow of a low-life, no-good father.  But, he works hard and tries to provide for his mother and siblings. He has long carried a torch for Gwendolyn McGill.  Only trouble is, Gwen is a notorious flirt and the daughter of the mayor; two things that couldn’t possibly help him. Add a few town busy-bodies into the mix and his chances seem even smaller. He’s not even sure of Gwen’s character.

“…glimpses of what a person could be didn’t mean they’d ever become the decent human God intended. There had to be evidence their heart had changed.”

Gwen wants a new life, love and to feel useful.  With a nudge from her brother, she ends up training on the ranch where Timothy works.  He begins to help her see things differently, but he’s unsure of just how much his heart can take from the woman who appears completely uninterested in him.

“He looked up in the sky. I’ve never asked You to keep her from getting more attractive, but could You help me out a little and stop her from doing things that make me think her more so?”

Danger follows as these two discover new things about each other and themselves.  Add in some faith and growing love and you have a very good story which I quite enjoyed.

4 Stars - I really liked it.

I was gifted an eBook in exchange for my honest opinion.  All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

GENRE: Inspirational Historical Romance

PUBLISHER: Utmost Publishing

RELEASE DATE: January 18, 2022

PAGES: 312

SERIES: Frontier Vows
1. Romancing the Bride 2. Pretending to Wed 3. Depending on You 4. Marrying Mr. Wrong. 5. Tbd

Links to purchase series and author's other books: CLICK HERE

CONNECT: MelissaJagears.com 

Blessings to you in the coming new year!

A HEART ADRIFT - 5 STARS by Laura Frantz

 

A Heart Adrift, a novel by Laura Frantz, available Jan. 4, 2022 Revell Publ.

Emphatic 5 Star Read!

Set in 1755 along the cold Virginia Coast, Captain Henri Lennox, an old love returns from the sea hoping to avoid chocolatier Esmee Shaw.  Circumstances throw them back together and we are swept up in chocolate making, merchant ships, a private coastal island, officials in white periwigs seeking their own gain, social engagements of the upper crust, and ill-treatment of those in the almshouse.

“Chocolate’s becoming the beverage of choice for colonists,” Esmee said, “if for no other reason than the Crown’s infernal tax on tea.”

“Dear Lord, let it be our earnest prayer to serve Thee better day by day as we grow in grace and trust Thee for our wants in soul and body. For these and all Thy blessings, God’s holy name be praised for Christ’s sake. Amen.”

This story is so rich in detail, prayer, love, action, and more.  The cover is stunning and I highly recommend it. Laura Frantz is a master craftswoman with the written word.

I appreciate the gifted book I received from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own without compensation or expectation.

5 Stars (I LOVED IT)

Special thanks to Laura Frantz for this
kind influencer gift.

Playlist:  The author has created a musical score playlist as a backdrop to this story.  Check it out on her website. https://laurafrantz.net/aheartadrift-playlist/

 

Until next time, hugs and a cup of Christmas tea, 

Heather Elizabeth

A Warm and Fuzzy Christmas

 I'm going to share a few things in today's post, jumping around a bit. Bear with me please. 

First, I'm taking a moment to acknowledge my Daddy's 79th birthday today, December 10th, with a couple of pics from his last birthday on earth and how awesome it was!! He sure was tickled. We had watched some TV show together while he was visiting me featuring these flight simulators right near Disneyland. I asked if he'd ever want to do that? He emphatically said, yes! I got online immediately, checked costs, got on the phone w/the sibs and everything came together for us to meet there the next day! Brother Joe joined the ride while we watched and listened as dad tried to fly into space with warnings from the tower to knock it off, repeated crash and burns and multiple "Top Gun" quotes. He absolutely loved it and we loved it for him. We didn't know then it would be his last birthday, but the Lord knew and I believe He helped orchestrate this very last-minute amazing adventure that we can look back on with full hearts. Happy heavenly birthday Daddy.

Here is a 3.5 minute video of Daddy reading the children's book Santa Mouse: Click here if you can't see video

Wonderful reflection of the season
filled with rich, gorgeous illustrations on every page by Robert (Bob) Giordano, ribbon bookmark with 24k gold plated metal snowflake charm attached, quotes and reminders captured in a miniature hardbound book that give you all the Christmas feels. 🎄

"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace." Agnes Mae Pahro (1904-1985)

🎶 Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat, Please do put a penny in the old man's hat; If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do, If you haven't got a ha'penny, God bless you! -

Traditional English Carol

🎄"One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly. -Andy Rooney (1919-2011 American radio and television writer who was best known for his weekly broadcast "A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney", a part of the CBS News program 60 Minutes from 1978 to 2011.)

📸When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things- not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness. -Bob Hope (1903-2003 comedian, vaudevillian, actor, singer, dancer, and author)

🎁Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. to a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect. -Oren Arnold (1900-1980 American journalist and novelist)

📚 For those of us who regularly use Goodreads, this one certainly fits the bill: "Do give books- religious or otherswise- for Christmas. They're never fattening, seldom sinful, and permanently personal. -Lenore Hershey (1919 - 1997 former editor of McCall's magazine and Ladies Home Journal)

💗"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." -Charles Dickens (1812-1870 Victorian-era English writer and social critic)

Other quotes from authors like Shakespeare, Clement Clark Moore, Charles M. Shulz

Published by: PeterPauper.com

I was lucky enough to find this book in the Friends of the Library bookstore in my local library for .50¢. What a steal! All opinions are mine alone.
 

I hope you are already making wonderful seasonal memories, reading touching Christmas stories and hugging up on your loved ones, and as always drinking copious cups of tea!
God bless and until next time, hugs and a cup of Christmas tisane (wink!) 

This snarky teacup pic cracked up my Daddy, 
because he used to call us this whenever
we were talkin smack with him!

Heather Elizabeth

RUBIES AND REVENGE a Junkin Jewelry Mystery by Angela McRae

 

•°o•:*:•. Another Clean Small-town Murder Mystery .•:*:• o°•

Emma Madison and her Siamese kitty, Miriam Haskell, join us during the holiday season (perfect since that is when I am reading the book -smile). 

There is a lot happening with the small-town Christmas bazaar, tons of holiday goodies and get-togethers, plus shopping sprees and right in the mix a murder that has everyone concerned. Former characters return from book one and some new ones are introduced keeping us guessing.

Detective Alan Shelton makes it obvious that none of Emma’s help is welcomed. I found him a bit bothersome this time. I enjoyed the turkey toss which helps out the less fortunate and appreciated the occasional prayer and one scripture reference. All of Emma’s designs always sound interesting, particularly the broken bits of Spode Christmas china turned into jewelry and her Ruby and Doris line named for both the character's and the author’s grandmothers. I appreciated two recipes related to the story (see below), at least 3 different hot teas (earl grey, chamomile, green) and of course sweet tea referenced, a link to the author’s Pinterest for inspirational pictures related to the story:
https://www.pinterest.com/angelawmcrae/rubies-and-revenge-by-angela-mcrae/

Once again the killer was difficult to determine. I recommend book two in the series.

4 stars – very good

I won a copy of this book in a raffle graciously held by the author on her website TeaWithFriends.blogspot.com. My opinion is entirely my own.   Special thanks to Angela for the book and the lovely autograph to both me and my Aunt Dixie who I will forward it to.

© Sep 28, 2021 Red Adept Publ., 246 pages

some of my Christmas jewlry

SERIES: Junkin’ Jewelry Mysteries

Emeralds and Envy book one,
Rubies and Revenge book two

“Angela McRae began her writing career as a newspaper reporter, initially covering the police beat and then moving on to features. In a small local bookstore, Angela came across, a tea shop mystery set in Charleston, SC. As a longtime tea lover, she had to try it, and she’s been hooked on cozy mysteries ever since. She currently lives with her husband in Georgia. When she’s not writing, she enjoys traveling, cooking, going to afternoon tea with family and friends, and “junkin’” at flea markets and antique malls, where she often finds inspiring artifacts that wind up in her stories. She also writes a monthly cooking column for a local publication, the Coweta Shopper, and enjoys connecting with readers who love to cook.”

A note about my photos: I thought this book was set during Thanksgiving based on the backside description but after reading, there was so much related to Christmas I decided to stage it again. However, I like the stagings both ways, so tah-da! 

Until next time, hugs and a cozy cup of Christmas tea, 

Darling Mr. Day by Grace Hitchcock

 

Her Darling Mr. Day, by Grace Hitchcock American Royalty #2, January 4, 2022

*** RIVETING ***

New Orleans 1883.  This book had a bit of everything; multiple available bachelors, several debutantes and American heiresses, subterfuge, contests over fortunes and titles, romance, pirates, plenty of faith moments, laugh-out-loud moments, and more.  Our darling Teddy has returned from book one, along with Flora.  Several opportunities present themselves for their reacquaintance which brings all of the above and some danger to boot.  I really enjoy Grace Hitchcock's writing style and her beautiful dedications at the back of the book are not to be missed.

My only complaint (but not really) is that Teddy loathes Darjeeling tea. "He swallowed the tea, nearly choking on the bitter, black brew. He had always despised Darjeeling, a fact Flora well knew," Darjeeling is my absolute favorite tea and not bitter when perfectly brewed, (particularly Taylors of Harrogate) and not bitter when perfectly brewed, but one minute over and it is ruined and bitter.  Clearly, Teddy has never had a proper cup! LOL. ;)

Excellent - 5 Stars

I was gifted this book for my honest opinion without expectation or compensation.

Series: American Royalty

PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION: New Orleans' most eligible bachelor insists he's not on the market . . . but he couldn't be more wrong.

Jilted in front of all New York, Theodore Day decides to lose himself in his family's luxury riverboat business in New Orleans and compete against his brother to become the next company head. The brother with the most sales by summer's end will win the position. Thanks to Theodore's fame as a suitor in a socialite's outlandish competition to find a husband, he has become very desirable royalty in Southern society and thus has an advantage.

It took Flora Wingfield's best work to convince her family to summer in New Orleans, but with Teddy Day a bachelor once again, she's leaving nothing to chance. Desperate to stand out from all the clamoring belles, Flora attempts a bold move that goes completely awry, only to find it's her interior design skills that finally catch his notice.

But when Flora's father's matchmaking schemes come in the way of her plans, Teddy will have to decide where his happiness truly lies and what he is willing to sacrifice for it.

Grace Hitchcock
 is the author of multiple historical novels and novellas. She holds a master's degree in creative writing and a bachelor of arts in English with a minor in history. Grace lives in the New Orleans area with her husband, Dakota, and their son and daughter. Join her at gracehitchcock.com.

Until next time, hugs and cup of warm Christmas tea!