The Christmas Heirloom by Karen Witemeyer, Kristi Ann Hunter, Sarah Loudin Thomas, and Becky Wade | Christmas Book Review

The Christmas Heirloom

Karen Witemeyer, Kristi Ann Hunter,

Sarah Loudin Thomas, and Becky Wade

Historical Romance

In Kristi Ann Hunter's "Legacy of Love," Sarah Gooding never suspected returning a brooch to an elderly woman would lead to a job . . . and introduce her to the woman's grandson, a man far above her station.

In Karen Witemeyer's "Gift of the Heart," widow Ruth Albright uses the family brooch as collateral for a loan from the local banker. But the more she comes to know the man behind the stern businessman, the more she hopes for a second chance at love.

In Sarah Loudin Thomas's "A Shot at Love," Fleeta Brady's rough-and-tumble childhood means she prefers hunting to more feminine activities. She never expected her family's brooch might be how a fellow hunter turns her attention from competition to romance.

In Becky Wade's "Because of You," Maddie Winslow has spent years in love with a man whose heart was already spoken for. When a church Christmas project brings them together and she stumbles upon an old family brooch, might it finally be her turn for love?

My Thoughts

This was the choice of my book club for our annual Christmas book. What a perfect pick! There are four short stories from four very talented writers. I felt like each story could be read in an evening. During this busy time of year that is a real bonus. While each story is a stand alone novella there is a theme that pulls all of them together. The connecting thread that weaves throughout each story is a brooch that is passed from mother to daughter.

I enjoyed each of the stories and can't say that I preferred one over the other. The continuity between the stories was very smooth and made for an overall good read.. The last two stories, A Shot At Love by Sarah Loudin Thomas and Because of You by Becky Wade, are off shoots from their current series. If you're fans of these two authors you definitely don't want to miss this book.

So far this is my favorite Christmas read of the season. If you're looking for a stocking stuffer for your favorite reader this would be a wonderful choice.

Disclosure statement

I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

True To You (Bradford Sisters Romance #1) by Becky Wade | Contemporary Romance Review

True To You

Bradford Sisters Romance #1

Becky Wade

Contemporary Romance

After a devastating heartbreak three years ago, genealogist and historical village owner Nora Bradford decided that burying her nose in her work and her books is far safer than romance in the here and now.

Unlike Nora, former Navy SEAL John Lawson is a modern-day man, usually 100 percent focused on the present. However, when John, an adoptee, is diagnosed with an inherited condition, he's forced to dig into the secrets of his ancestry.

John enlists Nora's help to uncover the identity of his birth mother, and as they work side by side, this pair of opposites begins to suspect that they just might be a perfect match. But can their hope for a future survive their wounds from the past?

READ AN EXCERPT

My Thoughts

It's always such a delight to dive into a new series by a favorite author. True To You is Becky Wade's latest series that features three sisters. This first book gives us Nora Bradford as our heroine and John Lawson as our hero. The two couldn't be more different. Nora is bookish and loves all things history. John is a here and now type. He is a decorated Navy SEAL and uses that background to further his thriving business.

As with all of Becky's novels, True To You, is at times funny and at others sentimentally touching. Both John and Nora have emotional wounds in their past that cause them to put up walls around their hearts. When the truth would set them free they choose to hide it. It's a common struggle among each of us that makes this book appealing.

During the course of the story we meet the other two sisters and the significant men in their lives. (A great preview of the stories to come.) We don't actually meet the parents because they are off on a mission trip but we do get a nice glimpse of the girls' grandmother. She's so cranky it's downright funny. 

There are many scenes in the book that I love but if I had to pick just one it would be a conversation between John and his birth mother. I loved her insight into the circumstances of his adoption and his life that followed. The dialogue was beautifully written and will definitely strike a chord with readers.

I believe that True To You would make a lovely summer read for your book club. It's a light read without being shallow. To help the discussion along Becky and her publisher have included Questions for Conversation in the back. Even if you're not part of a book group you should snatch this one up as a treat for yourself!

Connect With The Author

www.BeckyWade.com

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Blog Tour for My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade @beckywadewriter

My Stubborn Heart

Becky Wade 

Fiction/Contemporary Romance

Buy: My Stubborn Heart on Amazon  

Back of the book:

Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother asks her to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in. Kate jumps at the chance.

Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man hired to renovate the house. Kate can’t help being attracted to him, drawn by both his good looks and something else she can’t quite put her finger on. He’s clearly wounded—hiding from people, from God, and from his past. Yet Kate sets her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back into the light. . . whether he likes it or not.

When the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and Matt slowly shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her heart? Or will Kate be required to give up more than she ever dreamed?

About Becky Wade:

During her childhood in California, Becky frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She's been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that Becky's passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances with Avon Books, then put her career on hold for several years to care for her kids, then recently returned to writing sheerly for the love of it. She felt led to move to the genre of contemporary Christian romance and couldn't be more thrilled with it.

These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up with her housework, sweating at the gym, carting her kids around town, playing tennis, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa watching TV with her husband.

My thoughts:

When you are a book addict like me there are some things that you just get excited about. One of the big ones is finding a new author that you enjoy. Becky Wade is that for me. Another thing that really thrills me is a book that hooks me from the opening paragraph. My Stubborn Heart grabbed me on page one.

The prologue is awesome. In fact it was so good I had to read it out loud to my daughter. (Then we argued over who was going to get to read the book first!) Ms. Wade sets the stage by giving very important background information on the two main characters in a very clever way. You get all the details that you need to know what is going on without having to slog through chapter after chapter of tedious (but necessary) material.

You are going to be amused at Kate’s tenacity. Kate and Matt are older than your usual contemporary romance characters. They are in their 30s, but the nice part about that is it gives both of the individuals an aura of settled maturity about them. Kate isn’t easily put off by Matt’s rebuffs. It was a sheer delight to follow along as she slowly chipped away at the armor he had erected about himself.

Becky Wade’s My Stubborn Heart is a debut novel worth taking a chance on. I can almost guarantee that you are going to love it. I know I’m going to be eagerly anticipating her next novel.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or Services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance With the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Celebrate with Becky by entering her My Stubborn Heart Giveaway and connecting with her during the Author Chat Party on 5/24!

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Brand New Nook Simple Touch™ with GlowLight™
• A $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Certificate
• A copy of My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on May 24th. Winner will be announced at the "My Stubborn Heart" Author Chat Facebook Party on 5/24. Becky will be hosting an book chat, testing your trivia skills and giving away some great prizes!

So grab your copy of My Stubborn Heart and join Becky on the evening of the May 24th for a chance to meet Becky and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

 

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 24th!