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Hearts Aweigh by Shannon Sue Dunlap

May 28, 2025 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: Hearts Aweigh

Series: Love Overboard #2

Author: Shannon Sue Dunlap

Publisher: Kregel Publications

Released: May 20, 2025

This witty, heartfelt romance is an absolute treat for readers.”
—Elly Gilbert, coauthor of Under the Blue Skies

Cheeky septuagenarian matchmakers, the “Shippers” are on a mission to secure a dreamy Mr. Right for Abby O’Brien, a sunny, optimistic childcare worker for Monarch Cruises. She loves her job looking after the children of vacationing parents, but harbors one unfulfilled desire: to be a wife and a mother.

With his shy five-year-old daughter in tow, divorced elitist lawyer Spencer Randolph Masterson has anything but romance in mind. His goal on the MS Buckingham is to persuade his mother, Daisy, to leave her ridiculous cruise ship lifestyle and return to New Orleans. But Daisy isn’t interested in life on land. Besides, she and her matchmaking posse have a marriage to arrange.

When a secret from Daisy’s past surfaces and threats of blackmail start flying, the Shippers must protect their own while attempting to convince Spencer’s scarred heart to weigh anchor and boldly set sail for a future with Abby.

“Inspirational romance readers will relish every cozy moment they spend with the Shippers!”
—Bethany Turner, author of Cole and Laila Are Just Friends

My Impressions

“One voyage wasn’t long enough to fix the things that were wrong with this man.”

Hearts Aweigh by Shannon Sue Dunlap is such a cute multi-generational rom-com!! The Shippers, 4 elderly ladies who practically live on the cruise ship, are back. (Yes, this is book 2 in the Love Overboard series. I felt like reading bk 1 first was helpful, but not entirely necessary to understand this one.) With one highly successful match under their belts, these fearsome ladies are ready to tackle victim ( I mean, client) number 2.

I love the Shippers! We get to know each of the four a little more on this cruise on the MS Buckingham. Daisy, the Southern, genteel lady of the group, has secrets that nobody knew. And this cruise brings her some big surprises.

I love that the Shipper’s target in this novel, Abby, a Kids Kingdom worker aboard ship, has asked for their help. “it’s lonely by myself. I’d rather have a partner. Someone to share things with. That guaranteed one person who’s always on my side. My best friend.” Of course, the Shippers eventually settle on stuffed shirt, workaholic lawyer Spencer as a possible match for Abby. Abby’s response is noted at the beginning of the blog!!

A sunshine vs. Mr. Grumpy, a “child-whisperer” vs. a father who has no idea how to be a real dad. Someone who adores Daisy vs. someone who definitely does NOT!! How can this match ever work? And so begins a very trying back-and-forth, unpredictable romance. Will it be or won’t it? The one thing that IS predictable is the laughter!

Plus the adorable factor. That would be Spencer’s daughter, 5-yr-old Madeleine, afraid to speak, play, or move a muscle. How can Abby help this sad little girl out of her shell? But, Abby, being the Pied Piper that she is, has Madeleine playing and giggling and beginning to experience being a child. “Certain children claimed a room in a person’s heart and lived there.” As Maddie claims this spot in Abby’s heart, Spencer finds her invaluable. But he waffles on why he needs Abby near.

With that romance teetering, the Shippers also have a blackmailer to catch. I love how all that works out, and I foresee another Shipper’s story coming out in a future book.

If you like romcoms, this is a must-read!

I received a copy of the book from Just Read Tours, and I also bought my own copy. No positive opinion was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“A well-stocked library is as close as we get to heaven on earth.”– Seamus

“Once you repent, it’s under the blood. The Bible promises complete forgiveness. Feeling guilty isn’t part of the deal.”

“Faith is for when we don’t understand God’s plan. Sometimes we have to walk in the dark awhile and hold tight to his hand.”– Althea

“Dad gave her everything she needed.”“Not the things she needed most. Love, understanding, acceptance.”

“The greatest weapon you can wield is silence. When you say nothing, people rush to fill the awkward void. The one who speaks first relinquishes control of the conversation to the other person. Don’t be in a hurry to answer.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! Quadruple the busybodies, quadruple the fun! Never a dull moment with the Shippers at work!

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle, Purchase

The Maestro’s Missing Melody by Amy Walsh Review and Giveaway

February 1, 2025 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book:The Maestro’s Missing Melody

Author: Amy Walsh

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Release date: September 13, 2024

She was thrilled to apprentice with her fiddler hero—until she got to know him. He regretted his decision to play teacher to college kids—until he got to know her.

For aspiring musician and college student McKay Moonlight, winning a summer internship with Scottish master fiddler Huntley Milne was a dream come true. When a last-minute change moved the internship program from the Scottish Highlands of her ancestors to a village she’d never heard of along the River Deben, McKay was determined to make the best of it. However, she didn’t expect to make such a terrible first impression on her summer mentor.

Hosting a bunch of college students was the last thing Maestro Huntley Milne needed. He was already up to his ears in problems, with Aunt BeeBee being placed in a care home, resulting in him having emergency custody of his tween nephew and niece. Then he met McKay Moonlight, and the chaos really began.

The Maestro’s Missing Melody is a charming story featuring endearingly eccentric characters, a treasure hunt caper through the nooks and crannies of a mansion, and genuine laugh-out-loud moments. Sunshine and thunderclouds attract in this delightful age-gap Christian romantic comedy from Amy Walsh.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Amy Walsh is a 5th-grade teacher who loves teaching children about what she loves to do herself: reading and writing. She enjoys outdoor activities, especially hiking and camping. Amy also appreciates opportunities to share her faith through singing, teaching, and writing for her church family. Amy and her husband, Patrick, have three children: Bree, Spencer, Liz, and a son-in-law, Kyle. Amy and her family love to spend time together celebrating special occasions, listening to great music, swimming and kayaking, and having occasional ping pong tournaments.

More from Amy

The Maestro’s Missing Melody Cast of Characters

Maestro Huntley Milne regrets committing to host a group of college students, especially when Aunt BeeBee ends up in a care home, forcing him to move into the Milne Monstrosity on Sycamore Street which is about two hours northeast of London. Aunt BeeBee is nagging him to locate the missing Milne stave book, Dory and David are fretting about being put back into foster care, and even his aunt’s cats are high maintenance. Then he meets McKay Moonlight…

McKay Moonlight was thrilled when she won the musical apprenticeship at Maestro Huntley Milne’s Highlands Music Center. After all, she had a little crush on him for years after seeing him play at the Rocky Mountain Fiddler Championships. When the apprenticeship is relocated to a tiny town near the Deben River, rather than the Highlands of her ancestors, she takes it in stride. Who would think her traveling mishaps would cause her to be late and forget something very important – ruining her chance to make a good first impression on her summer mentor.

The Milne Monstrosity was built by a wealthy plantation owner, who brought his family to England just prior to the American Civil War. This mansion is a hodgepodge of turrets, towers, secret passages, and gables – – and does not fit in with the other homes on Sycamore Street AT ALL. Beatrice Milne has filled the mansion with many colorful and eccentric collections. Other unique features of the Milne property are a tiny guest house which is the exact replica of the Monstrosity, and a stone amphitheater decorated with musical gargoyles within view of the River Deben.

Dory and David are tween twins who went from foster home to foster home until they were finally adopted by Mama Bee. Dory enjoys riding her bike around her village, learning to play the flute, reading great books – – and finally having a family, even if her adopted mother is much older and let’s say “different” from other parents. David plays the guitar very well, but his real passion is for building gadgets. The twins were content living in the Milne Monstrosity in Eden Cove with Mama Bee encouraging them to explore their interests and grow their talents. But now, Mama Bee is in a care home and they are stuck with grumpy Uncle Huntley until Mama Bee comes home. That’s IF she ever comes home.

Beatrice Milne, aka Aunt Bee Bee or Mama Bee, always had her fingers in so many pies, and those pies were always so splendid, that she seems larger than life to the people of Eden Cove. Now she is a patient of Balmy Bay Residences, the care home she helped refurbish as one of her projects. What’s with her change in personality – and her obsession with Huntley needing to search for the missing Milne stave book?

Arabella and Gerard are Aunt Bee Bee’s ginormous cats who have a love/hate relationship with the Maestro. Who knows, maybe they can help with the treasure hunt for the missing stave book…

My Impressions

“God never abandons His people –even when their faith has dwindled to nothing, and when they’ve lost all hope.”

The neat thing about this series of books, Our House on Sycamore Street, is that each book is by a different author, involving varying genres and time periods. All stories take place in the same little town, all on the same street on an English island. Amy Walsh’s contribution, The Maestro’s Missing Melody, bk 6, is a fun contemporary rom-com. McKay Moonlight is a star-struck intern who has won a spot as a summer student in a small group being mentored by Scottish maestro Huntley Milne.

When family circumstances change the plans for the summer itinerary, Maestro Milne regrets his promise to hosts the college students and especially seems to dislike McKay. How God uses what the Maestro sees as major inconveniences in his life to bring about change and a reckoning about life’s meaning is a wonderful thing to see.

However, God usually uses hard things to bring growth and the Maestro rails against God for past life events as well as current difficulties. Can McKay’s faith and optimism along with that of quirky Aunt BeeBee and twins David and Dory breathe life back into Huntley’s dead soul?

I really connected with the lost, lonely, and afraid characters in this novel. Such deep hurts and fears to carry around! And yet, so much of the suffering seems chosen or at least magnified beyond the original pain, if that is possible . But that is how it is when we either don’t seek God’s guidance in our plans or actively refuse His help.

I would have liked to discuss this book with a book club. Some characters’ actions had me scratching my head. (“Can a person really do that?” I wondered, many times. )

I was pleased to find some final storyline tie-ups, but it involved an epilogue and an “after epilogue epilogue”, plus a bonus scene on the author’s website. I would prefer all action wrapped up within the book. Just my two cents’.

I received a copy of the book through Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotable:

“That God cares and provides. That God listens and whispers. That when we are alone in the wilderness, it’s there that God teaches, strengthens, and emboldens us.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! It would be interesting to see what the twins are up to in 10 years!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 25

Stories By Gina, January 26 (Author Interview)

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, January 26

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 27

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 28

Texas Book-aholic, January 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 31

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 1

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 2

Blogging With Carol, February 3

For Him and My Family, February 4

Fiction Book Lover, February 5 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, February 5

Holly’s Book Corner, February 6

Pause for Tales, February 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Amy is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54141

ARC, BLOG, Favorite, Just Read Tours, Kindle, Kregel, Launch Team, PB, Purchase

Fiancé Finale by Angela Ruth Strong Review and Giveaway

October 23, 2024October 22, 2024 Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Fiancé Finale by Angela Ruth Strong hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Fiancé Finale
Series: Love Off Script #3
Author: Angela Ruth Strong
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: October 22, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Charlie Newberg is sure about one thing: Nicole Lemaire is the woman God wants him to marry. There’s a slight problem, though—he’s already left her once. The day before their wedding. To make a documentary.

But he’s got a plan. The marketing firm she works for is the ideal choice for promoting his new film. Collaborating will give him the perfect chance to propose again, so he conspires with her boss to make sure she runs the campaign for the same kind of documentary Charlie left her—basically at the altar—for.

Despite Nicole’s resistance, the two work well together. But Charlie’s going to need more than teamwork to convince the jilted bride to give him a second chance. In fact, he might need to fall in love in a way he’s never really understood.

More Books from this Series:

About the Author

Angela Ruth Strong is the founder of IdaHope Christian Writers. Her books have earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been a finalist for the Christy, won the Cascade Award, and become Amazon best sellers. Her book Finding Love in Big Sky, Montana released as a movie in 2022. Strong lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband.

Connect with Angela by visiting angelaruthstrong.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

My Impressions

“A man always has to choose the woman he loves. Over and over and over again. Because that’s what love does.”

Wow! My emotions are all tangled after finished Fiancé Finale by Angela Ruth Strong. I laughed loud and long at Strong’s humor. I loved the vivid descriptions of the Pacific Northwest. I cringed at obtuseness and misunderstandings. I related to being a pastor’s daughter and wondering whether family or church would come first this time. How I both cheered for Charlie and Nicole to rekindle their broken relationship, and wondered if it was even wise.

Each chapter starts with a great love quote by a famous author, plus a bit of film roll is depicted. Charlie and Nicole alternate narrating chapters, which probably has a lot to do with the back and forth emotional tug. If the road to true love is never easy, surely Charlie and Nicole prove this. Meri and Kai and Gemma and Karson all appear from earlier books, so this series really needs to be read in order.

The big question is, when Charlie, an independent filmmaker, and Nicole, a publicist, are assigned to work together, will they be able to figure out what went wrong with their first engagement before they develop and destroy a second? It is nip and tuck all the way!!

Alice the jeweler is my fave secondary character. She really sees people. Alice is both comforting and challenging in her responses in her loving responses.

Strong brings up so many themes. Hypocrisy in the church, being afraid to love, redemption, selfishness, redemption, lost sheep, making peace with past relationships, mercy, truth, and love. Wow! No matter where you see yourself on the spectrum of faith, you will be challenged to better love others and better live out the Truth.

I received a copy of the book from the author and JustRead Tours. I also bought a copy of the book for my keeper shelf. No positive opinion was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“We accept the love we believe we deserve.”

“She flies with her own wings.”

“Perhaps that’s the meaning of reckless love. God still loves us at our worst.”

“That’s been my experience with God. He doesn’t seem to calm the storms in my life, He just holds an umbrella over my head to protect me until the sun comes out again.”

“In a world where appearances are everything, I have committed the most grievous of offenses. I’m imperfect.”– Nicole

“Is there anything better than being known and being loved?”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! Angela Ruth Strong’s rom-coms will not only have you in stitches and sighing, but will also have you evaluating how you live your life.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Fiancé Finale and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 23, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 30, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

ARC, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle, Purchase

Love in the Headlines by Penny Zeller Review and Giveaway

May 10, 2023 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Love in the Headlines

Author: Penny Zeller

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: May 9, 2023

Can paper and paw prints draw these two nemeses together?

All Carleigh Adams wants is a relaxing evening. But Sullivan Theodore IV, her wayward Shih Tzu, has other plans. After escaping from home, Sullivan Theodore unlawfully enters what Carleigh assumes is a stranger’s house via a doggy door. Much to Carleigh’s horror, it is actually the home of her coworker and nemesis, Trey “The Irritating” Montgomery.

Trey Montgomery has had to work with “Quirky Carleigh,” his top competitor for the best articles at The Oakville Daily, for the past two years. It’s safe to say that she and her criminally-minded pet are his adversaries. Trey’s attempts to keep his distance from her are demolished when their boss thrusts them together as The Oakville Daily Duo, forcing them to work as a team on every. Single. Article.

Petty crimes and crazy shenanigans in Oakville soon draw Carleigh and Trey into doubling as detectives. When dogs, including their own pets, begin to mysteriously disappear, Carleigh and Trey join forces to uncover the culprit. As they work to report the daily news and solve the crimes in Oakville, can these two stubborn reporters find love in the headlines?

Faith, plentiful humor, and tender romance round out the latest Christian contemporary romance novel by Author Penny Zeller.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics.

Today Penny is the author of over a dozen books. She is also a homeschool mom and a group fitness instructor. Her desire is to assist and nurture women into a closer relationship with Christ.

When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters and camping, hiking, canoeing, bicycling/cycling, reading, running, gardening, and playing volleyball.

She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and loves to hear from her readers at her website, blog, and on Facebook.

Subscribe to Penny’s newsletter for writing updates, news about freebies and giveaways, and other fun morsels.

More from Penny

The Inspiration Behind Love in the Headlines

When the idea for Love in the Headlines popped into my head, I knew I wouldn’t have to go far to find the inspiration for Sullivan Theodore IV, the spunky and mischievous Shih Tzu in the story.

For, once upon a time, a little white puppy needed a home.

From the second my niece and nephews walked through the door with him, Sulley Jaxx became more than just a pet. He became a member of the family.

It’s definitely not uncommon for dogs to become members of families. However, Sulley’s adoption became even more special because of his new family.

Years ago, my mom suffered a serious accident and she subsequently became wheelchair-bound. Unable to live the active life she once did, she and my dad were blessed to be able to move into the “mother-in-law apartment” of my sister and brother-in-law’s house.

My niece, Ally, has been diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder, POTS, which can, at times, seriously interfere with her daily activities.

Enter Sulley.

My mom and Ally have what could only be considered as a “joint custody” arrangement. While Sulley’s favorite person is Ally, he is also quite partial to snuggling with my mom in her chair, and truly, my mom spoils him and lets Sulley get away with everything.

Sulley begs treats off a big softie known as my dad, aka Poppy, to his grandchildren, and Sulley runs like the wind with my nephew, Kolten. He recently gained a new admirer when my nephew, Seth, and his wife, Autumn, had their baby daughter.

And the inspiration behind the newspaper reporters? Back when video cameras were big, clunky, and oversized, my sister, cousin, friends, and I pretended to be reporters. We’d report and record the news, including some fun and very fabricated stories. Sometime I’ll have to do an archeological dig and locate those old VHS tapes.

I also wrote “articles” with friends and co-workers from my after-school job as the main characters of those articles. I wanted to be a reporter, and was blessed to be a photojournalist when my daughters were little. That launched my career as an author, my dream since I was in second grade.

Love in the Headlines takes readers on an enjoyable journey into a small, close-knit, American town where everyone knows everyone else. A town where faith and church are important. A slow-paced town where the newspaper’s main goal is to provide a family-friendly news outlet and everyone is excited when their photos or stories are featured. As Howard, the owner, says, “We should have an entire cache of great photos and well-written articles that will cause parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and everyone twice removed to purchase copies of The Oakville Daily.”

Love in the Headlines is a Christian contemporary romance with an enemies-to-lovers trope as the main theme. And, while most things in Oakville move at a relaxed pace, when a stranger begins committing crimes, including dognapping, Howard puts Carleigh and Trey, aka, The Oakville Daily Duo on the story. Will they realize their feelings for each other in the process?

With tender romance, faith, and abundant humor, I can’t wait for readers to meet Carleigh, Trey, Sullivan Theodore IV, Jaxx, and the rest of the gang.

My Impressions

Need to cleanse your reading palate after an emotional read? Love in the Headlines by Penny Zeller is just the solution. A light-hearted rom-com for dog lovers, you will laugh aloud often, maybe recognize your dog, and wonder at a small town that can be so close-knit.

Carleigh Adams and Trey Montgomery, competing writers for the small Oakville Daily, suddenly find themselves equal parts of the Oakville Daily Duo. They are assigned to work every story as a team. But this is one team that can’t stand itself!

This is a fun frenemy-to-lovers story. It borders on the cozy genre, but not quite. I loved seeing inside the slowly evolving thinking of both Carleigh and Trey. Their newsroom coworkers are interesting characters, as well. The dogs steal the show, as might be expected. I really enjoyed this part. It brought back memories of chasing our first Shih Tzu all over the neighborhood. Zeller captures the stubborn, lovable Shih Tzu personality perfectly. And the big dog/ Shepherd characteristics! How fun!

Chewie cheered on Sullivan Theodore IV all the way!!

Except when they cause trouble for Carleigh and Trey, or throw them together in one too many undesirable situations! Some great nods to the past with a vintage newspaper minivan that somehow had me channeling Scooby Doo.

Snippets of faith moments, laughter, gentle romance, and a clean, light mystery make this a novel that I would recommend to anyone.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit, plus I bought a copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Great fun! A clean, very humorous rom-com that incorporates faith and adorable dogs!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 11

Pause for Tales, May 12

She Lives to Read, May 13

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 14 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 14

Texas Book-aholic, May 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 17

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 19

Cover Lover Book Review, May 20

For Him and My Family, May 21

Bizwings Book Blog, May 22

Holly’s Book Corner, May 22

Splashes of Joy, May 23

Karen Baney Reviews, May 24

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Penny is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/25f5a/love-in-the-headlines-celebration-tour-giveaway

ARC, BLOG, Kregel, Purchase

Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong

August 6, 2021 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: Husband Auditions

Author: Angela Ruth Strong

Publisher: Kregel

Release Date: August 17, 2021

Genre: Christian Romance, Comedy

How far would you go to find the perfect husband? All the way back to the 1950s?

In a world full of happily-ever-after love, Meri Newberg feels like the last young woman on the planet to be single, at least in her Christian friend group. So when she’s handed a strange present at the latest wedding–a 1950s magazine article of “ways to get a husband”–she decides there’s nothing to lose by trying out its advice. After all, she can’t get any more single, can she?

Her brother’s roommate sees the whole thing as a great opportunity. Not to fall in love–Kai Kamaka has no interest in the effort a serious relationship takes. No, this is a career jump start. He talks Meri into letting him film every silly husband-catching attempt for a new online show. If it goes viral, his career as a cameraman will be made.

When Meri Me debuts, it’s an instant hit. People love watching her lasso men on street corners, drop handkerchiefs for unsuspecting potential beaus, and otherwise embarrass herself in pursuit of true love. But the longer this game goes on, the less sure Kai is that he wants Meri to snag anyone but him. The only problem is that he may not be the kind of husband material she’s looking for . . .

With droll comic timing, unbeatable chemistry, and a zany but relatable cast of characters, Angela Ruth Strong has created a heartfelt look at the reality of modern Christian dating that readers will both resonate with and fall for.

About the Author

Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009 then quit writing romance when her husband left her. Ten years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there’s nothing else she’d rather write about. Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been optioned for film, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon best-sellers. She also writes non-fiction for SpiritLed Woman. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho, and she teaches as an expert online at WRITE THAT BOOK. Get to know her even better at http://www.angelaruthstrong.com.

My Impressions

“Poor ideas in real life often make the best entertainment.” And so is born the premise of this hilarious rom-com novel from Angela Ruth Strong. Meri and Kai, reluctant roommates (actually housemates)act and film respectively in a reality-made-for-YouTube channel serial movie about 100 ways to catch a husband. The catch of Husband Auditions is, that the rules are taken from a 1950s women’s magazine and applied in today’s world. As filming progresses, Meri and Kai begin to wonder how wise it is to complete this unusual project. Will there be a winner, or just losers?

With a sense of humor that will have you laughing out loud, Ms. Strong also presents very real moral situations for her characters to work through. Staid Sunday School answers need not apply. How does the very real love of Jesus work itself out in (gasp)Hollywood? In personal boundaries? In how we judge and treat others? Conservatives may have a hard time with the emphasis of the fact the Meri and Kai and another beauty are roommates(housemates). Strong WANTS you to be uncomfortable. Are we as readers assuming relationships that are not present? Do people answer to God or us? One of many dilemmas couched in Strong’s trademark humor to challenge your reactions to others and make you question if you are fully living out your faith.

My Rating

Magnificent! Hilarious Rom-Com

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, NetGalley, Thomas Nelson

A Girl’s Guide to the Outback by Jessica Kate

February 11, 2020February 11, 2020 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: A Girl’s Guide to the Outback

Author: Jessica Kate

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: January 28, 2020

How far will a girl go to win back a guy she can’t stand? This funny, sweet, and romantic story proves that opposites do attract—and that God has a sense of humor.

Samuel Payton is a passionate youth pastor in Virginia, but below the surface, he’s still recovering from the blow of a failed business and insecurities he can’t shake. His coworker, start-up expert Kimberly Foster, is brilliant, fearless, and capable, but years of personal rejection have left her defensive and longing for a family. Two people have never been more at odds—or more attracted to one another. And every day at work, the sparks sure do fly.

When Kimberly’s ambitious plans for Sam’s ministry butt up against his risk-averse nature, Sam decides that obligations to family trump his work for the church. He quits the ministry and heads home to Australia to help his sister, Jules, save her struggling farm. As Kimberly’s grand plans flounder, she is forced to face the truth: that no one can replace Sam. Together they strike up a deal: If Kimberly comes to work on Jules’s dairy farm and lends her business brains to their endeavor, then maybe—just maybe—Sam will reconsider his future with the church.

As Kimberly tries her hand at Australian farm life, she learns more about herself than she could’ve ever expected. Meanwhile, Sam is forced to re-evaluate this spunky woman he thought he already knew. As foes slowly morph into friends, they wonder if they might be something even more. But when disaster strikes the farm, will Sam find it within himself to take a risk that could lead to love? And will Kimberly trust God with her future?

Click here to get your copy.

My Review

“Samuel Payton was an idiot.” What a great opening sentence to A Girl’s Guide to the Outback by Jessica Kate. Kimberly Foster and Samuel Payton may work together, but they seem destined to be each other’s number one antagonizer.

Wow, this is the rom-com book to pick up for something light, yet with a message.
I liked and disliked all four main characters by turns, depending on whose point of view examined them. Kimberly, Sam, Jules, and Mick all have lots of personalities but the lies they believe often cause them to act as if there is only one possible trajectory for their lives. When their eyes see their own weaknesses, it tends to be through magnifying glasses that so enlarge their weaknesses and fears they can’t move forward. They have trouble viewing themselves in light of God’s Word, based on their own experiences or others’ perceptions of them.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in a lighter, clean rom-com with spiritual overtones.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit and NetGalley. This is no way affects my opinions for which I am solely responsible.

My Rating

5 stars – Superior – Hits My Reading Sweet Spot

About the Author

Australian author Jessica Kate writes inspirational romances with wit, sass, and grit. Jessica is a screenwriting groupie, cohost of the StoryNerds vlog and podcasts, and her favorite place to be—apart from Mum and Dad’s back deck—is a theme park. She has traveled North America and Australia, and samples her favorite pasta wherever she goes—but the best (so far) is still the place around the corner from her corporate day job as a training developer. She loves watching sitcoms with her housemates and being a leader in a new church plant. Visit her online at jessicakatewriting.com; Instagram: jessicakatewriting; Facebook: jessicakatewriting; Twitter: @JessicaKate05.