My Dear Miss Dupré by Grace Hitchcock

MY REVIEW:

I actually enjoyed My Dear Miss Dupré despite a number of reviewers who did not. Sure, Willow probably didn’t treat all her suitors well but then how could one gal manage to spend enough time with thirty different men to get to know them well enough to decide if any of them would make an acceptable husband. And there was the little fact that Willow was not at all comfortable with the competition set up by her parents to help choose a husband at the end of six months. Who ever heard of such a thing? Actually the idea did make for some interesting reading and quite a few humorous situations along the way.

Regardless of her avowed faith, Willow was an unconventional young woman who was eminently more interested in helping run her father’s sugar factory than in marriage and had very little experience with courting. Forced into the situation by her parents, Willow was obviously confused and made quite a few poor choices in dealing with the men. As the competition advanced, Willow did find that she favored three or four of the men but had difficulty deciding between them. The situation escalated when she found herself in danger and also realized that the man she truly cared for had ulterior motives.

My Dear Miss Dupré was fun to read with its sometimes quirky characters, humorous situations, and an unexpected touch of danger and suspense. I also appreciated the fact that one character’s walk of faith matured quite nicely during the story as he came face to face with his sins.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Thirty suitors, six months of courting . . .
would it be enough time for her to fall in love?

Willow Dupré never thought she would have to marry, but with her father’s unexpected retirement from running the prosperous Dupré sugar refinery, she is forced into a different future. The shareholders are unwilling to allow a female to take over the company without a man at her side, so her parents devise a plan–find Willow a spokesman king in order for her to become queen of the business empire.

Willow is presented with thirty potential suitors from the families of New York society’s elite group called the Four Hundred. She has six months to court the group and is told to to eliminate men each month to narrow her beaus until she chooses one to marry, ending the competition with a wedding. Willow reluctantly agrees, knowing she must do what is best for the business. She doesn’t expect to find anything other than a proxy . . . until she meets a gentleman who captures her attention, and she must discover for herself if his motives are pure.

Read an excerpt here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Grace Hitchcock (www.gracehitchcock.com) 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 Baton Rouge with her husband, Dakota, and their son and daughter.

The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark

MY REVIEW:

The Dress Shop on King Street is one of those books with all the feels. Its primary focus is on Millie Middleton as it highlights different stages of her life. Harper Dupree also plays a strong role in the story as does a young man named Peter. As the tale passes back and forth between characters and time, the reader slowly begins to get a glimpse of how their lives have somehow been woven together over the years without their knowledge.

Sometimes difficult to read and at times heartbreaking, the story relates the struggles of a mixed race woman who appears to be white during an era when such things could be dangerous. It is a tale filled with love, dreams deferred, difficult choices, faith through it all, and eventually forgiveness and reconciliation.

I loved the relationship between Harper and Millie, especially the fact that they both had similar dreams. A surprise or two along the way were perfect touches in this beautiful narrative that left me with ample things to ponder when I closed its covers.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

?Harper Dupree has pinned all her hopes on a future in fashion design. But when it comes crashing down around her, she returns home to Fairhope, Alabama, and to Millie, the woman who first taught her how to sew. As Harper rethinks her own future, long-hidden secrets about Millie’s past are brought to light.

In 1946, Millie Middleton–the daughter of an Italian man and a Black woman–boarded a train and left Charleston to keep half of her heritage hidden. She carried with her two heirloom buttons and the dream of owning a dress store. She never expected to meet a charming train jumper who changed her life forever . . . and led her yet again to a heartbreaking choice about which heritage would define her future.

Now, together, Harper and Millie return to Charleston to find the man who may hold the answers they seek . . . and a chance at the dress shop they’ve both dreamed of. But it’s not until all appears lost that they see the unexpected ways to mend what frayed between the seams.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ashley Clark (www.ashleyclarkbooks.com) writes romantic women’s fiction set in the South. With a master’s degree in creative writing, Ashley teaches literature and writing courses at the University of West Florida. Ashley has been an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers for almost a decade. She lives with her husband, son, and two rescued Cocker Spaniels off Florida’s Gulf Coast. When she’s not writing, she’s rescuing stray animals, dreaming of Charleston, and drinking all the English breakfast tea she can get her hands on.

 

Can’t Buy Me Love by Andrea Christenson

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Can’t Buy Me Love by Andrea Christenson presented by Susan May Warren, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

MY REVIEW:

Lovers of books by Susan May Warren have often longed for more books set in Deep Haven if not to live there themselves. With the kick-off of Warren’s Sunrise Publishing she has chosen several new authors to provide some new romantic adventures in Deep Haven. I think her hard core fans will be pleased with the results.

Can’t Buy Me Love is a modern take on the classic Cinderella tale, complete with wicked step-sister. It does not follow the fairy tale exactly but it definitely has elements that the reader will recognize scattered throughout. Heroine Ella Bradley is a down-on-her-luck housekeeper who has ambitions to form her own company. Adrian Vassos, while not a true prince, is son to an extremely wealthy businessman who has big plans for him. They find themselves in Deep Haven doing community service together and the rest of their story is delightful. Filled with misunderstandings, plenty of humor, and unexpected events, the novel held my attention all the way to its end. An encouraging story of discovering God’s plan for your life as well as a fine example of forgiveness, Can’t Buy Me Love is a must read for fans of contemporary romantic novels.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Just Read Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Can’t Buy Me Love

Series: Deep Haven Collection #2

Author: Andrea Christenson presented by Susan May Warren

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing

Release Date: March 16, 2021

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

 

He can’t buy his way out of trouble this time…

Housekeeper-slash-entrepreneur Ella Bradley prides herself on being ready for anything. After all, with a father who died—and lied to her—and a stepmom and stepsister who despise her, she has no one else to depend on. But on the biggest night of her life, she’s unprepared to be trapped in an elevator with the man of her dreams.

Wealthy prince-to-a-fortune Adrian Vassos wants nothing more than to shed his reputation as a party boy and prove that he is a savvy businessman. Even, a gentleman. But when he’s trapped with a woman who knows his reputation but not his face, he gives into the temptation to be someone else—and lies.

When serendipity brings them together again—this time to work off community service—can their combined sentences spark a new ending? Maybe…if Adrian’s lies don’t find him out. Again.

The magic of Deep Haven enchants in this modern-day Cinderella story.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | BookBub

BOOKS IN THIS SERIES:

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Susan May Warren is the USA Today best-selling novelist of 80 books. With more than 1.5 million books in print, she is beloved by reviewers and readers around the world. Visit Susan at www.susanmaywarren.com.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Andrea Christenson lives in a Minneapolis, MN suburb with her husband and two daughters. When she is not busy homeschooling her girls, she loves to read anything she can get her hands on. She believes that a great loaf of artistic bread can turn a meal into a masterpiece. Andrea’s prayer is to write stories revealing God’s love.

CONNECT WITH ANDREA: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Merging the creative energies of best-selling authors Susan May Warren and Lindsay Harrel, Sunrise Publishing is the matchmaker for established authors who want to build on their current success for future growth and aspiring authors looking to break out, build an audience, and hone their writing skills.

CONNECT WITH SUNRISE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | admin@sunrisepublishing.com

TOUR GIVEAWAY:

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card + 3 Can’t Buy Me Love ebooks (one ebook for the winner and two to give to friends)!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 16, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 23, 2021. 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 HERE

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

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Fate by Natasha Frazier

MY REVIEW:

I agreed to read and review Fate by Natasha Frazier without having a clue what it was about. Can I just say that this book made me really feel my age? As a senior citizen I am no longer a fan of romance novels for the sake of romance and that is pretty much the content of this novel.

Honestly the story would appeal to younger readers who want a simple, easy to read tale with lots of romance. It is a clean read so parents would not object to their teen daughter reading it. In fact teens would probably love the frequent descriptions of how the characters were dressed, the dates they went on, and meals they ate, not to mention how many times Brian was described as “hot” by Melanie’s friend.

I did like the fact that the characters were both believers and it was evident by their actions and personal growth throughout the narrative. A surprise or two did add a bit of tension to the story and helped keep it interesting.

Although not exactly my personal cup of tea, I would recommend this book to younger readers who are looking for a book that is primarily romance.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Just Read Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Melanie Bennett and Detective Brian Morris met over a year ago when he solved her best friend’s murder case, and now Nashville’s annual Christmas festivities have them crossing paths again, could it be fate?

Melanie Bennett has spent the last six months in therapy to erase the self-assigned blame and eradicate the night terrors that plagued her at every attempt to close her eyes after witnessing her best friend’s murder. The Christmas season always had a way of lifting her spirits, and this year is no different. The spark within her to live again couldn’t have come at a better time when she and Detective Brian Morris are reacquainted, but first, she must believe that she deserves happiness.

Will the circumstances of how they met prevent Melanie from taking a chance on love?

Brian was drawn to Melanie when he first laid eyes on her over a year ago; he wanted to ask her out, but the timing was all wrong. Expressing interest in her when she’d just lost her best friend was tacky, but fate dealt him another opportunity when he walked into her hair salon delivering flyers for the annual stuff the cruiser toy drive a year later. Though Brian desires love, will his unresolved issues with his mother get in the way?

Every moment spent with one another can only be described as fate – a power beyond human control. Will this Christmas season bring about the healing and love both Melanie and Brian crave?

Fate is book 2 in the Perfect Time for Love Series (Sweet Christian Romance).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Natasha has penned an award-winning devotional, The Life Your Spirit Craves and a Henri award nominated devotional, Not Without You: 365 Days in the Lord’s Presence. Natasha desires to encourage readers to live the life they have been created to live in God. Natasha’s first fiction book, Love, Lies & Consequences, was released on April 21, 2015, and earned The Readers’ Choice Award.

The Love, Lies & Consequences seems to be taking on a life of it’s own as books two and three delve deeper into the lives of the characters and how they deal with life’s issues. Natasha enjoys crafting stories that we can relate to and learn from. Visit Natasha’s website www.natashafrazier.com to sign up for her newsletter or to connect.

Natasha is also a motivational speaker, in much like her literary works, who speaks to encourage women to take their lives to the next level, release fear and become the women they have been predestined to be.