HIGH SPEED HOLIDAY by Katy Lee

When Ian Stone finds out his true identity he heads for Norcastle, New Hampshire to claim what is rightfully his, as Luke Spencer.  But shortly after his arrival he finds himself being shot at and thinks it’s his siblings (Wade and Roni) not wanting him to have his inheritance.  Sylvie Laurent, Police Chief of Norcastle, is convinced that Wade and Roni would not try to kill him.  As they work together to unravel the mystery of who the shooter is, both Ian and Sylvie find themselves not only protecting each other but also discovering they have a very strong attraction.  What they finally discover is more than they bargained for.  Can they stay alive long enough to take down the bad guy and perhaps experience the Merriest Christmas Ever?

High Speed Holiday is certainly an appropriate title for this book, because from beginning to end you are definitely moving at high speed!  I enjoyed going back to Norcastle and seeing all the familiar folks once again.  I loved meeting Ian (Luke).  He is such a great hero yet realistically flawed, which to me, made him all the more appealing.  Sylvie was harder for me to like.  She’s tough and very principled which came across as being kinda of cold.  She did grow on me and I think Ian was a good influence on her. I loved the chemistry Ian and Sylvie had together. The verse at the beginning of the book was really brought to life throughout the story.  It was Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”  A great reminder that regardless of what we might think, God is working all things together for good, so hang in there.  This is the third book in the Roads to Danger series but can be read as a stand alone.  Katy Lee is a favorite author who consistently delivers a page-turning adventure with an uplifting message.

*This complimentary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

A few favorite quotes:

“Family isn’t always about blood.  They’re the people your heart claims.”

“So I guess it’s no father for me, then.”  “There’s God.”  Ian dropped his head back.  “He’s the most important Father to have, I know that now.  I wish I had known it when I was growing up.  Life was hard…and lonely.”

Did Sylvie want him to stay?  The thought of her desiring him in her life felt like what a gift under the tree might feel like.  Joyful. Exciting. Special.

For more information about this book or other books by Katy Lee I recommend you visit her website at http://www.katyleebooks.com.

CAN'T HELP FALLING by Kara Isaac

Emelia Mason is a fierce reporter who manages to dig up dirt on well know people.  She is also a huge fan of Narnia and loves climbing into every wardrobe she comes across looking to see if the back opens to the mystical land.  When one of her stories causes tragic results she heads for Oxford, England to try and make amends.  Peter Carlisle is a rower for Great Britain and was working toward making it to the Olympics until an injured shoulder prevents him from doing that. He wants to try and make a come-back to make up for letting down his biggest supporter but doing so just might permanently injure his shoulder.  From their unusual first meeting to the planning of an important fundraiser, Emelia and Peter find themselves strongly attracted to one other.  But will that attraction be strong enough to endure some hard truths that will rise to the surface?

I thoroughly enjoyed Close to You but I have to say I loved Can’t Help Falling!  The characters were fun, full of life and realistically drawn.  Peter was a great guy who loved the Lord but definitely was not perfect.  Emelia was someone you can’t help but love.  She’s down to earth and kind but also has a bit of sass, which added great humor to the story.  I also liked the secondary characters of Jackson and Allie.  Both were really great people and good friends to have.  There was a neat lesson having to do with a tea cup that I just loved.  You’ll have to read the story to see what I mean but it’s something that will definitely stay with me.  If you enjoy stories by Jenny B. Jones, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this book.  So, sit back, relax and take a trip to Oxford, England where you Can’t Help Falling for this story.

*This complementary copy was provided by Howard Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

For more information about this book or other books by Kara Isaac I recommend you visit her website at http://www.karaisaac.com.

Wanted: Royal Princess Shock and Awe by Anna Dynowski

Prince Maximillian is known as the playboy prince and has been perfecting that image since he was 16 years old. Always the charming, smooth talking prince with the playful personality, makes him popular with the ladies. The Graziano family feels it’s time for him to settle down but Max refuses to give up his single status, that is until Adrianna Danek enters his life. Adrianna works for the Christian Youth Network and loves her work of training youth leaders. She’s asked by the royal family to come to Mondoverde to help set up a CYN group there. She accepts the assignment, knowing she’ll be working closely with Max. She’s familiar with his reputation and refuses to succumb to his charming ways. But both are surprised by the strong attraction they feel. Max is puzzled by the fact that Adrianna is not easily charmed by him and Adrianna is stunned to find there is more to Max than meets the eye. Can a royal prince and an ordinary girl ever find common ground?

I loved this story! It whisks you away once again to the land of Mondoverde where you visit a royal family who loves the Lord and wants to rule with integrity. Who wouldn’t want to go there? It was so nice to get to know Max on a deeper level. He’s so much more than his reputation implies. I loved the dynamics of the Graziano family. They all help each other and are playful with each other but they also are very protective of each other too. I loved the romantic tension between Max and Adrianna; Ooh-la-la, lots of spark and sizzle. I love the way Max defended Adrianna to Aaron (a friend of Adrianna’s). Very gallant but also humorous. (you’ll have to read the story to see what I mean and you will love it!!!). I also appreciated the way the author painted a picture, throughout the story, of what love is and what a marriage should look like if you do it God’s way. This is the last book in the Royal Hearts of Mondoverde series and it was a great ending but I am so sad to see it end. I will certainly miss this royal family. You could read this as a stand alone and be fine but you would be missing out of some really great stories if you didn’t read the whole series. The Graziano family has definitely found a place in my heart and also on my bookshelf!

*This complementary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

Some favorite quotes/moments:

“God is never late and never early. He’s always exactly right on time - His time.”

“You have your father’s eyes.” “And my mother’s nose,” Prince Maximillian said, grinning. “You, cara, have the rest of me.” Adrianna realized, in that moment, the only way to safeguard herself from caving to his charm, was to treat the prince like the boy child he portrayed himself to be. “A pity all the good parts have already been claimed,” she told him, her voice dry.

“Adrianna, he murmured, “the Lord has been guiding every incident in our lives past and present, to stitch together the apparent dissimilar threads of our lives and create a complementary harmonizing tapestry of love.”

For more information about this book or other books by this author, I recommend you visit her website at http://www.annadynowski.com.