I spent a lot of time on a plane last week, so managed to squeeze in some good reading time. Here are reviews on two I recently finished.
First is a contemporary romance written by Mindy Obenhaus. If you enjoy the second-chance romance trope, this book will be right up your alley.
Love Inspired stories (the Christian branch of Harlequin Romance) follow a predictable format, so it is doubtful anything in this story will surprise you. Nevertheless, that won’t keep you from enjoying it. School-day friends meet up again 16 years or so later, both with some life experiences and hurts behind them. They have a painful past to overcome, but of course, they do. Yay!
Love Inspired books are carried at Walmart, but are also available using this link to Amazon. You can read my review on Goodreads below:
Loving the Rancher’s Children by Mindy Obenhaus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you like the second-chances trope, you’ll enjoy this book. I liked how the characters were both in their 30s, so there was some life experience behind the story. The rancher’s children were predictably adorable. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the rancher lifestyle (I live in Texas). That part was very authentic. The only part that didn’t ring 100% true for me was the “fight” that had split the couple up back in the day. I’m not sure that would’ve had the power to carry that hurt for the next 16 years or so. But, discounting that minor detail, it was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
View all my reviews
The other book I finished was Michelle Griep’s Man of Shadow and Mist.
I really enjoyed this book. It was my first read of Michelle Griep’s novels, so obviously, I haven’t read book one in the Of Monsters and Men series. Yet! You can read this book as a stand-alone and will have no trouble keeping up without having read the previous story.
Man of Shadow and Mist does a good job of setting up questions in the reader’s mind about whether there is actually a vampire afoot or not. The townspeople certainly think so, but Rosa believes differently. She makes it her project to disabuse them of their superstitious fears. I enjoyed the historical aspect of the story; Griep does a good job of showing us the setting. If you enjoy stories where the underdog has to struggle against unfair judgements and prejudices, you’ll enjoy this one too.
Available using this link at Amazon.
I drew a winner from all the folks who responded on the website and in my email. The winner of the Love Inspired book is Donna Stearns! Congrats, Donna. I’ll contact you to get an address.
You write such helpful reviews, Paula! I appreciate how you give insight about who would probably enjoy each of these books.
Thank you. I write reviews that I would like to read. 🙂
Man of the Shadow and Mist looks so interesting. You really do judge a book by its cover!
It’s true. Authors really stress over getting the perfect cover. They make a difference.
I think I favor your second read the most. The first book would be my choice if I wanted a quick easy book to rest with.
They definitely had different vibes. The Love Inspired books are always on the shorter end, and you know exactly what you’re getting. And sometimes, that is exactly what I want.
Both sound like good reads. I especially like the “second chance” theme.
I like that trope also. Thanks for replying. Your name is in the pot!