Susan's Review of A Fortunate Arrangement by Nancy Robards Thompson

Felicity Schafer throws her boss, Austin Fortune, a curveball when she hands in her resignation. She’s worked hard to earn her MBA and wants to move into a new role. She’s been crushing on Austin for years and feels it’s time to move on with her life professionally and personally.

Austin is a workaholic who depends on Felicity for everything from his morning coffee to ordering his dinner. Austin has immersed himself in his job at Fortune Investments since his bitter divorce and considers Felicity as a friend.

The chemistry between the two characters sizzled from the first page of the novel. Loved their conversations and Austin’s reaction to Felicity leaving the firm. I was so happy that Felicity’s friend Maia gave her a makeover- haircut and highlights and updated makeup palette. The makeover gave Felicity confidence and Austin took a step back and noticed the changes. She agrees to go out on a date with a friend of Maia’s and Austin is forced to recognize that he has feelings for Felicity.

Nancy Robards Thompson has written another fabulous addition to The Fortunes series- the characters and their office romance are relatable. The author does a great job with the perception piece of the office romance and balances the characters feelings and emotions perfectly. After his first marriage, Austin does not believe in love. Loved reading how his feelings toward Felicity changed. I adored the secondary characters of Maia (fairy godmother # 1) and Savannah (fairy godmother #2). Loved the novel’s conclusion and the epilogue made me cry!

If you like a story with a bit of Cinderella magic, a fairy godmother or two, a swoon worthy dance at a ball, you will love this book. I highly recommend A Fortune Arrangement and can’t wait for the author’s next book.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

A Curve in the Road by Julianne Maclean - Audible Version

A Curve in the Road

by Julianne Maclean

Audible Edition

☆☆☆☆☆

 





I am a Julianne Maclean fan. I have followed her from
the historical romance stories. I do not do that very often.
But she started a series called The Color of Heaven.
It sounded so interesting and I have always been glad
that I gave it a chance.

I bought the audio version of A Curve in the Road.
I have bought most of her contemporary stuff for listening to.
She seems have great taste in narrators. Coleen Marlo was a
new listen to me. She did a good job!

The story was quite compelling to me. I had a hard time
turning it off.....I wanted to keep going. The characters
that you got to know were terrific.

I will only add, there is a lot of story. A Curve in the
Road is just over 7 hours long to listen to. But there was
no slow time. It was one shocking revelation, one crisis,
one secret, one mystery....after another.
There is a lot of story. I did enjoy it.
And Julianne Maclean continues to be an
automatic listen for me.

I bought my copy from Audible.com
Review by Lisa Hutson

Susan's Review of A Match Made In Good Hope by Cindy Kirk

Katie Ruth Crewes is one of my favorite characters in Cindy Kirk’s Good Hope series. Katie Ruth is an integral part of her community-she works at the Y, volunteers at the church and is best known for writing the town’s daily e-newsletter. Cindy Kirk pairs the friendly, compassionate Katie Ruth with Pastor Dan Marshall in A Match Made in Good Hope.

Dan Marshall’s structured life has taken several detours this past year. His fiancé broke off their relationship, got married and is having a baby. His parents are pressuring him to take a position closer to home and his pink haired sister, Oaklee, dropped out of college and landed on his doorstep.

Katie Ruth’s good heart coupled with her past, Dan’s struggles with his career path and feelings for Katie Ruth and Oaklee’s unfiltered conversations and advice make this novel a fabulous read! Loved the conversations between Katie Ruth and Oaklee. Katie Ruth shows compassion towards Oaklee when she needs a friend. And Oaklee’s friendship with the town match makers Katherine, Ruby and Gladys was perfect—it took the four of them to get this couple on the right path!

Dan struggled with his faith a bit during the novel. He was passionate about serving his parish but, was tempted to move to a larger congregation for a step up in his career. Dan faced a tough decision did he want more of an administrative role or a leadership role? A secret from Katie Ruth’s past is revealed and Dan’s reaction surprised me—if he truly believed in the power and strength of compassion and forgiveness why couldn’t he forgive Katie Ruth? I liked that Cindy Kirk didn’t make it easy for this couple and challenged them throughout the story.

I liked that the novel took place during Easter which is a time for forgives and rebirth. The themes of forgiveness, faith and trust are woven throughout the story. Oaklee changes when she finds her place in Good Hope; she blossoms during the story as she gains confidence and makes friends in the community. Katie Ruth has suffered and been bullied in the past; her faith and determination got her through the tough times. Dan’s struggles with forgiveness and faith made me realize that he wasn’t perfect; he made mistakes, too.

Loved that Cindy Kirk included many of the past characters in this story- especially the scenes with Eliza, Kyle and Cassie. The storyline choices made for an excellent read and I am glad that I was so immersed in the characters that I couldn’t figure out the ending.

A Match Made in Good hope has all the feels-great characters, emotional, heartfelt story and the perfect setting.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman