We are currently in the middle of a rather massive reorganization but that hasn’t stopped me from my random library reading. This week among the boxes and chaos I grabbed enough time to read The Lawman’s Honor by Linda Goodnight (I admit it, 50% back of the book, 50% her awesome last name). This is apparently part of a series – Whisper Falls, the place the book is also based in. 

Of course we have our lawman – Heath Monroe, a Fed who is now taking an easier post at a police station in small town Whisper Falls. In honour of his father’s legacy (an amazing police officer who died in the line of duty), he has tied his entire being into upholding the law.

The love interest… small town beautician and widow Cassie Blackwell who literally saves his life when on the way to Whisper Falls the weather and a sharp curve send him hurtling off the road. 

This is all complicated by the unearthing of a link to drugs and Cassie’s deceased husband. Heath is determined not only to solve the case but to determine if Cassie was involved. Neither are simple and the relationship between the two becomes muddied and complex.

What I enjoyed about this book is that neither person needs a boost or support in faith. Their belief systems are strong, it is their relationship skills that require help. This book has a definite mystery, a strong romantic element and even a baby in the mix (neither of theirs, Cassie’s brother and sister in law). 

The Lawman’s Honor is a lovely read, definitely in a slightly different direction than other Love Inspired books, but faith is still there as is truth, justice and love. So check it out! 

Well, I am finding more and more that my random story choices is teaching me quite a lot about my personal tastes. This book has reinforced that I enjoy my Regency romance and my stories with a strong faith element SEPARATELY. I feel like I am looking for something very specific when I pick up a Regency romance, a sweet story with gentile people, maybe not EXACTLY period correct but most often at least period close…

With The Nanny Arrangement by Lily George you do get some of the period feel, a lot of the romance of the era, but I found the way faith was included – bible studies, and the situations the two main characters are in – often alone, unchaperoned was a bit too much for me. But the imagery was lovely, the characters well thought out and the story interesting. I just found I had to suspend my Regency sensibilities at times (not to say I am educated in perfect Regency era rules and regulations, but I do love the genre and have read pretty much everything I can get my hands on).

The Nanny Arrangement is not the first in a series, but focuses on the middle sister of 3 who helps her younger sister run a hat shop. The elder has married up and is happy in her home but still in contact. The younger two do not get along overly well without the third to balance them out. Cue the needy gentlemen, known to the elder and her husband as a good friend. His estranged (badly married) sister has perished leaving her only child – a daughter. In order to solve everyone’s problems Becky, the middle sister, becomes the nanny.

There is a lot more than simple romance going on. Paul Holmes has lost his faith, and is not reconciled to his sister’s death or her daughter’s appearance in his life. Becky is unsure of her future as she longs for more than her place in the hat store and has been newly jilted (or at least the man in question never realized her interest). All in all a fun read just more of a faith story than a period piece. I can recommend a second book by the same author – Healing the Soldier’s Heart which is a bit more in the period correct feel. But both have great merits! 

Well with Christmas under out belts there is time for the review of one more seasonal themed book. Snowflake Sweethearts by Carrie Turansky was a great book for a taste of Christmas. A single mom returns to Fairhaven, Washington just in time to help where she is greatly needed in the home of a past friend (Alex Jameson, who she had a secret love for) and his suddenly ill grandmother (Irene, owner of Jameson’s Bakery). With daughter Emma (age 5) in tow, Annie Romano has her own skeletons in the closet to deal with as she helps Alex return to his faith and Irene embrace the healthier lifestyle her heart attack has necessitated.

So with romance and healing hearts there is a bakery to save, friendships to grown and pasts to reconcile with. My only dispute with this book is Annie’s views on believing in fantasy. I understand that Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy are all a financial burden but her needs to say truth is an absolute must with raising children and that to let them have that fantasy was to lie to them was a bit extreme to me.

Otherwise, I found this to be a lovely emotional journey of two people who need to learn to let go of the past and grasp the future with both hands, uncertainty and all. I do so enjoy a romantic Christmas story.