Book Review: A Holiday Prayer

Author: Deb Kastner
Title: A Holiday Prayer
Publisher: Love Inspired
Publish Date: Dec 1, 1998
Buy: Amazon

Book Blurb: 

From the first, Maddie Carlton felt that she'd met mysterious Rory March before. Now he appeared on her doorstep when she least expected--and vanished just as swiftly. Yet, at each visit, Rory brought Maddie and her boy the warmth and joy their lives had been missing for so long--ever since the tragedy that had taken her husband. But who was Rory really? And could the man who'd restored her faith--and saved Christmas for her son--teach Maddie to love again?

Review: This is a sweet love story of faith that takes place during the holidays. Maddie lost her husband at a department store the previous Christmas, when holiday display catches fire. Her son, Nicky is also hurt.

I loved how the author used the Phantom in the story. The Phantom of the Opera has always been one of my favorite stories and musicals, though her inspiration came from the other Phantom musical and not the Andrew Lloyd Webber.

I also loved the character Rory, though I have to say I had a hard time picturing the character as the author described him, as I'm a huge Doctor Who fan, and all Rory's look like Rory Williams

This story was one of forgiveness on Maddie's part. She had to come to terms with what happened to her husband and the thoughts she had about their relationship prior to his death. I really hated that things didn't seem all that rosy until the end of the book.

So many books with the heroine as a widow seem to have the previous relationship as a poor one, yet they grieve as though the spouse was their one true love. There is a specter of mistrust hanging over Maddie's head, and I hated that. I felt bad for Peter because of how he died and that he died without giving Maddie any closure. When you find out what he was doing you will want to smack her.

The other thing that was a little bit off for me was Nicky and how he called Rory, The Fireman. This was a giveaway to Rory's real character. He's more than he seems, even when you find out who he really is.

I wish that there would have been more romance between Rory and Maddie. There was so much more angst than love, yet the two fell in love in a matter of months.

All that aside, this was a beautiful holiday read. It was a little heavy on the faith aspect, but not so much as to be obnoxious. Plus, its Christmas, and faith should play at least a small part in the holiday.

Rating: 4 flowers

Book Review: The Cowboy's Surprise Baby

Author: Deb Kastner
Title: The Cowboy's Surprise Baby
Publisher: Love Inpspired
Publish Date: Aug 2015
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Harlequin and Book Trib
Book Blurb: 

Hometown Reunion

After years away serving his country, Cole Bishop finally returns home—with a newborn baby in tow. As a single dad, Cole needs help. But the last thing he expects to encounter at his new job is his high school sweetheart—all grown up and more beautiful than ever. Tessa Applewhite might have broken Cole's heart years before, but she's never forgotten him. And he can wrangle her heart like no one else ever has. But Tessa rejected him when the stakes weren't nearly as high. Can Cole trust her again—and in the process, form a forever family?

Review: I've read a lot of second chance at romance novels lately. A LOT! This one attracted me because I love ranch romances and frankly after so many 2nd chance books that were more, erm...smutty, I was glad to read this Love Inspired novel.

Tessa and Cole have a history together. Cole has left the military to care for his newborn son. The problem is, his son Grayson doesn't figure into the story as much as I would have liked. In fact, the baby felt more like a plot device rather than a mini character, and that kind of made me sad. I love stories with babies.

Instead, the story focused on Cole and Tessa's work at Redemption Ranch. Cole really seemed to grow in the job he didn't feel he could do, but not without mishap. Though the mishaps aren't earthshattering.

I really loved how Cole handled Kaylie and her personal issue near the end of the book. It really showed how he had grown as the story progressed, as well as how he effected the young girl's life.

This was really a sweet novel. I felt the story put the romance on the back burner, even though you know there's still chemistry between them. The ending seemed a little much to me, since the two never really resumed their relationship, at least in a girlfriend/boyfriend sort of way.

Rating: 4 flowers