Category Archives: Christian Novella

An October Bride

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Ganshert, Katie. An October Bride: A Year of Weddings Novella. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. 2014.

SUMMARY:
octoberSet in Mayfair, Wisconsin, during the stunning autumn weather, Emma accidentally discovers her terminally ill father’s bucket list…which includes walking Emma down the aisle. Having recently broken off her engagement, Emma sets out to find a willing groom to help her dad achieve that event…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
As a new author for me, I truly enjoyed Katie Ganshert’s style of writing. (The entire collection of wedding novellas has introduced to me to many new authors.) With humor, compassion, faith and reality, An October Bride was probably one of my favorite novellas yet. Of course I appreciated the setting in Wisconsin (Go Brewers) too! Cutely written yet with a deeper meaning underneath, An October Bride is perfect for A Year of Weddings Novella series. Definitely an author I will now seek out further to read; I appreciated the “wordiness” with which she claims she writes!

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of An October Bride: A Year of Weddings Novella from BookLook Bloggers for my honest review*

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A September Bride

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Springer, Kathryn. A September Bride: A Year of Weddings Novella. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. 2014.

SUMMARY:
septemberFinally finding home in Red Leaf, Wisconsin, Annie Price hopes to become a respected member of the community. Working as the manager of Second Story Books bookstore, Annie finds herself paired with Jesse Kent, son of the bookstore’s owner, in a reenactment of a wedding at the historical society. Though their pasts may make a relationship hard, does it necessarily make it impossible?

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
As another installment in the A Year of Weddings series, this novella fit perfectly. Sweet yet filled with humor, the underlying storyline contains a message of people trying to trust while finding themselves. A new author for me, I enjoyed her writing enough to search for her other books. What a wonderful, pleasant yet diverse set of novellas included in this series…I have truly enjoyed meeting the different authors, finding some new favorite characters and relishing in the weddings. As a side note, I thought this particular novella had a beautiful cover to match the story.

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of A September Bride from BookLook Bloggers and Zondervan for my honest review*

An August Bride

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Clopton, Debra. An August Bride: A Year of Weddings Novella. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing. 2014.

SUMMARY:
augustKelsey Wilcox, left at the altar, wants nothing to do with weddings. Reluctantly though, she agrees to take part in her cousin’s wedding which is when most of the trouble begins. Due to her past, Kelsey wants nothing to do with men…especially gorgeous cowboys! Enter Brent Corbin, a hunk of a cowboy who just happens to be available…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
A mermaid in gold, three members of the Matchmakin’ Posse of Mule Hollow and an irresistible cowboy…just the ingredients for a quick, humor-filled, adorable novella! Read in one sitting, I giggled as I read through the pages, truly enjoying the quick-wit with which it was written. I absolutely loved her 5 dating rules: no cowboys, no cowboys, no cowboys, no cowboys, no cowboys…whoa! Definitely deserving a place in A Year of Weddings Novellas, I must admit this was my favorite one so far! Having never read a novel by this author, I only hope her other ones are just as well written as I plan on reading all of them.

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of An August Bride from BookLook Bloggers and Zondervan Publishing for my honest review*

Evergreen

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Warren, Susan May. Evergreen. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 2014.

SUMMARY:
evergreenEmpty-nesters John and Ingrid Christiansen are excited to start the next chapter in their life; however, they didn’t plan on some unforeseen family circumstances. Mixed with a difference in priorities, John and Ingrid must come to terms with their history before continuing on with their future in chilly northern Minnesota…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Sparkling snow, chilly weather, swirling icicles…the perfect setting for a story at Evergreen Resort in Minnesota. With true perspective, Susan May Warren threads a story of a married couple later in life who have very contrastive thoughts of moving forward. Though only a novella, the storyline was truly developed and read as if a full-length novel. Following several other books in the series, Evergreen was included as a story on the parents (as I assume the previous books were about the children). Emotional, heart-warming and rewarding all the same, I appreciated the novella as a story within itself even though I was a bit confused as to the many characters mentioned in the beginning. A circle-story of sorts, the family Christmas letter at the start of the book soon turns into a much longer, more in-depth letter when rewritten at the end of the book. Another new author for me, I am sure this will not be the last from this author I will read.

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Evergreen from Tyndale House Publishers for my honest review*

A July Bride

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Wiseman, Beth. A July Bride: A Year of Weddings Novellas. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan 2014.

SUMMARY:
julybrideStood up at the altar by the man who apparently still loves her, Alyssa Pennington just cannot make sense of it all. A beautifully decorated church, the dress of her dreams, family and close friends all in attendance…and Brendan Myers gets cold feet at the last second. Faced with embarrassment, the loss of marrying the love-of-her-life and yet, still in love with him, Alyssa must decide if she can understand, accept and forgive Brendan…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Yet another installment in A Year of Weddings Novellas, I enjoyed this quick, light read as expected in this series. Beth Wiseman does a wonderful job with the characters, adding humor around some more serious elements and sprinkling it all with a touch of faith. I always enjoy this author’s writing style which continued in this novella. Definitely earning a spot within this Novella collection, I am glad A July Bride was included. Who doesn’t love a wedding after-all?

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of A July Bride from BookLook Bloggers and Zondervan for my honest review*

A June Bride

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Whalen, Marybeth. A June Bride: A Year of Weddings Novella. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing. 2014.

SUMMARY:
juneBeing on the reality show, Rejection Connection, Wynne Hardy cannot believe her life has come to this since the break-up with her long-time boyfriend, Callum Royce. Never dreaming her video would be picked, Wynne soon becomes caught up in the fast paced flow of reality TV. However, right before the large media-based wedding takes place, Callum asks to meet Wynne one last time…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
A new author for me, I enjoyed her style and wit. Similar to the current reality shows, A June Bride followed a contemporary romance story. Though brief, this novella was a quick, likable, fun read for summer. Part of A Year of Weddings series, this novella was perfect to be included in the set. Predictable yet pleasant, A June Bride was just as expected. Definitely an author I will pursue further, I am glad I read this novella as it may lead me to books I may not have previously picked up.

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of A June Bride from BookLook Bloggers and Zondervan Publishing for my honest review*

A March Bride

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Hauck, Rachel. A March Bride. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. 2014.

SUMMARY:
marchbrideRoyalty Nathaniel II (of Brighton Kingdom) and Susanna Truitt (of Rib Shack BBQ, Georgia) are set to be married in just under three weeks. Due to an ancient decree still being enforced, Susanna must resign from her United States citizenship in order to serve as Princess of Brighton. Having already given up her home to join Nathaniel in Brighton as well as leaving her family, Susanna struggles with this latest necessary writ. While talking to her Pastor back at home in America, Susanna realizes her identity may be for more than her own use, it may be to serve God. Will Nathaniel and Susanna finally join as King and Princess of Brighton Kingdom?

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Having recently read Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck, I was very surprised and excited to read this continuing novella containing the same characters. As a fan of this author, I knew I was in for a treat…especially as it concerned an already-known princess! Though not necessary to read the books in order, it definitely makes for a more interlinked story if the characters are met in Once Upon a Prince and A Princess Ever After. Perhaps due to my fairy-tale bias, this novella was my favorite so far contained in A Year of Wedding Novellas.

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5)

*I received a complimentary copy of A March Bride from BookLook Bloggers and Zondervan for my honest review*