My Bookshelf: The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson

After inheriting his title from his brother, the margrave has two weeks to find a noble bride. What will happen when he learns he has fallen for a lovely servant girl in disguise?

        The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble-born ladies from around the country to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character.

        Avelina has only two instructions: keep her true identity a secret and make sure the margrave doesn’t select her as his bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.

        Despite Avelina’s best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken notice. And try as she might, she can’t deny her own growing feelings. But something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far worse—far deadlier—consequences.

Beach Reads Week

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is all about the perfect beach reads since summer is finally upon us! When I think beach reads, I think lighthearted stories that are less suspenseful, and less likely to make you emotional, than some of your regular reads. However, because those make-you-cry, touch-your-heart books are my favorite I’ve had a bit of a difficult time making this list. I’ve tried my best to keep them light, but some of them might fall a little bit more into the other category. Such as the Denise Hildreth book, but that couldn’t be helped because they’re actually at the beach and I couldn’t not add it to this list. Anyway, these are some books I would highly recommend reading as you lay out on the beach! And if you want to see my full reviews of any of them, just click on the coral titles!

Must-Have June Releases

        How is it already almost June? Although part of me almost feels like I’ve been on summer break forever—now don’t get me wrong I didn’t say I wanted school to start back, I just miss my school friends—the other part of me feels like I was just leaving school and going on vacation, but that was a month ago and I’m not sure how that’s possible. Anyway, I’m really glad that it is almost June because that means I’m going to the beach, and it means all these wonderful books I’m excited for are finally going to release! Take a look at this great list! And, if you want to see any of my full reviews of any of the already-released novels mentioned here, just click on the green titles!

My Bookshelf: Justified by Varina Denman

A rebellious young woman seeks redemption for her sins, but can she forgive herself?

        In a small Texas town ruled by gossip, Fawn Blaylock believes other are justified in condemning her untimely pregnancy. Stifled by guilt, she yearns for the grace she has never been willing to bestow on others. Hope begins to stir when the local football coach offers gentle strength to help Fawn reawaken her heart and redeem her past.

        Justified perfectly captures the rhythm and romance of life in a small town, chronicling the life of a woman searching for renewal, a man looking beyond what others see, and a community torn between judgement and love. It is the unforgettable story of broken dreams, second chances, and relentless hope.

My Bookshelf: Someone Like You by Victoria Bylin

        Julia Dare is trying to run her own business, raise her young son, Max, and help her widowed mother. Her biggest worry, though, is keeping Max’s father from being a bad influence while still allowing the boy to spend time with his dad. When an account from her event-planning business sends her to Caliente Springs resort, she’s shocked to encounter Zeke Monroe, her college sweetheart.

        Zeke is determined to keep Caliente Springs running despite financial trouble. When Julia walks back into his life, he’s surprised at the feelings she stirs up. As they work together on an important client’s wedding, the fate of the resort soon depends on their success. With Zeke and Julia both pushed to their limits, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together?

My Favorite Series

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is actually all about ten books that I feel differently about after time has passed, but that topic just didn’t resonate with me, as I usually just think of books the same way as time passes, other than the fact that my love for them grows stronger. So today, I thought I’d write about ten of my all-time favorite series. I’m a huge proponent of series—don’t get me wrong I love stand-alone novels almost as much—because I just really love getting to know a group of characters over the course of that many pages. Some of my favorite books are parts of a series, so I thought it fitting to focus on them today. I’ve only added series that I’ve finished reading, and have loved each book, so that I could narrow it down a little. And if you want to see my full reviews of any of the titles I’ve actually reviewed, just click on the coral-colored titles!

Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury

Before you take a stand…you got to take a chance.

        Holden Harris is an eighteen-year-old locked in a prison of autism. Despite his quiet ways and quirky behaviors, Holden is very happy and socially normal—on the inside, in a private world all his own. In reality he is bullied at school by kids who only see that he is very different.

        Ella Reynolds is part of the “in” crowd. A cheerleader and star of the high school drama production, her life seems perfect. When she catches Holden listening to her rehearse for the school play, she is drawn to him…the way he is drawn to the music. Then Ella makes a dramatic discovery—she and Holden were best friends as children. Frustrated by the way Holden is bullied and horrified at the indifference of her peers, Ella decides to take a stand against the most privileged and popular kids at school. Including her boyfriend, Jake.

        Ella believes miracles can happen in the unlikeliest places, and that just maybe an entire community might celebrate from the sidelines. But will Holden’s praying mother and the efforts of Ella and a cast of theater kids be enough to unlock the prison that contains Holden? This time, friendship, faith, and the power of a song must be strong enough to open the doors to the miracle Holden needs.